bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic evaluation of the Liverpool heart failure virtual ward model
Authors: Rasoul Debar , Chattopadhyay Ipsita , Mayer Tony , West Jenni , Stollar Hadleigh , Black Casey , Oguguo Emeka , Kaur Rosie , MacDonald Rachael , Pocock Jessica , Uzdzinska Barbara , Umpleby Bethany , Hex Nick , Lip Gregory Yoke Hong , Sankaranarayanan Rajiv
Published: November 2024

Background

A virtual ward (VW) supports patients who would otherwise need hospitalization by providing acute care, remote monitoring, investigations, and treatment at home. By March 2024, the VW programme had treated 10 950 patients across six speciality VWs, including heart failure (HF). This evaluation presents the economic assessment of the Liverpool HF VW.

Method and results

A comprehensive economic cost comparison model was developed by the York Health Economics Consortium (University of York) to compare the costs of the VW to standard hospital inpatient care [standard care (SC)]. The model included direct VW costs and additional costs across the care pathway. Costs and resource use for 648 patients admitted to the HF VW were calculated for 30 days post-discharge and total cohort costs were extrapolated to a full year. Primary outcomes included costs related to length of stay, readmissions, and NHS 111 contact. The total cost for the HF VW pathway, including set-up costs, was £467 524. This results in an incremental net cost benefit of £735 512 compared with the total SC cost of £1 203 036, indicating a substantial net cost benefit of £1135 per patient per episode (PPPE). This advantage remains despite initial setup expenses and ongoing costs such as home visits, virtual consultations, point-of-care testing, and home monitoring equipment.

Conclusion

Our HF VW model offers a substantial net cost benefit, driven by reduced hospital stays, fewer emergency department visits, and lower readmission rates. The study highlights the importance of considering system-wide impacts and continuous monitoring of VWs as they develop.
Psoriasis and risk of new-onset degenerative valvular heart disease: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Zuoxiang , Lv Junxing , Zhao Sheng , Yin Zheng , Shi Wence , Feng Dejing , Wang Can , Li Ziang , Gao Xiaojin , Wu Yongjian
Published: November 2024

Background

Recent evidence indicates that degenerative valvular heart disease (VHD) and psoriasis share overlapping risk factors and simultaneous presence of inflammation, yet this relationship has not been thoroughly explored.

Methods and results

Drawing on the prospective cohort data from the UK Biobank, baseline information on psoriasis and the incidence of eight specific types of degenerative VHD—aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis, and pulmonary regurgitation—during the follow-up period were recorded. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to estimate the association between psoriasis and the risk of degenerative VHD, adjusted for demographic indicators, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and medication. A total of 494 510 participants were included in the study. Among the participants without psoriasis, 13 672 events of degenerative VHD were observed during a median follow-up of 13.78 years, yielding an incidence rate of 2.14 per 1000 person-years. In contrast, in the psoriasis group (n = 10 917), 422 events of degenerative VHD were reported during a median follow-up of 13.70 years, corresponding to an incidence rate of 2.93 per 1000 person-years. After fully adjusting, participants with psoriasis had a significantly increased risk of AS (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.43), yet no significant associations were observed between psoriasis and the risk of other degenerative valve diseases. In sex subgroup analyses, there was an interaction between sex and psoriasis in the occurrence of AS (P for interaction = 0.039), suggesting a high risk in women.

Conclusions

Psoriasis was significantly associated with the risk of new-onset AS and may be more distinct in females, while no significant associations were observed between psoriasis and the risk of developing other degenerative valve diseases.
Structural Diversity and Distribution of Nuclear Matrix Constituent Protein Class Nuclear Lamina Proteins in Streptophytic Algae
Authors: Kosztyo Brendan S , Richards Eric J
Published: November 2024

Nuclear matrix constituent proteins in plants function like animal lamins, providing the structural foundation of the nuclear lamina and regulating nuclear organization and morphology. Although they are well characterized in angiosperms, the presence and structure of nuclear matrix constituent proteins in more distantly related species, such as streptophytic algae, are relatively unknown. The rapid evolution of nuclear matrix constituent proteins throughout the plant lineage has caused a divergence in protein sequence that makes similarity-based searches less effective. Structural features are more likely to be conserved compared to primary amino acid sequence; therefore, we developed a filtration protocol to search for diverged nuclear matrix constituent proteins based on four physical characteristics: intrinsically disordered content, isoelectric point, number of amino acids, and the presence of a central coiled-coil domain. By setting parameters to recognize the properties of bona fide nuclear matrix constituent protein proteins in angiosperms, we filtered eight complete proteomes from streptophytic algae species and identified strong nuclear matrix constituent protein candidates in six taxa in the Classes Zygnematophyceae, Charophyceae, and Klebsormidiophyceae. Through analysis of these proteins, we observed structural variance in domain size between nuclear matrix constituent proteins in algae and land plants, as well as a single block of amino acid conservation. Our analysis indicates that nuclear matrix constituent proteins are absent in the Mesostigmatophyceae. The presence versus absence of nuclear matrix constituent protein proteins does not correlate with the distribution of different forms of mitosis (e.g. closed/semi-closed/open) but does correspond to the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity in the streptophytic algae, suggesting that a nuclear matrix constituent protein-based nucleoskeleton plays important roles in supporting cell-to-cell interactions.
Galvanic distortion decomposition of magnetotelluric impedance tensors in 1-D electrical anisotropic media
Authors: Dai Tianyi , Li Yuguo , Shao Guihang , Lu Jie
Published: November 2024

The electromagnetic (EM) local distortion of the transfer function due to shallow small-scale inhomogeneities hinders the accurate interpretation of magnetotelluric (MT) data. Under the assumption that regional subsurface structures are electrically isotropic, decomposition techniques of the MT impedance tensor that focus on the galvanic distortion of the electric field have been well developed. In this paper, we present a decomposition method of MT impedance tensors over a regional 1-D conductivity anisotropic Earth, in which the galvanic distortion of both the electric and the associated magnetic fields are taken into account. An eigenparameter analysis is introduced to evaluate the intrinsic indeterminacy of magnetic distortion parameters. Regional anisotropic responses and EM distortion parameters are resolved by using a modified BFGS (Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno) quasi-Newton algorithm combined with phase tensor analysis and the trust region method. In the presence of near-surface anisotropic inhomogeneities, synthetic 2-D data show an accentuated magnetic galvanic effect in the response tensors especially in the diagonal components probably due to the infinite extension in the strike direction. However, the magnetic galvanic distortion is not significant in synthetic 3-D models. The decomposition scheme is also applied to the analysis of the BC87 data set collected in southeastern British Columbia to investigate both the electric and magnetic field galvanic distortion.
The Call of the Serpentine
Authors: Smith Georgia
Published: November 2024

From the 4th October to the 2nd February 2025, the Serpentine hosts Holly Hernden and Mat Dryhurst's The Call. This pioneering artwork is a striking audiovisual experience which concerns itself with some of the central ethical questions of generative AI today: who owns us and what we create? And how do we navigate the new world of AI in all its versatility? Georgia Smith MBCS reports.
Controlling AI's Energy Usage
Authors: Hodgkinson Ian , Jackson Thomas
Published: November 2024

As the number of alarmist headlines about AI's energy usage grows, Ian Hodgkinson and Thomas Jackson consider what questions governments should ask when grappling with enabling sustainable artificial intelligence.
Beyond Selective Justice
Authors: Kasande Sarah
Published: November 2024

In the wake of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) conviction and sentencing of Dominic Ongwen, this article explores the complex justice landscape in Uganda. It examines how the ICC’s selective focus on the crimes of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its reluctance to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes committed by soldiers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) continue to shape the trajectory of justice in Uganda and how this has contributed to the failure to investigate and prosecute UPDF atrocities in Uganda’s courts, thereby denying justice to victims of these atrocities. While Dominic Ongwen’s conviction represents a step forward in providing acknowledgement and redress to a fraction of the victims in Northern Uganda, it also underscores the broader justice deficit in Uganda. The article emphasizes the need to bridge the justice gap by implementing credible justice and accountability mechanisms that hold all perpetrators accountable, including state actors, while ensuring timely and adequate reparations for victims.
Mechanism of traditional drug treatment of cancer-related ascites: through the regulation of IL-6/JAK-STAT3 pathway
Authors: Sun Yehan , Zhang Pengcheng , Ma Jia , Chen Youmou , Huo Xingxing , Song Hang , Zhu Yongfu
Published: November 2024

Context

Our clinical observation found that JiJiaoLiHuang Pill (JJLH), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation, can significantly reduce the abdominal circumference of patients with malignant ascites, increase urine output, and improve the quality of life of patients, with preliminary efficacy. But, the exact mechanism is not yet clear.

Objective

Based on the above observations, the potential mechanism of action of the treatment was preliminarily explored.

Methods

We identified active ingredients by constructing a “Chinese medicine ingredient-key target-target” network, and verified them by molecular docking using AutoDock tools and PyMOL. Finally, we conducted preliminary verification of the validated pathways and targets using a mouse model of liver cancer ascites.

Results

Network pharmacology analysis obtained the top five active ingredients were quercetin, EUPATIN, kaempferol, Obtucarbamate B, and isorhamnetin and the top five key genes were SRC, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, STAT3, and PIK3CA. Molecular docking showed that all 5 active compounds were closely bound to key target genes (binding energy <−6). The animal experiment results showed that JJLH can significantly reduce abdominal circumference, increase urine output, and exhibit dose-dependent inhibition of the AQP-3/JAK-STAT-3 signaling pathway and the expression of related inflammatory factors.

Conclusions

The JJLH potentially inhibits the recurrence of liver cancer malignant ascites through the AQP-3/JAK-STAT-3 pathway and affects the prognosis of MA patients.
The regulatory effects of mitragynine on P-glycoprotein transporter
Authors: Abduraman Muhammad Asyraf , Amanah Azimah , Hamid Shahrul Bariyah Sahul , Abdullah Mohammad Farris Iman Leong , Sulaiman Shaida Fariza , Tan Mei Lan
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Kratom preparation containing Mitragyna speciosa Korth plant is frequently used as a recreational drug. Mitragynine, a major alkaloid isolated from M. speciosa, is often detected concurrently with other drugs during forensic analysis, indicating a safety concern. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a multidrug transporter. Modulation of P-gp transport activity by drugs or herbal compounds in the brain may lead to drug-herb interactions, resulting in neurotoxicity. We aim to determine the effects of mitragynine on the P-gp regulation and possible neurotoxicity.

Methods

The effects of mitragynine on the P-gp regulation were investigated in human brain capillary endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) using molecular docking and dynamic simulation and an optimized bidirectional transport assay, respectively. Repeated-dose treatment and neurotoxicity assessment were carried out using a blood–brain barrier model and polimerase chain reaction (PCR) array.

Key findings

Mitragynine inhibits the P-gp transport activity via binding onto the nucleotide-binding domain site and forms a stable interaction with the P-gp protein complex. Nontoxic concentrations of mitragynine (<4 μM) and substrate drugs (0.001 μM) in the cells significantly enhanced endothelial cell permeability and elicited signs of neurotoxicity in PC-12 cells.

Conclusions

Mitragynine is likely a P-gp inhibitor, hence concurrent administration of kratom products with P-gp substrates may lead to clinically significant interactions and neurotoxicity.
Exploring Structural Anisotropy in Amorphous Tb-Co via Changes in Medium-Range Ordering
Authors: Kennedy Ellis , Hollingworth Emily , Ceballos Alejandro , O’Mahoney Daisy , Ophus Colin , Hellman Frances , Scott Mary
Published: November 2024

Amorphous thin films grown by magnetron co-sputtering exhibit changes in atomic structure with varying growth and annealing temperatures. Structural variations influence the bulk properties of the films. Scanning nanodiffraction performed in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) is applied to amorphous Tb17Co83 (a-Tb-Co) films deposited over a range of temperatures to measure relative changes in medium-range ordering (MRO). These measurements reveal an increase in MRO with higher growth temperatures and a decrease in MRO with higher annealing temperatures. The trend in MRO indicates a relationship between the growth conditions and local atomic ordering. By tilting select films, the TEM measures variations in the local atomic structure as a function of orientation within the films. The findings support claims that preferential ordering along the growth direction results from temperature-mediated adatom configurations during deposition, and that oriented MRO correlates with increased structural anisotropy, explaining the strong growth-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy found in rare earth–transition metal films. Beyond magnetic films, we propose the tilted FEM workflow as a method of extracting anisotropic structural information in a variety of amorphous materials with directionally dependent bulk properties, such as films with inherent bonding asymmetry grown by physical vapor deposition.
Detectability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of WASP-6 b with JWST NIRSpec PRISM
Authors: Grübel Fabian , Molaverdikhani Karan , Ercolano Barbara , Rab Christian , Trapp Oliver , Dubey Dwaipayan , Arenales-Lope Rosa
Published: November 2024

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected throughout the Universe where they play essential roles in the evolution of their environments. For example, they are believed to affect atmospheric loss rates of close-in planets and might contribute to the pre-biotic chemistry and emergence of life. Despite their importance, the study of PAHs in exoplanet atmospheres has been limited. We aim to evaluate the possibility of detecting PAHs on exoplanets considering future observations using JWST’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph PRISM mode. The hot Saturn WASP-6 b shows properties that are consistent with a potential PAH presence and is thus used as a case study for this work. Here, we compare the likelihoods of various synthetic haze species and their combinations with the influence of PAHs on the transmission spectrum of WASP-6 b. This is possible by applying the atmospheric retrieval code petitradtrans to a collection of data from previous observations. Subsequently, by exploring synthetic, single transit JWST spectra of this planet that include PAHs, we assess whether these molecules can be detected in the near future. Previous observations support the presence of cloud/haze species in the spectrum of WASP-6 b. While this may include PAHs, the current data do not confirm their existence unambiguously. Our research suggests that utilizing the JWST for future observations could lead to a notable advancement in the study of PAHs. Employing this telescope, we find that a PAH abundance of approximately 0.1 per cent of the interstellar medium value could be robustly detectable.
A catalogue of binary stars from phase modulation in the first four years of TESS mission photometry
Authors: Dholakia Shishir , Murphy Simon J , Huang Chelsea X , Venner Alexander , Wright Duncan
Published: November 2024

We present a catalogue of binary companions to $\delta$ Scuti stars, detected through phase modulations of their pulsations in Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data. Pulsation timing has provided orbits for hundreds of pulsating stars in binaries from space-based photometry. We have applied this technique to $\delta$ Sct stars observed in the first four years of TESS mission photometry. We searched the 2-min cadence light curves of 1161 short-period instability strip pulsators for variations in pulsation phase caused by the dynamical influence of an unseen companion. We discovered 53 new binaries and we present orbital parameters and mass functions for the 24 systems with solvable orbits. For the brightest star in our sample $\alpha$ Pictoris, we perform a joint fit of the pulsation timing and Hipparcos astrometry. We present the first orbit for the $\alpha$ Pictoris system, obtaining an orbital period of 1316 $\pm$ 2 d and a mass for $\alpha$ Pic B of 1.05 $\pm$ 0.05 M$_\odot$. We revisit pulsation timing binaries from Kepler with Gaia kinematics, finding four systems that are members of the Galactic thick disc or halo. This suggests that they have been rejuvenated by mass transfer, and their companions are now white dwarfs. Further follow-up of these systems may yield valuable constraints of the Galactic blue straggler population.
Characterizing high and low accretion states in VY Scl CVs using ZTF and TESS data
Authors: Duffy C , Wu Kinwah , Ramsay G , Wood Matt A , Mason Paul A , Hakala Pasi , Steeghs D
Published: November 2024

VY Scl binaries are a sub-class of cataclysmic variable (CV) which show extended low states, but do not show outbursts which are seen in other classes of CV. To better determine how often these systems spend in low states and to resolve the state transitions we have analysed Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) data on eight systems and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data on six systems. Half of the sample spent most of the time in a high state; three show a broad range and one spends roughly half the time transitioning between high and low states. Using the ZTF data, we explore the colour variation as a function of brightness. In KR Aur, we identify a series of repeating outburst events whose brightness appears to increase over time. Using TESS data, we searched for periods other than the orbital. In LN UMa, we find evidence for a peak whose period varies between 3 and 6 d. We outline the current models which aim to explain the observed properties of VY Scl systems which includes disc irradiation and a white dwarf having a significant magnetic field.
Nuclear burning in an accretion flow around a stellar-mass black hole embedded within an AGN disc
Authors: Tang Zifan , Luo Yang , Wang Jian-Min
Published: November 2024

A stellar-mass black hole, embedded within the accretion disc of an active galactic nuclei (AGN), has the potential to accrete gas at a rate that can reach approximately ${\sim}10^9$ times the Eddington limit. This study explores the potential for nuclear burning in the rapidly accreting flow towards this black hole and studies how nucleosynthesis affects metal production. Using numerical methods, we have obtained the disc structure while considering nuclear burning and assessed the stability of the disc. In contrast to gas accretion onto the surface of a neutron star or white dwarf, the disc remains stable against the thermal and secular instabilities because advection cooling offsets the nuclear heating effects. The absence of a solid surface for a black hole prevents excessive mass accumulation in the inner disc region. Notably, nuclear fusion predominantly takes place in the inner disc region, resulting in substantial burning of $\rm ^{12}C$ and $\rm ^{3}He$, particularly for black holes around $M = 10\,{\rm M}_\odot$ with accretion rates exceeding approximately ${\sim}10^7$ times the Eddington rate. The ejection of carbon-depleted gas through outflows can lead to an increase in the mass ratio of oxygen or nitrogen to carbon, which may be reflected in observed line ratios such as N v/C iv and O iv/C iv. Consequently, these elevated spectral line ratios could be interpreted as indications of supersolar metallicity in the broad-line region.
PharmFreq: a comprehensive atlas of ethnogeographic allelic variation in clinically important pharmacogenes
Authors: Tremmel Roman , Zhou Yitian , Camara Mahamadou D , Laarif Sofiene , Eliasson Erik , Lauschke Volker M
Published: November 2024

Genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters as well as in genes encoding the human major histocompatibility complex contribute to inter-individual differences in drug efficacy and safety. The extent, pattern and complexity of such pharmacogenetic variation differ drastically across human populations. Here, we present PharmFreq, a global repository of pharmacogenetic frequency information that aggregates frequency data of 658 allelic variants from over 10 million individuals collected from >1200 studies across 144 countries. Most investigations were conducted in East Asian and European populations, accounting for 29.4 and 26.6% of all studies, respectively. We find that the number of studies per country and aggregated cohort size correlated significantly with population size (R = 0.55, P= 3*10−9) and country gross domestic product (R = 0.43, P= 2*10−6) with overall population coverage varying between 5% in Estonia to < 0.001% in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. All frequency data are openly accessible via a web-based interactive dashboard at pharmfreq.com that facilitates the exploration, visualization and analysis of country- and population-specific data and their inferred phenotypic consequences. PharmFreq thus presents a comprehensive, freely available resource for pharmacogenetic variant frequencies that can inform about ethnogeographic pharmacogenomic diversity and reveal important inequities that help to focus future research efforts into underrepresented populations.
miRNATissueAtlas 2025: an update to the uniformly processed and annotated human and mouse non-coding RNA tissue atlas
Authors: Rishik Shusruto , Hirsch Pascal , Grandke Friederike , Fehlmann Tobias , Keller Andreas
Published: November 2024

MiRNAs represent a non-coding RNA class that regulate gene expression and pathways. While miRNAs are evolutionary conserved most data stems from Homo sapiens and Mus musculus. As miRNA expression is highly tissue specific, we developed miRNATissueAtlas to comprehensively explore this landscape in H. sapiens. We expanded the H. sapiens tissue repertoire and included M. musculus. In past years, the number of public miRNA expression datasets has grown substantially. Our previous releases of the miRNATissueAtlas represent a great framework for a uniformly pre-processed and label-harmonized resource containing information on these datasets. We incorporate the respective data in the newest release, miRNATissueAtlas 2025, which contains expressions from 9 classes of ncRNA from 799 billion reads across 61 593 samples for H. sapiens and M. musculus. The number of organs and tissues has increased from 28 and 54 to 74 and 373, respectively. This number includes physiological tissues, cell lines and extracellular vesicles. New tissue specificity index calculations build atop the knowledge of previous iterations. Calculations from cell lines enable comparison with physiological tissues, providing a valuable resource for translational research. Finally, between H. sapiens and M. musculus, 35 organs overlap, allowing cross-species comparisons. The updated miRNATissueAtlas 2025 is available at https://www.ccb.uni-saarland.de/tissueatlas2025.
Acquired and genetic determinants of disease phenotype and therapeutic strategies in C3 glomerulopathy and immunoglobulin-associated MPGN
Authors: Meuleman Marie-Sophie , Roquigny Julia , Brousse Romain , El Sissy Carine , Durieux Guillaume , Quintrec Moglie Le , Van Huyen Jean-Paul Duong , Frémeaux-Bacchi Véronique , Chauvet Sophie
Published: November 2024

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a prototype of complement-mediated disease, is characterized by significant heterogeneity, in terms of not only clinical, histological and biological presentation but also prognosis, and response to existing therapies. Recent advancements in understanding the factors responsible for alternative pathway dysregulation in the disease have highlighted its even more complex nature. Here, we propose a reexamination of the diversity of C3G presentations in light of the drivers of complement activation. Autoantibodies targeting complement proteins, genetic abnormalities in complement genes and monoclonal immunoglobulins are now well-known to drive disease occurrence. This review discusses how these drivers contribute to the heterogeneity in disease phenotype and outcomes, providing insights into tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In recent years, a broad spectrum of complement inhibitory therapies has emerged, soon to be available in clinical practice. The recognition of specific clinical, biological and histological patterns associated with different forms of C3G is crucial for personalized management, particularly treatment strategies.
A highly visible-transparent thermochromic smart window with broadband infrared modulation for all-season energy savings
Authors: Jiang Yi , Wang Yunlong , Kong Deshuo , Chen Zipeng , Yang Zhengwei , Cao Ningning , Chi Haowen , Zhu Shining , Zhang Qiuhong , Zhu Jia , Zhu Bin
Published: November 2024

Thermochromic smart windows effectively reduce the energy consumption for buildings through passive light modulation including the transmission of visible (TVis) and near-infrared (TNIR) light, and the emissivity of mid-infrared (εMIR) light in response to ambient temperature change. However, thermochromic windows that maintain high TVis while modulating TNIR and εMIR simultaneously are highly desirable but still challenging. Here, we develop a thermochromic smart window based on a two-way shape memory polymer to enable reversible transformation and achieve TNIR modulation of 44.0% and εMIR modulation of 76.5% while maintaining high TVis (>50%). Compared to traditional windows based on silica glass, this device shows 4°C lower temperature in summer daytime, 2°C higher in winter daytime, and 1°C higher in spring nighttime. It is expected that our device can achieve greater annual energy savings in comparison with commercial glass anywhere in the world and promote the progress of thermochromic windows for energy-efficient buildings.
Addressing Tobacco Screening and Treatment Among Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Parents in Pediatric Clinics: Barriers and Facilitators
Authors: Wilhelm April K , Bauer Karen , Allen Michele L , Fu Steven S , de Brito Junia N , Pratt Rebekah J
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Household secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure remains a significant health issue for racially and ethnically minoritized children in the United States. Delivering parental tobacco treatment during pediatric primary care visits can reduce children’s SHS exposure. This study examined current tobacco screening practices and health system stakeholder perceptions of facilitators and barriers to addressing tobacco use during pediatric visits among racially and ethnically minoritized parents.

Methods

We conducted 25 semistructured interviews with clinicians, staff, and health system leaders from five pediatric primary care clinics in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota. The study was informed by the Health Equity Implementation Framework. Interviews were analyzed using both directed content and thematic analysis.

Results

Participants identified multilevel facilitators and barriers to addressing parental tobacco use in minoritized families. Within the clinical encounter, barriers included linguistic and cultural barriers, health system navigational challenges, medical mistrust, low levels of clinician and staff knowledge, skills, and confidence, time constraints, and lack of alignment with external metrics. Facilitators centered on leveraging interpreters’ cultural knowledge and the presence of culturally congruent clinicians and staff to reduce medical mistrust and stigma, developing linguistically and culturally relevant resources, and integrating prompts and resources into the electronic health record. Participants described how lessons from previous system change mechanisms would facilitate this work.

Conclusions

Addressing health system, training and resources, and linguistic and cultural barriers among clinicians and staff is essential to strengthen their capacity to address household SHS exposure among racially and ethnically minoritized populations as a component of pediatric preventive care.

Implications

Clinicians and health system staff perceive unique barriers to identifying and addressing parental tobacco use among racially and ethnically minoritized parents during pediatric primary care visits. Solutions to expand tobacco treatment access to minoritized parents in pediatric settings must attend to clinician training needs on tobacco treatment, embedding clinical encounter resources and reminders that match the linguistic and cultural needs and preferences of their patient populations, and increasing access to high-quality interpreting services and culturally congruent staff.
Zooplankton metacommunity knowledge over 20 years: a systematic review
Authors: Deosti Sabrina , Bonecker Claudia Costa , Mantovano Tatiane , de Fátima Bonfim Francieli , Lansac-Tôha Fábio Amodêo
Published: November 2024

The metacommunity theory aims to understand the species dynamics at different scales by considering the influence of local and regional processes. We conducted a systematic review of zooplankton metacommunity studies in global aquatic ecosystems (freshwater, marine and estuarine) looking for the distribution, time scale, type of system, type of environment, zooplankton group tested, ecological approach and metacommunity approach analyzed in the studies. We also present an overview of the observed patterns of the zooplankton metacommunity in different environmental conditions. We searched for scientific studies published until December 2022 on Scopus and Web of Science using the words: “zooplankton” and “metacomunnit*.” Our results show that studies on the zooplankton metacommunity have become recurrent over time (167 studies), especially for pond systems and for the groups of rotifers, cladocerans and copepods; however, several gaps remain related to studies distribution and the low number of studies in streams, reservoirs, with functional and phylogenetic diversity, and the elements of metacommunity structure. Our data improve the knowledge of the zooplankton metacommunity over time, help to identify the gaps that need to be explored in future studies and bring a general overview of the observed patterns for the zooplankton metacommunity.
Carbon accumulation model for simulating 14C radioactivity in Chinese yam grown from a seed bulbil
Authors: Tani Takashi , Arai Ryuji
Published: November 2024

Modeling carbon accumulation in crop plants is key to evaluating the transfer of atmospheric 14C into the edible parts of the plants growing near nuclear facilities. Chinese yam ‘Nagaimo’ (Dioscorea polystachya Turcz.) is a major crop cultivated near a spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori, Japan. We developed a dynamic compartment model for assessing carbon and 14C accumulation in Chinese yam grown from a seed bulbil in the field. Light and temperature dependence of leaf photosynthesis and temperature dependence of respiration in leaves, stems and belowground parts (tuber and root) were incorporated into the model. Estimated amounts of carbon in the leaves, stems and belowground parts were good agreement with the measured data from the field. Simulation results of 14C accumulation using this model indicated that the accumulation of 14C in belowground parts at the harvest depends on the rate of photosynthesis on the day of exposure.
Evaluation of an ionization chamber characteristics for 222Rn calibration
Authors: Furukawa Rio , Janik Miroslaw , Kodaira Satoshi , Hashimoto Hiroki , Omori Yasutaka , Tokonami Shinji , Hosoda Masahiro , Shimizu Morihito , Manabe Seiya , Matsumoto Tetsuro , Shimodan Chihiro , Sato Yasushi , Harano Hideki
Published: November 2024

The National Metrology Institute of Japan plan to use an inner-through-type ionization chamber (IC) as a working standard to calibrate radon monitors. Novel methods to calibrate the IC were described, and the calibration factor, CF [Bq m −3 A−1], of the IC with its expanded uncertainty (k = 2) was evaluated to be (2.0 ± 0.2) × 1016 Bq m−3 A−1 in the order of 10−13 A in the IC output current. In this study, the CFs, evaluated under sampling conditions between continuous gas flowing and stationary gas filled inside the IC, were in agreement within the uncertainty.
Radiation adaptive response: the biophysical phenomenon and its theoretical description
Authors: Fornalski Krzysztof W , Adamowski Łukasz , Bugała Ernest , Jarmakiewicz Rafał , Krasowska Julianna , Piotrowski Łukasz
Published: November 2024

The radiation adaptive response (or radioadaptation) effect is a biophysical and radiobiological phenomenon responsible for, e.g. the enhancement of repair processes, cell cycle and apoptosis regulation or enhancement of antioxidant production in cells/organisms irradiated by low doses and low dose-rates of ionising radiation. This phenomenon, however, is not always present, which creates many problems both for experimenters and theoreticians. Here we propose a comprehensive and complete theoretical model of radioadaptation grounded in mathematical concept of dose- and time-related probability function of the adaptive response appearance. This can be used in the context of two special cases of the adaptive response: the Raper–Yonezawa (priming dose) effect or constant low-dose-rate irradiation (e.g. for high natural background). This complete theoretical approach is supported by Monte Carlo simulations and real-experimental data used for model calibration and validation.
Evaluation and optimization of measurement conditions for heavy ions with fluorescent nuclear track detectors
Authors: Hu Jun , Kusumoto Tamon , Kodaira Satoshi
Published: November 2024

In applying fluorescent nuclear track detectors for heavy ion measurement, the fluorescence intensity directly influences linear energy transfer (LET) estimation. However, the conventional analysis highly depends on the analyzed depth and the reference frames from the optical readout. To improve the accuracy of measurements of heavy ions, the gradient of intensity and moving average fluorescence intensity were acquired and calculated to optimize the measurement conditions. The results indicate that the intensity gradient is an alternative quantity to discriminate ions with different LET, and the moving average fluorescence intensity is readily differentiated among individual ions without overlapping values in fluorescence intensity. The scanned range of 25–45 μm is suggested to be the most suitable depth for measurement. To exclude the impact of the variation in fluorescence intensity on evaluation, it is recommended to use the quantities calculated in moving averages with depth in the future.
Unexpected uncertainty in the use of simple sample machining technique for gamma-spectrometry
Authors: Yamada Takahiro , Hachinohe Mayumi , Hachisuka Akiko , Asakura Yumiko , Kanno Takuya , Kikuchi Mihoko
Published: November 2024

Elementary processing techniques such as cutting or grinding of foodstuffs are deemed adequate, particularly in the context of post-nuclear accidental situations, ensuring expeditious and effective testing for the gamma-ray spectrometry. Nevertheless, it is worth acknowledging that this straightforward procedure may predispose itself to appreciable variances in the detection efficiency of gamma-ray spectrometry, primarily attributable to the heterogeneity of the radioactivity distribution within the sample container, thereby incurring unexpected discrepancies or uncertainties. To investigate this impact, the precision of the actual sample measurements was scrutinised through statistical analysis.
Behavior of radioactive cesium concentration for 13 years after FDNPP accident at Koriyama campus of Nihon University, Fukushima, Japan
Authors: Suzuki Ryoko , Okuyama Katsuhiko , Chiba Kohei , Hashimoto Taiki , Katsumata Natsumi , Ukitsu Azusa , Kheamsiri Khemruthai , Yamada Ryohei , Akata Naofumi
Published: November 2024

The concentration of the radioactive cesium (134Cs and 137Cs) in soils and in atmospheric fallouts has been measured at the Koriyama campus, Nihon University, after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident for 13 y, from October 2011 till September 2023 and now ongoing. The concentration of them decreased very rapidly due to decontamination activities and weathering effects, with an environmental half-life of 1.21 and 2.82 y in soils, with those of 1.58 and 2.08 y in atmospheric fallouts for 134Cs and 137Cs, respectively. The behavior of the decrease was not simple, due to particles raised from the surface soil in wooded areas that had not been thoroughly decontaminated or that had been accumulated due to the re-release of radioactive cesium by trees after decontaminated activity.
Non-returning factors from an interview survey of 16 residents of Katsurao village 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident
Authors: Ito Naomi , Amir Isamu , Moriyama Nobuaki , Furuyama Ayako , Sato Mika , Yamamoto Chika , Zhao Tianchen , Tsubokura Masaharu
Published: November 2024

People generally wish to return home after being evacuated due to disaster situations. Evacuation orders have now been lifted in the Fukushima region following the nuclear accident in 2011, and the Japanese government is promoting a return policy. However, many residents who wish to return home remain unable to and continue living in evacuation sites or other areas. Sixteen residents of Katsurao village were interviewed after evacuation orders were lifted in 2016 who have not yet returned. Concerns were cited regarding radiation, prolonged evacuation, health problems, buying a house in the evacuation area and schooling. The problems identified were primarily due to the rapid ageing and decline of the regional population, reflecting similar issues throughout Japan. In particular, health problems and intention to return were thought to be closely related. Over 10 y have passed since the evacuation, and many residents have experienced familial separation and divided living situations.
Assessment of annual effective doses from indoor radon and thoron in Doi Lo, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors: Thumvijit Tarika , Somboon Siriprapa , Tapanya Monruedee , Ruktinnakorn Kewalin , Kranrod Chutima , Tokonami Shinji , Chanyotha Supitcha , Sriburee Sompong
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to determine the annual effective dose resulting from radon and thoron progeny inhalation. The levels of radon, thoron, and progeny were assessed in residences situated in the Doi Lo region of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Indoor radon and thoron concentrations were detected using passive discriminative detectors. Using a progeny deposition rate detector, this study evaluates radon and thoron progeny [equilibrium-equivalent radon concentration (EERC) for radon and equilibrium-equivalent thoron concentration (EETC) for thoron]. Data were collected from 44 dwellings between March and May 2020. The results found that indoor radon concentrations ranged from 17 to 118 Bq m−3, while thoron concentrations ranged from 12 to 72 Bq m−3. The radon progeny (EERC) ranged from 4 to 173 Bq m−3, whereas thoron progeny (EETC) ranged from 1 to 15 Bq m−3. The total annual effective dose received from radon and thoron progeny inhalation varied from 0.5 to 5 mSv y−1.
Applicability of reconstruction of temporal changes in 137Cs concentrations in pond water based on the vertical distribution of bottom sediments: a case in three ponds in the Fukushima evacuation zone
Authors: Kurosawa Honoka , Konoplev Alexei , Wada Toshihiro , Nanba Kenji , Wakiyama Yoshifumi
Published: November 2024

Long-term changes in particulate and dissolved 137Cs concentrations in rivers and dam reservoirs have been reconstructed using 137Cs depth distributions in bottom sediments near Chornobyl and Fukushima. However, few studies have applied this method to pond water. This study tested the applicability of this reconstruction method in ponds within the Fukushima evacuation zone. Bottom sediments in ponds were collected in November 2019. Our reconstruction of a shallow closed pond disagreed with our observations. Even in ponds where the reconstruction agreed well with observations, underestimations may have occurred because the time constant for the decrease in 137Cs concentration was lower than those previously reported. We conclude that the present reconstruction method may be applied to deeper Fukushima ponds with inflow and outflow, but underestimations of initial 137Cs concentrations in water may lead to uncertainties. For realistic reconstruction, attention should be paid to pond characteristics, catchment conditions, and sediment core selection.
Tritium transfer from seawater into marine organisms TFWT
Authors: Shibata Toshihiro , Omizu Yuki , Furuta Takeshi , Ishizawa Noboru , Irino Takayuki , Yamanaka Kazuo
Published: November 2024

Tokyo Electric Power Company, TEPCO, has started tritiated water release into the Pacific Ocean. In order to reduce unreasonable rumor caused by tritium release, flounder, abalone, and sarggasum were exposed to tritium enriched seawater, and time dependent Tissues Free Water Tritium (TFWT) concentration was measured. Estimating the concentration of Organically Bound Tritium (OBT) is important to assess tritium impact because it has a longer biological half-life than TFWT. Current models estimate OBT concentrations using TFWT concentration. Understanding equilibration time is critical for making accurate TFWT concentration predictions. TFWT intake rate was analysed by the compartment model.
Chemical form of volatilized iodine obtained from orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.)
Authors: Yanai Masumi , Kawabata Hitoshi , Takaku Yuichi
Published: November 2024

Japan’s first commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing plant is expected to release radioiodine into the atmosphere, and orchard grass plants grown in the vicinity of this plant may absorb this radioiodine. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the absorption and volatilization of iodine in the leaves of orchard grass. Our findings suggest that iodine can be transferred from the leaves of this grass to the atmosphere via two routes: direct volatilization and absorption followed by volatilization. Previous studies on rice and oats also show that iodine can be absorbed by the roots and volatilized from the plant’s body. Although orchard grass absorbs iodine via the leaves, the chemical form of volatilized iodine may differ from that absorbed via the roots. We applied a NaI solution to the leaves of orchard grass and analyzed the volatilized iodine. The experimental results showed that the iodine was volatilized as methyl iodide.
Evaluation of materials for developing a new individual dosemeter using electron spin resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Kitamura Yoshimasa , Oka Toshitaka , Seito Hajime , Yokozuka Eri , Nagasawa Naotsugu , Kitatsuji Yoshihiro
Published: November 2024

Alanine dosemeters are widely used as solid dosemeters; however, evaluating doses in the mGy order of radiation is difficult because of their lower sensitivity for low doses. We applied the electron spin resonance dosimetry technique to investigate whether hydroxyapatite, the main component of teeth, is a suitable material for a new dosemeter to detect radiation from mGy to Gy. Commercially available synthetic hydroxyapatite possesses the essential characteristics required for a dosemeter material and has been demonstrated to accurately measure doses in the mGy to Gy range.
Towards the origin of South African tortoises: a new Chersina species from the Early Pliocene fossil site of Langebaanweg
Authors: Delfino Massimo , Cohen Brigette F , Govender Romala , Haarhoff Pippa , Macaluso Loredana , Marino Liana , Matthews Thalassa , Wencker Lukardis C M , Pavia Marco
Published: November 2024

South Africa is currently home to a highly diverse tortoise assemblage whose evolutionary history has been investigated mostly as a result of molecular studies. The fossil record is of little help because the remains of extant taxa are relatively recent, and only three extinct species, of uncertain relationships, have been described so far. An Early Pliocene extinct species of the currently monotypic genus Chersina, still inhabiting South Africa, was reported at the fossil-rich site of Langebaanweg more than 50 years ago but never formally described. Here we erect and describe the extinct species Chersina langebaanwegi sp. nov. on the basis of abundant material that provides information on its morphological variation. The referral of the new species to the genus Chersina is supported by phylogenetic analysis which includes the Malagasy ploughshare tortoise, sharing the presence of a single gular shield covering a very long gular protrusion with Chersina spp. and a domed shell with C. langebaanwegi sp. nov. The material from Langebaanweg represents the oldest fossil evidence of this genus. It significantly post-dates the branching of Chersina from its sister taxon Chersobius, but pre-dates the presumed split of the extant lineages of Chersina angulata as estimated on molecular basis.