bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ACEF score and lactate: lifeline predictors in endocarditis valve procedures: insights from a single-center study
Authors: Dinges Christian , Kremser Iris , Gansterer Katja , Rodemund Niklas , Steindl Johannes , Hammerer Matthias , Seitelberger Rainald , Hoppe Uta C. , Rezar Richard , Boxhammer Elke
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of routinely collected laboratory parameters, specifically lactate, troponin-T, and CK-MB, in predicting mortality in patients with surgically treated endocarditis. Additionally, the study evaluated the effectiveness of two mortality scores, EuroSCORE II and ACEF II Score, in this clinical context.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 130 patients diagnosed with endocarditis who underwent surgery at a single tertiary center over nine years. The study utilized preoperative mortality scores and laboratory parameters collected within the first 24 h post-surgery. Statistical analyses included AUROC curves, Kaplan–Meier survival analyses, and correlation analyses to determine predictive values and associations with patient outcomes.

Results

Among the 130 patients, 28 (21.5%) died within one year post-surgery. Elevated postoperative lactate levels were significantly associated with increased short- and long-term mortality, with AUROC values indicating strong predictive capability. The ACEF II Score also demonstrated significant predictive value for mortality at various time points, outperforming EuroSCORE II. Higher lactate levels and ACEF II Scores correlated with increased hazard ratios for mortality. Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed significant survival differences based on lactate and ACEF II Score thresholds.

Conclusion

Postoperative lactate levels and the ACEF II Score are robust predictors of mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for endocarditis. Integrating these parameters into clinical practice can enhance risk stratification and guide therapeutic decisions, improving patient outcomes through personalized care. Further studies are needed to validate these findings across diverse populations and explore additional biomarkers for refined predictive accuracy.

Graphical abstract
Veränderungen der Verletzungsepidemiologie in der Schwerverletztenversorgung durch die COVID-19-Pandemie: eine retrospektive Analyse des Traumaregisters DGU®
Authors: Lakomek Felix , Hilsmann Falk , Bieler Dan , Schneppendahl Johannes , Schiffner Erik , Beyersdorf Christoph , Lefering Rolf , Teuben Michel , Hatz Basil , Windolf Joachim , Pape Hans-Christoph , Jensen Kai Oliver
Published: November 2024

Fragestellung

Die COVID-19-Pandemie führte im Jahr 2020 nicht nur zu einer großen Belastung des deutschen Gesundheitssystems, sondern ging auch mit einer Veränderung des gesellschaftlichen Lebens durch epidemiebedingte Maßnahmen einher. Aus dem erhöhten Behandlungsaufkommen von COVID-19-Erkrankten resultierten ebenfalls veränderte Versorgungsstrukturen in den Kliniken; so zeigte sich unter anderem eine deutlich erhöhte Auslastung der Intensivbetten. Diese retrospektive Registeranalyse des TraumaRegisters DGU® untersucht, inwieweit sich im ersten Jahr der COVID-19-Pandemie in Deutschland 2020 die Epidemiologie und Unfallursachen von Schwerverletzten veränderten und ob eine Veränderung der Verletzungsschwere oder Mortalität von Traumapatienten eintrat.

Material & Methodik

In einer retrospektiven Registeranalyse des TraumaRegisters DGU® der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie wurden alle erfassten Traumapatienten der Jahre 2018–2020 eingeschlossen. Die Jahre 2018/2019 wurden als gemeinsame Vergleichsgruppe herangezogen und mit dem ersten Pandemiejahr 2020 verglichen. Neben dem Vergleich der epidemiologischen Daten wurden insbesondere die Unfallursachen und Unfalleinflüsse analysiert. Weiterhin erfolgte eine Mortalitätsanalyse. Zudem führten wir eine Subgruppenanalyse der einzelnen Jahresabschnitte hinsichtlich der einzelnen COVID-19-Infektionswellen im Jahr 2020 durch.

Ergebnis

Insgesamt konnten 71.943 Patienten in die Analyse eingeschlossen werden. Der Injury Severity Score (ISS) zeigte sich in beiden Gruppen annähernd gleich (2020: 17,6 vs. 2018/2019: 17,3). Die Betrachtung des Unfallhergangs ergab eine prozentuale Reduktion an Pkw-assoziiertem Trauma (2020: 17,2 % vs. 2018/2019: 20,7 %) und gleichzeitig eine Zunahme des fahrradassoziierten Traumas (2020: 13,1 % vs. 2018/2019: 10,4 %). Der Anteil der Traumapatienten, die unter Alkoholeinfluss verunfallten, nahm im Jahr 2020 deutlich ab. So zeigte sich insgesamt eine Reduktion von 22,3 % 2018/2019 auf 19,3 % im Jahr 2020. Bezüglich der Mortalität konnte eine Zunahme der Patienten, die im Krankenhaus verstorben sind, festgestellt werden (2020: 11,5 % vs. 2018/2019: 10,3 %).

Schlussfolgerung

Die COVID-19-Pandemie hatte in Deutschland im ersten Pandemiejahr 2020, verglichen mit den beiden Vorjahren, einen Einfluss insbesondere auf den Unfallhergang bei Traumapatienten. Die beobachtete Zunahme der Mortalität ist in weiteren Studien hinsichtlich möglicher Veränderungen von Versorgungsprozessen in den Kliniken durch die COVID-19-Pandemie zu analysieren.

Graphic abstract
A fully probabilistic framework to compute the residual rockfall risk in presence of mitigation measures
Authors: Marchelli Maddalena , De Biagi Valerio , Chiaia Bernardino
Published: November 2024

Rockfall events are expected to rise throughout the future due to climate change and extreme meteorological events. In the perspective of climate change adaptation, an accurate quantification of the risk is needed, together with a precise assessment of the effectiveness of protective measures eventually installed. All the possible block detachment scenarios together with their occurrence probability should be considered, and a time span should be selected. A fully probabilistic framework to compute the risk in absence and in presence of a protective structure is herein proposed, and a time-integrated reliability-based method, developed by the authors, is applied to define the failure probability of the protective measure. The complete method, in absence and presence of a rockfall barrier, is applied to a study case, and the residual risk in presence of the barrier is quantified. The results show the importance of considering all the possible detachment situations to have reliable results in terms of both risk and effectiveness of the protective measure quantification.
The Mechanisms Underlying Religious Coping and Hopelessness: Role of Meaning in Life and Affectivity
Authors: Wnuk Marcin
Published: November 2024

Religion can fulfill both positive and negative functions in coping with stress. There is a lack of research regarding the mechanism underlying the link between religious coping and mental health. The purpose of this study was to verify how religious coping is related to mental health. Two indirect mechanisms were tested for finding meaning in life and emotional regulation. The study was conducted with 115 students from Poland. According to the results, both positive and negative religious coping were indirectly related to hopelessness through finding meaning in life and affectivity. More frequent use of negative religious coping was positively related to the intensity of negative affect and problems with finding meaning in life, which, in turn, led to a higher level of hopelessness. Meanwhile, more frequent use of positive religious coping was correlated with a greater intensity of positive effect and supported individuals in finding meaning in life. Finding meaning in life was related to a lower level of hopelessness, but positive affect was not correlated with hopelessness. The research confirmed the role played by finding meaning in life and affectivity within the mechanism underlying the link between religious coping and hopelessness. In conclusion, theoretical and practical implications are presented.
Assimilation of Surface Geostrophic Currents in the East Sea Using the Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Choi Jae-Sung , Choi Byoung-Ju , Kwon Kyungman , Seo Gwang-Ho
Published: November 2024

The conventional ocean data assimilation process typically involves assimilating hydrographic data, such as temperature and salinity measurements, obtained from both satellites and in-situ observations. This study introduces a novel approach to enhance ocean circulation modeling by assimilating surface geostrophic currents derived from satellite altimetry data using the ensemble Kalman filter. To match the time scales for the variability in the observed surface geostrophic currents and the model currents, the current velocities from the model were low-pass filtered. The optimal cut-off period for the low-pass filter was determined to be 31 days in the East Sea. Eight sensitivity experiments were then conducted to examine the effects of observation error and low-pass filtering during the assimilation of surface geostrophic current data. Assimilation experiments with surface geostrophic current data improved surface currents but had minor negative impacts on the temperature and salinity when compared with assimilation experiments without surface geostrophic current data. Notably, the experiment with an observation error of 10 cm/s for the geostrophic current outperformed the other experiments. Surface geostrophic current assimilation improved the sea surface temperature during winter and effectively modified surface current patterns during autumn in the East Sea. Assimilating satellite-derived surface geostrophic currents in the ocean circulation model thus enhanced the accuracy of surface circulation simulation. This improvement in ocean analysis data offers significant benefits for understanding ocean climate change and for developing marine management strategies.
The Swiss Legislation on Business and Human Rights: A Reform Needed Towards Harmonization with EU Law
Authors: Neri-Castracane Giulia , Canapa Damiano , Brander Teymour
Published: November 2024

This article examines the disparities between the (existing and planned) business and human rights (BHR) legislations in Switzerland and the European Union (EU). More specifically, (i) the key differences that exist between the Swiss and EU BHR legislations are identified, and (ii) the proposed amendments to the Swiss BHR legislation to reach the desired harmonization with the EU framework are put forward. The Swiss BHR legislation, implemented in stages on 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2023, encompasses provisions related to ‘transparency on non-financial matters’, ‘transparency in raw material companies’, and ‘due diligence and transparency in relation to minerals and metals from conflict-affected areas and child labor’. The EU BHR legal framework, however, has undergone a major overhaul, with the recent adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) that introduce additional obligations. These EU regulations have (or will have) important extraterritorial effects, including on Swiss undertakings operating—directly or indirectly—in the EU. To prevent Swiss companies from being subject to a diverse array of regulations (with an increased risk of sanctions in case of non-compliance), a reform of the Swiss BHR legislation is needed to ensure harmonization with EU BHR legislation. This article also serves as a resource if full equivalence between them is sought.
Core Concept Identification in Educational Resources via Knowledge Graphs and Large Language Models
Authors: Reales Daniel , Manrique Rubén , Grévisse Christian
Published: November 2024

The growing demand for online education raises the question of which learning resources should be included in online programs to ensure students achieve their desired learning outcomes. By automatically identifying the core concepts in educational materials, teachers can select coherent and relevant resources for their courses. This work explores the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to identify core concepts in educational resources. We propose three different pipelines for building knowledge graphs from lecture transcripts using LLMs and ontologies such as DBpedia. These knowledge graphs are then utilized to determine the central concepts (nodes) within the educational resources. Results show that LLM-constructed knowledge graphs when guided by ontologies, achieve state-of-the-art performance in core concept identification.
ExAq-MSPP: An Energy-Efficient Mobile Sink Path Planning Using Extended Aquila Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Sangeetha S. , Victoire T. Aruldoss Albert , Premkumar Manoharan , Sowmya Ravichandran
Published: November 2024

Wireless sensor networks play a crucial role in gathering data from remote or hard-to-reach locations, enabling real-time monitoring and decision-making in a wide range of industries and applications. The mobile sink path planning (MSPP) enables mobile sinks (e.g., drones or rovers) to navigate through the environment, collecting data from different sensor nodes, ensuring comprehensive coverage, and adaptively addressing changing conditions. Still, the energy-efficient routing with minimal delay is the challenging aspect. This research focuses on improving data gathering in wireless sensor networks by introducing an efficient routing protocol. In this proposed protocol, sensor nodes are initially deployed using Voronoi diagrams to ensure uniform network coverage. The network is then divided into clusters using the low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) algorithm for energy-efficient routing. To optimize the path planning of a mobile sink for data collection, we introduce the extended Aquila (ExAq) optimization algorithm, which uses a multi-objective fitness function considering factors such as delay, residual energy, link quality, priority, and distance. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ExAq-MSPP protocol in terms of reduced delay, improved network lifetime, higher packet delivery ratio, enhanced residual energy, and increased throughput compared to existing protocols with the values of 1.169, 99.857, 99.920, 0.997, and 255.306, respectively. Thus, the energy-efficient routing and optimizing path planning for mobile sinks, the proposed ExAq-MSPP protocol can extend network lifetime, increase data accuracy, and provide more robust performance under changing environmental conditions.
Effective count of square-tiled surfaces with prescribed real and imaginary foliations in connected components of strata
Authors: ARANA-HERRERA FRANCISCO
Published: November 2024

We prove an effective estimate with a power saving error term for the number of square-tiled surfaces in a connected component of a stratum of quadratic differentials whose vertical and horizontal foliations belong to prescribed mapping class group orbits and which have at most L squares. This result strengthens asymptotic counting formulas in the work of Delecroix, Goujard, Zograf, Zorich, and the author.
Dimension estimates for badly approximable affine forms
Authors: KIM TAEHYEONG , KIM WOOYEON , LIM SEONHEE
Published: November 2024

For given

$\epsilon>0$

and

$b\in \mathbb {R}^m$

, we say that a real

$m\times n$

matrix A is

$\epsilon $

-badly approximable for the target b if

$$ \begin{align*}\liminf_{q\in\mathbb{Z}^n, \|q\|\to\infty} \|q\|^n \langle Aq-b\rangle^m \geq \epsilon,\end{align*} $$

where

$\langle \cdot \rangle $

denotes the distance from the nearest integral vector. In this article, we obtain upper bounds for the Hausdorff dimensions of the set of

$\epsilon $

-badly approximable matrices for fixed target b and the set of

$\epsilon $

-badly approximable targets for fixed matrix A. Moreover, we give a Diophantine condition of A equivalent to the full Hausdorff dimension of the set of

$\epsilon $

-badly approximable targets for fixed A. The upper bounds are established by effectivizing entropy rigidity in homogeneous dynamics, which is of independent interest. For the A-fixed case, our method also works for the weighted setting where the supremum norms are replaced by certain weighted quasinorms.
Hyperplane Arrangements Satisfy (Un)Twisted Logarithmic Comparison Theorems, Applications to
$\mathscr {D}_{X}$
-modules
Authors: Bath Daniel
Published: November 2024

For a reduced hyperplane arrangement, we prove the analytic Twisted Logarithmic Comparison Theorem, subject to mild combinatorial arithmetic conditions on the weights defining the twist. This gives a quasi-isomorphism between the twisted logarithmic de Rham complex and the twisted meromorphic de Rham complex. The latter computes the cohomology of the arrangement’s complement with coefficients from the corresponding rank one local system. We also prove the algebraic variant (when the arrangement is central), and the analytic and algebraic (untwisted) Logarithmic Comparison Theorems. The last item positively resolves an old conjecture of Terao. We also prove that: Every nontrivial rank one local system on the complement can be computed via these Twisted Logarithmic Comparison Theorems; these computations are explicit finite-dimensional linear algebra. Finally, we give some

$\mathscr {D}_{X}$

-module applications: For example, we give a sharp restriction on the codimension one components of the multivariate Bernstein–Sato ideal attached to an arbitrary factorization of an arrangement. The bound corresponds to (and, in the univariate case, gives an independent proof of) M. Saito’s result that the roots of the Bernstein–Sato polynomial of a non-smooth, central, reduced arrangement live in

$(-2 + 1/d, 0).$
Naderid Iran's Statehood, Territoriality, Status, and Diplomatic Capacity on Ottoman Scale: 1723-1748
Authors: Güngörürler Selim
Published: November 2024

This article explores Naderid Iran's nature of statehood, position in international balance of power, and evolving diplomatic practice. It argues that from 1723 to 1747, the sovereign establishment in Iran remained fundamentally dynastic without giving way to territoriality, continued to acknowledge Ottoman superiority in hierarchy as well as power relations as a principle, and gradually began to adopt, for the first time, early modern specialized phenomena in diplomatic conduct. The study bases itself on the documentation produced by Iranian-Ottoman diplomacy from the Afghan overthrow in 1722 until the aftermath of Nāder Shah's murder in 1747, contextualizes these records in comparison to those of earlier centuries, and treats the Hotaki regime, the Safavid rump state, and Nāder's monarchy in Iran as a whole.
Inter-row cover crops influencing the development of conilon coffee
Authors: Souza Gustavo Soares de , Coelho Luis Carlos Loose , Sarnaglia Gildásio Ribeiro , Elias Jhonathan , Pretti Irany Rodrigues , Bitencourt Luciene Lignani , Pereira Lucas Louzada , de Oliveira Evandro Chaves , de Almeida Robson Ferreira , Berilli Sávio da Silva
Published: November 2024

The use of forage as a cover crop is an alternative for the sustainable management of conilon coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner) crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the herbage accumulation and nutritive value of forages used as cover crops and their effect on the productivity and physiology of conilon coffee plants. The inter-row management assessed were 1- Congo grass [Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. & C.M. Evrard) Crins], 2- Mombaça guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs], 3- Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) R.D.Webster], 4- weeds, 5- weeding and herbicide application. The experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 using a randomized block design (split-plot) with four replications and a plot size of 24 m2. Herbage accumulation of Congo grass, Mombaça guineagrass and Marandu palisadegrass (1.12 to 3.81 t/ha) were higher than weeds (0.18 to 1.95 t/ha) in seven periods evaluated. Mombaça guineagrass had the highest average herbage accumulation (1.47 to 3.81 t/ha). The forage cover crops did not differ among themselves for dry matter concentration, crude protein and C:N ratio in three periods evaluated. The inter-rows management with cover crops did not reduce productivity, grain/fruit ratio, grain size, vegetative vigour and physiology of the coffee plants compared to the management with weeding and herbicide in 2021. In 2022, they stagnated or reduced productivity by up to 49%, with changes in plant physiology. Adjustments in the management of cover crops are needed for the development of competitive and sustainable coffee crops.
Population dynamics of a South African isolate of Steinernema yirgalemense in vitro liquid culture, using egg yolk as protein source
Authors: Dunn M.D. , Malan A.P.
Published: November 2024

The entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Steinernema yirgalemense, is an effective biological control agent against a variety of important insect pests in South Africa. To develop a South African EPN product feasibly in South Africa, EPNs need to be mass-produced. This study aimed to record the population dynamics of S. yirgalemense with in vitro liquid production in shake flasks, with a protein source of powdered egg yolk. The Erlenmeyer flask results indicated variation between flasks, albeit still achieving high yields. The reasons for attaining such variability in the recovery, yield, and growth stages are unclear, hence requiring further studies seeking to increase consistency. The results obtained indicate that, when IJ recovery is low, yields are also low due to relatively few reproductive adults being present in solution, which, in turn, produces more offspring, which later converts to the desired infective juvenile used for product formulation development. For commercial viability, a consistent production system is required that produces predictable yields. This study showed comparable high yields achieved with the flasks and in an early-stage bioreactor setup, being a positive development for S. yirgalemense mass production. Prior to the bioreactor scale-up process, protocol of mass production, the population and growth dynamics of the nematodes in the flask environment requires understanding. This is a positive step, leading to the future commercialisation of a local EPN product.
Top-k high utility itemset mining: current status and future directions
Authors: Kumar Rajiv , Singh Kuldeep
Published: November 2024

High utility itemsets mining (HUIM) is an important sub-field of frequent itemset mining (FIM). Recently, HUIM has received much attention in the field of data mining. High utility itemsets (HUIs) have proven to be quite useful in marketing, retail marketing, cross-marketing, and e-commerce. Traditional HUIM approaches suffer from a drawback as they need a user-defined minimum utility (

$ min\_util $

) threshold. It is not easy for the users to set the appropriate

$ min\_util $

threshold to find actionable HUIs. To target this drawback, top-k HUIM has been introduced. top-k HUIM is more suitable for supermarket managers and retailers to prepare appropriate strategies to generate higher profit. In this paper, we provide an in-depth survey of the current status of top-k HUIM approaches. The paper presents the task of top-k HUIM and its relevant definitions. It reviews the top-k HUIM approaches and presents their advantages and disadvantages. The paper also discusses the important strategies of the top-k HUIM, their variations, and research opportunities. The paper provides a detailed summary, analysis, and future directions of the top-k HUIM field.
Timing sensitivity of prenatal cortisol exposure and neurocognitive development
Authors: Womack Sean R. , Murphy Hannah R. , Arnold Molly S. , Duberstein Zoe T. , Best Meghan , Qiu Xing , Miller Richard K. , Barrett Emily S. , O’Connor Thomas G.
Published: November 2024

Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure has been negatively associated with infant neurocognitive outcomes. However, questions about developmental timing effects across gestation remain. Participants were 253 mother-child dyads who participated in a prospective cohort study recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy. Diurnal cortisol was measured in maternal saliva samples collected across a single day within each trimester of pregnancy. Children (49.8% female) completed the Bayley Mental Development Scales, Third Edition at 6, 12, and 24 months and completed three observational executive function tasks at 24 months. Structural equation models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates were used to test study hypotheses. There was significant evidence for timing sensitivity. First-trimester diurnal cortisol (area under the curve) was negatively associated with cognitive and language development at 12 months and poorer inhibition at 24 months. Second-trimester cortisol exposure was negatively associated with language scores at 24 months. Third-trimester cortisol positively predicted performance in shifting between task rules (set shifting) at 24 months. Associations were not reliably moderated by child sex. Findings suggest that neurocognitive development is sensitive to prenatal glucocorticoid exposure as early as the first trimester and underscore the importance of assessing developmental timing in research on prenatal exposures for child health outcomes.
Result lexicalization with manner verbs in French: an experimental investigation of the material/product alternation and the packaging of meaning
Authors: Schirakowski Barbara
Published: November 2024

French is a typical verb-framed language, in which manner verbs cannot freely combine with result-denoting constituents in a single VP. Drawing on experimentally elicited production data on Hexagonal French, this study examines how the syntactic (in)flexibility of manner-of-creation verbs influences the lexicalization of the event result. As for result lexicalization within the VP headed by the manner verb, the study explores the occurrence of effected objects and resultative PPs. Thus, it addresses the availability of the material/product alternation (sculpter une poupée à partir du bois/sculpter le bois en (une) poupée) as a type of argument alternation, whose existence has been questioned for the Romance languages. Furthermore, it is explored how the verbs’ syntactic flexibility influences whether manner and result are lexicalized within a single VP at all or distributed onto different VPs. The results show that the material/product alternation does occur, but that only a limited set of verbs has the syntactic flexibility required for it. Additionally, it is shown that syntactic flexibility favors a denser packaging of conceptual components, since with verbs that admit an effected object, the result is realized more often in the VP than with verbs that do not.
Wb-sober spaces and the core-coherence of dcpo models
Authors: Shen Chong , Zhao Xinchao
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we introduce a new class of
$T_0$
spaces called wb-sober spaces, which is strictly larger than the class of open well-filtered spaces. Unlike open well-filtered spaces, wb-sober spaces are defined more intuitively by requiring certain special subsets, termed wb-irreducible closed sets, to have singleton closures. We establish several key results about these spaces, including (1) every open well-filtered space is wb-sober, but not vice versa; (2) every strongly core-coherent wb-sober space is open well-filtered; (3) a space is core-compact iff its irreducible closed sets are wb-irreducible, providing a characterization of core-compactness; (4) every core-compact wb-sober space is sober, thereby generalizing the Jia-Jung problem. In addition, we investigate the core-coherence of the Xi-Zhao model. We prove that a
$T_1$
space contains finite number of isolated points iff its Xi-Zhao model is core-coherent iff its Xi-Zhao model is strongly core-coherent. Based on this result, we then propose a general approach to constructing a non-routine open well-filtered but not well-filtered dcpo.
Pragmatic implementation of low-intensity psychological treatment for children and young people: the reality
Authors: Roach Anna , Stokes Isabella , McDonnell Katie , Griffiths Helen , Curry Vicki , Heyman Isobel , Balakrishnan Sonia , Ndoci Xhorxhina , Bennett Sophie D. , Shafran Roz
Published: November 2024

Background and aims:

Low-intensity psychological interventions are effective for children and young people (CYP) with mental health difficulties and can help bridge the demand–capacity gap. Despite increasing awareness, training and use of low-intensity psychological interventions, it is not yet understood what is being implemented in clinical practice in the UK and the associated evidence base.

Method:

This paper presents two studies; first, a national survey (n=102) of practitioners to identify low-intensity psychological interventions currently delivered in practice and second, an exploration of the availability and the strength of empirical support (characterised as ‘gold’, ‘silver’ and ‘bronze’) of low-intensity CBT interventions for CYP.

Results:

The first study found a wide variety of interventions being used across different services; 101/102 respondents reported using routine outcome measures. The second study identified 44 different low-intensity interventions, 28 of which were rated as having gold empirical support. However, only 13 of the gold interventions were considered accessible for practitioners and only two were reported being used in routine practice.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight that these interventions have been developed and empirically tested, but many are not easily accessible, highlighting the ‘research–practice’ gap in the provision of low-intensity interventions. There is a need for an increase in standardisation of care and accessibility of gold interventions. This paper hopes to begin the process of creating a hub of low-intensity interventions that are accessible and empirically supported to improve equity of access and outcomes of low-intensity psychological interventions for CYP.
Prenatal iodine intake and infant temperament in a multiethnic US cohort
Authors: Akinkugbe Aderonke A , Duffy Julia , Kannan Srimathi , Hartman Terryl J , Landero Julio , Bosquet Enlow Michelle , Wright Robert O , Zhang Xueying , Wright Rosalind J
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Maternal iodine plays a central role in fetal neurodevelopment. It is recommended that pregnant women consume sufficient levels of iodine to accommodate increased need for mother and fetus. We examined associations among prenatal dietary and supplemental iodine intake and infant temperament.

Design:

The PRogramming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM) study is an ongoing longitudinal pregnancy cohort. Data from 2011 to 2020 were used for this study. Women completed the Block98 FFQ ascertaining prenatal dietary and supplemental iodine intake and the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised at infant age 6 months to ascertain infant temperament (Surgency/Extraversion, Negative Affectivity and Orienting/Regulation).

Setting:

USA.

Participants:

Mother–child dyads (n 892).

Results:

Women were primarily Black/Hispanic Black (44 %) and non-Black Hispanic (35 %) with 46 % reporting household income < $25 000/year. Nearly half had an estimated average requirement (EAR) < 160 µg/d (49 % based on dietary intake; 43 % based on diet and supplements). Girls born to women with an EAR ≥ 160 µg/d compared to girls born to women below this level had higher unadjusted extraversion scores for dietary plus supplemental intake (β = 0·23 (0·13, 0·33)); decreased to β = 0·05 (–0·08, 0·19) after adjusting for covariates. Boys born to women with an EAR ≥ 160 µg/d (based on diet and supplements) as compared to boys born to women below this level had statistically non-significant higher unadjusted negative affective score (β = 0·06 (–0·08, 0·20)) that became significantly lower upon covariate adjustment (β = –1·66 (–1·97, –1·35)).

Conclusions:

A significant proportion of these women reported suboptimal prenatal iodine intake. Suboptimal prenatal iodine intake may have implications for child neurodevelopment evident as early as infancy.
Effects of probiotics on selected anthropometrics and biochemical measures in overweight or obese Saudi subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial
Authors: AlMalki Samira M , Alfawaz Hanan A , Binmoammar Turki A , AlBahlei Saleh F , Al Bakr Luluah M , Alzahrani Ahmed M , Alshammari Salem S , Hussain Syed Danish , Sabico Shaun , Al-Daghri Nasser M
Published: November 2024

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the effects of multi-strain probiotics on anthropometric and biochemical measures in Saudi adults with overweight or obesity.

Design:

Single-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial.

Setting:

Occupational Health Clinics at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Participants:

Ninety-three Saudi participants with overweight or obesity were randomly assigned to receive twice-daily doses of either placebo (n 49) or 30 × 109 CFU/g of HEXBIO® containing three Lactobacillus and three Bifidobacterium species (n 44) in a double-blind manner over a 12-week period, respectively. Both groups adhered to a hypoenergetic diet. Anthropometric measurements, glycaemic indices and lipid profiles were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention.

Results:

Following the 12-week intervention, no statistically significant differences were found in all between the probiotic group and placebo group comparisons, except for fat intake, where the group*time interaction showed a significant decrease in favour of the probiotic group (P = 0·02). However, significant within-group reductions were observed in the probiotic group: body weight (–0·9 kg, P = 0·02), HC (–1·5 cm, P = 0·002), energy intake (–387·3 kcal/d, P = 0·002), fasting glucose (–0·7, P = 0·002) and LDL-cholesterol (–0·7, P = 0·02).

Conclusion:

Consumption of multi-strain probiotic supplementation over 12 weeks significantly decreased fat intake in Saudi adults with overweight or obesity, with the probiotic group highlighting improved anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term clinical significance of this dietary practice and whether it has a meaningful impact on overall health beyond the placebo effect.
Religious pluralism of Muslim practices in China: the cases of ritual participation from Hui and Uyghur societies
Authors: Wang Jianxin , Zhang Chenxi
Published: November 2024

In this article we explore the practical conditions of ritual practices of Hui and Uyghur Muslims in China. Ceaseless conflicts among different religious ideas and elements exist, but they are integrated into religious pluralism, which meets the needs of Muslims' daily practices. Furthermore, we probe the reasons for the resulting religious harmony through investigating the historical process of the formation of religious pluralism, and showing present ritual performances in which there is a hierarchically built ritual structure functioning to make religious integration possible, though different opinions regarding diverse religious elements occur elsewhere among Hui and Uyghur Muslims. Finally, the discussion supports the related assertion that rituals can be reliable and effective ways of understanding the sociological and psychological functions of religions, or religious beliefs, and other related socio-cultural realities.
Ways of reading: evaluating different approaches to reading Latin stories with a Year 9 class in a selective boys' school
Authors: Philp Polly
Published: November 2024

Before I started teacher training, my default approach to a story in a Latin textbook was to translate it into English. I assumed that this was how you best understood what was happening in the story, and how you showed that you understood. Although I had done other things as a learner myself, including comprehension exercises, my prevailing memory was of translation. Translation is a highly valued and prioritised skill, as seen in the weight given to it in examinations and assessments – though in my school placements I regularly see ‘translations’ that are near-incomprehensible ‘translationese’ rather than fluent English. This means that often after translating a sentence or passage – a very time-consuming activity – you can ask a student, ‘So, what does that mean? What's going on here?’ and that student will struggle to explain. I therefore wanted to investigate other ways to approach Latin stories. I will not claim that we were reading Latin in the truest sense of reading (left to right, at normal speed, comprehending the Latin in Latin and not needing recourse to English), but the three approaches we explored did engage with the texts without requiring literal English translation.
Evidence for Magnetically‐Driven Accretion in the Distal Solar System
Authors: Mansbach Elias N. , Weiss Benjamin P. , Lima Eduardo A. , Sowell Michael , Kirschvink Joseph L. , Fu Roger R. , Cambioni Saverio , Bai Xue‐Ning , Ream Jodie B. , Anai Chisato , Kobayashi Atsuko , Hidaka Hironori
Published: November 2024

Paleomagnetic measurements of meteorites indicate that magnetic fields existed in the inner solar nebula capable of driving accretion at rates similar to those observed for young stellar objects with protoplanetary disks. However, the field strength in the solar system beyond ∼7 astronomical units (AU) and its role in accretion remain poorly constrained. Returned samples from asteroid (162173) Ryugu offer the possibility of determining the nebular field intensity in this distal region. Here, we report paleomagnetic studies of three Ryugu particles which reveal that alteration occurred in the presence of a null or relatively weak (<15.8 μT) field within 3 million years (Ma) after solar system formation. This resolves previously contrasting reports that Ryugu's parent body experienced alteration in the presence of a strong (>80 μT) magnetic field and weak or null field (<3 μT). In addition, we re‐examine previous paleomagnetic and Mn‐Cr chronometry studies of three other distally‐sourced meteorites, Tagish Lake, Tarda, and Wisconsin Range 91600, which measured paleointensities of <0.9, <1.7 and 5.1 ± 4.5 μT respectively. While it was previously unclear whether these records were acquired while the nebula was present, our re‐analysis suggests that their records are sufficiently old (i.e., <3.5 Ma after solar system formation) to be nebular in origin. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the distal solar system nebular field, while faint, was likely still strong enough to drive accretion at rates like those observed in the inner solar system.
Substantial Global Radial Variations of Basalt Content Near the 660‐km Discontinuity
Authors: Hao Shangqin , Wei S. Shawn , Shearer Peter M.
Published: November 2024

Mid‐ocean ridges generate basalt and harzburgite, which are introduced into the mantle through subduction as a mechanical mixture, contributing to both lateral and radial compositional heterogeneity. The possible accumulation of basalt in the mantle transition zone has been examined, but details of the mantle composition below the 660‐km discontinuity (hereafter d660) remain poorly constrained. In this study, we utilize the subtle waveform details of S660S, the underside shear‐wave reflection off the d660, to interpret the seismic velocity, density, and compositional structure near, and particularly below, the d660. We identify a significant difference in S660S waveform shape in subduction zones compared to other regions. The inversion results reveal globally enriched basalt at the d660, with a notably higher content in subduction zones, consistent with the smaller impedance jump and S660S peak amplitude. The basalt fraction decreases significantly to less than 10% near 800‐km depth, forming a global harzburgite‐enriched layer and resulting in a steep seismic velocity gradient just below the d660, in agreement with 1D global reference models. The striking compositional radial variations near the d660 verify geodynamic predictions and challenge the applicability of homogeneous radial compositional models in the mantle. These variations may also affect the viscosity profile and, consequently, the dynamics at the boundary between the upper and lower mantle.
Quantification of Salt Transports Due To Exchange Flow and Tidal Flow in Estuaries
Authors: Biemond Bouke , de Swart Huib E. , Dijkstra Henk A.
Published: November 2024

To understand mechanisms of salt intrusion in estuaries, we develop a semi‐analytical model, that explicitly accounts for salt transport by both exchange flow and tidal flow. This model, after calibration, successfully hindcasts hydrodynamics and salinity dynamics in three estuaries that have strongly different characteristics. We find, from analyzing the model results for these three estuaries, that salt transport processes by exchange flow and tidal flow interact through the subtidal stratification. Transport by exchange flow creates stratification, thereby generating a phase shift of tidal salinity with respect to the tidal flow, which is important for the magnitude of the tidal salt transport. Conversely, the strength of tidal currents determines the vertical mixing that breaks down stratification. A new analytical formulation is presented for the component of the salt transport driven by the depth‐averaged tidal flow. This salt transport is larger than the component associated with the vertical shear of the tidal current. Finally, a method that yields analytical equations that quantify the importance of different contributions to the salt transport using only primary information is developed using approximate solutions for the subtidal stratification. This method performs well for the estuaries considered.
Impacts of the Arctic Stratospheric Polar Vortex Weakening on Ural Blocking in Boreal Winter
Authors: Qian Cheng , Huang Jinlong , Tian Wenshou , Liu Jinnian , Song Yuanjing , He Li
Published: November 2024

Using the ERA5 reanalysis data, we analyzed the impacts of the Arctic stratospheric polar vortex weakening on Ural Blocking (UB). The results indicate that UB activities are suppressed following the weakening of the polar vortex. Specifically, the probability of UB is significantly reduced, with a maximum decrease of 30% observed around day 24 following the polar vortex weakening. The average life cycle of UB shortens by approximately one day. The amplitude of UB, as measured by the negative potential vorticity (PV) anomalies over the Urals, experiences a significant decrease, particularly with the presence of positive PV anomalies on the western side of Urals. Further analysis indicates that the suppression of UB following the weakened polar vortex is closely linked to both the equatorward horizontal transport of high‐PV air over the Arctic across the dynamic tropopause, and the anomalous increase in static stability over the Urals resulting from a descent of the isentropic surface near the tropopause. Finally, we evaluate the relative roles of the polar vortex weakening and the negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) in suppressing the development of UB. Our analysis reveals that the impacts of the weak polar vortex on the suppression of UB are stronger and more long‐lasting compared to the negative AO, suggesting that the impacts of the weakened polar vortex on UB cannot be simply explained by the AO response.
Processes Driving the Intermodel Spread of the Southern Hemisphere Hadley Circulation Expansion in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Hur Ije , Yoo Changhyun , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Kim Young‐Ha , Seo Kyong‐Hwan
Published: November 2024

The Hadley circulation (HC) has been expanding poleward in recent decades. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models predict that the expansion will accelerate in the future, more so in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). However, the extent of the expansion varies widely among the models. We investigate the mechanisms driving the intermodel spread in SH HC expansion predictions. The intermodel spread is obtained by an empirical orthogonal function analysis on the SH HC trend patterns of 16 CMIP6 model simulations using the historical and shared socioeconomic pathway 5–8.5 scenarios. The leading mode, showing a mean meridional stream function anomaly at the poleward SH HC extent, explains 49.73% of the variance and significantly correlates (r = 0.94) with the SH HC expansion. By analyzing the extended Kuo‐Eliassen equation, we find that the intermodel difference in the representation of diabatic heating is responsible for about 14% of the intermodel spread. The meridional eddy momentum and heat fluxes contribute to about 21% and 18% of the intermodel spread, respectively. The models simulating a relatively large SH HC expansion tend to show increased precipitation in the Southern Pacific Convergence Zone, reduced baroclinic instability in the subtropics, and an enhanced poleward shift of jet stream in the midlatitudes. This suggests that the uncertainty in the HC projection may be constrained by reducing the bias in the trend of the mean fields.
Dietary intake and sleep in late childhood – do shorter children have distinct patterns?
Authors: Fisch-Shvalb Naama , Zur Maya , Lazar Liora , Shamir Raanan , Phillip Moshe , Yackobovitch-Gavan Michal
Published: November 2024

Background

The exceptional growth rate during adolescence demands increased dietary intake. We aimed to compare diet and lifestyle of pre-adolescents with height and weight below the 10th percentile, with those of pre-adolescents of higher height and weight.

Methods

This case-control study included healthy pre-pubertal girls (≥9 years) and boys (≥10 years). The case groups included 31 girls and 32 boys with height and weight <10th percentile, and weight percentile ≤height percentile. The control groups comprised 24 girls and 24 boys, with height ≥25th percentile, BMI 5th–85th percentiles. Participants completed 3-day food diaries and lifestyle-related questionnaires.

Results

Energy intake/estimated-requirement and protein/body-weight were comparable in the case and control groups, both in boys and girls. In boys, fat (P = 0.050) and carbohydrate (P ≤ 0.001) intakes/body-weight were higher in the case group versus controls; and iron (P < 0.001), zinc (P = 0.005), vitamin A (P < 0.001), calcium (P = 0.005), and vitamin C (P = 0.034) consumption were lower. In girls, carbohydrate/body-weight was higher in the case group compared to controls (P = 0.007); micronutrient intake was comparable, and lower than recommended. Compared to controls, short and thin boys reported less sleep during weekdays (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Relatively short, thin pre-adolescents may have distinct dietary intake and sleeping patterns compared to taller peers, especially boys.

Impact

Nutrition is a key environmental determinant of childhood growth. Not much is known about late nutritional impact on growth in children whose anthropometric indices are below the 10th percentile.

We compared food diaries and lifestyle questionnaires of pre-pubertal pre-adolescents with height <10th percentiles and weight≤height for age and sex, with those of peers with indices in higher percentiles.

We found distinct differences in micronutrient intakes and sleep duration in the shorter boys, but no energy deficit in either sex.

We suggest that diet and lifestyle parameters should be evaluated in children with relatively low anthropometric indices, to ensure optimal growth.