bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smurfness-based two-phase model of ageing helps deconvolve the ageing transcriptional signature
Authors: Zane Flaminia , Bouzid Hayet , Marmol Sofia Sosa , Brazane Mira , Besse Savandara , Molina Julia Lisa , Cansell Céline , Aprahamian Fanny , Durand Sylvère , Ayache Jessica , Antoniewski Christophe , Todd Nicolas , Carré Clément , Rera Michael
Published: November 2022

Ageing is characterised at the molecular level by six transcriptional ‘hallmarks of ageing’, that are commonly described as progressively affected as time passes. By contrast, the ‘Smurf’ assay separates high-and-constant-mortality risk individuals from healthy, zero-mortality risk individuals, based on increased intestinal permeability. Performing whole body total RNA sequencing, we found that Smurfness distinguishes transcriptional changes associated with chronological age from those associated with biological age. We show that transcriptional heterogeneity increases with chronological age in non-Smurf individuals preceding the other five hallmarks of ageing, that are specifically associated with the Smurf state. Using this approach, we also devise targeted pro-longevity genetic interventions delaying entry in the Smurf state. We anticipate that increased attention to the evolutionary conserved Smurf phenotype will bring about significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of ageing.

Graphical abstract

The two-phase model of ageing allows to study separately the effect of chronological and physiological age.

(A)Classic approaches for studying ageing tend to consider it as a black box affecting all individuals progressively from birth to death. Instead, the Smurf phenotype shows that life can be divided into two consecutive phases separated by an abrupt transition.(B)All individuals undergo this transition at a different moment in their life, prior to death. This allows us to switch from population based approaches, comparing bulks of age-matched individuals through time, to individuals-centred approaches relying on direct access to their transition status.(C)Such paradigm shift shows that hallmarks of ageing long thought to progressively change with age are actually mostly affected in a growing proportion of Smurfs, allowing for the identification of the chain of events accompanying ageing and death from natural causes.(D)By studying the behaviour of the ageing transcriptome as a function of chronological age and Smurfness separately, we demonstrate that the progressively changing transcriptional ageing signature, as described in Frenk & Houseley (2018), is in fact the convolution changes accompanying chronological age signature (increased transcriptional noise) and changes associated with Smurfness (or biological age) signature (increased stress response and inflammation, decreased expression of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes). We also identified a hallmark partially associated with only old Smurfs (ATH5), suggesting that chronological age can affect, late in life, the Smurf response.
Generating synthetic data with a mechanism-based Critical Illness Digital Twin: Demonstration for Post Traumatic Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Cockrell Chase , Schobel-McHugh Seth , Lisboa Felipe , Vodovotz Yoram , An Gary
Published: November 2022

Machine learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches are increasingly applied to predicting the development of sepsis and multiple organ failure. While there has been success in demonstrating the clinical utility of such systems in terms of affecting various outcomes, there are fundamental challenges to the ML/AI approach in terms of improving the actual predictive performance and future robustness of such systems. Given that one of the primary proposed avenues for improving algorithmic performance is the addition of molecular/biomarker/genetic features to the data used to train these systems, the overall sparsity of such available data suggests the need to generate synthetic data to aid in training, as has been the case in numerous other ML/AI tasks, such as image recognition/generation and text analysis/generation. We propose the need to generate synthetic molecular/mediator time series data coincides with the advent of the concept of medical digital twins, specifically related to interpretations of medical digital twins that hew closely to the original description and use of industrial digital twins, which involve simulating multiple individual twins from a common computational model specification. Herein we present an example of generating synthetic time series data of a panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines using the Critical Illness Digital Twin (CIDT) regarding the development of post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Rasputin/G3BP mediates o’nyong-nyong virus subversion of antiviral immunity in Anopheles coluzzii
Authors: Cottis Solène , Blisnick Adrien , Mitri Christian , Brito-Fravallo Emma , Matondo Mariette , Failloux Anna-Bella , Vernick Kenneth D.
Published: November 2022

The G3BP proteins in vertebrates and Aedes mosquito ortholog, Rasputin, are essential for alphavirus infection, but the underlying mechanism of Rasputin/G3BP proviral activity is poorly understood. It has been suggested that G3BP could influence host immune signaling, but this has not been functionally demonstrated. Here, we find that depletion of Rasputin activity in Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary vectors of the alphavirus o’nyong-nyong (ONNV), provokes dysregulation of the antiviral Imd, JAK/STAT and RNAi pathways, indicating that Rasputin is required for expression of normal basal immunity in uninfected mosquitoes. Depletion of Rasputin during ONNV bloodmeal infection causes increased transcript abundance of genes in the Imd pathway including positive regulator Rel2, and decreases ONNV infection in mosquitoes. Loss of Rasputin is complemented by co-depletion of Imd pathway positive regulator, Rel2, which restores normal ONNV infection levels. Thus, the presence of Rasputin is required for ONNV inhibition of Imd activity, and viral inhibition of Imd explains much of the Rasputin proviral activity. The viral non-structural protein 3 (nsP3) binds to Rasputin and alters the profile of cellular proteins binding to Rasputin. In the presence of nsP3, 48 Rasputin-binding proteins are unchanged but seven binding proteins are excluded and eight new proteins bind Rasputin. The Rasputin binding partners altered by nsP3 are candidate factors for ONNV immune manipulation and subversion through Rasputin. Overall, these results are consistent with and strongly suggest a mechanism in which ONNV, probably nsP3, co-opts the normal Rasputin function assuring basal cellular immune activity in order to inhibit antiviral immunity and promote infection. These observations may be generalizable for Rasputin function during alphavirus infection of other mosquitoes, as well as for G3BP function in the mammalian host, and could offer a target for vector-based control of arbovirus transmission.
A bibliometric analysis of the global landscape on STEM education (2004-2021): towards global distribution, subject integration, and research trends
Authors: Zhan Zehui , Shen Wenyao , Xu Zhichao , Niu Shijing , You Ge
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review and bibliometric analysis of the literature in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education over the past 15 years, with a specific focus on global distribution and research trends.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected 1,718 documents from the Web of Science (WOS) database and analyzed their timeline distribution, geographical distribution, research topics, subject areas, learning stages and citation burst using a bibliometric approach with VOSviewer and Citespace.

Findings

Results indicated that: overall, STEM education has increasingly gained scholarly attention and is developing diversely by emphasizing interdisciplinary, cross-domain and regional collaboration. In terms of global collaboration, a collaborative network with the USA in the center is gradually expanding to a global scope. In terms of research themes, four key topics can be outlined including educational equity, pedagogy, empirical effects and career development. Social, cultural and economic factors influence the way STEM education is implemented across different countries. The developed Western countries highlighted educational equity and disciplinary integration, while the developing countries tend to focus more on pedagogical practices. As for research trends, eastern countries are emphasizing humanistic leadership and cultural integration in STEM education; in terms of teachers’ professional development, teachers’ abilities of interdisciplinary integration, technology adoption and pedagogy application are of the greatest importance. With regards to pedagogy, the main focus is for developing students’ higher-order abilities. In terms of education equity, issues of gender and ethnicity were still the hottest topics, while the unbalanced development of STEM education across regions needs further research.

Originality/value

This study provides a global landscape of STEM education along the timeline, which illustrates the yearly progressive development of STEM education and indicates the future trends.
Are you a trend setter or a straggler? Social drivers and customer shift toward co-creating value with self-service technologies
Authors: Galdolage Badra Sandamali
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Future service interactions are anticipated to use humanoid robots in a society that is shifting to a digitalized era. Currently, it is evident that many businesses are replacing service interactions with self-service technologies (SSTs). This movement creates substantial societal changes that researchers have not paid sufficient attention to comprehend. In this setting, the purpose of this study is to examine the social drivers that influence customer mobility toward co-creating value via SSTs. The study also seeks to discover variations in customers' willingness and capacity to adopt SSTs.

Design/methodology/approach

To fulfill the research aims, a qualitative technique was adopted, with semistructured interviews conducted with 25 SST users from varied demographic backgrounds. To recruit individuals for the study, a nonprobabilistic purposeful sampling technique was adopted, with the goal of employing information-rich instances. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The study identified eight social drivers that are important in the customer transition toward co-creating value with SSTs. According to the study, SSTs are characterized as a social trend in which adoption is accepted (social norm) and modifies social connections in a new direction. Using SSTs has evolved into a socializing tool that gives people social acknowledgment. Some people see SSTs as social pressure, putting them at a disadvantage if they do not adopt. People, on the other hand, acquire sufficient social support and independence to use SSTs. Customers were categorized into four groups depending on their willingness and ability to embrace SSTs: trendsetters, dreamers, old-fashioned and stragglers.

Practical implications

In practice, service providers can use this knowledge to successfully promote their SSTs and create enhanced client experiences through technological interfaces.

Originality/value

The study adds new knowledge by identifying social determinants in customer shifts toward SSTs, a phenomenon that has not been studied previously, and it adds to marketing theory by proposing a typology to group customers based on their ability and willingness to embrace SSTs.
Halal trust during the COVID-19 outbreak: the role of quality, perceived benefit and health risk evidence from mobile food purchasing
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Djatnika Tjetjep , Suhaeni Tintin , Setiawati Lina
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to scrutinize the halal trust model by integrating the quality and valence theory in the mobile food purchasing service during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses data from 368 Muslim customers collected via an online survey from Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. This study uses partial least square modelling to appraise the formation of halal trust, including halal food quality, mobile apps quality, perceived benefit and health risk as drivers and loyalty as the consequence.

Findings

The data analysis notes that the combination of perceived quality and valence theory provides a comprehensive understanding of halal trust in mobile halal food purchasing during COVID-19. This study also verifies the crucial role of halal food quality and mobile apps quality in gaining halal trust.

Research limitations/implications

This study used data from Muslim customers of the greater Bandung, Indonesia. The data limited the generalization of this study's findings. Moreover, this study predicted halal trust by integrating perceived benefit, perceived trust and quality as the predictors, whereas other determinants such as commitment and reputation were not included. Therefore, future researchers can incorporate these issues in their future halal trust research.

Practical implications

To gain Muslim trust, this study recommends managers whose halal food is sold via mobile apps ensure that their halal food has a quality standard, made of, and processed according to Islamic values. Next, having a high-quality mobile app is also a must.

Originality/value

This study is early research that examines the integration of the quality and valence theory to evaluate halal trust in mobile halal food purchasing during COVID-19.
Intersection control strategy optimization based on exchangeable lanes modeling
Authors: Liu Bo , Hou Jingwen , Ma Xiaoping , Shi Mengtong , Lu Sibo , Wang Ruoxuan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Due to the conflicts between left turn traffic and opposite straight-going traffic in urban traffic network, some of the traffic lanes cannot be used to discharge vehicles during its green phases and the intersection capacity can be greatly reduced. This study/paper aims to reduce the effect of conflicts and increase its capacity through the reasonable pre-signal phase time with the exchangeable lanes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper took into consideration various influence factors to intersection capacity and formulated the capacity optimization model based on 0-1 mixed-integer programming model. This model is efficiently solved by standard branch-and-bound algorithms.

Findings

The authors took an intersection as an example and solved the optimal signal timing and entrance lane capacity via this model. Then, simulations were carried out to verify the effect of the exchangeable lanes strategy of this intersection through the simulation software VISSIM and take the traffic volume and delay as outputs, which indicated that this model has better performance.

Originality/value

The front-end control strategy can not only exploit the full potential of the intersection but also significantly improve the operational efficiency of the intersection. It plays a positive role in improving urban intersection congestion.
Commentary on “Status quo bias and resistance to positive behaviour support: implications for leaders”
Authors: Behan Paddy
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “Status quo bias and resistance to positive behaviour support: implications for leaders” and to extend the conversation regarding potential change agents to address resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary provides discussion stimulated by the Ntinas’s (2022) paper regarding resistance to the implementation of positive behaviour support (PBS).

Findings

Contextual fit is highlighted as a consideration related to the implementation of PBS, with a view to mitigating resistance. A range of factors linked to supporting good contextual fit are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper provides the perspective of a PBS practitioner with experience of implementing PBS across a range of settings. Recognition is given that further empirical evidence is required to confirm the utility of contextual fit to address resistance.
Effects of substance use disorder on oxidative and antioxidative stress markers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Viola Thiago Wendt , Orso Rodrigo , Florian Luisa Fossati , Garcia Miguel Gomes , Gomes Marco Giovanni Signor , Mardini Eduarda Mascarenhas , Niederauer João Paulo Ottolia , Zaparte Aline , Grassi‐Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: November 2022

Recently, it has been suggested that central and peripheral toxicities identified in persons with substance use disorder (SUD) could be partially associated with an imbalance in reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate whether SUD is associated with oxidative stress and to identify biomarkers possibly more affected by this condition. We have included studies that analysed oxidant and antioxidant markers in individuals with SUD caused by stimulants, alcohol, nicotine, opioids, and others (cannabis, inhalants, and polysubstance use). Our analysis showed that persons with SUD show higher oxidant markers and lower antioxidant markers than healthy controls. SUD was associated specifically with higher levels of oxidant markers malondialdehyde, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid peroxidation. Conversely, the antioxidant superoxide dismutase and the total antioxidant capacity/status were lowered in the SUD group. A meta‐regression analysis revealed that persons with alcohol use disorder had higher oxidative stress estimates than those with stimulant use disorder. Moreover, individuals evaluated during abstinence showed smaller antioxidant effect sizes than non‐abstinent ones. Our findings suggest a clear oxidative imbalance in persons with SUD, which could lead to cell damage and result in multiple associated comorbidities, particularly accelerated aging.
Disrupted functional connectivity of the brain reward system in substance use problems: A meta‐analysis of functional neuroimaging studies
Authors: Dugré Jules R. , Orban Pierre , Potvin Stéphane
Published: November 2022

Extensive literature suggests that the brain reward system is crucial in understanding the neurobiology of substance use disorders. However, evidence of reliable deficits in functional connectivity across studies on substance use problems remains limited. Therefore, a voxel‐wise seed‐based meta‐analysis using brain regions of the reward system as seeds of interest was conducted on 96 studies representing 5757 subjects with substance use problems. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex exhibited hyperconnectivity with the ventral striatum and hypoconnectivity with the amygdala and hippocampus. The executive striatum showed hyperconnectivity with the motor thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hypoconnectivity with the anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula. Finally, the limbic striatum was found to be hyperconnected to the orbitofrontal cortex and hypoconnected to the precuneus compared with healthy subjects. The current study provided meta‐analytical evidence of deficient functional connectivity between brain regions of the reward system and cortico‐striato‐thalamocortical loops in addiction. These results are consistent with deficits in motivation and habit formation occurring in addiction, and they highlight alterations in brain regions involved in socio‐emotional processing and attention salience.
Development and evaluation of a variable, miniaturized oxygenator for various test methods
Authors: Arens Jutta , Schraven Lotte , Kaesler Andreas , Flege Christian , Schmitz‐Rode Thomas , Rossaint Rolf , Steinseifer Ulrich , Kopp Rüdger
Published: November 2022

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) became an accepted therapy for the treatment of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, ECMO systems are still prone to thrombus formation and decrease of gas exchange over time. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct qualified studies to identify parameters for optimization of ECMO systems, and especially the oxygenator. However, commercially marketed oxygenators are not always appropriate and available for certain research use cases. Therefore, we aimed to design an oxygenator, which is suitable for various test conditions such as blood tests, numerical simulation, and membrane studies, and can be modified in membrane area size and manufactured in laboratory.

Methods

Main design criteria are a homogeneous blood flow without stagnation zones, low pressure drop, manufacturability in the lab, size variability with one set of housing parts and cost‐efficiency. Our newly designed oxygenator was tested comparatively regarding blood cell damage, gas transfer performance and pressure drop to prove the validity of the design in accordance with a commercial device.

Results

No statistically significant difference between the tested oxygenators was detected and our new oxygenator demonstrated sufficient hemocompatibility. Furthermore, our variable oxygenator has proven that it can be easily manufactured in the laboratory, allows to use various membrane fiber configurations and can be reopened easily and non‐destructively for analysis after use, and the original geometry is available for numerical simulations.

Conclusion

Therefore, we consider this newly developed device as a valuable tool for basic experimental and numerical research on the optimization of oxygenators.
A multiphased cultural and contextual adaptation of the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status tools for a low‐income community: A South African case study
Authors: Botes Mignon , van der Linde Jeannie , Swanepoel De Wet
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Culturally relevant developmental screening is one of the best ways to appropriately identify developmental delays and disabilities in children as early as possible across diverse cultural backgrounds. This study aimed to adapt the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) tools for a low‐income community in South Africa by using a detailed multiphased cultural and contextual adaption process.

Method and Results

A three‐phase mixed‐method design relying on triangulation of data was used. Data were collected at an immunization clinic in a low‐income community in Mamelodi, South Africa. Phase 1 was a focus group discussion with 11 community participants. The topics explored the possible changes to the PEDS tools to make them more relevant to the community. Phase 1 informed Phase 2 where 12 early childhood development experts achieved consensus through a two‐round survey on a modified Delphi method. In Phase 3, a draft of the PEDS tools‐SA was presented to the authors of the PEDS tools for final approval. Of 55 questions that were adapted for the PEDS tools‐SA, two original questions (3.6%), 14 questions from the expert suggestions (25.4%) and 39 from the community participant's suggestions (71%) were included. A final version of the PEDS tools‐SA was created.

Conclusion

This study used a systematic method to adapt the PEDS tools to create the culturally appropriate PEDS tool‐SA for a low‐income community in South Africa, informed by community stakeholders' views from the first step. This resulted in a high‐quality adaptation process that is more likely to result in a tool that is more acceptable to caregivers from a low‐income South African community.
Inflammatory mechanisms of Ginkgo Biloba extract in improving memory functions through lncRNA‐COX2/NF‐κB pathway in mice with status epilepticus
Authors: Zou Xiaopei , Liu Si , Zou Huihui , Zhou Wanfei , Fu Huaili , Wei Jiana , Zhang Jiakang , Zeng Haoxuan , Tan Tian , Zhou Wenbin , Wu Heyong , Chen Xinrun , Zhou Xianju
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study was to explore whether Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) improve memory impairment by alleviating neuroinflammation signaling in mice with status epilepticus.

Methods

The status epilepticus (SE) mice model was established by pilocarpine and treated with 100 mg / kg of GBE for 14 days. Spontaneous alternation of Y‐maze and new object recognition were used to explore memory impairment. To examine glial cell activation, we performed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. The activation of NF‐κB signaling and the expression level of lncRNA‐COX2 were detected by Western blot and qRT‐PCR, respectively. Adeno‐associated virus lncRNA‐COX2 was injected into mice for overexpression of lncRNA‐COX2.

Results

After GBE treatment, the spontaneous alternation rate and the recognition coefficient in SE mice were both increased. Moreover, activation of glial cells, NF‐κB signaling and lncRNA‐COX2 were significantly decreased in SE mice.

In the GBE‐treated SE mice with lncRNA‐COX2 overexpression, NF‐κB signaling was up‐regulated again; the reduced level of inflammation factors was reversed; the GBE‐rescued spontaneous alternation rate of Y‐maze was eliminated.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that GBE reduces the hippocampal inflammation by down‐regulating lncRNA‐COX2 / NF‐κB signaling in the SE mice, leading to the decrease of neuronal damage and the improvement of memory functions.
Hotspots of (sub)alpine plants in the Irano‐Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot are insufficiently protected
Authors: Noroozi Jalil , Minaei Masoud , Khalvati Sina , Kaveh Akram , Nafisi Hanieh , Nazari Behnaz , Zare Golshan , Vitek Ernst , Hülber Karl , Schneeweiss Gerald M.
Published: November 2022

Aim

The mountainous regions in SW Asia harbour a high number of endemic species, many of which are restricted to the high‐elevation zone. The (sub)alpine habitats of the region are under particular threat due to global change, but their biodiversity hotspots and conservation status have not been investigated so far.

Location

Subalpine‐alpine habitats of SW Asia.

Methods

Distribution data of all (sub)alpine vascular plant species of the region were compiled, resulting in 19,680 localities from 1672 (sub)alpine species, the majority of them being restricted to the region (76%). Six quantitative indices of species diversity were used on the basis of 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells to identify (sub)alpine hotspots. Hotspots whose surface area in the (sub)alpine zone was covered by nature reserves maximally by 10% were defined as conservation gaps.

Results

A high proportion (80%) of the endemic species of the study area is range‐restricted and narrowly distributed. The results of all six indices were highly correlated. Using the top 5%, 10% and 20% richest cells supported by any index, 32, 53 and 98 cells, respectively, were identified as Hotspots. Almost 60% of these Hotspots at all three levels were identified as unprotected (i.e. constituted Conservation Gaps). Generally, only 22%, 18% and 16%, respectively, of the alpine surface area of the identified Hotspots were covered by nature reserves for the top 5%, 10% and 20% richest cells, respectively.

Main conclusions

Although the rate of protection in (sub)alpine Hotspots exceeds that of the entire region it is still insufficient, because these Hotspots are much richer in endemic and in range‐restricted species, but at the same time are under high pressure of global change. Therefore, the establishment of new nature reserves with high conservation efficiency in (sub)alpine habitats with a particular focus on the identified Hotspots is strongly recommended.
Cutting performance improvement of Si3N4 ceramic cutting tools by adding boride
Authors: He Sheng‐Jin , Luo Si‐Chun , Guo Wei‐Ming , Wei Wan‐Xin , Lin Hua‐Tay
Published: November 2022

Cutting performances of silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic cutting tools with and without boride additive (2.5 vol% ZrB2 or TiB2) prepared by hot‐pressing at 1500°C were investigated. Due to the α‐ to β‐Si3N4 phase transformation and low densification temperature, boride‐containing Si3N4 ceramics with high hardness and high toughness were obtained. The turning tests showed that the effective cutting lengths of the Si3N4–2.5 vol% TiB2 ceramic (∼2480 m) and Si3N4–2.5 vol% ZrB2 ceramic (∼2200 m) were higher than the monolithic Si3N4 ceramic (∼1780 m). As the toughness was improved while maintaining relative high hardness, the cutting performances of the boride‐containing Si3N4‐based inserts were improved by adding 2.5 vol% ZrB2 or TiB2. The improved cutting performance indicated that the boride‐containing Si3N4 ceramics are expected to be used in the field of ceramic cutting tools.
Une réalité en noir et blanc, ou en plusieurs nuances de gris? La segmentation juridique et son effet sur la segmentation du marché du travail en Europe
Authors: DINGELDEY Irene , GERLITZ Jean‐Yves
Published: November 2022

Les auteurs examinent l'effet du droit du travail sur la segmentation du marché du travail effective dans 22 pays européens entre 1991 et 2014. Après avoir isolé trois fonctions protectrices du droit du travail (fonctions régulatrice, hiérarchisante et compensatrice), ils associent statistiques descriptives et analyse multivariée pour faire ressortir l'effet de chacune sur l'emploi typique et atypique global, masculin et féminin. Ils observent qu'une dimension hiérarchisante affirmée, associée à une forte fonction régulatrice, favorise l'emploi typique masculin et l'emploi atypique féminin. Une législation très compensatrice, en principe destinée à protéger les femmes et autres groupes moins bien insérés, favorise paradoxalement l'emploi atypique masculin.
Elevation drives taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic β‐diversity of phyllostomid bats in the Amazon biome
Authors: Carvalho William Douglas , Fluck Isadora E. , de Castro Isaí Jorge , Hilário Renato Richard , Martins Ana Carolina Moreira , de Toledo José Júlio , da Silva Xavier Bruna , Dambros Cristian , Bobrowiec Paulo E. D.
Published: November 2022

Aim

We evaluated the relative importance of geographical and environment variables for taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional β‐diversity of phyllostomid bats along the entire Amazon biome and specifically in the lowlands.

Location

Amazon biome.

Taxon

Chiroptera.

Methods

We carried out a bibliographic review and compiled a wide and unprecedented database of 106 phyllostomid bat species at 102 sites throughout the Amazon biome. For all possible pairs of sites in both datasets, we estimated the Jaccard pairwise dissimilarity, that is, β‐diversity, considering its three dimensions—taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional—for its two components—turnover (substitution of species) and differences in species richness. The association between dissimilarity measurements and geographical and environment variables was assessed using multiple regressions on distance matrices (MRM).

Results

We found that turnover and differences in species richness had similar contributions to the taxonomic β‐diversity. However, for phylogenetic and functional β‐diversity, lineages and functions richness differences contribute slightly more than turnover for total β‐diversity. In the lowlands, species, lineages and functions richness differences were slightly higher than turnover for all diversity dimensions. When accounting for all the sites, elevation was the main predictor of phyllostomid bats' taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional turnover. For lowland sites, ecoregions was the main (but relatively weak) predictor associated with all β‐diversity dimensions.

Main conclusions

Analysis of filtering sites according to elevation revealed that species in the Amazonian lowlands are taxonomically and phylogenetically different from species in the Andes, and present taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional redundancy between assemblages. When accounting for the whole range of distribution of bats, results showed the predominant effect of elevation over other geographical and environmental predictors. This indicates that the diversity of good dispersers such as bats is more affected by specialisation along environment and climatic gradients than by geographical barriers throughout the Amazon biome.
Inborn errors of metabolism refuse to stay‐at‐home: Experiences of a state‐wide biochemical genetics service during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Gutierrez Bea , Hertzog Ashley , Badman Susan , Tolun Adviye A
Published: November 2022

Aim

The New South Wales (NSW) biochemical genetics (BG) service in Australia developed business continuity plans (BCPs) in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic to ensure the essential service remained operational. This article aims to discuss the effects of the COVID‐19 BCPs on the NSW BG service and patient care.

Methods

BCPs were developed that included charting of NSW BG service workflow and services against staff resources and clinical impact on patients. The effect of the BCPs was analysed quantitatively by reviewing key performance indicators (result turnaround time, frequency and severity of clinical incidents and laboratory nonconformities) and qualitatively from staff feedback generated by a BG laboratory‐wide survey.

Results

Alternative BCPs were implemented during the pre‐defined period March 2020 to November 2021 (inclusive), to reflect changes in COVID‐19 community transmission, vaccination rates; and health orders. Operation of our essential pathology service was maintained, with no significant difference observed in key performance indicators when compared to pre‐COVID. During the pre‐defined period of the COVID‐19 pandemic, staff reported increased levels of both work‐ and out‐of‐work‐related stress.

Conclusion

The successful continuation of the BG service, with no statistically significant impact on patient care and delivery of essential services, can be attributed to strategic planning and timely implementation of these BCPs. In conjunction with the resilient and robust attitude of the staff during this ever‐changing situation, this experience has served as an invaluable tool for future disaster management planning.
Development of the Children's Body Satisfaction Scale: Its psychometric characteristics for children
Authors: Keven‐Akliman Çiğdem , Özabacı Nilüfer
Published: November 2022

Aim

Body satisfaction is a key factor in children's healthy eating and self‐perception. This study aims to develop The Children's Body Satisfaction Scale to measure body image satisfaction in children, which consists of three sub‐dimensions (‘acceptance of physical appearance’, ‘weight satisfaction’ and ‘flexibility in the importance attached to the ideal’).

Methods

The study was conducted with 473 primary school students in Ankara in 2021. The mean age of the participants, of whom 44.6% were female and 55.4% were male, was 9.38 ± 0.65 (between 8 and 10 years old). Socio‐demographic Information Form, the Children's Body Satisfaction Scale (CBSS), the Children's Body Image Scale and ‘physical appearance’ and ‘general self‐esteem’ sub‐scales of the Self‐Perception Profile for Children were used for the data collection.

Results

CBSS consists of 3 sub‐dimensions and 18 items. Calculated to be 0.84, the Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be quite high. The item‐total correlations were determined to be higher than 0.20 for all the items in the scale, and the t values of the comparison of the lower and upper 27% of all the items were significant. A high level (r > 0.70) positive and significant relationship was found in the test–retest reliability of the CBSS total and sub‐dimension scores. A positive and significant relationship was found between CBSS total and general self‐esteem and body size satisfaction.

Conclusion

The validity and reliability analyses of the CBSS applied as part of the study show that it has strong psychometric properties in determining the level of body image satisfaction for children aged between 8 and 10. The sub‐dimensions of CBSS provide a comprehensive measure to understand body dissatisfaction in children and to test the effectiveness of intervention programmes.
Surgical time‐out procedures: a single centre audit of standardised surgical communications
Authors: McMillan M. W.
Published: November 2022

Objective

To assess deviation from a standardised structure of surgical time‐out procedures in a multidisciplinary referral hospital.

Materials and Methods

An observational process audit was performed on a convenience sample of surgical cases. A fly‐on‐the‐wall observer assessed surgical time‐out procedures in real‐time. Pre‐induction and recovery checklists were not assessed. Observations were recorded on standardised reporting forms including a checklist and free text. Analysis was performed using a validated framework of four conceptual domains: the purpose, occasion, audience and content of the communication. Field notes were taken to allow retrospective verification of assessments. Observations were compared to a predefined standardised surgical time‐out procedure structure.

Results

Twenty surgical time‐out procedures were observed from a mixture of procedure types. Although all were performed at the specified time and place, only eight (40%) were considered to have fully achieved their purpose with potentially important sections of the communication being omitted in the others. Individuals were not ready for communication to begin in 14 (70%) and distractions occurred in 11 surgical time‐out procedures (55%). In seven surgical time‐out procedures (35%) superfluous information was communicated.

Clinical Significance

In a busy operating theatre environment, surgical time‐out procedures may not be performed as they are intended. Communication during surgical time‐out procedures should be audited to highlight opportunities for improvement.
Selective sweeps linked to the colonization of novel habitats and climatic changes in a wild tomato species
Authors: Wei Kai , Silva‐Arias Gustavo A. , Tellier Aurélien
Published: November 2022

Positive selection is the driving force underpinning local adaptation and leaves footprints of selective sweeps on the underlying major genes. Quantifying the timing of selection and revealing the genetic bases of adaptation in plant species occurring in steep and varying environmental gradients are crucial to predict a species' ability to colonize new niches.

We use whole‐genome sequence data from six populations across three different habitats of the wild tomato species Solanum chilense to infer the past demographic history and search for genes under strong positive selection. We then correlate current and past climatic projections with the demographic history, allele frequencies, the age of selection events and distribution shifts.

Several selective sweeps occur at regulatory networks involved in root‐hair development in low altitude and response to photoperiod and vernalization in high‐altitude populations. These sweeps appear to occur in a concerted fashion in a given regulatory gene network at particular periods of substantial climatic change.

Using a unique combination of genome scans and modelling of past climatic data, we quantify the timing of selection at genes likely underpinning local adaptation to semiarid habitats.
Radiaxial fibrous calcite forms via early marine‐diagenetic alteration of micritic magnesium calcite
Authors: Ge Yuzhu , Pederson Chelsea L. , Lokier Stephen W. , Strauss Harald , Immenhauser Adrian
Published: November 2022

Marine radiaxial fibrous calcites are common pore‐filling carbonate fabrics in Palaeozoic and Mesozoic carbonates, yet recent analogues are scarce. Although ancient marine radiaxial fibrous calcites are often considered a cement phase and used for palaeoenvironmental interpretations, their origin (primary precipitation versus diagenetic alteration of a pre‐existing fabric) and their specific formation processes remain ambiguous. This may be related to insufficient information from a few recent analogues and limitations of traditional methods in investigating ancient radiaxial fibrous calcites. This study documents a Holocene occurrence of marine pore‐filling radiaxial fibrous Mg calcites and focuses on their origin, formation processes and implications for ancient analogues. The radiaxial fibrous Mg calcites examined in this study share morphological and mineralogical similarities with numerous ancient marine radiaxial fibrous calcites with a Mg calcite precursor. Based on petrological and geochemical data, the radiaxial fibrous Mg calcites are interpreted as secondary porewater products formed during early burial alteration of micritic Mg calcite precursor cement. These findings provide implications for, at least in part, ancient marine radiaxial fibrous calcites in the context of the formation process and mechanism and are relevant for palaeoceanographic and palaeoenvironmental interpretations based on the presence of this carbonate phase.
Numerical Analysis of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Lattice-Based Compact Heat Sinks
Authors: Kaur Inderjot , Mujahid Shiraz , Paudel YubRaj , Rhee Hongjoo , Singh Prashant
Published: November 2022

Single unit cell thick lattice frame materials have applications in efficient heat exchangers. This study is focused on strut-based sandwich-type configurations obtained through reticulation of unit cell topologies of tetrakaidecahedron (TKD), octet, and rhombic dodecahedron (DDC) shapes at a porosity of 0.9 with water as the working fluid. Interfacial heat transfer coefficient values on struts and endwalls were determined by imposing constant temperature boundary condition. Averaged heat transfer coefficient on the endwall was the highest for tetrakaidecahedron lattice whereas rhombic dodecahedron lattice exhibited the highest average interfacial heat transfer coefficients on the struts. Flow analysis showed the presence of strong secondary flow features on planes normal to the mean flow direction that demonstrated the unique flow mixing capabilities of these lattices. Reported interfacial heat transfer coefficient at struts and endwall can be used in volume-averaged computations of metal foams (representative of lattices' flow and thermal properties) under local thermal nonequilibrium.
Development of a New Loss Model for Turbomachinery Labyrinth Seals
Authors: Kulkarni Davendu , Mare Luca di
Published: November 2022

The preliminary design of labyrinth seals requires fast and accurate estimate of the leakage flow. While the conventional bulk flow models can quickly predict labyrinth seal discharge characteristics, they lack the accuracy and pragmatism of modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques and vice-a-versa. This paper presents a new one-dimensional loss model for straight-through gas labyrinth seals that can provide quick seal leakage flow predictions with CFD-equivalent accuracy. The present seal loss model is developed using numerical experimentation technique. Multiple CFD computations are conducted on straight-through labyrinth seal geometries for a range of pressure ratios. A distinct postprocessing methodology is developed to extract the through-flow stream tube in seal. Total pressure losses and flow area variations experienced by the flow in seal stream-tube are systematically accounted for based on the well-known knife-to-knife (K2K) methodology. Regression analyses are conducted on the trends of variations of loss and area coefficients to derive the independent pressure loss and flow area correlations. These novel correlations can predict the bulk leakage flow rate, windage flow rate, and interknife static pressures over a wide range of variations of flow and geometry parameters. Validation study shows that the leakage mass flow rate predicted by this model is accurate within ±8% of measured test data. This fast and accurate model can be employed for various applications such as in seal design-analysis workflows, for secondary air system (SAS) performance analysis, and for the rotor-dynamic and aeroelastic assessments of seals.
How vulnerable are rangelands to grazing?
Authors: Ganguli Amy C. , O’Rourke Megan E.
Published: November 2022

Assessing multiple site conditions and climate reveals the impacts of livestock pressure
How bacteria navigate varying environments
Authors: Moreno-Gámez Stefany
Published: November 2022

Collective sensing and phenotypic diversification aid response to environmental fluctuations
In Science Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Jiang Di , Szuromi Phil , Ray L. Bryan , Foley John F. , Papoutsakis Eleftherios T. , Williams Ifor , Lavine Marc S. , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Vignieri Sacha , Norton Melissa , Hodges Kip , Hines Pamela J. , Alderton Gemma
Published: November 2022

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Factors associated with racial differences in all-cause 30-day readmission in adults with cardiovascular disease: an observational study of a large healthcare system
Authors: Farmer Heather R , Xu Hanzhang , Granger Bradi B , Thomas Kevin L , Dupre Matthew E
Published: November 2022

Objective

To examine factors contributing to racial differences in 30-day readmission in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Design

Patients were enrolled from 1 January 2015 to 31 August 2017 and data were collected from electronic health records and a standardised interview administered prior to discharge.

Setting

Duke Heart Center in the Duke University Health System.

Participants

Patients aged 18 and older admitted for the treatment of cardiovascular-related conditions (n=734).

Main outcome and measures

All-cause readmission within 30 days was the main outcome. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine whether and to what extent socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioural and healthcare-related factors contributed to 30-day readmissions in Black and White CVD patients.

Results

The median age of patients was 66 years and 18.1% (n=133) were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. Black patients were more likely than White patients to be readmitted (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.23) and the racial difference in readmissions was largely reduced after taking into account differences in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical factors (OR 1.37; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.91). In Black patients, readmission risks were especially high in those who were retired (OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.71 to 8.07), never married (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.21 to 4.05), had difficulty accessing their routine care (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.70 to 4.88) or had been hospitalised in the prior year (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.16 to 3.37). In White patients, being widowed (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.41 to 4.07) and reporting a higher number of depressive symptoms (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.13) were the key factors associated with higher risks of readmission.

Conclusions and relevance

Black patients were more likely than White patients to be readmitted within 30 days after hospitalisation for CVD. The factors contributing to readmission differed by race and offer important clues for identifying patients at high risk of readmission and tailoring interventions to reduce these risks.