bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The promise and limits of inclusive public policy: federal safety net clinics and immigrant access to health care in the U.S.
Authors: Parker Emily , Schut Rebecca Anna , Boen Courtney
Published: September 2024

In the United States, exclusionary public policies generate inequalities within and across labor, financial, and legal status hierarchies, which together undermine immigrant well-being. But can inclusive public policies improve immigrant health? We examine whether and how an immigrant-inclusive federal program, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), shaped health care access and use among farmworkers over nearly three decades, paying particular attention to disparities at the intersection of nativity and legal status. Linking historical administrative data on the location and funding of FQHCs with the National Agricultural Workers Survey from 1989–2017, we first document trends in farmworkers’ county-level proximity to FQHCs and identify a steady increase in FQHC access among undocumented farmworkers following the Affordable Care Act. Next, using time-series cross-sectional regressions with a battery of fixed effects, we find that living in a county where FQHCs are available and better resourced is associated with increased health care use among undocumented farmworkers, but not among U.S.-born or documented immigrant farmworkers. We also find that county-level access to FQHCs is associated with reduced reports of language barriers to care among both documented and undocumented foreign-born farmworkers. These findings suggest that FQHCs may improve access for immigrants who are typically excluded from U.S. health care institutions. Still, county-level FQHC infrastructure is not associated with cost-related barriers to care for any nativity or legal status groups. Taken together, our study highlights both the potential and constraints of inclusive public policies for promoting health equity in a welfare state context characterized by commodification and stratification.
Effect of baicalin and baicalin-bovine serum albumin nanoparticle against bendiocarb exposure in rats
Authors: Aslan Coşkun , Eraslan Gökhan
Published: September 2024

Background

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of baicalin and baicalin-bovine serum albumin nanoparticles against bendiocarb exposure in rats.

Methods

Eighty male Wistar Albino rats aged 4–6 weeks were used. Corn oil (vehicle) alone was administered to the control group. To other groups, BSA-nanoparticle equivalent to that binding baicalin at a dose of 20 mg/kg.bw, 20 mg/kg.bw baicalin, baicalin-BSA nanoparticle equivalent to that binding baicalin at a dose of 20 mg/kg.bw, 4 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb, combination of 4 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb and 20 mg/kg.bw baicalin, combination of 4 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb and BSA-nanoparticle equivalent to that binding baicalin at a dose of 20 mg/kg.bw and combination of 4 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb and baicalin-BSA nanoparticle equivalent to that binding baicalin at a dose of 20 mg/kg.bw was administered to animals by oral gavage with vehicle for 21 days, after which organs (liver, kidney, brain, testes, heart and lung) and blood samples were collected. Blood/tissue oxidative stress (MDA, NO, GSH, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GR, GST, G6PD), serum biochemical (glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin, LDH, AST, ALT, ALP and pseudocholinesterase) and liver and kidney apoptotic/anti-apoptotic (caspase 3, 9, p53, Bcl-2 and Bax) parameters were evaluated. Body weights/organ weights and plasma/liver bendiocarb analyses were obtained.

Conclusion

While bendiocarb administered alone caused oxidative stress/tissue damage, baicalin and baicalin-BSA nanoparticle showed a mitigating effect. However, this effect was more pronounced in the baicalin-BSA nanoparticle group. BSA-nanoparticle alone did not have a significant effect in reversing the adverse effect caused by bendiocarb.
Sterile inflammation induced by respirable micro and nano polystyrene particles in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases
Authors: Laganà Antonio , Visalli Giuseppa , Facciolà Alessio , Saija Caterina , Bertuccio Maria Paola , Baluce Barbara , Celesti Consuelo , Iannazzo Daniela , Di Pietro Angela
Published: September 2024

Sterile inflammation is involved in the lung pathogenesis induced by respirable particles, including micro- and nanoplastics. Their increasing amounts in the ambient and in indoor air pose a risk to human health.

In two human cell lines (A549 and THP-1) we assessed the proinflammatory behavior of polystyrene nanoplastics (nPS) and microplastics (mPS) (Ø 0.1 and 1 μm). Reproducing environmental aging, in addition to virgin, the cells were exposed to oxidized nPS/mPS. To study the response of the monocytes to the inflammatory signal transmitted by the A549 through the release of soluble factors (e.g. alarmins and cytokines), THP-1 cells were also exposed to the supernatants of previously nPS/mPS-treated A549. After dynamic-light-scattering (DLS) analysis and protein measurements for the assessment of protein corona in nPS/mPS, real-time PCR and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent (ELISA) assays were performed in exposed cells. The pro-inflammatory effects of v- and ox-nPS/mPS were attested by the imbalance of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in A549, which was able to trigger the inflammatory cascade, inhibiting the immunologically silent apoptosis. The involvement of NFkB was confirmed by the overexpression of p65 after exposure to ox-nPS and v- and ox-mPS. The fast and higher levels of IL-1β, only in THP-1 cells, underlined the NLPR3 inflammasome activation.
Automatic detection and segmentation of lesions in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma using 3D dense U-Net
Authors: Izadi Mohammad Amin , Alemohammad Nafiseh , Geramifar Parham , Salimi Ali , Paymani Zeinab , Eisazadeh Roya , Samimi Rezvan , Nikkholgh Babak , Sabouri Zaynab
Published: September 2024

Objective

The accuracy of automatic tumor segmentation in PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) images is crucial for the effective treatment and monitoring of Hodgkin lymphoma. This study aims to address the challenges faced by certain segmentation algorithms in accurately differentiating lymphoma from normal organ uptakes due to PET image resolution and tumor heterogeneity.

Materials and methods

Variants of the encoder-decoder architectures are state-of-the-art models for image segmentation. Among these kinds of architectures, U-Net is one of the most famous and predominant for medical image segmentation. In this study, we propose a fully automatic approach for Hodgkin lymphoma segmentation that combines U-Net and DenseNet architectures to reduce network loss for very small lesions, which is trained using the Tversky loss function. The hypothesis is that the fusion of these two deep learning models can improve the accuracy and robustness of Hodgkin lymphoma segmentation. A dataset with 141 samples was used to train our proposed network. Also, to test and evaluate the proposed network, we allocated two separate datasets of 20 samples.

Results

We achieved 0.759 as the mean Dice similarity coefficient with a median value of 0.767, and interquartile range (0.647–0.837). A good agreement was observed between the ground truth of test images against the predicted volume with precision and recall scores of 0.798 and 0.763, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the integration of U-Net and DenseNet architectures, along with the Tversky loss function, can significantly enhance the accuracy of Hodgkin lymphoma segmentation in PET/CT images compared to similar studies.
Bat consumption by holostean fishes in the Eocene Lake Messel: insights into the trophic adaptability of extinct gars and bowfins
Authors: Vullo Romain , Frey Eberhard
Published: September 2024

Direct evidence of trophic interactions between extinct species is rarely available in the fossil record. Here, we describe fish–mammal associations from the middle Eocene of Messel (Germany), consisting of three specimens of holosteans (one
Atractosteus messelensis
(Lepisosteidae) and two
Cyclurus kehreri
(Amiidae)) each preserved with a bat specimen (
Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon
) lying in close contact with its jaws. This suggests that these fishes probably died after failed swallowing attempts, with the bat wing membrane entangled in their jaws resulting in a fatal handicap. Based on data from modern gars and bowfins,
A. messelensis
and
C. kehreri
may have opportunistically attacked drowning and dying individuals or scavenged on floating/sinking carcasses. This hypothesis is also supported by the unusually high number of bat specimens preserved in the deposits of the Eocene Lake Messel, suggesting that this group of small mammals may have represented a substantial food source for generalist feeders. This is the earliest case of chiropterophagy and the first known evidence of bat consumption by lepisosteid and amiid fishes, emphasizing the high trophic variability and adaptability of these groups throughout their evolutionary histories. The newly described associations provide important information for reconstructing the Eocene Lake Messel palaeoecosystem and its trophic web.
Adaptive and self-learning Bayesian filtering algorithm to statistically characterize and improve signal-to-noise ratio of heart-rate data in wearable devices
Authors: Cossu Luca , Cappon Giacomo , Facchinetti Andrea
Published: September 2024

The use of wearable sensors to monitor vital signs is increasingly important in assessing individual health. However, their accuracy often falls short of that of dedicated medical devices, limiting their usefulness in a clinical setting. This study introduces a new Bayesian filtering (BF) algorithm that is designed to learn the statistical characteristics of signal and noise, allowing for optimal smoothing. The algorithm is able to adapt to changes in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over time, improving performance through windowed analysis and Bayesian criterion-based smoothing. By evaluating the algorithm on heart-rate (HR) data collected from Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatches worn by individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, it is demonstrated that BF provides superior SNR tracking and smoothing compared with non-adaptive methods. The results show that BF accurately captures SNR variability, reducing the root mean square error from 2.84 bpm to 1.21 bpm and the mean absolute relative error from 3.46% to 1.36%. These findings highlight the potential of BF as a preprocessing tool to enhance signal quality from wearable sensors, particularly in HR data, thereby expanding their applications in clinical and research settings.
Carbapenem-Resistant Citrobacter amalonaticus and VRE Bacteremia in an Immunocompetent Patient after Urologic Rezum Procedure
Authors: Midlick David , Harhay Jason , Summers Nathan A
Published: September 2024

2. Abstract

In this case, we present a 62-year-old man who presented with gross hematuria, fever, and chills one day after undergoing Rezum procedure and found to have carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter amalonaticus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia. The patient was treated with daptomycin, eravacycline, and ceftalozane-tazobactam with positive results. We discuss our case and treatment of C. amalonaticus bacteremia, a pathogen with limited existing literature on its incidence, presentation, and treatment.
Characterization of the Clostridioides difficile 630Δerm putative Pro-Pro endopeptidase CD1597
Authors: Claushuis Bart , de Ru Arnoud H , van Veelen Peter A , Hensbergen Paul J , Corver Jeroen
Published: September 2024

Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated infections worldwide. Within the host, C. difficile can transition from a sessile to a motile state by secretion of PPEP-1, which releases the cells from the intestinal epithelium by cleaving adhesion proteins. PPEP-1 belongs to the group of Pro-Pro endopeptidases, which are characterized by their unique ability to cleave proline-proline bonds. Interestingly, another putative member of this group, CD1597, is present in C. difficile. Although it possesses a domain similar to other PPEPs, CD1597 displays several distinct features that suggest a markedly different role for this protein.
We investigated the proteolytic activity of CD1597 by testing various potential substrates. In addition, we investigated the effect of the absence of CD1597 by generating an insertional mutant of the cd1597 gene. Using the cd1597 mutant, we sought to identify phenotypic changes through a series of in vitro experiments and quantitative proteomic analyses. Furthermore, we aimed to study the localization of this protein using a fluorogenic fusion protein.
Despite its similarities to PPEP-1, CD1597 did not show proteolytic activity. In addition, the absence of CD1597 caused an increase in various sporulation proteins during the stationary phase, yet we did not observe any alterations in the sporulation frequency of the cd1597 mutant. Furthermore, a promoter activity assay indicated a very low expression level of cd1597 in vegetative cells that was independent of the culture medium and growth stage. The low expression was corroborated by our comprehensive proteomics analysis of whole cell cultures, which failed to identify CD1597. However, an analysis of purified C. difficile spores identified CD1597 as part of the spore proteome. Hence, we predict that the protein is involved in sporulation, although we were unable to define a precise role for CD1597 in C. difficile
Efficacy of dental flossing and frequency of oral gingivitis in children and adults
Authors: Verhoeven Davis , Verhoeven David
Published: September 2024

Tooth brushing and flossing are usually both hallmarks of a good oral hygiene routine to prevent decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. While brushing removes much of the oral bacteria from the front and backs of the teeth, flossing is believed to be necessary to remove bacteria between the teeth. However, the effectiveness of self-flossing has not been established very well. Flossing effectiveness was evaluated two ways in this study: adults and 12 year old children were instructed on how to floss and bacterial colonies were determined before or after 7 days or pediatric and family dentists were blinded to patient surveys that asked about flossing frequency and evaluated the patient for gingivitis. We found a significant number of children did not floss at all despite brushing daily. However, flossing had no effect on the number of bacteria in their mouths nor did flossing have any correlation with reducing gingivitis development. Taken together, self-flossing did not appear to be an effective strategy for reduction of gingivitis in children or adults but could stem from improper technique or simply a lack of doing it.
Chronic post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms (PCNPS) persisting beyond one year from being infected during the ‘Omicron wave’
Authors: Chau Steven Wai Ho , Chue Timothy Mitchell , Lam Tsz Ching , Lai Yee Lok , Chan Rachel Ngan Yin , Wong Paul WC , Li Shirley Xin , Liu Yaping , Chan Joey Wing Yan , Chan Paul Kay-sheung , Lai Christopher Koon-Chi , Leung Thomas WH , Wing Yun Kwok
Published: September 2024

The heterogeneity of chronic post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms (PCNPS), especially after infection by the Omicron strain, has not been adequately explored. Our pre-registered hypotheses are 1. chronic PCNPS in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 over a year ago during the ‘Omicron wave’ showed a similar clustering pattern with symptoms in patients infected with pre-Omicron strain; 2. these chronic PCNPS are associated with a) clinical risk factors, such as, severity of the acute infection; b) socioeconomic status e.g., level of deprivation; and c) pre-infection vaccination status. We assessed 1205 subjects using app-based questionnaires and cognitive tasks. Partial network analysis on chronic PCNPS in this cohort produced two major symptom clusters (cognitive complaint-fatigue cluster and anxiety-depression symptoms cluster) and a minor headache-dizziness symptoms cluster, like our pre-Omicron cohort. Subjects with high number of symptoms (4 or more) can be further grouped into two distinct phenotypes: a cognitive complaint-fatigue predominant phenotype (CF) and another with symptoms across multiple clusters (AD-CF). Multiple logistic regression showed that both phenotypes are predicted by the level of deprivation before infection (adjusted p-value for CF and AD-CF = 0.025 and 0.0054 respectively). While the severity of acute COVID (adjusted p-value = 0.023) and the number of pre-existing medical conditions predict only the CF phenotypes (adjusted p-value = 0.003), past suicidal ideas predict the AD-CF phenotype (adjusted p-value < 0.001). Pre-infection vaccination status did not predict either phenotype. Our finding suggests that we should recognize the heterogeneity under the umbrella of chronic PCNPS, and a holistic bio-psycho-social approach is essential in understanding them.
Somatosensory differences between symptomatic and non-symptomatic retired contact sport athletes
Authors: Beck Brigitte , Kidgell Dawson J. , King Doug A. , Frazer Ashlyn K. , Tommerdahl Mark , Pearce Alan J.
Published: September 2024

Aim of the study

Interest continues investigating pathophysiology of athlete cohorts with a history involving cumulative career exposure of repeated concussion and non-concussion impacts. One area yet to be explored involves the somatosensory system. Using a novel sensorimotor technique, this study measured the somatosensory system in retired contact sport athletes exposed to repetitive neurotrauma.

Materials and Methods

Retired athletes (n=85, mean age 48.6 ± 10.6 years, all male) completed a self-report survey on their playing career, number of concussions, and continuing symptoms. Participants completed somatosensory vibrotactile tasks assessing reaction time, amplitude discrimination (sequential, simultaneous), and temporal discrimination (temporal order judgment, duration discrimination). Participants were divided between those reporting persistent symptoms (“symptomatic”, n=63) and those without concerns (“non-symptomatic”, n=22).

Results

“Symptomatic” participants scored higher symptom scores compared to the “non-symptomatic” group (P<0.001). No differences were found between groups for age (P=0.152), number of concussions (P=0.193), total years played (P=0.385), or professional career length (P=0.711). “Symptomatic” group reaction times were slower to the “non-symptomatic” group (P<0.001). Reaction time variability were greater in the “symptomatic” group (P=0.002). Differences between groups were found for amplitude discrimination (sequential: P=0.031; simultaneous: P=0.036) and temporal order judgment (P=0.032). Significant correlations were found between total symptom scores and all somatosensory tasks. Correlations showed associations between total exposure years with temporal order judgement and reaction time.

Conclusions

This novel study showed altered sensorimotor perception in retired athletes with persistent symptoms. Our data adds to the growing pathophysiological evidence in those who experience repetitive neurotrauma during their playing careers.
A Deep Dive into Statistical Modeling of RNA Splicing QTLs Reveals New Variants that Explain Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: Wang David , Gazzara Matthew R. , Jewell San , Wales-McGrath Benjamin , Brown Christopher D. , Choi Peter S. , Barash Yoseph
Published: September 2024

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of putative disease causing variants with unknown regulatory effects. Efforts to connect these variants with splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs) have provided functional insights, yet sQTLs reported by existing methods cannot explain many GWAS signals. We show current sQTL modeling approaches can be improved by considering alternative splicing representation, model calibration, and covariate integration. We then introduce MAJIQTL, a new pipeline for sQTL discovery. MAJIQTL includes two new statistical methods: a weighted multiple testing approach for sGene discovery and a model for sQTL effect size inference to improve variant prioritization. By applying MAJIQTL to GTEx, we find significantly more sGenes harboring sQTLs with functional significance. Notably, our analysis implicates the novel variant rs582283 in Alzheimer’s disease. Using antisense oligonucleotides, we validate this variant’s effect by blocking the implicated YBX3 binding site, leading to exon skipping in the gene MS4A3.
Black Women’s Lived Experiences of Depression and Related Barriers and Facilitators to Utilising Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Co-produced with Experts by Lived Experiences
Authors: Jieman Anna-Theresa , Soliman Farida , York Keisha , Bhui Kamaldeep , Onwumere Juliana , Wynter Sanisha , Amasowomwan Faith , Johnson Sandra , Jones Janelle M.
Published: September 2024

Depression among Black women is a significant public health concern. However, our understanding of their unique experiences and the barriers and facilitators to utilising healthcare services remains limited. To address these issues, we conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis in collaboration with experts by lived experiences. We searched seven databases (ASSIA, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, CINAHL, AMED and EMBASE) from inception to 9thSeptember 2021 and updated to 29thMarch 2024 with an English language restriction. Study quality and confidence in findings were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) approach. Of 15025 papers screened, 45 were eligible for inclusion. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Women reported depression stemming from racial and gender-related stressors, social isolation, and a loss of faith; moreover, the ‘Strong Black Woman’ schema masked depression symptoms. Mistrust of healthcare providers, stigma, religious coping, and pressure to conform to the Strong Black Woman schema hindered healthcare service utilisation. The rapport between women and their healthcare providers, endorsement from faith leaders, and points of crisis enabled service utilisation. Lived experience experts provided reflections and recommendations for practice.

Highlights

Recognition of depression may be hampered by schemas connected to Black women’s identity.

Trust between Black women experiencing depression and clinicians is essential for effective care.

Training which incorporates antiracist principles is needed for competence in discussing issues surrounding race and gender.

(Re-)consideration of diagnostic criteria to acknowledge differential presentation and the development of culturally adapted treatments are warranted.

Co-producing research with experts by lived experience ensures it is more impactful.
The association between nurse staffing configurations and sickness absence: longitudinal study
Authors: Dall’ora Chiara , Meredith Paul , Saville Christina , Jones Jeremy , Griffiths Peter
Published: September 2024

Importance

Nurses’ work-related stress and sickness absence are high. The consequences of sickness absence are severe for health systems’ efficiency and productivity.

Objective

To measure the association between nurse staffing configurations and sickness absence in hospital ward nursing teams.

Design

Retrospective case-control study using hospital routinely collected data

Setting

Four general acute care hospitals in England

Participants

3,583,586 shifts worked or missed due to sickness absence by 18,674 registered nurses (RN) and nursing assistant (NA) staff working in 116 hospital units.

Exposure

Nursing team skill-mix; temporary staffing hours; understaffing; proportion of long shifts (12+ hours) worked; full-time/part-time work status in the previous 7 days.

Main outcome

Episodes of sickness absence, defined as a sequence of sickness days with no intervening days of work.

Results

There were 43,097 sickness episodes. In our reduced parsimonious model, being exposed to a skill mix that was richer in RNs was associated with lower RN sickness absence (OR= 0.98; 95% CI = 0.96-0.99). For each 10% increase in proportion of hours worked as long shifts worked in the previous 7 days odds of sickness were increased by 2% (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.02- 1.03) for RNs. Part-time work for RNs was associated with higher sickness absence (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.04 – 1. 15). When RN staffing over the previous week was below average, the odds of sickness absence for NAs increased by 2% for every 10% increase in understaffing across the period (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.03). For RNs there was a significant interaction between part-time work and RN understaffing, whereby short staffing in the previous week increased sickness absence for full time staff but not among those working part time. NA understaffing was not associated with sickness absence for any staffing group.

Conclusions and Relevance

Working long shifts and working on understaffed wards increases the risk of sickness absence in nursing teams. Adverse working conditions for nurses, already known to pose a risk to patient safety, may also create risks for nurses and the possibility of further exacerbating staff shortages.

Key points

Question

What is the association between variation in nurse staffing configurations and nurses’ sickness absence?

Findings

Registered Nurse (RN) understaffing in the preceding 7 days was associated with sickness absence for Nursing Support (NS) staff, but for RNs the association was only seen when working full time. Exposure to shifts with a skill-mix richer in RNs, to higher bank hours and working lower proportions of 12+ h shifts in the preceding 7 days was a protective factor of RN sickness absence.

Meaning

To support nurses’ health and health systems’ productivity and efficiency, investing in avoiding RN understaffing may be warranted.
Epidemiological Analysis of Lower Limb Vascular Trauma over 16 years in Brazil - A Nationwide View
Authors: Sorbello Carolina Carvalho Jansen , Ceratti Marcella Moura , Portela Felipe Soares Oliveira , da Silva Marcelo Fiorelli Alexandrino , Teivelis Marcelo Passos , Zerati Antonio Eduardo , Wolosker Nelson
Published: September 2024

Background

Lower limb vascular trauma (LLVT) represents a significant public health challenge due to its potential to cause complex injuries that are difficult to manage, leading to increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs.

Objective

to investigate the incidence, lethality, population characteristics, and economic burden of LLVT in Brazil, the largest country in South America, from 2008 to 2023.

Methods

We used data from DATASUS (Department of Information and Informatics of the Brazilian Public Health System), which is the world’s largest public health system database. Our analysis focused on LLVT cases surgically treated in Brazil from 2008 to 2023. The study focused on demographic distribution, sex proportion, age groups, regional variations, hospital stays, intensive care unit (ICU) stays, lethality rates and financial expenditures.

Results

The study encompassed 20,349 LLVT cases and found a decrease in the number of cases over the years. LLVT was predominantly seen in males (70%), with an average patient age of 39.68 years. The Northeast and North regions registered the highest incidence, while the Southeast had the lowest. Most patients had a short hospital stay, averaging two days. The majority of patients did not need to be admitted to the ICU, and those who did stayed for an average of 4.48 days. The lethality was 5.96%, with bilateral LLVT showing a slightly lower mortality rate than unilateral cases. The total expenditure over 16 years, inferred by the amount passed on to SUS, totaled 9,537,664 USD, indicating a substantial economic impact.

Conclusion

LLVT has a significant impact on public health, mainly because it affects the economically active population, with a high risk of death or mutilating sequelae. Although there has been a general decrease in incidence, the persistence of high costs and high lethality rates indicate the need for targeted preventive measures. Future studies must investigate the causes and potential improvements in managing LLVT in Brazil.
Distinct cognitive and functional connectivity features from healthy cohorts can identify clinical obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Hearne Luke J. , Yeo B.T. Thomas , Webb Lachlan , Zalesky Andrew , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Murphy Oscar W. , Tian Ye , Breakspear Michael , Hall Caitlin V. , Choi Sunah , Kim Minah , Kwon Jun Soo , Cocchi Luca
Published: September 2024

Improving diagnostic accuracy of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using models of brain imaging data is a key goal of the field, but this objective is challenging due to the limited size and phenotypic depth of clinical datasets. Leveraging the phenotypic diversity in large non-clinical datasets such as the UK Biobank (UKBB), offers a potential solution to this problem. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether classification models trained on non-clinical populations will generalise to individuals with clinical OCD. This question is also relevant for the conceptualisation of OCD; specifically, whether the symptomology of OCD exists on a continuum from normal to pathological. Here, we examined a recently published meta-matching model trained on functional connectivity data from five large normative datasets (N=45,507) to predict cognitive, health and demographic variables. Specifically, we tested whether this model could classify OCD status in three independent clinical datasets (N=345). We found that the model could identify out-of-sample OCD individuals. Notably, the most predictive functional connectivity features mapped onto known cortico-striatal abnormalities in OCD and correlated with genetic brain expression maps previously implicated in the disorder. Further, the meta-matching model relied upon estimates of cognitive functions, such as cognitive flexibility and inhibition, to successfully predict OCD. These findings suggest that variability in non-clinical brain and behavioural features can discriminate clinical OCD status. These results support a dimensional and transdiagnostic conceptualisation of the brain and behavioural basis of OCD, with implications for research approaches and treatment targets.
Dynamics of amylopectin granule accumulation during the course of the chronicToxoplasmainfection is linked to intra-cyst bradyzoite replication
Authors: Tripathi Aashutosh , Donkin Ryan W. , Miracle Joy S. , Murphy Robert D. , Gentry Matthew S. , Patwardhan Abhijit , Sinai Anthony P.
Published: September 2024

The contribution of amylopectin granules (AG), comprised of a branched chain storage homopolymer of glucose, to the maintenance and progression of the chronicToxoplasma gondiiinfection has remained undefined. Here we describe the role of AG in the physiology of encysted bradyzoites by using a custom developed imaging-based application AmyloQuant that permitted quantification of relative levels of AG withinin vivoderived tissue cysts during the initiation and maturation of the chronic infection. Our findings establish that AG are dynamic entities, exhibiting considerable heterogeneity among tissue cysts at all post infection time points examined. Quantification of relative AG levels within tissue cysts exposes a previously unrecognized temporal cycle defined by distinct phases of AG accumulation and utilization over the first 6 weeks of the chronic phase. This AG cycle is temporally coordinated with overall bradyzoite mitochondrial activity implicating amylopectin in the maintenance and progression of the chronic infection. In addition, the staging of AG accumulation and its rapid utilization within encysted bradyzoites was associated with a burst of coordinated replication. As such our findings suggest that AG levels within individual bradyzoites, and across bradyzoites within tissue cysts may represent a key component in the licensing of bradyzoite replication, intimately linking stored metabolic potential to the course of the chronic infection. This extends the impact of AG beyond the previously assigned role that focused exclusively on parasite transmission. These findings force a fundamental reassessment of the chronicToxoplasmainfection, highlighting the critical need to address the temporal progression of this crucial stage in the parasite life cycle.
β-glucan reprograms alveolar macrophages via neutrophil/IFNγ axis to promote lung injury
Authors: Prével Renaud , Pernet Erwan , Tran Kim A , Sadek Abderrahmane , Sadeghi Mina , Lapshina Elizabeth , Jurado Leonardo , Kristof Arnold S. , Moumni Mohieddine , Poschmann Jérémie , Divangahi Maziar
Published: September 2024

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) reside in the lower airways and play a crucial role in lung health and response to sterile inflammation and infections. AMs possess remarkable adaptability to different environmental challenges that can persist through their memory capacity (trained immunity). β-glucan has been characterized as a potent inducer of central trained immunity by reprogramming hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow. In the present study, we show that systemic administration of β-glucan induces peripheral trained immunity by reprogramming alveolar macrophages (AMs) in the lungs, in a Dectin1-independent manner. We furthermore demonstrate that AM reprogramming at both the transcriptional and metabolic levels exacerbate lung injury following bacterial (LPS) or viral (polyI:C) challenges via a neutrophil/IFN-γ dependent manner. These findings identify an additional facet of β-glucan in trained immunity involving AM reprogramming and shed light on the potential detrimental effects of trained immunity.
Peierls Transition in Gross-Neveu Model from Bethe Ansatz
Authors: Melin Valdemar , Sekiguchi Yuta , Wiegmann Paul , Zarembo Konstantin
Published: September 2024

The two-dimensional Gross-Neveu model is anticipated to undergo a crystalline phase transition at high baryon charge densities. This conclusion is drawn from the mean-field approximation, which closely resembles models of Peierls instability. We demonstrate that this transition indeed occurs when both the rank of the symmetry group and the dimension of the particle representation contributing to the baryon density are large (the large N limit). We derive this result through the exact solution of the model, developing the large N limit of the Bethe ansatz. Our analytical construction of the large-N solution of the Bethe ansatz equations aligns perfectly with the periodic (finite-gap) solution of the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) of the mean-field analysis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Metaverse adoption in the manufacturing industry: impact on social and environmental sustainability performance
Authors: Mubarak Muhammad Faraz , Ghobakhloo Morteza , Evans Richard , Jucevicius Giedrius , Prestianawati Silvi Asna , Mubarik Mobashar
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the adoption of Metaverse technology in the manufacturing industry and its potential impact on firms’ social and environmental sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 157 technology-based firms in the Malaysian high-tech manufacturing industry and analyzed using PLS-SEM to investigate the influence of social (i.e. social capital, open/innovative culture and empowerment) and technological factors (i.e. digitalization preparedness, integrability and strategic value) on Metaverse adoption and the moderating roles of digital trust and absorptive capacity.

Findings

Social and technological factors were found to significantly impact Metaverse adoption, with digital trust enhancing the influence of social factors. Absorptive capacity strengthens firms’ abilities to use social factors for adoption. However, digital trust does not significantly moderate the relationship between technological factors and adoption, nor does absorptive capacity impact this relationship. Finally, Metaverse adoption is shown to positively contribute to firms’ social sustainability, improving social well-being and equity, but it does not significantly impact environmental sustainability.

Practical implications

For practitioners, the study highlights the importance of fostering an organizational culture that supports digital trust and developing absorptive capacity as critical enablers of successful Metaverse adoption. Policy implications include the need for creating supportive policies that encourage digital transformation efforts aligned with sustainability goals.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this study integrates the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, Human-Organization-Technology fit (HOT-fit) framework and Resource-Based View (RBV) to improve understanding of technology adoption and sustainability performance. From a managerial perspective, it highlights the importance of fostering digital trust and developing absorptive capacity as critical enablers of successful Metaverse adoption. Policy implications include the need for policies supporting digital transformation efforts aligned with sustainability goals.
A new thermo-optical system with a fractional Caputo operator for a rotating spherical semiconductor medium immersed in a magnetic field
Authors: Abouelregal Ahmed E. , Marin Marin , Saskar S.S. , Foul Abdelaziz
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Understanding the mechanical and thermal behavior of materials is the goal of the branch of study known as fractional thermoelasticity, which blends fractional calculus with thermoelasticity. It accounts for the fact that heat transfer and deformation are non-local processes that depend on long-term memory. The sphere is free of external stresses and rotates around one of its radial axes at a constant rate. The coupled system equations are solved using the Laplace transform. The outcomes showed that the viscoelastic deformation and thermal stresses increased with the value of the fractional order coefficients.

Design/methodology/approach

The results obtained are considered good because they indicate that the approach or model under examination shows robust performance and produces accurate or reliable results that are consistent with the corresponding literature.

Findings

This study introduces a proposed viscoelastic photoelastic heat transfer model based on the Moore-Gibson-Thompson framework, accompanied by the incorporation of a new fractional derivative operator. In deriving this model, the recently proposed Caputo proportional fractional derivative was considered. This work also sheds light on how thermoelastic materials transfer light energy and how plasmas interact with viscoelasticity. The derived model was used to consider the behavior of a solid semiconductor sphere immersed in a magnetic field and subjected to a sudden change in temperature.

Originality/value

This study introduces a proposed viscoelastic photoelastic heat transfer model based on the Moore-Gibson-Thompson framework, accompanied by the incorporation of a new fractional derivative operator. In deriving this model, the recently proposed Caputo proportional fractional derivative was considered. This work also sheds light on how thermoelastic materials transfer light energy and how plasmas interact with viscoelasticity. The derived model was used to consider the behavior of a solid semiconductor sphere immersed in a magnetic field and subjected to a sudden change in temperature.
Rallying around the leader in times of crises: The opposing effects of perceived threat and anxiety
Authors: LEHRER RONI , BAHNSEN OKE , MÜLLER KLARA , NEUNHOEFFER MARCEL , GSCHWEND THOMAS , JUHL SEBASTIAN
Published: September 2024

In times of crisis, citizens tend to increase their approval of the government and its leader which can shift the balance of power. This ‘rally effect’ is a persistent empirical regularity; however, the literature is still undecided on its underlying causal mechanisms. We argue that crises induce threat and anxiety and hypothesize that perceived threat increases approval of the incumbent leader, whereas anxiety decreases it. By analysing German panel data from the COVID‐19 pandemic, we causally identify both mechanisms and provide systematic evidence supporting this theory. Moreover, we increase the scope of our theory and show that both mechanisms are also at work when citizens approve cabinet members who manage key portfolios. Our findings have highly important implications for our understanding of the rally effect and crises politics in democracies.
A comprehensive review of current approaches on food waste reduction strategies
Authors: Urugo Markos Makiso , Teka Tilahun A. , Gemede Habtamu Fikadu , Mersha Siwan , Tessema Ararsa , Woldemariam Henock Woldemichael , Admassu Habtamu
Published: September 2024

Food waste is a serious worldwide issue that has an impact on the environment, society, and economy. This comprehensive review provides a detailed description of methods and approaches for reducing food waste, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensive strategies to tackle its intricate relationship with environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic prosperity. By scrutinizing the extent and impact of food waste, from initial production stages to final disposal, this comprehensive review underlines the urgent need for integrated solutions that include technological advancements, behavioral interventions, regulatory frameworks, and collaborative endeavors. Environmental assessments highlight the significant contribution of food waste to greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, water scarcity, and energy inefficiency, thereby emphasizing the importance of curtailing its environmental impact. Concurrently, the social and economic consequences of food waste, such as food insecurity, economic losses, and disparities in food access, underscore the imperative for coordinated action across multiple sectors. Food waste can also be effectively reduced by various innovative approaches, such as technological waste reduction solutions, supply chain optimization strategies, consumer behavior‐focused initiatives, and waste recovery and recycling techniques. Furthermore, in order to foster an environment that encourages the reduction of food waste and facilitates the transition to a circular economy, legislative changes and regulatory actions are essential. By embracing these multifaceted strategies and approaches, stakeholders can unite to confront the global food waste crisis, thereby fostering resilience, sustainability, and social equity within our food systems.
A novel method to assess the integrity of frozen archival DNA samples: Alpha‐diversity ratios of short‐ and long‐read 16S rRNA gene sequences
Authors: Sumby K. M. , Stephen J. R. , Austin J. J. , Schilling R. K. , Cavagnaro T. R.
Published: September 2024

Archival DNA samples collected and analysed for a range of research and applied questions have accumulated in the laboratories of universities, government agencies and commercial service providers for decades. These DNA archives represent a valuable, yet largely un‐tapped repository of genomic information. With lowering costs of, and increasing access to, high‐throughput sequencing, we predict an increase in retrospective research to explore the wealth of information that resides in these archival samples. However, for this to occur, we need confidence in the integrity of the DNA samples, often stored under suboptimal conditions and their fitness of purpose for downstream genomic analysis.

Here, we borrow from a well‐established concept in ancient DNA to evaluate sample integrity, defined as loss of information content in recovered amplicons, of frozen DNA samples and based on the ratio of ⍺‐diversity of short‐ and long‐read 16S rRNA gene sequences.

The 16S rRNA variable region of 87 stored DNA samples, extracted from soil, collected from western and southern agricultural regions of Australia between 2001 and 2021 were sequenced using both PacBio full length reads (V1–V9, 1.5 kbp) and Illumina short‐reads (V3–V4, 200–450 bp). When ⍺‐diversity ratios were calculated between the long and short reads to assess DNA degradation, the ratio of ⍺‐diversity did not decrease in older samples versus younger samples.

We suggest this as a novel method to confirm integrity of DNA before embarking on large‐scale diversity profiling projects using archival DNA.
Phenological growth stages of Amaranthus palmeri according to the extended BBCH scale
Authors: Yuan Gao , Yin Minglu , Nie Tangjie , Chen Yao , Sun Liyong , Yin Zengfang
Published: September 2024

Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson is a problematic weed that has been encountered almost all over the world because of its stronger adaptability, which causes huge economic losses and local plant diversity decline. As an invasive plant, A. palmeri has been found throughout China. We thus make a code system to describe the phenological growth process of A. palmeri according to the extended BBCH scale to better understand the phenological growth of this weed in China. The growth process of A. palmeri was divided into vegetative growth phases and reproductive growth phases. The vegetative growth phases are composed of seed germination (0), leaf development (1), formation of side shoots (2) and main stem elongation (3). Likewise, the reproductive growth phases include inflorescence emergence (5), blooming (6), fruit development (7), seed maturity (8) and senescence (9). Based on the extended BBCH scale, the first digit stands for the primary growth stages, and the third digit represents the secondary growth stages. In particular, the second digit defines the growth progress: the number 0, means the vegetative growth phases, and the number 1 stands for the reproductive growth phases. Owing to the fact that its seed can germinate multiple times within a year, a general illustration of the phenological development stages of A. palmeri germinating in different months was provided here to describe the growth dynamic characteristic at different times. These data are of great significance to develop effective strategies for weed control and management of A. palmeri.
Letter: Potential impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on oesophageal disorders in chronic liver disease
Authors: Kountouras Jannis , Vardaka Elisabeth , Zavos Christos , Chatzopoulos Dimitrios , Tzitiridou‐Chatzopoulou Maria , Tzilves Dimitrios , Zournatzidou Georgia , Kyrailidou Foteini , Mouratidou Maria C.
Published: September 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Idalsoaga et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18193 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18246