bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allow Me to Explain: Benefits of Explaining Extend to Distal Academic Performance
Authors: Modrek Anahid S. , Lombrozo Tania
Published: September 2024

How does the act of explaining influence learning? Prior work has studied effects of explaining through a predominantly proximal lens, measuring short‐term outcomes or manipulations within lab settings. Here, we ask whether the benefits of explaining extend to academic performance over time. Specifically, does the quality and frequency of student explanations predict students’ later performance on standardized tests of math and English? In Study 1 (N = 127 5th−6th graders), participants completed a causal learning activity during which their explanation quality was evaluated. Controlling for prior test scores, explanation quality directly predicted both math and English standardized test scores the following year. In Study 2 (N = 20,384 10th graders), participants reported aspects of teachers’ explanations and their own. Controlling for prior test scores, students’ own explanations predicted both math and English state standardized test scores, and teacher explanations were linked to test performance through students’ own explanations. Taken together, these findings suggest that benefits of explaining may result in part from the development of a metacognitive explanatory skill that transfers across domains and over time. Implications for cognitive science, pedagogy, and education are discussed.
Paired comparisons of venetoclax concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow, and plasma in acute leukemia patients
Authors: Jian Yuan , Han Feifei , Zhu Ying , Geng Chuanying , Zhang Yanru , Wu Yin , Leng Yun , Chen Wenming , An Zhuoling , Zhu Hong‐Hu
Published: September 2024

Venetoclax, a small molecule inhibitor of BCL‐2, has demonstrated efficacy in treating acute leukemias and has been recommended as one of the first‐line anti‐leukemia therapies. Although venetoclax has been suggested to probably possess the ability to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), current data to elucidate the characteristics of venetoclax in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), bone marrow (BM), and plasma are still lacking. This study investigated the real‐world characteristics of venetoclax concentrations in CSF, BM, and plasma in acute leukemia patients. Thirteen acute leukemia patients treated with venetoclax were included, with paired samples of CSF, BM, and plasma collected and venetoclax concentrations measured using LC–MS/MS. With the results, the median venetoclax concentrations were 2030 ng/mL in plasma, 16.7 ng/mL in CSF, and 1390 ng/mL in BM. The percentages of CSF/plasma and BM/plasma were 0.74% and 70.37%, respectively. While no direct correlation was observed between CSF and plasma venetoclax levels, there was a trend toward an improved CSF/plasma percentage over time following the last administration of venetoclax. In contrast, a strong correlation was found between BM and plasma levels. This study demonstrated that venetoclax could reach its effective concentration in most patients, suggesting its potential clinical utility in the management of CNS involvement in acute leukemia.
The acceptability of alcohol screening and brief intervention for older adults in community venues
Authors: Seddon Jennifer , Bareham Beth , Kaner Eileen , Hanratty Barbara , Wadd Sarah
Published: September 2024

Background

Evidence supports the effectiveness of alcohol brief interventions (ABI) in health‐care settings but the acceptability of conducting ABIs in wider community venues such as supermarkets, hospital atriums and train stations remains unclear. This study examines the acceptability of conducting ABIs for older adults in community settings.

Method

ABIs were conducted in community venues in five sites across the United Kingdom as part of the Drink Wise, Age Well program. ABIs used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption to measure alcohol use, with personalised feedback delivered in relation to alcohol intake. Data on age, gender, ethnicity, alcohol use and intention to change drinking was collected. Qualitative interviews to explore the acceptability of delivering ABIs within community venues were conducted with a sub‐set of ABI recipients (n = 16) and practitioners (n = 12). Data were analysed using Framework Analysis.

Results

A total of 3999 people received an ABI. Fifty‐eight percent of ABI recipients were female. The largest age group was 50–54 years (28%). Almost 80% (n = 3180) of ABI recipients were drinking at hazardous levels. Of hazardous drinkers that were asked (n = 2726), 40% reported intentions to change their drinking. Qualitative analysis indicted that ABIs conducted in community venues were acceptable and considered to be valuable in raising awareness of alcohol‐related risks.

Discussion and Conclusions

Community venues represent a promising context to engage older people in alcohol intervention, with the potential to lead to reductions in alcohol consumption.
Cardiovascular phenotypes in type 2 diabetes: Latent class analysis of the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial
Authors: Razaghizad Amir , Ni Jiayi , Marques Pedro , Mavrakanas Thomas A. , Tsoukas Michael A. , Possik Elite , Huynh Thao , Edwards Jodi D. , Liu Peter , Swardfager Walter , Baroz Frederic , Ferreira João Pedro , Sharma Abhinav
Published: September 2024

Aim

To identify unique clinical phenotypes in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and investigate their treatment response to canagliflozin using latent class analysis.

Methods

This was a pooled latent class analysis of the individuals in the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial. The co‐primary endpoints were hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and the composite of cardiovascular death (CVD) or HHF. Secondary endpoints included three‐point major adverse CV events, its individual components, and all‐cause mortality. We completed Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the effect of canagliflozin across phenotypes.

Results

Four distinct phenotypes were identified: Phenotype 1 (n = 966, 6.6%), with the lowest prevalence of heart failure, kidney dysfunction and hypertension; Phenotype 2 (n = 4169, 28.7%), primarily comprising females with a high prevalence of atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASCVD); Phenotype 3 (n = 7108, 48.9%), predominately males with a high prevalence of ASCVD; and Phenotype 4 (n = 2300, 15.8%), possessing the highest prevalences of HF and renal dysfunction. A hierarchical increase in the risk of the primary endpoint was observed across the phenotypes, with the highest CV risk observed for Phenotype 4 (hazard ratio for HHF: 7.57 [95% CI: 4.19‐13.69]). Canagliflozin significantly reduced HHF and the composite CVD or HHF across phenotypes (all P values for interaction > .05).

Conclusion

We identified four clinically distinct T2D phenotypes with differential CV risks. Canagliflozin reduced the risk of CV events, irrespective of the phenotype, emphasizing its broad therapeutic acceptability.
Detection of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes through breath volatile organic compound profiling using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Nicolier Cléo , Künzler Juri , Lizoain Aritz , Kerber Daniel , Hossmann Stefanie , Rothenbühler Martina , Laimer Markus , Witthauer Lilian
Published: September 2024

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and glycaemic states in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), focusing on identifying specific VOCs as biomarkers for hypoglycaemia to offer a non‐invasive diabetes‐monitoring method.

Materials and Methods

Ten individuals with T1D underwent induced hypoglycaemia in a clinical setting. Breath samples, collected every 10‐15 minutes, were analysed using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC‐IMS). Correlation analysis and machine learning models, including Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS‐DA) and Support Vector Machine classifiers, were used to classify glycaemic states based on VOC profiles.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed moderate correlations between specific VOCs (e.g. isoprene, acetone) and venous blood glucose levels. Machine learning models showed high accuracy in classifying glycaemic states, with the best performance achieved by a two‐class PLS‐DA model showing an accuracy of 93%, sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 94%. Key biomarkers identified included isoprene, acetone, 2‐butanone, methanol, ethanol, 2‐propanol and 2‐pentanone.

Conclusions

This study shows the potential of breath VOCs to accurately classify glycaemic states in individuals with T1D. While key biomarkers such as isoprene, acetone and 2‐butanone were identified, the analysis emphasizes the importance of using overall VOC patterns rather than individual compounds, which can be markers for multiple conditions. Machine learning models leveraging these patterns achieved high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. These findings suggest that breath analysis using GC‐IMS could be a viable non‐invasive method for monitoring glycaemic states and managing diabetes.
Increased sugarcane productivity and environmental improvement in acid sulfate soils: A win–win system
Authors: Quirk Robert
Published: September 2024

This paper describes a sugarcane farming system on acid sulfate soils (ASS) in coastal, eastern Australia which has improved crop production, increased carbon sequestration, enhanced soil health and controlled drainage discharge to estuaries. The farming system has evolved as a collaboration between innovative sugarcane farmers, researchers and government agencies. The collaboration started when discharge from the farmed coastal floodplain ASS acidified an entire estuary in eastern Australia, wiping out all gilled and benthic organisms for 18 months. The event produced major conflicts between fishers, farmers, the community, entrained researchers and local and state governments. It led to a major initiative to develop sugarcane farming systems which enhanced environmental benefits and increased crop production. Such a win–win system has applicability to other locations with variable resource use conflicts. The system of cane land management adopted on the Tweed site is described.
Five decades' experience of long‐term soil monitoring, and key design principles, to assist the EU soil health mission
Authors: Robinson David A. , Bentley Laura , Jones Laurence , Feeney Chris , Garbutt Angus , Tandy Susan , Lebron Inma , Thomas Amy , Reinsch Sabine , Norton Lisa , Maskell Lindsay , Wood Claire , Henrys Pete , Jarvis Susan , Smart Simon , Keith Aidan , Seaton Fiona , Skates James , Higgins Suzanne , Giuffrè Giovanna , Emmett Bridget A.
Published: September 2024

The European Union has a long‐term objective to achieve healthy soils by 2050. The European Commission has proposed a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Law, SML), the first stage of which is to focus on setting up a soil monitoring framework and assessing soils throughout the EU. Situated in NW Europe, the UK has substantial experience in soil monitoring over the last half century which may usefully contribute to this wider EU effort. A set of overarching principles have and continue to guide design of national soil monitoring and may prove helpful as other European countries embark on similar monitoring programmes. Therefore, we present the principles of design from five decades of national soil monitoring. The monitoring discussed is based on a stratified‐random design, has matured in support of policy questions, and operates over space and time scales relevant to the SML. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) Countryside Surveys (CS) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Welsh Government, Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) and the England Ecosystem Survey (EES) monitoring programme are national programmes currently operating in the UK. Some important lessons learnt include: adopting a question‐based approach; having a clear robust statistical design for the purpose; selecting indicators that address policy and underlying scientific questions; and selecting indicators that can detect change and use robust and well‐tested methodologies across a wide range of soil and land use types, remaining valid over long time scales, supporting thinking long‐term. Technical lessons learned include the proven cost effectiveness of a stratified‐random design including replication, while adopting a common stratification layer of stable environmental attributes aids comparability between monitoring programmes. Common protocols are vital for future intercomparisons, but a full ecosystem approach that includes co‐located soil and vegetation samples for interpreting a co‐evolving system has proved hugely advantageous. UK monitoring programmes offer a range of experience that may prove valuable to future soil monitoring design to address the major societal challenges of our time, such as maintaining food production and addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
Excess health care use is significantly and persistently reduced following diagnosis of late‐onset epilepsy
Authors: Berglund Marta , Gonzalez‐Izquierdo Arturo , Denaxas Spiros , Lethebe B. Cord , Sajobi Tolulope T. , Engbers Jordan D. T. , Wiebe Samuel , Josephson Colin B.
Published: September 2024

Objective

The incidence of late‐onset epilepsy (LOE) is rising, and these patients may use an excess of health care resources. This study aimed to measure pre‐/post‐diagnostic health care use (HCU) for patients with LOE compared to controls.

Methods

This was an observational open cohort study covering years 1998–2019 using UK population‐based linked primary care (Clinical Practice Research Datalink [CPRD]) and hospital (HES) electronic health records. The participants included patients with incident LOE enrolled in CPRD and 1:10 age‐, sex‐, and general practice–matched controls. The exposure was incident LOE (diagnosed at age ≥65) using a 5‐year washout. The main outcome was all HCU (primary care [PC], accident and emergency [A&E], admitted patient and outpatient care) using inverse proportional weighting to PC use and HCU by setting. An interrupted time‐series analysis was used to examine pre‐/post‐diagnostic HCU between patients with LOE and controls over 4 years either side of diagnosis/matching date. An adjusted mixed‐effects negative binomial regression was used for post‐diagnosis HCU interactions.

Results

Of 2 569 874 people ≥65 years of age, 1048 (4%) developed incident LOE. Mean weighted total HCU increased by 32 visits per patient‐year (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 13–50, p = .003) until LOE diagnosis, and then dropped by a mean of 60 visits per patient‐year (95% CI: −81 to −40). There was an acute rise and fall over the 1–2 years immediately pre‐/post‐diagnosis. Incident HCU remained higher for LOE compared to controls post‐diagnosis (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.65–1.70; p < .001), including A&E, outpatient, and admitted care.

Significance

Health care use demonstrates an acute on chronic rise over the 4 years before diagnosis of LOE. To what extent the partial reversal of the acute pre‐diagnosis rise, and the mediators of the accelerated increase compared to controls are attributed to epilepsy, comorbid and bidirectional disease states, or a combination of both warrants further exploration.
Effects of antiseizure medication withdrawal during the first trimester of pregnancy on seizure control and offspring outcomes
Authors: Fu Yutong , Shi Fanfan , Sha Leihao , Yang Ximeng , Li Rui ,   the WECARE study group, Chen Lei
Published: September 2024

Objective

To explore seizure control and offspring outcomes associated with antiseizure medication (ASM) withdrawal during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

Based on a prospective multicenter study in China, pregnancies followed up between 2009 and 2023 at the neurology outpatient clinic of 50 hospitals were included in this study. Information on demographics, epileptic characteristics, treatment during pregnancy, and offspring outcomes was collected. Pregnancies were categorized into an ASM withdrawal group and an ASM continuation group. Balance tests and univariate log‐binomial regression analysis were conducted to identify imbalanced factors between groups and potential risk factors for seizure deterioration during pregnancy. Multivariate log‐binomial regression was then used to estimate the adjusted effects of ASM withdrawal on seizure deterioration during pregnancy and fetal outcomes. In addition, exploratory subgroup analysis was conducted to identify high‐risk patients who should avoid ASM withdrawal.

Results

Of the 695 pregnancies enrolled, 14.2% withdrew ASMs in the first trimester of pregnancy. ASM withdrawal during this period was associated with a risk of seizure deterioration during pregnancy (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.405, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–1.876). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant risk of seizure deterioration in pregnancies with seizures in 9 months (aRR 1.590, 95% CI 1.079–2.344). After adjusting the folic acid dose, no evidence of protective effects on fetus after ASM withdrawal was observed compared to patients with continued treatment, whereas seizure deterioration during pregnancy increased the risk of fetal death (aRR 3.577, 95% CI 1.086–11.651).

Significance

ASM withdrawal in the first trimester of pregnancy did not show a protective effect on fetal outcomes but rather resulted in increased seizure frequency during pregnancy. However, this finding requires a larger sample for validation. Furthermore, seizure deterioration during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of fetal death.
Pharmaceutical treatment of equine glandular gastric disease: A contextualised review of recent developments
Authors: Rendle David I. , Gough Sarah L.
Published: September 2024

Recent studies report the use of a range of treatments for equine glandular gastric disease, but with all treatments, refractory disease is common. The evidence for some widely used treatments is very poor. Treatments may aim to suppress acid production (e.g. omeprazole), promote mucosal barrier function (e.g. misoprostol/sucralfate), or both. It is imperative that all treatments are combined with management to minimise known risk factors, primarily physiological and psychological stressors.
Multidimensional complex signal processing and feature extraction for fatigue testing data
Authors: Liu Weihao , Gan Lei , Wu Hao , Zhong Zheng
Published: September 2024

This study focuses on implementing a multiaxial racetrack amplitude filter designed for processing fatigue testing data. The filter utilizes the concept of a multiaxial racetrack to map a multidimensional signal into a multidimensional space and employs amplitude filtering to eliminate noise while preserving structural outliers and sequential characteristics inherent in the signal. This research evaluates the effectiveness of this method in processing multidimensional data and compares it to conventional data preprocessing methods in the context of fatigue test data. Furthermore, the effectiveness of two optimization strategies proposed to address the limitations related to the filter's “filtering radius” and “filtering direction” has been validated. The findings reveal that the proposed filter is a versatile multidimensional signal processing technique suitable for diverse domains requiring signal order and shape preservation, particularly in fatigue analysis.
A Spatially Restricted Distribution of Thermophilic Endospores in Laptev Sea Shelf Sediments Suggests a Limited Dispersal by Local Geofluids
Authors: Ståhl Emelie , Linderholm Anna , Brüchert Volker
Published: September 2024

Thermospores, the dormant resting stages of thermophilic bacteria, have been shown to be frequent but enigmatic components of cold marine sediments around the world. Multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain their distribution, emphasizing their potential as model organisms for studying microbial dispersal via ocean currents. In the Arctic Ocean, the abundance and diversity of thermospores have previously been assumed to be low. However, this assessment has been based on data mainly from the western fjords of Svalbard, thus leaving most of the Arctic unexplored. Here, we expand the knowledge about the distribution of thermospores in the Arctic Ocean by investigating the abundance and diversity of thermospores in heated shelf sediments from three sites in the outer Laptev Sea. Two of the sites are located in an area with methane‐emitting cold seeps with a thermogenic source signature suggestive of an origin in a deep hydrocarbon reservoir, while the third site is a reference site not known to be impacted by seepage. We found that activity of viable thermospore populations was more prominent at one of the investigated seep sites. This finding is supported by both radiotracer growth experiments showing thermophilic, sulfate‐reducing activity triggered by heating, as well as 16S gene sequence analyses showing significantly enriched ASVs affiliated to the phylum Firmicutes following high‐temperature incubations. An enrichment of the sulfate‐reducing, endospore‐forming class Desulfotomaculia in heated samples compared to unheated samples was also observed. Furthermore, several ASVs identified at the seep site are closely related to thermospore‐producing bacteria associated with the deep biosphere, including hydrocarbon and hydrothermal systems. Based on the combined information from induced activity, estimated abundance, and phylogenetic composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we propose likely source environments and dispersal vectors for thermospores in the Arctic Ocean.
Did the U.S. Fracking Boom Shale‐Shock Regional Patenting?
Authors: Han Luyi , Winters John V.
Published: September 2024

The shale boom of the early 21st century turned the U.S. into an energy powerhouse and significantly disrupted local economies with shale resources. This study examines the impacts of the U.S. shale boom on regional patenting at a commuting zone level. The shale boom may negatively affect patents if it crowds out labor and capital investments in other non‐energy industries. Our findings show that a one standard deviation increase in non‐vertical well density decreases patent intensity by 3.74% of the mean. Areas with higher drilling densities have lower levels of patented innovation compared to their counterfactuals. This paper contributes to the existing literature related to the “natural resource curse.” We provide new evidence based on regional patenting, which is an important indicator for regional innovation and long‐term economic growth.
Elimination of physiological senescent cutaneous cells in a novel p16‐dependent senolytic mouse model impacts lipid metabolism in skin aging
Authors: Sugiyama Yuma , Kawabe Yoichiro , Harada Tanenobu , Aoki Yu , Tsuji Keiko , Sugiyama Daijiro , Maruyama Mitsuo
Published: September 2024

The evidence of the correlation between cellular senescence and aging has increased in research with animal models. These models have been intentionally generated to target and regulate cellular senescent cells with the promoter activity of p16Ink4a or p19Arf, genes that are highly expressed in aging cells. However, the senolytic efficiency in various organs and cells from these models represents unexpected variation and diversity in some cases. We have generated a novel knock‐in model, p16tdT‐hDTR mice, which possess tdTomato and human diphtheria toxin receptor (hDTR) downstream of Cdkn2a, an endogenous p16Ink4a gene. We successfully demonstrated that p16‐derived tdTomato and hDTR expressions are observed in these mouse embryo fibroblasts and following treatment with diphtheria toxin (DT) eliminates those cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated the efficacy of eliminating p16‐positive cells in vivo, and also observed a tendency to decrease their cutaneous SA‐β‐gal activity after subcutaneous DT injection into p16tdT‐hDTR mice. In particular, comprehensive gene expression analysis in skin revealed that upregulated genes related to lipid metabolisms with aging exhibited remarkable expressions under the senolysis. These results clearly unveiled p16‐positive senescent cells contribute to age‐related changes in skin.
Transitions: Living With Young‐Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Aspö Malin , Visser Leonie N. C. , Kivipelto Miia , Boström Anne‐Marie , Cronfalk Berit Seiger
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Persons with young‐onset dementia (YOD) are confronted with specific challenges. Due to the neurodegenerative nature of the disease, people diagnosed with YOD face many changes with different consequences, for example, regarding their life perspective. These changes can give rise to transition processes and strategies for coping, hopefully stimulating well‐being and acceptance. However, this might not always be the case, and support may be warranted. Our aim was to describe the experiences of those living with YOD due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and identify signs of transitions during the first year after diagnosis.

Method

In this qualitative interview study, we explore the experiences of younger persons living with AD. Thirteen participants under the age of 65 years (nine female and four male; mean age: 57) were included 1 year after being diagnosed with AD. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with a deductive approach. To gain a deeper understanding of the data, Meleis's transitions theory was used as a theoretical framework.

Results

Two categories were identified: ‘Life has changed’ and ‘Mastering a changed life situation’. One year after diagnosis, participants described how they experienced a changed life situation, changing symptoms, a loss of meaningful activities and an increased risk of social isolation. Furthermore, living with uncertainty about the future caused feelings of being disconnected. Awareness was described as an important aspect of coping with YOD and progressing in the transition process. Participants also highlighted the importance of support from others.

Conclusion

The results suggest that preventing social isolation is important in facilitating healthy transitions. Therefore, professionals need to identify signs of transitions and be aware of the complexity of coping with YOD, thereby helping to prevent unwanted responses to change and facilitate a healthy transition process.

Patient or Public Contribution

The findings are based on interviews with 13 persons with YOD and provide insight into experiences of living with YOD.
In defence of the desire for everlasting life: why secular faith cannot ground human meaning and solidarity
Authors: Montero Roman A.
Published: September 2024

Abstract: In this article, I argue that human meaning and value are grounded in an infinite horizon as opposed to the finite horizon of the building of a life. This infinite grounding of human meaning and value makes sense of and justifies the desire for everlasting life. I also argue that this infinite horizon can motivate an ethic of social justice better than the necessity of building a life within a finite timeframe could. In this article I take Martin Hägglund's This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom as representative of the position that meaning and value can only be made sense of in light of the horizon of death; and I draw on phenomenologist Michel Henry's concept of Life and Jean‐Luc Marion's concept of the saturated phenomenon to argue against that position. I then draw on Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, and David Graeber to argue that social justice cannot be grounded in secular faith of temporal finitude but is rather best made sense of in view of an everlasting hope and a move to the infinite.
Thermoporometry measurements of human hair via differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Habe Taichi , Inoue Shigeto , Breakspear Steven , Noecker Bernd , Popescu Crisan
Published: September 2024

Objective

Hair fibres possess an inherently porous structure, which is affected by physical and chemical agents from the environment, as well as those from cosmetic treatments. The present work aims to investigate the potential of a calorimetric method for evaluating the changes of hair porosity, in terms of pore size and size distribution.

Methods

The temperature of the phase transition from solid to liquid is known to be depressed if the liquid is confined within a pore. This shift in temperature can be measured by a calorimetric method like differential scanning calorimetry, DSC. This method is termed thermoporometry and it is the tool used for investigating hair porosity in this work.

Results

Virgin and bleached hair fibres are measured by DSC and, by using the equations developed for water behaviour confined in pores of a solid, the size and size distribution of the hair pores are evaluated, and the influence of the cosmetic treatment on the pores is discussed.

Conclusion

Thermoporometry measurements of hair produced results in good agreement with those obtained by other methods for measuring hair porosity. The analysis of the data suggests that the fibre pores are mostly of a radius of 4 nm, and that the bleaching process increases the total volume of pores through the addition of smaller pores. A prolonged bleaching process appears to reduce the amount of fine pores produced by the first short process, resulting in fewer, but larger, cavities, most likely through a process of pore‐merging.
Pathogenic mechanisms in the evolution of food allergy
Authors: Martinez‐Blanco Monica , Mukhatayev Zhussipbek , Chatila Talal A.
Published: September 2024

The early development of the neonatal immune system is profoundly influenced by exposure to dietary and microbial antigens, which shapes mucosal tolerance. Successful oral tolerance induction is crucially dependent on microbially imprinted immune cells, most notably the RORγt+ regulatory T (Treg) and antigen presenting cells and is essential for preventing food allergy (FA). The development of FA can be envisioned to result from disruptions at key checkpoints (CKPTs) that govern oral tolerance induction. These include gut epithelial sensory and effector circuits that when dysregulated promote pro‐allergic gut dysbiosis. They also include microbially imprinted immune regulatory circuits that are disrupted by dysbiosis and pro‐allergic immune responses unleashed by the dysregulation of the aforementioned cascades. Understanding these checkpoints is essential for developing therapeutic strategies to restore immune homeostasis in FA.
Caregivers as experimenters: Reducing unfamiliarity helps shy children learn words
Authors: Hilton Matt , Twomey Katherine E. , Westermann Gert
Published: September 2024

Previous work has found that shy children show chance‐level disambiguation and retention of novel word meanings in a typical lab‐based word learning task. This effect could be explained in terms of shy children's aversion to unfamiliarity disrupting the requisite attentional processes, because the task is marked by a high degree of unfamiliarity. To test this argument, we examined whether increasing the familiarity of the task facilitates shy children's ability to form and retain word meanings. Two‐year‐old children (N = 23) took part in a word learning task in which their caregiver acted as the experimenter. On referent selection trials, children were presented with sets of three objects, one novel and two familiar, and were asked for either a familiar object using its known label, or a novel object using a novel word. Children were then tested on their retention of the previously formed novel word‐object mappings. In this context of increased familiarity, shyness was unrelated to performance on referent selection trials. However, shyness was positively related to children's retention of the word‐object mappings, meaning that shyer children outperformed less‐shy children on this measure of word learning. These findings show that context‐based familiarity interacts with intrinsic individual differences to affect word learning performance.
Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection Among Adults in Nursing and Care Homes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Osei‐Yeboah Richard , Amankwah Stephen , Begier Elizabeth , Adedze Miranda , Nyanzu Franklin , Appiah Pious , Ansah Jochebed Ode Boakye , Campbell Harry , Sato Reiko , Jodar Luis , Gessner Bradford D. , Nair Harish
Published: September 2024

Background

Older adults in nursing and care homes (NCHs) are vulnerable to severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, hospitalization, and death. This study aimed to gather data on RSV disease among older adults in NCHs and identify reported risk factors for RSV hospitalization and case fatality.

Methods

The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022371908). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Global Health databases to identify articles published between 2000 and 2023. Observational and experimental studies conducted among older adults in NCHs requiring assistive care and reporting RSV illness were included and relevant data were extracted.

Results

Of 18,690 studies screened, 32 were selected for full‐text review, and 20 were included. Overall, the number of NCH residents ranged from 42 to 1459 with a mean age between 67.6 and 85 years. Attack rates ranged from 6.7% to 47.6% and annual incidence ranged from 0.5% to 14%. Case fatality rates ranged from 7.7% to 23.1%. We found similar annual incidence rates of RSV‐positive acute respiratory infection (ARI) of 4582 (95% CI: 3259–6264) and 4785 (95% CI: 2258–10,141) per 100,000 reported in two studies. Annual incidence rate of RSV‐positive lower respiratory tract infection was 3040 (95% CI: 1986–4454) cases per 100,000 adults. Annual RSV‐ARI hospital admission rates were between 600 (95% CI: 190–10,000) and 1104 (95% CI: 350–1930) per 100,000 person‐years. Among all RSV disease cases, commonly reported chronic medical conditions included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, kidney dysfunction, cerebrovascular accident, malignancies, dementia, and those with a Charlson comorbidity score > 6.5.

Conclusion

Data on RSV infection among NCH residents are limited and largely heterogeneous but document a high risk of illness, frequent hospitalization, and high mortality. Preventive interventions, such as vaccination, should be considered for this high‐risk population. Nationally representative epidemiologic studies and NCH‐based viral pathogen surveillance could more precisely assess the burden on NCH residents.
Out‐of‐sample predictability of firm‐specific stock price crashes: A machine learning approach
Authors: Kaya Devrimi , Reichmann Doron , Reichmann Milan
Published: September 2024

We use machine learning methods to predict firm‐specific stock price crashes and evaluate the out‐of‐sample prediction performance of various methods, compared to traditional regression approaches. Using financial and textual data from 10‐K filings, our results show that a logistic regression with financial data inputs performs reasonably well and sometimes outperforms newer classifiers such as random forests and neural networks. However, we find that a stochastic gradient boosting model systematically outperforms the logistic regression, and forecasts using suitable combinations of financial and textual data inputs yield significantly higher prediction performance. Overall, the evidence suggests that machine learning methods can help predict stock price crashes.
Developing Grounded Theory Systematic Approach for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Research
Authors: Wilczewska Martyna , Nazarko Joanicjusz
Published: September 2024

The emergence of the supply chain management (SCM) discipline and its integration with other research fields, such as logistics, has sparked research that aims to combine scientific rigor with business utility. Calls for increased theory‐building and practically relevant research have driven the discipline's development. This article advocates the wider use of grounded theory methodology, providing practical guidance to ensure reliable theoretical contributions. The study employs a multi‐method approach (bibliometric analysis, mapping review, and state‐of‐the‐art analysis) to quantitatively review existing grounded theory research on logistics and SCM issues, investigate its methodological attributes, and outline its strengths and weaknesses. Based on these findings, guidelines are proposed for methodologically sound grounded theory building in the discipline. Derived from empirically grounded theory studies, these guidelines address issues that hinder the effective use of the method, such as misunderstanding its fundamentals, improper use of literature, coding challenges, inadequate research design, and difficulties in transitioning from analysis to theorizing. By adding an empirical perspective to supplement existing guidelines, the study aims to enhance the quality of SCM research. While grounded theory is not the only solution for advancing the discipline, its judicious use is advocated to bring rigorous, theory‐driven, and practice‐oriented contributions to logistics and SCM research.
In‐Office Dental Bleaching Using 37% Carbamide Peroxide Versus 35% Hydrogen Peroxide: A Randomized, Double‐Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: da Silva Karine Letícia , Crovador Cleysson , Stanislawczuk Rodrigo , Calixto Abraham Lincoln , Reis Alessandra , Loguercio Alessandro D.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Compare the tooth sensitivity (TS) and bleaching efficacy (BE) of in‐office dental bleaching performed with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) or 37% carbamide peroxide (CP).

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐six participants were randomly divided into two groups according to the bleaching gel applied to the right hemiarch: 35% HP, or 37% CP. TS was recorded immediately after, up to 1, 24, and 48 h after bleaching, using the VAS and NRS scales. BE was assessed before bleaching and 1 month after using color guide units (ΔSGUs) and a spectrophotometer (ΔEab, ΔE00, and ΔWID). TS was assessed using McNemar's and paired t‐test (VAS) or Wilcoxon signed rank (NRS). The paired t‐test was used to analyze BE (α = 0.05).

Results

TS risk and intensity were lower for the 37% CP (p = 0.003 and p < 0.005). Despite significant differences between the groups after 1 month (ΔSGU and ΔE00; p < 0.05), the color measurements of both groups exceeded the 50%:50% perceptibility/acceptability threshold.

Conclusion

In‐office dental bleaching using 37% CP resulted in reduced risk and TS intensity, without prejudice to the BE.

Clinical Relevance

The use of 37% CP for in‐office dental bleaching could decrease TS risk and intensity without affecting BE.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: RBR‐683qhf
A new discovery of cryptic species in barred sand burrower Limnichthys fasciatus (Pisces: Creediidae) from the western Pacific, with evolutionary perspectives of anti‐equatorial species
Authors: Lee Yu‐Jin , Kim Jin‐Koo
Published: September 2024

Although the barred sand burrower, Limnichthys fasciatus, is widely distributed throughout the western Pacific, including Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, its morphology and genetics are poorly known. We discovered four cryptic species of Limnichthys from the western Pacific based on mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences. Genetic distances showed remarkably large differences (12.7%–24.3% in COI and 7.9%–19.6% in 16S rRNA) between true L. fasciatus (type locality: southeastern Australia) and the others. A relaxed clock model with optimized selected substitution models showed that their deep divergence began in the middle Miocene epoch and subsequently diverged into the current cryptic species in the Plio‐Pleistocene. A eurythermal common ancestor may have evolved independently in each region due to geographical events and paleoclimatic fluctuations, which made it possible for L. fasciatus complex to be an anti‐equatorial species. Despite their deep genetic divergence, they showed marked phenotypic similarity, suggesting that they have experienced similar selective pressures related to their specific behavior.
Morphology and molecular evidence of a new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the edges of a protected area at Rio Itararé, upper Rio Paraná, southern Brazil
Authors: Stabile B. H. M. , dos Reis R. B. , Frota A. , Graça W. J. da , Oliveira A. V. de
Published: September 2024

A new species of Characidium is described from the headwaters of the Rio Itararé, upper Rio Paraná basin, at the boundaries of the Ponta Grossa Arch and the Devonian Escarpment Environmental Protection Area. The new species is supported by both morphological and molecular data, including species delimitation methods (Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning, Barcode Index Number, Poisson Tree Process and its Bayesian implementation, and Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent). The species is genetically close to other species that also exhibit the presence of scales on the isthmus, including Characidium litorale, Characidium satoi, Characidium xanthopterum, and Characidium aff. zebra. The high genetic diversity among Characidium species underscores the necessity of employing a complementary perspective in studies of this group. The discovery of a new species in the headwaters of the Rio Itararé further reinforces the importance of this biogeographic region for the conservation of ichthyofauna.
Study of moisture sorption thermodynamic in canola oilseed and drying energy requirement considerations
Authors: Majd Kamran Maleki , Razavizadeh Naser , Karparvarfard Seyed Hossein
Published: September 2024

The objective of this study is to derive the thermodynamic characteristics from sorption isotherm data for canola. The semi‐gravimetric method was utilized at three different temperatures (25, 40, and 55°C) and seven air relative humidity levels within the range of 11%–90%. The observed data indicated that the equilibrium moisture content of the sample decreased as the temperature increased. The “GAB and BET” models were applied to fit the empirical data, which demonstrated a Type III isotherm, and the monolayer water content was subsequently determined using these models. Thermodynamic properties such as “isosteric heat,” “net isosteric heat,” “differential entropy,” “net integral entropy,” and “net integral enthalpy” were determined from isothermal sorption curves. The results show that as moisture content increases, both the sorption isosteric heat and the differential entropy of sorption decrease. This indicates that at higher moisture levels, the energy required for additional moisture adsorption and the changes in entropy are reduced. Similarly, the net isosteric heat of sorption and the net integral enthalpy of sorption also decrease with increasing moisture content, consistent with the observed reductions in isosteric heat and differential entropy. The specific absorption surface area for each temperature was determined by calculating the monolayer moisture content using both the “GAB and BET models.” The net integral entropy had an increasing trend in the range of 4%–4.5% (db%), while it decreased in the range of 4.5%–6.8% of moisture content. In addition, the spreading pressure at three levels of temperature was reported. Finally, an empirical relation was employed to illustrate the cumulative energy requirement for drying versus moisture content. The results indicated that at low moisture content levels, the drying process required significantly higher energy.

Practical applications

Moisture sorption isotherms are essential for understanding the interaction between water and food ingredients. This knowledge is vital for improving food processing methods such as drying, mixing, cooling, and storage. In industry, isotherms can help determine the best drying method to maintain food quality, identify the optimal mixing conditions to ensure consistency, establish cooling protocols to prevent spoilage, and set storage guidelines to extend shelf life. In addition, understanding thermodynamic properties is crucial for regulating moisture absorption and release, achieving the desired food texture, managing surface characteristics, and calculating the energy needed for effective dehydration processes.
Cross‐border cooperation and tax avoidance of U.S. cross‐listed firms
Authors: Yang Donghe , Zhou Gaoguang (Stephen) , Zhu Xindong (Kevin)
Published: September 2024

We investigate how cross‐border cooperation formed by the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU) affects tax avoidance of foreign firms cross‐listed in the U.S. Prior studies show that the MMoU enhances U.S. SEC's regulatory oversight of foreign firms and increases such firms' corporate governance. We utilize data from 27 jurisdictions from 2000 to 2009 and find that U.S. cross‐listed firms mitigate tax avoidance more than do their home‐listed peers after their home jurisdictions become signatories of the MMoU. Our further analyses reveal that improved information environment and enhanced foreign institutional investor monitoring are two possible underlying mechanisms, consistent with the complementarity theory of tax avoidance that self‐serving managers can employ tax avoidance to divert assets when corporate governance is ineffective. We also show that the effect of the MMoU increases with U.S. IRS monitoring and the strength of institutional regimes in foreign firms' home jurisdictions. Collectively, our findings elucidate unintended consequences of the MMoU and provide implications for practitioners and regulators.
Pressure–Temperature–Time Evolution of a Polymetamorphic Paragneiss With Pseudomorphs After Jadeite From the HP–UHP Gneiss‐Eclogite Unit of the Variscan Erzgebirge Crystalline Complex, Germany
Authors: Massonne Hans‐Joachim
Published: September 2024

A quartz‐rich paragneiss from the Variscan Erzgebirge Crystalline Complex (ECC) was studied in detail because of abundant millimetre‐sized and clearly oriented pseudomorphs after a sodic mineral interpreted to have been jadeite. This mineral, or pseudomorphs after it, is rarely found in extensive high‐pressure (HP)–ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) terranes worldwide despite reported pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions suitable for the formation of jadeite in common paragneisses and orthogneisses. In the studied rock, which contains abundant large and oriented potassic white mica flakes and minor millimetre‐sized garnet grains, the pseudomorphs consist of clusters of small albite grains with thin phengitic muscovite flakes in between. X‐ray maps for Ca and Mg in garnet demonstrate that an early generation of this mineral (Gt1) was corroded and subsequently overgrown by a Ca‐richer generation (Gt2). White mica is phengite with maximum Si contents of 3.42 atoms per formula unit. P–T conditions of 0.85 GPa and 650°C and 1.7 GPa and 660°C were derived for the formation of Gt1 and Gt2 rim + Si‐rich phengite, respectively, using pseudosection modelling. The latter conditions representing the pressure peak experienced by the paragneiss are compatible with the original presence of jadeite and possibly paragonite as well. This metamorphic peak occurred at 338.4 ± 2.3 (2σ) Ma based on in situ dating of monazite grains with the electron microprobe. A single monazite age of 386.4 ± 10.5 (2σ) Ma is related to the formation of Gt1. Thus, a Late Devonian metamorphism is suggested here for the first time to have occurred in ECC gneisses before the major HP event in the Early Carboniferous. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the eclogite‐facies gneisses of the Gneiss‐Eclogite Unit of the ECC experienced peak pressures of not more than 2 GPa in contrast to recent proposals of an extensive UHP area in this unit. In addition, it is suggested that the localized occurrence of UHP rocks surrounded by other lithologies otherwise lacking evidence for UHP conditions should be interpreted with caution with respect to their regional extent and significance.