bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of Barozen Lipid Plus for point-of-care testing of lipid profiles: a method comparison study
Authors: Yu Soojoung , Sun Hwa Yeon , Yoo Byungwook
Published: October 2023

Background: The quick and easy nature of point-of-care (POC) testing devices allows regular monitoring of serum lipid levels to increase efficiency. The purpose of this study was to assess a POC lipid analyzer, Barozen Lipid Plus (MICO Biomed Co., Ltd.), which uses capillary blood to measure total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Methods: Capillary and venous blood samples were collected from 110 participants at a single center in Korea between June 10 and June 26, 2021. TC, TG, and HDL-C measurements using Barozen Lipid Plus were compared with measurements using our reference device, the Roche-Hitachi Cobas 8000 c702 (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation). This study followed the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. We surveyed participants regarding the convenience of the POC device using a questionnaire following the completion of blood collection. Results: When compared to the reference equipment, the measurements obtained using Barozen Lipid Plus were more than 95% satisfactory within TC±10%, TG±25%, and HDL-C±30%. The coefficient of variation in the repeatability testing was within 5% for TC, 5% for TGs, and 7% for HDL-C. The survey results indicated high levels of satisfaction. No adverse events were reported.Conclusion: These findings suggest that Barozen Lipid Plus is reliable for measuring lipid profiles and can therefore be used to monitor lipid levels at the time and place of patient care.
Fatores associados aos comportamentos ativo e sedentário em adolescentes brasileiros: uma análise de redes
Authors: Nascimento José Ywgne Vieira do , Lima Cayo Vinnycius Pereira , Giudicelli Bruno Barbosa , Lima Lucas Mattheus Pereira , Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Pinheiro Ingrid Kelly Alves dos Santos , Magalhães Kleberton Carlos Silva , Silva Danilo Rodrigues Pereira da , Martins Clarice Maria de Lucena , Henrique Rafael dos Santos , Cunha Júnior Arnaldo Tenório da , Luz Leonardo Gomes de Oliveira
Published: October 2023

O presente estudo verificou a associação entre variáveis sociodemográficas, características da escola, nível de atividade física (AF) e comportamento sedentário (CS) em adolescentes brasileiros. A amostra foi composta por 71.903 adolescentes entre 13 e 16 anos (52,8% meninas), matriculados no último ano do ensino fundamental, em escolas públicas e privadas do Brasil, participantes da terceira edição da Pesquisa Nacional da Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). As informações foram recolhidas através de questionário. O tempo de AF na aula de Educação Física e extra aula de Educação Física, o tempo em deslocamento ativo e o tempo em CS foram associados às variáveis sociodemográficas (tipo de município, local da escola, escolaridade da mãe, percepção de insegurança, idade e sexo) e características da escola (tipo de escola e quadra disponível para uso). Utilizou-se a análise de rede. Quanto ao comportamento ativo, a topologia de rede mostrou que os meninos são mais ativos do que as meninas, principalmente na AF extra aula de Educação Física. Além disso, os resultados revelaram um maior tempo de AF na aula de Educação Física para os meninos, estudantes cujas mães apresentavam maior escolaridade, matriculados em escolas privadas e com quadra disponível para uso. Os estudantes matriculados em escolas públicas apresentaram maior tempo de AF em deslocamento ativo. Quanto ao CS, jovens do contexto urbano apresentaram maior exposição quando comparados aos pares do contexto rural. Conclui-se que as características sociodemográficas e da escola estão relacionadas com os comportamentos dos adolescentes brasileiros em todos os domínios da AF e no CS.
Social Trading, Communication, and Networks
Authors: Deng Jiaying , Yang Mingwen , Pelster Matthias , Tan Yong
Published: October 2023

Social trading is an emerging market in the sharing economy, allowing investors (followers) to duplicate the trades of other investors (leaders) in real time. We analyze the formation and dissolution of links in a large social trading network. Such networks are characterized by the rapid dissolution of links, increasing the importance of studying network dissolution. We investigate how social communication, along with financial performance and demographics, affects dynamic network evolution. We show that different types of social communication, such as posts and comments, have different implications for link formation and dissolution. Moreover, we find financial performance to be highly important for link formation and dissolution, whereas demographic characteristics are only relevant for link formation. In social trading, the extreme flexibility of followers in dissolving links and thereby, terminating their relationship instantaneously brings about large income uncertainty for leaders. Thus, a thorough understanding of network evolution and its determinants is crucial for leaders. Our results can provide guidance on when and how to communicate with followers. As vocal leaders on social media may exert a significant influence on financial markets—as demonstrated by recent the GameStop frenzy—a better understanding of the evolution of investment networks is also important for regulators.
Supply Risk Mitigation in a Decentralized Supply Chain: Pricing Postponement or Payment Postponement?
Authors: Geng Xin , Guo Xiaomeng , Xiao Guang , Yang Nan
Published: October 2023

Problem definition: In a multistage model of a bilateral supply chain, we study two postponement strategies that the downstream retailer may adopt to mitigate the supply yield risk originating from the upstream production process. The retailer could either postpone the procurement payment until after the yield is realized and pay only for the delivered amount; postpone the pricing decision to better utilize the available supply; or do both. Although both strategies have been separately studied in literature, there is little research on their combined effect and system-wide implications in a decentralized setting. Methodology/results: Taking a game-theoretic approach, we formulate a Stackelberg game and solve for the equilibrium in four scenarios, respectively, in which the retailer uses different combinations of the postponement strategies. There are three main findings. First, when the production cost is low and the yield loss is highly likely, the retailer never strictly benefits from either postponement strategy; with relatively high production cost, the retailer is more likely to adopt payment, rather than pricing, postponement. Second, we uncover a situation where postponing payment and postponing pricing are strategic complements for the retailer. That is, the use of one strategy may increase the benefit of using the other. Third, we identify conditions under which the postponement strategies can be Pareto optimal to the entire supply chain, making the firms’ profits and the consumer surplus simultaneously higher. Managerial implications: These results can be applied in many practical settings to provide guidance for firms to better design the procurement contract and properly use marketing instrument (pricing) to effectively mitigate supply risk and increase profit.

Funding: G. Xiao acknowledges financial support from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong [General Research Fund Grant PolyU 15503920]. X. Guo acknowledges the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72293564/72293560].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0198 .
Screening of nutritional status and education on balanced nutrition for boarding school students
Authors: Fitriyanto Raden Edi , Rahmawaty Farida Juliantina , Occifa Gloscindy Arma
Published: October 2023

Nutritional status is a condition that reflects the balance between nutrient intake and nutrient needs for body metabolism. Malnutrition is still a priority for national health development. Malnutrition in children causes growth and development problems and affects the quality of resources. The risk of malnutrition can occur to the students at the Islamic boarding school because they do not live and are cared for by their parents. Therefore, this community service focuses on screening and anticipating calorie deficiency in elementary school students.
     Ash Sholihah Islamic Boarding School is a boarding school in Sleman Regency with simple facilities. The number of boarding school students is approximately 700 male and female students, consisting of elementary to high school students. Elementary school students need more attention because they cannot take care of themselves and maintain food intake properly. The results of the anthropometric examination of 198 children showed that 166 (83.6%) were underweight, 24 (12.1%) had ideal body weight, and 8 (4.04%) were overweight. The results of the anthropometric examination of 198 children showed that 166 (83.6%) were underweight, 24 (12.1%) had ideal body weight, and 8 (4.04%) were overweight. The results of the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire screening showed 10 (5.1%) malnutrition, 165 (83.3%) risk of malnutrition, 8 (4%) good nutrition, and 15 (7.6%) unknown. The service activities were continued with medical examinations and administration of drugs if necessary.
     Then carried out education and provision of additional calories to 166 children with underweight. Dormitory administrators are involved in supervising the implementation of additional nutrition. Additional intake given is a preparation equivalent to 100 kcal/day for each child as modified Formula 100.
"Playes Print the Letter": American Child(hoods) as Archival Present/ce
Authors: Mayar Mahshid
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Drawing attention to the "similar motivations of nostalgia, desire, fantasy, and power" that bind childhood and archival studies together, Karen Sánchez-Eppler observes that "[t]he questions of politics and power at stake in archival work and in Childhood Studies are often one and the same." In this article, I expand Sánchez-Eppler's already complex directory by adding temporality to it. Pausing in the middle to examine a number of letters that children sent to the juvenile periodical St. Nicholas in the 1890s, I engage with the notion of time as a productive means to comprehend and ultimately work to counter the relative dearth of authorial, intentional, and dedicated archives of childhood—what historians of childhood have long identified as one of the main challenges for writing the history of children and youth. As I argue in this paper, to engage with time in the study of children and childhoods past begins with making the case for childhood as both a temporary and a temporal category and examining what this dual temporality means and does to archiving childhood.
The Ambiguous Nature of Children's Work in Socialist Yugoslavia: An Analysis Based on Children's Magazine Pionirski List
Authors: Niskač Barbara Turk
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Drawing on the educational role ascribed to work in children's upbringing, the article analyzes children's work and its many ambiguities as presented in children's magazine Pionirski list [Pioneers magazine ] in socialist Yugoslavia. The magazine featured content for children, about children, as well as contributions produced by children themselves, telling how they experienced different forms of work in their everyday lives. Most notably, Pionirski list addressed children as self-managing pioneers actively participating in shaping social reality, and at the same time it was only yet building and reproducing a construct of the child as a self-managing pioneer and future self-managing worker in line with Yugoslavia's third way of socialism. Although Yugoslavia was consolidating schooling as the child's main obligation and breaking with exploitative child labor, it promoted a social organization centered on productive and socially useful work that included children as well. It built on Marxist notions of self-determined work, yet the understanding of work as inseparable from life also related to the ethos of the agricultural society's domestic economy. After breaking with the USSR, Yugoslavia embraced worker self-management as a so-called third way to socialism. All these various aspects of work fed into the educational value ascribed to work in childhood and placed it in a mutually constructive relationship with play and leisure rather than as their opposite.
Belonging to The Body of The Nation: Gender, Race, and The Volksgemeinschaft in Hitler Youth Magazines, 1933–1938
Authors: Sahrakorpi Tiia
Published: October 2023

Abstract: This article examines how Nazi children's magazines used emotional narrativization to create and sell fantasies about gender, race, and the Volksgemeinschaft [people's community]. These magazines are neglected sources on Nazi print culture; their content and context add to our understanding of child indoctrination. Children's magazines had no Jewish characters in their stories, while dark-skinned, non-Aryan peoples were culturally appropriated and caricatured to create power fantasies. This article argues that through compelling narratives, hegemonic masculine traits were fetishized and glamorized to appeal to young boys in order to prepare them to serve in both the Volksgemeinschaft and the army.
High-speed polarization tracking using thin film lithium niobate integrated dynamic polarization controller
Authors: Li Zongkai , Gan Ranfeng , Xu Yuxi , Chen Bin , Zhou Xi , Liu Jie , Liu Liu , Li Zhaohui , Wang Dawei , Guo Changjian
Published: October 2023

Dynamic polarization controllers (DPCs) are essential devices in various optical applications. We develop a thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated DPC driven by the real-time implemented Jacobian control algorithm for fast polarization tracking. Experimental results demonstrate a high polarization tracking speed of 100 krad/s when targeting a specific linear state of polarization, with a low control loop delay of 420 ns, half-wave control voltages of 2.75 V, and a fast polarization restoring time of 1.6 us. Compared to previously reported integrated DPCs, the TFLN-based DPC achieves significantly higher tracking speed and lower loop delay. The results highlight the effectiveness of the Jacobian method and the outstanding performance of TFLN-based DPCs. The study opens up possibilities for further advancements in DPC solutions using TFLN technology.
Bound for Gaussian-state quantum illumination using a direct photon measurement
Authors: Lee Su-Yong , Hwan Kim Dong , Jo Yonggi , Jeong Taek , Kim Zaeill , Kim Duk Y.
Published: October 2023

It is important to find feasible measurement bounds for quantum information protocols. We present analytic bounds for quantum illumination with Gaussian states when using an on-off detection or a photon number resolving (PNR) detection, where its performance is evaluated with signal-to-noise ratio. First, for coincidence counting measurement, the best performance is given by the two-mode squeezed vacuum (TMSV) state which outperforms the coherent state and the classically correlated thermal (CCT) state. However, the coherent state can beat the TMSV state with increasing signal mean photon number in the case of the on-off detection. Second, the performance is enhanced by taking Fisher information approach with all counting probabilities including non-detection events. In the Fisher information approach, the TMSV state still presents the best performance but the CCT state can beat the TMSV state with increasing signal mean photon number in the case of the on-off detection. Furthermore, we show that it is useful to take the PNR detection on the signal mode and the on-off detection on the idler mode, which reaches similar performance of using PNR detection on both modes.
Opto-thermal deformation fitting method based on a neural network and a transfer learning
Authors: Pan Yue , Hu Motong , Zhang Kailin , Xu Xiping
Published: October 2023

The thermal deformation fitting result of an optical surface is an important factor that affects the reliability of optical–mechanical–thermal integrated analysis. The traditional numerical methods are challenging to balance fitting accuracy and efficiency, especially the insufficient ability to deal with high-order Zernike polynomials. In this Letter, we innovatively proposed an opto-thermal deformation fitting method based on a neural network and a transfer learning to overcome shortcomings of numerical methods. The one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) model, which can represent deformation of the optical surface, is trained with Zernike polynomials as the input and the optical surface sag change as the output, and the corresponding Zernike coefficients are predicted by the identity matrix. Meanwhile, the trained 1D-CNN is further combined with the transfer learning to efficiently fit all thermal deformations of the same optical surface at different temperature conditions and avoids repeated training of the network. We performed thermal analysis on the main mirror of an aerial camera to verify the proposed method. The regression analysis of 1D-CNN training results showed that the determination coefficient is greater than 99.9%. The distributions of Zernike coefficients predicted by 1D-CNN and transfer learning are consistent. We conducted an error analysis on the fitting results, and the average values of the peak-valley, root mean square, and mean relative errors of the proposed method are 51.56%, 60.51, and 45.14% of the least square method, respectively. The results indicate that the proposed method significantly improves the fitting accuracy and efficiency of thermal deformations, making the optical–mechanical–thermal integrated analysis more reliable.
Microbial thermogenesis is dependent on ATP concentrations and the protein kinases ArcB, GlnL, and YccC
Authors: Dhatt Puneet Singh , Chiu Stephen , Moon Tae Seok
Published: October 2023

Organisms necessarily release heat energy in their pursuit of survival. This process is known as cellular thermogenesis and is implicated in many processes from cancer metabolism to spontaneous farm fires. However, the molecular basis for this fundamental phenomenon is yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that the major players involved in the cellular thermogenesis of Escherichia coli are the protein kinases ArcB, GlnL, and YccC. We also reveal the substrate-level control of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven autophosphorylation that governs cellular thermogenesis. Specifically, through live cell microcalorimetry, we find these regulatory proteins, when knocked out in a model E. coli strain, dysregulate cellular thermogenesis. This dysregulation can be seen in an average 25% or greater increase in heat output by these cells. We also discover that both heat output and intracellular ATP levels are maximal during the late log phase of growth. Additionally, we show that microbial thermogenesis can be engineered through overexpressing glnL. Our results demonstrate a correlation between ATP concentrations in the cell and a cell’s ability to generate excess heat. We expect this work to be the foundation for engineering thermogenically tuned organisms for a variety of applications.
Adiponectin in the mammalian host influences ticks’ acquisition of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia
Authors: Tang Xiaotian , Cao Yongguo , Booth Carmen J. , Arora Gunjan , Cui Yingjun , Matias Jaqueline , Fikrig Erol
Published: October 2023

Arthropod-borne pathogens cause some of the most important human and animal infectious diseases. Many vectors acquire or transmit pathogens through the process of blood feeding. Here, we report adiponectin, the most abundant adipocyte-derived hormone circulating in human blood, directly or indirectly inhibits acquisition of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, by Ixodes scapularis ticks. Rather than altering tick feeding or spirochete viability, adiponectin or its associated factors induces host histamine release when the tick feeds, which leads to vascular leakage, infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, and inflammation at the bite site. Consistent with this, adiponectin-deficient mice have diminished pro-inflammatory responses, including interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-1β, following a tick bite, compared with wild-type animals. All these factors mediated by adiponectin or associated factors influence B. burgdorferi survival at the tick bite site. These results suggest a host adipocyte-derived hormone modulates pathogen acquisition by a blood-feeding arthropod.
An integrated approach to the characterization of immune repertoires using AIMS: An Automated Immune Molecule Separator
Authors: Boughter Christopher T. , Meier-Schellersheim Martin
Published: October 2023

The adaptive immune system employs an array of receptors designed to respond with high specificity to pathogens or molecular aberrations faced by the host organism. Binding of these receptors to molecular fragments—collectively referred to as antigens—initiates immune responses. These antigenic targets are recognized in their native state on the surfaces of pathogens by antibodies, whereas T cell receptors (TCR) recognize processed antigens as short peptides, presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Recent research has led to a wealth of immune repertoire data that are key to interrogating the nature of these molecular interactions. However, existing tools for the analysis of these large datasets typically focus on molecular sets of a single type, forcing researchers to separately analyze strongly coupled sequences of interacting molecules. Here, we introduce a software package for the integrated analysis of immune repertoire data, capable of identifying distinct biophysical differences in isolated TCR, MHC, peptide, antibody, and antigen sequence data. This integrated analytical approach allows for direct comparisons across immune repertoire subsets and provides a starting point for the identification of key interaction hotspots in complementary receptor-antigen pairs. The software (AIMS—Automated Immune Molecule Separator) is freely available as an open access package in GUI or command-line form.
Mental health during wildfires in Southcentral Alaska: An assessment of community-derived mental health categories, interventions, and implementation considerations
Authors: Hahn Micah B. , Michlig Georgia J. , Hansen Amanda , Manning Liam , Augustinavicius Jura L.
Published: October 2023

Previous studies have linked wildfires to a range of adverse mental health outcomes, but there has been limited research on the mental health impacts of wildfire in Alaska, an area undergoing rapid environmental change. We used a multi-level qualitative approach to identify mental health and psychosocial problems, coping, existing support, and gaps in support among communities who were affected by the Swan Lake and McKinley fires in Alaska in 2019. We recruited 39 community members from Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula to participate in free list interviews, a community ranking workshop, and in-depth interviews, and we recruited 12 professional key informants including wildland firefighters, mental health providers, community advocates, policy makers, and public health professionals to participate in in-depth interviews and a discussion-based workshop. There were several locally-defined categories of mental health issues identified in relation to wildfires in southcentral Alaska in 2019. Key informants who work in the region identified a package of communications-related interventions as being the most impactful and actionable support for wildfire-related mental health concerns. Additional highly rated mental health supports centered around leadership acknowledging the connection between wildfire and mental health, connecting community members to formal or informal systems of mental health care, enhancing the emergency shelter system, and providing crises debriefing during wildfire evacuations. The results of this study can be utilized to facilitate implementation of prevention and response activities to support mental health resilience during wildfires in Alaska and other wildfire-affected regions.
An allelic series at the EDNRB2 locus controls diverse piebalding patterns in the domestic pigeon
Authors: Maclary Emily T. , Wauer Ryan , Phillips Bridget , Brown Audrey , Boer Elena F. , Samani Atoosa M. , Shapiro Michael D.
Published: October 2023

Variation in pigment patterns within and among vertebrate species reflects underlying changes in cell migration and function that can impact health, reproductive success, and survival. The domestic pigeon (Columba livia) is an exceptional model for understanding the genetic changes that give rise to diverse pigment patterns, as selective breeding has given rise to hundreds of breeds with extensive variation in plumage color and pattern. Here, we map the genetic architecture of a suite of pigmentation phenotypes known as piebalding. Piebalding is characterized by patches of pigmented and non-pigmented feathers, and these plumage patterns are often breed-specific and stable across generations. Using a combination of quantitative trait locus mapping in F2 laboratory crosses and genome-wide association analysis, we identify a locus associated with piebalding across many pigeon breeds. This shared locus harbors a candidate gene, EDNRB2, that is a known regulator of pigment cell migration, proliferation, and survival. We discover multiple distinct haplotypes at the EDNRB2 locus in piebald pigeons, which include a mix of protein-coding, noncoding, and structural variants that are associated with depigmentation in specific plumage regions. These results identify a role for EDNRB2 in pigment patterning in the domestic pigeon, and highlight how repeated selection at a single locus can generate a diverse array of stable and heritable pigment patterns.
SMASH: Scalable Method for Analyzing Spatial Heterogeneity of genes in spatial transcriptomics data
Authors: Seal Souvik , Bitler Benjamin G. , Ghosh Debashis
Published: October 2023

In high-throughput spatial transcriptomics (ST) studies, it is of great interest to identify the genes whose level of expression in a tissue covaries with the spatial location of cells/spots. Such genes, also known as spatially variable genes (SVGs), can be crucial to the biological understanding of both structural and functional characteristics of complex tissues. Existing methods for detecting SVGs either suffer from huge computational demand or significantly lack statistical power. We propose a non-parametric method termed SMASH that achieves a balance between the above two problems. We compare SMASH with other existing methods in varying simulation scenarios demonstrating its superior statistical power and robustness. We apply the method to four ST datasets from different platforms uncovering interesting biological insights.
Nanoparticles fabricated from the bioactive tilapia scale collagen for wound healing: Experimental approach
Authors: Shalaby Manal , Hamouda Dalia , Khedr Shaimaa M. , Mostafa Haitham M. , Saeed Hesham , Ghareeb Ahmed Z.
Published: October 2023

The creation of innovative wound-healing nanomaterials based on natural compounds emerges as a top research goal. This research aimed to create a gel containing collagen nanoparticles and evaluate its therapeutic potential for skin lesions. Collagen nanoparticles were produced from fish scales using desolvation techniques. Using SDS PAGE electrophoresis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as the structure of the isolated collagen and its similarities to collagen type 1 were identified. The surface morphology of the isolated collagen and its reformulation into nanoparticles were examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A Zeta sizer was used to examine the size, zeta potential, and distribution of the synthesized collagen nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of the nanomaterials was investigated and an experimental model was used to evaluate the wound healing capability. The overall collagen output from Tilapia fish scales was 42%. Electrophoretic patterns revealed that the isolated collagen included a unique protein with chain bands of 126–132 kDa and an elevated beta band of 255 kDa. When compared to the isolated collagen, the collagen nanoparticles’ FTIR results revealed a significant drop in the amide II (42% decrease) and amide III (32% decrease) band intensities. According to SEM analysis, the generated collagen nanoparticles ranged in size from 100 to 350 nm, with an average diameter of 182 nm determined by the zeta sizer. The produced collagen nanoparticles were polydispersed in nature and had an equivalent average zeta potential of -17.7 mV. Cytotoxicity study showed that, when treating fibroblast cells with collagen nanoparticle concentrations, very mild morphological alterations were detected after human skin fibroblasts were treated with collagen nanoparticles 32 μg/ml for 24 hours, as higher concentrations of collagen nanoparticles caused cell detachment. Macroscopical and histological investigations proved that the fabricated fish scale collagen nanoparticles promoted the healing process in comparison to the saline group.
Effects of common interest groups on rural women and youth livelihood: A qualitative study from Central Ethiopia
Authors: Leul Solomon Zewdu , Bekele Alemu Azmeraw , Feleke Solomon Tsehay , Hailu Alemseged Gerezgiher
Published: October 2023

The study was conducted to examine the implications of the Common Interest Group (CIG) scheme for rural livelihood change in the selected areas of theWara-Jarso woreda, Central Ethiopia. The study focuses on the activities of the CIGs, their effectiveness, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, along with the changes in the livelihood status of CIG members. Four CIGs that fits into the aim of the study were purposively selected from the CIGs operating in theworeda. Among a qualitative research approach, a case study was employed. The data were collected from January 1, 2021 to February 28, 2021. Primary data were gathered using Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. A thorough desk review of official documents and other secondary sources was made as an auxiliary method to capture sets of relevant information. The data organization was performed by the MAXQDA 2020 qualitative data analysis package program. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, relational analysis, and content analysis methods. It was found that the CIGs have encouraged strong social capital among members and becomes an important alternative financial source. It was also found that the CIGs operation has encountered problems related to lack of entrepreneurial education and skill training, monitoring and evaluation, workplace, coordination among stakeholders, inadequate and improper financial use, and non-existence of market linkage. Their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities were also indicated. For successful rural women and youth livelihood change through the CIGs scheme, the study recommends access to entrepreneurial skill training, coordination among relevant stakeholders, strong monitoring and evaluation, access to market linkage and workplace, and adequate funding.
Dingoes, companions in life and death: The significance of archaeological canid burial practices in Australia
Authors: Koungoulos Loukas George , Balme Jane , O’Connor Sue
Published: October 2023

The dingo, also known as the Australian native dog, was introduced in the late Holocene. Dingoes were primarily wild animals but a number resided in Aboriginal people’s camps. Traditionally, these individuals were taken from wild litters before weaning and raised by Aboriginal people. It is generally believed that these dingoes were not directly provided for, and upon sexual maturity, returned to reproduce in the wild. However, some died while in the company of people and, were buried in occupation sites. This Australian practice parallels the burial of domestic dogs in many regions of the Asia-Pacific and beyond but has attracted very little research. We explore the historical and archaeological evidence for dingo burial, examining its different forms, chronological and geographic distribution, and cultural significance. Dingoes were usually buried in the same manner as Aboriginal community members and often in areas used for human burial, sometimes alongside people. This practice probably occurred from the time of their introduction until soon after European colonisation. We present a case study of dingo burials from Curracurrang Rockshelter (NSW) which provides insights into the lives of ancient tame dingoes, and suggests that domestication and genetic continuity between successive camp-dwelling generations may have occurred prior to European contact.
Skills to Enhance Positivity in adolescents at risk for suicide: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yen Shirley , Suazo Nazaret , Doerr Jackson , Macrynikola Natalia , Villarreal Leanna S. , Sodano Sophia , O’Brien Kimberly H. M. , Wolff Jennifer C. , Breault Christopher , Gibb Brandon E. , Elwy Rani , Kahler Christopher W. , Ranney Megan , Jones Richard , Spirito Anthony
Published: October 2023

Background

Suicide and suicidal behavior during adolescence have been steadily increasing over the past two decades. The preponderance of interventions focuses on crisis intervention, underlying psychiatric disorders, regulating negative affect, and reducing cognitive distortions. However, low positive affectivity may be a mechanism that contributes to adolescent suicidal ideation and behaviors independent of other risk factors. Skills to Enhance Positivity (STEP) is an acceptance-based intervention, designed to increase attention to, and awareness of, positive affect and positive experiences. Results from a pilot RCT demonstrated engagement of the target (positive affect) and a decrease in clinical outcomes (suicidal events; i.e., either a suicide attempt or an emergency intervention for an acute suicidal crisis), providing support to test the clinical effectiveness of STEP in a larger clinical trial with clinical staff implementing the intervention.

Objective

To test the effectiveness of STEP, compared to Enhanced Treatment as Usual (ETAU), in reducing suicidal events and ideation in adolescents admitted to inpatient psychiatric care due to suicide risk. We hypothesize that those randomized to STEP, compared to ETAU, will have lower rates of suicide events, active suicidal ideation (SI), and depressed mood over the 6-month follow-up period. We hypothesize that those randomized to STEP, compared to ETAU, will demonstrate greater improvement in the hypothesized mechanisms of attention to positive affect stimuli and gratitude and satisfaction with life.

Methods

Participants will be randomized to either STEP or ETAU. STEP consists of four in-person sessions focused on psychoeducation regarding positive and negative affect, mindfulness meditation, gratitude, and savoring. Mood monitoring prompts and skill reminders will be sent via text messaging daily for the first month post-discharge and every other day for the following two months. The ETAU condition will receive text-delivered reminders to use a safety plan provided at discharge from the hospital and healthy habits messages, matched in frequency to the STEP group. This trial was registered on 6 August 2021 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04994873).

Results

The STEP protocol was approved by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Data and Safety Monitoring Board on March 4, 2022. The RCT is currently in progress.

Discussion

The STEP protocol is an innovative, adjunctive treatment that has the potential to have positive effects on adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts beyond that found for standard treatment alone.
Swine industry stakeholders’ perception on the use of water-based foam as an emergency mass depopulation method
Authors: Cheng Ting-Yu , Campler Magnus R. , Rudolphi Josie M. , Williams Taylor J. , Kieffer Justin D. , Moeller Steven J. , Bowman Andrew S. , Arruda Andréia G.
Published: October 2023

The U.S. pork supply chain is vulnerable to various internal and external threats and in need of prompt, comprehensive response plans. Under urgent circumstances, for example in the case of foreign disease incursions, swine farms will have to perform on-farm animal depopulation to prevent disease spread. Several animal depopulation methods including water-based foam (WBF) have been proposed and are under evaluation for feasibility in the field. However, the psychological/emotional impacts of applying depopulation methods for personnel managing and carrying on the tasks are not currently well understood. Thus, this study aimed to investigate WBF as an alternative for depopulation compared to existing methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Swine industry stakeholders were invited to voluntarily observe a WBF depopulation trial and to provide their self-reported perspectives before and after the observation. A survey was designed to explore key areas on expected and perceived method effectiveness, efficiency, and animal welfare considerations, as well as to evaluate short-term post-observation psychological impacts. Among 42 recruited stakeholders, 31.0% (13/42) were educators/researchers followed by animal health officials (26.2%, 11/42) and veterinarians (23.8%, 10/42), with an average of 11.7 ± 12.6 (n = 39) years of work experience. After the trial, respondents’ positive perception of WBF depopulation increased specifically regarding the animal loading process being less stressful than restrained in-barn depopulation options (P= 0.003) and by the observation of fewer swine escape attempts and vocalizations than expected (P< 0.001). Respondents’ positive perception of WBF also increased regarding to the time required to fill the trailer with foam, to stop hearing animal vocalization, and stop hearing animal movement, as the observed trial times were faster than their pre-observation estimates (P< 0.001). Additionally, 79.5% (31/39) of respondents agreed that the rapid destruction of animal populations had priority over animal welfare under urgent scenarios. Minor post-traumatic stress disorder-like (PTSD-like) symptoms from the observed trials were reported (26.7%, 4/15 respondents) one month after the observation. This study showed that the WBF depopulation process was perceived positively by swine stakeholders and may have limited short-term psychological impacts on personnel involved in animal depopulation.
Macrophage specific restoration of the Nrf2 gene in whole-body knockout mice ameliorates steatohepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis through enhanced hepatic clearance
Authors: Chihara Kanako , Okada Kosuke , Uchida Fumihiko , Miura Ikuru , Komine Shoichi , Warabi Eiji , Takayama Takako , Suzuki Hideo , Matsuzaka Takashi , Ishibashi-Kanno Naomi , Yamagata Kenji , Yanagawa Toru , Bukawa Hiroki , Shoda Junichi
Published: October 2023

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), which causes periodontal disease, contributes to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated the role of Nrf2, an antioxidative stress sensor, in macrophages in the development of NASH induced by LPS from P.g. We generated macrophage-specific Nrf2 gene rescue mice (Nrf2-mRes), which express Nrf2 only in macrophages, using the cre/loxp system. Wild-type (WT) mice, whole body Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2-KO) mice, and Nrf2-mRes mice were fed a high-fat diet for 18 weeks, and LPS from P.g. was administered intraperitoneally for the last 6 weeks. Nrf2-KO mice developed severe steatohepatitis with liver inflammation and fibrosis compared with WT mice, and steatohepatitis was ameliorated in Nrf2-mRes mice. The mRNA expressions of Toll-like receptor (Tlr)-2, which activates inflammatory signaling pathways after LPS binding, and α-smooth muscle actin (αSma), which promotes hepatic fibrosis, were reduced in Nrf2-mRes mice compared with Nrf2-KO mice. The protein levels of LPS-binding protein in livers were increased in Nrf2-KO mice compared with WT mice; however, the levels were reduced in Nrf2-mRes mice despite similar numbers of F4/80 positive cells, which reflect macrophage/Kupffer cell infiltration into the livers. Nrf2 in macrophages ameliorates NASH through the increased hepatic clearance of LPS.
ACE I/D genotype associates with strength in sarcopenic men but not with response to ACE inhibitor therapy in older adults with sarcopenia: Results from the LACE trial
Authors: Rossios Christos , Bashir Tufail , Achison Marcus , Adamson Simon , Akpan Asangaedem , Aspray Terry , Avenell Alison , Band Margaret M. , Burton Louise A. , Cvoro Vera , Donnan Peter T. , Duncan Gordon W. , George Jacob , Gordon Adam L. , Gregson Celia L. , Hapca Adrian , Hume Cheryl , Jackson Thomas A. , Kerr Simon , Kilgour Alixe , Masud Tahir , McKenzie Andrew , McKenzie Emma , Patel Harnish , Pilvinyte Kristina , Roberts Helen C. , Sayer Avan A. , Smith Karen T. , Soiza Roy L. , Steves Claire J. , Struthers Allan D. , Tiwari Divya , Whitney Julie , Witham Miles D. , Kemp Paul R.
Published: October 2023

Background

Angiotensin II (AII), has been suggested to promote muscle loss. Reducing AII synthesis, by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity has been proposed as a method to inhibit muscle loss. The LACE clinical trial was designed to determine whether ACE inhibition would reduce further muscle loss in individuals with sarcopenia but suffered from low recruitment and returned a negative result. Polymorphic variation in the ACE promoter (I/D alleles) has been associated with differences in ACE activity and muscle physiology in a range of clinical conditions. This aim of this analysis was to determine whether I/D polymorphic variation is associated with muscle mass, strength, in sarcopenia or contributed to the lack of response to treatment in the LACE study.

Methods

Sarcopenic individuals were recruited into a 2x2 factorial multicentre double-blind study of the effects of perindopril and/or leucine versus placebo on physical performance and muscle mass. DNA extracted from blood samples (n = 130 72 women and 58 men) was genotyped by PCR for the ACE I/D polymorphism. Genotypes were then compared with body composition measured by DXA, hand grip and quadriceps strength before and after 12 months’ treatment with leucine and/or perindopril in a cross-sectional analysis of the influence of genotype on these variables.

Results

Allele frequencies for the normal UK population were extracted from 13 previous studies (I = 0.473, D = 0.527). In the LACE cohort the D allele was over-represented (I = 0.412, D = 0.588, p = 0.046). This over-representation was present in men (I = 0.353, D = 0.647, p = 0.010) but not women (I = 0.458, D = 0.532, p = 0.708). In men but not women, individuals with the I allele had greater leg strength (II/ID = 18.00 kg (14.50, 21.60) vs DD = 13.20 kg (10.50, 15.90), p = 0.028). Over the 12 months individuals with the DD genotype increased in quadriceps strength but those with the II or ID genotype did not. Perindopril did not increase muscle strength or mass in any polymorphism group relative to placebo.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that although ACE genotype was not associated with response to ACE inhibitor therapy in the LACE trial population, sarcopenic men with the ACE DD genotype may be weaker than those with the ACE I/D or II genotype.
The effects of prior exposure to prism lenses on de novo motor skill learning
Authors: Lang-Hodge Annmarie M. , Cooke Dylan F. , Marigold Daniel S.
Published: October 2023

Motor learning involves plasticity in a network of brain areas across the cortex and cerebellum. Such traces of learning have the potential to affect subsequent learning of other tasks. In some cases, prior learning can interfere with subsequent learning, but it may be possible to potentiate learning of one task with a prior task if they are sufficiently different. Because prism adaptation involves extensive neuroplasticity, we reasoned that the elevated excitability of neurons could increase their readiness to undergo structural changes, and in turn, create an optimal state for learning a subsequent task. We tested this idea, selecting two different forms of learning tasks, asking whether exposure to a sensorimotor adaptation task can improve subsequent de novo motor skill learning. Participants first learned a new visuomotor mapping induced by prism glasses in which prism strength varied trial-to-trial. Immediately after and the next day, we tested participants on a mirror tracing task, a form of de novo skill learning. Prism-trained and control participants both learned the mirror tracing task, with similar reductions in error and increases in distance traced. Both groups also showed evidence of offline performance gains between the end of day 1 and the start of day 2. However, we did not detect differences between groups. Overall, our results do not support the idea that prism adaptation learning can potentiate subsequent de novo learning. We discuss factors that may have contributed to this result.
Peer-led training improves lifejacket wear among occupational boaters: Evidence from a cluster randomized controlled trial on Lake Albert, Uganda
Authors: Oporia Frederick , Kibira Simon P. S. , Jagnoor Jagnoor , Kobusingye Olive , Makumbi Fredrick Edward , Isunju John Bosco , Nuwaha Fred
Published: October 2023

Background

The burden of drowning among occupational boaters in low and middle-income countries is highest globally. In Uganda, over 95% of people who drowned from boating-related activities were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the incident. We implemented and evaluated a peer-led training program to improve lifejacket wear among occupational boaters on Lake Albert, Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial in which fourteen landing sites were randomized to the intervention and non-intervention arm with a 1:1 allocation ratio. In the intervention arm, a six-month peer-to-peer training program on lifejacket wear was implemented while the non-intervention arm continued to receive the routine Marine Police sensitizations on drowning prevention through its community policing program. The effect of the intervention was assessed on self-reported and observed lifejacket wear using a test of differences in proportions of wear following the intention to treat principle. The effect of contamination was assessed using mixed effect modified Poisson regression following the As Treated analysis principle at 95% CI. Results are reported according to the CONSORT statement–extension for cluster randomized trials.

Results

Self-reported lifejacket wear increased markedly from 30.8% to 65.1% in the intervention arm compared to the non-intervention arm which rose from 29.9% to 43.2%. Observed wear increased from 1.0% to 26.8% in the intervention arm and from 0.6% to 8.8% in the non-intervention arm. The test of differences in proportions of self-reported lifejacket wear (65.1%– 43.2% = 21.9%, p-value <0.001) and observed wear (26.8%– 8.8% = 18%, p-value <0.001) showed statistically significant differences between the intervention and non-intervention arm. Self-reported lifejacket wear was higher among boaters who received peer training than those who did not (Adj. PR 1.78, 95% CI 1.38–2.30).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that peer-led training significantly improves lifejacket wear among occupational boaters. The government of Uganda through the relevant ministries, and the Landing Site Management Committees should embrace and scale up peer-led training programs on lifejacket wear to reduce drowning deaths.