bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
eye drops for retinal disease
Authors: Stefansson Einar
Published: December 2022

Using topical application to deliver drugs to the posterior segment of the eye remains a challenge. Posterior segment diseases are currently treated by intravitreal injection or implant. Eye drop formulations based on γ‐cyclodextrin (γCD)‐based nanoparticle aggregates were developed and deliver therapeutic concentrations of drugs (dorzolamide and dexamethasone) to both anterior and posterior segments of the eye in animal models and clinical studies. An early study in humans showed dorzolamide/γCD eye drops could achieve comparable intraocular pressure decreases to commercial dorzolamide eye drops, but with less frequent application. Pilot studies with dexamethasone/γCD eye drops showed clinical effect in a range of human conditions, including diabetic macular oedema, cystoid macular oedema and vitritis secondary to uveitis, inflammation after cataract surgery and postoperative treatment in trabeculectomy. A multicentre, double‐masked, parallel‐group, randomized, Phase 2 study was performed to evaluate topical dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension in diabetic macular edema (DME). One hundred and forty four patients aged 18–85 years with DME of <3 years duration, ETDRS central subfield thickness ≥ 310 μm by SD‐OCT and ETDRS letter score ≤ 73 and ≥ 24 in the study eye were randomized 2:1 to OCS‐01 or matching vehicle, 1 drop 3 times/day for 12 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated as change from baseline to Week 12 of ETDRS letter score and central macular thickness (CMT). Mean CMT showed a greater decrease from baseline with OCS‐01 (N = 99) than vehicle (N = 45) at Week 12 (−53.6 vs −16.8 μm, p = 0.0115). Mean change in ETDRS letter score from baseline to Week 12 met the p was +2.6 letters with topical OCS‐01 and 1 letter with vehicle (p = 0.125). In a post‐hoc analysis, there was a greater difference in patients with baseline BCVA ≤65 letters, the OCS‐01 group improved 3.8 letters compared with 0.9 letters with vehicle. OCS‐01 was well‐tolerated, and increased intraocular pressure was the most common adverse event. Cyclodextrin nanoparticle eye drops deliver drugs to the retina in therapeutically relevant concentrations and promise a non‐invasive alternative in drug treatment of retinal diseases.
Proteostasis is age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Kaarniranta Kai
Published: December 2022

The accumulation of damaged and harmful components in cells, particularly those composed of misfolded and potentially hazardous proteins, is characteristic for several neurodegenerative diseases, including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Misfolded proteins frequently expose hydrophobic patches that structurally should be buried inside the protein, making the misfolded proteins prone to aggregation. Inefficient protein homeostasis and failures in removing misfolded and aggregated proteins or impaired organelles, especially damaged mitochondria, can lead to the production of reactive oxygen species and increase in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress‐induced damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is considered to be a key factor in AMD pathology. The ubiquitin‐proteasome and the lysosomal/autophagy pathways are the two major proteolytic systems to remove damaged proteins and organelles. There is increasing evidence that proteostasis is disturbed in RPE as evidenced by lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen accumulation in AMD. The role of clearance mechanisms in AMD pathology will be discussed.
eye genes: Looking forward, glancing back
Authors: Van Heyningen Veronica
Published: December 2022

When we began the identification of genes implicated in eye disease, the process was slow and laborious. It is three decades since we identified PAX6 as the gene mutated in aniridia, before the launch of the Human Genome Project. Since then there have been seismic changes in technology: in sequencing, gene expression studies, including database generation and data mining and the use of AI (artificial intelligence). The building of the Human Cell Atlas is revolutionizing our understanding of microanatomy. Patient phenotyping has also evolved with great strides in ocular imaging and psychophysics. Two decades ago, we identified further key eye development genes, SOX2 and OTX2, implicated in anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Together with retinal disease gene discovery, the era of functional network building began. Our interests encompassed defining not only coding region mutations—now much aided by advances in protein structure prediction—but also non‐coding regulatory variation. Exploration of dynamic and established genome organization is contributing to improved understanding of these aspects normal and abnormal function. Our speedy tour will take us through much territory.
genetic dynamics and global clinical features of inherited retinal diseases
Authors: Rivolta Carlo
Published: December 2022

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are monogenic conditions, almost invariantly transmitted as typical Mendelian traits. However, in contrast to most genetic disorders, always caused by mutations in the same disease‐specific gene, IRDs may originate from DNA defects involving any one of approximately 250 different loci. This unusual feature, combined with an overall reduced clinical prevalence, leads to complicated diagnostic procedures and highlights disease mechanisms that rarely seen in medical genetics. In this lecture, we will discuss our most recent results on the molecular determinants of IRDs, based on the investigation of several genomes from patients and unaffected individuals from various parts of the world. In addition to producing a detailed mutational landscape of these conditions, the analysis of our data provides new and unexpected findings about the clinical and the molecular dynamics of IRDs.
The effect of drought stress on nodulation, plant growth, and nitrogen fixation in soybean during early plant growth
Authors: Lumactud Rhea Amor , Dollete Danielito , Liyanage Dilrukshi Kombala , Szczyglowski Krzysztof , Hill Brett , Thilakarathna Malinda S.
Published: December 2022

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is one of the most important grain legume crops in the world. Soybean forms a symbiotic relationship with the nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia bacteria that reside in root nodules and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Most of the soybean's nitrogen demand is derived from symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). Drought is becoming a major threat to crop production in the world. Legumes are sensitive to drought stress, and drought can negatively affect SNF, grain yield, and seed protein production. The effect of drought stress on soybean growth, morphological traits, nodulation, water use efficiency, and SNF, particularly during early plant growth, remains poorly characterized. We hypothesized that early‐onset drought stress can negatively affect nodulation, plant growth, and SNF in soybean during the vegetative growth stages. To test this hypothesis, a controlled‐environment study was conducted using soybean plants grown in pots, where plants were subjected to moderate drought stress (40% field capacity) and well‐watered (80% field capacity) from seeding until the flowering stage. Drought stress significantly reduced the nodule number and nodule dry weight, root and shoot biomass, shoot total nitrogen content, shoot carbon to nitrogen ratio, and shoot total fixed nitrogen compared to the well‐watered control. Conversely, root‐to‐shoot ratio and shoot nitrogen concentration were higher under drought stress compared to well‐watered conditions. These findings enhance our understanding of adverse impacts of drought in the early growth stage of soybean while suggesting that reduced total nitrogen assimilation during the vegetative phase can lead to less nitrogen reserves available for translocating at the seed filling stages for seed protein production. This information should aid in generating drought‐tolerant soybean cultivars.
School nursing: New ways of working with children and young people during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A scoping review
Authors: Cook Georgia , Appleton Jane V. , Bekaert Sarah , Harrold Tikki , Taylor Julie , Sammut Dana
Published: December 2022

Aim

To examine how school nurse practice evolved as a result of the Covid‐19 pandemic.

Design

A scoping review of international literature, conducted and reported in line with Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted in September 2021. Ten databases were searched: The British Nursing Database, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Consumer Health Database, Health and Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, Public Health, PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science. Relevant grey literature was identified through hand searching.

Review Methods

A minimum of three reviewers independently screened articles and two reviewers independently undertook data extraction, with any decisions made collaboratively with the wider team. Much of the literature was not empirical work and so it was not possible to apply a traditional quality appraisal framework.

Results

Searches identified 554 papers (after deduplication) which were screened against title and abstract. Following the full‐text review, 38 articles underwent data extraction and analysis. The review findings highlighted that school nurses adapted their practice to ensure they were able to continue providing their formal and informal school health offer to children, young people and their families and continued working closely with the multidisciplinary team. In addition, the expanded public health role generated by Covid‐19 for school nurses' work was considerable, multi‐layered and added to their routine workload. School nurses displayed resilience, adaptability and creativity in their response to delivering services during Covid‐19.

Conclusion

School nurses took on a leading public health role during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Some developments and practices were highlighted as beneficial to continue beyond the pandemic. However, formal evaluation is needed to identify which practices may merit integration into routine practice. Continued investment in staff and infrastructure will be essential to ensuring school nurses continue to expand their practice and influence as public health experts.
Evaluating California nursing homes' emergency preparedness for wildfire exposure
Authors: Festa Natalia , Heaphy Nora M. , Throgmorton Kaitlin Fender , Canavan Maureen , Gill Thomas M.
Published: December 2022

Background

The relationship between the risk of exposure to environmental hazards and the emergency preparedness of nursing homes is not well‐understood. This study evaluates the association between wildfire exposure risk and nursing home emergency preparedness.

Methods

From a sample of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) certified nursing homes in California, we determined the prevalence of “exposed” facilities that were located within 5 km of a wildfire risk area, as informed by a field‐tested model. Among the 1182 nursing homes, we identified emergency preparedness deficiencies from January 2017 to December 2019. We estimated associations between exposure and emergency preparedness deficiencies using unadjusted and adjusted generalized estimating equations with logistic and negative binomial distributions.

Results

A greater percentage of the 495 exposed facilities had at least one emergency preparedness deficiency than the 687 unexposed facilities (83.9% vs 76.9%). The mean (3.6 vs 3.2) and median (3 vs 2) numbers of emergency preparedness deficiencies were also greater for exposed facilities. In both the unadjusted and adjusted analyses, exposure to wildfire risk was significantly associated with the likelihood of at least one emergency preparedness deficiency (adjusted odds ratio 1.52, p‐value 0.007). There was a positive but not statistically significant association between exposure and the number of emergency preparedness deficiencies assigned to a nursing home (adjusted rate ratio 1.12, p‐value 0.062). These results were consistent in analyses that used more stringent distance‐ and severity‐thresholds to define exposure status.

Conclusion

California nursing homes at heightened risk of exposure to wildfires have poorer emergency preparedness than unexposed facilities. These findings suggest that nursing home management and staff may be unaware of important environmental risks to which their facilities are exposed. Improved integration of nursing homes into community disaster planning may better align facility preparedness with surrounding wildfire risk.
Overcoming the challenges of preserving lipid‐richCannabis sativaL. glandular trichomes for transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Livingston Samuel J. , Chou Eva Yi , Quilichini Teagen D. , Page Jonathan E. , Samuels A. Lacey
Published: December 2022

Cannabis glandular trichomes produce and store an abundance of lipidic specialised metabolites (e.g. cannabinoids and terpenes) that are consumed by humans for medicinal and recreational purposes. Due to a lack of genetic resources and inherent autofluorescence of cannabis glandular trichomes, our knowledge of cannabinoid trafficking and secretion is limited to transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Advances in cryofixation methods has resulted in ultrastructural observations closer to the ‘natural state’ of the living cell, and recent reports of cryofixed cannabis trichome ultrastructure challenge the long‐standing model of cannabinoid trafficking proposed by ultrastructural reports using chemically fixed samples. Here, we compare the ultrastructural morphology of cannabis glandular trichomes preserved using conventional chemical fixation and ultrarapid cryofixation. We show that chemical fixation results in amorphous metabolite inclusions surrounding the organelles of glandular trichomes that were not present in cryofixed samples. Vacuolar morphology in cryofixed samples exhibited homogenous electron density, while chemically fixed samples contained a flocculent electron dense periphery and electron lucent lumen. In contrast to the apparent advantages of cryopreservation, fine details of cell wall fibre orientation could be observed in chemically fixed glandular trichomes that were not seen in cryofixed samples. Our data suggest that chemical fixation results in intracellular artefacts that impact the interpretation of lipid production and trafficking, while enabling greater detail of extracellular polysaccharide organisation.
Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Ried Karin , Tamanna Tasnuva , Matthews Sonja , Sali Avni
Published: December 2022

Insomnia or difficulty falling and or staying asleep is experienced by up to 30% of the general population. This randomised crossover double‐blind placebo‐controlled 6‐week trial aimed to assess the tolerability and effectiveness of the Entoura‐10:15 medicinal cannabis oil on sleep in adults with insomnia. A total of 29 participants with self‐reported clinical insomnia completed the crossover trial. Participants were randomly allocated to receive placebo or active oil containing 10 mg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 15 mg/ml cannabidiol (CBD) over 2‐weeks titrated 0.2–1.5 ml/day, followed by a 1‐week wash‐out period before crossover. Tolerability was assessed by daily diary. Effectiveness was measured by saliva midnight melatonin levels, validated questionnaires, i.e., the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Fitbit activity/sleep wrist tracker. Entoura‐10:15 medicinal cannabis oil was generally well tolerated, and was effective in improving sleep, whereby 60% of participants no longer classified as clinical insomniacs at the end of the 2‐week intervention period. Midnight melatonin levels significantly improved in the active group by 30% compared to a 20% decline in the placebo group (p = 0.035). Medicinal cannabis oil improved both time and quality of sleep, in particular light sleep increased by 21 min/night compared to placebo (p = 0.041). The quality of sleep improved overall by up to 80% in the active group (pPhase2 = 0.003), including higher daily functioning (p = 0.032). Observed effects were more pronounced in Phase 2 due to the period effect and loss of blinding. Entoura‐10:15 medicinal cannabis oil was well tolerated and effective in improving sleep in adults with insomnia.
Evaluation of metagenomic next‐generation sequencing diagnosis for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients
Authors: Zhan Wenyu , Liu Qingjun , Yang Changqing , Zhao Zhan , Yang Lei , Wang Yubao , Feng Jing
Published: December 2022

Background

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) can occur in both immunocompromised and non‐immunocompromised hosts, and early diagnosis of IPA is difficult. Metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) is a novel non‐migratory pathogen detection method; however, utilising this method for IPA diagnosis is challenging due to the current lack of a unified clinical interpretation standard following Aspergillus detection using mNGS.

Objectives

To investigate the accuracy of IPA diagnosis by positive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) mNGS results in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients.

Methods

We retrospectively included patients with confirmed pulmonary infections having a BALF mNGS result of Aspergillus reads ≥1. We compared the accuracy of using mNGS for IPA diagnosis in patients with different immune statuses based on the revised EORTC/MSG criteria.

Results

Overall, 62 mNGS Aspergillus‐positive patients were divided into two groups: with (41) and without IPA (21). In univariate logistic regression analysis, immunocompromised function, fever, halo sign on CT image, and multiple masses or nodules were associated with mNGS Aspergillus‐positive IPA diagnosis. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, immunocompromised function (OR = 6.68, 95% CI: 1.73–25.87, p = .006) and a halo sign (OR = 7.993, 95% CI: 2.07–30.40, p = .003) were independent risk factors. The concordance rate of IPA diagnosis was significantly higher in immunocompromised patients [82.1% (23/28)] than in non‐immunocompromised patients [52.9% (18/34); p = .016].

Conclusions

For immunocompromised patients, a combination of mNGS testing and lung CT imaging can be used for IPA diagnosis. However, caution is required in IPA diagnosis based on positive mNGS results in non‐immunocompromised patients.
Patients' perspectives of recovery after COVID‐19 critical illness: An interview study
Authors: Bench Suzanne , Cherry Helen , Hodson Matthew , James Alison , McGuinness Nicola , Parker Gaby , Thomas Nicola
Published: December 2022

Background

Critical illness is a traumatic experience, often resulting in post‐intensive care syndrome, affecting people's physical, psychological, emotional, and social well‐being. The early recovery period is associated with increased risk, negatively impacting longer‐term outcomes.

Aims

The aims of this study were to understand the recovery and rehabilitation needs of people who survive a COVID‐19 critical illness.

Study design

An exploratory descriptive qualitative interview study with 20 survivors of COVID‐19 critical illness from two community‐based healthcare settings in London, England. Data collection took place September 2020–April 2021, at least 1 month after hospital discharge by telephone or virtual platform. Data were subjected to inductive thematic analysis and mapped deductively to the three core concepts of self‐determination theory: autonomy, competence and relatedness.

Results

Three key themes emerged: traumatic experience, human connection and navigating a complex system. Participants described how societal restrictions, fear and communication problems caused by the pandemic added to their trauma and the challenge of recovery. The importance of positive human connections, timely information and support to navigate the system was emphasized.

Conclusions

Whilst findings to some extent mirror those of other qualitative pre‐pandemic studies, our findings highlight how the uncertainty and instability caused by the pandemic add to the challenge of recovery affecting all core concepts of self‐determination (autonomy, competence, relatedness).

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding survivors' perspectives of rehabilitation needs following COVID‐19 critical illness is vital to delivery of safe, high‐quality care. To optimize chances of effective recovery, survivors desire a specialist, co‐ordinated and personalized recovery pathway, which reflects humanized care. This should be considered when planning future service provisions.
How are different math knowledge presentations associated with math anxiety?
Authors: Li Tian , Chen Chuansheng , Zhou Xinlin
Published: December 2022

A close relationship between math performance and math anxiety has been demonstrated, but how different presentations of mathematics are associated with math anxiety has not been investigated. This study recruited 826 elementary school students in grades 5 and 6. All students were given math trait and state anxiety questionnaires; a nonverbal matrix reasoning task; and verbalized, symbolic, and situational fraction problem‐solving tasks. After data cleaning, 475 boys and 323 girls (798 in total) were included in the analysis (mean age = 11.79, SD = 0.82). Partial correlation analysis showed that students’ math traits and state anxiety were more closely related to symbolic fraction problem‐solving than to verbalized and situational fraction problem‐solving. Mixed linear model analysis showed that math state anxiety for symbolic problem‐solving was significantly greater than that for verbalized and situational problem‐solving. Based on these findings, we concluded that the presentation of symbolic math is more likely to induce math anxiety than verbalized or situational math. This finding has potential practical applications in math anxiety interventions and education.
Delayed depolarization and histologic abnormalities underlie the Brugada syndrome
Authors: Martini Bortolo , Martini Nicolò , De Mattia Luca , Buja Gianfranco
Published: December 2022

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a controversial disease whose pathophysiology is still far from being fully understood. Unlike other cardiological disorders, a definite etiology has not yet been established so that it could be summarized under two main chapters: “functional” or “organic”, “repolarization” or “depolarization” disorder. Despite initial descriptions leaned towards the organic substrate and delayed depolarization features, functional and repolarization theories have attracted most of the Cardiological attention for many years. Data from electrocardiography, endocavitary tracings, electroanatomic mapping and histopathology, however, demonstrated that BrS is mainly characterized by structural myocardial changes mostly at the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), but also at the right ventricle (RV) and by delayed conduction at the same sites. Conduction disorders at different levels may also be present and identify patients at high risk for major arrhythmic events. The aim of the present review is to provide the current state of art of the pathophysiology of BrS, focusing on electro‐vectorcardiography and electrophysiological features, histopathology, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI).
A 14‐3‐3 protein positively regulates rice salt tolerance by stabilizing phospholipase C1
Authors: Wang Ningna , Shi Yiyuan , Jiang Qun , Li Huan , Fan Wenxia , Feng Yu , Li Li , Liu Bin , Lin Feng , Jing Wen , Zhang Wenhua , Shen Like
Published: December 2022

The phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase Cs (PI‐PLCs) catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositols, which play crucial roles in signaling transduction during plant development and stress response. However, the regulation of PI‐PLC is still poorly understood. A previous study showed that a rice PI‐PLC, OsPLC1, was essential to rice salt tolerance. Here, we identified a 14‐3‐3 protein, OsGF14b, as an interaction partner of OsPLC1. Similar to OsPLC1, OsGF14b also positively regulates rice salt tolerance, and their interaction can be promoted by NaCl stress. OsGF14b also positively regulated the hydrolysis activity of OsPLC1, and is essential to NaCl‐induced activation of rice PI‐PLCs. We further discovered that OsPLC1 was degraded via ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway, and OsGF14b could inhibit the ubiquitination of OsPLC1 to protect OsPLC1 from degradation. Under salt stress, the OsPLC1 protein level in osgf14b was lower than the corresponding value of WT, whereas overexpression of OsGF14b results in a significant increase of OsPLC1 stability. Taken together, we propose that OsGF14b can interact with OsPLC1 and promote its activity and stability, thereby improving rice salt tolerance. This study provides novel insights into the important roles of 14‐3‐3 proteins in regulating protein stability and function in response to salt stress.
Elevated CO2 mitigates the impact of drought stress by upregulating glucosinolate metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: AbdElgawad Hamada , Zinta Gaurav , Hornbacher Johann , Papenbrock Jutta , Markakis Marios N. , Asard Han , Beemster Gerrit T. S.
Published: December 2022

Elevated CO2 (eCO2) reduces the impact of drought, but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. Therefore, we used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the interaction of drought and eCO2 in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. Transcriptome and subsequent metabolite analyses identified a strong induction of the aliphatic glucosinolate (GL) biosynthesis as a main effect of eCO2 in drought‐stressed leaves. Transcriptome results highlighted the upregulation of ABI5 and downregulation of WRKY63 transcription factors (TF), known to enhance and inhibit the expression of genes regulating aliphatic GL biosynthesis (e.g., MYB28 and 29 TFs), respectively. In addition, eCO2 positively regulated aliphatic GL biosynthesis by MYB28/29 and increasing the accumulation of GL precursors. To test the role of GLs in the stress‐mitigating effect of eCO2, we investigated the effect of genetic perturbations of the GL biosynthesis. Overexpression of MYB28, 29 and 76 improved drought tolerance by inducing stomatal closure and maintaining plant turgor, whereas loss of cyp79f genes reduced the stress‐mitigating effect of eCO2 and decreased drought tolerance. Overall, the crucial role of GL metabolism in drought stress mitigation by eCO2 could be a beneficial trait to overcome future climate challenges.
Multispecies comparison of host responses to Fusarium circinatum challenge in tropical pines show consistency in resistance mechanisms
Authors: Visser Erik A. , Kampmann Tamanique P. , Wegrzyn Jill L. , Naidoo Sanushka
Published: December 2022

Fusarium circinatum poses a threat to both commercial and natural pine forests. Large variation in host resistance exists between species, with many economically important species being susceptible. Development of resistant genotypes could be expedited and optimised by investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance and susceptibility as well as increasing the available genetic resources. RNA‐seq data, from F. circinatum inoculated and mock‐inoculated ca. 6‐month‐old shoot tissue at 3‐ and 7‐days postinoculation, was generated for three commercially important tropical pines, Pinus oocarpa, Pinus maximinoi and Pinus greggii. De novo transcriptomes were assembled and used to investigate the NLR and PR gene content within available pine references. Host responses to F. circinatum challenge were investigated in P. oocarpa (resistant) and P. greggii (susceptible), in comparison to previously generated expression profiles from Pinus tecunumanii (resistant) and Pinus patula (susceptible). Expression results indicated crosstalk between induced salicylate, jasmonate and ethylene signalling is involved in host resistance and compromised in susceptible hosts. Additionally, higher constitutive expression of sulfur metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis in resistant hosts suggest involvement of these metabolites in resistance.
From Nomic Humeanism to Normative Relativism1
Authors: Sánchez Verónica Gómez
Published: December 2022

It is commonly thought that that the best system account of lawhood ((Mill (1843), Ramsey (1978)[fp. 1928], Lewis (1973)) makes available a nice explanation for why laws are ‘distinctively appropriate targets of scientific inquiry’ (Hall, 2015). The explanation takes the following general form: laws are especially valuable for agents like us because they efficiently encode a lot of valuable (non‐nomic) information in a tractable format. The goal of this paper is to challenge this style of explanation: I argue that the general principle it presupposes is in conflict with our best account of practical rationality. After considering and rejecting a number of proposals for dissolving the tension, I conclude that BSA proponents may need to scale back the explanatory ambitions of their theory; in particular, they may need to give up the hope of non‐circular explanations of the value of nomic information. I end by outlining some challenges for the humean world‐view that results after this shift.
Particle films improve photosynthesis of citrus trees under excess irradiance by reducing leaf temperature
Authors: Bernardi Lucas G. P. , Boaretto Rodrigo M. , Blain Gabriel Constantino , Mattos‐Jr Dirceu
Published: December 2022

High irradiance and increased air temperature during extreme weather conditions affect tree crops and impact the yield and quality of fruits. Moreover, flowering and fruit set of Citrus are likely impaired by UV radiation and/or reduced carbon assimilation, which increase reactive oxygen species production and damage the leaf photosynthetic apparatus. Particle coating films sprayed on leaves have been offered as a way to minimize crop losses due to the climate change scenario, even though the extent of leaf protection is not characterized. We evaluated the use of two protective films on the oxidative stress and leaf photosynthesis of sweet orange trees exposed to varying daylight levels. Trees were maintained under full sun light, sprayed or not (control) with kaolin or calcium carbonate, and under reduced irradiance using either aluminum shade cloth 50% or anti‐UV transparent plastic. Kaolin or calcium carbonate reflected 20%–30% of the incident light on the leaf surface compared to leaves not sprayed and under full sunlight. Leaves with coating exhibited improved CO2 assimilation and photosystem II efficiency, and lower leaf temperatures over time. In addition, the coating protected leaves against excess irradiance due to dissipation of excess energy into the photosynthetic apparatus (NPQt). Nonenzymatic mechanisms for UV protection, such as carotenoids, were higher in full sun control plants than in leaf‐coated plants. Comparable responses were observed on trees maintained covered either by the cloth or the plastic film. Finally, we conclude that the use of suspension particles mitigates the harmful effects of excess UV irradiance and temperature in sweet orange trees.
Individual differences in action‐state orientation moderate task difficulty effects on effort‐related cardiac response
Authors: Bouzidi Yann S. , Gendolla Guido H. E.
Published: December 2022

A quasi experiment (N = 100 university students) tested whether individual differences in action‐state orientation moderate task difficulty effects on resource mobilization assessed as cardiovascular response. According to action control theory, action‐oriented individuals have higher self‐regulation capacities in demanding situations than state‐oriented persons. Action‐orientated individuals should also self‐generate positive affect in face of obstacles. Therefore, drawing on Wright's (1998) ability extension of motivational intensity theory and research on affective influences on effort‐related cardiovascular response, we expected that action‐orientation should lead to stronger effort‐related cardiovascular responses in a difficult task, while state‐orientation should do so in an easy task. Reactivity of cardiac pre‐ejection period (PEP) during performance on a short‐term memory task corroborated this hypothesis. The present findings provide the first evidence of a link between action‐state orientation and effort‐related responses in the cardiovascular system.
Assessing the efficacy of extruded seed pellets and microbial amendments for native revegetation
Authors: Alfonzetti Matthew , Tetu Sasha G. , Mills Charlotte H. , Gallagher Rachael V.
Published: December 2022

Worldwide, there is a strong need for new, innovative, large‐scale approaches to restoring diverse native vegetation. Seed‐based revegetation, while often employed, can suffer from low plant establishment. Various seed coating technologies have been widely employed for decades to promote efficient agricultural planting; however, a significant obstacle to the implementation of this technology for native species revegetation is the limited access to the expertise and techniques which are mostly confidential to and specialized for the agrochemical industry. Here we investigated whether the seeds of Australian native species may benefit from extruded pelleting, measuring both seedling emergence and early growth, and testing the pellets with and without the addition of a commercial plant probiotic. A manipulative glasshouse experiment was carried out with three treatments (bare seeded; standard pellets; pellets amended with a probiotic) for four native plant species. Incorporation of seeds within standard pellets was shown to maintain high percentages of emergence and improve growth of three of the tested species (Daviesia ulicifolia, Hardenbergia violacea, and Indigofera australis) in the glasshouse setting, with increases in mean biomass of 83, 385, and 1,002%, respectively. However, emergence in the fourth species (Bursaria spinosa) was low in all seed treatments, perhaps due to excessive sowing depth (bare seeds), while combined with being encased inside a pellet. Relative to the standard pellets, probiotic amended pellets did not impart further detectable emergence or growth benefits. Ultimately, these results highlight exciting prospects for the application of extruded seed pellets in facilitating efficient use of seed in the revegetation of some native species.
Narrative dynamics in European Commission AI policy—Sensemaking, agency construction, and anchoring
Authors: af Malmborg Frans
Published: December 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is arguably one of the most powerful and disruptive technologies of our times which may pose challenges as well as opportunities to contemporary political organizations. Studying AI from a lens of perceived uncertainty, this article studies the policy response of the European Commission toward this fast‐paced emerging technology. By empirically focusing on the Commission's policy process from start to end, from initial communication to concrete proposal, the article shows how different types of narratives are used to construct the new policy area of AI policy. A novel theoretical framework is constructed building on a combination of narrative organizational studies and narrative policy studies, displaying how narratives play a key role in organizational sensemaking, agency construction and anchoring. The paper finds that the Commission broadly makes sense of AI technologies with a future‐oriented discourse, establishes agency to existing and new forms of political organizing and anchors the policy response within the overarching frame of the EU single market policy. The main contribution of the paper is that it shows how political organizations settles uncertainty through narratives and sketches a way forward through establishing policy goals and anchoring them within pre‐existing lines of political mobilization.
Influence of risk perception on attitudes toward blood donation among Brazilian men who have sex with men who donated blood
Authors: Zucoloto Miriane , Galdino Guilherme , McFarland Willi , Martinez Edson
Published: December 2022

Background

We hypothesize that awareness of individuals' risk behaviors may influence aspects of attitude toward blood donation (i.e., intentions and self‐efficacy). Investigating this association in the population of MSM was the objective of the present study.

Study Design and Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study based on an open web survey. The online survey was developed and applied on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) platform. The study's information, invitation to participate, and link to access the online survey were disseminated using social media. Analyses were performed using structural equation modeling.

Results

A total of 764 young adults MSM participated, with the majority self‐reporting as homosexual, single, in good health, and having completed higher education. A total of 297 (39.5%) reported having donated blood at least once in their lives. Among blood donors, 72.0% admitted to lying about their sexual behavior during the blood donation clinical screening interview; 81.0% did not believe that their behaviors put them at risk for HIV infection; 83.7% believed that their blood is safe enough to be transfused. Structural equation analysis provided evidence that the perception of being at risk for HIV and the perception of having non‐safe blood to be transfused contributed to an attitude against future blood donation (explained variance 50%).

Discussion

Attitude plays an important role in blood donation decision‐making by young adults MSM. This is the first study to provide evidence that the self‐perceptions of being at risk for HIV and having non‐safe blood may deter MSM from blood donation.
Machine learning approaches for ray-based ocean acoustic tomography
Authors: Jin Jihui , Saha Priyabrata , Durofchalk Nicholas , Mukhopadhyay Saibal , Romberg Justin , Sabra Karim G.
Published: December 2022

Underwater sound propagation is primarily driven by a nonlinear forward model relating variability of the ocean sound speed profile (SSP) to the acoustic observations (e.g., eigenray arrival times). Ocean acoustic tomography (OAT) methods aim at reconstructing SSP variations (with respect to a reference environment) from changes of the acoustic measurements between multiple source-receiver pairs. This article investigates the performance of three different OAT methods: (1) model-based methods (i.e., classical ray-based OAT using a linearized forward model), (2) data-driven methods (such as deep learning) to directly learn the inverse model, and (3) a hybrid solution [i.e., the neural adjoint (NA) method], which combines deep learning of the forward model with a standard recursive optimization to estimate SSPs. Additionally, synthetic SSPs were generated to augment the variability of the training set. These methods were tested with modeled ray arrivals calculated for a downward refracting environment with mild fluctuations of the thermocline. Idealized towed and fixed source configurations are considered. Results indicate that merging data-driven and model-based methods can benefit OAT predictions depending on the selected sensing configurations and actual ray coverage of the water column. But ultimately, the robustness of OAT predictions depends on the dynamics of the SSP variations.
The Relationship Between Stress Fractures and Bone Turnover Markers Is Unclear in Athletic and Military Populations: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Hamstra-Wright Karrie L. , Djelovic Eddin , Payette Justin
Published: December 2022

Clinical Scenario: Having an indication of how bone is remodeling in response to training load could help identify athletes and military personnel at increased stress fracture (SFx) risk. Direct assessment of bone remodeling is impractical. Biochemical markers of bone turnover are used as an indirect measure of bone remodeling and have potential to inform prevention and treatment efforts. To date, the relationship between bone turnover markers and SFxs in athletes or military personnel remains unclear. Clinical Question: Are SFxs related to bone turnover markers in athletes and military personnel? Summary of Key Findings: Seven met eligibility criteria. In five studies, an association between SFxs and bone turnover markers existed. Clinical Bottom Line: The evidence supporting a relationship between SFxs and bone turnover markers in athletes and military personnel is mixed. While five of the seven studies reported some type of relationship, no studies prospectively measured bone turnover markers in a group of athletes or military personnel without an SFx or without SFx history and followed them over time to reassess bone turnover markers upon SFx occurrence. Strength of Clinical Recommendation: In accordance with the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy, Grade C is the most appropriate strength of recommendation rating.
Performance Outcomes Following Isoinertial or Machine-Based Training Interventions in Female Junior Tennis Players
Authors: Canós Jose , Corbi Francisco , Colomar Joshua , Baiget Ernest
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To evaluate changes in physical performance indicators after executing a flywheel or machine-based neuromuscular training program in young female tennis players. Methods: Twenty-four players were divided into a machine-based  group (MG), flywheel  group (FG), and control group. Countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint time (5, 10, and 15 m), change-of-direction (COD) performance (right and left), medicine-ball throws (overhead, forehand, and backhand), and serve velocity were included as tests at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Results: Both MG and FG largely improved from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 of training in CMJ (11.6, 10.6%; effect size [ES] = 1.24, 1.95). Also, sprint time 5 m and 10 m, COD performance-right, and COD performance-left improved moderately to very largely at week 4 in MG (−5.0% to −6.2%; ES = −1.79 to −4.19) and FG (−2.9% to −5.1%; ES = −1.13 to −1.64), respectively. Regarding medicine-ball throw, only FG improved moderately to very largely from weeks 4 to 8 in overhead (9.3%; ES = 1.46), forehand (8.0%; ES = 1.08), and backhand (6.1%; ES = 1.15). Serve velocity improved moderately from weeks 4 to 8 in MG (5.8%; ES = 0.87). Conclusions: Four weeks of the tested programs seem sufficient to improve physical determinants in young female participants. Greater improvements in CMJ and medicine-ball throw following flywheel neuromuscular training indicate the importance of including exercises that emphasize the stretch-shortening cycle and involve the entire kinetic chain. Performing the same intervention with no load adjustments may stall or even decrease performance in some parameters from weeks 4 to 8.
Nanoparticle delivery of
CD40
siRNA suppresses alloimmune responses by inhibiting activation and differentiation of DCs and macrophages
Authors: Wang Jialiang , Mao Kuirong , Cong Xiuxiu , Tan Huizhu , Wu Chenxi , Hu Zheng , Yang Yong-Guang , Sun Tianmeng
Published: December 2022

CD40
is an important costimulatory molecule expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and plays a critical role for APC activation, offering a promising therapeutic target for preventing allograft rejection. Here, we developed a biodegradable nanoparticle small interfering RNA delivery system (si
CD40
/NPs) to effectively deliver
CD40
siRNA (si
CD40
) into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), myeloid progenitors, and mature dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Injection of si
CD40
/NPs not only down-regulated
CD40
expression in DCs and macrophages but also inhibited the differentiation of HSCs and/or myeloid progenitors into functional DCs and macrophages. Furthermore, si
CD40
/NPs treatment significantly prolonged allograft survival in mouse models of skin allotransplantation. In addition to reiteration of the role of
CD40
in APC activation, our findings highlight a previously unappreciated role of
CD40
in DC and macrophage differentiation from their progenitors. Furthermore, our results support the effectiveness of si
CD40
/NPs in suppressing alloimmune responses, providing a potential means of facilitating tolerance induction and preventing allotransplant rejection.
Discoidin domain receptor 2 regulates aberrant mesenchymal lineage cell fate and matrix organization
Authors: Pagani Chase A. , Bancroft Alec C. , Tower Robert J. , Livingston Nicholas , Sun Yuxiao , Hong Jonathan Y. , Kent Robert N. , Strong Amy L. , Nunez Johanna H. , Medrano Jessica Marie R. , Patel Nicole , Nanes Benjamin A. , Dean Kevin M. , Li Zhao , Ge Chunxi , Baker Brendon M. , James Aaron W. , Weiss Stephen J. , Franceschi Renny T. , Levi Benjamin
Published: December 2022

Extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions regulate both the cell transcriptome and proteome, thereby determining cell fate. Traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) is a disorder characterized by aberrant mesenchymal lineage (MLin) cell differentiation, forming bone within soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system following traumatic injury. Recent work has shown that HO is influenced by ECM-MLin cell receptor signaling, but how ECM binding affects cellular outcomes remains unclear. Using time course transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we identified discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a cell surface receptor for fibrillar collagen, as a key MLin cell regulator in HO formation. Inhibition of DDR2 signaling, through either constitutive or conditional
Ddr2
deletion or pharmaceutical inhibition, reduced HO formation in mice. Mechanistically, DDR2 perturbation alters focal adhesion orientation and subsequent matrix organization, modulating Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Yes1 Associated Transcriptional Regulator and WW Domain Containing Transcription Regulator 1 (YAP/TAZ)–mediated MLin cell signaling. Hence, ECM-DDR2 interactions are critical in driving HO and could serve as a previously unknown therapeutic target for treating this disease process.
Diabatic and adiabatic transitions between Floquet states imprinted in coherent exciton emission in monolayer WSe
2
Authors: Uchida Kento , Kusaba Satoshi , Nagai Kohei , Ikeda Tatsuhiko N. , Tanaka Koichiro
Published: December 2022

Floquet engineering is a promising way of controlling quantum system with photon-dressed states on an ultrafast time scale. So far, the energy structure of Floquet states in solids has been intensively investigated. However, the dynamical aspects of the photon-dressed states under ultrashort pulse have not been explored yet. Their dynamics become highly sensitive to the driving field transients, and thus, understanding them is crucial for ultrafast manipulation of a quantum state. Here, we observed the coherent exciton emission in monolayer WSe
2
at room temperature at the appropriate photon energy and the field strength of the driving light pulse using high-harmonic spectroscopy. Together with numerical calculations, our measurements revealed that the coherent exciton emission spectrum reflects the diabatic and adiabatic dynamics of Floquet states of excitons. Our results provide a previosuly unexplored approach to Floquet engineering and lead to control of quantum materials through pulse shaping of the driving field.