bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging Ethnic Backgrounds to Improve Collection of Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data
Authors: Hussain Cory , Podewils Laura J. , Wittmer Nancy , Boyer Ann , Marin Maria C. , Hanratty Rebecca L. , Hasnain-Wynia Romana
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

Healthcare disparities may be exacerbated by upstream incapacity to collect high-quality and accurate race, ethnicity, and language (REaL) data. There are opportunities to remedy these data barriers. We present the Denver Health (DH) REaL initiative, which was implemented in 2021.

Methods:

Denver Health is a large safety net health system. After assessing the state of REaL data at DH, we developed a standard script, implemented training, and adapted our electronic health record to collect this information starting with an individual's ethnic background followed by questions on race, ethnicity, and preferred language. We analyzed the data for completeness after REaL implementation.

Results:

A total of 207,490 patients who had at least one in-person registration encounter before and after the DH REaL implementation were included in our analysis. There was a significant decline in missing values for race (7.9%–0.5%, p < .001) and for ethnicity (7.6%–0.3%, p < .001) after implementation. Completely of language data also improved (3%–1.6%, p < .001). A year after our implementation, we knew over 99% of our cohort's self-identified race and ethnicity.

Conclusions:

Our initiative significantly reduced missing data by successfully leveraging ethnic background as the starting point of our REaL data collection.
Timing of Colposcopy and Risk of Cervical Cancer
Authors: Alimena Stephanie , Lykken Jacquelyn M. , Tiro Jasmin A. , Chubak Jessica , Kamineni Aruna , Haas Jennifer S. , Werner Claudia , Kobrin Sarah C. , Feldman Sarah
Published: February 2024

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2023;142:1125–1134)

Recommended testing for cervical cancer includes colposcopy after abnormal Pap or human papillomavirus (HPV) test results. This method is designed to diagnose cervical cancers early and to additionally detect precancerous tissue before it becomes cancerous.
Transplantation in the Context of Migration and Refugees: A Summary of the DICG and TTS Ethics Committee Workshop, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2022
Authors: Stock Peter G. , Nagral Sanjay , Rondeau Eric , Gawronska Sylwia , Groverman Jennifer , Barbari Antoine , Coates P. Toby , Domínguez-Gil Beatriz , Fadhil Riadh , Malyszko Jolanta , Niño Murcia Alejandro
Published: February 2024

Global conflicts and humanitarian crises have resulted in an unprecedented number of refugees and migrants. This challenges the limited resources of health care systems and jeopardizes the availability of transplant care for these deserving migrants and refugees. This was the basis for a workshop held during the Congress of the Transplantation Society (Buenos Aires, 2022). We elaborate on the proceedings of the workshop entitled “Transplantation in the Context of Migration and Refugees,” organized by the Ethics Committee of The Transplantation Society and Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group. Transplant providers from around the world shared strategies of how each region has responded to providing access to care for refugees and migrants in need of transplant services. The potential exploitation of this vulnerable group leading to illicit organ removal was addressed for each region. The Transplantation Society, Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group, and global transplant community should continue to focus on the status of refugees and migrants and collaborate on strategies to provide access to transplant care for this deserving population. Global cooperation will be essential to provide vigilant oversight to prevent exploitation of this vulnerable population.
A new approach for the flashover voltage prediction using an arc propagation reproduction on a high-voltage insulator
Authors: Doufene Dyhia , Benharat Samira , Essmine Abdelmoumen , Bouzegaou Oussama , Bouazabia Slimane
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new numerical model that predicts the flashover voltage (FOV) value in the presence of polluted air surrounding a high-voltage insulator. The model focuses on simulating the propagation of arcs and aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of FOV predictions under these specific conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This arc propagation method connecting the high voltage fitting and the grounded insulator cap involves a two-step process. First, the electric field distribution in the vicinity of the insulator is obtained using finite element method analysis software. Subsequently, critical areas with intense electric field strength are identified. Random points within these critical areas are then selected as initial points for simulating the growth of electric arcs.

Findings

by increasing the electric voltage applied to the insulator fittings, the arc path is, step by step, generated until a breakdown occurs on the polluted air surrounding the insulator surface, and thus a prediction of the FOV value.

Practical implications

The proposed model for the FOV prediction can be a very interesting alternative to dangerous and costly experimental tests requiring an investment in time and materials.

Originality/value

Some works were done trying to reproduce discharge propagation but it was always with simplified models such as propagation in one direction from a point to a plane. The difficulty and the originality of the present work is the geometry complexity of the insulator with arc propagation in three distinct directions that will require several proliferation conditions.
Individual and interlinked SDGs: higher education institutions and metro area sustainability performance
Authors: Vien Ha , Galik Christopher S.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Recent scholarship has explored higher education institutions’ (HEIs) role in transitioning to a sustainable society, but empirically, questions remain regarding their impact on the sustainability of surrounding areas. This study aims to examine the correlation between HEIs’ sustainability actions and local sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a linear regression model and principal component analysis to examine the sustainability performance of 105 US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using the US cities sustainable development goal (SDG) index, which hosts 427 HEIs known for sustainability efforts. The weighted HEI sustainability performance score is calculated based on the QS sustainability universities ranking.

Findings

The correlation between MSA and HEI sustainability performance exhibits a mix of positive and negative associations, with individual and interlinked SDGs serving as proxies. These correlations encompass a wide range of goals, from economic aspects of SDG 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, social aspects of SDG10 and 16, to socio-environmental aspects of SDG12.

Research limitations/implications

Further exploration is needed to identify the causal mechanisms behind associations between SDG measures and HEI sustainability performance, whether influenced by the institution, the individual or both.

Practical implications

This study suggests that HEIs are already associated with some aspects of community sustainability, but greater contributions to a broader array of sustainability measures are possible.

Social implications

The correlation found between HEI sustainability actions and SDG10, 12 and 16 index performance in an MSA highlights a connection between HEIs and the attainment of societal goals.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the correlation between HEI and MSA sustainability performance in the US through individual and interlinked SDG proxies. It provides novel empirical evidence that demonstrates an association between HEI and some aspects of community sustainability performance.
A heavy-load wall-climbing robot for bridge concrete structures inspection
Authors: Lyu Guizhi , Wang Peng , Li Guohong , Lu Feng , Dai Shenglong
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a wall-climbing robot platform for heavy-load with negative pressure adsorption, which could be equipped with a six-degree of freedom (DOF) collaborative robot (Cobot) and detection device for inspecting the overwater part of concrete bridge towers/piers for large bridges.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the shortcomings of existing wall-climbing robots in detecting concrete structures, a wall-climbing mobile manipulator (WCMM), which could be compatible with various detection devices, is proposed for detecting the concrete towers/piers of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The factors affecting the load capacity are obtained by analyzing the antislip and antioverturning conditions of the wall-climbing robot platform on the wall surface. Design strategies for each part of the structure of the wall-climbing robot are provided based on the influencing factors. By deriving the equivalent adsorption force equation, analyzed the influencing factors of equivalent adsorption force and provided schemes that could enhance the load capacity of the wall-climbing robot.

Findings

The adsorption test verifies the maximum negative pressure that the fan module could provide to the adsorption chamber. The load capacity test verifies it is feasible to achieve the expected bearing requirements of the wall-climbing robot. The motion tests prove that the developed climbing robot vehicle could move freely on the surface of the concrete structure after being equipped with a six-DOF Cobot.

Practical implications

The development of the heavy-load wall-climbing robot enables the Cobot to be installed and equipped on the wall-climbing robot, forming the WCMM, making them compatible with carrying various devices and expanding the application of the wall-climbing robot.

Originality/value

A heavy-load wall-climbing robot using negative pressure adsorption has been developed. The wall-climbing robot platform could carry a six-DOF Cobot, making it compatible with various detection devices for the inspection of concrete structures of large bridges. The WCMM could be expanded to detect the concretes with similar structures. The research and development process of the heavy-load wall-climbing robot could inspire the design of other negative-pressure wall-climbing robots.
Managing public real estate and the trade-off between supporting user activities and sustainable development: case of the Netherlands police
Authors: van Staveren Daniël , Arkesteijn Monique , Den Heijer Alexandra
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Corporate real estate management (CREM) is complex due to an increasing number of real estate (RE) added values and the tensions between them. RE managers are faced with trade-offs: to choose a higher performance for one added value at the cost of another. CREM research mainly deals with trade-offs in a hypothetical sense, without looking at the characteristics of the RE portfolio nor the specific context in which trade-offs are made. The purpose of this paper is to further develop the concept of real estate value (REV) optimisation with regard to tensions between decreasing CO2 emissions and supporting user activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed method study. REV optimisation between user activities and energy efficiency for police stations in the Netherlands built between 2000 and 2020 is analysed. This is complemented by interviews with an RE manager and senior user of police stations and analysis of policy documents.

Findings

The characteristics of the police station portfolio indicate no correlation between user activities and energy efficiency for the case studied. This is complemented by interviews, from which it becomes clear that there was in fact little tension between supporting user activities and energy efficiency. The performances of these two different added values were optimised separately.

Originality/value

This study combines different scales (building and portfolio level) with different types of data: portfolio analysis, document analysis and interviews. This creates a comprehensive image of whether and how the Netherlands police optimised the two RE values.
Stock market indices and interest rates in the US and Europe: persistence and long-run linkages
Authors: Caporale Guglielmo Maria , Gil-Alana Luis Alberiko , Melnicenco Eduard
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the persistence of the S&P500 and DAX 30 stock indices as well as of the Fed’s Effective Federal Funds rate and of the European Central Bank’s Marginal Lending Facility rate, and the long-run linkages between stock prices and interest rates in the USA and Europe, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on the concepts of fractional integration and cointegration.

Findings

Using monthly data from January 1999 to December 2022, the results can be summarised as follows. All series examined are non-stationary: stock prices are found to be I(1) while interest rates display orders of integration substantially above 1, which implies a rejection of the hypothesis of mean reversion in all cases examined.

Originality/value

This paper uses an appropriate econometric framework to obtain new, reliable empirical evidence. All four series are highly persistent, and mean reversion does not occur in any single case. Moreover, the fractional cointegration analysis suggests that stock prices and interest rates are not linked in the long run.
The double-edged sword effect of mega sport event strength on volunteer performance
Authors: Jiang Jing , Dong Huijuan , Dong Yanan , Gu Huimin , Lv Yina
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to use event system theory and job demands–resources (JD-R) model to examine the double-edged sword effect of event strength of Beijing Winter Olympics (BWO) on volunteers’ in-role performance and proactive behavior as mediated by work overload and meaningfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample included 193 volunteer–leader dyads working at one BWO venue. The authors conducted a multitime and multisource study using Mplus 8 to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

Volunteers’ perceived BWO event strength was positively related to work overload, which reduced in-role performance and proactive behavior. Volunteers’ perceived BWO event strength was also positively related to work meaningfulness, which promoted in-role performance and proactive behavior. Perceived organizational support served as a moderator by mitigating the positive relationship between perceived BWO event strength and work overload; however, it did not strengthen the positive relationship between perceived BWO event strength and work meaningfulness.

Originality/value

This study developed a comprehensive model of how BWO event strength affected volunteers’ performance from the perspective of event system theory and the JD-R model, which enriches theoretical application and research in the context of mega sport events.
ASEAN Economic Integration: Addressing Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
Authors: Park Cyn‐Young
Published: February 2024

This paper examines the macroeconomic and development policies to spur economic integration and growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It reviews how economic transformation and integration have fueled growth and job creation in the region. ASEAN's increased participation in global and regional value chains, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a regional hub, laid the solid foundation of regional production networks. However, with the changing role of the PRC in global value chains, the region needs to renew policy initiatives to address the development challenges and seize new growth opportunities with its single market goals. The analysis suggests the region requires strategic plans for infrastructure development, digitalization, and greater integration reinforced by the removal of trade barriers, increased labor mobility, and foreign direct investment mobilization. The region's successful future also depends on cooperative policy efforts around developing e‐government and digital value chains, strengthening micro‐, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises and startups, and building smart cities.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of single nucleotide polymorphisms compared to microsatellite markers for parentage verification in Moroccan horses
Authors: Aminou O. , Badaoui B. , Machmoum M. , Piro M.
Published: February 2024

The International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) currently advocates for a transition towards single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers as a potential alternative for equine parentage verification. To ascertain the efficacy of this transition, it is imperative to evaluate the performance of parentage testing using SNPs in juxtaposition with short tandem repeats (STRs). As per ISAG's recommendation, we used an equine genotyping‐by‐sequencing panel with 144 SNPs for this purpose. Equine parentage is currently realized using 16 microsatellites (STRs) excluding the LEX3 marker. In this study, 1074 horses were genotyped using the 144 SNPs panel, including 432 foals, 414 mares, and 228 stallions, from five different breeds: 293 Arabians, 167 Barbs, 189 Thoroughbreds, 73 Anglo‐Arabians, and 352 Arabian‐Barbs. As a result, two SNPs markers were eliminated from the panel system due to inconsistent amplification across all examined individuals leaving 142 SNPs markers for analysis. A comparative analysis between SNPs and STRs markers revealed that the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.457 for SNPs and 0.76 for STRs, while the mean observed heterozygosity stood at 0.472 for SNPs and 0.72 for STRs. Furthermore, the probability of identity was calculated to be 5.722 × 10−57 for SNPs and 1.25 × 10−15 for STRs markers. In alignment with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in polyploids test, 110 out of the total SNPs were consistent with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in polyploids test (p > 0.05). Employing both SNPs and STRs markers, the mean polymorphic information content was discerned to be 0.351 for SNPs and 0.72 for STRs. The cumulative exclusion probabilities for SNP markers exceeded 99.99%, indicating that the 142 SNPs panel might be adequate for parentage testing. In contrast, when utilizing STRs markers, the combined average exclusion probabilities for one and both parents were determined to be 99.8% and 99.9%, respectively. Our comprehensive study underscores the potential of SNPs in equine parentage verification, especially when compared to STRs in terms of exclusion probabilities. As a corollary, the application of SNPs for parentage verification and identification can significantly contribute to the conservation initiative for the five Moroccan horse breeds. Nonetheless, further research is required to address and replace the deficient SNPs within the panel.
Cost‐effective 3D lung tissue spheroid as a model for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and drug screening
Authors: Miranda Guilherme A. S. C. , Corrêa Isadora Alonso , Amorim Érica Almeida , Caldas Lucio Ayres , Carneiro Fabiana Ávila , da Costa Luciana Jesus , Granjeiro José Mauro , Tanuri Amilcar , de Souza Wanderley , Baptista Leandra Santos
Published: February 2024

Background

The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has spurred an unparalleled scientific endeavor to elucidate the virus’ structure, infection mechanisms, and pathogenesis. Two‐dimensional culture systems have been instrumental in shedding light on numerous aspects of COVID‐19. However, these in vitro systems lack the physiological complexity to comprehend the infection process and explore treatment options. Three‐dimensional (3D) models have been proposed to fill the gap between 2D cultures and in vivo studies. Specifically, spheroids, composed of lung cell types, have been suggested for studying SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and serving as a drug screening platform.

Methods

3D lung spheroids were prepared by coculturing human alveolar or bronchial epithelial cells with human lung stromal cells. The morphology, size, and ultrastructure of spheroids before and after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were analyzed using optical and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect spike protein and, thus, the virus presence in the spheroids. Multiplex analysis elucidated the cytokine release after virus infection.

Results

The spheroids were stable and kept their size and morphology after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection despite the presence of multivesicular bodies, endoplasmic reticulum rearrangement, tubular compartment‐enclosed vesicles, and the accumulation of viral particles. The spheroid responded to the infection releasing IL‐6 and IL‐8 cytokines.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that coculture spheroids of epithelial and stromal cells can serve as a cost‐effective infection model for the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. We suggest using this 3D spheroid as a drug screening platform to explore new treatments related to the cytokines released during virus infection, especially for long COVID treatment.
Oral cancer awareness among dental students in a private university setting
Authors: Antoranz Ana , Navarrete Natalia , Casañas Elisabeth , Muñoz‐Corcuera Marta
Published: February 2024

Introduction

There is a great deal of research on the awareness of students and professionals regarding oral cancer. The aim of this study was to find out students' opinions in their final years of dental school training who have clinic time about the importance of correct mucosal examination of the oral cavity.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out and a questionnaire was designed and distributed to fourth‐ and fifth‐year dental students. The questionnaire included demographic aspects of the participants and five closed questions related to the importance given to the exploration of the soft tissues during patient visits, the importance of the university training received, their interest in continuing education on this subject, their role as dentists in early diagnosis and whether they consider themselves prepared to diagnose oral cancer.

Results

A total of 214 undergraduate dental students participated in the study, 24.3% fourth year and 75.7% fifth year. Moreover, 97.7% of the students considered soft tissue examination to be important or very important, 90.2% of the students surveyed considered the university training received to be important or very important and 66.4% of the students considered that the most qualified professional to diagnose an oral lesion is the dentist.

Conclusion

In this study, most of the students felt that graduate training in oral cancer is important, as well as soft tissue examination. In addition, the majority considered that the professional most indicated to diagnose oral lesions is the dentist. However, a very small percentage felt prepared to diagnose oral cancer themselves.
The interacting effect of climate change and herbivory can trigger large‐scale transformations of European temperate forests
Authors: Dobor Laura , Baldo Marco , Bílek Lukáš , Barka Ivan , Máliš František , Štěpánek Petr , Hlásny Tomáš
Published: February 2024

In many regions of Europe, large wild herbivores alter forest community composition through their foraging preferences, hinder the forest's natural adaptive responses to climate change, and reduce ecosystem resilience. We investigated a widespread European forest type, a mixed forest dominated by Picea abies, which has recently experienced an unprecedented level of disturbance across the continent. Using the forest landscape model iLand, we investigated the combined effect of climate change and herbivory on forest structure, composition, and carbon and identified conditions leading to ecosystem transitions on a 300‐year timescale. Eight climate change scenarios, driven by Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5, combined with three levels of regeneration browsing, were tested. We found that the persistence of the current level of browsing pressure impedes adaptive changes in community composition and sustains the presence of the vulnerable yet less palatable P. abies. These development trajectories were tortuous, characterized by a high disturbance intensity. On the contrary, reduced herbivory initiated a transformation towards the naturally dominant broadleaved species that was associated with an increased forest carbon and a considerably reduced disturbance. The conditions of RCP4.5 combined with high and moderate browsing levels preserved the forest within its reference range of variability, defining the actual boundaries of resilience. The remaining combinations of browsing and climate change led to ecosystem transitions. Under RCP4.5 with browsing effects excluded, the new equilibrium conditions were achieved within 120 years, whereas the stabilization was delayed by 50–100 years under RCP8.5 with higher browsing intensities. We conclude that forests dominated by P. abies are prone to transitions driven by climate change. However, reducing herbivory can set the forest on a stable and predictable trajectory, whereas sustaining the current browsing levels can lead to heightened disturbance activity, extended transition times, and high variability in the target conditions.
Financial self‐efficacy of consumers: A review and research agenda
Authors: Gulati Anmol , Singh Sultan
Published: February 2024

As an essential psychological construct, financial self‐efficacy (FSE) has garnered considerable attention in the field of consumer finance and demonstrated its influence on financial outcomes. FSE has been regarded as a learned belief rather than an innate quality that can be nurtured over time. Notwithstanding the increasing significance of understanding consumers' FSE, this particular line of literature has not been examined as an independent research domain. Accordingly, this framework‐based review comprehensively represents the current state of literature on FSE by covering 64 articles published between 1999 and 2023, compiled based on the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews protocol and the theory–context–characteristics–methodology framework. Based on the review findings, an integrated model of FSE is proposed, summarizing the study frameworks and constructs employed as antecedents, modifiers, and outcomes in investigating consumer's FSE. Further, the review has identified certain areas that were previously overlooked. As a result, a research agenda has been developed, consisting of 22 research questions and four research objectives, which will articulate the direction for future research. Finally, the paper concludes, signifying the contribution and practical implications for researchers, families, practitioners, and society in selecting the most effective measures for improving consumers' FSE.
The genetic underpinnings of right‐wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation explain political attitudes beyond Big Five personality
Authors: Kleppesto Thomas Haarklau , Czajkowski Nikolai Olavi , Sheehy‐Skeffington Jennifer , Vassend Olav , Roysamb Espen , Eftedal Nikolai Haahjem , Kunst Jonas R. , Ystrom Eivind , Thomsen Lotte
Published: February 2024

Objective

Political attitudes are predicted by the key ideological variables of right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO), as well as some of the Big Five personality traits. Past research indicates that personality and ideological traits are correlated for genetic reasons. A question that has yet to be tested concerns whether the genetic variation underlying the ideological traits of RWA and SDO has distinct contributions to political attitudes, or if genetic variation in political attitudes is subsumed under the genetic variation underlying standard Big Five personality traits.

Method

We use data from a sample of 1987 Norwegian twins to assess the genetic and environmental relationships between the Big Five personality traits, RWA, SDO, and their separate contributions to political policy attitudes.

Results

RWA and SDO exhibit very high genetic correlation (r = 0.78) with each other and some genetic overlap with the personality traits of openness and agreeableness. Importantly, they share a larger genetic substrate with political attitudes (e.g., deporting an ethnic minority) than do Big Five personality traits, a relationship that persists even when controlling for the genetic foundations underlying personality traits.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the genetic foundations of ideological traits and political attitudes are largely non‐overlapping with the genetic foundations of Big Five personality traits.
Bayesian estimation in veterinary pharmacology: A conceptual and practical introduction
Authors: Woodward Andrew P.
Published: February 2024

Sophisticated mathematical and computational tools have become widespread and important in veterinary pharmacology. Although the theoretical basis and practical applications of these have been widely explored in the literature, statistical inference in the context of these models has received less attention. Optimization methods, often with frequentist statistical inference, have been predominant. In contrast, Bayesian statistics have not been widely applied, but offer both practical utility and arguably greater interpretability. Veterinary pharmacology applications are generally well supported by relevant prior information, from either existing substantive knowledge, or an understanding of study and model design. This facilitates practical implementation of Bayesian analyses that can take advantage of this knowledge. This essay will explore the specification of Bayesian models relevant to veterinary pharmacology, including demonstration of prior selection, and illustrate the capability of these models to generate practically useful statistics, including uncertainty statements, that are difficult or impossible to obtain otherwise. Case studies using simulated data will describe applications in clinical trials, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics, all including multilevel modeling. This content may serve as a suitable starting point for researchers in veterinary pharmacology and related disciplines considering Bayesian estimation for their applied work.
Ebola lessons: Did prior epidemic experience protect against the spread of COVID‐19 in Sierra Leone?
Authors: McLean Kristen E.
Published: February 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic has prompted a re‐examination of public health preparedness with an emphasis on lessons learned following the West African Ebola epidemic. However, much of this work focuses on technological solutions rather than social learning. Drawing upon anthropological work, this paper examines how Sierra Leoneans prepared for COVID‐19 through a lens of “embodied epidemic memory.” Findings reveal that while people felt more empowered to respond to COVID‐19 due to their past experiences, traumatic memories from the Ebola outbreak also sparked logics of fear and avoidance, driven by mistrust toward the state and its healthcare system. As a result, people avoided healthcare facilities, and rumors concerning government corruption threatened mitigation efforts. While local populations should be better leveraged for their existing epidemic expertise, greater attention is needed to the “higher hanging fruit” of preparedness: restoring trust in the government's ability to respond to epidemics.
Frost survival and gene expression in timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cultivars as affected by age and selection in diverse field environments
Authors: Pashapu Akhil Reddy , Dalmannsdottir Sigridur , Jørgensen Marit , Schubert Marian , Rognli Odd Arne , Kovi Mallikarjuna Rao
Published: February 2024

The sustainable production of perennial grasses in Northern Norway is at risk due to the ongoing climate change. The predicted increase in temperatures and variable weather patterns are further expected to create challenges for winter survival of timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying freezing tolerance is crucial for developing robust cultivars. The current study is aimed at identifying genes involved in freezing stress response of timothy and studying gene expression differentiation due to field selection in contrasting environments using RNAseq. Four timothy cultivars were field tested for three years in Tromsø and Vesterålen, in Northern Norway. The surviving material from the field tests, along with plants raised from the original seed lots, were subjected to freezing tests. LT50 values varied across cultivars and materials. Many genes coding for transcription factors and proteins known to play an important role in freezing tolerance, like dehydrins, c‐repeat binding factors, and late embryogenesis abundant proteins were upregulated with decreasing temperatures. Moreover, genes associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, glutathione metabolism, proteasome pathways and genes encoding autophagy‐related proteins, plasma membrane‐associated proteins, sugar and amino acid transporters had elevated expression in field survivors compared to plants raised from the original material. The lower freezing stress tolerance of field survivors despite the elevated expression of several stress‐responsive genes might be due to a combination of selection in the field and the age effect. Furthermore, differences in freezing stress response between northern and southern adapted cultivars and surviving material from two field trial locations are discussed.
Losses disguised as wins evoke the reward positivity event‐related potential in a simulated machine gambling task
Authors: Myles Dan , Carter Adrian , Yücel Murat , Bode Stefan
Published: February 2024

Electronic gambling machines include a suite of design characteristics that may contribute to gambling‐related harms and require more careful attention of regulators and policymakers. One strategy that has contributed to these concerns is the presentation of “losses disguised as wins” (LDWs), a type of salient losing outcome in which a gambling payout is less than the amount wagered (i.e., a net loss), but is nonetheless accompanied by the celebratory audio‐visual stimuli that typically accompany a genuine win. These events could thereby be mistaken for gains, or otherwise act as a reward signal, reinforcing persistent gambling, despite being a loss. This study aimed to determine whether LDWs evoke a reward positivity component in a task modeled on slot machine gambling. A prominent account of the reward positivity event‐related potential suggests that it is evoked during the positive appraisal of task‐related feedback, relative to neutral or negative events, or that it is evoked by neural systems that implement the computation of a positive reward prediction error. We recruited 32 individuals from university recruitment pools and asked them to engage in a simple gambling task designed to mimic key features of a slot machine design. The reward positivity was identified using temporospatial principal components analysis. Results indicated a more positive reward positivity following LDWs relative to clear losses, consistent with the theory that LDWs contribute to positive reinforcement of continued gambling, despite being net losses.
Resource conundrum in Mongolia: Soil contamination from coal and copper–molybdenum mining
Authors: Sodnomdarjaa Enkhjargal , Knippertz Martin , Karthe Daniel , Alekseenko Alexey V. , Ganbat Gantuya , Römer Wolfgang , Lehmkuhl Frank
Published: February 2024

Soil contamination and the resulting ecological disturbances are a common phenomenon in mining areas, including the vicinities of the largest and oldest open‐pit mining areas in Mongolia. In this work, the potential ecological risk index (RI), Nemerow integrated pollution index (PIN), and Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were used to estimate the level of soil contamination with Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, and Pb in the top layer of the soils around Baganuur coal mine and Erdenet copper–molybdenum mine. Three different analytical methods were used: portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) for the first assessment of samples, and stationary X‐ray fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy for the confirmation of results in the laboratory. Even though general contamination levels in both study areas were relatively low, some potentially toxic elements were found at contents several times higher than the maximum permissible level (MPL) according to the national standard of Mongolia. In the Baganuur area, Zn was up to 2.8 and As was up to 3.00 times higher, while in the Erdenet area, As was up to 2.4, Cr was up to 1.7, Cu was up to 8.1, and Zn was up to 1.2 times higher than MPL of the national standard in the vicinity to the mining and industrial area. The estimation of the pXRF measurement had generally similar results to the other two laboratory methods based on spatial distributions of heavy metal content. Among the different geochemical indices, the PIN showed a more accurately distinguished spatial distribution of contamination. For example, highly contaminated areas were found in the vicinity of the open pit, the tailings pond and the industrial area based on PIN results: 3.6%–4.9% of the total area in Baganuur and 3.1%–4.9% of the total area in Erdenet. The identified pollution levels emphasize the essential need for soil rehabilitation in mining areas, a key factor for Mongolia's economic development and environmental stability. In addition, the lack of documented soil rehabilitation initiatives underscores the pressing need for enhanced environmental responsibility in the country's expanding mining sector.
Modular forms of half-integral weight on exceptional groups
Authors: Leslie Spencer , Pollack Aaron
Published: February 2024

We define a notion of modular forms of half-integral weight on the quaternionic exceptional groups. We prove that they have a well-behaved notion of Fourier coefficients, which are complex numbers defined up to multiplication by${\pm }1$. We analyze the minimal modular form$\Theta _{F_4}$on the double cover of$F_4$, following Loke–Savin and Ginzburg. Using$\Theta _{F_4}$, we define a modular form of weight$\tfrac {1}{2}$on (the double cover of)$G_2$. We prove that the Fourier coefficients of this modular form on$G_2$see the$2$-torsion in the narrow class groups of totally real cubic fields.
Prebiotically plausible chemoselective pantetheine synthesis in water
Authors: Fairchild Jasper , Islam Saidul , Singh Jyoti , Bučar Dejan-Krešimir , Powner Matthew W.
Published: February 2024

Coenzyme A (CoA) is essential to all life on Earth, and its functional subunit, pantetheine, is important in many origin-of-life scenarios, but how pantetheine emerged on the early Earth remains a mystery. Earlier attempts to selectively synthesize pantetheine failed, leading to suggestions that “simpler” thiols must have preceded pantetheine at the origin of life. In this work, we report high-yielding and selective prebiotic syntheses of pantetheine in water. Chemoselective multicomponent aldol, iminolactone, and aminonitrile reactions delivered spontaneous differentiation of pantoic acid and proteinogenic amino acid syntheses, as well as the dihydroxyl, gem-dimethyl, and β-alanine-amide moieties of pantetheine in dilute water. Our results are consistent with a role for canonical pantetheine at the outset of life on Earth.
Achieving sub-0.5-angstrom–resolution ptychography in an uncorrected electron microscope
Authors: Nguyen Kayla X. , Jiang Yi , Lee Chia-Hao , Kharel Priti , Zhang Yue , van der Zande Arend M. , Huang Pinshane Y.
Published: February 2024

Subangstrom resolution has long been limited to aberration-corrected electron microscopy, where it is a powerful tool for understanding the atomic structure and properties of matter. Here, we demonstrate electron ptychography in an uncorrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) with deep subangstrom spatial resolution down to 0.44 angstroms, exceeding the conventional resolution of aberration-corrected tools and rivaling their highest ptychographic resolutions​. Our approach, which we demonstrate on twisted two-dimensional materials in a widely available commercial microscope, far surpasses prior ptychographic resolutions (1 to 5 angstroms) of uncorrected STEMs. We further show how geometric aberrations can create optimized, structured beams for dose-efficient electron ptychography. Our results demonstrate that expensive aberration correctors are no longer required for deep subangstrom resolution.
Metrics and their misapplications
Audit Culture: How Indicators and Rankings Are Reshaping the World
Cris Shore and Susan Wright
Pluto Press, 2024. 256 pp.
Authors: Wai Jonathan
Published: February 2024

A pair of anthropologists probe the perils of overquantification and explore ways to rebuild trust
Bimodal distribution of azole susceptibility in
Sporothrix brasiliensis
isolates in Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro dos Santos Amanda , Gade Lalitha , Misas Elizabeth , Litvintseva Anastasia P. , Nunnally Natalie S. , Parnell Lindsay A. , Rajeev Malavika , de Souza Carvalho Melhem Marcia , Takahashi Juliana Possato Fernandes , Oliboni Gabriel Manzi , Bonfieti Lucas Xavier , Araujo Lisandra Siufi , Cappellano Paola , Venturini James , Lockhart Shawn R. , Sexton D. Joseph
Published: February 2024

Sporothrix brasiliensis
is an emerging zoonotic fungal pathogen that can be difficult to treat. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on the mold phase of a convenience sample of 61
Sporothrix
spp. isolates from human and cat sporotrichosis cases in Brazil using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standard M38. A bimodal distribution of azole susceptibility was observed with 50% (28/56) of
S. brasiliensis
isolates showing elevated itraconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥16 µg/mL. Phylogenetic analysis found the
in vitro
resistant isolates were not clonal and were distributed across three different
S. brasiliensis
clades. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed to identify potential mechanisms of
in vitro
resistance. Two of the 28 resistant isolates (MIC ≥16 mg/L) had a polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 gene,
cyp51
, corresponding to the well-known G448S substitution inducing azole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
. SNPs corresponding to other known mechanisms of azole resistance were not identified in the remaining 26
in vitro
resistant isolates.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
transcriptome analysis of metal restriction in
ex vivo
cystic fibrosis sputum
Authors: Neff Samuel L. , Doing Georgia , Reiter Taylor , Hampton Thomas H. , Greene Casey S. , Hogan Deborah A.
Published: February 2024

Chronic
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
lung infections are a feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) that many patients experience even with the advent of highly effective modulator therapies. Identifying factors that impact
P. aeruginosa
in the CF lung could yield novel strategies to eradicate infection or otherwise improve outcomes. To complement published
P. aeruginosa
studies using laboratory models or RNA isolated from sputum, we analyzed transcripts of strain PAO1 after incubation in sputum from different CF donors prior to RNA extraction. We compared PAO1 gene expression in this “spike-in” sputum model to that for
P. aeruginosa
grown in synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium to determine key genes, which are among the most differentially expressed or most highly expressed. Using the key genes, gene sets with correlated expression were determined using the gene expression analysis tool eADAGE. Gene sets were used to analyze the activity of specific pathways in
P. aeruginosa
grown in sputum from different individuals. Gene sets that we found to be more active in sputum showed similar activation in published data that included
P. aeruginosa
RNA isolated from sputum relative to corresponding
in vitro
reference cultures. In the
ex vivo
samples,
P. aeruginosa
had increased levels of genes related to zinc and iron acquisition which were suppressed by metal amendment of sputum. We also found a significant correlation between expression of the H1-type VI secretion system and CFTR corrector use by the sputum donor. An
ex vivo
sputum model or synthetic sputum medium formulation that imposes metal restriction may enhance future CF-related studies.

IMPORTANCE

Identifying the gene expression programs used by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to colonize the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) will illuminate new therapeutic strategies. To capture these transcriptional programs, we cultured the common
P. aeruginosa
laboratory strain PAO1 in expectorated sputum from CF patient donors. Through bioinformatic analysis, we defined sets of genes that are more transcriptionally active in real CF sputum compared to a synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium. Many of the most differentially active gene sets contained genes related to metal acquisition, suggesting that these gene sets play an active role in scavenging for metals in the CF lung environment which may be inadequately represented in some models. Future studies of
P. aeruginosa
transcript abundance in CF may benefit from the use of an expectorated sputum model or media supplemented with factors that induce metal restriction.
Erratum to: Phenomenological Description and Parameterization of Nucleon-Induced Fission Cross Sections of Heavy Nuclei in Intermediate and High Energy Region
Authors: Yurevich V. I.
Published: February 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063778823960013
Viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in body fluids associated with sexual activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Calvet Guilherme Amaral , Kara Edna , Gonsalves Lianne , Seuc Armando Humberto , de Oliveira Raquel de Vasconcellos Carvalhaes , Thwin Soe Soe , Gomez Ponce de León Rodolfo , Gámez Maité Cabrera , Peña Gilda Monteagudo , Pendás Bertha Victoria Rodríguez , Alzugaray Manuel Gómez , Carballo Gisel Ovies , Cala Duniesky Cintra , Guimarães Patrícia Machado Quintaes , Bonet Mercedes , Taylor Melanie , Thorson Anna , Kim Caron , Ali Moazzam , Broutet Nathalie
Published: February 2024

Objective

To identify and summarise the evidence on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA detection and persistence in body fluids associated with sexual activity (saliva, semen, vaginal secretion, urine and faeces/rectal secretion).

Eligibility

All studies that reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, semen, vaginal secretion, urine and faeces/rectal swabs.

Information sources

The WHO COVID-19 database from inception to 20 April 2022.

Risk of bias assessment

The National Institutes of Health tools.

Synthesis of results

The proportion of patients with positive results for SARS-CoV-2 and the proportion of patients with a viral duration/persistence of at least 14 days in each fluid was calculated using fixed or random effects models.

Included studies

A total of 182 studies with 10 023 participants.

Results

The combined proportion of individuals with detection of SARS-CoV-2 was 82.6% (95% CI: 68.8% to 91.0%) in saliva, 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9% to 2.6%) in semen, 2.7% (95% CI: 1.8% to 4.0%) in vaginal secretion, 3.8% (95% CI: 1.9% to 7.6%) in urine and 31.8% (95% CI: 26.4% to 37.7%) in faeces/rectal swabs. The maximum viral persistence for faeces/rectal secretions was 210 days, followed by semen 121 days, saliva 112 days, urine 77 days and vaginal secretions 13 days. Culturable SARS-CoV-2 was positive for saliva and faeces.

Limitations

Scarcity of longitudinal studies with follow-up until negative results.

Interpretation

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all fluids associated with sexual activity but was rare in semen and vaginal secretions. Ongoing droplet precautions and awareness of the potential risk of contact with faecal matter/rectal mucosa are needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020204741.