bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E‐consultation as existential media: Exploring doctor‐patient ‘digital thrownness’ in Danish general practice
Authors: Klausen Maja , Assing Hvidt Elisabeth
Published: August 2024

In this article we use an existential media framework to explore the asynchronous, written and digital form of GP‐patient communication that takes place through e‐consultations in a Danish general practice context. This approach acknowledges e‐consultation as more than a tool for information delivery and frames GP and patient not as skilful media users but as dependent co‐existers: Both thrown into and trying to navigate the digital healthcare ecology. Through a thematic analysis of 38 semi‐structured qualitative interviews with patients and GPs we carve out three themes unpacking the existential dimensions of e‐consultation: 1. Patient and GP are placed in a Culture of non‐stop connectivity and we show the ambivalences arising herein fostering both relief, reassurance and new insecurities. 2. Ethical challenges of responsible co‐existence points to dilemmas of boundary setting and caring for self and co‐exister in the digital encounter. 3. We‐experiences illustrates the potential of e‐consultation to signal GP presence, even when the GP is silent. We also discuss the existential ethics of care emerging from the contemporary digital healthcare ecology and call for empirically grounded studies of the existential dimensions tied to encounters in contemporary digital care infrastructures.
Navigating geopolitical and trade megatrends: Public export finance in a world of change
Authors: Klasen Andreas , Krummaker Simone , Beck Julia , Pennington James
Published: August 2024

Ensuring exporters can access finance is critical for governments as they look to encourage trade and drive economic growth. However, firms face challenges in securing export finance and trade credit insurance as geopolitical and trade megatrends lead to increased political, market and credit risks. In a dynamic global landscape, the role of export credit agencies (ECAs) has never been more important. Based on the ‘Futures Triangle’ analytical framework and drawing on qualitative data from 35 semi‐structured interviews and expert discussions using thematic analysis, this research assesses the implications of key megatrends for ECAs. It presents new insights into the impact on strategies, products and operations: The evolution of mandates towards a ‘growth promoter’ in a ‘whole‐of‐government’ approach, the necessity to introduce new products and the need to balance multiple priorities such as export growth, support for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), inclusive trade, climate action and impact on developing markets. The recommendations are intended to help policymakers and public finance practitioners understand and respond strategically to global changes.
Managerial Ability and Debt Choice
Authors: Alam Md Samsul , Hasan Mostafa Monzur , Alam Nurul , Islam Md Shahidul
Published: August 2024

Using a sample of 54,964 firm‐year observations of US public firms during the period 2001 to 2020, we investigate how managerial ability affects corporate debt choice. We find evidence that managerial ability is negatively associated with the use of bank debt. This finding remains robust to a battery of robustness tests, including alternative measures of managerial ability and debt choice, various econometric specifications, and a range of endogeneity tests. Using the sudden death of the CEO as an exogenous shock to managerial ability, our difference‐in‐differences regression suggests a negative causal relationship between managerial ability and reliance on bank debt. Further, using advanced machine learning models, we identify that managerial ability is a highly influential variable in predicting firms’ debt choices. Our cross‐sectional tests indicate that this relationship is more pronounced in the presence of higher information opacity, weaker corporate governance, and poor financial conditions. In additional tests, we show that firms with more able managers use more unsecured debt and public debt. Taken together, our findings suggest that managerial ability matters in shaping corporate debt choice.
Regulatory challenges of new male contraceptive methods
Authors: Sitruk‐Ware Regine , Soule Lisa , Jarow Jonathan P. , Odlind Viveca
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Progress in male contraception development faces the challenge of a lack of regulatory precedent and guidelines on the evidence (trial design and primary endpoint) required for marketing approval. Moreover, the development of a male contraceptive is complicated by the fact that the clinical treatment effect; prevention of pregnancy, is not measured in the patient receiving the intervention.

Discussion

Regulatory precedent and guidelines exist for female hormonal contraceptives but their applicability to male contraceptive products likely varies based on the mode of action and the anticipated pharmacodynamic effects of the product. The unique attributes of male contraceptives, including the frequent delay between the intervention (e.g., vasectomy and hormonal methods) and ultimate contraceptive effect, sperm suppression near azoospermia, and pregnancy prevention need to be addressed.

Conclusion

This article describes the regulatory challenges faced by developers of male contraceptive products and offers proposals, paving the way for the development of both hormonal methods and non‐hormonal approaches. Our article intends to suggest the directions but cannot substitute for the advice of regulatory agencies.
From blood to fruit: Transcosmogenerational modernities in Akha Worlds of the Upper Mekong
Authors: Morton Micah F.
Published: August 2024

In this article, I introduce the concept of “transcosmogenerationality” to emphasize the sustained and dynamic significance of Ancestral relationalities to particular Indigenous modernities. I draw on the case of certain Akha communities in Southeast Asia and southwest China who are channeling wealth from booms in cash crops, such as coffee, rubber, and tea, into the “ritual economy” bridging the parallel and mutually dependent worlds of Ancestors and descendants. These communities are further channeling their wealth into local and transregional efforts to sustain and vitalize their Ancestral Ways and cultivate a pan‐Akha identitarian movement. Their motivations are to ensure their Ancestors remain always living and thus close to and of moral significance for the living living, sustain their and their descendants' receipt of Ancestral geeqlanq or vital life‐giving energy, redistribute wealth, and promote the status of their families and clans. I emphasize that growing wealth and access to consumer goods among Akha has led not to the decline, but rather, an intensification of Ancestral relationalities, which they view as the very source of this wealth. I further argue that Akha rites of transcosmogenerational commensality are especially concrete and revealing of the co‐presence and conviviality between and among Ancestors, Elders, and descendants.
A multi‐school study in England, to assess problematic smartphone usage and anxiety and depression
Authors: Carter Ben , Payne Mollie , Rees Philippa , Sohn Sei Yon , Brown June , Kalk Nicola J.
Published: August 2024

Aim

To assess the association between problematic smartphone usage and anxiety and depression in adolescents.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study in five schools in the UK were included. The primary outcome was moderate anxiety (GAD‐7 ≥10) symptoms and secondary outcomes were moderate depression symptoms (PHQ‐9 ≥10) and insomnia. Problematic smartphone usage was assessed using screentime and the Smartphone Addiction Scale. A multi‐level logistic regression was fitted and adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) reported. A mediation analysis was conducted.

Results

Of the five included schools, 657 adolescents aged 16–18 years were enrolled. The median age was 17.5 years (17–18 [IQR]) and 508 (77.3%) were female. Of these 188 (28.6%) exhibited moderate anxiety and 226 (34.4%) moderate depression symptoms. Almost two thirds (421, 64.1%) have tried to cut down their smartphone use and 81 (12.5%) wanted help to reduce use. Problematic smartphone use was associated with increased anxiety (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.28–3.23); depression (aOR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.80–4.86); and insomnia (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.08–2.50). Screentime was not associated with anxiety (β = 0.99, 95% CI 0.91–1.08); or depression (β = 0.98, 95% CI 0.89–1.07). Problematic smartphone use had a significant direct, indirect and total effect on both anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

Problematic smartphone usage was associated with anxiety and depression, independent of screentime. Interventions are needed to reduce problematic use.
Significant correlation between serum biomarkers and outcome in neonatal hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy
Authors: Gang Stefanie , Janko Johanna , Lamprecht Eileen , Riedl David , Konzett Karin , Simma Burkhard
Published: August 2024

Aim

Associations between serum biomarkers S100 calcium‐binding protein B (S100B) and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) in neonates with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) offer contradicting data in regard to neurocognitive outcome. The aim of our study was to provide another dataset to answer this question if S100B or NSE correlates to outcome in neonatal HIE. In addition, we investigate whether amplitude‐integrated EEG (aEEG) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also has predictive value.

Methods

In neonates with HIE born in Vorarlberg, Austria, (n = 34) from 2012to 2020, NSE and S100B serum levels were measured on day one. aEEG was installed at admission and MRI performed within 7 days. Surviving children (n = 27) were categorised as good or poor outcome by using an age‐appropriate neurocognitive test and a standardised neurological follow‐up. Positive and negative predictive values and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to evaluate the prognostic value.

Results

S100B showed best positive and negative predictive value, 72.7% and 90.5%, respectively, and a significant area under the curve of 0.820. NSE showed a positive and a negative predictive value of 43.8% and 81.3% and an area under the curve of 0.757. Severely abnormal aEEG and abnormal MRI significantly correlated with outcome (p = 0.024 and 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

S100B and NSE on day one, severely abnormal aEEG and abnormal MRI show a significant correlation and good predictive value for neurocognitive outcome.
Gravity for cross‐border licensing and the impact of deep trade agreements: Theory and evidence
Authors: Jinji Naoto , Sawada Yukiko , Zhang Xingyuan , Haruna Shoji
Published: August 2024

We examine whether deep regional trade agreements facilitate cross‐border licensing. A micro‐founded gravity equation for each supply mode is derived from a model in which heterogeneous firms choose to supply their goods to foreign markets through export, foreign direct investment or licensing. We present several comparative statics results regarding the effects of changes in the fixed costs of serving the destination country, the freeness of trade, and the strength of intellectual property rights protection on bilateral flows of licensing revenues. We then empirically test our theoretical predictions using data on the cross‐border flows of royalties and licence fees for 49 countries in the period 1995–2012. In addition to variables that capture the impact of shallow and deep regional trade agreements, we construct dummy variables that represent subcategories of IP rights‐related provisions. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, we find that improved access to the destination market through a deep regional trade agreement and stronger IP rights protection through a regional trade agreement with legally enforceable IP rights and technology‐related provisions increase bilateral flows of licensing revenues. Among IP rights‐related provisions, the accession to or ratification of existing international IP agreements and the protection of trademarks, patents, or industrial designs are important for facilitating cross‐border licensing.
Evaluation of comfort gloves made of semipermeable and textile materials in patients with hand dermatoses: Results of a controlled multicenter intervention study (ProTection II)
Authors: Heichel Theres , Kersten Jan Felix , Braumann Antje , Krambeck Kathrin , Bonness Sonja , Schröder‐Kraft Claudia , Ofenloch Robert , Weisshaar Elke , Strom Kerstin , Skudlik Christoph , Sonsmann Flora Karla , Wilke Annika , Nienhaus Albert , John Swen Malte , Brans Richard
Published: August 2024

Background

Comfort gloves are used in the management of hand dermatoses.

Objectives

To compare the acceptance and tolerability of comfort gloves made of different materials in patients with hand dermatoses and their effects on skin lesions.

Methods

In a prospective multicenter study, 284 patients with hand dermatoses were invited to wear either a cotton glove (COT) or a semipermeable Sympatex glove underneath a cotton glove (SYM/COT) for two subsequent phases of 19 consecutive nights each. A total of 88 controls were asked not to wear any comfort gloves overnight. The severity of skin lesions over time was examined. Questionnaires were used to assess health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and acceptance and tolerability of the gloves.

Results

The hand dermatoses improved in all groups. No substantial intergroup differences regarding severity and HRQoL were observed. SYM/COT received better ratings regarding climate conditions and tactility while COT showed superiority in fit, wearing comfort, and practicality.

Conclusions

We confirmed that SYM/COT and COT are well tolerated and accepted suggesting that SYM/COT is a good alternative for COT as comfort gloves in patients with hand dermatoses. Individual requirements, needs, and preferences may direct the material choice.
How strong is the evidence supporting the WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in early childhood?
Authors: Bianconi Alessandro , Fiore Matteo , Zauli Enrico , Acuti Martellucci Cecilia , Rosso Annalisa , Dallolio Laura , Flacco Maria Elena , Manzoli Lamberto
Published: August 2024

Background

The WHO issued recommendations about the ideal amount of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in infants, toddlers and preschool children. To facilitate their interpretation and translation into public health policies, we analysed the quantity and quality of the evidence that supported the development of each WHO recommendation.

Methods

All data for each exposure‐outcome pair analysed in the studies informing WHO guidelines were extracted, and predefined criteria, based upon GRADE methodology, were used to classify each outcome and study result.

Results

Among the 237 studies that could be included, 37 were experimental and 200 were observational, yielding 920 analyses of exposure‐outcome associations. Sixty‐two analyses used a relevant outcome, with or without significant results. Five of the 10 WHO recommendations were based upon zero analyses with significant results on relevant health outcomes. The remaining recommendations were mostly based upon analyses evaluating obesity‐related outcomes. Eight of the 10 GLs thresholds were not supported by any significant analysis on clinically relevant outcomes.

Conclusion

While these findings should not be interpreted as an attempt to disprove the benefits of healthy lifestyle habits in early childhood, neither to minimize the work of the experts in this complex research field, very limited evidence currently supports the adoption of recommended thresholds as behavioural surveillance and public health interventions targets. Therefore, until further data are available, public health interventions should be developed balancing whether to focus on the achievement of specific targets that are still not supported by high‐quality evidence or on the general promotion of healthy behaviours.
Interspecific competition shapes bird species' distributions along tropical precipitation gradients
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G. , Miller Eliot T. , Strimas‐Mackey Matthew
Published: August 2024

The hypothesis that species' ranges are limited by interspecific competition has motivated decades of debate, but a general answer remains elusive. Here we test this hypothesis for lowland tropical birds by examining species' precipitation niche breadths. We focus on precipitation because it—not temperature—is the dominant climate variable that shapes the biota of the lowland tropics. We used 3.6 million fine‐scale citizen science records from eBird to measure species' precipitation niche breadths in 19 different regions across the globe. Consistent with the predictions of the interspecific competition hypothesis, multiple lines of evidence show that species have narrower precipitation niches in regions with more species. This means species inhabit more specialized precipitation niches in species‐rich regions. We predict this niche specialization should make tropical species in high diversity regions disproportionately vulnerable to changes in precipitation regimes; preliminary empirical evidence is consistent with this prediction.
Beyond movement: Headache in patients with functional movement disorders
Authors: Riva Elena , Kurtis Monica M. , Valls Adrian , Franch Oriol , Pareés Isabel
Published: August 2024

Objective

To evaluate headache comorbidity in a cohort of patients with functional movement disorders by assessing the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and temporal relationship of headache with the onset of functional symptoms.

Background

Functional movement disorders are common and potentially treatable. Although headache is frequent in these patients, few studies have evaluated their headache features.

Methods

This observational cohort study included consecutive patients with functional movement disorders evaluated in our Functional Movement Disorders Unit between October 2021 and November 2022. Clinical and demographic features from clinical charts were reviewed, and patients completed a self‐administered questionnaire designed by the authors that included headache characteristics, disease duration, treatments received, and the Headache Impact Test‐6. Headache type was classified as per the Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD‐3).

Results

A total of 51 patients with functional movement disorders were included. Of those, 40 (78%) reported having recurrent headache. Headache intensity was moderate–severe in 33/40 (83%), and about two‐thirds experienced headache >9 days/month. Disability secondary to headache was high (median [interquartile range] Headache Impact Test‐6 score 62 [49–66]). Based on the ICHD‐3, 23/40 (58%) of patients with headache met the criteria for migraine or probable migraine, 11/40 (27%) for tension‐type headache, two of 40 (5%) for new daily persistent headache, and one of 40 (3%) for primary exercise headache, while three of 40 (7%) were unclassifiable. The onset of headache occurred before the functional movement disorder in 28/40 (70%), after the functional movement disorder in five of 40 (12%), and simultaneously in six of 40 (15%). In this last group, four of the six (67%) patients described a daily headache from the onset, and two met the criteria for new daily persistent headache.

Conclusions

Headache is a frequent condition in patients with functional movement disorders and an additional burden of disability beyond their motor symptoms. We found that, besides migraine and tension‐type headache, new daily persistent headache may be a comorbid phenotype in patients with functional movement disorders and should be further studied in larger prospective studies.
Pan‐cancer analysis of SERPINE1 with a concentration on immune therapeutic and prognostic in gastric cancer
Authors: Ju Yuming , Wang Zeshen , Wang Qiancheng , Jin Shiyang , Sun Pengcheng , Wei Yuzhe , Zhu Guanyu , Wang Kuan
Published: August 2024

The serine protease inhibitor clade E member 1 (SERPINE1) is a key modulator of the plasminogen/plasminase system and has been demonstrated to promote tumor progression and metastasis in various tumours. However, although much literature has explored the cancer‐promoting mechanism of SERPINE1, the pan‐cancer analyses of its predictive value and immune response remain unexplored. The differential expression, and survival analysis of SERPINE1 expression in multiple cancers were analysed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype‐Tissue Expression database. Kaplan–Meier (K–M) plotter and survival data analysis were used to analyze the prognostic value of SERPINE1 expression, including overall survival (OS), disease‐specific survival, disease‐free interval and progression‐free interval and investigated the relationship of SERPINE1 expression with microsatellite instability. We further analysed the correlation between the expression of SERPINE1 and immune infiltration. The Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes pathway was used for enrichment analysis, and the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) database was used to perform pathway analysis. Finally, in vitro experiments demonstrated that knockdown or overexpression of SERPINE1 could alter the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer (GC) cells. The results indicated that SERPINE1 expression levels different significantly between cancer and normal tissues, meanwhile, it was highly expressed in various cancers. By analysing online data, it has been observed that the gene SERPINE1 exhibits heightened expression levels across a variety of human cancers, significantly impacting patient survival rates. Notably, the presence of SERPINE1 was strongly associated with decrease OS and disease‐free survival in individuals diagnosed with GC. Furthermore, an observed link indicates that higher levels of SERPINE expression are associated with increased infiltration of immune cells in GC. Finally, in vitro experiments showed that knockdown or overexpression of SERPINE1 inhibited the growth, and migration, of GC cells. SERPINE1expression potentially represents a novel prognostic biomarker due to its significant association with immune cell infiltration in GC. This study shows that SERPINE1 is an oncogene that participates in regulating the immune infiltration and affecting the prognosis of patients in multiple cancers, especially in GC. These findings underscore the importance of further investigating the role of SERPINE1 in cancer progression and offer a promising direction for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Outcomes in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm‐derived pancreatic cancer differ from PanIN‐derived pancreatic cancer
Authors: Habib Joseph R. , Rompen Ingmar F. , Javed Ammar A. , Grewal Mahip , Kinny‐Köster Benedict , Andel Paul C.M. , Hewitt D. Brock , Sacks Greg D. , Besselink Marc G. , van Santvoort Hjalmar C. , Daamen Lois A. , Loos Martin , He Jin , Büchler Markus W. , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Molenaar I. Quintus
Published: August 2024

Background and Aim

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN)‐derived pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) management is generally extrapolated from pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN)‐derived PDAC guidelines. However, these are biologically divergent, and heterogeneity further exists between tubular and colloid subtypes.

Methods

Consecutive upfront surgery patients with PanIN‐derived and IPMN‐derived PDAC were retrospectively identified from international centers (2000–2019). One‐to‐one propensity score matching for clinicopathologic factors generated three cohorts: IPMN‐derived versus PanIN‐derived PDAC, tubular IPMN‐derived versus PanIN‐derived PDAC, and tubular versus colloid IPMN‐derived PDAC. Overall survival (OS) was compared using Kaplan–Meier and log‐rank tests. Multivariable Cox regression determined corresponding hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

The median OS (mOS) in 2350 PanIN‐derived and 700 IPMN‐derived PDAC patients was 23.0 and 43.1 months (P < 0.001), respectively. PanIN‐derived PDAC had worse T‐stage, CA19‐9, grade, and nodal status. Tubular subtype had worse T‐stage, CA19‐9, grade, nodal status, and R1 margins, with a mOS of 33.7 versus 94.1 months (P < 0.001) in colloid. Matched (n = 495), PanIN‐derived and IPMN‐derived PDAC had mOSs of 30.6 and 42.8 months (P < 0.001), respectively. In matched (n = 341) PanIN‐derived and tubular IPMN‐derived PDAC, mOS remained poorer (27.7 vs 37.4, P < 0.001). Matched tubular and colloid cancers (n = 112) had similar OS (P = 0.55). On multivariable Cox regression, PanIN‐derived PDAC was associated with worse OS than IPMN‐derived (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.44–1.90) and tubular IPMN‐derived (HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.32–1.77) PDAC. Colloid and tubular subtype was not associated with OS (P = 0.16).

Conclusions

PanIN‐derived PDAC has worse survival than IPMN‐derived PDAC supporting distinct outcomes. Although more indolent, colloid IPMN‐derived PDAC has similar survival to tubular after risk adjustment.
Where is my footprint located? Estimating the geographical variance of hybrid LCA footprints
Authors: Jakobs Arthur , Schulte Simon , Pauliuk Stefan
Published: August 2024

Current implementations of hybrid life cycle assessment (LCA) mostly do not fully exploit valuable information from multi‐regional input–output databases by aggregating regional supply chains to the lower geographical resolution of process LCA databases. We propose a method for sampling the various individual regions within the aggregated regional scope of LCA processes. This sampling maximizes the information content of hybrid LCA footprint results by preserving the regional variance, and it allows for regional price distributions from BACI/UN‐COMTRADE international trade statistics to be used to simultaneously improve the accuracy of the hybrid model. This work makes the previously hidden regional and price variance explicit and analyzes uncertainty of the hybrid carbon (global warming potential 100, GWP100) and land use footprints arising from these variances, both separately and in combination. We find that the median process footprint intensity increases by for the GWP100 due to hybridization, and for the land use footprint. Results show that the magnitude of the footprint uncertainty strongly depends on the product sector of the LCA process and environmental impact considered. In a case study of Swiss household consumption, we find truncation error estimates of for the GWP100 and for the land use footprint. Our results highlight the importance of regionalization of process LCA databases, as it has the potential to significantly improve both the precision and accuracy of derived hybrid LCA models. This article met the requirements for a gold/gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.
Update on the oncologic and obstetric outcomes of medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment for atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer
Authors: Tamauchi Satoshi , Nakagawa Atsushi , Yoshida Kosuke , Yoshihara Masato , Yokoi Akira , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Niimi Kaoru , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: August 2024

Aims

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of high‐dose oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) therapy as a fertility‐sparing treatment for patients diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) and endometrioid carcinoma G1 without myometrial invasion (G1EC). Particular attention was given to the extended administration and readministration of MPA for patients with persistent disease following initial treatment and those with recurrence.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 79 patients who underwent daily oral MPA treatment between 2005 and 2024 at Nagoya University Hospital. Patient characteristics, treatment outcomes, factors contributing to recurrence, and post‐MPA therapy pregnancies were examined.

Results

MPA therapy achieved a remarkable complete response (CR) rate of 91.1%. The median time to achieve CR was 26.0 and 40.0 weeks for AEH and G1EC patients, respectively. Importantly, 27 patients (39.7%) attained CR after more than 6 months of treatment, including 8 patients (11.8%) who achieved CR after more than a year of treatment. The recurrence rates were 52.9% for AEH and 64.7% for G1EC. Twenty eight patients resumed MPA treatment, and 23 achieved second CR. Notably, recurrence was not associated with clinical factors such as age, body mass index, or post‐CR pregnancy. Among patients who attempted pregnancy after achieving CR, 22 live births were successfully achieved.

Conclusions

High‐dose oral MPA therapy demonstrated both safety and efficacy for preserving fertility in patients with AEH and G1EC, resulting in a high CR rate. MPA extension and readministration proved to be beneficial strategies for managing patients with recurrence and persistent disease following initial treatment.
Unpleasant words can affect the detection of morphosyntactic errors: An ERP study on individual differences
Authors: Vieitez Lucia , Padrón Isabel , Díaz‐Lago Marcos , de Dios‐Flores Iria , Fraga Isabel
Published: August 2024

In recent years, several ERP studies have investigated whether the early computation of agreement is permeable to the emotional content of words. Some studies have reported interactive effects of grammaticality and emotionality in the left anterior negativity (LAN) component, while others have failed to replicate these results. Furthermore, novel findings suggest that grammatical processing can elicit different neural patterns across individuals. In this study, we aim to investigate whether the interaction between grammaticality and emotionality is restricted to participants with a specific neural profile. Sixty‐one female native speakers of Spanish performed an agreement judgment task in noun phrases composed of a determiner, a noun, and an unpleasant or neutral adjective that could agree or disagree in gender with the preceding noun. Our results support the existence of two different brain profiles: negative and positive dominance (individuals showing either larger LAN or larger P600 amplitudes in ungrammatical stimuli than in grammatical ones, respectively). Interestingly, the neural pattern of these two groups diverged at different points along the time course. Thus, the negative dominance group showed grammaticality effects as early as 200 ms, along with parallel and autonomous processing of grammaticality and emotionality at the LAN/N400 time window. Instead, for the positive dominance group an early interaction was found at around 200 ms, evidencing a grammaticality effect that emerged only for unpleasant words. Our findings confirm the role of individual differences in the interplay between grammar and emotion at the neural level and call for the inclusion of this perspective in studies on syntactic processing.
Transiciones y nuevas perspectivas de investigación en artes visuales en educación superior
Authors: Vergel-Castilla María del Pilar , Londoño-Calero Sandra Liliana
Published: August 2024

En este artículo de investigación se indaga sobre la forma en que los artistas aprenden, enseñan e investigan, para comprender cómo las prácticas universitarias, el Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación y el sistema educativo universitario colombiano reconocen o no sus productos artísticos. A partir de la exploración sistemática de la producción en revistas indexadas y de entrevistas con estudiantes, egresados, profesores y expertos, se elabora una explicación que utiliza herramientas de la teoría fundamentada para concluir que las artes se conectan con la ciencia desde el paradigma de la complejidad. Mediante la metáfora del rizoma de Deleuze y Guattari, podemos explicar cómo los artistas aprenden, enseñan e investigan en artes.
Representación mediática de la mujer en la oferta radial musical de Santa Marta, Colombia
Authors: Arias Mendoza Dineyis Esther , Arroyave Cabrera Jesús Antonio
Published: August 2024

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar la representación mediática de la mujer en la oferta radial musical de las dos estaciones de radio con mayor sintonía de Santa Marta, ciudad ubicada en la región Caribe colombiana. La metodología utilizada fue el análisis de contenido sobre una muestra de 120 canciones. Los hallazgos dan cuenta de que hay un porcentaje significativo de canciones donde se promueven la sexualización y cosificación femenina, la violencia en contra de la mujer y la misoginia. Adicionalmente, se pudo establecer la escasa participación de la mujer como compositora e intérprete de los temas musicales.
A Novel Biomedical Polyurethane Material With Optimized Optical and Mechanical Properties Is Developed
Authors: Abbas Ibtisam , Al-Jumaily A. M.
Published: August 2024

This research aims to design and develop a novel polyurethane elastomer (PUE) material with potential for biomedical optical applications. The study investigates the influence of hard segment (HS) content on transparency and tensile strength to optimize optical and mechanical properties. A one-step polymerization method is employed to synthesize a series of PUEs based on polyester, poly (3-methyl-1,5-pentandioladipate) (PMPA), diisocyanate (4,4-methylene bis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI)), and the chain extender 1,4 butanediol (BD). By varying the ratios of PMPA/BD/MDI, PUE samples with different HS concentrations are synthesized. Analytical techniques including infrared spectroscopy, refractometer, UV/visible spectrophotometer, and tensile tests confirm the chemical structure of the synthesized PMPAPUE materials and investigate refractive indices (n), transmission spectra, and Young's modulus (YM), respectively. Films (PUE-1, PUE-2, and PUE-3) prepared using solvent-casting techniques exhibit varying optical and mechanical properties. PUE-1, with low HS content, demonstrates excellent transparency, with n = 1.59 and 89.63% of total transmitted light, and possesses excellent elastic properties with a YM of 10.654 MPa and a high strain value of S = 303.7%, meeting lens material requirements, promising for biomedical optical applications. Conversely, PUE-2 and PUE-3, with high HS content, are translucent and stiffer materials exhibiting higher YM, suitable for polymer processing, and tissue engineering applications. The optimization of the material's properties was achieved by carefully tailoring the composition of HS and soft segments, raw material ratios, and optimizing reaction conditions.
Numerical Study on the Enhancing Effects of Bump Turbulence Structures on Wave Rotor Combustor
Authors: Wei Xiaonong , Gong Erlei , Jin Wu , Li Jianzhong , Zheng Renchuan , Feng Zhan
Published: August 2024

Enhanced combustion technology is identified as a method that can improve both combustion efficiency and energy utilization. In this article, a bump turbulence structure designed for the channels of a wave rotor combustor is introduced. The effects of the bump turbulence structure are compared with those of a traditional straight-plate structure of equivalent height. The mechanisms through which the bump turbulence structure influences the flow field and accelerates the flame are analyzed, and the impact of various positions of the bump turbulence structure on combustion outcomes is explored. The analysis of results indicates that the bump structure exhibits superior advantages over the straight-plate structure when considering both pressure loss and enhanced combustion effects. The bump structure alters the pressure distribution within the channel, increasing disturbances in the flow field and creating a positive feedback mechanism with flame acceleration. The initial position of the bump structure influences the speed of flame propagation within the channel. When the bump structure is positioned close to the ignition source, a notable acceleration of the flame is observed during the initial stages of combustion. Conversely, when the bump structure is situated away from the ignition source, a significant flame acceleration is evident during the later stages of combustion. For the channels of wave rotor combustors, there should be an optimal position of the bump structure to maximize the effect of flame acceleration.
Design, Analysis, and Validation of a Passive Parallel Continuum Ankle Exoskeleton for Support and Walking Assistance
Authors: Xu Sen , Tang Kai , Xu Lingmin , Ding Ye
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel passive parallel continuum ankle exoskeleton that can provide assistive torque during ankle plantar flexion. Due to the flexible branches arranged in compliance with ankle motion and shape, the compact design can also offer some vertical support. The proposed parallel mechanism consists of two types of branches. The first type is a pre-bent flexible rod, mainly used to apply assistive force/torque during ankle plantar flexion. The second type of branch consists of a bounded sphere joint, flexible rod, and bounded sphere joint (BFB), which is mainly used for support. We formulate the kinetostatic model of the BFB branch as a series of parallelizable unconstrained optimization problems to ensure efficient solvability. After that, we derive the kinetostatic model of the proposed mechanism. After calibration, the wrench error of the kinetostatic model is 9.07%. Simulation analysis based on the calibrated model shows that the designed mechanism has high supporting stiffness and low rotational stiffness. The assistive torque caused by the nonlinear rotational stiffness in the sagittal plane is similar to that of passive clutch-like mechanisms. These properties can still be maintained when the joint center changes within a small range. Besides, a walking experiment was conducted, and the results show that the proposed design can reduce gastrocnemius activity.
Structural insights into the human NuA4/TIP60 acetyltransferase and chromatin remodeling complex
Authors: Yang Zhenlin , Mameri Amel , Cattoglio Claudia , Lachance Catherine , Florez Ariza Alfredo Jose , Luo Jie , Humbert Jonathan , Sudarshan Deepthi , Banerjea Arul , Galloy Maxime , Fradet-Turcotte Amélie , Lambert Jean-Philippe , Ranish Jeff A. , Côté Jacques , Nogales Eva
Published: August 2024

The human nucleosome acetyltransferase of histone H4 (NuA4)/Tat-interactive protein, 60 kilodalton (TIP60) coactivator complex, a fusion of the yeast switch/sucrose nonfermentable related 1 (SWR1) and NuA4 complexes, both incorporates the histone variant H2A.Z into nucleosomes and acetylates histones H4, H2A, and H2A.Z to regulate gene expression and maintain genome stability. Our cryo–electron microscopy studies show that, within the NuA4/TIP60 complex, the E1A binding protein P400 (EP400) subunit serves as a scaffold holding the different functional modules in specific positions, creating a distinct arrangement of the actin-related protein (ARP) module. EP400 interacts with the transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) subunit by using a footprint that overlaps with that of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex, preventing the formation of a hybrid complex. Loss of the TRRAP subunit leads to mislocalization of NuA4/TIP60, resulting in the redistribution of H2A.Z and its acetylation across the genome, emphasizing the dual functionality of NuA4/TIP60 as a single macromolecular assembly.
Sizing up caloric devices
Authors: Qian Suxin , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: August 2024

Emerging solid-state cooling technologies may help reduce overall carbon emissions
Valuing animal lives
Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-Than-Human World
Brandon Keim
Norton, 2024. 368 pp.
Authors: King Barbara J.
Published: August 2024

A journalist advocates “informed coexistence” for human and animal flourishing
Feeding gilts and sows to maximize mammary development and lactation performance
Authors: Farmer Chantal , Johannsen Jakob C.
Published: August 2024

Increasing sow milk yield is essential to achieve maximal growth of suckling piglets, and nutrition can stimulate milking capacity. From 90 days of age until puberty, replacement gilts should not undergo major feed restriction as it will inhibit mammary development. Providing phytoestrogens in that period will stimulate mammary hyperplasia. During gestation, feed intake of gilts must ensure that backfat at the end of gestation is above 16 mm to support mammary development. In the last third of gestation, providing 40% more lysine than requirements via the addition of soybean meal increases mammary mass in gilts, but not in multiparous sows. A high nutrient intake during transition is crucial, whereby providing sows 12.6 Mcal metabolizable energy and 22.0 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys daily ensures a high colostrum production and maximizes milk yield in the following lactation. During lactation, there are quadratic effects of energy and protein intakes on the weight of suckled mammary glands and sows should not be restricted-fed to avoid excessive mobilization of body reserves. Furthermore, the provision of adequate lysine is critical to maximize litter growth, with optimum daily intakes between 47.7 and 51.3 g SID Lys for primiparous sows and 51.3–67.2 g SID Lys for multiparous sows.
Impacts of sac centreline length on hemodynamic of Anterior Cerebral Artery for rupture risk analysis via computational study
Authors: Basem Ali , Jasim Dheyaa J. , Bahadli Yusra A. Al. , Mausam Kuwar , Abdulameer Maha Khalid , Almasoudie Najah Kadum Alian , Al-Hussainy Ali Fawzi , Mansoor Aseel Salah , Bahair Hala , Idan Ameer Hassan
Published: August 2024

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are focal dilations of the cerebral arteries that pose a significant risk of rupture, leading to potentially devastating consequences such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Understanding the hemodynamic factors that contribute to IA rupture risk is critical for improving clinical management and patient outcomes. One important factor that has been studied is the impact of sac centreline length on the hemodynamics of the Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA), a common location for IAs. This computational study aimed to investigate the relationship between sac centreline length and the hemodynamic parameters of the ACA that are associated with rupture risk. Using patient-specific 3D geometries of the ACA and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the researchers analyzed the impact of varying sac centreline lengths on parameters such as wall shear stress, pressure and flow patterns within the aneurysm sac and the parent artery. The results of the computational study disclose that the wall shear stress on the wall of an ACA saccular aneurysm is meaningfully high when the size of the sac centerline length is low. However, the mean oscillatory index change in different sac centerline lengths indicates that the growth of sac centerline length increases blood oscillatory in sac section in ACA cases.
Vertical Track–Bridge Interaction in Railway Bridges with Ballast Superstructure: Experimental Analysis of Dynamic Stiffness and Damping Behavior
Authors: Stollwitzer Andreas , Bettinelli Lara , Fink Josef
Published: August 2024

Realistic vibration predictions of railway bridges during high-speed train crossings require reliable dynamic input parameters for the applied calculation model. In particular, the dynamic stiffness and damping properties of the ballast superstructure for the mathematical consideration of the vertical track–bridge interaction (TBI) significantly influence the generated calculation results. However, due to a striking scattering of model-related characteristic values available in the literature, adequate and realistic consideration of the dynamic properties of the vertical TBI in vibration predictions is associated with considerable uncertainties. This uncertainness illustrates the need to determine experimental-based and reliable characteristic values. For targeted and isolated research of dynamic characteristics of vertical TBI, a unique large-scale test facility was developed at the Institute of Structural Engineering at TU Wien, which replicates a section of ballast superstructure on a railway bridge on a scale of 1:1 and excited to vertical movements. This paper presents the essential results and findings from the experiments, focusing on determining the ballast superstructure’s dynamic stiffness and damping characteristics, which can subsequently be implemented in practical applications for vibration predictions. As a result of the experiments, model-related dynamic stiffness and damping parameters are provided to describe the vertical TBI. In addition, the experiments are used to identify destabilization processes occurring in the ballast superstructure as a result of vertical vibrations. The investigations include the vertical TBI’s displacement and acceleration behavior and the track’s settlement behavior due to the entire structure’s vertical movements. These investigations allow for assessing the currently valid, internationally, and nationally normatively prescribed permissible accelerations for railway bridges due to train crossings. The conclusion is that short-term excessive vertical accelerations of the ballast superstructure caused by train passage do not destabilize the ballast bed or considerably change the track position.
A fast L1 formula on tanh meshes for time fractional Burgers equations
Authors: Xing Zhiyong , Sun Wenbing , Zhu Xiaogang
Published: August 2024

In this paper, a fast L1 formula on tanh meshes is proposed for time fractional Burgers equations with Caputo fractional derivative. The solvability, boundness and convergence of the numerical scheme are rigorously established. Several numerical experiments are provided to support the theoretical results. The results of the experiments showed that the proposed numerical method cannot only effectively deal with the weak singularity of the problem near [Formula: see text], but also significantly reduce the computational complexity of numerical simulation.
Machine Learning Analysis of Radio Data to Uncover Community Perceptions on the Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
Authors: Nakatumba-Nabende Joyce , Mukiibi Jonathan , Bateesa Tobius Saul , Murindanyi Sudi , Katumba Andrew , Mutebi Chodrine
Published: August 2024

Radio is vital for people, especially in rural areas, to share their concerns through interactive talk shows. Understanding public perceptions of pandemics is crucial because they influence people’s attitudes and health-seeking behaviors. This study used machine learning to analyze English and Luganda radio broadcast data to understand public perceptions and perspectives on the Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Our findings revealed three main speaker categories: media personalities, community guests and listeners, and government officials. The government made the most significant effort to educate the public about the Ebola outbreak. The analysis showed that the community was hesitant to use Ebola vaccines, believing that they had not been tested on other populations where the Ebola virus had originated. The community was also concerned about the effects of the lockdown measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the radio broadcast data revealed differences in the timing and content of the conversations between male and female speakers. These experiences can inform population-specific policies for handling ongoing and future pandemics.
Noncooperative Communication
Authors: Cummins Chris
Published: August 2024

Much of pragmatics is founded on the assumption that interlocutors are disposed to be cooperative. However, communication can still proceed in cases where this assumption is not tenable. In this article I review the extent to which cooperativity is essential to accounts of communication, with particular reference to pragmatic meaning. I discuss how hearers negotiate situations in which speakers are fully or partially uncooperative and how these situations relate to notions such as lying and misleading. I then consider some subtler cases of potentially misleading behavior that involve speakers departing from typical patterns of usage, motivated by specific argumentative agendas. Finally, I briefly consider the prospects for encompassing all these situations within a single coherent model of pragmatic inference.