bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Multiseason Sentinel-2 Imagery for Classifying and Mapping Grassland Condition
Authors: Guevara-Torres Diego R. , Facelli José M. , Ostendorf Bertram
Published: March 2024

Assessing the condition of ecosystems is imperative for understanding their degree of degradation and managing their conservation. The increasing availability of remote sensing products offers unprecedented opportunities for mapping vegetation with high detail and accuracy. However, mapping complex ecosystems, like grasslands, remains challenging due to their heterogeneity in vegetation composition and structure. Furthermore, degraded ecosystems affected by invasive vegetation present different condition levels within vegetation classes, limiting the accuracy of classifications and condition assessment. Here, we evaluated the capacity of Sentinel-2 multispectral time series imagery as an input for classifying different levels of cover within a vegetation class to detect the subtle differences needed to assess the condition of degraded ecosystems. Our study was conducted in the iron-grasslands of South Australia, a perennial tussock grassland dominated by iron-grasses (Lomandra spp.) and severely affected by invasive annual grasses. We developed random forest models to discriminate classes defined by the cover of iron-grasses, wild oats (Avena barbata), and woodland (training points = 250). We tested the importance of data seasonality, spatial resolution, spectral bands, and vegetation indices. The combination of spatial, temporal, and spectral detail produced the best classification results. Random forest classifications performed best at 10 m resolution, suggesting that detailed resolution outweighs spectral detail for discriminating vegetation patterns in systems with high spatial heterogeneity. The model at 10 m resolution combining all periods and all variables (spectral bands and vegetation indices) produced a mean kappa coefficient of 56% and a mean overall accuracy of 67%. The dry season imagery and vegetation indices emerged as the most informative, suggesting that vegetation classes presented different phenological properties critical for their discrimination. Our study contributes to mapping complex ecosystems, facilitating the discrimination of different levels of condition in grasslands degraded by invasive species, and thus benefits the conservation of native grasslands and other ecosystems.
Too Much Salt to My Taste: An Entity to Think about in Neonatal Hypernatremia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: El Masri Marwa , Samotiy-Hanna Lidiya , Ghabril Ramy , Nassif Yolla , Al Hamod Dany
Published: March 2024

In exclusively breastfed newborns, hypernatremic dehydration is associated with a free water deficit secondary to insufficient fluid intake. Failure of newborns to regain their birth weight by the 10th day of life should be investigated urgently. In this report, we present a case of a 2 ‐week‐old girl who presented to our institution for 30% weight loss and was found to have severe hypernatremic dehydration associated with acute renal failure (creatinine 4 mg/dL). Upon further investigation, the breast milk sodium content was found to be extremely elevated (90 mEq/L). To our knowledge, the following reported case of severe neonatal hypernatremic dehydration associated with acute renal failure has the most elevated breast milk sodium content, serum sodium, and serum creatinine levels described in the literature. Thus, hypernatremic dehydration secondary to elevated breast milk content should always be borne in mind and investigated whenever suspected.
A Phase II Open-Label Randomized Clinical Trial of Preoperative Durvalumab or Durvalumab plus Tremelimumab in Resectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Chang Gon , Hong Min Hee , Kim Dahee , Lee Brian Hyohyoung , Kim Hyunwook , Ock Chan-Young , Kelly Geoffrey , Bang Yoon Ji , Kim Gamin , Lee Jung Eun , Kim Chaeyeon , Kim Se-Heon , Hong Hyun Jun , Park Young Min , Sim Nam Suk , Park Heejung , Park Jin Woo , Lee Chang Geol , Kim Kyung Hwan , Park Goeun , Jung Inkyung , Han Dawoon , Kim Jong Hoon , Cha Junha , Lee Insuk , Kang Mingu , Song Heon , Oum Chiyoon , Kim Seulki , Kim Sukjun , Lim Yoojoo , Kim-Schulze Seunghee , Merad Miriam , Yoon Sun Och , Kim Hyun Je , Koh Yoon Woo , Kim Hye Ryun
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

Clinical implications of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with locally advanced but resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain largely unexplored.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with resectable HNSCC were randomized to receive a single dose of preoperative durvalumab (D) with or without tremelimumab (T) before resection, followed by postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy based on multidisciplinary discretion and 1-year D treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI)–powered spatial distribution analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and high-dimensional profiling of circulating immune cells tracked dynamic intratumoral and systemic immune responses.

Results:

Of the 48 patients enrolled (D, 24 patients; D+T, 24 patients), 45 underwent surgical resection per protocol (D, 21 patients; D+T, 24 patients). D±T had a favorable safety profile and did not delay surgery. Distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) was significantly better in patients treated with D+T than in those treated with D monotherapy. AI-powered whole-slide image analysis demonstrated that D+T significantly reshaped the tumor microenvironment toward immune-inflamed phenotypes, in contrast with the D monotherapy or cytotoxic chemotherapy. High-dimensional profiling of circulating immune cells revealed a significant expansion of T-cell subsets characterized by proliferation and activation in response to D+T therapy, which was rare following D monotherapy. Importantly, expansion of specific clusters in CD8+ T cells and non-regulatory CD4+ T cells with activation and exhaustion programs was associated with prolonged DRFS in patients treated with D+T.

Conclusions:

Preoperative D±T is feasible and may benefit patients with resectable HNSCC. Distinct changes in the tumor microenvironment and circulating immune cells were induced by each treatment regimen, warranting further investigation.
Large-scale Pan-cancer Cell Line Screening Identifies Actionable and Effective Drug Combinations
Authors: Bashi Azadeh C. , Coker Elizabeth A. , Bulusu Krishna C. , Jaaks Patricia , Crafter Claire , Lightfoot Howard , Milo Marta , McCarten Katrina , Jenkins David F. , van der Meer Dieudonne , Lynch James T. , Barthorpe Syd , Andersen Courtney L. , Barry Simon T. , Beck Alexandra , Cidado Justin , Gordon Jacob A. , Hall Caitlin , Hall James , Mali Iman , Mironenko Tatiana , Mongeon Kevin , Morris James , Richardson Laura , Smith Paul D. , Tavana Omid , Tolley Charlotte , Thomas Frances , Willis Brandon S. , Yang Wanjuan , O'Connor Mark J. , McDermott Ultan , Critchlow Susan E. , Drew Lisa , Fawell Stephen E. , Mettetal Jerome T. , Garnett Mathew J.
Published: March 2024

Oncology drug combinations can improve therapeutic responses and increase treatment options for patients. The number of possible combinations is vast and responses can be context-specific. Systematic screens can identify clinically relevant, actionable combinations in defined patient subtypes. We present data for 109 anticancer drug combinations from AstraZeneca's oncology small molecule portfolio screened in 755 pan-cancer cell lines. Combinations were screened in a 7 × 7 concentration matrix, with more than 4 million measurements of sensitivity, producing an exceptionally data-rich resource. We implement a new approach using combination Emax (viability effect) and highest single agent (HSA) to assess combination benefit. We designed a clinical translatability workflow to identify combinations with clearly defined patient populations, rationale for tolerability based on tumor type and combination-specific “emergent” biomarkers, and exposures relevant to clinical doses. We describe three actionable combinations in defined cancer types, confirmed in vitro and in vivo, with a focus on hematologic cancers and apoptotic targets.

Significance:

We present the largest cancer drug combination screen published to date with 7 × 7 concentration response matrices for 109 combinations in more than 750 cell lines, complemented by multi-omics predictors of response and identification of “emergent” combination biomarkers. We prioritize hits to optimize clinical translatability, and experimentally validate novel combination hypotheses.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 695
Update on Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nail Unit: An Human Papillomavirus-Associated Condition
Authors: Bray Eric R. , Tosti Antonella , Morrison Brian W.
Published: March 2024

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and SCC in situ (Bowen’s disease) are the most common malignancies of the nail unit. They are frequently seen in men over 50 and most commonly affect the fingers. The role of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been identified as a key contributor to the development of nail unit SCC. Summary: In this review, we aimed to summarize the current state of our understanding of how HPV contributes to nail unit SCC, the role of genitodigital transmission of HPV, and the clinical features of HPV-associated nail unit SCC. We also review current advances in the treatment of nail unit SCC, with a focus on the potential role of HPV vaccination in the treatment and prevention of nail unit SCC. Key Messages: Nail unit SCC should be recognized as an HPV-associated disease. HPV vaccination may represent a non-surgical modality for the management of these challenging malignancies in the appropriate clinical setting.
Viscum Album Lipophilic Extract in Actinic Keratosis, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Königsberger Karolina , Urech Konrad , Reif Marcus , Baumgartner Stephan , Martin David , Tröger Wilfried
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) belong to the group of keratinocyte carcinomas (KC). Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precursor lesion of cSCC. The incidences of cSCC, BCC, and AK are currently strongly increasing. Different standard therapies exist for these conditions but are not always applicable or successful. Hydrophilic Viscum album extracts have been used in anthroposophic cancer therapy since 1917. Viscum album lipophilic extract (VALE) is prepared by means of supercritical CO2 extraction. This retrospective case series assessed the safety and clinical effects of a topical application of 10% VALE in individual cases of cSCC, BCC, and AK. Methods: For this retrospective case series, a positive vote was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Witten/Herdecke (No. 146/2020). Eligible patients signed a declaration of consent prior to inclusion in the study. The main outcome parameters were the clinical response to treatment with VALE and adverse drug reactions. Risk factors, concomitant therapies and diseases, further diagnostic and therapeutic information were documented where available. Data analysis was performed on the level of patients and of individual lesions. Results: The study population consisted of 55 patients with 74 skin lesions. Individual case analysis accompanied by photographic documentation revealed typical and promising treatment courses. Clinical response rates (complete + partial remissions) for individual lesions were 78% for cSCC, 70% for BCC, and 71% for AK. Complete remission rates for individual lesions were 56% for cSCC, 35% for BCC, and 15% for AK. In cSCC and BCC, shorter times to best clinical response were observed. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 5 patients including erythema and inflammatory reactions of mostly moderate severity that resolved completely. In one case, therapy was temporarily paused, in four cases it was continued without interruption. Discussion/Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that VALE is a safe and tolerable extract under whose application complete and partial remissions of KC could be observed. To improve and assess the efficacy of VALE, prospective investigations are necessary.
Thrombocytopenia Independently Leads to Changes in Monocyte Immune Function
Authors: Li Chen , Ture Sara K. , Nieves-Lopez Benjamin , Blick-Nitko Sara K. , Maurya Preeti , Livada Alison C. , Stahl Tyler J. , Kim Minsoo , Pietropaoli Anthony P. , Morrell Craig N.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:

While platelets have well-studied hemostatic functions, platelets are immune cells that circulate at the interface between the vascular wall and white blood cells. The physiological implications of these constant transient interactions are poorly understood. Activated platelets induce and amplify immune responses, but platelets may also maintain immune homeostasis in healthy conditions, including maintaining vascular integrity and T helper cell differentiation, meaning that platelets are central to both immune responses and immune quiescence. Clinical data have shown an association between low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) and immune dysfunction in patients with sepsis and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, further implicating platelets as more holistic immune regulators, but studies of platelet immune functions in nondisease contexts have had limited study.

METHODS:

We used in vivo models of thrombocytopenia and in vitro models of platelet and monocyte interactions, as well as RNA-seq and ATAC-seq (assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing), to mechanistically determine how resting platelet and monocyte interactions immune program monocytes.

RESULTS:

Circulating platelets and monocytes interact in a CD47-dependent manner to regulate monocyte metabolism, histone methylation, and gene expression. Resting platelet-monocyte interactions limit TLR (toll-like receptor) signaling responses in healthy conditions in an innate immune training-like manner. In both human patients with sepsis and mouse sepsis models, thrombocytopenia exacerbated monocyte immune dysfunction, including increased cytokine production.

CONCLUSIONS:

Thrombocytopenia immune programs monocytes in a manner that may lead to immune dysfunction in the context of sepsis. This is the first demonstration that sterile, endogenous cell interactions between resting platelets and monocytes regulate monocyte metabolism and pathogen responses, demonstrating platelets to be immune rheostats in both health and disease.
Mendelian Randomization Study With Clinical Follow‐Up Links Metabolites to Risk and Severity of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Alhathli Elham , Julian Thomas , Girach Zain Ul Abideen , Thompson A. A. Roger , Rhodes Christopher , Gräf Stefan , Errington Niamh , Wilkins Martin R. , Lawrie Allan , Wang Dennis , Cooper‐Knock Johnathan
Published: March 2024

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) exhibits phenotypic heterogeneity and variable response to therapy. The metabolome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PAH, but previous works have lacked power to implicate specific metabolites. Mendelian randomization (MR) is a method for causal inference between exposures and outcomes.

Methods and Results

Using genome‐wide association study summary statistics, we implemented MR analysis to test for potential causal relationships between serum concentration of 575 metabolites and PAH. Five metabolites were causally associated with the risk of PAH after multiple testing correction. Next, we measured serum concentration of candidate metabolites in an independent clinical cohort of 449 patients with PAH to check whether metabolite concentrations are correlated with markers of disease severity. Of the 5 candidates nominated by our MR work, serine was negatively associated and homostachydrine was positively associated with clinical severity of PAH via direct measurement in this independent clinical cohort. Finally we used conditional and orthogonal approaches to explore the biology underlying our lead metabolites. Rare variant burden testing was carried out using whole exome sequencing data from 578 PAH cases and 361 675 controls. Multivariable MR is an extension of MR that uses a single set of instrumental single‐nucleotide polymorphisms to measure multiple exposures; multivariable MR is used to determine interdependence between the effects of different exposures on a single outcome. Rare variant analysis demonstrated that loss‐of‐function mutations within activating transcription factor 4, a transcription factor responsible for upregulation of serine synthesis under conditions of serine starvation, are associated with higher risk for PAH. Homostachydrine is a xenobiotic metabolite that is structurally related to
l
‐proline betaine, which has previously been linked to modulation of inflammation and tissue remodeling in PAH. Our multivariable MR analysis suggests that the effect of
l
‐proline betaine is actually mediated indirectly via homostachydrine.

Conclusions

Our data present a method for study of the metabolome in the context of PAH, and suggests several candidates for further evaluation and translational research.
Feasibility Value of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Shortening Fraction and the Prognostic Implications in Patients With Heart Transplantation
Authors: Ji Xiang , Zhang Yiwei , Xie Yuji , Wang Wenyuan , Tan Yuting , Xie Mingxing , Zhang Li
Published: March 2024

Background

Right ventricular longitudinal shortening fraction (RVLSF) is a 2‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography parameter based on tricuspid annular displacement analysis that could be used to assess right ventricular (RV) systolic function. The value of RVLSF in the assessment of RV systolic function in recipients of heart transplantation (HT) and whether RVLSF can replace strain parameters remains unknown.

Methods and Results

A total of 153 adult patients who underwent HT were consecutively enrolled in this prospective longitudinal study. All subjects were examined by conventional transthoracic 2‐dimensional echocardiography and 2‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography to evaluate the RV end‐diastolic basal diameter, RV end‐diastolic area, fractional area change, peak systolic velocity of tricuspid annulus, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV free wall strain, and RVLSF. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to test if the parameters of interest had independent prognostic value for adverse outcome prediction in patients who underwent HT. A significant positive correlation was found between the measurements of RVLSF and RV free wall strain (
r
=0.927,
P
<0.001). Compared with the event‐free group, the adverse outcome group displayed reduced RVLSF and RV free wall strain and higher age (
P
<0.001, <0.001, =0.016, respectively) in patients who underwent HT. RVLSF and RV free wall strain were independently associated with poor prognosis in multivariable analysis (both
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

RVLSF assessment provides an effective evaluation of RV longitudinal systolic function in the transplanted hearts and has prognostic value for adverse outcomes in patients undergoing HT.
Instance-Specific Model Perturbation Improves Generalized Zero-Shot Learning
Authors: Yang Guanyu , Huang Kaizhu , Zhang Rui , Yang Xi
Published: March 2024

Zero-shot learning (ZSL) refers to the design of predictive functions on new classes (unseen classes) of data that have never been seen during training. In a more practical scenario, generalized zero-shot learning (GZSL) requires predicting both seen and unseen classes accurately. In the absence of target samples, many GZSL models may overfit training data and are inclined to predict individuals as categories that have been seen in training. To alleviate this problem, we develop a parameter-wise adversarial training process that promotes robust recognition of seen classes while designing during the test a novel model perturbation mechanism to ensure sufficient sensitivity to unseen classes. Concretely, adversarial perturbation is conducted on the model to obtain instance-specific parameters so that predictions can be biased to unseen classes in the test. Meanwhile, the robust training encourages the model robustness, leading to nearly unaffected prediction for seen classes. Moreover, perturbations in the parameter space, computed from multiple individuals simultaneously, can be used to avoid the effect of perturbations that are too extreme and ruin the predictions. Comparison results on four benchmark ZSL data sets show the effective improvement that the proposed framework made on zero-shot methods with learned metrics.
Mathematical Modeling of PI3K/Akt Pathway in Microglia
Authors: Poshtkohi Alireza , Wade John , McDaid Liam , Liu Junxiu , Dallas Mark L. , Bithell Angela
Published: March 2024

The motility of microglia involves intracellular signaling pathways that are predominantly controlled by changes in cytosolic Ca2+ and activation of PI3K/Akt (phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B). In this letter, we develop a novel biophysical model for cytosolic Ca2+ activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in microglia where Ca2+ influx is mediated by both P2Y purinergic receptors (P2YR) and P2X purinergic receptors (P2XR). The model parameters are estimated by employing optimization techniques to fit the model to phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) experimental modeling/in vitro data. The integrated model supports the hypothesis that Ca2+ influx via P2YR and P2XR can explain the experimentally reported biphasic transient responses in measuring pAkt levels. Our predictions reveal new quantitative insights into P2Rs on how they regulate Ca2+ and Akt in terms of physiological interactions and transient responses. It is shown that the upregulation of P2X receptors through a repetitive application of agonist results in a continual increase in the baseline [Ca2+], which causes the biphasic response to become a monophasic response which prolongs elevated levels of pAkt.
Learning Korobov Functions by Correntropy and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Fang Zhiying , Mao Tong , Fan Jun
Published: March 2024

Combining information-theoretic learning with deep learning has gained significant attention in recent years, as it offers a promising approach to tackle the challenges posed by big data. However, the theoretical understanding of convolutional structures, which are vital to many structured deep learning models, remains incomplete. To partially bridge this gap, this letter aims to develop generalization analysis for deep convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms using learning theory. Specifically, we focus on investigating robust regression using correntropy-induced loss functions derived from information-theoretic learning. Our analysis demonstrates an explicit convergence rate for deep CNN-based robust regression algorithms when the target function resides in the Korobov space. This study sheds light on the theoretical underpinnings of CNNs and provides a framework for understanding their performance and limitations.
“The Customs of Our Ancestors Are in Our Hands”
Authors: Muir Simo , Tuori Riikka
Published: March 2024

The Jewish community of Finland represents a continuum of Eastern European Ashkenazic Orthodoxy that survived the Shoah intact. During recent decades there have been significant changes in the demography of the local congregations, and these changes have influenced the religiosity of the members: while secularism and indifference to religion have grown, many members have turned toward stricter observance of Halakhah. This article looks at these changes and how the informants relate themselves to the customs of past generations in their everyday lives by means of an analytic model developed in the study of vernacular religion.
New Nabataean and Thamudic Inscriptions from Al-Manhal Site, Southwest Sinai
Authors: Nour el-Din Mustafa
Published: March 2024

This research focuses on studying a number of Nabataean inscriptions and one Thamudic inscription from the site of Al-Manhal. The site was discovered by the author in Al-Ramlah area, southwest Sinai, and he called it Al-Manhal, as it is on a lower level than its surrounding, making it a natural basin in which torrential water collects after rain, which made it a destination for people to drink and collect water. On southern rocky slopes there are inscriptions next to petroglyphs. This study includes 18 Nabataean inscriptions and one Thamudic inscription. The study aims to publish and analyze the inscriptions.
On Urban Buddhism: a Humanistic, Secularizing, and Universal Buddhism
Authors: Huang Weishan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, I explore the religious project initiated by the renowned abbot Juexing 觉醒 and a group of scholars to create a typology of Urban Buddhism (dushi fojiao 都市佛教). This religious project is discussed here as a political attempt at reform extending over the last two decades. I first review the recent discourse on Urban Buddhism, drawing on monastic and elite narratives from the turn of the century. Second, I compare Juexing’s work with the studies of other scholars who have contributed to the development of the concept of Urban Buddhism. Although some of these scholars did not use the actual term “Urban Buddhism,” their research is still relevant to the field. After reviewing Juexing’s political project, I conclude that the term “Humanistic Buddhism” (renjian fojiao 人间佛教) has been transformed into “Urban Buddhism” to renew its meaning. Embracing Urban Buddhism means adapting to modernity and signifies a move toward a more universal form of Buddhism for Buddhist leaders in Shanghai.
Crisis, Modernity, and the State: Reflections on Roy Tseng’s Confucian Liberalism
Authors: El Amine Loubna
Published: March 2024

What is “Confucian liberalism” a response to? In this essay, I elicit a political, rather than merely philosophical, crisis in the background of Roy Tseng’s argument in Confucian Liberalism: Mou Zongsan and Hegelian Liberalism. This crisis stems from Western imperialism vis-à-vis China starting in the late nineteenth century. It also takes the form of a challenge of legitimacy for the modern Chinese state. Identifying the relevant crisis in this way leads me to question the suitability of Hegel as a companion to Confucian liberalism. It also leads me to suggest the necessity of an institutional approach that gives due consideration to the imperial legacy and the infrastructural power of the state in China today.
Shape-Changing Wood Joints in Crafts and Industry and Their Potential for Building Construction and Wood Culture
Authors: Salzberger Max , Klein Tillmann , Hemmerling Marco , Konstantinou Thaleia
Published: March 2024

Timber has regained popularity in construction in recent years due to its ecological benefits. The connection methods used in this study play a vital role in the sustainability of structures and materials. Monomaterial timber connections are sustainable alternatives to metal fasteners and adhesives commonly used in construction. Wood is an anisotropic material with dimensional changes resulting from changes in atmospheric conditions. Understanding and accounting for this property are crucial for the longevity and functionality of wooden structures. The cumulative knowledge of wood´s material characteristics and its use in design, construction, and human culture can be defined as wood culture developed through artists’ and craftsmen’s experiences, science, and industry. The development of various techniques by artisans to leverage the dimensional change in wood to join timber elements is a major contribution to wood culture. In contrast, until now, the timber industry has mainly focused on limiting or controlling these changes in standardized production and has neglected their use for joining timber elements. However, technological advances have changed dramatically. The digital manufacturing and analysis of wood structures have the potential to guide machine tools and may allow the integration of dimensional changes, especially in the design and construction of timber joints. This study explores the state-of-the-art utilization of dimensional changes in timber to join elements in craft, material science, and industrial production. The potential of techniques utilizing this behavior for innovation in modern design and construction and their implications for wood culture were examined. Research gaps and avenues for further research are identified.
The Pigmentocracy of Executive Approval
Authors: Singh Shane P. , Carlin Ryan E.
Published: March 2024

We advance a theory of pigmentocratic executive approval that accounts for both skin color-based group attachments and deviations in skin tone between citizens and leaders. We argue that such deviations will decrease approval most strongly for those lighter in complexion than the incumbent. We further argue that individuals will most strongly punish incumbents for poor economic performance when their skin tone is lighter than the executive’s. To test our theory, we assess the skin tone of dozens of leaders from the Americas, and we couple the resulting measure with mass survey data from the leaders’ countries. Our findings demonstrate that executive approval throughout the Americas replicates patterns of “pigmentocracy”—inequalities and hierarchies that privilege lighter skin tones.
Robert Hertz, Anthropophagic Practices and Traditional South Fore Mortuary Rites in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Whitfield Jerome T. , Pako Wandagi H. , Alpers Michael P.
Published: March 2024

In this paper we examine the traditional mortuary rites of the South Fore people of Papua New Guinea using Robert Hertz’s theory of secondary burial and the three mechanisms of mourning identified by Daniel Lagache. The ethnographic data that we obtained on South Fore interpretations of their own mortuary rites showed that all forms of corpse handling achieved the same end results through the process of secondary burial. Furthermore, the three mechanisms of mourning applied equally to all forms of corpse disposal and we found no evidence to support psychosexual interpretations of mortuary anthropophagy which emphasise aggression. South Fore interpretations of mortuary anthropophagy show that the dead were eaten out of love, and to protect the mourners from the painful emotion of witnessing the decomposition of the corpse. These findings affirm the relevance of the concepts of Hertz and Lagache to the universal human experiences of death and mourning.
Available and Desirable Resources for Gifted Children in Israel’s Rural and Central Regions: Parent and Educator’ Perspectives
Authors: Grinshtain Yael , Miedijensky Shirley
Published: March 2024

Gifted children and their parents often cope with challenges arising from their high abilities and the particular educational needs that these entail. The current research aims to map the available and desired resources for gifted children and their families in rural and central regions. The research stems from the resource-oriented approach to gifted education that identifies five exogenous learning resources, termed educational capital. As the availability of these resources can be context-dependent, the current study examines rural and central regions as diverse spatial areas. Using a qualitative approach, 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with parents and educators from two diverse regions in Israel. Thematic analysis found that parents and educators from both regions described the available resources similarly, with the exception of the economic, infrastructural, and didactic resources, which are less available in the rural region. In addition, parents and teachers in the rural region defined personal parental resources and educational knowledge as being more desirable than their counterparts in the center. The findings suggest that resources for the gifted are more family centered than community- or region-centered. Focusing on two different spatial areas, this study examines the possible interplay between location or geography and gifted children and their available educational capital.
Examining the Relationship Between Nurse Fatigue, Alertness, and Medication Errors
Authors: Farag Amany , Gallagher Jacob , Carr Lucas
Published: March 2024

Background:

Working for extended hours in a physically and mentally demanding profession has subjected nurses to occupational fatigue. Limited evidence exists about nurse fatigue and alertness changes throughout shift work and their relationship with medication errors and near misses.

Purpose:

The purposes of this study were to: (1) assess the relationship between nurses’ fatigue and alertness, (2) evaluate nurses’ fatigue and alertness changes throughout their shift, and (3) examine the relationship between nurses’ fatigue, alertness, and medication errors and near misses.

Methods:

This prospective study is part of a larger mixed-method study. Fatigue and alertness data from 14 work and non-workdays were collected from a convenience sample of 90 nurses. A wearable actigraph (ReadibandTM) was used to measure alertness, while ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using text messaging was used to measure nurses’ fatigue.

Results:

A 1-unit increase in fatigue was associated with a 1.06-unit reduction in nurses’ alertness score (β = –1.06, 95% CI: [–1.33, –0.78], p < .01). Night-shift nurses experienced a 31-point reduction in alertness from the start to the end of the work shift. Nurses’ fatigue, but not alertness, was associated with medication errors and near misses (OR = 1.26, 95% CI [1.07, 1.48], p = .01).

Conclusion:

Initiating fatigue mitigation measures during mid-shift, especially for night-shift nurses, may be a viable option to mitigate fatigue and alertness deterioration among nurses and to maintain patient safety. The multifaceted nature of fatigue, as captured by EMA, is a stronger predictor of medication errors and near misses than device-measured alertness.
Thematic Analysis of Alzheimer’s Medication Management Discussion in a Non-Moderated Online Forum
Authors: Liu Jia , Meyer Kylie , Glassner Ashlie , Gonzales Mitzi , Bartlett Ellis Rebecca J. , Park Hyejin , Song Lixin , Patel Neela , Wang Jing
Published: March 2024

Background:

Managing medications for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is challenging for caregivers. Information about caregivers’ strategies to manage these challenges is needed to inform intervention development.

Objective:

This study aimed to understand caregivers’ medication management experiences by analyzing online community discussions.

Methods:

Posts were extracted from the ALZConnected® Forum using keywords “medication” and “drug” via web scraping. The researchers applied thematic analysis.

Results:

Four major themes emerged: (1) role transition of medication management responsibilities, (2) caregivers’ uncertainty about medication purpose and values, (3) conflicts between the care recipients and caregivers, and (4) difficulty accessing and affording medications.

Conclusions:

The experiences shared on a non-moderated, unstructured online forum indicate that medication management is challenging and overwhelming for caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Since this is a progressive disease with various stages and changing needs, caregivers’ strategies vary and are often limited by available resources and support. Health care providers should offer training and support for caregivers to navigate the transfer of medication management responsibilities and changing care needs as the disease progresses.
“I Have Nothing to Complain About!”: System Justification Tendencies Undermines Collective Action Through Adherence to Hierarchy-Legitimizing Ideologies / “No tengo de qué quejarme”: Las tendencias a la justificación del sistema debilitan la acción colectiva a través de la adherencia a ideologías que legitiman la jerarquía
Authors: Carvalho Catarina L. , Pinto Isabel R. , Costa-Lopes Rui , Páez Darío
Published: March 2024

All societies are organized based on hierarchies, where some groups have more power than others. Although some may aspire for a hierarchy-free world, hierarchies are inevitable and strongly resistant to changes. People may feel motivated to see hierarchical social systems as fair, legitimate, and justified, and endorse system-justifying ideologies, such as social dominance orientation (SDO), contributing to the maintenance and perpetuation of intergroup inequality. Belief in the social system’s fairness and legitimacy should increase acceptance and support for the existing society-based social stratification and status hierarchies, weakening support for collective action towards social change. We tested this idea, with two studies, conducted on members of the general population ( N = 121) and on members of a disadvantaged group highly mobilized for social change towards intergroup equality ( N = 154). Results showed that system justification undermines collective action through SDO (full mediation). We discuss the implications of including ideological processes when predicting collective action.
Theranova versus FX80: The impact on anemia management in hemodialysis
Authors: Sahutoglu Tuncay , Erinc Osman , Avsar Fevzi Necati
Published: March 2024

Background:

Middle uremic toxins (MUTs) can cause anemia and erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. Theranova dialyzers may improve anemia management by removing MUTs. Hence, the impact of Theranova dialyzers on erythropoietin responsiveness was studied.

Methods:

This exploratory single-center prospective observational study, encompassing 50 patients undergoing dialysis with either the Theranova-400 or FX80 membrane for 6 months, involved monthly tracking of hemoglobin levels, weight-adjusted erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (w-ESA) dosing, and erythropoietin resistance index (ERI), with ESA treatment decisions guided by a proprietary algorithm.

Results:

The groups were similar in terms of demographics and baseline laboratory test results. The median hemoglobin levels, w-ESA and ERI, were found to be similar between FX80 and Theranova-400 groups at both baseline (11.06 vs 10.57, p = 0.808; 92.3 vs 105.2, p = 0.838; 8.1 vs 10.48, p = 0.876) and the end of the study (11.43 vs 11.03, p = 0.076; 48.7 vs 71.5; 4.48 vs 6.41, p = 0.310), respectively. There was a trend toward lower w-ESA and ERI at the end of the study compared to baseline in both groups, but the difference was non-significant.

Conclusions:

Based on this study of 50 patients undergoing high-flux dialysis with near-target hemoglobin levels, switching to Theranova 400 dialyzers compared to FX80 dialyzers did not show statistically significant differences in maintaining hemoglobin levels, reducing ESA dose, or lowering ERI. The non-randomized design and small sample size limit the study’s power to detect true differences. Larger, randomized trials are needed to confirm findings and definitively assess Theranova 400’s benefits.
Assessing the efficacy of curcumin-loaded alginate hydrogel on skin wound healing: A gene expression analysis
Authors: Zamani Sepehr , Salehi Majid , Ehterami Arian , Fauzi Mh Busra , Abbaszadeh-Goudarzi Ghasem
Published: March 2024

Skin tissue engineering has gained significant attention as a promising alternative to traditional treatments for skin injuries. In this study, we developed 3D hydrogel-based scaffolds, Alginate, incorporating different concentrations of Curcumin and evaluated their properties, including morphology, swelling behavior, weight loss, as well as hemo- and cytocompatibility. Furthermore, we investigated the therapeutic potential of Alginate hydrogel containing different amounts of Curcumin using an in vitro wound healing model. The prepared hydrogels exhibited remarkable characteristics, SEM showed that the pore size of hydrogels was 134.64 μm with interconnected pores, making it conducive for cellular infiltration and nutrient exchange. Moreover, hydrogels demonstrated excellent biodegradability, losing 63.5% of its weight over 14 days. In addition, the prepared hydrogels had a stable release of curcumin for 3 days. The results also show the hemocompatibility of prepared hydrogels and a low amount of blood clotting. To assess the efficacy of the developed hydrogels, 3T3 fibroblast growth was examined during various incubation times. The results indicated that the inclusion of Curcumin at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL positively influenced cellular behavior. The animal study showed that Alginate hydrogel containing 0.1 mg/mL curcumin had high wound closure(more than 80%) after 14 days. In addition, it showed up-regulation of essential wound healing genes, including TGFβ1 and VEGF, promoting tissue repair and angiogenesis. Furthermore, the treated group exhibited down-regulation of MMP9 gene expression, indicating a reduction in matrix degradation and inflammation. The observed cellular responses and gene expression changes substantiate the therapeutic efficacy of prepared hydrogels. Consequently, our study showed the healing effect of alginate-based hydrogel containing Curcumin on skin injuries.
Socioecological Risk and Protective Factors for Sexual Victimization in Post-Secondary Students in Ireland: A Brief Report
Authors: Mahon Ciara , Dooley Barbara , O’Reilly Aileen , Fitzgerald Amanda
Published: March 2024

Although numerous predictors of sexual violence (SV) have been identified, there is a need to further explore protective factors and examine the nature and strength of associations between predictors and SV outcomes using a hierarchical predictive model. Cross-sectional data from the My World Survey Post-Second Level (2019) in Ireland were used. The sample contained 8, 288 post-secondary students, 69% female, aged 18 to 25 years ( M = 20.25, SD = 1.85). Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of two SV outcomes (i.e., forced/pressured to have sex and being touched in a sexual manner without consent) across societal, community, relationship, and individual levels. Approximately 25% of females and 10% of males reported being forced/pressured to have sex, whereas 55% of females and 23% of males reported being touched in a sexual manner without consent. Key predictors of SV in multivariate analyses included being female and experiencing violence in a romantic relationship, whereas discrimination, living on campus or in rented accommodation (compared with living at home) were also significant predictors of both SV outcomes. Parental conflict, sexual initiation, depressive symptoms, older age, and an avoidant coping style significantly predicted being forced/pressured to have sex, whereas being bullied and engaging in problem drinking were unique predictors of being touched sexually without consent. Findings highlight the importance of considering salient risk and protective factors at the individual, relationship, community and societal level to predict SV and effectively guide the delivery of interventions and support services for post-secondary students affected by SV.
Alkali-treated and silanated luffa fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites: A study of mechanical and water absorption characterization
Authors: Wu Hongwu , Sun Fei , Liu Ruipu , Li Chenxin
Published: March 2024

As a degradable polymer material, polybutylene succinate (PBS) has the disadvantages of high cost, slow crystallization rate, and low strength modulus. Reinforcing modification with plant fibers is a popular method. A unique three-dimensional network structure was found in luffa fiber (LF). Compared to other plant fibers, this fiber has excellent mechanical strength due to its unique three-dimensional structure. Its structure allows it to maintain the integrity of the reinforcement phase in the polymer aggregate, overcoming the dispersion and defects of short fiber reinforcement. Herein, the LF was treated with alkali treatment and silanated with three coupling agents and pre-impregnation methods to improve interfacial properties with the PBS matrix. Then it was laminated with polybutylene succinate to prepare a PBS/LF composite board with three layers of LF. The performance of the composite material using the KH550 coupling agent was improved the most. The tensile strength and modulus of the material were increased by 24.9% and 82.9%, respectively, the flexural strength and modulus were increased by 21.7% and 18.5%, and the impact strength was increased by 12.5%. The water absorption weight gain rate is also the lowest, about 3.5%. For the LF-reinforced PBS, the preparation method is simple, and the reinforcement effect is better, that the cost was effectively reduced, and the application field of the PBS green material was expanded. A new possibility for the development of green degradable polymer composites was provided.
Synthesis and properties of novel poly(ester-amide-imide)s containing pendant phthalimide substituents
Authors: Wen Yaqing , Zhu Ge , Li Jie , Fang Xingzhong , Chen Guofei
Published: March 2024

Two series of novel poly(ester-amide-imide)s (PEsAIs) with pendant phthalimide side group were synthesized by copolymerization of phthalimide-hydroquinone bis(trimellitate anhydride) (PI-TAHQ), p-phthaloyl chloride (TPC) and other fluorinated monomers using the two-step method. These PEsAIs had glass transition temperatures ( Tgs) in the range of 228 °C–296°C and coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of 18–55 ppm·K−1. These films had good mechanical properties with tensile modulus of 3.7–5.7 GPa, tensile strengths of 92–153 MPa and elongations at break of 2.2%–8.3%. All films displayed good transparency with transmittances at 400 nm (T400nm) of 43%–79% and transmittances at 850 nm (T850nm) exceeding 89%, and these PEsAIs were amorphous. Especially, PEsAI-d-60 presented the best comprehensive performance with Tg of 296°C, low CTE of 18 ppm·K−1 and high transmittance (T400nm of 79%, T850nm of 91%), which exhibited the potential of this novel poly(ester-amide-imide) containing pendant phthalimide substituent in optical transparent materials.
Deinstitutionalisation and the move to community care: comparing the changing dimensions of mental healthcare after 1922 in the Republic of Ireland and England
Authors: Calabria Verusca , Cullen Lynsey T
Published: March 2024

The advent of deinstitutionalisation and the introduction of community care in the latter part of the twentieth century have revolutionised mental-health service provision across Europe, although implementation, timing and services have varied widely in different countries. This article compares the changing dimensions of mental-health provision in post-independence Ireland with that in England, and will shed light on the current state of mental healthcare in both countries. The article calls for more research into the impact of deinstitutionalisation, such as the challenges faced in the community for those in need of continuing care.