bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics and safety of brivaracetam in neonates with repeated electroencephalographic seizures: A multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm study
Authors: Pressler Ronit , Boylan Geraldine , Dempsey Eugene , Klotz Kerstin Alexandra , Krauwinkel Walter , Will Edgar , Morita Diego , Floricel Florin , Elshoff Jan‐Peer , van den Anker John
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of brivaracetam (BRV) in neonates with repeated electroencephalographic seizures not controlled with previous antiseizure medications (ASMs).

Methods

Phase 2/3, multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm study (N01349/NCT03325439) in neonates with repeated electroencephalographic seizures (lasting ≥10 s) confirmed by video‐electroencephalography, and inadequate seizure control with at least one ASM. A screening period (up to 36 h) was followed by a 48‐h evaluation period during which patients received 0.5 mg/kg BRV twice daily (b.i.d) intravenously (IV). Patients who benefitted from BRV (investigator's opinion) could continue 0.5 mg/kg b.i.d (IV or oral solution) in an extension period. Outcomes included plasma concentrations of BRV following the first dose (primary), and incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

Results

Six patients (median [range] postnatal age: 1.5 [1.0, 6.0] days) received ≥1 dose of BRV. All six patients completed the evaluation period; two entered and completed the extension period. Overall (evaluation and extension periods), three patients received one dose of 0.5 mg/kg BRV and three received more than one dose. The median (range) duration of exposure to BRV (IV and oral solution) was 1.5 (1.0, 29.0) days (n = 6). At 0.5–1, 2–4, and 8–12 h following IV BRV administration, the GeoMean (GeoCV) plasma concentrations of BRV were 0.53 mg/L (15.40% [n = 5]), 0.50 mg/L (28.20% [n = 6]), and 0.34 mg/L (13.20% [n = 5]), respectively. Individual and population BRV PK profiles were estimated, and individual PK parameters were calculated using Bayesian feedback. The observed concentrations were consistent with the predicted PK. Three patients experienced four TEAEs, none of which were considered related to BRV.

Significance

BRV plasma concentrations in neonates were consistent with data in older children receiving BRV oral solution, and with data from adults receiving a nominal IV dose of 25 mg b.i.d. BRV was well tolerated, with no drug‐related TEAEs reported.

Plain Language Summary

Few drugs are available to treat seizures in newborn babies. Brivaracetam is approved to treat focal‐onset seizures in children and adults in Europe (patients 2 years of age and older) and the United States (patients 1 month of age or older). In this study, six newborns with repeated seizures were treated with intravenous brivaracetam. The study doctors took samples of blood from the newborns and measured the levels of brivaracetam. The concentrations of brivaracetam in the newborns’ blood plasma were consistent with data from studies in older children and in adults. No brivaracetam‐related medical problems were reported.
Effects of A‐ and B‐type starch granules on composition, structural, thermal, morphological, and pasting properties of starches from diverse wheat varieties
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Singh Narpinder , Khatkar Bhupendar Singh
Published: December 2023

The distribution of A‐ and B‐type‐sized starch granules plays a deciding role in controlling the physicochemical, structural, morphological, and functional attributes of wheat starch. Starches of three Indian wheat varieties, viz. DBW 16, WH 147, and WH 542, were fractionated into A‐ and B‐type starch granules and further evaluated for their influence on various attributes of wheat starches using different analytical tools like X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and rapid viscoanalyzer. SEM revealed that the size of large granules (A‐type) ranged from 12.6 to 36.4 µm and small granules (B‐type) varied from 2.53 to 7.52 µm. The amylose content was significantly higher for A‐type starch ranging from 26.6% to 29.68% than B‐type starch ranging from 19.20% to 22.38%. The highest swelling power was observed for B‐type granules, followed by native and A‐type granules, and similar trend was noticed for water absorption. Pasting viscosities of A‐type granules were higher than B‐type for starches of all wheat varieties. A higher pasting temperature was observed in B‐type starch granules, suggesting more resistance to swell during the heating process. X‐ray diffraction of wheat starches showed A‐type pattern of crystallinity, variety DBW 16 (27%) showed the highest relative crystallinity and intensities of peaks in comparison to varieties WH 147 (23.5%) and WH 542 (22.4% as observed in diffractograms and well supported by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Fractionated large granules of wheat starches exhibited a higher gelatinization temperature than smaller granules and native starches for all the varieties. It was also observed that A‐type granules had higher onset temperature comparatively, which suggested that high energy is required in gelatinization due to more ordered arrangement of starch molecules.
The impact of armed conflicts on the nutritional status of children: Evidence from Northern Nigeria
Authors: Ojeleke Olabayo , Groot Wim , Bonuedi Isaac , Pavlova Milena
Published: December 2023

Armed conflicts often significantly exacerbate the magnitude and severity of malnutrition by increasing food insecurity. Evidence shows that malnutrition is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children during conflicts. This study examines the impact of the armed conflicts in Northern Nigeria on nutritional status of children under the age of five. Three waves (2008, 2013, and 2018) of individual‐level birth records data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset are spatially merged with information on conflict events drawn from the Armed Conflict Location and Events Dataset. All fatal incidents in the study region during the 5‐year intervals 2004–2008, 2009–2013 and 2014–2018 are aggregated and mapped to the 2008, 2013 and 2018 NDHS clusters, respectively. A cluster is classified to be exposed to conflict if located within 5–10 km radius of an incident with at least 1 fatality. We use matching analysis in a difference‐in‐differences approach to estimate the effects of the conflicts on stunting, wasting, and underweight. We find that the impact of conflict exposure differs by the dimension of child nutritional status. While it significantly lowers the risk of stunting, it has no discernible significant effect on the likelihood of wasting or being underweight among under‐fives. Though nutritional support/interventions in the conflict‐affected areas are crucial and must be prioritised, an all‐inclusive strategy for a long‐term resolution of the conflict is needed to engender development, improve food security, reduce vulnerability to malnutrition, and improve the health and wellbeing of the residents of the region.
Do toys get in the way? The duration of shared emotional experiences is longer when mothers engage their infants without toys
Authors: Sjolseth Sheila R. , Frosch Cynthia A. , Owen Margaret Tresch , Redig Samantha L.
Published: December 2023

During mother‐infant interaction, shared emotional experiences, defined as reciprocal and synchronous emotional sharing between mother and infant, are an indicator of early relational health. Yet, it is unclear how mothers’ efforts to engage with their infants relate to dyadic‐level shared emotional experiences. Utilizing a sample of 80 randomly selected videos of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, we examined how mothers’ bids for interaction with their 6‐month‐old infants related to the duration of shared emotional experiences. An event sampling, sequential coding system was used to identify a maternal bid for interaction (i.e., with toy, without toy) and the subsequent presence or absence of a shared emotional experience, including duration of the shared emotional experience. Results indicated that shared emotional experiences were longer following mothers’ efforts to engage their infants in play without toys. Findings suggest that methods matter; researchers and practitioners interested in studying and promoting shared emotional experiences between mothers and infants may wish to focus on dyadic interactions without toys.
CBD2: A functional biomarker database for colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Li Min , Ye Siting , Shen Ke , Yuan Haining , Bakhtyar Shoaib , Peng Qiliang , Liu Yongsheng , Wang Yingying , Li Manshi , Zhang Chi , Wang Yixin , Bai Xiaohe , Liu Shunming , Zhao Ke , Shen Bairong , Repsilber Dirk , Hu Guang , Zhang Hong , Sun Xiao‐Feng
Published: December 2023

The rapidly evolving landscape of biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) necessitates an integrative, updated repository. In response, we constructed the Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Database (CBD), which collected and displayed the curated biomedicine information for 870 CRC biomarkers in the previous study. Building on CBD, we have now developed CBD2, which includes information on 1569 newly reported biomarkers derived from different biological sources (DNA, RNA, protein, and others) and clinical applications (diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis). CBD2 also incorporates information on nonbiomarkers that have been identified as unsuitable for use as biomarkers in CRC. A key new feature of CBD2 is its network analysis function, by which users can investigate the visible and topological network between biomarkers and identify their relevant pathways. CBD2 also allows users to query a series of chemicals, drug combinations, or multiple targets, to enable multidrug, multitarget, multipathway analyses, toward facilitating the design of polypharmacological treatments for CRC. CBD2 is freely available at http://www.eyeseeworld.com/cbd.
Roles of physical functioning and comorbid mental illness of chronically ill parents and their spouses' health status in adolescent functioning
Authors: Chen Cliff Yung‐Chi
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Emerging research suggests that physically ill parents' psychological adjustment to illness and emotional well‐being may affect adolescents' psychosocial functioning. As people with chronic medical conditions often develop mental disorders, it is important to examine the influence of comorbidity of parental physical and mental health conditions on adolescents' functioning. In addition, the physical and mental health status of the spouses/partners of chronically ill parents needs to be explored to further understand the potential impact of parental chronic illness on adolescents' psychological distress and academic performance.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 164 parent–adolescent pairs were collected through online surveys in the United States between 2018 and 2019. Parent participants (Mage = 42.69, SD = 5.96) included parents who had been diagnosed with a chronic physical illness (e.g., multiple sclerosis, diabetes, chronic pain, cancer). Adolescent participants were middle‐ and high‐school‐aged children who lived with their physically ill parents (Mage = 14.34, SD = 2.07).

Results

Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that comorbid mental illness of parental chronic illness and spousal mental health status were associated with adolescents' distress. The level of physical functioning of chronically ill parents was related to adolescents' academic performance.

Conclusion

Parental chronic illness appears to affect adolescents' psychological and academic outcomes through distinct pathways. It is important to examine the comorbid mental health status of chronically ill parents and their spouses'/partners' mental health conditions to better understand the impact of parental chronic illness on adolescents' psychological adjustment.
Nanocurcumin attenuates pyroptosis and inflammation through inhibiting NF‐κB/GSDMD signal in high altitude‐associated acute liver injury
Authors: Yang Xinyue , Dong Xiang , Li Jiajia , Zheng Aiping , Shi Wenhui , Shen Caifu , Liu Jiangwei
Published: December 2023

Exposure to a hypobaric hypoxic environment at high altitudes can lead to liver injury, and mounting evidence indicates that pyroptosis and inflammation play important roles in liver injury. Curcumin (Cur) can inhibit pyroptosis and inflammation. Therefore, our purpose here was to clarify the mechanism underlying the protective effect of nanocurcumin (Ncur) and Cur in a rat model of high altitude‐associated acute liver injury. Eighty healthy rats were selected and exposed to different altitudes (6000 or 7000 m) for 0, 24, 48, or 72 h. Fifty normal healthy rats were divided into normal control, high‐altitude control, salidroside (40 mg/kg [Sal‐40]), Cur (200 mg/kg [Cur‐200]), and Ncur (25 mg/kg [Ncur‐25]) groups and exposed to a high‐altitude hypobaric hypoxic environment (48 h, 7000 m). Serum‐liver enzyme activities (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase were detected and histopathology of liver injury was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and inflammatory factors were detected in liver tissues by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Pyroptosis‐associated proteins (gasdermin D, gasdermin D N‐terminal [GSDMD‐N], pro‐Caspase‐1, and cleaved‐Caspase‐1 [cleaved‐Casp1]) and inflammation‐associated proteins (nuclear factor‐κB [NF‐κB], phospho‐NF‐κB [P‐NF‐κB], and high‐mobility group protein B1 [HMGB1]) levels were analyzed by immunoblotting. Ncur and Cur inhibited increased serum‐liver enzyme activities, alleviated liver injury in rats caused by high‐altitude hypobaric hypoxic exposure, and downregulated inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐18, in rat liver tissues. The level of P‐NF‐κB, GSDMD‐N, cleaved‐Casp1, and HMGB1 in rat liver tissues increased significantly after high‐altitude exposure. Ncur and Cur downregulated P‐NF‐κB, GSDMD‐N, cleaved‐Casp‐1, and HMGB1. Ncur and Cur may inhibit inflammatory responses and pyroptosis in a rat model of high altitude‐associated acute liver injury.
Symptom structure of posttraumatic stress disorder in workplace trauma: A “distraction‐avoidance” pattern
Authors: Zhu Zhengqing , Eli Buzohre , Chen Yaru , Liu Zhengkui
Published: December 2023

Background

Individuals who experience a workplace trauma are at a high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most of these people return to work soon after the trauma (i.e., experience early‐stage natural exposure). This study aims to explore the response pattern of workers who have experienced a workplace trauma and early‐stage natural exposure through network analysis and provide insights into the potential impact of early‐stage natural exposure.

Methods

Our study included 278 workers directly experiencing the workplace explosion in the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Zone. A partial correlation network analysis was used to explore the PTSD symptoms relationship and identify central symptoms.

Results

The results suggest that emotional numbness, difficulty in concentration, re‐experiencing symptoms, and avoidance of thoughts are the most central symptoms, reflecting a “distraction‐avoidance” pattern.

Conclusions

The current study found that workers who experienced workplace trauma exhibited a “distraction‐avoidance” pattern, which helps deepen our understanding of the PTSD network and leads to some suggestions on intervention measures.
Exploring the role of polymers to overcome ongoing challenges in the field of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Simon Laurianne , Lapinte Vincent , Morille Marie
Published: December 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are naturally occurring nanoparticles released from all eucaryotic and procaryotic cells. While their role was formerly largely underestimated, EVs are now clearly established as key mediators of intercellular communication. Therefore, these vesicles constitute an attractive topic of study for both basic and applied research with great potential, for example, as a new class of biomarkers, as cell‐free therapeutics or as drug delivery systems. However, the complexity and biological origin of EVs sometimes complicate their identification and therapeutic use. Thus, this rapidly expanding research field requires new methods and tools for the production, enrichment, detection, and therapeutic application of EVs. In this review, we have sought to explain how polymer materials actively contributed to overcome some of the limitations associated to EVs. Indeed, thanks to their infinite diversity of composition and properties, polymers can act through a variety of strategies and at different stages of EVs development. Overall, we would like to emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary research involving polymers to address persistent limitations in the field of EVs.
Omicron induced distinct immune respiratory transcriptomics signatures compared to pre‐existing variants in critically ill COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Bay Pierre , Rodriguez Christophe , Caruso Stefano , Demontant Vanessa , Boizeau Laure , Soulier Alexandre , Woerther Paul L. , Mekontso‐Dessap Armand , Pawlotsky Jean‐Michel , de Prost Nicolas , Fourati Slim
Published: December 2023

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is related to dysregulated immune responses. We aimed to explore the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants on the immune response by nasopharyngeal transcriptomic in critically‐ill patients. This prospective monocentric study included COVID‐19 patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission between March 2020 and 2022. Patients were classified according to VOC (ancestral, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron). Eighty‐eight patients with severe COVID‐19 were included after matching (on prespecified clinical criteria). Profiling of gene expression markers of innate and adaptive immune responses were investigated by respiratory transcriptomics at ICU admission. Eighty‐eight patients were included in the study after matching (ancestral [n = 24], Alpha [n = 24], Delta [n = 22], and Omicron [n = 18] variants). Respiratory transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct innate and adaptive immune profiling between variants. In comparison with the ancestral variant, there was a reduced expression of neutrophil degranulation, T cell activation, cytokines signalling pathways in patients infected with Alpha and Delta variants. In contrast, there was a higher expression of neutrophil degranulation, T and B cells activation, and inflammatory interleukins pathways in patients infected with Omicron. To conclude, Omicron induced distinct immune respiratory transcriptomics signatures compared to pre‐existing variants in patients with severe COVID‐19, pointing to an evolving pathophysiology of severe COVID‐19 in the Omicron era.
Blockchain in the age of industrial revolution: A systematic literature review using bibliometric analysis
Authors: Gupta Rishabh , Meena Abhilasha , Dhir Sanjay
Published: December 2023

The emergence of blockchain technology has spurred research and industrial advances, presenting potential benefits and practical solutions for various industries and their communities. Blockchain technology enables the efficient distribution, sharing, and secure storage of transactional data, leading to increased transparency and productivity in supply chains. While blockchain is seen as a disruptive technology, it is essential to explore its applicability to various industries. To this end, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis of the extant blockchain literature to better understand its potential applications. The study presents a systematic literature review that highlights the practical application of blockchain technology transfer in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, banking and financial services, and media and entertainment.
The Middle‐Out Approach to reconceptualizing, assessing, and analyzing traumatic stress reactions
Authors: Adams Shane W. , Layne Christopher M. , Contractor Ateka A. , Allwood Maureen A. , Armour Chérie , Inslicht Sabra S. , Maguen Shira
Published: December 2023

Alternative models of traumatic stress and broader psychopathology have been proposed to address issues of heterogeneity, comorbidity, clinical utility, and equitable representation. However, systematic and practical methods and guidelines to organize and apply these models remain scarce. The Middle‐Out Approach is a novel, integrative, contextually informed framework for organizing and applying existing empirical methods to evaluate current and alternative traumatic stress reactions. Rather than beginning to identify traumatic stress reactions from the top‐down (i.e., disorder‐first approach) or bottom‐up (i.e., symptom‐first approach), constructs are evaluated from the middle out (i.e., presentation‐first approach), unconstrained by higher‐order disorders or lower‐order diagnostic symptoms. This approach provides innovation over previous methods at multiple levels, including the conceptualization of traumatic stress reactions as well as the type of assessments and data sources used and how they are used in statistical analyses. Conceptualizations prioritize the identification of middle‐order phenotypes, representing person‐centered clinical presentations, which are informed by the integration of multidimensional, transdiagnostic, and multimodal (e.g., psychosocial, physiological) assessments and/or data sources. Integrated data are then analyzed concurrently using person‐centered statistical models to identify precise, discrete, and representative health outcomes within broader heterogeneous samples. Subsequent variable‐centered analyses are then used to identify culturally sensitive and contextually informed correlates of phenotypes, their clinical utility, and the differential composition within and between broader traumatic stress reactions. Examples from the moral injury literature are used to illustrate practical applications that may increase clinical utility and the accurate representation of health outcomes for diverse individuals and communities.
Spectrally Efficient Integrated Silicon Photonic Phase‐Diverse DD Receiver with Near‐Ideal Phase Response for C‐Band DWDM Transmission
Authors: Zhang Jinsong , Li Xueyang , Hu Yixiang , Alam Md Samiul , Plant David V.
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a spectrally efficient silicon photonics phase‐diverse direct‐detection receiver based on asymmetric self‐coherent detection is proposed. The receiver is hardware efficient and composed of only two photodiodes and two analog‐to‐digital channels to accurately recover complex double‐sideband signals by leveraging an optimized integrated silicon racetrack resonator with near‐ideal phase responses. Moreover, the periodicity of the resonator response enables the receiver to support multi‐channel transmission such as dense wavelength‐division multiplexing. The receiver circuit is fabricated and characterized. In 40‐km transmission experiments, a record net electrical spectral efficiency of 7.10 bit s−1Hz−1per wavelength and per polarization is achieved, where a net 208‐Gb s−132QAM transmission is demonstrated using 29.3‐GHz electrical bandwidth. Furthermore, the receiver achieves net 220‐Gb s−116QAM transmissions in 14 channels from 1527 to 1550 nm with 205‐GHz spacing, and a maximum 240‐Gb s−1net capacity at a single channel. Such a performance is reached with only standard coherent digital signal processing stacks including all‐linear equalization.
Approach to consider self‐corrosion in corrosion monitoring of reinforced concrete structures exposed to chlorides
Authors: Fraundorfer Andreas , Dauberschmidt Christoph , Gehlen Christoph
Published: December 2023

Corrosion processes of steel in concrete contaminated with chlorides take place as macrocell corrosion as well as self‐corrosion (i.e., microcell corrosion). While macrocell corrosion can be detected by element current measurement, self‐corrosion cannot be precisely determined electrochemically. This results in deviations in corrosion investigations between the mass losses calculated coulometrically from macrocell current measurements and the actual, corrosion‐related gravimetric mass losses. This is relevant in practice as part of corrosion monitoring. In the following, a simple approach is presented by considering this self‐corrosion current mathematically in the macrocell current measurement. The empirical regression functions determined for this purpose can be applied to a large number of different influencing parameters and allow the determination of the cumulative steel degradation at time‐varying macrocell current densities under consideration of different safety levels. This allows a much more accurate estimation of the actual corrosion‐induced mass losses during corrosion monitoring than previously possible.
Cathepsin V is correlated with the prognosis and tumor microenvironment in liver cancer
Authors: Liu Junyu , Zhang Wen , Wang Zhijie , Wang Yichuan , Li Tianxing , Wang Yaping , Ding Jin , Ning Beifang
Published: December 2023

Recent studies have shown that high cell cycle activity negatively correlates with antitumor immunity in certain cancer types. However, a similar correlation has not been proven in liver cancer. We downloaded transcriptomic profiles of the cancer genome atlas‐liver hepatocellular carcinoma (TCGA‐LIHC) and assessed the cell cycle distribution of samples using single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), termed the cell cycle score (CCS). We obtained cell cycle‐related differentially expressed prognostic genes and identified CENPA, CDC20, and CTSV using LASSO regression. We studied the effect of CTSV on clinical features and immune alterations in liver cancer based on TCGA‐LIHC data. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to validate the role of CTSV in liver cancer using liver cancer cell lines and tissues. We found that the CCS closely correlated with the clinical features and prognosis of patients in TCGA‐LIHC. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), univariate Cox regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression identified cathepsin V (CTSV) with prognostic significance in LIHC. Importantly, single‐gene survival analysis of CTSV using microarray and sequencing data indicated that high levels of CTSV expression correlated with an unfavorable prognosis in various cancers. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that high CTSV expression closely correlated with decreased expression of metabolic genes and increased expression of cell cycle genes. Furthermore, difference and correlation analyses of the relationship between CTSV expression and immune infiltrates, determined using CIBERSORT and TIMER algorithms, revealed that CTSV expression correlated with macrophages and CD4+ T cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that knockdown of CTSV inhibited liver cancer cells proliferation. Immunohistochemical staining showed that high CTSV expression correlated with macrophage infiltration in liver cancer tissues, predicted a poor prognosis, and is associated with the effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. In couclusion, CTSV is a novel cell cycle‐associated gene with clinical significance in HCC.
Calculation method and mathematical model of projectile echo power of active laser detection target
Authors: Tong Xiaogang , Li Hanshan , Zhang Xiaoqian
Published: December 2023

To meet the requirements for parameter testing within the projectile test system, a computational model for calculating the echo power of the projectile passing through the detection screen based on the principle of active laser detection target is established in this paper. On the basis of the fundamental formula of echo energy in laser detection, and by combining the energy distribution function of the detection screen, the light scattering cross‐section formula specific to the projectile, and the illuminated area formula when the projectile intersects the detection screen, the formula for calculating the echo power of projectile is derived and analyzed. Furthermore, taking into account the parameters of the laser detection target, a computational model is constructed to calculate the voltage amplitude associated with the echo power of the projectile. Combining the atmospheric transmission optical characteristics, distance variations, and changes in the projectile's reflection attitude in the test environment, we conducted a simulation analysis to assess the accuracy of the established calculation model. Additionally, experimental analysis of the echo power calculation model was performed. In both simulation and experimental analyses, the trends in the impact of atmospheric transmission optical characteristics, distance conditions, and changes in projectile attitude upon the calculation of projectile echo power were consistent. Moreover, the width of the projectile echo waveform obtained in experiments was equal to the calculated projectile duration time. These research findings can serve as a reference basis for the development of theories in laser detection target.
A longitudinal investigation of job demands‐resources theory in volunteer firefighters working for the nonprofit sector
Authors: Huynh Jasmine , Xanthopoulou Despoina , Windsor Tim
Published: December 2023

Many nonprofit emergency service organizations rely heavily on volunteers. With the recent decline in volunteer numbers and the associated economic cost, it is important for nonprofit organizations to develop strategies aimed at improving volunteer retention. To this end, we applied job demands‐resources theory to examine how volunteer demands and resources explain volunteers' well‐being (i.e., exhaustion and engagement) and consequently, retention and mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms). Specifically, we hypothesized that: (1) exhaustion mediates the positive relationship between demands and depressive symptoms, and the negative relationship between demands and retention; (2) engagement mediates the positive relationship between resources and retention; (3) resources buffer the positive relationship between demands and exhaustion; and (4) demands boost the positive relationship between resources and engagement. Volunteer firefighters (N = 126) were asked to complete a self‐report questionnaire twice over a 1‐year period. Results showed that increases in engagement mediated the positive relationship between resources and retention over time. Contrary to expectations, volunteer resources boosted the positive relationship between volunteer demands and increases in exhaustion. Namely, demands related positively with exhaustion particularly when resources were high (instead of low). Collectively, the study results have important theoretical implications since they suggest that demands do not always have long‐term, unfavorable consequences for volunteer firefighters. In contrast, resources enhance volunteer engagement and consequently, promote retention in the long run. Therefore, it is important for volunteer organizations to provide relevant resources to their members to keep them engaged and enhance their willingness to remain in the force.
Birds are not the only ones impacted by guidance to cease bird feeding
Authors: Dayer Ashley A. , Pototsky P. Christy , Hall Richard J. , Hawley Dana M. , Phillips Tina B. , Bonter David N. , Dietsch Alia M. , Greig Emma , Hochachka Wesley M.
Published: December 2023

Humans have a particularly strong connection with birds, driving the enormous popularity of residential bird feeding in much of the world.

We conducted a web search to document US state wildlife management agency responses to two recent avian disease outbreaks, finding that 23 agencies made recommendations to cease feeding wild birds in 2021–2022.

The psychological benefits of bird feeding for humans are well‐documented but often overlooked in management decisions in response to avian disease outbreaks.

Likewise, ecological evidence does not necessarily support ceasing bird feeding to reduce the spread of every avian disease.

Ecological and social science need to be applied in tandem to ensure that well‐intended guidance to cease feeding of birds does not have unintended consequences.
Predictors of social emotional learning in after‐school programming: The impact of relationships, belonging, and program engagement
Authors: Fisher Amy E. , Johnson Liat R. , Minnes Sonia , Miller Emily K. , Riccardi Jessica S. , Dimitropoulos Anastasia
Published: December 2023

After‐school youth development programs support social‐emotional functioning which leads to better academic and behavioral outcomes. This article examines three common predictors of social‐emotional functioning individually and concurrently to better understand the role of these predictors in the after‐school setting. The common predictors are staff/student relationships, sense of belonging, and program engagement. That data came from 144, 3rd through 8th grade, students across 9 different elementary and middle school sites who regularly attended a large youth development program. Regression analyses were run and the results indicated that each variable was an individually significant predictor of social‐emotional functioning. Results from multiple regression analyses demonstrated that there was a better model fit when including all three variables in the same model. Interestingly, the results indicated that program engagement was a strong predictor above and beyond staff/student relationships and sense of belonging on self‐management and self‐efficacy. Sense of belonging and program engagement both predicted social awareness. Implications of these findings for after‐school program planning and development are discussed.
A systematic review of mixed methods studies published in six school psychology journals: Prevalence, characteristics, and trends from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Hida Rahma M. , Park Jeongsoo , Kim Eui Kyung , Begeny John C.
Published: December 2023

Mixed methods (MM) designs have gained more recognition in psychology in recent years due to the complementary strengths of integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The central elements of a MM design can be particularly useful in the field of school psychology, where both generalizations of group characteristics and exploration of individual perspectives are valued. Given the advantages of MM and their potential benefits in school psychology research, it is important to know the extent to which MM studies are published in school psychology journals and the general characteristics of such studies. This study examined articles published from 2011 to 2020 in six well‐known school psychology journals to (a) document the prevalence of MM articles published in each journal and in each year, (b) examine the characteristics of the identified MM studies, and (c) explore possible trends of MM publications in the 10‐year period. Findings revealed that although there is a significant increasing trend of MM studies published from the first 5 years (2011–2015) to the second 5 years (2016–2020), the percentage of MM studies is still very small in the journals assessed. Explanations, future study directions, and practical implications are provided to call for more attention and effort in facilitating the training and application of MM research.
The effect of perfectionism on relative deprivation among nursing students: The role of interpersonal sensitivity and resilience
Authors: Ding Yueming , Lu Guangli , Chen Shuyu , Liang Yipei , Zhang Yiming , Peng Qianwen , Liang Shuang , Chen Chaoran
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the relationship between perfectionism and relative deprivation among nursing students in China as well as the mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of resilience in this relationship. A cross‐sectional study design involved 682 nursing students participants from two universities in Henan Province, China, using questionnaires about demographics, perfectionism, relative deprivation, interpersonal sensitivity, and resilience. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analysis and the PROCESS macro in regression analysis were used for data analysis. Adaptive perfectionism was not significantly correlated with relative deprivation, while maladaptive perfectionism was significantly positively correlated with interpersonal sensitivity, relative deprivation, and resilience. Interpersonal sensitivity mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and relative deprivation, accounting for 41.07% of the total effect. Moreover, the first half path and direct path of this process were moderated by resilience. These results show that targeted interventions to reduce maladaptive perfectionism, reduce interpersonal sensitivity and improve resilience of nursing students could help reduce their relative deprivation.
Exploring social and environmental predictors of school engagement among first‐ and second‐generation Latino youth: A multidimensional approach
Authors: Bjugstad Arlene , Cardoso Jodi Berger , Chen Tzuan A. , Brabeck Kalina M. , Borja Sharon
Published: December 2023

Using a multidimensional, integrative approach this study examined the influence of social position factors (nativity, economic hardship, and language) and environmental contexts (community trauma, geographic location, and discrimination) on three domains of school engagement (cognitive, behavioral, and relational) among a community sample of first‐ and second‐generation Latino adolescents. Findings from this study reveal that both social position and environmental contexts significantly and differentially predicted each of the three domains of school engagement. Participants (n = 306) included students from 11 high schools in two US cities. Fifty‐three percent were first‐generation immigrants and 80% were born, or had a parent from, Mexico or Central America. Results indicated that all three social position factors (nativity, economic hardship, and language) and two of the three environmental contexts (community trauma exposure and discrimination) significantly and differentially predicted each of the three domains of school engagement. Findings emphasize the direct effects of student's social positionality and environmental contexts on their engagement in school.
Prediction of interactions between cell surface proteins by machine learning
Authors: Su Zhaoqian , Griffin Brian , Emmons Scott , Wu Yinghao
Published: December 2023

Cells detect changes in their external environments or communicate with each other through proteins on their surfaces. These cell surface proteins form a complicated network of interactions in order to fulfill their functions. The interactions between cell surface proteins are highly dynamic and, thus, challenging to detect using traditional experimental techniques. Here, we tackle this challenge using a computational framework. The primary focus of the framework is to develop new tools to identify interactions between domains in the immunoglobulin (Ig) fold, which is the most abundant domain family in cell surface proteins. These interactions could be formed between ligands and receptors from different cells or between proteins on the same cell surface. In practice, we collected all structural data on Ig domain interactions and transformed them into an interface fragment pair library. A high‐dimensional profile can then be constructed from the library for a given pair of query protein sequences. Multiple machine learning models were used to read this profile so that the probability of interaction between the query proteins could be predicted. We tested our models on an experimentally derived dataset that contains 564 cell surface proteins in humans. The cross‐validation results show that we can achieve higher than 70% accuracy in identifying the PPIs within this dataset. We then applied this method to a group of 46 cell surface proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. We screened every possible interaction between these proteins. Many interactions recognized by our machine learning classifiers have been experimentally confirmed in the literature. In conclusion, our computational platform serves as a useful tool to help identify potential new interactions between cell surface proteins in addition to current state‐of‐the‐art experimental techniques. The tool is freely accessible for use by the scientific community. Moreover, the general framework of the machine learning classification can also be extended to study the interactions of proteins in other domain superfamilies.
Phytochemicals in regulating PD‐1/PD‐L1 and immune checkpoint blockade therapy
Authors: Zhang Qi , Yang Chenying , Gao Xingsu , Dong Ju , Zhong Caiyun
Published: December 2023

Clinical treatment and preclinical studies have highlighted the role of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer treatment. Research has been devoted to developing immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with other drugs to achieve better efficacy or reduce adverse effects. Phytochemicals sourced from vegetables and fruits have demonstrated antiproliferative, proapoptotic, anti‐migratory, and antiangiogenic effects against several cancers. Phytochemicals also modulate the tumor microenvironment such as T cells, regulatory T cells, and cytokines. Recently, several phytochemicals have been reported to modulate immune checkpoint proteins in in vivo or in vitro models. Phytochemicals decreased programmed cell death ligand‐1 expression and synergized programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD‐1) monoclonal antibody to suppress tumor growth. Combined administration of phytochemicals and PD‐1 monoclonal antibody enhanced the tumor growth inhibition as well as CD4+/CD8+ T‐cell infiltration. In this review, we discuss immune checkpoint molecules as potential therapeutic targets of cancers. We further assess the impact of phytochemicals including carotenoids, polyphenols, saponins, and organosulfur compounds on cancer PD‐1/programmed cell death ligand‐1 immune checkpoint molecules and document their combination effects with immune checkpoint inhibitors on various malignancies.
Suspected human anthrax outbreak investigation in a tribal village of Koraput, India, 2021
Authors: Shandilya Jyoti , Parai Debaprasad , Choudhary Hari Ram , Kshatri Jaya Singh , Padhy Biren Kumar , Pradhan Padma Mohan , Saket Deepika , Peter Annalisha , Pattnaik Matrujyoti , Padhi Arun Kumar , Pati Sanghamitra , Bhattacharya Debdutta
Published: December 2023

Background

Odisha is a state in India endemic to anthrax disease with frequent reports of suspected animal cases. A suspected outbreak of anthrax in humans was reported on 24 October 2021 at Tukum village in Koraput district of Odisha, India after a bullock was found dead and consumed by the locals on 17 October 2021.

Methods

This extended outbreak investigation was carried out through house‐to‐house active surveillance from 24 October to 2 November 2021 in the Koraput district. Eschar skin swabs from wounds were collected and processed at District Public Health Laboratory, Koraput, and analyzed in Indian Council of Medical Research‐Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar for molecular confirmation. Samples from bone, soil, and dried meat were collected from the contaminated sites and were transported to Animal Diseases Research Institute, Cuttack for confirmation.

Results

Four suspected cases of human anthrax were identified who had handled and consumed dead bullock meat, among which one human had died later. The attack rate of the persons at risk in the village was calculated to be 1.23%. However, no Bacillus anthracis were identified in human swab samples when tested in real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Samples collected from contaminated sites were confirmed to have anthrax bacilli.

Conclusion

Investigation revealed that a suspected anthrax cluster outbreak was due to butchering/de‐skinning and consumption of the anthrax‐infected dead animal. The presence of bacilli in human samples could not be confirmed due to the intake of antibiotics before the collection of sample. This finding highlighted the importance of sample collection at a suitable time and a possible need for one health approach for better coordination among the different responsible departments.
Model predictive cascade control for resolving actuator saturation in human‐occupied vehicle trajectory tracking
Authors: Zhu Danjie , Wang Lei , Zhang Hua , Pan Ya‐Jun
Published: December 2023

A model predictive cascade controller is proposed in this article to resolve the actuator saturation problem of underwater human‐occupied vehicle (HOV) trajectory tracking. For the kinematic model, a grasshopper optimization‐based model predictive control (MPC) is developed to obtain control velocities with small fluctuations in allowable regions. Based on the desired velocities obtained from the improved kinematic control, the HOV dynamic model is used to generate the corresponding torques and forces using sliding mode control. With the control velocities and forces given by the cascade control strategy, the elimination of actuator saturation during the HOV trajectory tracking can be realized. The proposed controller is verified by simulations using a numerical example based on a four degrees of freedom (4‐DOFs) HOV.
“Back Then it was Only Men Who Worked in These Kinds of Fields”: Observing Little Sparks Through the Prism of Affect and Gender in Maker Literacies Research
Authors: Lemieux Amélie
Published: December 2023

This article delves into moments of affect, puncturing the exchanges between an early career 2SLGBTQ+ researcher and a group of Canadian adolescents, mostly composed of girls, who developed a ClayMation video to take the pulse of emerging vibrancies in maker literacies. Among these dynamisms came the matter of gender in the research project. Adopting a dynamic framework that builds on affect theory coupled with queer phenomenology to frame an affective researcher positionality, the author addresses implications of de/constructing gender with/in maker literacies work. To situate her queer positionality, she explores the possibility of coexisting truths in the relationalities that took place in space‐multiplicities of the makerspace, and during moments where she was driving to the research site, going home, taking part in conversations, or drafting notes. Related student data are presented through posthuman vignettes comprised of situated dynamisms between recorded open‐ended interviews, adolescent maps inspired by Hamon's situated geographies, field notes, and digital compositions. Implications for research and practice include: ways of becoming‐with data otherwise and attending to affective phenomena in the context of maker literacies, with the overall aim of de/constructing gender binaries. The author concludes with research and practical implications for literacies work, specifically in co‐constructing methodologies and designs that help reimagine more equitable maker literacies futures.