bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Out of the blue”: A qualitative study exploring the experiences of women and next of kin receiving unexpected results from BRA‐STRAP research gene panel testing
Authors: Morrow April , Speechly Catherine , Young Alison Luk , Tucker Kathy , Harris Rebecca , Poplawski Nicola , Andrews Lesley , Nguyen Dumont Tu , Kirk Judy , Southey Melissa C. , Willis Amanda
Published: October 2023

In the genomic era, the availability of gene panel and whole genome/exome sequencing is rapidly increasing. Opportunities for providing former patients with new genetic information are also increasing over time and recontacting former patients with new information is likely to become more common. Breast cancer Refined Analysis of Sequence Tests—Risk And Penetrance (BRA‐STRAP) is an Australian study of individuals who had previously undertaken BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing, with no pathogenic variants detected. Using a waiver of consent, stored DNA samples were retested using a breast/ovarian cancer gene panel and clinically significant results returned to the patient (or next of kin, if deceased). This qualitative study aimed to explore patient experiences, opinions, and expectations of recontacting in the Australian hereditary cancer setting. Participants were familial cancer clinic patients (or next of kin) who were notified of a new pathogenic variant identified via BRA‐STRAP. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted approximately 6 weeks post‐result. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Thirty participants (all female; average age = 57; range 36–84) were interviewed. Twenty‐five were probands, and five were next of kin. Most women reported initial shock upon being recontacted with unexpected news, after having obtained a sense of closure related to their initial genetic testing experiences and cancer diagnosis. For most, this initial distress was short‐lived, followed by a process of readjustment, meaning‐making and adaptation that was facilitated by perceived clinical and personal utility of the information. Women were overall satisfied with the waiver of consent approach and recontacting process. Results are in line with previous studies suggesting that patients have positive attitudes about recontacting. Women in this study valued new genetic information gained from retesting and were satisfied with the BRA‐STRAP recontact model. Practice implications to facilitate readjustment and promote psychosocial adaptation were identified.
Characteristics, disposition, and outcomes of children hospitalized for mental health boarding at a children's hospital
Authors: Dalton Evan M. , Krass Polina , Bouchelle Zoe , Fillmore Adam , Katz Tanner , Andrade Gabriela , Camacho Peter , Candon Molly , Kane Emily , Doupnik Stephanie K.
Published: October 2023

Increasingly, youth experiencing mental health crises present to acute care medical hospitals and “board” on medical units due to inpatient psychiatric bed shortages. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children experiencing mental health boarding at a US children's hospital from October 2020 to September 2022. We examined associations between patients' characteristics and their disposition and outcomes. Our cohort included 1891 boarding hospitalizations: 53.9% transferred to an inpatient psychiatric hospital and 46.1% discharged home. Characteristics associated with not being transferred to an inpatient psychiatric hospital included age <13 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4–0.7), disruptive or aggressive behavior (aOR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.8), psychosis (aOR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3–0.8), COVID‐19 infection (aOR 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2–0.6), or a complex chronic medical condition (aOR 0.8; 95% CI: 0.6–1.0). Our findings suggest that certain populations of children experiencing mental health boarding face disparate access to inpatient psychiatric care.
Encapsulation of rutin in protein nanoparticles by pH‐driven method: impact of rutin solubility and mechanisms
Authors: Luo Shunjing , Fu Yuteng , Ye Jiangping , Liu Chengmei
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

The use of rutin in the food industry is limited by its poor solubility. Encapsulation can be used as an effective way to improve polyphenol solubility. Proteins with high safety, biocompatibility and multiple binding sites are known as the most promising encapsulating carriers. Therefore, the improvement of rutin solubility by pH‐driven encapsulation of rutin in soy protein isolate (SPI) nanoparticles, as well as the form of rutin after encapsulation and rutin–protein binding index were investigated.

RESULTS

SPI had a high encapsulation efficiency (87.5%) and loading amount (10.6%) for rutin. When the mass ratio of protein to rutin was 5:1, the highest concentration of rutin in solution was 3.27 g L−1, which was a 51.57‐fold increase compared to the original rutin. At this situation, rutin transformed from crystalline to amorphous form. During the formation of nanoparticles, SPI was in a dynamic change of unfolding and refolding. Rutin deprotonated in alkaline conditions increasing its solubility and bound to protein to form nanoparticles during the process of returning to neutral. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding promoted the formation of the nanoparticles and there were at least 1–2 binding sites between rutin and each SPI molecule.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that encapsulation of rutin in protein nanoparticles can effectively increase the solubility of rutin. This study may provide important information for the effective utilization of polyphenol functional foods. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Larger diatoms are more sensitive to temperature changes and prone to succumb to warming stress
Authors: Fan Jiale , Li Futian , Hu Siyu , Gao Kunshan , Xu Juntian
Published: October 2023

The effects of ocean warming on phytoplankton have been extensively studied, but little has been documented on responses of differently sized diatoms to changes of temperature over wide ranges. We grew three diatom species, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Thalassiosira weissflogii, and Thalassiosira punctigera, with cell volumes of 199, 1805, and 13,599 μm3, respectively, at seven temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C) over 15 generations, and investigated their physiological responses. The optimum growth temperature (Topt), maximum growth rates (μmax), and thermal niche width (w) decreased by 16%, 48%, and 29% per order of magnitude in cell size increment, respectively. The cell volume of each species diminished significantly and linearly with increased temperatures, by 22% in T. punctigera, 17% in T. weissflogii, and 11% in T. pseudonana, respectively. However, the cellular biogenic silica (BSi) contents increased with rising temperature till the optimum growth temperature for growth, with the sensitivity of BSi to temperature changes (Q10BSi) ranging from 1.4 in the largest to 3.4 in the smallest diatom. The largest diatom T. punctigera showed the highest deactivation energy and succumbed to warmer conditions over its Topt, while the smallest was the most tolerant of warming. Although the moderate increase in growth temperature increased the diatoms' BSi levels, warming to temperatures higher than the optimum temperature for growth significantly reduced it. Our results suggest that diatoms acclimated to warmer conditions diminish their cell size but increase their mineralization of silica, which has profound significance in ocean carbon and silica biogeochemical cyclings.
Cord blood DNA methylation of immune and lipid metabolism genes is associated with maternal triglycerides and child adiposity
Authors: Waldrop Stephanie W. , Niemiec Sierra , Wood Cheyret , Gyllenhammer Lauren E. , Jansson Thomas , Friedman Jacob E. , Tryggestad Jeanie B. , Borengasser Sarah J. , Davidson Elizabeth J. , Yang Ivana V. , Kechris Katerina , Dabelea Dana , Boyle Kristen E.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Fetal exposures may impact offspring epigenetic signatures and adiposity. The authors hypothesized that maternal metabolic traits associate with cord blood DNA methylation, which, in turn, associates with child adiposity.

Methods

Fasting serum was obtained in 588 pregnant women (27–34 weeks' gestation), and insulin, glucose, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were measured. Cord blood DNA methylation and child adiposity were measured at birth, 4–6 months, and 4–6 years. The association of maternal metabolic traits with DNA methylation (429,246 CpGs) for differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and regions (DMRs) was tested. The association of the first principal component of each DMR with child adiposity was tested, and mediation analysis was performed.

Results

Maternal triglycerides were associated with the most DMPs and DMRs of all traits tested (261 and 198, respectively, false discovery rate < 0.05). DMRs were near genes involved in immune function and lipid metabolism. Triglyceride‐associated CpGs were associated with child adiposity at 4–6 months (32 CpGs) and 4–6 years (2 CpGs). One, near CD226, was observed at both timepoints, mediating 10% and 22% of the relationship between maternal triglycerides and child adiposity at 4–6 months and 4–6 years, respectively.

Conclusions

DNA methylation may play a role in the association of maternal triglycerides and child adiposity.
Effects of variational formulations on physics‐informed neural network performance in solid mechanics
Authors: Radin Nils , Klinkel Sven , Altay Okyay
Published: October 2023

In recent years, Physics‐Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) have emerged as a promising method for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) in a variety of fields. To this end, an artificial neural network is used to approximate the unknown variables while the differential equation is embedded in the loss function to penalize the network's output. The present contribution focuses on the application of PINNs and its derivatives in the field of solid mechanics. We formulate the PINN framework by incorporating the strong form of the corresponding PDEs alongside initial and boundary conditions into the loss function of the neural network. The loss function poses as a residual, effectively constructing a minimization problem to solve the PDEs. The nature of the residual is further reformulated into the variations (weak) form by applying test functions and integration by parts. This extension leads to Variational Physics‐Informed Neural Networks (VPINNs), which impose a lower stringency on the solution. We demonstrate the performance of PINNs and VPINNs on a numerical solid mechanics problem.
Recent advances in features generation for membrane protein sequences: From multiple sequence alignment to pre‐trained language models
Authors: Ou Yu‐Yen , Ho Quang‐Thai , Chang Heng‐Ta
Published: October 2023

Membrane proteins play a crucial role in various cellular processes and are essential components of cell membranes. Computational methods have emerged as a powerful tool for studying membrane proteins due to their complex structures and properties that make them difficult to analyze experimentally. Traditional features for protein sequence analysis based on amino acid types, composition, and pair composition have limitations in capturing higher‐order sequence patterns. Recently, multiple sequence alignment (MSA) and pre‐trained language models (PLMs) have been used to generate features from protein sequences. However, the significant computational resources required for MSA‐based features generation can be a major bottleneck for many applications. Several methods and tools have been developed to accelerate the generation of MSAs and reduce their computational cost, including heuristics and approximate algorithms. Additionally, the use of PLMs such as BERT has shown great potential in generating informative embeddings for protein sequence analysis. In this review, we provide an overview of traditional and more recent methods for generating features from protein sequences, with a particular focus on MSAs and PLMs. We highlight the advantages and limitations of these approaches and discuss the methods and tools developed to address the computational challenges associated with features generation. Overall, the advancements in computational methods and tools provide a promising avenue for gaining deeper insights into the function and properties of membrane proteins, which can have significant implications in drug discovery and personalized medicine.
Engineering of Layered Nanocarriers of Quercetin for the Treatment of Diabetes Using Box‐Behnken Design
Authors: Shah Priyank , Shende Pravin
Published: October 2023

Layered nanocarriers are polymeric systems integrated with layers of glucose‐responsive polymers and polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether 2000 PEG2000 to enhance the targeting effect and release kinetics. The prime purpose of this research study is to demonstrate a controlled release of Quercetin from formulation of quercetin (Qu)‐based layered nanocarriers (LNCs) with higher stability and anti‐diabetic activity. The QuLNCs are synthesized using the nanoprecipitation method and optimized by Box‐Behnken design of the Design of Experiment (DoE) method. The Quercetin Nanoparticles (QuNPs) are prepared using Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Poly (D,L‐ lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers where the two layers of Phenylboronic acid (PBA) are conjugated using 3‐amino propyl‐triethoxysilane (APTES) as a functionalizing agent followed by PEGylation of the entire system using PEG2000. The optimized QuLNCs are characterized by various parameters like Particle size (PS), Zeta potential (ZP), % Entrapment efficiency (%EE), Attenuated total reflectance‐ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), Differential scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in vitro as well as in vivo studies. The QuLNCs showed a % entrapment efficiency of 82.846 ± 0.957% and release of 85.04 ± 3.21% of Qu for 24 h from the layered nanocarriers. The in vivo studies of QuLNCs exhibited a significant controlled release of quercetin for modulating blood glucose levels. Hence, these results proved QuLNCs system acts as a favorable approach for the treatment of type 1 diabetes to offer a longer duration of action.
Minimization in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Coart Elisabeth , Bamps Perrine , Quinaux Emmanuel , Sturbois Geneviève , Saad Everardo D. , Burzykowski Tomasz , Buyse Marc
Published: October 2023

In randomized trials, comparability of the treatment groups is ensured through allocation of treatments using a mechanism that involves some random element, thus controlling for confounding of the treatment effect. Completely random allocation ensures comparability between the treatment groups for all known and unknown prognostic factors. For a specific trial, however, imbalances in prognostic factors among the treatment groups may occur. Although accidental bias can be avoided in the presence of such imbalances by stratifying the analysis, most trialists, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders prefer a balanced distribution of prognostic factors across the treatment groups. Some procedures attempt to achieve balance in baseline covariates, by stratifying the allocation for these covariates, or by dynamically adapting the allocation using covariate information during the trial (covariate‐adaptive procedures). In this Tutorial, the performance of minimization, a popular covariate‐adaptive procedure, is compared with two other commonly used procedures, completely random allocation and stratified blocked designs. Using individual patient data of 2 clinical trials (in advanced ovarian cancer and age‐related macular degeneration), the procedures are compared in terms of operating characteristics (using asymptotic and randomization tests), predictability of treatment allocation, and achieved balance. Fifty actual trials of various sizes that applied minimization for treatment allocation are used to investigate the achieved balance. Implementation issues of minimization are described. Minimization procedures are useful in all trials but especially when (1) many major prognostic factors are known, (2) many centers of different sizes accrue patients, or (3) the trial sample size is moderate.
Optimal Coatings of Co3O4 Anodes for Acidic Water Electrooxidation
Authors: Ta Xuan Minh Chau , Trần‐Phú Thành , Yuwono Jodie A. , Nguyen Thi Kim Anh , Bui Anh Dinh , Truong Thien N. , Chang Li‐chun , Magnano Elena , Daiyan Rahman , Simonov Alexandr N. , Tricoli Antonio
Published: October 2023

Implementation of proton‐exchange membrane water electrolyzers for large‐scale sustainable hydrogen production requires the replacement of scarce noble‐metal anode electrocatalysts with low‐cost alternatives. However, such earth‐abundant materials often exhibit inadequate stability and/or catalytic activity at low pH, especially at high rates of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, the authors explore the influence of a dielectric nanoscale‐thin oxide layer, namely Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, SnO2, and HfO2, prepared by atomic layer deposition, on the stability and catalytic activity of low‐cost and active but insufficiently stable Co3O4 anodes. It is demonstrated that the ALD layers improve both the stability and activity of Co3O4 following the order of HfO2 > SnO2 > TiO2 > Al2O3, SiO2. An optimal HfO2 layer thickness of 12 nm enhances the Co3O4 anode durability by more than threefold, achieving over 42 h of continuous electrolysis at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 m H2SO4 electrolyte. Density functional theory is used to investigate the superior performance of HfO2, revealing a major role of the HfO2|Co3O4 interlayer forces in the stabilization mechanism. These insights offer a potential strategy to engineer earth‐abundant materials for low‐pH OER catalysts with improved performance from earth‐abundant materials for efficient hydrogen production.
Kinetics of Light‐Responsive CNT / PNIPAM Hydrogel Microactuators
Authors: Gregg Aoife , De Volder Michael , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: October 2023

Light‐responsive microactuators composed of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forests mixed with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel composites are studied. The benefit of this composite is that CNTs act as a black absorber to efficiently capture radiative heating and trigger PNIPAM contraction. In addition, CNT forests can be patterned accurately using lithography to span structures ranging from a few micrometers to several millimeters in size, and these CNT‐PNIPAM composites can achieve response times as fast as 15 ms. The kinetics of these microactuators are investigated through detailed analysis of high‐speed videos. These are compared to a theoretical model for the deswelling dynamics, which combines thermal convection and polymer diffusion, and shows that polymer diffusion is the rate‐limiting factor in this system. Applications of such CNT/hydrogel actuators as microswimmers are discussed, with light‐actuating micro‐jellyfish designs exemplified, and >1500 cycles demonstrated.
Rational Manipulation of Active CNT Encapsulated Fe Doped NiCoP Nanoparticles In Situ Grown in Hierarchically Carbonized Wood for High‐Current‐Density Water Splitting
Authors: Tian Cuihua , Tian Sheng , Luo Sha , Li Lei , Wu Yiqiang , Qing Yan , Yang Shoulu
Published: October 2023

Precise morphology design and electronic structure regulation are critically significant to promote catalytic activity and stability for electrochemical hydrogen production at high current density. Herein, the carbon nanotube (CNT) encapsulated Fe‐doped NiCoP nanoparticles is in‐situ grown in hierarchical carbonized wood (NCF0.5P@CNT/CW) for water splitting. Coupling merits of porous carbonized wood (CW) substrate, CNT encapsulating and Fe doping, the NCF0.5P@CNT/CW features remarkable and durable electrocatalytic activity. The overpotentials of NCF0.5P@CNT/CW at 50 mA cm−2 mV and 205 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and features high current density of 800 mA cm−2 within 300 mV for both OER and HER. Moreover, NCF0.5P@CNT/CW displays outstanding overall water splitting performance (η50 = 1.62 V and η100 = 1.67 V), outperforming Pt/C║RuO2 (η50 = 1.74 V), and can achieve the current density of 700 mA cm−2 at a lower cell voltage of 1.78 V. Overpotential is only 4.0 % decay after 120 h measurement at 50 mA cm−2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals Fe doping optimizes the binding energy and Gibbs free energy of intermediates, and regulates d‐band center of NCF0.5P@CNT/CW. Such synergistic strategy of morphology manipulation and electronic structure optimization provides a spark for developing effective and robust bifunctional catalysts.
Structural Characterization and Immunomodulatory Effects of Polysaccharide PCP‐1 from Pleurotus citrinopileatus
Authors: Shi Le , Liu Yu , Zhang Zhong‐Fei , Li Yan‐Xia , Wu Yu‐Meng , Lu Yong‐Ming
Published: October 2023

The use of fungal polysaccharides as immunomodulators has garnered significant interest. Here, the polysaccharide PCP‐1 is isolated and purified from the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus citrinopileatus. PCP‐1 is identified as a glucan with a molecular weight of 1670 kDa. Methylation analysis reveals that PCP‐1 consists of T‐Glcp, T‐Rhap, 1,3‐Glcp, 1,4‐Glcp, 1,4,6‐Glcp, and 1,3,6‐Glcp. PCP‐1 exhibits exceptional immunomodulatory effects, as it can dose‐dependently stimulate phagocytosis and promote the secretion of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, PCP‐1 significantly enhances the secretion of cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 at both the protein and mRNA levels, with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 40 µg mL−1. At a concentration of 40 µg mL−1, the immunomodulatory effects are comparable to those of the positive control. Furthermore, PCP‐1 promotes the nuclear translocation of the p65 protein, indicating activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. The results demonstrate that PCP‐1 has the potential as a natural immunomodulator, with possible applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Effects of wheat bran replacement with pomegranate seed pulp on rumen fermentation, gas production, methanogen and protozoa populations of camel and goat rumen using competitive PCR technique: An in vitro study
Authors: Jaberi Darmiyan Sanaz , Montazer Torbati Mohammad Bagher , Ramin Mohammad , Ghiasi Seyed Ehsan
Published: October 2023

Background

Microbial populations in the rumen play an essential role in the degradation of Cellulosic dietary components and in providing nutrients to the host animal.

Objective

This study aims to detect the effect of pomegranate seed pulp (PSP) on rumen fermentation, digestibility and methanogens and the protozoa population (by competitive polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) of the camel and goat rumen fluid.

Materials and methods

PSP was added to the experimental treatments and replaced by wheat bran (0%, 5% and 10%). Rumen fluid was collected from three goats and two camels according to the similarity of sex, breed, origin and time and used for three gas production studies. DNA extraction was performed by the RBB + c method, the ImageJ programme calculated band intensities (target and competing DNA), and line gradients were plotted based on the number of copies and intensity.

Results

Our result showed that diets did not significantly affect the methanogen and protozoa population. Animal species affected microbial populations so that both populations in camels were less than goats. The production of gas and volatile fatty acids was not affected by diets. These two parameters and NH3 concentration and methane production in goats were higher than in camel. The pH of digested dry matter and microbial protein in camels was higher than in goats.

Conclusions

Therefore, the competitive PCR technique is an effective method for enumerating rumen microbiota. This supplementation can be considered a strategy to achieve performance and environmental benefits.
Parametrically Excited Nonlinear Vibrations, Onset of Chaos
Authors: Schmidt G. , Dum R.
Published: October 2023

Die durch harmonische oder unharmonische Parametererregung und kombinierte harmonische oder unharmonische Zwangserregung entstehenden nichtlinearen Schwingungen werden iterativ berechnet. Das Abbrechen oder “Auffächem” der Resonanzkurven wie auch größere Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen Näherungen deuten auf das Einsetzen chaotischen Verhaltens hin, in Übereinstimmung mit dem Melnikov‐Kriterium.
‘No Man’s Land’: Reflecting on and Theorizing Migrant Labour in the Mediterranean Agriculture
Authors: Papadopoulos Apostolos G. , Fratsea Loukia-Maria
Published: October 2023

Migration is largely considered an urban phenomenon, with migrants seen as an expression of diversity that makes the urban environment more diverse. Nonetheless, international migration to rural areas has become an important area of research in the study of labour migration in nonurban, peripheral, agricultural, or remote regions. By 2000, the increasing role of migrant farmworkers had attracted the attention of scholars in the Mediterranean region and throughout Europe. The main objective of this chapter is to bring together the reflections and theories emerging from empirical research on migrant labour in Greek agriculture, highlighting certain comparative aspects between Mediterranean countries. Agriculture continues to occupy an important place in the Mediterranean economy and society, while rural localities maintain productive functions and amenities that attract international migration. This chapter is based on research conducted between 2017 and 2021, and in particular on qualitative interviews with key informants and with migrants originating from Mediterranean countries, who have crossed the Mediterranean and/or settled in Greece. It explores the various contributions and impacts of migrant workers on agriculture in the Mediterranean, while also addressing the impact of the economic recession and aftermath on these contributions.
Charged resonances and MDM bound states at a multi-TeV muon collider
Authors: Vignaroli Natascia
Published: October 2023

Abstract

A multi-TeV muon collider proves to be very efficient not only for the search for new heavy neutral particles, but also for the discovery of charged bosons of the W′ type. We find that, by analyzing the associated production with a Standard Model W, charged resonances can be probed directly up to multi-TeV mass values close to the collision energy, and for very small couplings with the SM fermions, of the order of 10−3 − 10−4 times the SM weak coupling. Additionally, charged bound states of WIMP Minimal Dark Matter, specifically a Majorana fermionic 5-plet, can be discovered with low statistics by running above the kinematic threshold, at a center-of-mass energy just slightly above the mass of the MDM bound state. This opens up a very interesting possibility for the discovery of WIMPs, complementary to the search for the resonant production of the neutral MDM bound state component, which relies on an on-peak search. For 5-plet MDM, indeed, the proposed search strategy is more efficient than the WIMP searches based on mono-X, missing-mass and disappearing tracks signatures.
Causes and costs of global COVID-19 vaccine inequity
Authors: Ferranna Maddalena
Published: October 2023

Despite the rapid development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and the widely recognized health and economic benefits of vaccination, there exist stark differences in vaccination rates across country income groups. While more than 70% of the population is fully vaccinated in high-income countries, vaccination rates in low-income countries are only around 30%. The paper reviews the factors behind global COVID-19 vaccine inequity and the health, social, and economic costs triggered by this inequity. The main contributors to vaccine inequity include vaccine nationalism, intellectual property rights, constraints in manufacturing capacity, poor resilience of healthcare systems, and vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine inequity has high costs, including preventable deaths and cases of illnesses in low-income countries, slow economic recovery, and large learning losses among children. Increasing vaccination rates in low-income countries is in the self-interest of higher-income countries as it may prevent the emergence of new variants and continuous disruptions to global supply chains.
Field tests for the identification of silts
Authors: Swart Duan , Dippenaar Matthys A. , Van Rooy J. Louis
Published: October 2023

Accurately identifying soil texture and understanding soil behaviour in terms of plasticity is a crucial initial step in properly characterizing a site, which in turn facilitates appropriate sampling and scheduling of laboratory tests. Soil identification techniques in literature are effective at assessing pure clays and silt–clay mixtures. This paper presents a comparative study between field tests, soil plasticity classifications, Atterberg limits, mineralogical and chemical data, SEM imagery, and stereographical microscopy. Natural residual soils comprising varying quantities of clays, silts, and sands were used and subjected to the same field and laboratory protocols. The findings of this study demonstrate that a series of field tests can effectively characterize and classify soils ranging from coarse soils to fine soils exhibiting non- to highly plastic indices with particle sizes less than 2.00 mm. By employing a single list of field tests that only necessitate water and commonly available stationery materials on-site, the researchers have presented a valuable tool for on-site determination of soil texture and inference of the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). This approach streamlines the process and provides professionals with an efficient means of assessing soil properties and determining problem soils at an early stage of the investigation and during construction of high fills.
Heterogenous electrophysiological features in early stage of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis neuropathy
Authors: Tozza Stefano , Palumbo Giovanni , Severi Daniele , Iovino Aniello , Spina Emanuele , Aruta Francesco , Cassano Emanuele , Iodice Rosa , Dubbioso Raffaele , Ruggiero Lucia , Nolano Maria , Santoro Lucio , Manganelli Fiore
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTRv, v for variant) is a progressive disease caused by mutations in the TTR gene, leading to sensory-motor, axonal and length-dependent neuropathy. However, some patients may show variable electrophysiological pattern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological features of TTR amyloid neuropathy at the time of the first nerve conduction study (NCS) to assess whether there were distinguishing features useful for early diagnosis.

Methods

We retrospectively revised the first electrophysiological findings of ATTRv patients, and we categorized the neuropathy based on nerve conduction slowing, type of involved fibres and distribution pattern of PNS involvement. Cluster analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of neuropathy features between the early and late stage of disease, based on disease duration and disability burden assessed by NIS.

Results

We recruited 33 patients (27 males) with mean age 63.9 ± 10.8 years, mean disease duration 2.8 ± 2.4 years and mean NIS 47.6 ± 41.8. Overall, the frequency analysis showed that the most common features of ATTRv neuropathy included the categories of axonal, sensory-motor and neuronopathic-like pattern. This electrophysiological pattern of PNS involvement was constant in patients in late stage of disease, whereas ATTRv patients in early stage of disease displayed variable electrophysiological pattern of PNS involvement.

Discussion

Our findings demonstrated that ATTRv neuropathy may present at first NCS in a variable way, and it changes over the course of disease. Such heterogeneity makes the suspicion of ATTRv even more challenging at the time of first electrophysiological examination.
DNA barcoding reveals cryptic diversification and taxonomic discordance among bats and birds within Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mulvaney Jake , Moir Monika , Cherry Michael I.
Published: October 2023

Cryptic species present a challenge for conservation, as species diversity may remain undetected. In zoological research, DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) has become a useful heuristic tool for aiding species resolution and informing species discovery. Despite concerted efforts to genetically barcode bats and birds, comprehensive assessments have yet to be undertaken across the Afrotropics. We retrieved available DNA barcodes of native breeding Afrotropical bat and bird species. Using Bayesian phylogenetic modelling, we assessed DNA barcode performance at species identification, and sought to detect notable intraspecific clade partitioning hinting at cryptic speciation. Available DNA barcodes represent only 42.3% and 23.6% of the relevant bat and bird species diversity, respectively, with only 18.7% of bat species and 7.2% of bird species having geographically spread records. DNA barcodes afforded greater taxonomic resolution of Afrotropical bird species than of bats (96.8% vs. 84.0%), with bats having a higher proportion of species non-monophyly (25.5% vs. 4.8%). Well-supported (≥ 95% posterior probability) clade partitioning was inferable from twenty-one bat species and fifteen bird species, and a further single under-sampled bat species and fifteen such bird species showed deep (> 2.0%) intraspecific divergences. These phylogenetic signatures allude to cryptic speciation within these volant taxa, and serve to prompt more comprehensive assessments of Afrotropical fauna. These findings also indirectly affirm the importance of paleoclimatic refugia to endemic vertebrate diversity. The current taxonomic status of birds is better supported by this molecular evidence than that of bats.
Attitudes towards students with disabilities achieving their educational and work-related goals: a factorial survey experiment among higher education institution employees in Norway
Authors: Goodall Gemma , Mjøen Odd Morten , Witsø Aud Elisabeth , Horghagen Sissel , Hardonk Stefan , Kvam Lisbeth
Published: October 2023

Despite the widespread promotion of inclusive environments within higher education, social barriers and a lack of understanding among university staff continue to hinder students with disabilities in their goals of graduating and finding employment. Using ableism as a theoretical framework, this study aimed to explore attitudes among higher education institution employees towards students with disabilities and their feasibility in different types of education and employment positions. “Employees” in this study included teaching staff, student support, and administration. We conducted a factorial survey experiment in which respondents were invited to evaluate vignettes describing fictional students with and without disabilities. Other factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and motivation were also included in the vignettes. A total of 2157 higher education employees across Norway participated in the survey and answered four questions regarding the likelihood of the student described in the vignette graduating, finding employment, and being suitable for relevant work tasks. Additionally, respondents were asked to rate how likely it was that they could make arrangements for the student during their studies. Results from multilevel regression analyses suggest that higher education employees are generally positive towards making arrangements for students with disabilities. However, despite this, students with disabilities were considered less likely to graduate, find employment, and less suitable in performing relevant work tasks in comparison to students without disabilities. We argue that ableist expectations continue to dominate perceptions of students within academia, and until ableism is addressed at an institutional level, higher education will remain far from inclusive.
Effects of the invasive fish Poecilia reticulata on the behavioral response of Daphnia pulex to the exotic submerged macrophyte Egeria densa
Authors: Portilla Karen , Velarde Elizabeth , Oña Tania , Decaestecker Ellen , Teixeira de Mello Franco , Muylaert Koenraad
Published: October 2023

The high-elevation plateaus of the inter-Andean valleys are home to shallow lakes that have become eutrophic. These lakes share similarities with shallow lakes in temperate and subtropical areas. Because native species diversity is low, invasive species dominate the fish and macrophytes communities. The study aimed to investigate the behavioral response of the local Daphnia pulex from the Andean shallow Lake Yahuarcocha to the exotic submerged macrophyte Egeria densa and the exotic fish Poecilia reticulata. Laboratory habitat choice experiments revealed that D. pulex from Lake Yahuarcocha strongly avoid E. densa, irrespective of the presence of the fish P. reticulata or chemical cues indicating fish predation on D. pulex. This observation could be explained by the fact that P. reticulata displayed a strong attraction to E. densa during the daytime, probably to avoid bird predation. D. pulex from the nearby Lake San Pablo where P. reticulata is absent but where the fish community is dominated by Oncorhynchus mykiss displayed the same avoidance behavior to submerged macrophytes as D. pulex from Lake Yahuarcocha. These results indicate that macrophytes in these high-elevation shallow lakes may not facilitate top-down control of phytoplankton, since plants do not offer refuge to D. pulex from fish predation.
Subject(s) matter: a grounded theory of technology teachers’ conceptions of the purpose of teaching technology
Authors: Doyle Andrew , Seery Niall , Gumaelius Lena , Canty Donal , Hartell Eva
Published: October 2023

Technology education internationally has for some time struggled to achieve continuity between what is depicted in policy and curricular documents and the reality of day-to-day practices. With its focus often articulated through the nature of activity students are to engage with, technology teachers are recognised as having significant autonomy in the design and implementation of their practices. From this, it is important to understand teachers’ beliefs about technology education, as their conceptions of the subject will inform practice. As such, this study sought to investigate teachers’ conceptions of the purpose of teaching technology through reflection on their enacted practices. A constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed for the design of the study and analysis of data. According to our analysis, despite similarities between the nature of student activity that teachers designed and implemented, teachers represented the purpose of the subject in different ways. Three different conceptions of the purpose of teaching technology were identified; obtaining knowledge and skills for application, ability to act in a technological way, and ability to think in a technological way. Central to the three conceptions were contentions in the representations of what constituted subject matter knowledge in the subject, and the role that different application cases played in teaching technology. Without consideration and explicit articulation of the purposes for teaching technology, this lack of clarity and differences in rationale for teaching technology are likely to continue.
Artificial intelligence and its clinical application in Anesthesiology: a systematic review
Authors: Lopes Sara , Rocha Gonçalo , Guimarães-Pereira Luís
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine is quickly expanding. Despite the amount of evidence and promising results, a thorough overview of the current state of AI in clinical practice of anesthesiology is needed. Therefore, our study aims to systematically review the application of AI in this context.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched Medline and Web of Science for articles published up to November 2022 using terms related with AI and clinical practice of anesthesiology. Articles that involved animals, editorials, reviews and sample size lower than 10 patients were excluded. Characteristics and accuracy measures from each study were extracted.

Results

A total of 46 articles were included in this review. We have grouped them into 4 categories with regard to their clinical applicability: (1) Depth of Anesthesia Monitoring; (2) Image-guided techniques related to Anesthesia; (3) Prediction of events/risks related to Anesthesia; (4) Drug administration control. Each group was analyzed, and the main findings were summarized. Across all fields, the majority of AI methods tested showed superior performance results compared to traditional methods.

Conclusion

AI systems are being integrated into anesthesiology clinical practice, enhancing medical professionals’ skills of decision-making, diagnostic accuracy, and therapeutic response.
Exploring Work Absences and Return to Work During Social Transition and Following Gender-Affirming Care, a Mixed-Methods Approach: ‘Bridging Support Actors Through Literacy’
Authors: Van de Cauter Joy , Van de Velde Dominique , Motmans Joz , Clays Els , Braeckman Lutgart
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Research on return to work (RTW) following transition-related gender-affirming care (GAC) is lacking. We aim to study the RTW outcomes and experiences of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people during social and medical transition to understand their needs better and provide tailored support.

Methods

In this convergent mixed-methods study, the questionnaires of 125 employed TGD people, who took steps in transition (social and GAC), were analyzed for personal- and work characteristics, medical work absences, RTW, support at work, and health literacy. In-depth interviews were held with twenty TGD people to explore perceived facilitators and barriers to RTW.

Results

One hundred and nine participants reported an average of 38 sick days after GAC. The majority (90.2%) resumed their job at the same employer. Although TGD workers felt supported, their health literacy (55.1%) was lower compared to the general population. The qualitative data analysis revealed four major themes: (1) the need and access to information; (2) having multidisciplinary TGD allies; (3) the influence of the occupational position; (4) the precarious balance between work, life, and GAC. Especially participants with a low health literacy level experienced RTW barriers by struggling: (1) to find and/or apply information; (2) to navigate (occupational) health and insurance services.

Conclusion

Our research has shown that RTW for TGD individuals is a multifaceted process, affected by personal factors, work-related elements, and the characteristics of the healthcare and social insurance system.

Enhancing support for TGD people at work and their RTW requires a high need for centralized information and promoting health literacy while engaging relevant stakeholders, such as prevention services and employers.
Natural nodulation and nitrogen fixation of Acacia Auriculiformis grown in technosol eco-engineered from Fe ore tailings
Authors: Li Zhen , Wu Songlin , Liu Yunjia , You Fang , Hall Merinda , Huang Longbin
Published: October 2023

Aims

Nitrogen deficiency in eco-engineered technosol from iron (Fe) ore tailings limits the productivity of colonising soil microbes and pioneer plants, which are critical to further development of the technosol. Symbiotic biological N2 fixation may be a strategy to supply N in the moderately alkaline early technosols since native legumes such as Acacia auriculiformis are tolerant of saline and alkaline soil conditions as those in the technosol. It is hypothesized that tolerant native legume A. auriculiformis could form functional nodules to fix N2 when grown in early eco-engineered technosols.

Methods

A. auriculiformis growth and root nodulation in the early tailing technosols were investigated using a glasshouse experiment, and plant N2 fixation was evaluated using the 15 N natural abundance isotope method. Key factors influencing root nodulation and N2 fixation have also been evaluated, including water supply and phosphorous nutrition.

Results

The results indicated that A. auriculiformis grew well in the tailing technosols and naturally formed nodules with rhizobia. The nodules were functional in N2 fixation, leading to improved plant N nutrition. The nodulation and N2 fixation were severely limited by water deficiency stress. Improved phosphorous supply favoured nodulation and N2 fixation by A. auriculiformis plants under water deficiency stress.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that A. auriculiformis could grow in early tailings technosols and fixed N2, and proper water and phosphorous fertilizer management could improve Acacia plant’s performance and N2 fixation functions. It is possible to introduce tolerant native legumes such as A. auriculiformis to improve N supply in the early technosols.
Why cronies don’t cry? IMF programs, Chinese lending, and leader survival
Authors: Kern Andreas , Reinsberg Bernhard , Shea Patrick E.
Published: October 2023

Many countries in the Global South have increased their exposure to Chinese debt in recent years. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the US interest rate hike, many countries have struggled to meet their debt repayment obligations. As a result, they have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for emergency assistance. We argue that the involvement of the Fund wipes out much of the political benefits of China loans for executive leaders of borrowing countries. IMF conditionality requires countries to increase fiscal transparency, which threatens the viability of kickback schemes and increases the likelihood that corrupt leaders will be called out on their misdealing. As a result, we expect corrupt leaders with China debt to leave office earlier when they try to address debt defaults with IMF loans than when they avoid them. Using survival analysis on a dataset of 115 developing countries between 2000 to 2015, we find that leaders indebted to China that go under an IMF program leave office earlier compared to when they do not go under an IMF program. In line with our argument, this effect is strongest in more corrupt regimes. Our argument and analysis contribute to understanding international finance’s political economy, specifically how mixing creditors can be politically risky for leaders.
“I don’t Remember that”: Negotiating Memories and Epistemic Claims in Swedish High-Stake Police Interviews
Authors: Nyroos Lina
Published: October 2023

This paper employs Conversation Analysis to investigate a specific interactional environment in Swedish police interviews (PIs): sequences where the interviewee asserts an inability to recollect specific events, and the police subsequently challenge this assertion. The police interview serves as a crucial setting for reconstructing past events and identifying the distribution of knowledge among participants. While previous research has delved into the cognitive mechanisms underlying memory retrieval in PIs, there exists a scarcity of empirical investigation of how memories and their associated knowledge are interactionally managed within this high-stakes activity. Prior Conversation Analytic studies exploring how epistemic dimensions shape social interaction form the theoretical basis for the current study, including research indicating how ‘forgetfulness’ can be strategically employed as an interactional resource. Only a few studies have targeted recorded high-stakes interviews in Swedish, and the lack of such is problematic since international research have highlighted the influence of cultural and social factors on conditions and outcomes. Data used for this study comprises anonymized audio recordings (N = 51) from a preliminary murder investigation, making a valuable contribution to the understanding of interactional practices in Swedish police interviews. Results indicate a discrepancy in orientation between the police and the interviewee. The former treats the memories as accessible knowables possible to retrieve, in contrast to the latter, who uses the police’s challenge as a vehicle for contesting the ‘impossible action of remembering.’