bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real‐world impacts from a decade of Quality Enhancement Research Initiative‐partnered projects to translate the Diabetes Prevention Program in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Damschroder Laura J. , Hamilton Alison , Farmer Melissa M. , Bean‐Mayberry Bevanne , Richardson Caroline , Chanfreau Catherine , Oberman Rebecca S. , Lesser Rachel , Lewis Jackie , Raffa Sue D. , Goldstein Micheal G. , Haskell Sally , Finley Erin , Moin Tannaz
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To describe the impacts of four Veterans Health Administration (VA) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) projects implementing an evidence‐based lifestyle intervention known as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).

Data Sources and Study Setting

2012–2024 VA administrative and survey data.

Study Design

This is a summary of findings and impacts from four effectiveness‐implementation projects focused on in‐person and/or online DPP across VA sites.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Patient demographics, participation data, and key findings and impacts were summarized across reports from the VA Diabetes‐Mellitus Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI‐DM) Diabetes Prevention Program (VA DPP) Trial, QUERI‐DM Online DPP Trial, the Enhancing Mental and Physical Health of Women through Engagement and Retention (EMPOWER) QUERI DPP Project, and EMPOWER 2.0 QUERI Program.

Principal Findings

Between 2012 and 2024, four VA QUERI studies enrolled 963 Veterans in DPP across 16 VA sites. All participants had overweight/obesity with one additional risk factor for type 2 diabetes (i.e., prediabetes, elevated risk score, or history of gestational diabetes) and 56% (N = 536) were women. In addition to enhancing the reach of and engagement in diabetes prevention services among Veterans, these projects resulted in three key impacts as follows: (1) informing the national redesign of VA MOVE! including recommendations to increase the number of MOVE! sessions and revise guidelines across 150+ VA sites, (2) enhancing the national evidence base to support online DPP delivery options with citations in national care guidelines outside VA, and (3) demonstrating the importance of gender‐tailoring of preventive care services by and for women Veterans to enhance engagement in preventive services.

Conclusions

Over the past decade, the evolution of VA QUERI DPP projects increased the reach of and engagement in diabetes prevention services among Veterans, including women Veterans who have been harder to engage in lifestyle change programs in VA, and resulted in three key impacts informing type 2 diabetes and obesity prevention efforts within and outside of VA.
Impact of innovation in hybrid electric vehicles‐related technologies on carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector in Japan
Authors: Chen Qiuying , Khattak Shoukat Iqbal , Ahmad Manzoor
Published: July 2024

Hybrid electric vehicles are increasingly recognized as a promising solution for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector. The current study examines the nexus between innovation in hybrid electric vehicle‐related technologies and transportation sector‐based carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 to 2019 using a variety of econometric techniques such as the structural breaks unit root test, Maki cointegration test, fully modified ordinary least squares, and dynamic ordinary least squares. The results show that innovation in hybrid electric vehicle‐related technologies, renewable energy consumption, information and communication technologies, and international collaboration in technology development could help reduce transportation sector‐based carbon emissions levels. By contrast, the findings indicate that gross domestic product, trade openness, and financial development have a positive nexus with transportation sector‐based carbon emissions. Higher trade openness encourages economic expansion, and foreign trade may lead to more manufacturing, shipping, and transportation sector‐based carbon emissions. Similarly, when gross domestic product and financial development rise, the need for highly energy‐intensive items and services increases transportation sector‐based carbon emissions. To minimize Japan's transportation sector‐based carbon emissions, governments should emphasize innovation and adoption of hybrid electric vehicle‐related technologies, boost renewable energy consumption, and prohibit emissions‐intensive imports and exports.
The nature of nonduality: The epistemic implications of meditative and psychedelic experiences
Authors: Tempone‐Wiltshire Julien , Matthews Floren
Published: July 2024

In Jylkkä's (Philosophy and Psychedelics: Frameworks for Exceptional Experience, Bloomsbury Academic, New York, 2022) Mary on Acid: Experiences of unity and the epistemic gap, the author contends that psychedelic experience, by inducing unitary—nondual—experiences of subject–object dissolution, brings to light the epistemic gap between unitary knowledge, constituted by experience, and relational knowledge, distinct from experience. Jylkkä draws a connection between the nondual experience as occasioned through psychedelic usage, and Buddhist contemplative practices. While Jylkkä's attempt to establish a dialogue between analytic philosophy, Buddhism and the science of psychedelics is laudable, we contend that more rigorous attention is required to characterizing nondual experience, the forms of experience occasioned by psychedelic use, and whether they truly constitute parallel to states cultivated through Buddhist practice traditions. While such parallelism may speak to a deeper unification, such a claim requires substantiation to avoid the perennialist eliding of the varied and rich engagement with nonduality across completive traditions. This article highlights the internal tensions that exist surrounding the nature of the nondual as elucidated across Indo‐Tibetan traditions, dangers of decontextualizing states induced through culturally embedded contemplative practices including the underrecognized epistemic function of ceremonial ethnomedicine usage in generating Indigenous metaphysics; and the under acknowledged potential of psychedelic substances for attenuating introspective bias in first‐person phenomenological inquiry.
Pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic modelling and simulation of methotrexate dosing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tan Jiun Ming , Upton Richard N. , Foster David J. R. , Proudman Susanna M. , Dhir Varun , Wiese Michael D.
Published: July 2024

Aims

To develop a non‐linear mixed‐effects population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) model describing the change in the concentration of methotrexate polyglutamates in erythrocytes (ery‐MTX‐PGn with “n” number of glutamate, representing PK component) and how this relates to modified 28‐joint Disease Activity Score incorporating erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS‐28‐3) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), representing PD component.

Methods

An existing PK model was fitted to data from a study consisting of 117 RA patients. The estimation of population PK‐PD parameters was performed using stochastic approximation expectation maximisation algorithm in Monolix 2021R2. The model was used to perform Monte Carlo simulations of a loading dose regimen (50mg subcutaneous methotrexate as loading doses, then 20mg weekly oral methotrexate) compared to a standard dosing regimen (10mg weekly oral methotrexate for 2 weeks, then 20mg weekly oral methotrexate).

Results

Every 40 nmol/L increase in ery‐MTX‐PG3‐5 total concentration correlated with 1‐unit reduction in DAS‐28‐3. Significant covariate effects on the therapeutic response of methotrexate included the use of prednisolone in the first 4 weeks (positive use correlated with 25% reduction in DAS‐28‐3 when other variables were constant) and patient age (every 10‐year increase in age correlated with 3.4% increase in DAS‐28‐3 when other variables were constant). 4 methotrexate loading doses led to a higher percentage of patients achieving a good/moderate response compared to the standard regimen (Week 4: 87.6% vs. 39.8%; Week 10: 64.7% vs. 57.0%).

Conclusions

A loading dose regimen was more likely to achieve higher ery‐MTX‐PG concentration and better therapeutic response after 4 weeks of methotrexate treatment.
Sex differences among patients with intentional poisoning presenting to the emergency Department at a Tertiary Care Centre in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: El Zahran Tharwat , Hammoud Lina , Salam Rana , Salam Youssef , Kazzi Ziad , Tamim Hani , Hitti Eveline
Published: July 2024

Poisoning poses a worldwide public health challenge and recent data from Lebanon in 2020 revealed that over half patients presenting with acute toxicological exposure intentionally poisoned themselves, primarily with suspected suicidal intent. This study aims to assess sex disparities in intentional toxicological exposures among patients presenting to the Emergency Department, at a tertiary care centre in Lebanon. This was a secondary analysis of an existing toxicological database, including patients aged 6 years and older admitted due to acute overdose from March 2015 to August 2022. A total of 444 cases of intentional poisoning were analysed, with 302 (68.0%) women. The primary cause of intentional poisoning was suspected suicide in both sexes, significantly more common in women (85.1%versus65.5%,P < 0.001). Specific agents exposed to patients varied by sex; sedatives/hypnotics/antipsychotics, antihistamines, and melitracen/flupentixol were significantly more prevalent in women (P < 0.001) while men showed higher prevalence for ethanol (P = 0.02), stimulants, street drugs and opioids (P < 0.001). Our study underscores substantial sex differences in intentional poisoning cases in Lebanon. Women exhibited a higher likelihood of exposures to sedatives/hypnotics/antipsychotics, antihistamines and melitracen/flupentixol, while stimulant drugs, ethanol, and opioids were prevalent in men. Developing proper and effective sex‐specific measures may mitigate potential physical and psychological consequences.
Combination therapy enhances efficacy and overcomes toxicity of metal‐based anti‐diabetic agent
Authors: Shang Bing , Dong Yaqiong , Feng Bo , Zhao Jingyan , Wang Zhi , Crans Debbie C. , Yang Xiaoda
Published: July 2024

Background and Purpose

Metal‐based therapeutic agents are limited by the required concentration of metal‐based agents. Hereby, we determined if combination with 17β‐oestradiol (E2) could reduce such levels and the therapy still be effective in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Experimental Approach

The metal‐based agent (vanadyl acetylacetonate [VAC])– 17β‐oestradiol (E2) combination is administered using the membrane‐permeable graphene quantum dots (GQD), the vehicle, to form the active GQD–E2–VAC complexes, which was characterized by fluorescence spectra, infrared spectra and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In db/db type 2 diabetic mice, the anti‐diabetic effects of GQD–E2–VAC complexes were evaluated using blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA‐IR] and homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function [HOMA‐β]), histochemical assays and western blot.

Key Results

In diabetic mice, GQD–E2–VAC complex had comprehensive anti‐diabetic effects, including control of hyperglycaemia, improved insulin sensitivity, correction of hyperinsulinaemia and prevention of β‐cell loss. Co‐regulation of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) activation by the combination of metal complex and 17β‐oestradiol contributed to the enhanced anti‐diabetic effects. Furthermore, a potent mitochondrial protective antioxidant, coniferaldehyde, significantly potentiates the protective effects of GQD–E2–VAC complexes.

Conclusion and Implications

A metal complex–E2 combinatorial approach achieved simultaneously the protection of β cells and insulin enhancement at an unprecedented low dose, similar to the daily intake of dietary metals in vitamin supplements. This study demonstrates the positive effects of combination and multi‐modal therapies towards type 2 diabetes treatment.
Guests in nests: A parallel between social plants and animals?
Authors: De Bock Katrijn , Hutton Ian , Burns Kevin C.
Published: July 2024

This study explores the relationship observed between ‘guests’—foreign inhabitants of social colonies—and the density and fecundity of eusocial‐like staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum, Polypodiaceae). Our observations suggest that guests in staghorn colonies have a range of commensal and negative relationships, paralleling those seen in eusocial animal species.
Pepea Pamoja:† Applying the Ecological Validity Framework to co‐develop a wellbeing and behavioural training program for caregivers of young children with autism in low‐resource settings of Kenya and the United States
Authors: McNally Keehn Rebecca , Rispoli Mandy , Saina Chelagat , Nafiseh Amira , Oyungu Eren , Omari Felicita Wangechi , Kigen Barnabas , Hassinger Tonia , Stewart Laurel , Gross Judith , McHenry Megan
Published: July 2024

Background

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability with global prevalence of one in 100 individuals. Poor access to interventions in both under‐resourced regions of high‐income countries and low‐ and middle‐income countries has deleterious effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals with autism and their families. Our objective was to utilize a reciprocal innovation framework and participatory methods to adapt and co‐develop a culturally grounded group‐based wellbeing and naturalistic developmental behavioural intervention (NDBI) training program for caregivers of young children with autism to be implemented in Kenya and rural Indiana.

Methods

This study was conducted within the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program. An evidence‐informed Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) previously utilized in Indiana was adapted and iteratively refined using the Ecological Validity Framework (EVF) by a team of US and Kenyan disability experts. Key adaptations to the program were made across the EVF domains of language, persons, metaphors/content, concepts, goals, methods, and context.

Results

Substantial cultural adaptations were made to the NDBI following the EVF model, including the addition of traditional Kenyan cultural practices, use of narrative principles, and focus on daily routines over play. Pepea, the adapted program, involves 10 group sessions covering content in basic education on autism, positive caregiver coping strategies, and behavioural skills training to promote child communication and reduce challenging behaviour. Key adaptations for Pepea were integrated back into a US NDBI caregiver training program.

Conclusions

This study fills a critical gap by detailing the adaptation process of a caregiver wellbeing and naturalistic developmental behavioural training program for caregivers of children with autism in low‐resource settings. Our next steps are to report on mixed‐methods outcomes from pilot implementation. Our long‐term goal is to apply these insights to advance sustainable and scalable autism intervention services across the globe.
Towards structurally new cyanine dyes—investigating the photophysical and potential antifungal properties of linear substituted heptamethine dyes
Authors: Okoh Okoh Adeyi , Lawrence Clare L. , Bisby Roger H. , Brennan Sarah L. , Smith Robert B.
Published: July 2024

The synthesis of a range of new linear substituted heptamethine dyes has been designed and described. The photophysical properties of all the dyes were investigated, with many exhibiting improved fluorescent quantum yields when compared with indocyanine green. Finally, growth inhibition studies were performed in the fission yeast Saccharomyces pombe, which suggests potential antifungals activity in the μM range.
Palliative care in dermatooncology – Current practice in German dermatooncological centers and specialist offices
Authors: Volberg Christian , Schönfeld Philip Niklas , Krönig Lisa , Hertl Michael , Gschnell Martin
Published: July 2024

Background

Dermato‐oncology patients are often treated in certified skin cancer centers or dermato‐oncological specialist offices. Especially in higher tumor stages, patients develop symptoms, either disease‐related or due to therapy‐related side effects, requiring treatment. Despite a markedly improved prognosis since the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, advance care planning is required in progressive disease. It is unclear how palliative care of skin cancer patients is currently organized in dermato‐oncology.

Patients and methods

In a nationwide survey, all certified skin cancer centers and dermato‐oncological specialist offices in Germany were contacted and asked to participate in this anonymized survey.

Results

Overall, 45 responses (42%) were received. The majority (98%) of the respondents screen the patients on a regular basis for distressing symptoms, and all centers are connected to palliative medical care providers. Only 5% of the medical staff members have the additional qualification “palliative medicine”. In 68% of the participating institutions, the opportunity for care planning is offered to patients. For 89%, palliative care is relevant for everyday work, and 82% desire more research opportunities on this topic.

Conclusions

This survey has shown that palliative care plays a major role in dermato‐oncological work. Given that only a small proportion of the staff have received specialized training in palliative care, however, an increase of this proportion would be desirable for comprehensive care.
More evolvable bacteriophages better suppress their host
Authors: Horwitz Elijah K. , Strobel Hannah M. , Haiso Jason , Meyer Justin R.
Published: July 2024

The number of multidrug‐resistant strains of bacteria is increasing rapidly, while the number of new antibiotic discoveries has stagnated. This trend has caused a surge in interest in bacteriophages as anti‐bacterial therapeutics, in part because there is near limitless diversity of phages to harness. While this diversity provides an opportunity, it also creates the dilemma of having to decide which criteria to use to select phages. Here we test whether a phage's ability to coevolve with its host (evolvability) should be considered and how this property compares to two previously proposed criteria: fast reproduction and thermostability. To do this, we compared the suppressiveness of three phages that vary by a single amino acid yet differ in these traits such that each strain maximized two of three characteristics. Our studies revealed that both evolvability and reproductive rate are independently important. The phage most able to suppress bacterial populations was the strain with high evolvability and reproductive rate, yet this phage was unstable. Phages varied due to differences in the types of resistance evolved against them and their ability to counteract resistance. When conditions were shifted to exaggerate the importance of thermostability, one of the stable phages was most suppressive in the short‐term, but not over the long‐term. Our results demonstrate the utility of biological therapeutics' capacities to evolve and adjust in action to resolve complications like resistance evolution. Furthermore, evolvability is a property that can be engineered into phage therapeutics to enhance their effectiveness.
Characterisation of phenotypic patterns in equine exercise‐associated myopathies
Authors: Lindsay‐McGee Victoria , Massey Claire , Li Ying Ting , Clark Emily L. , Psifidi Androniki , Piercy Richard J.
Published: July 2024

Background

Equine exercise‐associated myopathies are prevalent, clinically heterogeneous, generally idiopathic disorders characterised by episodes of myofibre damage that occur in association with exercise. Episodes are intermittent and vary within and between affected horses and across breeds. The aetiopathogenesis is often unclear; there might be multiple causes. Poor phenotypic characterisation hinders genetic and other disease analyses.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to characterise phenotypic patterns across exercise‐associated myopathies in horses.

Study design

Historical cross‐sectional study, with subsequent masked case–control validation study.

Methods

Historical clinical and histological features from muscle samples (n = 109) were used for k‐means clustering and validated using principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering. For further validation, a blinded histological study (69 horses) was conducted comparing two phenotypic groups with selected controls and horses with histopathological features characterised by myofibrillar disruption.

Results

We identified two distinct broad phenotypes: a non‐classic exercise‐associated myopathy syndrome (EAMS) subtype was associated with practitioner‐described signs of apparent muscle pain (p < 0.001), reluctance to move (10.85, p = 0.001), abnormal gait (p < 0.001), ataxia (p = 0.001) and paresis (p = 0.001); while a non‐specific classic RER subtype was not uniquely associated with any particular variables. No histological differences were identified between subtypes in the validation study, and no identifying histopathological features for other equine myopathies identified in either subtype.

Main limitations

Lack of an independent validation population; small sample size of smaller identified subtypes; lack of positive control myofibrillar myopathy cases; case descriptions derived from multiple independent and unblinded practitioners.

Conclusions

This is the first study using computational clustering methods to identify phenotypic patterns in equine exercise‐associated myopathies, and suggests that differences in patterns of presenting clinical signs support multiple disease subtypes, with EAMS a novel subtype not previously described. Routine muscle histopathology was not helpful in sub‐categorising the phenotypes in our population.
Collaborative research enhances selectivity in a lake fishery
Authors: Sandström Alfred , Norrgård Johnny , Axenrot Thomas , Ragnarsson‐Stabo Henrik , Setzer Malin , Jonsson Tomas
Published: July 2024

Size and species selectivity are crucial for developing sustainable fisheries. Our objective was to estimate the selectivity of whitefish fisheries in a large European lake through a collaboration of fishers, regional managers, and scientists. Fishers were given special permits to test, within a common framework and together with scientists, selectivity enhancement strategies adapted to their own experiences. Fishers and scientists jointly tested gillnets and pontoon traps and how fishing depth, soak time, fishing season, and mesh size were affected by bycatches of undersized fish of sensitive species. Results indicated that the selectivity of the fishery could be increased, particularly by targeting whitefish adjacent to spawning sites where spatiotemporal overlap with bycatch species was lower. Proposed changes to the fishery, such as new gear, would be costly initially but could become profitable over time due to a lower cost of handling bycatch. Our findings demonstrated that co‐constructed knowledge can contribute to the governance of aquatic resources.
Changes in productivity partitioning induced by precipitation extremes increase inaccuracy of grassland carbon estimation
Authors: Sun Jiamei , Yan Yue , Zhang Bin , Liu Wei , Dou Shande , Wang Xiaoliang , Huang Jianhui , Chen Dima , Wang Changhui , Han Xingguo , Pan Qingmin
Published: July 2024

The fraction of net primary productivity (NPP) allocated to belowground organs (fBNPP) in grasslands is a critical parameter in global carbon cycle models; moreover, understanding the effect of precipitation changes on this parameter is vital to accurately estimating carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems. However, how fBNPP responds to temporal precipitation changes along a gradient from extreme drought to extreme wetness, remains unclear, mainly due to the lack of long‐term data of belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) and the fact that most precipitation experiments did not have a gradient from extreme drought to extreme wetness. Here, by conducting both a precipitation gradient experiment (100–500 mm) and a long‐term observational study (34 years) in the Inner Mongolia grassland, we showed that fBNPP decreased linearly along the precipitation gradient from extreme drought to extreme wetness due to stronger responses in aboveground NPP to drought and wet conditions than those of BNPP. Our further meta‐analysis in grasslands worldwide also indicated that fBNPP increased when precipitation decreased, and the vice versa. Such a consistent pattern of fBNPP response suggests that plants increase the belowground allocation with decreasing precipitation, while increase the aboveground allocation with increasing precipitation. Thus, the linearly decreasing response pattern in fBNPP should be incorporated into models that forecast carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems; failure to do so will lead to underestimation of the carbon stock in drought years and overestimation of the carbon stock in wet years in grasslands.
Profiles of healthcare use of persons living with dementia: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Dufour Isabelle , Margo‐Dermer Eva , Hudon Catherine , Sirois Caroline , Godard‐Sebillotte Claire , Sourial Nadia , Rochette Louis , Quesnel‐Vallée Amélie , Vedel Isabelle
Published: July 2024

Aim

Persons living with dementia are a heterogeneous population with complex needs whose healthcare use varies widely. This study aimed to identify the healthcare use profiles in a cohort of persons with incident dementia, and to describe their characteristics.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of health administrative data in Quebec (Canada). The study population included persons who: (i) had an incident dementia diagnosis between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016; (ii) were aged ≥65 years and living in the community at the time of diagnosis. We carried out a latent class analysis to identify subgroups of healthcare users. The final number of groups was chosen based on clinical interpretation and statistical indicators.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 15 584 individuals with incident dementia. Four profiles of healthcare users were identified: (i) Low Users (36.4%), composed of individuals with minimal healthcare use and fewer comorbidities; (ii) Ambulatory Care‐Centric Users (27.5%), mainly composed of men with the highest probability of visiting cognition specialists; (iii) High Acute Hospital Users (23.6%), comprised of individuals mainly diagnosed during hospitalization, with higher comorbidities and mortality rate; and (iv) Long‐Term Care Destined Users (12.5%), who showed the highest proportion of antipsychotics prescriptions and delayed hospitalization discharge.

Conclusions

We identified four distinct subgroups of healthcare users within a population of persons living with dementia, providing a valuable context for the development of interventions tailored to specific needs within this diverse population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 789–796.
HEALTH, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND INEQUALITY
Authors: Chen Chaoran , Feng Zhigang , Gu Jiaying
Published: July 2024

This article identifies a “health premium” of insurance coverage: insured individuals are more likely to maintain good health or recover from poor health. We introduce this feature into a prototypical macrohealth model and estimate the baseline economy by matching the observed joint distribution of health insurance, health, and income over the life cycle. Quantitative analysis reveals that an individual's insurance status has a substantial and persistent impact on health. Providing universal health coverage would narrow health and life expectancy gaps, with a mixed effect on the income distribution in the absence of any additional redistribution of income or wealth.
Japanese EFL learners’ comprehension and perceptions of three different accents in listening assessment
Authors: Suzuki Ryuichi , Yamane Shigeru
Published: July 2024

Understanding a single English accent is becoming insufficient for English language learners because they are likely to encounter both first (L1) and second‐language (L2) speakers of English in various contexts. Hence, different English accents have been incorporated into the recordings used for L2 language assessments, specifically listening comprehension (LC) tests. However, the efficacy of tests using various English accents is not definitively established in the English as a foreign language (EFL) literature. Furthermore, there has been limited investigation specifically into how learners perceive the level of difficulty in comprehending various accents during listening assessments. Therefore, this study examined how the LC scores and comprehensibility ratings (ease of understanding) differed depending on accents. Seventy‐nine Japanese adult EFL learners took a multiple‐choice question‐type LC test featuring three different English accents (i.e., American, British, and Japanese) and then rated how difficult it was to understand each accent. The findings showed that, although the LC test scores did not differ significantly by accent, the participants perceived the British and Japanese accents as more difficult to understand than the American accent. The results imply that while sharing L1 with the speakers and familiarity with a certain accent may not affect speech comprehension, greater familiarity with a given accent can ease comprehension. The findings thus can shed light on the inclusion of a variety of accented speech in language tests and pedagogical instruction.
The relationship between self‐compassion and caring behaviour in nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Özparlak Arif , Karakaya Dudu , Kara Hilal , Çelik Esra
Published: July 2024

Aim

To examine the relationship between self‐compassion and caring behaviour in nurses.

Background

Self‐compassion can influence nurses’ ability to cope with stress and their job performance. High levels of self‐compassion may play a role in nurses’ coping with compassion fatigue and burnout. This may make the concept of self‐compassion in nurses an important variable for effective care.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study. Study data were collected between March and May 2022 from 331 nurses at a hospital in the city of Antalya, Turkey. A personal information form, the Self‐Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Caring Behaviour Inventory‐24 (CBI‐24) were used to collect data, and the program SPSS 23.0 was used in data evaluation. Descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the analysis of data. The STROBE checklist was followed for this cross‐sectional study.

Results

The nurses’ mean scores were 3.50 ± 0.61 on SCS and 5.21 ± 0.56 on CBI‐24. A positive correlation was found between the nurses’ self‐compassion levels and caring behaviour. Also, the SCS sub‐dimension of mindfulness, working in intensive care and working willingly in the nursing profession significantly predicted caring behaviour. These variables explain 19.4% of the variance of caring behaviour.

Conclusions

The nurses’ self‐compassion levels were medium and their caring behaviour was at a high level, and caring behaviour was higher in those who worked in intensive care, those who were working willingly in the nursing profession, and in those with high scores on the self‐compassion sub‐dimension of mindfulness.

Implications for nursing and health policy

It is important to strengthen nurses’ self‐compassion skills to develop their caring behaviour. In particular, giving nurses in clinics mindfulness‐based education will help them to increase their awareness concerning their own lives and to develop their caring behaviour.
Performance and detection range of acoustic receivers in mangrove habitats
Authors: Kanno Shiori , Heupel Michelle R. , Hoel Kristin , Schlaff Audrey , Siddiqi Aliya , Simpfendorfer Colin A.
Published: July 2024

Acoustic telemetry has been used to monitor the movement of aquatic animals in a broad range of aquatic environments. Despite their importance, mangrove habitats are understudied for the spatial ecology of elasmobranchs, with acoustic telemetry rarely used inside mangrove habitats. One reason for this may be a general assumption that acoustic signals would not be able to be detected by receivers in such shallow, structurally complex, environments. This study tested whether acoustic receivers can be used inside mangrove habitats to track the movement of sharks and rays. Thirty‐eight receivers were deployed in a mangrove system in Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island, Great Barrier Reef, including inside mangroves, mangrove edges, and adjacent reef flat areas. The detection range and receiver performance metrics, such as code detection efficiency, rejection coefficient, and noise quotient, were examined and tested among habitats. The results highlighted that the signal from transmitters was successfully detected inside mangrove habitats as well as on the adjacent reef flat. The range to detect at least 50% of transmissions was up to 20 m inside mangroves and up to 120 m outside mangroves. The performance metrics of acoustic receivers inside the mangrove habitat were characterized by low background noise, low rejection rates, and reasonably high code detection efficiency. Furthermore, this study tested the application of this method on juvenile blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus and mangrove whipray Urogymnus granulatus, and demonstrated that it can be used to successfully track animals inside mangrove habitat. This novel method could reveal further information on how sharks and rays use mangrove habitats.
Integrated approach of ultrasound with mild heat treatment on the quality characteristics of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) tuber juice
Authors: Das Puja , Nayak Prakash Kumar , Kesavan Radha krishnan
Published: July 2024

The research delved into the ascendancy of thermosonication (TS) on elevating the alimentary components of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) tuber juice, derived from the yacon plant. This investigation introduces an innovative approach utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs) coupled with genetic algorithm (GA) for the multifaceted optimization of extraction procedures. It aims to pinpoint the most effective processing parameters for TS, including variations in amplitudes: X1 (40, 50, and 60%) and temperatures: X2 (30, 40, and 50°C) over sonication times: X3 (15, 30, 45, and 60 min). Further, the approach is focused to amplify quality of yacon juice (YJ) and microbial attributes by enhancing certain quality characteristics such as anti‐oxidant activity (AOA), ascorbic acid (AA), total phenolic content (TPC), total carotenoid content (TCC), total flavonoid content (TFC), yeast and mold count (YMC) and total viable count (TVC). The maximum levels of AOA (33.73 ± 2.21%), AA (25.82 ± 2.03 mg/100 ml), TPC (85.08 ± 3.67 mg GAE/ml), TCC (115.82 ± 2.46 βCE μg/ml), TFC (22.52 ± 2.11 mg QE/ml), TVC, and YMC (not detected) were achieved in thermosonicated YJs under optimal conditions using ANN coupled with GA.

Practical Applications

Yacon tuber juice (YJ) treated with thermosonication (TS) showed improved nutritional characteristics, making them a valuable source of functional compounds for nutraceuticals and food industries. Research emphasizes the effectiveness of artificial neural network in predicting the extraction efficiency of YJ and proposes TS as a potential replacement for traditional thermal pasteurization to maintain or enhance YJ quality and functionality. TS provides cost‐effective and sustainable solutions to the food industry by reducing processing time and energy consumption when compared to pasteurization.
Shock‐induced pervasive remelting of Fe sulfides in the basaltic shergottite Northwest Africa 14672: A benchmark for shock stages S6/S7 on Mars
Authors: Lorand Jean‐Pierre , Pont Sylvain , Hewins Roger H. , Zanda Brigitte
Published: July 2024

Northwest Africa (NWA) 14672, the most highly shocked Martian meteorite so far, has experienced >50% melting, compatible with peak pressure >~65 Gpa, at a transition stage 6/7. Despite these extreme shock conditions, the meteorite still preserves a population of “large” Fe sulfide blebs from the pre‐shock igneous assemblage. These primary blebs preserve characteristics of basaltic shergottites in term of modal abundance, preferential occurrence in interstitial pores along with late‐crystallized phases (ilmenite, merrillite), and Ni‐free pyrrhotite compositions. Primary sulfides underwent widespread shock‐induced remelting, as indicated by perfect spherical morphologies when embedded in fine‐grained silicate melt zones and a wealth of mineral/glass/vesicle inclusions. Extensive melting of Fe‐sulfides is consistent with the decompression path experienced by NWA 14672 after the peak shock pressure at ~70 GPa. Primary sulfides acted as preferential sites for nucleation of vesicles of all sizes which helped sulfur degassing during decompression, leading to partial resorption of Fe‐sulfide blebs and reequilibration of pyrrhotite metal/sulfur ratios (0.96–0.98) toward the low oxygen fugacity conditions indicated by Fe‐Ti oxides hosted in fine‐grained materials. The extreme shock intensity also provided suitable conditions for widespread in situ redistribution of igneous sulfur as micrometric globules concentrated in glassy portions of fine‐grained lithologies. These globules exsolved early on quenching, allowing dendritic skeletal Fe‐Ti oxide overgrowths to nucleate on sulfides.
Adjunctive left atrial posterior wall isolation for atrial fibrillation: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Elaraby Ahmed , Almaadawy Omar , Abuelazm Mohamed , Hassan Abdul Rhman , Bakr Ali , Husain Muhammad Ashraf , Elsayed Hesham , Abdelazeem Basel
Published: July 2024

Objective

Posterior left atrial wall isolation (PWI) plus traditional pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been proposed as a promising intervention to decrease atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of adding PWI to the traditional PVI in patients with AF.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted using synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Cochrane through June 14, 2023. We used Stata version 17 to pool dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023446227).

Results

We included 11 RCTs with a total number of 1534 patients. Combined ablation with PWI + PVI was not associated with any significant difference over PVI only regarding the recurrence of clinical AF (RR: 0.86 with 95% CI [0.70–1.06]), all atrial arrhythmia (RR: 0.93 with 95% CI [0.82–1.07]), nonatrial fibrillation arrhythmia (RR: 1.22 with 95% CI [0.97–1.53]), early AF (RR: 0.89 with 95% CI [0.62–1.27]), and antiarrhythmic drugs at discharge (RR: 0.83 with 95% CI [0.67–1.04]). However, it was associated with increased total ablation duration (minutes) (MD: 12.58 with 95% CI [6.80–18.37]) and total procedure duration (minutes) (MD: 16.77 with 95% CI [9.63–23.91]), without any significant difference regarding adverse events (RR: 1.05 with 95% CI [0.63–1.74]).

Conclusion

While the pooled data from PWI + PVI using point‐by‐point radiofrequency did not suggest a benefit in the recurrence of various atrial arrhythmias compared to PVI alone, PWI+PVI using direct posterior wall ablation, especially with cryoballoon, demonstrated a significant reduction in recurrence of AF/atrial arrhythmias. Also, PWI + PVI significantly increased the ablation and total procedure durations.
Aveir VR, retrievable leadless pacing in the young
Authors: Wong Ashley , Yeh Jay , Davidson Stacy , Sunderji Sherzana , Dayan Jonathan , Cortez Daniel
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Successful implantations of the Aveir VR, have been effectively demonstrated in adults; however, there remain limited reports supporting safe and feasible implantation of the Aveir VR in the young population.

Methods

Retrospective, observational study of Aveir VR implantation of young patients (≦21 years old) at UC Davis Medical Center from November 2022 to January 2024 via the internal jugular or femoral vein implantation approaches. Indications for pacing, patient demographics, pacing thresholds and longevity were reported at the time of implantation and last follow‐up.

Results

A total of 10 patients received the Aveir VR with a median age of years (IQR 12.5–17) and median weight of 50.8 kg (IQR 44.6–60.9) kg. The majority were male (80%). Aveir VR leadless pacemaker occurred via internal jugular venous (90%) or femoral venous (10%) approaches. Indications for placement were intermittent complete heart block (60%) and sinus pauses (40%). Adequate impedance, sensing and thresholds were maintained from implantation to a median follow‐up of 9 months. Predicted pacemaker longevity at follow‐up median was 23.8 years. There were no complications in any of the 10 patients.

Conclusion

Aveir VR implantation via the internal jugular and femoral veins is feasible in the young patient population with stable pacing parameters at follow‐up.
Fine‐tuning the N‐glycosylation of recombinant human erythropoietin using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants
Authors: Leprovost S. , Plasson C. , Balieu J. , Walet‐Balieu M‐L. , Lerouge P. , Bardor M. , Mathieu‐Rivet E.
Published: July 2024

Microalgae are considered as attractive expression systems for the production of biologics. As photosynthetic unicellular organisms, they do not require costly and complex media for growing and are able to secrete proteins and perform protein glycosylation. Some biologics have been successfully produced in the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. However, post‐translational modifications like glycosylation of these Chlamydomonas‐made biologics have poorly been investigated so far. Therefore, in this study, we report on the first structural investigation of glycans linked to human erythropoietin (hEPO) expressed in a wild‐type C. reinhardtii strain and mutants impaired in key Golgi glycosyltransferases. The glycoproteomic analysis of recombinant hEPO (rhEPO) expressed in the wild‐type strain demonstrated that the three N‐glycosylation sites are 100% glycosylated with mature N‐glycans containing four to five mannose residues and carrying core xylose, core fucose and O‐methyl groups. Moreover, expression in C. reinhardtii insertional mutants defective in xylosyltransferases A and B and fucosyltransferase resulted in drastic decreases of core xylosylation and core fucosylation of glycans N‐linked to the rhEPOs, thus demonstrating that this strategy offers perspectives for humanizing the N‐glycosylation of the Chlamydomonas‐made biologics.
Linguistic dimensions of the crimmigration regime: Language ideological working conditions in US Immigration Court
Authors: Rao Sonya
Published: July 2024

This essay uses an examination of communication in Los Angeles Immigration Court (2014–2017) to demonstrate how legal professionals’ beliefs about language foster and entrench underexplored linguistic dimensions of the US crimmigration regime. Scholars have shown that within courtroom interactions, legal ideas about language hold back the administration of justice in asylum proceedings, and language interpretation itself can perpetuate the administrative violence of these proceedings. I combine ethnographic courtroom observations and critical examination of internal agency policy to show how ideas about language, inherited from legal professional culture and training, aggregate into adverse working conditions, allowing for only a performance of procedure, and amplifying the US crimmigration system. Of particular interest are ideologies of a monoglot standard and national language imaginaries, referentialism and referential transparency, and decontextualization. Abolitionist logics and reform of legal education offer possible strategies for structural intervention.
Seed dormancy, germination requirements, and implications of herbicides for Penstemon albidus and P. nitidus
Authors: Cooper Gregory A. , Bolwerk Gabrielle A. , Leffler A. Joshua , Perkins Lora B.
Published: July 2024

Seed‐based restoration is dependent on seed germination, and poor germination can cause restoration failure. Many restoration failures can be attributed to a lack of knowledge of germination characteristics, species‐specific seed dormancy, or the effects of widely used herbicides on germination. White penstemon (Penstemon albidus) and Waxleaf penstemon (P. nitidus) are native to the Northern Great Plains region of North America, and increased germination of these species would contribute to improved restoration in the region. We performed two concurrent experiments to determine: (1) the germination requirements and dormancy class of these species; and (2) the effects of herbicides on germination. To determine germination requirements, we applied pretreatments (scarification, smoke, and KNO3) and three durations (2, 4, and 8 weeks) of cold and warm stratification. To test the effects of herbicides on germination, three commonly used herbicides (atrazine, trifluralin, and 2,4‐D) were applied at six concentrations (100, 50, 10, 1, 0.1, and 0% of the recommended field application rate). Germination characteristics indicate both species express physiological dormancy. Physiological dormancy denotes an embryo with low growth potential that is unable to overcome mechanical constraints but can be alleviated with proper temperature cues. Both species required cold stratification, with P. nitidus needing a longer period (8 weeks) than P. albidus (4 weeks). Final germination percentage of P. albidus decreased with higher doses of 2,4‐D but was not affected by atrazine or trifluralin. These experiments help to create protocol for the use of our study species, as well as other species, in restoration plantings.
The causal effect of atopic dermatitis on lung cancer: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Peng , Wen Feng , Wu QiuJi , Zhang PengFei , Li Qiu
Published: July 2024

Background

Growing evidence has shown that atopic dermatitis (AD) may decrease lung cancer (LC) risk. However, the causality between the two diseases is inconsistent and controversial. Therefore, we explored the causal relationship between AD and different histological subtypes of LC by using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method.

Materials and methods

We conducted the MR study based on summary statistics from the genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of AD (10,788 cases and 30,047 controls) and LC (29,266 cases and 56,450 controls). Instrumental variables (IVs) were obtained after removing SNPs associated with potential confounders. We employed inverse‐variance weighted (IVW), MR‐Egger, and weighted median methods to pool estimates, and performed a comprehensive sensitivity analysis.

Results

The results of the IVW method suggested that AD may decrease the risk of developing lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85‐0.97, P = 0.007). Moreover, no causality was identified between AD and overall LC (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.91–1.01, P = 0.101), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.96–1.036, P = 0.324), and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.82–1.10, P = 0.512). A comprehensive sensitivity test showed the robustness of our results.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that AD may decrease the risk of LUAD in the European population, which needs additional investigations to identify the potential molecular mechanisms.