bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A catalogue of verified and characterized arterial enhancers for key arterial identity genes
Authors: Nornes Svanhild , Bruche Susann , Adak Niharika , McCracken Ian , Val Sarah De
Published: April 2024

The establishment and growth of the arterial endothelium requires the coordinated expression of numerous genes. However, the transcriptional and signalling pathways regulating this process are still not fully established, and only a small number of enhancers for key arterial genes have been characterized. Here, we sought to generate a useful and accessible cohort of arterial enhancers with which to study arterial transcriptional regulation. We combinedin silicoanalysis with transgenic zebrafish and mouse models to find and validate enhancers associated with eight key arterial identity genes (Acvrl1/Alk1,Cxcr4, Cxcl12, Efnb2, Gja4/Cx37, Gja5/Cx40,Nrp1andUnc5b). This identified a cohort of enhancers able to independently direct robust transcription to arterial ECs within the vasculature. To elucidate the regulatory pathways upstream of arterial gene transcription, we determined the occurrence of common endothelial transcription factor binding motifs, and assessed direct binding of these factors across all arterial enhancers compared to similar assessments of non-arterial-specific enhancers. These results find that binding of SOXF and ETS factors is a shared event across arterial enhancers, but also commonly occurs at pan-endothelial enhancers. Conversely, RBPJ/Notch, MEF2 and FOX binding was over-represented but not ubiquitous at arterial enhancers. We found no shared or arterial-specific signature for canonical WNT-associated TCF/LEF transcription factors, canonical TGFβ/BMP-associated SMAD1/5 and SMAD2, laminar shear stress-associated KLF factors or venous-enriched NR2F2 factors. This cohort of well characterized and in vivo-verified enhancers can now provide a platform for future studies into the interaction of different transcriptional and signalling pathways with arterial gene expression.
Speed of sound and polytropic index in the Polyakov-loop Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model
Authors: Liu He , Yang Yong-Hang , Yuan Chi , Ju Min , Wu Xu-Hao , Chu Peng-Cheng
Published: April 2024

We investigate the speed of sound and polytropic index of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) matter in the full phase diagram based on a three-flavor Polyakov-looped Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model. The speed of sound and polytropic index in isothermal and adiabatic cases all have a dip structure at the low chemical potential side of the chiral phase transition boundary, and these quantities reach their global minimum values at the critical end point (CEP) but are not completely zero, where the values in adiabatic are lightly greater than those in isothermal. Different from the speed of sound, the polytropic index rapidly form a peak after crossing the chiral phase transition boundary, which is observed for the first time. Along the hypothetical chemical freeze-out lines, the speed of sound rapidly decreases near the CEP, followed by a small spinodal behavior, while the polytropic index, especially in isothermal, exhibits a more pronounced and nearly close to zero dip structure as it approaches the CEP.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Shedding light on the MiniBooNE excess with searches at the LHC
Authors: Herwig Christian , Isaacson Joshua , Jayatilaka Bo , Machado Pedro A. N. , Hall Allie Reinsvold , Safdari Murtaza
Published: April 2024

The origin of the excess of low-energy events observed by the MiniBooNE experiment remains a mystery, despite exhaustive investigations of backgrounds and a series of null measurements from complementary experiments. One intriguing explanation is the production of beyond-the-Standard-Model particles that could mimic the experimental signature of additional νe appearance seen in MiniBooNE. In one proposed mechanism, muon neutrinos up-scatter to produce a new “dark neutrino” state that decays by emitting highly collimated electron-positron pairs. We propose high-energy neutrinos produced from W boson decays at the Large Hadron Collider as an ideal laboratory to study such models. Simple searches for a low-mass, boosted dilepton resonance produced in association with a high-pT muon from the W decay with run 2 data would already provide unique sensitivity to a range of dark neutrino scenarios, with prompt and displaced searches providing complementarity. Looking farther ahead, we show how the unprecedented sample of W boson decays anticipated at the HL-LHC, together with improved lepton acceptance would explore much of the parameter space most compatible with the MiniBooNE excess.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Right-handed slepton bulk regions for dark matter in a generalized minimal supergravity
Authors: Khan Imtiaz , Ahmed Waqas , Li Tianjun , Raza Shabbar
Published: April 2024

We study the light right-handed slepton bulk regions for dark matter from the generalized minimal supergravity (GmSUGRA) in the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model. In our comprehensive numerical studies, we show that Rϕ˜≳10% is a conservative criterion to formulate bulk region, where Rϕ˜≡(mϕ˜−mχ˜10)/mχ˜10. For right-handed stau as the next-to-the-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP), we find a large viable parameter space, consistent with the current LHC constraints, Planck2018 dark matter relic density bounds, and direct bounds on neutralino-nucleons scattering cross section that naturally supports the right-handed stau bulk regions for dark matter. In particular, the upper bounds on the masses of the lightest supersymmetric particle neutralino and right-handed stau are about 120.4 and 138 GeV, respectively. This bulk region may be beyond the current LHC reach and could be probed at LUX-ZEPLIN, a next-generation dark matter direct-detection experiment, the Future Circular Collider at CERN, and the Circular Electron Positron Collider. However, the scenario with the right-handed selectron as the NLSP is excluded by the LHC supersymmetry searches.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum radiation reaction spectrum of electrons in plane waves
Authors: Torgrimsson Greger
Published: April 2024

In previous works we derived equations for the average momentum of high-energy electrons experiencing quantum radiation reaction in strong electromagnetic plane-wave background fields. In this paper we derive similar equations for the momentum spectrum. We formulate the equations in terms of the cumulative function and study the relation between the equations for the spectrum and the equations for the moments, analyze the structure of the low-energy expansions, and finally explain how our formulation is essentially in terms of a “Green’s function” which allows us to study the dynamics without choosing a specific initial wave packet (or particle-bunch distribution).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Solving the left-hand cut problem in lattice QCD:
Tcc(3875)+
from finite volume energy levels
Authors: Meng Lu , Baru Vadim , Epelbaum Evgeny , Filin Arseniy A. , Gasparyan Ashot M.
Published: April 2024

We discuss a novel effective-field-theory-based approach for extracting two-body scattering information from finite volume energies, serving as an alternative to Lüscher’s method. By explicitly incorporating one-pion exchange, we overcome the challenging left-hand cut problem in Lüscher’s method and can handle finite volume energy levels both below and above the left-hand cut. Applied to the lattice data for DD* scattering at a pion mass of 280 MeV, as an illustrative example, our results reveal the significant impact of the one-pion exchange on P-wave and S-wave phase shifts. The pole position of the Tcc(3875)+ state, extracted from the finite-volume energy levels at this pion mass while taking into account left-hand cut effects, range corrections and partial-wave mixing, is consistent with a near-threshold resonance. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that two-body scattering information can be reliably extracted from lattice spectra including the left-hand cut.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How flexible parasites can outsmart their hosts for evolutionary dominance
Authors: Wen Tao , Koonin Eugene V. , Cheong Kang Hao
Published: April 2024

Antagonistic coevolution between hosts and parasites substantially impacts community structure, with parasites displaying fluctuating selection or arms race dynamics during coevolution. The traditional matching alleles (MA) and gene-for-gene (GFG) models have been used to describe the dynamics and interaction of host-parasite coevolution, with these models assuming that parasites adopt a single strategy when competing with other parasites. We present a nonlinear dynamic population model that challenges this assumption, showing how a parasite that is disadvantaged under either the MA or the GFG model can win the competition by switching between the two losing strategies based on an external environmental cue, internal processes, or stochastic decision-making. This counterintuitive outcome is analogous to Parrondo's paradox, a game-theoretic concept that shows how alternating between two losing strategies can result in a winning outcome. Our numerical experiments support the validity of this model, suggesting that parasites can greatly benefit from maximum flexibility in their interactions with hosts. The flexibility of successful parasites puts an extra burden on the host defenses that have to adapt to different strategies of the parasites. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the coevolution of parasites and hosts, with broad implications for the evolution of complex ecological systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A double-loop adaptive relevant vector machine combined with Harris Hawks optimization-based importance sampling
Authors: Fan Xin , Liu Yongshou , Gu Zongyi , Yao Qin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Ensuring the safety of structures is important. However, when a structure possesses both an implicit performance function and an extremely small failure probability, traditional methods struggle to conduct a reliability analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes a reliability analysis method aimed at enhancing the efficiency of rare event analysis, using the widely recognized Relevant Vector Machine (RVM).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the principles of importance sampling (IS), this paper employs Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) to ascertain the optimal design point. This approach not only guarantees precision but also facilitates the RVM in approximating the limit state surface. When the U learning function, designed for Kriging, is applied to RVM, it results in sample clustering in the design of experiment (DoE). Therefore, this paper proposes a FU learning function, which is more suitable for RVM.

Findings

Three numerical examples and two engineering problem demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Originality/value

By employing the HHO algorithm, this paper innovatively applies RVM in IS reliability analysis, proposing a novel method termed RVM-HIS. The RVM-HIS demonstrates exceptional computational efficiency, making it eminently suitable for rare events reliability analysis with implicit performance function. Moreover, the computational efficiency of RVM-HIS has been significantly enhanced through the improvement of the U learning function.
How performance measurement systems enable or hinder organizational ambidexterity
Authors: Badu Daniella Abena , Micheli Pietro
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how different uses of performance measurement systems (PMS) enable or hinder organizational ambidexterity (OA), intended as the simultaneous pursuit of exploitation and exploration.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative research design, we gathered data through semi-structured interviews, observations and reviews of documents at four departments of an automotive firm.

Findings

We contribute to operations management research and practice by demonstrating how PMS, which are typically associated with exploitation, can also foster exploration and enable organizations to become ambidextrous. Specifically, we show how PMS can be structured and used in more agile ways and, in relation to innovation, we identify which PM practices should be introduced and with what effects and those that should be avoided. We also contribute to organization theory by highlighting how a single management tool can promote the achievement of both exploration and exploitation.

Practical implications

In investigating PMS uses and their effects, we identify several positive practices. For example, we show how managers can use PMS more effectively and how targets could be deployed to stimulate creativity and innovation. We also emphasize the need for managers to opt more often for team incentives rather than individual ones to encourage the collaboration needed for OA.

Originality/value

We provide in-depth insight into how PM tools affect an organization’s ability to pursue exploitation and exploration, thus contributing to research in operations, innovation and organization theory.
Vocational teachers’ perceptions on workplace learning in facilitating students’ professional engagement in the context of industry-university collaboration in China
Authors: Zhao Yanmin , Ko James
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore vocational teachers' perceptions regarding workplace learning that align with students' training models and collaborative teaching involving specialised professionals within the context of industry-university collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, the study conducted nine semi-structured interviews from three subject areas to better understand how vocational teachers’ work-based learning enhances their pedagogical practice in guiding students’ professional training. Thematic analysis was adopted to identify patterns that emerged from concepts and theories related to coding categories.

Findings

The authors identified three key components: vocational teachers’ workplace learning in connection with students’ training models, collaborative teaching with specialised professionals and teachers’ regular interactions with enterprises. The findings demonstrate that vocational teachers’ engagement in workplace learning pertaining to specific subjects provides a valuable avenue for enhancing curriculum design with collaboration with industry experts. This is key for supporting vocational students’ transitions into the workplace and ensuring their knowledge and skills are tailored to the industry-standard practice.

Research limitations/implications

The data are limited to the review of interviews from three vocational subject areas as the representative sector in the study. However, this research implies effective knowledge transfer between workplace settings and vocational institutions, and vocational teachers need to integrate work-based vocational knowledge and skills in a relevant and applicable way across diverse classroom settings.

Practical implications

Fostering collaborative partnerships with local industries and professionals can be a primary way to facilitate authentic learning experiences that are linked to a specific vocational field and bridge the gap between diverse classroom learning and real-world work scenarios.

Originality/value

This study combines contemporary workplace learning theories with the conceptual understanding of vocational teachers’ involvement with industry-specific practice. Connecting teachers’ knowledge to the industry extends the input and collaboration from professionals and field experts to the diverse vocational classrooms.
Open educational resources (OER) management: implications for policymakers on the best practices in an open education university libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Ailakhu Ugonna Vivian , Ibrahim Mohammed Gadaffi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The study aimed to identify the best practices for open educational resources (OER) management in Nigerian open education university libraries and the implications for policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach was used, which included a survey questionnaire administered via Google Forms to academic librarians and other library staff of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The study’s population was 398 and 273 participants responded to the survey. The study included all academic librarians and other library staff representing the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study’s results were presented using frequency counts, percentages tables and the qualitative data analysis was done thematically.

Findings

The findings of the study are consistent with existing literature on best practices for managing OER, which emphasized the importance of establishing clear policies and strategies for OER management practices, such as guidelines for acquiring, creating, curating and disseminating OER.

Originality/value

The originality of the study concludes by recommending that policymakers should develop policies that support the implementation of best practices in OER management to improve access to educational resources and reduce costs for students.
Investigating mental health and well-being among MBA students during campus placement season in India
Authors: Laeequddin Mohammed , Abdul Waheed Kareem , Sahay Vinita
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the factors that influence students' mental health, particularly in the context of MBA students passing through an emotional phase of the placement season.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model through literature has been proposed. To test the proposed model of this study, a survey was conducted among the students of three MBA institutes of national reputation in India. The study's hypotheses were investigated using partial least squares-structural equations modeling and analysis of variance. To corroborate the findings of the survey data, a qualitative study in the form of open-ended interviews with five students was conducted.

Findings

The study revealed that female students, non-engineering graduates and students from non-family business backgrounds undergo stress, anxiety and depression higher than their classmates. Cumulative grade point average and bank loans do not significantly affect students' stress, anxiety and depression during the placement season. It was found that the increase in the levels of mindfulness scores led to a significant negative impact on stress, anxiety and depression among the students.

Originality/value

There is a gap in the literature that addresses the mental health of MBA students during campus job placements and the role of mindfulness in mitigating stress, anxiety and depression in these students. This research attempts to fill these research gaps.
Material inheritance transmission by older childless Portuguese adults
Authors: Silva Daniela , Patrão Marta , Sousa Liliana
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Material inheritance transmission is a normative task in later life that has been scarcely studied, particularly when involving older childless adults. This study aims to deepen the knowledge about the transmission of material inheritances by older (65+ years) childless Portuguese adults.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative exploratory study comprises 43 participants. A semi-structured interview was administered and submitted to content analysis.

Findings

Material inheritance transmission involves precipitant events (realizing they will not have children), deciding on content and moment (what and when), planning (getting legal advice, making a will and preventing family conflicts), distributing (usually based on values of reciprocity and strategic exchange) and resolution (marked by conflict).

Originality/value

Material inheritances have been mostly studied from economic and legal perspectives. This research examines material inheritances transmissions within family dynamics, showing that older childless individuals seem to use material inheritances in a strategic exchange way, to ensure they will be well cared for in old age.
Curcumol reduces lower limb arteriosclerosis in rats by inhibiting human arterial smooth muscle cell activity
Authors: Yang Shengzhuang , Huang Gaosheng , Liang Xiangsen , Sun Yu , Xian Lei
Published: April 2024

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly those involving arterial stenosis and smooth muscle cell proliferation, pose significant health risks. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of curcumol in inhibiting platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB)‐induced human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation, migration and autophagy. Using cell viability assays, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays and Western Blot analyses, we observed that curcumol effectively attenuated PDGF‐BB‐induced HASMC proliferation and migration in a concentration‐dependent manner. Furthermore, curcumol mitigated PDGF‐BB‐induced autophagy, as evidenced by the downregulation of LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio and upregulation of P62. In vivo experiments using an arteriosclerosis obliterans model demonstrated that curcumol treatment significantly ameliorated arterial morphology and reduced stenosis. Additionally, curcumol inhibited the activity of the KLF5/COX2 axis, a key pathway in vascular diseases. These findings suggest that curcumol has the potential to serve as a multi‐target therapeutic agent for vascular diseases.
Dyslexia: ‘The right diagnosis … The wrong treatment’
Authors: Beckett Jonathan
Published: April 2024

The polarisation of attitudes towards dyslexia appears to be contingent upon the awareness of the implications of adopting a medical model to interpreting dyslexia (as a medical ‘condition’) or applying an educational overlay, based upon difficulties in certain areas, to interpreting and making provision for those with dyslexia. Specifically, it underscores the difficulties dyslexics have in reading and the comprehension of what has been read. Furthermore, it accentuates the approaches taken in the 1980s and the turn of the century to dyslexia was, for these interviewees, unfitting. However, it raises other questions about whether the current practice is suited to the needs of those with dyslexia, or whether a universal offer is made, regardless of specific need. In the wake of this research, three emergent themes occur, dyslexia and stigmatisation, the impact of stigmatisation and poorly suited provision upon self‐esteem and the stress this generates. As key practitioner points, this disquisition underlines the need to tailor provision for inclusive education based upon the needs of the individual with dyslexia. It further illumines the stress of unsuitable provision, manifesting the imperative nature of adequate training and resourcing for dyslexia.
An integrated CRITIC‐EDAS approach for assessing enterprise crisis management effectiveness based on Weibo
Authors: Liu Shuhan , Chen Shuai , Wu Peng , Wu Qun , Zhou Ligang , Deveci Muhammet , Mardani Abbas
Published: April 2024

In the digital age, social media (such as Weibo, Twitter), as a rich source of data, has become a vital platform for businesses to communicate and engage with their audiences. In this paper, we investigate crisis management effectiveness for enterprises using social media. To achieve this goal, a CRITIC‐EDAS (the abbreviation for criteria importance through inter‐criteria correlation‐evaluation based on distance from average solution) evaluation approach is proposed. First, from the perspective of Weibo, an evaluation index system for the effectiveness of enterprise crisis management is constructed based on the analysis of the factors affecting the effectiveness of enterprise crisis management. Then, the CRITIC method is used to determine the weights of the evaluation index, and the EDAS method is utilized to calculate the enterprise crisis management effectiveness value based on the weights of the evaluation index. Finally, a case study about four enterprises' crisis events is applied to verify the feasibility of the CRITIC‐EDAS approach. Furthermore, some existing problems of enterprise crisis management are summarized and some strategies of enterprise crisis management for these problems are provided.
Projecting a long‐term healthcare expenditure in the United States: Do climate change, globalization, and technological innovation play a major role?
Authors: Nwosu Laurine Chikodiri , Awosusi Abraham Ayobamiji , Özkan Oktay , Kirikkaleli Dervis , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: April 2024

Recognizing the paramount importance of health, the United Nations Development Program has outlined sustainable development goals, emphasizing Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring and promoting healthy lives and well‐being for all. Consequently, this study delves into the determinants of healthcare expenditure (HCE), specifically focusing on financial development (FDV), tourism (TOR), technological innovations (TINs), economic growth (EG), and climate change in the United States. The investigation utilizes data spanning from the first quarter of 2000Q1 to the fourth quarter of 2020Q4. To achieve this objective, we employed innovative quantile‐based methodologies, including wavelet quantile regression and quantile‐on‐quantile Granger causality. These approaches facilitated a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic interactions between HCE and its influencing factors across various quantiles and periods. The wavelet quantile regression and quantile‐on‐quantile regression analysis findings consistently indicate a positive impact of CO2, TOR, EG, globalization, FDV, foreign direct investment, and TIN on HCE in the United States. Furthermore, the results obtained from the quantile‐on‐quantile Granger causality demonstrate that CO2 emissions, TOR, EG, globalization, FDV, foreign direct investment, and TIN significantly predict HCE across all quantiles. These insights have informed the formulation and implementation of various policies addressing the complex interplay between healthcare spending and its driving factors.
Trade policy and environmental sustainability in Africa: An empirical analysis
Authors: Dada James Temitope , Ajide Folorunsho Monsur , Al‐Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh , Tabash Mosab I.
Published: April 2024

This study investigates whether trade policy instruments—tariffs—strengthen or worsen African environmental sustainability. To drive out the objectives of the study, fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), augmented mean group (AMG), method of moment quantile regression (MMQR) and Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality approaches are used to analyse the effect of tariff in addition to other control variables on carbon and ecological footprints as measured of environmental sustainability from 2001 to 2020. The results from the MMQR reveal that tariffs have a significant positive effect on carbon footprints in the 0.15 quantile, while the effect becomes insignificant between 0.25 and 0.5 quantiles. However, at the upper quantiles level (0.75–0.95), the impact of the tariff on carbon footprint is negative and significant, with increasing coefficients. Furthermore, tariffs significantly positively affect lower and middle quantiles' ecological footprints (0.15–0.5). However, the effect turns negative at the upper quantiles (0.9 and 0.95), suggesting that tariff reduces ecological footprint at these levels. In addition, the long‐run estimates (FMOLS, DOLS and AMG) also support the upper quantile estimates of MMQR. A one‐way causality between tariffs, carbon and ecological footprint was found. These findings reveal that tariffs do not create market inefficiency in Africa. This study recommends that tariffs as a trade policy instrument could be used to strengthen Africa's environmental quality. The government can use the tariff revenue to subsidize cleaner production and consumption and move the economy from a traditional energy source to renewable energy.
Optimizing niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica) oil quality: A comprehensive analysis of infrared‐heat induced changes in bioactive profile, physiochemical attributes, and oxidative stability
Authors: Sundar Shyam , Singh Balwinder , Kaur Amritpal
Published: April 2024

Infrared heating (IRH) at 140, 160, and 180°C for varying durations (5, 10, and 15 min) was employed for improving the niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seed oil (NSO) quality for diverse food applications. The study explored changes in phenolic profile, oxidative stability index (OSI), tocopherols, phytosterols, fatty acid profiles, and physicochemical attributes of NSO. Upon IRH at 180°C for 10 min, the oil yield, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents increased from 33.09% to 40.56%, 6.67 to 173.62 mg GAE/kg, and 24.76 to 120.64 mg QE/kg, respectively. The viscosity, chlorophylls, carotenoids, radical scavenging activity, OSI, caffeic, protocatechuic, vanillic, and syringic acids were highest upon IRH at 180°C for 15 min. The tocopherols and phytosterols initially augmented while decremented upon raising IRH conditions. The infrared spectra indicated no adverse impact of IRH on NSO quality. The appropriate IRH conditions can be considered for improving NSO quality and making it valuable for various edible products.
Characterization of lipids and volatile compounds in boiled donkey meat by lipidomics and volatilomics
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Sun Lingyun , Du Xinyi , Ren Wei , Man Limin , Chai Wenqiong , Zhu Mingxia , Liu Guiqin , Wang Changfa
Published: April 2024

Lipids are crucial substances for the formation and retention of volatile compounds (VOCs). The lipid and VOC profiles of boiled donkey meat were investigated by lipidomics and volatilomics. In total, 4277 lipids belonging to 39 subclasses were identified, comprising 26.93% triglycerides (TGs), 15.74% phosphatidylcholins (PCs), and 9.40% phosphatidylethanolamines. The relative percentage of TG in the meat significantly decreases (p < 0.001) from 0 to 40 min, after which there is no significant change, whereas PCs, sphingomyelins, and methyl phosphatidylcholines (MePCs) show the opposite trend. TG(16:1_18:1_18:2) and TG(16:0_16:1_18:2) appear to be key lipids for retaining VOCs in boiled donkey meat. Furthermore, PC(18:3e_16:0) and MePC(31:0e) were found to be potential markers for discriminating donkey meat. A total of 83 VOCs were detected, including 25.30% aldehydes, 18.07% hydrocarbons, 14.46% ketones, and 13.25% alcohols. Eleven characteristic VOCs with relative odor activity values >1 were identified as the predominant flavor compounds in boiled donkey meat, mainly hexanal and 1‐octen‐3‐ol. Of the 258 differential lipids, 72 of them, especially polyunsaturated‐fatty acid–rich lipids, are the main contributors to the formation of VOCs. Together, the key lipids for retention and formation of VOCs in donkey meat were revealed, providing a theoretical basis for VOC regulation.
Health budget implications of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke in Australia
Authors: Rice Hal , de Villiers Laetitia , Scarica Raffaelle , Bocquet Anne‐Laure , Dargan Kelly , Barthe Thomas
Published: April 2024

Introduction

This research evaluates the budget impact of treating acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) using a combination of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with stent retrievers (SR) and intravenous tissue‐plasminogen activator (IV‐tPA) in Australia.

Methods

This study examined the economic impact over five years for a patient cohort based on the number of patients treated with MT+ IV‐tPA in Australia 2021, versus treatment with IV‐tPA alone. A budget impact (BI) model was developed to project direct medical costs (economic impact) of IV‐tPA+ MT with SR vs. Intravenous tissue‐plasminogen activator alone over a five‐year period (2021–2025 inclusive) from a healthcare perspective. The model is composed of a short‐run decision tree model based on a 3‐month post‐treatment modified Rankin Scale (mRS) from the EXTEND‐IA study and a published long‐run Markov state transition model. Acute, mid‐term and long‐term care costs were projected based on anticipated mRS scores from the EXTEND‐IA trial. Estimated yearly and cumulative budget impact were reported to indicate the economic impact of the two treatment strategies for AIS in the Australian healthcare system.

Results

MT+IV‐tPA had a greater budgetary impact than IV‐tPA alone, with annual savings starting at Year 1 and continuing through to Year 5. Cost savings of 21% or approximately $36 million can be achieved over five years for the patient cohort treated in Australia in 2021. Each MT procedure performed delivers approximately $3280 in annual health system savings per patient.

Conclusion

Treatment of AIS with a combination of MT+IV‐tPA generates significant savings in the Australian healthcare system compared with IV‐tPA alone.
Efficiency of endoscopic artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer
Authors: Tao Yongkang , Fang Long , Qin Geng , Xu Yingying , Zhang Shuang , Zhang Xiangrong , Du Shiyu
Published: April 2024

Background

The accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) and experts in diagnosing early esophageal cancer (EC) and its infiltration depth was summarized and analyzed, thus identifying the advantages of AI over traditional manual diagnosis, with a view to more accurately assisting doctors in evaluating the patients' conditions and improving their cure and survival rates.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Google, and CNKI databases were searched for relevant literature related to AI diagnosis of early EC and its invasion depth published before August 2023. Summary analysis of pooled sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver operating characteristics (SROC) and area under the curve (AUC) of AI in diagnosing early EC were performed, and Review Manager and Stata were adopted for data analysis.

Results

A total of 19 studies were enrolled with a low to moderate total risk of bias. The pooled sensitivity of AI for diagnosing early EC was markedly higher than that of novices and comparable to that of endoscopists. Moreover, AI predicted early EC with markedly higher AUCs than novices and experts (0.93 vs. 0.74 vs. 0.89). In addition, pooled sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of invasion depth in early EC were higher than that of experts, with AUCs of 0.97 and 0.92, respectively.

Conclusion

AI‐assistance can diagnose early EC and its infiltration depth more accurately, which can help in its early intervention and the customization of personalized treatment plans. Therefore, AI systems have great potential in the early diagnosis of EC.
Effects of avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for facilitation of tracheal intubation in children and infants: a protocol for a systematic review, meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Christensen Michelle Icka , Vested Matias , Creutzburg Andreas , Nørskov Anders Kehlet , Lundstrøm Lars Hyldborg , Afshari Arash
Published: April 2024

Background

The European Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care recommends the use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) in adults, to facilitate tracheal intubation and reduce its associated complications. Children who undergo tracheal intubation may suffer some of the same complications, however, no consensus exists regarding the use of NMBA for tracheal intubation in the pediatric population.

We will explore the existing evidence assessing the effects of avoidance versus the use of NMBA for the facilitation of tracheal intubation in children and infants.

Methods

This protocol follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses protocols recommendations. We will include all randomized controlled clinical trials assessing the effects of avoidance versus the use of NMBA for facilitation of tracheal intubation (oral or nasal) using direct laryngoscopy or video laryngoscopy in pediatric participants (<18 years). Our primary outcome is incidence of difficult tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes include incidence of serious adverse events, failed intubation, events of upper airway discomfort or injury, and difficult laryngoscopy.

We will conduct a thorough database search to identify relevant trials, including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Web of Science, CINAHL, and trial registries. Two review authors will independently handle the screening of literature and data extraction. Each trial will be evaluated for major sources of bias with the “classic risk of bias tool” used in the Cochrane Collaboration tool from 2011. We will use Review manager (RevMan) or R with the meta package to perform the meta‐analysis. We will perform a trial sequential analysis on the meta‐analysis of our primary outcome, providing an estimate of statistical reliability.

Two review authors will independently assess the quality of the body of evidence using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach. We will use GRADEpro software to conduct the GRADE assessments and to create “Summary of the findings” tables.
Two‐part models identifying predictors of cigarette, e‐cigarette, and cannabis use and change in use over time among young adults in the US
Authors: Wang Yan , Romm Katelyn F. , Edberg Mark C. , Bingenheimer Jeffrey B. , LoParco Cassidy R. , Cui Yuxian , Berg Carla J.
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives

Limited longitudinal research has examined differential interpersonal and intrapersonal correlates of young adult use and use frequency of cigarettes, e‐cigarettes, and cannabis. This study aimed to address these limitations.

Methods

We analyzed five waves of longitudinal data (2018–2020) among 3006 US young adults (Mage = 24.55, 44% male, 32% sexual minority, ~30% racial/ethnic minority). Two‐part latent growth models examined likelihood of past‐month cigarette, e‐cigarette, and cannabis use (binary part) and days used (continuous part) and identified predictors (depressive symptoms, personality traits, adverse childhood experiences [ACEs], parental use) of baseline use and changes over time.

Results

Regarding baseline past‐month use (27% cigarettes, 38% e‐cigarettes, 39% cannabis), depressive symptoms, ACEs, and parental substance use predicted use outcomes (i.e., likelihood, frequency) for each product; extraversion predicted cigarette and e‐cigarette use outcomes; openness predicted e‐cigarette and cannabis use outcomes; conscientiousness negatively predicted cigarette and cannabis use outcomes; and agreeableness negatively predicted cannabis use frequency. Regarding longitudinal changes, conscientiousness predicted accelerated increase of cigarette use frequency at later timepoints; depressive symptoms predicted increases in likelihood of e‐cigarette use but the association weakened over time; and parental cannabis use predicted decreased cannabis use frequency but the association weakened over time.

Discussion and Conclusions

Young adult substance use interventions should target high‐risk subgroups and focus on distinct factors impacting use, including chronic, escalating, and decreasing use.

Scientific Significance

This study advances the literature regarding distinct predictors of different substance use outcomes and provides unique data to inform interventions targeting young adult cigarette, e‐cigarette, and cannabis use.
Legislature size and welfare: Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Mignozzetti Umberto , Cepaluni Gabriel , Freire Danilo
Published: April 2024

How does legislature size impact public service provision? Despite the importance of institutional design for democratic governance, the effect of legislative features on citizen welfare remains little understood. In this article, we use a formal model to show that increasing legislature size improves public goods delivery. We argue that changes in bargaining costs depend on whether additional legislators share the executive's party affiliation: More opposition members reduce the equilibrium public goods provision, while more government‐aligned members increase it. We test this theory by exploiting sharp discontinuities in city‐council size in Brazil. We show that an additional city councilor has a 91% chance of belonging to the mayoral coalition, and this significantly improves primary school enrollment and infant mortality rates. To explore possible mechanisms, we surveyed 174 former city councilors and analyzed 346,553 bills proposed between 2005 and 2008. This article has implications for the design of representative institutions.
Evolutionary formation of melatonin and vitamin D in early life forms: insects take centre stage
Authors: Kim Tae‐Kang , Slominski Radomir M. , Pyza Elzbieta , Kleszczynski Konrad , Tuckey Robert C. , Reiter Russel J. , Holick Michael F. , Slominski Andrzej T.
Published: April 2024

Melatonin, a product of tryptophan metabolism via serotonin, is a molecule with an indole backbone that is widely produced by bacteria, unicellular eukaryotic organisms, plants, fungi and all animal taxa. Aside from its role in the regulation of circadian rhythms, it has diverse biological actions including regulation of cytoprotective responses and other functions crucial for survival across different species. The latter properties are also shared by its metabolites including kynuric products generated by reactive oxygen species or phototransfomation induced by ultraviolet radiation. Vitamins D and related photoproducts originate from phototransformation of ∆5,7 sterols, of which 7‐dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol are examples. Their ∆5,7 bonds in the B ring absorb solar ultraviolet radiation [290–315 nm, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation] resulting in B ring opening to produce previtamin D, also referred to as a secosteroid. Once formed, previtamin D can either undergo thermal‐induced isomerization to vitamin D or absorb UVB radiation to be transformed into photoproducts including lumisterol and tachysterol. Vitamin D, as well as the previtamin D photoproducts lumisterol and tachysterol, are hydroxylated by cyochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes to produce biologically active hydroxyderivatives. The best known of these is 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) for which the major function in vertebrates is regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Herein we review data on melatonin production and metabolism and discuss their functions in insects. We discuss production of previtamin D and vitamin D, and their photoproducts in fungi, plants and insects, as well as mechanisms for their enzymatic activation and suggest possible biological functions for them in these groups of organisms. For the detection of these secosteroids and their precursors and photoderivatives, as well as melatonin metabolites, we focus on honey produced by bees and on body extracts of Drosophila melanogaster. Common biological functions for melatonin derivatives and secosteroids such as cytoprotective and photoprotective actions in insects are discussed. We provide hypotheses for the photoproduction of other secosteroids and of kynuric metabolites of melatonin, based on the known photobiology of ∆5,7 sterols and of the indole ring, respectively. We also offer possible mechanisms of actions for these unique molecules and summarise differences and similarities of melatoninergic and secosteroidogenic pathways in diverse organisms including insects.
Synthesis and SAR investigation of biphenylaminoquinoline derivatives with benzyloxy substituents as promising anticancer agents
Authors: Wu Yu‐Chieh , Lu Meng‐Tien , Kuo Sheng‐Chu , Chu Po‐Chen , Chang Chih‐Shiang
Published: April 2024

The biphenyl scaffold represents a prominent privileged structure within the realms of organic chemistry and drug development. Biphenyl derivatives have demonstrated notable biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐HIV, and the treatment of neuropathic pain. Importantly, their anticancer abilities should not be underestimated. In this context, the present study involves the design and synthesis of a series of biphenyl derivatives featuring an additional privileged structure, namely the quinoline core. We have also diversified the substituents attached to the benzyloxy group at either the meta or para position of the biphenyl ring categorized into two distinct groups: [4,3′]biphenylaminoquinoline‐substituted and [3,3′]biphenylaminoquinoline‐substituted compounds. We embarked on an assessment of the cytotoxic activities of these derivatives in colorectal cancer cell line SW480 and prostate cancer cell line DU145 for exploring the structure–activity relationship. Furthermore, we determined the IC50 values of selected compounds that exhibited superior inhibitory effects on cell viability against SW480, DU145 cells, as well as MDA‐MB‐231 and MiaPaCa‐2 cells. Notably, [3,3′]biphenylaminoquinoline derivative 7j displayed the most potent cytotoxicity against these four cancer cell lines, SW480, DU145, MDA‐MB‐231, and MiaPaCa‐2, with IC50 values of 1.05 μM, 0.98 μM, 0.38 μM, and 0.17 μM, respectively. This highly promising outcome underscores the potential of [3,3′]biphenylaminoquinoline 7j for further investigation as a prospective anticancer agent in future research endeavors.
Best practice guidelines on genetic diagnostics of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Update of the 2012 guidelines
Authors: Giardina Emiliano , Camaño Pilar , Burton‐Jones Sarah , Ravenscroft Gina , Henning Franclo , Magdinier Frederique , van der Stoep Nienke , van der Vliet Patrick J. , Bernard Rafaëlle , Tomaselli Pedro J. , Davis Mark R. , Nishino Ichizo , Oflazer Piraye , Race Valerie , Vishnu Venugopalan Y. , Williams Victoria , Sobreira Cláudia F. R. , van der Maarel Silvere M. , Moore Steve A. , Voermans Nicol C. , Lemmers Richard J. L. F.
Published: April 2024

The gold standard for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) genetic diagnostic procedures was published in 2012. With the increasing complexity of the genetics of FSHD1 and 2, the increase of genetic testing centers, and the start of clinical trials for FSHD, it is crucial to provide an update on our knowledge of the genetic features of the FSHD loci and renew the international consensus on the molecular testing recommendations. To this end, members of the FSHD European Trial Network summarized the evidence presented during the 2022 ENMC meeting on Genetic diagnosis, clinical outcome measures, and biomarkers. The working group additionally invited genetic and clinical experts from the USA, India, Japan, Australia, South‐Africa, and Brazil to provide a global perspective. Six virtual meetings were organized to reach consensus on the minimal requirements for genetic confirmation of FSHD1 and FSHD2. Here, we present the clinical and genetic features of FSHD, specific features of FSHD1 and FSHD2, pros and cons of established and new technologies (Southern blot in combination with either linear or pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis, molecular combing, optical genome mapping, FSHD2 methylation analysis and FSHD2 genotyping), the possibilities and challenges of prenatal testing, including pre‐implantation genetic testing, and the minimal requirements and recommendations for genetic confirmation of FSHD1 and FSHD2. This consensus is expected to contribute to current clinical management and trial‐readiness for FSHD.