bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lesion characteristics using high‐frequency low‐tidal volume ventilation versus standard ventilation during ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Qian Xiaoxiao , Zei Paul C. , Osorio Jose , Hincapie Daniela , Gabr Mohamed , Peralta Adelqui , Miranda‐Arboleda Andres F. , Koplan Bruce A. , Hoyos Carolina , Matos Carlos D. , Lopez‐Cabanillas Nestor , Steiger Nathaniel A. , Velasco Alejandro , Alviz Isabella , Kapur Sunil , Tadros Thomas M. , Tedrow Usha B. , Sauer William H. , Romero Jorge E.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

High‐frequency low‐tidal‐volume (HFLTV) ventilation during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been shown to be superior to standard ventilation (SV) in terms of procedural efficiency, acute and long‐term clinical outcomes. Our study aimed to compare ablation lesions characteristics utilizing HFLTV ventilation versus SV during RFCA of PAF.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for PAF between August 2022 and March 2023, using high‐power short‐duration ablation. Thirty‐five patients underwent RFCA with HFLTV ventilation and were matched with another cohort of 35 patients who underwent RFCA with SV. Parameters including ablation duration, contact force (CF), impedance drop, and ablation index were extracted from the CARTONET database for each ablation lesion.

Results

A total of 70 patients were included (HFLTV = 35/2484 lesions, SV = 35/2830 lesions) in the analysis. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. While targeting the same ablation index, the HFLTV ventilation group demonstrated shorter average ablation duration per lesion (12.3 ± 5.0 vs. 15.4 ± 8.4 s, p < .001), higher average CF (17.0 ± 8.5 vs. 10.5 ± 4.6 g, p < .001), and greater impedance reduction (9.5 ± 4.6 vs. 7.7 ± 4.1 ohms, p < .001). HFLTV ventilation group also demonstrated shorter total procedural time (61.3 ± 25.5 vs. 90.8 ± 22.8 min, p < .001), ablation time (40.5 ± 18.6 vs. 65.8 ± 22.5 min, p < .001), and RF time (15.3 ± 4.8 vs. 22.9 ± 9.7 min, p < .001).

Conclusion

HFLTV ventilation during PVI for PAF was associated with improved ablation lesion parameters and procedural efficiency compared to SV.
SunCloud: A mobile application for children with urinary incontinence
Authors: Acikgoz Ayfer , Cakirli Merve , Tokar Baran , Celik Ozer
Published: August 2024

Background and Aim

Urinary incontinence is an important problem with potentially adverse effects on the psychological, social and personality development of children. Today, with the developing technology, the use of information and communication technologies such as wearable technology, message services and mobile applications has become widespread in solving health problems. In this study, it was aimed to develop a mobile application that facilitates the follow‐up of children, increases their compliance with treatment and ensures the continuity of communication between them and the health worker. The methodology, design and preliminary evaluation results of the mobile application are presented in this article.

Methods

During the development process of the mobile application, the content was first created in line with the literature review. After the content was determined, the interface design was made on MS Word and Photoshop software. At this stage, six experts were consulted for content and design. The mobile application, finalised in design, was implemented on Android and IOS platforms. After the mobile application was created, 10 children and their families were interviewed.

Results

Nine of the families (90%) found the developed mobile application useful and easy to use. Families' suggestions to improve the mobile application were to make it more interesting for children and to enrich its content.

Conclusion

In line with the feedback, the mobile application was updated and finalised. Preliminary results are promising that the developed mobile application can be used as an aid to treatment in children with urinary incontinence. With the mobile application developed, urotherapy training was not limited to the time they visited the hospital. This suggests that the mobile application can eliminate the problem of partial or omitted treatment. This research has shown that leveraging technology can be a good option to increase treatment success.

Clinical Trial Number

NCT05815940
Reproductive morphophysiology of an iteroparous batch spawner fish: from early follicle development to ovulation
Authors: Domínguez‐Castanedo Omar , Hernandez‐Coronado Cyndi G. , Martínez‐Espinosa David A. , Rosales‐Torres Ana María
Published: August 2024

Batch spawner fishes develop successive clutches of oocytes which allows them to participate in many reproductive cycles during their adult life (iteroparous) and spawn in multiple events within each breeding cycle. Here, ovarian follicular development was morpho‐functionally analyzed in females of the iteroparous batch spawner fish Gymnocorymbus ternetzi. To obtain better insights into the reproductive morpho‐physiology in batch spawners, the objective of this research was to analyze the dynamics of the follicular development, with its hormonal regulation between two active reproduction events. We found that over 16 days, follicles progressed asynchronously to chromatin nucleolus, Primary and Secondary growth stages of oogenesis with progressive secretion of 17β‐estradiol (E2). During the end of secondary growth, the increase in 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (17,20β‐p) was measured relative to the maturation process of the ovarian follicles (e.g., nuclear migration and its rupture during the resumption of meiosis). Interestingly, an additional increase in E2 was observed after fish reproduction, probably related to the recruitment of new batch follicles for secondary growth. We also measured the high values of multiple condition factor post‐reproduction measurements, reflecting more energy invested during the pre‐reproductive process. We also quantified high concentrations of 17,20β‐p, probably related to the recruitment of a new batch of oogonia to meiosis, presumably secreted by post‐ovulatory follicles, after fish reproduction. We finally found that fish without exposure to reproductive stimulus developed a regression phase at day 24, characterized by massive follicle atresia, that allow them to recycle energy and constitutive materials of the follicles invested during oogenesis for another reproductive cycle.
Natural variations in MdNAC18 exert major genetic effect on apple fruit harvest date by regulating ethylene biosynthesis genes
Authors: Wen Guo , Wu Bei , Wang Yi , Wu Ting , Han Zhenhai , Zhang Xinzhong
Published: August 2024

Dissecting the genetic control of apple fruit harvest date (AFHD) into multiple Mendelian factors poses a significant challenge in modern genetics. Here, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for AFHD was fine‐mapped to the NAC transcription factor (TF) MdNAC18 within the interval defined by the overlap of QTLs Z03.5/Z03.6 and F03.2/F03.3. One direct target of MdNAC18 is the ethylene biosynthesis gene MdACO1. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) SNP517 and SNP958 in the MdNAC18 coding sequence modulated activation of MdACO1 by MdNAC18. SNP1229 in the MdACO1 promoter destroyed the MdNAC18 binding site and thus abolished MdNAC18 binding. SNP517 and SNP958 also affected MdNAC18 activation of the TF gene MdARF5; MdARF5 activates the ethylene biosynthesis gene MdACS1. SNP517 and SNP958 in MdNAC18, SNP1229 and SNP769 (linked to InDel62) in MdACO1, and InDel162 in MdACS1 constituted a genetic variation network. The genetic effect of this network on AFHD was estimated as 60.3 d, accounting for 52.6% of the phenotype variation of the training population. The joint effects of these polymorphisms increased the accuracy of a genomics‐assisted prediction (GAP) model for AFHD (r = 0.7125). Together, our results suggest that genetic variation in MdNAC18 affects AFHD by modulating ethylene biosynthesis and provide an optimized GAP model for apple breeding.
Mastication and oral myofunctional status in excess weight children and adolescents: A cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Pizzorni Nicole , Giovanazzi Sofia , Nannini Marta , Scarponi Letizia , Zanelli Sara , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Schindler Antonio
Published: August 2024

Background

Masticatory function seems to play a role in the aetiology of obesity. However, literature on the association between oral myofunctional status and overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is scarce and contrasting.

Objective

To compare masticatory performance, orofacial myofunctional status and tongue strength and endurance between children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and those with normal weight.

Methods

Thirty children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and 30 subjects with normal weight matched for age and sex were recruited. All subjects were evaluated with the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids in Children (TOMASS‐C) for masticatory performance and with the Italian Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (I‐OMES) for the orofacial myofunctional status. Anterior and posterior maximum tongue pressures and tongue endurance were measured. Parents‐reported (PRO) duration of meals was recorded. Data were compared between the groups through the paired samples t‐test or the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

Children and adolescents with overweight showed significantly lower number of bites (p = .033), lower I‐OMES scores (p < .05), and shorter meal duration (p = .005) compared to their peers with normal weight. No significant differences were found between the two groups for the number of swallows, the number of masticatory cycles and the total time of the TOMASS‐C, and none of the tongue pressure measurements.

Conclusions

Eating in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity is characterised by a larger bolus sizes and shorter PRO meal duration. Additionally, overweight and obesity seem to be associated with poorer orofacial skills and structures in the paediatric population.
Automated remote sleep monitoring needs uncertainty quantification
Authors: Heremans Elisabeth R. M. , Van den Bulcke Laura , Seedat Nabeel , Devulder Astrid , Borzée Pascal , Buyse Bertien , Testelmans Dries , Van Den Bossche Maarten , van der Schaar Mihaela , De Vos Maarten
Published: August 2024

Wearable electroencephalography devices emerge as a cost‐effective and ergonomic alternative to gold‐standard polysomnography, paving the way for better health monitoring and sleep disorder screening. Machine learning allows to automate sleep stage classification, but trust and reliability issues have hampered its adoption in clinical applications. Estimating uncertainty is a crucial factor in enhancing reliability by identifying regions of heightened and diminished confidence. In this study, we used an uncertainty‐centred machine learning pipeline, U‐PASS, to automate sleep staging in a challenging real‐world dataset of single‐channel electroencephalography and accelerometry collected with a wearable device from an elderly population. We were able to effectively limit the uncertainty of our machine learning model and to reliably inform clinical experts of which predictions were uncertain to improve the machine learning model's reliability. This increased the five‐stage sleep‐scoring accuracy of a state‐of‐the‐art machine learning model from 63.9% to 71.2% on our dataset. Remarkably, the machine learning approach outperformed the human expert in interpreting these wearable data. Manual review by sleep specialists, without specific training for sleep staging on wearable electroencephalography, proved ineffective. The clinical utility of this automated remote monitoring system was also demonstrated, establishing a strong correlation between the predicted sleep parameters and the reference polysomnography parameters, and reproducing known correlations with the apnea–hypopnea index. In essence, this work presents a promising avenue to revolutionize remote patient care through the power of machine learning by the use of an automated data‐processing pipeline enhanced with uncertainty estimation.
Economic contribution of U.S. aquaculture farms
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Hegde Shraddha , van Senten Jonathan , Engle Carole , Boldt Noah , Parker Matthew , Quagrainie Kwamena , Posadas Benedict , Asche Frank , Dey Madan , Aarattuthodi Suja , Roy Luke A. , Grice Russell , Fong Quentin , Schwarz Michael
Published: August 2024

Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources to meet human wants and needs and has a critical role to play in addressing challenges related to environmental sustainability, community resilience, and food security. In the context of aquaculture, the key to such a discussion is understanding the linkages of aquaculture farming businesses with other economic sectors and how policy decisions that affect aquaculture result in economic ripples throughout local, regional, and national economies. The only previous national estimates of the economic contributions of U.S. aquaculture are nearly 30 years old. The current study was based on comprehensive data from detailed farm‐level surveys (that captured 77% of the total value of U.S. aquaculture) supplemented by information from publications on the remaining aquaculture sectors. The economic contributions measured in this study were limited to those at the farm level and do not include subsequent impacts that occur as farmed products move through processing, distribution, food service, and retail sectors in the U.S. economy. Results showed that U.S. aquaculture farms contributed $4 billion annually and supported more than 22,000 jobs each year. Labor income and value‐added contributions were $1 billion and $3 billion, respectively. Analysis of the linkages of U.S. aquaculture production activities with other economic sectors showed that nearly all (96%) economic sectors were supported to some degree by U.S. aquaculture farms. Foodfish farms generated the greatest contributions, followed by mollusk farms. Freshwater aquaculture farms contributed twice that of the contributions of marine aquaculture because of the greater size of the freshwater aquaculture sector. Growth of both freshwater and marine sectors would increase overall contributions to the economy. Constraints to growth of aquaculture include regulatory barriers that have restricted existing sectors from meeting current demand for their products. The lack of an adequate regulatory framework for offshore marine aquaculture has constrained its growth and development, especially with respect to the rest of the world. Streamlined regulations implemented in a more timely and efficient manner could result in substantially greater economic contributions from existing U.S. aquaculture farms. The total economic impact of U.S. aquaculture production is likely three to four times greater than the farm‐level impacts estimated in this study as a result of impacts that occur as aquaculture products move downstream through various marketing channels. Additional research is needed to measure the impacts of U.S. aquaculture products in the processing, distribution, food service, supermarket, and restaurant levels of the marketing chain to fully capture the total economic contributions from U.S. aquaculture.
Chondrule sizes within the CM carbonaceous chondrites and measurement methodologies
Authors: Floyd C. J. , Benito S. , Martin P.‐E. , Jenkins L. E. , Dunham E. , Daly L. , Lee M. R.
Published: August 2024

The sizes of chondrules are a valuable tool for understanding relationships between meteorite groups and the affinity of ungrouped chondrites, documenting temporal/spatial variability in the solar nebula, and exploring the effects of parent body processing. Many of the recently reported sizes of chondrules within the CM carbonaceous chondrites differ significantly from the established literature average and are more closely comparable to those of chondrules within CO chondrites. Here, we report an updated analysis of chondrule dimensions within the CM group based on data from 1937 chondrules, obtained across a suite of CM lithologies ranging from petrologic subtypes CM2.2 to CM2.7. Our revised average CM chondrule size is 194 μm. Among the samples examined, a relationship was observed between petrologic subtype and chondrule size such that chondrule long‐axis lengths are greater in the more highly aqueously altered lithologies. These findings suggest a greater similarity between the CM and CO chondrites than previously thought and support arguments for a genetic link between the two groups (i.e., the CM‐CO clan). Using the 2‐D and 3‐D data gathered, we also apply numerous stereological corrections to examine their usefulness in correcting 2‐D chondrule measurements within the CM chondrites. Alongside this analysis, we present the details of a standardized methodology for 2‐D chondrule size measurement to facilitate more reliable inter‐study comparisons.
Bright New Resources for Syphilis Research: Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Tags for Treponema pallidum and Sf1Ep Cells
Authors: Grillová Linda , Romeis Emily , Lieberman Nicole A. P. , Tantalo Lauren C. , Xu Linda H. , Molini Barbara , Trejos Aldo T. , Lacey George , Goulding David , Thomson Nicholas R. , Greninger Alexander L. , Giacani Lorenzo
Published: August 2024

The recently discovered methodologies to cultivate and genetically manipulate Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum) have significantly helped syphilis research, allowing the in vitro evaluation of antibiotic efficacy, performance of controlled studies to assess differential treponemal gene expression, and generation of loss‐of‐function mutants to evaluate the contribution of specific genetic loci to T. pallidum virulence. Building on this progress, we engineered the T. pallidum SS14 strain to express a red‐shifted green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Sf1Ep cells to express mCherry and blue fluorescent protein (BFP) for enhanced visualization. These new resources improve microscopy‐ and cell sorting–based applications for T. pallidum, better capturing the physical interaction between the host and pathogen, among other possibilities. Continued efforts to develop and share new tools and resources are required to help our overall knowledge of T. pallidum biology and syphilis pathogenesis reach that of other bacterial pathogens, including spirochetes.
High rate of gene family evolution in proximity to the origin of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis in Inocybaceae
Authors: Khan Faheema Kalsoom , Sánchez‐García Marisol , Johannesson Hanna , Ryberg Martin
Published: August 2024

The genomes of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have a reduced number of genes encoding Carbohydrate‐Active EnZymes (CAZymes), expansions in transposable elements (TEs) and small secreted proteins (SSPs) compared with saprotrophs. Fewer genes for specific peptidases and lipases in ECM fungi are also reported. It is unclear whether these changes occur at the shift to the ECM habit or are more gradual throughout the evolution of ECM lineages.

We generated a genomic dataset of 20 species in the ECM lineage Inocybaceae and compared them with six saprotrophic species.

Inocybaceae genomes have fewer CAZymes, peptidases, lipases, secondary metabolite clusters and SSPs and higher TE content than their saprotrophic relatives. There was an increase in the rate of gene family evolution along the branch with the transition to the ECM lifestyle. This branch had very high rate of evolution in CAZymes and had the largest number of contractions. Other significant changes along this branch included expansions in transporters, transposons‐related genes and communication genes such as fungal kinases.

There is a high concentration of changes in proximity to the transition to the ECM lifestyle, which correspond to the identified key changes for the gain of this lifestyle.
Assessing perceptions of orthognathic surgery outcomes: A study among dental and non‐dental health professionals
Authors: Monk J. H. , Nanayakkara T. , Puwakdandawa D. , De Silva H. L. , Farella M. , De Silva R. K.
Published: August 2024

Facial aesthetics often dominate our social perceptions. For most Skeletal Class III patients, facial aesthetics is the chief complaint when seeking orthognathic surgery; therefore, the changes to appearance after surgery are of the utmost importance.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the level of facial aesthetic improvement following bimaxillary osteotomy as perceived by health professionals with different backgrounds and knowledge of orthodontics.

Methods

Thirty evaluators were selected among specialist orthodontists (n = 10), general dentists (n = 10), and family medical practitioners (n = 10) and were requested to evaluate 16 skeletal class III patients (males; n = 8, females; n = 8) treated at a hospital‐based orthodontic clinic. Customised questionnaires were prepared using visual analogue scales to score pre and post‐surgery photographic (frontal and lateral) profiles. Questions surrounded perceptions of the overall facial attractiveness and the attractiveness of soft tissue neck, chin, lips, and nose.

Results

Improvements were detected overall and in all sub‐domain scores between pre and post‐surgery for all evaluator groups. Orthodontists found the greatest improvement, while family medical practitioners gave the least. All health professional evaluators perceived the benefits of bimaxillary osteotomy for facial attractiveness. The perceived benefit was most significant among specialist orthodontists, representing a need for restraint from overestimating surgical outcomes.

Conclusion

Perceptions of improvement following combined orthognathic surgery depend on background knowledge of orthodontics; additionally, the involvement of family medical practitioners in the planning of orthognathic outcomes may be indicated.
The prognostic implications of cuproptosis‐related gene signature and the potential of PPIC as a promising biomarker in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Zhou Bin , Sha Shanshan , Wang Qi , Sun Shuomin , Tao Juan , Zhu Jinjin , Dong Liyun
Published: August 2024

Cutaneous melanoma is the most lethal of all skin tumors. Recently, cuproptosis, a novel form of cell death linked to oxidative phosphorylation, has emerged as an important factor. However, the precise role of cuproptosis in melanoma remains unclear. Our research explored the potential links between cuproptosis‐related genes, prognosis, immune microenvironments, and melanoma treatments. Significantly, cuproptosis regulators showed remarkable differences between melanoma and normal tissues, establishing their relevance to melanoma. The newly developed cuproptosis‐related gene signature (CGS) demonstrated a robust ability to predict overall survival (OS) in melanoma. We constructed a novel nomogram that combined clinical features with CGS to improve predictive accuracy. In addition, the study revealed correlations between CGS and immune cell populations, including CD8+T cells, Tfh cells, B cells, and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells. Within the CGS, Peptidylprolyl isomerase C (PPIC) emerged as the most strongly associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance in melanoma. PPIC was identified as a promoter of melanoma progression, enhancing cell invasiveness while concurrently suppressing CD8+T cell activation. This comprehensive study not only elucidated the intricate connections between CGS, melanoma prognosis, immune microenvironment, and drug resistance but also provided compelling evidence supporting PPIC as a promising biomarker for predicting OS in melanoma treatment.
Women as presidents: The impact on the female labor force
Authors: Schettini Daniela Carla Decaro , Rodrigues Ana Helena Baptista
Published: August 2024

Female participation in the labor market has been seen as a driver of economic growth and human development, but its recent expansion has been surprisingly slow. We ask whether women presidents, who have the power to influence gender disparities, can influence the female participation in the labor market, compared with male presidents. Selecting three South American countries that have recently been led by women presidents—Argentina, Brazil, and Chile—, we find that women's presidential mandates are positively related to the participation of the female labor force and to the unemployment rates, compared with men, and with a reduction of the gender gap in the labor force and unemployment rate by 0.6 points. The results suggest that women in high political positions are therefore able to make changes with possible consequences for a more gender‐equal society.
Patriarchal norms and women's labor market outcomes
Authors: Mukherjee Anirban , Sarkhel Sukanya
Published: August 2024

Gender discrimination in the labor market is usually seen as the result of the employers' cultural bias. In this article, we see the issue from a larger perspective by combining both labor market and household decision making together. It is often observed that women, prioritizing their families over their careers, settle for less paying and less demanding job profiles. This leads to gender wage gap even if the employers do not discriminate between male and female employees. We argue that women may make such choices in presence of patriarchal social norms, which see household chores as the primary duty of women. Our theoretical model predicts that women coming from families with stronger patriarchal values are more likely to accept less paying (and less demanding) jobs in the labor market than the women from liberal families. Our empirical section that uses a nationally representative survey data from India provides support for our theoretical predictions. Our results are robust to different measures of patriarchal culture. We also show that the marginal effect of patriarchy on women's wage varies across occupations and places of residence.
Clinical analysis of 10 cases with subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma and tissue AURKA expression
Authors: Zheng Zhixin , Teng Jinglei , Zeng Ming , Lu Chun
Published: August 2024

Background

Due to its rarity, subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is often misdiagnosed as benign panniculitis, and there are no standardized treatment guidelines for SPTCL. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) plays a regulatory role in both mitosis and meiosis. Cells treated with an AURKA inhibitor showed severe mitotic delay, which triggered apoptosis.

Materials and Methods

Ten cases of SPTCL were collected in this study, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect AURKA expression in the skin tissues of these cases. Control groups were set as follows: 1) 10 cases of inflammatory panniculitis; 2) 9 healthy individuals. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the positive rates of AURKA among various groups.

Results

An average onset age of 27.3 years was found in 10 SPTCL cases. Clinically, these patients primarily presented with multiple subcutaneous nodules on the trunk and lower extremities, accompanied by intermittent high fever. One case showed lymph node metastasis, while no other distant organ metastasis being observed in any case. Pathologically, there was an infiltration of a large number of atypical lymphocytes within the fat lobules, characterized as a cytotoxic type. AURKA stanning was positive in 6 out of 10 SPTCL cases, while no positive cases were found in the control groups.

Conclusion

1) SPTCL predominantly affects young individuals and can be identified by nodular erythema on the trunk, intermittent high fever, and infiltration of atypical cytotoxic lymphocytes within fat lobules. 2) For early‐stage cases without metastasis, monotherapy with glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine can be considered. 3) High expression of AURKA in SPTCL tissues suggests that AURKA could be a potential biomarker for disease diagnosis, providing a theoretical basis for further targeted therapy.
Phylogeny and evolution of the cicada tribe Polyneurini (Hemiptera, Cicadidae)
Authors: Wang Jiali , Zhang Wenzhe , Yang Jingyuan , Hayashi Masami , Wei Cong
Published: August 2024

Repeated and convergent evolution of wing venation may have contributed to the diversification and evolution of the cicada tribe Polyneurini, which are well known for colourful wings and complex wing venation. We investigated the phylogeny and diversification of Polyneurini based on morphological characters and molecular data, as well as molecular data of their obligate endosymbiont ‘Candidatus Sulcia muelleri’ (hereafter referred to as Sulcia). Phylogenetic analyses do not support the monophyly of the formerly defined subtribes Polyneurina and Formotosenina. Accordingly, Parapolyneura Wang, Hayashi & Wei gen. n. is erected for Pa. guoliangi (Wang & Liu) comb. n.; Formotosena pervalida Wang, Hayashi & Wei sp. n. and F. maculata Wang, Hayashi & Wei sp. n. are established; Proretinata Chou & Yao stat. rev. is resurrected from junior synonymy with Angamiana Distant; five junior synonyms are recognized for Pr. floridula (Distant) comb. n., and four junior synonyms are proposed for Po. cheni Chou & Yao. The subtribes of Polyneurini are redefined, in which Polyneura Westwood, Parapolyneura gen. n., Angamiana and Proretinata stat. rev. are included in Polyneurina, and Formotosena kato and Graptopsaltria Stål trans. n. in Formotosenina. The phylogeny of the very conservative Sulcia mirrors the host phylogeny, which supports the redefinition of the two subtribes in Polyneurini. Polyneurini likely originated and initially diversified during the Mid‐Miocene. Dramatic Pleistocene climatic oscillations together with the sea‐level fluctuations had profound effects on the diversification and vicariance of Polyneurini. The reticulate wing venation most likely evolved three times in Polyneurini. This study improves our understanding of diversification and evolution of this unique cicada tribe and serves as an example for future studies on the diversification of Cicadidae.
The use of predictive modelling to determine the likelihood of donor return during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Gammon Richard R. , Hindawi Salwa , Al‐Riyami Arwa Z. , Ang Ai Leen , Bazin Renee , Bloch Evan M. , Counts Kelley , de Angelis Vincenzo , Goel Ruchika , Grubovic Rastvorceva Rada M. , Pati Ilaria , Lee Cheuk‐Kwong , La Raja Massimo , Mengoli Carlo , Oreh Adaeze , Patidar Gopal Kumar , Rahimi‐Levene Naomi , Ravula Usharee , Rexer Karl , So‐Osman Cynthia , Thachil Jecko , Nevessignsky Michel Toungouz , Vermeulen Marion
Published: August 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses sophisticated algorithms to “learn” from large volumes of data. This could be used to optimise recruitment of blood donors through predictive modelling of future blood supply, based on previous donation and transfusion demand. We sought to assess utilisation of predictive modelling and AI blood establishments (BE) and conducted predictive modelling to illustrate its use. A BE survey of data modelling and AI was disseminated to the International Society of Blood transfusion members. Additional anonymzed data were obtained from Italy, Singapore and the United States (US) to build predictive models for each region, using January 2018 through August 2019 data to determine likelihood of donation within a prescribed number of months. Donations were from March 2020 to June 2021. Ninety ISBT members responded to the survey. Predictive modelling was used by 33 (36.7%) respondents and 12 (13.3%) reported AI use. Forty‐four (48.9%) indicated their institutions do not utilise predictive modelling nor AI to predict transfusion demand or optimise donor recruitment. In the predictive modelling case study involving three sites, the most important variable for predicting donor return was number of previous donations for Italy and the US, and donation frequency for Singapore. Donation rates declined in each region during COVID‐19. Throughout the observation period the predictive model was able to consistently identify those individuals who were most likely to return to donate blood. The majority of BE do not use predictive modelling and AI. The effectiveness of predictive model in determining likelihood of donor return was validated; implementation of this method could prove useful for BE operations.
How do imports drive the domestic value added of China? The roles of input imports and demand imports
Authors: Zeng Can , Zhang Yabin , Wang Zhenguo
Published: August 2024

A comprehensive exploration into the effects of imports on China's economic growth is crucial for coping with fluctuating import dependency shocks. This paper proposes an integrated domestic value added accounting framework incorporating the roles of imports, that is input imports and demand imports and then employs the chaining structural decomposition analysis (SDA), the international geographic decomposition method, and the domestic sectoral decomposition models to further evaluate how imports affected the formations and changes in domestic value added by final demand category. Using the input–output tables from the ADB database, we find that, at the aggregate level, the input import effect fluctuates more significantly than the demand import effect, and its changing trend shows an opposite relationship with that of import dependency. At the sectoral level, input import changes that impact domestic economic growth from the supply and demand side are mainly attributed to the transmission of critical downstream and upstream sectors along industry chains. The governments should thus focus their attention on industry linkages to guarantee the security and resilience of critical domestic supply chains. The sectoral demand import effect shows the importance of improving local supply for people's essential life requirements and upgrading the domestic industry chains of some knowledge‐intensive sectors.
Media's Perception of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC): A Framing Analysis of Media Discourse on Chinese Investments in Myanmar
Authors: Oo Zeyar , Dai Yonghong , Edderssi Yasmine , Dipak Devkota , Singh Bandana
Published: August 2024

Since media liberalization in 2011, news media has played a critical role in shaping public opinion, impacting the government’s policy-making process. After the emergence of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) in 2018, Chinese projects have increasingly attracted media attention in Myanmar. Previous studies mainly focus on Chinese projects with different perspectives, such as geopolitics and international perspectives, while lacking an understanding of media. Therefore, this article set out to study media perceptions of Chinese projects under the CMEC to examine how the news media frames Chinese projects in Myanmar.  Qualitative content analysis with Entman’s four frames was applied to find media frames with Chinese investments in Myanmar. Three news media outlets, Eleven News, The Irrawaddy, and Radio Free Asia (RFA), were selected to find critical news stories related to Chinese projects under the CMEC. 15 news stories (N=15) between 2018 to the present were selected, and the study was systematically conducted, following Braun and Clarkes’ six-phase-analytical process. The study proved that four themes addressed the research question, "How do news media frame news about Chinese projects in Myanmar?” It was concluded that news media primarily framed two factors, public concerns and domestic issues, that impeded the successful implementation of Chinese investments in Myanmar.  Finally, the study found that news media called for effective collaboration between China and Myanmar to ensure mutual benefits. It also further recommended that future research should consider longitudinal studies to examine media framing impacts public opinion and policy changes, and to incorporate a wider range of media sources to improve the generalizability of findings to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of media perceptions over time.
Running Shoes of the Postmodern Footwear Era: A Narrative Overview of Advanced Footwear Technology
Authors: Burns Geoffrey T. , Joubert Dustin P.
Published: August 2024

The modern era of running shoes began in the 1960s with the introduction of simple polymer midsole foams, and it ended in the late 2010s with the introduction of advanced footwear technology (AFT). AFT is characterized by highly compliant, resilient, and lightweight foams with embedded, rigid, longitudinal architecture. This footwear complex improves a runner’s efficiency, and it introduced a step change in running performance. Purpose: This review serves to examine the current state of knowledge around AFT—what it is and what we know about its ingredients, what benefits it confers to runners, and what may or may not mediate that benefit. We also discuss the emerging science around AFT being introduced to track-racing spikes and how it is currently regulated in sporting contexts. Conclusions: AFT has changed running as a sport. The construction of AFT is grossly understood, but the nature of the interacting elements is not. The magnitude of the enhancement of a runner’s economy and performance has been characterized and modeled, but the nuanced factors that mediate those responses have not. With these knowns and unknowns, we conclude the review by providing a collection of best practices for footwear researchers, advice for runners interested in AFT, and a list of pertinent items for further investigation.
Lumbar Extensor Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings From SarcoSpine Cohort
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Oh Sohee , Kim Seungcheol , Lee Sang Yoon
Published: August 2024

Background: The lumbar extensor muscles (LEMs) play an important role in body posture and physical function in older adults. Because lumbar extensor strength decreases more rapidly than limb muscle strength with age, it should be evaluated to aid healthy aging. This study investigated the association between LEM strength and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study of spinal sarcopenia (SarcoSpine) was conducted at a single center. One hundred and ten consecutive individuals who completed the baseline survey, including conventional sarcopenic indices, lumbar spine three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging, isokinetic lumbar extensor strength, and physical performance tests (Short Physical Performance Battery, Berg Balance Scale, and Back Performance Scale [BPS]), were enrolled. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the variables for evaluating their association with LEM strength. Results: Among the conventional sarcopenic indices, gait speed was significantly correlated with Short Physical Performance Battery results and Berg Balance Scale score in men and women. Handgrip strength was significantly correlated with the BPS score for both sexes. In the multivariable linear regression, age (β = −2.12, p < .01) and BPS score (β = −3.54, p = .01, R2 = .29) were independent indicators of LEM strength. Conclusions: Our findings reveal the substantial association between LEM strength and BPS score in older women. The targeted intervention aimed at improving the LEMs strength would be needed to enhance physical performance in the aging population.
Factors Associated With Leisure-Time Bicycling Among Adults in the United States: An Urban–Rural Comparison
Authors: Fitzhugh Eugene C. , Smock Carissa , Balis Laura E. , Gustat Jeanette , Kellstedt Debra , Roemmich James N. , Townsend Zachary , Abildso Christiaan
Published: August 2024

Background: Bicycling is a healthy form of physical activity that can be performed by most adults as part of leisure-time (LT) activity. However, little is known about LT bicycling behaviors, especially in the rural areas of the United States. This study sought to contrast the prevalence and factors associated with LT bicycling in populations living in urban settings with those living in rural settings. Methods: The 2019 Behavior Risk Factor Survey, which contains information regarding LT physical activity behaviors among adults (N = 396,261) in the United States, was used to determine the prevalence, demographic profile, and likelihood of meeting the physical activity guidelines of LT bicyclists. The 2013 National Center for Health Statistics Urban/Rural Classification Scheme was used to classify respondents living in rural and urban settings. Results: Among US adults, 3.8% (95% CI, 3.7–3.9) reported LT bicycling activity, the sixth most common physical activity. Adults living in urban counties compared with rural counties had a greater prevalence of LT bicycling (3.9% vs 2.3%, respectively), with adults living in rural counties having a 34% lower probability of LT bicycling. Rural bicycling prevalence rates were lower across all demographics. Urban bicyclists, compared with rural bicyclists, cycled more months of the year. Overall, 85.5% of all bicyclists met the aerobic physical guidelines, with no differences between urban and rural bicyclists. Conclusions: Bicycling remains an important LT physical activity among adults in the United States. However, a rural–urban difference in the prevalence does exist for LT bicycling. The reasons for this disparity warrant further investigation.
Preservice Classroom Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Toward Providing Physical Activity in the Classroom
Authors: McKown Hayley B. , Centeio Erin E. , Maeda Julienne K. , Morgan Charles F. , Serna Kuulei
Published: August 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand preservice classroom teachers’ perceptions of and efficacy toward providing physical activity (PA) during the school day. Method: One hundred and seventy-one participants (89% women; 12 universities; 25% secondary) participated in this exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. Teachers participated in a survey that included validated scales, and 20 teachers participated in follow-up interviews. Results: A series of analyses of variance showed significant differences between level of certification sought and teacher efficacy toward providing PA, specifically in areas of institutional and general self-efficacy. Regressions revealed that PA enjoyment was the only significant predictor of teacher efficacy (general, psychological, institutional, and educational efficacy) toward providing PA. Qualitative themes included: (a) perceived benefits of PA, (b) the need for meaningful preparation, and (c) motivation and enjoyment. Conclusion: Increasing PA enjoyment and providing professional development could help preservice classroom teachers be more efficacious toward providing PA in the classroom.
PI4P-mediated solid-like Merlin condensates orchestrate Hippo pathway regulation
Authors: Guo Pengfei , Li Bing , Dong Wei , Zhou Huabin , Wang Li , Su Ting , Carl Christopher , Zheng Yonggang , Hong Yang , Deng Hua , Pan Duojia
Published: August 2024

Despite recent studies implicating liquid-like biomolecular condensates in diverse cellular processes, many biomolecular condensates exist in a solid-like state, and their function and regulation are less understood. We show that the tumor suppressor Merlin, an upstream regulator of the Hippo pathway, localizes to both cell junctions and medial apical cortex in
Drosophila
epithelia, with the latter forming solid-like condensates that activate Hippo signaling. Merlin condensation required phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P)–mediated plasma membrane targeting and was antagonistically controlled by Pez and cytoskeletal tension through plasma membrane PI4P regulation. The solid-like material properties of Merlin condensates are essential for physiological function and protect the condensates against external perturbations. Collectively, these findings uncover an essential role for solid-like condensates in normal physiology and reveal regulatory mechanisms for their formation and disassembly.
Toward liquid cell quantum sensing: Ytterbium complexes with ultranarrow absorption
Authors: Shin Ashley J. , Zhao Changling , Shen Yi , Dickerson Claire E. , Li Barry , Roshandel Hootan , Bím Daniel , Atallah Timothy L. , Oyala Paul H. , He Yongjia , Alson Lianne K. , Kerr Tyler A. , Alexandrova Anastassia N. , Diaconescu Paula L. , Campbell Wesley C. , Caram Justin R.
Published: August 2024

The energetic disorder induced by fluctuating liquid environments acts in opposition to the precise control required for coherence-based sensing. Overcoming fluctuations requires a protected quantum subspace that only weakly interacts with the local environment. We report a ytterbium complex that exhibited an ultranarrow absorption linewidth in solution at room temperature with a full width at half maximum of 0.625 milli–electron volts. Using spectral hole burning, we measured an even narrower linewidth of 410 pico–electron volts at 77 kelvin. Narrow linewidths allowed low-field magnetic circular dichroism at room temperature, used to sense Earth-scale magnetic fields. These results demonstrated that ligand protection in lanthanide complexes could substantially diminish electronic state fluctuations. We have termed this system an “atomlike molecular sensor” (ALMS) and proposed approaches to improve its performance.
Fetal exposure to the Ukraine famine of 1932–1933 and adult type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lumey L. H. , Li Chihua , Khalangot Mykola , Levchuk Nataliia , Wolowyna Oleh
Published: August 2024

The short-term impact of famines on death and disease is well documented, but estimating their potential long-term impact is difficult. We used the setting of the man-made Ukrainian Holodomor famine of 1932–1933 to examine the relation between prenatal famine and adult type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This ecological study included 128,225 T2DM cases diagnosed from 2000 to 2008 among 10,186,016 male and female Ukrainians born from 1930 to 1938. Individuals who were born in the first half-year of 1934, and hence exposed in early gestation to the mid-1933 peak famine period, had a greater than twofold likelihood of T2DM compared with that of unexposed controls. There was a dose-response relationship between severity of famine exposure and increase in adult T2DM risk.
Regulation of the hematopoietic stem cell pool by C-Kit–associated trogocytosis
Authors: Gao Xin , Carpenter Randall S. , Boulais Philip E. , Zhang Dachuan , Marlein Christopher R. , Li Huihui , Smith Matthew , Chung David J. , Maryanovich Maria , Will Britta , Steidl Ulrich , Frenette Paul S.
Published: August 2024

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are routinely mobilized from the bone marrow (BM) to the blood circulation for clinical transplantation. However, the precise mechanisms by which individual stem cells exit the marrow are not understood. This study identified cell-extrinsic and molecular determinants of a mobilizable pool of blood-forming stem cells. We found that a subset of HSCs displays macrophage-associated markers on their cell surface. Although fully functional, these HSCs are selectively niche-retained as opposed to stem cells lacking macrophage markers, which exit the BM upon forced mobilization. Macrophage markers on HSCs could be acquired through direct transfer by trogocytosis, regulated by receptor tyrosine-protein kinase C-Kit (CD117), from BM-resident macrophages in mouse and human settings. Our study provides proof of concept that adult stem cells utilize trogocytosis to rapidly establish and activate function-modulating molecular mechanisms.