bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asking those who know their needs best: A framework for active engagement and involvement of childhood cancer survivors and parents in the process of psychosocial research—A workshop report
Authors: Weiler‐Wichtl Liesa J. , Schneider Carina , Gsell Hannah , Maletzky Anna‐Maria , Kienesberger Anita , Röhl Claas , Bocolli Albina , Gojo Johannes , Hansl Rita , Zettl Anna , Hopfgartner Maximilian , Leiss Ulrike
Published: May 2024

Background

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in healthcare research is crucial for effectively addressing patients' needs and setting appropriate research priorities. However, there is a lack of awareness and adequate methods for practicing PPIE, especially for vulnerable groups like childhood cancer survivors.

Aims

This project aimed to develop and evaluate engagement methods to actively involve pediatric oncological patients, survivors, and their caregivers in developing relevant research questions and practical study designs.

Methods and Results

An interdisciplinary working group recruited n = 16 childhood cancer survivors and their caregivers to work through the entire process of developing a research question and a practicable study design. A systematic literature review was conducted to gather adequate PPIE methods which were then applied and evaluated in a series of three workshop modules, each lasting 1.5 days. The applied methods were continuously evaluated, while a monitoring group oversaw the project and continuously developed and adapted additional methods. The participants rated the different methods with varying scores. Over the workshop series, the participants successfully developed a research question, devised an intervention, and designed a study to evaluate their project. They also reported increased expertise in PPIE and research knowledge compared to the baseline. The project resulted in a practical toolbox for future research, encompassing the final workshop structure, evaluated methods and materials, guiding principles, and general recommendations.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that with a diverse set of effective methods and flexible support, actively involving patients, survivors, and caregivers can uncover patients' unmet disease‐related needs and generate practical solutions apt for scientific evaluation. The resulting toolbox, filled with evaluated and adaptable methods (workbook, Supplement 1 and 2), equips future scientists with the necessary resources to successfully perform PPIE in the development of health care research projects that effectively integrate patients' perspectives and address actual cancer‐related needs. This integration of PPIE practices has the potential to enhance the quality and relevance of health research and care, as well as to increase patient empowerment leading to sustainable improvements in patients' quality of life.
An optimal feedforward circuit with null audio susceptibility in feedback‐controlled buck converter
Authors: Daimary Isac , Jana Rajib , Narasimharaju Beeramangalla Lakshminarasaiah
Published: May 2024

The ability to manage abrupt disturbances in input supply voltage and sudden fluctuations in load represents a fundamental requirement for DC‐DC buck converters. While feedback control systems typically address such transients, certain applications necessitate even faster transient responses. This paper introduces an input voltage feedforward scheme (IVFS) integrated with voltage mode feedback controllers to enhance closed‐loop performance. Relevant transfer functions resulting from the inclusion of the feedforward circuit are derived, and an optimal condition for audio susceptibility nullification is identified. This scheme ensures an additional
attenuation in magnitude of audio susceptibility, in contrast to the buck converter without feedforward. In the time domain, the incorporation of IVFS results in a 20% reduction in percentage overshoot for a 12‐8‐12 step in supply voltage. Additionally, for a 12‐15‐12 step, the percentage overshoot and settling time are completely eliminated. Various active and passive parasitics are included in modeling of the buck converter to aid in designing the feedforward and feedback controller. A Type‐III controller is employed as a feedback controller to assess the closed‐loop performance. A hardware prototype is built to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed feedforward scheme. The implementation of the entire circuit is straightforward due to its requirement of only a few discrete components, namely, analog multiplier, and error amplifier.
Downregulated SPESP1‐driven fibroblast senescence decreases wound healing in aged mice
Authors: Zhong Yun , Zhou Lei , Guo Yi , Wang Fan , He Fanping , Cheng Yufan , Meng Xin , Xie Hongfu , Zhang Yiya , Li Ji
Published: May 2024

Background

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) are essential in the processes of skin ageing and wound healing. However, the underlying mechanism of HDFs in skin healing of the elderly has not been well defined. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms of HDFs senescence and how senescent HDFs affect wound healing in aged skin.

Methods

The expression and function of sperm equatorial segment protein 1 (SPESP1) in skin ageing were evaluated via in vivo and in vitro experiments. To delve into the potential molecular mechanisms by which SPESP1 influences skin ageing, a combination of techniques was employed, including proteomics, RNA sequencing, immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analyses. Clearance of senescent cells by dasatinib plus quercetin (D+Q) was investigated to explore the role of SPESP1‐induced senescent HDFs in wound healing.

Results

Here, we define the critical role of SPESP1 in ameliorating HDFs senescence and retarding the skin ageing process. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that SPESP1 directly binds to methyl‐binding protein, leading to Decorin demethylation and subsequently upregulation of its expression. Moreover, SPESP1 knockdown delays wound healing in young mice and SPESP1 overexpression induces wound healing in old mice. Notably, pharmacogenetic clearance of senescent cells by D+Q improved wound healing in SPESP1 knockdown skin.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings reveal the critical role of SPESP1 in skin ageing and wound healing, expecting to facilitate the development of anti‐ageing strategies and improve wound healing in the elderly.
Exploring the link between comorbidities and Alzheimer's dementia in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle (AIBL) study
Authors: Nguyen Catherine Quynh Nhu , Ma Liwei , Low Yi Ling Clare , Tan Edwin C. K. , Fowler Christopher , Masters Colin L. , Jin Liang , Pan Yijun ,   the AIBL research group
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION

Mounting evidence suggests that certain comorbidities may influence the clinical evolution of Alzheimer's dementia (AD).

METHODS

We conducted logistic regression analyses on the medical history and cognitive health diagnoses of participants in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle study (n = 2443) to investigate cross‐sectional associations between various comorbidities and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/AD.

RESULTS

A mixture of associations were observed. Higher comorbidity of anxiety and other neurological disorders was associated with higher odds of AD, while arthritis, cancer, gastric complaints, high cholesterol, joint replacement, visual defect, kidney and liver disease were associated with lower odds of AD.

DISCUSSION

This study underscores the links between specific comorbidities and MCI/AD. Further research is needed to elucidate the longitudinal comorbidity‐MCI/AD associations and underlying mechanisms of these associations.

Highlights

Comorbidities that significantly increased AD odds included anxiety and other neurological disorders.

Arthritis, cancer, gastric complaints, high cholesterol, joint replacement, visual defect, kidney and liver disease were associated with lower odds of AD.

Alcohol consumption had the most significant confounding effect in the study.

Visual‐AD association was modified by age, sex, and APOE ε4 allele status.

Anxiety‐AD and depression‐AD associations were modified by sex.
Unveiling the potential of antisense oligonucleotides: Mechanisms, therapies, and safety insights
Authors: Ersöz Edanur , Demir‐Dora Devrim
Published: May 2024

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short, synthetic, single‐stranded deoxynucleotide sequences composed of phosphate backbone‐connected sugar rings. Designing of those strands is based on Watson‐Crick hydrogen bonding mechanism. Thanks to rapidly advancing medicine and technology, evolving of the gene therapy area and ASO approaches gain attention. Considering the genetic basis of diseases, it is promising that gene therapy approaches offer more specific and effective options compared to conventional treatments. The objective of this review is to explain the mechanism of ASOs and discuss the characteristics and safety profiles of therapeutic agents in this field. Pharmacovigilance for gene therapy products is complex, requiring accurate assessment of benefit‐risk balance and evaluation of adverse effects.
Severe dawn phenomenon predicts long‐term risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Cai Jinghao , Peng Peng , Lu Jingyi , Shen Yun , Wang Chunfang , Mo Yifei , Lu Wei , Zhu Wei , Xia Tian , Zhou Jian
Published: May 2024

Aims

The dawn phenomenon (DP) is an abnormal early morning blood glucose rise without nocturnal hypoglycaemia, which can be more easily and precisely assessed with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). This prospective study aimed to explore the association between DP and the risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A total of 5542 adult inpatients with type 2 diabetes in a single centre were analysed. The magnitude of DP (ΔG) was defined as the increment in the CGM‐determined glucose value from nocturnal nadir (after 24:00) to prebreakfast. Participants were stratified into four groups by ΔG: ≤1.11, 1.12–3.33, 3.34–5.55, and >5.55 mmol/L. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of DP on all‐cause mortality risk.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 9.4 years, 1083 deaths were identified. The restricted cubic spline revealed a nonlinear (p for nonlinearity = 0.002) relationship between ΔG and the risk of all‐cause mortality. A multivariate‐adjusted Cox regression model including glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) showed that ΔG > 5.55 mmol/L was associated with 30% (95% CI, 1.01–1.66) higher risk of all‐cause mortality, as compared with ΔG 1.12–3.33 mmol/L.

Conclusions

Higher ΔG is significantly related to an increased risk of all‐cause mortality in type 2 diabetes, suggesting that severe DP should be given more attention as a part of glucose management to reduce the risk of long‐term adverse outcomes.
CircSCNN1A inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of renal cell carcinoma cells by decreasing CLDN8 expression through miR‐590‐5p
Authors: Guo Tingting , Xiong Wanjuan , Liu Chong , Zhu Li , Xie Ling
Published: May 2024

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that circular RNA (circRNA) plays a regulatory role in the progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the precise function and underlying mechanism of circSCNN1A in RCC progression still remain unclear.

Methods

The expression levels of circSCNN1A, microRNA‐590‐5p (miR‐590‐5p), claudin 8 (CLDN8), cyclin D1, matrix metalloprotein 2 (MMP2), MMP9, E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin and vimentin were detected by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis. Immunohistochemistry assay was performed to analyze the positive expression rate of CLDN8. Cell proliferation was investigated by cell colony formation, 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine and DNA content quantitation assays. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound‐healing and transwell invasion assays. Interactions among circSCNN1A, miR‐590‐5p and CLDN8 were identified by dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA pull‐down assay. Xenograft mouse model assay was conducted to verify the effect of circSCNN1A on tumor formation in vivo.

Results

CircSCNN1A and CLDN8 expression were significantly downregulated, while miR‐590‐5p was upregulated in both RCC tissues and cells. CircSCNN1A overexpression inhibited RCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, accompanied by decreases of cyclin D1, MMP2, MMP9, N‐cadherin and vimentin expression and an increase of E‐cadherin expression. CircSCNN1A acted as a miR‐590‐5p sponge and regulated RCC cell processes by binding to miR‐590‐5p. CLDN8, a target gene of miR‐590‐5p, was involved in the regulation of the biological behaviors of RCC cells by miR‐590‐5p. In addition, circSCNN1A induced CLDN8 production by interacting with miR‐590‐5p. Further, circSCNN1A suppressed tumor formation in vivo.

Conclusion

CircSCNN1A inhibited RCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by regulating the miR‐590‐5p/CLDN8 pathway.
The nightjar and the ant: Intercontinental migration reveals a cryptic interaction
Authors: Camacho Carlos , Vidal‐Cordero J. Manuel , Sáez‐Gómez Pedro , Hidalgo‐Rodríguez Paula , Rabadán‐González Julio , Molina Carlos , Edelaar Pim
Published: May 2024

Birds and ants co‐occur in most terrestrial ecosystems and engage in a range of interactions. Competition, mutualism and predation are prominent examples of these interactions, but there are possibly many others that remain to be identified and characterized. This study provides quantitative estimates of the frequency of toe amputations resulting from ant bites in a population of migratory red‐necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) monitored for 15 years (2009–2023) in S Spain, and identifies the attacker(s) based on taxonomic analyses of ant‐mandible remains found on injured toes. Less than 1% of examined adults (N = 369) missed one or more toes. The analysis of ant remains identified African army ants (Dorylus sp.) as the primary cause of toe amputations in nightjars and revealed that body parts of the attacker may remain attached to the birds even after intercontinental migration. No cases of severe damage were observed in juveniles (N = 269), apart from the mandible of a Messor barbarus – a local ant species – attached to one of the teeth of the characteristic comb of the medial toe of nightjars. The incidence of ant‐bite damage may appear unimportant for nightjar populations, but this might not be true if only birds that manage to survive their injuries and potential complications (e.g. severe bleeding and sepsis from opportunistic infections) return from the tropics. More field studies, ideally in tropical areas, that incorporate routine examination of ant‐induced injuries into their protocols are needed to understand the true incidence and eco‐evolutionary implications of antagonistic ant‐bird interactions.
Development and validation of a GT‐seq panel for genetic monitoring in a threatened species using minimally invasive sampling
Authors: Garrett Molly J. , Nerkowski Stacey A. , Kieran Shannon , Campbell Nathan R. , Barbosa Soraia , Conway Courtney J. , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Waits Lisette P.
Published: May 2024

Minimally invasive samples are often the best option for collecting genetic material from species of conservation concern, but they perform poorly in many genomic sequencing methods due to their tendency to yield low DNA quality and quantity. Genotyping‐in‐thousands by sequencing (GT‐seq) is a powerful amplicon sequencing method that can genotype large numbers of variable‐quality samples at a standardized set of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. Here, we develop, optimize, and validate a GT‐seq panel for the federally threatened northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) to provide a standardized approach for future genetic monitoring and assessment of recovery goals using minimally invasive samples. The optimized panel consists of 224 neutral and 81 putatively adaptive SNPs. DNA collected from buccal swabs from 2016 to 2020 had 73% genotyping success, while samples collected from hair from 2002 to 2006 had little to no DNA remaining and did not genotype successfully. We evaluated our GT‐seq panel by measuring genotype discordance rates compared to RADseq and whole‐genome sequencing. GT‐seq and other sequencing methods had similar population diversity and FST estimates, but GT‐seq consistently called more heterozygotes than expected, resulting in negative FIS values at the population level. Genetic ancestry assignment was consistent when estimated with different sequencing methods and numbers of loci. Our GT‐seq panel is an effective and efficient genotyping tool that will aid in the monitoring and recovery of this threatened species, and our results provide insights for applying GT‐seq for minimally invasive DNA sampling techniques in other rare animals.
Juvenile survival of little owls decreases with snow cover
Authors: Perrig Marco , Oppel Steffen , Tschumi Matthias , Keil Herbert , Naef‐Daenzer Beat , Grüebler Martin U.
Published: May 2024

Global environmental changes are associated with warmer average temperatures and more extreme weather events, potentially affecting wildlife population dynamics by altering demographic processes. Extreme weather events can reduce food resources and survival in all seasons of the year. Estimates of season‐specific survival probabilities are therefore crucial to understand the moderating effect of extreme events on annual mortality. Here, we analysed survival probabilities of 307 radio‐tracked juvenile little owls (Athene noctua) over two‐week periods from fledging to their first breeding attempt in the following spring to assess the contribution of extreme weather events. Survival probabilities were typically lowest during the first weeks after fledging in summer but were moderated by seasonal extremes in winter. The duration of snow cover in winter had a strong negative effect on survival probability, while being food supplemented during the nestling stage increased survival during the first weeks after fledging in summer and ultimately led to a larger proportion of birds surviving the first year. Overall annual survival probability over the first year varied by 34.3% between 0.117 (95% credible interval 0.052–0.223) and 0.178 (0.097–0.293) depending on the severity of the winter, and was as high as 0.233 (0.127–0.373) for food‐supplemented fledglings. In years with mild winters, the season with the lowest survival was the summer post‐fledging period (0.508; 0.428–0.594), but in years with extensive snow cover the winter was the season with the lowest survival (0.481; 0.337–0.626). We therefore show that extreme weather events occurring in a particular season reduced the proportion of first‐year survivors. Increasing extreme weather events can moderate seasonal survival probability through altering food supply of juvenile little owls either during the nestling period or in winter, with similarly large effects on annual survival and the viability of populations.
Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14‐day delay in the start date of the spring hunting season in Tennessee
Authors: Quehl Joseph O. , Phillips Lindsey M. , Johnson Vincent M. , Harper Craig A. , Clark Joseph D. , Shields Roger D. , Buehler David A.
Published: May 2024

Ten state wildlife management agencies in the United States, including six within the Southeast, have delayed their spring wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting seasons since 2017 by five or more days to address concerns related to the potential effects of hunting on wild turkey seasonal productivity. One hypothesis posits that if the spring hunting season is too early, there may be insufficient time for males to breed hens before being harvested, thus leading to reduced seasonal productivity. We conducted an experiment to determine whether delaying the wild turkey hunting season by 2 weeks in south‐middle Tennessee would affect various reproductive rates. In 2021 and 2022, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission experimentally delayed the spring hunting season to open 14 days later than the traditional date (the Saturday closest to 1 April) in Giles, Lawrence, and Wayne counties. We monitored reproductive rates from 2017 to 2022 in these three counties as well as two adjacent counties, Bedford and Maury, that were not delayed. We used a Before‐After‐Control‐Impact design to analyze the proportion of hens nesting, clutch size, hatchability, nest success, poult survival and hen survival with linear mixed‐effect models and AIC model selection to detect relationships between the 14‐day delay and reproductive parameters. We detected no relationship (p > .05) between the 14‐day delay and any individual reproductive parameter. In addition, recruitment (hen poults per hen that survived until the next breeding season) was very low (<0.5) and did not increase because of the 14‐day delay. The traditional Tennessee start date had been in place since 1986 while the turkey harvest increased markedly until about 2006 and more recently stabilized. Our data indicate that moving the start of the hunting season from a period just prior to peak nest initiation to 2 weeks later, to coincide with a period just prior to peak nest incubation initiation, resulted in no change to productivity or populations in wild turkey flocks in south‐middle Tennessee.
Genomic signatures of hybridization between Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus in natural populations
Authors: Alale Theophilus Yaw , Sormunen Jani J. , Vesterinen Eero J. , Klemola Tero , Knott K. Emily , Baltazar‐Soares Miguel
Published: May 2024

Identifying hybridization between common pathogen vectors is essential due to the major public health implications through risks associated with hybrid's enhanced pathogen transmission potential. The hard‐ticks Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus are the two most common vectors of tick‐borne pathogens that affect human and animal health in Europe. Ixodes ricinus is a known native species in Finland with a well‐known distribution, whereas I. persulcatus has expanded in range and abundance over the past 60 years, and currently it appears the most common tick species in certain areas in Finland. Here we used double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing on 186 ticks (morphologically identified as 92 I. ricinus, and 94 I. persulcatus) collected across Finland to investigate whether RAD generated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can discriminate tick species and identify potential hybridization events. Two different clustering methods were used to assign specific species based on how they clustered and identified hybrids among them. We were able to discriminate between the two tick species and identified 11 putative hybrids with admixed genomic proportions ranging from approximately 24 to 76 percent. Four of these hybrids were morphologically identified as I. ricinus while the remaining seven were identified as I. persulcatus. Our results thus indicate that RAD SNPs are robust in identifying both species of the ticks as well as putative hybrids. These results further suggest ongoing hybridization between I. ricinus and I. persulcatus in their natural populations in Finland. The unique ability of RAD markers to discriminate between tick species and hybrids adds a useful aspect to tick evolutionary studies. Our findings align with previous studies and suggest a shared evolutionary history between the species, with instances of individuals possessing a considerable proportion of the other species' genome. This study is a significant step in understanding the formation of hybridization zones due to range expansion potentially associated with climate change.
The phylogenetic relationship and demographic history of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in subtropical and temperate regions, China
Authors: Zhou Yanyan , Tian Jundong , Han Mengya , Lu Jiqi
Published: May 2024

Pleistocene climatic oscillations exerted significant influences on the genetic structure and demography of rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) in eastern China. However, the evolutionary history of rhesus macaques in subtropical and temperate China remained unclear and/or controversial. Herein, we analyzed the autosomes, mitochondrial genomes, and Y‐chromosomes from 84 individuals of Chinese rhesus macaque. The results revealed that (1) all individuals were clustered into pan‐west and pan‐east genetic groups, which exhibited Shaanxi Province as the northernmost region of western dispersal route of rhesus macaques in China; (2) in subtropical and temperate China, rhesus macaques were divided into four lineages (TH, DB, HS, and QL), and their divergence times corresponded to the Penultimate Glaciation (300–130 kya) and Last Glaciation (70–10 kya), respectively; (3) the individuals from Mt. Taihangshan (TH) are closely related to individuals from Mt. Dabashan (DB) in the autosomal tree, rather than individuals from Mt. Huangshan (HS) as indicated by the mitogenome tree, which supports the hypothesis that the ancestral rhesus macaques radiated into Mt. Taihangshan from Mt. Huangshan via Mt. Dabashan; and (4) the demographic scenario of the four lineages showed the ancestral rhesus macaques bottleneck and expansion corresponding to the suitable habitat reduction and expansion, which confirmed they had experienced northward recolonization and southward retreat events from Mt. Huangshan area via Northern China Plain to Northernmost China along with Pleistocene glacial cycles. This study provides a new insight into understanding how Pleistocene glaciation has influenced faunal diversity in subtropical and temperate China, especially for those exhibiting differential patterns of sex dispersal.
Fabricating process of thin‐strain sensor by utilizing wafer‐level‐packaging techniques
Authors: Aono Takanori , Kanamaru Masatoshi , Ikeda Hiroshi
Published: May 2024

This research has developed a fabricating process of thin‐strain sensor by utilizing wafer‐level‐packaging (WLP) techniques. The thickness of sensor makes thinner, its performance is able to highly increase. However, the thinner sensor was fragile, and so it was difficult to handle in post processes. Thus, a thin sensor with lid by utilizing WLP techniques, which is tough to break even when handled, is proposed in this research. More than 250‐µm‐deep grooves were fabricated around the lid by deep reactive ion etching. After the lid substrate was bonded on the sensor substrate with a resin, the sensor and lid substrates were respectively polished to 50 and 200 µm thickness. The lids were released along the grooves, and the 50‐µm‐thick strain sensors were able to be fabricated by utilizing WLP techniques. This sensor was used as a diaphragm to measure pressure. The sensors were assembled on a stainless steel housing without breakage. The performance of the developed sensor was almost showed with a conventional pressure sensor.
A reference stator flux linkage calculation method for realizing maximum efficiency operation in direct‐torque‐controlled IPMSM drives
Authors: Shinohara Atsushi , Maemura Takato , Yamamoto Kichiro
Published: May 2024

In this paper, a reference stator flux linkage calculation method is proposed for realizing maximum efficiency operation in direct‐torque‐controlled interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drives. The proposed method is based on the solutions of a quartic equation, a motor model in the d‐q rotating frame widely used for synchronous motor controllers, and a well‐known equation for maximum efficiency operation. Therefore, the proposed method uses neither any approximation function nor any look‐up table that depends on the parameters of the motor, which has to be created in advance. Simulation results validate that the proposed methods can achieve maximum efficiency operation in IPMSM drives.
Financialization of commodity markets: New evidence from temporal and spatial domains
Authors: Yin Libo , Cao Hong
Published: May 2024

To address the ongoing contention surrounding the impact of financialization, this study adopts a ripple‐spreading network model to analyze the transmission of information across 13 globally significant commodity markets. By juxtaposing the pre‐ and postfinancialization periods, notable disparities in spillover magnitude are discerned, with overall effects registering at 58% and 85%, respectively. Moreover, the postfinancialization period exhibits accelerated spillover dynamics, necessitating a reduced timeframe (less than 1000 units) in contrast to the prefinancialization period (approximately 2000 units). Furthermore, a heightened interconnectedness among energy, metal, and agricultural futures is evident in the postfinancialization period. These findings furnish compelling evidence regarding the ramifications of financialization on commodity markets.
Digital elevation model‐based lineament analysis of the Zindapir anticline, Sulaiman fold‐and‐thrust belt, Pakistan
Authors: Jadoon Saif‐Ur‐Rehman K. , Ding Lin , Jadoon Ishtiaq A. K. , Razzaq Syed Saqib , Javed Mohsin , Afridi Saifullah , Khan Muhammad Asfandyar , Qasim Muhammad , Cai Fulong
Published: May 2024

The N‐S oriented Zindapir anticline is an eastward verging mega‐structure (~130 km along and ~40 km across the strike) in the eastern Sulaiman fold‐and‐thrust belt on the western margin of the Indian Plate in Pakistan. In this study, we carried out a lineament analysis of the anticline based on shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) images and digital elevation model (DEM) data to demonstrate the application of this technique for modelling of the fractured reservoirs. We used shaded relief images, variations in the vertical exaggeration, sun and azimuth angles to enhance the DEM data and structures in the area. Stereographic projections indicated that the anticline is an upright, asymmetrical, gentle, doubly plunging and east‐vergent fold. The synthesized lineament map of the fractures indicates a total of 402 fractures across the Zindapir anticline. A total of 204 and 198 fractures were observed in the eastern and western limbs, respectively. Statistical analysis portrayed that the lineaments of the majority of fractures followed northwest‐southeast (NW‐SE) and west‐northwest—east‐southeast (WNW‐ESE) trends. These are oblique or transverse to the fold axis and could be interpreted as shear and tensional fractures related to drag and compression along the western boundary of the Indian Plate. Our study provides an example of lineament analysis for structural characterization and modelling of fractured reservoirs in a collision‐mountain setting.
Neither Ethical nor Prudent: Why Not to Choose Normothermic Regional Perfusion
Authors: Omelianchuk Adam , Capron Alexander Morgan , Ross Lainie Friedman , Derse Arthur R. , Bernat James L. , Magnus David
Published: May 2024

In transplant medicine, the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in donation after circulatory determination of death raises ethical difficulties. NRP is objectionable because it restores the donor's circulation, thus invalidating a death declaration based on the permanent cessation of circulation. NRP's defenders respond with arguments that are tortuous and factually inaccurate and depend on introducing extraneous concepts into the law. However, results comparable to NRP's—more and higher‐quality organs and more efficient allocation—can be achieved by removing organs from deceased donors and using normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) to support the organs outside the body, without jeopardizing confidence in transplantation's legal and ethical foundations. Given the controversy that NRP generates and the convoluted justifications made for it, we recommend a prudential approach we call “ethical parsimony,” which holds that, in the choice between competing means of achieving a result, the ethically simpler one is to be preferred. This approach makes clear that policy‐makers should favor NMP over NRP.
Citizen science as a vehicle to address multiple policy objectives: Case studies from Australia
Authors: Marks Leah , Mitchell Jo , Rowbotham Samantha , Laird Yvonne , Smith Ben J.
Published: May 2024

Issue Addressed

Despite increasing interest in citizen science as an approach to engage members of the public in research and decision making about health and wellbeing, there is a lack of practical evidence to guide policy and practice organisations to utilise these approaches. In this study we investigated how and why citizen science came to be incorporated into the work of two policy organisations.

Methods

We offer two in‐depth case studies of Australian government organisations which have utilised citizen science in environmental and healthy ageing policy. Interviews with organisational informants and relevant documents were analysed inductively to explore how citizen science came to be adopted, legitimised and supported.

Results

Citizen science was utilised to address multiple organisational objectives, including increasing community participation in science; enhancing individuals' wellbeing, learning, and skills, and generating data to support research and policy in a relatively cost‐effective manner. In both cases, grant funding was a mechanism to support citizen science, with project delivery facilitated through academic‐policy partnerships and led by external academic or community partners.

Conclusion

Although citizen science is relatively new in policy and practice settings, this study underscores the value of these approaches in realising co‐benefits for organisations, academics, and community members. The support and advocacy of senior managers as ‘champions’, and a willingness to invest in trialling new approaches to address policy problems are necessary ingredients to foster acceptance and legitimacy of citizen science.

So What?

Citizen science initiatives can be strategically utilised by health promotion organisations to enact priorities related to genuine community involvement, support research and innovation and facilitate collaboration and partnerships between academic, policy and community stakeholders.
Attempted movement classification of spinal cord injured patients using hybrid CNN‐LSTM networks
Authors: Shrestha Kumar , Rahman Md. Asadur , Saha Pritom Kumar , Rashid Mohd Abdur , Higa Hiroki
Published: May 2024

Individuals who are suffering from the most severe of motor disabilities can improve their quality of life by controlling and directing mechanical and electronic devices. As for Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) patients', attempted hand movements can be classified using electroencephalography (EEG). The research aims to develop a hybrid CNN‐LSTM (Convolutional Neural Network—Long Short Term Memory) architecture for multichannel EEG signal classification. It is a challenging task to classify real‐world multichannel EEG data from SCI patients. The proposed research preprocessed the EEG data to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio and arranged for them to extract additional information from the data. The preprocessing step includes filtering, downsampling, and artifact removal, while the postprocessing step includes time‐frequency representation and spatial information encoding. A hybrid CNN‐LSTM is used for feature extraction and classification. The proposed method has been implemented on a dataset consisting of 5 different classes of attempted hand movements from 10 SCI patients. The average classification accuracy of 92.36% is achieved for 5‐class classification. To check the global validity of the proposed network, the BCI competition IV data is classified by the proposed method and has found 92.70% overall accuracy.
Earnings quality of multinational corporations: Evidence from Latin America before and after IFRS implementation
Authors: Melgarejo Mauricio
Published: May 2024

This study evaluates whether Latin American multinational corporations (MNCs) report higher quality of accounting reports than companies with only operations in their home countries. In addition, it explores whether the impact of internationalization on the quality of accounting information has changed since the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the region. An emerging area of research studies the effect of firms’ internationalization on accounting and finance. Nevertheless, evidence of the impact of internationalization on the quality of earnings quality is scarce. Based on a sample of public organizations listed on the main stock exchanges of Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile from 2000 to 2020, this study finds that companies with international operations present higher‐quality accounting reports than firms with only local operations. The impact of IFRS implementation on the quality of financial reports is significant only for companies with operations in their home countries. Latin American MNCs show a decline in the quality of accounting reports after adopting IFRS.
Empagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter inhibitor enhancing mitochondrial action and cardioprotection in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Li Yunhao , Zhang Zhanming , Zhang Zheming , Zheng Ningning , Ding Xudong
Published: May 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has a large clinical population nowadays, usually due to excessive energy intake and lack of exercise. During MetS, excess nutrients stress the mitochondria, resulting in relative hypoxia in tissues and organs, even when blood supply is not interrupted or reduced, making mitochondrial dysfunction a central pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in the MetS. Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors were designed as a hyperglycemic drug that acts on the renal tubules to block sugar reabsorption in primary urine. Recently they have been shown to have anti‐inflammatory and other protective effects on cardiomyocytes in MetS, and have also been recommended in the latest heart failure guidelines as a routine therapy. Among these inhibitors, empagliflozin shows better clinical promise due to less influence from glomerular filtration rate. This review focuses on the mitochondrial mechanisms of empagliflozin, which underlie the anti‐inflammatory and recover cellular functions in MetS cardiomyocytes, including stabilizing calcium concentration, mediating metabolic reprogramming, maintaining homeostasis of mitochondrial quantity and quality, stable mitochondrial DNA copy number, and repairing damaged mitochondrial DNA.
GPR124 promotes trophoblast proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibits trophoblast cell apoptosis and inflammation via JNK and P38 MAPK pathways
Authors: Shen Yan , Lian Yan , Xiao Li , Miu Yaya , Niu Jianmin , Cui Qingyu
Published: May 2024

Early‐onset preeclampsia, which occurrs before 34 weeks of gestation, is the most dangerous classification of preeclampsia, which is a pregnancy‐specific disease that causes 1% of maternal deaths. G protein‐coupled receptor 124 (GPR124) is significantly expressed at various stages of the human reproductive process, particularly during embryogenesis and angiogenesis. Our prior investigation demonstrated a notable decrease in GPR124 expression in the placentas of patients with early‐onset preeclampsia compared to that in normal pregnancy placentas. However, there is a lack of extensive investigation into the molecular processes that contribute to the role of GPR124 in placenta development. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms by which GPR124 affects the occurrence of early‐onset preeclampsia and its function in trophoblast. Proliferative, invasive, migratory, apoptotic, and inflammatory processes were identified in GPR124 knockdown, GPR124 overexpression, and normal HTR8/SVneo cells. The mechanism of GPR124‐mediated cell function in GPR124 knockdown HTR8/SVneo cells was examined using inhibitors of the JNK or P38 MAPK pathway. Downregulation of GPR124 was found to significantly inhibit proliferation, invasion and migration, and promote apoptosis of HTR8/SVneo cells when compared to the control and GPR124 overexpression groups. This observation is consistent with the pathological characteristics of preeclampsia. In addition, GPR124 overexpression inhibits the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐8 and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) while enhancing the secretion of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐4. Furthermore, GPR124 suppresses the activation of P‐JNK and P‐P38 within the JNK/P38 MAPK pathway. The invasion, apoptosis, and inflammation mediated by GPR124 were partially restored by suppressing the JNK and P38 MAPK pathways in HTR8/SVneo cells. GPR124 plays a crucial role in regulating trophoblast proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, and inflammation via the JNK and P38 MAPK pathways. Furthermore, the effect of GPR124 on trophoblast suggests its involvement in the pathogenesis of early‐onset preeclampsia.
How to be an effective ally
Authors: Lindsey Merry L. , Dahm Lauren E. , Harris Brandon J. , Woods Letha
Published: May 2024

Inclusivity in biomedical research provides many positive attributes, including increased productivity, higher creativity, and improved wellness for all. While marginalized individuals work tirelessly to achieve equity and inclusion, this task should not be left solely to those most affected by exclusionary tactics. These individuals and the organizations with whom they are affiliated would benefit from the support of an ally. An ally is defined as a person or organization that actively supports the rights of a marginalized group without being a member of it. Allies have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in promoting fairness, equity, and inclusion, and thus serve as positive change agents within an organizational setting. We summarize here the importance of being an effective and dynamic ally and offer guidance on how to achieve that goal.
Assessing the Utility of a Genotype‐Guided Tacrolimus Equation in African American Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single Institution Retrospective Study
Authors: Obayemi Joy E , Callans Lauren , Nair Nikhil , Gao Hui , Gandla Divya , Loza Bao‐Li , Gao Sarah , Mohebnasab Maedeh , Trofe‐Clark Jennifer , Jacobson Pamala , Keating Brendan
Published: May 2024

Tacrolimus metabolism is heavily influenced by the CYP3A5 genotype, which varies widely among African Americans (AA). We aimed to assess the performance of a published genotype‐informed tacrolimus dosing model in an independent set of adult AA kidney transplant (KTx) recipients. CYP3A5 genotypes were obtained for all AA KTx recipients (n = 232) from 2010 to 2019 who met inclusion criteria at a single transplant center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Medical record data were used to calculate predicted tacrolimus clearance using the published AA KTx dosing equation and two modified iterations. Observed and model‐predicted trough levels were compared at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months post‐transplant. The mean prediction error at day 3 post‐transplant was 3.05 ng/mL, indicating that the model tended to overpredict the tacrolimus trough. This bias improved over time to 1.36 and 0.78 ng/mL at 3 and 6 months post‐transplant, respectively. Mean absolute prediction error—a marker of model precision—improved with time to 2.33 ng/mL at 6 months. Limiting genotype data in the model decreased bias and improved precision. The bias and precision of the published model improved over time and were comparable to studies in previous cohorts. The overprediction observed by the published model may represent overfitting to the initial cohort, possibly limiting generalizability.
Lipid A in outer membrane vesicles shields bacteria from polymyxins
Authors: Burt Marie , Angelidou Georgia , Mais Christopher Nils , Preußer Christian , Glatter Timo , Heimerl Thomas , Groß Rüdiger , Serrania Javier , Boosarpu Gowtham , Pogge von Strandmann Elke , Müller Janis A. , Bange Gert , Becker Anke , Lehmann Mareike , Jonigk Danny , Neubert Lavinia , Freitag Hinrich , Paczia Nicole , Schmeck Bernd , Jung Anna Lena
Published: May 2024

The continuous emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacterial pathogens poses a major global healthcare challenge, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being a prominent threat. We conducted a comprehensive study on K. pneumoniae’s antibiotic resistance mechanisms, focusing on outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and polymyxin, a last‐resort antibiotic. Our research demonstrates that OMVs protect bacteria from polymyxins. OMVs derived from Polymyxin B (PB)‐stressed K. pneumoniae exhibited heightened protective efficacy due to increased vesiculation, compared to OMVs from unstressed Klebsiella. OMVs also shield bacteria from different bacterial families. This was validated ex vivo and in vivo using precision cut lung slices (PCLS) and Galleria mellonella. In all models, OMVs protected K. pneumoniae from PB and reduced the associated stress response on protein level. We observed significant changes in the lipid composition of OMVs upon PB treatment, affecting their binding capacity to PB. The altered binding capacity of single OMVs from PB stressed K. pneumoniae could be linked to a reduction in the lipid A amount of their released vesicles. Although the amount of lipid A per vesicle is reduced, the overall increase in the number of vesicles results in an increased protection because the sum of lipid A and therefore PB binding sites have increased. This unravels the mechanism of the altered PB protective efficacy of OMVs from PB stressed K. pneumoniae compared to control OMVs. The lipid A‐dependent protective effect against PB was confirmed in vitro using artificial vesicles. Moreover, artificial vesicles successfully protected Klebsiella from PB ex vivo and in vivo. The findings indicate that OMVs act as protective shields for bacteria by binding to polymyxins, effectively serving as decoys and preventing antibiotic interaction with the cell surface. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying antibiotic cross‐protection and offer potential avenues for the development of novel therapeutic interventions to address the escalating threat of multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections.
Neuronopathic Gaucher disease: Rare in the West, common in the East
Authors: Goker‐Alpan Ozlem , Ivanova Margarita M.
Published: May 2024

Gaucher disease (GD) stands as one of the most prevalent lysosomal disorders, yet neuronopathic GD (nGD) is an uncommon subset characterized by a wide array of clinical manifestations that complicate diagnosis, particularly when neurological symptoms are understated. nGD may manifest as the acute neuronopathic type, or GD type 2 (GD2), either prenatally or within the first weeks to months of life, whereas GD type 3 (GD3) symptoms may emerge at any point during childhood or occasionally in adolescence. The clinical presentation encompasses severe systemic involvement to mild visceral disease, often coupled with a spectrum of progressive neurological signs and symptoms such as cognitive impairment, ataxia, seizures, myoclonus, varying degrees of brainstem dysfunction presenting with stridor, apneic episodes, and/or impaired swallowing. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive review of the incidence, distinctive presentations, and diverse clinical phenotypes of nGD across various countries and regions. It will explore the natural history of the neurodegenerative process in GD, shedding light on its various manifestations during infancy and childhood, and offer insights into the diagnostic journey, the challenges faced in the clinical management, and current and investigative therapeutic approaches for GD's neurological variants.