bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Tumor Microbiome Reacts to Hypoxia and Can Influence Response to Radiation Treatment in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Benej Martin , Hoyd Rebecca , Kreamer McKenzie , Wheeler Caroline E. , Grencewicz Dennis J. , Choueiry Fouad , Chan Carlos H.F. , Zakharia Yousef , Ma Qin , Dodd Rebecca D. , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Hardikar Sheetal , Churchman Michelle L. , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , McCarter Martin D. , Tinoco Gabriel , Husain Marium , Jin Ning , Tan Aik C. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Eljilany Islam , Riedlinger Gregory , Schneider Bryan P. , Benejova Katarina , Kery Martin , Papandreou Ioanna , Zhu Jiangjiang , Denko Nicholas , Spakowicz Daniel ,   for the exORIEN Consortium
Published: June 2024

Tumor hypoxia has been shown to predict poor patient outcomes in several cancer types, partially because it reduces radiation’s ability to kill cells. We hypothesized that some of the clinical effects of hypoxia could also be due to its impact on the tumor microbiome. Therefore, we examined the RNA sequencing data from the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network database of patients with colorectal cancer treated with radiotherapy. We identified microbial RNAs for each tumor and related them to the hypoxic gene expression scores calculated from host mRNA. Our analysis showed that the hypoxia expression score predicted poor patient outcomes and identified tumors enriched with certain microbes such as Fusobacterium nucleatum. The presence of other microbes, such as Fusobacterium canifelinum, predicted poor patient outcomes, suggesting a potential interaction between hypoxia, the microbiome, and radiation response. To experimentally investigate this concept, we implanted CT26 colorectal cancer cells into immune-competent BALB/c and immune-deficient athymic nude mice. After growth, in which tumors passively acquired microbes from the gastrointestinal tract, we harvested tumors, extracted nucleic acids, and sequenced host and microbial RNAs. We stratified tumors based on their hypoxia score and performed a metatranscriptomic analysis of microbial gene expression. In addition to hypoxia-tropic and -phobic microbial populations, analysis of microbial gene expression at the strain level showed expression differences based on the hypoxia score. Thus, hypoxia gene expression scores seem to associate with different microbial populations and elicit an adaptive transcriptional response in intratumoral microbes, potentially influencing clinical outcomes.

Significance:

Tumor hypoxia reduces radiotherapy efficacy. In this study, we explored whether some of the clinical effects of hypoxia could be due to interaction with the tumor microbiome. Hypoxic gene expression scores associated with certain microbes and elicited an adaptive transcriptional response in others that could contribute to poor clinical outcomes.
Effect of Cerebral Oximetry-Guided Treatment on Brain Injury in Preterm Infants as Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Term Equivalent Age: An Ancillary SafeBoosC-III Study
Authors: Alsina-Casanova Miguel , Lühr-Hansen Mathias , Aldecoa-Bilbao Victoria , Del Rio Ruth , Maton Pierre , Sarafidis Kosmas , Zafra-Rodriguez Pamela , Vesoulis Zachary Andrew , Mastretta Emmanuele , Bresesti Ilia , Gomez-Chiari Marta , Rebollo Mónica , Khamis Jamil , Baltatzidis Angelos , Benavente-Fernandez Isabel , Shimony Joshua , Morana Giovanni , Agosti Massimo , Carreras Nuria , Cuaresma Adriana , Gau Ambre , Anastasiou Athanasia , Lubian-López Simón Pedro , Alexopoulos Dimitrios , Sciortino Paola , Dessimone Francesca , Harboe Olsen Markus , Agut Thais , Greisen Gorm
Published: June 2024

Introduction: The SafeBoosC-III trial investigated the effect of cerebral oximetry-guided treatment in the first 72 h after birth on mortality and severe brain injury diagnosed by cranial ultrasound in extremely preterm infants (EPIs). This ancillary study evaluated the effect of cerebral oximetry on global brain injury as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age (TEA). Methods: MRI scans were obtained between 36 and 44.9 weeks PMA. The Kidokoro score was independently evaluated by two blinded assessors. The intervention effect was assessed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test for median difference and 95% Hodges-Lehmann (HL) confidence intervals (CIs). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the agreement between the assessors. Results: A total of 210 patients from 8 centers were included, of whom 121 underwent MRI at TEA (75.6% of alive patients): 57 in the cerebral oximetry group and 64 in the usual care group. There was an excellent correlation between the assessors for the Kidokoro score (ICC agreement: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91–0.95). The results showed no significant differences between the cerebral oximetry group (median 2, interquartile range [IQR]: 1–4) and the usual care group (median 3, IQR: 1–4; median difference −1 to 0, 95% HLCI: −1 to 0; p value 0.1196). Conclusions: In EPI, the use of cerebral oximetry-guided treatment did not lead to significant alterations in brain injury, as determined by MRI at TEA. The strong correlation between the assessors highlights the potential of the Kidokoro score in multicenter trials.
Reporting Practices for Animal Studies on Peritoneal Dialysis Conducted in 2021–2023 after the Introduction of the ARRIVE 2.0 Guidelines
Authors: Witowski Janusz , Sikorska Dorota , Catar Rusan
Published: June 2024

Introduction: The first version of Animal Research: Reporting of in vivo Experiments (ARRIVE 1.0) guidelines was introduced to improve reporting of animal research but did not lead to major improvements in this respect. This applied also to animal studies on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Here, we examined the performance of the revised version of these guidelines (ARRIVE 2.0). Methods: Eighty-nine relevant articles published in 2018–2020 (ARRIVE 1.0 period) and 97 published in 2021–2023 (ARRIVE 2.0 period) were identified in PubMed® and analyzed for completeness and transparency of reporting. Results: In both periods, most studies were carried out in Asia, on rodents, and concerned the peritoneal pathophysiology. During ARRIVE 2.0, more studies were published in higher impact factor journals with the focus on pharmacology and immunology. Compared to ARRIVE 1.0, general aspects of study design and reporting improved during ARRIVE 2.0 period in studies generated in Europe and USA but did not change significantly in Asia. Detailed analysis showed no global improvement in completeness of reporting key information included in the ARRIVE 2.0 Essential 10 checklist. Articles from both periods were deficient in sample size calculations, use of blinding, recording adverse events and drop-outs, and specification of appropriate statistical methods. The level of reporting during ARRIVE 2.0 did not correspond to the journal impact factor and the presence of recommendations for the use of ARRIVE 2.0 in their instructions to authors. Conclusion: So far, ARRIVE 2.0 has not produced significant improvements in the reporting of animal studies in PD.
Hypogammaglobulinemia and Anti-CD20 Therapy-Induced Acute Thrombocytopenia: Perhaps More than a Coincidence?
Authors: Haage Tobias Ronny , Zeremski Vanja , Berisha Mirjeta , Mougiakakos Dimitrios
Published: June 2024

Introduction: The development of secondary hypogammaglobulinemia (sHGG) because of tumor treatment and/or the primary underlying hematologic disorder holds substantial clinical significance. B-cell-derived malignancies and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent important risk factors for the development of sHGG. In addition, the occurrence of acute thrombocytopenia (AT) induced by anti-CD20 therapy is a known, albeit rare, phenomenon. Case Presentation: A 54-year-old patient experiencing the first relapse of classical follicular lymphoma has commenced salvage therapy following the R-DHAP protocol. After rituximab infusion, platelet count dropped from 116 × 109/L to 13 × 109/L within 24 h. Reduced immunoglobulin G levels indicated moderate HGG; thus, we immediately administered intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). Within 5 days after initiation of IVIg, platelet count increased and stabilized at >50 × 109/L. Conclusions: It seems possible that anti-CD20 mAbs act like or activate similar mechanisms as autoantibodies in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Assuming that anti-CD20 therapy-induced AT is an ITP-like condition, HGG could be considered a potential risk factor. Thus, appropriate treatment of HGG with IVIg prior to anti-CD20 mAb therapy could potentially alleviate anti-CD20 therapy-induced AT.
Diagnostic Performance of Coronary Angiography Derived Computational Fractional Flow Reserve
Authors: Vardhan Madhurima , Tanade Cyrus , Chen S. James , Mahmood Owais , Chakravartti Jaidip , Jones W. Schuyler , Kahn Andrew M. , Vemulapalli Sreekanth , Patel Manesh , Leopold Jane A. , Randles Amanda
Published: June 2024

Background

Computational fluid dynamics can compute fractional flow reserve (FFR) accurately. However, existing models are limited by either the intravascular hemodynamic phenomarkers that can be captured or the fidelity of geometries that can be modeled.

Methods and Results

This study aimed to validate a new coronary angiography‐based FFR framework, FFR
HARVEY
, and examine intravascular hemodynamics to identify new biomarkers that could augment FFR in discerning unrevascularized patients requiring intervention. A 2‐center cohort was used to examine diagnostic performance of FFR
HARVEY
compared with reference wire‐based FFR (FFR
INVASIVE
). Additional biomarkers, longitudinal vorticity, velocity, and wall shear stress, were evaluated for their ability to augment FFR and indicate major adverse cardiac events. A total of 160 patients with 166 lesions were investigated. FFR
HARVEY
was compared with FFR
INVASIVE
by investigators blinded to the invasive FFR results with a per‐stenosis area under the curve of 0.91, positive predictive value of 90.2%, negative predictive value of 89.6%, sensitivity of 79.3%, and specificity of 95.4%. The percentage ofdiscrepancy for continuous values of FFR was 6.63%. We identified a hemodynamic phenomarker, longitudinal vorticity, as a metric indicative of major adverse cardiac events in unrevascularized gray‐zone cases.

Conclusions

FFR
HARVEY
had high performance (area under the curve: 0.91, positive predictive value: 90.2%, negative predictive value: 89.6%) compared with FFR
INVASIVE
. The proposed framework provides a robust and accurate way to compute a complete set of intravascular phenomarkers, in which longitudinal vorticity was specifically shown to differentiate vessels predisposed to major adverse cardiac events.
Circulating Sphingolipids and All‐Cause Mortality: The Strong Heart Family Study
Authors: Fretts Amanda M. , Jensen Paul N. , Sitlani Colleen M. , Hoofnagle Andy , Lidgard Benjamin , Umans Jason G. , Siscovick David S. , King Irena B. , Howard Barbara V. , Cole Shelley A. , Lemaitre Rozenn N.
Published: June 2024

Background

A growing body of research indicates that associations of ceramides and sphingomyelins with mortality depend on the chain length of the fatty acid acylated to the backbone sphingoid base. We examined associations of 8 ceramide and sphingomyelin species with mortality among an American Indian population.

Methods and Results

The analysis comprised 2688 participants from the SHFS (Strong Heart Family Study). Plasma ceramide and sphingomyelin species carrying long‐chain (ie, 16:0) and very‐long‐chain (ie, 20:0, 22:0, 24:0) saturated fatty acids were measured by sequential liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy using samples from 2001 to 2003. Participants were followed for 18.8 years (2001–2020). Associations of ceramides and sphingomyelins with mortality were assessed using Cox models. The mean age of participants was 40.8 years. There were 574 deaths during a median 17.4‐year follow‐up. Ceramides and sphingomyelins carrying fatty acid 16:0 were positively associated with mortality. Ceramides and sphingomyelins carrying longer fatty acids were inversely associated with mortality. Per SD difference in each ceramide and sphingomyelin species, hazard ratios for death were: 1.68 (95% CI, 1.44–1.96) for ceramide‐16 (Cer‐16), 0.82 (95% CI, 0.71–0.95) for Cer‐20, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.51–0.70) for Cer‐22, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.56–0.79) for Cer‐24, 1.80 (95% CI–1.57, 2.05) for sphingomyelin‐16 (SM‐16), 0.54 (95% CI, 0.47–0.62) for SM‐20, 0.50 (95% CI, 0.44–0.57) for SM‐22, and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.52–0.67) for SM‐24.

Conclusions

The direction/magnitude of associations of ceramides and sphingomyelins with mortality differs according to the length of the fatty acid acylated to the backbone sphingoid base.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicatrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00005134.
Advanced Heart Failure Characteristics and Outcomes in Women and Men
Authors: Farooqui Naba , Killian Jill M. , Smith Jamie , Redfield Margaret M. , Dunlay Shannon M.
Published: June 2024

Background

The epidemiology and pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) differ in women and men. Whether these differences extend to the subgroup of patients with advanced HF is not well defined.

Methods and Results

This is a retrospective cohort study of all adult Olmsted County, Minnesota residents with advanced HF (European Society of Cardiology criteria) from 2007 to 2017. Differences in survival and hospitalization risks in women and men following advanced HF development were examined using Cox proportional hazard regression and Andersen‐Gill models, respectively. Of 936 individuals with advanced HF, 417 (44.6%) were women and 519 (55.4%) were men (self‐reported sex). Time from development of HF to advanced HF was similar in women and men (median 3.2 versus 3.6 years). Women were older at diagnosis (mean age 79 versus 75 years), less often had coronary disease and hyperlipidemia, but more often had hypertension and depression (
P
<0.05 for each). Advanced HF with preserved ejection fraction was more prevalent in women than men (60% versus 30%, p<0.001). There were no differences in adjusted risks of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89 [95% CI, 0.77–1.03]), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.70–1.02]), all‐cause hospitalizations (HR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.90–1.20]), or HF hospitalizations (HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.75–1.11]) between women and men. However, adjusted cardiovascular mortality was lower in women versus men with advanced HF with reduced ejection fraction (HR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.56–0.93]).

Conclusions

Women more often present with advanced HF with preserved ejection fraction and men with atherosclerotic disease and advanced HF with reduced ejection fraction. Despite these differences, survival and hospitalization risks are largely comparable in women and men with advanced HF.
Gender and Sex Differences in the Management, Intervention, and Outcomes of Patients With Severe Primary Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Waldron Christina , Hundito Addiskidan , Krane Markus , Geirsson Arnar , Mori Makoto
Published: June 2024

Background

Gender‐ and sex‐based disparities in mitral valve disease exist; however the factors associated with these differences are unknown. Identifying these differences is essential in devising mitigating strategies. We evaluated gender and sex differences among patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) across treatment phases.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with new diagnoses of severe primary MR between 2016 and 2020. We compared multidisciplinary evaluation incidence and 2‐year survival between men and women. We analyzed a subgroup meeting class 1 indications for intervention, which includes severe symptomatic MR or severe asymptomatic MR with ejection fraction <60% or left ventricular end‐systolic diameter >40 mm. Logistic regression models identified predictors associated with the likelihood of multidisciplinary evaluation. Among 330 patients meeting class 1 indications, women were older (79 versus 76 years,
P
=0.01) and had higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk scores for mitral valve repair than men (2.5% versus 1.4%,
P
=0.003). Women were less likely to undergo multidisciplinary evaluation (57% versus 84%,
P
<0.001) and intervention (47% versus 69%,
P
<0.001) than men. Median days to intervention for women and men were 77 and 43, respectively. Women had a higher 2‐year mortality rate than men (31% versus 21%,
P
=0.035). On a multivariable model, female sex and older age were associated with lower odds of undergoing multidisciplinary evaluation (odds ratio, 0.26;
P
<0.001; odds ratio, 0.95;
P
<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Women with severe primary MR with class 1 indication for intervention were less likely to undergo multidisciplinary evaluation and intervention and had a longer interval to intervention than men. Survival was comparable after accounting for age and comorbidity differences.
Temporal Trends in Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: The Nationwide Multicenter Registry Over 20 Years
Authors: Bak Minjung , Youn Jong‐Chan , Bae Dae‐Hwan , Lee Ju‐Hee , Lee Sunki , Cho Dong‐Hyuk , Choi Jin‐Oh ,   of PPCM registry investigators
Published: June 2024

Background

Although peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a fatal disease affecting young patients and fetuses, little is known about its recent prognosis and risk factors. This study investigated temporal trends in clinical characteristics and outcomes for PPCM in a nationwide multicenter registry.

Methods and Results

The study population comprised 340 patients (mean age, 33 years) who were diagnosed with PPCM between January 2000 and September 2022 in 26 tertiary hospitals in South Korea. PPCM was defined as heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% and no previously known cardiac disease. The main study outcomes included time to the first occurrence of all‐cause death, heart transplantation, and cardiovascular hospitalization. The diagnosis of PPCM cases increased notably during the study period (
P
<0.001). However, clinical outcomes showed no significant improvement (all‐cause death for 10 years: 0.9% [2000–2010] versus 2.3% [2011–2022],
P
=0.450; all‐cause death and heart transplantation for 10 years: 3.6% [2000–2010] versus 3.0% [2011–2022]
P
=0.520; all‐cause death, heart transplantation, and cardiovascular hospitalization for 10 years: 11.7% [2000–2010] versus 19.8% [2011–2022],
P
=0.240). High body mass index (hazard ratio [HR], 1.106 [95% CI, 1.024–1.196];
P
=0.011), the presence of gestational diabetes (HR, 5.346 [95% CI, 1.778–16.07];
P
=0.002), and increased baseline left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension (HR, 1.078 [95% CI, 1.002–1.159];
P
=0.044) were significant risk factors for poor prognosis.

Conclusions

While the incidence of PPCM has increased over the past 20 years, the prognosis has not improved significantly. Timely management and close follow‐up are necessary for high‐risk patients with PPCM with high body mass index, gestational diabetes, or large left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension.
ELM2‐SANT Domain‐Containing Scaffolding Protein 1 Regulates Differentiation and Maturation of Cardiomyocytes Derived From Human‐Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Lu Yu‐An , Sun Jiacheng , Wang Lu , Wang Meimei , Wu Yalin , Getachew Anteneh , Matthews Rachel C. , Li Hui , Peng William Gao , Zhang Jianyi , Lu Rui , Zhou Yang
Published: June 2024

Background

ELMSAN1 (ELM2‐SANT domain‐containing scaffolding protein 1) is a newly identified scaffolding protein of the MiDAC (mitotic deacetylase complex), playing a pivotal role in early embryonic development. Studies on
Elmsan1
knockout mice showed that its absence results in embryo lethality and heart malformation. However, the precise function of ELMSAN1 in heart development and formation remains elusive. To study its potential role in cardiac lineage, we employed human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to model early cardiogenesis and investigated the function of ELMSAN1.

Methods and Results

We generated
ELMSAN1
‐deficient hiPSCs through knockdown and knockout techniques. During cardiac differentiation,
ELMSAN1
depletion inhibited pluripotency deactivation, decreased the expression of cardiac‐specific markers, and reduced differentiation efficiency. The impaired expression of genes associated with contractile sarcomere structure, calcium handling, and ion channels was also noted in
ELMSAN1
‐deficient cardiomyocytes derived from hiPSCs. Additionally, through a series of structural and functional assessments, we found that
ELMSAN1
‐null hiPSC cardiomyocytes are immature, exhibiting incomplete sarcomere Z‐line structure, decreased calcium handling, and impaired electrophysiological properties. Of note, we found that the cardiac‐specific role of ELMSAN1 is likely associated with histone H3K27 acetylation level. The transcriptome analysis provided additional insights, indicating maturation reduction with the energy metabolism switch and restored cell proliferation in
ELMSAN1
knockout cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

In this study, we address the significance of the direct involvement of ELMSAN1 in the differentiation and maturation of hiPSC cardiomyocytes. We first report the impact of ELMSAN1 on multiple aspects of hiPSC cardiomyocyte generation, including cardiac differentiation, sarcomere formation, calcium handling, electrophysiological maturation, and proliferation.
The Life of Nuns
Authors: Lähnemann Henrike , Schlotheuber Eva
Published: June 2024

In the Middle Ages half of those who chose the religious life were women, yet historians have overlooked entire generations of educated, feisty, capable and enterprising nuns, condemning them to the dusty silence of the archives. What, though, were their motives for entering a convent and what was their daily routine behind its walls like? How did they think, live and worship, both as individuals and as a community? How did they maintain contact with the families and communities they had left behind?

Henrike Lähnemann and Eva Schlotheuber offer readers a vivid insight into the largely unknown lives and work of religious women in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Using previously inaccessible personal diaries and letters, as well as tapestries, painting, architecture and music, the authors show that the nuns were, in fact, an active, even influential part of medieval society. They functioned as role models and engaged in spirited dialogue with other convents, with the citizens of their home towns and with the local nobility. Full of self-confidence, they organised their demanding daily lives; ran their complex convent economies as successful businesses; offered girls a comprehensive theological, musical and practical education; produced magnificent manuscripts; ministered to the convent sick and dying with homemade medicines and to family and friends with advice. Initially—and fiercely—they resisted the Reformation, only for some of the convents to survive as Protestant women’s foundations to this day.

Now, for the first time in centuries, this account by Henrike Lähnemann and Eva Schlotheuber allows the voices of these remarkable women to be heard outside the cloister and to invite us into their world.
II. Education
Authors: Lähnemann Henrike , Schlotheuber Eva
Published: June 2024

The nuns gave the girls entering the convent a demanding education, which lasted several years and included scholarly Latin, theology, and music for the choir services; knowledge of economic and organizational matters pertaining to convent administration; handicrafts and the production and decoration of books. The chapter starts with the example from the diary of the Braunschweig nun of an educational reform gone wrong, then discusses the ideal curriculum and concludes with the Heiningen Philosophy Tapestry as idealized example of a learned community centred around the figure of Lady Philosophy.
IV. Love and Friendship
Authors: Lähnemann Henrike , Schlotheuber Eva
Published: June 2024

In the convent, love and friendship played a major role. Love linked the nuns with their bridegroom Christ, creating a community in which the women felt connected to one another and which opened the door to a close relationship with God. The letter exchange between the Pirckheimer family, particularly the nuns Klara and Caritas with their brother Willibald, forms the starting point to discuss the friendship concept of the 12th-century English Cistercian abbot Aelred of Rievaulx. The sculpture of Christ embracing John the Evangelist from Kloster Heiligkreuztal acts as visual embodiment of this concept which is linked with mystical texts on bridehood by Gertrud the Great of Helfta.
2. Jordan Peterson and Conservative Antisemitism Online
Authors: Becker Matthias J.
Published: June 2024

The age of digitalisation is characterised by an explosion of information as well as opinion exchange, but also by uncertainty and disorientation. In view of the polyphony of speakers and multitude of information, many web users tend to orient themselves to a range of new opinion leaders who could not have established their huge visibility prior to the era of the interactive web. Jordan Peterson, a former psychology professor, embodies perfectly the new ‘globalised’ public intellectual surrounded by a bevy of followers.

In December 2022, Peterson interviewed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The reactions of web users were numerous and―in stark contrast to the bulk of Peterson’s contributions―clearly negative. Peterson’s fascination with political heavyweights or strongmen is nothing new. Here, however, he provided a forum to one of the world’s best-known Jewish figures and the representative of the Jewish state. Peterson and Netanyahu’s conversation seems to have triggered various antisemitic ideas among those with a far-right worldview. However, many of the comments seem to come from the conservative online milieu to which Peterson belongs. The online thread discussing the clip thus forms a symbolic arena for proximity and friction between conservative and alt-right milieus in relation to Jew-hatred―a relationship that is not given enough space in the media and in academic analysis, as the focus is too often on the confrontation between the left and the alt-right and white-supremacy milieus.

This paper qualitatively examines the commenters’ diverse reactions―of disillusionment and reorientation, but also of their devaluation and exclusion of a former idol―identified in the corresponding YouTube comments section and reconstructs the underlying concepts in a pragma-linguistic framework.
5. Countering Antisemitism Online
Authors: Ascone Laura
Published: June 2024

Since their emergence on the web, social networks have elicited diverging reactions and opinions. If they are appreciated for helping create new forms of social relations, they are also criticised for facilitating both the emergence and circulation of hate speech. On a macro-level, different European countries have been taking a step forward to counter hate speech, but on a micro-level online comment sections show that some users try to counter it as well,namely by taking part in a discussion and/or reporting hate content. This chapter investigates the way users of French media counter antisemitic discourse in both Facebook and Twitter (now X) comment sections. The analysis was conducted on 4,230 comments posted on the official Facebook and Twitter pages of French mainstream media such as Le Monde and Le Figaro. The comments were divided in three sub-corpora according to the event they refer to. This way, it was possible to examine the specificities of the comments countering antisemitism in these three different contexts. The annotation and the analyses performed with the software MAXQDA shed light on the connections between the comments conveying antisemitism and those countering them, as well as on how counter speech can sometimes fuel antisemitism and other forms of hate speech
6. Multimodal Cognitive Anchoring in Antisemitic Memes
Authors: Scheiber Marcus
Published: June 2024

The ongoing mediatisation and digitalisation of our lives has also resulted in an increasing dissemination of antisemitic concepts. Antisemitic evaluations that have existed for centuries are finding their way into online debates in new semiotic patterns and in innovative communication formats. Memes are one kind of these new communication formats, which prototypically have a text image structure and can be utilised to realise antisemitic concepts that are anchored in cultural memory. This chapter explores the production and reception processes of these anchored concepts in antisemitic memes by showing the patterns of cognitive processing that allow the integration of verbal and pictorial sign potentials within the meme format via the processes of blending.
Just a Cup of Tea? Jewish-Muslim Interfaith Activism and the Gendered Politics of Representation
Authors: Taragin-Zeller Lea
Published: June 2024

During the past 15 years, there has been a rapid increase in interfaith initiatives in the United Kingdom. Even though the “interfaith industry,” as some have cynically called it, has rapidly increased, the involvement of women in these groups has been relatively low. Based on ethnographic data, including 20 interviews and 3 years of fieldwork with female interfaith activists in the United Kingdom (2017–2020), this ethnography focuses on the emergence of Jewish and Muslim female interfaith initiatives, analyzing the creative ways religious women negotiate their challenges and struggles as women of faith, together. I examine the ways Jewish and Muslim women form nuanced representations of female piety that disrupt “strictly observant” gendered representations, thus diversifying the binary categories of what being Jewish, or Muslim, entails. Further, whereas former studies have focused on interfaith settings as crucial for the construction of religious identities, I show that interfaith activism also serves as a site for religious minorities to learn how to become British citizens. In a highly politicized Britain, where allegations of racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia prevail, I argue that Jewish-Muslim encounters are sites for the construction and performances of British civic citizenship well beyond the prescriptions of the state. Drawing on these findings, I situate interfaith activism at the anthropological intersection of gender, religion, and citizenship, and as a site that reproduces and disrupts minority-state relationality.
Safety and Effectiveness of Debulking for the Treatment of Infrainguinal Peripheral Artery Disease. Data From the Recording Courses of vascular Diseases Registry in 2910 Patients
Authors: Korosoglou Grigorios , Feld Jannik , Langhoff Ralf , Lichtenberg Michael , Stausberg Jürgen , Hoffmann Ulrich , Rammos Christos , Malyar Nasser ,   For the RECCORD Investigators
Published: June 2024

We investigated the safety and efficacy of debulking infrainguinal lesions in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) undergoing endovascular revascularization (EVR) as part of the RECording Courses of vascular Diseases (RECCORD) registry. Patient and lesion specific characteristics, including the lesion complexity score (LCS) were analyzed. The primary endpoint encompassed: (i) clinical improvement in Rutherford categories, (ii) index limb re-interventions, and (iii) major amputations during follow-up. The secondary endpoint included the need for bail-out stenting. Overall, 2910 patients were analyzed; 2552 without and 358 with debulking-assisted EVR. Patients were 72 (interquartile range (IQR) = 15) years old and 1027 (35.3%) had diabetes. Overall complication rates were similarly low in the debulking vs the non-debulking group (4.7 vs 3.2%, P = .18). However, peripheral embolizations rates were low but more frequent with debulking vs. non-debulking procedures (3.9 vs 1.1%, P < .001). After adjustment for clinical and lesion-specific parameters, including LCS, no differences were noted for the primary endpoint (odds ration (OR) = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.69–1.41, P = .94). Bail-out stenting was less frequently performed in patients with debulking-assisted EVR (OR = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.38–0.65, P < .0001). Debulking-assisted EVR is currently used in ∼12% of EVR with infrainguinal lesions and is associated with lower bail-out stent rates but higher peripheral embolization rates; no differences were found regarding index limb re-intervention and amputation rates.
Association Between Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Shengpeng , Zhang Guannan
Published: June 2024

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been developed for the risk prognostication of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the value of SII for predicting adverse outcomes in ACS patients. Relevant studies were identified by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Studies that investigated the association of SII with all-cause mortality or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in ACS patients were eligible. The short-term outcomes were defined as adverse events occurring during the hospital and within 30 days. 11 studies with 16,596 patients were eligible for analysis. A random effect meta-analysis indicated that a higher SII level significantly predicted short-term death (hazard ratios [HR] 2.60; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.29–5.25) and long-term all-cause mortality (HR 2.40; 95% CI 1.25–4.59), even after adjusting for traditional confounding factors. Additionally, a higher SII level was also significantly associated with an increased risk of short-term MACEs (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.28–2.03) and long-term MACEs (HR 2.43; 95% CI 1.74–3.40). These findings suggest that SII level has a strong prognostic value for both MACEs and all-cause mortality in patients with ACS. Determining the SII level has the potential to improve risk prognostication in ACS patients.
Outcomes of Paradox Responses in Corporate Sustainability: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis
Authors: Albertsen Rikke R.
Published: June 2024

Paradox theory offers a unique approach through which the complex and often conflicting aspects of corporate sustainability (CS) can be addressed. Although a growing body of literature has focused on the organizational-level outcomes of a paradox approach to sustainability, we know less about how such an approach creates business contributions to sustainable development beyond the organization (societal sustainability). The present study addresses this gap in research through a qualitative meta-analysis of 32 empirical case studies. While the analyzed studies confirmed the effectiveness of a paradox approach to managing CS tensions from an organizational perspective, indications of contributions to societal sustainability were ambiguous. This finding led to the creation of a typology of response–outcome pathways. These pathways illustrate variations in the societal sustainability outcomes of CS paradox responses based on the moderating effects of three factors: level of commitment to sustainability, the approach to stakeholder engagement, and the level of strategy–practice alignment. This analysis contributes to the CS paradox perspective by offering important boundary conditions to the commonly held assumption that a paradox approach leads to superior business contributions to sustainability and highlights the need for research that examines outcomes of extant CS approaches beyond the organization.
Motives and Constraints of Rural Livelihoods Diversification in Dry-Land Agrarian Settings of Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
Authors: Nyathi Douglas
Published: June 2024

Livelihood diversification is integral in increasing household resilience against shocks in the Global South. The study examines the motives and constraints to livelihood diversification. Participants were purposively selected from Springrange, Rocksdale and Fox farms. The results show that diversification of livelihoods is used as an adaptive strategy to respond to long-term reduction in purchasing power parity resulting from climatic and non-climatic factors. However, smallholders struggle to construct productive strategies to diversify their portfolios because of prodigious socioeconomic and financial odds. There is need for development practitioners to stabilise land tenure and scale up access to credit and markets.
Suicidal Ideation Among Kenyan Youth: A Qualitative Analysis of Online Life Stories
Authors: Gitonga Benjamin , Muthoni Sheila
Published: June 2024

This study examines the experiences of suicidal ideation among Kenyan youth through a qualitative analysis of online narratives, a sample that comprised 15 young individuals aged 17–26 who shared their stories on online platforms. Employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study highlights complex interactions of societal pressures, mental health challenges, and identity struggles that contribute to suicidal ideation. Key themes identified include the impact of cultural expectations, mental health stigma, isolation, and identity crises. By prioritizing the personal voices of the youth, the study sheds light on the deeply contextual nature of suicidal ideation and offers insights into the meanings individuals ascribe to their experiences. The findings advocate for culturally sensitive interventions and underscore the need to address mental health stigma, aiming to foster a supportive societal environment for Kenyan youth grappling with these issues.
Changing Religious Affiliation in the Chinese Mainland: A Cohort Perspective
Authors: Zhou Dao , Lai Xiaozhen , Li Long
Published: June 2024

The religious revival during the reform and opening-up period in the Chinese mainland has long been a prominent and contentious issue. This study utilized repeated cross-sectional datasets from the Chinese General Social Survey from 2006 to 2021 to assess cohort changes in religious affiliation. It employed a temporal framework that considered both the religious and rural–urban differences. Results from age-period-cohort models indicated that cohorts born in the 1960s experienced a religious revival in the Chinese mainland, with younger cohorts did not when evaluating long-term trends. Christian affiliation exhibited more pronounced cohort variations compared to Buddhist affiliation, while a consistent cohort pattern of religious change was observed between rural and urban areas. These findings unraveled the complex trends of religious change as the Chinese family is an important setting for the transmission of religion, shedding new light on the applicability of secularization theory in socialist countries.
Impact of textile composition, structure, and treatment on microplastic release during washing: a review
Authors: Gliaudelytė Ugnė , Persson Maria , Daukantienė Virginija
Published: June 2024

This research critically reviewed the influence of textile characteristics, including textile content (fiber composition), yarn construction, material structure, and treatment type, on microplastic release from textile products during washing. To date, the predominant focus of research has been on the washing parameters rather than the intrinsic characteristics of textiles. The findings of this review revealed that natural, man-made, and mixed-composition fabrics tend to release more microfibers compared to pure synthetic fabrics. Divergent results have been observed in studies on the release of microplastics from recycled synthetic fabrics. Woven fabrics release less microplastic compared to knitted fabrics. However, it is evident that yarn construction has more impact on microplastic release than textile composition or structure, and high-twist filament yarns reduce microplastic formation. Mechanical finishes tend to enhance microplastic release, while synthetic and biodegradable reduce it, but their sustainability and durability aspects need further investigation. The impact of different types of dyes on microplastic release remains unclear. All of the textile characteristics specified in this article are of pivotal importance in microplastic research. Overlooking the significance of any of these details can complicate the development of microplastic mitigation strategies.
The Academic and Personal Experiences of Engineering Technology and Welding Technology Students: A Literature Review
Authors: Vempala Vibhavari , Mondisa Joi-Lynn
Published: June 2024

Objective/Research Question: There is a growing demand for skilled workers in engineering and technology fields. However, the number of engineering technology degrees awarded is much less compared to engineering, and a high percentage of students in engineering technology do not persist beyond the first year. To meet the demands for skilled workers, it is important to understand the experiences of engineering technology students to identify factors that contribute to their matriculation and persistence. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the research that exists on the academic and personal experiences of engineering technology and welding technology students. The research questions guiding this study are: (a) what are the academic and personal experiences of engineering technology and welding technology students at 2- and 4-year institutions? and (b) what are students’ experiences with persisting in engineering technology? Methods: Using our research questions and predetermined inclusion criteria, we performed a literature review of relevant articles retrieved from Scopus and ERIC ProQuest databases. Results: We identify three areas of opportunities for future research examination: (a) experiences of students of marginalized populations in engineering technology, (b) how to leverage career and technical education and 2-year engineering technology programs to support matriculation, and (c) ways to address the negative stigma associated with engineering technology programs. Conclusions/Contributions: To meet the demands of the nation’s economy and future workforce, it is important to further examine the experiences of engineering technology students.
Elevation Resolution Enhancement Oriented 3D Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Fan Kai , Cai Yunye , Shen Enxiang , Wang Yuxin , Yuan Jie , Tao Chao , Liu Xiaojun
Published: June 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging can be accomplished by reconstructing a sequence of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images. However, 2D ultrasound images usually suffer from low resolution in the elevation direction, thereby impacting the accuracy of 3D reconstructed results. The lateral resolution of 2D ultrasound is known to significantly exceed the elevation resolution. By combining scanning sequences acquired from orthogonal directions, the effects of poor elevation resolution can be mitigated through a composite reconstructing process. Moreover, capturing ultrasound images from multiple perspectives necessitates a precise probe positioning method with a wide angle of coverage. Optical tracking is popularly used for probe positioning for its high accuracy and environment-robustness. In this paper, a novel large-angle accurate optical positioning method is used for enhancing resolution in 3D ultrasound imaging through orthogonal-view scanning and composite reconstruction. Experiments on two phantoms proved that our method could significantly improve reconstruction accuracy in the elevation direction of the probe compared with single-angle parallel scanning. The results indicate that our method holds the potential to improve current 3D ultrasound imaging techniques.
Remote Coaching via Technology in Rural Schools: Exploring Three Coaching Models
Authors: Randolph Kathleen M. , Horn Annemarie L. , Sears Jennifer A. , Hott Brittany L. , Willis Tammy
Published: June 2024

Rural schools face unique challenges providing high-quality professional development opportunities due to barriers such as geographic isolation and limited resources. This article provides information on three coaching models, eCoaching, iCoaching, and teacher dyad coaching. Each model has the potential to leverage technology to ameliorate challenges faced by rural schools. eCoaching, a personalized approach using online platforms, allows for tailored professional development, accommodating the distinct needs of educators in remote settings. Similarly, iCoaching, facilitated by a coach using interactive technology, fosters real-time coaching, collaboration, and feedback, empowering teachers in geographically isolated areas. Teacher dyad coaching promotes peer learning and support, enhancing professional growth through co-planning and co-teaching sessions. Coaching using technology addresses potential challenges and offers strategies to overcome potential barriers, ensuring the effective implementation of these coaching approaches. By highlighting the advantages of eCoaching, iCoaching, and teacher dyad coaching, this article serves as a guide for educators to implement technology-enabled coaching methods and underscores the importance of innovative approaches in bridging the professional development to implementation gap while fostering enhanced teaching practices in rural educational settings.
Teaching the whole singer: An examination of methods used to address student wellness in the collegiate voice studio
Authors: Baughman Melissa , Jordan Darrell J
Published: June 2024

We examined the perspectives and experiences of collegiate voice instructors regarding methods used to address wellness in the collegiate voice studio. Collegiate voice instructors ( N = 835) from 13 states were invited to participate in a researcher-designed survey. A total of 74 respondents completed the survey. All respondents strongly agreed that students’ wellness impacts their performance abilities, which strengthens the case for addressing wellness in the voice studio. There seemed to be a concern with the lack of training in specific techniques, though, so it may be useful to create accessible training sessions and resources related to wellness that are tailored specifically to voice instructors. Respondents seemed to use, value, and were most familiar with breathing exercises and stretching, so future researchers may consider examining the contextual use and effectiveness of these methods as they relate to wellness. While voice instructors believed that it is important to address the whole singer through wellness, they were also careful to guard their own boundaries and be mindful of their own limitations and comfort levels.
Family Perspectives of the Roles of Parent Training and Information Centers and Service Coordinators in Early Intervention
Authors: Fulton Kelly , Terol Adriana Kaori , Hardy Abby , Burke Meghan M.
Published: June 2024

Although family-centeredness is a tenet of early intervention, families often report struggling to meaningfully participate in decision-making. To increase family involvement, in the United States Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and service coordinators are charged with educating and empowering families to advocate for their children. Yet, little is known about how PTIs and service coordinators support families. We explored the perceptions of families about the supports provided by PTIs and service coordinators; by understanding their roles, targeted efforts can be made to ensure that families are meaningfully supported during early intervention. Twenty-five caregivers of children who received early intervention services participated in individual interviews. One participant reported being familiar with PTIs during early intervention. Participants reported liking their service coordinators but also reported that due to large workloads, service coordinators often did not educate them about their rights. Implications for research and practice are discussed.