bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, contributing factors, and interventions to reduce medication errors in outpatient and ambulatory settings: a systematic review
Authors: Naseralallah Lina , Stewart Derek , Price Malcom , Paudyal Vibhu
Published: September 2023

Background

Medication errors are common events that compromise patient safety. Outpatient and ambulatory settings enhance access to healthcare which has been linked to favorable outcomes. While medication errors have been extensively researched in inpatient settings, there is dearth of literature from outpatient settings.

Aim

To synthesize the peer-reviewed literature on the prevalence, nature, contributory factors, and interventions to minimize medication errors in outpatient and ambulatory settings.

Method

A systematic review was conducted using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar which were searched from 2011 to November 2021. Quality assessment was conducted using the quality assessment checklist for prevalence studies tool. Data related to contributory factors were synthesized according to Reason’s accident causation model.

Results

Twenty-four articles were included in the review. Medication errors were common in outpatient and ambulatory settings (23–92% of prescribed drugs). Prescribing errors were the most common type of errors reported (up to 91% of the prescribed drugs, high variations in the data), with dosing errors being most prevalent (up to 41% of the prescribed drugs). Latent conditions, largely due to inadequate knowledge, were common contributory factors followed by active failures. The seven studies that discussed interventions were of poor quality and none used a randomized design.

Conclusion

Medication errors (particularly prescribing errors and dosing errors) in outpatient settings are prevalent, although reported prevalence range is wide. Future research should be informed by behavioral theories and should use high quality designs. These interventions should encompass system-level strategies, multidisciplinary collaborations, effective integration of pharmacists, health information technology, and educational programs.
Affectivity in mental disorders: an enactive-simondonian approach
Authors: García Enara
Published: September 2023

Several enactive-phenomenological perspectives have pointed to affectivity as a central aspect of mental disorders. Indeed, from an enactive perspective, sense-making is an inherently affective process. A question remains on the role of different forms of affective experiences (i.e., existential feelings, atmospheres, moods, and emotions) in sense-making and, consequently, in mental disorders. This work elaborates on the enactive perspective on mental disorders by attending to the primordial role of affectivity in the self-individuation process. Inspired by Husserl’s genetic methodology and Simondonian philosophy of individuation, sense-making is described as the process of progressive concretization and structuration of the self-world structures that support the intentionality of conscious experiences. Accordingly, affectivity is described as the force that anticipates a partial self-world coherence in sense-making. Structurally different types of affective experiences are integrated into the genetic picture and, on this basis, a reinterpretation and classification of certain mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and the anxiety spectrum, is provided. In this way, this work contributes to a phenomenologically informed enactive account of mental disorders as disorders of affectivity.
Impact of Instruction Based on a Validated Learning Progression on the Argumentation Competence of Preservice Elementary Science Teachers
Authors: Palma-Jiménez Miriam , Cebrián-Robles Daniel , Blanco-López Ángel
Published: September 2023

Creating a culture of argumentation in the science classroom requires adequate argumentation competence among future teachers. This study analyzes the impact of instruction based on a validated learning progression on the argumentation competence of preservice elementary science teachers. The focus for the instructional module was the socioscientific issue of breastfeeding. Participants were 106 students from year 3 of a 4-year Bachelor’s in Elementary Education offered by The University of Malaga, who for the purposes of the study were divided into two groups: experimental (those who received the instructional module) and control. The impact of instruction on students’ argumentation competence was examined using a pre-test/post-test assessment tool comprising two tasks: one related to the topic of breastfeeding and which required scientific knowledge to construct or critique arguments, and another, focused on a school lunch program that did not necessitate domain-specific knowledge. Students’ responses were analyzed using rubrics that linked the assessment questions to different learning progression levels, with various performance levels being established for each question. At pretest, students in both groups achieved only intermediate or low performance levels on all the learning progression levels, with the exception of constructing a claim. Following instruction, students in the experimental group showed a significant improvement in performance in relation to all the learning progression levels analyzed, with the exception of providing a counter-critique. We believe that the instructional module and assessment tool described here could usefully be applied to other contexts of argumentation.
Shifting Standards of Sexuality: An Intersectional Account of Men’s Objectification of Black and White Women
Authors: Mosley Ariel J. , Bharj Natasha , Biernat Monica
Published: September 2023

To what extent do men objectify and dehumanize Black and White women based on shifting standards of sexuality? Across five experimental studies (2 pre-registered; N = 702), White (Studies 1-4a) and Black (Study 4b) American heterosexual men evaluated a series of images of Black and White women who were either fully- or scantily-clothed, and provided ratings of sexual objectification, animalistic dehumanization, and perceived appropriateness of the image for use in advertising. Participants responded to images of fully-clothed Black women with greater sexual objectification and animalistic dehumanization, and lower appropriateness, compared to fully-clothed White women. However, scantily-clothed White women elicited greater sexual objectification and animalistic dehumanization, and lower attributions of appropriateness compared to scantily-clothed Black women. These race interactions with clothing type support a default objectification hypothesis for Black women, and a shifting standards of sexuality hypothesis for White women. An internal meta-analysis across the five experiments further supported these two hypotheses. This research illuminates the importance of examining racialized sexual objectification in terms of distinct group-specific perceptions and attributions. Implications of this intersectional account of objectification for intergroup relations are discussed.
Environmental Effects on the Seasonal Distribution of an Estuarine Species Neoarius graeffei in Northern New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Stoot Lauren J. , Butler Gavin L. , Niella Yuri , Doran Gregory S. , Thiem Jason D. , Taylor Matthew D. , Baumgartner Lee J.
Published: September 2023

Coastal river systems provide essential habitats for a diversity of fish species that transition marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments to complete their lifecycles. Movement among and within these environments is important to access resources that optimise growth, survival, and reproduction. Knowledge on the movements, including the drivers, underpins management strategies, although this information is often lacking for many species. We used acoustic telemetry to quantify the relative importance of a range of abiotic stimuli in relation to seasonal movement patterns in blue salmon catfish Neoarius graeffei throughout an unregulated coastal river catchment, the Clarence River in northern New South Wales, Australia. Neoarius graeffei continuously occupied the Clarence River system for the duration of the 1-year study and were mostly confined to estuarine reaches, with occasional movement into freshwater habitats. Seasonal differences in habitat occupation were observed, with N. graeffei using habitats close to the river mouth in winter and upstream estuary habitats in spring. Broad-scale movement patterns were influenced by both water temperature and river flow, and high-flow events (> 1.5 m) resulted in short-term changes (~ 10 days) in habitat use. Sex-specific differences in seasonal habitat use were also observed which we hypothesise is linked to contrasting energetic investment in reproduction. The response of N. graeffei to changes in river flow highlights the need for assessment on these impacts for estuarine-dependent species more broadly, in the face of climate change and increased river regulation.
Early Paleogene precipitation patterns over East Asia: Was there a monsoon after all?
Authors: Bondarenko Olesia V. , Utescher Torsten
Published: September 2023

Early Paleogene latitudinal precipitation gradients and patterns along the Pacific coast of Eurasia are studied in time and space using the Coexistence Approach, for the first time applied on an extensive regional palaeobotanical record. The palaeobotanical data used in this reconstruction are compiled from literature resources on 110 reasonably well-dated floras, including terrestrial deposits of 73 sites located in the Far East of Russia, Eastern Siberia, China, and Japan, and covering the early Palaeocene to early Eocene. Our reconstructions of precipitation for the Pacific side of Eurasia in the early Paleogene demonstrate a clear division (especially pronounced in the early Eocene) into two zones at ca. 50° N palaeolatitude on all precipitation parameters. Our results reveal very weak latitudinal precipitation gradients during the early and late Palaeocene. In the early Eocene, the gradient became more clearly pronounced, and a larger “arid” zone can be distinguished in the mid-latitudes. Our data suggest that in the early Paleogene, the global atmospheric circulation consisted of two well-defined cells, Hadley and Ferrell, while the polar cell was either absent or located over the Arctic Ocean and was very weak. Based on our reconstructions, the records could not be interpreted in terms of a monsoonal type of climate. The regional distribution of hygrophilous and xerophilous taxa in our early Eocene record largely coincides with the reconstructed precipitation pattern and generally corresponds to the distribution of coals and/or oil shales and red beds and/or evaporites, respectively.
Acceptance factors of digitalization in hospitals: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Burmann Anja , Schepers Susann , Meister Sven
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Hospitals have identified IT as a suitable mean to cope with various challenges. However, the heterogenous progress regarding digitalization cannot solely be attributed to a lack of investment. Potentially underlying socio-technical causes should be further investigated. The aim of this work is to identify factors that affect the human acceptance of digitalization in hospitals. The goal is to validate practical relevance with affected professional stakeholders as well as quantify the magnitude of the impact.

Methods

The Mixed-Methods (MM) approach according to the APA Mixed Methods Article Reporting Standard (MMARS) was based on a structured literature analysis (PRISMA-ScR), expert interviews (COREQ), and a web-based survey (CHERRIES). The survey queries acceptance factors related to digitalization in hospitals. By means of a statistical analysis, correlations with the dependent variable acceptance, effect sizes and variances are investigated.

Results

A total of N = 258 hospital professionals participated in the survey, with n = 155 (60.1%) female respondents, and a large share (n = 106, 41.1%) of participants from the field of nursing. Six of the 22 queried factors show a significant impact on acceptance (P < .05). The predictors competence and perceived benefit seem to exert the greatest influence. A multiple linear regression with R2 = .68 (corrected R2 = .63) shows a high goodness of fit. The predictors thus statistically influence the criterion acceptance (F22, 193 = 13.32, p < .001).

Conclusions

The factors contributing to human acceptance of digitalization-related change processes in hospitals were divided into subject-, object- and context-related aspects. The factors skill, education, affinity for digitalization, future of the workplace, participation as well as the perceived benefit were identified as significant influence factors on acceptance of digitalization in hospitals.
Can learning to move foster sustainable development? A systematic literature review examining the potential of sport and physical activity in the context of environmental and sustainability education
Authors: Thurm Sinziana , Frank Pascal , Greve Steffen , Schröder Stefan
Published: September 2023

In order to move forward the agenda of sustainable development through Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE), there is a need for learning activities that go beyond mere knowledge transmission. Characterised by their holistic and experiential nature, sport and physical activity may carry a potential of supporting and fostering the pedagogical purposes of ESE and thereby contribute to the vision of sustainable development. However, there has been little research on the relationship and synergy between sport and physical activity for ESE and no systematic literature review on this topic has been conducted yet. Against this background, the goal of this study is to inquire into the pedagogical potential of sport and physical activity with regard to the objectives of ESE based on the published empirical research. This study employs a systematic literature review approach followed by a thematic analysis. In all, 16 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. The results suggest that sport and physical activity can contribute to ESE through their ability to promote (1) embodied, experiential and holistic learning, (2) positive effects in the context of prebehavioural factors and behavioural change(s) for more sustainable behaviour through increased environmental awareness and action, (3) learning-related effects on individuals defined by self-development and personal growth as well as social skills including cooperation and participation. On the other hand, some studies suggest that sport and physical activity might also cause negative or no significant effect at all. Overall, this study provides a first integrative overview on the pedagogical potential of sports and physical activity for ESE. Nevertheless, more research and conceptual clarity is needed to further specify this potential
Gender differences in pro-environmental nutrition behavior among football fans
Authors: Scharfenkamp Katrin , Wicker Pamela
Published: September 2023

Concerns about consequences of everyday nutrition have led to a gender gap in pro-environmental nutrition (PEN), implying that women decide more often to limit their meat consumption than men. For sport and football managers who increasingly deal with environmental sustainability while aiming to increase female audiences, the question arises of whether the gender gap in PEN also applies to football fans. Based on socialization theory, the safety-concerns hypothesis, ecofeminism, and a conceptual model on prosocial behavior, this study analyzed gender differences in environmental consciousness (EC) and everyday PEN and examined how gender moderates the impact of these two factors on the interest in vegan food in football stadiums. An online survey (n = 1605) of fans of a German Football League club was conducted to assess fans’ interest in the offer of a vegan sausage or burger. Empirical findings confirm the gender gap in EC. Women are significantly more likely to adopt PEN everyday if they have a high EC. Furthermore, women are significantly more likely to eat often/always a vegetarian diet everyday than men. Finally, women have a significantly higher interest in the offer of vegan food in the football stadium than men, irrespective of the EC level. Although we confirm the gender gap in EC and everyday PEN, sport managers learn from our findings that the growing female audience at football games is generally more interested in the availability of vegan food at the stadium than men are, irrespective of their EC or PEN in everyday life.
Multi-devices field magnetic susceptibility: ‘3D’ spatialization of metallic contamination in soils and reverse correlation in carbonated context (Jebel Ressas, Tunisia)
Authors: Rousse Sonia , Llubes Muriel , Ghorbel Manel , Soubrand Marilyne , Joussein Emmanuel , Munoz Marguerite
Published: September 2023

Soil contamination linked to abandoned lead–zinc mining wastes represents a serious environmental hazard of worldwide concern, raising the need for cost-effective tools to spatialize the contaminated area and assess the risks. In worldwide industrial environments, positive correlation between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal soil contamination is often reported and used for fast preliminary site assessments. In this study, we report monitoring of an olive grove, situated below one of the abandoned tailings dump of the former Jebel Ressas Pb–Zn mining site (Tunisia), with three different commercial susceptibilimeters (Terraplus KT10, Bartington MS2D and Geonics EM38 induction device). Integration depths of above-mentioned susceptibilimeters vary from 3 to 150 cm. Similar broad-scale magnetic susceptibility maps for the three devices emphasize the effect of topography and runoff transfer as the main mechanisms for tailings material dispersion. Very low susceptibilities (~ 10 × 10–5 SI) characterize the contaminants magnetic signal, while uncontaminated soils susceptibilities are one order of magnitude higher (100–150 × 10–5 SI). This unique case of reverse correlation between magnetic susceptibilities and contamination (Pb, Zn, Cd) trace efficiently the degree of contamination and is substantiated by further mineralogical and magnetic properties analyses showing the predominance of iron amorphous oxyhydroxides in the dump, while (titano)maghemite is the main natural magnetic carriers in the uncontaminated soils in this specific carbonated context. The Geonics EM 38, with a proper calibration procedure, reveals a performant tool increasing the depth of investigation and when combined with shallower susceptibilimeter, opens perspectives for qualitative 3D spatialization of metallic contamination.
Investigating spatial and temporal trend of groundwater quality in relation to water balance in 2007–2017: a case study of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran
Authors: Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi Rasool , Bayati Samira , Abdollahi Khodayar , Gharahi Nasrin , Isa-Abadi Ali Raeisi , Chamani Atefeh
Published: September 2023

The extensive exploitation of water resources in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province has led to a destructive impact on the water balance and quality of the region. In order to evaluate water quality of the study area, water quality parameters from 132 wells were analyzed to prepare spatial distribution maps of the IRWQI index. To analyze spatial and temporal rainfall anomalies, the SPI index was spatially interpolated using the ordinary Kriging method. Principal component analysis was used to investigate the relationship between water quality parameters. The suitability of data for PCA was evaluated by the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin and Bartlett tests. Additionally, water balance components of the study area, including surface runoff and ground water, were simulated using the WetSpass-M model. According to the results of the IRWQI index, 54 wells, mostly located in built-up and agricultural lands, had poor quality․ Investigation of the average groundwater quality during the years 2007 to 2017 shows that the trend of groundwater quality decreased. Comparison of drought and water quality maps showed similar patterns so that in areas with extreme drought, water quality was bad. The highest and lowest recorded concentrations for nitrates were related to built-up and rangeland lands with concentrations of 35 and 21 mg/l, respectively. Comparison among land use classes showed that in the rangelands, groundwater quality was better and nitrate level was lower compared to agricultural and built-up areas. Overall, the results of this study show that water quality can be affected by land use types and water balance components.
Azadirachta indica-assisted green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles for degradation of Reactive Red 195 dye: a sustainable environmental remedial approach
Authors: Kiran Shumaila , Albargi Hasan B. , Afzal Gulnaz , Aimun Ume , Anjum Muhammad Naveed , Qadir Muhammad Bilal , Khaliq Zubair , Jalalah Mohammed , Irfan Muhammad , Abdullah M. M.
Published: September 2023

A variety of industries employ synthetic azo dyes. However, the biosphere is being damaged by the unused/leftover azo dyes, which pose a danger to all living things. Therefore, treating them to shield the environment from the potential harm of azo dyes is crucial. Bio-sorption is a cheap and effective mode for eliminating toxic dyes in the environment. The current work focused on synthesizing magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles using an aqueous leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica). The XRD and SEM analyses of MgO nanoparticles indicated the crystalline nature of MgO nanoparticles with a cubic structure, and the size was around 90–100 nm. FTIR analysis showed the presence of a stretching frequency peak at 550 cm−1, confirming the Mg–O bond. The surface analysis revealed the cluster form of the synthesized nanoparticles. The UV–visible absorption peak for MgO nanoparticles was found at 294 nm and band gap of 4.52 eV. In order to eliminate the Reactive Red 195 dye, MgO nanoparticles were used. At pH 4, 40 °C, 0.02% dye concentration, and 0.003 g/L catalyst amount, the highest degree of decolorization (91%) was seen. Decreased total organic carbon (TOC) and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) percent were 84.33% and 81.3%, respectively. The proposed mechanism of target dye degradation was also investigated. MgO NPs were found to be effective in their catalytic behavior toward the degradation of Reactive Red 195 dye up to five cycles with almost no change in their catalytic activity.
Nanoparticle-mediated amelioration of drought stress in plants: a systematic review
Authors: Chandrashekar Harsha K. , Singh Gunjan , Kaniyassery Arya , Thorat Sachin Ashok , Nayak Roopa , Murali Thokur Sreepathy , Muthusamy Annamalai
Published: September 2023

Drought stress remains one of the most detrimental environmental constraints that hampers plant growth and development resulting in reduced yield and leading to economic losses. Studies have highlighted the beneficial role of carbon-based nanomaterials (NMs) such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), graphene, fullerene, and metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) (Ag, Au, Cu, Fe2O3, TiO2, and ZnO) in plants under unfavorable conditions such as drought. NPs help plants cope with drought by improving plant growth indices and enhancing biomass. It improves water and nutrient uptake and utilization. It helps retain water by altering the cell walls and regulating stomatal closure. The photosynthetic parameters in NP-treated plants reportedly improved with the increase in pigment content and rate of photosynthesis. Due to NP exposure, the activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants has reportedly improved. These antioxidants play a significant role in the defense system against stress. Studies have reported the accumulation of osmolytes and secondary metabolites. Osmolytes scavenge reactive oxygen species, which can cause oxidative stress in plants. Secondary metabolites are involved in the water retention process, thus improving plant coping strategies with stress. The deleterious effects of drought stress are alleviated by reducing malondialdehyde resulting from lipid peroxidation. Reactive oxygen species accumulation is also controlled with NP treatment. Furthermore, NPs have been reported to regulate the expression of drought-responsive genes and the biosynthesis of phytohormones such as abscisic acid, auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin, which help plants defend against drought stress. This study reviewed 72 journal articles from 192 Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed papers. In this review, we have discussed the impact of NP treatment on morphological, physio-biochemical, and molecular responses in monocot and dicot plants under drought conditions with an emphasis on NP uptake, transportation, and localization.
Researching teachers’ time use: Complexity, challenges and a possible way forward
Authors: Thompson Greg , Creagh Sue , Stacey Meghan , Hogan Anna , Mockler Nicole
Published: September 2023

In the context of global concerns about teacher workload and the relationship between workload and attrition, understanding the nature, quantity and intensity of teachers’ work is an essential first step in formulating robust solutions to this significant problem. Understanding teachers’ work, however, is a complex undertaking, and prior attempts have largely been focused on the quantity rather than the intensity or quality of work required and undertaken. This article reports on a pilot study of the Teacher Time Use app, a bespoke tool developed by the research team to ‘get inside’ teachers’ subjective experience of time through a focus on both workload and intensity. Our analysis shows that the app provides a simple, non-demanding way for teachers to record their work in a timely and efficient way. It also highlights the capacity of this approach to understand both the range and quantum of tasks that comprise teachers’ work and consequently the nature and subjective experience of work intensification. We argue the need for a more nuanced empirical understanding of the layering and multi-tasking of teachers’ work that characterises work intensity, and suggest that the Teachers’ Time Use app provides an effective means for recording and representing the complex dimensions of teachers’ work and time use.
Adherence to aerobic training combined with high protein intake is associated with low blood pressure in Italian older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Coelho-Júnior Hélio José , Calvani Riccardo , Picca Anna , Tosato Matteo , Savera Giulia , Landi Francesco , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: September 2023

Background

Lifestyle habits have a key role in cardiometabolic health. The effects of combined aerobic training (AT) and high protein intake (HPI) on cardiometabolic parameters in older adults are not well established.

Aims

To investigate the association of AT and HPI with blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, and total blood cholesterol levels in a sample of Italian older adults enrolled in the Longevity Check-up 7 + (Lookup 7 +) study.

Methods

Lookup 7 + is an ongoing project started in June 2015 and conducted in unconventional settings (e.g., exhibitions, malls, health promotion campaigns) across Italy with the aim of fostering adoption of healthy lifestyles in the general population. For the present investigation, analyses were conducted in participants 65 + years and with body mass index values ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 (n = 3219). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), blood glucose, and total blood cholesterol were measured. Protein intake was estimated using a 12-item food frequency questionnaire. HPI was operationalized as a daily protein intake ≥ 0.8 g/kg of body weight. AT was operationalized as the practice of running and/or swimming for 60 + minutes at least twice weekly during the previous year.

Results

The mean age of the 3219 participants was 72.7 ± 5.7 years, and 55.2% were women. Adherence to AT combined with a HPI was negatively and independently associated with SPB (β: − 4.976; 95% confidence interval: − 9.8 to − 0.08). No other significant associations were observed.

Discussion and conclusions

Our results indicate that AT combined with HPI was negatively associated with SBP in a large and relatively unselected sample of Italian older adults living in the community. These findings need confirmation by ad hoc designed studies.
A comprehensive review of machine learning algorithms and their application in geriatric medicine: present and future
Authors: Woodman Richard J. , Mangoni Arduino A.
Published: September 2023

The increasing access to health data worldwide is driving a resurgence in machine learning research, including data-hungry deep learning algorithms. More computationally efficient algorithms now offer unique opportunities to enhance diagnosis, risk stratification, and individualised approaches to patient management. Such opportunities are particularly relevant for the management of older patients, a group that is characterised by complex multimorbidity patterns and significant interindividual variability in homeostatic capacity, organ function, and response to treatment. Clinical tools that utilise machine learning algorithms to determine the optimal choice of treatment are slowly gaining the necessary approval from governing bodies and being implemented into healthcare, with significant implications for virtually all medical disciplines during the next phase of digital medicine. Beyond obtaining regulatory approval, a crucial element in implementing these tools is the trust and support of the people that use them. In this context, an increased understanding by clinicians of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms provides an appreciation of the possible benefits, risks, and uncertainties, and improves the chances for successful adoption. This review provides a broad taxonomy of machine learning algorithms, followed by a more detailed description of each algorithm class, their purpose and capabilities, and examples of their applications, particularly in geriatric medicine. Additional focus is given on the clinical implications and challenges involved in relying on devices with reduced interpretability and the progress made in counteracting the latter via the development of explainable machine learning.
Circulating myomiRNAs as biomarkers in patients with Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Pivonello C. , Patalano R. , Simeoli C. , Montò T. , Negri M. , Amatrudo F. , Di Paola N. , Larocca A. , Crescenzo E. M. , Pirchio R. , Solari D. , de Angelis C. , Auriemma R. S. , Cavallo L. M. , Colao A. , Pivonello R.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Impairment of skeletal muscle mass and strength affects 40–70% of patients with active Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Glucocorticoid excess sustains muscle atrophy and weakness, while muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) level changes were associated with muscle organization and function perturbation. The aim of the current study is to explore changes in circulating myomiRs in CS patients compared to healthy controls and their involvement in IGFI/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulation in skeletal muscle.

Methods

C2C12, mouse myocytes, were exposed to hydrocortisone (HC), and atrophy-related gene expression was investigated by RT-qPCR, WB and IF to assess HC-mediated atrophic signalling. miRNAs were evaluated in HC-treated C2C12 by PCR Arrays. MyomiRs significantly overexpressed in C2C12 were investigated in 37 CS patients and 24 healthy controls serum by RT-qPCR. The anti-anabolic role of circulating miRNAs significantly upregulated in CS patients was explored in C2C12 by investigating the IGFI/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulation.

Results

HC induced higher expression of atrophy-related genes, miR-133a-3p, miR-122-5p and miR-200b-3p in C2C12 compared to untreated cells. Conversely, the anabolic IGFI/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling was reduced and this effect was mediated by miR-133a-3p. In CS patients miR-133a-3p and miR-200b-3p revealed higher circulating levels (p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to controls. ROC curves for miR-133a-3p (AUC 0.823,p < 0.0001) and miR-200b-3p (AUC 0.850,p < 0.0001) demonstrated that both myomiRs represent potential biomarkers to discriminate between CS and healthy subjects. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that circulating levels of miR-133a-3p are directly correlated with 24 h urinary-free cortisol level (r = 0.468,p = 0.004) in CS patients.

Conclusions

HC induces atrophic signals by miR-133a-3p overexpression in mouse myocytes and humans. Circulating miR-133a-3p is promising biomarkers of hypercortisolism.
Connecting Eurasian Supply Chains the Impact of Covid-19 and the Russia–Ukraine War on the EU-China Rail Landbridge
Authors: Pomfret Richard
Published: September 2023

International supply chains are dependent on ease of crossing borders and efficient connectivity in terms of price, speed, and reliability. Communication costs explain why intensification of international supply chains during the last 4 decades has occurred primarily within regional value chains (RVCs), centered on East Asia, Europe, and North America. Initially responding to demand from automobile and electronics firms to connect their European and Chinese supply chains with shorter and more reliable freight services than maritime shipping, the Eurasian rail Landbridge established in the 2010s was the first major overland link between RVCs. The Eurasian Landbridge was resilient through deteriorating EU-Russia relations after 2014 and the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020–21. However, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and inclusion of the Russian rail company in western sanctions in February/March 2022, traffic along the main Landbridge routes stalled. This paper analyzes the evolution of the Landbridge as an exercise in choice of connectivity for Eurasian supply chains, the response of supply chain managers to the closure of routes in 2022, and the role of public policy in creating reliable alternatives.
All links are semiholomorphic
Authors: Bode Benjamin
Published: September 2023

Semiholomorphic polynomials are functions $$f:{\mathbb {C}}^2\rightarrow {\mathbb {C}}$$

f
:

C

2

→
C

that can be written as polynomials in complex variables u, v and the complex conjugate $$\overline{v}$$

v
¯

. The origin is a weakly isolated singularity of a polynomial map if it is locally the only critical point on the variety. In this case the intersection of the variety and a sufficiently small 3-sphere produces a link whose link type is a topological invariant of the singularity. We prove the semiholomorphic analogue of Akbulut’s and King’s All knots are algebraic, that is, every link type in the 3-sphere arises as the link of a weakly isolated singularity of a semiholomorphic polynomial. Our proof is constructive, which allows us to obtain an upper bound on the polynomial degree of the constructed functions.
The market for EuroMillions: jackpot sharing and implicit transfer of funds among countries
Authors: Muñiz Álvaro , Pérez Levi
Published: September 2023

Multi-country (state) lottery markets have emerged worldwide as an attempt to revert the decline in lottery sales. These markets allow operators to offer appealing large prizes by combining the markets of separate lottery jurisdictions. An analysis of EuroMillions’ jackpot sharing among countries of different market size shows that some countries tend to claim higher jackpots and achieve higher payout rates, while others seem to be systematically disadvantaged. This paper elaborates on whether this unequal jackpot distribution is caused by different demand behavior and market share trends in the market for EuroMillions. Evidence shows that such distribution of the jackpot is explained by differences in jackpot elasticity of the demand among countries, which causes, at the same time, variations in the market share and draw winning odds per country. As a result, some countries may then benefit from the funds that have been contributed to the prize pool by the rest, raising some implicit funding issues (net payout balance) and questioning the optimality of jackpot sharing.
Comparison of the Latin America Regulation Landscape and International Reference Health Authorities to Hasten Drug Registration and Clinical Research Applications
Authors: Argotti Urimara , Leyens Lada , Lisbona Carlos , López Pilar , Alonso-Orgaz Sergio , Nevado Angel , Cozzi Virginia
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Promptly providing new drugs to fulfill unmet medical needs requires changes in drug development and registration processes. Health Authorities (HAs) considered as reference due to their experience and acknowledgement (Food and Drug Administration [FDA] among others) already consider innovative clinical trial (CT) designs and flexible approval procedures, but Latin America (LATAM) regulations are still far. A comparison was performed to identify gaps.

Materials and Methods

CT requirements for drug Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) and CT approval regulations were compared between LATAM and reference HAs (FDA/European Medicines Agency [EMA]/Health-Canada/Swissmedic/Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA]/Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency [PMDA]), as of August 2022. Procedure included reference HAs regulations review, item selection, identification in LATAM regulations, and International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines (ICH-E6[R2]/ICH-E8[R1]) implementation revision.

Results

For MAA, specific application requirements or ICH guideline M4(R4) on common technical document (CTD) adoption are generally stated, and phase-I/III performance is mandatory (explicitly/implicitly). Faster patient access procedures are infrequent: Priority-drug programs, conditional authorizations, or expedited procedures are scarce or non-existent. Regulatory reliance procedures are adopted through different pathways. Regarding CT approval, innovative/complex CT designs are not prohibited but usually omitted. Some countries implemented adapted CT conducting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early scientific advice meetings (HA-sponsor) are occasionally considered. Most countries are not formally ICH-joined.

Conclusions

LATAM regulations must adapt to new regulatory standards (FDA/EMA/ICH) through implementation of frequent updates, reliance/expedited procedures, early HA-sponsor interactions, innovative/complex CTs, mandatory phase-III reaching elimination, and decentralized elements for CT conducting.
Polyethylene terephthalate aggregates in structural lightweight concrete: a meta-analysis and review
Authors: Uche Chikadibia Kalu Awa , Abubakar Sani Aliyu , Nnamchi Stephen Ndubuisi , Ukagwu Kelechi John
Published: September 2023

There is growing interest in the use of recycled materials in the building sector as a way to reduce waste and improve environmental sustainability. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polymer that has attracted the attention of researchers due to its application in the building industry. In the recent past, many studies have reported on the application of PET aggregates in structural lightweight concrete. This paper presents a review of the findings of 20 studies conducted between 2010 and 2022 randomly. The preliminary findings highlighted include the method of production of PET aggregates and their physical/thermal properties. The review extended further to focus on the extent of incorporation, physical properties, strength properties, and durability of concrete with PET aggregates. The substitution of PET aggregates up to 20% reflected positively on the compressive strength, while tensile and flexural strength had positive responses up to 10%. Water absorption as a measure of concrete durability increased with the addition of PET aggregates. A meta-analysis of these findings was performed using hypothesis testing (t-test and f-test) to identify significant differences between the experimental outcomes of PET incorporation in concrete. Experimental procedures with greater tolerance for PET inclusion and satisfactory concrete properties were highlighted. The paper recommends the formulation of hybrid mix proportions, developed from experimental designs with noteworthy inclusion of PET aggregates and those that attained high values of desired concrete properties. Furthermore, optimization should be performed to provide robust mix designs for high-strength or lightweight concrete with PET aggregates.
Rise of digital fashion and metaverse: influence on sustainability
Authors: Periyasamy Aravin Prince , Periyasami Saravanan
Published: September 2023

The fashion industry is a lucrative market that generates revenue in the trillions through the production and distribution of clothing, footwear, and various accessories. The apparel industry has experienced a remarkable expansion in the past few years, evidenced by a 100% increase in output between 2000 and 2023. The apparel industry makes a substantial contribution to the negative impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change. The fashion industry’s expansion and social and environmental sustainability concerns, catalyzed by digitalization, are propelling it toward a sustainable trajectory. The present review article centers on the primary issues faced by the fashion industry and the utilization of metaverse technologies to tackle sustainability challenges within this sector. The metaverse refers to the amalgamation of physical and digital space within a virtual world, commonly referred to as the meta-universe. The metaverse is a strategy that is anticipated to be employed in fashion e-commerce and retailing, aiming to facilitate consumer decision-making processes, ranging from user experience to customer experience. This approach is expected to confer considerable competitive benefits. This review paper aims to analyze the sustainable impact of the metaverse on the fashion industry and foster discourse among researchers and industry professionals.
Temporal Logics
Authors: Goranko Valentin
Published: September 2023

Temporal Logics are a rich variety of logical systems designed for formalising reasoning about time, and about events and changes in the world over time. These systems differ by the ontological assumptions made about the nature of time in the associated models, by the logical languages involving various operators for composing temporalized expressions, and by the formal logical semantics adopted for capturing the precise intended meaning of these temporal operators. Temporal logics have found a wide range of applications as formal frameworks for temporal knowledge representation and reasoning in artificial intelligence, and as tools for formal specification, analysis, and verification of properties of computer programs and systems. This Element aims at providing both a panoramic view on the landscape of the variety of temporal logics and closer looks at some of their most interesting and important landmarks.
Is there an association between peri-diagnostic vaccination and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients?
Authors: Casazza Julia A. , Thakur Bhaskar , Perl Trish M. , Hanna John J. , Diaz Marlon I. , Ho Milan , Lanier Heather , Pickering Madison , Saleh Sameh N. , Shah Pankil , Shah Dimpy , Navar Ann Marie , Lehmann Christoph U. , Medford Richard J. , Turer Robert W.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Peri-diagnostic vaccination contemporaneous with SARS-CoV-2 infection might boost antiviral immunity and improve patient outcomes. We investigated, among previously unvaccinated patients, whether vaccination (with the Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J vaccines) during the week before or after a positive COVID-19 test was associated with altered 30-day patient outcomes.

Methods:

Using a deidentified longitudinal EHR repository, we selected all previously unvaccinated adults who initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between December 11, 2020 (the date of vaccine emergency use approval) and December 19, 2021. We assessed whether vaccination between days –7 and +7 of a positive test affected outcomes. The primary measure was progression to a more severe disease outcome within 30 days of diagnosis using the following hierarchy: hospitalization, intensive care, or death.

Results:

Among 60,031 hospitalized patients, 543 (0.91%) were initially vaccinated at the time of diagnosis and 59,488 (99.09%) remained unvaccinated during the period of interest. Among 316,337 nonhospitalized patients, 2,844 (0.90%) were initially vaccinated and 313,493 (99.1%) remained unvaccinated. In both analyses, individuals receiving vaccines were older, more often located in the northeast, more commonly insured by Medicare, and more burdened by comorbidities. Among previously unvaccinated patients, there was no association between receiving an initial vaccine dose between days −7 and +7 of diagnosis and progression to more severe disease within 30 days compared to patients who did not receive vaccines.

Conclusions:

Immunization during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear associated with clinical progression during the acute infectious period.
Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis: source of infection and burden of previous healthcare exposure
Authors: Halavaara Mika , Huotari Kaisa , Anttila Veli-Jukka , Järvinen Asko
Published: September 2023

Objective:

Prevention of healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (HAIE) is based on characterization of underlying factors. Our object was to describe the source of infection, microbiological etiology, and healthcare-related risk factors for HAIE.

Design:

Retrospective population-based study.

Patients:

Adult patients diagnosed with HAIE during 2013–2017 who resided in the study area in Southern Finland with adult population of 0.9 million.

Results:

Ninety-five HAIE episodes were included. Ten episodes were related to cardiac surgery. Of the remaining 85 episodes, 11 were classified as nosocomial (ie, acquired and diagnosed during ongoing hospitalization) and 74 as non-nosocomial HAIE. Staphylococcus aureus caused 45% of nosocomial episodes, but only 16% of non-nosocomial episodes (P = 0.039). Most common sources of infection in non-nosocomial HAIE were previous hospitalization (24%), dialysis (18%), and urologic procedures (15%). Enterococcus spp. caused 23% of non-nosocomial HAIE, and more than half of them were associated with urologic or gastrointestinal procedures. Two-thirds of the non-nosocomial HAIE patients had recent hospitalization or invasive procedure. We counted previous healthcare-related risk factors for IE and those who had two or more of them had higher in-hospital and one-year mortality.

Conclusion:

Our study indicates the importance of non-nosocomial acquisition of HAIE and S. aureus as the major pathogen in nosocomial episodes. Enterococcal infections dominate in non-nosocomial cases and further studies are needed to identify patients at risk for enterococcal IE after urological or gastrointestinal procedure.
Perceived expert and laypeople consensus predict belief in local conspiracy theories in a non-WEIRD culture: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Alper Sinan , Yelbuz Busra Elif , Konukoglu Kivanc
Published: September 2023

Past research has shown that perceived scientific consensus (or lack thereof) on an issue predicts belief in misinformation. In the current study (N= 729), we investigated how perceived consensus among both experts and laypeople predicts beliefs in localized and specific conspiracy theories in Turkey, a non-WEIRD country. Participants in our study were found to overestimate consensus among both experts and laypeople regarding baseless conspiracy theories surrounding the alleged secret articles of the Lausanne Treaty and unused mining reserves in Turkey. Notably, conspiracy believers exhibited a higher tendency to overestimate consensus compared to non-believers. Furthermore, perceived expert consensus had a stronger association with conspiracy beliefs than perceived laypeople consensus. We also explored the correlates of conspiracy beliefs and perceived consensus, including socioeconomic factors, worldview, cognitive sophistication, and personality. The results further indicate that the correlations between belief and perceived consensus manifest with comparable magnitudes, irrespective of the specific conspiracy theories under consideration. These findings support the potential of perceived consensus as an important factor for understanding conspiracy beliefs.