bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elicitation of potato plants to increase their resistance against Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae bacteria
Authors: Sokolova D. O. , Królicka A. , Czajkowski R.
Published: August 2024

The investigation aimed to assess three methods for inducing resistance in Solanum tuberosum L. (potato) plants against Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) bacteria. The approaches involved the incorporation of elicitors into the in vitro nutrient medium during plant cultivation, pre-planting of seeds soaked in water-containing elicitors, and irradiating in vitro cultivated potato plants with 21 kJ/m2 of ultraviolet C light (UVC). The research validated the authors’ hypothesis, that the use of specific elicitors and UV-C light could induce resistance in potato plants against SRP bacteria, identifying the most effective elicitation technique for potato plants under experimental conditions. Two elicitors, specifically 50 μM salicylic acid and 250 μg/mL proline, were determined to be the most potent under experimental conditions. Supplementation of the Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) with 50 μM salicylic acid resulted in 21% of infected plants exhibiting no symptoms of infection on the 14th-day post-inoculation, and all plants treated with 10, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 μM of salicylic acid displayed a diminishing rate of infection progression. Plants growing with 25 µM SA were visually characterized by faster growth rates and higher vegetative mass relative to both control and test variants. Similarly, the incorporation of 250 μg/mL proline into the MS medium caused a response with 37.5% of plants showing no disease symptoms on the 14th day post-inoculation.
Estimation of 100 m root zone soil moisture by downscaling 1 km soil water index with machine learning and multiple geodata
Authors: Mahmood Talha , Löw Johannes , Pöhlitz Julia , Wenzel Jan Lukas , Conrad Christopher
Published: August 2024

Root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is crucial for agricultural water management and land surface processes. The 1 km soil water index (SWI) dataset from Copernicus Global Land services, with eight fixed characteristic time lengths (T), requires root zone depth optimization (Topt) and is limited in use due to its low spatial resolution. To estimate RZSM at 100-m resolution, we integrate the depth specificity of SWI and employed random forest (RF) downscaling. Topographic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical datasets were utilized to develop three RF models (RF1: SAR, RF2: optical, RF3: SAR + optical). At the DEMMIN experimental site in northeastern Germany, Topt (in days) varies from 20 to 60 for depths of 10 to 30 cm, increasing to 100 for 40–60 cm. RF3 outperformed other models with 1 km test data. Following residual correction, all high-resolution predictions exhibited strong spatial accuracy (R ≥ 0.94). Both products (1 km and 100 m) agreed well with observed RZSM during summer but overestimated in winter. Mean R between observed RZSM and 1 km (100 m; RF1, RF2, and RF3) SWI ranges from 0.74 (0.67, 0.76, and 0.68) to 0.90 (0.88, 0.81, and 0.82), with the lowest and highest R achieved at 10 cm and 30 cm depths, respectively. The average RMSE using 1 km (100 m; RF1, RF2, and RF3) SWI increased from 2.20 Vol.% (2.28, 2.28, and 2.35) at 30 cm to 3.40 Vol.% (3.50, 3.70, and 3.60) at 60 cm. These negligible accuracy differences underpin the potential of the proposed method to estimate RZSM for precise local applications, e.g., irrigation management.
Systematic review on the impact of exercise on intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients
Authors: González-Devesa D. , Suárez-Iglesias D. , Diz J. C. , Esmerode-Iglesias A. , Ayán C.
Published: August 2024

Due to limited studies, we systematically reviewed evidence on the impact of physical exercise on intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Using MEDLINE/Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, we selected English, Portuguese, or Spanish studies excluding case reports and yoga-based interventions. From 1001 records, 15 studies were independently evaluated. Evaluated through the MMAT scoring system, two quantitative randomised controlled studies scored 100% while 13 non-randomised studies averaged 84.62%. Our findings indicated that both aerobic and resistance training led to an immediate IOP reduction post-exercise. However, these findings were largely from single-session experiments. In contrast, the effects of longer-term exercise programmes on IOP varied. Although our review underscores the potential utility of exercise in IOP management, the evidence remains inconclusive due to variations in study design, participant demographics, and exercise parameters. This lack of consistency in the research highlights the necessity for larger, standardised, and longer-term studies to robustly corroborate these preliminary findings.
Long-Term Safety of Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin 10% Treatment in US Clinical Practice in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases: Results from a Post-Authorization Safety Study
Authors: Rubinstein Arye , Mabudian Mohsen , McNeil Donald , Patel Niraj C. , Wasserman Richard L. , Gupta Sudhir , Carrasco Paz , Chen Jie , Garcia Enrique , Nagy Andras , Yel Leman
Published: August 2024

Facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG) 10% is an immunoglobulin replacement therapy that utilizes recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) to enhance immunoglobulin dispersion and absorption, allowing for longer treatment intervals similar to intravenous immunoglobulin (up to once monthly). fSCIG 10% is indicated in the USA for treating adults and children aged ≥ 2 years with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs). This prospective, non-interventional, open-label, multicenter, post-authorization safety study (NCT02593188) was conducted in the USA from November 2015 to October 2021 to assess the long-term safety of fSCIG 10% in routine clinical practice. Patients with PIDs aged ≥ 16 years who were prescribed and/or had started fSCIG 10% treatment were enrolled. In total, 253 patients were enrolled and included (full analysis set). Participants received fSCIG 10% treatment for a median (interquartile range) of 10.0 (3.5–11.8) months, with the majority of infusions administered every 4 weeks (54.4% [1197/2201 infusions]) and at home (62.6% [1395/2230 infusions]). Overall, 98.5% of infusions were administered without rate reduction, interruption, or discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs). Treatment-related, non-serious AEs were experienced by 52 patients (20.6%, 284 events). Two patients (0.8%) each experienced one treatment-related serious AE (aseptic meningitis and deep vein thrombosis). Development of antibodies against rHuPH20 was uncommon; 14/196 patients (7.1%) tested positive for binding antibodies (titer ≥ 1:160) with no neutralizing antibodies detected. There was no relationship between anti-rHuPH20 antibody positivity and the occurrence of treatment-related serious or non-serious AEs. Long-term, repeated self-administration of fSCIG 10% was well tolerated in US clinical practice by patients with PIDs.
Scalable multimodal assessment of the micro-neighborhood using orthogonal visual inputs
Authors: Despotovic Miroslav , Brunauer Wolfgang A.
Published: August 2024

The features of the micro-location and in particular the micro-neighborhood that residents perceive on a daily basis have a considerable influence on the quality of living and also on housing prices. For automated valuation models (AVMs), the use of micro-neighborhood information would be beneficial, as incorporating additional spatial effects into the price estimate could potentially reduce the empirical error. However, measuring related features is difficult, as they must first be defined and then collected, which is extremely challenging at such a small spatial level. In this study, we investigate the extent to which the quality of micro-neighborhoods can be assessed holistically using multiple data modalities. We design a scalable approach using alternative data (images and text), with the potential to expand coverage to other urban regions. To achieve this, we propose a multimodal deep learning architecture that integrates both textual and visual inputs and fuses this information. In addition, we introduce a training strategy that enables a targeted fusion of orthogonal visual representations of the residential area within the model architecture. In our experiments, we test and compare different unimodal models with our multimodal architectures. The results demonstrate that the multimodal model with targeted fusion of the orthogonal visual inputs achieves the best performance and also improves the prediction accuracy for underrepresented location quality classes.
Developing a Complete Sentence Severity Scale using Extended Goodman RC models
Authors: Wallace Stephanie , Francis Brian
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to construct a single sentence severity scale incorporating the full range of custodial and non-custodial sentences meted out by the courts. Such a scale would allow us to measure and rank the severity of sentences, relative to other sentences.

Methods

We use disaggregated individual level sentencing data to model the association between offenses and their associated sentences using the Goodman Row Column (RC) Association Model. We then extend this model to control for three legal factors; conviction history, offense plea, and number of offenses, to produce a series of standardised scores. We use linear interpolation and extrapolation to convert the scores to equivalent days in custody.

Results

The scores from the model enable the sentences to be ranked in order of severity; longer custodial sentences dominate at the severe end whilst non-custodial sentences congregate towards the lower end. In the middle of the scale, non-custodial and shorter custodial sentences interweave. We then demonstrate one use of the scale by applying it to Crown Court data, illustrating change in sentencing severity over time.

Conclusions

The Goodman RC Association Model provides a suitable methodology for scoring sentence severity on a single scale. The study found that by extending the model, we were also able to control for three legal factors. The sentence severity scale, as a research tool is specific to England and Wales but the method is universal and can be applied in any jurisdiction where the relevant data is available.
Weighting non-IID batches for out-of-distribution detection
Authors: Zhao Zhilin , Cao Longbing
Published: August 2024

A standard network pretrained on in-distribution (ID) samples could make high-confidence predictions on out-of-distribution (OOD) samples, leaving the possibility of failing to distinguish ID and OOD samples in the test phase. To address this over-confidence issue, the existing methods improve the OOD sensitivity from modeling perspectives, i.e., retraining it by modifying training processes or objective functions. In contrast, this paper proposes a simple but effective method, namely Weighted Non-IID Batching (WNB), by adjusting batch weights. WNB builds on a key observation: increasing the batch size can improve the OOD detection performance. This is because a smaller batch size may make its batch samples more likely to be treated as non-IID from the assumed ID, i.e., associated with an OOD. This causes a network to provide high-confidence predictions for all samples from the OOD. Accordingly, WNB applies a weight function to weight each batch according to the discrepancy between batch samples and the entire training ID dataset. Specifically, the weight function is derived by minimizing the generalization error bound. It ensures that the weight function assigns larger weights to batches with smaller discrepancies and makes a trade-off between ID classification and OOD detection performance. Experimental results show that incorporating WNB into state-of-the-art OOD detection methods can further improve their performance.
Incentive Regulation: Expectations, Surprises, and the Road Forward
Authors: Cave Martin
Published: August 2024

Forty years have passed since an inflation-adjusted price cap, widely called RPI-X, was proposed as a way of controlling prices in the UK’s newly privatised monopoly telecommunications company by a form of incentive regulation. The paper traces developments since then in several jurisdictions, within the context of a wider field of changing regulatory governance involving legislatures and governments as well as regulatory agencies. The focus is on, first, the experience of increasing complexity of the incentive schemes adopted, and second on the growing political salience of regulatory decisions which adds goals such as net zero, with more direct quantitative targets, to maximising consumer welfare. The implications of these changes for regulatory interventions are considered.
Teaching as Epistemic Mistrust
Authors: Davids Nuraan
Published: August 2024

Long portrayed as a virtuous profession, teaching has always been embedded in notions of trust and trustworthiness. Alongside expectations of epistemic cultivation and development, is an implicit handing over of discretionary powers to ‘the trusted teacher’. At the height of #blacklivesmatter protests in 2020, however, high school learners all over South Africa took to social media—@yousilenceweamplify—to express their hurt and anger at their dehumanising experiences at some of the country’s leading schools. Their accounts not only exposed some schools as intense sites of racial, religious, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic tension and conflict, but shattered presumptions about ‘the trusted teacher’. Following a consideration of what trust infers, and the potential harms that arise from epistemic mistrust, the paper considers what might be gained from philosophical engagements in the espousal of teaching as a relationship of epistemic trust, and which ensures the flourishing of both learner and teacher? How might philosophy of education assist teacher education programmes in attuning students to an understanding that being trustworthy as teachers resides in self-knowledge as well as knowledge of the differences of, and among others?
Agitated and temporary immersion bioreactor cultures of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. as a rich source of phenolic compounds
Authors: Makowski Wojciech , Królicka Aleksandra , Sroka Julia , Matyjewicz Alicja , Potrykus Marta , Kubica Paweł , Szopa Agnieszka , Tokarz Barbara , Tokarz Krzysztof M.
Published: August 2024

Reynoutria japonica Houtt. (Japanese knotweed) is an invasive plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. However, being native to East Asia, it has been used in natural medicine for ages because of its broad range of biological activity. Although R. japonica is known as a rich source of phenolic compounds, plant biomass collected from the field may be contaminated with toxic elements like heavy metals, and the level of metabolite accumulation depends on environmental conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to derive Japanese knotweed tissue cultures and investigate biomass production and phenolic compound synthesis in in vitro conditions. Plants were cultivated in a traditional agar-solidified medium, in a liquid medium with rotary shaking (agitated culture), and in a temporary immersion bioreactors Plantform™, as well as in soil (ex vitro conditions). Analyses of the growth index and dry weight accumulation were performed on the collected material. In the extracts obtained from examined plants, qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic derivatives using DAD-HPLC was conducted to determine the sum of phenolic compounds, as well as the quantity of selected phenolic acids, catechins, and other flavonoids. Results have shown that agitated cultures and temporary immersion bioreactors increased biomass accumulation compared to solid medium cultures. Tissue cultures of R. japonica had increased synthesis of phenolic compounds compared to plants from ex vitro conditions. Shoots and roots from agitated cultures were 2.8- and 3.3-fold richer in catechins, respectively, compared to plants cultivated in soil. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that agitated and bioreactor cultures are the best source of Japanese knotweed biomass rich in valuable secondary metabolites.
The Effects of Humidity on the Velocity-Dependence and Frictional Ageing of Nanoscale Silica Contacts
Authors: McClimon J. Brandon , Li Zhuohan , Baral Khagendra , Goldsby David , Szlufarska Izabela , Carpick Robert W.
Published: August 2024

This work examines the effect of environmental humidity on rate-and-state friction behavior of nanoscale silica-silica nanoscale contacts in an atomic force microscope, particularly, its effect on frictional ageing and velocity-weakening vs. strengthening friction from 10 nm/s to 100 μm/s sliding velocities. At extremely low humidities ($$\ll 1\% RH$$

≪
1
%
R
H

), ageing is nearly absent for up to 100 s of nominally stationary contact, and friction is strongly velocity-strengthening. This is consistent with dry interfacial friction, where thermal excitations help overcome static friction at low sliding velocities. At higher humidity levels (10–40% RH), ageing becomes pronounced and is accompanied by much higher kinetic friction and velocity-weakening behavior. This is attributed to water-catalyzed interfacial Si–O-Si bond formation. At the highest humidities examined (> 40% RH), ageing subsides, kinetic friction drops to low levels, and friction is velocity-strengthening again. These responses are attributed to intercalated water separating the interfaces, which precludes interfacial bonding. The trends in velocity-dependent friction are reproduced and explained using a computational multi-bond model. Our model explicitly simulates bond formation and bond-breaking, and the passivation and reactivation of reaction sites across the interface during sliding, where the activation energies for interfacial chemical reactions are dependent on humidity. These results provide potential insights into nanoscale mechanisms that may contribute to the humidity dependence observed in prior macroscale rock friction studies. They also provide a possible microphysical foundation to understand the role of water in interfacial systems with water-catalyzed bonding reactions, and demonstrate a profound change in the interfacial physics near and above saturated humidity conditions.
Bayesian method for fitting the low-energy constants in chiral perturbation theory
Authors: Pan Hao-Xiang , Kong De-Kai , Wen Qiao-Yi , Jiang Shao-Zhou
Published: August 2024

The values of the low-energy constants (LECs) are very important in the chiral perturbation theory. This paper adopts a Bayesian method with the truncation errors to globally fit eight next-to-leading order (NLO) LECs L
i
r
and next-to-next-leading order (NNLO) LECs C
i
r
. With the estimation of the truncation errors, the fitting results of L
i
r
in the NLO and NNLO are very close. The posterior distributions of C
i
r
indicate the boundary-dependent relations of these C
i
r
. Ten C
i
r
are weakly dependent on the boundaries and their values are reliable. The other C
i
r
are required more experimental data to constrain their boundaries. Some linear combinations of C
i
r
are also fitted with more reliable posterior distributions. If one knows some more precise values of C
i
r
, some other C
i
r
can be obtained by these values. With these fitting LECs, most observables provide a good convergence, except for the πK scattering lengths a
0
3/2
and a
0
1/2
. An example is also introduced to test the improvement of the method. All the computations indicate that considering the truncation errors can improve the global fit greatly, and more prior information can obtain better fitting results. This fitting method can be extended to the other effective field theories and the perturbation theory.
Occult Metastasis: Incidence, Pattern, and Impact on Survival in Patients with Oral Cancer, pN0 vs pN1 in a Cohort of cN0. A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Das Kishore , Gontu Gopi Satya Sai Reddy , Aasumi Kanato , Das Raj jyoti , Das Anupam , Rahman Tashnin , Das Ashok Kumar , Kakati Kaberi
Published: August 2024

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is the most common malignancy of head and neck cancer in India. With nodal dissemination, there is a significant decrease in survival. This study is aimed at studying the impact of occult metastasis on an estimated overall survival in clinically N0 patients post neck dissection. In a prospective study with 110 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, clinically N0 with all T stages were included in the study. operated on for both primary and neck followed up for a median of 5 years after completion of definitive treatment. The impact of surgery on patients with occult metastasis was questionable in our study with a difference in estimated overall survival of around 11 months, which was not significant statistically. Subset analysis had shown the correlation of overall survival with a grade of tumor, T stage and depth of invasion which was statistically insignificant. Correlation of occult metastasis with the depth of invasion, T stage was statistically significant. we conclude that even after addressing the neck in clinically N0 patients with oral cancer, there is a difference in the overall survival of the patients with occult metastasis which might not be statistically significant with a p-value of 0.68. We conclude that with neck dissection in patients with occult metastasis, improved survival might not be comparable to pathological N0.

Level of Evidence: LEVEL -2.
Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma (Spanish Sarcoma Research Group-GEIS)
Authors: Mata Fernández Cristina , Sebio Ana , Orcajo Rincón Javier , Martín Broto Javier , Martín Benlloch Antonio , Marcilla Plaza David , López Pousa Antonio , Gracia Alegría Isidro , Giuppi Martina , Collado Ballesteros Erica , Bernabeu Daniel , de Alava Enrique , Valverde Morales Claudia
Published: August 2024

Ewing sarcoma is a small round-cell sarcoma characterized by gene fusion involving EWSR1 (or another TET family protein like FUS) and an ETS family transcription factor. The estimated incidence of this rare bone tumor, which occurs most frequently in adolescents and young adults, is 0.3 per 100,000/year. Although only 25% of patients with Ewing sarcoma are diagnosed with metastatic disease, historical series show that this is a systemic disease. Patient management requires multimodal therapies—including intensive chemotherapy—in addition to local treatments (surgery and/or radiotherapy). In the recurrent/refractory disease setting, different approaches involving systemic treatments and local therapies are also recommended as well as patient inclusion in clinical trials whenever possible. Because of the complexity of Ewing sarcoma diagnosis and treatment, it should be carried out in specialized centers and treatment plans should be designed upfront by a multidisciplinary tumor board. These guidelines provide recommendations for diagnosis, staging, and multimodal treatment of Ewing sarcoma.
Breaking the Silence: Participatory Forum Theatre and Gender-Based Violence Prevention in Mining Communities. A Case Study of Makusha, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe
Authors: Magwegwe Everjoy
Published: August 2024

This study investigates forum theater, an interactive, participatory type of theater, as a tool to better understand and combat gender-based violence (GBV) in Makusha, a densely populated mining community in Shurugwi, the Midlands region of Zimbabwe. Deeply impacted by rapid mining industry expansion, this community faces intensifying social tensions. At the core of the study lies an examination of the influence of forum theater on community attitudes and behaviors. Attention is paid to its role in empowering vulnerable segments of the community, especially women, and how it fosters resilience and resistance against GBV. The study discusses the transformative potential of forum theater in addressing deep-seated social issues and the urgency of creating inclusive and violence-free spaces in communities.
Science, Life, and Art in Nietzsche’s Notes for ‘We Philologists’
Authors: Palumbo Neriojamil
Published: August 2024

The study retraces Nietzsche’s 1875 notes for the planned but never published Unfashionable Observation, We Philologists, through a specific focus on the topics of science, life and art in their close and seldom discussed interrelation. The questions that the investigation addresses are: what is the significance of Nietzsche’s problematisation of science in We Philologists for our interpretation of the topic in his later works? How should we interpret these notebooks in relation to his previous writings, on the one hand, and to his later treatment of themes like the deconstruction of Christianity, the critique of eudemonism or the historical genesis of the genius on the other? Framing the notebooks as unwittingly experimental precursors of Nietzsche’s aphoristic books, the article interprets the unique nuance of the notes as an opportunity to start shedding a different light on the discussion of these questions in Nietzsche’s later works. Science, life and art become thus the focal points of a more specific and circumscribed analysis of his early thought – reconnecting these topics to their tangible origins, and tracking their early development in the context of Nietzsche’s acclaimed switch from philology to philosophy and cultural criticism.
Exergy Analysis of Integrated Methanol and Dimethyl-Ether Co-production Towards Net Zero Waste Emission
Authors: Perera Joachim Anthony , Ng Zi Wei , Salema Arshad Adam , Chew Irene Mei Leng
Published: August 2024

The energy sector, currently dominated by fossil fuels, significantly contributes to carbon emissions and climate impacts. This study addresses the urgent need for renewable energy resources and promotes the utilization of waste from Malaysia’s palm oil industry. It proposes upgrading conventional palm oil mills to integrated mills to produce valuable biofuels such as methanol (MET) or dimethyl ether (DME). Using Aspen Plus V11 for simulation, mass and energy balances were provided for feasibility analysis, including techno-economic, exergy, and carbon analysis. The integrated process demonstrated 10 to 15% higher exergetic efficiency than conventional mills, enhancing the renewability index by 40% and reducing carbon emissions to 0.50 tonne CO2 per tonne of palm oil. The integrated mills, operating at 61–64% exergetic efficiency, achieve a 28% reduction in exergy destruction when palm wastes are recovered and transformed into biofuels. Despite an 87% increase in non-renewable exergy consumption due to additional operating requirements, the overall renewability index remains high (around 0.9), demonstrating the commercial viability and environmental benefits of this approach. Overall, this study lays the foundation for integrated palm oil mill operation by utilizing palm waste to achieve net zero waste emissions, which is a positive outlook.
BV Functions and Nonlocal Functionals in Metric Measure Spaces
Authors: Lahti Panu , Pinamonti Andrea , Zhou Xiaodan
Published: August 2024

We study the asymptotic behavior of three classes of nonlocal functionals in complete metric spaces equipped with a doubling measure and supporting a Poincaré inequality. We show that the limits of these nonlocal functionals are comparable to the total variation $$\Vert Df\Vert (\Omega )$$

‖
D
f
‖
(
Ω
)

or the Sobolev semi-norm $$\int _\Omega g_f^p\, d\mu $$

∫
Ω

g
f
p

d
μ

, which extends Euclidean results to metric measure spaces. In contrast to the classical setting, we also give an example to show that the limits are not always equal to the corresponding total variation even for Lipschitz functions.
Clinical Outcome of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Probands with the Founder Variant c.913_914del in MYBPC3: A Slovenian Cohort Study
Authors: Vodnjov Nina , Maver Aleš , Teran Nataša , Peterlin Borut , Toplišek Janez , Writzl Karin
Published: August 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often caused by pathogenic MYBPC3 variants. The study of Italian patients with HCM and MYBPC3(NM_000256.3):c.913_914del showed a higher disease penetrance in males and a higher frequency of arrhythmias compared to patients with other likely pathogenic and pathogenic (LP/P) MYBPC3 variants. We investigated the clinical outcomes of Slovenian probands with MYBPC3 LP/P variants, estimated the variant penetrance and compared the results with an Italian study. We identified 31 haplotype-matched individuals with MYBPC3:c.913_914del and 34 individuals with other LP/P MYBPC3 variants. We observed some significant differences in clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and frequency of adverse cardiac events between Slovenian and Italian probands with MYBPC3:c913_914del. We were unable to replicate previous findings for MYBPC3:c.913_914del, highlighting the complexity of genotype–phenotype associations.

Graphical Abstract
Surrounded by Darkness, Enfolded in Light: Factors Influencing the Mental Health of Australian Jews in the October 7 Aftermath
Authors: Bankier-Karp Adina L. , Graham David
Published: August 2024

This study examines the effects of social media use on anxiety levels of Australian Jews during the 5-week post-October 7 aftermath. It considers this relationship in the context of the mediating roles played by concerns about rising antisemitism in Australia and concerns about Israel. It further examines the moderating effects on these relationships of non-Jewish friends reaching out with messages of sympathy and concern, and the effects of Jewish communal ties. The analysis is based on data collected from 7611 Australian Jewish adults and employs a series of ordinary least squares regression analyses to assess the direct, indirect, and interaction effects of these variables on anxiety. The results indicate significant direct effects of social media use on anxiety levels. Additionally, concerns about antisemitism in Australia and concerns about Israel were found to mediate these relationships. Non-Jewish friends reaching out frequently with messages of sympathy and concern was found to attenuate the effects of concerns about antisemitism in Australia on anxiety. By contrast, Jewish communal ties were not found to significantly moderate the effects of concern about Israel on anxiety. These findings underscore the complex interplay between social media use, concern about local antisemitism, concern about Israel, and forms of social support in shaping anxiety levels of Australian Jews during this particular time period. The implications for mental health of ethnoreligious groups during crisis and avenues for future research are discussed.
Trends in adoption of extravascular cardiac implantable electronic devices: the Dutch cohort
Authors: Breeman Karel T. N. , Knops Reinoud E. , van der Stoel Michelle D. , Boersma Lucas V. A. , Yap Sing-Chien , van Erven Lieselot , van Dijk Vincent F. , Maass Alexander H. , Wilde Arthur A. M. , Tjong Fleur V. Y. ,   Device Registration Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registration
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Conventional implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and pacemakers carry a risk of pocket- and lead-related complications in particular. To avoid these complications, extravascular devices (EVDs) have been developed, such as the subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) and leadless pacemaker (LP). However, data on patient or centre characteristics related to the actual adoption of EVDs are lacking.

Objective

To assess real-world nationwide trends in EVD adoption in the Netherlands.

Methods

Using the Netherlands Heart Registration, all consecutive patients with a de novo S‑ICD or conventional single-chamber ICD implantation between 2012–2020, or de novo LP or conventional single-chamber pacemaker implantation between 2014–2020 were included. Trends in adoption are described for various patient and centre characteristics.

Result

From 2012–2020, 2190 S‑ICDs and 10,683 conventional ICDs were implanted; from 2014–2020, 712 LPs and 11,103 conventional pacemakers were implanted. The general use has increased (S-ICDs 8 to 21%; LPs 1 to 8%), but this increase seems to have reached a plateau. S‑ICD recipients were younger than conventional ICD recipients (p < 0.001) and more often female (p < 0.001); LP recipients were younger than conventional pacemaker recipients (p < 0.001) and more often male (p = 0.03). Both S‑ICDs and LPs were mainly implanted in high-volume centres with cardiothoracic surgery on-site, although over time S‑ICDs were increasingly implanted in centres without cardiothoracic surgery (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This nationwide study demonstrated a relatively quick adoption of innovative EVDs with a plateau after approximately 4 years. S‑ICD use is especially high in younger patients. EVDs are mainly implanted in high-volume centres with cardiothoracic surgery back-up, but S‑ICD use is expanding beyond those centres.
Peri-urban agriculture and household food and nutrition security around Eldoret, Kenya
Authors: Petrikova Ivica , Otieno Melvine Anyango , Were Gertrude , Eltholth Mahmoud , Mateos Ana Rodriguez , Harding Seeromanie , Moran Victoria , Osano Odipo , Cole Jennifer
Published: August 2024

Rapid urbanisation in low- and middle-income countries, which has encroached on agricultural lands but has not been consistently accompanied by corresponding improvements in water and sanitation services, has raised questions about its impact on the food and nutrition security of households living in transitional, peri-urban areas. Through an analysis of survey data collected from 518 households living around the town of Eldoret, Kenya, we investigate the existing links between peri-urban households’ engagement in agriculture, their dietary behaviour, and their children’s nutrition outcomes. We find that peri-urban households engaged in agriculture, particularly in crop growing and in the sales of their agricultural produce, have more diverse and nutritious diets than agriculturally non-engaged households, all other things being equal. However, a significant improvement in children’s health outcomes is observed in these households only when coupled with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions.
State of the Science: Health Care Provider Communication of Cannabis Use Among Adults Living with Cancer
Authors: Baral Amrit , Diggs Bria-Necole A. , Greengold Judith , Foronda Cynthia , Anglade Debbie , Camacho-Rivera Marlene , Islam Jessica Y. , Vidot Denise C.
Published: August 2024

Despite medicinal cannabis gaining popularity for managing symptoms in cancer patients, a knowledge gap exists in patient-provider communication crucial for monitoring outcomes, optimizing dosing, and educating healthcare providers to integrate cannabis into treatment plans. Our goal is to understand communication dynamics, identify gaps, and pave the way for effective cannabis communication for individuals living with cancer (PLWC). We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and EBSCO for articles published between 2013 and July 2023, capturing the key concepts of cannabis use in cancer patients and their communication with healthcare providers in oncology settings. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guided the review. Studies were appraised by applying the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals. Of the 2384 articles reviewed, 14 met the inclusion criteria. Three were qualitative studies, and 11 were cross-sectional surveys. All studies were level III evidence. Studies captured patients’ and providers’ perspectives; five were conducted among cancer patients, and nine were among healthcare providers in oncology settings. Findings revealed variations in healthcare provider recommendations, patient-initiated discussions, and barriers to discussing medical cannabis (MC). The synthesis of this evidence highlights the complexities surrounding MC in oncology settings, including knowledge gaps among healthcare providers, patient-initiated discussions, and challenges in accessing and prescribing medicinal cannabis. This review contributes valuable insights into the current landscape of MC use in cancer care, emphasizing the need for improved communication, education, and support for both patients and healthcare providers.
A rate-responsive duty-cycling protocol for leadless pacemaker synchronization
Authors: Ryser Adrian , Reichlin Tobias , Burger Jürgen , Niederhauser Thomas , Haeberlin Andreas
Published: August 2024

Dual-chamber leadless pacemakers (LLPMs) consist of two implants, one in the right atrium and one in the right ventricle. Inter-device communication, required for atrioventricular (AV) synchrony, however, reduces the projected longevity of commercial dual-chamber LLPMs by 35–45%. This work analyzes the power-saving potential and the resulting impact on AV-synchrony for a novel LLPM synchronization protocol. Relevant parameters of the proposed window scheduling algorithm were optimized with system-level simulations investigating the resulting trade-off between transceiver current consumption and AV-synchrony. The parameter set included the algorithm’s setpoint for the target number of windows per cardiac cycle and the number of averaging cycles used in the window update calculation. The sensing inputs for the LLPM model were derived from human electrocardiogram recordings in the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database. Transceiver current consumption was estimated by combining the simulation results on the required communication resources with electrical measurements of a receiver microchip developed for LLPM synchronization in previous work. The performance ratio given by AV-synchrony divided by current consumption was maximized for a target of one window per cardiac cycle and three averaging cycles. Median transceiver current of both LLPMs combined was 166 nA (interquartile range: 152–183 nA) and median AV-synchrony was 92.5%. This corresponded to median reduction of 18.3% and 3.2% in current consumption and AV-synchrony, respectively, compared to a non-rate-responsive implementation of the same protocol, which prioritized maximum AV-synchrony. In conclusion, adopting a rate-responsive communication protocol may significantly increase device longevity of dual-chamber LLPMs without compromising AV-synchrony, potentially reducing the frequency of device replacements.
Biotransformation of selected secondary metabolites by Alternaria species and the pharmaceutical, food and agricultural application of biotransformation products
Authors: Tembeni Babalwa , Idowu Olusola Emmanuel , Benrkia Rachid , Boutahiri Salima , Olatunji Opeyemi Joshua
Published: August 2024

Biotransformation is a process in which molecules are modified in the presence of a biocatalyst or enzymes, as well as the metabolic alterations that occur in organisms from exposure to the molecules. Microbial biotransformation is an important process in natural product drug discovery as novel compounds are biosynthesised. Additionally, biotransformation products offer compounds with improved efficacy, solubility, reduced cytotoxic and allows for the understanding of structure activity relationships. One of the driving forces for these impeccable findings are associated with the presence of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases that is present in all organisms such as mammals, bacteria, and fungi. Numerous fungal strains have been used and reported for their ability to biotransform different compounds. This review focused on studies using Alternaria species as biocatalysts in the biotransformation of natural product compounds. Alternaria species facilitates reactions that favour stereoselectivity, regioselectivity under mild conditions. Additionally, microbial biotransformation products, their application in food, pharmaceutical and agricultural sector is discussed in this review.

Graphical Abstract
Experimental Comparison of Glazed and Unglazed Hybrid Solar Modules Considering Power Productivity and Cell Temperature
Authors: Alshibil Ahssan M.A. , Farkas István , Víg Piroska
Published: August 2024

This study presents the effect of cell temperature on the hybrid solar collectors PV/T for modules with and without using a front glass cover. A numerical model of thermal behaviour was carried out for glazed (PV/Tg ) and unglazed (PV/Tun) modules. As a result of this experimental investigation conducted for presented PV/T modules, a sufficient decrease in the cell temperature of PV/Tun compared to the PV/Tg, PV/Tun module exceeded the PV/Tg by 19%. Thus, the electrical productivity of the PV/Tun module was higher; it was 3.44% higher than the PV/Tg value. The outlet liquid temperature of the un-covered module was 6.34% higher than the outlet liquid temperature of the glass-covered module. Besides, the total efficiency of the PV/Tg was higher during the periods of study. In this sense, the glass-covered module is preferable for applications that deal with overall efficiency as a desirable factor. The un-covered module is much beneficial for applications that need high electrical productivity.
Eye-tracking contribution on processing of (implicit) reading comprehension
Authors: de-la-Peña Cristina
Published: August 2024

Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill to be developed from the early stages of reading acquisition and it is essential for both formative and personal learning. This study examines eye-tracking as a useful and complementary tool in the assessment and improvement of implicit reading comprehension. The aim is to understand the role of eye-tracking in implicit reading comprehension and, complementarily, in intervening skills such as vocabulary, rapid automatized naming, and processing speed. In a final sample of 7–8 year-old 67 students, tests for implicit reading comprehension (literal, inferential, and total), eye-tracking measures, vocabulary, rapid automatized naming, processing speed, as well as tests to control for intellectual and attentional levels were administered. The results of the correlational and regression analyses indicate the existence of predictive relationships between (i) implicit reading comprehension and eye-tracking measures, and additionally, (ii) between intervening skills (vocabulary, rapid automatized naming, processing speed) and eye-tracking measures, and (iii) between implicit reading comprehension and intervening skills (vocabulary, rapid automatized naming, processing speed). In summary, better performance in implicit reading comprehension (literal, inferential, and total) is related to and explained by shorter eye movement times in recognition and access to meaning, larger vocabulary, and faster rapid automatized naming and processing speed. Furthermore, eye-tracking measures are better predictors of implicit reading comprehension. These findings provide promising evidence for the contribution of eye-tracking to optimising the level of implicit reading comprehension, which is applied daily in classrooms.
Promoting global alliances for sustainable architectural education, training, and practice in Nigeria
Authors: Okonta Ebere Donatus , Ayinla Oluwaseun Ayodapo
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The field of architecture in Nigeria is experiencing dynamic growth and development, driven by urbanisation, infrastructure demands, and a growing awareness of sustainability. To navigate these challenges and contribute to sustainable development, the study aimed to explore the potential of global alliances that enhance architectural education, training and professionalism. The study combines literature reviews, six case studies of successful international architectural alliances and 34 interviews with architectural professionals to explore the significance of promoting global alliances for sustainable architectural training, practice, and profession in Nigeria. The findings suggest that many countries, like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States of America, and Hong Kong, have formed alliances with architectural regulatory bodies in other nations to simplify international architectural practice. The benefits of a global architectural alliance enable architects to practice worldwide, promoting reciprocity and enhancing competitiveness and professional enhancement. Such alliances enrich architectural education, fostering the development of well-rounded professionals capable of addressing the complex challenges of the built environment. This research provides valuable insights for architectural education, training, and professional stakeholders seeking to elevate sustainable development in Nigeria. By cultivating global alliances, Nigeria can develop a thriving architectural landscape that addresses societal challenges, preserves cultural heritage, and leads the way in sustainable architectural practices.
Erfassung gruppenbezogener Lernprozesse – Validierung eines standardisierten Fragebogens für kooperative Lernsettings
Authors: Bach Anabel , Thiel Felicitas
Published: August 2024

Zusammenfassung: Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein standardisierter Fragebogen zur Erfassung kooperativer Lernprozesse in (Hoch-)Schulen präsentiert, der unter Bezugnahme auf bisherige Erkenntnisse gruppenbezogene Lernprozesse in der Selbsteinschätzung von Lernern multidimensional abbildet. Die Prozesse wurden im Hinblick auf kognitive, metakognitive und sozial-relationale Gruppenaktivitäten erfasst. Nach Pilotierungsstudien wurde der Fragebogen mit insgesamt 30 Items im Rahmen eines kooperativen Lernsettings in Universitätsseminaren eingesetzt. Die durchgeführte kooperative Lernphase wurde von den Studenten ( N = 333 in 114 Gruppen) entlang der genannten Dimensionen bewertet. Darüber hinaus wurden der Lerngewinn und die Zufriedenheit sowie die Fähigkeit zur Perspektivenübernahme in der Selbsteinschätzung erfasst. Die Ergebnisse der faktorenanalytischen Validierung zeigen, dass auf Individualebene zwischen den unterschiedlichen Dimensionen differenziert werden kann; auf Gruppenebene gelingt dies nur mit Einschränkungen. Dass Zusammenhänge mit der Perspektivenübernahme sowie dem Lernzuwachs und der Zufriedenheit aufgezeigt werden können, verweist auf die weitere Konstrukt- und Kriteriumsvalidität. Dennoch müssen bei der Interpretation einige Limitationen berücksichtigt werden.
Joint Occurrence of Extreme Water Level and River Flows in St. Lawrence River Coasts Under Present and Sea Level Rise Conditions
Authors: Bizhanimanzar Mohammad , Rondeau‐Genesse Gabriel , Caron Louis‐Philippe , Lefaivre Denis , Mailhot Edouard
Published: August 2024

In low‐lying coastal regions, the joint occurrence of high river flow and high water levels can cause coastal flooding with substantial economic and social implications. Recent studies over Canada's coasts have shown that neglecting the interdependency between flood drivers can underestimate the risk of flooding by up to 50%. However, to date, such interdependency has not been investigated for the coasts of the St. Lawrence River, Estuary and Gulf system (StL), where Sea Level Rise (SLR), along with intensified river peaks, are already threatening these communities. In this study, a copula‐based bivariate frequency analysis was applied to quantify the likelihood of occurrence of flooding events under dependent and independent assumptions, for 26 sites along the StL. Furthermore, to quantify the impact of anthropogenic climate change, the joint return period in historical period was compared with that of projected SLR associated with RCP 8.5 for the year 2100. Results show that (a) the independence assumption can underestimate the likelihood of occurrence of flooding event in the Fluvial Section of the StL by up to 30 times and (b) the SLR can increase the likelihood of occurrence of flooding event by up to 50 times in the Estuary and the Gulf and by up to 5 times in the Fluvial Section of the StL. This study highlights the need for explicit consideration of the dependence between flood drivers and of SLR in the delineation of flood maps along the coast of the St. Lawrence.