bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting daily total pollen concentrations on a global scale
Authors: Makra László , Coviello Luca , Gobbi Andrea , Jurman Giuseppe , Furlanello Cesare , Brunato Mauro , Ziska Lewis H. , Hess Jeremy J. , Damialis Athanasios , Garcia Maria Pilar Plaza , Tusnády Gábor , Czibolya Lilit , Ihász István , Deák Áron József , Mikó Edit , Dorner Zita , Harry Susan K. , Bruffaerts Nicolas , Packeu Ann , Saarto Annika , Toiviainen Linnea , Louna‐Korteniemi Maria , Pätsi Sanna , Thibaudon Michel , Oliver Gilles , Charalampopoulos Athanasios , Vokou Despoina , Przedpelska‐Wasowicz Ewa Maria , Guðjohnsen Ellý Renée , Bonini Maira , Celenk Sevcan , Ozaslan Cumali , Oh Jae‐Won , Sullivan Krista , Ford Linda , Kelly Michelle , Levetin Estelle , Myszkowska Dorota , Severova Elena , Gehrig Regula , Calderón‐Ezquerro María Del Carmen , Guerra César Guerrero , Leiva‐Guzmán Manuel Andres , Ramón Germán Darío , Barrionuevo Laura Beatriz , Peter Jonny , Berman Dilys , Katelaris Connie H. , Davies Janet M. , Burton Pamela , Beggs Paul J. , Vergamini Sandra María , Valencia‐Barrera Rosa María , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia
Published: July 2024

Background

There is evidence that global anthropogenic climate change may be impacting floral phenology and the temporal and spatial characteristics of aero‐allergenic pollen. Given the extent of current and future climate uncertainty, there is a need to strengthen predictive pollen forecasts.

Methods

The study aims to use CatBoost (CB) and deep learning (DL) models for predicting the daily total pollen concentration up to 14 days in advance for 23 cities, covering all five continents. The model includes the projected environmental parameters, recent concentrations (1, 2 and 4 weeks), and the past environmental explanatory variables, and their future values.

Results

The best pollen forecasts include Mexico City (R2(DL_7) ≈ .7), and Santiago (R2(DL_7) ≈ .8) for the 7th forecast day, respectively; while the weakest pollen forecasts are made for Brisbane (R2(DL_7) ≈ .4) and Seoul (R2(DL_7) ≈ .1) for the 7th forecast day. The global order of the five most important environmental variables in determining the daily total pollen concentrations is, in decreasing order: the past daily total pollen concentration, future 2 m temperature, past 2 m temperature, past soil temperature in 28–100 cm depth, and past soil temperature in 0–7 cm depth. City‐related clusters of the most similar distribution of feature importance values of the environmental variables only slightly change on consecutive forecast days for Caxias do Sul, Cape Town, Brisbane, and Mexico City, while they often change for Sydney, Santiago, and Busan.

Conclusions

This new knowledge of the ecological relationships of the most remarkable variables importance for pollen forecast models according to clusters, cities and forecast days is important for developing and improving the accuracy of airborne pollen forecasts.
CYP2B6 and ABCB1 genotypes predict methadone plasma exposure among patients on maintenance therapy against opioid addictions in Tanzania
Authors: Mugusi Sabina , Mnkugwe Rajabu Hussein , Sanga Anna A. , Salahuddin Azreen , Barclay Victoria , Shayo Grace , Dahl Marja‐Liisa , Aklillu Eleni
Published: July 2024

Aims

Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) exhibits significant variability in pharmacokinetics and clinical response, partly due to genetic variations. However, data from sub‐Saharan African populations are lacking. We examined plasma methadone variability and pharmacogenetic influences among opioid‐addicted Tanzanian patients.

Methods

Patients attending MMT clinics (n = 119) in Tanzania were genotyped for common functional variants of the CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, ABCB1, UGT2B7 and SLCO1B1 genotypes. Trough plasma concentrations of total methadone, S‐methadone (S‐MTD) and R‐methadone (R‐MTD), with their respective metabolites, 2‐ethylidene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), were quantified using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The methadone‐to‐EDDP metabolic ratio (MMR) was used to categorize the phenotype.

Results

The proportions of MMR‐predicted ultrarapid, extensive, intermediate and slow methadone metabolizer phenotypes were 2.5%, 58.2%, 23.7% and 15.6%, respectively. CYP2B6 genotype significantly correlated with S‐methadone (P = .006), total methadone (P = .03), and dose‐normalized methadone plasma concentrations (P = .001). Metabolic ratios of R‐methadone (R‐MTD/R‐EDDP), S‐methadone (S‐MTD/S‐EDDP), and total methadone (MMR) were significantly higher among patients homozygous for defective variants (*6 or *18) than heterozygous or CYP2B6*1/*1 genotypes (P < .001). The metabolic ratio for S‐MTD and total methadone was significantly higher among ABCB1c.3435T/T than in the C/C genotype. No significant effect of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2A6, UGT2B7 and SLCO1B1 genotypes on S‐methadone, R‐methadone, or total methadone was observed.

Conclusions

Approximately one in six opioid‐addicted Tanzanian patients are methadone slow metabolizers, influenced by genetic factors. Both the CYP2B6 and ABCB1 genotypes are strong predictors of methadone metabolic capacity and plasma exposure. Further investigation is needed to determine their predictive value for methadone treatment outcomes and to develop genotype‐based dosing algorithms for safe and effective therapy.
Co‐creating an equality diversity and inclusion learning analytics dashboard for addressing awarding gaps in higher education
Authors: Bayer Vaclav , Mulholland Paul , Hlosta Martin , Farrell Tracie , Herodotou Christothea , Fernandez Miriam
Published: July 2024

Educational outcomes from traditionally underrepresented groups are generally worse than for their more advantaged peers. This problem is typically known as the awarding gap (we use the term awarding gap over ‘attainment gap’ as attainment places the responsibility on students to attain at equal levels) and continues to pose a challenge for educational systems across the world. While Learning Analytics (LA) dashboards help identify patterns contributing to the awarding gap, they often lack stakeholder involvement, offering very little support to institutional Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) leads or educators to pinpoint and address these gaps. This paper introduces an innovative EDI LA dashboard, co‐created with diverse stakeholders. Rigorously evaluated, the dashboard provides fine‐grained insights and course‐level analysis, empowering institutions to effectively address awarding gaps and contribute to a diverse and inclusive higher education landscape.

Practitioners notes

What is already known about this topic

Traditionally underrepresented groups face educational disparities, commonly known as the awarding gap.

Underachievement is a complex multi‐dimensional problem and cannot be solely attributable to individual student deficiencies.

LA dashboards targeting this specific problem are often not public, there is little research about them, and are frequently designed with little involvement of educational stakeholders.

What this paper adds

Pioneers the introduction of a dashboard specifically designed to address the awarding gap problem.

Emphasises the significant data needs of educational stakeholders in tackling awarding gaps.

Expands the design dimensions of Learning Analytics (LA) by introducing a specific design approach rooted in established user experience (UX) design methods.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Insights from this study will guide practitioners, designers, and developers in creating AI‐based educational systems to effectively target the awarding gap problem.
Uveal melanoma distant metastasis prediction system: A retrospective observational study based on machine learning
Authors: Wu Shi‐Nan , Qin Dan‐Yi , Zhu Linfangzi , Guo Shu‐Jia , Li Xiang , Huang Cai‐Hong , Hu Jiaoyue , Liu Zuguo
Published: July 2024

Uveal melanoma (UM) patients face a significant risk of distant metastasis, closely tied to a poor prognosis. Despite this, there is a dearth of research utilizing big data to predict UM distant metastasis. This study leveraged machine learning methods on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to forecast the risk probability of distant metastasis. Therefore, the information on UM patients from the SEER database (2000–2020) was split into a 7:3 ratio training set and an internal test set based on distant metastasis presence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed distant metastasis risk factors. Six machine learning methods constructed a predictive model post‐feature variable selection. The model evaluation identified the multilayer perceptron (MLP) as optimal. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) interpreted the chosen model. A web‐based calculator personalized risk probabilities for UM patients. The results show that nine feature variables contributed to the machine learning model. The MLP model demonstrated superior predictive accuracy (Precision = 0.788; ROC AUC = 0.876; PR AUC = 0.788). Grade recode, age, primary site, time from diagnosis to treatment initiation, and total number of malignant tumors were identified as distant metastasis risk factors. Diagnostic method, laterality, rural–urban continuum code, and radiation recode emerged as protective factors. The developed web calculator utilizes the MLP model for personalized risk assessments. In conclusion, the MLP machine learning model emerges as the optimal tool for predicting distant metastasis in UM patients. This model facilitates personalized risk assessments, empowering early and tailored treatment strategies.
Are milk quota prices a rational investment? Modeling quotas as financial assets
Authors: Barichello Richard R. , Vercammen James , Zammit‐Maempel Benjamin
Published: July 2024

Our objective in this paper is to examine the growth of the price of farm milk quotas in Canada, to shed light on their patterns of growth within the last 15 years. Our quota price model is based on the Gordon growth model, supplemented by some important characteristics of the milk quota market. Our explanatory variables include the quota rental price, interest rate, and expectations of both price and quantity growth, all for the province of Alberta over the 2009–2023 time period. Our economic model of quota prices performs well by giving results with the predicted signs for all variables in our model and high levels of statistical significance except for expectations of quantity allocations when entered separately. The model has two variants, one with the expectation of growth in quota rents and the other with the expectation of growth in the quota asset price. Econometric issues related to time series problems are dealt with. The model allows calculation of policy risk, which shows an interesting pattern over this time period.
Analysis of the legal situation regarding euthanasia in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru: Towards a Latin American model of medical assistance in dying?
Authors: Espericueta Luis
Published: July 2024

Colombia was one of the first countries to decriminalise euthanasia. However, what is known in the international academic literature about the country's regulations is scarce and outdated. Such lack of information on the situation in Latin America is even more evident in the case of Peru, where the Lima Superior Court of Justice set a precedent by allowing a person to have access to euthanasia in 2021. Ecuador, which has just decriminalised euthanasia for all its citizens in February 2024, risks being similarly absent from the international dialogue. This article summarises for the first time all the regulations in force regarding euthanasia in Latin America, through a study of primary sources in Spanish, and analyses some of the convergences between these three neighbouring countries.
Management of diabetes in people with advanced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Chowdhury Tahseen A. , Mukuba Dorcas , Casabar Mahalia , Byrne Conor , Yaqoob M. Magdi
Published: July 2024

Diabetes is the commonest cause of end stage kidney disease globally, accounting for almost 40% of new cases requiring renal replacement therapy. Management of diabetes in people with advanced kidney disease on renal replacement therapy is challenging due to some unique aspects of assessment and treatment in this group of patients. Standard glycaemic assessment using glycated haemoglobin may not be valid in such patients due to altered red blood cell turnover or iron/erythropoietin deficiency, leading to changed red blood cell longevity. Therefore, use of continuous glucose monitoring may be beneficial to enable more focussed glycaemic assessment and improved adjustment of therapy. People with advanced kidney disease may be at higher risk of hypoglycaemia due to a number of physiological mechanisms, and in addition, therapeutic options are limited in such patients due to lack of experience or license. Insulin therapy is the basis of treatment of people with diabetes with advanced kidney disease due to many other drugs classes being contraindicated. Targets for glycaemic control should be adjusted according to co‐morbidity and frailty, and continuous glucose monitoring should be used in people on dialysis to ensure low risk of hypoglycaemia. Post‐transplant diabetes is common amongst people undergoing solid organ transplantation and confers a greater risk of mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients. It should be actively screened for and managed in the post‐transplant setting.
Tail‐dependence of masting synchrony results in continent‐wide seed scarcity
Authors: Szymkowiak Jakub , Foest Jessie , Hacket‐Pain Andrew , Journé Valentin , Ascoli Davide , Bogdziewicz Michał
Published: July 2024

Spatial synchrony may be tail‐dependent, meaning it is stronger for peaks rather than troughs, or vice versa. High interannual variation in seed production in perennial plants, called masting, can be synchronized at subcontinental scales, triggering extensive resource pulses or famines. We used data from 99 populations of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) to examine whether masting synchrony differs between mast peaks and years of seed scarcity. Our results revealed that seed scarcity occurs simultaneously across the majority of the species range, extending to populations separated by distances up to 1800 km. Mast peaks were spatially synchronized at distances up to 1000 km and synchrony was geographically concentrated in northeastern Europe. Extensive synchrony in the masting lower tail means that famines caused by beech seed scarcity are amplified by their extensive spatial synchrony, with diverse consequences for food web functioning and climate change biology.
Short selling bans and price responses in a multimarket setting
Authors: Hu Yu , Jain Pankaj K. , Mishra Suchismita , Reyes‐Peña Robinson
Published: July 2024

We evaluate the role of short sale bans in muting the price response to negative earnings surprises for stocks cross‐listed in foreign unbanned markets. We update the global timeline of short sale restrictions up to the COVID‐19 crisis. Given low dispersion of beliefs, we observe that the effects of a stock's home market bans extend to unbanned markets, as manifested in lagged price responses, reduced short interest, and failures to deliver. In contrast, large profit opportunities created by high dispersion of beliefs trigger cross‐border short selling (regulatory arbitrage) and a leading price response in foreign unbanned markets vis‐à‐vis the home market.
Impact of three decades of warming, increased nutrient availability, and increased cloudiness on the fluxes of greenhouse gases and biogenic volatile organic compounds in a subarctic tundra heath
Authors: Ndah Flobert A. , Michelsen Anders , Rinnan Riikka , Maljanen Marja , Mikkonen Santtu , Kivimäenpää Minna
Published: July 2024

Climate change is exposing subarctic ecosystems to higher temperatures, increased nutrient availability, and increasing cloud cover. In this study, we assessed how these factors affect the fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) (i.e., methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2)), and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in a subarctic mesic heath subjected to 34 years of climate change related manipulations of temperature, nutrient availability, and light. GHGs were sampled from static chambers and gases analyzed with gas chromatograph. BVOCs were measured using the push‐pull method and gases analyzed with chromatography–mass spectrometry. The soil temperature and moisture content in the warmed and shaded plots did not differ significantly from that in the controls during GHG and BVOC measurements. Also, the enclosure temperatures during BVOC measurements in the warmed and shaded plots did not differ significantly from temperatures in the controls. Hence, this allowed for assessment of long‐term effects of the climate treatment manipulations without interference of temperature and moisture differences at the time of measurements. Warming enhanced CH4 uptake and the emissions of CO2, N2O, and isoprene. Increased nutrient availability increased the emissions of CO2 and N2O but caused no significant changes in the fluxes of CH4 and BVOCs. Shading (simulating increased cloudiness) enhanced CH4 uptake but caused no significant changes in the fluxes of other gases compared to the controls. The results show that climate warming and increased cloudiness will enhance CH4 sink strength of subarctic mesic heath ecosystems, providing negative climate feedback, while climate warming and enhanced nutrient availability will provide positive climate feedback through increased emissions of CO2 and N2O. Climate warming will also indirectly, through vegetation changes, increase the amount of carbon lost as isoprene from subarctic ecosystems.
Online retail nudges to help parents with lower‐income choose healthy beverages for their children: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rummo Pasquale E. , Seet Carla , Reimold Alexandria E. , Duffy Emily W. , Prestemon Carmen E. , Hall Marissa G. , Bragg Marie A. , Taillie Lindsey Smith
Published: July 2024

Background

Nudges offer a promising tool to reduce sugary drink intake among children who are most at risk for diet‐related disease.

Objective

To examine the impact of online store nudges on purchases of sugary drinks for children in lower‐income households.

Methods

Caregivers with lower‐income were recruited to an online shopping experiment and instructed to spend $10–$30 on three beverages for their child aged 1–5 years. Participants were randomized to navigate an online supermarket in its standard version (n = 1106) or a version with nudges (n = 1135), including a product placement nudge (i.e. placing healthy beverages in prominent positions) and a swap nudge (i.e. offering a swap of water, plain milk and/or 100% fruit juice upon selection of sugary drinks).

Results

On average, participants purchased 1887 (SD = 2113) and 620 (SD = 1528) calories from sugary drinks per basket in the control and experimental conditions, respectively. Model‐based results indicate that those in the experimental condition purchased 1267 (95% CI: 1419, 1114) fewer calories from sugary drinks, and fewer grams of total sugar (β = −253.5 g (95% CI: −286.3, −220.6)) and added sugar (β = −287.8 g (95% CI: −323.1, −252.5)) purchased from sugary drinks.

Conclusion

Nudges may be an effective, acceptable, scalable strategy for leading caregivers in lower‐income households to purchase fewer sugary drinks for their children.
Improving pressure injury risk assessment using real‐world data from skilled nursing facilities: A cohort study
Authors: Wynn Matthew Oliver , Goldstone Lucas , Gupta Rishabh , Allport Justin , Fraser Robert D. J.
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to improve the predictive accuracy of the Braden assessment for pressure injury risk in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) by incorporating real‐world data and training a survival model. A comprehensive analysis of 126 384 SNF stays and 62 253 in‐house pressure injuries was conducted using a large calibrated wound database. This study employed a time‐varying Cox Proportional Hazards model, focusing on variations in Braden scores, demographic data and the history of pressure injuries. Feature selection was executed through a forward‐backward process to identify significant predictive factors. The study found that sensory and moisture Braden subscores were minimally contributive and were consequently discarded. The most significant predictors of increased pressure injury risk were identified as a recent (within 21 days) decrease in Braden score, low subscores in nutrition, friction and activity, and a history of pressure injuries. The model demonstrated a 10.4% increase in predictive accuracy compared with traditional Braden scores, indicating a significant improvement. The study suggests that disaggregating Braden scores and incorporating detailed wound histories and demographic data can substantially enhance the accuracy of pressure injury risk assessments in SNFs. This approach aligns with the evolving trend towards more personalized and detailed patient care. These findings propose a new direction in pressure injury risk assessment, potentially leading to more effective and individualized care strategies in SNFs. The study highlights the value of large‐scale data in wound care, suggesting its potential to enhance quantitative approaches for pressure injury risk assessment and supporting more accurate, data‐driven clinical decision‐making.
Facilitating learners' self‐assessment during formative writing tasks using writing analytics toolkit
Authors: Tang Luzhen , Shen Kejie , Le Huixiao , Shen Yuan , Tan Shufang , Zhao Yueying , Juelich Torsten , Li Xinyu , Gašević Dragan , Fan Yizhou
Published: July 2024

Background

Learners' writing skills are critical to their academic and professional development. Previous studies have shown that learners' self‐assessment during writing is essential for assessing their writing products and monitoring their writing processes. However, conducting practical self‐assessments of writing remains challenging for learners without help, such as formative feedback.

Objectives

To facilitate learners' self‐assessment in writing, we developed a writing analytics toolkit and used data visualisation and cutting‐edge machine learning technology that provides real‐time and formative feedback to learners.

Methods

To investigate whether our newly‐developed tool affects the accuracy and process of learners' self‐assessment, we conducted a lab study. We assigned 59 learners to complete writing (2 h) and revising (1 h) tasks. During the revision stage, we randomly assigned the learners to two groups: one group used the writing analytics toolkit while the second group was not granted access to the toolkit. Learners' self‐assessment accuracy and process of self‐assessment were compared between the two groups.

Results

In our study, we found the toolkit helped learners in the experimental group improve the self‐assessment accuracy of their writing products compared to the learners in the control group. In addition, we also found that the affordances of the toolkit affected the learners' self‐assessment process, and poor design affordances may have prevented the learners from reflecting by themselves.

Conclusions

Together, our empirical study shed light on the design of future writing analytics tools which aim at improving learners' self‐assessment during formative writing processes.
Relationship between sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with type 2 diabetes and persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Qi Dan , Guan Xiaonan , Liu Xiaoqing , Liu Lifeng , Liu Zheng , Zhang Jianjun
Published: July 2024

Background

The impact of sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on the postoperative recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with persistent AF undergoing an initial radiofrequency ablation is not yet established. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on the recurrence of AF after radiofrequency ablation in patients with type 2 diabetes complicated persistent AF.

Methods

A total of 182 patients with type 2 diabetes and persistent AF, who underwent their first radiofrequency ablation for AF at our center, were enrolled and divided into two groups: the SGLT2 inhibitor group and the non‐SGLT2 inhibitor group. The main outcome of the follow‐up was the postoperative recurrence of AF.

Results

A total of 49 participants experienced AF recurrence. The use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent AF ablation was associated with a significantly lower risk of AF recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.28–0.83; p < .01).

Conclusions

The use of SGLT2 inhibitors is associated with a decreased risk of arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation in patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with persistent AF.
Factors affect knowledge, attitudes, and practices in colorectal cancer screening: A systematic review
Authors: Rehman Shaista , Al‐Alawi Kouthar Sulaiman , Chan Moon Fai , Al‐Busafi Said A. , AlZaabi Adhari , Al‐Hinai Mustafa , Al‐Masqari Mohammad , Shalaby Asem , Al‐Azri Mohammed
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on exploring various factors that affect knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Methods

A systematic search across five databases was performed to identify factors influencing KAP scores towards CRC screening. The PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct the literature search, and the time spanned is from March to June 2023. The search included observational studies published between January 2000 and June 2023 that met the predetermined review criteria. Data were extracted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) appraisal checklist to evaluate the quality of the articles.

Results

Out of 16,904 records, 1174 articles were reviewed in full text, resulting in 43 high‐quality studies included based on the JBI checklist. These studies assessed knowledge (42), attitudes (26), and practices (11) related to CRC screening. Key factors to improving KAP towards CRC screening in the general public were sociodemographic, social media influence, and physician recommendations. For healthcare professionals, factors promoting KAP included screening methods, guidelines, qualifications, and understanding of CRC screening. Educators lacked awareness of CRC symptoms and needed training to teach CRC screening and prevention. Pharmacists showed positive attitudes towards early CRC detection but had varying knowledge levels.

Conclusions

KAP towards CRC screening is suboptimal among the general public, healthcare professionals, students, educators, and pharmacists worldwide. Routine CRC screening counselling is paramount to improving screening rates. Continuous medical education and training programmes are essential for healthcare professionals to enhance their KAP towards CRC screening. Students and university teachers should be educated and trained about CRC screening to improve their knowledge and foster positive behavioural changes. These comprehensive measures are critical for establishing an effective screening programme.
In‐depth assessment of steatotic liver disease awareness in high‐risk groups
Authors: Özdede Murat , Güven Alper Tuna , Eroğlu Burcu Çelik
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study aims to determine the awareness levels and factors affecting it, along with prevalent misconceptions about Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD) among participants with high‐risk indicators.

Methods

A questionnaire with open‐ended questions was utilized. Participants were recruited from two general internal medicine outpatient clinics, focusing on those with high‐risk indicators for SLD. Data collection involved a questionnaire covering demographic information, self‐reported clinical conditions, and open‐ended questions about SLD awareness. Key focus areas included misconceptions, thematic awareness, and the relationship between awareness and educational attainment.

Results

The study involved 228 participants, predominantly female (70.4%), with an average age of 53.8 years. Only 33.7% showed a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of SLD. However, 90.4% provided some accurate information, though often limited or incomplete. Higher education and awareness of SLD risks were key predictors of better understanding. The logistic regression model, with an accuracy of 0.76 and recall of 0.84, found higher education inversely related to low awareness. Common misconceptions highlighted included the belief that polypharmacy or certain medications cause SLD, fatigue as an effect, and increased water intake as a treatment. Notably, seven patients mentioned artichoke consumption as a potential treatment.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the gap between comprehensive and partial awareness of SLD among high‐risk individuals. Educational level and informed understanding of SLD risks are crucial for improving awareness, emphasizing the need for specialized educational efforts and risk communication to high‐risk patients.
The greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential of ICT: A critical review of telecommunication companies’ GHG enablement assessments
Authors: Bieser Jan C. T. , Coroamă Vlad C. , Bergmark Pernilla , Stürmer Matthias
Published: July 2024

For about a decade, telecommunication network operators (TNOs) have explored the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions their customers can achieve by using TNO services (e.g., by substituting physical travel with video conferencing), the so‐called GHG enablement. Some TNOs also calculate a GHG enablement factor, which is the ratio between the GHG enablement and their own GHG footprint. Since GHG enablements usually exceed the footprint, they create the narrative that TNOs contribute to GHG reductions across society. In this paper, we systematically analyze TNO GHG enablement claims and the underlying methodological approaches. We find several methodological shortcomings and inconsistencies, such as different sets of TNO services considered, inconsistent system boundaries, potential double counting of GHG reductions, and a disregard for rebound effects. Most importantly, TNO assessments focus exclusively on those services likely to yield GHG reductions, neglecting possible GHG‐increasing services. We conclude that current GHG enablement (factors) do not accurately and comprehensively represent TNOs’ overall GHG impacts and create a flawed picture. To provide a reliable decision basis to stakeholders such as TNOs themselves, customers, investors, and policymakers, we provide eight recommendations on how to substantially improve the methodological basis.
Deep learning for quantifying spatial patterning and formation process of early differentiated human‐induced pluripotent stem cells with micropattern images
Authors: Chu Slo‐Li , Abe Kuniya , Yokota Hideo , Cho Dooseon , Hayashi Yohei , Tsai Ming‐Dar
Published: July 2024

Micropatterning is reliable method for quantifying pluripotency of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that differentiate to form a spatial pattern of sorted, ordered and nonoverlapped three germ layers on the micropattern. In this study, we propose a deep learning method to quantify spatial patterning of the germ layers in the early differentiation stage of hiPSCs using micropattern images. We propose decoding and encoding U‐net structures learning labelled Hoechst (DNA‐stained) hiPSC regions with corresponding Hoechst and bright‐field micropattern images to segment hiPSCs on Hoechst or bright‐field images. We also propose a U‐net structure to extract extraembryonic regions on a micropattern, and an algorithm to compares intensities of the fluorescence images staining respective germ‐layer cells and extract their regions. The proposed method thus can quantify the pluripotency of a hiPSC line with spatial patterning including cell numbers, areas and distributions of germ‐layer and extraembryonic cells on a micropattern, and reveal the formation process of hiPSCs and germ layers in the early differentiation stage by segmenting live‐cell bright‐field images. In our assay, the cell‐number accuracy achieved 86% and 85%, and the cell region accuracy 89% and 81% for segmenting Hoechst and bright‐field micropattern images, respectively. Applications to micropattern images of multiple hiPSC lines, micropattern sizes, groups of markers, living and fixed cells show the proposed method can be expected to be a useful protocol and tool to quantify pluripotency of a new hiPSC line before providing it to the scientific community.
A novel compound alleviates oxidative stress via PKA/CREB1‐mediated DJ‐1 upregulation
Authors: Pan Hong , Huang Maoxin , Zhu Chenxiang , Lin Suzhen , He Lu , Shen Ruinan , Chen Yimeng , Fang Fang , Qiu Yinghui , Qin Meiling , Bao Puhua , Tan Yuyan , Xu Jin , Ding Jianqing , Chen Shengdi
Published: July 2024

Oxidative stress is one of the major culprits causing dopaminergic neuron loss in Parkinson's disease (PD). DJ‐1 is a protein with multiple actions against oxidative stress, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, etc. DJ‐1 expression is decreased in sporadic PD, therefore increasing DJ‐1 expression might be beneficial in PD treatment. However, drugs known to upregulate DJ‐1 are still lacking. In this study, we identified a novel DJ‐1‐elevating compound called ChemJ through luciferase assay‐based high‐throughput compound screening in SH‐SY5Y cells and confirmed that ChemJ upregulated DJ‐1 in SH‐SY5Y cell line and primary cortical neurons. DJ‐1 upregulation by ChemJ alleviated MPP+‐induced oxidative stress. In exploring the underlying mechanisms, we found that the transcription factor CREB1 bound to DJ‐1 promoter and positively regulated its expression under both unstressed and 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium‐induced oxidative stress conditions and that ChemJ promoted DJ‐1 expression via activating PKA/CREB1 pathway in SH‐SY5Y cells. Our results demonstrated that ChemJ alleviated the MPP+‐induced oxidative stress through a PKA/CREB1‐mediated regulation of DJ‐1 expression, thus offering a novel and promising avenue for PD treatment.

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Loan guarantees and SMEs' investments under asymmetric information and Bayesian learning
Authors: Luo Pengfei , Wang Huamao , Yang Zhaojun
Published: July 2024

We develop a dynamic investment model with loan guarantees wherein insurers face information disadvantages and learn about borrower quality. Borrowers signal their qualities through investment timing, which is characterized by the investment threshold and elapsed time. We derive the conditions for separating or pooling equilibria. We show that the separating investment threshold is constant and determined mainly by the maximum threshold preventing mimicry. If project risk is higher (lower) than the market growth rate, the pooling investment threshold declines (increases) with elapsed time, and learning enhances (reduces) the willingness of high‐quality borrowers to wait. Learning alleviates adverse selection and reduces guarantee costs. These effects are more pronounced with a greater uncertainty of the insurer on borrower quality. We reveal dual effects of waiting. The worse the market prospect, the higher the value of waiting in pooling outcomes. Fee‐for‐guarantee swaps are superior to equity‐for‐guarantee swaps in environments with marked information asymmetry.
Exploring the role of E. faecalis enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (EPA) and lipoproteins in evasion of phagocytosis
Authors: Norwood Joshua S. , Davis Jessica L. , Salamaga Bartłomiej , Moss Charlotte E. , Johnston Simon A. , Elks Philip M. , Kiss‐Toth Endre , Mesnage Stéphane
Published: July 2024

Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen frequently causing nosocomial infections. The virulence of this organism is underpinned by its capacity to evade phagocytosis, allowing dissemination in the host. Immune evasion requires a surface polysaccharide produced by all enterococci, known as the enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (EPA). EPA consists of a cell wall‐anchored rhamnose backbone substituted by strain‐specific polysaccharides called ‘decorations’, essential for the biological activity of this polymer. However, the structural determinants required for innate immune evasion remain unknown, partly due to a lack of suitable validated assays. Here, we describe a quantitative, in vitro assay to investigate how EPA decorations alter phagocytosis. Using the E. faecalis model strain OG1RF, we demonstrate that a mutant with a deletion of the locus encoding EPA decorations can be used as a platform strain to express heterologous decorations, thereby providing an experimental system to investigate the inhibition of phagocytosis by strain‐specific decorations. We show that the aggregation of cells lacking decorations is increasing phagocytosis and that this process does not involve the recognition of lipoproteins by macrophages. Collectively, our work provides novel insights into innate immune evasion by enterococci and paves the way for further studies to explore the structure/function relationship of EPA decorations.
Metabolic dysfunction−associated liver disease and diabetes: Matrix remodeling, fibrosis, and therapeutic implications
Authors: Fan Weiguo , Bradford Toby M. , Török Natalie J.
Published: July 2024

Metabolic dysfunction−associated liver disease (MASLD) and steatohepatitis (MASH) are becoming the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States and worldwide due to the obesity and diabetes epidemics. It is estimated that by 2030 close to 100 million people might be affected and patients with type 2 diabetes are especially at high risk. Twenty to 30% of patients with MASLD can progress to MASH, which is characterized by steatosis, necroinflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, and in advanced cases, fibrosis progressing to cirrhosis. Clinically, it is recognized that disease progression in diabetic patients is accelerated and the role of various genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as cell–matrix interactions in fibrosis and stromal remodeling, have recently been recognized. While there has been great progress in drug development and clinical trials for MASLD/MASH, the complexity of these pathways highlights the need to improve diagnosis/early detection and develop more successful antifibrotic therapies that not only prevent but reverse fibrosis.
Glycosylation mode of phloretin affects the morphology and stress resistance of apple plant
Authors: Wang Haojie , Jian Liru , Wang Zhipeng , Jiao Yu , Wang Yuzhu , Ma Fengwang , Li Pengmin
Published: July 2024

Phloretin has different glycosylation modes in plants. Phlorizin (phloretin 2′‐O‐glucoside) is one of the glycosylation products of phloretin, and accumulates abundantly in apple plants. However, it is still unclear whether phlorizin is more beneficial for apple plants compared with other glycosylation products of phloretin. We created transgenic apple plants with different glycosylation modes of phloretin. In transgenic plants, the accumulation of phlorizin was partly replaced by that of trilobatin (phloretin 4′‐O‐glucoside) or phloretin 3′,5′‐di‐C‐glycoside. Compared with wild type, transgenic plants with less phlorizin showed dwarf phenotype, larger stomatal size, higher stomatal density and less tolerance to drought stress. Transcriptome and phytohormones assay indicate that phlorizin might regulate stomatal development and behaviour via controlling auxin and abscisic acid signalling pathways as well as carbonic anhydrase expressions. Transgenic apple plants with less phlorizin also showed less resistance to spider mites. Apple plants may hydrolyse phlorizin to produce phloretin, but cannot hydrolyse trilobatin or phloretin 3′,5′‐di‐C‐glycoside. Compared with its glycosylation products, phloretin is more toxic to spider mites. These results suggest that the glycosylation of phloretin to produce phlorizin is the optimal glycosylation mode in apple plants, and plays an important role in apple resistance to stresses.
The role of biological soil crusts in vascular plant recruitment in the Loess Plateau region, China
Authors: Hu Guifang , Wang Ning , Chen Jiamin , Qin Li , Liu Jun'e , Zhou Zhengchao
Published: July 2024

Globally, biological soil crusts (BSCs) are crucial ecosystem components that perform essential functions important to ecosystem stability. However, the potential mechanisms of BSC's effect on vascular plant recruitment and establishment are largely unknown. Furthermore, few studies have considered BSC‐vascular plant analyses in conjunction with BSC microenvironments, seed traits, and plant life stages simultaneously. Thus, we chose six typical plants with different seed traits on the Loess Plateau and conducted a growth chamber experiment to evaluate the effects of BSC types, disturbance, seeding positions, and moisture on seed germination, survival, and seedling growth. We also explored the effects of BSC presence and disturbance on seedling emergence through field investigation. The results indicated that the main effects of the four factors, BSC type, disturbance, seeding location, and moisture, and their two‐ and three‐dimensional interactions had significant effects on the performance of most of the studied species. Disturbance and wetting treatments with shorter watering intervals promoted the performance of most plants, and moisture could modify the effect of BSCs on plants. The effect of BSCs on plant performance was related to seed traits and plant life stage and the presence of the BSC promotes the growth of the plants when it reaches the survival stage. In field observations, we found that the number of seedling species was lower on BSCs compared to bare lands and that the number of species on broken crusts was greater than on intact crusts; while seedling density on bare land was significantly higher than it in BSC patches.
On the use of the term “real risk”
Authors: Flage Roger , Aven Terje , Glette‐Iversen Ingrid
Published: July 2024

The term “real risk” and variations of this term are commonly used in everyday speech and writing, and in the scientific literature. There are mainly two types of use: i) in statements about what the real risk related to an activity is and ii) in statements about the risk related to an activity being real. The former type of use has been extensively discussed in the literature, whereas the latter type has received less attention. In the present study, we review both types of use and analyze and discuss potential meanings of type ii) statements. We conclude that it is reasonable to interpret a statement about the risk being real as reflecting a judgement that there is some risk and that the knowledge supporting this statement is relatively strong. However, such a statement does not convey whether the risk is small or large and needs to be supplemented by a characterization of the risk.
Modernity and inter‐imperiality: Rethinking social theory in East Asia
Authors: Chen Hon‐Fai
Published: July 2024

This paper aims to contribute to global social theory by contextualizing modernity/coloniality in East Asia. It begins with a reconstruction and evaluation of three sociological accounts of East Asian modernity, namely Kazuko Tsurumi's theory of endogenous development, Sun Liping's theory of communist civilization, and Chang Kyung Sup's theory of compressed modernity. Despite their insights, these theorists fail to transcend the Eurocentrism and methodological nationalism implicit in the paradigm of latecomer modernization. These problems can be better addressed by anti‐colonial perspectives, including Tani Barlow's colonial modernity, Chen Kuan‐Hsing's inter‐Asia, Xie Lizhong's post‐Western sociology, and Wang Mingming's civilizational anthropology. Yet European hegemony continues to define the spatiotemporal frame of these perspectives. To overcome the lingering problem of Eurocentrism, Laura Doyle's notion of inter‐imperiality is employed to highlight the power‐laden interaction and interdependence among imperial powers in the global and regional history of East Asia. This alternative approach, I argue, can shed new light on East Asian modernity and delineate its dialectical formation.
The novel HLA‐C*14:02:01:31 allele identified in a candidate bone marrow donor by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: July 2024

Characterisation of the novel HLA‐C*14:02:01:31 allele in a 21‐year‐old Greek bone marrow donor.
Determinants of diarrheal disease in children undergoing complementary feeding in a low‐income urban setting in Kenya
Authors: Okeyo Frida Adhiambo , Nyang'echi Edna , Guyah Bernard
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to identify and characterise the determinants influencing the occurrence of diarrheal diseases in children aged 6–24 months undergoing complementary feeding within a low‐income urban community in Kenya.

Methods

This study followed a cross‐sectional design and recruited caregivers of children aged 6–24 months from 302 households. The dependent variable was the 2‐week diarrhoea prevalence among children, with independent variables including sociodemographic characteristics, child immunisation and feeding status, and water and sanitation facilities. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between independent variables and the occurrence of diarrheal diseases.

Results

The majority of caregivers were female (n = 282, 93.4%), aged 25–34 years (n = 156, 51.7%), had attained secondary school education (n = 154, 51%), were unemployed (n = 162, 53.6%), and earned Ksh 10,000 (USD 100) or less. 296 (98%) indexed children were fully vaccinated against rotavirus. Most households used improved drinking water sources (n = 272, 90.1%). Most caregivers did not regularly wash their hands with soap and water (n = 225, 74.5%). The 2‐week diarrhoea prevalence among children was 34.1% (103/302), with 69.9% (72/103) of these cases seeking care at a healthcare facility. Logistic regression analysis revealed that children of caregivers earning Ksh 20,000 and below (aOR = 2.9[1.3–6.5], p = 0.01), and those from households using unimproved sanitation facilities (aOR = 1.9 [CI 1–3.4], p = 0.042), had significantly higher odds of having diarrhoea.

Conclusion

The study found a high prevalence of diarrhoea in Kenyan children aged 6–24 months, with caregiver income and household sanitation facilities significantly impacting the occurrence of the disease. The study suggests integrated approaches, including education, income generation, hygiene, and improved nutrition, to address the burden of diarrheal disease.