bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nonlinear mechanics of highly extensible plant epidermal cell walls
Authors: Yu Jingyi , Zhang Yao , Cosgrove Daniel J.
Published: January 2024

Plant epidermal cell walls maintain the mechanical integrity of plants and restrict organ growth. Mechanical analyses can give insights into wall structure and are inputs for mechanobiology models of plant growth. To better understand the intrinsic mechanics of epidermal cell walls and how they may accommodate large deformations during growth, we analyzed a geometrically simple material, onion epidermal strips consisting of only the outer (periclinal) cell wall, ~7 μm thick. With uniaxial stretching by >40%, the wall showed complex three-phase stress–strain responses while cyclic stretching revealed reversible and irreversible deformations and elastic hysteresis. Stretching at varying strain rates and temperatures indicated the wall behaved more like a network of flexible cellulose fibers capable of sliding than a viscoelastic composite with pectin viscosity. We developed an analytic framework to quantify nonlinear wall mechanics in terms of stiffness, deformation, and energy dissipation, finding that the wall stretches by combined elastic and plastic deformation without compromising its stiffness. We also analyzed mechanical changes in slightly dehydrated walls. Their extension became stiffer and more irreversible, highlighting the influence of water on cellulose stiffness and sliding. This study offers insights into the structure and deformation modes of primary cell walls and presents a framework that is also applicable to tissues and whole organs.
Beyond Disfluency
Authors: Kosmala Loulou
Published: January 2024

This book pioneers a tridimensional approach to (dis)fluency, evaluating fluency across three different dimensions, mainly speech, gesture, and interaction. Drawing from an extensive video dataset covering different languages and speech genres in French and English, the present research goes beyond traditional production-oriented models of so-called ‘disfluency’ phenomena, and aims to unravel the complexities of human multimodal production and interactive processes. Designed for linguists, communication scholars, and researchers, this work resonates with the latest trends in different fields (Second Language Acquisition, Interactional Linguistics, and Gesture studies). It introduces a fresh perspective on disfluency by integrating visual-gestural features, such as hand gestures, gaze, and facial expressions, captured in situated interaction.
The Anatomy of Polish Offensive Words
Authors: Zarzycki Łukasz
Published: January 2024

Swearing plays an important role in everyday language. We swear in the streets, at school, universities, at work and at home, on the means of transport, with family and friends. People have used swear words for centuries and they will continue to use them. The Anatomy of Polish Offensive Words examines offensive and vulgar language of young Poles in their everyday life including its forms, uses, manifestations and the ways in which people censor their words and sentences. The book presents a novel viewpoint on people’s psyche since we observe how society reacts to other humans so as to impose taboos by censoring Polish language.
This book is the first book written in English on Polish swearing intended for the international reader (both linguists and non-linguists) who can benefit from it. It offers an intriguing look into Polish swear words, their classification in terms of offensiveness both from the perspective of quantitative and qualitative research but also from the AI (Artificial Intelligence) viewpoint. Mixed methods research, i.e., a questionnaire-based study and a corpus-based study, makes the research original. The findings deepen our understanding of swearing and its role in language.
Revisiting sentence-final adjunct WHAT
Authors: Yang Barry C.-Y.
Published: January 2024

The sentence-final adjunct WHAT has been given much attention for the past few years, mostly on its why-like interpretation and negative force. In this study, evidence will be provided to show that what otherwise seems to be exceptional cases, in effect, constitutes an independent construction, the refutatory WHAT construction. Although such a construction yields a strong negative force, it has the force dwell upon the interlocutor’s attitude or commitment. It is used to refute his/her previous claim in a conversation and can tolerate any utterance form. This is in sharp contrast to the why-like WHAT which is typically used to forbid actions and is restricted to action verbs. As will be revealed later, in syntax, the refutatory WHAT has to employ a component above CP, which not only helps explain the speaker’s refutatory force, but also directs our attention to a new ascending perspective zoned for both the speaker and the hearer/addressee.
Dual-band perfect absorption graphene metasurface with high modulation in near-infrared
Authors: Xie Bowen , Liu Xinyi , Jiao RongZhen
Published: January 2024

Graphene has garnered significant attention in tunable metasurfaces due to its unique optical properties. The absorption of the graphene metassurface can be dynamically adjusted by manipulating the chemical potential. However, the working wavelengths of most graphene metasurfaces are limited in terahertz and mid-infrared, or have a low reflection range. In this paper, we design a hybrid graphene metasurface with a slot structure. The working wavelengths are optimized to 1550 nm and 1910 nm. Additionally, the slot structure greatly enhances the field intensity near the monolayer graphene to improve its interaction with light. As a result, perfect absorption is achieved at both working wavelengths, along with a maximum reflection range of 0.9 and a modulation depth of 99%.
Enhanced quantum resources via two distant atom-cavity systems under the influence of atomic dissipation
Authors: Setodeh Kheirabady M , Tavassoly M K , Rafeie M , Ghasemian E
Published: January 2024

Quantum resources such as entanglement and coherence are the holy grail for modern quantum technologies. Although the unwanted environmental effects tackle quantum information processing tasks, suprisingly these key quantum resources may be protected and even enhanced by the implementation of some special hybrid open quantum systems. Here, we aim to show how a dissipative atom-cavity-system can be accomplished to generate enhanced quantum resources. To do so, we consider a couple of dissipative cavities, where each one contains two effective two-level atoms interacting with a single-mode cavity field. In practical applications, a classical laser field may be applied to drive each atomic subsystem. After driving the system, a Bell-state measurement is performed on the output of the system to quantify the entanglement and coherence. The obtained results reveal that the remote entanglement and coherence between the atoms existing inside the two distant cavities are not only enhanced, but can be stabilized, even under the action of dissipation. In contrast, the local entanglement between two atoms inside each dissipative cavity attenuates due to the presence of unwanted environmental effects. Nevertheless, the local coherence may show the same behavior as the remote coherence. Besides, the system provides the steady state entanglement in various interaction regimes, particularly in the strong atom-cavity coupling and with relatively large detuning. More interestingly, our numerical analyses demonstrate that the system may show a memory effect due to the fact that the death and revival of the entanglement take place during the interaction. Our proposed model may find potential applications for the implementation of long distance quantum networks. In particular, it facilitates the distribution of quantum resources between the nodes of large-scale quantum networks for secure communication.
Biodegradable and flexible ι-carrageenan based RRAM with ultralow power consumption
Authors: Bian 卞 Jing-Yao 景垚 , Tao 陶 Ye 冶 , Wang 王 Zhong-Qiang 中强 , Zhao 赵 Xiao-Ning 晓宁 , Lin 林 Ya 亚 , Xu 徐 Hai-Yang 海阳 , Liu 刘 Yi-Chun 益春
Published: January 2024

Transient memories, which can physically disappear without leaving traceable remains over a period of normal operation, are attracting increasing attention for potential applications in the fields of data security and green electronics. Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is a promising candidate for next-generation memory. In this context, biocompatible ι-carrageenan (ι-car), extracted from natural seaweed, is introduced for the fabrication of RRAM devices (Ag/ι-car/Pt). Taking advantage of the complexation processes between the functional groups (C–O–C, C–O–H, et al.) and Ag metal ions, a lower migration barrier of Ag ions and a high-speed switching (22.2 ns for SET operation/26 ns for RESET operation) were achieved, resulting in an ultralow power consumption of 56 fJ. And the prepared Ag/ι-car/Pt RRAM devices also revealed the capacities of multilevel storage and flexibility. In addition, thanks to the hydrophilic groups of ι-car molecule, the RRAM devices can be rapidly dissolved in deionized (DI) water within 13 minutes, showing excellent transient characteristics. This work demonstrates that ι-car based RRAM devices have great potential for applications in secure storage applications, flexible electronics and transient electronics.
Comparing the Structural Parameters of the Milky Way to Other Spiral Galaxies
Authors: Guerrette Jacob A. , Mosenkov Aleksandr V. , Spencer Dallin , Shakespear Zacory D.
Published: January 2024

The structural parameters of a galaxy can be used to gain insight into its formation and evolution history. In this paper, we strive to compare the Milky Way’s structural parameters to other, primarily edge-on, spiral galaxies in order to determine how our Galaxy measures up to the Local Universe. For our comparison, we use the galaxy structural parameters gathered from a variety of literature sources in the optical and near-infrared wave bands. We compare the scale length, scale height, and disk flatness for both the thin and thick disks, the thick-to-thin disk mass ratio, the bulge-to-total luminosity ratio, and the mean pitch angle of the Milky Way’s spiral arms to those in other galaxies. We conclude that many of the Milky Way’s structural parameters are largely ordinary and typical of spiral galaxies in the Local Universe, though the Galaxy’s thick disk appears to be appreciably thinner and less extended than expected from zoom-in cosmological simulations of Milky Way-mass galaxies with a significant contribution of galaxy mergers involving satellite galaxies.
Research on multi-probe energy response compensation for X/γ dose rate meter
Authors: Li M. , Gong P. , Zhang H. , Hu Zh. , Wang P. , Wang Z. , Liang D. , Zhou Ch. , Zhu X. , Gorini G. , Croci G. , Tang X.
Published: January 2024

Dose rate meters operating in pulse counting mode usually
encounter the problem of uneven energy response. While current
methods of coating a single probe with a metal layer can effectively
improve the flatness of the energy response, the energy range of the
flat response is limited. In this research, a multi-probe energy
response compensation method was proposed to solve the problem of
uneven energy response of a CsI(Tl) dose rate meter. In this method,
different relative energy response curves were obtained by adding
different hardware compensations to a probe. Then, two to four
relative energy response curves were selected and weighted to obtain
a flatter response within the energy region of
interest. Specifically, first, 51 compensation schemes were obtained
by changing the geometry and material parameters of the CsI(Tl)
probe compensation layer. Second, the relative energy response
curves of CsI(Tl) probes with 51 compensation schemes were obtained
by MCNP simulation. Finally, the weight coefficient of each relative
energy response curve was determined by overdetermined equations,
and the combination with the smallest relative energy response
deviation was selected. Within the energy range of 80–1500 keV,
the optimal two-probe compensation scheme was selected from one to
three probe compensation schemes. After the dual probe combination
compensation, the relative energy response deviation ranged from
-23.0% to 5.0%. Within the energy range of 50–3000 keV, the
compensation schemes of one to four probes were traversed. The
optimal three-probe compensation schemes were selected. After
combined compensation, the relative energy response deviation ranged
from -27.3% to 15.3%. Furthermore, the compensation effect of
multiple probes was better than that of single probes in both energy
regions of interest. Simulation results demonstrated that our
proposed method can significantly improve the flatness of the energy
response of dose rate meters based on CsI(Tl).
The effect of PPO concentration on the scintillation properties of a polystyrene based plastic scintillator
Authors: Younesi L. , Salehi-Barough M. , Ahmadi Sh. , Esmaili-Sani V.
Published: January 2024

Plastic scintillator detectors are widely used in industry,
medicine, nuclear research, and fundamental particle
research. Numerous studies worldwide aim to gain better insight into
and optimize this detector. In this study, polystyrene-based plastic
scintillators were fabricated through thermal polymerization without
initiator and with different wt% of PPO (2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 wt%)
to examine the effect of PPO on scintillation properties and pulse
shape discrimination. The features of these scintillators were
compared and investigated. The results showed an optimal light yield
at 15 wt% PPO. However, the neutron-gamma discrimination was
directly related to the PPO concentration, so that for 30 wt% PPO,
FOM and peak-to-valley ratio were 1.57 and 4.6 respectively. The
aging test of plastic scintillators has shown an inverse
relationship between the concentration of PPO and their lifespan.
Moduli of ℚ-Gorenstein pairs and applications
Authors: Filipazzi Stefano , Inchiostro Giovanni
Published: January 2024

We develop a framework to construct moduli spaces of

Q

{\mathbb {Q}}

-Gorenstein pairs. To do so, we fix certain invariants; these choices are encoded in the notion of

Q

{\mathbb {Q}}

-stable pair. We show that these choices give a proper moduli space with projective coarse moduli space and they prevent some pathologies of the moduli space of stable pairs when the coefficients are smaller than

1
2

\frac {1}{2}

. Lastly, we apply this machinery to provide an alternative proof of the projectivity of the moduli space of stable pairs.
The wildland firefighter exposure and health effect (WFFEHE) study: cohort characteristics and health behavior changes in context
Authors: Scott Kenneth A , Wingate Kaitlin C , DuBose Kathleen N , Butler Corey R , Ramirez-Cardenas Alejandra , Hale Christa R
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Work is an under-recognized social determinant of health. There is limited research describing US wildland firefighter (WFF) workforce demographics or how to work associates with WFF health behaviors. In this study researchers characterized a WFF cohort and tested hypotheses that WFFs used tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) differently over the course of the fire season and that different fire crews may exhibit different behavior patterns.

Methods

Researchers collected data in the field with 6 WFF crews during 2 consecutive fire seasons (2018 and 2019). WFF crews completed questionnaires before and after each season. WFFs with an initial preseason questionnaire and at least 1 follow-up questionnaire were included (n = 138). Descriptive statistics summarized WFFs’ baseline demographic, employment, and health characteristics. Linear mixed models were used to test for changes in WFFs’ substance use over time and assess crew-level differences. A meta-analysis of WFF longitudinal studies’ population characteristics was attempted to contextualize baseline findings.

Results

WFFs were predominately male, less than 35 yr of age, non-Hispanic White, and had healthy weight. Smokeless tobacco use and binge drinking were prevalent in this cohort (52% and 78%, respectively, among respondents). Longitudinal analyses revealed that during the fire season WFFs’ use of tobacco and SSBs increased and the number of days they consumed alcohol decreased. Crew-level associations varied by substance. The meta-analysis was not completed due to cross-study heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting.

Discussion

WFF agencies can promote evidence-based substance use prevention and management programs and modify working conditions that may influence WFF stress or substance use.
Awarding costs where there is no arbitral jurisdiction on the merits: the making and enforcement of negative cost awards
Authors: Shokalo Kateryna
Published: January 2024

Arbitral tribunals routinely award costs when they lack jurisdiction on the merits of a dispute. However, most of the identified awards—labelled here as ‘negative cost awards’—fail to adequately explain the source of the tribunals’ authority to award costs, either by omitting the reasoning altogether or by merely relying on the arbitration rules. If the arbitration agreement is found to be invalid or non-existent, it cannot empower a tribunal to award costs, and the arbitration rules ordinarily should not apply if the parties never agreed to them in a valid arbitration agreement. This notwithstanding, tribunals usually have a valid basis to award costs. This authority can be found in the arbitration agreement on the issue of costs, the competence–competence principle or, one way or another, national arbitration laws. Negative cost awards generally should be enforceable both under the New York Convention and the ICSID Convention, but the lack of an express finding of the arbitration agreement or another source of the tribunals’ authority to award costs may jeopardize the enforceability of such awards. Tribunals can avoid this problem by expressly explaining the basis of their authority to adjudicate costs in their awards.
An asymmetrical multilevel inverter with minimum voltage stress and fewer components for photovoltaic renewable-energy system
Authors: Memon Rabail , Mahar Mukhtiar Ahmed , Larik Abdul Sattar , shah Syed Asif Ali
Published: January 2024

The enhanced power quality provided by multilevel inverters (MLIs) has made them more appropriate for medium- and high-power applications, including photovoltaic systems. Nevertheless, a prevalent limitation involves the necessity for numerous switches and increased voltage stress across these switches, consequently increasing the overall system cost. To address these challenges, a new 17-level asymmetrical MLI with fewer components and low voltage stress is proposed for the photovoltaic system. This innovative MLI configuration has four direct current (DC) sources and 10 switches. Based on the trinary sequence, the proposed topology uses photovoltaics with boost converters and fuzzy logic controllers as its DC sources. Mathematical equations are used to calculate crucial parameters for this proposed design, including total standing voltage per unit (TSVPU), cost function per level (CF/L), component count per level (CC/L) and voltage stress across the switches. The comparison is conducted by considering switches, DC sources, TSVPU, CF/L, gate driver circuits and CC/L with other existing MLI topologies. The analysis is carried out under various conditions, encompassing different levels of irradiance, variable loads and modulation indices. To reduce the total harmonic distortion of the suggested topology, the phase opposition disposition approach has been incorporated. The suggested framework is simulated in MATLAB®/Simulink®. The results indicate that the proposed topology achieves a well-distributed stress profile across the switches and has CC/L of 1.23, TSVPU of 5 and CF/L of 4.58 and 5.76 with weight coefficients of 0.5 and 1.5, respectively. These values are notably superior to those of existing MLI topologies. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed topology maintains a consistent output at varying irradiance levels with FLCs and exhibits robust performance under variable loads and diverse modulation indices. Furthermore, the total harmonic distortion achieved with phase opposition disposition is 7.78%, outperforming alternative pulse width modulation techniques. In summary, it provides enhanced performance. Considering this, it is suitable for the photovoltaic system.
Widening Health Gap in the US Labor Force Participation at Older Ages
Authors: Cajner Tomaz , Fernández-Blanco Javier , Sánchez-Marcos Virginia
Published: January 2024

Using microdata from the CPS and the HRS, we document changes in labor force participation at older ages in the USA since the mid-1990s. Our main finding is that the over two-decade increase in participation is solely driven by individuals in good health, and does not differ across either educational or occupational groups. This phenomenon may importantly affect the results of social security reforms aiming at raising the mandatory retirement age and may exacerbate the health gap in lifetime earnings. (JEL codes: J22 and I14)
Hybrid de novo genome assembly of the sexually dimorphic Lady Amherst’s pheasant
Authors: Garg Kritika M , Dovih Pilot , Chattopadhyay Balaji
Published: January 2024

Pheasants are an important group of birds, valued for their economic benefit as poultry birds, game birds, and as ornamental species for their plumage. Lady Amherst’s pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae is an ornamental species, valued for its elaborate and beautiful plumage. In this study, we present a high-quality de novo hybrid genome assembly of C. amherstiae. Previous attempts to sequence the genome of this species resulted in draft-level assemblies, which are not available in the public domain. Using a combination of Illumina short reads and Oxford Nanopore’s long-reads, we assembled a high-quality genome of N50 ~3.9 Mb and near complete BUSCO assessment. We observed a correlation between effective population size and past climatic conditions, with an increase in population size during the warm interglacial periods. We further observed significant fluctuations in genes involved with the immune system and visual perception. C. amherstiae is a highly dimorphic species, and significant fluctuations in gene families involved in immune response, visual perception, among others, suggesting a role of mate choice and sexual selection in the evolution and maintenance of exaggerated traits in the males.
D-alanine Inhibits Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Suppressing IL-12 and IL-23 Production in Macrophages
Authors: Hashimoto Hikaru , Takagi Tomohisa , Asaeda Kohei , Yasuda Takeshi , Kajiwara Mariko , Sugaya Takeshi , Mizushima Katsura , Inoue Ken , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Kamada Kazuhiro , Higashimura Yasuki , Inoue Ryo , Naito Yuji , Itoh Yoshito
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Free D-amino acids, which have different functions from L-amino acids, have recently been discovered in various tissues. However, studies on the potential interactions between intestinal inflammation and D-amino acids are limited. We examined the inhibitory effects of D-alanine on the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation.

Methods

We investigated serum D-amino acid levels in 40 patients with ulcerative colitis and 34 healthy volunteers. For 7 days [d], acute colitis was induced using dextran sulphate sodium in C57BL/6J mice. Plasma D-amino acid levels were quantified in mice with dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis, and these animals were administered D-alanine via intraperitoneal injection. IFN-γ, IL-12p35, IL-17A, and IL-23p19 mRNA expression in the colonic mucosa was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. In vitro proliferation assays were performed to assess naïve CD4+ T cell activation under Th-skewing conditions. Bone marrow cells were stimulated with mouse macrophage-colony stimulating factor to generate mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Results

Serum D-alanine levels were significantly lower in patients with ulcerative colitis than in healthy volunteers. Dextran sulphate sodium-treated mice had significantly lower plasma D-alanine levels than control mice. D-alanine-treated mice had significantly lower disease activity index than control mice. IFN-γ, IL-12p35, IL-17A, and IL-23p19 mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in D-alanine-administered mice than in control mice. D-alanine suppressed naïve T cell differentiation into Th1 cells in vitro, and inhibited the production of IL-12p35 and IL-23p19 in bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that D-alanine prevents dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in mice and suppresses IL-12p35 and IL-23p19 production in macrophages.
Antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome: similarities and differences between a European expert consensus document and the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines
Authors: Landi Antonio , Aboyans Victor , Angiolillo Dominick J , Atar Dan , Capodanno Davide , Fox Keith A A , Halvorsen Sigrun , James Stefan , Jüni Peter , Leonardi Sergio , Mehran Roxana , Montalescot Gilles , Navarese Eliano Pio , Niebauer Josef , Oliva Angelo , Piccolo Raffaele , Price Susanna , Storey Robert F , Völler Heinz , Vranckx Pascal , Windecker Stephan , Valgimigli Marco
Published: January 2024

Antithrombotic therapy represents the cornerstone of the pharmacological treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The optimal combination and duration of antithrombotic therapy is still matter of debate requiring a critical assessment of patient comorbidities, clinical presentation, revascularization modality, and/or optimization of medical treatment. The 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of patients with ACS encompassing both patients with and without ST segment elevation ACS have been recently published. Shortly before, a European expert consensus task force produced guidance for clinicians on the management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with ACS as well as chronic coronary syndrome. The scope of this manuscript is to provide a critical appraisal of differences and similarities between the European consensus paper and the latest ESC recommendations on oral antithrombotic regimens in ACS patients.
Peripheral microvascular function is linked to cardiac involvement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance in systemic sclerosis–related pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Vos Jacqueline L , Lemmers Jacqueline M J , El Messaoudi Saloua , Snoeren Miranda , van Dijk Arie P J , Duijnhouwer Anthonie L , Rodwell Laura , van Leuven Sander I , Post Martijn C , Vonk Madelon C , Nijveldt Robin
Published: January 2024

Aims

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis, and carries one of the worst prognoses if patients also develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although PAH is a known prognosticator, patients with SSc–PAH demonstrate disproportionately high mortality, presumably due to cardiac involvement. In this cross-sectional study, the relationship between cardiac involvement revealed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and systemic microvascular disease severity measured with nailfold capillaromicroscopy (NCM) in patients with SSc–PAH is evaluated and compared with patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH).

Methods and results

Patients with SSc–PAH and IPAH underwent CMR, echocardiography, and NCM with post-occlusive reactivity hyperaemia (PORH) testing on the same day. CMR imaging included T2 (oedema), native, and post-contrast T1 mapping to measure the extracellular volume fraction (ECV, fibrosis) and adenosine-stress-perfusion imaging measuring the relative myocardial upslope (microvascular coronary perfusion). Measures of peripheral microvascular function were related to CMR indices of oedema, fibrosis, and myocardial perfusion. SSc-PAH patients (n = 20) had higher T2 values and a trend towards a higher ECV, compared with IPAH patients (n = 5), and a lower nailfold capillary density (NCD) and reduced capillary recruitment after PORH. NCD correlated with ECV and T2 (r = −0.443 and −0.464, respectively, P < 0.05 for both) and with markers of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography. PORH testing, but not NCD, correlated with the relative myocardial upslope (r = 0.421, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

SSc-PAH patients showed higher markers of cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, compared with IPAH patients. These markers correlated well with peripheral microvascular dysfunction, suggesting that SSc-driven inflammation and vasculopathy concurrently affect peripheral microcirculation and the heart. This may contribute to the disproportionate high mortality in SSc–PAH.
The feasibility of motivational interviewing on adherence to care practices, emotional intelligence, and dispositional optimism among patients with permanent pacemakers
Authors: Khedr Mahmoud Abdelwahab , Ali Eman Abdeen , Sanhoury Mohamed Ibrahim , Hussein Rasha Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Aims

Motivational interviewing (MI) has been recognized as highly effective for treating chronic diseases and various conditions, with encouraging results demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting health behaviour change. The current study was proposed to evaluate the feasibility of MI on adherence to care practices, emotional intelligence (EI), and dispositional optimism among patients with permanent pacemakers.

Methods and results

This study was a parallel arm randomized controlled trial. Seventy clients with permanent pacemakers were randomly allocated to a six-session MI intervention (n = 35) or a waiting list control group (n = 35). A statistically significant improvement in the mean scores of adherence to care practices, EI, and dispositional optimism, along with a significant reduction in pessimism, was registered among the study group compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Following the intervention for 1- and 2-month follow-up measurements, there were statistically significant improvements in self-care practice adherence. After 1 month of intervention, there were statistically significant gains in EI and dispositional optimism, but at the 2-month follow-up measurement, this improvement had somewhat lessened. The findings suggest that MI may be a feasible and practical approach for improving adherence to care practices, EI, and dispositional optimism in patients with permanent pacemakers.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05883514
Remnant cholesterol and intensive blood pressure control in older patients with hypertension: a post hoc analysis of the STEP randomized trial
Authors: Yang Ruixue , Zhang Juyan , Yu Xiaoxu , Yang Guohong , Cai Jun
Published: January 2024

Aims

Emerging evidence shows a close relationship between remnant cholesterol (RC) and hypertension. However, it is unknown whether RC is associated with the effects of intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering on cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods and results

We performed a post hoc analysis of the Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients (STEP) trial. Participants were randomly allocated to intensive (110 to <130 mmHg) or standard (130 to <150 mmHg) treatment groups. The effects of intensive SBP lowering on the primary composite outcome (stroke, acute coronary syndrome, acute decompensated heart failure, coronary revascularization, atrial fibrillation, or cardiovascular death), the components thereof, and all-cause mortality were analysed by the tertile of baseline RC (lowest, middle, and highest). We followed 8206 patients for 3.33 years (median). The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for the primary outcome were 1.06 (0.73–1.56), 0.58 (0.38–0.87), and 0.67 (0.46–0.96) in the lowest, middle, and highest RC tertiles, respectively (P for interaction = 0.11). However, significant heterogeneity in the treatment effects was observed when comparing the upper two tertiles with the lowest tertile (P for interaction = 0.033). For all-cause mortality, the adjusted HRs (95% CI) were 2.48 (1.30–4.73), 1.37 (0.71–2.65), and 0.42 (0.22–0.80) in the lowest, middle, and highest RC tertiles, respectively (P for interaction <0.0001).

Conclusion

Baseline RC concentrations were associated with the effects of intensive SBP lowering on the primary composite cardiovascular outcome and all-cause mortality in hypertensive patients. These results are hypothesis-generating and merit further study.

Registration

STEP ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT03015311
Exploring sex variations in the incidence of cardiovascular events: a counterfactual decomposition analysis
Authors: Castel-Feced Sara , Malo Sara , Aguilar-Palacio Isabel , Maldonado Lina , Rabanaque María José , San Sebastián Miguel
Published: January 2024

Background

Some cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) that occur differently in men and women can be addressed to reduce the risk of suffering a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). Furthermore, the development of MACE is highly influenced by social determinants of health. Counterfactual decomposition analysis is a new methodology that has the potential to be used to disentangle the role of different factors in health inequalities. This study aimed to assess sex differences in the incidence of MACE and to estimate how much of the difference could be attributed to the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods

Descriptive and counterfactual analyses were conducted in a population of 278 515 people with CVRFs. The contribution of the causal factors was estimated by comparing the observed risk ratio with the causal factor distribution that would have been observed if men had been set to have the same factor distribution as women. The study period was between 2018 and 2021.

Results

The most prevalent CVRF was hypercholesterolaemia, which was similar in both sexes, while diabetes was more prevalent in men. The incidence of MACE was higher in men than in women. The main causal mediating factors that contributed to the sex differences were diabetes and SES, the latter with an offsetting effect.

Conclusions

This result suggests that to reduce the MACE gap between sexes, diabetes prevention programmes targeting men and more gender-equal salary policies should be implemented.
Bourgeois Enlightenment revivified
Authors: Bell David A
Published: January 2024

This article, inspired by Colin Jones’ ‘Bourgeois revolution revivified’, calls on historians to pay renewed attention to the social and economic contexts of the French Enlightenment, and its relationship to the rise of commercial capitalism. It criticizes influential works in the ‘social history of ideas’ for placing too much emphasis on the compatibility of the Enlightenment and Old Regime social structures, and instead suggests that French Enlightenment writing had a symbiotic relationship to the period’s consumer revolution. This relationship becomes clear if we recognize that consumerism centrally involved practices of self-cultivation. French Enlightenment writing not only provided the expanding reading public of the eighteenth century with tools and guides for self-cultivation, but actively encouraged the process through the styles and genres with which it sought to appeal to and interact with this public. The article concludes by noting that in the political context of late eighteenth-century France, social experience and intellectual exploration alike metamorphosed into pointed social critique, which worked especially to the benefit of the upper Third Estate—that is to say, France’s emerging bourgeoisie.
Aging and Caring: Exploring Older Adults’ Motivation for Informal Caregiving to Other Aging Individuals in Nigeria
Authors: Ezulike Juliet Chigozie Donatus , Lu Shiyu , Chiu Marcus Yu Lung
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Because of the global population aging, more informal carers become older adults. In Nigeria, the African country with the largest population of adults aged 60 years and older, self-construal rooted in the African collectivist philosophy generally shapes informal caregiving for older adults. However, there is a general paucity of studies on older adults’ informal caregiving roles, particularly about their motivations for caregiving. This study explored older adults’ motives for informal caregiving to their care recipients in urban Southeast Nigeria.

Research Design and Methods

This study adopted a hermeneutic phenomenological research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 purposively selected older adults aged 54–88 who were the primary carers of other older adults in the family and community. The collected data were analyzed using van Manen’s thematic analysis method, using QSR NVivo 12 software.

Results

A total of 4 main themes emerged from the participants’ responses: reciprocity of kindness, altruism, a sense of moral responsibility, and eagerness for peaceful longevity. The findings generally showed that religion and culture were the latent factors ingrained in these motivations for informal caregiving.

Discussion and Implications

Although the African philosophy emphasizes altruism, reciprocity seems more prominent in specific traditional African communities, as observed in Southeast Nigeria. It serves as a means to prioritize family members’ needs. The findings indicate the need for the government to establish sustainable programs and policies that support older people in their caregiving role. Doing so will enable carers to derive psychosocial gains from informal caregiving and sustain the caregiving culture of Nigeria.
The effectiveness of a government-sponsored health protection scheme in reducing financial risks for the below-poverty-line population in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md Zahid , Ahmed Sayem , Mehdi Gazi Golam , Ahmed Mohammad Wahid , Arifeen Shams El , Chowdhury Mahbub Elahi
Published: January 2024

The Government of Bangladesh is piloting a non-contributory health protection scheme called Shasthyo Surokhsha Karmasuchi (SSK) to increase access to quality essential healthcare services for the below-poverty-line (BPL) population. This paper assesses the effect of the SSK scheme on out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for healthcare, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and economic impoverishment of the enrolled population. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Tangail District, where the SSK was implemented. From August 2019 to March 2020, a total of 2315 BPL households (HHs) (1170 intervention and 1145 comparison) that had at least one individual with inpatient care experience in the last 12 months were surveyed. A household is said to have incurred CHE if their OOPE for healthcare exceeds the total (or non-food) HH’s expenditure threshold. Multiple regression analysis was performed using OOPE, incidence of CHE and impoverishment as dependent variables and SSK membership status, actual BPL status and benefits use status as the main explanatory variables. Overall, the OOPE was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the intervention areas (Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) 23 366) compared with the comparison areas (BDT 24 757). Regression analysis revealed that the OOPE, CHE incidence at threshold of 10% of total expenditure and 40% of non-food expenditure and impoverishment were 33% (P < 0.01), 46% (P < 0.01), 42% (P < 0.01) and 30% (P < 0.01) lower, respectively, in the intervention areas than in the comparison areas. Additionally, HHs that utilized SSK benefits experienced even lower OOPE by 92% (P < 0.01), CHE incidence at 10% and 40% threshold levels by 72% (P < 0.01) and 59% (P < 0.01), respectively, and impoverishment by 27% at 10% level of significance. These findings demonstrated the significant positive effect of the SSK in reducing financial burdens associated with healthcare utilization among the enrolled HHs. This illustrates the importance of the nationwide scaling up of the scheme in Bangladesh to reduce the undue financial risk of healthcare utilization for those in poverty.
Do patients who read visit notes on the patient portal have a higher rate of “loop closure” on diagnostic tests and referrals in primary care? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bell Sigall K , Amat Maelys J , Anderson Timothy S , Aronson Mark D , Benneyan James C , Fernandez Leonor , Ricci Dru A , Salant Talya , Schiff Gordon D , Shafiq Umber , Singer Sara J , Sternberg Scot B , Zhang Cancan , Phillips Russell S
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The 2021 US Cures Act may engage patients to help reduce diagnostic errors/delays. We examined the relationship between patient portal registration with/without note reading and test/referral completion in primary care.

Materials and methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients with visits from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, and order for (1) colonoscopy, (2) dermatology referral for concerning lesions, or (3) cardiac stress test at 2 academic primary care clinics. We examined differences in timely completion (“loop closure”) of tests/referrals for (1) patients who used the portal and read ≥1 note (Portal + Notes); (2) those with a portal account but who did not read notes (Portal Account Only); and (3) those who did not register for the portal (No Portal). We estimated the predictive probability of loop closure in each group after adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical factors using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 12 849 tests/referrals, loop closure was more common among Portal+Note-readers compared to their counterparts for all tests/referrals (54.2% No Portal, 57.4% Portal Account Only, 61.6% Portal+Notes, P < .001). In adjusted analysis, compared to the No Portal group, the odds of loop closure were significantly higher for Portal Account Only (OR 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4), and Portal+Notes (OR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.6) groups. Beyond portal registration, note reading was independently associated with loop closure (P = .002).

Discussion and conclusion

Compared to no portal registration, the odds of loop closure were 20% higher in tests/referrals for patients with a portal account, and 40% higher in tests/referrals for note readers, after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical factors. However, important safety gaps from unclosed loops remain, requiring additional engagement strategies.
Utilization of Topical Polysporin and Triamcinolone for the Treatment of Hypergranulation Tissue
Authors: Maynell Kimberly Brown , West William , Marek Jenna , Wright Benjamin , Bodnar Michael , Le Nicole K , Whalen Kristen , Taylor Loryn , Troy Jared , Smith David , Laun Jake
Published: January 2024

Hypergranulation is the abnormal accumulation of granulation tissue in a wound and is commonly seen in burns. It impairs wound healing and can predispose patients to infection. There is no gold standard treatment for hypergranulation tissue, but some options include surgical debridement, chemical cautery with silver nitrate, and topical steroids. Silver nitrate treatment is painful and can lead to scarring, so topical steroid use is on the rise. A retrospective review, between January 1, 2017 and August 30, 2021, at a tertiary burn center was performed to analyze outcomes of hypergranulation tissue after treatment with a topical 50/50 mixture of triamcinolone (Perrigo, Dublin, Ireland) and Polysporin (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ). One hundred and sixteen patients were treated with triamcinolone and Polysporin for hypergranulation tissue, although 24 did not meet inclusion criteria. Eighty-eight out of 92 patients were successfully treated until hypergranulation resolution, while 4/92(4.3%) required silver nitrate or surgery despite the topical cream to achieve resolution. In the 88 patients successfully treated until hypergranulation resolution, 99 areas of hypergranulation were treated. Forty-one of 99 (41.4%) hypergranulation areas resolved within 2 weeks. The average time to hypergranulation resolution was 27.5 ± 2.5 days. We found that a novel 50/50 mixture of triamcinolone and Polysporin topical ointment is an effective and safe treatment for hypergranulation tissue in burn wounds. Further prospective studies are needed to determine its efficacy and safety profile.
LepR-expressing cells are a critical population in periodontal healing post periodontitis
Authors: Xu Chunmei , Xie Xudong , Shi Peilei , Xue Kun , Li Yue , Wu Yafei , Wang Jun
Published: January 2024

Identification of promising seed cells plays a pivotal role in achieving tissue regeneration. This study demonstrated that LepR-expressing cells (LepR+ cells) are required for maintaining periodontal homeostasis at the adult stage. We further investigated how LepR+ cells behave in periodontal healing using a ligature-induced periodontitis (PD) and a self-healing murine model with LepRCre/+; R26RtdTomato/+ mice. Lineage tracing experiments revealed that the largely suppressed osteogenic ability of LepR+ cells results from periodontal inflammation. Periodontal defects were partially recovered when the ligature was removed, in which the osteogenic differentiation of LepR+ cell lineage was promoted and contributed to the newly formed alveolar bone. A cell ablation model established with LepRCre/+; R26RtdTomato/+; R26RDTA/+ mice further proved that LepR+ cells are an important cell source of newly formed alveolar bone. Expressions of β-catenin and LEF1 in LepR+ cells were upregulated when the inflammatory stimuli were removed, which are consistent with the functional changes observed during periodontal healing. Furthermore, the conditional upregulation of WNT signaling or the application of sclerostin neutralized antibody promoted the osteogenic function of LepR+ cells. In contrast, the specific knockdown of β-catenin in LepR+ human periodontal ligament cells with small interfering RNA caused arrested osteogenic function. Our findings identified the LepR+ cell lineage as a critical cell population for endogenous periodontal healing post PD, which is regulated by the WNT signaling pathway, making it a promising seed cell population in periodontal tissue regeneration.
Osteoclast-specific Plastin 3 knockout in mice fail to develop osteoporosis despite dramatic increased osteoclast resorption activity
Authors: Maus Ilka , Dreiner Maren , Zetzsche Sebastian , Metzen Fabian , Ross Bryony C , Mählich Daniela , Koch Manuel , Niehoff Anja , Wirth Brunhilde
Published: January 2024

PLS3 loss-of-function mutations in humans and mice cause X-linked primary osteoporosis. However, it remains largely unknown how PLS3 mutations cause osteoporosis and which function PLS3 plays in bone homeostasis. A recent study showed that ubiquitous Pls3 KO in mice results in osteoporosis. Mainly osteoclasts were impacted in their function However, it has not been proven if osteoclasts are the major cell type affected and responsible for osteoporosis development in ubiquitous Pls3 KO mice. Here, we generated osteoclast-specific Pls3 KO mice. Additionally, we developed a novel polyclonal PLS3 antibody that showed specific PLS3 loss in immunofluorescence staining of osteoclasts in contrast to previously available antibodies against PLS3, which failed to show PLS3 specificity in mouse cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that osteoclast-specific Pls3 KO causes dramatic increase in resorptive activity of osteoclasts in vitro. Despite these findings, osteoclast-specific Pls3 KO in vivo failed to cause any osteoporotic phenotype in mice as proven by micro-CT and three-point bending test. This demonstrates that the pathomechanism of PLS3-associated osteoporosis is highly complex and cannot be reproduced in a system singularly focused on one cell type. Thus, the loss of PLS3 in alternative bone cell types might contributes to the osteoporosis phenotype in ubiquitous Pls3 KO mice.