bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐amyloid antibody treatments for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Perneczky Robert , Dom Geert , Chan Andrew , Falkai Peter , Bassetti Claudio
Published: September 2023

Our aim is to review the most recent evidence on novel antibody therapies for Alzheimer's disease directed against amyloid‐β. This is a joint statement of the European Association of Neurology and the European Psychiatric Association. After numerous unsuccessful endeavors to create a disease‐modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease, substantial and consistent evidence supporting the clinical effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies aimed at amyloid‐β is finally emerging. The latest trials not only achieved their primary objective of slowing the progression of the disease over several months but also demonstrated positive secondary clinical outcomes and a decrease in amyloid‐β levels as observed through positron emission tomography scans. Taken as a whole, these findings mark a significant breakthrough by substantiating that reducing amyloid‐β yields tangible clinical benefits, beyond mere changes in biomarkers. Concurrently, the regular utilization of the new generation of drugs will determine whether statistical efficacy translates into clinically meaningful improvements. This may well signify the dawning of a new era in the development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease.
Healthcare employment as a risk factor for functional neurological disorder: A case–control study
Authors: Vanini Giorgio , Bühler Janine , Weber Samantha , Steinauer Manuela , Aybek Selma
Published: September 2023

Background and purpose

Female gender, younger age and stressful life events are known predisposing factors for functional neurological disorders (FNDs). Employment in a healthcare profession has also been suggested to be a predisposing factor. We set out to conduct a large‐scale case–control study to estimate the rate employment in a healthcare profession among people with FND.

Methods

We included 200 consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of FND, referred to our clinic at University Hospital Bern Switzerland between October 1, 2016, and August 1, 2019. In addition, we included a control group of 200 patients with a confirmed neurological disorder, matched for age and gender, seen during the same period. The primary endpoint was to compare the prevalence of healthcare professionals between the groups. We also describe the clinical manifestations and concomitant psychiatric diagnoses in the FND cohort.

Results

Female gender was predominant (70%), and the participants’ mean age was 37 years. The proportion of healthcare professionals in the FND patients was 18% (33/186), which was significantly higher than in the control group, in which it was 10.6% (17/189; p = 0.019, 95% confidence interval odds ratio 1.168–4.074). Most healthcare professionals in both cohorts were nurses (21/33 among FND patients, 10/17 among controls). Among FND patients, 140 (70%) had motor symptoms and 65 (32.5%) had a concomitant psychiatric diagnosis.

Conclusion

This case–control study confirmed a higher rate of employment in healthcare professions in patients with FND, suggesting two potential mechanisms of FND: exposure to models/specific knowledge about neurological symptoms or stress‐related professional factors. This warrants further studies on underlying mechanisms and prevention.
Study and development of hybrid and ensemble forecasting models for air quality index forecasting
Authors: Pradhan Sushree Subhaprada , Panigrahi Sibarama , Purohit Sourav Kumar , Dash Jatindra Kumar
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a viable, robust, and highly accurate additive hybrid model employing autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) and support vector machine (SVM) with functionally expanded inputs (Additive‐ARFIMA‐SVM) is presented for forecasting the air quality index (AQI). Additionally, thirteen additive and multiplicative hybrid models are introduced. Several alternatives in feature engineering employing functional expansion of inputs are incorporated to boost the performance of hybrid models. Furthermore, a gradient whale optimization algorithm with group best leader strategy (GWOA‐GBL) based meta‐heuristic algorithm is proposed. The missing values are imputed and a variable weight ensemble forecasting model is developed using the proposed GWOA‐GBL algorithm. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed Additive‐ARFIMA‐SVM forecasting model with functionally expanded inputs, comparisons are made with sixteen machine learning models, including long short‐term memory (LSTM), five statistical models, seventeen hybrid models, and ten variable weight ensemble models. Extensive statistical analyses are carried out on the obtained results considering four accuracy measures that show the statistical supremacy of the proposed Additive‐ARFIMA‐SVM model and GWOA‐GBL algorithm in predicting the AQI time series. The proposed Additive‐ARFIMA‐SVM model with functionally expanded inputs improves the AQI forecasting performance by 16.34% than autoregressive integrated moving average, 14.47% than ARFIMA, 33.96% than XGBoost, 43.47% than SVM, 49.39% than LSTM, 8.64% than Multiplicative‐ARIMA‐SVM model considering symmetric mean absolute percentage error. The proposed Additive‐ARFIMA‐SVM model is so efficient and reliable that it can be applied to forecast other time series like stock price, electricity load, crude oil price, sunspot number, stream flow, flood, drought etc.
Decoupling between stomatal conductance and photosynthesis occurs under extreme heat in broadleaf tree species regardless of water access
Authors: Marchin Renée M. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Tjoelker Mark G. , Ellsworth David S.
Published: September 2023

High air temperatures increase atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and the severity of drought, threatening forests worldwide. Plants regulate stomata to maximize carbon gain and minimize water loss, resulting in a close coupling between net photosynthesis (Anet) and stomatal conductance (gs). However, evidence for decoupling of gs from Anet under extreme heat has been found. Such a response both enhances survival of leaves during heat events but also quickly depletes available water. To understand the prevalence and significance of this decoupling, we measured leaf gas exchange in 26 tree and shrub species growing in the glasshouse or at an urban site in Sydney, Australia on hot days (maximum Tair > 40°C). We hypothesized that on hot days plants with ample water access would exhibit reduced Anet and use transpirational cooling leading to stomatal decoupling, whereas plants with limited water access would rely on other mechanisms to avoid lethal temperatures. Instead, evidence for stomatal decoupling was found regardless of plant water access. Transpiration of well‐watered plants was 23% higher than model predictions during heatwaves, which effectively cooled leaves below air temperature. For hotter, droughted plants, the increase in transpiration during heatwaves was even more pronounced—gs was 77% higher than model predictions. Stomatal decoupling was found for most broadleaf evergreen and broadleaf deciduous species at the urban site, including some wilted trees with limited water access. Decoupling may simply be a passive consequence of the physical effects of high temperature on plant leaves through increased cuticular conductance of water vapor, or stomatal decoupling may be an adaptive response that is actively regulated by stomatal opening under high temperatures. This temperature response is not yet included in any land surface model, suggesting that model predictions of evapotranspiration may be underpredicted at high temperature and high VPD.
Patient and healthcare professionals' perceptions of a combined blood and faecal immunochemical test for excluding colorectal cancer diagnosis in primary care
Authors: Nelson Kayleigh , Carter Kym , Hepburn Julie , Hill Ian , Hurlow Claire , O'Neill Claire , Tang Alethea , Harris Dean A.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To explore the perceptions of patients and healthcare professionals on Raman‐faecal immunochemical test (FIT) as an alternative test for colorectal cancer exclusion in primary care.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews within a feasibility study.

Setting

Patients presenting to primary care with colorectal symptoms and healthcare professionals working in primary and secondary care.

Participants

A total of 23 patients and 12 healthcare professionals.

Methods

Patient participants were asked to complete a novel combined Raman‐FIT test before being seen in secondary care. This study sought their opinions about the test. We also sought the views of healthcare professionals.

Findings

Patients and healthcare professionals agreed that Raman‐FIT was a suitable test to be given in primary care. It aligned with routine practice and was a simple test for most patients to complete.

Conclusions

Patients are willing and able to complete the Raman‐FIT test in primary care. Raman‐FIT may accelerate access to diagnosis with the potential to improve cancer outcomes.

Patient and Public Involvement

Lay members (J. H. and I. H.) with experience and knowledge of colorectal cancer and screening contributed to developing, undertaking, and disseminating all aspects of the research. They were supported to collaborate as equal members of the research team. They were involved in developing the study as coapplicants, using personal experience to ensure that the research and its methods were relevant to the patient and public needs. Both prepared participant information sheets, coanalysed data, and contributed to study reporting and dissemination through papers, conference presentations and a lay summary.
Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska‐breeding Whimbrels
Authors: Ruthrauff Daniel R. , Harwood Christopher M. , Tibbitts T. Lee , Patil Vijay P.
Published: September 2023

Survival estimates are critical components of avian ecology. In well‐intentioned efforts to maximize the utility of one's research, survival estimates often derive from data that were not originally collected for survival assessments, and such post hoc analyses may include unintentional biases. We estimated the survival of Whimbrels captured and marked at two breeding sites in Alaska using divergent data streams that in isolation were subject to methodological biases. Although both capture sites were chosen to study the migration ecology of Alaska‐breeding Whimbrels, maximizing the conservation value of the data we collected was obviously desirable. We used multi‐year telemetry information to infer survival from one site (Colville River) and mark–resight techniques to estimate survival from a second site (Kanuti River). At Colville River, we could not feasibly include a control group of birds to assess potential survival effects of externally mounted transmitters, and at Kanuti River we were unable to account accurately for potential emigration events because we used resightings alone. We integrated these datasets in a Bayesian hierarchical framework, an approach that permitted insights across sites that moderated methodological biases within sites. Using telemetry enabled us to detect permanent emigration events from breeding sites in two of 10 birds, results that informed estimates for birds without tracking devices. These datasets yielded point estimates of true survival of Whimbrels from Colville River equipped with solar‐powered satellite transmitters that were higher (0.83) than true survival estimates of Whimbrels from Kanuti River marked with leg flags alone (0.74) or equipped with surgically implanted satellite transmitters (0.50), but the 95% credible intervals on these estimates overlapped across groups. For species such as Whimbrels that are difficult and costly to study, combining information from disparate data streams allowed us to derive novel demographic estimates, an approach with clear application to other similar studies.
The N6‐methyladenosine demethylase FTO is required for odontoblast differentiation in vitro and dentine formation in mice by promoting RUNX2 exon 5 inclusion through RBM4
Authors: Xu Mi , Li Bingrong , Huang Junjun , Jia Rong , Guo Jihua
Published: September 2023

Aim

Fat mass and obesity‐associated (FTO) protein, the first discovered N6‐methyladenine (m6A) demethylase, played positive roles in bone formation. In this study, the aim was to investigate the function and potential mechanism of Fto in dentine formation.

Methodology

In vivo model, postnatal 12‐day (PN12), 4‐week‐old (4 wk), 6‐week‐old (6 wk) healthy male C57BL/6J were randomly divided into Fto knockout (Fto−/−) mice and wild‐type (WT) littermates according to their genotypes, with 3–5 mice in each group. The mandibles of Fto−/− mice and WT control littermates were isolated for analysis by micro–computed tomography (micro‐CT), 3‐dimensional reconstruction and Haematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. In vitro, mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs) and human dental stem pulp cells (hDPSCs) were cultured with odontogenetic medium to evaluate differentiation capacity; expression levels of odontoblastic related genes were evaluated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The inclusion levels of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) exon 5 in mDPCs and hDPSCs were detected by semiquantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The RNA binding motif protein 4 (RBM4) m6A site was verified through m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) and the stability of RBM4 mRNA influenced by FTO knockdown was measured by mRNA stability assay. Differences with p values < .05 were regarded as statistically significant.

Results

We discovered that Fto−/− mice showed significant dentine formation defects characterized by widened pulp cavity, enlarged pulp‐tooth volume ratio, thinned dentine and pre‐dentine layer of root (p < .05). Fto−/− mDPCs and FTO‐silencing hDPSCs not only exhibited insufficient mineralization ability and decreased expression levels of odontoblastic mineralization related genes (p < .05), but showed significantly reduced Runx2 exon 5 inclusion level (p < .05). FTO knockdown increased the m6A level of RBM4 and destabilized the mRNA of RBM4, thus contributing to the reduced RBM4 expression level. Moreover, Rbm4 overexpression in Fto−/− mDPCs can partly restore Runx2 exon 5 inclusion level and the differentiation ability disrupted by Fto knockout.

Conclusion

Thus, within the limitations of this study, the data suggest that FTO promotes odontoblastic differentiation during dentine formation by stabilizing RBM4 mRNA to promote RUNX2 exon 5 inclusion.
The steric effect of exfoliation agent for fabrication of layer niobium oxide nanosheet
Authors: Wattanapaphawong Panya , Reubroycharoen Prasert , Samart Chanatip , Kou Lingjiang , Song Jiajia , Su Jinbu , Kajiyoshi Koji
Published: September 2023

In this research, the steric effect of an exfoliation agent between n‐ethylamine and triethylamine for the fabrication of Ca2Nb3O10− nanosheet was investigated. The experimental results revealed that the different structures of the exfoliation agent have affected to fabrication of Ca2Nb3O10− nanosheet. The use of n‐ethylamine as an exfoliation agent gave a maximum exfoliation efficiency of 10 wt.% while the maximum exfoliation efficiency of triethylamine was 90 wt.%. The result showed that the difference in exfoliation efficiency was caused by the steric effect of exfoliation agents. The image of transmission electron microscopy exhibited Ca2Nb3O10− nanosheets which were formed by exfoliation of HCa2Nb3O10. Furthermore, the reaction time for liquid exfoliation was studied in this work. The reaction time at 4 h gave a maximum of exfoliation efficiency. The Ca2Nb3O10− suspension was tested capability to remove hazardous ions. After the experiment, we found the white precipitate which was the formation of CsCa2Nb3O10. The result showed that the Ca2Nb3O10− nanosheet was efficient for the removal of Cs+ ions in the wastewater.
Bio preservation capacity of potentially probiotic Lacticaseibacillus strains in fermented sausage
Authors: Bertuci Marcello Lima , Alves Junior Carlos Alberto , Souza Camila Vespúcio Bis , Penna Ana Lúcia Barretto , da Silva Barretto Andrea Carla
Published: September 2023

Bio preservation constitutes a well‐acknowledged natural method for controlling the growth of undesirable bacteria in meat products. The aim was to evaluate four different potentially probiotic Lacticaseibacillus strains as bio preservatives and their application in fermented meat sausage. The strains were inoculated for 24 h and used a concentration of 0.1% of the total mass into which it was directly inserted. Regarding the inhibition zone, only the commercial strains exhibited effect on the tested pathogens. They also displayed better growth results on MRS medium, which simulates meat product additives, during the 24‐h period. The pH, sodium nitrite and sodium chloride proved to be limiting factors for the growth of the potentially probiotic Lacticaseibacillus strains. Lc. paracasei BGP1 significantly reduced water activity and pH – both fundamental factors for food conservation‐ when incorporated. Lc. paracasei BGP1 demonstrated its efficacy as bio preservative for use in fermented meat sausage. Technological parameters were evaluated, showing positive responses to the application of acid lactic bacteria. These results indicate the potential of lactic acid bacteria to inhibit certain microorganisms, offering a perspective on inhibition when used in fermented meat products. Hence, further studies could be conducted, primarily concerning Listeria sp.
Conflits du travail dans des contextes de fragmentation et de pluralisme syndical. Analyse empirique du cas du Chili
Authors: PÉREZ AHUMADA Pablo , OCAMPO Gino
Published: September 2023

L'incidence des grèves au Chili a considérablement augmenté depuis la fin des années 2000. Dans cet article, nous analysons l'activité de grève en nous concentrant sur un aspect clé du modèle chilien de relations de travail: le pluralisme syndical. Sur la base d'une enquête représentative des entreprises du secteur privé, nous estimons des modèles de régression logistique qui indiquent que le pluralisme syndical augmente significativement la probabilité de grèves dans les entreprises. Cependant, notre analyse ne permet pas de conclure que l'effet positif du pluralisme syndical s'explique par la concurrence entre syndicats, comme le suggère une partie de la littérature internationale.
Isolation drives species gains and losses of insect metacommunities over time in a mountaintop forest archipelago
Authors: da Silva Pedro Giovâni , Beirão Marina do Vale , de Castro Flávio Siqueira , Perillo Lucas Neves , Camarota Flávio , Solar Ricardo R. C. , Fernandes Geraldo Wilson , Neves Frederico de Siqueira
Published: September 2023

Aim

We evaluated the effects of forest island size, isolation and area in the landscape driving temporal changes of insect biodiversity in a mountaintop forest archipelago. We expected that (i) in smaller, less isolated forest islands, changes in insect composition are more prominent, primarily driven by gains over time; (ii) more forest in the landscape leads to increased gains of vagile species over time, regardless of forest island size and isolation; (iii) less vagile groups undergo heterogenisation, while highly vagile groups experience homogenisation due to differing dispersal capabilities.

Location

Espinhaço Range Biosphere Reserve, Brazil.

Taxon

Insects.

Methods

We used ants, dung beetles, bees, wasps and butterflies as study models to represent a gradient of low‐to‐high dispersal capability. We evaluated the colonisation‐ and extirpation‐resultant components of temporal β‐diversity using area‐ and isolation‐related variables as predictors.

Results

Distinct colonisation‐ and extirpation‐resultant homogenisation and heterogenisation processes are acting according to each insect group, likely due to different dispersal capabilities. Species losses dominated in ants, with widespread and rare species being lost. Butterflies gained species, represented mainly by widespread species, leading to an increased colonisation‐resultant homogenisation. Distance to neighbouring forest islands was the underlying predictor affecting the temporal β‐diversity of insect groups, and also species gains and losses but differently according to the survey period. Effects of the forest amount in the landscape increased the temporal β‐diversity of bees and butterflies but decreased that of ants, dung beetles and wasps.

Main Conclusions

These findings provide valuable biogeographic insights into the complex interactions between forest island characteristics, landscape attributes, and dispersal capabilities that shape the temporal dynamics of insect biodiversity on mountaintops. Conserving the forest amount in the landscape and keeping forest connectivity among forest islands are necessary because the temporal dynamics of local colonisation and extirpation can depend on the organisms' dispersal capability.
The effects of video‐driven discussions integrated into the flipped classroom model on learning achievement, practical performance, and higher‐order thinking skills in dental education
Authors: Fidan Muhammet , Fidan Mustafa
Published: September 2023

Background

Flipped classroom (FC) model has become increasingly popular in dental education (DE) with its strengths for students. However, major concerns are lack of interaction, unwillingness to complete the assignments, low engagement during the pre‐class activities because of an unwell‐designed instructional setting of FC.

Objectives

The recent study aims to investigate the effects of video‐driven discussions integrated into the flipped classroom (VdDs‐FC) model on dental students' (DSs) learning achievement, practical performance, and higher‐order thinking skills in a restorative dentistry course.

Methods

This study adopted a sequential explanatory design from mixed‐methods research. A total of 96 DSs participated in a dentistry faculty of Türkiye. They were randomly divided into two groups: VdDs‐FC group and the conventional flipped classroom (c‐FC) group.

Results and conclusions

The results showed that the VdDs‐FC model had significant positive effects on the practical performance of DSs in practical subjects and their problem‐solving and critical thinking skills. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in learning achievement and creativity. The use of FC in the c‐FC group did not lead to any difference in the students' achievements. Moreover, the qualitative results indicated that the VdDs‐FC model has the potential for enhancing peer learning, practical classroom activities, and higher‐order thinking skills.

Implications

This study also includes several instructional implications and suggestions for educators, researchers, and practitioners on use of FC in dentistry.
Inhibitory role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosome in non‐small‐cell lung cancer: microRNA‐30b‐5p, EZH2 and PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Wu Tong , Tian Qi , Liu Ruiji , Xu Ke , Shi Shanshan , Zhang Xiudi , Gao Liming , Yin Xiaobo , Xu Shufeng , Wang Ping
Published: September 2023

Exosomal microRNA (miRNA) exerts potential roles in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current study elucidated the role of miR‐30b‐5p shuttled by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)‐derived exosomes in treating NSCLC. Bioinformatics analysis was performed with NSCLC‐related miRNA microarray GSE169587 and mRNA data GSE74706 obtained for collection of the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs. The relationship between miR‐30b‐5p and EZH2 was predicted and confirmed. Exosomes were isolated from BMSCs and identified. BMSCs‐derived exosomes overexpressing miR‐30b‐5p were used to establish subcutaneous tumorigenesis models to study the effects of miR‐30b‐5p, EZH2 and PI3K/AKT signalling pathway on tumour growth. A total of 86 BMSC‐exo‐miRNAs were differentially expressed in NSCLC. Bioinfomatics analysis found that BMSC‐exo‐miR‐30b‐5p could regulate NSCLC progression by targeting EZH2, which was verified by in vitro cell experiments. Besides, the target genes of miR‐30b‐5p were enriched in PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. Animal experiments validated that BMSC‐exo‐miR‐30b‐5p promoted NSCLC cell apoptosis and prevented tumorigenesis in nude mice via EZH2/PI3K/AKT axis. Collectively, the inhibitory role of BMSC‐derived exosomes‐loaded miR‐30b‐5p in NSCLC was achieved through blocking the EZH2/PI3K/AKT axis.
Effects of endodontic irrigation solutions on structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of coronal dentin: A scoping review
Authors: Marques Joana A. , Falacho Rui I. , Santos João Miguel , Ramos João Carlos , Palma Paulo J.
Published: September 2023

Objective

This review aims to assess structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of coronal dentin after endodontic irrigation.

Materials and Methods

Reporting followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. An electronic search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Records filtered by language and published up to November 4, 2022 were independently screened by two researchers. Studies evaluating structural, chemical, or mechanical properties of human permanent coronal dentin after irrigation within the scope of nonsurgical root canal treatment were included. Data were extracted regarding study type, sample description and size, experimental groups, outcome, evaluation method, and main findings.

Results

From the initial 1916 studies, and by adding 2 cross‐references, 11 in vitro studies were included. Seven studies provide ultrastructural and/or chemical characterization, and six assessed microhardness and/or flexural strength. One percent to 8% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 1%–17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were the most commonly tested solutions, with contact times of 2–240 min (NaOCl) and 1–1440 min (EDTA) being evaluated.

Conclusions

Overall, the literature is consensual regarding the inevitable impact of NaOCl and chelating agents on coronal dentin, with both deproteinizing and decalcifying effects being concentration‐ and time‐dependent. The alteration of mechanical parameters further confirmed the surface and subsurface ultrastructural and chemical changes.

Clinical Significance

Endodontic treatment success highly depends on restorative sealing. Understanding the result of exposing coronal dentin, the main substrate for bonding, to irrigants' action is crucial. The deproteinizing and decalcifying effects of NaOCl and chelating agents are both concentration‐ and time‐dependent, causing surface and subsurface ultrastructural, chemical, and mechanical alterations.
Red sea bream iridovirus infection downregulates inflammation‐related genes in the spleen of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus)
Authors: Eurlaphan Chalermkwan , Nozaki Reiko , Sano Motohiko , Koiwai Keiichiro , Hirono Ikuo , Kondo Hidehiro
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the kinetics of red sea bream iridovirus and host gene expression during infection in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus), a species highly sensitive to the virus. After intraperitoneal injection of the viral solution at 104 TCID50/fish, the viral genome copy number in the spleen was 104.7 ± 0.2 and 105.9 ± 0.4 copies/μg DNA at 3 and 5 days post‐injection (dpi), respectively. Using transcriptomic analyses via MiSeq, viral gene transcripts were detected at 3 and 5 dpi. Six genes including RING‐finger domain‐containing protein and laminin‐type epidermal growth factor‐like domain genes were significantly expressed at 5 dpi. Further, 334 host genes were differentially expressed compared with those before infection. Genes were clustered into four groups based on their expression profiles. Interferon‐stimulated genes were more prevalent in groups showing upregulation at 5 dpi and 3 and 5 dpi. In contrast, the group showing downregulation at 3 dpi included inflammation‐related genes, such as granzyme and eosinophil peroxidase genes. Downregulation of certain inflammation‐related genes may contribute to the susceptibility of this fish to the virus.
Monitoring of water content of apple slices using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance during drying process
Authors: Guan Yeqing , Hua Zhuqing , Cheng Yudou , He Jingang , Zhang Yang , Guan Junfeng
Published: September 2023

In an aim to examine water content, distribution, and state of apple slices during hot air drying, this study determined the inversion spectra of transverse relaxation time (T2) of apple slices during the drying process at different temperatures using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results showed that drying temperatures was negatively correlated with water content and positively correlated with drying rate. The relaxation peak area of free water decreased, while those of semi‐bound and bound water increased and subsequently decreased. The water content of apple slices had quadratic polynomial correlations with signal amplitudes of LF‐NMR (peak areas of total, free, and semi‐bound), R2 of these regression fitting equations were basically above 0.8 and 0.9. The models of total and free water had good prediction performance, suggesting that LF‐NMR is suitable for rapid non‐destructive testing of water in apple slices during hot air drying.

Practical applications

In this work, the amount of water in apple slices at any given time during hot air drying can be predicted well‐using regression fitting equation models of the peak areas of total, free, and semi‐bound water. This information can then be used to improve the quality of dried products and clarify the distribution and states of water during drying. Therefore, LF‐NMR can be used for rapid non‐destructive testing of water in apple slices during hot air drying. And it provided references for further investigation of optimized drying methods and conditions for different apple species and achieved accurate and non‐destructive monitoring of water in fruits during processing based on LF‐NMR.
Banksia (Proteaceae) contains less phylogenetic diversity than expected in Southwestern Australia
Authors: Miller Joseph T. , Prentice Emily , Bui Elisabeth N. , Knerr Nunzio , Mishler Brent D. , Schmidt‐Lebuhn Alexander N. , González‐Orozco Carlos , Laffan Shawn
Published: September 2023

Banksia L.f., an iconic genus of the Proteaceae, is endemic to Australia, with its highest species richness and phylogenetic diversity (PD) in southwestern Western Australia. Analysis of the phylogenetic component of richness and endemism uncovered important patterns of Banksia evolutionary history that are not seen at the species level. We found that Banksia is significantly phylogenetically clustered in this region, likely due to recent evolutionary radiations. We also found significant concentrations of phylogenetic endemism in this region, both neoendemism (short, range‐restricted evolutionary branches) and paleoendemism (long, range‐restricted evolutionary branches). There is a striking northwest to southeast divide in phyloturnover in southwestern Western Australia. The majority of the variation in turnover patterns can be explained by environmental factors, with climate representing the largest covariate. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that indicates the importance of integrating phylogenetic and biodiversity data to inform conservation planning.
Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in older adults is associated with frailty and social disadvantage
Authors: Clayton‐Chubb Daniel , Kemp William W. , Majeed Ammar , Lubel John S. , Woods Robyn L. , Tran Cammie , Ryan Joanne , Hodge Alexander , Schneider Hans G. , McNeil John J. , Roberts Stuart K.
Published: September 2023

Background & Aims

The burden of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is growing rapidly, as is the number of older adults globally. However, relatively few studies have been performed evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for MASLD in older adults. As such, we aimed to identify the prevalence of MASLD in older adults, as well as sociodemographic, clinical, functional and biochemical associations.

Methods

The study population included older adults without a history of cardiovascular disease, dementia or independence‐limiting functional impairment who had participated in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) randomised trial. MASLD was defined using the Fatty Liver Index (FLI). Associations were identified using Poisson regression with robust variance for FLI ≥ 60 vs FLI < 30.

Results

9097 Australian participants aged ≥70 years had complete biochemical and anthropometric data to identify MASLD. The study population had a mean age of 75.1 ± 4.3 years and was 45.0% male. Almost one‐third (33.0%) had prevalent MASLD, and the prevalence decreased with increasing age (adjusted RR [aRR] 0.96, 95% CI: 0.96–0.97). MASLD was also negatively associated with social advantage (aRR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.99) and exercise tolerance and was positively associated with diabetes mellitus (aRR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.16–1.29), hypertension (aRR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.22–1.41), male sex (aRR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.57–1.74), pre‐frailty (aRR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.82–2.12) and frailty (aRR: 2.36, 95% CI: 2.16–2.56). MASLD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results were 100% concordant.

Conclusion

This study in a large cohort of relatively healthy community‐dwelling older adults shows that MASLD is common, decreases with age and is associated with poorer metabolic health, social disadvantage and frailty.
National identities, European identity and cosmopolitanism: The case of female golf fans at the 2019 Solheim Cup
Authors: Bairner Alan , Kitching Niamh , Whigham Stuart , Bowes Ali
Published: September 2023

The aim of this paper is to consider the relationship between sport and identity formation by examining testimonies of 24 British women who attended the Solheim Cup golf tournament in 2019 to support a transnational team made up of professional European women players. Relatively little is known about the effects of transnational sports teams on identity formation, not least because such teams are themselves rare. The Solheim Cup, contested by teams of female professional golfers representing the United States and Europe, is one such example. The data set consists of interviews with women who attended the competition that took place in a period of political uncertainty between the UK electorate voting to leave the European Union and Brexit actually taking place. The paper analyses the women's views in relation to national identity, European identity and cosmopolitanism. Although it emerges that most of the women felt more European in the context of a competition involving a team representing Europe and were opposed to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, they could also be described as cosmopolitan as a result of their educational level, social class and experience of living in or regularly visiting foreign countries.
We're in the room: what now?
Authors: Roberts Carys
Published: September 2023

Harriet Harman, Britain's longest serving female MP, talks to IPPR's Progressive Review's Carys Roberts about women's ongoing fight for gender equality in the UK and women's position in the political sphere, reflecting on her experiences over the course of her career and where the women's movement goes next.
The 2030 Agenda in Spanish local entities: Does the government's ideological color matter?
Authors: Rieiro‐García Manuel , Aibar‐Guzmán Cristina , Aibar‐Guzmán Beatriz
Published: September 2023

This article examines the influence of the political ideology of the governing party on the commitment of the city council to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the disclosure of information in this regard. The effect of the level of political fragmentation in the city council is also analyzed. The results obtained through the content analysis of the information related to the 2030 Agenda disclosed on the websites of 102 municipalities during the period 2016–2021 reveal a significant influence of the ideological orientation of the ruling party, with a higher level of disclosure of SDG information in those municipalities governed by left‐wing parties. Furthermore, political fragmentation limits the ability of left‐wing governments to promote the SDGs as part of their political agenda. The findings reinforce the discussion on the influence of government ideology on public policy and enhance the understanding of the determinants of the contribution of public entities to sustainable development.

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Equitable anesthesiologist scheduling under demand uncertainty using multiobjective programming
Authors: Sun Kai , Sun Minghe , Agrawal Deepak , Dravenstott Ronald , Rosinia Frank , Roy Arkajyoti
Published: September 2023

This work addresses the practical anesthesiologist scheduling (AS) problem motivated by the needs of an academic anesthesiology department. The AS problem requires the department to plan and deploy providers to adequately meet clinical demand and institutional protocols of various clinical units over a planning horizon of up to several weeks. A data‐driven two‐step AS framework is developed by exploiting the historical demand data of anesthesia cases. The first step is a shift design which obtains the optimal shifts considering clinical demand under uncertainty using conditional value‐at‐risk constraints, and the second step is provider assignments that generate the schedule considering optimal and equitable workload distribution and provider availability using multiobjective mixed‐integer programming models. Moreover, the AS framework incorporates the provider specialties, and clinical and lifestyle preferences and aligns with the existing scheduling practices. An ɛ‐constraint solution method is applied for multiobjective optimization, and an iterative solution method is developed to improve solution quality for workload equity in clinical applications. Computational experiments are performed to evaluate the performance of three alternative forms of the workload equity objective function, and the results show that the minimization of the sum of the absolute deviations of provider workloads best balances solution runtime and quality. In the concerned academic anesthesiology department, two clinical problems, the budget and hiring planning and the monthly scheduling, are addressed via the application of the proposed AS framework. For budget and hiring, decision‐makers can make trade‐offs based on their preference using the nondominated frontiers obtained via the ɛ‐constraint method. For monthly scheduling, the iterative solution method can accommodate preassigned shifts capturing institutional requirements while improving workload equity. The workload variance has been substantially reduced from 2.92 to 1.39 after the implementation based on the historical schedule data. The provider schedule satisfaction is improved from 3.13/5 to 3.44/5, and at least 82% of scheduling burden on department leaders is relieved. The developed AS framework is generic and can be extended to the scheduling of other types of care providers, including nurses and residents.
Antiparasitic approaches and strategies in European aquaculture, with emphasis on Mediterranean marine finfish farming: Present scenarios and future visions
Authors: Rigos George , Padrós Francesc , Golomazou Eleni , Zarza Carlos
Published: September 2023

Parasitic infections can be occasionally severe in the European marine aquaculture industry, including the Mediterranean region, as they can incur considerable financial losses. Due to the lack of commercial vaccines, therapeutic approaches seem the only measure to battle parasitic outbreaks. Integrated strategies and increased resilience of the hosts, may limit to some degree the level of infestation. Ectoparasitic therapy is traditionally based on baths, with few exceptions. Several antiparasitic compounds have been registered in European aquatic medicine to combat mainly salmon sea lice; however, few of them are readily used against Mediterranean fish parasites. Formalin and less commonly hydrogen peroxide baths are applied against ectoparasites in the Mediterranean region. Most of the registered anti‐lice antiparasitics have limited potential perhaps due to their adverse environmental impact. Future therapies against fish parasites will rely mainly on effective substances ensuring consumer, animal, and environmental welfare. Ideally, dietary antiparasitics such as praziquantel exhibiting mild environmental impact and high efficacy against a wide range of pathogens should be adopted. Moreover, combined strategies such as integrated pest management, involving various management practices with limited use of chemicals, should be a priority for specific parasitic outbreaks. The information presented in this review can guide future research and promote effective and prudent parasite control practices for Mediterranean‐farmed fish.
Innovations in assessment in health professions education during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A scoping review
Authors: Giri Jamal , Stewart Claire
Published: September 2023

Background

After an initial period of uncertainty during the COVID‐19 pandemic, medical universities responded to the pandemic by innovating their methods of teaching‐learning and assessment. This scoping review aimed to identify innovations in assessment in medical, dental and nursing education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels during the pandemic.

Methods

This review was conducted utilising Arksey and O'Malley's framework where three electronic databases—PubMed, Embase and Web of Science—were systematically searched in February 2022 for articles in English describing innovations in assessments published in or after January 2020.

Results

A total of 70 articles were included in the review. Among the primary research articles, 82.1% reported online assessment, 76.1% were related to medical speciality, 74.6% described assessment at the undergraduate level, 68.7% described summative assessment and 58.2% reported assessment of practical skills. All assessments of theoretical knowledge were done virtually with MCQ being the most used assessment tool and virtual OSCE being the most popular assessment tool to assess practical skills; however, it was acknowledged that the assessment of procedural skills was its limitation. Although the studies described the newer forms of assessments as feasible and acceptable, few studies reported the reliability and validity of the assessments.

Conclusions

This scoping review identified several innovations in assessment during the COVID‐19 pandemic with an overall shift towards virtual or hybrid forms of assessment. However, there was a dearth of evidence regarding the effectiveness of these assessment tools suggesting a need for more research before the tools can be implemented post‐pandemic.
The Singularity of Expanded Jacobian Matrix in Incremental Harmonic Balance Method Directly Locates Bifurcation Points of Steady-State Responses
Authors: Chen Y. M. , Liu J. K.
Published: September 2023

As a semi-analytical approach, the incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method is widely implemented for solving steady-state (including both periodic and quasi-periodic) responses through an iteration process. The iteration is carried out through a Jacobian matrix (JM) and a residual vector, both updated in each iteration. Though the JM is known to be singular at certain bifurcation points, the singularity is still an open question and could play a pivotal role in real applications. In this study, we define and calculate an expanded JM (EJM) by applying an expanded solution expression in the IHB iteration. The singularity of the EJM at several different bifurcation points is proved in a general manner, according to the bifurcation theory for equilibria in nonlinear dynamical systems. Given the possible bifurcation type, furthermore, the singularity is applied to locate the corresponding bifurcation point directly and precisely. Considered are the cases of the period-doubling, symmetry breaking, and Neimark-Sacker bifurcations of periodic and/or quasi-periodic responses.
Cyclic Reconfigurability of Deployable Ring Structures With Angulated Beams
Authors: Fan Linzi , He Ruoqi , Chen Yao , Hu Shun , Sareh Pooya
Published: September 2023

Deployable ring structures have been useful concepts for engineering design applications due to their smooth transformation from an initially compact configuration to a substantially larger deployed state. As a result, over the past few decades, various computational and kinematic models have been introduced to analyze the behavior of such deployable structures. Here, we propose a type of deployable ring structure designed based on a transformable concept known as the Swivel Diaphragm. In particular, the geometry of the deployable ring structure is introduced, including different structural configurations with fixed pivots and angulated beams. Then, taking a group-theoretic approach, we establish appropriate constraint equations and perform a symmetry-adapted kinematic analysis. In the next step, the mobility and self-stress states of three example structures are studied, including a simple ring structure with C3 symmetry, a C6-symmetric ring with a hexagonal Swivel Diaphragm structure, and a general Cn-symmetric ring structure with inner hoops. The usefulness and effectiveness of the utilized group-theoretic approach are examined and validated through the study of these examples. We show that the kinematic behavior of the numerical models developed in this study agrees well with the finite element results obtained using abaqus. Importantly, the illustrated motion trajectories of the reconfigurable structures demonstrate that they retain a single degree-of-freedom as well as a cyclic symmetry. Moreover, it is shown that the angulated members necessarily rotate around the fixed pivots, which could be practically desirable in designing transformable structures for various applications in engineering and architecture.