bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HYPERURICAEMIA DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH AORTOPATHY IN A MURINE MODEL OF MARFAN SYNDROME
Authors: Rodríguez-Rovira Isaac , López-Sainz Angela , Palomo-Buitrago Maria Encarnación , Pérez Belén , Jiménez-Altayó Francesc , Campuzano Victoria , Egea Gustavo
Published: May 2023

Redox stress is involved in the aortic aneurysm pathogenesis in Marfan syndrome (MFS). We recently reported that allopurinol, a recognised inhibitor of XOR, inhibited aortopathy in a mouse model of MFS acting as an antioxidant. Hyperuricaemia is ambiguously associated with cardiovascular injuries as uric acid (UA), having antioxidant or pro-oxidant properties depending on the concentration and accumulation site. We aimed to evaluate whether hyperuricaemia causes harm or relief in MFS aortopathy and cardiopathy pathogenesis. Two-month-old male wild-type (WT) and MFS mice (Fbn1C1041G/+) were injected intraperitoneally for several weeks with potassium oxonate (PO), an inhibitor of uricase, an enzyme that catabolises UA to allantoin. Plasma UA and allantoin levels were measured via several techniques, aortic root diameter and cardiac parameters by ultrasound imaging, aortic wall structure by histopathology, and pNRF2 levels by immunofluorescence. PO induced a significant increase in UA in blood plasma both in WT and MFS mice, reaching a peak at three and four months of age but decaying at six months. Hyperuricaemic MFS mice showed no change in the characteristic aortic aneurysm progression or aortic wall disarray evidenced by large elastic laminae ruptures. There were no changes in cardiac parameters or the redox stress-induced nuclear translocation of pNRF2 in the aortic tunica media. Altogether, the results suggest that hyperuricaemia interferes neither with aortopathy nor cardiopathy in MFS mice.
Nucleosomal DNA has topological memory
Authors: Segura Joana , Nikolaou Christoforos , Roca Joaquim
Published: May 2023

One fundamental yet elusive aspect of the chromosome architecture is the constrained topolome, which refers to how chromatin elements restrain DNA topology. Nucleosomes stabilise negative DNA supercoils, with most nucleosomes typically restraining a DNA linking number difference (ΔLk) of about -1.26. However, whether this capacity is uniform across the genome is unknown. Here, we calculated the ΔLk restrained by over 4000 nucleosomes in yeast cells. To achieve this, we placed each nucleosome in a circular minichromosome and performed Topo-seq, a novel high-throughput procedure to inspect the topology of circular DNA libraries in a single gel electrophoresis. We found that nucleosomes inherently restrain distinct ΔLk values depending on their genomic origin. Nucleosome DNA topologies differ significantly at gene bodies (ΔLk=-1.29), intergenic regions (ΔLk=-1.23), rDNA genes (ΔLk=-1.24) and telomeric regions (ΔLk=-1.07). Nucleosomes nearby the transcription start and termination sites also exhibit singular DNA topologies. These findings demonstrate that nucleosome DNA topology is imprinted by its native chromatin context and persists even when the nucleosome is relocated. This imprinting contributes to nucleosome functional roles and chromatin folding architectures.
Towards reliable detection of introgression in the presence of among-species rate variation
Authors: Koppetsch Thore , Malinsky Milan , Matschiner Michael
Published: May 2023

The role of interspecific hybridization has recently seen increasing attention, especially in the context of diversification dynamics. Genomic research has now made it abundantly clear that both hybridization and introgression – the exchange of genetic material through hybridization and backcrossing – are far more common than previously thought. Besides cases of ongoing or recent genetic exchange between taxa, an increasing number of studies report “ancient introgression” – referring to results of hybridization that took place in the distant past. However, it is not clear whether commonly used methods for the detection of introgression are applicable to such old systems, given that most of these methods were originally developed for analyses at the level of populations and recently diverged species, affected by recent or ongoing genetic exchange. In particular, the assumption of constant evolutionary rates, which is implicit in many commonly used approaches, is more likely to be violated as evolutionary divergence increases. To test the limitations of introgression detection methods when being applied to old systems, we simulated thousands of genomic datasets under a wide range of settings, with varying degrees of among-species rate variation and introgression. Using these simulated datasets, we showed that some commonly applied statistical methods, including theD-statistic and certain tests based on sets of local phylogenetic trees, can produce false-positive signals of introgression between divergent taxa that have different rates of evolution. These misleading signals are caused by the presence of homoplasies occurring at different rates in different lineages. To distinguish between the patterns caused by rate variation and genuine introgression, we developed a new test that is based on the expected clustering of introgressed sites along the genome, and implemented this test in the program Dsuite.
Enabling tradeoffs in privacy and utility in genomic data Beacons and summary statistics
Authors: Venkatesaramani Rajagopal , Wan Zhiyu , Malin Bradley A. , Vorobeychik Yevgeniy
Published: May 2023

The collection and sharing of genomic data are becoming increasingly commonplace in research, clinical, and direct-to-consumer settings. The computational protocols typically adopted to protect individual privacy include sharing summary statistics, such as allele frequencies, or limiting query responses to the presence/absence of alleles of interest using web services called Beacons. However, even such limited releases are susceptible to likelihood ratio–based membership-inference attacks. Several approaches have been proposed to preserve privacy, which either suppress a subset of genomic variants or modify query responses for specific variants (e.g., adding noise, as in differential privacy). However, many of these approaches result in a significant utility loss, either suppressing many variants or adding a substantial amount of noise. In this paper, we introduce optimization-based approaches to explicitly trade off the utility of summary data or Beacon responses and privacy with respect to membership-inference attacks based on likelihood ratios, combining variant suppression and modification. We consider two attack models. In the first, an attacker applies a likelihood ratio test to make membership-inference claims. In the second model, an attacker uses a threshold that accounts for the effect of the data release on the separation in scores between individuals in the data set and those who are not. We further introduce highly scalable approaches for approximately solving the privacy–utility tradeoff problem when information is in the form of either summary statistics or presence/absence queries. Finally, we show that the proposed approaches outperform the state of the art in both utility and privacy through an extensive evaluation with public data sets.
Optimizing surfactant removal from a soft-templated ordered mesoporous carbon precursor: an in situ SAXS study
Authors: Rauscher Max Valentin , Seyffertitz Malina , Kohns Richard , Stock Sebastian , Amenitsch Heinz , Huesing Nicola , Paris Oskar
Published: May 2023

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was employed to identify critical parameters during thermal treatment for template removal of an ordered mesoporous carbon precursor synthesized via a direct soft-templating route. The structural parameters obtained from the SAXS data as a function of time were the lattice parameter of the 2D hexagonal structure, the diameter of the cylindrical mesostructures and a power-law exponent characterizing the interface roughness. Moreover, detailed information on contrast changes and pore lattice order was obtained from analysis of the integrated SAXS intensity of the Bragg and diffuse scattering separately. Five characteristic regions during heat treatment were identified and discussed regarding the underlying dominant processes. The influence of temperature and O2/N2 ratio on the final structure was analyzed, and parameter ranges were identified for an optimized template removal without strongly affecting the matrix. The results indicate that the final structure and controllability of the process are optimum for temperatures between 260 and 300°C with a gas flow containing 2 mol% of O2.
EDP2PDF: a computer program for extracting a pair distribution function from an electron diffraction pattern for the structural analysis of materials
Authors: Liu Hongwei , Nomoto Keita , Ceguerra Anna V. , Kruzic Jamie J. , Cairney Julie , Ringer Simon P.
Published: May 2023

Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis is a powerful technique to understand atomic scale structure in materials science. Unlike X-ray diffraction (XRD)-based PDF analysis, the PDF calculated from electron diffraction patterns (EDPs) using transmission electron microscopy can provide structural information from specific locations with high spatial resolution. The present work describes a new software tool for both periodic and amorphous structures that addresses several practical challenges in calculating the PDF from EDPs. The key features of this program include accurate background subtraction using a nonlinear iterative peak-clipping algorithm and automatic conversion of various types of diffraction intensity profiles into a PDF without requiring external software. The present study also evaluates the effect of background subtraction and the elliptical distortion of EDPs on PDF profiles. The EDP2PDF software is offered as a reliable tool to analyse the atomic structure of crystalline and non-crystalline materials.
Validity and reliability of factors causing information-seeking anxiety during information-seeking behaviors
Authors: Yang Xia , Khan Asad Ullah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to define a set of assumptions for testing the four factors tested statistically to determine information-seeking anxiety based on quantitative data.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed questionnaire was distributed among graduate university students in Zhenjiang City to find and confirm the factor affecting information-seeking anxiety. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis technique has been applied to the sample data set of 329 sample size. Jamovi and SPSS, statistical analysis software, were used to determine the study validity indices.

Findings

This study shows that thematic anxiety, quality of resources anxiety, information communication technology anxiety and library anxiety have a significant effect on information-seeking anxiety.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the four factors, i.e. library anxiety, information and communication technology (ICT) anxiety, thematic anxiety and the quality of resources cause information-seeking anxiety among graduate students.

Originality/value

In this age of the digital world, information-seeking anxiety plays a vital role in the vicious circle of seeking behavior. Therefore, to break through the vicious loop of seeking behavior with only information-seeking anxiety as a cure, concentrate on information-seeking anxiety. This study found that thematic anxiety, ICT anxiety, library anxiety and quality of resources anxiety significantly affect information-seeking anxiety.
Modified hexagonal pin fins for enhanced thermal-hydraulic performance of micro-pin fin heat sinks
Authors: Roozbehi Ahmad Reza , Zabetian Targhi Mohammad , Heyhat Mohammad Mahdi , Khatibi Ala
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This numerical study aims to investigate the modification of the hexagonal pin fin geometry to enhance both the thermal and hydraulic performance of the copper micropin fin heat sink with single-phase water coolant in a laminar regime. The heat sink performance evaluation criteria have been investigated for the parametric effects of vertex angle θ (10–120) and relative length (RL) (0.25–9) of hexagonal pin fins.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out research and reduce the computational cost, only one heat sink unit is simulated and analyzed using periodic boundary conditions on the side walls and includes a hexagonal pin fin and half channel on both sides to reflect the structural characteristics completely. The governing equations are also solved using finite volume method.

Findings

The results reveal that θ = 60 and RL = 1 yield the optimum thermal performance and heat sink performance is significantly influenced by the vertex angle and RL. The modified hexagon geometry improves fluid flow behavior by reducing the volume of the recirculation region behind the pin fin, preventing its effects on the downstream pin fins and restricting the thermal boundary layer development on its straight side. At Re = 1,000, the modified geometry enhances the average Nusselt number by 24.46% and the thermal performance factor by 23.89%, demonstrating the potential of modified hexagonal pin fins to enhance micropin fin heat sink performance.

Originality/value

Prior studies suggest using the pin fins with a regular hexagonal cross-section to obtain better thermal performance. However, this comes with a higher pressure drop penalty. The modification of the hexagonal pin fin geometry has been investigated in this numerical study to enhance both the thermal and hydraulic performance of the micropin fin heat sink. Because little attention has been paid to the modification of the regular hexagonal pin fins, as a geometry inspired by natural honeycomb structures, its design optimization is relatively scarce, and a gap was felt in this field.
Why are consumers dissatisfied? A text mining approach on Sri Lankan mobile banking apps
Authors: Sally Maas Sherina
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The motivation of this study is to identify whether the overall rating of a banking app actually reflects the customer opinion and to find the causes for reduced ratings. Thus, these causes lead to the dissatisfaction of customers. Additionally, these insights reflect the overall rating of the app and it is a source of information to the executive management to contemplate on their services and take timely and effective decisions to improve their mobile app.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted on ten reputed Sri Lankan mobile banking apps to analyze the textual opinions of the customers. Data were collected from the Google Play Store considering the higher Android consumers in Sri Lanka. Each review was automatically classified into a relevant sentiment (positive, negative or neutral). These classified reviews were examined along with its rating to identify any discrepancies. The trends of the positive and negative reviews of each app were observed separately along with time. Topic modeling techniques were used to identify the causes of such behavior.

Findings

Although banks expect to perpetuate good customer reviews all the time, there were aberrant negative trends observed during certain time ranges. The results revealed that unstable versions after recent updates, bad customer service, erroneous functional and nonfunctional features are the root causes toward the dissatisfaction of the customers.

Originality/value

No previous study has been done on the textual reviews of Sri Lankan mobile banking apps. Most studies had considered analyzing the reviews of the app on the entire period of its usage, whereas this research finds the trends where negative reviews surpass the positive reviews and analyze the causes of such behavior.
The relationship between physicians' ingroup favoritism to patients and workplace violence: regulatory role of physicians' psychological resilience
Authors: Okun Olcay , Arun Korhan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This research aims to reveal the relationship between ingroup favoritism, seen as a theoretical cause of workplace violence experienced by physicians, with pre-violence, the moment of violence and post-violence, and the role of psychological resilience in coping with workplace violence.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was applied in the research. First, data was gathered via structured questionnaire surveys to the 169 physicians and 321 patients with appointments using the simple random sampling method in three public hospitals in the province of Sanliurfa-Turkey between June 3, 2020, and January 1, 2021. The data was then examined through variance-based structural equation modeling and regression analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that the psychological resilience of physicians is essential in coping with workplace violence. The causes of favoritism behaviors were stated as a desire to protect the individuals they are with, increase their power, gain interest and cover their incompetence. It was determined that favoritism behaviors increase violence, but psychological resiliency decreases violence.

Originality/value

Some unobservable markers that impose priority for a patient from one's primary group, favoritism, may predict behaviors including violence. Contrary to popular belief, violence against physicians may be prevented by hospital management and social psychology practices rather than taking legal actions or increasing physical safety procedures. Moreover, the simultaneous collection of the data used in the study from physicians and patients with an appointment makes the study more meaningful and unbiased.
The limits of the impact of criminal law on the economy in a transition period (on the example of Russia)
Authors: Rusanov Georgy
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a retrospective analysis of the Russian criminal legislation in the field of protection of economic relations in the transitional period of the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on historical, as well as general scientific research, methods (induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis and historical) and private scientific methods for studying criminal law phenomena (formal-logical, statistical and document research method), the author managed to identify a number of patterns in the development of the Russian criminal legislation in the context of the chosen economic model.

Findings

In particular, it is noted that during the period of the destruction of the planned economic model and the choice of ways for the development of the economy, as well as at the initial stage of the transition period of the economy in Russia.

Originality/value

The author singles out the following patterns of development of criminal legislation in Russia: a) under the influence of a sharp change in the economic model, risks in the sphere of protection of economic relations; and b) the tasks of criminal law in the field of protection of economic relations are changing significantly: from protecting the state monopoly in most areas of economic activity to protecting market economic relations.
Is corporate social responsibility more valuable in disrupted industries?
Authors: Wang Liu , Wang Yong
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The business world today is witnessing ever-growing disruption. This study highlights corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an effective strategy for firms in disrupted industries to consider in order to differentiate themselves and to increase their chance of survival facing disruption.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors test the hypotheses using a multilevel modeling (MLM) design to capture the group and intergroup effects at the industry level and at the firm level. The empirical analysis is based on a panel sample of 1,193 firms over the 10-year period from 2010 to 2019.

Findings

The empirical analysis indicates that CSR has a positive impact on corporate financial stability and the effect is especially significant for firms in disrupted industries. Further investigation suggests that this positive effect largely runs through traits of the social pillar, such as human rights, employee relations, customer protection, product responsibility and community impact. The results are robust after controlling for other firm-specific characteristics and after addressing endogeneity concerns.

Originality/value

This study examines whether, and through which channel, CSR helps enhance corporate financial stability and mitigate bankruptcy risk in disrupted industries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first attempt to explore the use of CSR as an effective strategic response to disruption. Further analysis indicates that the social capital built through CSR plays an important role in helping enhance corporate financial stability.
Accounting comparability and financial distress
Authors: Islam Mohammad Nazrul , Li Shihong , Wheatley Clark M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present the evidence of the association between financial statement comparability and corporate financial distress.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical study, and this study uses multiple regression analysis to evaluate hypothesis.

Findings

The authors find a significant decrease in the probability of financial distress as accounting comparability increases. Findings of this study suggest that distressed firms tend to produce financial statements that compare poorly to those of peer firms; the effectiveness of predicting financial distress with accounting ratios may be conditional on comparability with peers; and financial statement comparability may be predictive of financial distress.

Research limitations/implications

First, this study only used publicly available financial data, which may not be representative of all countries and could differ because of differences in accounting practices. Second, although this study found a connection between accounting comparability and financial distress, it cannot prove a causal relationship, as other factors that were not controlled for may also have an impact. Third, this study used various measures of financial distress, but other measures could lead to different results. Finally, this study did not include all relevant variables, such as industry-specific factors and macroeconomic conditions, which could influence the relationship between accounting comparability and financial distress.

Practical implications

For investors and financial analysts, the results imply that accounting comparability can serve as a useful signal for identifying companies that are more likely to remain financially stable in the long run. Thus, they may prefer to invest in or recommend highly comparable firms over their less comparable counterparts. For auditors, this study underscores the importance of promoting and enforcing accounting standards that improve comparability, as this can help mitigate the risk of financial distress among their clients. Regulators may also consider the implications of the study’s findings when designing policies and guidelines related to financial reporting and disclosure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study investigating the association between financial statement comparability and corporate financial distress of the US firms. This study uses large, comprehensive and multi-year data. Furthermore, this is the only study that presents the evidence of negative association between comparability and firm financial distress.
Shifting to a high impact practice-centered student worker staffed research desk: a Hispanic serving institution perspective
Authors: DeZouche Elizabeth , Santos Denise
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The authors seek to demonstrate, from a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) perspective, the importance of utilizing High Impact Practices (HIPs) for not only more meaningful student employment initiatives, but to benefit the campus community and prepare Hispanic students for success post-graduation.

Design/methodology/approach

Evaluation of current practices in academic libraries aided the design of the new staffing model, location and name. A survey of research desk student assistants was designed and implemented approximately one academic year after changes were executed. Survey data combined with follow-up interviews summarized the qualitative-focused assessment of the research desk's evolution and verified the validity of maintaining HIPs in libraries for Hispanic student success.

Findings

The transition of the reference desk to a student-staffed research desk was successful in that librarians were able to dedicate more time to other endeavors, such as campus outreach and collection development. The High Impact Practice (HIP)-focused desk model, along with new, customized onboarding and training materials, fulfilled their goals of giving student assistants meaningful employment on campus while also bridging the gap between the library and the mostly Hispanic, first-generation student population. An assessment from the student assistants' point of view helped them further analyze the new research desk model. They found that student assistants noticed the ease with which their peers approached the desk and how their skills learned on the research desk transferred to their classes and future careers.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restructuring of library personnel the authors were unable to implement library patron surveys to evaluate the new desk model.

Originality/value

Many academic libraries and partners have made the transition to student-staffed help desks or offer peer-to-peer tutoring or mentoring services. HIPs positively impact marginalized student populations scholastically, but no current studies discuss the effect on the Hispanic student population from an HSI perspective. This study illuminates the wholistic influence HIPs have on Hispanic student assistants, not only their work and peers, but the affect on their academic and personal lives.
Hybrid mineral model integrating probabilistic and machine learning approaches for the Brazilian pre‐salt carbonate reservoirs
Authors: de Oliveira Lucas Abreu Blanes , do Nascimento Freitas Gabriel , Pesce Pedro Barros Cotta , de Carvalho Carneiro Cleyton
Published: May 2023

Well mineralogy can be estimated from probabilistic, direct and machine learning models; however, all these models have limitations. The maximum number of components in probabilistic models is restricted to the number of logs plus one. Direct models require the precise composition of minerals. Machine learning models demand unbiased databases, a challenge as the samples are collected in reservoir intervals. These limitations impact the evaluation for the Santos Basin pre‐salt rocks due to the complexity of facies and magnesian clays. This work proposes creating a hybrid model through the combination of probabilistic and machine learning models. First, mineral fractions of calcite, dolomite, quartz, k‐feldspar, detrital clay, plagioclase and pyroxene are estimated by the algorithm XGBoost trained using rock samples. Then, a probabilistic model reconstructs the well logs and machine learning estimations through the seven minerals mentioned plus magnesian clays, pyrite, barite and fluids. The difference between the real and reconstructed responses is minimized, weighted by the curves’ uncertainties. The hybrid model is used to estimate the mineralogy of three wells drilled in the Santos Basin, honouring the mineralogy of the rock samples collected in these wells and improving the quantification of dolomite, pyroxene and magnesian clay. Among the advances introduced, the following stand out: The use of machine learning estimates and well logs improved the quantification of magnesian clay; the machine learning estimates regularized the probabilistic model, generating more coherent results; the uncertainties of the machine learning algorithms dealt with database bias. The hybrid model mitigated limitations related to database bias without the costs associated with collecting more samples.
Quantitative Study of the Morphological Variations among Dzieduszyckia Populations from the Devonian Rongxian Formation, South China and their Influencing Factors
Authors: LI Tong , DONG Lin , SUN Yuanlin , YUAN Zhiwei , NIE Ting , LING Kun
Published: May 2023

The rhynchonellide brachiopod Dzieduszyckia Siemiradzki is widely distributed in the Lower Famennian strata, and exhibits a wide range of morphological variations among populations. 1272 autochthonous Devonian Rongxian Dzieduszyckia fossils were collected from three populations in South China, namely the Dazhai, Dalong, and Longmi sections. A series of quantitative morphological analyses were conducted to understand the morphological variation among populations and identify the triggers responsible for such variations. The results show that the Dazhai population differs significantly in morphospace from the Dalong and Longmi populations, while the latter two exhibit more similar morphological features, suggesting that geographic distribution may play a key role in affecting Dzieduszyckia morphology. The Longmi population shows a distinct morphospace from the Dazhai population and an overlapped morphospace with the Dalong population, indicating that habitat may not be the controlling factor. Lastly, the Dazhai and Dalong populations share some morphological similarities, but the Dazhai and Longmi populations occupy completely different morphospaces, indicating that evolution had a greater impact on phenotypic divergence than habitat. Our findings suggest that geographic distribution is the predominant factor influencing the morphological variation of Dzieduszyckia, while evolution and living habitat are less significant, the former of which might play a more important role.
Shedding light on a hot topic: Tuberisation in potato
Authors: Stockem Julia E. , de Vries Michiel E. , Struik Paul C.
Published: May 2023

Growing small seedling tubers from true seed, comparable with mini tubers, in controlled conditions could be a method to multiply healthy starting material of potato. In indoor farming systems, the conditions can be optimised for high production. In field trials, it is impossible to investigate the effects of environmental factors such as temperature and light separately. In this study, we performed three climate room experiments in which the effects of light intensity, temperature and percentage of far‐red light in the light spectrum on tuber production were assessed. We found that increasing the average temperature reduced tuber number and tuber weight. Increasing the diurnal temperature variation while keeping the average temperature equal resulted in increased tuber size. The light treatments on the other hand only affected the number of tubers per plant: increasing light intensity and increasing the percentage of far‐red light in the spectrum enhanced the number of tubers. Moreover, interaction in tuber production between inbred lines and temperature was significant, with some inbred lines being relatively tolerant to high temperature. These findings will help breed for heat tolerant varieties and optimise growing conditions for tuber production in indoor farming systems.
Cognitive style and creativity: The role of education in shaping cognitive style profiles and creativity of adolescents
Authors: Ho Shuen , Kozhevnikov Maria
Published: May 2023

Background

Previous research on cognitive styles (CSs) has often overlooked their complexity and the effect of the environment on their development. While research supports visual abilities as predictors of domain‐specific creativity, there is a lack of studies on the predictive power of CS in relation to creativity beyond abilities.

Aims

The current study aimed to explore the validity of the CS construct as environmentally sensitive individual differences in cognition. We examined the internal structure of the CS construct, its predictive power in creativity beyond visual abilities, and how CSs of Singaporean secondary school students are shaped with age under specific sociocultural influences (Singapore's emphasis on STEM disciplines).

Sample

Data were collected from 347 students aged 13–16 from a secondary school in Singapore.

Methods

Students were administered nine tasks assessing their visual abilities and learning preferences, artistic and scientific creativity, and questionnaires assessing their CS profiles.

Results

The confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence for a matrix‐type CS structure consisting of four orthogonal CS dimensions and third levels of information processing. Structural equation models demonstrated significant contributions of context independence and intuitive processing to artistic and scientific creativity, respectively, beyond visual abilities. The results also suggested that Singapore's education system could be contributing to significantly shaping adolescents' CS profiles.

Conclusions

Our findings support the validity of CS as individual differences in cognition that develop to cope with environmental demands. They highlight the importance of providing an appropriate environment in shaping adolescents' CS profiles to support the development of domain‐specific creativity according to their strengths and talent.
Granulocyte transfusion during cord blood transplant for relapsed, refractory AML is associated with massive CD8+ T‐cell expansion, significant cytokine release syndrome and induction of disease remission
Authors: Borrill Roisin , Poulton Kay , Kusyk Laura , Routledge Amy , Bonney Denise , Hanasoge‐Nataraj Ramya , Powys Madeleine , Mustafa Omima , Campbell Helen , Senthil Srividhya , Dillon Richard , Jovanovic Jelena , Morton Suzy , James Beki , Rao Kanchan , Stanworth Simon , Konkel Joanne , Wynn Robert
Published: May 2023

In high‐risk myeloid malignancy, relapse is reduced using cord blood transplant (CBT) but remains the principal cause of treatment failure. We previously described T‐cell expansion in CBT recipients receiving granulocyte transfusions. We now report the safety and tolerability of such transfusions, T‐cell expansion data, immunophenotype, cytokine profiles and clinical response in children with post‐transplant relapsed acute leukaemia who received T‐replete, HLA‐mismatched CBT and pooled granulocytes within a phase I/II trial (ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT05425043). All patients received the transfusion schedule without significant clinical toxicity. Nine of ten patients treated had detectable measurable residual disease (MRD) pre‐transplant. Nine patients achieved haematological remission, and eight became MRD negative. There were five deaths: transplant complications (n = 2), disease (n = 3), including two late relapses. Five patients are alive and in remission with 12.7 months median follow up. Significant T‐cell expansion occurred in nine patients with a greater median lymphocyte count than a historical cohort between days 7–13 (median 1.73 × 109/L vs. 0.1 × 109/L; p < 0.0001). Expanded T‐cells were predominantly CD8+ and effector memory or TEMRA phenotype. They exhibited markers of activation and cytotoxicity with interferon‐gamma production. All patients developed grade 1–3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) with elevated serum IL‐6 and interferon‐gamma.
The effect of piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy with 2‐ and 8‐mm focus sizes on stone disintegration and renal injury
Authors: Noureldin Yasser A. , Abdel Halim Walid A. , Elnahif Ezzat , El Shaer Alaa , Shaher Hussein , Abdel Fattah Ahmed Abou Elezz , Hashem Abdelwahab , El‐Dakhakhny Amr S. , Zahran Ahmed A. , El Hamshary Salah A.
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) using a narrow focus or wide focus for renal stones.

Patients and Methods

A double‐blind randomised trial included adult patients with a solitary radio‐opaque renal pelvic stone of 1–2 cm. Patients were randomised into two groups: narrow‐focus (2 mm) SWL and wide‐focus (8 mm) SWL. The stone‐free rate (SFR) and presence of complications such as haematuria, fever, pain, and peri‐renal haematoma were evaluated. Pre‐ and postoperative urinary markers (neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin [NGAL] and kidney injury molecule 1 [KIM‐1]) concentrations were compared to assess renal injury.

Results

A total of 135 patients were recruited for this study. The SFR after the first SWL session was 79.2% and 69.1% in narrow‐ and wide‐focus groups, respectively. There was a comparable rise in the median 2‐h NGAL concentration in both groups (P = 0.62). However, the rise in the median (interquartile range [IQR]) 2‐h KIM‐1 concentration was significantly higher in the narrow‐focus group at 4.9 (4.6, 5.8) ng/mL compared with the wide‐focus group at 4.4 (3.2, 5.7) ng/mL (P = 0.02). Nevertheless, the 3‐day NGAL and KIM‐1 urinary marker concentrations were significantly improved (P = 0.263 and P = 0.963, respectively). The overall SFR after three sessions was 86.6% and 86.8% in the narrow‐ and wide‐focus groups, respectively (P = 0.77). Both groups were comparable for complications, apart from the median pain score and the percentage of high‐grade haematuria, which were significantly higher in the narrow‐focus group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion

Narrow‐ and wide‐focus SWL were associated with comparable outcomes and re‐treatment rates. However, narrow‐focus SWL was associated with significantly higher morbidity in terms of pain and haematuria.
A sequential exploratory diagnostic model using a Pólya‐gamma data augmentation strategy
Authors: Jimenez Auburn , Balamuta James Joseph , Culpepper Steven Andrew
Published: May 2023

Cognitive diagnostic models provide a framework for classifying individuals into latent proficiency classes, also known as attribute profiles. Recent research has examined the implementation of a Pólya‐gamma data augmentation strategy binary response model using logistic item response functions within a Bayesian Gibbs sampling procedure. In this paper, we propose a sequential exploratory diagnostic model for ordinal response data using a logit‐link parameterization at the category level and extend the Pólya‐gamma data augmentation strategy to ordinal response processes. A Gibbs sampling procedure is presented for efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation methods. We provide results from a Monte Carlo study for model performance and present an application of the model.
Preschoolers search longer when there is more information to be gained
Authors: Ruggeri Azzurra , Stanciu Oana , Pelz Madeline , Gopnik Alison , Schulz Eric
Published: May 2023

What drives children to explore and learn when external rewards are uncertain or absent? Across three studies, we tested whether information gain itself acts as an internal reward and suffices to motivate children's actions. We measured 24–56‐month‐olds' persistence in a game where they had to search for an object (animal or toy), which they never find, hidden behind a series of doors, manipulating the degree of uncertainty about which specific object was hidden. We found that children were more persistent in their search when there was higher uncertainty, and therefore, more information to be gained with each action, highlighting the importance of research on artificial intelligence to invest in curiosity‐driven algorithms.

Research Highlights

Across three studies, we tested whether information gain itself acts as an internal reward and suffices to motivate preschoolers' actions.

We measured preschoolers' persistence when searching for an object behind a series of doors, manipulating the uncertainty about which specific object was hidden.

We found that preschoolers were more persistent when there was higher uncertainty, and therefore, more information to be gained with each action.

Our results highlight the importance of research on artificial intelligence to invest in curiosity‐driven algorithms.
The precarious power of a strongly worded letter: Political correspondence, Lutheran theology, and civic participation
Authors: Bateza Anthony
Published: May 2023

Facing political decisions involving local issues or systemic injustice, we sometimes decide to write a letter. Opinion pieces in the town newspaper, online posts about current events, and letters sent to elected officials all share the presumption that putting words on a page can make the political community a better place. This article examines these practices and the reasoning that supports them by connecting Martin Luther's theology of good works with insights from political theory and current debates about civic participation. Luther claims that good works are needed to discipline the body and serve the neighbor in love. This theological framework is offered as a guide for assessing the value and functions of political correspondence. It contends that writing letters serves to discipline individual and collective political bodies, developing needed skills for sharing and receiving the claims we make while resisting temptations that pull us towards indifference, cynicism, or self‐righteous assurance. Letters should be seen as invitations of service and neighbor love that display our competence and commitment to others. Letter writing, as a good work, is risky in that the goodness of our labors remains an open question. The analysis here offers guidance for assessing our better and worse reasons for political postings, whether on the church door or elsewhere.
Influence of hypertension on systolic and diastolic left ventricular function including segmental strain and strain rate
Authors: Kornev Mikhail , Caglayan Hatice Akay , Kudryavtsev Alexander V. , Malyutina Sofia , Ryabikov Andrew , Schirmer Henrik , Rösner Assami
Published: May 2023

Background

Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions are important cardiovascular risk predictors in patients with hypertension. However, data on segmental, layer‐specific strain, and diastolic strain rates in these patients are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate segmental two‐dimensional strain rate imaging (SRI)‐derived parameters to characterize LV systolic and diastolic function in hypertensive individuals compared with that in normotensive individuals.

Methods

The study sample comprised 1194 participants from the population‐based Know Your Heart study in Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk, Russia, and 1013 individuals from the Seventh Tromsø Study in Norway. The study population was divided into four subgroups: (A) healthy individuals with normal blood pressure (BP), (B) individuals on antihypertensive medication with normal BP, (C) individuals with systolic BP 140–159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 90 mm HG, and (D) individuals with systolic BP ≥160 mmHg. In addition to conventional echocardiographic parameters, global and segmental layer‐specific strains and strain rates in early diastole and atrial contraction (SR E, SR A) were extracted. The strain and SR (S/SR) analysis included only segments without strain curve artifacts.

Results

With increasing BP, the systolic and diastolic global and segmental S/SR gradually decreased. SR E, a marker of impaired relaxation, showed the most distinctive differences between the groups. In normotensive controls and the three hypertension groups, all segmental parameters displayed apico‐basal gradients, with the lowest S/SR in the basal septal and highest in apical segments. Only SR A did not differ between the segmental groups but increased gradually with increasing BP. End‐systolic strain showed incremental epi‐towards endocardial gradients, irrespective of the study group.

Conclusion

Arterial hypertension reduces global and segmental systolic and diastolic left ventricular S/SR parameters. Impaired relaxation determined by SR E is the dominant factor of diastolic dysfunction, whereas end‐diastolic compliance (by SR A) does not seem to be influenced by different degrees of hypertension. Segmental strain, SR E and SR A provide new insights into the LV cardio mechanics in hypertensive hearts.
Warming promotes non‐native invasive ants while inhibiting native ant communities
Authors: Merchlinsky Alex , Frankson Paul T. , Gitzen Robert , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Mohan Jacqueline E. , Warren Robert J.
Published: May 2023

1. Non‐native species may be the cause of native species declines or an effect of habitat degradations that promote the former and damage the latter. Social insects are extraordinarily successful organisms, and non‐native social insects, such as ants, often are very successful invaders of novel habitats.

2. The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and the Asian needle ant (Brachyponera chinensis) are widespread non‐native invaders in the eastern United States that bring ecological, economic and social impacts, but their putative effects on native ant communities may be concomitant with habitat degradation rather than inherent in their invasion.

3. Given this gap in understanding, our goal was to examine how experimental warming influenced native and non‐native ant communities. Specifically, we hypothesised that (a) non‐native ant abundance and species richness will increase in warmed plots and that (b) warming‐induced increases in the non‐native ant populations will correspond with decreases in native ant abundance and species richness.

4. To test these hypotheses, we used three levels of experimental forest edge soil warming (warming targeted at +0, +3, and +5°C above ambient soil temperature) in a mixed deciduous forest in the Georgia (USA) Piedmont. We used repeated pitfall trapping to investigate how the experimental warming influenced the composition of native and non‐native ant communities with a focus on how warming combined with S. invicta and B. chinensis invasion impacted native ant communities.

5. Our results suggest that experimental warming promoted the non‐native invasive ants, particularly S. invicta and B. chinensis. We also found that B. chinensis somewhat inhibited native ant communities, but not because of warming. The warmed environment benefited both non‐native invasive ants at the expense of native ants but, given that B. chinensis negatively impacted the native ants with far fewer workers than S. invicta, B. chinensis may pose a greater threat to native ant communities than S. invicta in a warmer world.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals at risk for psychosis or with a first psychotic episode: A qualitative study on patients' perspectives
Authors: Bouws Jara , Henrard Ann , de Koning Mariken , Schirmbeck Frederike , van Ghesel Grothe Sophia , van Aubel Evelyne , Reininghaus Ulrich , de Haan Lieuwe , Myin‐Germeys Inez
Published: May 2023

Aim

The aim of this qualitative study is to explore patients' perspectives on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for early stages of psychosis. Therefore, we interviewed participants of the INTERACT study, that quantitatively investigated Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Daily Life (ACT‐DL) in combination with treatment as usual, for early stages of psychosis, comparing it to treatment as usual.

Methods

Within 6 months after finishing ACT‐DL, we conducted semi‐structured, individual interviews with 19 participants. All interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used for coding and analysis.

Results

Two overarching themes were formed: ‘the meaning of ACT’ and ‘what to improve’. Considering the first, participants generally understood and connected with the meaning of ACT, noticing more awareness and acceptance of their thoughts and feelings, and living more in line with their personal values. The second theme included comments on the protocol not being personal or psychosis specific enough and some elements of ACT being too difficult to understand when having active psychotic symptoms.

Conclusions

This study suggests that ACT is an acceptable and promising new form of treatment for early stages of psychosis, and it provides relevant information to further develop ACT for this group.