bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender disparities in accounting academia: analysis from the lens of publications
Authors: Uribe-Bohorquez Maria-Victoria , Rivera-Ordóñez Juan-Camilo , García-Sánchez Isabel-María
Published: May 2023

There is a significant gender gap in accounting academia that places women at a disadvantage in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, tenure, status, high-level areas or positions (both research and administrative), burden distribution of work, and remuneration. Women are disproportionately represented in part-time or non-tenure tracks, such as lecturers, instructors, and assistant professors. They experience a slower rate of advancement and have lower pay and prestige. Given that various authors attribute this situation to the level of research and production of papers in top-tier scientific journals, this article aims to describe women's participation as authors in cost and management accounting to contribute to clarifying possible causes of gender disparity in the accounting case.
The “Other” in Court: Islam and Muslims in Polish Judicial Opinions Published Online
Authors: Górska Ewa , Juzaszek Anna
Published: May 2023

Muslims are a marginal minority in Poland, but research shows that they are often subject to negative perceptions and hostility from the majority. Orientalist stereotypes about Islam and the people associated with it are widespread and often reproduced in the media. Research from North America and the European Court of Human Rights suggests that such prejudices can affect the adjudication of cases involving Muslims. It may be presumed that Poland is no exception to that, and this assumption was the starting point for our empirical study. To date, there have been no studies on the perception of Muslims and Islam in the Polish legal system. This article presents the results of a qualitative thematic analysis of 57 judicial opinions issued by the common courts in Poland and published online, in which Islam or being Muslim was mentioned. The cases were categorised and texts of the judicial opinions closely analysed (with computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software) to identify recurring themes. The findings of this first exploratory study show that stereotypical representations and the “‘Othering” of Muslims do indeed occur in Polish courts, with some judges repeating Orientalist tropes that have become normalised in Polish society.
Immunostimulant potential of Moringa Oleifera leaves alcoholic extract versus Oregano Essential Oil (OEO) against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in broilers chicks
Authors: Mohamed Mostafa Abdelgaber , El-Mleeh Amany Abdelbaky , Hamad Rania Talat , Abu-Alya Ibrahim Said , El-Hewaity Mohamed Hamdy , Elbestawy Ahmed Ragab , Elbagory Abdelrahman Mahmoud , Sayed-Ahmed Ahmed Saber , Abd Eldaim Mabrouk Attia , Elshabrawy Omnia Ibrahim
Published: May 2023

The current study was conducted to evaluate the immunoenhancement effect ofMoringa oleiferaleaves alcoholic extract (MOLE) versus Oregano essential oil (OEO) against cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppression in broilers chicks. A total of a three hundred one-day-old chicks were assigned randomly into three main dietary groups, control, MOLE, and OEO for 14 days. After 14 days the three main experimental groups were subdivided into six groups, control, cyclophosphamide, MOLE, MOLE and Cyclophosphamide, OEO, and OEO and cyclophosphamide. Each group of these six groups was subdivided into three subgroups. Supplementation of broiler chicks with MOLE and OEO for 14 days significantly increased body weight compared to the control group. However, injection of broiler chicks with cyclophosphamide significantly induced body weight loss, impaired immunological response represented by decreasing total leukocytic count, differential leukocytic count, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and hemagglutinin inhibition titer for New Castle disease virus, lymphoid organs depletion, and increased the mortality rate. In contrast, supplementation of cyclophosphamide treated chicks with MOLE and OEO significantly reduced cyclophosphamide induced body weight loss and impaired immunological responses, as it showed significant increase in body weight, total leukocytic count, differential leukocytic count, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and hemagglutinin inhibition titer for New Castle disease virus, lymphoid organs proliferation, and reduced the mortality rate. This study indicated that MOLE and OEO supplementation ameliorated cyclophosphamide induced body weight loss and impaired immunological responses.
C-reactive protein and procalcitonin during course of sepsis and septic shock
Authors: Schupp Tobias , Weidner Kathrin , Rusnak Jonas , Jawhar Schanas , Forner Jan , Dulatahu Floriana , Dudda Jonas , Brück Lea Marie , Hoffmann Ursula , Bertsch Thomas , Akin Ibrahim , Behnes Michael
Published: May 2023

Objective

The study investigates the diagnostic and prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with sepsis and septic shock.

Background

Limited data regarding the prognostic value of CRP and PCT during the course of sepsis or septic shock is available.

Methods

Consecutive patients with sepsis and septic shock from 2019 to 2021 were included monocentrically. Blood samples were retrieved from the day of disease onset (day 1), day 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10. Firstly, the diagnostic value of CRP and PCT for the diagnosis of a septic shock, as well as for the discrimination of positive blood cultures, was tested. Secondly, the prognostic value of the CRP and PCT was tested for 30-day all-cause mortality. Statistical analyses included univariable t-tests, Spearman’s correlations, C-statistics, and Kaplan–Meier analyses.

Results

A total of 349 patients were included, of which 56% had a sepsis and 44% a septic shock on day 1. The overall rate of all-cause mortality at 30 days was 52%. With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.861 on day 7 and 0.833 on day 10, the PCT revealed a superior AUC than the CRP (AUC 0.440–0.652) with regard to the discrimination between patients with sepsis and septic shock. In contrast, the prognostic AUCs for 30-day all-cause mortality were poor. Both higher CRP (HR = 0.999; 95% CI 0.998–1.001; p = 0.203) and PCT levels (HR = 0.998; 95% CI 0.993–1.003; p = 0.500) were not associated with the risk of 30-day all-cause mortality. During the first 10 days of ICU treatment, both CRP and PCT declined irrespective of clinical improvement or impairment.

Conclusion

PCT was a reliable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of septic shock compared to CRP. Both CRP and PCT were shown to have poor predictive value with regard to 30-day all-cause mortality and were not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients admitted with sepsis or septic shock.
A Hebbian Model to Account for Musical Expertise Differences in a Working Memory Task
Authors: Lörch Lucas , Lemaire Benoît , Portrat Sophie
Published: May 2023

The TBRS*C computational model provides a mathematical implementation of the cognitive processes involved in complex span tasks. The logic of the core processes, i.e., encoding, refreshing/time-based decay, and chunking, is based on Hebbian learning, synaptic facilitation, and long-term neural plasticity, respectively. The modeling, however, takes place on a cognitive rather than a physiological level. Chunking is implemented as a process of searching for sequences of memoranda in long-term memory and recoding them as a single unit which increases the efficacy of memory maintenance. Using TBRS*C simulations, the present study investigated how chunking and central working memory processes change with expertise. Hobby musicians and music students completed a complex span task in which sequences of twelve note symbols were presented for serial recall of pitch. After the presentation of each memorandum, participants performed an unknown, notated melody on an electric piano. To manipulate the potential for chunking, we varied whether sequences of memoranda formed meaningful tonal structures (major triads) or arbitrary trichords. Hobby musicians and music students were each split up in a higher-expertise and a lower-expertise group and TBRS*C simulations were performed for each group individually. In the simulations, higher-expertise hobby musicians encoded memoranda more rapidly, invested less time in chunk search, and recognized chunks with a higher chance than lower-expertise hobby musicians. Parameter estimates for music students showed only marginal expertise differences. We conclude that expertise in the TBRS model can be conceptualized by a rapid access to long-term memory and by chunking, which leads to an increase in the opportunity and efficacy of refreshing.
Differential remodeling of subcutaneous white and interscapular brown adipose tissue by long-term exercise training in aged obese female mice
Authors: Félix-Soriano Elisa , Sáinz Neira , Gil-Iturbe Eva , Castilla-Madrigal Rosa , Celay Jon , Fernández-Galilea Marta , Pejenaute Álvaro , Lostao M. Pilar , Martínez-Climent José A. , Moreno-Aliaga María J.
Published: May 2023

Obesity exacerbates aging-induced adipose tissue dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term exercise on inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) of aged obese mice. Two-month-old female mice received a high-fat diet for 4 months. Then, six-month-old diet-induced obese animals were allocated to sedentarism (DIO) or to a long-term treadmill training (DIOEX) up to 18 months of age. In exercised mice, iWAT depot revealed more adaptability, with an increase in the expression of fatty acid oxidation genes (Cpt1a, Acox1), and an amelioration of the inflammatory status, with a favorable modulation of pro/antiinflammatory genes and lower macrophage infiltration. Additionally, iWAT of trained animals showed an increment in the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis (Pgc1a, Tfam, Nrf1), thermogenesis (Ucp1), and beige adipocytes genes (Cd137, Tbx1). In contrast, iBAT of aged obese mice was less responsive to exercise. Indeed, although an increase in functional brown adipocytes genes and proteins (Pgc1a, Prdm16 and UCP1) was observed, few changes were found on inflammation-related and fatty acid metabolism genes. The remodeling of iWAT and iBAT depots occurred along with an improvement in the HOMA index for insulin resistance and in glucose tolerance. In conclusion, long-term exercise effectively prevented the loss of iWAT and iBAT thermogenic properties during aging and obesity. In iWAT, the long-term exercise program also reduced the inflammatory status and stimulated a fat-oxidative gene profile. These exercise-induced adipose tissue adaptations could contribute to the beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis in aged obese mice.
Machine learning as an adjunct to expert observation in classification of radiographic knee osteoarthritis: findings from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study
Authors: Westbury Leo D. , Fuggle Nicholas R. , Pereira Diogo , Oka Hiroyuki , Yoshimura Noriko , Oe Noriyuki , Mahmoodi Sasan , Niranjan Mahesan , Dennison Elaine M. , Cooper Cyrus
Published: May 2023

Background

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis. Many approaches exist for characterising radiographic knee OA, including machine learning (ML).

Aims

To examine Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) scores from ML and expert observation, minimum joint space and osteophyte in relation to pain and function.

Methods

Participants from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, comprising individuals born in Hertfordshire from 1931 to 1939, were analysed. Radiographs were assessed by clinicians and ML (convolutional neural networks) for K&L scoring. Medial minimum joint space and osteophyte area were ascertained using the knee OA computer-aided diagnosis (KOACAD) program. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was administered. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was implemented for minimum joint space, osteophyte, and observer- and ML-derived K&L scores in relation to pain (WOMAC pain score > 0) and impaired function (WOMAC function score > 0).

Results

359 participants (aged 71–80) were analysed. Among both sexes, discriminative capacity regarding pain and function was fairly high for observer-derived K&L scores [area under curve (AUC): 0.65 (95% CI 0.57, 0.72) to 0.70 (0.63, 0.77)]; results were similar among women for ML-derived K&L scores. Discriminative capacity was moderate among men for minimum joint space in relation to pain [0.60 (0.51, 0.67)] and function [0.62 (0.54, 0.69)]. AUC < 0.60 for other sex-specific associations.

Discussion

Observer-derived K&L scores had higher discriminative capacity regarding pain and function compared to minimum joint space and osteophyte. Among women, discriminative capacity was similar for observer- and ML-derived K&L scores.

Conclusion

ML as an adjunct to expert observation for K&L scoring may be beneficial due to the efficiency and objectivity of ML.
Horizon Scanning in Tissue Engineering Using Citation Network Analysis
Authors: Otsuka Kouhei , Takata Takuya , Sasaki Hajime , Shikano Mayumi
Published: May 2023

Background

Establishing a horizon scanning method is critical for identifying technologies that require new guidelines or regulations. We studied the application of bibliographic citation network analysis to horizon scanning.

Objective

The possibility of applying the proposed method to interdisciplinary fields was investigated with the emphasis on tissue engineering and its example, three-dimensional bio-printing.

Methodology and Results

In all, 233,968 articles on tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biofabrication, and additive manufacturing published between January 1, 1900 and November 3, 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. The citation network of the articles was analyzed for confirmation that the evolution of 3D bio-printing is reflected by tracking the key articles in the field. However, the results revealed that the major articles on the clinical application of 3D bio-printed products are located in clusters other than that of 3D bio-printers. We investigated the research trends in this field by analyzing the articles published between 2019 and 2021 and detected various basic technologies constituting tissue engineering, including microfluidics and scaffolds such as electrospinning and conductive polymers. The results suggested that the research trend of technologies required for product development and future clinical applications of the product are sometimes detected independently by bibliographic citation network analysis, particularly for interdisciplinary fields.

Conclusion

This method can be applied to the horizon scanning of an interdisciplinary field. However, identifying basic technologies of the targeted field and following the progress of research and the integration process of each component of technology are critical.
Liberal Lives and Activist Repertoires
Authors: Davis Tracy C.
Published: May 2023

This ambitious study traces the strategies of human rights activists to show how world-changing reform movements were shaped by women and men from modest backgrounds who were deeply attuned to the power of performance. Tracy C. Davis explores nineteenth-century reform campaigns through the pioneering work of a family of activists – prominent anti-slavery lecturer George Thompson, his daughter Amelia (the first female theatre and music critic for a British daily newspaper) and her husband, the political organizer Frederick Chesson. Engaging in some of the most important social struggles of the late Georgian and Victorian periods – including abolition, enfranchisement, and anti-genocide - this book reveals how two generations' insights into performance consolidated into activist tactics that persist today. Characterised by a skilful deployment of performance theory alongside deep and wide-ranging historical knowledge, this ground-breaking work demonstrates what 'dramaturgy' can teach us about 'history'.
Phonetics and Speech Science
Authors: MacKay Ian R. A.
Published: May 2023

Phonetics is a fundamental building block not just in linguistics but also in fields such as communication disorders. However, introductions to phonetics can often assume a background in linguistics, whilst at the same time overlooking the clinical and scientific aspects of the field. This textbook fills this gap by providing a comprehensive yet accessible overview of phonetics that delves into the fundamental science underlying the production of speech. Written with beginners in mind, it focuses on the anatomy and physiology of speech, while at the same time explaining the very basics of phonetics, such as the phonemes of English, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and phonetic transcription systems. It presents the sounds of speech as elements of linguistic structure and as the result of complex biological mechanics. It explains complicated terminology in a clear, easy-to-understand way, and provides examples from a range of languages, from disorders of speech, and from language learning.
Prediction of departure flight delays through the use of predictive tools based on machine learning/deep learning algorithms
Authors: Muros Anguita J.G. , Díaz Olariaga O.
Published: May 2023

The objective of this research is to predict the delays in the departure of scheduled commercial flights through a methodology that uses predictive tools based on machine learning/deep learning (ML/DL), with supervised training in regression, based on the available flight datasets. Since the novel contribution of this work is, first, to make the comparison of the predictions in terms of means and statistical variance of the different ML/DL models implemented and, second, to determine the coefficients of the importance of the features or flight attributes, using ML methods known as permutation importance, it is possible to rank the importance of flight attributes by their influence in determining the delay time and reduce the problem of selecting the most important flight attributes. From the results obtained, it is worth mentioning that the model that presents the best performance is the ensemble or combinatorial method of random forest regressor models, with an acceptable prediction range (measured with the root-mean-square-error).
Localized layers of turbulence in stratified horizontally sheared Poiseuille flow
Authors: Labarbe J. , Le Gal P. , Harlander U. , Le Dizès S. , Favier B.
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the instability developing in horizontally sheared Poiseuille flow, when stratification extends along the vertical direction. Our study builds on the previous work that originally detected the linear instability of such a configuration, by means of experiments, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations (Le Gal et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 907, 2021, R1). We extend this investigation beyond linear theory, investigating nonlinear regimes with direct numerical simulations. We find that the flow loses its vertical homogeneity through a secondary bifurcation, due to harmonic resonances, and describe this symmetry-breaking mechanism in the vicinity of the instability threshold. When departing from this limit, we observe a series of bursting events that break down the flow into disordered motions driven by localized shear instabilities. This intermittent dynamics leads to the coexistence of horizontal localized layers of stratified turbulence surrounded by quiescent regions of meandering waves.
Averaging for slow–fast piecewise deterministic Markov processes with an attractive boundary
Authors: Génadot Alexandre
Published: May 2023

In this paper we consider the problem of averaging for a class of piecewise deterministic Markov processes (PDMPs) whose dynamic is constrained by the presence of a boundary. On reaching the boundary, the process is forced to jump away from it. We assume that this boundary is attractive for the process in question in the sense that its averaged flow is not tangent to it. Our averaging result relies strongly on the existence of densities for the process, allowing us to study the average number of crossings of a smooth hypersurface by an unconstrained PDMP and to deduce from this study averaging results for constrained PDMPs.
Association of meal-specific protein intake and cardiometabolic risk factors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Firouzi Mahsa , Jabbarzadeh Bahareh , Mirrafiei Amin , Sadeghi Sara , Djafarian Kurosh , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: May 2023

We aimed to investigate the association of main meals’ specific protein intake with cardiometabolic risk factors, including general and abdominal obesity, serum lipid profile, and blood pressure (BP). This cross-sectional study was conducted on 850 subjects aged 20–59 years. Dietary intakes were assessed by completing three 24-h recalls, and the protein intake of each meal was extracted. Anthropometric measures, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar and BP were measured. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for age, physical activity, sex, marital status, smoking status, BMI and energy intake was applied to obtain OR and CI. The mean age was 42 years, and the mean BMI of the participants was 27·2. The mean protein intake for breakfast, lunch and dinner was 12·5, 22·2 and 18·7 g/d, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, higher protein intake was not associated with any of the cardiometabolic risk factors, including LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), TAG, body weight, BP and fasting plasma glucose, in any of the three main meals consumed within a day. Adherence to a higher protein intake at each meal was not associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in Iranian adults. Further prospective studies are needed to justify our findings.
Quantifying the effect of shoulder size on operation duration: an analysis of stapes surgery outcomes
Authors: Lenkeit Christopher P , Fritz Christian G , Choi Jonathan S , Schutt Christopher A , Hong Robert S , Babu Seilesh C , Bojrab Dennis I
Published: May 2023

Objective

To investigate the effect of body mass index on hearing outcomes, operative time and complication rates following stapes surgery.

Method

This is a five-year retrospective review of 402 charts from a single tertiary otology referral centre from 2015 to 2020.

Results

When the patient's shoulder was adjacent to the surgeon's dominant hand, the average operative time of 40 minutes increased to 70 minutes because of a significant positive association between higher body mass index and longer operative times (normal body mass index group (<25 kg/m2) r = 0.273, p = 0.032; overweight body mass index group (25–30 kg/m2) r = 0.265, p = 0.019). Operative times were not significantly longer upon comparison of low and high body mass index groups without stratification by laterality (54.9 ± 19.6 minutes vs 57.8 ± 19.2 minutes, p = 0.127).

Conclusion

There is a clinically significant relationship between body mass index and operating times. This may be due to access limitations imposed by shoulder size.
Seven new distributional records of cryptobenthic reef fishes in Lakshadweep, India
Authors: Babu Sandra , Anto Alvin , Sreeram Miriam Paul , Sreenath Kannanchery Ramanathan
Published: May 2023

Investigations on the diversity of cryptobenthic reef fishes resulted in observation of seven new geographic records for Lakshadweep waters, India: halfbarred goby Amblygobius semicinctus, target shrimpgoby Cryptocentrus strigilliceps, thread shrimpgoby Ctenogobiops mitodes, eye-bar goby Gnatholepis anjerensis, Miki's dwarfgoby Eviota mikiae, Erythrops goby Bryaninops erythrops, and Enneapterygius sp. Ctenogobiops mitodes is a new record to Indian waters. The genera Cryptocentrus and Bryaninops are reported from Lakshadweep for the first time. The observations were conducted in the lagoon and reef slope of Kavaratti Island, one of the 12 atolls of the Lakshadweep archipelago, from January–March 2021. The cryptobenthic reef fishes were observed and recorded through underwater photography and videography.
A longitudinal study of childhood maltreatment, subcortical development, and subcortico-cortical structural maturational coupling from early to late adolescence
Authors: Rakesh Divyangana , Elzeiny Reham , Vijayakumar Nandita , Whittle Sarah
Published: May 2023

Background

Examining neurobiological mechanisms that may transmit the effects of childhood maltreatment on mental health in youth is crucial for understanding vulnerability to psychopathology. This study investigated associations between childhood maltreatment, adolescent structural brain development, and mental health trajectories into young-adulthood.

Methods

Structural magnetic resonance imaging data was acquired from 144 youth at three time points (age 12, 16, and 18 years). Childhood maltreatment was reported to occur prior to the first scan. Linear mixed models were utilized to examine the association between total childhood maltreatment, neglect, abuse and (i) amygdala and hippocampal volume development, and (ii) maturational coupling between amygdala/hippocampus volume and the thickness of prefrontal regions. We also examined whether brain development mediated the association between maltreatment and depressive and anxiety symptoms trajectories from age 12 to 28.

Results

Total maltreatment, and neglect, were associated with positive maturational coupling between the amygdala and caudal anterior cingulate cortex (cACC), whereby at higher and lower levels of amygdala growth, maltreatment was associated with lower and higher PFC thinning, respectively. Neglect was also associated with maturational coupling of the hippocampus with prefrontal regions. While positive amygdala-cACC maturational coupling was associated with greater increases in anxiety symptoms, it did not significantly mediate the association between maltreatment and anxiety symptom trajectories.

Conclusion

We found maltreatment to be associated with altered patterns of coupling between subcortical and prefrontal regions during adolescence, suggesting that maltreatment is associated with the development of socio-emotional neural circuitry. The implications of these findings for mental health require further investigation.
Cultural contributions to adults' self-rated mental health problems and strengths: 7 culture clusters, 28 societies, 16 906 adults
Authors: Copeland William E. , Ivanova Masha Y. , Achenbach Thomas M. , Turner Lori V. , Tong Guangyu , Ahmeti-Pronaj Adelina , Au Alma , Bellina Monica , Caldas J. Carlos , Chen Yi-Chuen , Csemy Ladislav , da Rocha Marina M. , Dobrean Anca , Ezpeleta Lourdes , Funabiki Yasuko , Harder Valerie S. , Lecannelier Felipe , Leiner de la Cabada Marie , Leung Patrick , Liu Jianghong , Mahr Safia , Malykh Sergey , Markovic Jasminka , Ndetei David M. , Oh Kyung Ja , Petot Jean-Michel , Riad Geylan , Sakarya Direnc , Samaniego Virginia C. , Sebre Sandra , Shahini Mimoza , Silvares Edwiges , Simulioniene Roma , Sokoli Elvisa , Talcott Joel B. , Vazquez Natalia , Wolanczyk Tomasz , Zasepa Ewa
Published: May 2023

Background

It is unknown how much variation in adult mental health problems is associated with differences between societal/cultural groups, over and above differences between individuals.

Methods

To test these relative contributions, a consortium of indigenous researchers collected Adult Self-Report (ASR) ratings from 16 906 18- to 59-year-olds in 28 societies that represented seven culture clusters identified in the Global Leadership and Organizational Behavioral Effectiveness study (e.g. Confucian, Anglo). The ASR is scored on 17 problem scales, plus a personal strengths scale. Hierarchical linear modeling estimated variance accounted for by individual differences (including measurement error), society, and culture cluster. Multi-level analyses of covariance tested age and gender effects.

Results

Across the 17 problem scales, the variance accounted for by individual differences ranged from 80.3% for DSM-oriented anxiety problems to 95.2% for DSM-oriented avoidant personality (mean = 90.7%); by society: 3.2% for DSM-oriented somatic problems to 8.0% for DSM-oriented anxiety problems (mean = 6.3%); and by culture cluster: 0.0% for DSM-oriented avoidant personality to 11.6% for DSM-oriented anxiety problems (mean = 3.0%). For strengths, individual differences accounted for 80.8% of variance, societal differences 10.5%, and cultural differences 8.7%. Age and gender had very small effects.

Conclusions

Overall, adults' self-ratings of mental health problems and strengths were associated much more with individual differences than societal/cultural differences, although this varied across scales. These findings support cross-cultural use of standardized measures to assess mental health problems, but urge caution in assessment of personal strengths.
Association of current hepatitis B virus infection with mortality in adults with sepsis
Authors: Gao Chang , Ni Jingjing , Gao Ye , Xie Dan , Yang Lijuan , Yang Bining , Lu Xiaoting , Guo Qiang
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to determine the impact of current hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on patients hospitalised with sepsis. This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients from three medical centres in Suzhou from 10 January 2016 to 23 July 2022 participated in this study. Demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics were collected. A total of 945 adult patients with sepsis were included. The median age was 66.0 years, 68.6% were male, 13.1% presented with current HBV infection, and 34.9% of all patients died. In the multivariable-adjusted Cox model, patients with current HBV infection had significantly higher mortality than those without (hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–2.02). A subgroup analysis showed that being infected with HBV significantly increased in-hospital mortality in patients younger than 65 years old (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.16–2.63), whereas no significant impact was observed in patients ≥65 years. The propensity score-matched case–control analysis showed that the rate of septic shock (91.4% vs. 62.1%, P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (48.3% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.045) were much higher in the propensity score-matched HBV infection group compared with the control group. In conclusion, current HBV infection was associated with mortality in adults with sepsis.
Tracking Crystal‐Melt Segregation and Accumulation in the Intermediate Magma Reservoir
Authors: Ma Jian‐Feng , Wang Xiao‐Lei , Yang Alexandra Yang , Zhao Tai‐Ping
Published: May 2023

The genesis of intermediate intrusions is highly controversial, and one of the hot topics is whether they represent frozen melts or cumulates in the evolution of magmatic systems. Distinguishing accumulation from crystallization melt differentiated along the liquid line of descent is the key issue. The Paleoproterozoic intermediate intrusions in southern North China Craton provide an excellent case to decipher this issue. Multiple lines of evidence, including mineral textures, geochemistry as well as alphaMELTS modeling, indicate disequilibrium between whole‐rock and minerals, with melt extraction occurring at temperatures of 760°–820°C and with 10–40 wt.% of trapped melts. Effective water storage, revealed by amphibole and clinopyroxene hygrometers, plays a crucial role in promoting crystal‐melt segregation in pluton‐sized reservoirs in the upper crust. This study demonstrates that the accumulation in intermediate magmas can be identified even without evident complementary initial and extracted melts and provides deep insights into the genesis of intermediate continental crust.
Heat Waves: A Growing Threat to Society and the Environment
Authors: Barriopedro David , Garc�a–Herrera Ricardo , Ord��ez Carlos , Miralles Diego , Salcedo–Sanz Sancho
Published: May 2023

With heat waves expected to worsen in the 21st century it is essential to take stock of our current understanding, knowledge gaps, and to set research priorities.
Bottom‐Up Evaluation of the Methane Budget in Asia and Its Subregions
Authors: Ito Akihiko , Patra Prabir K. , Umezawa Taku
Published: May 2023

A comprehensive methane (CH4) budget, including spatial and temporal patterns of sources and sinks, is pivotal for effective climatic mitigation and prediction. This study used a bottom‐up approach to evaluate the CH4 budget of Asia during 1970–2021. Natural sources and sinks were evaluated using a process‐based biogeochemical model and with ground and satellite observations. Anthropogenic sources were evaluated using emission inventories produced by socioeconomic studies. During the 1970s and 2010s, anthropogenic emissions accounted for 78% and 84% of the emitted total CH4 budget of 140.2 and 207.6 Tg CH4 yr−1, respectively. Anthropogenic sources were responsible for a 49% increase in total emissions. During 2001–2021, Central, East, South, Southeast, and West Asia accounted for 3.3%, 35.1%, 25.6%, 23.1%, and 13.0%, respectively, of Asian emissions. Sectoral compositions and temporal variations differed among subregions. Emissions from paddy field soils in Asia were smaller in 2021 (33.6 Tg CH4 yr−1) than in 1970 (39.2 Tg CH4 yr−1) because of changes in agricultural production. Among natural sources, wetlands accounted for 63% of total emissions in East Asia, but geological emissions predominated in Central and West Asia. Interannual variability of the net CH4 budget was mainly due to wetland and biomass burning emissions, whereas decadal variability was due to anthropogenic sectors. δ13C‐CH4 and isoflux analysis of sector‐specific fluxes and isotopic ratios indicated the effects of the regional budget on atmospheric trends. Bottom‐up evaluations of regional budgets can provide information critical to the Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, the Global Methane Pledge, and other related actions.
Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Discontinuity Observed by GOLD, COSMIC‐2, and Ground‐Based GPS Receivers' Network
Authors: Cai Xuguang , Wang Wenbin , Eastes Richard W. , Qian Liying , Pedatella Nicholas.M. , Aa Ercha , Zhang Shunrong , Coster Anthea , Daniell Robert E. , McClintock William E.
Published: May 2023

We report a new ionosphere phenomenon: Equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) discontinuity (EIAD), based on OI 135.6 nm radiance observations from the Global Observations of Limb and Disk (GOLD), ground‐based total electron content maps and in‐situ ion density data from Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate‐2. The EIAD occurs when the OI radiance of the EIA crest has a local minimum, at a fixed UT, with the radiance in the local longitude region being weaker than that on the east and west sides. In the GOLD field‐of‐view, EIAD follows the seasonal variations of EIA. EIAD appears more often over the Atlantic Ocean and Africa than over South America. It occurs more in the southern crest during the December solstice, and more in the northern crest during both equinoxes. EIAD can occur under both quiet and disturbed times.
Genetic, environmental, and behavioral correlates of lifetime suicide attempt: Analysis of additive and interactive effects in two cohorts of US Army soldiers
Authors: Campbell-Sills Laura , Sun Xiaoying , Papini Santiago , Choi Karmel W. , He Feng , Kessler Ronald C. , Ursano Robert J. , Jain Sonia , Stein Murray B.
Published: May 2023

Recently developed measures of genetic liability to suicide attempt may convey unique information regarding an individual’s risk of suicidal behavior. We calculated a polygenic risk score for suicide attempt (SA-PRS) for soldiers of European ancestry who participated in the Army STARRS New Soldier Study (NSS; n = 6573) or Pre/Post Deployment Study (PPDS; n = 4900). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit within each sample to estimate the association of SA-PRS with lifetime suicide attempt (LSA), and to examine whether SA-PRS displayed additive or interactive effects with environmental and behavioral risk/protective factors (lifetime trauma burden, childhood maltreatment, negative urgency impulsivity, social network size, perceived mattering, and dispositional optimism). Age, sex, and within-ancestry variation were included as covariates. Observed prevalence of LSA was 6.3% and 4.2% in the NSS and PPDS samples, respectively. In the NSS model, SA-PRS and environmental/behavioral factors displayed strictly additive effects on odds of LSA. Results indicated an estimated 21% increase in odds of LSA per 1 SD increase in SA-PRS [adjusted odds ratio (AOR; 95% CI) = 1.21 (1.09–1.35)]. In PPDS, the effect of SA-PRS varied by reports of optimism [AOR = 0.85 (0.74–0.98) for SA-PRS x optimism effect]. Individuals reporting low and average optimism had 37% and 16% increased odds of LSA per 1 SD increase in SA-PRS, respectively, whereas SA-PRS was not associated with LSA in those reporting high optimism. Overall, results suggested the SA-PRS had predictive value over and above several environmental and behavioral risk factors for LSA. Moreover, elevated SA-PRS may be more concerning in the presence of environmental and behavioral risk factors (e.g., high trauma burden; low optimism). Given the relatively small effect magnitudes, the cost and incremental benefits of utilizing SA-PRS for risk targeting must also be considered in future work.
Cardiac toxicities in multiple myeloma: an updated and a deeper look into the effect of different medications and novel therapies
Authors: El-Cheikh Jean , Moukalled Nour , Malard Florent , Bazarbachi Ali , Mohty Mohamad
Published: May 2023

With the continuous improvement in survival of cancer patients, including those with multiple myeloma, related to the novel treatment agents and therapeutic approaches, the probability for patients to develop cardiovascular disease has significantly increased, especially in elderly patients and those with additional risk factors. Multiple myeloma is indeed a disease of the elderly population and so these patients are, solely by age, at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Risk factors for these events can be patient-, disease- and/or therapy-related, and they have been shown to adversely impact survival. Cardiovascular events affect around 7.5% of patients with multiple myeloma and the risk for different toxicities has considerably varied across trials depending on patients’ characteristics and treatment utilized. High grade cardiac toxicity has been reported with immunomodulatory drugs (odds ratio [OR] around 2), proteasome inhibitors (OR 1.67–2.68 depending on the specific agent, and generally higher with carfilzomib), as well as other agents. Cardiac arrhythmias have also been reported with various therapies and drug interaction plays a significant role in that setting. Comprehensive cardiac evaluation before, during and after various anti-myeloma therapy is recommended and the incorporation of surveillance strategies allows early detection and management resulting in improved outcomes of these patients. Multidisciplinary interaction including hematologists and cardio-oncologists is critical for optimal patient care.
Enhanced Sestrin expression through Tanshinone 2A treatment improves PI3K-dependent inhibition of glioma growth
Authors: Schaf Judith , Shinhmar Sonia , Zeng Qingyu , Pardo Olivier E. , Beesley Philip , Syed Nelofer , Williams Robin S. B.
Published: May 2023

Glioblastomas are a highly aggressive cancer type which respond poorly to current pharmaceutical treatments, thus novel therapeutic approaches need to be investigated. One such approach involves the use of the bioactive natural product Tanshinone IIA (T2A) derived from the Chinese herb Danshen, where mechanistic insight for this anti-cancer agent is needed to validate its use. Here, we employ a tractable model system, Dictyostelium discoideum, to provide this insight. T2A potently inhibits cellular proliferation of Dictyostelium, suggesting molecular targets in this model. We show that T2A rapidly reduces phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB) activity, but surprisingly, the downstream complex mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is only inhibited following chronic treatment. Investigating regulators of mTORC1, including PKB, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suggests these enzymes were not responsible for this effect, implicating an additional molecular mechanism of T2A. We identify this mechanism as the increased expression of sestrin, a negative regulator of mTORC1. We further show that combinatory treatment using a PI3K inhibitor and T2A gives rise to a synergistic inhibition of cell proliferation. We then translate our findings to human and mouse-derived glioblastoma cell lines, where both a PI3K inhibitor (Paxalisib) and T2A reduces glioblastoma proliferation in monolayer cultures and in spheroid expansion, with combinatory treatment significantly enhancing this effect. Thus, we propose a new approach for cancer treatment, including glioblastomas, through combinatory treatment with PI3K inhibitors and T2A.
Recombinant measles virus vaccine rMV-Hu191 exerts an oncolytic effect on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis
Authors: Wu Ailing , Li Zhongyue , Wang Yilong , Chen Yi , Peng Jinkai , Zhu Mengying , Li Yueyue , Song Hai , Zhou Dongming , Zhang Chudi , Lv Yao , Zhao Zhengyan
Published: May 2023

Oncolytic viruses have recently been proven to be an effective and promising cancer therapeutic strategy, but there is rare data about oncolytic therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), especially oncolytic measles virotherapy. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether the recombinant measles virus vaccine strain rMV-Hu191 has an oncolytic effect against ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that rMV-Hu191 could efficiently replicate in and kill ESCC cells through caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Mechanistically, rMV-Hu191 triggers mitochondrial dysfunction to induce pyroptosis, which is mediated by BAK (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1) or BAX (BCL2 associated X). Further analysis revealed that rMV-Hu191 activates inflammatory signaling in ESCC cells, which may enhance the oncolytic efficiency. Moreover, intratumoral injection of rMV-Hu191 induced dramatic tumor regression in an ESCC xenograft model. Collectively, these findings imply that rMV-Hu191 exhibits an antitumor effect through BAK/BAX-dependent caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis and provides a potentially promising new therapy for ESCC treatment.
Quantum process tomography with unsupervised learning and tensor networks
Authors: Torlai Giacomo , Wood Christopher J. , Acharya Atithi , Carleo Giuseppe , Carrasquilla Juan , Aolita Leandro
Published: May 2023

The impressive pace of advance of quantum technology calls for robust and scalable techniques for the characterization and validation of quantum hardware. Quantum process tomography, the reconstruction of an unknown quantum channel from measurement data, remains the quintessential primitive to completely characterize quantum devices. However, due to the exponential scaling of the required data and classical post-processing, its range of applicability is typically restricted to one- and two-qubit gates. Here, we present a technique for performing quantum process tomography that addresses these issues by combining a tensor network representation of the channel with a data-driven optimization inspired by unsupervised machine learning. We demonstrate our technique through synthetically generated data for ideal one- and two-dimensional random quantum circuits of up to 10 qubits, and a noisy 5-qubit circuit, reaching process fidelities above 0.99 using several orders of magnitude fewer (single-qubit) measurement shots than traditional tomographic techniques. Our results go far beyond state-of-the-art, providing a practical and timely tool for benchmarking quantum circuits in current and near-term quantum computers.
Water decontamination via nonradical process by nanoconfined Fenton-like catalysts
Authors: Liu Tongcai , Xiao Shaoze , Li Nan , Chen Jiabin , Zhou Xuefei , Qian Yajie , Huang Ching-Hua , Zhang Yalei
Published: May 2023

There is an urgent need to develop effective and sustainable solutions to reduce water pollution. Heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts are frequently used to eliminate contaminants from water. However, the applicability of these catalysts is limited due to low availability of the reactive species (RS). Herein, nanoconfinement strategy was applied to encapsulate short-lived RS at nanoscale to boost the utilization efficiency of the RS in Fenton-like reactions. The nanoconfined catalyst was fabricated by assembling Co3O4 nanoparticles in carbon nanotube nanochannels to achieve exceptional reaction rate and excellent selectivity. Experiments collectively suggested that the degradation of contaminants was attributed to singlet oxygen (1O2). Density functional theory calculations demonstrated the nanoconfined space contributes to quantum mutation and alters the transition state to lower activation energy barriers. Simulation results revealed that the enrichment of contaminant on the catalyst reduced the migration distance and enhanced the utilization of 1O2. The synergy between the shell layer and core-shell structure further improved the selectivity of 1O2 towards contaminant oxidation in real waters. The nanoconfined catalyst is expected to provide a viable strategy for water pollution control.
Transcriptomic profiling of induced steatosis in human and mouse precision-cut liver slices
Authors: Simon Eric , Motyka Maciej , Prins Grietje H. , Li Mei , Rust Werner , Kauschke Stefan , Viollet Coralie , Olinga Peter , Oldenburger Anouk
Published: May 2023

There is a high need for predictive human ex vivo models for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). About a decade ago, precision-cut liver slices (PCLSs) have been established as an ex vivo assay for humans and other organisms. In the present study, we use transcriptomics by RNASeq to profile a new human and mouse PCLSs based assay for steatosis in NAFLD. Steatosis as quantified by an increase of triglycerides after 48 h in culture, is induced by incremental supplementation of sugars (glucose and fructose), insulin, and fatty acids (palmitate, oleate). We mirrored the experimental design for human vs. mouse liver organ derived PCLSs and profiled each organ at eight different nutrient conditions after 24 h and 48 h time in culture. Thus, the provided data allows a comprehensive analysis of the donor, species, time, and nutrient factor specific regulation of gene expression in steatosis, despite the heterogeneity of the human tissue samples. Exemplified this is demonstrated by ranking homologous gene pairs by convergent or divergent expression pattern across nutrient conditions.