bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of TiCp volume fraction and WCp addition on the mechanical properties of TiCp/Cr8Mo2VSi composites
Authors: Wang Fengbin , Du Jianming , Zhao Shengnian , Lu Dehong , Jiang Yehua , Li Fei , Li Dou
Published: February 2024

Titanium carbide particles (TiCp) is one of the most commonly used ceramic particles in ceramic- particle-reinforced metal matrix composites. The study prepared TiCp/Cr8Mo2VSi composites using the squeeze casting technique and investigated the effects of different TiCp volume fractions on the mechanical properties, including bending strength and impact toughness. Additionally, the study added tungsten carbide particles (WCp) powder to the preform to examine its effect on the mechanical properties of the composites. The study found that as the volume fraction of TiCp increased, the bending strength of the composites decreased gradually. The highest bending strength of 642.7 MPa was observed at 35% volume fraction. The impact toughness showed a small change, approximately 1.7 J cm−2. Upon the addition of WCp powder (with a mass fraction of 5.0 wt% and TiCp volume fraction of 50%), the bending strength and impact toughness of the composites were 375.2 MPa and 2.1 J cm−2, respectively. Compared to the composites without WCp powder (105.4 MPa, 1.7 J cm−2), the addition of WCp powder resulted in a 256.0% increase in bending strength and a 23.5% increase in impact toughness.
The detection instrumentation and geometric design of clinical PET scanner: towards better performance and broader clinical applications
Authors: El Ouaridi Abdallah , Ait Elcadi Zakaria , Mkimel Mounir , Bougteb Mustapha , El Baydaoui Redouane
Published: February 2024

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful medical imaging modality used in nuclear medicine to diagnose and monitor various clinical diseases in patients. It is more sensitive and produces a highly quantitative mapping of the three-dimensional biodistribution of positron-emitting radiotracers inside the human body. The underlying technology is constantly evolving, and recent advances in detection instrumentation and PET scanner design have significantly improved the medical diagnosis capabilities of this imaging modality, making it more efficient and opening the way to broader, innovative, and promising clinical applications. Some significant achievements related to detection instrumentation include introducing new scintillators and photodetectors as well as developing innovative detector designs and coupling configurations. Other advances in scanner design include moving towards a cylindrical geometry, 3D acquisition mode, and the trend towards a wider axial field of view and a shorter diameter. Further research on PET camera instrumentation and design will be required to advance this technology by improving its performance and extending its clinical applications while optimising radiation dose, image acquisition time, and manufacturing cost. This article comprehensively reviews the various parameters of detection instrumentation and PET system design. Firstly, an overview of the historical innovation of the PET system has been presented, focusing on instrumental technology. Secondly, we have characterised the main performance parameters of current clinical PET and detailed recent instrumental innovations and trends that affect these performances and clinical practice. Finally, prospects for this medical imaging modality are presented and discussed. This overview of the PET system’s instrumental parameters enables us to draw solid conclusions on achieving the best possible performance for the different needs of different clinical applications.
Wilde in the Dream Factory
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: February 2024

Set within the rich evolving context of how the American entertainment industry became cinema, and how cinema become the movies, this book reveals how Wilde helped to shape Hollywood in the early twentieth century. It begins with his 1882 American tour, and traces the ongoing popularity of his plays and novel in the early twentieth century, after his ignominious death. Following the early film-makers, writers, and actors as they headed West in the Hollywood boom, it uncovers how and why they took Wilde's spirit with them. There, in Hollywood, in the early days of silent cinema, Wilde's works were adapted. They were also beginning to define a new kind of style—a ‘Wilde-ish spirit’, as Ernst Lubitsch called it—filtering into the imaginations of Lubitsch himself, as well as Alla Nazimova, Ben Hecht, Samuel Hoffenstein, and many others. These were the people who translated Wilde's queer playfulness into the creation of screwball comedies, gangster movies, B-movie horrors, and films noirs. There, Wilde and his style embodied a spirit of rebellion and naughtiness, providing a blueprint for the charismatic, cinematic criminal and screwball talk on-screen.
Naughty, Decadent, Silent Moving Pictures
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: February 2024

This chapter focuses on the first feature-length adaptations of Wilde’s work during the transition period of American cinema, 1915–20. It sets its discussion in the context of the movie industry’s evolution and expansion in the period, showing how and why it fastened on to Wilde’s Dorian Gray and Salome as singularly modern criminals. It repositions these characters in the decadent movement, showing how the decadent has, by definition, a criminal mind, following this through from Baudelaire, Pater, and Wilde to Raffles the Gentleman Thief (who was based on Wilde) by E. W. Hornung, and the early cinema shorts in which Raffles featured, to the first two-reel adaptation of Dorian Gray (1915) and the early Salome films, including Theda Bara’s Salomé (1918) and Roscoe Arbuckle’s cross-dressed Salome dance in The Cook (1918).
Prevalence of postprandial hypotension in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Lei , Li Sheyu , Xie Xiaofeng , Huang Xiaoli , Xiao Lily Dongxia , Zou Ying , Jiang Wenyi , Zhang Fengying
Published: February 2024

Background

Older adults with postprandial hypotension (PPH) increase susceptibility to falls, syncope, stroke, acute cardiovascular diseases and even death. However, the prevalence of this condition varies significantly across studies. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PPH in older adults.

Methods

Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and CINAHL were searched from their inception until February 2023. Search terms included ‘postprandial period’, ‘hypotension’ and ‘postprandial hypotension’. Eligible studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Meta-analyses were performed among similar selected studies.

Results

Thirteen eligible studies were included, and data from 3,021 participants were pooled. The meta-analysis revealed a PPH prevalence of 40.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.290–0.519] in older adults, and this was prevalent in the community (32.8%, 95% CI: 0.078–0.647, n = 1,594), long-term healthcare facility (39.4%, 95% CI: 0.254–0.610, n = 1,062) and geriatrics department of hospitals (49.3%, 95% CI: 0.357–0.630, n = 365). The pooled results showed significant heterogeneity (I2 > 90%), partially related to the different ages, sex, pre-prandial systolic blood pressure levels of participants, or the different criteria and methodology used to diagnose PPH.

Conclusions

PPH is a prevalent condition in older adults. Further research is needed to confirm this result, and priority should be given to establishing international consensus on PPH diagnostic criteria and designing its diagnostic procedure.
A temporal evaluation of respirable crystalline silica exposure for construction tasks
Authors: Cothern Emily J , Autenrieth Daniel A , Brazile William J
Published: February 2024

Personal air monitoring using a TSI SidePak AM520 personal aerosol monitor was performed on a northern Colorado construction site during five tasks from the OSHA Table 1: Specified Exposure Control Methods When Working With Materials Containing Crystalline Silica to estimate silica dust concentrations in real time. Photometric measurements were modified using a gravimetric correction factor and a % respirable crystalline silica adjustment. Each task was sampled once; sample time ranged from 14 min to 40 min, with a mean sample time of 27 min. The mean silica dust concentration estimates (μg/m3) (standard deviation [SD]) for the five tasks computed from the TSI SidePak AM520 respirable dust measurements were core drilling 12 μg/m3 [2.46], grinding 918 μg/m3 [1134.08], cutting with a walk-behind saw 36 μg/m3 [79.67], jackhammering 27 μg/m3 [23.24], and dowel drilling 66 μg/m3 [77.65]. Silica exposure estimates from real-time monitoring can be used to identify exposures that may be related to inadequate controls or worker behaviors that contribute to peak exposures. Respirable crystalline silica exposure estimates presented here are likely not generalizable to other construction sites or tasks.
PySNV for complex intra-host variation detection
Authors: Li Liandong , Fu Haoyi , Ma Wentai , Li Mingkun
Published: February 2024

Motivation

Intra-host variants refer to genetic variations or mutations that occur within an individual host organism. These variants are typically studied in the context of viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens to understand the evolution of pathogens. Moreover, intra-host variants are also explored in the field of tumor biology and mitochondrial biology to characterize somatic mutations and inherited heteroplasmic mutations. Intra-host variants can involve long insertions, deletions, and combinations of different mutation types, which poses challenges in their identification. The performance of current methods in detecting of complex intra-host variants is unknown.

Results

First, we simulated a dataset comprising 10 samples with 1869 intra-host variants involving various mutation patterns and benchmarked current variant detection software. The results indicated that though current software can detect most variants with F1-scores between 0.76 and 0.97, their performance in detecting long indels and low frequency variants was limited. Thus, we developed a new software, PySNV, for the detection of complex intra-host variations. On the simulated dataset, PySNV successfully detected 1863 variant cases (F1-score: 0.99) and exhibited the highest Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC: 0.99) to the ground truth in predicting variant frequencies. The results demonstrated that PySNV delivered promising performance even for long indels and low frequency variants, while maintaining computational speed comparable to other methods. Finally, we tested its performance on SARS-CoV-2 replicate sequencing data and found that it reported 21% more variants compared to LoFreq, the best-performing benchmarked software, while showing higher consistency (62% over 54%) within replicates. The discrepancies mostly exist in low-depth regions and low frequency variants.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/bnuLyndon/PySNV/.
A Birthmother’s Counter-Story of Racism and Oppression in Children’s Social Work: Carving an Afro-Centric Space for Sawubona in Euro-Centric Social Work Education, Practice, and the Safeguarding System
Authors: Cornish Carlene
Published: February 2024

In this article, I ask ‘What are the specific challenges and controversies that birth mothers of ethnic minorities (EM) experience in the safeguarding context’? The aim is to examine safeguarding practices and ascertain how power, racism and gender oppression are understood and experienced by mothers of EMs in social work. The literature highlighted complexities and ethical concerns regarding child protection services with EMs in England. Undertaking qualitative research, a case study approach was used, and purposive sampling was applied to recruit and interview six mothers of EM backgrounds. This article provides an empowering space for Miriam, an Asian mum recounting her lived experiences of statutory social work. Critical theory, critical race theory and intersectionality were the theoretical frameworks, and a framework approach was utilised for data analysis. Key findings revealed the insidious nature of racism, oppression and White dominance, constructing devastating, adversarial work practices that oppressed, excluded, and deprived Miriam. There was an urgent need for change. Drawing on my African heritage, I theorise that the Afro-centric philosophy of Sawubona could make a profound contribution to British social work. Elucidating, ‘I see the whole of you’, the Sawubona practice model illustrates social work values of equality, empathy, dignity, tolerance and respect.
Would you believe your own consciousness?
Authors: Fesce Riccardo , Ursell Joanne , Taylor Patricia
Published: February 2024

Can we ever fully believe what someone tells us about themselves? Riccardo Fesce et al, awarded joint runners up of the Brain Essay Competition 2023, consider whether asking consciousness about itself will ever yield credible and reliable answers.
Neuroimmune activation is associated with neurological outcome in anoxic and traumatic coma
Authors: Sarton Benjamine , Tauber Clovis , Fridman Estéban , Péran Patrice , Riu Beatrice , Vinour Hélène , David Adrian , Geeraerts Thomas , Bounes Fanny , Minville Vincent , Delmas Clément , Salabert Anne-Sophie , Albucher Jean François , Bataille Benoit , Olivot Jean Marc , Cariou Alain , Naccache Lionel , Payoux Pierre , Schiff Nicholas , Silva Stein
Published: February 2024

The pathophysiological underpinnings of critically disrupted brain connectomes resulting in coma are poorly understood. Inflammation is potentially an important but still undervalued factor. Here, we present a first-in-human prospective study using the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) radioligand 18F-DPA714 for PET imaging to allow in vivo neuroimmune activation quantification in patients with coma (n = 17) following either anoxia or traumatic brain injuries in comparison with age- and sex-matched controls.

Our findings yielded novel evidence of an early inflammatory component predominantly located within key cortical and subcortical brain structures that are putatively implicated in consciousness emergence and maintenance after severe brain injury (i.e. mesocircuit and frontoparietal networks). We observed that traumatic and anoxic patients with coma have distinct neuroimmune activation profiles, both in terms of intensity and spatial distribution. Finally, we demonstrated that both the total amount and specific distribution of PET-measurable neuroinflammation within the brain mesocircuit were associated with the patient’s recovery potential.

We suggest that our results can be developed for use both as a new neuroprognostication tool and as a promising biometric to guide future clinical trials targeting glial activity very early after severe brain injury.
Conceptualizing feminist solidarity through resistance in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement
Authors: Varma Anita , Shaban Sara
Published: February 2024

The question of what constitutes solidarity (and what does not) has been a persistent concern for feminist scholars. In this conceptual article, we develop a distinction between superficial feminist solidarity and substantive feminist solidarity, grounded in illustrations of digital resistance during the transnational “Woman, Life, Freedom” feminist movement. The categories of superficial feminist solidarity and substantive feminist solidarity provide a framework for critically distinguishing between the range of actions in the movement and understanding their respective logics, practices, and implications. Superficial feminist solidarity actions may raise awareness, but often do so in the service of building consensus for Western feminism. In contrast, substantive feminist solidarity manifests as anti-colonial praxis that advances demands for social justice through a horizontal dynamic with people subjected to inhumane conditions.
CM-UTC: A Cost-sensitive Matrix based Method for Unknown Encrypted Traffic Classification
Authors: Gao Zhiyuan , Li Jinguo , Wang Liangliang , He Yin , Yuan Peichun
Published: February 2024

Deep learning has been widely adopted in the field of network traffic classification due to its unique advantages in handling encrypted network traffic. However, most existing deep learning models can only classify known encrypted traffic that has been sampled and labeled. In this paper, we propose CM-UTC, a cost-sensitive matrix-based method for classifying unknown encrypted traffic. CM-UTC explores the probability distribution of the DNN output layer to filter out the unknown classes and further designs a cost-sensitive matrix to address the class imbalance problem. Additionally, we propose the utilization of the Harris Hawk optimization algorithm to modify the model parameters and improve its performance. The experiments are validated on two different datasets, and the results demonstrate that CM-UTC not only outperforms existing methods in terms of overall performance but also exhibits superior capability in correctly identifying samples from the minority class.
Ecology and social behavior of the tamarisk gerbil Meriones tamariscinus: insights from long-term research in the wild and semi-natural environments
Authors: Gromov Vladimir S
Published: February 2024

The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the ecology and social behavior of tamarisk gerbils. Both field studies and direct observations under semi-natural conditions provide evidence that the tamarisk gerbil is a nocturnal herbivorous rodent that lives in highly seasonal habitats and displays seasonal fluctuations in reproduction and spatial organization. A typical feature of the tamarisk gerbils’ spatial organization is higher mobility of males during the breeding season (as compared with the nonbreeding period) and formation of temporary aggregations of males competing for access to receptive females; the composition of these aggregations was variable and depended on the reproductive condition of the females. Females tend to occupy exclusive home ranges irrespective of their reproductive condition. The mating system of the species can be defined as scramble competition polygyny with some features of polygynandry and promiscuity. The tamarisk gerbil has distinct features of a solitary species and its social structure is primarily based on aggressive interactions or mutual avoidance of conspecifics resulting in a dominance hierarchy among males and site-dependent dominance among females during the breeding season. By the end of the breeding season, males become less mobile and occupy nearly exclusive home ranges, consistent with solitary living. The main features of the spatial and social organization of this species, which distinguish it from other solitary rodents, are the higher mobility of males and the formation of temporary multimale–multifemale aggregations during the breeding season. Overall, the data presented expand our understanding of socioecology of gerbils.
Effect of sample length on MLU in Mandarin-speaking hard-of-hearing children
Authors: Chu Chia-Ying , Chen Pei-Hua , Tsai Yi-Shin , Chen Chieh-An , Chan Yi-Chih , Ciou Yan-Jhe
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the impact of language sample length on mean length of utterance (MLU) and aimed to determine the minimum number of utterances required for a reliable MLU. Conversations were collected from Mandarin-speaking, hard-of-hearing and typical-hearing children aged 16–81 months. The MLUs were calculated using sample sizes ranging from 25 to 200 utterances. The results showed that for an MLU between 1.0 and 2.5, 25 and 50 utterances were sufficient for reliable MLU calculations for hard-of-hearing and typical-hearing children, respectively. For an MLU between 2.5 and 3.75, 125 utterances were required for both groups. For an MLU greater than 3.75, 150 and 125 utterances were required for hard-of-hearing and typical-hearing children, respectively. These findings suggest that a greater number of utterances are required for a reliable MLU as language complexity increases. Professionals working with hard-of-hearing children should consider collecting different numbers of utterances based on the children’s language complexity levels.
The role of detailed medical history for the early diagnosis of familial bradycardia in a patient with associated atrial fibrillation – case report
Authors: Ciacaru Andreea , Tusa Anna , Magdas Annamaria , Podoleanu Cristian
Published: February 2024

Background

Bradycardia represents a frequent reason for medical presentation and has a complex etiology, including genetic disorders, like LMNA mutation. LMNA mutation is responsible for laminopathies, including LMNA-cardiomyopathy. Cardiac involvement is prevalent and is linked to dilated cardiomyopathy associated with conduction block, which is anticipated by bradyarrhythmia and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. The LMNA mutation carriers have higher risk for sudden cardiac death, malignant ventricular tachycardia, and extreme bradycardia.

Case summary

A 48-year-old female presented for recurrent episodes of dizziness, lightheadedness, headache and fatigue, occurring at rest. The past medical history was positive for hypertension and one episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The family medical history was positive, both children and the patient’s mother are known with bradycardia. The electrocardiogram showed sinus bradycardia and the echocardiography revealed a mild concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, associated with impaired relaxation diastolic dysfunction. The 24-hour Holter monitoring recorded sinus bradycardia, multiple pauses, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and multiple episodes of junctional rhythm. The positive family medical history suggested a genetic link. Further, genetic testing was performed, revealing a mutation of the LMNA gene.

Discussion

Despite apparently benign at the initial presentation, the correct diagnosis and management required detailed medical history and extensive investigation of both the patient and the first-degree relatives. As the LMNA mutation carriers have a higher risk for sudden cardiac death and have a mortality risk of 40% at 5 years, we emphasize the role of early diagnosis and periodic monitoring for preventing the worsening of the condition.
Artificial intelligence-assisted evaluation of cardiac function by oncology staff in chemotherapy patients
Authors: Papadopoulou Stella-Lida , Dionysopoulos Dimitrios , Mentesidou Vaia , Loga Konstantia , Michalopoulou Stella , Koukoutzeli Chrysanthi , Efthimiadis Konstantinos , Kantartzi Vasiliki , Timotheadou Eleni , Styliadis Ioannis , Nihoyannopoulos Petros , Sachpekidis Vasileios
Published: February 2024

Aims

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) calculation by echocardiography is pivotal in evaluating cancer patients’ cardiac function. Artificial intelligence (AI) can facilitate the acquisition of optimal images and automated LVEF (autoEF) calculation. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of LVEF calculation by oncology staff using an AI-enabled handheld ultrasound device (HUD).

Methods and results

We studied 115 patients referred for echocardiographic LVEF estimation. All patients were scanned by a cardiologist using standard echocardiography (SE), and biplane Simpson’s LVEF was the reference standard. Hands-on training using the Kosmos HUD was provided to the oncology staff before the study. Each patient was scanned by a cardiologist, a senior oncologist, an oncology resident, and a nurse using the TRIO AI and KOSMOS EF deep learning algorithms to obtain autoEF. The correlation between autoEF and SE–ejection fraction (EF) was excellent for the cardiologist (r = 0.90), the junior oncologist (r = 0.82), and the nurse (r = 0.84), and good for the senior oncologist (r = 0.79). The Bland–Altman analysis showed a small underestimation by autoEF compared with SE–EF. Detection of impaired LVEF < 50% was feasible with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 94% for the cardiologist; sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 93% for the senior oncologist; sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 91% for the junior oncologist; and sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 87% for the nurse.

Conclusion

Automated LVEF calculation by oncology staff was feasible using AI-enabled HUD in a selected patient population. Detection of LVEF < 50% was possible with good accuracy. These findings show the potential to expedite the clinical workflow of cancer patients and speed up a referral when necessary.
The Women4Health cohort: a unique cohort to study women-specific mechanisms of cardio-metabolic regulation
Authors: Busonero Fabio , Lenarduzzi Stefania , Crobu Francesca , Gentile Roberta Marie , Carta Andrea , Cracco Francesco , Maschio Andrea , Camarda Silvia , Marongiu Michele , Zanetti Daniela , Conversano Claudio , Di Lorenzo Giovanni , Mazzà Daniela , De Seta Francesco , Girotto Giorgia , Sanna Serena
Published: February 2024

Aims

Epidemiological research has shown relevant differences between sexes in clinical manifestations, severity, and progression of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. To date, the mechanisms underlying these differences remain unknown. Given the rising incidence of such diseases, gender-specific research on established and emerging risk factors, such as dysfunction of glycaemic and/or lipid metabolism, of sex hormones and of gut microbiome, is of paramount importance. The relationships between sex hormones, gut microbiome, and host glycaemic and/or lipid metabolism are largely unknown even in the homoeostasis status. Yet this knowledge gap would be pivotal to pinpoint to key mechanisms that are likely to be disrupted in disease context.

Methods and results

Here we present the Women4Health (W4H) cohort, a unique cohort comprising up to 300 healthy women followed up during a natural menstrual cycle, set up with the primary goal to investigate the combined role of sex hormones and gut microbiota variations in regulating host lipid and glucose metabolism during homoeostasis, using a multi-omics strategy. Additionally, the W4H cohort will take into consideration another ecosystem that is unique to women, the vaginal microbiome, investigating its interaction with gut microbiome and exploring—for the first time—its role in cardiometabolic disorders.

Conclusion

The W4H cohort study lays a foundation for improving current knowledge of women-specific mechanisms in cardiometabolic regulation. It aspires to transform insights on host–microbiota interactions into prevention and therapeutic approaches for personalized health care.
Effects of family support system on the self-management behaviour of patients with T2DM: a multi-centre cross-sectional study in community settings
Authors: Zhu Lan , Pan Zhigang , Shen Fulai , Shen Yi , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2024

Background

The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China continues to escalate.

Objective

To investigate the impact of family support system on the self-management behaviour of patients with T2DM.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 1,042 participants were sampled using a multistage stratified probability-proportionate-to-size method. On-site interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire administered by 122 family doctors from 13 community health service centres in 8 administrative districts. A structural equation model was established to investigate the impact of individual factors and family support system on the self-management behaviour of T2DM patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 25.0 software.

Results

The self-management behaviour pass rate among individuals with T2DM was 40.9%. In terms of individual factors, those with a high school education level or above demonstrated higher self-management behaviour scores than those with a junior high school education level or lower. The structural equation model revealed a path of interactions among individual factors, family support system-related factors, and the self-management behaviour of patients with T2DM: Family function → Family support → Patients’ self-management behaviour → Quality of life. The coefficient of the direct path from family function to family support was 0.74 (P < 0.001), while the coefficient of the direct path from family support to self-management behaviour was 0.68 (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

There is significant room for improvement in the self-management behaviour of T2DM patients in China. Family function can enhance the self-management behaviour of T2DM patients by promoting family support.
Hypertension Increases Susceptibility to Experimental Malaria in Mice
Authors: Kandalgaonkar Mrunmayee R , Yeoh Beng San , Joe Bina , Schmidt Nathan W , Vijay-Kumar Matam , Saha Piu
Published: February 2024

Global prevalence of hypertension is on the rise, burdening healthcare, especially in developing countries where infectious diseases, such as malaria, are also rampant. Whether hypertension could predispose or increase susceptibility to malaria, however, has not been extensively explored. Previously, we reported that hypertension is associated with abnormal red blood cell (RBC) physiology and anemia. Since RBC are target host cells for malarial parasite, Plasmodium, we hypothesized that hypertensive patients with abnormal RBC physiology are at greater risk or susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. To test this hypothesis, normotensive (BPN/3J) and hypertensive (BPH/2J) mice were characterized for their RBC physiology and subsequently infected with Plasmodium yoelii (P. yoelii), a murine-specific non-lethal strain. When compared to BPN mice, BPH mice displayed microcytic anemia with RBC highly resistant to osmotic hemolysis. Further, BPH RBC exhibited greater membrane rigidity and an altered lipid composition, as evidenced by higher levels of phospholipids and saturated fatty acid, such as stearate (C18:0), along with lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid like arachidonate (C20:4). Moreover, BPH mice had significantly greater circulating Ter119+ CD71+ reticulocytes, or immature RBC, prone to P. yoelii infection. Upon infection with P. yoelii, BPH mice experienced significant body weight loss accompanied by sustained parasitemia, indices of anemia, and substantial increase in systemic pro-inflammatory mediators, compared to BPN mice, indicating that BPH mice were incompetent to clear P. yoelii infection. Collectively, these data demonstrate that aberrant RBC physiology observed in hypertensive BPH mice contributes to an increased susceptibility to P. yoelii infection and malaria-associated pathology.
Prospective policy analysis—a critical interpretive synthesis review
Authors: Paina Ligia , Young Ruth , Oladapo Oyinkansola , Leandro Jose , Chen Zhixi , Igusa Takeru
Published: February 2024

Most policy analysis methods and approaches are applied retrospectively. As a result, there have been calls for more documentation of the political-economy factors central to health care reforms in real-time. We sought to highlight the methods and previous applications of prospective policy analysis (PPA) in the literature to document purposeful use of PPA and reflect on opportunities and drawbacks. We used a critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) approach as our initial scoping revealed that PPA is inconsistently defined in the literature. While we found several examples of PPA, all were researcher-led, most were published recently and few described mechanisms for engagement in the policy process. In addition, methods used were often summarily described and reported on relatively short prospective time horizons. Most of the studies stemmed from high-income countries and, across our sample, did not always clearly outline the rationale for a PPA and how this analysis was conceptualized. That only about one-fifth of the articles explicitly defined PPA underscores the fact that researchers and practitioners conducting PPA should better document their intent and reflect on key elements essential for PPA. Despite a wide recognition that policy processes are dynamic and ideally require multifaceted and longitudinal examination, the PPA approach is not currently frequently documented in the literature. However, the few articles reported in this paper might overestimate gaps in PPA applications. More likely, researchers are embedded in policy processes prospectively but do not necessarily write their articles from that perspective, and analyses led by non-academics might not make their way into the published literature. Future research should feature examples of testing and refining the proposed framework, as well as designing and reporting on PPA. Even when policy-maker engagement might not be feasible, real-time policy monitoring might have value in and of itself.
The effect of mindfulness-based compassionate living training for informal caregivers of palliative inpatients on burnout and caregiving burden: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kılıç Dilek , Tosun Taşar Pınar , Cengiz Mine
Published: February 2024

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) training given to the informal caregivers of palliative patients on burnout and caregiving burden. A single-blind, randomized, controlled, experimental study was conducted with 54 caregivers of patients admitted to a hospital palliative care unit. The participants were randomly allocated to the experimental group (n = 26) and control group (n = 28). The experimental group received MBCL training twice a week for 4 weeks. Data were collected before and after the intervention using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Caregiver Burden Scale and Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form. The data were analyzed using kurtosis and skewness coefficients, number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, independent samples t test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS version 22.0. The informal caregivers in the experimental group demonstrated a significant decrease in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores and an increase in personal accomplishment and self-compassion scores in posttest assessments after the MBCL intervention (P < 0.05). All of these parameters differed significantly between the experimental and control groups after the intervention (P < 0.05). MBCL training seems to be effective in reducing emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and increasing personal accomplishment and self-compassion among informal caregivers of palliative inpatients. The results of this study can be generalized to the caretakers of patients receiving palliative care in university hospitals.
What drives non-linguists’ hands (or mouse) when drawing mental dialect maps?
Authors: Jeszenszky Péter , Steiner Carina , von Allmen Nina , Leemann Adrian
Published: February 2024

In perceptual dialectology, mental mapping is a popular tool used for eliciting attitudes and the spatial imprint of linguistic cognition from non-linguists, through tasking them with drawing about linguistic variations on maps. Despite the popularity of this method, research on the geometrical parameters of the shapes drawn on these maps has been limited. In our study, we utilized 500 mental maps, both digital and hand-drawn, introducing a new digital implementation for mental mapping (source code available). Our contribution presents the first perceptual dialectological outcomes of the ‘Swiss German Dialects in Time and Space’ project, which recorded a socio-demographically balanced corpus containing a large amount of quantitative personal data about participants that represent the entire Swiss German dialect continuum. Our first research question explores how various sociolinguistic variables and other variables related to personal background influence the geometrical parameters of shapes drawn, such as the number of shapes, their coverage of the language area, and their compactness. Statistical modelling reveals that dialect identity plays the most important role, while educational background, urbanity, and regional differences also affect more parameters. The second research question investigates the comparability between hand-drawn and digital mental maps, showing that they are generally comparable in terms of geometrical aspects, with minor limitations due to specific technical considerations in our digital method.
Gender relations in Spanish theatre during the Silver Age: a quantitative comparison of works in the Spanish Drama Corpus
Authors: Dabrowska Monika , Santa María Fernández María Teresa
Published: February 2024

One of the many changes witnessed by Spanish society at the beginning of the 20th century was the early reshaping of the role of women, including in the realm of theatre. During the first three decades of the new century, Spanish theatre was thriving, favouring the emergence of new gender roles: there were new female playwrights, professional actresses, stage designers, costume designers, theatre company directors, etc. Against this background, i.e. the awakening of female consciousness, it is worth exploring whether the growing position of women in public life goes hand in hand with a greater presence of female characters in the plays composed at that time. With a view to assessing the position of women in playwriting in the Silver Age of Spanish literature, twenty-five stage plays by nine playwrights written between 1878 and 1936 have been analysed, taken from the Spanish Drama Corpus, which forms part of the DraCor project. The distribution of male and female protagonists on stage and the influence of female presence in dramatic conflict have been traced based on quantitative textual factors. The study thus tests the potential of quantitative methods and their scope for the structural analysis of plays and studies on dramatic corpora from a gender perspective.
Gene and Allele-Specific Expression Underlying the Electric Signal Divergence in African Weakly Electric Fish
Authors: Cheng Feng , Dennis Alice B , Baumann Otto , Kirschbaum Frank , Abdelilah-Seyfried Salim , Tiedemann Ralph
Published: February 2024

In the African weakly electric fish genus Campylomormyrus, electric organ discharge signals are strikingly different in shape and duration among closely related species, contribute to prezygotic isolation, and may have triggered an adaptive radiation. We performed mRNA sequencing on electric organs and skeletal muscles (from which the electric organs derive) from 3 species with short (0.4 ms), medium (5 ms), and long (40 ms) electric organ discharges and 2 different cross-species hybrids. We identified 1,444 upregulated genes in electric organ shared by all 5 species/hybrid cohorts, rendering them candidate genes for electric organ–specific properties in Campylomormyrus. We further identified several candidate genes, including KCNJ2 and KLF5, and their upregulation may contribute to increased electric organ discharge duration. Hybrids between a short (Campylomormyrus compressirostris) and a long (Campylomormyrus rhynchophorus) discharging species exhibit electric organ discharges of intermediate duration and showed imbalanced expression of KCNJ2 alleles, pointing toward a cis-regulatory difference at this locus, relative to electric organ discharge duration. KLF5 is a transcription factor potentially balancing potassium channel gene expression, a crucial process for the formation of an electric organ discharge. Unraveling the genetic basis of the species-specific modulation of the electric organ discharge in Campylomormyrus is crucial for understanding the adaptive radiation of this emerging model taxon of ecological (perhaps even sympatric) speciation.
RNA–RNA interactions between respiratory syncytial virus and miR-26 and miR-27 are associated with regulation of cell cycle and antiviral immunity
Authors: Ressel Sarah , Kumar Sujai , Bermúdez-Barrientos Jose Roberto , Gordon Katrina , Lane Julia , Wu Jin , Abreu-Goodger Cei , Schwarze Jürgen , Buck Amy H
Published: February 2024

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate nearly all physiological processes but our understanding of exactly how they function remains incomplete, particularly in the context of viral infections. Here, we adapt a biochemical method (CLEAR-CLIP) and analysis pipeline to identify targets of miRNAs in lung cells infected with Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We show that RSV binds directly to miR-26 and miR-27 through seed pairing and demonstrate that these miRNAs target distinct gene networks associated with cell cycle and metabolism (miR-27) and antiviral immunity (miR-26). Many of the targets are de-repressed upon infection and we show that the miR-27 targets most sensitive to miRNA inhibition are those associated with cell cycle. Finally, we demonstrate that high confidence chimeras map to long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and pseudogenes in transcriptional regulatory regions. We validate that a proportion of miR-27 and Argonaute 2 (AGO2) is nuclear and identify a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) as a miR-27 target that is linked to transcriptional regulation of nearby genes. This work expands the target networks of miR-26 and miR-27 to include direct interactions with RSV and lncRNAs and implicate these miRNAs in regulation of key genes that impact the viral life cycle associated with cell cycle, metabolism, and antiviral immunity.
Virtual brain twins: from basic neuroscience to clinical use
Authors: Wang Huifang E , Triebkorn Paul , Breyton Martin , Dollomaja Borana , Lemarechal Jean-Didier , Petkoski Spase , Sorrentino Pierpaolo , Depannemaecker Damien , Hashemi Meysam , Jirsa Viktor K
Published: February 2024

Virtual brain twins are personalized, generative and adaptive brain models based on data from an individual’s brain for scientific and clinical use. After a description of the key elements of virtual brain twins, we present the standard model for personalized whole-brain network models. The personalization is accomplished using a subject’s brain imaging data by three means: (1) assemble cortical and subcortical areas in the subject-specific brain space; (2) directly map connectivity into the brain models, which can be generalized to other parameters; and (3) estimate relevant parameters through model inversion, typically using probabilistic machine learning. We present the use of personalized whole-brain network models in healthy ageing and five clinical diseases: epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, we introduce spatial masks for relevant parameters and demonstrate their use based on the physiological and pathophysiological hypotheses. Finally, we pinpoint the key challenges and future directions.
A Prolonged Outbreak of Enteric Fever Associated With Illegal Miners in the City of Matlosana, South Africa, November 2020–September 2022
Authors: Sekwadi Phuti , Smith Anthony Marius , Maruma Wellington , Mongologa Gift , Tsele Grace , Ngomane Mimmy , Tau Nomsa , Williams Shannon , Disenyeng Bolele , Sebiloane Mahlaku , Johnston Leigh , Erasmus Linda , Thomas Juno
Published: February 2024

Background

In South Africa, the annual incidence of enteric fever averaged 0.1 per 100 000 persons between 2003 and 2018. During 2021 an increase in the number of enteric fever cases was observed. An outbreak investigation was conducted to determine the magnitude and source of the outbreak.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected through telephonic or face-to-face interviews with cases or proxies via a standardized case investigation form. Whole genome sequencing was performed on all Salmonella Typhi isolates. Drinking water samples were collected, tested, and analyzed. Descriptive analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel.

Results

Between January 2020 and September 2022, a cluster of 53 genetically highly related Salmonella Typhi isolates was identified from 5 provinces in South Africa. Isolates associated with the cluster showed ≤5 allelic differences, as determined following core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis. Most cases (60%, 32/53) were in the North West province. Males represented 68% (36/53). Of these, 72% (26/36) were aged 15 to 49 years, with a median age of 31 years. Where occupation was known within this age group, 78% (14/18) were illegal gold miners. Illegal miners reported illness onset while working underground. Five municipal tap water samples were tested and showed no evidence of fecal contamination.

Conclusions

This outbreak predominantly affected illegal gold miners, likely due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater while working in a gold mine shaft. In addition, this investigation highlights the value of whole genome sequencing to detect clusters and support epidemiologic investigation of enteric fever outbreaks.
Screening putative polyester polyurethane degrading enzymes with semi-automated cell-free expression and nitrophenyl probes
Authors: Ahsan Afrin , Wagner Dominique , Varaljay Vanessa A , Roman Victor , Kelley-Loughnane Nancy , Reuel Nigel F
Published: February 2024

Cell-free expression (CFE) has shown recent utility in prototyping enzymes for discovery efforts. In this work, CFE is demonstrated as an effective tool to screen putative polyester polyurethane degrading enzyme sequences sourced from metagenomic analysis of biofilms prospected on aircraft and vehicles. An automated fluid handler with a controlled temperature block is used to assemble the numerous 30 µL CFE reactions to provide more consistent results over human assembly. In sum, 13 putative hydrolase enzymes from the biofilm organisms as well as a previously verified, polyester-degrading cutinase were expressed using in-house E. coli extract and minimal linear templates. The enzymes were then tested for esterase activity directly in extract using nitrophenyl conjugated substrates, showing highest sensitivity to shorter substrates (4-nitrophenyl hexanoate and 4-nNitrophenyl valerate). This screen identified 10 enzymes with statistically significant activities against these substrates; however, all were lower in measured relative activity, on a CFE volume basis, to the established cutinase control. This approach portends the use of CFE and reporter probes to rapidly prototype, screen and design for synthetic polymer degrading enzymes from environmental consortia.

Graphical Abstract