bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coexistence of near-
EF
Flat Band and Van Hove Singularity in a Two-Phase Superconductor
Authors: Chen Xuezhi , Wang Le , Ishizuka Jun , Zhang Renjie , Nogaki Kosuke , Cheng Yiwei , Yang Fazhi , Chen Zhenhua , Zhu Fangyuan , Liu Zhengtai , Mei Jiawei , Yanase Youichi , Lv Baiqing , Huang Yaobo
Published: June 2024

Quantum many-body systems, particularly, the ones with large near-EF density states, are well known for exhibiting rich phase diagrams as a result of enhanced electron correlations. The recently discovered locally noncentrosymmetric heavy fermion superconductor CeRh2As2 has stimulated extensive attention due to its unusual H−T phase diagram consisting of two-phase superconductivity, antiferromagnetic order, and possible quadrupole-density wave orders. However, the critical near-EF electronic structure remains experimentally elusive. Here, we provide this key information by combining soft-x-ray and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) angle-resolved-photoemission-spectroscopy measurements and atom-resolved density-functional-theory (DFT)+U calculations. With bulk-sensitive soft x ray, we reveal quasi-2D hole and electron pockets near the EF. On the other hand, under VUV light, the Ce flat bands are resolved with the c−f hybridization persisting up to well above the Kondo temperature. Most importantly, we observe a symmetry-protected fourfold Van Hove singularity (VHS) coexisting with the Ce   4f5/21 flat bands at the X point, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported before. Such a rare coexistence is expected to lead to a large density of states at the zone edge, a large upper critical field of the odd-parity phase, as well as spin and/or charge instabilities with a vector of (1/2, 1/2, 0). Uniquely, it will also result in a new type of f-VHS hybridization that alters the order and fine electronic structure of the VHS and flat bands. Our findings provide not only key insights into the nature of multiple phases in CeRh2As2 but also open up new prospects for exploring the novelties of many-body systems with f-VHS hybridization.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Interactions Enable Thouless Pumping in a Nonsliding Lattice
Authors: Viebahn Konrad , Walter Anne-Sophie , Bertok Eric , Zhu Zijie , Gächter Marius , Aligia Armando A. , Heidrich-Meisner Fabian , Esslinger Tilman
Published: June 2024

A topological “Thouless” pump represents the quantized motion of particles in response to a slow, cyclic modulation of external control parameters. The Thouless pump, like the quantum Hall effect, is of fundamental interest in physics, because it links physically measurable quantities, such as particle currents, to geometric properties of the experimental system, which can be robust against perturbations and, thus, technologically useful. So far, experiments probing the interplay between topology and interparticle interactions have remained relatively scarce. Here, we observe a Thouless-type charge pump in which the particle current and its directionality inherently rely on the presence of strong interactions. Experimentally, we utilize a two-component Fermi gas in a dynamical superlattice which does not exhibit a sliding motion and remains trivial in the single-particle regime. However, when tuning interparticle interactions from zero to positive values, the system undergoes a transition from being stationary to drifting in one direction, consistent with quantized pumping in the first cycle. Remarkably, the topology of the interacting pump trajectory cannot be adiabatically connected to a noninteracting limit, highlighted by the fact that only one atom is transferred per cycle. Our experiments suggest that Thouless charge pumps are promising platforms to gain insights into interaction-driven topological transitions and topological quantum matter.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Utilizing open educational practices to support sustainable higher education in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Halder Adhya Debolina , Al Bastaki Eesa M. , Suleymanova Sara , Muhammad Nasiruddeen , Purushothaman Arunprasad
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled higher education institutions (HEI) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and globally to shift to a new pedagogy that is sustainable and resilient to crises and disruptions. It necessitated the integration of technologies as part of pedagogical innovation and modification of higher education practices – advancing toward a more holistic integration of physical and digital tools and methods to enable more flexible, creative, collaborative and participatory learning. In terms of pedagogy, an open approach to learning is essential, combining in-person teaching with technological tools and online learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines theoretical and empirical literature to define the potential benefits of utilizing open educational practices (OEP) in higher education, including better access, furthering equity and enhancing teaching, learning and assessment.

Findings

It proposes a comprehensive framework built on a continuum of open pedagogy (OP) that comprises “Emphasis”, “Essentials” and “Evolution”. Based on this framework, a set of recommendations for using OEP for successful knowledge building is provided.

Originality/value

The research determined the significance of increased OEP involvement for sustainable learning possibilities and the UAE’s initiatives in developing educators to support innovative pedagogies and technology-enabled teaching-learning standards. The study suggests placing more emphasis on faculty and student scaffolding while using OP for better learning experiences and outcomes, as well as more institutional support and the need for policy development to transform the UAE into a global hub for sustainable education.
Geoeconomic and foreign policy implications of Vietnam’s economic dependency on China
Authors: Nguyen-Vo Trinh
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This research aims to offers a new method for assessing geoeconomic risks in bilateral relations and evaluate the level of such risks from Vietnam’s economic dependency on China.

Design/methodology/approach

I apply descriptive analysis to identify asymmetrical dependency in Vietnam–China economic relations and propose a geoeconomic risk assessment framework to evaluate risk levels in bilateral economic linkages.

Findings

The proposed geoeconomic risk framework assesses risk levels, which are positively influenced by the degree of asymmetrical relations (vulnerabilities), the net impacts on the receiving economy (impacts) and the sending state’s ability to control economic tools (threats). In contrast, risk levels are negatively affected by the effectiveness of existing mitigation efforts. The framework employs ordinal likelihood scales to rank various risk levels. In the context of Vietnam–China relations, market access for agricultural products and control of the Mekong water emerge as the most risky areas for economic coercion, followed by Chinese official development finance in infrastructure and critical input imports. On the other hand, debt dependency and foreign direct investment in the energy sector are considered more secure areas—less likely targets for economic coercion. Hence, risk mitigation strategies should prioritize reducing asymmetry in vulnerable dependence areas while maintaining current practices in more secure areas.

Originality/value

Methodologically, it introduces a new approach for assessing bilateral geoeconomic risk. Empirically, it provides Vietnam’s policymakers with a comprehensive evaluation of the implications of economic interdependence with China.
Measuring central bank independence in India – a legal and behavioural case of Reserve Bank of India
Authors: Bhat Aijaz Ahmad , Khan Javaid Iqbal , Bhat Javed Ahmad , Bhat Sajad Ahmad
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study attempts to quantify the degree of independence of Central Bank of India from both legal and behavioural contexts over the period 1990–1991 to 2018–2019, a period encompassing major developments in the operation and regulation of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Design/methodology/approach

We followed Jasmine et al. (2019) to calculate the magnitude of de jure independence of RBI and for de facto independence, “turnover rate (TOR) of CB governor” as proposed by Cukierman et al. (1992) is applied.

Findings

The results report that the legal autonomy of RBI increased specifically after the reforms and post formulation of Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). However, the actual independence of RBI remains more or less in line within the critical threshold limit of 0.2.

Practical implications

The study proposes effective implementation of laws and procedures designed to promote the independence of Central Bank of India imperative for an effective monetary operation along with a coordinated fiscal policy.

Originality/value

Targeted study of a particular central bank on its “independence” aspect in general and of the Reserve Bank of India in particular has not been attempted as on date. It is to this end that the present study contributes.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0098.
Sisterhood in COVID-19’s she-cession: does stronger female representation mean weaker female discrimination?
Authors: Tőkés László
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Gender equality is an important issue targeted all around the world, see, for example, the Gender Equality Strategy articulated by the European Union (EU). These goals were hindered by COVID-19, which caused a well-documented she-cession: females were hit harder than males. This paper shows that a “sisterhood behaviour” can mitigate the effects of the she-cession: female decision-makers were more likely to favour other females in recruitment and retention.

Design/methodology/approach

Motivated by theories from psychology and industrial demography, we hypothesise a so-called sisterhood effect or homophily: female decision-makers are more likely to favour other females in recruitment and retention. We use firm-level survey data from 19 European countries collected before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we apply a difference-in-differences methodology to test the hypothesised sisterhood behaviour.

Findings

Our study finds that in firms where the top manager was a woman, gender discrimination was less likely or even not at all presented, i.e. COVID-19 did not decrease the proportion of female employees.

Practical implications

The results suggest that promoting gender equality in leadership dimensions can also moderate discrimination at the level of the employees. Therefore, in a wider context, gender equality goals are interrelated.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to analyse the existence of the theories mentioned before in a manager – employee relationship using firm-level data from the COVID-19 period.
Employees are not the weakest link: an occupational safety view of information security
Authors: Dennis Alan R.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

I adapt the Integrated Model of Workplace Safety (Christian et al., 2009) to information security and highlight the need to understand additional factors that influence security compliance and additional security outcomes that need to be studied (i.e. security participation).

Research limitations/implications

This model argues that distal factors in four major categories (employee characteristics, job characteristics, workgroup characteristics and organizational characteristics) influence two proximal factors (security motivation and security knowledge) and the security event itself, which together influence two important outcomes (security compliance and security participation).

Practical implications

Safety is a systems design issue, not an employee compliance issue. When employees make poor safety decisions, it is not the employee who is at fault; instead, the system is at fault because it induced the employee to make a poor decision and enabled the decision to have negative consequences.

Social implications

Security compliance is as much a workgroup issue as an individual issue.

Originality/value

I believe that by reframing information security from a compliance issue to a systems design issue, we can dramatically improve security.
What do we know about key influences on police attrition and retention rates? A literature review 2019–2023
Authors: Davies Amanda Jane , Stephenson Antony , Briggs Belinda , Allan Douglas
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Literature and research are emerging in an effort to contribute to strategy development and implementation to address these challenges. Currently, there is no readily identified study that combines examination of both academic and grey (i.e. media, government, and non-government reports) literature in a recent time frame (2019–2023) focused specifically on identification of the factors that influence attrition and retention rates; or detailed studies that have evaluated the implementation of strategies to address these challenges within the law enforcement and policing employment field. The study presented in this article seeks to add to the body of knowledge informed by recent (2019–2023) literature and in parallel offer insight into the critical areas of influence to be considered by police and law enforcement decision-makers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilised the PRISMA-P concept for systematic reviews as a general guide for identifying appropriate literature which revealed a total of 37 academic peer-reviewed articles and 21 grey literature documents contributing to identification of five overarching areas influencing attrition and retention.

Findings

The study identified the following factors contributing to attrition and retention: Job satisfaction and organisational factors; Supervision; Work-life balance; Recruitment, Training and Officer expectations; Financial compensation and job alternatives. There are differences in factors between this study and previous studies, i.e. recruitment strategies related to officer expectations was identified as a contributing factor. These additional factors offer a further contribution to future policy and strategy deliberations and implementations to address the workforce levels within police agencies.

Research limitations/implications

Future research endeavours may include examining the outcomes of strategic endeavours addressing the five core influencing factors for retention of law enforcement and police officers.

Practical implications

The identification of these five factors drawn from the literature review offers potential direction/areas of concentration for law enforcement and policing agencies to direct their efforts in addressing retention and attrition of staff.

Originality/value

Currently, there is no readily identified study that (a) combines examination of both academic and grey (i.e. media, government and non-government reports) literature in a recent time frame (2019–2023) focused specifically on identification of the factors that influence attrition and retention rates; or detailed studies for addressing these challenges within the law enforcement and policing employment field. The study presented in this article seeks to address this gap in the literature and in parallel offer insight into the critical areas of influence to be considered by police and law enforcement decision-makers.
Government’s failure to protect its citizens against nomadic herders’ aggression: a tacit permission for self-defense in Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Kasa Adamu Gayus , Egharevba Matthew , Jegede Ajibade
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present the continuous Nigerian Government’s failure to protect the lives and property of its citizens against the incessant itinerant herders’ violence, despite its numerous programs in attempts to end the carnage. It sought also to examine the relationship between this government’s failure to meet its responsibility and the ineluctable self-defense mechanisms adopted by the people of Plateau State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was both quantitative and qualitative. The study was conducted in four of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state: Bassa, Jos-south, Riyom and Barkin Ladi. A sample size of 400 was determined using Yamane Taro’s sampling size formula. Four hundred respondents were interviewed using a Google questionnaire (found at this link: https://forms.gle/tu96ZDwP85e8JsGu8). In this study, a total of seven key informant interviews and nine focus group discussions were conducted.

Findings

The finding revealed that most indigenous ethnic groups were dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the nomadic herders’ aggression. Therefore, 99.1% of Berom, 99.0% of Irigwe and 92.9% of other ethnicities argued that the government’s failure to protect them is a tacit permission for self-defense. On the contrary, 60.0% of the Fulani were satisfied with the government’s strategies in ending the aggression and 95.0% of them argued that the government’s failure to protect its citizens is not an implied permission for self-defense. It was also found that a relationship exists between the government’s lack of capacity to end the nomadic herders’ aggression and implied consent for self-defense in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Originality/value

This is a research paper that uses primary data. The findings are germane to ending the challenge of recurrent aggression of nomadic herders on other Nigerians. The study concludes that the government must live up to its responsibility of the protection of its citizens’ lives and property, failure to do so is an implicit permission to the citizens to defend themselves. It also recommended that the government should return displaced people to their communities.
Positioning precarity: The contingent nature of precarious work in structure and practice
Authors: Jankowski Krzysztof Z.
Published: June 2024

Conceptualising precarity has come to rest on the multi‐dimensional and differentiated insecurities of job and worker, this however belies the relationship between structure and experience where precarity originates. To bridge that relationship, I employ the landscape concept to position workers relative to the structural contingency of precarious work. To study this landscape, I conducted an ethnography involving job searching, working, and interviewing workers. While certainly insecure, these jobs displayed parallel characteristics of streamlined hiring and short‐notice starts which workers took advantage of. I explore three ideal‐typical ‘jobs’—the first, only, and best job—to examine how vulnerability is balanced with contingency to produce precarity. This analysis and the landscape approach locate the political‐economic transformation of work in the context of workers' lives and their labour market position. Taking precarious work is an act of balancing one's vulnerabilities in a way that constructs and thus naturalises precarity. Overall, the article contributes an image of an economy where workers have to be opportunistic in a continual struggle for work while stratified by their personal circumstances and position in this labour market.
Are you fun, funny and laughing? The friendships and social relationships of students with complex communication needs in and outside of special school settings
Authors: Ho Hui Jun , Kamenopoulou Leda , Pinto Cynthia
Published: June 2024

Friendships and social relationships are central to wellbeing but the friendships of those with complex needs are often ignored. This study explored the friendships and social relationships of students with complex communication needs (CCN) in and outside of special school settings, to understand how they view and experience them. There were 20 participants—6 students, 8 of their parents and 6 of their teachers. The research was conducted in two stages: Stage 1 included semi‐structured interviews with adults and unstructured observations of students in class and at breaktimes. Stage 2 included working with students through a Mosaic approach, using six tools (pyramid ranking activity, preferred activity with friends cards, best friends activity, school tours, collections from home and book‐making). Transcripts of recordings were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The four themes generated highlight how students with CCN have more accurate views of their social lives than adults, students and adults have differing views about what makes a good friend, students with CCN find ways to enact meaningful social contact through a connection beyond words, and reciprocity in friendships means no distinction between ‘helper’ and ‘needing help’. Strengths and limitations are highlighted and implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Assessment of urine drug screen utility at autopsy to predict laboratory postmortem blood toxicology
Authors: Arndt Crystal , Huestis Marilyn A. , Jarvis Hannah C. , Gray Teresa R.
Published: June 2024

When faced with increasing drug‐related deaths and decline in practicing forensic pathologists, the need to quickly identify toxicology‐related deaths is evident in order to appropriately triage cases and expedite turnaround times. Lateral flow immunoassays conducted pre‐autopsy offer quick urine drug screen (UDS) results in minutes and are used to inform the need for autopsy. Over 1000 medicolegal cases were reviewed to compare UDS results to laboratory enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) blood results to evaluate how well autopsy UDS predicted laboratory findings. Mass spectral analysis was performed on ELISA‐positive specimens and these data were used to investigate UDS false‐negative (FN) results when possible. Five different UDS devices (STAT One Step Drug of Abuse dip card and cassette, Premiere Biotech multi‐drug and fentanyl dip cards and ATTEST 6‐acetylmorphine (6‐AM) dip card) were tested encompassing 11 drug classes: 6‐AM, amphetamine/methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, benzoylecgonine, fentanyl, methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, and delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol. Sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and positive and negative predictive values >80% indicated that UDS was useful for predicting cases involving benzoylecgonine, methadone, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine. UDS was unreliable in predicting amphetamine, benzodiazepines, fentanyl, and opiates‐related cases due to a high percentage of FN (up to 11.2%, 8.0%, 12.4%, and 5.5%, respectively) when compared to ELISA blood results. For the later analytes, sensitivities were as low as 57.5%, 60.0%, 72.2%, and 66.7%, respectively. Overall results support that UDS cannot replace laboratory testing. Because UDS is subject to false‐positive and FN results users must understand the limitations of using UDS for triage or decision‐making purposes.
Orchidinae‐205: A new genome‐wide custom bait set for studying the evolution, systematics, and trade of terrestrial orchids
Authors: Veltman Margaretha A. , Anthoons Bastien , Schrøder‐Nielsen Audun , Gravendeel Barbara , de Boer Hugo J.
Published: June 2024

Terrestrial orchids are a group of genetically understudied, yet culturally and economically important plants. The Orchidinae tribe contains many species that produce edible tubers that are used for the production of traditional delicacies collectively called ‘salep’. Overexploitation of wild orchids in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia threatens to drive many of these species to extinction, but cost‐effective tools for monitoring their trade are currently lacking. Here we present a custom bait kit for target enrichment and sequencing of 205 novel genetic markers that are tailored to phylogenomic applications in Orchidinae s.l. A subset of 31 markers capture genes putatively involved in the production of glucomannan, a water‐soluble polysaccharide that gives salep its distinctive properties. We tested the kit on 73 taxa native to the area, demonstrating universally high locus recovery irrespective of species identity, that exceeds the total sequence length obtained with alternative kits currently available. Phylogenetic inference with concatenation and coalescent approaches was robust and showed high levels of support for most clades, including some which were previously unresolved. Resolution for hybridizing and recently radiated lineages remains difficult, but could be further improved by analysing multiple haplotypes and the non‐exonic sequences captured by our kit, with the promise to shed new light on the evolution of enigmatic taxa with a complex speciation history. Offering a step‐up from traditional barcoding and universal markers, the genome‐wide custom loci targeted by Orchidinae‐205 are a valuable new resource to study the evolution, systematics and trade of terrestrial orchids.
SpatMCDA: An R package for assessing areas at risk of infectious diseases based on spatial multi‐criteria decision analysis
Authors: Wang Haoran , Zeng Jiankai , Gao Xiang , Wang Hongbin , Xiao Jianhua
Published: June 2024

Effective visualization of infectious disease risks is crucial for the development of efficient prevention and control strategies. However, the efficacy of mainstream models is hindered by a scarcity of reliable data in target areas, a situation that is particularly acute when dealing with emerging or re‐emerging infectious diseases. Additionally, these models typically fail to integrate local disease‐related risk factors in line with the ‘One Health’ concept, resulting in inaccurate predictions. Consequently, accurately assessing infectious disease risks without reliable data is challenging.

This study introduces SpatMCDA, an innovative R package designed to assess infectious disease risk areas through spatial multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA). SpatMCDA is structured around six core modelling steps: standardizing risk factors, determining factor weights, constructing risk maps, performing One‐at‐a‐Time sensitivity analysis, calculating the Mean of Absolute Change Rates and conducting an uncertainty analysis.

By examining the case of West Nile virus (WNV) in China, this study illustrates how SpatMCDA can be useful in identifying disease transmission risks in the absence of reliable outbreak data. The assessment identified areas at risk for WNV in northwestern, eastern and southern China.

By integrating spatial and epidemiological data, SpatMCDA enhances infectious diseases risk assessment in situations where data are limited. Its efficiency in using available data for accurate risk mapping and adaptability in weighting various risk factors enables tailored analyses. This tool enhances public health strategies, contributing to global health security.
Correlation of striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability with GABA level in the anterior cingulate cortex in healthy controls but not in alcohol‐dependent subjects and individuals at high risk: A multimodal magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography study
Authors: Spitta Gianna , Gleich Tobias , Rosenthal Annika , Schubert Florian , Aydin Semiha , Heinz Andreas , Buchert Ralph , Gallinat Jürgen
Published: June 2024

Background

The association of impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission with the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder is well known. More specifically, reduced dopamine D2/3 receptors in the striatum of subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) compared to healthy controls have been found in previous studies. Furthermore, alterations of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of AD subjects have been documented in several studies. However, the interaction between cortical Glu levels and striatal dopamine D2/3 receptors has not been investigated in AD thus far.

Methods

This study investigated dopamine D2/3 receptor availability via 18F‐fallypride positron emission tomography (PET) and GABA as well as Glu levels via magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 19 detoxified AD subjects, 18 healthy controls (low risk, LR) controls and 19 individuals at high risk (HR) for developing AD, carefully matched for sex, age and smoking status.

Results

We found a significant negative correlation between GABA levels in the ACC and dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in the associative striatum of LR but not in AD or HR individuals. Contrary to our expectations, we did not observe a correlation between Glu concentrations in the ACC and striatal D2/3 receptor availability.

Conclusions

The results may reflect potential regulatory cortical mechanisms on mesolimbic dopamine receptors and their disruption in AD and individuals at high risk, mirroring complex neurotransmitter interactions associated with the pathogenesis of addiction. This is the first study combining 18F‐fallypride PET and MRS in AD subjects and individuals at high risk.
Responsibility to future generations: A strategy for combatting climate change across political divides
Authors: Syropoulos Stylianos , Law Kyle Fiore , Kraft‐Todd Gordon , Mah Andrea , Markowitz Ezra , Young Liane
Published: June 2024

Individuals and governments often fail to take action to address climate change owing largely to widespread politicization of the issue and related discourse. In response to recent appeals for non‐partisan approaches to pro‐environmentalism, we propose that highlighting one's responsibility to future generations (RFG) could offer promise across the political spectrum. We argue that RFG may be effective because it is widely endorsed, uncorrelated with demographic indicators and less tied to political ideology compared to other forms of responsibility, such as personal responsibility for climate change mitigation. Across six main and seven supplementary studies (N = 161,633), we provide evidence for these claims. RFG is not only widely endorsed across countries and demographic groups but it also significantly predicts various measures of pro‐environmental behaviour, both in correlational and pre‐registered experimental contexts. These findings confirm established effects, reconcile inconsistencies and suggest prioritizing intergenerational responsibility may effectively reshape climate change narratives for the most resistant parties.
Large language models reshaping molecular biology and drug development
Authors: Tripathi Satvik , Gabriel Kyla , Tripathi Pushpendra Kumar , Kim Edward
Published: June 2024

The utilization of large language models (LLMs) has become a significant advancement in the domains of medicine and clinical informatics, providing a revolutionary potential for scientific breakthroughs and customized therapies. LLM models are trained on large datasets and exhibit the capacity to comprehend and analyze intricate biological data, encompassing genomic sequences, protein structures, and clinical health records. With the utilization of their comprehension of the language of biology, they possess the ability to reveal concealed patterns and insights that may evade human researchers. LLMs have been shown to positively impact various aspects of molecular biology, including the following: genomic analysis, drug development, precision medicine, biomarker development, experimental design, collaborative research, and accessibility to specialized expertise. However, it is imperative to acknowledge and tackle the obstacles and ethical implications involved. The careful consideration of data bias and generalization, data privacy and security, explainability and interpretability, and ethical concerns around responsible application is vital. The successful resolution of these obstacles will enable us to fully utilize the capabilities of LLMs, leading to substantial progress in the fields of molecular biology and pharmaceutical research. This progression also has the ability to bolster influential impacts for both the individual and the broader community.
Denosumab, for osteoporosis, reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes, risk of foot ulceration and all‐cause mortality in adults, compared with bisphosphonates: An analysis of real‐world, cohort data, with a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Henney Alex E. , Riley David R. , O'Connor Ben , Hydes Theresa J. , Anson Matthew , Zhao Sizheng Steven , Alam Uazman , Cuthbertson Daniel J.
Published: June 2024

Aim

To evaluate the impact of denosumab on (i) the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and (ii) long‐term health outcomes (microvascular [neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy] and macrovascular [cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular accident] complications, and all‐cause mortality) in patients with T2D, before (iii) combining results with prior studies using meta‐analysis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data in a large global federated database (TriNetX; Cambridge, MA) was conducted from 331 375 patients, without baseline T2D or cancer, prescribed either denosumab (treatment, n = 45 854) or bisphosphonates (control, n = 285 521), across 83 healthcare organizations. Propensity score matching (1:1) of confounders was undertaken that resulted in 45 851 in each cohort. Secondary analysis further evaluated the impact of denosumab on long‐term health outcomes in patients with T2D. Additionally, we systematically searched prior literature that assessed the association between denosumab and T2D. Estimates were pooled using random‐effects meta‐analysis. Risk of bias and evidence quality were assessed using Cochrane‐endorsed tools.

Results

Denosumab (vs. bisphosphonates) was associated with a lower risk of incident T2D over 5 years (hazard ratio 0.83 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.78‐0.88]). Secondary analysis showed significant risk reduction in all‐cause mortality (0.79 [0.72‐0.87]) and foot ulceration (0.67 [0.53‐0.86]). Also, pooled results from four studies (three observational, one randomized controlled trial) following meta‐analysis showed a reduced relative risk (RR [95% CI]) for incident T2D in patients prescribed denosumab (0.83 [0.79‐0.87]) (I2 = 10.76%).

Conclusions

This is the largest cohort study to show that denosumab treatment is associated with a reduced RR of incident T2D, as well as an associated reduced RR of all‐cause mortality and microvascular complications, findings that may influence guideline development in the treatment of osteoporosis, particularly in patients who are at a high risk of T2D.
Navigating new norms: Essay and personal reflections on gender identity and affirming care
Authors: Meade Gavin
Published: June 2024

Gender‐affirming care saves lives. Research indicates that social interventions such as name/pronoun changes and medical interventions such as hormone therapy directly benefit youth and adolescents and can be a protective factor for the maladaptive effects of gender dysphoria and the all‐too‐common associated depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. This piece takes personal experiences supporting a sibling through their transition as well as the professional experiences garnered to comment on the impact of gender‐affirming care on a more personal level.
Relationship of microstructure on the mechanical and splitting fracture properties of a high carbon forging steel for connecting rod
Authors: Li Jin‐Cheng , Wang Xian‐Wen , Zhang Chao‐Lei , Liu Guanglei , Chen Lie
Published: June 2024

The influence of austenitizing temperature and isothermal transition temperature on the mechanical properties and splitting characteristics of C70S6 were investigated. The maximum ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were 1032 and 625 MPa, respectively, when the lamellar spacing of sorbite was 0.195 μm. The greatest elongation was 17% when the size of the pearlite colony was 13 μm, which suggested an approach for enhancing the properties of pearlite steel at a low cost. The splitting property performed excellent when the proeutectoid ferrite content is 0.3%, the prior austenite grain is 38.9 μm, and the yield ratio is 0.57 currently. The connection between the process performance and the microstructure parameters was established, allowing process improvement to be guided accurately.
The effects of mandala coloring on fatigue, psychological well‐being, and coping with stress in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment
Authors: Özer Zülfünaz , Bahçecioğlu Turan Gülcan , Uyman Mine , Mollaoğlu Mukadder
Published: June 2024

Background

Hemodialysis is an important health problem that negatively affects psychosocial status and support systems. Through practices such as mandala coloring, individuals transfer the unknowns they experience to the outside and make them visible. This study was conducted to examine the effects of mandala coloring on fatigue, psychological well‐being, and factors associate with coping with stress in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Methods

The design was a prospective, parallel‐group controlled trial. The study was conducted in the dialysis unit of a university hospital in eastern Turkey between April 4 and October 31, 2022, with a total of 60 patients, 30 in the intervention group, and 30 in the control group. The patients in the intervention group colored mandala once a week for 2 h, for a total of 8 weeks. The data were collected face‐to‐face using a patient information form, a Fatigue Severity Scale, a Psychological Well‐Being Scale, and a Ways of Coping Questionnaire.

Results

There were improvements in fatigue severity and psychological well‐being over the 8‐week study period in both the intervention and control groups. Scores were similar at baseline in the control and intervention groups, but better in the intervention groups compared to controls at 4 and 8 weeks for both metrics (p < 0001). Five factors from the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (self‐confident approach, optimistic approach, seeking social support, helpless approach, and submissive approach) each improved during the 8‐week period in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Three of these five factors improved in the control group as well. Scores for each of the five coping factors were better in the intervention group compared to controls at 4 and 8 weeks (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Mandala coloring improved fatigue and psychological well‐being and was associated with improved patient coping strategies.
A 3‐year follow‐up study of outcomes associated with patterns of traditional acute and preventive migraine treatment: An administrative claims‐based cohort study in the United States
Authors: Joshi Shivang , Spargo Andrew , Hoyt Margaret , Panni Tommaso , Viktrup Lars , Kim Gilwan , Hasan Anthony , Liu Yan Yun , Zakharyan Armen
Published: June 2024

Objective

To describe treatment patterns and direct healthcare costs over 3 years following initiation of standard of care acute and preventive migraine medications in patients with migraine in the United States.

Background

There are limited data on long‐term (>1 year) migraine treatments patterns and associated outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using US claims data from the IBM® MarketScan® Research Database (January 2010–December 2017). Adults were included if they had a prescription claim for acute migraine treatments (AMT) or preventive migraine treatments (PMT) in the index period (January 2011–December 2014). The AMT cohort was categorized as persistent, cycled, or added‐on subgroups; the PMT cohort was categorized PMT‐persistent, switched without gaps, or cycled with gaps. Migraine‐specific annual direct costs (2017 US$) across AMT and PMT cohort subgroups were summarized at baseline through 3 years from index (follow‐up).

Results

During the index period, 20,778 and 42,259 patients initiated an AMT and a PMT, respectively. At the 3‐year follow‐up, migraine‐specific direct costs were lower in the persistent subgroup relative to the non‐persistent subgroups in both AMT (mean [SD]: $789 [$1741] vs. $2847 [$8149] in the added‐on subgroup and $862 [$5426] for the cycled subgroup) and PMT cohorts (mean [SD]: $1817 [$5892] in the persistent subgroup vs. $4257 [$11,392] in the switched without gaps subgroup and $3269 [$18,540] in the cycled with gaps subgroup). Acute medication overuse was lower in the persistent subgroup (1025/6504 [27.2%]) vs. non‐persistent subgroups (11,236/58,863 [32.2%] in cycled with gaps subgroup and 1431/6504 [39.4%] in the switched without gaps subgroup). Most patients used multiple acute (19,717/20,778 [94.9%]) or preventive (38,494/42,259 [91.1%]) pharmacological therapies over 3 years following treatment initiation. Gaps in preventive therapy were common; an average gap ranged from 85 to 211 days (~3–7 months).

Conclusion

Migraine‐specific annual healthcare costs and acute migraine medication overuse remained lowest among patients with persistent AMT and PMT versus non‐persistent treatment. Study findings are limited to the US population. Future studies should compare costs and associated outcomes between newer preventive migraine medications in patients with migraine.
Our Wished‐for Responses: Recommendations for Creating a Lived and Embodied Sense of Safety During Mental Health Crisis
Authors: Roennfeldt Helena , Hamilton Bridget Elizabeth , Hill Nicole , Castles Calista , Glover Helen , Byrne Louise , Roper Cath
Published: June 2024

Background

Medical interventions have a place in crisis support; however, narrow biomedical and risk‐driven responses negatively impact people seeking crisis care. With increasing shifts towards involving people with lived experience (service users) in designing services, foregrounding people's desired responses is critical. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to explore the wished‐for crisis responses from the perspective of people who have experienced crisis and accessed crisis care.

Method

Using a hermeneutical phenomenological approach, in‐depth interviews were conducted to determine the desired crisis responses of 31 people who self‐reported experiencing mental health crises and accessed crisis services at ED, phone lines and/or crisis alternatives.

Results

The findings identified wished‐for responses that gave a felt and embodied sense of their own safety influenced by a human‐to‐human response, emotional holding, a place of safety and choice within holistic care. For such responses to be possible, participants identified organising principles, including recognising crisis as meaningful and part of our shared human experience, understanding risk as fluid and a whole‐of‐community responsibility for responding to crises.

Conclusion

This paper proposes how insights from people who have experienced crises can be translated into more beneficial crisis care.

Patient or Consumer Contribution

Most authors are in identified lived experience roles. The first author engaged with participants during the recruitment and interviews and was explicit regarding their lived experience. Service users were involved as advisors, providing input throughout the study.
Preparation of ZTA composite ceramics derived from sol–gel method by DIW printing
Authors: Yang Xiaole , Guo Jinyu , Xie Hehan , Li Yuanbing , Yang Xianfeng
Published: June 2024

In this study, the dense and fine‐grained zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) composite ceramics were efficiently prepared by 3D gel printing technology. Zirconia powder, zirconium oxychloride, and zirconium sol were introduced into boehmite gel as zirconium sources, and their effects on rheological properties, drying characteristics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of ceramics were discussed. The results showed that all gels exhibit reversible shear thinning properties. The gel with zirconia powder has a relaxation phenomenon; zirconium sol forms another gel network in the boehmite gel network, and two linear viscoelastic regions are observed. The gel with zirconia powder has the highest solid loading, small drying shrinkage, and fewer drying defects. The grain growth of ZTA ceramics with zirconium sol was inhibited, and the zirconia grains were evenly distributed, with the highest bending strength of 518 ± 103 MPa. The new gel preparation method and gel drying process offer great possibilities for manufacturing optical glasses and functional ceramics with high‐performance geometric structures, which cannot be achieved by traditional manufacturing methods.
Factors influencing work engagement of nurses in general hospitals: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Maung May Zin Maung , Wichaikhum Orn‐Anong , Abhicharttibutra Kulwadee
Published: June 2024

Aim

This study aimed to examine the level of work engagement and to identify the factors influencing the work engagement of nurses.

Background

Work engagement plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of outcomes and the standard of care in nursing and healthcare services.

Methods

A descriptive predictive design and stratified random sampling was used to select 206 nurses from three general hospitals in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.. Research instruments consisted of the demographic data form, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Global Transformational Leadership Scale, the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support, and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire. The results were explored by applying descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression.

Results

Overall work engagement was at an average level. Transformational leadership and psychological capital could affect work engagement, explaining 19.34% of the total variance; however, perceived organizational support, age, and work experience did not show any impact on it.

Conclusions

The findings recommend that nurse administrators should focus on transformational leadership and psychological capital in formulating strategies to increase nurses’ work engagement.

Implications for nursing and health policy

The outcomes might provide baseline information for nurse administrators and policymakers by formulating management strategies to enhance nursing leaders’ awareness, knowledge, and skills about transformational leadership behaviors and to keep nurses holding self‐efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience of psychological capital in healthcare organizations, which ultimately increase nurses’ engagement at work.
Robust species distribution predictions of predator and prey responses to climate change
Authors: Ge Xuezhen , Griswold Cortland K. , Newman Jonathan A.
Published: June 2024

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) can be correlative or mechanistic, which have very different assumptions, leading to potentially different estimates of the ecological niches and distributions of the species. The model predictions from correlative and mechanistic approaches are incomparable due to their distinct assumptions. Yet, seeking their agreements can identify robust predictions that are relatively independent of the assumptions used to generate them. However, the search for robust model predictions among SDM models remains understudied and rarely considers the effect of biotic interactions. It is essential to identify robust predictions from SDMs for policy making.

Location

Global.

Time Period

1970–2000/1980–2000 and 2081–2100.

Major Taxa Studies

Aphids.

Methods

In this study, we selected five aphid species as examples, and applied an ensemble model of multiple correlative SDMs (eC‐SDM), a mechanistic SDM of the prey species alone (M‐SDM) and a mechanistic SDM of the predator–prey interactions (M‐BI‐SDM), to predict the habitat suitability of these aphids under climate change and seek robust predictions from both approaches, as well as evaluate the importance of biotic interactions in SDM studies.

Results

Our results show that the five aphid species have different habitat suitability patterns predicted by both correlative and mechanistic approaches. However, there is a notable consensus between the model predictions for parts of North America and eastern Asia, indicating that the predictions in these regions are robust. Additionally, our mechanistic models allow us to assess the importance of predation on SDM predictions, revealing that predation can quantitatively affect species' habitat suitability both directly and indirectly.

Main Conclusions

Our study suggests that mechanistic SDM could serve as a valuable addition to assess the robustness of the correlative SDM predictions, by providing additional biological realism. It highlights the importance of using diverse modelling approaches to achieve robust model predictions.