bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO2 inside sI clathrate-like cages: Automated construction of neural network/machine learned guest–host potential and quantum spectra computations
Authors: Valdés Álvaro , Prosmiti Rita
Published: May 2024

We present new results on the underlying guest–host interactions and spectral characterization of a CO2 molecule confined in the cages of the sI clathrate hydrate. Such types of porous solids raise computational challenges, as they are of practical interest as gas storage/capture materials. Accordingly, we have directed our efforts toward addressing their modeling in a proper manner, ensuring the quality of the input data and the efficiency of the computational approaches. The computational procedure for spectral simulations, within the multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree framework, involves the development of a fully coupled Hamiltonian, including an exact kinetic energy operator and a many-body representation of the potential, along with dipole moment surfaces, both obtained through neural network machine learning techniques. The resulting models were automatically trained and tested on extensive datasets generated by PW86PBE-XDM calculations, following the outcome of previous benchmark studies. Our simulations enable us to explore various aspects of the quantized dynamics upon confinement of CO2@D/T, such as constrained rotational–translational quantum motions and the averaged position/orientation of the CO2 guest in comparison to the experimental data available. Particularly notable are the distinct energy patterns observed in the computed spectra for the confined CO2 in the D and T cages, with a considerably high rotational–translational coupling in the CO2@T case. Leveraging reliable computations has proved instrumental, highlighting the sensitivity of the spectral features to the shape and strength of the potential interactions, with the explicit description of many-body contributions being significant.
On the distribution function of electron spectra from hot laser plasmas
Authors: Behrens Rolf
Published: May 2024

The emission of electrons from hot plasmas generated in the interaction of ultra-short (and ultra-high intensity) laser pulses with matter is often characterized by the so-called ‘hot electron temperature’. In this article it is shown that this number is not unambiguous. The reason is the following: to assign a temperature to an electron spectrum, it is necessary to describe the spectrum with a distribution function. However, different types of distribution functions are in use, e.g. the Boltzmann or Maxwell distribution, leading to different electron temperatures in spite of providing nearly the same form of the electron spectrum. For this reason, the main characteristics of all these distribution functions are presented in this article and compared. Depending on the distribution function used, the value of the hot electron temperature varies by up to 30% and in extreme cases by more than a factor of four. This fact should always be kept in mind when comparing values of hot electron temperatures. In addition, the reasons for using equilibrium distributions to describe the characteristics of laser-produced electrons—although probably no thermodynamic equilibrium is prevailing—are discussed.
The LHCb VELO Upgrade II: design and development of the readout electronics
Authors: Fernández Prieto A. ,   the LHCb VELO collaboration
Published: May 2024

The LHCb collaboration proposes a Phase-II Upgrade of the detector, to be installed during
the LHC Long Shutdown 4 (2032–2034). Operating in the HL-LHC environment poses significant
challenges to the design of the upgraded detector, and in particular to its tracking system. The
primary and secondary vertices reconstruction will become more difficult due to the increase, by a
factor of 7.5, of the average number of interactions per bunch crossing. The performance of the
VErtex LOcator (VELO), which is the tracking detector surrounding the interaction region, is
essential to the success of this Phase-II Upgrade. Data rates are especially critical for the LHCb
full software trigger, and with the expected higher particle flux, the VELO Upgrade-II detector
will have to tolerate a dramatically increased data rate: assuming the same hybrid pixel design
and detector geometry, the front-end electronics (ASICs) of the VELO Upgrade-II will have to cope
with rates as high as 8 Ghits/s, with the hottest pixels reaching up to 500 khits/s. With this
input rate, the data output from the VELO will exceed 30 Tbit/s, with potentially a further
increase if more information is added to the read-out. This paper outlines the challenges being
addressed and the solutions under investigation for reading out the VELO sub-detector.
PANCAKE: a large-diameter cryogenic test platform with a flat floor for next generation multi-tonne liquid xenon detectors
Authors: Brown Adam , Fischer Horst , Glade-Beucke Robin , Grigat Jaron , Kuger Fabian , Lindemann Sebastian , Luce Tiffany , Masson Darryl , Müller Julia , Reininghaus Jens , Schumann Marc , Stevens Andrew , Tönnies Florian , Toschi Francesco
Published: May 2024

The PANCAKE facility is the world's largest liquid xenon test platform.
Inside its cryostat with an internal diameter of 2.75 m, components for the next generation of liquid xenon experiments, such as DARWIN or XLZD, will be tested at their full scale.
This is essential to ensure their successful operation.
This work describes the facility, including its cryostat, cooling systems, xenon handling infrastructure, and its monitoring and instrumentation.
The inner vessel has a flat floor, which allows the full diameter to be used with a modest amount of xenon.
This is a novel approach for such a large cryostat and is of interest for future large-scale experiments, where a standard torispherical head would require tonnes of additional xenon.
Our current xenon inventory of 400 kg allows a liquid depth of about 2 cm in the inner cryostat vessel.
We also describe the commissioning of the facility, which is now ready for component testing.
The vital role of clinical pharmacy services within the hospital at home interdisciplinary team
Authors: Webster Leah Whitman , Gernhard Chloe , Peinovich Margaret , Wachter Corey , Derleth Brett
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Hospital at home (HaH) program development, spurred by hospital congestion during the COVID-19 pandemic, is moving from a novel idea to a standard of inpatient practice. Understanding pharmacy’s clinical role in the HaH patient care team is exceedingly important as programs across the country continue to develop, implement, and expand. The purpose of this study is to describe how clinical pharmacy services are currently provided for home hospital patients and to explain the vital role of pharmacists within the HaH care team.

Description

A descriptive study was designed to evaluate pharmacy services provided for home hospital patients from January 1, 2023, to February 28, 2023. Prior to the study period, a focused group of pharmacists routinely active in HaH patient care met to define a standard process for documenting pharmacy services using an electronic documentation system (i-Vent) within the EHR. During the study period, a total of 221 patients were admitted to home hospital at either site representing 3,258 inpatient medication orders with 2,997 medication administrations. Pharmacists signed 903 progress notes and documented 561 interventions across all types. The top 3 pharmacy intervention types were drug administration change (37%), medication reconciliation (29%), and antimicrobial stewardship (15%). Each of the top 3 types were further evaluated by subtype.

Conclusion

Documented pharmacy services encompassed a variety of intervention types. The overwhelming majority of patients admitted to the program received pharmacy consultative services, demonstrating how pivotal pharmacists are to the operational success of these programs and clinical care of HaH patients. More research is needed to expose pharmacy potential and facilitate growth for pharmacists practicing in HaH programs.
Practice-enhancing publications about the medication-use process in 2022
Authors: Vest Tyler A , Gazda Nicholas P , O’Neil Daniel P , Donnowitz Kathrine , Carlson, MLS, AHIP Rebecca , Eckel Stephen F
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This article identifies, prioritizes, and summarizes published literature on the medication-use process (MUP) from calendar year 2022 that can impact health-system pharmacy daily practice. The MUP is the foundational system that provides the framework for safe medication utilization within the healthcare environment. The MUP is defined in this article as having the following components: prescribing/transcribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring. Articles evaluating at least one step of the MUP were assessed for their usefulness toward practice improvement.

A PubMed search was conducted in January 2023 for articles published in calendar year 2022 using targeted Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords, and searches of the table of contents of selected pharmacy journals were conducted, providing a total of 6,213 articles. A thorough review identified 69 potentially practice-enhancing articles: 13 for prescribing/transcribing, 13 for dispensing, 5 for administration, and 38 for monitoring. Practice trends discussed in the articles are briefly summarized, with a mention of their importance within health-system pharmacy. The articles are listed and summarized in tables for further review and evaluation.

Conclusion

It is important to routinely review the published literature and to incorporate significant findings into daily practice. This article assists in identifying and summarizing the most impactful publications. Health-system pharmacists have an active role in improving the MUP in their institution, and awareness of the significant published studies can assist in changing practice at the institutional level.
Reward, relief, and habit drinking profiles in treatment seeking individuals with an AUD
Authors: Grodin Erica N , Baskerville Wave-Ananda , Meredith Lindsay R , Nieto Steven , Ray Lara A
Published: May 2024

Aims

This study aimed to compare reward, relief, and habit treatment-seeking individuals on recent drinking, alcohol use disorder (AUD) phenomenology, and mood. The second aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive validity of reward, relief, and habit profiles.

Method

Treatment-seeking individuals with an AUD (n = 169) were recruited to participate in a medication trial for AUD (NCT03594435). Reward, relief, and habit drinking groups were assessed using the UCLA Reward Relief Habit Drinking Scale. Group differences at baseline were evaluated using univariate analyses of variance. A subset of participants were enrolled in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled medication trial (n = 102), and provided longitudinal drinking and phenomenology data. The predictive validity of group membership was assessed using linear regression analyses.

Results

At baseline, individuals who drink primarily for relief had higher craving and negative mood than those who drink for reward and habit. Prospectively, membership in the relief drinking group predicted greater alcohol use, greater heavy drinking, and fewer days abstinent compared to those in the reward drinking group. Membership in the relief drinking group also predicted greater alcohol craving, more alcohol-related consequences, and more anxiety symptoms over 12 weeks compared to those in the reward drinking group.

Conclusions

This study provides support for reward and relief drinking motive profiles in treatment-seeking individuals with an AUD. Membership in the relief drinking motive group was predictive of poorer drinking outcomes and more negative symptomology over 12 weeks, indicating that individuals who drink for relief may be a particularly vulnerable sub-population of individuals with AUD.
Swirl sign score system: a novel and practical tool for predicting hematoma expansion risk after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Zhou Zhiming , Wang Jing , Li Wenjie , Huang Tianxing , Zhou Yu , Tan Yuanxin , Zhou Hongli , Zhong Weijia , Guo Dajing , Zhou Xi , Wu Xiaojia
Published: May 2024

Objective

To methodically analyse the swirl sign and construct a scoring system to predict the risk of hematoma expansion (HE) after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH).

Methods

We analysed 231 of 683 sICH patients with swirl signs on baseline noncontrast CT (NCCT) images. The characteristics of the swirl sign were analysed, including the number, maximum diameter, shape, boundary, minimum CT value of the swirl sign, and the minimum distance from the swirl sign to the edge of the hematoma. In the development cohort, univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent predictors of HE, and logistic regression analysis was used to construct the swirl sign score system. The swirl sign score system was verified in the validation cohort.

Results

The number and the minimum CT value of the swirl sign were independent predictors of HE. The swirl sign score system was constructed (2 points for the number of swirl signs >1 and 1 point for the minimum CT value ≤41 Hounsfield units). The area under the curve of the swirl sign score system in predicting HE was 0.773 and 0.770 in the development and validation groups, respectively.

Conclusions

The swirl sign score system is an easy-to-use radiological grading scale that requires only baseline NCCT images to effectively identify subjects at high risk of HE.

Advances in knowledge

Our newly developed semiquantitative swirl sign score system greatly improves the ability of swirl sign to predict HE.
Ten tips from the Swiss Working Group on Sustainable Nephrology on how to go green in your dialysis unit
Authors: Pruijm Menno , Rho Elena , Woywodt Alexander , Segerer Stephan
Published: May 2024

The health-care system and particularly renal replacement therapy has a significant carbon footprint adding to global warming and extreme weather conditions. Improving sustainability has become the focus of national and international working groups. Many reviews underline the need for improvement of sustainability in nephrology, in particular dialysis, and provide recommendations on how to reduce waste, energy, and water consumption. However, how to implement these recommendations, and where to start, is not always clear. This paper summarizes discussions within the ‘working group on sustainable nephrology’ of the Swiss Society of Nephrology. We do not provide a detailed review of the topic but instead present a practical 10-point action plan to help health-care workers in nephrology make a start and improve the carbon footprint of their dialysis centres. We emphasize the importance of ongoing research, cooperation, and dialogue, and welcome additional ideas from the wider renal community.
“remember that a white woman is a white man”: Ronelda S. Kamfer’s Black Feminist Poetry as Corrective to the Race Logic of White Afrikaans Literary Feminisms
Authors: Burger Bibi , Coetzee Azille
Published: May 2024

The creation of the Afrikaner volk and the violent appropriation and institutionalization of the Afrikaans language as white cultural property around the beginning of the twentieth century in South Africa was a patriarchal project from the outset. The canon of Afrikaans literature reflects both the erasure of Black subjects from the official history and recorded footprint of the language as well as the failure of white Afrikaans feminism to challenge these erasures and patriarchal structures of white power. In this essay we argue that Ronelda Kamfer’s poetry collection Chinatown (2019) functions as a powerful corrective to literary Afrikaans whitestream feminism and that Kamfer’s defiant relational intersectionality enables an alternative way of world-making beyond the disciplinary mechanisms and exclusionary technologies of white colonial patriarchy.
The effects of nano- and microplastic ingestion on the survivorship and reproduction of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: McConnel Gabriella , Lawson Jordann , Cañas-Carrell Jaclyn E , Brelsfoard Corey L
Published: May 2024

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants that are commonly ingested by organisms at different trophic levels. While the effects of MPs on aquatic organisms have been extensively studied, the impacts of MP ingestion on the host fitness of terrestrial organisms, mainly insects, have been relatively unexplored. This study investigates the effects of MP and NP ingestion on the survivorship and reproduction of 2 medically important mosquito species, Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae). Larval and pupal survivorship of Ae. albopictus were not significantly affected by particle size or concentration, but there was a reduction of Ae. aegypti pupal survivorship associated with the ingestion of 0.03 µm NPs. In addition, there was little observed impact of 0.03 µm NP and 1.0 µm MP ingestion on adult survivorship, fecundity, and longevity. To further investigate the effects of MP ingestion on mosquito fitness, we also examined the effects of MPs of varying shape, size, and plastic polymer type on Ae. aegypti immature and adult survivorship. The data suggest that the polymer type and shape did not impact Ae. aegypti immature or adult survivorship. These findings highlight that understanding the effects of microplastic ingestion by mosquitoes may be complicated by the size, composition, and amount ingested.
New insights into how temperature affects the electrical conductivity of clay-free porous rocks
Authors: Han Tongcheng , He Haiming , Fu Li-Yun
Published: May 2024

Geothermal energy is increasingly important for the global environment and for the sustainable development of our society. Electrical surveys are widely employed for the exploration of geothermal energy, because the electrical geophysical properties provide useful information about the fluids at depth. However, although quantitative interpretation of electrical survey data relies on the knowledge about the effects of temperature on the electrical properties of fluid-bearing rocks, it remains poorly understood about how temperature affects the electrical conductivity of clay-free porous rocks. We bridge this knowledge gap by measuring the electrical conductivity and porosity of five brine saturated clean Berea sandstones with temperature ranging between 25 and 140 °C, and analysing all the factors that impact the rock conductivity. We showed that the effects of surface conductivity on the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity can be negligible, whereas the temperature induced variation in the porosity and pore structure quantitatively characterized in terms of cementation exponent can be more significant. We also found that temperature affects the electrical conductivity of brine saturated Berea sandstones by impacting the brine conductivity, and the pore structure and porosity of the samples, with their importance in a descending order. The results have provided new insights into how temperature affects the electrical conductivity of clay-free porous rocks, and will help to improve the quantitative interpretation of electrical survey data for the exploration of geothermal energy.
Exploring the Relationship between Food Insecurity, Chronic Health Conditions, and Serious Mental Illness in the United States: Implications for Social Work
Authors: Berrett-Abebe Julie , Reed Sarah C
Published: May 2024

Food insecurity (FI) is a modifiable social determinant of health that impacts approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population. FI has been linked to poorer health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Given the prevalence of chronic health conditions in the United States, including serious mental illness (SMI), the current study aims to better understand the relationship between FI and chronic conditions, including SMI, in a nationally representative sample. Authors analyzed data from the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey household component and food security supplement. Findings indicate the prevalence of FI among those with diabetes, lung disease, stroke, and SMI is higher than among the general population, with the prevalence for those with SMI being particularly high (43 percent of the sample). Logistic regression models indicate strong, statistically significant relationships between FI and chronic conditions, including SMI, as well as FI and two or more chronic illnesses, even when controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. There are likely bidirectional relationships between FI and chronic conditions. Findings have implications for social workers, in relation to prevention and treatment of SMI and FI through direct care, advocacy, and integrated services in health, mental health, and social services.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Relationships with Perceived Stress and Self-Care Behaviors in African American Social Work Students: Insights from a Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Lee Jaegoo , Allen Trenia L , Hernandez Pedro M , Tompkins Sherita , Richards Kristin V
Published: May 2024

Based on stress sensitization theory and stress proliferation theory, this study was designed to identify adverse childhood experience (ACE) classes and their relationships with perceived stress and self-care behaviors. Hypotheses were that (a) there would be diverse ACE classes among African American social work students; (b) the identified classes embedded in high/multiple ACEs would have greater levels of perceived stress than those in low ACEs; and (c) the identified classes embedded in high/multiple ACEs would have lower levels of self-care behaviors than those in low ACEs. Recruited from one of the South’s historically Black colleges and universities, 186 African American social work students completed an online survey. Latent class analysis found three classes fit the data best: low ACEs, high divorce/abuse/neglect, and high/multiple ACEs. Students in the high divorce/abuse/neglect class had the greatest levels of perceived stress and significantly greater perceived stress levels than the low ACEs class. The low ACEs class had greater self-care behaviors than students in the other two ACEs classes. The study revealed diverse ACE classes and the effect of more ACEs on greater perceived stress and lower self-care behaviors, supporting the importance of using a range of approaches to support African American social work students with different ACEs.
Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for trans-fissure ground-glass opacity
Authors: Zhang Min , Wu Anming , Zhang Cheng , Ge Mingjian , Sihoe Alan D L
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES

The trans-fissure ground-glass opacity (GGO) is a special category of lesions, with a diameter always exceeding 2 cm. It is located on a fused fissure, ‘seizing’ 2 neighbouring lobes simultaneously. The segmentectomy for the trans-fissure GGO is never reported.

METHODS

Between August 2016 and December 2022, patients operated with a trans-fissure GGO were included. The patients’ backgrounds and surgical data were summarized. All procedures were performed with the help of preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography.

RESULTS

A total of 84 patients were included. The selection criteria included a consolidation tumour ratio <50% and a lesion size >2 and ≤3 cm. Thirty-six patients were operated with lobectomy + wedge (the traditional method group) and 48 patients were operated with anatomical segmentectomy + function-preserving sublobectomy (the new method group). The median operative time was 87 min in the traditional group and 98 min in the new method group, and the median blood loss was 60 ml in the traditional group and 70 ml in the new method group. The median duration of hospital stays was 4 days in the traditional group and 2 days in the new method group. In the traditional method group, there was 1 case of postoperative air leakage and 5 cases of haemoptysis. In the new method group, 2 cases of postoperative air leakage were identified. The median size of the tumour in the resected segment was 2.6 cm in the traditional group and 2.5 cm in the new method group. The median margin was 2.5 cm in the traditional group and 3.3 cm in the new method group.

CONCLUSIONS

The trans-fissure GGO could be safely resected en bloc by segmentectomy with a well-designed surgical procedure and appropriate preoperative planning.
Identification of potential mediators of the relationship between body mass index and colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Bouras Emmanouil , Gill Dipender , Zuber Verena , Murphy Neil , Dimou Niki , Aleksandrova Krasimira , Lewis Sarah J , Martin Richard M , Yarmolinsky James , Albanes Demetrius , Brenner Hermann , Castellví-Bel Sergi , Chan Andrew T , Cheng Iona , Gruber Stephen , Van Guelpen Bethany , Li Christopher I , Le Marchand Loic , Newcomb Polly A , Ogino Shuji , Pellatt Andrew , Schmit Stephanie L , Wolk Alicja , Wu Anna H , Peters Ulrike , Gunter Marc J , Tsilidis Konstantinos K
Published: May 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-most-common cancer worldwide and its rates are increasing. Elevated body mass index (BMI) is an established risk factor for CRC, although the molecular mechanisms behind this association remain unclear. Using the Mendelian randomization (MR) framework, we aimed to investigate the mediating effects of putative biomarkers and other CRC risk factors in the association between BMI and CRC.

Methods

We selected as mediators biomarkers of established cancer-related mechanisms and other CRC risk factors for which a plausible association with obesity exists, such as inflammatory biomarkers, glucose homeostasis traits, lipids, adipokines, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), sex hormones, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, smoking, physical activity (PA) and alcohol consumption. We used inverse-variance weighted MR in the main univariable analyses and performed sensitivity analyses (weighted-median, MR–Egger, Contamination Mixture). We used multivariable MR for the mediation analyses.

Results

Genetically predicted BMI was positively associated with CRC risk [odds ratio per SD (5 kg/m2) = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08–1.24, P-value = 1.4 × 10−5] and robustly associated with nearly all potential mediators. Genetically predicted IGF1, fasting insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, PA and alcohol were associated with CRC risk. Evidence for attenuation was found for IGF1 [explained 7% (95% CI: 2–13%) of the association], smoking (31%, 4–57%) and PA (7%, 2–11%). There was little evidence for pleiotropy, although smoking was bidirectionally associated with BMI and instruments were weak for PA.

Conclusions

The effect of BMI on CRC risk is possibly partly mediated through plasma IGF1, whereas the attenuation of the BMI–CRC association by smoking and PA may reflect confounding and shared underlying mechanisms rather than mediation.
Construction of a grpE-based plasmid addiction system in Escherichia coli and its application in phloroglucinol biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Ji-ming , Cao Yu-jin , Men Xiao , Zhang Hai-bo
Published: May 2024

Aim

Biotechnical processes in Escherichia coli often operate with artificial plasmids. However, these bioprocesses frequently encounter plasmid loss. To ensure stable expression of heterologous genes in E. coli BL21(DE3), a novel plasmid addiction system (PAS) was developed.

Methods and results

This PAS employed an essential gene grpE encoding a cochaperone in the DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE chaperone system as the selection marker, which represented a chromosomal ΔgrpE mutant harboring episomal expression plasmids that carry supplementary grpE alleles to restore the deficiency. To demonstrate the feasibility of this system, it was implemented in phloroglucinol (PG) biosynthesis, manifesting improved host tolerance to PG and increased PG production. Specifically, PG titer significantly improved from 0.78 ± 0.02 to 1.34 ± 0.04 g l−1, representing a 71.8% increase in shake-flask fermentation. In fed-batch fermentation, the titer increased from 3.71 ± 0.11 to 4.54 ± 0.10 g l−1, showing a 22.4% increase. RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis revealed that the improvements were attributed to grpE overexpression and upregulation of various protective chaperones and the biotin acetyl-CoA carboxylase ligase coding gene birA.

Conclusion

This novel PAS could be regarded as a typical example of nonanabolite- and nonmetabolite-related PAS. It effectively promoted plasmid maintenance in the host, improved tolerance to PG, and increased the titer of this compound.
Secular trends in the incidence and treatment patterns of primary hyperparathyroidism in Korea: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kim Kyoung Jin , Baek Seungjin , Yu Min Heui , Shin Sungjae , Cho Sungjoon , Rhee Yumie , Hong Namki
Published: May 2024

Data on epidemiology and secular trend in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in adults are relatively limited in Asian countries. This study aims to provide an overview of the secular trends in incidence, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns of PHPT in South Korea. We used Korea’s National Health Insurance Claim database (2005-2020) to identify newly diagnosed PHPT cases. Individuals with age below 19, fewer than 2 E21.0 diagnoses, fewer than 2 PTH measurements, secondary hyperparathyroidism, undergoing dialysis or kidney transplantation within a year of diagnosis, parathyroidectomy (PTX) within a year prior to the diagnosis code, and diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasm or parathyroid carcinoma were excluded from the analysis. A total of 6837 patients with PHPT (PTX, n = 2989; non-surgery, n = 3848) were compared with 1:10 age- and sex-matched controls (n = 68 370). The mean age of patients with PHPT was 56.0 years, with 77.4% being women. The annual incidence of PHPT increased from 0.23/100 000 persons in 2005 to 1.75 in 2020, with higher rate in women than in men. Compared with 2005-2010 (n = 675), the number of newly diagnosed PHPT cases increased up to 3.1-fold (n = 2119) in 2011-2015 and 6.0-fold (n = 4043) in 2016-2020 periods. Among all patients with PHPT, 43.7% of patients underwent PTX, with decrement of proportion of bilateral surgery among PTX group across time (11.9% in 2005-2010 to 8.9% in 2016-2020, P for trend .033). Among all patients with PHPT, non-surgery group increased from 41.6% in 2005-2010 to 58.0% in 2016-2020 (P for trend <.001). Patients with PHPT had higher odds of osteoporosis (odds ratio [OR] 7.03), renal stones (OR 10.55), chronic kidney diseases (OR 7.42), and cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological conditions after adjustment for comorbidity index. In summary, the incidence of PHPT increased from 2005 to 2020 with predominance of non-surgical treatment, which calls for research focus on improving non-surgical management.
Do Not Risk Homicide: Abortion After 10 Weeks Gestation
Authors: Braddock Matthew
Published: May 2024

When an abortion is performed, someone dies. Are we killing a human person? Widespread disagreement exists. However, it is not necessary to establish personhood in order to establish the wrongness of abortion: a substantial chance of personhood is enough. We defend The Do Not Risk Homicide Argument: abortions are wrong after 10 weeks gestation because they substantially and unjustifiably risk homicide, the unjust killing of a human person. Why 10 weeks? Because the cumulative evidence establishes a substantial chance (a more than one in five chance) that preborn human beings are persons after 10 weeks (if not before then). We submit evidence from our bad track record, widespread disagreement about personhood (after 10 weeks gestation), problems with theories of personhood, the similarity between preborn human beings and premature newborns, miscalculations of gestational age, and the common intuitive responses of women to their pregnancies and miscarriages. Our argument is cogent because it bypasses the stalemate over preborn personhood and rests on common ground rather than contentious metaphysics. It also strongly suggests that society must do more to protect preborn human beings. We briefly discuss its practical implications for fetal pain relief, social policy, and abortion law.
Does Military Experience Really Matter? An Empirical Examination of Decision Framing and Deterrence Decision-Making
Authors: Berejikian Jeffrey D , Zwald Zachary
Published: May 2024

While it is widely understood that risk tolerance shapes conflict behavior, research in cognitive psychology has long demonstrated that reframing otherwise identical objective conditions can significantly alter people’s risk perception. Nonetheless, the potential impact of reframing during immediate deterrence has received little empirical scrutiny. In this study, we focus our attention on a comparison of the lay public and experienced military officials who, due to their expertise and training, are presumed to be less vulnerable to cognitive biases when making judgments about military affairs. To test this proposition, we deployed a unique set of deterrence decision experiments that, for the first time, directly compare the impact of reframing on a representative sample of the public and on a large (n = 479) sample of experienced active-duty US military officers (ranked Major through General) across three conflict domains (conventional, cyber, and nuclear). We find that, despite their greater expertise with military operations, officers are not less vulnerable to reframing than the lay public. Our results both conditionally challenge the common refrain that military officers serve as “adults in the room” during a crisis and establish that reframing within a crisis constitutes an underexplored mechanism that can both stabilize and destabilize deterrence dynamics.
Data triangulation strategies to design a representative household survey of hosts and Rohingya displaced in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors: Endara Joaquin , Genoni Maria Eugenia , Khan Afsana I , Kosmidou-Bradley Walker , Muñoz Juan , Palaniswamy Nethra , Vishwanath Tara
Published: May 2024

Obtaining representative information on hosts and displaced populations in a single survey is not straightforward. This article demonstrates the value of combining traditional and nontraditional sampling frames, geospatial information, and listing exercises to design a representative survey of hosts and Rohingya displaced populations in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The article applies innovative segmentation techniques using geospatial data to delimit enumeration areas in the absence of updated cartography. The article also highlights the importance of listing exercises to inform stratification decisions and update population counts.
Modelling the galaxy radio continuum from star formation and active galactic nuclei in the Shark semi-analytic model
Authors: Hansen Samuel P , Lagos Claudia D P , Bonato Matteo , Cook Robin H W , Davies Luke J M , Delvecchio Ivan , Tompkins Scott A
Published: May 2024

We present a model of radio continuum emission associated with star formation (SF) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) implemented in the Shark semi-analytic model of galaxy formation. SF emission includes free-free and synchrotron emission, which depend on the free-electron density and the rate of core-collapse supernovae with a minor contribution from supernova remnants, respectively. AGN emission is modelled based on the jet production rate, which depends on the black hole mass, accretion rate, and spin, and includes synchrotron self-absorption. Shark reproduces radio luminosity functions (RLFs) at $1.4\, \rm GHz$ and $150\, \rm MHz$ for 0 ≤ z ≤ 4, and scaling relations between radio luminosity, star formation rate, and infrared luminosity of galaxies in the local and distant universe in good agreement with observations. The model also reproduces observed number counts of radio sources from 150 MHz to 8.4 GHz to within a factor of 2 on average, though larger discrepancies are seen at the very bright fluxes at higher frequencies. We use this model to understand how the radio continuum emission from radio-quiet AGNs can affect the measured RLFs of galaxies. We find current methods to exclude AGNs from observational samples result in large fractions of radio-quiet AGNs contaminating the ‘star-forming galaxies’ selection and a brighter end to the resulting RLFs.We investigate how this affects the infrared-radio correlation (IRRC) and show that AGN contamination can lead to evolution of the IRRC with redshift. Without this contamination, our model predicts a redshift- and stellar mass-independent IRRC, except at the dwarf-galaxy regime.
Neurofascialvascular training for the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon: A case report
Authors: Bertacchini Paolo
Published: May 2024

Primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (PRP) is characterised by episodic, reversible, and disabling vasospasms of the peripheral arteries. In the most severe cases, it can lead to ulceration of the fingers and toes. Neuro fascial VascularTraining (NFVT) is a novel therapeutic approach for treating PRP. NFVT aims to enhance peripheral circulation and stimulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by engaging multiple physiological mechanisms simultaneously. This integrated approach works to reduce vasospasms and alleviate associated symptoms through neurodynamic and myofascial interventions. A 54-year-old woman, who has experienced pain and hypoesthesia in her hands for 9 years, received a diagnosis of PRP without systemic sclerosis in 2014. The patient reported daily colour changes in her fingers, along with pain and a temporary decrease in tactile sensitivity. The patient engaged in ten 30-minute exercise sessions, and the clinical outcomes were assessed based on several parameters. These included the frequency and duration of vasospastic attacks, evaluated using the Raynaud Condition Score, as well as pain and tingling, measured through the daily Numeric Rating Scale. The Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS 31) was utilised to assess dysautonomia, while the frequency of medication use and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire were also considered. The results indicated a significant improvement in symptoms. NFVT improved symptoms and motor dysfunction in a patient with Raynaud’s syndrome, demonstrating how NFVT can increase peripheral blood flow, stimulate the ANS, and improve symptoms in PRP.
Massively parallel dissection of RNA in RNA–protein interactions in vivo
Authors: Lee Yu Hsuan , Hass Evan P , Campodonico Will , Lee Yong Kyu , Lasda Erika , Shah Jaynish S , Rinn John L , Hwang Taeyoung
Published: May 2024

Many of the biological functions performed by RNA are mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and understanding the molecular basis of these interactions is fundamental to biology. Here, we present massively parallel RNA assay combined with immunoprecipitation (MPRNA-IP) for in vivo high-throughput dissection of RNA–protein interactions and describe statistical models for identifying RNA domains and parsing the structural contributions of RNA. By using custom pools of tens of thousands of RNA sequences containing systematically designed truncations and mutations, MPRNA-IP is able to identify RNA domains, sequences, and secondary structures necessary and sufficient for protein binding in a single experiment. We show that this approach is successful for multiple RNAs of interest, including the long noncoding RNA NORAD, bacteriophage MS2 RNA, and human telomerase RNA, and we use it to interrogate the hitherto unknown sequence or structural RNA-binding preferences of the DNA-looping factor CTCF. By integrating systematic mutation analysis with crosslinking immunoprecipitation, MPRNA-IP provides a novel high-throughput way to elucidate RNA-based mechanisms behind RNA–protein interactions in vivo.
AcrIIA28 is a metalloprotein that specifically inhibits targeted-DNA loading to SpyCas9 by binding to the REC3 domain
Authors: Kim Gi Eob , Park Hyun Ho
Published: May 2024

CRISPR–Cas systems serve as adaptive immune systems in bacteria and archaea, protecting against phages and other mobile genetic elements. However, phages and archaeal viruses have developed countermeasures, employing anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins to counteract CRISPR–Cas systems. Despite the revolutionary impact of CRISPR–Cas systems on genome editing, concerns persist regarding potential off-target effects. Therefore, understanding the structural and molecular intricacies of diverse Acrs is crucial for elucidating the fundamental mechanisms governing CRISPR–Cas regulation. In this study, we present the structure of AcrIIA28 from Streptococcus phage Javan 128 and analyze its structural and functional features to comprehend the mechanisms involved in its inhibition of Cas9. Our current study reveals that AcrIIA28 is a metalloprotein that contains Zn2+ and abolishes the cleavage activity of Cas9 only from Streptococcus pyrogen (SpyCas9) by directly interacting with the REC3 domain of SpyCas9. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the AcrIIA28 interaction prevents the target DNA from being loaded onto Cas9. These findings indicate the molecular mechanisms underlying AcrIIA28-mediated Cas9 inhibition and provide valuable insights into the ongoing evolutionary battle between bacteria and phages.
Reduction of ZFX levels decreases histone H4 acetylation and increases Pol2 pausing at target promoters
Authors: Hsu Emily , Hutchison Katherine , Liu Yao , Nicolet Charles M , Schreiner Shannon , Zemke Nathan R , Farnham Peggy J
Published: May 2024

The ZFX transcriptional activator binds to CpG island promoters, with a major peak at ∼200–250 bp downstream from transcription start sites. Because ZFX binds within the transcribed region, we investigated whether it regulates transcriptional elongation. We used GRO-seq to show that loss or reduction of ZFX increased Pol2 pausing at ZFX-regulated promoters. To further investigate the mechanisms by which ZFX regulates transcription, we determined regions of the protein needed for transactivation and for recruitment to the chromatin. Interestingly, although ZFX has 13 grouped zinc fingers, deletion of the first 11 fingers produces a protein that can still bind to chromatin and activate transcription. We next used TurboID-MS to detect ZFX-interacting proteins, identifying ZNF593, as well as proteins that interact with the N-terminal transactivation domain (which included histone modifying proteins), and proteins that interact with ZFX when it is bound to the chromatin (which included TAFs and other histone modifying proteins). Our studies support a model in which ZFX enhances elongation at target promoters by recruiting H4 acetylation complexes and reducing pausing.
The Effects of Changes in Cigarette Menthol Content on Acute Nicotine Pharmacology and Smoking Topography
Authors: Dimova Hristina , Schroeder Megan J , Pickworth Wallace B , Wang Jia , Oniyide Olusola , Viray Lauren C , Smith Carson , Koszowski Bartosz , Jackson Kia J
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Menthol influences the appeal and addictiveness of cigarette smoking, however the data regarding menthol’s effects on nicotine pharmacokinetics (PK) and smoking topography are inconsistent. This study investigated the impact of different cigarette menthol levels on nicotine pharmacology and smoking topography in current menthol smokers.

Aims and Methods

The study was a double-blind, randomized, four-period, crossover study to investigate the effects of smoking cigarettes with varying menthol content (0, 3, 6, and 12 mg menthol) on nicotine PK, smoking topography, and subjective effects in current menthol smokers. Each experimental session consisted of a prescribed use session, followed by 145 min of no smoking and a 1-h ad libitum smoking session. Serial blood samples were collected; smoking topography was recorded using CReSS Lab topography device.

Results

There was no significant effect of menthol on nicotine PK after prescribed smoking of cigarettes with varying menthol contents. During ad libitum smoking, there was significantly smaller total puff volume and puff duration in the 12 mg menthol condition compared to other menthol conditions. Subjective and sensory measures indicated significantly higher overall positive ratings for the 3 mg and 6 mg menthol cigarettes compared to the 0 mg menthol cigarette; the 12 mg menthol cigarette was less liked and harsher than the 3 mg condition.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that menthol, at concentrations reflecting the marketplace (3–6 mg), contributes to positive subjective smoking experiences among menthol smokers, but does not have a significant effect on nicotine PK or smoking topography in an acute laboratory setting.

Implications

While our data indicate that varying menthol content does not have a significant impact on nicotine’s pharmacological effects under acute exposure conditions, these data highlight the contribution of menthol’s flavor and sensory effects to product preference and positive smoking experiences, which facilitate repeated experimentation, progression to regular use, and subsequent dependence.
The impact of time-restricted eating on health-related quality of life: a systematic literature review
Authors: Sones Brooke E , Devlin Brooke L
Published: May 2024

Context

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a novel dietary intervention shown to facilitate weight loss and improve metabolic health. However, like any dietary intervention, long-term success largely depends on individual adherence, which can be influenced by whether the intervention impacts the individual’s health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Despite the growing body of research investigating TRE as a dietary approach and its potential impact on HR-QoL in adults, to date there has been no systematic review to summarize these findings.

Objective

To examine the impact of TRE on HR-QoL in adults.

Data Sources

All randomized controlled trials, pre-post and pilot/feasibility studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE via Ovid, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO via Ovid until March 20, 2023.

Data Extraction

Two researchers were involved in the screening and paper selection process. A single researcher extracted all relevant data from eligible studies.

Conclusion

Overall, 10 studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Four studies reported improvements in overall HR-QoL scores among participants with type 2 diabetes, middle-aged women with obesity, generally healthy adults, and generally healthy adult employees. Three studies reported significant and nonsignificant improvements in some domains of HR-QoL assessment tools among overweight, sedentary older adults, overweight or obese adults, and 24-hour shift workers. No studies reported that TRE adversely affected HR-QoL. Improvements in HR-QoL appeared to occur primarily at 12 weeks/3 months. There was no clear relationship between HR-QoL scores and TRE protocol, additional study outcomes, participant health status, age, or adherence. Although further research is required to elucidate the impact of TRE on HR-QoL, the findings reveal that no studies show that TRE adversely affects HR-QoL.

Systematic Review Registration

Open Science Framework (OSF) (The Impact of Time-Restricted Eating on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9NK45).
Applying Laws Across Time: Disentangling the ‘Always Speaking’ Principles
Authors: Kelly Martin David
Published: May 2024

Common-law judges frequently claim to apply the ‘always speaking’ principle. But they recognise that they are not clear on what it means, with Lord Leggatt recently calling the metaphor ‘enigmatic’. In this article, I seek to clarify this by showing that the ‘always speaking’ metaphor is associated with at least four different types of principle, each of which responds to a distinct issue (although there is a common theme: change over time). I explore the origins of the ‘always speaking’ metaphor, distinguish the four issues and explain how they relate. I argue that it is important to disentangle the four types of ‘always speaking’ principle, with a focus on distinguishing principles of dynamic (versus originalist) interpretation from principles that empower judges to strain or ‘recast’ legislation to deal with new developments sensibly. In doing so, I analyse and critique the judgments in the recent UK Supreme Court case of News Corp.