bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The equity road ahead for financing non-national immunization program vaccines in China: challenges and opportunities from a qualitative study
Authors: Jiang Mingzhu , Jiang Weixi , Yan Xuanxuan , Ma Haifeng , Zhou Sijuan , Ying Xiaohua
Published: September 2024

Background

In China, national immunization program (NIP) vaccines benefit from robust financial support and have achieved high coverage. Non-NIP vaccines rely on fragmented funding sources, mostly out-of-pocket payment, and face sub-optimal and inequitable coverage. Sustainable financing needs to be secured for addressing equity in non-NIP vaccine delivery. However, discussion and understanding of this issue remain limited. This study aims to analyze the current situation, comprehensively identify challenges and opportunities in non-NIP vaccine financing, and offer suggestions to enhance vaccine uptake and improve public health.

Methods

Between July and December 2023, we conducted a series of semi-structured, in-person interviews with 55 stakeholders from the Health Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Medical Insurance Bureau, and Finance Bureau across five provinces in China. Participants were selected through stratified sampling, and the interviews mainly included their involvement in non-NIP vaccine financing, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement to enhance financing performance. Informed consent was obtained, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results

Non-NIP vaccine financing sources include out-of-pocket payments, government fiscal, health insurance and other external funds. These four channels differ in vaccine types covered, costs, and target populations, each with unique challenges and opportunities. High out-of-pocket costs remain a significant barrier to equitable vaccine uptake, while market competition has lowered the vaccine price and improved accessibility. Local fiscal support for free vaccination programs faces challenges related to sustainability and regional disparity, though governmental commitment to vaccination is growing. Nevertheless, centralized procurement organized by the government has lowered the price and reduced the financial burden. Despite legal restrictions on using basic health insurance for vaccinations and limited commercial insurance options, private medical savings accounts and mutual-aid mechanisms present new opportunities. Although the scope and impact of external support are limited, it has successfully increased awareness and social attention to vaccination.

Conclusion

Relying on individual payments as the main financing channel for non-NIP vaccines is unsustainable and inadequate for ensuring universal vaccine access. A concerted and synergistic approach is essential to ensure sufficient, sustainable resources and enhance public financial management to improve equity in the non-NIP vaccines.
Influence of dietary cholesterol on metabolic syndrome risk in middle-aged Korean adults: using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)
Authors: Kwon Hyunkyung , Kang Minji , Lim Hyunjung
Published: September 2024

Background

The association between dietary cholesterol and metabolic diseases remains controversial. However, the majority of studies focus on egg intake, and there is a limitation in the availability of prospective cohort studies. Our study examined the association between dietary cholesterol and the incidence risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in middle aged adults using large prospective cohort study in Republic of Korea.

Methods

The Health Examinees cohort from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study was used from baseline to follow-up. Dietary cholesterol intake was assessed by the validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified as quintile groups according to adjusted dietary cholesterol for total energy intake. MetS was defined as more than 3 of the 5 components of MetS. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for MetS were evaluated by multivariable cox regression analyses.

Results

Of the total 40,578 participants, metabolic syndrome developed in 4,172 (10.28%) individuals during an average follow-up period of approximately 4.76 years. Dietary cholesterol did not exhibit a significant association with the risk of MetS after adjusting for potential confounding factors, but a trend was observed indicating an increased risk with higher intake (p for trend = 0.044). Among the components of MetS, the incidence risk of high waist circumference (HR: 1.164, 95% CI: 1.049–1.290), high blood pressure (HR: 1.188, 95% CI: 1.075–1.313), high serum triglyceride (HR: 1.132, 95% CI: 1.044–1.227) and high fasting blood glucose (HR: 1.217, 95% CI: 1.132–1.308) in the group that consumed the highest dietary cholesterol intake was increased compared with the group that consumed the lowest dietary cholesterol intake. Dose-response relationship suggested a positive linear association between dietary cholesterol intake and the risk of high waist circumference (p-linearity = 0.004), blood pressure (p-linearity = 0.012), and triglycerides (p-linearity = 0.005).

Conclusion

This study suggests a positive association between dietary cholesterol intake and the risk of MetS and its components (abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia) in middle-aged Korean adults.
A long way to syndromic short stature
Authors: Gaudioso Federica , Meossi Camilla , Pezzani Lidia , Grilli Federico , Silipigni Rosamaria , Russo Silvia , Masciadri Maura , Vimercati Alessandro , Marchisio Paola Giovanna , Bedeschi Maria Francesca , Milani Donatella
Published: September 2024

Background

Silver-Russell Syndrome (SRS, MIM #180860) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation; SRS is also accompanied by dysmorphic features such as triangular facial appearance, broad forehead, body asymmetry and significant feeding difficulties. The incidence is unknown but estimated at 1:30,000-100,000 live births. The diagnosis of SRS is guided by specific criteria described in the Netchine–Harbison clinical scoring system (NH-CSS).

Case presentation

Hereby we describe four patients with syndromic short stature in whom, despite fitting the criteria for SRS genetic analysis (and one on them even meeting the clinical criteria for SRS), molecular analysis actually diagnosed a different syndrome. Some additional features such as hypotonia, microcephaly, developmental delay and/or intellectual disability, and family history of growth failure, were actually discordant with SRS in our cohort.

Conclusions

The clinical resemblance of other short stature syndromes with SRS poses a risk of diagnostic failure, in particular when clinical SRS only criteria are met, allowing SRS diagnosis in the absence of a positive result of a genetic test. The presence of additional features atypical for SRS diagnosis becomes a red flag for a more extensive and thorough analysis. The signs relevant to the differential diagnosis should be valued as much as possible since a correct diagnosis of these patients is the only way to provide the appropriate care pathway, a thorough genetic counselling, prognosis definition, follow up setting, appropriate monitoring and care of possible medical problems.
Exploring the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in treating Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Lai Daniel Jie , Liu Zhao , Johnston Elaine , Dikomitis Lisa , D’Oliveira Teresa , Shergill Sukhi
Published: September 2024

Background

It remains unclear how to optimise critical care rehabilitation to reduce the constellation of long-term physical, psychological and cognitive impairments known as Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Possible reasons for poor recovery include access to care and delayed treatment. eHealth could potentially aid in increasing access and providing consistent care remotely. Our review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth interventions on PICS outcomes.

Methods

Studies reporting eHealth interventions targeting Post Intensive Care Syndrome outcomes, published in Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Scopus from 30th January 2010 to 12th February 2024, were included in the review. Study eligibility was assessed by two reviewers with any disagreements discussed between them or resolved by a third reviewer. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Further to the identification of effective strategies, our review also aimed to clarify the timeline of recovery considered and the outcomes or domains targeted by the interventions.

Results

Thirteen studies were included in our review. Study duration, eHealth intervention delivery format, and outcome measures varied considerably. No studies reported a theory of behavioural change and only one study was co-produced with patients or carers. Most studies were conducted in the early post-discharge phase (i.e., < 3 months) and had feasibility as a primary outcome. The cognitive domain was the least targeted and no intervention targeted all three domains. Interventions targeting the psychological domain suggest generally positive effects. However, results were underpowered and preliminary. Though all studies were concluded to be feasible, most studies did not assess acceptability. In studies that did assess acceptability, the main facilitators of acceptability were usability and perceived usefulness, and the main barrier was sensitivity to mental health and cognitive issues.

Conclusion

Our systematic review highlighted the promising contributions of eHealth with preliminary support for the feasibility of interventions in the early stages of post-critical care rehabilitation. Future research should focus on demonstrating effectiveness, acceptability, the cognitive domain, and multi-component interventions.
The spatial relationship between leishmaniases and sand flies in Europe and neighboring countries
Authors: Berriatua Eduardo , Pérez-Cutillas Pedro , Vidal Aurora González , Briët Olivier J. T.
Published: September 2024

Background

Leishmania infantum is endemic in Europe (and elsewhere) while L. donovani s.s., L. tropica and L. major are not but are present in neighboring countries in North Africa, the Middle East, (the Asian part of) Turkey and the Southern Caucasus. Lists of sand fly vector species in the scientific literature vary with the criteria for vector incrimination, and criteria vary because, for some, evidence is difficult to generate. With minimal criteria, about 20 sand fly species are proven or suspected vectors of L. infantum in Europe and neighboring countries, while for L. tropica and L. major, there are seven and four proven or suspected vector species, respectively, in this area. For L. donovani s.s., present in Cyprus, the Middle East and (the Asian part of) Turkey, no local vectors have been incriminated so far. The aim was to assess the degree of spatial agreement between Leishmania spp. and various vectors species and their relative contribution to the explained variation.

Methods

We used multivariate regression modeling to analyze the spatial relationship between autochthonous Leishmania spp. and clinical forms in humans and animals and 14 Phlebotomus spp. in Europe and neighboring countries.

Results

There was only fair agreement between parasite and vector distributions. The most parsimonious models describing the distribution of Leishmania spp. and clinical forms included three to six sand fly species and explained between 12% (L. infantum) and 37% (L. donovani) of the observed variation. Selected models included confirmed and suspected vector species as well as unexpected species.

Conclusions

The relatively low agreement between Leishmania and vector distributions highlights the need to improve leishmaniasis reporting and vector surveillance in areas where no information is available, both for a better understanding of the epidemiology of infection in endemic areas and to monitor possible spread of infection into non-endemic areas. While some of the unexpected sand fly-Leishmania spp. statistical associations might be spurious, for others, the existence of sporadic or recent reports of infections warrants further vector competence studies that consider strain variation.

Graphical Abstract
Elucidating the genotoxicity of Fusobacterium nucleatum-secreted mutagens in colorectal cancer carcinogenesis
Authors: Xu Wenye , Zhang Yuchen , Chen Dongjiao , Huang Dan , Zhao Yang , Hu Wei , Lin Ling , Liu Yingzhi , Wang Shilan , Zeng Judeng , Xie Chuan , Chan Hung , Li Qing , Chen Huarong , Liu Xiaodong , Wong Sunny H. , Yu Jun , Chan Francis K. L. , Chan Matthew T. V. , Ng Siew C. , Wu William K. K. , Zhang Lin
Published: September 2024

Background

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is one of the key tumorigenic bacteria in colorectal cancer (CRC), yet how F. nucleatum is involved in colorectal cancer carcinogenesis remains unknown.

Results

In the present study, we carried out PathSeq analysis on RNA sequencing data from the 430 primary colon adenocarcinomas in TCGA database to assess the relationship between patients’ survival and F. nucleatum abundance. Among patients with cecum and ascending colon tumors, we found that F. nucleatum transcriptome abundance is positively correlated with mutation load. We further demonstrated that patients with both high tumoral abundance of F. nucleatum and high mutation load exhibited poorer survival and DNA damage. We furthermore determined that F. nucleatum-conditioned medium (Fn. CM) induces DNA damage in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, two F. nucleatum-secreted mutagens, namely DL-homocystine and allantoic acid, were identified to lead to DNA damage.

Conclusions

Our finding delineates the genotoxicity of F.nucleatum-secreted mutagens, which provides a basis for further work to investigate the role of F. nucleatum in the pathogenicity of CRC.
Stopping use of E-cigarettes and smoking combustible cigarettes: findings from a large longitudinal digital smoking cessation intervention study in the United States
Authors: Lee Donghee N. , Faro Jamie M. , Stevens Elise M. , Pbert Lori , Yang Chengwu , Sadasivam Rajani S.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Digital interventions have been widely implemented to promote tobacco cessation. However, implementations of these interventions have not yet considered how participants’ e-cigarette use may influence their quitting outcomes. We explored the association of e-cigarette use and quitting smoking within the context of a study testing a digital tobacco cessation intervention among individuals in the United States who were 18 years and older, smoked combustible cigarettes, and enrolled in the intervention between August 2017 and March 2019.

Results

We identified four e-cigarette user groups (n = 990) based on the participants’ baseline and six-month e-cigarette use (non-users, n = 621; recently started users, n = 60; sustained users, n = 187; recently stopped users, n = 122). A multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of six-month quit outcome and the e-cigarette user groups. Compared to e-cigarette non-users, the odds of quitting smoking were significantly higher among recently stopped users (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI [1.06, 2.67], p = 0.03). Participants who were most successful at quitting combustible cigarettes also stopped using e-cigarettes at follow-up, although many sustained using both products. Findings suggest that digital tobacco cessation interventions may carefully consider how to promote e-cigarette use cessation among participants who successfully quit smoking.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03224520 (July 21, 2017).
Dissecting human adipose tissue heterogeneity using single‐cell omics technologies
Authors: Di Rocco Giuliana , Trivisonno Angelo , Trivisonno Giovanni , Toietta Gabriele
Published: September 2024

Single-cell omics technologies that profile genes (genomic and epigenomic) and determine the abundance of mRNA (transcriptomic), protein (proteomic and secretomic), lipids (lipidomic), and extracellular matrix (matrisomic) support the dissection of adipose tissue heterogeneity at unprecedented resolution in a temporally and spatially defined manner. In particular, cell omics technologies may provide innovative biomarkers for the identification of rare specific progenitor cell subpopulations, assess transcriptional and proteomic changes affecting cell proliferation and immunomodulatory potential, and accurately define the lineage hierarchy and differentiation status of progenitor cells. Unraveling adipose tissue complexity may also provide for the precise assessment of a dysfunctional state, which has been associated with cancer, as cancer-associated adipocytes play an important role in shaping the tumor microenvironment supporting tumor progression and metastasis, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The information collected by single-cell omics has relevant implications for regenerative medicine because adipose tissue is an accessible source of multipotent cells; alternative cell-free approaches, including the use of adipose tissue stromal cell-conditioned medium, extracellular vesicles, or decellularized extracellular matrix, are clinically valid options. Subcutaneous white adipose tissue, which is generally harvested via liposuction, is highly heterogeneous because of intrinsic biological variability and extrinsic inconsistencies in the harvesting and processing procedures. The current limited understanding of adipose tissue heterogeneity impinges on the definition of quality standards appropriate for clinical translation, which requires consistency and uniformity of the administered product. We review the methods used for dissecting adipose tissue heterogeneity and provide an overview of advances in omics technology that may contribute to the exploration of heterogeneity and dynamics of adipose tissue at the single-cell level.
Keeping medical information safe and confidential: a qualitative study on perceptions of Israeli physicians
Authors: Semyonov-Tal Keren
Published: September 2024

Background

Patients expect their information to remain confidential, and physicians have a legal and ethical obligation to keep it this way. Confidentiality is not just a legal requirement but a crucial element in establishing trust between patients and healthcare providers. Patients must feel confident that their personal and medical information is kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Previous studies have primarily concentrated on patients’ perceptions of medical confidentiality, data privacy, and data protection issues. However, research on the practical practices and perceptions of medical confidentiality among hospital physicians is scant, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of this critical issue.

Methods

Through qualitative methods and as part of a large-scale study on aspects of patient dignity and responsiveness in Israel, physicians shared their views and practices on managing medical information.

Results

The study revealed the practical challenges physicians face in upholding various aspects of data protection within hospital settings. These challenges, strategies, and deviations from data protection principles that physicians discussed are of significant practical relevance. The importance of patient consent and the practical measures for safeguarding patient information were also highlighted. While physicians acknowledged the importance of protecting patient information, they also grappled with the realities of doing so in a complex healthcare environment. In future healthcare policies, it is critical to ensure robust measures are in place to safeguard and uphold medical confidentiality. These can include specific measures to increase compliance, such as regularly monitoring compliance with confidentiality policies, producing safe and anonymous channels to voice concerns, and enforcing consequences for any breaches to ensure accountability.

Conclusions

While protecting medical information has emerged as an important goal, it is equally crucial to strike a balance between the need to share information to advance and provide quality medical care. Physicians and policymakers must navigate this delicate balance. Additionally, organizations should strengthen compliance to enhance their monitoring and enforcement of confidentiality policies. Ineffective implementation of medical confidentiality leads to theoretical guidelines that do not translate effectively into practice.
Subjective performance assessment protocol for visual explanations-based face verification explainability
Authors: Bousnina Naima , Ascenso João , Correia Paulo Lobato , Pereira Fernando
Published: September 2024

The integration of Face Verification (FV) systems into multiple critical moments of daily life has become increasingly prevalent, raising concerns regarding the transparency and reliability of these systems. Consequently, there is a growing need for FV explainability tools to provide insights into the behavior of these systems. FV explainability tools that generate visual explanations, e.g., saliency maps, heatmaps, contour-based visualization maps, and face segmentation maps, show promise in enhancing FV transparency by highlighting the contributions of different face regions to the FV decision-making process. However, evaluating the performance of such explainability tools remains challenging due to the lack of standardized assessment metrics and protocols. In this context, this paper proposes a subjective performance assessment protocol for evaluating the explainability performance of visual explanation-based FV explainability tools through pairwise comparisons of their explanation outputs. The proposed protocol encompasses a set of key specifications designed to efficiently collect the subjects’ preferences and estimate explainability performance scores, facilitating the relative assessment of the explainability tools. This protocol aims to address the current gap in evaluating the effectiveness of visual explanation-based FV explainability tools, providing a structured approach for assessing their performance and comparing with alternative tools. The proposed protocol is exercised and validated through an experiment conducted using two distinct heatmap-based FV explainability tools, notably FV-RISE and CorrRISE, taken as examples of visual explanation-based explainability tools, considering the various types of FV decisions, i.e., True Acceptance (TA), False Acceptance (FA), True Rejection (TR), and False Rejection (FR). A group of subjects with variety in age, gender, and ethnicity was tasked to express their preferences regarding the heatmap-based explanations generated by the two selected explainability tools. The subject preferences were collected and statistically processed to derive quantifiable scores, expressing the relative explainability performance of the assessed tools. The experimental results revealed that both assessed explainability tools exhibit comparable explainability performance for FA, TR, and FR decisions with CorrRISE performing slightly better than FV-RISE for TA decisions.
Interpolation for neural-network operators activated with a generalized logistic-type function
Authors: Uyan Hande , Aslan Abdullah Ozan , Karateke Seda , Büyükyazıcı İbrahim
Published: September 2024

This paper defines a family of neural-network interpolation operators. The first derivative of generalized logistic-type functions is considered as a density function. Using the first-order uniform approximation theorem for continuous functions defined on the finite intervals, the interpolation properties of these operators are presented. A Kantorovich-type variant of the operators $F_{n}^{a,\varepsilon} $

F
n

a
,
ε

is also introduced. The approximation of Kantorovich-type operators in $L_{P}$

L
P

spaces with $1 \leq p\leq \infty $
1
≤
p
≤
∞
is studied. Further, different combinations of the parameters of our generalized logistic-type activation function $\theta _{s, a}$

θ

s
,
a

are examined to see which parameter values might give us a more efficient activation function. By choosing suitable parameters for the operator $F_{n}^{a,\varepsilon} $

F
n

a
,
ε

and the Kantorovich variant of the operator $F_{n}^{a,\varepsilon} $

F
n

a
,
ε

, the approximation of various function examples is studied.
Research priorities to strengthen environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities: the CLEAN Group Consensus
Authors: Gon Giorgia , Dramowski Angela , Hornsey Emilio , Graham Wendy , Fardousi Nasser , Aiken Alexander , Allegranzi Benedetta , Anderson Darcy , Bartram James , Bhattacharya Sanjay , Brogan John , Caluwaerts An , Padoveze Maria Clara , Damani Nizam , Dancer Stephanie , Deeves Miranda , Denny Lindsay , Feasey Nicholas , Hall Lisa , Hopman Joost , Chettry Laxman Kharal , Kiernan Martin , Kilpatrick Claire , Mehtar Shaheen , Moe Christine , Nurse-Findlay Stephen , Ogunsola Folasade , Okwor Tochi , Pascual Bruno , Patrick Molly , Pearse Oliver , Peters Alexandra , Pittet Didier , Storr Julie , Tomczyk Sara , Weiser Thomas G. , Yakubu Habib
Published: September 2024

Environmental cleaning is essential to patient and health worker safety, yet it is a substantially neglected area in terms of knowledge, practice, and capacity-building, especially in resource-limited settings. Public health advocacy, research and investment are urgently needed to develop and implement cost-effective interventions to improve environmental cleanliness and, thus, overall healthcare quality and safety. We outline here the CLEAN Group Consensus exercise yielding twelve urgent research questions, grouped into four thematic areas: standards, system strengthening, behaviour change, and innovation.
Hydrological response to climate change in Baro basin, Ethiopia, using representative concentration pathway scenarios
Authors: Ebissa Tolossa Negassa , Kassaye Shimelash Molla , Malede Demelash Ademe
Published: September 2024

Droughts and floods are common in the Baro basin and climate change may exacerbate them. This study aimed to investigate the hydrological response to climate change’s impact in the Baro River basin. Four climate models namely, Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model, version 2 (HadGEM2-ES), Max Planck Institute Earth System Model—Low Resolution (MPI-ESM-LR), Coupled Model Version 5, Medium Resolution (CM5A-MR) and European Community Earth System Model (EC-Earth) dynamically downscaled outputs were obtained from Africa coordinated regional downscaling experiment program. The four climate models were evaluated using a suite of statistical measures such as bias, Root Mean Squared Error, and Coefficient of Variation. The bias of the simulated rainfall varies between − 4.20% and − 25.39% suggesting underestimation. The performance of the models differs subject to the performance measures used for evaluation. Before being used in the climate impact analysis, the climate model data was heavily skewed and needed correction. In terms of bias, HadGEM2-ES performed the worst while EC-Earth performed the best. MPI-ESM-LR was the worst performer in terms of RMSE and CM5A-MR was the best. Changes in the hydrological response to climate change were compared to the baseline scenario (1971–2000) under the Representative Concentration Pathway Scenarios (RCP 4.5) for the medium term (2041–2070). The GCM predictions for the RCP 4.5 scenarios suggested that, in the medium period (2041–2070) the maximum temperature in the Baro River basin will probably rise by 2.1 °C for MPI-ESM-LR and 2.49 °C for CM5A-MR, while the minimum temperature would likely climb by 1.7 °C to EC-Earth and 2.8 °C for HadGEM2-ES. Annual rainfall is expected to fall by 7.02% for CM5A-MR and 17.01% for HadGEM2-ES, while annual evapotranspiration potential is likely to rise. Except from March to May CM5A-MR consistently generated the greatest amount of streamflow change, while MPI-ESM-LR consistently generated the highest magnitude of streamflow change. The annual streamflow reduction is consistent with the annual precipitation reduction and increased annual potential evapotranspiration. Generally, climate change is predicted to have a significant impact on the hydrological response in the Baro River basin under the RCP 4.5 scenario.
Potential of Soft-Shelled Rugby Headgear to Lower Regional Brain Strain Metrics During Standard Drop Tests
Authors: Stitt Danyon , Kabaliuk Natalia , Alexander Keith , Draper Nick
Published: September 2024

Background

The growing concern for player safety in rugby has led to an increased focus on head impacts. Previous laboratory studies have shown that rugby headgear significantly reduces peak linear and rotational accelerations compared to no headgear. However, these metrics may have limited relevance in assessing the effectiveness of headgear in preventing strain-based brain injuries like concussions. This study used an instantaneous deep-learning brain injury model to quantify regional brain strain mitigation of rugby headgear during drop tests. Tests were conducted on flat and angled impact surfaces across different heights, using a Hybrid III headform and neck.

Results

Headgear presence generally reduced the peak rotational velocities, with some headgear outperforming others. However, the effect on peak regional brain strains was less consistent. Of the 5 headgear tested, only the newer models that use open cell foams at densities above 45 kg/m3 consistently reduced the peak strain in the cerebrum, corpus callosum, and brainstem. The 3 conventional headgear that use closed cell foams at or below 45 kg/m3 showed no consistent reduction in the peak strain in the cerebrum, corpus callosum, and brainstem.

Conclusions

The presence of rugby headgear may be able to reduce the severity of head impact exposure during rugby. However, to understand how these findings relate to brain strain mitigation in the field, further investigation into the relationship between the impact conditions in this study and those encountered during actual gameplay is necessary.
Fire history in northern Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests across a distinct gradient in productivity
Authors: Coppoletta Michelle , Knapp Eric E. , Collins Brandon M. , Abbott Celeste S. , Fertel Hannah M. , Stephens Scott L.
Published: September 2024

Background

Understanding the role of fire in forested landscapes is fundamental to fire reintroduction efforts, yet few studies have examined how fire dynamics vary in response to interactions between local conditions, such as soil productivity, and more broadscale changes in climate. In this study, we examined historical fire frequency, seasonality, and spatial patterning in mixed conifer forests across a distinct gradient of soil productivity in the northern Sierra Nevada. We cross-dated 46 different wood samples containing 377 fire scars from 6 paired sites, located on and off of ultramafic serpentine soils. Forests on serpentine-derived soils have slower growth rates, lower biomass accumulation, and patchier vegetation than adjacent, non-serpentine sites. Due to these differences, we hypothesized that historical fire frequency and spatial extent would be reduced in mixed conifer forests growing on serpentine soils.

Results

Fire scars revealed a history of frequent fire at all of our sites (median composite interval: 6–22.5 years) despite clear differences in soil productivity. Fire frequency was slightly shorter in more productive non-serpentine sites, but this difference was not consistently significant within our sample pairs. While fires were frequent, both on and off of serpentine, they were also highly asynchronous, and this was largely driven by differing climate–fire relationships. Fires in more productive sites were strongly associated with drought conditions in the year of the fire, while fires in less productive serpentine sites appeared to be more dependent on a cycle of wet and dry conditions in the years preceding the fire. Widespread fires that crossed the boundary between serpentine and non-serpentine were associated with drier than normal years.

Conclusions

In our study, fine-scale variation in historical fire regime attributes was linked to both bottom-up and top-down controls. Understanding how these factors interact to create variation in fire frequency, timing, and spatial extent can help managers more effectively define desired conditions, develop management objectives, and identify management strategies for fire reintroduction and forest restoration projects.
A maternal diet high in carbohydrates causes bradyarrhythmias and changes in heart rate variability in the offspring sex-dependent in mice
Authors: Arroyo-Carmona Rosa Elena , Mitre-Velasco Yareth , Martinez-Laguna Ygnacio , Torres-Jácome Julián , Albarado-Ibañez Alondra
Published: September 2024

Background

Maternal obesity prepregnancy, as well as gestational overweight produced by high-sucrose diet, could be evolved to the cardiometabolic diseases in offspring during adulthood. Until then, the cardiometabolic diseases were ignored that have been presented or inherited in the offspring for overnutrition were ignored, depend on gender. We proposed that maternal prepregnancy obesity in CD1 mice, as well as gestational overweight produced by a high sucrose diet, develop to cardiometabolic disease in offspring and even if gender. For detection of the cardiometabolic diseases in a Murine model with a high sucrose diet (HSD), the time series formed by the RR intervals taken from lead I of the ECG has used the corresponding Poincare plot. The heart rate variability was characterized by the standard deviation of width and length SD1, SD2 respectively of the Poincare plot and the SD1/SD2 correlation index in addition was calculated between to gender and body weight.

Results

A maternal diet was based high sucrose diet and produced overweight on progeny in both sexes, but the cardiac arrhythmias depended on gender. Other results were due to the chronic effect of high sucrose diet in offspring with this intrauterine ambiance that contributes to changes in HRV, arrhythmias, and sinus pauses, also these phenomena were observed just in the male mice offspring with high sucrose diet during adulthood.

Conclusions

We propose, that the arrhythmias originated from fetal programming due to the maternal diet in mice model and produced alterations in the offspring female more than in the male, probably due to hormones.
Additive effects of
Bridelia ferruginea
leaf meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal on nutrients digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits
Authors: Osman Alhassan , Owusu Ahmed Abdullah , Ofosu Jeffrey , Sasu Prince , Abdul Aziz Yunus , Attoh-Kotoku Victoria , Osafo Emmanuel Lartey Kwame
Published: September 2024

Background

Protein is a crucial nutrient for enhancing livestock performance and productivity, traditionally sourced from soybean and fish meal. However, issues like erratic availability and rising prices necessitate exploring alternative protein sources. Tropical plants, especially leaf meals, are being considered to replace or supplement conventional protein sources in rabbit diets.
Bridelia ferruginea,
a plant abundant in West Africa, is recognized for its medicinal properties, but its potential as an animal feed is largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of graded levels of
Bridelia ferruginea
leaf meal (BFLM) as a partial substitute for soybean meal in the diets of weaner rabbits.

Materials and methods

The experiment was conducted at the Animal Science Department of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. BFLM was obtained by air-drying harvested leaves and milling them. Four diets were formulated, with BFLM partially replacing soybean meal at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Representative samples of BFLM and all formulated diets were analyzed for their proximate composition and detergent fibre fractions. Twenty-four weaner rabbits were assigned to these diets in a Completely Randomized Design. The study covered a 10-week period, assessing growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, and economics of production.

Results

The chemical composition of BFLM revealed favorable attributes for rabbit feeding, with 20.5% crude protein and 92.6% dry matter. Growth performance declined at 30% BFLM inclusion, indicating a possible impact of anti-nutritional factors. Feed conversion ratio increased at higher BFLM levels. Nutrient digestibility showed a decline in dry matter digestibility at 30% BFLM. Carcass characteristics were affected at higher BFLM levels, with dressing percentage decreasing. Weights of internal organs were generally not negatively affected by the inclusion of BFLM. Economic analysis indicated a linear reduction in feed cost with increasing BFLM inclusion.

Conclusion

The study suggests that BFLM can be incorporated up to 20% in weaner rabbit diets without compromising productivity, nutrient digestibility, or dressing percentage. Beyond 20%, adverse effects on growth performance and some carcass characteristics were observed. Economically, BFLM incorporation up to 20% lowered feed costs without compromising feed efficiency. Incorporation of BFLM up to 20% in weaner rabbit diets had no adverse effects on the weights and functions of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Overall, BFLM presents a promising alternative protein source for weaner rabbit diets, contributing to cost-effective and sustainable livestock production.
Leveraging meta-heuristic algorithms for effective software fault prediction: a comprehensive study
Authors: Dang Zhizheng , Wang Hui
Published: September 2024

In large-scale software development, the increasing complexity of software products poses a daunting challenge to maintaining software quality. Given this challenge, software fault prediction (SFP) is a critical endeavor for effective budgeting and refinement of the testing process. Quantitative insights into software quality gained through measurements are crucial in enabling accurate SFP. With the proliferation of software in various fields, ensuring software reliability throughout the software life cycle has become paramount. Anticipating software bugs, which have the potential to reduce software maintenance costs dramatically, is a key approach to improving software reliability. In this regard, using nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms is promising because of their ability to predict future conditions and identify software anomalies. This study examines the potential of various meta-heuristic algorithms, particularly particle swarm optimization, genetic, ant colony optimization, cuckoo search, lion optimization, firefly, moth-flame, whale optimization, and artificial bee colony algorithms, in addressing the SFP challenge. The study outlines the challenging problems, compares approaches based on fundamental variables, and offers suggestions for future studies, providing a comprehensive and systematic analysis of these algorithms in the context of SFP.
Taurodeoxycholic acid alleviates diquat-induced intestinal barrier function injury in mice through the upregulation of Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Jinglei , Zhang Yuhan , Song Mengzhen , Guo Xuming , Fan Jinping , Tao Shiyu
Published: September 2024

Oxidative stress is an important contributor to gastrointestinal diseases in multiple ways. Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) is a metabolite of bile acids and has anti-inflammatory and protective effects on the intestinal tract. However, whether TDCA can alleviate oxidative stress in the intestine is still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of TDCA on diquat-induced oxidative stress in the jejunum and its mechanism. The results revealed that TDCA increased the concentrations of antioxidant enzymes in the serum, jejunal tissue and intestinal epithelial cells of the mice, as did the expression of tight junction-associated proteins and the Nrf2 protein in the jejunal epithelial tissue and intestinal epithelial cells. We then explored the mechanism of Nrf2 with ML385 (a specific Nrf2 inhibitor). The results showed that after ML385 treatment, the levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased in the serum, jejunum, and intestinal epithelial tissues of the mice. The expression of tight junction proteins in jejunum epithelial tissues and intestinal epithelial cells was also decreased. In conclusion, our study suggests that TDCA alleviates oxidative stress to improve intestinal barrier function through the Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway. These findings help elucidate the role of TDCA in protecting the intestinal barrier and its mechanism of action, providing insights for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Implications of Tarski's undefinability theorem on the Theory of Everything
Authors: Faizal Mir , Shabir Arshid , Khan Aatif Kaisar
Published: September 2024

The Theory of Everything

seeks to unify all fundamental forces of nature, including quantum gravity, into a single theoretical framework. This theory would be defined internally using a set of axioms, and this paper proposes a set of axioms for any such theory. Furthermore, for such a theory, all scientific truth would be defined internally as consequences derivable from the rules of such a theory. This paper then examines the implications of Tarski's undefinability theorem on scientific truths derived from such axioms. We demonstrate that Tarski's theorem imposes limitations on any such formal system

. However, we also argue that the Lucas-Penrose argument suggests that non-algorithmic understanding can transcend these formal limitations.
L-Dopa Might Be Insufficient to Suppress Development of Prolactinomas in Dihydropteridine Reductase-Deficiency Patients
Authors: Diaz-Moreno Unai , Gan Cheng Guang , Pujari Divya , Gan Hoong-Wei , Batzios Spyros
Published: September 2024

Dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) deficiency is a disorder that prevents regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), causing hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and low levels of neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Due to low levels of dopamine, patients present with hyperprolactinemia. Treatment consists of a phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet, hydroxytryptophan and levodopa (L-Dopa) supplementation, leading to a rapid normalization of prolactin (PRL) levels. We report a case of a patient with DHPR deficiency presenting with new symptomatic hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea in adolescence despite appropriate management. The prolactinoma was confirmed with pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was started on cabergoline with rapid normalization of PRL levels and resolution of symptoms, in keeping with previous reports. Cabergoline has a stronger affinity for the D2R receptor and longer half-life than L-Dopa, leading to lactotroph apoptosis, tumor shrinkage, and rapid and maintained normalization of PRL levels, with a better side-effect profile. Patients with DHPR deficiency need to be actively monitored for symptomatic hyperprolactinemia, as L-Dopa monotherapy is insufficient to suppress PRL secretion, leading to lactotroph hypertrophy and proliferation over time and development of prolactinomas in later life.
The Iron Mess
Authors: Phillips Sarah T.
Published: September 2024

While the “iron triangle” remains a useful metaphor for describing tight and inertial links among policymakers, invested beneficiaries, and administrative officials, the label historically applies only to the classic period of modern US agricultural policy, between the 1930s and 1960s. Only farm interests sat at the table, politicians gained little by challenging the isolated process, and outsiders had no pull. This changed after the 1960s and 1970s, when the modern farm bill combined food assistance with the traditional commodity supports, and in a post-reform Congress, where power shifted from southern committee chairs toward party caucuses and leaders. New coalitions found openings and opportunities to advance programs and to exchange strategic support. While the fundamental directions of policy, research, and extension may never have shifted radically or fundamentally, it is not historically accurate to blame an iron triangle of simple and limited interests.
1964
Authors: Smith Bobby
Published: September 2024

As the nation prepares to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 on August 31, 2024, this essay reframes the “iron triangle” of agricultural policy that generated the Food Stamp Program, known today as the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Since 1964, public discourses about food stamps focus mainly on the legislation and those who carry it out or those who receive federal food assistance. But what about grocery store owners and retailers? Drawing on research from my book Food Power Politics, the essay takes up this question and analyzes a largely unknown March 1964 phone conversation about food stamp legislation between President Lyndon B. Johnson and Senator James O. Eastland of Mississippi. This conversation compels us to consider how racial dynamics and political motivations shaped congressional support of food stamps and look beyond the farm gate when thinking about agricultural and food legislation.
Searching for Stability
Authors: Plishka Matthew
Published: September 2024

This article analyzes the revitalization of Jamaica's sugar industry in the first half of the twentieth century and the overall shift in agricultural focus from bananas back to sugar in the context of the effects of the banana blight known as Panama disease. It argues that Panama disease and the response of small and large farmers to it, as well as weather events and changes in global markets, led growers to switch from banana to sugar cultivation. Afro-Jamaican smallholders led the shift to sugar in the 1910s, as they were the first to grapple with Panama disease in Jamaica. By the mid-1920s Panama disease had reached large banana plantations as well, and many planters, like smallholders a decade prior, responded by turning their plantations into sugar, rather than banana, monocultures. By the end of World War II, as a result of Panama disease, along with transformations in the sugar industry that came in the wake of the disease's spread, sugar had once more become Jamaica's primary agricultural export. Examining the Jamaican sugar industry as part of the history of Panama disease highlights that plant diseases affect much more than the specific crop they infect. Rather, they can have significant ramifications for other crops and the associated industries that make up the broader agroecosystems.
Building Power for Health: The Grassroots Politics of Sustaining and Strengthening Medicaid
Authors: Michener Jamila
Published: September 2024

Context: Notwithstanding an impressive corpus charting the politics of Medicaid, there is still much to learn about the contemporary politics of sustaining, expanding, and protecting the program. There is especially scant scholarly evidence on the significance and function of grassroots political actors (i.e., the communities and groups most directly affected by health policy). This article explores the role such groups play in the politics of Medicaid.

Methods: This research is based on qualitative interviews with organizers and advocates working in the domain of health policy.

Findings: The power of grassroots actors in Medicaid politics is constrained by political and structural forces, including philanthropic funding practices, racism, and partisan polarization. Nevertheless, when bottom-up actors effectively exercise power, their involvement in Medicaid politics can transform policy processes and outcomes.

Conclusions: Grassroots actors—those who are part of, represent, organize, or mobilize the people most affected by Medicaid policy—can play pivotal roles within Medicaid politics. Although they do not yet have sufficient political wherewithal to consistently advance transformational policy change, ongoing political processes suggest that they hold promise for being an increasingly important political force.