bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using repeated peer review assignments to improve research and writing skills in health sciences students
Authors: Henry Dayna , Sell Julia , Malenke Lucy Bryan
Published: May 2024

The chapter describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of repeated peer review assignments in a health sciences program. Details of the assignment, quantitative and qualitative indirect assessments, and considerations for implementing this type of assignment in other courses are provided.
Will future wind power development in Scandinavia have an impact on wolves?
Authors: Miltz Cecilia , Eriksen Ane , Wikenros Camilla , Wabakken Petter , Sand Håkan , Zimmermann Barbara
Published: May 2024

The global energy demand is growing, and the world is shifting towards using more renewable energy, like increased onshore wind power development. We used Global Positioning System (GPS) and Very High Frequency (VHF) location data from adult, territorial wolves Canis lupus in Scandinavia (Sweden and Norway; 1999–2021), to examine the potential for wind power development to affect wolf behavioural ecology. We examined the spatial overlap of areas proposed for wind power development with wolf territory activity centres prior to construction, to test to what extent overlap varies with season, time of day and social status (breeding versus non‐breeding wolves). Measures of overlap were the distance between wolf activity centre points and nearest proposed wind turbine, the probability of proposed wind turbines being within the activity centre, and the density of proposed wind turbines within the activity centre. The wolf activity centre points were closer to sites of proposed turbines in early summer than in late winter and the density of proposed turbines in the activity centre was higher in early summer than in late winter. These findings probably result from an altitudinal shift in wolf area use between summer and winter. We also found that the probability for proposed turbines to be within the activity centre was higher for non‐breeding than for breeding wolves during early summer, whereas it was higher for breeding compared to non‐breeding wolves during late winter. This difference might be an effect of that breeding wolves have a restricted area use during the early summer season (denning period), resulting in a lower probability of turbines being inside their activity centre as compared to late winter. There was no clear pattern for other seasonal and social status differences. The results should be viewed as a starting point for further research and supplemented with before‐after studies.
The important role of distortion recognition in student advocacy leadership development
Authors: Yamanaka Aoi , Hassell‐Goodman Sharrell , Athanasiou Janet , Arminio Jan
Published: May 2024

Though promoting student advocacy has become an essential part of leadership education, few studies explore development of advocacy in leadership education. This article offers how distortions, an aspect of a Black feminist reframing of dissonance, is related to existing leadership education literature. It then introduces students’ voices demonstrating the importance of the realization of distortions in student advocacy development and links distortions with how power communicates and upholds systemic oppression. Finally, we offer practical recommendations based on a case scenario that utilize Black feminist perspectives of dissonance in refining student advocacy leadership education. Such insight prompts more effective strategies in student advocate development.
Creative Application of Artificial Intelligence in Education
Authors: Urmeneta Alex , Romero Margarida
Published: May 2024

The chapter commences by presenting the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of education. It aims to provide an overview of the AI environment in education, highlighting the importance of a nuanced comprehension of its effects, ethical implications, and potential to stimulate innovative teaching methods. The chapter explores the historical background of technological interventions in education and takes a critical approach to examining the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI. It also considers the sociocultural and creative aspects of using AI in education. AI has typically focused on imitating human intelligence. Within the realm of human abilities, we recognise various degrees of creative involvement in AI in education, which demonstrates its capacity to revolutionise learning experiences. At the most advanced stages of creative involvement, we explore the possibilities for collaboration between human intelligence and AI, suggesting a viewpoint of human–AI co-creativity. The chapter also outlines the book's structure, which consists of three main sections: the creative engagement approach, real examples in K-12 education, and advances and prospects in higher education. The different chapters envision not only the acculturation and education of AI, but also the potential of human–AI collaboration to support learners in expressing their unique talents and developing expansive, AI-supported learning initiatives.
Digital Acculturation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Durampart Michel , Bonfils Philippe , Romero Margarida
Published: May 2024

This chapter examines AI integration in education, concentrating on acculturation, as a broad movement of appropriating digital tools. The chapter emphasises principals’ involvement in supporting AI potential in schools and the complex interplay between digital technology and education. The chapter describes teachers’ transition from personal to educational digital use across three phases of digital acculturation. It emphasises professional development by highlighting problems and motivations. The last part of the chapter discusses digital acculturation in AI and education, including medical expertise, vocational training, and special education. It finishes by analysing educational platform organisational changes and AI's ability to change learning dynamics and interfaces, raising new considerations about global education systems.
Learning from the Ground Up: Community Energy Stories from Malawi
Authors: Kadziponye Arnold , Sailence John
Published: May 2024

There is a need to engage directly with community energy managers and operators to co-produce knowledge directly relevant to the challenges they face. In this challenge, two operators of community energy in Malawi relate their experiences on the ground, making community energy projects possible. This chapter presents two accounts of the making of community energy in Malawi, as told by the protagonists of those stories.

The first experience, written by Arnold Kadziponye, reports the story of the Mulanje Electricity Generation Agency Ltd (MEGA), in the Mulanje Massif in the south of Malawi (65 km from Blantyre). Arnold’s story shows how concerns with conservation foster the development of an electrification project. Now covering over 2000 households and expanding rapidly, the biggest lessons of Arnold’s stories relate to the engagement with the community and the need to moderate unrealistic expectations.

The second story presents the Chipopoma Power Project in Manchewe, Livingstonia, in the North of Malawi, and it is reported in the form of an interview with John Sailence, that in 2023 served 120 households. A project assembled with heterogeneous technologies and resources—including learning to build a turbine—demonstrates the potential to harness and develop the knowledge skills within the community.
Conclusion
Authors: Castán Broto Vanesa
Published: May 2024

This chapter reviews the lessons from previous chapters, aiming to develop a synthetic perspective on the contribution of community energy to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy and to incorporate justice considerations into such transition. The chapter argues that community energy is a means to build strong foundations for a transition to sustainable energy, challenging the epistemic injustices embedded in current energy systems. It also argues for engaging in the practice of commoning energy as a means to address and generate action to respond to the energy justice dilemmas raised by the transition.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Community Energy: An Intersectional Perspective
Authors: Castán Broto Vanesa
Published: May 2024

Gender has long been a central topic for discussion in relation to energy provision and energy access, but it becomes particularly prominent when considering community energy and transitions to sustainable energy. Gender relations continue to shape infrastructure networks. There is a gender gap in the energy transition both in terms of women and  gender non-conforming people being able to access the green labour market, and in terms of understanding how gender relations are at the root of energy injustices. This chapter engages with feminist theory and asks what does an intersectional perspective mean for community energy. In particular, the chapter argues that an intersectional perspective enables a radical rethinking of the technological, political, social, and institutional dimensions of the energy transition.
Probing the CP structure of the top quark Yukawa at the future muon collider
Authors: Cassidy Morgan E. , Dong Zhongtian , Kong Kyoungchul , Lewis Ian M. , Zhang Yanzhe , Zheng Ya-Juan
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study the top-Higgs coupling with a CP violating phase ξ at a future multi-TeV muon collider. We focus on processes that are directly sensitive to the top quark Yukawa coupling: $$ t\overline{t}h $$
t

t
¯

h
, tbhμν, and $$ t\overline{t} h\nu \overline{\nu} $$
t

t
¯

hν

ν
¯

with $$ h\to b\overline{b} $$
h
→
b

b
¯

and semileptonic top decays. At different energies, different processes dominate the cross section, providing complementary information. At and above an energy of $$ \mathcal{O}(10) $$
O

10

TeV, vector boson fusion processes dominate. As we show, in the Standard Model there is destructive interference in the vector boson fusion processes $$ t\overline{t} h\nu \overline{\nu} $$
t

t
¯

hν

ν
¯

and tbhμν between the top quark Yukawa and Higgs-gauge boson couplings. A CP-violating phase changes this interference, and the cross section measurement is very sensitive to the size of the CP-violating angle. Although we find that the cross sections are measured to $$ \mathcal{O}\left(50\%\right) $$
O

50
%

statistical uncertainty at 1σ, a 10 and 30 TeV muon collider can bound the CP-violating angle |ξ| ≲ 9.0° and |ξ| ≲ 5.4°, respectively. However, cross section measurements are insensitive to the sign of the CP-violating angle. To determine that the coupling is truly CP violating, observables sensitive to CP-violation must be measured. We find in the $$ t\overline{t}h $$
t

t
¯

h
process the azimuthal angle between the $$ t+\overline{t} $$
t
+

t
¯

plane and the initial state muon+Higgs plane shows good discrimination for ξ = ±0.1π. For the tbhμν and $$ t\overline{t} h\nu \overline{\nu} $$
t

t
¯

hν

ν
¯

processes, the operator proportional to $$ \left({\overrightarrow{p}}_{\mu}\times {\overrightarrow{p}}_h\right) $$

p
→

μ

×

p
→

h

· $$ {\overrightarrow{p}}_t $$

p
→

t

is sensitive to the sign of CP phase ξ. From these observables, we construct asymmetry parameters that show good distinction between different values and signs of the CP violating angle.
Coherent gluon radiation: beyond leading-log accuracy
Authors: Jackson Greg , Peigné Stéphane , Watanabe Kazuhiro
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Results are presented for the medium-induced, soft coherent radiation spectrum for all 2 → 2 partonic channels in QCD, at leading-order in αs but beyond leading logarithmic accuracy. The general formula is valid in the full kinematic range of the underlying process, and reduces to previous results in special cases. The soft gluon radiation spectrum is expressed in terms of the color density matrix specific to each channel, quantifying the entanglement between the color components of the 2 → 2 production amplitude. Beyond the leading logarithm, the spectrum depends explicitly on the off-diagonal elements of this matrix, owing to the soft gluon’s ability to probe the internal color structure of the parton pair.
Celestial gluon amplitudes from the outside in
Authors: Melton Walker , Narayanan Sruthi A.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We show that, given a two-dimensional realization of the celestial OPE in self-dual Yang-Mills, we can find a scalar source around which scattering amplitudes replicate correlation functions computed from the 2D ‘gluon’ operators in a limit where a dynamic massless scalar decouples. We derive conditions on the two-dimensional three-point correlation function so that such a source exists and give two particular examples of this construction, one in which gluons are constructed from vertex operators in the semiclassical limit of Liouville theory and another in which the soft gluons arise from generalized free fields. Finally, we identify a bulk dual to the level of the boundary Kac-Moody algebra and discuss moving beyond the decoupling limit.
Distribution Function and Nonincreasing Rearrangement of $${\mathbb {B}}{\mathbb {C}}$$-Valued Functions with $${\mathbb {B}} {\mathbb {C}}$$-Measure
Authors: Eryılmaz İlker
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates the distribution function and nonincreasing rearrangement of $$\mathbb{B}\mathbb{C}$$

B
C

-valued functions equipped with the hyperbolic norm. It begins by introducing the concept of the distribution function for $$ \mathbb{B}\mathbb{C}$$

B
C

-valued functions, which characterizes valuable insights into the behavior and structure of $$\mathbb{B}\mathbb{C}$$

B
C

-valued functions, allowing to analyze their properties and establish connections with other mathematical concepts. Next, the nonincreasing rearrangement of $$\mathbb{B}\mathbb{C}$$

B
C

-valued functions with the hyperbolic norm are studied. By exploring the nonincreasing rearrangement of $$\mathbb{B}\mathbb{C}$$

B
C

-valued functions, it is aimed to determine how the hyperbolic norm influences the rearrangement process and its impact on the function’s behavior and properties.
Proof of the Plethystic Murnaghan–Nakayama Rule Using Loehr’s Labelled Abacus
Authors: Turek Pavel
Published: May 2024

The plethystic Murnaghan–Nakayama rule describes how to decompose the product of a Schur function and a plethysm of the form $$p_r\circ h_m$$

p
r

∘

h
m

as a sum of Schur functions. We provide a short, entirely combinatorial proof of this rule using the labelled abaci introduced in Loehr (SIAM J Discrete Math 24(4):1356–1370, 2010).
Development of semisynthetic saponin immunostimulants
Authors: Bai Di , Kim Hyunjung , Wang Pengfei
Published: May 2024

Many natural saponins demonstrate immunostimulatory adjuvant activities, but they also have some inherent drawbacks that limit their clinical use. To overcome these limitations, extensive structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies have been conducted. The SAR studies of QS-21 and related saponins reveal that their respective fatty side chains are crucial for potentiating a strong cellular immune response. Replacing the hydrolytically unstable ester side chain in the C28 oligosaccharide domain with an amide side chain in the same domain or in the C3 branched trisaccharide domain is a viable approach for generating robust semisynthetic saponin immunostimulants. Given the striking resemblance of natural momordica saponins (MS) I and II to the deacylated Quillaja Saponaria (QS) saponins (e.g., QS-17, QS-18, and QS-21), incorporating an amide side chain into the more sustainable MS, instead of deacylated QS saponins, led to the discovery of MS-derived semisynthetic immunostimulatory adjuvants VSA-1 and VSA-2. This review focuses on the authors’ previous work on SAR studies of QS and MS saponins.
Dissociated cerebellar contributions to feedforward gait adaptation
Authors: Bunday Karen L. , Ellmers Toby J. , Wimalaratna M. Rashmi , Nadarajah Luxme , Bronstein Adolfo M.
Published: May 2024

The cerebellum is important for motor adaptation. Lesions to the vestibulo-cerebellum selectively cause gait ataxia. Here we investigate how such damage affects locomotor adaptation when performing the ‘broken escalator’ paradigm. Following an auditory cue, participants were required to step from the fixed surface onto a moving platform (akin to an airport travellator). The experiment included three conditions: 10 stationary (BEFORE), 15 moving (MOVING) and 10 stationary (AFTER) trials. We assessed both behavioural (gait approach velocity and trunk sway after stepping onto the moving platform) and neuromuscular outcomes (lower leg muscle activity, EMG). Unlike controls, cerebellar patients showed reduced after-effects (AFTER trials) with respect to gait approach velocity and leg EMG activity. However, patients with cerebellar damage maintain the ability to learn the trunk movement required to maximise stability after stepping onto the moving platform (i.e., reactive postural behaviours). Importantly, our findings reveal that these patients could even initiate these behaviours in a feedforward manner, leading to an after-effect. These findings reveal that the cerebellum is crucial for feedforward locomotor control, but that adaptive locomotor behaviours learned via feedback (i.e., reactive) mechanisms may be preserved following cerebellum damage.
Associations of cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and alkaline phosphatase with voriconazole-induced periostitis
Authors: Ashmeik Walid , Schirò Silvia , Joseph Gabby B. , Link Thomas M.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate the associations of cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and alkaline phosphatase with voriconazole-induced periostitis.

Materials and methods

One hundred and thirty-one patients with voriconazole use were identified using a clinical informatics tool. Health record data including age, sex, immune status, alkaline phosphatase, voriconazole levels, voriconazole dose, frequency, and treatment duration were collected. Imaging studies during the duration of treatment were reviewed by two radiology trainees and imaging features of voriconazole-induced periostitis were confirmed by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist. The length, location in the body, location in the bone, type, and morphology of periostitis lesions were recorded. Incident voriconazole-induced periostitis was defined as new periostitis on imaging after 28 days or more of voriconazole treatment in the absence of an alternative diagnosis. Univariate Firth’s logistic regression models were performed using cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and average ALP as predictors and incident VIP as the outcome.

Results

There were nine patients with voriconazole-induced periostitis and 122 patients without voriconazole-induced periostitis. The most common lesion location in the body was the ribs (37%) and morphology was solid (44%). A 31.5-g increase in cumulative voriconazole dose was associated with 8% higher odds of incident periostitis. Increased treatment duration (63 days) and higher average alkaline phosphatase (50 IU/L) were associated with 7% higher odds of periostitis and 34% higher odds of periostitis, respectively.

Conclusion

Increased cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and average alkaline phosphatase were associated with higher odds of voriconazole-induced periostitis.
On the use of elliptic PDEs for the parameterisation of planar multipatch domains
Authors: Hinz Jochen , Buffa Annalisa
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a parameterisation framework based on (inverted) elliptic PDEs for addressing the planar parameterisation problem of finding a valid description of the domain’s interior given no more than a spline-based description of its boundary contours. The framework is geared towards isogeometric analysis (IGA) applications wherein the physical domain is comprised of more than four sides, hence requiring more than one patch. We adopt the concept of harmonic maps and propose several PDE-based problem formulations capable of finding a valid map between a convex parametric multipatch domain and the piecewise-smooth physical domain with an equal number of sides. In line with the isoparametric paradigm of IGA, we treat the parameterisation problem using techniques that are characteristic for the analysis step. As such, this study proposes several IGA-based numerical algorithms for the problem’s governing equations that can be effortlessly integrated into a well-developed IGA software suite. We augment the framework with mechanisms that enable controlling the parametric properties of the outcome. Parametric control is accomplished by, among other techniques, the introduction of a curvilinear coordinate system in the convex parametric domain, for which more general elliptic PDEs are adopted. Depending on the application, parametric control allows for building desired features into the computed map, such as homogeneous cell sizes or boundary layers.
Survival outcomes of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy versus chemotherapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lv Huilai , Zhang Fan , Huang Chao , Xu Shi , Li Jiachen , Sun Bokang , Gai Chunyue , Liu Zhao , Wang Mingbo , Li Zhenhua , Tian Ziqiang
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) is the standard preoperative treatment for resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Some studies reported neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) could improve pathological response with manageable safety. However, few studies have compared the efficacy and safety of NICT and NCT, especially survival outcomes. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of NICT and NCT after a median follow-up of 36.0 months.

Methods

This was a retrospective study with a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Locally advanced ESCC patients treated with neoadjuvant sintilimab plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy were reviewed. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

Forty-five patients were identified in each group by PSM. The pathological complete response (pCR) rate in NICT and NCT group were 28.9% and 8.9% (P = 0.02). The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.396 (95% CI 0.171–0.919, p = 0.025) for RFS and 0.377 (95% CI 0.145–0.981, p = 0.038) for overall survival (OS), 3-year RFS was 80.6% and 62.1%, 3-year OS was 86.2% and 68.1%. Patients with pCR, MPR or downstaging had better 3-year RFS and 3-year OS. The incidences of postoperative complications and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were similar.

Conclusion

This trial preliminarily shows that NICT improves pathological and survival outcomes over NCT for resectable locally advanced ESCC, with acceptable and manageable safety.
Pilot-scale foam and cast-coated nanocellulose filters for water treatment
Authors: Byambatsogt Khatanbaatar , Jiang Qixiang , Jaiswal Aayush Kumar , Kunnari Vesa , Bismarck Alexander , Mautner Andreas
Published: May 2024

A large variety of substances, for instance heavy metal ions from different sources including mining, industry, and agricultural activities, pollute fresh water sources. Bio-based adsorbents, such as cellulose nanofibers (CNF), have recently been introduced in the process of treating water to remove hazardous pollutants primarily owing to their natural abundance, non-toxicity, and renewability. Surface modification of CNF, e.g. by catalytically oxidising the primary C6-OH groups of CNF selectively into carboxylic (COO−) groups with TEMPO, yields materials that are effective in adsorbing positively charged heavy metal ions, e.g. Cu ions. However, to utilise CNF in continuous processes beyond static, batch-wise adsorption, in particular on (pre-)industrial scale, they need to be immobilised on filter substrates in thin layers and an efficient manner. In this work, we report bio-adsorbent-based filters prepared by coating TEMPO-CNF on viscose filters using two different pilot-scale coating approaches, foam and cast coating. The performance of TEMPO-CNF filters was evaluated in terms of their water permeance as well as adsorption of metal ions including Cu(II) and Ca(II). By foam coating thin layers could be fabricated in a time efficient way facilitating high adsorption capacities (52 mg g−1), whilst by cast coating higher amounts of TEMPO-CNF could be deposited allowing for adsorbing higher absolute amounts (280 mg m−2) of heavy metal ions.

Graphical abstract
Psychotherapie als „dritter Raum“. Kultursensible Ansätze in der systemischen Familientherapie
Authors: Bauer Nicole M.
Published: May 2024

Das Wissen um die ‚kulturelle‘ Herkunft eines Menschen ist für die therapeutische Praxis ein bedeutender Orientierungsrahmen, der Aufschluss über Bezugssysteme, Werte, Normen und Weltbilder der Klient:innen darstellt. Sofern Psychotherapeut:innen und Klient:innen aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen, mit unterschiedlichen Werten, Normen und (religiösen) Weltbildern in psychotherapeutischen Settings aufeinandertreffen, stellt die Psychotherapie einen Austragungs- und Aushandlungsort von kultureller Identität, einen „dritten Raum“ dar. In Anlehnung an die postkoloniale Theorie des Kulturwissenschaftlers Homi K. Bhabha soll hier das Konzept des „dritten Raumes“ eingeführt werden, um den kulturellen Aspekt therapeutischer Begegnungen theoretisch zu verorten. Mit Fallbeispielen aus der systemischen Praxis soll zudem ein wichtiger Beitrag zur kultursensiblen Herangehensweise in der Psychotherapie geleistet werden.
Learning and implementation of TransREctus sheath PrePeritoneal procedure for inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Zwols T. L. R. , van der Bilt A. R. M. , Veeger N. J. G. M. , Möllers M. J. W. , Hess D. A. , Brandsma H. T. , Jutte E. , Veldman P. H. J. M. , Eker H. H. , Koning G. G. , Pierie J. P. E. N.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The TransREctus sheath PrePeritoneal procedure (TREPP) was introduced as an alternative open and preperitoneal technique for inguinal hernia mesh repair, demonstrating safety and efficacy in retro- and prospective studies. However, little is known about the technique’s inherent learning curve. In this study, we aimed to determine TREPP learning curve effects after its implementation in high-volume surgical practice.

Methods

All primary, unilateral TREPP procedures performed in the first three years after implementation (between January 2016 and December 2018) were included out of a large preconstructed regional inguinal hernia database. Data were analyzed on outcome (i.e., surgical complications, hernia recurrences, postoperative pain). Learning curve effects were analyzed by assessing outcome in relation to surgeon experience.

Results

In total, 422 primary, unilateral TREPP procedures were performed in 419 patients. In three patients a unilateral TREPP procedure was performed on both sides separated in time. A total of 99 surgical complications were registered in 83 procedures (19.6% of all procedures), most commonly inguinal postoperative pain (8%) and bleeding complications (7%). Hernia recurrences were observed in 17 patients (4%). No statistically significant differences on outcome were found between different surgeon experience (< 40 procedures, 40–80 procedures, > 80 procedures).

Conclusion

Implementation of TREPP seems not to be associated with a notable increase of adverse events. We were not able to detect a clear learning curve limit, potentially suggesting a relatively short learning curve among already experienced hernia surgeons compared to other guideline techniques.
Next generation sequencing panel as an effective approach to genetic testing in patients with a highly variable phenotype of neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Radziwonik-Fraczyk Wiktoria , Elert-Dobkowska Ewelina , Karpinski Marek , Pilch Jacek , Ziora-Jakutowicz Karolina , Kubalska Jolanta , Szczesniak Dominika , Stepniak Iwona , Zaremba Jacek , Sulek Anna
Published: May 2024

Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) include a wide range of diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system. The genetic diagnoses are increasingly obtained with using the next generation sequencing (NGS). We applied the custom-design targeted NGS panel including 89 genes, together with genotyping and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to identify a genetic spectrum of NMDs in 52 Polish patients. As a result, the genetic diagnosis was determined by NGS panel in 29 patients so its diagnostic utility is estimated at 55.8%. The most pathogenic variants were found in CLCN1, followed by CAPN3, SCN4A, and SGCA genes. Genotyping of myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2) as a secondary approach has been performed. The co-occurrence of CAPN3 and CNBP mutations in one patient as well as DYSF and CNBP mutations in another suggests possibly more complex inheritance as well as expression of a phenotype. In 7 individuals with single nucleotide variant found in NGS testing, the MLPA of the CAPN3 gene was performed detecting the deletion encompassing exons 2—8 in the CAPN3 gene in one patient, confirming recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1 (LGMDR1). Thirty patients obtained a genetic diagnosis (57.7%) after using NGS testing, genotyping and MLPA analysis. The study allowed for the identification of 27 known and 4 novel pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) associated with NMDs.

In conclusion, the diagnostic approach with diverse molecular techniques enables to broaden the mutational spectrum and maximizes the diagnostic yield. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of DM2 and LGMD has been detected in 2 individuals.
A GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making approach (GIS-MCDM) for determination of the most appropriate site selection of onshore wind farm in Adana, Turkey
Authors: Yaman Aydan
Published: May 2024

Energy stands as an indispensable global need, yet the finite nature of rapidly depleting fossil fuel reserves poses environmental challenges. To address this, numerous nations are shifting toward sustainable energy sources to foster environmental well-being while satisfying their energy requirements. Among these alternatives, wind energy emerges as a particularly efficient option. This study focuses on identifying optimal sites for installing wind power plants in Adana province through the integration of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and geographic information system (GIS). Within this framework, a comprehensive set of 15 criteria was delineated along with their respective sub-criteria. It is thought that the criteria used in the study will be useful not only for Adana province but also for other provinces that are suitable for wind turbine placement and planned to be built. The outcome of this investigation delineates potential areas in Adana province deemed suitable for establishing wind power plants. As a result, analysis reveals that 9.94% of the study area is conducive to establishing a wind farm (WF), while 51.66% is deemed moderately suitable. Notably, the districts of Feke, Tufanbeyli, Saimbeyli, and Pozantı emerge as particularly well-suited for this purpose. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by identifying precise and suitable areas by combining GIS and AHP in the WF site selection process. In the study, a new research perspective is presented by taking into account the uncertainty in the site selection process and the concept of sustainability in three different dimensions: technical, economic, and environmental, thus aiming to guide decision-makers for future WF projects. In addition, it is thought that the methods and criteria used in the study will also be guiding for future WF site selection studies.

Graphical abstract
SVPath: A Deep Learning Tool for Analysis of Stria Vascularis from Histology Slides
Authors: Jain Aseem , Perdomo Dianela , Nagururu Nimesh , Li Jintong Alice , Ward Bryan K. , Lauer Amanda M. , Creighton Francis X.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The stria vascularis (SV) may have a significant role in various otologic pathologies. Currently, researchers manually segment and analyze the stria vascularis to measure structural atrophy. Our group developed a tool, SVPath, that uses deep learning to extract and analyze the stria vascularis and its associated capillary bed from whole temporal bone histopathology slides (TBS).

Methods

This study used an internal dataset of 203 digitized hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections from a normal macaque ear and a separate external validation set of 10 sections from another normal macaque ear. SVPath employed deep learning methods YOLOv8 and nnUnet to detect and segment the SV features from TBS, respectively. The results from this process were analyzed with the SV Analysis Tool (SVAT) to measure SV capillaries and features related to SV morphology, including width, area, and cell count. Once the model was developed, both YOLOv8 and nnUnet were validated on external and internal datasets.

Results

YOLOv8 implementation achieved over 90% accuracy for cochlea and SV detection. nnUnet SV segmentation achieved a DICE score of 0.84–0.95; the capillary bed DICE score was 0.75–0.88. SVAT was applied to compare both the ears used in the study. There was no statistical difference in SV width, SV area, and average area of capillary between the two ears. There was a statistical difference between the two ears for the cell count per SV.

Conclusion

The proposed method accurately and efficiently analyzes the SV from temporal histopathology bone slides, creating a platform for researchers to understand the function of the SV further.
Conditions Underlying the Appearance of Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emissions in Mammals
Authors: Manley Geoffrey A.
Published: May 2024

Across the wide range of land vertebrate species, spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE) are common, but not always found. The reasons for the differences between species of the various groups in their emission patterns are often not well understood, particularly within mammals. This review examines the question as to what determines in mammals whether SOAE are emitted or not, and suggests that the coupling between hair-cell regions diminishes when the space constant of frequency distribution becomes larger. The reduced coupling is assumed to result in a greater likelihood of SOAE being emitted.
Demonstrating consensus in argumentative settings: Co-constructions in children’s peer discussions
Authors: Kreuz Judith , Luginbühl Martin
Published: May 2024

‘Taking part’ in conversations requires different activities from the interactants depending on the kind of conversation. This article investigates co-constructions in oral peer group discussions of elementary school children from grades 2 to 6 (7–12 years old). Although dissent is the starting point of argumentations, negotiating processes in oral argumentations are often co-constructed by two or more speakers on different levels, including consensual contexts. Co-constructions presuppose that the second speakers recognize structures and expectations based on the turn of the first speaker and that they are able to complete or expand these structures. Therefore, co-constructions can be understood as an indicator for oral skills and as a key site of ‘taking part’ in small group discussions. The article will discuss two different kinds of co-constructions (morpho-syntactical and argumentative-structural) based on 60 transcripts from a bigger corpus of 180 peer discussions. The analysis will show that these co-constructions can be understood as synchronizations of thinking and acting and to what extent they are an indicator of oral skills and play an important role in cooperative learning settings. The results are relevant in school contexts when it comes to assess oral argumentation of students. For teachers, they are helpful to elicit requirements for children’s argumentation skills and to design tasks conducive to learn to argue and develop assessment tools accordingly.
MUC16: clinical targets with great potential
Authors: Zhang Xin-Yu , Hong Lian-Lian , Ling Zhi-qiang
Published: May 2024

Mucin 16 (MUC16) is a membrane-bound mucin that is abnormally expressed or mutated in a variety of diseases, especially tumors, while being expressed in normal body epithelium. MUC16 and its extracellular components are often important cancer-related biomarkers. Abnormal expression of MUC16 promotes tumor progression through mesenchymal protein, PI3K/AKT pathway, JAK2/STAT3 pathway, ERK/FBW7/c-Myc, and other mechanisms, and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, MUC16 also helps tumor immune escape by inhibiting T cells and NK cells. Many drugs and trials targeting MUC16 have been developed, and MUC16 may be a new direction for future treatments. In this paper, the mechanism of action of MUC16 in the development of cancer, especially in the immune escape of tumor, is introduced in detail, indicating the potential of MUC16 in clinical treatment.
Cardioprotective effects of vaccination in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Authors: Madrid Julian , Agarwal Prerana , Müller-Peltzer Katharina , Benning Leo , Selig Mischa , Rolauffs Bernd , Diehl Philipp , Kalbhenn Johannes , Trummer Georg , Utzolino Stefan , Wengenmayer Tobias , Busch Hans-Jörg , Stolz Daiana , Rieg Siegbert , Panning Marcus , Bamberg Fabian , Schlett Christopher L. , Askani Esther
Published: May 2024

COVID-19 vaccination has been shown to prevent and reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study was to explore the cardioprotective effect of COVID-19 vaccination in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this retrospective, single-center cohort study, we included hospitalized COVID-19 patients with confirmed vaccination status from July 2021 to February 2022. We assessed outcomes such as acute cardiac events and cardiac biomarker levels through clinical and laboratory data. Our analysis covered 167 patients (69% male, mean age 58 years, 42% being fully vaccinated). After adjustment for confounders, vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients displayed a reduced relative risk for acute cardiac events (RR: 0.33, 95% CI [0.07; 0.75]) and showed diminished troponin T levels (Cohen’s d: − 0.52, 95% CI [− 1.01; − 0.14]), compared to their non-vaccinated peers. Type 2 diabetes (OR: 2.99, 95% CI [1.22; 7.35]) and existing cardiac diseases (OR: 4.31, 95% CI [1.83; 10.74]) were identified as significant risk factors for the emergence of acute cardiac events. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccination may confer both direct and indirect cardioprotective effects in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Strengthening growth, digestion, body composition, haemato-biochemical indices, gene expression, and resistance to Fusarium oxysporum infection and histological structure in Oreochromis niloticus by using fructooligosaccharides and β-1,3 glucan mixture
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Yasmin M. , Jaber Fatima A. , Nass Nada Mahmoud , Awlya Ohaad F. , Abusudah Wafaa F. , Qadhi Alaa H. , Redhwan Alya , Eissa El-Sayed Hemdan , Dighiesh Hagar Sedeek
Published: May 2024

Prebiotics are fibers that promote beneficial gut bacteria and play a pivotal role in enhancing host health. This study delves into the impact of various levels of prebiotics, specifically fructooligosaccharides and β-1,3 glucan (Fβ), on the growth performance, biochemical, hematological parameters, gene expression, histological variations in the internal organs, and disease resistance to Fusarium oxysporum in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Two hundred forty Nile tilapia, initially weighing 34.0 ± 0.1 g, were distributed into four groups and given a commercial diet with varying Fβ treatments: control (0 g/kg) (C), T1 (0.5 g/kg), T2 (1.0 g/kg), and T3 (1.5 g/kg) for 70 days. The study revealed significant improvement of the biochemical, hematological, and digestive enzyme activities, as well as histological changes in hepatopancreatic, intestine, and spleen sections with the use of Fβ. Moreover, the expression of innate humoral genes significantly increased (P < 0.05) in tilapia at the 1.5 g/kg Fβ group compared to the control. Notably, challenging with F. oxysporum exhibited lower mortality rates in the three treatments supplemented with additive prebiotics (P < 0.05). Consequently, the feed additives utilized in this study emerge as a viable alternative to enhance growth performance, biochemical and hematological parameters, gene expression, histological variations in internal organs, and disease resistance in fish farming on a large scale.
Unearthing the legacy of wildfires: post fire pyrogenic carbon and soil carbon persistence across complex Pacific Northwest watersheds
Authors: Peter-Contesse Hayley , Lajtha Kate , Boettcher Aron , O’Kelley Regina , Mayedo Amy
Published: May 2024

Wildfires have the potential to dramatically alter the carbon (C) storage potential, ecological function, and the fundamental mechanisms that control the C balance of Pacific Northwest (PNW) forested ecosystems. In this study, we explored how wildfire influences processes that control soil C stabilization and the consequent soil C persistence, and the role of previous fire history in determining soil C fire response dynamics. We collected mineral soils at four depth increments from burned (low, moderate, and high soil burn severity classes) and unburned areas and surveyed coarse woody debris (CWD) in sites within the footprint of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire and in surrounding Willamette National Forest and the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. We found few changes in overall soil C pools as a function of fire severity; we instead found that unburned sites contained high levels of pyrogenic C (PyC) that were commensurate with PyC concentrations in the high severity burn sites—pointing to the high background rate of fire in these ecosystems. An analysis of historical fire events lends additional support, where increasing fire count is loosely correlated with increasing PyC concentration. An unexpected finding was that PyC concentration was lower in low soil burn severity sites than in control sites, which we attribute to fundamental ecological differences in regions that repeatedly burn at high severity compared with those that burn at low severity. Our CWD analysis showed that high mean fire return interval (decades between fire events) was strongly correlated with low annual CWD accumulation rate; whereas areas that burn frequently had a high annual CWD accumulation rate. Within the first year postfire, trends in soil density fractions demonstrated no significant response to fire for the mineral-associated organic matter pool but slight increases in the particulate pool with increasing soil burn severity—likely a function of increased charcoal additions. Overall, our results suggest that these PNW forest soils display complex responses to wildfire with feedbacks between CWD pools that provide varying fuel loads and a mosaic fire regime across the landscape. Microclimate and historic fire events are likely important determinants of soil C persistence in these systems.
BE-WEL trial (breast: evaluation of weight and exercise for lymphoedema) testing weight control and exercise programmes for women with breast cancer related lymphoedema: a feasibility trial
Authors: Harvie Michelle , Livingstone Karen , McMulllan Debbie , Pegington Mary , Lombardelli Cheryl , Adams Judith , Farragher Maggie , Barrett Emma , Bundred Nigel
Published: May 2024

Purpose

A combined body weight loss and upper body/arm exercise programme is a potential strategy for managing Breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL), but there is limited data on the best method for delivery or its potential efficacy.

Methods

Fifty-seven women with overweight/obesity and BCRL were randomised to a 12 week supervised (n = 12) or home-based combined weight loss and upper body/arm exercise programme (n = 16), a home-based upper-body arm exercise only programme (n = 17) or standard care (n = 12). Primary outcomes were uptake, retention and changes in weight and change in Relative Arm Volume Increase (RAVI) using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results

Sixteen percent of women invited joined the study and 49 completed the trial (85% retention). Reductions in weight occurred in the supervised and home-based weight control and exercise programmes; Mean (95% CI) change compared to standard care − 1.68 (− 4.36 to − 1.00), − 2.47(− 4.99 to − 0.04) Kg. Reductions in perometer assessed RAVI were seen in the supervised and home-based combined weight control and arm exercise groups and the weight stable home-based arm exercise only group: mean (95% CI) change compared to standard care − 2.4 (− 5.0 to + 0.4),− 1.8 (− 4.3 to + 0.7), − 2.5(− 4.9 to − 0.05)%.

Conclusion

Women with BCRL and overweight and obesity engaged in diet and exercise weight loss programmes. Both weight loss/arm exercise programmes led to modest changes in weight and BCRL. Comparable reductions in BCRL were reported in the weight stable group undertaking arm exercise only. The independent and combined effects of weight loss and exercise on BCRL need further study.

Trial registration

ISRCTN86789850 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN86789850, registered 2011.
Cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness among African and European American men
Authors: Ellis Edgar T. , Fairman Brian J. , Stahr Shelbie D. , Bensen Jeannette T. , Mohler James L. , Song Lixin , Butler Eboneé N. , Su L. Joseph , Hsu Ping-Ching
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Smoking is a modifiable lifestyle factor that has not been established as a prostate cancer risk factor, nor emphasized in prostate cancer prevention. Studies have shown that African American (AA) smokers have a poorer cancer prognosis than European Americans (EAs), while having a lower prevalence of heavy smoking. We examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness and assessed racial differences in smoking habits on the probability of high-aggressive prostate cancer.

Methods

Using data from the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (n = 1,279), prostate cancer aggressiveness was defined as high or low based on Gleason scores, serum prostate-specific antigen levels, and tumor stage. Cigarette smoking was categorized as current, former, or never smokers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Self-reported current (OR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.30–3.06) smoking was associated with high-aggressive prostate cancer relative to never smokers. When stratified by self-reported race, the odds of having high-aggressive cancer increased among AA current (OR = 3.58; 95% CI 2.04–6.28) and former smokers (OR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.38–3.53) compared to AA never smokers, but the odds were diminished among the EA stratum (Pself-reported race x smoking status = 0.003).

Conclusion

Cigarette smoking is associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness, a relationship modulated by self-reported race. Future research is needed to investigate types of cigarettes smoked and metabolic differences that may be contributing to the racial disparities observed.