bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE IN THE COPRODUCTION OF URBAN RESILIENCE: Institutional Enablers and Political Constraints
Authors: Rivero‐Villar Alejandro , Vieyra Antonio
Published: January 2025

Building urban resilience in vulnerable global South settlements is a pressing twenty‐first century challenge. Building urban resilience involves addressing institutional deficiencies to mobilize resources for the delivery of urban services and infrastructures. State–civil society partnerships are effective in low‐capacity settings as a step forward in the consolidation of the state, and as an opportunity for the emancipation of vulnerable communities. Coproducing urban resilience requires recognizing marginalized communities (e.g. indigenous groups), their capacity for local problem solving and governance structures for community engagement. In this article, we explore a coalition of five periurban neighborhoods in Oaxaca City (Mexico), which collaborate with the state to address flooding and drought using traditional governance. We argue that, although the recognition and mobilization of traditional governance has enabled the coproduction of public services (adaptation), it has been limited in delivering radical governance transformations. Traditional governance may prevent neighborhood leaders from reaching government positions to secure further resources required for the construction of urban resilience. The article contributes to debates on coproduction, explaining how traditional governance enables the coproduction of infrastructures and service delivery, but is limited in forwarding deep societal transformations necessary for resilience building in vulnerable contexts of the global South.
Ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate triggers aggregation and tunneling preference of Formosan subterranean termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) and enhances the effectiveness of fipronil
Authors: Javaid Wasim , Zhu Ting , Chen Weiwen , Zhang Zhidong , Zeng Tairu , Haroon  , Wang Cai
Published: January 2025

Our previous study shows that Coptotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) preferred to stay on filter paper treated with ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate, a metabolite in the soil fungus Trichoderma virens. Here, we hypothesized that adding ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate in sand could trigger aggregation and tunneling preferences of C. formosanus and improve the effectiveness of liquid termiticide. In aggregation‐choice tests, significantly more termites were found on/in sand blocks containing ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate (250 µg/g) than untreated blocks throughout the 24‐h experiments. In the tunneling‐choice tests, termites also excavated significantly more tunnels in the sand treated with ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate (2.5, 25, or 250 µg/g) than untreated sand. However, in no‐choice tests, ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate (2.5, 25, or 250 µg/g) did not significantly affect tunneling activities, termite survival, wood consumption, or activities of detoxification enzymes (peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) compared to controls. Interestingly, in aggregation‐ and tunneling‐choice tests, termites preferred to stay and made more tunnels in sand treated with both ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate (250 µg/g) and fipronil (1 µg/g) than untreated sand. In addition, in choice tests, sand treated with the combination of ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate (250 µg/g) and fipronil (1 µg/g) caused significantly higher termite mortality than the sand treated with only fipronil (1 µg/g). Our study showed that ethyl 2,4‐dioxovalerate may enhance the effectiveness of fipronil (1 µg/g in sand) by triggering aggregation and tunneling preferences of termites, thereby increasing the contact between termites and fipronil.
Prevalence of Heritable Symbionts in Parisian Bedbugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
Authors: Cagatay Naciye Sena , Akhoundi Mohammad , Izri Arezki , Brun Sophie , Hurst Gregory D. D.
Published: January 2025

Like many insects, the biology of bedbugs is impacted by a range of partner heritable microbes. Three maternally inherited symbionts are recognised: Wolbachia (an obligate partner), Symbiopectobacterium purcellii strain SyClec, and Candidatus Tisiphia sp. (facultative symbionts typically present in some but not all individuals). Past work had examined the presence of these heritable microbes from established laboratory lines, but not from broader field samples. We therefore deployed targeted endpoint PCR assays to determine the symbiont infection status for 50 bedbugs collected from 10 districts of Paris during the 2023 outbreak. All three symbionts were found to be broadly present across Cimex lectularius samples, with the Symbiopectobacterium‐Candidatus Tisiphia‐Wolbachia triple infection most commonly observed. A minority of individuals lacked either one or both facultative symbionts. Five mtDNA haplotypes were observed across the COI barcode region, and triple infections were found in all mtDNA haplotypes, indicating that symbiont infection is not a recent invasion event. We conclude that the Parisian bedbug outbreak was one in which the host's secondary symbionts were present at high‐frequency coinfections, and facultative symbionts are an important but uncharacterised component of bedbug populations.
Evidence of content validity of the “Blood Transfusion Reaction” (code 0700) nursing outcome from the nursing outcomes classification
Authors: Simoes Adriana Aparecida Timoteo , Lopes Juliana de Lima , Moorhead Sue , Swanson Elizabeth A. , Santos Vinicius Batista , de Barros Alba Lucia Bottura Leite
Published: January 2025

Objective

The objective of study was to present evidence of the content validity of conceptual and operational definitions of the “Blood Transfusion Reaction (code 0700)” nursing outcome from the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC).

Method

A methodological study was implemented in four phases. The first phase consisted of a narrative literature review in which the main indicators related to blood transfusion were identified: 25 new indicators that were not present in NOC, in addition to 14 existing indicators, for a total of 39 to be studied. In the second phase, conceptual and operational definitions, and magnitude of NOC indicators were developed. The third phase consisted of analysis of evidence of content validity of conceptual and operational definitions of indicators, through assessment by experts. In the fourth phase, a pilot test was applied to 40 electronic medical records of patients who received blood components and presented with a transfusion reaction.

Results

A total of 27 articles were analyzed and served as support to develop conceptual and operational definitions, and magnitude of indicators, considered for the outcome under study. It was assessed by a group of 10 experts, requiring three rounds to reach the established critical content validity ratio in which four of these indicators were excluded, leaving 35 indicators in the final version. A pilot test on 40 records revealed the presence of 13 indicators, of which six were present in the classification.

Conclusion

The conceptual and operational definitions and magnitude developed for the “Blood Transfusion Reaction (code 0700)” nursing outcome demonstrated adequate evidence of content validity in the 21 indicators found in the literature, along with 14 indicators already present in NOC, and 13 of these indicators were present in patients receiving blood components who presented a transfusion reaction.

Implications for practice

Nurses can use this nursing outcome as a clinical assessment tool for monitoring blood transfusion recipients’ clinical signs.
Planned versus unplanned alcohol and cannabis use: Motivational and contextual correlates among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals
Authors: Dyar Christina , Curtis Julia , Fairlie Anne M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Unplanned alcohol use has been theorized to contribute to experiencing more consequences at the daily level, and several risk factors have been identified in the general population. However, it remaines unclear whether these risk factors apply to sexual and gender minorities (SGM); if unique risk factors for substance use among SGM (e.g., microaggressions) are associated with elevated risk for unplanned alcohol or cannabis use; and if risk factors for unplanned drinking also apply to unplanned cannabis use.

Methods

We aimed to address these gaps by examining differences between planned and unplanned alcohol and cannabis use in motives, contexts of use, and SGM‐specific factors at the daily level among 380 sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth using daily diary data.

Results

Although unplanned alcohol and cannabis use were associated with lighter use, unplanned cannabis use was associated with more consequences. Social and enhancement motives and drinking with other SGM were linked to a lower likelihood of unplanned alcohol use, while conformity motives were associated with a higher likelihood of unplanned alcohol use. Microaggressions and coping motives were not associated with unplanned alcohol or cannabis use.

Conclusions

Results demonstrated differences in motivational and contextual factors associated with unplanned alcohol compared to cannabis use and identified one SGM‐specific correlate. Future research should continue to explore factors that contribute to unplanned cannabis use days being associated with more consequences even in the absence of heavier use on unplanned days.
Provision of Evidence‐Informed Psychological Interventions Following the Queensland (Australia) 2010–11 Floods and Cyclones; the Barriers and Successes
Authors: Crompton David , Kohleis Peter , Shakespeare‐Finch Jane , FitzGerald Gerard , Young Ross
Published: January 2025

Objective

The study assessed the impact on clinicians' ‘perception of skills’ in postdisaster evidence‐informed care (EIC) following participation in an online training programme implemented following the Queensland floods and cyclones of 2010–11, clinician confidence to provide EIC, the frequency clinicians used EIC and barriers to providing postdisaster specialist mental health care.

Design

Clinician perception of pre and posttraining skills, confidence in providing therapies such as trauma‐focused cognitive behaviour therapy (TF‐CBT), frequency of therapies provided and clinician perception of barriers to the programme were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively.

Participants and Setting

Clinical staff (n = 60) employed by the 2010–11 postdisaster mental health programme participated in an online survey conducted over the last 12 weeks of 2012. After the programme concluded an independent audit of the clinical record of mental health clients treated by clinicians employed in the specialist mental health programme was undertaken.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Perception of clinical skills in various EIC modalities was completed pre and posttraining. Confidence to provide a treatment was rated on a five‐point scale. The clinical record audit identified the treatments provided to clients. Barriers to programme delivery were rated on a five‐point scale, with qualitative feedback highlighting programme concerns.

Results

Posttraining clinicians perceived skills in TF‐CBT (p < 0.0001), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) (p < 0.001) and exposure therapy (p < 0.001) had improved. Following training, clinicians described themselves as moderately to extremely confident in implementing TF‐CBT (87%), exposure therapy (80%) and skills for psychological recovery (SPR) (88%). Clinical records analysis indicates that 25% of cases received no TF‐CBT, while 43% received one to five sessions. Barriers to care included a lack of cross‐service relationships. Recommendations focused on training and early commencement of intervention programmes.

Conclusion

The study echoes the findings of the 2020 Australian Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations that highlighted a need for clinician training in postdisaster EIC and the availability of clinicians with specialised postdisaster mental health skills.
Lower Income Marriage Migrants and Domains of Integration in Singapore
Authors: Loh Bernice , Yeoh Brenda S. A. , Lam Theodora , Yeung Wei‐Jun Jean
Published: January 2025

Drawing on the domains of integration, this paper illuminates the integration experiences of female marriage migrants from lower income cross‐national families in Singapore. Through interviews with 38 cross‐national families of the Singaporean‐husband and foreign‐wife pairing, we show how the integration of lower income marriage migrants in Singapore is experienced through the interrelated domains of the structural, social and cultural, while foregrounding the family as an added domain of interest. Although marriage to citizen‐husbands create privileged pathways to citizenship rights and hence forms of integration, this is neither predictable nor unidirectional—family members play a crucial part in rendering support and at times, constraining female marriage migrants' integration. Contributing to wider debates on whether cross‐border marriages are indicators, if not, facilitators of integration, this paper shows how female marriage migrants' integration in Singapore is highly relational and tied not only to the level of support and openness from their husbands, their interactions with other domains of integration are also dependent on the quality of relationships with extended family members.
Zakat and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Assessing the Ripple Effect of Obligatory‐Alms Spending on Education. Empirical Evidence From Pakistan
Authors: Aziz Yasir , Mansor Fadillah , Waqar Shujaa , Zada Najeeb
Published: January 2025

This study employed a novel methodological perspective to evaluate the impact of Zakat on one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), i.e., education. The study has employed macrolevel data on Zakat spending collected from the Zakat department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and microlevel data from a renowned national survey, the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM). Based on the data set used for empirical analysis, a multilevel model was used to control the effect of intraclass correlation. The findings of this study confirmed that Zakat spending by the public sector reduces deprivation in education. Hence, the households benefiting from Zakat allocations are less likely to face barriers in accessing education. Furthermore, the study shows that educated and female‐headed households are less likely to experience deprivation, emphasizing the importance of empowering such households as a strategy to reduce educational inequality. However, the mechanism of Zakat disbursement should be refined and made transparent to pursue SDGs by empowering individuals through quality education, vocational training, and enhancing technical skills, which may ultimately reduce poverty in the country. In addition, the methodology adopted in the study opens doors for further research to decompose the results and design policies accordingly.
Muscle magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Hamano Tadanori , Kamisawa Tomoko , Sanada Sayaka , Hayashi Kouji
Published: January 2025

Background

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are disorders that cause chronic muscle inflammation and weakness due to an autoimmune pathogenesis. Dermatomyositis (DM) is a typical IIM disorder, along with others including antisynthetic syndrome (ASS), immune‐mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), overlap myositis, inclusion body myositis (IBM), and anti‐mitochondrial M2 antibody‐positive myositis (AMA‐myositis). Noninvasive muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for determining the distribution, nature, and extent of lesions in affected muscles. T1‐weighted MRI is useful for observing morphological changes, including muscle atrophy. Short tau inversion recovery images or T2‐weighted images are useful for detecting muscle inflammation and edema and are suitable for selecting optimal biopsy sites. Muscle MRI is also useful for follow‐up studies.

Results

On muscle MRI, patients with DM show a symmetric pattern with prominent fasciitis. The MRI findings in ASS are similar to those in DM. In IMNM, MRI findings are asymmetric, present a rapid and severe course, and fasciitis is less prominent. In IBM, atrophy is more severe at presentation than in other IIMs, and fasciitis is absent. In AMA‐myositis, fasciitis is severe and atrophy is mild.

Conclusion

Muscle MRI can help differentiate between IIMs along with using other laboratory findings, including myositis‐specific antibodies.
Learning Climbing Controllers for Physics‐Based Characters
Authors: Kang Kyungwon , Gu Taehong , Kwon Taesoo
Published: January 2025

Despite the growing demand for capturing diverse motions, collecting climbing motion data remains challenging due to difficulties in tracking obscured markers and scanning climbing structures. Additionally, preparing varied routes further adds to the complexities of the data collection process. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a physics‐based climbing controller for synthesizing climbing motions. The proposed method consists of two learning stages. In the first stage, a hanging policy is trained to naturally grasp holds. This policy is then used to generate a dataset containing hold positions, postures, and grip states, forming favourable initial poses. In the second stage, a climbing policy is trained using this dataset to perform actual climbing movements. The episode begins in a state close to the reference climbing motion, enabling the exploration of more natural climbing style states. This policy enables the character to reach the target position while utilizing its limbs more evenly. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed method effectively identifies good climbing postures and enhances limb coordination across environments with varying slopes and hold patterns.
SELective defunctioning Stoma Approach in low anterior resection for rectal cancer (SELSA): Protocol for a prospective study with a nested randomized clinical trial investigating stoma‐free survival without major LARS following total mesorectal excision
Authors: Rutegård Martin , Lindsköld Marcus , Jörgren Fredrik , Landerholm Kalle , Matthiessen Peter , Forsmo Håvard Mjørud , Park Jennifer , Rosenberg Jacob , Schultz Johannes , Seeberg Lars T. , Segelman Josefin , Buchwald Pamela
Published: January 2025

Aim

Accumulated data suggest that routine use of defunctioning stoma in low anterior resection for rectal cancer may cause kidney injury, bowel dysfunction and a higher risk of permanent stomas. We aim to study whether avoidance of a diverting stoma in selected patients is safe and reduces adverse consequences.

Methods

SELSA is a multicentre international prospective observational study nesting an open‐label randomized clinical trial. All patients with primary rectal cancer planned for low anterior resection are eligible. Patients operated with curative intent, aged <80 years, with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists' fitness grade I or II, and a low predicted risk of anastomotic leakage are eligible to 1:1 randomization between no defunctioning stoma (experimental arm) or a defunctioning stoma (control arm). The primary outcome is the composite measure of 2‐year stoma‐free survival without major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Secondary outcomes include anastomotic leakage, postoperative mortality, reinterventions, stoma‐related complications, quality of life measures, LARS score, and permanent stoma rate. To be able to state superiority of any study arm regarding the main outcome, with 90% statistical power and assuming 25% attrition, we aim to enrol 212 patients. Patient inclusion will commence in the autumn of 2024.

Conclusion

The SELSA study is investigating a tailored approach to defunctioning stoma use in low anterior resection for rectal cancer in relation to the risk of anastomotic leakage. Our hypothesis is that long‐term effects will favour the selective approach, enabling some patients to avoid a defunctioning stoma.

Trial registration

Swedish Ethical Review Authority approval (2023–04347‐01, 2024–02418‐02 and 2024–03622‐02), Regional Ethics Committee Denmark (H‐24014463), and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06214988).
Effects of ileal conduit length on long‐term kidney function decline after total pelvic exenteration for colorectal cancer
Authors: Yatabe Yusuke , Kagawa Hiroyasu , Yamashita Ryo , Shiomi Akio , Manabe Shoichi , Yamaoka Yusuke , Tanaka Yusuke , Kasai Shunsuke , Igaki Takahiro , Notsu Akifumi , Kinugasa Yusuke
Published: January 2025

Aim

Understanding of kidney function decline (KFD) after pelvic exenteration (PE) for colorectal cancer remains limited, and the effects of a long ileal conduit (IC) on kidney disorders are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate long‐term kidney function following PE in colorectal cancer and to evaluate the effects of IC length on KFD.

Method

This was a retrospective, single‐centre cohort study. KFD was defined as a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥30% compared with preoperative data. IC length was measured from a postoperative computed tomography scan. The primary endpoint was the number of patients with KFD 5 years after surgery. The rate of decline of eGFR, cumulative KFD incidence and correlation between IC length and rate of decline of eGFR were also analysed. The patients were divided into two groups (short IC and long IC) based on an IC length of 20 cm.

Results

Forty‐three patients were included in the analysis. Fourteen (33%) and 29 (67%) patients were included in the short‐ and long‐IC groups, respectively. The long‐IC group was significantly more likely to be diagnosed with KFD within 5 years than the short‐IC group (51% vs. 14%, p = 0.023). Multivariate analyses revealed that a longer IC was identified as an independent risk factor for KFD (hazard ratio 4.140, 95% CI 1.035–16.560, p = 0.045). Pearson's correlation and linear regression analyses demonstrated a significant association between IC length and rate of decline of eGFR (r = 0.466, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

A significant number of patients with colorectal cancer have decreased kidney function after PE. A longer conduit may impair kidney function.
Does Shareholder Activism Create Value? A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Bajzik Josef , Havranek Tomas , Irsova Zuzana , Novak Jiri
Published: January 2025

Research Question/Issue

This study identifies the determinants of shareholder value created by investor activism. It quantifies and corrects the pool of published empirical estimates for bias due to the selective reporting of empirical results. It examines how various institutional, investor, and research design characteristics affect the shareholder value created by activism.

Research Findings/Insights

Using a meta‐analysis of 1973 estimates from 67 studies published between 1983 and 2021, we document that, after adjusting for selective reporting, activism creates a positive shareholder value ranging from 0% to 1.5%, which is smaller than commonly thought. More value is created in settings with better shareholder rights protection and in smaller markets. Activism by individual investors, more confrontational approaches, and campaigns aimed at the sale of the target company enhance firm value more.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our study identifies a specific channel through which the quality of institutional settings mitigates the conflict envisaged by agency theory between firm owners and managers. Our comprehensive synthesis of prior research literature also guides researchers in interpreting and comparing results reported in prior studies and helps them make more informed research design choices in future studies.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Exploiting the heterogeneity in prior studies, our study informs investors about the value that specific forms of activism create, allowing them to better trade off the costs and benefits of alternative approaches. It also informs regulators about the relevance of institutional characteristics and offers estimates of the relative effectiveness of activism campaigns by various sponsors. These insights help in seeking optimal ways of regulating corporate governance and financial markets.
An Argument for More High‐Quality Research Focused on Mental Health in the Post‐Secondary Context
Authors: Byrom Nicola , Pointon‐Haas Julia , Upsher Rebecca , Iorfino Frank , McKenna Sarah , McCann Emma , Priestley Michael , Slack Hannah Rachael , Cleverley Kristin
Published: January 2025

We argue that while a substantial proportion of emerging adults are in post‐secondary education, there is relatively little consideration of this context within research and policy around youth mental health. The unique challenges young adults face in post‐secondary education overlay underlying risk factors experienced by emerging adults. While post‐secondary education facilitates social mobility, it also introduces stressors such as academic demands, financial insecurity and social isolation. As we increasingly appreciate the social determinants of mental health and the influence of institutional systems, understanding the post‐secondary context offers promise in transforming mental health in emerging adulthood. There are pockets of great practice. However, we argue that targeted efforts are now needed to bring together students, practitioners, policymakers and researchers to drive evidence‐informed improvements in mental health within the post‐secondary context.
An Overview of Early Psychosis Care in New Zealand—A Need for Culturally Adapted Service Models
Authors: Grattan Rebecca E. , Clifford Amanda , London Sophie M. , Cowland Joanna
Published: January 2025

Background

It has been over 20 years since a review of early psychosis services in New Zealand was completed, and it is unclear if services now meet international best practice. Furthermore, significant disparities in psychosis experiences exist in New Zealand, and it is unclear whether service structure might contribute to such disparities. Given the current restructuring of the health system in New Zealand, now is the optimal time to understand strengths and weaknesses in early psychosis care provision.

Methods

All early psychosis services in New Zealand (n = 12) were surveyed. Leads from each service completed a survey on the general elements of their service, alongside the First‐Episode Psychosis Services Fidelity Scale, which allows comparison with international early psychosis services.

Results

Specific services are provided across 11/20 districts, leaving 9 without any dedicated early psychosis care. Service strengths included short wait lists, comprehensive assessments, good provision of case managers, team managers and psychiatrists and good length of care. Relative weaknesses included provision of therapy, limited age ranges, high numbers of inpatient referrals, poor Clozapine usage and limited family participation. There was also a lack of services for people at risk for psychosis. Lack of cultural support staff, models and confidence in meeting cultural needs was also evident.

Conclusion

While New Zealand early psychosis services are relatively comparable to international services, certain areas of weakness need to be addressed by decreasing variability in service eligibility, increasing care for those at‐risk, wider availability of therapy and family involvement and improved cultural services.
Properties of Waterlogged Soils Developed on Arkose and Aeolian Sands in an Agro‐Silvopastoral System
Authors: Jiménez‐Ballesta Raimundo , San José Francisco J. , Mongil‐Manso Jorge , Escudero‐Campos Laura , Álvarez‐Castellanos María P.
Published: January 2025

Globally speaking, academic research assumes that soils affected by water stagnation have a significant constraint, especially concerning their productivity and environmental benefits. In the surrounding landscape of northern Ávila Province (northern Spanish Central System), where many small farmers and livestock breeders of the region live, there are areas that are periodically flooded. This study examines the impact of hydromorphism on soil features and formation in La Moraña, a region with arkosic and aeolic sands; it also investigates the soil's role in sustainable waterlogged agro‐silvopastoral development. The main land uses are agriculture, pastures or pine forests. The soils show acidic to alkaline reaction (pH 5.6 to 9.1), with sandy to loamy textures, and contain moderate to high levels of organic matter (1.7% to 8.0%) and total nitrogen (0.01% to 0.26%) contents. A moderate to medium cation exchange capacity (CEC) (3.13 to 15 cmol kg−1) and high base saturation status (72% to 81%) were observed. In both soil groups (Cambisols and Arenosols), the predominant soil cations were Ca2+ (0.7 to 25.7 cmol kg−1) and Na+ (0.19 to 9.5 cmol kg−1), while K+ was present in minor amounts. Given the nature of the original material, although the carbonate content of the parent material lay below the detection limit, high carbonate contents greater than 25% were observed in certain horizons (Bkg of profiles 1 and 2). Weak gleization was observed in all profiles, with grey colours (light to dark) in the subsurface horizons, denoting some effects of iron reduction, resulting from a dual action of pluviometry and a practically flat topography; and occasionally flooding or water‐table rise. In addition, hydromorphic conditions can also develop due to soil compaction. So, the major soil‐forming processes are accumulation of organic matter and brunification in drained conditions. While litter formation in conditions of high moisture, and weak gleization against excessive moisture are the dominant processes. La Moraña's soils stay productive through agroforestry and crop rotations, preserving their potential despite their hydromorphic nature.
Lamotrigine promotes reentrant ventricular tachycardia in murine hearts
Authors: Dias Patrícia , Meng Xiaolei , Selimi Zoja , Struckman Heather , Veeraraghavan Rengasayee , Radwański Przemysław B.
Published: January 2025

Objective

In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning concerning lamotrigine use in patients with underlying cardiac disorders. This warning was based on in vitro data that predicted class Ib antiarrhythmic activity for lamotrigine. Therefore, we investigated the proarrhythmic potential of lamotrigine in the murine heart and compared its effect with flecainide.

Methods

Murine hearts were perfused with clinically relevant concentrations of lamotrigine 3.8 μg/mL (15 μmol·L−1) or flecainide .4 μg/mL (1 μmol·L−1).

Results

Ex vivo electrocardiography revealed a high prevalence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in lamotrigine‐perfused hearts (7/9 hearts), whereas only two hearts exposed to flecainide evidenced VT. Optical voltage mapping showed that lamotrigine preferentially decreased ventricular conduction velocity (CV) in the longitudinal direction at all pacing frequencies tested (−22% ± 8.6%, −30% ± 15.4%, and −33% ± 13.3% for pacing frequency of 200‐ms, 180‐ms, and 150‐ms cycle length, respectively, p ≤ .05) compared to the transverse direction, which only slowed CV at the fastest pacing frequency (−15% ± 16% for pacing frequency of 150‐ms cycle length, p ≤ .01). Notably, the preferential CV slowing in the longitudinal direction altered the anisotropic ratio, giving rise to a functional substrate for reentrant VT. In contrast, flecainide slowed CV uniformly in both longitudinal and transverse directions (−30% ± 8.5% vs. −27% ± 5.3%, −32% ± 9.4% vs. −29% ± 6.9%, and − 29% ± 8.3% vs. −27% ± 10% for pacing frequency of 200‐ms, 180‐ms, and 150‐ms cycle length, respectively, p ≤ .05).

Significance

Our findings provide mechanistic insight into the proarrhythmic impact of lamotrigine.
Charity Experience of Directors and Corporate Social Responsibility: Global Evidence
Authors: Liu Xianda , Hou Wenxuan , Main Brian G. M.
Published: January 2025

This paper studies the role of directors with prior experience of working in the charity sector (here labelled ‘charity directors’) in determining the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity of firms on whose boards they sit. We predict that these charity directors shape the ethical climate of their boards and influence their CSR policies. The findings on firms across 50 countries show that the presence of such directors on a board is positively associated with the firm's environmental and social (E&S) performance. Such charity directors exert more influence following disasters that exogenously increase societal demand for CSR, suggesting a causal interpretation of their role. We further show that charity directors play a more active role in those countries where societal norms stress the importance of E&S issues. This does not seem to be a manifestation of organizational slack, as the link between charity directors and CSR is stronger in the presence of good corporate governance. Furthermore, the death of a charity director leads to a negative market reaction, suggesting that their efforts are in line with shareholder interests.
Activation of Local 11β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 by Diosmetin Enhances Endogenous Glucocorticoid Levels to Alleviate Skin Inflammation: Insights Into a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Kang Hyun , Hwang Hyun Jee , Kim Eunjung , Lim Sung Ha , Choi Eung Ho
Published: January 2025

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are synthesised de novo by peripheral tissues and the adrenal cortex of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Skin expresses an enzyme called 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1), which reduces cortisone to the active hormone cortisol which activates GC receptors. 11β‐HSD1 plays a significant role in alleviating atopic inflammation through the elevation of the concentrations of active GC in the skin. This study aimed to investigate the role of diosmetin as an activator of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1). In human keratinocytes, diosmetin was found to upregulate 11β‐HSD1 protein expression and cortisol levels, as well as the transcriptional expression of 11β‐HSD1 mRNA. However, this upregulation of 11β‐HSD1 mRNA was abrogated in keratinocytes transfected with 11β‐HSD1 small interfering RNA (siRNA). In an atopic dermatitis (AD) murine model, topical administration of diosmetin significantly attenuated basal transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), while enhancing stratum corneum (SC) hydration. Diosmetin also increased corticosterone levels in the SC and upregulated 11β‐HSD1 expression in both the serum and epidermis. Furthermore, diosmetin treatment led to a marked reduction in serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels, and suppressed mRNA expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐4, and IL‐13 in the epidermis. Collectively, these findings suggest that diosmetin promotes the endogenous activation of glucocorticoids via local 11β‐HSD1 activation, underscoring its potential as a novel topical therapeutic agent for the management of inflammatory skin disorders, such as AD.
ChartNet: Reducing Subjectivity in Stock Prediction Through Unified Technical Chart Representation
Authors: Li Shangzhe , Liu Yingke , Cheng Fanglei , Wu Junran , Xu Ke
Published: January 2025

Technical analysis, which includes technical indicators and charts derived from specific rules, has proven effective and widely used for stock movement prediction. However, technical chart evaluation is often limited by subjectivity, arising from sparse chart types and substantial information loss due to rigid rules. While pattern recognition algorithms have been developed to address this issue, they still rely on manual chart labelling and primarily focus on closing prices, leaving much of the chart's broader information untapped. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel framework called ChartNet, designed to extract general information from technical charts and reduce subjectivity in chart analysis. ChartNet employs a unified representation for charts across financial series with varying simplification levels and leverages a chart triplet loss function for unsupervised training, eliminating the need for labelled data. Compared with several state‐of‐the‐art baselines, our framework has reached the best prediction accuracy on CSI‐300, SZ‐50 components and Dow Jones Index in 2022: 65.91%, 63.70% and 64.96% respectively. In backtesting using actual stock data, our framework achieves the highest average return of 1.12 and 1.15. Furthermore, we highlight the interpretability of ChartNet through two case studies, some important charts and failure cases, illustrating its capability to uncover meaningful insights from charts. This research contributes to advancing the objective evaluation of technical charts and promoting a more comprehensive understanding of chart‐based stock prediction performance.
Modeling Central Bank Digital Currencies
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Senner Richard
Published: January 2025

Over the last decades, macroeconomists have renewed their efforts to reduce the gap between monetary macroeconomics and real‐world central banking. This paper reviews how macroeconomics has since 2016 approached the possible introduction of retail central bank digital currencies (CBDC). A review of the literature reveals that macroeconomic models of CBDC often rely on CBDC design features and narratives which are no longer in line with the one of central banks actually working on CBDC. In particular, the literature often (i) does not take into account the nature of central banks’ CBDC issuance plans as a “conservative” reaction to profound technological and preferential shifts in the use of money as a means of payments, (ii) does not start from design features communicated by central banks, such as no‐remuneration, quantity limits, access restrictions, and automated sweeping functionality linking CBDC wallets with commercial bank accounts; (iii) does not explain well enough the difference between CBDC and banknotes within their macroeconomic models, apart from remuneration (which central banks actually do not foresee); and (iv) assume that CBDC will lead to a significant increase in the total holdings of central bank money in the economy, although (i) and (ii) make this unlikely.
A Novel Gene DUSP8 Missense Mutation Causes Nonsyndromic Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis by Dysregulating Lysine Lactylation
Authors: Liu Xiu , Liang Chao , Wang Shengnan , Wang Xuejiu , Guan Xiaobing , Hu Ying
Published: January 2025

Aims

The goal of this study was to explore new candidate genes and pathogenesis mechanisms of nonsyndromic hereditary gingival fibromatosis (nsHGF) and to provide an experimental basis for the diagnosis of nsHGF.

Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed on peripheral blood DNA from three nsHGF family members to screen for new candidate genes, and Sanger sequencing and related databases were used to verify the pathogenicity of this gene deficiency. Moreover, the effects of gene deficiency on the biological characteristics of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were evaluated via cell proliferation assays, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition detection, cell apoptosis and cell cycle assessment, cell migration and gene expression analyses.

Results

A novel missense mutation in dual‐specificity phosphatase 8 (DUSP8, c.1348C>T, p.R450C), which is in the nsHGF‐related GINGF4 locus, was identified via WES analysis. A functional study revealed that knocking down DUSP8 expression increased cell proliferation, cell migration and the expression of profibrotic factors (particularly COL1A1), inhibited cell apoptosis, and ultimately resulted in nsHGF. Similarly, this DUSP8 mutation inhibited the expression of the encoded protein and promoted cell proliferation and the expression of profibrotic factors. In addition, both DUSP8 knockdown and DUSP8 mutation induced nsHGF by accelerating glycolysis and panlysine lactylation (Kla) to promote cell proliferation and the expression of ECM‐related factors.

Conclusion

DUSP8 deficiency might be a novel pathogenic factor that contributes to nsHGF.
Spanning Multi‐Asset Payoffs With ReLUs
Authors: Bossu Sébastien , Crépey Stéphane , Nguyen Hoang‐Dung
Published: January 2025

We propose a distributional formulation of the spanning problem of a multi‐asset payoff by vanilla basket options. This problem is shown to have a unique solution if and only if the payoff function is even and absolutely homogeneous, and we establish a Fourier‐based formula to calculate the solution. Financial payoffs are typically piecewise linear, resulting in a solution that may be derived explicitly, yet may also be hard to exploit numerically. One‐hidden‐layer feedforward neural networks instead provide a natural and efficient numerical alternative for discrete spanning. We test this approach for a selection of archetypal payoffs and obtain better hedging results with vanilla basket options compared to industry‐favored approaches based on single‐asset vanilla hedges.
Legacy of the ethnographic field school in Belize
Authors: Hume Douglas W.
Published: January 2025

The Ethnographic Field School in Belize has been training American undergraduate students and Belizean interns in basic ethnographic research methods since 2013. During this time, in collaboration with university study abroad offices and Belizean governmental and non‐governmental agencies and organizations, the field school has conducted community‐based ethnographic research on several community development issues (e.g., sugar cane farming, child labor, education, and health). Students gain skills in ethnographic methods as well as personal growth. The community within which we conduct our research benefits through our findings being shared with agencies and organizations that develop development policies and programs. The long‐term legacy of the field school includes the development of student participants’ ability to adopt a culturally relativistic lens and skills to apply to future study and careers, as well as our partners using our findings for their community development projects.
Blocking constitutive autophagy rescues the loss of acquired heat resistance in Arabidopsis fes1a
Authors: Li Xuezhi , Su Tong , Wang Xiaofeng , Liu Yan , Ge Jingjing , Huo Panfei , Zhao Yiwu , Wang Tongtong , Yu Hongbin , Duan Meijie , Jia Yuebin , Yang Xianpeng , Wang Pingping , Gong Qingqiu , Liu Jian , Ma Changle
Published: January 2025

High temperature is one of several major abiotic stresses that can cause substantial loss of crop yields. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are key components of heat stress resistance. Mutation of FES1A, an auxiliary molecular chaperone of HSP70, leads to defective acquired thermotolerance. Autophagy is a positive regulator of basal thermotolerance and a negative regulator of heat stress memory, but its function in acquired thermotolerance is unclear.

We found that blocking constitutive autophagy rescued the heat sensitivity of fes1a in Arabidopsis thaliana. Immunoblot and proteomic analyses showed that the rescue was not due to increased HSP levels. Instead, proteomic analysis and confocal microscopy studies revealed that knocking out the core autophagy‐related (ATG) genes leads to accumulation of peroxisomes, thus upregulating the metabolic pathways within the peroxisomes.

Accumulation of peroxisomes promotes both reactive oxygen species scavenging and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) production in atg7 fes1a. Overexpression of ABCD1/PXA1/CTS, a peroxisomal ATP‐binding cassette transporter, in atg7 fes1a leads to abnormal peroxisomal function and subsequently thermosensitivity. Moreover, we found that exogenous application of indole‐3‐butyric acid, IAA or naphthalene‐1‐acetic acid rescued fes1a heat sensitivity.

We propose that autophagy is detrimental to the survival of the fes1a mutant, which has acquired thermosensitivity.
California annual grass phenology and allometry influence ecosystem dynamics and fire regime in a vegetation demography model
Authors: Gao Xiulin , Koven Charles D. , Longo Marcos , Robbins Zachary , Thornton Polly , Hall Alex , Levis Samuel , Rahimi Stefan , Xu Chonggang , Kueppers Lara M.
Published: January 2025

Grass‐dominated ecosystems cover wide areas of the land surface yet have received far less attention from the Earth System Model (ESM) community. This limits model projections of ecosystem dynamics in response to global change and coupled vegetation–climate dynamics.

We used the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator (FATES), a dynamic vegetation demography model, to determine ecosystem sensitivity to alternate, observed grass allometries and biophysical traits, and evaluated model performance in capturing California C3 annual grasslands structure and fire regimes.

Grass allometry, leaf physiology, plant phenology, and plant mortality all drove the seasonal variation in matter and energy exchange and fire dynamics in California annual grasslands. Allometry influenced grassland structure and function mainly through canopy architecture‐mediated space and light competition instead of through carbon partitioning strategy. Regional variation in grassland annual burned area was driven by variation in ecosystem productivity.

Our study advances the modeling of grassy ecosystems in ESMs by establishing the importance of grass allometry and plant phenology and mortality in driving C3 annual grassland seasonal dynamics and fire regime. The calibrated annual grass allometry and biophysical traits presented can be applied in future studies to project climate–vegetation–fire feedbacks in annual grass‐dominant ecosystems under global change.
Ozone as a method for decontamination of dissolving microneedles for clinical use
Authors: Requena Michelle B. , Corrêa Thaila Q. , Bejar Dianeth Sara L. , Barreiro Juliana C. , de Paula Kelly T. , Bagnato Vanderlei S.
Published: January 2025

Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) is a promising technology for transdermal and intradermal drug delivery. However, effective decontamination protocols are necessary to ensure safety and efficacy in clinical applications. The challenge is to use a technique that preserves mechanical properties, does not introduce chemicals, and can decontaminate DMNs without affecting the drug. With its potent antimicrobial properties and minimal residual effects, ozone presents a novel and safe method for decontaminating DMNs. Specifically, the present study assesses ozone's efficacy in decontaminating DMNs loaded with aminolevulic acid, intended for photodynamic therapy in skin cancer treatment. The results showed that it effectively decontaminates E. coli and S. aureus without compromising the polymer properties or promoting drug degradation. Overall, ozone represents an approach that can be adopted to decontaminate DMNs, offering a safer and effective strategy that enhances their potential to translate to clinical application.