bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Treatment of Lymphogranuloma Venereum With a 7-Day Course of Doxycycline
Authors: Bilinska Julia , Artykov Ruslan , White John
Published: March 2024

Background

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) remains endemic in the United Kingdom, primarily among gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Current treatment guidelines recommend 21 days of doxycycline, but recent evidence suggests shorter antibiotic duration is as effective. We evaluated clinical outcomes in a cohort with LGV treated with 7 days of doxycycline.

Methods

We reviewed case notes of all LGV cases at a South London sexual health service between November 2016 and September 2022, treated with only 7 days of doxycycline and anonymized data were collected from electronic patient records.

Results

Fifty-two individuals with detected LGV-specific DNA were treated with 7 days of doxycycline 100 mg twice daily. All were GBMSM, median age of 35 years (range, 21–64 years), 21 (40%) were living with HIV, and 18 (35%) had concomitant sexually transmitted infections. Thirty-four (65%) were asymptomatic, whereas 18 (35%) reported symptoms: 7 (13%) urethral, 11 (21%) anorectal, and 2 (4%) other symptoms. Twenty-two (42%) were prescribed additional antimicrobials; however, none were active against Chlamydia trachomatis. All 52 underwent follow-up testing (range, 4–481 days). Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in one individual, but negative for LGV-specific DNA, and so considered to be a reinfection. All other cases were C. trachomatis-negative, indicating successful LGV eradication.

Conclusions

Our data support the approach of offering a 7-day doxycycline course routinely for asymptomatic or clinically mild C. trachomatis infections, and contacts of LGV infection, regardless of their LGV status. This may simplify patient management, reduce cost, and improve antimicrobial stewardship.
Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability and Tear of the Extensor Digiti Minimi: A Case Report
Authors: Holt Jonathan , Salas Michael , Lee Se Won
Published: March 2024

The addition of aromatase inhibitors (AI) has improved cancer-related outcomes in post-menopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. However, AI can be associated with a constellation of adverse musculoskeletal effects that comprises bone loss, arthralgia, myalgia, and tendinopathy. This medication complication, known as aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS), can limit treatment tolerability in many patients due to the high prevalence of AIMSS among those on AI. The hand and wrist are the most affected joints in AIMSS, with patients presenting with symmetric arthralgia, stiffness, and tendinopathy. Radioulnar joint subluxation with extensor tendon tear has not been previously reported in patients with AIMSS. This is a case report of a 72-year-old breast cancer survivor on an AI presenting with chronic dominant wrist pain, weakness, and 5thdigit finger drop. An extensor digitorum minimi tendon tear and radioulnar instability were identified using diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasonography. This case illustrates the utility of in-office ultrasonography combined with dynamic examination for the often underrecognized pathology associated with AIMSS in breast cancer survivors.
Clinical features and outcomes of mpox in people with and without HIV: a national comparative study
Authors: Núñez Isaac , Ceballos-Liceaga Santa E. , Torre Alethse de la , García-Rodríguez Gabriel , López-Martínez Irma , López-Gatell Hugo , Mosqueda-Gómez Juan L. , Valdés-Ferrer Sergio Iván
Published: March 2024

Background:

People who live with HIV (PWLH) have been one of the most affected groups during the current mpox outbreak. They are hypothesized to have a more severe clinical course than people without HIV but comparative data is scarce. We aimed to compare clinical features and outcomes of mpox in people with and without HIV in Mexico.

Setting:

Country-wide study in Mexico.

Methods:

We performed an observational study using nation-wide epidemiological data. We included all people with confirmed mpox diagnosed between May and November 2022 in Mexico. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were compared between people with and without HIV. Multivariable logistic regression models were preformed to determine the association between HIV, clinical features, and outcomes and reported with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). ORs for rare outcomes were interpreted as risk ratios.

Results:

Among 3291 people with mpox, 59% were PWLH. PWLH had an increased risk of severe mpox (OR 2.6, 2.4-2.9) and death (OR 10.8, 9.7-11.9). They also had a higher risk of otalgia, proctitis, and urethritis. Eleven individuals died, of whom ten were PWLH. All deaths were directly attributed to mpox.

Conclusion:

People with HIV have a higher risk of severe mpox and death due to mpox.
Increased 68Ga-FAPI Uptake in Capillary Hemangiomas in an Adult Patient
Authors: Deng Jia , Zhang Dongmei , Yang Jian , Peng Dengsai , Chen Yue
Published: March 2024

A 67-year-old woman was enrolled in our 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT tumor clinical trial due to her lung adenocarcinoma. The PET/CT scan additionally revealed increased uptake of FAPI in the tongue. Combined with the patient’s medical history and the contrast-enhanced CT of the maxillofacial region, it was suspected to be a hemangioma. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgery and was diagnosed with capillary hemangioma of the left side of her tongue.
Nonmalignant 68Ga-FAPI-46 Uptake in 2 Cases of TENIS Syndrome
Authors: Karamian Farivash , Sadeghi Ramin , Aghaee Atena , Askari Emran , Roustaei Hessamoddin
Published: March 2024

The cancer specificity of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) uptake remains understudied topic, and several cases of false-positive FAPI PET/CT findings have been reported. We present 2 patients of differentiated thyroid cancer with thyroglobulin elevation and negative iodine scintigraphy syndrome who underwent68Ga-FAPI PET/CT and18F-FDG PET/CT for evaluation of any possible sites for metastatic disease. Although no focus of metastatic disease was found in these patients, remarkable findings were noticed instead. Nonmalignant FAPI uptake was evident in the gallbladder, uterus, and degenerative changes, whereas these uptake were discordant or partially concordant with those in FDG’s, also CT images showed no underlying abnormality.
Earlier finish of motor planning in the premotor cortex predicts faster motor command in the primary motor cortex: human intracranial EEG evidence
Authors: Xia Jing , Gong Deshan , Han Biao , Guo Qiang , Fink Gereon R. , Daun Silvia , Chen Qi
Published: March 2024

The human motor system has a hierarchical control during finger movements. The non-primary motor cortex (premotor cortex, PM, and supplementary motor area, SMA) organizes motor planning, while the primary motor cortex (M1) is responsible for motor execution. We utilized the human intracranial EEG’s high temporal and spatial resolution to investigate how the temporal dynamics of the high-gamma neural oscillations in the hierarchically organized motor sub-regions, during both pre-movement planning and motor execution, correlated with reaction times (RTs) in a cued finger movement task. Our results showed that the high-gamma power of PM, SMA, and M1 activated sequentially. More importantly, the sustained high-gamma power activation in the non-primary motor cortex and the peak latency of high-gamma power in M1 had a significant predictive relationship with the RTs. In particular, the faster the activation of the non-primary motor cortex returned to baseline, the faster the motor command in M1, and accordingly the shorter the RTs. Further, pairwise phase coherence between the motor areas showed that the more sustained the connection between the motor areas, the longer the RTs would be. The current findings illustrate the relationship between the temporal profiles of high-gamma power in human motor areas and response performance.
MYB68 orchestrates cork differentiation by regulating stem cell proliferation and suberin deposition
Authors: Molina David , Horvath Sara , Zhang Xudong , Xiao Wei , Ragab Noah , Ripper Dagmar , Kilian Joachim , Andersen Tonni Grube , Ragni Laura
Published: March 2024

Plants have developed specialized barriers to protect and isolate the inner tissues from the environment while maintaining homeostasis. Different barriers are present in various organs and at different growth stages. During secondary growth, the periderm acts as the protective tissue, covering roots, stems, and branches as they become thick. The periderm is a dynamic barrier comprising a stem cell niche known as the cork cambium, which bifacially divides to generate the phelloderm inward and the cork outward. Cork cells have a unique cell wall impregnated with suberin and lignin polymers, essential for the barrier function.

Despite its importance, the differentiation process that forms new cork cells from the stem cell is largely unknown. In this work, we identify members of the MYB36-subclade transcription factors as key regulators of cork differentiation. On the one hand, this set of transcription factors promotes suberin deposition by inducing the expression of enzymes involved in all steps of suberin biosynthesis, including the recently discovered suberin-polymerizing enzymes GDS Lipases; on the other hand, it represses cork cambium proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that suberin deposition in the cork is a robust process regulated by a complex network of transcription factors, including other MYB transcription factors that activate suberin deposition in the endodermis. However, only members of the MYB36 subclade can repress cell proliferation in different developmental contexts, highlighting general and specific functions for MYB transcription factors. These findings have broad applicability, as tissue-specific manipulation of MYB activity has the potential for improving traits of biotechnological interest, such as thicker periderms and more suberized cork layers, and for assessing how these traits affect plant performance in response to stresses.
SAMson: an automated brain extraction tool for rodents using SAM
Authors: Panadero Soler Daniel , Kotb Selim Mohamed , Martínez-Tazo Patricia , Muñoz-Moreno Emma , Ramos-Cabrer Pedro , López-Larrubia Pilar , De Santis Silvia , Canals Santiago , Pertusa Antonio
Published: March 2024

Accurate brain extraction is a critical step in the analysis of rodent head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. However, current methods often encounter difficulties in handling the diverse range of imaging setups, resolutions, and experimental conditions that are commonly found in this field. Based on the Segment Anything Model (SAM), we introduce here SAMson (SAM for Segmentation Of Neuroimages), an automated tool for robust rodent brain extraction. SAMson integrates a bounding box generator and a mask prediction pipeline, offering fully automated and semi-automated modes to address varying experimental complexities. The performance of SAMson was evaluated using three multi-centre rodent MRI datasets annotated at the pixel level, which differed in terms of acquisition parameters, resolution, and animal age groups. SAMson demonstrates superior performance to existing methods, including BET, RBM, and BEN, in terms of segmentation accuracy, with Jaccard indices exceeding 90% across datasets. The semi-automated mode demonstrates particular efficacy in challenging scenarios, including low-resolution images and cases requiring refined mask precision. In contrast to conventional volumetric techniques, SAMson identifies errors at the level of individual slices, thereby enabling rapid and targeted correction when needed. By providing open-source access, SAMson aims to support large-scale research workflows and advance translational neuroscience. The curated data can be downloaded fromhttps://doi.org/10.20350/digitalCSIC/17000, and the code is available athttps://github.com/CanalsLab/SAMson.
SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variants and Patient Factors Associated with Hospitalization Risk
Authors: Korves Tonia , Stein David , Walburger David , Adamusiak Tomasz , Roberts Seth
Published: March 2024

Variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been associated with different transmissibilities and disease severities. The present study examines SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants and their relationship to risk for hospitalization, using data from 12,538 patients from a large, multisite observational cohort study. The association of viral genomic variants and hospitalization is examined with clinical covariates, including COVID-19 vaccination status, outpatient monoclonal antibody treatment status, and underlying risk for poor clinical outcome. Modeling approaches include XGBoost with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis and generalized linear mixed models. The results indicate that several SARS-CoV-2 lineages are associated with increased hospitalization risk, including B.1.1.7, AY.44, and AY.54. As found in prior studies, Omicron is associated with lower hospitalization risk compared to prior WHO variants. In addition, the results suggest that variants at specific amino acid locations, including locations within Spike protein N-terminal domain and in non-structural protein 14, are associated with hospitalization risk.
Structure-based probe reveals the presence of large transthyretin aggregates in plasma of ATTR amyloidosis patients
Authors: Pedretti Rose , Wang Lanie , Yakubovska Anna , Zhang Qiongfang S. , Nguyen Binh , Grodin Justin L. , Masri Ahmad , Saelices Lorena
Published: March 2024

ATTR amyloidosis is a relentlessly progressive disease caused by the misfolding and systemic accumulation of amyloidogenic transthyretin into amyloid fibrils. These fibrils cause diverse clinical phenotypes, mainly cardiomyopathy and/or polyneuropathy. Little is known about the aggregation of transthyretin during disease development and whether this has implications for diagnosis and treatment. Using the cryogenic electron microscopy structures of mature ATTR fibrils, we developed a peptide probe for fibril detection. With this probe, we have identified previously unknown aggregated transthyretin species in plasma of patients with ATTR amyloidosis. These species are large, non-native, and distinct from monomeric and tetrameric transthyretin. Observations from our study open many questions about the biology of ATTR amyloidosis and reveals a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.
La Crosse virus reassortants highlight genomic determinants of infection and pathogenesis
Authors: Rondeau Nicole C. , Spector Sophie N. , Thannickal Sara A. , Stapleford Kenneth A.
Published: March 2024

The genomic determinants that contribute to orthobunyavirus infection and pathogenesis are not well-defined. In this study, we harnessed the process of reassortment to understand which viral factors drive change in the replication and pathogenesis of La Crosse virus (LACV). We systematically reassorted the genomic segments of two genetically similar Lineage I LACV isolates into six unique reassortants. Despite the parental isolates having high levels of RNA and protein consensus, the reassortants demonstrate how minimal changes in RNA and protein structure can have significant changes in viral growth and reproductionin vitroin mammalian and insect models. We observed that swapping the S segment between isolates led to differences in replication and assembly resulting in one non-rescuable reassortant and one viable reassortant that exhibited an increase in viral growth dynamics. Switching the M segment led to changes in viral plaque phenotype and growth kinetics. L segment reassortants similarly differed in changes in viral growth dynamics. We further explored the M segment reassortants in a neonate mouse model and observed a role for the M segment in neuroinflammation and virulence. Through reassortment of the La Crosse virus genomic segments, we are able to further understand how genomic determinants of infection and pathogenesis operate in orthobunyaviruses. Future investigations will focus on identifying the specific molecular elements that govern the observed phenotypesin vitroandin vivo.

Importance

La Crosse virus is the leading cause of pediatric arboviral encephalitis in the United States, yet it is largely unknown how each of the three genomic segments contribute to pathogenesis and disease. Our study utilizes genomic reassortment between two similar Lineage I LACV isolates to understand genomic determinants for differences in infection and pathogenesis phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. By identifying roles for each segment in observed outcomes, we are able to plan further studies for molecular characterization of these phenotypes. Additionally, it is imperative to continue to characterize orthobunyavirus function since climate change will expand the range and prevalence of arthropod-borne diseases such as LACV in the United States.
Reanalysis of rare radiative
Ξb−→Ξ−γ
decay in QCD
Authors: Aliev T. M. , Ozpineci A. , Sarac Y.
Published: March 2024

The upper limit of the branching ratio of the rare Ξb−→Ξ−γ decay is obtained as BR(Ξb−→Ξ−γ)<1.3×10−4 by the LHCb. In the present work we study this decay within the light cone QCD sum rules employing the Ξb distribution amplitudes. At the first stage, the form factors entering the

Ξ

b

−

→

Ξ

−

γ

decay are obtained. Next, using the results for the form factors the corresponding branching ratio for this decay is estimated to be BR(Ξb−→Ξ−γ)=(4.8±1.3)×10−5. This value lies below the upper limit established by the LHCb collaboration. Our finding for the branching ratio is also compared with the results of the other theoretical approaches existing in the literature.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Anyon Condensation and the Color Code
Authors: Kesselring Markus S. , Magdalena de la Fuente Julio C. , Thomsen Felix , Eisert Jens , Bartlett Stephen D. , Brown Benjamin J.
Published: March 2024

The manipulation of topologically ordered phases of matter to encode and process quantum information forms the cornerstone of many approaches to fault-tolerant quantum computing. Here we demonstrate that fault-tolerant logical operations in these approaches can be interpreted as instances of anyon condensation. We present a constructive theory for anyon condensation and, in tandem, illustrate our theory explicitly using the color-code model. We show that different condensation processes are associated with a general class of domain walls, which can exist in both spacelike and timelike directions. This class includes semitransparent domain walls that condense certain subsets of anyons. We use our theory to classify topological objects and design novel fault-tolerant logic gates for the color code. As a final example, we also argue that dynamical “Floquet codes” can be viewed as a series of condensation operations. We propose a general construction for realizing planar dynamically driven codes based on condensation operations on the color code. We use our construction to introduce a new Calderbank-Shor-Steane–type Floquet code that we call the Floquet color code.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A digital distance on the kisrhombille tiling
Authors: Kablan Fatma , Vizvári Béla , Nagy Benedek
Published: March 2024

The kisrhombille tiling is the dual tessellation of one of the semi-regular tessellations. It consists of right-angled triangle tiles with 12 different orientations. An adequate coordinate system for the tiles of the grid has been defined that allows a formal description of the grid. In this paper, two tiles are considered to be neighbors if they share at least one point in their boundary. Paths are sequences of tiles such that any two consecutive tiles are neighbors. The digital distance is defined as the minimum number of steps in a path between the tiles, and the distance formula is proven through constructing minimum paths. In fact, the distance between triangles is almost twice the hexagonal distance of their embedding hexagons.
Beyond the operating room: built environment design knowledge supportive of resilient surgical services
Authors: Ransolin Natália , Saurin Tarcisio Abreu , Clay-Williams Robyn , Formoso Carlos Torres , Rapport Frances , Cartmill John
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Surgical services are settings where resilient performance (RP) is necessary to cope with a wide range of variabilities. Although RP can benefit from a supportive built environment (BE), prior studies have focused on the operating room, giving scant attention to support areas. This study takes a broader perspective, aiming at developing BE design knowledge supportive of RP at the surgical service as a whole.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven BE design prescriptions developed in a previous work in the context of internal logistics of hospitals, and thus addressing interactions between workspaces, were used as a point of departure. The prescriptions were used as a data analysis framework in a case study of the surgical service of a medium-sized private hospital. The scope of the study included surgical and support areas, in addition to workflows involving patients and family members, staff, equipment, sterile instruments and materials, supplies, and waste. Data collection included document analysis, observations, interviews, and meetings with hospital staff.

Findings

Results identified 60 examples of using the prescriptions, 77% of which were related to areas other than the operating rooms. The developed design knowledge is framed as a set of prescriptions, examples, and their association to workflows and areas, indicating where it should be applied.

Originality/value

The design knowledge is new in surgical services and offers guidance to both BE and logistics designers.
The IFRS adoption, corporate tax avoidance and the moderating effect of family ownership
Authors: Chakroun Salma , Ben Amar Anis
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on corporate tax avoidance (CTA). In addition, this study aims to explore whether family ownership moderates the impact of IFRS adoption on CTA.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a sample of 1,856 firms from various countries around the world, covering the period between 2010 and 2022. To estimate the proposed econometric models, the authors applied both fixed and random effects regression methods.

Findings

The present findings show that IFRS adoption has a negative impact on CTA, as measured by the effective tax rate and book-tax differences. This negative impact is more pronounced in “common law” countries than in “civil law countries.” Additionally, the authors found that family ownership plays a moderating role by positively affecting the impact of IFRS adoption on CTA.

Practical implications

The findings have practical, regulatory and academic implications for fostering accountability and fairness in taxation. This study suggests that implementing IFRS reduces tax avoidance and emphasizes the need for firms to evaluate the implications of IFRS adoption on their tax-planning strategies. It highlights the importance of aligning financial reporting practices with international standards to enhance transparency and minimize tax avoidance opportunities. The differential impact of IFRS adoption between “common law” and “civil law” countries underscores the role of legal and regulatory frameworks. In addition, family ownership plays a significant role in shaping tax-planning strategies. From an academic perspective, this research provides a foundation for further exploration into the relationship between IFRS adoption and tax avoidance.

Originality/value

The existing literature has predominantly concentrated on examining the effect of IFRS adoption on CTA, and the empirical findings have been inconsistent. This study introduces a novel perspective by considering the moderating influence of family ownership in determining the impact of IFRS adoption on CTA.
Decisions of dual-channel fresh agricultural product supply chains based on information sharing
Authors: Liu Yanping , Yan Bo , Chen Xiaoxu
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper studies the optimal decision-making and coordination problem of a dual-channel fresh agricultural product (FAP) supply chain. The purpose is to analyze the impact of information sharing on optimal decisions and propose a coordination mechanism to encourage supply chain members to share information.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-echelon dual-channel FAP supply chain includes a manufacturer and a retailer. By using the Stackelberg game theory and the backward induction method, the optimal decisions are obtained under information symmetry and asymmetry and the coordination contract is designed.

Findings

The results show that supply chain members should comprehensively evaluate the specific situation of product attributes, coefficient of freshness-keeping cost and network operating costs to make decisions. Asymmetric information can exacerbate the deviation of optimal decisions among supply chain members and information sharing is always beneficial to manufacturers but not to retailers. The improved revenue-sharing and cost-sharing contract is an effective coordination mechanism.

Practical implications

The conclusions can provide theoretical guidance for supply chain managers to deal with information asymmetry and improve the competitiveness of the supply chain.

Originality/value

This paper combines the three characteristics that are most closely related to the reality of supply chains, including horizontal and vertical competition of different channels, the perishable characteristics of FAPs and the uncertainty generated by asymmetric demand information.
Real estate and business fixed assets in the early Islamic economy from a Zakah perspective
Authors: Al-Aifari Zaid , Bulut Mehmet , Kahf Monzer
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The face value of nonowner-occupied real estate and business fixed assets is excluded from Zakah, according to most Fiqh scholars who argue that it has not been explicitly ordered during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (sas). This study aims to test the hypothesis that the role of these properties in the early Islamic economy was insignificant and, therefore, differed from today.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative historical analysis of primary Islamic sources and narrations from early Muslim historiography has been conducted to understand real estate sales and rent, construction costs and the number and size of houses owned by the Sahabah. In addition, inheritance reports and land gift records have been examined to obtain relevant information about the value of real estate. As for business fixed assets, the type, number and wealth of craftspeople as well as their tools have been analyzed to reveal their significance in comparison with today.

Findings

The findings of this study confirm the hypothesis that real estate for investment purposes and business fixed assets were quasi-non-existent during the lifetime of the Prophet (sas) and, therefore, irrelevant from a Zakah perspective.

Originality/value

This study intends to be a catalyst for the reconsideration of Zakah on these items of wealth and contributes to the Fiqhi discourse.
Measuring and reporting environmental impacts of dairy farming
Authors: Zamri Inani Husna , Lord Beverley R. , Steenkamp Natasja
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore farmers’ perceptions of environmental impacts of dairying and their practices towards implementing environmental management accounting (EMA) techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were held with five dairy farmers in the South Island of New Zealand (NZ).

Findings

Dairy farmers perceive environmental sustainability in dairying as being able to feed people while protecting the environment so that future generations can also enjoy the natural world. Recognising the need to alter their practices to reduce environmental damage they have produced, dairy farmers use some EMA techniques, but the primary motivation is compliance with government regulations. Other motivations for using EMA techniques are high economic returns, maintaining their reputation and self-satisfaction. Barriers to implementing EMA techniques are primarily due to lack of clarity and feasibility of regulations, coercion and inadequate communication by regulators and high compliance costs.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the current EMA literature by providing a better understanding of EMA practices of dairy farmers in NZ, barriers to implementing EMA and how those barriers could be reduced. It may also help NZ central and local government in developing environmental strategies and policies. Furthermore, this research is expected to help people in the dairy industry to find ways to educate farmers about how the measures that are required can help them to reduce both the environmental impacts and the costs of dairying, thus contributing to sustainable development globally.
Islamic mental health financing schemes for parents with mental disorder children
Authors: Amin Hanudin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the receptiveness of Islamic mental health financing schemes among parents with mental disorder children in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The innovation diffusion theory (IDT) was used to examine the factors influencing the receptiveness using empirical data from 323 respondents.

Findings

The IDT’s factors, namely, compatibility, relative advantage and simplicity were instrumental in determining the receptiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The usefulness of the results obtained was confined to the theory used as well as the geographical areas chosen.

Practical implications

The results obtained serve as a useful reference guide for Islamic banks in offering these schemes to parents with mental disorder children.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to test the effects of financial innovation drivers on the proposed Islamic mental health financing schemes in terms of their receptiveness.
Robot skill learning and the data dilemma it faces: a systematic review
Authors: Jiang Rong , He Bin , Wang Zhipeng , Cheng Xu , Sang Hongrui , Zhou Yanmin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Compared with traditional methods relying on manual teaching or system modeling, data-driven learning methods, such as deep reinforcement learning and imitation learning, show more promising potential to cope with the challenges brought by increasingly complex tasks and environments, which have become the hot research topic in the field of robot skill learning. However, the contradiction between the difficulty of collecting robot–environment interaction data and the low data efficiency causes all these methods to face a serious data dilemma, which has become one of the key issues restricting their development. Therefore, this paper aims to comprehensively sort out and analyze the cause and solutions for the data dilemma in robot skill learning.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this review analyzes the causes of the data dilemma based on the classification and comparison of data-driven methods for robot skill learning; Then, the existing methods used to solve the data dilemma are introduced in detail. Finally, this review discusses the remaining open challenges and promising research topics for solving the data dilemma in the future.

Findings

This review shows that simulation–reality combination, state representation learning and knowledge sharing are crucial for overcoming the data dilemma of robot skill learning.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no surveys that systematically and comprehensively sort out and analyze the data dilemma in robot skill learning in the existing literature. It is hoped that this review can be helpful to better address the data dilemma in robot skill learning in the future.
Context‐dependent impact of changes in precipitation on the stability of grassland biomass
Authors: Li Xiangyun , Zuo Xiaoan , Qiao Jingjuan , Hu Ya , Wang Shaokun , Yue Ping , Cheng Huan , Song Zhaobin , Chen Min , Hautier Yann
Published: March 2024

Community stability plays a crucial role in ensuring the consistent provision of ecosystem services despite environmental changes, including alterations in precipitation patterns. Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the responses of the stability of grassland plant communities and underlying mechanisms, defined as the ratio of the temporal mean biomass to the standard deviation. However, a crucial knowledge gap remains regarding whether the impacts of precipitation on the stability of grassland biomass are contingent upon specific contextual factors.

Here, we examined the stability of above‐ and below‐ground biomass in adjacent grass‐ and shrub‐dominated communities through a 7‐year manipulation experiment involving seven precipitation levels: 20%, 40% and 60% decrease, as well as 20%, 40% and 60% increase in natural rainfall, in addition to ambient precipitation.

We found that the stability of community biomass was influenced by three contextual factors including the magnitude and directionality of precipitation, above‐ and below‐ground biomass and the type of vegetation. In particular, higher and more intense precipitation resulted in higher stability of above‐ground biomass in both grass‐ and shrub‐dominated communities. Conversely, higher precipitation intensity led to decreased below‐ground biomass stability in grass‐dominated communities but increased below‐ground biomass stability in shrub‐dominated communities. Species stability and species asynchrony consistently played a positive role in explaining the stability of above‐ground biomass in both grass‐ and shrub‐dominated communities. However, species asynchrony negatively influenced below‐ground biomass stability in grass‐dominated communities without a comparable effect in shrub‐dominated communities. The preeminent contribution to the total community biomass was identified in the stability of below‐ground biomass, evident in both grass‐dominated and shrub‐dominated communities.

Synthesis. This study highlights that while the specific effects of changes in precipitation may vary depending on the context, the fundamental processes governing biomass stability are consistent. These findings elucidate the desert steppe ecosystems' adaptive response to precipitation variations and emphasize their pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem functions under climatic perturbations.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Comparison of prey fauna in tropical red traps versus temperate whitish traps in carnivorous Drosera indica complex (Droseraceae)
Authors: Tagawa Kazuki , Sando Tomoki , Aoki Masao , Watanabe Mikio
Published: March 2024

Certain carnivorous plant species display geographical variation in trap coloration, which may impact interactions with prey. Our study focused on Drosera indica (Droseraceae) in tropical Thailand and its phylogenetically related species Drosera toyoakensis in temperate Japan. Drosera indica in Thailand has green leaf blades with red tentacles when flowering, making the entire trap appear red. In contrast, D. toyoakensis in Japan has green leaf blades with green‐white tentacles when flowering, and the entire trap appears white. Field observations revealed statistically significant differences in taxa and size of prey caught by D. indica and D. toyoakensis. Both species caught small flies, but D. toyoakensis additionally caught larger flies and butterflies, including pollinators. These differences in prey composition may reflect differences in trap coloration that evolved under different selection pressures for capturing prey. However, trap coloration and prey assemblages were influenced by various factors, and further research is required to elucidate their evolutionary significance.
Interventions based on sensory‐hedonic strategies and on nudging to facilitate vegetable and pulses consumption in the school environment
Authors: Kokkorou Margarita , Spinelli Sara , Dinnella Caterina , Monteleone Erminio
Published: March 2024

Childhood and adolescence shape lifelong taste preferences and dietary habits, making them crucial periods for promoting healthy and sustainable eating. As students consume up to half of their daily energy intake at school, school interventions can have a significant impact on promoting plant‐based diets. Although the benefits of promoting plant‐based diets on children's and adolescents’ health and environmental sustainability are well established and various studies report promising effects of interventions based on sensory‐hedonic strategies and on nudging in promoting vegetables and pulses in schools, a comprehensive collection of those reports is lacking. Therefore, this systematic review aims to collect published literature on the above interventions in schools that focus on promoting the consumption of vegetables and pulses to children and adolescents. Three databases—PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science—were searched over all years until March 2022 using pre‐specified terms. From the 10.488 studies identified, a total of 57 studies reporting sensory‐hedonic (e.g., manipulating food sensory properties or their hedonic value) or nudging (e.g., changing the presentation) interventions targeting children and/or adolescents in schools and aiming at promoting vegetables and/or pulses were included. Overall, interventions based on sensory‐hedonic strategies (either enhancing the perception of well‐accepted flavor and texture or manipulating their hedonic value) and on nudging (through incentives and prompts) are effective in promoting vegetables and pulses. A gap in the literature was identified for interventions targeting adolescents and promoting pulses. Finally, multicomponent interventions, rather than using one strategy alone, could be more successful.
Associations of vitamin D receptor activators and calcimimetics with falls and effect modifications by physical activity: A prospective cohort study on the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study
Authors: Murashima Miho , Yamamoto Ryohei , Kanda Eiichiro , Kurita Noriaki , Noma Hisashi , Hamano Takayuki , Fukagawa Masafumi
Published: March 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to examine the associations of vitamin D receptor activators (VDRA) and calcimimetics use with falls.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study on hemodialysis patients in the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. We excluded those who were unable to walk. The associations of VDRA or calcimimetics use with falls and effect modifications by physical activity were analyzed using marginal structural models.

Results

In total, 1875 patients were included. VDRA and calcimimetics use was not associated with falls (risk ratio [95% CI]: 1.13 [0.84–1.51] and 1.02 [0.72–1.44]). The risk ratio for falls associated with VDRA use was lower among those with poor physical activity (p for interaction <0.1).

Conclusions

Although vitamin D receptor activators and calcimimetics use was not associated with falls, the lower risk ratio for falls with vitamin D receptor activators use among those with poor physical activity suggests that vitamin D receptor activators use might be beneficial among these patients.
Effect of dehydration and pulsed light treatment on decontamination of minced onions: Microbial safety and physicochemical properties
Authors: Gomathi Padma Priya P. , Savitha Srinivasan , Chakraborty Snehasis , Thorat Bhaskar N.
Published: March 2024

Microbial contamination of dehydrated onion products is a challenge to the industry. The study focused on opting for a suitable drying condition for minced onion and exploring the decontamination efficacy of pulsed light (PL) treatment conditions for the dehydrated product. The minced onions were hot air dried at 55–75°C for 280 min. The drying condition selected was 195 min at 75°C with a final water activity of 0.5 and moisture content of 7% (wet basis [w.b.]). The weight losses, browning indexes (BI), shrinkage volumes (%), and thiosulfinate content were considered. The dehydrated product was exposed to PL treatment corresponding to an effective fluence range of 0.007–0.731 J/cm2. A fluence of 0.444 J/cm2 (1.8 kV for 150 s) achieved 5.00, 3.14, 2.96, and 2.98 log reduction in total plate count, yeast and mold count, Bacillus cereus 10876, and Escherichia coli ATCC 43888, respectively. The PL‐treated sample (0.444 J/cm2) produced a microbially safe product with no significant difference in the moisture contents (%w.b.) and water activity (aw) from the untreated dehydrated sample. Further, a 30.9% increase in the BI and a 4.25% depletion in thiosulfinate content were observed after PL treatment. An optimum drying combination (75°C for 195 min) of minced onion followed by decontamination using pulsed light treatment at 0.444 J/cm2 fluence satisfies the microbial safety and quality.

Practical Application

Dehydrated minced onion can be used for dishes requiring low water content and short cooking time. It is helpful during shortages, high price fluctuations, and famines.
Optimization of emulsification conditions with rice bran concentrates for the preliminary formulation of potential vegan dressings and their characterization
Authors: Bonifacino Carla , López Débora N. , Palazolo Gonzalo G. , Panizzolo Luis A. , Abirached Cecilia
Published: March 2024

A fraction of rice bran (RB), generated during the brown rice polishing, is utilized to extract oil, resulting in defatted RB (DRB). The aim of this study was to optimize the emulsification conditions to enhance the value of this byproduct by formulating potential vegan dressings and characterizing them. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the starch present in DRB yields the DRB concentrate (DRBC). A central composite design was applied and the results were analyzed using response surface methodology to select optimal conditions for an oil‐in‐water emulsion formula. Two formulations were chosen: one corresponds to the optimal conditions, with 26.5% of oil and 73.5% of DRBC dispersion (eoptimal), and the other one with 21.7% of oil and 78.3% of dispersion (eED8). The eoptimal formulation exhibited significantly lower mean De Brouckere diameter (D4,3) value and higher viscosity when compared with eED8. For both emulsions, the particle size distribution and D4,3 remained unchanged during storage, whereas viscosity decreased, and backscattering (BS) increased. Initially, both emulsions exhibited solid viscoelastic behavior, which was partially lost during quiescent storage. The increase in BS was attributed to particle disaggregation, ultimately leading to the aforementioned change in rheological behavior. In conclusion, although the designed emulsions underwent microstructural changes, they were stable against gravitational separation. To improve stability during quiescent storage, it is suggested to incorporate a thickening agent. Hence, it is propose to procced with the development of a vegan dressing based on the eoptimal emulsion, as it exhibits superior physicochemical properties.
Microbial biotechnology and beyond: A roadmap for sustainable development and climate mitigation in the transition from fossil fuels to green chemistry
Authors: Ramos Juan‐Luis , Segura Ana
Published: March 2024

Our planet, which operates as a closed system, is facing increasing entropy due to human activities such as the overexploitation of natural resources and fossil fuel use. The COP28 in Dubai emphasized the urgency to abandon fossil fuels, recognizing them as the primary cause of human‐induced environmental changes, while highlighting the need to transition to renewable energies. We promote the crucial role of microbes for sustaining biogenic cycles to combat climate change and the economic potential of synthetic biology tools for producing diverse non‐fossil fuels and chemicals, thus contributing to emission reduction in transport and industry. The shift to ‘green chemistry’ encounters challenges, derived from the availability of non‐food residues and waste (mainly lignocellulosic) as raw material, the construction of cost‐effective bioprocessing plants, product recovery from fermentation broths and the utilization of leftover lignin residues for synthesizing new chemicals, aligning with circular economy and sustainable development goals. To meet the Paris Agreement goals, an urgent global shift to low‐carbon, renewable sources is imperative, ultimately leading to the cessation of our reliance on fossil fuels.
METTL3‐mediated the m6A modification of SF3B4 facilitates the development of non‐small cell lung cancer by enhancing LSM4 expression
Authors: He Guangsi , Gu Kangsheng , Wei Jie , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2024

Background

Splicing factor B subunit 4 (SF3B4) has been confirmed to participate in the progression of many cancers and is considered to be a potential target for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, the role and molecular mechanism of SF3B4 in NSCLC progression deserves further study.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time PCR and western blot were employed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of SF3B4, Sm‐like protein 4 (LSM4) and methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration and stemness were tested by cell counting kit‐8, colony formation, flow cytometry, transwell, wound healing, and sphere formation assays. The interaction between SF3B4 and METTL3 or LSM4 was confirmed by MeRIP, RIP and Co‐IP assays. Mice xenograft models were constructed to assess the effects of METTL3 and SF3B4 on NSCLC tumorigenesis.

Results

SF3B4 had high expression in NSCLC tissues and was associated with the shorter overall survival of NSCLC patients. Knockdown of SF3B4 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and stemness, while inducing apoptosis. METTL3 promoted SF3B4 mRNA stability by m6A modification, and its knockdown inhibited NSCLC cell growth, metastasis and stemness by downregulating SF3B4. SF3B4 could interact with LSM4, and sh‐SF3B4‐mediated the inhibition on NSCLC cell functions could be reversed by LSM4 overexpression. In addition, reduced METTL3 expression restrained NSCLC tumor growth, and this effect was reversed by SF3B4 overexpression.

Conclusion

METTL3‐stablized SF3B4 promoted NSCLC cell growth, metastasis and stemness via positively regulating LSM4.