bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentially inappropriate prescriptions and potential prescription omissions in older people living with HIV
Authors: Fernández‐Fradejas Jorge , Delgado‐Silveira Eva , González‐Burgos Elena , Álvarez‐Díaz Ana María , Vélez‐Díaz‐Pallarés Manuel
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) and potential prescription omissions (PPOs) in a Spanish cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) aged ≥65 years and to identify risk factors for the presence of PIPs and PPOs.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted across 10 public hospitals in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain. Clinical and demographic data were cross‐checked against hospital and community pharmacy dispensation registries. PIPs and PPOs were assessed using the American Geriatrics Society (AGS)/Beers and Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP)/Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria. Risk factors for PIPs and PPOs and agreement between AGS/Beers and STOPP/START criteria were statistically analysed.

Results

This study included 313 PLWH (median age 72 years), of whom 80.5% were men. PIP prevalence rates were 29.4% and 44.4% based on the AGS/Beers and STOPP criteria, respectively. The concordance between AGS/Beers and STOPP criteria was moderate. Benzodiazepines and proton pump inhibitors were the chronic comedications most commonly involved in PIPs. PPOs were observed in 61.4% of the patients. The leading omissions were insufficient influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage and inadequate bone health‐related treatments. The number of chronic comedications, female sex, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cancer diagnosis were risk factors for PIPs, whereas osteopenia and osteoporosis were risk factors for PPOs.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of PIPs and PPOs was observed in our cohort of older PLWH. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive medication reviews in this population to reduce inappropriate medication use and address their specific and underserved therapeutic needs.
Fast or slow? Logistics way choices for perishable products under competition
Authors: Fu Fang , Pei Mengying , Xing Wei , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: January 2024

This study investigates a logistics game where two competing shippers of perishable products may choose between fast and slow logistics ways. The fast logistics way allows a shipper to retain better delivered product quality, whereas the slow one provides a cost advantage. The two shippers sell high‐ and low‐quality products, respectively. We find that the equilibria of the logistics game are determined by the initial qualities of the two products, the differences in the transportation times, and the unit logistics costs of the two logistics ways. Furthermore, a large difference in transportation times enables the high‐quality shipper to select the fast logistics way but the low‐quality shipper to choose the slow logistics. In this way, the high‐quality shipper can benefit from the large difference in delivered product qualities, whereas the low‐quality shipper alleviates the pressure of competition. By contrast, when the unit logistics cost of the fast logistics way is sufficiently high, a small difference in transportation times stimulates the high‐quality shipper to use the slow logistics way but the low‐quality shipper to adopt the fast logistics. The high‐quality shipper may seek the benefit from an increase in demand, whereas the low‐quality shipper should narrow the difference in delivered product qualities. Finally, we find that faster logistics or higher initial product quality is beneficial to the high‐quality shipper, whereas slower logistics or lower initial product quality may be optimal for the low‐quality shipper. These findings offer useful insights for managers to choose their logistics ways.
Registered nurses' perceptions of healthy lifestyle counselling for immigrants in primary healthcare: A focus group study
Authors: Nekouei Marvi Langari Maliheh , Virtanen Eeva , Lindström Jaana , Turunen Hannele
Published: January 2024

Background

The use of primary healthcare and health promotion services is low among immigrants compared with native citizens. Immigrants are at risk of developing chronic diseases due to genetics, nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Registered nurses play an integral role in teaching, counselling for a healthy lifestyle and care coordination in primary healthcare.

Aim

We aimed to explore the perceptions of registered nurses on healthy lifestyle counselling for preventing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases among immigrants in the primary healthcare setting.

Design

We performed a qualitative descriptive study using focus group interviews.

Methods

Data were collected with semi‐structured focus group interviews with a total of 23 registered nurses working in primary healthcare. We recruited the participants by using the purposive sampling method in the primary healthcare setting of four municipalities in Finland. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with qualitative inductive content analysis.

Results

The participants' perceptions were related to (1) uniform counselling practice for both immigrants and native citizens, (2) challenges in counselling immigrants, (3) understanding cultural factors influencing immigrant counselling, (4) the need to improve immigrant counselling and (5) utilizing insights from practical experience to improve the counselling service.

Conclusions

Developing a culturally sensitive health promotion service is suggested to support the health of immigrants. Moreover, both migrant communities and healthcare professionals should be involved in co‐designing and implementing health promotion projects through a community‐based participatory approach.

Impact

Our study contributes to healthcare practice and management by underscoring the need for culturally tailored health promotion services for the at‐risk group of immigrants in primary healthcare. Cultural competence in nursing education needs to be reinforced. The provided recommendations inform researchers and policymakers about the health disparities and health needs of immigrants.

Public Contribution

Healthcare professionals were consulted in the study design.
Extra‐pair paternity enhances the reproductive fitness of urban Chinese blackbird
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Zhang Zhen , Lu Wenjing , Sheng Yao , Ming Fang , Ma Long , Zhu Chaoying , Chen Mingwang , Lu Xinqi , Liu Yuancheng , Sun Guanglong , Ruan Luzhang
Published: January 2024

Urbanization is a human‐induced process of rapid habitat change that can affect the reproductive success of animals. The occurrence of extra‐pair paternity (EPP) may be sensitive to changes in urban ecological conditions. In this study, the Chinese blackbird Turdus mandarinus, a common breeding bird in southern Chinese cities, was selected as the focus species to explore the EPP patterns of monogamous birds in developing cities and the relationship between pairs. Over four breeding seasons, 316 Chinese blackbird nestlings and 20 adults in both urban and rural areas were monitored and genotyped for 11 microsatellite loci to determine progeny affinity. We confirmed that both the brood size and hatching rate of EPP nests were significantly larger than those of within‐pair paternity (WPP) nests. The body mass, beak length, head length, and body length of 12‐day age extra‐pair offspring (EPO) were significantly greater than those of within‐pair offspring (WPO), suggesting important benefits of EPP. However, in accordance with the analyses of nest ecological variables, we concluded that EPP occurs most often in areas with low urbanization levels, indicating some constraints for this reproductive strategy in cities. Our findings provide new insights about how this growing human‐induced landscape change affects mating behaviour in birds, an important aspect in avian ecology and evolution.
Dental treatment approaches of amelogenesis imperfecta in children and young adults: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Rhaiem Miniar , Chalbi Manel , Bousaid Soumaya , Zouaoui Wiem , Chemli Mohamed Ali
Published: January 2024

Objective

The aim of this review was to compare various types of restorations used in children and young adults affected with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) to determine the most effective restorative treatment.

Methods

This systematic review included randomized controlled trials, retrospective and prospective cohorts conducted on children and young adults diagnosed with amelogenesis imperfecta and written in French or English. A systematic search was conducted using four databases, namely Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus, using a selection of MeSH terms: “Amelogenesis Imperfecta,” “Therapeutics,” “Treatment Outcome,” “Adult, young,” “Child,” “Dental Restoration, Permanent,” “Dental Restoration, Temporary,” and “Esthetics, Dental.”

Results

Out of 138 articles identified in the initial search, four articles met all the inclusion criteria. The results showed that ceramic restorations had better quality scores and longevity compared to other restorations.

Conclusion

Ceramic restorations could be considered the restorative treatment modality of choice for AI‐affected children and young adults. However, more high‐quality clinical trials involving young patients affected with AI are required to evaluate and compare the outcomes of different restorative approaches.

Clinical Significance

Young patients affected with amelogenesis imperfecta usually suffer from low self‐esteem, psychological problems and social avoidance, caused by the alteration of teeth such as discoloration, sensitivity, fractures and reduced size. For the dentist, selecting the appropriate restorative treatment for AI in young patients could be a veritable challenge. Therefore, it is important to have an evidence‐based modality. For this reason, in this review, the different restorative approaches used in AI‐affected young patients were compared to recommend the most effective treatment.
Indexing serum and mucous biochemical parameters of endangered Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis with implications for health assessment
Authors: Liu Jiehao , UllahKhan Fahim , Jin Shen , Zheng Yueping , Xu Jianan , Fan Houyong , Wang Youji , Hu Menghong
Published: January 2024

The Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is a critically endangered aquatic fish. Health monitoring and welfare assessments are critical for the conservation of Chinese sturgeon. In this study, biochemical parameters of serum and skin mucus in Chinese sturgeon were examined to evaluate the potential biomarkers. Serum and mucous samples were obtained from Chinese sturgeon, and the levels of total protein (TP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactic acid (LD), acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LYZ), glucose (GLU), and cortisol were determined. The concentrations of ALT, AST, cortisol, and LYZ were significantly higher in the mucous group than those in the serum group (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentrations of ALP, ACP, LD, LDH, CK, and TP were significantly higher level in the serum group than those in the mucous group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the correlations between serum and mucous biochemical parameters were established. Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between serum and skin mucous markers (ACP, cortisol, and LYZ). AST versus ALT in serum and mucus showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between cortisol and CK in mucus (p < 0.01). Moreover, LD versus LDH in serum showed a significant but weak positive correlation (p < 0.01). Principal component analysis revealed a complete separation between the serum and mucous groups, with the biomarkers that contributed the most being ALP, TP, ALT, and AST. This study provides baseline data and reference intervals for serum and mucous biochemical parameters in presumably healthy Chinese sturgeons. The current study has important implications for the development of conservation strategies and the conservation status of critically endangered species.
Cinnamon essential oil/inulin inclusion complexes: Physicochemical, rheological, thermal, morphological, and antimicrobial properties
Authors: Ahmed Jasim , Al‐Jassar Sarah , Thomas Linu , Mulla Mehraj , Jacob Harsha
Published: January 2024

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO), an excellent source of active antimicrobial compounds, has a strong flavor and extreme volatility, which limits its application in the food industry. The objective of this study was to encapsulate CEO into inulin (INL) by freeze‐drying at selected concentrations (10%–20% w/w). Encapsulates containing 15% CEO exhibited the maximum encapsulation efficiency (63.30%). The concentrations of CEO significantly influenced the melting of encapsulates and their melt rheology. Oscillatory rheology data displayed abnormalities in the rheograms with increasing CEO concentrations in encapsulates. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peaks demonstrated the formation of successful encapsulations. The cracks on the encapsulated surface were visualized through SEM, and a variation in topography was quantified by atomic force microscopy measurements. The INL/CEO encapsulates demonstrated antimicrobial activity against selected pathogens, namely Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes. The produced encapsulates have the potential to be used as intermediary products for food, pharmaceuticals, and packaging.

Practical applications

Encapsulates effectively retain the bioactive compounds of essential oils in a complex and release them through controlled mechanisms. These encapsulates have significant industrial applications in active packaging, flavor retention, and pharmaceutics.
Music intervention in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yao Zijin , Ma Zhuolin , Zhu Yichen , Lv Xinan
Published: January 2024

Aims

To explore whether music intervention improves the quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to evaluate its impact on patients' symptoms of depression/anxiety and fatigue.

Methods

This systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The databases PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to September 30, 2022. The search strategy used a combination of the keywords “music” and “hematopoietic stem cell transplantation” or “HSCT.” The outcomes assessed were QOL, depression and anxiety, and fatigue. Pooled standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the outcomes between the music intervention and control groups. Heterogeneity across the studies was assessed using a chi‐square‐based test, and the I2 and Q statistics.

Results

Meta‐analysis of the included study population showed that music intervention for patients undergoing HSCT was associated with patients' improved QOL, and resulted in reduced depression/anxiety and fatigue compared to patients without music intervention.

Conclusion

Music intervention benefits HSCT outcomes, including better QOL, less depression/anxiety, and less fatigue postoperatively. Future trials with larger samples are still warranted to strengthen the evidence supporting the benefits of music intervention in this patient population.
Why Gaps Matter—A Negative Hermeneutical Approach to the Reconciliation Process in the Diocese of British Columbia Based on the Example of Bishop Logan's “Sacred Journey”
Authors: Wolff Edda
Published: January 2024

This essay delves into the utilization of a negative hermeneutical approach, focusing on gaps, tensions, and the absence of elements, to enrich our comprehension of reconciliation efforts. It posits that this method aids in discerning more and less appropriate approaches to reconciliation processes. Negative hermeneutics serves as both a technique and an ongoing journey of exploration, self‐assessment, and understanding our connection with otherness. By critically engaging with perspectives, it prompts deeper questions and fosters a heightened awareness of the limitations inherent in one's viewpoint. Drawing from examples within the ongoing “Reconciliation and Beyond” initiative of the diocese of British Columbia, specifically Bishop Logan's “Sacred Journey,” the essay illustrates how this approach holds potential. It demonstrates how a focus on negative aspects—those initially resistant to conventional academic scrutiny, like silence and materiality—offers valuable insights into critical practices and academic implications. Furthermore, the essay analyses how a hermeneutical process involving receiving, deconstructing, and recreating can introduce innovative perspectives for understanding reconciliation efforts.
From agglomeration to dispersion: How does China's noncapital functions' relief affect regional development?
Authors: Yuan Bo , Jing Kecen , Liu Yuhai
Published: January 2024

Agglomeration economies can bring about positive externalities, while excessive agglomeration backfires. However, existing literature on place‐based policies mainly focuses on policies that enhance agglomeration economies. Few studies discuss dispersion policies coping with the negative externality from excessive agglomeration. Owing to the unclear effects of dispersion policies, we conduct empirical research on the noncapital function relief (NCFR) policy, which is implemented to decrease the agglomeration in Beijing, the capital of China, and promote the development of surrounding areas. Exploiting the difference‐in‐difference model, we find that the NCFR policy implementation significantly facilitates the economic growth of the surrounding areas of Beijing. Changes in the distribution of new firm entry and population are two main channels, while no significant effect on the productivity is found. Furthermore, areas that are less‐developed could benefit more from the NCFR policy. Our findings may enlighten other developing countries in urban economic management.
Supporting data driven translational patient‐centered care using network analysis to visualize symptom distress in children with serious illness
Authors: Ford Shannon , Vaughn Jacqueline , Subramaniam Arvind , Gundala Abhinav , Hensley Elizabeth , Shah Nirmish
Published: January 2024

Purpose

There are an increasing number of techniques and tools to improve the capacity for children to relay their perceptions of their symptom experience while undergoing blood and marrow transplant (BMT). Network analysis (NA) is a tool that can illustrate associations between symptoms and the distress they cause. We aimed to develop a biopsychosocial assessment clinical analytic tool to examine symptom relationships for children undergoing BMT to find actionable relationships for intervention to improve clinical outcomes including mood.

Design and Methods

This pilot study used an analytical mobile application tool to support a wide scope of 15 biopsychosocial symptom distress levels and five mood assessments. Children recorded their symptom distress and mood using the app. NA was used to explore relationships between symptom distress and mood.

Results

Four children, 11–14 years old, undergoing BMT used the app daily during hospitalization. We found a strong presence of emotional distress and its associations symptom distress and mood. Multiple symptom associations were identified including associations between the set of symptoms difficulty breathing and fever (0.557), sad and worried (0.429). Of note, pain distress had a strong capacity to bridge other symptoms and was connected directly to many symptoms.

Practice Implications

We found the significance of patient struggles with emotional and symptom distress and the importance of this relationship to other clinical outcomes. This provides valuable insights and an improved understanding of the child's symptoms. Our findings support early assessment, intervention, and improved symptom communication to enhance sense of well‐being and the child's care experience.
Anti‐Democratic Influence: The Effect of Citizens United on State Democratic Performance
Authors: Fordham Rachel Funk
Published: January 2024

Does money in politics affect democratic performance? I study the effect of the Supreme Court's 2010 landmark decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which struck down existing state bans on independent campaign expenditures, on democracy in the U.S. states. Results from a difference‐in‐differences design indicate that the Citizens United ruling had a substantial negative effect on state democratic performance and that this effect is largely independent of the effect of Republican party control identified by previous research. The results suggest that unlimited political spending may pose a threat to the health of democracy in the United States.
The lithologic diversity of the Moon recorded in lunar meteorites Northwest Africa 7611 and 10480
Authors: Cao Haijun , Chen Jian , Yin Chengxiang , Fu Xiaohui , Ling Zongcheng , Che Xiaochao
Published: January 2024

Northwest Africa (NWA) 7611/10480 are lunar regolith breccia meteorites, composed of mineral fragments and various clasts including mare basalts, volcanic glasses, gabbroic lithologies, and a diverse variety of highland materials (ferroan anorthosite, Mg‐suite, magnesian anorthosite, and alkali suite rocks) as well as different subvarieties of impact melt breccia. The Apollo two‐component mixing model calculation reveals that the NWA 7611 source region contains 58 wt% mare materials and 42 wt% highland components, but the estimated mare components in NWA 10480 have a higher abundance (66 wt%). The predominantly very low‐Ti (VLT) composition in both fine‐grained basaltic and coarse‐grained gabbroic lithologies indicates a provenance associated with a thick lava flow or a single magmatic system. The co‐occurrence of zoning patterns and fine‐scale exsolution lamellae in pyroxene debris supports a cryptomare deposit as the best candidate source. Phosphate Pb–Pb ages in matrix fragments, impact melt breccia, and basaltic clast indicate that the breccia NWA 7611 records geological events spanning approximately 4305–3769 Ma, which is consistent with the ages of ancient lunar VLT volcanism and the products of basin‐forming impacts on the lunar nearside. The youngest reset age at ~3.2 Ga is potentially related to the strong shock lithification process of breccia NWA 7611. Moreover, the similar petrology, texture, geochemistry, cosmic‐ray exposure data, and crystallization ages support that basaltic component in Yamato (Y)‐793274, and Queen Alexandra Range (QUE) 94281, NWA 4884, and NWA 7611 clan came from the same basalt flow.
Perception's objects, border, and epistemic role: Comments on Christopher Hill's Perceptual experience
Authors: Jenkin Zoe
Published: January 2024

Christopher Hill's book Perceptual experience argues for a representational theory of mind that is grounded in empirical psychology. I focus here on three aspects of Hill's picture: The objects of visual awareness, the perception/cognition border, and the epistemic role of perceptual experience. I introduce challenges to Hill's account and consider ways these challenges may be overcome.
Hill on perceptual relativity and perceptual error
Authors: Green E. J.
Published: January 2024

Christopher Hill's Perceptual experience is a must‐read for philosophers of mind and cognitive science. Here I consider Hill's representationalist account of spatial perception. I distinguish two theses defended in the book. The first is that perceptual experience does not represent the enduring, intrinsic properties of objects, such as intrinsic shape or size. The second is that perceptual experience does represent certain viewpoint‐dependent properties of objects—namely, Thouless properties. I argue that Hill's arguments do not establish the first thesis, and then I raise questions about the Thouless‐property view and its role in Hill's defense of representationalism.
Hill on perceptual contents, Thouless properties, and representational pluralism
Authors: Lyons Jack C.
Published: January 2024

Part of a symposium on Christopher Hill's book, Perceptual experience. Hill argues that perceptual experiences typically represent objects as having exotic properties that he calls Thouless properties. This and his representational pluralism allow him to attribute less perceptual error than the view that experiences represent simple relational properties (only). However, I think it is plausible that perceptual systems do make these sorts of errors, which although pervasive and systematic, are relatively subtle and perfectly explicable. I also express some concerns about representational pluralism, especially in the context of a representationalist view of the phenomenal character of experience.
Tragopogon davutii‐turanii: a new species of Tragopogon from Anatolia
Authors: Gültepe Mutlu , Makbul Serdar , Güzel Murat Erdem , Türker Zeynep , Coşkunçelebi Kamil
Published: January 2024

A new salsify species, Tragopogon davutii‐turanii, is described from Anatolia based on micro‐/macro‐morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is morphologically similar to T. vvedenskyi and T. abbreviatus, but differs from T. vvedenskyi mainly in ligule colour and from T. abbreviatus by achene characters and number of phyllaries. In contrast to morphological similarities, based on the phylogenetic tree obtained from nrDNA ITS sequences T. davutii‐turanii is closely related to T. stenophyllus and T. coelesyriacus. Diagnostic characters, description, and conservation status of the new species, as well as micro‐ and macro‐morphological features of its achenes and pollen grains, are provided.
Identification of haplotypes associated with resistance to Fusarium graminearum in spring oat (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Sørensen Espen Sannes , Windju Susanne , Jansen Constantin , Sonesson Anna Kristina , Lillemo Morten , Alsheikh Muath
Published: January 2024

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is the predominant disease in oat in Norway caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. It causes yield loss, reduced seed quality, reduced germination ability and accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON). The FHB resistance is quantitative, and most genes have small effect. Markers with verified effect in the breeding program could further enhance the resistance breeding. This study aims to use a large and diverse population of 541 lines to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to FHB resistance in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and verify their effect in independent breeding material. The material has been tested in six environments over three years and two locations in spawn inoculated and mist irrigated disease trials. The traits tested were germination ability and DON accumulation. A total of 15 significant QTL‐regions were detected across 12 different linkage groups. Haplotypes for each region was constructed and the effect of the alleles in each environment was calculated, which identified the most likely resistant and susceptible alleles. Five QTL‐regions were validated showing consistent effect in the GWAS population and the breeding material. Stacking of the resistant alleles of these regions from zero to five showed significant decrease in DON values and increased germination ability. The haplotype information of a set of historical and modern Nordic varieties were analysed, and the results could be used to select parents for future crossings. The validated haplotypes from this study can be used either to do marker assisted selection (MAS) or improve genomic prediction models in breeding programs.
Serum uric acid concentration is associated with lower glomerular filtration rate in children undergoing kidney transplantation
Authors: Seibert Helena , Pereira Aline Maria Luiz , Pestana José Osmar Medina , Nogueira Paulo Cesar Koch
Published: January 2024

Background

The relationship between serum concentration of uric acid (UA) and chronic kidney disease is complex due to many confounding variables. There is currently debate over whether hyperuricemia acts as a marker of kidney disease or as an independent risk factor.

Objectives

To test the impact of serum UA concentration on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of children undergoing kidney transplantation.

Patients and Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of children and adolescents after kidney transplantation. We analyzed clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data at pre‐transplant and 1, 3, and 6 months after transplant. We developed models of repeated measures analysis, using the generalized estimating equations technique for the outcome evolution of the estimated GFR at 1, 3 and 6 months. High serum UA concentration at 1 and 3 months was modeled as the main exposure variable.

Results

We included 103 transplant patients. In a model adjusted for time, recipient sex and age, the occurrence of acute rejection episodes, and the estimated glomerular filtration at baseline, the trajectory of GFR exhibited an inverse relationship with UA (β = −7.1, 95% CI: −11.5 to −2.6, p < .01).

Conclusion

Serum UA increase was associated with lower graft function over time.
Land plant peptide signaling: What we know—and don't know—about its evolution
Authors: Furumizu Chihiro , Shinohara Hidefumi
Published: January 2024

The availability of genome sequences from diverse algal and plant taxa combined with the refinement of comparative genomics tools has begun to reveal how land plant genomes were shaped through duplication, repeat expansion, and gene family gains and losses. Of particular note is a large increase in the complexity and variety of signaling systems in land plants. Among these, signaling through small peptide ligand‐receptor interactions has been considered one of the major innovations during land plant evolution. First discovered in angiosperms as mediators of various cell‐to‐cell communication processes, peptide signaling studies have been expanded to non‐angiosperms, including bryophytes. Recent studies point to both common and unique roles for peptide signaling in distantly related species, raising interesting questions about how peptide signaling systems evolved and diversified. While the origin of peptide signaling systems remains elusive, progress in sequencing algal genomes offers clues to understanding the evolution of peptide receptors. This article discusses recent studies of small peptide‐mediated signaling systems and highlights current gaps in our knowledge and new avenues for research, which could help us address how peptide signaling systems evolved and contributed to plant terrestrialization.
Carbon stress causes preferential storage over growth in treeline trees
Authors: He Rui , Shi Hang , Hu Man , Zhou Quan , Zhang Quanfa , Dang Haishan
Published: January 2024

Non‐structural carbohydrates (NSCs) play an important functional role in determining plant survival as a backup carbon (C) source, while they also represent a large C sink being traded off against other C sinks when facing stress. However, information regarding how such trade‐offs in C allocation under C stress vary among species remains limited. Here, we experimentally induced C stress in juveniles of three tree species by exposing them to in situ artificial shading, and then we quantified the dynamics of whole‐tree C allocation patterns between storage and growth. For light‐demanding deciduous conifer larch and shade‐intolerant deciduous broad‐leaved birch, tree growth (represented by relative tree height growth (RHG) and relative basal area increment (RBAI)) was significantly reduced by shading, whereas for shade‐tolerant evergreen conifer fir, RHG and RBAI remained constant. Variations of whole‐tree NSC reserves were consistent for non‐treeline tree species (i.e., birch and fir), showing that shading remarkably reduced NSC storage. In contrast, shading‐induced NSC accumulation was found only in treeline tree species (i.e., larch). More importantly, C allocation to NSC storage was prioritized over structural growth only in larch under C stress, suggesting a strong trade‐off between survival and growth in treeline trees. Overall, our results discovered different patterns of C allocation in response to C stress across species with different plant functional types, further highlighting the highly conservative survival strategy of treeline tree species. Our study may contribute to an enhanced understanding of how forest biomes mitigate the negative impacts of stressful events in the context of global changes.
The Incompatibility of Rawls's Justice as Fairness and His Just War Approach
Authors: Medina Vicente
Published: January 2024

A fundamental tension exists between Rawls's ideal Kantian conception of justice as fairness (JAF), which requires respecting people as ends, and his realistic non‐Kantian consequentialist conception of a supreme emergency in a just war. By justifying the targeting of objectively innocent noncombatants during a supreme emergency exception, Rawls allows for treating them as means only. Hence, his appeal to a supreme emergency is insufficient to avoid this tension. First, since for him JAF is ideal but also practical, one might argue that his fictional people in the original position must reflect on the justification for using force on behalf of JAF. And second, since Rawls justifies targeting objectively innocent people during a supreme emergency exemption, he justifies what one might conceive of as emergency terrorism. Emergency terrorism, however, treats people as means only. Therefore, Rawls's Kantian conception of JAF is in tension with his consequentialist justification of a supreme emergency in a just war and hence with emergency terrorism.
The metamotivation approach: Insights into the regulation of motivation and beyond
Authors: Fujita Kentaro , Le Phuong Q. , Scholer Abigail A. , Miele David B.
Published: January 2024

Researchers across theoretical traditions have long recognized the need for people to monitor and modulate certain aspects of their subjective experiences (such as their thoughts and feelings) in response to situational challenges that interfere with the attainment of important goals. Comparatively less attention has been devoted to understanding the beliefs and mechanisms necessary to regulate motivational states—i.e., metamotivation, even though motivational states are often integral to people's subjective experiences of events. As particular types of motivational states are more adaptive in some contexts than in others, flexibly instantiating the right motivational state at the right time may be key to achieving one's goals. The current paper reviews the principles of the metamotivational approach to studying motivation regulation and briefly reviews supporting research. In addition, we highlight metamotivation research conducted in the context of self‐affirmation theory to demonstrate the generative potential of this approach for researching phenomena that have traditionally been treated as separate from self‐regulation. We conclude by discussing some of the novel questions that the metamotivational approach has prompted, both in and outside of the self‐regulatory domain.
The time has come for psychology to stop treating qualitative data as an embarrassing secret
Authors: Masaryk Radomír , Stainton Rogers Wendy
Published: January 2024

Despite the sustained flourishing—both in terms of quantity and quality—of qualitative research in psychology, psychology's establishment ‘gatekeepers’ seem to still be wedded to the dogma that only experimental research and quantitative data are sufficiently robust to be taken seriously. In this paper we make the case against this contempt and call for qualitative research and data to be recognized as valid and epistemologically sound in its own right. Given that its ontology is based upon constructionist assumptions about the nature of the social world, its power to provide nuanced insight into the complexity of humankind is not a problem, but its greatest strength. Our paper therefore starts with a brief review of the ontological and epistemological differences between the two approaches to demonstrate that they are complementary rather than competition. We then make our case, based on two key strategies: first by shedding light on the fact that many (perhaps even most) of psychology's classic experimental studies actually collected qualitative data (in the form of debriefing interviews and the like) and used it to understand what was going on; and then by recent studies that have expressly sought feedback about the hypothesis being purportedly tested. We then recognize the extent to which contemporary researchers are expressing their frustration at the way that they are being forced into a methodological straight jacket, by carrying out their research in ways they view as inauthentic. We end with a call to kerb the methodological dogma that has taken hold of psychology, and to move to a more inclusive approach.
Massive transfusion protocol reactivation as a novel marker of physician team under‐triage after injury
Authors: Weykamp Michael B. , Liu Zhinan , Fernandez Lauren R. , Tuott Erin , Robinson Bryce R. H. , Vavilala Monica S. , Stansbury Lynn G. , Hess John R.
Published: January 2024

Background

Large trauma centers have protocols for the assessment of injury and triaging of care with attempts to over‐triage to ensure adequate care for all patients. We noted that a significant number of patients undergo a second massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation in the first 24 h of care and conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients involved over a 3‐year period.

Methods

Transfusion service records of MTP activations 2019–2021 were linked to Trauma Registry records and divided into cohorts receiving a single versus a reactivation of the MTP. Time of activation and amounts of blood products issued were linked to demographic, injury severity, and outcome data. Categorical and continuous data were compared between cohorts with chi‐squared, Fisher's, and Wilcoxan tests as appropriate, and multivariable regression models were used to seek interactions (p < .05).

Results

MTP activation was recorded for 1884 acute trauma patients over our 3‐year study period, 142 of whom (7.5%) had reactivation. Factors associated with reactivation included older age (46 vs. 40 years), higher injury severity score (ISS, 27 vs. 22), leg injuries, and presentation during morning shift change (5–7 a.m., 3.3% vs. 7.7%). Patients undergoing MTP reactivation used more RBCs (5 U vs. 2 U) and had more ICU days (3 vs. 2).

Conclusions

Older patients and those presenting during shift change are at risk for failure to recognize their complex injury patterns and under‐triage for trauma care. The fidelity and granularity of transfusion service records can provide unique opportunities for quality assessment and improvement in trauma care.
Building Entrepreneurial Mindset: Motivating Curiosity, Connections, and Creating Value in an Assistive-Device Design Project
Authors: Gargac Joshua A.
Published: January 2024

Developing entrepreneurial mindset (EM) can help students understand the bigger picture, recognize opportunities, and learn from mistakes to create value. The purpose of this work was to promote EM development in a required junior-level mechanical engineering course. A pre-existing assistive device project was adapted to incorporate entrepreneurial-minded learning activities requiring students to demonstrate curiosity, make connections, and create value. The project was completed across the entire semester. Students created photojournals and participated in activities to build empathy for project clients. Value propositions were developed and presented before the course content was applied to design and evaluate assistive devices. At the conclusion of the project, the students reported high self-efficacy with the EM-related project objectives.
A Comparative Numerical Analysis of Cold Plates for Thermal Management of Chips With Hotspots
Authors: Farahikia Mahdi , Wang Ping-Chuan , Reyes Louis , Krumholtz Matthew
Published: January 2024

Thermal and hydraulic performances of seven water-cooled minichannel cold plates with different internal structures are compared using numerical analysis. Recent increasing demands for high-performance computing have led to serious challenges in the thermal management of electronic devices. In addition to dangerous on-chip temperatures, heterogeneous integration and local regions of elevated temperatures (hotspots) lead to nonuniform chip-level temperature distributions. As a result, the lifespan and reliability of electronic devices are adversely impacted. Due to the limitation of the air-cooled heat sinks, several new methods, such as liquid-cooled microchannel cold plates are developed to remedy these challenges. The objective of this work is to provide a comparative numerical study of the effectiveness of different minichannel cold plate internal structures in the thermal management of a chip with a nonuniform power map and a hotspot. Cold plate thermal resistance, on-chip temperature uniformity, and pump power were the metrics used for this comparison. For four coolant inlet flow rates within the laminar regime, it is seen that increasing the inlet flowrate enhances the thermal resistance of all cold plate designs while creating less uniformity in chip-level temperature distribution relative to the conventional straight microchannels. Concentrating pin fins on the hotspot showed a 7.2% reduction in thermal resistance, despite increasing temperature nonuniformity by about 7.6%. However, it is observed that hotspot-focused pin fins are more effective in lowering the chip's maximum temperature. Obtaining lower chip-level nonuniformity may be possible by modifying the inlet and outlet conditions of the cold plates.
LinFlo-Net: A Two-Stage Deep Learning Method to Generate Simulation Ready Meshes of the Heart
Authors: Narayanan Arjun , Kong Fanwei , Shadden Shawn
Published: January 2024

We present a deep learning model to automatically generate computer models of the human heart from patient imaging data with an emphasis on its capability to generate thin-walled cardiac structures. Our method works by deforming a template mesh to fit the cardiac structures to the given image. Compared with prior deep learning methods that adopted this approach, our framework is designed to minimize mesh self-penetration, which typically arises when deforming surface meshes separated by small distances. We achieve this by using a two-stage diffeomorphic deformation process along with a novel loss function derived from the kinematics of motion that penalizes surface contact and interpenetration. Our model demonstrates comparable accuracy with state-of-the-art methods while additionally producing meshes free of self-intersections. The resultant meshes are readily usable in physics based simulation, minimizing the need for postprocessing and cleanup.
Numerical Simulation of Net Cage and an Alternative Method to Estimate the Remaining Volume
Authors: Tang Hung-Jie , Yeh Po-Hung , Yang Ray-Yeng , Nan Fan-Hua
Published: January 2024

The deformation caused by waves and current in an aquatic environment significantly impacts the remaining volume of a net cage. Its fluctuations in magnitude could pose a potential threat to the well-being of cultivated species. There is a critical need for a simple, cost-effective solution to monitor cage deformation in real-time. This study proposes a depth-based method, utilizing just two depth meters attached to the cages floating collar and tube sinker, to estimate the remaining volume. Compared to the experimental measurements from previous studies, this method demonstrates satisfactory accuracies. Under current-only and waves-current conditions, the estimation differences are around 11.6% and 23%, respectively. In contrast, when compared to commonly used volume-based methods, the differences are approximately 1.8% and 9.5%. Despite a tendency for overestimation when the mean cross-sectional area deviates from the original top or bottom area of the cage, this method remains a feasible alternative. Its practicality highlights its potential as an efficient means of monitoring cage deformation.
Experiment and Simulation on the Ferrofluid Boundary Deformation and Fluctuation Characters of a High-Speed Rotary Seal
Authors: Chen Yibiao , Yang Lei , Yao Yao , Li Decai , Jiang Yangyang , Lv Lixiang , Yao Jie , Ma Jing , Wang Changgeng , Zhang Hongsheng , Zhou Yuan
Published: January 2024

A ferrofluid seal is a rotary seal widely used in the chemical industry, shipbuilding, aerospace, aviation, and other fields, demonstrating various advantages, such as high reliability, low wear, and low leakage rate. The reason for sealing is that the ferrofluid ring isolates the sealed gas from the atmosphere. Hence, boundary deformation and fluctuation are two significant factors to consider for the design of a ferrofluid seal. However, the ferrofluid boundary is wrapped in the shell and pole shoe, which poses a challenge in direct observation. In this paper, an experimental ferrofluid rotary seal device is presented, which can be used to monitor the boundary changes at different rotational speeds and pressure differences. According to the simulation result, the boundary fluctuation affects the pressure transfer and causes the sealing performance to deteriorate. The ferrofluid boundary obtained through the experiment is essential for an in-depth investigation into the rotary seal failure mechanism for improving the design of the ferrofluid rotary seal.
Periodic strings: A mechanical analogy to photonic and phononic crystals
Authors: Pitombo R. S. , Vasconcellos M. , Abrantes P. P. , de Melo e Souza Reinaldo , Penello G. M. , Farina C.
Published: January 2024

We present a theoretical study of a periodic vibrating string composed of a finite sequence of string segments connected periodically, with each segment characterized by a constant linear mass density. The main purpose is to provide a model that can mimic the properties of photonic or phononic crystals. This system displays frequency intervals for which wave propagation is not allowed (frequency bandgaps), in close analogy to photonic and phononic crystals. We discuss the behavior of these bandgaps when varying physical parameters, such as the values of the linear mass densities, the oscillation frequency, and the number of string segments constituting the entire system.
Eigenmodes of fractal drums: A numerical student experiment
Authors: Simonsen Veronica P. , Hale Nathan , Simonsen Ingve
Published: January 2024

“Can one hear the shape of a drum?” was a question posed (and made famous) by mathematician Mark Kac in the mid-1960s. It addresses whether a deeper connection exists between the resonance modes (eigenmodes) of a drum and its shape. Here, we propose a numerical experiment, suitable for advanced undergraduate physics students, on the calculation of the eigenmodes of a square Koch fractal drum, for which experimental results do exist. This exercise is designed to develop the students' understanding of the vibrations of fractal drums, their eigenmodes, and potentially their integrated density of states. The students calculate the lowest order eigenmodes of the fractal drum, visualize these modes, and study their symmetry properties. As an extension, the students may investigate the integrated density of states of the fractal drum and compare their findings to the Weyl–Berry conjecture.