bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining trends in emergency medicine journals' publications about racism
Authors: Ryus Caitlin R. , Yang David , Brackett Alexandria , Barnett Lindsay , Boatright Dowin
Published: December 2023

Objective

In recent years, the academic medicine community has produced numerous statements and calls to action condemning racism. Though health equity work examining health disparities has expanded, few studies specifically name racism as an operational construct. As emergency departments serve a high proportion of patients with social and economic disadvantage rooted in structural racism, it is critically important that racism be a focus of our academic discourse. This study examines the frequency at which four prominent emergency medicine journals, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Academic Emergency Medicine, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, and the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, publish on health disparities and racism.

Methods

This is a descriptive analysis measuring the frequency of publications on health disparities and racism in U.S.‐based emergency medicine journals from 2014 to 2021. The search strategies for the concepts of “racism” and “health disparities” used a combination of MeSH and keywords. These search strategies were developed based on prior literature and the MEDLINE/PubMed Health Disparities and Minority Health Search Strategy. Articles identified through the PubMed search were then reviewed by two authors for final inclusion.

Results

Since 2014, a total of 6248 articles were published by the four emergency medicine journals over the 8‐year study period. Of those, 82 research papers that focused on health disparities were identified and only 16 that focused on racism. Most emergency medicine publications on racism and health disparities were in 2021.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the national discourse on racism and calls to action within emergency medicine were followed by an increase in publications on health disparities and racism. Continued investigation is needed to evaluate these trends moving forward.
Habituation of large mammals to passing vehicles
Authors: Pomeroy Derek , Matovu Benard , Kibuule Micheal
Published: December 2023

Over a period of 2 years, we noted that many large mammals in the Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, remained fairly close to the road—rather than running away—as we drove past at a relatively slow speed, of about 20–25 kph. We consider that over recent years, many of these animals have become habituated to tourist vehicles passing nearby and we recorded the minimum distances at which nine common species remained at, or close to the road edge as we drove past. Many stayed still actually at the edge, while Oribis and Hartebbest sometimes remained on the road itself.
Bellows and furnace covers in the unalloyed copper metallurgy of the Chalcolithic Southern Levant: reassessing the evidence from Abu Matar
Authors: Rose Thomas , Natali Stefano , Brotzu Andrea , Fabian Peter , Goren Yuval
Published: December 2023

Unalloyed copper objects were produced in the Chalcolithic Southern Levant in a two‐step process. Copper ore was smelted in pit furnaces, and the mechanically extracted copper prills melt in crucibles and cast into objects. However, the air supply remained unknown, and practical considerations shed doubt on the validity of some of the reconstructed practices. To refine the reconstruction, the metallurgical material from Abu Matar was reassessed. Most importantly, several previously unreported fragments suggest the use of bellows and covering the furnace with large pottery fragments. Our results provide probably the earliest evidence for the use of bellows.
Maternity clinician use of shared decision‐making in antenatal care: A scoping review
Authors: Hawke Madeline , Considine Julie , Sweet Linda
Published: December 2023

Background

Implementation of shared decision‐making in antenatal care has had limited exploration.

Objective

To assess what is known about shared decision‐making in antenatal care.

Search Strategy

Five databases were searched (1997–2022) limited to English language studies from OECD countries.

Data Collection and Analysis

A data collection table was constructed with findings from 32 papers. A narrative synthesis was conducted with subsequent thematic analysis of included papers.

Main Results

Four areas of decision‐making were identified with six themes revealing enablers and barriers to shared decision‐making in antenatal care.

Conclusion

Implementation of shared decision‐making requires continuity, time and personalisation of care.
Denigration or Decline: Reflections on Offering Staff Consultation Focussing on End‐of‐Life Care In a Homeless Hostel
Authors: Day Jonathan
Published: December 2023

People experiencing homelessness are subject to entrenched health inequalities and obstacles to accessing care. Numerous studies have highlighted that structural and organisational obstacles result in people experiencing homelessness living with unmet healthcare needs. Over time, this is associated with a reduced life expectancy compared with the national average in the UK. Although combating health inequalities has become a mandate for many healthcare providers, attempts to improve parity and access for people experiencing homelessness has stalled. This article utilises a case study method to highlight instances of psycho‐social exclusion that homeless patients can be subject to and examples where healthcare staff can collude in this exclusion. The article concludes with highlighting the benefits of psychologically informed staff consultation, which creates reflective spaces to gain a better understanding of people experiencing multiple disadvantage and exclusion. In addition, staff consultation allows space to process feelings that are stoked in professionals who struggle to comprehend why it is difficult for some people to accept offers of care.
Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in resectable non‐small‐cell lung cancer in Japanese patients from CheckMate 816
Authors: Mitsudomi Tetsuya , Ito Hiroyuki , Okada Morihito , Sugawara Shunichi , Shio Yutaka , Tomii Keisuke , Okami Jiro , Sakakura Noriaki , Kubota Kaoru , Takamochi Kazuya , Atagi Shinji , Tsuboi Masahiro , Oizumi Satoshi , Ikeda Norihiko , Ohde Yasuhisa , Ntambwe Ives , Mahmood Javed , Cai Junliang , Tanaka Fumihiro
Published: December 2023

In the open‐label, phase III CheckMate 816 study (NCT02998528), neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated statistically significant improvements in event‐free survival (EFS) and pathological complete response (pCR) versus chemotherapy alone in patients with resectable non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we report efficacy and safety outcomes in the Japanese subpopulation. Patients with stage IB–IIIA, resectable NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to nivolumab plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone for three cycles before undergoing definitive surgery within 6 weeks of completing neoadjuvant treatment. The primary end‐points (EFS and pCR) and safety were assessed in patients enrolled at 16 centers in Japan. Of the Japanese patients randomized, 93.9% (31/33) in the nivolumab plus chemotherapy arm and 82.9% (29/35) in the chemotherapy arm underwent surgery. At 21.5 months' minimum follow‐up, median EFS was 30.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.8–not reached [NR]) with nivolumab plus chemotherapy versus 19.6 months (95% CI, 8.5–NR) with chemotherapy; hazard ratio, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.30–1.24). The pCR rate was 30.3% (95% CI, 15.6–48.7) versus 5.7% (95% CI, 0.7–19.2), respectively; odds ratio, 7.17 (95% CI, 1.44–35.85). Grade 3/4 treatment‐related adverse events were reported in 59.4% versus 42.9% of patients, respectively, with no new safety signals identified. Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy resulted in longer EFS and a higher pCR rate versus chemotherapy alone in Japanese patients, consistent with findings in the global population. These data support nivolumab plus chemotherapy as a neoadjuvant treatment option in Japanese patients with resectable NSCLC.
ARID1A loss induces P4HB to activate fibroblasts to support lung cancer cell growth, invasion, and chemoresistance
Authors: Huang Risheng , Wu Danni , Zhang Kangliang , Hu Guanqiong , Liu Yu , Jiang Yi , Wang Chichao , Zheng Yuanliang
Published: December 2023

Loss of AT‐interacting domain‐rich protein 1A (ARID1A) frequently occurs in human malignancies including lung cancer. The biological consequence of ARID1A mutation in lung cancer is not fully understood. This study was designed to determine the effect of ARID1A‐depleted lung cancer cells on fibroblast activation. Conditioned media was collected from ARID1A‐depleted lung cancer cells and employed to treat lung fibroblasts. The proliferation and migration of lung fibroblasts were investigated. The secretory genes were profiled in lung cancer cells upon ARID1A knockdown. Antibody‐based neutralization was utilized to confirm their role in mediating the cross‐talk between lung cancer cells and fibroblasts. NOD‐SCID‐IL2RgammaC‐null (NSG) mice received tumor tissues from patients with ARID1A‐mutated lung cancer to establish patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) models. Notably, ARID1A‐depleted lung cancer cells promoted the proliferation and migration of lung fibroblasts. Mechanistically, ARID1A depletion augmented the expression and secretion of prolyl 4‐hydroxylase beta (P4HB) in lung cancer cells, which induced the activation of lung fibroblasts through the β‐catenin signaling pathway. P4HB‐activated lung fibroblasts promoted the proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance in lung cancer cells. Neutralizing P4HB hampered the tumor growth and increased cisplatin cytotoxic efficacy in two PDX models. Serum P4HB levels were higher in ARID1A‐mutated lung cancer patients than in healthy controls. Moreover, increased serum levels of P4HB were significantly associated with lung cancer metastasis. Together, our work indicates a pivotal role for P4HB in orchestrating the cross‐talk between ARID1A‐mutated cancer cells and cancer‐associated fibroblasts during lung cancer progression. P4HB may represent a promising target for improving lung cancer treatment.
Feasibility and acceptability of an online parenting intervention to address behaviour problems in moderately to extremely preterm pre‐school and school‐age children
Authors: Fisher Allison P. , Miley Aimee E. , Glazer Sandra , Gies Lisa M. , Parikh Nehal A. , Lam Leo , Wade Shari L.
Published: December 2023

Background

Preterm birth is associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including internalizing problems, social difficulties and inattention. Interventions are needed beyond infancy and toddlerhood to support children and their families. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of the I‐InTERACT Preterm pilot study, an online parenting intervention for preterm children ages 3–8.

Method

Families participated in a weekly intervention comprised of seven sessions with online modules followed by videoconference coaching sessions with a therapist. Following completion of the study, caregivers completed a survey to assess their satisfaction and were asked to participate in a voluntary semi‐structured interview to provide feedback. We anticipated greater than a 50% participation rate (enrollment feasibility) and 75% completion rate (adherence feasibility). We also hypothesized that at least 80% of participants would be satisfied with the intervention (acceptability).

Results

Nineteen of 32 families (59%) enrolled in the study, suggesting adequate enrollment feasibility. Feasibility of programme completion (adherence) was lower than anticipated (59%). Regarding satisfaction, all caregivers agreed that the programme's information was relevant to them and their family. Nearly all participants (92%) indicated that they had a better understanding of the effects of preterm birth on behaviour, that they enjoyed the programme, that it met their expectations and that they recommend the programme to others. In qualitative interviews, caregivers expressed satisfaction with the content, skills they learned, and receiving direct coaching. Caregivers suggested improvements to increase intervention feasibility and skill implementation, including offering biweekly sessions and more hands‐on coaching.

Conclusion

Our largely satisfactory acceptability rates suggest the value of and need for a parenting intervention for children born preterm past the initial period of early development. Future directions include modifying the intervention in response to caregiver feedback to improve recruitment, engagement and adherence.
Parents' views of benefits and limitations of receiving genetic diagnoses for their offspring
Authors: Klitzman Robert , Bezborodko Ekaterina , Chung Wendy K. , Appelbaum Paul S.
Published: December 2023

Background

Individuals with autism with intellectual disabilities (ID) are increasingly undergoing genetic testing, posing questions of how parents view/respond to such results.

Methods

Twenty‐eight parents whose offspring had received genetic diagnoses of de novo pathogenic variants associated with autism were interviewed.

Results

Genetic diagnoses parents receive concerning their offspring's autism/intellectual disabilities can be ‘double‐edged’ in several ways, having advantages, but also certain disadvantages and limitations. Benefits were medical/scientific (e.g., ending diagnostic odysseys and potentially contributing to research), emotional (e.g., relief, peace of mind and less self‐blame), cognitive, social (e.g., validation and confirmation with others – it's ‘not just in our head’) and financial (e.g., estate planning), now and in the future (e.g., preparing for possible future symptoms, development and availability of treatment and setting realistic expectations). Limitations included a lack of medical treatments related to the genetic diagnosis, a sense of finality and heightened uncertainties which can increase anxieties (e.g., concerning additional symptoms associated with genetic diagnoses and offspring's ability to live independently in the future). Overall, parents were glad to receive the results, seeing the pros outweighing the cons. Parents responded to these tensions in various ways, having mixed feelings, recognizing the trade‐offs and/or focusing on their offspring's present needs. Factors such as age of offspring at receipt of genetic diagnosis, parent's scientific background and prior views and degrees of self‐blame affected these responses.

Conclusions

These data, the first to examine how parents perceive genetic diagnoses received for offspring with autism and ID through whole exome/whole genome sequencing, highlight practical medical and psychological benefits as well as limitations. These findings thus have important implications for future education, engagement of families and research. Providers should be aware of these issues, to inform and assist families, who are considering such testing, about these potential pros and cons and responses.
Conflict, COVID‐19, and crisis response: shifting from ‘pivoting’ to preparedness
Authors: Gordon Eleanor
Published: December 2023

This paper assesses the extent to which the COVID‐19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic directed the attention and resources of the international community away from peacebuilding, and the potential impact of this on conflict‐affected environments. It draws from a global survey, interviews, and conversations with peacebuilding practitioners, publicly available information on peacebuilding funding, and real‐time data on conflict events from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. The paper argues that resources and attention have ‘pivoted’ away from peacebuilding to tackle the threat presented by COVID‐19, and that this can—but does not always—adversely affect conflict dynamics. It contends that this pivoting belies the interconnectedness of crises, leads to ‘forgotten crises’ and escalating threats, and exposes deficiencies in peacebuilding funding and, more broadly, preparedness and crisis response. Crises do, however, provide opportunities for reflection and change, including how to address these deficiencies and, in so doing, advance more efficient, effective, and ethical practice.
The interglenoid tubercle of the atlas is ancestral to lissamphibians
Authors: Korneisel Dana E. , Hassan Sara , Maddin Hillary C.
Published: December 2023

Lissamphibians, represented today by frogs, salamanders, and caecilians, diverged deep in the tetrapod tree of life. Extensive morphological adaptations to disparate lifestyles have made linking extant lissamphibians to one another and to their extinct relatives difficult and controversial. However, the discovery of a feature on the atlas of the frog Xenopus laevis, may add to the small set of osteological traits that unite lissamphibians. In this study, we combine our observations of atlas development in X. laevis with a deep examination of atlantal interglenoid tubercle (TI) occurrence in fossil taxa. The TI is shown herein to occur transiently on the ossifying atlas of roughly one‐third of X. laevis tadpoles but is absent in adults of this species. In ancestral character state estimations (ACSE), within the evolutionary context of lissamphibians as dissorophoid temnospondyls, this feature is found to be ancestrally shared among lissamphibians, its presence is uncertain in stem batrachians, and then the TI is lost in extant caecilians and frogs. However, our data suggests apparent TI loss around the origin of frogs may be explained by its ontogenetically transient nature. The only nonamphibian tetrapods with a TI are “microsaurs,” and this similarity is interpreted as one of many convergences that resulted from convergent evolutionary processes that occurred in the evolution of “microsaurs” and lissamphibians. The TI is thus interpreted to be ancestral to lissamphibians as it is found to be present in some form throughout each extant lissamphibian clade's history.
Responses of soil microbial metabolic limitations to erosion under contrasting soil types and management practices
Authors: Rong Guohua , Zhu Hansong , Jiao Jintao , Gong Lin , Ni Erdong , Wu Hongyu , Ni Huaqian , Qiu Quan , Wei Xiaorong , Li Haiqiang
Published: December 2023

Soil microbial metabolism plays an important role in supporting soil services and functionalities but is usually restricted by the availability of soil nutrients. Although soil microbial metabolism limitation (SMML) has been widely addressed with regard to various driving factors, its response to erosion has not been examined but is urgently needed given the important influence of erosion on global environments. To understand how erosion affects SMML and whether erosion's effect varies with tillage practices and soil types, we conducted a simulated erosion experiment to compare eroded and noneroded plots with contrasting soil types (Mollisol vs. loess soils) and managements (conventional tillage versus no‐tillage in plots with crops versus without crops). We measured soil extracellular enzymatic activities and quantified SMML with extracellular enzymatic stoichiometry models. In both soils, the microbes were limited by carbon (C) and phosphorus (P), but not by nitrogen, and microbial C and P limitations were greater in Mollisol than loess soils. For the Mollisol, erosion significantly increased the relative C limitation, whereas the presence of crops eliminated this increase. For the loess soils, erosion enhanced the relative C limitation regardless of crop presence and tillage management. Erosion consistently increased microbial P limitation in plots with crops, with greater effects under no‐tillage (+2.9%) compared to conventional tillage (+0.7%) conditions regardless of soil type (p < 0.05). In plots without crops, microbial P limitation was increased by erosion under no‐tillage (+2.1%) but was decreased under conventional tillage (−5.6%) (p < 0.05). Additionally, conventional tillage exacerbated microbial C limitation but alleviated microbial P limitation. These results indicated that erosion shifted microbial C and P limitations depending on soil type, tillage practice and the presence of plants, highlighting the importance of considering all these factors when assessing soil microbial metabolic limitation at various spatial scales.
Biodiversity: Net primary productivity relationships are eliminated by invasive species dominance
Authors: Wilsey Brian , Martin Leanne , Xu Xia , Isbell Forest , Polley H. Wayne
Published: December 2023

Experiments often find that net primary productivity (NPP) increases with species richness when native species are considered. However, relationships may be altered by exotic (non‐native) species, which are hypothesized to reduce richness but increase productivity (i.e., ‘invasion‐diversity‐productivity paradox’). We compared richness‐NPP relationships using a comparison of exotic versus native‐dominated sites across the central USA, and two experiments under common environments. Aboveground NPP was measured using peak biomass clipping in all three studies, and belowground NPP was measured in one study with root ingrowth cores using root‐free soil. In all studies, there was a significantly positive relationship between NPP and richness across native species‐dominated sites and plots, but no relationship across exotic‐dominated ones. These results indicate that relationships between NPP and richness depend on whether native or exotic species are dominant, and that exotic species are ‘breaking the rules', altering richness‐productivity and richness‐C stock relationships after invasion.
Association of skeletal muscle function, quantity, and quality with gut microbiota in Japanese adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Iwasaka Chiharu , Nanri Hinako , Nakagata Takashi , Ohno Harumi , Tanisawa Kumpei , Konishi Kana , Murakami Haruka , Hosomi Koji , Park Jonguk , Yamada Yosuke , Ono Rei , Mizuguchi Kenji , Kunisawa Jun , Miyachi Motohiko
Published: December 2023

Aim

The gut microbiota has emerged as a new intervention target for sarcopenia. Prior studies in humans have focused on the association between gut microbiota and skeletal muscle quantity, while the evidence on muscle function and quality is lacking. This study aimed to identify gut microbiota genera associated with skeletal muscle function, quantity, and quality in a general population of Japanese adults.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 164 participants aged 35–80 years, women and men recruited from urban areas of Japan. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Skeletal muscle function was measured using handgrip strength and leg extension power (LEP), while skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Phase angle was used as a measure of skeletal muscle quality. Multivariate linear regression analysis stratified by age group was used to examine the association between the dominant genera of the gut microbiota and skeletal muscle variables.

Results

A significant association was found between Bacteroides and Prevotella 9 with LEP only in the ≥60 years group. When both Bacteroides and Prevotella 9 were included in the same regression model, only Bacteroides remained consistently and significantly associated with LEP. No significant associations were observed between skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, and phase angle and major gut microbiota genera.

Conclusions

In this study, we observed a significant positive association between Bacteroides and leg muscle function in older adults. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking Bacteroides to lower‐extremity muscle function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 53–60.
MOTHERS AND OTHERS IN FICTION BY SHARON DODUA OTOO AND OLIVIA WENZEL
Authors: Colvin Sarah
Published: December 2023

In this article I argue that in recent novels by Sharon Dodua Otoo and Olivia Wenzel the trope of motherhood is engaged to evoke an emancipatory impulse that is paradoxically linked to acknowledging constraint or connectedness. Motherhood is an idea burdened by historical stereotypes, and I argue that Otoo and Wenzel use aesthetic means to subvert gendered and racialising mythologies and controlling assumptions about who can provide nurturing, reinscribing motherhood in ways that depart from Western expectations of an idealised one‐on‐one relation. Building on Michelle Wright's analysis of Black motherhood as a poetic trope of subversive agency, Theresa Washington's exploration of the West African concept of Ájè in African American women's writing, and Francine Wynn's conception of the chiastic mother‐infant relation, I suggest that Otoo and Wenzel show how the trope of motherhood can not only be subversive but (perhaps appropriately) epistemically generative. It can be read as a foundational image for a different epistemological discourse that does not depend on the mastery of difference.
Fabrication of ZTA crowns with simultaneously improved isotropy on mechanical property and surface quality by DLP
Authors: Zhou Shixiang , Zhang Sicai , Zhang Chen
Published: December 2023

Zirconia‐toughened alumina (ZTA) composite ceramics show great potential for use in dental repair applications due to their unique properties. Complex‐shaped ZTA all‐porcelain crowns can be accurately fabricated using digital light processing (DLP) technology. However, effectively controlling both the anisotropy on mechanical property and surface quality of ZTA composites shaped by DLP remains a critical challenge that requires further research and innovation. In this work, we propose an efficient method to synchronously enhance the isotropy on mechanical performance and surface quality of DLP formed ZTA all‐porcelain crowns by controlling contents of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powders. When enhancing contents of YSZ from 5 to 20 wt%, multilayer microstructure with obvious interlayer gaps transformed into uniform microstructure with strong interlayer bonding, and the smaller alumina grain was observed on the stair‐stepping microstructure. Finally, the ZTA composites exhibited flexural and comprehensive strength as high as 640.3 and 6.9 MPa, and dimensional precision as low as 37.5 and 43.5 μm on top and side surface, together with simultaneously enhanced isotropy on mechanical property and surface quality, well satisfying the demands for all‐porcelain crowns fabricating. This study provides thorough understandings on isotropy regulating of DLP‐shaped ZTA all‐porcelain crowns with excellent mechanical performance and surface quality.
The involvement of internal audit in environmental, social, and governance practices and risks: Stakeholders' salience and insights from audit committees and chief executive officers
Authors: Rakipi Romina , D'Onza Giuseppe
Published: December 2023

We conducted 31 interviews with audit committee (AC) members, chief executive officers (CEOs), and chief audit executives (CAEs) to investigate the role of the internal audit function (IAF) in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) processes and related risks. We find that multiple possible combinations of the maturity of companies' ESG practices and CAE's perception of the IAF stakeholders' salience drive the type of IAF's involvement in ESG. In ESG‐mature companies with more salient ACs, the IAF provides assurance over ESG practices, ESG reporting, and reputation risks related to ESG, and it focuses on the governance dimension of ESG. When the CEO is perceived as more salient, the type of IAF's involvement includes both assurance over ESG controls in the supply chain and consulting on ESG activities. In contrast, in low ESG maturity companies with more salient AC, the IAF's role is limited to providing assurance over internal controls established to comply with environmental, health, and safety legal requirements, and prevent managers' unethical behavior. Finally, we discuss the implications for the IAF's ability to add value to the organization. We contribute to the underexplored research area of IAF's involvement in ESG practices and related risk.
Handedness as a major determinant of lateral bias in human functional cradling
Authors: van der Meer Audrey L. H.
Published: December 2023

Studies examining infant cradling have almost uniformly concluded with a general human left‐side bias for cradling, indicating that people prefer to hold an infant to the left of their body. Explanations for the notion of the left‐side cradling bias have traditionally been searched for in a variety of factors, for example, in terms of maternal heartbeat, genetic factors, in the form of an ear asymmetry where auditory information is perceived faster through the left ear, as a result of a right hemispheric functional specialization for perception of emotions and faces, and in identifying a motor bias of the infant, such as the tendency of newborn infants to lie with the face to the right when placed supine. Interestingly, handedness is generally considered an inadequate explanation for the lateralized cradling bias, despite it being an intuitively plausible one. In this brief review, I put forward the cradler's handedness as the most convincing and elegant determinant of the cradling bias. This explanation is consistent with a developmental cascades' framework where the cradling bias can be understood as the result of a multitude of factors across a range of levels and systems.
Effect of the template particles size on structure and piezoelectric properties of 〈0 0 1〉‐textured BNT‐based ceramics
Authors: Li Hongtao , Huang Rongxia , Lin Hua‐Tay , Du Zuchao , Dai Yejing
Published: December 2023

This research investigated the effect of Bi4Ti3O12 (BiT) template particles size on the structure and piezoelectric properties of 〈001〉‐textured (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT)‐based lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics. Results of X‐ray diffractometer analyses and scanning electron microscopy observations showed that high purity BiT template particles could be obtained with the KCl as the molten salt system. Highly 〈001〉‐textured (~87%) BNT‐based ceramics prepared with large size BiT templates (7.75 µm) exhibited a high inverse piezoelectric constant d33* (1100 pm/N), which was ∼3.38‐fold larger than that with 1.91 µm (325 pm/N). In addition, we have found that too small the template size can make it difficult to align the orientation of the template during the casting process, whereas too large the size can create problems such as too much hysteresis (∆S/Smax = 67%). This study has demonstrated that the use of high purity large size BiT template particles could provide a feasible route to fabricate BNT‐based textured ceramics with desired electro‐strain properties.
Use and perceived utility of [18F]FDG PET/CT in neuroendocrine neoplasms: A consensus report from the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) Advisory Board Meeting 2022
Authors: Ambrosini Valentina , Caplin Martyn , Castaño Justo P. , Christ Emanuel , Denecke Timm , Deroose Christophe M. , Dromain Clarisse , Falconi Massimo , Grozinsky‐Glasberg Simona , Hicks Rodney J. , Hofland Johannes , Kjaer Andreas , Knigge Ulrich Peter , Kos‐Kudla Beata , Koumarianou Anna , Krishna Balkundi , Lamarca Angela , Pavel Marianne , Reed Nicholas Simon , Scarpa Aldo , Srirajaskanthan Rajaventhan , Sundin Anders , Toumpanakis Christos , Prasad Vikas
Published: December 2023

Somatostatin receptor (SST) PET/CT is the gold standard for well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (NET) imaging. Higher grades of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) show preferential [18F]FDG (FDG) uptake, and even low‐grade NET may de‐differentiate over time. FDG PET/CT's prognostic role is widely accepted; however, its impact on clinical decision‐making remains controversial and its use varies widely. A questionnaire‐based survey on FDG PET/CT use and perceived decision‐making utility in NEN was submitted to the ENETS Advisory Board Meeting attendees (November 2022, response rate = 70%). In 3/15 statements, agreement was higher than 75%: (i) FDG was considered useful in NET, irrespective of grade, in case of mis‐matched lesions (detectable on diagnostic CT but negative/faintly positive on SST PET/CT), especially if PRRT is contemplated (80%); (ii) in NET G3 if curative surgery is considered (82%); and (iii) in NEC prior to surgery with curative intent (98%). FDG use in NET G3, even in the presence of matched lesions, as a baseline for response assessment was favoured by 74%. Four statements obtained more than 60% consensus: (i) FDG use in NET G3 if locoregional therapy is considered (65%); (ii) in neuroendocrine carcinoma before initiating active therapy as a baseline for response assessment (61%); (iii) biopsy to re‐assess tumour grade prior to a change in therapeutic management (68%) upon detection of FDG‐positivity on the background of a prior G1‐2 NET; (iv) 67% were in favour to reconsider PRRT to treat residual SST‐positive lesions after achieving complete remission on FDG of the SST‐negative disease component. Multidisciplinary opinion broadly supports the use of FDG PET/CT for characterisation of disease biology and to guide treatment selection across a range of indications, despite the lack of full consensus in many situations. This may reflect existing clinical access due to lack of reimbursement or experience with this investigation, which should be addressed by further research.
COVID‐19 School Closures: Disruptions in School‐Based Support Services and Socioemotional Loss Among Middle School Students
Authors: Bates Samantha , Harrell Danielle R.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

In the United States (U.S.), 77% of school district leaders reported that their students had fallen behind in their social‐emotional development due to COVID‐19 school closures. Although research has measured indicators of social‐emotional well‐being from the perspective of other informants, little is known about student perceptions of perceived changes in their socioemotional competencies and, to a lesser degree, their nonacademic needs.

AIMS

The current study examined middle school students' nonacademic needs, perceptions of socioemotional competencies, and predictors of “socioemotional loss.”

MATERIALS & METHODS

The authors utilized secondary data from 395 middle school students gathered in August 2020 and November 2020 in one large middle school in the southern region of the U.S. Multivariate and linear regression analyses explored students' nonacademic needs, assessed changes in perceptions of their socioemotional competencies over time, and identified predictors of “socioemotional loss” during the “return to learn” period.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that 3% to 14% of students reported nonacademic needs, with the greatest needs related to food, housing, and healthcare. Further, 48% of students reported perceived losses in their socioemotional competencies, and students formerly receiving school‐based support services were those most affected (71% vs. 46%, p = .01). Among the subgroup reporting losses, living in a single‐parent household significantly predicted socioemotional loss (β = −.16, p = .02).

DISCUSSION

School‐based practitioners, including educators, policymakers, social workers, and mental health providers, can utilize these findings to deliver interventions to students that experienced hardships during the pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Responding to these risks will be critical as schools adapt and intervene in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.
3‐D geophysical modeling of a buried, simple impact crater: Holleford impact structure, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Armour Mary‐Helen , Boyce Joseph I. , Shulman Zackary , Zilkey David R.
Published: December 2023

Holleford Crater is a deeply buried, 2.35 km diameter late Proterozoic‐early Cambrian (550 ± 50 Ma) simple impact crater located in southeastern Ontario, Canada. Exploration drilling in the 1950–60s indicated a >450 m deep, simple impact structure with an infill stratigraphy of Cambro‐Ordovician clastic and carbonate sediments and a −2.2 mGal gravity anomaly. We conducted new ground‐based geophysical surveys (magnetics, gravity) and potential field modeling to better resolve the buried impact structure depth, subsurface geometry, and postimpact modification. Geophysical surveys reveal a well‐defined ~3 mGal Bouguer gravity low and <20 nT residual magnetic anomaly over the crater basin. The lack of a well‐defined magnetic anomaly is due to the low magnetic contrast between Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary target rocks and Paleozoic infill sediments. The modeled basement surface shows a deeply buried (>400 m), eroded simple impact structure with a rim‐to‐rim diameter (D) of 1.8–2 km, a residual rim height of about 30 m and a true depth (dt) >400 m. The modeled diameter is smaller than the previous estimate (2.35 km) based on the surface outcrop pattern of Paleozoic strata, which overestimates the buried impact structure dimensions. The modeled basement surface identifies a rim breach and a possible fluvial outflow channel in the southeast impact structure rim. The channel is up to 150 m deep and 400 m in width and has morphology similar to outlet channels produced by fluvial rim dissection of terrestrial impact structures and “tadpole craters” on Mars.
Generating network representations of small‐scale infrastructure using generally available data
Authors: Dunton Aaron , Gardoni Paolo
Published: December 2023

Risk analysis (including resilience analysis) of infrastructure requires models that describe the connection of components and subsequent flow dynamics. However, the detailed information needed to define these models may not be available, especially for small‐scale infrastructure that connect to every building. In this paper, we generate location‐specific small‐scale networks using detailed data that should always be available. We propose a general framework where we generate the network topology, we estimate the resource demand at each building, and we design the network components to meet the demands. This general framework is applicable to all types of infrastructure, but many procedures are specific to the type of network being generated. This paper develops the necessary procedures to generate sewer networks and illustrates the usage for an example network in a small study area in Seaside, Oregon. The proposed sewer network generator produces realistic sewer networks as compared to the real network of Seaside.
The effect of thiazolidinediones on body fat redistribution in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Fang , Pan Xiaohui , Zhang Xinyue , Tong Nanwei
Published: December 2023

Visceral adiposity is a strong predictor of cardiometabolic risk. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are associated with a shift in fat redistribution from visceral adipose tissue (VAT) to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). We aimed to compare the effects of TZD and other interventions on fat remodeling in adults in randomized controlled trials. Among the 1331 retrieved studies, 39 trials with 1765 participants were included in the meta‐analysis. The standardized mean difference in VAT change was not significantly different between TZD and comparators across the overall studies. Intriguingly, TZD treatment resulted in significant decreases in VAT compared with placebo and sulfonylureas (p < 0.05), although recombinant human growth hormone was superior to TZD regarding VAT reduction (p < 0.05). Data from 216 participants showed TZD leading to a greater reduction in liver fat percentage than comparators (p < 0.05). Compared with the controls, TZD significantly increased SAT, total body fat, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (p < 0.05). However, TZD pronouncedly improved glucose control, insulin resistance, adiponectin, and lipid profile (p < 0.05). TZD provides a favorable effect on fat redistribution and benefits insulin sensitivity, suggesting a potentially valuable approach in cardiometabolic risk management.
Dupilumab‐induced psoriasiform dermatitis in two pediatric cardiac transplant patients
Authors: Lockard Trevor , Mullen Sarah A. , Lee Erica B. , Niebur Hana , Harter Nicole
Published: December 2023

Dupilumab is an interleukin‐4 receptor antagonist important in the treatment of refractory atopic dermatitis (AD), particularly among pediatric patients. Two boys with a history of AD and cardiac transplant who developed psoriasiform dermatitis in response to dupilumab therapy are reported. These patients paradoxically developed an immune‐mediated adverse drug reaction despite taking systemic immunosuppressive agents. While the literature suggests possible pathomechanisms for psoriasiform dermatitis despite immunosuppression, further research is necessary to better characterize this unique and unexpected phenomenon.
The genetic architecture of the adaptive potential of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to Pseudomonas syringae strains isolated from south‐west France
Authors: Bartoli Claudia , Rigal Mylène , Huard‐Chauveau Carine , Mayjonade Baptiste , Roux Fabrice
Published: December 2023

Phytopathogens are a threat for global food production and security. Emergence or re‐emergence of plant pathogens is highly dependent on the environmental conditions affecting pathogen spread and survival. Under climate change, a geographic expansion of pathogen distribution poleward has been observed, potentially resulting in disease outbreaks on crops and wild plants. Therefore, estimating the adaptive potential of plants to novel epidemics and describing the underlying genetic architecture is a primary need to propose agricultural management strategies reducing pathogen outbreaks and to breed novel plant cultivars adapted to pathogens that might spread under climate change. To address this challenge, we inoculated Pseudomonas syringae strains isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana populations from south‐west of France on the highly genetically polymorphic TOU‐A A. thaliana population from north‐east France. While no adaptive potential was identified in response to most P. syringae strains, the TOU‐A population displayed a variable disease response to the JACO‐CL strain belonging to the P. syringae phylogroup 7 (PG7). This strain carried a reduced type III secretion system (T3SS) characteristic of the PG7 as well as flexible genomic traits and potential novel effectors. Genome‐wide association mapping on 192 TOU‐A accessions revealed a polygenic architecture of disease response to JACO‐CL. The main quantitative trait locus (QTL) region encompasses two R genes and the AT5G18310 gene encoding ubiquitin hydrolase, a target of the AvrRpt2 P. syringae effector. Altogether, our results pave the way for a better understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of the adaptive potential in an ecologically relevant A. thaliana–P. syringae pathosystem.
Full‐length transcriptome sequencing provides new insights into the complexity of flavonoid biosynthesis in Glechoma longituba
Authors: Shan Tingyu , Xu Jingyao , Zhong Xinxin , Zhang Jingjing , He Bing , Tao Yijia , Wu Jiawen
Published: December 2023

Glechoma longituba has been frequently used in treating urolithiasis and cholelithiasis due to the presence of flavonoids, which are its major bioactive constituents. However, research on the molecular background of flavonoid biosynthesis in G. longituba is limited. In this study, we used single‐molecule real‐time combined with next‐generation sequencing technologies to construct the complete transcriptome of G. longituba. We identified 404,648 non‐redundant transcripts, including 249,697 coding sequences, 197,811 simple sequence repeats, 174,846 long noncoding RNA, and 176,554 coding RNA. Moreover, we functionally annotated 346,218 isoforms (85.56%) and identified 86,528 differentially expressed genes. We also identified 55 non‐redundant full‐length isoforms related to the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the expression levels of some key genes of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were significantly positively correlated with the flavonoid metabolites. Furthermore, we performed bioinformatics analysis (sequence and structural) of isoform_47029 (encoding flavanone 3‐hydroxylase) and isoform_53692 (encoding flavonol synthase) to evaluate their potential biological functions. Finally, we validated gene expression levels of 12 flavonoid‐related key enzyme genes using quantitative real‐time PCR. Overall, this study provides full‐length transcriptome information on G. longituba for the first time and valuable molecular resources for further research on the medicinal properties of this plant.
Natural variation of temperature acclimation of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hernandez Jakob Sebastian , Dziubek Dejan , Schröder Laura , Seydel Charlotte , Kitashova Anastasia , Brodsky Vladimir , Nägele Thomas
Published: December 2023

Acclimation is a multigenic trait by which plants adjust photosynthesis and metabolism to cope with a changing environment. Here, natural variations of photosynthetic efficiency and acclimation of the central carbohydrate metabolism were analyzed in response to low and elevated temperatures. For this, 18 natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, originating from Cape Verde Islands and Europe, were grown at 22°C before being exposed to 4°C and 34°C for cold and heat acclimation, respectively. Absolute amounts of carbohydrates were quantified together with their subcellular distribution across plastids, cytosol and vacuole. Linear electron transport rates (ETRs) were determined together with the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) for all growth conditions and under temperature fluctuation. Under elevated temperature, ETR residuals under increasing photosynthetic photon flux densities significantly correlated with the degree of temperature fluctuation at the original habitat of accessions, indicating a geographical east/west gradient of photosynthetic acclimation capacities. Plastidial sucrose concentrations positively correlated with maximal ETRs under fluctuating temperature, indicating a stabilizing role within the chloroplast. Our findings revealed specific subcellular carbohydrate distributions that contribute differentially to the photosynthetic efficiency of natural Arabidopsis thaliana accessions across a longitudinal gradient. This sheds light on the relevance of subcellular metabolic regulation for photosynthetic performance in a fluctuating environment and supports the physiological interpretation of naturally occurring genetic variation of temperature tolerance and acclimation.