bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogeography of orchids and their pollination syndromes in small Mediterranean islands
Authors: Lussu M. , Zannini P. , Testolin R. , Dolci D. , Conti M. , Martellos S. , Chiarucci A.
Published: December 2023

Aims

Despite the research on orchid in insular conditions, few studies are focused on the spatial distribution of their reproductive syndromes across complex insular systems. By using island species–area relationships (ISAR), we explore orchid biogeography in the Central Western‐Mediterranean islands. In this study, we aim to investigate variation in ISARs using orchid pollination mechanisms as proxies to establish permanent populations explaining how the c and z parameters of ISARs vary among island types and pollination strategies and defining the most influential factors in shaping orchids' distribution.

Location

Mediterranean Basin.

Taxon

Orchidaceae.

Methods

Checklist of native orchids was obtained for 112 islands of Central‐Western Mediterranean Basin. The Arrhenius power function () was used to fit ISARs for the total number of orchids as well as for functional groups defined by the pollination strategies, across different island types. We used GLM to investigate the relation between pollination syndromes with area and isolation as well as elevation, island origin, taxa richness of the source area and habitat diversity.

Results

We found that ISARs differ between continental and volcanic islands depending on isolation. The z‐value was found to be higher for more specialized strategies while the c‐value increases from autogamy to allogamy, supporting the role of these two parameters in understanding distributional dynamics. Distance from the mainland is a negative predictor for all the strategies except when deception is decoupled; island area is a positive predictor only for allogamic, deceptive and food deceptive strategies, while habitat diversity is a positive predictor for allogamic, rewarding and deceptive strategies.

Main Conclusions

Pollination syndromes contribute in explaining the distribution of orchids in insular conditions. Furthermore, we identified differences in ISARs across pollination syndromes in which the intercept increases when the pollination shifts from a generalist to a more specialized one.
Testing the social motivation theory of autism: the role of co‐occurring anxiety
Authors: Bagg Eloise , Pickard Hannah , Tan Manting , Smith Tim J. , Simonoff Emily , Pickles Andrew , Carter Leno Virginia , Bedford Rachael
Published: December 2023

Background

The Social Motivation Theory proposes that social reward processing differences underlie autism. However, low social motivation has also been linked to higher anxiety. Given the co‐occurrence between autism and anxiety, it is possible that anxiety drives the association between social motivation and autistic characteristics. This study tests the mechanisms underlying the association between social motivation and autistic traits.

Methods

Participants were 165 adolescents (71 male), aged 10–16 years, from the Mapping profiles of cognition, motivation and attention in childhood (C‐MAPS) study, enriched for autistic traits (70 participants with an autism diagnosis, 37 male). Participants completed a battery of online experimental tasks, including a Choose‐a‐Movie social motivation task and social cognition measures (theory of mind; emotion recognition), alongside parent‐reported child anxiety and autistic traits.

Results

Higher social motivation was significantly associated with lower autistic traits (β = −.26, p < .001). Controlling for social cognition did not change the association between social motivation and autistic traits. Controlling for anxiety did significantly reduce the strength of the association (unstandardized coefficient change: p = .003), although social motivation remained associated with autistic traits (β = −.16, p = .004). Post hoc analyses demonstrated differential sex‐effects: The association between social motivation and autistic traits was significant only in the females (β = −.38, p < .001), as was the attenuation by anxiety (unstandardized coefficient change: p < .001).

Conclusions

The association between social motivation and autistic traits could be partially attributed to co‐occurring anxiety. Sex‐specific effects found in females may be due to environmental factors such as increased social demands in adolescent female relationships. Results are consistent with self‐report by autistic individuals who do not identify as having reduced social motivation.
Associations among early life adversity, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms in adolescent females and males: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Uy Jessica P. , Gotlib Ian H.
Published: December 2023

Background

Exposure to adversity early in life (ELA) has been associated with elevated risk for depression during adolescence, particularly for females; the mechanisms underlying this association, however, are poorly understood. One potential mechanism linking ELA and sex differences in depressive symptoms is sleep disturbances, which increase during adolescence and are more common in females. Here, we examined whether sleep disturbances mediate the association between ELA and increases in depressive symptoms during adolescence and whether this mediation differs by sex.

Methods

224 (N = 132 females) youth were recruited at age 9–13 years and assessed every 2 years across three timepoints. At the first timepoint, we conducted extensive interviews about stressful events participants experienced; participants provided subjective severity ratings of events and we objectively scored the severity of each event. Self‐reported sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms were assessed at all timepoints. We conducted linear mixed models to estimate both initial levels and changes in sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms, and moderated mediation analyses to test whether initial levels and/or changes in sleep disturbances mediated the association of ELA (objective and subjective) with increases in depressive symptoms across adolescence and whether the mediations differed by sex.

Results

While higher initial levels and increases in sleep problems were uniquely associated with increases in depressive symptoms for males and females, they were related to ELA differently by sex. For females, greater ELA (both objectively and subjectively rated) was associated with higher initial levels of sleep problems, which in turn were associated with increases in depressive symptoms from early to late adolescence. In contrast, for males, ELA exposure was not associated with either initial levels of, or increases in, sleep problems.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the role of sleep disturbances during the transition to adolescence in mediating sex differences in the effects of ELA on depressive symptoms.
Safety and efficacy evaluation of botulinum toxin an injection by FITTER® microneedle to treat medial lower eyelid wrinkles
Authors: Fan Xing , Long Jie , Quan Xin , Yin Yue , Li Tong , Qiang Shuai , Liu Bin , Li Yang
Published: December 2023

Background

Treatment for medial lower eyelid wrinkles is in great demand now. However, conventional injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) often leads to serious complications.

Aims

We aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BTX‐A injection with microneedle to treat medial lower eyelid wrinkles.

Methods

We collected clinical data of 16 patients to treat dynamic wrinkles on the medial aspect of the lower eyelid. Adverse effects at each stage of the treatment were recorded. We used VISIA to compare the static and dynamic wrinkles of the medial lower eyelid before and after treatment. Furthermore, patients and physicians evaluated the wrinkles with Kappa scores.

Results

All 16 patients completed the study. The objective evaluation indicator (the Ra variable given by VISIA) progressively and significantly decreased at 1 month and 3 months after treatment. The kappa scores given by patients and by surgeons were both significantly reduced after treatment. No adverse reactions, such as pouch prolapse, diplopia, and canthal tendon laxity, occurred at 1 week, 1 month, or 3 months after the treatment.

Conclusion

BTX‐A treatment of medial lower eyelid wrinkles with microneedle injection allows better control of the injection depth and reduces both the amount of BTX‐A needed and the incidence of complications while maintaining the natural dynamic expression.
The impact of nurses' experiences of hospital violence on resilience: A mediated moderation model
Authors: Zheng Zhihui , Zhan Shanshan , Xu Jiaxian , Lu Kangyuan , Wang Jie , Huang Bixia , Li Xiaohong , Chen Yubei , Ge Li
Published: December 2023

Aims

This study aims to investigate the impact of nurses' experiences of hospital violence on resilience, the mediating effect of trust in patients and the moderating effect of organizational trust.

Background

Despite belonging to the central part of health care worldwide and being the leading provider of medical services, nurses are often subjected to hospital violence, which affects their physical and mental well‐being. Trust is a high‐order mechanism that encourages positive thinking and personal and professional development. However, research into the impact of trust on resilience concerning nurses' experiences of hospital violence is limited.

Methods

The participants were 2331 nurses working in general hospitals in China. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted, and data were collected via questionnaires from July to October 2022 and analysed using SPSS 25.0 and SPSS PROCESS 3.3 macros. This study was prepared and reported according to the STROBE checklist.

Results

Mean trust in patients was 48.00 ± 10.86 (12–60), mean organizational trust was 56.19 ± 8.90 (13–65) and mean resilience was 78.63 ± 19.26 (0–100). Nurses' experience of hospital violence had a direct negative effect on resilience (β = −.096, p = .871), a significant adverse effect on trust in patients (β = −3.022, p < .001) and a significant positive effect on trust in patients on resilience (β = 1.464, p < .001). Trusting patients played a mediating role. The significant moderating effect of organizational trust between experience of hospital violence and trust in patients was moderated by a mediating effect index of −0.1867 (95% CI = [−0.3408, −0.0345]).

Conclusions

Nurses' experience of hospital violence exerted a negative effect on resilience, trust in patients had a fully mediated effect and organizational trust had a significant moderating influence in the pathway from nurses' experience of hospital violence to patients' trust‐mediated resilience.

Implications for Nursing and Health Policy

This study highlights the impact of nurses' experiences of hospital violence on resilience and explores the importance of trust from the nurses' perspective. Measures taken by managers to provide nurses with a safe, trusting and positive work environment can be highly beneficial in enhancing nurse resilience.
Political connection heterogeneity and firm innovation: An investigation of privately controlled, publicly listed firms in China
Authors: Zhou Jieyu , Qian Cuili , Li Congshan
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the influence of ascribed and achieved political connections on corporate strategies of incremental versus radical innovation. The corporate political strategy literature maintains that while politically connected firms have access to resources controlled by the government, they also have an obligation to reciprocate for this access by fulfilling government expectations. We integrate an institutional perspective with the political strategy literature to develop the argument that ascribed political connections enhance incremental innovation because firms with these connections will tend to innovate just enough to meet government expectations. In contrast, firms with achieved political connections will tend to prefer radical innovation because these innovations help them to maintain their relationships with the government and expand their competitive advantage in the market. Furthermore, we propose that these effects depend on firms' innovation orientation, captured by the firms' technological capability, industry characteristics, and the innovation context of their geographical region. Our predictions are largely supported by analysis of a panel dataset of privately controlled, publicly listed Chinese firms during the period 2008 to 2018. Our findings reveal that the positive effect of ascribed political connections on incremental innovation is less salient when a firm has stronger technological capability, or when a firm operates in a high‐tech industry or a region with a strong innovative climate. Conversely, the positive influence of achieved political connections on radical innovation is stronger when a firm has stronger technological capability, or when a firm competes in a high‐tech industry or is located in a region with a strong innovative climate. We also discuss the important implications for firms and the government.
Recognize your audience: Stakeholders' coaptation work to improve political representation in innovation programs
Authors: Radaelli Giovanni , Currie Graeme
Published: December 2023

Managers often exclude some stakeholders from innovation programs, believing they would be “dangerous” for the purpose and pace of new product/service development. The exclusion of “dangerous” stakeholders, however, has negative implications on innovation, as it prevents access to key knowledge and connections. Our study investigates how “dangerous” stakeholders can overturn their exclusion, and gain key decision‐making responsibilities. Theoretically, we import the “general theory of political representation” from Rehfeld (2006) to derive insight into agency of five actors: selection agents, strategic constellation and representatives (on the side of innovators), represented and “audience” (on the side of stakeholders). Empirically, we undertake a 4‐year longitudinal case study of a digital innovation program in an English public hospital. Our study highlighted that only an elite “audience” of clinical leads enacted a strategy of “coaptation work” to overturn their exclusion from the innovation program, and ascend to a role of selection agents. Through “coaptation work,” the clinical leads used their privileged access to clinical resources to first create fractures within the community of innovators, and then embed clinical stakeholders in key decision‐making roles to heal them. Our results challenge established “hub‐and‐spoke” interpretations of innovation programs, and emphasize the importance of political representation work to understand how stakeholders exert their influence.
Identification of reproductive sex‐biased gene expression in Asparagopsis taxiformis (lineage 6) gametophytes
Authors: Patwary Zubaida Parveen , Zhao Min , Paul Nicholas A. , Cummins Scott F.
Published: December 2023

The sub‐tropical red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis is of significant interest due to its ability to store halogenated compounds, including bromoform, which can mitigate methane production in ruminants. Significant scale‐up of aquaculture production of this seaweed is required; however, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control fundamental physiological processes, including the regulatory factors that determine sexual dimorphism in gametophytes. In this study, we used comparative RNA‐sequencing analysis between different morphological parts of mature male and female A. taxiformis (lineage 6) gametophytes that resulted in greater number of sex‐biased gene expression in tips (containing the reproductive structures for both sexes), compared with the somatic main axis and rhizomes. Further comparative RNA‐seq against immature tips was used to identify 62 reproductive sex‐biased genes (59 male‐biased, 3 female‐biased). Of the reproductive male‐biased genes, 46% had an unknown function, while others were predicted to be regulatory factors and enzymes involved in signaling. We found that bromoform content obtained from female samples (8.5 ± 1.0 mg·g−1 dry weight) was ~10% higher on average than that of male samples (6.5 ± 1.0 mg·g−1 dry weight), although no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the marine bromoform biosynthesis locus gene expression. In summary, our comparative RNA‐sequencing analysis provides a first insight into the potential molecular factors relevant to gametogenesis and sexual differentiation in A. taxiformis, with potential benefits for identification of sex‐specific markers.
Heterogeneity‐oriented ensemble learning for rail monitoring based on vehicle‐body vibration
Authors: Zhuang Yong , Liu Rengkui , Tang Yuanjie
Published: December 2023

In this study, railway vehicle‐body vibration was applied to rail detection for convenient sensor deployment and cost‐effectiveness. However, the waveform is difficult to analyze due to damping and interference. Data‐driven methods can help concatenate multidimensional signals and complex rail‐surface irregularities but are impressionably uncertain. This study proposes a method in which a deep learning framework is coupled with heterogeneous factors at every link in its ensemble strategy. The instantiation, module foundation, and scenario description establish a concrete system for dealing with the dilemma that an insufficient database hinders feature extraction, causing unproductive capacity. The performance is quantitatively discussed by combining different levels of on‐site rail‐surface conditions, reaching prediction errors of 4.7% and 6.5% and classifier accuracies of 98.4% and 93.7% for irregularities and defect severities, respectively. This work describes a way to extend self‐learner applicability in industry and will facilitate new support for railway track management.
From informed to empowered consent
Authors: Hagopian Chelsea O. P.
Published: December 2023

Informed consent is ethically incomplete and should be redefined as empowered consent. This essay challenges theoretical assumptions of the value of informed consent in light of substantial evidence of its failure in clinical practice and questions the continued emphasis on autonomy as the primary ethical justification for the practice of consent in health care. Human dignity—rather than autonomy—is advanced from a nursing ethics perspective as a preferred justification for consent practices in health care. The adequacy of an ethic of obligation (namely, principlism) as the dominant theoretical lens for recognising and responding to persistent problems in consent practices is also reconsidered. A feminist empowerment framework is adopted as an alternative ethical theory to principlism and is advanced as a more practical and complete lens for examining the concept and context of consent in health care. To accomplish this, the three leading conceptions of informed consent are overviewed, followed by a feminist critique to reveal practical problems with each of them. The need for a language change from informed to empowered consent is strongly considered. Implications for consent activities in clinical practice are reviewed with focused discussion on the need for greater role clarity for all involved in consent—beyond and inclusive of the patient‐physician dyad, as the practice and improvement of consent is necessarily a transdisciplinary endeavour. Specific concrete and practical recommendations for leveraging nursing expertise in this space are presented. Perhaps what is most needed in the discourse and practice of consent in health care is nursing.
Role of maternally expressed 8 small nucleolar RNA (MEG8) in osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Ye Cui , Ye Jun , Wu Haimiao , Zhang Fan , Liu Yuehua
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are essential for the treatment of bone diseases because of its great potential to differentiate into osteoblasts. Remarkably, increasing long‐non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Maternally expressed 8, small nucleolar RNA host gene (MEG8) is implicated in multiple diseases. This study intended to unearth the potential role of MEG8 and unveil the mechanism in PDLSCs undergoing osteoblastic differentiation.

Materials and Methods

MEG8 expression was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) during osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs into bone cells. Functional assays were used to uncover the biological function of MEG8. Besides, RNA pulldown, RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), and luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the molecular mechanism of MEG8.

Results

MEG8 was apparently overexpressed in osteogenically differentiated PDLSCs. Moreover, MEG8 deficiency suppressed the osteoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs. Furthermore, MEG8 modulated the expression of transcription factor 4 (TCF4) by scavenging microRNA‐495‐3p (miR‐495‐3p) and microRNA‐485‐3p (miR‐485‐3p) through the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism, further stimulating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.

Conclusion

MEG8 stimulates the capacity of PDLSCs for osteogenic differentiation through a ceRNA mode.
Psychometric properties of a Turkish version of the social activities scale for community‐dwelling older people requiring support
Authors: Tastan Sevinc , Bebis Hatice
Published: December 2023

Background

Social activities decelerate the deterioration of mental capacity in older people and improve their physical and psychosocial health. Valid and reliable measurement tools are needed to determine the social activity status of older people and plan health services to protect their mental health.

Objective

This study aimed to adapt the Social Activities Scale for Community‐Dwelling Older People Requiring Support (SASOS) into Turkish.

Methods

This methodological study was conducted in Northern Cyprus between January and June 2022. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 155 community‐dwelling older people who needed support. Expert opinion, item‐content validity index, and scale‐content validity index were used to evaluate content validity. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability tests were used to evaluate reliability. Exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate construct validity. The Loneliness Scale for Elderly was used to evaluate concurrent validity.

Results

The Cronbach's alpha of SASOS was 0.90. Additionally, correlation coefficients of all items ranged between 0.61 and 0.79. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three‐factor structure. ‘Interactions with friends and neighbors’ was the factor that explained the highest variance (46%). There was a negative, weak, and statistically significant relationship between the scores obtained from the social loneliness subscale of LSE and all three subscales of SASOS.

Conclusions

The Turkish version of SASOS is a valid, reliable instrument to evaluate social activities in community‐dwelling older people who needed support.

Implications for practice

The SASOS has been identified as a valuable measure for assessing the social support needs of older individuals. It serves as a guide for both planning and evaluating interventions to enhance their health.
Plant responses to temperature stress modulated by microRNAs
Authors: Islam Waqar , Adnan Muhammad , Alomran Maryam M. , Qasim Muhammad , Waheed Abdul , Alshaharni Mohammed O. , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: December 2023

Due to the increasing impact of worldwide environmental changes, temperature stress has become a major factor resulting in crop yield losses. The discovery of temperature‐stress‐responsive protein‐coding genes has made significant progress in understanding plants' complex stress response systems involving microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNAs are triggered by heat or cold, thus confirming their significant functional role in cold or heat tolerance. Such dependable recommendations significantly broaden our understanding of the regulatory role of miRNAs in plant stress responses. This article presents novel perspectives on the substantial roles of plant miRNAs in responding to and acclimatizing to heat and cold stress. It comprehensively elaborates on miRNAs responsive to temperature stress, their regulatory mechanisms, and their targeted functions in plants. Additionally, the article investigates how miRNAs contribute to safeguarding plant reproductive tissues, mitigating damage caused by reactive oxygen species, modulating heat shock proteins, transcription factors, and phytohormones in the context of temperature stress. The conclusion outlines potential avenues for future research, highlighting the utilization of miRNAs and their regulatory functions to develop economically vital crops with enhanced tolerance to temperature stress, thereby ensuring future food security.
Intron retention via alternative splicing affects the thermotolerance regulation of ZmHsf17
Authors: Zhang Huaning , Meng Xiangzhao , Li Ran , Ma Zhenyu , Liu Ran , Liu Zihui , Duan Shuonan , Zhang Wenying , Li Guoliang , Guo Xiulin
Published: December 2023

Heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) plays a pivotal role in promoting rapid heat‐induced transcriptional reprogramming in plants. The thermotolerance regulatory function of Hsfs is influenced by their own alternative splicing. In this study, we found that ZmHsf17‐II, an intron retention isoform of subclass A2 gene ZmHsf17 of maize (Zea mays), accumulated in large amounts as a result of severe or sustained heat stress. It was confirmed by expression and purification that ZmHsf17‐II encodes a small truncated peptide with 115 amino acids. ZmHsf17‐II was found to be located in the nucleus and have no transcriptional activity. Overexpressing ZmHsf17‐I in Arabidopsis could enhance plants' thermotolerance, while overexpressing ZmHsf17‐II does not. Based on the results of molecular docking, Y2H and split LUC experiments, we found that ZmHsf17‐II could bind to DBD region of ZmHsf17‐I through the hydrogen bond interaction between the truncated DBD of ZmHsf17‐II and three amino acid residues (Arg105, Thr109 and Lys142) of ZmHsf17‐I DBD region. Further experiments showed that ZmHsf17‐I could bind to its own promoter and exhibited transcriptional activation activity, while ZmHsf17‐I interaction with ZmHsf17‐II, transcriptional activation activity was interfered. Those findings indicate that ZmHsf17 can negatively regulate its own transcription by producing more intron retention isoforms via alternative splicing under heat stress.
Care needs assessment of older adults with dementia in a semi‐rural district in Vietnam: A community‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Nguyen Anh Ngoc , Nguyen Binh Thanh , Nguyen Binh Thanh , Nguyen Binh Thi Thanh , Nguyen Nguyet Thi Anh , Dang Nhung Thi Kim , Nguyen Anh Thi Phuong , Nguyen Anh Trung , Pham Thang , Mantyh William Guntars , Tran Duyen , Le Oanh Thi Phương , Park Van My Ta
Published: December 2023

Background

The increasing needs of people living with dementia (PLWD) in Vietnam present an enormous public health challenge. Vietnam is an understudied country, and little is known regarding the overall unmet needs of caregivers or the demographic risk factors associated with unmet caregiving needs. This study aimed to determine the burden of unmet care needs of community‐dwelling PLWD and identify sociodemographic risks associated with unmet care needs.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study in a rural area facing urbanisation in Hanoi, Vietnam recruited PWLD‐caregiver dyads with multistage sampling. We utilised the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) instrument to evaluate care needs across four domains. Caregivers rated PLWD needs, with higher scores indicating greater unmet needs. The Mann–Whitney test was employed for comparing two groups, while the Kruskal–Wallis test was used for comparisons involving more than two groups in the analysis, and a P‐value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Among 90 PLWD participating in the study, the overall mean care needs score was 11.6 ± 4.3, with only 16.2% of PLWD having their care needs met. Environmental and physical needs were more frequently met than psychological or social needs. Only 48.0% and 43.9% of environmental and physical needs were met respectively, and a meagre 20.9% and 23.6% for psychological and social needs. Unmet care needs were more frequent for PWLD who were female, single or divorced, had lower monthly household income, or who were in more advanced stages of dementia, as indicated by Clinical Dementia Rating scores ≥1.

Conclusions

Unmet needs for PWLD are common. Increased caregiver education, resources, and services in Vietnam are urgently required to improve the quality of life for this population.
Registered replication report of the construct validity of the error‐related negativity (ERN): A multi‐site study of task‐specific ERN correlations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms
Authors: Clayson Peter E. , Mcdonald Julia B. , Park Bohyun , Holbrook Amanda , Baldwin Scott A. , Riesel Anja , Larson Michael J.
Published: December 2023

Intact cognitive control is critical for goal‐directed behavior and is widely studied using the error‐related negativity (ERN). A common assumption in such studies is that ERNs recorded during different experimental paradigms reflect the same construct or functionally equivalent processes and that ERN is functionally distinct from other error‐monitoring event‐related brain potentials (ERPs; error positivity [Pe]), other neurophysiological indices of cognitive control (N2), and even other theoretically unrelated indices (visual N1). The present registered report represents a replication‐plus‐extension study of the psychometric validity of cognitive control ERPs and evaluated the convergent and divergent validity of ERN, Pe, N2, and visual N1 recorded during flanker, Stroop, and Go/no‐go tasks. Data from 182 participants were collected from two study sites, and ERP psychometric reliability and validity were evaluated. Findings supported replication of convergent and divergent validity of ERN, Pe, and ΔPe (error minus correct)—these ERPs correlated more with themselves across tasks than with other ERPs measured during the same task. Convergent validity of ΔERN across tasks was not replicated, despite high internal consistency. ERN strongly correlated with N2 at levels similar or higher than those in support of convergent validity for other ERPs, and the present study failed to provide evidence of divergent validity for ERN and Pe from N2 or N1. ERN and ΔERN were unrelated to internalizing or externalizing symptoms. Findings underscore the importance of considering the psychometric validity of ERPs, as it provides a foundation for interpreting and comparing ERPs across tasks and studies.
Effective peripheral blood stem cell collection in a 4.6‐kg child
Authors: Jones Jennifer M. , Kiss Joseph E. , Chibisov Irina , Horvei Paulina , Stanczak Heather , Burda Carol , Clark Wei , Sevcik Joan , Kilonsky Carolyn , Kaplan Alesia
Published: December 2023

Background

Due to unique technical challenges, effective peripheral blood stem cell collections (PBSCs) have not been consistently reported in patients weighing less than 5 kg. We describe three PBSCs performed in a 4.6‐kg child undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy for high‐grade glioma.

Study Design and Methods

A multidisciplinary group representing the clinical and apheresis teams adapted a PBSC protocol to accommodate the patient's size and collection targets. Special considerations included timing of the collection relative to chemotherapy, vascular access, strategies for monitoring adverse events during collection, and contingencies.

Results and Discussion

The patient underwent three PBSC procedures over 2 days due to suboptimal collection after the first two procedures. For procedure 1, a conservative inlet: anticoagulant (AC) ratio and AC infusion rate of 15 and 0.6 mL/min/L total blood volume (TBV) resulted in premature discontinuation due to clotting. A ratio of 8 and AC infusion rate of 1.5–1.7 mL/min/L TBV with subsequent titration to higher levels were adopted for the second and third procedures. These changes resulted in greater acid‐citrate‐dextrose exposure, that was managed by continuous calcium chloride infusion. There was no hypocalcemia, hypotension, or distress during any procedure. A total of 15 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg were collected. This retrospective review illustrates that PBSC can be safely undertaken in children weighing less than 5 kg.
Gut microbiota in regulation of childhood bone growth
Authors: Lui Julian C.
Published: December 2023

Childhood stunting and wasting, or decreased linear and ponderal growth associated with undernutrition, continue to be a major global public health challenge. Although many of the current therapeutic and dietary interventions have significantly reduced childhood mortality caused by undernutrition, there remain great inefficacies in improving childhood stunting. Longitudinal bone growth in children is governed by different genetic, nutritional and other environmental factors acting systemically on the endocrine system and locally at the growth plate. Recent studies have shown that this intricate interplay between nutritional and hormonal regulation of the growth plate could involve the gut microbiota, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach in tackling childhood undernutrition. In this review, I focus on the mechanistic insights provided by these recent advances in gut microbiota research and discuss ongoing development of microbiota‐based therapeutics in humans, which could be the missing link in solving undernutrition and childhood stunting.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia remodels catecholaminergic nerve innervation in mouse atria
Authors: Bizanti Ariege , Zhang Yuanyuan , Toledo Zulema , Bendowski Kohlton T. , Harden Scott W. , Mistareehi Anas , Chen Jin , Gozal David , Heal Maci , Christie Richard , Hunter Peter J. , Paton Julian F.R. , Cheng Zixi Jack
Published: December 2023

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH, a model for sleep apnoea) is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases. Autonomic imbalance (sympathetic overactivity and parasympathetic withdrawal) has emerged as a causal contributor of CIH‐induced cardiovascular disease. Previously, we showed that CIH remodels the parasympathetic pathway. However, whether CIH induces remodelling of the cardiac sympathetic innervation remains unknown. Mice (male, C57BL/6J, 2–3 months) were exposed to either room air (RA, 21% O2) or CIH (alternating 21% and 5.7% O2, every 6 min, 10 h day–1) for 8–10 weeks. Flat‐mounts of their left and right atria were immunohistochemically labelled for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, a sympathetic marker). Using a confocal microscope (or fluorescence microscope) and Neurlocudia 360 digitization and tracing system, we scanned both the left and right atria and quantitatively analysed the sympathetic axon density in both groups. The segmentation data was mapped onto a 3D mouse heart scaffold. Our findings indicated that CIH significantly remodelled the TH immunoreactive (‐IR) innervation of the atria by increasing its density at the sinoatrial node, the auricles and the major veins attached to the atria (P < 0.05, n = 7). Additionally, CIH increased the branching points of TH‐IR axons and decreased the distance between varicosities. Abnormal patterns of TH‐IR axons around intrinsic cardiac ganglia were also found following CIH. We postulate that the increased sympathetic innervation may further amplify the effects of enhanced CIH‐induced central sympathetic drive to the heart. Our work provides an anatomical foundation for the understanding of CIH‐induced autonomic imbalance.

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Key points

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH, a model for sleep apnoea) causes sympathetic overactivity, cardiovascular remodelling and hypertension.

We determined the effect of CIH on sympathetic innervation of the mouse atria.

In vivo CIH for 8–10 weeks resulted in an aberrant axonal pattern around the principal neurons within intrinsic cardiac ganglia and an increase in the density, branching point, tortuosity of catecholaminergic axons and atrial wall thickness.

Utilizing mapping tool available from NIH (SPARC) Program, the topographical distribution of the catecholaminergic innervation of the atria were integrated into a novel 3D heart scaffold for precise anatomical distribution and holistic quantitative comparison between normal and CIH mice.

This work provides a unique neuroanatomical understanding of the pathophysiology of CIH‐induced autonomic remodelling.
The Inclusion of Preplanned and Random and Unanticipated/Unexpected Events During Strength Training Improves the Ability to Repeat High-Intensity Efforts Under Uncertainty
Authors: Gonzalo-Skok Oliver , Tous-Fajardo Julio , Maroto-Izquierdo Sergio , Raya-González Javier , Sánchez-Sánchez Javier
Published: December 2023

Purpose: To compare the effects of unilateral flywheel training (FT), using a rotational conical pulley, including multidirectional movements with either preplanned or random unanticipated/unexpected executions on functional performance in football players. Methods: A total of 32 young male football players were randomly assigned to an FT program including preplanned unilateral multidirectional movements (PTG, n = 11), an FT executing the same unilateral movements through random (ie, right or left leg) unanticipated (ie, verbal or visual cue) or unexpected (ie, moment where the cue was provided) situations (UTG, n = 11), or a control group (n = 10) that followed their football training routine. FT consisted of 1 set × 5–12 repetitions of 4 exercises performed once a week for 10 weeks. Intermittent endurance performance, repeated unilateral and bilateral jumping ability, change-of-direction (COD) ability, linear sprint velocity, preplanned repeated-sprint ability (RSA), and uncertainty RSA (RSA-RANDOM) were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Results: Significant improvements were found in RSA-RANDOM performance (P < .05, effect size [ES] range: UTG [1.83–2.16], PTG [0.69–0.73]) and COD (P < .05, ES: UTG = 1.34, PTG = 0.98]) in both training groups. Furthermore, significant improvements were also found in intermittent endurance performance (P = .016, ES = 0.37) and sprinting (P = .006, ES = 0.45) in UTG. No changes in any variable were found in the control group. No significant between-groups differences (P > .05) were reported between UTG and PTG, while differences were observed to the control group in unilateral jumping ability, COD, and RSA-RANDOM for UTG, and in RSA-RANDOM for PTG. Conclusions: A 10-week unilateral FT improved RSA-RANDOM and COD ability in youth football players, so both preplanned and unexpected situations should be included on strength training.
A dimension reduction approach for loss valuation in credit risk modeling
Authors: He Jian , Khedher Asma , Spreij Peter
Published: December 2023

This paper addresses the “curse of dimensionality” in the loss valuation of credit risk models. A dimension reduction methodology based on the Bayesian filter and smoother is proposed. This methodology is designed to achieve a fast and accurate loss valuation algorithm in credit risk modeling, but it can also be extended to valuation models of other risk types. The proposed methodology is generic, robust and can easily be implemented. Moreover, the accuracy of the proposed methodology in the estimation of expected loss and value-at-risk (VaR) is illustrated by numerical experiments. The results suggest that, compared to the currently most used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approach, the proposed methodology provides more accurate estimation of expected loss and VaR of a loss distribution.
Horadam Polynomials and a Class of Biunivalent Functions Defined by Ruscheweyh Operator
Authors: Al-Rawashdeh Waleed
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we introduce and investigate a class of biunivalent functions, denoted by , that depends on the Ruscheweyh operator and defined by means of Horadam polynomials. For functions in this class, we derive the estimations for the initial Taylor–Maclaurin coefficients |a2| and |a3|. Moreover, we obtain the classical Fekete–Szegö inequality of functions belonging to this class.
Female Urethral Cavernous Hemangioma: Introducing Treatment and Follow-Up Course of Three Cases
Authors: Mahmoudnejad Nastaran , Mohammadi Torbati Peyman , Saberi Narjes , Sodeifian Fatemeh
Published: December 2023

Cavernous hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor occurring in all parts of the urinary system, including the kidney, bladder, prostate, ureter, and rarely urethra. Urethral cavernous hemangiomas are mostly seen in male patients, and only a few cases of female urethral hemangiomas are reported. Herein, we present the management and follow-up course of 3 cases of female urethral cavernous hemangioma. All 3 cases were menopause women complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms. Definitive diagnosis is made by histopathologic evaluation. In case of large or pedunculated masses, initial surgical resection is highly recommended. Regular follow-up of patients in order to prevent any recurrence is suggested.
Suboptimal Sleep Duration Is Associated With Poorer Neuroimaging Brain Health Profiles in Middle‐Aged Individuals Without Stroke or Dementia
Authors: Clocchiatti‐Tuozzo Santiago , Rivier Cyprien A. , Renedo Daniela , Torres Lopez Victor M. , Geer Jacqueline H. , Miner Brienne , Yaggi Henry K. , de Havenon Adam , Payabvash Seyedmehdi , Sheth Kevin N. , Gill Thomas M. , Falcone Guido J.
Published: December 2023

Background

The American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7, a public health construct capturing key determinants of cardiovascular health, became the Life's Essential 8 after the addition of sleep duration. The authors tested the hypothesis that suboptimal sleep duration is associated with poorer neuroimaging brain health profiles in asymptomatic middle‐aged adults.

Methods and Results

The authors conducted a prospective magnetic resonance neuroimaging study in middle‐aged individuals without stroke or dementia enrolled in the UK Biobank. Self‐reported sleep duration was categorized as short (<7 hours), optimal (7–<9 hours), or long (≥9 hours). Evaluated neuroimaging markers included the presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), volume of WMH, and fractional anisotropy, with the latter evaluated as the average of 48 white matter tracts. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to test for an association between sleep duration and these neuroimaging markers. The authors evaluated 39 771 middle‐aged individuals. Of these, 28 912 (72.7%) had optimal, 8468 (21.3%) had short, and 2391 (6%) had long sleep duration. Compared with optimal sleep, short sleep was associated with higher risk of WMH presence (odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.05–1.18];
P
<0.001), larger WMH volume (beta=0.06 [95% CI, 0.04–0.08];
P
<0.001), and worse fractional anisotropy profiles (beta=−0.04 [95% CI, −0.06 to −0.02];
P
=0.001). Compared with optimal sleep, long sleep duration was associated with larger WMH volume (beta=0.04 [95% CI, 0.01–0.08];
P
=0.02) and worse fractional anisotropy profiles (beta=−0.06 [95% CI, −0.1 to −0.02];
P
=0.002), but not with WMH presence (
P
=0.6).

Conclusions

Among middle‐aged adults without stroke or dementia, suboptimal sleep duration is associated with poorer neuroimaging brain health profiles. Because these neuroimaging markers precede stroke and dementia by several years, these findings are consistent with other findings evaluating early interventions to improve this modifiable risk factor.
Expanding Confiscation and its Dimensions in EU Criminal Law
Authors: Hryniewicz-Lach Elżbieta
Published: December 2023

This article presents the types of extensions observed in the field of asset confiscation in EU criminal law: the extension of the scope of eligible assets at the EU level, the extensive implementation of relevant EU law into national legal orders and the expansion of the territorial effectiveness of confiscation orders. The attention is given also to the EU’s legislative competence in the field of confiscation and to expanding the basis for the application of asset confiscation at the EU level. The article is concluded with some observations on important aspects of asset confiscation, which should be taken into account by broadening the scope of confiscation at the EU level. In the article presented are partial results of research project: ‘Extended confiscation and its justification in light of fundamental rights and general principles of EU law’, financed by the National Science Centre, Poland, in years 2021–2024 (project number: 2020/39/d/hs5/01114).
Publication and impact: a bibliometric survey of Megataxa 1–10
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: December 2023

Megataxa was founded in January 2020 as a sister journal of the two most important journals in taxonomy, Zootaxa and Phytotaxa, with similar goals to accelerate the documentation of undescribed species and promote the development of global taxonomy, but aims to be a premium journal for most important works in taxonomy. Megataxa has grown steadily since January 2020 and has published 44 papers of various types in 3329 pages, 14 issues and 10 volumes, averaging 76 pages per paper and including six large monographs. These were contributed by 99 authors from 27 countries in six regions. Analysis of citation data in the Web of Science Core Collection showed that papers in Megataxa were cited three to nine times as often as those in Zootaxa published in the same year. The estimated (non-official) journal impact factor of 2023 for Megataxa is 6.8. These indicate that although Megataxa is still in its infancy, it has great promise to become a journal of high impact in taxonomy.
Palaeoparasycorax globosus Stebner et al., 2015 from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar: Description of a mating pair
Authors: AZAR DANY , HUANG DI-YING
Published: December 2023

A mating pair of Palaeoparasycorax globosus Stebner et al., 2015 from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is illustrated and described. The male is redescribed, and the female genitalia of this species is described for the first time. This discovery allows for a better understanding of this fossil sycoracine’s characteristics and further demonstrates the bioinclusion richness of the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. A list of all Cretaceous Psychodidae is given.
A new species of Polydesmidae (Myriapoda, Diplopoda, Polydesmida) from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber
Authors: SU YI-TONG , CAI CHEN-YANG , HUANG DI-YING
Published: December 2023

A new species of the ‘flat-backed’ millipede family Polydesmidae, Propolydesmus cretaceus sp. nov., is described from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Detailed morphological characters are provided on the basis of 3 well-preserved adults (2 males and 1 females), 2 female subadults, and 14 additional specimens, using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) with computer-aided 3D-reconstructions. The new species can be placed in the extant genus Propolydesmus. It majorly differs from other congeners due to the stronger gonopod acropodite and the presence of a bipartite gonopod exomerite.