bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multimodal, Resident-led Newborn Emergencies Night Curriculum
Authors: Haischer-Rollo Gayle D , Aden James K , Percival Candace S , Drumm Caitlin M
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Following graduate medical education duty hour reform, many programs have migrated to a night float model to achieve duty hour compliance. This has led to increased focus on optimizing nighttime education. A 2018 internal program evaluation of the newborn night rotation revealed that most pediatric residents received no feedback and perceived little didactic education during their four-week, night float rotation. One hundred percent of resident respondents were interested in increased feedback, didactics, and procedural opportunities. Our objective was to develop a newborn night curriculum to ensure timely formative feedback, enhance trainee didactic experience, and guide formal education.

Materials and Methods

A multimodal curriculum was designed to include senior resident-led, case-based scenarios, a pre- and post-test, a pre- and post-confidence assessment, a focused procedure “passport,” weekly feedback sessions, and simulation cases. The San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium implemented the curriculum starting from July 2019.

Results

Thirty-one trainees completed the curriculum in over 15 months. There was a 100% pre- and post-test completion rate. Test scores rose from an average of 69% to 94% (25% increase, P < .0001) for interns and an average of 84% to 97% (13% increase, P < .0001) for third-year residents (PGY-3s). When averaged across domains assessed, intern confidence rose by 1.2 points and PGY-3 confidence rose by 0.7 points on a 5-point Likert scale. One hundred percent of trainees utilized the on-the-spot feedback form to initiate at least one in-person feedback session.

Conclusions

As resident schedules evolve, there is an increased need for focused didactics during the night shift. The results and feedback from this resident-led and multimodal curriculum suggest that it is a valuable tool to improve knowledge and confidence for future pediatricians.
Assessment of Marital Satisfaction Among Spouses of Soldiers: The Example of Turkey
Authors: Er Filiz , Gokcearslan Elif
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Military personnel and their families face biopsychosocial risk factors due to frequent deployments, long and dangerous assignments, being away from home, not being able to spend time with their family, and adaptation to family life after returning from duty. These risks are among the factors affecting the marital satisfaction of military families.

Materials and Methods

Our study population consists of 6 military spouses selected by the maximum sampling method, which the researchers reached using their resources. The research was conducted in Van Province between January and February 2021. The semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers was used in the research designed with the qualitative research method. During the interviews, audio was recorded and transcribed.

Results

With the findings obtained from the interviews, subthemes were formed by considering similar expressions used by the participants regarding their opinions under the main themes. The main themes that emerged in the research were the experience of being married to a soldier, relational satisfaction, the effect of duties on the relationship, and perception of social context. Considering all the results, it has been revealed that alongside long-term and far-from-home assignments due to the nature of military service, the military lifestyle determines the marital satisfaction of military spouses. Accordingly, it was observed that military spouses and families must be supported during the soldiers’ duties and complicated professional processes.

Conclusions

This study reveals that long-term and far-from-home assignments due to military service impact the marital satisfaction. Accordingly, it was observed that military spouses and families must be supported during the soldiers’ duties and complicated professional processes.
Seroprevalence of sporotrichosis infection in cats living in the Buenos Aires epizootic area
Authors: Etchecopaz Alejandro N , Rodríguez Laboccetta Carolina , Martinez Gustavo , Pastorino Florencia , Díaz Leandro , Bratanich Ana C , Badino Paula , Mas Javier , Toranzo Adriana I , Canteros Cristina E , Cuestas María L
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to perform a seroepidemiological survey on the prevalence of sporotrichosis among cats living in the Northern area of Buenos Aires, where a fourfold increase of Sporothrix brasiliensis infections was diagnosed during the last decade. For this purpose, an in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test sensitized with S. brasiliensis crude antigens was used. The ELISA test showed 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Antibodies against S. brasiliensis antigens were detected in 3.7% (9/241) of healthy cats evaluated, suggesting likely exposure or infection to this fungus. This ELISA test would be a valuable screening tool for diagnosing sporotrichosis and for seroepidemiological surveys.
Modelling galaxy cluster triaxiality in stacked cluster weak lensing analyses
Authors: Zhang Zhuowen , Wu Hao-Yi , Zhang Yuanyuan , Frieman Joshua , To Chun-Hao , DeRose Joseph , Costanzi Matteo , Wechsler Risa H , Adhikari Susmita , Rykoff Eli , Jeltema Tesla , Evrard August , Rozo Eduardo
Published: May 2023

Counts of galaxy clusters offer a high-precision probe of cosmology, but control of systematic errors will determine the accuracy of this measurement. Using Buzzard simulations, we quantify one such systematic, the triaxiality distribution of clusters identified with the redMaPPer optical cluster finding algorithm, which was used in the Dark Energy Survey Year-1 (DES Y1) cluster cosmology analysis. We test whether redMaPPer selection biases the clusters’ shape and orientation and find that it only biases orientation, preferentially selecting clusters with their major axes oriented along the line of sight. Modelling the richness–mass relation as log-linear, we find that the log-richness amplitude ln (A) is boosted from the lowest to highest orientation bin with a significance of 14σ, while the orientation dependence of the richness-mass slope and intrinsic scatter is minimal. We also find that the weak lensing shear-profile ratios of cluster-associated dark haloes in different orientation bins resemble a ‘bottleneck’ shape that can be quantified with a Cauchy function. We test the correlation of orientation with two other leading systematics in cluster cosmology – miscentering and projection – and find a null correlation. The resulting mass bias predicted from our templates confirms the DES Y1 finding that triaxiality is a leading source of bias in cluster cosmology. However, the richness-dependence of the bias confirms that triaxiality does not fully resolve the tension at low-richness between DES Y1 cluster cosmology and other probes. Our model can be used for quantifying the impact of triaxiality bias on cosmological constraints for upcoming weak lensing surveys of galaxy clusters.
Modelling the mass accretion histories of dark matter haloes using a gamma formalism
Authors: Katsianis Antonios , Yang Xiaohu , Fong Matthew , Wang Jie
Published: May 2023

We present a physical model of the mass accretion histories (MAH) of haloes in concordance with the observed cosmic star formation rate density (CSFRD). We model the MAHs of dark matter haloes using a Gamma (Γ) functional form: $M_h(T) = \frac{M_0}{f_{0}} \, \times \frac{\gamma (\alpha _h, ~\beta _h \times (T-Th))}{\Gamma (\alpha _h)}$, where M0 is the halo mass at present time, T is time, αh and βh are parameters we explore, and f0 is the percentage of the mass of the halo at z = 0 with respect to the final mass of the halo achieved at T = ∞. We use the MAHs of haloes obtained from cosmological simulations and analytical models to constrain our model. f0 can be described by a power-law ($f_{0} = 1- c \times M_{0}^{d}$). Haloes with small masses have already on average attained most of their final masses. The average < f0 > of haloes in the Universe is >0.95 pointing to the direction that the cosmic MAH/CSFRD is saturated at our era. The average < βh > parameter (the depletion rate of the available dark matter for halo growth) is related to the dynamical time-scales of haloes. The α parameter is a power-law index of M0 and represents the early growth a halo experiences before the expansion of the Universe starts to slow it down. Finally, Th (the time that marks the co-evolution/growth of galaxies and haloes after the big bang) is found to be 150–300 million years.
The impact of early massive mergers on the chemical evolution of Milky Way-like galaxies: insights from NIHAO-UHD simulations
Authors: Buck Tobias , Obreja Aura , Ratcliffe Bridget , Lu Yuxi(Lucy) , Minchev Ivan , Macciò Andrea V
Published: May 2023

Recent observations of the Milky Way (MW) found an unexpected steepening of the star-forming gas metallicity gradient around the time of the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus (GSE) merger event. Here, we investigate the influence of early (tmerger ≲ 5 Gyr) massive ($M_{\rm {gas}}^{\rm {merger}}/M_{\rm {gas}}^{\rm {main}}(t_{\rm {merger}})\gtrsim 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) merger events such as the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus merger in the MW on the evolution of the cold gas metallicity gradient. We use the NIHAO-UHD suite of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of MW-mass galaxies to study the frequency of massive early mergers and their detailed impact on the morphology and chemistry of the gaseous discs. We find a strong steepening of the metallicity gradient at early times for all four galaxies in our sample which is caused by a sudden increase in the cold gas disc size (up to a factor of 2) in combination with the supply of unenriched gas (∼0.75 dex lower compared to the main galaxy) by the merging dwarf galaxies. The mergers mostly affect the galaxy outskirts and lead to an increase in cold gas surface density of up to 200 per cent outside of ∼8 kpc. The addition of unenriched gas breaks the self-similar enrichment of the inter-stellar-medium and causes a dilution of the cold gas in the outskirts of the galaxies. The accreted stars and the ones formed later out of the accreted gas inhabit distinct tracks offset to lower [α/Fe] and [Fe/H] values compared to the main galaxy’s stars. We find that such mergers can contribute significantly to the formation of a second, low-α sequence as is observed in the MW.
An effective model for the cosmic-dawn 21-cm signal
Authors: Muñoz Julian B
Published: May 2023

The 21-cm signal holds the key to understanding the first structure formation during cosmic dawn. Theoretical progress over the last decade has focused on simulations of this signal, given the non-linear and non-local relation between initial conditions and observables (21 cm or reionization maps). Here, instead, we propose an effective and fully analytical model for the 21-cm signal during cosmic dawn. We take advantage of the exponential-like behaviour of the local star-formation rate density (SFRD) against densities at early times to analytically find its correlation functions including non-linearities. The SFRD acts as the building block to obtain the statistics of radiative fields (X-ray and Lyman α fluxes), and therefore the 21-cm signal. We implement this model as the public python package Zeus21. This code can fully predict the 21-cm global signal and power spectrum in ∼1 s, with negligible memory requirements. When comparing against state-of-the-art semi-numerical simulations from 21CMFAST we find agreement to $\sim 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ precision in both the 21-cm global signal and power spectra, after accounting for a (previously missed) underestimation of adiabatic fluctuations in 21CMFAST. Zeus21 is modular, allowing the user to vary the astrophysical model for the first galaxies, and interfaces with the cosmological code CLASS, which enables searches for beyond standard-model cosmology in 21-cm data. This represents a step towards bringing 21-cm to the era of precision cosmology.
Chemical evolution of electron-bombarded crystalline water ices at different temperatures using the procoda code
Authors: Pilling S , da Silveira C H , Ojeda-Gonzalez A
Published: May 2023

Water ices are a common component of cold space environments, including molecular and protostellar clouds, and the frozen surfaces of moons, planets, and comets. When exposed to ionizing and/or thermal processing, they become a nursery for new molecular species and are also responsible for their desorption to the gas-phase. Crystalline water ice, produced by the deposition of gaseous water at warm (80–150 K) surfaces or by the heating of cold amorphous water ice (up to ∼150 K), is also regularly detected by astronomical observations. Here, we employed the procoda code to map the chemical evolution of 5 keV electron-bombarded crystalline water-ices at different temperatures (12, 40, 60 and 90 K). The chemical network considered a total of 61 coupled reactions involving nine different chemical species within the ice. Among the results, we observe that the average calculated effective rate constants for radiation-induced dissociation decrease as the ice´s temperature increases. The abundance of molecular species in the ice at chemical equilibrium and its desorption to gas-phase depend on both the temperature of the ice. H2O molecules are the dominant desorbed species, with a desorption yield of about 1 molecule per 100 electrons, which seems to be enhanced for warmer crystalline ices. The obtained results can be employed in astrochemical models to simulate the chemical evolution of interstellar and planetary environments. These findings have implications for astrochemistry and astrobiology, providing insight into crucial chemical processes and helping us understand the chemistry in cold regions in space.
Evolution and explosions of metal-enriched supermassive stars: proton rich general relativistic instability supernovae
Authors: Nagele Chris , Umeda Hideyuki , Takahashi Koh
Published: May 2023

The assembly of supermassive black holes poses a challenge primarily because of observed quasars at high redshift, but additionally because of the current lack of observations of intermediate mass black holes. One plausible scenario for creating supermassive black holes is direct collapse triggered by the merger of two gas-rich galaxies. This scenario allows the creation of supermassive stars with solar metallicity. We investigate the behaviour of metal enriched supermassive stars which collapse due to the general relativistic radial instability during hydrogen burning. These stars contain both hydrogen and metals and thus may explode due to the CNO cycle (carbon–nitrogen–oxygen) and the rp process (rapid proton capture). We perform a suite of stellar evolution simulations for a range of masses and metallicities, with and without mass-loss. We evaluate the stability of these supermassive stars by solving the pulsation equation in general relativity. When the stars becomes unstable, we perform 1D general relativistic hydrodynamical simulations coupled to a 153 isotope nuclear network with cooling from neutrino reactions, in order to determine if the stars explode. If the stars do explode, we post process the nucleosynthesis using a 514 isotope network which includes additional proton rich isotopes. These explosions are characterized by enhanced nitrogen and intermediate mass elements ($16\ge \rm {A}\ge 25$), and suppressed light elements ($8\ge \rm {A}\ge 14$), and we comment on recent observations of super-solar nitrogen in GN-z11.
congruents (COsmic ray, Neutrino, Gamma-ray, and Radio Non-Thermal Spectra) – I. A predictive model for galactic non-thermal emission
Authors: Roth Matt A , Krumholz Mark R , Crocker Roland M , Thompson Todd A
Published: May 2023

The total luminosity and spectral shape of the non-thermal emission produced by cosmic rays depends on their interstellar environment, a dependence that gives rise to correlations between galaxies’ bulk properties – star-formation rate, stellar mass, and others – and their non-thermal spectra. Understanding the physical mechanisms of cosmic ray transport, loss, and emission is key to understanding these correlations. Here, in the first paper of the series, we present a new method to compute the non-thermal spectra of star-forming galaxies, and describe an open-source software package – congruents(COsmic ray, Neutrino, Gamma-ray, and Radio Non-Thermal Spectra) – that implements it. As a crucial innovation, our method requires as input only a galaxy’s effective radius, star-formation rate, stellar mass, and redshift, all quantities that are readily available for large samples of galaxies and do not require expensive, spatially resolved gas measurements. From these inputs we derive individual, galaxy-by-galaxy models for the background gas and radiation field through which cosmic rays propagate, from which we compute steady-state cosmic ray spectra for hadronic and leptonic particles in both the galactic disc and halo by solving the full kinetic equation. We invoke modern models for cosmic ray transport and include all significant emission and loss mechanisms. In this paper, we describe the model and validate it against non-thermal emission measured in nearby star-forming galaxies that span four orders of magnitude in star-formation rate.
The effect of flow on transverse oscillations of two parallel magnetic tubes
Authors: Ruderman M S , Petrukhin N S
Published: May 2023

We study oscillations of two parallel interacting magnetic tubes in the presence of plasma flow along the tubes. Using the cold plasma and thin tube approximations we derive the system of two equations describing these oscillations. This system of equations is valid for equilibria where the plasma density and flow velocity can vary along the tube axes and in time. This system of equations is used to study the effect of flow in the tubes on the frequency of standing waves. There are two modes of oscillations, fast and slow. We calculated the dependence of frequencies of fast and slow modes of the Alfvén Mach number. We found that the effect of flow in coronal loops on the oscillation frequency is fairly weak for typical flow velocities observed in coronal loops. However it can be substantial in the case of prominence threads. We discuss the implication of the obtained results on coronal seismology.
The Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) VII: a discovery of the first inner Galaxy CEMP-r/s star
Authors: Mashonkina L , Arentsen A , Aguado D S , Smogorzhevskii A , Hampel M , Karakas A I , Sestito F , Martin N F , Venn K A , González Hernández J I
Published: May 2023

Well-studied very metal-poor (VMP, [Fe/H] <−2) stars in the inner Galaxy are few in number, and they are of special interest because they are expected to be among the oldest stars in the Milky Way. We present high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up of the carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) star Pristine_184237.56-260624.5 (hereafter Pr184237) identified in the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey. This star has an apocentre of ∼2.6 kpc. Its atmospheric parameters (Teff = 5100 K, log g = 2.0, and [Fe/H] = −2.60) were derived based on the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) line formation. We determined abundances for 32 elements, including 15 heavy elements beyond the iron group. The NLTE abundances were calculated for 13 elements from Na to Pb. Pr184237 is strongly enhanced in C, N, and O, and both s- and r-process elements from Ba to Pb; it reveals a low carbon isotope ratio of 12C/13C = 7. The element abundance pattern in the Na–Zn range is typical of halo stars. With [Ba/Eu] = 0.32, Pr184237 is the first star of the CEMP-r/s subclass identified in the inner Galaxy. Variations in radial velocity suggest binarity. We tested whether a pollution by the s- or i-process material produced in the more massive and evolved companion can form the observed abundance pattern and find that an i-process in the asymptotic giant branch star with a progenitor mass of 1.0–2.0 $\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ can be the solution.
Detection of periodicity in the gamma-ray light curve of the BL Lac 4FGL J2202.7+4216
Authors: Banerjee Anuvab , Sharma Ajay , Mandal Avijit , Das Avik Kumar , Bhatta Gopal , Bose Debanjan
Published: May 2023

In this study, we carry out a comprehensive variability analysis of the BL Lac object 4FGL J2202.7+4216 detected by the Fermi-LAT, over a period of more than 3 yr, from 2019 April 27 to 2022 August 09. We detect the presence of quasi-periodic fluctuations with a period of ∼100 d with a confidence level exceeding 4σ. We also tentatively detect two other quasi-periodic fluctuations with a period of ∼75 and ∼50 d, which persist over the entire duration of observation. This is the first time such a variability feature pertaining to this source is being reported. We propose that the observed quasi-periodic oscillations may be related to the precession of the blazar jet with a high Lorentz factor or to the motion of a plasma blob through the helical structure of the jet. The harmonicity among the detected periodicities suggests the global p-mode oscillations of the thick disc to be a plausible mechanism as well. For a decisive conclusion on the physical origin of such fluctuation, further multiwavelength complementary observations, especially very long baseline interferometric observations, would be required.
Character recognition competition for street view shop signs
Authors: Tang Jingqun , Du Weidong , Wang Bin , Zhou Wenyang , Mei Shuqi , Xue Tao , Xu Xing , Zhang Hai
Published: May 2023

This paper presents the inaugural character recognition competition for street view shop signs, including the associated tasks, datasets, participating teams, the winning team's solution, and justification for the award.
To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Tweets About Tobacco Regulation can Help Disseminate Anti-regulatory Messages
Authors: Silver Nathan A , Pearson George , Kucherlapaty Padmini , Kalla Swetha , Schillo Barbara
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Twitter enables public organizations to engage the public in health policy discourse. However, documented hostility towards tobacco control proposals on Twitter suggests that a closer examination of the nature of interaction with such content is warranted.

Aims and Methods

We scraped tweets from government bodies with tobacco control interests between July and November of 2021 (N = 3889), 2 months before and after the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Premarket Tobacco Authorization Act’s (PMTA) September deadline. PMTA is a review process for authorizing the sale of new and existing e-cigarette or vaping products. Tweets related to PMTA were identified (n = 52) using a keyword filter. A content analysis of quote tweets and replies examined the amplification of pro and anti-policy sentiment via likes and retweets.

Results

Replies were overwhelmingly anti-policy (96.7%). Moreover, the amplification of these replies, including 83.3% of likes and 65.6% of retweets, amplified anti-policy replies. Quote tweets, which allow users to add their own commentary to an existing tweet, were 77.9% (n = 120) anti-policy, receiving 87.7% of likes (n = 1708) and 86.2% of retweets (n = 726) compared to pro-policy quote tweets (n = 240 likes and n = 116 retweets). Regression analyses showed a significantly greater amplification of anti-policy content.

Conclusions

Communicating about tobacco policy on Twitter carries risks. Anti-policy advocates can weaponize quote tweets for easy construction of messages designed in accordance with evidence-based guidelines for conferring resistance to persuasion. Future research should examine whether public health organizations can adapt this strategy to counter anti-regulatory advocates on Twitter.

Implications

The primary implications of this research are that communication about tobacco policy on Twitter should be part of a broader public engagement strategy with quantifiable metrics of success. The information environment on Twitter is demonstrably hostile to pro-tobacco regulatory policy positions. As a result, efforts to engage on the platform by regulatory institutions like the FDA can inadvertently provide materials that are easily leveraged as effective counter-messaging. Moreover, this counter-messaging can disseminate more broadly than the original message.
Can Treatment Support Mitigate Nicotine Metabolism-Based Disparities in Smoking Abstinence? Secondary Analysis of the Helping HAND 4 Trial
Authors: Lee Scott S , Chang Yuchiao , Rigotti Nancy A , Singer Daniel E , Levy Douglas E , Tyndale Rachel F , Davis Esa M , Freiberg Matthew S , King Stephen , Wells Quinn S , Tindle Hilary A
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), a biomarker of CYP2A6-mediated nicotine metabolism, predicts the efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), with fast metabolizers benefiting less than slow metabolizers. Whether treatment support to optimize NRT use (henceforth “treatment support”) modifies this pharmacogenetic relationship is unknown.

Methods

Hospitalized adult daily smokers were assigned to one of two post-discharge smoking cessation interventions offering NRT and counseling: (1) Transitional Tobacco Care Management, which delivered enhanced treatment support via free combination NRT at discharge and automated counseling, and (2) a quitline-based approach representing usual care (UC). The primary outcome was biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence 6 months after discharge. Secondary outcomes were the use of NRT and counseling during the 3-month intervention period. Logistic regression models tested for interactions between NMR and intervention, controlling for sex, race, alcohol use, and BMI.

Results

Participants (N = 321) were classified as slow (n = 80) or fast (n = 241) metabolizers relative to the first quartile of NMR (0.012–0.219 vs. 0.221–3.455, respectively). Under UC, fast (vs. slow) metabolizers had lower odds of abstinence at 6 months (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.95) and similar odds of NRT and counseling use. Compared to UC, enhanced treatment support increased abstinence (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 0.98–4.64) and use of combination NRT (aOR 4.62, 95% CI 2.57–8.31) in fast metabolizers, while reducing abstinence in slow metabolizers (aOR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05–0.87; NMR-by-intervention interaction p = .004).

Conclusions

Treatment support increased abstinence and optimal use of NRT among fast nicotine metabolizers, thereby mitigating the gap in abstinence between fast and slow metabolizers.

Implications

In this secondary analysis of two smoking cessation interventions for recently hospitalized smokers, fast nicotine metabolizers quit at lower rates than slow metabolizers, but providing fast metabolizers with enhanced treatment support doubled the odds of quitting in this group and mitigated the disparity in abstinence between fast and slow metabolizers. If validated, these findings could lead to personalized approaches to smoking cessation treatment that improve outcomes by targeting treatment support to those who need it most.
Cogency, Seriousness, Cohesion, and Importance: Assessing the Strasbourg Case-Law on Religion or Belief
Authors: Wolff Tim
Published: May 2023

In Campbell and Cosans v the United Kingdom (1982), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) determined that a view must ‘attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance’ to be considered a religion or belief under Article 9 of the Convention. The Court has seemed hesitant to provide much guidance beyond the words quoted. This article’s first aim is to attempt a comprehensive interpretation of these requirements by examining clues as to their meaning and scope in the case law of the last 40 years. This includes well-known cases like Pretty and Gough, as well as recent cases like Vavřička and De Wilde. The second aim is to evaluate these standards in light of liberal egalitarian principles, specifically, the principle of ‘integrity’ developed by Cécile Laborde. Integrity refers to the value of living in accordance with one’s profound beliefs, which are distinguished from mere preferences and inclinations. The argument presented is that the objective versions of cogency, cohesion, and importance endorsed by the ECtHR are incompatible with the subjectivist value of integrity. Conversely, depending on which of three possible interpretations of seriousness one finds most plausible, the ECtHR’s version of seriousness may align with the integrity view.
Assessing public support for social policy in times of crisis: evidence from the Child Tax Credit during the COVID-19 era in the United States
Authors: López-Santana Mariely , Núñez Lucas , Béland Daniel
Published: May 2023

The 2021 American Rescue Plan included the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC)—the largest individual income tax credit program in the United States—for most families with children. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, how did the public perceive this social policy benefit for families, especially in relation to other traditional social programs? By focusing on the CTC, an understudied policy area, and presenting original survey data, this paper first shows that, while the majority of respondents favored the CTC, levels of support for these benefits were lower than support for other social programs. Second, the paper suggests that, compared to older people and people with disabilities, Americans view families as part of the “undeserving” population. Third, by presenting panel data, we show that there is no change in levels of CTC support even among recipients of these benefits. Overall, these findings shed light on important challenges to the development and implementation of family policy in the USA, as well as the possibility of recalibrating the US liberal welfare state.
SMART-SLE: serology monitoring and repeat testing in systemic lupus erythematosus—an analysis of anti-double-stranded DNA monitoring
Authors: Yeo Ai Li , Kandane-Rathnayake Rangi , Koelmeyer Rachel , Golder Vera , Louthrenoo Worawit , Chen Yi-Hsing , Cho Jiacai , Lateef Aisha , Hamijoyo Laniyati , Luo Shue-Fen , Wu Yeong-Jian J , Navarra Sandra V , Zamora Leonid , Li Zhanguo , An Yuan , Sockalingam Sargunan , Katsumata Yasuhiro , Harigai Masayoshi , Hao Yanjie , Zhang Zhuoli , Basnayake B M D B , Chan Madelynn , Kikuchi Jun , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Bae Sang-Cheol , Oon Shereen , O’Neill Sean , Goldblatt Fiona , Ng Kristine (Pek Ling) , Law Annie , Tugnet Nicola , Kumar Sunil , Tee Cherica , Tee Michael , Ohkubo Naoaki , Tanaka Yoshiya , Lau Chak Sing , Nikpour Mandana , Hoi Alberta , Leech Michelle , Morand Eric F ,   for the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration
Published: May 2023

Objective

Disease activity monitoring in SLE includes serial measurement of anti-double stranded-DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, but in patients who are persistently anti-dsDNA positive, the utility of repeated measurement is unclear. We investigated the usefulness of serial anti-dsDNA testing in predicting flare in SLE patients who are persistently anti-dsDNA positive.

Methods

Data were analysed from patients in a multinational longitudinal cohort with known anti-dsDNA results from 2013 to 2021. Patients were categorized based on their anti-dsDNA results as persistently negative, fluctuating or persistently positive. Cox regression models were used to examine longitudinal associations of anti-dsDNA results with flare.

Results

Data from 37 582 visits of 3484 patients were analysed. Of the patients 1029 (29.5%) had persistently positive anti-dsDNA and 1195 (34.3%) had fluctuating results. Anti-dsDNA expressed as a ratio to the normal cut-off was associated with the risk of subsequent flare, including in the persistently positive cohort (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.56; 95% CI: 1.30, 1.87; P < 0.001) and fluctuating cohort (adjusted HR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.66), both for a ratio >3. Both increases and decreases in anti-dsDNA more than 2-fold compared with the previous visit were associated with increased risk of flare in the fluctuating cohort (adjusted HR 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.65; P = 0.008) and the persistently positive cohort (adjusted HR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.71; P = 0.009).

Conclusion

Absolute value and change in anti-dsDNA titres predict flares, including in persistently anti-dsDNA positive patients. This indicates that repeat monitoring of dsDNA has value in routine testing.
PARNAS: Objectively Selecting the Most Representative Taxa on a Phylogeny
Authors: Markin Alexey , Wagle Sanket , Grover Siddhant , Vincent Baker Amy L , Eulenstein Oliver , Anderson Tavis K
Published: May 2023

The use of next-generation sequencing technology has enabled phylogenetic studies with hundreds of thousands of taxa. Such large-scale phylogenies have become a critical component in genomic epidemiology in pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus. However, detailed phenotypic characterization of pathogens or generating a computationally tractable dataset for detailed phylogenetic analyses requires objective subsampling of taxa. To address this need, we propose parnas, an objective and flexible algorithm to sample and select taxa that best represent observed diversity by solving a generalized k-medoids problem on a phylogenetic tree. parnas solves this problem efficiently and exactly by novel optimizations and adapting algorithms from operations research. For more nuanced selections, taxa can be weighted with metadata or genetic sequence parameters, and the pool of potential representatives can be user-constrained. Motivated by influenza A virus genomic surveillance and vaccine design, parnas can be applied to identify representative taxa that optimally cover the diversity in a phylogeny within a specified distance radius. We demonstrated that parnas is more efficient and flexible than existing approaches. To demonstrate its utility, we applied parnas to 1) quantify SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity over time, 2) select representative influenza A virus in swine genes derived from over 5 years of genomic surveillance data, and 3) identify gaps in H3N2 human influenza A virus vaccine coverage. We suggest that our method, through the objective selection of representatives in a phylogeny, provides criteria for quantifying genetic diversity that has application in the the rational design of multivalent vaccines and genomic epidemiology. PARNAS is available at https://github.com/flu-crew/parnas.
Assessment of a COVID-induced shift in the evolution of a beef cattle production course
Authors: Herring Andy Dale
Published: May 2023

This study investigated student (n = 272) exam grades and group project peer evaluations in a senior-level beef cattle management course during semesters of COVID-imposed transitional instructional delivery methods across the Fall 2019 to Spring 2021 semesters. Each semester identical format exams were administered, and students were assigned to groups of 4 or 5 balanced for previous cattle experience to work on a semester-long on a scenario-based ranch management project. Prior to COVID, exams were administered as closed-note with 1-h time limit, but were made open-note with 12 to 14 h time limit beginning in March 2020. Similar exam grades existed (P > 0.05) across these five semesters with the exception that Exam 3 deviated 3.7% (P = 0.020) from lowest to highest mean score; similar relative variation in exam scores based on CV and SD were seen across these semesters. For the group project, students scored all group members on a 0 (inferior) to 10 (superior) scale at the end of each semester that weighted the project grade by 20%. Remote vs. face-to-face (F2F) status did not influence (P > 0.05) group peer evaluation scores regarding “Overall level of participation” or “Willingness to work for success of your group” when group number or individual student was included in models. Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters had both remote and F2F students and were investigated for online page view and engagement. Across these two semesters, students (n = 125) were 72% females, 36.8% rated themselves as having no or little previous cattle experience, and 34.4% rated themselves as experienced or very experienced with cattle. No metric for online activity was correlated with exam grades, except the number of page views and Exam 3 scores (r = 0.28, P = 0.002). Neither gender (P > 0.05) nor previous cattle experience (P > 0.05) affected online activity metrics, peer evaluation points received on group projects, or exam grades. However, strong correlations (r = 0.33 to 0.45, P < 0.001) were seen between student peer points received and all four exam grades. Additionally, project group accounted for 28% to 37% of the differences in exam grades. Overall, no differences in exam grades (P < 0.05 except Exam 3) or group peer evaluations (P < 0.05) were detected when the course had different delivery styles. These results indicate that attributes of individual students are a major driver of successful course outcomes in this class, no matter what course delivery method is utilized.
Cost effectiveness of a technology-enhanced physical activity intervention for Latinas
Authors: Larsen Britta , Gilmer Todd , Pekmezi Dori , Hartman Sheri J , Benitez Tanya , Rabin Borsika , Marcus Bess H , Mendoza-Vasconez Andrea S , Groessl Erik J
Published: May 2023

Latinas report low levels of physical activity (PA) and disproportionate risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Enhancements to evidence-based PA interventions may increase efficacy; however, uptake of interventions will likely depend on costs. To describe costs and examine the cost-effectiveness of two interventions for helping Latinas reach national aerobic PA guidelines. Adult Latinas (N = 199) were randomly assigned to an Original theory-based mail-delivered intervention or an Enhanced version with texting and additional calls and materials. Meeting PA guidelines was measured by the 7-Day PA Recall interview at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Intervention costs were estimated from a payer perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated as the additional cost per participant meeting guidelines in the Enhanced versus Original intervention. At baseline, no participants met guidelines. After 6 months, 57% and 44% in the Enhanced and Original arms met guidelines, respectively; at 12 months, rates fell to 46% and 36%. Cost per person of the Enhanced and Original interventions were $184 and $173 at 6 months, respectively, and $234 and $203 at 12 months. The primary additional expense in the Enhanced arm was staff time. ICERs were $87 per additional person meeting guidelines at 6 months (per sensitivity analysis, $26 if delivered by volunteers and $114 by medical assistants), and $317 at 12 months (sensitivity analysis: $57 and $434). Incremental costs per person meeting guidelines in the Enhanced arm were modest and could be warranted given the potential health benefits of meeting PA guidelines.
Cold temperature and aridity shape the evolution of drought tolerance traits in Tasmanian species of Eucalyptus
Authors: Hartill Gabrielle E , Blackman Chris J , Halliwell Benjamin , Jones Rebecca C , Holland Barbara R , Brodribb Timothy J
Published: May 2023

Perennial plant species from water-limiting environments (including climates of extreme drought, heat and freezing temperatures) have evolved traits that allow them to tolerate these conditions. As such, traits that are associated with water stress may show evidence of adaptation to climate when compared among closely related species inhabiting contrasting climatic conditions. In this study, we tested whether key hydraulic traits linked to drought stress, including the vulnerability of leaves to embolism (P50 leaf) and the minimum diffusive conductance of shoots (gmin), were associated with climatic characteristics of 14 Tasmanian eucalypt species from sites that vary in precipitation and temperature. Across species, greater cavitation resistance (more negative P50 leaf) was associated with increasing aridity and decreasing minimum temperature. By contrast, gmin showed strong associations with aridity only. Among these Tasmanian eucalypts, evidence suggests that trait variation is influenced by both cold and dry conditions, highlighting the need to consider both aspects when exploring adaptive trait–climate relationships.
Temperature rather than N availability determines root exudation of alpine coniferous forests on the eastern Tibetan Plateau along elevation gradients
Authors: Yang Han , Zhang Peipei , Wang Qitong , Deng Shaojun , He Xi , Zhang Xinjun , Wang Ruihong , Feng Qiuhong , Yin Huajun
Published: May 2023

Root exudation fulfills fundamental roles in regulating carbon (C)-nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, yet the main ecological drivers of root exudation and underlying mechanisms in forests under natural gradients remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the intraspecific variation of root exudation rates in two alpine coniferous forests (Abies faxoniana Rehder et Wilson and Abies georgei Orr) along two elevation gradients on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Meanwhile, the fine root traits and associated climate and soil parameters were assessed to examine the effects of elevation-dependent changes in climatic and soil nutrient conditions on root exudation. Results showed that root exudation rates decreased with increasing elevation and were positively correlated with mean air temperature. However, the relationships of root exudation with soil moisture and soil nitrogen availability were not significant. The structural equation model (SEM) further revealed that air temperature affected root exudation both directly and indirectly through the effects on fine root morphology and biomass, implying that the adaption of root C allocation and fine root morphological traits to low temperatures primarily resulted in declined root exudation at higher elevations. These results highlight the perceived importance of temperature in determining the elevational variation of root exudation in alpine coniferous forests, which has foreseeably great implications for the exudate-mediated ecosystem C and nutrient processes in the face of drastic warming on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Temperature acclimation of leaf dark respiration inCorylus avellana: the role of relative growth rate
Authors: Grisafi Francesca , Tombesi Sergio
Published: May 2023

Relative growth rate (RGR) is a standardized measure of growth that accounts for the difference in initial organ size. Relative growth rate sets the sink strength potential that, in combination with dark respiration (Rd), determines the carbon need of organs. Total Rd is the sum of maintenance respiration and growth respiration (Rg). The first provides energy for the maintenance of the existing cell structures, while the latter provides energy for growth. Dark respiration is mainly driven by temperature, but it varies during the season according to temperature acclimation and organ growth. Temperature acclimation is defined as the variation of Rd following the exposure to short or long periods of different temperatures. Temperature strongly affects growth and drives the Rg component of Rd. We hypothesized that RGR has a fundamental role in Rd variation during the season. The aims of the study were to determine the following: (i) if there was a variation of leaf Rd over the season and if such variation could be due to acclimation and/or RGR; (ii) the type of acclimation (i.e., Type I or II) on fully expanded leaves and newly formed leaves; and finally, (iii) if acclimation or RGR should be included to model Rd variation over the season. Leaf Rd was measured in field-grown plants from bud break to summer. Different cohorts of leaves were used to test the effect of exposure to different temperature regimes during leaf formation. The only case of acclimation was found in fully expanded leaves. It was an acclimation of Type II. Under field conditions, acclimation of filbert leaves, Rd to temperature was limited since most of the Rd variation during the season was explained by RGR. Our work suggests that RGR is a fundamental parameter that should be included in addition to temperature to model seasonal Rd pattern.
Carbon use strategies in shoot and acorn growth of two evergreen broadleaf trees unraveled by seasonal carbohydrate measurements and carbon isotope analysis
Authors: Han Qingmin , Kabeya Daisuke , Inagaki Yoshiyuki , Kawasaki Tatsuro , Satake Akiko
Published: May 2023

Woody species have evolved carbon (C) storage processes that meet needs for reserves associated with asynchronies between C supply and demand. However, our understanding of storage dynamics is still elusive in mature trees, especially when reproduction is involved. Integrated analyses of isotope ratios, concentrations and biomass may enhance understanding of stored C fractions’ dynamics and roles. Thus, we monitored starch and soluble sugars (SSs), C isotope ratios and biomass, in leaves, twigs and reproductive organs of two mature evergreen broadleaf trees, Quercus glauca Thumb. and Lithocarpus edulis Nakai, for 2 years. During the growing season, no starch was observed in twigs, while constant starch levels were observed in leaves. Increase in SSs for winter hardening was earlier in L. edulis than in Q. glauca, in line with L. edulis acorns’ earlier ripening. Decrease in SSs and increase in starch occurred simultaneously in the next spring. In addition, sucrose accounted for <10% of total SSs in leaves of both species, whereas mannose accounted for up to 75% in Q. glauca and myo-inositol up to 23% in L. edulis, indicating species-specific sugar composition. These results indicate that seasonal variation of SSs fraction was more reflective of climatic change and nonstructural carbohydrate storage was less influenced by reproduction. No starch was detected in acorn organs of either Q. glauca or L. edulis except in ripening seeds. The biomass of ripe acorns was 1.7- and 6.4-fold greater than that of current-year twigs in Q. glauca and L. edulis, respectively. Bulk twigs and reproductive organs were ca 1.0‰ 13C enriched relative to bulk leaves, which was lower than in deciduous trees. These results indicate that a new photo-assimilate is the predominant C source for reproductive growth. These findings provide new insights into the dynamics of C storage in relation to reproduction in evergreen broadleaf trees.
Through the normative prism: a critical appraisal of the PICC’s provisions on anticipatory non-performance
Authors: Mohamed Hassan
Published: May 2023

The position of the Unidroit Principles of International Commercial Contracts (PICC) as a potential unifying influence and resource within the global competitive market for law is indelibly linked to the justifiability and desirability of the black letter rules embodied in the instrument. This article critically analyses the PICC’s provisions on anticipatory non-performance using two common law-oriented normative paradigms: economic efficiency and relational norms. It argues that the PICC’s remedial scheme for anticipatory non-performance satisfies the normative prescriptions of economic analysis of law in that the self-help measures available represent majoritarian default rules and facilitate early mitigation of loss, thereby maximizing the parties’ net exchange surplus. Furthermore, the article contends that the PICC’s remedial scheme is sensitive to the relational nature of commercial contracts such that it fosters the parties’ commitment, communication, cooperation, and trust, which are vital values in developing and maintaining relational assets.