bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting continuous participation in follow‐up evaluations during a lifestyle intervention programme for type 2 diabetes prevention: The Feel4Diabetes‐study
Authors: Kourpas Elias , Makrilakis Konstantinos , Dafoulas George , Iotova Violeta , Tsochev Kaloyan , Dimova Roumyana , Cardon Greet , González‐Gil Esther M. , Moreno Luis , Kivelä Jemina , Lindström Jaana , Rurik Imre , Antal Emese , Timpel Patrick , Schwartz Peter , Mavrogianni Christina , Manios Yannis , Liatis Stavros ,   the Feel4Diabetes‐study Group
Published: June 2024

Aims

Community‐ and school‐based lifestyle interventions are an efficient method of preventing type 2 diabetes in vulnerable populations. Many participants, however, fail to complete the necessary follow‐ups. We investigated factors affecting the continuous participation in follow‐up evaluations during the Feel4Diabetes‐study, a multilevel intervention programme implemented across Europe.

Methods

Socioeconomic, sociodemographic and clinical factors were assessed for 2702 participants within six participating countries: Bulgaria and Hungary (low‐to‐middle‐income countries, LMIC), Belgium and Finland (high‐income countries, HIC) and Greece and Spain (high‐income countries under austerity measures, HICAM).

Results

Statistically significant differences were detected with respect to sex, control group, education level, employment status, BMI and blood pressure measurements (systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences within socioeconomic regions. Higher levels of education were associated with significantly lower attrition in HIC (p < 0.05) and HICAM (p < 0.001), higher employment status was associated with lower attrition in HICAM (p < 0.001) and being female was associated with lower attrition in LMIC (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, the intervention group exhibited higher‐than‐expected attrition in HIC (p < 0.001) and HICAM (p = 0.003), and lower attrition in LMIC (p = 0.007). When tested together in the same multivariable predictive model, all sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables along with higher BMI retained their statistical significance, while systolic and diastolic blood pressure failed to remain significant.

Conclusions

Key socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors along with BMI play a significant role in determining continuous participation in follow‐up evaluations during school‐ and community‐based intervention programmes.
Asking women with diabetes about sexual problems: An exploratory study of NHS professionals' attitudes and practice
Authors: Murphy Joanna Clare , Cooke Debbie , Griffiths David , Setty Emily , Winkley‐Bryant Kirsty
Published: June 2024

Aims

To explore UK healthcare professionals' practice and attitudes towards asking women with diabetes about sexual health problems, including symptoms of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Methods

An online questionnaire to address the study aims was developed, piloted by ten healthcare professionals (HCPs) and completed by 111 eligible HCPs, recruited via professional networks and social media. Free text data were analysed and reported thematically. Two questions were analysed to test the hypothesis of differences between men's and women's responses.

Results

The majority of respondents did not ask women with diabetes about sexual problems. Multiple barriers to inquiry were reported, including inadequate training, time constraints, competing priorities, the perceived likelihood that questions will cause surprise or distress (especially for certain groups of women), the belief that sexual problems are to be expected as women age, and the belief that FSD is complex or untreatable, with unclear management pathways. Exploratory findings indicated significant differences in men and women's responses (men disagreed more strongly with prioritisation, and fewer reported routine inquiry about sexual problems in their usual practice).

Conclusions

HCPs reported not asking women with diabetes about sexual problems during routine care. They described multiple factors reinforcing the silence about sexual health, including inadequate education and perceived social risk for individual HCPs who deviate from the patterns of topics usually discussed in diabetes consultations.
Unraveling the impact of economic policy uncertainty on environmental efficiency: How do institutional quality and political orientation matter?
Authors: Barra Cristian , Falcone Pasquale Marcello
Published: June 2024

Economic policy uncertainty significantly influences governmental decisions regarding environmental sustainability, particularly in CO2 emissions reduction efforts. This study examines the impact of economic policy uncertainty on environmental inefficiency across 136 emergent and non‐emerging countries from 1990 to 2018, using an unbalanced and heterogeneous sample. Additionally, we explore the moderating effects of institutional quality and political orientation on this relationship. Employing a directional distance function in a parametric context, our analysis reveals that economic policy uncertainty exacerbates environmental inefficiency. However, we find that institutional quality and political orientation act as important moderating factors, fostering greater environmental sustainability. Sensitivity analyses support these empirical findings, providing insights into potential implications for economic policy and guiding regulatory and policymaking efforts toward achieving enhanced environmental sustainability.
A comparison of acoustic tag sizes on wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. smolt migration success and behaviour
Authors: Lothian Angus J. , Rodger Jessica , Wilkie Lorna , Walters Marcus , Miller Richard , Muller Karen , Adams Colin E.
Published: June 2024

Tracking of animal migrations using telemetry technologies needs to take into consideration the burden that the tag exerts on the animal. Here, we examined the potential impacts of acoustic tags of two sizes (nominally a ‘V6’ [smaller] and ‘V7’ [larger]) on the downstream riverine migration success and behaviour of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts. One hundred fish were tagged with either a V6 or V7 tag. Tag burden (tag: fish weight) ranged from 1.88% to 7.39% and differed significantly between fish tagged with the V6 (mean [SD] = 3.63% [0.51%]) and the V7 tags (mean [SD] = 5.84% [0.95%]). There was no significant difference in the in‐river migration failure between the two groups when tested with a time‐to‐event analysis. There were also no differences in other elements of the migratory behaviour (rate of movement, time of detection and residency time) between the two tagging groups. These data support the use of acoustic tracking for monitoring smolt migration and highlight that tagging of smaller smolts at up to 7.39% tag burden to gain a more representative understanding of migration success and behaviours across a smolt population.
Preschool teachers' assessments of behavioural problems, impact on daily life, and engagement in children with neurodevelopmental symptoms: A Swedish comparative, intervention study
Authors: Gustafsson B. M. , Sund Levander M.
Published: June 2024

The interprofessional, interagency model PLUSS offers education for preschool teachers on how to detect and support preschool children with neurodevelopmental symptoms. A total of 119 preschool teachers used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess behavioural problems and the Children's Engagement Questionnaire (CEQ) to evaluate engagement and social interaction in 119 preschool children, before and after their PLUSS education. After education, the preschool teachers rated fewer behavioural problems (total SDQ p < .001) and increased engagement and social interactions (CEQ p < .001). In conclusion, the PLUSS preschool teachers' education and screening with the SDQ and the CEQ facilitate assessment of behavioural problems, engagement and social interaction in preschool children. Increased understanding of neurodevelopmental symptoms seems to influence how preschool teachers manage a child's behaviour, which indirectly changes the child's engagement and social interactions for the better. The preschool teachers expressed perceived needs, especially to learn how to deal with a child's emotions and behavioural regulation, and their interactions with other children.
Lessons from the field: Jail experiences of pregnant incarcerated women in a home visiting program
Authors: Reyes‐Vargas Maria , Walsh Bridget A.
Published: June 2024

Objective

In this report, we share results of a qualitative study of the experiences of pregnant incarcerated women (PIW), released women (RW), and home visitors who participated in an Early Head Start Home‐Based Option (EHS‐HBO) program that was delivered in a jail. We discuss the challenges of researching and supporting PIW's experiences and offer lessons learned.

Background

Carceral environments such as jails present challenges for PIW that can compromise pregnancy outcomes. Research supports the efficacy of targeted interventions, such as EHS‐HBO, for other populations (e.g., people who use substances); however, these interventions have not yet reached incarcerated populations.

Method

Through separate focus groups for PIW (n = 6) and home visitors (n = 5), and semistructured interviews with RW (n = 3), study participants shared their experiences as PIW and the carceral context.

Results

Themes, determined inductively through thematic analysis, included (a) emotional pain from postdelivery separation, (b) struggles accessing help, (c) lack of faith in medical care, and (d) social support in and out of jail.

Conclusion

Results from this study elucidate recommendations for home visitors visiting PIW in jail and training jail personnel about maternal health.

Implications

Our study highlights the need to further develop home visiting programs and support for PIW and RW. Opportunities for training of jail and home visiting personnel were identified through the focus groups and interviews conducted. The information shared will help professionals working with PIW learn about remarks, attitudes, challenges, and standards of care impacting PIW and maternal mental health.
Multiaxial creep–fatigue failure mechanism and life prediction of a turbine blade based on a unified numerical solution approach
Authors: Zhang Xin‐Hao , Xu Le , Wang Run‐Zi , Lu Ti‐Wen , He Lei , Itoh Takamoto , Zhang Xian‐Cheng
Published: June 2024

Exposure of turbine blades to cyclic torsional loading at high temperature, stemming from pre‐torque installation and the aerodynamic forces during operation, has the potential to induce substantial creep–fatigue damage, thereby contributing to the likelihood of premature failure. Investigating the deformation mechanisms and proposing a reliable life prediction method aiming at torsional loading is critical to ensure the structural integrity of turbine blades. This study conducted strain‐controlled fatigue and creep–fatigue tests on Inconel 718 superalloy, employing a multiaxial servo‐hydraulic testing machine. Electron backscattering diffraction elucidated deformation and damage mechanisms, forming a basis for subsequent constitutive modeling and life prediction. The lack of creep–fatigue mechanical behavior and microscopic failure mechanism when stress triaxiality equal to 0 is filled, which provides the theoretical basis and data support for the life design and damage assessment of this material under extreme service conditions. The unified viscoplasticity constitutive model effectively characterized macroscopic deformation under torsional loading. Prediction of creep–fatigue life under torsional loading, utilizing the multiaxial ductility factor‐modified strain energy density exhaustion model, demonstrated excellent alignment with experimental findings. Finally, parametric analyses of stress distribution and damage assessment under different conditions were carried out for the example of a turbine blade with relatively rarely considered aerodynamic loading as a variable. It is expected to be popularized and applied in life design and damage assessment of high‐temperature structures under multiaxial loading in engineering.
Ratio of von Willebrand factor to ADAMTS13 is a useful predictor of esophagogastric varices progression after sustained virologic response in patients with hepatitis C virus‐related liver cirrhosis
Authors: Iwai Satoshi , Akahane Takemi , Takaya Hiroaki , Kubo Takahiro , Tomooka Fumimasa , Shibamoto Akihiko , Suzuki Junya , Tsuji Yuki , Fujinaga Yukihisa , Nishimura Norihisa , Kitagawa Koh , Kaji Kosuke , Kawaratani Hideto , Namisaki Tadashi , Matsumoto Masanori , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: June 2024

Aim

Esophagogastric varices (EGV) are a serious complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related liver cirrhosis (HCV‐LC). In most cases, portal hypertension improves after a sustained virologic response (SVR) is achieved with direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment; however, in some cases, EGV exacerbation occurs after HCV elimination. We investigated whether von Willebrand factor (VWF) and a disintegrin‐like metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type‐1 motif 13 (ADAMTS13) can predict EGV progression with HCV‐LC after SVR achievement.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 47 patients with HCV‐LC who achieved an SVR after DAA treatment. Eighteen patients experienced EGV progression after the SVR was achieved (EGV progression group). Twenty‐nine patients did not experience EGV progression after the SVR was achieved (non‐EGV progression group). Plasma VWF antigen levels and ADAMTS13 activity were measured the day before DAA treatment.

Results

The EGV progression group had significantly higher plasma VWF antigen levels (p = 0.00331) and VWF‐to‐ADAMTS13 ratios (p = 0.000249) than the non‐EGV progression group. Multivariate logistic regression models found that a VWF‐to‐ADAMTS13 ratio >2.3 was the only risk factor for EGV progression after the SVR was achieved (hazard ratio [HR], 18.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.08–109; p = 0.00138). During the observation period, patients with a VWF‐to‐ADAMTS13 ratio >2.3 had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of EGV progression after SVR achievement than patients with a VWF‐to‐ADAMTS13 ratio ≤2.3 (HR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.78–22.96; p = 0.0044).

Conclusions

The VWF‐to‐ADAMTS13 ratio before DAA treatment for HCV could predict EGV progression after SVR achievement.
Seeds for Reclaiming Art in Education
Authors: Atkinson Dennis
Published: June 2024

The concern of this paper is to provide a number of ‘seeds’ for a reclaiming of art in education by placing emphasis upon art's pedagogy or art's education. The notion of reclaiming does not infer a return to a utopian past or to a halcyon future, but it invokes a reaffirmation of the adventure of events of art practice that can take us beyond ourselves towards new creative assemblages and possibilities for becoming‐with. Such reclaiming requires a culture of trust, care and response‐ability. In relation to art's pedagogy the paper calls for opening up what is formally recognised as ‘practice’ in art education to a sensing towards what might be obscured by such recognition and in doing so reshape our ideas and modes of practice.
A gray zone: Role of transesophageal echocardiography before atrial tachycardia catheter ablation
Authors: Saribas Halenur , Cay Serkan , Ozeke Ozcan , Kara Meryem , Cetin Hande , Kaplan Elmas , Tufekcioglu Omac , Topaloglu Serkan
Published: June 2024

Introduction

There is a lack of studies in the literature directly investigating the relationship between atrial tachycardia (AT) and left atrial (LA)/left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus, and current guidelines do not provide strong recommendations regarding the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before AT catheter ablation. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between AT and the presence of LA/LAA thrombus and contribute to the literature on the use of TEE before AT catheter ablation.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective observational study screened patients who underwent TEE between February 10, 2019, and February 10, 2023. Patients were assigned to the AT patient and control groups. TEE was conducted to exclude thrombus in the AT ablation group. The control group included patients who underwent TEE for interatrial septum evaluation and had LA imaging during TEE but did not have atrial arrhythmia. To mitigate bias between the AT patient group and the control group, they were randomized 1:1 using propensity‐score matching (PSM). Following randomization, each group consisted of 49 patients.

Results

All analyses were conducted after PSM. There were no statistically significant differences between the AT patient and control groups in terms of baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic features. Additionally, no significant differences were found between the blood viscosities calculated at low and high shear rates in both groups. The study revealed a significant difference between the two groups in the presence of LA spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) (24.5% in AT group vs 0% in Control group, p = .001), but not in the presence of thrombi (8.2% in AT group vs 0% in Control group, p = .117).

Conclusion

Compared to the control group, the presence of SEC was significantly higher in the AT patient group. The increased frequency of SEC in AT patients suggests the hypothesis that AT may contribute to LA stasis. The routine use of TEE before AT catheter ablation remains controversial, despite the presence of LA thrombus and SEC in the AT patient group. The clinical assessment of thrombus presence before the procedure must be conducted on a patient‐specific basis.
LINAS‐Score: prognostic model for mortality assessment in patients with cirrhotic liver and infected ascites
Authors: Würstle Silvia , Schneider Tillman , Karapetyan Siranush , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Isaakidou Andriana , Studen Fabian , Schmid Roland M. , von Delius Stephan , Rothe Kathrin , Burgkart Rainer , Obermeier Andreas , Triebelhorn Julian , Erber Johanna , Voit Florian , Geisler Fabian , Spinner Christoph D. , Schneider Jochen , Wagner Laura
Published: June 2024

Background and Aim

Patients with liver cirrhosis often face a grave threat from infected ascites (IA). However, a well‐established prognostic model for this complication has not been established in routine clinical practice. Therefore, we aimed to assess mortality risk in patients with liver cirrhosis and IA.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study across three tertiary hospitals, enrolling 534 adult patients with cirrhotic liver and IA, comprising 465 with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), 34 with bacterascites (BA), and 35 with secondary peritonitis (SP). To determine the attributable mortality risk linked to IA, these patients were matched with 122 patients with hydropic decompensated liver cirrhosis but without IA. Clinical, laboratory, and microbiological parameters were assessed for their relation to mortality using univariable analyses and a multivariable random forest model (RFM). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression model was used to establish an easy‐to‐use mortality prediction score.

Results

The in‐hospital mortality risk was highest for SP (39.0%), followed by SBP (26.0%) and BA (25.0%). Besides illness severity markers, microbiological parameters, such as Candida spp., were identified as the most significant indicators for mortality. The Lasso model determined 15 parameters with corresponding scores, yielding good discriminatory power (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve = 0.89). Counting from 0 to 83, scores of 20, 40, 60, and 80 corresponded to in‐hospital mortalities of 3.3%, 30.8%, 85.2%, and 98.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

We developed a promising mortality prediction score for IA, highlighting the importance of microbiological parameters in conjunction with illness severity for assessing patient outcomes.
Patterns of national emergency department utilization by fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries with dementia
Authors: Bowman Jason K. , Ritchie Christine S. , Ouchi Kei , Tulsky James A. , Teno Joan M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) often face high acute care clinical utilization and costs with unclear benefits in survival or quality of life. The emergency department (ED) is frequently the site of pivotal decisions in these acute care episodes. This study uses national Medicare data to explore this population's ED utilization.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of persons aged ≥66 years enrolled in traditional Medicare with a Chronic Condition Warehouse diagnosis of dementia. Primary 1‐year outcome measures included ED visits with and without hospitalization, ED visits per 100 days alive, and health‐care costs. A multivariate random effects regression model (clustered by county of residence), adjusted for sociodemographics and comorbidities, examined how place of care on January 1, 2018, was associated with subsequent ED utilization.

Results

In 2018, 2,680,006 ADRD traditional Medicare patients (mean age 82.9, 64.2% female, 9.4% Black, 6.2% Hispanic) experienced a total of 3,234,767 ED visits. Over half (52.2%) of the cohort experienced one ED visit, 15.5% experienced three or more, and 37.1% of ED visits resulted in hospitalization. Compared with ADRD patients residing at home without services, the marginal difference in ED visits per 100 days alive varied by location of care. Highest differences were observed for those with hospitalizations (0.48 visits per 100 days alive, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.49), skilled nursing facility (rehab/skilled nursing facility [SNF]) stays (0.27, 95% CI 0.27–0.28), home health stays (0.25, 95% CI 0.25–0.26), or observation stays (0.82, 95% CI 0.77–0.87). Similar patterns were observed with ED use without hospitalization and health‐care costs.

Conclusions

Persons with ADRD frequently use the ED—particularly those with recent hospitalizations, rehab/SNF stays, or home health use—and may benefit from targeted interventions during or before the ED encounters to reduce avoidable utilization and ensure goal‐concordant care.
Low temperature offers better foam stability
Authors: Serkan Mola , Gokay Deniz
Published: June 2024

Background

The foam's structural longevity, linked to the effectiveness of sclerotherapy, depends on preparation conditions. The factors enhancing the treatment's effectiveness and efficacy are still under discussion.

Methods

We conducted an in vitro preclinical research, which included 144 independent trials. A total of 8 combinations involving 18 trials were designed according to settings of +4°C and room temperature (20–22°C), liquid‐to‐air ratios of 1/1 and 1/4, and polidocanol concentrations of 0.5% and 1% using the modified Tessari method. Our study aimed to examine the effect of air ratio, agent temperature, and polidocanol concentration on stability by assessing the foam half‐time (FHT) and defining the optimal preparation conditions.

Results

The mean FHT was 117 ± 30.4 s. The longest FHT was in a 1:4 air‐to‐sclerosant ratio at +4°C, regardless of the sclerosant concentration (for %0.5 mean FHT: 146.2 ± 13.9 s, for % 1 mean FHT: 146.9 ± 18 s). There was a significant interaction among the three variables on FHT (p = 0.001). Temperature emerged as the primary factor (F(1, 136) = 124, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.477), with lower temperatures markedly enhancing the longevity (p < 0.001). Preparation at a temperature of 4°C resulted in an extended FHT of 32.5 s compared to 22°C (95% CI: 24.06–41.04 s).

Conclusion

The temperature, agent concentration, and gas ratio significantly influence the stability of the physician‐compounded foam. The low temperature at +4°C may offer better FHT for sclerotherapy.
Should We Expect Merger Synergies to be Passed Through to Consumers?*
Authors: Leccese Mario , Sweeting Andrew , Tao Xuezhen
Published: June 2024

When reviewing horizontal mergers, antitrust agencies balance anticompetitive incentives, resulting from market power, with procompetitive incentives, created by efficiencies, assuming complete information and static, simultaneous move Nash equilibrium play. These models miss how a merged firm may prefer not to pass through efficiencies when rivals would respond by lowering their prices. We use an asymmetric information model, where rivals do not observe the size of the realized cost efficiency, to investigate how this incentive could affect post‐merger prices. We highlight how the strength of this incentive will depend on the market structure of non‐merging rivals and discuss alternative settings where similar issues arise.
Navigating Environmental Threats to New Ventures: A Regulatory Fit Approach to Bricolage
Authors: Adomako Samuel , Zhu Fei , Hsu Dan K. , Istipliler Baris , Wiklund Johan
Published: June 2024

Bricolage is a critical strategy used by entrepreneurs to generate resources for new ventures in response to environmental threats that result in resource constraints. However, inconsistent findings exist. Whereas the predominant view in the bricolage literature suggests that resource‐constrained or threatening environments motivate new ventures to bricolage to survive and thrive, some empirical evidence shows that some firms choose not to bricolage in such environments. This paper addresses the inconsistent findings by integrating regulatory fit theory with the bricolage literature, arguing that the effect of environmental threat on bricolage depends on entrepreneurs' dispositional regulatory focus. Data from a time‐lagged survey of 396 Taiwanese entrepreneurs support our hypotheses. Our findings suggest that promotion (prevention) focus disposition is positively (negatively) related to bricolage. More importantly, both promotion and prevention foci weaken the effect of environmental threat on bricolage, serving as boundary conditions for this relationship. Finally, our additional analysis reveals gender differences in bricolage and the contingent effect of promotion focus disposition, enabling us to contribute to regulatory fit theory.
Research in Latin America from a decolonial perspective: Challenges of producing socially situated knowledge
Authors: Fernández‐Theoduloz Gabriela
Published: June 2024

The developmental science literature predominantly originates from WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) countries. This bias perpetuates colonial power imbalances and marginalizes non‐WEIRD societies' knowledge. This special issue addresses this gap by focusing on Latin America, emphasizing the region's diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and political contexts. This commentary contextualizes research in Latin America, and then presents and discusses the articles. Finally, it presents some of the challenges researchers in Latin America face.
Network‐basedstrategies to combatHCV: Examining social and spatial drivers of transmission amongPWIDin New Delhi
Authors: Clipman Steven J. , Mehta Shruti H. , Mohapatra Shobha , Srikrishnan Aylur K. , Zook Katie J. C. , Kumar Muniratnam Suresh , Lucas Gregory M. , Latkin Carl A. , Solomon Sunil S.
Published: June 2024

People who inject drugs (PWID) account for some of the fastest‐growing HCV epidemics globally. While individual risk factors for infection are understood, less is known about network and spatial factors critical for elimination strategies. Two thousand five hundred twelve PWID in New Delhi, India, were recruited (2017–19) through network referrals. Biometrics identified duplicates and cross‐network linkages. Participants completed semi‐annual surveys and blood tests for HCV antibodies and RNA. Poisson regression and network analyses identified predictors of incident HCV and compared network‐based intervention approaches. Baseline HCV antibody prevalence was 65.1%, of whom 79.6% were HCV RNA‐positive. We observed 92 HCV seroconversions over 382.25 person‐years (incidence: 24.1 per 100 person‐years). Of the 92 seroconverters, 67% (62) were directly connected to an RNA‐positive participant, and all were within one degree of separation from an RNA‐positive participant. Individual‐level factors associated with seroconversion included age, sexual activity, and injection behaviours. After adjusting for individual‐level factors, seroconversion was significantly associated with number of RNA‐positive partners (adjusted incidence rate ratio [AIRR] = 1.30) and injecting at a particular venue (AIRR = 2.53). This association extended to indirect ties, with 17% reduced odds of seroconversion for each degree of separation from the venue (AIRR = 0.83). Network analyses comparing intervention strategies found that targeting venues identified more cases compared to a treat‐a‐friend approach. We observed a fast‐growing HCV epidemic driven by viremia within individuals' immediate networks and indirect social and spatial ties, demonstrating the importance of achieving broad, sustained virologic response and rethinking network‐based interventions to include venues.
Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide inclusion on production parameters of Farfantepenaeus aztecus cultured in a biofloc system
Authors: Genc Ercument , Kaya Dogukan , Genc Munevver Ayce , Keskin Emre , Yavuzcan Hijran , Guroy Derya , Aktas Mevlut
Published: June 2024

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation in a biofloc system on growth performance, whole‐body proximate composition, whole‐body fatty acids, nonspecific immune parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, digestive enzyme activity, and gut microbiota of brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, were investigated. Shrimp were fed five diets containing different levels of MOS doses (MOS0: basal diet, MOS1: 0.1%, MOS2: 0.2%, MOS3: 0.3%, and MOS4: 0.4%) during the 90‐day trial. The results indicated that all MOS‐supplemented shrimp showed significantly higher growth rates and better feed utilization than shrimp fed the control diet. Experimental diets had varying effects on the nonspecific immune parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating that MOS supplementation resulted in significant differences in the parameters except for respiratory burst activity. Significantly higher protease activity was observed in shrimp fed MOS1 and MOS2 diets compared with MOS0, MOS3, and MOS4 diets. Shrimps fed MOS2 and MOS3 diets had the highest lipase and amylase activities among all groups. Proteobacteria were the most abundant phylum in all groups and were higher at increasing MOS doses. In conclusion, these results suggest that supplementing the diet of brown shrimp in the biofloc system with 3 g kg−1 of MOS may improve production parameters.
Room‐temperature phosphorescence from organic materials in aqueous media
Authors: Panda Sourav Kumar , De Antara , Banerjee Supratim
Published: June 2024

In recent years, organic materials with room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) features have gained significant attention due to their wide applications in the fields of bioimaging, light‐harvesting materials, encryption technology, etc. Although several examples of organic RTP materials in the crystalline state and polymer‐based systems have been reported in the last decade or so, achieving organic RTP in the solution phase, particularly in the aqueous phase has remained a challenging task. Herein in this review, we summarize the progress in this direction by highlighting design strategies based on supramolecular scaffolding and host–guest complexation and the applications of such aqueous organic RTP materials in bioimaging, sensing, etc.
Developing an urban thunderstorm climatology for the Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Authors: Sae‐Jung Jojinda , Bentley Mace L , Duan Zhuojun , Szakal Endre
Published: June 2024

This investigation builds upon and extends prior lightning research in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) through the reconstruction of thunderstorm distribution, utilizing a novel lightning tracking algorithm. Five years (2016–2020) of lightning stroke data from the Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360) were used to identify 52 608 thunderstorms. Optimized hotspot analyses, track densities, and analyses of thunderstorms with respect to winds, landcover, and seasons were performed. Our findings suggest that significant modification of thunderstorm distribution within the region was due to urban landcover impacts on the local environment. Thunderstorm intensity, as measured by stroke counts and track length, also appeared to be sensitive to the urban environment. The thunderstorm distribution also highlighted areas prone to hazards such as flash flooding. By visualizing thunderstorms grouped by winds, thunderstorm initiation hotspots and track density corridors were identified. These corridors of augmented thunderstorm production tended to occur during specific months given the seasonal monsoon wind regime occurring across the BMR. As urbanization within the BMR continues, geospatial assessment of thunderstorms is important to inform forecast meteorologists, urban planners, government officials, and others who play a critical role in developing strategies, policies and insfrastructure that could mitigate thunderstorm impacts.
Allelic loss of HLA class I facilitates evasion from immune surveillance in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Kawase Katsushige , Taguchi Ayumi , Ishizaka Aya , Lin Jason , Ueno Toshihide , Yoshimoto Daisuke , Eguchi Satoko , Mori Seiichiro , Sone Kenbun , Mori Mayuyo , Yonekura Syuji , Hanazawa Toyoyuki , Maeda Daichi , Kukimoto Iwao , Mano Hiroyuki , Osuga Yutaka , Kawana Kei , Kawazu Masahito
Published: June 2024

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) has been reported to occur in HLA regions in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. However, the details of how this is related to the progression of CIN have been unclear. In this study, we examined the human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen‐presenting capacity of people with CIN and the significance of LOH of HLA class I in the progression of CIN. It was shown that differences in antigen‐presenting capacity among each case depended on HLA types, not HPV genotypes. Focusing on the HLA type, there was a positive correlation between antigen‐presenting capacity against HPV and the frequency of allelic loss. Furthermore, the lost HLA‐B alleles had a higher HPV antigen‐presenting capacity than intact alleles. In addition, frequency of LOH of HLA class I was significantly higher in advanced CIN (CIN2–3) than in cervicitis or early‐stage CIN (CIN1): around half of CIN2–3 had LOH of any HLA class I. Moreover, the antigen‐presenting capacity against E5, which is the HPV proteins that facilitate viral escape from this immune surveillance by suppressing HLA class I expression, had the most significant impact on the LOH in HLA‐B. This study suggests that HPV evades immune surveillance mechanisms when host cells lose the capacity for antigen presentation by HLA class I molecules, resulting in long‐term infection and progression to advanced lesions.
A multi‐ethnic reference panel to impute HLA classical and non‐classical class I alleles in admixed samples: Testing imputation accuracy in an admixed sample from Brazil
Authors: Silva Nayane S. B. , Bourguiba‐Hachemi Sonia , Ciriaco Viviane A. O. , Knorst Stefan H. Y. , Carmo Ramon T. , Masotti Cibele , Meyer Diogo , Naslavsky Michel S. , Duarte Yeda A. O. , Zatz Mayana , Gourraud Pierre‐Antoine , Limou Sophie , Castelli Erick C. , Vince Nicolas
Published: June 2024

The MHC class I region contains crucial genes for the innate and adaptive immune response, playing a key role in susceptibility to many autoimmune and infectious diseases. Genome‐wide association studies have identified numerous disease‐associated SNPs within this region. However, these associations do not fully capture the immune‐biological relevance of specific HLA alleles. HLA imputation techniques may leverage available SNP arrays by predicting allele genotypes based on the linkage disequilibrium between SNPs and specific HLA alleles. Successful imputation requires diverse and large reference panels, especially for admixed populations. This study employed a bioinformatics approach to call SNPs and HLA alleles in multi‐ethnic samples from the 1000 genomes (1KG) dataset and admixed individuals from Brazil (SABE), utilising 30X whole‐genome sequencing data. Using HIBAG, we created three reference panels: 1KG (n = 2504), SABE (n = 1171), and the full model (n = 3675) encompassing all samples. In extensive cross‐validation of these reference panels, the multi‐ethnic 1KG reference exhibited overall superior performance than the reference with only Brazilian samples. However, the best results were achieved with the full model. Additionally, we expanded the scope of imputation by developing reference panels for non‐classical, MICA, MICB and HLA‐H genes, previously unavailable for multi‐ethnic populations. Validation in an independent Brazilian dataset showcased the superiority of our reference panels over the Michigan Imputation Server, particularly in predicting HLA‐B alleles among Brazilians. Our investigations underscored the need to enhance or adapt reference panels to encompass the target population's genetic diversity, emphasising the significance of multiethnic references for accurate imputation across different populations.
Adenovirus‐ and cytomegalovirus‐specific adoptive T‐cell therapy in the context of hematologic cell transplant or HIV infection – A single‐center experience
Authors: Obermaier Benedikt , Braun Christiane , Hensen Luca , Ahmad Osama , Faul Christoph , Lang Peter , Bethge Wolfgang , Lengerke Claudia , Vogel Wichard
Published: June 2024

Background

Reactivation of viral infections, in particular cytomegalovirus (CMV) and adenovirus (ADV), cause morbidity and non‐relapse‐mortality in states of immune deficiency, especially after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐HCT). Against the background of few available pharmacologic antiviral agents, limited by toxicities and resistance, adoptive transfer of virus‐specific T‐cells (VST) is a promising therapeutic approach.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center retrospective analysis of adult patients treated with ADV‐ or CMV‐specific T‐cells in 2012–2022. Information was retrieved by review of electronic health records. Primary outcome was a response to VST by decreasing viral load or clinical improvement. Secondary outcomes included overall survival and safety of VST infusion, in particular association with graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD).

Results

Ten patients were included, of whom four were treated for ADV, five for CMV, and one for ADV‐CMV‐coinfection. Cells were derived from stem cell donors (6/10) or third‐party donors (4/10). Response criteria were met by six of 10 patients (4/4 ADV, 2/5 CMV, and 0/1 ADV‐CMV). Overall survival was 40%. No infusion related adverse events were documented. Aggravation of GVHD after adoptive immunotherapy was observed in two cases, however in temporal association with a conventional donor lymphocyte infusion and a stem cell boost, respectively.

Conclusion

In this cohort, CMV‐ and ADV‐specific T‐cell therapy appear to be safe and effective. We describe the first reported case of virus‐specific T‐cell therapy for CMV reactivation not associated with transplantation but with advanced HIV infection. This encourages further evaluation of adoptive immunotherapy beyond the context of allo‐HCT.

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Do firms hedge against political tensions? Evidence from Chinese food importers of Norwegian salmon
Authors: Li Haoran , Wan Xibo , Zhang Wendong
Published: June 2024

Political and economic tensions, which often jeopardise trade, are rising among the world's major powers, and countries like China are more frequently using food‐related trade actions to deal with deteriorating political relations. Using an event study approach, this paper investigates how importers respond to lasting political tensions by examining China's seafood importers' responses to the 6‐year Norway–China political tensions after Norway awarded Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese political dissident, a Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. Our results reveal firm‐level responses at both the intensive and extensive margins. At the intensive margin, firms that imported Norwegian fresh salmon before the sanction saw a 20% persistent decline in their fresh salmon import value and an 80% decrease in the import share of Norwegian fresh salmon products over our study period. At the extensive margin, we find a trade diversion effect that firms imported fresh salmon from Norway to other countries and regions, but also a consistent ‘political hedging’ effect 3 years after sanction with a 20% decline in the maximum import share from any particular country or region, even if not Norway.
Improving Supply Chains Through Material Handling
Authors: Gibson Tom
Published: June 2024

For logistics operations, pallets and forklift prongs have remained much the same over the past 50 years, while material handling systems have become more high-tech in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and shipping venues. In recent years, disrupted supply chains and increasing mail order volumes has forced technology improvements. Adding on are the difficulties many facilities face in filling manual labor positions, further pushing the material handling world to adopt a host of ever-changing technologies.
Design and Analysis of a New Non-Parasitic Parallel Mechanism for 2T1R Motion
Authors: Shen Huiping , Tang Yao , Ceccarelli Marco , Li Ju , Li Tao , He Hongbo
Published: June 2024

Two-limb parallel mechanisms (PMs) can have several advantages, such as avoidance of mechanical collision, fairly simple architecture, easy assembly, and large workspace. The paper presents a novel two-limb three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) PM with two translations and one-rotation (2T1R) that are actuated by two sliders. The manipulator runs with decoupled position and orientation with forward position solution without parasitic motions. The main topological characteristics of the PM such as position and orientation characteristic (POC), DOF, and coupling degree are analyzed. Second, using the kinematic modeling method based on topological characteristics, the unified symbolic forward and inverse position solutions of the two configurations of the PM (I and II) are derived together with the workspace, rotational capacity, and singularity. Finally, a comparative analysis regarding the kinematics of two configurations (I and II) is carried out to find an optimal design configuration I of a PM for 2T1R motion.
Draft genome sequence of
Methanocalculus natronophilus
sp. strain Z-7105
T
, an alkaliphilic, methanogenic archaeon isolated from a soda lake
Authors: Elkassas Sabrina M. , Serres Margrethe H. , Richardson Derrick , Zhilina Tatyana N. , Huber Julie A.
Published: June 2024

A methanogenic archaeon was isolated from bottom sediments in the vicinity of Lake Tanatar II (Altai, Russia), an alkaline soda lake. Here we present the draft genome sequence of
Methanocalculus natronophilus
sp. strain Z-7105
T
.
Auxin-mediated regulation of susceptibility to toxic metabolites, c-di-GMP levels, and phage infection in the rhizobacterium
Serratia plymuthica
Authors: Rico-Jiménez Miriam , Udaondo Zulema , Krell Tino , Matilla Miguel A.
Published: June 2024

The communication between plants and their microbiota is highly dynamic and involves a complex network of signal molecules. Among them, the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a critical phytohormone that not only regulates plant growth and development, but is emerging as an important inter- and intra-kingdom signal that modulates many bacterial processes that are important during interaction with their plant hosts. However, the corresponding signaling cascades remain largely unknown. Here, we advance our understanding of the largely unknown mechanisms by which IAA carries out its regulatory functions in plant-associated bacteria. We showed that IAA caused important changes in the global transcriptome of the rhizobacterium
Serratia plymuthica
and multidisciplinary approaches revealed that IAA sensing interferes with the signaling mediated by other pivotal plant-derived signals such as amino acids and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Exposure to IAA caused large alterations in the transcript levels of genes involved in amino acid metabolism, resulting in significant metabolic alterations. IAA treatment also increased resistance to toxic aromatic compounds through the induction of the AaeXAB pump, which also confers resistance to IAA. Furthermore, IAA promoted motility and severely inhibited biofilm formation; phenotypes that were associated with decreased c-di-GMP levels and capsule production. IAA increased capsule gene expression and enhanced bacterial sensitivity to a capsule-dependent phage. Additionally, IAA induced the expression of several genes involved in antibiotic resistance and led to changes in the susceptibility and responses to antibiotics with different mechanisms of action. Collectively, our study illustrates the complexity of IAA-mediated signaling in plant-associated bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

Signal sensing plays an important role in bacterial adaptation to ecological niches and hosts. This communication appears to be particularly important in plant-associated bacteria since they possess a large number of signal transduction systems that respond to a wide diversity of chemical, physical, and biological stimuli. IAA is emerging as a key inter- and intra-kingdom signal molecule that regulates a variety of bacterial processes. However, despite the extensive knowledge of the IAA-mediated regulatory mechanisms in plants, IAA signaling in bacteria remains largely unknown. Here, we provide insight into the diversity of mechanisms by which IAA regulates primary and secondary metabolism, biofilm formation, motility, antibiotic susceptibility, and phage sensitivity in a biocontrol rhizobacterium. This work has important implications for our understanding of bacterial ecology in plant environments and for the biotechnological and clinical applications of IAA, as well as related molecules.
Magnetoresistance and Symmetry of a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas in AlGaN/AlN/GaN Heterostructures
Authors: Chumakov N. K. , Andreev A. A. , Belov I. V. , Davydov A. B. , Ezubchenko I. S. , Lev L. L. , Morgun L. A. , Nikolaev S. N. , Chernykh I. A. , Shabanov S. Yu. , Strocov V. N. , Valeyev V. G.
Published: June 2024

The physical characteristics of a two-dimensional electron gas located in the GaN layer near the AlN/GaN interface of AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructures have been studied for decades. According to the currently accepted concepts, its symmetry coincides with that of the nonsymmorphic space group C$$_{{6{v}}}^{4}$$ in the bulk of GaN. However, this is incorrect. Indeed, the only nonsymmorphic element of this group—the rotation of the system about the [0001] axis normal to the interface plane, with a simultaneous shift along this axis by half a period of the GaN crystal lattice—is forbidden for a two-dimensional gas owing to the confinement potential, which, therefore, reduces its symmetry to the symmetry of the trigonal point group C$$_{{3{v}}}$$. This fact has been confirmed in this work by ab initio density functional calculations and by electrophysical data.
Formation of an O-Shaped Structure in the Red Wing of the Frequency–Angular Spectrum During Filamentation on a Long Atmospheric Path
Authors: Pushkarev D. V. , Seleznev L. V. , Rizaev G. E. , Uryupina D. S. , Zhidovtsev N. A. , Kosareva O. G. , Savel’ev A. B.
Published: June 2024

An O-shaped structure at wavelengths of 930–960 nm in the frequency–angular spectrum of the supercontinuum generated during the filamentation of a femtosecond laser pulse with a central wavelength of 740 nm on a 75-m path in air has been observed experimentally. This feature of the frequency–angular spectrum is due to the presence of the absorption band of water vapor in the range of 930–960 nm and the anomalous dispersion region associated with this absorption. This result opens prospects for the remote single-pulse detection of impurities in air.