bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary adaptation under climate change:Aedessp. demonstrates potential to adapt to warming
Authors: Couper Lisa I. , Dodge Tristram O. , Hemker James A. , Kim Bernard Y. , Exposito-Alonso Moi , Brem Rachel B. , Mordecai Erin A. , Bitter Mark C.
Published: August 2024

Climate warming is expected to shift the distributions of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, facilitating expansions at cool range edges and contractions at warm range edges. However, whether mosquito populations could maintain their warm edges through evolutionary adaptation remains unknown. Here, we investigate the potential for thermal adaptation inAedes sierrensis, a congener of the major disease vector species that experiences large thermal gradients in its native range, by assaying tolerance to prolonged and acute heat exposure, and its genetic basis in a diverse, field-derived population. We found pervasive evidence of heritable genetic variation in acute heat tolerance, which phenotypically trades off with tolerance to prolonged heat exposure. A simple evolutionary model based on our data shows that the estimated maximum rate of evolutionary adaptation in mosquito heat tolerance typically exceeds that of projected climate warming under idealized conditions. Our findings indicate that natural mosquito populations may have the potential to track projected warming via genetic adaptation. Prior climate-based projections may thus underestimate the range of mosquito and mosquito-borne disease distributions under future climate conditions.

Significance Statement

Global change may have profound impacts on the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases, which collectively cause nearly one million deaths each year. Accurately predicting these impacts is critical for disease control preparedness, and will depend, in part, on whether mosquitoes can adapt to warming—a key open question. Using experimental and genomic data from a relative of major vector species that already experiences a wide thermal gradient, we find that natural mosquito populations have high levels of genetically-based variation in heat tolerance that could enable adaptation on pace with warming. Incorporating the potential for adaptive responses may therefore be necessary for accurate predictions of mosquito-borne disease distributions under warming, which is critical for preparing mosquito control interventions.
Structural Development of Speech Networks in Young Children
Authors: Curtis Marilyn , Bayat Mohammadreza , Garic Dea , Alfano Alliete R. , Hernandez Melissa , Curzon Madeline , Bejarano Andrea , Tremblay Pascale , Graziano Paulo , Dick Anthony Steven
Published: August 2024

Characterizing the structural development of the neural speech network in early childhood is important to understand speech acquisition. To investigate speech in the developing brain, 94 children aged 4-7-years-old were scanned using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In order to increase sample size and performance variability, we included children who were diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from a larger ongoing study. Additionally, each child completed the Syllable Repetition Task (SRT), a validated measure of phoneme articulation. The DWI data were modeled using restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) to measure restricted and hindered diffusion properties in both grey and white matter. Consequently, we analyzed the diffusion data using both whole brain analysis, and automated fiber quantification (AFQ) analysis to establish tract profiles for each of six fiber pathways thought to be important for supporting speech development. In the whole brain analysis, we found that SRT performance was associated with restricted diffusion in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus,pars opercularis, right pre-supplementary and supplementary motor area, and bilateral cerebellar grey matter (p< .005). Age moderated these associations in leftpars opercularisand frontal aslant tract (FAT). However, in both cases only the cerebellar findings survived a cluster correction. We also found associations between SRT performance and restricted diffusion in cortical association fiber pathways, especially left FAT, and in the cerebellar peduncles. Analyses using automated fiber quantification (AFQ) highlighted differences in high and low performing children along specific tract profiles, most notably in left but not right FAT, in bilateral SLFIII, and in the cerebellar peduncles. These findings suggest that individual differences in speech performance are reflected in structural grey and white matter differences as measured by restricted and hindered diffusion metrics, and offer important insights into developing brain networks supporting speech in very young children.
Large Serine Integrase Off-target Discovery and Validation for Therapeutic Genome Editing
Authors: Hazelbaker Dane Z. , Mehta Japan B. , McGinnis Connor , Santesmasses Didac , Bara Anne M. , Liang Xiaoyu , Biondi Thomas , Fennell Tim , Homer Nils , Estes Brett , Xie Jenny , Norouzi Davood , Molugu Kaivalya , Amunugama Ravindra , Luo Chong , Amin Parth , Shi Xiarong , Cochrane Jesse , Kumar Sandeep , Wang Jie , Bakalar Matthew H. , Finn Jonathan D. , O’Connell Daniel J.
Published: August 2024

While numerous technologies for the characterization of potential off-target editing by CRISPR/Cas9 have been described, the development of new technologies and analytical methods for off-target recombination by Large Serine Integrases (LSIs) are required to advance the application of LSIs for therapeutic gene integration. Here we describe a suite of off-target recombination discovery technologies and a hybrid capture validation approach as a comprehensive framework for off-target characterization of LSIs. HIDE- Seq (High-throughput Integrase-mediated DNA Event Sequencing) is a PCR-free unbiased genome-wide biochemical assay capable of discovering sites with LSI- mediated free DNA ends (FDEs) and off-target recombination events. Cryptic-Seq is a PCR-based unbiased genome-wide biochemical or cellular-based assay that is more sensitive than HIDE-Seq but is limited to the discovery of sites with off-target recombination. HIDE-Seq and Cryptic-Seq discovered 38 and 44,311 potential off-target sites respectively. 2,455 sites were prioritized for validation by hybrid capture NGS in LSI- edited K562 cells and off-target integration was detected at 52 of the sites. We benchmarked the sensitivity of our LSI off-target characterization framework against unbiased whole genome sequencing (WGS) on LSI-edited samples, and off-target integration was detected at 5 sites with an average genome coverage of 40x. This reflects a greater than 10-fold increase in sensitivity for off-target detection compared to WGS, however only 4 of the 5 sites detected by WGS were also validated by hybrid capture NGS. The dissemination of these technologies will help advance the application of LSIs in therapeutic genome editing by establishing methods and benchmarks for the sensitivity of off-target detection.
Robustness and reliability of single-cell regulatory multi-omics with deep mitochondrial mutation profiling
Authors: Weng Chen , Weissman Jonathan S. , Sankaran Vijay G.
Published: August 2024

The detection of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in single cells holds considerable potential to define clonal relationships coupled with information on cell state in humans. Previous methods focused on higher heteroplasmy mutations that are limited in number and can be influenced by functional selection, introducing biases for lineage tracing. Although more challenging to detect, intermediate to low heteroplasmy mtDNA mutations are valuable due to their high diversity, abundance, and lower propensity to selection. To enhance mtDNA mutation detection and facilitate fine-scale lineage tracing, we developed the single-cell Regulatory multi-omics with Deep Mitochondrial mutation profiling (ReDeeM) approach, an integrated experimental and computational framework. Recently, some concerns have been raised about the analytical workflow in the ReDeeM framework. Specifically, it was noted that the mutations detected in a single molecule per cell are enriched on edges of mtDNA molecules, suggesting they resemble artifacts reported in other sequencing approaches. It was then proposed that all mutations found in one molecule per cell should be removed. We detail our error correction method, demonstrating that the observed edge mutations are distinct from previously reported sequencing artifacts. We further show that the proposed removal leads to massive elimination of bona fide and informative mutations. Indeed, mutations accumulating on edges impact a minority of all mutation calls (for example, in hematopoietic stem cells, the excess mutations on the edge account for only 4.3%-7.6% of the total). Recognizing the value of addressing edge mutations even after applying consensus correction, we provide an additional filtering option in the ReDeeM-R package. This approach effectively eliminates the position biases, leads to a mutational signature indistinguishable from bona fide mitochondrial mutations, and removes excess low molecule high connectedness mutations. Importantly, this option preserves the large majority of unique mutations identified by ReDeeM, maintaining the ability of ReDeeM to provide a more than 10-fold increase in variant detection compared to previous methods. Additionally, the cells remain well-connected. While there is room for further refinement in mutation calling strategies, the significant advances and biological insights provided by the ReDeeM framework are unique and remain intact. We hope that this detailed discussion and analysis enables the community to employ this approach and contribute to its further development.
Hydrogen Bonding Magnetic Resonance (HBMR)-based Cyclic Electromagnetic DNA Simulation (CEDS) can affect DNA Hybridization and Conformation
Authors: Lee Suk Keun , Lee Dae Gwan , Kim Yeon Sook
Published: August 2024

The proton magnetic resonance is commonly used in MRI machines with a strong magnetic field of over 1 T, while this study hypothesized that a weak magnetic field below 0.01 T can induce the proton magnetic resonance in hydrogen bonds of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). This study found the hydrogen bonding magnetic resonance (HBMR) in dsDNA can modulate the conformations and functions of dsDNAs (1). Decagonal or dodecagonal cyclic electromagnetic DNA simulation (CEDS) was designed to target three-dimensional structures of randomly oriented dsDNAs with about 25% efficiency. This study found that the most effective magnetic exposure times for inducing an electric potential in A-T and G-C base pairs were 280 and 480 msec, respectively. Decagonal CEDS using a target sequence at 20-25 Gauss for 30 min was able to induce sequence-specific hybridization of target short oligo-dsDNAs in 0.005M NaCl solution and their unique conformation in 0.1M NaCl solution. There was a tendency that Pyu oligo-dsDNAs showed more hybridization and unique conformational changes by CEDS using a target sequence than Puy oligo-dsDNAs. This CEDS effect on Pyu ds6(2C2A) increased with CEDS time up to 90 min and gradually decreased to about half (51.8%) of the increase at 240 min resting time. CEDS influenced the oligo-dsDNAs to increase their infrared (IR) absorbance at approximately 3700-2800 cm-1band compared to the positive and negative controls, which was more dominant in Pyu oligo-dsDNAs than in Puy oligo-dsDNAs. Therefore, it is postulated that HBMR-based CEDS using a weak magnetic field can increase the hybridization potential of oligo-dsDNAs and subsequently lead to unique DNA conformation required for the initiation of various DNA functions. Therefore, it is suggested that decagonal CEDS play a role in regulating the function of target short oligo-dsDNA.
Single-cell analysis of the somatic mutational landscape in human chondrocytes during aging and in osteoarthritis
Authors: Ren Peijun , Zheng Chen , Pang Yidan , Sun Shixiang , Wang Qiyang , Xu Wanxing , Lee Moonsook , Qiang Yu , Lu Zhenzhen , Zhou Min , He Jian , Liu Ningning , Maslov Alexander Y. , Dong Xiao , Gao Junjie , Zhang Changqing , Vijg Jan
Published: August 2024

Somatic mutation is now recognized as a cause of multiple human diseases other than cancer. Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent age-related disease, has been associated with increased chromosomal abnormalities in articular cartilage of OA patients. Thus far no systematic attempt has been made to characterize the somatic mutational landscape of chondrocytes during normal aging and in affected cartilage of OA patients. Here we used single-cell whole genome sequencing to quantitatively analyze single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions and deletions (InDels) in 100 single chondrocytes isolated from the cartilage of hip femoral heads of 17 subjects aged from 26 to 90 years, including 9 OA patients and 8 non-OA donors. Both SNVs and InDels were found to accumulate with age in chondrocytes with a clock-like mutational signature. Surprisingly, the age-related accumulation rate of these mutations was found to be lower in OA chondrocytes compared with chondrocytes from non-OA control subjects.
Comparing single-shot damage thresholds of boron carbide and silicon at the European XFEL
Authors: Tavakkoly Marziyeh , Chalupsky Jaromir , Hajkova Vera , Hillert Wolfgang , Jelinek Simon , Juha Libor , Makita Mikako , Mazza Tommaso , Meyer Michael , Montano Jacobo , Sinn Harald , Vozda Vojtech , Vannoni Maurizio
Published: August 2024

Xray free-electron lasers (XFELs) enable experiments that would have been impractical or impossible at conventional X-ray laser facilities. Indeed, more XFEL facilities are being built and planned, with their aim to deliver larger pulse energies and higher peak brilliance. While seeking to increase the pulse power, it is quintessential to consider the maximum pulse fluence that a grazing-incidence FEL mirror can withstand. To address this issue, several studies were conducted on grazing-incidence damage by soft X-ray FEL pulses at the European XFEL facility. Boron carbide (B4C) coatings on polished silicon substrate were investigated using 1 keV photon energy, similar to the X-ray mirrors currently installed at the soft X-ray beamlines (SASE3). The purpose of this study is to compare the damage threshold of B4C and Si to determine the advantages, tolerance and limits of using B4C coatings.
Motivating factors of higher education institutions sustainable development goals online disclosure: a systematic literature review
Authors: Sawani Yussri , Joseph Corina , Leong Siow Hoo
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the existing literature on factors motivating higher education institutions to disclose their Sustainability Development Goals initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an interdisciplinary systematic review to develop a review protocol for Sustainability Development Goals and higher education institutions-related literature. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo Release 1.4 to generate the theme related to the motivating factors of disclosure and further analysed using content analysis.

Findings

The study identified five clusters relating to Sustainability Development Goals and higher education institutions. The main subcategory consists solely of motivating factors as the main child note. The four main factors that motivate Higher Education Institutions to disclose their Sustainability Development Goals practices are the curriculum, research activities, human resource management and collaborations in research and operations.

Practical implications

This paper provides an overview of factors that contribute to Sustainable Development Goals disclosure among higher education institutions with regard to their primary functions of pioneering research, providing education, exercising governance and providing external leadership. Several implications in light of multiple stakeholders are provided in the paper.

Originality/value

This study is among the few studies that develop a review protocol for Sustainability Development Goals and higher education institutions-related literature. The review provides international overview of the current academic debate on the topic of Sustainability Development Goals disclosure.
Elder abuse risk factors: the interactive effect of cognition and functionality
Authors: Fundinho João F. , Ferreira-Alves José
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Risk assessment in elder abuse is usually considered an additive process; risk factors are viewed as independent, and the higher the number of risk factors, the higher the risk. This study aims to explore the effect of the interaction between cognitive structures (episodic memory, perceptual speed, verbal fluency, executive function) and functional dependency on elder abuse.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 62 participants, aged between 64 and 94 years old, in the Minho region of Portugal. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to apply the assessment procedures.

Findings

Results showed that emotional abuse is predicted by episodic memory and phonemic fluency, financial abuse by perceptual speed and phonemic fluency and neglect by perceptual speed. Moderation analysis showed that these effects were greater for older adults with higher dependence on movement and lower dependence on hygiene and daily organization. This study supports the hypothesis that the risk of elder abuse is interactive, highlighting a limitation of current risk assessment procedures.

Originality/value

The current study explores the possibility of risk factors for elder abuse interacting. Understanding how risk factors interact can help to design more accurate measures of the risk of elder abuse.
Make it unique! Why embossed product labels increase purchase intentions and willingness to pay
Authors: Favier Manon , Jaud David A. , Saintives Camille
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the influence of a particular label surface texture, i.e. embossing, on consumer purchase intentions and willingness to pay. This paper further highlights the underlying mechanisms explaining this relationship by unveiling the mediating role of willingness to touch and perceived package uniqueness.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the visual salience theory and the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model, this paper tests mediations and serial mediations across two online experiments and evidence from a laboratory experiment.

Findings

Study 1 reveals perceived package uniqueness as the mediator, such that embossed elements on the label increase perceived uniqueness, hence leading to greater purchase intentions and willingness to pay. In addition, Study 2 replicates these results and goes further by demonstrating the positive effect of embossing on purchase intentions and willingness to pay through willingness to touch then perceived package uniqueness.

Practical implications

The findings provide insightful managerial implications by drawing attention to the importance of using embossed elements on packaging, particularly when companies seek to differentiate themselves from competitors by stimulating consumers to touch their product packaging and having them perceive their products as unique.

Originality/value

Using visual salience theory and the SOR model, this research is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first to shed light on the effect of embossing as a visual element of the packaging design on willingness to touch the product (haptics) and perceived uniqueness, ultimately enhancing purchase intentions and willingness to pay.
Evaluation and total quality management: the case of primary education
Authors: Kaiseroglou Nikolaos , Sfakianaki Eleni , Siontorou Christina
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate perceptions of primary education (PE) teachers with respect to evaluation within the framework of Total Quality Management (TQM) and their readiness to engage in the process of quality improvement. Within this context, a relevant measurement instrument is developed and empirically validated.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument developed herein included 30 items distributed across seven dimensions. It was disseminated among public PE units in Greece, yielding a substantial 2,088 responses. Several tests were performed, including principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings supported the validity and reliability of the instrument, confirming that the proposed measures encapsulate actual dimensions that are most suitable for exploring evaluation perception and readiness in the context of TQM in PE. The study explored several correlations between the validated dimensions and independent variables such as gender, level of education, years of teaching experience and age. These analyses yielded additional valuable insights, enriching the depth of understanding provided by the present research.

Practical implications

The fields of TQM and PE lack empirical evidence. However, this study offers valuable insights into teachers’ perceptions of evaluation and broader quality improvement efforts. This can help school managers, policymakers and practitioners refine their implementation strategies for educational excellence.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to focus on the examination of evaluation as a key aspect of TQM within the context of PE. Through the development and validation of a real-time measurement instrument, it bridges a significant research gap, providing practitioners and researchers with a vital tool to understand and improve educators’ evaluation perceptions, enabling targeted interventions for enhanced performance.
Quality 4.0: the need for Tanzania's service organisation transit to Quality 4.0
Authors: Nzumile Jailos Mrisho
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Quality has always been a competitive advantage for every organisation that strives for customer satisfaction when offering services or products. Technological advancements during the industrial revolutions have enabled organisations to grub improvement and transition opportunities into a new paradigm in operating business processes. In light of the fourth industrial revolution (FIR), in which Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) leveraged its technologies, this study establishes the need for service organisations to transition to Q4.0. It unveils the awareness level within the organisation, the existing challenges and the benefits of transitioning to Q4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study was acquired through a survey methodology; it involved qualitative and quantitative methodologies and a mix of primary and secondary sources. The challenges and benefits regarding Q4.0 adoption were obtained from the relevant literature and used as a base of assessment in the selected service organisations. Minitab version 20 and SPSS 21.0 software packages analysed the gathered data.

Findings

The study found a high level of awareness regarding Q4.0 among the selected service organisations. Despite the high level of awareness, it was revealed that neither of the Q4.0-related technologies have been implemented nor in the process within the selected service industries. This is due to numerous challenges, including inadequate high-speed internet, a high cost of investment, inadequate skilled personnel and inadequate scepticalness to the implementation outcomes. Despite these challenges, leveraged technologies, potential benefits and Q4.0 awareness all demonstrate the need for Q4.0.

Research limitations/implications

The study introduces the advent of the FIR and the disruptive nature of the associated technologies. It also unveils the potential of the contemporary technologies of the FIR that could elevate quality service provision to increase their competitiveness. Moreover, it also assists service organisations in planning and properly allocating their resources to ensure all the challenges are addressed in the Q4.0 adoption process. The study is limited in that it merely considers service organisations in Tanzania without categorising what type of service organisations were considered, i.e. banking, telecommunications, health, etc. thus generalising the findings.

Originality/value

Much has been discussed in the literature regarding Q4.0 in manufacturing organisations, focusing less on service organisations. This study uniquely assessed the need to transition to Q4.0 for service organisations, which has yet to be covered in the literature.
Direct incentives may increase employment of people with criminal records
Authors: Bushway Shawn D. , Pickett Justin T.
Published: August 2024

Research summary

Although society benefits when people with criminal records are employed, employers are reluctant to hire them. Can we diminish this reluctance with direct incentives that reduce the cost of employing record‐holders or that compensate for the associated risk? If so, will the beneficial effects of incentives emerge under traditional hiring, where job applicants disclose criminal history information at the application stage, and under Ban‐the‐Box, where they do not? To answer these questions, we conducted two preregistered experiments with a national sample of hiring decision‐makers (n = 1,000). The first was a conjoint analysis where participants chose between applicants who randomly varied on eight attributes, including criminal record (n = 13,998 choices). It corresponded to traditional hiring, where applicants’ criminal records are available at the outset. The second experiment involved a series of picture‐based factorial vignettes depicting tentatively hired employees later discovered to have records (n = 3,989 decisions). It approximated Ban‐the‐Box. In both experiments, a $2,400 tax credit and $25,000 insurance against losses from employee dishonesty reduced participants’ reluctance to hire record‐holders. Rehabilitation certificates also had beneficial effects under Ban‐the‐Box.

Policy implications

Across two experiments, we found that a $2,400 tax credit and $25,000 insurance both reduced participants’ reluctance to hire record‐holders; they did so under traditional hiring and Ban‐the‐Box, and they did so regardless of whether applicants had misdemeanor or felony convictions. The clear policy implication is that employers should receive both incentives. Two federal programs, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the Federal Bonding Program, currently offer similar incentives, but neither program is used widely. Our findings indicate that steps should be taken to increase their use and to expand them. Because rehabilitation certificates were also helpful for getting record‐holders hired, steps should be taken to increase their use as well.
From alcohol and other drug treatment mediator to mechanism to implementation: A systematic review and the cases of self‐efficacy, social support, and craving
Authors: Maisto Stephen A. , Moskal Dezarie , Firkey Madison K. , Bergman Brandon G. , Borsari Brian , Hallgren Kevin A. , Houck Jon M. , Hurlocker Margo , Kiluk Brian D. , Kuerbis Alexis , Reid Allecia E. , Magill Molly
Published: August 2024

Research designed to establish alcohol and other drug (AOD) mechanisms of behavioral change (MOBC) has centered on what variables mediate the relation between AOD treatment and outcomes. The purpose of this paper was to review this research evidence to identify empirically supported mediators of alcohol and other drug use and related outcomes and then to evaluate their potential as being AOD treatment MOBC. The first phase was a systematic review of reviews (2008–2023) to identify the variables with the strongest empirical support as mediators of AOD treatment effects. Eligible reviews focused on AOD treatment modalities, included empirically tested mediators, and targeted adult samples. The second phase was a systematic review of empirical studies (1990–2023) testing the hypothesis that variables identified in phase one were AOD treatment mediators/mechanisms and then evaluating each eligible stage two study according to the Kazdin and Nock (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44, 1116) criteria. Eligible articles included empirical studies with adult samples attending AOD treatment and empirically tested one of the three treatment mechanisms as a mediator of an AOD‐related outcome. Databases were searched in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. This systematic review was not preregistered. The first review of 11 eligible review articles identified self‐efficacy, social support, and craving as having the strongest empirical support. The second review captured 48 individual studies. An evaluation of each of these studies by the Kazdin and Nock criteria suggested that they likely are MOBC and therefore are ready for implementation. The implementation of self‐efficacy, social support, and craving into clinical practice and training is warranted. Six directions for future research to solidify and generalize empirical support for the case that self‐efficacy, social support, and craving are MOBC are presented, as are five implications for clinical practice and training.
Oxidation behavior of SiC‐AlN ceramics exposed to dry oxygen and water oxygen environments at 1100–1300°C
Authors: Sun Xiaofan , Chen Xiaowu , Tan Min , Kan Yanmei , Jin Xihai , Wang Zhen , Liu Ning , Hu Jianbao , Yang Jinshan , Dong Shaoming
Published: August 2024

The corrosion of SiCf/SiC composites in gas environment threatens their long‐term service in aeroengines as hot‐end structure components. Addition of corrosion‐resistant phases into SiC matrix is a potential strategy to improve the service performance of SiCf/SiC materials. Here, AlN added SiC ceramics were prepared by reactive melt infiltration, and the effect of AlN phase on the oxidation resistance of the ceramics was emphasized. The oxidation tests were performed in dry oxygen and water oxygen atmospheres at 1100°C–1300°C, respectively. The oxidation mechanism was discussed based on the microstructure evolution of the oxide layer. The results show that the oxide layer is composed of aluminum silicate glass and Al2O3 flakes dispersedly distributed in the glass phase. As the temperature rises, the oxide layer gradually grows and thickens. Finally, a smooth and dense protective layer could be formed on the surface of ceramics to resist oxidation. This study can provide a profound insight to construct SiCf/SiC composites with excellent oxidation resistance.
Effect of the SiC powder microscopic morphology on properties of Si/SiC ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Li Qisong , Ma Yifei , Li Ao , Gao Yanfeng , Jia Shaopei , Zhang Qian , Cheng Xiaozhe , Wang Zhixin , Mu Yunchao , Huang Quan
Published: August 2024

To solve the problem that Si was volatile and dense Si/SiC ceramics were difficult to achieve by spark plasma sintering (SPS) under a low sintering temperature and pressure, three kinds of SiC powders were used for particle grading and then ball‐milled with different time to further change and regulate their particle size and morphology, and finally nearly dense Si/SiC ceramics were prepared by SPS. The effect of milling time on particle size, morphology, tap density, phase, and microstructure of the SiC powders, as well as on bulk density, microhardness, thermal conductivity, phase, and microstructure of the Si/SiC ceramic, was researched. When the mixed SiC powders were ball‐milled for 12 min, the bulk density, microhardness, and thermal conductivity of Si/SiC ceramic were 2.96 g/cm3, 22.95 GPa, and 152.84 W/(m K), respectively. Ball milling changed the particle gradation and micro‐powder morphology and then affected the powder particle stacking state. Forming continuous pore channels was conducive for the volatile liquid Si to flowing and filling pores in a short time, resulting in denser Si/SiC ceramics at a lower sintering temperature and pressure. This study was useful for the preparation of ceramics containing volatile liquid phase by SPS.
Effect of bottom deformation on median crack repropagation after wheel scribing in glass
Authors: Murakami Kumiko , Matsusaka Souta , Itoh Sho , Hidai Hirofumi , Kitaichi Mitsuru
Published: August 2024

Wheel scribing on glass generates a vertical crack with a periodic stripe pattern beneath the wheel (hereafter referred to as the first crack). After the passage of the scribing wheel, sometimes seconds later, the first crack is repropagated with a smooth surface (the second crack). The second crack propagates to 90% or more of the glass thickness under suitable scribing conditions, facilitating the breaking process. The mechanism of secondary crack propagation has not been sufficiently explained in previous studies. Therefore, this study used analytical and experimental methods to examine stress distribution and crack propagation behavior during wheel scribing. Finite element analysis suggests that the increase in the stress intensity factor contributing to the propagation of the second crack was due to not only the crack opening force but also the bottom deformation of the glass specimen. An analytical model accounting for the bottom deformation can simulate the characteristic behavior, such as rapid deepening when the scribing load exceeds a specific threshold value, of the second crack. This study indicates that the elastoplastic deformation caused by wheel contact induces the deformation of the entire specimen, and the state of the bottom constraints is important for controlling the second crack.
Structure, chemical durability, and melting properties of aluminosilicate glass
Authors: Ali Mohamed A. , Mohamed Moushira A. , Liu Xiaofeng , Beibei Xu , Qiu Jianrong
Published: August 2024

Borosilicate glasses possess excellent melting properties and high stability against chemical attack by aqueous solutions, enabling this glass family to be used in various fields. In this article, we design a novel glass network in order to achieve a chemically robust glass with a low melting temperature. Therefore, the substitution effect of Na2O by MgO, Al2O3, Li2O, and K2O on the chemical durability and melting properties of sodium aluminosilicate glass (i.e., 80SiO2‒5Al2O3‒15Na2O [mol%]) was examined using a standard hydrolytic resistance test and viscosity measurement. Interestingly, we found that the partial replacement of Na2O by Al2O3, Li2O, and K2O (i.e., 80SiO2‒5Al2O3‒15Na2O → 80SiO2‒6.5Al2O3‒9Li2O‒2.25Na2O‒2.25K2O) makes the glass network with chemical durability and melting properties comparable to those of the commercial borosilicate network, resulting in a low HCl consumption of 0.04 mL/g and working temperature of 1238°C (i.e., temperature at viscosity 104 dPa s). The structural characterizations indicate that the high chemical stability of this glass composition originates from the abundance of SiO4 tetrahedrons with three and four bridging oxygen in the glass network as well as the increase in cationic field strength of mixed alkali ions. These excellent melting properties and superior chemical durability of glass imply the possibility of using the mixed alkali metal oxides aluminosilicate glass together with the commercial borosilicate glass in the markets for numerous practical applications.
Impaired instructive and protective barrier functions of the endothelial cell glycocalyx pericellular matrix is impacted in COVID‐19 disease
Authors: Smith Margaret M. , Melrose James
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to review the roles of endothelial cells in normal tissue function and to show how COVID‐19 disease impacts on endothelial cell properties that lead to much of its associated symptomatology. This places the endothelial cell as a prominent cell type to target therapeutically in the treatment of this disorder. Advances in glycosaminoglycan analytical techniques and functional glycomics have improved glycosaminoglycan mimetics development, providing agents that can more appropriately target various aspects of the behaviour of the endothelial cell in‐situ and have also provided polymers with potential to prevent viral infection. Thus, promising approaches are being developed to combat COVID‐19 disease and the plethora of symptoms this disease produces. Glycosaminoglycan mimetics that improve endothelial glycocalyx boundary functions have promising properties in the prevention of viral infection, improve endothelial cell function and have disease‐modifying potential. Endothelial cell integrity, forming tight junctions in cerebral cell populations in the blood–brain barrier, prevents the exposure of the central nervous system to circulating toxins and harmful chemicals, which may contribute to the troublesome brain fogging phenomena reported in cognitive processing in long COVID disease.
Clinical performance of existing diagnostic criteria for pneumonia in older emergency patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hunold Katherine M. , Mion Lorraine C. , Gure Tanya R. , Schwaderer Andrew L. , Exline Matthew , Hebert Courtney , Lampert Brent C. , Southerland Lauren T. , Stephens Julie A. , Boyer Edward W. , Hill Michael , Chu Ching‐Min B. , Reider Carson , Caterino Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2024

Background

Pneumonia accounts for over half a million older adult emergency department (ED) visits annually, but ED pneumonia diagnosis is inaccurate. Geriatric‐specific pneumonia diagnostic criteria exist for other settings; no prospective data exist to determine if application in the older adult ED population is feasible. The objective was to prospectively evaluate the utility of four current diagnostic criteria (Loeb; Modified McGeer; Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society; American College of Emergency Physicians) in older adult ED patients.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational cohort study of older adult ED patients ≥65 years of age in two U.S. EDs with suspected pneumonia defined as having chest radiography ordered and treating physician suspicion. The standard we used for defining the presence, absence, or inability to determine a diagnosis of pneumonia diagnosis was expert physician chart adjudication. We report the summary statistics for demographic characteristics and symptoms/exam findings and sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios with 95% confidence intervals of the existing diagnostic criteria. Pre‐specified cutoff values of a positive LR >10 and a negative LR <0.3 were considered clinically significant.

Results

Of 135 patients enrolled, 27 had pneumonia by adjudicator review. Typical patient‐reported pneumonia symptoms, such as fever (18.5%) and new/worse cough (51.9%), were not consistently present in pneumonia. The IDSA/ATS and ACEP criteria had positive LR >10 and negative LR <0.3; however, all confidence intervals included pre‐specified cutoffs.

Conclusions

Older adults presented to the ED with low frequency of typical pneumonia symptoms. Although existing diagnostic definitions had promising test characteristics, they may not perform well enough for clinical application without refinement.
Analysis of US Marketed Artemisinin Supplements for Use in Dogs
Authors: Berman Alyssa R. , Birkenheuer Adam J. , Sorah Emily L. , Papich Mark G.
Published: August 2024

Oral artemisinin has antiparasitic activity and may help improve treatment success rates in dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni. However, these artemisinin products are unapproved and unregulated botanical supplements. They have not been evaluated for safety and efficacy or for strength, purity, or quality compared with a reference standard. Before considering these products for a clinical study, we evaluated the strength of four suppliers of artemisinin capsules using an high‐performance liquid chromatography method validated in our laboratory. We found that the four artemisinin‐labeled products that were tested had high within product and between product variability in capsule strength compared with the stated capsule strength on the product label. No products met the acceptance criteria of the United States Pharmacopeia and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) as well as the criteria adapted by the authors. One product had no detectable artemisinin, and the other three products were much higher than the stated label strength. The results of this study reinforce the importance of testing unapproved and unregulated supplements before recommending a supplement for clinical use in dogs.
Do conservatives really have an advantage in mental health? An examination of measurement invariance
Authors: Dutton Edward , Kirkegaard Emil
Published: August 2024

Many studies have found that conservatives show an advantage in mental health and happiness and various causes of this have been debated (e.g., religiousness, ideology, or genetics). However, not much attention has been given to examining whether this advantage is psychometrically real, or whether it is due to test bias. We analyzed data from two large Finnish surveys of adults (Ns = 848 and 4,978) from Lahtinen (2024), that measured general anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as a new wokeness scale. Using differential item functioning tests, we found no evidence for measurement bias in these scales. The correlation between index scores of wokeness and mental health (internalizing) was −0.36, which increased to −0.41 when measurement error was removed. The association between wokeness and anxiety (r = −0.33, adjusted r = 0.37) was stronger than wokeness and depression (r = 0.20, adjusted r = 0.22).
Etnografía e inteligencia artificial: potencialidades, retos metodológicos y desafíos futuros
Authors:   Universidad de Otavalo, Mantilla Jorge
Published: August 2024

En la actualidad, sistemas basados en inteligencia artificial (IA) están siendo empleados en diversas industrias y campos de la cotidianidad, al punto de ser considerados como motor de una posible nueva revolución industrial por diversos autores. Debido a su impacto, estas tecnologías se están convirtiendo en elementos estructurantes de la vida social. Es decir, la inteligencia artificial ha empezado a moldear ciertos tejidos sociales. Al mismo tiempo, las dinámicas socioculturales incluyen sobre el diseño y la implementación de estas herramientas. Así, la inteligencia artificial no es ajena a fenómenos sociales como, por ejemplo, la discriminación, el extractivismo o el neocolonialismo. En el presente artículo tiene el objetivo de explorar cómo la etnografía puede ser utilizada para analizar las complejas configuraciones sociales y culturales que subyacen al diseño y la implementación de sistemas de inteligencia artificial. Los estudios etnográficos pueden entregar información cualitativa escaza dentro de la actual literatura sobre IA, la cual se basa principalmente en métricas y análisis cuantitativos. Finalmente, en base a esta discusión, la ponencia cierra planteando reflexiones sobre cómo la inteligencia artificial tiene el potencial de transformar muchas aproximaciones metodológicas de la etnografía clásica.
Las semillas del apocalipsis. Campesinos otomí y la resistencia frente a las multinacionales industriales de maíz
Authors: Casabianca Silvia
Published: August 2024

"Partiendo del trabajo etnográfico realizado en 2015, como parte de las iniciativas emprendidas por la Misión Etnológica Italiana en México, se va a analizar desde una perspectiva antropológica de la ecología cultural, las implicaciones de la resistencia de la comunidad Otomí de San Juan Ixtenco al mercado de semillas de maíz industriales.En Ixtenco la Feria del Maíz representa una oportunidad para valorizar su propia singularidad cultural al exhibir productos artesanales elaborados con semillas de colores. Sin embargo, la comunidad ixtenguense, está experimentando un proceso de transformación cultural. Si por un lado el cultivo del maíz creollo representa una estrategia para mantener autonomía económica e independencia de gestión del trabajo, por otro, los procesos de urbanización y la consecuente migración de las poblaciones más joven entra en colisión con la necesidad de “pasar el testigo” a las nuevas generaciones. A esto, se añade el miedo por parte de los campesinos a enfermarse por el consumo de maíz transgénico, convirtiéndolo en una metáfora del malestar social, que alimenta un imaginario de soledad y de inutilidad, a partir de las preocupaciones derivadas de la desintegración de las familias.De esta manera, la industria del maíz y el neoliberalismo se convierten en la metáfora de la bestia del apocalipsis, al engañar a los campesinos y fomentar una semilla portentosa que resiste a las inclemencias de la naturaleza. Sin embargo, al hacerlo, le pone “la marca de la bestia”, en alusión a la polémica en torno a las patentes de semillas. "
Ethical preparedness of data monitoring committees (DMCs) to oversee international clinical trials: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Hinga Alex , Ibrahim Akram , Vintimilla Diego , Jones Mickayla , Eckstein Lisa , Rid Annette , Shah Seema K , Kamuya Dorcas
Published: August 2024

Introduction

A data monitoring committee (DMC) is an independent group of experts who assess the ongoing scientific and ethical integrity of a study through periodic analyses of study data. The objective of this study was to explore the extent to which the structure, membership and deliberations of DMCs enable them to address ethical issues.

Methods

We conducted qualitative individual interviews (n=22) with DMC members from countries across Africa, the Americas, South Asia and the UK. We selected interview respondents through purposive sampling, managed data using NVivo (Release V.1.7) and analysed data thematically.

Results

All respondents were highly experienced professionals; many (18/22) had received training in medicine and/or statistics. One respondent had academic qualifications in ethics, and four indicated that they served on DMCs as ethicists. While respondents generally felt DMCs should be required for studies that were high-risk or enrolled vulnerable populations, some were concerned about the overuse of DMCs. There were divergent views on the necessity of geographical and disciplinary representation in DMC membership, including about whether ethicists were helpful. Many respondents described a DMC member recruitment process that they felt was somewhat exclusive. While one respondent received DMC-specific training, most described learning on the job. Respondents generally agreed that study protocols and DMC charters were key guiding documents for addressing ethical issues and described DMC deliberations that often, but not always, involved consensus-building.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first to consider the ethical implications of DMC structure, membership and deliberations. The potential overuse of DMCs, DMC member recruitment processes that seem somewhat insular, limited training for DMC members, and divergent approaches to deliberation may limit the capacity of DMCs for addressing ethical issues. Further research on DMC structure and processes could help enhance the ethical preparedness of DMCs.