bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Peking Opera Roles Through Vocal Timbre: An Acoustical and Conceptual Comparison Between Dan and Laosheng
Authors: Liu Annie Y. , Wallmark Zachary
Published: October 2024

Chinese jingju (Peking opera) typically distinguishes several stock character types differentiated by narrative function, appearance, and vocal timbre. Though aspects of jingju music and dramaturgy have been thoroughly mapped by scholars, the contribution of timbre to the differentiation and characterization of dramatic roles has not been theorized. Here we sampled 20,000 excerpts of a cappella recordings of dan (woman) and laosheng (old man) singers from a large corpus. We analyzed the acoustic characteristics of the two roles both qualitatively and computationally, extracting and comparing relevant acoustic descriptors including spectral centroid, roughness, inharmonicity, and spectral fluctuation. We found statistically significant differences between the roles in spectral centroid (controlling for differences in fundamental frequency), roughness, and spectral flux (16­00­–3200 Hz). Lower normalized spectral centroid and reduced roughness in dan timbre is semiotically congruent with this virtuous and gentle female role; higher normalized spectral centroid, roughness, and spectral flux in laosheng timbre are congruent with an elderly, powerful, and educated man, indicating the contribution of vocal timbre in communicating identification and narrative information to audiences. These timbral attributes also reflect traditional Confucian ideals for music, gender, and age. These patriarchal and filial hierarchies are reiterated through Peking opera vocal timbre, displaying the effectiveness of music, and timbre specifically, in reflecting and reinforcing cultural and societal scripts.
Role of Occupational Therapy Assessment and Office Ergonomics to Support Students with Accommodations in Higher Learning: A Narrative Review
Authors: Nowrouzi-Kia Behdin , Tam Christi , Khan Raabia , Alam Bushra , Alla Sujatha , Chattu Vijay Kumar
Published: October 2024

Postsecondary students with disabilities (SWDs) face significant challenges to their academic and personal well-being. There is a demand for more supportive strategies to facilitate fulfilling and equitable academic experiences for SWDs. This review aimed to (1) determine the effectiveness of various interventions, programs, and accommodations for enhancing the overall well-being of postsecondary SWDs and (2) evaluate the implications of these support strategies for disability service providers at postsecondary institutions. A narrative review was conducted, examining 13 studies aimed at enhancing the well-being of postsecondary SWDs. Studies were classified using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Model. Ergonomics, assistive technology, and counselling programs had positive improvements on the academic success of SWDs. In SWDs, health status was associated with higher community participation, and physical interventions were beneficial to reducing pain over time. Coaching and mentoring opportunities were beneficial for successful goal fulfilment. However, there remains a risk of digital eye strain when using technology to support postsecondary SWDs. The findings indicate that a range of support strategies can benefit several different components of SWDs experiences. This review identifies research gaps and opportunities to examine support strategies to improve the physical and mental well-being of SWDs.
Parental Socialization Based on Warmth and Strictness Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Which Parenting Dimension is Related to Greater Adjustment?
Authors: Garcia Oscar F. , Alcaide Marta , Musitu-Ferrer Daniel , Pons-Benavent Laura , Garcia Fernando
Published: October 2024

The present study aims to examine parental socialization and adjustment in adolescents and adult children. Participants included 610 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years ( M = 16.56; SD = 1.69) and 608 young adults aged 19 to 35 years ( M = 23.60; SD = 3.72) from Spain. Parental socialization was assessed through warmth and strictness. Child adjustment was assessed though self-esteem, emotional self-concept, nervousness, and achievement values. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted. Results from predictive models revealed that warmth and strictness were significant predictors of child adjustment, although they showed different directionality. Parental warmth was always identified as a significant predictor: the higher the parental warmth, the higher the emotional self-concept, self-esteem, and achievement, and the lower the nervousness. On the contrary, parental strictness did not predict adjustment and was even a significantly negative predictor of self-esteem and emotional self-concept. In addition and contrary to classical findings from mostly European-American samples, the present findings seem to suggest that parental strictness is unnecessary or even detrimental, while parental warmth offers a significant and beneficial contribution to adjustment. Our findings suggest that even though family is considered less important in young adulthood because parenting has ended, the years of socialization may also explain the adjustment of the adult child.
Translating Traditional Folk Poetry: The Perception of Translators and Translation Students and the Reality in Saudi Society
Authors: Bin Towairesh Abdullah Abdulrahman
Published: October 2024

Despite the massive presence and influence of traditional folk poetry (TFP) within Saudi society, the efforts to translate such works remain very limited. While many authors and researchers have examined the impact of this literary genre and illustrated its prominence, academic investigations into the difficulties of translating TFP works are almost nonexistent. This is also true about studies that focus on the overarching sentiment regarding these efforts among those who are associated with the field of language and translation and among members of the general public. This paper thus aims at examining these perspectives and outlining the challenges translation trainees face when performing tasks in this field. The data for this study was collected through the dissemination of a questionnaire and the analysis of a translation task assigned to university students in an academic program for English language and translation. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data shows that the level of acceptance of TFP translation efforts is strongly connected to the degree of association with the field of languages and translation, with individuals from outside these circles being less supportive of initiatives in this domain. Additionally, the paper identified several obstacles and challenges encountered by translation students working on TFP texts. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations and suggestions that can, hopefully, contribute to the efforts to raise awareness about translating TFP and to the process of improving the current state of translation within this field.
India, Japan and the Indo-Pacific: Evolution, Consolidation and Limitations of the Strategic Partnership
Authors: John Jojin V.
Published: October 2024

India–Japan relations over the last two decades have become a regionally and globally oriented ‘strategic partnership’ from a narrow bilateral relationship. A key factor driving this transformation has been the discourse of the Indo-Pacific regional construct. Considering the overwhelming space occupied by maritime affairs in the bilateral strategic agenda, describing contemporary India–Japan relations as an India–Japan Indo-Pacific Strategic Partnership is justified. The article attempts to provide an evolutionary account of the India–Japan Indo-Pacific strategic partnership. In doing so, it identifies four phases in the evolution of the partnership: conception, actualisation, consolidation, and resilience, corresponding to the evolution of the Indo-Pacific concept from a geographic idea to a strategic concept to a regional order framework.
Limits of India–US Relations: Balancing Through Strategic Autonomy and Multi-alignment
Authors: Abraham Josukutty C. , Purushothaman Uma
Published: October 2024

The India–US relationship has often been described as a defining partnership. But the nature of the friendship in actuality is yet to assume depth. Despite convergences at multiple levels, it falls short of a true strategic partnership or deep friendship. The India–US relationship is neither a trusted nor an assured economic or security partnership. It is often tested by the vagaries of real-time issues, especially involving other great powers. That is why, despite signing the civilian nuclear deal, foundational agreements, being members of the Quad and Indo-Pacific Economic Forum, and with the common objective of containing the rise of China, they are unable to work closely together on myriad bilateral, international and regional issues. There are differences over matters of primary interests and the type of partnership that each wants to establish. The United States was insensitive to Indian concerns in its abrupt drawdown from Afghanistan in 2021, sub-continental security threats emanating from the China–Pakistan axis and its continued military support to Pakistan. India’s neutral stand (read in the United States as being pro-Russian) in the Ukraine crisis marked by its abstention from voting against Russia in the UN and purchase of Russian oil despite strong objections from the US-led Western camp are cases in point. We argue that India’s US policy is a case of limited balancing dictated by compulsions and lacks depth. For rising India, a continued desire for strategic autonomy and multi-alignment—the post-non-alignment foreign policy principles—guides its foreign policy orientation. For Washington, a deeper relationship would imply India abandoning its visions of strategic autonomy and joining more formally in Washington’s orbit. These core national objectives of the two countries limit the level of partnership they can forge.
Professional Commitment of 8-Year Medical Doctoral Degree Program Students in China: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy, Learning Engagement, and Academic Performance
Authors: Lu Yao , Tong Kuang , Wen Mingang , Gong Yanyan , Zhuang Dan , Zhu Hanyi
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Studying the professional commitment of a student in an 8-year medical training program of China, especially its association with academic performance, can enhance the understanding of professional loyalty in future doctors. This study aimed to investigate the self-efficacy, academic performance, professional commitment, and learning engagement of 8-year program medical students, and explore the mediating roles of professional commitment and learning engagement on the associations between self-efficacy and academic performance.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in a Chinese medical university and collected the General Self-Efficacy Scale, Professional Commitment of Undergraduates Scales, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student from self-reported students. Academic performance was ascertained using course examination scores in the most recent year. We conducted a structural equation model (SEM) analysis to examine the mediating roles of professional commitment and learning engagement on the relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance.

RESULTS

A total number of 402 medical students were included in this study. Students in the clinical practice stage had significantly lower professional commitment and learning engagement than students in the pre-medical and medical course stages. The professional commitment of students from low-income families was significantly lower than that of students from high-income families. Professional commitment and learning engagement were mediators in the relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to investigate professional commitment among students in the China 8-year medical program. Professional commitment plays an intermediary role between self-efficacy and academic performance.
“Because we’re dying in here”: A study of environmental vulnerability and climate risks in incarceration infrastructure
Authors: Barron Ben Nevis , Roudbari Shawhin , Pezzullo Phaedra C. , Dashti Shideh , Liel Abbie B.
Published: October 2024

This article draws on the stories of formerly incarcerated people to examine the ways in which the physical and social infrastructures of carceral facilities increase incarcerated people's vulnerability to environmental hazards exacerbated by climate change. We present qualitative data from interviews and focus groups with people who have been incarcerated in prisons and/or jails in Colorado regarding their experiences with incarceration infrastructure, amplifying the voices of formerly incarcerated people to identify vulnerabilities which have been deliberately hidden by carceral social and institutional processes, and adding them to the academic dialogue around incarceration and climate change. By providing testimony on the ways in which incarceration infrastructure—how they are designed, built, and maintained—amplify environmental harm, we identify how incarceration infrastructures create environmental vulnerability along axes of temperature, air quality, and water supply even before incarcerated people are exposed to climate hazards. Then, we illustrate ways incarcerated people encounter limits to their agency to mitigate this vulnerability, suggesting the need for structural change. Finally, we provide evidence that climate-related extreme temperatures, wildfires, and flood events experienced by our participants exploited the axes of vulnerability laid out above, affecting the majority (65%) of our 35 study participants. Overall, we argue current carceral infrastructure creates material realities that regularly cross the threshold of cruel and unusual punishment, and our argument supports decarceration as a necessary public policy intervention for robust, just, and humane climate resilience.
Unravelling Socio-Technological Barriers to AI Integration: A Qualitative Study of Southern African Newsrooms
Authors: Munoriyarwa Allen
Published: October 2024

This study explores the socio-technological barriers to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions in three countries of the global south – South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Through 20 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, it examines the distribution and circulation of AI technologies within selected newsrooms. Furthermore, the article explores socio-technological obstacles to the integration of AI among journalists. Lastly, it examines the consequences of these socio-technological obstacles to journalism. The article specifically seeks to answer three questions: How are AI technologies integrated in southern African newsrooms? What are the socio-technological barriers attendant to the use of AI in selected news organisations of sub-Saharan Africa? What are the implications of these socio-technological barriers to the process of news production in these newsrooms? The article reveals the challenges hindering the development and deployment of AI in these organisations, and I highlight the detrimental effects of limited AI access, which places Southern African media organisations at a disadvantage on the global stage, perpetuating socio-technological disparities between the global north and global south. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing these barriers in order to reduce information inequality, increase efficiency and productivity and improve audience engagement. Reducing technological barriers and democratising AI integration can enhance the influence of Southern African media in promoting domestic and international equity. The article therefore, propose a model for AI adoption and reduction of technological barriers in adopting these technolgies. This study emphasises the need for collaborative efforts among policymakers, industry leaders and stakeholders to create an inclusive environment that maximises the potential of AI for the greater benefit of parts of Southern African societies. The study adds to extant literature at the intersection of AI and media, particularly how AI technologies are impacting on specific communities of practice, like newsroom organisations.
Cruel optimism and ableist assumptions: Ableist discourse, the ‘good’ mother and autism
Authors: Williams Karen , Murray Duncan
Published: October 2024

Drawing upon Berlant's concept of ‘cruel optimism’, we examine the narrative of the website Generation Rescue and its president, Jenny McCarthy. We argue that the form of motherhood put forward, the medicalised warrior mother, is an ableist figure, and we examine ableism through the lens of cruel optimism. For the warrior mother, medical discourse sets the standard for the child, and discourses of motherhood set the standard for the mother. We contend that the simultaneous production of these discourses intersect to enable the production and subjectification of the warrior mother. This intersection is ableist discourse. Although framed as ‘good’ mothering, the version of motherhood presented is cruel to the mother and cruel to the child. The narrative offered presents the autism-free child as the child the committed mother desires and deserves; it also presents the autism-free child as obtainable. This attachment to possibility embeds mothers in a never-ending form of intensive motherhood, her the agent of recovery who cannot accept the child she has and her child the object of continual experimentation that can be normalised via commitment and consumption.
Examining the Relation Between Telehealth Experiences in Early Intervention and Rurality Among Families of Young Children With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Fulton Kelly , Terol Adriana Kaori , Hardy Abby , Little Lauren , Stoffel Ashley , Burke Meghan M.
Published: October 2024

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) governs the Early Intervention (EI) system for families of children aged zero to three with developmental delays and disabilities. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many states offer telehealth as a way for families to receive their EI services. Given the limited EI providers in rural areas, it seems that telehealth may especially help rural families to access EI services. However, little research has been done in relation to family use and satisfaction with telehealth in relation to rurality. To this end, we conducted a statewide survey of 256 families of children in EI about their use of EI services via telehealth. There was a negative correlation between family satisfaction with telehealth and rurality, with rural families being more dissatisfied with telehealth. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
ProEnd: a comprehensive database for identifying HbYX motif-containing proteins across the tree of life
Authors: Salcedo-Tacuma David , Howells Giovanni D. , McHose Coleman , Gutierrez-Diaz Aimer , Schupp Jane , Smith David M.
Published: October 2024

The proteasome plays a crucial role in cellular homeostasis by degrading misfolded, damaged, or unnecessary proteins. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of proteasome activity is vital, particularly the interaction with activators containing the hydrophobic-tyrosine-any amino acid (HbYX) motif. Here, we present ProEnd, a comprehensive database designed to identify and catalog HbYX motif-containing proteins across the tree of life. Using a simple bioinformatics pipeline, we analyzed approximately 73 million proteins from 22,000 reference proteomes in the UniProt/SwissProt database. Our findings reveal the widespread presence of HbYX motifs in diverse organisms, highlighting their evolutionary conservation and functional significance. Notably, we observed an interesting prevalence of these motifs in viral proteomes, suggesting strategic interactions with the host proteasome. As validation two novel HbYX proteins found in this database were experimentally tested by pulldowns, confirming that they directly interact with the proteasome, with one of them directly activating it. ProEnd’s extensive dataset and user-friendly interface enable researchers to explore the potential proteasomal regulator landscape, generating new hypotheses to advance proteasome biology. This resource is set to facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, enhancing our approach to treating diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.
Predicting clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving nucleoside analogues and pegylated interferon alpha: a hematochemical and clinical analysis
Authors: Xu Shuang , Ye Xiao-Ting , Zhang Dong , Dong Pu , Wu Yang-He , Pan Chen-Wei
Published: October 2024

Background

The best antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) poses a complex challenge. The treatment effect of the combination of nucleoside analogues (NAs) and pegylated interferon alpha (PegIFN) was still in debate.

Methods

We studied patients treated with NAs and PegIFN-2b at our institution from November 2019 to January 2022. Logistic regression identified independent factors influencing clinical cure. The predictive accuracy of the formula was assessed using the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve at different time points (before therapy, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks into treatment).

Results

A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. Among the cohort of patients under study, 71 (59.1%) patients had clinical cure while 49 (40.9%) patients did not. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at baseline and age were the powerful variables predicting the clearance of HBsAg. The area under the ROC (AUC) was 0.907 for pre-treatment predictive model, 0.958 for 12-week predictive model and 0.747 for 24-week predictive model.

Conclusion

This study provided predictive formulas for clinical cure, offering valuable insights for CHB treatment. PegIFN and NAs exhibited efficacy. Future research that explores additional factors, such as HBV genotype, in a larger cohort study is needed.
A comparative study of postadrenalectomy hyperuricemia and renal impairment in patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism: does histopathology subtype matter?
Authors: Fang Chu-Wen , Hsieh Hui-Lung , Wang Shuo-Meng , Huang Kuo-How , Peng Kang-Yung , Lin Yen-Hung , Wu Vin-Cent , Chueh Jeff S.
Published: October 2024

Background

Primary aldosteronism (PA), which is present in 5–18% of hypertensive patients, is a leading cause of secondary hypertension. Adrenalectomy is often recommended for patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (uPA), yielding good long-term outcomes. PA patients without hyperuricemia and chronic renal failure before adrenalectomy were enrolled in this cohort study. Serum uric acid (SUA) and renal filtration were measured one year post-adrenalectomy. Their relationships with pathologic features, histopathological subtype (classical or nonclassical (HISTALDO consensus)), and vessel stiffness were explored. The aim of this cohort study is to evaluate the correlation between post-adrenalectomy serum uric acid (SUA) levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the pathologic features delineated by the HISTALDO consensus. Additionally, the study seeks to assess the impact of these biochemical markers on peripheral vessel stiffness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) at a one-year follow-up visit.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included patients (N = 100) diagnosed with uPA who underwent adrenalectomy from Jan 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2022.

Results

At follow-up, elevated SUA, hyperuricemia, and a > 25% eGFR decrease were significantly more common in the classical than the nonclassical group. The incidence of postoperative hyperuricemia, herein referred to as post-adrenalectomy hyperuricemia (PAHU), was 29% (29/100) overall, 34.8% (23/66) in the classical group and 17.6% (6/34) in the nonclassical group. The incidence of eGFR reduction > 25% was 33% (33/100), 43.9% (29/66), and 11.8% (4/34), respectively. baPWV decreased more in the classical group than the nonclassical group.

Conclusion

For PA patients with PAHU and/or renal impairment, we suggest monitoring SUA, pH, urine uric acid, and urine crystals and performing a KUB study and peripheral vascular and renal sonography (on which pure uric acid stones in the KUB are radiolucent) to determine whether drug intervention is required for cases of asymptomatic PAHU, especially patients in male gender, classical histopathology, or renal impairment.
Age- and sex-dependent associations between self-reported physical activity levels and self-reported cardiovascular risk factors: a population-based cross-sectional survey
Authors: Burtscher Johannes , Kopp Martin , Klimont Jeannette , Ulmer Hanno , Strasser Barbara , Burtscher Martin
Published: October 2024

Background

The amount of regular physical activity (PA) can modulate the prevalence of traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as obesity, systemic hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, how different PA levels either below (< 600 MET min/week), within (600–1200 MET min/week), or above (> 1200 MET min/week) the range of the minimal WHO recommendations impact the age- and sex-dependent prevalence of these risk factors remains to be elucidated.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate these relationships using population-based self-reported data collected in a central European country (Austria, 2019). The sample included a total of 15,461 persons (7166 males: 16–95 + years, BMI 26.6 ± 4.4; 8295 females: 16–95 + years, BMI 25.1 ± 5.0). Besides various lifestyle factors (e.g., dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption), variables of particular interest were the age- and sex-dependent amount of weekly PA and prevalence of risk factors for CVD. Sex-specific logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the associations between self-reported PA and risk factor prevalence.

Results

Relatively small beneficial effects were found regarding the prevalence of risk factors for CVD when achieving PA levels corresponding to 600–1200 MET min/week as compared to those who did not meet these recommendations. However, exceeding the WHO recommendations provided much more pronounced benefits, especially in younger and older age groups. Adjusted ORs revealed that high volumes of PA (> 1200 MET min/week) were associated with a 32–43% reduction in the prevalence of obesity and T2D compared to those who did not achieve the WHO recommendations (< 600 MET min/week), as well as with a lower prevalence of systemic hypertension only in women and a lower prevalence of hypercholesterolemia only in men.

Conclusions

Exceeding minimal WHO recommendations for PA promises large beneficial effects, particularly on the prevalence of obesity and T2D. Demonstrated sex differences in PA levels and their association with cardiovascular risk factors may provide an important basis for preventive health counseling.
Internet-based cognitive behavioral intervention for adolescents with anxiety disorders: a study protocol for a parallel three armed randomized controlled trial
Authors: Skaarnes Helene , Sørensen Nikita Marie , Wisnewski Anders House , Lomholt Johanne Jeppesen , Thastum Mikael , McLellan Lauren , Mathiasen Kim
Published: October 2024

Background

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health concerns affecting children and adolescents. Despite their high prevalence, statistics indicate that fewer than 25% of individuals in this demographic seek professional assistance for their condition. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop innovative interventions aimed at improving treatment accessibility.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) for adolescents with anxiety, with a specific emphasis on involving parents in the treatment process.

Methods

The study is structured as a parallel three-armed randomized controlled trial, comparing Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) with planned feedback, iCBT with on-demand feedback, and a waitlist control group, each group including 56 participants. Participants in the two iCBT conditions will undergo a 14-week treatment regimen, while those in the waitlist control group will wait for 14 weeks before starting iCBT with planned feedback. Additionally, participants in the iCBT groups will be randomly assigned to receive a booster session or not. The study design is factorial including two factors: type of therapist feedback (factor 1) and booster or no booster (factor 2). The study population comprises adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years, residing in Denmark, diagnosed with an anxiety disorder according to DSM-5 criteria. The primary outcome measures are the Youth Online Diagnostic Assessment and the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale. Assessments will occur at baseline, post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups post-treatment.

Discussion

The findings of this study are anticipated to contribute to improving the accessibility of evidence-based treatments for adolescents with anxiety.

Trial registration

The study is registered at clinicalTrials.gov, under protocol ID 22/59602. The Initial release was the 16.10.2023, first posted due to technical problems 16.04.2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06368557?locStr=Odense,%20Denmark&country=Denmark&city=Odense&page=2&rank=13.
Sex differences in prelimbic cortex calcium dynamics during stress and fear learning
Authors: Marin-Blasco Ignacio , Vanzo Giorgia , Rusco-Portabella Joaquin , Perez-Molina Lucas , Romero Leire , Florido Antonio , Andero Raul
Published: October 2024

In recent years, research has progressively increased the importance of considering sex differences in stress and fear memory studies. Many studies have traditionally focused on male subjects, potentially overlooking critical differences with females. Emerging evidence suggests that males and females can exhibit distinct behavioral and neurophysiological responses to stress and fear conditioning. These differences may be attributable to variations in hormone levels, brain structure, and neural circuitry, particularly in regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In the present study, we explored sex differences in prelimbic cortex (PL) calcium activity in animals submitted to immobilization stress (IMO), fear conditioning (FC), and fear extinction (FE). While no significant sex differences were found in behavioral responses, we did observe differences in several PL calcium activity parameters. To determine whether these results were related to behaviors beyond stress and fear memory, we conducted correlation studies between the movement of the animals and PL activity during IMO and freezing behavior during FC and FE. Our findings revealed a clear correlation between PL calcium activity with movement during stress exposure and freezing behavior, with no sex differences observed in these correlations. These results suggest a significant role for the PL in movement and locomotion, in addition to its involvement in fear-related processes. The inclusion of both female and male subjects is crucial for studies like this to fully understand the role of the PFC and other brain areas in stress and fear responses. Recognizing sex differences enhances our comprehension of brain function and can lead to more personalized and effective approaches in the study and treatment of stress and fear-related conditions.
Effects of monoglyceride blend on systemic and intestinal immune responses, and gut health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Park Sangwoo , Sun Shuhan , Kovanda Lauren , Sokale Adebayo O. , Barri Adriana , Kim Kwangwook , Li Xunde , Liu Yanhong
Published: October 2024

Background

Monoglycerides have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional practices due to their biological activities, including antimicrobial properties. However, few studies have assessed the efficacy of monoglyceride blend on weaned pigs and their impacts on performance, immune response, and gut health using a disease challenge model. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary monoglycerides of short- and medium-chain fatty acids on the immunity and gut health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18.

Results

Pigs supplemented with high-dose zinc oxide (ZNO) had greater (P < 0.05) growth performance than other treatments, but no difference was observed in average daily feed intake between ZNO and monoglycerides groups during the post-challenge period. Pigs in ZNO and antibiotic groups had lower (P < 0.05) severity of diarrhea than control, but the severity of diarrhea was not different between antibiotic and monoglycerides groups. Pigs fed with monoglycerides or ZNO had lower (P < 0.05) serum haptoglobin on d 2 or 5 post-inoculation than control. Pigs in ZNO had greater (P < 0.05) goblet cell numbers per villus, villus area and height, and villus height:crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) in duodenum on d 5 post-inoculation than pigs in other treatments. Pigs supplemented with monoglycerides, ZNO, or antibiotics had reduced (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth compared with control on d 5 post-inoculation, contributing to the increase (P = 0.06) in VH:CD. Consistently, pigs in ZNO expressed the lowest (P < 0.05) TNFa, IL6, IL10, IL12, IL1A, IL1B, and PTGS2 in ileal mucosa on d 5 post-inoculation, and no difference was observed in the expression of those genes between ZNO and monoglycerides. Supplementation of ZNO and antibiotic had significant impacts on metabolic pathways in the serum compared with control, particularly on carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, while limited impacts on serum metabolites were observed in monoglycerides group when compared with control.

Conclusions

The results suggest that supplementation of monoglyceride blend may enhance disease resistance of weaned pigs by alleviating the severity of diarrhea and mitigating intestinal and systemic inflammation, although the effectiveness may not be comparable to high-dose zinc oxide.
CD19/CD22 CAR-T-cell cocktail therapy following autologous transplantation is an optimizing strategy for treating relapsed/refractory central nervous system lymphoma
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxi , Yu Qiuxia , Dai Zigang , Wang Jue , Li Chunrui , Huang Liang , Zhang Yicheng , Cao Yang
Published: October 2024

Relapsed/refractory (R/R) primary and secondary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL, SCNSL) are associated with short survival and represent an unmet need, requiring novel effective strategies. We retrospectively compared the safety and efficacy of CD19/22 CAR-T-cell therapy following ASCT (ASCT + CAR-T group), CD19/22 CAR-T-cell cocktail therapy (CAR-T group) and chemoimmunotherapy (CIT group) in treating R/R CNSL patients. Analysis of the differences in clinical characteristics among the three groups revealed that the median age in the CIT group was older than that in the ASCT + CAR-T group and CAR-T group, and the median number of prior lines of therapy in the CIT group was less than that in the other groups. Patients in the two CAR-T-therapy groups exhibited comparable incidences and severities of CRS and ICANS. Grade 4–5 CRS and ICANS were not observed in either CAR-T-cell therapy group. The incidence of Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity in the ASCT + CAR-T and CAR-T groups was greater than that in the CIT group. The ORR was 82.75% in the ASCT + CAR-T group, 60.00% in the CAR-T group and 58.83% in the CIT group. As of December 31, 2022, the median follow-up after therapy was 16.73 months (range, 0.67-42.00 months). The median durations of PFS and OS were not reached in the ASCT + CAR-T group. The median PFS in the CAR-T group was 4.72 months, and OS was not reached. In the CIT group, the median PFS and OS were 6.63 months and 16.77 months, respectively. The 2-year PFS rate of patients in the ASCT + CAR-T group (65.52%) was significantly greater than that of patients in the CAR-T group (30.00%, P = 0.0321) and CIT group (23.53%, P = 0.0043). Our results support the development of CAR-T-cell therapy for R/R CNSL. With the durability of remission and low toxicity, ASCT combined with CAR-T-cell therapy appears to be a more effective and safer treatment option for primary and secondary R/R CNS lymphoma.
Perceived clinician stigma and its impact on eating disorder treatment experiences: a systematic review of the lived experience literature
Authors: Lubieniecki Gabriel , Fernando Anne Nileshni , Randhawa Alisha , Cowlishaw Sean , Sharp Gemma
Published: October 2024

Objective

This systematic review examines the literature regarding perceived clinician stigma and treatment experiences of adult patients with eating disorders, emphasising lived experience perspectives.

Method

A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL] to identify studies published from 1 January 2000 until 24 March 2024 that explored patient experiences of clinician attitudes and behaviours in eating disorder treatment. Eligible studies included those reporting on perceived clinician stigma and impacts on treatment outcomes.

Results

There were 11 studies that met the eligibility criteria. The studies encompassed various diagnoses, locations, and healthcare settings, reflecting a broad spectrum of experiences and contexts within treatment of eating disorders. Four key themes emerged across the studies: treatment engagement, where perceived clinician stigma led to reduced patient involvement; therapeutic alliances, with stigma compromising relationships between patients and healthcare providers; barriers to treatment and care, where stigma heightened obstacles to accessing support; and weight stigma.

Discussion

Despite the overall scarcity of evidence, these qualitative studies provide evidence of impacts of perceived clinician stigma on patient experiences in eating disorder treatment. These findings provide an initial understanding of negative effects of clinician attitudes such as dismissiveness and invalidation, which may hinder treatment adherence and therapeutic outcomes. Beyond addressing stigma, future research should explore how clinician behaviours can foster positive treatment experiences, such as patients feeling heard, respected, and understood. Clinicians’ reflective practices should focus on improving therapeutic alliances and fostering more inclusive, patient-centred care. Future studies should prioritise mixed-methods approaches to investigate how clinician stigma and positive care experiences influence treatment engagement, recovery trajectories, and long-term outcomes.
Archaeological cognition of the Eastern mausoleum of Qin state using integrated space-ground observation tools
Authors: Luo Yansong , Chen Fulong , Gao Sheng , Zhu Meng , Zhou Wei , Elfadaly Abdelaziz
Published: October 2024

The Eastern Mausoleum of Qin State is a significant component of the Qin Dynasty's royal tombs, reflecting the social development level during the Warring States period (475 BC ~ 221 BC) in China. At the onset of our investigation, we mapped the site's boundaries utilizing Corona satellite imagery and employed the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) to identify archaeological features. Additionally, this study is the first to propose the use of thermal infrared band data from the SDGSAT-1 satellite to explore thermal archaeological traces, demonstrating their viability for archaeological site analysis. Subsequently, electromagnetic (EM) prospection was utilized to validate the presence of an ancient burial chamber passage. Landscape monitoring and analysis of the No.1 Mausoleum were performed using Corona and Google Earth images, revealing the accuracy of the Geomancy Theory of Chinese mausoleums through dynamic remote sensing of surface changes. Furthermore, our employment of space-to-ground observational modalities and resultant Digital Elevation Models (DEM) have been used to provided new insights into the application of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geomancy in archaeology, thereby emphasizing the pivotal role of site selection in heritage preservation. This research underscores the promise of synergistic space-ground observations in both exploiting the archaeological riches of cultural heritage sites and ensuring the enduring conservation of these irreplaceable patrimonial assets.
The interplay between host-specificity and habitat-filtering influences sea cucumber microbiota across an environmental gradient of pollution
Authors: Chung Sheena Suet-Wah , Cheung Khan , Arromrak Bovern Suchart , Li Zhenzhen , Tse Cham Man , Gaitán-Espitia Juan Diego
Published: October 2024

Environmental gradients can influence morpho-physiological and life-history differences in natural populations. It is unclear, however, to what extent such gradients can also modulate phenotypic differences in other organismal characteristics such as the structure and function of host-associated microbial communities. In this work, we addressed this question by assessing intra-specific variation in the diversity, structure and function of environmental-associated (sediment and water) and animal-associated (skin and gut) microbiota along an environmental gradient of pollution in one of the most urbanized coastal areas in the world. Using the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota, we tested the interplay between deterministic (e.g., environmental/host filtering) and stochastic (e.g., random microbial dispersal) processes underpinning host-microbiome interactions and microbial assemblages. Overall, our results indicate that microbial communities are complex and vary in structure and function between the environment and the animal hosts. However, these differences are modulated by the level of pollution across the gradient with marked clines in alpha and beta diversity. Yet, such clines and overall differences showed opposite directions when comparing environmental- and animal-associated microbial communities. In the sea cucumbers, intrinsic characteristics (e.g., body compartments, biochemistry composition, immune systems), may underpin the observed intra-individual differences in the associated microbiomes, and their divergence from the environmental source. Such regulation favours specific microbial functional pathways that may play an important role in the survival and physiology of the animal host, particularly in high polluted areas. These findings suggest that the interplay between both, environmental and host filtering underpins microbial community assembly in H. leucospilota along the pollution gradient in Hong Kong.
Investigating the links between questionable research practices, scientific norms and organisational culture
Authors: Brooker Robin , Allum Nick
Published: October 2024

Background

This study investigates the determinants of engagement in questionable research practices (QRPs), focusing on both individual-level factors (such as scholarly field, commitment to scientific norms, gender, contract type, and career stage) and institution-level factors (including industry type, researchers' perceptions of their research culture, and awareness of institutional policies on research integrity).

Methods

Using a multi-level modelling approach, we analyse data from an international survey of researchers working across disciplinary fields to estimate the effect of these factors on QRP engagement.

Results

Our findings indicate that contract type, career stage, academic field, adherence to scientific norms and gender significantly predict QRP engagement. At the institution level, factors such as being outside of a collegial culture and experiencing harmful publication pressure, and the presence of safeguards against integrity breaches have small associations. Only a minimal amount of variance in QRP engagement is attributable to differences between institutions and countries.

Conclusions

We discuss the implications of these findings for developing effective interventions to reduce QRPs, highlighting the importance of addressing both individual and institutional factors in efforts to foster research integrity.
Mental health and binge-watching behavior among university students in Egypt
Authors: Elkholy Hussien , Tawfik Fairouz , Yosef Mostafa , Billieux Joël , Flayelle Maèva
Published: October 2024

Background

Binge-watching has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although it can provide a form of entertainment and mood regulation, it has also been associated with adverse mental health issues. In this study, we explored the association between binge-watching behavior and mental health.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional survey conducted from May to November 2018, we surveyed 535 participants over 18 years old from Ain Shams University by using a combination of online and pen-and-paper methods. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and TV series watching patterns were collected, and participants completed the Binge-Watching Engagement and Symptoms Questionnaire (BWESQ), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS).

Results

Among the 535 participants surveyed, 333 were retained and divided into three groups (i.e., non-binge-watchers, trouble-free binge-watchers, and problematic binge-watchers) in accordance with previous binge-watching research. Significant between-group differences were found in terms of relationship status, commonly used devices (mobile, laptop, TV), and perceived dependency on TV series watching. Problematic binge-watchers showed significantly higher scores for all BWESQ and BSI-18 subscales.

Conclusion

Trouble-free binge-watchers and problematic binge-watchers were more likely to be single than non-binge-watchers and demonstrated a marked preference for using mobile phones and laptops over traditional television. A significant positive relationship was found between problematic binge-watching and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization.
Exploring Long-Term Determinants and Attitudes Toward Smartphone-Based Commercial Health Care Applications Among Patients With Cancer
Authors: Tak Yae Won , Park Ye-Eun , Baek Seunghee , Lee Jong Won , Chung Seockhoon , Lee Yura
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

Our study explores how attitudes of patients with cancer toward smartphone-based commercial health care apps affect their use and identifies the influencing factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of the 960 patients with cancer who participated in a randomized controlled trial for a smartphone-based commercial health care app, only 264 participants, who completed a survey on app usage experiences conducted between May and August 2022, were included in this study. Participants were categorized into three groups: Positive Persistence (PP), Negative Nonpersistence (NN), and Neutral (NE) on the basis of their attitude and willingness to use smartphone-based commercial health care apps. The Health-Related Quality of Life (QOL) Instrument (8 Items), European QOL (5 Dimensions; 5 Levels), The Human Interaction and Motivation questionnaire, and open-ended questionnaires were used to examine factors potentially influencing extended utilization of digital interventions.

RESULTS

Despite demographic similarities among the three groups, only the PP and NE groups showed similar app usage compared with the NN group. The combined group (positive persistence and neutral) exhibited significant improvement in depression (
P
= .02), anxiety (
P
= .03), and visual analog scale scores (
P
= .02) compared with the NN group. In addition, patient interaction (
P
< .01) and the presence of a chatbot/information feature on the app (
P
< .01) demonstrated a significant difference across the three groups, with the most favorable response observed among the PP group. Patients were primarily motivated to use the app owing to its health management functions, while the personal challenges they encountered during app usage acted as deterrents.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that maintaining a non-negative attitude toward smartphone-based commercial health care apps could lead to an improvement in psychological distress. In addition, the social aspect of apps could contribute to extending patient's utilization of digital interventions.