bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Sports Activities on Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Children and Adolescents: a Systematic Narrative Review
Authors: Levante A. , Martis C. , Antonioli G. , Dima M. , Duma L. , Perrone M. , Russo L. , Lecciso F.
Published: August 2023

Background

The main traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are difficulties in social communication and interactions. Autism is frequently related to motor impairments. In the last decades, to develop and promote the social and motor skills of autistic people, several sports training programmes have been designed. In the present systematic narrative review, we aimed at providing an overview of studies evaluating the effectiveness of these sports training programmes to synthesize their strengths and weaknesses.

Method

To formulate the eligibility criteria for the systematic review, the PICO protocol was used. The PRISMA protocol was applied to four databases for the search strategy. 30 papers were reviewed, and their main features were tabulated and critically discussed.

Results

Findings highlighted that 8 types of sports were applied to autistic individuals and that the majority of them were focused on two individual sports (i.e., swimming and horseback riding). In sum, findings revealed that sports training programmes provided positive benefits both on motor/social skills as well as on autistic traits (e.g., repetitive behaviours) and individual functioning. The narrative synthesis revealed also that future studies should enroll more autistic females and preschoolers. To encourage the social inclusion of autistic individuals, a group of typically developing peers should be involved in future sports training programmes.

Discussion

In conclusion, professionals trained on autistic traits and knowledgeable in the target sport are required; consultations with the autistic community as guidance for designing novel sports training programmes are recommended.
Pregorexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the constructs of body image dissatisfaction and eating disturbances by gestational age in the peripartum
Authors: Tarchi Livio , Merola Giuseppe Pierpaolo , Selvi Giulia , Caprara Eleonora , Pecoraro Vincenzo , Cassioli Emanuele , Rossi Eleonora , Petraglia Felice , Ricca Valdo , Castellini Giovanni
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Pregorexia is a phenomenon posited to occur in the peripartum, characterized by an attempt to counter pregnancy’s physiological changes in body shape through reduced calorie intake or increased physical activity.

Methods

In this pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis, body image dissatisfaction and eating psychopathology in the peripartum according to gestational age were formally assessed. PubMed was searched up to May 2023. Selection criteria were represented by studies on body image concerns or eating psychopathology in the peripartum (up to 1 year after delivery). The population needed to include women from the general population or among patients with a history of (or current) eating disorder. For the meta-analysis, 17 studies were included: 10 for body image dissatisfaction (2625 individuals overall), 7 for eating behaviors (2551 individuals overall). The interplay between body image and the following themes was examined in depth: the adoption of breastfeeding, peripartum depression, sociocultural influences on body image, sexual disturbances, experiencing or reporting an altered food intake.

Results

Progressive dissatisfaction with body image during pregnancy by gestational age was observed, stably elevated for at least 12 months postpartum. Eating psychopathology was observed as elevated only at 12 months in the postpartum, but not during pregnancy.

Discussion

The current work offers normative values of body image satisfaction and eating psychopathology in the peripartum by gestational age. The relevance of current results was discussed, in order to inform both current clinical practice and future public policies.

Level of Evidence

Level I—Evidence obtained from: systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Fathers in the spotlight: parental burden and the effectiveness of a parental skills training for anorexia nervosa in mother–father dyads
Authors: Zeiler Michael , Philipp Julia , Truttmann Stefanie , Wittek Tanja , Kopp Konstantin , Schöfbeck Gabriele , Mairhofer Dunja , Auer-Welsbach Ellen , Staab Eva , Karwautz Andreas , Wagner Gudrun
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Research on the engagement of fathers in the treatment of childhood psychiatric disorders is scarce. This study aims to investigate differences between mothers and fathers of adolescents with anorexia nervosa regarding parental burden and effectiveness of a parental skills training.

Methods

Ninety-one mother–father dyads caring for a child with anorexia nervosa participated in an 8-week parental skills training and completed a set of questionnaires assessing parental psychopathology, eating disorder related burden, caregiver skills and expressed emotion at baseline and post-intervention.

Results

Fathers showed lower levels of general psychological distress, depression, anxiety and eating disorder related burden as well as lower emotional overinvolvement compared to mothers. The skills training was effective in reducing parental psychopathology, eating disorder-related burden and emotional overinvolvement as well as in increasing caregiver skills with no differences between mothers and fathers. However, session adherence and the willingness to practice skills between the sessions were slightly lower in fathers.

Conclusions

These findings show that fathers are a great resource for the child’s eating disorder treatment as they may counterbalance maternal emotional overinvolvement and over-protection. Furthermore, this is the first study demonstrating that fathers can profit from a parental skills training for anorexia nervosa in a similar way as mothers.

Level III

Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.
The Peculiar Case of Presbyterian Church Schools
Authors: Redding Graham
Published: August 2023

This paper considers the distinctive and peculiar place that Presbyterianism and Presbyterian Church schools occupy in New Zealand’s education sector. It offers a critical evaluation of the relationship between the church schools and their Presbyterian heritage and the values to which they refer as they seek to define their special character. It identifies tensions and contradictions in the history and ethos of Presbyterian Church schools.
Effects of excavation and construction sequence on behavior of existing pile groups
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed G. I. , Kenawi Mamdouh A. , Senoon Abdel-Aziz A. , El-Naiem Mostafa A. Abd
Published: August 2023

In congested urban areas, new structures are regularly constructed next to high-rise buildings. At different stages of excavation for the new structures, settlement and tilting of the adjacent piled buildings may be occurred. Thus, attention here will be focused on the interaction behavior between deep excavation and adjacent piled foundations. Accurate prediction of soil movement and pile response plays an important role in preventing damages to adjacent buildings. Finite-element models are employed to compute the pile group responses. The parametric study has been performed by varying pile group configurations, center-to-center pile spacing, and new building load. Two, four, and six capped head pile groups next to excavation sites have been examined. In this paper, discussion centers on settlement and tilting of the pile groups nearby an excavation in fully saturated sand. The influence of pile group configuration and new building loads are systematically investigated. New building can be constructed in the excavated area after completion of the excavation. The effect of new building construction sequences is also investigated. Results provide confirmatory evidence that, excavation depth has the most significant effect on pile settlement and pile cap tilting. High pile cap tilting and small pile group settlement are apparent in case of two piles near the excavation. For the four pile group, the induced tilting of pile cap decreases as spacing between the piles increases. Due to construction of the new building, the settlement is exacerbated but the tilting is moderated.
Errors of commission and omission in artificial intelligence: contextual biases and voids of ChatGPT as a research assistant
Authors: Salleh Hamidah M.
Published: August 2023

The human interaction with machines has come a long way from the ancient times to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools today, threatening individuals and organisations in various professions. ChatGPT (CGPT) has entered on the scenes to replace researchers and research assistants, creating a hysertia and hype at every level that CGPT will replace science. Although it is dubbed as a substitute of scholars, CGPT, its true implications can be judged by the error of omission versus commission to answer whether CGPT plays an effective role in the efficiency and effectiveness of supporting research and practice. Based on the framework of errors of commission and omission, this article tests the function of CGPT as a research assistant, which answers theoretical question why biases occur (if any) and how they occur, and a practical question how to prevent them. This article is based on an experiment with CGPT to test whether it can produce (a) summaries based on citations, (b) citations based on summaries it produced, and (c) citations based on the published abstract of the research article in the literature. For consistency, this study uses 1 author (who was able and willing to participate), 34 publications in referred journals, multiple experiments. The result shows three patterns. First, CGPT produced summaries of all citations correctly, and the proximity between the abstract and summary ranged from 5 to 10 with average about 7 on 10-scale. Second, the summary to citation was 100% inaccurate and biased. Third, the link from the abstract to citation was 100% biased. In the theory of errors of omission and errors of commission, this study explains where, how and why those errors occur in the contextualised world.
Remaking History
Authors: Mohammad Afsar
Published: August 2023

The story this book follows begins on August 15, 1947. As the new nation-states of India and Pakistan prepared to negotiate land and power, the citizens of the princely state of Hyderabad experienced the unravelling of an intense political conflict between the Union government of India and the local ruler, the Nizam of Hyderabad. The author explores how the state of Hyderabad was struggling to produce its own tools of cultural renaissance and modernity in the background of the Union Government of India's deployment of the central army, the Nizam's idea of an 'Muslim state' and the Telangana Armed struggle fostered by leftist parties. With evidence from the oral histories of various sections - both Muslims and non-Muslims - and a wide variety of written sources and historical documents, this book captures such an intense moment of new politics and cultural discourses.
Pro-Social Policies and Impression Management: The American Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), 1932–1974
Authors: Albalwi Wedian , McGovern Tom , Salama Aly
Published: August 2023

In emerging economies, economic development and pro-social policies are closely entwined. Multinational corporations have presented a positive image of their economic and social activities to investors and society to justify exploiting countries’ natural resources. This study examines the Arabian American Oil Company’s (Aramco) pro-social/corporate social responsibility programs in employment, housing, and healthcare from 1932 to 1974. These programs did not stem from a philanthropic rationale but were necessary to enable Aramco to create the infrastructure to find, extract, and control the oil assets. Hierarchical control was institutionalized through racism and discrimination in employment, housing, and health regulations. However, Aramco adopted impression management strategies to present a positive image of itself as a socially responsible company contributing to the economic and social development of Saudi Arabia. We analyze management statements in company reports and internal documents to identify and categorize the application of these impression management techniques up to when the Saudi government took a controlling stake in Aramco.
“Sterilizing and Fertilizing the Plant at the Same Time”: The Class Formation of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association
Authors: Schirmer Eleni
Published: August 2023

This article analyzes class formation of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA). In 2011, Wisconsin curtailed public-sector union collective bargaining, causing Wisconsin unions’ membership and political power to plummet. This article puts the 2011 collapse into historical perspective, by considering the development of Milwaukee teachers’ labor organizing over the course of the twentieth century. In part I, I chronicle the formation of the MTEA, including its early contest with the Milwaukee Teachers Union (MTU) and the gendered fault lines of the teachers’ collective vision. In part II, I discuss the consequences of teachers’ rhetorical contradictions, especially their lack of collaboration with the civil rights movement in Milwaukee. This article challenges the notion that class movements are preordained with unified interests and aims, and instead shows that unions themselves build and assemble people’s political ideas, either to expand solidarity or to narrow it.
Medical fears of the malingering soldier: ‘phony cronies’ and the Repat in 1960s Australia
Authors: Karageorgos Effie
Published: August 2023

The fear of the malingering soldier or veteran has existed in Australia since its first nationwide military venture in South Africa. The establishment of the Repatriation Department in 1917 saw the medical, military and political fields work collectively, to some extent, to support hundreds of thousands of men who returned from their military service wounded or ill. Over the next decades the medical profession occasionally criticised the Repatriation Department’s alleged laxness towards soldier recipients of military pensions, particularly those with less visible war-related psychiatric conditions. In 1963 this reached a crescendo when a group of Australian doctors drew battle lines in the correspondence pages of the Medical Journal of Australia, accusing the Repatriation Department of directing a ‘national scandal’, and provoking responses by both the Minister for Repatriation and the Chairman of the War Pensions Assessment Appeal Tribunal. Although this controversy and its aftermath does allow for closer investigation of the inner workings of the Repatriation Department, the words of the doctors themselves about ‘phony cronies’, ‘deadbeats’ and ‘drongoes’ also reveal how the medical fear of the malingering soldier, and particularly the traumatised soldier-malingerer, lingered into the early 1960s and beyond. This paper will analyse the medical conceptualisation of the traumatised soldier in the 1960s in relation to historical conceptions of malingering, the increasingly tenuous position of psychiatry, as well as the socio-medical ‘sick role’, and will explore possible links with the current soldier and veteran suicide crisis in Australia.
A systematic review of the accessibility, acceptability, safety, efficiency, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of private cataract and orthopedic surgery clinics
Authors: Akpinar Ilke , Kirwin Erin , Tjosvold Lisa , Chojecki Dagmara , Round Jeff
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Many publicly funded health systems use a mix of privately and publicly operated providers of care to deliver elective surgical services. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the role of privately operated but publicly funded provision of surgical services for adult patients who had cataract or orthopedic surgery within publicly funded health systems in high-income countries.

Methods

Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, OVID Embase, and EBSCO EconLit) were searched on 26 March 2021, and gray literature sources were searched on 6 April 2021. Two reviewers independently applied inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify studies, and extracted data. The outcomes evaluated include accessibility, acceptability, safety, clinical effectiveness, efficiency, and cost/cost-effectiveness.

Results

Twenty-nine primary studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively. We found mixed results across each of our reported outcomes. Wait times were shorter for patients treated in private facilities. There was evidence that some private facilities cherry-pick or cream-skim by selecting less complex patients, which increases the postoperative length of stay and costs for public facilities, restricts access to private facilities for certain groups of patients, and increases inequality within the health system. Seven studies found improved safety outcomes in private facilities, noting that private patients had a lower preoperative risk of complications. Only two studies reported cost and cost-effectiveness outcomes. One costing study concluded that private facilities’ costs were lower than those of public facilities, and a cost–utility study showed that private contracting to reduce public waiting times for joint replacement was cost-effective.

Conclusions

Limited evidence exists that private-sector contracts address existing healthcare delivery problems. Value for money also remains to be evaluated properly.
The Role of Social Work for Emergency Medical Services (EMS): A Systematic Review
Authors: Kamrujjaman MD , Demetriou Christiana , Cuartas Álvarez Tatiana , Castro Delgado Rafael
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are integrated services involving doctors, paramedics, nurses, and social workers. This research was carried out to synthesize the evidence concerning social work roles for EMS. The aim of this study was to synthesize literature on the social worker’s role in EMS settings.

Methods:

The study was a systematic review. Data were collected through selected databases. The researcher used Scopus, Sociology Database, Social Science Database, and Public Health Database related to EMS and social work settings. English papers were selected, without restrictions on publication time, place, and year. The searched keywords were: “Social Work AND Emergency Medical Services AND Ambulance Services,” “Social Worker AND Emergency Medical Systems AND Ambulance Services,” “Social Work AND EMS,” “Social Worker AND EMS,” “Social Work OR Social Worker,” “Social Work Role AND EMS,” Social Worker AND EMS,” “Emergency Medical Services OR/AND Emergency Medical Systems.”

Results:

The study synthesized the literature about the social work role in pre-EMS, during emergency, and post-EMS. The following themes were highlighted: social workers act as cultural liaisons, effective communicators, emergency workers, and mental health practitioners, collaborating with other disciplines and researchers, for this study. In pre-emergency stages, social workers have roles as educators, communicators, advocates, and awareness builders. During an emergency, social workers act as search and rescue workers, advocates, facilitators, networkers, psychosocial assessors, consultants, counselors, and liaisons for referral activities. And in the post-emergency period, social workers have roles as planners, liaisons, interdisciplinary collaborators, researchers, evaluators, and individuals responsible for follow up.

Conclusion:

This study synthesizes the roles of social workers in EMS settings. It is the first study on this topic, aiming to produce new knowledge, evidence, and an EMS practice framework for the social worker.
Reliability of urine drug testing among patients on buprenorphine transdermal patch
Authors: Amaram-Davila Jaya , Reddy Akhila , Clark Matthew D. , Nancherla Anita , Arthur Joseph , Bruera Eduardo
Published: August 2023

Background

Urine drug testing (UDT) plays a significant role in monitoring patients on chronic opioid therapy (COT) for non-medical opioid use (NMOU). UDT, at times, can be inconsistent and misleading. We present a case where a patient on a buprenorphine patch had false negative results.

Case description

A female in her 70s with metastatic breast cancer presented with uncontrolled pain from a T6 compression fracture. She had no relief with tramadol 50 mg every 6 hours as needed. Due to an allergic reaction to hydromorphone, our team prescribed a buprenorphine patch of 5 μg/h. Subsequently, she expressed excellent pain control, and the clinician confirmed the patch placement on examination. She underwent a UDT during the visit. The UDT was negative for both buprenorphine and its metabolites. The literature review showed that false negative UDT results are relatively common among patients with low-dose buprenorphine patches. The combination of a thorough physical examination, a review of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and reassuring scores on screening tools placed her at low risk for NMOU.

Discussion

Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect on respiratory depression and a lower risk for addiction. However, when used in low doses, the drug might not have enough metabolites in the urine, leading to a false negative UDT. Such results might affect patient–physician relationships.

Conclusion

In addition to the UDT, a thorough history, screening for NMOU, physical exam, a review of PDMP, and a good understanding of opioid metabolism are necessary to help guide pain management.
Frequency of vaccine hesitancy among patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Tang Michael , Heung Yvonne , Fellman Bryan , Bruera Eduardo
Published: August 2023

Background

Vaccine hesitancy has become prevalent in society. Vulnerable populations, such as those with cancer, are susceptible to increased morbidity and mortality from diseases that may have been prevented through vaccination.

Objectives

Our objective was to determine patient perception of vaccine efficacy and safety and sources of information that influence decisions.

Methods

This study was a prospective cross-sectional survey trial conducted from March 10, 2022, to November 1, 2022, at a Supportive Care Clinic. Patients completed the survey with a research assistant or from a survey link. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as a response of 2 or more on the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines (PACV-4). Perception on vaccine safety and efficacy along with the importance of sources of information were determined by a questionnaire.

Results

Of the 72 patients who completed the PACV-4, 30 were considered vaccine-hesitant (42%). Of those who completed the survey alone (35), 23 (66%) were vaccine-hesitant; and of those who completed the survey with the help of a study coordinator (37), 7 (19%) were vaccine-hesitant. The most important source for decision-making was their doctor (82%, 95% CI 73–89), followed by family (42%, 95% CI 32–52), news/media (31%, 95% CI 22–41), and social media (9%, 95% CI 4–16). Clinical and demographic factors including age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, and location of residence were not associated with vaccine hesitancy.

Significance of results

Vaccine hesitancy is present among patients with advanced cancer. The high value given to the doctor’s recommendation suggests that universal precautions regarding vaccine recommendation may be an effective intervention.
Future Projections of Extreme Integrated Water Vapor Transport and Population Exposure Over the Asian Monsoon Region
Authors: Guo Lianyi , Shi Yi , Zhao Yang
Published: August 2023

Global warming leads to an intensification of the water cycle and an increase in extreme climate events. Most previous researchers have used precipitation to project extreme hydrological changes. However, compared with precipitation, global climate models (GCMs) have a better performance in simulating the integrated vapor transport (IVT). IVT is thus a reliable tool for understanding how hydrological extremes may change in the future. In this study, we first discuss the relationship between IVT and precipitation over the Asian monsoon (AM) region during 1979–2014. We then assess the climatology, variability and extremes of IVT over the AM region and subregions using 16 GCMs from CMIP6. We further apply GCMs to project changes in the magnitude and probability of dangerous extreme IVT events (e.g., 20‐, 50‐ and 100‐year events) in the future. Finally, we quantify the population exposure to extreme IVT events, and explain change in exposure and its uncertainty. Results show that CMIP6 GCMs capture the spatial distribution of IVT well; the intensity of simulated IVT is lower than the ERA5 IVT. Under global warming of 1.5, 2, and 3°C, the magnitude of extreme events, which is independent of the return period (RP), increases over the AM region with relative changes of about 7%, 12%, and 21%, respectively. The probability increases consistently with global warming and the RP. The increase in exposure for the South Asian monsoon (East Asian monsoon) region is both contributed by more extreme IVT events and higher (fewer) population counts; the former has a larger proportion.
Weddell Sea Control of Ocean Temperature Variability on the Western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Morrison Adele K. , England Matthew H. , Hogg Andrew McC. , Kiss Andrew E.
Published: August 2023

Recent ice loss on the western Antarctic Peninsula has been driven by warming ocean waters on the continental shelf. However, due to the short observational record, our understanding of the dynamics and variability in this region remains poor. High‐resolution ocean model simulations show that the temperature variability along the western Antarctic Peninsula is controlled by the rate of dense water formation in the Weddell Sea. Passive tracer advection reveals connectivity between the Weddell Sea and the coastline of the western Antarctic Peninsula and Bellingshausen Sea. During multi‐year periods of weak Weddell dense water formation, dense overflow transport in the Weddell Sea decreases, while the transport of cold water around the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula strengthens, driving a temperature decrease of 0.4°C along the western Antarctic Peninsula. This mechanism implies that western Antarctic Peninsula coastal ocean temperature may cool in the future if Weddell Dense Shelf Water production slows down.
The deubiquitinase UCHL3 mediates p300-dependent chemokine signaling in alveolar type II cells to promote pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Lee Soo Yeon , Park Soo-Yeon , Lee Seung-Hyun , Kim Hyunsik , Kwon Jae-Hwan , Yoo Jung-Yoon , Kim Kyunggon , Park Moo Suk , Lee Chun Geun , Elias Jack A. , Sohn Myung Hyun , Shim Hyo Sup , Yoon Ho-Geun
Published: August 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, fatal, fibrotic, interstitial lung disease of unknown cause. Despite extensive studies, the underlying mechanisms of IPF development remain unknown. Here, we found that p300 was upregulated in multiple epithelial cells in lung samples from patients with IPF and mouse models of lung fibrosis. Lung fibrosis was significantly diminished by the alveolar type II (ATII) cell–specific deletion of the p300 gene. Moreover, we found that ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3)-mediated deubiquitination of p300 led to the transcriptional activation of the chemokines Ccl2, Ccl7, and Ccl12 through the cooperative action of p300 and C/EBPβ, which consequently promoted M2 macrophage polarization. Selective blockade of p300 activity in ATII cells resulted in the reprogramming of M2 macrophages into antifibrotic macrophages. These findings demonstrate a pivotal role for p300 in the development of lung fibrosis and suggest that p300 could serve as a promising target for IPF treatment.
Unveiling the lamellar structure of the human cornea over its full thickness using polarization-resolved SHG microscopy
Authors: Raoux Clothilde , Chessel Anatole , Mahou Pierre , Latour Gaël , Schanne-Klein Marie-Claire
Published: August 2023

A key property of the human cornea is to maintain its curvature and consequently its refraction capability despite daily changes in intraocular pressure. This is closely related to the multiscale structure of the corneal stroma, which consists of 1–3 µm-thick stacked lamellae made of thin collagen fibrils. Nevertheless, the distribution, size, and orientation of these lamellae along the depth of the cornea are poorly characterized up to now. In this study, we use second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to visualize the collagen distribution over the full depth of 10 intact and unstained human corneas (500–600 µm thick). We take advantage of the small coherence length in epi-detection to axially resolve the lamellae while maintaining the corneal physiological curvature. Moreover, as raw epi-detected SHG images are spatially homogenous because of the sub-wavelength size of stromal collagen fibrils, we use a polarimetric approach to measure the collagen orientation in every voxel. After a careful validation of this approach, we show that the collagen lamellae (i) are mostly oriented along the inferior–superior axis in the anterior stroma and along the nasal-temporal axis in the posterior stroma, with a gradual shift in between and (ii) exhibit more disorder in the anterior stroma. These results represent the first quantitative characterization of the lamellar structure of the human cornea continuously along its entire thickness with micrometric resolution. It also shows the unique potential of P-SHG microscopy for imaging of collagen distribution in thick dense tissues.
Elevated pre-mRNA 3′ end processing activity in cancer cells renders vulnerability to inhibition of cleavage and polyadenylation
Authors: Cui Yange , Wang Luyang , Ding Qingbao , Shin Jihae , Cassel Joel , Liu Qin , Salvino Joseph M. , Tian Bin
Published: August 2023

Cleavage and polyadenylation (CPA) is responsible for 3′ end processing of eukaryotic poly(A)+ RNAs and preludes transcriptional termination. JTE-607, which targets CPSF-73, is the first known CPA inhibitor (CPAi) in mammalian cells. Here we show that JTE-607 perturbs gene expression through both transcriptional readthrough and alternative polyadenylation (APA). Sensitive genes are associated with features similar to those previously identified for PCF11 knockdown, underscoring a unified transcriptomic signature of CPAi. The degree of inhibition of an APA site by JTE-607 correlates with its usage level and, consistently, cells with elevated CPA activities, such as those with induced overexpression of FIP1, display greater transcriptomic disturbances when treated with JTE-607. Moreover, JTE-607 causes S phase crisis and is hence synergistic with inhibitors of DNA damage repair pathways. Together, our data reveal CPA activity and proliferation rate as determinants of CPAi-mediated cell death, raising the possibility of using CPAi as an adjunct therapy to suppress certain cancers.
Incandescent temporal metamaterials
Authors: Vázquez-Lozano J. Enrique , Liberal Iñigo
Published: August 2023

Regarded as a promising alternative to spatially shaping matter, time-varying media can be seized to control and manipulate wave phenomena, including thermal radiation. Here, based upon the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, we elaborate a comprehensive quantum theoretical formulation that lies the basis for investigating thermal emission effects in time-modulated media. Our theory unveils unique physical features brought about by time-varying media: nontrivial correlations between fluctuating electromagnetic currents at different frequencies and positions, thermal radiation overcoming the black-body spectrum, and quantum vacuum amplification effects at finite temperature. We illustrate how these features lead to striking phenomena and innovative thermal emitters, specifically, showing that the time-modulation releases strong field fluctuations confined within epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) bodies, and that, in turn, it enables a narrowband (partially coherent) emission spanning the whole range of wavevectors, from near to far-field regimes.
TRIM28 modulates nuclear receptor signaling to regulate uterine function
Authors: Li Rong , Wang Tianyuan , Marquardt Ryan M. , Lydon John P. , Wu San-Pin , DeMayo Francesco J.
Published: August 2023

Estrogen and progesterone, acting through their cognate receptors the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and the progesterone receptor (PR) respectively, regulate uterine biology. Using rapid immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry (RIME) and co-immunoprecipitation, we identified TRIM28 (Tripartite motif containing 28) as a protein which complexes with ERα and PR in the regulation of uterine function. Impairment of TRIM28 expression results in the inability of the uterus to support early pregnancy through altered PR and ERα action in the uterine epithelium and stroma by suppressing PR and ERα chromatin binding. Furthermore, TRIM28 ablation in PR-expressing uterine cells results in the enrichment of a subset of TRIM28 positive and PR negative pericytes and epithelial cells with progenitor potential. In summary, our study reveals the important roles of TRIM28 in regulating endometrial cell composition and function in women, and also implies its critical functions in other hormone regulated systems.
A postnatal network of co-hepato/pancreatic stem/progenitors in the biliary trees of pigs and humans
Authors: Zhang Wencheng , Wang Xicheng , Lanzoni Giacomo , Wauthier Eliane , Simpson Sean , Ezzell Jennifer Ashley , Allen Amanda , Suitt Carolyn , Krolik Jonah , Jhirad Alexander , Dominguez-Bendala Juan , Cardinale Vincenzo , Alvaro Domenico , Overi Diletta , Gaudio Eugenio , Sethupathy Praveen , Carpino Guido , Adin Christopher , Piedrahita Jorge A , Mathews Kyle , He Zhiying , Reid Lola McAdams
Published: August 2023

A network of co-hepato/pancreatic stem/progenitors exists in pigs and humans in Brunner’s Glands in the submucosa of the duodenum, in peribiliary glands (PBGs) of intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary trees, and in pancreatic duct glands (PDGs) of intrapancreatic biliary trees, collectively supporting hepatic and pancreatic regeneration postnatally. The network is found in humans postnatally throughout life and, so far, has been demonstrated in pigs postnatally at least through to young adulthood. These stem/progenitors in vivo in pigs are in highest numbers in Brunner’s Glands and in PDGs nearest the duodenum, and in humans are in Brunner’s Glands and in PBGs in the hepato/pancreatic common duct, a duct missing postnatally in pigs. Elsewhere in PDGs in pigs and in all PDGs in humans are only committed unipotent or bipotent progenitors. Stem/progenitors have genetic signatures in liver/pancreas-related RNA-seq data based on correlation, hierarchical clustering, differential gene expression and principal component analyses (PCA). Gene expression includes representative traits of pluripotency genes (SOX2, OCT4), endodermal transcription factors (e.g. SOX9, SOX17, PDX1), other stem cell traits (e.g. NCAM, CD44, sodium iodide symporter or NIS), and proliferation biomarkers (Ki67). Hepato/pancreatic multipotentiality was demonstrated by the stem/progenitors’ responses under distinct ex vivo conditions or in vivo when patch grafted as organoids onto the liver versus the pancreas. Therefore, pigs are logical hosts for translational/preclinical studies for cell therapies with these stem/progenitors for hepatic and pancreatic dysfunctions.
Endovascular treatment in bilateral cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Perng Pang-Shuo , Chang Yu , Sun Yuan-Ting , Wang Hao-Kuang , Jiang Yu-Shu , Lee Jung-Shun , Wang Liang-Chao , Huang Chih-Yuan
Published: August 2023

Few studies have discussed the disease nature and treatment outcomes for bilateral cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF). This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of bilateral CSDAVF. Embase, Medline, and Cochrane library were searched for studies that specified the outcomes of bilateral CSDAVF from inception to April 2022. The classification, clinical presentation, angiographic feature, surgical approach, and treatment outcomes were collected. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model. Eight studies reporting 97 patients were included. The clinical presentation was mainly orbital (n = 80), cavernous (n = 52) and cerebral (n = 5) symptoms. The most approached surgical route was inferior petrosal sinus (n = 80), followed by superior orbital vein (n = 10), and alternative approach (n = 7). Clinical symptoms of 88% of the patients (95% CI 80–93%, I2 = 0%) were cured, and 82% (95% CI 70–90%, I2 = 7%) had angiographic complete obliteration of fistulas during follow up. The overall complication rate was 18% (95% CI 11–27%, I2 = 0%). Therefore, endovascular treatment is an effective treatment for bilateral CSDAVF regarding clinical or angiographic outcomes. However, detailed evaluation of preoperative images and comprehensive surgical planning of the approach route are mandatory owing to complexity of the lesions.
TRIB1 confers therapeutic resistance in GBM cells by activating the ERK and Akt pathways
Authors: Singh Karnika , Han Chunhua , Fleming Jessica L. , Becker Aline P. , McElroy Joseph , Cui Tiantian , Johnson Benjamin , Kumar Ashok , Sebastian Ebin , Showalter Christian A. , Schrock Morgan S. , Summers Matthew K. , Becker Valesio , Tong Zhen-yue , Meng Xiaomei , Manring Heather R. , Venere Monica , Bell Erica H. , Robe Pierre A. , Grosu A. L. , Haque S. Jaharul , Chakravarti Arnab
Published: August 2023

GBM (Glioblastoma) is the most lethal CNS (Central nervous system) tumor in adults, which inevitably develops resistance to standard treatments leading to recurrence and mortality. TRIB1 is a serine/threonine pseudokinase which functions as a scaffold platform that initiates degradation of its substrates like C/EBPα through the ubiquitin proteasome system and also activates MEK and Akt signaling. We found that increased TRIB1 gene expression associated with worse overall survival of GBM patients across multiple cohorts. Importantly, overexpression of TRIB1 decreased RT/TMZ (radiation therapy/temozolomide)-induced apoptosis in patient derived GBM cell lines in vitro. TRIB1 directly bound to MEK and Akt and increased ERK and Akt phosphorylation/activation. We also found that TRIB1 protein expression was maximal during G2/M transition of cell cycle in GBM cells. Furthermore, TRIB1 bound directly to HDAC1 and p53. Importantly, mice bearing TRIB1 overexpressing tumors had worse overall survival. Collectively, these data suggest that TRIB1 induces resistance of GBM cells to RT/TMZ treatments by activating the cell proliferation and survival pathways thus providing an opportunity for developing new targeted therapeutics.
Thin film epitaxial [111] Co$$_{50}$$Pt$$_{50}$$: structure, magnetisation, and spin polarisation
Authors: Satchell N. , Gupta S. , Maheshwari M. , Shepley P. M. , Rogers M. , Cespedes O. , Burnell G.
Published: August 2023

Ferromagnetic films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy are of interest in spintronics and superconducting spintronics. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy can be achieved in thin ferromagnetic multilayer structures, when the anisotropy is driven by carefully engineered interfaces. Devices with multiple interfaces are disadvantageous for our application in superconducting spintronics, where the current perpendicular to plane is affected by the interfaces. Robust intrinsic PMA can be achieved in certain Co$$_x$$

x

Pt$$_{100-x}$$

100
-
x

alloys and compounds at any thickness, without increasing the number of interfaces. Here, we grow equiatomic Co$$_{50}$$

50

Pt$$_{50}$$

50

and report a comprehensive study on the structural, magnetic, and spin-polarisation properties in the $$L1_1$$

L

1
1

and $$L1_0$$

L

1
0

ordered compounds. Primarily, interest in Co$$_{50}$$

50

Pt$$_{50}$$

50

has been in the $$L1_0$$

L

1
0

crystal structure, where layers of Pt and Co are stacked alternately in the [100] direction. There has been less work on $$L1_1$$

L

1
1

crystal structure, where the stacking is in the [111] direction. For the latter $$L1_1$$

L

1
1

crystal structure, we find magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to the film plane. For the former $$L1_0$$

L

1
0

crystal structure, the magnetic anisotropy is perpendicular to the [100] plane, which is neither in-plane or out-of-plane in our samples. We obtain a value for the ballistic spin polarisation of the $$L1_1$$

L

1
1

and $$L1_0$$

L

1
0

Co$$_{50}$$

50

Pt$$_{50}$$

50

to be $$47\pm 3\%$$

47
±
3
%

.
High-resolution ecosystem changes pacing the millennial climate variability at the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in NE-Italy
Authors: Badino Federica , Pini Roberta , Ravazzi Cesare , Chytrý Milan , Bertuletti Paolo , Bortolini Eugenio , Dudová Lydie , Peresani Marco , Romandini Matteo , Benazzi Stefano
Published: August 2023

Observation of high-resolution terrestrial palaeoecological series can decipher relationships between past climatic transitions, their effects on ecosystems and wildfire cyclicity. Here we present a new radiocarbon dated record from Lake Fimon (NE-Italy) covering the 60–27 ka interval. Palynological, charcoal fragments and sediment lithology analysis were carried out at centennial to sub-centennial resolutions. Identification of the best modern analogues for MIS 3 ecosystems further enabled to thoroughly reconstruct structural changes in the vegetation through time. This series also represents an “off-site” reference record for chronologically well-constrained Palaeolithic sites documenting Neanderthal and Homo sapiens occupations within the same region. Neanderthals lived in a mosaic of grasslands and woodlands, composed of a mixture of boreal and broad-leaved temperate trees analogous to those of the modern Central-Eastern Europe, the Southern Urals and central-southern Siberia. Dry and other grassland types expanded steadily from 44 to 43 ka and peaked between 42 and 39 ka, i.e., about the same time when Sapiens reached this region. This vegetation, which finds very few reliable modern analogues in the adopted Eurasian calibration set, led to the expansion of ecosystems able to sustain large herds of herbivores. During 39–27 ka, the landscape was covered by steppe, desert-steppe and open dry boreal forests similar to those of the modern Altai-Sayan region. Both Neanderthal and Sapiens lived in contexts of expanded fire-prone ecosystems modulated by the high-frequency climatic cycles of MIS 3.
Encoding force modulation in two electrotactile feedback parameters strengthens sensory integration according to maximum likelihood estimation
Authors: Gholinezhad Shima , Farina Dario , Dosen Strahinja , Dideriksen Jakob
Published: August 2023

Bidirectional human–machine interfaces involve commands from the central nervous system to an external device and feedback characterizing device state. Such feedback may be elicited by electrical stimulation of somatosensory nerves, where a task-relevant variable is encoded in stimulation amplitude or frequency. Recently, concurrent modulation in amplitude and frequency (multimodal encoding) was proposed. We hypothesized that feedback with multimodal encoding may effectively be processed by the central nervous system as two independent inputs encoded in amplitude and frequency, respectively, thereby increasing state estimate quality in accordance with maximum-likelihood estimation. Using an adaptation paradigm, we tested this hypothesis during a grasp force matching task where subjects received electrotactile feedback encoding instantaneous force in amplitude, frequency, or both, in addition to their natural force feedback. The results showed that adaptations in grasp force with multimodal encoding could be accurately predicted as the integration of three independent inputs according to maximum-likelihood estimation: amplitude modulated electrotactile feedback, frequency modulated electrotactile feedback, and natural force feedback (r2 = 0.73). These findings show that multimodal electrotactile feedback carries an intrinsic advantage for state estimation accuracy with respect to single-variable modulation and suggest that this scheme should be the preferred strategy for bidirectional human–machine interfaces with electrotactile feedback.
Impact of climate extreme events and their causality on maize yield in South Africa
Authors: Simanjuntak Christian , Gaiser Thomas , Ahrends Hella Ellen , Ceglar Andrej , Singh Manmeet , Ewert Frank , Srivastava Amit Kumar
Published: August 2023

Extreme climate events can have a significant negative impact on maize productivity, resulting in food scarcity and socioeconomic losses. Thus, quantifying their effect is needed for developing future adaptation and mitigation strategies, especially for countries relying on maize as a staple crop, such as South Africa. While several studies have analyzed the impact of climate extremes on maize yields in South Africa, little is known on the quantitative contribution of combined extreme events to maize yield variability and the causality link of extreme events. This study uses existing stress indices to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of heatwaves, drought, and extreme precipitation during maize growing season between 1986/87 and 2015/16 for South Africa provinces and at national level and quantifies their contribution to yield variability. A causal discovery algorithm was applied to investigate the causal relationship among extreme events. At the province and national levels, heatwaves and extreme precipitation showed no significant trend. However, drought severity increased in several provinces. The modified Combined Stress Index (CSIm) model showed that the maize yield nationwide was associated with drought events (explaining 25% of maize yield variability). Heatwaves has significant influence on maize yield variability (35%) in Free State. In North West province, the maize yield variability (46%) was sensitive to the combination of drought and extreme precipitation. The causal analysis suggests that the occurrence of heatwaves intensified drought, while a causal link between heatwaves and extreme precipitation was not detected. The presented findings provide a deeper insight into the sensitivity of yield data to climate extremes and serve as a basis for future studies on maize yield anomalies.
Study on the optimization of temperature uniformity in the oven under the forced convection mode
Authors: Yang Zongliang , Cheng Dongxu , Su Bin , Ji Chuang , Huang Jiayu , Li Haiyun , Zhang Kai
Published: August 2023

In order to study the temperature distribution in a multi-functional oven and optimize the structural parameters of the oven, the internal temperature uniformity was improved. The test was conducted and the numerical simulation was conducted in two ways. The distribution of temperature field in each layer of ovens was measured in real time using a 13-point distributed thermocouple, and the oven temperature uniformity index was measured and analyzed. The temperature field inside the oven was numerically simulated using computational fluid dynamics. Investigated the heat conduction, convection and radiation effects respectively, and found out the main heat transfer mode of the oven. Further through the test of temperature measurement, verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation method. According to the results of the experiment and simulation, the reason of the uneven temperature field in the original structure of the oven was revealed and analyzed. By changing the structure of the oven tailgate, adjusting the air volume distribution, changing the distribution of the air outlet and other measures, greatly improving the uniformity of the temperature field inside the oven.