bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Um mundo socialmente sustentável? para uma crítica da grande narrativa da sustentabilidade total
Authors:   Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Pinto da Costa José Carlos
Published: November 2024

A sustentabilidade social é uma das imaginações mais recentes da grande narrativa sobre o desenvolvimento sustentável. O mote da sustentabilidade social preconizado pela Organização das Nações Unidas é o que impele as empresas a produzir de maneira a que a sociedade saia beneficiada e as pessoas protegidas. Sob este mote, “sustentabilidade social” relaciona-se com a atividade das empresas e com a necessidade de prever e gerir os impactos dessa atividade de forma a não causar dano aos diversos stakeholders implicados na mesma.Juntamente com a sustentabilidade ambiental e a sustentabilidade económica, a sustentabilidade social é entendida como uma condição fundamental para o cumprimento dos objetivos do desenvolvimento sustentável. Porém, a sua concretização não é fácil de conseguir, devido às dimensões intangíveis da noção social de sustentabilidade, que complexificam os cenários de desenvolvimento possível. Coesão social, inclusão, resiliência e justeza de procedimentos são considerados como os componentes essenciais da sustentabilidade social (cf. Barron et al., 2023).Nesta comunicação, pretendo ensaiar uma crítica da grande narrativa da sustentabilidade total partindo da minha experiência de investigação na implementação de projetos de saúde digital e inovação social.
Predicting the intelligibility of Mandarin Chinese with manipulated and intact tonal information for normal-hearing listeners
Authors: Xu Chenyang , Moore Brian C. J. , Diao Mingfang , Li Xiaodong , Zheng Chengshi
Published: November 2024

Objective indices for predicting speech intelligibility offer a quick and convenient alternative to behavioral measures of speech intelligibility. However, most such indices are designed for a specific language, such as English, and they do not take adequate account of tonal information in speech when applied to languages like Mandarin Chinese (hereafter called Mandarin) for which the patterns of fundamental frequency (F0) variation play an important role in distinguishing speech sounds with similar phonetic content. To address this, two experiments with normal-hearing listeners were conducted examining: (1) The impact of manipulations of tonal information on the intelligibility of Mandarin sentences presented in speech-shaped noise (SSN) at several signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs); (2) The intelligibility of Mandarin sentences with intact tonal information presented in SSN, pink noise, and babble at several SNRs. The outcomes were not correctly predicted by the Hearing Aid Speech Perception Index (HASPI-V1). A new intelligibility metric was developed that used one acoustic feature from HASPI-V1 plus Hilbert time envelope and temporal fine structure information from multiple frequency bands. For the new metric, the Pearson correlation between obtained and predicted intelligibility was 0.923 and the root mean square error was 0.119. The new metric provides a potential tool for evaluating Mandarin intelligibility.
Global influenza threatens conservation
Authors: Runstadler Jonathan
Published: November 2024

How avian influenza virus will continue to spread and circulate among wildlife is unclear
The interhemispheric amygdala-accumbens circuit encodes negative valence in mice
Authors: Tian Zhen , Song Jiachen , Zhao Xuying , Zhou Yiming , Chen Xi , Le Qiumin , Wang Feifei , Ma Lan , Liu Xing
Published: November 2024

The structurally symmetric mammalian brain hemispheres are interconnected by commissural axons across the midline. However, the functions of interhemispheric connectivity remain largely unknown. We found that in mice, transection of the anterior commissure (AC), which connects the rostroventral forebrain, impaired avoidant behaviors. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) in the mouse projects to the contralateral nucleus accumbens (NAc) through the AC, independent of its ipsilateral projections. Aversive stimuli activated contralateral BLA-NAc projections. Positive stimuli, however, activated ipsilateral projections. Selective activation of contralateral BLA-NAc projections activated D2-positive medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs), reduced NAc dopamine levels, and caused aversion, whereas selective activation of ipsilateral BLA-NAc projections activated D1-MSNs, increased NAc dopamine levels, and induced reward. The contralateral BLA-AC-NAc pathway is crucial for encoding negative valence, demonstrating distinct functions of intra- and interhemispheric circuits in brain physiology.
Janus channel of membranes enables concurrent oil and water recovery from emulsions
Authors: Guo Xin-Yu , Zhao Lei , Li Hao-Nan , Yang Hao-Cheng , Wu Jian , Liang Hong-Qing , Zhang Chao , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: November 2024

Existing separation technologies struggle to recover oil and water concurrently from surfactant-stabilized emulsions to achieve the goal of near-zero liquid discharge. We present a Janus channel of membranes (JCM) that features a confined architecture constructed of a pair of hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes, which allows for concurrent, highly efficient recovery of oil and water from surfactant-stabilized emulsions. The confined Janus channel can amplify the interplay of the membrane pair through a feedback loop that involves enrichment and demulsification. Our JCM achieves exceptional oil and water recoveries of up to 97 and 75%, respectively, with near 99.9% purities. Moreover, its versatility in handling diverse emulsions may enable near-zero liquid discharge for a range of separations.
Misguided negative adaptation narratives are hurting the poor
Authors: Schipper E. L. F. , Mukherji A.
Published: November 2024

Measurement and maladaptation are being weaponized
Earth’s entomological gardens
The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture
Barrett Klein
Timber Press, 2024. 368 pp.
Authors: Dunn Rob
Published: November 2024

An “entomo-artist” celebrates insects and their rich history with humankind
When the war came
The Forbidden Garden: The Botanists of Besieged Leningrad and Their Impossible Choice
Simon Parkin
Scribner, 2024. 384 pp.
Authors: Haswell Elizabeth
Published: November 2024

A journalist recounts how botanists protected a seed bank from a siege and from themselves
Eyes are windows to the brain: Capturing eye movements to better understand face processing in autism
Authors: Griffin Jason
Published: November 2024

Capturing eye movements to better understand face processing in autism
Climate chamber studies fan debate
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: November 2024

When is it too hot to use a fan? Experiments in older people give different numbers
NIH dental institute director on leave for nearly 7 months
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: November 2024

Rena D’Souza, who faces allegations of workplace misconduct, is suing the agency for discrimination
Alpha-synuclein expression in neurons modulates Japanese encephalitis virus infection
Authors: Gupta Anjali , Bohara Vijay Singh , Chauhan Aditya Singh , Mohapatra Anshuman , Kaur Harpreet , Sharma Ajanta , Chaudhary Nitin , Kumar Sachin
Published: November 2024

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) stands as a prominent vector-borne zoonotic pathogen, displaying neurotropism and eliciting Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like symptoms among most symptomatic survivors. A characteristic feature of PD is the aggregation of mutated α-synuclein (α-syn) that damages the dopaminergic neurons. Considering this link between JEV-induced PD-like symptoms and α-syn pathogenesis, we explored the role of α-syn in JEV infectivity in neuronal cells. Our investigation revealed a significant increase in endogenous α-syn expression in JEV-infected cells. In addition, exogenous α-syn (Exoα-syn) treatment substantially reduced JEV replication, suggesting its anti-JEV effect. Furthermore, Exoα-syn treatment led to the upregulation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results were validated by endogenous α-syn-silencing, which decreased SOD1 and raised ROS levels in neuronal cells. Similarly, the SOD1 inhibition
via
LCS-1 also intensified ROS and JEV infection. Silencing of SOD1 in α-syn overexpressing neuro2a cells exhibited increased JEV replication. Overall, our results suggest that α-syn exerts an anti-JEV effect by regulating protein involved in oxidative stress inside neuronal cells. This study contributes valuable insights into the interplay between α-syn expression and JEV infectivity, shedding light on avenues further to investigate the potential role of α-syn in JEV pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) poses a significant threat, particularly to children. Despite extensive research efforts, the development of effective treatments against JEV has been impeded. One of the major setbacks is a lack of comprehensive understanding of neurotropism. The study focuses on alpha-synuclein (α-syn), a neuronal protein, and aims to determine its role in JEV pathogenesis. The present study reveals that the host cell upregulates α-syn in response to JEV infection. α-syn restrains JEV propagation by modulating superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) expression which further blocks JEV-induced ROS generation. Endogenous α-syn silencing led to a decrease in SOD1 expression and increased viral titer. α-syn plays a crucial role in counteracting oxidative stress through SOD1, which is essential for limiting JEV replication. This study provides broader implications for antiviral strategies and their possible role in neurodegenerative diseases; however, there is still much to explore, particularly regarding α-syn aggregation kinetics in JEV infection.
Both chebulagic acid and punicalagin inhibit respiratory syncytial virus entry via multi-targeting glycoprotein and fusion protein
Authors: Xiong Yingcai , Tao Keyu , Li Tao , Zhou Yinghui , Zhang Zhaowei , Ou Weiying , Wang Zhao , Wang Shouchuan , Hou Yayi , Cao Peng , Ji Jianjian
Published: November 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections, with no currently available small-molecule drugs that are both safe and effective. A major obstacle in antiviral drug development is the rapid emergence of drug-resistant viral strains. Targeting multiple viral compounds may help mitigate the development of resistance. Herein, we conducted a drug screening using the Antiviral Traditional Chinese Medicine Active Compound Library, aiming to identify compounds that simultaneously target the RSV fusion (F) protein, glycoprotein (G), and the host heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). From this screening, 10 candidate compounds were identified for their ability to interact with all three targets. Among these 10 candidates, chebulagic acid (CHLA) and punicalagin (PUG) demonstrated the most potent inhibition of RSV replication.
In vitro
dose–response assays confirmed the antiviral efficacy of CHLA (IC50: 0.07864 µM) and PUG (IC50: 0.08065 µM). Further experiments revealed both CHLA and PUG disrupt RSV attachment and membrane fusion by targeting the RSV-F and G proteins, rather than HSPG. Notably, CHLA and PUG were found to bind to the CX3C motif of the RSV-G protein, with docking assays predicting their binding sites at cysteines 176 and 182. Additionally, CHLA enhanced the conformational stability of the RSV-F protein before fusion. In an
in vivo
study, both CHLA and PUG were shown to alleviate RSV-induced pulmonary pathology by reducing viral titers, mitigating lung injury, and suppressing the inflammatory responses in the lungs. Our findings suggest that CHLA and PUG hold potential as therapeutic agents for RSV infection.

IMPORTANCE

A significant challenge in developing anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) agents is the rapid emergence of resistant viral strains. Designing drugs that target multiple viral components can effectively reduce the likelihood of developing resistant strains. In this study, we screened compounds from the Antiviral Traditional Chinese Medicine Active Compound Library, aiming to simultaneously targe the RSV fusion (F) protein, glycoprotein (G), and host heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Our findings revealed that chebulagic acid (CHLA) and punicalagin (PUG) significantly inhibited RSV replication both
in vitro
and
in vivo
and interacted with all three targets. Both CHLA and PUG were able to disrupt RSV attachment and membrane fusion. Mechanistically, CHLA and PUG were found to bind to the CX3C motif of the RSV-G protein, with CHLA also enhancing the conformational stability of the RSV-F protein before fusion. In conclusion, our study suggests that CHLA and PUG hold promise as therapeutic agents against RSV infection.
Vaccine candidates based on MVA viral vectors expressing VP2 or VP7 confer full protection against Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in IFNAR(−/−) mice
Authors: Jiménez-Cabello Luis , Utrilla-Trigo Sergio , Rodríguez-Sabando Karen , Carra-Valenzuela Alejandro , Illescas-Amo Miguel , Calvo-Pinilla Eva , Ortego Javier
Published: November 2024

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), caused by Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), is an emerging and severe livestock disease. Recent incursion and distribution of EHDV in Europe have outlined the need for vaccine research against this viral disease. In this work, we report modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-vectored vaccines designed to express protein VP2 of EHDV-8 or protein VP7 of EHDV-2. Prime boost immunization of adult IFNAR(−/−) mice with the MVA-VP2 vaccine candidate induced high titers of EHDV-8-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and conferred full protection against homologous lethal challenge with EHDV-8. However, no heterologous protection was observed after lethal challenge with EHDV-6. In contrast, the MVA-VP7 vaccine candidate elicited strong cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell responses against VP7 and conferred complete protection against lethal challenge with either EHDV-8 or EHDV-6 in IFNAR(−/−) mice in the absence of NAbs, being the first multiserotype vaccine candidate against EHDV. Moreover, we expressed recombinant proteins VP2 and VP7 of EHDV in the baculovirus expression system, which were used to analyze the potential DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) character of these vaccine candidates.

IMPORTANCE

Emergence and re-emergence of arthropod-borne viruses are major concerns for both human and animal health. The most recent example is the fast expansion of EHDV-8 through Europe. Besides, EHDV-8 relates with a high prevalence of pathologic cases in cattle populations. No vaccine is currently available in Europe, and vaccine research against this arboviral disease is negligible. In this work, we present novel DIVA vaccine candidates against EHDV, and most importantly, we identified the protein VP7 of EHDV as an antigen capable of inducing multiserotype protection, one of the major challenges in vaccine research against orbiviruses.
Anthrax lethal toxin exerts potent metabolic inhibition of the cardiovascular system
Authors: Liu Jie , Zuo Zehua , Fattah Rasem , Finkel Toren , Leppla Stephen H. , Liu Shihui
Published: November 2024

Bacillus anthracis
causes anthrax through a combination of bacterial infection and toxemia. As a major virulence factor of
B. anthracis
, anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a zinc-dependent metalloproteinase, exerting its cytotoxicity through proteolytic cleavage of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases, thereby shutting down the MAPK pathways. Anthrax lethal toxin induces host lethality mostly by targeting the cardiovascular system. Although the enzymatic activity and the molecular targets of LT have long been known, the detailed mechanisms underlying cellular/tissue/organ toxicity are still poorly understood. In this work, we sought to investigate the mechanism of LT-induced cellular damage in the cardiovascular system. We demonstrate for the first time that anthrax lethal toxin has potent inhibitory effects on the central metabolism of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. This is likely due to the observed downregulating of c-Myc expression through the toxin-induced inhibition of the ERK pathway. Since c-Myc is a master transcription factor controlling the expression of many rate-limiting metabolic enzymes in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, LT’s downregulation of c-Myc may lead to the observed bioenergetic collapse, particularly, in cardiomyocytes. Since cardiac cell contraction requires continuous production of large amounts of ATP, potent inhibition of the bioenergetics of cardiomyocytes would be incompatible with life. Thus, LT-induced lethality through targeting cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells appears to be a consequence of a bioenergetic collapse, likely due to the toxin’s potent inhibitory activity on the MEK-ERK-c-Myc-metabolic/bioenergetic axis within these target cells of cardiovascular system.

IMPORTANCE

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a major virulence factor of
Bacillus anthracis
, the causative pathogen of anthrax disease. Anthrax lethal toxin is a metalloproteinase that cleaves and inactivates MEKs, thereby shutting down MAPK pathways, leading to host mortality primarily through targeting of the cardiovascular system. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the toxin’s cellular and tissue toxicity are still poorly understood. Here, we found that anthrax lethal toxin has potent inhibitory activity on glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. These effects appear to be the consequence of downregulation of c-Myc, a master transcription factor that controls many rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. With the high demand on energy for cardiac contraction, the potent inhibition of cardiomyocyte metabolism by LT would be incompatible with life. This work provides critical insights into why the cardiovascular system is the major
in vivo
target of LT-induced lethality.
Threats from the
Candida parapsilosis
complex: the surge of multidrug resistance and a hotbed for new emerging pathogens
Authors: Gabaldón Toni
Published: November 2024

Candida parapsilosis
is a common agent of candidiasis that has gained increased attention in recent years, culminating with its recent consideration as a high-priority fungal pathogen by the World Health Organization. Reasons for this classification are the recent surge in incidence and the alarmingly growing rates of drug and multidrug resistance. In addition, several closely related species such as
Candida metapsilosis
and
Candida orthopsilosis
may represent recently emerged opportunistic pathogens originated from environmental niches through interspecies hybridization. Here, I review recent research focused on the potential origin and spread of drug resistance and of emerging species in this complex. I will also discuss open questions regarding the possible implications of human activities in these two epidemiological phenomena.
Two-Layer Equilibrium Model of Miscible Inhomogeneous Fluid Flow
Authors: Liapidevskii V. Yu.
Published: November 2024

Two-layer flow of a density-stratified fluid with mass transfer between the layers is considered. In the Boussinesq approximation, the equations of motion are reduced to a homogeneous quasilinear system of partial differential equations of mixed type. The flow parameters in the intermediate mixed layer are determined from the equilibrium conditions in a more general model of three-layer flow of a miscible fluid. In particular, the equilibrium conditions imply the constancy of the interlayer Richardson number in velocity-shift flows. A self-similar solution to the problem of breakdown of an arbitrary discontinuity (the lock-exchange problem) in the domain of hyperbolicity of the system under consideration is constructed. The transcritical flow regimes over a local obstacle are studied and the conditions under which the obstacle determines the upstream flow are determined. A comparison of steady-state and time-dependent solutions with the solutions obtained for the original three-layer models of miscible fluid flow is carried out.
Buprenorphine ‘microdosing’ method for switching patients with opioid dependence from methadone to buprenorphine
Authors: Singh Yesh Chandra , Singh Shalini , Bhad Roshan , Rao Ravindra
Published: November 2024

Various factors limit the acceptability of methadone as an opioid agonist treatment (OAT), in which case, buprenorphine becomes the preferred alternative. The classical approach is to gradually taper methadone to a low dose and buprenorphine is initiated after some opioid-free period, which generally takes weeks. A novel approach known as ‘microdosing’ or the ‘Bernese method’ might serve as a valuable alternative. We describe two cases where the patients were successfully transitioned from methadone to buprenorphine using this method.
Corpus callosum granuloma after endovascular squid embolisation of a ruptured arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Fernandes Linford , Islim Fathallah Ismail , Saeed Fozia , Patankar Tufail , Yasiry Zeid
Published: November 2024

A late adolescent patient was admitted after a collapse and was found to have an intracranial haemorrhage due to an underlying midline arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The patient underwent trans-arterial squid embolisation of the AVM with good radiological resolution. 18 months later, the patient presented with new onset headaches. Cranial imaging demonstrated an enhancing lesion at the site of the previously thrombosed AVM in the corpus callosum. This was deemed to be a foreign body granuloma, a rare complication of intravascular embolisation of AVMs. The patient continued to have periodic imaging with subsequent scans demonstrating progressive changes in the granuloma and this was then resected surgically. We describe the natural history of the granuloma formation, outline the cranial imaging features associated with this rare condition and review the literature of similar cases.
Clinical course ofKlebsiella variicolaperitonitis in end-stage kidney disease patients receiving peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Arimuthu Durga Arinandini , Fuah Kar Wah , Lim Christopher Thiam Seong
Published: November 2024

Klebsiella variicolais part of theK. pneumoniaecomplex and has been recently identified to have pathogenic properties. Emerging reports show that it can cause bloodstream, respiratory and urinary tract infections. It has been shown to be an important causative agent in immunocompromised individuals. We report here three cases ofK. variicolaperitonitis encountered in our peritoneal dialysis patients.
17q12 microdeletion syndrome
Authors: Bhargav Viswanadhula S L V , Venkatachari Mahesh , Arun Babu Thirunavukkarasu
Published: November 2024

An infant girl presented with multiple blisters followed by peeling of the skin over the entire body for 5 days with a prodrome of fever and cough. The child had dysmorphic facies, growth faltering and developmental delay. The ultrasonogram of the abdomen showed multiple small cysts in both kidneys with increased echogenicity and loss of corticomedullary differentiation. The whole exome sequencing revealed a 1.4 mb deletion on the long arm of chromosome 17, which also involves HNF1B gene. Diabetes workup showed an HbA1c of 5.9% with normal fasting glucose levels suggestive of a possible pre-diabetes. The renal functions were deranged with an estimated GFR of 22 mL/min/1.73 m2. Keeping a possibility of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), the child was treated successfully with appropriate antibiotics. This case depicts atypical presentation of 17q12 deletion syndrome with a very early onset chronic kidney disease, pre-diabetes and SSSS.
Postoperative pain management practice and associated factors among nurses working at public hospitals, in Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021: an institution-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Amena Nimona , Dechasa Abebe , Kurke Abdo , Abdisa Desalegn , Dugasa Yonas Gurmu
Published: November 2024

Background

Management of postoperative pain leads to positive patient progress and shortens the duration of hospital stay. There is a lack of information on nurse’s postoperative pain management practice and its associated factors.

Objective

To assess postoperative pain management practice and associated factors among nurses working in public hospitals of West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2021.

Design

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed.

Setting

Study was conducted among eight public hospitals (two tertiary hospitals and six secondary hospitals), which were located in West Shoa Zone in Oromia, Ethiopia.

Participants

Totally 377 participants were selected by using simple random sampling. From this, 277 were men and 100 participants were women. All nurses who were worked in surgical ward, medical wards, minor operation room and major operation room, recovery rooms, emergency, obstetrics and gynaecology wards were included.

Methods

Data were collected by distributing structured self-administered questionnaires that adapted from different literatures and were entered into Epi data V.3.1 and exported to SPSS V.22 for analysis. Variables with significant association in the bivariate analyses were entered into a multivariable regression analysis to identify the independent factors associated with nurses’ postoperative pain management practice. Significant factors were declared at p<0.05.

Result

The result showed that 66% of nurses had good pain management practice. Nurses favourable attitude towards postoperative pain management (adjusted OR (AOR): 4.698, 95% CI (2.725 to 8.100)), having access to read pain management guideline (AOR: 3.112, 95% CI (1.652 to 5.862)), adequate knowledge of postoperative pain management (AOR: 2.939, 95% CI (1.652 to 5.227)), working at operation room (AOR: 2.934, 95% CI (1.27 to 6.795)) and received training on pain management (AOR: 3.289, 95% CI (1.461 to 7.403)) were significantly associated with the practices of postoperative pain management.

Conclusion and recommendation

65% of participants (nurses) have a good level of practice of postoperative pain management. Training, access to pain management guidelines, knowledge and attitude are significant factors in postoperative pain management practice. Governmental and other bodies concerned to postoperative care quality needs to show commitment on availing needed training and infrastructures.
A multi-method feasibility trial of a multi-component behaviour change intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity among ethnically diverse older adults
Authors: Meghani Naureen Akber Ali , Hudson Joanne , Stratton Gareth , Mullins Jane , Sahoo Deepak
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Evidence suggests that sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) are important indicators of well-being and quality of life in older adults (OAs). However, OAs are the least active and highly sedentary of all the age groups. The present study intends to examine the feasibility of a wearable gadget to remind users to break sitting time (by standing up and moving more), coupled with a brief health coaching session, pamphlet and reminder messages to decrease SB and improve PA.

Methods and analysis

This study will employ a multi-methods approach that generates quantitative data from questionnaires and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews following OAs’ involvement in the study. This intervention will be informed by the socio-ecological model (SEM) and the habit formation model. The quantitative and qualitative data will be analysed separately and then integrated for interpretation and reporting, which will assist our knowledge of the feasibility of the programme.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this study has been obtained from Swansea University (NM_ 2023 6667 6123). Informed consent will be obtained from participants. The findings of the study will be disseminated to the scientific community through conference presentations and scientific publications. The findings of the current study will determine the suitability of a future effectiveness trial.

Trial registration number

NCT06407557.
Barriers and facilitators to implement Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Japan: a qualitative study protocol using Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)
Authors: Honyashiki Mina , Yamashita Masafumi , Iwatani Jun , Saito-Yaguchi Akiko
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), which was developed in the 1970s in the USA, is a programme that supports people with severe mental illness living in the community through a multidisciplinary team, individual care and outreach approach. It is widely known that ACT effectively decreases hospital stays and improves Global Assessment of Functioning scores. In Japan, empirical studies on ACT were conducted in the late 2000s. Through the introduction of the standardised programme and domestic network, its implementation nationwide was anticipated. However, to date, the implementation of ACT is limited. There has been no comprehensive research in Japan on what inhibits and promotes the implementation of ACT in community mental health settings. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to systematically and comprehensively investigate the factors influencing the implementation of ACT in Japan using implementation research.

Methods and analysis

A qualitative study will be conducted using semistructured interviews with key stakeholders in the ACT team. Interviews will be conducted face-to-face or online, using an interview guide. The inclusion criteria are present and past ACT teams. Recruitment will be in two steps. A preinterview questionnaire will be sent to the members of the Community Mental Health Outreach Association regarding their basic characteristics and fidelity to the ACT model, and purposive sampling will be performed based on it. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research will be used to collect and analyse the interview data according to the qualitative content analysis, with reference to the fidelity category, because this will help to find influencing factors by identifying constructs that appear to distinguish between high-fidelity and low-fidelity teams.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Tokyo Medical University Ethics Approval Committee (approval number: T2022-0175). The findings will be shared via peer-reviewed journal publications and presentations to policymakers and service users.
Online training to improve evidence-based leadership competencies among nurse leaders in China: a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hu Shuang , Chen Wenjun , Satamo Maija , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Yang Min , Liu Gaoming , Chen Jiarui , Tang Yao , Varpula Jaakko , Li Xianhong , Välimäki Maritta
Published: November 2024

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of an online evidence-based leadership training programme for nurse leaders and its potential effectiveness in improving nurse leaders’ evidence-based leadership competencies.

Design

This is a two-arm, parallel, feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Methods

We screened all 160 nurse leaders from two Chinese hospitals. Eligible participants who gave their informed consent were randomly assigned to either an evidence-based leadership training group or a conventional online training group at each site and received a 7-month intervention. Pre-test and post-test assessments gauged feasibility and potential effectiveness. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis.

Results

Of the 160 screened participants, 119 (74%) were assigned to the intervention group (n=59, 50%) or active control group (n=60, 50%). In the intervention group, the number of participant logins in the modules ranged from 21 (36%) to 58 (98%), while in the control group, it ranged from 20 (33%) to 57 (95%). Participants in the intervention group (n=59) completed 42% of the 531 assigned tasks, while the control group (n=60) completed 41% of their 540 assigned tasks. Regarding course task adherence, participants in the intervention group returned 3.8 (SD=3.2) tasks (out of 9 tasks), while the control group returned 3.7 (SD=3.5) tasks (out of 9 tasks). A total of 22 (18%) out of 119 participants dropped out of the study, with 9 (15%) out of 59 from the intervention group and 13 (22%) out of 60 from the control group.

Conclusions

While the intervention demonstrated a degree of feasibility, measures can still be taken to improve intervention acceptability, course adherence and course task adherence. A full and powered randomised controlled trial is needed to test the intervention’s effectiveness and to ensure the feasibility of the study in clinical settings.

Trail registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov, numbersNCT05244499.
Clinical risk factors for pancreatic cancer: protocol for an umbrella review
Authors: Moore Sarah , Price Sarah , Dongo Gianni , Walter Fiona M , Neal Richard , Abel Gary A
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Identifying cancer earlier can help save lives. An increasingly popular approach to diagnosing cancer earlier is in the development of risk prediction models to be applied to the electronic healthcare record of patients. Development of these models requires systematic and thorough identification of the risk factors that might increase an individual’s propensity to develop the disease. This protocol sets out the methods for an umbrella review to identify risk factors that might be included in these models. The example used is pancreatic cancer, a disease with a high percentage of late-stage diagnoses and consequent high mortality.

Methods and analysis

Relevant systematic reviews will be identified through searching of MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid and the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection. Screening will be performed by two independent reviewers using Covidence software and the results reported as a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Data from eligible studies will be extracted independently by two reviewers and each systematic review will be graded using defined credibility assessment criteria and the ROBIS (Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews) tool. Results will be presented in detail for each paper. Summary results for each risk factor will be discussed in the narrative and summarised using a table, graphical summary and an infographic.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this review. Results of the review will be disseminated by publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024526338.
STRIVE pilot trial: a protocol for a multicentre pragmatic internal pilot randomised controlled trial of Structured TRaining to Improve fitness in a Virtual Environment (STRIVE) before surgery
Authors: McIsaac Daniel I , Tandon Puneeta , Kidd Gurlavine , Branje Karina , Hladkowicz Emily , Hallet Julie , Wijeysundera Duminda Nalaka , Lee Susan , McNeely Margaret L , Taljaard Monica , Gillis Chelsia ,   on behalf of the STRIVE Trial Investigators
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Home-based, virtually-supported care models may represent the most efficient and scalable approach to delivering prehabilitation services. However, virtual approaches to prehabilitation are understudied. This manuscript describes the protocol for an internal pilot randomised controlled trial of a virtually-delivered, multimodal prehabilitation intervention.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a pragmatic, individual patient, internal pilot randomised controlled trial of home-based, virtually supported, multimodal prehabilitation compared with standard perioperative care in adults undergoing elective, inpatient thoracic, abdominal, pelvic and vascular surgery at five Canadian hospitals. Participants will be partially blinded; clinicians and outcome assessors will be fully blinded. The intervention consists of 3–12 weeks of a home-based, multimodal (exercise, nutrition and psychosocial support) prehabilitation programme supported through an online platform. The primary feasibility outcomes and their progression targets are (1) monthly recruitment of>6 participants at each centre, (2) intervention adherence of>75%, (3) retention of>90% of participants at the patient-reported primary outcome point of 30-days after surgery and (4) elicitation of patient, clinician and researcher-identified barriers to our pragmatic trial. A sample size of 144 participants will be adequate to estimate recruitment, adherence and retention rates with acceptable precision. All participants will be followed to either death or up to 1 year. As an internal pilot, if no substantive changes to the trial or intervention design are required, pilot participant outcome data will migrate, unanalysed by allocation, to the future full-scale trial.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by Clinical Trials Ontario (Project ID: 4479) and our ethics review board (Protocol Approval #20230399–01T). Results will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences, peer-reviewed publications, partner organisations and engagement of social and traditional media.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT06042491. Protocol, V.1.2, dated 6 June 2024.
Dermatomal spread in lateral quadratus lumborum blocks versus transversus abdominus plane blocks after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: George Renuka M , McSwain Julie R , Gukasov Mamikon , Wilson Dulaney A , Nitchie Haley , Wilson Sylvia H
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Postoperative pain after laparoscopic abdominal surgery remains complex. While lateral quadratus lumborum (QL) block and transversus abdominus plane (TAP) block are similar techniques, no studies have examined if one technique has greater dermatomal spread.

Methods

Laparoscopic colorectal surgical patients were randomized to lateral QL or TAP blocks. Dermatomal anesthetic spread, as measured by loss of sensation to temperature in the postanesthesia care unit, was the primary outcome. If a clear level of dermatomal anesthesia could not be defined, the block was categorized as “indeterminate.” Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, pain scores, and opioid-related side effects.

Results

153 patients completed the study (75 QL and 78 TAP). Mean (95% CI) number of dermatomes with loss of sensation to ice was greater in subjects randomized to QL (4.2 (3.7 to 4.8)) versus TAP (2.7 (2.2 to 3.2); p=0.0001), and the QL group was more likely to have loss of sensation above T8 (p=0.01) and T10 (p=0.02). Indeterminate block was more often noted with TAP blocks (p<0.0001). Opioid consumption at 24 hours, pain scores, and opioid-related side effects did not differ.

Discussion

Compared with TAP blocks, QL blocks had greater dermatomal anesthesia spread and lower rates of an indeterminate block. However, differences in pain and opioid consumption were not noted. The clinical importance of these findings should be investigated in future trials.

Trial registration number

NCT03490357.
The effect of ontogeny, competition, site, and climate on background mortality for trees of nine species in Canadian boreal forest
Authors: Power Hugues , Auger Isabelle , Lambert Marie-Claude , Fortin Mathieu , Bouchard Mathieu
Published: November 2024

Background tree mortality can be defined as the death of trees that naturally occurs as stands develop, in the absence of major or sudden stand disturbances. The phenomenon is often linked to ontogeny and competition and generally affects individual trees, unlike catastrophic mortality, which affects most trees in the stand. To forecast stand characteristics and to estimate how stand development could change in response to changing climate, it is necessary to quantify background mortality and to identify the most important factors involved. Using data from 10 045 permanent sample plots, we modeled background tree mortality for the nine most abundant tree species of the eastern Canadian boreal forest. We used explanatory variables related to stand and tree ontogeny, competition, site characteristics, and climate to calibrate the models. We found that an increase in age, competition, and the presence of partial cut increased the mortality risk. However, the effect of DBH and site-related variables varied among species. We also found that higher temperatures, less precipitation, and higher aridity index values increased background tree mortality. According to mortality simulations under different future climate scenarios, background tree mortality could increase in the next decades for six of the nine tree species studied.
Environmental Impacts of Green Open Space in Urban Indonesia: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis
Authors: AUWALIN ILMIAWAN , RUMAYYA  , SUKARTINI NI MADE
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the impact of green open spaces in reducing the probability of flooding and open waste burning in urban areas in Indonesia’s three largest metropolitan cities: Surabaya, Jakarta, and Medan. This study employs urban village microdata from the 2014 and 2018 Village Potential Census. First, we construct the dataset into a difference-in-differences setup. The urban villages that initially did not have any green open spaces in 2014 and then had them in 2018 were assigned as the treatment group, and those without any green open spaces in both periods were the comparison group. Then, we estimated the impact of urban green spaces on the probability of flooding and open waste burning. The results indicate that the likelihood of flooding and open waste burning had decreased in treated areas by 2018.
Once-Marking and Always-Marking 1-Limited Automata
Authors: Pighizzini Giovanni , Prigioniero Luca
Published: November 2024

Single-tape nondeterministic Turing machines that are allowed to replace the symbol in each tape cell only when it is scanned for the first time are also known as [Formula: see text]-limited automata. These devices characterize, exactly as finite automata, the class of regular languages. However, they can be extremely more succinct. Indeed, in the worst case, the size gap from [Formula: see text]-limited automata to one-way deterministic finite automata is double exponential.

Here we introduce two restricted versions of [Formula: see text]-limited automata, once-marking[Formula: see text]-limited automata and always-marking[Formula: see text]-limited automata, and study their descriptional complexity. We prove that once-marking [Formula: see text]-limited automata still exhibit a double exponential size gap to one-way deterministic finite automata. However, their deterministic restriction is polynomially related in size to two-way deterministic finite automata, in contrast to deterministic [Formula: see text]-limited automata, whose equivalent two-way deterministic finite automata in the worst case are exponentially larger. For always-marking [Formula: see text]-limited automata, we prove that the size gap to one-way deterministic finite automata is only a single exponential. The gap remains exponential even in the case the given machine is deterministic.

We obtain other size relationships between different variants of these machines and finite automata and we present some problems that deserve investigation.
An Attentional Graph Neural Network-Based Fault Point Positioning Model for Low-Voltage Distribution Networks
Authors: Meng Yuan , Yao Keqi , He Jun , Li Shun , Gu Chao
Published: November 2024

With the rapid development of the smart grid, the fast and accurate fault location of low-voltage distribution networks has become the key to ensuring the stability and reliability of the power supply. This paper aims to explore and construct a fault location model of low-voltage distribution network based on an attention diagram neural network. First, this paper analyzes the current situation and challenges of fault location in low-voltage distribution network, and points out that traditional methods have limitations when processing large-scale and high-dimensional power system data. Subsequently, a graph neural network (GNN) is introduced for processing graph-structured network data, and combined with attention mechanisms. Thus, an innovative attention-graph neural network model (named as A-GNN) is proposed for the purpose. The model can make full use of the topology structure and node feature information in the power grid, and dynamically adjust the information aggregation weight between different nodes through the attention mechanism. This is expected to achieve efficient and accurate fault location. In the experimental part, we trained and tested the A-GNN model based on the real low-voltage distribution network dataset, and compared it with several prediction models. The experimental results show that the A-GNN model has higher accuracy and recall rate in fault location tasks, especially in complex fault scenarios.
Spectral radius of weighted adjacency matrix of trees based on Balaban index
Authors: Gao Baochuan , Deng Bo , Xiao Yulan
Published: November 2024

For a graph [Formula: see text], the sum of the distance between vertex [Formula: see text] and other vertices in [Formula: see text] is denoted by [Formula: see text]. The Balaban index of [Formula: see text] is defined as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Based on the Balaban index of a graph, a weighted function is defined as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Define a matrix [Formula: see text] as the weighted adjacency matrix of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] otherwise. In this work, we show that star [Formula: see text] is with the largest spectral radius of [Formula: see text] among trees with [Formula: see text] vertices. Inversely, path [Formula: see text] is with the smallest spectral radius of [Formula: see text] in all caterpillar trees with [Formula: see text] vertices.
Empower Diversity in AI Development
Authors: Werder Karl , Cao Lan , Ramesh Balasubramaniam , Park Eun Hee
Published: November 2024

Diversity practices that mitigate social biases from creeping into your AI.
Detection of Cracks in Cultural Heritage Buildings Using UAV Photogrammetry-Based Digital Twin
Authors: Yiğit Abdurahman Yasin , Uysal Murat
Published: November 2024

Notwithstanding the increasing efforts to conserve and archive historical artifacts, comprehensive documentation employing various technologies remains crucial. Comprehensive documentation will facilitate relaying information about these locations to future generations, ensuring their complete conservation by inspecting their present state. Furthermore, in addition to digital documentation for the conservation of historic buildings, creating an audit that will contribute to future evaluations and interventions is of the utmost importance. As a result, an alternative method is suggested for automatic detection of structural cracks instead of costly on-site inspections. Growing interest has been in developing digital twins (DT) for accurate detection. 3D geometric documentation represents the initial phase in DT development, and diverse instruments and procedures have been designed to support this process. Accurate 3D geometric documentation is achieved by integrating photogrammetry and geodetic methods. The proposed methodology underwent testing on a modern beam structure before being applied to a complex historical structure. The study compared the findings of modern measurement techniques with traditional methods for analyzing automatically detected cracks. The accuracy of modern techniques resulted in a success rate of 78.25%.
Reduced Achilles tendon stiffness in aging associates with higher metabolic cost of walking
Authors: Gray Aubrey J. , Krupenevich Rebecca L. , Batsis John A. , Sawicki Gregory S. , Franz Jason R.
Published: November 2024

This study provides the first empirical evidence to our knowledge that age-related decreases in kAT exact a potentially significant metabolic penalty during walking. These results pave the way for interventions focused on restoring ankle muscle-tendon unit structural stiffness to improve walking energetics in aging.