bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-Neuron Labeling inDrosophilaUsing Multicolor FLP-Out
Authors: Marshall Zarion D. , Wreden Chris C. , Heckscher Ellie S.
Published: September 2024

Neurons exhibit some of the most striking examples of morphological diversity of any cell type. Thus, when studying neurons, the morphology of each neuron must be considered individually. However, neurons densely populate the central nervous system (CNS), making it difficult to ascertain fine morphological features due to a lack of spatial resolution. InDrosophila, this problem can be partially resolved by using driver lines that express the yeast transcription factor GAL4 in subsets of neurons. GAL4 can activate the expression of other introduced genetic elements such as genes for fluorescent proteins or other markers under the control of the GAL4 upstream activation sequences (UAS effectors). However, even highly specific GAL4 lines often label sets of potentially morphologically heterogeneous neurons. Here, we describe a protocol for using the multicolor flip-out (MCFO) technique inDrosophila melanogasterto stochastically label individual neurons within a GAL4 expression pattern. MCFO relies on the binary GAL4/UAS expression system inDrosophilabut adds additional control for how densely the neurons within a GAL4 expression pattern are labeled via user-controlled heat shock. Specifically, three discrete UAS effector elements containing the sequences for unique epitope tags (FLAG, HA, and V5) linked to a gene for nonfluorescent GFP can be independently expressed under the control of GAL4 only when a transcriptional stop sequence in the UAS promoter sequence has been removed by heat shock–induced recombination. This effectively labels multiple individual neurons with either one or a combination of epitope tags that can be spectrally resolved with immunofluorescence. The MCFO technique is ideal for researchers who want to determine morphological features of CNS neurons in wild-type or mutant backgrounds.
Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Chain Reaction for RNA in theDrosophilaEmbryonic and Larval Central Nervous System
Authors: Henderson Jake E. , Wreden Chris C. , Heckscher Ellie S.
Published: September 2024

In theDrosophilanerve cord, much is known about the generation of neurons from neuronal stem cells. Over the lifetime of a neuron, the cumulative expression of genes within that neuron determines its fate. Furthermore, gene expression in mature neurons determines their functional characteristics. It is therefore useful to visualize neural gene expression, which is often done via staining with antibodies to a protein of interest. In cases where there is no antibody to a desired gene product, or when it is useful to detect RNA rather than protein products, fluorescent in situ hybridization chain reaction for RNA (HCR RNA-FISH, or HCR for this protocol) can be used to detect and quantify RNA expression. RNA molecules reside predominantly in the cell soma, so HCR can facilitate determining neuron identity because somata position within the nerve cord is stereotyped across animals. HCR provides high-amplitude, high-fidelity signals. In principle, HCR can be broken down into a detection/hybridization stage and an amplification stage. During detection/hybridization, a probe set hybridizes to multiple sequences within a target gene. In the amplification step, concatemerized fluorescent hairpins bind to the hybridized probes. This two-step process increases the specificity of the fluorescent signal and helps reduce the likelihood of background fluorescence compared to traditional in situ hybridization techniques where the hybridizing probe itself contains the fluorescent signal. Here, we describe a protocol for using HCR to study gene expression in theDrosophilaembryonic and larval nerve cord. We also describe how to combine HCR with immunofluorescence staining.
Five-body
D→V
semileptonic decays
Authors: Yu Yechun , Zhang Han , Ke Bai-Cian , Yu Yao , Xiong Zhuang , Zhang Jia-Wei , Chen Xue-Wen
Published: September 2024

Our main objective is to derive the decay rate for the semileptonic decays D→Vℓ+νℓ(ℓ=e,μ), where V represents a vector particle. In these decays, the vector particle V decays into three pseudoscalar particles. To accomplish this, we evaluate the phase-space factor for the five-body decay with a set of eight independent variables which uniquely define a point in the phase space. We further conduct a detailed investigation of the D→ωℓ+νℓ, where ω subsequently decays into π+π−π0, within the Standard Model and in a general effective field theory description of the weak interactions at low energies. The outcomes of this study have potential applications in the measurement of D→ω form factors. These measurements can be performed using data obtained from BESIII.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Relativistic effects on entangled single-electron traps
Authors: Toroš Marko , Andriolo Patrick , Schut Martine , Bose Sougato , Mazumdar Anupam
Published: September 2024

The manipulation of individual charged particles has been deeply explored in physics’s theoretical and experimental domains during the past decades. It is the pillar of several existing devices used for metrology and sensing and is a promising platform for realizing future technologies, such as quantum computers. It is also known that in the relativistic regime, interactions between charged particles become affected by post-Coulombian corrections, with the dominant couplings encoded in the . The Darwin term has been extensively studied in atomic physics, where the interaction range is confined to the sub-angstrom scale. Still, there is a lack of understanding about whether (and when) Darwin’s contributions are relevant at larger scales. In this paper, we explore the effects of these corrections in a system of two harmonically trapped electrons, where we look into the behavior of quantum entanglement present in the static and dynamical regimes. We explore the parameter space of the developed model and seek frequencies, distances, and squeezing parameters for which relativistic effects become relevant for the generation of entanglement.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Absorptive corrections to the electromagnetic form factor in high-energy elastic proton-proton scattering
Authors: Poblaguev A. A.
Published: September 2024

Recently, it was noted that absorptive corrections to the electromagnetic form factor in high-energy proton-proton scattering are important for the theoretical interpretation of the p↑p and p↑A analyzing power AN(t) measurements with the Hydrogen Jet Target polarimeter (HJET) at RHIC. Here, a concise expression for the absorptive correction was derived within the eikonal approach. The resulting analysis reveals a systematic bias, nearly independent of the beam energy, in the experimental determination of the real-to-imaginary ratio ρ when absorption effects are overlooked in the data analysis. Quantification of this bias, as ρmeas=ρ+(0.036±0.016)bias, was achieved using a Regge fit applied to available proton-proton measurements of ρmeas(s) and σtotmeas(s). Considering the potential impact of such an effect on the experimentally determined AN(t), one may enhance consistency between the HJET and STAR measurements of the hadronic spin-flip amplitude. While the sign of the bias in the value of ρ aligns with the anticipated effective increase in the proton charge radius in pp scattering due to absorption, it amplifies the observed discrepancy between σtotmeas and ρmeas values at s=13  TeV as measured in the TOTEM experiment. Evaluation (using published TOTEM data) of the measured proton-proton dσ/dt dependence on the absorptive corrections indicated that possible soft photon corrections to the hadronic amplitude slope may be essential for such data analysis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Resolving the ultracollinear paradox with effective field theory
Authors: Baumgart Matthew , Christeas Panagiotis
Published: September 2024

Naive intuition about scale decoupling breaks down in the presence of fermion masses. Kinematic enhancements can greatly extend the range where one needs to keep a finite mass in calculations to obtain a correct result at even the O(1) level. Treating a light fermion as massive though, leads to a known but somewhat obscure paradox, a seeming leading-order sensitivity to an arbitrarily small mass. We show how a proper formulation in effective field theory not only resolves the physical conundrum but also answers the very practical question of when fermion masses are required. This has important implications for the development of shower Monte Carlo event generators above the weak scale.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Image recommendation for social media marketing in maternity and baby care product industry – a machine learning approach
Authors: Wang Kung-Jeng , Wang Jeh-An
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The digital marketing landscape is rapidly evolving, but the integration of visual content still heavily depends on human expertise. Driven by the quest for innovative marketing strategies that resonate with family-oriented consumers, this study seeks to bridge this gap by applying machine learning to analyze visual content in the maternity and baby care product sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study incorporates a range of machine learning techniques – including open science framework feature detection, panoptic segmentation, customized instance segmentation, and face detection calculation methods – to analyze and predict the appeal of images, thereby enhancing user engagement and parent-child intimacy.

Findings

The exploration of various ML models, such as DT, LightGBM, RIPPER algorithm, and CNNs, has offered a comparative analysis that addresses a methodological gap in the existing literature, which frequently depends on isolated model evaluations. According to our quadrant analysis with respect to engagement rate and parent-child intimacy, the selection of a model for real-world applications depends on balancing performance and interpretability.

Originality/value

The proposed system offers a series of actionable recommendations designed to enhance customer engagement and foster brand loyalty. This study contributes to image design in maternity and baby care marketing and provides analytical insights for recommendation systems.
Access mode of consumption and psychological ownership: exploring the role of self-product connection
Authors: Tan Ser Zian , Tjiptono Fandy , Yang Lin , Bandyopadhyay Argho , Thaichon Park
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon extended-self theory, this research aims to understand how different access modes of consumption and product type influence consumers' perceptions of self-product connection and sense of individual and collective ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experiments assessed the impact of access modes (temporary vs permanent) and product types (tangible vs intangible) on individual and collective psychological ownership (IPO and CPO) as well as the mediating role of self-product connection in these relationships.

Findings

Temporary access reduces IPO compared to permanent access. Moreover, self-product connection mediates the relationship between access modes and both IPO and CPO. Product type significantly moderates the degree of psychological ownership, with intangible products having a notable influence on the impacts of access modes on IPO and CPO.

Practical implications

Understanding the nuances of access-based consumption and its effects on psychological ownership can inform marketers and businesses in designing more effective strategies for product offerings and access modes. Highlighting self-product connection can aid in cultivating stronger consumer relationships and loyalty in access-based consumption contexts.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on consumer access-based consumption by shedding light on the changing dynamics of material possessions and the psychological mechanisms underlying ownership perceptions in access-based models.
Evolutionary analysis of value co-destruction in urban village renovation using SEM-FCM model
Authors: Chen Wei , Yu Mingyu , Wang Yong , Lu Xuteng , Hou Jia
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Urban villages are prevalent informal settlements within Chinese cities, arising from urban expansion. These areas frequently face systematic demolition during urban renewal due to their disorderly layout and outdated appearance. Urban village renovation (UVR) entails balancing diverse interests and navigating complex conflicts, particularly within China’s dual property rights system encompassing urban and rural land. The purpose of this study is to avoid the fierce interest conflict of UVR.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized the theoretical framework of value co-destruction. Initially, text mining and literature analysis were employed to identify concept nodes and interaction relationships. Subsequently, the structural equation model (SEM) was used to verify the causal model. Finally, the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) was developed to dynamically simulate value co-destruction scenarios within UVR across various hypothetical situations.

Findings

The concept nodes influencing value co-destruction in UVR form a complex system with multiple levels. This includes three cause nodes and one result node. Among these, actor-to-actor emerges as a primary and underlying cause influencing value co-destruction in these projects. Furthermore, strategies for UVR should prioritize integrated interventions that enhance actor-to-actor relationships.

Originality/value

This study introduced a novel mixed methodology aimed at systematically simulating the dynamic process of value co-destruction during UVR. It also provided a fresh perspective on reverse assessment to mitigate the prevalent interest conflicts in UVR, thereby contributing to theoretical advancements and practical strategies for UVR.
Foreign direct investment and the protection of garment workers' rights in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Belayet , Fazi Muhammad Abdullah
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Critical examination of Bangladeshi laws related to workers’ rights in the garment industry. This paper aims to examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the protection of garment workers’ rights in Bangladesh, analyzing how international investment practices influence labor standards and the overall well-being of workers in the garment industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, qualitative and analytical methods has been used to analyze legal frameworks related to labor rights in Bangladesh and BITs.

Findings

The findings indicate a need to strengthen the current legal framework to better protect workers' rights in Bangladesh. The study also provides recommendations for the relevant authorities to improve the existing laws.

Originality/value

Novel idea critically evaluating the Bangladeshi legal framework in the context of foreign direct investment and implications for worker's rights.
Service quality, customer sentiment and online ratings of beach hotels: an analysis of moderating factors
Authors: Kalnaovakul Kanapot , Balasubramanian Kandappan , Chuah Stephanie Hui-Wen
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the service quality dimensions of hotel resorts in renowned beach destinations of Thailand. It also explores the relationship between review text sentiment expressed in online platforms and the satisfaction ratings provided for those reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a two-step analysis approach: first, supervised and unsupervised machine learning via support vector machine (SVM) and latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) are used to identify service quality dimensions, and second, SmartPLS with PROCESS macro is applied to analyze the moderating roles of quality signals and reviewer’s experience on the relationship between sentiment and satisfaction rating. The dataset comprises 102,179 online reviews from TripAdvisor, focusing on 187 selected hotels rated from 3 to 5 stars.

Findings

Eight service quality dimensions were identified, including leisure activities, tangibles and surroundings, reliability, responsiveness, service process, food, empathy and ambience. The study underscores that the service process stands as the sole dimension exhibiting negative sentiment. Furthermore, the analysis revealed a robust positive association between sentiment of review texts and satisfaction, and reviewers’ experience and brand affiliation influenced the relationship between customer sentiment and satisfaction.

Practical implications

Hotel managers should focus efforts on maintaining tangible aspects while enhancing existing service quality level of other dimensions, particularly those related to intangible elements. Independent hotels might implement quality audit to ensure that service quality gaps are monitored.

Originality/value

This study contributes an examination of the moderating roles of quality signals and reviewer’s experience on the relationship between review sentiment and satisfaction rating in online reviews.
Mapping data-driven management in accounting: the premise and promise of the debate and how to move beyond
Authors: Kornberger Martin , Schott Clarissa Ruth Marie , Knudsen Dan-Richard , Andvik Christian
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to point to the shift in the temporal orientation, going from reporting on the past to creating insights about the future, which might be suggestive of perennial managerial attempts to push the boundaries of bounded rationality.

Design/methodology/approach

In this essay, the authors want to critically engage with the concept of “data-driven management” in the context of digitalization. To do so, they sketch the edges of current discourses around the emerging idea of data-driven management and its relationship with the inner workings of organizations from an accounting perspective. They question the often-times supposed objectivity and increased rationality of the concept and instead introduce the idea of becoming “data-curious” (before being data-driven).

Findings

The authors observe that this push also seems to be accompanied by trends of individualized decision-making and prevailing hopes of technology to solve organizational problems. They therefore suggest that it is valuable for current debates to take a moment to give attention, in practice and in research, to the role of temporality, benefits of collective decision-making and changes in professions (of accountants).

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to spark curiosity and engagement with the phenomenon of data-driven management by outlining a novel set of potential future pathways of research and point towards methods that might help studying the questions arising for a data-curious approach.
Home–school interactions relating to students with disability: a document analysis of Australian policy and guidelines
Authors: Vlcek Samantha , Cuskelly Monica , Somerton Michelle , Pedersen Scott
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The present study explored the extent to which home–school interactions for students with disability are addressed within Australian Federal, and State and Territory government and Catholic education department policies and guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising a framework adapted from Trezona et al.’s (2018a, b) Organisational Health Literacy Responsiveness self-assessment tool, a document analysis of pertinent policies and guidelines provided an opportunity to understand the prominence of home–school interactions within these guiding documents, the prioritisation of home–school interactions, as well as stipulated actions, implementation resources and monitoring processes.

Findings

The findings of this analysis indicate that there are varying approaches to identifying and articulating home–school interactions and associated processes, as well as the roles and responsibilities assigned to stakeholders across the education system(s). Recommendations for increasing in-school and in-classroom translation of documented priorities and objectives are presented.

Originality/value

The article concludes with a broad conceptualisation of home–school interactions for students with disability as established within the analysed documents, as well as considerations for policymakers and researchers involved in policy and guideline development and implementation.
Benchmarking sample pooling for epigenomics of natural populations
Authors: Daniels Ryan J. , Meyer Britta S. , Giulio Marco , Signorini Silvia G. , Riccardi Nicoletta , Della Torre Camilla , Weber Alexandra A.‐T.
Published: September 2024

DNA methylation (DNAm) is a mechanism for rapid acclimation to environmental conditions. In natural systems, small effect sizes relative to noise necessitates large sampling efforts to detect differences. Large numbers of individually sequenced libraries are costly. Pooling DNA prior to library preparation may be an efficient way to reduce costs and increase sample size, yet there are to date no recommendations in ecological epigenetics research. We test whether pooled and individual libraries yield comparable DNAm signals in a natural system exposed to different pollution levels by generating whole‐epigenome data from two invasive molluscs (Corbicula fluminea, Dreissena polymorpha) collected from polluted and unpolluted localities (Italy). DNA of the same individuals were used for pooled and individual epigenomic libraries and sequenced with equivalent resources per individual. We found that pooling effectively captures similar genome‐wide and global methylation signals as individual libraries, highlighting that pooled libraries are representative of the global population signal. However, pooled libraries yielded orders of magnitude more data than individual libraries, which was a consequence of higher coverage. We would therefore recommend aiming for a high initial coverage of individual libraries (15×) in future studies. Consequently, we detected many more differentially methylated regions (DMRs) with the pooled libraries and a significantly lower statistical power for regions from individual libraries. Computationally pooled data from the individual libraries produced fewer DMRs and the overlap with wet‐lab pooled DMRs was relatively low. We discuss possible causes for discrepancies, list benefits and drawbacks of pooling, and provide recommendations for future epigenomic studies.
Building the private practice workforce in the Northern Territory: Barriers and facilitators for implementation of the allied health assistant role
Authors: Roberts Lori , Staley Bea , Callanan John , Logan Kristy
Published: September 2024

Objective

To identify barriers and facilitators contributing to the successful implementation of the allied health assistant role in private disability practice to better meet population needs.

Design

A qualitative case study.

Setting

This study was completed with staff working in private disability practices in a regional context in the Northern Territory.

Participants

Eight participants were interviewed, including three allied health assistants, three allied health professionals, and two managers with allied health backgrounds.

Results

More barriers were reported than facilitators, with four key themes identified. Financial risk was a barrier when employing allied health assistants. This risk was mediated by providing part‐time employment or having allied health assistants in dual roles. Reduced confidence from allied health professionals and assistants to complete delegation work was the second barrier. A facilitator was increasing allied health assistants' task variation, which participants reported increased retention. Finally, a positive working relationship between allied health professionals and assistants facilitates delegation.

Conclusion

This research offers private disability providers insight into the realities of employing an allied health assistant. It also suggests that formal training programs for both allied health assistants and professionals require increased focus on delegation in the private disability sector. On a government level, a review of the NDIS price guide for allied health assistant rates is needed if private providers are to better meet the requirements for NDIS participants in regional areas.
Influence falling income inequality for social stability: Case study of four European countries
Authors: Wan Liqun , Wu Yajun
Published: September 2024

This study aims to assess the relationship between income inequality and social solidarity as a measure of societal stability, using European countries as a case study. Data from 20 European countries were included in the research. The primary dependent variable was defined as social solidarity, serving as an indicator of societal stability. The analysis of social solidarity was conducted concerning various social groups, including overall solidarity and solidarity towards vulnerable societal categories. Responses to questions were evaluated using the Likert scale. Income inequality within each country, measured by the Gini coefficient, was designated as the explanatory variable. Control variables were incorporated, including GDP per capita and the percentage of social expenditure relative to a country's GDP. The conducted analysis demonstrates a negative correlation between income inequality and the manifestation of social solidarity. The analysis of individual characteristics reveals that specific groups exhibit greater social solidarity compared to others. The conclusion drawn is that both lower and higher household income levels lead to a decrease in the overall manifestation of social solidarity in the face of increasing income inequality. The study's findings contribute theoretically to the discourse on income inequality and its impact on societal stability.
Effects of social anxiety and self‐schemas on the impact and meaningfulness of positive versus negative social autobiographical memories
Authors: Martin Katie E. , Kudryk Sophie M. , Moscovitch David A.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Social anxiety is characterized by maladaptive self‐schemas about being socially undesirable. Self‐schemas are deeply held beliefs which are derived from negative autobiographical memories of painful social experiences. In contrast to the plethora of past research on negative memories in social anxiety, almost no research has investigated objectively positive social autobiographical memories. In this preregistered study, we examined the effects of social anxiety and self‐schemas on the appraised impact and meaningfulness of retrieved positive versus negative social autobiographical memories.

Method

Participants recruited via Prolific (final n = 343) were randomized to one of two conditions in which they were instructed to retrieve, orally narrate, and appraise a positive or negative social autobiographical memory of a specific experience from their personal past where they felt either valued or unvalued, respectively.

Results

Results demonstrated that participants rated their positive memories as more impactful and meaningful than negative memories overall, but this effect was reversed for participants who endorsed having either stronger negative self‐schemas or greater social anxiety symptoms, for whom negative memories were more impactful. Additionally, participants who endorsed having stronger positive self‐schemas rated their negative memories as significantly less impactful and their positive memories as nearly more impactful.

Conclusion

Together, these results elucidate how self‐schemas and social anxiety are related to autobiographical memory appraisals, paving the way for future research on memory‐based therapeutic interventions for social anxiety disorder.
Genetic variants associated with white blood cell count amongst individuals with sickle cell disease
Authors: Cintho Ozahata Mina , Guo Yuelong , Gomes Isabel , Malta Barbara , Belisário André , Amorim Luiz , Teles Dahra , Park Miriam , Kelly Shannon , Sabino Ester C. , Page Grier P. , Custer Brian , Dinardo Carla L. ,   the International Component of the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study (REDS‐III) and for the TOPMed (NHLBI TransOmics for Precision Medicine) SCD working
Published: September 2024

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a Mendelian disorder characterized by a point mutation in the β‐globin gene that leads to sickling of erythrocytes. Several studies have shown that absolute neutrophil count is strongly associated with clinical severity of SCD, suggesting an apparent role of white blood cells (WBC) in SCD pathology. However, the mechanism by which genetic variants lead to WBC count differences in SCD patients remains unclear.

Methods

Genome‐wide association (GWA) analyses were carried out amongst a cohort of 2409 Brazil SCD participants. Association of WBC count and genetic markers were investigated in homozygous sickle cell anaemia participants and compound heterozygous sickle cell haemoglobin C participants.

Results

GWA analysis showed that variants in genes TERT, ACKR1, and FAM3C are associated with WBC count variation. The well‐studied association between WBC count and Duffy null phenotype (variant in ACKR1) in healthy populations was replicated, reinforcing the influence of the SNP rs2814778 (T>C) in WBC count.

Conclusion

Genetics plays an important role in regulating WBC count in patients with SCD. Our results point to possible mechanisms involved in WBC count variation and as increased WBC count is associated with more severe SCD, these results could suggest potential therapeutic targets for individuals with SCD.
Is Early Menopause a Different Entity From Premature Ovarian Insufficiency?
Authors: Anagnostis Panagiotis , Lambrinoudaki Irene , Goulis Dimitrios G.
Published: September 2024

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI, defined as age at menopause < 40 years) affects 1%–3% of postmenopausal women. It is positively associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, fractures, cognitive impairment, and depression. Early menopause (EM, defined as age at menopause < 45 years) is also associated with these adverse health consequences, in most cases to the same degree as in POI. Therefore, a unifying term for EM and POI, such as ‘premature menopause’, may be proposed, using the age threshold of < 45 years. This could provide broader coverage of these women, substantiating the need for prompt administration of menopausal hormone therapy (in this case, ‘hormone replacement therapy’). However, the benefits of this approach, which precludes a higher oestrogen dose up to the normal age of menopause, need to be proven in well‐designed randomized controlled trials.
Involvement of basolateral amygdala‐rostral anterior cingulate cortex in mechanical allodynia and anxiety‐like behaviors and potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture
Authors: Chen Yuerong , Tong Siyuan , Xu Yingling , Xu Yunyun , Wu Zonglin , Zhu Xixiao , Wang Xirui , Li Chaoran , Lin Chalian , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Chi , Wang Yifang , Shao Xiaomei , Fang Jianqiao , Wu Yuanyuan
Published: September 2024

Aims

Chronic pain is highly associated with anxiety. Electroacupuncture (EA) is effective in relieving pain and anxiety. Currently, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of chronic pain and anxiety and the EA mechanism. This study investigated a potential neural circuit underlying the comorbid and EA mechanisms.

Methods

Spared nerve injury (SNI) surgery established the chronic neuropathic pain mouse model. The neural circuit was activated or inhibited using the chemogenetic method to explore the relationship between the neural circuit and mechanical allodynia and anxiety‐like behaviors. EA combined with the chemogenetic method was used to explore whether the effects of EA were related to this neural circuit.

Results

EA attenuated mechanical allodynia and anxiety‐like behaviors in SNI mice, which may be associated with the activity of CaMKII neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Inhibition of BLACaMKII‐rACC induced mechanical allodynia and anxiety‐like behaviors in sham mice. Activation of the BLACaMKII‐rACC alleviated neuropathic pain and anxiety‐like behaviors in SNI mice. The analgesic and anxiolytic effects of 2 Hz EA were antagonized by the inhibition of the BLACaMKII‐rACC.

Conclusion

BLACaMKII‐rACC mediates mechanical allodynia and anxiety‐like behaviors. The analgesic and anxiolytic effects of 2 Hz EA may be associated with the BLACaMKII‐rACC.
Does Stimulus Category Coherence Influence Visual Working Memory? A Rational Analysis
Authors: Hu Ruoyang , Jacobs Robert A.
Published: September 2024

Visual working memory (VWM) refers to the temporary storage and manipulation of visual information. Although visually different, objects we view and remember can share the same higher‐level category information, such as an apple, orange, and banana all being classified as fruit. We study the influence of category information on VWM, focusing on the question of whether stimulus category coherence (i.e., whether all to‐be‐remembered items belong to the same semantic category) influences VWM performance. This question is addressed in two behavioral experiments using a change‐detection paradigm and a rational analysis using an ideal observer based on a Bayesian model. Both experimental participants and the ideal observer often, but not always, performed numerically better on coherent trials (i.e., when all stimuli belonged to the same category). We hypothesize that the influence of category coherence information on VWM may be task‐dependent and/or stimulus‐dependent. In conditions when category coherence information is highly valuable for task performance, as indicated by the ideal observer, then participants tended to make use of it. However, when the ideal observer suggested this information was not crucial to performance, participants did not. In addition, both participants and the ideal observer showed a bias toward responding “same,” and often showed a stronger influence of category coherence on change trials. The consistencies between participant and ideal observer responses suggest participants often behaved as they did because these behaviors are optimal (or approximately so) for maximizing task performance. This may help explain conflicting results reported in the scientific literature.
Alterations in cortical and subcortical neuroanatomy and associations with behavior in females with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Bartholomay Kristi L. , Jordan Tracy L. , Foland‐Ross Lara C. , Kendall Nicholas , Lightbody Amy A. , Reiss Allan L.
Published: September 2024

Aim

To address substantial gaps in the literature on neuroanatomical variations in females with fragile X syndrome (FXS).

Method

Surface‐based modeling techniques were applied to the magnetic resonance imaging of 45 females with FXS (mean age = 10 years 9 months, range 6 years–16 years 4 months, SD = 2 years 9 months) and 33 age‐matched and developmentally matched females without FXS to elucidate differences in cortical gray matter volume, surface area, and thickness. Gray matter volumes in subcortical regions were examined to ascertain differences in subcortical volume.

Results

In females with FXS, cortical volume was greater bilaterally in the occipital pole and smaller in the right postcentral gyrus. Seven regions demonstrated lower surface area in participants with FXS, while cortical thickness was significantly greater over the posterior and medial surfaces in the group with FXS. Subcortical region of interest analyses demonstrated greater volume in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, and nucleus accumbens in the group with FXS. Global gray matter volume, pial thickness, and surface area were associated with behavioral outcomes in the group with FXS but not in the comparison group.

Interpretation

Females with FXS demonstrated unique cortical and subcortical gray matter anatomy relative to a matched comparison group. These findings may be relevant to the pathogenesis of the FXS behavioral phenotype and provide insights into behavioral interventions targeted to this population.
The 1400 metabolite‐mediated relationship between 91 inflammatory cytokines and migraine: An exploratory two‐step Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Sun Huiqi , Lv Xutong , Zhang Dongbin , Shen Yue , Lu Hongxiu
Published: September 2024

Background

Inflammatory cytokines and migraines have been associated in previous research, but the underlying mechanisms of action are still elusive. The biological functions of metabolites are crucial in the onset of migraine. Our goals were to clarify the cause‐and‐effect connection between inflammatory cytokines and migraines and explore the potential mediating function of metabolites.

Methods

Utilizing summary‐level data from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), we conducted two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the possible causal connection between inflammatory cytokines and migraines. A two‐step MR analysis was employed to further investigate the potential mediating pathways of metabolites.

Results

MR analysis identified a total of 9 inflammatory cytokines that were genetically associated with migraines, and we subsequently identified 21 mediated relationships, with 20 metabolites (13 metabolites, 7 ratios) acting as potential mediators between 8 inflammatory cytokines and migraine. The 9 inflammatory cytokines were beta‐nerve growth factor levels (β‐NGF), T‐cell surface glycoprotein CD5 levels (CD5), T‐cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels (CD6), C‐X‐C motif chemokine 11 levels (CXCL11), interleukin‐4 levels (IL‐4), oncostatin‐M levels (OSM), signalling lymphocytic activation molecule levels (SLAM), C‐C motif chemokine 25 levels (CCL25) and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 levels (MCP‐1).

Conclusion

Our research findings provide evidence for both a causal connection between inflammatory cytokines and migraines, as well as a metabolite‐mediated pathway. These biomarkers facilitate the detection, diagnosis and treatment of migraines while offering fresh perspectives on their underlying mechanisms.
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Dementia Risk: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Sun Yuelian , Veres Katalin , Hasselbalch Hans Carl , Frederiksen Henrik , Østgård Lene Sofie Granfeldt , Horváth‐Puhó Erzsébet , Henderson Victor W. , Sørensen Henrik Toft
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To estimate dementia risk for persons diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome–negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), which serve as a human chronic inflammation model.

Methods

We identified 9895 individuals in Denmark newly diagnosed with MPNs from 1995 to 2017; matched them 10:1 by age and sex with a general population cohort of 95 770 individuals; and followed them until dementia identification, death, emigration, or December 31, 2018. We applied a Cox proportional‐hazards regression model to estimate the cause‐specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dementia. We included control diseases, like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is not characterized by chronic inflammation.

Results

Patients with MPNs showed a 1.15‐fold (95% CI: 1.04–1.27) increased incidence of dementia compared with members of the general population. Associations were stronger for men with MPNs (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.19–1.63) than for women (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.89–1.15). Patients with CLL showed a decreased dementia incidence (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.72–0.90). The findings for CLL could be explained by depletion‐of‐susceptibles bias, suggesting that the findings for MPNs were underestimated by a similar bias.

Conclusions

The findings support MPNs as risk factors for dementia and the role of chronic inflammation in dementia development.
Commentary: What Is the Breadth of “Educational Measurement?”
Authors: Wine Marjorie , Hoffman Alexander M.
Published: September 2024

The work of educational measurement is a highly collaborative endeavor that brings together professionals from many disciplines. While the introduction of the “Foundational Competencies in Educational Measurement” acknowledges this, the explanation of the framework itself falls short in acknowledging the competencies and skills of those from disciplines other than psychometrics, such as content development professionals (CDPs). Therefore, it is unable to sufficiently address the nature of validation work or other work not led by psychometricians. It also underexplores the vital competencies that underlie effective collaboration. As a result, it defines the competencies of psychometric work instead of the larger field of educational measurement.
Futures in EU governance: Anticipatory governance, strategic foresight and EU Better Regulation
Authors: Umbach Gaby
Published: September 2024

Contemporary politics require a swift and responsive policy‐making approach to respond to emergency situations quickly and to anticipate them in a strategic manner. Maintaining decision‐making agility in times of urgency makes it necessary to think ahead of stress‐impacting situations. To increase systemic resilience, policies must be designed in an adaptive way. Strategic options, futurity of policies and potential futures must be elaborated and kept in sight when developing policies. Anticipatory governance and strategic foresight activities are elements of such an adaptive governance mode. To transform decision‐making in a future‐oriented way, these forward‐planning elements need to be institutionalised to support governance resilience. This article asks how anticipatory governance and strategic foresight are embedded within EU multilevel governance. It investigates the EU Better Regulation Agenda to understand how anticipatory governance already contributes to EU governance. Additionally, it discusses how the institutionalisation of strategic foresight can contribute to EU anticipatory governance.
Whole‐Genome Analyses Reveal the Distinct Taxonomic Status of the Hainan Population of Endangered Rucervus eldii and Its Conservation Implications
Authors: Zheng Chenqing , Chen Qing , Wong Michelle Hang Gi , Marx Nick , Khotpathoom Thananh , Wang Hesheng , Yang Feng , Rao Xiaodong , Chan Bosco Pui Lok , Liu Yang
Published: September 2024

Eld's deer Rucervus eldii (McClelland, 1842) is an ungulate that lives in tropical lowland forests in several countries of Indochina and Hainan Island of China. Its remaining population is small and scattered, and the species is listed as an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List. The debate over the taxonomic status of the Hainan population has persisted for over a century—as an island‐endemic subspecies R. e. hainanus, or an insular population of the subspecies R. e. siamensis, would have significant conservation implications. And, given the Hainan population had experienced both population bottleneck and multiple translocations in the past, conservation genomics would be a powerful tool to evaluate the genetic impacts of these events. In this study, we used conservation genomics assessment to study population differentiation and genetic diversity of R. e. siamensis in Cambodia and three Eld's deer subpopulations on Hainan Island. Based on the unique genetic profile and demographic analysis, this study corroborated previous studies using genetic markers that the Hainan Eld's deer warrants the taxonomic status of a distinct subspecies. The Hainan population exhibits a reduction in genetic diversity and an increase in the level of inbreeding when compared to the population of Cambodia. The signs of purifying selection were found against homozygous loss‐of‐function mutations to decrease the deleterious burden in the Hainan population. However, there was an accumulation of more deleterious missense mutations. Furthermore, significant differences in genetic diversity and level of inbreeding found among the three Hainan subpopulations indicated population isolation and suboptimal translocation strategies, which calls for urgent, coordinated, and science‐based genetic management to ensure the long‐term viability of the endemic subspecies hainanus. This study provides guidance for the conservation and management of Eld's deer.
Children and adolescents assisted in a referral oral medicine diagnostic service: 20 years of experience in Brazil
Authors: Barros Caio César da Silva , Júnior César Luis Porpino Santos da Silva , Moreira Deborah Gondim Lambert , de Oliveira Anna Ellyse Grant , da Silveira Éricka Janine Dantas , Freitas Roseana de Almeida , de Oliveira Patrícia Teixeira
Published: September 2024

Background

Several lesions can affect the oral and maxillofacial region, with trends influenced by lifestyle and age.

Aim

To investigate the occurrence of oral and maxillofacial lesions in paediatric patients assisted in an oral medicine diagnostic service in Brazil over 20 years.

Design

A retrospective cross‐sectional study was performed in an oral medicine diagnostic service (1999–2019). Data included sex, age, anatomic site, and diagnosis from clinical records of children (0–9 years) and adolescents (10–19 years). Lesions were diagnosed through clinical examination. Biopsy and histopathologic examination were performed when necessary.

Results

Among 10 530 records, 702 (6.67%) were from patients aged 0–19 years diagnosed with oral or maxillofacial lesions. A high frequency of females was observed (58.1%). Reactive/inflammatory lesions were the most common group of lesions (45.2%), followed by abnormalities of teeth/developmental defects (17.8%) and pulpal and periapical diseases (8.5%). Mucocele/ranula was the most common lesion in children (29.3%) and adolescents (25.3%). Lips were the most affected anatomic sites.

Conclusion

Most lesions were benign, and mucocele/ranula was the most frequent. Our results did not differ from those of histopathological‐based studies, but they provided information on the occurrence of oral and maxillofacial lesions to dentists and paediatricians.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Platelet‐Rich Plasma Versus Tranexamic Acid Plus Vitamin C Mesotherapy in the Treatment of Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: A Split‐Site, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Iranmanesh Behzad , Rastaghi Fatemeh , Hashemi Najmeh Sadat , Kaveh Roxana
Published: September 2024

Background

Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is a common cosmetic problem with a negative impact on the patient's self‐confidence, leading to a decrease in the quality of life. Current treatments include topical agents and mesotherapy, but research remains limited.

Aims

Due to the undesirable effect of the available treatments, the present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) injection and intradermal injection of tranexamic acid plus vitamin C mesotherapy as a therapeutic method to treat POH.

Methods

Patients received an intradermal injection of PRP randomly on one side and an intradermal injection of tranexamic acid + vitamin C on the other side of their face, for three sessions with an interval of 3 weeks. Digital photography was taken, and data were assessed based on physician global assessment (PGA) and patient satisfaction.

Results

Eighteen patients were studied. Among all, 12 patients had a positive family history, 2 had asthma, and 4 had a history of atopic dermatitis. Even though patient satisfaction was higher in the PRP group than in mesotherapy, it was not statistically significant. Both groups showed similar rates of improvement. However, improvement rates did not significantly differ based on various factors including gender, skin type, family history, or medical history. Age and the age of disease onset also did not significantly affect the improvement rates.

Conclusion

Both methods revealed successful results in the reduction of POH. Comparing the efficacy of these two methods showed that both treatments had similar improvements.