bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared characteristics of intervention techniques for oral vocabulary and speech comprehensibility in preschool children with co-occurring features of developmental language disorder and speech sound disorder: a systematic review with narrative synthesis
Authors: Rodgers Lucy , Botting Nicola , Harding Sam , Cartwright Martin , Amer-El-khedoud Meriem , Herman Rosalind
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To descriptively compare and contrast intervention techniques for preschool children with features of developmental language disorder (outcome: oral vocabulary) and speech sound disorder (outcome: speech comprehensibility) and analyse them in relation to effectiveness and theory.

Design

This is a systematic review with narrative synthesis. The process was supported by an expert steering group consisting of relevant professionals and people with lived experience.

Data sources

Ovid Emcare, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, ERIC, and Communication Source from January 2012 were searched. Relevant studies were obtained from an initial published review (up to January 2012).

Eligibility criteria

Interventions for preschool children (80% aged 2:0–5:11 years) with idiopathic speech or language needs; outcomes relating to either oral vocabulary or speech comprehensibility.

Data extraction and synthesis

Searches were conducted on 27 January 2023. Two independent researchers screened at abstract and full-text levels. Data regarding intervention content (eg, techniques) and format/delivery (eg, dosage, location) were extracted. Data were synthesised narratively according to the methods of Campbellet al.

Results

24 studies were included: 18 for oral vocabulary and 6 for speech comprehensibility. There were 11 randomised controlled trials, 2 cohort studies and 11 case series. Similarities included a focus on input-related techniques and similar therapy activities. Speech studies were more likely to be professional-led and clinic-led, rather than at home and through a parent. Analysis was restricted by heterogeneity in study design and terminology, as well as gaps within intervention reporting. Information deemed important to the expert steering group was missing.

Conclusions

Similarities and differences between intervention techniques for oral vocabulary and speech comprehensibility have been identified and synthesised. However, analysis of effectiveness was limited due to issues with study design and heterogeneity within studies. This has implications for the progression of the evidence base within the field.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022373931.
Best Case/Worst Case-ICU: protocol for a multisite, stepped-wedge, randomised clinical trial of scenario planning to improve communication in the ICU in US trauma centres for older adults with serious injury
Authors: Stalter Lily , Hanlon Bret M , Bushaw Kyle J , Kwekkeboom Kristine L , Zelenski Amy , Fritz Melanie , Buffington Anne , Stein Deborah M , Cocanour Christine S , Robles Anamaria J , Jansen Jan , Brasel Karen , O'Connell Kathleen M , Cipolle Mark D , Ayoung-Chee Patricia , Morris Rachel , Gelbard Rondi B , Kozar Rosemary A , Lueckel Stephanie , Schwarze Margaret
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Poor communication about serious injury in older adults can lead to treatment that is inconsistent with patient preferences, create conflict and strain healthcare resources. We developed a communication intervention called Best Case/Worst Case-intensive care unit (ICU) that uses daily scenario planning, that is, a narrative description of plausible futures, to support prognostication and facilitate dialogue among patients, their families and the trauma ICU team. This article describes a protocol for a multisite, randomised, stepped-wedge study to test the effectiveness of the intervention on the quality of communication (QOC) in the ICU.

Methods and analysis

We will follow all patients aged 50 and older admitted to the trauma ICU for 3 or more days after a serious injury at eight high-volume level 1 trauma centres. We aim to survey one family or ‘like family’ member per eligible patient 5–7 days following their loved ones’ admission and clinicians providing care in the trauma ICU. Using a stepped-wedge design, we will use permuted block randomisation to assign the timing for each site to begin implementation of the intervention and routine use of the Best Case/Worst Case-ICU tool. We will use a linear mixed-effects model to test the effect of the tool on family-reported QOC (using the QOC scale) as compared with usual care. Secondary outcomes include the effect of the tool on reducing clinician moral distress (using the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals scale) and patients’ length of stay in the ICU.

Ethics and dissemination

Institutional review board (IRB) approval was granted at the University of Wisconsin, and all study sites ceded review to the primary IRB. We plan to report results in peer-reviewed publications and national meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT05780918.
Tackling unmanaged oropharyngeal dysphagia in primary care: a behavioural science realist review of interventions
Authors: Smith Caroline , Bhattacharya Debi , Hansjee Dharinee , Jeffries Charlotte , Richards Keisha , Scott Sion
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is difficulty manipulating a food bolus from the mouth to the throat. Up to 70% of older adults develop OD; however, it is unmanaged in primary care, leading to avoidable hospitalisation.

Objective

This behavioural science realist review aimed to develop programme theories to describe how interventions facilitate primary care healthcare professionals (HCPs) to proactively manage OD.

Methods

We developed initial programme theories (IPTs) inductively using the expertise of stakeholders and deductively using the theoretical domains framework (TDF). Databases were searched to identify evidence regarding contexts, behavioural mechanisms and outcomes related to proactive management of OD and comparative behaviours which offer transferrable learning. IPTs were tested with the evidence to confirm, refine or refute, to produce final programme theories.

Results

36 sources of evidence were included. Five final programme theories were generated explaining how primary care HCPs can be facilitated to proactively manage OD: (1) OD education and training, (2) checklists with OD signs and symptoms, (3) incorporating OD identification into existing workflow, (4) making HCPs aware that older adults and carers expect them to manage OD and (5) raising awareness of the adverse outcomes of OD.

Conclusion

The five programme theories provide the behavioural mechanisms by which an intervention may facilitate primary care HCPs to proactively manage OD. Through the programme theories’ linkage to the TDF, behaviour change techniques (BCTs) mapped to the relevant TDF domain can be selected for an intervention. Operationalisation of selected BCTs into a coherent intervention package should be undertaken using codesign methodology.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022320327.
Nutritional support clinical efficacy in tuberculosis: quasi-experimental study
Authors: Li Yi , Zhou Hong , Zhao Chuan , Tan Min , Shu Li , Yang Feng
Published: August 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the impact of nutritional support on the clinical efficacy in hospitalised tuberculosis patients with nutritional risk.

Methods

We selected a total of 266 eligible patients with tuberculosis for the experimental and 190 patients for control groups. The patients in intervention group received adjusted dietary structure, enteral nutrition via oral intake or gastric tube, total parenteral nutrition and combined enteral and parenteral nutrition. We recorded various factors, including age, sex, underlying disease, tuberculosis type, nutritional risk at admission, serum albumin (ALB), body mass index, complications during hospitalisation, nutritional support status, serum ALB before discharge and length of hospital stay.

Results

The incidences of nutritional risk in the control and experimental groups were 64.41% and 64.72%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics. The occurrence rates of complications and secondary infections in the experimental group were 57.89% and 51.5%, respectively, which were significantly lower than the control group’s rates of 70.00% and 56.31%. These differences were statistically significant. The experimental group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (16.5±7.54 days) compared with the control group (19.55±7.33 days). Furthermore, the serum ALB levels of patients in the experimental group were higher on discharge than at admission.

Conclusion

Hospitalised patients with tuberculosis often face a high incidence of nutritional risk. However, the implementation of standardised nutritional support treatment has shown promising results in improving the nutritional status of tuberculosis patients with nutritional risk. This approach not only helps reduce the occurrence of complications but also enhances short-term prognosis and improves overall clinical efficacy.
Modified CNN with Transfer Learning for Multi-Document Summarization: Proposing Co-Occurrence Matrix Generation-Based Knowledge Extraction
Authors: Ketineni Sunilkumar , Sheela J.
Published: August 2024

The rapid growth of the internet and computing devices significantly increases the rise of the quantity of information. The major technique which is utilized to lower the limit of information quantity is ATS. By this technique, the text documents are precisely summarized within a short time as per user requirements. However, its effectiveness is limited due to various issues like subject identification, elucidation, summary generation and analysis of the generated summary. To tackle these issues and to obtain precise and concise summarized text, this proposed approach results as the efficient multi-document summarization approach by focusing on those issues. This proposed approach is incorporated with preprocessing, feature extraction, knowledge extraction and summarization processes. Initially, preprocessing is done by BERT tokenization and it results in preprocessed tokens from multiple documents. The features extracted from preprocessed tokens are the proposed aspect term feature, TF-IDF feature, Word2Vec feature and average word length feature. After, relevant features are extracted from the preprocessed token to train modified CNN in the feature extraction process. Instantaneously, the preprocessed tokens are employed in the knowledge extraction process for extracting essential knowledge to improve the training ability of modified CNN. This modified CNN is trained with the obtained weight, extracted feature set and knowledge to obtain precise and concise summarized text from multiple documents. Thus, the final summarized outcome has been from modified CNN with transfer learning (MCNN-TL). Finally, a variety of analyses are used to assess the suggested multi-document summary methodology, demonstrating its superiority over current summarization methods.
Adaptive Fuzzy Finite-Time Output Feedback Fault-Tolerant Control of Stochastic Non-Strict Feedback Nonlinear Systems with Input Saturation and Unknown Control Direction
Authors: Yue Hongyun , Xue Arong
Published: August 2024

In this article, a fuzzy adaptive finite time (FT) output feedback tracking fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme is designed for stochastic non-strict feedback nonlinear systems (NSFNSs) with actuator failure, input saturation, and unknown control direction. The system studied in this article is more complex than previous results and more in line with the actual situation. The advantages of this study are as follows: (i) A fuzzy state observer of high gain is established to deal with the states unmeasured problem of the system. (ii) The Nussbaum function is employed to address unknown control direction and actuator failure problems, and the Smooth non-affine function is utilized to dispose of the input saturation. (iii) The dynamic surface technique introduces errors that are eliminated by using the error compensation technology, and fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are applied to appropriate unknown nonlinear functions in the system. The controller developed in this study guarantees that tracking errors can converge to a small neighborhood around the origin within FT and overall signals in the stochastic system are semi-global finite-time stable in probability (SGFSP). Finally, three simulation examples are introduced to verify the effectiveness of the suggested control strategy.
Doubled Hecke Algebras and Related Quantum Schur Duality
Authors: Xue Chenliang , Zhang An
Published: August 2024

We introduce the doubled Hecke algebra, which is an infinite-dimensional algebra generated by two Hecke algebras. This concept originates from the degenerate doubled Hecke algebra in the theory of Schur-Weyl duality related to enhanced reductive algebraic groups. We study the finite-dimensional natural representation of the doubled Hecke algebra on tensor space and prove that the doubled Hecke algebra forms a duality with the quantum group of Levi type.
Colon Structure of Associated Primes of Monomial Ideals
Authors: Ambhore Siddhi Balu , Sengupta Indranath
Published: August 2024

We find an explicit expression of the associated primes of monomial ideals as a colon by an element [Formula: see text], using the unique irredundant irreducible decomposition whose irreducible components are monomial ideals. An algorithm to compute [Formula: see text] is given using Macaulay2. For squarefree monomial ideals the problem is related to the combinatorics of the underlying clutter or graph. For ideals of Borel type, the monomial [Formula: see text] takes a simpler form, and we classify when [Formula: see text] is unique.
Relative ( n, k) -Weak Cotorsion Modules
Authors: Amini Mostafa , Amzil Houda , Bennis Driss
Published: August 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a ring and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] be two non-negative integers. As an extension of several known notions, we introduce and study [Formula: see text]-weak cotorsion modules using the class of right [Formula: see text]-modules with [Formula: see text]-weak flat dimensions at most [Formula: see text]. Various examples and applications are also given.
Phases of Stable Representations of Euclidean and Wild Quivers
Authors: Engenhorst Magnus
Published: August 2024

We consider stable representations of non-Dynkin quivers with respect to a central charge. These attract a lot of interest in mathematics and physics since they can be identified with so-called BPS states. Another motivation is the work of Dimitrov et al. on the phases of stable representations of the generalized Kronecker quiver. One aim is to explain for general Euclidean and wild quivers the behavior of phases of stable representations well known in some examples. In addition, we study especially the behavior of preinjective, postprojective and regular indecomposable modules. We show that the existence of a stable representation with self-extensions implies the existence of infinitely many stables without self-extensions for rigid central charges. In this case the phases of the stable representations approach one or two limit points. In particular, the phases are not dense in two arcs. The category of representations of acyclic quivers is a special case of rigid Abelian categories which show this behavior for rigid central charges.
Dynamics of fecal–oral periodic propagation model in heterogeneous environments
Authors: Zhang Han , Zhu Min
Published: August 2024

The transmission of fecal–oral infectious diseases exhibits seasonal and periodic variations, especially the transmission risk of the disease increases in areas where water sources are contaminated. In this paper, we established and studied a fecal–oral model incorporating spatial heterogeneity and temporal periodicity. By employing methods including the spectral radius of the next-generation operator and the principal eigenvalue, we analyzed the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] of the model and its associated properties. Additionally, we investigated the existence and attractiveness of positive T-periodic solutions and obtained the asymptotic behavior of the model. The dynamical results indicated that when [Formula: see text], the infectious diseases will exhibit periodic changes and eventually become endemic diseases, while when [Formula: see text], the diseases will be controlled and eventually disappear. Finally, numerical simulations and epidemiological explanations echoed our theoretical results.
Multiplex Community Detection in Social Networks Using a Chaos‐Based Hybrid Evolutionary Approach
Authors: Zarei Bagher , Arasteh Bahman , Asadi Mehdi , Majidnezhad Vahid , Afshord Saeid Taghavi , Bouyer Asgarali
Published: August 2024

Network analysis involves using graph theory to understand networks. This knowledge is valuable across various disciplines like marketing, management, epidemiology, homeland security, and psychology. An essential task within network analysis is deciphering the structure of complex networks including technological, informational, biological, and social networks. Understanding this structure is crucial for comprehending network performance and organization, shedding light on their underlying structure and potential functions. Community structure detection aims to identify clusters of nodes with high internal link density and low external link density. While there has been extensive research on community structure detection in single‐layer networks, the development of methods for detecting community structure in multilayer networks is still in its nascent stages. In this paper, a new method, namely, IGA‐MCD, has been proposed to tackle the problem of community structure detection in multiplex networks. IGA‐MCD consists of two general phases: flattening and community structure detection. In the flattening phase, the input multiplex network is converted to a weighted monoplex network. In the community structure detection phase, the community structure of the resulting weighted monoplex network is determined using the Improved Genetic Algorithm (IGA). The main aspects that differentiate IGA from other algorithms presented in the literature are as follows: (a) instead of randomly generating the initial population, it is smartly generated using the concept of diffusion. This makes the algorithm converge faster. (b) A dedicated local search is employed at the end of each cycle of the algorithm. This causes the algorithm to come up with better new solutions around the currently found solutions. (c) In the algorithm process, chaotic numbers are used instead of random numbers. This ensures that the diversity of the population is preserved, and the algorithm does not get stuck in the local optimum. Experiments on the various benchmark networks indicate that IGA‐MCD outperforms state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
Floristic Inventory and Diversity Assessment at Two Locations along the Shores of Cape Coast, Ghana
Authors: Dali Gertrude Lucky Aku , Arthur Sethiler , Essandoh Paul Kwame
Published: August 2024

Coastal vegetation plays significant roles such as stabilization of the surface against wind and erosion, and provision of critical terrestrial and aquatic habitats for organisms. Floristic studies serve as a way of monitoring and evaluating the health of ecosystems. Currently, information on the floristic composition and diversity along the shoreline of Cape Coast is scanty. The study was aimed at assessing the impacts of anthropogenic activities on plant biodiversity along the shoreline of Cape Coast, Ghana. Thus, the study analysed the biodiversity of plants at the Hutchland beach (a disturbed area) and the Asasse Pa beach (a fairly undisturbed area). It was hypothesised that the Asasse Pa beach had a higher species diversity than the Hutchland beach. An inventory was made of all plant species found at both locations. A belt transect method was used for the ecological study, involving the use of a 1 m2 quadrat. All the plants that were found in each quadrat were identified, and the species and number of individuals of each species were counted—this information was used in the determination of the ecological parameters of the species and the locations. Parameters between the two locations were compared with a t‐test, whereas variations in the distribution of the species were determined with principal components analysis (PCA), using Minitab and R statistical software, respectively. A total of 50 plant species belonging to 48 genera and 23 families were inventoried along the shoreline. The family Poaceae had the highest number of species, 10. The Asasse Pa beach had a higher species diversity and evenness of 2.84 and 0.84, respectively, whereas the Hutchland beach had a lower species diversity and evenness of 2.44 and 0.75, respectively. Anthropogenic activities at the Hutchland beach might have accounted for the lower species diversity and evenness there. The study therefore recommends periodic monitoring of coastal vegetation also law enforcement on coastal resources.
Estimating the Prevalence of GNE Myopathy Using Population Genetic Databases
Authors: Derksen Alexa , Thompson Rachel , Shaikh Madeeha , Spendiff Sally , Perkins Theodore J. , Lochmüller Hanns
Published: August 2024

GNE myopathy (GNEM) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive skeletal muscle wasting starting in early adulthood. The prevalence of GNEM is estimated to range between one and nine cases per million individuals, but the accuracy of these estimates is limited by underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and bias introduced by founder allele frequencies. As GNEM is a recessive disorder, unaffected carriers of single damaging variants can be expected to be found in the healthy population, providing an alternative method for estimating prevalence. We aim to estimate the prevalence of GNEM using allele frequencies obtained from healthy population genetic databases. We performed a review to establish a complete list of all known pathogenic GNEM variants from both literature and variant databases. We then developed standardized filtering steps using in silico tools to predict the pathogenicity of unreported GNE variants of uncertain clinical significance and validated our pathogenicity inferences using Mendelian Approach to Variant Effect pRedICtion built in Keras (MAVERICK) and AlphaMissense. We calculated conservative and liberal disease prevalence estimates using allele frequencies from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) population database by employing methodologies based on the assumptions of the Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium. We additionally calculated estimates for disease prevalence removing the contribution of unique variant combinations that either do not cause myopathy in humans or result in embryonic lethality. We present the most comprehensive list of reported pathogenic GNE variants to date, together with additional variants predicted as pathogenic by in silico methods. We provide additional pathogenicity scores for these variants using new pathogenicity prediction tools and present a set of estimates for GNEM prevalence based on the different assumptions. Our most conservative estimate suggested a prevalence of 18.46 cases per million, while our most liberal estimate places the prevalence at 95.42 cases per million. When accounting for variant severity, this range drops to 11.00–87.68 cases per million. Our findings indicate that the true global prevalence of GNEM is greater than previous predictions underscoring that this condition is considerably more widespread than previously believed.
Enhancing MS‐275 Anticancer Activity: Encapsulation of MS‐275 in TPGS Micelles Demonstrated High Efficiency
Authors: Alshawli Abdulelah S. , Ahmed Tarek A. , Ahmed Farid , Haque Absarul , El-Say Khalid M. , Omar Abdelsattar M. , Abu-Elmagd Muhammad
Published: August 2024

MS‐275, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has proven anticancer activities against various malignancies. However, its clinical application has been constrained by dose‐limiting toxicity, off‐target effects, and variable clinical outcomes. Clinical data suggest that sustained low MS‐275 doses could achieve a more selective and consistent effect. This study aimed at enhancing the anticancer activity of MS‐275 by encapsulating it in D‐α‐tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) micelles. The produced nanoformulations were characterized by their low polydispersity (0.201), negative zeta potential (−0.397 mV), and high entrapment efficiency (98.8%). Experimental evaluation of the formulation showed a significant reduction in HepG2, HCT116, and MCF7 cells’ viability, associated with enhanced apoptosis at a lower IC50 compared to MS‐275 alone. The formulation was further examined on cancer cells xenografted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos. The results showed a substantial reduction in tumor size. TPGS micelles alone induced an accumulation in G1 and slightly reduced the cellular viability of the examined cell lines. Our results suggest that encapsulating MS‐275 in TPGS micelles represents a promising strategy to enhance MS‐275 therapeutic impact while minimizing its pharmacological dosage.
Supplementary Figure 2 from Noninvasive Lung Cancer Subtype Classification Using Tumor-Derived Signatures and cfDNA Methylome
Authors: Li Shuo , Li Wenyuan , Liu Bin , Krysan Kostyantyn , Dubinett Steven M.
Published: August 2024

Tumor copy number variations identified from 106 cfDNA samples for model training and cross-validation
Figure S4 from Mathematical Modeling of Tumor Growth in Preclinical Mouse Models with Applications in Biomarker Discovery and Drug Mechanism Studies
Authors: Zhou Huajun , Mao Binchen , Guo Sheng
Published: August 2024

Figure S4
Figure S15 from Mathematical Modeling of Tumor Growth in Preclinical Mouse Models with Applications in Biomarker Discovery and Drug Mechanism Studies
Authors: Zhou Huajun , Mao Binchen , Guo Sheng
Published: August 2024

Figure S15
Figure 3 from Mathematical Modeling of Tumor Growth in Preclinical Mouse Models with Applications in Biomarker Discovery and Drug Mechanism Studies
Authors: Zhou Huajun , Mao Binchen , Guo Sheng
Published: August 2024

Lack-of-fit F-test. Proportion of group tumor volume data that lack fit by any of the six parametric models by lack-of-fit test, separated by A parametric model, mouse model type, and treatment; (B) mouse model type; (C) treatment by vehicle or drug; (D) mouse model type and treatments. E and F, UMAP of the irregular curves, colored by treatment (E) and model type (F).
Effect of Follicular T Helper and T Helper 17 Cells-Related Molecules on Disease Severity in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Arslan Doruk , Ergul-Ulger Zeynep , Goksen Sibel , Esendagli Gunes , Erdem-Ozdamar Sevim , Tan Ersin , Bekircan-Kurt Can Ebru
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Contribution of T helper 1 and 2 cells-related cytokines to pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) is well known. Recently, the contribution of follicular T helper (Tfh) and T helper 17 cells-related molecules to the pathogenesis has gained importance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in Tfh- and Th17-related molecules before and after rescue therapy in patients with myasthenic crisis (cMG) and to reveal the molecular differences between stable MG and cMG patients. Methods: Patients with stable generalized MG (gMG) and cMG were classified according to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification. Serum samples were collected from cMG patients both before and after rescue therapy (plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIg]). Serum levels of Tfh- and selected Th17-related molecules (IL-22, IL-17A, CXCL13, sPD-L1, sICOSLG, and sCD40L) were analyzed by commercial ELISA kits. Results: Twelve cMG (6 for IVIg, 6 for plasmapheresis) and 10 gMG patients were included in the study. A decrease in serum sPD-L1 and CXCL13 levels was observed in cMG patients after treatment, regardless of the treatment modality (p < 0.05). In contrast, serum sICOSLG levels decreased only in patients treated with IVIg (p < 0.05) and serum IL-22 levels increased in patients receiving plasmapheresis (p < 0.05). cMG patients had higher serum IL-17A levels compared to stable patients (p < 0.001) and its level was positively correlated with disease severity (r = 0.678, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our results confirm the contribution of Tfh- and Th17-related cell pathways to MG pathogenesis. Both IVIg and plasmapheresis appear to be effective in reducing Tfh- and Th17-related cytokine/molecule levels in cMG patients. Increased serum IL-17A levels may contribute to disease severity.
ЗМІНИ У СТРУКТУРІ СМЕРТНОСТІ В УКРАЇНІ: РЕАЛЬНІ ТА ПРОГНОЗОВАНІ
Authors: Рингач Н. О. , Власик Л. Й.
Published: August 2024

Мета: визначити зрушення у структурі смертності за причинами, що відбулися в Україні за роки пандемії COVID-19; сформулювати гіпотези щодо прогнозованих змін через повномасштабну війну.
Матеріали і методи. Інформаційною базою для статистичного аналізу стала звітність Державної служби статистики України. У компаративному аналізі використано стандартизовані за віком (євростандарт) показники смертності від основних причин за 2013 та 2019–2021 рр.
Результати. Головне структурне зрушення смертності населення України за період 2019–2021 рр. – друге рангове місце COVID-19 (12,3 % у 2021 р.). З 2019 р. відбувалося зменшення частки серцево-судинних захворювань (до 60,1 %), новоутворень (10,4 %) та зростання значущості хвороб органів дихання (3,7 %). Сумарна частка традиційних причин-лідерів (серцево-судинних захворювань, новоутворень і зовнішніх причин смерті) скоротилася з 85,7 до 74,6 %. Зберігалися відмінності структури смертності за статтю, що полягали у більшій значущості для жінок смертності внаслідок хвороб системи кровообігу (64,9 % проти 55,0 % для чоловіків); значно більшій вагомості для чоловіків смертності внаслідок зовнішніх причин (6,7 % проти 1,6 % для жінок) і хвороб органів травлення (4,5 % проти 2,6 % відповідно).
Висновок. Ймовірною зміною структури смертності за причинами в Україні у найближчій перспективі (детер­міновані поєднаною дією триваючої пандемії COVID-19 та війни на території країни) стане зміна співвідношення ендогенних та екзогенних причин смерті з істотним зростанням внеску як зовнішніх причин (насамперед для чоловіків), так і інфекційної патології в цілому, включаючи коронавірусну хворобу.
Glaucoma-Protective Human Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in the
Angpt2
Locus Increased ANGPT2 Expression and Schlemm Canal Area in Mice—Brief Report
Authors: Kiyota Naoki , Onay Tuncer , Leeaw Phoebe , Liu Pan , Deb Dilip K. , Thomson Benjamin R. , Segrè Ayellet V. , Wiggs Janey L. , Quaggin Susan E.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

The ANGPT (angiopoietin)-TEK (tyrosine kinase, endothelial) vascular signaling pathway plays a key role in the formation of Schlemm canal, and loss-of-function mutations in the
TEK
or
ANGPT1
gene are associated with primary congenital glaucoma in children. In genome-wide association studies, an association was identified between protection from primary open-angle glaucoma and the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs76020419 (G>T), located within a predicted
miR-145
–binding site in the 3′ untranslated region of
ANGPT2
. To date, the functional impact of this variant in the anterior chamber of the eye remains largely unexplored.

METHODS:

MT (mutant) mice harboring an orthologous rs76020419 minor allele (T) were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat–associated 9). Plasma and tissue samples, including eyes, were collected, and ANGPT2 expression was quantified using ELISA. Anterior segments from eyes were collected from WT (wild-type) and MT mice, and Schlemm canal area was quantified.

RESULTS:

In the MT group, higher ANGPT2 concentrations were observed in the plasma, lungs, kidneys, and eyes (
P
=0.0212,
P
<0.001,
P
=0.0815, and
P
=0.0215, respectively). Additionally, the Schlemm canal was larger in MT mice compared with WT mice (
P
=0.0430).

CONCLUSIONS:

The rs76020419 minor allele (T) is associated with increased levels of ANGPT2 and a larger Schlemm canal in mice. These findings suggest a potential protective mechanism in glaucoma.
Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Contributes to Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
Authors: Hamczyk Magda R. , Nevado Rosa M. , Gonzalo Pilar , Andrés-Manzano María J. , Nogales Paula , Quesada Víctor , Rosado Aránzazu , Torroja Carlos , Sánchez-Cabo Fátima , Dopazo Ana , Bentzon Jacob F. , López-Otín Carlos , Andrés Vicente
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

Atherosclerosis is the main medical problem in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, a rare premature aging disorder caused by the mutant lamin-A protein progerin. Recently, we found that limiting progerin expression to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is sufficient to hasten atherosclerosis and death in
Apoe
-deficient mice. However, the impact of progerin-driven VSMC defects on endothelial cells (ECs) remained unclear.

METHODS:

Apoe
- or
Ldlr
-deficient C57BL/6J mice with ubiquitous, VSMC-, EC- or myeloid-specific progerin expression fed a normal or high-fat diet were used to study endothelial phenotype during Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome–associated atherosclerosis. Endothelial permeability to low-density lipoproteins was assessed by intravenous injection of fluorescently labeled human low-density lipoprotein and confocal microscopy analysis of the aorta. Leukocyte recruitment to the aortic wall was evaluated by en face immunofluorescence. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and RNA sequencing in the aortic intima and by immunofluorescence in aortic root sections. TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) signaling was analyzed by multiplex immunoassay in serum, by Western blot in the aorta, and by immunofluorescence in aortic root sections. The therapeutic benefit of TGFβ1/SMAD3 pathway inhibition was evaluated in mice by intraperitoneal injection of SIS3 (specific inhibitor of SMAD3), and vascular phenotype was assessed by Oil Red O staining, histology, and immunofluorescence in the aorta and the aortic root.

RESULTS:

Both ubiquitous and VSMC-specific progerin expression in
Apoe
-null mice provoked alterations in aortic ECs, including increased permeability to low-density lipoprotein and leukocyte recruitment. Atherosclerotic lesions in these progeroid mouse models, but not in EC- and myeloid-specific progeria models, contained abundant cells combining endothelial and mesenchymal features, indicating extensive EndMT triggered by dysfunctional VSMCs. Accordingly, the intima of ubiquitous and VSMC-specific progeroid models at the onset of atherosclerosis presented increased expression of EndMT-linked genes, especially those specific to fibroblasts and extracellular matrix. Aorta in both models showed activation of the TGFβ1/SMAD3 pathway, a major trigger of EndMT, and treatment of VSMC-specific progeroid mice with SIS3 alleviated the aortic phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS:

Progerin-induced VSMC alterations promote EC dysfunction and EndMT through TGFβ1/SMAD3, identifying this process as a candidate target for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome treatment. These findings also provide insight into the complex role of EndMT during atherogenesis.
Grand Bargain: Negotiating Toward a Better Middle East
Authors: Sebenius James K.
Published: August 2024

How can sophisticated negotiation bring about a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East? While a “grand bargain” to accomplish this lofty goal may seem implausible, the potential value of such an agreement would be vast for most Israelis, Palestinians, and key regional players—as well as for many global states. Yet the failure to successfully negotiate it would entail correspondingly huge potential costs for these parties. When the benefits of a deal are high and the costs of no deal are extreme, the underlying basis for a successful negotiation exists—that is, we can envision a collectively beneficial “zone of possible agreement” (ZOPA). The first task of this article is relatively easy: to describe the elements of such a grand bargain—an “Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace Initiative (AIPPI),” which should be announced by Saudi Arabia and/or the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The AIPPI would contain a vision of a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the form of a non-militarized Palestinian state with Israel enjoying normalized relations with moderate Sunni Arab regimes. As a point of departure for negotiating, it would detail the benefits to and obligations of Israelis, Palestinians, and Arab states required to realize this vision, encourage the creation of performance-based milestones toward this end, to be followed by an international conference. The analysis of this article then shows that a ZOPA likely exists among critical stakeholders despite formidable would-be blockers. Yet bringing about the AIPPI requires answering two much harder questions: What are the barriers to realizing it and what is a plausible path to overcome these barriers? Sketching credible answers to these two knotty questions is the main intended contribution of this article.
Advancing Gender Equality in Contemporary Ocean Affairs
Authors: Kitada Momoko , Rodríguez-Chaves Mariamalia
Published: August 2024

This article addresses three key aspects of the importance of gender equality within ocean and maritime law-making: the employment of gender sensitive language in recognising the roles and responsibilities of ‘all people’ who work and benefit from ocean activities; the low representation of women in male-dominated ocean governance structures; and a human rights approach to gender equality as a critical means of using law to effectively improve working conditions and support systems for women. In the past decades, gender equality in maritime and ocean affairs has been evolving in international legal instruments in terms of progress in the inclusion of gender sensitive language and specific provisions. Reviews of these legal instruments demonstrate the need to overcome gender blindness and promote equality in maritime and ocean domains.
The Imbalanced Geography of the Law on Use of Force in Self-Defence
Authors: Goldthorpe Chloe
Published: August 2024

The most invoked justification for use of military force is the ‘inherent right’ to self-defence, enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. This article examines efforts over the past two decades to reshape the scope of this right, arguing that attempts to permit defensive force in a wider range of situations than previously are symptomatic of structural bias that favours militarily powerful States more able and willing to use force. Building from TWAIL and feminist insights, the article reveals trends in instrumentalization and dominance of the law on self-defence, particularly within construction of customary international law, which operate to the detriment of populations living in areas converted into conflict zones. The analysis reinforces the imperative to explicitly acknowledge issues with universality and impartiality within the discussion on scope of self-defence, as well as consider alternative approaches to redressing structural bias and restricting the imbalanced impacts of defensive force.
Burmaculex (Diptera: Culicidae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, with the first description of a male and three new species
Authors: SZADZIEWSKI RYSZARD , ZHANG QING-QING , BOJARSKI BŁAŻEJ , ŠEVČIK JAN , KRZEMIŃSKA EWA , KRZEMIŃSKI WIESŁAW
Published: August 2024

Both sexes of Burmaculex porczynskii sp. nov. and females of Bu. edwardsi sp. nov. and Bu. harbachi sp. nov. from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber are described and illustrated. A male of Burmaculex Borkent & Grimaldi, 2004 is described for the first time. Priscoculex Poinar et al., 2019 is recognized as a junior synonym of Burmaculex, syn. nov. Paleoculicis Poinar et al., 2000, represented by Pa. minutus Poinar et al., 2000 from Upper Cretaceous Canadian amber, is placed in the subfamily Burmaculicinae. The taxonomic position of the oldest true mosquitoes of the subfamily Burmaculicinae is discussed.
First fossil record of the primitive family Acanthopteroctetidae from Myanmar amber (Lepidoptera, Glossata)
Authors: MEY WOLFRAM
Published: August 2024

In extant Lepidoptera, the phylogenetically most ancient species have a unique character in common: the homoneurous wing venation (= similar venation in both wing pairs). This is a plesiomorphic trait occurring in ten families, which are summarised under the term “primitive Lepidoptera” or “primitive moths”. Species from these families are relicts of a fauna from a distant past reaching back to the Triassic. Taken together the group comprises less than 0.05% of the extant members of the order. Only in recent years, representatives of three of these families were discovered as fossils from Myanmar amber: Agatiphagidae, Heterobathmiidae and Lophocoronidae (Mey et al., 2021; Mey, 2024). Now, a further family can be added: Acanthopteroctetidae. The record is based on a single male, also found in Myanmar amber. Contemporary species of this family are tiny insects, whose larvae are leaf-miners. The fossil species is also a minute insect with a forewing length of about 2 mm. It was assigned tentatively to Acanthopteroctetidae by observing the presence of two diagnostic characters of the family: fusion of M1 with RS in fore- and hindwings and spur formula 0.1.4. of the legs. However, the male genitalia and other characters differ significantly from those of extant species and necessitates the establishment of a new genus, and even of a new subfamily.
Two new Neanurid Collembola, Paranura and Yuukianura (Neanuridae: Neanurinae) from Japan, with a checklist of species and key to the Japanese genera of Neanurinae
Authors: KASAI HIRO , OHGITA SHOTARO , OSAKI KAZUTAKA , MURASE SHUNYA
Published: August 2024

We describe and illustrate two new species of Neanurinae, Paranura ezoensis sp. nov. and Yuukianura kikaiensis sp. nov., collected from Hokkaido and Kikai Island, southwest Japan, respectively. The general morphology of P. ezoensis sp. nov. resembles P. conjuncta Smolis & Deharveng, 2015, however, it differs by its 12 chaetae on Ant. II, labrum chaetotaxy 4/2,4, tubercles Di on Abd. V separated from each other, and 16 ventral chaetae Ve on Abd. Vl. Y. kikaiensis sp. nov. is most similar to Y. pacifica (Yosii, 1971). However, this new species is clearly distinguishable by its long macrochaetae, chaeta Ocm longer than chaeta Ocp and Oca on the head, Abd. I–IV with 2 ordinary chaetae Di, Th. II–III with 4 ordinary chaetae De, and ventral fringed lamella on the maxilla as long as dorsal claw-like lamella. Y. pacifica is a halobiont species, whereas Y. kikaiensis sp. nov. is found in forests. We provided keys to species in Paranura with three pairs of eyes and to all species of the genus Yuukianura. Furthermore, a checklist of all Japanese Neanurinae species and an identification key for all Japanese genera within the subfamily Neanurinae are included.
Play the Man, Not the Cards. (Homo)socialities and Masculine Positions in Poker
Authors: Goedecke Klara
Published: August 2024

Poker, a million-dollar industry and a leisure activity, is played between close-knit friends, at casinos, and online. It is gendered; masculine positions are produced between players, often in competitive, aggressive, and sexist ways. However, the (homo)social relationships of poker have hardly been studied. Using interviews with Swedish men poker players, this article investigates masculine positions and homosocialities within poker, demonstrating that poker was associated with a range of social relationships, from close friendships to relatively anonymous online relationships. Poker made room for friendship, but it also structured relationships and led to a simplification and a formalization of them. Competition and emotional detachment were central, but not sexism; the article suggests that poker players are constructed as nerdy, rather than tough guys, and that nerdy socialities are formed between players.
Distributed non-disclosive validation of predictive models by a modified ROC-GLM
Authors: Schalk Daniel , Rehms Raphael , Hoffmann Verena S. , Bischl Bernd , Mansmann Ulrich
Published: August 2024

Background

Distributed statistical analyses provide a promising approach for privacy protection when analyzing data distributed over several databases. Instead of directly operating on data, the analyst receives anonymous summary statistics, which are combined into an aggregated result. Further, in discrimination model (prognosis, diagnosis, etc.) development, it is key to evaluate a trained model w.r.t. to its prognostic or predictive performance on new independent data. For binary classification, quantifying discrimination uses the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and its area under the curve (AUC) as aggregation measure. We are interested to calculate both as well as basic indicators of calibration-in-the-large for a binary classification task using a distributed and privacy-preserving approach.

Methods

We employ DataSHIELD as the technology to carry out distributed analyses, and we use a newly developed algorithm to validate the prediction score by conducting distributed and privacy-preserving ROC analysis. Calibration curves are constructed from mean values over sites. The determination of ROC and its AUC is based on a generalized linear model (GLM) approximation of the true ROC curve, the ROC-GLM, as well as on ideas of differential privacy (DP). DP adds noise (quantified by the $$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

sensitivity $$\Delta _2(\hat{f})$$

Δ
2

(

f
^

)

) to the data and enables a global handling of placement numbers. The impact of DP parameters was studied by simulations.

Results

In our simulation scenario, the true and distributed AUC measures differ by $$\Delta \text {AUC} < 0.01$$

Δ
AUC
<
0.01

depending heavily on the choice of the differential privacy parameters. It is recommended to check the accuracy of the distributed AUC estimator in specific simulation scenarios along with a reasonable choice of DP parameters. Here, the accuracy of the distributed AUC estimator may be impaired by too much artificial noise added from DP.

Conclusions

The applicability of our algorithms depends on the $$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

sensitivity $$\Delta _2(\hat{f})$$

Δ
2

(

f
^

)

of the underlying statistical/predictive model. The simulations carried out have shown that the approximation error is acceptable for the majority of simulated cases. For models with high $$\Delta _2(\hat{f})$$

Δ
2

(

f
^

)

, the privacy parameters must be set accordingly higher to ensure sufficient privacy protection, which affects the approximation error. This work shows that complex measures, as the AUC, are applicable for validation in distributed setups while preserving an individual’s privacy.