bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting LGBTIQA+ communities in small rural settings: a case study of health promotion in a community health service
Authors: Couch Dianne , Clow Sherene
Published: January 2023

People from LGBTIQA+ communities living in rural areas experience significant disparities across a range of health and wellbeing indicators, high levels of stigma and discrimination, and difficulty accessing inclusive health and support services. This article discusses a targeted health promotion intervention designed to build supportive health and social programs to address these problems. We describe the initial needs assessment undertaken to inform the intervention, the role and activities of the health promotion officer funded through the program, and present evaluation data on program outcomes. The article demonstrates that modest funding for health promotion can make a positive contribution to connecting and supporting individuals in a small regional community, leading to better health and wellbeing outcomes.
Evidence of time-lag in the provision of ecosystem services by tropical regenerating forests to coffee yields
Authors: González-Chaves Adrian David , Gigante Carvalheiro Luísa , Ribero Piffer Pedro , d’Albertas Francisco , Giannini Tereza Cristina , Viana Blandina Felipe , Metzger Jean Paul
Published: January 2023

Restoration of native tropical forests is crucial for protecting biodiversity and ecosystem functions, such as carbon stock capacity. However, little is known about the contribution of early stages of forest regeneration to crop productivity through the enhancement of ecosystem services, such as crop pollination and pest control. Using data from 610 municipalities along the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (30 m spatial resolution), we evaluated if young regenerating forests (YRFs) (less than 20 years old) are positively associated with coffee yield and whether such a relationship depends on the amount of preserved forest in the surroundings of the coffee fields. We found that regenerating forest alone was not associated with variations in coffee yields. However, the presence of YRF (within a 500 m buffer) was positively related to higher coffee yields when the amount of preserved forest in a 2 km buffer is above a 20% threshold cover. These results further reinforce that regional coffee yields are influenced by changes in biodiversity-mediated ecosystem services, which are explained by the amount of mature forest in the surrounding of coffee fields. We argue that while regenerating fragments may contribute to increased connectivity between remnants of forest fragments and crop fields in landscapes with a minimum amount of forest (20%), older preserved forests (more than 20 years) are essential for sustaining pollinator and pest enemy’s populations. These results highlight the potential time lag of at least 20 years of regenerating forests’ in contributing to the provision of ecosystem services that affect coffee yields (e.g. pollination and pest control). We emphasize the need to implement public policies that promote ecosystem restoration and ensure the permanence of these new forests over time.
How can machine learning help in understanding the impact of climate change on crop yields?
Authors: Sidhu Balsher Singh , Mehrabi Zia , Ramankutty Navin , Kandlikar Milind
Published: January 2023

Ordinary least squares linear regression (LR) has long been a popular choice among researchers interested in using historical data for estimating crop yield response to climate change. Today, the rapidly growing field of machine learning (ML) offers a wide range of advanced statistical tools that are increasingly being used for more accurate estimates of this relationship. This study compares LR to a popular ML technique called boosted regression trees (BRTs). We find that BRTs provide a significantly better prediction accuracy compared to various LR specifications, including those fitting quadratic and piece-wise linear functions. BRTs are also able to identify break points where the relationship between climate and yield undergoes significant shifts (for example, increasing yields with precipitation followed by a plateauing of the relationship beyond a certain point). Tests we performed with synthetically simulated climate and crop yield data showed that BRTs can automatically account for not only spatial variation in climate–yield relationships, but also interactions between different variables that affect crop yields. We then used both statistical techniques to estimate the influence of historical climate change on rice, wheat, and pearl millet in India. BRTs predicted a considerably smaller negative impact compared to LR. This may be an artifact of BRTs conflating time and climate variables, signaling a potential weakness of models with excessively flexible functional forms for inferring climate impacts on agriculture. Our findings thus suggest caution while interpreting the results from single-model analyses, especially in regions with highly varied climate and agricultural practices.
Entropy of sharp restart
Authors: Eliazar Iddo , Reuveni Shlomi
Published: January 2023

Restart has the potential of expediting or impeding the completion times of general random processes. Consequently, the issue of mean-performance takes center stage: quantifying how the application of restart on a process of interest impacts its completion-time’s mean. Going beyond the mean, little is known on how restart affects stochasticity measures of the completion time. This paper is the first in a duo of studies that address this knowledge gap via: a comprehensive analysis that quantifies how sharp restart—a keystone restart protocol—impacts the Shannon entropy of the completion time. The analysis establishes closed-form results for sharp restart with general timers, with fast timers (high-frequency resetting), and with slow timers (low-frequency resetting). These results share a common structure: comparing the completion-time’s hazard rate to a flat benchmark—the constant hazard rate of an exponential distribution whose entropy is equal to the completion-time’s entropy. In addition, using an information-geometric approach based on Kullback–Leibler distances, the analysis establishes results that determine the very existence of timers with which the application of sharp restart decreases or increases the completion-time’s entropy. Our work sheds first light on the intricate interplay between restart and randomness—as gauged by the Shannon entropy.
Repeated genetic divergence plays a minor role in repeated phenotypic divergence of lake-stream stickleback
Authors: Poore Hilary A , Stuart Yoel E , Rennison Diana J , Roesti Marius , Hendry Andrew P , Bolnick Daniel I , Peichel Catherine L
Published: January 2023

Recent studies have shown that the repeated evolution of similar phenotypes in response to similar ecological conditions (here “parallel evolution”) often occurs through mutations in the same genes. However, many previous studies have focused on known candidate genes in a limited number of systems. Thus, the question of how often parallel phenotypic evolution is due to parallel genetic changes remains open. Here, we used quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in F2 intercrosses between lake and stream threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from four independent watersheds on Vancouver Island, Canada to determine whether the same QTL underlie divergence in the same phenotypes across, between, and within watersheds. We find few parallel QTL, even in independent crosses from the same watershed or for phenotypes that have diverged in parallel. These findings suggest that different mutations can lead to similar phenotypes. The low genetic repeatability observed in these lake-stream systems contrasts with the higher genetic repeatability observed in other stickleback systems. We speculate that differences in evolutionary history, gene flow, and/or the strength and direction of selection might explain these differences in genetic parallelism and emphasize that more work is needed to move beyond documenting genetic parallelism to identifying the underlying causes.
Does External Threat Unify? Chinese Pressure and Domestic Politics in Taiwan and South Korea
Authors: Carothers Christopher
Published: January 2023

Since 2009, China's growing geopolitical assertiveness has triggered or exacerbated conflicts with many of its neighbors. External threat is often believed to produce domestic cohesion, such as bipartisanship or a rally-‘round-the-flag effect. However, this study uses the cases of Taiwan and South Korea to show that political parties have sometimes united around a response to Chinese pressure but at other times have been sharply divided. Despite Beijing's aggression toward Taiwan since 2016, the Kuomintang and the Democratic Progressive Party remain at odds over cross-strait policy. In contrast, South Korean conservatives and progressives united in response to Chinese economic sanctions over the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. I argue that a country is less likely to unite against a foreign threat when a “formative rift” in its history divides political groups over national identity issues and causes them to perceive the threat differently, as in Taiwan but not South Korea. This study is based on a multilingual analysis of Taiwanese and South Korean political parties’ statements on China policy. Its findings contribute to scholarship on how international factors affect domestic politics and our understanding of China's rise.
Political justice in a complex global order: rethinking pluralist legitimacy
Authors: Macdonald Terry
Published: January 2023

Principles of global political justice define how global society's governing institutional powers should be constituted, and by whom they should be exercised. Political justice seeks to establish political legitimacy under moral constraint—achieved through forms of governance function, political inclusion and political participation that respect the equal autonomy of all individuals within the global order as a whole. Over the last century, the dominant institutional model of political justice has been liberal internationalist. But erosion of the territorial and national boundaries of state-based political governance, accelerated by processes of ‘globalization’, has produced deepening legitimacy crises in the liberal international order. This article addresses this challenge by assessing what normative framework of political justice is best suited to the new global era of complex interdependence. Drawing on claims articulated by real-world global justice activists, it argues for a normative theoretical critique and reconstruction of the idea of pluralist legitimacy—replacing the familiar liberal internationalist model of pluralist legitimacy with a more complex variant of global pluralist legitimacy. This analysis contributes a cohesive conceptual framework for understanding the normative significance of diverse contemporary global legitimacy crises and activist justice claims that may otherwise appear disparate. In doing so, it illuminates the role played by justice ideals in guiding trajectories of change within the dynamic global political order.
Real Semi-Stable Degenerations, Real-Oriented Blow-Ups, and Straightening Corners
Authors: Rau Johannes
Published: January 2023

We study totally real semi-stable degenerations (and more generally, smooth semi-stable degenerations). Our goal is to describe the homeomorphism type of the real locus ${\textbf R} X_t$ of the general fibre in terms of the special fibre. We give a general homeomorphism statement via the real-oriented blow-up of the family. Using this, we give more explicit descriptions of ${\textbf R} X_t$ as a stratified space glued from (covers of) strata of the special fibre. We also give relative versions of the statements and consider the example of toric degenerations in order to link the technique to tropicalisation.
Simultaneous Monitoring and Decontamination of Pesticide Residues in Phytomedicine-Enriched Betel Leaf Utilizing QuEChERS-GC-MS/MS Technology to Safeguard Public Health
Authors: Soyel S K Amir , Hazra Dipak Kumar , Ruidas Subhajit , Mandal Swagata , Bhattacharyya Sudip , Poi Rajlakshmi , Karmakar Rajib , Mondal Goutam , Majumder Sujan , Mondal Prithusayak
Published: January 2023

Background

The presence of undesirable substances, including pesticides (xenobiotics) in betel leaf (Piper betel), is a great concern for consumers because it is chewed and consumed directly. To protect the consumer’s health, a modified QuEChERS method for monitoring purposes and subsequent decontamination process has been developed.

Objective

The goal of this work was to establish a multi-residue analytical method for monitoring nonpermitted organophosphorus pesticide residues in betel leaf, as well as cost-effective cleaning strategies.

Method

The homogenized 15 g samples (20 betel leaf samples collected in West Bengal, India) were extracted with a modified QuEChERS method using acetonitrile, reconstituted to acetone, and finally analyzed by GC–MS/MS. Possible decontamination techniques (such as tap water washing, 2% saltwater washing, and lukewarm water washing) were evaluated.

Results

The limit of detection ranged from 0.003 to 0.005 mg/kg, and limit of quantification was 0.01 mg/kg. Recoveries ranged from 80 to 120% with RSDr 9%. One sample was found to contain three pesticides 4 to 7 times higher than MRLs. Suggested decontamination methods allowed reducing toxic traces below European limits.

Conclusions

The suggested approach is useful for determining pesticide residues in betel leaves quickly. Traditional techniques of processing betel leaves may reduce pesticide residues below regulatory limits.

Highlights

A multi-residue method and decontamination of pesticides in betel leaf using QuEChERS-GC–MS/MS technology with satisfactory method performance was achieved. Domestic decontamination techniques have a high efficacy in reducing pesticide residues from betel leaves, making them safe for human consumption.
Twisted magnetic field in star formation processes of L1521 F revealed by submillimeter dual-band polarimetry using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope
Authors: Fukaya Sakiko , Shinnaga Hiroko , Furuya Ray S , Tomisaka Kohji , Machida Masahiro N , Harada Naoto
Published: January 2023

Understanding the initial conditions of star formation requires both observational studies and theoretical works taking into account the magnetic field, which plays an important role in star formation processes. Herein, we study the young nearby dense cloud core L1521 F [n(H2) ∼104−6 cm−3] in the Taurus Molecular Cloud. This dense core hosts a 0.2 M⊙ protostar, categorized as a very low luminosity object with complex velocity structures, particularly in the vicinity of the protostar. To trace the magnetic field within the dense core, we conducted high-sensitivity submillimeter polarimetry of the dust continuum at λ = 850 μm and 450 μm using the POL-2 polarimeter situated in front of the SCUBA-2 submillimeter bolometer camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. This was compared with millimeter polarimetry taken at λ = 3.3 mm with ALMA. The magnetic field was detected at λ = 850 μm in the peripheral region, which is threaded in a north–south direction, while the central region traced at λ = 450 μm shows a magnetic field with an east–west direction, i.e., orthogonal to that of the peripheral region. Magnetic field strengths are estimated to be ∼70 μG and 200 μG in the peripheral and central regions, respectively, using the Davis–Chandrasekhar–Fermi method. The resulting mass-to-flux ratio of three times larger than that of magnetically critical state for both regions indicates that L 1521 F is magnetically supercritical, i.e., gravitational forces dominate over magnetic turbulence forces. Combining observational data with magnetohydrodynamic simulations, detailed parameters of the morphological properties of this puzzling object are derived for the first time.
Solitary waves on flows with an exponentially sheared current and stagnation points
Authors: Flamarion Marcelo V , Ribeiro Roberto-J R
Published: January 2023

While several articles have been written on water waves on flows with constant vorticity, little is known about the extent to which a non-constant vorticity affects the flow structure, such as the appearance of stagnation points. In order to shed light on this topic, we investigate in detail the flow beneath solitary waves propagating on an exponentially decaying sheared current. Our focus is to analyse numerically the emergence of stagnation points. For this purpose, we approximate the velocity field within the fluid bulk through the classical Korteweg-de Vries asymptotic expansion and use the Matlab language to evaluate the resulting stream function. Our findings suggest that the flow beneath the waves can have 0, 1 or 2 stagnation points in the fluid body. We also study the bifurcation between these flows. Our simulations indicate that the stagnation points emerge from a streamline with a sharp corner.
Surgical Excision of Postaxial Polydactyly Type B in the Office Setting
Authors: Stults William P. , Peljovich Allan E.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Simple postaxial polydactyly (type B) is a common congenital hand malformation often treated by suture or clip ligation.

Methods:

We present a case series of patients with simple postaxial polydactyly treated by surgical excision using local anesthesia in an office setting.

Results:

The procedure was performed on 78 digits in 48 children with a mean age of 10.2 weeks. There were no intraoperative or early postoperative complications. A follow-up by phone interview was performed at an average of 3.2 years postoperatively. All patients were reported to be pain-free and have normal function without a perceived range of motion deficits. All parents selected the highest level of satisfaction regarding cosmetic outcomes and overall experience with the procedure.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate that an office-based surgical excision is a safe, effective, and economical treatment option and has developed into our standard of care for this common condition.
Evaluation of the noninvasive Temple Touch Pro temperature monitoring system compared with oesophageal temperature in paediatric anaesthesia (PETER PAN)
Authors: Nemeth Marcus , Klose Katharina , Asendorf Thomas , Pancaro Carlo , Mielke Benjamin , Fazliu Albulena , Saager Leif , Bräuer Anselm , Miller Clemens
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Monitoring peri-operative body temperature in children is currently mainly achieved through invasive devices. The Temple Touch Pro Temperature Monitoring System estimates core temperature noninvasively based on heat flux thermometry.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the agreement of this noninvasive sensor against standard oesophageal core temperature.

DESIGN

A prospective observational study.

SETTING

University hospital recruiting between April and July 2021.

PATIENTS

One hundred children (32 girls) aged 6 years or younger scheduled for noncardiac surgery, resulting in 6766 data pairs. Exclusion criteria were contraindication for the insertion of an oesophageal temperature probe, and procedures in which one of the measurement methods would interfere with the surgical field.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was the agreement analysis by a Bland–Altman comparison with multiple measurements. Posthoc, we performed another agreement analysis after exclusion of a statistically determined equilibration time. Secondary outcomes were the temperature differences over time and subgroup analysis of hypothermic, normothermic and hyperthermic temperature ranges, age, sex and sensor's side by type III analysis of variance. Further, we correlated the sonographically determined depth of the artery with trueness.

RESULTS

The mean difference was -0.07°C (95% CI –0.15 to +0.05) with limits of agreement of -1.00 and +0.85°C. After adjusting for an equilibration time of 13 min, the mean difference improved to –0.04°C (95% CI –0.08 to +0.01) with limits of agreement of –0.68 and +0.60°C. Concordance correlation coefficient was 0.83 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.84). Differences between the skin sensor and oesophageal reference increased over time by -0.05°C per hour. Subgroup analysis showed no clinically relevant differences. Depth of artery negatively correlated with trueness by 0.03°C per millimetre.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the Temple Touch Pro sensor showed acceptable accuracy after allowing for an equilibration time, it still needs further investigation for routine use in children. This particularly affects accuracy in hypothermic ranges, imprecise positioning and applicability in children with immature or vulnerable skin.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register, identifier: DRKS00024703
Recent advances predict a bright future for nebulizers
Authors: Troy Michael , Van Vleet Joseph , Tashkin Donald , Barjaktarevic Igor
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

With the improvement in device technology and delivery methods of inhaled medications, along with development of novel compounds and recognition of the importance of personalized approach in the management of chronic airway diseases, nebulizers have not only maintained their place in the treatment hierarchy of airway disease but have also proven a vital platform for the development of new classes of drugs.

Recent findings

This short review explores recent advances in nebulized drug delivery in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic airway diseases, emphasizing the progress in nebulizer technology, physiologic advantages of nebulized drug delivery and the high versatility of currently available and developing nebulizer-delivered pharmacotherapies.

Versatility and efficiency of nebulizers allows for a broad spectrum of existing and novel therapies to be clinically studied, facilitating the progress in phenotype-targeted pharmacotherapies in the management of chronic airway diseases
Next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis: a case series of five consecutive patients
Authors: Yu Lili , Zhang Yu , Qi Xuejiao , Bai Kaixuan , Zhang Zhenyuan , Bu Hui
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The prompt and specific diagnosis of

Listeria monocytogenes

meningoencephalitis (LMM) is challenging. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an emerging technique for diagnosing infrequent causative pathogens.

Hypothesis/Gap statement. We hypothesized that NGS of CSF is an effective approach for diagnosing LMM.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of NGS, we present five cases of LMM diagnosed using NGS of the CSF.

Methodology. Between August 2017 and 30 September 2020, we used NGS of the CSF to detect pathogens in patients with clinically suspected central nervous system infections. The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, imaging findings and NGS results are reviewed.

Results. Five patients were diagnosed with LMM using NGS of the CSF within 2 to 4 days, although the clinical manifestations, medical history and imaging findings varied strikingly. NGS of CSF showed sequence reads corresponding to

L. monocytogenes

species ranging from 118 to 1997 bp, genomic coverage of 0.29–5.96 %, relative abundance of 14.83–32.16 % and sequencing depth of 1.12 to 1.35. The prompt diagnosis resulted in targeted and effective treatment with the appropriate antibiotics, although two patients with the most severe cerebral parenchymal lesions showed little improvement.

Conclusion. Our results demonstrate the power of NGS of CSF for the prompt diagnosis of LMM. NGS of CSF is an important complementary tool for identifying

L. monocytogenes

.
Geographical characteristics and influencing factors of influenza epidemic in Hubei, China from 2009 to 2019
Authors: Mengmeng Yang , Shengsheng Gong , Shuqiong Huang , Xixiang Huo , Wuwei Wang
Published: January 2023

Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease to which the population is generally susceptible and has an important impact on public health. Time series analysis and geospatial analysis were used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of influenza epidemic and its influencing factors in 103 counties in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2019, and the results showed that: 1) Influenza in Hubei Province mostly occurs in winter and spring, and the influenza epidemic is high from December to March every year, and there is an aggravating trend of influenza epidemic in recent years. 2) There were significant spatial and urban-rural differences in influenza prevalence in Hubei Province, with the eastern region being more serious than the central and western region, and the urban region more serious than the rural region. The hot spot areas of interannual variation of influenza were mainly distributed in the east and west of Hubei province, and the cold spot areas were distributed in the north-central of Hubei province. In addition, the cold hot spot areas of influenza epidemic varied from season to season. 3) The seasonal variation of influenza epidemic in Hubei Province is mainly governed by meteorological factors such as temperature, sunshine, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, etc. Low temperature, less rain, less sunshine, low wind speed and humid weather will increase the probability of influenza; the interannual variation and spatial variation of influenza epidemic is mainly influenced by socio-economic factors such as road density, number of beds per 1,000 people, urbanization rate and population density, and the intensity of the effect of these factors on influenza incidence rate in Hubei Province has significant spatial variation, but in general, the formation of spatial variation of influenza in Hubei Province is still the result of the joint action of socio-economic factors and natural meteorological factors.
Intensified pulmonary tuberculosis case finding among HIV-infected new entrants of a prison in Malaysia: implications for a holistic approach to control tuberculosis in prisons
Authors: Al-Darraji Haider , Hill Philip , Sharples Katrina , Altice Frederick L. , Kamarulzaman Adeeba
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This intensified case finding study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) disease among people with HIV entering the largest prison in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in Kajang prison, starting in July 2013 in the men’s prison and June 2015 in the women’s prison. Individuals tested positive for HIV infection, during the mandatory HIV testing at the prison entry, were consecutively recruited over five months at each prison. Consented participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and asked to submit two sputum samples that were assessed using GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and culture, irrespective of clinical presentation. Factors associated with active TB (defined as a positive result on either Xpert or culture) were assessed using regression analyses.

Findings

Overall, 214 incarcerated people with HIV were recruited. Most were men (84.6%), Malaysians (84.1%) and people who inject drugs (67.8%). The mean age was 37.5 (SD 8.2) years, and median CD4 lymphocyte count was 376 cells/mL (IQR 232–526). Overall, 27 (12.6%) TB cases were identified, which was independently associated with scores of five or more on the World Health Organization clinical scoring system for prisons (ARR 2.90 [95% CI 1.48–5.68]).

Originality/value

Limited data exists about the prevalence of TB disease at prison entry, globally and none from Malaysia. The reported high prevalence of TB disease in the study adds an important and highly needed information to design comprehensive TB control programmes in prisons.
Network effects in blockchain and supply chain: a theoretical research synthesis
Authors: Lynberg Lorenzo , Deif Ahmed
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper addresses a gap in research literature in the fields of blockchain technology (BC), supply chain network dynamics (SC) and network effect phenomena (NE). Extant BC and SC literature describes the potential benefits to be reaped through the adoption of BC technology. While BC technology does not yet meet the researched expectations of adoption, performance and efficacy, the authors analyze the three inter-related fields (BC, SC and NE) to bridge this gap in theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins with a research review correlating the technological fundamentals of BC technology into fundamental value propositions for SC logistics contexts. The authors review the gap between these theoretical technological functions and the current ecosystem of BC applications. With an overarching understanding of BC in SC contexts, this paper then explores the phenomena of NE and attempts to synthesize various interrelated aspects of the three fields (BC, SC and NE). Research frameworks from extant literature are used for cross-comparing legacy software/information system solutions with potential and existing BC-based solutions. Case studies are utilized to support this analysis.

Findings

Several key considerations and themes are identified to better inform practitioner and researcher decision-making. Novel insights pertain to BC platform architecture and application modularity, integrated governance and decision-making capabilities, and the automation capabilities that arise from a healthy application and smart contract ecosystem.

Originality/value

The core contribution is the synthesis of network effect theory with SC phenomena and BC theory and the exploration of how these three fields are inter-related in the maturation of BC technology. Specifically, the authors deepen insights from extant literature by contextualizing findings with relevant interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks.
A comprehensive study of some features from characteristics of enhanced ground‐penetrating radar wave images through convenient data processing within carbonate rock, west of Assiut, Egypt
Authors: Ebraheem Mohamed Osman , Ibrahim Hamza Ahmed
Published: January 2023

The Eocene limestone plateau, west of Assiut, is characterized by different sedimentary structural features such as fractures, karst, cavities and marble. All conventional methods failed to detect these features due to their inhomogeneities. In this study, a ground‐penetrating radar survey was applied to an area including an old quarry of marble lying at the eastern part of the limestone plateau. The field survey was carried out using a 200‐MHz antenna following the profiling and areal mapping techniques. The acquired ground‐penetrating radar wave images were processed and interpreted using the available software program to enhance the different reflection characteristics from the subsurface anomalous materials. A series of the three‐dimensional model cross section with variable depths were constructed to identify and characterize different georadar facies changes vertically and laterally. The obtained results were adjusted and compared with the excavated features of the quarry; therefore, ground‐penetrating radar anomalies and reflections were calibrated. In the present study, the ground‐penetrating radar survey succeeded in differentiating between dense limestone rocks, onyx marble and microstructural features resulting from recent tectonism. Moreover, the investigation of ground‐penetrating radar reflection waves is useful in differentiating between low‐ and high‐quality limestone and onyx marble. This study identifies the various features of the limestone plateau lying below the ground surface, west of Assiut, that are to be taken into account by planners when establishing new urban centres on the plateau in the future.
Development of alcohol vinegars macerated with ACAI (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) berries and their quality evaluations with emphasis on color, antioxidant capacity, and volatiles profile
Authors: Boeira Lúcia S. , Cád Sandra V. , Bezerra Jaqueline A. , Benavente César T. , Neta Maria Terezinha S. L. , Sandes Rafael Donizete Dutra , Narain Narendra
Published: January 2023

In this work, the Amazonian native acai fruit, a superfruit recognized worldwide, was used through a simple operation of maceration in alcohol vinegar to transform it into an attractive and functional product containing the acai natural colorant and its bioactive compounds. The variables studied were the proportion of alcohol vinegar to acai (8:2 and 1:1) and maceration period (7, 14, and 21 days). The final vinegar was subjected to the determination of color parameters, antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS), total phenolics content (TPC), volatile compounds extracted by stir bar sorptive extraction and identified by gas‐chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The alcohol vinegars macerated with acai presented the color according to the content of acai added and maceration period employed, whereas antioxidant capacity and TPC were comparable to vinegars elaborated from fruits and red wine. Sixty volatiles compounds classified into five chemical groups were identified. The principal volatile compounds which contributed to the aroma in the products were 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, phenylethyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, o‐cymene, p‐cymenene, isoamyl acetate, and ethyl acetate. The most attractive product regarding the parameters studied was obtained from the use of the proportion of 1:1 of alcohol vinegar:acai and maceration period of 14 days. This product retained the most similar color to acai in natura, the highest values for antioxidant capacity measured by ABTS and TPC while being rich in volatile compounds due to the contributions mainly of alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and terpenes.

Practical Application

This work demonstrates the feasibility to produce an alcohol vinegar with an attractive color and functional properties by the addition of acai resulting in to a wide spectrum of chemical compounds of acai through a very simple operation of maceration during 14 days of a proportion of 1:1 of alcohol vinegar:acai.
Left–Right‐Position, party affiliation and regional differences explain low COVID‐19 vaccination rates in Germany
Authors: Jäckle Sebastian , Timmis James K.
Published: January 2023

Established vaccine hesitancy measurement instruments, such as the Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix, are not sufficiently equipped to adequately and consistently measure political and ideological attitudes. Focusing on Germany, which is a particularly interesting case since it witnessed the establishment of the by far most well‐organized and sustained ‘anti‐Covid’ movement in Europe, this quantitative study explores the impact of political ideology and partisanship on the degree of vaccine hesitancy based on four surveys (February—October 2021) among more than 30,000 individuals. We demonstrate that party affiliation, political ideology and region of residence all impact vaccine hesitancy. In fact, they turn out to have a greater impact than two factors often analysed with respect to vaccine hesitancy: gender and educational background. Further interaction models show that the effect of political ideology on vaccine hesitancy is moderated by age, gender and region of residency. For instance, while the more rightwing a young individual is, the more hesitant they are towards SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination—for older individuals, this is not the case. Our findings are relevant for future investigators measuring vaccine hesitancy and policy makers contemplating the differential impact of complex public health interventions: as the impact of political and ideological attitudes on vaccine hesitancy are not adequately captured by established vaccine hesitancy measurement instruments, we recommend its modification to include a clear and harmonised definition of the political‐ideological dimension of vaccine hesitancy together with pre‐validated measurement items that improve future studies. In addition, we reason that vaccine hesitancy, while being an outcome of complex socio‐political factors, is in itself an indicator for societal cohesion and anomie, the degree of which is associated with trust in (health) policy makers, (public) health authorities, health service providers, etc. Therefore, we further recommend that vaccine hesitancy questions should be integrated in pertinent national surveys.
FOXO3A‐short is a novel regulator of non‐oxidative glucose metabolism associated with human longevity
Authors: Santo Evan E. , Ribel‐Madsen Rasmus , Stroeken Peter J. , de Boer Vincent C. J. , Hansen Ninna S. , Commandeur Maaike , Vaag Allan A. , Versteeg Rogier , Paik Jihye , Westerhout Ellen M.
Published: January 2023

Intronic single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FOXO3A are associated with human longevity. Currently, it is unclear how these SNPs alter FOXO3A functionality and human physiology, thereby influencing lifespan. Here, we identify a primate‐specific FOXO3A transcriptional isoform, FOXO3A‐Short (FOXO3A‐S), encoding a major longevity‐associated SNP, rs9400239 (C or T), within its 5′ untranslated region. The FOXO3A‐S mRNA is highly expressed in the skeletal muscle and has very limited expression in other tissues. We find that the rs9400239 variant influences the stability and functionality of the primarily nuclear protein(s) encoded by the FOXO3A‐S mRNA. Assessment of the relationship between the FOXO3A‐S polymorphism and peripheral glucose clearance during insulin infusion (Rd clamp) in a cohort of Danish twins revealed that longevity T‐allele carriers have markedly faster peripheral glucose clearance rates than normal lifespan C‐allele carriers. In vitro experiments in human myotube cultures utilizing overexpression of each allele showed that the C‐allele represses glycolysis independently of PI3K signaling, while overexpression of the T‐allele represses glycolysis only in a PI3K‐inactive background. Supporting this finding inducible knockdown of the FOXO3A‐S C‐allele in cultured myotubes increases the glycolytic rate. We conclude that the rs9400239 polymorphism acts as a molecular switch which changes the identity of the FOXO3A‐S‐derived protein(s), which in turn alters the relationship between FOXO3A‐S and insulin/PI3K signaling and glycolytic flux in the skeletal muscle. This critical difference endows carriers of the FOXO3A‐S T‐allele with consistently higher insulin‐stimulated peripheral glucose clearance rates, which may contribute to their longer and healthier lifespans.
Notch activation shifts the fate decision of senescent progenitors toward myofibrogenesis in human adipose tissue
Authors: Boulet Nathalie , Briot Anaïs , Jargaud Valentin , Estève David , Rémaury Anne , Belles Chloé , Viana Pénélope , Fontaine Jessica , Murphy Lucie , Déon Catherine , Guillemot Marie , Pech Catherine , Veeranagouda Yaligara , Didier Michel , Decaunes Pauline , Mouisel Etienne , Carpéné Christian , Iacovoni Jason S. , Zakaroff‐Girard Alexia , Grolleau Jean‐Louis , Galitzky Jean , Ledoux Séverine , Guillemot Jean‐Claude , Bouloumié Anne
Published: January 2023

Senescence is a key event in the impairment of adipose tissue (AT) function with obesity and aging but the underlying molecular and cellular players remain to be fully defined, particularly with respect to the human AT progenitors. We have found distinct profiles of senescent progenitors based on AT location between stroma from visceral versus subcutaneous AT. In addition to flow cytometry, we characterized the location differences with transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, uncovering the genes and developmental pathways that are underlying replicative senescence. We identified key components to include INBHA as well as SFRP4 and GREM1, antagonists for the WNT and BMP pathways, in the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype and NOTCH3 in the senescence‐associated intrinsic phenotype. Notch activation in AT progenitors inhibits adipogenesis and promotes myofibrogenesis independently of TGFβ. In addition, we demonstrate that NOTCH3 is enriched in the premyofibroblast progenitor subset, which preferentially accumulates in the visceral AT of patients with an early obesity trajectory. Herein, we reveal that NOTCH3 plays a role in the balance of progenitor fate determination preferring myofibrogenesis at the expense of adipogenesis. Progenitor NOTCH3 may constitute a tool to monitor replicative senescence and to limit AT dysfunction in obesity and aging.
Renal dysfunction occurs following ileostomy formation and is independent of readmission
Authors: Panizza John , Swee Yan Jing Sherrie , Edmundson Aleks , Clark David
Published: January 2023

Background

Ileostomy formation may be permanent or intended as temporary to defunction a high‐risk pelvic anastomosis to reduce the risk of septic consequences of anastomotic leak. However, these procedures have a high rate of readmission, most commonly due to dehydration and associated with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods

A single centre retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent ileostomy formation from 2015 to 2020 and analysed in two groups: those who needed readmission within 60 days and those who did not. Data collected included demographics and renal function and electrolytes at baseline (ileostomy formation) and at elective ileostomy closure.

Results

A total of 171 patients were included in the analysis, with a readmission rate 38% within 60 days of discharge. There was a significant increase in creatinine from baseline blood tests compared to date of elective ileostomy closure in both the readmission and no readmission arms. There was a significant decrease in eGFR from baseline blood tests compared with date of ileostomy closure in both readmission and no readmission arms. There was no significant difference in creatinine or eGFR between readmission and no readmission arms at date of ileostomy closure. Baseline serum sodium levels were lower in the readmission arm compared to no readmission arm.

Conclusion

Ileostomy formation is associated with a deterioration in renal function, which occurs independent of whether the patient requires readmission to hospital. Low serum sodium may be used as a predictor for patients with an increased risk of readmission.
Psychological interventions decrease unintended pregnancies: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Swain Le'Sa Tai'Mua , Malouff John M. , Meynadier Jai , Schutte Nicola S.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Despite innovations in contraceptive methods, unintended pregnancies remain common. Researchers have examined psychological approaches to decrease unintended pregnancies through contraceptive use. These interventions have involved applying aspects of social cognitive theory, the health belief model and self‐determination theory. Research findings on the effects of these psychological approaches show conflicting evidence. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to clarify the impact of these psychological interventions on unintended pregnancies

Design

Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions intended to prevent unwanted pregnancies through an increase in the use of contraceptive methods

Methods

A systematic search of databases and article reference lists led to 26 relevant RCTs with a total of 31,222 participants

Results

The odds ratio for pregnancy in the psychological intervention condition = .83, 95% CI [.75, .93]. The results also showed that the longer an intervention's follow‐up period was, the less the prevention effect. Quality assessment of included studies indicated that all used a treatment manual and reported attrition. It also showed that most studies reported the reasons for drop‐out and assessed the facilitators' adherence to the intervention protocol. The proportion of variability due to chance amongst studies was I2 = 22%. Duval and Tweedie's Trim and Fill showed a difference between the observed and the adjusted values. The adjusted value, representing a conservative estimate of effect size, was OR = .891, 95% CI [.777, .999]

Conclusions

Altogether, these results support the efficacy of psychological interventions aimed at preventing unintended pregnancy through contraception.
Oil price shock and informal workers in dual labor markets
Authors: Chaudhuri Sarbajit , Kar Saibal
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the impact of a rise in oil prices on the wages of workers in the unorganized sector of a developing economy. The model economy is comprised of two non‐traded transport sectors, formal and informal, along with other sectors. The main results that we obtain are as follows. The informal transport sector contracts when fuel price rises and lowers the real income of the informal workers. The per‐unit return to land rises, and the factor readjustments even raise the output of other sectors in the economy. We also show why inclusion of non‐passenger transport services does not alter the main outcomes of the model.
Distant metastasis from morphologically low‐grade spiradenocarcinoma: A report of two cases
Authors: Lach Katherine , Gharpuray‐Pandit Deepa , Franko Angela , Brenn Thomas
Published: January 2023

Malignant tumors arising from benign eccrine spiradenomas are rare. They are divided by morphology into low‐grade and high‐grade spiradenocarcinomas, with prognosis and metastatic potential closely linked to their histopathologic features. Tumors with low‐grade morphology are known for their indolent behavior, with only two reported instances of metastatic spread. We report herein two further low‐grade metastatic spiradenocarcinomas resulting in distant metastasis. Both tumors showed a background of a benign spiradenoma and subtle histopathologic signs of malignant transformation, characterized by loss of the dual‐cell population, up to moderate cytological atypia and increased mitotic activity. Both patients developed metastases to the lungs years after the initial presentation, and one showed additional lymph nodal disease. We show that even the morphologically low‐grade tumors may rarely show more aggressive behavior. Although often challenging, recognition of the morphologically low‐grade malignant spiradenocarcinoma and long‐term follow‐up of the patients are important to detect metastatic disease.