bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I’m on My Own and I’m Not Trained”: A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Analysis of Teaching Mathematics Out-of-Field in a Small School
Authors: Quinn Frances , Hobbs Linda
Published: February 2024

This paper employs Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as an analytical heuristic in exploring the internationally prevalent situation of teaching out-of-field. Drawing on interview transcripts, we use CHAT to frame the activity of a young teacher teaching mathematics out-of-field in a small rural K-12 school in Australia. We identify and map some important elements and tensions of out-of-field mathematics teaching, how these tensions change over time and how this activity interacts with in-field teaching. Finally, we consider emotions and identity in relation to the structural elements of CHAT mediational triangles to more fully explore and represent some of the complexities of teaching mathematics out-of-field in a small rural school and implications for responding to the out-of-field phenomenon.
Regional variation in the distribution of patterned fens in the montane-boreal regions of Alberta, Canada
Authors: Vitt Dale H. , House Melissa , Glaeser Lilyan C.
Published: February 2024

Peatlands represent an important part of the landscape of boreal western Canada, occupying some 365,157 km2. Sixty-three percent of these are minerogenous fens. Scattered among these fens are landscape features that have unique and distinctive patterns—pools and carpets (flarks) separated by raised linear ‘strings’. These patterned fens harbor rare and uncommon species and serve as habitats for endangered wildlife (e.g., woodland caribou, whooping cranes). In this study, utilizing Google Earth Pro (1) we documented 1083 ribbed fens and 250 reticulate fens in the province of Alberta, Canada; (2) determined the regional variation in patterned fen occurrences; (3) described the various morphological forms of patterned fens; and (4) recognized these as six distinctive peatland site-types. Patterned fens are not randomly arranged on the landscape. Ribbed fens are concentrated on regional high elevational uplands and montane benchlands with morainal deposits, while reticulate fens are more numerous on low elevation plains with glacial-fluvial and glacial-lacustrine deposits. Patterned fens vary along minerotrophic vegetation and chemical gradients and have a complex set of morphological types. To our knowledge, this is the first study that provides base line information on the abundance and distribution of patterned fens in Alberta and associates morphological patterned fen types with environmental or geological characteristics. The digital files and maps provide a permanent record against which future change can be compared.
Predictive ability of both the healthy aging index and the frailty index for all-cause mortality
Authors: Diaz-Toro Felipe , Nazar Gabriela , Araya Alejandra-Ximena , Petermann-Rocha Fanny
Published: February 2024

Aim

We aimed to develop and assess a modified healthy aging index (HAI) among Chileans aged 60 years and older and compare its predictive ability for all-cause mortality risk with the frailty index (FI).

Methods

This prospective study analyzed data from the Chilean National Health Survey (CNHS) conducted in 2009–2010. We included 847 adults with complete data to construct the HAI and FI. The HAI comprised five indicators (lung function, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, cognitive status, and glomerular filtration rate), while the FI assessed frailty using a 36-item scale. HAI scores were calculated by summing the indicator scores, ranging from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating poorer health. Receiver operating curves (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess predictive validity. Associations with all-cause mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted by confounders.

Results

The mean HAI score was 4.06, while the FI score was 0.24. The AUC for mortality was higher for the HAI than the FI (0.640, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.601 to 0.679 vs. 0.586, 95% CI 0.545 to 0.627). After adjusting for confounders, the FI showed a higher mortality risk compared to the HAI (2.63, 95% CI 1.76 to 3.51 vs. 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.26).

Conclusion

The FI and HAI were valid predictors for all-cause mortality in the Chilean population. Integrating these indices into research and clinical practice can significantly enhance our capacity to identify at-risk individuals.
Path tracking control of a steerable catheter in transcatheter cardiology interventions
Authors: Zhang Xiu , Sridhar Aditya , Ha Xuan Thao , Mehdi Syed Zain , Fortuna Andrea , Magro Mattia , Peloso Angela , Bicchi Anna , Ourak Mouloud , Aliverti Andrea , Votta Emiliano , Vander Poorten Emmanuel , De Momi Elena
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Intracardiac transcatheter interventions allow for reducing trauma and hospitalization stays as compared to standard surgery. In the treatment of mitral regurgitation, the most widely adopted transcatheter approach consists in deploying a clip on the mitral valve leaflets by means of a catheter that is run through veins from a peripheral access to the left atrium. However, precise manipulation of the catheter from outside the body while copying with the path constraints imposed by the vessels remains challenging.

Methods

We proposed a path tracking control framework that provides adequate motion commands to the robotic steerable catheter for autonomous navigation through vascular lumens. The proposed work implements a catheter kinematic model featuring nonholonomic constraints. Relying on the real-time measurements from an electromagnetic sensor and a fiber Bragg grating sensor, a two-level feedback controller was designed to control the catheter.

Results

The proposed method was tested in a patient-specific vessel phantom. A median position error between the center line of the vessel and the catheter tip trajectory was found to be below 2 mm, with a maximum error below 3 mm. Statistical testing confirmed that the performance of the proposed method exhibited no significant difference in both free space and the contact region.

Conclusion

The preliminary in vitro studies presented in this paper showed promising accuracy in navigating the catheter within the vessel. The proposed approach enables autonomous control of a steerable catheter for transcatheter cardiology interventions without the request of calibrating the intuitive parameters or acquiring a training dataset.
Microstructural Feature Extraction by a Convolutional Neural Network for Cold Spray of Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Tu Siyu , Vo Phuong
Published: February 2024

The use of process–microstructure–property relationships for cold spray can significantly reduce application development cost and time compared to legacy trial and error strategies. However, due to the heterogeneous microstructure of a cold spray deposit, with (prior) particle boundaries outlining consolidated splats (deformed particles) in the as-spray condition, the use of automated analysis methods is challenging. In this work, we demonstrate the utility of quantitative data developed from a convolutional neural network (CNN) for feature extraction of cold spray microstructures. Specifically, the power of CNN is harnessed to automatically segment the deformed particles, which is hardly accessible at scale with traditional image processing techniques. Deposits produced with various processing conditions are evaluated with metallography. Parameters related to particle morphology such as flattening ratio are also quantified and correlated to strength.
Factors Associated with Statin Discontinuation Following Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis of 2012–2021 Electronic Medical Records Network Data
Authors: Alsuhibani Abdulrahman A , Al-Obeed Omar A , Wigle Patricia R. , Alsultan Mohammed M. , Guo Jeff J , Lin Alex C. , Rao Marepalli B , Hincapie Ana L.
Published: February 2024

Background

Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve hyperlipidemia, decreasing the need for statin medications. Although maintaining statin therapy post-surgery for those with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is advised, it is uncertain if discontinuation risks differ between those with and without ASCVD history.

Aim

The study aims to analyze the rate and reasons for statin cessation post-bariatric surgery in the US using real-world data.

Methods

Using the TriNetX electronic medical records network from 2012 to 2021, the study involved patients aged 18 or older on statins at the time of bariatric surgery. They were categorized into primary and secondary prevention groups based on prior ASCVD. Statin discontinuation was defined as a 90-day gap post the last statin dosage. The Cox model assessed factors influencing statin cessation.

Results

Seven hundred and thirty-three statin users undergoing bariatric surgery were identified, with 564 (77%) in primary prevention. Six months post-surgery, 48% of primary prevention patients and 34.5% of secondary ones stopped statins. Primary prevention patients had a 30% higher likelihood of cessation compared to secondary prevention (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.06–1.60) as shown by multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

Post-bariatric surgery, primary prevention patients are more likely to discontinue statins than secondary prevention patients.

Graphical Abstract
Robotic surgery: public perceptions and current misconceptions
Authors: Brar Gurneet , Xu Siyang , Anwar Mehreen , Talajia Kareena , Ramesh Nikilesh , Arshad Serish R.
Published: February 2024

Whilst surgeons and robotic companies are key stakeholders involved in the adoption of robotic assisted surgery (RS), the public’s role is overlooked. However, given that patients hold ultimate power over their healthcare decisions, public acceptance of RS is crucial. Therefore, this study aims to identify public understanding, opinions, and misconceptions about RS. An online questionnaire distributed between February and May 2021 ascertained the views of UK adults on RS. The themes of questions included familiarity, experience and comfort with RS, opinions on its ethical implications, and the impact of factual information provided to the participant. The data were evaluated using thematic and statistical analysis, including assessing for statistical differences in age, gender, education level, and presence in the medical field. Overall, 216 responses were analysed. Participants were relatively uninformed about RS, with a median knowledge score of 4.00(2.00–6.00) on a 10-point Likert scale. Fears surrounding increased risk, reduced precision and technological failure were identified, alongside misconceptions about its autonomous nature. However, providing factual information in the survey about RS statistically increased participant comfort (p = < 0.0001). Most (61.8%) participants believed robot manufacturers were responsible for malfunctions, but doctors were held accountable more by older, less educated, and non-medical participants. Our findings suggest that there is limited public understanding of RS. The numerous common misconceptions identified present a major barrier to the widespread acceptance of RS, since inaccurate fears about its nature could discourage potential patients from engaging with robotic procedures.
Promoting advanced medical services in the framework of 3PM—a proof-of-concept by the “Centro” Region of Portugal
Authors: Regateiro Fernando J. , Silva Henriqueta , Lemos Manuel C. , Moura Gabriela , Torres Pedro , Pereira André Dias , Dias Luís , Ferreira Pedro L. , Amaral Sara , Santos Manuel A. S.
Published: February 2024

Multidisciplinary team from three universities based in the “Centro” Region of Portugal developed diverse approaches as parts of a project dedicated to enhancing and expanding Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine (3PM) in the Region. In a sense, outcomes acted as a proof-of-concept, in that they demonstrated the feasibility, but also the relevance of the approaches. The accomplishments comprise defining a new regional strategy for implementing 3PM within the Region, training of human resources in genomic sequencing, and generating good practices handbooks dedicated to diagnostic testing via next-generation sequencing, to legal and ethical concerns, and to knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship, aimed at increasing literacy on 3PM approaches. Further approaches also included support for entrepreneurship development and start-ups, and diverse and relevant initiatives aimed at increasing literacy relevant to 3PM. Efforts to enhance literacy encompassed citizens across the board, from patients and high school students to health professionals and health students. This focus on empowerment through literacy involved a variety of initiatives, including the creation of an illustrated book on genomics and the production of two theater plays centered on genetics. Additionally, authors stressed that genomic tools are relevant, but they are not the only resources 3PM is based on. Thus, they defend that other initiatives intended to enable citizens to take 3PM should include multi-omics and, having in mind the socio-economic burden of chronic diseases, suboptimal health status approaches in the 3PM framework should also be considered, in order to anticipate medical intervention in the subclinical phase.
Impact of Media Information on Social Response in Disasters: A Case Study of the Freezing-Rain and Snowstorm Disasters in Southern China in 2008
Authors: He Jia , Duan Wenjing , Zhou Yuxuan , Su Yun
Published: February 2024

Disaster information content is an objective mapping of disaster situations, social response, and public opinions. Social response to emergency is an important mechanism for implementing and guaranteeing emergency management of major natural hazard-related disasters. Understanding how disaster information content affects social response to emergencies is helpful for managing risk communication and efficient disaster response. Based on the 2008 freezing-rain and snowstorm disasters in southern China, this study used Python to extract 7,857 case-related media reports and applied natural language processing for text analysis. It used three typical cases to identify and analyze disaster media report content and the relationship between these reports and the social response to the emergency. Eight categories of disaster response—such as prewarning and forecasting, announcements by the authorities, and social mobilization—appeared in the disaster information in the media, along with disaster impact information, that is, real-time disaster status. Disaster response information and an appropriate amount of disaster impact information played important roles in prewarning, disaster relief, public opinion guidance, and social stability maintenance and can serve important functions in communicating with all stakeholders of emergency management, assisting or influencing emergency departments or individuals in decision making, and eliminating “information islands.” Empathy caused the general public to become “disaster responders” through receiving information. Rumors and an excess of negative information may have a perverse amplification effect on public opinion and increase the unpredictability of the disaster situation and the risk of social crisis.
Adaptive normal vector guided evolutionary multi- and many-objective optimization
Authors: Hua Yicun , Liu Qiqi , Hao Kuangrong
Published: February 2024

Most existing multi-objective evolutionary algorithms relying on fixed reference vectors originating from an ideal or a nadir point may fail to perform well on multi- and many-objective optimization problems with various convexity or shapes of Pareto fronts. A possible reason could be the inaccurate measurement of the diversity of solutions or the failure of the fixed reference vectors in guiding the rapidly changing population. To meet this challenge, this work develops an adaptive normal reference vector-based decomposition strategy for guiding the search process, which is able to handle various convexity and shapes of Pareto fronts. Specifically, the normal vector passing through the center of each cluster in a constructed hyperplane is adopted as the reference vector for guiding the search process. Then, a selection strategy is put forward based on the positions of solutions in the current population and the normal vectors for the environmental selection. Based on the adaptive normal vectors, the proposed algorithm can not only rapidly adapt to the changing population but also alleviate the influence of the convexity of Pareto fronts on the measurement of diversity. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performs consistently well on various types of multi-/many-objective problems having regular or irregular Pareto fronts. In addition, the proposed algorithm is shown to perform well in the optimization of the polyester fiber esterification process.
The Relationship Between Nomophobia, Addiction, and Distraction
Authors: Oraison Humberto , Wilson Bruce
Published: February 2024

Nomophobia is the fear of not accessing a mobile phone which has been recognised in the literature as a series of feelings and symptoms experienced by mobile/smartphone users. In the same manner, distraction and addiction have been found to interact with increasing usage and impact on users’ wellbeing. This study aimed to explore the relationship between nomophobia and distraction-addiction through a cross-sectional study. One hundred and sixty-four participants aged between 18 and 70, 118 females (72%) and 46 males (28%) completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Distraction, addiction, and nomophobia scores were moderately to strongly correlated. Distraction and addiction scores were both significant predictors of nomophobia scores. Males scored higher for nomophobia but lower for addiction than females, with no differences for distraction. Results suggest that feelings of nomophobia may be related to withdrawal and addiction effects rather than fear. Findings may support the inclusion of a “Smartphone Addiction Disorder” in future editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Further research exploring symptoms and severity of Nomophobia may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment.
Effects of including fully wraparound geogrid layers on the load-bearing capacity and settlement of a strip footing resting on sandy soil
Authors: Ahmad Hussein , Sheble Ashraf
Published: February 2024

In this study, a series of small-scale physical model tests were conducted to investigate the effects of fully wrapped geogrid sheets on the load‒settlement response of medium-dense sandy soil beneath a single-strip foundation. Recent research has provided evidence of how different parameters affect the behavior of dense sandy soil when reinforced with fully wraparound geogrid sheets. Additionally, a parametric analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of various factors on the system. These factors include the presence of a folded geogrid sheet, the depth and length of an embedded wraparound geogrid sheet, the thickness of the fully wrapped geogrid layer, the impact of tensile strains along the geogrid sheet, and the effect of additional confinement pressure. The inclusion of a single sheet of full wraparound geogrid sheets has been found to significantly affect the pressure-bearing capacity of medium-dense sandy soil and settlement beneath the strip footing. The carrying capacity increases by 280%, and the settlement ratios decrease by 50% when using one layer of full wraparound geogrid. Moreover, when using one fully folded geogrid sheet, the strain induced beneath the center of the footing decreases significantly by approximately 45.5% and the applied pressure by approximately 15.5% in comparison with two inclusions of planar geogrid layers. In addition, the stress distributions are spread over a larger region within the soil mass. One significant finding is that the presence of two overlapping parts prevents the rupture of the geogrid sheet, as opposed to the planar geogrid sheet.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): could we decide what is behind?
Authors: Bárdos György
Published: February 2024

Functional visceral problems are frequently present nowadays in the medical practice probably due to the significant mental and emotional load on people. Although physicians and psychophysiologists are active on the field, still we are far from a complete knowledge, despite the fact that scientists like the Hungarian Professor György Ádám already had initiated a new approach called visceral psychophysiology already a long time ago. In this article, we commemorate Professor Ádám by analyzing one of the most frequent functional disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), calling psychophysiology for help. First, we try to give a definition, then show the general descriptions and characteristics of IBS. Factors like stress, gender, and gastrointestinal pain are followed by the potential role of the immune system and the neuronal factors as well as the supposed brain mechanisms. We hope that this overview of the IBS-history would show how significant scientists can be decisive in certain fields of the science and practice.
Growth of two invasive cichlids (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in a natural thermal water habitat of temperate Central Europe (Lake Hévíz, Hungary)
Authors: Lente Vera , Staszny Ádám , Hegedűs Anna , Weiperth András , Bányai Zsombor M. , Urbányi Béla , Ferincz Árpád
Published: February 2024

The outflow of the natural thermal Lake of Hévíz is habitat of several fish species, with conservation relevance. In the past few years, numerous thermophile (tropically originated) fishes were reported in this waterbody, from which two species Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867), Vieja melanurus (Günther, 1862) characterized with strong, self-sustaining population. The aim of our research was to provide basic population data and to study their individual growth. The standard length of jaguar cichlid ranged from 37 to 283 mm (mean SL = 110.21 ± 65.4 mm), the redhead cichlid standard length varied between 30 and 203 mm (mean SL = 93.91 ± 40.0 mm). Slightly positive allometry (b > 3) was found in the case of both species. The von Bertalanffy Growth Function can be described as the following Lt = 343.6[1 − e−0.196(t+0.973)] in jaguar cichlid and Lt = 298.9[1 − e−0.113(t+0.997)] in the case of redhead cichlid. The Bertalanffy growth equations show slow growth for both species. Fulton’s condition factor (K) values varied between 1.376 and 2.11 (mean K = 1.701 ± 0.17) in the case of jaguar cichlid, and between 1.391 and 3.033 (mean K = 2.237 ± 0.24) for redhead cichlid. These baseline population biology data from the first known self-sustaining, temperate-zone populations of two tropical cichlids provide information e.g., for future ecological risk assessments or comparative growth analyzes.
Influence of modern technology on Ghanaian indigenous pottery and fashion trends
Authors: Mefful Ophelia Ohenewa , Asante-Kyei Kofi , Nii Darku Dodoo Caleb
Published: February 2024

In Ghana, due to the social dynamics of modernization, there has been an increasing awareness among the population about modern ceramics and fashion owing to the influence of print and electronic media. This paper brings to light the effects of technology and the responsiveness of the ceramic and fashion industries in Ghana. The research design adopted for this study was a mixed-methods design. This design involves the collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by qualitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. The study adopted a stratified sample size of 105 out of a targeted population of 142 from three groups at Takoradi Technical University, Ghana. The study covered ceramic and fashion lecturers (15), ceramic and fashion students (35), and non-ceramic and fashion students (55). A structured questionnaire and interview guide were used to gather information. The questionnaire was subjected to a reliability test with Cronbach's alpha, and it resulted in a reliability coefficient of 0.82 (82%), which was above the recommended minimum of 0.7. The gathered data was analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 software and ATLAS.ti were used for data analysis. The study revealed that the availability and exposure to technologies in the twenty-first century have had a major influence on indigenous pottery and the choice of clothing in Ghanaian society. The collective evidence from the results also underscores the transformative impact of digital platforms and technology in shaping perceptions, practices, and preferences within the indigenous pottery and fashion domains. The paper recommended that the stakeholders in these creative industries strategically harness the synergy of social media and technological tools to enhance global exposure, foster economic growth, and ensure the preservation of cultural heritage.
Subscores
Authors: Haberman Shelby , Sinharay Sandip , Feinberg Richard A. , Wainer Howard
Published: February 2024

This authoritative guide directs consumers and users of test scores on when and how to provide subscores and how to make informed decisions based on them. The book is designed to be accessible to practitioners and score users with varying levels of technical expertise, from executives of testing organizations and students who take tests to graduate students in educational measurement, psychometricians, and test developers. The theoretical background required to evaluate subscores and improve them are provided alongside examples of tests with subscores to illustrate their use and misuse. The first chapter covers the history of tests, subtests, scores, and subscores. Later chapters go into subscore reporting, evaluating and improving the quality of subscores, and alternatives to subscores when they are not appropriate. This thorough introduction to the existing research and best practices will be useful to graduate students, researchers, and practitioners.
Connectives and Discourse Relations
Authors: Zufferey Sandrine , Degand Liesbeth
Published: February 2024

Illustrated with examples from a rich range of languages and genres, this book provides a state-of-the-art introduction to the meanings and functions of connectives, and the discourse relations they communicate. It begins with theoretical chapters that illustrate the many interfaces present in the study of connectives and discourse relations, using diachronic data to illustrate how connectives incorporate such a wide range of functions in synchronic language use. The second half of the book presents the rapidly growing body of studies that have used empirical data to assess theories of connectives and discourse relations, spanning fields as diverse as discourse processing, first and second language acquisition, and cross-linguistic studies. End-of-chapter discussion questions and lists of further readings are included, along with a comprehensive glossary of key terms. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available open access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.
María Félix
Authors: Thornton Niamh
Published: February 2024

María Félix (1914-2002) left her mark on Mexican and European film as well as fashion, art, and jewellery design.
Newsprint Literature and Local Literary Creativity in West Africa, 1900s-1960s
Authors: Newell Stephanie
Published: February 2024

Groundbreaking examination of literary production in West African newspapers and local printing presses in the first half of the twentieth century.
Art and Witchcraft in Early Modern Italy
Authors: Tal Guy
Published: February 2024

The figure of the witch is familiar from the work of early modern German, Dutch, and Flemish artists, but much less so in the work of their Italian counterparts. Art and Witchcraft in Early Modern Italy seeks to explore the ways in which representations of witchcraft emerged from and coincided with the main cultural currents and artistic climate of an epoch chiefly celebrated for its humanistic and rational approaches. Through an in-depth examination of a panoply of arresting paintings, engravings, and drawings-variously portraying a hag-ridden colossal phallus, a horror-stricken necromancer dodging the devil's scrabbling claws, and a nocturnal procession presided over by an infanticidal crone - Guy Tal offers new ways of reading witchcraft images through and beyond conventional iconography. Artists such as Parmigianino, Alessandro Allori, Leonello Spada, and Angelo Caroselli effected visual commentaries on demonological notions that engaged their audience in a tantalizing experience of interpretation.
The Use of the Health Belief Model in the Context of Heatwaves Research: A Rapid Review
Authors: Ullah Farman , Ragazzoni Luca , Hubloue Ives , Barone-Adesi Francesco , Valente Martina
Published: February 2024

As heatwaves increase and intensify worldwide, so has the research aimed at outlining strategies to protect individuals from their impact. Interventions that promote adaptive measures to heatwaves are encouraged, but evidence on how to develop such interventions is still scarce. Although the Health Belief Model is one of the leading frameworks guiding behavioral change interventions, the evidence of its use in heatwave research is limited. This rapid review aims to identify and describe the main themes and key findings in the literature regarding the use of the Health Belief Model in heatwaves research. It also highlights important research gaps and future research priorities. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 10 articles were included, with a geographic distribution as follows: United States (n = 1), Australia (n = 1), Pakistan (n = 1), and China (n = 1), as well as Malaysia (n = 2), Germany (n = 1), and Austria (n = 1). Results showed a lack of research using the Health Belief Model to study heatwaves induced by climate change. Half of the studies assessed heatwave risk perception, with the 2 most frequently used constructs being Perceived Susceptibility and Perceived Severity. The Self-efficacy construct was instead used less often. Most of the research was conducted in urban communities. This review underscores the need for further research using the Health Belief Model.
Backchannel behavior is idiosyncratic
Authors: Blomsma Peter , Vaitonyté Julija , Skantze Gabriel , Swerts Marc
Published: February 2024

In spoken conversations, speakers and their addressees constantly seek and provide different forms of audiovisual feedback, also known as backchannels, which include nodding, vocalizations and facial expressions. It has previously been shown that addressees backchannel at specific points during an interaction, namely after a speaker provided a cue to elicit feedback from the addressee. However, addressees may differ in the frequency and type of feedback that they provide, and likewise, speakers may vary the type of cues they generate to signal the backchannel opportunity points (BOPs). Research on the extent to which backchanneling is idiosyncratic is scant. In this article, we quantify and analyze the variability in feedback behavior of 14 addressees who all interacted with the same speaker stimulus. We conducted this research by means of a previously developed experimental paradigm that generates spontaneous interactions in a controlled manner. Our results show that (1) backchanneling behavior varies between listeners (some addressees are more active than others) and (2) backchanneling behavior varies between BOPs (some points trigger more responses than others). We discuss the relevance of these results for models of human–human and human–machine interactions.
30 m Resolution Global Maps of Forest Soil Respiration and Its Changes From 2000 to 2020
Authors: Zhao Zhengyong , Ding Xiaogang , Wang Guangyu , Li Yingying
Published: February 2024

The soil respiration (Rs) of forests is a major component of global Rs, yet few studies have focused on it. This study aimed to estimate global forest Rs and its changes at a resolution of 30 m via an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Five input candidates representing forest type, climatic, soil, and geographical information, as well as 1472 satisfactory forest Rs records, were used to build the ANN model and evaluate the model performance via a 10‐fold cross‐validation scheme. Global forest change data sets were used to accurately define the extent of forests and their changes, which was achievable because of the dynamic information and high resolution (30 m) of the data sets. The results indicate that the average annual global forest Rs from 2000 to 2020, as estimated by the optimal ANN model with an r2 value of 0.67 and a root‐mean‐square error of 252.6 g C m−2 yr−1, was 46.24 ± 5.86 Pg C yr−1. From 2001 to 2019, the average theoretical annual global forest Rs loss was 0.22 ± 0.06 Pg C yr−1 due to an average forest loss area of 23.4 million ha yr−1. In addition, the annual Rs theoretically increased by 0.75 Pg C in 2012 due to a global forest gain area of 80.5 million from 2001 to 2012. The presented data sets of global forest Rs and its changes can provide an accurate benchmark for discussing the carbon cycle and climate change at global to regional scales, even when operating over a small forest area (i.e., dozens of ha), which is a scale that has been ignored in other global Rs studies.
Active Tectonics, Quaternary Stress Regime Evolution and Seismotectonic Faults in Southern Central Hispaniola: Implications for the Quantitative Seismic Hazard Assessment
Authors: Escuder‐Viruete J. , Fernández F. J. , Pérez Valera F. , McDermott F.
Published: February 2024

Present‐day convergence between Caribbean and North American plates is accommodated by subduction zones, major active thrusts and strike‐slip faults, which are probably the source of the historical large earthquakes on Hispaniola. However, little is known of their geometric and kinematic characteristics, slip rates and seismic activity over time. This information is important to understand the active tectonics in Hispaniola, but it is also crucial to estimate the seismic hazard in the region. Here we show that a relatively constant NE‐directed shortening controlled the geometry and kinematics of main active faults in southern central Hispaniola, as well as the evolution of the Quaternary stress regime. This evolution included a pre‐Early Pleistocene D1 event of NE‐trending compression, which gave rise to the large‐scale fold and thrust structure in the Cordillera Central, Peralta Belt, Sierra Martín García and San Juan‐Azua basin. This was followed by a near pure strike‐slip D2 stress regime, partitioned into the N‐S to NE‐SW transverse Ocoa‐Bonao‐La Guácara and Beata Ridge fault zones, as well as subordinate structures in related sub‐parallel deformation corridors. Shift to D2 strike‐slip deformation was related to indentation of the Beata Ridge in southern Hispaniola from the Early to Middle Pleistocene and continues today. D2 was locally coeval by a more heterogeneous and geographically localized D3 extensional deformation. Defined seismotectonic fault zones divide the region into a set of simplified seismogenic zones as starting point for a seismic hazard modeling. Highest peak ground acceleration values computed in the Ocoa Bay establish a very high seismic hazard.
Impact of Momentum Perturbation on Convective Boundary Layer Turbulence
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Jonko Alex , Lassman William , Mirocha Jeffrey D. , Kosović Branko , Banerjee Tirtha
Published: February 2024

Mesoscale‐to‐microscale coupling is an important tool for conducting turbulence‐resolving multiscale simulations of realistic atmospheric flows, which are crucial for applications ranging from wind energy to wildfire spread studies. Different techniques are used to facilitate the development of realistic turbulence in the large‐eddy simulation (LES) domain while minimizing computational cost. Here, we explore the impact of a simple and computationally efficient Stochastic Cell Perturbation method using momentum perturbation (SCPM‐M) to accelerate turbulence generation in boundary‐coupled LES simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. We simulate a convective boundary layer (CBL) to characterize the production and dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and the variation of TKE budget terms. Furthermore, we evaluate the impact of applying momentum perturbations of three magnitudes below, up to, and above the CBL on the TKE budget terms. Momentum perturbations greatly reduce the fetch associated with turbulence generation. When applied to half the vertical extent of the boundary layer, momentum perturbations produce an adequate amount of turbulence. However, when applied above the CBL, additional structures are generated at the top of the CBL, near the inversion layer. The magnitudes of the TKE budgets produced by SCPM‐M when applied at varying heights and with different perturbation amplitudes are always higher near the surface and inversion layer than those produced by No‐SCPM, as are their contributions to the TKE. This study provides a better understanding of how SCPM‐M reduces computational costs and how different budget terms contribute to TKE in a boundary‐coupled LES simulation.
Comparison of personal exposure to black carbon levels with fixed-site monitoring data and with dispersion modelling and the influence of activity patterns and environment
Authors: Gruzieva Olena , Georgelis Antonios , Andersson Niklas , Johansson Christer , Bellander Tom , Merritt Anne-Sophie
Published: February 2024

Background

Short-term studies of health effects from ambient air pollution usually rely on fixed site monitoring data or spatio-temporal models for exposure characterization, but the relation to personal exposure is often not known.

Objective

We aimed to explore this relation for black carbon (BC) in central Stockholm.

Methods

Families (n = 46) with an infant, one parent working and one parent on parental leave, carried battery-operated BC instruments for 7 days. Routine BC monitoring data were obtained from rural background (RB) and urban background (UB) sites. Outdoor levels of BC at home and work were estimated in 24 h periods by dispersion modelling based on hourly real-time meteorological data, and statistical meteorological data representing annual mean conditions. Global radiation, air pressure, precipitation, temperature, and wind speed data were obtained from the UB station. All families lived in the city centre, within 4 km of the UB station.

Results

The average level of 24 h personal BC was 425 (s.d. 181) ng/m3 for parents on leave, and 394 (s.d. 143) ng/m3 for working parents. The corresponding fixed-site monitoring observations were 148 (s.d. 139) at RB and 317 (s.d. 149) ng/m3 at UB. Modelled BC levels at home and at work were 493 (s.d. 228) and 331 (s.d. 173) ng/m3, respectively. UB, RB and air pressure explained only 21% of personal 24 h BC variability for parents on leave and 25% for working parents. Modelled home BC and observed air pressure explained 23% of personal BC, and adding modelled BC at work increased the explanation to 34% for the working parents.

Impact

Short-term studies of health effects from ambient air pollution usually rely on fixed site monitoring data or spatio-temporal models for exposure characterization, but the relation to actual personal exposure is often not known. In this study we showed that both routine monitoring and modelled data explained less than 35% of variability in personal black carbon exposure. Hence, short-term health effects studies based on fixed site monitoring or spatio-temporal modelling are likely to be underpowered and subject to bias.
Cold-inducible RNA binding protein alleviates iron overload-induced neural ferroptosis under perinatal hypoxia insult
Authors: Zhu Xiaozheng , Guan Ruili , Zou Yuankang , Li Ming , Chen Jingyuan , Zhang Jianbin , Luo Wenjing
Published: February 2024

Cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRBP), a stress response protein, protects cells from mild hypothermia or hypoxia by stabilizing specific mRNAs and promoting their translation. Neurons subjected to hypobaric hypoxia insult trigger various cell death programs. One of these is ferroptosis, a novel non-apoptotic form of programmed cell death, which is characterized by excessive iron ion accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Here, we establish that CIRBP can regulate neuronal ferroptosis both in vivo and in vitro. We observe that hypoxia leads to neuronal death via intracellular ferrous iron overload and impaired antioxidant systems, accompanied by suppressed CIRBP expression. Genetic enrichment of CIRBP in hippocampal neurons CIRBPTg mice bred with Emx1-Cre mice attenuates hypoxia-induced cognitive deficits and neuronal degeneration. Mechanistically, CIRBP alleviates neuronal ferroptosis and intracellular ferrous ion accumulation by binding to the mitochondrial ferritin (FTMT) 3’UTR to stabilize mRNA and promote its translation. Our novel study shows the critical role of CIRBP in the progression of ferroptosis, and provides promising therapeutic target for hypoxia-induced neurological diseases.
Concordance of randomised controlled trials for artificial intelligence interventions with the CONSORT-AI reporting guidelines
Authors: Martindale Alexander P. L. , Llewellyn Carrie D. , de Visser Richard O. , Ng Benjamin , Ngai Victoria , Kale Aditya U. , di Ruffano Lavinia Ferrante , Golub Robert M. , Collins Gary S. , Moher David , McCradden Melissa D. , Oakden-Rayner Lauren , Rivera Samantha Cruz , Calvert Melanie , Kelly Christopher J. , Lee Cecilia S. , Yau Christopher , Chan An-Wen , Keane Pearse A. , Beam Andrew L. , Denniston Alastair K. , Liu Xiaoxuan
Published: February 2024

The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials extension for Artificial Intelligence interventions (CONSORT-AI) was published in September 2020. Since its publication, several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of AI interventions have been published but their completeness and transparency of reporting is unknown. This systematic review assesses the completeness of reporting of AI RCTs following publication of CONSORT-AI and provides a comprehensive summary of RCTs published in recent years. 65 RCTs were identified, mostly conducted in China (37%) and USA (18%). Median concordance with CONSORT-AI reporting was 90% (IQR 77–94%), although only 10 RCTs explicitly reported its use. Several items were consistently under-reported, including algorithm version, accessibility of the AI intervention or code, and references to a study protocol. Only 3 of 52 included journals explicitly endorsed or mandated CONSORT-AI. Despite a generally high concordance amongst recent AI RCTs, some AI-specific considerations remain systematically poorly reported. Further encouragement of CONSORT-AI adoption by journals and funders may enable more complete adoption of the full CONSORT-AI guidelines.
Stalled translation by mitochondrial stress upregulates a CNOT4-ZNF598 ribosomal quality control pathway important for tissue homeostasis
Authors: Geng Ji , Li Shuangxi , Li Yu , Wu Zhihao , Bhurtel Sunil , Rimal Suman , Khan Danish , Ohja Rani , Brandman Onn , Lu Bingwei
Published: February 2024

Translational control exerts immediate effect on the composition, abundance, and integrity of the proteome. Ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) handles ribosomes stalled at the elongation and termination steps of translation, with ZNF598 in mammals and Hel2 in yeast serving as key sensors of translation stalling and coordinators of downstream resolution of collided ribosomes, termination of stalled translation, and removal of faulty translation products. The physiological regulation of RQC in general and ZNF598 in particular in multicellular settings is underexplored. Here we show that ZNF598 undergoes regulatory K63-linked ubiquitination in a CNOT4-dependent manner and is upregulated upon mitochondrial stresses in mammalian cells and Drosophila. ZNF598 promotes resolution of stalled ribosomes and protects against mitochondrial stress in a ubiquitination-dependent fashion. In Drosophila models of neurodegenerative diseases and patient cells, ZNF598 overexpression aborts stalled translation of mitochondrial outer membrane-associated mRNAs, removes faulty translation products causal of disease, and improves mitochondrial and tissue health. These results shed lights on the regulation of ZNF598 and its functional role in mitochondrial and tissue homeostasis.
Anti-phage defence through inhibition of virion assembly
Authors: Patel Pramalkumar H. , Taylor Véronique L. , Zhang Chi , Getz Landon J. , Fitzpatrick Alexa D. , Davidson Alan R. , Maxwell Karen L.
Published: February 2024

Bacteria have evolved diverse antiviral defence mechanisms to protect themselves against phage infection. Phages integrated into bacterial chromosomes, known as prophages, also encode defences that protect the bacterial hosts in which they reside. Here, we identify a type of anti-phage defence that interferes with the virion assembly pathway of invading phages. The protein that mediates this defence, which we call Tab (for ‘Tail assembly blocker’), is constitutively expressed from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa prophage. Tab allows the invading phage replication cycle to proceed, but blocks assembly of the phage tail, thus preventing formation of infectious virions. While the infected cell dies through the activity of the replicating phage lysis proteins, there is no release of infectious phage progeny, and the bacterial community is thereby protected from a phage epidemic. Prophages expressing Tab are not inhibited during their own lytic cycle because they express a counter-defence protein that interferes with Tab function. Thus, our work reveals an anti-phage defence that operates by blocking virion assembly, thereby both preventing formation of phage progeny and allowing destruction of the infected cell due to expression of phage lysis genes.
TREX tetramer disruption alters RNA processing necessary for corticogenesis in THOC6 Intellectual Disability Syndrome
Authors: Werren Elizabeth A. , LaForce Geneva R. , Srivastava Anshika , Perillo Delia R. , Li Shaokun , Johnson Katherine , Baris Safa , Berger Brandon , Regan Samantha L. , Pfennig Christian D. , de Munnik Sonja , Pfundt Rolph , Hebbar Malavika , Jimenez-Heredia Raúl , Karakoc-Aydiner Elif , Ozen Ahmet , Dmytrus Jasmin , Krolo Ana , Corning Ken , Prijoles E. J. , Louie Raymond J. , Lebel Robert Roger , Le Thuy-Linh , Amiel Jeanne , Gordon Christopher T. , Boztug Kaan , Girisha Katta M. , Shukla Anju , Bielas Stephanie L. , Schaffer Ashleigh E.
Published: February 2024

THOC6 variants are the genetic basis of autosomal recessive THOC6 Intellectual Disability Syndrome (TIDS). THOC6 is critical for mammalian Transcription Export complex (TREX) tetramer formation, which is composed of four six-subunit THO monomers. The TREX tetramer facilitates mammalian RNA processing, in addition to the nuclear mRNA export functions of the TREX dimer conserved through yeast. Human and mouse TIDS model systems revealed novel THOC6-dependent, species-specific TREX tetramer functions. Germline biallelic Thoc6 loss-of-function (LOF) variants result in mouse embryonic lethality. Biallelic THOC6 LOF variants reduce the binding affinity of ALYREF to THOC5 without affecting the protein expression of TREX members, implicating impaired TREX tetramer formation. Defects in RNA nuclear export functions were not detected in biallelic THOC6 LOF human neural cells. Instead, mis-splicing was detected in human and mouse neural tissue, revealing novel THOC6-mediated TREX coordination of mRNA processing. We demonstrate that THOC6 is required for key signaling pathways known to regulate the transition from proliferative to neurogenic divisions during human corticogenesis. Together, these findings implicate altered RNA processing in the developmental biology of TIDS neuropathology.