bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1 in orofacial neuropathic pain: Regulation of pannexin 3 via the reactive oxygen species‐activated P38 MAPK signal pathway
Authors: Feng Yu‐Heng , Tang Ren‐Jie , Zhang Yan‐Yan , Lin Jiu , Liu Ya‐Jing , Li Yi‐Ke , Li Chun‐Jie , Zhou Cheng , Liu Fei , Shen Jie‐Fei
Published: July 2024

The involvement of inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) in neuropathic pain has been established. However, there is limited understanding of the downstream mechanism through which Kir4.1 contributes to orofacial neuropathic pain. The objective of this study was to examine the regulation of Kir4.1 on the expression of pannexin 3 (Panx3) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and the underlying mechanism in the context of orofacial neuropathic pain caused by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI‐ION). The study observed a significant increase in Panx3 expression in the TG of mice with CCI‐ION. Inhibition of Panx3 in the TG of CCI‐ION mice resulted in alleviation of orofacial mechanical allodynia. Furthermore, conditional knockdown (CKD) of Kir4.1 in the TG of both male and female mice led to mechanical allodynia and upregulation of Panx3 expression. Conversely, overexpression of Kir4.1 decreased Panx3 levels in the TG and relieved mechanical allodynia in CCI‐ION mice. In addition, silencing Kir4.1 in satellite glial cells (SGCs) decreased Panx3 expression and increased the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK. Moreover, silencing Kir4.1 in SGCs increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated phosphorylation of P38 MAPK resulting from Kir4.1 silencing was inhibited by using a superoxide scavenger known as the tempol. Silencing Panx3 in the TG in vivo attenuated the mechanical allodynia caused by Kir4.1 CKD. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the reduction of Kir4.1 promotes the expression of Panx3 by activating the ROS‐P38 MAPK signalling pathway, thus contributing to the development of orofacial neuropathic pain.
Should the use of omeprazole be allowed during equestrian competition?
Authors: Campbell Madeleine L. H. , Sykes Benjamin W.
Published: July 2024

Background

Prioritising equine welfare, making evidenced‐based policy, and consistent decision‐making across sports are crucial to maintaining the social licence for equestrian sport. Regulations on the use of omeprazole during competition differ; all regulators argue that their rules prioritise welfare. This discrepancy is a matter of concern to the public and equestrian stakeholders.

Objectives

To apply Campbell's Ethical Framework for the use of Horses in Sport to the question: ‘Should the use of omeprazole be allowed during equestrian competition?’

Study design

A desk‐based ethico‐legal study.

Methods

Campbell's Ethical Framework for the Use of Horses in Sport was applied in a stepwise fashion: definition of the ethical question; analysis of the evidence base; consideration of stakeholders' interests; harm:benefit analysis; application of the three central tenets of the framework, and formulation of conclusions and recommendations.

Results

Stakeholders in equine sports have a variety of (frequently conflicting) interests; all of them share an interest in optimising equine welfare. The incidence of EGUS in competition horses is high. Omeprazole is a cornerstone treatment. There are currently discrepancies in regulation about the use of omeprazole during competitions. Recent evidence suggests that withholding omeprazole treatment for two clear days before competition allows the recurrence of squamous EGUS, whereas withholding treatment on the day of competition only does not have that effect.

Main limitations

The current state of scientific knowledge about the use of omeprazole in horses. The analysis did not consider possible health and thus welfare effects of the out‐of‐competition treatment with omeprazole.

Conclusions

Based on recent scientific evidence, if horses are being treated with omeprazole outside of competition then treatment on the day of competition should be permitted on welfare grounds. Revision of regulations around the use of omeprazole during competition by governing bodies is necessary to safeguard the ethical use of horses in sport.
Multimodal dynamic fusion framework: Multilevel feature fusion guided by prompts
Authors: Pan Lei , Wu Huan‐Qing
Published: July 2024

With the progressive augmentation of parameters in multimodal models, to optimize computational efficiency, some studies have adopted the approach of fine‐tuning the unimodal pre‐training model to achieve multimodal fusion tasks. However, these methods tend to rely solely on simplistic or singular fusion strategies, thereby neglecting more flexible fusion approaches. Moreover, existing methods prioritize the integration of modality features containing highly semantic information, often overlooking the influence of fusing low‐level features on the outcomes. Therefore, this study introduces an innovative approach named multilevel feature fusion guided by prompts (MFF‐GP), a multimodal dynamic fusion framework. It guides the dynamic neural network by prompt vectors to dynamically select the suitable fusion network for each hierarchical feature of the unimodal pre‐training model. This method improves the interactions between multiple modalities and promotes a more efficient fusion of features across them. Extensive experiments on the UPMC Food 101, SNLI‐VE and MM‐IMDB datasets demonstrate that with only a few trainable parameters, MFF‐GP achieves significant accuracy improvements compared to a newly designed PMF based on fine‐tuning—specifically, an accuracy improvement of 2.15% on the UPMC Food 101 dataset and 0.82% on the SNLI‐VE dataset. Further study of the results reveals that increasing the diversity of interactions between distinct modalities is critical and delivers significant performance improvements. Furthermore, for certain multimodal tasks, focusing on the low‐level features is beneficial for modality integration. Our implementation is available at: https://github.com/whq2024/MFF-GP.
Declining glacier cover drives changes in aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú
Authors: Palacios‐Robles Edson , Medina Katy , Loarte Edwin , Castañeda‐Barreto Alberto , Gamboa‐Mendoza Miriam , Polo‐Salazar Rosario , Tapia Pedro , Pellicciotti Francesca , Brown Lee E.
Published: July 2024

Ongoing climate change threatens the biodiversity of glacier‐fed river ecosystems worldwide through shifts in water availability and timing, temperature, chemistry, and channel stability. However, tropical glacier‐fed rivers have received little attention compared to those in temperate and Arctic biomes, despite their unique biodiversity potentially responding differently due to additional stress from higher altitude locations thus lower oxygen availability, diurnal freeze–thaw cycles, and annual monsoon rainfall disturbances. This study quantified aquatic biodiversity responses to decreasing glacier cover in the Cordillera Blanca range of the Peruvian Andes. Ten rivers were studied along a gradient of decreasing glacier cover in the Parón, Huaytapallana, and Llanganuco basins, with a specific focus on macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters in both the dry and wet seasons. We found higher temperatures, more stable and lower turbidity rivers as glacier cover decreased, which were related significantly to higher local diversity and lower β‐diversity. Analysis of similarity revealed significant differences in the macroinvertebrate community among rivers with high, medium, or low glacier cover, illustrating turnover from specialists to generalists as glacial influence decreased. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that there were more species found to prefer stable beds and water temperatures in medium and low glacier cover in a catchment rivers. However, certain taxa in groups such as Paraheptagyia, Orthocladiinae, Anomalocosmoecus, and Limonia may be adapted to high glacial influence habitats and at risk of glacier retreat. Although species composition was different to other biomes, the Cordillera Blanca rivers showed similar benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity responses to glacier retreat, supporting the hypothesis that climate change will have predictable effects on aquatic biodiversity in mountain ranges worldwide.
Patient Perspectives on a Patient‐Facing Tool for Lung Cancer Screening
Authors: Tiase Victoria L. , Richards Grace , Taft Teresa , Stevens Leticia , Balbin Christian , Kaphingst Kimberly A. , Fagerlin Angela , Caverly Tanner , Kukhareva Polina , Flynn Michael , Butler Jorie M. , Kawamoto Kensaku
Published: July 2024

Background

Individuals with high risk for lung cancer may benefit from lung cancer screening, but there are associated risks as well as benefits. Shared decision‐making (SDM) tools with personalized information may provide key support for patients. Understanding patient perspectives on educational tools to facilitate SDM for lung cancer screening may support tool development.

Aim

This study aimed to explore patient perspectives related to a SDM tool for lung cancer screening using a qualitative approach.

Methods

We elicited patient perspectives by showing a provider‐facing SDM tool. Focus group interviews that ranged in duration from 1.5 to 2 h were conducted with 23 individuals with high risk for lung cancer. Data were interpreted inductively using thematic analysis to identify patients' thoughts on and desires for a patient‐facing SDM tool.

Results

The findings highlight that patients would like to have educational information related to lung cancer screening. We identified several key themes to be considered in the future development of patient‐facing tools: barriers to acceptance, preference against screening and seeking empowerment. One further theme illustrated effects of patient–provider relationship as a limitation to meeting lung cancer screening information needs. Participants also noted several suggestions for the design of technology decision aids.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that patients desire additional information on lung cancer screening in advance of clinical visits. However, there are several issues that must be considered in the design and development of technology to meet the information needs of patients for lung cancer screening decisions.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients, service users, caregivers or members of the public were not involved in the study design, conduct, analysis or interpretation of the data. However, clinical experts in health communication provided detailed feedback on the study protocol, including the focus group approach. The study findings contribute to a better understanding of patient expectations for lung cancer screening decisions and may inform future development of tools for SDM.
Isotretinoin as a promising option in the treatment of facial papules of frontal fibrosing alopecia
Authors: Beyzaee Amir Mohammad , Babaei Mahsa , Ghoreishi Bahare , Waśkiel‐Burnat Anna , Rudnicka Lidia , Starace Michela , Tosti Antonella , Patil Anant , Sinclair Rodney , Goldust Mohamad , Rahmatpour Rokni Ghasem
Published: July 2024

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary cicatricial alopecia characterized by hairline recession, pruritus, and facial papules (FP). Various therapies are used to stabilize disease activity and induce remission. However, FP of FFA is resistant to treatment in many cases. In this review, we searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to screen the published literature on treatment options for FP in the context of FFA. Overall, 12 studies were included in this review. Available literature suggests a noticeable improvement in resistant‐to‐treatment FP in FFA patients with oral isotretinoin. The available evidence is limited and is derived from retrospective studies and case reports/series. Systemic isotretinoin can be considered a promising therapeutic regimen for treating resistant‐to‐treatment FP of FFA patients. However, more extensive, well‐designed studies are necessary for confirmatory evidence.
New experimental model to evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy and viscosity exudates in foam dressings using confocal microscopy
Authors: de la Fuente Patricia Zorrilla , Suescún Federico Castillo , Lázaro‐Martínez José Luis , Sancibrian Herrera Ramón , Peralta Fernández Galo
Published: July 2024

Negative pressure wound therapy is currently one of the most popular treatment approaches that provide a series of benefits to facilitate healing, including increased local blood perfusion with reduced localized oedema and control of wound exudate. The porous foam dressing is a critical element in the application of this therapy and its choice is based on its ability to manage exudate. Industry standards often employ aqueous solutions devoid of proteins to assess dressing performance. However, such standardized tests fail to capture the intricate dynamics of real wounds, oversimplifying the evaluation process. This study aims to evaluate the technical characteristics of two different commercial polyurethane foam dressings during negative pressure wound therapy. We introduce an innovative experimental model designed to evaluate the effects of this therapy on foam dressings in the presence of viscous exudates. Our findings reveal a proportional increase in dressing fibre occupancy as pressure intensifies, leading to a reduction in dressing pore size. The tests underscore the pressure system's diminished efficacy in fluid extraction with increasing fluid viscosity. Our discussion points to the need of establishing standardized guidelines for foam dressing selection based on pore size and the necessity of incorporating real biological exudates into industrial standards.
Spark plasma sintering of sodium bismuth niobate that exhibits superior piezoelectric performance
Authors: Li Guo‐Hao , Wang Qian , Chen Juan‐Nan , Zhao Ming‐Lei , Wang Chun‐Ming
Published: July 2024

High‐performance piezoelectric ceramic materials are required for piezoelectric sensors under harsh conditions in nuclear power plants, aeronautics, and aerospace. In this work, a lead‐free high‐Curie‐temperature (TC ∼792°C) Aurivillius‐type sodium bismuth niobate, Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 (NBN), was fabricated through spark plasma sintering (SPS). The textured NBN ceramics with a high orientation factor of 83% exhibit significantly enhanced piezoelectric performance with a piezoelectric constant d33 of 31.2 pC/N, three times higher than that of nontextured NBN (d33 ∼ 11.6 pC/N). More importantly, the textured NBN ceramics maintain excellent electrical properties at high temperature, with a high in situ d33 of 35.9 pC/N, very low dielectric loss tanδ = 2.5% (@ 100 kHz) and high dc electrical resistivity ρ of 7.5 MΩ cm at 500°C. These results suggest that the textured NBN ceramics are good high‐temperature piezoelectric ceramic materials, and have promising applications in the field of high‐temperature piezoelectric sensors.
Do investors differentiate between types of component auditors? Evidence from auditor ratification voting
Authors: Chintha Bullipe R. , Mahapatro Sriniwas
Published: July 2024

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's Rule 3211 mandates firms to disclose the types of component auditors employed and their contribution to the overall audit. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach, we examine the effect of the disclosure of component auditor usage on shareholder dissatisfaction. We find that multinational companies (MNCs) reporting higher use of large component auditors (LCAs), defined as component auditors contributing materially to the audit, experience a 17% decrease in shareholder votes against (or abstaining from) auditor ratification compared to MNCs with lower usage. This effect is more pronounced for firms with high institutional shareholding. We fail to find evidence of any effect on firms with the higher usage of small component auditors (SCAs). Our findings are robust to various definitions for treated and control firms. Our results support the view that, on average, LCAs offer higher “local” benefits and impose lower coordination costs compared to SCAs.
Social networks, promotions, and the glass‐ceiling effect
Authors: Neugart Michael , Zaharieva Anna
Published: July 2024

Empirical studies show that women have lower chances of reaching top management positions, known as the glass‐ceiling effect. To study women's careers, we develop a search and matching model where job ladders consist of three hierarchical levels and workers can progress in the career by means of internal promotions or by transitioning to another firm. Both, formal applications and referral hiring via endogenous social networks can be used for moving between firms. We show that when female workers are minority in the labor market and social link formation is gender‐biased (homophilous), there are too few female contacts in the social networks of their male colleagues. This disadvantage implies that female workers are referred less often and, thereby, become underrepresented in top‐level management positions of firms relative to their fraction in the market. Our main theoretical results are consistent with the empirical evidence based on the German Socio‐Economic Panel.
The facilitators and barriers to implementing virtual visits in intensive care units: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Li Mengyao , Shi Tian , Chen Juan , Ding Jiali , Gao Xianru , Zeng Qingping , Zhang Jingyue , Ma Qiang , Liu Xiaoguang , Yu Hailong , Lu Guangyu , Li Yuping
Published: July 2024

Background

Visitation has a positive effect on patients and families, yet, it can disrupt intensive care unit (ICU) care and increase the risk of patient infections, which previously favoured face‐to‐face visits. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has raised the importance of virtual visits and led to their widespread adoption globally, there are still many implementation barriers that need to be improved. Therefore, this review aimed to explore the use of ICU virtual visit technology during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the barriers and facilitators of virtual visits to improve virtual visits in ICUs.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, six databases (CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], PubMed, Cochrane, VIP and Wang Fang databases) were searched for empirical studies published between 1 January 2020 and 22 October 2023. Studies that investigated and reported barriers to and facilitators of implementing virtual visits in ICUs during the COVID‐19 pandemic were included. Evidence from the included studies was identified and thematically analysed using Thomas and Harden's three‐step approach. Study quality was appraised with the Mixed‐Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results

A total of 6770 references were screened, of which 35 studies met the inclusion criteria after a full‐text review. Eight main barriers to virtual visits use were identified: technical difficulties; insufficient resources; lack of physical presence and nonverbal information; low technical literacy; differences in families' perceptions of visual cues; privacy and ethics issues; inequitable access and use of virtual visit technology; and lack of advance preparation. Four facilitating factors of virtual visit use were identified: providing multidimensional professional support; strengthening coordination services; understanding the preferences of patients and their families; and enhancing privacy and security protection. In the quality appraisal of 35 studies, 12 studies were rated as low, five as medium and 18 as high methodological quality.

Conclusion

This review identified key facilitating factors and barriers to ICU virtual visits, which can foster the development of infrastructure, virtual visiting workflows, guidelines, policies and visiting systems to improve ICU virtual visiting services. Further studies are necessary to identify potential solutions to the identified barriers.
Validation of the HemoCue Hb 801 portable haemoglobin analyser for fish blood
Authors: Henze Joana , Kamperin Sofia , Metsmaa Eric , Alcocer Arboleda Lizeth , Calocany Aramendia M. Iranzu , Sundell Erika , Hedén Ida , Warwas Niklas , Roques Jonathan A. C.
Published: July 2024

Haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) assessment in fish blood has become a routine parameter to measure the health and welfare status of the animals. The original method (haemoglobincyanide method, best known as the Drabkin method) for measuring Hb in human and animals is not well suited for work outside of a laboratory setting. It is relatively time consuming, contains hazardous cyanide elements, and requires specific laboratory material. As an alternative to the Drabkin method, portable analysers have been developed for human blood, but they need to be first validated for fish blood before being used in experiments. In this study, the performance of the new HemoCue Hb 801 portable haemoglobin analyser was compared to the validated Drabkin method to determine [Hb] in three fish species. Hb readings between the two methods were not different for any of the species tested (rainbow trout, Onchorynchus mykiss, Atlantic wolffish, Anarhichas lupus, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus). Therefore, this new portable device can be readily used to measure Hb in fish blood. Unlike the previous model from HemoCue, the Hb 201+, this device does not need an incubation time or a correction factor, representing a major gain of time and precision.
Microbiota of black tea at different manufacturing stages
Authors: Karunaratne S. H. S. , Abeygunawardena G. A. S. I. , Jayaratne D. L. , Premakumara G. A. S. , Chandrasekharan N. V.
Published: July 2024

In recent decades, the consumption of tea has increased due to its various associated health benefits, prompting growing concerns regarding the safety and quality of tea products. Nevertheless, there has been a significant dearth of scientific information regarding the microbiological status of black tea leaves. This study sought to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the microflora present in tea leaves at various processing stages of black tea production. Samples were meticulously collected during distinct processing steps, and their culturable microorganisms were identified through sequence‐based methods. The results revealed that the predominant bacterial genus throughout the tea manufacturing process was Bacillus, constituting a substantial 77% of the identified bacterial population. Other leading genera included Klebsiella (8%), Lysinibacillus (4%), Escherichia (2%) with the remaining 9% comprising various other genera. Among the fungal community, Aspergillus and Penicillium species exhibited a significantly higher relative abundance, each comprising 24%. Furthermore, yeast communities included Debaryomyces, Candida, Hyphopichia, Rhodosporidiobolus, and Wickerhamomyces species. Lactobacillus fermentum was identified in the fermented tea leaves, highlighting its role in the fermentation process. Yeasts and molds were also present in the final tea product, indicating potential post‐processing contamination. The study did not detect any mycotoxins in any of the samples. These findings had indicated that presence of some microorganisms is extremely common in different processing stages while alien microorganisms are being introduced during manufacturing. Thus, emphasizing the need for stringent regulations and quality assurance practices within the tea industry to ensure the safety and quality.
A scoping review of geriatric emergency medicine research transparency in diversity, equity, and inclusion reporting
Authors: Chary Anita N. , Suh Michelle , Ordoñez Edgardo , Cameron‐Comasco Lauren , Ahmad Surriya , Zirulnik Alexander , Hardi Angela , Landry Alden , Ramont Vivian , Obi Tracey , Weaver Emily H. , Carpenter Christopher R.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The intersection of ageism and racism is underexplored in geriatric emergency medicine (GEM) research.

Methods

We performed a scoping review of research published between January 2016 and December 2021. We included original emergency department‐based research focused on falls, delirium/dementia, medication safety, and elder abuse. We excluded manuscripts that did not include (1) original research data pertaining to the four core topics, (2) older adults, (3) subjects from the United States, and (4) for which full text publication could not be obtained. The primary objective was to qualitatively describe reporting about older adults' social identities in GEM research. Secondary objectives were to describe (1) the extent of inclusion of minoritized older adults in GEM research, (2) GEM research about health equity, and (3) feasible approaches to improve the status quo of GEM research reporting.

Results

After duplicates were removed, 3277 citations remained and 883 full‐text articles were reviewed, of which 222 met inclusion criteria. Four findings emerged. First, race and ethnicity reporting was inconsistent. Second, research rarely provided a rationale for an age threshold used to define geriatric patients. Third, GEM research more commonly reported sex than gender. Fourth, research commonly excluded older adults with cognitive impairment and speakers of non‐English primary languages.

Conclusion

Meaningful assessment of GEM research inclusivity is limited by inconsistent reporting of sociodemographic characteristics, specifically race and ethnicity. Reporting of sociodemographic characteristics should be standardized across different study designs. Strategies are needed to include in GEM research older adults with cognitive impairment and non‐English primary languages.
Providing better care for dually insured Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries with advanced chronic illness
Authors: Boling Peter , Taler George , Kinosian Bruce
Published: July 2024

This editorial comments on the article by Kim et al.
Sphingolipid inhibitor response gene GhMYB86 controls fiber elongation by regulating microtubule arrangement
Authors: Xu Fan , Li Guiming , He Shengyang , Zeng Zhifeng , Wang Qiaoling , Zhang Hongju , Yan Xingying , Hu Yulin , Tian Huidan , Luo Ming
Published: July 2024

Although the cell membrane and cytoskeleton play essential roles in cellular morphogenesis, the interaction between the membrane and cytoskeleton is poorly understood. Cotton fibers are extremely elongated single cells, which makes them an ideal model for studying cell development. Here, we used the sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor, fumonisin B1 (FB1), and found that it effectively suppressed the myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor GhMYB86, thereby negatively affecting fiber elongation. A direct target of GhMYB86 is GhTUB7, which encodes the tubulin protein, the major component of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Interestingly, both the overexpression of GhMYB86 and GhTUB7 caused an ectopic microtubule arrangement at the fiber tips, and then leading to shortened fibers. Moreover, we found that GhMBE2 interacted with GhMYB86 and that FB1 and reactive oxygen species induced its transport into the nucleus, thereby enhancing the promotion of GhTUB7 by GhMYB86. Overall, we established a GhMBE2‐GhMYB86‐GhTUB7 regulation module for fiber elongation and revealed that membrane sphingolipids affect fiber elongation by altering microtubule arrangement.
I need new friends! Changes in perceived peer drinking norms and developmental outcomes across the transition to college
Authors: Benner Aprile D. , Shen Yishan , Kloska Deborah D.
Published: July 2024

The current study investigated changes in proximal descriptive alcohol use norms from high school to college, social integration as a predictor of stable versus shifting peer norms, and the consequences of norm profile membership for developmental outcomes. Using data (N = 9753 12th grade students; 59% female; 80% White, 7% Black, 5% Hispanic, 5% Asian/Pacific Islander, 3% other races/ethnicities) from the Monitoring the Future panel study, we identified five distinct norm profiles—three stable profiles (high, moderate‐high, and low) and two shifting profiles (increasing, declining)—that had unique patterns of perceived friend alcohol use norms. Social integration distinguished norm profile membership, and we observed particular detriments to outcomes for those in the stable high peer norm profile.
Presenting objects for random allocation
Authors: Liu Peng , Xu Sijia
Published: July 2024

For random allocation, whether a desirable rule exists or not hinges on the domain of agents' preferences, whose formation is affected by how objects are presented. We hence propose a model studying how to present objects so that the induced preference domain allows for designing a good rule. Motivated by practices in reality, we model the objects as combinations of several attribute values and a presentation of objects concerns a choice of presenting attributes and a ranking of them. Agents are assumed to formulate their preferences in a lexicographic manner according to the given presentation. We show that the domain of preferences induced by a presentation allows for a strategy‐proof, efficient, and envy‐free rule if and only if the presented attributes are conditionally binary.
The electroretinography to identify biomarkers of idiopathic hypersomnia and narcolepsy type 1
Authors: Rach Héloïse , Kilic‐Huck Ulker , Geoffroy Pierre A. , Bourcier Tristan , Braun Sophie , Comtet Henri , Ruppert Elisabeth , Hugueny Laurence , Hebert Marc , Reynaud Eve , Bourgin Patrice
Published: July 2024

Hypersomnia spectrum disorders are underdiagnosed and poorly treated due to their heterogeneity and absence of biomarkers. The electroretinography has been proposed as a proxy of central dysfunction and has proved to be valuable to differentiate certain psychiatric disorders. Hypersomnolence is a shared core feature in central hypersomnia and psychiatric disorders. We therefore aimed to identify biomarkers by studying the electroretinography profile in patients with narcolepsy type 1, idiopathic hypersomnia and in controls. Cone, rod and retinal ganglion cells electrical activity were recorded with flash‐electroretinography in non‐dilated eye of 31 patients with idiopathic hypersomnia (women 84%, 26.6 ± 5.9 years), 19 patients with narcolepsy type 1 (women 63%, 36.6 ± 12.7 years) and 43 controls (women 58%, 30.6 ± 9.3 years). Reduced cone a‐wave amplitude (p = 0.039) and prolonged cone (p = 0.022) and rod b‐wave (p = 0.009) latencies were observed in patients with narcolepsy type 1 as compared with controls, while prolonged photopic negative response‐wave latency (retinal ganglion cells activity) was observed in patients with idiopathic hypersomnia as compared with controls (p = 0.033). The rod and cone b‐wave latency clearly distinguished narcolepsy type 1 from idiopathic hypersomnia and controls (area under the curve > 0.70), and the photopic negative response‐wave latency distinguished idiopathic hypersomnia and narcolepsy type 1 from controls with an area under the curve > 0.68. This first original study shows electroretinography anomalies observed in patients with hypersomnia. Narcolepsy type 1 is associated with impaired cone and rod responses, whereas idiopathic hypersomnia is associated with impaired retinal ganglion cells response, suggesting different phototransduction alterations in both hypersomnias. Although these results need to be confirmed with a larger sample size, the electroretinography may be a promising tool for clinicians to differentiate hypersomnia subtypes.
Historically marginalized groups and ideological representation in legislatures
Authors: Acquarone Iris E. , Di Landro Gonzalo
Published: July 2024

A widespread assumption in political science research and among the public is that politicians from marginalized groups, including women, disadvantaged racial–ethnic groups, and younger adults, are more leftist than their counterparts. However, empirical evidence to substantiate this claim is generally scarce. In this letter, we analyze three decades of individual‐level elite data from Latin America and find that MPs from marginalized groups tend not to differ ideologically from MPs from dominant groups, nor is their inclusion associated with posterior changes in their party's ideology. These results challenge common misconceptions about elite ideology and contribute to bridging two lively literatures on the ideological and inclusionary transformations shaping current Western democracies.
Historical and contemporary processes driving the origin and structure of an admixed population within a contact zone between subspecies of a north temperate diadromous fish
Authors: Liu Amy , Geraldes Armando , Taylor Eric B.
Published: July 2024

Hybridization between divergent lineages can result in losses of distinct evolutionary taxa. Alternatively, hybridization can lead to increased genetic variability that may fuel local adaptation and the generation of novel traits and/or taxa. Here, we examined single‐nucleotide polymorphisms generated using genotyping‐by‐sequencing in a population of Dolly Varden char (Pisces: Salmonidae) that is highly admixed within a contact zone between two subspecies (Salvelinus malma malma, Northern Dolly Varden [NDV] and S. m. lordi, Southern Dolly Varden [SDV]) in southwestern Alaska to assess the spatial distribution of hybrids and to test hypotheses on the origin of the admixed population. Ancestry analysis revealed that this admixed population is composed of advanced generation hybrids between NDV and SDV or advanced backcrosses to SDV; no F1 hybrids were detected. Coalescent‐based demographic modelling supported the origin of this population about 55,000 years ago by secondary contact between NDV and SDV with low levels of contemporary gene flow. Ancestry in NDV and SDV varies within the watershed and ancestry in NDV was positively associated with distance upstream from the sea, contingent on habitat‐type sampled, and negatively associated with the number of migrations that individual fish made to the sea. Our results suggest that divergence between subspecies over hundreds of thousands of years may not be associated with significant reproductive isolation, but that elevated diversity owing to hybridization may have contributed to adaptive divergence in habitat use and life history.
Isolation by environment and its consequences for range shifts with global change: Landscape genomics of the invasive plant common tansy
Authors: Briscoe Runquist Ryan , Moeller David A.
Published: July 2024

Invasive species are a growing global economic and ecological problem. However, it is not well understood how environmental factors mediate invasive range expansion. In this study, we investigated the recent and rapid range expansion of common tansy across environmental gradients in Minnesota, USA. We densely sampled individuals across the expanding range and performed reduced representation sequencing to generate a dataset of 3071 polymorphic loci for 176 individuals. We used non‐spatial and spatially explicit analyses to determine the relative influences of geographic distance and environmental variation on patterns of genomic variation. We found no evidence for isolation by distance but strong evidence for isolation by environment, indicating that environmental factors may have modulated patterns of range expansion. Land use classification and soils were particularly important variables related to population structure although they operated on different spatial scales; land use classification was related to broad‐scale patterns and soils were related to fine‐scale patterns. All analyses indicated a distinctive genetic cluster in the most recently invaded portion of the range. Individuals from the far northwestern range margin were separated from the remainder of the range by reduced migration, which was associated with environmental resistance. This portion of the range was invaded primarily in the last 15 years. Ecological niche models also indicated that this cluster was associated with the expansion of the niche. While invasion is often assumed to be primarily influenced by dispersal limitation, our results suggest that ongoing invasion and range shifts with climate change may be strongly affected by environmental heterogeneity.
A non‐contact identification method of overweight vehicles based on computer vision and deep learning
Authors: Li Daoheng , Liu Meiyu , Yang Lu , Wei Han , Guo Jie
Published: July 2024

The phenomenon of overweight vehicles severely threatens traffic safety and the service life of transportation infrastructure. Rapid and effective identification of overweight vehicles is of significant importance for maintaining the healthy operation of highways and bridges and ensuring the safety of people's lives and property. With the problems of high cost and low efficiency, the traditional vehicle weighing systems can only meet some of the requirements of different scenarios. The development of artificial intelligence technologies, especially deep learning, has greatly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of computer vision. To this end, the paper proposes a method using computer vision and deep learning for the non‐contact identification of overweight vehicles. By constructing two deep learning models and combining them with the vehicle vibration model and relevant specifications, the weight and maximum allowable weight of the vehicle are obtained to make a comparison for determining overweight. Experimental verification was performed using a two‐axle vehicle as an illustrative example, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits excellent feasibility and effectiveness. It shows significant potential in real‐world scenarios, laying a research foundation for practical engineering applications. Additionally, it provides a reference for the governance and decision‐making of overweight issues for relevant authorities.
Construing the function of N‐terminal domain of D29 mycobacteriophage LysA endolysin in phage lytic efficiency and proliferation
Authors: Gangakhedkar Rutuja , Jain Vikas
Published: July 2024

Endolysins produced by bacteriophages hydrolyze host cell wall peptidoglycan to release newly assembled virions. D29 mycobacteriophage specifically infects mycobacteria including the pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis. D29 encodes LysA endolysin, which hydrolyzes mycobacterial cell wall peptidoglycan. We previously showed that LysA harbors two catalytic domains (N‐terminal domain [NTD] and lysozyme‐like domain [LD]) and a C‐terminal cell wall binding domain (CTD). While the importance of LD and CTD in mycobacteriophage biology has been examined in great detail, NTD has largely remained unexplored. Here, to address NTD's significance in D29 physiology, we generated NTD‐deficient D29 (D29∆NTD) by deleting the NTD‐coding region from D29 genome using CRISPY‐BRED. We show that D29∆NTD is viable, but has a longer latent period, and a remarkably reduced burst size and plaque size. A large number of phages were found to be trapped in the host during the D29∆NTD‐mediated cell lysis event. Such poor release of progeny phages during host cell lysis strongly suggests that NTD‐deficient LysA produced by D29∆NTD, despite having catalytically‐active LD, is unable to efficiently lyse host bacteria. We thus conclude that LysA NTD is essential for optimal release of progeny virions, thereby playing an extremely vital role in phage physiology and phage propagation in the environment.
Desire and Debt Satisfaction in Anselm of Canterbury and Hadewijch of Brabant
Authors: Landrith Robin
Published: July 2024

“Satisfaction” is the famous epithet given to Anselm's atonement theory. Less well appreciated even in modern retrievals of Hadewijch's work is the centrality of “satisfaction” as a concept for her, being just as technical but more theologically extensive in her writing than it is in Anselm's. Despite cultural similarities, the meaning of satisfaction in their respective works differs. This article argues that the difference between the concepts of satisfaction in Anselm's Cur Deus Homo and Hadewijch's Brieven depends on the difference between the meaning of the “debt” that the satisfying act satisfies. Anselm's “satisfaction” (satisfactio) responds to the debt created by sin, while Hadewijch's “satisfaction” (ghenoeghen) responds to the debt created by love's demand—a debt not only, or even primarily, of the beloved to the lover, but of the lover to the beloved. Departing from depictions of debt in both medieval and modern theology, Hadewijch presents indebtedness per se not as a point of contrast between human beings and God. Instead, she suggests that atonement recreates human understanding to perceive the original meaning of debt, which is the debt of love that the divine persons “eternally demand and eternally render” from and for each other.
Integrating high‐throughput phenotyping and genome‐wide association studies for enhanced drought resistance and yield prediction in wheat
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Qu Yunfeng , Ma Feifei , Lv Qian , Zhu Xiaojing , Guo Guanghui , Li Mengmeng , Yang Wei , Que Beibei , Zhang Yun , He Tiantian , Qiu Xiaolong , Deng Hui , Song Jingyan , Liu Qian , Wang Baoqi , Ke Youlong , Bai Shenglong , Li Jingyao , Lv Linlin , Li Ranzhe , Wang Kai , Li Hao , Feng Hui , Huang Jinling , Yang Wanneng , Zhou Yun , Song Chun‐Peng
Published: July 2024

Drought, especially terminal drought, severely limits wheat growth and yield. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind the drought response in wheat is essential for developing drought‐resistant varieties. This study aimed to dissect the genetic architecture and high‐yielding wheat ideotypes under terminal drought.

An automated high‐throughput phenotyping platform was used to examine 28 392 image‐based digital traits (i‐traits) under different drought conditions during the flowering stage of a natural wheat population. Of the i‐traits examined, 17 073 were identified as drought‐related. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) identified 5320 drought‐related significant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 27 SNP clusters.

A notable hotspot region controlling wheat drought tolerance was discovered, in which TaPP2C6 was shown to be an important negative regulator of the drought response. The tapp2c6 knockout lines exhibited enhanced drought resistance without a yield penalty. A haplotype analysis revealed a favored allele of TaPP2C6 that was significantly correlated with drought resistance, affirming its potential value in wheat breeding programs.

We developed an advanced prediction model for wheat yield and drought resistance using 24 i‐traits analyzed by machine learning. In summary, this study provides comprehensive insights into the high‐yielding ideotype and an approach for the rapid breeding of drought‐resistant wheat.
Care biography: A concept analysis
Authors: Tieu Matthew , Allande‐Cussó Regina , Collier Aileen , Cochrane Tom , Pinero de Plaza Maria A. , Lawless Michael , Feo Rebecca , Perimal‐Lewis Lua , Thamm Carla , Hendriks Jeroen M. , Lee Jane , George Stacey , Laver Kate , Kitson Alison
Published: July 2024

In this article, we investigate how the concept of Care Biography and related concepts are understood and operationalised and describe how it can be applied to advancing our understanding and practice of holistic and person‐centred care. Walker and Avant's eight‐step concept analysis method was conducted involving multiple database searches, with potential or actual applications of Care Biography identified based on multiple discussions among all authors. Our findings demonstrate Care Biography to be a novel overarching concept derived from the conjunction of multiple other concepts and applicable across multiple care settings. Concepts related to Care Biography exist but were more narrowly defined and mainly applied in intensive care, aged care, and palliative care settings. They are associated with the themes of Meaningfulness and Existential Coping, Empathy and Understanding, Promoting Positive Relationships, Social and Cultural Contexts, and Self‐Care, which we used to inform and refine our concept analysis of Care Biography. In Conclusion, the concept of Care Biography, can provide a deeper understanding of a person and their care needs, facilitate integrated and personalised care, empower people to be in control of their care throughout their life, and help promote ethical standards of care.
‘You Just Struggle on Your Own’: Exploring Older People and Their Caregivers' Perspectives About Falls Prevention Education in Hospitals
Authors: Hill Anne‐Marie , Vaz Sharmila , Francis‐Coad Jacqueline , Flicker Leon , Morris Meg E. , Weselman Tammy
Published: July 2024

Background

Providing older patients with an opportunity to participate in individualised falls preventive education, has been shown to reduce hospital falls. However, few studies have explored older peoples' perspectives of hospital falls prevention education. This study aimed to explore older people and their caregivers' knowledge and awareness about hospital falls prevention, including their reflections on the education they received when hospitalised.

Methods

A qualitative, exploratory study with focus groups and semistructured interviews was conducted. Participants were a purposively selected sample of community‐dwelling older people (65+ years) admitted to a hospital in the past 5 years and caregivers of older people. Data were thematically analysed using deductive and inductive approaches, and a capability–opportunity–motivation–behaviour model was applied to understand key determinants of implementing falls education for hospitalised older people.

Results

Participants' [n = 46 (older people n = 37, age range 60–89 years), caregivers n = 9] feedback identified five themes: distress and disempowerment if the participant did have a hospital fall or nearly fell, anxiety and uncertainty about what behaviour was required while in hospital, insufficient and inconsistent falls prevention education, inadequate communication and underlying attitudes of ageism. Applying a behaviour change model suggested that older people and their caregivers did not develop falls prevention knowledge, awareness or motivation to engage in falls prevention behaviour. Older people were also provided with limited opportunities to engage in falls preventive behaviour while in hospital.

Conclusion

Older people in our study received sporadic education about falls prevention during their hospital admissions which did not raise their awareness and knowledge about the risk of falls or their capability to engage in safe falls preventive behaviour. Conflicting messages may result in older people feeling confused and anxious about staying safe in hospital.
How international are public administration journals? An analysis of the persistent Anglo‐American dominance in public administration journals
Authors: Liu Jianzheng , Xu Yifei , Zhang Xinyun , Yu Wenxuan , Zhong Haotian
Published: July 2024

This study provides a comprehensive and up‐to‐date assessment of four dimensions (editors, editorial board members, authors, and geographical focus of research) of the internationalization of 45 major public administration journals and examines whether and how one dimension is related to the others. We find that Anglo‐American dominance is significant and persistent across all four dimensions in most public administration journals during 2011–2020, with the dimension of editors being the most pronounced, followed by the dimension of editorial board members, the authors' dimension, and the dimension of geographical focus of research. There are notable differences between journals. Further analyses show that the Anglo‐American dominance in editors has a self‐perpetuating tendency and is likely to lead to the Anglo‐American dominance in editorial board members, which is further significantly and positively associated with the Anglo‐American dominance in authors and the Anglo‐American dominance in geographical foci of research in public administration journals.