bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attribute Preferences and Economic Value of Green Electricity in Pakistan
Authors: Muhammad-Jawad I , Abdul-Rahim A S , Sulaiman C
Published: December 2022

Huge reliance on thermal power for electricity generation, the power sector of Pakistan has become significant contributor to GHG emissions. Government has plans to improve and upgrade the electricity infrastructure through generating more electricity from renewable energy sources. In order to evaluate the economic benefits which people are expected to gain if different sources of green electricity are incre0ased in the system and their preferences for any specific renewable energy sources are aimed in this study. The objectives of this study were explored by employing choice experiment (CE). The respondents were divided into two broad categories of urban and rural. Three main sources of green electricity (Hydroelectricity, wind and solar) along with load shedding attribute were explored. The Conditional Logit Model and Mixed Logit Models were employed to identify the consumer’s preferences and estimation of the marginal values. Results showed that the urban and rural consumers chose solar as the most preferred source and marginal values for this source is 0.17 cents per kWh consumption and 0.19 cents per kWh consumption in urban and rural models respectively.
Annotated Checklist of Small Terrestrial Vertebrates at CFSII SL7 Ecological Corridor: Angsi Forest Reserve-Berembun Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
Authors: Faradiana N M F , Shahfiz M A , Hazwani A R Nor , Kaviarasu M , Syaridzwan M B , Mohd Shahril A R , Stephanie L , Rusli T
Published: December 2022

Surveys of small terrestrial vertebrates were conducted at identified Central Forest Spine (CFS) ecological corridor named CFSII SL7 (Secondary Linkage-7) involving Angsi Forest Reserve and Berembun Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan. The surveys were conducted in February, April, and September 2018. The main objective of these surveys is to update the checklist of small vertebrate species recorded in the corridor. Three plots were established, two located in Berembun FR, referred to as Berembun FR I and Berembun FR II, while one located at Angsi FR. A total of 100 collapsible cage traps, three harp traps, 10 mist nets, and 25 pitfall traps were deployed at each site. These traps were set for five consecutive nights per session, with two sampling sessions per site. In addition, direct observations and active searches were also conducted for arboreal species and herpetofauna respectively. A total of 326 individuals comprising 26 species of small mammals (eight families), 43 species of avifauna (19 families), and 22 species of herpetofauna (10 families) were recorded during the surveys. Berembun FR I harbor the highest number of small vertebrates (50 species), followed by Angsi FR and Berembun FR II with 43 and 39 species, respectively. In addition, 39 of the overall documented species are additionally recorded as small vertebrates compared to a compilation of previously listed species at both forest reserves. Through these results, it is hoped that the significance of these fragmented forests under CFSII SL7 as crucial habitats for small vertebrates can be further highlighted, and appropriate conservation measures must be taken to safeguard the small vertebrate population in these areas.
Interaction of Various Ecological Factors on Benthic Macroinvertebrate and River Health
Authors: Aweng E R , Aisyah S O S , Salam M A , Liyana A A , Mior I B
Published: December 2022

River health is an aspect that goes beyond river cleanliness. This is because a clean river does not necessarily have life in it but a healthy river do. The ecological component is a factor that affects aquatic life which at the same time describes the level of river health. To answer this question, a study to identify the relationship between ecological factors and aquatic life with river health was conducted. This study was conducted in Sungai Mengkibol, Sungai Madek and Sungai Dengar in Johor. There were a total of five sampling sites, three for impact stations and two as reference stations, including one highland station. Total of seven elements namely ecological indices, physico-chemical water quality, river riparian, canopy cover, large woody debris (LWD), river discharge and substrate composition were measured and analyzed. Surber net measuring 500 micron mesh size combined with a rectangular quadrate of 30 cm x 30 cm (0.09 m2) were used to sample the benthic macro-invertebrate. Chi-square test was performed to determine the association level between one variable with another, meanwhile Pearson’s R value was analyzed to determine the correlation level either it is strong or weak. The results show that, all river ecological components have a significant correlation to the benthic macroinvertebrate ecological indices, however the association was varies. Based on the chi-square test, Pearson’s value, p and Pearson’s R value, the interplay (interaction) of various ecological factors on aquatic life forms and river health was produced with various p-value<0.05 and R-value is more than 0.5. It can be suggested that the ecological indices for benthic macroinvertebrates can be used as an indicator to assess river health.
Impact of National Movement Control Orders toward Ground Level Ozone Concentrations in Shah Alam
Authors: Awang Norrimi Rosaida , Hussin Nur Nadhirah Mohd , Nazir Amni Umirah Mohd
Published: December 2022

Malaysia is currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed hundreds of innocent lives. Because of the health problems impose by the pandemic, the government has ordered to implement the movement control order (MCO) starting March 18, 2020. With this movement control order in place, people are not allowed to leave the house. Therefore, movement on the road can also be reduced. This study was conducted to investigate the emission concentrations of ground-level ozone into the air during MCOs in an urbanized area of Shah Alam. This secondary data of ground-level ozone (O3) was acquired from the Department of Environment in 2020 and interpreted using the methods of box and whisker plot, time series analysis, and diurnal variation plot. The results found that the concentrations of air pollutants in each type of MCOs implemented were different in terms of trends. During the early implementations of MCOs, results showed that there was a slight decrement in O3 concentrations and as MCOs periods continued, there higher decrements in O3 concentrations were observed. During the MCOs period, non-exceedance episodes were recorded which show the level of ground-level ozone was significantly improved result of the implementation of MCOs. Results also suggested there is a shift in the peak concentration time as the plot showed peak concentrations were reached between 4 to 6 p.m. which is quite later as normally peaks O3 concentrations were reported normally reached from 12 noon to 2 p.m. [13]
Effect of Extender Supplemented with Date Palm Pollen Grain on Caprine Semen Qualities
Authors: Ng P S , Sabri F A Mohd , Azman M N I Mohd , Rahman M M , Khalif R I A Raja
Published: December 2022

Date Palm Pollen Grain (DPPG) were proved to maintain semen characteristics and quality in bulls, equines, and buffaloes. However, DPPG as supplementation in the extender for goats are scarce. Hence, the aims of this research were to investigate the semen motility and viability and to examine the functional membrane integrity of semen in different concentrations of DPPG supplemented in goat semen extenders. In this study, DPPG was added with 4% and 8% in tris-citrate-fructose-yolk (TCFY) semen extender and chilled at 5°C for 0, 24 and 48 hours. The diluted semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity. A total of four ejaculations from two Boer bucks were used in this study. The results indicated that the ability to maintain sperm viability was significantly higher in the extender supplemented with 8% DPPG in all storage times (P<0.05). Furthermore, 8% of DPPG in extender significantly improved sperm motility after 48 hours (56.67±5.57) compared to control (0% DPPG) (40.83±3.00) and 4% DPPG (43.33±5.24). Results also showed that sperm membrane integrity percentage in 8% DPPG (40.00±4.04) was significantly higher than control (30.33±2.19) at 0-hour storage time. The extender supplemented with 8% DPPG indicated the best result in maintaining sperm quality after 24 hours of chilled storage compared with other treatments. In conclusion, 8% of DPPG supplemented in semen extenders proved to maintain viability, motility and membrane integrity compared to control.
Small Vertebrates in Central Forest Spine (CFS) Landscape: CFSI PL1 Tanum - Sungai Yu Forest Reserves, Pahang
Authors: Ruzman N H Ahmad , Shahfiz M A , Fauzi N F M , Munian K , Mahyudin N A A , Azahar M A , Baharudin M S , Appanan M , Beri A Z Zam , Shahrini N N A , Farhan M S
Published: December 2022

Small vertebrate assessments were conducted in Pahang’s three forest reserves: Tanum, Sungai Yu and Ulu Jelai. The Central Forest Spine (CFS) initiative has identified these forest reserves as CFSI PL1. The assessments were carried out from July until August 2019. This study aims to determine species diversity and update the checklist of small vertebrates in the forest reserves. A 1ha plot was established in each forest reserve for this study. Traps were used to capture and document these vertebrates, including 100 collapsible cage traps, three harp traps, 10 mist nets, and 25 pitfall traps deployed at each sampling site. In addition, the surveys also carried out active searches for herpetofauna and direct observations. Overall, this study recorded 102 species from 35 families of small vertebrates. Of these, small mammals (26 spp. from eight families), birds (56 spp. from 17 families) and herpetofauna (20 spp. from 10 families) were recorded during this study. Tanum FR recorded the highest species diversity of small mammals (H’ value=2.745). Ulu Jelai FR has the highest diversity of birds (H’ value=3.366), and Sungai Yu FR has the highest diversity of herpetofauna (H’ value=2.313). Eleven small mammal species are recorded as new distributional records for the forest reserves. As for birds, this study contributes 25 additional species to the previous checklist of birds in PL1. Compilation of the studies also recorded 22 threatened species of vertebrates in PL1. This information is expected to assist the stakeholders in developing a management plan for the forest mosaics in the corridor to serve as an important habitat for small vertebrates continuously.
Threatened Herpetofauna: Important Information Towards Establishment of Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) in Perak
Authors: Appanan M , Beri A Z Zam , Azman M S , Ruzman N H Ahmad , Azahar M A , Munian K , Fauzi N F MD , Baharudin M S , Mahyudin N A A
Published: December 2022

Target 9 in the National Policy on Biological Diversity elaborates on the prevention of known threatened species extinction, and their conservation status needs to be improved by 2025. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) is a comprehensive approach to conserving globally threatened species, including herpetofauna and their habitats. A site must meet the thresholds for at least one criterion to qualify as Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). This paper aims to demonstrate threatened herpetofauna information in Perak based on published literature according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification. A total of 34 papers were accessed starting from 1977 until 2022. Of these, 14 threatened herpetofauna species were identified: Nanohyla annectens, Cyrtodactylus guakanthanensis, Cyrtodactylus jarakensis, Heosemys grandis, Batagur affinis, Manouria emys, Manouria impressa, Pelochelys cantorii, Cuora amboinensis, Heosemys spinosa, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, Amyda cartilaginea, Pseudocalotes larutensis, and Larutia larutensis. There was only 1.9% (1sp), and 11.4% (13spp) of the total number (166spp) of amphibians (52spp) and reptiles (114spp) were published, respectively. However, coordinates of the exact locations must be gathered to ensure spatial and temporal information can be developed to locate the habitat of threatened species. In short, studies on herpetofauna in Perak is still in need. At least, from this assessment, another step towards identifying KBA in Perak has been initiated and must be continued.
Impact of Modified Perceived Value on Ecotourists’ Satisfaction at National Park: An Empirical Assessment Using PLS-SEM and IPMA
Authors: Nordin M R , Jamal S A , Anuar N A M
Published: December 2022

Ecotourism in nature-based surroundings provides positive and valuable experiences and contributes to enhancing lives. Despite the availability of a considerable amount of prior research examining perceived value, still there is a lack of empirical studies examining the experiential nature exposure value at protected areas such as national parks. This study introduced the modified perceived value (Eco-PERV) measurement scale. A conceptual model was formulated and empirically tested to examine how domestic ecotourist perceived values (functional, economic, novelty and health and wellbeing) impact their satisfaction. One hundred fifty valid responses of domestic ecotourists were analysed using SmartPLS 3.2.8 software. Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and important-performance map analysis (IPMA) were used to test the model. Findings from SEM analysis revealed that health and wellbeing and economic value, has significant impact on domestic ecotourist satisfaction. Further, the IPMA shows that health and wellbeing are the most important and high-performance values. Thus, this study proved the innovative concept of the national parks as a catalyst resource in terms of fostering health and wellbeing more than just merely existing roles. This study also provides insight into the experiential nature of national parks and offered significant practical implications to the stakeholders.
Comparative Analysis of Airborne Particulates and Indoor Physical Parameters between Dry and Wet Laboratories at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Authors: Zainordin Nazatul Syadia , Azlan Nurdiyana , Arsaad Norisha , Mauliadi Abhimanyu , Sharif Amirul Faiz Mohd , Rosli Nur Cempaka Edlin
Published: December 2022

Laboratories are special micro-environments in university buildings in which the levels of pollutants depend on the nature of the experiments and the number of people employed. The aim of this study is to compare the airborne particulate (PM2.5) and the physical parameters in the existing indoor environment of Faculty of Forestry and Environment (FHAS) dry and wet laboratories. PM2.5, air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH) and air speed (AS) were monitored for nine working hours in selected dry and wet laboratories. Dusttrak aerosol monitor and Kestrel 4500 were used to collect the data for PM2.5 and the physical parameters, respectively. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize the data characteristics. Meanwhile, independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation were conducted to compare the mean variables for dry and wet laboratories and measure the linear association strength between parameters, respectively. The results showed that airborne particulates and RH recorded were below and within the Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) acceptable limits which is 150μg/m3 and between 40-70%, respectively. Some of the laboratories have AT in the range of 23-26°C while others were not in the acceptable range where Chemical Laboratory recorded the highest (30 ± 0.5°C), while Xylarium was the lowest (18 ± 2.2°C). As for the AS, majority of the laboratories did not have air movement in the range of 0.15 – 0.50 m/s. Some of them recorded no air flow for the entire monitoring hours. Independent t-test analysis showed there was no significant difference between dry and wet laboratories in terms of the airborne particles, AT and RH, except for AS (p<0.05). The results from Pearson’s correlation found that airborne particles have significant relationship with all physical parameters in wet laboratories, while only RH and AS were found significant in dry laboratories. Therefore, it can be concluded that both laboratories have similar indoor air quality except for AS which highly depends on the ventilation systems and occupants’ activities.
Evaluation of knowledge and perception of locals toward the conservation effort in mangrove forest at Delta Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Rahim Aqilah Abdul , Jemali Noor Janatun Naim , Aziz Roslizawati Che , Majid Syafinie , Muhammad Marinah , Razafbinrabe Bam , Abong Nur Najwa Dina , Nordin Suryani Mohd , Yusof Melati
Published: December 2022

The importance of mangrove forests in protecting shorelines and mangrove ecosystems is very crucial. Due to industrialization and monetary demands, mangrove forests are at risk of losing their function and integrity over time. The commitment and awareness of the community are critical factors in the success of the mangrove conservation in Tumpat. With a quantitative approach, we collected demographic information from 116 (male 58.6%, female 41.4%) respondents to evaluate their knowledge and perception of mangrove conservation efforts in Tumpat, Kelantan. This study revealed that respondents’ level of knowledge and perception is significantly influenced by gender, age, level of education, occupation, income, and locality of residency which was analyzed using the Chi-square test (p<0.05). The importance of conserving the Tumpat mangrove forest and its ecosystems is highly rated by the respondents. Hence, they are eager to engage in any conservation initiatives that the forestry department may provide. However, 9.5% of total respondents are reluctant to cooperate in mangrove protection efforts due to less awareness of the mangrove conservation importance in Tumpat. Further initiatives should be implemented to enhance local community knowledge about the value of mangrove forests as well as to encourage them to participate in mangrove conservation programs.
Regimes of Extreme Permission in Southeast Asia: Theorizing State-Corporate Crime in the Global South
Authors: Ciocchini Pablo , Greener Joe
Published: December 2022

Corporations’ profit-making objectives are a central force guiding development strategies in the Global South but contradictorily can be blamed for a range of social and environmental harms. This article brings a state-corporate crime lens to bear on the economic and political processes that shape Global South-located commodity production. It seeks to understand the functioning of neo-imperialist profiteering through elaborating the concept of regimes of extreme permission, described as modalities of ‘intense’ accumulation, defined by weaker or unstable forms of hegemony consolidation, illegal/illicit practices, state-sanctioned violence and various socio-environmental degradations. Through analyses of two regimes of extreme permission in the SE Asian context—Indonesian palm oil plantations and Export Processing Zones for garment production in the Greater Mekong Subregion—the paper describes the role of states and corporations in constructing the repressive socio-political space required for neo-colonial corporate accumulation. We contribute to ‘Southernizing’ criminology by re-articulating state-corporate crime theory within imperialist contexts. It also shows that neo-colonialism can be understood as the de-regulation of corporate accumulation.
Long-term weight loss and metabolic benefit from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with superobesity
Authors: Mantziari Styliani , Thomopoulos Theodoros , Abboretti Francesco , Gaspar-Figueiredo Sergio , Dayer Anna , Demartines Nicolas , Suter Michel
Published: December 2022

Background

Although Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is widely performed worldwide, its efficacy in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 50 kg/m2 remains controversial. The aim of the present paper was to assess long-term (10 years or more) weight loss and metabolic results of RYGB in patients with superobesity (SO; BMI > 50 kg/m2), compared with patients with morbid obesity (MO; BMI 35–50 kg/m2).

Methods

This study involved retrospective analysis of a prospectively followed cohort of adult patients operated on for a primary RYGB between 1999 and 2008. Long-term weight loss and metabolic parameters were compared between SO and MO patients, with a sex-specific subgroup analysis in SO patients. Multiple logistic regression assessed independent predictors of poor long-term weight loss.

Results

Among the 957 included patients, 193 (20.2 per cent) were SO (mean BMI 55.3 kg/m2versus 43.3 kg/m2 in MO). Upon 10-year follow-up, which was complete in 86.3 per cent of patients, BMI remained higher in SO patients (mean 39.1 kg/m2versus 30.8 kg/m2, P < 0.001) although total bodyweight loss (per cent TBWL) was similar (28.3 per cent versus 28.8 per cent, P = 0.644). Male SO patients had a trend to higher 10-year per cent TBWL, while initial BMI greater than 50 kg/m2 and low 5-year per cent TBWL were independent predictors of long-term TBWL less than 20 per cent. Diabetes remission was observed in 39 per cent SO and 40.9 per cent MO patients (P = 0.335) at 10 years, and all patients had a significant lipid profile improvement.

Conclusion

Substantial improvement in co-morbidities was observed in all patients 10 years after RYGB. Total weight loss was similar in SO and MO patients, leaving SO patients with higher BMI. Suboptimal TBWL 5 years after surgery in SO, especially female patients, may warrant prompt reassessment to improve long-term outcomes.
Emotional states as distinct configurations of functional brain networks
Authors: Dan Rotem , Weinstock Marta , Goelman Gadi
Published: December 2022

The conceptualization of emotional states as patterns of interactions between large-scale brain networks has recently gained support. Yet, few studies have directly examined the brain’s network structure during emotional experiences. Here, we investigated the brain’s functional network organization during experiences of sadness, amusement, and neutral states elicited by movies, in addition to a resting-state. We tested the effects of the experienced emotion on individual variability in the brain’s functional connectome. Next, for each state, we defined a community structure of the brain and quantified its segregation and integration. We found that sadness, relative to amusement, was associated with higher modular integration and increased connectivity of cognitive control networks: the salience and fronto-parietal networks. Moreover, in both the functional connectome and the emotional report, the similarity between individuals was dependent on the sex. Our results suggest that the experience of emotion is linked to a reconfiguration of whole-brain distributed, not emotion-specific, functional networks and that the brain’s topological structure carries information about the subjective emotional experience.
Elevated integration within the reward network underlies vulnerability to distress
Authors: Kozak Stas , Dezachyo Or , Stanford William , Bar-Haim Yair , Censor Nitzan , Dayan Eran
Published: December 2022

Distress tolerance (DT), the capability to persist under negative circumstances, underlies a range of psychopathologies. It has been proposed that DT may originate from the activity and connectivity in diverse neural networks integrated by the reward system. To test this hypothesis, we examined the link between DT and integration and segregation in the reward network as derived from resting-state functional connectivity data. DT was measured in 147 participants from a large community sample using the Behavioral Indicator of Resiliency to Distress task. Prior to DT evaluation, participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. For each participant, we constructed a whole-brain functional connectivity network and calculated the degree of reward network integration and segregation based on the extent to which reward network nodes showed functional connections within and outside their network. We found that distress-intolerant participants demonstrated heightened reward network integration relative to the distress-tolerant participants. In addition, these differences in integration were higher relative to the rest of the brain and, more specifically, the somatomotor network, which has been implicated in impulsive behavior. These findings support the notion that increased integration in large-scale brain networks may constitute a risk for distress intolerance and its psychopathological correlates.
Entrepreneurship and digital capitalism: an assessment of corporate power
Authors: Catalano Domenico
Published: December 2022

I propose verifying whether, in the context of “high-tech” capitalism, large companies have reinforced their control over innovation. The new digital economy has often been associated with the emergence of a market democracy which is favourable to new entrants through the adoption of innovative entrepreneurial approaches. The economic evolution resulting from the digital economy seems to call into question the findings of the theory of monopoly capitalism formulated in the context of industrial capitalism, which gives a central place to giant companies. The identification and exploitation of innovative opportunities were thus considered to be the prerogative of large firms, thus limiting the possibilities of market entry. Based on the analysis of 10,900 patent applications, I demonstrate that the control of innovation by Big Tech companies in the digital industry is stronger than in other industries and less favourable to new entrants.
Thoracic aortic vascular graft infection: outcome after conservative treatment without graft removal
Authors: Kouijzer Ilse J E , Baranelli Celine T , Maat Ianthe , van den Heuvel Frederik M A , Aarntzen Erik H J G , Smith Tim , de Mast Quirijn , Geuzebroek Guillaume S C
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES

Surgical debridement with aortic graft removal is considered the preferred treatment for thoracic aortic vascular graft infection (VGI). Conservative treatment with antibiotics only is usually reserved for inoperable patients. Due to Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) and better understanding of the antibiotic impact on biofilms, long-term targeted antibiotic therapy without graft removal may be an alternative treatment option for selected thoracic aortic VGI patients. The aim of this case series was to evaluate the outcome in patients with thoracic aortic VGI who were treated without graft removal.

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with a thoracic aortic VGI diagnosed between 2008 and 2021 and who were treated without graft removal. The primary outcome parameter was the 6-month mortality rate after VGI diagnosis. Secondary outcome parameters were cure rates and relapse of infection.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients with thoracic aortic VGI who were managed without graft removal were identified. The mortality rate 6 months after VGI diagnosis was 8% (2/24); one of these deaths was infection related. The median antibiotic treatment duration was 13 months (interquartile range 15). A total of 16 patients (67%) were cured. No relapses occurred after a median of 24-month (interquartile range 32) follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive antibiotic treatment, without graft removal, may be a non-inferior option in patients with a thoracic aortic VGI who are not considered for surgery.
Global trends and regional differences in incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease, 1990−2019: findings from 2019 global burden of disease study
Authors: Li Yan , Cao Gui-ying , Jing Wen-zhan , Liu Jue , Liu Min
Published: December 2022

Aims

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is linked with a regional economic burden. We analysed and compared global trends as well as regional and sociodemographic differences in CVD incidence and mortality.

Methods and results

We obtained data to annual incident cases, deaths, age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of CVD during 1990–2019 from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. To quantify the temporal trends, we calculated changes in the incident cases and deaths as well as the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of age-standardized rates. Globally, CVD incident cases increased by 77.12% from 31.31 million in 1990 to 55.45 million in 2019; deaths rose by 53.81% from 12.07 million in 1990 to 18.56 million in 2019. The overall ASIR [EAPC, −0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.59 to −0.53] and ASMR (EAPC, −1.46; 95%CI, −1.51 to −1.40) decreased in this period. Against the global trend of ASIR falling, an increasing trend was found in Uzbekistan (EAPC, 1.24; 95%CI, 0.97–1.50), Tajikistan (EAPC, 0.49; 95%CI, 0.47–0.52), and Zimbabwe (EAPC, 0.42; 95%CI, 0.33–0.50). The number of CVD incident cases increased remarkably in low (108.3%), low-middle (114.81%), and middle (117.85%) sociodemographic index regions in 1990–2019.

Conclusion

Despite the increased number of CVD cases and deaths after adjusting for changes in population age, we observed a consistent decrease in age-standardized incidence and mortality in most countries. However, specific regions—especially low to middle SDI regions—present worrying increases in CVD cases and deaths.
Characterization of the Doublesex/MAB-3 transcription factor DMD-9 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Godini Rasoul , Pocock Roger
Published: December 2022

DMD-9 is a Caenorhabditis elegans Doublesex/MAB-3 Domain transcription factor (TF) of unknown function. Single-cell transcriptomics has revealed that dmd-9 is highly expressed in specific head sensory neurons, with lower levels detected in non-neuronal tissues (uterine cells and sperm). Here, we characterized endogenous dmd-9 expression and function in hermaphrodites and males to identify potential sexually dimorphic roles. In addition, we dissected the trans- and cis-regulatory mechanisms that control DMD-9 expression in neurons. Our results show that of the 22 neuronal cell fate reporters we assessed in DMD-9-expressing neurons, only the neuropeptide-encoding flp-19 gene is cell-autonomously regulated by DMD-9. Further, we did not identify defects in behaviors mediated by DMD-9 expressing neurons in dmd-9 mutants. We found that dmd-9 expression in neurons is regulated by 4 neuronal fate regulatory TFs: ETS-5, EGL-13, CHE-1, and TTX-1. In conclusion, our study characterized the DMD-9 expression pattern and regulatory logic for its control. The lack of detectable phenotypes in dmd-9 mutant animals suggests that other proteins compensate for its loss.
Genome assembly and association tests identify interacting loci associated with vigor, precocity, and sex in interspecific pistachio rootstocks
Authors: Palmer William , Jacygrad Ewelina , Sagayaradj Sagayamary , Cavanaugh Keri , Han Rongkui , Bertier Lien , Beede Bob , Kafkas Salih , Golino Deborah , Preece John , Michelmore Richard
Published: December 2022

Understanding the basis of hybrid vigor remains a key question in crop breeding and improvement, especially for rootstock development where F1 hybrids are extensively utilized. Full-sibling UCB-1 F1 seedling rootstocks are widely planted in commercial pistachio orchards that are generated by crossing 2 highly heterozygous outbreeding parental trees of Pistacia atlantica (female) and P. integerrima (male). This results in extensive phenotypic variability, prompting costly removal of low-yielding small trees. To identify the genetic basis of this variability, we assembled chromosome-scale genome assemblies of the parental trees of UCB-1. We genotyped 960 UCB-1 trees in an experimental orchard for which we also collected multiyear phenotypes. We genotyped an additional 1,358 rootstocks in 6 commercial pistachio orchards and collected single-year tree-size data. Genome-wide single marker association tests identified loci associated with tree size and shape, sex, and precocity. In the experimental orchard, we identified multiple trait-associated loci and a strong candidate for ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes. We found significant marker associations unique to different traits and to early vs late phenotypic measures of the same trait. We detected 2 loci strongly associated with rootstock size in commercial orchards. Pseudo-testcross classification of markers demonstrated that the trait-associated alleles for each locus were segregating in the gametes of opposite parents. These 2 loci interact epistatically to generate the bimodal distribution of tree size with undesirable small trees observed by growers. We identified candidate genes within these regions. These findings provide a foundational resource for marker development and genetic selection of vigorous pistachio UCB-1 rootstock.
Bodies in the belfry: gender, sociability and urban space in early eighteenth-century London
Authors: Tullett William
Published: December 2022

Bells were central to eighteenth-century politics, culture and community, and yet we have little understanding of those that set them ringing. This article uses a manuscript compiled by the London bell-ringer and horologist William Laughton to trace how ringing offered men the opportunity to materialize civil manners, efface cultures of insult and work out forms of patriarchal fraternity through repetitive, ritual embodiment. Ringers imagined bells as women’s tongues to be set right and the belfry, sociable spaces and the household as layered transparencies that, when seen through each other, gave meaning to their urban associational culture.
Modularity, identity, and the constitutional diagonal
Authors: Langlois Richard N
Published: December 2022

The framework of modular systems articulated in Design Rules can be applied in the larger setting of social institutions. The principles of encapsulation and information hiding operate in society as mechanisms to internalize externalities. This essay focuses on intangible externalities, or “moralisms,” that involve the transmission across module boundaries of pure information rather than materials or energy. Such intangible externalities arise in the practice of identity, the affiliations through which individuals create and define their sense of self. Both formally and informally, individuals tend to modularize themselves into identity groups in order to minimize the costs of the intangible externalities that identities impose on one another. One important way to reduce conflict among identity groups is to create a governance structure in which some interactions are proscribed—the constitutional diagonal. In the end, because of the inherent incompatibilities—the non-modular interactions—between identities that arise inevitably from the very meaning and function of identity, genuine toleration is possible only through the increased standardization of identities. The essay applies these ideas to the problems facing large social networks like Facebook.
Accuracy of a precision dosing software program for predicting antibiotic concentrations in critically ill patients
Authors: Chai Ming G , Roberts Jason A , Farkas Andras , Cotta Menino O
Published: December 2022

Background

Critically ill patients with sepsis are predisposed to physiological changes that can reduce the probability of achieving target antibiotic exposures. Precision dosing software programs may be used to improve probability of obtaining these target exposures.

Objective

To quantify the accuracy of a precision dosing software program for predicting antibiotic concentrations as well as to assess the impact of using software predictions on actual dosing adjustments.

Patients and methods

The software program ID-ODS was used to predict concentrations for piperacillin, meropenem and vancomycin using patient covariate data with and without the use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data. The impact of these predictions on actual dosage adjustments was determined by using software predicted concentrations versus measured concentrations.

Results

Software predictions for piperacillin and meropenem exhibited large bias that improved with the addition of TDM data (bias improved from −28.8 to −2.0 mg/L for piperacillin and −3.0 to −0.1 mg/L for meropenem). Dosing changes using predicted concentrations of piperacillin and meropenem with TDM data versus measured concentrations were matched on 89.2% (107/120) and 71% (9/69) occasions, respectively. Although vancomycin predictions demonstrated good accuracy with and without TDM, these findings were limited by our small sample size.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that precision dosing software programs may have scope to reasonably predict antibiotic concentrations in critically ill patients with sepsis. The addition of TDM data improves the predictive performance of the software for all three antibiotics and the ability to anticipate the correct dose change required.
Drug resistance in children and adolescents with HIV in Panama
Authors: Ventosa-Cubillo Judit , Pinzón Ramón , González-Alba José María , Estripeaut Dora , Navarro María Luisa , Holguín África
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The inadequacy of resistance monitoring in Latin America leads to circulation of HIV strains with drug resistance mutations (DRMs), compromising ART effectiveness. This study describes the DRM prevalence in HIV-infected paediatric patients in Panama.

Methods

During 2018–19, plasma was collected from 76 HIV-infected children/adolescents (5 ART-naive, 71 treated) in Panama for HIV-1 DRM pol analysis, predicted antiretroviral (ARV) susceptibility by Stanford, and HIV-1 variant phylogenetic characterization.

Results

HIV-1 pol sequences were recovered from 67 (88.2%) of 76 children/adolescents (median age 12 years), carrying 65 subtype B, 1 subtype G and 1 unique recombinant URF_A1B. Five were ART-naive and 62 ART-treated under virological failure (viraemia >50 copies/mL) with previous exposure to NRTIs, (100%), NNRTIs (45.2%), PIs (95.2%) and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs, 17.7%). Among the treated patients, 34 (54.8%) carried resistant strains, with major DRMs to one (40.3%), two (9.7%) or three (4.8%) ARV families. Most of them harboured DRMs to NRTIs (58.5%) or NNRTIs (39%), but also major DRMs to PIs (4.9%) and INSTIs (6.5%). We also found dual-class NRTI + NNRTI (12.2%) and NNRTI + PI (2.6%) resistance. Two naive subjects carried viruses with DRMs to NRTIs and NRTI + NNRTI, respectively. Sequenced viruses presented high/intermediate resistance mainly to emtricitabine/lamivudine (48.9% each) and efavirenz/nevirapine (33.3% each). Most participants were susceptible to PIs (91.3%) and INSTIs (88.1%).

Conclusions

The high DRM prevalence to NRTIs and NNRTIs observed among treated HIV-infected children/adolescents in Panama justifies the need for routine resistance monitoring for optimal rescue therapy selection in this vulnerable population.
Modeling the impact of data sharing on variant classification
Authors: Casaletto James , Cline Melissa , Shirts Brian
Published: December 2022

Objective

Many genetic variants are classified, but many more are variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Clinical observations of patients and their families may provide sufficient evidence to classify VUS. Understanding how long it takes to accumulate sufficient patient data to classify VUS can inform decisions in data sharing, disease management, and functional assay development.

Materials and Methods

Our software models the accumulation of clinical evidence (and excludes all other types of evidence) to measure their unique impact on variant interpretation. We illustrate the time and probability for VUS classification when laboratories share evidence, when they silo evidence, and when they share only variant interpretations.

Results

Using conservative assumptions for frequencies of observed clinical evidence, our models show the probability of classifying rare pathogenic variants with an allele frequency of 1/100 000 increases from less than 25% with no data sharing to nearly 80% after one year when labs share data, with nearly 100% classification after 5 years. Conversely, our models found that extremely rare (1/1 000 000) variants have a low probability of classification using only clinical data.

Discussion

These results quantify the utility of data sharing and demonstrate the importance of alternative lines of evidence for interpreting rare variants. Understanding variant classification circumstances and timelines provides valuable insight for data owners, patients, and service providers. While our modeling parameters are based on our own assumptions of the rate of accumulation of clinical observations, users may download the software and run simulations with updated parameters.

Conclusions

The modeling software is available at https://github.com/BRCAChallenge/classification-timelines.
Fingerprints: A New Specimen for Innovative Applications for the Detection of Xenobiotics
Authors: Ameline Alice , Gheddar Laurie , Arbouche Nadia , Raul Jean-Sébastien , Kintz Pascal
Published: December 2022

Fingerprints are invisible traces that result from a deposition of sweat and sebum present on the papillary ridges. As sweat and sebum contain drugs, fingerprints are promising since collection is rapid, non-invasive and difficult to falsify. Very limited data are available in the literature, and therefore, it seems opportune to study the transfer of xenobiotics onto the items taken in hand via the fingerprints. Two studies were implemented using the ballpoint pen as a model. The objective of the first study was to compare the nicotine concentrations found on the pens of three smokers and three non-smokers. Five pens, belonging to each subject and used regularly, were rubbed with a cotton swab dipped in methanol and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS). The second study was to analyze the transfer via fingerprints of four volunteers, after administration of 30 mg of codeine. The objective was to determine the feasibility of this study and the time corresponding to the highest concentration of codeine. Over a 24-h period, new pens were handled for 5 min by the four volunteers, rubbed with a cotton swab dipped in methanol, and then analyzed by LC–MS-MS. The nicotine study showed a major difference between the nicotine concentrations obtained from smokers (between 6 and 276 ng/pen) and non-smokers (between 2 and 4 ng/pen). After administration of 30 mg of codeine, the analysis of the pens of the four volunteers allowed to demonstrate the presence of codeine up to 24 h between 9 and 544 pg/pen. Normal hygiene practices did not influence the final result. The highest concentration was observed after 2 h. Morphine was also detected (between 19 and 33 pg/pen). These preliminary results should be considered a demonstration of the interest of fingerprints testing to document drug exposure.
Synthetic Cathinones in Belgium: Two Case Reports with Different Outcomes Observed in the Emergency Room
Authors: Deville M , Fedorowicz R , Grandjean F , Simon M , Charlier C
Published: December 2022

We herein report two cases of cathinone intoxication. The first case is about a drug addict who was admitted to the emergency room after the injection of an unknown compound. He presented with tachycardia, palpitations, mydriasis, dyspnea, dizziness, headache and nausea. After leaving the hospital against medical advice, he returned the next day with police escort, presenting aggressiveness and agitation signs. One month later, he returned one more time for sleeping disorders, hallucinations and anxiety. He was finally transferred for his 21st detoxification treatment. The second case concerns a man who was wandering the streets and tried to escape when police officers called him. He confessed to snorting of N-ethylpentedrone and was admitted with severe agitation including delusion of persecution, tachycardia, mydriasis and fever. Because of renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and metabolic acidosis, he was transferred to the intensive care unit where he manifested worsening of the symptoms, turning into coma. He was intubated for 3 days before a complete resolution of the symptoms. A screening was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry followed by quantifications made by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. In the first case, alpha-pyrrolidinohexiophenone was identified only during the first two admissions. However, as plenty of other psychotropic substances were also found, the cathinone alone could not be held directly responsible for the symptoms. In the second case, more than 2,000 ng/mL of N-ethylpentedrone was found without any decrease in the next 17 h, underlining the long half-life of this compound. Unlike the first case, symptoms could be clearly attributed to the cathinone. In conclusion, cathinones can be found on the Belgian illicit drug market, with various routes of administration and clinical consequences. In these two case reports, some common points were observed initially. However, one patient was finally able to leave the hospital without any treatment, whereas the other would most likely have died without intensive care.
Is Amnesty International Still a Grassroots, Member-Led Organization? An Assessment of Its Democratic Viability
Authors: O’Dell Roni Kay Marie , Veazey Linda
Published: December 2022

Amnesty International’s (AI) democratic organizational structure sets it apart from other human rights organizations in terms of member-led governance and policymaking, but professionalization trends and organizational consolidation challenge AI’s founding democratic principles. This article assesses AI’s continued democratic viability by analysing changes to its governance and policymaking procedures at the AI United States section level as well as the AI international secretariat. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis show that AI’s democratic structure remains strong because of what this article calls the leadership-member-volunteer nexus rather than because of rule-based interaction, legitimacy, or path dependence.
Study design considerations for trials to evaluate multicancer early detection assays for clinical utility
Authors: Minasian Lori M , Pinsky Paul , Katki Hormuzd A , Dickherber Tony , Han Paul K J , Harris Lyndsay , Patriotis Christos , Srivastava Sudhir , Weil Carol J , Prorok Philip C , Castle Philip E
Published: December 2022

Blood-based assays using various technologies and biomarkers are in commercial development for the purpose of detecting multiple cancer types concurrently at an early stage of disease. These multicancer early detection (MCED) assays have the potential to improve the detection of cancers, particularly those for which no current screening modality exists. However, the unknown clinical benefits and harms of using MCED assays for cancer screening necessitate the development and implementation of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to ascertain their clinical effectiveness. This was the consensus of experts at a National Cancer Institute–hosted workshop to discuss initial design concepts for such a trial. Using these assays to screen simultaneously for multiple cancers poses novel uncertainties for patient care compared with conventional screening tests for single cancers, such as establishing the diagnostic workup to confirm the presence of cancer at any organ site; clarifying appropriate follow-up for a positive assay for which there is no definitive diagnosis; identifying potential harms such as overdiagnosis of indolent disease; determining clinically effective and efficient strategies for disseminating MCED screening in real-world practice; and understanding the ethical implications, such as potentially alleviating or exacerbating existing health disparities. These assays present new and complex challenges for designing an RCT. Issues that emerged from the meeting centered around the need for a flexibly designed, clinical utility RCT to rigorously capture the evidence required to fully understand the net benefit of this promising technology. Specific topic areas were endpoints, screening protocols, recruitment, diagnostic pathway, pilot phase, data elements, specimen collection, and ethical considerations.