bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ghostbusting—Reducing bias due to identification errors in spatial capture‐recapture histories
Authors: Kodi Abinand Reddy , Howard Jasmin , Borchers David Louis , Worthington Hannah , Alexander Justine Shanti , Lkhagvajav Purevjav , Bayandonoi Gantulga , Ochirjav Munkhtogtokh , Erdenebaatar Sergelen , Byambasuren Choidogjamts , Battulga Nyamzav , Johansson Örjan , Sharma Koustubh
Published: April 2024

Identifying individuals is key to estimating population sizes by spatial capture–recapture, but identification errors are sometimes made. The most common identification error is the failure to recognise a previously detected individual, thus creating a ‘ghost’ Johansson. This results in positively biased abundance estimates.

Ghosts typically manifest as single detection individuals (‘singletons’) in the capture history. To deal with ghosts, we develop a spatial capture–recapture method conditioned on at least detections. The standard spatial capture–recapture (SCR) model is the special case of . Ghosts can mostly be excluded by fitting a model with (SCR‐2).

We investigated the effect of ‘singleton’ ghosts on the estimation of the model parameters by simulation. The SCR method increasingly overestimated abundance with increasing percentage of ghosts, with positive bias even when only 10% of the detected individuals were ghosts, and bias between 43% and 71% when 30% were ghosts. Estimates from the SCR‐2 method showed lower bias in the presence of ghosts, at the cost of a loss of precision. The mean squared error of the estimated abundance from the SCR‐2 method was lower in all scenarios with ghosts under high encounter rates and for scenarios with 30% or more ghosts with low encounter rates. We also applied our method to capture histories from camera trap surveys of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) at two sites from Mongolia and find that the SCR method produced higher abundance estimates at both sites.

Capture histories are susceptible to errors when generated from passive detectors such as camera traps and genetic samples. The SCR‐2 method can remove bias from ghost capture histories, at the cost of some loss in precision. We recommend using the SCR‐2 method in cases when there may be more than 10% ghosts or surveys with a large number of single detection capture histories, except perhaps when the sample size is very low.
Predictive value of microcirculation for pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning test: A monocentric prospective observational study
Authors: Suc Violette , Starck Julie , Levy Yael , Soreze Yohan , Rambaud Jerome , Léger Pierre‐Louis
Published: April 2024

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used for children treated for refractory respiratory failures or refractory cardiogenic shock. Its duration depends on organ functions recovery. Weaning is decided using macro‐circulatory tools, but microcirculation is not well evaluated. Sidestream dark‐field video imaging is used to assess the perfusion of the sublingual microvascular vessels. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of microcirculatory indices in ECMO weaning.

Methods

This prospective monocentric study examined pediatric patients at Trousseau Hospital between March 2017 and December 2020. The study included all patients from 35 weeks of gestational age to 18 years old who were treated with ECMO. Children were divided into two groups: one with stability after weaning and the other with instability after weaning. We collected clinical and biological data, ventilation parameters, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation parameters, and drugs used at admission and after the weaning test. Microcirculations videos were taken after weaning trials with echocardiography and blood gas monitoring.

Results

The study included 30 patients with a median age of 29 days (range: 1–770 days) at admission, including 18 patients who received venoarterial ECMO (60%). There were 19 children in the stability group and 11 in the instability group. Macrocirculatory and microcirculatory indices showed no differences between groups. The microvascular flow index was subnormal in both groups (2.3 (1.8–2.4) and 2.3 (2.3–2.6), respectively; p = 0.24). The microvascular indices were similar between cases of venovenous and venoarterial ECMO and between age groups.

Conclusion

Microcirculation monitoring at the weaning phase did not predict the failure of ECMO weaning.
Incidence and risk factors of neonatal hypothermia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ruan Jing , Zhong Xuemei , Qin Lijiao , Mai Jiaxuan , Chen Jiaying , Ding Huiyang
Published: April 2024

Aim

Hypothermia poses a threat to the health and lives of newborns. Therefore, it is essential to identify the factors that influence neonatal hypothermia and provide targeted intervention suggestions for clinical practice to reduce its occurrence.

Methods

We conducted a literature search to identify factors influencing neonatal hypothermia and performed a meta‐analysis to determine the prevalence of neonatal hypothermia and its associated factors. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of cohort and case–control studies, while the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was used to evaluate the quality of cross‐sectional studies.

Results

Eighteen studies involving 44 532 newborns from 13 countries were included. The incidence of neonatal hypothermia was 52.5% (95% CI: 0.37, 0.68). Factors such as no skin‐to‐skin contact, prematurity, low birth weight, delayed breastfeeding, asphyxiation and resuscitation after birth, low APGAR score, not wearing a cap, and caesarean section were found to affect neonatal hypothermia.

Conclusion

Multiple factors influence neonatal hypothermia, and clinicians can utilise these factors to develop targeted intervention measures to prevent and reduce the incidence of neonatal hypothermia.
Why and when transformational leadership influences followers' qualitative job insecurity: A three‐wave moderated mediation study
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Jiang Lixin , Bohle Sergio López , Medina Felipe Muñoz , Gu Meiqiao
Published: April 2024

This study explored the mediation role of follower organization‐based self‐esteem (OBSE) and the moderation role of workplace friendship in the relationship between transformational leadership and follower qualitative job insecurity. We adopted a three‐wave longitudinal design and collected survey data from 142 Chilean employees. Cross‐lagged mediation panel analysis indicated that transformational leadership had a lagged effect on follower OBSE, which, in turn, had a lagged effect on follower qualitative job insecurity. Further, follower workplace friendship moderated the effect of transformational leadership on follower OBSE such that transformational leadership only promoted follower OBSE when followers had high workplace friendship but did not significantly moderate the indirect effect of transformational leadership on follower qualitative job insecurity via OBSE. Integrating the leadership literature with the job insecurity literature, our study takes the first attempt to explore how, why, and when transformational leadership may influence follower qualitative job insecurity.
A randomized, double‐blind study to compare the efficacy and safety of nalbuphine nasal spray and injectable solution in patients after orthopaedic interventions and traumatological procedures
Authors: Tymko Volodymyr G. , Tsapko Grigorii V. , Filipenko Volodymyr A. , Khvysiuk Oleksiy M. , Kovalova Kateryna V. , Kuznetsov Igor E.
Published: April 2024

Aims

Our previous 3‐period crossover study in healthy volunteers comparing the pharmacokinetics of nalbuphine nasal spray Apain with parenteral nalbuphine solution demonstrated high bioavailability of the nasal spray and close similarity of pharmacokinetic profiles after intranasal and intramuscular administration, especially within 30 min postdose. The aim of the present study was a noninferiority assessment of nalbuphine nasal spray vs. intramuscular injection for pain relief in postoperative patients.

Methods

Ninety orthopaedic and traumatology patients were enrolled in this double‐blind, randomized study of the effectiveness and tolerance of a single 10.5 mg dose of nalbuphine nasal spray vs. 10 mg intramuscular injection. The summed pain intensity difference (SPID0–6) calculated using visual analogue scale scores was the primary study endpoint.

Results

Of 90 subjects enrolled, the per‐protocol efficacy population comprised 79 patients; 6 patients in the reference group and 5 patients in the test group were excluded due to remedication. The mean values of study endpoints with 95% confidence interval were as follows in reference and test groups, respectively: SPID0–6 = 228.08 (205.73–250.43) vs. 248.73 9 (225.83–271.63), time to pain relief onset = 0.28 h (0.25–0.31) vs. 0.27 h (0.25–0.29), duration of analgesia = 5.55 h (5.17–5.93) vs. 5.51 h (5.10–5.92), area under the curve = 119.30 (91.17–147.43) vs. 99.81 (74.52–107.10). No statistically significant differences were revealed.

Conclusion

Nalbuphine nasal spray Apain has been proven to be a safe, noninvasive alternative to intramuscular nalbuphine to relieve severe postoperative pain. Designed for self‐administration and dose‐adjusting, the noncontrolled opioid analgesic nalbuphine spray can be used for patient‐controlled analgesia in out‐of‐hospital, field and home settings.
Distinguishing bipolar depression, bipolar mania, and major depressive disorder by gut microbial characteristics
Authors: Sun Taipeng , Chen Gang , Jiang Wenhao , Xu Wei , You Linlin , Jiang Chenguang , Chen Suzhen , Wang Dan , Zheng Xiao , Yuan Yonggui
Published: April 2024

Background

Gut microbial disturbance has been widely confirmed in mood disorders. However, little is known about whether gut microbial characteristics can distinguish major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depression (BP‐D), and bipolar mania (BP‐M).

Methods

This was a prospective case–control study. The composition of gut microbiota was profiled using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of fecal samples and compared between healthy controls (HC; n = 46), MDD (n = 51), BP‐D (n = 44), and patients with BP‐M (n = 45).

Results

Gut microbial compositions were remarkably changed in the patients with MDD, BP‐D, and BP‐M. Compared to HC, distinct gut microbiome signatures were found in MDD, BP‐D, and BP‐M, and some gut microbial changes were overlapping between the three mood disorders. Furthermore, we identified a signature of 7 operational taxonomic units (OUT; Prevotellaceae‐related OUT22, Prevotellaceae‐related OUT31, Prevotellaceae‐related OTU770, Ruminococcaceae‐related OUT70, Bacteroidaceae‐related OTU1536, Propionibacteriaceae‐related OTU97, Acidaminococcaceae‐related OTU34) that can distinguish patients with MDD from those with BP‐D, BP‐M, or HC, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.910 to 0.996.

Conclusion

Our results provide the clinical rationale for the discriminative diagnosis of MDD, BP‐D, and BP‐M by characteristic gut microbial features.
Impact of income and financial subsidies on oral health care utilization among persons with disabilities in Singapore
Authors: Tan Sharon Hui Xuan , Lee Gabriel Keng Yan , Goh Charlene Enhui , Tong Huei Jinn , Chuang Janice Cheah Ping , Ang Kok‐Yang , Lim David Guang Xu , Gao Xiaoli
Published: April 2024

Background/Aim(s)

Globally, studies have shown that the dental disease burden among persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) is high and can be attributed to lower utilization levels of dental services. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of income and financial subsidies on the utilization of dental care services among persons with IDD in Singapore.

Methods

Between August 2020 and August 2021, a cross‐sectional study was conducted via centres offering Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children, special education schools and adult associations in Singapore serving persons with IDD. A sample of 591 caregivers of children and adults with IDD completed the survey. Data on sociodemographic information, oral health behaviours and dental utilization were collected. Financial subsidy status was assessed by the uptake of a government‐funded, opt‐in Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) for low‐income families that provided a fixed subsidy amount for dental services in the primary care setting. Statistical analysis was carried out using univariable, multiple logistic regression and modified Poisson regression. Propensity score matching was carried out in R version 4.0.2 to assess the impact of financial subsidies on oral health care utilization among persons with IDD.

Results

Compared to those with lower gross monthly household incomes, the adjusted prevalence ratios of having at least one dental visit in the past year, having at least one preventive dental visit in the past year, and visiting the dentist at least once a year for persons with IDD with gross monthly household incomes of above SGD$4000 were 1.28 (95% CI 1.08–1.52), 1.48 (95% CI 1.14–1.92) and 1.36 (95% CI 1.09–1.70), respectively. Among those who were eligible for CHAS Blue subsidies (247 participants), 160 (62.0%) took up the CHAS Blue scheme and 96 (35.4%) visited the dentist at least yearly. There was no statistically significant difference in the utilization of dental services among individuals enrolled in the CHAS Blue subsidy scheme among those eligible for CHAS Blue subsidies.

Conclusion

Higher household income was associated with a higher prevalence of dental visits in the past year, preventive dental visits in the past year, and at least yearly dental visits. CHAS Blue subsidies alone had limited impact on dental utilization among persons with IDD who were eligible for subsidies.
Restoring Children From Out‐of‐Home Care: Insights From an Aboriginal‐Led Community Forum
Authors: Newton B. J. , Gray Paul , Cripps Kyllie , Falster Kathleen , Katz Ilan , Chiswell Kimberly , Wellington Lisa , Ardler Richard , Frith Fiona , Jones Tori , Kent Mandy , Tong Neika
Published: April 2024

Restoring children from out‐of‐home care (OOHC) to their families is the preferred outcome for all children removed by child protection services, yet little is known about how restoration processes are experienced by families and services supporting them. This paper provides important insights about Aboriginal child restoration from 40 practitioners and stakeholders at a community forum led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This is one component of larger Aboriginal‐led research, which investigates child protection experiences and pathways to successful restoration in NSW and the data source for this paper. The community forum explored the issues for families navigating family preservation, OOHC and restoration within child protection and legal systems. Findings include the need for a continuum of support for families throughout their engagement with child protection systems and crucially following the removal of their children. Barriers to effective restoration practice included a lack of access to meaningful and ongoing preservation services, insufficient cultural care planning and family finding efforts that are often too late, the pressure on services to support families without adequate capabilities or enough resourcing, the lack of transparency and the complexities in navigating the restoration process, and the lack of culturally informed support for children and their families while children are in care. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. This paper contributes to understanding practice, processes and barriers for restoration, particularly focused on the perspectives of Aboriginal families and communities, with potential insights for practice within Australia and internationally.
Expansion of fluvial transport of commodities through the Pantanal floodplains of Brazil: Potential impacts and interference by climate change
Authors: Girard Pierre , de Oliveira Roque Fabio , Cabral de Sousa Wilson , Hamilton Stephen K.
Published: April 2024

Inland waterways have historically been viewed as a desirable means for transporting commodities. However, creating and maintaining navigable river channels can entail substantial geomorphological modifications, resulting in changes to the ecohydrology of a river and its adjacent floodplains. In addition, barge traffic has important environmental impacts. The proposed expansion of the Paraguay River Hidrovia through the Pantanal floodplains of Brazil will negatively impact biodiversity due to bank erosion, water pollution, and the introduction of invasive species. Dredging would decrease the area and duration of inundation of connected floodplains renowned for their biodiversity, including fish and wildlife. Furthermore, the effects of the Hidrovia on greenhouse gas emissions are potentially important, although the net effects are complex and require further research. Global climate change is projected to cause greater variability in rainfall and river levels, with longer and more severe low water periods that would impede navigability and require further channel modifications. Modifications of the Paraguay River channel that lower the water levels and reduce the extent of surface water persisting during the dry season would negatively impact aquatic life in the main channel as well as in the floodplains, where recent increases in wildfire severity and excessive heat are already stressors. These changes threaten traditional livelihoods for people in the Pantanal, including artisanal fisheries, cattle ranching, and ecotourism.
Stigma, and factors associated with experiencing stigma, while visiting health‐care services among samples of people who use illegal drugs in Australia
Authors: Sutherland Rachel , King Cate , Karlsson Antonia , Treloar Carla , Broady Timothy , Chandrasena Udesha , Salom Caroline , Dietze Paul , Peacock Amy
Published: April 2024

Introduction

People who inject drugs experience stigma across multiple settings, including when accessing health‐care services, however, comparatively little is known about experiences of stigma towards other groups of people who use illegal drugs. This paper examines experience of, and factors associated with, stigma among two samples of people who use illegal drugs when visiting both specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) and general health‐care services.

Methods

Australians who regularly (i.e., ≥monthly) inject drugs (n = 879; illicit drug reporting system [IDRS]) or use ecstasy and/or other illegal stimulants (n = 700; ecstasy and related drugs reporting system [EDRS]) were surveyed between April and July 2022 about past 6‐month experience of stigma in the above services. Multi‐variable regression analyses were performed to determine the socio‐demographic, drug use and health factors associated with stigma.

Results

Experiences of stigma in general health‐care services were more common among IDRS (40%) than EDRS (24%; p < 0.001) participants, however, experiences were comparable in specialist AOD health‐care settings (22% and 20%, respectively; p = 0.687). Gender identity and experiencing high psychological distress were associated with experiencing stigma across both samples. Past‐year overdose was associated with experiencing stigma among the IDRS sample, while unstable housing and incomplete high school education were associated with experiencing stigma in the EDRS sample.

Discussion and Conclusions

Experiences of stigma when accessing health‐care services are relatively common across different populations of people who use illegal drugs. Our findings highlight the multiple and intersecting dimensions of stigma and provide further support for recent calls for a universal precautions approach to stigma in health care.
C‐peptide index at 2 h post‐meal is a useful predictor of endogenous insulin secretory capacity and withdrawal from insulin therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Iwamoto Yuichiro , Kimura Tomohiko , Shimoda Masashi , Morimoto Yuichi , Watanabe Yuki , Itoh Takashi , Sasaki Taku , Mori Shigehito , Kubo Masato , Takenouchi Haruka , Dan Kazunori , Iwamoto Hideyuki , Sanada Junpei , Fushimi Yoshiro , Katakura Yukino , Nakanishi Shuhei , Mune Tomoatsu , Kaku Kohei , Kaneto Hideaki
Published: April 2024

Aims

To evaluate the correlation between C‐peptide index (CPI) at 2 h post‐meal and endogenous insulin secretory capacity and to develop clinical models to predict the possibility of withdrawal from insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Method

This was a single‐centre retrospective study of patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to our hospital. Patients were divided into a withdrawal group (n = 72) and a non‐withdrawal group (n = 75) based on whether they were able to withdraw from insulin therapy at discharge, and the correlation between CPI at 2 h after meal and diabetes‐related parameters was evaluated. In addition, we created two clinical models to predict the possibility of withdrawal from insulin therapy using machine learning.

Results

The glycated haemoglobin values of the study participants were 87.8 ± 22.6 mmol/mo. The CPI at 2 h post‐meal was 1.93 ± 1.28 in the non‐withdrawal group and 2.97 ± 2.07 in the withdrawal group (p < 0.001). CPI at 2 h post‐meal was an independent predictor of withdrawal from insulin therapy. In addition, CPI at 2 h post‐meal was a better predictor than fasting CPI. Six factors associated with insulin therapy withdrawal (age, duration of diabetes, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, insulin therapy until hospitalization, and CPI at 2 h post‐meal) were used to generate two clinical models by machine learning. The accuracy of the generated clinical models ranged from 78.3% to 82.6%.

Conclusion

The CPI at 2 h post‐meal is a clinically useful measure of endogenous insulin secretory capacity under non‐fasting conditions.
From unobserved to observed preference heterogeneity: a revealed preference methodology
Authors: Cherchye Laurens , Saelens Dieter , Tuncer Reha
Published: April 2024

We present an easy‐to‐apply non‐parametric revealed preference method to identify observed preference heterogeneity from cross‐sectional data. Building on the partitioning approach that was developed by Crawford and Pendakur (Economic Journal, 2013, 123(567), 77–95) and Cosaert (Computational Economics, 2019, 53(2), 533–54), it quantifies the contribution of observable consumer characteristics to describing the identified preference heterogeneity. We demonstrate the practical usefulness of our method through an application to newly gathered experimental data on consumer choice behaviour in two types of decision situations: the allocation of money (choosing between two products) and the allocation of time (choosing between leisure and work). We investigate whether the same consumer characteristics drive the observed variation in choice behaviour in these two settings.
Primary mitochondrial diseases: The intertwined pathophysiology of bioenergetic dysregulation, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation
Authors: Aguilar Kevin , Jakubek Patrycja , Zorzano Antonio , Wieckowski Mariusz R.
Published: April 2024

Objectives and scope

Primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs) are rare genetic disorders resulting from mutations in genes crucial for effective oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) that can affect mitochondrial function. In this review, we examine the bioenergetic alterations and oxidative stress observed in cellular models of primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs), shedding light on the intricate complexity between mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular pathology. We explore the diverse cellular models utilized to study PMDs, including patient‐derived fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and cybrids. Moreover, we also emphasize the connection between oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Insights

The central nervous system (CNS) is particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction due to its dependence on aerobic metabolism and the correct functioning of OXPHOS. Similar to other neurodegenerative diseases affecting the CNS, individuals with PMDs exhibit several neuroinflammatory hallmarks alongside neurodegeneration, a pattern also extensively observed in mouse models of mitochondrial diseases. Based on histopathological analysis of postmortem human brain tissue and findings in mouse models of PMDs, we posit that neuroinflammation is not merely a consequence of neurodegeneration but a potential pathogenic mechanism for disease progression that deserves further investigation. This recognition may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for this group of devastating diseases that currently lack effective treatments.

In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of bioenergetic alterations and redox imbalance in cellular models of PMDs while underscoring the significance of neuroinflammation as a potential driver in disease progression.
No‐choice oviposition preferences predict neighborhood effects among host plants in a model system
Authors: Blum Ashley , Dodson Hannah , Sperber Kristen , Sveda Alyson , Merwin Andrew C.
Published: April 2024

Neighbouring plant species can indirectly affect each other's fitness through insect herbivores. For instance, the number of eggs an insect deposits on a focal plant can be influenced by the presence of a neighbouring plant species because of the herbivore's relative host plant preferences. Yet, the relationship between oviposition preferences (measured in no‐choice tests) and the strength and direction of such indirect effects among neighbouring plants remains poorly understood.

We performed a lab experiment using bean beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus) and five species of beans to determine if beetles' no‐choice preferences for a neighbouring bean species correlated with the number of eggs laid on a focal species in two‐species environments (diculture).

We predicted that as the preference for the neighbouring beans increased compared to the focal host, beetles would lay fewer eggs on the focal bean host.

Across all pair‐wise combinations, our prediction was supported: as the relative no‐choice preference of neighbouring beans increased, the number of eggs laid on focal beans decreased. However, this relationship was relatively weak. We also found that beetles tended to lay more eggs in diculture compared to arenas with one bean species.

These results provide empirical evidence linking herbivores' no‐choice preferences to the strength of neighbourhood effects and suggest that even within a relatively controlled environment, neighbourhood effects can be weak. Our results also highlight that unexpected changes to the total number of eggs laid by herbivores in mixed‐plant patches relative to monoculture can complicate predictions.
Life after isolation: Reconstructing the phylogenetic identity and a centennial chronology of historical Cryphonectria isolates
Authors: Cornejo Carolina , Beenken Ludwig
Published: April 2024

Fungi of the genus Cryphonectria are of special interest to tree pathologists because they cause bark disease in numerous species of the Fagaceae and Betulaceae. Despite this special attention, several Cryphonectria species were not recognized as such for a long time. This also affected the identity of eight isolates with outdated names that have been deposited in our laboratory since 1954. The present study reconstructs the history of the Cryphonectria cultures M282–M289 using primary bibliographic sources. To verify the species identity, all isolates were DNA barcoded and taxonomic affiliation was assessed using a phylogenetic approach. The taxonomic identity combined with the history of the isolates confirms that the chestnut blight epidemic (Cryphonectria parasitica) in Spain was caused by the planting of Asian chestnuts and that the first documented case of bark canker in 1940 was caused by Cryphonectria radicalis on Japanese chestnuts imported from France. The history of isolate M289 could be traced back to CBS 165.32, which proved to be the oldest preserved isolate of the rare Cryphonectria naterciae, confirming the presence of this fungus in Europe for at least 100 years. Based on the ITS barcoding of the 32‐year‐old type specimen, Cryphonectria decipiens must be reclassified as a later synonym of Cryphonectria radicalis. The reconstruction of the history of isolates M282–M289 takes us on a scientific journey from Italy to France, Spain and Portugal in the early twentieth century and offers new insights into the historical context of the invasion of Cryphonectria parasitica in Europe.
Higher education and economic development: A bibliometric analysis 1985–2022
Authors: Agasisti Tommaso , Petrenko Olesya
Published: April 2024

The economic impact of resource investments into higher education has been the focus of considerable research in recent years. Many contributions analyse the strength of the connection between economic development and higher education at the local level and the conditions which make certain systems more effective and efficient than others. In this paper, we provide a systematic bibliometric review of the available literature on the subject, various dimensions of this complex issue, constructing and analysing a map of variables used by selected researchers in the field. A summary of knowledge gaps, research limitations, topics explored and applied methods is provided to envisage future research in this field.
Enhanced student joy in learning environment; understanding and influencing the process
Authors: Cronqvist Marita
Published: April 2024

In education, there is a risk that joy in learning is counteracted by allowing a performance culture to dominate. Research shows that emotions are of great importance for results, motivation and well‐being. This study aims to add knowledge about the essential meanings of joy in learning based on students' lived experiences and thereby implications for the learning environment. The essence of the phenomenon of joy in learning has been formulated through descriptive phenomenological analysis. Qualitative data consists of 25 narratives from students engaged in voluntary forms of education. The study shows that joy in learning emerges throughout the learning process, when students discover that they gain knowledge, understand and can control their learning process and achieve something with their knowledge. The implications for teaching involve awareness of the learning process providing a balance between structure, support, challenge and personal choice which was valued along with relationships that contribute to autonomy.
Social buffering of behavioural stress response in two fish species, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Pintos Santiago , Lucon‐Xiccato Tyrone , Vera Luisa María , Conceição Luis , Bertolucci Cristiano , Sánchez‐Vázquez Javier , Rema Paulo
Published: April 2024

The presence of conspecifics plays a crucial role in mitigating stress responses in social teleost species and holds potential for enhancing welfare in captive fish. While studies on social buffering effects have typically focussed on single species, marked interspecific differences can exist. Here, we conducted an analysis of social buffering of stress response in two of the most extensively farmed fish, the Nile tilapia and the koi carp. Subjects were exposed to a behavioural stress response assay (open‐field test) in three conditions simulating increasing levels of social enrichment: isolation, pairs, or shoals of five fish. We obtained five stress indicators from the assay: thigmotaxis, freezing, activity, erratic movements and interindividual distance in conditions with more than one fish. In both species, erratic movements significantly decreased with increasing levels of social enrichment, suggesting a similar social buffering effect. However, other indicators revealed species differences. Koi carp, but not Nile tilapia, showed a socially‐mediated reduction in thigmotaxis, whereas Nile tilapia, but not Koi carp, showed a socially‐mediated reduction in freezing behaviour. Furthermore, social enrichment determined opposite effects on the activity of the two species: Nile tilapia were more active as group size increased, whereas the opposite trend was found in koi carp. Finally, Nile tilapia showed increased interindividual distance with increasing social group size, whereas no changes were observed for koi carp. Our study indicates that the buffering effects of social enrichment on the behavioural stress response do not completely overlap between different fish species, highlighting the importance of developing finely‐tuned species‐specific enrichments and welfare indicators.
‘Foot in the Door’ or ‘Door in the Face’? The development of legal strategies in European climate litigation between structure and agency
Authors: Garofalo Carlotta
Published: April 2024

Following the landmark Urgenda case, European social movements and legal networks have increasingly turned to courts to compel governments to more ambitious mitigation policies. The rapid proliferation of Urgenda‐like cases in the most diverse European jurisdictions, makes a compelling case to investigate the motivations and goals animating European climate litigators, especially when facing high legal barriers. While timely legal analyses of high‐profile climate litigation abound in the literature, an emerging body of research has focused on the genesis of climate cases , their strategies, and societal impacts. To contribute to this latter thread, the article investigates how legal barriers and considerations, and social movements' motivations and goals, have shaped a diverse range of legal strategies in high‐profile climate lawsuits inspired by Urgenda in Europe. The article shows that courts might turn into very different arenas to pursue social change, in which actors elect cautious or daring strategies, depending on the legal system and tradition they refer to, but also their vision and objectives.
The necessity defence in (the Swiss) climate protest cases: Democratic contestation in the age of climate activism
Authors: Mazzotti Paolo
Published: April 2024

The transnational movement of climate activists is resorting increasingly often to acts of civil disobedience. Upon being prosecuted for those acts, climate activists across various jurisdictions are starting to plead the general criminal law defence of necessity. The present article takes the cases in which that defence was pleaded before Swiss courts as a case study to analyse the legal questions raised by the ‘climate necessity defence’, conceptualised as an instance of climate litigation. The article hence situates the Swiss cases within a broader framework, trying to draw interpretive insights from international environmental law and climate science, as well as the transnational case‐law on the climate necessity defence. The article's overarching submission is that a broad interpretation of the defence, tending towards accepting its applicability, is more in line with the current legal thinking on environmental matters than a restrictive interpretation rejecting a priori climate necessity claims.
A Meta heuristic based deep learning classifier for effective dengue disease prediction in IoT‐Fog system
Authors: Corthis P. Britto , Ramesh G. P. , Jayachandra Ananda Babu
Published: April 2024

The primary aim of this article is to propose an effective dengue disease monitoring system by integrating deep learning models with Internet of Things (IoT) and fog computing. In this context, the disease related parameters are collected using IoT devices and further, the reports are securely transmitted to the healthcare facilities utilizing fog computing. In this article, the misdiagnosis error is reduced utilizing attention based long short term memory (ALSTM) network with coati optimization algorithm (COA). The Attention model allocates higher weight to significant parameters and pay additional consideration while training the model. Therefore, the conventional LSTM network is combined with a self‐attention mechanism for enabling this model to focus on relevant parts of the input sequences for precise dengue disease prediction. The Attention Model differs from the conventional model since it delivers higher amount of data into the decoder and improves additional stages to the attention decoder before making its output. Furthermore, the COA is integrated with the ALSTM network for optimal hyper‐parameter selection. The ALSTM‐COA model evaluates the dengue related parameters like nausea, vomiting, skin rash, joint pain, muscle pain, soft bleeding, temperature of water‐sites, humidity of water‐sites, and so forth, for timely dengue disease diagnosis and clinical decision‐making. The experiments performed on a real time dataset state that the ALSTM‐COA model achieves significant prediction results by utilizing different performance measures like recall, accuracy, fall‐out, miss rate, training time, and testing time. The ALSTM‐COA model obtains an accuracy of 99.27%, latency of 0.03 s, and time complexity of 8 s for 500 health records, which are superior to the comparative deep learning models.
Regulatory responses to build charity financial resilience: “Tow Truck” or “Guardian Angel”?
Authors: Cordery Carolyn , Yates David
Published: April 2024

Charity regulation is increasing internationally, leading to divergent views on what might constitute “better regulation.” The purpose of a charity regulator and appropriate regulation may also be contested. Many modern charity regulators are required to maintain public trust and confidence in charities in order to bolster ongoing charity support from funders and the donating public. Nevertheless, public trust and confidence is precarious. At its nadir, in England and Wales “the person in the street” was deemed more trustworthy than charities, with donations diminishing in the current environment and the charity sector close to crisis. Further, charities contribute to crises when they incite negative media interest in their operations, fail to comply with regulatory filing deadlines, and/or manipulate their accounts. Charity regulators must maintain legitimacy within a changing regulatory space, despite often being resource‐constrained themselves. Yet, some suggest regulators could “do more” to increase sector‐wide resilience and to increase public trust and confidence. Hence, this raises the question of how charities should be regulated and whether (and how) a regulator could build resilience. We depict charity‐sector crises as a vehicular incident and ponder: should the regulator act as a “Guardian Angel” to prevent crises through interventions to build and maintain sectoral resilience, or should it appear postincident as a “Tow Truck” to clear the road for other traffic through closely bounded regulatory action focused on sanctions and deregistration. We address this question by analyzing publicly available regulatory data from the Charity Commission of England and Wales and semistructured interviews, which provide additional “behind the scenes” depth to our analysis and findings. We contribute to literature on charity regulation and expected regulatory responsibilities within a confined but permeable regulatory space.
Crystal structure of a newly identified M61 family aminopeptidase with broad substrate specificity that is solely responsible for recycling acidic amino acids
Authors: Jamdar Sahayog N. , Yadav Pooja , Kulkarni Bhushan S. , Sudesh  , Kumar Ashwani , Makde Ravindra D.
Published: April 2024

Aminopeptidases with varied substrate specificities are involved in different crucial physiological processes of cellular homeostasis. They also have wide applications in food and pharma industries. Within the bacterial cell, broad specificity aminopeptidases primarily participate in the recycling of amino acids by degrading oligopeptides generated via primary proteolysis mediated by cellular ATP‐dependent proteases. However, in bacteria, a truly broad specificity enzyme, which can cleave off acidic, basic, Gly and hydrophobic amino acid residues, is extremely rare. Here, we report structure–function of a putative glycyl aminopeptidase (M61xc) from Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris (Xcc) belonging to the M61 peptidase family. The enzyme exhibits broad specificity and cleaves Ala, Leu, Asp, Glu, Met, Ser, Phe, Tyr, Gly, Arg, and Lys at the N terminus, optimally of peptides with a length of 3–7 amino acids. Further, we report the high‐resolution crystal structure of M61xc in the apo form (2.1 Å) and bestatin‐bound form (1.95 Å), detailing its catalytic and substrate preference mechanisms. Comparative analysis of enzyme activity in crude cell extracts from both wild‐type and m61xc‐knockout mutant strains of Xcc has elucidated the unique intracellular role of M61xc. This study suggests that M61xc is the exclusive enzyme in these bacteria that is responsible for liberating Asp/Glu residues from the N‐termini of peptides. Also, in view of its broad specificity and peptide degradation ability, it could be considered equivalent to M1 or other oligomeric peptidases from families like M17, M18, M42 or S9, who have an important auxiliary role in post‐proteasomal protein degradation in prokaryotes.
Association between advanced glycation end‐products and fall risk in older adults: The Yakumo Study
Authors: Iida Hiroki , Takegami Yasuhiko , Osawa Yusuke , Funahashi Hiroto , Ozawa Yuto , Ido Hiroaki , Asamoto Takamune , Otaka Keiji , Tanaka Shinya , Nakashima Hiroaki , Ishizuka Shinya , Seki Taisuke , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Imagama Shiro
Published: April 2024

Aim

Advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) are irreversibly and heterogeneously formed compounds during the non‐enzymatic modification of macromolecules, such as proteins. Aging and lifestyle habits, such as high‐fat and high‐protein diets, and smoking, promote AGEs accumulation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fall risk and AGEs in community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included patients from the 2022 Yakumo Study who were evaluated for fall risk index 5‐items version, locomotive syndrome stage and AGEs. AGEs were evaluated using Skin autofluorescence (SAF) measured by the AGE reader (DiagnOptics Technologies BV, Groningen, the Netherlands). We divided the participants into two groups according to the presence or absence of fall risk (fall risk index 5‐items version ≥6 or not), and investigated the factors associated with fall risk.

Results

The fall risk group had a higher age and SAF, and a higher proportion of locomotive syndrome stage >2 than the without fall risk group in patients aged ≥65 years (P < 0.01). The multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment of age, sex and body mass index showed that locomotive syndrome stage ≥2 and SAF were independent associators of fall risk in older adults (odds ratio 3.26, P < 0.01, odds ratio 2.96, P < 0.05, respectively). The optimal cutoff value of the SAF for fall risk was 2.4 (area under the curve 0.631; 95% CI 0.53–0.733; sensitivity 0.415; specificity 0.814; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The accumulation of AGEs in skin tissues can be used to screen for fall risk comprehensively. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 517–522.
Diagnosing liposarcoma on (peri)‐renal mass biopsy: A clinicopathological study of 30 cases
Authors: Potterveld Susan K , Mubeen Aysha , Anderson William J , Clay Michael R , Bourgeau Melanie , Charville Gregory W , Sangoi Ankur R
Published: April 2024

Aims

Classification of renal neoplasms on small tissue biopsies is in increasing demand, and maintaining broad differential diagnostic considerations in this setting is necessary. When evaluating a renal or perirenal tumour biopsy with sarcomatoid morphology, together with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma and sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma as top diagnostic considerations, it is vital to additionally consider the possibility of well‐differentiated and de‐differentiated liposarcoma.

Methods and results

This study reports a series of 30 biopsy samples from sites in or around the kidney collected from four institutions in which the correct diagnosis was either well‐differentiated or de‐differentiated liposarcoma. The majority (26 of 30, 87%) of lesions were accurately diagnosed on biopsy sampling, all of which incorporated testing for MDM2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation (FISH) or a combination of the two as part of the diagnostic work‐up. Tumour expression of MDM2 by IHC without confirmatory FISH analysis was sometimes (30%) sufficient to reach a diagnosis, but demonstration of MDM2 amplification by FISH was ascertained in the majority (57%) of biopsy samples. A diagnosis of de‐differentiated liposarcoma was not definitively established until resection in four (13%) patients, as no MDM2 testing was performed on the corresponding pre‐operative biopsies.

Conclusions

When a retroperitoneal tumour is not clinically suspected, histological consideration of a liposarcoma diagnosis may be overlooked. Implementation of ancillary immunohistochemical and cytogenetic testing can ultimately lead to a definitive diagnosis in this potentially misleading anatomical location.
Civic space and its effects on advocacy Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Tanzania
Authors: Rugeiyamu Rogers , Nguyahambi Ajali Mustafa
Published: April 2024

Global trends show that the civic space is shrinking. Specifically, civic space for Civil Society Organizations draws more attention. The shrinkage is caused by increased authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. Experience shows that advocacy based Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are more affected. The situation in Tanzania is comparable to other parts of the world. However, literature in Tanzania does not establish experiences to characterize the civic space of advocacy NGOs and does not explore the effects of existing civic space on advocacy NGOs. Drawing on Tanzania, this study examines NGOs experience and the effects of civic space on their roles. This study is anchored in interpretivism and case studies, following a qualitative path. Four NGOs and 10 activists were included. Interviews and documentary reviews were used to collect data, and a thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the civic spaces for advocacy NGOs is changing, unpredictable and contested. There has been negative and positive experiences due to change of political regimes. This causes advocacy NGOs to fail to have long‐term plans, increased fear, loose focus and fail to emerge as strong democratic institutions. NGOs must push for, and the government should accept constitutional, and legal changes to ensure NGOs effective functioning. This specific focus could be extended to other parts of Africa, Asia and Europe, where advocacy NGOs face the same challenges.
The feasibility of an adapted virtual mindfulness intervention for Special Olympics athletes and their caregivers
Authors: Redquest Brianne , Clark Chris A. , Sanguino Hangsel , Lunsky Yona , Hutton Sue , Weiss Jonathan , Davies Tom , McMorris Carly A.
Published: April 2024

Background

Virtual mindfulness may be helpful for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the context of COVID‐related disruptions of in‐person programming, such as Special Olympics (SO). This study examined the feasibility of a virtual mindfulness intervention for SO athletes and their caregivers.

Method

SO athletes (n = 44) and their caregivers (n = 29) participated in a 6‐week adapted virtual mindfulness intervention. Athletes completed mindfulness and well‐being questionnaires prior to, immediately following, and 3‐months post‐intervention. Caregivers completed questionnaires assessing their own stress, mindfulness, and well‐being, as well as athlete mental health. Exit interviews were conducted immediately following the intervention.

Results

The intervention was feasible in terms of demand, implementation, acceptability, and limited testing efficacy. There were significant improvements in athlete well‐being and mental health, and caregiver stress and mindfulness post‐intervention.

Conclusions

Adapted virtual mindfulness groups may be an effective intervention in improving the well‐being of adults with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers.