bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solitary or starry? Path options of the total factor productivity improvement in the aquatic seed industry from the configuration perspective
Authors: Zheng Hui , Zhang Li , Zhao Xin
Published: December 2023

As the top supplier of global aquaculture, China possesses the largest aquaculture seed industry, which is an essential contributor to promoting the sustainable development of fisheries and safeguarding global food security. This paper aims to explore the effective path to total factor productivity (TFP) enhancement. First, the paper designs a theoretical framework for multifactor (including resource, technology, talent, capital, and system) synergy driving aquatic seed industry development based on system dynamics. Then, the driven path of multifactor synergy for TFP improvement is investigated through the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method by taking six listed enterprises in the aquatic seed industry from 2017 to 2021 as the case study. Results show that single-factor inputs, such as resource, technology, talent, capital, and system, are unnecessary conditions for improving the TFP of the enterprise. Interestingly, the sufficiency analysis shows four equivalent paths of multifactor synergy-driven enterprise TFP improvement, which are further classified into three categories denominated as resource-oriented, integrated, and technology-oriented factor configurations. Of these, resource–capital and technology–talent factor synergies are two core-driven conditions, and an equivalent substitution relationship exists between capital and system. This paper provides some recommendations for policymakers and aquatic seed entrepreneurs based on the above findings.
Dynamic Sustainability
Authors: Golden Jay S.
Published: December 2023

This book provides new insights into the opportunities, risks, and unintended consequences for the American economy, legacy industries, global multinational corporations, and financial institutions having pledged to transition to a net-zero carbon economy. It places specific emphasis on 'systems analysis', as well as the unprecedented pace needed for our sustainability transition. It examines the implications of organizations purchasing voluntary carbon credits which are not regulated, insured, and often not scientifically validated. It scrutinises how financial markets are driving corporate sustainability while at the same time conservative policymakers seek to ban Environmental Social Governance investments. Golden discusses national security as well as the growing rural-urban divide, seemingly widened by major automotive manufacturers looking to move towards zero-emission electric vehicles. Using empirical evidence to chart the effect of our sustainability transition on the government, the military, and corporations, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers, graduate students, policymakers, and industry professionals.
Re-imagining Social Work
Authors: Ife Jim , Mehta Rimple , Tusasiirwe Sharlotte
Published: December 2023

Social workers are increasingly faced with contemporary global challenges such as inequality, climate change and displacement of people. As a field committed to supporting the world's most vulnerable populations and communities, social work must adapt to meet the needs of this changing global landscape. Re-imagining Social Work broadens the imaginative horizons for social workers and acquaints readers with their potential to creatively contribute to global change. Written in an accessible style, this book motivates readers to think outside the box when it comes to linking theory to their social work practice, in order to construct innovative solutions to prominent social problems. Re-imagining Social Work provides a unique perspective on how social work can evolve for the future. Through theory and critical perspective, this book provides the skills required to be an innovative creative social worker.
Leveraging Human Rights Due Diligence in Corporate-State Procurement: The Exemplar of the Pfizer-Israeli COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Authors: Slawotsky Joel
Published: December 2023

This article opines that corporations should utilize leverage in procurement contracts with states to prevent human rights abuses. Capitalizing on leverage over state business partners should be understood as an under-explored but intriguing dimension to the advancement of human rights. This article uses the example of the Pfizer-Israel procurement contract to provide mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations as a case study. While the Pfizer-Israel contract required Israeli governmental compliance with various laws, and referenced other legal obligations, no reference to human rights, such as the right to informed consent, was made in any contractual provision. The failure of Pfizer to insert contractual provisions regarding the Israeli government’s duty to obtain informed consent provides a glaring exemplar of a missed corporate opportunity to fulfil the corporate responsibility to respect human rights.
Advancing maturity modeling for precision oncology
Authors: Hoffman-Peterson Ariella , Marathe Megh , Ackerman Mark S. , Barnett William , Hamasha Reema , Kang April , Sawant Kashmira , Flynn Allen , Platt Jodyn E.
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

This study aimed to map the maturity of precision oncology as an example of a Learning Health System by understanding the current state of practice, tools and informatics, and barriers and facilitators of maturity.

Methods:

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 34 professionals (e.g., clinicians, pathologists, and program managers) involved in Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs). Interviewees were recruited through outreach at 3 large academic medical centers (AMCs) (n = 16) and a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) company (n = 18). Interviewees were asked about their roles and relationships with MTBs, processes and tools used, and institutional practices. The interviews were then coded and analyzed to understand the variation in maturity across the evolving field of precision oncology.

Results:

The findings provide insight into the present level of maturity in the precision oncology field, including the state of tooling and informatics within the same domain, the effects of the critical environment on overall maturity, and prospective approaches to enhance maturity of the field. We found that maturity is relatively low, but continuing to evolve, across these dimensions due to the resource-intensive and complex sociotechnical infrastructure required to advance maturity of the field and to fully close learning loops.

Conclusion:

Our findings advance the field by defining and contextualizing the current state of maturity and potential future strategies for advancing precision oncology, providing a framework to examine how learning health systems mature, and furthering the development of maturity models with new evidence.
Repairing the scaffolding: women authors in Paleobiology
Authors: Arens Nan Crystal , Holguin Levi , Sandoval Natalie
Published: December 2023

Women are underrepresented in paleontology. Despite more women students, representation at senior levels remains low. To advance professionally, scientists must disseminate their research through peer-reviewed publications. We examine gendered authorship patterns in Paleobiology to ask whether the publishing infrastructure supports the Paleontological Society's gender-equity goals. We reviewed all papers published in Paleobiology from its inception in 1975 through 2021. For each paper, we recorded each author, the author's position in the author list, and the total number of authors on each paper. We coded gender based on a combination of personal communication and pronouns used in publicly available information. We compared author demographics with anonymized membership data from the Paleontological Society. Over the journal's run, the number of authors per paper increased due to cultural shifts toward collaborative work and acknowledging student contributions with coauthorship. These trends contribute to proportionally more women authors, beginning in the early 2000s. Despite these increases, women remain chronically underrepresented. In 2018, 2019, and 2021, the proportion of women authors in Paleobiology paralleled membership in the Paleontological Society. However, in 2020, Paleobiology published fewer women authors than expected based on society membership. This echoes declines in women's scholarly productivity in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic observed across many disciplines. We offer four recommendations: (1) practice double-anonymous peer review; (2) recruit editors from diverse backgrounds who invite reviewers with diverse backgrounds; (3) democratize manuscript review by selecting reviewers from a disaggregated reviewer database; and (4) gather and analyze demographic data for both submissions and publications.
Winter-Quartering Tribes: Nomad–Peasant Relations in the Northeastern Frontiers of the Ottoman Empire (1800s–1850s)
Authors: Koç Yener
Published: December 2023

Focusing on the winter quartering of Kurdish nomadic tribes among peasant villages, this article discusses the patterns of Kurdish nomadism and nomad–peasant relations in the Ottoman sanjaks of Muş, Bayezid, and Van during the first half of the nineteenth century. It argues that the political structure of these regions and the requirements of animal husbandry among the nomads not only created a distinct pattern of nomadism among the Kurdish tribes, but also led to the polarization of relations between nomads and peasants. Moreover, the article observes how nomad–settled, tribe–peasant relations in these regions evolved as a result of the gradual sedentarization of the pastoral nomads and related changes in their subsistence economies starting from the mid-nineteenth century. Finally, this article provides a background for a better understanding of the intercommunal tensions and conflicts over land in the Ottoman Empire of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Politics in Legal Disguise
Authors: Friedmann Daniel
Published: December 2023

The article discusses the current legal-political crisis in Israel against the backdrop of the judicial and political powers that have led to the present situation. The disastrous Yom Kippur War of 1973 weakened the government and public confidence in the political institutions. The weaknesses of the government enabled the Supreme Court to carry out a judicial revolution, which completely changed the country's legal system. The legal revolution entered a new stage when the Supreme Court held that the Basic Laws form part of Israel's constitution. This judicially created constitution opened the way for judicial review of legislation. Its weakness stems from the fact that Basic Laws are legislated in much the same way as ordinary legislation. As a result, the Knesset can easily override any ruling of the Court that voids a statute, by amending the relevant Basic Law. The Court is now struggling to find a means of gaining some control over the legislation of Basic Laws. At the same time, the present government declared its intention to carry out legal reforms that are in effect a counter-revolution to the judicial revolution. The article examines how the fluctuation in the political support of the Court affects its decisions.
Palliative care in the treatment of women with breast cancer: A scoping review
Authors: Velasco Yanez Romel Jonathan , Carvalho Fernandes Ana Fátima , de Freitas Corpes Erilaine , Moura Barbosa Castro Régia Christina , Sixsmith Judith , Lopes-Júnior Luís Carlos
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Recent studies on the quality of life in women with breast cancer show a high prevalence of signs and symptoms that should be the focus of palliative care (PC), leading us to question the current role they play in addressing breast cancer. Therefore, the objective of this review is to map the scope of available literature on the role of PC in the treatment of women with breast cancer.

Methods

This is a methodologically guided scoping review by the Joanna Briggs Institute and adapted to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist for report writing. Systematic searches were conducted in 8 databases, an electronic repository, and gray literature. The searches were conducted with the support of a librarian. The study selection was managed through the RAYYAN software in a blind and independent manner by 2 reviewers. The extracted data were analyzed using the qualitative thematic analysis technique and discussed through textual categories.

Results

A total of 9,812 studies were identified, of which only 136 articles and 3 sources of gray literature are included in this review. In terms of general characteristics, the majority were published in the USA (35.7%), had a cross-sectional design (44.8%), and were abstracts presented at scientific events (19.6%). The majority of interventions focused on palliative radiotherapy (13.6%). Thematic analysis identified 14 themes and 12 subthemes.

Significance of results

Our findings offer a comprehensive view of the evidence on PC in the treatment of breast cancer. Although a methodological quality assessment was not conducted, these results could guide professionals interested in the topic to position themselves in the current context. Additionally, a quick synthesis of recommendations on different palliative therapies is provided, which should be critically observed. Finally, multiple knowledge gaps are highlighted, which could be used for the development of future studies in this field.
Cortico-muscular connectivity is modulated by passive and active Lokomat-assisted Gait
Authors: Artoni Fiorenzo , Cometa Andrea , Dalise Stefania , Azzollini Valentina , Micera Silvestro , Chisari Carmelo
Published: December 2023

The effects of robotic-assisted gait (RAG) training, besides conventional therapy, on neuroplasticity mechanisms and cortical integration in locomotion are still uncertain. To advance our knowledge on the matter, we determined the involvement of motor cortical areas in the control of muscle activity in healthy subjects, during RAG with Lokomat, both with maximal guidance force (100 GF—passive RAG) and without guidance force (0 GF—active RAG) as customary in rehabilitation treatments. We applied a novel cortico-muscular connectivity estimation procedure, based on Partial Directed Coherence, to jointly study source localized EEG and EMG activity during rest (standing) and active/passive RAG. We found greater cortico-cortical connectivity, with higher path length and tendency toward segregation during rest than in both RAG conditions, for all frequency bands except for delta. We also found higher cortico-muscular connectivity in distal muscles during swing (0 GF), and stance (100 GF), highlighting the importance of direct supraspinal control to maintain balance, even when gait is supported by a robotic exoskeleton. Source-localized connectivity shows that this control is driven mainly by the parietal and frontal lobes. The involvement of many cortical areas also in passive RAG (100 GF) justifies the use of the 100 GF RAG training for neurorehabilitation, with the aim of enhancing cortical-muscle connections and driving neural plasticity in neurological patients.
The effect of rotational velocity on rotational traction across a range of artificial turf surface systems
Authors: McGowan Harry , Fleming Paul , Pak Jae-Hwi , James David , Forrester Steph
Published: December 2023

Mechanical testing by sporting governing bodies ensures artificial turf surfaces conform with performance standards. Rotational traction is measured using two equivalent devices: a rotational traction tester (RTT) and a lightweight rotational traction tester (LRTT). The devices differ in target rotational velocity; 72 deg/s for the RTT and 30 deg/s for the LRTT. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of rotational velocity on peak torque during rotational traction testing. An automated rotational traction tester examined nine rotational velocities between 10 and 210 deg/s, and ten artificial turf surface systems with a range of performance infill materials, infill depths and carpet specifications. Rotations at 10 deg/s produced the lowest peak torques on nine of the ten surfaces. Infill materials with intrinsic viscoelastic properties produced significantly higher peak torques at higher rotational velocities, whereas less elastic infill materials saw no significant increase in peak torque. A mean difference in peak torque of 2.6 Nm was found between the target velocities of the RTT and LRTT. The results support the synchronisation of target velocities for the RTT and LRTT. During standards testing, trials completed below a particular velocity should be repeated to negate velocity effects on peak torque.
Application of double low-dose mode in left atrial-pulmonary venous computed tomography angiography
Authors: Zhang Changjiang , Zhang Wei , Shi Kaihu , Chen Jingya
Published: December 2023

This study adopted a 256-slice iCT scanner with the double low-dose mode in left atrial-pulmonary venous computed tomography angiography (CTA) and explored its effect on image quality. 120 patients were included and randomly classified into the Observation group and Control group. Patients in the Control group underwent routine left atrial CTA, while patients in the Observation group performed a double low-dose mode. Other scanning parameters were consistent in the two groups. The Full model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) technique was applied to fulfill image reconstruction in observation group. Continuous variables, ordered categorical variables were analyzed by statistical test. The CT values of left atrial in the Observation group were significantly higher than those in the Control group. The exposure doses (ED) and iodine intake were lower in the Observation group, as compared to the Control group. The left atrial-pulmonary venous CTA with the 256-slice iCT scanner in a double low-dose mode can reduce the ED of radiation and iodine contrast while providing high quality images. Comparatively, the ED in the Observation group was reduced by 13% compared with the control, and the iodine intake was reduced by approximately 33%.
An ensemble-based machine learning solution for imbalanced multiclass dataset during lithology log generation
Authors: Jamshidi Gohari Mohammad Saleh , Emami Niri Mohammad , Sadeghnejad Saeid , Ghiasi‑Freez Javad
Published: December 2023

The lithology log, an integral component of the master log, graphically portrays the encountered lithological sequence during drilling operations. In addition to offering real-time cross-sectional insights, lithology logs greatly aid in correlating and evaluating multiple sections efficiently. This paper introduces a novel workflow reliant on an enhanced weighted average ensemble approach for producing high-resolution lithology logs. The research contends with a challenging multiclass imbalanced lithofacies distribution emerging from substantial heterogeneities within subsurface geological structures. Typically, methods to handle imbalanced data, e.g., cost-sensitive learning (CSL), are tailored for issues encountered in binary classification. Error correcting output code (ECOC) originates from decomposition strategies, effectively breaking down multiclass problems into numerous binary subproblems. The database comprises conventional well logs and lithology logs obtained from five proximate wells within a Middle Eastern oilfield. Utilizing well-known machine learning (ML) algorithms, such as support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), logistic regression (LR), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), as baseline classifiers, this study aims to enhance the accurate prediction of underground lithofacies. Upon recognizing a blind well, the data from the remaining four wells are utilized to train the ML algorithms. After integrating ECOC and CSL techniques with the baseline classifiers, they undergo evaluation. In the initial assessment, both RF and SVM demonstrated superior performance, prompting the development of an enhanced weighted average ensemble based on them. The comprehensive numerical and visual analysis corroborates the outstanding performance of the developed ensemble. The average Kappa statistic of 84.50%, signifying almost-perfect agreement, and mean F-measures of 91.04% emphasize the robustness of the designed ensemble-based workflow during the evaluation of blind well data.
Wound Healing and Special Considerations for the Professional and Performing Voice
Authors: Dueppen Abigail , Joshi Ashwini
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to review the wound healing process of the vocal fold following phonomicrosurgery to remove benign vocal fold lesions in professional voice users. Understanding this process and the risk of developing scar tissue at the injury site is important for treatment of these individuals. This review also highlights special considerations during the postinjury rehabilitation period and the unique vocal loading tasks and needs of performing voice users. The goal of this article is to provide clinical tools for wound healing education to nonvoice-specialized speech-language pathologists to inform their rehabilitation of the professional and performing voice user.

Conclusions:

Implications intrinsic to vocal fold physiology and the stages of wound healing necessitate the avoidance of scar tissue with a rehabilitation plan tailored to the unique vocal loading demands of professional and performing voice users. There is a need to develop specific rehabilitation protocols that are genre-specific to aid in the individual treatment of the elite vocal athlete.
Kinderrechte im Gesundheitswesen
Authors: Hager Jannika
Published: December 2023

Dass auch Kinder Menschen mit Rechten sind, ist allen bekannt. Doch welche Rechte haben Kinder in Bezug auf einen Krankenhausaufenthalt? Und wer vertritt diese? Werden diese Rechte ausreichend umgesetzt und wenn ja, wie? In diesem Beitrag werden gesetzliche Rahmenbedingungen in Bezug auf die UN-Kinderrechtskonvention sowie die Folgen mangelnder Umsetzung dieser Rechte beleuchtet. Es werden präventive Konzepte in deutschen Kliniken erörtert und die Anforderungen an die Fachpraxis aufgeführt.
Hochfrequenz-Oszillationsventilation
Authors: Wiegmann Katharina
Published: December 2023

Wartezeiten zum Lernen nutzen – das ist die Idee der One Minute Wonder. Wir stellen in loser Reihe OMWs zu verschiedenen Themen vor.
Beratungsempfehlungen für Diabetesfachkräfte
Authors: Fabisch Gottlobe
Published: December 2023

In der Diabetestherapie spielt das Thema Ernährung eine gewichtige Rolle. Die Ernährungsweise ist neben dem Bewegungsverhalten ein zentraler Ansatzpunkt, um den Stoffwechsel zu beeinflussen. Daher hat der VDBD eine Ernährungsbroschüre für Beratungsprofis entwickelt, die jüngst in einer aktualisierten und erweiterten Fassung vorgelegt wurde.
Interdisziplinäre Behandlung einer Patientin mit
hemimandibulärer Hyperplasie
Authors: Ziemann Fabian , Knauth Jessica , Nottmeier Cita , Köhne Till
Published: December 2023

Mandibuläre Asymmetrien die mit persistierendem Unterkieferwachstum
assoziiert sind, manifestieren sich häufig im jungen Erwachsenenalter.
Konservativen Therapieansätzen sind diese Dysgnathien nicht mehr
zugänglich. Therapie der Wahl stellt ein kombiniert
kieferorthopädisch-kieferchirurgisches Konzept dar. Der nachfolgend
dokumentierte Fall soll ein mögliches Therapiekonzept am Beispiel einer
jungen Patientin mir hemimandibulärer Hyperplasie veranschaulichen.
Fasten
Authors: Hanslian Etienne , Koppold Daniela , Michalsen Andreas
Published: December 2023

Fasten als Therapie hat im letzten Jahrzehnt durch eine Fülle an Grundlagenstudien und experimentellen Arbeiten sowie zunehmende klinische Forschung seinen Einzug in die moderne Medizin gehalten. Es ist ein Verfahren mit jahrtausendealter Tradition und dadurch verschiedenartigen Durchführungsmöglichkeiten. Gemeinsam ist ihnen die Reduktion der täglichen Nahrungsaufnahme für begrenzte Zeit. Diese hat vielfältige Wirkungen auf Stoffwechsel, Zellen und Organsysteme, die es zu einem potenten Mittel im ärztlichen Handeln machen können.
Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions: Trends over Time and Implementation of Safe Opioid-Prescribing Practices
Authors: Wally Meghan K. , Thompson Michael E. , Odum Susan , Kazemi Donna M. , Hsu Joseph R. , Seymour Rachel B. ,   and PRIMUM Group
Published: December 2023

Objectives This study aimed (1) to determine the impact of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool on rate of opioid prescribing and opioid dose for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and (2) to identify prescriber and facility characteristics associated with adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain in this population.

We conducted an interrupted time series analysis to assess trends in percentage of patients from 2016 to 2020, receiving an opioid and the average opioid dose, as well as the change associated with implementation of the CDS toolkit. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the association between prescriber and facility characteristics and safe opioid-prescribing practices.

Methods We assessed the impact of the CDS intervention on percent of patients receiving an opioid and average opioid dose (morphine milligram equivalents). We operationalized safe opioid prescribing as a composite score of several behaviors (i.e., prescribing naloxone, initiating a pain agreement, prescribing <90 MME, avoiding extended-release prescriptions for opioid-naïve patients, and avoiding coprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines) and used a hierarchical linear regression model to assess associations between prescriber and facility characteristics and safe opioid prescribing.

Results This CDS intervention had a modest but statistically significant 1.6% reduction on the percent of patients (n = 1,290,746) receiving an opioid (mean: 15% preintervention; 10% postintervention). The average dose of opioid prescriptions did not significantly change. Advanced practice providers and prescribers with higher percentages of patients aged 18 to 64 exhibited safer opioid prescribing, while prescribers with higher percentages of white patients and larger numbers of patients on opioids exhibited less safe opioid prescribing.

Conclusion A CDS intervention was associated with a small improvement in percent of patients receiving an opioid, but not on average dose. Clinicians are not prescribing opioids for chronic musculoskeletal conditions frequently, when they do, they are generally adhering to guidelines.
Lessons from the Netherlands for Australia: cross-country comparison of trends in antidepressant dispensing 2013–2021 and contextual factors influencing prescribing
Authors: Wallis Katharine A. , Dikken Pieter J. S. , Sooriyaarachchi Piumika , Bohnen Arthur M. , Donald Maria
Published: December 2023

Background There is concern internationally about increasing antidepressant use. Most antidepressants are prescribed in general practice. The aim of this study was to compare trends in antidepressant dispensing in Australia and the Netherlands over the 9 years from 2013 to 2021, and to explore reasons for differences. Methods A convergent mixed methods study including analysis of publicly available antidepressant dispensing data obtained from Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics and a search of relevant literature to compare contextual factors influencing prescribing were undertaken. Results In 2013, antidepressant dispensing rates in Australia were nearly twice as high as those in the Netherlands (82.5 versus 44.3 DDD/1000/day) and increased to be more than twice as high by 2021 (115.6 versus 48.8 DDD/1000/day). Antidepressant dispensing increased by 40% in Australia over the nine study years, but by only 10% in the Netherlands. Our scan of the literature confirms that while population factors, health system structure, and clinical guideline recommendations are largely consistent across the two countries, a multifaceted approach in the Netherlands involving improved access to non-pharmacological alternatives, initiatives targeting safer antidepressant prescribing, and tight regulation of pharmaceutical industry influence on prescribers, has successfully curtailed increasing antidepressant use. Conclusions Australia may learn from the Netherlands’ approach to redress increasing antidepressant use.
Hyperedge prediction and the statistical mechanisms of higher-order and lower-order interactions in complex networks
Authors: Sales-Pardo Marta , Mariné-Tena Aleix , Guimerà Roger
Published: December 2023

Complex networked systems often exhibit higher-order interactions, beyond dyadic interactions, which can dramatically alter their observed behavior. Consequently, understanding hypergraphs from a structural perspective has become increasingly important. Statistical, group-based inference approaches are well suited for unveiling the underlying community structure and predicting unobserved interactions. However, these approaches often rely on two key assumptions: that the same groups can explain hyperedges of any order and that interactions are assortative, meaning that edges are formed by nodes with the same group memberships. To test these assumptions, we propose a group-based generative model for hypergraphs that does not impose an assortative mechanism to explain observed higher-order interactions, unlike current approaches. Our model allows us to explore the validity of the assumptions. Our results indicate that the first assumption appears to hold true for real networks. However, the second assumption is not necessarily accurate; we find that a combination of general statistical mechanisms can explain observed hyperedges. Finally, with our approach, we are also able to determine the importance of lower and high-order interactions for predicting unobserved interactions. Our research challenges the conventional assumptions of group-based inference methodologies and broadens our understanding of the underlying structure of hypergraphs.
Evolution of dislocation substructures in metals via high-strain-rate nanoindentation
Authors: Zhang Yuwei , Hackett Benjamin L. , Dong Jiaqi , Xie Kelvin Y. , Pharr George M.
Published: December 2023

Deformation at high strain rates often results in high stresses on many engineering materials, potentially leading to catastrophic failure without proper design. High-strain-rate mechanical testing is thus needed to improve the design of future structural materials for a wide range of applications. Although several high-strain-rate mechanical testing techniques have been developed to provide a fundamental understanding of material responses and microstructural evolution under high-strain-rate deformation conditions, these tests are often very time consuming and costly. In this work, we utilize a high-strain-rate nanoindentation testing technique and system in combination with transmission electron microscopy to reveal the deformation mechanisms and dislocation substructures that evolve in pure metals from low (10
–2
s
–1
) to very high indentation strain rates (10
4
s
–1
), using face-centered cubic aluminum and body-centered cubic molybdenum as model materials. The results help to establish the conditions under which micro- and macro-scale tests can be compared with validity and also provide a promising pathway that could lead to accelerated high-strain-rate testing at substantially reduced costs.
Abrupt grammatical reorganization of an emergent sign language
Authors: German Austin
Published: December 2023

This study traces the development of discrete, combinatorial structure in Zinacantec Family Homesign (‘Z Sign’), a
sign language developed since the 1970s by several deaf siblings in Mexico (Haviland
2020b), focusing on the expression of motion. The results reveal that the first signer, who generated a homesign system
without access to language models, represents motion events holistically. Later-born signers, who acquired this homesign system
from infancy, distribute the components of motion events over sequences of discrete signs. Furthermore, later-born signers exhibit
greater regularity of form-meaning mappings and increased articulatory efficiency. Importantly, these changes occur abruptly
between the first- and second-born signers, rather than incrementally across signers. This study extends previous findings for
Nicaraguan Sign Language (Senghas et al. 2004) to a social group of a much smaller
scale, suggesting that the parallel processes of cultural transmission and language acquisition drive language emergence,
regardless of community size.
The trouble with a cuddle: Families’ experiences of supervising interactions between children in middle childhood and the family dog
Authors: Baatz Anna , Bidgood Amy , Taylor Gemma , Young Robert
Published: December 2023

Background: There is growing scientific interest in the benefits for children of interacting with and engaging with domestic dogs. Since the effects of such pairings on the dog are under explored, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of family units supervising interactions between children in middle childhood (7–12) and the family dog(s).

Methods: Ten families with at least one child aged 7–12 years old (mean 8.6, SD 1.6) and a family dog were recruited via social media to participate in whole family unit face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Experience of the effects of child-dog interaction (CDI) on the family dog was explored through discussion and reflections of CDIs, the dog’s responses, and how these were managed. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis using a semantic approach was used to construct key themes.

Results: All families reported that the most positive CDIs were of mutual play or that the dog freely approached the child with the ability to move away. This dynamic is subsequently referred to as dog freedom of choice (FOC). Most discussed experiences of dog aggression or avoidance of the child when FOC was compromised by close physical contact (CPC) from the child, such as cuddling. In most cases, the caregivers and children within the family unit were aware that the dog did not always enjoy such a CPC. However, interviewees recognised that such awareness did not always lead to cessation of the interaction.

Conclusions: While shared play where FOC was supported suggested mutual benefits, CDIs perceived as expressions of affection, for example, hugs towards the family dog, may compromise dog quality of life and raise the risk of dog bites. Furthermore, a caregiver or child with conscious awareness of a dog reacting aversely to compromised FOC is not always a mechanism for ending of the interaction. This may raise questions about the efficacy of education programmes intended to raise the recognition of dog body language to change human behaviour.
Effect of esaxerenone on ischaemia and reperfusion injury in rat hearts
Authors: Yamashita Hiromasa , Fujii Masahiro , Bessho Ryuzo , Ishii Yosuke
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVES

In myocardial infarction, the addition of mineralocorticoid receptor blockers to standard therapies, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or beta-blockers, reportedly reduces mortality and cardiac events. We investigated whether the non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor blocker esaxerenone has cardioprotective effects and its protective mechanisms.

METHODS

Isolated rat hearts were Langendorff-perfused (constant pressure, 80 mmHg) with oxygenated Krebs–Henseleit bicarbonate buffer and reperfused for 60 min; afterwards, recovery of function (left ventricular pressure, measured with an intraventricular balloon) and myocardial injury were measured. In a preliminary study, we determined the optimal concentration of esaxerenone required for myocardial protection. Next, esaxerenone was administered in the pre- and post-ischaemic phases to determine the optimal timing of administration. In addition, we assessed coronary flow response to acetylcholine with and without esaxerenone. We examined whether esaxerenone-induced cardioprotection was prevented by targeting putative components in the preconditioning manner (the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium [KATP] channel).

RESULTS

Myocardial protection by esaxerenone was observed when esaxerenone was administered before ischaemia but not after ischaemia. The coronary flow response to acetylcholine was significantly better in the esaxerenone group than in the control group. The cardioprotective effect of esaxerenone was eliminated by the mitochondrial KATP channel blocker, 5-hydroxy decanoate.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the myocardial protective effect of the pre-ischaemic administration of esaxerenone. Esaxerenone may contribute to coronary endothelial protection and exert pharmacological preconditioning via the mitochondrial KATP channel.
Microbial pathogens in the movies
Authors: Sánchez-Angulo Manuel
Published: December 2023

Usually, show business depicts viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms as one of the worse menaces to mankind. Entertainment movies influence the way audiences understand and perceive these topics. Few films accurately portray the science of microbiology and its social implications. Movies and TV series often feature outbreaks of deadly diseases and the efforts of scientists and medical professionals to contain them. However, entertainment movies can also be used to educate the public about the importance and the impact that microorganisms have on our lives, helping to increase public awareness and appreciation of the world of microbiology. The aim of this review is to show the relationship between movies and microbiology, from the fight against diseases such as AIDS or tuberculosis, to the zombie apocalypse.
Targeted therapies for lupus nephritis: Current perspectives and future directions
Authors: Jia Xiuzhi , Lu Yuewen , Zheng Xunhua , Tang Ruihan , Chen Wei
Published: December 2023

Lupus nephritis (LN), a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, poses a substantial risk of progression to end-stage renal disease, with increased mortality. Conventional therapy for LN relies on broad-spectrum immunosuppressants such as glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, and calcineurin inhibitors. Although therapeutic regimens have evolved over the years, they have inherent limitations, including non-specific targeting, substantial adverse effects, high relapse rates, and prolonged maintenance and remission courses. These drawbacks underscore the need for targeted therapeutic strategies for LN. Recent advancements in our understanding of LN pathogenesis have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the emergence of biological agents and small-molecule inhibitors with improved specificity and reduced toxicity. This review provides an overview of the current evidence on targeted therapies for LN, elucidates the biological mechanisms of responses and failure, highlights the challenges ahead, and outlines strategies for subsequent clinical trials and integrated immunomodulatory approaches.
Immunohistochemical and Molecular Characteristics of Anogenital Papillary Hidradenomas
Authors: Karpathiou Georgia , Sim Angela , Picot Tiphanie , Mekhzoumi Khaoula , Chauleur Celine , Péoc'h Michel
Published: December 2023

Background:

Papillary hidradenomas (PHs) of the anogenital region are uncommon tumors whose immunohistochemical and molecular profile have been infrequently studied.

Material and methods:

We studied 15 PHs by next-generation sequencing and 10 immunohistochemical markers (PAX8, GATA3, HER2, MSH6, PMS2, estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptors, CK14, and NKX3.1).

Results:

All cases expressed GATA3, whereas none expressed PAX8, and rare tumor cells were NKX3.1-positive. Almost all cases expressed estrogen receptors (ER), progesteron receptors (PR), and androgen receptors (AR). CK14 was expressed by myoepithelial cells, whereas only rarely by the epithelial tumor cells. HER2 showed no significant expression. Immunohistochemical expression for the mismatch repair proteins showed persistence in all cases. Molecular analysis often showed PIK3CA mutations, as well as KRAS, SMO, and MAP2K1 mutations.

Conclusion:

Anogenital PHs frequently harbor PIK3CA mutations and show a PAX8-, GATA3/ER/PR/AR + immunohistochemical profile.
Measles seroprevalence in adolescents and young adults living with HIV and response to MMR booster in seronegative ones
Authors: Simakawa Raquel M. , Araújo Beatriz C. , Ono Erika , De Moraes-Pinto M. Isabel , Succi Regina C.M.
Published: December 2023

Objective:

The study analyzed people with HIV (PWH) measles seroprevalence and response to MMR booster given to seronegative individuals.

Design:

A prospective cohort study with four groups: vertically (v-HIV), horizontally infected (h-HIV) individuals, and two control groups. An MMR booster was offered to seronegative individuals.

Results:

Measles seropositivity and IgG antibodies were significantly lower in v-HIV than in the other groups. All measles seronegative patients responded to booster.

Conclusion:

An MMR booster must be sought during adolescence in vertically PWH.
Dysbiosis of gut microbiota and metabolites during AIDS: implications for CD4+ T cell reduction and immune activation
Authors: Zhou Jie , Yang Yuecong , Xie Zhiman , Lu Dongjia , Huang Jinping , Lan Liuyang , Guo Baodong , Yang Xiping , Wang Qing , Li Zhuoxin , Zhang Yu , Yang Xing , Ai Sufang , Liu Ningmei , Cui Ping , Liang Hao , Ye Li , Huang Jiegang
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Identifying the gut microbiota associated with host immunity in the AIDS stage.

Design:

We performed a cross-sectional study.

Methods:

We recruited people with HIV (PWH) in the AIDS or non-AIDS stage and evaluated their gut microbiota and metabolites by using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Machine learning models were used to analyze the correlations between key bacteria and CD4+ T cell count, CD4+ T cell activation, bacterial translocation, gut metabolites, and KEGG functional pathways.

Results:

We recruited 114 PWH in the AIDS stage and 203 PWH in the non-AIDS stage. The α-diversity of gut microbiota was downregulated in the AIDS stage (P < 0.05). Several machine learning models could be used to identify key gut microbiota associated with AIDS, including the logistic regression model with area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and Brier scores of 0.854, 0.813, 0.813, and 0.160, respectively. The decreased key bacteria ASV1 (Bacteroides sp.), ASV8 (Fusobacterium sp.), ASV30 (Roseburia sp.), ASV37 (Bacteroides sp.), and ASV41 (Lactobacillus sp.) in the AIDS stage were positively correlated with the CD4+ T cell count, the EndoCAb IgM level, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid abundance, and the predicted cell growth pathway, and negatively correlated with the CD3+CD4+CD38+HLA-DR+ T cell count and the sCD14 level.

Conclusion:

Machine learning has the potential to recognize key gut microbiota related to AIDS. The key five bacteria in the AIDS stage and their metabolites might be related to CD4+ T cell reduction and immune activation.
Elevation-dependent patterns of snow-gum dieback are associated with subspecies’ trait differences and environmental variation
Authors: Bryant Callum , Ball Marilyn C. , Borevitz Justin , Brookhouse Matthew T. , Carle Hannah , Cunningham Pia , Davey Mei , Davies James , Eason Ashleigh , Erskine Joseph D. , Fuenzalida Tomas I. , Grishin Dmitry , Harris Rosalie , Kriticos Jessica , Midson Aaron , Nicotra Adrienne B. , Nshuti Annabelle , Ward-Jones Jessica , Yau Yolanda , Young Olivia , Bothwell Helen
Published: December 2023

Subalpine forests worldwide face the synergistic threats of global warming and increased biotic attack, and the collapse or transition of subalpine forests is predicted in south-eastern Australia under future climates. The recent widespread dieback of subalpine snow gum forests due to increased activity of a native wood-boring longicorn beetle suggests this process may already be underway. We investigated how variation in tree tissue traits and environmental conditions correlated with elevation-dependent spatial patterns of forest mortality.

We hypothesised that increased vulnerability of subalpine snow gums to wood-borer-mediated dieback at intermediate elevations was associated with poorly-resolved differences in traits between montane (Eucalyptus pauciflorasubsp.pauciflora)and subalpine (E. pauciflorasubsp.niphophila)snow-gum subspecies. We first sought to characterise variation and elevation-dependent transitions in 20 structural and drought-related functional traits among 120 healthy trees distributed along a 1000m elevation transect which spanned the subspecies transition zone. Secondly, we surveyed 774 trees across 53 sites between 1280-1980m asl. to explore associations between borer-damage severity, elevation, subspecies, and a subset of traits that differed between subspecies.

These snow-gum subspecies exhibited mean differences and/or divergent elevation responses in 25% of traits surveyed, indicating contrasting suites of traits between montane and subalpine subspecies. Increased borer-damage severity across the montane-to-subalpine subspecies transition was correlated with lower bark thickness, whereas reduced borer damage at the highest elevations was associated with greater precipitation and lower temperatures.

Our results suggest that due to possessing distinct traits associated with increased borer susceptibility, subalpine snow-gum forests will be subject to increased risk of severe borer-mediated forest dieback under warmer and drier future climates. Identifying traits contributing to species’ distribution limits and biotic-agent vulnerability remains critical for predicting, monitoring, and possibly mitigating forest and vegetation declines under future climates.
QuadST: A Powerful and Robust Approach for Identifying Cell–Cell Interaction-Changed Genes on Spatially Resolved Transcriptomics
Authors: Choi Jinmyung , Ehrlich Michelle E. , Roussos Panos , Wang Pei , Yuan Guo-Cheng , Song Xiaoyu
Published: December 2023

Spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) have enabled profiling spatial organization of cells and their transcriptome in situ. Various analytical methods have been developed to uncover cell-cell interaction processes using SRT data. To improve upon existing efforts, we developed a novel statistical framework called QuadST for the robust and powerful identification of interaction-changed genes (ICGs) for cell-type-pair specific interactions on a single-cell SRT dataset. QuadST is motivated by the idea that in the presence of cell-cell interaction, gene expression level can vary with cell-cell distance between cell type pairs, which can be particularly pronounced within and in the vicinity of cell-cell interaction distance. Specifically, QuadST infers ICGs in a specific cell type pair’s interaction based on a quantile regression model, which allows us to assess the strength of distance-expression association across entire distance quantiles conditioned on gene expression level. To identify ICGs, QuadST performs a hypothesis testing with an empirically estimated FDR, whose upper bound is determined by the ratio of cumulative associations at symmetrically smaller and larger distance quantiles simultaneously across all genes. Simulation studies illustrate that QuadST provides consistent FDR control and better power performance than other compared methods. Its application on SRT datasets profiled from mouse brains demonstrates that QuadST can identify ICGs presumed to play a role in specific cell type pair interactions (e.g., synaptic pathway genes among excitatory neuron cell interactions). These results suggest that QuadST can be a useful tool to discover genes and regulatory processes involved in specific cell type pair interactions.