bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurse Leader Perspectives and Experiences on Caregiver Support Following a Serious Medical Error
Authors: Prothero Marie M. , Sorhus Madeline , Huefner Katherine
Published: November 2024

OBJECTIVE

This study explored nurse leaders' perspectives and experiences in supporting nurses following a serious medical error.

BACKGROUND

Appropriate support is crucial for nurses following an error. Authentic leadership provides an environment of psychological safety and establishes a patient safety culture.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey research design was conducted to determine nurse leader's (NLs') perspectives on supporting nurses following a medical error.

RESULTS

NL training on handling serious medical errors varied. NLs indicated experiencing a variety of formal support programs: peer support, education, error examination, employee assistance, and just culture. Following an error, NLs reported these interventions were helpful, including education/retraining, psychological safety, time off the unit, identifying system failures, nurse involvement in disclosure, and peer support.

CONCLUSION

This study illuminates how NLs support nurses following an error. It provides insight into the education of NLs on assisting nurses and the need to implement formal caregiver support programs.
A Qualitative Study of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Healthcare Providers in New York City
Authors: D’Avanzo Paul A. , Bosco Joan , Carnevale Caroline , Zucker Jason
Published: November 2024

Background

Three randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of doxycycline for bacterial sexually transmitted infection post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy PEP). Few studies have assessed provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding Doxy PEP implementation. Between July of 2023 and January 2024, this study qualitatively assessed KAP and intention to prescribe Doxy PEP among healthcare providers in the New York City area.

Methods

In-depth, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 18 healthcare provider key informants including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants from various practice settings. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive KAP codes, with additional deductive coding used to identify emergent subthemes.

Results

The following themes were identified: (1) STI Disparities, (2) Doxy PEP Experience, (3) Doxy PEP Benefits, (4) Doxy PEP Concerns, and (5) Doxy PEP Implementation. Doxy PEP knowledge was high, with all providers being aware and most (78%) having prescribed it to at least one patient at the time of interview. Providers were knowledgeable of factors contributing to high rates of STIs. Benefits included reducing STI anxiety. Concerns included contributing to antimicrobial resistance and impacts on microbiota. Practice implications included challenges getting Doxy PEP approved by the pharmacy. These factors were shown to affect Doxy PEP’s perceived acceptability.

Conclusions

To ensure that Doxy PEP is implemented safely and equitably, KAP factors that may influence provider decision-making should be examined. Understanding providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices and how they affect intention to prescribe Doxy PEP, and to what patients, has important implications for successful implementation.
Characterizing the interaction effects of modular components on transtibial prosthesis stance-phase mechanical behavior
Authors: Donahue Seth , Vaca Miguel , Beattie Wendy A. , Kingsbury Trevor , Takahashi Kota Z. , Major Matthew J.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Despite evidence that passive prosthesis mechanical properties can directly affect user experience, prosthetists have access to minimal information regarding the mechanical interactions between a prosthetic foot and proximal modular componentry.

Objectives:

This study quantified the stance phase mechanical behavior of a transtibial prosthetic system through the addition of passive modular componentry to a dynamic response (DR) foot.

Study Design:

Repeated measures, mechanical characterization.

Methods:

Maximum displacement and energy return were measured with a materials test machine simulating initial, mid, and terminal stances. Twelve conditions were tested: a DR foot in combination with a hydraulic ankle at 2 resistance settings and 3 different shock-absorbing pylons (SAPs). The roll-over shape of the DR foot with and without hydraulic ankle was measured using a test rig.

Results:

Adding modular passive components altered displacement and energy return, displaying independent and interaction effects. Generally, the hydraulic ankle and SAP reduced energy return (up to 18%) but decreased (up to 51%) and increased (up to 88%) displacement, respectively, while the combined properties were more complex. Roll-over shape radii decreased with increasing load for the foot alone but exhibited a nonlinear response with the addition of the ankle.

Conclusions:

Inclusion of modular components in a transtibial prosthetic system can have complex mechanical interactions that independently affect the system's response to load. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the cumulative effects of these interactions to inform the tuning of transtibial prosthesis mechanical behavior. Combinations of hydraulic ankles and SAPs can help clinicians adjust the prosthesis to achieve a balance between user comfort and energy return.
Morpho
butterfly flashiness crucially depends on wing scale curvature
Authors: Sosa Espinosa Juliana , Stavenga Doekele G. , van der Kooi Casper J. , Giraldo Marco A.
Published: November 2024

Morpho
butterflies are widely known for their brilliant blue and flashy colours, which are produced by intricate wing scale structures. Not all species display a vibrant structural coloration; some are whitish or even brown. This suggests that there is considerable interspecific variation in wing scale anatomy, pigmentation and flashiness. As evidenced by numerous studies, the optical mechanism that creates the bright structural colours resides in the multilayered ridges of the wing scales, but the interspecific variation in flashiness has so far received little attention. Here, we investigate the wing components that influence the directional wing reflectivity. We therefore selected three species that greatly vary in colour and flashy appearance,
Morpho sulkowskyi
,
M. helenor
and
M. anaxibia
. Applying morphological analyses, (micro-)spectrophotometry and imaging scatterometry on wing pieces and individual wing scales, we demonstrate that wings with flat scales produce highly directional reflections, whereas wings stacked with curved scales scatter light into a wider angular space, resulting in a spatially more diffuse appearance. We thus find that the curvature of the wing scales crucially determines the directionality of
Morpho
’s visual display. We discuss how the visual ecology of
Morpho
butterflies and environmental conditions can drive the evolution of flashy visual displays.
Pulsed artificial light at night alters moth flight behaviour
Authors: Fabusova Madeleine , Gaston Kevin J. , Troscianko Jolyon
Published: November 2024

Vehicle headlights create pulsed artificial light at night (pALAN) that is unpredictable, intense and extends into previously dark areas. Nocturnal insects often have remarkable low-light vision, but their slow pupillary light responses may leave them vulnerable to pALAN, which has important ecological consequences. To test this, we exposed nocturnal moths—important pollinators and prey—to four pALAN treatments. These comprised ‘cool’ and ‘warm’ lights, either emitted from phosphor-coated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or RGB (red-green-blue) LEDs, matched in colour (CCT) and intensity to human vision. We assessed the initial behavioural response, likely crucial to the survival of an organism, of 428 wild-caught moths comprising 64 species. We found that exposure to a cool phosphor-coated LED light pulse increased instances of erratic flight and flight-to-light that are likely detrimental as they increase the risks of impact with a vehicle, predation or excess energy expenditure. Our findings suggest that pALAN can cause a wide range of behavioural responses in nocturnal moths, but that the most harmful effects could be minimized by reversing the current shift towards high CCT (cool) phosphor-coated LED car headlights. Lower CCT or RGB alternatives are likely to provide benefits for road safety while reducing ecological harm.
Predation affects the evolution of sex-specific longevity
Authors: Pennell Tanya M. , Katsuki Masako , Archer C. Ruth , Sharma Manmohan D. , Okada Kensuke , Hosken David J.
Published: November 2024

Predation, a major cause of natural selection, is classically thought to target the weak and sick. However, predators can target animals with condition-dependent sexual traits, and therefore, high-quality individuals can also be the focus of predation. Thus, it is not always clear which individuals are the foci of predators or how this affects trait evolution. Here, we tested for evolutionary effects of sex-specific predation on male and female longevity using replicate populations of the broad-horned flour beetle
Gnatocerus cornutus
. We found that male-limited predation resulted in the evolution of reduced male and increased female longevity, while female-limited predation had no effects on the longevity of either sex. We also document the costs of reproduction. Coupled with other findings, our results suggest that predation impacts high-quality males and, because of negative intersexual genetic correlations, this increases female longevity.
Directionality theory and the origin of life
Authors: Demetrius Lloyd A.
Published: November 2024

The origin of cellular life can be described in terms of the transition from inorganic matter to the emergence of cooperative assemblies of organic matter: DNA and proteins, capable of replication and metabolism. Directionality theory is a mathematical theory of the collective behaviour of networks of organic matter: activated macromolecules, cells and higher organisms. Evolutionary entropy, a generalization of the thermodynamic entropy of Boltzmann, is a statistical measure of the cooperativity of the biotic components. The cornerstone of Directionality theory is the
Entropic Principle of Evolution:
evolutionary entropy
increases
in systems driven by a stable energy source, and
decreases
in systems subject to a fluctuating energy source. This article invokes the Entropic Principle of Evolution—an extension to biological systems of the Second Law of Thermodynamics—to provide an adaptive rationale for the following sequence of transformations that define the emergence of cellular life: (i) the self‐assembly of activated macromolecules from inorganic matter; (ii) the emergence of an RNA world, defined by RNA molecules with catalytic and replicative properties; and (iii) the origin of cellular life, the integration of the three carbon-based polymers—DNA, proteins and lipids, to generate a metabolic and replicative unit.
Addressing the urban congestion challenge based on traffic bottlenecks
Authors: Lieberthal Efrat Blumenfeld , Serok Nimrod , Duan Jinxiao , Zeng Guanwen , Havlin Shlomo
Published: November 2024

Historically, urban congestion and street life quality depended on city network hierarchies, shaped by land use and street layout. Yet navigation apps have shifted focus to travel time as the key route selection factor, challenging traditional urban structures. We review the development of an innovative approach to urban traffic management that leverages real-time data for the identification and analysis of traffic bottlenecks. This approach, combined with urban planning, aims to improve traffic flow and tackle modern urban challenges. It includes real-time bottleneck detection and cost, congestion analysis and designing a decentralized traffic management system that can serve planners. Based on complex system principles, it promises dynamic traffic optimization, merging urban planning with digital advancements. The research demonstrates the potential of different applications of the proposed methodologies to predict significant congestion from early bottleneck formation, offering urban planners a powerful toolset for reasserting their role in shaping the urban experience. This article posits that a nuanced understanding of traffic dynamics, coupled with advanced traffic management technologies, can restore the influence of urban planning in the digital era, fostering more liveable, equitable and efficient urban environments.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance’.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between neglected tropical diseases and malnutrition: more research needed on diseases other than intestinal parasites, leishmaniasis and leprosy
Authors: Loglo Aloysius , Aniagyei Wilfred , Vivekanandan Monika Mira , Agbanyo Abigail , Asamoah Evans Adu , Phillips Richard O. , Annan Reginald , Engel Barbara , Simmonds Rachel E.
Published: November 2024

Background. According to the World Health Organization, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over two billion people worldwide. While the links between nutrition and many diseases have become clear over recent decades, NTDs have lagged behind and the linkage with nutrition is largely unknown. We conducted this systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the current knowledge on the association between NTDs and malnutrition.

Methodology. PubMed, Embase, Scopus and African Journals Online databases were searched using predefined search terms. We included all original articles with a case–control design and at least one NTD. The studies had to compare nutritional parameters between infected cases and control participants. Articles that did not report original data were excluded. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Pooled estimates were conducted using the random effect model. The publication bias of the studies was determined by funnel plots. Q and I
2 statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies.

Results. After screening 1294 articles, only 16 qualified for the systematic review and 12 for meta-analysis. These predominately had a focus on soil-transmitted helminthiasis (ascariasis, hookworm diseases and trichuriasis) and schistosomiasis, with a minority concerning leishmaniasis and leprosy. Pooled estimates showed an association between intestinal parasites and stunting in children [odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14–1.66, I
2 = 0%, tau2 = 0]. We also identified a moderate association established between serum iron deficiency (OR = 4.67, 95% CI: 1.91–11.44, tau2 = 0) and intestinal parasites.

Conclusions/significance. Of the 20 NTDs, the links between diet and disease have been explored for only 4. There is a paucity of data from low- and middle-income countries and least-developed countries where the NTD burden is high. Therefore, more research into the role of malnutrition in NTDs other than intestinal parasites, leishmaniasis and leprosy is needed.
Vanderwaltozyma japonica sp. nov.: a novel yeast isolated from subtropical regions in Japan
Authors: Shibayama Kaito , Miyazaki Yumiko , Moriya Chise , Yamaguchi Kaoru
Published: November 2024

Seven yeast strains, NBRC 11072, NBRC 11076, NBRC 11078T, NBRC 11080, NBRC 116645, NBRC 116646 and NBRC 116647, were isolated from the subtropical regions of Japan. The seven strains share identical nucleotide sequences in the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Six strains (NBRC 11072, NBRC 11076, NBRC 11078T, NBRC 11080, NBRC 116645 and NBRC 116646) share identical mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COX II) sequences as well, while NBRC 116647 differs from them by one substitution in this region. The yeast strains were closely related to Vanderwaltozyma verrucispora NBRC 1884T in the ITS regions. However, in the D1/D2 domains and COX II, they were closely related to Torulaspora globosa CBS 764T and Naumovozyma castellii NRRL Y-12630T, respectively. They differed from V. verrucispora by 49 nucleotide substitutions with 26 gaps in the ITS region, from T. globosa by 19 nucleotide substitutions with 3 gaps in the D1/D2 domains and from N. castellii by 49 nucleotide substitutions with 6 gaps in the COX II. The phylogenetic analysis of the seven strains based on the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of LSU and ITS regions among related species showed that these strains represent a single novel species within the genus Vanderwaltozyma. The seven strains could be differentiated from other known species of the genus Vanderwaltozyma because of their inability to assimilate glycerol as a carbon source. Therefore, we suggest that these seven strains represent a novel species, designated Vanderwaltozyma japonica sp. nov. The holotype is NBRC 11078T (isotype: TBRC 19102T). The MycoBank number is MB 855476.
Sociodemographic, health-related, and clinical characteristics and their associations with mortality among All of Us participants compared with the United States general population
Authors: Wang Jingxuan , Ferguson Erin L. , Buto Peter , Chen Ruijia , Pederson Anna , Choi Minhyuk , Blacker Deborah , Glymour M. Maria
Published: November 2024

Background

The large and diverse All of Us Research Program offers tremendous opportunities for health research. However, results may not be generalizable to the US population due to the program’s targeted recruitment efforts.

Methods

We compared All of Us participants to those from the nationally representative 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with respect to: overall mortality rates; the distribution of sociodemographic, health-related, and clinical characteristics; the association of each characteristic with mortality estimated using Cox proportional-hazards models; and population attributable fractions (PAFs) for each characteristic and mortality.

Results

All of Us participants were older, less likely to be Non-Hispanic White, had more years of education, and had a higher prevalence of major chronic conditions than NHANES. Mortality rates were generally lower for All of Us participants, especially at older ages. The direction of associations in All of Us and NHANES matched for almost all comparisons, but differed in magnitude for some conditions, primarily clinical diagnoses. For example, in All of Us, mortality among participants with a prevalent cancer diagnosis was 2.79 (95% CI: 2.59 to 3.01) times higher than among participants without cancer; in NHANES the hazard ratio was only 1.24 (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.33). PAFs were generally higher in All of Us.

Conclusions

Predictors of mortality in All of Us do not consistently generalize to the US population. Analytical approaches are needed to address non-representativeness and mitigate potential biases associated with the selection into the All of Us cohort.
Response splicing QTLs in primary human chondrocytes identifies putative osteoarthritis risk genes
Authors: Byun Seyoun , Coryell Philip , Kramer Nicole , D’Costa Susan , Thulson Eliza , Shine Jacqueline , Parkus Sylvie , Chubinskaya Susan , Loeser Richard F , Diekman Brian O , Phanstiel Douglas H
Published: November 2024

Osteoarthritis affects millions worldwide, yet effective treatments remain elusive due to poorly understood molecular mechanisms. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 100 OA-associated loci, identifying the genes impacted at each locus remains challenging. Several studies have mapped expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) in chondrocytes and colocalized them with OA GWAS variants to identify putative OA risk genes; however, the degree to which genetic variants influence OA risk via alternative splicing has not been explored. We investigated the role of alternative splicing in OA pathogenesis using RNA-seq data from 101 human chondrocyte samples treated with PBS (control) or fibronectin fragment (FN-f), an OA trigger. We identified 590 differentially spliced genes between conditions, with FN-f inducing splicing events similar to those in primary OA tissue. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to mimic an SNRNP70 splicing event observed in OA and FN-f-treated chondrocytes and found that it induced an OA-like expression pattern. Integration with genotyping data revealed 7,188 splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTL) affecting 3,056 genes. While many sQTLs were shared, we identified 738 and 343 condition-specific sQTLs for control and FN-f, respectively. We identified 15 RNA binding proteins whose binding sites were enriched at sQTL splice junctions and found that expression of those RNA binding proteins correlated with exon inclusion. Colocalization with OA GWAS identified 6 putative risk genes, including a novel candidate, PBRM1. Our study highlights the significant impact of alternative splicing in OA and provides potential therapeutic targets for future research.
Impact of oralChlamydiaVaccination on Host Gut Microbiome and Metabolites Composition
Authors: Huang Youyou , Wan Jiao , Shu Chuqiang , Zhang Qi , Zhou Zengzi , Sun Xin , Wang Luying , Zhang Tianyuan , Tian Qi
Published: November 2024

Chlamydia trachomatis, an intracellular pathogen, is recognized as the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection among women worldwide.Chlamydiainfections can lead to undesirable clinical outcomes, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Recently, the gut has been identified as a niche for Chlamydia colonization; however, despite the biological impact on the host remaining under investigation, oral inoculation of Chlamydia as a whole-organism vaccine has been reported as a promising strategy for preventing genital Chlamydia infections. Few studies have evaluated the impact of oral Chlamydia vaccination on the gut microbiome and metabolite changes. In this study, we assessed time-series alterations in the gut microbiome and metabolites following oralChlamydiainoculation, and we analyzed the composition and correlation between serum immune parameters and the sequencing profiles in the host. We identified 129 microbial changes and 186 significantly different metabolites in the gut across various vaccination approaches during the 30-day immunization process. Additionally, we discussed potential biomarkers of effective immunization based on correlation analysis.

IMPORTANCE

Chlamydiainfections primarily lead to morbidity rather than mortality. Consequently, in developing and implementing aChlamydiavaccine, the utmost priority is ensuring safety. As a promising yet controversial approach, live oral vaccination forChlamydiaraises concerns regarding its impact on the host’s gut environment. Our study not only investigates changes in the gut microbiome and metabolites during vaccination but also identifies potential biomarkers during immunization. These findings are crucial for the development of whole-organism oralChlamydiavaccines and provide valuable insights into the long-term colonization ofChlamydiain the gut.
Blood plasma proteome-wide association study implicates novel proteins in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Wang Jia-Hao , Dong Shan-Shan , Wang Hao-An , Liu Shao-Shan , Ma Xiaoyi , Zhu Ren-Jie , Shi Wei , Wu Hao , Yu Ke , Zhang Tian-Pei , Wang Cong-Ru , Guo Yan , Yang Tie-Lin
Published: November 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality, but current treatments are only effective in a subset of individuals. To identify new potential treatment targets, we present here the first PWAS for 26 CVDs using plasma proteomics data of the largest cohort to date (53,022 individuals from the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP) project).

The GWAS summary data for 26 CVDs spanning 3 categories (16 cardiac diseases, 5 venous diseases, 5 cerebrovascular diseases, up to 1,308,460 individuals). We also conducted replication analyses leveraging two other independent human plasma proteomics datasets, encompassing 7,213 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and 3,301 individuals from the INTERVAL study.

We identified 94 genes that are consistent with being causal in CVD, acting via their cis-regulated plasma protein abundance. 34 of 45 genes were replicated in at least one of the replication datasets. 41 of the 94 genes are novel genes not implicated in original GWAS. 91.48% (86/94) proteins are category-specific, only two proteins (ABO, PROCR) were associated with diseases in all three CVD categories. Longitudinal analysis revealed that 37 proteins exhibit stable expression in plasma. In addition, PBMC scRNA-seq data analysis showed that 23 of the 94 genes were stably expressed in CD14+ monocytes, implicating their potential utility as biomarkers for CVD disease status. Drug repurposing analyses showed that 39 drugs targeting 23 genes for treating diseases from other systems might be considered in further research.

In conclusion, our findings provide new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of CVD and offering promising targets for further mechanistic and therapeutic studies.
Environmental monitoring of Legionella in constructed water systems
Authors: Bin Salem Samara , Siddiqui Abdullah , Jagadeesan Premanandh
Published: November 2024

Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen found in aquatic environments having profound health significance. Policy regulation mandates environmental monitoring for prevention and control ofLegionellaspp. in different types of water systems. The current study reports the trends of environmental monitoring ofLegionellain constructed water system from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Sample collection and processing were performed as per standard procedures. A total of 8849 samples have been utilized during the 5 years study period of which 653 (7.4%) samples were positive forLegionellaspp. The presence and frequency of different serogroups are presented. The relationship between residual chlorine levels and the presence of Legionella are discussed. The data indicates that most positive Legionella cases occur with residual chlorine levels of less than 0.2 mg/L while higher chlorine concentrations are associated with fewer Legionella-positive cases. In conclusion, environmental monitoring is very important to assess the trends of water quality for any remedial measures.
Prevalence and risk factors of neurodevelopmental disorders among migrant and refugee preschool children in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Rahaman Kh Shafiur , Eapen Valsamma , Subramanium Mythily , John James Rufus , Ekanayake Kanchana , Arora Amit
Published: November 2024

Neurodevelopment is a complicated mechanism involving genetic, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes. Factors related to parental migration directly or indirectly affect their children’s neurodevelopmental process and may lead to Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). Other factors such as barriers to accessing health services, social discrimination, mother’s psychosocial health during pregnancy may disrupt the neurodevelopmental process and lead to disorders and disabilities among children of migrants. However, there is a gap in data on the prevalence and the risk factors of neurodevelopmental disorders among migrant children have been inadequately listed. This paper presents a protocol for a systematic review to study and synthesise published evidence to ascertain the global prevalence of Neurodevelopment disorders and risk factors leading to those groups of neurodevelopment disorders among children of migrants in high-income countries. The protocol of this systematic review was developed with guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. Observational studies that report on the prevalence and risk factors of neurodevelopment disorders among migrant young children under 5 years of age in high-income countries will be included in this study. Four electronic databases will be searched comprehensively (MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus). Two reviewers will independently screen, select studies, assess the methodological quality, and extract all relevant data subsequently. The systematic review and meta-analysis will help design tailored interventions for migrant children with and identify gaps from previous research to guide future research. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024589357).
Cost-effectiveness of dementia insurance for cognitively-unimpairedAPOE-ε4homozygotes – a simulation study
Authors: Sato Kenichiro , Nakashima Saki , Niimi Yoshiki , Iwatsubo Takeshi
Published: November 2024

Dementia insurance, a private insurance product covering the first diagnosis of dementia of the insured, may be economical for asymptomatic individuals who are aware of their own high genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in advance. This is a retrospective study conducted based on National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) data including cognitively unimpaired individuals, aiming to simulate income and expenses of dementia insurance for the insured perspectives. Loss ratio (= total benefits gained / total premium paid) was calculated byAPOE-ε4 subgroup as a measure of cost-effectiveness, applying the premium rates of actual dementia insurance products being sold in Japan. As a result, for up to 18 years of longitudinal follow-up, the estimated cost-effectiveness improved over the longer observation periods. In individuals in their 60s or older at baseline, the cost-effectiveness was best in theAPOE-ε4 homozygotes, followed by heterozygotes, and ε4-negative individuals. The dementia insurance for ε4-homozygotes for observation periods ≥ 10 years in this age group was approximately 3 to 4 times more economical than for ε4-negative individuals. Although actively pursuingAPOEtesting for asymptomatic individuals may not be currently recommended due to the concern of adverse selection in the insurance and the absence of available disease-modifying therapy approved for the preclinical stage of AD, our study may provide an important basis for further investigating the advantages and limitations of dementia insurance for asymptomatic individuals with pathogenic or high-risk genes.
Bone Quality is Associated with Fragility Fracture in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Ellen B Fung , Iman Sarsour , Raquel Manzo , Ashutosh Lal
Published: November 2024

Background

Low bone mass is common in adults with thalassemia (Thal) and sickle cell disease (SCD), though disease-specific artifacts may contribute to inaccuracies in bone mineral density (BMD) assessment. Trabecular bone score (TBS), an indicator of bone quality, is not susceptible to these challenges and may improve fracture risk prediction.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted in patients with Thal or SCD who had at least one spine BMD scan by DXA performed in the past 10 years. The most recent scan was reanalyzed for bone quality using TBS Insight (Medimaps v 3.0.2) with abnormal defined as TBS <1.20. Fracture prevalence was determined by patient report with medical record validation. Patients were compared to healthy controls who participated in previous research.

Results

Data was abstracted from 126 patients with Thal (31.7±11.9 yrs, 51% Male), 170 with SCD (24.6±13.5 yrs, 43% Male), and 64 controls (25.9±8.0 yrs, 17% Male). Low bone mass was observed in 63% of Thal compared with 36% of SCD and 3% of controls (p<0.001); while only 15% of patients had abnormal TBS. History of fracture was present in 35.6% of Thal and 22.9% of SCD; of which 15.7% were fragility fractures. After adjusting for age and hypogonadism, low bone mass was associated with an increased overall fracture prevalence (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.23; p=0.041), but not with fragility fracture. In contrast, abnormal bone quality was strongly associated with fragility fracture after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI (OR: 11.4, 95% CI: 2.2, 59.1, p=0.004).

Conclusions

Bone quality by TBS may be a valuable tool in predicting the risk of fragility fractures in young adults with hemoglobinopathies and should be considered when making decisions for anti-resorptive therapy in those with low BMD naive to fracture or where disease-specific artifacts complicate accurate spine assessment by BMD alone.
Multisample motif discovery and visualization for tandem repeats
Authors: Zhang Yaran , Hulsman Marc , Salazar Alex , Tesi Niccolò , Knoop Lydian , van der Lee Sven , Wijesekera Sanduni , Krizova Jana , Kamsteeg Erik-Jan , Holstege Henne
Published: November 2024

Tandem repeats (TRs) occupy a significant portion of the human genome and are a source of polymorphisms due to variations in sizes and motif compositions. Some of these variations have been associated with various neuropathological disorders, highlighting the clinical importance of assessing the motif structure of TRs. Moreover, assessing the TR motif variation can offer valuable insights into evolutionary dynamics and population structure. Previously, characterizations of TRs were limited by short-read sequencing technology, which lacks the ability to accurately capture the full TR sequences. As long-read sequencing becomes more accessible and can capture the full complexity of TRs, there is now also a need for tools to characterize and analyze TRs using long-read data across multiple samples. In this study, we present MotifScope, a novel algorithm for the characterization and visualization of TRs based on a de novok-mer approach for motif discovery. Comparative analysis against established tools reveals that MotifScope can identify a greater number of motifs and more accurately represent the underlying repeat sequences. Moreover, MotifScope has been specifically designed to enable motif composition comparisons across assemblies of different individuals, as well as across long-read sequencing reads within an individual, through combined motif discovery and sequence alignment. We showcase potential applications of MotifScope in diverse fields, including population genetics, clinical settings, and forensic analyses.
Operational interpretation of the Choi rank through exclusion tasks
Authors: Stratton Benjamin , Hsieh Chung-Yun , Skrzypczyk Paul
Published: November 2024

The Choi state is an indispensable tool in the study and analysis of quantum channels. Considering a channel in terms of its associated Choi state can greatly simplify problems. It also offers an alternative approach to the characterization of a channel, with properties of the Choi state providing novel insight into a channel's behavior. The rank of a Choi state, termed the Choi rank, has proven to be an important characterizing property, and here, its significance is further elucidated through an operational interpretation. The Choi rank is shown to provide a universal bound on how successfully two agents, Alice and Bob, can perform an entanglement-assisted exclusion task. The task can be considered an extension of superdense coding, where Bob can only output information about Alice's encoded bit string with certainty. Conclusive state exclusion, in place of state discrimination, is therefore considered at the culmination of the superdense coding protocol. In order to prove this result, a necessary condition for conclusive k-state exclusion of a set of states is presented in order to achieve this result, and the notions of weak and strong exclusion are introduced.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Spatial resolution of dijet photoproduction in near-encounter ultraperipheral nuclear collisions
Authors: Eskola Kari J. , Guzey Vadim , Helenius Ilkka , Paakkinen Petja , Paukkunen Hannu
Published: November 2024

We present next-to-leading order perturbative QCD predictions for inclusive dijet photoproduction in ultraperipheral nucleus-nucleus collisions (UPCs) within the impact-parameter dependent equivalent photon approximation. Taking into account the finite size of both the photon-emitting nucleus and the target nucleus, we show that this process is sensitive to the transverse-plane geometry of the UPC events. We show that this leads to a sizable, 20–40% effect for large values of the zγ variable in the dijet photoproduction cross section in lead-lead UPCs at 5.02 TeV compared to the widely used pointlike approximation where the nuclear radius is accounted for only as a sharp cutoff in the photon flux calculation. This resolution of the spatial degrees of freedom is a result of having high-transverse-momentum jets in the final state, which at the large-zγ kinematics requires a highly energetic photon in the initial state, thus biasing the collisions to small impact-parameter “near-encounter” configurations. We further discuss the role of the forward-neutron event-class selection in isolating the photonuclear cross section in the nucleus-nucleus collisions, and employ the needed electromagnetic breakup survival factor in our predictions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
J/ψ
photoproduction and polarization in
e+p
collisions in the improved color evaporation model
Authors: Cheung Vincent , Vogt Ramona
Published: November 2024

We calculate the production and polarization of direct J/ψ in the improved color evaporation model in e+p photoproduction. We present the production as functions of transverse momentum, mass of the hadronic final state, and inelasticity. We also present the polarization parameters λϑ, λφ, and λϑφ in the helicity and the Collins-Soper frames, as well as the frame-invariant polarization parameter λ˜ as a function of transverse momentum and inelasticity. We find agreement with both J/ψ unpolarized cross sections and the invariant polarization parameters as a function of pT.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing the neutrino seesaw scale with gravitational waves
Authors: Fornal Bartosz , Polynice Dyori , Thompson Luka
Published: November 2024

Neutrinos are the most elusive particles of the Standard Model. The physics behind their masses remains unknown and requires introducing new particles and interactions. An elegant solution to this problem is provided by the seesaw mechanism. Typically considered at a high scale, it is potentially testable in gravitational wave experiments by searching for a spectrum from cosmic strings, which offers a rather generic signature across many high-scale seesaw models. Here we consider the possibility of a low-scale seesaw mechanism at the PeV scale, generating neutrino masses within the framework of a model with gauged U(1) lepton number. In this case, the gravitational wave signal at high frequencies arises from a first order phase transition in the early Universe, whereas at low frequencies it is generated by domain wall annihilation, leading to a double-peaked structure in the gravitational wave spectrum. The signals discussed here can be searched for in upcoming experiments, including gravitational wave interferometers, pulsar timing arrays, and astrometry observations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Captured molecules could make a Bose star visible
Authors: Flambaum V. V. , Samsonov I. B.
Published: November 2024

A Bose star passing through cold molecular clouds may capture atoms, molecules, and dust particles. The observational signature of such an event would be a relatively small amount of matter that is gravitationally bound. This binding may actually be provided by invisible dark matter forming the Bose star. We may expect a relative excess of heavier atoms, molecules, and solid dust compared to the content of giant cold molecular clouds since the velocity of heavy particles at a given temperature is lower and it may be small compared to the escape velocity, vrms=3kBT/mgas≪vesc=2GM/R. Finally, the velocity of this captured matter cloud may correlate with the expected velocity of free dark matter particles (e.g., expected axion wind velocity relative to Earth).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The role of industry 4.0 and ambidexterity on the SCM-SME performance link: Australia evidence
Authors: Mamun Mehadi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationships amongst supply chain management (SCM) implementation, Industry 4.0 technologies, organisational ambidexterity and SMEs’ performance in Australia. It further examines whether Industry 4.0 technologies and organisational ambidexterity have mediating effects on such relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Research data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of a sample of 204 SMEs from different industries in Australia. The overall model fit and hypotheses were tested through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The statistical results reveal that successful SCM implementation, Industry 4.0 technologies and organisational ambidexterity approach through exploiting existing competencies and exploring new opportunities improve SMEs' performance in Australia. In addition, Industry 4.0 technologies and organisational ambidexterity are found to mediate the relationship between SCM implementation and SMEs’ performance.

Originality/value

The coexisting impacts of SCM implementation, Industry 4.0 technologies and organisational ambidexterity on SMEs’ performance, and how Industry 4.0 technologies and organisational ambidexterity mediate and affect the relationship of SCM implementation and SMEs’ performance have not been addressed previously in Australia. This study, thus, addresses these research gaps, which are expected to be beneficial to managerial practices to support SMEs in their strategic planning and performance enhancement goals.
Capital mobility, financial development and sustainable trade development in sub-Saharan Africa: a GMM-PVAR based analysis
Authors: Aawaar Godfred , Abendin Simon , Naatu Felicia , Nyeadi Joseph Dery
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The existing literature on the effects of capital mobility and financial development on sustainable trade development in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries has been centered on production-based carbon emissions without investigating consumption-based or trade-adjusted carbon emissions. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of capital mobility and financial development on sustainable trade development, specifically trade-adjusted carbon emissions in SSA economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the novel GMM-PVAR estimator and the Drisc-Kraay fixed effect panel corrected standard error (PCSE) dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and the fully modified least squares (FMOLS) approaches on panel data from 46 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the period 1992–2021.

Findings

The study established that capital mobility has a significant positive effect on sustainable trade development in SSA in the long run. Further, the empirical results reveal that the link between financial development and sustainable trade development is significantly positive in the long run. Moreover, the results suggest that capital mobility and financial development have predictive power on sustainable trade development.

Practical implications

The findings of the study imply that policymakers ought to pay equal attention to capital mobility and financial development when developing sustainable trade development policies.

Originality/value

The existing literature has been centered on production-based carbon emissions, without specifically considering sustainable trade development (consumption-based carbon emissions). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of capital mobility and financial development on sustainable trade development in SSA countries context.
Disaggregating air, water and renewable energy disclosures in developing economies: the role of regulatory impact and board characteristics
Authors: Saha Anup Kumar , Khan Imran
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study examines how board characteristics influence air, water and renewable energy (AWR) disclosures in an emerging economy. It argues for the necessity of separating these disclosures to address unique environmental impacts and stakeholder concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using longitudinal data from environmentally sensitive firms (2014–2022), a disclosure index based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework was developed to quantify AWR separately. To address potential statistical issues such as endogeneity and selection bias, the analysis employed a set of robust regression models, including the industry fixed effects (FE) model, a lagged model and a two-stage least squares (2SLS) model.

Findings

Board size and audit committees positively influence all AWR disclosures, while foreign directors significantly impact air and renewable energy disclosures. Board meetings negatively affect water disclosures. Surprisingly, board independence shows no significant impact, and gender diversity has no notable relationship. Post-amendment, firms increased AWR disclosures, though participation remains limited.

Research limitations/implications

Grounded in legitimacy theory, this study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how separating the unique characteristics of AWR disclosures offers stakeholders more precise insights into how firms manage specific environmental concerns. The findings are based on data from listed firms in Bangladesh and may not be generalisable to unlisted firms or other regions.

Practical implications

The study emphasises the importance of distinct AWR reporting, offering valuable insights for regulators and corporate boards to improve transparency and sustainability practices.

Social implications

Separating AWR disclosures provides stakeholders with clearer assessments of firms' environmental performance, promoting accountability and informed decision-making.

Originality/value

This study uniquely emphasises the need for disaggregating air, water and renewable energy disclosures in emerging economies. By focussing on each environmental issue separately, the research highlights how distinct disclosures offer clearer insights into how firms address specific environmental challenges, such as air pollution, water management and the transition to renewable energy sources. This disaggregation is essential for stakeholders – particularly regulators, investors and policymakers – to assess and respond to firms' sustainability efforts accurately.
Unlocking knowledge transfer dynamics across borders: key drivers in international strategic alliances
Authors: Rezaei Mojtaba
Published: November 2024

Purpose

In today’s swiftly evolving and intensely competitive business landscape, organisations increasingly recognise the significance of cross-border collaborative partnerships. International Strategic Alliances (ISAs) have emerged as effective platforms to foster innovation and gain a competitive advantage. Within the context of the hotel industry, which epitomises international operations, this study aims to investigate the pivotal role of knowledge transfer (KT) in the performance of ISAs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research framework draws on the influence of technological drivers (TD), organisational drivers (OD) and individual drivers (ID) on successful KT within ISAs. By analysing data from managers and owners of international hotel businesses using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), this study empirically examines the relationships between these drivers and KT dynamics.

Findings

Findings highlight the direct impact of these drivers on KT and subsequent alliance performance. However, among these drivers, factors related to TDs, such as Web 2.0, knowledge management systems and IT infrastructure, generally received the highest values.

Originality/value

This study contributes to international business and knowledge management and sheds light on the intricate interactions between the drivers of KT and ISAs. The insights derived from this study provide a foundation for enhancing strategic alliance practices in a global context. By embracing KT mechanisms, organisations can harness collaborative potential, drive innovation and achieve sustainable growth.