bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding and enhancing responses to distress in the construction industry: protocol for a data linkage study
Authors: Wittenhagen Lisa , Doran Christopher , Brady John , Heffernan Edward , Meurk Carla
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Past research has shown that construction industry workers are at an elevated risk of suicide, however, to date, no study has examined in detail the characteristics of individuals who work in the construction industry and experience distress. This research aims to understand the characteristics, including sociodemographic characteristics, health services utilisation and contacts with non-clinical services, of individuals working within the construction industry and who experience distress, and to quantify the costs and benefits of different help-seeking pathways.

Methods and analysis

This study is a data linkage study, based on routinely collected administrative data from construction industry organisations and Queensland Health (QH). Expected outcomes include prevalence of distress, articulated to non-clinical construction industry agencies, descriptive findings on characteristics and help-seeking pathways and health economic analysis. Individuals who experienced distress but who did not contact any of the participating construction industry organisations will not be part of this research.

Ethics and dissemination

This data linkage study was approved by Human Research Ethics Committee of The University of Queensland (2021/HE001885). Findings will be presented descriptively to describe the cohort as a whole and stratified by key demographic characteristics, and to provide estimates of prevalence of distress, including timing, frequency and type of contacts. In addition, health economic analysis will be undertaken. Dissemination of findings will be undertaken following consultation of all project investigators, construction industry organisations and peer-led interest groups and lived-experience organisations to ensure translation merit of all findings. Results will be published as peer-reviewed journal articles and publicly available reports.
Development of a novel COMPAssion focused online psyChoTherapy for bereaved informal caregivers: the COMPACT feasibility trial protocol
Authors: Uneno Yu , Kotera Yasuhiro , Fujisawa Daisuke , Kataoka Yuki , Kosugi Kazuhiro , Murata Nanami , Kessoku Takaomi , Ozaki Akihiko , Miyatake Hirotomo , Muto Manabu
Published: December 2022

Introduction

An easy-to-access and effective psychotherapy for bereaved informal caregivers has not been established. People with higher self-compassion status tend to have lower bereavement related grief, psychotherapy focused on self-compassion can be promising for this population. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of online self-compassion focused psychotherapy for bereaved informal caregivers.

Method and analysis

A total of 60 study participants will undergo an intervention programme comprising online sessions of 2 hours per week for five consecutive weeks and undertake postsession work. The intervention personnel will comprise psychologists who have received more than 10 hours of structured training. The primary endpoint will be assessed on the intervention completion rate, with secondary endpoints consisting of the Complicated Grief Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, Brief Resilience Scale and Self-Compassion Scale. Evaluations will be conducted preintervention, immediately after intervention, and 4 and 12 weeks after intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kyoto University Graduate School and Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan (Approved ID: C1565). The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

UMIN000048554.
Comparative efficacy, cognitive effects and acceptability of electroconvulsive therapies for the treatment of depression: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Nikolin Stevan , Owens Kieran , Francis-Taylor Rohan , Chaimani Anna , Martin Donel M , Bull Michael , Sackeim Harold A , McLoughlin Declan M , Sienaert Pascal , Kellner Charles H , Loo Colleen
Published: December 2022

Introduction

There have been important advances in the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat major depressive episodes. These include variations to the type of stimulus the brain regions stimulated, and the stimulus parameters (eg, stimulus duration/pulse width). Our aim is to investigate ECT types using a network meta-analysis (NMA) approach and report on comparative treatment efficacy, cognitive side effects and acceptability.

Method

We will conduct a systematic review to identify randomised controlled trials that compared two or more ECT protocols to treat depression. This will be done using the following databases: Embase, MEDLINE PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL and will be supplemented by personal contacts with researchers in the field. All authors will be contacted to provide missing information. Primary outcomes will be symptom severity on a validated continuous clinician-rated scale of depression, cognitive functioning measured using anterograde verbal recall, and acceptability calculated using all-cause drop-outs. Secondary outcomes will include response and remission rates, autobiographical memory following a course of ECT, and anterograde visuospatial recall.

Bayesian random effects hierarchical models will compare ECT types. Additional meta-regressions may be conducted to determine the impact of effect modifiers and patient-specific prognostic factors if sufficient data are available.

Discussion

This NMA will facilitate clinician decision making and allow more sophisticated selection of ECT type according to the balance of efficacy, cognitive side effects and acceptability.

Ethics

This systematic review and NMA does not require research ethics approval as it will use published aggregate data and will not collect nor disclose individually identifiable participant data.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022357098.
Cracking open the eristic rhetoric of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy research or why surgeons should not be so certain about this controversial breast cancer treatment
Authors: Pender Kelly
Published: December 2022

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is a controversial breast cancer treatment in which both breasts are removed when only one is affected by cancer. Rates of CPM have been rising since the late 1990s, despite surgeons’ strong agreement that the procedure should not be performed for average-risk women. This essay analyses that agreement as it is demonstrated in the surgical literature on CPM, arguing that it forms a ‘rhetoric of certainty’ built on the stark epistemological divide between objective and subjective forms of knowledge that operates in some areas of medicine. Further, the essay argues that this rhetoric of certainty has the potential to function as a kind of eristic rhetoric in which the right conclusion is known prior to any rhetorical exchange. As a way to ‘crack open’ this certainty, the essay compares the rhetoric of the surgical literature on CPM to the rhetoric of uncertainty in the radiological literature on breast cancer screening for women with a personal history of the disease. The goal of this comparison is not to suggest surgeons should support all choices for CPM. Rather, the aim is to demonstrate that choices against the procedure are not as straightforward as the surgical literature indicates and that the uncertainty affecting women’s preferences for CPM is not solely the result of patient misunderstanding and/or emotional instability.
Flare during tapering of biological DMARDs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in routine care: characteristics and predictors
Authors: Terslev L , Ostergaard Mikkel , Georgiadis Stylianos , Brahe Cecilie Heegaard , Ellegaard Karen , Dohn UM , Fana Viktoria , Møller Torsten , Juul Lars , Huynh Tuan Khai , Krabbe Simon , Ornbjerg L M , Glinatsi Daniel , Røgind Henrik , Hansen Annette , Nørregaard Jesper , Jacobsen Søren , Jensen Dorte V , Manilo Natalia , Asmussen Karsten , Boesen Mikael , Rastiemadabadi Zoreh , Morsel-Carlsen Lone , Møller Jakob Møllenbach , Krogh Niels Steen , Hetland Merete Lund
Published: December 2022

Objective

To identify predictors of flare in a 2-year follow-up study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sustained clinical remission tapering towards withdrawal of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).

Methods

Sustained clinical remission was defined as Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS28)-C reactive protein (CRP) ≤2.6 without radiographic progression for >1 year. bDMARDs were tapered according to a mandatory clinical guideline to two-thirds of standard dose at baseline, half of dose at week 16 and discontinuation at week 32. Prospective assessments for 2 years included clinical evaluation, conventional radiography, ultrasound and MRI for signs of inflammation and bone changes. Flare was defined as DAS28-CRP ≥2.6 with ∆DAS28-CRP ≥1.2 from baseline. Baseline predictors of flare were assessed by logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of 142 included patients, 121 (85%) flared during follow-up of which 86% regained remission within 24 weeks after flare. Patients that flared were more often rheumatoid factor positive, had tried more bDMARDs and had higher baseline ultrasound synovitis sum scores than those not flaring. For patients on standard dose, predictors of flare within 16 weeks after reduction to two-thirds of standard dose were baseline MRI-osteitis (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.33; p=0.014), gender (female) (OR 6.71; 95% CI 1.68 to 46.12; p=0.005) and disease duration (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11; p=0.020). Baseline predictors for flare within 2 years were ultrasound grey scale synovitis sum score (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.44; p=0.020) and number of previous bDMARDs (OR 4.07; 95% CI 1.35 to 24.72; p=0.007).

Conclusion

The majority of real-world patients with RA tapering bDMARDs flared during tapering, with the majority regaining remission after stepwise dose increase. Demographic and imaging parameters (MR-osteitis/ultrasound greyscale synovitis) were independent predictors of immediate flare and flare overall and may be of importance for clinical decision-making in patients eligible for tapering.
Serotiny facilitates kochia (Bassia scoparia) persistence via aerial seedbanks
Authors: Geddes Charles M. , Pittman Mattea M.
Published: December 2022

Serotiny results in aerial seedbanks that enable persistence of some plant species by evading decay, predation, or lethal germination in the soil seedbank. Although more common in forestry, this concept has received little focus in weed science. On average, kochia [ Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] retained 2091 seeds plant−1 (∼18.5% of seeds) in aerial seedbanks among 109 sample sites in spring, 7–8 months after senescence and following subsequent cohort emergence from the short-lived soil seedbank. Therefore, asynchronous seedling recruitment of kochia persisting in simultaneous aerial and soil seedbanks could represent an adaptive bet-hedging strategy for successful establishment in high-stress drought-prone environments.
Exploring the universality of hadronic jet classification
Authors: Cheung Kingman , Chung Yi-Lun , Hsu Shih-Chieh , Nachman Benjamin
Published: December 2022

The modeling of jet substructure significantly differs between Parton Shower Monte Carlo (PSMC) programs. Despite this, we observe that machine learning classifiers trained on different PSMCs learn nearly the same function. This means that when these classifiers are applied to the same PSMC for testing, they result in nearly the same performance. This classifier universality indicates that a machine learning model trained on one simulation and tested on another simulation (or data) will likely be optimal. Our observations are based on detailed studies of shallow and deep neural networks applied to simulated Lorentz boosted Higgs jet tagging at the LHC.
Kinetic modeling of economic markets with heterogeneous saving propensities
Authors: Cui Lijie , Lin Chuandong
Published: December 2022

The lattice gas automaton (LGA) is proposed for a closed economic market of agents with heterogeneous saving interests. There are two procedures in the standard LGA, i.e. “propagation” + “transaction”. If the propagation step is removed and the transaction is conducted among all agents, the LGA reduces to a more simplified kinetic model. In addition, two dealing rules are imposed on the transaction phase. Under Rule I, the trading volume depends on the average saving propensities of an arbitrary pair of agents in trade. Under Rule II, the exchange is governed by a stochastic parameter between the saving propensities of two traders. Besides, two sampling methods are introduced for the random selection of two agents in the iterative process. Specifically, Sampling I is the sampling with replacement and is easier to program. Sampling II is the sampling without replacement and owns a higher computing efficiency. There are slight differences between the stationary wealth distributions simulated by using the two transaction rules and sampling approaches. In addition, the accuracy, robustness and efficiency of the econophysics models are validated by typical numerical tests. The reduced LGA without the propagation step owns a higher computational efficiency than the standard LGA. Moreover, the impact of saving propensities of agents in two groups on the wealth distributions is studied, and the influence of proportions of agents is investigated as well. To quantitatively measure the wealth inequality, the Gini coefficients, Kolkata indices, and deviation degrees of all agents and two groups are simulated and analyzed in detail. This work is helpful to further analyze and predict the dynamic process of wealth distribution in the realistic economic market.
Implications of Seiberg–Witten map on Type-I superconductors
Authors: Martínez-Carbajal Daniel , de la Cruz Manuel , Patiño-López Sergio , Herrera-Zúñiga Leonardo D.
Published: December 2022

Guided by Pippard superconductivity, we incorporate the Seiberg–Witten map in the classical London theory of Type-I superconductors when an external magnetic field is applied. After defining the noncommutative Maxwell potentials, we derive the London equation for the supercurrent as a function of the noncommutative parameter, up to second order in gauge fields expansions. Keeping track of the effects of noncommutative gauge fields, we argue that noncommutative magnetic field effects can be cast in the London penetration length similar to nonlocal Pippard superconductivity. Also, we show that the flux quantization remains consistent relative to the commutative case. Our effective London penetration length reduces to the standard one in the commutative limit. These results allow us to argue that the framework of noncommutative electrodynamics can give some insights into the anisotropic and nonlocal structure of superconductivity and Condensed Matter Systems, perhaps out of the ultra-microscopic scale regime.
A Symplectic-Spectral Element Method for High Frequency Vibration Analysis and Its Application in Structure-Borne Noise Prediction
Authors: Liu Xiao , Zhang Nan , Sun Qikai , Cheng Zenong
Published: December 2022

The frequency-domain vibration model of the vehicle-track structure is established based on the symplectic-spectral element method (S-SEM). To this end, the vehicle is considered as 10-degree-of-freedom, and the rail is modeled by an infinite Timoshenko beam supported by discrete sprung fasteners. Further, the track slab and base plate are regarded as two-dimensional Timoshenko beams supported by uniformly distributed sprung elements. Using the pseudo excitation method (PEM), the track irregularity is viewed as the pseudo load. The vibration response and the internal force of the single-layer or multi-layer beam models are obtained by solving the corresponding S-SEM-based equations. The spectral forces are also applied in frequency bands to the finite element (FE) and statistical energy analysis (SEA) acoustic models. The steel-concrete composite bridge deck is simulated with composite plate materials. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparing the predicted results with those obtained from the field test. The achieved results reveal that multi-layer beam structures effectively consume energy, and elastic fasteners and steel springs are capable of effectively reducing bridge noise.
Estimation of misclassification rate in the Asymptotic Rare and Weak model with sub-Gaussian noises
Authors: Liu Youming , Zhang Zhentao
Published: December 2022

Motivated by Jin–Ke–Wang’s work (J. Jin, Z. T. Ke and W. Wang, Ann. Statist. 45(5) (2017) 2151–2189), this paper studies estimation of misclassification rate in the Asymptotic Rare and Weak (ARW) model. In contrast to Jin–Ke–Wang’s theorem, we measure the performance of the estimator by the misclassification rate instead of Hamming distance, and extend the Gaussian noise to sub-Gaussian’s. The probability estimation with convergence rate is first given under some conditions. Then we prove that condition necessary as well. A direct corollary of our estimation can be compared with Jin–Ke–Wang’s theorem. It turns out that our statistical limit coincides with theirs.
Ferroelastic and 90∘ ferroelectric domains in Bi2WO6 single crystals
Authors: Xu Xianghan , Huang Fei-Ting , Cheong Sang-Wook
Published: December 2022

High-quality single crystals of [Formula: see text] are grown using a flux method. With different flux growth recipes, we aim to control the crystallization temperature to be lower and higher than the ferroelectric transition temperature, resulting in mono-domain and multi-domain [Formula: see text] crystals, respectively. Abundant ferroelastic orthorhombic twin domains are observed in the multi-domain crystals under an optical microscope. PFM studies unveil the 90[Formula: see text] polarization change across those ferroelastic domain walls, as well as the absence of 180[Formula: see text] ferroelectric domains in the as-grown multi-domain crystals, indicating a high energy cost of 180[Formula: see text] ferroelectric domains. Moreover, a 45[Formula: see text] tilt of the 90[Formula: see text] ferroelectric domain walls is discovered, and this tilt creates a new type of charged 90[Formula: see text] ferroelectric walls, which have not been observed in other bulk ferroelectrics.
Artificial Agential Intelligence
Authors: Cheng Tony
Published: December 2022

Since artificial intelligence (AI) emerged in the mid-20th century, it has incurred many theoretical criticisms (Dreyfus, H. [1972] What Computers Can’t Do (MIT Press, New York); Dreyfus, H. [1992] What Computers Still Can’t Do (MIT Press, New York); Searle, J. [1980] Minds, brains and programs, Behav. Brain Sci. 3, 417–457; Searle, J. [1984] Minds, Brains and Sciences (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA); Searle, J. [1992] The Rediscovery of the Mind (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA); Fodor, J. [2002] The Mind Doesn’t Work that Way: The Scope and Limits of Computational Psychology (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA).). The technical improvements of machine learning and deep learning, though, have been continuing and many breakthroughs have occurred recently. This makes theoretical considerations urgent again: can this new wave of AI fare better than its precursors in emulating or even having human-like minds? I propose a cautious yet positive hypothesis: current AI might create human-like mind, but only if it incorporates certain conceptual rewiring: it needs to shift from a task-based to an agent-based framework, which can be dubbed “Artificial Agential Intelligence” (AAI). It comprises practical reason (McDowell, J. [1979] Virtue and reason, Monist 62(3), 331–350; McDowell, J. [1996] Mind and World (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA)), imaginative understanding (Campbell, J. [2020] Causation in Psychology (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA)), and animal knowledge (Sosa, E. [2007] A Virtue Epistemology: Apt Belief and Reflective Knowledge, volume 1 (Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK); Sosa, E. [2015] Judgment and Agency (Oxford University Press, Cambridge, MA)). Moreover, I will explore whether and in what way neuroscience-inspired AI and predictive coding (Hassabis, D., Kumaran, D., Summerfield, C., & Botvinick, M. [2017] Neuroscience-inspired artificial intelligence, Neuron 95(2), 245–258) can help carry out this project.
Analytical descriptions of quantifier solutions to interval linear systems of relations
Authors: Sharaya Irene A. , Shary Sergey P.
Published: December 2022

We study systems of relations of the form [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a vector of binary relations with the components “[Formula: see text]”, “[Formula: see text]”, and “[Formula: see text]”, while the parameters (elements of the matrix A and right-hand side vector b) are uncertain and can take values from prescribed intervals. What is considered to be the set of its solutions depends on which logical quantifier is associated with each interval-valued parameter and what is the order of the quantifier prefixes for specific parameters. For solution sets that correspond to the quantifier prefix of a general form, we present equivalent quantifier-free analytical descriptions in the classical interval arithmetic, in Kaucher complete interval arithmetic and in the usual real arithmetic.
On Securing Cryptographic ICs against Scan-based Attacks: A Hamming Weight Distribution Perspective
Authors: Ray Dipojjwal , Sao Yogendra , Biswas Santosh , Ali Sk Subidh
Published: December 2022

Scan chain-based Design for Testability is the industry standard in use for testing manufacturing defects in the semiconductor industry to ensure the structural and functional correctness of chips. Fault coverage is significantly enhanced due to the higher observability and controllability of the internal latches. These ensuing benefits to testing, if misused, expose vulnerabilities that can be detrimental to the security aspects, especially in the context of crypto-chips that contain a secret key. Hence, it remains of paramount importance for a chip designer to secure crypto-chips against various scan attacks. A countermeasure is proposed in this article that preserves the secrecy of an embedded key in a cryptographic integrated circuit running an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) implementation. A novel design involving a hardware unit is illustrated that circumvents differential scan attacks by essentially performing bit flips deterministically, using a pre-computed mask value. This helps secure the chip while retaining full testability. The controller logic directly depends on a mask determination algorithm that can defend against any scan attack with 𝒪 theoretical complexity. Security analysis of our proposed defense procedure is performed in the framework of Discrete Event Systems (DES). The sequential scan circuit of an AES cryptosystem is modeled as a DES using Finite State Automata. A security notion,
Opacity
, is used to quantify and formally verify the security aspects of our controlled system, which shows that the entropy of the secret key is preserved. A case study is performed that shows to mitigate state-of-the-art differential scan attacks successfully at a nominal extra overhead of 1.78%.
The exercise power-duration relationship is equally reproducible in eumenorrheic female and male humans
Authors: James Jessica J. , Leach Olivia K. , Young Arianna M. , Newman Audrey N. , Mpongo Kiese L. , Quirante Jaron M. , Wardell Devon B. , Ahmadi Mohadeseh , Gifford Jayson R.
Published: December 2022

Females are often excluded from exercise performance research due to experimental challenges in controlling for the menstrual cycle (MC), causing uncertainty regarding how the MC impacts female performance. The present study examined the influences that biological sex and the MC have on the power-duration relationship (PDR) by comparing critical power (CP), Work-prime ( W′), and maximum power output ( PMAX) in males and females. Our data provide evidence that the MC does not influence the PDR and that females exhibit similar reproducibility as males. Thus, when conducting aerobic endurance exercise research on eumenorrheic females without menstrual dysfunction, the phase of the MC does not need to be controlled. Although differences in body composition account for some differences between the sexes, sex differences in W′ and PMAX persisted even after normalizing for different metrics of body composition. These data highlight the necessity and feasibility of examining sex differences in performance, as previously generated male-only data within the literature may not apply to female subjects.
Analysis of Interaction of Multiple Cracks Based on Tip Stress Field Using Extended Finite Element Method
Authors: Wang Yuxiao , Javadi Akbar A. , Fidelibus Corrado
Published: December 2022

A new method is presented to study the interaction of multiple cracks, especially for the areas near crack tips by using the extended finite element method. In order to track the cracks, a new geometric tracking technique is proposed to track enriched elements and nodes along the crack instead of using the narrow band level set method. This allows to accurately determine enriched elements and nodes and calculate enrichment values. A method is proposed for constructing a multicrack matrix, which involves numbering enriched nodes of multiple cracks and solving the global stiffness matrix. In this approach, the stress fields around multiple cracks can be studied. The interaction integral method is employed to study the crack propagation and its direction by calculating the stress intensify factor. The developed model has been coded in MATLAB environment and validated against analytical solutions. The application of the model in the crack interaction study is demonstrated through a number of examples. The results illustrate the influence of the interaction of multiple cracks as they approach each other.
Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Muscle Mass through Antenna as a Sensor
Authors: S. Sesha Vidhya , Devi Rukmani , K. G. Shanthi
Published: December 2022

Wireless body area network (WBAN) incorporates a wireless sensor network and wearable devices in miniature size. In this paper, a dual-band microstrip patch (DBMSP) antenna as a sensor with a modified split ring resonator (SRR) and defective ground structure (DGS) is proposed for muscle mass measurement and prediction. Modified SRR on the ground plane forms a defected ground structure (DGS) for back radiation reduction and suits muscle mass measurement. The proposed dual-band microstrip patch antenna resonates at 5.2 GHz and 8.4 GHz, with impedance bandwidth of about 0.9 GHz and 1.89 GHz, input reflection coefficient is about -21.12 dB and -14.5 dB, respectively. This DBMSP antenna has an efficiency of 99.9%, with a negligible amount of specific absorption rate (SAR). From the proposed DBMSP antenna sensor, muscle mass is predicted from human muscle. The proposed antenna is fixed on the ventral surface of the forearm and biceps. DBMSP antenna sensor detects electromagnetic energy from muscle tissues under radiating near-field conditions. The muscle tissue signal is acquired through the proposed DBMSP antenna. The acquired antenna process with nondecimated wavelet transform (NDWT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) algorithms for noise reduction. Further, early prediction of muscle mass prevents humans from lack of protein and oxygen levels in the blood and avoids major issues in human health. The proposed DBMSP antenna-based muscle mass measurement achieves 89% accuracy when compared with laboratory measurement.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Suicidal Ideation among Almeda Textile Factory Workers in Adwa, Tigray, Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Begashaw Tesfaye , Kassie Gebeyaw
Published: December 2022

Background. Suicidal ideation among textile factory workers is a major public health concern worldwide and is associated with a higher risk of completed suicide. However, there are limited studies that determined the prevalence and the potential determinants of suicidal ideation in Africa, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among textile factory workers in Almeda textile factory in Adwa, Ethiopia. Methods. An institutional‐based cross‐sectional study design was conducted from May 3, 2020, to June 16, 2020, at Almeda textile factory in Adwa. A total of 409 workers were identified using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire using suicidality module of Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, and logistic regression model was employed. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed, and statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05. Result. In this study, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was found to be 8.8% (95% CI: 6.1, 11.5). Working more than 48 hours per week (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.18, 7.04), depression (AOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 1.60, 9.50), work‐related physical injury (AOR = 5.95, 95% CI: 2.37, 14.94), and interpersonal conflict (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.40, 8.90) were the significant factors associated with suicidal ideation. Conclusion and Recommendation. In this study, suicidal ideation among Almeda textile production workers was a significant problem. Factors including depression, work‐related exposure to physical injury, long working hour, and interpersonal conflict can enlarge suicidal ideation.
Targeting the Progesterone Receptor in Breast Cancer: Mind the Short Form!
Authors: Ronchi Carlos , Brisken Cathrin
Published: December 2022

The presurgical window of opportunity trial (WOT) MIPRA provides evidence that neoadjuvant treatment with the progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist mifepristone (RU486) may benefit patients with estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancer characterized by a high ratio of PR-A versus PR-B isoform (>1.5), suggesting that PR may be targeted in a subset of patients.

See related article by Elía et al., p. 866
Incorporating RNA-based Risk Scores for Genomic Instability to Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence and Immunogenicity in a Diverse Population
Authors: Hamilton Alina M. , Van Alsten Sarah C. , Gao Xiaohua , Nsonwu-Farley Joseph , Calhoun Benjamin C. , Love Michael I. , Troester Melissa A. , Hoadley Katherine A.
Published: December 2022

Markers of genomic instability, including TP53 status and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), are candidate biomarkers of immunogenicity and immune-mediated survival, but little is known about the distribution of these markers in large, population-based cohorts of racially diverse patients with breast cancer. In prior clinical trials, DNA-based approaches have been emphasized, but recent data suggest that RNA-based assessment can capture pathway differences conveniently and may be streamlined with other RNA-based genomic risk scores. Thus, we used RNA expression to study genomic instability (HRD and TP53 pathways) in context of the breast cancer immune microenvironment in three datasets (total n = 4,892), including 1,942 samples from the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, a population-based study that oversampled Black (n = 1,026) and younger women (n = 1,032). Across all studies, 36.9% of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and 92.6% of ER-negative breast cancer had presence of at least one genomic instability signature. TP53 and HRD status were significantly associated with immune expression in both ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer. RNA-based genomic instability signatures were associated with higher PD-L1, CD8 T-cell marker, and global and multimarker immune cell expression. Among tumors with genomic instability signatures, adaptive immune response was associated with improved recurrence-free survival regardless of ER status, highlighting genomic instability as a candidate marker for predicting immunotherapy response. Leveraging a convenient, integrated RNA-based approach, this analysis shows that genomic instability interacts with immune response, an important target in breast cancer overall and in Black women who experience higher frequency of TP53 and HR deficiency.

Significance:

Despite promising advances in breast cancer immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers that are valid across diverse populations and breast cancer subtypes are needed. Genomic instability signatures can be coordinated with other RNA-based scores to define immunogenic breast cancers and may have value in stratifying immunotherapy trial participants.
Olfactomedin-4-Positive Neutrophils in Neonates: Link to Systemic Inflammation and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Al Gharaibeh Faris N. , Kempton Kristalynn M. , Alder Matthew N.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Little is known about the interplay between neutrophil heterogeneity in neonates in health and disease states. Olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4) marks a subset of neutrophils that have been described in adults and pediatric patients but not neonates, and this subset is thought to play a role in modulating the host inflammatory response. Methods: This is a prospective cohort of neonates who were born between June 2020 and December 2021 at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center NICU. Olfactomedin-4-positive (OLFM4+) neutrophils were identified in the peripheral blood using flow cytometry. Results: OLFM4+ neutrophil percentage was not correlated with gestational age or developmental age. Neonates with sepsis had a higher percentage than those without the condition, 66.9% (IQR 24.3–76.9%) versus 21.5% (IQR 10.6–34.7%), respectively, p = 0.0003. At birth, a high percentage of OLFM4+ neutrophils was associated with severe chorioamnionitis at 49.1% (IQR 28.2–61.5%) compared to those without it at 13.7% (IQR 7.7–26.3%), p < 0.0001. Among neonates without sepsis, the percentages of OLFM4+ neutrophils were lower in the BPD/early death group compared to those without BPD, 11.8% (IQR 6.3–29.0%) versus 32.5% (IQR 18.5–46.1%), p = 0.003, and this retained significance in a multiple logistic regression model that included gestational age, birthweight, and race. Conclusion: This is the first study describing OLFM4+ neutrophils in neonates and it shows that this neutrophil subpopulation is not influenced by gestational age but is elevated in inflammatory conditions such as sepsis and severe chorioamnionitis, and lower percentage at birth is associated with developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Effects up to 20-Year Follow-Up of Preventive Cognitive Therapy in Adults Remitted from Recurrent Depression: The DELTA Study
Authors: Legemaat Amanda M. , Burger Huibert , Geurtsen Gert J. , Brouwer Marlies , Spinhoven Philip , Denys Damiaan , Bockting Claudi L.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is common, and recurrence rates are high. Preventive Cognitive Therapy (PCT), has been shown to prolong time to recurrence and reduce risk of recurrence(s) over 2–10 years in patients with recurrent depression. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of PCT over 20 years on time to first recurrence, cumulative proportion of first recurrences, percentage of depression-free time, mean severity of recurrences, and the number of recurrences within a patient. Methods: Adults remitted from recurrent MDD were randomized to PCT or Treatment As Usual (TAU). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the SCID over 20 years. We used Cox regression analyses, Kaplan-Meier analyses, ANOVA, and negative binomial regression and tested for interaction with the number of previous episodes. Results: There was a significant interaction effect for number of previous episodes with treatment condition on time to first recurrence (Wald[1, n = 172] = 8.840, p = 0.003). For participants with more than 3 previous episodes, the mean time to recurrence was 4.8 years for PCT versus 1.6 years for TAU; the cumulative proportion of first recurrences was 87.5% for PCT and 100% for TAU. For participants with more than 3 previous episodes, exploratory analyses suggest that PCT had 53% less recurrences and percentage of depression-free time was significantly higher compared to TAU. There were no significant effects on mean severity. Conclusions: Up to 20 years, for MDD patients with more than 3 previous episodes, those who received PCT had significantly longer time to a first recurrence and lower recurrence risk and may have less recurrences and more depression-free time compared to TAU. This suggests long term protective effects of PCT up to 20-years.
Strengthening Blood Regulatory Systems to Tackle Africa’s Unmet Needs for Blood and Blood Products
Authors: Samukange Washington T. , Kafere Chancelar , Heinrich Kristina , Sabblah George T. , Siame Mwewa M. , Chirinda Libert , Reinhardt Jens , Hilger Anneliese
Published: December 2022

Background: Assuring the quality and safety of blood and blood components is an essential element of health care in all countries and requires government commitment and legal frameworks. Ineffective regulation of blood and blood components has far-reaching consequences that are not limited to the affected countries but also have extensive global implications. Summary: In this review, we summarize the work of the project BloodTrain funded by the German Ministry of Health within the framework of the Global Health Protection Programme to strengthen regulatory structures in Africa that are imperative to guarantee the improved availability, safety, and quality of blood and blood products. Key Messages: Intense interaction with the stakeholders in African partner countries lead to first measurable successes in the strengthening of blood regulation, as shown here for hemovigilance.
Perversión del uso de los rankings universitarios en las políticas educativas nacionales y supranacionales
Authors: Caldera-Serrano Jorge
Published: December 2022

Se analizan los rankings universitarios como herramienta para la toma de decisiones gubernamentales en el diseño e implementación de las políticas educativas universitarias por parte de las instituciones educativas nacionales y supranacionales. Trabajo confeccionado desde una visión crítica, en el que se hace un breve recorrido sobre la creación de los primeros rankings así como una rápida revisión de los más relevantes, para pasar posteriormente a llevar a cabo una descripción de las principales críticas metodológicas y de uso de estas herramientas, acabando con la identificación de en qué países y procedimientos se están utilizando los rankings, así como realizando una valoración sobre la valía de dicho uso por parte de los dirigentes políticos en la generación de sus políticas universitarias y de evaluación, identificando que su utilización provoca una serie de errores e injusticias en sistemas universitarios y universidades especialmente en la toma de decisiones políticas.
Jacques Copeau e o instinto dramático da criança
Authors: Scalari Rodrigo
Published: December 2022

Este artigo apresenta parte dos resultados de minha tese de doutorado sobre a criança como modelo na pedagogia teatral. Evidencia-se a noção de instinto dramático da criança, conceito-chave no projeto pedagógico de Jacques Copeau, e a presença de noções correlatas a esta nos trabalhos de importantes psicólogos da virada do século XIX para o século XX, como a noção de instinto teatral postulada por Nicolas Evreinov e as pesquisas com crianças efetuadas por Jacques Copeau e Suzanne Bing. O objetivo é destacar o papel fundamental do conceito proposto pela emblemática École du Vieux Colombier na formação do ator.
Flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais: Lecythidaceae
Authors: Francisco Jéssica Nayara Carvalho , Zavatin Danilo Alvarenga , Araujo Ana do Nascimento de , Alcântara Bruno Melo de , Menezes Felipe Gaspar Perestrello de , Alves Karoliny Portes , Martins Thayná Rosa Batista , Vega-Garrido Yeison , Frazão Annelise
Published: December 2022

O estudo da família Lecythidaceae está incluído no projeto “Flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Brasil”. A família está representada na área por dois gêneros e três espécies, a saber: Cariniana estrellensis (Raddi) Kuntze, Lecythis lanceolata Poir. e L. pisonis Cambess. São apresentadas chaves de identificação para os gêneros e espécies, descrições, ilustrações, imagens fotográficas, bem como comentários sobre sua distribuição geográfica e fenologia.
Arquitetura Neocolonial: um denominador comum no cenário latino-americano da primeira metade do século XX
Authors: Peixoto João Paulo Campos
Published: December 2022

Vertente arquitetônica que se difundiu amplamente pelo continente latino-americano de forma quase sincrônica ao início do século XX, o neocolonial pode ser entendido como um “denominador comum” na arquitetura produzida nos países que compõe esse grupo. Este trabalho objetiva abrir um debate acerca da historiografia referente à arquitetura neocolonial sob uma perspectiva latino-americana e transnacional, viés de estudos que desponta como uma via importante para uma compreensão mais ampla dessa temática. Para tanto, como parte da análise de uma publicação basilar a essas discussões está o livro Arquitectura Neocolonial: América Latina, Caribe, Estados Unidos, publicado em 1994. Organizada por Aracy Amaral, a publicação conta com a colaboração de nomes proeminentes aos estudos latino-americanos: Marina Waisman, Ramón Gutiérrez, Roberto Segre, Margarita Gutman, Germán Téllez, dentre outros. A partir de seus desdobramentos, é identificada e discutida uma série de similaridades, aproximações e diferenças contextuais que colaboram para um aprofundamento na compreensão acerca da historiografia de arquitetura latino-americana referente ao neocolonial.
Human Macrophage Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA,
SIMALR
, Suppresses Inflammatory Macrophage Apoptosis via NTN1 (Netrin-1)
Authors: Cynn Esther , Li Daniel Y. , O’Reilly Marcella E. , Wang Ying , Bashore Alexander C. , Jha Anjali , Foulkes Andrea S. , Zhang Hanrui , Winter Hanna , Maegdefessel Lars , Yan Hanying , Li Mingyao , Ross Leila , Xue Chenyi , Reilly Muredach P.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as novel regulators of macrophage biology and inflammatory cardiovascular diseases. However, studies focused on lncRNAs in human macrophage subtypes, particularly human lncRNAs that are not conserved in rodents, are limited.

Methods:

Through RNA-sequencing of human monocyte–derived macrophages, we identified suppressor of inflammatory macrophage apoptosis lncRNA (
SIMALR
). Lipopolysaccharide/IFNγ (interferon γ) stimulated human macrophages were treated with
SIMALR
antisense oligonucleotides and subjected to RNA-sequencing to investigate the function of
SIMALR
. Western blots, luciferase assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to validate function and potential mechanism of
SIMALR.
RNAscope was performed to identify
SIMALR
expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Results:

RNA-sequencing of human monocyte–derived macrophages identified
SIMALR
, a human macrophage-specific long intergenic noncoding RNA that is highly induced in lipopolysaccharide/IFNγ–stimulated macrophages.
SIMALR
knockdown in lipopolysaccharide/IFNγ stimulated THP1 human macrophages induced apoptosis of inflammatory macrophages, as shown by increased protein expression of cleaved PARP (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase), caspase 9, caspase 3, and Annexin V+. RNA-sequencing of control versus
SIMALR
knockdown in lipopolysaccharide/IFNγ–stimulated macrophages showed Netrin-1 (
NTN1
) to be significantly decreased upon
SIMALR
knockdown. We confirmed that
NTN1
knockdown in lipopolysaccharide/IFNγ–stimulated macrophages induced apoptosis. The
SIMALR
knockdown-induced apoptotic phenotype was rescued by adding recombinant NTN1.
NTN1
promoter-luciferase reporter activity was increased in HEK293T (human embryonic kidney 293) cells treated with lentiviral overexpression of
SIMALR
.
NTN1
promoter activity is known to require HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha), and our studies suggest that
SIMALR
may interact with HIF1α to regulate
NTN1
transcription, thereby regulating macrophages apoptosis.
SIMALR
was found to be expressed in macrophages in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques of symptomatic patients.

Conclusions:

SIMALR
is a nonconserved, human macrophage lncRNA expressed in atherosclerosis that suppresses macrophage apoptosis.
SIMALR
partners with HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha) to regulate NTN1, which is a known macrophage survival factor. This work illustrates the importance of interrogating the functions of human lncRNAs and exploring their translational and therapeutic potential in human atherosclerosis.
Love is in the air: additional evidence for a volatile sex-attractant pheromone in snakes
Authors: Jellen Benjamin , Aldridge Robert , Hollon Michelle , Sadikovic Maja , Camilo Gerardo
Published: December 2022

Many taxa utilise chemosensation as their primary sensory modality and communicate with one another using pheromones. Sex-attractant pheromones facilitate mate location and provide information regarding the reproductive status of the potential mate. Snakes have adaptively radiated to many different habitats, some of which preclude the possibility of depositing a continuous terrestrial pheromone trail (e.g., arboreal, semi-aquatic). We suggest that volatile signals are present in species inhabiting such environments. The majority of investigations into snake sex-attractant pheromones have examined terrestrial species, largely ignoring non-terrestrial species and their signal modality. We examined the potential existence of terrestrial and volatile signals in the northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) with a modified Y-maze. During the mating period, males of this semi-aquatic species successfully trailed both the terrestrial and volatile signals from estrous females but did not successfully trail the terrestrial or volatile signals from non-estrous females and other males. Whether a single multimodal sex-attractant pheromone (or multiple sex-attractant pheromones) produced this result remains unknown. However, we feel future investigations into the volatile nature of sex-attractant pheromones in the Ophidia would prove fruitful; particularly for arboreal, aquatic, and semi-aquatic taxa providing a greater understanding of communication and mating system dynamics.
Nest-sharing behavior of captive Broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris): cooperation or exploitation?
Authors: Pierini Sofía Evelyn , Imhof Alba , Larriera Alejandro , Simoncini Melina Soledad , Príncipe Guillermo , Piña Carlos Ignacio
Published: December 2022

Communal egg-laying is not frequently observed in crocodilians that exhibit nest attendance. However, it has been reported for both wild and captive Caiman latirostris. To understand the proximate causes of communal nesting, we aim to describe the nesting behavior of caimans during communal egg-laying in a captive population. Video cameras were placed at nests and the behavior of females was monitored throughout three incubation periods. We documented and analyzed social behavioral data. Nest-sharing behavior consisted of several females congregating and performing nest construction, nest vigilance and nest maintenance. It was observed in all nests previous to egg-laying. After the first laying, one female prevented others from approaching. The second egg-laying female negatively affected the previous clutch. Working together at the same nest would appear to be an exploitative rather than a cooperative activity, and communal nesting could be a competitive interaction, due to limited suitable nesting sites or overcrowding due to captivity.