bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative project delivery and team performance during design and construction of a complex Norwegian swimming facility
Authors: Narum K , Kals P
Published: September 2024

Construction projects are experiencing an increase in complexity, and elevated emphasis on sustainability. The industry has much potential with regards to optimizing value creation and improving collaboration. This is especially true for large and transformative projects with significant complexity and uncertainty. Collaborative project delivery methods (CDMs) aim to optimize value creation through integrating inter-organizational participants towards collaboration for a common goal. There is a need for more research on the relationship between CDM elements and team performance. This paper seeks to fill the research gap through a longitudinal case study of the two-stage CDM of complex Norwegian swimming facility. The study was conducted through two months of daily observations, a document study, and twenty semi-structured interviews in the construction phase and operations phase with personnel from the client, architect, consultant and contractor. Contractual elements included early contractor involvement, procurement emphasising collaboration, target cost with shared bonus/malus, and open book, while organizational elements included integrated management, active client involvement, elevated levels of involvement of architects, consultants and subcontractors in collaboration, a co-located team, integrated project controls and collaborative workshops. Cultural elements included mutual goals, equitability and trust. In stage 1 on the CDM, team performance was challenging in the early stage during concept selection and the late stage during the negotiation of a target cost for stage 2. In stage 2, team performance was challenging during the construction of technical installations, and the reaching of a final settlement. To ensure optimal team performance in collaborative projects, it is recommended to involve key participants sufficiently early, have reasonable and mutually understood risk allocation in the target cost, and an active client leadership and integrated steering committee that ensures recruitment of collaborative personnel and the establishment and sustenance of a collaborative project culture.
Complexity in sports facility construction projects
Authors: Ørke J C , Torp O , Malvik T O
Published: September 2024

Sports facilities in Norway are often built by sports clubs. In such cases, the project team often lack competence and experience with planning, design, and construction. Complexity is a challenge in many construction projects and is frequently used to explain why projects went wrong. It is, therefore, relevant to assess the magnitude of complexity in sports facility projects and how this complexity should be managed. Such insight will help project teams carry out successful sports facility projects, ensuring the best use of the available resources and as much utility value as possible for the sports community. The purpose of the research was to increase knowledge about complexity in the management of sports facility projects. The paper was based on “model sports facilities” from the website godeidrettsanlegg.no. A workshop, a literature review and a survey were conducted. As a result, the Project Complexity and Risk Assessment tool was found to be a suitable framework for internal measurement of complexity, while simpler frameworks might be more suitable for external, statistical use. Our study indicates that sports facility construction projects have a high level of complexity. Lacking qualifications seems to be a cause of this, indicating that ensuring sufficient qualifications in project management is one of the best measures to handle the complexity.
Lean Construction Principles in Practice: Continuous Improvement in the Norwegian Construction Industry
Authors: Amdal Håkon , Drevland Frode
Published: September 2024

This paper examines the role of continuous improvement in the Norwegian construction industry, focusing on the strategies, methods, and challenges faced by the country’s largest contractors. The study uses a qualitative survey methodology, including semi-structured interviews with key personnel. The findings show that all surveyed contractors engage in continuous improvement, with strategies stemming from self-developed business systems, training for skill development, and a culture of improvement. However, there are significant gaps between strategic intentions and practical implementation, influenced by cultural, organizational, and resource-related factors. The paper concludes that a more integrated and systematic approach to continuous improvement is needed to effectively address the industry’s enduring challenges.
Value-adding collaborative design and construct sustainability work practices on increasingly complex AEC projects
Authors: Kestle L , Day A , Puolitaival T
Published: September 2024

There is a good amount of research on how collaborative design and delivery practices, such as design & build, integrated project delivery and alliances can help in achieving project goals, sustainability among other things. Although the understanding of these collaborative practices and their advantages has increased, a large part of construction projects are still conventional, design-bid-build projects. The industry is fragmented not only when it comes to separating the design stage from construction, but also when it comes to the number of subcontractors and suppliers in projects. This situation is not going to change any time soon, rather it looks the opposite. Construction projects are becoming more and more complex requiring companies to specify their expertise to a certain design, manufacturing or installation aspect. This is a discovery and theory-led case study that explores key problems and opportunities, and illustrates how theories are applied and adapted, or adopted, in a real-life setting. The focus is on how a top tier main contracting company in New Zealand is changing its practices to be more collaborative by involving the design and construct teams, the client and stakeholders, on a regular workshop basis at the pre-construction design stages in particular. The research question is “How to use collaborative design and delivery practices at the preconstruction and construction stages to achieve a circular economy?” The vision and aim is to explore-with project examples-alternative insightful design strategies, reduce waste to landfill, associated costs, as well as enhancing the environmental impacts on the community. One of the introduced tools so far is an Environment in Design (EiD) register, in conjunction with resource sorter training, and recording all waste data, to achieve the main contractor and key stakeholders’ sustainability goals.
A comprehensive review on organ-on-chips as powerful preclinical models to study tissue barriers
Authors: Filiz Yagmur , Esposito Alessio , De Maria Carmelo , Vozzi Giovanni , Yesil-Celiktas Ozlem
Published: September 2024

In the preclinical stage of drug development, 2D and 3D cell cultures under static conditions followed by animal models are utilized. However, these models are insufficient to recapitulate the complexity of human physiology. With the developing organ-on-chip (OoC) technology in recent years, human physiology and pathophysiology can be modeled better than traditional models. In this review, the need for OoC platforms is discussed and evaluated from both biological and engineering perspectives. The cellular and extracellular matrix components are discussed from a biological perspective, whereas the technical aspects such as the intricate working principles of these systems, the pivotal role played by flow dynamics and sensor integration within OoCs are elucidated from an engineering perspective. Combining these two perspectives, bioengineering applications are critically discussed with a focus on tissue barriers such as blood-brain barrier, ocular barrier, nasal barrier, pulmonary barrier and gastrointestinal barrier, featuring recent examples from the literature. Furthermore, this review offers insights into the practical utility of OoC platforms for modeling tissue barriers, showcasing their potential and drawbacks while providing future projections for innovative technologies.
Design and investigation of gaussian doped junction free SMDG and TMDG-TFET for analog/RF applications
Authors: R Tamilarasi , S Karthik
Published: September 2024

This research investigates four variants of Gaussian Doped (GD) Double Gate Single Material and Tri-Material Junction-Free Tunnel-Field-Effect-Transistors (GD-DG-JF-TFETs) to optimize their performance in analog and RF applications. The analysis is conducted using the Sentaurus Synopsis TCAD simulation tool, reveals a Subthreshold Swing (SS) as low as 38 mV/dec, exceptionally higher cut-off-frequency (f

t
) and maximum-oscillation-frequency (

f

max

) of 516 GHz and 895 GHz, respectively. The proposed TMDG-JF-TFET enhances band-to-band tunneling between the drain and source regions, resulting in an extremely low-off-state-current (I
off) of 9.6 fA and large-on-state current (I
ON) of 6.7 mA in Permittivity of high-k (HfO
2 = 25) and low-k (SiO
2 = 3.8) based structures.Compared to conventional SMDG technologies, the TMDG structures exhibits 36% reduction in SS, a 16% improvement in f

t
, an 18% enhancement in

f

max

and 17% increase in I
ON. These improvements demonstrate that TMDG-based TFETs are superior devices for ultra-low-power-integrated-circuit-applications.
Role of surface grain refinement in AZ31 Mg alloy by shot peening on surface energy, biomineralization and degradation behavior
Authors: Graddala Suresh Babu , V Chittaranjan Das
Published: September 2024

Grain refinement of magnesium (Mg) alloys to improve their performance as potential candidates for degradable implant applications is a promising strategy in the field of materials engineering. Surface properties play an important role in promoting higher implant tissue interactions which dictate the healing rate of the fractured bone. In the present work, AZ31 Mg alloy was subjected to shot peening by using steel balls of 2 mm diameter. From the microstructural studies carried out at the cross section, fine grain structure was observed up to 50 μm depth from the surface. Grain refinement up to ∼1.5 μm was achieved at the surface of shot peened AZ31. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the development of non-basal texture at the surface. Increased surface energy was measured by contact angle measurements for the shot peened AZ31. Higher hardness was measured from the surface in the thickness direction of the AZ31 after shot peening. Corrosion behavior assessed by potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated marginally increased corrosion resistance for shot peened AZ31. In vitro bioactivity studies carried out in simulated body fluids demonstrated higher mineral depositions and lower weight loss for the surface grain refined AZ31. The results demonstrate the potential of shot peening to promote higher biomineralization and to control the degradation in improving the performance of biodegradable AZ31 Mg alloy.
Comparative analysis of optimization approaches for combined economic emission dispatch- a comprehensive review
Authors: Khlaif Rafid Zidan , Atyia Thamir Hassan
Published: September 2024

This comprehensive review explores a range of optimization approaches for Combined Economic Emission Dispatch (CEED), covering conventional, non-conventional, and hybrid techniques. CEED is critical in minimizing economic costs and emissions while ensuring power system reliability. Traditional methods focus on cost minimization but overlook environmental considerations. Optimization techniques address this gap by simultaneously optimizing economic and environmental objectives. Hybrid techniques, combining multiple algorithms or integrating renewable energy, further enhance CEED performance. The review evaluates these approaches’ strengths and limitations, considering factors like computational efficiency and solution accuracy. Over the past few decades, a great deal of study has been done on the use of renewable energy (RE) as an alternative source in power generation systems. As a result, the power dispatch problem currently uses the Combined Economic Emission Dispatch (CEED) of thermal and renewable energy resources. It discusses the potential of hybrid techniques and take in consideration renewable energy integration in achieving cost savings and emission reductions, highlighting areas for future research.
SCIntRuler: guiding the integration of multiple single-cell RNA-seq datasets with a novel statistical metric
Authors: Lyu Yue , Lin Steven H , Wu Hao , Li Ziyi
Published: September 2024

Motivation

The growing number of single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) studies highlights the potential benefits of integrating multiple datasets, such as augmenting sample sizes and enhancing analytical robustness. Inherent diversity and batch discrepancies within samples or across studies continue to pose significant challenges for computational analyses. Questions persist in practice, lacking definitive answers: Should we use a specific integration method or opt for simply merging the datasets during joint analysis? Among all the existing data integration methods, which one is more suitable in specific scenarios?

Result

To fill the gap, we introduce SCIntRuler, a novel statistical metric for guiding the integration of multiple scRNA-seq datasets. SCIntRuler helps researchers make informed decisions regarding the necessity of data integration and the selection of an appropriate integration method. Our simulations and real data applications demonstrate that SCIntRuler streamlines decision-making processes and facilitates the analysis of diverse scRNA-seq datasets under varying contexts, thereby alleviating the complexities associated with the integration of heterogeneous scRNA-seq datasets.

Availability and implementation

The implementation of our method is available on CRAN as an open-source R package with a user-friendly manual available: https://cloud.r-project.org/web/packages/SCIntRuler/index.html
Neural response to monetary incentives in acquired adolescent depression after mild traumatic brain injury: Stage 2 Registered Report
Authors: Hogeveen Jeremy , Campbell Ethan M , Mullins Teagan S , Robertson-Benta Cidney R , Quinn Davin K , Mayer Andrew R , Cavanagh James F
Published: September 2024

Depression is a common consequence of traumatic brain injury. Separately, spontaneous depression—arising without brain injury—has been linked to abnormal responses in motivational neural circuitry to the anticipation or receipt of rewards. It is unknown if post-injury and spontaneously occurring depression share similar phenotypic profiles. This issue is compounded by the fact that nearly all examinations of these psychiatric sequelae are post hoc: there are rarely any prospective assessments of mood and neural functioning before and after a brain injury. In this Stage 2 Registered Report, we used the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Consortium dataset to examine if a disruption in functional neural responses to rewards is present in patients with depression after a mild traumatic brain injury. Notably, this study provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine the trajectory of neuropsychiatric symptoms longitudinally within-subjects. This allowed us to isolate mild traumatic brain injury-specific variance independent from pre-existing functioning. Here, we focus on a case-control comparison between 43 youth who experienced a mild traumatic brain injury between MRI visits, and 43 well-matched controls. Contrary to pre-registered predictions (https://osf.io/h5uba/), there was no statistically credible increase in depression in mild traumatic brain injury cases relative to controls. Mild traumatic brain injury was associated with subtle changes in motivational neural circuit recruitment during the anticipation of incentives on the Monetary Incentive Delay paradigm. Specifically, changes in neural recruitment appeared to reflect a failure to deactivate ‘task-negative’ brain regions (ventromedial prefrontal cortex), alongside blunted recruitment of ‘task-positive’ regions (anterior cingulate, anterior insula and caudate), during the anticipation of reward and loss in adolescents following mild brain injuries. Critically, these changes in brain activity were not correlated with depressive symptoms at either visit or depression change scores before and after the brain injury. Increased time since injury was associated with a recovery of cognitive functioning—driven primarily by processing speed differences—but depression did not scale with time since injury. These cognitive changes were also uncorrelated with neural changes after mild traumatic brain injury. This report provides evidence that acquired depression may not be observed as commonly after a mild traumatic brain injury in late childhood and early adolescence, relative to findings in adult cases. Several reasons for these differing findings are considered, including sampling enrichment in retrospective cohort studies, under-reporting of depressive symptoms in parent-report data, and neuroprotective factors in childhood and adolescence.
Visual mismatch negativity in Parkinson's psychosis and potential for testing treatment mechanisms
Authors: Vignando Miriam , ffytche Dominic , Mazibuko Ndabezinhle , Palma Giulio , Montagnese Marcella , Dave Sonali , Nutt David J , Gabay Anthony S , Tai Yen F , Batzu Lucia , Leta Valentina , Williams Gray Caroline H , Chaudhuri K Ray , Mehta Mitul A
Published: September 2024

Psychosis and visual hallucinations are a prevalent non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease, negatively affecting patients’ quality of life and constituting a greater risk for dementia. Understanding neural mechanisms associated to these symptoms is instrumental for treatment development. The mismatch negativity is an event-related potential evoked by a violation in a sequence of sensory events. It is widely considered an index of sensory change-detection. Reduced mismatch negativity response is one of the most replicated results in schizophrenia and has been suggested to be a superior psychosis marker. To understand whether this event-related potential component could be a similarly robust marker for Parkinson's psychosis, we used electroencephalography with a change-detection task to study the mismatch negativity in the visual modality in 20 participants with Parkinson's and visual hallucinations and 18 matched Parkinson's participants without hallucinations. We find that visual mismatch negativity is clearly present in participants with Parkinson’s disease without hallucinations at both parieto-occipital and frontal sites, whereas participants with Parkinson's and visual hallucinations show reduced or no differences in the two waveforms, confirming the sensitivity of mismatch negativity to psychosis, even within the same diagnostic group. We also explored the relationship between hallucination severity and visual mismatch negativity amplitude, finding a negative correlation between visual hallucinations severity scores and visual mismatch negativity amplitude at a central frontal and a parieto-occipital electrodes, whereby the more severe or complex (illusions, formed visual hallucinations) the symptoms the smaller the amplitude. We have also tested the potential role of the serotonergic 5-HT2A cascade in visual hallucinations in Parkinson's with these symptoms, following the receptor trafficking hypothesis. We did so with a pilot study in healthy controls (N = 18) providing support for the role of the Gi/o-dependent pathway in the psychedelic effect and a case series in participants with Parkinson's and visual hallucinations (N = 5) using a double-blind crossover design. Positive results on psychosis scores and mismatch amplitude add further to the potential role of serotonergic modulation of visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease.
Sex and gender differences in health-related quality of life in individuals treated with incremental and conventional hemodialysis
Authors: Riehl-Tonn Victoria J , MacRae Jennifer M , Dumanski Sandra M , Elliott Meghan J , Pannu Neesh , Schick-Makaroff Kara , Drall Kelsea , Norris Colleen , Nerenberg Kara A , Pilote Louise , Behlouli Hassan , Gantar Taryn , Ahmed Sofia B
Published: September 2024

Background

Women treated with hemodialysis report lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with men. Whether this is related to sex-specific (biological) (e.g. under-dialysis due to body composition differences) or gender-specific (sociocultural) factors (e.g. greater domestic/caregiver responsibilities for women) is unknown. We examined the association between sex assigned at birth, gender score and HRQoL in individuals initiating conventional and incremental hemodialysis.

Methods

In this prospective multi-center cohort study, incident adult hemodialysis patients were recruited between 1 June 2020 and 30 April 2022 in Alberta, Canada. Sex assigned at birth and gender identity were self-reported. Gender-related characteristics were assessed by self-administered questionnaire to derive a composite measure of gender. The primary outcome was change in Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores after 3 months of hemodialysis.

Results

Sixty participants were enrolled (conventional hemodialysis: 14 female, 19 male; incremental hemodialysis: 12 female, 15 male). PCS improved from baseline with conventional (P = .01) but not incremental (P = .52) hemodialysis in female participants. No difference in MCS was observed by hemodialysis type in female participants. Gender score was not associated with changes in PCS in female participants, irrespective of hemodialysis type. Higher gender score was associated with increased MCS with incremental (P = .04), but not conventional (P = .14), hemodialysis (P = .03 conventional vs incremental) in female participants. No change in PCS or MCS was seen in male participants, irrespective of hemodialysis type or gender score.

Conclusion

In this exploratory study, conventional hemodialysis was associated with improved PCS in female participants, while incremental hemodialysis was associated with improved MCS in female participants with more roles and responsibilities traditionally ascribed to women. Large prospective studies are required to further investigate these relationships.
Fundamental Patterns of Structural Evolution Revealed by Chromosome-Length Genomes of Cactophilic Drosophila
Authors: Benowitz Kyle M , Allan Carson W , Jaworski Coline C , Sanderson Michael J , Diaz Fernando , Chen Xingsen , Matzkin Luciano M
Published: September 2024

A thorough understanding of adaptation and speciation requires model organisms with both a history of ecological and phenotypic study as well as a complete set of genomic resources. In particular, high-quality genome assemblies of ecological model organisms are needed to assess the evolution of genome structure and its role in adaptation and speciation. Here, we generate new genomes of cactophilic Drosophila, a crucial model clade for understanding speciation and ecological adaptation in xeric environments. We generated chromosome-level genome assemblies and complete annotations for seven populations across Drosophila mojavensis, Drosophila arizonae, and Drosophila navojoa. We use these data first to establish the most robust phylogeny for this clade to date, and to assess patterns of molecular evolution across the phylogeny, showing concordance with a priori hypotheses regarding adaptive genes in this system. We then show that structural evolution occurs at constant rate across the phylogeny, varies by chromosome, and is correlated with molecular evolution. These results advance the understanding of the D. mojavensis clade by demonstrating core evolutionary genetic patterns and integrating those patterns to generate new gene-level hypotheses regarding adaptation. Our data are presented in a new public database (cactusflybase.arizona.edu), providing one of the most in-depth resources for the analysis of inter- and intraspecific evolutionary genomic data. Furthermore, we anticipate that the patterns of structural evolution identified here will serve as a baseline for future comparative studies to identify the factors that influence the evolution of genome structure across taxa.
Breathomics: may it become an affordable, new tool for early diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer? An exploratory study on a cohort of 60 patients
Authors: Brascia Debora , De Iaco Giulia , Panza Teodora , Signore Francesca , Carleo Graziana , Zang Wenzhe , Sharma Ruchi , Riahi Pamela , Scott Jared , Fan Xudong , Marulli Giuseppe
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

Analysis of breath, specifically the patterns of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), has shown the potential to distinguish between patients with lung cancer (LC) and healthy individuals (HC). However, the current technology relies on complex, expensive and low throughput analytical platforms, which provide an offline response, making it unsuitable for mass screening. A new portable device has been developed to enable fast and on-site LC diagnosis, and its reliability is being tested.

METHODS

Breath samples were collected from patients with histologically proven non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and healthy controls using Tedlar bags and a Nafion filter attached to a one-way mouthpiece. These samples were then analysed using an automated micro portable gas chromatography device that was developed in-house. The device consisted of a thermal desorption tube, thermal injector, separation column, photoionization detector, as well as other accessories such as pumps, valves and a helium cartridge. The resulting chromatograms were analysed using both chemometrics and machine learning techniques.

RESULTS

Thirty NSCLC patients and 30 HC entered the study. After a training set (20 NSCLC and 20 HC) and a testing set (10 NSCLC and 10 HC), an overall specificity of 83.3%, a sensitivity of 86.7% and an accuracy of 85.0% to identify NSCLC patients were found based on 3 VOCs.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are a significant step towards creating a low-cost, user-friendly and accessible tool for rapid on-site LC screening.

CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06034730.
Impact of three-dimensional imaging and printing on septal myectomy results—single centre’s experience
Authors: Andrushchuk Uladzimir , Niavyhlas Artsem , Adzintsou Vitali , Tretsiakou Dzmitry , Zakharava Helena , Seuruk Tatsjana , Ustinava Iraida , Kurganovich Svetlana , Aleinikava Viktoryia , Shchatsinka Mikalai , Kocańda Szymon
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

To assess changes in the results of septal myectomy (SM) following introduction of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and 3D printing in surgical interventions planning and performing in the single-centre settings.

METHODS

Between January 2007 and March 2022, 268 consecutive symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and peak pressure gradient at obstruction area ≥50 mmHg underwent conventional SM (n = 112) or SM with heart 3D modelling (n = 156).

RESULTS

For comparative analysis, we used propensity score matching (PSM) by 14 variables and there were formed group 1PSM (conventional SM, n = 77) and group 2PSM (3D-modelled SM, n = 77). It was noted for group 2PSM: larger mean resected myocardium mass [10.0 (standard deviation 4.3) vs 5.2 (standard deviation 2.7) g], P < 0.001, no mitral valve replacement cases [0 vs 28 (36.4%), P < 0.001], no iatrogenic ventricular septal defects cases [0 vs 6 (7.8%), P = 0.028], lower rate of major complications [6 (7.8%) vs 17 (22.1%), P = 0.011], smaller residual peak systolic gradient at the obstruction level [7.0 (5.0–9.0) vs 11.0 (7.0–16.0) mmHg, P < 0.001]. During the long-term follow-up, it was noted for group 2PSM as compared to group 1PSM: lower 5-year cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events [3.8% (95% confidence interval 0.7–11.7%) vs 16.9% (9.5–26.1%), P = 0.007] and cardiac-related death [3.8% (95% confidence interval 0.7–11.7%) vs 13% (95% confidence interval 6.6–21.6%), P = 0.05].

CONCLUSIONS

SM based on 3D virtual and printed heart models is more effective than conventional SM.
Stripe charge order and its interaction with Majorana bound states in 2M-WS2 topological superconductors
Authors: Fan Xuemin , Sun Xiao-Qi , Zhu Penghao , Fang Yuqiang , Ju Yongkang , Yuan Yonghao , Yan Jingming , Huang Fuqiang , Hughes Taylor L , Tang Peizhe , Xue Qi-Kun , Li Wei
Published: September 2024

To achieve logic operations via Majorana braiding, positional control of the Majorana bound states (MBSs) must be established. Here we report the observation of a striped surface charge order coexisting with superconductivity and its interaction with the MBS in the topological superconductor 2M-WS2, using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. By applying an out-of-plane magnetic field, we observe that MBSs are absent in vortices in the region with stripe order. This is in contrast to adjacent underlaying layers without charge order, where vortex-bound MBSs are observed. Via theoretical simulations, we show that the surface stripe order does not destroy the bulk topology, but it can effectively modify the spatial distribution of MBSs, i.e. it pushes them downward, away from the 2M-WS2 surface. Our findings demonstrate that the interplay of charge order and topological superconductivity can potentially be used to tune the positions of MBSs, and to explore new states of matter.
The Association Between Social Support and Trying Smoking Among Rural Adolescents in Rural Western China: The Intermediary Role of Mental Health Problems and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Yuanyi Ji , Yongzhong Cheng , Ting Yang , Jing Zhang , Qiaolan Liu
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Most adult smokers develop their addiction by trying smoking during adolescence. Elucidation of the psychosocial mechanisms underlying smoking initiation may be crucial for the prevention of adolescent tobacco use. The study aimed to identify key psychosocial factors to provide a scientific basis for preventing and reducing the occurrence of initial smoking behavior among adolescents.

Methods

A total of 2671 students from rural middle schools in western China were surveyed three times as part of a 2-year longitudinal study. The adolescent health questionnaire included the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, the Mental Health Inventory of Middle School Students, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Adolescent Life Satisfaction Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the direct or indirect relationships between smoking initiation and psychosocial factors.

Results

The prevalence of trying smoking among adolescents was 28.3%, with boys (38.3%) having a higher rate than girls (19.7%; p < .05). Mental health problems were positively associated with trying smoking (β = 0.112, p < .05). Greater life satisfaction had a negative direct effect on trying smoking (β = −0.125, p < .05) and also played a mediating role in the relationship between mental health problems and trying smoking (β = 0.016, 95% CI = 0.008 to 0.025), accounting for 20.7% of the total effect. Social support had a full mediating effect on smoking initiation through both mental health problems and life satisfaction (β = −0.022, 95% CI = −0.028 to −0.016).

Conclusions

The behavior of young people who try smoking is associated with complex psychosocial factors. Interventions aimed at preventing adolescent tobacco use should prioritize the provision of social support and the promotion of life satisfaction.

Implications

The study elucidated the direct and indirect relationships between psychosocial factors and trying smoking behavior. To prevent adolescents from trying smoking, it is essential to intervene through external social support and internal development of mental health and well-being to improve adolescents’ social support, increase their life satisfaction, and maintain their mental health.
Production Cross-Sections of Residual Nuclides from 93Zr + p at 27 MeV/nucleon
Authors: Hwang Jongwon , Chillery Thomas , Dozono Masanori , Imai Nobuaki , Michimasa Shin’ichiro , Sumikama Toshiyuki , Chiga Nobuyuki , Ota Shinsuke , Nakayama Shinsuke , Ahn Deuk Soon , Beliuskina Olga , Chikaato Kazuya , Fukuda Naoki , Hayakawa Seiya , Ideguchi Eiji , Iribe Kotaro , Iwamoto Chihiro , Kawase Shoichiro , Kawata Keita , Kitamura Noritaka , Kusaka Kensuke , Masuoka Shoichiro , Miki Hareru , Miyatake Hiroari , Nagae Daisuke , Nakajima Ryo , Nakano Keita , Ohtake Masao , Omika Shunichiro , Ong Hooi Jin , Otsu Hideaki , Sakurai Hiroyoshi , Schrock Philipp , Shimizu Hideki , Shimizu Yohei , Sun Xiaohui , Suzuki Daisuke , Suzuki Hiroshi , Takaki Motonobu , Takechi Maya , Takeda Hiroyuki , Takeuchi Satoshi , Teranishi Takashi , Tsunoda Rieko , Wang He , Watanabe Yukinobu , Watanabe Yutaka X , Wimmer Kathrin , Yako Kentaro , Yamada Hiroki , Yamada Kazunari , Yamaguchi Hidetoshi , Yang Lei , Yanagihara Rikuto , Yanagisawa Yoshiyuki , Yoshida Hiroya , Yoshida Koichi , Shimoura Susumu
Published: September 2024

Nuclear transmutation is emerging as a promising approach for reprocessing high-level waste, specifically treating long-lived nuclides like $^{93}$Zr from spent fuel. It is essential to accumulate reaction data for these nuclei to advance this prominent treatment and to build a comprehensive understanding of reaction mechanisms. In this study, the residual production cross-sections resulting from proton-induced reactions on $^{93}$Zr were measured at 27 MeV/nucleon in inverse kinematics. At the RI Beam Factory (RIBF), the Optimized Energy Degrading Optics beamline was used to deduce production cross-sections for isotopes $^{91-93}$Nb, $^{91,92}$Zr, and $^{88,89}$Y. Comparing the results from this study and prior research with calculated excitation functions, a moderate agreement is found with theoretical predictions derived from TALYS and CCONE. The measured cross-sections offer valuable insights for future considerations in nuclear-waste treatment facilities. This is particularly relevant for facilities exploring innovative methods, such as accelerator-driven systems.
Families of austerity: benefit cutbacks and family stress in the UK
Authors: Mari Gabriele , Keizer Renske
Published: September 2024

Benefit cutbacks have been prominent after the Great Recession. The Family Economic Stress Model (FESM) theorizes how financial losses such as those spurred by cutbacks might adversely affect parental and child well-being. Yet, few links with policy have been established. We extend current knowledge by comprehensively assessing how benefits cutbacks may affect parents and their adolescent children. We rely on the first ten waves of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2009–2019) and an event-study approach to examine the aftermath of an exceptional raft of benefit cutbacks. We find that mothers with lower incomes and single mothers accumulated losses equal to 20–30 percent of their household benefit income. Mothers could not fully compensate for such benefit income losses via their extra earnings, despite increased workforce participation. Financial worries, some forms of material hardship, and mental health worsened among mothers with lower incomes and single mothers exposed to cutbacks. Adolescent socio-emotional difficulties also increased in the period. We find little evidence, though, that cutbacks disrupted parenting. Parents thus display more agency than that accorded by the FESM. Nonetheless, findings point to deepening socioeconomic divides in financial and mental well-being, questioning the rationale for cutbacks.
Cell-based therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases
Authors: Trapana Justin , Weinerman Jonathan , Lee Danny , Sedani Anil , Constantinescu David , Best Thomas M , Hornicek Francis J , Hare Joshua M
Published: September 2024

A limited number of tissues can spontaneously regenerate following injury, and even fewer can regenerate to a state comparable to mature, healthy adult tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were first described in the 1960s-1970s by Friedenstein et al as a small population of bone marrow cells with osteogenic potential and abilities to differentiate into chondrocytes. In 1991, Arnold Caplan coined the term “mesenchymal cells” after identifying these cells as a theoretical precursor to bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, marrow stroma, adipocyte, dermis, muscle, and connective tissues. MSCs are derived from periosteum, fat, and muscle. Another attractive property of MSCs is their immunoregulatory and regenerative properties, which result from crosstalk with their microenvironment and components of the innate immune system. Collectively, these properties make MSCs potentially attractive for various therapeutic purposes. MSCs offer potential in sports medicine, aiding in muscle recovery, meniscal tears, and tendon and ligament injuries. In joint disease, MSCs have the potential for chondrogenesis and reversing the effects of osteoarthritis. MSCs have also demonstrated potential application to the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
Maternal exposure to Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) inhibit orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) expression to prevent Sertoli cells proliferation through the AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Xie Zhiwen , Jiang Juntao , Li Tiewen , Xu Xinyu , Wu Lei , Zhang Yongqing , Chen Min , Sun Yang
Published: September 2024

Background: Studies have demonstrated that Sertoli cells are the direct target of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP). However, the role of neurotransmitter receptors is not elucidated. Methods: Based on our previous studies, maternal Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats in Gestation Day (GD) 14–18 and TM4 cells exposure to 750 mg/kg/day and 100 μM DBP were regarded as treated groups. Firstly, qRT-PCR array was used to determine the different expression of neurotransmitter receptors. We examined the OX1R expression on Rats in Control and DBP groups by immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of OX1R in vivo and in vitro. The potential downstream signaling pathways were explored by analyzing the GSE99690 cohort. In addition, we extracted Primary Sertoli Cells (PSCs) from the testis of control group. The apoptosis-related proteins, AKT signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNA expressions were detected by Western Blot and Real-time PCR in PSCs. The validity of PSCs was measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometric analysis was used to demonstrate the apoptotic rates of PSCs after DBP exposure. Results: The Orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) was screened out by qRT-PCR array. Our results showed that DBP could significantly suppress the OX1R expression of Sertoli cells in vivo and in vitro. Functional analysis showed the AKT signaling pathway was mediated by OX1R. The highly expressed apoptosis level and impaired cell activity were observed in PSCs, which can be reversed by Orexin A. Meanwhile, the p-AKT signaling pathway were hindered after DBP exposure while rescued in DBP + Orexin-A group. Conclusions: DBP can induce Sertoli cell apoptosis through its toxicological effect by suppressing OX1R and p-AKT expression, which provide a novel insight on the role of neurotransmitter receptors.
Modulation of osteoblastogenesis by NRF2: NRF2 activation suppresses osteogenic differentiation and enhances mineralization in human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Onoki Takahiro , Kanczler Janos , Rawlings Andrew , Smith Melanie , Kim Yang‐Hee , Hashimoto Ko , Aizawa Toshimi , Oreffo Richard O. C.
Published: September 2024

Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) or skeletal stem cells (SSCs) play a major role in tissue repair due to their robust ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. Complex cell signaling cascades tightly regulate this differentiation. In osteogenic differentiation, Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and ALP activity are essential. Furthermore, during the latter stages of osteogenic differentiation, mineral formation mediated by the osteoblast occurs with the secretion of a collagenous extracellular matrix and calcium deposition. Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2), an important transcription factor against oxidative stress, inhibits osteogenic differentiation and mineralization via modulation of RUNX2 function; however, the exact role of NRF2 in osteoblastogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that NRF2 activation in human bone marrow‐derived stromal cells (HBMSCs) suppressed osteogenic differentiation. NRF2 activation increased the expression of STRO‐1 and KITLG (stem cell markers), indicating NRF2 protects HBMSCs stemness against osteogenic differentiation. In contrast, NRF2 activation enhanced mineralization, which is typically linked to osteogenic differentiation. We determined that these divergent results were due in part to the modulation of cellular calcium flux genes by NRF2 activation. The current findings demonstrate a dual role for NRF2 as a HBMSC maintenance factor as well as a central factor in mineralization, with implications therein for elucidation of bone formation and cellular Ca2+ kinetics, dystrophic calcification and, potentially, application in the modulation of bone formation.
Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder Among Birthing People With an Alcohol-related Diagnosis
Authors: Roberts Sarah C. M. , Liu Guodong , Terplan Mishka
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Although safety and effectiveness of medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are well established for adults, literature on these medications in pregnancy is limited. Given known adverse effects of untreated AUD during pregnancy, clinicians and researchers have recently begun to call for reconsidering use of medications for AUD in pregnancy. Thus, we sought to estimate the proportion of birthing people with an alcohol-related diagnosis who received a prescription for medication related to AUD treatment.

Methods

Data were from Meritive MarketScan, a national private insurance claims database. The study cohort included birthing people aged 25–50 who gave birth to a singleton in the United States between 2006 and 2019 and were matched with an infant. Variables included an alcohol-related diagnosis within a year of birth and receiving a prescription for a medication related to AUD treatment. We calculated proportions with alcohol-related diagnoses who received any AUD medication and each medication type.

Results

Of 1,432,979 birthing person-infant dyads, 2517 (0.18%) had an alcohol-related diagnosis. Of those with an alcohol-related diagnosis, 8.70% (n = 219) received any medication. The most common was gabapentin (4.69%, n = 118), with benzodiazepines for withdrawal as the second most common (2.19%, n = 55). Approximately 2% received naltrexone (1.91%, n = 48) and/or disulfiram (1.39%, n = 35); 0.56% (n = 14) received acamprosate. No one with an alcohol-related diagnosis received phenobarbital. Almost all medications were received postpartum.

Conclusions

Very few pregnant/postpartum people with alcohol-related diagnoses are prescribed medications related to AUD treatment. Research is needed to examine whether benefits of these medications during pregnancy outweigh harms.
The anterior and medial open approaches yield superior outcomes compared to the lateral and posterior open approaches in supracondylar humerus fractures in children: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: González-Morgado Diego , Blasco-Casado Ferran , Guerra-Farfán Ernesto , de María Prieto Jose Manuel , Jambrina-Abasolo Unai , Phillips Mark , Ekhtiari Seper , Soldado Francisco
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to examine which open approach is superior in terms of outcomes and complications in the treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to December 2022 and screened for relevant studies. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, Flynn’s functional and cosmetic outcomes, and complications. Unsatisfactory Flynn’s and complications were considered negative events. Comparisons of outcomes from aggregate data from each surgical approach using relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were performed. The NMA of overall negative events was conducted using a Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis. A total of 26 studies involving 1461 patients were included; 459 (31.4%) patients underwent a closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP), 84 (5.7%) an anterior approach, 240 (16.4%) a medial, 220 (15%) a lateral, and 458 (31.3%) a posterior. The lateral and posterior approaches demonstrate a higher risk of negative event in the NMA compared to CRPP [RR = 2 (1.03, 3.85); RR = 2.63 (1.96, 3.57), respectively], anterior approach [RR = 3.33 (1.11, 10); RR = 4.35 (1.49, 12.5), respectively], and medial approach [RR = 1.82 (1.16, 2.86); RR = 2.38 (1.23, 4.76), respectively]. The medial approach resulted in a similar negative event rate compared to the anterior [RR = 1.82 (0.58, 5.88)]. The anterior and medial open approaches yield superior functional and cosmetic outcomes with fewer complications compared to the lateral and posterior.
Association between radiotherapy and the risk of second primary malignancies in breast cancer patients with different estrogen receptor statuses
Authors: Zhao Chengshan , Yu Yang , Xiang Pi’ao , Liao Jiahu , Yu Boyang , Xing Yifeng , Yin Guobing
Published: September 2024

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Second primary malignancies (SPMs) related to radiotherapy are significant complications. This study aims to investigate the correlation between radiotherapy and the occurrence of SPMs in breast cancer patients with different estrogen receptor statuses.

Methods

We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, selecting estrogen receptor(+) and estrogen receptor(−) breast cancer patients from 1990 to 2015, with SPMs as the outcome measure. Fine-Gray competing risks regression and Poisson regression were employed to analyze the relationship between radiotherapy and the risk of SPMs in different estrogen receptor status groups.

Results

Radiotherapy was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia in estrogen receptor(+) patients. In estrogen receptor(−) patients, radiotherapy was linked to an increased risk of brain cancer and leukemia. The cumulative incidence, standardized incidence ratio, and subgroup analyses showed consistent results. In the dynamic assessment of radiotherapy-related risks, estrogen receptor(+) patients aged 50–70 exhibited a higher risk of leukemia and melanoma. Lung cancer risk was highest during a latency period of 20–30 years, while melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia risks peaked within the first 10 years. For estrogen receptor(−) patients, brain cancer risk was higher between ages 50 and 70, and leukemia risk was elevated between ages 20 and 50.

Conclusion

Postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer is associated with an increased risk of SPMs, with risks varying by estrogen receptor status and SPM type. Further research into the prevention of radiotherapy-related SPMs in different estrogen receptor status groups is crucial.