bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing motivation for treatment in eating disorders: psychometric validation of the Italian version of the Autonomous and Controlled Motivation for Treatment Questionnaire (ACMTQ-ITA)
Authors: Tempia Valenta Silvia , Rapezzi Matilde , Marcolini Federica , Speciani Maurizio , Giordani Gabriele , De Panfilis Chiara , De Ronchi Diana , Atti Anna Rita
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Treatment resistance is a significant challenge in addressing eating disorders (EDs). The Autonomous and Controlled Motivation for Treatment Questionnaire (ACMTQ) has been previously validated in ED populations to assess patients’ motivation for treatment. This study aimed to validate the ACMTQ in the Italian language (ACMTQ-ITA) and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Methods

We recruited a clinical sample of adults aged 18 or older, diagnosed with EDs, proficient in the Italian language, and providing written informed consent. Participants with psychiatric comorbidities such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorder were excluded from the study. Validity of the ACMTQ-ITA was assessed using reliability analysis with Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω estimates, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).

Results

Results from the reliability analysis confirmed the internal consistency of the Autonomous Motivation (AM) factor (α = 0.82, ω = 0.82), the Controlled Motivation (CM) factor (α = 0.76, ω = 0.77), and the ACMTQ-ITA overall score (α = 0.79). The CFA confirmed the two-factor solution (i.e., AM and CM) identified in the original validation of the ACMTQ (Comparative Fit Index = 0.92, Akaike Information Criterion = 3427.26, Bayesian Information Criterion = 3486.82; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.08, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.09).

Conclusion

The ACMTQ-ITA emerged as a valid and reliable tool for measuring motivation for treatment in individuals with EDs. Its implementation may facilitate the comprehension of treatment motivation, offering valuable clinical insights and implications for health management practices.

Level of evidence: Level V, descriptive studies.
Building an Equity-Centered Ecosystem: University of Utah Health as a Microcosm
Authors: Nguyen Quang-Tuyen , Cabal Victoria , Debbink Michelle , Acosta David , Flattes Valerie J. , Baluchi Donna , Ovuoba Natasha , Cariello Paloma F. , Watts Bart T. , Clouse Erin R. , Nyman Heather , Taylor Eliza , Kemeyou Line , Lucero Julie E. , Washington Judy C. , Figueroa Edgar , Campbell Kendall M. , Barbaar Abdulkhaliq , Ogbeide Stacy A. , Rodríguez José E.
Published: April 2024

Academic medicine, and medicine in general, are less diverse than the general patient population. Family Medicine, while still lagging behind the general population, has the most diversity in leadership and in the specialty in general, and continues to lead in this effort, with 16.7% of chairs identifying as underrepresented in medicine. Historical and current systematic marginalization of Black or African American, Latina/e/o/x, Hispanic or of Spanish Origin (LHS), American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian individuals has created severe underrepresentation within health sciences professions. Over the last 30 years, the percentage of faculty from these groups has increased from 7 to 9% in allopathic academic medicine, with similar increases in Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, but all lag behind age-adjusted population means. Traditionally, diversity efforts have focused on increasing pathway programs to address this widening disparity. While pathway programs are a good start, they are only a portion of what is needed to create lasting change in the diversity of the medical profession as well as the career trajectory and success of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) health professionals toward self-actualization and positions of leadership. This article elucidates all parts of an ecosystem necessary to ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion outcomes can improve.
Policy insights for wind energy from a choice experiment stated preference efficient design in Apulia region (Italy)
Authors: Caporale Diana , De Lucia Caterina , dell’Olio Luigi , Pazienza Pasquale
Published: April 2024

The present work argues that wind energy is either a positive or negative determinant against the risks associated with its use, and aims at: evaluating the incidence of energy risks on the perception of wind energy; analysing the trade-offs between a wind farm installation, land conservation and energy risks; suggesting adequate policy indications for the efficiency of future energy markets. The study compares the results from logit models, which estimate the distribution of the utility coefficients with a Choice Experiment approach using a stated preference efficient design and honesty priming techniques to overcome the hypothetical bias. Main findings indicate a positive attitude for the proposed wind energy scenarios in terms ofAesthetical impact,CO2andBill savings, andCosts, as well as more densely distributed wind farms producing more energy. Installation and maintenance costs and the rate of avian collisions are considered acceptable. From the main findings, useful policy insights assess the efficiency of wind farms projects to reduce costs and energy prices. Simplification of bureaucracy, direct economic benefits for local communities, citizens’ participation, and dissemination of information are key practices for future developments of wind energy markets.
“Darling, You Won’t Believe What Happened at Work Today”: A Diary Study on Sharing Work Events Among Dual-Earner Couples
Authors: Walter Johanna , Haun Verena C.
Published: April 2024

After work, employees often share their work experiences with their partners, yet the consequences of these work-related conversations remain poorly understood. In this study with dual-earner couples, we investigate the daily consequences of sharing positive and negative work events with a partner regarding both employees’ and their partners’ affect and work-related self-esteem. Throughout a workweek, 73 heterosexual dual-earner couples completed questionnaires after work and at bedtime. Dyadic multilevel analyses showed that sharing positive work events was positively associated with employees’ positive affect but not with partners’ positive affect. Sharing negative work events showed no significant association with the negative affect of either employees or partners. While sharing positive work events was not associated with employees’ self-esteem, it was negatively associated with partners’ self-esteem. Furthermore, sharing negative work events was negatively associated with partners’ self-esteem, but did not affect employees’ self-esteem. Our study extends existing research on work-related conversations, considering self-esteem as an outcome and adopting a dyadic perspective.
Ineffectiveness of the Right to Compensation for Victims of Sexual Violence: A Comparison Between Five EU Member States
Authors: Soleto Helena , Elbers Nieke , Akkermans Arno , Tamarit Josep Maria , Arantegui Laura , Lepri Gian Luigi , Chirico Doriana , Lāce Iluta , Spetsidis Nicholas
Published: April 2024

In EU Member States, victims of sexual violence can seek justice through financial compensation in several ways: offender payments through an adhesion process (route 1), state payment schemes (route 2), and civil litigation (route 3). This paper examines policies and practices in five countries (the Netherlands, Latvia, Spain, Italy and Greece) and the degree to which they comply with two EU Directives. Policy data were collected via the EU justice portal and verified by local experts. Empirical data on law in practice was sought from criminal court cases and state compensation funds. The analysis consisted of comparing who can apply, what is needed to apply, and what is compensated. Major differences were found between countries. For example, the timeframe to apply for state compensation ranged between three months and 10 years, the numbers of applicants ranged from 10 to 1210, and decision times ranged between two months to ‘without delay’. And while the average offender compensation awarded in Spain was twice as high as in the Netherlands (€13,728 versus €6451), the likelihood of victims receiving the compensation in these two countries was 14% and 100%, respectively, due to lack of effective enforcement in Spain. Because of the substantial variation between countries, and with reference to the European Court of Justice’s 2020 judgment, it was concluded that most of the EU countries examined do currently not comply with the requirement to provide fair and appropriate compensation. It is recommended that accessibility should be improved and that more data is needed.
Calculating the Environmental Benefit of Reuse Platforms
Authors: Rückert André , Balkute Grita , Dornack Christina
Published: April 2024

Reuse platforms are contributing to the circular economy by hosting or mediating unwanted products or materials until new users are found. This saves products from premature disposal on one hand, and avoids new products purchase on the other. Translating this resource efficiency and waste minimisation into GHG emission avoidance can support the relevance of reuse platforms in fostering a circular economy and promoting climate protection through resource preservation and potential GHG emission reductions. The authors present the analysis of existing reuse methodologies and point out incomplete considerations in terms of LCA modules and Corporate Carbon Footprint of reuse platforms [11]. This paper fills the gap in literature by formulating a holistic methodology for calculating benefits of reuse in terms of GHG emissions for the whole reuse sector and provides an application guide for 4 different types of reuse platforms. This new approach is then illustrated by applying it to a reuse enterprise Zündstoffe Materialvermittlung Dresden (ZUMADD) case study, for which data was gathered for 2 years under Dresden Future City Project (2019–2022). The results show that the project could save 13,301 kg of CO2e emissions through mediating 6,213 kg of material for reuse.
Design of Logistics Sorting Algorithm Based on Deep Learning and Sampling Evaluation
Authors: Feng Chun
Published: April 2024

The advancement of automation and Internet of Things technology has bolstered the automation process in the logistics sector. To address the challenge of localizing and generating grasping positions for intelligent robots in logistics sorting, this study developed an algorithm for item localization. The algorithm relies on enhanced YOLOv3 target detection and instance segmentation technologies to design a position generation algorithm for the robotic arm, which was further refined using sampling evaluation. The experimental results showed that the research-improved target detection model performed better on different datasets in terms of F1 value, accuracy and Area under the Curve (AUC) metrics, with the highest values of 95.77%, 94.05%, and 91.30%, respectively, which was effective in localizing document-like parcels. Meanwhile, the instance segmentation algorithm with fused features took significantly lower values than other target detection algorithms in terms of average absolute value error and root mean square error. The accuracy rate and all-class average precision value were higher than other target detection models, and the fluctuation of the value taken was smaller, which was suitable for logistics parcel localization. The position generation model, based on a sampling evaluation, yielded significantly different values compared to other algorithms. The relative position error and absolute trajectory error indexes were all below 0.4. The combined indexes of grasping accuracy and error indicate the superior performance of the research-designed algorithms. They can effectively enhance the sorting effects of real logistics scenarios. This research contributes to the improvement of the automated sorting system through the use of visual robotic arm technology. Additionally, it encourages the development of logistics automation and the establishment of intelligent logistics factories.
Evolving Epidemiology of Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Cases Around COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact and Clinical Insights, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gashgarey Deema , Alsuhaibani Mohammed , Alhuthil Raghad , Alhabshan Hattan , Alabdulqader Azzam , Badran Rakan , Balhmar Abdulaziz , Aldawood Haifa , AlBanyan Esam A. , AlGhamdi Salem , AlJumaah Suliman , AlYabes Ohoud , Al-Hajjar Sami
Published: April 2024

Background

The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk pediatric patients remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to characterize pediatric RSV cases from January 2019 to December 2022 and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on RSV burden and RSV-related outcomes. In addition, examining factors influencing RSV-related hospitalization.

Methods

This is a retrospective study that included pediatric patients (aged 14 and below) who presented at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with RSV infection identified using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA.

Results

A total of 885 RSV cases were reported; (56.05%) were males and (43.95%) were females with a median age of 24 months [interquartile range (IQR): 11–60]. 534 (60.34%) required hospitalization. As for RSV seasonality, there was a significant increase in RSV prevalence following the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating from 205 cases in 2019 to 425 cases in 2022. The increase in 2022 was evident in January and persisted from September to December, reaching its peak during the months of October (20.70% − 88 cases) and November (32.00% − 136 cases). About (27.12%) of RSV infected children were medically free patients. Symptomatic patients exhibited various clinical manifestations, with ventilation necessary in (13.11%) of cases. Further analysis revealed significant changes in RSV-related outcomes post-COVID-19, including a decrease in hospitalization rates, an increase in medically free patients, and a lower need for ventilation (p < 0.05). Notably, a significant proportion of RSV admissions occurred within the first 6 months of life, with (77.69%) in the age group of 0 to 5 months. In addition, previous RSV infection, prematurity, low birth weight, renal disease, congenital heart disease, endocrine/metabolic disease, neuro/neuromuscular diseases, and genetic disorders were positively associated with hospitalization (P < 0.05). Interestingly, asthma and bone marrow transplantation were negatively associated with hospitalization (P < 0.05). The mortality rate in this study is (2.37%) (21/885).

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the demographic and clinical factors influencing RSV outcomes, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shedding light on potential risk factors for RSV-related hospitalization. The highest prevalence of RSV during (September to January), aligning with global patterns and emphasizing the importance of timing in preventive strategies.
Determinants of commercialization of African Indigenous Vegetables among smallholder farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya
Authors: Nambafu Scolastica Nanjala , Bett Hillary , Sibiko Kenneth Waluse
Published: April 2024

Rising awareness of various lifestyle diseases and illnesses has led to an increased understanding of healthy eating habits, the increased demand for African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs), and a strict healthier diet in Kenya. Apart from the awareness about the benefits of consuming the AIVs, their commercialization is still low due to how producers are less informed and not connected to market actors beyond their community. On the other hand, the literature on factors that influence commercialization is still limited. The purpose of this study is to sought to reduce that gap by determining the factors that influenced the commercialization of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) among smallholder farmers in Bungoma County. In order to identify 384 respondents from whom data was collected, multistage sampling was used through personally administered questionnaires. The fractional regression model (FRM) was used to determine factors influencing the commercialization of AIVs in Bungoma County. The FRM results indicate that the eight explanatory variables included in the model significantly influenced the commercialization of AIVs among smallholder farmers. These variables are the gender of the farmer, land size, mode of payment, distance to the markets, AIV yields, AIV cost of production, duration to reach the market, and value addition. The researcher recommended that all gender should be engaged in the commercialization of AIVs and that the government to put in place policies and regulations that support the commercialization of AIVs, as they support other cash crops, which would equally enhance the quality and quantity improvement of AIVs that are distributed to various markets.
Worse Than Ignorance
Authors: Schulz Peter J. , Nakamoto Kent
Published: April 2024

This Element considers health misinformation and the problems it presents. The evolving communication context—changing doctor-patient relationships and developments in information technology—presents patients with a vastly enriched information landscape and new challenges to patients navigating it. These challenges are magnified as growing patient empowerment and autonomy have increased expectations for patient involvement in medical decisions. In this context, the ways people approach presented information, learn from it, understand it, and use it, exacerbate the risk that they become misinformed—believing things that are inimical to improved health. Moreover, these same processes make it difficult to correct such beliefs. Approaches building on trust between patient and professional exemplify improved communication to increase accurate patient knowledge and understanding in the service of better health. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Art and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Hermerén Göran
Published: April 2024

The overriding question discussed in this Element can be stated simply as: can computers create art? This Element presents an overview of the controversies raised by various answers to this question. A major difficulty is that the technology is developing rapidly, and there are still many uncertainties and knowledge gaps as to what is possible today and in the near future. But a number of controversial issues are identified and discussed. The position taken on controversial issues will depend on assumptions made about the technology, about the nature and location of consciousness, about art and creativity. Therefore, a number of hypothetical answers are outlined, related to the assumptions made.
Signature-based validation of real-world economic scenarios
Authors: Andrès Hervé , Boumezoued Alexandre , Jourdain Benjamin
Published: April 2024

Motivated by insurance applications, we propose a new approach for the validation of real-world economic scenarios. This approach is based on the statistical test developed by Chevyrev and Oberhauser ((2022)Journal of Machine Learning Research,23(176), 1–42.) and relies on the notions of signature and maximum mean distance. This test allows to check whether two samples of stochastic processes paths come from the same distribution. Our contribution is to apply this test to a variety of stochastic processes exhibiting different pathwise properties (Hölder regularity, autocorrelation, and regime switches) and which are relevant for the modelling of stock prices and stock volatility as well as of inflation in view of actuarial applications.
Rereading the Wages for Housework Campaign: Feminist Degrowth Reflections on Social Reproduction, Commons, and a Care Income
Authors: Dengler Corinna
Published: April 2024

This paper explores how debates on wages for housework in the 1970s contribute to current discourses on redefining, redistributing, and revaluing care. More specifically, this paper asks: How does a rereading of the international Wages for Housework (WfH) campaign contribute to feminist degrowth debates on commoning care and a care income? In trying to answer this question, I revisit original literature and interpretations of WfH and show that, as a Marxist feminist political perspective, the aim of the campaign ventured beyond the monetization of care. Subsequently, I elaborate on the now divergent ideas of Selma James and Silvia Federici, two of the campaign's main founders, of how to re-actualize the transformative aim of the campaign. Their two proposals, namely, a care income and reproductive commons, are introduced, brought into conversation with each other, and critically discussed against the background of Nancy Fraser's distinction between affirmative and transformative strategies of transformation. Exploring the fertile tension between a care income and commoning care, I draw preliminary conclusions on what feminist degrowth can learn from WfH regarding a social-ecological transformation to a more socially just and ecologically sound economic system.
Flow-induced vibrations with and without structural restoring force: convergence under the effect of path curvature
Authors: Bourguet Rémi
Published: April 2024

When a cylinder is free to move along a transverse rectilinear path within a current, the vibrations developing with and without structural restoring force (SRF) noticeably deviate: if the elastic support is removed, their onset is delayed from a Reynolds number (

$Re$

, based on the body diameter and inflow velocity) value of approximately 20 to 30, and their peak amplitudes and frequency bandwidths are substantially reduced. The present study examines the influence of a curved path on this deviation by considering that the cylinder, mounted on an elastic support or not, is free to translate along a circular path whose radius is varied. The investigation is carried out numerically at

$Re=25$

and

$100$

, i.e. subcritical and postcritical values relative to the threshold of

$47$

that marks the onset of flow unsteadiness for a fixed body. The principal result of this work is that the behaviours of the flow–structure systems with and without SRF tend to converge under the effect of path curvature. Beyond a certain curvature magnitude, both systems explore the same vibration ranges and the presence or absence of SRF becomes indiscernible. This convergence is accompanied by an enhancement of the responses appearing without SRF. It is analysed in light of the evolution of the effective added mass which determines the subset of responses reached with SRF that remain accessible without SRF. The apparent continuity of the physical mechanisms between the subcritical- and postcritical-

$Re$

values suggests that the convergence phenomenon uncovered here could persist at higher

$Re$

.
Law’s Logistical Media: The Installation of the File System in the Postwar Japanese Prosecutor’s Office
Authors: Inoue Miyako
Published: April 2024

This article traces the fraught history of the file system’s adoption by the Japanese Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) from the late 1940s to the early 1950s, when the U.S. General Headquarters (GHQ), the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, decentralized the PPO’s power and transformed it into a “democratic” judicial agency. This is also a postwar history of the introduction of Taylorism-derived scientific management to white collar office work and Weberian visions of bureaucratic rationality into government offices, as part of the democratization of public administration steered by various sections within GHQ. Among the key changes was a guarantee of the right to receive a “speedy trial.” The essay argues that, while that guarantee was meant to secure human-rights protections for the accused, the file system introduced to the PPO translated the constitutional imperative of the rights of the accused into the pursuit of efficient scientific management, in which democracy was an operationalized socio-technical achievement. This logistical channel led to the co-emergence of democracy and modern rational bureaucracy, with each evincing mutual cause and effect. American reforms invested technicality with the promise of “democracy,” but as this essay shows, senior Japanese officials envisioned it as a means to rebuild a centralized information network.
Invasive haemodynamics predict outcomes in paediatric pulmonary artery hypertension
Authors: Natarajan Rupesh Kumar , Rodgers Nathan , Narasimhan Shanti , Ambrose Matthew , Rothman Abraham , Shyne Michael , Evans Michael , Aggarwal Varun
Published: April 2024

Background:

Invasive haemodynamics are often performed for initiating and guiding pulmonary artery hypertension therapy. Little is known about the predictive value of invasive haemodynamic indices for long-term outcomes in children with pulmonary artery hypertension. We aimed to evaluate invasive haemodynamic data to help predict outcomes in paediatric pulmonary artery hypertension.

Methods:

Patients with pulmonary artery hypertension who underwent cardiac catheterisation (2006–2019) at a single centre were included. Invasive haemodynamic data from the first cardiac catheterisation and clinical outcomes were reviewed. The combined adverse outcome was defined as pericardial effusion (due to right ventricle failure), creation of a shunt for pulmonary artery hypertension (atrial septal defect or reverse Pott’s shunt), lung transplant, or death.

Results:

Among 46 patients with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 13.2 [4.1–44.7] months, 76% had CHD. Median mean pulmonary artery pressure was 37 [28–52] mmHg and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance was 6.2 [3.6–10] Woods units × m2. Median pulmonary artery pulsatility index was 4.0 [3.0–4.7] and right ventricular stroke work index was 915 [715–1734] mmHg mL/m2. After a median follow-up of 2.4 years, nine patients had a combined adverse outcome (two had a pericardial effusion, one underwent atrial level shunt, one underwent reverse Pott’s shunt, and six died). Patients with an adverse outcome had higher systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures, higher diastolic and transpulmonary pressure gradients, higher indexed pulmonary vascular resistance, higher pulmonary artery elastance, and higher right ventricular stroke work index (p < 0.05 each).

Conclusion:

Invasive haemodynamics (especially mean pulmonary artery pressure and diastolic pressure gradient) obtained at first cardiac catheterisation in children with pulmonary artery hypertension predicts outcomes.
Loss of hematopoietic progenitors heterogeneity is an adverse prognostic factor in lower-risk myelodysplastic neoplasms
Authors: Dussiau Charles , Comont Thibault , Knosp Camille , Vergnolle Inès , Bravetti Clotilde , Canali Alban , Houvert Amandine , Largeaud Laetitia , Daveaux Christian , Zaroili Laila , Friedrich Chloé , Boussaid Ismaël , Zalmai Loria , Almire Carole , Rauzy Odile , Willems Lise , Birsen Rudy , Bouscary Didier , Fontenay Michaela , Kosmider Olivier , Chapuis Nicolas , Vergez François
Published: April 2024

Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are characterized by clonal evolution starting from the compartment of hematopoietic stem and progenitors cells (HSPCs), leading in some cases to leukemic transformation. We hypothesized that deciphering the diversity of the HSPCs compartment may allow for the early detection of an emergent sub-clone that drives disease progression. Deep analysis of HSPCs repartition by multiparametric flow cytometry revealed a strong disorder of the hematopoietic branching system in most patients at diagnosis with different phenotypic signatures closely related to specific MDS features. In two independent cohorts of 131 and 584 MDS, the HSPCs heterogeneity quantified through entropy calculation was decreased in 47% and 46% of cases, reflecting a more advanced state of the disease with deeper cytopenias, higher IPSS-R risk and accumulation of somatic mutations. We demonstrated that patients with lower-risk MDS and low CD34 + CD38+HSPCs entropy had an adverse outcome and that this parameter is as an independent predictive biomarker for progression free survival, leukemia free survival and overall survival. Analysis of HSPCs repartition at diagnosis represents therefore a very powerful tool to identify lower-risk MDS patients with a worse outcome and valuable for clinical decision-making, which could be fully integrated in the MDS diagnostic workflow.
The characteristic patterns of individual brain susceptibility networks underlie Alzheimer’s disease and white matter hyperintensity-related cognitive impairment
Authors: Chen Haifeng , Xu Jingxian , Li Weikai , Hu Zheqi , Ke Zhihong , Qin Ruomeng , Xu Yun
Published: April 2024

Excessive iron accumulation in the brain cortex increases the risk of cognitive deterioration. However, interregional relationships (defined as susceptibility connectivity) of local brain iron have not been explored, which could provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of cognitive decline. Seventy-six healthy controls (HC), 58 participants with mild cognitive impairment due to probable Alzheimer’s disease (MCI-AD) and 66 participants with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) were included. We proposed a novel approach to construct a brain susceptibility network by using Kullback‒Leibler divergence similarity estimation from quantitative susceptibility mapping and further evaluated its topological organization. Moreover, sparse logistic regression (SLR) was applied to classify MCI-AD from HC and WMH with normal cognition (WMH-NC) from WMH with MCI (WMH-MCI).The altered susceptibility connectivity in the MCI-AD patients indicated that relatively more connectivity was involved in the default mode network (DMN)-related and visual network (VN)-related connectivity, while more altered DMN-related and subcortical network (SN)-related connectivity was found in the WMH-MCI patients. For the HC vs. MCI-AD classification, the features selected by the SLR were primarily distributed throughout the DMN-related and VN-related connectivity (accuracy = 76.12%). For the WMH-NC vs. WMH-MCI classification, the features with high appearance frequency were involved in SN-related and DMN-related connectivity (accuracy = 84.85%). The shared and specific patterns of the susceptibility network identified in both MCI-AD and WMH-MCI may provide a potential diagnostic biomarker for cognitive impairment, which could enhance the understanding of the relationships between brain iron burden and cognitive decline from a network perspective.
Democratic quality and excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Martín-Martín José-Jesús , Correa Manuel , Rojo-Gallego-Burín Araceli-María , Sánchez-Martínez María-Teresa , Delgado-Márquez Luisa , Ortega-Almón María-Ángeles
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between democratic quality and excess mortality produced in the year 2020 before COVID-19 vaccinations were generalised. Using cross-sectional data from 80 countries on five continents, multiple linear regression models between excess mortality, the general democracy index and its disaggregation into five categories: electoral process and pluralism, government functioning, political participation, political culture and civil liberties were estimated. The analysis also considered, public health spending per capita, overweight inhabitants, the average temperature of the country, population over 65 years of age, The KOF Globalisation Index, and the Gross National Income per capita as control variables. It was possible to establish a strong inverse association between excess mortality per million inhabitants and the general democracy index and four of its five categories. There was a particularly strong relationship between excess mortality and the political culture dimension (−326.50, p < 0.001). The results suggest that the higher the democratic quality of the political institutions of a State and particularly of their political culture the more improved the response and management of the pandemic was in preventing deaths and protecting their citizens more effectively. Conversely, countries with lower democracy index values have higher excess mortality. Quality democratic political institutions provide more effective public health policies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prevalence, distribution characteristic and risk factors of lumbar vertebral axial rotation in patients with lumbar disc herniation: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Shixian , Yao Zhou , Wang Qiushi , Huang Peipei , Tu Zhipeng , Xie Fang , Ye Bin , Ma Yachao , Wang Zhe , Luo Zhuojing , Hu Xueyu
Published: April 2024

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the impact of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) on vertebral axial rotation (VAR) in the lumbar spine, focusing on both close and distant neighboring vertebrae. A total of 516 patients with LDH and an equal number of healthy individuals were included in the study, matched for age and gender. The degree of axial rotation for each lumbar spine vertebra was assessed using the Nash–Moe index. The results revealed that the prevalence of VAR in the lumbar spine was significantly higher in the LDH group compared to the Control group (65.7% vs 46.7%, P < 0.001). Among the LDH group, the L2 vertebra had the highest frequency of VAR (49.5%), followed by L1 (45.1%), and then L3 to L5 (33.6%, 8.9%, 3.1%, respectively). A similar pattern was observed in the Control group (L2, 39.8%; L1, 34.6%; L3, 23.2%; L4, 3.1%; L5, 0.8%). Furthermore, the study found that disc herniation was associated with a higher incidence of VAR not only in close neighboring vertebrae but also in distant neighboring vertebrae. This indicates that the biomechanical influence of LDH extends beyond just the immediate adjacent vertebrae. To identify potential risk factors for VAR in LDH patients, multivariate analysis was performed. The results revealed that age was an independent risk factor for VAR (OR 1.022, 95% CI [1.011, 1.034], P < 0.001). However, the duration of symptoms and presence of back pain were not found to be significant risk factors for VAR.
Ab initio study of the vibrational spectra of amorphous boron nitride
Authors: Hinojosa-Romero David , Valladares Alexander , Valladares Renela M. , Rodríguez Isaías , Valladares Ariel A.
Published: April 2024

Boron Nitride (BN) is an interesting polymorphic insulator that is commonly found in four different crystalline structures, each one with different electrical and mechanical properties which makes it an attractive material for technological and industrial applications. Seeking to improve its features, several experimental and simulational works have studied the amorphous phase (a-BN) focusing on electronic and structural properties, pressure-induced phase transformations, and a hydrogenated form of a-BN. By means of ab initio Molecular Dynamics and our well-proven amorphization process known as the undermelt-quench approach, herein three amorphous supercells were computationally generated, two with 216 atoms (densities of 2.04 and 2.80 g cm−3) and a third one with 254 atoms (density of 3.48 g cm−3). The topology, the vibrational density of states and some thermodynamic properties of the three samples are reported and compared with existing experiments and with other computational results.
Quantifying the chemical activity of cavitation bubbles in a cluster
Authors: Fattahi Kobra , Boffito Daria C. , Robert Etienne
Published: April 2024

Acoustic cavitation bubbles drive chemical processes through their dynamic lifecycle in liquids. These bubbles are abundant within sonoreactors, where their behavior becomes complex within clusters. This study quantifies their chemical effects within well-defined clusters using a new laser-based method. We focus a laser beam into water, inducing a breakdown that generates a single cavitation bubble. This bubble undergoes multiple collapses, releasing several shockwaves. These shockwaves propagate into the surrounding medium, leading to the formation of secondary bubbles near a reflector, separated from the input laser beam. We evaluate the chemical activity of these bubble clusters of various sizes by KI dosimetry, and to gain insights into their dynamics, we employ high-speed imaging. Hydrophone measurements show that conversion from focused shockwave energy to chemical reactions increases to a maximum of 16.5%. Additional increases in shockwave energy result in denser bubble clusters and a slightly decreased conversion rate, falling to 14.9%, highlighting the key role of bubble dynamics in the transformation of mechanical to chemical energy and as a result in the efficiency of the sonoreactors. The size and frequency of bubble collapses influence the cluster’s chemical reactivity. We introduce a correlation for predicting the conversion rate of cluster energy to chemical energy, based on the cluster’s energy density. The maximum conversion rate occurs at a cluster energy density of 2500 J/L, linked to a cluster with an average bubble diameter of 91 $$\upmu$$
μ
m, a bubble density of 3500 bubbles/ml, and a bubble-to-bubble distance ratio of 8.
Seismic structure of the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake revealed by ambient seismic noise and teleseismic surface wave tomography
Authors: Lü Ziqiang , Lei Jianshe , Kong Qinghan , Liu Qian , Sun Jingwen
Published: April 2024

The destructive 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake occurred in the Main Himalayan Thrust due to the collision of the Indian and Asian plates, which provides a unique opportunity to understand the deep dynamic processes and seismogenic mechanisms of strong earthquakes. We construct a regional-scale shear-wave velocity model of the crust and uppermost mantle using ambient seismic noise and teleseismic surface wave at periods of 5–100 s around the Gorkha earthquake region. The new shear-wave velocity model exhibits prominently lateral heterogeneities in the Gorkha earthquake areas. We observe a high-velocity (high-V) zone around the Gorkha main shock in the Main Himalayan Thrust, indicating the existence of a high-strength asperity that sustains the stress accumulating. The aftershocks are primarily located in the low-velocity (low-V) anomalies and enclosed by two high-V anomalies, which appear to act as structural barriers that influence the spread of the aftershocks. Prominent low-Vanomalies from the lower crust to the mantle lithosphere are observed along the north–south trending rifts, suggesting the hot materials upwelling due to the tearing of the northward subducting Indian lithosphere. These observations may indicate that seismic velocity heterogeneity could play an essential role in earthquake initiation and the rupture process.
Discipline and punishment in panoptical public goods games
Authors: Botta Rocio , Blanco Gerardo , Schaerer Christian E.
Published: April 2024

In Public Goods Games (PGG), the temptation to free-ride on others’ contributions poses a significant threat to the sustainability of cooperative societies. Therefore, societies strive to mitigate this through incentive systems, employing rewards and punishments to foster cooperative behavior. Thus, peer punishment, in which cooperators sanction defectors, as well as pool punishment, where a centralized punishment institution executes the punishment, is deeply analyzed in previous works. Although the literature indicates that these methods may enhance cooperation on social dilemmas under particular contexts, there are still open questions, for instance, the structural connection between graduated punishment and the monitoring of public goods games. Our investigation proposes a compulsory PGG framework under Panoptical surveillance. Inspired by Foucault’s theories on disciplinary mechanisms and biopower, we present a novel mathematical model that scrutinizes the balance between the severity and scope of punishment to catalyze cooperative behavior. By integrating perspectives from evolutionary game theory and Foucault’s theories of power and discipline, this research uncovers the theoretical foundations of mathematical frameworks involved in punishment and discipline structures. We show that well-calibrated punishment and discipline schemes, leveraging the panoptical effect for universal oversight, can effectively mitigate the free-rider dilemma, fostering enhanced cooperation. This interdisciplinary approach not only elucidates the dynamics of cooperation in societal constructs but also underscores the importance of integrating diverse methodologies to address the complexities of fostering cooperative evolution.
Biochemistry and transcriptomic analyses of Phthorimaea absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) response to insecticides
Authors: Karanu Samantha W. , Ajene Inusa J. , Lelmen Elijah K. , Ong’onge Maureen A. , Akutse Komivi S. , Khamis Fathiya M.
Published: April 2024

Phthorimaeaabsoluta is an invasive solanaceous plant pest with highly devastating effects on tomato plant. Heavy reliance on insecticide use to tackle the pest has been linked to insecticide resistance selection in P.absoluta populations. To underline insights on P.absoluta insecticide resistance mechanisms to diamides and avermectins, we evaluated the transcriptomic profile of parental (field-collected) and F8 (lab-reared) populations. Furthermore, to screen for the presence of organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance, we assessed the gene expression levels of acetylcholinesterase (ace1) and para-type voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSG) genes in the F1 to F8 lab-reared progeny of diamide and avermectin exposed P.absoluta field-collected populations. The VGSG gene showed up-regulation in 12.5% and down-regulation in 87.5% of the screened populations, while ace1 gene showed up-regulation in 37.5% and down-regulation in 62.5% of the screened populations. Gene ontology of the differentially expressed genes from both parental and eighth generations of diamide-sprayed P.absoluta populations revealed three genes involved in the metabolic detoxification of diamides in P.absoluta. Therefore, our study showed that the detoxification enzymes found could be responsible for P.absoluta diamide-based resistance, while behavioural resistance, which is stimulus-dependent, could be attributed to P.absoluta avermectin resistance.
Enhancing 7-dehydrocholesterol suppresses brain ferroptosis and tissue injury after neonatal hypoxia–ischemia
Authors: Genaro-Mattos Thiago C. , Korade Zeljka , Sahar Namood-e , Angeli Jose Pedro Friedmann , Mirnics Károly , Peeples Eric S.
Published: April 2024

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) results in part from excess reactive oxygen species and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (i.e. ferroptosis). The vitamin D precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) may inhibit iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Primary neurons underwent oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) injury and treatment with 7-DHC-elevating medications such as cariprazine (CAR) or vehicle. Postnatal day 9 mice underwent sham surgery or carotid artery ligation and hypoxia and received intraperitoneal CAR. In neurons, CAR administration resulted in significantly increased cell survival compared to vehicle controls, whether administered 48 h prior to or 30 min after OGD, and was associated with increased 7-DHC. In the mouse model, malondialdehyde and infarct area significantly increased after HIBI in the vehicle group, which were attenuated by post-treatment with CAR and were negatively correlated with tissue 7-DHC concentrations. Elevating 7-DHC concentrations with CAR was associated with improved cellular and tissue viability after hypoxic-ischemic injury, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue.
An enhanced EWMA chart with variable sampling interval scheme for monitoring the exponential process with estimated parameter
Authors: Bai Yajie , Chiang Jyun-You , Liu Wen , Mou Zhengcheng
Published: April 2024

Control charts have been used to monitor product manufacturing processes for decades. The exponential distribution is commonly used to fit data in research related to healthcare and product lifetime. This study proposes an exponentially weighted moving average control chart with a variable sampling interval scheme to monitor the exponential process, denoted as a VSIEWMA-exp chart. The performance measures are investigated using the Markov chain method. In addition, an algorithm to obtain the optimal parameters of the model is proposed. We compared the proposed control chart with other competitors, and the results showed that our proposed method outperformed other competitors. Finally, an illustrative example with the data concerning urinary tract infections is presented.
Integrating mangrove growth and failure in coastal flood protection designs
Authors: Gijón Mancheño A. , Vuik V. , van Wesenbeeck B. K. , Jonkman S. N. , van Hespen R. , Moll J. R. , Kazi S. , Urrutia I. , van Ledden M.
Published: April 2024

Mangrove forests reduce wave attack along tropical and sub-tropical coastlines, decreasing the wave loads acting on coastal protection structures. Mangrove belts seaward of embankments can therefore lower their required height and decrease their slope protection thickness. Wave reduction by mangroves depends on tree frontal surface area and stability against storms, but both aspects are often oversimplified or neglected in coastal protection designs. Here we present a framework to evaluate how mangrove belts influence embankment designs, including mangrove growth over time and failure by overturning and trunk breakage. This methodology is applied to Sonneratia apetala mangroves seaward of embankments in Bangladesh, considering forest widths between 10 and 1000 m (cross-shore). For water depths of 5 m, wave reduction by mangrove forests narrower than 1 km mostly affects the slope protection and the bank erodibility, whereas the required embankment height is less influenced by mangroves. Sonneratia apetala trees experience a relative maximum in wave attenuation capacity at 10 years age, due to their large submerged canopy area. Once trees are more than 20 years old, their canopy is emergent, and most wave attenuation is caused by trunk and roots. Canopy emergence exposes mangroves to wind loads, which are much larger than wave loads, and can cause tree failure during cyclones. These results stress the importance of including tree surface area and stability models when predicting coastal protection by mangroves.
Tiredness after work associates with less leisure-time physical activity
Authors: Sjöros Tanja , Norha Jooa , Johansson Riitta , Laine Saara , Garthwaite Taru , Vähä-Ypyä Henri , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Kalliokoski Kari K. , Sievänen Harri , Vasankari Tommi , Knuuti Juhani , Heinonen Ilkka H. A.
Published: April 2024

Physical activities and sedentary behaviors take place in different contexts. This study aimed to determine if the context, total score, and leisure-time MET-index assessed by the Baecke questionnaire associate with each other or with sedentary behavior and physical activity outcomes from a 4-week accelerometer measurement in physically inactive adults with overweight. The item “After working I am tired” correlated negatively with items related to leisure-time physical activity and sports participation. The total Baecke Score showed weak but significant correlations with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, physical activity, daily steps, and mean activity intensity of the day (r = − 0.33, 0.41, 0.35, and 0.41, respectively). The associations strengthened when the Sport Index was omitted from the Score. The leisure-time MET-Index did not correlate with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior or physical activity. Tiredness after working associated with less self-reported physical activity during leisure time. This suggests that better recovery from work-related stress could increase leisure-time physical activity, or increasing leisure-time physical activity could reduce tiredness after working. Moreover, among self-reportedly inactive adults with overweight, focusing the questionnaire on work and non-sport leisure time instead of total time might give more accurate estimates of sedentary behavior and physical activity when compared to accelerometry.

The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03101228, 05/04/2017).