bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘No matter what time of day’: The value of joining Facebook groups supporting women's self‐management of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Pham Sheila , Churruca Kate , Ellis Louise A. , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects a significant and growing proportion of pregnant women each year. The condition entails additional monitoring, self‐management and healthcare use during pregnancy, and some women also join GDM support groups on Facebook. Little is known about the practices inside these groups, but examining them may elucidate support needs, women's experience of healthcare and improve overall outcomes. The aims of this study were to explore motivations for joining GDM Facebook groups and the perceived value and benefits of such spaces.

Design

A cross‐sectional design using a web‐based survey collected data from two peer‐led GDM Facebook groups; relevant quantitative and qualitative data were extracted from open and closed questions, and analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results

A total of 340 women responded to the survey, with 306 (90%) tendering their motivations to join a GDM Facebook group. Their answers were classified into six categories: peer support; information and practical advice; lived experiences; community; a safe place to ask questions and being recommended. The most commonly reported benefits of membership were ‘reading about food ideas’ and ‘finding helpful information and tips’. Respondents reported finding their group strongly sympathetic, sincere, compassionate, heart‐felt, tolerant, sensitive, warm and supportive.

Discussion and Conclusions

GDM Facebook groups are valuable for informational and emotional support, and the sharing and perusal of lived experiences; another key benefit for women is feeling belonging to a community. GDM Facebook groups provide women with access to more tailored and readily available support, filling gaps not addressed by healthcare providers.

Patient Contribution

This study was led by a person with lived experience of GDM, and the survey was pilot tested with women who had also experienced GDM, which contributed to its development.
The process of co‐designing a model of social prescribing: An Australian case study
Authors: Oster Candice , Powell Ashleigh , Hutchinson Claire , Anderson Debra , Gransbury Bill , Walton Martin , O'Brien Jenny , Raven Susan , Bogomolova Svetlana
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Social needs such as housing, employment, food, income and social isolation are having a significant impact on individuals, families and communities. Individuals are increasingly presenting to health settings with social needs, which are ill‐equipped to address nonmedical needs. Social prescribing is a systematic approach connecting the health, social and community sectors to better address social needs and improve health and wellbeing. Social prescribing interventions are being implemented world‐wide. With variability in health and social care systems internationally, it is important that social prescribing interventions are co‐designed with key stakeholders to ensure they can be implemented and sustained within local systems.

Methods

This Australian case study provides a detailed description of the process undertaken to co‐design a social prescribing service model in a regional area. Four co‐design workshops were undertaken, two with health and social care professionals and two with community members. The project followed an iterative process of resourcing, planning, recruiting, sensitising, facilitation, reflection and building for change across the workshops.

Results

Through this process, key stakeholders were able to successfully co‐design a social prescribing model of care for the region.

Conclusion

By demonstrating the process and materials used in our project, we aim to open the ‘black box’ of co‐design for social prescribing and provide ideas and resources for others to adapt and utilise.

Patient or Public Contribution

The project was designed and undertaken by a steering committee comprising university‐based researchers (authors C. O. and S. B.), local government (author D. A.) and health, social and community services (authors B. G., M. W., J. O. and S. R.). Members of the steering committee participated in project design, participant recruitment, workshop facilitation, data analysis and interpretation.
Effect of solid acid catalyst coupled decolorization process on the physicochemical properties and bioactive and volatile compounds of sesame oil
Authors: Yu Qiong , Wang Xue‐de , Yang Shi , Ma Yu‐xiang , Liu Hua‐min
Published: May 2024

In this study, the effects of citric acid‐loaded Hβ zeolite (F), activated clay and their modified decolorizers on the nutrients, volatile compounds and harmful substances of sesame oil in the decolorization process were evaluated. The results showed that the decolorization effect of F was second only to that of activated clay, the yield of F‐treated sesame oil sample was not significantly different from that of other decolorizers. The formation of asarinin was detected only in the sesame oil samples treated with F and H (zinc chloride‐activated clay). Compared with the activated clay‐treated sesame oil samples, the retention of tocopherols in the F‐treated sesame oil sample was significantly increased by 23.11%, and the retention of phytosterols was increased by 4.85%. The removal rate of the harmful substances Norharman and Harman in the F‐treated sesame oil sample was 96.79%, which was second only to that of the activated clay. Additionally, the removal rate of the total volatile compounds was the highest at 69.47%. The effects of different decolorizers on the sesame oil samples were closely related to the specific surface area, pore size and surface acidic sites of these decolorizers. This study could provide ideas for the industrial application of leached sesame oil, such as cosmetics and base oils.
Characteristics of mildly refined soy protein fractions for cleaner soy‐food development
Authors: Peng Yu , Zhao Dandan , Li Mo , Wen Xin , Ni Yuanying
Published: May 2024

In recent years, the markets for plant‐based products and plant protein have experienced a remarkable global expansion. The demand for plant‐based products, ranging from meat substitutes and dairy alternatives to plant‐based snacks and beverages, has surged exponentially. Soy protein, among all the plant protein resources, held a significant market share in the plant‐based industry, reflecting its popularity and widespread use. The selection of an appropriate soy fractionation process is essential for the development of cleaner and more sustainable soy‐based food products. This study compared three different soy protein fractions (SPFs) obtained through mild fractionation processes, each with unique chemical compositions and functionalities. Aqueous ethanol washing process resulted in the fractions with the highest protein purity and water holding capacity, while the simplified aqueous extraction method coupled with either an alkaline solubilisation step (SAE‐Alkaline) or an acid precipitation step (SAE‐Acid) yielded protein fractions with superior solubility, thermal stability, and gel strength. The choice of fractionation route has significant implications for the production of protein‐rich ingredients, and prioritising sustainable processing methods can contribute to the development of innovative and environmentally friendly soy‐based foods.
Joint Robust Variable Selection of Mean and Covariance Model via Shrinkage Methods
Authors: Güney Yeşim , Gokalp Yavuz Fulya , Arslan Olcay
Published: May 2024

A valuable and robust extension of the traditional joint mean and the covariance models when data subject to outliers and/or heavy‐tailed outcomes can be achieved using the joint modelling of location and scatter matrix of the multivariate t‐distribution. This model encompasses three models in itself, and the number of unknown parameters in the covariance model increases quadratically with the matrix size. As a result, selecting the important variables becomes a crucial aspect to consider. In this context, the variable selection combined with the parameter estimation is considered under the normality assumption. However, because of the non‐robustness of the normal distribution, the resulting estimators will be sensitive to outliers and/or heavy taildness in the data. This paper has two objectives to overcome these problems. The first is to obtain the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters and propose an expectation‐maximisation type algorithm as an alternative to the Fisher scoring algorithm in the literature. We also consider simultaneous parameter estimation and variable selection in the multivariate t‐joint location and scatter matrix models. The consistency and oracle properties of the regularised estimators are also established. Simulation studies and real data analysis are provided to assess the performance of the proposed methods.
Effect of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty on postoperative wound complications in heart failure patients undergoing mitral valve repair
Authors: Hou Yuehui , Guo Lan , Li Yonghua , Cai Jin
Published: May 2024

Tricuspid valve repair (TVR) combined with mitral valve surgery (MVS) has been a controversial issue. It is not clear whether the combined surgery has any influence on the occurrence of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of complications including wound infection, wound bleeding, and mortality after MVS combined with or without TVR. By meta‐analysis, a total of 1576 papers were collected from 3 databases, and 7 of them were included. We provided the necessary data of 7 included studies such as the authors, publication date, country, surgical approach and case number, patient age, and so on. Statistical analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.3 software. We found that patients with heart failure accepting MVS combined with or without TVR, performed no statistically significant difference in postoperative wound infection (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.29, 2.62; P = 0.81), wound bleeding (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.3, 1.48; P = 0.39), and mortality (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.42, 2.61; P = 0.92). In conclusion, current evidence indicated that the combined surgery had no additional risk of postoperative complications, and might be an effective alternative surgical approach to mitral valve diseases accompany with tricuspid regurgitation. However, for the limited case size, it was required to support the findings with a large number of cases in further studies.
Oxygen vacancy migration and impact on high voltage DC polarization in 0.8BaTiO3–0.2BiZn0.5Ti0.5O3
Authors: Bishop Sean R. , Blea Mia A. , Peretti Amanda S. , Bachman William B. , Jauregui Luis J. , Lowry Daniel R. , Boro Joseph , Coker Eric N. , Bock Jonathan A.
Published: May 2024

Electrical polarization and defect transport are examined in 0.8BaTiO3–0.2BiZn0.5Ti0.5O3, an attractive capacitor material for high power electronics. Oxygen vacancies are suggested to be the majority charge carrier at or below 250°C with a grain conduction hopping activation energy of 0.97 eV and 0.92 eV for thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) and impedance spectroscopy measurements, respectively. At higher temperature, thermally generated electronic conduction with an activation energy of 1.6 eV is dominant. Significant oxygen vacancy concentration is indicated (up to ∼1%) due to cation vacancy formation (i.e., acceptor defects) from observed Bi (and likely Zn) volatility. Oxygen vacancy diffusivity is estimated to be 10−12.8 cm2/s at 250°C. Low diffusivity and high activation energies are indicative of significant defect interactions. Dipolar oxygen vacancy defects are also indicated, with an activation energy of 0.59 eV from TSDC measurements. The large oxygen vacancy content leads to a short lifetime during high voltage (30 kV/cm), high temperature (250°C) direct current (DC) electrical measurements.
Identification of genetic markers associated with hyperketonemia patterns in early lactation Holstein cows
Authors: Muniz Maria Malane M. , Serrenho Rita Couto , Duffield Todd , de Oliveira Junior Gerson A. , McArt Jessica A. A. , Baes Christine F. , Schenkel Flavio Schramm , Squires E. James
Published: May 2024

Ketosis, evidenced by hyperketonemia with elevated blood β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels, is a significant metabolic disorder of dairy cattle, typically diagnosed within the first 6 weeks post‐calving when high energy levels are essential to milk production. Our study aimed to identify genetic markers linked to hyperketonemia (HYK) patterns in Holstein cows during early lactation and compare these to HYK‐negative cows. We screened 964 cows for HYK using a threshold of BHB ≥1.2 mmol/L during the first 2 weeks postpartum (screening period, SP). Cows that tested negative initially were retested the following week. Cows were deemed HYK‐negative (CON group) if BHB levels were below 1.2 mmol/L in both tests, while those with BHB levels exceeding this threshold at any test were treated and classified as HYK‐positive (HYK+). Post‐treatment, HYK+ cows were monitored for two‐week follow‐up period (FP) and classified based on their recovery: cured (CUR; consistently low BHB), recurrent (REC; fluctuating BHB levels), severe (SEV; high initial BHB that decreased), or chronic (CHR; persistently high BHB). Using 489 cows that were genotyped, a GWAS was conducted using GCTA software, revealing significant associations of several SNPs across different HYK patterns when compared to the CON group. These SNPs were primarily linked to genes affecting milk traits and were enriched in biological pathways relevant to protein glycosylation, inflammatory response, glucose homeostasis, and fatty acid synthesis. Our findings highlight genomic regions, potential candidate genes, and biological pathways related to ketosis, underscoring potential targets for improving health management in dairy cattle. These insights could lead to better strategies for managing ketosis through genetic selection, ultimately enhancing dairy cattle welfare and productivity. Further research with a larger number of cows is recommended to validate these findings and help confirm the implicated SNPs and genes.
Character appearance in hologram tutors: Unveiling valence and learning enjoyment dynamics
Authors: Ramlie Mohd Khairulnizam , Mohamad Ali Ahmad Zamzuri
Published: May 2024

Background

Effective communication in education employs diverse methods, with hologram technology representing teaching staff. Holograms, using different character realism levels, aim to sustain student interest and motivation. This study explores whether student valence, influenced by hologram tutor character appearance, significantly mediates the relationship between character realism and emotions in student learning.

Objectives

The study aimed to determine whether valence acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between the appearance designs of three hologram tutor characters and students' overall enjoyment in learning.

Methods

We employed a quasi‐experimental design for this study to examine the relationship between hologram tutors and their effectiveness across three different levels of character realism. A total of 90 higher education institute students participated in the research. The data collection process utilised the Self‐Assessment Manikin (SAM) and the Achievement Emotion Questionnaire (AEQ) questionnaire sets. Regression analysis, following Baron and Kenny (1986) model, was applied to test and analyse whether students' enjoyment attributed to the hologram tutor's character design acted as a significant mediator.

Results

The findings surprisingly revealed no significant mediating effect when employing an appropriate hologram tutor character appearance. There was no statistically significant regression observed in the relationship between hologram tutor appearance and overall learning enjoyment. Notably, the enjoyment mean scores for all character designs were within the positive emotions range.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the enjoyment experienced by students due to the hologram tutor's character design does not emerge as a significant mediator in the relationship between the level of realism of the hologram tutor and the emotional responses in student learning. The contributing factors influencing this finding are elaborated upon in the subsequent discussion.

Implications

This study brings novel insights to the use of hologram tutor character appearance, aiming to enhance valence and emotional engagement in student learning experiences. The findings contribute to understanding effective strategies for utilising hologram technology in education.
Gastrointestinal side effects of somatostatin analogs in neuroendocrine tumors: a focused review
Authors: Marasco Matteo , Dell'Unto Elisabetta , Laviano Alessandro , Campana Davide , Panzuto Francesco
Published: May 2024

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of well‐differentiated heterogeneous neoplasms characterized by slow progression and distinct clinical and biological behavior. In the majority of patients with NET, first‐line treatment is represented by somatostatin analogs (SSAs) that, despite being drugs with high tolerability (even at high doses) and providing to carcinoid symptoms control and anti‐proliferative effects, may present some side effects, with potential impact on quality of life and nutritional status. The most frequent side effects are represented by gastrointestinal events in particular alterations in bowel habits (diarrhea and constipation), abdominal pain, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and cholelithiasis. Considering the relative rarity of NETs, literature about frequency and standard clinical management of adverse events SSA‐related is still lacking and heterogeneous. The aim of this review is to arm gastroenterologists and other physicians treating NET patients with essential knowledge on the side effects of SSAs. By identifying and managing these adverse events early, healthcare professionals can offer optimal care, avert foreseeable complications, and ensure the best outcomes for patients. Without such early recognition, there is a risk of diminishing the patient's quality of life and their ability to sustain treatment over time.
Grandparents' and domestic helpers' childcare support: Implications for well‐being in Asian families
Authors: Sudo Mioko , Low Petrina Hui Xian , Kyeong Yena , Meaney Michael J. , Kee Michelle Z. L. , Chen Helen , Broekman Birit F. P. , Nadarajan Ranjani , Rifkin‐Graboi Anne , Tiemeier Henning , Setoh Peipei
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate whether childcare support from grandparents and domestic helpers is associated with family well‐being in Singapore, with a focus on parent and child psychological well‐being as well as the quality of interactions and relationships within the family.

Background

Research on the implications of childcare support from maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, and domestic helpers for family well‐being remains a gap in the literature. This involvement could enhance family well‐being through instrumental assistance and emotional encouragement in childcare. However, it could also create a negative emotional climate for families if the relationship of the mother with the grandparents or domestic helper is marked by conflict.

Method

This study used questionnaire data from 615 mother–child dyads from the birth cohort, Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes. The exposure variable was children's caregiving arrangements assessed at child ages 4.5 and 6 years, and the outcome variables were maternal well‐being, maternal parenting, and family functioning measured at concurrent assessments, and child well‐being assessed at age 10 years.

Results

Childcare support from maternal grandparents, but not from paternal grandparents or domestic helpers, showed concurrent associations with warmer parenting by mothers at child ages 4.5 and 6 years. Early childcare support from domestic helpers at child age 6 years predicted higher depressive symptoms in children at age 10 years.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that childcare support from maternal grandparents, who are most likely to share a close bond and value system with mothers, could be most beneficial for families in Singapore.
Striving to contribute to the greater good: Changes in self‐transcendent versus self‐enhancement career strivings during a global pandemic
Authors: Hirschi Andreas , Schläpfer Dawa , Spurk Daniel , Akkermans Jos
Published: May 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic, as a major crisis event, could have changed people's career goals. We examined change trajectories in self‐transcendent versus self‐enhancement career strivings during the COVID‐19 pandemic among 662 employees from Germany with eight measurement waves across 7 months. Building on event systems theory and the literature on prosocial motivation and altruism, we examined whether affective and cognitive self‐focused and other‐focused reactions to the pandemic (i.e., personal distress, empathic concern, and perceived responsibility) predicted differences in changes in career strivings. Analyses with growth curve mixture modelling suggest three distinct groups in terms of stable (N = 537), declining (N = 12), and increasing (N = 113) self‐transcendent versus self‐enhancement career strivings. Controlling various individual and contextual factors, membership in the increasing group was predicted by more empathic concern for people negatively affected by the COVID crisis. In addition, less dispositional self‐concern, more other‐concern, less job insecurity, experiencing job loss and less career impact of the pandemic predicted an increasing self‐transcendent versus self‐enhancement career strivings trajectory compared to other trajectories. The results imply that career strivings can change during major crisis events, predicted by empathic reactions to the effects of the crisis and personal dispositions and contextual factors.
Chronic short sleep duration lengthens reaction time, but the deficit is not associated with motor preparation
Authors: Dutil Caroline , De Pieri Julia , Sadler Christin M. , Maslovat Dana , Chaput Jean‐Philippe , Carlsen Anthony N.
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between chronic sleep duration and reaction time performance and motor preparation during a simple reaction time task with a startling acoustic stimulus in adults. This cross‐sectional study included self‐reported short sleepers (n = 25, ≤ 6 hr per night) and adequate sleepers (n = 25, ≥ 7.5 hr per night) who performed a simple reaction time task requiring a targeted ballistic wrist extension in response to either a control‐tone (80 dB) or a startling acoustic stimulus (120 dB). Outcome measures included reaction times for each stimulus (overall and for each trial block), lapses, and proportion of startle responses. Chronic short sleepers slept on average 5.7 hr per night in the previous month, which was 2.8 hr per night less than the adequate sleepers. Results revealed an interaction between sleep duration group and stimulus type; the short sleepers had significantly slower control‐tone reaction times compared with adequate sleepers, but there was no significant difference in reaction time between groups for the startling acoustic stimulus. Further investigation showed that chronic short sleepers had significantly slower control‐tone reaction times after two blocks of trials lasting about 5 min, until the end of the task. Lapses were not significantly different between groups. Chronic short sleep duration was associated with poorer performance; however, these reaction time deficits cannot be attributed to motor preparation, as startling acoustic stimulus reaction times were not different between sleep duration groups. While time‐on‐task performance decrements were associated with chronic sleep duration, alertness was not. Sleeping less than the recommended sleep duration on a regular basis is associated with poorer cognitive performance, which becomes evident after 5 min.
Treatment decisions based on HBV DNA
Authors: Lim Young‐Suk
Published: May 2024

The most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide is chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB). Long‐term suppression of HBV replication by antiviral treatment reduces the risk of HCC and mortality. Nonetheless, only 2.2% of CHB patients globally received the treatment in 2019. Current international CHB guidelines recommend antiviral treatment only in subsets of patients with clear evidence of liver damage as evidenced by elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This review aims to provide existing evidence that the risk of HCC is significantly associated with serum levels of HBV DNA, and the association is non‐linear parabolic, in both untreated and treated CHB patients, regardless of HBeAg status or ALT levels. Therefore, the decision for the antiviral treatment should be based on serum HBV DNA levels and age, rather than ALT levels or liver biopsy, to reduce or prevent the risk of HCC in CHB patients. The potential impact and cost‐effectiveness data on early antiviral treatment initiation were also collated.
Maternal serum unmetabolized folic acid concentration following multivitamin and mineral supplementation with or without folic acid after 12 weeks gestation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sulistyoningrum Dian C. , Sullivan Thomas R. , Skubisz Monika , Palmer Debra J. , Wood Simon , Ueland Per Magne , McCann Adrian , Makrides Maria , Green Timothy J. , Best Karen P.
Published: May 2024

Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid (FA) supplements before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Many women continue FA supplementation throughout pregnancy, and concerns have been raised about associations between excessive FA intake and adverse maternal and child health outcomes. Unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) is found in serum after high FA intakes and is proposed as a biomarker for excessive FA intake. We aimed to determine if removing FA from prenatal micronutrient supplements after 12 weeks of pregnancy reduces serum UMFA concentrations at 36 weeks gestation. In this double‐blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in South Australia, 103 women with a singleton pregnancy were randomly assigned at 12–16 weeks gestation to take a micronutrient supplement containing no FA or 800 µg/day FA from enrollment until 36 weeks gestation. Ninety women (0 µg/day FA n = 46; 800 µg/day FA n = 44) completed the study. Mean, UMFA concentration was lower in the women randomized to the 0 µg/day group compared to the 800 µg/day FA group, 0.6 ± 0.7 and 1.4 ± 2.7 nmol/L, respectively. The adjusted mean difference (95% CI) in UMFA between the groups was [‐0.85 (−1.62, −0.08) nmol/L, p = 0.03]. Maternal serum and red blood cell folate concentrations were lower in the 0 µg/day FA group than in the 800 µg/day group (median 23.2 vs. 49.3 and 1335 vs. 1914 nmol/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Removing FA at 12–16 weeks gestation from prenatal micronutrient supplements reduced the concentration of UMFA at 36 weeks gestation.
Characteristics of infant formula consumed in the first months of life and allergy in the EDEN mother–child cohort
Authors: Adjibade Moufidath , Vigneron Lucille , Delvert Rosalie , Adel‐Patient Karine , Divaret‐Chauveau Amandine , Annesi‐Maesano Isabella , Heude Barbara , Charles Marie‐Aline , de Lauzon‐Guillain Blandine
Published: May 2024

The evidence regarding the association between infant formula (IF) composition and the prevention of allergy and respiratory diseases remains sparse and inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate whether some IF characteristics were associated with the risk of allergy or respiratory diseases in childhood. Among 1243 formula‐fed children from the EDEN mother–child cohort, IF characteristics concerning long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) enrichment, prebiotic/probiotic enrichment, and hydrolysis of proteins were identified from the ingredients list. Eczema, wheezing, food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis up to age 8 years were prospectively collected and summarized into four allergic and respiratory multimorbidity clusters. Associations between 4‐month IF characteristics and risk of allergy or respiratory diseases were tested using logistic regressions adjusted on main confounders. The consumption of LCPUFA‐enriched formula was not linked to allergic and respiratory multimorbidity clusters, but to a lower risk of any allergy, eczema, and wheezing. Probiotic‐enriched formula consumption was associated with a lower risk of belonging to the ‘Allergy without asthma’ cluster (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval, CI] = 0.63 [0.40–0.99]), and consumption of a formula enriched in Bifidobacterium lactis was associated with a lower risk of any allergy (OR [95% CI] = 0.59 [0.41–0.85]). Partially hydrolysed formula (pHF) consumption was associated with a higher risk of belonging to the ‘Allergy without asthma’ cluster (OR [95% CI] = 2.73 [1.65–4.51]). This study confirms the positive association between pHF consumption and the risk of allergy found in previous observational studies and suggests that consumption of LCPUFA‐enriched or probiotic‐enriched formula was associated with a lower risk of allergy.
On locational sensory individuals and spacetime
Authors: Cohen Jonathan
Published: May 2024

Perception not only registers property instances, but also connects with and attributes properties to individual entities—so‐called sensory individuals, or SIs. But what are SIs? The most‐discussed answers are: (i) SIs are ordinary material objects—cohesive, temporally persistent objects extended and bounded in space, and (ii) SIs are locations or regions in spacetime. I will argue for the object view of SIs on the grounds that its rival, the locational view, faces obstacles concerning the relationship between SIs and spacetime: it makes a mystery of perception's representation of SIs as occupying locations in and moving in ordinary spacetime.
Drought effects on trait space of winter wheat are independent of land management
Authors: Sun Qing , Gilgen Anna K. , Wittwer Raphaël , von Arx Georg , van der Heijden Marcel G. A. , Klaus Valentin H. , Buchmann Nina
Published: May 2024

Investigating plant responses to climate change is key to develop suitable adaptation strategies. However, whether changes in land management can alleviate increasing drought threats to crops in the future is still unclear.

We conducted a management × drought experiment with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to study plant water and vegetative traits in response to drought and management (conventional vs organic farming, with intensive vs conservation tillage). Water traits (root water uptake pattern, stem metaxylem area, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance) and vegetative traits (plant height, leaf area, leaf Chl content) were considered simultaneously to characterise the variability of multiple traits in a trait space, using principal component analysis.

Management could not alleviate the drought impacts on plant water traits as it mainly affected vegetative traits, with yields ultimately being affected by both management and drought. Trait spaces were clearly separated between organic and conventional management as well as between drought and control conditions. Moreover, changes in trait space triggered by management and drought were independent from each other.

Neither organic management nor conservation tillage eased drought impacts on winter wheat. Thus, our study raised concerns about the effectiveness of these management options as adaptation strategies to climate change.
Evaluation of hard palate and cleft morphology in neonates with Pierre Robin Sequence and Cleft Palate Only
Authors: Willershausen Ines , Krautkremer Nils , Ströbel Armin , Abu‐Tair Tariq , Paulsen Friedrich , Strobel Karin , Kopp Markus , May Matthias Stefan , Uder Michael , Krautkremer Franziska , Gölz Lina
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to establish a fully digital measurement protocol for standardizing the description of hard palate and cleft morphology in neonates with an isolated cleft palate (CPO) and Pierre Robin sequence (PRS).

Materials and Methods

A total of 20 digitized plaster models of neonates with CPO and 20 digitized plaster models of neonates with PRS were retrospectively investigated. For the control group, the hard palate was segmented from 21 pre‐existing 1.5 T MRI datasets of neonates and exported as an STL file. The digital models were marked with predefined reference points by three raters. Distance, angular, and area measurements were performed using Blender and MeshLab.

Results

Neonates with CPO (20.20 ± 2.33 mm) and PRS (21.41 ± 1.81 mm) had a significantly shorter hard palate than the control group (23.44 ± 2.24 mm) (CPO vs. control: P < .001; PRS vs. control: P = .014). Notably, neonates with PRS (33.05 ± 1.95 mm) demonstrated a significantly wider intertuberosity distance than those with CPO (30.52 ± 2.28 mm) (P = .012). Furthermore, there were also significant differences measured between the cleft and control groups (25.22 ± 2.50 mm) (P < .001).

Conclusions

The data from this study demonstrate the feasibility of using MRI datasets to generate digital models of the hard palate. The presence of a cleft palate leads to pronounced adaptations of the total palatal surface area, dorsal width, and length of the hard palate. Mandibular retrognathia and altered tongue position in PRS, as opposed to CPO, might further impact palatal morphology and intertuberosity distance.
Peanut oral immunotherapy using an extensively heated and baked novel composition of peanuts
Authors: Kidon Mona I. , Shavit Ronen , Levy Yael , Haj Yahia Soad , Machnes‐Maayan Diti , Frizinsky Shirly , Maoz‐Segal Ramit , Offenganden Irena , Kenett Ron S. , Nancy Agmon‐Levin , Hovav Ran
Published: May 2024

Background

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an increasingly acceptable therapeutic option for peanut‐allergic (PA) children, despite significant side effects. Major peanut allergenic proteins are heat‐resistant and are not rendered hypoallergenic after baking or cooking. Lyophilized peanut protein—MH (LPP‐MH) is a novel composition from developing peanuts, enabling cooking‐induced reduction in allergenicity. We aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of OIT, with extensively heated and baked (EHEB) LPP‐MH in PA children.

Methods

In a single‐arm, single‐center, pilot study, PA children with a single highest tolerated dose of <100 mg peanut protein were placed on a 40‐week OIT protocol with 300 mg daily of heat‐treated LPP‐MH. A repeat open peanut food challenge was performed after 40 weeks of treatment and at a 6–12 months of follow‐up visit.

Results

Thirty‐three children with PA were enrolled, with a mean cumulative tolerated dose (MCTD) of 71.2 mg PP (95% CI 45–100 mg). After 40 weeks, 32/33 patients were able to consume more than 300 mg of natural PP, with MCTD of 1709 mg (CI 365–3675 mg). There were no severe allergic reactions requiring epinephrine, during any of the observed LPP‐MH challenges or any treatment related doses at home. After 6–12 months on daily maintenance, the MCTD was 8821 mg (95% CI 1930–13,500 mg). This enabled most children age‐appropriate dietary inclusion of peanuts.

Conclusion

An OIT protocol with heat‐treated LPP‐MH, a novel composition from developing peanuts, seems a potentially safe and efficacious OIT modality for PA children, enabling the introduction of dietary levels of peanut proteins in highly allergic PA children. Validation in randomized controlled studies is mandated.
Investigation of the usefulness of a bile duct biopsy and bile cytology using a hyperspectral camera and machine learning
Authors: Norose Tomoko , Ohike Nobuyuki , Nakaya Daiki , Kamiya Kentaro , Sugiura Yoshiya , Takatsuki Misato , Koizumi Hirotaka , Okawa Chie , Ohya Aya , Sasaki Miyu , Aoki Ruka , Nakahara Kazunari , Kobayashi Shinjiro , Tateishi Keisuke , Koike Junki
Published: May 2024

To improve the efficiency of pathological diagnoses, the development of automatic pathological diagnostic systems using artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing; however, problems include the low interpretability of AI technology and the need for large amounts of data. We herein report the usefulness of a general‐purpose method that combines a hyperspectral camera with machine learning. As a result of analyzing bile duct biopsy and bile cytology specimens, which are especially difficult to determine as benign or malignant, using multiple machine learning models, both were able to identify benign or malignant cells with an accuracy rate of more than 80% (93.3% for bile duct biopsy specimens and 83.2% for bile cytology specimens). This method has the potential to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of bile duct cancer and is expected to be widely applied and utilized in general pathological diagnoses.
Adaptation in the spinal cord after stroke: Implications for restoring cortical control over the final common pathway
Authors: Urbin Michael A.
Published: May 2024

Control of voluntary movement is predicated on integration between circuits in the brain and spinal cord. Although damage is often restricted to supraspinal or spinal circuits in cases of neurological injury, both spinal motor neurons and axons linking these cells to the cortical origins of descending motor commands begin showing changes soon after the brain is injured by stroke. The concept of ‘transneuronal degeneration’ is not new and has been documented in histological, imaging and electrophysiological studies dating back over a century. Taken together, evidence from these studies comports more with a system attempting to survive rather than one passively surrendering to degeneration. There tends to be at least some preservation of fibres at the brainstem origin and along the spinal course of the descending white matter tracts, even in severe cases. Myelin‐associated proteins are observed in the spinal cord years after stroke onset. Spinal motor neurons remain morphometrically unaltered. Skeletal muscle fibres once innervated by neurons that lose their source of trophic input receive collaterals from adjacent neurons, causing spinal motor units to consolidate and increase in size. Although some level of excitability within the distributed brain network mediating voluntary movement is needed to facilitate recovery, minimal structural connectivity between cortical and spinal motor neurons can support meaningful distal limb function. Restoring access to the final common pathway via the descending input that remains in the spinal cord therefore represents a viable target for directed plasticity, particularly in light of recent advances in rehabilitation medicine.

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Buscando las palabras while writing : conversations between Writing Centers in Latin America and the US
Authors: Hodges Amy , Ramírez Viancha Ana Sofía , Salamanca Mesa Andrea , Torres Perdigón Andrea , Forero Gómez Andrés , Rivero Diana , Moreno Mosquera Emilce , Hutchinson Glenn , Arizmendi González Graciela , Hernández Zamora Gregorio , Vásquez Ramírez Leidy Yaneth , Soares Sito Luanda Rejane , Santodomingo Luz Karime , Delgadillo Manuel , González Videgaray María del Carmen , Avalos Mario , Rosado Nayibe , Larraguibel Nicole , Martinez Sabrina , Guariguata Yanuacelly
Published: May 2024

Toda lengua es su pasado y su presente. También está siempre en contacto con otras lenguas, lo cual genera transformaciones constantes. Languages are not homogeneous nor fixed cultural entities. However, al escribir tendemos a creer que el sentido se fija y queda inmóvil. Creemos que lo escrito es rígido y objetivado, pero olvidamos que la escritura es una práctica, que sus normas son múltiples y que, además, van transformándose. This book, then, deliberately combines languages —in this case English and Spanish— to discuss writing, translingualism, and writing centers. Buscando las palabras while writing permits the connection between a creative process with no limits and the variety of advantages found in translingualism. Its authors researched writing center philosophy and practice, and the politics of language, which add needed contributions to a transnational conversation. De esta manera, los investigadores que participan en el volumen y los tutores de los centros de escritura de la Florida International University y la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana escribieron en ambos idiomas, along with faculty from Colombia, Mexico, and the United States, with the purpose to learn one from another, en busca de nuevas perspectivas para eliminar barreras culturales y demostrar that we are all translingual in the end.
An Adjoint-Based Data-Driven Inverse-Free Iterative Feedforward Control Method
Authors: Yang Liangliang , Yu Kaixin , Hua Junhui , Lu Wenqi
Published: May 2024

Feedforward control is widely used in control systems since it can achieve high tracking performance by effectively compensating for known disturbances before they affect the system. For traditional feedforward control methods, the performance improvement highly depends on the model quality of the system model and the accuracy of the model-inversion. However, on one hand, in practice, the modeling error is inevitable, especially for precision motion systems with complex dynamics, on the other hand, the nonminimum phase (NMP) systems often lead to a problem that plant inversion is unstable and non- causal. Therefore, this paper proposes an approach that combines the benefits of data-driven feedforward control and the gradient descent method. This integrated approach aims to address challenges related to laborious model identification and unstable plant inversion simultaneously. The main idea is to replace the model with dedicated experiments on the system and to avoid calculating plant inversion by applying the gradient descent method to the learning process. The simulation and experimental results show that the algorithm can achieve the optimal point-to-point tracking performance without relying on model-inversion.
Dynamic Mode Decomposition With Gaussian Process Regression for Control of High-Dimensional Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Tsolovikos Alexandros , Bakolas Efstathios , Goldstein David
Published: May 2024

In this work, we consider the problem of learning a reduced-order model of a high-dimensional stochastic nonlinear system with control inputs from noisy data. In particular, we develop a hybrid parametric/nonparametric model that learns the “average” linear dynamics in the data using dynamic mode decomposition with control (DMDc) and the nonlinearities and model uncertainties using Gaussian process (GP) regression and compare it with total least-squares dynamic mode decomposition (tlsDMD), extended here to systems with control inputs (tlsDMDc). The proposed approach is also compared with existing methods, such as DMDc-only and GP-only models, in two tasks: controlling the stochastic nonlinear Stuart–Landau equation and predicting the flowfield induced by a jet-like body force field in a turbulent boundary layer using data from large-scale numerical simulations.
Pump and Probe Wave Mixing for Imaging Nonlinear Features Embedded Into a Massive Concrete Block
Authors: Ouvrier-Buffet Florian , Eiras Jesús N. , Garnier Vincent , Durville Benoît , Payan Cédric
Published: May 2024

Nonlinear ultrasonic parameters are known to be highly sensitive to the presence of damage in materials, and numerous methods have already been reported. This study proposes a way to image a nonlinear defect embedded into a nonlinear medium. The nonlinear defect is mimicked by a Berea sandstone sphere (high nonlinearity). It is placed into a large concrete block (average nonlinearity) during casting. The proposed pump and probe propagating wave interaction method allows imaging of the presence of the highly nonlinear region. The image contrast is magnified by a factor of eight in the defective zone. The results are validated using a model and the individual mechanical properties of both concrete and Berea sandstone. These findings open perspectives for application to civil engineering concrete structures such as the assessment of durability distresses involving internal swelling.
Longitudinal plasma proteomic analysis of 1117 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 identifies features associated with severity and outcomes
Authors: Viode Arthur , Smolen Kinga K. , van Zalm Patrick , Stevenson David , Jha Meenakshi , Parker Kenneth ,   IMPACC Network‡, Levy Ofer , Steen Judith A. , Steen Hanno
Published: May 2024

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is characterized by highly heterogeneous manifestations ranging from asymptomatic cases to death for still incompletely understood reasons. As part of the IMmunoPhenotyping Assessment in a COVID-19 Cohort study, we mapped the plasma proteomes of 1117 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from 15 hospitals across the United States. Up to six samples were collected within ~28 days of hospitalization resulting in one of the largest COVID-19 plasma proteomics cohorts with 2934 samples. Using perchloric acid to deplete the most abundant plasma proteins allowed for detecting 2910 proteins. Our findings show that increased levels of neutrophil extracellular trap and heart damage markers are associated with fatal outcomes. Our analysis also identified prognostic biomarkers for worsening severity and death. Our comprehensive longitudinal plasma proteomics study, involving 1117 participants and 2934 samples, allowed for testing the generalizability of the findings of many previous COVID-19 plasma proteomics studies using much smaller cohorts.
Draft genome sequences of 53
Lactococcus
and
Leuconostoc
strains isolated from two undefined DL-starter cultures
Authors: Li Wenwen , Soto-Serrano Axel , Panah Farhad M. , Arik Göksen , Deptula Paulina , Lucena Daniella , Vogensen Finn K. , Krych Lukasz
Published: May 2024

This study presents the complete genomes of 53 strains of
Lactococcus
and
Leuconostoc
isolated from two undefined DL-starter cultures originating from Denmark, Tistrup, and P. The genomes were reconstructed using long-read, nanopore-based DNA sequencing, delivering comprehensive data set for comparative genomics and taxonomic classification, with potential utility in dairy fermentation processes.
Complete genome sequence of the
Microbacterium rhizosphaerae
type strain KACC 19337
T
Authors: Choi Hyorim , Kim Yiseul , Lee Yonghoon , Heo Jun
Published: May 2024

We report the whole genome sequence of
Microbacterium rhizosphaerae
KACC 19337
T
. The genome consists of a 4.05-Mb circular chromosome, with a G + C content of 69.7 %, and 3,627 total coding genes predicted.