bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graph neural network based abnormal perception information reconstruction and robust autonomous navigation
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Liu Zhe , Miao Yanzi , Ma Xiaoping
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a robust navigation enhancement framework to handle one of the most urgent needs for real applications of autonomous vehicles nowadays, as these corner cases act as the most commonly occurred risks in potential self-driving accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the main idea is to fully exploit the consistent features among spatio-temporal data and thus detect the anomalies and build residual channels to reconstruct the abnormal information. The authors first develop an anomaly detection algorithm, then followed by a corresponding disturbed information reconstruction network which has strong robustness to address both the nature disturbances and external attacks. Finally, the authors introduce a fully end-to-end resilient navigation performance enhancement framework to improve the driving performance of existing self-driving models under attacks and disturbances.

Findings

Comparison results on CARLA platform and real experiments demonstrate strong resilience of the authors’ approach which enhances the navigation performance under disturbances and attacks.

Originality/value

Reliable and resilient navigation performance under various nature disturbances and even external attacks is one of the most urgent needs for real applications of autonomous vehicles nowadays, as these corner cases act as the most commonly occurred risks in potential self-driving accidents. The information reconstruction approach provides a resilient navigation performance enhancement method for existing self-driving models.
Spatiotemporal interaction of risk‐spreading strategies for a seed‐dimorphic plant
Authors: Gan Qian , Liao Huixuan , Liu Jingyu , Peng Shaolin
Published: May 2024

For plants, the risk of stress‐induced reproductive failure can be spread temporally and spatially by increasing the variation in stress tolerance and dispersibility, respectively. Yet, we have limited understanding on how intraspecific stress tolerance can be interactively adjusted by these two risk‐spreading strategies.

Seed‐dimorphic plants, which are frequently found in stressful and fluctuating environments, can produce dimorphic offspring with different stress tolerances and dispersibilities. Using a seed‐dimorphic Asteraceae, Synedrella nodiflora, we illustrated how maternal‐drought‐induced changes in drought tolerance and dispersibility may interactively increase intraspecific drought tolerance variation, and thus potentially improve adaptation to various water conditions.

Maternal drought stress increased the mean or variation of drought tolerance of the less‐dispersible (R‐type) offspring, whereas it had variable effects on the drought tolerance of the more‐dispersible (D‐type) offspring depending on maternal seed morph (R‐type vs. D‐type) and habitat (dry vs. wet). Because the relative abundances of these two types of offspring remained largely unchanged by maternal drought, there was an overall increase in the intraspecific mean and variation of drought tolerance under maternal drought stress, driven by the changes in the less‐dispersible offspring.

Synthesis. Our results indicate a strong interaction between stress tolerance variation and seed dispersibility in seed‐dimorphic plant species. Using drought tolerance as an indicator, we demonstrate a potential pathway for the adaptive evolution of seed‐dimorphic plants that may contribute to their wide distribution. More importantly, our findings highlight the ecological significance of seed dimorphism and the variation of stress tolerance to avoid reproductive failure under various environmental conditions.
Stochastic credibility and optimal monetary policy
Authors: To Oscar
Published: May 2024

In this paper, I study optimal monetary policy in a simple New Keynesian model with loose commitment and stochastic credibility. The loose commitment framework breaks the commitment‐discretion dichotomy in optimal monetary policy problems and allows for intermediate cases between commitment and discretion. Under this framework, the central bank is imperfectly credible, meaning that it occasionally reneges on promised policy plans. I contribute to the literature by introducing time‐variation in the central bank's credibility. I model credibility as an exogenous two‐state Markov chain and use a recursive saddlepoint functional equation to solve the model. I find that greater persistence and frequency of credibility losses increase welfare losses.
Knockdown of vitellogenin receptor based on minute insect RNA interference methods affects the initial mature egg load in the pest natural enemy Trichogramma dendrolimi
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Xing , Bao Hui‐Qiao , Yan Zhi‐Chao , Wang Jie , Wang Su , Li Yuan‐Xi
Published: May 2024

Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) plays a crucial role in oogenesis by mediating endocytosis of vitellogenin and a portion of the yolk proteins in many insect species. However, the function of VgR in minute parasitoid wasps is largely unknown. Here, we applied Trichogramma dendrolimi, a minute egg parasitoid, as a study model to investigate the function of VgR in parasitoids. We developed RNA interference (RNAi) methods based on microinjection of prepupae in T. dendrolimi. RNAi employs nanomaterial branched amphipathic peptide capsules (BAPC) as a carrier for double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), significantly enhancing delivery efficiency. Also, artificial hosts without medium were used to culture the injected prepupae in vitro. Utilizing these methods, we found that ovarian growth was disrupted after knockdown of TdVgR, as manifested by the suppressed development of the ovariole and the inhibition of nurse cell internalization by oocytes. Also, the initial mature egg load in the ovary was significantly reduced. Notably, the parasitic capacity of the female adult with ovarian dysplasia was significantly decreased, possibly resulting from the low availability of mature eggs. Moreover, ovarian dysplasia in T. dendrolimi caused by VgR deficiency are conserved despite feeding on different hosts. The results confirmed a critical role of TdVgR in the reproductive ability of T. dendrolimi and provided a reference for gene functional studies in minute insects.
Restricting the content of alcohol advertising and including text health warnings: A between‐group online experiment with a non‐probability adult sample in the United Kingdom
Authors: Critchlow Nathan , Moodie Crawford , Gallopel‐Morvan Karine
Published: May 2024

Background

Statutory options for restricting alcohol advertising include limiting it to product‐orientated information and requiring health warnings. We assess the impact of removing positive contextual factors from alcohol advertising and including a health warning among adults in the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods

We conducted a 2 × 2 online between‐group experiment with adults (18+) (n = 2421) recruited from a non‐probability research panel in the United Kingdom. Participants were randomized to see an alcohol (vodka) advertisement (advert) which varied by context (no context vs. imagery depicting positive social interactions around alcohol) and message (multiple text health warning vs. “drink responsibly”). The multiple text health warning, based on recent legislation in Ireland, comprised three separate warnings (liver disease, cancers, drinking during pregnancy) and a web address for alcohol‐related information and support. The “drink responsibly” control reflected the self‐regulatory messages commonly used by alcohol companies. Participants rated the advert on 7‐point scales for advert attractiveness, product appeal, trial intentions, perceived harm, and whether it made drinking alcohol seem enjoyable.

Results

Removing the positive social context reduced positive advert and product reactions (difference in estimated marginal means [EMM]: −1.57 [makes drinking alcohol seem enjoyable] to −0.23 [intention to try]). Including the multiple text health warning also reduced positive advert and product reactions (difference in EMM: −0.55 [advert attractiveness] to −0.25 [intention to try]) and increased perceived product harm (difference in EMM: +0.25). There were no interactions between advert context and message for any outcome.

Conclusions

Restricting content and including a multiple text health warning (compared to a “drink responsibly” message) may attenuate the persuasive impact of alcohol advertising and increase perceived product harm. Further research is needed to examine different degrees of content restrictions, alternative warning content and design, generalizability to different alcohol products and advert formats, and whether the impact of content controls varies among population subgroups.
An examination of the characteristics versus covariance debate for contemporary asset‐pricing models: Australian evidence
Authors: Gray Philip , Limkriangkrai Manapon , Xu Wenyuan
Published: May 2024

As contemporary asset‐pricing models have expanded to include new factors, the empirical literature has carefully studied the time‐series fit of competing model specifications. In contrast, comparison of the roles played by characteristics and factor loadings in explaining cross‐sectional return variation has received less attention. This paper re‐examines the characteristics versus covariance debate. The findings overwhelmingly support the characteristics explanation. Firm size, book‐to‐market, profitability and investment characteristics are important for understanding differences in returns, over and above how a stock loads on common risk factors. Portfolios designed to be a pure play on a given characteristic generate economically significant trading profits.
The relationship between gambling behaviour and gambling‐related harm: A data fusion approach using open banking data
Authors: Zendle David , Newall Philip
Published: May 2024

Background and aims

UK‐based gambling policymakers have proposed affordability checks starting at monthly losses of £125. The present study combines open banking data with self‐reports of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and other relevant information to explore the harm profiles of people who gamble at different levels of electronic gambling behaviour.

Design, setting and participants

This was a data fusion study in which participants consented to share their bank data via an open banking application programming interface (API) and who also completed relevant self‐report items. Hierarchical hurdle models were used to predict being an at‐risk gambler (PGSI > 0) and being a ‘higher‐risk’ gambler (higher PGSI scores among those with non‐zero scores) using four specifications of electronic gambling behaviour (net‐spend, outgoing expenditure, incoming withdrawals, interaction model combining expenditure and withdrawals), and by adding self‐reported data across two additional steps. The study took place in the United Kingdom. Participants were past‐year people who gamble (n = 424), recruited via Prolific.

Measurements

Self‐report measures were used of gambling‐related harm (PGSI), depression [Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ‐9)], age and gender; bank‐recorded measures of income and electronic gambling behaviour.

Findings

Unharmed gamblers had an average monthly gambling net‐spend of £16.41, compared with £208.91 among highest‐risk gamblers (PGSI ≥ 5). Being an at‐risk gambler (PGSI > 0) was predicted significantly by all four types of gambling behaviour throughout all three steps [1.08 ≤ odds ratios (ORs) ≤ 2.92; Ps < 0.001), with only outgoing expenditure being significant in the interaction model (2.26 ≤ ORs ≤ 2.81; Ps < 0.001). Higher PHQ‐9 scores also predicted at‐risk gambling in steps 2–3 (1.09 ≤ ORs ≤ 1.10; Ps < 0.001), as did lower age (0.95 ≤ ORs ≤ 0.96; Ps < 0.001) and male gender identity in step 3 (2.51 ≤ ORs ≤ 2.95; Ps < 0.001). Being a higher‐risk gambler was predicted significantly by gambling behaviour only in the expenditure‐only (1.16 ≤ ORs ≤ 1.17; Ps ≤ 0.048) and withdrawal‐only (1.08 ≤ ORs ≤ 1.09; Ps ≤ 0.004) models, and was not predicted by income (0.98 ≤ ORs ≤ 1.14; Ps ≥ 0.601), age (0.98 ≤ ORs ≤ 0.99; Ps ≥ 0.143) or male gender identity (1.07 ≤ ORs ≤ 1.15; Ps ≥ 0.472).

Conclusion

The UK government's proposed affordability checks for gamblers should rarely affect people who are not experiencing gambling‐related harm. At‐risk gambling is predicted well by different types of gambling behaviour. Novel insights about gambling can be generated by fusing self‐reported and objective data.
Gilteritinib with or without venetoclax for relapsed/refractory FLT3‐mutated acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Kugler Eitan , Cohen Inbar , Amitai Irina , Ram Ron , Frisch Avraham , Nachmias Boaz , Canaani Jonathan , Moshe Yakir , Krayem Baher , Aumann Shlomzion , Henig Israel , Vainstein Vladimir , Shargian Liat , Ganzel Chezi , Yeshurun Moshe , Levi Itay , Raanani Pia , Akria Luiza , Ofran Yishai , Shimony Shai , Wolach Ofir
Published: May 2024

Patients with FLT3‐mutated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) that relapse or are refractory (R/R) to intensive induction have poor outcomes. Gilteritinib has recently become standard‐of‐care for patients with R/R FLT3‐mutated AML. We investigated whether adding venetoclax to gilteritinib (gilt‐ven) improves outcomes as compared with gilteritinib monotherapy. We included patients treated with gilteritinib (n = 19) and gilt‐ven (n = 17) for R/R AML after intensive chemotherapy. Gilteritinib and gilt‐ven groups did not differ in terms of mCRc rates (53% and 65%, p = 0.51) and realization of allogeneic haematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation (HSCT, 47% and 35%, p = 0.5). Overall survival (OS) was comparable between groups, although a trend towards better OS was seen with gilt‐ven (12‐month OS 58.8% [95% CI 39.5%–87.6%]) versus gilteritinib (42.1% [95% CI 24.9%–71.3%] for gilteritinib). Early salvage with gilt‐ven versus any other gilteritinib‐based approach was associated with the best outcome (p = 0.031). Combination therapy was associated with increased haematological toxicity. In summary, gilt‐ven did not improve remissions or HSCT‐realization rates in patients with R/R FLT3‐mutated AML as compared with gilteritinib and was associated with increased haematological toxicity. Although OS did not differ, a trend towards better survival was suggested with gilt‐ven and a survival benefit was shown for gilt‐ven approach when sequenced early for salvage.
ZEB1‐AS1 mediates bone metastasis through targeting miR‐320b/BMPR1A axis in lung cancer
Authors: Tan Nianxi , Tang Junyi , Chen Guang , Jiang Weilin , Liu Zhiqin
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study aimed to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA ZEB1‐AS1 in lung cancer.

Methods

The expression of ZEB1‐AS1 and miR‐320b was determined by qRT‐PCR. Cell viability, proliferation migration, and invasion were assessed using the CCK‐8, colony‐forming, and Transwell assay. EMT markers were quantified using western blot. The growth of subcutaneous tumor growth and metastatic bone tumors was evaluated in mouse model of lung cancer. Additionally, metastatic bone tumors were examined using H&E staining.

Results

ZEB1‐AS1 expression was upregulated, while miR‐320b levels were downregulated in lung cancer. Knockdown of ZEB1‐AS1 resulted in a significant suppression of cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in A549 cells. Furthermore, we confirmed the targeting relationship between ZEB1‐AS1 and miR‐320b, as well as between miR‐320b and BMPR1A. Our findings suggested that ZEB1‐AS1 regulated cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as EMT, in lung cancer cells by targeting the miR‐320b/BMPR1A axis. Moreover, our in vivo experiments confirmed that ZEB1‐AS1 mediated bone metastasis through targeting miR‐320b/BMPR1A axis in mice with lung cancer.

Conclusion

ZEB1‐AS1 mediated bone metastasis through targeting miR‐320b/BMPR1A axis in lung cancer.
Scent of a frog: Can conservation detection dogs be used to locate endangered amphibians in the wild?
Authors: Gilbert Deon J. , Magrath Michael J. L. , Edwards Luke , Byrne Phillip G.
Published: May 2024

In recent years, the potential to locate endangered animals using scent trained detection dogs (conservation detection dogs) has gained attention. Among vertebrates, conservation detection dogs have demonstrated a remarkable capacity to detect the scent of endangered mammals, reptiles, and birds, but their use in detecting amphibians is only beginning to be explored. A lack of work in this area is surprising given that amphibians are declining faster than any other vertebrate taxa. Moreover, amphibians are generally small, highly cryptic and breed in complex habitats, making them difficult to locate for the purpose of monitoring or establishing conservation breeding programs. This study aimed to provide a preliminary investigation into whether conservation detection dogs can be imprinted on the scent of the critically endangered Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti) under captive conditions, and then effectively trained to locate wild frogs in their complex natural habitat. Two conservation detection dogs were trained to identify and locate P. frosti scent under controlled conditions before assessing their ability to locate wild P. frosti. Both conservation detection dogs were effective at locating P. frosti scent under controlled conditions, and also demonstrated an ability to detect live frogs under natural conditions. From an applied perspective, our findings provide new evidence that conservation detection dogs are capable of learning to detect the scent of small, cryptic anuran species. They also indicate that detection dogs are capable of locating frogs in highly complex forest habitat, confirming their untapped potential to aid in the management of imperiled species that have previously proven difficult to detect, monitor, and protect. We discuss the limitations of our approach and provide recommendations to help direct future amphibian conservation detection dog research.
The NHS Low‐Calorie Diet Digital Programme: Fidelity of behaviour change technique delivery
Authors: Radley Duncan , Evans Tamla S. , Marwood Jordan , Keyworth Chris , Homer Catherine , Ells Louisa J.
Published: May 2024

Aims

NHS England commissioned independent service providers to deliver the NHS Low‐Calorie Diet Programme pilot. Previous research has illustrated a drift in the fidelity of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) during the delivery of the programme provided through face‐to‐face group or one‐to‐one behavioural support. The aim of this study was to assess the delivery fidelity of the BCT content in the digital delivery of the programme.

Methods

Online, app chat and phone call support content was coded using The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy. BCTs delivered by each service provider (N = 2) were calculated and compared to the BCTs specified in the NHS service specification and those specified in the providers' programme plans.

Results

Between 78% and 83% of the BCTs identified in the NHS service specification were delivered by the service providers. The fidelity of BCT delivery to those specified in providers' programme plans was 60%–65% for provider A, and 82% for provider B.

Conclusions

The BCT content of the digital model used in the NHS‐LCD programme adhered well to the NHS service specification and providers' plans. It surpassed what has been previously observed in face‐to‐face services provided through group or one‐on‐one behavioural support models.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability of an aqueous formulation of rusfertide (PTG‐300), a hepcidin mimetic, in healthy volunteers: A double‐blind first‐in‐human study
Authors: Modi Nishit B. , Shames Richard , Lickliter Jason D. , Gupta Suneel
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Rusfertide is a potent peptide mimetic of hepcidin being investigated for the treatment of polycythemia vera. This randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and repeated subcutaneous doses of an aqueous formulation of rusfertide in healthy adult males.

Methods

Subjects received single doses of 1, 3, 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg rusfertide or placebo. A separate cohort of subjects received two doses of 40 mg rusfertide or placebo 1 week apart. Blood samples for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were collected, and adverse events, clinical laboratory tests, 12‐lead electrocardiograms, and vital signs were monitored.

Results

Rusfertide was well tolerated. There were no serious or severe treatment‐emergent adverse events, and no patterns of clinically important adverse events, or laboratory, vital sign, or electrocardiogram abnormalities. Mean maximum rusfertide plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve increased with dose, but less than dose proportionally. Median time to Cmax was 2–4.5 h for 40 and 80 mg rusfertide and 8–24 h for lower doses. Apparent clearance and half‐life increased with dose. Single doses of rusfertide 1–80 mg were associated with dose‐dependent decreases in serum iron and transferrin‐iron saturation.

Conclusions

Rusfertide was well tolerated and showed dose‐dependent pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Microbial symbionts buffer hosts from the demographic costs of environmental stochasticity
Authors: Fowler Joshua C. , Ziegler Shaun , Whitney Kenneth D. , Rudgers Jennifer A. , Miller Tom E. X.
Published: May 2024

Species' persistence in increasingly variable climates will depend on resilience against the fitness costs of environmental stochasticity. Most organisms host microbiota that shield against stressors. Here, we test the hypothesis that, by limiting exposure to temporally variable stressors, microbial symbionts reduce hosts' demographic variance. We parameterized stochastic population models using data from a 14‐year symbiont‐removal experiment including seven grass species that host Epichloë fungal endophytes. Results provide novel evidence that symbiotic benefits arise not only through improved mean fitness, but also through dampened inter‐annual variance. Hosts with “fast” life‐history traits benefited most from symbiont‐mediated demographic buffering. Under current climate conditions, contributions of demographic buffering were modest compared to benefits to mean fitness. However, simulations of increased stochasticity amplified benefits of demographic buffering and made it the more important pathway of host–symbiont mutualism. Microbial‐mediated variance buffering is likely an important, yet cryptic, mechanism of resilience in an increasingly variable world.
Effects of sexual orientation‐based prejudice and discrimination in family of origin on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction in a Chinese sample: Reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety as moderators
Authors: Liu Fangsong , Chong Eddie S. K.
Published: May 2024

Experiencing prejudice and discrimination from family has been found to be positively associated with mental health problems among sexual minorities. Emerging evidence also shows the value of contextualizing the internalization of minority stress by considering individual cultural factors, such as filial piety. We examined whether authoritarian filial piety (AFP) and reciprocal filial piety (RFP) moderated the link between distal stressors in one's family and mental health outcomes. A total of 362 (56.9% male; age: M = 24.55, SD = 6.60) Chinese lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer/questioning, and other non‐heterosexual (LGBQ+) individuals participated in this study. They provided demographic information and completed a battery of measures for AFP and RFP, sexual orientation‐based prejudice and discrimination in family of origin (SOPDF), depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling results showed that SOPDF had a positive and negative link with depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, respectively. In addition, we identified AFP and RFP as significant moderators for the association between SOPDF and depressive symptoms, and the association between SOPDF and life satisfaction, respectively. Specifically, the positive effect of SOPDF on depressive symptoms was greater for participants with higher levels of AFP; the negative effect of SOPDF on life satisfaction was greater for participants who endorsed higher levels of RFP. Our findings corroborated past studies' conclusion about the detrimental impact of familial sexual stigma on LGBQ+ people's mental health. Furthermore, such impact on negative and positive mental health outcomes are respectively conditioned by the degree to which LGBQ+ individuals endorse AFP and RFP. These findings underscore the importance for therapists who endorse family therapy to help LGBQ+ clients navigate familial sexual stigma and consider the role of filial piety beliefs in shaping the impact of familial sexual stigma on these clients' mental health.
A retrospective review of sex differences of white matter hyperintensities in brain MRI of patients with migraine
Authors: Su Ye , Tay Victoria Q. , Singh Satinderpal , Leary Megan C. , Koss Vitaliy , Kincaid Hope M. , Yacoub Hussam A. , Castaldo John
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in patients who experience migraine and compare findings between adult male and female patients. Specific symptoms and comorbidities also were analyzed to determine whether they were associated with WMH prevalence or the sex of patients with migraine. We hypothesized that females would have a higher prevalence of WMHs, experience more frequent and more severe migraine headaches, and be more likely to have certain comorbidities associated with migraine than males.

Background

An increased prevalence of WMHs in patients with migraine has been proposed, although this relation is not well‐supported by data from population‐based MRI studies. The difference in brain morphology between males and females is of research interest, and females in the general population appear to have a higher prevalence of WMHs. Sex differences and various comorbidities in patients with migraine relative to the number of WMHs on brain imaging have not been fully investigated.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 177 patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of migraine who were seen in the Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute's Headache Center between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2017. Patients' baseline characteristics were extracted from electronic medical records, including demographics, review of systems documentation, and brain imaging from MRI. Variables including headache severity, frequency of head pain, insomnia, and comorbidities (anxiety, depression, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and neck pain) also were analyzed for associations with the presence of WMHs.

Results

Females were found to have a significantly higher number of WMHs than males (median 3 [IQR: 0–7] vs. 0 [IQR: 0–3], p = 0.023). Patients with WMHs were significantly more likely than those without WMHs to have hypertension (39.8% of patients with WMHs vs. 20.3% without WMHs, p = 0.011), constipation (20.9% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.034), and sleep disorder (55.7% vs. 37.3%, p = 0.022). Females with migraine were significantly more likely to experience constipation than males (20.0% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.015). None of the migraine characteristics studied (frequency, severity, presence of aura) were different between sexes, nor were they significantly associated with the presence of WMHs.

Conclusion

This study suggests that females with migraine may be more likely to have WMHs and experience constipation than males with migraine. Migraine frequency and severity were not different between sexes, nor were they significantly associated with the presence of WMHs. The findings of this study do not support a specific etiology of WMH development in individuals with migraine that differs from findings in the general population. Further studies are warranted.
Using co‐design methods to develop new personalised support for people living with Long Covid: The ‘LISTEN’ intervention
Authors: Jones Fiona , Domeny Anne , Fish Jessica , Leggat Fiona , Patel Ian , McRae Jackie , Rowe Carol , Busse Monica E.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Many Covid‐19 survivors are living with unresolved, relapsing and remitting symptoms and no ‘one size’ of treatment is likely to be effective for everyone. Supported self‐management for the varied symptoms of Long Covid (LC) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the United Kingdom. We aimed to develop a new personalised support intervention for people living with LC using a structured co‐design framework to guide replication and evaluation.

Methods

We used the improvement methodology, Experience‐Based Co‐Design, in an accelerated form to harness the collective experiences of people with LC. Incorporating evidence from ‘Bridges Self‐Management’ (Bridges) an approach in which healthcare professionals (HCPs)are trained to support knowledge, confidence and skills of individuals living with long term conditions. Co‐designed resources are also central to Bridges. Adults who self‐identified as living with or recovered from LC, from England or Wales, aged 18 years and over were recruited, and HCPs, with experience of supporting people with LC. Participants took part in a series of small co‐design group meetings and larger mixed meetings to agree priorities, core principles and generate resources and intervention content.

Results

People with LC (n = 28), and HCPs (n = 9) supported co‐design of a book (hard‐copy and digital form) to be used in 1:1 support sessions with a trained HCP. Co‐design stages prioritised stories about physical symptoms first, and psychological and social challenges which followed, nonlinear journeys and reconceptualising stability as progress, rich descriptions of strategies and links to reputable advice and support for navigating healthcare services. Co‐design enabled formulation of eight core intervention principles which underpinned the training and language used by HCPs and fidelity assessments.

Conclusion

We have developed a new personalised support intervention, with core principles to be used in one‐to‐one sessions delivered by trained HCPs, with a new co‐designed book as a prompt to build personalised strategies and plans using narratives, ideas, and solutions from other people with LC. Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the ‘LISTEN’ intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial set within the context of the updated Framework for Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions.

Patient and Public Contribution

The LISTEN Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group comprised seven people living with LC. They all contributed to the design of this study and five members were part of a larger co‐design community described in this paper. They have contributed to this paper by interpreting stages of intervention design and analysis of results. Three members of our PPI group are co‐authors of this paper.
LABOR MARKET INSTITUTIONS AND FERTILITY
Authors: Guner Nezih , Kaya Ezgi , Sánchez‐Marcos Virginia
Published: May 2024

Some high‐income countries have total fertility rates as low as one child. Using Spanish administrative data, we document that temporary contracts correlate with lower first birth rates. Also, women with children are less likely to work split‐shift jobs with long breaks in the middle of the day. We build a life‐cycle model where women decide on labor supply and fertility. We show that reforms eliminating duality or split‐shift jobs raise women's labor participation, narrow the employment gap between mothers and nonmothers, and boost fertility for working women. These reforms, together with childcare subsidies, increase married women's fertility to 1.8 children.
Involvement of Janus kinase‐dependent Bcl‐xL overexpression in steroid resistance of group 2 innate lymphoid cells in asthma
Authors: Shimora Hayato , Matsuda Masaya , Nakayama Yukiko , Maeyama Hiroto , Tanioka Ryunosuke , Tanaka Yoshiyuki , Kitatani Kazuyuki , Nabe Takeshi
Published: May 2024

The mechanisms underlying the development of steroid resistance in asthma remain unclear. To establish whether as well as the mechanisms by which the activation of Janus kinases (JAKs) is involved in the development of steroid resistance in asthma, murine steroid‐resistant models of the proliferation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in vitro and asthmatic airway inflammation in vivo were analysed. ILC2s in the lungs of BALB/c mice were sorted and then incubated with IL‐33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and/or IL‐7 with or without dexamethasone (10 nM), the pan‐JAK inhibitor, delgocitinib (1–10 000 nM), and/or the Bcl‐xL inhibitor, navitoclax (1–100 nM), followed by the detection of viable and apoptotic cells. The anti‐apoptotic factor, Bcl‐xL was detected in ILC2s by flow cytometry. As a steroid‐resistant asthma model, ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized BALB/c mice were intratracheally challenged with OVA at a high dose of 500 μg four times. Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, i.p.), delgocitinib (3–30 mg/kg, p.o.), or navitoclax (30 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered during the challenges. Cellular infiltration into the lungs was analysed by flow cytometry. Airway remodelling was histologically evaluated. The following results were obtained. (1) Cell proliferation concomitant with a decrease in apoptotic cells was induced when ILC2s were cultured with TSLP and/or IL‐7, and was potently inhibited by dexamethasone. In contrast, when the culture with TSLP and IL‐7 was performed in the presence of IL‐33, the proliferative response exhibited steroid resistance. Steroid‐resistant ILC2 proliferation was suppressed by delgocitinib in a concentration‐dependent manner. (2) The culture with IL‐33, TSLP, and IL‐7 induced the overexpression of Bcl‐xL, which was clearly inhibited by delgocitinib, but not by dexamethasone. When ILC2s were treated with navitoclax, insensitivity to dexamethasone was significantly cancelled. (3) The development of airway remodelling and the infiltration of ILC2s into the lungs in the asthma model were not suppressed by dexamethasone, but were dose‐dependently inhibited by delgocitinib. Combination treatment with dexamethasone and either delgocitinib or navitoclax synergistically suppressed these responses. Therefore, JAKs appear to play significant roles in the induction of steroid resistance by up‐regulating Bcl‐xL in ILC2s. The inhibition of JAKs and Bcl‐xL has potential as pharmacotherapy for steroid‐resistant asthma, particularly that mediated by ILC2s.
Multiple Pleistocene refugia for Arctic Bell‐Heather revealed with genomic analyses of modern and historic plants
Authors: Elphinstone Cassandra , Hernández Fernando , Todesco Marco , Légaré Jean‐Sébastien , Cheung Winnie , Sokoloff Paul C. , Hofgaard Annika , Christiansen Casper T. , Frei Esther R. , Lévesque Esther , Daskalova Gergana N. , Thomas Haydn J. D. , Myers‐Smith Isla H. , Harris Jacob A. , Saarela Jeffery M. , May Jeremy L. , Obst Joachim , Boike Julia , Clark Karin , MacIntosh Katie , Betway‐May Katlyn R. , Case Liam , Björkman Mats P. , Moody Michael L. , Schmidt Niels Martin , Molgaard Per , Björk Robert G. , Hollister Robert D. , Bull Roger D. , Agger Sofie , Maire Vincent , Henry Greg H. R. , Rieseberg Loren H.
Published: May 2024

Aim

Arctic plants survived the Pleistocene glaciations in unglaciated refugia. The number, ages, and locations of these refugia are often unclear. We use high‐resolution genomic data from present‐day and Little‐Ice‐Age populations of Arctic Bell‐Heather to re‐evaluate the biogeography of this species and determine whether it had multiple independent refugia or a single refugium in Beringia.

Location

Circumpolar Arctic and Coastal British Columbia (BC) alpine.

Taxon

Cassiope tetragona L., subspecies saximontana and tetragona, outgroup C. mertensiana (Ericaceae).

Methods

We built genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) libraries using Cassiope tetragona tissue from 36 Arctic locations, including two ~250‐ to 500‐year‐old populations collected under glacial ice on Ellesmere Island, Canada. We assembled a de novo GBS reference to call variants. Population structure, genetic diversity and demography were inferred from PCA, ADMIXTURE, fastsimcoal2, SplitsTree, and several population genomics statistics.

Results

Population structure analyses identified 4–5 clusters that align with geographic locations. Nucleotide diversity was highest in Beringia and decreased eastwards across Canada. Demographic coalescent analyses dated the following splits with Alaska: BC subspecies saximontana (5 mya), Russia (~1.4 mya), Europe (>200–600 kya), and Greenland (~60 kya). Northern Canada populations appear to have formed during the current interglacial (7–9 kya). Admixture analyses show genetic variants from Alaska appear more frequently in present‐day than historic plants on Ellesmere Island.

Conclusions

Population and demographic analyses support BC, Alaska, Russia, Europe and Greenland as all having had independent Pleistocene refugia. Northern Canadian populations appear to be founded during the current interglacial with genetic contributions from Alaska, Europe and Greenland. We found evidence, on Ellesmere Island, for continued recent gene flow in the last 250–500 years. These results suggest that a re‐analysis of other Arctic species with shallow population structure using higher resolution genomic markers and demographic analyses may help reveal deeper structure and other circumpolar glacial refugia.
Risk factors for gingival invagination: A retrospective study
Authors: Han M. , Li S. H. , Yao Y. , Zhao Yijiao , You L. P. , Zheng Q. , Xu X. M.
Published: May 2024

Aim

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for gingival invagination during orthodontic treatment after premolar extraction.

Materials and Methods

The medical records of 135 patients who had undergone interdental space closure after premolar extraction were collected, and cone beam computed tomography was performed to determine the presence of gingival invagination. The risk factors were examined using mixed‐effects models and generalized propensity score weighting (GPSW) to develop a predictive model.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed that the extraction site, buccal bone thickness 4 mm apical to the cemento‐enamel junction (MB1), mid‐root buccal bone thickness (MB2) and vertical skeletal relationships were related to gingival invagination (p < .05). Furthermore, a subsequent multivariable mixed‐effects model analysis indicated a significantly increased risk of gingival invagination at MB1 < 1 mm (p < .001; odds ratio [ORMB1≤0.5mm] = 29.304; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.986–93.807; OR0.5<MB1<1mm = 22.309; 95% CI: 9.890–50.320). Row mixing model analysis performed after balancing covariates using GPSW showed that MB1 and vertical skeletal relationships were associated with gingival invagination (p < .05) with an increase in ORs. Therefore, in addition to MB1, the risk of gingival invagination is higher in hyperdivergent and normodivergent patients. During the establishment and internal validation of the predictive model, the area under the curve for all three models exceeded 0.7.

Conclusions

The risk of gingival invagination is higher in patients with MB1 < 1 mm and in normodivergent or hyperdivergent patients.
Sticky price for declining risk? Business strategies with “behavioral” customers in the hotel industry
Authors: Lacetera Nicola , Piga Claudio A. , Zirulia Lorenzo
Published: May 2024

Using data from about 25 million hotel room postings in four countries, we document that rather than decreasing to zero as the likelihood of cancellation declines, the difference between the prices for refundable and nonrefundable reservations remains positive at roughly 10%–15% of the full price. A model where travelers have different willingness to pay and some of them overestimate the probability to cancel their trip explains these price‐setting patterns more consistently than alternative interpretations. We denote these business strategies as naiveté‐based price discrimination. Our data and theory, therefore, show that this form of apparent inertial behavior of companies regarding a major strategic variable can be an intentional managerial choice. We demonstrate, finally, that this profit‐enhancing commitment to limited flexibility may also benefit customers in some cases, by expanding the reach of the market. Thus, strategies that rely on cognitive biases on the demand side may not necessarily exploit consumers.
Regionalizing the supply chain in process life cycle inventory with multiregional input–output data: An implementation for ecoinvent with EXIOBASE
Authors: Peng Sidi , Pfister Stephan
Published: May 2024

Life cycle inventory (LCI) databases, such as ecoinvent, are crucial for life cycle assessment (LCA), but lack country‐specific resolution in activity details and trade between regional activities in the supply chain. For example, ecoinvent only provides rest‐of‐world and European datasets for photovoltaic panel production, consuming the same global consumption mix of photovoltaic cells. Global or continental activities and trade limit the use of existing country activities, such as electricity production, and the accuracy and granularity of LCA results. We addressed this issue by disaggregating ecoinvent's global and continental unit processes to the country level and by regionalizing trade using country‐sector‐specific consumption mixes of product origins from the multiregional input–output table EXIOBASE. This produced a consistently regionalized ecoinvent at country level. Comparing the climate change impacts of 195,708 non‐market datasets in our regionalized ecoinvent with reference datasets in ecoinvent reveals manufacturing sectors as the most affected. The study of photovoltaic panel production shows that the differences in climate change impacts are mainly due to the different country‐specific suppliers of components and their electricity mixes, which are lost in the aggregated original data. The water consumption impacts of wheat production show the country differences only when regionalized CFs are applied, indicating that regionalized biosphere and technosphere flow amounts are needed for better results. The mapping quality between ecoinvent and EXIOBASE and inconsistent market definitions were discussed along with further limitations. Our study highlights the potential of incorporating better trade information and regional disaggregation in LCI databases to improve the LCA outcomes.
Behavioural phenotype of SYNGAP1‐related intellectual disability
Authors: Kranak M. P. , Rooker G. , Smith‐Hicks C.
Published: May 2024

Background

SYNGAP1‐ related intellectual disability (SYNGAP1‐ID) is a rare genetic disorder presenting with intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, maladaptive behaviours and communication challenges. To date, few studies have assessed the context in which these maladaptive behaviours occur. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of problem behaviours, characterise the behavioural phenotype and use well‐validated measures to explore variables that maintain the behaviours.

Methods

Our sample includes 19 individuals diagnosed with SYNGAP1‐ID and their parents. Parents provided information on behaviours that their children engage in, as well as their general behavioural dispositions. Well‐validated measures (e.g., the Repetitive Behaviour Scale‐Revised, Sensory Profile‐2 and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale) were used. A subset of individuals underwent further direct experimental assessment of their problem behaviour to identify the variables maintaining those problem behaviours. Parental reports were analysed using nonparametric statistical analysis; the direct assessments of individuals' problem behaviour were analysed using visual analysis and validated supplemental measures.

Results

All 19 individuals engaged in some form of maladaptive problem behaviour. Ratings of ritualistic, sameness and restricted behaviours measured by the RBS‐R were commensurate with individuals diagnosed with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) while self‐injurious behaviours were endorsed at a higher level in SYNGAP1‐ID when compared with idiopathic ASD. The problem behaviours in our cohort of patients with SYNGAP1‐ID were maintained by automatic reinforcement and social attention and are positively correlated with atypical sensory responses.

Conclusions

Individuals with SYNGAP1‐ID engage in problem behaviours commensurate with other populations (e.g., those with ASD), they exhibit atypical response to sensory stimuli. Problem behaviours were frequently maintained by automatic reinforcement, which may result from a dysregulated sensory system. Children with SYNGAP1‐ID may benefit from strategies used in persons with ASD.
Monetary Policy and Welfare with Heterogeneous Firms and Endogenous Entry
Authors: COOKE DUDLEY , DAMJANOVIC TATIANA
Published: May 2024

This paper studies monetary policy and welfare in a sticky wage New Keynesian model with heterogeneous firms and endogenously variable markups. We show that stabilizing nominal wages is optimal only when product creation is based on an instantaneous zero‐profit condition and when the aggregate markup is constant. A constant markup requires strong selection effects generated by a Pareto firm‐level productivity distribution. When product creation is based on a dynamic zero‐profit condition optimal monetary policy accounts for the distribution of firms and the welfare loss from stabilizing nominal wages is between and 0.2% of steady‐state consumption.
Uncovering the digital payment divide: Understanding the importance of cash for groups at risk
Authors: van der Cruijsen Carin , Reijerink Jelmer
Published: May 2024

The transition to digital payments is an ongoing trend, yet cash remains important for a substantial and diverse group of individuals. This emerges from a study using rich payment diary data of Dutch consumers. A total of 7% of the respondents report always using cash at points of sale and 28% indicate they cannot do without cash. Cash is especially important for people with low digital literacy, people who are blind or visually impaired, people with limited or no hand function, people with a mild intellectual disability and people who find it difficult to make ends meet on their income. Even though many parties involved in the payment industry are developing their payment solutions to enhance accessibility for a broader audience, there will continue to be people for whom the use of digital payments poses significant challenges. It is therefore essential that cash remains accessible and available.