bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Everyone screens to some extent”: Barriers and facilitators of developmental screening among children with sickle cell disease: A mixed methods study
Authors: Hoyt Catherine R. , Luo Lingzi , Rice Hannah E. , Shivakumar Nirmala , Housten Ashley J. , Picinich Abigail , Qashou Nai , Harris Kelly M. , Varughese Taniya , King Allison A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Developmental delays are common among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Existing guidelines support consistent screening to increase the identification of deficits and support referral to rehabilitative interventions, yet adherence remains variable. This study sought to assess current practices and identify barriers and facilitators to improve developmental screening for children 0–3 years with SCD.

Procedure

A mixed methods approach, guided by the Exploration and Preparation stages of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework, assessed developmental screening practices among primary care providers and hematologists. Phase 1 included the SCD Developmental Surveillance and Screening Guideline and Practice Survey. Phase 2 included the SCD Developmental Screening Organizational Survey alongside semi‐structured interviews. Descriptive and qualitative methods summarized the findings.

Results

Thirty‐three providers from general pediatrics and hematology completed phase 1. Use of standardized developmental screening measures was variable, with the most frequently used being the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (77%) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (55%). Fifteen providers participated in phase 2, and reported they were most likely to engage in changes to improve their practice (mean = 4.4/5) and least likely to support spiritual health and well‐being (mean = 3.5/5). Three themes emerged:(i) developmental screening is not standardized or specific to SCD, (ii) children with SCD benefit from a multidisciplinary team, and (iii) healthcare system limitations are a barrier.

Conclusions

Developmental screening is inconsistent and insufficient for young children with SCD. Providers are interested in supporting children with SCD, but report a lack of standardized measures and consistent guidance as barriers.
Treatment of newly diagnosed severe aplastic anemia in children: Evidence‐based recommendations
Authors: Shimano Kristin A. , Rothman Jennifer A. , Allen Steven W. , Castillo Paul , de Jong Jill L. O. , Dror Yigal , Geddis Amy E. , Lau Bonnie W. , McGuinn Catherine , Narla Anupama , Overholt Kathleen , Pereda Maria A. , Sharathkumar Anjali , Sasa Ghadir , Nakano Taizo A. , Myers Kasiani , Gloude Nicholas J. , Broglie Larisa , Boklan Jessica
Published: May 2024

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is a rare potentially fatal hematologic disorder. Although overall outcomes with treatment are excellent, there are variations in management approach, including differences in treatment between adult and pediatric patients. Certain aspects of treatment are under active investigation in clinical trials. Because of the rarity of the disease, some pediatric hematologists may have relatively limited experience with the complex management of SAA. The following recommendations reflect an up‐to‐date evidence‐based approach to the treatment of children with newly diagnosed SAA.
Lysinuric protein intolerance with novel mutations in solute carrier family 7A member 7 in a Chinese family
Authors: Pang Yilin , Huo Feng , Liu Xiao , Fan Yimu , Zhang Zhezhe , Wu Jie , Wang Quan
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the solute carrier family 7A member 7 (SLC7A7) gene.

Case presentation

We presented two siblings with LPI, carrying novel mutations of c.776delT (p.L259Rfs*18) and c.155G>T (p.G52V) in SLC7A7. The younger sibling, preferring protein‐rich foods, showed severe symptoms, including alveolar proteinosis, macrophage activation syndrome, severe diarrhea, and disturbance of consciousness with involuntary movements. In contrast, the elder sibling only had mild symptoms, likely due to aversion to protein‐rich food since toddler age.

Conclusion

LPI is a congenital genetic metabolic disease with multi‐system involvement. Initiating appropriate protein‐restricted diet therapy as soon as possible could help prevent the progression of LPI.
Plant reproduction research in Latin America: Toward sustainable agriculture in a changing environment
Authors: Ronceret Arnaud , Bolaños‐Villegas Pablo
Published: May 2024

Food production and food security depend on the ability of crops to cope with anthropogenic climate change and successfully produce seed. To guarantee food production well into the future, contemporary plant scientists in Latin America must carry out research on how plants respond to environmental stressors such as temperature, drought, and salinity. This review shows the opportunities to apply these results locally and abroad and points to the gaps that still exist in terms of reproductive processes with the purpose to better link research with translational work in plant breeding and biotechnology. Suggestions are put forth to address these gaps creatively in the face of chronic low investment in science with a focus on applicability.
Assessing the functional impact of protein binding site definition
Authors: Nandigrami Prithviraj , Fiser Andras
Published: May 2024

Many biomedical applications, such as classification of binding specificities or bioengineering, depend on the accurate definition of protein binding interfaces. Depending on the choice of method used, substantially different sets of residues can be classified as belonging to the interface of a protein. A typical approach used to verify these definitions is to mutate residues and measure the impact of these changes on binding. Besides the lack of exhaustive data, this approach also suffers from the fundamental problem that a mutation introduces an unknown amount of alteration into an interface, which potentially alters the binding characteristics of the interface. In this study we explore the impact of alternative binding site definitions on the ability of a protein to recognize its cognate ligand using a pharmacophore approach, which does not affect the interface. The study also shows that methods for protein binding interface predictions should perform above approximately F‐score = 0.7 accuracy level to capture the biological function of a protein.
Fixed‐time stability of nonlinear impulsive systems: Sufficient criteria and necessary condition
Authors: Wang Yishu , Lu Jianquan , Feng Guizhen , Ding Jian , Jiang Bangxin
Published: May 2024

This article explores the criteria for fixed‐time stability (FxTS) within nonlinear impulsive dynamical systems, encompassing both stabilizing and destabilizing impulses. Initially, employing the Lyapunov method, the article delineates a criterion for FxTS, particularly when impulsive sequences are delineated by an average impulsive interval. Following this, the article innovatively applies two integral inequalities to introduce an optimized criterion for uniform impulsive sequences, evidencing its lesser conservativeness relative to the initial criterion. Moreover, this article derives a necessary condition for dynamical systems subjected to destabilizing impulses. Intriguingly, the investigation reveals the existence of a minimal threshold for the maximum impulsive interval, below which the system cannot achieve FxTS. This result elucidates why existing literature uniformly imposes a specific condition on the impulsive interval for destabilizing impulses. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed theory is underscored through numerical examples.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of PMMA Particles using Tandem Acoustic Emulsification
Authors: Baissac L. , Salvi T. , Jurin F. E. , Pochard I. , Hihn J.‐Y. , Buron C. C.
Published: May 2024

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) colloidal particles are nowadays extensively used in several applications and more specifically in nanotechnology. Challenges are focused on the green synthesis process leading to size‐controlled particles. In the present work, PMMA particles were successfully synthesized using tandem acoustic emulsification in water without organic solvent, and cross‐linkers. 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) or ammonium persulfate (APS), were used as initiators. Parameters leading to size control were clearly identified. Consequently, the cooling rate of the solution after polymerization time appears dominating. Particle size distribution was monodispersed for both initiators. A nonionic surfactant, Tween 20, was also added, leading to a decrease in size particle and an increase in synthesis yield. Depending on the chemical groups provided by the initiator, PMMA particles appear negatively or positively charged. These charges located on the particle surface led to stable particle dispersion by limiting aggregation phenomena. Tunable surface charge was confirmed across the elaboration of coatings only made of PMMA particles, using conventional techniques wherein charged species are needed (Layer‐by‐Layer assembly and electrophoretic deposition). PMMA particles were also labelled using fluorescent dyes. Fluorescein and Nile Blue A were loaded during the polymerization process to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the dyes within the particles.
World ‘wild’ web: video calling for parrots?
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: May 2024

Georgina Mills discusses a recent study that investigated whether video calling might be an option to tackle loneliness in parrots.
Rudovick Reuben Kazwala
Authors: Cleaveland Sarah , Haydon Dan , Lembo Tiziana , Perry Brian
Published: May 2024

An outstanding Tanzanian scientist in the field of veterinary epidemiology and One Health research.
Powering into a new role as hospital director from outside the profession
Authors: Davis Julie
Published: May 2024

Julie Davis started her working life as a sports journalist then sought a change of direction and joined the NHS. Fifteen years later she is now applying her skills and knowledge in a veterinary referral hospital.
Making a vicious cycle virtuous: A research and policy agenda for advancing the water security of unregulated users in the Southwestern U.S.
Authors: Dobbin Kristin Babson , Hernandez Ariana , Bostic Darcy , Harrison Grace , Singhal Aaryaman , Barnett Matthew , Vasquez‐Rodriguez Itzel , Pierce Gregory , Sawyer Kate
Published: May 2024

In the United States, most residents receive water from centralized utilities regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Yet, a sizable portion of U.S. residents satisfy their household water needs through decentralized means, including domestic wells, very small water systems, and hauled water. These federally unregulated water users are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly in aridifying regions like the Southwest. They are, however, inconsistently monitored and regulated at the Tribal, federal, state, and local levels. Compared to regulated users, very few programs exist to assist this population in securing and maintaining safe, affordable drinking water access. This neglect creates a vicious cycle whereby their water security needs remain both poorly understood and inadequately addressed. We review available data sources, regulations, assistance programs, and published studies relevant to unregulated water users across the Southwestern U.S. to illustrate this injurious feedback loop. We then propose four key areas for intervention to transform this vicious cycle into a virtuous one. Drawing on new insights from the emerging literature on modular, adaptive, and decentralized (MAD) water infrastructure, we highlight opportunities for investment and innovation to support decentralized service alongside existing investments in centralized infrastructure, and the critical need to attend to justice in the design and implementation of such policies.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Human Water > Water Governance

Human Water > Rights to Water
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of neoadjuvant imatinib use in locally advanced and metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Lam Timothy Jia Rong , Udonwa Shamill Amedot , Masuda Yoshio , Yeo Mark Hao Xuan , Farid bin Harunal Ras Mohamad , Goh Brian K. P.
Published: May 2024

Background

Several doubts remain regarding the optimal use of neoadjuvant imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), such as ideal treatment duration, patient selection, and long‐term survival outcomes. This manuscript provides a comprehensive review on neoadjuvant imatinib treatment outcomes and facilitate evidence‐based decision‐making for the use of imatinib therapy in GISTs.

Methods

Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to September 9, 2023. Meta‐analyses of proportions were performed for the outcomes of R0 resection, disease responses, and 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year overall survival (OS) as well as 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year disease free survival (DFS). Sensitivity analyses in the form of leave‐one‐out analyses, meta‐regression, and subgroup analyses were performed for outcomes with substantial statistical heterogeneity.

Results

The search yielded 1254 articles, and 36 studies were included in our analysis. Meta‐analysis of proportions revealed that 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year OS was 100%, 94%, and 88%, while 1‐year, 3‐year and 5‐year DFS was 99%, 89%, and 79%, respectively. An R0 resection rate of 89% and a disease response rate of 67% was achieved after a mean duration of treatment of 8.41 ± 0.367 months. KIT exon 9 mutation was significantly associated with poorer 5‐year DFS.

Conclusion

This study quantified key outcomes for neoadjuvant imatinib in locally advanced and metastatic or recurrent GIST. Patients with gastric and rectal tumous stand to benefit from neoadjuvant imatinib with an optimal treatment duration of 8 months. Furthermore, the potential utility of mutational analysis in guiding treatment with neoadjuvant imatinib was demonstrated.
Swift sampling of farmland aerial invertebrates offers insights into foraging behaviour in an aerial insectivore
Authors: Romanowski Hannah , Jowett Kelly , Garrett Dion , Shortall Chris
Published: May 2024

The common swift Apus apus is an obligate aerial, migratory, insectivorous bird, that has experienced significant declines in the UK since the 1990s. Reductions in the availability of prey during their summer breeding season in the UK are likely to be a key factor in this decline. This short communication aims to contribute new insights into the current foraging behaviours of adult swifts feeding their nestlings, as a means of provoking new conversation and stimulating further work. Food bolus samples are small ball‐like structures containing the insect prey that is regurgitated to nestlings. Boluses from adult swifts provisioning their nestlings were collected incidentally at a breeding colony in Suffolk, UK. These were taxonomically identified and compared to corresponding daily insect catches from a nearby Rothamsted Insect Survey suction trap operating within the foraging area of common swifts. There was a distinction between the contents of the bolus samples and the suction‐trap samples, whereby larger‐bodied aerial invertebrates appeared in greater numbers in bolus samples. This was evidenced by the relatively high numbers of agriculturally important species, pollen beetles, and cabbage stem flea beetles in bolus samples compared to low numbers in suction traps. Smaller invertebrates such as aphids (Aphididae), parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera), and thrips (Thysanoptera) were not frequent in the bolus samples, relative to the high numbers identified from the suction‐trap catch. These results are discussed in relation to swifts providing a pest suppression service, potential impacts of pesticides, and how selective foraging may both buffer and facilitate the challenges swifts face in a modern agricultural landscape.
The development of nanocarriers for natural products
Authors: Huang Liying , Luo Shicui , Tong Sen , Lv Zhuo , Wu Junzi
Published: May 2024

Natural bioactive compounds from plants exhibit substantial pharmacological potency and therapeutic value. However, the development of most plant bioactive compounds is hindered by low solubility and instability. Conventional pharmaceutical forms, such as tablets and capsules, only partially overcome these limitations, restricting their efficacy. With the recent development of nanotechnology, nanocarriers can enhance the bioavailability, stability, and precise intracellular transport of plant bioactive compounds. Researchers are increasingly integrating nanocarrier‐based drug delivery systems (NDDS) into the development of natural plant compounds with significant success. Moreover, natural products benefit from nanotechnological enhancement and contribute to the innovation and optimization of nanocarriers via self‐assembly, grafting modifications, and biomimetic designs. This review aims to elucidate the collaborative and reciprocal advancement achieved by integrating nanocarriers with botanical products, such as bioactive compounds, polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular vesicles. This review underscores the salient challenges in nanomedicine, encompassing long‐term safety evaluations of nanomedicine formulations, precise targeting mechanisms, biodistribution complexities, and hurdles in clinical translation. Further, this study provides new perspectives to leverage nanotechnology in promoting the development and optimization of natural plant products for nanomedical applications and guiding the progression of NDDS toward enhanced efficiency, precision, and safety.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Challenge or utopia? Reflections on integration in water management in Brazil
Authors: de Sousa Júnior Wilson Cabral
Published: May 2024

Highlights

The article addresses the state of the art of IWRM in Brazil.

The advances and gaps of IWRM in Brazil are highlighted.

The author revisits the criticism of IWRM in light of its breadth and perspectives.

The text questions the very viability of IWRM in Brazil based on a practical case.

The author presents topics to consider for effective integration in water management in Brazil.
A Radical Theology of Conflict and Contestation
Authors: Caputo John D.
Published: May 2024

In radical thinking, things are never as settled as they seem. Underneath the appearance of continuity lie ruptures and interruptions, underneath identity, difference. Hence, the identity of the one theology, the one Christian revelation, the one history of Christianity, is contested at its root. That is not meant to demolish Christian theology but to show that it is not identical with itself. This project is undertaken not from a love of chaos and confusion but to keep the future of Christianity open. The most effective way to contest something is to write a meticulous history of it, as illustrated by the early history of Christianity before it was canonized and Neoplatonized by the councils, which is where the myth of the one Christianity was invented. Christianity does not have an essence; it has a history. Tradition, the Catholic principle, means transmission, which implies constant process and reinvention, in the name of the coming of the future, of the promise of Jesus which the tradition is committed to transmit. The one thing that is uncontestable is always still to come.
Conflicting Masculinities in Christianity: Experiences and Critical Reflections on Gender and Religion
Authors: Schüßler Michael
Published: May 2024

The article discusses the challenges arising from an essentialist approach to masculinity as a stable category with a set of given, unchangeable characteristics developed in contrast to femininity. Such a hegemonic view is a stumbling block in the development of more diverse and inclusive environments, to which the Catholic Church contributes by its defense of “traditional” family, the ideal of clerical men or the discrimination of queer living. The text argues for recognition and normalization of diversity, instead of a continuous reproduction of toxic ideals of masculinity. In this sense, conflicting masculinities in church and theology could be a perspective of hope for transformation: Hegemonic masculinity no longer goes unchallenged, not even in Catholic Church.
Searching for a Lost PPW: SS William Rockefeller
Authors: Detlie John
Published: May 2024

Possibly the most unfortunate legacy of the Battle of the Atlantic is the great number of wrecks lying in coastal and marine waters that still contain oil, unexploded ordnance, and other pollution or safety hazards. This has become an increasingly pressing issue in recent years, as these wrecks are now entering their eighth decade underwater and many are experiencing significant structural degradation due to natural corrosion and anthropogenic causes. While some of these potentially polluting wrecks have been located and steps taken to mitigate their pollution risk, many more remain missing, particularly those which sank in deep water (NOAA, 2013a, b; Symons et al., 2014; Hoyt et al., 2021; Brennan, Chap. 1, this volume).
Concluding Statement
Authors: Sousa Joao , Ferrari Benjamin , Brennan Michael L. , Varmer Ole
Published: May 2024

The grim reality of potentially polluting legacy wrecks presents a multifaceted threat that extends far beyond the decaying hulks on the ocean floor. These wrecks serve as silent sentinels of a bygone era, leaking toxic substances that indiscriminately poison marine life and disrupt the intricate web of oceanic relationships. From the smallest plankton to the largest apex predators, no organism remains untouched by the effects of these pollution sources.
Potentially Polluting Wrecks in the Blue Pacific
Authors: Carter Matthew , Meredith Ashley , Kohler Augustine C. , Mori Bradford , Walter Ranger
Published: May 2024

Marine pollution is a global and transboundary issue that negatively affects the environment, people, and coastal economies around the world. It is widely recognised as one of the four major threats to the world’s oceans, along with climate change, habitat destruction and over-exploitation of living marine resources (SPREP, 2020). Since the large-scale introduction of oil-fueled shipping in the 1930s, marine pollution incidents have occurred in practically all coastal waters across the globe. In the Pacific Region the greatest concentration of these incidents stemmed from the loss of over 3800 ships during the World War II (WWII) (SPREP, 2003a, b) (Fig. 8.1). At the time of their loss, these ships contained as many as 1.5 billion gallons of petrochemicals, and hundreds of thousands of tons of explosive ordnance (Michel et al., 2005), an unknown amount of which remains in these wrecks today.
Wie die Arbeitslosenversicherung die Wirtschaft stabilisiert
Authors: Maassen Isabella
Published: May 2024

Die Arbeitslosenversicherung schützt die Arbeitenden vor grösseren Einkommensausfällen in der Rezession und hilft, den Wohlstand über die Zeit zu glätten. Sie ist auch ein wichtiger automatischer Stabilisator, der die Konjunkturschwankungen dämpft. Gerade die Arbeitslosen haben häufig eine hohe Konsumquote und geben in der Rezession jedes zusätzliche Einkommen aus. Die Absicherung der Einkommen stützt zudem die Kreditfähigkeit der Haushalte. Eine solide finanzierte Arbeitslosenversicherung stabilisiert die Konsumnachfrage und festigt die Widerstandskraft der Wirtschaft.
Wie die Grossfamilie ihre Kinder fördert
Authors: Hermanns Charlotte
Published: May 2024

Eltern wenden viel Zeit auf und geben ein Vermögen aus, um ihre Kinder zu fördern. Je höher Einkommen und Bildung sind, desto besser gelingt es ihnen. Auch Onkel, Tanten, die weitere Verwandtschaft und die Grosseltern üben einen wichtigen Einfluss aus, indem sie Zeit mit den Kindern verbringen, als Vorbild dienen, und Normen und Werte weitergeben.
Wer verschuldet sich beim Kreditgeber letzter Instanz?
Authors: Sonvilla Lia
Published: May 2024

Zentralbanken sind die Kreditgeber letzter Instanz. Sie finanzieren Geschäftsbanken selbst dann, wenn kaum andere Anleger dazu bereit sind. Dies trägt dazu bei, Liquiditätsengpässe oder gar destabilisierende Bankenpaniken zu verhindern. Doch nehmen Geschäftsbanken Zentralbankkredite vor allem deshalb auf, um Liquidität sicherzustellen, oder gibt es auch andere Gründe dafür? Die vorliegende Studie analysiert die Kreditvergabe der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB) an Geschäftsbanken während der Staatsschuldenkrise in der Eurozone. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass schwache Banken mit wenig Eigenkapital überproportional viele Kredite bei der EZB aufnahmen und gleichzeitig Staatsanleihen europäischer Krisenstaaten kauften. Dies ging mit der Umverteilung risikobehafteter Vermögenswerte von stark zu schwach kapitalisierten Banken einher.
Mehr Sicherheit mit zentraler Bankenaufsicht
Authors: Gmür David
Published: May 2024

Die Wirtschaft braucht Kredit, und die Gesellschaft mehr Sicherheit. Die Banken müssen in der Kreditvergabe auf Ertrag und Risiko gleichzeitig achten. Damit die Regulierung effektiven Schutz bieten kann, muss die Bankenaufsicht die Einhaltung der Vorschriften überwachen und frühzeitig das Entstehen übermässiger Risiken aufdecken. In der Bankenunion kann eine zentrale Aufsicht eher für gleich lange Spiesse im europaweiten Wettbewerb der Banken sorgen, kann unabhängiger als nationale Aufsichtsbehörden agieren, und dank besserer Ressourcen auch komplexe Grossbanken wirksam beaufsichtigen. So wird die Kreditvergabe sicherer, indem die Banken angehalten sind, faule und riskante Kredite zügig abzubauen und mehr Kredit auf die produktiveren Unternehmen mit besseren Aussichten lenken.
Universitäten beflügeln die Wirtschaft
Authors: Ramming Fortunat
Published: May 2024

Ein neuer Trend ist die zunehmende Verlagerung der Grundlagenforschung von den Unternehmen in die Universitäten. Das führt zu einer neuen Arbeitsteiligkeit in der Forschungslandschaft. Die Universitäten spezialisieren sich mehr auf komplexe und riskante Grundlagenforschung mit noch unsicheren Anwendungsmöglichkeiten. Die Unternehmen investieren vorwiegend in anwendungsorientierte F&E mit hohen Chancen der Kommerzialisierung. In dieser Arbeitsteiligkeit hängt die Wirtschaft stärker vom Nachschub mit neuen Ideen aus der Forschung der Universitäten ab. Die Bedeutung der universitären Forschung für Innovation und Wachstum nimmt zu. Regionen mit einer lokalen Universität weisen mehr Patentanmeldungen auf und sind innovativer als andere Regionen ohne eine eigene Universität.
Die Aufhebung des Patentschutzes bremst Innovation
Authors: Lukosch Matthias
Published: May 2024

Ist eine befristete Aufhebung des Patentschutzes der Covid-19-Impfstoffe ein geeignetes Mittel zur Pandemiebekämpfung? Die Befürworter argumentieren, dass damit eine raschere Ausweitung der Produktion und Versorgung mit Impfstoffen möglich wäre. Aber welche Folgen hat eine Aufweichung des Patentschutzes für die Forschungsanreize der Unternehmen und für künftige Innovationen? Die vorliegende Studie zeigt, dass die Forschungs- und Innovationstätigkeit der Unternehmen in Folge einer Abschwächung des Patentschutzes deutlich zurückgeht. Start-ups und kleinere und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU), die nur begrenzte Möglichkeiten zur Lizensierung oder zum Verkauf ihrer Patente haben, sind besonders von einem effektiven Patentschutz abhängig.
Sind Patente tatsächlich ein Hindernis für Folgeinnovationen?
Authors: Sonvilla Lia
Published: May 2024

Dass der Patentschutz die weitere Nutzung von Forschungserkenntnissen erschwert und neue Innovationen verlangsamt, ist eine verbreitete Hypothese. Die vorliegende Studie aus dem Bereich der Genforschung untersucht, wie oft wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse über bestimmte Gene in weiteren Forschungsarbeiten und klinischen Studien Verwendung finden. Der tatsächliche Patentstatus einer DNA-Sequenz spielt dabei nur eine geringe Rolle. Wichtig ist stattdessen, ob überhaupt ein Patentantrag gestellt wurde, nicht aber, ob diesem auch stattgegeben wurde. Diese Ergebnisse stellen die Hypothese infrage. Denn sie legen nahe, dass der Patentschutz Folgeinnovationen zumindest im medizinisch-pharmazeutischen Bereich kaum hemmt.
Innovation für die Energiewende
Authors: Altorfer Michael
Published: May 2024

Um den Klimawandel zu stoppen, braucht es einen Ausstieg aus Kohle, Öl und Gas. Die Innovation muss sich auf erneuerbare Energie richten und die Weiterentwicklung fossiler Energieträger stoppen. Grosse Unternehmen haben jedoch in der Vergangenheit viel Erfahrung in fossiler Energie gesammelt. Es fällt ihnen schwer, dieses Know-how abzuschreiben und ihre Forschung radikal auf erneuerbare Energie umzustellen. Junge Unternehmen sind nicht in vergangenen F&E-Mustern verhaftet und können sich leichter auf erneuerbare Energie spezialisieren. Die Energiewende gelingt eher, wenn die Wirtschaftspolitik den Marktzutritt junger Unternehmen und ihre anschliessenden F&E-Investitionen erleichtert.
Heisenberg soft hair on Robinson-Trautman spacetimes
Authors: Adami H. , Parvizi A. , Sheikh-Jabbari M. M. , Taghiloo V.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study 4 dimensional (4d) gravitational waves (GWs) with compact wavefronts, generalizing Robinson-Trautman (RT) solutions in Einstein gravity with an arbitrary cosmological constant. We construct the most general solution of the GWs in the presence of a causal, timelike, or null boundary when the usual tensor modes are turned off. Our solution space besides the shape and topology of the wavefront which is a generic compact, smooth, and orientable 2d surface Σ, is specified by a vector over Σ satisfying the conformal Killing equation and two scalars that are arbitrary functions over the causal boundary, the boundary modes (soft hair). We work out the symplectic form over the solution space using covariant phase space formalism and analyze the boundary symmetries and charges. The algebra of surface charges is a Heisenberg algebra. Only the overall size of the compact wavefront and not the details of its shape appears in the boundary symplectic form and is canonical conjugate to the overall mass of the GW. Hence, the information about the shape of the wavefront can’t be probed by the boundary observer. We construct a boundary energy-momentum tensor and a boundary current, whose conservation yields the RT equation for both asymptotically AdS and flat spacetimes. The latter provides a hydrodynamic description for our RT solutions.
The pseudospectra of black holes in AdS
Authors: Cownden Bradley , Pantelidou Christiana , Zilhão Miguel
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study the stability of quasinormal modes (QNMs) in electrically charged black brane spacetimes that asymptote to AdS by means of the pseudospectrum. Methodologically, we adopt ingoing Eddington-Finkelstein coordinates to cast QNMs in terms of a generalised eigenvalue problem involving a non-selfadjoint operator; this simplifies the computation significantly in comparison with previous results in the literature. Our analysis reveals spectral instability for (neutral) scalar as well as gravitoelectric perturbations. This indicates that the equilibration process of perturbed black branes is sensitive to external perturbations. Particular attention is given on the hydrodynamic modes, which are found to be the least unstable. In contrast with computations in hyperboloidal coordinates, we find that the pseudospectral contour lines cross to the upper half plane. This indicates the existence of pseudo-resonances as well as the possibility of transient instabilities. We also investigate the asymptotic structure of pseudospectral contour levels and we find remarkable universality across all sectors, persistent in the extremal limit.
Endophytes Alleviate Drought-Derived Oxidative Damage in Achnatherum inebrians Plants Through Increasing Antioxidants and Regulating Host Stress Responses
Authors: Nie Xiumei , Zhao Zhenrui , Zhang Xingxu , Bastías Daniel A. , Nan Zhibiao , Li Chunjie
Published: May 2024

Endophytes generally increase antioxidant contents of plants subjected to environmental stresses. However, the mechanisms by which endophytes alter the accumulation of antioxidants in plant tissues are not entirely clear. We hypothesized that, in stress situations, endophytes would simultaneously reduce oxidative damage and increase antioxidant contents of plants and that the accumulation of antioxidants would be a consequence of the endophyte ability to regulate the expression of plant antioxidant genes. We investigated the effects of the fungal endophyte Epichloë gansuensis (C.J. Li & Nan) on oxidative damage, antioxidant contents, and expression of representative genes associated with antioxidant pathways in Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng plants subjected to low (15%) and high (60%) soil moisture conditions. Gene expression levels were measured using RNA-seq. As expected, the endophyte reduced the oxidative damage by 17.55% and increased the antioxidant contents by 53.14% (on average) in plants subjected to low soil moisture. In line with the accumulation of antioxidants in plant tissues, the endophyte increased the expression of most plant genes associated with the biosynthesis of antioxidants (e.g., MIOX, crtB, gpx) while it reduced the expression of plant genes related to the metabolization of antioxidants (e.g., GST, PRODH, ALDH). Our findings suggest that endophyte ability of increasing antioxidant contents in plants may reduce the oxidative damage caused by stresses and that the fungal regulation of plant antioxidants would partly explain the accumulation of these compounds in plant tissues.
Progress in bioproduction, characterization and applications of pullulan: a review
Authors: Aquinas Natasha , Chithra C. H. , Bhat M. Ramananda
Published: May 2024

Pullulan is a biopolymer produced by various strains of the fungi Aureobasidium pullulans. It is made up of maltotriose units consisting of α-(1,6) and α-(1,4) glycosidic bonds. Pullulan was discovered by Bauer in 1938, characterized by Bernier in 1958 and named as ‘pullulan’ by Bender in 1959. Submerged fermentation is widely employed for pullulan production followed by downstream processing for recovery of pullulan. Factors such as nutrients, minerals, pH, temperature, surfactants, light intensity, and melanin intermediate affect its production. Various optimization methods such as Plackett Burman design, response surface methodology, and artificial neural networks have been utilised for enhancing the yield of pullulan. Pullulan yield as high as 62.52 g/L can be achieved using a 5 L fermenter under optimised conditions. It can be characterized by techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. The biopolymer has remarkable properties which makes it an ideal candidate to be used in various applications such as the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors, cosmetics, food, and wastewater treatment. Pullulan’s applications can be expanded by chemically modifying to obtain grafted pullulan, polymer blends, nanocomposites and hydrogels which have been gaining importance in recent years. Over the years, many patents using pullulan have been granted for different applications worldwide. This review sheds light on all these aspects of pullulan including its future scope.

Graphical abstract
Epidemiology of malignant tumors in patients with pemphigus: an analysis of trends from 1955 to 2021
Authors: Luo Yue , Fei Xiaoya , Wang Mingxia , Yang Han , Zhang Ying , Chen Yiran , Luo Ying , Ding Xiaojie , Gao Chunjie , Shen Fang , Wang Ruiping , Li Bin , Kuai Le , Zheng Qi , Li Miao , Song Jiankun
Published: May 2024

Background: The incidence of malignant tumors has increased in patients with non-paraneoplastic pemphigus, although there has been no systematic analysis of global epidemiology. Objective: To explore the epidemiology of various types of non-paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with malignant tumors. Methods: Five databases from establishment through October 20, 2023, were searched. STATA SE 17 was used for the data analysis. Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate the heterogeneity of pooled studies. Results: A total of 6679 participants were included in our meta-analysis from 16 studies. The aggregated prevalence of tumors in patients diagnosed with pemphigus was 8%. The prevalence was 7% in patients with pemphigus vulgaris, 10% in those with pemphigus foliaceus, and 12% in individuals diagnosed with other types of pemphigus. The prevalence was 8% in Asia, 11% in Europe, and 8% in North America. From a country-specific perspective, patients with pemphigus from Israel, Greece, and Germany exhibited a higher prevalence of tumors at 11%. Furthermore, when categorized by the duration of the study period, the highest prevalence was observed in studies spanning 10 to 20 years, at 11%. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the incidence and prevalence of malignant tumors in patients with non-paraneoplastic pemphigus, which may achieve early detection and intervention, and then reduce mortality rates.
Post-anesthesia care unit hypotension in low-risk patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Flick Moritz , Lohr Anneke , Weidemann Friederike , Naebian Ashkan , Hoppe Phillip , Thomsen Kristen K. , Krause Linda , Kouz Karim , Saugel Bernd
Published: May 2024

Intraoperative hypotension is common and associated with organ injury. Hypotension can not only occur during surgery, but also thereafter. After surgery, most patients are treated in post-anesthesia care units (PACU). The incidence of PACU hypotension is largely unknown – presumably in part because arterial pressure is usually monitored intermittently in PACU patients. We therefore aimed to evaluate the incidence, duration, and severity of PACU hypotension in low-risk patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery. In this observational study, we performed blinded continuous non-invasive arterial pressure monitoring with finger-cuffs (ClearSight system; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) in 100 patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery in the PACU. We defined PACU hypotension as a mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 65 mmHg. Patients had continuous finger-cuff monitoring for a median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) of 64 (44 to 91) minutes. Only three patients (3%) had PACU hypotension for at least one consecutive minute. These three patients had 4, 4, and 2 cumulative minutes of PACU hypotension; areas under a MAP of 65 mmHg of 17, 9, and 9 mmHg x minute; and time-weighted averages MAP less than 65 mmHg of 0.5, 0.3, and 0.2 mmHg. The median volume of crystalloid fluid patients were given during PACU treatment was 200 (100 to 400) ml. None was given colloids or a vasopressor during PACU treatment. In low-risk patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery, the incidence of PACU hypotension was very low and the few episodes of PACU hypotension were short and of modest severity.
Crafting One’s Life and its Relationship with Psychological Needs: A Scoping Review
Authors: Napier Andrew D. , Slemp Gavin R. , Vella-Brodrick Dianne A.
Published: May 2024

Crafting is the intentional and proactive behavioural or cognitive changes people make to satisfy their psychological needs. This can take place across life domains, including at work, at home, and in broader life goals, though little research exists comprehensively integrating the different crafting types. Psychological needs are one way that these various crafting types are related. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review of the literature on crafting and the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, relatedness, and meaning in life to better understand how these psychological needs relate to or impact the crafting process. We systematically searched four databases and found 134 papers that met the inclusion criteria. We found that autonomy and meaning in life were two psychological needs that were frequently related to the process of crafting and that competence and relatedness were important but less researched. The satisfaction of psychological needs were often an outcome of crafting, though only job crafting consistently measured psychological needs as the antecedent to crafting. We conclude with recommendations for future research and questions to be addressed. This review may be useful for future basic and applied crafting research by better understanding how specific psychological needs relate to the process of crafting and how individuals may proactively shape their needs.
Root and stem allomorphy without multiple exponence: the case of special nominatives
Authors: Caha Pavel
Published: May 2024

This paper explores an approach to root and stem allomorphy that does not make use of context sensitive rules (i.e., secondary exponence) and relies on primary exponence only. In such a system, each feature is referenced by realisation rules only once and multiple exponence is eliminated. The study applies this system to the phenomenon of root and stem allomorphy in declension systems (McFadden in Glossa 3:8.1-36, 2018, Christopoulos & Zompì in Natural Language & Linguistic Theory 1–31, 2022). The paper argues that in this domain, the theory makes different empirical predictions than models based on context-sensitive rules. Specifically, the current model allows for an account of special nominative singular forms and the so-called pseudo-ABA patterns (Middleton in Morphology 31:329–354, 2021, Davis in Glossa 6, 2021). The proposal relies on the Nanosyntax model of grammar, using phrasal lexicalisation and lexicalisation-driven movements (Starke in Exploring nanosyntax, Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 239–249, 2018), though alternative implementations of this idea are conceivable.
Visit Experience and Fulfillment of Care Needs in Primary Care Differs for Video Visits Compared to In-person and Chat Visits
Authors: Söderberg Daniel , Bonn Stephanie E. , Sjöblom Linnea , Dahlgren Anna , Muli Irene , Amer-Wåhlin Isis , Bertilson Bo C. , Farrokhnia Nasim , Hvitfeldt Helena , Taloyan Marina , Hägglund Maria , Trolle Lagerros Ylva
Published: May 2024

Background

There is a lack of research comparing patient experience and to what extent patients’ care needs are fulfilled in telemedicine compared to in-person care.

Objective

To investigate if patient experience and fulfillment of care needs differ between video and chat visits with direct to consumer telemedicine providers compared to in-person visits.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

Adults visiting a primary care physician in person or via chat or video in Region Stockholm, Sweden, October 2020–May 2021.

Main Measures

Patient-reported visit experience and fulfillment of care needs.

Key Results

The sample included 3315 patients who had an in-person (1950), video (844), or chat (521) visit. Response rates were 42% for in-person visitors and 41% for telemedicine visitors. Patients were 18–97 years old, mean age of 51 years, and 66% were female. In-person visitors reported the most positive patient experience (“To a very high degree” or “Yes, completely”) for being listened to (64%), being treated with care (64%), and feeling trust and confidence in the health care professional (76%). Chat visitors reported the most positive patient experience for being given enough time (61%) and having care needs fulfilled during the care visit (76%). Video visitors had the largest proportion of respondents choosing “To a very low degree” or “No, not at all” for all visit experience measures. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of visit experiences between in-person, video, and chat visits for all visit experience measures (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Video visits were associated with a more negative visit experience and lower fulfillment of care needs than in-person visits. Chat visits were associated with a similar patient experience and fulfillment of care needs as in-person visits. Chat visits may be a viable alternative to in-person visits for selected patients.
Preceptorship in robotic colorectal surgery: experience from the Australian private sector
Authors: Gauci Chahaya , Zahid Assad , Ravindran Praveen , Lynch Andrew Craig , Pillinger Stephen
Published: May 2024

This article describes a post-fellowship preceptorship training program to train sub-specialty colorectal surgeons in gaining proficiency in robotic colorectal surgery using a dual-surgeon model in the Australian private sector. The Australian colorectal surgeon faces challenges in gaining robotic colorectal surgery proficiency with limited exposure and experience in the public setting where the majority of general and colorectal surgery training is currently conducted. This training model uses graded exposure with a range of simulation training, wet lab training, and clinical operative cases to progress through both competency and proficiency in robotic colorectal surgery which is mutually beneficial to surgeons and patients alike. Ongoing audit of practice has shown no adverse impacts.
Managing boundaries for well-being: a study of work-nonwork balance crafting during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Brogle Sophie E. , Kerksieck Philipp , Bauer Georg F. , Morstatt Anja I.
Published: May 2024

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the boundaries between the work and nonwork domain have rapidly blurred, presenting employees with new challenges and potentially heightening interference of the work with the nonwork domain (work-home interference, WHI) and vice versa (home-work interference, HWI). To counteract these interferences, employees can apply work-nonwork balance crafting (WNBC), referring to proactive efforts for balancing both life domains by targeting the permeability of the boundary between them. Employees may focus their crafting on the boundary toward the work domain (WNBC-work) or the non-work domain (WNBC-nonwork), e.g., shielding each domain from negative spillover from the other. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal associations of WNBC with health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that individuals who exhibited more such crafting behaviors at the onset of the pandemic would experience higher mental well-being and work engagement at later points in the COVID-19 pandemic, mediated by lower WHI and HWI. We surveyed N = 2,171 German-speaking employees from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at three time points during 2020. Structural equation model results indicate that only WNBC-work is longitudinally negatively associated with reduced HWI and positively associated with mental well-being and work engagement. Further, in our sample, only HWI is longitudinally associated with lower mental well-being. No indirect effect reaches significance. Our results underline the importance of WNBC in the work domain in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should explore the nature of the direct links between WNBC and mental well-being and work engagement and consider alternative mediating processes, such as gain spirals. Lastly, our study underscores that supporting employees in crafting boundaries for well-being can be crucial, particularly during times of crisis.
Maximal Estimates for the $${\bar{\partial }}$$-Neumann Problem on Non-pseudoconvex Domains
Authors: Harrington Phillip S. , Raich Andrew
Published: May 2024

It is well known that elliptic estimates fail for the $${\bar{\partial }}$$

∂

¯

-Neumann problem. Instead, the best that one can hope for is that derivatives in every direction but one can be estimated by the associated Dirichlet form, and when this happens, we say that the $${\bar{\partial }}$$

∂

¯

-Neumann problem satisfies maximal estimates. In the pseudoconvex case, a necessary and sufficient geometric condition for maximal estimates has been derived by Derridj (for (0, 1)-forms) and Ben Moussa (for (0, q)-forms when $$q\ge 1$$

q
≥
1

). In this paper, we explore necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for maximal estimates in the non-pseudoconvex case. We also discuss when the necessary conditions and sufficient conditions agree and provide examples. Our results subsume the earlier known results from the pseudoconvex case.