bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cape Town Document on Modern Heritage (2022)
Authors:   MoHoA Participants
Published: February 2024

One of MoHoA's main aims has been to advocate for positive and meaningful change in the reconceptualization of what might constitute modern heritage through policy and practice. Central to this endeavor is The Cape Town Document on Modern Heritage. Conceived in the spirit of the Nara Document on Authenticity (1994), which successfully achieved a similar paradigmatic shift in the global conceptualization and assessment of authenticity, The Cape Town Document seeks to achieve a similar global consensus on the reconceptualization of modern heritage. Relieved of its Eurocentric, homogenous, universalizing, developmental, and colonial associations and references that framed its definition in the 20th century, MoHoA supports its recasting as a plural and planetary phenomenon that heralded the Anthropocene. The purpose was to encourage a fuller and more complete account of global encounters with modernity through the recognition and ascription of value to cultural experiences and expressions of the modern that have until now been overlooked, marginalized, or excluded from the existing canon of modern heritage. A draft of The Cape Town Document was produced after the first MoHoA conference in 2021 and published in the MoHoA special edition of Curator: The Museum Journal in August 2022. The following draft was developed following the second MoHoA conference in October 2022 and presented to UNESCO and its advisory bodies in 2023.
The Bobath Clinical Reasoning Framework: Open to debate
Authors: Mayston Margaret , Saloojee Gillian , Foley Sarah
Published: February 2024

This letter to the editor is a response to the letters to the editor by Blomme, Damiano et al., and Coughlan et al. on pages 667, 668, and 669–670 respectively.
Mapping hippocampal and thalamic atrophy in epilepsy: A 7‐T magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Lucas Alfredo , Mouchtaris Sofia , Tranquille Ashley , Sinha Nishant , Gallagher Ryan , Mojena Marissa , Stein Joel M. , Das Sandhitsu , Davis Kathryn A.
Published: February 2024

Objective

Epilepsy patients are often grouped together by clinical variables. Quantitative neuroimaging metrics can provide a data‐driven alternative for grouping of patients. In this work, we leverage ultra‐high‐field 7‐T structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to characterize volumetric atrophy patterns across hippocampal subfields and thalamic nuclei in drug‐resistant focal epilepsy.

Methods

Forty‐two drug‐resistant epilepsy patients and 13 controls with 7‐T structural neuroimaging were included in this study. We measured hippocampal subfield and thalamic nuclei volumetry, and applied an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), to estimate atrophy patterns across the hippocampal subfields and thalamic nuclei of patients. We studied the association between predefined clinical groups and the estimated atrophy patterns. Additionally, we used hierarchical clustering on the LDA factors to group patients in a data‐driven approach.

Results

In patients with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), we found a significant decrease in volume across all ipsilateral hippocampal subfields (false discovery rate‐corrected p [pFDR] < .01) as well as in some ipsilateral (pFDR < .05) and contralateral (pFDR < .01) thalamic nuclei. In left temporal lobe epilepsy (L‐TLE) we saw ipsilateral hippocampal and some bilateral thalamic atrophy (pFDR < .05), whereas in right temporal lobe epilepsy (R‐TLE) extensive bilateral hippocampal and thalamic atrophy was observed (pFDR < .05). Atrophy factors demonstrated that our MTS cohort had two atrophy phenotypes: one that affected the ipsilateral hippocampus and one that affected the ipsilateral hippocampus and bilateral anterior thalamus. Atrophy factors demonstrated posterior thalamic atrophy in R‐TLE, whereas an anterior thalamic atrophy pattern was more common in L‐TLE. Finally, hierarchical clustering of atrophy patterns recapitulated clusters with homogeneous clinical properties.

Significance

Leveraging 7‐T MRI, we demonstrate widespread hippocampal and thalamic atrophy in epilepsy. Through unsupervised machine learning, we demonstrate patterns of volumetric atrophy that vary depending on disease subtype. Incorporating these atrophy patterns into clinical practice could help better stratify patients to surgical treatments and specific device implantation strategies.
More than a mouth to clean: Case studies of oral health care in an Australian hospital
Authors: Murray Joanne , Paunovic Jasmine , Hunter Sarah C.
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study aimed to explore older patients' oral health status, their opinions about oral health care and their experiences with oral health care while in hospital.

Background

Improving older adults' oral health is considered an urgent priority at both the national and international levels, especially for hospitalised older patients who have been found to have poor oral health. However, a one‐size‐fits‐all standardised approach to oral care delivery may not be the answer.

Materials and Methods

This study was an embedded, multiple‐case study, integrating qualitative and quantitative data. Seven patients were recruited from a geriatric ward of an acute hospital in Australia and participated in semi‐structured interviews and oral health assessments using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) in June–July 2022. Data were analysed descriptively and presented in case summaries.

Results

OHAT assessments identified oral health problems in all patients, but not all patients self‐reported problems with their mouths. Each patient valued oral health care, but the reasons given varied. Patients had established, individualised oral health care routines, which they brought to hospital.

Conclusion

Clinical observations of patient's oral health status might not match the patient's own judgement of their oral health and, if not explicitly addressed, may mask the need for oral health and hygiene intervention. Assessment and care planning needs to incorporate patients' own perceptions of their oral health and existing oral health care routines. Oral health histories may provide a means of facilitating this person‐centred oral health care for older patients in hospital.
Forging urban diversity regimes: A combined approach to immigrant policymaking and governance in Mannheim
Authors: Schiller Maria
Published: February 2024

As migration continues to shape urban societies, how cities deal with migration‐based heterogeneity has become a salient issue. Much literature addressing immigrant policymaking has focused on current policy ideas and the different actors they involve; literature on urban governance has highlighted the role of collaboration between state and civil society actors. To date, however, limited research has taken a combined approach to see how municipalities forge collaboration with civil society in pursuit of (novel) policy ideas. The article draws on and combines immigrant policymaking, urban governance and urban regime literatures. It presents Mannheim as a heuristic case which shows how the city's immigrant policymaking reflects a combination of a shift towards 'diversity' as policy idea and discourse and long‐term collaboration in policymaking. Positing the emergence of an “urban diversity regime” in Mannheim, the article reflects on the opportunities this heuristic notion presents for existing literature and for future research.
Unearthing the genotype‐inhibitor phenotype association in severe haemophilia A: A north Indian cohort study
Authors: Ray Debadrita , Sharma Ritika , Kumar Narender , Hans Chander , Senee Harikishan , Jamwal Manu , Ahluwalia Jasmina , Das Reena , Bansal Deepak , Jain Arihant
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Various risk factors for inhibitor development in haemophilia A (HA) have been described but Indian data remains scanty.

Aim

We aimed to evaluate the genetic changes in Indian HA‐patients that are associated with the development of inhibitors.

Methods

All HA‐patients with inhibitors who availed coagulation‐laboratory services from January‐2015 till December‐2021 and had their samples preserved for DNA extraction were included in this study. An equal number of severity‐matched HA patients without inhibitors were also included as controls. Intron 22 and intron 1 inversions in Factor VIII gene were identified using inverse‐shifting‐PCR. Inversion‐negative patients were further assessed by targeted NGS, MLPA.

Results

Thirty HA‐patients with inhibitors were identified. All had severe‐HA. Thirty severe‐HA‐patients without inhibitors were also included as controls. Intron 22 inversion (63.3%) and large deletions (15%) were the commonest variants identified. There was no difference in genetic variants in patients with low and high titre inhibitors. A3, A2 and C2 were the most common domains involved in inversion‐negative patients with inhibitors. However, there was no significant difference in domain involvement among inversion‐negative patients with and without inhibitors. Seven novel‐variants were identified, including three large deletions, one large duplication and two nonsense variants in inhibitor‐positive patients, and one frameshift variant in inhibitor‐negative patient. After adjusting for clinical risk‐factors, large deletions were independently associated with the presence of inhibitors [aOR:6.1 (1.41‐56.3)].

Conclusion

Intron 22 inversions are the commonest variant in Indian patients with severe‐HA. Large deletions predispose to inhibitor development independent of clinical risk factors.
Bone mineral density in haemophilia patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Meiling , Song Ke , Wu Weifei
Published: February 2024

Introduction

With the increase in life expectancy of haemophilia patients (PWH), the risk of osteoporosis increases, but there is little research on whether haemophilia is the cause of osteoporosis.

Aim

To conduct systematically review whether bone mineral density (BMD) in PWH decreased and the factors affecting BMD.

Methods

Two authors independently searched databases and reviewed citations from relevant articles, selecting studies published in any language and performed in humans before March 2023. Eligibility criteria were observational studies in PWH, with BMD as at least one outcome other than osteoporosis or bone loss, and analyses in a group of PWH and healthy controls.

Results

Twelve studies were ultimately identified, consisting of 1210 individuals (534 PWH and 676 healthy controls), compared with the control group, BMD in PWH decreased by 0.13 g/cm2 [95% confidence interval (CI) ‐0.18 to ‐0.08, I2 = 89%]. No evidence of publication bias was detected. There was no evidence that age, BMI, level of physical activity, the types of haemophilia, haemophilia severity, a blood‐borne virus (HCV) and treatment modality predicted the BMD in PWH.

Conclusion

The results indicate that BMD in PWH is lower than in healthy controls. Therefore, we strongly recommend PWH early measurement of BMD to prevent osteoporosis.
Targeting a higher plasma VWF level at time of delivery in pregnant individuals with von Willebrand disease: Outcomes at a single‐institution cohort study
Authors: Lim Ming Y. , Rodgers George M. , Branch D. Ware , Simonsen Sara E.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Guidelines on the management of pregnant individuals with von Willebrand disease (VWD) at the time of delivery recommend that von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII:C (FVIII:C) levels be ≥50% to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Yet, high PPH rates persist despite these levels or with prophylactic factor replacement therapy to achieve these levels.

Aims

The current practice at our centre has been to target peak plasma VWF and FVIII:C levels of ≥100 IU/dL at time of delivery. The objective of this study was to describe obstetric outcomes in pregnant individuals with VWD who were managed at our centre.

Methods

Demographics and outcomes on pregnant individuals with VWD who delivered between January 2015 and April 2023 were collected.

Results

Forty‐seven singleton deliveries (among 41 individuals) resulting in 46 live births and one foetal death were included. Twenty‐one individuals had at least one prior birth by the start date of this study, of which 11 (52.4%) self‐reported a history of PPH. Early PPH occurred in 12.8% (6/47) of deliveries. Two individuals required blood transfusion, of which one also had an unplanned hysterectomy and transfer to ICU. There were no thrombotic events reported.

Conclusion

The strategy of targeting higher peak plasma VWF and FVIII:C levels (≥100 IU/dL) at the time of delivery may be effective in reducing the risk of delivery‐associated bleeding complications in VWD patients. Yet, the rate of early PPH remains unsatisfactory compared to the non‐VWD population.
Measurement of recombinant porcine factor VIII in patients with congenital haemophilia A and inhibitors in the presence of emicizumab
Authors: Pfrepper Christian , Klamroth Robert , Ettingshausen Carmen Escuriola , Petros Sirak , Siegemund Annelie , Siegemund Thomas
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Recombinant porcine factor VIII (rpFVIII) is a treatment option for break‐through bleeds in patients with congenital haemophilia A with inhibitors (CHAwI) on emicizumab. However, there are limited data about the measurement of rpFVIII in the presence of emicizumab.

Aim

To analyse whether rpFVIII can be measured with a chromogenic assay with bovine component (bCSA) in plasma from CHAwI on emicizumab treatment.

Methods

In the first part of the study, FVIII deficient plasma was spiked with rpFVIII, in the second part, commercial plasma from CHAwI was spiked with emicizumab and rpFVIII, and in the third part, plasma from CHAwI on emicizumab treatment was spiked with rpFVIII. FVIII was then measured with bCSA and a chromogenic assay with human component (hCSA). Thrombin generation (TG) and clot‐waveform analysis (CWA) were also carried out.

Results

The recovery of rpFVIII measured with bCSA is approximately 80% and is further influenced by the presence of an anti‐porcine inhibitor. rpFVIII assessed with hCSA was influenced by emicizumab. CWA and TG showed a weak correlation with baseline emicizumab concentration, but peak thrombin and CWA correlated well with increasing emicizumab concentrations and rpFVIII activities.

Conclusion

This study indicates that rpFVIII can be measured in the presence of emicizumab with a bCSA. A calibration curve for the measurement of rpFVIII with bCSA should be established.
A qualitative evaluation of a co‐design process involving young people at risk of suicide
Authors: Kehoe Michelle , Whitehead Rick , de Boer Kathleen , Meyer Denny , Hopkins Liza , Nedeljkovic Maja
Published: February 2024

Background

Co‐design is becoming common practice in the development of mental health services, however, little is known about the experience of such practices, particularly when young people are involved.

Objective

The aim of this study was to conduct a process evaluation of the co‐design which was undertaken for the development of an intervention for youth and adolescents at risk of suicide. This paper briefly outlines the co‐design process undertaken during a COVID‐19 lockdown and then focuses on a qualitative evaluation of the experience of taking part in a co‐design process.

Setting and Participants

The evaluation involved young consumers of a public youth mental health service, their carers/parents and service delivery staff who had taken part in the co‐design process.

Method

This study used follow‐up semistructured interviews with the co‐design participants to explore their experience of the co‐design process. Inductive thematic analysis was used to draw out common themes from the qualitative data.

Results

It was found that despite the practical efforts of the project team to minimise known issues in co‐design, challenges centred around perceptions regarding power imbalance, the need for extensive consultation and time constraints still arose.

Discussion

Despite these challenges, the study found that the co‐design provided a human‐centred, accessible and rewarding process for young people, parents and staff members, leaving them with the feeling that they had made a worthwhile contribution to the design of the new service, as well as contributing to changing practice in service design.

Conclusion

With sensitivity and adaptation to usual practice, it is possible to include young people with suicidal ideation, their parents/carers and professional staff in a safe and effective co‐design process.

Patient and Public Contribution

The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the young people with a lived experience and their carers who participated in the co‐design process and research evaluation component of this study. We also wish to thank the clinical staff, peer workers and family peer workers who participated in this research.
Mobile applications (apps) as service provider actors
Authors: Orsingher Chiara , McColl‐Kennedy Janet R. , Zaki Mohamed , Green Teegan , Varnfield Marlien , Li Jane , Butten Kaley , Titman Jason , Hansen David
Published: February 2024

Contextualized in health care service, the authors contribute to service experience theory and practice in three important ways. First, by means of qualitative interviews with patients and health care providers (clinicians and professionals), the authors empirically show that digital technology (mobile application—“app” with its companion portal) can perform the roles of a service provider in health care experiences, identifying six key roles. Second, the authors illustrate how apps, as service providers, can potentially transform the health care experience, influencing the roles and forms of interactions with other actors in the service ecosystem. Third, a typology of roles and key functions highlighting interactions and impact of the app and portal on the health care experience is developed. Drawing on institutional logics and role theory, this article aims to provide new insights into service provider roles that are not confined solely to humans. Our goal is to show that apps can undertake a range of roles to enrich interactions and potentially enhance the health care experience. First, the authors provide evidence that an app can perform the roles of connector, coordinator, counselor, enabler, instructor, and watchperson, impacting on the roles of others in the service ecosystem and the health care experience. Then, guidelines to assist organizations in designing a service using an app as a service provider are offered, together with an agenda to guide future research.
Role of research Laboratories in pandemic and epidemic response in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Experiences from COVID‐19, avian influenza, and MERS‐CoV
Authors: Mahmoud Mona , Badra Rebecca , Kandeil Ahmed , El‐Shesheny Rabeh , Abdallah Jad , Ali Mohamed A. , Kayali Ghazi
Published: February 2024

We share the experience of research laboratories in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) that contributed to preparedness and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Middle‐East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV), and coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Research groups in the region were pivotal in identifying, characterizing the pathogens and describing their evolution, distribution, transmission routes, and the immunological profile of exposed populations. They demonstrated the capacity to develop and test antivirals and potential vaccines. The EMR experience is a model of how national systems can work with researchers to improve regional preparedness and response to future epidemics and pandemics.
Competing platform owners’ entry and an OEM's cooperation response
Authors: Wu Xiangxiang , Zha Yong , Liang Liang
Published: February 2024

This paper develops a game‐theoretic model that examines the entry decisions of two competing platform owners with differentiated research and development (R&D) efficiency and the response strategy of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in selecting which platform to cooperate with. The OEM and platform owners compete on quality and price in the face of consumers with heterogeneous preferences across the dimensions of the device and platform. We analyze the interaction between the entry decisions of platform owners and the OEM's response strategy within two cooperation models. In the charging model, we find that in the absence of entry, the OEM prefers the high‐efficiency platform. When only one platform owner enters, the OEM prefers the low‐efficiency platform. If the differentiated R&D efficiency and the device differentiation cost are large, both platform owners will choose to enter and the OEM will cooperate with the low‐efficiency platform. In the bundling model, when only one platform owner enters, only at a large cost of device differentiation will the OEM cooperate with the platform that enters the market to weaken market competition. In particular, when only the high‐efficiency platform enters, it is interesting that there exists a large cost of device differentiation that makes the high‐efficiency platform more favorable in the case when the OEM cooperates with the low‐efficiency platform. Our study provides practical insights into platform entry and OEM response.
Clinical attachment loss is cross‐sectionally associated with elevated glucose among adults without diabetes
Authors: Adam Hamdi S. , Molinsky Rebecca , Bohn Bruno , Roy Sumith , Rosenbaum Michael , Paster Bruce , Yuzefpolskaya Melana , Colombo Paolo C. , Papapanou Panos N. , Desvarieux Moïse , Jacobs David R. , Demmer Ryan T.
Published: February 2024

Aim

We investigated whether periodontal measures are cross‐sectionally associated with prediabetes and cardiometabolic biomarkers among non‐diabetic younger adults.

Materials and Methods

One thousand seventy‐one participants (mean age = 32.2 years [SE = 0.3]; 73% female) from the Oral Infections, Glucose Intolerance and Insulin Resistance Study were enrolled. Full‐mouth clinical attachment loss (fm‐CAL), probing depth (fm‐PD) and bleeding on probing were ascertained. Interproximal CAL (i‐CAL) and probing depths (i‐PD) served as our primary exposures. Glucose, HbA1c, insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) outcomes were assessed from fasting blood. Prediabetes was defined per American Diabetes Association guidelines. Prediabetes prevalence ratios (PR [95% CI]) and mean [SE] cardiometabolic biomarkers were regressed on periodontal variables via multivariable robust variance Poisson regression or multivariable linear regression.

Results

Prevalence of prediabetes was 12.5%. Fully adjusted prediabetes PR in Tertiles 3 versus 1 of mean i‐CAL was 2.42 (1.77, 3.08). Fully adjusted fasting glucose estimates across i‐CAL tertiles were 83.29 [0.43], 84.31 [0.37], 86.48 [0.46]; p for trend <.01. Greater percent of sites with i‐PD ≥3 mm showed elevated natural‐log‐HOMA‐IR after adjustment (0%–12% of sites = 0.33 [0.03], 13%–26% of sites = 0.39 [0.03], ≥27% of sites = 0.42 [0.03]; p for trend = .04).

Conclusions

i‐CAL (vs. fm‐CAL) was associated with elevated fasting glucose and prediabetes, whereas i‐PD (vs. fm‐PD) was associated with insulin resistance. Future studies are needed to examine periodontal disease and incident prediabetes.
A new species and a new combination in Protoperidinium sect. Oceanica (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae) from Vietnamese waters
Authors: Phan Luom Tan , Krakhmalnyi Maxim , Le Ha Thi Thuy , Tran Van Thi Le , Tran Hue Thi Minh , Ngoc Huynh Duyen Thi , Zarei Darki Behrouz , Krakhmalnyi Aleksandr
Published: February 2024

A new heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Protoperidinium vietnamicum sp. nov. is described from the coastal waters of Vietnam. It is characterized by an elongated, pentagonal to pyriform body in ventral and dorsal view, with moderate dorsoventral compression. Epitheca is tapering into a robust apical horn, which is shorter than the antapical horns. Cingulum is equatorial, descending by about 0.50–0.75 of its width. Sulcus is wide, shallow, and slightly oblique. Plate 1′ is ortho‐type, and intercalary 2a and 3a plates are pentagonal. Plate 1a is quadrangular, having approximately one third the area of plate 3a. Additionally, the new combination Protoperidinium curvicorne (Böhm) comb. nov. is proposed. It is a large cell‐sized species with a round, broad body, and strong dorsoventral compression. Its epitheca narrows abruptly into a slender apical horn strongly tilted towards the ventral side. The cingulum is narrow, shallow, descending by about 1.5–2.0 cingular widths, and strongly inclined relative to the equatorial plane of the cell. The plate 1′ is ortho‐type, and 2a and 3a are pentagonal. Specimens from the type locality of the taxon were examined. Both species are provided with detailed descriptions and are illustrated with line drawings, as well as with light microscopy images and SEM micrographs. An in‐depth discussion and comparison with similar species are presented.
Understanding the gastrointestinal tract in obesity: From gut motility patterns to enzyme secretion
Authors: Steenackers Nele , Eksteen Gabriel , Wauters Lucas , Augustijns Patrick , Van der Schueren Bart , Vanuytsel Tim , Matthys Christophe
Published: February 2024

Background and Purpose

The pathophysiology of obesity has been the product of extensive research, revealing multiple interconnected mechanisms contributing to body weight regulation. The regulation of energy balance involves an intricate network, including the gut–neuroendocrine interplay. As a consequence, research on the gut–brain–microbiota axis in obesity has grown extensively. The physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, far from being underexplored, has significant implications for the development of specific complications in people living with obesity across the fields of gastroenterology, nutrition, and pharmacology. Clinical research indicates higher fasting bile acids serum levels, and blunted postprandial increases in bilious secretions in people living with obesity. Findings are less straightforward for the impact of obesity on gastric emptying with various studies reporting accelerated, normal, or delayed gastric emptying rates. Conversely, the effect of obesity on gastrointestinal pH, gastrointestinal transit, and gastric and pancreatic enzyme secretion is largely unknown. In this review, we explore the current evidence on the gastrointestinal physiology of obesity.
Responses of continuous cadmium exposure on some biological and physiological performance of cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Azizi Roya , Jalali Sendi Jalal
Published: February 2024

A detailed effect of continuous exposure of Cd on an important pest of crops like Helicoverpa armigera is lacking in the current literature. The cadmium was provisioned at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg in the artificial diet and fed to newly hatched larvae for at least three subsequent generations. The total developmental period and fecundity were severely affected with no larval hatching in treated insects. Total haemocyte count and differential haemocyte count (i.e., granulocytes and plasmatocytes) were decreased significantly compared to controls in treated insects. The antioxidant system (i.e., catalase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), and the two detoxifying agents glutathione‐s‐transferase showed increased activity compared to controls. The results of the acetylcholinesterase assay showed a decrease in activity. Increased rate of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid and decreased rate of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in the first generation but showing an increasing trend in next two generations. The acid phosphatase activity was increased in the first two generations but significantly reduced in the third generation. The discrepancy in all physiological activities corresponded with the histological study of midgut infrastructure. It is inferred from the obtained results that cadmium continuous exposure affects every system of any organism that may perform irreparable damages.
Genetic Signature Controlling Root System Architecture in Diverse Spring Wheat Germplasm
Authors: Zaman Zahra , Iqbal Rubab , Jabbar Abdul , Zahra Nageen , Saleem Bilal , Kiran Aysha , Maqbool Saman , Rasheed Awais , Naeem Muhammad Kashif , Khan Muhammad Ramzan
Published: February 2024

Roots are the main sensing organ, initiating multiple signaling pathways in response to abiotic factors, including nutrients, drought, and salt stress. A focus on improving the root system architecture is a key strategy to mitigate these stresses in wheat crop. In the present study, a diversity panel comprising indigenous landraces and historical cultivars from Pakistan was characterized for the root system architecture (RSA) and important loci were identified using a genome‐wide association study (GWAS). RSA of the diversity panel was characterized 30 days after sowing in brunch tubes, and root images were taken. A high‐throughput root imaging analysis using Rhizovision software was performed by setting the scale to extract the eight RSA traits and four plant biomass‐related traits. GWAS identified 323 association signals for 12 root and biomass traits present on all wheat chromosomes, while the most important and reliable genetic loci (based on pleotropic loci and candidate genes) were identified on chromosomes 2A, 2B, 5A, 5D, 6A, 7B, and 7D for RSA. SNP annotation and transcriptome profiling identified nine candidate genes regulating the RSA and plant biomass traits, including ROOTLESS WITH UNDETECTABLE MERISTEM1, MYB TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR4, BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1, SLENDER RICE1, AUXIN‐RESPONSIVE FACTOR25, SCARECROW, NARROW LEAF2, PIN‐FORMED1 AND PHOSPHATE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1. This study provided pre‐breeding information for deep‐rooting genotypes and associated markers that will accelerate the incorporation of such traits in breeding.
Policy convergence in authoritarian regimes: A comparative analysis of welfare state trajectories in post‐Soviet countries
Authors: Panaro Angelo Vito
Published: February 2024

Do authoritarian regimes adopt similar or equal policies? Despite the large literature on policy convergence in democracies, we know little about whether and to what extent authoritarian regimes follow analogous paths. This article argues that similar policy legacy, political and institutional context, and international influences lead to policy convergence among nondemocratic regimes. Analyzing welfare state trajectories in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan, the empirical analysis finds that the welfare state in the three post‐Soviet countries has converged at the level of social spending and the source of welfare financing, while divergence persists in disaggregated levels of social spending; configuration of key welfare programs, particularly in old‐age pensions and unemployment; and the extent of welfare state reforms. Overall, the findings provide important insights into the determinants of policy convergence in nondemocratic regimes and yield critical implications for future research on the welfare state's trajectory in former Soviet countries.
Next‐generation sequencing identifies two novel HLA‐DPB1 alleles: HLA‐DPB1*1069:01 and DPB1*1072:01
Authors: Misra Maneesh K. , Brown Nicholas K. , Marino Susana G.
Published: February 2024

Characterization of two novel HLA‐DPB1 alleles: HLA‐DPB1*1069:01, and DPB1*1072:01 containing non‐synonymous nucleotide substitutions.
Everyday digital dis/connection: Locating slow violence in (non)encounters with the UK asylum state
Authors: Morgan Hannah
Published: February 2024

Encounters with, within and between digital technologies have become characteristic of life in the contemporary moment. This is, often, no different for displaced individuals seeking asylum across European states. Smartphones have become part of the everyday ‘doing’ of life for individuals governed through asylum systems which now includes routinely encountering the state. Whilst smartphones are commonly said to offer the promised affordances of increased connection or communication, this paper aims to explore how everyday encounters with the UK asylum state fall short of these imagined expectations. In its place, the paper identifies how a series of ongoing (non)encounters—encounters that fail to manifest in expected ways; characterised by pauses, delays or voids—become characteristic of the everyday experience of being a digitally connected asylum seeker in the UK. Drawing upon a year‐long ethnographic research project with people actively seeking asylum in the UK between 2022 and 2023, this paper thus explores how the increased uptake of smartphone affordances within the UK asylum system contributes to the ongoing administration of state slow violence: experienced as exhaustion through everyday digital (non)encounters. Developing the concept of the (non)encounter for geographic research, this paper outlines how forms of dis/connection become characteristic of the state encounter for asylum‐seeking individuals. These modes of dis/connection are traced as slow violence along the contours of neoliberalisation and hostile assemblages of asylum governance within the UK context.
Financial distance and FDI flows: Evidence from OECD economies
Authors: Dellis Konstantinos
Published: February 2024

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has grown dramatically as a major form of international capital transfer over the past decades. The unprecedented growth of cross‐country FDI flows has been attributed to a rich set of economic, geographical and institutional factors. In this paper, Ι examine the role of financial system heterogeneity as a potential detrimental factor to FDI flows across OECD economies. To do so, Ι use a panel dataset of the most recently updated bilateral FDI data at the country level according to OECD BMD4 definition and construct measures of financial distance using a broad set of financial indicators. The econometric approach consists of a gravity‐style model, estimated according to the latest advancements in econometric techniques in order to avoid omitted variable bias. The results indicate that financial system similarity is associated with increased bilateral FDI flows, a conclusion that is robust across different estimation strategies and financial distance measures. This insightful policy implication for advanced economies is that the restructuring of the financial system and harmonisation to best practices can contribute to economic recovery through the FDI channel as well. Finally, the results highlight the importance for the full implementation of the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union in the EU.
Validated geographic search filters for bibliographic databases: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Muente Catharina , Pachanov Alexander , Hirt Julian , Ayiku Lynda , Pieper Dawid
Published: February 2024

Objective:

The purpose of this scoping review is to identify validated geographic search filters and report their methodology and performance measures.

Introduction:

Data on specific geographic areas can be required for evidence syntheses topics, such as the investigation of regional inequalities in health care or to answer context-specific epidemiological questions. Search filters are useful tools for reviewers aiming to identify publications with common characteristics in bibliographic databases. Geographic search filters limit the literature search results to a specific geographic feature (eg, a country or region).

Inclusion criteria:

We will include reports on validated geographic search filters that aim to identify research evidence about a defined geographic area (eg, a country/region or a group of countries/regions).

Methods:

This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The literature search will be conducted in PubMed and Embase. The InterTASC Information Specialists’ Sub-Group Search Filter resource and Google Scholar will also be searched. Reports published in any language, from database inception to the present, will be considered for inclusion. Two researchers will independently screen the title, abstract, and full text of the search results. A third reviewer will be consulted in the event of any disagreements. The data extraction will include study characteristics, basic characteristics of the geographical search filter (eg, country/region), and the methods used to develop and validate the search filter. The extracted data will be summarized narratively and presented in a table.

Review registration:

Open Science Framework https://osf.io/5czhs
Excitatory action of low frequency depolarizing GABA/glycine synaptic inputs is prevalent in prenatal spinal SOD1G93A motoneurons
Authors: Zhu Hongmei , Dalvi Urvashi , Cazenave William , Cattaert Daniel , Branchereau Pascal
Published: February 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult‐onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration and muscle paralysis. Recent evidence suggests the dysfunction of inhibitory signalling in ALS motor neurons. We have shown that embryonic day (E)17.5 spinal motoneurons (MNs) of the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS exhibit an altered chloride homeostasis. At this prenatal stage, inhibition of spinal motoneurons (MNs) is mediated by depolarizing GABAergic/glycinergic postsynaptic potentials (dGPSPs). Here, using an ex vivo preparation and patch clamp recording from MNs with a chloride equilibrium set below spike threshold, we report that low input resistance (Rin) E17.5 MNs from the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model do not correctly integrate dGPSPs evoked by electrical stimulations of GABA/glycine inputs at different frequencies. Indeed, firing activity of most wild‐type (WT) MNs with low Rin was inhibited by incoming dGPSPs, whereas low Rin SOD1G93A MNs were excited or exhibited a dual response (excited by low frequency dGPSPs and inhibited by high frequency dGPSPs). Simulation highlighted the importance of the GABA/glycine input density and showed that pure excitation could be obtained in SOD‐like MNs by moving GABA/glycine input away from the cell body to dendrites. This was in agreement with confocal imaging showing a lack of peri‐somatic inhibitory terminals in SOD1G93A MNs compared to WT littermates. Putative fast ALS‐vulnerable MNs with low Rin are therefore lacking functional inhibition at the near‐term prenatal stage.

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Key points

We analysed the integration of GABAergic/glycinergic synaptic events by embryonic spinal motoneurons (MNs) in a mouse model of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) neurodegenerative disease.

We found that GABAergic/glycinergic synaptic events do not properly inhibit ALS MNs with low input resistance, most probably corresponding to future vulnerable MNs.

We used a neuron model to highlight the importance of the GABA/glycine terminal location and density in the integration of the GABAergic/glycinergic synaptic events.

Confocal imaging showed a lack of GABA/glycine terminals on the cell body of ALS MNs.

The present study suggests that putative ALS vulnerable MNs with low Rin lack functional inhibition at the near‐term stage.
Constant Strain-Rate Garofalo Creep Behavior of Intermediate 83Pb/10Sb/5Sn/2Ag and 91.5Sn/8.5Sb Solder Materials
Authors: Stang E. , Lesko C. , Young D.
Published: February 2024

Modern electronics reliability prediction models require materials-specific failure data across a range of conditions. Garofalo models are preferred due to their ability to accurately predict performance over a wide temperature range. However, data on intermediate solders are sparse, especially regarding performance at cold temperatures. We report Garofalo creep data for 83Pb/10Sb/5Sn/2Ag (Indalloy 236) and 91.5Sn/8.5Sb (Indalloy 264). Indalloy 236 exhibits an activation energy of 54.5 kJ/mol, n = 4.5, and α = 0.043 while Indalloy 264 exhibits an activation energy of 70.04 kJ/mol, n = 2.705, and α = 0.099 from −20 °C to 175 °C. We show that modern curve-fitting analysis should be utilized for Garofalo analysis rather than traditional linearization methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the changes in the alloy phases during testing. Microstructural analysis indicates that Indalloy 236 can experience void coalescence at high temperatures while Indalloy 264 precipitates antimony-rich phases on the grain boundaries.
Bio-tribocorrosion resistance of CoB–Co2B and Co2B layers on CoCrMo alloy
Authors: Delgado-Brito A. M. , Mejía-Caballero I. , Contla-Pacheco A. D. , Pérez Pasten-Borja R. , Castrejón-Sánchez V. H. , Hernández-Ramírez E. J. , Campos-Silva I.
Published: February 2024

Cobalt-based alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo), are known for their high mechanical strength and find extensive applications in the biomedical field such as manufacturing of tools, dental components, and orthopedic implants. The longevity of the CoCrMo alloy in service is intricately linked to its resistance to corrosion and wear. Specifically, tribocorrosion can contribute to material loosening; therefore, it is essential to explore surface treatments for cobalt-based alloys as a means to enhance their wear resistance, ensuring the prolonged durability of the material. This study provides novel insights into the bio-tribocorrosion resistance of the borided CoCrMo alloy when immersed in calf serum, emulating the synovial fluid. Two distinct microstructures of boride layers were examined in this research: (1) a CoB–Co2B layer formed through powder-pack boriding and (2) the borided surface underwent diffusion annealing to completely dissolve the CoB, resulting in a monophasic layer (Co2B). Following the ASTM G119-09 procedure, the total material loss (T), encompassing both material loss due to wear (WC) and corrosion (CW), was determined using a linear reciprocating ball-on-flat tribometer equipped with an electrochemical cell. Test results indicated that the presence of CoB–Co2B and Co2B layers on the CoCrMo alloy increased bio-tribocorrosion resistance approximately 2.4 times and 1.3 times, respectively, compared to the non-treated CoCrMo alloy. A dominant wear regime was observed for the borided surface exposed to diffusion annealing and the non-treated CoCrMo alloy, whereas the borided CoCrMo alloy exhibited a corrosion-wear regime. Clearly, these findings highlight the capability of the cobalt boride layer to improve the performance and extend the service life of the CoCrMo alloy in biomedical applications.
High throughput multiplexing reactor design for rapid screening of atomic/molecular layer deposition processes
Authors: Choe Yuri , Reece Duncan , Bergsman David S.
Published: February 2024

An approach is demonstrated for performing multiple, simultaneous depositions in a high-throughput, multiplexing atomic layer deposition/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD)-style reactor. Such a system allows independent processes to run in parallel by connecting more than one reaction chamber to shared resources, such as a pump and reactant manifold. Appropriate control systems for the shared resources maintain independence in deposition parameters and resulting films while allowing for depositions in a vacuum or with a carrier gas. An example system is built and shown to exhibit process uniformity while avoiding cross-contamination, as verified using ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reactor design can screen new ALD/MLD deposition processes more quickly than a typical one-chamber system without the capital cost of an equivalent number of independent systems, accelerating the pace of innovations in nanotechnology.
Incidence of injury and illness at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games held in a closed-loop environment: a prospective cohort study of 7332 athlete days
Authors: Derman Wayne , Runciman Phoebe , Eken Maaike , Boer Pieter-Henk , Blauwet Cheri , Bogdos Emmanouil , Hirschmueller Anja , Jordaan Esme , Kissick James , Lexell Jan , Mohammadi Fariba , Patricio Marcelo , Schwellnus Martin , Webborn Nick , Zhou Jian-Xin
Published: February 2024

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of injuries and illnesses sustained during the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, organised in a closed-loop environment to adhere with COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods

Injuries and illnesses from all teams were recorded on a daily basis by team medical staff on a web-based form and by local organising committee medical (polyclinic) facilities and venue medical support. Duplicates recorded on both systems were removed. Incidence of injuries and illnesses are reported per 1000 athlete days (95% CI).

Results

564 athletes (426 male and 138 female) representing 46 countries were monitored for the 13-day period of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games (7332 athlete days). The overall incidences were 13.0 injuries (10.6–15.8) and 6.1 illnesses (4.5–8.4) per 1000 athlete days. The incidence of injury in alpine skiing (19.9; 15.2–26.1) was significantly higher compared with Nordic skiing, ice hockey and wheelchair curling (p<0.05), while the incidence of respiratory illness was significantly higher in Nordic skiing (1.6; 0.9–2.9) compared with alpine skiing, ice hockey and snowboarding (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The incidence of both injury and illness at the Beijing 2022 Games were the lowest yet reported in the Paralympic Winter Games. The incidence of injury was highest in alpine skiing. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing vigilance and continued injury risk mitigation strategies to safeguard the well-being of athletes in these high-risk competitions. Respiratory illnesses were most commonly reported in Nordic skiing, which included the three cases of COVID-19 recorded at the games.
Building consensus on a set of ENDS-specific pictorial health warnings: a Delphi study among a tobacco control expert panel
Authors: Asfar Taghrid , Schmidt Michael , Oluwole Olusanya Joshua , Casas Alejandra , Friedman Lily , Ferdous Tarana , Noar Seth M , Eissenberg Thomas , Maziak Wasim
Published: February 2024

Background

This study reports on the development of pictorial health warning labels for electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) using the Delphi approach with a panel of tobacco control experts. Twenty-four evidence-based ENDS-specific warnings corresponding to three themes (toxicity, health risks and specific harm) were developed and used in the Delphi study.

Methods

We conducted a three-round online Delphi study among 60 experts (55% female) between June 2022 and April 2023. We balanced the panel in areas of expertise and positions relevant to ENDS (risks, benefits). In round 1, participants rated the warnings on attention, relevance to evidence and perceived effectiveness (harm perception, motivation to quit) and provided suggestions for improvement. In rounds 2 and 3, participants ranked the revised warnings based on importance in each theme. We assessed levels of agreement between participants using interquartile deviations and medians.

Results

Warnings in theme 1, toxicity, received the highest ratings for perceived effectiveness on harm perception and encouraging quitting ENDS (p<0.05). Experts recommended using clear and affirmative text paired with emotion-provoking pictures and avoiding the rare side effects of ENDS. Most of the top-ranked warnings were from theme 3, ENDS-specific harm, pertained to lung damage, dual use of ENDS and cigarettes, nicotine addiction among youth, anti-ENDS industry sentiment and toxicity.

Discussion

This study developed 24 evidence-based ENDS health warning labels using a systematic process that included several rounds of expert panel feedback. These warnings can be used to advance ENDS prevention and tobacco control policies and further target different populations.