bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structured and prompt treatment of early arthritis in clinical practice leverages window of opportunity and leads to excellent clinical outcomes: an innovative retrospective cohort study
Authors: Teixeira R. L. , da Silva Vieira R. , Saavedra M. J. , Polido-Pereira J. , Moura R. A. , Alcobia I. , Fonseca J. E. , Romão V. C.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

With this work, we evaluated the impact of the Lisbon Early ARthritis cliNic (LEARN) on untreated inflammatory arthritis clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study enrolled patients in LEARN since its inception. Patients were followed for 12 months and treated to achieve disease remission. Clinical, structural, and quality of life outcomes were assessed. The early arthritis module of the Portuguese Rheumatic Diseases Registry (Reuma.pt) is described.

Results

We assessed 292 patients between 2015 and 2022. Mean symptom duration and DAS-28-4 V-ESR at baseline were 6.2 ± 3.5 months and 5.6 ± 1.3, respectively. Rheumatoid arthritis (56.4%; 40.1% seropositive) and psoriatic arthritis (12.4%) were the most common diagnoses. Most patients were treated with methotrexate (75.3%) combined with low-dose oral prednisolone (88.1%). At 12 months, a mean ΔDAS28-4 V-ESR improvement of 2.3 ± 0.4 was registered, with 29.5% and 48.9% of patients achieving remission (DAS28-4 V-ESR < 2.6) or low disease activity (DAS28-4 V-ESR < 3.2), respectively. Among RA patients only, these figures were 20.6% and 46.6%, respectively. A clinically meaningful functional improvement was observed in 72.1% of the patients. Structural progression was limited, affecting only 16.1% of the patients. Fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life also improved substantially, translated by improvements in FACIT, HADS, EQ5D, and SF-36 scores.

Conclusions

A structured, dedicated approach to patients with early arthritis resulted in good clinical, structural, and functional outcomes. Furthermore, our findings suggest the window of opportunity for early intervention may have implications for mental health and global well-being.

Key Points• Patient assessment is facilitated by reliable electronic clinical records, such as the early arthritis module of the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) which we describe here for the first time.• Inflammatory arthritis was confirmed in the majority of patients observed, but the time to first appointment was above the recommended.• Prompt start of conventional therapy allowed significant disease activity improvement and remission to be achieved in about one-third of the patients.• Key patient-reported outcomes elucidate disease impact and confirm the benefit of early treatment initiation, suggesting a window of opportunity also for mental health and global well-being.
Impact of an In-Hospital postoperative imaging after uncomplicated elective posterior lumbar fixation: A case series
Authors: AbdelFatah Mohamed AR , Gayar Abdelrahman El , Ghobashy Mostafa K. , Hefny Sameh
Published: October 2024

Purpose: Following spinal fixation, postoperative imaging is routinely performed. The value of routine postoperative imaging and its impact on the surgical decision remains uncertain, especially in degenerative cases. Moreover, routine postoperative imaging is not free and is an ionizing radiation. This study investigated the value of postoperative imaging after uneventful uncomplicated elective posterior lumbar fixation. Methods: This case series retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent elective posterior lumbar fixation surgeries at our institution within two years. A series of 98 cases met our selection criteria. Their mean age was 51.2 years. We reviewed the decisions taken after performing the routine postoperative images. We searched for further diagnostic or imaging studies, revision surgery, or an extended hospital stay. Results: We found no particular decision was made after performing the postoperative imaging after uneventful uncomplicated elective posterior lumbar fixation surgeries. Moreover, there was no change in the hospital stay or the regular postoperative clinical management for all the included patients. No revision surgery was required based on the postoperative routine images. Conclusions: We found that routine postoperative imaging after posterior fixation of a degenerative lumbar spine is of limited value. A randomized, controlled study is helpful to confirm this finding.
Distinct management units for the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) revealed in the Canary Islands
Authors: Meyers Eva K.M. , Faure Nadia , Jiménez-Alvarado David , Barker Joanna , Toledo-Padilla Hector , Tuya Fernando , Pike Charlotte , Mead Lucy R. , Sealey Michael J. , Caro Maria Belén , Jacoby David M.P. , Ravina Olivares Felipe , Bañeras Tomas , Guerra-Marrero Airam , Espino-Ruano Ana , Castro Jose Juan , Bousquet Caroline , Giovos Ioannis , Rödder Dennis , Manel Stéphanie , Deter Julie , Feldheim Kevin A.
Published: October 2024

The angelshark, Squatina squatina, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and remaining populations are highly fragmented throughout its historical distribution. The Canary Islands archipelago in the North East Atlantic has been identified as a uniquely large stronghold for the species. In the present study, we compared the population genetic structure of S. squatina across different islands of the Canary Island archipelago using both microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Both markers revealed significant differentiation of angelsharks between islands in the archipelago, with three main genetic units at: (1) Tenerife, (2) Gran Canaria and (3) the island group consisting of La Graciosa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Our results imply a connectivity barrier between some adjacent islands, most likely driven by abyssal depths, and varying geological history and formation of each island and oceanographic patterns (i.e. seasonal coastal upwellings off the African coast). Therefore, we suggest that in the Canary Islands, S. squatina populations should be managed locally, with conservation and research priorities designed and implemented specifically for each of the three genetic units.
Using Cell-phone Mobility Data to Study Voter Turnout
Authors: Harada Masataka , Ito Gaku , Smith Daniel M.
Published: October 2024

Studies of voting behavior in some settings may be hampered by poor data availability or unsuitably large units of aggregation for reported turnout. We propose and demonstrate a practical big-data solution to these kinds of challenges, using fine-grained cell-phone mobility data on millions of GPS locations for more than 300,000 eligible voters in Tokyo. Our approach uses the geolocations of polling stations, combined with GPS data points recorded on election day and a reference day, to measure patterns in individual-level (but anonymized) voting behavior. We first test the validity of the measure by comparing it to official aggregated data on turnout, and then illustrate its substantive utility with an application exploring the well-known relationship between turnout decisions and the cost of voting, proxied by the distance between a voter’s residence and the polling station. Finally, we discuss the potential limitations of the approach and provide step-by-step instructions for other researchers.
Creativity as Key Trigger to Cognitive Achievement: Effects of Digital and Analog Learning Interventions
Authors: Fleissner-Martin Juliane , Paul Jürgen , Bogner Franz X.
Published: October 2024

This study analyses the coherent integration of creativity into science education modules for eighth-grade students to enhance competence development. The learning modules’ content covered a basic ecological unit about forests, applied as digital or analog lesson. By utilizing the creativity subscales ‘Act’ and ‘Flow’ its analysis resulted in a clear factorial structure. Notably, higher levels of creativity were associated with increased cognitive learning achievements among students, irrespective of the instructional delivery method—be it analog or digital. Particularly, the ‘Act’ and ‘Flow’ dimensions exhibited a promising potential for augmenting learning outcomes in learner-centric, gamified modules. The mentoring role of teachers is supposed to promote a flow state and simultaneously to highlight the significance of autonomy in learning processes. Unexpectedly, there were no discernible gender differences. This research significantly contributes to our understanding of the interplay among creativity, learning success, and instructional modalities within the realm of science education.
Hiring opportunities for new firms and the business cycle
Authors: Brixy Udo , Murmann Martin
Published: October 2024

Whether firms founded during or outside economic crises have greater growth potential is an important question for both prospective entrepreneurs and policy makers. Existing research offers conflicting answers, and mostly either focuses on aggregate cohort-level effects or selectively excludes small new firms from the analyses. Using extensive linked employer-employee data on young German firms around and during the Global Financial Crisis, a period of sharply reduced access to external capital and recession, we show that young firms respond to cyclical conditions in highly heterogeneous ways. Our firm-level results reveal that the average new firm found it easier to hire its first employees when it was founded during the crisis. These firms achieved countercyclical growth by hiring career entrants. More specifically, hiring in very young (<1.5 years) and small to medium-sized (below the 90th percentile) young firms was countercyclical, while this was not the case for older and larger young firms. Thus, the firm-specific effects for young entrepreneurial firms may be very different from those reported in previous research. Our results suggest that market entry during a crisis may facilitate hiring and that policies that promote entrepreneurship may usefully complement policies that encourage labor hoarding by incumbents during recessions.
Course of Depression and Anxiety among Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Longitudinal Studies
Authors: Handiso Demelash Woldeyohannes , Paul Eldho , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Shawyer Frances , Belsti Yitayeh , Enticott Joanne C.
Published: October 2024

Refugees and asylum seekers are at a high risk of developing mental health disorders, especially depression and anxiety. The prevalence of these disorders in refugees and asylum seekers has been well-documented in cross-sectional studies, but it is impossible to track their course over time using this research design. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis used data from existing longitudinal studies to examine the course of depression and anxiety in refugees and asylum seekers in upper-middle and high-income countries. Longitudinal studies reporting depression and anxiety were systematically searched from seven databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar) and included studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and underwent Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality assessment. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was used to report the findings. An estimated pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety across time points was reported using a random effect model with a 95% confidence interval. Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics were conducted to assess heterogeneity among included studies, while funnel plots and Eggers tests were used to assess publication bias. Twenty longitudinal studies for depression and eight longitudinal studies for anxiety were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression and Anxiety at baseline was 23.14% (95% CI: 16.34, 29.94) and 25.33% (95% CI: 5.10, 45.57), respectively. After the baseline data collection, the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety increased over time. Specifically, the prevalence of depression rose from 17.55% (95% CI: 6.66, 28.45) 1 year after baseline to 34.04% (95% CI: 15.45, 52.63) 3 years after baseline. Similarly, the pooled prevalence of anxiety increased from 14.96% (95% CI: 10.59, 29.33) at 1 year after baseline to 33.09% (95% CI: 26.96, 39.21) at 3 years after baseline. The prevalence of depression more than doubled over the course of 3 years, rising from 17.55% at the 1-year mark after baseline to 34.04% at the 3-year mark after baseline. Similarly, the prevalence of anxiety exhibited a significant increase from 14.96% at the 1-year mark after baseline to 33.09% at the 3-year follow-up. These findings underscore the importance of implementing early settlement interventions and designing targeted measures to mitigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among refugees and asylum seekers.
A Portfolio Management Method for Process Mining-Enabled Business Process Improvement Projects
Authors: Fischer Dominik A. , Marcus Laura , Röglinger Maximilian
Published: October 2024

Process mining has received tremendous attention from research and industry, establishing itself as a highly sought-after technology. Despite the technological maturity of process mining solutions, which has been achieved through extensive investments in research and development, organizations still face the challenge of elusive value when systematically adopting process mining. The authors attribute this dilemma to a lack of support for scaling and managing process mining project portfolios. To address this practical need and research gap, the authors propose a method for managing portfolios of so-called process mining value cases, which are defined as process mining-enabled business process improvement projects, towards an evolutionary roadmap (mapper). The method is designed to support organizations identify portfolios of process mining projects that generate value by improving business processes. The method was developed through a combination of design science research and situational method engineering and comprises five activities that  each outline techniques, roles, and tools: strategize, identify, select, implement, and monitor. The method has been instantiated as a software prototype and iteratively evaluated for applicability and real-world fidelity by involving an expert panel of academics and practitioners. The usefulness of the artifact was substantiated through a real-world case study in a naturalistic setting.
Integrated membranes system for water application in microbiology/molecular biology
Authors: Abdallah Heba , Abd-Elshafy Dina Nadeem , Shalaby Marwa , Awad Kareem , Nadeem Rola , Shaban Ahmed , Bahgat Mahmoud Mohamed
Published: October 2024

An integrated membrane filtration system was developed to make water purity suitable for microbiology/molecular biology research. Water samples were collected from outlets in different buildings of the National Research Center and analyzed for their composition before filtration. An integrated membrane system was developed based on mathematical modeling. Flat sheet membranes were produced, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration membranes. The flat sheet membranes were converted to a spiral wound module filter to simulate the local market filters and applied in the integrated membrane system that was designed and installed. The produced water was analyzed and compared to molecular-grade water used in different molecular biology/microbiology applications. Both PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial liquid cultures, and viral propagation indicated that treated water using the herein-developed system exhibited comparable performance to the molecular grade water provided with imported reagent kits. So, this research can offer a promising solution for producing high-quality water suitable for sensitive laboratory applications.
Performance of an integrated household greywater treatment system for water optimization and reuse
Authors: Hassan Khalid , Alzahrani Abdulaziz , Alotaibi Nahaa M. , Helmy Mohamed
Published: October 2024

This study evaluated the efficiency of an on-site household greywater treatment system for indirect human reuse and for domestic lawn irrigation. This helps in the reduction in the disparity between water demand and supply that is facing the rapidly increasing global populace. Natural household greywater was settled and then conventionally filtered by using two types of non-woven geotextile media; thermally bonded and needle punched. A third woven cotton textile media was also experimented and all the non-woven geotextile media were tested in single and double layers and combined with the woven cotton textile layer. The different filter media configurations were tested for a period of one year operation (six runs) with two filtration rates of 15.00 and 25.00 m3/m2/day for each run. For all runs, the final treated effluent was disinfected using calcium hypochlorite prior to reuse. The double layer needle punched non-woven geotextile media together with the woven cotton textile media gave the best removal efficiencies; 96.34 ± 1.85% for turbidity 81.87 ± 6.43% for BOD5, 97.49 ± 1.68% for TSS, 75.35 ± 3.99% for CODt, 99.59% for E.coli. The soluble CODs removal efficiencies were negligible (below 3%) in the first four runs with non-woven geotextile media and increased to 28.05 ± 4.29% when the woven cotton textile media was added. In general, the system was found to save about 63% of the daily water consumption reflecting a net 22.50% reduction in the daily water billing costs for the whole household.
Solving transport equations on quantum computers—potential and limitations of physics-informed quantum circuits
Authors: Siegl Pia , Wassing Simon , Mieth Dirk Markus , Langer Stefan , Bekemeyer Philipp
Published: October 2024

Quantum circuits with trainable parameters, paired with classical optimization routines can be used as machine learning models. The recently popularized physics-informed neural network (PINN) approach is a machine learning algorithm that solves differential equations by incorporating them into a loss function. Being a mesh-free method, it is a promising approach for computational fluid dynamics. The question arises whether the properties of quantum circuits can be leveraged for a quantum physics-informed machine learning model. In this study, we compare the classical PINN-ansatz and its quantum analog, which we name the physics-informed quantum circuit (PIQC). The PIQC simulations are performed on a noise-free quantum computing simulator. Studying various differential equations, we compare expressivity, accuracy and convergence properties. We find that one-dimensional problems, such as the linear transport of a Gaussian-pulse or Burgers’ equation, allow a successful approximation with the classical and the quantum ansatz. For these examples, the PIQC overall performs similarly to PINN and converges more consistently and for Burgers’ equations even faster. While this is promising, the chosen quantum circuit approach struggles to approximate discontinuous solutions which the classical PINN-ansatz can represent. Based on this comparison, we extrapolate that the required number of qubits for solving two-dimensional problems in aerodynamics may already be available in the next few years. However, the acceleration potential is currently unclear and challenges like noisy circuits and approximations of discontinuous solutions have to be overcome.
A Note on the (p, q)-Derivative Operator
Authors: Oussi Lahcen
Published: October 2024

In this note, for the (p, q)-derivative operator $$D_{p, q}$$

D

p
,
q

defined by $$\begin{aligned}D_{p, q}f(x)={\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} \frac{f(px)-f(qx)}{(p-q)x} & \text {if } x\ne 0;\\ f'(0), & \text {if}~x=0. \end{array}\right. }, \quad \text { where } p\ne q,\end{aligned}$$

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if

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where

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we investigate the following property: $$\begin{aligned}(D_{p, q}^{n}f)(0)= & \lim _{x\rightarrow 0}D_{p, q}^{n}f(x)=\frac{f^{(n)}(0)((p, q); (p, q))_{n}}{n!(p-q)^n}\\= & \frac{f^{(n)}(0)[n]_{p, q}!}{n!}, \quad n\in \{1, 2, \ldots \},\end{aligned}$$

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for which $$f^{(n)}(0)$$

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exists. The real variable and the complex variable cases are considered. Specializing to the case $$p=1$$

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=
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, we recover the property for the q-derivative operator as obtained by J. Koekoek and R. Koekoek in 1993, in related paper. Furthermore, some applications were discussed.
Non-Physician Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic and Association Between Work-Related Factors, Perceived Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue
Authors: Mahony William L , Ostovar-Kermani Tiffany , Gonzalez Sandra , Zoorob Roger , Rupp Richard E. , Hirth Jacqueline
Published: October 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the national impact of workplace factors during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on mental health experienced by non-physician healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods

This study consisted of an online sample of non-physician HCWs across the United States, including nurses, medical assistants, and physician assistants. The survey consisted of 93 questions, which included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CESD-10) scale, questions about COVID-19 vaccination, sources of trusted information, and questions about work environment and training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate associations.

Results

In the final sample (N = 220), (81.8%) reported receiving at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. Most respondents trusted the CDC’s information on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease. Several workplace-related factors that occurred during the pandemic were associated with moderate to high levels of perceived stress, fatigue, and higher risk of developing depression. In particular, concerns about exposing others, experiencing discrimination related to their jobs, and caring for patients who died from COVID-19 were associated with increased perceived stress, depression, and fatigue.

Conclusions

The importance of planning by healthcare facilities should include planning for workplace factors associated with poor mental health among all HCWs.
A Pilot Study in the Use of the Delphi Method to Document Conference Proceedings: Comparison of the Rate of Consensus Among Attending and Nonattending Participants
Authors: Franc Jeffrey Michael , Weinstein Eric S.
Published: October 2024

Objective:

While many medical practitioners value the interactive nature of in-person conferences, results of these interactions are often poorly documented. The objective of this study was to pilot the Delphi method for developing consensus following a national conference and to compare the results between experts who did and did not attend.

Methods:

A 3-round Delphi included experts attending the 2023 Society of Disaster Medicine and Health Preparedness Annual Meeting and experts who were members of the society but did not attend. Conference speakers provided statements related to their presentations. Experts rated the statements on a 1–7 scale for agreement using STAT59 software (STAT59 Services Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Consensus was defined as a standard deviation of ≤ 1.0.

Results:

Seventy-five statements were rated by 27 experts who attended and 10 who did not: 2634 ratings in total. There was no difference in the number of statements reaching consensus in the attending group (26/75) versus that of the nonattending group (27/75) (P = 0.89). However, which statements reached consensus differed between the groups.

Conclusion:

The Delphi method is a viable method to document consensus from a conference. Advantages include the ability to involve large groups of experts, statistical measurement of the degree of consensus, and prioritization of the results.
Crisis as opportunity: legal career paths at two historical turning points in Hong Kong
Authors: Liu Sida , Au Anson , Tsui Pamela P.
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the career trajectories of Hong Kong solicitors during two historical turning points, specifically 1994–1997 and 2018–2021, when hundreds of lawyers left private practice to pursue alternative career options such as business and finance, government and politics, or relocation to other countries. Data are sourced from the career mobility records of law firm partners reported in 336 monthly issues of the Hong Kong Lawyer journal between 1994 and 2021, as well as other relevant archival sources. The research examines the underlying forces that led these law firm partners to abandon their high-status positions and pursue alternative career paths during these pivotal moments in Hong Kong’s history. The findings suggest that the career trajectories of these elite professionals are not solely based on individual choices but are also shaped by their social origins and the physical and social spaces that influence their careers over time. This study contributes original insights into the complex interplay between individual, spatial and temporal factors that drive career mobility among legal professionals.
An evaluation of African animal trypanosomiasis control strategies in remote communities of Eastern Zambia
Authors: Mulenga Gloria M. , Chilongo Kalinga , Mubamba Chrisborn , Gummow Bruce
Published: October 2024

Communities living in African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) endemic areas of Zambia use several control strategies to protect their livestock from the devastating effects of trypanosomiasis. Several studies have reported the effectiveness of trypanosomiasis control strategies based on retrospective data. In this study, we assessed incidence rates of AAT in cattle (n = 227) using a prospective cohort study comprising 4 treatment groups, i.e., Diminazene aceturate, Isometamidium chloride, Cyfluthrin pour-on and Cypermethrin treated targets. The study was conducted in Mambwe district in Eastern Zambia between February 2019 and March 2020. The endemic prevalence of AAT for each group was determined using ITS-PCR prior to application of treatments. High endemic trypanosome pre-treatment rates were found in all Groups (Diminazene aceturate (61%), Isometamidium chloride (48%), Cyfluthrin pour-on (87%) and Cypermethrin targets (72%)). The overall apparent prevalence for the Mambwe district was 67% (152/227) and true prevalence at 95%CI was 63–71%. Once treatments were implemented, 12 monthly follow-ups were conducted. The average monthly incidence rates without standardization recorded: Diminazene aceturate (67%) Isometamidium chloride (35%), Cyfluthrin pour-on (55%) and Cypermethrin targets (61%). Incidence rates were standardized considering the endemic level of disease for each Group and the average standardized monthly incidence rate in the Diminazene aceturate Group was 7%; the Isometamidium chloride Group −13%; the Cyfluthrin Group −26%; and the Cypermethrin target Group, −17%. All Groups showed a decrease in incidence of AAT over the period of the study with the Cyfluthrin group showing to be the most effective in reducing AAT incidence in cattle.
The British Library Cyber-Attack and Implications for Law Libraries: Some Initial Thoughts
Authors: Speight Dunstan
Published: October 2024

In the following article Dunstan Speight offers a few initial thoughts on the implications for law libraries of the October 2023 cyber-attack on the British Library. While the remarks apply particularly to larger institutional libraries (such as those of professional bodies like the Inns of Court) there are lessons to be learnt for all types of library and information service.
Autoethnography, Storytelling and Lego® Serious Play®: Embracing the Subjectivity of Practice to Engage Students Within Academic Librarianship
Authors: Wheeler Alan
Published: October 2024

In this article Alan Wheeler advocates for academic librarians to employ the principles of autoethnography and storytelling within their practice, as a tactic for student engagement. As a librarian and researcher operating within Higher Education (HE), Alan has always illustrated his practice with personal accounts of how to operate effectively as a student. Here, he proposes that librarians in academia embrace the autoethnographic principles of vulnerability, uncertainty and subjectivity to explore their position within HE, but also as a teaching tool.
From Claim to Judgment – Tracking a Case Through Its Lifecycle
Authors: Sarkanen Anneli
Published: October 2024

While every law librarian should be able to find a case, tracking one from claim form to judgment is another thing entirely. Here Anneli Sarkanen outlines why and when this might need to be done, the various sources that are available and the methods that are used
The Nobel Peace Prize Increased the Global Support for Women’s Organizations: Prize and Praise in International Relations
Authors: Kikuta Kyosuke , Hanayama Manaho
Published: October 2024

We examine the effects of the Nobel Peace Prize on the support for women’s rights groups to highlight the roles of the positive symbolic action, “prize and praise,” in international relations. Based on psychological theories, we argue that the Nobel Peace Prize increases the support for women’s rights activists by reassuring, persuading, and pressuring people across the world. We substantiate the claim by exploiting the as-if random assignment of interviews around the announcements of the Nobel Peace Prizes. The analyses indicate that when the prize was awarded to women’s rights activists, it increased people’s trust in women’s organizations. The analysis of mechanisms implies that the prize pressured conservative people to amend their attitudes. We also explore macro-level implications, finding that the prize decreased violence against women. However, these changes are short-lived. These results imply that symbolic actions entail real-world changes; however, the question of how to sustain these changes remains.
Extreme weather, climate change, climate action and uncertainty distress: an exploratory study using network analysis
Authors: Freeston Mark , Sermin-Reed Letitia , Whittaker Saskia , Worbey Joanne , Jopling Chloe
Published: October 2024

Background:

Both extreme weather and climate change have been linked to distress and at times mental health problems. Pro-environmental actions have often been related to higher distress. The uncertainty distress model (Freeston et al., 2020) proposes that in real-world situations, perceptions of threat and uncertainty contribute to distress. The aim of this study is to integrate variables from these two literatures and examine their relationships.

Method:

A community sample (n=327) was recruited and completed an online survey. Network analysis was used to analyse the relationships between the variables. Exposure to extreme weather, perceptions of climate change, climate change distress and pro-environmental action were measured along with symptoms of adjustment disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, and uncertainty intolerance and behaviours.

Results:

There was variable exposure to extreme weather, but greater exposure was associated with more severe post-traumatic symptoms. Pro-environmental action was associated with greater severity of adjustment disorder symptoms. The perception that climate change was happening now was linked positively to pro-environmental action and negatively to perceptions of uncertainty about whether climate change was happening.

Discussion:

The results replicate several findings from the emerging climate change distress literature and are consistent with some predictions of the uncertainty distress model, but not others. Uncertainty as to whether climate change is happening now may be a less distressing position. Research that simultaneously considers extreme weather and climate change may help understanding the range of complex responses that may arise as the frequency of extreme weather increases and evidence for anthropogenic climate change strengthens.

Key learning aims

(1)

To consider why the uncertainty distress model may be an appropriate framework to understand responses to extreme weather and climate change.

(2)

To consider how the perceived proximity of climate change may play a role in peoples’ emotional and behavioural responses to climate change.

(3)

To consider some of the variables that are linked to pro-environmental action.

(4)

To consider whether an uncertainty-based understanding of extreme weather and climate change has helpful implications for practice.
Institutions or ideology? Cross-party and cross-country analysis of factors contributing to the election of women to the European Parliament
Authors: Polak Aleksandra , Lewandowski Marcin
Published: October 2024

The article examines the key factors influencing women’s electoral success in European Parliament (EP) elections. We present a new conceptual approach and a novel model that simultaneously incorporates trends in party characteristics, institutional and socio-economic factors and cross-country trends in women’s representation. The model provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationships between party-level and Member State-level factors and the election of women to the EP. The study is based on an original dataset of 450 observations on national political parties from all Member States, spanning four European elections from 2004 to 2019.

Our results show that party characteristics such as incumbency rates, party size and ideological orientations (i.e. the party’s position on the GAL-TAN scale or its attitude towards European integration) play a key role in shaping women’s representation. This article provides novel insights into the unique features of Central and Eastern Europe, elucidating divergent patterns of women’s electoral prospects in conservative and progressive parties in Western democracies and Central and Eastern European post-communist EU Member States.
How Politics Shapes State Identities in the US
Authors: Schildkraut Deborah
Published: October 2024

The increasing nationalization of state and local politics alongside polarization and gridlock at the federal level have led states to become sites where policymaking on national hot button issues occurs. This political climate calls for a reconsideration of existing accounts of state identities, which posit that state identities are generally weak and apolitical in their content. This study considers the following questions: To what extent do respondents identify with their state? How does their state identity compare with other politically salient groups, like national identity, partisanship, race, and gender? To what extent and under what conditions are political considerations associated with state identities? How do results compare across different measures of state identification? Results show that a majority of respondents say that being from their state is an important part of their identity and the proportion saying so is similar to the proportion saying their race, class, and political party are important. Although politics may not come to mind first when respondents consider why their state is important, it relates to general feelings of connectedness, particularly for people in the political majority in their state, and being in the political majority is associated with increased levels of state identification. Results are similar across different measures of state identity. Closed- and open-ended questions show politics emerges most clearly when people explain why their state is not important to their identity. I discuss the implications of these findings and offer thoughts for future research.
Cereal rye cover crop termination management for Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) suppression in soybean
Authors: Sias Cynthia , Bamber Kevin W. , Flessner Michael L.
Published: October 2024

Palmer amaranth is a troublesome weed species displaying the ability to adapt and evolve resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action, and additional weed suppression tactics are needed. Growing interest in the use of cover crops (CCs) has led to questions regarding the most appropriate forms of CC management prior to cash crop planting in order to maximize weed suppression benefits. Experiments were conducted between 2021 to 2023 to test 1) cover crop termination timing (i.e., green or brown); 2) CC biomass amount; and 3) CC termination method (i.e., rolled or left standing) on Palmer amaranth suppression. Treatments included “planting brown” (cereal rye terminated 2 wk before soybean planting), “planting green” (cereal rye terminated at soybean planting), and a no-CC (winter fallow) check. Palmer amaranth emergence was evaluated at 4 and 6 wk after soybean planting, and yield was calculated at harvest. Palmer amaranth emergence was reduced when a CC was planted compared with the no-CC check, and more suppression was observed as CC biomass increased. This decrease in emergence is potentially due to a decrease in light reaching the soil surface and physical suppression as CC biomass increased. Yield, however, was unaffected by any CC management practice, indicating that growers can tailor CC termination practices for weed suppression. This information will provide better recommendations for farmers interested in using CCs for weed suppression. Overall, the importance of CC biomass accumulation to achieve weed suppression is highlighted in our findings. Additionally, we add to the growing body of documentation that soybean yield may be variable from year to year as a result of CC presence.
Unveiling the Urban Impact on Mesoscale Convective System Rainfall in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration Under Typical Synoptic Backgrounds
Authors: Du Xinguan , Chen Haishan , Luo Yali , Li Qingqing , Feng Zhe , Leung L. Ruby
Published: October 2024

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), the primary drivers of extreme rainfall over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration, are strongly influenced by synoptic circulations and local geographical environments, including water bodies and topography. However, the urban impact on MCS rainfall under various synoptic backgrounds remain inadequately understood. Using a 20‐year high‐resolution MCS tracking database and self‐organizing map clustering, three typical backgrounds for MCSs, namely weak monsoon‐like, strong monsoon‐like, and low‐pressure system (Types‐1 to 3), impacting the PRD are identified. These backgrounds exhibit pronounced disparities in MCS tracks and temporal variations as well as rainfall distributions. Urban heat island (UHI) significantly alters the spatial patterns under Types‐1 and 2. Specifically, under weak UHI condition, MCS rainfall typically occurs offshore in the morning and shifts inland in the afternoon driven by the land‐sea breeze. However, UHI modifies the low‐level thermal structure, leading to anomalous convergence and instability, which causes morning rainfall to concentrate near coastal cities, while afternoon rainfall expands further inland to the northern rural region. Additionally, the strong southwesterly winds associated with Type‐2 enhance the interaction between topography and urban impact, resulting in even higher rainfall anomalies (+28.9%) over the northeastern region. The findings highlight the crucial role of urban impact and their synergistic effect with synoptic backgrounds and other land surface processes on MCSs.
Assessment of Landscape‐Scale Fluxes of Carbon Dioxide and Methane in Subtropical Coastal Wetlands of South Florida
Authors: Delaria Erin R. , Wolfe Glenn M. , Blanock Kaitlyn , Hannun Reem , Thornhill Kenneth Lee , Newman Paul A. , Lait Leslie R. , Kawa S. Randy , Alvarez Jessica , Blum Spencer , Castañeda‐Moya Edward , Holmes Christopher , Lagomasino David , Malone Sparkle , Murphy Dylan , Overbauer Steven F. , Pruett Chandler , Serre Aaron , Starr Gregory , Szot Robert , Troxler Tiffany , Yannick David , Poulter Benjamin
Published: October 2024

Coastal wetlands play a significant role in the storage of “blue carbon,” indicating their importance in the carbon biogeochemistry in the coastal zone and in global climate change mitigation strategies. We present airborne eddy covariance observations of CO2 and CH4 fluxes collected in southern Florida as part of the NASA BlueFlux mission during April 2022, October 2022, February 2023, and April 2023. The flux data generated from this mission consists of over 100 flight hours and more than 6,000 km of horizontal distance over coastal saline and freshwater wetlands. We find that the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in CO2 and CH4 exchange is primarily influenced by season, vegetation type, ecosystem productivity, and soil inundation. The largest CO2 uptake fluxes of more than 20 μmol m−2 s−1 were observed over mangroves during all deployments and over swamp forests during flights in April. The greatest CH4 effluxes of more than 250 nmol m−2 s−1 were measured at the end of the wet season in October 2022 over freshwater marshes and swamp shrublands. Although the combined Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve region was a net sink for carbon, CH4 emissions reduced the ecosystem carbon uptake capacity (net CO2 exchange rates) by 11%–91%. Average total net carbon exchange rates during the flight periods were −4 to −0.2 g CO2‐eq m−2 d−1. Our results highlight the importance of preserving mangrove forests and point to potential avenues of further research for greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
Peripheral innate immunophenotype in neurodegenerative disease: blood-based profiles and links to survival
Authors: Strauss Alexandra , Swann Peter , Kigar Stacey L. , Christou Rafailia , Savinykh Yarkoni Natalia , Turner Lorinda , Murley Alexander G. , Chouliaras Leonidas , Shapiro Noah , Ashton Nicholas J. , Savulich George , Bevan-Jones W. Richard , Surendranthan Ajenthan , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , O’Brien John T. , Rowe James B. , Malpetti Maura
Published: October 2024

The innate immune system plays an integral role in the progression of many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to central innate immune cells (e.g., microglia), peripheral innate immune cells (e.g., blood monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells) may also differ in these conditions. However, the characterization of peripheral innate immune cell types across different neurodegenerative diseases remains incomplete. This study aimed to characterize peripheral innate immune profiles using flow cytometry for immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in n = 148 people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Lewy body dementia (LBD) as compared to n = 37 healthy controls. To compare groups, we used multivariate dissimilarity analysis and principal component analysis across 19 innate immune cell types. We identified pro-inflammatory profiles that significantly differ between patients with all-cause dementia and healthy controls, with some significant differences between patient groups. Regression analysis confirmed that time to death following the blood test correlated with the individuals’ immune profile weighting, positively to TREM2+ and non-classical monocytes and negatively to classical monocytes. Taken together, these results describe transdiagnostic peripheral immune profiles and highlight the link between prognosis and the monocyte cellular subdivision and function (as measured by surface protein expression). The results suggest that blood-derived innate immune profiles can inform sub-populations of cells relevant for specific neurodegenerative diseases that are significantly linked to accelerated disease progression and worse survival outcomes across diagnoses. Blood-based innate immune profiles may contribute to enhanced precision medicine approaches in dementia, helping to identify and monitor therapeutic targets and stratify patients for candidate immunotherapies.
The AKR1C1–CYP1B1–cAMP signaling axis controls tumorigenicity and ferroptosis susceptibility of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhang Cheng , Wu Hongkun , Zhao Zhibin , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Xiaomin , Yang Jieli , Yu Wenlong , Lian Zhexiong , Gao Minghui , Zhou Lin
Published: October 2024

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC), a highly malignant type of cancer with increasing incidence, has a poor prognosis due to limited treatment options. Based on genomic analysis of ECC patient samples, here we report that aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C1 (AKR1C1) is highly expressed in human ECC tissues and closely associated with ECC progression and poor prognosis. Intriguingly, we show that inducible AKR1C1 knockdown triggers ECC cells to undergo ferroptosis. Mechanistically, AKR1C1 degrades the protein stability of the cytochrome P450 family member CYP1B1, a newly discovered mediator of ferroptosis, via ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation. Additionally, AKR1C1 decreases CYP1B1 mRNA level through the transcriptional factor aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Furthermore, the AKR1C1–CYP1B1 axis modulates ferroptosis in ECC cells via the cAMP–PKA signaling pathway. Finally, in a xenograft mouse model of ECC, AKR1C1 depletion sensitizes cancer cells to ferroptosis and synergizes with ferroptosis inducers to suppress tumor growth. Therefore, the AKR1C1–CYP1B1–cAMP signaling axis is a promising therapeutic target for ECC treatment, especially in combination with ferroptosis inducers.
Comprehensive theoretical study of the effects of facet, oxygen vacancies, and surface strain on iron and cobalt impurities in different surfaces of anatase TiO2
Authors: Boukhvalov Danil W. , Osipov Vladimir Yu. , Baldycheva Anna , Hogan Benjamin T.
Published: October 2024

We report the results of systematic ab initio modelling of various configurations of iron and cobalt impurities embedded in the (110), (101), and (100) surfaces of anatase TiO2, with and without oxygen vacancies. The simulation results demonstrate that incorporation into interstitial voids at the surface level is significantly more favourable than other configurations for both iron and cobalt. The calculations also demonstrate the crucial effect of the facet as well as the lesser effects of other factors, such as vacancies and strain on the energetics of defect incorporation, magnetic moment, bandgap, and catalytic performance. It is further shown that there is no tendency towards the segregation or clustering of impurities on the surface. The calculated free energies of the hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic media predict that iron impurities embedded in the (101) surface of anatase TiO2 can be a competitive catalyst for this reaction.