bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where is our way? A collaborative autoethnography of overseas‐educated Chinese female PhDs' academic career decision journey
Authors: Liu Yingxin , Li Xin , Chen Lilan
Published: November 2023

Given the intricate and competitive global academic landscape and Chinese female PhDs' critical situation of being marginalized and otherized, this study aims to examine the academic career decision‐making experiences of three unmarried and childless Chinese female PhD graduates. Collaborative autoethnography is employed to delve into the three authors' experiences and reflections regarding the influential factors impacting their job‐seeking and decision‐making process as recent graduates, who earned their PhD degrees in 2022 from three popular destinations for international students in East Asia, namely Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. Research findings indicate that various contextual and individual factors have shaped the authors' decision‐making and diverse career options were adopted to strike a ‘happy medium’ between long‐term career aspirations and increased competition for academic positions. This study provides implications for policymakers and university administrators to attract highly skilled female international professionals and overseas‐educated Chinese female PhDs considering a professional career in academia.
Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the breast harbours TRPS1 expressions and PIK3CA alterations
Authors: Chen Wei‐Yu , Hu Yu‐Hsuan , Tsai Yu‐Hsin , Hang Jen‐Fan , Tan Puay Hoon , Chen Chih‐Jung
Published: November 2023

Aims

Breast mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (BMCA) is a rare tumour recently recognised as a distinct entity by the World Health Organisation Tumour Classification Series. BMCA is a triple‐negative tumour that lacks specific immunohistochemical markers; therefore, distinguishing it from mimickers such as ovarian and pancreatic cystadenocarcinomas requires careful clinicopathological correlation. Due to its rarity, little is known about the molecular alterations that underlie BMCA.

Methods and results

In this study, we used immunohistochemical staining methods to investigate TRPS1 (trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1) expression in BMCA and compare it to expression in ovarian and pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. We also collected tumour samples from three BMCA patients for molecular analysis by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, whole exome sequencing and fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation. TRPS1 immunoreactivity was found only in BMCA tumour cells and not in the ovarian and pancreatic counterparts. One of the three BMCA tumours also showed a PIK3CA hot‐spot mutation, which was confirmed by whole genome next‐generation sequencing (NGS). No KRAS, NRAS, BRAF or AKT mutations were found.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of TRPS1 expression in BMCA patients and the first identification of a PIK3CA hotspot mutation in these tumours. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying BMCA tumorigenesis and suggest a potential drug target for this rare and poorly understood cancer.
The effect of ultrasonic and multisonic irrigation on root canal microbial communities: An ex vivo study
Authors: Park Ki Hong , Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald , Noblett W. Craig , Lima Bruno P. , Staley Christopher
Published: November 2023

Aim

To analyse the effect of ultrasonic irrigant activation (UIA) and the GentleWave (GW) multisonic irrigation (GW) with minimal instrumentation on the root canal microbial diversity in an ex vivo model that used extracted molars with a history of pulp necrosis.

Methodology

Twenty‐three mandibular molars were prepared ex vivo for collection of superficial (surface control), pre‐treatment and post‐treatment samples 24 h after extraction. Samples were divided into two groups: UIA using 6% NaOCl (n = 11) and GW group (n = 12). All samples were processed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S rRNA next‐generation sequencing to measure microbial diversity before and after the antimicrobial treatment. For qPCR, a t‐test (α = .05) was used to compare the log10 reduction. The Chao1 and Shannon indices evaluated alpha diversity. Differences in community composition (beta diversity) were evaluated by analysis of similarity (ANOSIM). Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni corrections was performed to evaluate the differences in abundances genera in the samples.

Results

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed an estimated 1.6 and 2.6 log10 reduction for UIA and GW groups respectively (p = .048). An average of 5 ± 4 and 3 ± 5 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found in surface's samples in the UIA and GW group respectively. These values were significantly lower (p < .001) compared to the number of preoperative OTUs in those groups (155 ± 79 and 187 ± 121). In assessing beta diversity, there were no significant differences found in pre‐treatment samples (R = .090, p = .070 ANOSIM with Bonferroni corrections). Also, no significant differences in community composition were observed in post‐treatment samples (R = −.05, p = .829). After treatment, there was a significant reduction of Eubacterium using conventional treatment with UIA and a significant reduction of Prevotella using minimal instrumentation with GW irrigation (p = .007 and p = .002 respectively).

Conclusion

Quantitative PCR analysis revealed a significant reduction in microbial load for GW group. Overall, diversity changes were similar between UIA and GW irrigation in this ex vivo model that used extracted teeth with a history of pulp necrosis. OTUs obtained from the surface sample were negligible and did not affect the statistical outcome of the study.
Drug survival of biologics and non‐biologics in patients affected by palmoplantar psoriasis: a “real‐world”, mono‐center experience
Authors: Caldarola Giacomo , Falco Gennaro Marco , Calabrese Laura , D'Amore Alessandra , Chiricozzi Andrea , Mariani Marco , Palmisano Gerardo , De Simone Clara , Peris Ketty
Published: November 2023

Background

Data on the treatment of palmoplantar psoriasis (PP) are very limited as these patients are often excluded from clinical trials. Moreover, this form of psoriasis is often resistant to treatment, making its clinical management complex.

Methods

Primary endpoint was to evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics and the drug survival of both biological and non‐biological drugs in a population affected by PP. Secondary endpoint was to highlight any differences between the hyperkeratotic and pustular variant. We analyzed data from 233 psoriasis patients with palmoplantar involvement, with or without chronic plaque psoriasis. We performed a drug‐survival analysis with the aid of Kaplan‐Meier survival and a multivariate analysis to highlight the influence of certain variables on treatment persistence using a Cox regression model.

Results

The drug‐survival analysis revealed that biologic drugs compared to non‐biologic drugs are associated with a higher persistence in treatment (59.73 vs. 43.56%); in particular, anti‐IL23 drugs were found to be the drugs with the best drug‐survival overall (67.94% of patients at 60 months are still on these drugs). Furthermore, our multivariate analysis shows that when compared with biological drugs, non‐biological drugs are associated with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation (HR = 1.95 [95% CI: 1.41–2.68], P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study confirms the difficulty of treating PP and shows that biologic drugs are associated with longer persistence in treatment than non‐biologics in both PP's variants, not because of their higher effectiveness but because of their better safety profile.
Antioxidant peptides obtained from abalone muscle hot water extract during in‐vitro simulated digestion and Caco‐2 cell absorption
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Shi Linfan , Ren Zhongyang , Wei Peixiao , Weng Wuyin
Published: November 2023

After abalone muscle hot water extract (AHE) was digested in‐vitro, three components (F1, F2, and F3) were separated using the Sephadex G‐15 column, and the antioxidant activity and absorption across Caco‐2 cells were analysed. The result showed that the half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations of F2 for scavenging hydroxyl and ABTS radicals were 0.763 and 0.028 mg mL−1, respectively, which were lower than those of F1 and F3. Moreover, the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity was increased after the F2 was transported through the Caco‐2 cell‐monolayered Transwell chamber. The mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the transported samples contained oligopeptides (Leu‐Tyr, Gly‐Ala‐Ala, and His‐Gly‐Ser‐Ala), and the Leu‐Tyr displayed the highest antioxidant activity and transport rate. Overall, these results suggest that oligopeptides with high antioxidant capacities can be produced from AHE through a combination of in‐vitro digestion and absorption across Caco‐2 cells.
Coexisting with anomie: Experiences of persons living with early‐stage dementia: A grounded theory study
Authors: Kung Pen‐Chen , Huang Huei‐Ling , Hsu Wen‐Chuin , Huang Hsiu‐Li , Chang Hong‐Jer , Shyu Yea‐Ing L.
Published: November 2023

Individuals in the early stages of dementia often endure elevated levels of stress and anxiety, which can hinder their ability to adapt to the progression of dementia. To mitigate the negative impacts of dementia more effectively, it is necessary to explore the trajectory of the adaptation process of persons living with dementia. This study aimed to construct a theoretical framework for the adaptation process of individuals in the early stages of dementia. Participants were dyads of persons diagnosed with mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment (≥ 60 years of age) and their primary family caregivers. This longitudinal study used a grounded theory approach to explore the adaptation trajectory changes in persons with mild dementia over a 3‐year period. Data were collected from dyads with face‐to‐face interviews. Analysis of the interview data revealed the core category was ‘Coexisting with anomie: Progressive disappointment and striving’, which was comprised of three categories: awareness of alienation, unsettled feelings, and restorative avoidance coping. Categories changed depending on levels of cognition and constituted progressive and cyclical dynamic processes. Four contextual factors positively or negatively influenced adaptation: level of insight about dementia, personal traits, caregiving style of the caregiver, and level of social interactions. These findings provide a new perspective about the mental health of persons in early‐stage dementia. Understanding coexisting with anomie and related influencing factors could facilitate the development of support interventions by mental health nursing staff, which could improve emotional safety, promote psychological well‐being, and increase quality of life for persons living with dementia.
Seasonal and inter‐seasonal RSV activity in the European Region during the COVID‐19 pandemic from autumn 2020 to summer 2022
Authors: Meslé Margaux M. I. , Sinnathamby Mary , Mook Piers ,   The WHO European Region Respiratory Network Group, Pebody Richard
Published: November 2023

Background

The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in early 2020 and subsequent implementation of public health and social measures (PHSM) disrupted the epidemiology of respiratory viruses. This work describes the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) observed during two winter seasons (weeks 40–20) and inter‐seasonal periods (weeks 21–39) during the pandemic between October 2020 and September 2022.

Methods

Using data submitted to The European Surveillance System (TESSy) by countries or territories in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region between weeks 40/2020 and 39/2022, we aggregated country‐specific weekly RSV counts of sentinel, non‐sentinel and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance specimens and calculated percentage positivity. Results for both 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons and inter‐seasons were compared with pre‐pandemic 2016/17 to 2019/20 seasons and inter‐seasons.

Results

Although more specimens were tested than in pre‐COVID‐19 pandemic seasons, very few RSV detections were reported during the 2020/21 season in all surveillance systems. During the 2021 inter‐season, a gradual increase in detections was observed in all systems. In 2021/22, all systems saw early peaks of RSV infection, and during the 2022 inter‐seasonal period, patterns of detections were closer to those seen before the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Conclusion

RSV surveillance continued throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, with an initial reduction in transmission, followed by very high and out‐of‐season RSV circulation (summer 2021) and then an early start of the 2021/22 season. As of the 2022/23 season, RSV circulation had not yet normalised.
To innovate or not? The optimal innovation strategy choice in a supply chain—from the perspective of the leading supplier
Authors: Qian Qian , Liu Lijun , Yang Yang
Published: November 2023

Innovation plays a critical role in shaping market advantages and leading technology competition. Meanwhile, innovations have spillover effects that are beneficial to others, even though they are not involved in the practice of innovation. Innovation is full of uncertainty, which means investment is not guaranteed to pay off for innovators. Therefore, it is essential to choose the appropriate innovation strategy, especially for those leading firms with both innovative ability and bargaining power. In this paper, both uncertainty (including technical uncertainty and market uncertainty) and spillover effect are taken into consideration to explore the innovation strategies adopted by leading firms: non‐innovation, independent innovation, and collaborative innovation (i.e., co‐innovation hereafter). Furthermore, numerical analysis is conducted to explore the integration strategy that a leading firm adopts to control one of the manufacturers. The results are obtained as follows. First, the innovation of a leading supplier is always beneficial to the whole supply chain. Second, the spillover effect of co‐innovation is more significant, compared to other innovation strategies. Last, from the perspectives of profit and innovation efficiency across the supply chain, co‐innovation is the best option for a leading firm.
The effectiveness of nursing interventions in adherence to self‐care for preventing venous ulcer recurrence: A systematic literature review
Authors: Gomes Filipe José Paulo , Henriques Maria Adriana Pereira , Baixinho Cristina Lavareda
Published: November 2023

Venous ulcers affect up to 3% of the global population, with a high impact on economies and quality of life. This is exacerbated by its recurrence rates, which reach 70% at 12 months after healing. The perpetuation of these cycles of healing and recurrence is not interrupted or even attenuated by the self‐care activities recommended and directed toward their prevention. In this context, we sought to identify the effectiveness of interventions that promote adherence to self‐care to prevent venous ulcer recurrence. In August 2022, we conducted a literature search via EBSCO in the following databases: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were researched in the form of randomised controlled trials or systematic literature reviews, and 99 studies were identified. During the different times of selection, four studies met the defined inclusion criteria and were included. As the main conclusions, the emphasis goes to the importance of the use of compression and the greater effectiveness of higher compression classes for the prevention of recurrence. Different educational methodologies seem to be important to increase knowledge about prevention, specifically regarding the aetiology of recurrence and the implementation of prevention measures.
Broadband emitting Fe3+‐doped double perovskite‐type antimonates phosphors for NIR spectroscopy applications
Authors: He Xiao , Chen Yuhui , Xia Chenglong , Muhammad Kamran , Syeda Zahra Duaa , Guo Yue , Xie Siyuan , Liu Xiaoguang , Li Ling
Published: November 2023

Near‐infrared (NIR) broadband emitting phosphors regarded as ideal miniaturized NIR light sources, have recently received considerable attention. Nevertheless, the lack of appropriate substitutes for poisonous Cr3+ still poses a significant obstacle. Here, by selecting double perovskite‐type antimonates compound Ca2LuSbO6 (CLSO) and Ca2YSbO6 (CYSO) as the hosts, the broadband NIR‐emitting CLSO: 0.008Fe3+ and CYSO: 0.01Fe3+ phosphors are firstly reported. The above materials exhibit a rare long‐wavelength NIR emission band peaking at 927 and 938 nm, respectively. Accordingly, their full widths at half maximum are 128 and 135 nm, respectively. Moreover, the mechanism of their concentration quenching and thermal quenching effect are discussed. The IQEs of CLSO: 0.008Fe3+ is measured to be 69%, which is superior to many available Fe‐activated phosphors. Integrating the bond valence theory analysis with electron paramagnetic resonance measurement, Fe3+ only substitutes the lattice site of the Sb atom to generate a [FeO6] octahedron accompanying lattice distortion. Significantly, the as‐fabricated phosphor‐converted light emitting diodes device shows substantial applications in night vision and NIR spectroscopy detection. This work contributes to novel insights into the photoluminescence and site occupancy of Fe3+, thereby paving a new avenue for exploring next‐generation environmentally‐friendly and nontoxic NIR light‐emitting materials.
Between delivering chronic care and answering patients' burdens: Understanding HIV specialist nurses' experiences in the age of treatment
Authors: Bedert Maarten , Moody Kevin , Nieuwkerk Pythia , van Holten Natasja , de Wit John , van der Valk Marc
Published: November 2023

Aim(s)

To understand the experiences of HIV nurses in the context of ambivalence between biomedical treatment advancements and the continuing burden for people living with HIV and negative representations of HIV.

Design

An interpretative phenomenological study was conducted using in‐depth interviews.

Methods

Twenty‐one interviews with nurses were conducted between November 2021 and March 2022. A thematic analysis was performed.

Results

Six themes related to the nurses' experiences emerged. Despite effective treatment for most people with HIV, nurses identify patient populations that require additional care. Nurses are flexible in making extra appointments to accommodate complex issues in these patients. Nurses develop a unique relationship with their patients based on trust and empathy, linked to patient's experiences with stigma and discrimination for people with HIV. Nurses perceive their tasks as becoming increasingly complex. There is explicit awareness about the changes in HIV care from acute to chronic care and how this affects nurses' tasks. Nurses continue to differentiate HIV from other chronic conditions.

Conclusion

Biomedical advancements change the organization of HIV care while public health concerns remain and patient population has particular needs due to negative social representations of HIV. Nurses navigate these issues in their everyday care.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

A potential re‐evaluation of the role of nurses in providing chronic HIV care.

Impact

Our study addresses the roles of HIV nurses as care is shifting towards chronic care models. The unique relationship between nurses and patients is key in understanding the importance of nurses in the care trajectory. These findings impact the institutional role of nurses in HIV treatment centres and the institutional organization of HIV care.

Report Method

The COREQ guideline was used.

Patient or Public Contribution

Amsterdam UMC (AMC) staff, the national organization of HIV Nurses and patient organizations contributed to the study design.
Quantifying patch size distributions of forest disturbances in protected areas across the European Alps
Authors: Maroschek Michael , Seidl Rupert , Poschlod Benjamin , Senf Cornelius
Published: November 2023

Aim

Natural disturbances are key drivers of forest ecosystem dynamics and are highly sensitive to global change. Despite their importance, central disturbance characteristics remain unknown for many forests worldwide. Here, we quantified an important component of the forest disturbance regime—the distribution of patch sizes—in strictly protected areas by asking: (i) How are patch sizes of naturally occurring disturbances distributed across the Alps and how can they best be quantified? (ii) Are patch size distributions stochastic or can they be explained by environmental drivers? (iii) What are the return periods of extreme disturbance events?

Location

European Alps.

Methods

We analysed satellite‐based disturbance maps for the period 1986–2020 across a network of 12 strictly protected areas, modelling patch sizes of all observed disturbance patches as well as of annual extreme events. We tested the influence of temperature, precipitation, topographic complexity and forest type on patch size distributions.

Results

Disturbance patch sizes across the Alps (median 0.36 ha, 5th percentile 0.18 ha and 95th percentile 1.71 ha) as well as their annual extremes (0.72 ha, 0.18–7.11 ha) are best described by a Fréchet distribution. The size of annual extreme events significantly increased with intra‐annual temperature amplitude (+0.98 ha with a one standard deviation increase) and the share of evergreen trees (+0.63 ha). On average, disturbance patches of 5.5 ha (95% credible interval 2.6–17.5 ha) occur once every 30 years, whereas patches of 2.6 ha (1.2–7.0 ha) occur once every 10 years.

Main Conclusions

Disturbances caused by natural agents are generally small and stochastic across the Alps. Extreme events are driven by climate, suggesting sensitivity of disturbance patch sizes to climate change. Our results provide a baseline for monitoring climate‐induced changes in forest disturbance regimes, and provide important information for the management and conservation of forest ecosystems.
Untying the Gordian knot: A systematic review and integrative framework of supply network complexity
Authors: Ateş Melek Akın , Luzzini Davide
Published: November 2023

The escalating complexity of supply networks is undeniable, and organizations grapple with myriad globally dispersed suppliers spanning diverse industries and operating amid volatility and uncertainty while having multifaceted interactions. In line with this, scholars have been investigating supply network complexity (SNC) for over two decades, yet the domain is not converging; definitions and operationalizations are varied, a multiplicity of theoretical perspectives exists, performance implications are inconclusive, and supply chain managers are certainly still struggling with the complexity of their supply networks. To address this critical gap, we conducted a rigorous systematic review of 116 articles and synthesized the extant research in a comprehensive nomological network of SNC. Our synthesis encompasses the following key aspects: (i) defining (sub)dimensions of SNC by reconciling diverse conceptualizations, (ii) elaborating on the direct and contingent effects of SNC by highlighting underlying mechanisms and relevant theories, (iii) identifying antecedents of SNC, and (iv) introducing a detailed categorization of SNC management practices and illustrating SNC management capability as an antecedent of such practices. We conclude by presenting an extensive research agenda illustrating the gaps in the literature and charting a path forward in relation to different themes, theories, and methods.
Supply chain visibility types and contextual characteristics: A literature‐based synthesis
Authors: Swink Morgan , Sant’Ana Gallo Igor , Defee Cliff , da Silva Andrea Lago
Published: November 2023

Existing literature offers multiple interpretations of how managers might develop and deploy supply chain visibility (SCV). However, current visibility research lacks rigorous definitions of visibility types and their relationships to contextual factors. Our systematic literature review and analysis extends previous studies by identifying visibility objects, potentially important contextual characteristics, and their interrelationships. We highlight research trends and develop a framework that links types of visibility to relational, environmental, and operational characteristics that either support visibility development or moderate its value for a firm. In addition, we offer a synthesis and critique of research questions, theoretical perspectives, and methods researchers have used to address SCV concepts and relationships. The review findings suggest rich opportunities for future research.
Sales‐based compensation and collusion with heterogeneous firms
Authors: Lee Jeongwoo , Turner Douglas C.
Published: November 2023

Pricing and output decisions are often delegated to managers compensated on the basis of sales. Prior literature has shown that when firms are homogeneous, the delegation of pricing or output decisions to managers, compensated on the basis of sales, does not facilitate collusion. We show that when firms are heterogeneous, either in marginal cost or product quality, sales‐based compensation can facilitate collusion under both price and quantity competition. As a result, compensating managers on the basis of sales can increase firm profits and reduce consumer welfare. Additionally, we find that owners can strategically design managerial compensation structures to incentivize collusion between rival managers.
Use of trophic ecology of omnivorous fish and abiotic factors as supporting tools for assessing environmental impacts in a neotropical river
Authors: Dumith Michelle Torres , Santos Alejandra F. G. N.
Published: November 2023

The study of diet is one of the mechanisms by which competition for resources between species that cohabit in the same ecosystem can be inferred. Therefore, the relationships of the indices that measure specialization in the diet of fish species are necessary to characterize the nutritional quality of these populations and the ecosystem's environmental health. Three species of catfish were selected: one invasive (Clarias gariepinus) and two natives (Trachelyopterus striatulus and Rhamdia quelen), with similar distribution along the Guapi‐Macacu River, in the Guapimirim Protection Area (Rio de Janeiro). Fifty‐nine catfish of the three species were collected in total, along 32 collection points in the Guapi‐Macacu River in two periods (dry and rainy) in 2018. Non‐parametric statistics showed the partition of resources between species and the influence of abiotic factors (temperature, pH, transparency, and dissolved oxygen) contributing to the selection of available resources in the environment. Diet‐related indices—repletion index (RI), condition factor (K), niche width, and trophic position (TP) of the specimens collected—contributed to measuring the nutritional status of each of these catfish species, showing that R. quelen has a relationship between RI and K, tending to absorb and metabolize nutrients faster than other species. In addition, the invasive species occupies a wide range of TPs compared to native species, confirming its feeding plasticity. On the contrary, T. striatulus needs large amounts of terrestrial insects to maintain its poor condition factor. Also, the RI showed direct influences of abiotic variables, with the temperature being the most prominent. Our results suggest that the invasive species can benefit from this environment that shows signs of environmental degradation.
Escaping malnutrition by shifting habitats: A driver of three‐spined stickleback invasion in Lake Constance
Authors: Baer Jan , Ziegaus Sabrina , Schumann Mark , Geist Juergen , Brinker Alexander
Published: November 2023

Fatty acids, and especially long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, are biologically important components in the metabolism of vertebrates, including fish. Essential fatty acids (EFA) are those that in a given animal cannot be synthesized or modified from precursors and must therefore be acquired via the diet. Because EFAs are often unevenly distributed in nature, this requirement may drive species to make behavioral or ecological adaptations to avoid malnutrition. This is especially true for fish like the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) of Upper Lake Constance (ULC), whose recent marine ancestors evolved with access to EFA‐rich prey, but which found themselves in an EFA‐deficient habitat. An unexpected and unprecedented ecological shift in the ULC stickleback population from the littoral to pelagic zones in 2012 might be linked to EFA availability, triggering ecological release and enabling them to build a hyperabundant population while displacing the former keystone species, the pelagic whitefish Coregonus wartmanni. To test this hypothesis, sticklebacks from the littoral and pelagic zones of ULC were sampled seasonally in two consecutive years, and their stomach contents and fatty acid profiles were analysed. Pelagic sticklebacks were found to possess significantly higher values of an important EFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), especially during autumn. Evaluation of the DHA supply suggests that sticklebacks feeding in the littoral zone during autumn could not meet their DHA requirement, whereas DHA availability in the pelagic zone was surplus to demand. During autumn, pelagic sticklebacks consumed large amounts of DHA‐rich prey, that is, copepods, whereas littoral sticklebacks relied mainly mostly on cladocerans, which provide much lower quantities of DHA. Access to pelagic zooplankton in 2012 was possibly facilitated by low densities of previously dominant zooplanktivorous whitefish. The present study offers a convincing physiological explanation for the observed expansion of invasive sticklebacks from the littoral to the pelagic zones of Lake Constance, contributing to a phase shift with severe consequences for fisheries.
CTmax in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) embryos shows an acclimation response to developmental temperatures but is more variable than in later life stages
Authors: Lechner Emily R. , Stewart Erin M. C. , Wilson Chris C. , Raby Graham D.
Published: November 2023

Critical thermal maximum (CTmax) is widely used to measure upper thermal tolerance in fish but is rarely examined in embryos. Upper thermal limits generally depend on an individual's thermal history, which molds plasticity. We examined how thermal acclimation affects thermal tolerance of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) embryos using a novel method to assess CTmax in embryos incubated under three thermal regimes. Warm acclimation was associated with an increase in embryonic upper thermal tolerance. However, CTmax variability was markedly higher than is typical for juvenile or adult salmonids.
Alzheimer's disease‐related brain insulin resistance and the prospective therapeutic impact of metformin
Authors: Abosharaf Hamed A. , Elsonbaty Yasmin , Tousson Ehab , M. Mohamed Tarek
Published: November 2023

Besides COVID‐19, two of the most critical outbreaks of our day are insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Each disease's pathophysiology is well established. Furthermore, a substantial overlap between them has coexisted. Uncertainty remains on whether T2DM and AD are parallel illnesses with the same origin or separate illnesses linked through violent pathways. The current study was aimed at testing whether the insulin resistance in the brain results in AD symptoms or not. Insulin resistance was induced in the brains of rats using a single intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (STZ) dose. We then measured glucose, insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS‐2), amyloid β (Aβ) deposition, and tau phosphorylation in the brain to look for signs of insulin resistance and AD. The results of this study indicated that a single dose of STZ was able to induce insulin resistance in the brain and significantly decline IRS‐2. This resistance was accompanied by obvious memory loss, Aβ deposition, and tau phosphorylation, further visible diminishing in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and acetylcholine. Furthermore, oxidative stress was increased due to the antioxidant system being compromised. Interestingly, the pancreas injury and peripheral insulin resistance coexisted with brain insulin resistance. Indeed, the antidiabetic metformin was able to enhance all these drastic effects. In conclusion, brain insulin resistance could lead to AD and vice versa. These are highly linked syndromes that could influence peripheral organs. Further studies are required to stabilize this putative pathobiology relationship between them.
Why do employees attend work sick? The assessment and relevance of opposite presenteeism motivations
Authors: Van Waeyenberg Thomas
Published: November 2023

Presenteeism, the act of attending work while sick, has gained significant research attention. However, the motivations driving this behaviour remain underexplored. This study seeks to contribute to this area by developing and validating a measurement tool that captures two distinct motivations for presenteeism: voluntary, stemming from personal choice, and involuntary, resulting from external pressures. Across four studies involving 1021 respondents from both the general working population and contexts known for high levels of presenteeism, the reliability and validity of an 8‐item presenteeism motivation scale were established. Studies 1 and 2 confirmed the scale's two‐factor structure and reliability. Study 3 further demonstrated its convergent, concurrent, and discriminant validity, as well as its ability to detect anticipated sex differences in presenteeism tendencies. Study 4 provided evidence towards criterion related validity, showing differential effects on employee well‐being over time. Voluntarily presenteeism was associated with higher levels of work engagement and lower burnout rates, while involuntary presenteeism exhibited the opposite pattern. Additionally, the scale demonstrated measurement invariance across different working populations. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Longitudinal deterioration in lower urinary tract symptoms after artificial urinary sphincter implantation in patients with a history of pelvic radiation therapy
Authors: Kataoka Madoka , Yokoyama Minato , Waseda Yuma , Ito Masaya , Kobayashi Masaki , Fujiwara Motohiro , Nakamura Yuki , Ishikawa Yudai , Fukuda Shohei , Tanaka Hajime , Yoshida Soichiro , Masuda Hitoshi , Fujii Yasuhisa
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To evaluate longitudinal changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) in comparison to those in non‐irradiated patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included 20 and 51 patients with and without a history of pelvic RT (RT and non‐RT group, respectively) who were treated with primary AUS implantation for post‐radical prostatectomy incontinence between 2010 and 2020. Longitudinal changes in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) were calculated with a linear mixed model.

Results

In the RT and non‐RT group, 18 (90%) and 48 (94%) patients achieved social continence, defined as daily pad use ≤1 at 1 month after activation of AUS, respectively (p = .555). During the mean follow‐up of 38 months, ICIQ‐SF, IPSS, and OABSS significantly improved after AUS implantation in both the RT and non‐RT groups. In the RT group, ICIQ‐SF, IPSS, and OABSS subsequently deteriorated with a slope of 0.62/year (p = .010), 0.55/year (p = .025), and 0.30/year (p = .007), respectively. In the non‐RT group, no significant longitudinal changes in subsequent IPSS and OABSS were observed, although ICIQ‐SF significantly deteriorated (0.43/year, p = .006). Comparing between the groups, the slopes of IPSS and OABSS were significantly greater in the RT group than in the non‐RT group (p < .001, and .015, respectively).

Conclusions

Longitudinal deterioration in LUTS that improved immediately after AUS implantation was observed in patients with a history of pelvic RT, but not in patients without a history of pelvic RT.
Genetic divergence and migration patterns of a galatheoid squat lobster highlight the need for deep‐sea conservation
Authors: Xu Ting , Chai Xia , Chen Chong , Watanabe Hiromi Kayama , Sun Jin , Xiao Yao , Wang Yan , Chen Junlin , Qiu Jian‐Wen , Qian Pei‐Yuan
Published: November 2023

Information on genetic divergence and migration patterns of vent‐ and seep‐endemic macrobenthos can help delimit biogeographical provinces and provide scientific guidelines for deep‐sea conservation under the growing threats of anthropogenic disturbances. Nevertheless, related studies are still scarce, impeding the informed conservation of these hotspots of deep‐sea biodiversity. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a population connectivity study on the galatheoid squat lobsterShinkaia crosnieri– a deep‐sea foundation species widely distributed in vent and seep ecosystems in the Northwest Pacific. With the application of an interdisciplinary methodology involving population genomics and oceanographic approaches, we unveiled two semi‐isolated lineages ofS.crosnieriwith limited and asymmetrical gene flow potentially shaped by the geographic settings, habitat types, and ocean currents – one comprising vent populations in the Okinawa Trough, with those inhabiting the southern trough area likely serving as the source; the other being the Jiaolong (JR) seep population in the South China Sea. The latter might have recently experienced a pronounced demographic contraction and exhibited genetic introgression from the Okinawa Trough lineage, potentially mediated by the intrusion of the North Pacific Intermediate Water. We then compared the biogeographic patterns betweenS.crosnieriand two other representative and co‐occurring vent‐ and seep‐endemic species using published data. Based on their biogeographical subdivisions and source‐sink dynamics, we highlighted the southern Okinawa Trough vents and the JR seep warrant imperative conservation efforts to sustain the deep‐sea biodiversity in the Northwest Pacific.
Anaesthesia‐related cognitive dysfunction following cardiothoracic surgery in late middle‐age and younger adults: A scoping review
Authors: Varpaei Hesam Aldin , Robbins Lorraine B. , Ling Jiying , Lehto Rebecca H. , Bender Catherine M.
Published: November 2023

Background

The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is notably high after cardiac surgery, ranging from 25% to 30%, and is associated with a lower quality of life, increased patient dependency, and heightened mortality. Anaesthesia during cardiothoracic surgery significantly contributes to the risk of POCD in older adults by adversely affecting the brain, including reductions in blood flow and oxygen levels.

Aim

This review aimed to evaluate factors associated with anaesthesia‐related postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) among adults younger than 65 years who underwent cardiothoracic surgeries.

Study Design

A systematic keyword search, following the scoping review framework, was performed in the PubMed and CINAHL databases. Original English‐language studies that included adults younger than 65 years and addressed cognitive function after surgery along with anaesthesia management were included. Retrospective studies, animal research and in vitro and in vivo studies were excluded.

Results

Twenty‐three articles were included (65.2% interventional studies). All studies lacked theoretical or conceptual frameworks. Ketamine's neuroprotective potential is questionable, and intravenous lidocaine may be considered a possible early agent for preventing POCD, but long‐term effectiveness is uncertain. Compared to inhalational anaesthesia, total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) may be related to a decreased incidence of POCD. Variation in POCD assessment impacted the lack of homogeneity in obtained data. Moreover, the shorter‐term timing of POCD evaluation such as in early days after surgery could be greatly influenced by medication and delirium.

Conclusion

Although strategies such as TIVA, the use of neuroprotective anaesthetics and comprehensive preoperative assessments are suggested to prevent POCD, this multifactorial phenomenon cannot be explicitly attributed solely to anaesthetics or anaesthesia‐related techniques. Use of standardized, reliable and valid tools for POCD assessment is encouraged for cross‐study comparison.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses and certified nurse anaesthetists must be aware of risk factors for postoperative delirium and POCD so they can assess patients before and after surgery. Patients and caregivers need to be educated about cognitive changes after surgery and advised to report them to their health care provider if they occur.
Proleptic praise: A social function analysis
Authors: Holroyd Jules
Published: November 2023

What is praise? I argue that we can make progress by examining what praise does. Functionalist views of praise are emerging, but I here argue that by foregrounding cases in which expressions of praise are rejected by their direct target, we see that praise has a wider, and largely overlooked, social function. I introduce cases in which praise is rejected, and develop a functionalist account of praise that is well placed to make sense of the contours of these cases. My claim is that praise functions to affirm and entrench values, exerting pressure in praise's audiences to affirm the values expressed. I show how my account overcomes some of the limitations of recently developed accounts of praise.
Flower production decreases with warmer and more humid atmospheric conditions in a western Amazonian forest
Authors: Vleminckx Jason , Hogan J. Aaron , Metz Margaret R. , Comita Liza S. , Queenborough Simon A. , Wright S. Joseph , Valencia Renato , Zambrano Milton , Garwood Nancy C.
Published: November 2023

Climate models predict that everwet western Amazonian forests will face warmer and wetter atmospheric conditions, and increased cloud cover. It remains unclear how these changes will impact plant reproductive performance, such as flowering, which plays a central role in sustaining food webs and forest regeneration. Warmer and wetter nights may cause reduced flower production, via increased dark respiration rates or alteration in the reliability of flowering cue‐based processes. Additionally, more persistent cloud cover should reduce the amounts of solar irradiance, which could limit flower production.

We tested whether interannual variation in flower production has changed in response to fluctuations in irradiance, rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity over 18 yrs in an everwet forest in Ecuador.

Analyses of 184 plant species showed that flower production declined as nighttime temperature and relative humidity increased, suggesting that warmer nights and greater atmospheric water saturation negatively impacted reproduction. Species varied in their flowering responses to climatic variables but this variation was not explained by life form or phylogeny.

Our results shed light on how plant communities will respond to climatic changes in this everwet region, in which the impacts of these changes have been poorly studied compared with more seasonal Neotropical areas.
A thylakoid biogenesis BtpA protein is required for the initial step of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in cyanobacteria
Authors: Skotnicová Petra , Srivastava Amit , Aggarwal Divya , Talbot Jana , Karlínová Iva , Moos Martin , Mareš Jan , Bučinská Lenka , Koník Peter , Šimek Petr , Tichý Martin , Sobotka Roman
Published: November 2023

Biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus requires complicated molecular machinery, individual components of which are either poorly characterized or unknown. The BtpA protein has been described as a factor required for the stability of photosystem I (PSI) in cyanobacteria; however, how the BtpA stabilized PSI remains unexplained.

To clarify the role of BtpA, we constructed and characterized the btpA‐null mutant (ΔbtpA) in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The mutant contained only c. 1% of chlorophyll and nearly no thylakoid membranes. However, this strain, growing only in the presence of glucose, was genetically unstable and readily generated suppressor mutations that restore the photoautotrophy.

Two suppressor mutations were mapped into the hemA gene encoding glutamyl‐tRNA reductase (GluTR) – the first enzyme of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. Indeed, the GluTR was not detectable in the ΔbtpA mutant and the suppressor mutations restored biosynthesis of tetrapyrroles and photoautotrophy by increased GluTR expression or by improved GluTR stability/processivity. We further demonstrated that GluTR associates with a large BtpA oligomer and that BtpA is required for the stability of GluTR.

Our results show that the BtpA protein is involved in the biogenesis of photosystems at the level of regulation of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis.
Fast Assimilation‐Temperature Response: a FAsTeR method for measuring the temperature dependence of leaf‐level photosynthesis
Authors: Garen Josef C. , Michaletz Sean T.
Published: November 2023

We present the Fast Assimilation‐Temperature Response (FAsTeR) method, a new method for measuring plant assimilation‐temperature (AT) response that reduces measurement time and increases data density compared with conventional methods.

The FAsTeR method subjects plant leaves to a linearly increasing temperature ramp while taking rapid, nonequilibrium measurements of gas exchange variables. Two postprocessing steps are employed to correct measured assimilation rates for nonequilibrium effects and sensor calibration drift. Results obtained with the new method are compared with those from two conventional stepwise methods.

Our new method accurately reproduces results obtained from conventional methods, reduces measurement time by a factor of c. 3.3 (from c. 90 to 27 min), and increases data density by a factor of c. 55 (from c. 10 to c. 550 observations). Simulation results demonstrate that increased data density substantially improves confidence in parameter estimates and drastically reduces the influence of noise.

By improving measurement speed and data density, the FAsTeR method enables users to ask fundamentally new kinds of ecological and physiological questions, expediting data collection in short‐field campaigns, and improving the representativeness of data across species in the literature.
Multiple feedbacks on self‐organized morphogenesis during plant regeneration
Authors: Mathew Mabel Maria , Ganguly Akansha , Prasad Kalika
Published: November 2023

Decades of research have primarily emphasized genetic blueprint as the driving force behind plant regeneration. The flow of information from genetics, which manifests as biochemical properties, including hormones, has been extensively implicated in plant regeneration. However, recent advancements have unveiled additional intrinsic modules within this information flow. Here, we explore the three core modules of plant regeneration: biochemical properties, mechanical forces acting on cells, and cell geometry. We debate their roles and interactions during morphogenesis, emphasizing the potential for multiple feedbacks between these core modules to drive pattern formation during regeneration. We propose that de novo organ regeneration is a self‐organized event driven by multidirectional information flow between these core modules.