bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repression of PRMT activities sensitize homologous recombination-proficient ovarian and breast cancer cells to PARP inhibitor treatment
Authors: Zhang Youyou , Xu Mu , Yuan Jiao , Hu Zhongyi , Jiang Junjie , Huang Jie , Wang Bingwei , Shen Jianfeng , Long Meixiao , Fan Yi , Montone Kathleen T. , Tanyi Janos L. , Tavana Omid , Chan Ho Man , Hu Xiaowen , Zhang Lin
Published: May 2024

An “induced PARP inhibitor (PARPi) sensitivity by epigenetic modulation” strategy is being evaluated in the clinic to sensitize homologous recombination (HR)-proficient tumors to PARPi treatments. To expand its clinical applications and identify more efficient combinations, we performed a drug screen by combining PARPi with 74 well-characterized epigenetic modulators that target five major classes of epigenetic enzymes. Both type I PRMT inhibitor and PRMT5 inhibitor exhibit high combination and clinical priority scores in our screen. PRMT inhibition significantly enhances PARPi treatment-induced DNA damage in HR-proficient ovarian and breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, PRMTs maintain the expression of genes associated with DNA damage repair and BRCAness and regulate intrinsic innate immune pathways in cancer cells. Analyzing large-scale genomic and functional profiles from TCGA and DepMap further confirms that PRMT1, PRMT4, and PRMT5 are potential therapeutic targets in oncology. Finally, PRMT1 and PRMT5 inhibition act synergistically to enhance PARPi sensitivity. Our studies provide a strong rationale for the clinical application of a combination of PRMT and PARP inhibitors in patients with HR-proficient ovarian or breast cancer.
Solution to the cocktail party problem: A time-reversal active metasurface for multipoint focusing
Authors: Bourdeloux Constant , Fink Mathias , Lemoult Fabrice
Published: May 2024

The cocktail party effect is the capability to focus one’s auditory attention on particular audio sources while ignoring other audio sources. We propose an experimental strategy to reproduce this ability by designing a time-dependent metasurface composed of independent active mirrors. Each active mirror is a programmable acoustic unit cell capable of hearing, computing, and re-emitting acoustic signals: each of them acts as a convolution filter. The proper configuration of the metasurface temporal filters allows one to establish an acoustic communication link between groups of individuals immersed in the noisy environment: a multiple-user multiple-input, multiple-output acoustic system is built.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Robustness of critical U(1) spin liquids and emergent symmetries in tensor networks
Authors: Dreyer Henrik , Vanderstraeten Laurens , Chen Ji-Yao , Verresen Ruben , Schuch Norbert
Published: May 2024

We study the response of critical resonating valence bond (RVB) spin liquids to doping with longer-range singlets, and more generally of U(1)-symmetric tensor networks to nonsymmetric perturbations. Using a field theory description, we find that in the RVB, doping constitutes a relevant perturbation that immediately opens up a gap, contrary to previous observations. Our analysis predicts a very large correlation length even at significant doping, which we verify using high-accuracy numerical simulations. This emphasizes the need for careful analysis, but it also justifies the use of such states as a variational ansatz for critical systems. Finally, we give an example of a projected entangled pair state where nonsymmetric perturbations do not open up a gap and the U(1) symmetry reemerges.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Static equilibrium of multi–black holes in expanding bubbles in five dimensions
Authors: Tomizawa Shinya , Suzuki Ryotaku
Published: May 2024

We investigate possible configurations for vacuum multiblack holes that maintain static equilibrium in expanding bubbles. Our analysis assumes a five-dimensional Weyl metric to describe the spacetime, facilitating the derivation of solutions based on the provided rod structure. We consider a spacetime having expanding bubbles caused by one or two acceleration horizons, and show that various configurations such as two bubbles, four bubbles devoid of horizons, a black saturn, a black di-ring, a bicycling black ring (orthogonal black di-ring), and a five-dimensional black hole binary can achieve equilibrium within expanding bubbles. Specifically, we demonstrate that equilibrium requires two acceleration horizons on both sides for the bicycling ring and the five-dimensional black hole binary. However, only one acceleration horizon is necessary for achieving equilibrium in the case of the black saturn and the black di-ring.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
In and Out of Criticality? State-Dependent Scaling in the Rat Visual Cortex
Authors: Castro Daniel M. , Feliciano Thaís , de Vasconcelos Nivaldo A. P. , Soares-Cunha Carina , Coimbra Bárbara , Rodrigues Ana João , Carelli Pedro V. , Copelli Mauro
Published: May 2024

The presumed proximity to a critical point is believed to endow the brain with scale-invariant statistics, which are thought to confer various functional advantages in terms of its information processing, storage, and transmission capabilities. To assess the relationship between scaling and cortical states, we apply a phenomenological renormalization group analysis to 3-h spiking data recordings from the urethane-anesthetized rat's visual cortex. Under this type of anesthesia, cortical states dynamically shift across a spectrum of synchronization levels, defined by population spiking rate variability. By developing a scaling criterion based on the kurtosis of the momentum-space activity distribution, our study combines the coarse-graining method with state-dependent analysis. We find that scaling signatures only appear as spiking variability surpasses a specified threshold. Notably, within this regime, scaling exponents show relative stability. Conversely, subthreshold activity is primarily asynchronous and fails to meet the scaling criterion. Our results suggest that a wide range of cortical states corresponds to small deviations around a critical point, with the system fluctuating in and out of criticality, spending roughly three-quarters of the experiment duration within a scaling regime.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of poly[di-μ3-chlorido-di-μ2-chlorido-bis[4-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)aniline]dicadmium(II)]
Authors: Theppitak Chatphorn , Laksee Sakchai , Chainok Kittipong
Published: May 2024

The title coordination polymer with the 4-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)aniline Schiff base ligand (L, C13H12N2), [Cd2Cl4(C13H12N2)]
n
(1), exhibits a columnar structure extending parallel to [100]. The columns are aligned in parallel and are decorated with chelating L ligands on both sides. They are elongated into a supramolecular sheet extending parallel to (01\overline{1}) through π–π stacking interactions involving L ligands of neighbouring columns. Adjacent sheets are packed into the tri-periodic supramolecular network through weak C—H...Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions that involve the phenyl CH groups and chlorido ligands. The thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of (1) have also been examined.
Synthesis and crystal structures of three organoplatinum(II) complexes bearing natural arylolefin and quinoline derivatives
Authors: Chi Nguyen Thi Thanh , Van Thong Pham , Thang Nguyen Manh , Thao Pham Ngoc , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: May 2024

Three organoplatinum(II) complexes bearing natural arylolefin and quinoline derivatives, namely, [4-methoxy-5-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethoxy)-2-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl](quinolin-8-olato)platinum(II), [Pt(C13H15O4)(C9H6NO)], (I), [4-methoxy-5-(2-oxo-2-propoxyethoxy)-2-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl](quinoline-2-carboxylato)platinum(II), [Pt(C15H19O4)(C10H6NO2)], (II), and chlorido[4-methoxy-5-(2-oxo-2-propoxyethoxy)-2-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl](quinoline)platinum(II), [Pt(C15H19O4)Cl(C9H7N)], (III), were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the cycloplatinated arylolefin coordinates with PtII
via the carbon atom of the phenyl ring and the C=Colefinic group. The deprotonated 8-hydroxyquinoline (C9H6NO) and quinoline-2-carboxylic acid (C10H6NO2) coordinate with the PtII atom via the N and O atoms in complexes (I) and (II) while the quinoline (C9H7N) coordinates via the N atom in (III). Moreover, the coordinating N atom in complexes (I)–(III) is in the cis position compared to the C=Colefinic group. The crystal packing is characterized by C—H...π, C—H...O [for (II) and (III)], C—H...Cl [for (III) and π–π [for (I)] interactions.
Leveraging growth of savings and credit cooperatives through innovative practices-cases from Uganda
Authors: Nassuna Agnes Noelin , Jeppesen Soeren , Balunywa Waswa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper explores how the growth of selected Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in an African setting was nurtured through innovative practices that enabled them to fulfill their roles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies an exploratory qualitative approach using face-to-face interviews and observation to obtain in-depth primary data. Data were then examined using thematic and matrix analyses to understand the key resources, innovative practices and growth strides in the cases studied.

Findings

The SACCOs undertook a variety of innovative practices based on resources, which included: creating teams, focusing on community needs, involving top management and all SACCOS’ members and having visionary entrepreneurial leaders. This led to an increase in outreach and savings.

Originality/value

Whereas the concept of innovative practices has been widely studied, there is scanty literature on how such practices within SACCOs are developed based on the resources of SACCOs in Africa. This paper further provides new insights based on empirical data from SACCOs that applied innovative practices and were able to grow.
Industrial engineer and Industry 4.0? Empirical evidence from the Brazilian context considering the relation between competences and technologies
Authors: da Rocha Lucas Thadeu Vulcão , Pereira Lucas Ryu Morotomi , Fernandes Reimison Moreira , Melo André Cristiano Silva , da Silva Dirceu , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Anholon Rosley , Batista Martins Vitor William
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Manufacturing systems have undergone radical changes because of the implementation of physical and digital innovating technologies with high levels of connectivity, interoperability and autonomy. In this regard, the objective of this study was to investigate whether industrial engineers graduated in recent years in Brazil are prepared or not to work in companies and industries within the scope of Industry 4.0 technologies in a way that they positively contribute to the implementation and management of such technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these objectives, a literature review and a survey on managers of the industrial sector acting in Brazil were carried out as the research strategies. The data collected were analyzed through a quantitative approach by means of the structural equations modeling method.

Findings

The hypothesis that the competencies of industrial engineers currently graduating in Brazil have a positive impact on the implementation and management of Industry 4.0 technologies has been confirmed. Predicting the evolution of production scenarios, understanding the interaction between organizations and their impacts on competitiveness and keeping abreast of technological advancements, organizing them and putting them to the service of business and societal demands were the competencies that obtained the highest factor loadings in the construct of industrial engineer competencies. In addition, cloud manufacturing, automation and robotization were the competencies that obtained the highest factor loadings in the industry 4.0 construct.

Originality/value

The analysis of skills development stands out as a source of competitive advantage for companies that intend to transition to a production system aligned with the principles of Industry 4.0, considering the training of professionals in an emerging economy context.
The erupting volcano: the role of the Ukraine frozen conflict and ongoing war in transforming international and European order
Authors: Smajljaj Avdi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The European Union (EU) and Russia are considered to be trapped into security concerns in a form of spillover, in a zero sum perspective, considering each step of the other as directed against another. Such an approach seems to prevail, after attempts of engagements for decades after the Cold War. Rather history prevailed in informing perceptions and currently driving the behaviors toward each other, in other words in othering each other.

Design/methodology/approach

Discourse analysis

Findings

The move in Eastern Europe of both parties is perceived with suspicion from both sides, materialized through their policies, culminated in clash of interests and crash of policies between both parts, manifested by Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014 and recently in 2022 in one side, and the EU response through massive, unprecedented sanctions against Russia. This has created a context that fosters not just keeping a status quo of clash and struggle for influence between them in the region, but also nourishes further securitization of their respective policies toward the Eastern Europe and beyond. In 2014 and more recently in 2022 Russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU and Russia appear to have the same image to each other as they had during the Cold War, or even beyond. Having this in mind, this paper will address those developments, with particular focus on attempts to avoid them, the failure to do so and how they are impacting the EU, Russia and global politics in a form of emerging new world (dis)order.

Originality/value

This paper is an original paper having a critical approach toward the current conflicts going on in Eastern Europe.
The differential effects of sales control systems on salespeople’s role stressors and performance in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Cho Yeonjin , Nam Hyunjeong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and report the differential effects of activity control and capability control on role stressors, which subsequently affect salespeople’s job satisfaction and sales performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, the authors defined active control and customer demandingness as the job demands and capability control as the job resource, and designed their relationship with role stressors, which are indicated as role ambiguity, role conflict and role overload. The authors enrolled a sample of 223 industrial salespeople from pharmaceutical companies. After collecting the data, the authors used structural equation modeling using AMOS to test and estimate causal relationships along with a two-step approach to examine the interaction effect. The authors have also tested the simple slope of two-way interactions. All of the measured variables were identical to those used in previous studies.

Findings

The study findings indicate that behavior-based control can be counterproductive. Reducing activity control can decrease role stress, increase job satisfaction and improve job performance; increasing capability control, however, can reduce role stress and increase job satisfaction and performance. It is also important to acknowledge the external environment of the sales context in which behavior-based control is most effective: whereas high customer demandingness and capability control are related to reduced role stress, high customer demandingness and activity control are related to increased role stress.

Practical implications

Sales managers should recognize that different control management regimes reinforce or mitigate salespeople’s job stressors and outcomes under specific conditions (i.e. work environments marked by higher or lower customer demandingness).

Originality/value

Drawing on JD-R theory, the research shows that a behavior control (i.e. activity control and capability control) has differential, and even opposite, psychological consequences.
Socio-economic dimensions and human centricity in Industry 5.0: a study on manufacturing sectors in central and Eastern European economies
Authors: Singh Devesh , Cohen Viktorija
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to quantify the concept of Industry 5.0, with a focus on human-centricity in the manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag method is applied to assess asymmetry and vulnerability in the food, textile, chemical manufacturing, high-tech and transportation sectors. The robustness of the results is tested using a panel Granger non-causality test and panel vector autoregressive models.

Findings

This study finds that financial unions, fair internal markets, gender and youth participation are significant factors for human centricity in the manufacturing sectors. The NARDL results suggest that both the chemical and high-tech industries human participation are insignificant in both the long run and short run. The results of the food industry are significant in both the sort run and the long run.

Research limitations/implications

Manufacturing sectors need to create sustainable employment strategies that lead to stable, enduring and satisfying jobs in order to achieve human centricity. Involve skilled workers in important decision-making processes and empower them with technology.

Originality/value

This study differed from prior research in several ways. Firstly, it incorporates the social dimension as a control variable in the pursuit of I5.0 implementation across various manufacturing sectors. Secondly, it quantifies the human-centricity aspect of I5.0 within these sectors.
The effect of policy uncertainty on the volatility of bitcoin
Authors: Mahjoubi Manel , Henchiri Jamel Eddine
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of the economic policy uncertainty (EPU), geopolitical risk (GPR) and climate policy uncertainty (CPU) of USA on Bitcoin volatility from August 2010 to August 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors have adopted the empirical strategy of Yen and Cheng (2021), who modified volatility model of Wang and Yen (2019), and the authors use an OLS regression with Newey-West error term.

Findings

The results using OLS regression with Newey–West error term suggest that the cryptocurrency market could have hedge or safe-haven properties against EPU and geopolitical uncertainty. While the authors find that the CPU has a negative impact on the volatility of the bitcoin market. Hence, the authors expect climate and environmental changes, as well as indiscriminate energy consumption, to play a more important role in increasing Bitcoin price volatility, in the future.

Originality/value

This study has two implications. First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first to extend the discussion on the effect of dimensions of uncertainty on the volatility of Bitcoin. Second, in contrast to previous studies, this study can be considered as the first to examine the role of climate change in predicting the volatility of bitcoin. This paper contributes to the literature on volatility forecasting of cryptocurrency in two ways. First, the authors discuss volatility forecasting of Bitcoin using the effects of three dimensions of uncertainty of USA (EPU, GPR and CPU). Second, based on the empirical results, the authors show that cryptocurrency can be a good hedging tool against EPU and GPR risk. But the cryptocurrency cannot be a hedging tool against CPU risk, especially with the high risks and climatic changes that threaten the environment.
Exploring leader’s unethical proorganizational behavior and follower attitudes toward knowledge hiding and sharing in the service industry: a social learning perspective
Authors: Masood Ayesha , Zhang Qingyu , Singh Nidhi , Meena Bhatia , Perano Mirko
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Grounded in the framework of social learning theory (SLT), the current study explores the impact of leaders’ unethical proorganizational behavior (UPB) on their subordinates’ self-management and moral self-efficacy, which, in turn, affect knowledge hiding and sharing among followers. This study aims to examine how instrumental thinking influences the relationship between leader UPB and subordinate behaviors, shaping knowledge sharing and hiding.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a longitudinal approach, this research uses a two-wave data collection strategy with a one-month interval. The study cohort comprises 378 employees drawn from technology service firms situated in China.

Findings

Empirical findings confirm that leader UPB is linked to increased follower self-management and knowledge hiding, as well as reduced moral self-efficacy. Instrumental thinking moderates these effects, amplifying knowledge hiding and diminishing moral self-efficacy while reducing knowledge sharing.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the existing literature on UPB by offering insights into the distinct consequences of leader UPB on knowledge-related behaviors of followers. Furthermore, the exploration of employees’ instrumental thinking in the context of leader UPB underscores the strategic manipulation of knowledge to fulfill individual goals, thereby enriching the underpinnings of the SLT. The study underscores the imperative for organizations to grasp the implications of UPB and underscores the necessity for stringent ethical frameworks to mitigate its deleterious impact.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the existing literature on UPB by offering insights into the distinct consequences of leader UPB on knowledge-related behaviors of followers. Furthermore, the exploration of employees’ instrumental thinking in the context of leader UPB underscores the strategic manipulation of knowledge to fulfill individual goals, thereby enriching the underpinnings of the SLT. The study underscores the imperative for organizations to grasp the implications of UPB and underscores the necessity for stringent ethical frameworks to mitigate its deleterious impact.

Originality/value

The present study addresses a gap in the current literature by elucidating the multifaceted outcomes of leaders’ UPB on paradoxical behaviors related to knowledge sharing and hiding among followers. This nuanced examination underscores the need to comprehend the intricate contingencies that accentuate the effects of UPB, particularly in the realm of leadership dynamics. Grounded in SLT, this study delves into leadership dynamics and ethical decision-making.
Markets in absence of pricing and qualification mechanisms: past, present and future warnings
Authors: Bracci Enrico , Fırtın Cemil Eren , Weichselberger Gustaf Kastberg
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This essay focuses on an argument that challenges the notion of market reform as a desirable idea. It examines how market requirements, accounting practices, political intervention and organizational conditions interact and create conflicts in the implementation of market reform. In our case study, we aim to elucidate the detrimental effects of expanding pricing mechanisms into areas typically untouched.

Design/methodology/approach

The essay adopts a critical perspective toward the marketization in the public sector organizations based on the authors' previous studies and observations of the reforms in Swedish schools over the last 30 years. The case is conceptualized within Callon’s framework of the sociology of worth.

Findings

The paper provides an example of market dynamics introduced without the presence of pricing and qualification mechanisms, resulting in a trial-and-error situation. In this context, we document and problematize a trend toward marketization that has had negative consequences for Swedish schools. In doing so, the paper shows how market requirements, accounting practices, political interventions and organizational conditions interact and create conflicts during the implementation of market reforms. The case shows the emergence of a new economic entity and its underlying rationale, the quantification/pricing mechanism, with a special emphasis on the role of accounting and the repercussions on subjectivities as values shift.

Originality/value

This paper follows up on the New Public Financial Management (NPFM) global warning debate on the emergence of pricing/charging mechanisms in public services. It provides a critical overview of the diffusion and relevance of accounting evaluation processes to sustain continuous reforms, despite claimed criticisms, limitations and (un)intended consequences. The paper also provides some reflections on new avenues for further research and some possible ways out for accounting studies.
A trust relationship network-based consensus model in large-scale TODIM group decision-making
Authors: Chu Junfeng , Shu Pan , Liu Yicong , Wang Yanyan , Wang Yingming
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM) situations, existing TODIM group decision-making methods often fail to account for the influence of social network relationships and the bounded rationality of decision-makers (DMs). To address this issue, a new TODIM-based group decision-making method is proposed that considers the current trust relationships among DMs in a large-scale trust relationship network.

Design/methodology/approach

This method consists of two main stages. In the first stage, the large-scale group is partitioned into several sub-clusters based on trust relationships among DMs. The dominance degree matrix of each sub-cluster is then aggregated into the large-scale group dominance degree. In the second stage, after aggregating the large-scale group dominance degree, the consensus index is calculated to identify any inconsistent sub-clusters. Feedback adjustments are made based on trust relationships until a consensus is reached. The TODIM method is then applied to calculate the corresponding ranking results. Finally, an illustrative example is applied to show the feasibility of the proposed model.

Findings

The proposed method is practical and effective which is verified by the real case study. By taking into account the trust relationships among DMs in the core process of LSGDM, it indeed has an impact on the decision outcomes. We also specifically address this issue in Chapter Five. The proposed method fully incorporates the bounded rationality of DMs, namely their tendency to accept the opinions of trusted experts, which aligns more with their psychology. The two-stage consensus model proposed in this paper effectively addresses the limitations of traditional assessment-based methods.

Originality/value

This study establishes a two-stage consensus model based on trust relationships among DMs, which can assist DMs in better understanding trust issues in complex decision-making, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of decisions, and providing more scientific decision support for organizations such as businesses and governments.
Expected direct costs of an oil spill in a UNESCO World Heritage area in New Zealand
Authors: Egan Alexandra L. , Chilvers B. Louise , Cassells Sue
Published: May 2024

Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO site located in the remote, southwest of New Zealand's South Island, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. One of its leading attractions is Milford Sound. An oil spill in this area could not only impact the industries that operate in Milford Sound but also impact all of the park. To improve the knowledge base about this area in regard to oil spills and policies regarding ship visitation, this study aimed to estimate the costs of clean‐up, impacts to fisheries, tourism, recreation and the wildlife/environment under three oil spill scenarios in Milford Sound. Minimum costs are estimated at NZD 140–154 million. These results demonstrate the need for proper planning and response measures, and appropriate domestic and international policies to help minimise the potential damages that may occur in the event of an oil spill in a remote and pristine area of New Zealand.
Effect of rice bran fermented with Ligilactobacillus equi on in vitro fermentation profile and microbial population
Authors: Manlapig Jamal James D. , Kondo Makoto , Ban‐Tokuda Tomomi , Matsui Hiroki
Published: May 2024

This study was conducted to assess the effects of fermented rice bran (FRB) with Ligilactobacillus equi on ruminal fermentation using an in vitro system. Oat hay, corn starch, and wheat bran were used as substrate for control. Ten percent of wheat bran was replaced with rice bran (RB), rice bran fermented with distilled water, and rice bran fermented with L. equi for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The experimental diets were mixed with buffered rumen fluid from wethers under nitrogen gas and incubated for 24 h at 39°C. The fermentation profile and microbial population were analyzed after the incubations. The results revealed that the RB and FRB (with or without L. equi) significantly reduced the gas, methane (CH4), and CH4 per dry matter digested (p < 0.001). Total short‐chain fatty acid was also reduced in T1 and T2 in comparison with the control (p < 0.001). Propionate proportion was increased while butyrate proportion was reduced in response to treatment addition in cultures (p < 0.001). Anaerobic fungi and Fibrobacter succinogenes abundance were decreased in treatments (p < 0.001). Overall, CH4 production in vitro can be reduced by RB and FRB supplementation as a result of the reduction of fiber‐degrading microorganisms and a decrease in gas production.
Four shades of paternalism in doctor–patient communication and their ethical implications
Authors: Fleisje Anniken
Published: May 2024

The present study aims to explore the forms paternalistic communication can take in doctor–patient interactions and how they should be considered from a normative perspective. In contemporary philosophical debate, the problem with paternalism is often perceived as either undermining autonomy (the autonomy problem) or the paternalist viewing their judgment as superior (the superiority problem). In either case, paternalism is problematized mainly in a general, theoretical sense. In contrast, this paper investigates specific doctor–patient encounters, revealing distinct types of paternalistic communication. For this study, I reviewed videorecorded encounters from a Norwegian hospital to detect paternalism—specifically, doctors overriding patients' expressed preferences, presumably to benefit or protect the patients. I identified variations in paternalistic communication styles—termed paternalist modes—which I categorized into four types: the fighter, the advocate, the sympathizer, and the fisher. Drawing on these findings, I aim to nuance the debate on paternalism. Specifically, I argue that each paternalist mode carries its own normative implications and that the autonomy and the superiority problems manifest differently across the modes. Furthermore, by illustrating paternalism in communication through real‐life cases, I aim to reach a more comprehensive understanding of what we mean by paternalistic doctors.
Retention time of different ophthalmic viscosurgical devices during phacoemulsification in rabbit ocular model: A comparative analysis
Authors: Shalev Daf , Kleinmann Guy
Published: May 2024

Background

To compare retention times of various ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) and soft‐shell combinations.

Methods

Experimental study. Eighteen rabbit eyes were divided into six groups of three eyes, based on OVDs tested. A: Endocoat, B: HealonPro, C: Viscoat, D: Provisc, E: Endocoat and HealonPro and F: Viscoat and Provisc. OVDs were stained with 10% fluorescein dye before being injected into the anterior chamber. Phacoemulsification, using fixed parameters, was performed. If OVD persisted after 60 s, a standardised irrigation and aspiration technique replaced phacoemulsification. The time until central and complete clearance of the OVD were video‐recorded and measured.

Results

Mean central retention times (CRT) were found to be: HealonPro—5.33 ± 2.56 s, Provisc—3.33 ± 1.11 s, Endocoat—75.0 ± 3.26 s, Viscoat—62.33 ± 5.19 s, combining HealonPro with Endocoat—22.67 ± 4.75 s and Provisc with Viscoat—11.0 ± 0.82 s. The mean total retention time (TRT) was: Endocoat—80.0 ± 8.17 s, Viscoat—81.67 ± 2.09 s, HealonPro with Endocoat—81.33 ± 3.35 s, and Provisc with Viscoat—71.0 ± 2.94 s. For HealonPro and Provisc, CRT and TRT remained identical across all trials.

Conclusions

Retention times varied, with cohesive OVDs exhibiting shorter durations than dispersive OVDs. Among dispersive OVDs, TRTs were comparable; however, Endocoat displayed an extended CRT. In soft shell trials, the combination of HealonPro and Endocoat exhibited prolonged CRT and TRT, suggesting enhanced corneal protection.
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single‐ and multiple‐ascending doses of olamkicept: Results from randomized, placebo‐controlled, first‐in‐human phase I trials
Authors: Wagner Frank‐Dietrich , Schreiber Stefan , Bagger Yu , Bruzelius Katharina , Falahati Ali , Sternebring Ola , Ravi Arjun , Pinton Philippe
Published: May 2024

Olamkicept selectively inhibits the cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) trans‐signaling pathway without blocking the classic pathway and is a promising immunoregulatory therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These first‐in‐human, randomized, placebo‐controlled, single‐ (SAD) and multiple‐ascending dose (MAD) trials evaluated olamkicept safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic characteristics. Doses tested in the SAD trial included seven single intravenous doses (0.75, 7.5, 75, 150, 300, 600, and 750 mg) and one subcutaneous (SC) dose (60 mg) given to healthy subjects (N = 64), and three intravenous doses (75 mg, 300 mg, and 750 mg) given to patients with Crohn's disease (CD; N = 24). Doses tested in the MAD trial included multiple intravenous doses (75, 300, and 600 mg once weekly for 4 weeks) given to healthy subjects (N = 24). No severe or serious treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were recorded. The most common TEAEs were headache, nasopharyngitis, and myalgia in the SAD trial, and diarrhea, headache, and cough in the MAD trial. Infusion‐related reactions occurred in one and two subjects in the SAD and MAD trial, respectively, leading to treatment discontinuation in the MAD trial. Olamkicept showed dose‐independent pharmacokinetics after single and multiple administrations, and there was no major difference in systemic exposure between healthy subjects and patients with CD. Complete target engagement (inhibition of phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3) was achieved in blood around or above olamkicept serum concentrations of 1–5 μg/mL. Overall, these results suggest that olamkicept is safe and well‐tolerated in healthy subjects and patients with CD after single intravenous/SC and multiple intravenous administrations.
Treatment of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis – A systematic review
Authors: Fischer Theresa , Fischer Marcellus , Schliemann Sibylle , Elsner Peter
Published: May 2024

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a severe infectious disease, predominantly endemic in Central and South America and is characterized by granulomatous, destructive mucosal lesions in the oral, nasal, and pharyngeal cavities. It is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania spp. transmitted to humans by sandflies. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occurs after untreated or inadequately treated cutaneous leishmaniasis and is more common in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize all reported treatment options for mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. This review is based on all English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese articles published in the databases “PubMed” and “Lilacs” from 1995 to 2020. Most of the medical literature is limited to case reports, small case series, retrospective studies, and a few randomized controlled trials. Various treatment options include pentavalent antimonates such as meglumine antimonate or sodium stibogluconate, amphotericin B (liposomal, deoxycholate, lipid complex, colloidal dispersion), miltefosine, and pentamidine. Other therapeutic options include itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, aminosidine sulfate, and azithromycin. The choice of drug depends primarily on its availability in the endemic area and the patient's comorbidities.
Comparison of speech and music input in North American infants’ home environment over the first 2 years of life
Authors: Hippe Lindsay , Hennessy Victoria , Ramirez Naja Ferjan , Zhao T. Christina
Published: May 2024

Infants are immersed in a world of sounds from the moment their auditory system becomes functional, and experience with the auditory world shapes how their brain processes sounds in their environment. Across cultures, speech and music are two dominant auditory signals in infants’ daily lives. Decades of research have repeatedly shown that both quantity and quality of speech input play critical roles in infant language development. Less is known about the music input infants receive in their environment. This study is the first to compare music input to speech input across infancy by analyzing a longitudinal dataset of daylong audio recordings collected in English‐learning infants’ home environments, at 6, 10, 14, 18, and 24 months of age. Using a crowdsourcing approach, 643 naïve listeners annotated 12,000 short snippets (10 s) randomly sampled from the recordings using Zooniverse, an online citizen‐science platform. Results show that infants overall receive significantly more speech input than music input and the gap widens as the infants get older. At every age point, infants were exposed to more music from an electronic device than an in‐person source; this pattern was reversed for speech. The percentage of input intended for infants remained the same over time for music while that percentage significantly increased for speech. We propose possible explanations for the limited music input compared to speech input observed in the present (North American) dataset and discuss future directions. We also discuss the opportunities and caveats in using a crowdsourcing approach to analyze large audio datasets. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://youtu.be/lFj_sEaBMN4

Research Highlights

This study is the first to compare music input to speech input in infants’ natural home environment across infancy.

We utilized a crowdsourcing approach to annotate a longitudinal dataset of daylong audio recordings collected in North American home environments.

Our main results show that infants overall receive significantly more speech input than music input. This gap widens as the infants get older.

Our results also showed that the music input was largely from electronic devices and not intended for the infants, a pattern opposite to speech input.
Spatially‐nested hierarchical species distribution models to overcome niche truncation in national‐scale studies
Authors: Goicolea Teresa , Adde Antoine , Broennimann Olivier , García‐Viñas Juan Ignacio , Gastón Aitor , José Aroca‐Fernández María , Guisan Antoine , G. Mateo Rubén
Published: May 2024

Spatial truncation in species distribution models (SDMs) might cause niche truncation and model transferability issues, particularly when extrapolating models to non‐analog environmental conditions. While broad calibration extents reduce truncation issues, they usually overlook local ecological factors driving species distributions at finer resolution. Spatially‐nested hierarchical SDMs (HSDMs) address truncation by merging (a) a global model calibrated with broadly extended, yet typically low‐resolution, basic, and imprecise data; and (b) a regional model calibrated with spatially restricted but more precise and reliable data. This study aimed to examine HSDMs' efficacy to overcome spatial truncation in national‐scale studies. We compared two hierarchical strategies (‘covariate', which uses the global model output as a covariate for the regional model, and ‘multiply', which calculates the geometric mean of the global and regional models) and a non‐hierarchical strategy. The three strategies were compared in terms of niche truncation, environmental extrapolation, model performance, species' predicted distributions and shifts, and trends in species richness. We examined the consistency of the results over two study areas (Spain and Switzerland), 108 tree species, and four future climate scenarios. Only the non‐hierarchical strategy was susceptible to niche truncation, and environmental extrapolation issues. Hierarchical strategies, particularly the ‘covariate' one, presented greater model accuracy than non‐hierarchical strategies. The non‐hierarchical strategy predicted the highest overall values and the lowest decreases over time in species distribution ranges and richness. Differences between strategies were more evident in Switzerland, which was more affected by niche truncation issues. Spain was more negatively affected by climate change and environmental extrapolation. The ‘covariate' strategy exhibited higher model performance than the ‘multiply' one. However, uncertainties regarding model temporal transferability advocate for adopting and further examining multiple hierarchical approaches. This research underscores the importance of adopting spatially‐nested hierarchical SDMs given the compromised reliability of non‐hierarchical approaches due to niche truncation and extrapolation issues.
Seasonal trophic niche width and overlap of mottled sculpin and brown trout in a regulated high‐elevation river
Authors: Platis Nitsa M. , Kanno Yoichiro , Johnson Brett M. , Rose Brien P.
Published: May 2024

In temperate ecosystems, resource availability fluctuates seasonally due to changes in environmental conditions and productivity. Intra‐ and inter‐specific trophic niche overlap under resource limitation is a measure of competitive interactions and influences species coexistence and community dynamics, but patterns of this overlap are influenced by anthropogenic activities. To investigate seasonal trophic niche dynamics of coexisting fish species in a flow‐altered river, we analysed prey resources, stomach content samples and stable isotope signatures of mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii and juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta in the Blue River, Colorado, USA, a high‐elevation oligotrophic river. Prey biomass (i.e. benthic macroinvertebrates) peaked in spring and declined through summer and autumn. Stomach content and stable isotope analysis results showed that diet composition of mottled sculpin and brown trout varied seasonally in response to changes in prey availability. Stomach content analysis results revealed that in autumn, both species exhibited the highest frequency of empty stomachs and expanded population trophic niches due to increased inter‐individual diet variation despite decreased individual trophic niche breadth. Inter‐specific trophic niche overlap was relatively high across all seasons, but the lowest degree of overlap occurred in autumn of both years when prey availability was lowest. Isotopic analysis revealed similar trends to stomach content analysis, of wider isotopic niches and reduced overlap in autumn compared to spring. Our data indicated that seasonal variation affected individual‐ and population‐level trophic niche dynamics and inter‐specific niche overlap between mottled sculpin and brown trout. This trophic segregation under resource limitation may serve as a mechanism that facilitates species coexistence in a flow‐regulated, oligotrophic river.
The relationship between perceived family support and subclinical positive symptoms of psychosis among Black college students
Authors: Zollicoffer Ashley , Strauss Gregory , Luther Lauren , Schiffman Jason , Sims Brian , Kambui Hasseim , Li Huijun
Published: May 2024

Aim

Black individuals in the Unites States endure compounded and unique experiences of discrimination and structural racism that may not be as overtly evident in other countries. These distinctive forms of discrimination and racism can impact the mental health of Black individuals in the Unites States, in this case, their risk for psychosis. Adolescence and early adulthood are vulnerable periods in life where mental illness typically begins to manifest. Understanding the factors contributing to an increased likelihood of specific mental illnesses, such as psychosis, among youth in these vulnerable periods can inform intervention development. This is particularly important for those from minoritized backgrounds Unites States; this group is especially important to study given that Black American youth tend to experience higher psychosis rates and different symptom presentations than non‐Black groups.

Methods

This study examined the associations between perceived family support, a critical environmental factor known to be associated with full‐psychosis, and attenuated positive symptoms and distress levels in a sample of 155 Black students from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Participants completed the Prodromal Questionnaire‐Brief that assessed psychosis risk and the Family Environment Scale that assessed three dimensions of family support (family cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict).

Results and Conclusion

Positive symptom intensity (r = .30, p < .001) and distress (r = .34, p < .001) were significantly associated with higher family conflict for Black individuals in the Unites States. The findings inform novel intervention targets for psychoeducation and family therapy that have potential to reduce psychosis risk.
Barriers and facilitators in the implementation of youth and young adult models of mental health care
Authors: Reed Joanna , Hunn Lucy , Smith Tiffany , Bosworth Robyn , Gee Brioney , Berry Clio , Clarke Timothy
Published: May 2024

Aim

It is increasingly recognised that traditional models of mental health (MH) care, with a service transition at age 18 years, may not reflect best practice. The literature supports a move towards youth and young adult focused models of MH care, for young people up to the age of 25, which specifically cater to the unique psychosocial and developmental needs of this population. This service evaluation aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of youth models of MH care across England (UK).

Methods

Six services participated in separate focus groups pertaining to their experience of implementing youth models of MH care. The interview guide for the focus groups was informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and explored barriers and facilitators to implementation and sustainment. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

Seven key themes relevant to the implementation of youth models of MH care were identified: a clear rationale for doing things differently, for young people by young people, “building those relationships is key”, service identity development, resource and infrastructure, leadership at multiple levels, and valuing and developing staff.

Conclusions

The findings suggest effective communication and leadership, co‐production and cross system collaboration contribute to successful implementation of youth models of MH care. The findings will be of interest to those involved in informing and supporting successful implementation and delivery of youth models of mental health care at local and national levels.