bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development stage‐dependent effects of biodiversity on aboveground biomass of temperate forests
Authors: Gao Wenqiang , Liang Maowei , Xiang Wenhua , Fu Liyong , Guo Hong , He Xiao , Sharma Ram P. , Chen Zhicheng , Li Yutang , Zhou Mengli , Lan Jie , Gao Dongli , Lei Xiangdong
Published: December 2024

Increasing evidence shows that biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships (BEFs) become stronger as forests develop, but much of the evidence is drawn from experiments (less than 30 years). How the biodiversity effects vary with stand development stages remains largely unexplored. Using a large temperate forest dataset with 2392 permanent plots in northeastern China, we examined the relationships between biodiversity (i.e. tree species richness, functional diversity, and functional composition) and aboveground biomass (AGB) across different development stages of temperate forests (covering all stages from young to overmature forests). Specifically, the complementarity and mass‐ratio effects across different forest development stages were evaluated to elucidate emerging patterns that explain ecosystem functioning. We observed positive BEFs using both tree species richness and functional diversity, but these positive effects decreased with forest development. However, the effects of community‐weighted mean (CWM) on AGB showed two peaks in young and mature stands. Interestingly, the effects of CWM on AGB became larger than the effects of functional diversity after the forests developed to near‐mature/mature stands, indicating that BEFs are driven by mass‐ratio effects (i.e. dominant tree species) rather than niche complementarity in old stands. The high AGB in young stands was characterized by tree species with high resource acquisition ability, however, in old stands, it was associated with tree species with both high resource acquisition ability and conservative traits. Our findings indicate how the developmental stage influences the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning in natural forests. The findings tentatively advocate for a mechanistic framework of BEFs covering all developmental stages of temperate forests, which could facilitate the formulation of effective strategies for enhancing ecosystem functioning at different development stages.
Right middle occipital gyrus is associated with egocentric spatial orientation during body tilt: Evidence from a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Tani Keisuke , Naito Eiichi , Mizobe Koji , Hirose Satoshi
Published: December 2024

Accurate perception of the orientation of external objects relative to the body, known as egocentric spatial orientation, is fundamental to performing action. Previously, we found via behavioural and magnetic resonance imaging voxel‐based morphometry studies that egocentric spatial orientation is strongly distorted when the whole body is tilted with respect to gravity, and that the magnitude of this perceptual distortion is correlated with the grey matter volume of the right middle occipital gyrus (rMOG). In the present study, we further validated the association between the neural processing in the rMOG and the perceptual distortion by transiently suppressing neural activity in this region using low‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and evaluating the consequent effect on perceptual distortion. Our results showed that rTMS over the rMOG significantly reduced perceptual distortions when the body was tilted in the frontal plane, while it did not affect egocentric spatial orientation in the upright position. No significant changes in perceptual distortion were observed when rTMS was applied to another cortical candidate (the right temporo‐parietal junction). These results provide evidence that neural processing in the rMOG is associated with body tilt‐related perceptual distortion, suggesting that the rMOG may be engaged in egocentric spatial orientation related to gravitational information.
Assessment of the available evidence for the use of 7‐Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, with comparison to 3‐T and 1.5‐T MRI: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Radojewski Piotr , Piredda Gian Franco , Bonanno Gabriele , Lövblad Karl‐Olof , Vargas Maria Isabel , Sutter Reto , Nanz Daniel , Karrer Tanya , Salanti Georgia , Wiest Roland
Published: December 2024

Background

Ultra‐high‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a field strength of 7 Tesla (T) has marked a significant milestone in diagnostic imaging since it was approved for clinical use in 2017. Despite the potential to improve image analysis by advances in signal‐to‐noise ratio, and improved spatial resolution and metabolic imaging, the clinical implementation of 7‐T MRI remains limited. Factors that contribute to this limited availability are the high price, the operating costs, the need for specifically educated personnel, and lack of evidence of clinical benefit.

Methods

The aim of this scoping review was to evaluate the evidence of the clinical advantages of 7‐T MRI versus MRI at lower field strengths, complementary imaging modalities, and diagnostic standard approaches for neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase and Web of Science for this review.

Results

We identified 1966 studies, of which 83 were included in our review. Most studies (73 studies, 88%) examined neurological indications, nine studies (11%) examined musculoskeletal indications, and one study reported on peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Of the neuroimaging indications, cerebrovascular diseases were the most frequently investigated (14 studies), followed by multiple sclerosis (13 studies) and epilepsy (11 studies).

Conclusion

The available comparative evidence varied greatly across indications, with the best‐documented evidence being for imaging of epilepsy. Risk of bias overall was high, with limitations in blinding information, study design reporting, and patient recruitment details. The identified evidence gaps underscore the need for comparative research to determine appropriate indications and to understand whether the potential diagnostic advantage of 7‐T MRI translates to a tangible clinical benefit for patients. Future studies should include clinically relevant patient outcomes that go beyond radiological metrics.
Electrical stimulation as an adjunctive therapy for diabetic ulcers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lan Xiaodong , Huang Zhenjia , Zheng Yan , Huang Zhiyong , Tang Yong , Zhou Tao , Wang Chao , Ma Yan , Li Dan
Published: December 2024

Diabetic ulcers are chronic wounds that are notoriously difficult to treat, leading to significant physical and psychological distress and increased healthcare costs. Their multifactorial aetiology necessitates long‐term interdisciplinary collaboration and various complementary treatment measures. While numerous studies suggest that electrical stimulation (ES) positively impacts diabetic ulcer healing, the robustness and consistency of these findings require further evaluation to optimize clinical application. We searched databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing ES treatment to placebo or conventional treatment were included. Extracted information included objective healing measures and data for assessing effect sizes. Ten RCTs involving 451 patients met inclusion criteria. ES improved ulcer healing rate compared to control or placebo (MD 20.37, 95% CI: 16.89–23.85, p <0.001) and increased the number of healed ulcers (RR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.18–1.78, p <0.001), with both results being statistically significant. The observed benefits are likely due to the positive effects of ES on the vascular and neurological functions of the lower limbs in patients with diabetic ulcers. Both low‐frequency, moderate‐intensity alternating current and low‐intensity or high‐voltage direct current have demonstrated efficacy in promoting ulcer healing. The results suggest ES may be a promising approach of managing diabetic ulcers. However, the optimal method of ES application remains undetermined; therefore, high‐quality and large‐scale studies are essential.
Implementation of the REPRISE care bundle model for the prevention of pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit: An experimental study
Authors: Cor Zeynep , Soysal Ganime Esra
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the REPRISE care bundle (CB) model for pressure ulcer (PU) prevention in intensive care patients and to determine the impact of the training provided to nurses on their knowledge base and attitudes. This study has an experimental design. The study was conducted in the anaesthesia and resuscitation intensive care unit on a total of 72 patients. The prevalence of PU was compared between the control group and the REPRISE‐CB group. For the nurses, 50 nurses working in the ICU were included in the study. The nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards PU were compared before and after the training. The data were analysed using a statistical program. The incidence of IW was significantly lower in the intervention group (13.9%) compared to the control group (38.9%) (p < 0.05). The study showed that oedema, low albumin levels, low mean blood pressure and low Braden Scale scores were significant risk factors for the development of PU. In addition, the training provided to nurses was found to significantly improve their knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.05). It was concluded that REPRISE‐CB was effective in the prevention of PU and that nurses' knowledge increased with training.
Risk Prediction Models as an Emerging Trend for Managing Cancer‐Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Yun , Li Linna , Li Xia , Zhang Shu , Zhou Lin , Chen Xiaoli , Hu Xiaolin
Published: December 2024

Aim

To systematically identify, describe and evaluate the existing risk prediction models for cancer‐related fatigue.

Design

Systematic review.

Data Sources

Seven databases (EMBASE, Cochrane Database, MEDLINE, CINAHL, CNKI, SinoMed and Wanfang) were conducted from inception to August 14, 2023 and updated in September 15, 2024.

Review Methods

A systematic search was conducted to identify studies that reported the development of risk prediction models for cancer‐related fatigue. Two researchers independently performed a comprehensive assessment of the included studies. The Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the risk of bias and applicability.

Results

Eighteen studies were included in this review. These models predicted cancer‐related fatigue in various cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, gynaecological tumours and lung cancer. The most commonly included predictors were anxiety and depression, age, chemotherapy status, sleep quality and pain. Thirteen studies assessed the model performance by using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Although most models exhibited good predictive performance, a higher risk of bias was observed because of inappropriate handling of missing data methods and an imbalance in events per variable.

Conclusion

Prediction models show promise for cancer‐related fatigue management and precision care, but few are ready for clinical application due to methodological limitations.

Implications for the Profession

Future research should focus on improving the clinical utility of cancer‐related fatigue models while balancing predictive accuracy with cost‐effectiveness to promote equitable care.

Impact

This study critically systematically evaluated the prediction models of cancer‐related fatigue. The existing prediction models have a weak methodological foundation, with only a few having the potential to be implemented in clinical practice.

Reporting Method

The review is reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis in Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist (TRIPOD‐SRMA).

Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
‘It Cuts Both Ways’: A Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholders' Views on the Emerging and Potential Unintended Consequences of Telehealth in Rural Australia
Authors: Osman Sagda , Churruca Kate , Ellis Louise A. , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: December 2024

Rationale

Telehealth has been consistently viewed as a viable solution for addressing healthcare inaccessibility and mitigating the impact of health workforce shortages in rural areas. However, despite high utilisation in rural areas, little is known about the unintended consequences of telehealth in terms of unexpected benefits and drawbacks.

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the unintended consequences of telehealth in rural Australia.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory design was employed. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted to examine the views of various stakeholders across Australia. Twenty participants were interviewed across Australia, including six telehealth consumers, six providers, six state government representatives and two primary health network representatives.

Results

Findings on the unintended consequences of telehealth fell under three overarching themes with both reported unexpected benefits and drawbacks across each theme: (1) person‐centred healthcare, (2) safety and quality of healthcare and (3) sustainability of rural healthcare. Under these themes, nine sub‐themes were identified.

Conclusion

This study provides insights into the unintended consequences of telehealth. While telehealth has improved certain aspects of healthcare in rural areas such as the improved support for rural clinicians and the reduced disruption to patients' daily routines, it has also introduced unforeseen challenges such as the transfer of medicolegal burden to local clinicians in rural emergency care facilities to compensate for the absence of physical examinations. These findings feed into decision‐making useful for informing and improving telehealth implementation in rural Australia to maximise unexpected benefits, minimise risks, and ensure the long‐term viability of telehealth services.
Transcriptomic profiling of gill biopsies to define predictive markers for seawater survival in farmed Atlantic salmon
Authors: Grønvold Lars , van Dalum Mattis J. , Striberny Anja , Manousi Domniki , Ytrestøyl Trine , Mørkøre Turid , Boison Solomon , Gjerde Bjarne , Jørgensen Even , Sandve Simen R. , Hazlerigg David G.
Published: December 2024

Wild Atlantic salmon migrate to sea following completion of a developmental process known as parr‐smolt transformation (PST), which establishes a seawater (SW) tolerant phenotype. Effective imitation of this aspect of anadromous life history is a crucial aspect of commercial salmon production, with current industry practice being marred by significant losses during transition from the freshwater (FW) to SW phase of production. The natural photoperiodic control of PST can be mimicked by exposing farmed juvenile fish to a reduced duration photoperiod for at least 6 weeks before increasing the photoperiod in the last 1–2 months before SW transfer. While it is known that variations in this general protocol affect subsequent SW performance, there is no uniformly accepted industry standard; moreover, reliable prediction of SW performance from fish attributes in the FW phase remains a major challenge. Here we describe an experiment in which we took gill biopsies 1 week prior to SW transfer from 3000 individually tagged fish raised on three different photoperiod regimes during the FW phase. Biopsies were subjected to RNA profiling by Illumina sequencing, while individual fish growth and survival was monitored over 300 days in a SW cage environment, run as a common garden experiment. Using a random forest machine learning algorithm, we developed gene expression‐based predictive models for initial survival and stunted growth in SW. Stunted growth phenotypes could not be predicted based on gill transcriptomes, but survival the first 40 days in SW could be predicted with moderate accuracy. While several previously identified marker genes contribute to this model, a surprisingly low weighting is ascribed to sodium potassium ATPase subunit genes, contradicting advocacy for their use as SW readiness markers. However, genes with photoperiod‐history sensitive regulation were highly enriched among the genes with highest importance in the prediction model. This work opens new avenues for understanding and exploiting developmental changes in gill physiology during smolt development.
Do people rely more on habits when sleepy? An ecological momentary assessment study
Authors: McLaurin Theresa , Gardner Benjamin , Shriane Alexandra E. , Rebar Amanda L. , Vincent Grace E.
Published: December 2024

When self‐regulatory resources are depleted, people tend to act more on “autopilot”, with minimal forethought. It follows that when sleepy, people should be more likely to act habitually, based on learned cue–behaviour associations that trigger behaviour automatically when the cue is encountered. This ecological momentary assessment study investigated whether, over the course of a week, between‐person differences and momentary within‐person variation in daytime sleepiness were associated with the reported habit strength of behaviours. Participants (N = 105, 71% female, M age = 35 years) completed a baseline assessment of sleep quality and, six times daily over 7 days, momentary assessments in which they reported the habit strength of the behaviour they were doing when prompted and their momentary sleepiness. Multilevel modelling revealed that people who were more sleepy than others were not more or less likely to act habitually, but on occasions when people were more sleepy than was typical for them, the behaviour they were engaging in tended to be more habitual (Pseudo‐R2 = 2%). Our results suggest that sleepiness causes people to rely on non‐reflective processes such as habit to regulate their behaviour. Interventions should promote habit formation for desirable behaviours so that when people are sleepy, they can rely on the efficiency of habits to ensure they continue to enact wanted behaviours. Conversely, interventions promoting behaviours that require deliberative thought might encourage performance during times of day when people are more alert.
Shifts and rebound in microbial community function following repeated introduction of a novel species
Authors: Leale Alanna M. , Reyes Marquez Francisca , Zwaan Bas , Smid Eddy J. , Schoustra Sijmen
Published: December 2024

Natural microbial communities continually encounter novel species that may successfully establish or simply be transient, yet both outcomes can alter the resident community composition and function. Preserving natural microbial communities and innovating synthetic ones requires insight on the immediate and long‐term impact of species introductions on both composition and function. For instance, it remains unclear whether there are gradual and long‐term impacts from repeated introductions where the introduced species fails to establish – so‐called failed invaders. To investigate the persistent impacts by failed invaders, we present an experimental test of community stability over multiple generations against repeated novel species introduction. We propagated a natural microbial community from a traditional fermented milk beverage for approximately 100 generations, with or without, repeated introduction of Escherichia coli at each transfer. Community function was determined by metabolic profiling, and we observed alterations therein immediately after E. coli introduction, followed by recovery, or rebound once ceased. In contrast to this proxy of community function, changes in the bacterial community composition were never detected. Our results evidence that community composition and function do not necessarily respond in parallel to an introduced species, potentially due to genotypic changes below species level detection or metabolic plasticity. Our work shows an ability for functional recovery in microbial communities and contributes insight on long‐term community stability to sustained disturbances.
Parental environment nitrogen and phosphorus availability affects offspring traits of eight annual plant species
Authors: Minden Vanessa , Verhoeven Koen J. F. , Olde Venterink Harry
Published: December 2024

The rates in which nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are entering natural plant communities have reached unprecedented levels, resulting in increasingly imbalanced N:P ratios potentially aggravating both plant invasions and plant extinctions. Plants may cope with changing environments via phenotypic plasticity, which may occur within one generation or between generations (transgenerational plasticity, TGP). Here, we investigated TGP in plant traits in response to variation in N and P availabilities, in eight annual plant species comprising endangered, nonendangered and invasive species. We hypothesized that adaptive effects would be evident when parental and offspring environments match. We also expected endangered species to exhibit the lowest, and invasive species the highest, adaptive TGP‐potential. A parental generation was raised under N‐limitation, balanced nutrient supply and P‐limitation, from which an offspring generation was grown under either the same or another option of these nutrient conditions. Across all species, offspring plants of N‐stressed parents showed thin roots, i.e. low average root diameter, which is advantageous under N‐limitation when repeatedly exposed to N‐limitation, and offspring of P‐stressed parents showed highest levels of phosphomonoesterase activity (PME activity), associated with P‐uptake, when repeatedly grown under P‐limitation. Contrary to our expectation, endangered species with P‐stressed parents performed better than nonendangered or invasive species especially when grown under P‐limitation in the offspring generation, probably due to a higher PME activity and longer and thicker roots. Our results demonstrate that the parental nutrient environment can have profound effects on offspring fitness and trait expressions, especially when parental and offspring environments match. There, TGP in response to parental nutrient limitation pre‐adapts the offspring generation, resulting in individuals exhibiting traits associated with higher nutrient uptake under nutrient deficient conditions. Overall, our findings indicate that TGP may play a significant role in the realised niches of plant species in general, and specifically in endangered species.
The Practicality of Quality Assessment Metrics for Millimetre‐Scale Digital Image Correlation Speckle Patterns
Authors: Gagnon Émélie , Day Jennifer J.
Published: December 2024

Digital image correlation (DIC), often used in multidisciplinary applications by nonexperts, relies heavily on the quality of a speckle pattern for accurate deformation tracking. Numerous metrics have been developed to assess speckle pattern quality and guide decision‐making in DIC postprocessing. This investigation considered the applicability of these metrics in the selection of an optimal speckling method for two‐dimensional DIC strain measurements, using the standard Brazilian tensile strength rock mechanics laboratory test as a case study. Four speckle patterning methods—spray paint, airbrush, stamp and laser engraving—were optimized to produce patterns of good visual quality for this specific DIC setup. Twenty specimens, five for each method, were prepared, and their speckle patterns were analysed using 10 published metrics. Each pattern was also deformed numerically to quantify the associated systematic and random errors. Overall, none of the 10 metrics demonstrated substantial agreement with the numerical experiment errors due to their failure to account for the confounding influence of pattern characteristics. Consequently, these tools are limited in their usefulness to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of speckle patterns with similar characteristics. Numerical simulation of pattern deformation is recommended as the most accurate resource for nonexpert DIC users to assess reproducibility and select optimal patterning methods in practical applications.
The fixity of the past, the fixity of the independent and local‐miracle compatibilism
Authors: Law Andrew
Published: December 2024

The Principle of the Fixity of the Past (FP) holds that the past is ‘fixed’ in evaluating what we are free to do, and it is frequently invoked by incompatibilists when arguing that freedom and determinism are incompatible. However, several authors have argued that incompatibilists ought to abandon FP for a different principle, sometimes called the Principle of the Fixity of the Independent (FI). According to this principle, it is not the past in its entirety that is fixed, but only those parts of the past that are independent of our current choices. But a question remains: What about authors who are not friendly to incompatibilism in the first place? Is there any reason to think that compatibilists should also abandon their preferred interpretation of FP for something along the lines of FI? I examine perhaps the most influential version of (classical or leeway) compatibilism, David Lewis's ‘local‐miracle compatibilism’. I argue that although Lewis's version of local‐miracle compatibilism avoids being committed to anything like FI, his version faces a number of objections. Once we revise Lewis's version to avoid these objections, we arrive at a version of local‐miracle compatibilism that is committed to FI, or at least something very close.
Distinct Pro‐Inflammatory Species‐Specific Transcriptional Changes in Human T Cells Following Pig Xenogeneic Stimulation
Authors: Abou‐Daya Khodor I. , Moussawy Mouhamad Al , Kubo Masahiko , Lu Lien , Perez‐Gutierrez Angelica , Ezzelarab Mohamed B.
Published: December 2024

Conventional T cell‐directed immunosuppression is the mainstay of standard‐of‐care therapy to prevent graft rejection in clinical organ transplantation. However, it remains ineffective in preventing experimental and clinical organ xenograft rejection. Here, we explored the impact of allogeneic versus xenogeneic antigen stimulation on human T cell responses and gene profile. A comparable proliferative human T cell response was observed in vitro following stimulation with either human or pig cells. Yet, elevated High mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) levels were following xenogeneic but not allogeneic stimulation, suggesting a pro‐inflammatory response. Next, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured with allogeneic human, “concordant” xenogeneic monkey, or “discordant” xenogeneic pig, intact cells, or cell lysates. Flow‐sorted CD3+T cells were analyzed for gene expression using NanoString. A distinct pro‐inflammatory gene profile was observed in human CD3+T cells following co‐culture with discordant xenogeneic pig cells, but not concordant xenogeneic monkey cells or allogeneic human cells. Uniquely, stimulation with pig cells induced the expression of the transcription factor NCF4, which promotes inflammasome activation. Pig cell lysate, but not intact pig cells, induced high expression of the DNA‐binding cytokine interleukin‐26 gene. Collectively, these observations highlight the impact of xenogeneic stimulation of human T cells in pig xenograft recipients and concomitant inflammatory responses, which may contribute to immunosuppression‐resistant xenograft rejection. Finally, the impact of genetic engineering of donor pigs on human T cell transcriptomic gene profile is yet to be determined.
Cryptic diversity and historical biogeography of a nurse‐frog species complex (Allobates tinae): Insights on biotic diversification in Brazilian southwestern Amazonia
Authors: Maia Gabriela F. , Ferrão Miquéias , Moraes Leandro J. C. L. , Kaefer Igor L. , Lima Albertina P.
Published: December 2024

Amazonia continuously reveals outstanding biotic diversity and endemism, but our comprehension regarding their underlying processes has been impaired by knowledge gaps on cryptic taxonomic diversity. Here, we clarified the diversity and historical biogeography of nurse‐frogs typical from Brazilian Southwestern Amazonia, the Allobates tinae species complex, using fine‐scale population sampling and molecular‐based analyses. Fieldwork was conducted at 23 localities across three major interfluves encompassing two well‐recognized areas of endemism. Fragments of three mitochondrial DNA genes were sequenced and compared through phylogeographic and phylogenetic analyses. Based on these results, we estimated the species limits and inferred the historical biogeography. We found seven highly supported clades, which were considered as distinct species according to delimitation analyses. However, only two of these clades are taxonomically described, indicating a nearly threefold underestimation of the complex species richness. Major clades showed pronounced genetic distances, strong spatial structuring, and restricted or absent haplotype sharing. However, genetic structure was not predicted by geographic distance, and strong genetic structure among major clades was evident even at smaller geographical scales lacking evident physical barriers. Biogeographic analysis indicated diversification of the A. tinae complex most likely occurred through dispersals followed by speciations. These events started southward from the Guiana Shield during the Miocene, and were followed by sequential secondary northward dispersals along the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Our results indicate combined roles of historical (landscape dynamism) and ecological (environmental heterogeneity) factors driving biotic diversification in Brazilian Southwestern Amazonia.
Transformation of Matrix Presentation for Bieberbach Groups into Polycyclic Presentations
Authors: A Rahman Muhammad Hazwan , Mohammad Siti Afiqah , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Mohd Sarip Nurain Mieza Mahirah , Mukhtar Siti Nuraishah , Zainal Ani Ayuni
Published: December 2024

A Bieberbach group is a torsion free crystallographic group that represents an extension of a free abelian lattice group by a finite point group. This research began by taking the group offered in the Crystallographic Algorithms and Tables (CARAT) package, which is in the matrix form. There are only four Bieberbach groups of dimension six to be isomorphic to the quaternion point group of order eight. In this study, three Bieberbach groups of dimension six with the quaternion point group of order eight that are considered as only the first group has been found its well-defined polycyclic presentation. Every group has eight generators that describe the group. However, the algorithm used in constructing the polycyclic presentation requires a new arbitrary generator to be added into the group. Then the consistency relations need to be checked and the polycyclic presentation is said to be a well-defined construction if it is consistent. Therefore, this study shows the construction of polycyclic presentation with the new arbitrary generator for all three groups. Furthermore, the polycyclic presentation for the second group has been proven to be consistent, which implies that the construction is well-defined.
Antibacterial Properties of Garcinia mangostana Linn. Ethanolic and Methanolic Extracts Against Selected Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fornal Sienna Karen , Subaldo Sophia , Saquido Romeliza , Nisperos Dulce Marie , Pag-ong Anthony Ian
Published: December 2024

Garcinia mangostana Linn., has been studied for its antibacterial properties to augment commercial antibiotics and in the hope of easing reliance on these chemical medications in the future, however, the comparison of the fruit’s bactericidal capabilities relative to different bacterial species requires further analyses. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the antibacterial activity of ethanolic and methanolic mangosteen extracts against three species that commonly cause Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)—Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results revealed no significant difference [mean difference: 1.42 (CI: -3.53 to 6.37, I2 = 99%, Z = 0.56 (P = 0.57))] between the effectiveness of the extracts against S. aureus and E. coli. But it was contrary when P. aeruginosa was compared with S. aureus [mean difference: 5.00 (CI: 4.48 to 5.52, I2= 0%, Z = 18.97 (P < 0.00001))] and E. coli [mean difference: 3.96 (CI: 2.01 to 5.92, I2 = 94%, Z = 3.97 (P < 0.0001))]. Literature search and screening were done following the PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessments utilized the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool and a remodified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A total of 13 studies were included in the review, only 7 of which were eligible for meta-analyses. In conclusion, G. mangostana extracts are indeed effective against multiple microbes, however, relative to the selected bacterial species, inhibition varied. Moreover, this study sheds light on further practical or in vivo applications of mangosteen as a treatment for bacterial infections.
On the Planar Property of an Ideal-Based Weakly Zero-Divisor Graph
Authors: Ghafoor Asad , Zamri Siti Norziahidayu Amzee , Sarmin Nor Haniza , El-Sanfaz Mustafa Anis
Published: December 2024

Let R be a commutative ring with a nonzero identity and Z(R) be the set of zero-divisors of R. The weakly zero-divisor graph of R, denoted by WГ(R), is the graph with the vertex set 〖Z(R)〗^*=Z(R)\\{0}, where two distinct vertices a and b form an edge if ar=bs=rs=0 for r,s∈R\\{0}. For an ideal I of R, the ideal-based zero-divisor graph of R, denoted by Г_I (R), has vertices {a∈R\I:ab∈I for some b∈R\I} and edges {(a,b):ab∈I,a,b∈R\I,a≠b}. In this article, an ideal-based weakly zero-divisor graph of R, denoted by 〖WГ〗_I (R), is introduced which contains Г_I (R) as a subgraph and is identical to the graph WГ(R) when I={0}. The relationship between the graphs WГ_I (R) and WГ(R/I) is investigated and the planar property of 〖WГ〗_I (R) is studied. The results show that WГ(R/I) is isomorphic to a subgraph of 〖WГ〗_I (R). For 〖WГ〗_I (R) to be planar, some restraints are provided on the size of the ideal I and girth of 〖WГ〗_I (R). In conclusion, the results suggest that WГ_I (R) and WГ(R/I) are strongly related and establish necessary and sufficient conditions for WГ_I (R) to be planar. In addition, rings R with planar WГ_I (R) are classified.
Understanding Acute Hemolytic Anemia Severity Through Computational Analysis of G6PDChatham Variant: Designing a New Activator as a Potential Drug
Authors: Alakbaree Maysaa , Suleiman Mustapha , Hashim Abdulsalam Abbas , Al-Hili Ahmed , Shamsir Omar Mohd Shahir , Hasan Ali Farah , Ab Latif Nurriza , Ahmed Hamza Muaawia , Amran Syazwani Itri
Published: December 2024

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD) is a major enzymatic disease affecting human red blood cells (RBCs), causing hemolytic anemia due to the diminish of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) synthesis and altered redox balance within erythrocytes. This study sought to correct the defect in G6PDChatham (Ala355Thr) caused by the loss of interactions (hydrogen bonds and salt bridges) by docking the AG1 molecule at the dimer interface, thus restoring these lost interactions. The enzyme conformation was then analyzed before and after AG1 binding using molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). The reasons behind the severity of acute hemolytic anemia (AHA) were explained using several parameters, such as root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, radius of gyration (Rg), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), and covariance matrix analysis. Structural alterations in G6PDChatham, including the absence of interactions in a key region of the variant structure, can significantly impact protein stability and function, subsequently contributing to disease severity. Upon AG1 binding, these missing interactions were resorted to correct the structural defect of the variant. This restoration improves dimer stability and restores G6PD function. To develop new G6PD activators, several new analogues (SY7, SY8, SY9, and SY10) were rationally developed by substituting the linker region of the AG1 structure with other functional groups using the Avogadro software. These compounds were successfully synthesized and docked with G6PDChatham where the best binding affinity ranged between -8.0 and -9.1 kcal/mol. SY8, a promising G6PD activator, is predicted to be easily metabolized and excreted, making it less likely to cause toxicity. Its high drug score, drug-likeness, and favorable safety profile make it a strong candidate for synthesis and cellular testing. The toxicity risk assessment supported the overall drug score, increasing confidence in finding additional small-molecule activators for G6PDD disorder. Amidst the absence of effective treatments, such discovery hopes to improve the lives of those with AHA by assisting the development of appropriate pharmaceuticals for G6PDD.
Questionnaire Research on How to Train Innovation Stomatology Undergraduates in China Using Practical Domestic and International Experience
Authors: Huang Hongxin , Ge Zhangjie , Meng Ting , Wang Yunlong , Tan Rongshuang , Yang Ling , Wang Chenggang , Zhang Rui , Zhou Ping
Published: December 2024

The curriculum of interdisciplinary oral undergraduates can help train stomatologists with better analytical, creative and critical thinking. The curriculum reform of stomatology students is a hot topic in domestic colleges and universities. The aims of this study were to (1) analyze the necessity and feasibility of setting up interdisciplinary courses through advanced cases at home and abroad and to summarize successful experiences; (2) understand the cognition, learning interest and knowledge mastery of interdisciplinary students majoring in stomatology to lay a foundation for the formulation of training programs and development strategies for interdisciplinary innovative talent; and (3) summarize the current situation of undergraduate discipline cross-training and propose improvement measures. This study collected successful curriculum reform data both domestically and internationally and designed a questionnaire on the understanding of undergraduate students majoring in stomatology at Lanzhou University on the basis of their curriculum design. The study revealed that most students recognized the overlap between oral medicine and other fields, viewing interdisciplinary knowledge as valuable for scientific research. However, over half of the students rated their interdisciplinary knowledge as average or below, whereas 95.1% expressed an eagerness to learn more. The findings suggest a need to further enhance curriculum development, establish an interdisciplinary collaboration base, and deepen cooperative models for better outcomes in stomatology education.
Mentoring for Effective Teaching - An Analysis of Austrian Mentees’ School-based Mentoring Practices
Authors: Haas Elisabeth , Hudson Sue
Published: December 2024

Practical school mentoring is very important in Austrian teacher education. This quantitative study shows feedback from student teachers (n=114) on their experiences in supporting mentors based on the five factors (personal attributes, system requirements, pedagogical knowledge, modelling, and feedback). Trained mentors accompany primary school teaching student teachers during their internships. Results show that mentees recognize that their mentors maintain a pleasant relationship (95.7), are enthusiastic (92.1%) about mentoring-practice, convey positive attitudes (87.8%), are attentive in their teaching activities (88.6%), and provide oral feedback (85.9%).When assessing the personal attributes of the mentors, the mentees gave a percentage value higher than 69% for the six items. This indicates that the mentees have a good impression of their mentors. The article shows that in future mentoring practices should focus primarily on areas such as systemic issues, structures with planning units, assessments, questions about the feedback culture.
Convergencia a la norma internacional de información financiera 17, NIIF 17, contratos de seguro y ajustes al régimen de reservas técnicas en Colombia. Análisis de los avances en la hoja de ruta para la modernización de la regulación del sector asegurador
Authors: Tocaría Díaz Daniel Absalón
Published: December 2024

Este documento analiza dos ajustes regulatorios recientes y considerados relevantes para el sector asegurador en Colombia. Por una parte, el Decreto 1271 de 2024 permite la convergencia a la NIIF 17, contratos de seguro. Por otra parte, el Decreto 1272 de 2024 realiza modificaciones a las reservas técnicas de las entidades aseguradoras para la convergencia a la NIIF 17 y a una regulación basada en riesgos de acuerdo con la Directiva de Solvencia II. Ambos marcos regulatorios deberán ser aplicados a partir del 1° de enero de 2027.
La convergencia a la NIIF 17, contratos de seguro, propende por una mejor estimación, comparabilidad y revelación de los pasivos de las entidades que emiten contratos de seguro. Por otra parte, los ajustes al régimen de reservas técnicas tienen el objetivo de crear concordancias entre el régimen prudencial, la NIIF 17 y una regulación basada en riesgos.
Las disposiciones de los dos decretos fueron resultado de un estudio adelantado, desde 2021, por parte del Gobierno nacional, a través de la Unidad de Regulación Financiera, en conjunto con la Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia y el Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, con el acompañamiento de un consultor internacional, y la participación de las entidades que suscriben contratos de seguro, incluida la aseguradora.
Configuración espacial del sector terciario en ciudades intermedias del norte de México: propuesta de análisis para la diversidad de las actividades económicas
Authors: Alonso Burboa Ricardo
Published: December 2024

El presente trabajo tiene el objetivo de explorar la configuración espacial intraurbana de la actividad económica del sector terciario (comercio y servicios), clasificándolo en dos grupos distintos: actividades económicas cuyos potenciales consumidores son los habitantes y actividades económicas cuyos potenciales consumidores son otras actividades económicas. Para ello, se toma el caso de tres ciudades intermedias de la región norte de México: Hermosillo, Chihuahua y Saltillo. La exploración se lleva a cabo a través de la interpretación de mapas temáticos que muestran los distintos patrones de configuración espacial de cada grupo del sector terciario, a través de la representación de densidades de empleo en el interior de las ciudades. Los resultados muestran una ocupación similar del centro de las ciudades por parte de ambos grupos y distintos patrones de localización en el resto del área urbana, que podrían estar relacionados con la presencia de suelo de uso industrial y habitacional.
Bayesian reconstruction of surface shape from phaseless scattered acoustic data
Authors: Johnson Michael-David , Cuenca Jacques , Lähivaara Timo , Dolcetti Giulio , Alkmim Mansour , De Ryck Laurent , Krynkin Anton
Published: December 2024

The recovery of the properties or geometry of a rough surface from scattered sound is of interest in many applications, including medicine, water engineering, or structural health monitoring. Existing approaches to reconstruct the roughness profile of a scattering surface based on wave scattering have no intrinsic way of predicting the uncertainty of the reconstruction. In an attempt to recover this uncertainty, a Bayesian framework, and more explicitly, an adaptive Metropolis scheme, is used to infer the properties of a rough surface, parameterised as a superposition of sinusoidal components. The Kirchhoff approximation is used in the present work as the underlying model of wave scattering, and is constrained by the assumption of surface smoothness. This implies a validity region in the parameter space, which is incorporated in the Bayesian formulation, making the resulting method physics informed compared to data-based approaches. For a three-parameter sinusoidal surface and a rough surface with a random roughness profile, physical experiments were conducted to collect scattered field data. The models were then tested on the experimental data. The recovery offers insight of the Bayesian approach results expressed in terms of confidence intervals, and could be used as a method to identify uncertainty.
Pheochromocytoma-induced cardiogenic shock requiring ECMO: cardiovascular recovery prior to surgical resection
Authors: Redler Toby Adrian , Mohtat-Nasri Zohra , Williams Brielle , Townend Philip
Published: December 2024

An otherwise healthy woman in her 30s presented with cardiogenic shock and acute pulmonary oedema (APO), subsequently requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A CT scan revealed an adrenal mass that prompted the differential diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma crisis that was later further suggested by raised plasma metanephrines. In the absence of clear guidelines due to the clinical rarity, a decision was made to delay adrenalectomy and stabilise the patient from a cardiac perspective with the view to operate after improvement of cardiac function with adequate alpha and beta blockade. Despite multiple complications, the patient was discharged from the hospital on day 32. After stabilisation and improvement of cardiac function, the patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. She was haemodynamically stable throughout the operation and was discharged on postoperative day 1 from the ICU to home. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. She has been stable on follow-up.
Phaeochromocytoma mimicking acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Ackfeld Theresa , Beuret Hadrien , Mosar Francesca , Cook Stephane
Published: December 2024

Phaeochromocytomas are rare catecholamine-secreting tumours, usually benign, originating from chromaffin cells of the adrenal glands. Their typical presentation includes the triad of headaches, sweating and tachycardia due to excessive catecholamine release. However, many patients do not exhibit all three symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. A significant proportion of cases (around 40%) are linked to genetic disorders. Cardiac complications, including life-threatening events, are common.

This report details the case of a 43-year-old woman presenting with chest pain, headaches and diaphoresis. Initial ECG showed an anterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction pattern, but coronary angiography revealed no arterial disease. The left ventricular angiogram indicated apical ballooning. Elevated blood pressure prompted suspicion of phaeochromocytoma, which was confirmed through positive metanephrine tests.

The tumour, located in the right adrenal gland, was successfully removed laparoscopically, and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

Phaeochromocytoma should be suspected in patients with unexplained myocardial infarction, labile hypertension and normal coronary arteries, as beta-blockers can be harmful if used in untreated cases.