bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amyloidosis of the oral cavity: a case report
Authors: Ashtari Parnyan , Carey Barbara , Collins Lisette , Albuquerque Rui
Published: September 2023

Although oral manifestations of amyloidosis are rare, it is important to exclude systemic involvement in patients who present with amyloidosis involving the oral cavity. Improved understanding of the oral manifestations of amyloidosis and the additional investigations required can lead to timely diagnosis and subsequent management. Treatment of localized forms of amyloidosis include resection, biologics, laser therapy and corticosteroids.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understanding the oral manifestations of amyloidosis can lead to timely diagnosis and management.
Dental implants developing peri-apical disease: a case report
Authors: Ball Madeleine , Aryafar Mohammadreza , Djemal Serpil
Published: September 2023

Dental implants are a treatment option for edentulous spaces. Placing implants involves a surgical procedure requiring a high level of attention to detail. There are risks associated with implants, such as peri-implantitis, failure of osseo-integration and peri-apical implantitis. The latter condition can present after implant placement, and presents radiographically as a radiolucency around the apical part of the implant, similar in appearance to a peri-apical lesion of a non-vital tooth. The aetiology of this condition remains controversial. This article presents some of the current literature and the case report demonstrates the successful surgical management of peri-apical implantitis.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: The presentation, potential aetiologies and the successful clinical management of peri-apical implantitis can be useful to clinicians.
A £1 Billion Strategy for the UK's Semiconductor Sector
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: September 2023

Does the National Semiconductor Strategy do enough to secure a future for the UK’s semiconductor industry?
Cards Carry the Full Weight of AI Innovation
Authors: Brinkley Alex
Published: September 2023

Embedded developers are turning to carrier boards to realise the potential of edge AI in a multitude of applications.
Changing the Rules of Engagement
Authors: Riedelbauch Daniel
Published: September 2023

Why achieving an end-to-end data workflow, supporting autonomous vehicle validation activities, is so important.
The potential impact of artificial intelligence in equine practice
Authors: Graham Charlotte
Published: September 2023

Artificial intelligence has the potential to impact the veterinary industry. This article outlines the current and potential uses of artificial intelligence tools in equine veterinary practice across both clinical and non-clinical aspects of working with horses. Examples of wider uses across the industry by horse owners and trainers are also summarised and discussed. The use-case example of the pre-purchase examination is discussed as an area highlighting how artificial intelligence could have multiple impacts, increasing confidence and improving efficiency and outcomes for equine vets. Additionally, important considerations including potential risks and ethical concerns of the development and use of artificial intelligence as a currently unregulated technology are also discussed.
Radiographic examination of the equine thoracolumbar spine
Authors: Berner Dagmar
Published: September 2023

Radiographic examination of the thoracolumbar spine in horses can be challenging. However, with careful positioning of the horse and radiographic equipment, diagnostic views of the dorsal spinous processes can be obtained even with most portable machines. When evaluating radiographs, knowledge about the normal anatomy and common radiographic findings is key. However, not all horses with clinical signs of back pain will have radiographic abnormalities, and radiographic findings do not necessarily indicate pain as these abnormalities can be also found in clinically sound horses. Therefore, a clinical examination should always be the gold standard and clinical signs should be localised and confirmed before treatment.
Effect of clinical practice stress, stress coping style and empathy on clinical competence of nursing students
Authors: Kim Jeong Ah , Choi Jong Rim , Lee Eun Ju
Published: September 2023

Background: This cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the influence of clinical practice stress, stress coping, and empathy on the clinical competence of nursing students. Additionally, it aimed to compare the effectiveness of multiple regression analysis and quantile regression analysis in identifying the factors influencing clinical competence. Methods: Data was collected from 201 nursing students between June 15th and August 1st, 2016, and analyzed using several statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and quantile regression, using SPSS 21.0 and STATA 14.0 software. Results: The results demonstrated positive correlations among clinical competence and stress coping (r= .52, p < .001) and empathy (r= .39, p < .001). Variables like clinical learning environment (β= -.18, p=.007), practice workload (β= .22, p < .001), and active stress coping (β= .57, p < .001) were found to explain 50% of the variance in clinical competence. After quantile regression, affecting factors for clinical competence were active stress coping for all quantiles, clinical learning environment from 15% to 60% quantile, practice workload for 15~75% quantile, and nursing major satisfaction for 15% quantile. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of stress coping abilities, empathetic skills, and a supportive clinical environment in fostering the clinical competence of nursing students. These findings can serve as a foundation for designing targeted strategies and educational programs to enhance nursing students' clinical competence effectively, considering various levels of clinical competency. The study results offer valuable insights into developing interventions to improve nursing education and enhance the overall quality of patient care delivered by future nursing professionals.
Influence of role conflict and resilience on turnover intention of physician assistant nurses
Authors: Ryu Jeom-Ran , Choi Eun-joung
Published: September 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the development of interventions to prevent turnover by analyzing the effect of the role conflicts and resilience of physician assistants have on turnover intention. Methods: The study design was a descriptive study, and the subjects of the study were 136 physician assistants at three university hospitals in B city. Results: Factors influencing the turnover intention of the subjects were role conflict, the current department satisfaction, career of physician assistant, position and type of work among general characteristics. The most significant factor influencing turnover intention was the satisfaction of current department(β=-.29, p<.001), followed by role conflict(β=.29, p<.001), career of physician assistant(β=-.23, p=.001), position(β=-.19 p=.011) and type of work(β=.17 p=.020). Conclusion: In order to lower the turnover intention of physician assistants, it will be necessary to develop an intervention program to reduce the role conflict and increase resilience, and to manage the hospital system considering the satisfaction of the present department of physician assistants.
Factors influencing body image, depression and anxiety on self-esteem in undergraduate students experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kim Gyutak , Moon Yujeong , Shin Hyerim , Lee Yeonwoo , Lee Hyemin , Choi Sungmin , Shon Soonyoung
Published: September 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing self-esteem in undergraduate students who have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, including their body image, depression, and anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey on 100 undergraduate students who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in D city and K Province. Descriptive statistics were employed to evaluate general characteristics, COVID-19 infection status, quarantine experience, COVID-19-related experiences, body image, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem levels. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson's correlation. Additionally, multiple regression analysis was employed to explore factors influencing self-esteem. Results: Out of the 100 respondents, 64% were female, and 36% were male. Among them, 59% had experienced a COVID-19 infection, and 61% had undergone quarantine. The group with confirmed COVID-19 exhibited negative body image, elevated levels of depression and anxiety, and diminished levels of self-esteem. The factors influencing undergraduate students' self-esteem were anxiety and body image, accounting for an explanatory power of 54.6%. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study provide essential groundwork for devising intervention programs aimed at promoting mental health among undergraduates grappling with physical and emotional adversities post-COVID-19.
Shaikh Hamdullah School in The Art of Turkish Calligraphy: A Case Study from the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Authors: SEVER DEMİR Secil
Published: September 2023

The art of calligraphy, also known as "hüsn-i hat" in Islamic culture, involves writing Islamic script in accordance with aesthetic principles. Executed using Arabic letters, this art form emphasizes the aesthetics and meaning of writing. The calligraphers, known as "hattat," adhere to rules to create Imagely pleasing scripts. The essence of calligraphy lies in expressing the aesthetics and essence of writing. Influenced by Islam's emphasis on writing and avoidance of imagery, calligraphy has become one of the most valued forms of Islamic art. This study aims to examine the contributions of the prominent Calligrapher Shaikh Hamdullah, a pioneer of Turkish Calligraphy, to the art through the example of a " thuluth and naskh hadith and poetry panel." Conducted through a literature review, this research delves into the Ottoman calligraphy, aklâm-ı sitte(six scripts), and the Shaikh Hamdullah school, focusing on his muraqqa at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During the Ottoman era, aklâm-ı sitte styles like thuluth and naskh; muhaqqaq and rihani; tawqi and riq'a, evolved under Hamdullah's influence. His style of naskh calligraphy became the preferred method for transcribing the Quran across the Islamic world, giving rise to the Shaikh Hamdullah School. His contributions encompass Qur'an manuscripts, calligraphic panels, and muraqqas, held in prestigious collections worldwide. The tradition of granting, or certification, has preserved Shaikh's style, allowing his teachings to endure. The discussed artwork, a part of Shaikh's muraqqa album, features thuluth headings and naskh text lines drawn with ink and reed pen on marbled paper. The calligraphy is characterized by its harmonious thuluth and naskh styles, with minimal gold-painted floral motifs and borders. This study provides insights into the Shykh Hamdullah School and its impact on Turkish Calligraphy.
Mezar ve Mezarlıkların Binbir Gece Masallarındaki Yansımaları
Authors: KIZILDAĞ Hasan
Published: September 2023

Mezar, doğumla başlayıp ölüm anına kadar süren hayat yolculuğunun son durağı olması açısından, insan yaşayışı ve toplum bilinci üzerinde etki sahibi olan bir unsurdur. Öyle ki mezar ve mezarlıklar çevresinde gelişen algı merkezlerinin insana ölüm, öte dünyaya geçiş, kaçınılmaz son, ebedi istirahate çekilme, ebediyete intikal, sonsuzluk veya mutlak karanlık gibi fikirler aşılaması da bu bakımdan anlaşılabilir ve doğal karşılanmaktadır. Tarihin tüm devirlerinde ölüm gerçeği çokça düşünülmüş ve anlamlandırılmaya çalışılmıştır. Gerek semavi dinler gerekse yerel dinlerin ölüm ve ölümle bağlantılı olarak mezara bakışı konusunda birçok ortaklığın bulunması, nihai olarak her insanın ölüm denen sonu yaşayacak olması toplum nezdinde de ölüm ve mezar anlayışını, toplumun iç ve dış dünyasında gündemden düşmeyen bir yere taşımıştır. Ayrıca tarih boyunca birçok toplumun ölümden sonraki hayata inanmasına bağlı olarak, mezarlar ölümden sonraki aşamaya geçişte bir durak ve öte dünyaya açılan bir kapı olarak görülmüştür. Bu açıdan ölüm gerçeğinin en açık yansıması olan mezarlar toplumların sözlü ve yazılı kültür ürünlerinde de kendine büyük bir yer kazanmıştır. Yapılan bu çalışmada, yaşayanlarla ölüler dünyası arasındaki geçiş mekânı olan mezar/mezarlıkların Binbir Gece Masalları’nndaki yansımaları on üç başlık altında tasnif edilmiştir.
Déjà lu ?: On Rachid Boudjedra's Recurring Jewish-Muslim Figure
Authors: Glasberg Rebecca
Published: September 2023

Abstract: This article examines the recurring figure of Henriette Gozlan, a Jewish-Muslim seamstress who (re)appears in multiple novels by Algerian author Rachid Boudjedra. Through a close reading of the particularities of Henriette's relationship to and place in the protagonist's family in La répudiation (1969), La macération (1984), and La dépossession (2017), I demonstrate how Boudjedra's œuvre challenges both colonial-era French discourse that sought to divide Algerian Jews and Muslims into distinct ethno-racial and political groups, and the postcolonial Algerian national narrative that ironically relied upon these artificial productions to construct a national religious and cultural identity.
Deciphering 1848: Repetition and Degradation in Madame Bovary
Authors: RayAlexander Abigail
Published: September 2023

Abstract: A hidden code in Madame Bovary subtly deploys the cypher of 1848 to critique Victor Hugo and, by extension, Napoléon III. This code aligns the novel's characters with historical figures and revolutions and highlights their shared shortcomings. In this way, Madame Bovary ridicules the degradation produced by repetition as well as the resulting gaps between flowery narratives and their less idyllic realities. During its 1857 trial, the novel's censors failed to notice its most concealed and dangerously democratizing political critique, namely, that the powerful are no greater than the humble.
Relier l'arrière-plan : Le réseau des figurants dans le roman de type réaliste du XIXe siècle
Authors: Le Saux Eva
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Le roman du XIXe siècle regorge de figurants apparemment peu intégrés au récit. Anonymes, peu caractérisés, ils évoluent à l'arrière-plan de l'intrigue et constituent le décor. S'ils semblent dispensables, leur présence contribue pourtant à créer de nombreux liens. Ils attachent les personnages principaux et secondaires au milieu dans lequel ils évoluent et créent des liens entre les personnages, amoindrissant ainsi la dimension hasardeuse de certains événements. Les figurants participent en outre de la dimension réaliste des récits en permettant aux lecteurs et lectrices de retrouver dans les romans une expérience familière, celle de l'anonymat.
The Joycean Outlex and the Promise of Feminist Lexicography
Authors: James Emily
Published: September 2023

Abstract: This essay explores Ulysses and Finnegans Wake in light of lexicographic debates in the early twentieth century. As resources such as the Oxford English Dictionary grew in scope and accessibility, the practice and politics of lexicography transformed too. Some of Joyce's contemporaries, including Virginia Woolf, proposed feminist interventions in the making of dictionaries, asking how women might be better and more fully recognized in the widening field of lexicography. This study argues that Joyce's writings also stretched and replotted the parameters of the dictionary and suggests that he was aware of, and likely sympathetic to, its sociopolitical and often gendered constraints. "The Joycean Outlex" contends that Joyce's lexical experiments are consonant with certain shifts in modern lexicography—that he found in the dictionary a singular opportunity to challenge and widen the boundaries of language and literature.
Single and coupled cavity mode sensing schemes using a diagnostic field
Authors: Goodwin-Jones Aaron W. , Zhu Haochen , Blair Carl , Brown Daniel D. , van Heijningen Joris , Ju Li , Zhao Chunnong
Published: September 2023

Precise optical mode matching is of critical importance in experiments using squeezed-vacuum states. Automatic spatial-mode matching schemes have the potential to reduce losses and improve loss stability. However, in quantum-enhanced coupled-cavity experiments, such as gravitational-wave detectors, one must also ensure that the sub-cavities are also mode matched. We propose what we believe to be a new mode sensing scheme, which works for simple and coupled cavities. The scheme requires no moving parts, nor tuning of Gouy phases. Instead a diagnostic field tuned to the HG20/LG10 mode frequency is used. The error signals are derived to be proportional to the difference in waist position, and difference in Rayleigh ranges, between the sub-cavity eigenmodes. The two error signals are separable by 90 degrees of demodulation phase. We demonstrate reasonable error signals for a simplified Einstein Telescope optical design. This work will facilitate routine use of extremely high levels of squeezing in current and future gravitational-wave detectors.
Revealing the pulse dynamics in a Mamyshev oscillator: from seed signal to oscillator pulse
Authors: Li Ti-Jian , Ma Gai-Ming , Liu Meng , Huang Qian-Qian , Cui Hu , Luo Ai-Ping , Mou Cheng-Bo , Xu Wen-Cheng , Luo Zhi-Chao
Published: September 2023

The Mamyshev oscillator (MO) is a promising platform to generate high-peak-power pulse with environmentally stable operation. However, rare efforts have been dedicated to unveil the dynamics from seed signal to oscillator pulse, particularly for the multi-pulse operation. Herein, we investigate the buildup dynamics of the oscillator pulse from the seed signal in a fiber MO. It is revealed that the gain competition among the successively injected seed pulses leads to higher pump power that is required to ignite the MO, hence resulting in the higher optical gain that supports buildup of multiple oscillator pulses. The multiple oscillator pulses are identified to be evolved from the multiple seed pulses. Moreover, the dispersive Fourier transform (DFT) technique is used to reveals the real-time spectral dynamics during the starting process. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, a highly intensity-modulated pulse bunch was employed as the seed signal to reduce the gain competition effect and avoid the multi-pulse starting operation. The experimental results are verified by numerical simulations. These findings would give new insights into the pulse dynamics in MO, which will be meaningful to the communities interested in ultrafast laser technologies and nonlinear optics.
Reporting delays of chikungunya cases during the 2017 outbreak in Lazio region, Italy
Authors: Manica Mattia , Marini Giovanni , Solimini Angelo , Guzzetta Giorgio , Poletti Piero , Scognamiglio Paola , Virgillito Chiara , della Torre Alessandra , Merler Stefano , Rosà Roberto , Vairo Francesco , Caputo Beniamino
Published: September 2023

Background

Emerging arboviral diseases in Europe pose a challenge due to difficulties in detecting and diagnosing cases during the initial circulation of the pathogen. Early outbreak detection enables public health authorities to take effective actions to reduce disease transmission. Quantification of the reporting delays of cases is vital to plan and assess surveillance and control strategies. Here, we provide estimates of reporting delays during an emerging arboviral outbreak and indications on how delays may have impacted onward transmission.

Methodology/principal findings

Using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meyer curves we analyzed case reporting delays (the period between the date of symptom onset and the date of notification to the public health authorities) during the 2017 Italian chikungunya outbreak. We further investigated the effect of outbreak detection on reporting delays by means of a Cox proportional hazard model. We estimated that the overall median reporting delay was 15.5 days, but this was reduced to 8 days after the notification of the first case. Cases with symptom onset after outbreak detection had about a 3.5 times higher reporting rate, however only 3.6% were notified within 24h from symptom onset. Remarkably, we found that 45.9% of identified cases developed symptoms before the detection of the outbreak.

Conclusions/significance

These results suggest that efforts should be undertaken to improve the early detection and identification of arboviral cases, as well as the management of vector species to mitigate the impact of long reporting delays.
Overground gait adaptability in older adults with type 2 diabetes in response to virtual targets and physical obstacles
Authors: Martin Suzanne , Taylor Simon B. , Shideler Blynn L. , Ogrin Rajna , Begg Rezaul
Published: September 2023

Background

To step over an unexpected obstacle, individuals adapt gait; they adjust step length in the anterior-posterior direction prior to the obstacle and minimum toe clearance height in the vertical direction during obstacle avoidance. Inability to adapt gait may lead to falls in older adults with diabetes as the results of the effects of diabetes on the sensory-motor control system. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gait adaptability in older adults with diabetes.

Research question

Would diabetes impair gait adaptability and increase sagittal foot adjustment errors?

Methods

Three cohorts of 16 people were recruited: young adults (Group I), healthy older adults (Group II), and older adults with diabetes (Group III). Participants walked in baseline at their comfortable speeds. They then walked and responded to what was presented in gait adaptability tests, which included 40 trials with four random conditions: step shortening, step lengthening, obstacle avoiding, and walking through. Virtual step length targets were 40% of the baseline step length longer or shorter than the mean baseline step length; the actual obstacle was a 5-cm height across the walkway. A Vicon three-dimensional motion capture system and four A.M.T.I force plates were used to quantify spatiotemporal parameters of a gait cycle and sagittal foot adjustment errors (differences between desired and actual responses). Analyses of variance (ANOVA) repeated measured tests were used to investigate group and condition effects on dependent gait parameters at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

Statistical analyses of Group I (n = 16), Group II (n = 14) and Group III (n = 13) revealed that gait parameters did not differ between groups in baseline. However, they were significantly different in adaptability tests. Group III significantly increased their stance and double support times in adaptability tests, but these adaptations did not reduce their sagittal foot adjustment errors. They had the greatest step length errors and lowest toe-obstacle clearance, which could cause them to touch the obstacle more.

Significance

The presented gait adaptability tests may serve as entry tests for falls prevention programs.
HLA class I associations with the severity of COVID-19 disease in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Tay Guan K. , Alnaqbi Halima , Chehadeh Sarah , Peramo Braulio , Mustafa Farah , Rizvi Tahir A. , Mahboub Bassam H. , Uddin Maimunah , Alkaabi Nawal , Alefishat Eman , Jelinek Herbert F. , Alsafar Habiba ,   on behalf of the UAE COVID-19 Collaborative Partnership
Published: September 2023

SARS-CoV-2 appears to induce diverse innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in different clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Due to their function in presenting viral peptides and initiating the adaptive immune response, certain Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles may influence the susceptibility to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, 92 COVID-19 patients from 15 different nationalities, with mild (n = 30), moderate (n = 35), and severe (n = 27) SARS-CoV-2 infection, living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were genotyped for the Class I HLA -A, -C, and -B alleles using next-generation sequencing (NGS) between the period of May 2020 to June 2020. Alleles and inferred haplotype frequencies in the hospitalized patient group (those with moderate to severe disease, n = 62) were compared to non-hospitalized patients (mild or asymptomatic, n = 30). An interesting trend was noted between the severity of COVID-19 and the HLA-C*04 (P = 0.0077) as well as HLA-B*35 (P = 0.0051) alleles. The class I haplotype HLA-C*04-B*35 was also significantly associated (P = 0.0049). The involvement of inflammation, HLA-C*04, and HLA-B*35 in COVID-19 severity highlights the potential roles of both the adaptive and innate immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. Both alleles have been linked to several respiratory diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension along with infections caused by the coronavirus and influenza. This study, therefore, supports the potential use of HLA testing in prioritizing public healthcare interventions for patients at risk of COVID-19 infection and disease progression, in addition to providing personalized immunotherapeutic targets.
Data-driven estimation of the instantaneous reproduction number and growth rates for the 2022 monkeypox outbreak in Europe
Authors: Saldaña Fernando , Daza-Torres Maria L. , Aguiar Maíra
Published: September 2023

Objective

To estimate the instantaneous reproduction number Rt and the epidemic growth rates for the 2022 monkeypox outbreaks in the European region.

Methods

We gathered daily laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases in the most affected European countries from the beginning of the outbreak to September 23, 2022. A data-driven estimation of the instantaneous reproduction number is obtained using a novel filtering type Bayesian inference. A phenomenological growth model coupled with a Bayesian sequential approach to update forecasts over time is used to obtain time-dependent growth rates in several countries.

Results

The instantaneous reproduction number Rt for the laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases in Spain, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Italy. At the early phase of the outbreak, our estimation for Rt, which can be used as a proxy for the basic reproduction number R0, was 2.06 (95% CI 1.63 − 2.54) for Spain, 2.62 (95% CI 2.23 − 3.17) for France, 2.81 (95% CI 2.51 − 3.09) for Germany, 1.82 (95% CI 1.52 − 2.18) for the UK, 2.84 (95% CI 2.07 − 3.91) for the Netherlands, 1.13 (95% CI 0.99 − 1.32) for Portugal, 3.06 (95% CI 2.48 − 3.62) for Italy. Cumulative cases for these countries present subexponential rather than exponential growth dynamics.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the current monkeypox outbreaks present limited transmission chains of human-to-human secondary infection so the possibility of a huge pandemic is very low. Confirmed monkeypox cases are decreasing significantly in the European region, the decline might be attributed to public health interventions and behavioral changes in the population due to increased risk perception. Nevertheless, further strategies toward elimination are essential to avoid the subsequent evolution of the monkeypox virus that can result in new outbreaks.
Forgotten but not gone: A multi-state analysis of modern-day debt imprisonment
Authors: Gaebler Johann D. , Barghouty Phoebe , Vicol Sarah , Phillips Cheryl , Goel Sharad
Published: September 2023

In almost every state, courts can jail those who fail to pay fines, fees, and other court debts—even those resulting from traffic or other non-criminal violations. While debtors’ prisons for private debts have been widely illegal in the United States for more than 150 years, the effect of courts aggressively pursuing unpaid fines and fees is that many Americans are nevertheless jailed for unpaid debts. However, heterogeneous, incomplete, and siloed records have made it difficult to understand the scope of debt imprisonment practices. We culled data from millions of records collected through hundreds of public records requests to county jails to produce a first-of-its-kind dataset documenting imprisonment for court debts in three U.S. states. Using these data, we present novel order-of-magnitude estimates of the prevalence of debt imprisonment, finding that between 2005 and 2018, around 38,000 residents of Texas and around 8,000 residents of Wisconsin were jailed each year for failure to pay (FTP), with the median individual spending one day in jail in both Texas and Wisconsin. Drawing on additional data on FTP warrants from Oklahoma, we also find that unpaid fines and fees leading to debt imprisonment most commonly come from traffic offenses, for which a typical Oklahoma court debtor owes around $250, or $500 if a warrant was issued for their arrest.
Primate richness and abundance is driven by both forest structure and conservation scenario in Costa Rica
Authors: Johnson Christopher Eric , Tafoya Kathryn A. , Beck Peter , Concilio Amy , White Kurt E. , Quirós Rodolfo , Wasserman Michael D.
Published: September 2023

Variation in tropical forest management directly affects biodiversity and provisioning of ecosystem services on a global scale, thus it is necessary to compare forests under different conservation approaches such as protected areas, payments for ecosystem services programs (PES), and ecotourism, as well as forests lacking any formal conservation plan. To examine the effectiveness of specific conservation approaches, we examined differences in forest structure and tree recruitment, including canopy cover; canopy height; seedling, sapling, and adult tree density; and average and total diameter at breast height (DBH) across 78 plots in 18 forests across Costa Rica representing protected areas, private forests utilizing PES and/or ecotourism, and private forests not utilizing these economic incentives. The effectiveness of conservation approaches in providing suitable primate habitat was assessed by conducting broad primate census surveys across a subset of eight forests to determine species richness and group encounter rate of three primate species: mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), Central American spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), and the white-faced capuchin monkey (Cebus imitator). Only canopy height was significantly different across the three approaches, with protected areas conserving the tallest and likely oldest forests. Canopy height was also significantly associated with the group encounter rate for both mantled howler and spider monkeys, but not for capuchins. Total group encounter rate for all three monkey species combined was higher in incentivized forests than in protected areas, with capuchin and howler monkey group encounter rates driving the trend. Group encounter rate for spider monkeys was higher in protected areas than in incentivized forests. Incentivized conservation (PES and ecotourism) and protected areas are paragons of land management practices that can lead to variation in forest structure across a landscape, which not only protect primate communities, but support the dietary ecologies of sympatric primate species.
Quantification by droplet digital PCR and species identification by metabarcoding of environmental (e)DNA from Blainville’s beaked whales, with assisted localization from an acoustic array
Authors: Baker Charles Scott , Claridge Diane , Dunn Charlotte , Fetherston Thomas , Baker Dorothy Nevé , Klinck Holger , Steel Debbie
Published: September 2023

Detection and identification of species, subspecies or stocks of whales, dolphins and porpoises at sea remain challenging, particularly for cryptic or elusive species like beaked whales (Family: Ziphiidae). Here we investigated the potential for using an acoustically assisted sampling design to collect environmental (e)DNA from beaked whales on the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) in The Bahamas. During 12 days of August 2019, we conducted 9 small-boat surveys and collected 56 samples of seawater (paired subsamples of 1L each, including controls) using both a spatial collection design in the absence of visual confirmation of whales, and a serial collection design in the proximity of whales at the surface. There were 7 sightings of whales, including 11 Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). All whales were located initially with the assistance of information from a bottom-mounted acoustic array available on the AUTEC range. Quantification by droplet digital (dd)PCR from the four spatial design collections showed no samples of eDNA above the threshold of detection and none of these 20 samples yielded amplicons for conventional or next-generation sequencing. Quantification of the 31 samples from four serial collections identified 11 likely positive detections. eDNA barcoding by conventional sequencing and eDNA metabarcoding by next-generation sequencing confirmed species identification for 9 samples from three of the four serial collections. We further resolved five intra-specific variants (i.e., haplotypes), two of which showed an exact match to previously published haplotypes and three that have not been reported previously to the international repository, GenBank. A minimum spanning network of the five eDNA haplotypes, with all other published haplotypes of Blainville’s beaked whales, suggested the potential for further resolution of differences between oceanic populations.
Cytomegalovirus reactivation under pre-emptive therapy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Pattern, survival, and risk factors in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kang Ka-Won , Jeon Min Ji , Yu Eun Sang , Kim Dae Sik , Lee Byung-Hyun , Lee Se Ryeon , Choi Chul Won , Park Yong , Kim Byung Soo , Sung Hwa Jung
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Pre-emptive therapy for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation has been used in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). It is unclear if this strategy has poorer clinical outcomes in CMV-endemic areas and if more aggressive prophylaxis is required.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the patterns and survival after CMV reactivation in patients undergoing pre-emptive therapy following allo-HSCT and assessed high-risk patients who could benefit from aggressive CMV prophylaxis in endemic areas.

Results

Of the 292 patients who underwent allo-HSCT, 70.5% (donor+ or recipient+) were CMV seropositive. CMV reactivation occurred in 139 patients (47.6%), with a median of 31.5 days from day 0 of allo-HSCT. The overall survival of patients with CMV reactivation who received pre-emptive therapy did not differ from those without reactivation. Of the 139 patients with CMV reactivation, 78 (56.1%) underwent ≥2 rounds of pre-emptive therapy. In multivariate analysis, the risk of CMV reactivation was higher in patients with multiple myeloma, with CMV seropositivity of the recipient and donor, administered with a higher dose of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), and with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) ≥ grade 2.

Conclusion

Although half of the patients with allo-HSCT were administered with pre-emptive therapy for CMV, CMV reactivation did not affect their survival, indicating the advantages of pre-emptive therapy, even in CMV-endemic areas. The cost-effectiveness of more aggressive CMV prophylaxis should be re-evaluated in patients at a high risk for CMV reactivation.
Regional effects of China’s monetary policy during the economic transition period: Based on China’s city classification system under the new normal
Authors: Tang Lingyu , Ai Guoju , Cai Zushun
Published: September 2023

We analyse the regional effects of China’s monetary policy during the economic transition period based on the city classification system under the New Normal. Using panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) models, we examine the differences in the influence of a unified monetary policy on four types of Chinese cities: first-tier, quasi-first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier cities, from perspective of economic output. Based on a comparative analysis of the results of impulse response function and variance decomposition, we conclude that whether for quantitative monetary policy or price-based monetary policy, the degree to which economic growth responds to the unified monetary policy varies across the four types of cities in the short and long terms. With reference to China’s economic transition under the New Normal, in the short term, this phenomenon probably relate to the varying degrees of financial marketization among the four city types; in the long run, this phenomenon may be attributed to the difference in the progress of industrial upgrading of these urban areas. Based on the analysis above, we suggest policy implications for Chinese cities based on the structural monetary policy, industrial upgrading, and market-oriented financial sector reforms.
Evaluation and phenotypic plasticity of taro [Colocasia esculenta (l.) Schott.] genotypes for nutrient and anti-nutrient composition
Authors: Donkor Esther Fobi , Nyadanu Daniel , Akromah Richard , Osei Kingsley , Odoom Daniel Asomaning
Published: September 2023

The study was carried out to determine the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of taro genotypes and also determine the phenotypic plasticity of the genotypes in two agro ecological zones in Ghana. The towns and zones were Bunso in the semi deciduous forest (an upland) and Tano Dumasi in the forest savannah transition agro-ecological (a waterlogged area) zone in the Eastern and Ashanti regions respectively.Two (2) freshly harvested corms of each genotype from each location were assessed for their nutritional (moisture, protein, carbohydrate, ash and fat) and anti-nutritional (phytate, oxalate and tannin) composition Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and AMMI analysis using GenStat 12 edition to assess the effect of genotype, environment and their interaction on the traits studied. Phenotypic plasticity for the genotypes and the traits studied was also calculated. Pearson correlation was also conducted to assess the relationship between the traits studied. There were significant differences among the genotypes for nutrient and anti-nutrient composition except for percentage fat, indicating enough genetic variability among the genotypes, giving room for good selection progress for development of taro varieties. A higher magnitude of the environment over genotype and genotype by environment interaction observed indicates the influence of environment in the expression of the nutritional and anti-nutritional traits. Observed varied phenotypic plasticity among the genotypes for the nutrient and anti-nutrients composition also indicates varied adaptation of the genotypes to the environment. Genotypes BL/SM/115, CE/MAL/32 and CE/IND/16 and hybrids KAO19 × CE/MAL/32 and CE/IND/16×KAO19, CE/IND/16 × BL/SM/10, and CE/IND/16 × BL/SM/115 which recorded high nutrients and low anti-nutrients content and were stable across the environments can be released to farmers for cultivation. They could also be included in breeding programs for the development of enhanced nutritional quality of taro in Ghana.
A causal inference study: The impact of the combined administration of Donepezil and Memantine on decreasing hospital and emergency department visits of Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Yaghmaei Ehsan , Pierce Albert , Lu Hongxia , Patel Yesha M. , Ehwerhemuepha Louis , Rezaie Ahmad , Sajjadi Seyed Ahmad , Rakovski Cyril
Published: September 2023

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that currently affects over 6.5 million people in the U.S. Currently there is no cure and the existing drug therapies attempt to delay the mental decline and improve cognitive abilities. Two of the most commonly prescribed such drugs are Donepezil and Memantine. We formally tested and confirmed the presence of a beneficial drug-drug interaction of Donepezil and Memantine using a causal inference analysis. We applied doubly robust estimators to one of the largest and high-quality medical databases to estimate the effect of two commonly prescribed Alzheimer’s disease (AD) medications, Donepezil and Memantine, on the average number of hospital or emergency department visits per year among patients diagnosed with AD. Our results show that, compared to the absence of medication scenario, the Memantine monotherapy, and the Donepezil monotherapy, the combined use of Donepezil and Memantine treatment significantly reduces the average number of hospital or emergency department visits per year by 0.078 (13.8%), 0.144 (25.5%), and 0.132 days (23.4%), respectively. The assessed decline in the average number of hospital or emergency department visits per year is consequently associated with a substantial reduction in medical costs. As of 2022, according to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, there were over 6.5 million individuals aged 65 and older living with AD in the US alone. If patients who are currently on no drug treatment or using either Donepezil or Memantine alone were switched to the combined used of Donepezil and Memantine therapy, the average number of hospital or emergency department visits could decrease by over 613 thousand visits per year. This, in turn, would lead to a remarkable reduction in medical expenses associated with hospitalization of AD patients in the US, totaling over 940 million dollars per year.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor genetic polymorphism rs6265 and creativity
Authors: Hertenstein Elisabeth , Kuhn Marion , Landmann Nina , Maier Jonathan-Gabriel , Schneider Carlotta Louisa , Fehér Kristoffer Daniel , Frase Lukas , Riemann Dieter , Feige Bernd , Nissen Christoph
Published: September 2023

The protein brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neural plasticity of the central nervous system and plays an important role for learning and memory. A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6265) at position 66 in the pro-region of the human BDNF gene, resulting in a substitution of the amino acid valine (val) with methionine (met), leads to attenuated BDNF secretion and has been associated with reduced neurocognitive function. Inhomogeneous results have been found regarding the effect of the BDNF genotype on behavior. We determined the BDNF genotype and performance on the Compound Remote Associate (CRA) task as a common measure of creativity in 76 healthy university students. In our main analyses, we did not find significant differences between met-carriers (n = 30) and non-met carriers (n = 46). In a secondary analysis, we found that met-carriers had a slower solution time (medium effect size) for items of medium difficulty. Our results suggest that met-carriers and non-met-carriers do not generally differ regarding their creativity, but non-met-carriers may have a certain advantage when it comes to moderately difficult problems. The wider literature suggests that both genetic variants come with advantages and disadvantages. Future research needs to sharpen our understanding of the disadvantages and, potentially, advantages met allele carriers may have.
Reduced visual context effects in global motion processing in depression
Authors: Murray Grace E. , Norton Daniel J.
Published: September 2023

Research supports abnormal inhibitory visual motion processing in adults with remitted and current depression, but all studies to date have used paradigms with simple grating stimuli. Global motion processing, where multiple motion signals must be integrated, has not been explored in depression, nor have inhibitory processes within that domain. Depressed participants (n = 46) and healthy controls (n = 28) completed a direction discrimination task featuring a random dot pattern stimulus. Various signal (rightward or leftward dots) to noise (dots with randomly assigned directions) ratios modulated task difficulty. Metrics of global center surround suppression and facilitation were calculated. Accuracy in the baseline condition (i.e., no surrounding annulus) was not significantly different between depressed and healthy participants. Global center surround suppression and facilitation were not significantly different between healthy and depressed participants overall. When limiting the sample to unmedicated individuals, depressed participants (n = 27) showed a reduced global center surround suppression effect compared to controls, and there was no difference in global center surround facilitation. While global motion processing is intact in depression, abnormal center surround suppression effects in depression do extend to global motion stimuli. These alterations may be mitigated by the psychotropic medications taken by some subjects in our depressed sample. Future studies should explore the mechanisms underlying these effects.
Symptoms, care consumption, and healthcare costs in hospitalized patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ashman Kröönström Linda , Lundgren-Nilsson Åsa , Kjellby-Wendt Gunilla , Stibrant Sunnerhagen Katharina
Published: September 2023

Background

We aimed to assess symptomatology post discharge from the hospital in patients with COVID-19 treated during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to follow care consumption and healthcare costs six months post discharge.

Methods

This study was a descriptive observational study over time. Data were retrieved from the Sahlgrenska University (SU) hospital registry for patients admitted to an SU hospital during March 2020 to August 2020. Of these, 1014 received a questionnaire approximately six weeks post discharge regarding symptoms. Data regarding care consumption were retrieved from the registry in the Region Västra Götaland for 529 (52.2%) patients who completed the questionnaire. Of these, 466 patients were included in the analysis of care consumption.

Results

There was a reported decrease in mobility from admission to discharge in both men (p = 0.02) and women (p = 0.01). The costs of inpatient care amounted to a total of 9 601 459.20 Euro (EUR). Symptoms were reported in 436 (93.6%) patients post discharge, of which weight loss during COVID-19 was most common in both men (n = 220, 77.5%) and women (n = 107, 58.8%). During six-month follow-up, 409 (87%) patients consumed care. Of the registered visits, 868 (27.1%) were related to a COVID-19 diagnosis. The total sum of outpatient care (i.e. visits with a registered COVID-19 diagnosis) was 77 311.30 EUR.

Conclusions

At discharge from the hospital, there was a decrease in mobility. Most patients had remaining sequelae post discharge. At six months post discharge, nearly 90% of patients had consumed care, with approximately 20% related to COVID-19. This indicates a persisting need for rehabilitation post discharge from hospital in patients treated for COVID-19.
Species-specific cleavage of cGAS by picornavirus protease 3C disrupts mitochondria DNA-mediated immune sensing
Authors: Yan Ya , Wu Lei , Yuan Ye , Wang Haiwei , Yin Hongyan , Li Minjie , Chai Lvye , Liang Ruiying , Liu Yanjie , Zhao Dongming , Xing Junji , Li Pingwei , Li Xin
Published: September 2023

RNA viruses cause numerous infectious diseases in humans and animals. The crosstalk between RNA viruses and the innate DNA sensing pathways attracts increasing attention. Recent studies showed that the cGAS-STING pathway plays an important role in restricting RNA viruses via mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) mediated activation. However, the mechanisms of cGAS mediated innate immune evasion by RNA viruses remain unknown. Here, we report that seneca valley virus (SVV) protease 3C disrupts mtDNA mediated innate immune sensing by cleaving porcine cGAS (pcGAS) in a species-specific manner. Mechanistically, a W/Q motif within the N-terminal domain of pcGAS is a unique cleavage site recognized by SVV 3C. Three conserved catalytic residues of SVV 3C cooperatively contribute to the cleavage of pcGAS, but not human cGAS (hcGAS) or mouse cGAS (mcGAS). Additionally, upon SVV infection and poly(dA:dT) transfection, pcGAS and SVV 3C colocalizes in the cells. Furthermore, SVV 3C disrupts pcGAS-mediated DNA binding, cGAMP synthesis and interferon induction by specifically cleaving pcGAS. This work uncovers a novel mechanism by which the viral protease cleaves the DNA sensor cGAS to evade innate immune response, suggesting a new antiviral approach against picornaviruses.