bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics of Headache in Older Patients Visiting a Regional Headache Center in Japan
Authors: Kikui Shoji , Danno Daisuke , Ishizaki Kumiko , Sugiyama Hanako , Murakata Kenji , Ota Kuniko , Kashiwaya Yoshihiro , Takeshima Takao
Published: January 2025

Aim

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of older Japanese patients with headache.

Methods

We collected data for 212 consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who visited the Tominaga Hospital Headache Center between January 1 and December 31, 2018. The headaches were classified according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition.

Results

The mean patient age was 72.9 ± 5.7 years. Sixty‐two patients (29.2%) were male and 150 (70.8%) were female. The diagnoses were primary headache (75.9%), secondary headache (6.1%), facial pain syndrome (16.0%), and others (1.9%). Primary headaches occurred predominantly in women (71.4%) and included migraine (36.6%), tension‐type headache (TTH, 56.5%), cluster headache (1.2%), and others (5.6%). The migraine subtypes were migraine without aura (27.1%) and migraine with aura (32.2%). Chronic migraine occurred in 40.7% of patients, with 11 cases involving medication overuse. TTHs could be episodic (59.3%) or chronic (40.7%). The most common secondary headaches were infection‐related (38.4%) or vascular (23.1%). Facial pain syndrome included occipital neuralgia (67.6%), typical trigeminal neuralgia (23.5%), and painful trigeminal neuropathy (8.8%).

Conclusions

Approximately 75% of older patients with headache had a primary headache disorder, with TTH being the most common. Chronic headache, including chronic migraine and chronic TTH, was found in 28.7% of patients, indicating a high prevalence among older patients. Secondary headache is reportedly common in older patients but was found in only 6.1% of patients in this study, possibly because cases requiring urgent care tend to visit an emergency room rather than a headache clinic.
Reworking Nursing Expertise: Directors of Nursing's Tactics to (Re)Connect Knowledge and Power in Hospital Governance
Authors: Martini Dieke , Noordegraaf Mirko , Schoonhoven Lisette , Spits Jet , Van Bokhorst Pauline , Lalleman Pieterbas
Published: January 2025

Shared governance in hospitals promotes the inclusion of nurses' expertise, knowledge and skills in organisational processes, and nurses increasingly fulfil positions in organisational hierarchies. However, incorporating nursing expertise in strategic governance structures might be complicated, as these structures are primarily linked to managerial and biomedical expertise. Drawing on a Foucauldian perspective on knowledge and power, intertwined and embedded in everyday (inter)actions, we study how newly appointed directors of nursing challenge these dominant ‘modes of knowing’. By focusing on a (Dutch) healthcare organisation, a large academic medical centre, we gained insight into how the history of director of nursing roles relates to how nursing expertise is valued. We gathered qualitative data (from multiple sources) to get close to the daily practices of these directors. In this way, we were able to highlight three tactics that enable directors to relate to new ‘knowledge‐power knots’: (1) positioning, by creating more unity; (2) profiling, by showing significance and (3) powering, by being alert and intervening. With these tactics, the directors of nursing try to embed themselves and their expertise in hospital governance. This study contributes to an everyday understanding of power and the tactics that directors of nursing employ as an ongoing practice. This provides practical starting points for embedding nursing in governance and decision‐making.
Manipulating stomatal aperture by silencing StSLAC1 affects potato plant–herbivore–parasitoid tritrophic interactions under drought stress
Authors: He Xiaoli , Wang Yizhou , Munawar Asim , Zhu Jinxian , Zhong Jian , Zhang Yadong , Guo Han , Zhu Zengrong , Baldwin Ian T. , Zhou Wenwu
Published: January 2025

The effects of drought stress on stomatal opening dynamics, plant volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and plant–insect interactions have been well‐documented individually, but how they interact mechanistically remains poorly studied.

Here, we studied how drought‐triggered stomatal closure affects VOC emission and plant–trophic interactions by combining RNAi silencing, molecular biological and chemical analyses (GC‐MS) of a potato‐tuber moth‐egg parasitoid tritrophic system.

Drought stress attenuated stomatal apertures and VOC emissions, which made the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants more attractive to the herbivore but less attractive to the parasitoid. Stomatal aperture manipulations through StSLAC1 gene knockdown and chemical treatments (ABA and 5‐aminolevulinic acid) consistently affected drought‐triggered VOC emissions and plant–herbivore–parasitoid interactions, supporting aperture‐dependent VOC emission. RNA‐Seq analysis revealed that drought stress did not transcriptionally inhibit VOC biosynthesis.

Collectively, our findings are consistent with the stomatal regulation of plant–insect interactions through the modulation of VOC emissions under drought stress. This highlights the intricate interplay between stomatal dynamics, VOC emission and plant–insect interactions.
Health and Social Problems of Refugee Women and Their Children: A Qualitative Case Study
Authors: Adibelli Derya , Şahan Özlem
Published: January 2025

Objective

We intend to examine the health and social problems of refugee women and their children in this research.

Design

A qualitative case study.

Sample

We conducted this study between December 2022 and January 2023 with 19 refugee women aged 18–49 years.

Measurements

We used the snowball sampling method for data collection, and individual in‐depth interviews were conducted. We completely transcribed the interviews and then main themes and sub‐themes were created. To ensure reliability, two independent external coders were asked to code the themes and sub‐themes, and Kappa analysis was performed according to the results. We found the Kappa analysis value as 0.87. After the analysis of the study data, we conducted the thematic content analysis on the Nvivo 10 software.

Results

We emerged the main themes following the qualitative data analysis were (1) experiences during migration, (2) communication while receiving health services, (3) childhood immunization status, (4) deciding to have a child, (5) deciding on the number of children, (6) use of family planning methods, and (7) the person with priority in the family.

Conclusion

This research indicated that childhood immunization in refugee children was inadequate, refugee women did not know about family planning methods, and even if they did, they did not use these methods because they wanted to have many children.
BBX22 enhances the accumulation of antioxidants to inhibit DNA damage and promotes DNA repair under high UV‐B
Authors: Job Nikhil , Dwivedi Shubhi , Lingwan Maneesh , Datta Sourav
Published: January 2025

Under changing climatic conditions, plant exposure to high‐intensity UV‐B can be a potential threat to plant health and all plant‐derived human requirements, including food. It's crucial to understand how plants respond to high UV‐B radiation so that proper measures can be taken to enhance tolerance towards high UV‐B stress. We found that BBX22, a B‐box protein‐coding gene, is strongly induced within one hour of exposure to high‐intensity UV‐B. Our metabolomics data indicated that BBX22 promotes the accumulation of antioxidants like ascorbic acid and proline. These antioxidants play a vital role in shielding plants exposed to high UV‐B from the detrimental effects of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), including DNA damage. Additionally, BBX22 promotes DNA damage repair by inducing the expression of DNA repair genes like UVR1 and UVR3. BBX22 directly binds to the promoter of UVR1 to regulate its expression. Furthermore, BBX22 indirectly induces the expression of UVR1 and UVR3 by enhancing the binding of HY5 to their promoters. Together, these results suggest a multi‐pronged role of BBX22 in protection against high‐intensity UV‐B. Enhancing BBX22 levels or its orthologs in different plant species can potentially offer DNA damage protection and tolerance against intense UV radiation.
The impact of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on anterior cingulate cortex activity in a cognitive control task
Authors: Sönmez Özde , Holstein Elfriede , Puschmann Sebastian , Schmitt Tina , Witt Karsten , Thiel Christiane M.
Published: January 2025

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) offers a non‐invasive method to enhance noradrenergic neurotransmission in the human brain, thereby increasing cognitive control. Here, we investigate if changes in cognitive control induced by tVNS are mediated through locus coeruleus‐induced modifications of neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex. Young healthy participants engaged in a simple cognitive control task focusing on response inhibition and a more complex task that involved both response inhibition and working memory, inside a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The tasks were executed using a randomized within‐subject design, with participants undergoing auricular tVNS and sham stimulation in separate sessions. tVNS significantly changed performance in the simple control task reflected in a greater propensity to respond. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex during the simple cognitive control task under tVNS. Functional connectivity analyses revealed positive coupling between neural activity in the locus coeruleus and anterior cingulate cortex, however, this was not modulated by tVNS. The findings suggest that non‐invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve can modulate neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex. While these neural effects suggest an impact of tVNS in a key region involved in conflict monitoring and cognitive control, the behavioral effects are more indicative of a shift in response bias rather than enhanced cognitive control.
Toward risk analysis of the impact of artificial intelligence on the deliberate biological threat landscape
Authors: Walsh Matthew E.
Published: January 2025

The perception that the convergence of biological engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) could enable increased biorisk has recently drawn attention to the governance of biotechnology and AI. The 2023 Executive Order, Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, requires an assessment of how AI can increase biorisk. Within this perspective, quantitative and qualitative frameworks for evaluating biorisk are presented. Both frameworks are exercised using notional scenarios and their benefits and limitations are then discussed. Finally, the perspective concludes by noting that assessment and evaluation methodologies must keep pace with advances of AI in the life sciences.
Adaptation of the Chinese Ethnic to the Manado Local Community
Authors: Suryani Khotimah , Raya Moch. Khafidz Fuad , Mahmutarom  , Hernawati Sari
Published: January 2025

This article contributes to the study of adaptation aspects of ethnic Chinese in Eastern Indonesia today by emphasizing the long history of the existence dynamics of this ethnic group through the affirmation of its identity and the acceleration of its trans‐local relations. This article investigates the strategies of the Chinese‐Manadonese diaspora in terms of socio‐cultural, business and political aspects. This study uses qualitative‐interpretive methods with two methods of data collection: publications and field excavations, such as observation and interviews, with participants from several Chinese Manadonese. This study found that ethnic Chinese, in their adaptation mission, use economic expansion efforts, maintain their Chinese names based on their sub‐ethnicity, establish educational foundations and form internal cross‐ethnic networking communities and involvement in government politics. This study argues that the adaptation mission of ethnic minorities starts from economic expansion, strengthening identity and seeking asylum in government politics in their diaspora countries.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with inborn errors of immunity: A single centre experience
Authors: Arman Bilir Özlem , Karaatmaca Betül , Ok Bozkaya İkbal , Kanbur Şerife Mehtap , Kaçar Dilek , Metin Ayşe , Özbek Namık Yaşar
Published: January 2025

This study retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 61 pediatric patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) between 2011 and 2023. Patients were categorized into primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD), primary immune dysregulation disorders (PIRD), and congenital defects of phagocyte number or function (CDP). Median ages at diagnosis and HSCT were 9 and 30 months, respectively. With a median follow‐up of 51 months, the overall survival (OS) was 70%, with a 100‐day post‐transplant OS of 80%. Transplant‐related mortality (TRM) was 29%, with rates of 42%, 22.5%, and 27% for PIRD, PIDD, and CDP, respectively. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and HSCT in improving survival for IEI patients, while also emphasizing the need for continuous improvements in transplant protocols to minimize TRM and enhance quality of life.
Assessing the impact of land use on peat degradation in bogs in the Enns Valley, Austria
Authors: Deng Yujing , Boodoo Kyle S. , Knorr Klaus‐Holger , Glatzel Stephan
Published: January 2025

Peatlands are important reservoirs of soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Conversion of peatlands for agriculture and forestry has led to the degradation of over 50% of European peatlands – resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination because of nutrient leaching. However, few studies have investigated the effects of land use change on peatlands with a similar history of development, and even fewer have explored these impacts on deeper peat layers (down to 80 cm). Here, we use multiple physicochemical indicators to assess peat degradation at three peat bog sites with varying land uses, but which share a similar origin. Peat cores were collected in triplicate from: a near‐pristine bog, an afforested bog, and an agricultural intensive meadow. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering showed that intensive meadow management, with regular fertilizer application and drainage, primarily affected the reworked surface layer (0–30) cm, with higher bulk density and greater humification, leading to potentially irreversible changes in physical properties and carbon export dynamics. Meanwhile, deeper layers (30–80 cm) remained similar to near‐pristine conditions. In contrast, peat afforestation management, typically involving deep ploughing and continued drainage over ca. 60 years, led to elevated inorganic nitrogen concentrations in the upper 0–40 cm, and increased bulk density and greater humification, down to 80 cm depth. Taken together, our results indicate that afforestation and intensive agricultural management practices—such as nutrient input, drainage, and deep ploughing—not only alter carbon and nutrient export dynamics and chemical characteristics, but also induce changes in the physical properties of peat, with notable distinctions between surface and deeper layers. Therefore, management and restoration strategies should be carefully developed to address the unique impacts of each specific land‐use type.
Pre‐screening donor eligibility to avoid a deferral in the blood donation center: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Gemelli Carley N. , Karki Surendra , Diaz Perfecto , Scott Andrew , Davison Tanya E.
Published: January 2025

Background

The application of a temporary deferral when attempting to donate has a negative impact on retention. Little has been done to reduce the likelihood of a donor attending to donate, only to be found to be ineligible. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pre‐screening donors when making an appointment, to prevent in‐center deferrals.

Study Design and Methods

Donation attempts were collated between July and December 2020. Two segments were identified: (1) those who had a deferral applied and (2) those who successfully donated. Donor and donation characteristics examined included age, sex, prior donation history, deferral history, and appointment booking channel (pre‐screened vs. not pre‐screened). We also explored the impact of pre‐screening on the subsequent donation behavior of those who were deferred.

Results

Overall, 3.2% of donation attempts resulted in a deferral being applied. Most donors booked an appointment via a pre‐screening channel (69.9%), with the mobile app being the most popular (31.9%). Donors who booked via a pre‐screening channel had lower odds of receiving a deferral (aOR: 0.86). Strongest effects were observed for new donors (aOR: 0.79), those aged ≤40 years. (aOR: 0.84) and those deferred in the past (aOR: 0.87). Deferred donors who booked by a pre‐screening channel were more likely to return at 6 months (aHR: 1.09) and 12 months (aHR: 1.12) compared to those who did not book through a pre‐screening channel.

Discussion

Pre‐screening donors is a simple and effective approach to reduce the number of donors deferred when presenting to donate in the donation center, with a longer‐term impact on donor retention.
Preservation of Cardiac Xenografts in a Model of Infant Human Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Mitchell Chace B. , Simmons Joe , Vo Clementine , Bakshi Kanwarpal , Juliani Julie , Fenske Julie , Hodo Carolyn L. , Cleveland David C. , Cleveland John D.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

There is no standard protocol for management of organ preservation for orthotopic, life‐sustaining cardiac xenotransplantation, particularly for hearts from pediatric sized donors. Standard techniques and solutions successful in human allotransplantation are not viable. We theorized that a solution commonly used in reparative cardiac surgery in human children would suffice by exploiting the advantages inherent to xenotransplantation, namely the ability to reduce organ ischemic times by co‐locating the donor and recipient.

Methods

Orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation was performed from genetically engineered pigs to size matched baboons. A dose of modified Del Nido cardioplegia initiated donor heart arrest and was followed by a second dose mixed with recipient blood prior to implant. Hemodynamics and cardiac function were tracked with a combination of invasive and non‐invasive measures.

Results

Mean ischemic time and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 54.1 ± 14.6 and 84.1 ± 14 min respectively. The ejection fraction following chest closure was preserved at >50% for all animals. This finding persisted at 48hours. Mean inotropic score at 24 h post‐implant was 9.7 ± 3.

Conclusion

Del Nido cardioplegia solution when combined with short graft ischemic times demonstrates promising outcomes to avoid primary graft dysfunction for cardiac xenografts in a small animal model of life‐sustaining orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation. Ex vivo perfusion systems may be unnecessary for successful clinical implementation of this evolving technology.
Predicting high‐performance decathlon career best
Authors: Battles Perry , Noble Tyler J. , Chapman Robert F.
Published: January 2025

The decathlon is a 10‐event discipline in the sport of track and field, typically offered only for men at the elite level of competition (heptathlon is the complementary event for women). It is composed of 10 distinct events contested over 2 days. Using event‐specific coefficients, marks are converted to scores, which sum to produce an overall score. Ten events that share some underlying features, but also some disparate features, create a challenge for coaches and sports administrators in identifying potential elite talent and developing it optimally across the career. In this investigation, decathletes were profiled on the basis of keeping performances ≥6400 points and including only those participants who competed in ≥4 years
. Using gamma generalized linear regression models, the first‐season best mark and improvement in each event were related to all‐time career best. Coefficients were compared to infer priorities for elite decathlete selection (using first‐season best marks in each event) and development (using the delta or improvement in each event). These data show that the most crucial event for identifying an athlete with a future potential elite all‐time career best is the pole vault, followed by the javelin throw, long jump and shot put. For optimal career development, the data suggest athletes obtain the most return by focusing on improvement in the pole vault and long jump.
Calibration of RAFM Micromechanical Model for Creep Using Bayesian Optimization for Functional Output
Authors: Huang Chaofan , Aduloju Sunday , Fritz John , Joseph V. Roshan , Messner Mark , Truster Timothy
Published: January 2025

A Bayesian optimization procedure is presented for calibrating a multimechanism micromechanical model for creep to experimental data of F82H steel. Reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steels based on Fe(8–9)%Cr are the most promising candidates for some fusion reactor structures. Although there are indications that RAFM steel could be viable for fusion applications at temperatures up to 600∘C, the maximum operating temperature will be determined by the creep properties of the structural material and the breeder material compatibility with the structural material. Due to the relative paucity of available creep data on F82H steel compared to other alloys such as Grade 91 steel, micromechanical models are sought for simulating creep based on relevant deformation mechanisms. As a point of departure, this work recalibrates a model form that was previously proposed for Grade 91 steel to match creep curves for F82H steel. Due to the large number of parameters (9) and cost of the nonlinear simulations, an automated approach for tuning the parameters is pursued using a recently developed Bayesian optimization for functional output (BOFO) framework (Huang et al., 2021, “Bayesian optimization of functional output in inverse problems,” Optim. Eng., 22, pp. 2553–2574). Incorporating extensions such as batch sequencing and weighted experimental load cases into BOFO, a reasonably small error between experimental and simulated creep curves at two load levels is achieved in a reasonable number of iterations. Validation with an additional creep curve provides confidence in the fitted parameters obtained from the automated calibration procedure to describe the creep behavior of F82H steel.
Femtosecond Laser Two-Step Rotary Drilling Method for SiCf/SiC Composites
Authors: Dong Zhigang , Ma Hongbin , Li Zhaoji , Yang Feng , Bao Yan , Kang Renke , Ma Guangyi
Published: January 2025

A femtosecond laser method for high-quality and high-efficiency micro-hole fabrication of SiCf/SiC composites is proposed for this difficult-to-machine material. The influence of optical wedge parameters in the femtosecond laser rotary optical system on the size of the generated annular beam spot and the beam deflection angle was investigated. And the processing parameters of femtosecond laser drilling were obtained by single-layer ablation considering efficiency and quality. By implementing two-step rotary drilling, micro-holes with an entrance diameter of 501.4 μm, an exit diameter of 499.6 μm, a taper of 0.02 deg, and good quality at both ends were achieved. The evolution process and mechanism of hole formation in two-step rotary drilling have been demonstrated. Material removal and the phase changes of elements were studied, and no significant processing damage was observed in the cross-sections of SiC fibers and SiC matrix. By employing the two-step rotary drilling method, micro-holes with an aspect ratio of 6 were fabricated within a processing time of 145 s. This work provides technical support for high-quality and high-efficiency processing of SiCf/SiC composites using femtosecond laser technology.
A Minimum Potential Energy-Based Nonlocal Physics-Informed Deep Learning Method for Solid Mechanics
Authors: Ma Jianxiang , Zhou Xiaoping
Published: January 2025

Although success is achieved by physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) as a deep learning solver in many fields, they face some challenges when solving solid mechanics problems. The most notable challenges include the neural network mapping of discontinuous field functions and the time-consuming of training PINNs. To tackle these challenges, this article proposes a minimum potential energy-based nonlocal physics-informed deep learning method (MPE-nPINNs), instead of relying on physical constraints expressed in strong form partial differential equations (PDEs). Additionally, we redesign the neural network structure by integrating peridynamic damage features as additional inputs, which can enhance the ability of the networks to describe the discontinuous field and reduce the size of the networks. We evaluate the training efficiency of the proposed method in problems of solid mechanics through comparative examples, and we verify the effectiveness of incorporating peridynamic damage features into optimizing the network structure. The numerical results indicate that the MPE-nPINNs method exhibits superior convergence speed and effectively characterizes discontinuous field functions with fewer number of hyperparameters of neural networks. This study has significant importance in enhancing the generalization ability of physics-informed neural networks and expediting optimization processes.
Application of J-Integral to a Random Elastic Medium
Authors: Eliáš Jan , Martinásek Josef , Le Jia-Liang
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the use of the J-integral to compute the statistics of the energy release rate of a random elastic medium. The spatial variability of the elastic modulus is modeled as a homogeneous lognormal random field. Within the framework of Monte Carlo simulation, a modified contour integral is applied to evaluate the first and second statistical moments of the energy release rate. These results are compared with the energy release rate calculated from the potential energy function. The comparison shows that, if the random field of elastic modulus is homogenous in space, the path independence of the classical J-integral remains valid for calculating the mean energy release rate. However, this path independence does not extend to the higher order statistical moments. The simulation further reveals the effect of the correlation length of the spatially varying elastic modulus on the energy release rate of the specimen.
Physiological Responses of Elite Cheerleaders During Training and Simulated Competition Routines
Authors: Riddell Saida , Zinner Christoph , Lubiak Sean M. , Tiralla Gillian , Foster Travis , Tamulevicius Nauris , Quittmann Oliver J. , Lange Martin , Gavanda Simon
Published: January 2025

Purpose: Competitive cheerleading (cheersport) is a physically demanding sport; however, there is a lack of information regarding its acute physiological responses during training or competition in these athletes. Thus, this study aimed to investigate these responses during both training sessions and simulated cheerleading competition routines (full-outs) among elite cheersport athletes. Methods: Six Coed and 10 All Girl elite cheerleaders were included in this study. Countermovement-jump (CMJ) height and blood lactate concentration were measured prepractice, after warm-up, after a full-out, and at the end of the training session. Heart rate (HR) was monitored throughout all the sessions. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze changes over time. Results: Most of the training time (51%–68%) was spent between 50% and 69% maximum HR. Only 3% to 4% was spent above 90% HRmax. During full-outs, most of the time (67%–80%), HR was ≥80% maximum HR. The blood lactate concentration was significantly elevated post-full-out (6.4 [1.6] mmol/L) compared with pretraining and post-warm-up (P < .001). In addition, blood lactate concentration was higher after training (3.4 [2.2] mmol/L) compared with prepractice and post-warm-up (P ≤ .025). CMJ height did not change over time (P ≤ .268). Conclusion: Cheersport training leads to a low overall metabolic demand but is interspersed with short, high-intensity “intervals.” The highest intensities were achieved during full-outs, indicating the anaerobic nature of competition routines. Therefore, cheerleaders should train both the aerobic and the anaerobic systems to increase recovery capacity between drills and to maximize anaerobic power during competition.
Lactate Threshold and Swimming Performance in World-Class Open-Water Swimmers
Authors: López-Belmonte Óscar , Baldassarre Roberto , Ruiz-Navarro Jesús J. , Bonifazi Marco , Arellano Raúl , Piacentini Maria Francesca
Published: January 2025

Purpose: The assessment of lactate threshold (LT) and its relationship to open-water (OW) performance is crucial. This study aimed (1) to analyze LT in world-class OW swimmers, (2) to compare swimming speed at LT (SSLT) and 4 mmol·L−1 of blood lactate concentration ([La−]; SS4), and (3) to examine the relationships between SSLT and swimming performance. Methods: Twenty world-class and elite (11 male, 26.4 [3.0] y; 9 female, 25.8 [3.6] y) OW swimmers voluntarily participated. A total of 46 (29 male and 17 female) intermittent incremental tests (7 × 400 m) conducted in a 50-m pool were analyzed. Seasonal best performances on 400-, 800-, and 1500-m and 10-km OW swimming events were obtained. Results: The SSLT was 1.62 (0.02) (3.8 [1.0] mmol·L−1) and 1.46 (0.04) m·s−1 (3.0 [0.7] mmol·L−1) in males and females, respectively, which corresponded to 97% of the peak speed reached in the tests. There were no differences (P = .148) between SSLT and SS4 in males; however, SSLT was lower (P = .019) than SS4 in females. The SSLT was negatively correlated with swimming performance, with the exception of 10-km OW and 400-m times in males and females, respectively. Conclusions: World-class and elite OW swimmers exhibited a greatly developed aerobic capacity with LT close to their maximum speed. The SS4 could be used as an approximation to SSLT in males but overestimates true aerobic capacity in females. LT is a useful tool for assessing performance, as OW swimmers with higher SSLT showed better swimming performance.
Exploring the Rise of Smart Wearables: A Bibliometric Analysis on the Growing Use of Fitness Applications Among Athletes
Authors: Saxena Charu , Singh Manpriya
Published: January 2025

This study explored the rise of smart wearables as an emerging area of research in the field of fitness applications by athletes and aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the intersection of sports, technology, and health. Vos-viewer and R-studio were used to conduct the bibliometric analysis of the data extracted from the Scopus database in the usage of fitness applications by the participants in sports and other physical activities. To gain a holistic view of the current research field, clustering by keywords coupling was used to identify the significant research themes and provide suggestions for future research. The cluster labeled “Smart wearables to access the fitness” is ranked 1 based on highest cluster frequency, centrality, and impact. The findings of thematic analysis of keywords suggest some motor themes, basic themes, niche themes, and emerging themes, as the usage of smart wearables is found to be an emerging theme regarding the increasing utilization of fitness applications by athletes, which suggests the need to integrate fitness applications in physical education to promote fitness in children. The findings also provide valuable insights into trends and advancements in the field of fitness applications, highlighting the potential benefits for athletes, trainers, and researchers alike. As smart wearables continue to evolve, they are expected to play an increasingly integral role in optimizing sport performance and fostering a new era of data-driven training methodologies.
Saving Women’s Sports? The Ideological Underpinnings of U.S. Public Opinions About Trans* Athlete Rights and Sex Testing, Before Widespread Politicization
Authors: Knoester Chris , Hextrum Kirsten
Published: January 2025

This study uses National Sports and Society Survey (N = 3,993) data to further investigate U.S. public opinions about transgender athletes’ rights, rights for athletes with varied sex characteristics, and sex testing. We focus on the additional implications of wanting to support, promote, and watch female athletes; traditional views of women’s idealized physical appearances; and homophobia for adults’ opinions about these issues. Findings revealed that more strongly believing that female athletes are undeserving, suggesting that women should more fully conform to traditionally idealized physical appearances, and expressing more homophobic views were negatively associated with support for transgender athletes’ rights and rights for athletes with varied sex characteristics—including a restriction of their rights due to sex testing.
Community as the Concession: The Construction and Maintenance of Trans Exclusionary Binaries in Australian Sport
Authors: MacDonald Connor
Published: January 2025

Following the publishing of Sport Australia’s trans inclusion guidelines in June 2019, the Australian Football League and Cricket Australia published their own trans inclusion policies. Therefore, this article displays the results of a policy analysis of these policies and analyzes news media coverage, and respective fan responses, using an online survey. Approached from a poststructural and Queer theoretical lens, binaries, such as inclusion versus exclusion, and elite versus community sport were deconstructed. These binaries were demonstrated to often uphold not only dominant sport discourse, but the gender/sex binary thus, restricting advances for full inclusion. Overall, this research lays the groundwork for future exploration of trans inclusion in the policy, news media, and fandom landscape in the Australian context.
Change in dominant orbital cycles led to warm excursions during the middle−late Eocene cooling
Authors: Ma Yiquan , Fan Majie , Lu Yangbo , Zhang Chen , Liu Huimin , Lu Yongchao
Published: January 2025

Orbital-scale hydroclimatic variability in terrestrial environments during the middle−late Eocene warmhouse is important to the understanding of climate dynamics of rhythmic cycles. Here, we report two continuous cyclostratigraphic records derived from shallow to deep lake deposits in East Asia to unravel orbital-scale hydroclimatic fluctuations between 43.22 Ma and 37.48 Ma. Our results show that 40 k.y. obliquity cycles paced hydroclimate dominantly during 43.22−41.57 Ma and 40.20−37.48 Ma, with periods of wetter and warmer climate in obliquity maxima. Obliquity may have forced hydroclimatic fluctuations by modulating the intensity of the East Asian Summer Monsoon, possibly through intricate feedback mechanisms involving high-latitude ice sheets within the climate system. Between 41.57 Ma and 40.20 Ma, 405 k.y. and ∼100 k.y. eccentricity cycles became prominent. We observed transient warming events at the conjunctions of long and short eccentricity maxima. These findings suggest that the switch in the dominant orbital parameter may have disturbed the global carbon cycle, which subsequently led to continental hydroclimatic change. Our study highlights the role of obliquity and eccentricity cycles in influencing climate dynamics and underscores the importance of considering changes in dominant cycles when investigating continental hydroclimatic change.
Liberalism and mitochondrial replacement technique
Authors: Tang Marco
Published: January 2025

How should defenders of liberalism think about access to reproductive technologies? Mitochondrial replacement technique (MRT) enables women with pathogenic variations of mitochondrial disease to have children without the fear of transmission. This technology can also allow lesbians, or partners with female-assigned physiology (PFP), to have genetically related offspring. Cavaliere and Palacios-Gonzalez argue that lesbians should be able to access MRT on autonomy grounds. They argue MRT should not be restricted to those with mitochondrial disease because it is non-therapeutic and invokes the Millian harm principle. Yet, Baylis argues that a desire for genetically related offspring is not sufficient to access MRT because it contributes to harmful social narratives about adopted families. I strengthen Cavaliere and Palacios-Gonzalez’s liberal defence by bringing another liberal commitment—equality. Ultimately, I argue that the liberal state must allow PFPs to use MRT. I first show that the use of MRT by PFPs is permissible even if MRT is therapeutic by comparing MRT with cosmetic surgery—that is, social uses of therapeutic interventions are permitted if we are interested in doing so. Borrowing from Dillard, a possible interest is self-replication. Next, I outline and respond to a possible criticism by Baylis—MRT is necessary but not sufficient for self-replication. Ultimately, I show that the liberal state must permit MRT because (a) it provides PFPs with an equal opportunity to experience having genetically related offspring with their partner and (b) contributing to harmful social narratives is insufficient for limiting autonomy.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome: a germlineTP53splice variant reveals a novel physiological alternative transcript
Authors: Louis Jeanne , Rolain Marion , Levacher Corentin , Baudry Karen , Pujol Pascal , Ruminy Philippe , Baert Desurmont Stéphanie , Bou Jacqueline , Bouvignies Emilie , Coutant Sophie , Kasper Edwige , Lienard Gwendoline , Vasseur Stéphanie , Vezain Myriam , Houdayer Claude , Charbonnier Françoise , Bougeard Gaëlle
Published: January 2025

Background

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) predisposes individuals to a wide range of cancers from childhood onwards, underscoring the crucial need for accurate interpretation of germlineTP53variants for optimal clinical management of patients and families. Several unclassified variants, particularly those potentially affecting splicing, require specialised testing. One such example is the NM_000546.6:c.1101-2A>C (rs587781664) variant, located at the splice acceptor site of the last intron ofTP53, identified in a female patient with breast cancer diagnosed in her 20s.

Methods

To interpret this variant, which has been classified as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS), we developed specific assays including a p53 functional assay, RT-QMPSF, Splice and Expression Analyses by exon Ligation and High-Throughput Sequencing and long RT-droplet digital PCR.

Results

We demonstrated a loss of p53 transcriptional activity, and a half reduction in TP53 mRNA expression. Additionally, we detected the use of a novel alternative last exon downstream of exon 11, which we have named exon 12. This transcript, typically detectable at low levels in most individuals, was found to be more highly expressed in the c.1101-2A>C carrier, predominantly transcribed from the mutant allele due to the disruption of the splice acceptor site in intron 10.

Conclusion

By combining these approaches, we successfully reclassified this intronic VUS as ‘pathogenic’, enabling appropriate genetic counselling for the patient and her family. Additionally, we identified a novel TP53 alternative transcript that is expressed in both physiological and pathological contexts, with heightened expression in the patient with LFS. This discovery provides a basis for further investigation into the role of TP53 isoforms in LFS oncogenesis.
Exploring Canadian dietitians’ knowledge, attitude, and practices providing culturally safe care to Muslims who fast during the month of Ramadan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hillier Katherine A.W. , Vatanparast Hassan , Lane Ginny
Published: January 2025

Fasting during Ramadan involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk for 29 to 30 days, annually. Dietitians, experts in food and nutrition, play a vital role in fostering the well-being of Canadians. Given that 1 in 20 Canadians are Muslim, access to culturally safe care is essential for their health. The consumption of adequate nutrients during the non-fasting hours is important for Muslims well-being. It is unknown whether dietitians in Canada feel comfortable and knowledgeable providing safe care during Ramadan. An online survey, was developed using the World Health Organization's Knowledge Attitude and Practice Protocol, and then reviewed for content validity by six dietitians. From 5 March 2023 to 1 April 2023, 159 Canadian dietitians, from a variety of practice areas, including acute care, community health, and private practice, completed the online survey. Descriptive statistics, cross tabulations, and χ2 tests, enhanced by post hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction, were employed to determine any relationship between categorical variables and identify significant associations or differences. While most participants demonstrated an adequate understanding of Ramadan fasting practices, including its duration and restrictions, 91% reported not receiving information on how to provide culturally safe care during their university degree. Many dietitians expressed discomfort providing care (43.7%, 69/158) and lacked adequate resources (51.3%, 81/158). Among the 37% of dietitians who did offer care to Muslims (58/157), the majority felt comfortable (72.1%, 44/58). This study reveals a gap in capacity to provide culturally safe care, highlighting the need for training interventions for nutrition professionals, and curriculum for dietetics programs.
Genetic parameters and genomic insights for meat colour traits of Canadian crossbred beef cattle
Authors: Virtuoso Marcos Claudio S. , Aalhus Jennifer L. , Juárez Manuel , López-Campos Óscar , Bruce Heather L. , Li Changxi , Basarab John A. , Plastow Graham , Valente Tiago S.
Published: January 2025

Utilizing genomic tools in breeding programs accelerates genetic progress, particularly for difficult/expensive to measure traits such as meat colour. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters and identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with meat colour traits in Canadian crossbred beef cattle. Heritability estimates for lightness ( L* ), chroma ( c* ), and hue angle ( Hu) were 0.44, 0.20, and 0.57, respectively. L* and Hu were highly phenotypically (0.86) and genetically (0.98) correlated. The genome-wide association revealed a total of 30, 24, and 25 SNP windows explaining >0.5% additive genetic variance for L*, c*, and Hu, respectively. These SNP windows collectively explained >20% of the genetic variance for the three meat colour traits. The genes GNPDA2, CALCRL, CALM1, KIT, PRKN, and PRKAA2 are the most promising candidates associated with L*, TEX37, ADAMTS9, PRKACB, TTLL7, TFAM, AGT, ACAT2, and PPP1R3C with c*, and MMP2, AKR1B1, AKR1B10, and CYP7A1 with Hu. These candidate genes are mainly involved in energy metabolism pathways, among which the most important are glucose, fatty, and lipid metabolism.
Effects of river flow on walleye (Sander vitreus) recruitment in the Saskatchewan River Delta
Authors: Twilley Jacqueline T. , Enders Eva C. , Paul Andrew J. , Wastle Rick J. , Jardine Timothy D.
Published: January 2025

Alteration of natural flow regimes is affecting freshwater fish populations. For example, the walleye ( Sander vitreus) fishery in the Saskatchewan River Delta has declined since the mid-1990s, which may be related to changes to flow regimes due to upstream dams. To test this hypothesis, walleye age data obtained from otoliths collected through sustenance and commercial fishing were used in a generalized linear mixed model catch-curve analysis to test the relationship between discharge during predefined biologically significant periods and walleye recruitment. The best fit model identified that the fry growth period (weeks 30–42) had a positive relationship between river discharge and future recruits. Based on the estimated Bayesian posterior distribution, there was a very high probability ( p > 0.99) that the effect was different from zero. This effect had an estimated 69% increase (28%–105% credible interval) in recruitment with every 100 m3·s−1 increase in discharge over the fry growth period. These findings support previous work on walleye recruitment in another northern freshwater delta and will inform water resource management in these systems.
Changing environment, changing genes: insights from weed genetics and genomics
Authors: Martin Sara L.
Published: January 2025

This generation of scientists is living through the genomics revolution. While this revolution has been slower to reach weed science than some other disciplines, genome sequences ecode essential information for meeting the challenges that the agricultural system needs to withstand. Sequencing weed genomes can provide insights into past and current evolutionary processes, allow us to determine the genetic basis of key traits, and to understand the current connections among populations informing effective management strategies. Weed genomics, therefore, can be the factor that allows us to address the chronic challenge represented by the evolution of herbicide resistance because it provides the basis for understanding how weed genomes have changed with their changing environment.
Applications of G-Ori-Enabled Nanocomposite Structures in Badminton Court: Stretchable-Thickness Higher-Order Model for Frequency Analysis
Authors: Jin Yeshen
Published: January 2025

This study primarily examines a badminton court that is modeled as a rectangular plate enabled by graphene-origami (G-Ori) metamaterials. The model’s dynamic performance is examined in a thermal environment to comprehend the effects of temperature variations. To enhance accuracy, a new quasi-three-dimensional shear and normal trigonometric hyperbolic theory is employed, elucidating the kinematic interactions of the structure. This new hypothesis accommodates transverse normal strain. Differential motion equations are derived from Hamilton’s principle and subsequently solved analytically using Fourier series functions. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the impact of different conditions on the natural frequencies of the model. The findings demonstrate that the incorporation of G-Ori enhances the rigidity of the structure and, as a result, its natural frequencies. Conversely, when the temperature increases, the frequencies diminish.
The monoid of all order-preserving k-extensive full transformations
Authors: Zhao Ping , Hu Huabi , Qin Chongwen
Published: January 2025

Let [Formula: see text]. We denote by [Formula: see text] the monoid of all order-preserving k-extensive full transformations on [Formula: see text] ordered in the standard way. In this paper, it is shown that [Formula: see text] is not a regular semigroup in general, but it is an abundant semigroup. Moreover, we prove that [Formula: see text] is idempotent-generated and compute the idempotent rank and rank of the monoid [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we determine the maximal idempotent generated subsemigroups of the monoid [Formula: see text].
Concrete constructions of noncommutative free dcpo semigroups
Authors: Zhou Chengyu , Luan Wei , Li Qingguo
Published: January 2025

Free dcpo semigroups play an important role in modeling the semantics of nondeterministic programming languages. In this paper, we provide concrete constructions for free dcpo semigroups, free domain bands (with additional inequalities), and free dcpo groups. They are the noncommutative generalizations of the classical Plotkin (Smyth, Hoare) powerdomains.