bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inducing visual attention through audiovisual stimuli: Can synchronous sound be a salient event?
Authors: Salselas Inês , Pereira Frederico , Sousa Emanuel
Published: October 2023

We present an experimental research aiming to explore how spatial attention may be biased through auditory stimuli. In particular, we investigate how synchronous sound and image may affect attention and increase the saliency of the audiovisual event. We have designed and implemented an experimental study where subjects, wearing an eye-tracking system, were examined regarding their gaze toward the audiovisual stimuli being displayed. The audiovisual stimuli were specifically tailored for this experiment, consisting of videos contrasting in terms of Synch Points (i.e., moments where a visual event is associated with a visible trigger movement, synchronous with its correspondent sound). While consistency across audiovisual sensory modalities revealed to be an attention-drawing feature, when combined with synchrony, it clearly emphasized the biasing, triggering orienting, that is, focal attention towards the particular scene that contains the Synch Point. Consequently, results revealed synchrony to be a saliency factor, contributing to the strengthening of the focal attention.
Response to the book forum on How China Escaped Shock Therapy
Authors: Weber Isabella M
Published: October 2023

This paper responds to the contributions to the review symposium on How China Escaped Shock Therapy. I discuss the strategy of economic system reform that started from the non-essential parts of the industrial system in order to eventually transform the commanding heights; the spatial dimension of reform in relation to “dual circulation” and the coastal development strategy; the nature and meaning of Chinese gradualism; and China’s price stabilization strategies of the 1980s in relation to later inflationary challenges. Finally, I reflect on the symposium as a dialogue between economic geography and a history of ideas in action that I pursued in my book.
Nonprofit-business collaboration: An empirical-based framework for value creation
Authors: Al-Tabbaa Omar
Published: October 2023

While interest in nonprofit-business collaboration (NBC) has grown rapidly in the past decades, literature has underexposed the peculiarities of nonprofit organizations (NPOs), compared to the ample attention on the perspective of the firm and the implications for society. In specific, we lack clarity on how NPOs can deliberately seek collaboration with the business sector to foster their organizational viability and economic interests, in addition to their traditional focus on delivering social value and meaningfulness. This active approach has become imperative given the growing uncertainty of government funding and budgetary constraints. However, the proactive involvement in NBC is complex and risky. In this study, we address this dilemma by investigating several NPOs that are active in NBC. Based on the analysis and findings, we developed an empirical-based framework that explains the essence of NPOs’ proactive engagement with the business sector. More specifically, we offer subtle theoretical and empirical investigations of various internal and external contingencies that explain the effectiveness of NPOs in establishing collaboration with firms for value creation. Moreover, we advance the current debate concerning the need to establish a clear distinction between value creation for society (conceived as the sum of benevolent benefits obtained from the collaboration) and for the partners. As such, we showed that the active-in-collaboration NPOs distinguish between different NBC values that include economic benefits (for survival), institutional development (for organizational effectiveness), and transformational for changing business practice (for the fulfillment of mission). Therefore, we shift the focus from the predominating perspectives of society and business to consider NPOs as an active component of this relationship. Together, these findings offer a robust nonprofit-centric foundation that is necessary for NBC practice and theory development.

JEL Classification: M1 Business Administration
Sudden cardiovascular collapse during the TUL procedure: A case series
Authors: Farbood Arash , Sahmeddini Mohammad Ali , Jalilpour Aghdam Mahsa , Eghbal Mohammadhossein , Ariafar Ali , Narouie Behzad , Momeni Hamidreza
Published: October 2023

Although ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, there have been reports of some minor and major complications, from self-limited to complicated events such as ureteral avulsion, urosepsis, and even death due to cerebrovascular accidents and deep vein thrombosis. Herein, we aim to report seven patients who presented with cardiovascular collapse during ureteroscopy in a 19-year period from January 2002 to January 2021.
A two-stage prediction filling method with support vector technologies optimized competitively in stages by grey wolf optimizer and particle swarm optimization for missing fasting blood glucose
Authors: Gao Wenlong , Xie Jingxiang , Ke Yongsong , Tian Maoyun , Zeng Zhimei , Ma Xiaojie , Zhi Minqian
Published: October 2023

Missing values often affect the data utilization in epidemiological survey. In this study, according to the cut-off point value of the medical diagnostic standard of fasting blood glucose for diabetes, we divide fasting blood glucose test data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) of Shandong province in 2009 into two classes: the normal and the abnormal. Accordingly, for missing fasting blood glucose values, we propose a two-stage prediction filling method with optimized support vector technologies competitively by particle swarm optimization (PSO) or grey wolf optimizer (GWO), which is to first predict the class of the missing data with support vector machine (SVM) in the first stage and then predict the missing value with support vector regression (SVR) within the predicted class in the second stage. In addition, we use the LIBSVM as a gold standard to train both SVM and SVR in different stages. For two kinds of competitive optimizers in stages, in the first stage GWO has the highest classification accuracy (91.1%), and in the second stage PSO has the smallest in-class mean absolute error (0.48). So, GWO-SVM-PSO-SVR is determined as the optimal model and a predicted value with it serves as a fill value. The comparison results of the models in empirical analysis also show that it outdoes any of the other filling models in terms of mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error. In addition, the sensitivity analysis shows that it presents high tolerance as the sample size changes and has a good stability.
Interdependence in Virtual Teams—A Double-Edged Sword?
Authors: Kanse Lisette , Stephenson Emma K. , Klonek Florian E. , Wee Serena
Published: October 2023

To address the increased need of understanding how interdependence affects virtual team performance, we experimentally manipulated process interdependence and resource interdependence in 102 virtual teams. We examined effects on team processes and team task and creative performance. Increased process interdependence improved both types of team performance, whereas resource interdependence decreased creative performance. Further, process interdependence was most beneficial for task performance when resource interdependence was low. Contrary to expectations, team processes did not mediate these relationships. We contribute to a fuller understanding of how interdependence influences key performance criteria in virtual teams and provide practical implications for designing virtual teamwork.
Self-Deception in Clinical Nursing Practice: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Miller Granville Eric , Holmes Dave
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we explore the phenomenon of “self-deception” within the context of nursing, focusing on how nurses employ this coping mechanism when faced with dissonance, distress, and conflicting situations in clinical settings. Our primary objective is to examine the phenomenon of self-deception using Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis. Focusing on nurses’ experiences in challenging situations, our analysis highlights how self-deception is often employed as a coping strategy. According to our conceptual analysis, self-deception in nursing clinical practice highlights tensions between different paradigms and expectations in healthcare settings. These tensions stem from the power dynamics and subservience that nurses often face, which can hinder their ability to advocate for themselves, their patients, and the nursing profession.
Interaction between an edge dislocation and a circular incompressible liquid inclusion
Authors: Wang Xu , Schiavone Peter
Published: October 2023

We use Muskhelishvili’s complex variable formulation to study the interaction problem associated with a circular incompressible liquid inclusion embedded in an infinite isotropic elastic matrix subjected to the action of an edge dislocation at an arbitrary position. A closed-form solution to the problem is derived largely with the aid of analytic continuation. We obtain, in explicit form, expressions for the internal uniform hydrostatic stresses, nonuniform strains and nonuniform rigid body rotation within the liquid inclusion; the hoop stress along the liquid-solid interface on the matrix side and the image force acting on the edge dislocation. We observe that (1) the internal strains and rigid body rotation within the liquid inclusion are independent of the elastic property of the matrix; (2) the internal hydrostatic stress field within the liquid inclusion is unaffected by Poisson’s ratio of the matrix and is proportional to the shear modulus of the matrix; and (3) an unstable equilibrium position always exists for a climbing dislocation.
Differential emotional expression in autobiographical narratives: The case of Arabic–English bilinguals
Authors: El-Dakhs Dina Abdel Salam , Ahmed Mervat M. , Altarriba Jeanette , Sonbul Suhad
Published: October 2023

Aims and Objectives:

This study aimed to examine how bilinguals express their emotions in their first language (L1) versus their second language (L2) in autobiographical narratives.

Methodology:

A total of 64 Egyptian learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) took an English language proficiency test, and wrote about the happiest or saddest experiences they recalled in Arabic and in English.

Data and Analysis:

The narratives were analysed for the frequency and the valence of emotion words.

Findings/Conclusions:

The results showed no difference between the narratives of the two languages in terms of the frequency of words. However, the L2 narratives were generally more negatively valenced than the L1 narratives, and more emotional polarity was noted in the L2 narratives, particularly in sad situations. The results failed to show any effect for the participants’ age, gender or L2 proficiency on the frequency or valence of the emotion words.

Originality:

This study compared two languages that are distant at several levels, including typography and culture. In addition, the study examined some variables that were not investigated in earlier emotion studies of bilingualism.

Significance/Implications:

The study presents several implications in relation to the emotional contexts of learning theory and the pedagogy of emotion words.
Determination of bilingualism subtypes and their relationship with linguistic abilities in Lebanese bilinguals
Authors: Kassir Rania , Abboud Halim , Godefroy Olivier
Published: October 2023

Aims and objectives:

Profiles of bilinguals vary among studies due to the diversity of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, bilingualism classification and to the discrepancies between measures. Thus, a generalizable index with a defined threshold is needed to capture the linguistic dominance of bilinguals and facilitate comparisons between studies. This study’s objective was to define and examine the validity of a new bilingualism index.

Methodology:

This index was derived from the Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q) conducted on 100 bilingual Lebanese participants (age = 68.2 ± 9.4 years; education = 12.8 ± 5.2 years).

Data and analysis:

The bilingualism index was based on selected items of the LEAP-Q, optimizing the explained variance on a linear regression using the differential Arabic-French score on the Boston Naming Test as the dependent variable. The validity of the classification was examined using other linguistic (articulatory rate, shortened Token test, Stroop reading subtest) and cognitive screening tests (mini-mental state examination [MMSE]).

Findings and conclusion:

LEAP speaking and oral comprehension scores provided a parsimonious index that accounted for naming variance ( R2 = .435, p = .0001) and subdivide our population into three bilingualism subgroups (prominent Arabic, balanced, prominent French). A prominent language advantage was found in the expected direction on linguistic (articulatory rate: p = .03; shortened Token test: p = .026; Stroop reading subtest: p = .0001) and cognitive screening tests (MMSE: p = .08).

Originality and implications:

These results show that a simple index can accurately characterize adult bilingualism subtypes and offers clinicians an easy and fast tool compared with the usual procedure used to determine individuals and patient’s bilingualism subtype. More broadly, the index’s validity in other bilingual populations is warranted for generalizability of the present findings.
Governance abhors a vacuum: The afterlives of major international organisations
Authors: Dijkstra Hylke , Debre Maria J. , Heinkelmann-Wild Tim
Published: October 2023

International organisations have become increasingly contested resulting in worries about their decline and termination. While international organisation termination is indeed a regular event in international relations, this article shows that other institutions carry the legacy of terminated international organisations. We develop the novel concept of international organisation afterlife and suggest indicators to systematically assess it. Our analysis of 26 major terminated international organisations reveals legal-institutional and asset continuity in 21 cases. To further illustrate this point, the article zooms in on the afterlife of the International Institute of Agriculture in the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Refugee Organization in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Western European Union in the European Union. In these three cases, international organisation afterlife inspired and structured the design of their successor institutions. While specific international organisations might be terminated, international cooperation therefore often lives on in other institutions.
Influencer creep: How artists strategically navigate the platformisation of art worlds
Authors: Bishop Sophie
Published: October 2023

This article uses qualitative empirical research to explore the ways that Instagram has shaped both artistic labour and artistic practice. I draw from sociological perspectives on art worlds, critical platformisation literature and feminist cultural studies to argue that influencer cultures have originated key social practices that now animate creative labour more broadly. This process is defined as influencer creep. Influencer creep has the following three key tenets – self-branding, optimisation and authenticity. The article shows how artists draw from self-branding techniques rooted within influencer cultures, take up strategic techniques of algorithmic optimisation and share more of their authentic (yet highly stylised) selves online. I conclude that influencer creep has generated accelerated demands to consistently perform and maintain an artistic identity across social media platforms, which deepens well-documented existing inequalities in cultural and creative work.
Combustion cycle-to-cycle variations of opposed-piston two-stroke gasoline direct injection engine
Authors: Ma Fukang , Yang Wei , Xu Ruifan , Liu Xiaoyu
Published: October 2023

The combustion characteristics and cycle-to-cycle variations of opposed-piston two-stroke (OP2S) gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine are investigated with experiment. The effects of engine speed on the combustion process and cycle-to-cycle variations are discussed. This paper chooses the indicated mean effective pressure, the maximum cylinder pressure and the maximum pressure rising rate to characterize the combustion cycle-to-cycle variations. The heat release rate of OP2S-GDI engine is in accordance with the conventional gasoline engine, which is divided into flame developing period, rapid burning period and after burning period. With the increase of engine speed, the maximum combustion pressure and maximum pressure rise rate decrease, and the time corresponding to the maximum in-cylinder pressure is delayed. The pressure rise rate associated with different engine speeds all show an increasing trend, with maximum values less than 0.2 MPa/°CA. The peak value of instantaneous heat release rate in the combustion process decreases and the combustion amount in the post-combustion period increases as the engine speed increases. The cycle-to-cycle variation rate of indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) increases as the engine speed increases. The maximum IMEP cycle-to-cycle variation rate is 6.101% at 4000 rpm, which is less than the traditional gasoline engine cycle-to-cycle variation rate (10%). The cycle-to-cycle variation rate of the maximum cylinder pressure ( pmax) increases as the engine speed increases. The pmax cycle-to-cycle variation rate is 1.083% at 4000 rpm, which is less than traditional gasoline engine cycle-to-cycle variation rate (2%). The R ( pmax, pi) is weakly correlated at 2000 rpm and uncorrelated at 3000 rpm and 4000 rpm. The R( θ( pmax), pi) is strongly correlated at 3000 rpm and uncorrelated at 2000 rpm and 4000 rpm. The cycle-to-cycle variation rate of the maximum pressure rise rate (d p/d φ) is 7.406%%, 7.919% and 7.667% respectively at 2000 rpm, 3000 rpm and 4000 rpm. The R ((d p/d φ) max, pi) is weakly correlated at different engine speed, the R( θ(d p/d φ) max, pi) is moderately correlated at 2000 rpm and positive correlation at 3000 rpm and 4000 rpm.
Educators working together: Listening to children’s voices and stories about cultural and family artifacts during pandemic teaching
Authors: Burke Anne , Collier Diane R
Published: October 2023

This paper is located within a larger study of children’s voice and storytelling. The focus is on how children use artifacts, such as special objects and photographs, to tell stories about their lives. We studied the collaborative learning of educators, in two schools in Eastern Canada, as they used sharing circles and multimodal pedagogies, and worked to elevate and listen to children’s voices during a period of pandemic teaching. This study examines children’s things/artifacts as material culture and relates things/artifacts to artifactual literacies. The action research design included a consideration of children’s voice in early years research alongside the collaborative professional development inquiry undertaken by educators in the study. An analysis of key findings as they relate to evolving pedagogies, including how artifacts were used to tell stories, and how voice can be viewed through this artifact sharing is presented. We argue that building voice and collaboration can result from pedagogies of classroom sharing and listening. Educators’ challenges in this research and their classroom teaching during a constantly shifting set of teaching conditions are fore fronted. Insights from children’s particular artifacts and their stories enhanced educator and peer awareness of difference, and of cultural practices in families. Finally, implications for practice, and future research possibilities are presented, along with an argument for viewing children’s voice as emergent alongside classroom multimodal pedagogical practices that augment children’s voices.
Analysis, validation, and discussion of key genes in placenta of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jiang Yi , Du Yuanyuan , Su Rui , Wei Lijie , Gao Peng , Zhang Jingyi , Zhou Xuan , Zhu Shenglan , Zhang Huiting , Chen Yuting , Fang Chenyun , Wang Shaoshuai , Yu Jun , Ding Wencheng , Feng Ling
Published: October 2023

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy, which can have harmful health consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Given the placenta’s crucial role as an endocrine organ during pregnancy, exploring and validating key genes in the placenta hold significant potential in the realm of GDM prevention and treatment. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from two databases, GSE70493 and PRJNA646212, and verified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in placenta tissues. DEGs expression was detected in normal or high-glucose-treated HTR8/SVneo cells. We also investigated the relationship between DEGs and glucose levels in GDM patients. By selecting the intersection of the two databases, we screened 20 DEGs, which were validated in GDM patients. We observed an up-regulation of SLAMF, ALDH1A2, and CHI3L2, and a down-regulation of HLA-E, MYH11, HLA-DRB5, ITGAX, GZMB, NAIP, TMEM74B, RANBP3L, PAEP, WT-1, and CEP170. We conducted further investigations into the expression of DEGs in HTR8/SVneo cells exposed to high glucose, revealing a significant upregulation in the expression of SERPINA3, while the expressions of HLA-E, BCL6, NAIP, PAEP, MUC16, WT-1, and CEP170 were decreased. Moreover, some DEGs were confirmed to have a positive or negative correlation with blood glucose levels of GDM patients through correlation analysis. The identified DEGs are anticipated to exert potential implications in the prevention and management of GDM, thereby offering potential benefits for improving pregnancy outcomes and long-term prognosis of fetuses among individuals affected by GDM.
Wearable technology metrics are associated with energy deficiency and psychological stress in elite swimmers
Authors: Lundstrom Emily A. , De Souza Mary Jane , Koltun Kristen J. , Strock Nicole C.A. , Canil Hannah N. , Williams Nancy I.
Published: October 2023

Energy deficiency (ED) and psychological stress affect athlete health. Given the emerging capabilities of wearable technology, the purpose of this study was to explore associations of wearable technology metrics in relation to lab-based measures of ED and psychological stress. We investigated the associations between (a) wearable-derived heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), exercise strain and recovery, and (b) laboratory-derived measures of metabolism (resting metabolic rate (RMR), total triiodothyronine (TT3)) and a validated stress assessment (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ)-52 items) in NCAA swimmers ( n  =  23, 10 male, 13 female) during heavy training. Swimmers were grouped by degree of metabolic adaption to ED using the ratio of actual-to-predicted RMR (utilizing the validated cutoff of <0.94) and by sex. Metabolically suppressed swimmers had lower HRV (81  ±  27 ms vs.110  ±  35 ms, p  =  0.04). HRV correlated positively with RMR (kcal·kg LBM−1·day−1; where LBM stands for lean body mass) ( r  =  0.45; p  =  0.03). HRV was negatively correlated with sport-specific ( r  =  −0.46; p  =  0.03) and total stress ( r  =  −0.46; p  =  0.03). In males, HRV correlated negatively with general stress ( r  =  −0.72; p  =  0.02) and total stress ( r  =  −0.74, p  =  0.01) (RESTQ). Additionally, in males only, the strain was correlated positively with RESTQ recovery–stress balance ( r  =  0.69; p  =  0.03), and negatively correlated with general stress ( r  =  −0.81, p  =  0.01), and sport stress ( r  =  −0.89, p < 0.01). No correlations between HRV, RHR, strain or recovery, and stress variables were observed in females. Associations between wearable technology measures of HRV, RHR, strain, and recovery with validated measures of ED and psychological stress should continue to be explored with a focus on underlying mechanisms and moderating influences of biological sex.
Optimizing video feedback for snatch technical error correction in young weightlifters: Comparing the effectiveness of different video playback speeds
Authors: Souissi Mohamed Abdelkader , Trabelsi Omar , Tounsi Olfa , Hawani Aymen , Fekih Sofien , Souissi Hichem , Gharbi Adnen , Amor Ahlem , Scharenberg Swantje , Souissi Nizar
Published: October 2023

Researchers are actively recommending optimal modes of usage for techno-pedagogical tools to ensure that athletes reap the benefits of technology in their training. In this study, we investigated the most effective video feedback viewing speed among normal-speed (NS), half-speed (HS), and quarter-speed (QS), for technical error correction in young weightlifters during the snatch movement. A total of 37 weightlifters (25 boys and 12 girls), aged 11–12 years, were randomly divided into three groups, namely the normal-speed (control group), the half-speed, and the quarter-speed group. Participants completed a pretest (T0), a seven-week snatch learning unit, and a posttest (T1), as well as a retention test one week later (T2). Video-mediated technical analysis of the snatch movement was conducted using the Kinovea motion analysis software. The main results showed that weightlifters who viewed their feedback videos at a quarter of the normal speed (QS) achieved significantly greater improvements in the displacement of the bar in the first pull Dx2 (T1 vs. T0: 27.41 ± 26.10%, Hedges’ g = 0.87, p < 0.05; T2 vs. T0: 24.34 ± 27.11%, Hedges’ g = 1.07, p < 0.05) and the vertical displacement VTR (T1 vs. T0: 22.89 ± 14.16%, Hedges’ g = 1.16, p < 0.05) compared to those who viewed the videos at NS or HS. These findings suggest that slowing down video feedback playback to a quarter of the normal speed can be an effective strategy for enhancing technical error correction in young weightlifters.
Association between three-dimensional motion analysis of the thumb and clinical parameters in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Kodama Akira , Kurumadani Hiroshi , Tanaka Teruyasu , Shinomiya Rikuo , Sunagawa Toru , Adachi Nobuo
Published: October 2023

We analysed the relationship between motor dysfunction of the thumb and the clinical parameters of carpal tunnel syndrome using three-dimensional motion analysis. This single-centred, prospective study included 65 hands in 51 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 healthy hands. Three-dimensional thumb kinematics were acquired using a motion capture system with a retroreflective surface-based marker method. The trajectory area of thumb tip, adduction and abduction of the trapeziometacarpal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints were correlated with the clinical parameters. There was no significant correlation between the results of motion analysis values and patient-reported outcomes measures. Thumb movement disorder associated with carpal tunnel syndrome affected specific activities of daily living based on the pinching movements, such as ‘writing’ and ‘buttoning clothes’ among the patient-reported outcome measure items.

Level of evidence: III
Intra-individual qualitative and quantitative comparison of [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and PET/MRI
Authors: Lens Géraldine , Ahmadi Bidakhvidi Niloefar , Vandecaveye Vincent , Grauwels Steven , Laenen Annouschka , Deckers Wies , Peeters Ronald , Dresen Raphaëla C. , Dekervel Jeroen , Verslype Chris , Nackaerts Kristiaan , Clement Paul M. , Van Cutsem Eric , Koole Michel , Goffin Karolien , Van Laere Koen , Deroose Christophe M.
Published: October 2023

Background:

Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) positron emission tomography (PET) is a cornerstone of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) management. Hybrid PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now available for NET-imaging, next to PET/computed tomography (CT).

Objectives:

To determine whether CT or MRI is the best hybrid partner for [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET.

Design:

Monocentric, prospective study.

Methods:

Patients received a same-day [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and subsequent PET/MRI, for suspicion of NET, (re)staging or peptide receptor radionuclide therapy-selection. The union (PETunion) of malignant lesions detected on PETCT and PETMRI was the reference standard. Concordance of detection of malignant lesions in an organ was measured between PETunion and CT and PETunion and MRI. Seven bins were used to categorize the number of malignant lesions, containing following ordinal variables: 0, 1, 2–5, 6–10, 11–20, >20 countable and diffuse/uncountable. The difference in number of malignant lesions was obtained as the difference in bin level (‘Δbin’) between PETunion and CT and PETunion and MRI with a Δbin closer to zero implying a higher concordance rate.

Results:

Twenty-nine patients were included. Primary tumors included 17 gastroenteropancreatic-NETs, 1 colon neuroendocrine carcinoma, 7 lung-NETs and 2 meningiomas. Patient level concordance with PETunion was 96% for MRI and 67% for CT ( p = 0.039). Organ level concordance with PETunion was 74% for MRI and 40% for CT ( p < 0.0001). In bone, there was a higher concordance rate for MRI compared to CT, 92% and 33%, respectively ( p = 0.016). Overall, a mean Δbin of 0.5 ± 1.1 for PETunion/MRI and 1.4 ± 1.2 for PETunion/CT ( p < 0.0001) was noted. In liver, a mean Δbin of 0.0 ± 1.1 for PETunion/MRI and 1.7 ± 1.2 for PETunion/CT was observed ( p = 0.0078). In bone, a mean Δbin closer to zero was observed for PETunion/MRI compared to PETunion/CT, 0.6 ± 1.4 and 2.0 ± 1.5, respectively ( p = 0.0098).

Conclusions:

Compared to SSTR PET/CT, SSTR PET/MRI had a higher patient and organ level concordance for malignant tumoral involvement and number of malignant lesions, with a clear added value in bone and liver specifically.
Neuroticism Is Prospectively Associated With 30-Month Changes in Broadband Internalizing Symptoms, but Not Narrowband Positive Affect or Anxious Arousal, in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Conway Christopher C. , Grogans Shannon E. , Anderson Allegra S. , Islam Samiha , Craig Logan E. , Wedlock Jazmine , Hur Juyoen , DeYoung Kathryn A. , Shackman Alexander J.
Published: October 2023

Elevated levels of Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality (N/NE) and, less consistently, lower levels of Extraversion/Positive Emotionality (E/PE) confer risk for pathological depression and anxiety. To date, most prospective-longitudinal research has narrowly focused on traditional diagnostic categories, creating uncertainty about the precise nature of these prospective associations. Adopting an explicitly hierarchical-dimensional approach, we examined the association between baseline variation in personality and longitudinal changes in broad and narrow internalizing-symptom dimensions in 234 emerging adults followed for 2.5 years, during the transition from older adolescence to early adulthood. N/NE was uniquely associated with increases in broadband internalizing—the core cognitive and affective symptoms that cut across the emotional disorders—and unrelated to the narrower dimensions of positive affect and anxious arousal that differentiate specific internalizing presentations. Variation in E/PE and several other Big Five traits was cross-sectionally but not prospectively related to longitudinal changes in specific internalizing symptoms. Exploratory personality-facet-level analyses provided preliminary evidence of more granular associations between personality and longitudinal changes in internalizing symptoms. These observations enhance the precision of models linking personality to internalizing illness, highlight the centrality of N/NE to increases in transdiagnostic internalizing symptoms during a key developmental chapter, and set the stage for developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
BMP7 alleviates trigeminal neuralgia by reducing oligodendrocyte apoptosis and demyelination
Authors: Chen Kai , Wei Xiaojin , Wang Ruixuan , Yang Lin , Zou Dingquan , Wang Yaping
Published: October 2023

Background

BMP7 has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and to alleviate demyelination. However, its role in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has not been well investigated. The current study aims to determine whether BMP7 plays a role in demyelination, its effects on pain behaviors and mechanism of action in rats with TN.

Methods

We used an infraorbital-nerve chronic-constriction injury (ION-CCI) to establish a rat model of TN. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) were injected into the rats to upregulate or downregulate BMP7. The mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWT) of the injured rats were detected using Von Frey filaments. The changes in expression levels of BMP7 and oligodendrocyte (OL) markers were examined by western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy.

Results

The ION-CCI induced mechanical allodynia, demyelination, and loss of OLs with a reduction of BMP7. Short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-BMP7 that inhibited BMP7 expression also caused mechanical allodynia, demyelination, and loss of OLs, and its mechanism may be OL apoptosis. Overexpressing BMP7 in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis(VC) with AAV-BMP7 relieved all three phenotypes induced by the CCI, and its mechanism may be alleviating OLs apoptosis. Two signal pathways associated with apoptosis, STAT3 and p65, were significantly downregulated in the VC after CCI and rescued by BMP7 overexpression.

Conclusion

BMP7 can alleviate TN by reducing OLs apoptosis and subsequent demyelination. The mechanism behind this protection could be BMP7-mediated activation of the STAT3 and NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway and subsequent decrease in OL apoptosis. Importantly, our study presents clear evidence in support of BMP7 as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of TN.
Alternative polyadenylation regulates acetyl-CoA carboxylase function in peanut
Authors: Peng Zhenying , Yu Shuang , Meng Jingjing , Jia Kai-Hua , Zhang Jialei , Li Xinguo , Gao Wenwei , Wan Shubo
Published: October 2023

Background

Polyadenylation is a crucial process that terminates mRNA molecules at their 3′-ends. It has been observed that alternative polyadenylation (APA) can generate multiple transcripts from a single gene locus, each with different polyadenylation sites (PASs). This leads to the formation of several 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) that vary in length and composition. APA has a significant impact on approximately 60–70% of eukaryotic genes and has far-reaching implications for cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumorigenesis.

Results

In this study, we conducted long-read, single-molecule sequencing of mRNA from peanut seeds. Our findings revealed that over half of all peanut genes possess over two PASs, with older developing seeds containing more PASs. This suggesting that the PAS exhibits high tissue specificity and plays a crucial role in peanut seed maturation. For the peanut acetyl-CoA carboxylase A1 (AhACCA1) gene, we discovered four 3′ UTRs referred to UTR1–4. RT-PCR analysis showed that UTR1-containing transcripts are predominantly expressed in roots, leaves, and early developing seeds. Transcripts containing UTR2/3 accumulated mainly in roots, flowers, and seeds, while those carrying UTR4 were constitutively expressed. In Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, we transiently expressed all four UTRs, revealing that each UTR impacted protein abundance but not subcellular location. For functional validation, we introduced each UTR into yeast cells and found UTR2 enhanced AhACCA1 expression compared to a yeast transcription terminator, whereas UTR3 did not. Furthermore, we determined ACC gene structures in seven plant species and identified 51 PASs for 15 ACC genes across four plant species, confirming that APA of the ACC gene family is universal phenomenon in plants.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that APA is widespread in peanut seeds and plays vital roles in peanut seed maturation. We have identified four 3′ UTRs for AhACCA1 gene, each showing distinct tissue-specific expression patterns. Through subcellular location experiment and yeast transformation test, we have determined that UTR2 has a stronger impact on gene expression regulation compared to the other three UTRs.
ANDA: an open-source tool for automated image analysis of in vitro neuronal cells
Authors: Wæhler Hallvard Austin , Labba Nils-Anders , Paulsen Ragnhild Elisabeth , Sandve Geir Kjetil , Eskeland Ragnhild
Published: October 2023

Background

Imaging of in vitro neuronal differentiation and measurements of cell morphologies have led to novel insights into neuronal development. Live-cell imaging techniques and large datasets of images have increased the demand for automated pipelines for quantitative analysis of neuronal morphological metrics.

Results

ANDA is an analysis workflow that quantifies various aspects of neuronal morphology from high-throughput live-cell imaging screens of in vitro neuronal cell types. This tool automates the analysis of neuronal cell numbers, neurite lengths and neurite attachment points. We used chicken, rat, mouse, and human in vitro models for neuronal differentiation and have demonstrated the accuracy, versatility, and efficiency of the tool.

Conclusions

ANDA is an open-source tool that is easy to use and capable of automated processing from time-course measurements of neuronal cells. The strength of this pipeline is the capability to analyse high-throughput imaging screens.
A high diversity of non-target site resistance mechanisms to acetolactate-synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicides has evolved within and among field populations of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.)
Authors: Loubet Ingvild , Meyer Lucie , Michel Séverine , Pernin Fanny , Carrère Sébastien , Barrès Benoit , Le Corre Valérie , Délye Christophe
Published: October 2023

Background

Non-target site resistance (NTSR) to herbicides is a polygenic trait that threatens the chemical control of agricultural weeds. NTSR involves differential regulation of plant secondary metabolism pathways, but its precise genetic determinisms remain fairly unclear. Full-transcriptome sequencing had previously been implemented to identify NTSR genes. However, this approach had generally been applied to a single weed population, limiting our insight into the diversity of NTSR mechanisms. Here, we sought to explore the diversity of NTSR mechanisms in common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL.) by investigating six field populations from different French regions where NTSR to acetolactate-synthase-inhibiting herbicides had evolved.

Results

A de novo transcriptome assembly (51,242 contigs, 80.2% completeness) was generated as a reference to seek genes differentially expressed between sensitive and resistant plants from the six populations. Overall, 4,609 constitutively differentially expressed genes were identified, of which none were common to all populations, and only 197 were shared by several populations. Similarly, population-specific transcriptomic response was observed when investigating early herbicide response. Gene ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of stress response and regulatory pathways, before and after treatment. The expression of 121 candidate constitutive NTSR genes including CYP71, CYP72, CYP94, oxidoreductase, ABC transporters, gluco and glycosyltransferases was measured in 220 phenotyped plants. Differential expression was validated in at least one ragweed population for 28 candidate genes. We investigated whether expression patterns at some combinations of candidate genes could predict phenotype. Within populations, prediction accuracy decreased when applied to an additional, independent plant sampling. Overall, a wide variety of genes linked to NTSR was identified within and among ragweed populations, of which only a subset was captured in our experiments.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the complexity and the diversity of NTSR mechanisms that can evolve in a weed species in response to herbicide selective pressure. They strongly point to a non-redundant, population-specific evolution of NTSR to ALS inhibitors in ragweed. It also alerts on the potential of common ragweed for rapid adaptation to drastic environmental or human-driven selective pressures.
Double-wire technique to facilitate vein of Marshall cannulation and ethanol infusion in atrial fibrillation: a case series
Authors: Zhang Hong-Da , Ding Lei , Zhang Kuo , Yu Feng-Yuan , Mi Li-Jie , Weng Si-Xian , Jiang Zi-Han , Tang Min
Published: October 2023

Background

The vein of Marshall (VOM) ethanol infusion is increasingly performed in combination with catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF). The cannulation of the VOM can sometimes be challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the double-wire technique in cases of difficult cannulation of the VOM.

Case presentation

Patients with AF scheduled for combined catheter ablation and VOM ethanol infusion were consecutively enrolled. The procedure was performed via the femoral vein. If the regular cannulation technique with one angioplasty wire failed or took more than 20 min, the double-wire technique using a stabilizing wire and a cannulation wire was performed. The unique technique was used mainly in two scenarios, when the Eustachian ridge was too prominent as a barrier for catheter manipulation or when the VOM ostium was close to the coronary sinus ostium. Of 162 patients scheduled for VOM ethanol infusion, the double-wire technique was applied in 6 (3.7%) patients and led to a 100% successful cannulation rate of the VOM. Of the six patients, two had a prominent Eustachian ridge, and four had a VOM ostium close to the coronary sinus ostium. The mean cannulation time was 33.3 ± 7.3 min. The ethanol infusion was successfully performed in 5 patients. One patient had a collateral circulation in the distal VOM, and ethanol infusion was not performed.

Conclusions

The double-wire technique can facilitate VOM cannulation and ethanol infusion in challenging cases.

Word count

: 231.
Analysis of the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions on influenza during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic by time-series forecasting
Authors: Kim Hyun Kyung , Min Kyung-Duk , Cho Sung-il
Published: October 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in South Korea during the 2019–2020 seasonal influenza epidemic. The social distancing measures, as effective non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), adopted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 might have influenced influenza activity. We evaluated IFV(influenza virus) activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect of NPI intensity on influenza transmission.

Methods

IFV activity and epidemic duration during COVID-19 pandemic were predicted under a counterfactual scenario with no NPIs against COVID-19. The Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model was used to quantify the effects of NPIs on the transmission of influenza virus. Influenza-like illness/1000 outpatients and IFV positivity rate from the 2011–2012 to 2021–2022 seasons were used in this study.

Results

Comparison of the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 seasonal influenza activities with those in 2013–2019 showed that COVID-19 outbreaks and associated NPIs such as face mask use, school closures, and travel restrictions reduced the influenza incidence by 91%. Without NPIs against COVID-19, the rates of influenza-like illness and IFV positivity would have been high during the influenza epidemic season, as in previous seasons. NPI intensity decreased the transmission of influenza; the magnitude of the reduction increased as the intensity of social-distancing measures increased (weak social distancing; step-by-step daily recovery: 58.10%, strong social distancing; special quarantine measures: 95.12%).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that NPIs and personal hygiene can be used to suppress influenza transmission. NPIs against COVID-19 may be useful strategies for the prevention and control of influenza epidemics.
Genetic Risk Assessment of Degenerative Eye Disease (GRADE): study protocol of a prospective assessment of polygenic risk scores to predict diagnosis of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Hollitt Georgina L , Qassim Ayub , Thomson Daniel , Schmidt Joshua M , Nguyen Thi Thi , Landers John , MacGregor Stuart , Siggs Owen M , Souzeau Emmanuelle , Craig Jamie E
Published: October 2023

Background

Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) account for a substantial portion of global blindness. Both conditions are highly heritable, with recognised monogenic and polygenic inheritance patterns. Current screening guidelines lack decisive recommendations. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) allow for cost-effective broad population risk stratification for these conditions. The predictive potential of PRS could facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment, and prevent unnecessary vision loss.

Methods

The Genetic Risk Assessment of Degenerative Eye disease (GRADE) study is a prospective study designed to generate high-quality evidence about the feasibility of PRS to stratify individuals from the general population, enabling identification of those at highest risk of developing glaucoma or AMD. The targeted recruitment is 1000 individuals aged over 50 years, from which blood or saliva samples will be used for genotyping and an individual PRS for glaucoma and AMD will be derived. Individuals with PRS values in the bottom decile (n = 100), top decile (n = 100) and middle 80% (n = 100) for both glaucoma and AMD will undergo a detailed eye examination for glaucoma and/or AMD.

Discussion

The primary objective will be to compare the prevalence of glaucoma and AMD cases between low, intermediate, and high PRS risk groups. We expect to find a higher prevalence of both diseases in the high PRS risk group, as compared to the middle and low risk groups. This prospective study will assess the clinical validity of a PRS for glaucoma and AMD in the general Australian population. Positive findings will support the implementation of PRS into clinical practice.
Long-term outcomes of selective mutism: a systematic literature review
Authors: Koskela Miina , Ståhlberg Tiia , Yunus Wan Mohd Azam Wan Mohd , Sourander Andre
Published: October 2023

Background

Selective mutism (SM) is a childhood onset anxiety disorder, and the main symptom is not speaking in certain social situations. Knowledge about the duration and long-term outcomes of SM have been lacking and the aim of this systematic literature review was to address this gap in the literature. We investigated how long SM symptoms persisted as well as other psychiatric outcomes associated with SM in later life.

Methods

The PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were initially searched from inception to 11 September 2023. Studies were included if they were published in English and had followed up subjects with clinically diagnosed SM for at least two years. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and the protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework. The papers were assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool.

Results

This review screened 2,432 papers and assessed 18 studies. Seven case series studies were excluded from discussion because of the low number of subjects and the fact that their findings could not be generalized to wider populations. In the end, nine clinical cohorts and two case control studies were reviewed. These provided a total of 292 subjects and the sample sizes ranged from 11–49. The overall quality of the studies was moderate. The review found that 190 of the 243 subjects in the studies that reported recovery rates showed moderate or total improvement from SM during follow up. Other anxiety disorders were the most common psychiatric disorders later in life, although these results should be interpreted with caution. Older age at baseline and parental psychopathology might predict greater impairment, but further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Conclusions

Most subjects with SM recovered from this disorder during adolescence, but anxiety disorders were common in later life. Early detection and treatment are needed to prevent symptoms from persisting and other psychiatric disorders from developing.