bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of moral exemplars awareness on common ingroup identification and reconciliation in post‐genocide Rwanda
Authors: Atete Pauline Joy , Bilewicz Michał
Published: June 2023

Moral exemplars (Imena) play an important part in commemorative practices and reconciliation in post‐genocide Rwanda. Acknowledging the essential role of moral exemplars in reconciliation and intergroup contact in post‐conflict setting, we aimed at examining the effects of exposure to moral‐exemplars on people's attitudes toward reconciliation and identification with superordinate national category in Rwanda. A study of 168 young Rwandans showed that higher awareness of moral exemplars during genocide was related to stronger ingroup ties with other ingroup members and higher centrality of national identification. Strong ingroup ties significantly mediated the effects of moral exemplars awareness on reconciliation attitudes. This shows that ties with other members of common national ingroup, as well as the centrality of superordinate categories could be effective means for reconciliation after genocide.
It's time to let the Millennials grow up
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: June 2023

A 40ish friend and former colleague wrote on her Facebook page recently, “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Millennials are people born between 1981 and 1996, generally speaking. So, when you are complaining about ‘the kids of today,’ leave us out of it. We are using skin care with retinol and have back pain.” I literally laughed out loud when I read it. I’m guilty as charged of treating Millennials as kids, e.g., my stepson and nephew who are also pushing 40.
An open AI roundup: What marketers are saying about ChatGPT
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: June 2023

ChatGPT is a hot topic in the academy, mostly related to cheating and plagiarism. But this AI tool is also sparking conversations in college and university marketing and communications offices.
Professional versus personal authenticity
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: June 2023

In this month's column, I am writing about authenticity; a concept that has gained traction in recent years as people work to fully express who they are and what their values are. I think of authenticity as a spectrum, ranging from an almost prisoner‐like constrained existence to a free‐love anything‐goes existence. In relation to the workplace, I have concerns about the extremes of this spectrum.
Office of Civil Rights received record‐breaking number of discrimination complaints
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: June 2023

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights received a record‐breaking number of discrimination complaints filed between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022. During that time period, almost 19,000 discrimination complaints were filed. The previous record for discrimination complaints filed was 16,000 in 2016.
Noted social justice scholar named president of Mount Holyoke
Authors: Elfman Lois
Published: June 2023

After nine years as dean and professor of law at Howard University School of Law, Danielle R. Holley will assume the presidency of Mount Holyoke College July 1, becoming the first Black woman to serve as permanent president in the 186‐year history of the renowned women's college.
Interacting ecological filters influence success and functional composition in restored plant communities over time
Authors: Funk Jennifer L. , Kimball Sarah , Nguyen Monica A. , Lulow Megan , Vose Gregory E.
Published: June 2023

A trait‐based community assembly framework has great potential to direct ecological restoration, but uncertainty over how traits and environmental factors interact to influence community composition over time limits the widespread application of this approach. In this study, we examined how the composition of seed mixes and environment (north‐ vs. south‐facing slope aspect) influence functional composition and native plant cover over time in restored grassland and shrubland communities. Variation in native cover over 4 years was primarily driven by species mix, slope aspect, and a species mix by year interaction rather than an interaction between species mix and slope aspect as predicted. Although native cover was higher on wetter, north‐facing slopes for most of the study, south‐facing slopes achieved a similar cover (65%–70%) by year 4. While community‐weighted mean (CWM) values generally became more resource conservative over time, we found shifts in particular traits across community types and habitats. For example, CWM for specific leaf area increased over time in grassland mixes. Belowground, CWM for root mass fraction increased while CWM for specific root length decreased across all seed mixes. Multivariate functional dispersion remained high in shrub‐containing mixes throughout the study, which could enhance invasion resistance and recovery following disturbance. Functional diversity and species richness were initially higher in drier, south‐facing slopes compared to north‐facing slopes, but these metrics were similar across north‐ and south‐facing slopes by the end of the 4‐year study. Our finding that different combinations of traits were favored in south‐ and north‐facing slopes and over time demonstrates that trait‐based approaches can be used to identify good restoration candidate species and, ultimately, enhance native plant cover across community types and microhabitat. Changing the composition of planting mixes based on traits could be a useful strategy for restoration practitioners to match species to specific environmental conditions and may be more informative than using seed mixes based on growth form, as species within functional groups can vary tremendously in leaf and root traits.
Efficient Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics
Authors: Wang Yong , Wang Yu , Gao Feng , Yang Deren
Published: June 2023

Tunable bandgaps make halide perovskites promising candidates for developing tandem solar cells (TSCs), a strategy to break the radiative limit of 33.7% for single‐junction solar cells. Combining perovskites with market‐dominant crystalline silicon (c‐Si) is particularly attractive; simple estimates based on the bandgap matching indicate that the efficiency limit in such tandem device is as high as 46%. However, state‐of‐the‐art perovskite/c‐Si TSCs only achieve an efficiency of ~32.5%, implying significant challenges and also rich opportunities. In this review, we start with the operating mechanism and efficiency limit of TSCs, followed by systematical discussions on wide‐bandgap perovskite front cells, interface selective contacts, and electrical interconnection layer, as well as photon management for highly efficient perovskite/c‐Si TSCs. We highlight the challenges in this field and provide our understanding of future research directions toward highly efficient and stable large‐scale wide‐bandgap perovskite front cells for the commercialization of perovskite/c‐Si TSCs.
Amidyl Radical Directed γ‐C(sp3)−H Functionalization with Silyl Enol Ethers via Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Xu Kedong , Yang Jiawen , Qin Haitao , Liu Feng
Published: June 2023

Herein we reported an efficient photoredox‐catalyzed reaction for site‐selective C(sp3)−H functionalization of carboxamides with silyl enol ethers as radical acceptors. The reaction proceeded through amidyl radical‐directed 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer (1,5‐HAT) and C(sp3)−C(sp3) bond formation via radical addition of silyl enol ethers. The process features mild conditions and high functional‐group tolerance, allowing the preparation of a series of carboxamides with pendant carbonyl moieties.
Temperature gradient focusing of bio‐analyte in a microfluidic channel dealing with non‐Newtonian electrolyte considering temperature‐dependent zeta potential
Authors: Dutta Amitava , Santra Apurba Kumar , Ganguly Ranjan
Published: June 2023

Temperature gradient focusing (TGF) relies on establishing a precise balance between the electrophoretic motility of a target analyte and the advective flow of the background electrolyte (BGE) to locally concentrate the analyte in a microfluidic configuration. This paper presents a finite‐element‐based numerical analysis where the coupled electric field and the transport equations are solved to describe the effects of the shear‐dependent apparent viscosity of a non‐Newtonian BGE on the localized concentration buildup of a charged bio‐sample inside a microchannel by TGF via Joule heating. Effects of the temperature‐dependent nature of the wall zeta potential and the flow behavior index (n) of BGE on the flow, thermal, and species concentration profiles inside the microchannel have been investigated. Study using a fluorescein‐Na analyte sample shows that the maximum normalized analyte concentration (Cmax/C0) reduces as the zeta potential increases linearly with temperature. The maximum concentration enhancement is achieved when the BGE displays the Newtonian rheology. For example, Cmax/C0 increases 134‐ to 280‐fold when n is increased from 0.8 to 1 (pseudoplastic regime) and again reduces to 190‐fold when n increases further from 1 to 1.2 (dilatant regime).
Artificial intelligence driven digital whole slide image for intelligent recognition of different development stages of tongue tumor via a new deep learning framework
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Peng Xubei , Hou Chunyu , Chen Yanmei , Ren Xuan , Li Zhichen , Li Guancan , Cao Lituo , Li Zhenzhang
Published: June 2023

Accurate clinical diagnosis of the stage of tumor development is essential for formulating a treatment plan. However, the stage of tongue tumor development among malignant, benign and leukoplakia is easily misdiagnosed, resulting differing treatment approaches, taking patients in danger and preventing them from receiving the deserved care. This study aimed to establish an automatic recognition system for tongue tumors at different stages of development using artificial intelligence methods along with pathological tissue section images. By improving Swin Transformer framework, a new framework in deep learning, the tissue slice image is used to identify the lesion and non‐lesion areas by the patch‐based method, and then an output is reconstructed by self‐Assembly method that the lesion areas is marked with heat map. Subsequently, an automatic recognition system with a friendly page is designed for the stage of tongue tumor development (malignant, benign, and leukoplakia). The proposed model has a high recognition accuracy (98.45%). The prediction accuracy of each category of the system is higher than that of specialist doctors with 13 years of experience. The Swin Transformer framework was improved in this study to accurately and automatically identify the various stages of tongue tumor development.
The estimation and evolution of hominin body mass
Authors: Ruff Christopher B. , Wood Bernard A.
Published: June 2023

Body mass is a critical variable in many hominin evolutionary studies, with implications for reconstructing relative brain size, diet, locomotion, subsistence strategy, and social organization. We review methods that have been proposed for estimating body mass from true and trace fossils, consider their applicability in different contexts, and the appropriateness of different modern reference samples. Recently developed techniques based on a wider range of modern populations hold promise for providing more accurate estimates in earlier hominins, although uncertainties remain, particularly in non‐Homotaxa. When these methods are applied to almost 300 Late Miocene through Late Pleistocene specimens, the resulting body mass estimates fall within a 25–60 kg range for early non‐Homotaxa, increase in earlyHomoto about 50–90 kg, then remain constant until the Terminal Pleistocene, when they decline.
Locally adaptive bubble function enrichment for multiscale finite element methods: Application to convection‐diffusion problems
Authors: Su Yi‐Zhen , Su Syuan‐You , Hwang Feng‐Nan
Published: June 2023

We develop a new class of the multiscale finite element method (MsFEM) to solve the convection‐diffusion problems. In the proposed framework, we decompose the solution function space into two parts in MsFEM with locally adaptive bubble function enrichment (LABFE). The first part is the one that the multiscale basis functions can resolve, and the second part is an unresolved part that is taken care of by a set of bubble functions. These bubble functions are defined similarly to construct multiscale basis functions. We exchange the local‐global information through updated local boundary conditions for these bubble functions. The new multiscale solution recovered from the solution of global numerical formulation provides feedback for updating the local boundary conditions on each coarse element. As the approach iterates, the quality of MsFEM‐LABFE solutions improves since these multiscale basis functions with bubble function enrichment are expected to capture the multiscale feature of the approximate solution more accurately. However, the most expansive part of the algorithm is reconstructing the bubble functions on each coarse element. To reduce the overhead of the bubble function reconstruction, we update the local bubble function only when the intermediate multiscale solution is not well resolved within the region corresponding to the sharp local gradient or the discontinuity of the solution. We illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method through some numerical examples for convection‐diffusion benchmark problems.
Climate data for Odesa, Ukraine in 2021–2050 based on EURO‐CORDEX simulations
Authors: Borovska Halyna , Khokhlov Valeriy
Published: June 2023

Climate change adaptation planning at the municipal level has become mandatory due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather and climate events. The availability of near‐future climate data is the first step towards creating an adaptation plan for a city. We created the CP_OdU (Climate Projections for Odesa, Ukraine) dataset, which contains daily output variables from the 102 model runs and monthly (yearly) indices calculated for 2021–2050 in the closest to Odesa land‐located model grid point. The future data are based on 26 and 76 simulations for the scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, of 14 RCMs from the EURO‐CORDEX project. The horizontal resolution of spatial grids in the RCMs is ~0.11° or ~12 km. The CP_OdU dataset contains 76 indices relating to cloudiness, wind parameters, relative humidity, precipitation amount, snow depth and temperature. A very short description of the near‐future climate in Odesa for the RCP8.5 scenario shows its trend towards a Mediterranean climate. The rising temperature supported by the change of intra‐annual variations of precipitation will result in hot, dry summers and mild, moderately wet winters. The CP_OdU dataset can be used by climate scientists, applied science engineers and climate stakeholders in society for the creation of a climate change adaptation plan for Odesa, Ukraine.
Neuropsychological correlates of visual hallucinatory phenomena in Lewy body disease
Authors: Puntambekar Isha , A. Foley Jennifer
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Visual hallucinations (VH) ranging from minor to complex, are the most common psychiatric feature of Lewy Body Disease (LBD). Despite their high prevalence and poor prognostic implications instigating extensive research, the precise mechanisms underlying VH remain unclear. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a risk factor and a consistent correlate of VH in LBD. To help shed light on their underlying mechanisms, this study investigates the pattern of CI across the spectrum of VH in LBD.

Methods

30 LBD patients with minor VH (MVH), 13 with complex VH (CVH) and 32 without VH were retrospectively compared on the domains of higher‐order visual processing, memory, language and executive functioning. The VH groups were further stratified to investigate whether phenomenological subtypes have distinct cognitive correlates.

Results

LBD patients with CVH were impaired on the visuo‐spatial and executive functioning domains relative to controls. LBD patients with MVH were also impaired on the visuo‐spatial domain. No differences emerged in cognitive domains affected between patient groups endorsing specific hallucinatory phenomena.

Conclusion

A pattern of CI indicating fronto‐subcortical dysfunction in combination with posterior cortical involvement is implicated in the genesis of CVH. Moreover, this posterior cortical dysfunction may precede the occurrence of CVH as indicated by selective visuo‐spatial deficits in LBD patients with MVH.
Neural dissociation between reward and salience prediction errors through the lens of optimistic bias
Authors: Zheng Ya , Mei Shuting
Published: June 2023

The question of how the brain represents reward prediction errors is central to reinforcement learning and adaptive, goal‐directed behavior. Previous studies have revealed prediction error representations in multiple electrophysiological signatures, but it remains elusive whether these electrophysiological correlates underlying prediction errors are sensitive to valence (in a signed form) or to salience (in an unsigned form). One possible reason concerns the loose correspondence between objective probability and subjective prediction resulting from the optimistic bias, that is, the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of encountering positive future events. In the present electroencephalography (EEG) study, we approached this question by directly measuring participants' idiosyncratic, trial‐to‐trial prediction errors elicited by subjective and objective probabilities across two experiments. We adopted monetary gain and loss feedback in Experiment 1 and positive and negative feedback as communicated by the same zero‐value feedback in Experiment 2. We provided electrophysiological evidence in time and time‐frequency domains supporting both reward and salience prediction error signals. Moreover, we showed that these electrophysiological signatures were highly flexible and sensitive to an optimistic bias and various forms of salience. Our findings shed new light on multiple presentations of prediction error in the human brain, which differ in format and functional role.
Intravenous leiomyomatosis of the uterus: Preoperative and intraoperative assessment
Authors: Gao Yang , Qu Pengpeng
Published: June 2023

Objective

To assess factors influencing preoperative diagnosis and hemorrhage during surgery with uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis.

Methods

This retrospective single‐institution study used univariate analysis and multivariate models to investigate potential factors contributing to preoperative diagnosis and hemorrhage during surgery associated with intravenous leiomyomatosis in 135 patients from January 2012 to April 2022. Risk factors for disease recurrence were also investigated. The SPSS statistical analysis package was used for data analysis.

Results

Previous myomectomy or fibroid ablation and tumor location on color Doppler were related to preoperative diagnosis (P = 0.031 and P = 0.003, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that lesions extending to the broad ligament were the only factors affecting preoperative diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 5.383, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49–19.47). Univariate analysis showed that previous myomectomy or fibroid ablation (P = 0.017), tumor location (P = 0.027), and parauterine involvement (P = 0.014) were associated with intraoperative hemorrhage. Parauterine involvement was an independent risk factor for increased bleeding (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14–3.92). Six patients (4.4%) relapsed. The present study demonstrated that age (P = 0.031) and surgical type (P < 0.001) might be associated with disease recurrence.

Conclusions

Treatment emphasis should focus on lesions extending to the broad ligament. Intraoperative bleeding associated with parauterine involvement should be stopped as effectively as possible.
Radiobioinformatics: A novel bridge between basic research and clinical practice for clinical decision support in diffuse liver diseases
Authors: Lei Pinggui , Hu Na , Wu Yuhui , Tang Maowen , Lin Chong , Kong Luoyi , Zhang Lingfeng , Luo Peng , Chan Lawrence Wing‐Chi
Published: June 2023

The liver is a multifaceted organ that is responsible for many critical functions encompassing amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, all of which make a healthy liver essential for the human body. Contemporary imaging methodologies have remarkable diagnostic accuracy in discerning focal liver lesions; however, a comprehensive understanding of diffuse liver diseases is a requisite for radiologists to accurately diagnose or predict the progression of such lesions within clinical contexts. Nonetheless, the conventional attributes of radiological features, including morphology, size, margin, density, signal intensity, and echoes, limit their clinical utility. Radiomics is a widely used approach that is characterized by the extraction of copious image features from radiographic depictions, which gives it considerable potential in addressing this limitation. It is worth noting that functional or molecular alterations occur significantly prior to the morphological shifts discernible by imaging modalities. Consequently, the explication of potential mechanisms by multiomics analyses (encompassing genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) is essential for investigating putative signal pathway regulations from a radiological viewpoint. In this review, we elaborate on the principal pathological categorizations of diffuse liver diseases, the evaluation of multiomics approaches pertaining to diffuse liver diseases, and the prospective value of predictive models. Accordingly, the overarching objective of this review is to scrutinize the interrelations between radiological features and bioinformatics as well as to consider the development of prediction models predicated on radiobioinformatics as integral components of clinical decision support systems for diffuse liver diseases.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α stimulation endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition during cardiac fibrosis via endothelin‐1 signaling
Authors: Hu Huan , Huang Jihong , Zhang Shasha , Zhang Bing , Li Wenjuan , Sun Kun
Published: June 2023

Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological change after myocardial infarction (MI). High concentration of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) contributes to cardiac fibrosis, and TNF‐α has been demonstrated to be involved in transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT). However, the role and molecular mechanisms of TNF‐α during cardiac fibrosis remain largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated that TNF‐α and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) were upregulated in cardiac fibrosis after MI, and genes associated with EndMT were also upregulated. An in vitro model of EndMT demonstrated that TNF‐α promoted EndMT by upregulation of vimentin and α‐smooth muscle actin, and which strongly increased ET‐1 expression. ET‐1 promoted TNF‐α‐induced expression of gene program through phosphorylation levels of SMAD family member 2, while subsequent inhibition of ET‐1 almost abolished the effect of TNF‐α during the process of EndMT. In summary, these findings demonstrated that ET‐1 is involved in the EndMT induced by TNF‐α during cardiac fibrosis.
Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on potential molecular targets and mechanism of action of BRAF inhibitors for application in wound healing
Authors: Karhana Sonali , Dabral Swarna , Garg Aakriti , Bano Aysha , Agarwal Nidhi , Khan Mohd. Ashif
Published: June 2023

Topical application of BRAF inhibitors has been shown to accelerate wound healing in murine models, which can be extrapolated into clinical applications. The aim of the study was to identify suitable pharmacological targets of BRAF inhibitors and elucidate their mechanisms of action for therapeutic applicability in wound healing, by employing bioinformatics tools including network pharmacology and molecular docking. The potential targets for BRAF inhibitors were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction, DrugBank, CTD, Therapeutic Target Database, and Binding Database. Targets of wound healing were obtained using online databases DisGeNET and OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man). Common targets were found by using the online GeneVenn tool. Common targets were then imported to STRING to construct interaction networks. Topological parameters were assessed using Cytoscape and core targets were identified. FunRich was employed to uncover the signaling pathways, cellular components, molecular functions, and biological processes in which the core targets participate. Finally, molecular docking was performed using MOE software. Key targets for the therapeutic application of BRAF inhibitors for wound healing are peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, matrix metalloproteinase 9, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1, mammalian target of rapamycin, and Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog. The most potent BRAF inhibitors that can be exploited for their paradoxical activity for wound healing applications are Encorafenib and Dabrafenib. By using network pharmacology and molecular docking, it can be predicted that the paradoxical activity of BRAF inhibitors can be used for their potential application in wound healing.
Resilience practices among a broad spectrum of individuals with physical disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative photo elicitation study
Authors: Singh Gurkaran , Battalova Alfiya , Miller William C. , Simpson Ethan , Rash Isabelle , Mohammadi Somayyeh , Tao Gordon , Chan Janice , Mortenson W. Ben
Published: June 2023

This community‐based study explored resilience practices among people living with physical disabilities (i.e., stroke, spinal cord injury, and other physical disabilities) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In this photo elicitation study, during 1:1 interviews, participants shared and described photos that reflected their pandemic‐related experiences. Data were analyzed thematically to identify resilience‐related practices. Our analysis revealed three themes: (1) reflecting on the importance of family, friends, and community (e.g., recalling past memories and strengthening existing connections); (2) engaging in social and recreational activities (e.g., experiencing the outdoors and gardening); and (3) reframing personal contexts and social environment (e.g., adjusting to new social norms and overcoming physical barriers to navigating safely during the pandemic). The resilience that participants identified encompassed not only individual strategies but also family and community supports. Resilience can be fostered through community initiatives that support more equitable responses to health emergencies for people with disabilities.
Carbon ions trigger DNA damage response to overcome radioresistance by regulating β‐catenin signaling in quiescent HeLa cells
Authors: Zhang Jinhua , Xie Yi , Liu Xiaoyi , Gan Lu , Li Pingping , Dou Zhihui , Di Cuixia , Zhang Hong , Si Jing
Published: June 2023

Quiescent cancer cells are major impediments to effective radiotherapy (RT) and exhibit limited sensitivity to traditional photon therapy. Herein, the functional role and underlying mechanism of carbon ions in overcoming the radioresistance of quiescent cervical cancer HeLa cells were determined. Briefly, serum withdrawal was used to induce synchronized quiescence in HeLa cells. Quiescent HeLa cells displayed strong radioresistance and DNA repair potential. After irradiation with carbon ions, the DNA damage repair pathway may markedly rely on error‐prone nonhomologous end‐joining in proliferating cells, whereas the high‐precision homologous recombination pathway is more relevant in quiescent cells. This phenomenon could be explained by the ionizing radiation (IR)‐induced cell cycle re‐entry of quiescent cancer cells. There are three strategies for eradicating quiescent cancer cells using high‐linear energy transfer (LET) carbon ions: direct cell death through complex DNA damage; apoptosis via an enhanced mitochondria‐mediated intrinsic pathway; forced re‐entry of quiescent cancer cells into the cell cycle, thereby improving their susceptibility to IR. Silencing β‐catenin signaling is essential for maintaining the dormant state in quiescent cells. Herein, carbon ions activated the β‐catenin pathway in quiescent cells, and inhibition of this pathway improved the resistance of quiescent HeLa cells to carbon ions by alleviating DNA damage, improving DNA damage repair, maintaining quiescent depth, and inhibiting apoptosis. Collectively, carbon ions conquer the radioresistance of quiescent HeLa cells by activating β‐catenin signaling, which provides a theoretical basis for improved therapeutic effects in patients with middle‐advanced‐stage cervical cancer with radioresistance.
The regulation of PTEN: Novel insights into functions as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Authors: Liu Jie , Pan Yongli , Liu Yuheng , Wei Wei , Hu Xiaoping , Xin Wenqiang , Chen Nan
Published: June 2023

This review summarizes the implications of the primary tumor suppressor protein phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in aggressive cancer development. PTEN interacts with other cellular proteins or factors suggesting the existence of an intricate molecular network that regulates their oncogenic function. Accumulating evidence has shown that PTEN exists and plays a role in the cytoplasmic organelles and in the nucleus. PTEN blocks phosphoinositide 3‐kinases (PI3K)–protein kinase B–mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway by dephosphorylating phosphatidylinositol (PI)‐3,4,5‐triphosphate to PI‐4,5‐bisphosphate thus counteracting PI3K function. Studies have shown that PTEN expression is tightly regulated at transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational levels (including protein–protein interactions and posttranslational modifications). Despite recent advances in PTEN research, the regulation and function of the PTEN gene remain largely unknown. How mutation or loss of specific exons in the PTEN gene occurs and involves in cancer development is not clear. This review illustrates the regulatory mechanisms of PTEN expression and discusses how PTEN participates in tumor development and/or suppression. Future prospects for the clinical applications are also highlighted.
Cholesterol sulfate inhibits osteoclast differentiation and survival by regulating the AMPK–Sirt1–NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Park Jin Ha , Lee Jiae , Lee Gong‐Rak , Kwon Minjeong , Lee Hye In , Kim Narae , Kim Hee Jin , Lee Mi‐Ock , Jeong Woojin
Published: June 2023

Cholesterol sulfate (CS) is an activator of retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor α (RORα). CS treatment or RORα overexpression attenuates osteoclastogenesis in a collagen‐induced arthritis mouse model. However, the mechanism by which CS and RORα regulate osteoclast differentiation remains largely unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of CS and RORα in osteoclastogenesis and their underlying mechanism. CS inhibited osteoclast differentiation, but RORα deficiency did not affect osteoclast differentiation and CS‐mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. CS enhanced adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) activity, leading to nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) inhibition by decreasing acetylation at Lys310 of p65. The NF‐κB inhibition was restored by AMPK inhibitor, but the effects of CS on AMPK and NF‐κB were not altered by RORα deficiency. CS also induced osteoclast apoptosis, which may be due to sustained AMPK activation and consequent NF‐κB inhibition, and the effects of CS were significantly reversed by interleukin‐1β treatment. Collectively, these results indicate that CS inhibits osteoclast differentiation and survival by suppressing NF‐κB via the AMPK–Sirt1 axis in a RORα‐independent manner. Furthermore, CS protects against bone destruction in lipopolysaccharide‐ and ovariectomy‐mediated bone loss mouse models, suggesting that CS is a useful therapeutic candidate for treating inflammation‐induced bone diseases and postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Exploring the experiences and learning of young primary care physicians in disaster‐affected areas: A qualitative study on the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Son Daisuke , Kise Morito , Kaku Taijin , Obara Yukiko , Onishi Hirotaka
Published: June 2023

Background

Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a critical role in disaster medicine. However, it is unclear how PCPs who provide chronic support to disaster‐affected areas learn from their experiences.

Methods

This qualitative study investigates the learnings of young PCPs who provided medical care during the chronic phase of the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster.

Results

Thematic analysis of interviews with five physicians revealed the challenges faced by them and their learnings in providing medical support to disaster‐affected areas.

Conclusions

They not only learned medical skills but also humanistic aspects such as empathizing with the survivors' loss.
Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A reduction by Lactobacillus spp. during bread making
Authors: Escrivá Laura , Calpe Jorge , Lafuente Carla , Moreno Ana , Musto Leonardo , Meca Giuseppe , Luz Carlos
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are among the most important mycotoxins with common presence in bread and bakery products. Biological detoxification of mould food spoilage and mycotoxin contamination by lactic acid bacteria (LABs) exhibits high potential on a cost‐effective and large scale. In this work, the effect of Lactobacillus strains isolated from goat milk whey on reducing AFB1 and OTA during bread making was evaluated by the determination of mycotoxin reduction potential of 12 LAB strains after 72 h incubation in De Man–Rogosa–Sharpe (MRS) broth (37 °C). The most effective LABs were lyophilized and added as ingredient in bread formulation, analysing mycotoxins by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry after bread fermentation and baking.

RESULTS

AFB1 was reduced in MRS broth by seven LABs (11–35%), highlighting Lactobacillus plantarum B3 activity; while all LABs reduced OTA (12–40%) with L. plantarum B3 and Lactobacillus paracasei B10 as the most active strains. Both LABs were lyophilized and added in contaminated bread with and without yeast, reaching AFB1 and OTA reductions up to 27% and 32% respectively in dough and up to 55% and 34% respectively in bread.

CONCLUSION

The selected strains significantly reduced AFB1 and OTA during bread fermentation, pointing to a potential biocontrol strategy for mycotoxins detoxification in bread and bakery products. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A Novel Instrument Holder to Improve Operative Efficiency in Endoscopic Laryngeal and Airway Surgery
Authors: Jain Aseem , Adams Sarah M. , Hale Isaac , Voskoboynik Anna , Sissoko Cheick , Bugada Matthew , Dion Gregory R. , Howell Rebecca J. , Friedman Aaron D.
Published: June 2023

Objective

Receiving instruments from surgical technicians during endoscopic laryngeal and airway microsurgery (ELAM) has challenges including repeated, expeditious handling of delicate instruments and passing them to the surgeon's hand opposite of where the surgical assistant is standing. Optimizing this interaction may reduce surgical errors and improve operative efficiency.

Methods

A proprietary ELAM instrument holder was attached to both sides of the operating room bed. The device consisted of an articulating arm with custom silicone inserts mounted on a tray (storing up to three endoscopic instruments). ELAM cases were randomized to be performed either with (device) or without the holder (control). Using custom software, instrument pass time (IPT), instrument drop rate (IDR), and communication errors (eg handing incorrect instruments) were manually recorded. Qualitative use metrics relating to overall device satisfaction were also obtained.

Results

Data were collected from 25 device and 23 control cases among three different laryngologists. Average IPT was nearly three times quicker for the device (0.80 s, n = 1175 passes) compared with controls (2.09 s, n = 1208 passes) [p < 0.001]. IPT interquartile range was five times higher for control (1.65 s) versus device cases (0.42 s). IDR was not significantly different [p = 0.48]; however, device cases had significantly lower communication errors compared to control cases [p = 0.01]. Surgeons and surgical assistants were similarly satisfied with the device on a 5‐point Likert scale (mean: 4.2/5, standard deviation: 0.92).

Conclusion

The proposed endoscopic instrument holder can improve ELAM operative workflow by reducing instrument passing time and variability without increasing IDR.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 133:3492–3498, 2023
Developing LHS scholars’ competency around reducing burnout and moral injury
Authors: Yilmaz Sirin , LeClaire Michele , Begnaud Abbie , McKinney Warren , Boehmer Kasey R. , Schaffhausen Cory , Linzer Mark
Published: June 2023

Despite the known benefits of supportive work environments for promoting patient quality and safety and healthcare worker retention, there is no clear mandate for improving work environments within Learning Health Systems (LHS) nor an LHS wellness competency. Striking rises in burnout levels among healthcare workers provide urgency for this topic.

Methods

We brought three experts on moral injury, burnout prevention, and ethics to a recurring, interactive LHS training program “Design Shop” session, harnessing scholars’ ideas prior to the meeting. Generally following SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines, we evaluated the prework and discussion via informal content analysis to develop a set of pathways for developing moral injury and burnout prevention programs. Along these lines, we developed a new competency for moral injury and burnout prevention within LHS training programs.

Results

In preparation for the session, scholars differentiated moral injury from burnout, highlighted the profound impact of COVID‐19 on moral injury, and proposed testable interventions to reduce injury. Scholar and expert input was then merged into developing the new competency in moral injury and burnout prevention. In particular, the competency focuses on preparing scholars to (1) demonstrate knowledge of moral injury and burnout, (2) measure burnout, moral injury, and their remediable predictors, (3) use methods for improving burnout, (4) structure training programs with supportive work environments, and (5) embed burnout and moral injury prevention into LHS structures.

Conclusions

Burnout and moral injury prevention have been largely omitted in LHS training. A competency related to burnout and moral injury reduction can potentially bring sustainable work lives for scholars and their colleagues, better incorporation of their science into clinical practice, and better outcomes for patients.
Thin spectra and singular continuous spectral measures for limit‐periodic Jacobi matrices
Authors: Damanik David , Fillman Jake , Wang Chunyi
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates the spectral properties of Jacobi matrices with limit‐periodic coefficients. We show that generically the spectrum is a Cantor set of zero Lebesgue measure, and the spectral measures are purely singular continuous. For a dense set of limit‐periodic Jacobi matrices, we show that the spectrum is a Cantor set of zero lower box counting dimension while still retaining the singular continuity of the spectral type. We also show how results of this nature can be established by fixing the off‐diagonal coefficients and varying only the diagonal coefficients, and, in a more restricted version, by fixing the diagonal coefficients to be zero and varying only the off‐diagonal coefficients. We apply these results to produce examples of weighted Laplacians on the multidimensional integer lattice having purely singular continuous spectral type and zero‐dimensional spectrum.
Elliptic Weingarten hypersurfaces of Riemannian products
Authors: de Lima R. F. , Ramos A. K. , dos Santos J. P.
Published: June 2023

Let be either a simply connected space form or a rank‐one symmetric space of the noncompact type. We consider Weingarten hypersurfaces of , which are those whose principal curvatures and angle function satisfy a relation , being W a differentiable function which is symmetric with respect to . When on the positive cone of , a strictly convex Weingarten hypersurface determined by W is said to be elliptic. We show that, for a certain class of Weingarten functions W, there exist rotational strictly convex Weingarten hypersurfaces of which are either topological spheres or entire graphs over M. We establish a Jellett–Liebmann‐type theorem by showing that a compact, connected and elliptic Weingarten hypersurface of either or is a rotational embedded sphere. Other uniqueness results for complete elliptic Weingarten hypersurfaces of these ambient spaces are obtained. We also obtain existence results for constant scalar curvature hypersurfaces of and which are either rotational or invariant by translations (parabolic or hyperbolic). We apply our methods to give new proofs of the main results by Manfio and Tojeiro on the classification of constant sectional curvature hypersurfaces of and .
Theoretical and numerical decay results of a viscoelastic suspension bridge with variable exponents nonlinearity
Authors: Al‐Mahdi Adel M. , Al‐Gharabli Mohammad M. , Zahri Mostafa
Published: June 2023

Strong vibrations can cause considerable damage to structures and break materials apart. The main reason for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse was the sudden transition from longitudinal to torsional oscillations caused by a resonance phenomenon. There exists evidence that several other bridges collapsed for the same reason. To overcome unwanted vibrations and prevent structures from resonating during earthquakes and winds, features and modifications such as dampers are used to stabilize these bridges. In this work, we study a nonlinear viscoelastic plate equation with variable exponents, which models the deformation of a suspension bridge. First, we establish explicit and general decay results of the system depending on the decay rate of the relaxation function and the nature of the variable‐exponents nonlinearity. Then, we perform several numerical tests to illustrate our theoretical decay results. Our results extend and generalize many earlier works in the literature.
Less saturated, more eco‐friendly: Color saturation and consumer perception of product sustainability
Authors: Pichierri Marco , Pino Giovanni
Published: June 2023

Color saturation—the color's purity and intensity (also known as vividness)—is a visual feature that has been under‐investigated in the context of green marketing. To advance knowledge of this topic, we performed five experimental studies to confirm that consumers tend to unconsciously associate low color saturation with a product's “gentler” impact on the environment. This perception of eco‐friendliness, in turn, increases their trust in the product maker's greenness. Our research disentangles the direct and indirect impact (via consumers' perceptions of materials' naturalness, product authenticity, and product durability) of low‐saturation colors on the perceived eco‐friendliness of consumer products. Furthermore, the results reveal that, by fostering perceptions of eco‐friendliness and green trust, such colors favorably influence consumers' behavioral intentions (i.e., their purchase intention and intention to pay a premium price for the product). Ultimately, the paper provides useful insights for companies and marketers interested in leveraging the meaning of color saturation to elicit perceptions of environmental compatibility.
Cellulose Nanocrystal‐Based Gradient Hydrogel Actuators with Controllable Bending Properties
Authors: Roopsung Nontarin , Sugawara Akihide , Hsu Yu‐I , Asoh Taka‐Aki , Uyama Hiroshi
Published: June 2023

Stimuli‐responsive hydrogel actuators are being increasingly used in microtechnology, but typical bilayer hydrogel actuators have significant drawbacks due to weak adhesive interface between the two layers. In this study, thermoresponsive single‐layer hydrogel actuators are produced by generating a gradient distribution of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in a poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel network by electrophoresis. Tunable bending properties of the composite hydrogels, such as the thermoresponsive bending speed and angle, are realized by varying the electrophoresis time, applied voltage, and CNC concentration. By varying these conditions, the gradient distribution of the CNCs can be optimized, leading to fast bending and large bending angles of the hydrogels. Bending properties are attributed to the gradient distribution of CNCs causing different deswelling rates across the hydrogel network owing to reinforcing effects. Bending ability is also influenced by differences in the CNC dimensions based on the sources of cellulose, which determine the rigidity of the CNC‐rich layer of the polymer composite. It is thus shown that thermoresponsive single‐layer gradient hydrogels with tunable bending properties can be realized.
A High‐Efficient DOPO‐Based Flame Retardant as a Co‐Curing Agent for Simultaneously Enhancing the Fire Safety and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Ou Mingyu , Lian Richeng , Li Rongjia , Cui Jiahui , Guan Haocun , Zhu Jianhao , Liu Lei , Jiao Chuanmei , Chen Xilei
Published: June 2023

Simultaneously enhancing the fire safety and mechanical properties of epoxy resin (EP) remains a persistent challenge. Herein, a high‐efficient phosphaphenanthrene‐based flame retardant (FNP) is synthesized using 3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4‐triazole, 4‐formylbenzoic acid, and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide. Due to the presence of active amine groups, FNP is employed as a co‐curing agent for fabricating EP composites with outstanding fire safety and mechanical properties. EP containing 8 wt% FNP (EP/8FNP) achieves a vertical burning (UL‐94) V‐0 rating with a limiting oxygen index of 31%. Meanwhile, FNP declines the peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke release of EP/8FNP by 41.1%, 31.8%, and 16.0%, respectively, compared to those of unmodified EP. The increased fire safety of EP/FNP composites is because FNP promotes the formation of an intumescent, compact, and cross‐linking char layer for EP/FNP composites, and releases P‐containing substances and noncombustible gases in the gas phase during combustion. In addition, EP/8FNP exhibits 20.3% and 5.4% increase in the flexural strength and modulus compared with those of pure EP. Furthermore, FNP enhances the glass transition temperature of EP/FNP composites from 141.6 °C for pure EP to 147.3 °C for EP/8FNP. Therefore, this work is conducive to the future development of fabricating fire‐safe EP composites with enhanced mechanical properties.