bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Authors: Macpherson Ben
Published: October 2024

The introductory chapter of Singing Utopia establishes the centrality of voice as an agent of meaning and affective experience in musical theatre performance. Drawing on dramatic and literary theory, cultural studies, and philosophy, the chapter examines the complex status of musical theatre as a middlebrow form in popular culture; its peculiar place in the academy; its capacity to borrow and subsume diverse musical and vocal styles as part of its aesthetic; and broader historical tensions between language and sound in Western critical thinking about voice. The chapter introduces utopian theory as a way to re-evaluate how we listen to voice in musical theatre. It proposes a method for negotiating tensions of status, style, language, and sound in musical theatre vocality, and concludes by outlining the book as a whole.
Reaffirmation and Rupture
Authors: Macpherson Ben
Published: October 2024

This chapter establishes a cultural distinction between the vocal styles in opera and musical theatre beyond technical or pedagogic differences. Using terminology from utopian theory, the chapter first listens to voice in opera and hears in its cultivated aesthetic an ‘ideology’ of metaphysics, encoded with transcendent ideals of ancient civilizations and universal myths of gods and demigods. This ideology served to perpetuate notions of elitism for the nouveau riche in nineteenth-century America, as opera was confirmed as a highbrow genre, in parallel with its royal patronage in Great Britain. However, the contemporaneous arrival of early musical comedy during the same period presented a utopian ‘rupture’ to such ideals, in its implied dissatisfaction with the present. The second part of this chapter explores the development of musical comedy, tracing its roots through lowbrow entertainment forms such as vaudeville and music hall, as well as its dilution of highbrow vocal aesthetics from opera via operetta. The chapter identifies a vernacular quality in musical comedy and later musical theatre, which rejects or recasts the metaphysical values of opera. In other words, the move towards a more popular vocal style is a ‘rupture’ which is understood as a utopian act.
Two Voiceworlds, Three Choralities
Authors: Macpherson Ben
Published: October 2024

This chapter explores the relationship between communities, individuals, and the possibility of singing utopia in musical theatre. Listening to three musicals—The Arcadians (1909), Company (1970), and Hadestown (2018)—the chapter introduces two new concepts. First, listening to ‘macro-voiceworlds’ reimagines choruses and ensembles as three unique kinds of ‘choralities’ which are defined and explored throughout. Second, the concept of ‘micro-voiceworlds’ gives attention to small group performances such as trios, duets, and solo voices, listening to the ways in which emotions such as melancholy and empathy may be utopian and even dystopian. The chapter integrates ideas from the social sciences, literary theory, and anthropology to shed light on the intricate interplay, paradoxes, and potential limitations of individuals and communities in their desire to sing utopia.
Responsibility and Desert
Authors: McKenna Michael
Published: October 2024

Responsibility and Desert advances a conversational theory of moral responsibility that relies upon desert as the normative basis for blame and punishment. A conversational theory understands the relationship between a blameworthy wrongdoer and those who hold her to account by blaming to be similar to the relationship between competent speakers engaged in a conversational exchange. Blame can therefore be appraised for being meaningful as a reply to a culpable party’s conduct. But meaningfulness alone is inadequate to justify blame and punishment. Might one appeal to fairness, reasonableness, or just utility? Perhaps. But desert is widely regarded as the proper basis for blame and punishment. Well, is it? Responsibility and Desert explores just what desert is within the domain of moral responsibility when conceptualized within the framework of the conversational theory. It does not offer an unqualified defense, but it does offer a best case for treating desert as the proper basis for the communicative character of blame and punishment. To do so, familiar challenges to desert and retribution are taken up. Does deserved blame and punishment commit us to the noninstrumental goodness of harms to the blameworthy and criminally culpable? Is this mere vengeance? Does it also commit us to extremely harsh treatment in response to extremely egregious wrongdoing? Responsibility and Desert does not shy away from accepting hard truths about appeal to desert, but it does show that many of the most damning indictments of it are misguided.
Fittingness as a Pitiful Intellectualist Trinket?
Authors: McKenna Michael
Published: October 2024

This chapter scrutinizes P. F. Strawson’s disparaging remark that the fittingness that libertarians appeal to is a pitiful intellectualist trinket. By accounting for fittingness as philosophers like Joel Feinberg understood it, it is argued that Strawson actually needed fittingness, when understood as a distinctive normative appraisal of emotions like resentment and indignation. Resentment is fitting, on a properly cast Strawsonian view, when an agent is accurately appraised as acting from ill will. If so, one can raise questions about the properties of the objects of these emotions, and a natural one that some will contend is required for resentment to be fitting is whether an agent who acted with ill will did so freely. If this is correct, Strawson still faces questions about the metaphysics of free will that libertarians took seriously. This is especially so once one comes to see that desert is a species of fittingness, one that requires free will for deserved blame and punishment.
Guilt and Self-Blame
Authors: McKenna Michael
Published: October 2024

An apparent problem for explaining guilt and self-blame within the resources of a conversational theory is that to blame oneself, or to feel fitting guilt, one does not need to interact with oneself on analogy with conversing with another. Earlier efforts to explain both attempted to do so. In this chapter, it is argued that guilt and self-blame can be explained with the resources of the conversational theory by treating both as the kind of response other-directed blamers seek, at least in paradigmatic cases. A complication for this proposal is that self-blame and guilt are treated as distinct but related phenomena—one can experience guilt and not blame oneself, and one can blame oneself and not experience guilt—so each needs to be accounted for separately.
The Attenuated Role of the Hostile Emotions
Authors: McKenna Michael
Published: October 2024

This chapter rejects two theses. The essentialist thesis holds that the reactive attitude of anger, in the form of resentment and indignation, is essential to other-regarding directed blame. The hostility thesis holds that anger deployed in the service of holding responsible is benighted because it is unjustifiably hostile and so deleterious of flourishing; it is better expunged or suppressed. But it is argued that the essentialist thesis is false because it is possible that there are emotionless beings that engage in accountability practices of holding members of a community to account. It is also argued that the emotion of anger only plays an objectionable role in our responsibility practices when not tempered by other virtues of moral agents, like compassion. Following Daphne Brandenburg, it is argued that a nurturing stance can apply to all morally responsible agents in a way consistent with holding responsible by blaming and punishing in ways that do express anger.
Wimpy Retributivism and the Promise of Moral Influence Theories
Authors: McKenna Michael
Published: October 2024

Grant that the conversational theory makes room for a minimal form of retributivism, one that only renders deserved comparatively mild forms of blame and punishment. Even granting this, a cautious advocate of a basic desert conception of blame and punishment might find compelling reasons to refrain from blaming and punishing. This might lead one from minimal to wimpy retributivism. One reason for this arises from our epistemic uncertainty as to whether wrongdoers act with free will; if they do not, they do not deserve blame or punishment. Another arises from the risk that we might punish too harshly. Do these reasons force the retributivist to quietism? In this chapter, it is argued that moral influence theories of responsibility can be used as a supplement rather than a competitor to a basic desert-based theory, thereby supplying even the wimpy retributivist with resources to justify blame and punishment.
The Signaling Theory of Blame as a Competitor Proposal
Authors: McKenna Michael
Published: October 2024

David Shoemaker and Manuel Vargas have recently developed a signaling theory of blame according to which, what people are most fundamentally doing when they blame others is signaling to members of a moral community their allegiance and commitment to the enforcement of certain norms. Shoemaker and Vargas offer their theory as a competitor to communicative theories when cast in functionalist terms. In this appendix, it is argued that, when cast as a competitor proposal, the conversational theory fares better than the signaling theory. However, properly qualified, there is reason to think that the signaling theory is a natural ally of the conversational theory.
Epilogue
Authors: Hedges Brown Julie
Published: October 2024

The Epilogue describes a recent performance of a movement from Schumann’s A-major string quartet in the Grand Canyon, near the banks of the Colorado River. This performance occurred as part of a music-themed river-rafting trip, with both professional and amateur musicians playing the quartet; the audience comprised river guides, clients, and “accidental” listeners. This scene captures overarching themes of the book. It provides an alternative framework in which to hear Schumann’s music, and it involves a diversity of listeners, some of whom used their experience to forge new paths in their lives—a bridging of different time spans. The natural imagery of this scene also complements one discussed in Chapter 2, with a mountainous summit replaced by canyon descent, and a composer-centric perspective replaced by listener-based ones. The Colorado River—which facilitated this performance—itself serves as a “great stream of time” since it moves through ever-older basement rocks at certain points (including ones approaching half the age of the Earth), and newer ones at other points. In knitting together different points in geologic time, the river thus serves as a fitting vehicle for bringing together the music of “old” composers with newer audiences in the present day.
Clinical Impact of 3- Vs. 5-Minute Delay and 30- Vs. 60-Second Intervals on Unattended Automated Office Blood Pressure Measurements
Authors: Lynn-Green Erika E , Cluett Jennifer L , Turkson-Ocran Ruth-Alma N , Mukamal Kenneth J , Li Jonathan X , Juraschek Stephen P
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Guidelines advise automated office blood pressure (AOBP) with an initial 5-minute delay and multiple measurements at least 60 seconds apart. Recent studies suggest that AOBP may be accurate with shorter delays or intervals, but evidence in clinical settings is limited.

METHODS

Patients referred to 1 hypertension (HTN) center underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and 1 of 4 nonrandomized, unattended AOBP protocols: a 3- or 5-minute delay with a 30- or 60-second interval, i.e., 3 min/30 s/30 s, 3/60/60, 5/30/30 and 5/60/60 protocols. HTN was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg.

RESULTS

We compared differences in mean blood pressure and HTN classification between average AOBP and awake-time ABPM by t-tests and Fisher’s exact test. Among 212 participants (mean 58.9 years, 61% women, 25% Black), there was substantial overlap in the probability distributions of awake-time ABPM and each of the 3 AOBP measures. SBP means were similar between the 5/60/60 and 3/30/30 protocols and 5/30/30 and 3/60/60 protocols. The 5/30/30 was associated with a higher proportion of systolic HTN, while the 3/60/60 protocol was associated with a higher proportion of diastolic HTN. There were no significant differences in systolic or diastolic HTN between 5/60/60 and 3/30/30 protocols with respect to awake-time ABPM.

CONCLUSIONS

In this quality improvement study, the shortest AOBP protocol did not differ significantly from the longest protocol. The time savings of shorter protocols may improve AOBP adoption in clinical practice without meaningfully compromising accuracy.
Interaction between anthropogenic stressors affects antipredator defense in an intertidal crustacean
Authors: Coles Laura , Tregenza Tom , Stevens Martin
Published: October 2024

The marine environment is increasingly subject to changes driven by anthropogenic stressors which may alter species’ key behaviors and impact phenotypic plasticity. Such stressors rarely occur in isolation, yet our understanding of how simultaneous stresses affect marine organisms is limited. Here, we study the combined impacts of a major global stressor, temperature increase, and a local stressor, anthropogenic noise, upon key defensive traits of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. We tested the color change and behavioral responses of crabs in relatively colder and warmer water, and in the presence of natural ambient or ship noise. Using image analysis and a model of predator vision, we demonstrate that crabs change color, and improve camouflage, fastest in warmer water in the absence of anthropogenic noise. When anthropogenic noise was present, it adversely impacted crab color change and camouflage, to the extent that the accelerated change due to temperature was negated. In addition, anthropogenic noise affected C. maenas’ behavior, reducing the likelihood and increasing the latency of antipredator response to stimuli. This reveals an interaction between the 2 stressors, with the combination of temperature and noise eliciting different biological responses compared with the effects of each stressor in isolation. Our study demonstrates how such interactions between anthropogenic stressors may impact marine life.
Topical melatonin: wake up looking younger…?
Authors: Paus Ralf , Perez Sofia M
Published: October 2024

Topical melatonin applied over many days and weeks, which might even reduce dermatitis, erythema and sunburn, could be a promising start in the lifelong battle to impede and, ideally, reverse intrinsic and extrinsic human skin ageing.
The relational modeling of hierarchical data in biodiversity databases
Authors: Novotný Petr , Wild Jan
Published: October 2024

The unifying element of all biodiversity data is the issue of taxon hierarchy modeling. We compared 25 existing databases in terms of handling taxa hierarchy and presentation of this data. We used documentation or demo installations of databases as a source of information and next in line was the analysis of structures using R packages provided by inspected platforms. If neither of these was available, we used the public interface of individual databases. For almost half (12) of the databases analyzed, we did not find any formalized taxa hierarchy data structure, providing only biological information about taxon membership in higher ranks, which is not fully formalizable and thus not generally usable. The least effective Adjacency List model (storing parentId of a taxon) dominates among the remaining providers. This study demonstrates the lack of attention paid by current biodiversity databases to modeling taxon hierarchy, particularly to making it available to researchers in the form of a hierarchical data structure within the data provided. For biodiversity relational databases, the Closure Table type is the most suitable of the known data models, which also corresponds to the ontology concept. However, its use is rather sporadic within the biodiversity databases ecosystem.
Gender inequality and occupational segregation in white-collar jobs in the early “quiet revolution”: new evidence from the wages of Swedish teachers (c. 1890)
Authors: Cappelli Gabriele , Westberg Johannes
Published: October 2024

The relationship between gender inequality and occupational segregation is a fascinating puzzle. New microdata on all primary school teachers in Sweden in c. 1890 show that the gender wage gap in the profession was 10 percent when holding observable features constant, and occupational segregation was strong. Women worked in minor and junior schools receiving low wages—yet higher than those paid in other occupations, while men mostly taught in regular primary schools that paid competitive wages for men. Gender wage inequality and occupational segregation were the price for the feminization of schooling, i.e., part of the Swedish “quiet revolution.”
Error mitigation in forensic handwriting examination: the examiner’s perspective
Authors: Crown Nicole , Marquis Raymond , Kupferschmid Erich , Dziedzic Tomasz , Belic Diana , Kerzan Dorijan
Published: October 2024

Like other pattern recognition disciplines, forensic handwriting examination relies on various human factors. Expert opinions in the field are based on visual analysis and comparison, and the evaluation of findings is generally conducted without reference to tabulated data. This high level of subjectivity may contribute to bias and error in the examination process. In this paper, we draw on our research and practical experience to discuss error mitigation on several levels, addressing both aspects of quality management and the individual responsibility of examiners. Because a good understanding of the concept of error is needed to communicate appropriately about this subject, definitions of error-related concepts are provided. We consider contextual information management essential to reduce the potential for cognitive bias in casework. To ensure completeness of findings and avoid omission errors, the use of checklists during a forensic handwriting examination is encouraged, and an exemplary checklist incorporating all the examination steps is provided. We consider the use of a logical reasoning approach to evaluate findings an important step towards robustness and transparency in the examiner’s report. An independent, blinded peer review of the examination is recommended as a further key step in error mitigation. Regular participation in testing programmes and continuous training and education are essential to maintaining and improving competency at both individual and organizational levels. Finally, developments in the form of tabulated data and the use of algorithms are considered useful ways of increasing objectivity in the field and minimizing human error.
The Blame Game: The Role of Media Environments and Political Discussion in Americans’ Attribution of Blame for Interparty Hostility
Authors: Zichettella Brianna , Weeks Brian E , Hasell Ariel
Published: October 2024

Polarization and hostility between political parties is a dominant feature of politics in the United States and is growing in many other democracies worldwide. Yet, there remain questions of who the public blames for this hostility and how those attributions of blame emerge. This study examines the role of partisan strength, political media exposure, and political discussion on blame for partisan hostility. Analyses of survey data (YouGov) collected during the 2020 U.S. presidential election suggest that political discussions play a particularly strong role in shaping attributions of blame, while partisan strength and political media exposure are relatively less influential. The data also indicate that who one talks to about politics matters for placing blame, as conversations with like-minded partisans lead to more blame placed on the out-party and less blame on the in-party, whereas political discussions with people who hold different views can temper out-party blame. Overall, findings suggest that political discussion may matter more than political media exposure for attributions of blame for partisan hostility.
Intra-tumoral delivery of 5ʹppp-dsRNA induces a robust antitumor response via RIG-I activation and Bcl-2 gene downregulation in a murine model of prostate cancer
Authors: Ganguly Kasturi , Metkari Siddhanath M , Biswas Barnali , Subedi Rambhadur , Madan Taruna
Published: October 2024

Onco-immunotherapy via blocking checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment-landscape of several malignancies, though not in the metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) owing to an immunosuppressive and poorly immunogenic “cold” tumor microenvironment (TME). Turning up the heat of such a cold TME via triggering innate immunity is now of increasing interest to restore immune-surveillance. Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) are cytosolic innate-sensors that can detect exogenous RNAs and induce type-I interferons and other pro-inflammatory signaling. RIG-I activation is suggested to be a valuable addition to the treatment approaches for several cancers. However, the knowledge about RIG-I signaling in PCa remains elusive. The present study evaluated the expression of two important RLRs, RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), along with their downstream partners, mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and ERA G-protein-like 1 (ERAL1), during PCa progression in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. The early stage of PCa revealed a significant increment in the expression of RLRs but not MAVS. However, the advanced stage showed downregulated RLR signaling. Further, the therapeutic implication of 5ʹppp-dsRNA, a synthetic RIG-I agonist and Bcl2 gene silencer, has been investigated in vitro and in vivo. Intra-tumoral delivery of 5ʹppp-dsRNA regressed tumor growth via triggering tumor cell apoptosis, immunomodulation, and inducing phagocytic “eat me” signals. These findings highlight that, for the first time, RIG-I activation and Bcl-2 silencing with 5ʹppp-dsRNA can serve as a potent tumor-suppressor strategy in PCa and has a significant clinical implication in transforming a “cold” TME into an immunogenic “hot” TME of PCa.
The Basic Needs in Games Model of Video Game Play and Mental Health
Authors: Ballou Nick , Deterding Sebastian
Published: October 2024

Existing theories of how game use relates to mental health have important limitations: few account for both quantity and quality of use, differentiate components of mental health (hedonic wellbeing, eudaimonic wellbeing and illbeing), provide an explanation for both positive and negative outcomes or readily explain the well-evidenced absence of playtime effects on mental health. Many also lack the specificity to be readily falsifiable. In response, we present the Basic Needs in Games (BANG) model. Grounded in self-determination theory, BANG proposes that mental health outcomes of game use are in large part mediated by the motivational quality of play and the extent to which play quantity and quality lead to need satisfaction or frustration. We show how BANG addresses the limitations of current theories and aligns with emerging evidence on the etiologies of disordered play. Thus, BANG advances HCI theory on the impact of games and other interactive technologies on mental health.
Seismic trace interpolation based on the principle of reciprocity using a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN)
Authors: Collazos Jaime A , Rincon Katerine D J , Pinheiro Daniel N , Gebre Mesay Geletu , da Costa Carlos A N , Corso Gilberto , Barros Tiago , de Araújo Joao Medeiros , Wang Yanghua
Published: October 2024

Seismic trace interpolation is a common step in data processing used to fill in missing traces and regularize acquisition grids. In the ocean bottom node (OBN) acquisition, it is common practice to design seismic surveys with many sources and fewer receivers. However, it results in a loss of lateral resolution in the shot-gather domain, although it increases the lateral resolution in the receiver-gather domain. In this paper, we propose to utilize the information from the receiver-gather domain to enhance the lateral resolution in the shot-gather domain, based on the principle of reciprocity. Explicitly, we use receiver gathers to train a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN), called Pix2Pix, and obtain a generative interpolator, which can be used in the shot-gather domain. We present an iterative workflow to perform seismic data interpolation in the shot-gather domain and illustrate the workflow using a synthetic 2D data model consisting of densely populated sources and sparse receivers. We also present a field OBN data example from a Brazilian pre-salt area. The workflow can be used to increase lateral resolution or even complete the geometry of a monitor acquisition to match the baseline. In contrast to conventional methods, this iterative GAN interpolation does not lead to artefacts in the case of larger filling gaps.
Effect of pharmacist interventions in chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ardavani Ashkon , Curtis Ffion , Hopwood Ellen , Highton Patrick , Katapa Priscilla , Khunti Kamlesh , Wilkinson Thomas J
Published: October 2024

Background

Pharmacists are uniquely placed with their therapeutic knowledge to manage people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data are limited regarding the impact of pharmacist interventions on economic, clinical and humanistic outcomes (ECHO).

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions with pharmacist input was conducted, which included adults with a diagnosis of CKD, including those with and without kidney replacement therapy. Data were extracted on ECHO: economic (e.g. healthcare-associated costs), clinical (e.g. mortality) and humanistic (e.g. patient satisfaction) outcomes. Where appropriate, a random-effects model meta-analysis generated a pooled estimate of effect. A direction of effect plot was used to summarize the overall effects for clinical outcome domains.

Results

Thirty-two RCTs reported a total of 10 economic, 211 clinical and 18 humanistic outcomes. Pharmacist interventions resulted in statistically significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and hemoglobin levels, but not in diastolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, creatinine and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Mixed findings were reported for clinical and economic outcomes, whilst pharmacist interventions resulted in an improvement in humanistic outcomes such as patient satisfaction and patient knowledge.

Conclusion

Findings showed pharmacist interventions had mixed results for various outcomes. Future studies should be more robustly designed and take into consideration the role of the pharmacist in prescribing and deprescribing, the findings of which will help inform research and clinical practice.

Trial registration

The review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022304902).
Subjective Perceptions of Difference in Multi-level States: Regional Values, Embeddedness, and Bias in Canadian Provinces
Authors: Henderson Ailsa , Bilodeau Antoine , Turgeon Luc , White Stephen E
Published: October 2024

Subnational variations in political culture and policy attitudes are a hallmark feature of multilevel systems of government, yet we know comparatively little about how and why citizens of these systems subjectively perceive regional differences in political values. Using data from a specially commissioned survey under the auspices of the Provincial Diversity Project, this article analyses subjective perceptions of difference across provinces in Canada. It shows that individuals believe their regions have distinct political values, but also that they systematically overestimate that difference. In their estimations of regional distinctiveness, individuals are informed by the value profiles of the regions in which they live, but also by their own policy preferences. The findings clarify the salience of internal boundaries within multilevel or federal states, and enable us to understand how myths of distinctiveness flourish, but also provide an important extension on debates about misperceptions in politics.
It’s not (only) personal, it’s business: personal bankruptcy exemptions and business credit
Authors: Cole Rebel A , Damm Jason , Hackney John , Suleymanov Masim
Published: October 2024

In the USA, state-level exemptions determine the amount of property that individuals can protect from creditor liquidation during the debt settlement process. We exploit within-metropolitan statistical area variation in personal bankruptcy exemptions created by state borders and a stacked regression approach to identify the spillover effects of these laws on business credit extended to small firms. Subsequent to exemption increases, we find a reduction of 1–2 percent in originations of business credit. The effect is strongest for the smallest firms, which are more financially constrained. We provide household-level evidence that both business debt and personal debt decline for borrowers whose home equity becomes covered by the exemption, suggesting an overall decrease in credit availability for small businesses. As a result, increases in exemptions lead to fewer small establishments and lower employment, especially in industries dependent on external finance, suggesting that negative real economic effects occur via a credit market channel.
Comparing Refugee Resettlement Services: A New Global Dataset and Typology
Authors: Benson Grace E K
Published: October 2024

The number of countries participating in resettlement has increased substantially in recent years: since 2010, one-third of resettlement countries officially began offering permanent homes to refugees. The services provided to refugees upon resettlement are surprisingly distinct, even among countries with similar political and economic contexts. Despite the importance of these services, existing scholarship offers surprisingly little comparison of resettlement policies globally. To address this gap, this multi-method project analyses refugee resettlement services in 26 countries that are responsible for 99.9 per cent of all resettled refugees, from 1951 to present. The study introduces an original Global Resettlement Services dataset with 42 indicators that provide a current, reliable, and easily accessible overview of resettlement services in each country. Cluster analysis of these data helped to construct a typology that captures four distinct “types” of refugee resettlement: Limited Provision, Cultural Transition, Core Services, and Flexible Support. The typology provides a framework to help policy-makers, academics, and practitioners increase collaboration, design innovative programmes, and improve existing resettlement services. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the different approaches to resettling refugees worldwide, with significant implications for advancing theory and improving global refugee resettlement policies.
Is sexual function impaired in patients with primary headaches? A systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Ataş Kübra , Kaya Mutlu Ebru
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Primary headaches, particularly migraine and tension-type headaches, as chronic and painful conditions, have a significant impact on individuals’ health and overall quality of life, including aspects such as sexual health parameters.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to review observational studies and to summarize the presence of sexual dysfunction in patients with primary headache and to discern whether it is more common in patients with primary headache than in healthy control subjects.

Methods

Observational studies published between January 1, 2000, and May 21, 2023 were searched in Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO. This review included 23 observational studies that evaluated sexual dysfunction with or without comparison with healthy control subjects.

Results

As a result, the mean Female Sexual Function Index score, a score of <26.55 indicating sexual dysfunction, ranged from 19.25 ± 8.18 to 27.5 ± 7.5 in patients with primary headache. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction was found to be between 10.7% and 93.75% in female patients and between 54.83% and 80% in male patients. Both migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers had statistically significantly lower sexual function scores in females and lower erectile function scores in males compared with healthy control subjects.

Conclusion

Sexual function is significantly affected in patients with primary headache, which is a chronic painful disorder. Therefore, it is very important to ask these patients about their sexual health and, if necessary, to seek support from a sexual health professional. Additionally, future studies may prioritize tension-type headaches and male patients due to the limited amount of research available on these subjects.
Embolism propagation does not rely on pressure only: time-based shifts in xylem vulnerability curves of angiosperms determine the accuracy of the flow-centrifuge method
Authors: Silva Luciano M , Pfaff Jonas , Pereira Luciano , Miranda Marcela T , Jansen Steven
Published: October 2024

Centrifuges provide a fast approach to quantify the embolism resistance of xylem in vulnerability curves (VCs). Since embolism formation is assumingly driven by pressure only, spintime is not standardized for flowcentrifuge experiments. Here, we explore to what extent embolism resistance could be spin-time dependent and hypothesize that changes in hydraulic conductivity (Kh) would shift VCs towards higher water potential (Ψ) values over time. We quantified time-based shifts in flow-centrifuge VCs and their parameter estimations for six angiosperm species by measuring Kh over 15 min of spinning at a particular speed before a higher speed was applied to the same sample. We compared various VCs per sample based on cumulative spintime and modelled the relationship between Kh, Ψ and spin-time. Time-based changes of Kh showed considerable increases and decreases at low and high centrifuge speeds, respectively, which generally shifted VCs towards more positive Ψ values. Values corresponding to 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (P50) became less negative by up to 0.72 MPa in Acer pseudoplatanus L., and on average by 8.5% for all six species compared with VCs that did not consider spin-time. By employing an asymptotic exponential model, we estimated time-stable Kh, which improved the statistical significance of VCs in five of the six species studied. This model also revealed the instability of VCs at short spin times with embolism formation in flowcentrifuges following a saturating exponential growth curve. Although pressure remains the major determinant of embolism formation, spin-time should be considered in flow-centrifuge VCs because not considering the time-dependent stability of Kh overestimates embolism resistance. This spin-time artefact is species-specific and likely based on relatively slow gas diffusion that is associated with embolism propagation. The accuracy of VCs is improved by determining time-stable Kh values for each centrifuge speed without considerably extending the experimental time to construct VCs.
New, Complete Circularized Genomes of Xanthomonas citri pv. mangiferaeindicae Produced from Short- and Long-Read Co-Assembly Shed Light on Strains that Emerged a Decade Ago on Mango and Cashew in Burkina Faso
Authors: Boyer Claudine , Lefeuvre Pierre , Zombre Cyrille , Rieux Adrien , Wonni Issa , Gagnevin Lionel , Pruvost Olivier
Published: October 2024

We report high-quality genomes of three strains of Xanthomonas citri pv . mangiferaeindicae, the causal agent of mango bacterial canker disease, including the pathotype strain of this pathovar and two strains from Burkina Faso that emerged a decade ago. These strains hosted two to three plasmids of sizes ranging from 19 to 86 kb. Genome mining revealed the presence of several secretion systems and effectors involved in the virulence of xanthomonads with (i) a type I secretion system of the hlyDB group; (ii) xps and xcs type II secretion systems; (iii) a type III secretion system with several type III effectors, including transcription activator-like effectors; (iv) several type IV secretion systems associated with plasmid or integrative conjugative elements mobility; (v) three type V secretion system subclasses (Va, Vb, and Vc); and (vi) a single i3* type VI secretion system. The two strains isolated in Burkina Faso from mango ( Mangifera indica) and cashew ( Anacardium occidentale) differed by only 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and shared identical secretion systems and type III effector repertoires. Several transcription activator-like effectors were identified in each strain, some of which may target plant genes previously found implicated in disease development in other xanthomonad-associated pathosystems. These results support the emergence in Burkina Faso a decade ago of very closely related strains that became epidemic on mango and cashew (i.e., two distinct host genera of a same plant family). These new genomic resources will contribute to better understanding the biology and evolution of this agriculturally major crop pathogen.
Protamine Dosing for Heparin Reversal after Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Double-blinded Prospective Randomized Control Trial Comparing Two Strategies
Authors: Jain Pankaj , Silva-De Las Salas Alejandra , Bedi Kabir , Lamelas Joseph , Epstein Richard H. , Fabbro Michael
Published: October 2024

Background:

Drug shortages are a frequent challenge in current clinical practice. Certain drugs (e.g., protamine) lack alternatives, and inadequate supplies can limit access to services. Conventional protamine dosing uses heparin ratio-based calculations for heparin reversal after cardiopulmonary bypass and may result in excess protamine utilization and potential harm due to its intrinsic anticoagulation. This study hypothesized that a fixed 250-mg protamine dose would be comparable, as measured by the activated clotting time, to a 1:1 (1 mg for every 100 U) protamine-to-heparin ratio-based strategy for heparin reversal and that protamine would be conserved.

Methods:

In a single-center, double-blinded trial, consenting elective adult cardiac surgical patients without preexisting coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulation and a calculated initial heparin dose greater than or equal to 27,500 U were randomized to receive, after cardiopulmonary bypass, protamine as a fixed dose (250 mg) or a ratio-based dose (1 mg:100 U heparin). The primary outcome was the activated clotting time after initial protamine administration, assessed by Student’s t test. Secondary outcomes included total protamine, the need for additional protamine, and the cumulative 24-h chest tube output.

Results:

There were 62 and 63 patients in the fixed- and ratio-based dose groups, respectively. The mean postprotamine activated clotting time was not different between groups (−2.0 s; 95% CI, −7.2 to 3.3 s; P = 0.47). Less total protamine per case was administered in the fixed-dose group (−2.1 50-mg vials; 95% CI, −2.4 to −1.8; P < 0.0001). There was no difference in the cumulative 24-h chest tube output (difference, −77 ml; 95% CI, 220 to 65 ml; P = 0.28).

Conclusions:

A 1:1 heparin ratio-based protamine dosing strategy compared to a fixed 250-mg dose resulted in the administration of a larger total dose of protamine but no difference in either the initial activated clotting time or the amount postoperative chest-tube bleeding.
Effective use of actifuse shape in spinal fusion: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Schlifka Brett Alan , Milam Robert Alden , Saliba Denise , Parreno Rhea , Morone Pinto Flavia
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

This study aimed to assess the safety and clinical performance of Actifuse Shape for spine surgery.

Method:

A retrospective real-world data study was conducted in two research sites in the U.S. Patient medical records had to show evidence of implantation with Actifuse Shape in 1-2 levels or 2 or more levels cervical (C2 or lower), in either posterolateral thoraco-lumbar or lumbar spine fusion procedures, among other eligibility criteria. All fusion assessments were completed using the Glassman 5 grade fusion scale.

Results:

Fifty-five (55) medical records were included in the full analysis set, and of these, 42 were eligible, achieving 97.6% bone fusion with a 95% CI (87.4%, 99.9%). Fusion success rates (Grade 4 or 5): 6 mo 72.7% (n=8/11), 12 mo 97.6% (n=41/42) and 24 mo 100% (n=49/49). No device-related adverse events were reported for Actifuse Shape. A “worst-case” imputation post hoc analysis was performed to take into account five patients who did not show evidence of fusion at 6 mo and were lost to follow up and were assumed to continue showing no evidence of fusion throughout the remaining study period. Forty-one out of 47 (87.2%) patients (95% CI: 74.3, 95.2) achieved successful fusion at 12 mo (±60 days) and 49/55 (89.1%) patients (95% CI: 77.8, 95.9) achieved successful fusion at 24 mo (+60 days).

Conclusions:

Actifuse Shape is safe and is associated with high rate of bony fusion when implanted as the primary bone graft substitute in spinal fusion surgeries.
Chidamide triggers pyroptosis in T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia via the FOXO1/GSDME axis
Authors: Li Xinlei , Liu Bangdong , Huang Dezhi , Ma Naya , Xia Jing , Zhao Xianlan , Duan Yishuo , Li Fu , Lin Shijia , Tang Shuhan , Li Qiong , Rao Jun , Zhang Xi
Published: October 2024

Background:

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) is an aggressive form of hematological malignancy associated with poor prognosis in adult patients. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are aberrantly expressed in T-LBL/ALL and are considered potential therapeutic targets. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of a novel HDAC inhibitor, chidamide, on T-LBL/ALL.

Methods:

HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 levels in T-LBL/ALL cell lines and patient samples were compared with those in normal controls. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were conducted in Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells to assess apoptosis and pyroptosis. A specific forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) inhibitor was used to rescue pyroptosis and upregulated gasdermin E (GSDME) expression caused by chidamide treatment. The role of the FOXO1 transcription factor was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The efficacy of chidamide in vivo was evaluated in a xenograft mouse.

Results:

The expression of HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 was significantly upregulated in T-LBL/ALL. Cell viability was obviously inhibited after chidamide treatment. Pyroptosis, characterized by cell swelling, pore formation on the plasma membrane and lactate dehydrogenase leakage, was identified as a new mechanism of chidamide treatment. Chidamide triggered pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation and GSDME transcriptional upregulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that chidamide led to the increased transcription of GSDME through a more relaxed chromatin structure at the promoter and the upregulation of FOXO1 expression. Moreover, we identified the therapeutic effect of chidamide in vivo.

Conclusions:

Our study suggested that chidamide exerts an antitumor effect on T-LBL/ALL and promotes a more inflammatory form of cell death via the FOXO1/GSDME axis, which provides a novel choice of targeted therapy for patients with T-LBL/ALL.
Which technique provides more benefits in return to sports and clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Double-bundle or single-bundle? A randomized controlled study
Authors: Wang Xinjie , Xu Zijie , Song Shitang , Mao Zimu , Huang Ximeng , Luo Michael , Zhou Xiao , Xu Bingbing , Ye Jing , Song Yifan , Yu Jiakuo
Published: October 2024

Background:

The achievement of an optimal return to sport (RTS) has remained a key goal after sports-related injuries, with the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of different surgical approaches for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. This study aims to assess clinical outcomes and RTS across various surgical methods, such as anatomical single-bundle reconstruction (ASBR), central-axial single-bundle reconstruction (CASBR), and double-bundle reconstruction (DBR).

Methods:

A randomized clinical trial was conducted, comprising 191 patients who underwent ACL rupture. These patients were divided into three groups based on the ACL reconstruction techniques they received (ASBR, CASBR, DBR). Over the 2-year follow-up period, the study assessed RTS through four single-hop tests, isokinetic extension tests, and limb asymmetry indices. Postoperative graft status was determined using the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ), while knee function was evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 (IKDC-2000) score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and degree of knee laxity. A binary logistic regression model was developed to forecast the factors influencing ideal RTS.

Results:

DBR (67.63%) and CASBR (58.00%) exhibited higher RTS passing rates compared to ASBR (30.39%; χ
2 = 19.57, P <0.05). Quadriceps strength symmetry in the lower limbs was identified as the key determinant of RTS (χ
2 = 17.08, P <0.05). The RTS rate was influenced by SNQs of the graft’s tibial site (odds ratio: 0.544) and quadriceps strength of the reconstructed knee joint at 60°/s (odds ratio: 6.346). Notably, the DBR group showed enhanced knee stability, evidenced by superior results in the Lachman test (χ
2 = 13.49, P <0.01), objective IKDC-2000 (χ
2 = 27.02, P = 0.002), and anterior instability test (χ
2 = 9.46, P <0.01). Furthermore, DBR demonstrated superior clinical outcomes based on the Lysholm score (DBR: 89.57 ± 7.72, CASBR: 83.00 ± 12.71, ASBR: 83.21 ± 11.95; F = 10.452, P <0.01) and IKDC-2000 score (DBR: 90.95 ± 7.00, CASBR: 84.64 ± 12.68, ASBR: 83.63 ± 11.41; F = 11.78, P <0.01).

Conclusion:

For patients with ACL rupture, more ideal RTS rate and clinical outcomes were shown in the DBR group than in the ASBR and CASBR groups. Autograft status and quadriceps strength are postively related to RTS.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05400460)