bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between contact lens ultraviolet light transmittance and myopia progression: a large-scale retrospective cohort study
Authors: Okada Hiroyuki , Yoshida Masao , Takeuchi Masaki , Okada Eiichi , Mizuki Nobuhisa
Published: October 2024

Background

The prevalence of myopia is increasing dramatically around the world, and many studies have suggested the possibility that ultraviolet (UV) light is effective to prevent the onset and progression of myopia. However, UV is a risk factor for diseases that cause refractive errors such as cataract and pterygium. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between UV exposure and myopia progression.

Methods

The dataset consisted of a total of 337 396 eyes of patients in the 12-to-29-year age range, who were prescribed soft contact lenses (SCL) for refractive error at Okada Eye Clinic in Japan between 2002 and 2011. They were tracked over a five-year period and did not change the type of SCL. In this retrospective cohort study based on medical records, we divided patients into two groups, one prescribed SCL with UV protection (UV-SCL), and another prescribed SCL without UV protection (UV + SCL).

Results

Change in refractive power over five years was measured and results compared. It was −0.413 diopter (D) in the UV-SCL group and −0.462 D in the UV + SCL group. Thus, the progression of myopia was slower in the UV-SCL group. The results were also analyzed separately by gender and degree of myopia at the time of initial prescription, which all showed significant differences (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Results suggest that UV exposure may advance myopia. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms that could explain this.
The Long-Run Impacts of Public Industrial Investment on Local Development and Economic Mobility: Evidence from World War II
Authors: Garin Andrew , Rothbaum Jonathan
Published: October 2024

This article studies the long-run effects of government-led construction of manufacturing plants on the regions where they were built and on individuals from those regions. Specifically, we examine publicly financed plants built in dispersed locations outside of major urban centers for security reasons during the U.S. industrial mobilization for World War II. Wartime plant construction had large and persistent effects on local development, characterized by an expansion of relatively high-wage manufacturing employment throughout the postwar era. These benefits were shared by incumbent residents; we find men born before World War II in counties where plants were built earned $1,200 (in 2020 dollars) or 2.5% more per year in adulthood relative to those born in counterfactual comparison regions, with larger benefits accruing to children of lower-income parents. The balance of evidence suggests that these individuals benefited primarily from the local expansion of higher-wage jobs to which they had access as adults, rather than because of developmental effects from exposure to better environments during childhood.
The Case(s) of Thomasine Ostler: Gender, Fiction, and Theatre History in Common Law Court Records
Authors: Powell Jonathan
Published: October 2024

This article asks what theatre historians can (and can’t) learn from the records of Thomasine Ostler in the court of King’s Bench between 1615 and 1619, during which period Ostler filed suit not only against her father, the actor John Heminges, but also the son of Walter Raleigh. Ostler’s name is not unfamiliar to scholars, but neither she nor the enrolments of her suits have been examined in detail, and both have been misunderstood or simply overlooked. The article hinges on a new way of working with the plea rolls of England’s common law courts, whose Latin entries have long been seen as limited repositories of ‘essential facts’ to be extracted from ‘smokescreens of formalism and legal fiction’. This article argues instead that plea rolls should be understood as sites of fiction-making, and uses Ostler’s suits to show why their constitution of character and plot should matter to theatre historians. The article thereby casts light on not just the ownership of playhouse shares contested by Ostler and Heminges, but the actions, motivations, and interpersonal relationships of all three parties in Ostler’s suits. It also challenges scholars to re-think the value of plea rolls as sources for women’s lives and stories.
15Psychoanalysis
Authors: Wynter-Vincent Naomi
Published: October 2024

This chapter reviews five works of psychoanalytic scholarship published in 2023: The Poetry of the Word in Psychoanalysis: Selected Papers of Pere Folch Mateu, edited by J. O. Esteve and Jordi Sala; three books about Marion Milner: The Marion Milner Method: Psychoanalysis, Autobiography, Creativity by Emilia Halton-Hernandez, The Marion Milner Tradition, edited by Margaret Boyle Spelman and Joan Raphael-Leff, and Alberto Stefana and Alessio Gamba’s Marion Milner: A Contemporary Introduction; and Antisemitism and Racism: Ethical Challenges for Psychoanalysis by Stephen Frosh. Following a short introduction, the review is divided into three sections to discuss these works in turn.
Successful Delivery After Myomectomy for Spontaneous Ruptured Pyomyoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhou Qian , Yu Yi , Liu Juntao , Gao Jinsong , Song Yijun , Sun Yin , Guo Qi
Published: October 2024

In this article, we report a case of spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy with successful delivery after myomectomy. A 35-year-old pregnant female (27 weeks of gestation) presented with lower abdominal pain. The patient had a history of uterine fibroids. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma (maximum diameter: 12.6 cm). Myomectomy was performed, and her abdominal distension and pain were significantly improved within 1 day; the condition of the fetus was normal. One month after surgery, severe tenderness was detected in the lower right side of the uterus. Considering the higher risk of uterine rupture and associated complications, a cesarean section was performed. The mother and neonate were discharged 3 and 42 days after delivery, respectively, in good condition. Myomectomy for spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy may be feasible and extend gestational age to improve outcomes for the mother and neonate.
Outer membrane barrier impairment by envC deletion reduces gut colonization of Crohn’s disease pathobiont Escherichia coli
Authors: Miki Tsuyoshi , Ito Masahiro , Haneda Takeshi , Kim Yun-Gi
Published: October 2024

Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) has been implicated in the aetiology of Crohn’s disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of Enterobacteriaceae, including AIEC, is heightened in the intestines of CD patients. Therefore, inhibiting AIEC colonization in the gastrointestinal tract could be a promising therapeutic intervention for CD. This study aims to assess the potential of EnvC as a novel therapeutic target, examining how disrupting EnvC activity through the deletion of the envC gene decreases AIEC gut colonization levels. EnvC serves as a catalyst for peptidoglycan (also called murein) amidases, facilitating bacterial cell division. An AIEC mutant lacking the envC gene exhibited impaired cell division. Furthermore, envC deletion led to a diminished outer membrane barrier, as seen in our finding that the envC mutant became susceptible to vancomycin. Finally, we found that the envC mutant is impaired in competitive gut colonization in a dysbiotic mouse model. The colonization defects might be attributable to reduced resistance to colonic bile acids, as evidenced by our finding that increased colonic levels of bile acids inhibited the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by AIEC strains. The present findings suggest that targeting bacterial cell division through the inhibition of EnvC activity could represent a promising intervention for CD.
Three-dimensional quantitative micro-elastography reveals alterations in spatial elasticity patterns of follicles and corpora lutea in murine ovaries during ageing
Authors: Jaeschke Anna , Hepburn Matt S. , Mowla Alireza , Kennedy Brendan F. , Chan Chii Jou
Published: October 2024

Fibrosis and tissue stiffening are hallmarks of ovarian ageing, linked to a decrease in fertility. However, the lack of three-dimensional (3D) characterization of ovary elasticity limits our understanding of localized elasticity patterns and their connection to the tissue composition. Here, we developed an integrated approach to link ovarian tissue elasticity, volume, and cell-matrix composition using quantitative micro-elastography (QME), a label-free, non-invasive approach to study the 3D microscale elasticity in conjunction with immunofluorescence microscopy. QME revealed distinct spatial elasticity patterns in ovarian compartments, namely follicles and corpora lutea (CLs), and local elasticity alterations in different age cohorts. For example, CL elasticity significantly increased during ovarian ageing while follicle elasticity changed minimally. CLs showed size-dependent elasticity changes, while follicles exhibited distinct spatial variations in elasticity correlated with the emergence of theca cell layers during follicle development. These findings have the potential to guide the development of novel diagnostic tools and identify therapeutic targets, improving women’s reproductive health and longevity.

Graphical Abstract
Neuregulin-1 Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Activating the UCP2/PINK1/LC3B-mediated Mitophagy
Authors: Li Xin-Tao , Li Xin-Yue , Tian Tian , Yang Wen-He , Cheng Yi , Su Kai , Lu Xi-Hua , Jin Mu , Xue Fu-Shan
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury may significantly affect the treatment outcomes and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction following coronary artery recanalization. Available evidence suggests that neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) can provide a protection against myocardial I/R injury and is involved in various cardioprotective interventions by potential regulation of mitophagy. However, the molecular mechanisms linking NRG-1 and mitophagy remain to be clarified. This experiment aimed to determine whether NRG-1 postconditioning attenuated myocardial I/R injury through the regulation of mitophagy and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHOD

Both anin vivomyocardial I/R injury model of rats and anin vitrohypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model of H9C2 cardiomyocytes were applied. NRG-1 treatment was conducted immediately after I/R or H/R intervention. In thein vivoexperiment, cardioprotective effects of NRG-1 were determined by infarct size, cardiac enzyme and histopathologic examinations. The potential downstream pathways and molecular targets of NRG-1 were screened by the RNA sequencing and the Protein-Protein Interaction Networks (PPI). The expression levels of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and mitophagy-related protein in both the I/R myocardium and H/R cardiomyocytes were measured by immunofluorescence staining and Western blots. The activation of mitophagy was observed with the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and JC-1 staining.

RESULTS

The KEGG and GSEA analyses showed that the mitophagy-related pathways were enriched in the I/R myocardium treated with NRG-1, and UCP2 exhibited a significant correlation between mitophagy and interaction with PINK1. Meanwhile, the treatment with mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 significant eliminated the cardioprotective effects of NRG-1 postconditioningin vivo, and the challenge with UCP2 inhibitor genipin could also attenuate the activating effect of NRG-1 postconditioning on mitophagy. Consistently, thein vitroexperiment using H9C2 cardiomyocytes showd that NRG-1 treatment significantly up-regulated the expression levels of UCP2 and mitophagy-related proteins, and activated the mitophagy, whereas the challenge with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated UCP2 knockdown abolished the effects of NRG-1.

CONCLUSIONS

NRG-1 postconditioning can produce a protection against the myocardial I/R injury by activating mitophagy through the UCP2/PINK1/LC3B signaling pathway.
Chromosome-scale genome assembly and de novo annotation of Alopecurus aequalis.
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Baker Kendall , Barker Tom , Catchpole Leah , Durrant Alex , Fraser Fiona , Gharbi Karim , Harrison Christian , Henderson Suzanne , Irish Naomi , Kaithakottil Gemy , Leitch Ilia J , Li Jun , Lucchini Sacha , Neve Paul , Powell Robyn , Rees Hannah , Swarbreck David , Watkins Chris , Wood Jonathan , McTaggart Seanna , Hall Anthony , MacGregor Dana R
Published: October 2024

Alopecurus aequalis is a winter annual or short-lived perennial bunchgrass which has in recent years emerged as the dominant agricultural weed of barley and wheat in certain regions of China and Japan, causing significant yield losses. Its robust tillering capacity and high fecundity, combined with the development of both target and non-target-site resistance to herbicides means it is a formidable challenge to food security. Here we report on a chromosome-scale assembly of A. aequalis with a genome size of 2.83 Gb. The genome contained 33,758 high-confidence protein-coding genes with functional annotation. Comparative genomics revealed that the genome structure of A. aequalis is more similar to Hordeum vulgare rather than the more closely related Alopecurus myosuroides and has undergone an expansion of cytochrome P450 genes, a gene family involved in non-target-site herbicide resistance.
rbfox1loss in zebrafish drives HPI axis hyperactivation viabdnf/trkb2pathway and allostatic overload during later life
Authors: Leggieri Adele , García-González Judit , Hosseinian Saeedeh , Ashdown Peter , Anagianni Sofia , Wang Xian , Havelange William , Fernàndez-Castillo Noèlia , Cormand Bru , Brennan Caroline H.
Published: October 2024

Mutations in theRBFOX1gene are associated with psychiatric disorders but how RBFOX1 influences psychiatric disorder vulnerability remains unclear. Recent studies showed that RBFOX proteins mediate the alternative splicing of PAC1, a critical HPA axis activator. Further, RBFOX1 dysfunction is linked to dysregulation of BDNF/TRKB, a pathway promoting neuroplasticity, neuronal survival, and stress resilience. Hence, RBFOX1 dysfunction may increase psychiatric disorder vulnerability via HPA axis dysregulation, leading to disrupted development and allostatic overload. To test this hypothesis, we generated a zebrafishrbfox1loss-of-function (LoF) line and examined behavioural and molecular effects during development. We found thatrbfox1LoF mutants exhibited hyperactivity, impulsivity and heightened arousal, alongside alterations in proliferation – traits associated with neurodevelopmental and stress-related disorders. In adults, loss ofrbfox1function led to decreased fertility and survival, consistent with allostatic overload. At the molecular level, at larval stagesrbfox1LoF disrupted the expression ofbdnf,trkb2, pac1a-hopand HPI axis genes. Pharmacological intervention targeting TRKB restored HPI axis andbdnf/trkb2gene expression. In adults, dysregulation ofbdnf/trkb2and HPI axis genes was only seen following acute stress exposure. Our findings revealed a fundamental role for RBFOX1 in integrating stress responses through its regulation of BDNF/TRKB and neuroendocrine signalling. By uncovering how RBFOX1 modulates stress adaptation from development to adulthood, our study provides novel insights into the molecular basis of stress resilience and psychiatric disease vulnerability, suggestingRBFOX1loss predisposes to psychiatric diseases through HPA axis hyperactivation during development, impairing adaptation and heightening vulnerability to allostatic overload in later life.
Distinct roles of SNR, speech Intelligibility, and attentional effort on neural speech tracking in noise
Authors: He Xiaomin , Raghavan Vinay S , Mesgarani Nima
Published: October 2024

Robust neural encoding of speech in noise is influenced by several factors, including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), speech intelligibility (SI), and attentional effort (AE). Yet, the interaction and distinct role of these factors remain unclear. In this study, fourteen native English speakers performed selective speech listening tasks at various SNR levels while EEG responses were recorded. Attentional performance was assessed using a repeated word detection task, and attentional effort was inferred from subjects' gaze velocity. Results indicate that both SNR and SI enhance neural tracking of target speech, with distinct effects influenced by the previously overlooked role of attentional effort. Specifically, at high levels of SI, increasing SNR leads to reduced attentional effort, which in turn decreases neural speech tracking. Our findings highlight the importance of differentiating the roles of SNR, SI, and AE in neural speech processing and advance our understanding of how noisy speech is processed in the auditory pathway.
Anxious/depressed individuals exhibit disrupted frontotemporal synchrony during cognitive conflict encoding
Authors: Shekara Aniruddha , Ross Alexander , Soper Daniel J. , Paulk Angelique C. , Cash Sydney S. , Shear Paula K. , Sheehy John P. , Basu Ishita
Published: October 2024

Anxiety and depressive disorders are associated with cognitive control deficits, yet their underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we used high-resolution stereotactic EEG (sEEG) to determine how anxiety and/or depression modulates neural and behavioral responses when cognitive control is engaged in individuals with medically refractory epilepsy undergoing sEEG monitoring for surgical evaluation.

We analyzed sEEG data recorded from frontotemporal regions of 29 participants (age range: 19-55, mean age: 35.5, female: 16/29) while they performed a Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT) designed to elicit cognitive conflict. Neurobehavioral interviews, symptom rating scales, and clinical documentation were used to categorize participants as demonstrating anxiety and/or depression symptoms (A/D, n=13) or as epilepsy controls (EC, n=16). Generalized linear mixed-effects (GLME) models were used to analyze behavioral and neural data. Models of oscillatory power were used to identify brain regions within conflict-encoding networks in which coherence and phase locking values (PLV) were examined in A/D and EC.

A/D participants demonstrated a greater conflict effect (response time slowing with higher cognitive load), without impairment in response time (RT) or accuracy compared to EC. A/D participants also showed significantly enhanced conflict-evoked theta (4-8Hz) and alpha (8-15Hz) power in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and amygdala as well as widespread broadband activity in the lateral temporal lobe (LTL) compared to EC. Additionally, theta coherence and PLV between dlPFC-LTL and dlPFC-amygdala were reduced by conflict in A/D.

Our findings suggest individuals with anxiety/depression symptoms exhibit heightened frontotemporal oscillatory activity and disrupted frontotemporal synchrony during cognitive conflict encoding, which may indicate a greater need for cognitive resources due to ineffective cognitive processing. These results highlight a potential role of frontotemporal circuits in conflict encoding that are altered in anxiety/depression, and may further inform future therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive control in these populations.
Disease-Modifying, Neuroprotective Effect of N-acetyl-L-leucine in Adult and Pediatric Patients with Niemann–Pick disease type C
Authors: Patterson Marc , Ramaswami Uma , Donald Aimee , Foltan Tomas , Gautschi Matthias , Hahn Andreas , Jones Simon , Kolnikova Miriam , Arash-Kaps Laila , Park Julien , Reichmannová Stella , Walterfarng Mark , Wibawa Pierre , Rohrbach Marianne , Martakis Kyriakos , Bremova-Ertl Tatiana , Gissen P.
Published: October 2024

Background

The phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, IB1001-301, comparing N-acetyl-L-leucine (NALL) with placebo for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NPC) after 12 weeks met both its primary and secondary endpoints. In an open-label Extension Phase (EP) follow-up data have been obtained to evaluate the long-term effects of NALL for NPC. Here, we report on the safety and efficacy after 12 and 18 months of extended follow-up.

Methods

In the ongoing EP, pediatric and adult NPC patients received treatment with orally administered NALL 2-3 times per day in three tiers of weight-based dosing. The primary endpoint was the modified 5-domain Niemann-Pick disease type C Clinical Severity Scale (5-Domain NPC-CSS) (range 0-25 points; lower score representing better neurological status). Comparisons were made to the expected annual trajectory of decline (i.e. disease progression) on the 5-domain NPC-CSS established in published natural history studies. Analyses were also performed on exploratory endpoints including the 15-domain and 4-domain NPC-CSS and Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) scale.

Results

A total of 54 patients aged 5 to 67 years have been enrolled in the EP. After 12 months, the mean (SD) change from baseline on the 5-domain NPC-CSS was -0.32 (2.43) with NALL versus 1.5 (3.16) in the historical cohort (95% Confidence Interval, -3.11 to -0.53; p=0.007), corresponding to a 121% reduction in annual disease progression. After 18 months, the mean (SD) change was -0.067 (2.94) with NALL versus 2.25 (4.74) in the historical cohort (95% Confidence Interval, -4.17 to -0.46; p=0.017). The results of the 15-domain and 4-domain NPC-CSS were consistent with the primary analysis. The improvements in neurological signs and symptoms demonstrated in the Parent Study’s primary SARA endpoint were sustained over the long-term follow-up. NALL was well-tolerated, and no treatment-related serious AEs occurred.

Conclusion

In patients with NPC, treatment with NALL after 12 and 18 months was associated with a significant reduction in disease progression, demonstrating a disease-modifying, neuroprotective effect.

Trial Registration Information

The trial is registered withClinicalTrials.gov(NCT05163288; registered 06-Dec-2021), EudraCT (2021-005356-10). The first patient was enrolled into the EP on 08-Mar-2023.
Exploring intersectional determinants of, and interventions for, low uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Kailemia Peter N , Mukami Victoria N
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Cervical cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in 36 low and middle-income countries with the majority being located in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), South America, and South Eastern Asia. The highest regional incidence and mortality occur in SSA. Despite the high efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer, its uptake remains unacceptably low in SSA. This scoping review aims to integrate evidence from SSA on social determinants of HPV vaccine uptake with complementary evidence on interventions to promote its uptake.

Methods and analysis

The proposed review will be conducted following the guidelines by the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review Methodology Group. Additionally, sequential explanatory design will guide the integration ofdeterminants evidencewithinterventions evidence. This scoping review will be reported per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Five databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, LIVIVO, Google Scholar, BASE (Grey Literature), Preprints databases (e.g. OSF and MedRxiv), and African Journals Online (AJOL) will be searched, with results limited to English language publications and those published from 2006 to 2024. Two forms will be used for data extraction from the determinants and interventions studies by two independent reviewers. A narrative summary of evidence from the both determinants and interventions studies will be conducted. Furthermore, a multi-level analysis will be conducted to explore the intersections of determinants across socioecological levels of health behaviour. A further integrative cross-study analysis of results from determinants and interventions studies will be conducted where the determinants evidence will be used to interrogate the intervention evidence. Data will be presented in tables and matrices.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval will be required for this study because it will be based on data collected from publicly available records. The review results will be disseminated widely through a peer-reviewed publication and other forums such as workshops, conferences, and meetings with local health administrators, policymakers and other wider stakeholder engagements.This protocol has been registered with Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5JKZ8)
Proportional recovery in mice with cortical stroke
Authors: Kalantari Aref , Hambrock Carolin , Grefkes Christian , Fink Gereon R. , Aswendt Markus
Published: October 2024

The proportional Recovery Rule (PRR) has been frequently used to predict recovery of lost motor function in acute stroke patients. However, it still needs to be explored whether the same concept applies to preclinical, i.e. animal models of stroke recovery. To address this question, we investigated behavioral data from 125 adult male C57Bl/6J mice with photothrombotic strokes in the sensorimotor cortex. Lesion size and location were determined in the first week using in vivo T2-weighted MRI. Motor recovery was evaluated repeatedly over four weeks using the cylinder, grid walk, and rotating beam test. Recovery trajectories were analyzed using a newly formulated Mouse Recovery Rule (MRR), comparing it against the traditional PRR. Initial findings indicated variable recovery patterns, which were separated using a stepwise linear regression approach resulting in two clusters: 47% PRR and 53% MRR. No significant correlation was found between recovery patterns and lesion size or location, suggesting that other biological factors drive individual differences in recovery. Of note, in the MRR cluster, animals recovered to 90% of their initial behavioral state within the first four weeks post-stroke, which is higher than the 70% recovery usually reported in human PRR studies. This study demonstrates the complexity of translating the PRR to stroke recovery models in mice and underscores the need for species-specific recovery models. Our findings have implications for designing and interpreting therapeutic strategies for stroke recovery in preclinical settings, with the potential to improve the predictive accuracy of stroke recovery assessments.
Identifying sexually dimorphic circulating microRNAs in gonochoristic and hermaphroditic marine fish species
Authors: Geffroy Benjamin , Houdelet Camille , Blondeau-Bidet Eva , Mialhe Xavier , Bajek Aline , Falguière Jean-Claude , Guiguen Yann , Bobe Julien
Published: October 2024

In many fish species, males and females are hard to distinguish at the juvenile stage and size differences appear during maturation, often favoring females. Molecular tools for sexing live fish would benefit aquaculture, fisheries, and conservation research. Here we aimed to explores to what extent circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can decipher phenotypic males from phenotypic females in gonochoristic fish species (the European seabassDicentrarchus labrax, the TurbotScophthalmus maximus, the Red drumSciaenops ocellatus, and the Blue RunnerCaranx crysos) as well as sexual stages in a protandrous hermaphrodite species (the Gilthead seabreamSparus aurata). We collected and extracted total RNA from 258 plasma samples, of which 96 samples with satisfactory RNA quality were sequenced using small RNA-seq. Circulating miRNAs detected in the plasma allowed to easily discriminate species, but some miRNAs were significantly correlated to one sex, independently of the species. In immature fishes, 3 miRNAs: miR-21a-3p, miR-18a-3p, and miR-29-1a-5p were overexpressed in females compared to males, while in mature fish, miR-21a-3p exhibited an opposite pattern. In the Gilthead seabream, we detected that both the miR-21a-3p and the miR-125b-2/3-5p were likely involved in the sexual transition from male to female. A complementary analysis on the 3′UTR sequences of all fish species allowed to predict potential mRNA targets of those two miRNAs, some of them being particularly relevant regarding sexual development (i.e. wnt4, esrrb, esrrga and hsd17b1). The identification of miRNAs like miR-21a-3p and miR-125b-2/3-5p as potential sex markers could offer a new, poorly-invasive method to monitor sex and developmental stages in fishes.
Confronting decisions related to the termination or continuation of doctoral supervision: a supervisor perspective
Authors: Massyn Liezel , Wichmann-Hansen Gitte , Areskoug Josefsson Kristina
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper explores theoretical perspectives on supervisors' pedagogical dilemmas when deciding whether to terminate or continue problematic supervision relationships. This paper aims to unravel the complexities and challenges inherent in such decision-making processes while also discussing potential support mechanisms for supervisors.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a reflective narrative approach, this paper presents a fictional narrative to illustrate the intricacies of doctoral supervision. The narrative is divided into three parts, each followed by an analysis rooted in theoretical perspectives.

Findings

This article offers guidelines across individual, departmental and organisational levels to address critical moments in doctoral supervision. By incorporating various strategies and perspectives, it helps to understand the dilemmas that supervisors may encounter. A decision-making support guide is also provided to suggest ways of handling these challenging situations.

Practical implications

Drawing from theoretical perspectives, this paper offers practical solutions. A supervision support guide is developed to help establish support mechanisms at different levels, assisting supervisors in managing critical moments in doctoral supervision.

Originality/value

Addressing a rarely discussed issue, this paper highlights the complexity of supervisors' decisions regarding the termination of PhD students. It not only sheds light on these difficult choices but also offers practical guidelines for supervisors navigating such scenarios.
Genetics, emotion and care: Navigating future reproductive decisions in families of children with rare genetic conditions
Authors: Coveney Catherine , Salem Basma
Published: October 2024

Little is known regarding the future reproductive decision‐making of parents of children with rare genetic conditions. Our research draws on data from an online survey and qualitative photo‐elicitation interviews with families living with Noonan Syndrome. We demonstrate how genetic knowledge and prenatal genetic testing become embedded in reproductive practices. Yet the idea of using selective genetic technologies to influence reproductive outcomes remains highly emotive. Our analysis reveals that for these parents, the rationalities of reproduction, although technologised and biomedicalised, remain centred on caring for their disabled child. Genetic subjectivities become entangled with responsibilities of care‐giving and emotion tied to the realities of living with disability. We argue that for these parents, reproductive decisions are relational and affective, situated within families and communities and shaped by access to emotional, financial, physical and temporal resources. Our findings provide new insights into the ontologies of selective genetic technologies and reproductive governance in families living with disability.
Modeling and chewing parameters calibration of Euryale ferox based on discrete element method
Authors: Ben Zongyou , He Jinwei , Shi Jiahui , Leng Hongni , Fu Zihao , Zheng Rongmin , Bai Yu
Published: October 2024

Euryale ferox was chosen for this study to examine its mechanical properties during chewing. Experiments and the discrete element method were used to conduct the study. Initially, the intrinsic and contact parameters of E. ferox were established through physical tests. The maximum compressive force of breakage and chewing mechanical properties (hardness, springiness, and chewiness) were measured using a texture profile analyzer (TPA). A Hertz–Mindlin with bonding model of the E. ferox was constructed. Optimal values for significant factors, including the normal stiffness per unit area, shear stiffness per unit area, and bonding radius, were obtained through single‐factor, Plackett–Burman, steepest ascent, and Box–Behnken response surface tests, with the maximum compressive force as the index. Under optimal parameter combination conditions, the relative error between the simulated and experimental values of the maximum compressive force was 0.79%, and the relative errors between the simulated and TPA test values of all indicators were less than 5.65%. This study provides a valuable reference for simulating the textural characteristics of agricultural products.
Fusion of visible and fluorescence imaging through deep neural network for color value prediction of pelletized red peppers
Authors: Ma Shaojin , Li Yongyu , Peng Yankun , Nie Sen , Wang Wei , Zhang Yuexiang
Published: October 2024

A non‐destructive method for determining the color value of pelletized red peppers is crucial for pepper processing factories. This study aimed to investigate the potentiality of visible and fluorescence images for the determination of color value of pelletized red pepper. The imaging problem, caused by the cylindrical shape and irregular cross‐sectional features of the pelletized red peppers, was reduced through the extraction of an approximate plane region. To integrate the information in the visible and fluorescence images, a baseline convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture was designed and low level, middle level, and high level fusion models (denoted as LL‐CNN, ML‐CNN, and HL‐CNN, respectively) were developed upon the baseline CNN. The effects of input image size and color space were examined. According to the training result, CNN fusion models were developed using visible image in L*a*b* color space and fluorescence image in RGB color space using 56 × 56 input image size. Among the three types of CNN fusion models, the HL‐CNN obtained the best performance, resulting in Rv2 of 0.828 and RMSEV of 0.351. This study suggests that the fusion of visible and fluorescence image through CNN is a practical approach to save testing time and replace traditional destructive method. The low cost and compact structure of the imaging systems can maintain the commercial appeal of pepper industry.
Preventive regulation and corporate tax avoidance: Evidence from China
Authors: Yuan Qiaochao , Bai Jun
Published: October 2024

This study examines whether and how preventive regulation impacts corporate tax avoidance in China, using the random inspection of accounting information quality (RIAIQ) by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) as a quasi‐natural experiment. Our staggered difference‐in‐differences estimates indicate that improving preventive regulation through the MOF's RIAIQ can inhibit corporate tax avoidance, especially for firms with tax issues, disclosed specific noncompliance amounts, stronger external supervision, lower marketisation level, and middle nominal tax rates. Mechanism tests demonstrate that preventive regulation diminishes corporate tax avoidance activities by mitigating managerial agency conflicts and intergovernmental agency conflicts in the decision‐making process. Our findings highlight the governance role of preventive regulation in constraining corporate tax avoidance.
Effects of wind farms on raptors: A systematic review of the current knowledge and the potential solutions to mitigate negative impacts
Authors: Estellés‐Domingo I. , López‐López P.
Published: October 2024

Wind farms are a clean and efficient source of renewable energy. However, they cause negative impacts on raptors. Here, we present a review of the existing scientific literature on the effects of wind farms on raptors' ecology with a particular interest in the potential solutions. After collecting 216 studies, we found a consensus in the literature that raptors exhibit avoidance behaviors, and that the abundance of raptors decreases after wind farm installation, although it might recover over time. The position of wind farms on mountaintop ridges poses a particular danger to large soaring raptors, as they rely on orographic uplift to gain altitude. Adult mortality significantly affects population dynamics, particularly in endangered species, but young inexperienced individuals show a higher collision risk. The combination of different methods including field monitoring, GPS telemetry and systematic search for carcasses is an adequate approach to further investigate the problem and solutions. Shutdowns on demand, the installation of deterrents, turbine micro‐sitting and the repowering of wind farms have been suggested as potential solutions, although results are contradictory and case‐specific. Furthermore, it is essential to report the potential occurrence of conflicts of interest in scientific papers, as they can influence the interpretation of the results. Finally, from a future perspective, it is crucial to assess the effectiveness of solutions to mitigate the negative effects of wind farms to promote raptor conservation. This becomes increasingly relevant in the context of renewable energy development and increasing energy demand worldwide.
Late‐onset chylothorax after lung cancer surgery: clinical characteristics, management, and prevention
Authors: Chen Jindong , Huang Kaili , Yang Xue , Ye Lijuan , Wang Jia , Ma Yan , Tang Xiaojun , Deng Han‐Yu , Zhu Daxing
Published: October 2024

Background

The clinical characteristics and management of late‐onset chylothorax after lung cancer surgery remained unknown. Here we aimed to provide evidence on the management of late‐onset chylothorax by analysis of several cases with the largest sample size.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients who developed late‐onset chylothorax after lung cancer surgery and were re‐admitted by a single surgeon in our center from 2016 to 2022. The clinical characteristics and management for these patients were analysed. The role of Hem‐o‐lok clipping after lymphadenectomy in preventing late‐onset chylothorax was further explored by comparing the surgical outcomes between treated group and control group.

Result

A total of six patients who were re‐admitted for late‐onset chylothorax after lung cancer surgery were included for analysis. The mean age of them was 60.7 years old. The symptom of late‐onset chylothorax was mainly dyspnea and cough and the diagnosis was all made by Sudan III staining between postoperative day 17 to 42. All patients were firstly treated with thoracocentesis and low‐fat diet with intravenous nutrition. Four patients were successfully managed with low‐fat diet and thoracocentesis, while the other two patients were further managed with pleurodesis with 50% glucose fluid solution. We found a significantly decreased risk of late‐onset chylothorax in the treated group with improved procedure of applying Hem‐o‐lok clipping after lymphadenectomy than in the control group (0% versus 2.6%, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Late‐onset chylothorax after lung cancer surgery was a rare and negligible complication, which may usually be managed by non‐surgical methods. Hem‐o‐lok clipping during lymphadenectomy seemed to be an effective method to prevent late‐onset chylothorax after lung cancer surgery.
Settler Midwifery: A Colonial Tool in Canada's Reproductive Healthcare System
Authors: Murdock Melanie , Durant Sarah
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The land we call Canada is a settler colonial country where reproductive healthcare is used as a mechanism to control, subjugate, and erase Indigenous people and to advance the White settler state. Healthcare providers play an integral role in the healthcare system and contribute to Canada's colonization. In this piece, we critically analyze how settler midwifery is complicit with colonialism in reproductive healthcare by exploring the history of midwifery in Canada, midwifery education, and contemporary settler midwifery.

Discussion

European settlers omitted the history of Indigenous midwifery in Canada and to justify their erasure, they conceptualized Indigenous Peoples as uncivilized and their birthing practices as substandard. To establish a colonial healthcare system, settler midwives replaced traditional Indigenous birth attendants. When midwifery became regulated, midwives were required to train in formal post‐secondary institutions that sustain colonial logics, systems, and practices. Midwifery education programs maintain colonialism by reinforcing medicalized Western practices and sustaining barriers to the growth of Indigenous midwifery. As a result, Western birthing practices are widespread among settler midwives and Indigenous Peoples face barriers to comprehensive and culturally sensitive care. To decolonize Canadian midwifery, we must dismantle stereotypes about Indigenous Peoples and their birthing practices in historical narratives, implement an anti‐colonial approach to midwifery education, support Indigenous midwives in returning birth home, and improve the provision of culturally sensitive care.

Conclusion

Settler midwifery in Canada is complicit in colonialism; building anti‐colonial alliances can help support Indigenous midwives in leading a decolonial future for reproduction and birthing.
Using the balance sheet framework for monetary analysis: The case of China
Authors: Li Wenzhe
Published: October 2024

Monetary analysis has been out of fashion lately. However recent economic and inflation dynamics call for renewed attention. Since 2021, broad money growth has been associated with high inflation and overheated production. Central banks and academia should pay more attention to monetary analysis to understand the economic dynamics and formulate better monetary policy. This article briefly reviews the monetary analysis practices of major central banks and then focuses on China as a case study. We set out the features of the balance sheet of depository corporations, and use it as a basic framework for monetary analysis. There are seven money‐supply channels of broad money, which fluctuate because of seasonality, demand conditions, regulation, and financial institutions micro‐managing indicators. Any change of broad money will be reflected through the balance sheet. Applications include analysing long‐term evolution of money supply channels, analysing and predicting monetary growth, recording major financial incidents, and so forth.
Economic growth by catch‐up nations in an age of neo‐protectionism and smart automation
Authors: Gur Nurullah
Published: October 2024

The global economic landscape has recently undergone significant changes, marked by the rise of neo‐protectionist policies and the emergence of a new techno‐economic paradigm driven by smart automation technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots. Advanced nations have increasingly used neo‐protectionism and smart automation technologies to address their structural problems. These policies will inevitably trigger changes in global supply chains and trade networks. This could undermine the competitive advantages of catch‐up nations, and an economic growth strategy centred on foreign direct investments. While these changes in the global economy may have negative impacts on the economic progress of some catch‐up countries, they may open new windows of opportunity for others. This article examines the challenges and opportunities for catch‐up nations in an era of neo‐protectionism and smart automation technologies.
Exploring the role of AMPA receptor auxiliary proteins in synaptic functions and diseases
Authors: Qneibi Mohammad , Bdir Sosana , Bdair Mohammad , Aldwaik Samia Ammar , Heeh Maram , Sandouka Dana , Idais Tala
Published: October 2024

α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate rapid excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain, primarily driven by the neurotransmitter glutamate. The modulation of AMPAR activity, particularly calcium‐permeable AMPARs (CP‐AMPARs), is crucially influenced by various auxiliary subunits. These subunits are integral membrane proteins that bind to the receptor's core and modify its functional properties, including ion channel kinetics and receptor trafficking. This review comprehensively catalogs all known AMPAR auxiliary proteins, providing vital insights into the biochemical mechanisms governing synaptic modulation and the specific impact of CP‐AMPARs compared to their calcium‐impermeable AMPA receptor (CI‐AMPARs). Understanding the complex interplay between AMPARs and their auxiliary subunits in different brain regions is essential for elucidating their roles in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Importantly, alterations in these auxiliary proteins' expression, function or interactions have been implicated in various neurological disorders. Aberrant signaling through CP‐AMPARs, in particular, is associated with severe synaptic dysfunctions across neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions. Targeting the distinct properties of AMPAR‐auxiliary subunit complexes, especially those involving CP‐AMPARs, could disclose new therapeutic strategies, potentially allowing for more precise interventions in treating complex neuronal disorders.
Diversity of Mycorrhizal Types Along Altitudinal Gradients in the Tropical Andes
Authors: Rendón Espinosa Miguel Ángel , Bottin Marius , Sanchez Adriana , Vargas Carlos , Raz Lauren , Corrales Adriana
Published: October 2024

Aim

Mycorrhizal fungi play key roles in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. The main types of mycorrhizal associations are arbuscular mycorrhizae, ectomycorrhizae, ericoid mycorrhizae and orchid mycorrhizae. Previous studies have shown that the abundance of plants with different types of mycorrhizal associations change gradually along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients driven by the effects of climate and soil nutrients. We aimed to understand how altitude and climatic and soil variables shape the distribution patterns of tropical plant mycorrhizal types and nitrogen‐fixing plants along altitudinal gradients in the Andes.

Location

Colombian Andean mountain range.

Time Period

Present day.

Major Taxa Studied

Plants (vascular and non‐vascular).

Methods

We used a herbarium plant records database and assigned mycorrhizal type to each plant species based on the available literature. Bioclimatic and soil variables were also compiled at a resolution of 10 km. We calculated the proportion of each mycorrhizal association type per grid cell and created a diversity index to explore their spatial distribution and association with abiotic factors based on LMs.

Results

The diversity of mycorrhizal associations increased with altitude and peaked around 3000 m, in an ecotone belt known as the subpáramo recognised by the high abundance of Ericaceae species. Soil carbon stock and soil total nitrogen were also positively correlated with the diversity of mycorrhizal types. Moreover, the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal plants was highest at low elevations and increased with the proportion of nitrogen‐fixing plants per cell.

Main Conclusions

Our results indicate that mycorrhizal associations gradually change along altitudinal gradients in the tropical Andes. Climatic factors and the interactions between climatic and edaphic factors have the greatest explanatory power to predict the distribution of types of mycorrhizal associations along the altitudinal gradient. Based on these results we expect that climate change could potentially alter the distribution of mycorrhizal types in tropical mountains with unknown consequences for ecosystem functions.