bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thinking critically about race bias and culpability perceptions of Latinxs in the criminal justice system
Authors: Willis Esqueda Cynthia , Gilbert Kiley
Published: March 2024

Critical race theory (CRT) guides insight into structural and institutional discrimination for identifying causes of race disparities in the United States social and political systems. Disparities are pronounced in the criminal justice system (CJS) for Latinx people, and negative attitudes exist about those incarcerated. LatCrit theory promotes an examination of unique issues creating disparities for Latinx people. Given historical, negative stereotypes of Mexican Americans as a criminal type, even exonerees face the taint of criminalization, and this influences perceptions of them. Following LatCrit theory, we examined the relationship between negative Mexican American stereotypes and perceived internal and external culpability with mediation from defendant rights attitudes for a Mexican American exoneree. With data from a national, adult online sample (N = 120), negative stereotypes about Mexican Americans predicted internal culpability with partial mediation from defendant rights beliefs, but the relationship was not found for external culpability. Negative stereotypes were associated with beliefs in the Mexican American exoneree's inherent criminality. With a LatCrit approach, quantitative findings lend insight into the legal decision making process to produce bias. Results highlight the need for continued focus on Latinx people's unique experiences and for change in methods to improve post‐carceral reintegration and eliminate structural and systemic race bias.
Critical race theory in human development and family science
Authors: Sheppard J. Andan , Gabriel Ryan , Fraser Ashley M. , LeBaron‐Black Ashley B.
Published: March 2024

The field of human development and family science (HDFS) conducts interdisciplinary research that has substantially benefited children and families. However, like other disciplines, in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, HDFS has begun to deeply reflect on its relationship to race and racism. In this paper, we aim to help with this process. We do so by summarizing the history of HDFS and its present relationship with race and racism. We then introduce Critical Race Theory and highlight two foundational tenets of the framework—social construction of race and structural racism—that serve as the motivation for a set of 12 actionable recommendations to enhance the study of race in HDFS and promote racial equity within the research and publication process.
First report of root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead, 1968 on kiwifruit Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang and A. R. Ferguson, 1984 in Türkiye
Authors: Felek Anıl Fırat , Akyazi Faruk
Published: March 2024

Root‐knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause serious damage to kiwifruit orchards in Türkiye. In summer 2022, during a survey on root‐knot nematodes of kiwifruit in Bursa, Rize, and Yalova provinces in the country, many galls in the roots were discovered. A single egg mass was extracted from the infected roots and inoculated to Rutgers tomato and kiwi (Hayward) plants for reproduction as a pure culture. Second‐stage infective juveniles (J2), mature females with egg masses, and males were used for identification studies. Species were identified based on biochemical (esterase phenotypes), morphological, morphometric, and molecular methods. The perineal pattern observations and morphometric values were in accordance with previously reported measurements. The isozyme electrophoresis analyses revealed the species‐specific esterase phenotypes (E3) with three bands. As a result of all the methods used for diagnosis, we identified the nematode causing the infection as the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne ethiopica. To our knowledge, this is not only the first report of M. ethiopica in Türkiye, but also the first report of this species in Europe.
Mosses and vascular plants show diverging diversity patterns along a latitudinal gradient in boreal bogs and fens
Authors: Deschênes Élise , Poulin Monique , Brice Marie‐Hélène , Legendre Pierre , Pellerin Stéphanie
Published: March 2024

Questions

The latitudinal biodiversity gradient; i.e., the increase in biodiversity towards the equator, is one of the most prominent biodiversity patterns. Nevertheless, many questions remain to be answered about the influence of multiple environmental factors on the latitudinal biodiversity gradient, especially for mosses, and the functional diversity of mosses and vascular plants. This study aims at evaluating the influence of latitude, climate, environmental variables, and habitat types (bog vs fen) on taxonomic and functional diversity (α‐diversity and β‐diversity) and the composition of vascular plant and moss species.

Location

49° N to 55° N in Northwestern Quebec, Canada.

Taxon

Mosses, vascular plants.

Methods

We used a database containing 376 phytosociological plots (400 m2) sampled in boreal peatlands located along a 600‐km latitudinal gradient. We evaluated changes in α‐diversity and β‐diversity in response to latitude, longitude, climate, and local abiotic variables for both taxonomic groups using linear mixed effect models. We evaluated the effects of these variables on taxonomic and functional composition using variance partitioning by redundancy analysis.

Results

Moss diversity increased with latitude, although the effects were masked by environmental variables, whereas vascular plant diversity decreased with latitude in fens and did not vary with latitude in bogs. We observed a decrease in taxonomic and functional uniqueness with latitude. Moss and vascular plant taxonomic and functional composition were primarily structured by contrasting local conditions in bogs and fens, whereas climatic variations along the latitudinal gradient played a secondary role.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the contrasting biodiversity patterns in both peatland types and the importance of local habitat conditions in structuring vascular plant and moss diversity. These patterns varied depending on the diversity indicator used, as α‐ and β‐diversity and functional and taxonomic diversity were often decoupled. Future studies should therefore include more than one diversity indicator and consider the differences between ecosystems and taxon groups.
The Past, Present, and Future of Gulf Sovereign Wealth Fund Investments in China
Authors: Alfarhan Mai , Alsudairi Mohammed
Published: March 2024

This article explores sovereign wealth fund investments by Gulf Cooperation Council member states in China's equity market. Using data from Chinese stock exchanges, we analyze patterns of shareholding over two decades, across different sectors and among distinct funds, and compare them to their non‐Gulf counterparts. We reveal a gradual upward trajectory in both the scale and diversity of investments by Gulf funds, indicating growing engagement with the Chinese equity market. We anticipate a continuation of current trends, albeit with larger volumes and potential expansions into technological and emerging sectors that align with Gulf interests. We project that the deepening financial linkages between China and the Gulf could give rise to a mini petro‐yuan system operating under the dominance of the American dollar. This does not presage a transformation in China‐Gulf relations but should be understood within the increasing complexity of their broader economic ties. The article is part of a special issue examining the responses of Gulf countries to rising Sino‐American competition, edited by Andrea Ghiselli, Anoushiravan Ehteshami, and Enrico Fardella.
Increased Angio‐Derived Index of Microcirculatory Resistance Within a Timeframe of 30–60 days After COVID‐19 Infection
Authors: Dong Lei , Na Ritai , Peng Lang , Xu Xinye
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives

Chest pain is a relatively long‐term symptom that commonly occurs in patients who have contracted COVID‐19. The reasons for these symptoms remain unclear, with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) emerging as a potential factor. This study aimed to assess the presence of CMD in these patients by measuring the angio‐derived index of microcirculatory resistance (AMR).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional case–control study, patients who had chest pain and a history of COVID‐19 infection within the preceding 30 to 60 days were included. The control subjects were patients without COVID‐19. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data were recorded. Angiographic images were collected for AMR analysis through an angioplus quantitative flow ratio measurement system. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to match the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between COVID‐19 incidence and the increase in AMR (AMR > 285 mmHg*s/m) after correction for other confounders.

Results

After PSM, there were 58 patients in each group (the mean age was 66.3 ± 9.04 years, and 55.2% were men). The average time between the onset of COVID‐19 infection and patient presentation at the hospital for coronary angiography was 41 ± 9.5 days. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the quantitative flow ratio between the two groups. Patients with COVID‐19 had a greater mean AMR (295 vs. 266, p = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that COVID‐19 (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.50–7.60, p = 0.004) was significantly associated with an increase in AMR.

Conclusions

Long‐term COVID‐19 patients who experience chest pain without evidence of myocardial ischemia exhibit an increase in AMR, and CMD may be one of the reasons for this increase. COVID‐19 is an independent risk factor for an increase in AMR.
Involvement of Escherichia coli YbeX/CorC in ribosomal metabolism
Authors: Sarıgül İsmail , Žukova Amata , Alparslan Emel , Remm Sille , Pihlak Margus , Kaldalu Niilo , Tenson Tanel , Maiväli Ülo
Published: March 2024

YbeX of Escherichia coli, a member of the CorC protein family, is encoded in the same operon with ribosome‐associated proteins YbeY and YbeZ. Here, we report the involvement of YbeX in ribosomal metabolism. The ΔybeX cells accumulate distinct 16S rRNA degradation intermediates in the 30S particles and the 70S ribosomes. E. coli lacking ybeX has a lengthened lag phase upon outgrowth from the stationary phase. This growth phenotype is heterogeneous at the individual cell level and especially prominent under low extracellular magnesium levels. The ΔybeX strain is sensitive to elevated growth temperatures and to several ribosome‐targeting antibiotics that have in common the ability to induce the cold shock response in E. coli. Although generally milder, the phenotypes of the ΔybeX mutant overlap with those caused by ybeY deletion. A genetic screen revealed partial compensation of the ΔybeX growth phenotype by the overexpression of YbeY. These findings indicate an interconnectedness among the ybeZYX operon genes, highlighting their roles in ribosomal assembly and/or degradation.
The possible role of haematophagous flies in the incidence of bovine teat papillomatosis
Authors: Iwasa Mitsuhiro , Shido Yumeno , Hatama Shinichi
Published: March 2024

The relationship between the incidence of bovine teat papillomatosis and the activity of haematophagous flies was investigated in Japan. A total of 15,737 flies consisting of 33 species were collected by dry ice‐baited mosquito net (DMN) trap and a sweep net from udders of cattle. Simulium aokii (Takahasi) of Simuliidae (black flies) was the predominant species, followed by S. tobetsuense Ono and S. iwatense (Shiraki). Simulium aokii had the highest peak in October, followed by September. Numbers of blood spots from the bites per teat in nulliparous cattle were significantly correlated with numbers of S. aokii collected by DMN trap. Numbers of teats with warts and spots of blood from the bites per teat were significantly more abundant in anterior teats than posterior teats. The average incidence of teat papillomatosis in nulliparous cattle was significantly higher than that in parous cattle, and the highest incidence by month was in May, followed by April. Although bovine papillomavirus (BPV) DNA was not detected in flies examined, the presence of black flies and blood spots from their bites were associated with subsequent high incidence of growing warts. In particular, it would pay to give attention to species such as S. aokii that severely attack udders in the present locality. Further investigations for the detection of BPV DNA from flies parasitizing on teats are needed.
U.S. mobilization of its domestic diaspora: Strategic leveraging of an un[der]tapped foreign policy resource
Authors: Flores Roberto J.
Published: March 2024

The historic diaspora diplomacy literature has generally characterized politically active diaspora as foreign agents leveraged by their ancestral homeland to shape the foreign policy of their host nation. As such, diaspora groups have generally been assessed as net negatives on the foreign policy of their host nations, or as working against the common good of the host nation. This work seeks to challenge this narrow conceptualization and demonstrate that, when considered within a broader historical timeline, granted agency, and contextualized within a networked society, emergent mechanisms for state mobilization of diaspora groups to achieve foreign policy objectives become apparent. This work is focused exclusively on political diaspora groups within the United States and investigates select case studies to demonstrate the evolving nature of U.S.–diaspora relations and the opportunities presented as a result. The work concludes with several policy recommendations, derived from lessons learned within the case studies.

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Orthodontic retention: Rationale and periodontal implications
Authors: Fleming Padhraig S. , Pandis Nikolaos
Published: March 2024

Post‐treatment change in the form of true relapse and physiological and maturational effects is common following orthodontics. The unpredictable nature of these manifestations dictates a conservative, near‐universal approach to retention. Both fixed and removable forms of retention are popular with the latter constrained by variable levels of adherence particularly in the medium‐ to long‐term. Fixed retention may offer a more predictable means of preservation of orthodontic outcomes; however, this advantage is offset by the requirement for prolonged supervision and the potential for adverse changes including periodontal breakdown. Nevertheless, while examples of severe complications are common, a clear causal relationship between intact, passive retainers and periodontal issues does not appear to exist. Nevertheless, the importance of diligent maintenance and careful supervision during fixed retention, in particular, cannot be disregarded.
Rigorous derivation of weakly dispersive shallow‐water models with large amplitude topography variations
Authors: Emerald Louis , Paulsen Martin Oen
Published: March 2024

We derive rigorously from the water waves equations new irrotational shallow‐water models for the propagation of surface waves in the case of uneven topography in horizontal dimensions one and two. The systems are made to capture the possible change in the waves' propagation, which can occur in the case of large amplitude topography. The main contribution of this work is the construction of new multiscale shallow‐water approximations of the Dirichlet–Neumann operator. We prove that the precision of these approximations is given at the order , , and . Here, , , and denote, respectively, the shallow‐water parameter, the nonlinear parameter, and the bathymetry parameter. From these approximations, we derive models with the same precision as the ones above. The model with precision is coupled with an elliptic problem, while the other models do not present this inconvenience.
Elevated perceived stress in university students due to the COVID‐19 pandemic: Potential contributing factors in a propensity‐score‐matched sample
Authors: Auerswald Sven , Koddebusch Christine , Hermann Christiane
Published: March 2024

Objective

Onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID) pandemic has increased students' perceived burdens. The current study aimed to examine COVID‐related changes and to identify potential factors that contribute to students' stress.

Method

Adopting a cross‐sectional cohort‐study design, we examined perceived stress and depressive and anxiety symptoms with a specific focus on the role of study‐related variables such as perceived study‐related demands, study‐related resources, academic procrastination, and stress‐enhancing beliefs. Two cohorts (Npre‐COVID = 2,175; NCOVID = 959) were recruited at the same university and matched with regard to their propensity score (age, gender, semester).

Results

Compared with the pre‐COVID cohort, university students in the COVID cohort reported more perceived stress, more depressive and anxiety symptoms, more academic procrastination due to fear of failure, more stress‐enhancing beliefs, more distress due to the housing situation, and more perceived study‐related challenges (Cohen's d = 0.15–0.45). A stepwise regression analysis identified depressive symptoms, procrastination due to fear of failure, general self‐efficacy, increased study demands, perceived difficulties with self‐organized learning, distress due to housing, and stress‐enhancing beliefs as predictors of perceived stress in the COVID cohort.

Discussion

Findings suggest that the switch to online‐only education increased the study‐related burden for students, primarily due to exams being replaced by a greater amount of regular coursework and imposing demands on self‐organized learning. Possibly, stress‐enhancing beliefs and procrastination due to fear of failure might have been elevated due to less opportunity for social referencing and lack of felt social support by peer students.

Conclusion

Experienced increased burden in students during the COVID pandemic was mostly accounted for by a lack of perceived individual resources rather than by an increase in objective study‐related demands.
Multi‐omics analyses of sid2 mutant reflect the need of isochorismate synthase ICS1 to cope with sulfur limitation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Luo Jie , Havé Marien , Soulay Fabienne , Balliau Thierry , Clément Gilles , Tellier Frédérique , Zivy Michel , Avice Jean‐Christophe , Masclaux‐Daubresse Céline
Published: March 2024

The SID2 (SA INDUCTION‐DEFICIENT2) gene that encodes ICS1 (isochorismate synthase), plays a central role in salicylic acid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. The sid2 and NahG (encoding a bacterial SA hydroxylase) overexpressing mutants (NahG‐OE) have currently been shown to outperform wild type, presenting delayed leaf senescence, higher plant biomass and better seed yield. When grown under sulfate‐limited conditions (low‐S), sid2 mutants exhibited early leaf yellowing compared to the NahG‐OE, the npr1 mutant affected in SA signaling pathway, and WT. This indicated that the hypersensitivity of sid2 to sulfate limitation was independent of the canonical npr1 SA‐signaling pathway. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that major changes occurred in sid2 when cultivated under low‐S, changes that were in good accordance with early senescence phenotype and showed the exacerbation of stress responses. The sid2 mutants displayed a lower sulfate uptake capacity when cultivated under low‐S and lower S concentrations in their rosettes. Higher glutathione concentrations in sid2 rosettes under low‐S were in good accordance with the higher abundance of proteins involved in glutathione and ascorbate redox metabolism. Amino acid and lipid metabolisms were also strongly modified in sid2 under low‐S. Depletion of total fatty acids in sid2 under low‐S was consistent with the fact that S‐metabolism plays a central role in lipid synthesis. Altogether, our results show that functional ICS1 is important for plants to cope with S limiting conditions.
New generalized integral transform via Dzherbashian--Nersesian fractional operator
Authors: Belgacem Rachid , Bokhari Ahmed , Baleanu Dumitru , Djilali Salih
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we derive a new generalized integral transform on Dzherbashian–Nersesian fractional operator and give some special cases. We make a generalization of the application of integral transformations to different fractional operators, where several previous results can be invoked from a single relation. We also use the new results obtained to solve some fractional differential equations involving the recent revival of Dzherbashian-Nersesian fractional operators.
The Mechanics of Elastomeric Sheet Reinforced With Bidirectional Fiber Mesh Subjected to Flexure on Boundaries
Authors: Yao Wenhao , Siddiqui Tahmid Rakin , Kim Chun IL
Published: March 2024

We investigate the concurrent three-dimensional deformations of fiber-reinforced composite sheets subjected to out-of-plane bending moments via a continuum model, where we invoke the neo-Hookean strain energy model for the matrix material of fiber-reinforced composite, and assimilate the strain energy of fiber reinforcements into the matrix material model by accounting for stretching, bending, and twisting kinematics of the fibers through the computations of the first-order and second-order gradient of deformation. Emphasis is placed on deriving the Euler equation and boundary conditions of bending moment within the framework of the variational principle and configuring composite surfaces using differential geometry. Significant attention has been given to illustrating the concurrent three-dimensional deformation of fiber composite, meshwork deformation, and fiber kinematics. The simulation results reveal that for a square fiber composite subjected to the out-of-plane bending moment, the maximum in-plane deformation of matrix material occurs along the diagonal direction of the domain while the center of the domain experiences weak in-plane deformation. Notably, the matrix material performs isotropic/anisotropic properties depending on the domain size/shape. In addition, the simulated unit fiber deformations reasonably validate the overall deformation of the network, underscoring that the deformations of the embedded fiber units govern the overall mechanical performance of the fiber meshwork. More importantly, the continuum model qualitatively provides reasonable predictions on the damage patterns of construction materials by demonstrating the kinematics of matrix material and meshwork deformation.
Supplemental Material: Recycling of Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust: Geochemical record from Early-Middle Triassic igneous rocks in the East Kunlun Orogen in western China
Authors: Yedan Hu , Ma Li-Tao , et al.
Published: March 2024

Analytical methods, Figure S1-S6, and Table S1-S7. 
Male ductal carcinoma in situ: diagnosis and management of a rare disease in men
Authors: Tian Changtai , Alvarado Rosalinda , Kim Thomas , Slostad Jessica
Published: March 2024

Ductal carcinoma in situ is very rare in male patients, accounting for approximately 5%–7% of all male breast cancers. We present a case of a man in his early 70s who presented with bloody nipple discharge and gynaecomastia and was subsequently diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We discuss his management with surgical resection and the consideration of adjuvant treatment. We also review the existing literature on the presentation, diagnosis and management of DCIS in men.
Multiple slips on Darcy–Forchheimer unsteady flow manifested with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux over a stretching sheet
Authors: Kumari P. Vijaya , Gangadhar K. , Ganteda Charan Kumar , Sulaiman Tukur Abdulkadir
Published: March 2024

This primary goal of this analysis is to investigate how several slips affect the flow, heat, and mass performance of Darcy–Forchheimer unstable behavior beyond a stretching sheet using a numerical analysis of the Soret effect. The novel constitutive model Cattaneo–Christov is illustrated to analyze the features of thermal relaxation time. The Cattaneo–Christov method is used to predict heat and mass transport. A surface that slanders and has varying thicknesses propels the flow. Through the use of local similarity transformations, the governing nonlinear partial differential equations reduce to the coupled ordinary differential equations and include the momentum, energy, and concentration equations. The altered ODEs are calculated numerically using the Runge–Kutta Fehlberg scheme and an efficient shooting procedure. The physical properties of the temperature, concentration, and fluid velocity profiles are shown visually and shed light on the change of several governing parameters. For example, in comparison to the classical Fourier’s heat model, our result suggests that the Cattaneo–Christov heat flux constitution has lower temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness. In the meantime, a high wall thickness parameter greatly upgrades the rate of heat transfer, and thermal relaxation has the opposite effect. Discussion is held regarding the effects of various miscellaneous variables on temperature, concentration, and velocity.
Explicit solitary wave profiles and stability analysis of biomembranes and nerves
Authors: Shahzad Tahir , Baber Muhammad Zafarullah , Qasim Muhammad , Sulaiman Tukur Abdulkadir , Yasin Muhammad Waqas , Ahmed Nauman
Published: March 2024

This paper examines the stability analysis and exact solitary wave solutions of the nonlinear partial differential equation known as the Heimburg model. The several types of solitary wave solutions, soliton solutions and Jacobi elliptic doubly periodic function solutions are explored by using the extended Sinh-Gordon equation expansion approach. These investigations exhibit the system’s astounding diversity of waveforms, highlighting its potential applications in nerves and biomembranes. By selecting some appropriate values for the parameters, 3D, 2D, and its corresponding contour graph are plotted to represent the physical relevance of some of the solutions. Additionally, the linearized stability of this system is analyzed. The suggested approach is the finest resource for the analytical investigation of any nonlinear issue that occurs in various scientific fields.
Nonlinear optical dynamics in Heisenberg space: Directional curves and recursive inquiry
Authors: Körpinar Talat , Demirkol Rıdvan Cem
Published: March 2024

This paper delves into the exploration of directional recursion operators within the realm of regular space curves modeled by Heisenberg systems. The central objective is to introduce a myriad of recursive flows, encompassing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic solutions, alongside a family of general normalization operators in the normal and binormal directions. The study employs the extended compatible and inextensible flow model of curves to examine the evolution models, providing a comprehensive understanding of their dynamics. A significant aspect of the investigation involves elucidating the evolution model in terms of anholonomy shapes and their density. The directional recursive operator, a focus of this study, demonstrates distinct results compared to traditional approaches. The reliability and applicability of the obtained results extend to the examination of various linear and nonlinear continuous dynamical systems.
Resection Arthroplasty Is a Valuable Strategy for Humeroradial Synostosis – A Case Report
Authors: ALMEIDA Mariana , TAKAGI Takehiko , TORII Akiko , TAKAYAMA Shinichiro
Published: March 2024

A 15-year-old girl with humeroradial synostosis since birth underwent a resection arthroplasty. A trapezoidal resection osteotomy of approximately 2 cm was performed at the anterior part of the bone flexure. This resulted at 18 months in an elbow arc of motion of 60°–110° and forearm pronation/supination of 40° and 60° without postoperative complications and improved disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand and Hand 20 scores. Radiographic analysis revealed a humeroradial joint with a maintained pseudarthrosis and hinged motion at the humeroulnar joint. When performed by an experienced surgeon, resection arthroplasty corrects humeroradial synostosis, resulting in improvement in range of motion and quality of life.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
More Efficient Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing
Authors: Monroe Don
Published: March 2024

Novel designs reduce the hardware overhead for error correction in simulations.
Comparative Study on Structural, Dielectric Behavior and AC Conductivity of PPY-PVA Incorporated with TiO2 Fine and Nano Particles
Authors: T Ramesh Reddy , Subrahmanyam A. R. , Ravindar Reddy M. , Siva Kumar J. , Jaipal Reddy M. , Venkata Ramana K.
Published: March 2024

An In situ oxidative chemical polymerization technique was used to prepare thin films of PPY, PVA, and PPY-PVA blend doped with variable concentrations of TiO2 fine- and nano-particles further investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and impedance spectrometer to study structural, dielectric, and AC conducting behavior. XRD spectra established that sharp and high intense peaks of PPY-PVA- fine TiO2 films indicated more crystallinity, which might be due to higher compactness and modification in interplanar spacing. Dielectric plots revealed that PPY-PVA-nano TiO2 films exhibited higher dielectric constants and lower dielectric loss compared to films of PPY-PVA- fine TiO2 in shorter frequency region, suggesting that these films are more suitable for charge storage devices. Conductivity plots revealed that AC conductivity of pure PPY was low (4.8 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 313 0 K) and was increased to 5.3 × 10−3 S cm−1 by addition of PVA. AC conductivities of PPY-PVA-nano TiO2 thin films are relatively higher (7.43 × 10−3 S cm−1 to 1.14 × 10−2 S cm−1) than PPY-PVA-fine TiO2 films (6.35 × 10−3 to 9.78 × 10−3 S cm−1) with increasing frequency and temperature, which could be due to large surface area to volume ratio of nano-size dopant. This suggests that PPY-PVA-nano TiO2 thin films may be used for sensing various gasses.
Stimulatory effect of methylglyoxal on capsaicin-sensitive lung vagal afferents in rats: role of TRPA1
Authors: Lin You Shuei , Chan Nai-Ju , Xiao Pei-Yu , Lai Ching Jung
Published: March 2024

Methylglyoxal (MG) is implicated in the development of painful diabetic neuropathy. A retrospective cohort study revealed an increased incidence of asthma exacerbations in patients with diabetes. This study demonstrated that elevated circulating MG levels stimulate capsaicin-sensitive lung vagal afferents via activation of TRPA1, which in turn triggers respiratory reflexes. These findings provide new information for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of diabetes-associated hyperreactive airway diseases and potential therapy.
Impact of Individual and Job Characteristics on Nurses’ Scope of Practice in Spanish Hospital Units
Authors: Saralegui-Gainza Amaia , Escalada-Hernandez Paula , García-Vivar Cristina , San Martín-Rodríguez Leticia , Soto-Ruiz Nelia
Published: March 2024

Background. Nurses are one of the largest and costliest groups in healthcare organizations; therefore, it is important to comprehend their scope of practice. Aim. To contribute to the improvement of nursing resource management in medical-surgical and Intensive Care Units by identifying factors that influence the scope of nursing practice. The hypothesis was that the activities carried out by nurses in medical-surgical units and intensive care units are influenced by individual and job-related factors, with job characteristics having an additive and moderating effect on individual characteristics. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional correlational design to test the relationship between the individual and job characteristics on the nursing scope of practice measured by the Actual Scope of Nursing Practice (ASCOP) questionnaire. The sample consisted of 270 nurses. Linear mixed effects models analysis (LME) was used with the aleatory effect of the intensive care unit (ICU). Results. Belonging to the ICU decreased the scope of practice of nurses. We found a statistically significant effect of psychological demand, practice environment, role ambiguity, and growth need strength on the scope of nursing practice. The models explained a variance up to 24%. Conclusions. Although the survey results revealed the existence of broader scope of practice levels in Spanish hospital units than in the original Canadian study, the use of scope of nursing practice remains suboptimal. Higher levels on the psychological demand, the practice environment and in the individual growth need strength were related with a broader scope of practice. Otherwise, role ambiguity negatively affected the scope of practice. Implications for Nursing Management. This article provides an analysis of the impact of individual and job-related characteristics on the nursing scope of practice. It serves as a valuable resource for both managers and nurses, offering insights to improve nurses’ working conditions and obtain more efficient workforces.
An Intelligent Energy-Efficient Data Routing Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks Utilizing Mobile Sink
Authors: Al-Mahdi Hassan , Elshrkawey Mohamed , Saad Shymaa , Abdelaziz Safa
Published: March 2024

Data collection and energy consumption are critical concerns in Wireless sensor networks (WSNs). To address these issues, both clustering and routing algorithms are utilized. Therefore, this paper proposes an intelligent energy-efficient data routing scheme for WSNs utilizing a mobile sink (MS) to save energy and prolong network lifetime. The proposed scheme operates in two major modes: configure and operational modes. During the configure mode, a novel clustering mechanism is applied once, and a prescheduling cluster head (CH) selection is introduced to ensure uniform energy expenditure among sensor nodes (SNs). The scheduling technique selects successive CHs for each cluster throughout the WSNs’ lifetime rounds, managed at the base station (BS) to minimize SN energy consumption. In the operational mode, two main objectives are achieved: sensing and gathering data by each CH with minimal message overhead, and establishing an optimal path for the MS using the genetic algorithm. Finally, the MS uploads the gathered data to the BS. Extensive simulations are conducted to verify the efficiency of the proposed scheme in terms of stability period, network lifetime, average energy consumption, data transmission latency, message overhead, and throughput. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms the most recent state-of-the-art methods significantly. The results are substantiated through statistical validation via hypothesis testing utilizing ANOVA, as well as post hoc analysis.
Advertisement Synthesis Network for Automatic Advertisement Image Synthesis
Authors: Wu Qin , Zhou Peizi
Published: March 2024

Image advertising is widely used by companies to advertise their products and increase awareness of their brands. With the constant development of image generation techniques, automatic compositing of advertisement images has also been widely studied. However, the existing algorithms cannot synthesise consistent-looking advertisement images for a given product. The key challenge is to stitch a given product into a scene that matches the style of the product while maintaining a consistent-looking. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a new two-stage automatic advertisement image generation model, called Advertisement Synthesis Network (ASNet), which explores a two-stage generation framework to synthesise consistent-looking product advertisement images. Specifically, ASNet first generates a preliminary target product scene using Pre-Synthesis and then extracts scene features using Pseudo-Target Object Encoder (PTOE) and true target features using Real Target Object Encoder (RTOE), respectively. Finally, we inject the acquired features into the pretrained diffusion model and reconstruct them in the preliminary generated target goods scene. Extensive experiments have shown that the method achieves better results in all three performance metrics related to the quality of the synthesised image compared to other methods. In addition, we have done a simple and preliminary study on the effect of synthetic advertisement images on real consumers’ purchase intention and brand perception. The results of the study show that the advertisement images synthesised by the model proposed in this paper have a positive impact on consumer purchase intention and brand perception.
Supplementary Table 3 from Targeting Tryptophan Catabolism in Ovarian Cancer to Attenuate Macrophage Infiltration and PD-L1 Expression
Authors: Crump Lyndsey S. , Floyd Jessica L. , Kuo Li-Wei , Post Miriam D. , Bickerdike Mike , O'Neill Kathleen , Sompel Kayla , Jordan Kimberly R. , Corr Bradley R. , Marjon Nicole , Woodruff Elizabeth R. , Richer Jennifer K. , Bitler Benjamin G.
Published: March 2024

Supplementary Table 3. Global metabolomics in patient ascites based on IL6 expression.
TABLE 1 from Health Care Access Dimensions and Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Karanth Shama , Osazuwa-Peters Oyomoare L. , Wilson Lauren E. , Previs Rebecca A. , Rahman Fariha , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret , Ward Kevin C. , Schymura Maria J. , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi F.
Published: March 2024

Baseline characteristics of patients with ovarian cancer who died during study follow-up stratified by race and ethnicity (N = 4,646)
Supplementary Table 5 from Health Care Access Dimensions and Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Karanth Shama , Osazuwa-Peters Oyomoare L. , Wilson Lauren E. , Previs Rebecca A. , Rahman Fariha , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret , Ward Kevin C. , Schymura Maria J. , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi F.
Published: March 2024

Relative risk ratio (RR) for receipt of any chemotherapy within 14 days of death with interaction term between accessibility score and patient race
Supplementary Table 4 from Health Care Access Dimensions and Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Karanth Shama , Osazuwa-Peters Oyomoare L. , Wilson Lauren E. , Previs Rebecca A. , Rahman Fariha , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret , Ward Kevin C. , Schymura Maria J. , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi F.
Published: March 2024

Relative risk ratio estimates of the associations between HCA dimensions, patient race/ethnicity, and EOL care quality outcomes
Supplementary Table 3 from Health Care Access Dimensions and Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Karanth Shama , Osazuwa-Peters Oyomoare L. , Wilson Lauren E. , Previs Rebecca A. , Rahman Fariha , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret , Ward Kevin C. , Schymura Maria J. , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi F.
Published: March 2024

EOL Care Quality Outcomes by Patient Race/Ethnicity
Supplementary Table 2 from Health Care Access Dimensions and Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Karanth Shama , Osazuwa-Peters Oyomoare L. , Wilson Lauren E. , Previs Rebecca A. , Rahman Fariha , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret , Ward Kevin C. , Schymura Maria J. , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi F.
Published: March 2024

Factor Loadings From the 2-Stage 3-Factor CFA Solution
Supplemental Figure S2 from Targeting Tryptophan Catabolism in Ovarian Cancer to Attenuate Macrophage Infiltration and PD-L1 Expression
Authors: Crump Lyndsey S. , Floyd Jessica L. , Kuo Li-Wei , Post Miriam D. , Bickerdike Mike , O'Neill Kathleen , Sompel Kayla , Jordan Kimberly R. , Corr Bradley R. , Marjon Nicole , Woodruff Elizabeth R. , Richer Jennifer K. , Bitler Benjamin G.
Published: March 2024

TDO2 overexpression alters tumor-promotional phenotypes.
Supplemental Figure S1 from Targeting Tryptophan Catabolism in Ovarian Cancer to Attenuate Macrophage Infiltration and PD-L1 Expression
Authors: Crump Lyndsey S. , Floyd Jessica L. , Kuo Li-Wei , Post Miriam D. , Bickerdike Mike , O'Neill Kathleen , Sompel Kayla , Jordan Kimberly R. , Corr Bradley R. , Marjon Nicole , Woodruff Elizabeth R. , Richer Jennifer K. , Bitler Benjamin G.
Published: March 2024

Metabolite pathways enriched in IL6 high tumors.
FIGURE 1 from Targeting Tryptophan Catabolism in Ovarian Cancer to Attenuate Macrophage Infiltration and PD-L1 Expression
Authors: Crump Lyndsey S. , Floyd Jessica L. , Kuo Li-Wei , Post Miriam D. , Bickerdike Mike , O'Neill Kathleen , Sompel Kayla , Jordan Kimberly R. , Corr Bradley R. , Marjon Nicole , Woodruff Elizabeth R. , Richer Jennifer K. , Bitler Benjamin G.
Published: March 2024

KYN enrichment in ovarian cancer patient ascites with high IL6. A, IL6 cytokine ELISA to stratify patients with HGSC-associated ascites. Red dots = IL6 “high” and blue dots = IL6 “low.” B, Global untargeted metabolomics analysis is shown from 10 patients with IL6-high and 10 with IL6-low ascites samples (P < 0.05). C, KYN levels in IL6-high and -low ascites samples with unpaired t test. Error bars, SEM. D, TRP catabolism pathway.
Data from Health Care Access Dimensions and Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Karanth Shama , Osazuwa-Peters Oyomoare L. , Wilson Lauren E. , Previs Rebecca A. , Rahman Fariha , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret , Ward Kevin C. , Schymura Maria J. , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi F.
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This study investigated the association between health care access (HCA) dimensions and racial disparities in end-of-life (EOL) care quality among non-Hispanic Black (NHB), non-Hispanic White (NHW), and Hispanic patients with ovarian cancer. This retrospective cohort study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–linked Medicare data for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer from 2008 to 2015, ages 65 years and older. Health care affordability, accessibility, and availability measures were assessed at the census tract or regional levels, and associations between these measures and quality of EOL care were examined using multivariable-adjusted regression models, as appropriate. The final sample included 4,646 women [mean age (SD), 77.5 (7.0) years]; 87.4% NHW, 6.9% NHB, and 5.7% Hispanic. In the multivariable-adjusted models, affordability was associated with a decreased risk of intensive care unit stay [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83–0.98] and in-hospital death (aRR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.98). After adjustment for HCA dimensions, NHB patients had lower-quality EOL care compared with NHW patients, defined as: increased risk of hospitalization in the last 30 days of life (aRR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03–1.30), no hospice care (aRR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04–1.44), in-hospital death (aRR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03–1.57), and higher counts of poor-quality EOL care outcomes (count ratio:1.19, 95% CI: 1.04–1.36). HCA dimensions were strong predictors of EOL care quality; however, racial disparities persisted, suggesting that additional drivers of these disparities remain to be identified.
Significance:
Among patients with ovarian cancer, Black patients had lower-quality EOL care, even after adjusting for three structural barriers to HCA, namely affordability, availability, and accessibility. This suggests an important need to investigate the roles of yet unexplored barriers to HCA such as accommodation and acceptability, as drivers of poor-quality EOL care among Black patients with ovarian cancer.
Central Autonomic Network and Heart Rate Variability in Premature Neonates
Authors: Christoffel Kelsey , De Asis-Cruz Josepheen , Govindan Rathinaswamy B. , Kim Jung Hoon , Cook Kevin Michael , Kapse Kushal , Andescavage Nickie , Basu Sudeepta , Spoehr Emma , Limperopoulos Catherine , du Plessis Adre
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The Central Autonomic Network (CAN) is a hierarchy of brain structures that collectively influence cardiac autonomic input, mediating the majority of brain-heart interactions, but has never been studied in premature neonates. In this study, we use heart rate variability (HRV), which has been described as the “primary output” of the CAN, and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) to characterize brain-heart relationships in premature neonates. Methods: We studied premature neonates who underwent rsfMRI at term (37-week postmenstrual age or above) and had HRV data recorded during the same week of their MRI. HRV was derived from continuous electrocardiogram data during the week of the rsfMRI scan. For rsfMRI, a seed-based approach was used to define regions of interest (ROIs) pertinent to the CAN, and blood oxygen level-dependent signal was correlated between each ROI as a measure of functional connectivity. HRV was correlated with CAN connectivity (CANconn) for each region, and subgroup analysis was performed based on sex and clinical comorbidities. Results: Forty-seven premature neonates were included in this study, with a mean gestational age at birth of 28.1 +/− 2.6 weeks. Term CANconn was found to be significantly correlated with HRV in approximately one-fifth of CAN connections. Two distinct patterns emerged among these HRV-CANconn relationships. In the first, increased HRV was associated with stronger CANconn of limbic regions. In the second pattern, stronger CANconn at the precuneus was associated with impaired HRV maturation. These patterns were especially pronounced in male premature neonates. Conclusion: We report for the first time evidence of brain-heart relationships in premature neonates and an emerging CAN, most striking in male neonates, suggesting that the brain-heart axis may be more vulnerable in male premature neonates. Signatures in the heart rate may eventually become an important noninvasive tool to identify premature males at highest risk for neurodevelopmental impairment.