bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of evidence supporting the role of electrical stimulation in the treatment of pressure ulcers
Authors: Qin Xiaohui , Shen Hong , Chen Rui , Ye Richun , Hu Caixia
Published: February 2024

To systematically appraise the evidence from overlapping systematic reviews/meta‐analyses (SRs/MAs) on electrical stimulation for pressure ulcers. A thorough search of public databases was conducted to collect SRs/MAs on electrical stimulation for pressure ulcers. Two independent authors used the AMSTAR‐2 tool, the PRISMA checklists and the GRADE system to appraise the methodological quality, reporting quality and evidence quality of eligible SRs/MAs. Ten eligible SRs/MAs were included. The methodological quality of two SRs/MAs were determined to be high, six were determined to be very low and two were assessed as being of low quality. For PRISMA checklists, potential factors that undermined the quality of reporting were the lack of reporting on the registration of protocols, search, additional analysis of methodology and additional analysis of results. With GRADE, the evidence quality of two outcomes were determined to be moderate, six were determined to be low and two were assessed as being of very low quality. Electrical stimulation appears to be an adjunctive therapy that may promote the healing of pressure ulcers, but the available evidence suggests caution in recommending electrical stimulation widely for the treatment of pressure ulcers. Large‐scale trials are the focus of future research to find out how electrical stimulation affects all important outcomes.
Effects of platelet‐rich fibrin on post‐extraction wound healing and wound pain: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yuan Yongping , Xu Bin , Yang Jie , Wu Mengyuan
Published: February 2024

We conducted a meta‐analysis to assess the effect of platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) on post‐extraction wound healing and pain, with a view to providing a reliable basis for the selection of treatment options in clinical practice. A computerised search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases for studies on the effect of PRF on post‐extraction wound healing and pain compared with natural healing (control group) was performed from the time of creation of the respective databases to July 2023. Literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment were done independently by two authors. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Fourteen studies with a total of 508 patients were finally included. Meta‐analysis showed that the use of PRF relieved patients' wound pain (standardised mean differences [SMDs]: −1.78, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: −2.61 to −0.94, p < 0.001), promoted soft tissue healing of extraction wounds (SMD: 1.09, 95% CIs: 0.26–1.91, p = 0.010) and also reduced the incidence of alveolar osteitis (AO) in patients after tooth extraction (2.42% vs. 10.14%, odds ratio: 0.27, 95% CIs: 0.11–0.65, p = 0.004). Current clinical evidence suggests that the use of PRFs can reduce patients' postoperative wound pain, promote soft tissue healing of extraction wounds and reduce the incidence of postoperative AO compared with natural healing. However, due to limitations in the number and quality of studies, large‐scale randomised controlled trials are still needed to validate the results of this study in the future.
Effect of bone grafting on postoperative wound infection and marginal necrosis in patients with calcane fractures
Authors: Ye Lingchao , Su Yan , Fan Yongyong , Wu Minjiao
Published: February 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of bone‐transplantation over nonbone transplantation in treating intra‐articular fractures of the heel bone on postsurgical complications. Our results were retrieved from the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The data of the injury of the patient and the wound infection were collected. Study were carried out with Revman 5.3 software. Eight operative trials associated with the implant of the heel were selected from a large number of publications. Among the 804 cases that needed operation on the heel, 410 cases were treated with bone grafting while 394 cases were not treated with the operation. Seven trials showed that there was no difference in the risk of post operative wound infection among patients who had received a bone‐grafting operation on the heel or had not (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.51, 1.49 p = 0.62). There was no difference in the risk for post‐operation marginal necrosis among patients who had received a bone‐grafting operation on the heel or had not (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.42, 1.36 p = 0.34). The results of this show that there are no statistically significant differences in the incidence of post‐operative necrosis and infection in the case of endarticular surgery of the heel.
The efficacy of sacral foam dressing in preventing sacral pressure injury: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xia Jing , Huang Kai , Jiang Qiting , Wang Wen
Published: February 2024

Purpose

We aim to evaluate the efficacy of sacral foam dressings in preventing sacral pressure injury.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant publications until October 2023. All studies evaluating the efficacy of sacral foam dressings in preventing sacral pressure injury were included. We calculated pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for binary outcomes. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool were used to evaluate the quality of studies.

Results

A total of 9 randomized controlled studies with 3972 patients were included in this analysis. Sacral pressure injury rate was significantly lower in the sacral foam dressing group compared with the standard care group (RR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17–0.82). Furthermore, the rate of ≥stage II sacral pressure injury was also significantly reduced (RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37–0.83), along with a lower blanching erythema rate (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.97). No obvious publication bias was observed in the funnel plot (Egger's p values = 0.91).

Conclusions

Sacral foam dressing significantly reduced the incidence of sacral pressure injuries, including those of stage II or higher, and blanching erythema when compared to standard care without sacral foam dressing. However, the results should be interpreted with cautious because of the observed heterogeneity and the diverse patient population. Further larger, well‐designed randomized control studies are needed.
Effects of different dressings in the prevention of facial skin pressure injury related to non‐invasive ventilation: Systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Guoli , Yan Fanghong , Sun Ruiyi , Peng Guotian , Pei Juhong , Zhang Hongyan , Ma Yuxia , Han Lin
Published: February 2024

To investigate the preventive effect of different dressings on pressure injuries related to non‐invasive ventilation equipment and to screen the efficacy of dressings. Systematic review and network meta‐analysis. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) and Weipu Database (VIP) were used for the search from the date of inception of each database to 15 October 2023. The quality of the data was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Stata 16.0 Software was used to analysis and ranking of different types of dressings. A total of 23 randomized controlled trials on 7 interventions were included in the final analysis. The effectiveness of these in preventing the overall incidence of pressure injuries is ranked from best to worst as follows: hydrogel dressing > foam dressing > petroleum jelly gauze dressing > hydrocolloid dressing > film dressing > clean gauze dressing > sterile gauze. Sixteen studies reported the incidence of Stage I pressure injuries, the effectiveness in preventing the incidence of Stage I pressure injuries was ranked from best to least effective: foam dressing > hydrogel dressing > petroleum jelly gauze dressing > hydrocolloid dressing > film dressing > clean gauze dressing > sterile gauze dressing. Fourteen studies reported the incidence of Stages I/II pressure injuries, the effective in preventing the incidence of Stages I and II pressure injuries was ranked from best to least effective: foam dressing > hydrogel dressing > petroleum jelly gauze dressing > hydrocolloid dressing > clean gauze dressing > sterile gauze dressing. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of different dressings, both hydrogel and foam dressings are effective in preventing pressure injuries related to non‐invasive ventilation equipment.
Effects of enhanced recovery after surgery nursing program on the surgical site wound infection and postoperative complications in patients of gastric cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun Cui‐Zhen , Li Xu‐Xiang , Cao Sheng‐Hua , Li Wei , Li Nian‐Mei
Published: February 2024

This meta‐analysis systematically evaluates the impact of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept on surgical site wound infections and postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients. A comprehensive computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from database inception to November 2023, exploring the application of the ERAS concept in the perioperative period of gastric cancer surgery. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and conducted quality assessments based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software. A total of 24 RCTs involving 2050 gastric cancer patients were included. The analysis revealed a significantly lower incidence of wound infections (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.14–0.40, p < 0.001) and postoperative complications (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.15–0.27, p < 0.001) in the ERAS group compared to the standard care group. This study demonstrates that the application of the ERAS concept during the perioperative period in gastric cancer surgery can effectively reduce the occurrence of wound infections and complications, thereby facilitating postoperative recovery.
RETRACTED: Effects of rapid rehabilitation nursing on surgical‐site wound infection and postoperative complications of patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yueqiong , Huang Donghua , Mei Cailing , Xie Ning , Li Lian
Published: February 2024

This meta‐analysis systematically evaluates the impact of rapid rehabilitation nursing interventions on wound infections and postoperative complications in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, from database inception to November 2023, using databases including PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focused on the application of rapid rehabilitation nursing in the perioperative period of thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the quality based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software. A total of 22 RCTs involving 2319 patients were included in the analysis. The results indicated that the application of rapid rehabilitation nursing in thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery significantly reduced the incidence of wound infections (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20–0.54, p < 0.001) and postoperative complications (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.18–0.31, p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that implementing rapid rehabilitation nursing interventions during the perioperative period for patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery can significantly decrease the occurrence of wound infections and complications, thereby facilitating rapid patient recovery.
A survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among paediatric intensive care unit nurses for preventing pressure injuries: An analysis of influencing factors
Authors: Song Nan , Liu Wen , Zhu Rui , Wang Cong , Wang Chun‐li , Chi Wei
Published: February 2024

To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) status of preventing pressure injury among clinical nurses working in paediatric ICU, and to examine factors affecting nurses' KAP. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1906 paediatric ICU nurses in 18 children's hospitals by convenience sampling method. The survey tools were self‐designed general data questionnaire, KAP questionnaire for the prevention of pressure injury and the influencing factors were analysed. A total of 1906 valid questionnaires were collected. The scores of overall KPA, knowledge, attitudes, and practice were 101.24 ± 17.22, 20.62 ± 9.63, 54.93 ± 5.81and 25.67 ± 6.76, respectively. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that education background, professional title, age and specialist nurse were the main influencing factor of nurses' knowledge of preventing PI; education background and specialist nurse were the main influencing factors of nurses' attitudes of preventing PI; knowledge, attitudes and education background were the main influencing factors of nurses' practice of preventing PI. Paediatric ICU nurses have a positive attitude towards the prevention of PI, but their knowledge and practice need to be improved. According to different characteristics of nurses, nursing managers should carry out training on the knowledge of prevention of PI to establish a positive attitude, so as to drive the change of nursing practice and improve the nursing practice level of ICU nurses to prevent of PI.
Y1/6Yb5/6TaO4/8YSZ composite ceramics with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: Wang Jiankun , Chen Lin , Zhang Luyang , Gan Mengdi , Li Baihui , Feng Jing
Published: February 2024

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with high toughness and low thermal conductivity are important for developing aero engines with high thrust‐to‐weight ratio and thermal efficiency. In this work, the properties of tantalate Y1/6Yb5/6TaO4 (YYT) were optimized by introducing 8 wt.% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (8YSZ), synthesized using spark plasma sintering, as a second‐phase ceramic. The highest toughness (3.57 MPa m1/2) of the YYT/8YSZ composite ceramics was due to multiple toughening mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms of these processes were revealed based on the microstructures and residual stress of the YYT/8YSZ composite ceramics. A shift from an intergranular fracture to a transgranular fracture was caused by the difference between soft‐grain YYT and hard‐grain 8YSZ, which consumed the fracture energy. Furthermore, the formation of microcracks, crack deflection, bridging, and branching were analyzed based on the differences in Young's moduli and thermal expansion coefficients of YYT and 8YSZ. Internal defects and weak connections between the YYT and 8YSZ grains reduced the thermal conductivity of the composites until it reached its lowest value at 1.4 W m−1 K−1. The studied toughening mechanisms could be applied to various composites. Moreover, herein, we provide a new strategy to design and synthesize TBCs with enhanced performance.
Tunable broadband luminescence of Bi‐ion‐doped glasses via Gd2O3 co‐doping
Authors: Zhang Qinyang , Lai Niu , He Maoxin , Yang Yanqiong , Huang Qiqiang , Quan Yingjia , Hou Shaoqi , Gao Xiaochun , Song Yiliao , Liao Jiayan , Wang Rongfei
Published: February 2024

The doping of bismuth (Bi) ions in borosilicate glasses has gained attention for its potential applications in LED light sources and imaging displays. Here, gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) was introduced into the glass matrix in varying concentrations using a high‐temperature melting method to investigate its impact on the luminescence properties of Bi ions. The resulting glass exhibited bimodal emission peaks at 465 and 750 nm when excited with 325 nm light. The luminescence intensity and fluorescence half width at half height initially increased, followed by a subsequent decrease as the Gd2O3 content in the glass increased from 10 to 43 mol%. Additionally, the color of the luminescence transformed from purple–red to green under white light irradiation. The composition and excitation wavelength of the glass can be adjusted to achieve selective tuning of the luminescence.
Healthcare self‐management support of stroke patients after discharge: A conceptual analysis using Rodger's evolutionary approach
Authors: Ansong Rockson , Gazarian Priscilla
Published: February 2024

Aim(s)

To explore the meaning of healthcare self‐management support for post‐discharged stroke patients.

Method

Rodgers' evolutionary approach was used to identify antecedents, attributes, related terms, surrogate terms and consequences.

Data Source

Literature from 2012 to 2022 was searched from MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Google Scholar.

Results

Three antecedents preceded healthcare self‐management support for post‐discharged stroke patients: loss of inpatient support, preparedness for self‐management and presence of self‐management support. Healthcare self‐management support for post‐discharged stroke patients was defined by eight attributes: pre‐discharge assessment and planning; provision of continuous education and training; collaborative goal‐setting; reinforcement and documentation of vital information; coordination of post‐discharge care; provision of rehabilitation support and promoting community reintegration; provision of counselling support; and using clear communication, patient empowerment and promoting self‐efficacy. The identified consequences of the concept were as follows: improved patient outcomes; improved life quality; decreased healthcare cost; decreased re‐admission rate and inpatient care burden; and decreased complication rate.

Conclusion

Healthcare self‐management support for post‐discharged stroke patients is an emerging concept that can help to significantly improve stroke patients' health outcomes and life quality. However, its applicability is uncertain considering the workload, time and resources available to healthcare professionals. There is a need for future studies to focus on the feasibility and applicability of this concept in clinical practice and to identify any challenges healthcare providers may have in supporting stroke patients after discharge.

Impact

This concept analysis brings clarity to the concept of healthcare self‐management support of post‐discharged stroke patients and distinguishes it from other self‐management supports. It provides an opportunity for further studies and a pathway for generalized healthcare self‐management support for stroke patients after discharge to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

No Patient or Public Contribution

No patients, service users, caregivers or members of the public were involved in conducting this concept analysis.
Ablation of epicardial ventricular focus through coronary sinus using pulsed‐field ablation. A case report
Authors: Mestrovic Ivica Premuzic , Breskovic Toni , Markovic Matija , Kurtic Ena , Mestrovic Tomislav , Anic Ante
Published: February 2024

Introduction

With the entry of pulsed‐field ablation (PFA) into electrophysiology, new possibilities for ablation of different substrates such as epicardial foci of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from coronary venous system (CVS) have been opened.

Methods

This article focuses on a case of a 27‐year‐old patient with frequent monomorphic PVCs of epicardial origin, treated by radiofrequency ablation, followed by PFA.

Results

After unsuccessful focus ablation through CVS with RFA, successful ablations from the same region with PFA were achieved.

Conclusion

This is the first described case of successful ablation of epicardial PVCs using PFA, which we hope will help in defining indications for this novel technology and enhance quality of treatment for patients with different arrhythmias.
Optimal harvesting policy for biological resources with uncertain heterogeneity for application in fisheries management
Authors: Yoshioka Hidekazu
Published: February 2024

Conventional harvesting problems for natural resources often assume physiological homogeneity of the body length/weight among individuals. However, such assumptions generally are not valid in real‐world problems, where heterogeneity plays an essential role in the planning of biological resource harvesting. Furthermore, it is difficult to observe heterogeneity directly from the available data. This paper presents a novel optimal control framework for the cost‐efficient harvesting of biological resources for application in fisheries management. The heterogeneity is incorporated into the resource dynamics, which is the population dynamics in this case, through a probability density that can be distorted from reality. Subsequently, the distortion, which is the model uncertainty, is penalized through a divergence, leading to a nonstandard dynamic differential game wherein the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman–Isaacs (HJBI) equation has a unique nonlinear partial differential term. Here, the existence and uniqueness results of the HJBI equation are presented along with an explicit monotone finite difference method. Finally, the proposed optimal control is applied to a harvesting problem with recreationally, economically, and ecologically important fish species using collected field data.
Does YAP influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions?
Authors: Gonçalo Rani Iani Costa , Sousa Julliany Taverny , Costa Carla Samily de Oliveira , Mafra Rodrigo Porpino , Santos Janaina Lessa de Moraes dos , da Silva Leorik Pereira , Queiroz Lélia Maria Guedes
Published: February 2024

Objective

To analyze the immunohistochemical expression of YAP and its correlation with markers involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions.

Study Design

The sample consisted of 95 cases of odontogenic lesions (25 dentigerous cysts, 30 non‐syndromic odontogenic keratocysts, 30 conventional ameloblastomas, and 10 unicystic ameloblastomas) and 10 dental follicles used as normal odontogenic tissue. The histological sections were submitted to immunohistochemistry with YAP, cyclin D1, Ki‐67, and Bcl‐2 antibodies. Immunoexpression was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using an adapted method. The collected data were analyzed descriptively and statistically (p ≤ 0.05).

Results

The highest YAP expression was observed in odontogenic keratocysts, followed by unicystic ameloblastomas and conventional ameloblastomas, which exhibited moderate immunoreactivity predominantly in peripheral cells. Furthermore, significant differences in YAP immunoexpression were observed between the groups analyzed, with significant positive correlations between YAP and cyclin D1 in dentigerous cysts and unicystic ameloblastomas and between YAP and Ki‐67 in unicystic ameloblastomas (p < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant correlations between YAP and Bcl‐2 immunoexpression in the groups studied.

Conclusion

YAP may influence epithelial cell proliferation in odontogenic cysts and tumors, suggesting its possible participation in the progression of the odontogenic lesions studied.
Emerging Roles of Macrophage Polarization in Osteoarthritis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Yuan Zimu , Jiang Decheng , Yang Mengzhu , Tao Jie , Hu Xin , Yang Xiao , Zeng Yi
Published: February 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic degenerative joint disease in middle‐aged and elderly people, characterized by joint pain and dysfunction. Macrophages are key players in OA pathology, and their activation state has been studied extensively. Various studies have suggested that macrophages might respond to stimuli in their microenvironment by changing their phenotypes to pro‐inflammatory or anti‐inflammatory phenotypes, which is called macrophage polarization. Macrophages accumulate and become polarized (M1 or M2) in many tissues, such as synovium, adipose tissue, bone marrow, and bone mesenchymal tissues in joints, while resident macrophages as well as other stromal cells, including fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts, form the joint and function as an integrated unit. In this study, we focus exclusively on synovial macrophages, adipose tissue macrophages, and osteoclasts, to investigate their roles in the development of OA. We review recent key findings related to macrophage polarization and OA, including pathogenesis, molecular pathways, and therapeutics. We summarize several signaling pathways in macrophage reprogramming related to OA, including NF‐κB, MAPK, TGF‐β, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and NLRP3. Of note, despite the increasing availability of treatments for osteoarthritis, like intra‐articular injections, surgery, and cellular therapy, the demand for more effective clinical therapies has remained steady. Therefore, we also describe the current prospective therapeutic methods that deem macrophage polarization to be a therapeutic target, including physical stimulus, chemical compounds, and biological molecules, to enhance cartilage repair and alleviate the progression of OA.
Optimal filters for ERP research I: A general approach for selecting filter settings
Authors: Zhang Guanghui , Garrett David R. , Luck Steven J.
Published: February 2024

Filtering plays an essential role in event‐related potential (ERP) research, but filter settings are usually chosen on the basis of historical precedent, lab lore, or informal analyses. This reflects, in part, the lack of a well‐reasoned, easily implemented method for identifying the optimal filter settings for a given type of ERP data. To fill this gap, we developed an approach that involves finding the filter settings that maximize the signal‐to‐noise ratio for a specific amplitude score (or minimizes the noise for a latency score) while minimizing waveform distortion. The signal is estimated by obtaining the amplitude score from the grand average ERP waveform (usually a difference waveform). The noise is estimated using the standardized measurement error of the single‐subject scores. Waveform distortion is estimated by passing noise‐free simulated data through the filters. This approach allows researchers to determine the most appropriate filter settings for their specific scoring methods, experimental designs, subject populations, recording setups, and scientific questions. We have provided a set of tools in ERPLAB Toolbox to make it easy for researchers to implement this approach with their own data.
The desire for power within activist burnout. An illustration of the value of interpretive social science
Authors: Mazur Lucas B.
Published: February 2024

Even though we know activists want to change the world, including the people living therein, we are often disinclined to see in activism the desire for social power, thinking of “power” as a dirty word. However, by overlooking this aspect of activist motivation, we may be occluding our view onto an important aspect of activist frustration which can lead to burnout. Data collected among German environmental activists suggest that, controlling for self‐esteem and resilience, social power motivation does indeed predict levels of burnout. However, rather than causing burnout as though it were an independent variable apart from burnout (i.e., as seen within a “naturalistic” approach), it is argued that—given the nature of activism as the enacted desire to change others—the frustrated desire for social power is part of what burnout inherently is for activists. Thus, by taking the perspective of “interpretive social science,” the current piece attempts to encourage both reflection on the particulars of burnout among activists and greater sensitivity to the context‐dependent nature of burnout in general.
Nonlinear Filtering and Reinforcement Learning Based Consensus Achievement of Uncertain Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Borah Kaustav Jyoti
Published: February 2024

This paper introduces a novel approach for designing estimators to achieve consensus in uncertain multi-agent systems (MAS), even when various fault conditions are present and communication is assumed to be undirected and connected. The method includes an adaptive fault detection technique to detect faults and a unique adaptation in the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to adjust noise covariance matrices and reconstruct uncertain states in the MAS is proposed in the framework of Q-learning. Additionally, it involves training neural network internal parameters using previous measurements. A Chebyshev neural network (CNN) is employed to model the uncertain plant, and a hyperbolic tangent-based robust control term is used to mitigate neural network approximation errors. This novel approach is known as reinforced UKF (RUKF). The paper also discusses the asymptotic stability of the proposed method and presents numerical simulations to demonstrate its effectiveness with reduced computational load.
Evaluating acoustic representations and normalization for rhoticity classification in children with speech sound disorders
Authors: Benway Nina R. , Preston Jonathan L. , Salekin Asif , Hitchcock Elaine , McAllister Tara
Published: February 2024

The effects of different acoustic representations and normalizations were compared for classifiers predicting perception of children's rhotic versus derhotic /ɹ/. Formant and Mel frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) representations for 350 speakers were z-standardized, either relative to values in the same utterance or age-and-sex data for typical /ɹ/. Statistical modeling indicated age-and-sex normalization significantly increased classifier performances. Clinically interpretable formants performed similarly to MFCCs and were endorsed for deep neural network engineering, achieving mean test-participant-specific F1-score = 0.81 after personalization and replication (σx = 0.10, med = 0.83, n = 48). Shapley additive explanations analysis indicated the third formant most influenced fully rhotic predictions.
Characterizing correlations in partial credit speech recognition scoring with beta-binomial distributions
Authors: Bosen Adam K.
Published: February 2024

Partial credit scoring for speech recognition tasks can improve measurement precision. However, assessing the magnitude of this improvement with partial credit scoring is challenging because meaningful speech contains contextual cues, which create correlations between the probabilities of correctly identifying each token in a stimulus. Here, beta-binomial distributions were used to estimate recognition accuracy and intraclass correlation for phonemes in words and words in sentences in listeners with cochlear implants (N = 20). Estimates demonstrated substantial intraclass correlation in recognition accuracy within stimuli. These correlations were invariant across individuals. Intraclass correlations should be addressed in power analysis of partial credit scoring.
Gamification to Promote Physical Activity in Youth and Mothers With Obesity
Authors: Parks Elizabeth Prout , Allison Kelly C. , Bruton Yasmeen , Khalil Timothy , Mitchell Jonathan A.
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Physical inactivity and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption are associated with obesity. Gamification and self-monitoring to promote physical activity in youth is unknown, but evidence of effectiveness is present in adults. This study examined the effects of a gamification intervention on increased steps per day among parent–adolescent dyads with obesity compared with digital self-monitoring and if self-monitored SSB intake differed between these arms. Methods: Youth ages 10–16 years and their mothers (N = 39 pairs), both with obesity, were randomized to a self-monitoring (N = 18) or a self-monitoring plus gamification arm (N = 21) for 9 weeks. The step goal was set and incrementally increased each week and was measured with Fitbit devices. Mixed effects linear regression examined changes in steps and SSB consumption per day, per week by study arm. Results: During run-in, mothers averaged 8317 and youth 7508 steps per day. Compared with self-monitoring alone, gamification did not increase daily steps in mothers or youth beyond baseline levels. On average, SSB intake decreased in mothers by approximately 0.5 servings per day; occurred in both arms and persisted throughout the intervention. Conclusion: Gamification did not promote physical activity levels in mother–youth dyads with obesity. SSB intake declined in mothers with obesity in both study arms.
Clustering Patterns of 24-Hour Physical Activity in Children 6–36 Months Old
Authors: Olejua Peter , McLain Alexander C. , Inak Nabila , Dowda Marsha , Pate Russell R.
Published: February 2024

Purpose: To determine 24-hour physical activity (PA) clusters in children 6–36 months of age, factors associated with the clusters, and their agreement across time. Method: A longitudinal study followed 150 infants from South Carolina up to 36 months of age. Measures included 24-hour PA and demographic data. Functional clustering was used to obtain the clusters. The association between cluster membership and infant/parent characteristics was examined by Kruskal–Wallis and chi-squared tests. Concordance was measured with the kappa coefficient and percent agreement. Results: At each follow-up, 3 clusters were optimal, identified as late activity (cluster 1), high activity (cluster 2), and medium activity (cluster 3). The defining feature of the late activity cluster was that their physical activity (PA) activity was shifted to later in the day versus children in clusters 2 and 3. At 6 months, the clusters were associated with race (<0.001), crawling (0.043), other children in the household (0.043), and mother’s education (0.004); at 12 months with race (0.029), childcare (<0.001), and education (<0.001); and at 36 months with other children in the household (0.019). Clusters showed moderate agreement (kappa = .41 [.25 to .57], agreement = 61% [49% to 72%]) between 6 and 12 months and, at 36 months, showed no agreement with either 6 or 12 months. Conclusion: Twenty-four-hour PA can be clustered into medium, high, and late PA. Further research is needed into the consequences of late sleeping in children at this age. Clusters are associated with household and childcare factors, and cluster membership is dynamic across time.
Association of Physical Fitness and Anthropometric Parameters With Lung Function in 7-Year-Old Children
Authors: García Iker , San-Millán Marta , Cazorla-González Jorge , Román-Viñas Blanca , Serrano-Ferrer Juan , Jòdar-Portas Anna , Prats-Puig Anna , Font-Lladó Raquel
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Associations between health-related parameters and lung function remain unclear in childhood. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with the lung function of healthy scholar-aged children. Method: A total of 418 children aged 7 years old participated in this study. The associations of physical fitness (handgrip strength, standing broad jump, and 800-m run) and anthropometric (waist circumference and body mass index) parameters with lung function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s) were analyzed using a mixed-linear regression model. Results: Girls had significantly lower forced vital capacity values (P = .006) and physical fitness (P < .030) compared to boys. On mixed-linear regression analyses, waist circumference (P = .003) was independently associated with forced vital capacity, explaining 34.6% of its variance, while handgrip strength (P = .042) and waist circumference (P = .010) were independently associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second, accounting together for 26.5% of its variance in 7-year-old healthy children. Conclusions: Handgrip strength and waist circumference were associated with lung function in healthy children highlighting the influence of upper body muscular strength and trunk dimension on lung function. Our results corroborate the need to promote physical fitness during childhood to protect against lung complications in later on in life.
Kinase-impaired BTK mutations are susceptible to clinical-stage BTK and IKZF1/3 degrader NX-2127
Authors: Montoya Skye , Bourcier Jessie , Noviski Mark , Lu Hao , Thompson Meghan C. , Chirino Alexandra , Jahn Jacob , Sondhi Anya K. , Gajewski Stefan , Tan Ying Siow (May) , Yung Stephanie , Urban Aleksandra , Wang Eric , Han Cuijuan , Mi Xiaoli , Kim Won Jun , Sievers Quinlan , Auger Paul , Bousquet Hugo , Brathaban Nivetha , Bravo Brandon , Gessner Melissa , Guiducci Cristiana , Iuliano James N. , Kane Tim , Mukerji Ratul , Reddy Panga Jaipal , Powers Janine , Sanchez Garcia de los Rios Mateo , Ye Jordan , Barrientos Risso Carla , Tsai Daniel , Pardo Gabriel , Notti Ryan Q. , Pardo Alejandro , Affer Maurizio , Nawaratne Vindhya , Totiger Tulasigeri M. , Pena-Velasquez Camila , Rhodes Joanna M. , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Alencar Alvaro , Roeker Lindsey E. , Mehta Sanjoy , Garippa Ralph , Linley Adam , Soni Rajesh Kumar , Skånland Sigrid S. , Brown Robert J. , Mato Anthony R. , Hansen Gwenn M. , Abdel-Wahab Omar , Taylor Justin
Published: February 2024

Increasing use of covalent and noncovalent inhibitors of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) has elucidated a series of acquired drug-resistant BTK mutations in patients with B cell malignancies. Here we identify inhibitor resistance mutations in BTK with distinct enzymatic activities, including some that impair BTK enzymatic activity while imparting novel protein-protein interactions that sustain B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Furthermore, we describe a clinical-stage BTK and IKZF1/3 degrader, NX-2127, that can bind and proteasomally degrade each mutant BTK proteoform, resulting in potent blockade of BCR signaling. Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with NX-2127 achieves >80% degradation of BTK in patients and demonstrates proof-of-concept therapeutic benefit. These data reveal an oncogenic scaffold function of mutant BTK that confers resistance across clinically approved BTK inhibitors but is overcome by BTK degradation in patients.
Terminal C(sp
3
)–H borylation through intermolecular radical sampling
Authors: Wang Miao , Huang Yahao , Hu Peng
Published: February 2024

Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) processes can overcome the strong bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of inert C(sp
3
)–H bonds and thereby convert feedstock alkanes into value-added fine chemicals. Nevertheless, the high reactivity of HAT reagents, coupled with the small differences among various C(sp
3
)–H bond strengths, renders site-selective transformations of straight-chain alkanes a great challenge. Here, we present a photocatalytic intermolecular radical sampling process for the iron-catalyzed borylation of terminal C(sp
3
)–H bonds in substrates with small steric hindrance, including unbranched alkanes. Mechanistic investigations have revealed that the reaction proceeds through a reversible HAT process, followed by a selective borylation of carbon radicals. A boron-sulfoxide complex may contribute to the high terminal regioselectivity observed.
Local activation of CA1 pyramidal cells induces theta-phase precession
Authors: Sloin Hadas E. , Spivak Lidor , Levi Amir , Gattegno Roni , Someck Shirly , Stark Eran
Published: February 2024

Hippocampal theta-phase precession is involved in spatiotemporal coding and in generating multineural spike sequences, but how precession originates remains unresolved. To determine whether precession can be generated directly in hippocampal area CA1 and disambiguate multiple competing mechanisms, we used closed-loop optogenetics to impose artificial place fields in pyramidal cells of mice running on a linear track. More than one-third of the CA1 artificial fields exhibited synthetic precession that persisted for a full theta cycle. By contrast, artificial fields in the parietal cortex did not exhibit synthetic precession. These findings are incompatible with precession models based on inheritance, dual-input, spreading activation, inhibition-excitation summation, or somato-dendritic competition. Thus, a precession generator resides locally within CA1.
Blood pressure pulsations modulate central neuronal activity via mechanosensitive ion channels
Authors: Jammal Salameh Luna , Bitzenhofer Sebastian H. , Hanganu-Opatz Ileana L. , Dutschmann Mathias , Egger Veronica
Published: February 2024

The transmission of the heartbeat through the cerebral vascular system causes intracranial pressure pulsations. We discovered that arterial pressure pulsations can directly modulate central neuronal activity. In a semi-intact rat brain preparation, vascular pressure pulsations elicited correlated local field oscillations in the olfactory bulb mitral cell layer. These oscillations did not require synaptic transmission but reflected baroreceptive transduction in mitral cells. This transduction was mediated by a fast excitatory mechanosensitive ion channel and modulated neuronal spiking activity. In awake animals, the heartbeat entrained the activity of a subset of olfactory bulb neurons within ~20 milliseconds. Thus, we propose that this fast, intrinsic interoceptive mechanism can modulate perception—for example, during arousal—within the olfactory bulb and possibly across various other brain areas.
To infinity and beyond
The Allure of the Multiverse: Extra Dimensions, Other Worlds, and Parallel Universes
Paul Halpern
Basic Books, 2024. 320 pp.
Authors: Frappier Melanie
Published: February 2024

A physicist’s wild romp through the multiverse probes space-time, string theory, and everything in between
Earning respect and trust
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: February 2024

Respect for, and trust in, science may be at an all-time low. In the United States, a 2023 Pew Research poll showed that only 57% of the population believed science has had a positive impact on society, and a Gallup poll showed that confidence in higher education was down to 36%. If the Gallup poll were done now, support would likely be even lower, given recent events with university presidents, from questions about their research integrity to their explanations for policies on student speech. I’m frequently asked what can be done about all of this, especially in the realm of science. Many scientists think the challenge has largely to do with science communication, which is certainly important. But first, the scientific community must begin to conduct itself in the same manner that it is asking of the public, and that means treating everyone in the scientific community with respect.
The coral chronicles
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: February 2024

On a remote Pacific island, clues to El Niño's future are preserved in ancient reefs
In Other Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Simonti Corinne , Walia Ankit , Osborne Ian S. , Hurtley Stella M. , Grocholski Brent , Smith H. Jesse
Published: February 2024

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
NSF bets big on turning research into prosperity
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: February 2024

Agency funds first round of 10 “innovation engines” designed to spur regional economic growth
Sulfur assimilation using gaseous carbonyl sulfide by the soil fungus
Trichoderma harzianum
Authors: Iizuka Ryuka , Hattori Shohei , Kosaka Yusuke , Masaki Yoshihito , Kawano Yusuke , Ohtsu Iwao , Hibbett David , Katayama Yoko , Yoshida Makoto
Published: February 2024

Fungi have the capacity to assimilate a diverse range of both inorganic and organic sulfur compounds. It has been recognized that all sulfur sources taken up by fungi are in soluble forms. In this study, we present evidence that fungi can utilize gaseous carbonyl sulfide (COS) for the assimilation of a sulfur compound. We found that the filamentous fungus
Trichoderma harzianum
strain THIF08, which has constitutively high COS-degrading activity, was able to grow with COS as the sole sulfur source. Cultivation with
34
S-labeled COS revealed that sulfur atom from COS was incorporated into intracellular metabolites such as glutathione and ergothioneine. COS degradation by strain THIF08, in which as much of the moisture derived from the agar medium as possible was removed, indicated that gaseous COS was taken up directly into the cell.
Escherichia coli
transformed with a COS hydrolase (COSase) gene, which is clade D of the β-class carbonic anhydrase subfamily enzyme with high specificity for COS but low activity for CO
2
hydration, showed that the COSase is involved in COS assimilation. Comparison of sulfur metabolites of strain THIF08 revealed a higher relative abundance of reduced sulfur compounds under the COS-supplemented condition than the sulfate-supplemented condition, suggesting that sulfur assimilation is more energetically efficient with COS than with sulfate because there is no redox change of sulfur. Phylogenetic analysis of the genes encoding COSase, which are distributed in a wide range of fungal taxa, suggests that the common ancestor of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota acquired COSase at about 790–670 Ma.

IMPORTANCE

The biological assimilation of gaseous CO
2
and N
2
involves essential processes known as carbon fixation and nitrogen fixation, respectively. In this study, we found that the fungus
Trichoderma harzianum
strain THIF08 can grow with gaseous carbonyl sulfide (COS), the most abundant and ubiquitous gaseous sulfur compound, as a sulfur source. When the fungus grew in these conditions, COS was assimilated into sulfur metabolites, and the key enzyme of this assimilation process is COS hydrolase (COSase), which specifically degrades COS. Moreover, the pathway was more energy efficient than the typical sulfate assimilation pathway. COSase genes are widely distributed in Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota and also occur in some Chytridiomycota, indicating that COS assimilation is widespread in fungi. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes revealed that the acquisition of COSase in filamentous fungi was estimated to have occurred at about 790–670 Ma, around the time that filamentous fungi transitioned to a terrestrial environment.
Draft genome sequences of two
Micromonospora
strains isolated from the root nodules of
Alnus glutinosa
Authors: Thompson Ryan Michael , Fox Edward M. , Montero-Calasanz Maria del Carmen
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the draft genomes of
Micromonospora
RTGN7 and RTP1Z1, derived from
Alnus glutinosa
root nodules, are reported. The assembly of RTGN7 is 6.6 Mbp, composed of 59 contigs, with an N
50
of 321,872. RTP1Z1’s assembly is 6.3 Mbp, composed of 151 contigs, with an N
50
of 76,442 bp.
Complete genome sequence of multidrug-resistant
Enterobacter roggenkampii
0-E
Authors: Gauthier Jeff , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Cockenpot Laure , Mohit Vani , Bernier Jimmy , Brisson Chantal , Levesque Roger C.
Published: February 2024

Here, we present the complete 4.77 Mb genome of
Enterobacter roggenkampii
0-E assembled with Oxford Nanopore long reads. This genome harbors 19 antimicrobial resistance genes, including
ramA
and
marA
decreasing permeability to carbapenems. This genome adds novel knowledge on emerging multidrug resistance in the
Enterobacter cloacae
species complex.