bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All that glitters is not gold: X-ray fluorescence analysis of a fixed dental prosthesis from Colecção de Esqueletos Identificados Século XXI, Portugal (CEI/XXI)
Authors: Oliveira-Santos Inês , Gomes Ricardo A.M.P. , Coelho Catarina , Gil Francisco , Cunha Eugénia , Baptista Isabel Poiares , Ferreira Maria Teresa
Published: June 2023

Access to better health care anticipates that more medical devices can be found alongside skeletal remains. Those employed in oral rehabilitation, with available brands or batch/series, can prove useful in the identification process. A previous study in the Colecção de Esqueletos Identificados Século XXI described macroscopically the dental prostheses. An unusual case of a dental device with chromatic alterations demonstrated to require a more detailed analysis. The individual, a 53-year-old male, exhibited, at both arches, a fixed tooth-supported rehabilitation, with gold colouring classified initially as a gold-palladium alloy. Simultaneously, a green pigmentation deposit was observable in bone and prosthesis. This investigation aimed to verify the elemental composition of the dental prosthesis alloy. Elemental analysis was performed by X-ray fluorescence in two regions (labial surface of the prosthetic crown and the root surface of the lower right lateral incisor). Both the spectra and the qualitative results found higher levels of copper and aluminium, followed by nickel, iron, zinc, and manganese. No gold or palladium was detected. The most probable assumption is that a copper-aluminium alloy was used, as its elemental concentration corresponds to those measured in similar devices. Dental prostheses of copper-aluminium alloys have been made popular since the 1980s, particularly in the USA, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Apart from the biographical information, it was also known that the individual’s place of birth was an Eastern European country, which highlighted the usefulness of this type of information when dealing with missing people cases.
Optical coherence tomography angiography–guided vs indocyanine green angiography–guided half-dose photodynamic therapy for acute central serous chorioretinopathy: 6-month randomized trial results
Authors: Li Siying , Zhang Linqi , Tang Jiyang , Wang Zongyi , Qu Jinfeng , Zhao Mingwei
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the anatomic and functional results of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)-guided half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-guided PDT in eyes with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Methods

One hundred and thirty-one eyes of 131 patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) were recruited, and randomly assigned to the OCTA-guided group and ICGA-guided group. The primary outcome measures were the rates of complete subretinal fluid (SRF) resolution at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The secondary outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), choroidal capillary flow deficit density at each scheduled visit, and recurrence rate of SRF at 3 months and 6 months.

Results

There were 110 eyes that finished the follow-up, with 56 eyes in the OCTA-guided group and 54 eyes in the ICGA guided group. OCTA-guided PDT was demonstrated to be noninferior to ICGA-guided PDT for SRF resolution rate at 1 months and 6 months (P = 0.021 and P = 0.037), but not at 3 months for acute CSC (P = 0.247). The average CRT of the ICGA-guided group was significantly lower than that of the OCTA-guided group at 3-month visit (P = 0.046), but no significant difference was found between them at the 1-month and 6-month visits (P = 0.891 and 0.527). There was no significant difference between the two groups for BCVA (P = 0.359, 0.700, and 0.143, respectively) and the deficit area on CC (P = 0.537, 0.744,and 0.604, respectively) at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Conclusion

OCTA may replace ICGA to guide PDT for the treatment of acute CSC and their follow-up.
A comprehensive study on surveillance outcomes of a male population followed at a hereditary breast cancer high-risk consultation at a Portuguese tertiary hospital
Authors: Oliveira Maria João , Costa Susy , Magalhães André , Garrido Luzia , Peleteiro Bárbara , Fougo José Luís , Castedo Sérgio
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Men born with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in genes associated with the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome have a higher risk to develop breast cancer and other cancers (such as prostate cancer) and should undergo adequate surveillance protocols in highly specialized Centers.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to assess these genetic variants’ epidemiological and phenotypical manifestations in male carriers, as well as the efficacy of the surveillance protocol and compliance toward it through a survey. During follow-up, a genetic panel for testing was implemented, the starting age for surveillance was delayed, and the six-month screening interval was extended to annual.

Results

A total of 104 men from a tertiary hospital’s High-Risk Consultation were included, 102 with positive genetic testing for BRCA1 (n = 31), BRCA2 (n = 55), both BRCA2 and another gene (n = 5), CDH1 (n = 2), CHEK2 (n = 4), NF1 (n = 1), RAD51C (n = 4), and an additional two men with no actionable genetic variant identified. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 13 years, and only one man developed cancer. Survey responses from 48 men in active surveillance showed that more than half recognizes their carrier status and consequent surveillance impact on their life, including the risk of transmission to offspring, fear of future cancer, meaningful distress, and feeling of injustice. Biannual surveillance was not actively detecting more cancer disease cases, confirming the adequacy of the currently implemented protocol

Conclusion

With support of Genetics to fulfill the current gaps in high-risk management, the proposed redefinition of surveillance protocol would adapt it to the population needs and concerns.
Drops in needle production are early-warning signals of drought-triggered dieback in Scots pine
Authors: Sangüesa-Barreda Gabriel , Gazol Antonio , Camarero J. Julio
Published: June 2023

Key message

Reconstruction of needle dynamics reveals prolonged drought legacy effects on crown condition that represent early warnings of drought-induced dieback in Scots pine.

Understanding the mechanisms of drought-induced forest dieback and tree mortality is a priority for predicting forest responses to climate change. However, long-term information on drought impacts on crown dynamics and how it relates to tree water and carbon economy is still lacking. Comparing declining and non-declining Scots pines at the same site, we quantified primary and secondary growth and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi). Further, we reconstructed the needle production and the annual total number of needles using the Needle Trace Method. Here, we reconstructed the apical needles through the assessment of 2460 longitudinal sections. We fitted partial least squares regression models to assess climate influence on primary and secondary growth and needle dynamics, and then linear mixed models using climate covariates and discerning between health status in the 1975–2016 period. Finally, we analyzed drought legacy effects applying a Bayesian hierarchical framework. We detected the highest differences between health tree classes in the annual total number of needles during the warm-dry 1980s. Declining trees responded more negatively to climate than non-declining conspecifics and showed a higher variability of drought legacy effects. We found significant drought legacy effects in the annual total number of needles up to 3 years after a drought. The warm, dry 1980s, that preceded the dieback, showed the highest δ13C values since the 1970s. Declining trees showed higher WUEithan non-declining trees from the 2000s onwards. Our study sheds light on the major role of needle dynamics in dieback episodes and illustrates how past drops in needle production may be interpreted as early warnings of drought-induced dieback in Scots pine.
Adult childhood cancer survivors’ perceptions of factors that influence their ability to be physically active
Authors: Jess Laura , Bäck Maria , Jarfelt Marianne
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Studies indicate that adult childhood cancer survivors do not achieve recommended physical activity levels. A deeper understanding of factors that influence their ability to be physically active is essential to identify individuals in need of support. The aim was to explore factors that influence adult childhood cancer survivor’s ability to be physically active.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted from June to October 2020 with 20 adult childhood cancer survivors with a median age of 31 (min–max 20–47) years. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

Results

Four main categories: “The impact of environmental factors,” “Personal factors of importance,” “Consequences of the treatment or disease,” and “The impact of support from healthcare” and 10 sub-categories, were identified. Participants described how family habits and encouragement from others influenced their present ability to be physically active. Experienced benefits of physical activity were described as a facilitator for current physical activity while suffering from late complications was identified as a barrier. Participants highlighted the importance of specific and individualized physical activity recommendations.

Conclusion

This study includes adult childhood cancer survivors several years after completion of treatment, hence highlighting the importance for support both during treatment and follow-up to sustain their physical activity. Healthcare providers need to identify individuals suffering from late complications, even several years after treatment; provide individualized physical activity recommendations; and educate families and schools about the importance of physical activity in childhood cancer survivorship.

Trial registration

This research project was registered in the Swedish National Database of Research and Development, identifier 273320, December 6, 2019 (https://www.researchweb.org/is/vgr/project/273320)
RamanNet: a generalized neural network architecture for Raman spectrum analysis
Authors: Ibtehaz Nabil , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H. , Khandakar Amith , Kiranyaz Serkan , Rahman M. Sohel , Zughaier Susu M.
Published: June 2023

Raman spectroscopy provides a vibrational profile of the molecules and thus can be used to uniquely identify different kinds of materials. This sort of molecule fingerprinting has thus led to the widespread application of Raman spectrum in various fields like medical diagnosis, forensics, mineralogy, bacteriology, virology, etc. Despite the recent rise in Raman spectra data volume, there has not been any significant effort in developing generalized machine learning methods targeted toward Raman spectra analysis. We examine, experiment, and evaluate existing methods and conjecture that neither current sequential models nor traditional machine learning models are satisfactorily sufficient to analyze Raman spectra. Both have their perks and pitfalls; therefore, we attempt to mix the best of both worlds and propose a novel network architecture RamanNet. RamanNet is immune to the invariance property in convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and at the same time better than traditional machine learning models for the inclusion of sparse connectivity. This has been achieved by incorporating shifted multi-layer perceptrons (MLP) at the earlier levels of the network to extract significant features across the entire spectrum, which are further refined by the inclusion of triplet loss in the hidden layers. Our experiments on 4 public datasets demonstrate superior performance over the much more complex state-of-the-art methods, and thus, RamanNet has the potential to become the de facto standard in Raman spectra data analysis.
Effects of data time lag in a decision-making system using machine learning for pork price prediction
Authors: Suaza-Medina Mario E. , Zarazaga-Soria F. Javier , Pinilla-Lopez Jorge , Lopez-Pellicer Francisco J. , Lacasta Javier
Published: June 2023

Spain is the third-largest producer of pork meat in the world, and many farms in several regions depend on the evolution of this market. However, the current pricing system is unfair, as some actors have better market information than others. In this context, historical pricing is an easy-to-find and affordable data source that can help all agents to be better informed. However, the time lag in data acquisition can affect their pricing decisions. In this paper, we study the effect that data acquisition delay has on a price prediction system using multiple prediction algorithms. We describe the integration of the best proposal into a decision support system prototype and test it in a real-case scenario. Specifically, we use public data from the most important regional pork meat markets in Spain published by the Ministry of Agriculture with a two-week delay and subscription-based data of the same markets obtained on the same day. The results show that the error difference between the best public and data subscription models is 0.6 Euro cents in favour of the data without delay. The market dimension makes these differences significant in the supply chain, giving pricing agents a better tool to negotiate market prices.
Inclined Block Impacts on Granular Strata: Coupled DEM-FDM Numerical Investigation and Rheological Modelling
Authors: di Prisco C. , Redaelli I. , Zerbi M.
Published: June 2023

In mountain regions, rockfall is a very widespread natural hazard, difficult to be numerically simulated, from the initial detachment of the block to its impact on natural/artificial strata. When a rock block impacts on a granular stratum, the interaction is dominated by inertial effects and is severely affected by block mass, shape, velocity magnitude/direction, and soil geomechanical properties. The kinematic description of the response of the block during the impact requires complex and time-consuming numerical modeling approaches. Moreover, these numerical approaches cannot be easily coupled with classical mass-lumped rockfall analysis tools employed to simulate blocks trajectory. To overcome this problem, a dynamic upscaled visco-plastic rheological model (BIMPAM), suitable for simulating inclined impacts on generally inclined deformable strata, has been conceived in the past by one of the authors. Up to now, due to the absence of suitable numerical and experimental data, BIMPAM has been only validated on experimental large-scale vertical impacts on horizontal strata. In this paper, the impact problem is analyzed, by performing numerical analyses by means of a coupled Discrete Element and Finite Difference numerical model (DEM-FDM), calibrated on available experimental data, to provide (i) a novel numerical dataset highlighting the crucial role played by the impacting velocity inclination on the dynamic interaction between soil stratum and penetrating rigid object and (ii) a detailed micromechanical description identifying the processes responsible for the complex macroscopic behavior. The obtained numerical results have allowed to both validate BIMPAM model, even in case of inclined velocities, and provide a micromechanical interpretation of its constitutive assumptions.
Rock recognition and identification for selective mechanical mining: a self-adaptive artificial neural network approach
Authors: Xu Rachel , Sellers Ewan J. , Fathi-Salmi Ebrahim
Published: June 2023

In situ characterisation of rock is crucial for mine planning and design. Recent developments in machine learning (ML) have enabled the whole learning, reasoning, and decision-making process to be more efficient and accurate. Despite these developments, the application of ML in rock-cutting is at an early stage due to the lack of mining applications of mechanised excavation leading to limited availability of data sets and the lack of the expert knowledge required when fine-tuning models. This study presents a novel approach for rock identification during mechanical mining by applying a self-adaptive artificial neural network (ANN) model to classify the rock types for selective cutting, in which datasets from two novel cutting operations (actuated disc cutting (ADC) and oscillating disc cutting (ODC)) were employed to test and train a model. The model was also configured with the Bayesian optimization algorithm to determine optimal hyperparameters in an automated manner. By comparing the performance of each evaluation, the model was trained to identify the best set of hypermeters at which uncertainty is minimal. Further testing indicated the model is very accurate in classifying rock types for ADC as the accuracy, recall, and precision all equal unity. Some misclassifications occurred for ODC with the accuracy, recall, and precision ranging from 0.68 to 0.99. The promising results proved the model is a robust and scalable tool for classifying the rock types for selective cutting operations enabling the interpretation to be performed more precisely, selectively, and efficiently. Since mechanical cutting requires significant energy, any improvement in matching machine characteristics to the rock mass will increase productivity, and energy efficiency and reduce cost.
Activity triangles: a new approach to measure activity spaces
Authors: Sila-Nowicka Katarzyna , Fotheringham A. Stewart , Demšar Urška
Published: June 2023

There is an on-going challenge to describe, analyse and visualise the actual and potential extent of human spatial behaviour. The concept of an activity space has been used to examine how people interact with their environment and how the actual or potential spatial extent of individual spatial behaviour can be defined. In this paper, we introduce a new method for measuring activity spaces. We first focus on the definitions and the applications of activity space measures, identifying their respective limitations. We then present our new method, which is based on the theoretical concept of significant locations, that is, places where people spent most of their time. We identify locations of significant places from GPS trajectories and define the activity space of an individual as a set of the first three significant places forming a so-called “activity triangle”. Our new method links the distances travelled for different activities to whether or not people group their activities, which is not possible using existing methods of measuring activity spaces. We test our method on data from a GPS-based travel survey across three towns is Scotland and look at the variations in size and shape of the designed activity triangle among people of different age and gender. We also compare our activity triangle with five other activity spaces and conclude by providing possible routes for improvement of activity space measures when using real human movement data (GPS data).
Heterogeneous effects of cytotoxic chemotherapies for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
Authors: Nara Katsuhiko , Taguchi Ayumi , Yamamoto Takehito , Hara Konan , Tojima Yuri , Honjoh Harunori , Nishijima Akira , Eguchi Satoko , Miyamoto Yuichiro , Sone Kenbun , Mori Mayuyo , Takada Tappei , Osuga Yutaka
Published: June 2023

Background

Single-agent chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab (Bev) is a standard therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PR-OC). However, there is a lack of literature on chemotherapy agent selection in heterogenous PR-OC. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the heterogeneous treatment effects of each chemotherapy agent.

Methods

Patients who underwent single-drug chemotherapy agents or Bev combination therapy for PR-OC between January 2009 and June 2022 were included in this study. We assessed the impact of each chemotherapy agent on the time to treatment failure (TTF) according to histological type, platinum-free interval (PFI), and Bev usage.

Results

A total of 158 patients received 343 different chemotherapy regimens. In patients with clear cell carcinoma/mucinous carcinoma (CC/MC), gemcitabine (GEM) had the strongest effect with a median TTF of 5.3 months, whilst nedaplatin (NDP) had the lowest effect with a median TTF of 1.4 months. In contrast, in the non-CC/MC group, irinotecan (CPT-11) and NDP had a better TTF than GEM and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD). There were notable differences in the treatment efficacy of NDP according to PFI. Specifically, NDP prolonged the TTF in patients with a PFI ≥ 3 months. Compared with GEM alone, GEM + Bev tended to prolong the TTF more effectively; however, an additive effect was not observed with PLD + Bev.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the effect of chemotherapy agents differed according to the tumor and background characteristics of the patient. Our findings will improve selection of effective therapies for patients with PR-OC by considering their background characteristics.
Modularity explains large-scale reef booms in Earth’s history
Authors: Raja Nussaïbah B. , Pandolfi John M. , Kiessling Wolfgang
Published: June 2023

Drivers of reef decline are well known both today and in the geological past. Considerably less is known about the preconditions for a pantropical expansion of coral reefs. The geological record of reef building is characterised by considerably long intervals with very limited reef expansion and geologically brief (< 20 million years) episodes of prolific, pantropical reef growth. Here, we propose a new "co-occurrence hypothesis" (COH), which posits that reefs thrive when fast-growing hypercalcifiers co-occur with encrusting organisms such as calcifying microbes or coralline algae to construct wave-resistant structures. While there is little evidence of the effect of abiotic drivers on reef proliferation, we find that positive co-occurrence patterns are significantly more common in reefal as compared to non-reefal communities, suggesting that biological interactions are more relevant in reefs than in non-reefs. Supporting COH, we also show that reefs after the end-Permian mass extinction became more modular in nature with limited membership in reef assemblages during reef booms than in typical periods of reef growth (background intervals). Modularity in reefs may have led to the stabilisation of reef ecosystems, giving them the ability to recover from small perturbations, promoting reefal carbonate accretion and prolific reef growth.
Lohnen sich Maßnahmen gegen Arbeitsstress?
Authors: Angerer Peter , Gündel Harald
Published: June 2023

Arbeitsstress erhöht substanziell das Risiko für schwere Erkrankungen wie Depressionen oder Herzinfarkte. Die selektive Literaturübersicht zeigt, dass Interventionen zur Verbesserung der psychosozialen Arbeitsbedingungen sich effektiv auf die Gesundheit der Beschäftigten auswirken und gleichzeitig den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg eines Betriebs erhöhen. Partizipation an den Entscheidungs- und Veränderungsprozessen im Betrieb und Wahrnehmung eigener Handlungskontrolle scheinen zentrale Wirkfaktoren zu sein. Ein gutes psychosocial safety climate (PSC), die Wahrnehmung der Beschäftigten, dass der Betrieb sich um ihre Gesundheit bemüht, sagt bessere Gesundheit und wirtschaftlichen Erfolg voraus.
Older consumers and technology: A critical systematic literature review
Authors: Franco Paolo
Published: June 2023

Older consumers’ adoption and consumption of technologies continues to be an important research area. However, marketing scholarship on this topic risks unintentionally smuggling age stereotypes into its constructed theories. Such assumptions include older consumers’ adoption processes being complicated by health and social isolation issues and their low tech-skills. Although stereotypes hold a ‘kernel-of-truth’ and underpin meaningful research, they can transform from helpful heuristics to impediments to crafting reflexive scholarship. Therefore, this article reviews marketing literature on older consumers and technology. It develops a 2 × 3 typology to analyse 86 articles based on their portrayals of older consumers’ capabilities (incapable/capable) and technology orientations (resisting/discerning/seeking). The typology’s six emergent categories aim to turn age stereotypes into ‘productive tensions’ for researchers by encouraging critical reflexivity in ways that broaden future research possibilities. These possibilities include better accounting for older consumers who are skilled technology-seekers, and equally, non-adopters with non-technophobic reasons to resist adoption.
VmPacC-mediated pH regulation of Valsa mali confers to host acidification identified by comparative proteomics analysis
Authors: Xu Liangsheng , Liu Hailong , Zhu Shan , Meng Yangguang , Wang Yinghao , Li Jianyu , Zhang Feiran , Huang Lili
Published: June 2023

Apple valsa canker caused by the Ascomycete fungus Valsa mali is one of the most serious diseases of apple, resulting in huge economic losses in the apple-growing area of China. Previous study found that the pathogen could acidify the infected tissues to make lower ambient pH (from 6.0 to 3.5) for their successfully colonization. The pH signaling transcription factor VmPacC is required for acidification of its environment and for full virulence in V. mali. It is known that the functional cooperation of proteins secreted by V. mali plays pivotal role in its successful colonization of host plants. In this study, we used tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling coupled with LC-MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics to analyze the VmPacC-mediated pH regulation in V. mali, focusing on differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). We identified 222 DEPs specific to VmPacC deletion, and 921 DEPs specific to different pH conditions (pH 6.0 and 3.4). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that these DEPs were mainly involved in pathways associated with carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of antibiotics, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glutathione metabolism, ribosomes, and pentose phosphate pathways. Additionally, we identified 119 DEPs that were shared among the VmPacC deletion mutant and different pH conditions, which were mainly related to energy metabolism pathways, providing the energy required for the hyphal growth and responses to environmental stresses. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis indicated that most of the shared proteins were mapped to an interaction network with a medium confidence score of 0.4. Notably, one uncharacterized protein (KUI69106.1), and two known proteins (heat shock protein 60 (KUI73579.1), aspartate aminotransferase (KUI73864.1)) located in the core of the network were highly connected (with ≥ 38 directed edges) with the other shared DEPs. Our results suggest that VmPacC participates in the pathogen’s regulation to ambient pH through the regulation of energy metabolism pathways such as the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway and TCA cycle. Finally, we proposed a sophisticated molecular regulatory network to explain pH decrease in V. mali. Our study, by providing insights into V. mali regulating pH, helps to elucidate the mechanisms of host acidification during pathogen infection.
Greek Declamation and the Roman Empire
Authors: Guast William
Published: June 2023

A Greek declamation was an 'imaginary speech': a fictitious speech composed for a rhetorical scenario set in Classical Greece. Although such speeches began as rhetorical exercises, under the high Roman empire they developed into a full-blown prestigious genre in their own right. This first monograph on Greek declamation for nearly forty years re-evaluates a genre that was central to Greek imperial literature and to ancient and modern notions of the 'Second Sophistic'. Rejecting traditional conceptions of the genre as 'nostalgic', this book considers the significance of Greek declamation's re-enactment of classical history for its own times, and integrates the genre into the wider history of the period. It shows through extended readings how the genre came to constitute a powerful and subtle instrument of identity formation and social interaction, and a site for free thinking on issues of major contemporary importance such as imperialism and inter-polis relations.
Royal Ideologies in the Book of Revelation
Authors: Jeffcoat Schedtler Justin P.
Published: June 2023

Studies of the Apocalypse have long neglected the royal and messianic dimensions of its portrait of the Lamb. In this volume, Justin P. Jeffcoat Schedtler offers new insights on this topic, arguing that royal and messianic ideologies and discourses are not merely evident in the book of Revelation but also constitute one of its primary organizing principles. Moreover, they shape Revelation's Christology. Schedtler explores ideologies of kingship in the ancient Greek and Roman world, as well as Second Temple Judaism. Making previously unexplored connections in Revelations' ideological portrait of the Lamb, he shows that the portrayal of Jesus as God's chosen viceregent, offers new insights into several of the central Christological tenets in the text. They include the Lamb's reception of the scroll to rule on God's behalf, his place on a heavenly throne, the many benefactions he offers to those who remain faithful to him, and the hymnic praise he receives in response.
COVID and Climate Emergencies in the Majority World
Authors: Delina Laurence L.
Published: June 2023

The Covid pandemic has amplified the hardships people are experiencing from human-induced climate change and its impact on weather extremes. Those in the Majority World are most effected by such global crises, and the pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of these populations while highlighting the differences between them and those fortunate to live in the Minority World. This book presents an overview of the impact of the climate emergency punctuated by a pandemic, discussing the expanding inequalities and deteriorating spaces for democratic public engagement. Pandemic responses demonstrate how future technological, engineering, political, social, and behavioural strategies could be constructed in response to other crises. Using a critical analysis of these responses, this book proposes sociotechnical alternatives and just approaches to adapt to cascading crises in the Majority World. It will be valuable for social science students and researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in inequality and vulnerability in developing countries.
Referring in Language
Authors: Fontaine Lise , Jones Katy , Schönthal David
Published: June 2023

Referential expressions include terms such as determiners, proper names, noun phrases, pronouns, and all other expressions that we use to make reference to things, beings, or events. The first of its kind, this book presents a detailed, integrated account of typical and atypical uses of referential expressions, combining insights from discourse, cognitive, and psycholinguistic literature within a functional model of language. It first establishes a foundation for reference, including an overview of key influences in the study of reference, the debates surrounding (in)definiteness, and a functional description of referring expressions. It then draws on a variety of approaches to provide a comprehensive explanation of atypical uses, including referring in an uncollaborative context, indefinite expressions used for definite reference, reference by and for children, and finally metonymic reference with a special focus on metonymy in medical contexts. Comprehensive in scope, it is essential reading for academic researchers in syntax, discourse analysis, and cognitive linguistics.
Successful COVID-19 Contact Tracing of Crew from Two Cargo Ships at the Morowali Seaport, Indonesia
Authors: Pane Masdalina , Rahman M. Aulia , Maemun Siti , Purnama Tri Bayu
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

This study aims to report a successful systematic quarantine of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to detect Omicron, a new variant of concern, among 2 cargo ships in the Morowali seaport, Indonesia.

Methods:

An international standard entry point protocol had been followed in this study for all crew. Rapid diagnostic tests and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) tests have been conducted to identify Omicron, the variant of concern. Individual characteristics, laboratory result, and vaccine status were collected in this study.

Results:

On December 9 and 18, 2021, there was an increase of 21 and 22 new cases, respectively, from 2 ships in the seaport. Both ships came from abroad, 43 new cases with a positivity rate increase from 0 to 13.4% and 13.7% within 2 weeks. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination was carried out on all crews and obtained results 21 of the 22 positive COVID-19 crew (95.5%). The monitoring results showed that there was no fever in the entire crew, no symptoms of cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, and other symptoms pointing to COVID-19.

Conclusion:

Systematic quarantine has successfully contained the large clusters of COVID-19 in the crews of 2 ships and prevented further outbreaks in the local community.
Resilience and health in American Indians and Alaska Natives: A scoping review of the literature
Authors: John-Henderson Neha A. , White Evan J. , Crowder Tony L.
Published: June 2023

American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer from disproportionately high rates of chronic mental and physical health conditions. These health inequities are linked to colonization and its downstream consequences. Most of the American Indian and Alaska Native health inequities research uses a deficit framework, failing to acknowledge the resilience of American Indian and Alaska Native people despite challenging historical and current contexts. This scoping review is based on a conceptual model which acknowledges the context of colonization and its consequences (psychological and health risk factors). However, rather than focusing on health risk, we focus on protective factors across three identified domains (social, psychological, and cultural/spiritual), and summarize documented relationships between these resilience factors and health outcomes. Based on the scoping review of the literature, we note gaps in extant knowledge and recommend future directions. The findings summarized here can be used to inform and shape future interventions which aim to optimize health and well-being in American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors towards Prehospital Care among Emergency Health Care Providers Working in Selected Prehospital Care Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mamo Alemayehu Sileshi , Gete Birhanu Chekol , Shiferaw Mehari Alemayehu , Zeleke Yared Getachew
Published: June 2023

Background:

Patients’ health outcomes can suffer as a result of poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude towards prehospital emergency care. The purpose of this study was to assess emergency health care providers’ (EHCPs’) knowledge, attitude, and associated factors towards prehospital care in selected prehospital Emergency Medical Service institutions in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.

Methods:

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among EHCPs working in the three selected prehospital emergency medical care centers in Addis Ababa. Data were collected using a standard self-administered questionnaire, cleaned, coded, and entered into EPI Data Version 6, and then exported to SPSS Version 26 for further analysis. The generated data were compiled using frequency tables, charts, and percentages. Logistic regression analysis was used to see the association between independent and dependent variables.

Results:

One hundred thirty-five (135) study participants were included in this study, with a response rate of 95.7%. The mean age of the respondents was 29.2 years (SD = 4.86). Almost three-quarters of the respondents (71.1%) were aged between 26 and 35 years. Of the total participants, 58.5% and 62.2% of EHCPs had good knowledge and a favorable attitude towards prehospital care, respectively. The study revealed that profession (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.03 - 7.65), educational status (AOR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08 - 4.93), and having training (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.33 - 4.52) were significantly associated with the knowledge of EHCPs. This finding also revealed that the respondent’s knowledge (AOR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05 - 2.32) and having training (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.24 - 7.83) were significantly associated with EHCPs’ attitudes towards prehospital care.

Conclusions:

The knowledge and attitude of EHCPs regarding prehospital care were found to be good and favorable as compared to previous studies. In-service training regarding emergency health conditions and the time needed to care for the patient is important for quality prehospital emergency medical care.
Four-dimensional mapping of dynamic longitudinal brain subcortical development and early learning functions in infants
Authors: Chen Liangjun , Wang Ya , Wu Zhengwang , Shan Yue , Li Tengfei , Hung Sheng-Che , Xing Lei , Zhu Hongtu , Wang Li , Lin Weili , Li Gang
Published: June 2023

Brain subcortical structures are paramount in many cognitive functions and their aberrations during infancy are predisposed to various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, making it highly essential to characterize the early subcortical normative growth patterns. This study investigates the volumetric development and surface area expansion of six subcortical structures and their associations with Mullen scales of early learning by leveraging 513 high-resolution longitudinal MRI scans within the first two postnatal years. Results show that (1) each subcortical structure (except for the amygdala with an approximately linear increase) undergoes rapid nonlinear volumetric growth after birth, which slows down at a structure-specific age with bilaterally similar developmental patterns; (2) Subcortical local area expansion reveals structure-specific and spatiotemporally heterogeneous patterns; (3) Positive associations between thalamus and both receptive and expressive languages and between caudate and putamen and fine motor are revealed. This study advances our understanding of the dynamic early subcortical developmental patterns.
Inherited ARPC5 mutations cause an actinopathy impairing cell motility and disrupting cytokine signaling
Authors: Nunes-Santos Cristiane J. , Kuehn HyeSun , Boast Brigette , Hwang SuJin , Kuhns Douglas B. , Stoddard Jennifer , Niemela Julie E. , Fink Danielle L. , Pittaluga Stefania , Abu-Asab Mones , Davies John S. , Barr Valarie A. , Kawai Tomoki , Delmonte Ottavia M. , Bosticardo Marita , Garofalo Mary , Carneiro-Sampaio Magda , Somech Raz , Gharagozlou Mohammad , Parvaneh Nima , Samelson Lawrence E. , Fleisher Thomas A. , Puel Anne , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Boisson Bertrand , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Derfalvi Beata , Rosenzweig Sergio D.
Published: June 2023

We describe the first cases of germline biallelic null mutations in ARPC5, part of the Arp2/3 actin nucleator complex, in two unrelated patients presenting with recurrent and severe infections, early-onset autoimmunity, inflammation, and dysmorphisms. This defect compromises multiple cell lineages and functions, and when protein expression is reestablished in-vitro, the Arp2/3 complex conformation and functions are rescued. As part of the pathophysiological evaluation, we also show that interleukin (IL)−6 signaling is distinctively impacted in this syndrome. Disruption of IL-6 classical but not trans-signaling highlights their differential roles in the disease and offers perspectives for therapeutic molecular targets.
Ultra-fast and accurate electron ionization mass spectrum matching for compound identification with million-scale in-silico library
Authors: Yang Qiong , Ji Hongchao , Xu Zhenbo , Li Yiming , Wang Pingshan , Sun Jinyu , Fan Xiaqiong , Zhang Hailiang , Lu Hongmei , Zhang Zhimin
Published: June 2023

Spectrum matching is the most common method for compound identification in mass spectrometry (MS). However, some challenges limit its efficiency, including the coverage of spectral libraries, the accuracy, and the speed of matching. In this study, a million-scale in-silico EI-MS library is established. Furthermore, an ultra-fast and accurate spectrum matching (FastEI) method is proposed to substantially improve accuracy using Word2vec spectral embedding and boost the speed using the hierarchical navigable small-world graph (HNSW). It achieves 80.4% recall@10 accuracy (88.3% with 5 Da mass filter) with a speedup of two orders of magnitude compared with the weighted cosine similarity method (WCS). When FastEI is applied to identify the molecules beyond NIST 2017 library, it achieves 50% recall@1 accuracy. FastEI is packaged as a standalone and user-friendly software for common users with limited computational backgrounds. Overall, FastEI combined with a million-scale in-silico library facilitates compound identification as an accurate and ultra-fast tool.
Nivolumab plus chemoradiotherapy in locally-advanced cervical cancer: the NICOL phase 1 trial
Authors: Rodrigues Manuel , Vanoni Giulia , Loap Pierre , Dubot Coraline , Timperi Eleonora , Minsat Mathieu , Bazire Louis , Durdux Catherine , Fourchotte Virginie , Laas Enora , Pouget Nicolas , Castel-Ajgal Zahra , Marret Gregoire , Lesage Laetitia , Meseure Didier , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Lecompte Lolita , Servant Nicolas , Vacher Sophie , Bieche Ivan , Malhaire Caroline , Huchet Virginie , Champion Laurence , Kamal Maud , Amigorena Sebastian , Lantz Olivier , Chevrier Marion , Romano Emanuela
Published: June 2023

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with blockade of the PD-1 pathway may enhance immune-mediated tumor control through increased phagocytosis, cell death, and antigen presentation. The NiCOL phase 1 trial (NCT03298893) is designed to determine the safety/tolerance profile and the recommended phase-II dose of nivolumab with and following concurrent CRT in 16 women with locally advanced cervical cancer. Secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), disease free survival, and immune correlates of response. Three patients experience grade 3 dose-limiting toxicities. The pre-specified endpoints are met, and overall response rate is 93.8% [95%CI: 69.8–99.8%] with a 2-year PFS of 75% [95% CI: 56.5–99.5%]. Compared to patients with progressive disease (PD), progression-free (PF) subjects show a brisker stromal immune infiltrate, higher proximity of tumor-infiltrating CD3+ T cells to PD-L1+ tumor cells and of FOXP3+ T cells to proliferating CD11c+ myeloid cells. PF show higher baseline levels of PD-1 and ICOS-L on tumor-infiltrating EMRA CD4+ T cells and tumor-associated macrophages, respectively; PD instead, display enhanced PD-L1 expression on TAMs, higher peripheral frequencies of proliferating Tregs at baseline and higher PD-1 levels at week 6 post-treatment initiation on CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets. Concomitant nivolumab plus definitive CRT is safe and associated with encouraging PFS rates. Further validation in the subset of locally advanced cervical cancer displaying pre-existing, adaptive immune activation is warranted.
Bridging multiscale interfaces for developing ionically conductive high-voltage iron sulfate-containing sodium-based battery positive electrodes
Authors: Zhang Jiyu , Yan Yongliang , Wang Xin , Cui Yanyan , Zhang Zhengfeng , Wang Sen , Xie Zhengkun , Yan Pengfei , Chen Weihua
Published: June 2023

Non-aqueous sodium-ion batteries (SiBs) are a viable electrochemical energy storage system for grid storage. However, the practical development of SiBs is hindered mainly by the sluggish kinetics and interfacial instability of positive-electrode active materials, such as polyanion-type iron-based sulfates, at high voltage. Here, to circumvent these issues, we proposed the multiscale interface engineering of Na2.26Fe1.87(SO4)3, where bulk heterostructure and exposed crystal plane were tuned to improve the Na-ion storage performance. Physicochemical characterizations and theoretical calculations suggested that the heterostructure of Na6Fe(SO4)4 phase facilitated ionic kinetics by densifying Na-ion migration channels and lowering energy barriers. The (11-2) plane of Na2.26Fe1.87(SO4)3 promoted the adsorption of the electrolyte solution ClO4− anions and fluoroethylene carbonate molecules, which formed an inorganic-rich Na-ion conductive interphase at the positive electrode. When tested in combination with a presodiated FeS/carbon-based negative electrode in laboratory- scale single-layer pouch cell configuration, the Na2.26Fe1.87(SO4)3-based positive electrode enables an initial discharge capacity of about 83.9 mAh g−1, an average cell discharge voltage of 2.35 V and a specific capacity retention of around 97% after 40 cycles at 24 mA g−1 and 25 °C.
Unmodified rabies mRNA vaccine elicits high cross-neutralizing antibody titers and diverse B cell memory responses
Authors: Hellgren Fredrika , Cagigi Alberto , Arcoverde Cerveira Rodrigo , Ols Sebastian , Kern Theresa , Lin Ang , Eriksson Bengt , Dodds Michael G. , Jasny Edith , Schwendt Kim , Freuling Conrad , Müller Thomas , Corcoran Martin , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , Petsch Benjamin , Loré Karin
Published: June 2023

Licensed rabies virus vaccines based on whole inactivated virus are effective in humans. However, there is a lack of detailed investigations of the elicited immune response, and whether responses can be improved using novel vaccine platforms. Here we show that two doses of a lipid nanoparticle-formulated unmodified mRNA vaccine encoding the rabies virus glycoprotein (RABV-G) induces higher levels of RABV-G specific plasmablasts and T cells in blood, and plasma cells in the bone marrow compared to two doses of Rabipur in non-human primates. The mRNA vaccine also generates higher RABV-G binding and neutralizing antibody titers than Rabipur, while the degree of somatic hypermutation and clonal diversity of the response are similar for the two vaccines. The higher overall antibody titers induced by the mRNA vaccine translates into improved cross-neutralization of related lyssavirus strains, suggesting that this platform has potential for the development of a broadly protective vaccine against these viruses.
Non-covalent inhibitors of thioredoxin glutathione reductase with schistosomicidal activity in vivo
Authors: Petukhova Valentina Z. , Aboagye Sammy Y. , Ardini Matteo , Lullo Rachel P. , Fata Francesca , Byrne Margaret E. , Gabriele Federica , Martin Lucy M. , Harding Luke N. M. , Gone Vamshikrishna , Dangi Bikash , Lantvit Daniel D. , Nikolic Dejan , Ippoliti Rodolfo , Effantin Grégory , Ling Wai Li , Johnson Jeremy J. , Thatcher Gregory R. J. , Angelucci Francesco , Williams David L. , Petukhov Pavel A.
Published: June 2023

Only praziquantel is available for treating schistosomiasis, a disease affecting more than 200 million people. Praziquantel-resistant worms have been selected for in the lab and low cure rates from mass drug administration programs suggest that resistance is evolving in the field. Thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR) is essential for schistosome survival and a validated drug target. TGR inhibitors identified to date are irreversible and/or covalent inhibitors with unacceptable off-target effects. In this work, we identify noncovalent TGR inhibitors with efficacy against schistosome infections in mice, meeting the criteria for lead progression indicated by WHO. Comparisons with previous in vivo studies with praziquantel suggests that these inhibitors outperform the drug of choice for schistosomiasis against juvenile worms.