bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical review on Pulicaria species occurring in Qatar: traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities
Authors: Kasote Deepak M. , Nawaz Malik Adil , Usman Kamal , Ullah Najeeb , Alsafran Mohammed
Published: April 2024

In Qatar, three main species of Pulicaria (from Asteraceae) such as Pulicaria undulata (L.) C.A.Mey, Pulicaria gnaphalodes (Vent.) Boiss. and Pulicaria sicula (L.) Moris are reported. Traditionally, these species have almost the same ethnomedical uses, including their use as herbal tea. This could be because of morphological similarities among some of these species, which also results in taxonomic ambiguity. Altogether, this indicates that these species need to be reviewed comparatively, to understand the phytochemical uniqueness and therapeutic significance of each species individually, including species differentiation at the subspecies level. Hence, this review aims to comparatively review the available literature about traditional uses, phytochemistry, and bio-activities of these species. Being aromatic plants, the chemical composition of essential oils of these species has been extensively studied and reported over 300 volatile organic compounds. Among these, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are dominant. The diverse and distinguishable composition of essential oils can differentiate P. undulata and Pulicaria crispa (Forssk.) Oliv. (Synonyme: Pulicaria undulata subsp. undulata). Likewise, flavonoids and sesquiterpenes are the most reported classes of compounds in non-essential oil fractions. Various biological and pharmacological activities are reported to the essential oils, crude extracts, and their fractions, or isolated compounds of these species. Among these, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-oxidant activities were mostly investigated, mainly under in vitro conditions. Several distinguishable compounds are listed for each species that can potentially be used as chemical markers while characterizing these species. Most of the traditional claims of these species are validated in recent scientific studies. However, further detailed in vivo clinical interventions are needed for their potential use as therapeutic agents.
Comparison of Metabolic Profiles of Fruits of Arctium lappa, Arctium minus, and Arctium tomentosum
Authors: Malaník Milan , Farková Veronika , Křížová Jitka , Kresová Alice , Šmejkal Karel , Kašparovský Tomáš , Dadáková Kateřina
Published: April 2024

Metabolites of the edible and medicinal plant Arctium have been shown to possess beneficial activities. The phytochemical profile of Arctium lappa is well-explored and its fruits are known to contain mainly lignans, fatty acids, and sterols. But the fruits of other Arctium species have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study compares the metabolic profiles of the fruits of A. lappa, Arctium tomentosum, and Arctium minus. Targeted metabolomics led to the putative identification of 53 metabolites in the fruit extracts, the majority of these being lignans and fatty acids. Quantification of the major lignans showed that the year of collection had a significant effect on the lignan content. Furthermore, A. lappa fruits contained lesser amounts of arctigenin but greater amounts of arctigenin glycoside than A. minus fruits. Regarding the profile of fatty acids, A. minus fruits differed from the others in the presence of linolelaidic acid.

Graphical Abstract
Memory-based modes of presentation
Authors: Recanati François
Published: April 2024

To deal with memory-based modes of presentation I propose a couple of revisions to the standard criterion of difference for modes of presentation attributed to Frege. First, we need to broaden the scope of the criterion so that not merely the thoughts of a given subject at a given time may or may not involve the same way of thinking of some object, but also the thoughts of a subject at different times. Second, we need to ‘relativize’ the criterion of difference to particular subjects in particular situations. Thanks to these revisions, we can make sense of Evans’ notion of a dynamic mode of presentation that persists through time despite lower-level changes. A dynamic mode of presentation is a complex mode of presentation involving several epistemically rewarding relations to the reference successively (in contrast to composite modes of presentation, which involve several epistemically rewarding relations simultaneously). I show how this idea can be cashed out in the mental file framework, and how, in that framework, we can provide a straightforward answer to the question: when is a mode of presentation based on a memory M the same as the mode of presentation based on the perception P from which the memory derives? The answer appeals to the distinction between anchored and unanchored memories.
Hyperintensionality and overfitting
Authors: Berto Francesco
Published: April 2024

A hyperintensional epistemic logic would take the contents which can be known or believed as more fine-grained than sets of possible worlds. I consider one objection to the idea: Williamson’s Objection from Overfitting. I propose a hyperintensional account of propositions as sets of worlds enriched with topics: what those propositions, and so the attitudes having them as contents, are about. I show that the account captures the conditions under which sentences express the same content; that it can be pervasively applied in formal and mainstream epistemology; and that it is left unscathed by the objection.
Removal of neonicotinoids present in secondary effluents by ferrate(VI)-based oxidation processes
Authors: Real Francisco J. , Acero Juan L. , Matamoros Esther
Published: April 2024

The persistence in the environment and possible harmful effects of neonicotinoid insecticides have raised some concerns, which have led to the proposal of various measures for their remediation. The aim of this work was to study the elimination of five neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam (THM), imidacloprid (IMI), clothianidin (CLO), thiacloprid (THC), and acetamiprid (ACE)) using ferrate (Fe(VI)) as the oxidizing agent. Firstly, second-order rate constants for the reactions of neonicotinoids with Fe(VI) were determined at different pHs. The most reactive compound was THC, with a rate constant of 400 ± 43 M−1 s−1 at pH 8 (the optimum pH considering the predominance of the most reactive species (HFeO4−) and the decreasing self-decomposition of Fe(VI) with pH), followed by CLO (10.7 ± 1.7 M−1 s−1), THM (9.7 ± 0.7 M−1 s−1), and IMI (2.5 ± 0.6 M−1 s−1). ACE did not significantly react with Fe(VI). The oxidation of the selected pollutants in secondary effluents by Fe(VI) was rather slow, and only THC could be efficiently removed. The presence of natural organic matter (NOM) exerted a negative influence on the removal of the neonicotinoids of moderate reactivity with Fe(VI) (CLO, THM, and IMI). The additional presence of peroxymonosulfate (Fe(VI)/PMS system) slightly increased the removal of neonicotinoids due to the formation of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals. Finally, the application of the Fe(VI)/sulfite system considerably increased the oxidation rate of the selected pollutants, with enhanced formation of hydroxyl and, especially, sulfate radicals. Overall, these results suggest that the Fe(VI)/sulfite system has significant potential to address environmental and health concerns associated with neonicotinoids in water sources with low NOM content.

Graphical abstract
Serious games in high-stakes assessment contexts: a systematic literature review into the game design principles for valid game-based performance assessment
Authors: Bijl Aranka , Veldkamp Bernard P. , Wools Saskia , de Klerk Sebastiaan
Published: April 2024

The systematic literature review (1) investigates whether ‘serious games’ provide a viable solution to the limitations posed by traditional high-stakes performance assessments and (2) aims to synthesize game design principles for the game-based performance assessment of professional competencies. In total, 56 publications were included in the final review, targeting knowledge, motor skills and cognitive skills and further narrowed down to teaching, training or assessing professional competencies. Our review demonstrates that serious games are able to provide an environment and task authentic to the target competency. Collected in-game behaviors indicate that serious games are able to elicit behavior that is related to a candidates’ ability level. Progress feedback and freedom of gameplay in serious games can be implemented to provide an engaging and enjoyable environment for candidates. Few studies examined adaptivity and some examined serious games without an authentic environment or task. Overall, the review gives an overview of game design principles for game-based performance assessment. It highlights two research gaps regarding authenticity and adaptivity and concludes with three implications for practice.
Ethnic–Racial Discrimination Exposure and Anxiety in Latina Girls: Amygdala Volume as an Indirect Neurobiological Pathway
Authors: Mullins Jordan L. , Díaz Dana E. , Firat Rengin B. , Michalska Kalina J.
Published: April 2024

Ethnic–racial discrimination, the differential treatment of individuals based on ethnic or racial group membership, predicts poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety. This is supported by long-standing theories on the social determinants of health and minority stress. However, these theories are rarely expanded to neurobiological sciences, limiting our understanding of mechanisms underlying observed associations. One potential neurobiological pathway between ethnic–racial discrimination exposure and anxiety is that ongoing exposure to racially charged encounters presents imminent threats that may modify stress-sensitive neurocircuitry, like the amygdala.

The current study evaluated whether amygdala volume mediated associations between ethnic–racial discrimination exposure and anxiety symptoms in Latina girls, a group exhibiting heightened levels of untreated anxiety and disproportionately subjected to ethnic–racial discrimination.

Thirty predominantly Mexican-identifying Latina girls residing in Southern California (MAge = 9.76, SD = 1.11 years) completed a T1-weighted structural MRI scan. Using the Perceptions of Racism in Children and Youth, participants self-reported the prevalence and severity of various discriminatory experiences. Participants also self-reported their anxiety symptoms via the Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders. Controlling for total intracranial volume and annual household income, an indirect effect of ethnic–racial discrimination on anxiety symptoms via left amygdala volume was observed, β = −0.28, SE = 0.17, BC 95% CI [−0.690, −0.017]. The current findings suggest that the left amygdala is sensitive to racialized threats in childhood and that stress-related alterations may, in part, contribute to elevated anxiety in Latina girls. Our data elucidate a potential mechanism by which this form of sociocultural stress can adversely impact mental health, particularly in the transition from middle childhood to early adolescence, a period marked by a host of interlinked neurophysiological and social changes.
Mapping lock-ins and enabling environments for agri-food sustainability transitions in Europe
Authors: Williams Tim G. , Bürgi Matthias , Debonne Niels , Diogo Vasco , Helfenstein Julian , Levers Christian , Mohr Franziska , Stratton Anne Elise , Verburg Peter H.
Published: April 2024

European agri-food systems must overcome structural lock-ins to achieve more sustainable modes of production and consumption. Yet European regions are highly diverse, and we lack understanding of how different regional characteristics may enable or inhibit sustainability transitions. This hinders the development of context-tailored governance strategies. In this paper, we identify and apply sets of spatial indicators to map the regional potentials for agri-food transitions. We first analyse the strength of lock-in to the incumbent agro-industrial paradigm. We then map the enabling environments for two alternative agri-food networks—multifunctional value chains and civic food networks—that each embed distinct social–ecological qualities of agriculture and food. Results demonstrate a large spatial diversity in transition potential, with stronger lock-ins throughout North and Western Europe and stronger enabling environments for agri-food transitions in Italy, France, Switzerland, and Southwest Germany. We find that lock-ins are strongest in livestock-dominated regions and are associated with higher GHG emissions and excess nitrogen levels. Our study demonstrates the need for coordinated public policies that (1) leverage region-specific transition potentials and (2) enable complementary innovations in market-based and community-led networks.
Hydrothermal alteration of the surface volcanic rocks at the Acoculco geothermal field, Mexico: a multi-parametric approach
Authors: García-Soto America Yosiris , Pandarinath Kailasa , Santoyo E. , Gonzalez-Partida Eduardo
Published: April 2024

The studies on hydrothermal alteration-induced effects in surface and subsurface rocks provide useful information in the characterization and exploitation of a geothermal reservoir. Generally, these studies are based on traditional, and reliable methods like petrography (primary and secondary minerals, and grade of alteration), and geochemistry (mobility of elements, changes in mass and concentration of elements, and fluid inclusions). Recently, apart from these established methods, some methods based on the geochemical (Chemical Index of Alteration, CIA; Weathering Index of Parkar, WIP; Loss on Ignition, LOI; and Sulfur, S) and rock magnetic properties (magnetic susceptibility, χlf; and percentage frequency-dependent susceptibility, χfd%) are also being applied in the identification of whether a rock is an altered or a fresh one. The Acoculco Geothermal Field (AGF), Mexico, is characterized by high temperature and very low permeability, and it is considered a promissory Enhanced Geothermal System. The following changes are observed in the rocks as a result of an increase in hydrothermal alteration: (1) an increase in CIA, LOI, and S values, and a decrease in WIP; (2) an increase in quartz and quartz polymorph minerals (silicification), and clay minerals (argillization); and (3) decrease in χlf values. At AGF, the most altered surface acid rocks are characterized by entirely quartz and its polymorphs, and clay minerals. The present study also indicates the applicability of the binary plots of major elements (felsic vs mafic component) and rock magnetic parameters (χlf vs. χfd%). The rock with χfd% value of 2–10 and χlf value < 0.5 × 10–6 m3 kg−1 indicate the presence of single domain and stable single domain grains, which in turn suggests that it is an altered rock. These methods are simple to apply, rapid, reliable, and have the potential to become effective tools for the identification of hydrothermally altered rocks during the initial stage of geothermal exploration.
The Effect of Depth of Anesthesia on Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Xue , Chen Xin-Yue , Gao Rui-Jia , Huang Yu , Mao Shi-Meng , Feng Ji-Ying
Published: April 2024

Background

Patients with obesity are more sensitive to pain and more likely to have acute postoperative pain (APP). Studies have shown that the depth of anesthesia may affect the incidence of APP. The purpose of the study was to look into the connection between APP and depth of anesthesia in patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Methods

This is a prospective, double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 90 patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were randomly divided into two groups: the light anesthesia group (Bispectral Index of 50, BIS 50) and the deep anesthesia group (BIS 35). The degree of pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. The use of analgesics, grade of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score were recorded.

Results

The VAS scores at rest or coughing at 0, 12, and 24 h after surgery in the BIS 35 group were lower than those in the BIS 50 group (P < 0.05). Fewer patients in the deep anesthesia group needed analgesia during the recovery period, and patient satisfaction was higher on the 3rd day after surgery (P < 0.015, P < 0.032, respectively).

Conclusions

For patients with obesity, maintaining a deeper depth of anesthesia during surgery is beneficial to reduce APP causes less need for additional analgesic drugs, and improves patient satisfaction.

Graphical Abstract
Employment status in cancer patients the first five years after diagnosis—a register-based study
Authors: Brink E. , Pilegaard M. S. , Bonnesen T. G. , Nielsen C. V. , Pedersen P.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Work is important for identity formation, social status, and economic independency. Although some evidence within the field of work and cancer survivorship exists, no study has so far investigated employment status across all cancer diagnoses. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of all cancer diagnoses on employment status.

Methods

Danish cancer patients aged 20–60 years, diagnosed between 2000 and 2015, were identified through Danish registers and matched 1:5 with cancer-free controls. Logistic and linear regression was performed separately in 11 cancer types to assess and compare work status and work participation between cancer patients and cancer-free controls one, three, and five years after diagnosis.

Results

A total of 111,770 cancer patients and 507,003 cancer-free controls were included. All cancer types had lower chances of working one year after diagnosis (ORs between 0.05 and 0.76), with lung, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, and blood cancer patients having the lowest chances. After three years, 10 of 11 cancer types had lower chances (ORs between 0.39 and 0.84). After five years, there were minimal differences between cancer patients and controls among most cancer types (ORs between 0.75 and 1.36).

Conclusion

Most cancer patients had lower chances of working compared with the general population until five years after diagnosis. However, patients with certain cancer types experienced lower chances of working all years, despite improvement over time.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

The knowledge will help increase awareness on challenges regarding work-life after cancer. Furthermore, the distinguishing between diagnoses can inform to more targeted vocational rehabilitation.
Vilazodone Alleviates Neurogenesis-Induced Anxiety in the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Female Rat Model: Role of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: El-Kadi Rana A. , AbdelKader Noha F. , Zaki Hala F. , Kamel Ahmed S.
Published: April 2024

Defective β-catenin signaling is accompanied with compensatory neurogenesis process that may pave to anxiety. β-Catenin has a distinct role in alleviating anxiety in adolescence; however, it undergoes degradation by the degradation complex Axin and APC. Vilazodone (VZ) is a fast, effective antidepressant with SSRI activity and 5-HT1A partial agonism that amends somatic and/or psychic symptoms of anxiety. Yet, there is no data about anxiolytic effect of VZ on anxiety-related neurogenesis provoked by stress-reduced β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, females have specific susceptibility toward psychopathology. The aim of the present study is to uncover the molecular mechanism of VZ relative to Wnt/β-catenin signaling in female rats. Stress-induced anxiety was conducted by subjecting the rats to different stressful stimuli for 21 days. On the 15th day, stressed rats were treated with VZ(10 mg/kg, p.o.) alone or concomitant with the Wnt inhibitor: XAV939 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.). Anxious rats showed low β-catenin level turned over by Axin-1 with unanticipated reduction of APC pursued with elevated protein levels of neurogenesis-stimulating proteins: c-Myc and pThr183-Erk likewise gene expressions of miR-17-5p and miR-18. Two weeks of VZ treatment showed anxiolytic effect figured by alleviation of hippocampal histological examination. VZ protected β-catenin signal via reduction in Axin-1 and elevation of APC conjugated with modulation of β-catenin downstream targets. The cytoplasmic β-catenin turnover by Axin-1 was restored by XAV939. Herein, VZ showed anti-anxiety effect, which may be in part through regaining the balance of the reduced β-catenin and its subsequent exaggerated response of p-Erk, c-Myc, Dicer-1, miR-17-5p, and miR-18.

Graphical Abstract
Optimized BEAC conditioning regimen improves clinical outcomes of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Authors: Zhou Sha , Rao Jun , Ma Xiangyu , Zeng Yunjing , Xiang Xixi , Li Jiali , Liu Hongyun , Lin Shijia , Dong Song , Li Fu , Zhang Xi , Gao Li
Published: April 2024

The conditioning regimen is an important part of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). We explored the efficacy and safety of an optimized BEAC (adjusted-dose, intermediate-dose cytarabine and reduced-dose cyclophosphamide, AD-BEAC) conditioning regimen for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A total of 141 NHL patients received AD-BEAC or a standard-dose BEAC (SD-BEAC) conditioning regimen from January 2007 to December 2017, and 104 patients were included in the study after 1:1 propensity matching. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) rates were significantly higher with AD-BEAC than with SD-BEAC (82.7% vs. 67.3%, P = 0.039; 76.9% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.039). Transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 3.8% in both the AD-BEAC and SD-BEAC groups. The AD-BEAC group had lower incidence of oral ulcers and cardiotoxicity than the SD-BEAC group. An optimized BEAC conditioning regimen is an effective conditioning regimen for ASCT in NHL with acceptable toxicity, that is more effective and safer than a standard BEAC conditioning regimen.
A perforation of a duodenal diverticulum in a 97-year-old patient after total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction: a case report
Authors: Ohno Shinya , Shinoda Tomohito , Kawahara Tatsuki , Nonomura Yusuke , Tachikawa Reo , Tawada Kakeru , Ikawa Aiko , Sano Bun
Published: April 2024

Most duodenal diverticula (DD) are asymptomatic and rarely develop perforations. Perforation is the most serious complication of DD and often requires emergency surgery. A 97-year-old woman who had undergone total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction 30 years ago was referred to our department with chief complaints of abdominal pain and fever during her hospitalization after femoral neck fracture surgery in the orthopedic department. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed free air and residue in the abdominal cavity and right retroperitoneum, and an emergency laparotomy was performed. The abdominal cavity was mildly contaminated, and a 6-cm DD with a 1-cm perforation in the wall of the diverticulum on the contralateral side of the mesentery of the duodenum was found. Diverticulectomy and duodenal closure were performed and a drainage tube was placed. The patient experienced no complications and was transferred to the orthopedic department on postoperative day 10. Reports of perforation of DD after gastrectomy are very rare. Particular attention should be paid to perforation of DD after Billroth-II and Roux-en-Y reconstructions as they involve the formation of a duodenal stump that differs from the normal anatomy and may be highly invasive surgical procedures, depending on the degree of inflammation and fistula formation.
Improving permeability prediction via Machine Learning in a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir: application to Middle Miocene Nullipore, Ras Fanar field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Khalid Mostafa S. , Mansour Ahmed S. , Desouky Saad El-Din M. , Afify Walaa S. M. , Ahmed Sayed F. , Elnaggar Osama M.
Published: April 2024

Predicting and interpolating the permeability between wells to obtain the 3D distribution is a challenging mission in reservoir simulation. The high degree of heterogeneity and diagenesis in the Nullipore carbonate reservoir provide a significant obstacle to accurate prediction. Moreover, intricate relationships between core and well logging data exist in the reservoir. This study presents a novel approach based on Machine Learning (ML) to overcome such difficulties and build a robust permeability predictive model. The main objective of this study is to develop an ML-based permeability prediction approach to predict permeability logs and populate the predicted logs to obtain the 3D permeability distribution of the reservoir. The methodology involves grouping the reservoir cored intervals into flow units (FUs), each of which has distinct petrophysical characteristics. The probability density function is used to investigate the relationships between the well logs and FUs to select high-weighted input features for reliable model prediction. Five ML algorithms, including Linear Regression (LR), Polynomial Regression (PR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Decision Trees (DeT), and Random Forests (RF), have been implemented to integrate the core permeability with the influential well logs to predict permeability. The dataset is randomly split into training and testing sets to evaluate the performance of the developed models. The models’ hyperparameters were tuned to improve the model’s prediction performance. To predict permeability logs, two key wells containing the whole reservoir FUs are used to train the most accurate ML model, and other wells to test the performance. Results indicate that the RF model outperforms all other ML models and offers the most accurate results, where the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj) between the predicted permeability and core permeability is 0.87 for the training set and 0.82 for the testing set, mean absolute error and mean squared error (MSE) are 0.32 and 0.19, respectively, for both sets. It was observed that the RF model exhibits high prediction performance when it is trained on wells containing the whole reservoir FUs. This approach aids in detecting patterns between the well logs and permeability along the profile of wells and capturing the wide permeability distribution of the reservoir. Ultimately, the predicted permeability logs were populated via the Gaussian Random Function Simulation geostatistical method to build a 3D permeability distribution for the reservoir. The study outcomes will aid users of ML to make informed choices on the appropriate ML algorithms to use in carbonate reservoir characterization for more accurate permeability predictions and better decision-making with limited available data.
Targeting strategies with lipid vectors for nucleic acid supplementation therapy in Fabry disease: a systematic review
Authors: Rodríguez-Castejón Julen , Beraza-Millor Marina , Solinís María Ángeles , Rodríguez-Gascón Alicia , del Pozo-Rodríguez Ana
Published: April 2024

Fabry disease (FD) results from a lack of activity of the lysosomal enzyme α-Galactosidase A (α-Gal A), leading to the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in several different cell types. Protein supplementation by pDNA or mRNA delivery presents a promising strategy to tackle the underlying genetic defect in FD. Protein-coding nucleic acids in FD can be either delivered to the most affected sites by the disease, including heart, kidney and brain, or to specialized organs that can act as a production factory of the enzyme, such as the liver. Lipid-based systems are currently at the top of the ranking of non-viral nucleic acid delivery systems, and their versatility allows the linking to the surface of a wide range of molecules to control their biodistribution after intravenous administration. This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines and provides an overview and discussion of the targeting ligands that have been employed so far to actively vectorize intravenously administered non-viral vectors based on lipid carriers to clinically relevant organs in the treatment of FD, for protein-coding nucleic acid (pDNA and mRNA) supplementation. Among the thirty-two studies included, the majority focus on targeting the liver and brain. The targeting of the heart has been reported to a lesser degree, whereas no articles addressing kidney-targeting have been recorded. Although a great effort has been made to develop organ-specific nucleic acid delivery systems, the design of active-targeted carriers with high quality, good clinical translation, and large-scale manufacturing capacity is still challenging.

Graphical Abstract
Leveraging Digital Media to Promote Youth Mental Health: Flipping the Script on Social Media-Related Risk
Authors: Hamilton Jessica L. , Torous John , Szlyk Hannah S. , Biernesser Candice , Kruzan Kaylee P. , Jensen Michaeline , Reyes-Portillo Jazmin , Primack Brian A. , Zelazny Jamie , Weigle Paul
Published: April 2024

Purpose of Review

Despite growing public concern about the negative impact of digital media for mental health problems, there are key ways in which digital media can be leveraged to prevent such outcomes. This article reviews research exploring the ways that digital media, particularly social media, can be used to prevent negative mental health outcomes and promote youth mental health and well-being.

Recent findings

Research indicates that media can be protective against mental health problems and promote mental health by enabling social support and destigmatizing mental illness, especially for youth with limited resources. Media also can be leveraged to identify those at risk, to educate, provide resources, and promote well-being, and to track symptoms and intervene to prevent or mitigate negative mental health outcomes. There is limited research on interventions designed to reduce the negative effects of digital media on mental health, especially those that harness media itself, a critical area of future research.

This article provides a summary of the current evidence on this topic, highlights key directions for future research, and provides evidence-based recommendations for adolescents, families, educators, clinicians, industry, and policy-makers to prevent mental health problems related to media.
What shall I do? Similarities and differences in moral judgements between Austrian and Mongolian students
Authors: Bart Victoria K. E. , Sharavdorj Erdenechimeg , Boldbaatar Enerel , Munkhnasan Delgerjav , Rieger Martina
Published: April 2024

Cross-cultural research in moral judgements (e.g., whether to sacrifice one person to save several others) often focuses on differences regarding the instrumentality of harm, i.e., whether the death of one person is an instrument to save several others (instrumental) or is an incidental side-effect (incidental). Less cross-cultural research exists on differences regarding one’s own involvement, i.e., whether one’s own life or only the life of others is at risk. The present study investigated the influence of both factors on moral judgements in a European (Austrian) and an Asian (Mongolian) culture. Austrians and Mongolians read moral dilemmas and chose whether (or not) they would carry out an action that sacrifices one but saves several others. Afterwards, they rated the moral acceptability of that action. Both cultures chose utilitarian actions (sacrificing one to save others) less often in instrumental than in incidental dilemmas. Thus, instrumental harm is universally regarded as worse than incidental harm. In instrumental dilemmas, Mongolians chose more utilitarian actions than Austrians, indicating that Mongolians more likely act in favour of group welfare. In instrumental dilemmas, Austrians chose more utilitarian actions when their own life was at risk than when only the life of others was at risk. In incidental dilemmas, the opposite was observed for Mongolians. Thus, Austrians more likely act in favour of self-interest, whereas Mongolians perceive it as more unvirtuous to harm others to save oneself. Results on moral acceptability ratings and decision times further support those cultural differences. Thus, culture may convey certain moral decisions.
Filling the void: boredom’s associations with hoarding symptom severity
Authors: Weiss Emily R. , Todman McWelling , Roane David M.
Published: April 2024

In hoarding disorder, features including attentional difficulties and emotion dysregulation can contribute to the core symptoms of clutter, difficulties discarding, and excessive acquisition. Boredom is a negative feeling state that shares a high level of overlap with associated features of hoarding, including inattention, depressive symptoms, and impulsivity, and has been implicated in compulsive buying behaviors. Boredom may be a particularly relevant factor in compulsive hoarding; however, this relationship remains significantly under-researched. The present studies aimed to thoroughly investigate associations between boredom and hoarding severity using diverse methodologies. Study 1 (N = 253) replicated, in an online community sample, previously reported positive associations between hoarding severity and recent state boredom while statistically controlling for potentially confounding variables (e.g., depression, indecisiveness), and extended these findings to include boredom proneness. In Study 2, individuals with elevated hoarding symptoms (n = 56) and a history of hoarding problems (n = 43) reported higher levels of recent state and trait boredom than controls (n = 61). Additionally, boredom was associated with performance on simulated acquiring and discarding tasks. Finally, Studies 3a (N = 144) and 3b (N = 146) attempted the first experimental tests of induced boredom on acquiring and discarding behaviors. Although results were mixed and preclude causal conclusions, exploratory analyses revealed that individuals reporting higher in-the-moment boredom took more (p = .008) and discarded fewer (p = .021) items on the simulated tasks. Overall, results suggest that boredom may have crucial implications in hoarding symptom severity.
The recent research progress in neurobiological characteristics and pain regulation of the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus
Authors: Wei Jingqiu , Liu He , Zhou Fang , Lu Xianfu , Zhang Hongxing , Zhang Licai
Published: April 2024

The ependymal epithelium forms the cerebrospinal fluid barrier, separating the brain and spinal cord from the cerebrospinal fluid. However, in specific regions of the central nervous system, there are neurons that directly interface with the cerebrospinal fluid, including neuronal bodies, dendrites, or axons, This constitutes what is referred to as the "cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons system (CSF-CNS)". The research team led by Professor Zhang has successfully utilized cholera toxin subunit B coupled horseradish peroxidase complex (CB-HRP) to selectively label the specialized neuron system that interfaces with cerebrospinal fluid, pioneeringly designating it as the "cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus", commonly referred to as the "CSF-contacting nucleus". For the first time, the discovery of the CSF-contacting nucleus provides compelling morphological evidence for the existence of a distinct neural structure within the brain parenchyma that establishes a connection with the cerebrospinal fluid, thereby suggesting its potential significance in facilitating material and information exchange between the brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid. After conducting a comprehensive series of studies on the morphological structure, material expression, gene analysis and functional aspects of the CSF-contacting nucleus in rodents and non-human primates, it has been revealed that there are fibrous connections between the CSF-contacting nucleus and the cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei being involved in the regulatory mechanisms of pain, cognition, learning and memory, emotion, addiction, stress and anxiety responses, visceral activity, olfaction, vision processing and perception, auditory processing, perception, motor control and coordination, homeostasis regulation including maintenance of body energy and fluid balance, as well as the control of sleep–wake cycles and synchronization of biological rhythms. Current experiments have confirmed that the CSF-contacting nucleus is related to pain, morphine dependence and withdrawal, learning and memory, as well as stress. This present article offers a comprehensive review of the neurobiological characteristics and recent advancements in pain regulation of the CSF-contacting nucleus. The aim is to provide novel insights into the investigation of pain regulation within bidirectional regulatory pathway between the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, with a specific focus on elucidating the role of the CSF-contacting nucleus as a bridge structure. Additionally, the objective of this research is to propose innovative strategies for pain management and associated disorders in the future.
Land Ownership Security, Farm Investment, and Investment Risk in Indian Agriculture: Evidence from Nationally Representative Survey
Authors: Akber Nusrat , Paltasingh Kirtti Ranjan , Mishra Ashok K. , Goyari Phanindra
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the impact of land ownership on farm-level investment and investment risk (variability) in Indian agriculture using nationally representative survey data. The study adopts a flexible moment approach with White’s heteroscedasticity consistent standard error method. Results reveal that land ownership intensity significantly augments on-farm investment and reduces its variability. Other variables like family head’s education, access to irrigation, technical advice, credit and nonfarm income have significant inducement effects on-farm investment. We also observe that farmers’ education, age, irrigation, technical advice, MSP awareness and commercialization reduce farm investment risk. Findings have important policy implications for Indian land tenancy
FEM-based eigenstructure recovery of a space truss with active members
Authors: Boni L. , Mengali G. , Quarta A.A. , Bassetto M.
Published: April 2024

Large truss structures have many potential applications in space, such as antennas, telescopes and space solar power plants. In this scenario, a natural concern is the susceptibility of these lightweight structures to be damaged during their operational life, due to impacts, transient thermal states and fatigue phenomena. The inclusion of active elements, equipped with sensor/actuator systems capable of modulating their shape and strength, makes it possible to transform the truss into a smart structure capable of remedying the damage, once it is detected. In this paper, a procedure is described that is capable of restoring at least the basic functionality of a composite truss for space applications, starting with the observation that damage has occurred, regardless of its specific location. The system eigenstructure is used as a benchmark for damage detection, as well as a target characteristic for the subsequent restoration activity. The observer/Kalman filter identification algorithm (OKID), in cascade with the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA), is adopted to reconstruct, from sensor recordings, the dynamic response of the truss in terms of system state-space representation and eigen-characteristics. Finally, a static output feedback control is developed to recover the low-frequency dynamic behaviour of the truss. The entire procedure is tested using finite element analysis. All activities are coordinated in an innovative procedure that, within a unique Python language code, automatically generates finite element (FE) models, launches finite element analysis (FEA), extracts output data, implements OKID-ERA, processes the control law and applies it to the final FE simulation.
Early-life contact with non-maternal adult cows and a pasture-based rearing environment influence behavioural responses of dairy heifers to novelty
Authors: Field Laura , Hemsworth Lauren , Jongman Ellen , McGill David , Verdon Megan
Published: April 2024

The complexity experienced in early life can affect trait development of individuals, including sociability and fearfulness. The modern dairy calf’s rearing environment often lacks environmental and social complexity. This study examined the effects of early-life, non-maternal adult contact and access to a physically complex environment on the responses of dairy heifers to several stressors, including restraint, social isolation, and novelty at 18 months of age. From the age of 2–13 weeks, 60 dairy heifers (Bos taurus) were reared according to one of three treatments applied to 20 calves each: (1) Hand-reared at pasture in groups of ten, with three unrelated dry cows (+S); (2) Hand-reared at pasture in groups of ten (–S); or (3) Hand-reared in sheds in groups of 10–12 as a commercial control (CC). At 13 weeks, all treatment groups were mixed and managed at pasture as a single herd. At 18 months, the responses of 50 heifers to restraint in a crush, social isolation and a novel object were observed (+S = 16, –S = 17, CC = 17). Treatment did not influence responses to restraint or social isolation, but influenced some indicators of fearfulness during exposure to a novel object. Six +S heifers interacted with the novel object compared to 0 –S and one CC, and CC heifers spent around 50% more time in vigilance than +S or –S heifers. Dairy heifers provided with early-life social enrichment in the form of non-maternal adult contact may have reduced fear of novelty. The implications for lifelong ability to adapt to novel situations, such as entry into the milking herd, should be assessed.
Religiosity and gender bias structure social networks
Authors: Ge Erhao , DongZhi CaiRang , Mace Ruth
Published: April 2024

The number of studies examining gender differences in the social relationship rewards associated with costly religious practice has been surprisingly low. Here, we use data from 289 residents of an agricultural Tibetan village to assess whether individuals are more inclined to establish supportive relationships with religious individuals in general and to investigate the gender disparities in the relationship between religiosity and personal network characteristics. Our results reveal that participation in religious rituals contributes to the overall development of social support networks. The benefits to personal networks, however, seem to be contingent upon gender. For resource-intensive, infrequent religious rituals such as distant pilgrimages, males seem to benefit slightly more in terms of elevated in-degree values in their personal networks, despite similar levels of investment as females. In contrast, for daily, low-cost religious practices requiring ongoing participation, both genders obtain similar increases in in-degree values through regular engagement. It becomes more challenging for women to increase their status in communities when the effort invested in religious rituals yields smaller rewards compared with the same effort by men, contributing to ongoing gender inequality. These findings highlight the importance of examining the particular characteristics of religious rituals and the gender disparities in the associated rewards.
Generic Beauville’s Conjecture
Authors: Coskun Izzet , Larson Eric , Vogt Isabel
Published: April 2024

Let

$\alpha \colon X \to Y$

be a finite cover of smooth curves. Beauville conjectured that the pushforward of a general vector bundle under

$\alpha $

is semistable if the genus of Y is at least

$1$

and stable if the genus of Y is at least

$2$

. We prove this conjecture if the map

$\alpha $

is general in any component of the Hurwitz space of covers of an arbitrary smooth curve Y.
A remark on Gibbs measures with log-correlated Gaussian fields
Authors: Oh Tadahiro , Seong Kihoon , Tolomeo Leonardo
Published: April 2024

We study Gibbs measures with log-correlated base Gaussian fields on thed-dimensional torus. In the defocusing case, the construction of such Gibbs measures follows from Nelson’s argument. In this paper, we consider the focusing case with a quartic interaction. Using the variational formulation, we prove nonnormalizability of the Gibbs measure. When$d = 2$, our argument provides an alternative proof of the nonnormalizability result for the focusing$\Phi ^4_2$-measure by Brydges and Slade (1996). Furthermore, we provide a precise rate of divergence, where the constant is characterized by the optimal constant for a certain Bernstein’s inequality on$\mathbb R^d$. We also go over the construction of the focusing Gibbs measure with a cubic interaction. In the appendices, we present (a) nonnormalizability of the Gibbs measure for the two-dimensional Zakharov system and (b) the construction of focusing quartic Gibbs measures with smoother base Gaussian measures, showing a critical nature of the log-correlated Gibbs measure with a focusing quartic interaction.
Tackling Hermeneutical Injustices in Gender-Affirming Healthcare
Authors: Clanchy Nick
Published: April 2024

Previously proposed strategies for tackling hermeneutical injustices take for granted the interests people have in certain things about them being intelligible to them and/or to others, and seek to enable them to satisfy these interests. Strategies of this sort I call interests-as-given strategies. I propose that some hermeneutical injustices can instead be tackled by doing away with certain of these interests, and so with the possibility of their unfair nonsatisfaction. Strategies of this sort I call interests-in-question strategies. As a case study in when such an interests-in-question strategy ought to be pursued, I look at how to tackle hermeneutical injustices arising in the context of gender-affirming healthcare as provided to adults by the National Health Service in the UK. I argue that considerations of trust, privacy, and respect all support pursuing such a strategy. One way to do so, I suggest, would be by replacing the existing gatekeeping model with an informed consent model for the provision of gender-affirming healthcare. Considerations of hermeneutical justice can hence be added to the already-impressive case for undertaking this shift.
Elastic particle model for coil-stretch transition of dilute polymers in an elongational flow
Authors: Gao Tong
Published: April 2024

The phenomenon of the ‘coil-stretch’ (C-S) transition, wherein a long-chain polymer initially in a coiled state undergoes a sudden configuration change to become fully stretched under steady elongational flows, has been widely recognized. This transition can display intricate hysteresis behaviours under specific critical conditions, giving rise to unique rheological characteristics in dilute polymer solutions. Historically, microscopic stochastic models and Brownian dynamics simulations have shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the transition by uncovering bistable configurations of polymer chains. Following the initial work by Cerf (J. Chem. Phys., vol. 20, 1952, pp. 395–402), we introduce a continuum model in this study to investigate the C-S transition in a constant uniaxial elongational flow. Our approach involves approximating the unfolding process of the polymer chain as an axisymmetric deformation of an elastic particle. We make the assumption that the particle possesses uniform material properties, which can be represented by a nonlinear, strain-hardening constitutive equation to replicate the finite extensibility of the polymer chain. Subsequently, we analytically solve for the steady-state deformation using a polarization method. By employing this reduced model, we effectively capture the C-S transition and establish its specific correlations with material and geometric properties. The hysteresis phenomena can be comprehended through a force-balance analysis, which involves comparing the externally applied viscous forces with the intrinsic elastic responsive forces. We demonstrate that our model, while simple, unveils rich elastohydrodynamics of the C-S transition.