bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pragmatics aid referent disambiguation and word learning in young children and adults
Authors: Bleijlevens Natalie , Contier Friederike , Behne Tanya
Published: January 2023

How do children succeed in learning a word? Research has shown robustly that, in ambiguous labeling situations, young children assume novel labels to refer to unfamiliar rather than familiar objects. However, ongoing debates center on the underlying mechanism: Is this behavior based on lexical constraints, guided by pragmatic reasoning, or simply driven by children's attraction to novelty? Additionally, recent research has questioned whether children's disambiguation leads to long‐term learning or rather indicates an attentional shift in the moment of the conversation. Thus, we conducted a pre‐registered online study with 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds and adults. Participants were presented with unknown objects as potential referents for a novel word. Across conditions, we manipulated whether the only difference between both objects was their relative novelty to the participant or whether, in addition, participants were provided with pragmatic information that indicated which object the speaker referred to. We tested participants’ immediate referent selection and their retention after 5 min. Results revealed that when given common ground information both age groups inferred the correct referent with high success and enhanced behavioral certainty. Without this information, object novelty alone did not guide their selection. After 5 min, adults remembered their previous selections above chance in both conditions, while children only showed reliable learning in the pragmatic condition. The pattern of results indicates how pragmatics may aid referent disambiguation and learning in both adults and young children. From early ontogeny on, children's social‐cognitive understanding may guide their communicative interactions and support their language acquisition.

Research Highlights

We tested how 2‐3‐year‐olds and adults resolve referential ambiguity without any lexical cues.

In the pragmatic context both age groups disambiguated novel word‐object‐mappings, while object novelty alone did not guide their referent selection.

In the pragmatic context, children also showed increased certainty in disambiguation and retained new word‐object‐mappings over time.

These findings contribute to the ongoing debate on whether children learn words on the basis of domain‐specific constraints, lower‐level associative mechanisms, or pragmatic inferences.
Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation in elderly patients with myeloma: A multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Suzuki Kazuhito , Mizuno Shohei , Shimazu Yutaka , Fuchida Shin‐ichi , Hagiwara Shotaro , Itagaki Mitsuhiro , Nishiwaki Kaichi , Hangaishi Akira , Karasuno Takahiro , Kikuchi Taku , Shimizu Misayo , Nishikawa Akinori , Kobayashi Takeshi , Sunami Kazutaka , Hiramoto Nobuhiro , Uchiyama Hitoji , Maruyama Yumiko , Kanda Yoshinobu , Ichinohe Tatsuo , Atsuta Yoshiko , Yano Shingo , Kawamura Koji ,   the Working Group of the Japan Society,   for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Published: January 2023

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been reconsidered for high‐risk patients with myeloma, and the eligibility criteria for up‐front ASCT have been updated to include more elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tandem ASCT in elderly patients with myeloma compared to tandem ASCT in young patients and single ASCT in elderly patients. A retrospective study using the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program database of the Japanese Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, which included 64 elderly and 613 young patients who received tandem ASCT, and 891 elderly patients who received single ASCT, was conducted. The median overall survival (OS) over 38.5 months in the elderly and young patients who received tandem ASCT, and elderly patients who received single ASCT was 78.9, 92.5, and 77.1 months, respectively; no significant difference in the median OS was observed. The cumulative incidence of transplantation‐related mortality was similar in the elderly and young patients receiving tandem ASCT. High‐risk cytogenetic abnormality was not identified as a poor prognostic factor for OS in elderly patients who received tandem ASCT but in those who received single ASCT. Thus, tandem ASCT was effective and tolerable in elderly patients with myeloma.
Herombopag promotes platelet engraftment and decreases platelet transfusion after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zheng Xinhui , Zhang Haixiao , Guo Wenwen , Cao YiGeng , Liu Xin , Zhai WeiHua , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Fengjiao , Wei JiaLin , Yang DongLin , Huang Yong , Pang AiMing , Feng SiZhou , Jiang ErLie , Han MingZhe
Published: January 2023

The delayed platelet engraftment associated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is a common complication and often results in increased transplant‐related complications. A single‐center, prospective, investigator‐initiated pilot study was conducted to explore whether herombopag, a second generation thrombopoietin‐receptor agonist, would promote platelet engraftment after allo‐HSCT. Between 2/2022 and 06/2022, 17 individuals (median age 39; range 15–58 years) with hematological malignancies were enrolled. Herombopag was given for a median of 22 (range 14–61) days at a dose of 7.5 mg/d. The median time to neutrophil >500/μl was 11 (range 9–19) days. The median time to platelet >20 000/μl and >50 000/μl was 13 (range 8–22), and 20 (range 14–45) days, respectively. Compared with historical controls, the cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment after HSCT was significantly higher in the herombopag group (>20 000/μl at day +21, 88% vs 65%, p = .003; >50 000/μl at day +30, 65% vs. 43%, p = .001). Herombopag also reduced the units of platelet transfusion within 30 days post‐SCT (3.6 ± 2.5 vs. 5.4 ± 3.2 U, p = .01). In conclusion, it seems likely that herombopag could enhance platelet engraftment after allo‐HSCT.
Gemfibrozil, a lipid‐lowering drug, improves hepatorenal damages in a mouse model of aging
Authors: Hakimizadeh Elham , Tadayon Saeedeh , Zamanian Mohammad Yasin , Soltani Afsaneh , Giménez‐Llort Lydia , Hassanipour Mahsa , Fatemi Iman
Published: January 2023

Gemfibrozil (GFZ) is a medication of the fibrate category with agonistic effects on peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α) and is effective for hypertriglyceridemia and mixed dyslipidemia. This agent also has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The current study investigated the effects of GFZ on hepatorenal damages in a D‐galactose (D‐gal)‐induced aging model. We used 28 male mice, which were equally and randomly divided into four groups as follows: normal, D‐gal (150 mg/kg/day; intraperitoneal [i.p.], for 6 weeks), GFZ (100 mg/kg/day GFZ, orally [p.o.] for 6 weeks), and the combined D‐gal + GFZ. Liver and kidney function indices were measured as serum creatinine, blood urine nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Oxidative stress in hepatic and renal tissue was evaluated through malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels. Finally, the liver and kidney tissues were assessed for histopathological lesions. The results showed that D‐gal‐induced aging leads to abnormalities in liver and kidney function indices. D‐gal also induced significant oxidative stress and histopathological lesions in these organs. GFZ improved function indices and oxidative stress compared to the D‐gal‐treated animals. Histological evaluations of the liver and kidney also confirmed these results. These data provide evidence for the potential therapeutic of GFZ in clinical practice for mitigating the hepatorenal damages of aging.
Historical review and future prospect for researches on very high cycle fatigue of metallic materials
Authors: Sakai Tatsuo
Published: January 2023

Since the first paper on the fatigue of metallic materials by J. Albert in 1837, tremendous numbers of papers have been published in various journals by many researchers all over the world. Based on such a long history, several papers on the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) in the life‐time longer than 107cycles had appeared in some journals during the period of 1980's. One characteristic finding in these works is the fact that the metallic material can fail even at the stress level lower than the conventional fatigue limit. This fact means that the conventional fatigue design of mechanical structures cannot give the safety of the practical products in the very high cycle regime. Due to this fact, fatigue properties of structural materials in very long life regime has become an important subject; and a lot of studies have been carried out, and many important results have been accumulated until now. Typical aspects on VHCF property are summarized as follows: (1) the fatigue crack tends to occur around the interior inclusion, (2) fine granular area (FGA) is formed around such an inclusion, and (3) duplexS–Ncharacteristics appear in the VHCF regime. In this paper, a brief historical review together with the future prospect on the very high cycle fatigue of metallic materials is attempted for the sake of reference to facilitate the research in this area.
Ambient precipitation determines the sensitivity of soil respiration to precipitation treatments in a marsh
Authors: Li Xinge , Hou Yalin , Chu Xiaojing , Zhao Mingliang , Wei Siyu , Song Weimin , Li Peiguang , Wang Xiaojie , Han Guangxuan
Published: January 2023

The effects in field manipulation experiments are strongly influenced by amplified interannual variation in ambient climate as the experimental duration increases. Soil respiration (SR), as an important part of the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems, is sensitive to climate changes such as temperature and precipitation changes. A growing body of evidence has indicated that ambient climate affects the temperature sensitivity of SR, which benchmarks the strength of terrestrial soil carbon–climate feedbacks. However, whether SR sensitivity to precipitation changes is influenced by ambient climate is still not clear. In addition, the mechanism driving the above phenomenon is still poorly understood. Here, a long‐term field manipulation experiment with five precipitation treatments (−60%, −40%, +0%, +40%, and +60% of annual precipitation) was conducted in a marsh in the Yellow River Delta, China, which is sensitive to soil drying–wetting cycle caused by precipitation changes. Results showed that SR increased exponentially along the experimental precipitation gradient each year and the sensitivity of SR (standardized by per 100 mm change in precipitation under precipitation treatments) exhibited significant interannual variation from 2016 to 2021. In addition, temperature, net radiation, and ambient precipitation all exhibited dramatic interannual variability; however, only ambient precipitation had a significant negative correlation with SR sensitivity. Moreover, the sensitivity of SR was significantly positively related to the sensitivity of belowground biomass (BGB) across 6 years. Structural equation modeling and regression analysis also showed that precipitation treatments significantly affected SR and its autotrophic and heterotrophic components by altering BGB. Our study demonstrated that ambient precipitation determines the sensitivity of SR to precipitation treatments in marshes. The findings underscore the importance of ambient climate in regulating ecosystem responses in long‐term field manipulation experiments.
Reputation disparity in teaching and research productivity and rewards in the context of consequences of institutionalization of Publish or Perish culture in academia
Authors: Bello Samuel Akande , Azubuike Felix Chimeziri , Akande Olumuyiwa A.
Published: January 2023

The reputation disparity between teaching and research has stirred up an unending debate. The age‐long notion that teaching and research overlap has become a controversial issue in academia. Consequences of the institutionalization of Publish OR Perish (POP) abound in the literature. This paper investigates the reputations disparity between teaching and research productivity and the rewards for these academic activities. It explores which, out of teaching activities and research publications receive higher or less attention and rewards. Relevant existing literature was reviewed to establish the institutionalization of POP and its consequences of the reputations disparity between teaching and research and its adverse effects on these activities. Evidence from the literature reviewed reveals the existence of POP reputation disparity as part of its consequences. A key finding is that teaching activities are insignificant and unrewarded as research publications. Neither the effectiveness nor the number of teaching loads counts like the numbers of publications.
Novel method for the detection of adulterants in coffee and the determination of a coffee's geographical origin using near infrared spectroscopy complemented by an autoencoder
Authors: Munyendo Leah , Njoroge Daniel , Zhang Yanyan , Hitzmann Bernd
Published: January 2023

Coffee authenticity is a foundational aspect of quality when considering coffee's market value. This has become important given frequent adulteration and mislabelling for economic gains. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the ability of a deep autoencoder neural network to detect adulterants in roasted coffee and to determine a coffee's geographical origin (roasted) using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Arabica coffee was adulterated with robusta coffee or chicory at adulteration levels ranging from 2.5% to 30% in increments of 2.5% at light, medium and dark roast levels. First, the autoencoder was trained using pure arabica coffee before being used to detect the presence of adulterants in the samples. Furthermore, it was used to determine the geographical origin of coffee. All samples adulterated with chicory were detectable by the autoencoder at all roast levels. In the case of robusta‐adulterated samples, detection was possible at adulteration levels above 7.5% at medium and dark roasts. Additionally, it was possible to differentiate coffee samples from different geographical origins. PCA analysis of adulterated samples showed grouping based on the type and concentration of the adulterant. In conclusion, using an autoencoder neural network in conjunction with NIR spectroscopy could be a reliable technique to ensure coffee authenticity.
The association of early regulatory problems with behavioral problems and cognitive functioning in adulthood: two cohorts in two countries
Authors: Wolke Dieter , Baumann Nicole , Jaekel Julia , Pyhälä Riikka , Heinonen Kati , Räikkönen Katri , Sorg Christian , Bilgin Ayten
Published: January 2023

Background

Regulatory problems (RPs; excessive crying, sleeping, or feeding difficulties) that co‐occur (i.e., multiple) or are persistent have been associated with cognitive and behavioral problems in childhood. However, it remains unknown if multiple or persistent RPs are associated with cognitive and behavioral problems in adulthood.

Methods

This large prospective longitudinal study (N = 759) was conducted in two cohorts in Germany (N = 342) and Finland (N = 417). RPs were assessed at 5, 20, and 56 months via the same standardized parental interviews and neurological examinations. In young adulthood, questionnaires were used to assess behavioral problems. Cognitive functioning was assessed with IQ tests. We examined the effects of multiple or persistent RPs on the outcomes via analysis of covariance tests and logistic regression controlled for the influence of cohort.

Results

Of 163 participants with RPs, 89 had multiple and 77 had persistent RPs. Adults who had early multiple or persistent RPs (N = 151) reported more internalizing (p = .001), externalizing (p = .020), and total behavioral problems (p = .001), and, specifically, more depressive (p = .012), somatic (p = .005), avoidant personality (p < .001), and antisocial personality problems (p = .006) than those who never had RPs (N = 596). Participants with multiple or persistent RPs were more likely to receive any ADHD diagnoses (p = .017), particularly of hyperactive/impulsive subtype (p = .032). In contrast, there were no associations between multiple or persistent RPs and IQ scores in young adulthood.

Conclusions

The results indicate long‐lasting associations between multiple or persistent RPs and behavioral problems. Thus, screening for early RPs could help to identify children who are at risk for later behavioral problems.
Estimating amino acid substitution models for metazoan evolutionary studies
Authors: Dang Cuong Cao , Vinh Le Sy
Published: January 2023

Amino acid substitution models represent the substitution rates among amino acids during the evolution of protein sequences. The models are a prerequisite for maximum likelihood or Bayesian methods to analyse the phylogenetic relationships among species based on their protein sequences. Estimating amino acid substitution models requires large protein datasets and intensive computation. In this paper, we presented the estimation of both time‐reversible model (Q.met) and time non‐reversible model (NQ.met) for multicellular animals (Metazoa). Analyses showed that the Q.met and NQ.met models were significantly better than existing models in analysing metazoan protein sequences. Moreover, the time non‐reversible model NQ.met enables us to reconstruct the rooted phylogenetic tree for Metazoa. We recommend researchers to employ the Q.met and NQ.met models in analysing metazoan protein sequences.
Deep margin elevation—Present status and future directions
Authors: Eggmann Florin , Ayub Jose M. , Conejo Julián , Blatz Markus B.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Deep margin elevation (DME) is a treatment approach to relocate the cervical margin of teeth with subgingival defects to a supragingival position with a direct restoration to facilitate rubber dam isolation, impression taking, and bonding of indirect restorations. This article provides an overview of the current scientific evidence on DME and future directions for research.

Overview

The review included 38 studies on DME, most conducted in vitro. These studies indicate that DME has no detrimental effect on the fracture resistance of restored teeth. Evidence on the impact of DME on marginal quality is conflicting, but most in vitro studies observed no negative effect. Clinical studies, most comprising small patient cohorts, demonstrated favorable restorative outcomes and suggest that DME restorations made with scrupulous care are compatible with periodontal health. Bleeding on probing may occur more frequently at sites with DME, though evidence on this is not unequivocal.

Conclusions

Current evidence, based largely on laboratory studies and limited clinical data, supports DME as a viable approach to restore teeth with localized subgingival defects. However, further clinical studies with long‐term follow‐ups are required to provide corroborative evidence.

Clinical Significance

Current evidence suggests that DME is a viable approach to restore teeth with localized subgingival defects as a possible alternative to surgical crown lengthening. Proper working field isolation, meticulous care in the bonding and buildup procedure, and biofilm removal through patient‐performed oral hygiene and professional maintenance care are crucial. As scant clinical trial‐based evidence is available today, further research is needed to evaluate the long‐term performance of DME restorations and their impact on periodontal health.
History of trying exclusion diets and association with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in neurogastroenterology patients: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Atkins Micaela , Zar‐Kessler Claire , Madva Elizabeth N. , Staller Kyle , Eddy Kamryn T. , Thomas Jennifer J. , Kuo Braden , Burton Murray Helen
Published: January 2023

Background

Exclusion diets for gastrointestinal symptom management have been hypothesized to be a risk factor for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID; a non‐body image‐based eating disorder). In a retrospective study of pediatric and adult neurogastroenterology patients, we aimed to (1) identify the prevalence and characteristics of an exclusion diet history and (2) evaluate if an exclusion diet history was concurrently associated with the presence of ARFID symptoms.

Methods

We conducted a chart review of 539 consecutive referrals (ages 6–90, 69% female) to adult (n = 410; January–December 2016) and pediatric (n = 129; January 2016–December 2018) neurogastroenterology clinics. Masked coders (n = 4) retrospectively appliedDSM‐5criteria for ARFID and a separate coder assessed documentation of exclusion diet history. We excluded patients with no documentation of diet in the chart (n = 35) or who were not orally fed (n = 9).

Results

Of 495 patients included, 194 (39%) had an exclusion diet history, and 118 (24%) had symptoms of ARFID. Of reported diets, dairy‐free was the most frequent (45%), followed by gluten‐free (36%). Where documented, exclusion diets were self‐initiated by patients/parents in 66% of cases, and recommended by gastroenterology providers in 30%. Exclusion diet history was significantly associated with the presence of ARFID symptoms (OR = 3.12[95% CI 1.92–5.14],p < 0.001).

Conclusions

History of following an exclusion diet was common and was most often patient‐initiated among pediatric and adult neurogastroenterology patients. As patients with self‐reported exclusion diet history were over three times as likely to have ARFID symptoms, providers should be cognizant of this potential association when considering dietary interventions.
Policy, system, and environmental interventions addressing obesity and diet‐related outcomes in early childhood education settings: A systematic review
Authors: Kracht Chelsea L. , Burkart Sarah , Flanagan Emily W. , Melnick Emily , Luecking Courtney , Neshteruk Cody
Published: January 2023

Early childhood education (ECE) settings play an important role in child dietary intake and excess weight gain. Policy, systems, and environment (PSE) approaches have potential to reduce disparities in children at higher risk for obesity. The purpose of this review was to (1) characterize the inclusion of populations at higher risk for obesity in ECE interventions and (2) identify effective ECE interventions in these populations. Seven databases were searched for ECE interventions. Intervention characteristics and methodological quality were assessed in 35 articles representing 34 interventions. Interventions identified were mainly a combination of ECE and parent interventions (41%) or stand‐alone ECE intervention (29%), with few multisector efforts (23%) or government regulations assessed (5%). Many included policy (70%) or social environment components (61%). For Aim 1, two thirds were conducted in primarily populations at higher risk for obesity (67%). Studies were rated as fair or good methodological quality. For Aim 2, 10 studies demonstrated effectiveness at improving diet or reducing obesity in populations at higher risk for obesity. Most included a longer intervention (i.e., >6 months), multiple PSE components, and formative work. Opportunities to incorporate more PSE components in ECE‐based interventions and collaborate with parents and communities are warranted to improve child health.
The translation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales and his intertextual world in China1
Authors: Luo Xuanmin , Zhu Jianchun
Published: January 2023

The retranslations of Andersen's fairy tales in the twentieth century have promoted the canonization of Andersen in the modern Chinese literary system. Today, Chinese readers of different ages are fascinated by Andersen's works and the images created by him. However, the literary and cultural significance of Andersen to China lies in his influence. In this paper, the authors will first review the history of translating Andersen's fairy tales in China and then analyze some cases from Chinese literature and culture within the theoretical framework of intertextuality, in an attempt to specify the influence of Andersen on modern Chinese literature and culture. It is argued that Andersen's fairy tales have been cross‐culturally woven into Chinese children's as well as adult literature when the intertextual devices are applied by writers in their own literary creations; meanwhile the fictional elements of the tales are intertextually merged, as symbols, into other forms of cultural products where they are involved in a critical construction of modern Chinese culture.
Key Elements of Enhanced Recovery after Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Reanalysis of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Guidelines
Authors: Changjun Chen , Xin Zhao , Yue Luo , Liyile Chen , Pengde Kang
Published: January 2023

Recent guidelines have produced a consensus statement for perioperative care in hip and knee replacement. However, there is still a need for reanalysis of the evidence and recommendations. Therefore, we retrieved and reanalyzed the evidence of each recommended components of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) based on the guidelines of total joint arthroplasty. For each one, we included for the highest levels of evidence and those systematic reviews and meta‐analyses were preferred. The full texts were analyzed and the evidence of all components were summarized. We found that most of the recommended components of ERAS are supported by evidence, however, the implementation details of each recommended components need to be further optimized. Therefore, implementation of a full ERAS program may maximize the benefits of our clinical practice but this combined effect still needs to be further determined.
Changes in root hydraulic conductivity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in response to salt stress and day/night can best be explained through altered activity of aquaporins
Authors: Lu Yingying , Fricke Wieland
Published: January 2023

Salt stress reduces plant water flow during day and night. It is not known to which extent root hydraulic properties change in parallel. To test this idea, hydroponically grown wheat plants were grown at four levels of salt stress (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl) for 5–8d before harvest (d14–18) and subjected to a range of analyses to determine diurnal changes in hydraulic conductivity (Lp) at cell, root and plant level. Cell pressure probe analyses showed that the Lp of cortex cells was differentially affected by salt stress during day and night, and that the response to salt stress differed between the main axis of roots and lateral roots. The Aquaporin (AQP) inhibitor H2O2 reduced Lp to a common, across treatments, level as observed in salt‐stressed plants during the night. Analyses of transpiring plants and exuding root systems provided values of root Lp which were in the same range as values modeled based on cell‐Lp. The results can best be explained through a change in root Lp in response to salt stress and day/night, which results from an altered activity of AQPs. qPCR gene expression analyses point to possible candidate AQP isoforms.
When do teams generate valuable inventions? The moderating role of invention integrality on the effects of expertise similarity, network cohesion, and gender diversity
Authors: Chan Tian Heong , Liu Haibo , Keck Steffen , Tang Wenjie
Published: January 2023

Research has demonstrated that certain team composition factors—high expertise similarity, high network cohesion, and mixed‐gender teams—have predominantly negative effects on the teams’ invention outcomes. Yet these factors have also been shown to improve team coordination, which should (in theory) lead to better invention outcomes. We address this tension by highlighting the need to consider the invention's integrality, which increases task interdependencies among team members and thereby strengthens the positive relationship between team coordination and invention value. We hypothesize that (i) the main effects of these team composition factors reduce a team's invention value but, more importantly, that (ii) invention integrality positively moderates those effects. We support these claims with evidence from utility patent data filed in the United States during the period 1983–2015.
Reducing Political Dehumanization by Pairing Facts With Personal Experiences
Authors: Kubin Emily , Gray Kurt J. , von Sikorski Christian
Published: January 2023

The media is increasingly blamed for inflaming political animosity, but it may also bridge partisan divides—with the right strategies. Past research highlights the outgroup‐experience effect: Sharing personal experiences (and not facts) helps to reduce partisan animosity. However, sharing facts is a pillar of good journalism and is essential for mediated political communication. Across four studies in two countries, we show that journalists, and citizens on social media sites, can share facts about contentious political issues (gun and climate policy), while simultaneously increasing tolerance and reducing dehumanization of political opponents. We extend the outgroup‐experience effect by introducing factual content alongside personal experiences of political adversaries (i.e., a combination approach). These effects are replicated in both the United States and Germany although in Germany the personal experience intervention is only beneficial for people with more extreme attitudes.
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life of informal caregivers of older patients and the mediating role of subjective caregivers' burden
Authors: Vrettos Ioannis , Anagnostopoulos Fotios , Voukelatou Panagiota , Panayiotou Stefani , Kyvetos Andreas , Nikas Anastasios , Kollia Dafni , Niakas Dimitris
Published: January 2023

Background

Caregiving has been associated with increased subjective burden and decreased health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) for caregivers. The aim of the study was to clarify the precise relationship between caregivers' burden, caregivers' HRQOL, and other risk factors, considering that subjective burden was a risk factor for poor HRQOL, which may also mediate the effects of some known risk factors.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, patients' and their informal caregivers' characteristics were recorded for 311 patient‐caregiver dyads. Subjective caregiver burden and caregivers' HRQOL were assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview and the 12‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐12), respectively. Mediation analysis was used to examine the relationships between variables. Caregivers' mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) scores were regarded as outcome variables, caregivers' subjective burden was considered the mediator, and patients' and caregivers' characteristics were treated as predictors.

Results

Caregivers' subjective burden was negatively related to both PCS and MCS of caregivers' HRQOL, after controlling for the effects of demographic and clinical variables. Moreover, significant associations, mostly indirect via caregivers' subjective burden, existed between caregivers' socio‐demographic characteristics, duration of caregiving, patients' frailty status, patients' co‐morbidity, and caregivers' HRQOL.

Conclusion

Caregivers' subjective burden plays a major and mediating role on influencing caregivers' HRQOL. Our findings may direct future research and promote the implementation of interventions to reduce caregivers' burden and improve caregivers' HRQOL.
Exploring word choice and narrative framing in trump's trade tweets
Authors: Fattore Christina , Wagner Karsyn
Published: January 2023

Objectives

In this article, we examine whether former President Trump utilized Twitter to craft a narrative regarding international trade via his use of Twitter.

Methods

We examine Trump's language choices in a corpus of his tweets to compare his tone in trade‐related tweets against his more general tweets during his presidency.

Results

We find that Trump's trade tweets contain language that is more cognitively complex, masculine, and honest, compared to his non‐trade‐focused tweets.

Conclusion

This study illustrates Trump's ability to craft and maintain a narrative about trade based on exaggeration and manipulations, in line with populist leadership theory.
Nano‐RECall provides an integrated pipeline for HIV‐1 drug resistance testing from Oxford Nanopore sequence data
Authors: Delaney Kayla Eileen , Ngobeni Trevor , Woods Conan K. , Gordijn Carli , Claassen Mathilda , Parikh Urvi , Harrigan P. Richard , van Zyl Gert Uves
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Low‐capital‐layout sequencing options from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) could assist in expanding HIV drug resistance testing to resource‐limited settings. HIV drug resistance mutations often occur as mixtures, but current ONT pipelines provide a consensus sequence only. Moreover, there is no integrated pipeline that provides a drug resistance report from an ONT sequence file without intervention from skilled bioinformaticists. We therefore investigated Nano‐RECall, which provides seamless drug resistance interpretation while requiring low‐read coverage ONT sequence data from affordable Flongle or MinION flow cells and which provides mutation mixtures similar to Sanger Sequencing.

Methods

We compared Sanger sequencing to ONT sequencing of the same HIV‐1 subtype C polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons, respectively using RECall and the novel Nano‐RECall bioinformatics pipelines. Amplicons were from separate assays: (a) Applied Biosystems HIV‐1 Genotyping Kit (ThermoFisher) spanning protease (PR) to reverse transcriptase (RT) (PR‐RT) (n = 46) and (b) homebrew integrase (IN) (n = 21). The agreement between Sanger sequences and ONT sequences was assessed at nucleotide level, and at codon level for Stanford HIV drug resistance database mutations at an optimal ONT read depth of 400 reads only.

Results

The average sequence similarity between ONT and Sanger sequences was 99.3% (95% CI: 99.1%–99.4%) for PR‐RT and 99.6% (95% CI: 99.4%–99.7%) for INT. Drug resistance mutations did not differ for 21 IN specimens; 8 mutations were detected by both ONT‐ and Sanger sequencing. For the 46 PR and RT specimens, 245 mutations were detected by either ONT or Sanger, of these 238 (97.1%) were detected by both.

Conclusions

The Nano‐RECall pipeline, freely available as a downloadable application on a Windows computer, provides Sanger‐equivalent HIV drug resistance interpretation. This novel pipeline combined with a simple workflow and multiplexing samples on ONT flow‐cells would contribute to making HIV drug resistance sequencing feasible for resource‐limited settings.
Advances in sustainable wastewater treatment: Microalgal–bacterial consortia process, greenhouse gas reduction and energy recovery technologies
Authors: Guo Qingyang , Qi Feng , Mu Ruimin , Yu Gejiang , Ma Guixia , Meng Qianya
Published: January 2023

Because of the low energy consumption of aeration, strong nutrient removal capacity, low greenhouse gas emissions and high resource recovery potential, the wastewater treatment process using microalgal–bacterial consortia is considered as an excellent alternative to the traditional activated sludge wastewater treatment process. In this review, the wastewater treatment process based on microalgal–bacterial consortia and its greenhouse gas emission reduction mechanism are introduced. The potential advantages and constraints of the process in carbon neutral wastewater treatment were highlighted and critically discussed. The environmental impact of wastewater treatment, the research progress of environment‐friendly treatment technologies and the challenges faced by integrating these technologies are discussed. However, the wastewater treatment process based on microalgae–bacteria consortia still needs to be studied. In the future, it is necessary to optimize the scheme for quantifying the environmental impact of wastewater treatment and further expand the recycling rate and cost value of wastewater resources.
Effectiveness of suture button fixation versus screw fixation for the management of acute distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Cehic Matthew G. , Jaarsma Ruurd , Whitehorn Ashley
Published: January 2023

Objective:

The aim of this review is to determine whether suture button fixation is more effective than traditional screw fixation for the management of acute distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries.

Introduction:

Syndesmotic injuries are common and require surgical management to avoid chronic pain and instability, and to improve long-term functional outcomes. Screw fixation and suture button fixation are the 2 techniques of choice for treatment; however, there remains ongoing debate surrounding which treatment modality delivers the best outcomes, leading to significant variability in practice. The suture button is a relatively new technique; therefore, there is a need for an updated, high-quality systematic review to help guide best practice in syndesmosis injury management.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies comparing suture button versus screw fixation of acute (<6 weeks) distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries. Patients aged 18 or over, with syndesmotic injuries requiring surgical stabilization, with or without an associated fracture, will be included. The primary outcome of interest will be composite functional ankle scores. Secondary outcomes will include range of motion, pain, joint malreduction, complications rates, re-operation rates, and return to work/sport.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI guidelines for systematic reviews of effectiveness. The following electronic databases will be searched: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science, in addition to gray literature databases. No publication date or language limits will be applied. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts, and full-text studies, assessing methodological quality using the JBI critical appraisal tools. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to assess certainty in the findings.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42022331211
Intelligibility as a measure of speech perception: Current approaches, challenges, and recommendations
Authors: Baese-Berk Melissa M. , Levi Susannah V. , Van Engen Kristin J.
Published: January 2023

Intelligibility measures, which assess the number of words or phonemes a listener correctly transcribes or repeats, are commonly used metrics for speech perception research. While these measures have many benefits for researchers, they also come with a number of limitations. By pointing out the strengths and limitations of this approach, including how it fails to capture aspects of perception such as listening effort, this article argues that the role of intelligibility measures must be reconsidered in fields such as linguistics, communication disorders, and psychology. Recommendations for future work in this area are presented.
Winter mortality of a passerine bird increases following hotter summers and during winters with higher maximum temperatures
Authors: Lv Lei , van de Pol Martijn , Osmond Helen L. , Liu Yang , Cockburn Andrew , Kruuk Loeske E. B.
Published: January 2023

Climate change may influence animal population dynamics through reproduction and mortality. However, attributing changes in mortality to specific climate variables is challenging because the exact time of death is usually unknown in the wild. Here, we investigated climate effects on adult mortality in Australian superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus). Over a 27-year period, mortality outside the breeding season nearly doubled. This nonbreeding season mortality increased with lower minimum (night-time) and higher maximum (day-time) winter temperatures and with higher summer heat wave intensity. Fine-scale analysis showed that higher mortality in a given week was associated with higher maxima 2 weeks prior and lower minima in the current fortnight, indicating costs of temperature drops. Increases in summer heat waves and in winter maximum temperatures collectively explained 62.6% of the increase in mortality over the study period. Our results suggest that warming climate in both summer and winter can adversely affect survival, with potentially substantial population consequences.
An antisteatosis response regulated by oleic acid through lipid droplet–mediated ERAD enhancement
Authors: Castillo-Quan Jorge Iván , Steinbaugh Michael J. , Fernández-Cárdenas Laura Paulette , Pohl Nancy K. , Wu Ziyun , Zhu Feimei , Moroz Natalie , Teixeira Veronica , Bland Monet S. , Lehrbach Nicolas J. , Moronetti Lorenza , Teufl Magdalena , Blackwell T. Keith
Published: January 2023

Although excessive lipid accumulation is a hallmark of obesity-related pathologies, some lipids are beneficial. Oleic acid (OA), the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid (FA), promotes health and longevity. Here, we show that OA benefitsCaenorhabditis elegansby activating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–resident transcription factor SKN-1A (Nrf1/NFE2L1) in a lipid homeostasis response. SKN-1A/Nrf1 is cleared from the ER by the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) machinery and stabilized when proteasome activity is low and canonically maintains proteasome homeostasis. Unexpectedly, OA increases nuclear SKN-1A levels independently of proteasome activity, through lipid droplet–dependent enhancement of ERAD. In turn, SKN-1A reduces steatosis by reshaping the lipid metabolism transcriptome and mediates longevity from OA provided through endogenous accumulation, reduced H3K4 trimethylation, or dietary supplementation. Our findings reveal an unexpected mechanism of FA signal transduction, as well as a lipid homeostasis pathway that provides strategies for opposing steatosis and aging, and may mediate some benefits of the OA-rich Mediterranean diet.
Toward a universal framework for evaluating transport resistances and driving forces in membrane-based desalination processes
Authors: Lopez Kian P. , Wang Ruoyu , Hjelvik Elizabeth A. , Lin Shihong , Straub Anthony P.
Published: January 2023

Desalination technologies using salt-rejecting membranes are a highly efficient tool to provide fresh water and augment existing water supplies. In recent years, numerous studies have worked to advance a variety of membrane processes with different membrane types and driving forces, but direct quantitative comparisons of these different technologies have led to confusing and contradictory conclusions in the literature. In this Review, we critically assess different membrane-based desalination technologies and provide a universal framework for comparing various driving forces and membrane types. To accomplish this, we first quantify the thermodynamic driving forces resulting from pressure, concentration, and temperature gradients. We then examine the resistances experienced by water molecules as they traverse liquid- and air-filled membranes. Last, we quantify water fluxes in each process for differing desalination scenarios. We conclude by synthesizing results from the literature and our quantitative analyses to compare desalination processes, identifying specific scenarios where each process has fundamental advantages.
A mesothelium divides the subarachnoid space into functional compartments
Authors: Møllgård Kjeld , Beinlich Felix R. M. , Kusk Peter , Miyakoshi Leo M. , Delle Christine , Plá Virginia , Hauglund Natalie L. , Esmail Tina , Rasmussen Martin K. , Gomolka Ryszard S. , Mori Yuki , Nedergaard Maiken
Published: January 2023

The central nervous system is lined by meninges, classically known as dura, arachnoid, and pia mater. We show the existence of a fourth meningeal layer that compartmentalizes the subarachnoid space in the mouse and human brain, designated the subarachnoid lymphatic-like membrane (SLYM). SLYM is morpho- and immunophenotypically similar to the mesothelial membrane lining of peripheral organs and body cavities, and it encases blood vessels and harbors immune cells. Functionally, the close apposition of SLYM with the endothelial lining of the meningeal venous sinus permits direct exchange of small solutes between cerebrospinal fluid and venous blood, thus representing the mouse equivalent of the arachnoid granulations. The functional characterization of SLYM provides fundamental insights into brain immune barriers and fluid transport.
In Other Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Suleymanov Yury , Wible Brad , Grocholski Brent , Hurtley Stella M.
Published: January 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Ancient points suggest Asian roots for early American tools
Authors: Price Michael
Published: January 2023

Finds may support coastal route hypothesis for first settlers
Boronic Acid Transition State Inhibitors as Potent Inactivators of KPC and CTX-M β-Lactamases: Biochemical and Structural Analyses
Authors: Alsenani Tahani A. , Rodríguez María Margarita , Ghiglione Barbara , Taracila Magdalena A. , Mojica Maria F. , Rojas Laura J. , Hujer Andrea M. , Gutkind Gabriel , Bethel Christopher R. , Rather Philip N. , Introvigne Maria Luisa , Prati Fabio , Caselli Emilia , Power Pablo , van den Akker Focco , Bonomo Robert A.
Published: January 2023

Design of novel β-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs) is one of the currently accepted strategies to combat the threat of cephalosporin and carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.
B
oronic
a
cid
t
ransition
s
tate
i
nhibitors (BATSIs) are competitive, reversible BLIs that offer promise as novel therapeutic agents. In this study, the activities of two α-amido-β-triazolylethaneboronic acid transition state inhibitors (S02030 and MB_076) targeting representative KPC (KPC-2) and CTX-M (CTX-M-96, a CTX-M-15-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase [ESBL]) β-lactamases were evaluated.
Molecular Insights into a Novel Cu(I)-Sensitive ArsR/SmtB Family Repressor in Extremophile Acidithiobacillus caldus
Authors: Qiu Yongkang , Tong Yanjun , Yang Hailin , Feng Shoushuai
Published: January 2023

Copper (Cu) resistance among various microorganisms is attracting interest. The chemolithoautotrophic bacterium
A. caldus
, which can tolerate extreme copper stress (≥10 g/L Cu ions), is typically used to bioleach chalcopyrite (CuFeS
2
).
A Flexible and Efficient Microfluidics Platform for the Characterization and Isolation of Novel Bacteriophages
Authors: Sidi Mabrouk Adam , Ongenae Véronique , Claessen Dennis , Brenzinger Susanne , Briegel Ariane
Published: January 2023

Bacteriophages are gaining increased attention for their potential application as agents to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. However, isolation and characterization of new phages are time consuming and limited by currently used methods.
Bacteriocin Production Correlates with Epidemiological Prevalence of Phylotype I Sequevar 18 Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in Madagascar
Authors: Rasoamanana Hasina , Ravelomanantsoa Santatra , Nomenjanahary Marie-Véronique , Gauche Miharisoa-Mirana , Prior Philippe , Guérin Fabien , Robène Isabelle , Pecrix Yann , Poussier Stéphane
Published: January 2023

Knowledge of the epidemiology of a plant pathogen is essential to develop effective control strategies. This study focuses on the epidemiological pattern of
Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum
phylotype I populations responsible for bacterial wilt in Madagascar.
Characterization of Sialic Acid-Independent Simian Rotavirus Mutants in Viral Infection and Pathogenesis
Authors: Yamasaki Moeko , Kanai Yuta , Wakamura Yoshiki , Kotaki Tomohiro , Minami Shohei , Nouda Ryotaro , Nurdin Jeffery A. , Kobayashi Takeshi
Published: January 2023

Various studies have been conducted on the binding of VP8* and glycans, and the direct interaction between purified VP8* and glycans has been investigated by crystalline structure analyses. Here, we used a reverse genetics system to generate rotaviruses (RVs) with various VP4 mutants.