bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public acceptance of nuclear waste disposal sites: a decision-making process utilising the ‘veil of ignorance’ concept
Authors: Yokoyama Miki , Ohnuma Susumu , Osawa Hideaki , Ohtomo Shoji , Hirose Yukio
Published: September 2023

This study demonstrates that a decision-making process utilising ‘the veil of ignorance’ concept, defined in process terms as beginning from a blank slate encompassing the entire country as potential sites and shortlisting candidate sites based on scientific (geological) safety, promotes public acceptance of siting a repository for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste and fosters procedural fairness. A hypothetical scenario experiment was conducted in Japan, manipulating the site selection process by setting two conditions—one being the application/proposal condition that the Japanese government currently employs, such as an application by municipalities or a proposal by the government, and the other being the veil of ignorance condition, in which multiple candidate areas are selected from a blank slate for the entire land area based purely on geological factors. Three stages of acceptance were presumed—at the level of general management policy, the site selection process itself with a specified decision policy, and the siting of a repository in their area of residence. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) the veil of ignorance condition will be evaluated as a more acceptable and fairer procedure and will engender increased national consensus than the application/proposal condition at the site selection and repository siting stages, and (b) procedural fairness and national consensus will impact acceptance at each stage; these variables at each stage help shape the same variables in the next stage. The results supported these hypotheses. This study discusses the importance of the site selection process, beginning where any de facto site can be a candidate and shortlisting the candidate sites based on scientific criteria.
A tissue-engineered model of the atherosclerotic plaque cap: Toward understanding the role of microcalcifications in plaque rupture
Authors: Jansen Imke , Crielaard Hanneke , Wissing Tamar , Bouten Carlijn , Gijsen Frank , Akyildiz Ali C. , Farrell Eric , van der Heiden Kim
Published: September 2023

Rupture of the cap of an atherosclerotic plaque can lead to thrombotic cardiovascular events. It has been suggested, through computational models, that the presence of microcalcifications in the atherosclerotic cap can increase the risk of cap rupture. However, the experimental confirmation of this hypothesis is still lacking. In this study, we have developed a novel tissue-engineered model to mimic the atherosclerotic fibrous cap with microcalcifications and assess the impact of microcalcifications on cap mechanics. First, human carotid plaque caps were analyzed to determine the distribution, size, and density of microcalcifications in real cap tissue. Hydroxyapatite particles with features similar to real cap microcalcifications were used as microcalcification mimics. Injected clusters of hydroxyapatite particles were embedded in a fibrin gel seeded with human myofibroblasts which deposited a native-like collagenous matrix around the particles, during the 21-day culture period. Second harmonic multiphoton microscopy imaging revealed higher local collagen fiber dispersion in regions of hydroxyapatite clusters. Tissue-engineered caps with hydroxyapatite particles demonstrated lower stiffness and ultimate tensile stress than the control group samples under uniaxial tensile loading, suggesting increased rupture risk in atherosclerotic plaques with microcalcifications. This model supports previous computational findings regarding a detrimental role for microcalcifications in cap rupture risk and can further be deployed to elucidate tissue mechanics in pathologies with calcifying soft tissues.
Performance evaluation of photonic crystal fibre sensor for controlled drugs detection: a simulation approach
Authors: Maidi Abdul Mu’iz , Salam Rudi , Zou Nianyu , Begum Feroza
Published: September 2023

This study proposes a simple and efficient Photonic Crystal Fibre sensor design for the detection of controlled drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine, and ketamine. The design uses a pentagonal core hole and circular cladding air holes in 2 layers, made of fused silica substrate. The sensing performance of the proposed PCF design is evaluated using COMSOL Multiphysics and Finite Element Method, operating in the visible and infrared range from 0.4 to 3.2 μm. Results show that the proposed PCF design achieves high relative sensitivities of 99.55%, 99.75%, and 99.99% for cocaine, amphetamine, and ketamine, respectively, at the optimum wavelength of 0.4 μm. Additionally, the design is robust, showcasing minimal variations in relative sensitivities with changes in pitch distance, air hole diameter, and core hole length. These findings make the proposed PCF design a promising candidate for practical controlled drug sensing.
The industrial production of Micro Pattern Gaseous Detector: experience from the ATLAS Micromegas
Authors: Iengo Paolo ,   the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer System
Published: September 2023

Resistive Micromegas is one of the detector technologies chosen by ATLAS for the Phase-1 upgrade of the Muon Spectrometer, completed in 2022 in view of the LHC Run3 start.
It is the largest MPGD-based detector system ever built, covering an active area of 1280 m2, providing trigger and precise tracking capabilities to the ATLAS Muon system and able to stand a radiation background rate up to 20 kHz/cm2.

The heart of the ATLAS Micromegas detectors is the anode board, which carries the resistive protection layer, the readout electrodes and the insulating spacers supporting the micro-mesh.
The production of the 2048 readout boards of size up to 0.5×2.2 m2 has been assigned to high-technology PCB industries and required dedicated efforts for technology transfer, production follow-up and quality assurance and control.

The paper reviews the main challenges from the design phase to the completion of the project which spanned over several years. Emphasis is also put on the thorough quality assurance and quality control protocol established, the achieved results, as well as on the logistic, supply and schedule constraints.
The lessons learned from this unprecedented MPGD project are also discussed.
Locomotion performance of an axisymmetric ‘flapping fin’
Authors: Zhu Qiang
Published: September 2023

Inspired by the jet-propulsion mechanism of aquatic creatures such as sea salps, a novel locomotion system based on an axisymmetric body design is proposed. This system consists of an empty tube with two ends open. When the diameters of the front and back openings are changed periodically, the forward-backward symmetry is broken so that the system starts swimming. Viewed within a cross section, this system resembles a two-dimensional flapping fin with its leading edge located at the front opening and the trailing edge at the back opening. The feasibility of this system has been proven via numerical simulations using a fluid-structure interaction model based on the immersed-boundary framework. According to the results, at relatively low Reynolds number (O(102)), this simple locomotion method can easily achieve a mean swimming speed of 2 to 3 body lengths per deformation period. Further simulations illustrate the following characteristics: (1) within the chamber, the hydrodynamic interactions among different parts of the body leads to a performance-enhancing mechanism similar to the ground effect; (2) reducing the diameter of the body can strengthen this effect so that both the swimming speed and the energy efficiency are improved; (3) for better performance the amplitude of diameter oscillation at the trailing edge should be larger or at least equal to the one at the leading edge.
A post-quantum associative memory
Authors: Lami Ludovico , Goldwater Daniel , Adesso Gerardo
Published: September 2023

Associative memories are devices storing information that can be fully retrieved given partial disclosure of it. We examine a toy model of associative memory and the ultimate limitations to which it is subjected within the framework of general probabilistic theories (GPTs), which represent the most general class of physical theories satisfying some basic operational axioms. We ask ourselves how large the dimension of a GPT should be so that it can accommodate 2
m
states with the property that any N of them are perfectly distinguishable. Call

d
(
N
,
m
)

the minimal such dimension. Invoking an old result by Danzer and Grünbaum, we prove that

d
(
2
,
m
)
=
m
+
1

, to be compared with

O
(

2
m

)

when the GPT is required to be either classical or quantum. This yields an example of a task where GPTs outperform both classical and quantum theory exponentially. More generally, we resolve the case of fixed N and asymptotically large m, proving that

d
(
N
,
m
)
⩽

m

1
+

o
N

(
1
)

(as

m
→
∞

) for every

N
⩾
2

, which yields again an exponential improvement over classical and quantum theories. Finally, we develop a numerical approach to the general problem of finding the largest N-wise mutually distinguishable set for a given GPT, which can be seen as an instance of the maximum clique problem on N-regular hypergraphs.
Direct transition from rapid-infusion originator to rapid-infusion biosimilar tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in children with inflammatory bowel disease: A case series
Authors: Rosenthal Blake , Aulakh Sabreen , Patel Perseus V , Wong Jason T , Ali Sabina
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Biosimilar tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (b-TNFi) reduce healthcare costs and maintain equal efficacy when compared to their originator counterparts (o-TNFi). Current practice is to start patients on a slower standard infusion rate during the initial transition from an o-TNFi to a b-TNFi. There is a knowledge gap around switching from rapid originator infusion to rapid biosimilar infusion in the pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population.

We present a case series of 8 pediatric patients with IBD who were switched from a rapid-infusion o-TNFi to a rapid-infusion b-TNFi from 2016 through 2022. Our primary interest was safety, which we evaluated based on the occurrence of infusion reactions or need for new premedications within the first 6 months of starting a b-TNFi. We also examined effectiveness through the incidence of IBD-related hospitalizations, TNFi failure, and need for co-medication or dose escalation over the same period. In our cohort, 4 patients had Crohn’s disease and 4 had ulcerative colitis. All patients were switched to a biosimilar for nonmedical reasons. During the follow-up period, no patients had infusion reactions necessitating new premedications, serious adverse events, or medication nonresponse.

Conclusion

Patients who directly transitioned from a rapid-infusion o-TNFi to a rapid-infusion b-TNFi did not experience serious adverse events. Given the fiscal and patient experience advantages of rapid-rate infusions, larger studies are needed to consider a change in practice.
Roman with Rubin
Authors: Gough-Kelly Steven , Street Rachel
Published: September 2023

Steven Gough-Kelly and Rachel Street argue in favour of maximising the science return of major facilities
Benchmarking deep learning methods for predicting CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNA on- and off-target activities
Authors: Zhang Guishan , Luo Ye , Dai Xianhua , Dai Zhiming
Published: September 2023

In silico design of single guide RNA (sgRNA) plays a critical role in clustered regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Continuous efforts are aimed at improving sgRNA design with efficient on-target activity and reduced off-target mutations. In the last 5 years, an increasing number of deep learning-based methods have achieved breakthrough performance in predicting sgRNA on- and off-target activities. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to systematically evaluate these methods for their predictive abilities. In this review, we conducted a systematic survey on the progress in prediction of on- and off-target editing. We investigated the performances of 10 mainstream deep learning-based on-target predictors using nine public datasets with different sample sizes. We found that in most scenarios, these methods showed superior predictive power on large- and medium-scale datasets than on small-scale datasets. In addition, we performed unbiased experiments to provide in-depth comparison of eight representative approaches for off-target prediction on 12 publicly available datasets with various imbalanced ratios of positive/negative samples. Most methods showed excellent performance on balanced datasets but have much room for improvement on moderate- and severe-imbalanced datasets. This study provides comprehensive perspectives on CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNA on- and off-target activity prediction and improvement for method development.
Structome: a tool for the rapid assembly of datasets for structural phylogenetics
Authors: Malik Ashar J , Langer Desiree , Verma Chandra S , Poole Anthony M , Allison Jane R
Published: September 2023

Protein structures carry signal of common ancestry and can therefore aid in reconstructing their evolutionary histories. To expedite the structure-informed inference process, a web server, Structome, has been developed that allows users to rapidly identify protein structures similar to a query protein and to assemble datasets useful for structure-based phylogenetics. Structome was created by clustering ∼94% of the structures in RCSB PDB using 90% sequence identity and representing each cluster by a centroid structure. Structure similarity between centroid proteins was calculated, and annotations from PDB, SCOP, and CATH were integrated. To illustrate utility, an H3 histone was used as a query, and results show that the protein structures returned by Structome span both sequence and structural diversity of the histone fold. Additionally, the pre-computed nexus-formatted distance matrix, provided by Structome, enables analysis of evolutionary relationships between proteins not identifiable using searches based on sequence similarity alone. Our results demonstrate that, beginning with a single structure, Structome can be used to rapidly generate a dataset of structural neighbours and allows deep evolutionary history of proteins to be studied.

Availability and Implementation

Structome is available at: https://structome.bii.a-star.edu.sg.
Justifying the Unjustifiable: Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine, International Law, and Carl Schmitt’s “Theory of the Greater Space” (“Großraumtheorie”)
Authors: Hilpold Peter
Published: September 2023

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been accompanied by attempts to justify this blatant violation of international law with reference to the accepted exceptions to the prohibition of the use of force. These attempts had to fail from the outset as the necessary preconditions were not given. More pernicious is, however, the endeavor to find a justification in an “alternative” system of international law. The respective arguments echo considerations popular in the first half of the 20th century, such as Carl Schmitt’s “theory of the greater space” and the “theory of encirclement”. To accept a revival of such arguments, even only in part, risks undermining the very basics of modern international law. Ultimately, to allow this “obsession with territory” (Georges Scelle) to unfold would not even be in Russia’s interest as it would deflect from this country’s real economic and societal problems that need urgent action.
Annual wages in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from 1800 to 1860 and the beginning of the Italian regional divide
Authors: Fiore Melacrinis Francesco M S
Published: September 2023

This study presents new urban and rural annual wage series for the South of Italy before the unification. The use of annual wages overcomes the intrinsic biases of daily wages and mirrors the effective living standards of unskilled workers making regional comparisons more reliable. The comparisons with existing analogous series for the centre and the north of the country show a divide at the time of Italy’s unification in line with the majoritarian view expressed in earlier studies. However, unexpected convergence trends emerge at the urban level, mostly before 1840. Instead, rural areas consistently displayed divergence that has been worsening since 1850.
Influence of metabolic guilds on a temporal scale in an experimental fermented food derived microbial community
Authors: Leale Alanna , Auxier Ben , Smid Eddy J , Schoustra Sijmen
Published: September 2023

The influence of community diversity, which can be measured at the level of metabolic guilds, on community function is a central question in ecology. Particularly, the long-term temporal dynamic between a community's function and its diversity remains unclear. We investigated the influence of metabolic guild diversity on associated community function by propagating natural microbial communities from a traditionally fermented milk beverage diluted to various levels. Specifically, we assessed the influence of less abundant microbial types, such as yeast, on community functionality and bacterial community compositions over repeated propagation cycles amounting to ∼100 generations. The starting richness of metabolic guilds had a repeatable effect on bacterial community compositions, metabolic profiles, and acidity. The influence of a single metabolic guild, yeast in our study, played a dramatic role on function, but interestingly not on long-term species sorting trajectories of the remaining bacterial community. Our results together suggest an unexpected niche division between yeast and bacterial communities and evidence ecological selection on the microbial communities in our system.
Leveraging genomic redundancy to improve inference and alignment of orthologous proteins
Authors: Singleton Marc , Eisen Michael
Published: September 2023

Identifying protein sequences with common ancestry is a core task in bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. However, methods for inferring and aligning such sequences in annotated genomes have not kept pace with the increasing scale and complexity of the available data. Thus, in this work, we implemented several improvements to the traditional methodology that more fully leverage the redundancy of closely related genomes and the organization of their annotations. Two highlights include the application of the more flexible k-clique percolation algorithm for identifying clusters of orthologous proteins and the development of a novel technique for removing poorly supported regions of alignments with a phylogenetic hidden Markov model (phylo-HMM). In making the latter, we wrote a fully documented Python package Homomorph that implements standard HMM algorithms and created a set of tutorials to promote its use by a wide audience. We applied the resulting pipeline to a set of 33 annotated Drosophila genomes, generating 22,813 orthologous groups and 8,566 high-quality alignments.
Using Liquid Chromatography—Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry for Detection of Economically Motivated Adulteration of Maple Syrup
Authors: Mantha Madhavi , Kubachka Kevin M , Urban John R , Brueggemeyer Jana L , Kaine Lisa A , Patton Reagan A
Published: September 2023

Background

Maple syrup is a sought-after commodity, and used as a condiment and a sweetener. Also, it is an active target of economically motivated adulteration (EMA), similar to other foods such as lemon juice and honey.

Objective

This study is aimed to detect low cost sugar adulteration in maple syrup via an internal standard method using malic acid through solid-phase extraction (SPE) and LC with isotope ratio mass spectrometric detection (LC–IRMS).

Methods

In this work, an optimized SPE sample preparation procedure was used for the isolation of organic acids from maple syrup. Using LC–IRMS, malic acid was separated from other organic acids and the δ13C value of malic acid was determined. Eleven maple syrup samples, domestic or imported from Canada, were evaluated for 13C/12C ratios (δ13C values) using combustion module—cavity ring down spectrometry (CM-CRDS) and compared to the δ13C values obtained from well-established elemental analyzer–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA–IRMS) methods. The δ13C values of isolated malic acid analyzed by SPE–LC–IRMS were used as internal standards and compared to the δ13C values of bulk maple syrup; difference (δ13Csugars − δ13Cmalic acid) values greater than 3.6‰ are indicative of low-cost sugar adulteration.

Results

Overall, the results obtained from SPE–LC–IRMS provided a faster, novel analysis approach for determining low-cost sugar adulteration in maple syrup for regulatory purposes. This method also provided lower detectable limits of adulteration versus current literature reports using bulk analysis and comparable detection limits to Tremblay and co-workers who utilized an internal standard method.

Conclusion

SPE–LC–IRMS is a robust method that can be used for detecting adulteration in maple syrup samples for regulatory purposes.

Highlights

SPE-LC-IRMS is a faster, novel analysis approach for determining C4 adulteration in maple syrup with lower detection limits.
Integrating single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveals endoplasmic reticulum stress-related CAF subpopulations associated with chordoma progression
Authors: Zhang Tao-Lan , Xia Chao , Zheng Bo-Wen , Hu Hai-Hong , Jiang Ling-Xiang , Escobar David , Zheng Bo-Yv , Chen Tian-Dong , Li Jing , Lv Guo-Hua , Huang Wei , Yan Yi-Guo , Zou Ming-Xiang
Published: September 2023

Background

With cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as the main cell type, the rich myxoid stromal components in chordoma tissues may likely contribute to its development and progression.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, bulk RNA-seq, and multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) were used to dissect the heterogeneity, spatial distribution, and clinical implication of CAFs in chordoma.

Results

We sequenced here 72 097 single cells from 3 primary and 3 recurrent tumor samples, as well as 3 nucleus pulposus samples as controls using scRNA-seq. We identified a unique cluster of CAF in recurrent tumors that highly expressed hypoxic genes and was functionally enriched in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Pseudotime trajectory and cell communication analyses showed that this ERS-CAF subpopulation originated from normal fibroblasts and widely interacted with tumoral and immune cells. Analyzing the bulk RNA-seq data from 126 patients, we found that the ERS-CAF signature score was associated with the invasion and poor prognosis of chordoma. By integrating the results of scRNA-seq with spatial transcriptomics, we demonstrated the existence of ERS-CAF in chordoma tissues and revealed that this CAF subtype displayed the most proximity to its surrounding tumor cells. In subsequent QIF validation involving 105 additional patients, we confirmed that ERS-CAF was abundant in the chordoma microenvironment and located close to tumor cells. Furthermore, both ERS-CAF density and its distance to tumor cells were correlated with tumor malignant phenotype and adverse patient outcomes.

Conclusions

These findings depict the CAF landscape for chordoma and may provide insights into the development of novel treatment approaches.
The value of arterial spin labelling (ASL) perfusion MRI in the assessment of post-treatment progression in adult glioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Alsulami Tamadur A , Hyare Harpreet , Thomas David L , Golay Xavier
Published: September 2023

Background

The distinction between viable tumor and therapy-induced changes is crucial for the clinical management of patients with gliomas. This study aims to quantitatively assess the efficacy of arterial spin labeling (ASL) biomarkers, including relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF), for the discrimination of progressive disease (PD) and treatment-related effects.

Methods

Eight articles were included in the synthesis after searching the literature systematically. Data have been extracted and a meta-analysis using the random-effect model was subsequently carried out. Diagnostic accuracy assessment was also performed.

Results

This study revealed that there is a significant difference in perfusion measurements between groups with PD and therapy-induced changes. The rCBF yielded a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 1.25 [95% CI 0.75, 1.75] (p < .00001). The maximum perfusion indices (rCBFmax and CBFmax) both showed equivalent discriminatory ability, with SMD of 1.35 [95% CI 0.78, 1.91] (p < .00001) and 1.56 [95% CI 0.79, 2.33] (p < .0001), respectively. Similarly, accuracy estimates were comparable among ASL-derived metrices. Pooled sensitivities [95% CI] were 0.85 [0.67, 0.94], 0.88 [0.71, 0.96], and 0.93 [0.73, 0.98], and pooled specificities [95% CI] were 0.83 [0.71, 0.91], 0.83 [0.67, 0.92], 0.84 [0.67, 0.93], for rCBF, rCBFmax and CBFmax, respectively. Corresponding HSROC area under curve (AUC) [95% CI] were 0.90 [0.87, 0.92], 0.92 [0.89, 0.94], and 0.93 [0.90, 0.95].

Conclusion

These results suggest that ASL quantitative biomarkers, particularly rCBFmax and CBFmax, have the potential to discriminate between glioma progression and therapy-induced changes.
Anti-EGFR Antibodies in the Management of Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza , Afable Manuel Geroy , Herting Cameron , Lukanowski Mariusz , Jin Zhaohui
Published: September 2023

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and incidence is rising in younger individuals. Anti-EGFR antibodies, including cetuximab and panitumumab, have been incorporated into standard-of-care practice for patients with advanced disease. Herein, we review the molecular characteristics of these agents and the trials that lead to their approvals. Further, we discuss clinical implications of data regarding biomarkers that dictate treatment selection, different dosing strategies, and side effect management. Finally, we look towards the future and describe contexts in which these agents are currently being investigated clinically with a focus on combinations with MAPK-targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Overall, this review provides historical context, current clinical usage, and future directions for anti-EGFR antibodies in advanced colorectal cancer.
Introduction
Authors: Huddy Leonie , Sears David O. , Levy Jack S. , Jerit Jennifer
Published: September 2023

This chapter serves as an introduction to the Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology. It provides an overview of the field, focusing on key theories, topics, and empirical approaches. The chapter begins by defining political psychology as the behavior of individuals within a specific political system. This is followed by a lengthy discussion on the major intellectual underpinnings of political psychology in biopolitics, personality, cognitive and affective psychology, and intergroup relations. These approaches are often contrasted with a rational approach to human behavior and help to explain why human political behavior often falls short of the democratic ideal. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the volume’s organization and an overview of its specific chapters.
The Psychological and Social Foundations of Ideological Belief Systems
Authors: Federico Christopher M. , Malka Ariel
Published: September 2023

Defining ideology as a system of functionally interconnected political attitudes and beliefs, we review evidence concerning (1) the nature and origins of ideology in mass publics and (2) the social and interpersonal nature of the motives underlying ideological coherence. One key conclusion that we draw is that the links between psychological attributes and subsets of ideological attitudes sometimes appear to be organic and functional but other times appear to be conditional on how the relevant attitudes are packaged with other attitudes into socially constructed ideologies. A second key conclusion is that the social motives that induce citizens to pull diverse attitudes into ideological alignment may also, in polarized contexts, induce people to adopt non-political identities and self-perceptions that are congruent with ideological stereotypes. We recommend a focus on the implications of these processes for polarization and democratic stability.
Personality Approaches to Political Behavior
Authors: Bakker Bert N.
Published: September 2023

Whether personality is relevant for political behavior is a question that has a long tradition in political psychology. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the state-the-art evidence on the association between personality and political behavior of citizens and politicians. In particular, this chapter focuses on the association between personality and political ideology, voting behavior, political loyalties, political participation, political engagement, and news consumption. The chapter concludes by outlining a research agenda for the next generation of research with attention to the assumed causal effects of personality on political “outcomes.” Future research is also encouraged to adopt open science practices that will increase transparency, replicability, and ultimately the field’s credibility.
The Gaze from Below
Authors: Pérez Efrén O. , Vicuña Bianca V.
Published: September 2023

This chapter grapples with the political psychology of minority status by focusing on the attitudes and actions expressed by groups who are subordinated based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other stigmatized attributes. We call on political psychologists to develop more unified theories that study the growing array of subordinated groups, with the goal of isolating the psychological mechanisms behind their politics. We model one response to this call by drawing on social identity theory and its offshoots to illuminate some of the cognitive and affective roots of minority status and its implications for inter- and intra-group behavior in politics. We discuss the micro-foundations of minority group formation, the structural roots of minority status, and, most critically, the connections between minority status and political attitudes and behavior. We conclude by discussing three broad areas where scholars can use these insights to (re)invigorate debates in studies of minority group politics.
Social Movements and the Dynamics of Collective Action
Authors: van Stekelenburg Jacquelien , Gaidytė Teodora
Published: September 2023

In this chapter, we propose a framework to study the political psychology of collective action participation. We first introduce the dynamics of collective action, which are decomposed into the dynamics of demand, supply, and mobilization. The dynamics of demand are about people and their motives. The dynamics of supply are about organizations and their appeals. The dynamics of mobilization concern the convergence of demand and supply. In the mobilization section, we specifically consider how classic social capital factors such as social trust and embeddedness in organizations and more recent developments of virtualization influence who does or does not participate in protest activity. Subsequently we discuss how the social and political psychological processes of politicization, polarization, and radicalization hinder or spur participation in collective action. Finally, we show how perceptions of the political context influence the decision to protest or not, focusing on socio-economic, political, and cultural contextual factors. In doing so, we provide an overview of what social and political psychology, combined with other disciplines, has to offer to the study of social movements and collective action, where we stand, and where we think the lacunas are. We end with a discussion of the challenges by those who study social movement participation.
Migration and Multiculturalism
Authors: Green Eva G. T. , Staerklé Christian
Published: September 2023

This chapter provides an overview of research on migration and multiculturalism from the perspective of political psychology. The first part outlines some historical benchmarks of modern migration and briefly presents two key notions of a psychological approach to migration—assimilation and multiculturalism—in their historical context. The second part summarizes research on the psychological dynamics involved in the migrant experience, in particular the interactionist and complex nature of migrant identities, acculturation in receiving societies, and intergroup approaches to acculturation and multiculturalism. The third part analyzes the role of threat regarding immigrants and immigration in the reactions of majority populations in receiving societies. The fourth part presents multilevel research on the effects of contextual factors on attitudes toward immigration held by national majority groups. In the conclusion, ongoing and future challenges for research on migration and multiculturalism are outlined.
Emotion and Political Psychology
Authors: Kushner Gadarian Shana , Brader Ted
Published: September 2023

For many years political psychology and scholars of politics in general neglected the study of emotion. Whatever the reasons for neglect, it no longer holds true. Emotions are best understood as reactions to signals about the significance that circumstances hold for an individual’s goals and well-being. The source of those signals can be external or internal. The chapter reviews major theoretical approaches and questions of methodology in the study of emotion. The remainder of the chapter focuses heavily on research into the causes of politically relevant emotions and their consequences for political behavior across a wide variety of settings. The chapter also draws attention to the ways in which elite actors attempt to manipulate emotions of citizens to further their political goals.
Foreign Policy Decision-Making The Psychological Dimension
Authors: Levy Jack S.
Published: September 2023

This chapter combines a general introduction to psychological approaches to international relations, with a particular focus on models of judgment and decision-making in foreign policy. It surveys the leading concepts, theories, findings, and methodologies associated with the major psychological approaches to foreign policy, and identifies questions that require further exploration. After an examination of the growing influence of political psychology in the IR field, the chapter turns to the beliefs and images of political leaders and the traits and prior experiences that shape them. It explores theories of information processing and belief change, including cognitive biases, motivated reasoning, and other impediments to rational Bayesian updating. The chapter then surveys a number of alternative models of decision-making. These include prospect theory – with its key concepts of reference dependence, loss aversion, and variable risk orientation – and models of intertemporal choice, temporal construal, groupthink, and crisis decision-making.
No impact of repeated digital advisory service to Haitian peanut producers
Authors: Schulz Dario , Börner Jan
Published: September 2023

Digital farm advisory services can be a cost-effective way to provide relevant information to smallholders in developing countries. Information provision has been shown to generate positive impacts on agricultural practices and farmers’ income across various settings. We conducted a pre-registered randomized control trial among peanut farmers in Haiti to evaluate the impact of short text messages. We administered two waves of digital information provision and follow-up surveys. Results suggest no measurable impact of digital information delivery on agricultural knowledge, practice adoption, or productivity. We discuss internal and external validity of these findings and derive recommendations for future interventions.
A blinded in vitro analysis of the intrinsic immunogenicity of hepatotoxic drugs: implications for preclinical risk assessment
Authors: Ogese Monday O , Lister Adam , Farrell Liam , Gardner Joshua , Kafu Laila , Ali Serat-E , Gibson Andrew , Hillegas Aimee , Meng Xiaoli , Pirmohamed Munir , Williams Geoffrey S , Sakatis Melanie Z , Naisbitt Dean J
Published: September 2023

In vitro preclinical drug-induced liver injury (DILI) risk assessment relies largely on the use of hepatocytes to measure drug-specific changes in cell function or viability. Unfortunately, this does not provide indications toward the immunogenicity of drugs and/or the likelihood of idiosyncratic reactions in the clinic. This is because the molecular initiating event in immune DILI is an interaction of the drug-derived antigen with MHC proteins and the T-cell receptor. This study utilized immune cells from drug-naïve donors, recently established immune cell coculture systems and blinded compounds with and without DILI liabilities to determine whether these new methods offer an improvement over established assessment methods for the prediction of immune-mediated DILI. Ten blinded test compounds (6 with known DILI liabilities; 4 with lower DILI liabilities) and 5 training compounds, with known T-cell-mediated immune reactions in patients, were investigated. Naïve T-cells were activated with 4/5 of the training compounds (nitroso sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, Bandrowski’s base, and carbamazepine) and clones derived from the priming assays were activated with drug in a dose-dependent manner. The test compounds with DILI liabilities did not stimulate T-cell proliferative responses during dendritic cell-T-cell coculture; however, CD4+ clones displaying reactivity were detected toward 2 compounds (ciprofloxacin and erythromycin) with known liabilities. Drug-responsive T-cells were not detected with the compounds with lower DILI liabilities. This study provides compelling evidence that assessment of intrinsic drug immunogenicity, although complex, can provide valuable information regarding immune liabilities of some compounds prior to clinical studies or when immune reactions are observed in patients.
Corporate tax reform in the European Union: are the stars finally aligned?
Authors: HJI Panayi Christiana
Published: September 2023

Are the stars finally aligned as far as corporate tax reform in the European Union (EU) is concerned? Tax reform in the EU has always been a contentious issue, as taxation was always considered one of the last bastions of national sovereignty. This article examines whether this is still the case or whether, in light of recent initiatives and proposals in this area, conditions are now ripe for comprehensive reform. The article begins by reviewing the historical trajectory of EU corporate tax law. It is shown that whilst early harmonization proposals were very ambitious, the overall constitutional set-up and the fiscal veto were not conducive to comprehensive reform. What followed these early initiatives was an era of pragmatism and slow progress, which, nevertheless, laid the foundations for important developments. Apart from the ad hoc legislative tax instruments that were agreed upon in the last 30 years to further the internal market and remove obstacles to cross-border movement, this article focused on the Commission’s ongoing work on a common tax base and consolidation, as well as other recent legislative initiatives such as the now enacted Directive on a Minimum Effective Tax Rate and the Unshell proposal. In light of these crucial developments, with all their strengths and weaknesses, it is argued that what was once considered as far too ambitious a proposal indicative of a federal Europe, now has high chances of materializing in the context of the BEFIT initiative (Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation). This is to be welcomed, as it is the next organic step to take in the process of EU integration. Whilst the stars may not yet be fully aligned, it is argued that what is needed at this point in time, is a change of mindset and a realization that Member States’ tax sovereignty has long been eroded.
Phylogenetic history of golden moles and tenrecs (Mammalia: Afrotheria)
Authors: Bronner Gary N , Mynhardt Samantha , Bennett Nigel C , Cohen Lientjie , Crumpton Nick , Hofreiter Michael , Arnold Patrick , Asher Robert J
Published: September 2023

We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of genetic and anatomical data focusing on golden moles (Chrysochloridae) and tenrecs (Tenrecidae). Our results support the now well-resolved topology for extant tenrecids, in addition to the paraphyly of ‘Chrysochlorinae’ and the genera Chrysochloris and Chlorotalpa as traditionally used. Carpitalpa arendsi is the sister taxon to Neamblysomus; together, they compose the sister clade of Amblysomus. Unexpectedly, Calcochloris obtusirostris is the sister taxon of Chrysospalax. The oldest divergence within crown Chrysochloridae is likely to be the node separating Eremitalpa–Huetia or Eremitalpa alone from the remaining species. A Chrysochloris–Cryptochloris root appears most frequently under equally weighted parsimony or with few or no sampled tenrecids, suggesting that it is artefactual. The tropical genus Huetia is among the most widely distributed and anatomically polymorphic in our sample. Eremitalpa and Huetia have a relatively unspecialized hyoid apparatus and short angular process of the dentary. These elements in Huetia show a particular resemblance to those of the Namibian fossil Namachloris, which we reconstruct as a stem chrysochlorid. Crown chrysochlorids are geologically younger than crown tenrecids and probably diversified in the Miocene around the same time as the tenrecid genus Microgale. Fossils of both groups from Eocliff in Namibia are probably late Eocene to early Miocene in age.
Quantifying Risk Factors for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis and Postslip Osteonecrosis
Authors: Zusman Natalie L. , Goldstein Rachel Y. , Yoo Jung U.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a disorder of the proximal femoral physis occurring in late childhood and adolescence. Previously postulated risk factors include obesity and endocrinopathies. The purpose of this investigation was to identify risk factors for developing SCFE, as well as postslip osteonecrosis (ON), among the United States pediatric population.

Methods:

A national database investigation was performed using PearlDiver Technologies, Inc., queried for SCFE and ON using International Classification of Disease codes (2010 to 2020). Regression analyses to determine the risk of developing a SCFE, and ON after a patient has already been diagnosed with a SCFE (“postslip”). Propensity matching between SCFE and control groups generated a pseudo-randomization model to compare the relative risk.

Results:

There were 11,465 patients with SCFE available in the database, matched with 134,680 controls. After matching, vitamin D deficiency, obesity, hypothyroidism, and growth hormone use were risk factors for developing SCFE [relative risk ranges from 1.42 (95% CI: 1.21-1.39, vitamin D deficiency) to 3.45 (95% CI: 3.33-3.57, obesity)]. ON risk factors were vitamin D deficiency [1.65 (1.26-2.14)] and hypothyroidism [1.49 (1.10-2.07)].

Conclusions:

This United States national database study quantified risk factors of developing an SCFE and postslip ON. Obesity is the most significant risk factor for the development of a slip, but not ON. Growth hormone use, hypothyroidism, and vitamin D deficiency are also risk factors for SCFE development, whereas only the latter two were associated with ON. These findings demonstrate the public health implications of obesity and comorbid conditions in pediatric hip pathology.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Internet-based Digital Simulation for Cleft Surgery Education: A 10-year Assessment of Demographics, Usage, and Future Directions
Authors: Chaya Bachar F. , Laspro Matteo , Verzella Alexandra N. , Oliker Aaron , Arnold Anne , Alcon Andre , Flores Roberto L.
Published: September 2023

Background:

In October 2012, an open-access, multimedia digital cleft simulator was released. Its purpose was to address global disparities in cleft surgery education, providing an easily accessible surgical atlas for trainees globally. The simulator platform includes a three-dimensional surgical simulation of cleft care procedures, intraoperative videos, and voiceover. This report aims to assess the simulator's demographics and usage in its tenth year since inception. Finally, we also aim to understand the traction of virtual reality in cleft surgical education.

Methods:

Usage data of the simulator over 10 years were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Data parameters included the number of users, sessions, countries reached, and content access. An electronic survey was emailed to registered users to assess the benefits of the simulator.

Results:

The total number of new and active simulator users reached 7687 and 12,042. The simulator was accessed an average of 172.9.0 ± 197.5 times per month. Low- to middle-income regions accounted for 43% of these sessions. The mean session duration was 11.4 ± 6.3 minutes, yielding a total screen time of 3022 hours. A total of 331 individuals responded to the survey, of whom 80.8% found the simulator to be very useful or extremely useful. Of those involved in education, 45.0% implemented the simulator as a teaching tool.

Conclusions:

Global utilization of the simulator has been sustained after 10 years from inception with an increased presence in low- to middle-income nations. Future similar surgical simulators may provide sustainable training platforms to surgeons in low- and high-resource areas.
Back to Basics
Authors: Al-Tariq Kabir Quazi
Published: September 2023

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a melanocytic neoplasm that occurs on chronically sun-exposed skin commonly affecting middle-aged and elderly patients, which can progress to LM melanoma if left untreated or misdiagnosed. LM can be confused with other dermatologic conditions such as pigmented actinic keratosis, solar lentigo, and seborrheic keratosis. Therefore, clinicians should know the various clinical features that can distinguish LM from other differential diagnoses. Although multiple treatment modalities exist for LM, surgical excision remains the gold standard for the treatment of LM and results in an excellent prognosis for treated patients. This article discusses the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of LM so that dermatology nurses are better prepared to care for patients with LM.
Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Authors: DiRuggiero Margaret , DiRuggiero Douglas , Young Peter A. , Page Robert , Clark Jane , Hall Emily , Chung John
Published: September 2023

Separate case reports have described linear Immunoglobulin A (IgA) bullous dermatosis with histology mimicking oral lichen planus and ocular involvement with resultant blindness. Here, we describe a patient with known ocular cicatrizing disease but was unaware of an evolving rash of the oral mucosa. Subsequent biopsies were procured to investigate whether linear IgA dermatosis exhibited lichenoid changes mimicking lichen planus or if the patient had concomitant linear IgA dermatosis and lichen planus. Conclusively, both entities may cause scarring, and for the purpose of avoiding diagnostic confusion, we have categorically appropriated both under mucous membrane pemphigoid.