bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The roles of elevated temperature and carriers in the dyeing of polyester fibres using disperse dyes: Part 3 model of dye adsorption based on dye solubility
Authors: Burkinshaw Stephen M.
Published: November 2023

This review concerns the application of disperse dyes to poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres using aqueous immersion dyeing processes and the roles of both elevated dyeing temperatures and carriers in the disperse dye/polyester fibre and disperse dye/carrier/polyester fibre dyeing systems, respectively. In this part of the paper, a mechanistic model of the disperse dye adsorption process is presented that is based on the role of dye solubility in disperse dye‐PET fibre substantivity. It is shown that the dye solubility model of disperse dye adsorption, which can be articulated using a simple mathematical approach, is able to account for the reasons why elevated dyeing temperatures are utilised in HT dyeing processes, and also why dyeing accelerants enable dyeing to be achieved using lower temperatures of ~100°C.
Percepções dos pais sobre uma intervenção de esportes modificados para crianças com paralisia cerebral
Authors: de Sousa Junior Ricardo Rodrigues , Souto Deisiane Oliveira , Ferreira Fabiane Ribeiro , da Silva e Dutra Fabiana Caetano Martins , Camargos Ana Cristina Resende , Clutterbuck Georgina L. , Leite Hércules Ribeiro ,   Grupo de Estudos Sports Stars Brasil
Published: November 2023

Objetivo

Explorar as percepções dos pais de crianças com paralisia cerebral (PC) sobre uma intervenção de esportes modificados, intitulada Sports Stars Brasil.

Métodos

Pais de crianças (n = 15, com idades de 6 a 12 anos) com PC, classificadas nos níveis I e II do GMFCS, que participaram do Sports Stars Brasil, foram recrutados para este estudo qualitativo descritivo. As crianças receberam uma intervenção de esportes modificados de oito semanas (1 hora por semana). Após a intervenção, os pais participaram de um grupo focal. A interpretação das “minhas palavras favoritas” (saúde, família, diversão, funcionalidade, amigos e futuro) da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde foi usada para orientar a os grupos focais. As transcrições foram codificadas usando a metodologia de análise de conteúdo.

Resultados

Os pais relataram experiências positivas com o Sports Stars Brasil, incluindo a redução do sedentarismo (“Saúde”), melhora das habilidades motoras (“Funcionalidade”), maior conexão entre a criança e a família (“Família”), melhor socialização (“Amigos”), aumento na participação em atividades prazerosas (“Diversão”) e conscientização sobre a importância da atividade física (“Futuro”). Todas as experiências positivas estavam interconectadas.

Interpretação

A capacidade do Sports Stars de integrar todos os aspectos do funcionalidade apoia seu papel como uma opção de intervenção promissora para crianças com PC deambulantes.

O que este artigo contribui

O Sports Stars Brasil tem como objetivo promover a participação em atividades de lazer.

O Sports Stars foi uma intervenção agradável, de curto prazo, com dosagem pequena, focada na participação.

Os pais dos participantes do Sports Stars Brasil perceberam benefícios em todas as “minhas palavras favoritas”.

Esta intervenção de esportes modificados foi capaz de integrar todas as “minhas palavras favoritas”.
Dexmedetomidine alleviates hippocampal neuronal loss and cognitive decline in rats undergoing open surgery under sevoflurane anaesthesia by suppressing CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein beta
Authors: Fu Shanshan , Zhao Xianghai , Li Yingna , Fan Xinwen , Huang Zeqing
Published: November 2023

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) may exert neuroprotective effects by attenuating inflammatory responses. However, whether Dex specifically improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) by inhibiting microglial inflammation through what pathway remains unclear. In this study, the POCD model was constructed by performing open surgery after 3 h of continuous inhalation of 3% sevoflurane to rats, which were intraperitoneally injected with 25 μg/kg Dex .5 h before anaesthesia. The results displayed that Dex intervention decreased rat escape latency, maintained swimming speed and increased the number of times rats crossed the platform and the time spent in the target quadrant. Furthermore, the rat neuronal injury was restored, alleviated POCD modelling‐induced rat hippocampal microglial activation and inhibited microglial M1 type polarization. Besides, we administered Dex injection and/or CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein beta (CEBPB) knockdown on the basis of sevoflurane exposure and open surgery and found that CEBPB was knocked down, resulting in the inability of Dex to function, which confirmed CEBPB as a target for Dex treatment. To sum up, Dex improved POCD by considering CEBPB as a drug target to activate the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)/p‐38 signaling pathway, inhibiting microglial M1 polarization‐mediated inflammation in the central nervous system.
European agricultural soil management: Towards climate‐smart and sustainability, knowledge needs and research approaches
Authors: Keesstra S. D. , Chenu C. , Munkholm L. J. , Cornu S. , Kuikman P. J. , Thorsøe M. H. , Besse‐Lototskaya A. , Visser S. M.
Published: November 2023

Current soil‐ and land degradation seriously challenge our societies; it contributes to climate change, loss of biodiversity and loss of agricultural productions. Yet, soils are also seen as a major part of the solution, if maintained or restored to provide ecosystem services. Climate‐smart sustainable management of soils can provide options for soil health maintenance and restoration. In the European Union, the resource management and sustainability challenge are addressed in the Green Deal that, among other goals, aspires towards a healthy climate‐resilient agricultural sector that will produce sufficient products without damaging ecosystems and contribute to better biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The European Joint Programme (EJP) SOIL was set up to contribute to these goals by developing knowledge, tools and an integrated research community to foster climate‐smart sustainable agricultural soil management that provides a diversity of ecosystem service, such as adapting to and mitigating climate change, allowing sustainable food production, and sustaining soil biodiversity. This paper provides an overview of the potential of climate‐smart sustainable soil management research to the targets of the Green Deal that are related to soils most directly. The EJP SOIL EU‐wide consultation (interviews and questionnaires) and literature analysis (national and international reports and papers) done in the first year (2020–2021) generated a wealth of data. This data showed that there are specific manners to do research that are essential for it to be effective and efficient and that can actively contribute to the Green Deal targets. We concluded that research needs to be: (i) interdisciplinary, (ii) long‐term, (iii) multi‐scaled, from plot to landscape, (iv) evaluating trade‐offs of selected management options for ecosystem services and (v) co‐constructed with key stakeholders. Research on climate‐smart sustainable soil management should be developed (1) on plot scale when mobilizing soil processes and on landscape scale when addressing sediment and water connectivity and biodiversity management; and (2) address the enabling conditions through good governance, social acceptance and viable economic conditions.
Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Chinese children: A multicenter study from 2016 to 2023
Authors: Xu Wenyan , Yang Bite , Lin Lang , Lin Qiong , Wang Hui , Yang Lu , Li Zhongyue , Lamm Shelby , Chen Ye , Yang Ningmin , Chen Yishu , Yu Chaohui , Li Lan
Published: November 2023

Background

To investigate the antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains to clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, furazolidone, and tetracycline in Chinese children.

Materials and Methods

This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted from January 2016 through May 2023. Gastric mucosa biopsies were obtained from pediatric participants who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at 96 hospitals in northern, southwestern, and southeastern China. The susceptibility of H. pylori to six commonly used antibiotics was determined by agar dilution method.

Results

Among the 3074 H. pylori isolates, 36.7% were resistant to clarithromycin, 77.3% to metronidazole, 16.6% to levofloxacin, and 0.3% to amoxicillin. No strains were detected to be resistant to furazolidone or tetracycline. During the 8‐year study period, resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole showed a significant upward trend, while the resistance pattern of the other antibiotics demonstrated a slight but nonsignificant fluctuation. Significant regional differences were found in the distribution of clarithromycin resistance among the northern (66.0%), southwestern (48.2%), and southeastern (34.6%) regions. The metronidazole resistance rate was significantly lower in the southeastern coastal region (76.3%) than in the other two regions (88.2% in the north and 87.7% in the southwest). Multi‐drug resistance for two or more antibiotics was detected in 36.3% of the H. pylori strains, and the predominant multi‐resistance pattern was the dual resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole.

Conclusions

The prevalence of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole is rather high in Chinese children and has been increasing over time. A relatively high resistance rate to levofloxacin was also noticed in children, while almost all strains were susceptible to amoxicillin, furazolidone, and tetracycline. It will be of great clinical significance to continuously monitor the antibiotic‐resistance patterns of H. pylori in the pediatric population.
Comparative analysis of the therapeutic outcomes of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma patients aged 80 years and older: Multicenter study
Authors: Hatanaka Takeshi , Kakizaki Satoru , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Toshifumi , Hirooka Masashi , Kariyama Kazuya , Tani Joji , Atsukawa Masanori , Takaguchi Koichi , Itobayashi Ei , Fukunishi Shinya , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Tajiri Kazuto , Ochi Hironori , Yasuda Satoshi , Toyoda Hidenori , Ogawa Chikara , Yokohama Keisuke , Nishikawa Hiroki , Nishimura Takashi , Shimada Noritomo , Kawata Kazuhito , Kosaka Hisashi , Naganuma Atsushi , Yata Yutaka , Ohama Hideko , Kuroda Hidekatsu , Aoki Tomoko , Tanaka Kazunari , Tanaka Takaaki , Tada Fujimasa , Nouso Kazuhiro , Morishita Asahiro , Tsutsui Akemi , Nagano Takuya , Itokawa Norio , Okubo Tomomi , Arai Taeang , Imai Michitaka , Koizumi Yohei , Nakamura Shinichiro , Kaibori Masaki , Iijima Hiroko , Hiasa Yoichi , Kudo Masatoshi , Kumada Takashi ,   the Real‐life Practice Experts for HCC (RELPEC) Study Group, and HCC 48 Group (hepatocellular carcinoma experts from 48 clinics in Japan)
Published: November 2023

Aim

Elderly patients are believed to have a reduced immune capacity, which may make immunotherapy less effective. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic outcome of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) and lenvatinib (LEN) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients aged 80 years and older.

Methods

From March 2018 to July 2022, 170 and 92 elderly patients who received LEN and Atez/Bev as first‐line treatment, respectively, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The median ages of the Atez/Bev and LEN groups were 83.0 (8.01–86.0) and 83.0 (82.0–86.0) years (p = 0.3), respectively. Men accounted for approximately 70% of the patients in both groups. The objective response rate was 35.9% in the LEN group and 33.7% in the Atez/Bev group (p = 0.8), whereas the disease control rates in the LEN and Atez/Bev groups were 62.9% and 63.0%, respectively (p = 1.0). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) in the LEN and Atez/Bev groups was 6.3 and 7.2 months, respectively, which were not significantly different (p = 0.2). The median overall survival (OS) was 17.9 months in the LEN group and 14.0 months in the Atez/Bev group. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.7). In multivariate analyses, the choice of treatment (LEN vs. Atez/Bev) showed no association with PFS or OS. The Atez/Bev group had a significantly higher rate of postprogression treatment (59.0% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.01) and a lower rate of discontinuation due to adverse events (69 [40.6%] vs. 19 [20.7%], p < 0.001) compared to the LEN group.

Conclusions

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab showed comparable effectiveness to LEN in HCC patients aged 80 years and older. Given the results of postprogression treatment and discontinuation due to adverse events, Atez/Bev could serve as a first‐line treatment even for elderly HCC patients.
The feasibility of marine oleogel based on fish oil canning industry by‐products, structured with beeswax and rice bran wax
Authors: Ramadhan Wahyu , Krisnawan William Vito , Firdaos Anita Nurul , Riyanto Bambang , Suseno Sugeng Heri , Trilaksani Wini , Santoso Joko , Pari Rizfi Fariz
Published: November 2023

The presence of trans fatty acid in food is often reduced through the use of fat replacers or oleogel technology. However, these alternatives typically encounter a scarcity of resources, specifically vegetable oil, which serves as the primary raw material. In fact, oil derived from marine, particularly fish oil by‐products, can be valorised as a colloidal architecture. Therefore, this study aims to assess the optimal type of oleogelator by applying different concentrations of beeswax (BW) and rice bran wax (RBW) in the generating of oleogel based on fish oil by‐product. Oleogel thermogram showed a shift in the melting point with increasing temperatures for concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15%. Oleogel containing 15% BW and 5% BW had the highest (99.27 ± 0.55%) and lowest (78.20 ± 2.54%) oil binding capacity, respectively. The rheology evaluation showed dynamic shifts in oleogel system as the type and concentration of oleogelator were altered, underscoring the importance of G′ and G″. The use of a 10% oleogelator generated preferable results for both BW and RBW in terms of melting point, OBC, viscous behaviour and appearance of oleogel. Furthermore, this selected oleogel strategy exhibited similar textural properties to commercial margarine when used in a sponge cake as the food model system.
Gendered competencies and gender composition: A human versus algorithm evaluator comparison
Authors: Merritt Stephanie M. , Ryan Ann Marie , Gardner Cari , Liff Joshua , Mondragon Nathan
Published: November 2023

The rise in AI‐based assessments in hiring contexts has led to significant media speculation regarding their role in exacerbating or mitigating employment inequities. In this study, we examined 46,214 ratings from 4947 interviews to ascertain if gender differences in ratings were related to interactions among content (stereotype‐relevant competencies), context (occupational gender composition), and rater type (human vs. algorithm). Contrary to the hypothesized effects of smaller gender differences in algorithmic scoring than with human raters, we found that both human and algorithmic ratings of men on agentic competencies were higher than those given to women. Also unexpected, the algorithmic scoring evidenced greater gender differences in communal ratings than humans (with women rated higher than men) and similar differences in non‐stereotypic competency ratings that were in the opposite direction (humans rated men higher than women, while algorithms rated women higher than men). In more female‐dominated occupations, humans tended to rate applicants as generally less competent overall relative to the algorithms, but algorithms rated men more highly in these occupations. Implications for auditing for group differences in selection contexts are discussed.
Retail & wholesale inventories: A literature review and path forward
Authors: Marzolf Micah J. , Miller Jason W. , Peinkofer Simone T.
Published: November 2023

Efficient management of inventories is essential for both retailers and wholesalers. Two disciplines which have extensively studied retail and wholesale (R&W) inventories are supply chain management (SCM) and economics. Each discipline is affected by R&W inventories but has taken different approaches to investigating these inventories, presenting an opportunity for learning between disciplines. In this manuscript, we aim to advance the study of R&W inventories in the SCM discipline. We accomplish this goal by reviewing and synthesizing SCM and economics research set in the R&W sectors that studies inventories or inventory performance as the outcome of interest. To synthesize the literature and develop research suggestions, we develop a framework along which to classify the existing literature to identify gaps and opportunities, grouping the literature based on (1) the level at which inventory is studied (sector/industry level, firm level, or SKU/product/category level) and (2) the type of predictors that are studied (internal or external). Based on the literature review, we identify opportunities for future research to enhance our understanding of R&W inventories, with research falling within four topics: (1) resolving inconsistencies across studies; (2) expanding the study of R&W inventories within the developed framework; (3) cross‐level theorizing; and (4) theorizing across time.
Multi‐Temporality and the Ghostly: How Communing with Times Past Informs Organizational Futures
Authors: Maclean Mairi , Harvey Charles , Suddaby Roy , Coraiola Diego M.
Published: November 2023

Despite growing interest in time, history, and memory, we lack an understanding of the multi‐temporal reality of organizations – how past, present, and future intersect to inform organizational life. In assuming that legacies are bequeathed from past to present, there has been little theorization on how this works practically. We propose that the lexicon of the ghostly can help. We contribute a theory of ghostly influence from past to future by offering a framework focusing on core moments of organizational existence: foundation, strategic change, and longevity commemoration, and illustrate this using a case study of consumer goods multinational Procter & Gamble (1930–2010). In showing that organizational ghosts, absent members whose presence is consequential to the actions of living members, are active and dialogical, we illuminate a dialectical interaction missing from other non‐linear conceptions of temporality. This emphasizes the performative force of a dynamic past that provides an inference to action in the present and future.
A case of monozygotic twins with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 and epilepsy, of whom only one developed narcolepsy type 1
Authors: Mizuno Yuri , Uehara Taira , Nakamura Yuri , Okadome Toshiki , Mukaino Takahiko , Koh Kishin , Takiyama Yoshihisa , Kanbayashi Takashi , Isobe Noriko , Kira Jun‐ichi , Murai Hiroyuki , Shigeto Hiroshi
Published: November 2023

We report a case of monozygotic twin sisters with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4) and epilepsy, only one of whom had a diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). The older sister with NT1 exhibited excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep‐onset rapid eye movement period in the multiple sleep latency test, and decreased orexin levels in cerebrospinal fluid. Both sisters had HLA‐DRB1*15:01‐DQB1*06:02 and were further identified to have a novel missense mutation (c.1156A > C, p.Asn386His) in the coding exon of the spastin (SPAST) gene. The novel missense mutation might be involved in the development of epilepsy. This case is characterised by a combined diagnosis of SPG4 and epilepsy, and it is the first report of NT1 combined with epilepsy and genetically confirmed SPG4. The fact that only one of the twins has NT1 suggests that acquired and environmental factors are important in the pathogenesis of NT1.
Bridging the gap: Understanding the barriers and facilitators to performance for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic medical students in the United Kingdom
Authors: Morrison Nariell , Machado Michelle , Blackburn Clare
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Differential attainment is a well‐known phenomenon in medical education. Despite a strong impetus for institutions and researchers to move away from a ‘student deficit model’ when exploring the attainment gap, little attention has been given to understanding the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) medical students. Informed by the social construction of learning theory, this is the first national study to explore how multiple dimensions of the medical school environment impact academic performance of BAME undergraduate medical students across the UK.

Methods

Using a sequential explanatory mixed‐methods approach, the authors conducted a survey and facilitated three focus groups across medical schools in the UK between 2020–2021. Participants self‐identified as being from BAME backgrounds. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis, subsequently identifying inductive themes.

Results

Three hundred sixty‐two respondents completed the Phase 1 survey, and 17 participants participated in the Phase 2 focus groups. Although both survey and focus group participants identified facilitators to learning such as supportive relationships, students reported facing numerous barriers that they felt impeded their learning and performance. These barriers included limited access to educational resources, and undiversified curricula and medical school populations. Students also described both experiencing and witnessing various forms of racism throughout their educational journeys.

Discussion

Students encountered various difficulties throughout their medical training that they felt impacted their learning and performance. This study offers novel insights into the experiences of BAME students and builds upon previous research. It also reveals the pervasive nature of racism within medical schools, highlighting the urgent need for institutional changes. Educators and institutions must go beyond merely recognising these barriers and facilitators; they must proactively innovate and adapt. In doing so, they pave the way for inclusive learning environments that truly foster a sense of belonging for BAME students.
Kerion Celsi in infants and children—A narrative review 2010–2023
Authors: Chiriac Anca , Diaconeasa Adriana , Voicu Cristiana , Ivaniciuc Mihaela , Miulescu Raluca , Chiriac Anca E. , Nenoff Pietro , Wollina Uwe
Published: November 2023

Kerion Celsi is an inflammatory, deep fungal infection of the scalp. It is rare in neonates but gets more common in children about 3 years and older. It represents with swelling, boggy lesions, pain, alopecia and purulent secretions. Secondary bacterial infection is not unusual after maceration. Extracutaneous manifestations include regional lymphadenopathy, fever and very rare fungemia. Id‐reactions can occur. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion, clinical examination and medical history. Diagnosis should be confirmed by microscopy, fungal culture and molecular procedures. The most common isolated fungal species are anthropophilic Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans and zoophilic Microsporum (M.) canis, while geophilic species and moulds rarely cause Kerion Celsi. Treatment is medical with systemic and topical antifungals supplemented by systemic antibiotics when necessary, while surgery needs to be avoided. Early and sufficient treatment prevents scarring alopecia. The most important differential diagnosis is bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.
Avacopan as an additional therapeutic intervention to promote renal recovery in severe ANCA‐associated vasculitis: A case report
Authors: Atrens Aleks D. , Hutton Holly , O'Sullivan Eoin , Moore John , Madhan Krishan
Published: November 2023

Avacopan, a C5a receptor antagonist (C5aR) presents a new therapeutic option to improve outcomes in ANCA‐associated vasculitis (AAV). Here we present a case report of a patient initially requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT), where avacopan was added as an additional adjunctive therapeutic agent late in the treatment course.
Plant chromosome engineering – past, present and future
Authors: Puchta Holger , Houben Andreas
Published: November 2023

Spontaneous chromosomal rearrangements (CRs) play an essential role in speciation, genome evolution and crop domestication. To be able to use the potential of CRs for breeding, plant chromosome engineering was initiated by fragmenting chromosomes by X‐ray irradiation. With the rise of the CRISPR/Cas system, it became possible to induce double‐strand breaks (DSBs) in a highly efficient manner at will at any chromosomal position. This has enabled a completely new level of predesigned chromosome engineering. The genetic linkage between specific genes can be broken by inducing chromosomal translocations. Natural inversions, which suppress genetic exchange, can be reverted for breeding. In addition, various approaches for constructing minichromosomes by downsizing regular standard A or supernumerary B chromosomes, which could serve as future vectors in plant biotechnology, have been developed. Recently, a functional synthetic centromere could be constructed. Also, different ways of genome haploidization have been set up, some based on centromere manipulations. In the future, we expect to see even more complex rearrangements, which can be combined with previously developed engineering technologies such as recombinases. Chromosome engineering might help to redefine genetic linkage groups, change the number of chromosomes, stack beneficial genes on mini cargo chromosomes, or set up genetic isolation to avoid outcrossing.
Ecological and metabolic implications of the nurse effect of Maihueniopsis camachoi in the Atacama Desert
Authors: Díaz Francisca P. , Dussarrat Thomas , Carrasco‐Puga Gabriela , Colombié Sophie , Prigent Sylvain , Decros Guillaume , Bernillon Stéphane , Cassan Cédric , Flandin Amélie , Guerrero Pablo C. , Gibon Yves , Rolin Dominique , Cavieres Lohengrin A. , Pétriacq Pierre , Latorre Claudio , Gutiérrez Rodrigo A.
Published: November 2023

Plant–plant positive interactions are key drivers of community structure. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms of facilitation processes remain unexplored. We investigated the ‘nursing’ effect of Maihueniopsis camachoi, a cactus that thrives in the Atacama Desert between c. 2800 and 3800 m above sea level. We hypothesised that an important protective factor is thermal amelioration of less cold‐tolerant species with a corresponding impact on molecular phenotypes.

To test this hypothesis, we compared plant cover and temperatures within the cactus foliage with open areas and modelled the effect of temperatures on plant distribution. We combined eco‐metabolomics and machine learning to test the molecular consequences of this association.

Multiple species benefited from the interaction with M. camachoi. A conspicuous example was the extended distribution of Atriplex imbricata to colder elevations in association with M. camachoi (400 m higher as compared to plants in open areas). Metabolomics identified 93 biochemical markers predicting the interaction status of A. imbricata with 79% accuracy, independently of year.

These findings place M. camachoi as a key species in Atacama plant communities, driving local biodiversity with an impact on molecular phenotypes of nursed species. Our results support the stress‐gradient hypothesis and provide pioneer insights into the metabolic consequences of facilitation.
Racism in paradise: Being migrants in urban agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Palomino‐Schalscha Marcela , Braga Bizarria Maria Teresa , Sánchez‐Bolívar Isabella
Published: November 2023

Research on urban agriculture (UA) has revealed that alongside the opportunities these spaces open for community building, UA can also (re)produce exclusionary practices, especially towards minority groups. Engaging with critical debates, we conducted a collective autoethnography project to explore the nuances of joining UA as Latin American migrant women of colour in Wellington, Aotearoa. We discuss how weaving critical race theory and collective autoethnography helped us reflect and amplify our counter‐stories of racial oppression. By pushing academic thinking, we also aim to inspire others to recognise, resist and rework racist (and sexist) structures, building solidarity towards decolonial and antiracist spaces.
Admission Inflammation Markers Influence Long‐term Mortality in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Long Anhua , Yang Dongxiang , Jin Lu , Zhao Feifei , Wang Xuefei , Zhang Yakui , Liu Liang
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Hip fractures in elderly patients are associated with a high mortality rate. Most deaths associated with hip fracture result from complications after surgery. Recent studies suggest that some inflammation biomarkers may be useful to estimate excess mortality. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of admission inflammation biomarkers in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Methods

We reports on a retrospective study of elderly hip fracture patients admitted to a hospital in China between January 2015 and December 2019. A total of 1085 patients were included in the study, and their demographic and pre‐operative characteristics were analyzed. The inflammation biomarkers included monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR). The predictive performance of NLR, MLR and CAR was assessed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and the association between admission inflammation markers and mortality was evaluated by Cox proportional regression.

Results

The 30‐day, 1‐year, 2‐year, and 4‐year mortality were 1.6%, 11.5%, 21.4% and 48.9%, respectively. The optimal cut‐off values of admission NLR, MLR and CAR for 1‐year mortality were 7.28, 0.76, and 1.36. After adjusting the covariates, preoperative NLR ≥ 7.28 (HR = 1.419, 95% CI: 1.080–1.864, p = 0.012) were found to be only independent risk factors with 4‐year all‐cause mortality, the preoperative CAR ≥ 1.36 was independently associated with 1‐year (HR = 1.700, 95% CI: 1.173–2.465, p = 0.005), 2 year (HR = 1.464, 95% CI: 1.107–1.936, p = 0.008), and 4‐year (HR = 1.341, 95% CI: 1.057–1.700, p = 0.016) all‐cause mortality, While age, CCI score, and low hemoglobin at admission were also risk factors for postoperative all‐cause mortality.

Conclusion

Admission CAR and NLR may be useful indicators for predicting the long‐term mortality of elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, and that more research is needed to validate these findings.
The trajectory of depressive symptoms over time and the presence of depressive symptoms at a single time point with the risk of dementia among US older adults: A national prospective cohort study
Authors: Du Min , Liu Min , Liu Jue
Published: November 2023

Aim

This study aims to assess the association between trajectories of depressive symptoms and the risk of dementia, and to compare the predictive ability of trajectories using multiple data points with depressive symptoms at a single data point.

Methods

We included 5306 older adults from the Health and Retirement Study. We assessed depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale (CES‐D), and identified its 8‐ year trajectories (2002–2010) using latent class trajectory modeling. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) using Cox proportional hazards models. The concordance index (C‐index) was used to compare the discriminative power of the models.

Results

We identified two trajectories of depressive symptoms, characterized by maintaining low CES‐D scores, and moderate starting scores that steadily increased throughout the follow‐up period. During 40,199 person‐years, compared to the low trajectory, the increasing trajectory of depressive symptoms was associated with a higher risk of dementia (HR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.09–1.67) (C‐index = 0.759). For every point increase in the degree of depressive symptoms (CES‐D scores) in 2010, the risk of dementia increased by 7% (95% CI: 1.03–1.12) (C‐index = 0.760). The presence of depressive symptoms (CES‐D scores ≥3) in 2010 was not associated with an increased risk of dementia (HR = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.98–1.43) (C‐index = 0.759). The C‐index values of cox models showed similar discriminative power.

Conclusions

The increasing trajectory of depressive symptoms at multiple data points and the degree of depressive symptoms at a single data point were associated with an increased risk of subsequent dementia among older adults.
Mutation of MYB36 affects isoflavonoid metabolism, growth, and stress responses in Lotus japonicus
Authors: Monje‐Rueda María Dolores , Pal'ove‐Balang Peter , Trush Kristina , Márquez Antonio J. , Betti Marco , García‐Calderón Margarita
Published: November 2023

Isoflavonoids are mostly produced by legumes although little is known about why and how legumes are able to regulate the biosynthesis of these particular compounds. Understanding the role of potential regulatory genes of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway constitutes an important topic of research. The LORE1 mutation of the gene encoding the transcription factor MYB36 allowed the identification of this gene as a regulator of isoflavonoid biosynthesis in Lotus japonicus plants. The levels of several isoflavonoid compounds were considerably lower in two lines of Ljmyb36 mutant plants compared to the WT. In addition, we found that Ljmyb36 mutant plants were significantly smaller and showed a substantial decrease in the chlorophyll levels under normal growth conditions. The analysis of plants subjected to different types of abiotic stress conditions further revealed that mutant plants presented a higher sensitivity than WT plants, indicating that the MYB36 transcription factor is also involved in the stress response in L. japonicus plants.
Does Worker Well‐Being Adapt to a Pandemic? An Event Study Based on High‐Frequency Panel Data
Authors: Schmidtke Julia , Hetschko Clemens , Schöb Ronnie , Stephan Gesine , Eid Michael , Lawes Mario
Published: November 2023

We estimate the dynamic impact of two waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic on an exceptionally broad range of indicators of worker well‐being. Our analyses are based on high‐frequency panel data from an app‐based survey of German workers and employ an event‐study design with individual‐specific fixed effects. We find that workers' mental health decreased substantially during the first wave of the pandemic. To a smaller extent, this is also true for life satisfaction and momentary happiness. Most well‐being indicators converged to prepandemic levels when infection rates declined. During the second wave of the pandemic, overall worker well‐being decreased less than that during the first wave. Life satisfaction does not seem to have changed at all. We conclude that worker well‐being adapts to the pandemic. Moreover, subgroup analyses indicate that, in terms of well‐being, workers who took part in a job retention scheme fared less well during the pandemic than other employees.
Taking Stand‐Up Seriously: Comedy as a Site for Imagining Decolonial Futures
Authors: Primbs Oskar , Dawson Marcelle C.
Published: November 2023

Stand‐up comedy is a rich arena of sociological inquiry that enables social actors to utter bold truths in a way that educates rather than offends. As such, stand‐up comedy can inform conversations around potentially “thorny” issues like racial inequality. This article draws on primary qualitative content analysis of the work of Kura Forrester, a female, Indigenous comedian in Aotearoa New Zealand, to illustrate the potential of comedians and the medium of stand‐up comedy as agents of change. We employ the concepts “parrhesia,” “critical public pedagogy,” and “prefiguration” to argue that stand‐up comedy provides a valuable opportunity to challenge racist stereotypes, encourage critical reflection on “race‐thinking,” and imagine out loud what an alternative, decolonial future in Aotearoa New Zealand might entail.
Allocating Mental Effort in Cognitive Tasks: A Model of Motivation in the ACT‐R Cognitive Architecture
Authors: Yang Yuxue C. , Stocco Andrea
Published: November 2023

Motivation is the driving force that influences people's behaviors and interacts with many cognitive functions. Computationally, motivation is represented as a cost−benefit analysis that weighs efforts and rewards in order to choose the optimal actions. Shenhav and colleagues proposed an elegant theory, the Expected Value of Control (EVC), which describes the relationship between cognitive efforts, costs, and rewards. In this paper, we propose a more fine‐grained and detailed motivation framework that incorporates the principles of EVC into the ACT‐R cognitive architecture. Specifically, motivation is represented as a specific slot in the Goal buffer with a corresponding scalar value, M, that is translated into the reward value Rt that is delivered when the goal is reached. This implementation is tested in two models. The first model is a high‐level model that reproduces the EVC predictions with abstract actions. The second model is an augmented version of an existing ACT‐R model of the Simon task. The motivation mechanism is shown to permit optimal effort allocation and reproduce known phenomena. Finally, the broader implications of our mechanism are discussed.
Uncertainty of supply chains: Risk and ambiguity
Authors: Kancs d'Artis
Published: November 2023

Motivated by the recently experienced systemic shocks (the COVID‐19 pandemic and the full‐fledged Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine)—that have created new forms of uncertainties to our supplies—this paper explores the supply chain robustness under risk aversion and ambiguity aversion. We aim to understand the potential consequences of deeply uncertain systemic events on the supply chain resilience and how does the information precision affect individual agents' choices and the chain‐level preparedness to aggregate shocks. Augmenting a parsimonious supply chain model with uncertainty, we analyse the relationship between the upstream sourcing decisions and the supply chain survival probability. Both risk‐averse and ambiguity‐averse individually‐optimising agents' upstream sourcing paths are efficient but can become vulnerable to aggregate shocks. In contrast, a chain‐level coordination of downstream firm sourcing decisions can qualitatively improve the robustness of the entire supply chain compared to the individual decision‐making baseline. Such a robust decision making ensures that in the presence of an aggregate shock—independently of its realisation—part of upstream suppliers will survive and the final goods' supply will be ensured even under the most demanding circumstances. Our results also indicate that an input source diversification extracts a cost in foregone efficiency.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: A nonlinear regression analysis
Authors: Bruhn Fábio Raphael Pascoti , Werneck Guilherme Loureiro , Barbosa David Soeiro , Câmara Daniel Cardoso Portela , Simões Taynãna César , Buzanovsky Lia Puppim , Duarte Anna Gabryela Sousa , de Melo Saulo Nascimento , Cardoso Diogo Tavares , Donato Lucas Edel , Maia‐Elkhoury Ana Nilce Silveira , Belo Vinícius Silva
Published: November 2023

Aims

This study describes the spatio‐temporal dynamics of new visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases notified in Brazil between 2001 and 2020.

Methods and Results

Data on the occurrence of the disease were obtained by means of the Notifiable Diseases Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Joinpoint, temporal generalized additive models and conditional autoregressive (CAR) models were used to analyse the temporal evolution of the rates in Brazil, states and regions. Spatio‐temporal generalized additive and CAR models were used to identify the distribution of annual risks of VL occurrence in the Brazilian territory in relation to variation in the spatial average. There were 63,966 VL cases in the target period (3.198 cases/year), corresponding to a mean incidence rate of 1.68 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Of these, 4451 resulted in deaths, which gives a mean mortality rate of 0.12 deaths/100,000 inhabitants and a case fatality of 6.96%. The highest incidence rate was found in the North region, followed closely by the Northeast region, which presented the second and first highest mortality rates, respectively. For all of Brazil, and in the Northeast region, there were stability in the incidence rates, while the other regions showed an increasing trend in different time segments in the period: Central‐West up to 2011, North up to 2008, Southeast up to 2004, and South up to 2010. On the other hand, all regions experienced a reduction in incidence rate during the last years of the series. The Northeast region had the highest number of municipalities with statistically significant elevated relative risks. The spatio‐temporal analysis showed the highest risk area predominantly in the Northeast region in the beginning of the time series. From 2002 to 2018, this area expanded to the interior of the country.

Conclusions

The present study has shown that VL has expanded in Brazil. However, the North and Northeast regions continue to have the highest incidence, and the risk of infection has decreased in recent years.
High‐fat diet effects on contractile performance of isolated mouse soleus and extensor digitorum longus when supplemented with high dose vitamin D
Authors: Shelley Sharn P. , James Rob S. , Eustace Steven J. , Eyre Emma L. J. , Tallis Jason
Published: November 2023

Evidence suggests vitamin D3 (VD) supplementation can reduce accumulation of adipose tissue and inflammation and promote myogenesis in obese individuals, and thus could mitigate obesity‐induced reductions in skeletal muscle (SkM) contractility. However, this is yet to be directly investigated. This study, using the work‐loop technique, examined effects of VD (cholecalciferol) supplementation on isolated SkM contractility. Female mice (n = 37) consumed standard low‐fat diet (SLD) or high‐fat diet (HFD), with or without VD (20,000 IU/kg−1) for 12 weeks. Soleus and EDL (n = 8–10 per muscle per group) were isolated and absolute and normalized (to muscle size and body mass) isometric force and power output (PO) were measured, and fatigue resistance determined. Absolute and normalized isometric force and PO of soleus were unaffected by diet (P > 0.087). However, PO normalized to body mass was reduced in HFD groups (P < 0.001). Isometric force of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) was unaffected by diet (P > 0.588). HFD reduced EDL isometric stress (P = 0.048) and absolute and normalized PO (P < 0.031), but there was no effect of VD (P > 0.493). Cumulative work during fatiguing contractions was lower in HFD groups (P < 0.043), but rate of fatigue was unaffected (P > 0.060). This study uniquely demonstrated that high‐dose VD had limited effects on SkM contractility and did not offset demonstrated adverse effects of HFD. However, small and moderate effect sizes suggest improvement in EDL muscle performance and animal morphology in HFD VD groups. Given effect sizes observed, coupled with proposed inverted U‐shaped dose‐effect curve, future investigations are needed to determine dose/duration specific responses to VD, which may culminate in improved function of HFD SkM.
Evaluating and Developing Human-Centered Design Workshops for Engagement of Co-Designers Living and Working in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Wojciechowski Lauren , Himes Emily , Cheruiyot Nelson , Hamwada Turinayo Abigail , Niyonsaba Sheila , Kramer Julia
Published: November 2023

Co-design is an equity-centered method of human-centered design that offers the opportunity for diverse voices (including designers and those for whom a solution is being created) to design together. As experts in their own lived experiences, co-designers provide valuable insight to help contextualize the problem being solved, leading to more feasible, viable, and desirable solutions. In particular, co-design has the potential to aid design for global health equity as health issues have many complex social influences. However, methods for practicing co-design and for evaluating that practice, especially in the context of global health, are largely understudied. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting qualitative coding and thematic analysis of survey responses from co-designers engaged in human-centered design workshops in Kenya and Uganda. From this analysis, we have gained insights on the knowledge gained by co-designers, what they enjoyed about the co-design process, what was challenging for them, and what suggestions they had for improving the workshops themselves. The findings of this study reveal that while co-designers gained knowledge and had an enjoyable experience, barriers to successful co-design continue to persist, including time constraints and language barriers. This study highlights the need for further research to overcome these barriers, by refining co-design curriculum and evaluation tools, in order to achieve more successful and equitable design.
Multi-Modal Machine Learning for Vehicle Rating Predictions Using Image, Text, and Parametric Data
Authors: Su Hanqi , Song Binyang , Ahmed Faez
Published: November 2023

Accurate vehicle rating prediction can facilitate designing and configuring good vehicles. This prediction allows vehicle designers and manufacturers to optimize and improve their designs in a timely manner, enhance their product performance, and effectively attract consumers. However, most of the existing data-driven methods rely on data from a single mode, e.g., text, image, or parametric data, which results in a limited and incomplete exploration of the available information. These methods lack comprehensive analyses and exploration of data from multiple modes, which probably leads to inaccurate conclusions and hinders progress in this field. To overcome this limitation, we propose a multi-modal learning model for more comprehensive and accurate vehicle rating predictions. Specifically, the model simultaneously learns features from the parametric specifications, text descriptions, and images of vehicles to predict five vehicle rating scores, including the total score, critics score, performance score, safety score, and interior score. We compare the multi-modal learning model to the corresponding unimodal models and find that the multi-modal model’s explanatory power is 4%–12% higher than that of the unimodal models. On this basis, we conduct sensitivity analyses using SHAP to interpret our model and provide design and optimization directions to designers and manufacturers. Our study underscores the importance of the data-driven multi-modal learning approach for vehicle design, evaluation, and optimization. We have made the code publicly available at http://decode.mit.edu/projects/vehicleratings/.