bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in nutrient‐rich, spring‐fed streams recently invaded by non‐native New Zealand mud snails
Authors: Preston Daniel L. , Carvallo Fernando R. , Kuber Kimberly A. , Falke Landon P. , Shupryt Michael P.
Published: December 2023

Ecological roles of non‐native species can vary over space and time due to abiotic factors and characteristics of the invaded communities. For instance, nutrient availability, temperature, and flow regime can influence invasion outcomes in freshwaters. This variability makes it challenging to predict non‐native species' effects in newly introduced areas.

New Zealand mud snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum; NZMS) are among the most widespread aquatic invasive species globally and have recently been detected in highly productive, spring‐fed streams in the upper mid‐west U.S.A. that are important trout fisheries. We hypothesised that the nutrient‐rich, thermally stable groundwater‐fed streams would provide favourable conditions for NZMS populations, potentially amplifying their effects on native communities. We surveyed benthic macroinvertebrate community structure at 10 streams representing a gradient of NZMS densities in the Driftless Area of southern Wisconsin. At five of the streams, we quantified temporal variation in NZMS and other benthic macroinvertebrates over three seasons.

NZMS populations varied considerably across sites and over time, ranging from a few hundred to over 70,000 snails/m2. NZMS numerically represented as much as 97% of the invertebrate community at the highest density sites. At two sites, NZMS increased in population density by 50‐fold and 22‐fold over the survey duration, while at other sites their densities were relatively constant. Based on a principal components analysis summarising stream environmental variables, NZMS densities were negatively associated with stream discharge and positively associated with nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.

The total density and biomass of all benthic invertebrates, and Ephemeroptera and Amphipoda in particular, were negatively associated with NZMS density and biomass. Based on multivariate analyses, overall benthic community composition differed based on NZMS invasion status, as well as across seasons.

These results suggest that the environments of southern Wisconsin spring‐fed streams provide favourable conditions for NZMS populations, allowing them to dominate some benthic communities. NZMS effects are likely to vary strongly across streams and over time within streams, highlighting the importance of future work to mechanistically test biotic and abiotic factors influencing their abundance.
Real‐world outcomes in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma patients exposed to three or more prior treatments: an analysis from the ANZ myeloma and related diseases registry
Authors: Lim Sueh‐li , Wellard Cameron , Moore Elizabeth , Harrison Simon J. , Hang Quach , Ho Joy , Rajagopal Rajeev , Spencer Andrew
Published: December 2023

Background

There is no currently available standard of care for triple‐class exposed, relapsed refractory myeloma (RRMM) patients in Australia. CARTITUDE‐1 (CART‐1) was a single‐arm, phase 1b/2 study of 97 triple‐class exposed RRMM patients, who received BCMA‐CAR‐T cell therapy with ciltacabtagene autocel. Overall response rate (ORR) was 98%. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) had not been reached at a median follow‐up of 28 months.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on a cohort of CART‐1 comparable RRMM patients participating in the Australian and New Zealand Myeloma and Related Diseases Registry (MRDR), to compare outcomes in triple‐class exposed MM patients treated with currently available therapies, in a real‐world context. The CE‐MRDR cohort (n = 28) fulfilled CARTITUDE‐1 eligibility (CE) criteria: ≥3 lines of therapy (LOT) including an immunomodulatory agent, proteasome inhibitor and CD38‐directed monoclonal antibody (CD38mAb) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score of 0–2 at diagnosis. The modified‐CE‐MRDR (n = 132) received ≥3 LOT but may not have received a CD38mAb with an ECOG PS score of 3 (0–3).

Results

Responses to the first subsequent therapy after eligibility were poor – ORR was 23% and 0% with progressive disease (PD) reported in 61% and 36%, CE‐MRDR and m‐CE‐MRDR respectively. Responses to the second subsequent therapy after eligibility were worse, ORR 0% and 31%, CE‐MRDR and m‐CE‐MRDR respectively, with high rates of PD, particularly in CE‐MRDR. Median OS was 5.4 versus 9.5 months, CE‐MRDR versus m‐CE‐MRDR.

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis confirms uniformly poor outcomes for Australian RRMM patients. There remains a critical need for greater accessibility to novel treatments, such as CAR‐T, outside clinical trials.
Enhancing generalizability and efficiency in clinical trials through dynamic information borrowing for both experimental and control arms: A simulation study
Authors: Yang Jiaying , Li Guochun
Published: December 2023

Aim

Utilizing external information in clinical trials enhances validity by including a wider population and expedites the implementation of adaptive designs, ultimately improving research efficiency. However, current research focused on scenarios in which only the control group benefited from the utilization of external information, while trials involving external information in both experimental and control arms were more complex and might pose challenges when applied in real‐world settings.

Methods

To address these concerns, our study pioneered the application of test‐then‐pool, normalized power prior, calibrated power prior, and elastic prior to a two‐arm information borrowing framework and systematically compared their operating characteristics through a series of simulation studies under most and least desirable scenarios.

Results

In the most desirable scenarios of information borrowing, all methods managed to control the mean of type I error rates within 5%, among which the normalized power prior, calibrated power prior and elastic prior approaches increased the mean of power from 85.94% to 95%. In the least desirable scenarios, the mean type I error rates for normalized power prior, calibrated power prior and elastic prior approaches exceeded 20%, while the mean power decreased to around 80%.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal that the normalized power prior, calibrated power prior and elastic prior approaches are suitable for situations with minimal heterogeneity between historical and current data, whereas the test‐then‐pool approach emerges as a more prudent choice when facing substantial discrepancies between historical and current information for trials consider information borrow in both arms.
Pharmaceutical industry‐sponsored meals are associated with increased prescriptions and Medicare spending for dupilumab among dermatologists in the United States
Authors: Murayama Anju
Published: December 2023

Rationale

Healthcare industry sometimes make large marketing payments to physicians. Previous studies have demonstrated that there are significant associations between industry marketing practices and physicians' prescribing behaviours in several specialties. Given the current increasing introduction of many novel biologics for atopic dermatitis and increasing payments to dermatologists, the industry payments to dermatologists for atopic dermatitis drugs could be associated with their prescribing patterns in the United States.

Aims and Objectives

This study aims to evaluate association between dermatologists' dupilumab prescription behaviours and manufacturer's sponsored meal payments to dermatologists in the United States.

Method

Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Open Payments Database, this cross‐sectional analysis evaluated associations between manufacturer's sponsored meal payments to dermatologists related to dupilumab and dermatologists' dupilumab prescriptions between 2017 and 2021. Associations were evaluated using logistic generalised estimating equations (GEE) and negative binomial regression GEE models at individual dermatologist level.

Results

Among 2852 dermatologists prescribing dupilumab, 74.5% received meal payments amounting to $1,083,919 between 2017 and 2021. Dermatologists receiving meal payments were more likely to prescribe dupilumab (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–1.65). There were also consistent dose–response associations between meal payments and total claims as well as Medicare spending. Dermatologists who received 1, 2–5, 6–10, and 11–15 meal payments per year reported 1.13 (95% CI: 1.03–1.24, p < 0.05), 1.35 (95% CI: 1.24–1.46, p < 0.001), 1.64 (95% CI: 1.48–1.82, p < 0.001), and 2.10 (95% CI: 1.78–2.47, p < 0.001) times more dupilumab‐related claims in the year when they received the payments than those who did not receive the payments, respectively.

Conclusion

This study found that significant associations between industry‐sponsored meal payments and increased dupilumab prescriptions, shedding light on the potential influence of financial relationships on clinical practice. The findings call for heightened awareness among dermatologists, patients, and policymakers regarding the impact of these relationships on healthcare expenditures and decision‐making in the United States. Future research is warranted to further explore these associations longitudinally.
Maternal serum fatty acid binding protein‐4 level is upregulated in fetal growth restriction with abnormal Doppler flow patterns
Authors: Bolluk Gökhan , Oğlak Süleyman Cemil , Kayaoğlu Yıldırım Zeynep , Zengi Oğuzhan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to determine fatty acid binding protein‐4 (FABP‐4) concentrations in maternal serum of fetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancies and controls of normal pregnancies. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the alterations in FABP‐4 levels might correlate with FGR severity.

Methods

We performed this prospective case–control study with 83 pregnant women. The study groups included 26 FGR pregnancies without abnormal fetal Doppler flow patterns and 25 pregnancies complicated with FGR accompanied by abnormal fetal Doppler flow patterns.

Results

The median serum FABP‐4 concentrations were significantly higher in the FGR cases with abnormal Doppler flow pattern group (2.09 ng/mL) than in the FGR cases without abnormal Doppler flow pattern group (1.62 ng/mL) and the control group (1.20 ng/mL, p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between maternal serum FABP‐4 levels and time to birth from blood sample collection (r = −0.356 and p = 0.001), gestational week at birth (r = −0.386 and p < 0.001), and birth weight (r = −0.394 and p < 0.001). A 1.35 ng/mL cut‐off value of serum FABP‐4 level could be used to discriminate FGR cases with a 78.4% sensitivity and 60.6% specificity. The optimal cut‐off value of FABP‐4 levels as an indicator for the diagnosis of FGR with abnormal Doppler flow pattern was estimated to be 1.76 ng/mL, which yielded a sensitivity of 84.0% and a specificity of 75.8%.

Conclusion

FABP‐4 is a crucial biomarker in the diagnosis and determining the severity of pregnancies with restricted fetal growth. We consider that FABP‐4 is a powerful, reliable, and unique biomarker to diagnose FGR pregnancies.
Implementing a School‐Based Health Center Virtual Care Program: A Qualitative Exploration of the School Nurse Perspective
Authors: Burnett Honora Quinn , Boral Alyssa , Schaap Samantha , Haas‐Howard Christy , O'Leary Sonja
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

School‐based health centers (SBHCs) have the capability to overcome youth barriers to care. Virtual care programs (VCP) facilitate connection between school nurse and off‐site SBHC providers and can increase the reach of SBHCs. This project aimed to examine Denver Public School nurses' perspectives of a pilot VCP.

METHODS

Thirteen semi‐structured qualitative interviews were conducted and coded using an inductive approach to identify key themes.

RESULTS

Four major themes emerged: (1) obtaining consent, finding space, and capacity are challenges and nurses have suggestions; (2) nurses enjoy feeling like a valued member of a health care team, and providing additional resources to students; (3) nurses perceive benefits in providing free, efficient, higher level of care; (4) adopting novel technology is a facilitator and challenge; limitations included space and privacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Key findings can be utilized to further inform practice.
PALYNOFACIES AND ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF LACUSTRINE SOURCE ROCKS: THE POTRERILLOS – CACHEUTA SOURCE ROCK SYSTEM IN THE TRIASSIC CUYO BASIN, WEST‐CENTRAL ARGENTINA
Authors: Pineda Juan A. , Comerio Marcos , Ottone Eduardo G. , Salduondo Joaquín , Otegui Gastón , Erra Georgina
Published: December 2023

This study presents an integrated investigation of the Upper Triassic Potrerillos – Cacheuta lacustrine source rock in the Cuyo Basin of western Argentina. Data came from palynofacies analyses, organic petrography, Rock‐Eval pyrolysis and mineralogical studies based on X‐ray diffraction analyses. An 80 m thick outcrop section was studied and is interpreted to represent the transition from shallow‐lacustrine sediments influenced by fluvial discharges (uppermost Potrerillos Formation) to the deposits of a deep, permanent lake (Cacheuta Formation). Three palynofacies were defined. Palynofacies I is characterized by shallowing‐upward cycles with abundant woody material, and was deposited under an oxic, disturbed water column. Palynofacies II and III occur in laminated shales rich in amorphous organic matter (AOM) and freshwater algal material (Botryococcus) respectively, which were deposited under oxygen‐depleted conditions. In general, the detrital material present suggests an input derived from fluvial discharges; however, interbedded tuffs altered to analcime and smectite suggest the transformation of vitric material in pyroclastic ash under saline to alkaline water conditions. Kerogen Types II/III and III with high total organic carbon values indicate a moderate oil‐ and gas‐prone source rock whose thermal maturity varies from immature to the early oil window (Tmax: 430‐438 °C; vitrinite reflectance: 0.59‐0.67 % VRo; and thermal alteration index: 2‐2+).

This study demonstrates the importance of palynofacies analyses for the interpretation of depositional changes and associated controls in lacustrine shale successions. When integrated with data from organic geochemistry, palynofacies analysis is an important tool in the evaluation of a source rock's thermal maturity and hydrocarbon generation potential.
The rapid shift to virtual mental health care: Examining psychotherapy disruption by rurality status
Authors: Miller‐Matero Lisa R. , Knowlton Gregory , Vagnini Kaitlyn M. , Yeh Hsueh‐Han , Rossom Rebecca C. , Penfold Robert B. , Simon Gregory E. , Akinyemi Esther , Abdole Lana , Hooker Stephanie A. , Owen‐Smith Ashli A. , Ahmedani Brian K.
Published: December 2023

Background

Given the low usage of virtual health care prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, it was unclear whether those living in rural locations would benefit from increased availability of virtual mental health care. The rapid transition to virtual services during the COVID‐19 pandemic allowed for a unique opportunity to examine how the transition to virtual mental health care impacted psychotherapy disruption (i.e., 45+ days between appointments) among individuals living in rural locations compared with those living in nonrural locations.

Methods

Electronic health record and insurance claims data were collected from three health care systems in the United States including rurality status and psychotherapy disruption. Psychotherapy disruption was measured before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic onset.

Results

Both the nonrural and rural cohorts had significant decreases in the rates of psychotherapy disruption from pre‐ to post‐COVID‐19 onset (32.5–16.0% and 44.7–24.8%, respectively, p < 0.001). The nonrural cohort had a greater reduction of in‐person visits compared with the rural cohort (96.6–45.0 vs. 98.0–66.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Among the rural cohort, those who were younger and those with lower education had greater reductions in psychotherapy disruption rates from pre‐ to post‐COVID‐19 onset. Several mental health disorders were associated with experiencing psychotherapy disruption.

Conclusions

Though the rapid transition to virtual mental health care decreased the rate of psychotherapy disruption for those living in rural locations, the reduction was less compared with nonrural locations. Other strategies are needed to improve psychotherapy disruption, especially among rural locations (i.e., telephone visits).
Increased training load promotes sleep propensity and slow‐wave sleep in endurance runners: Can a high‐heat‐capacity mattress topper modulate this effect?
Authors: Chauvineau Maxime , Pasquier Florane , Duforez François , Guilhem Gaël , Nedelec Mathieu
Published: December 2023

The present study aimed to: (1) investigate sleep architecture in response to an overload training and taper periods among endurance runners; and (2) assess the sleep benefits of a high‐heat‐capacity mattress topper. Twenty‐one trained male endurance runners performed a 2‐week usual training regimen (baseline) followed by 2‐week overload and taper periods. From overload to the end of the taper period, they were assigned into two groups based on the mattress topper used: high‐heat‐capacity mattress topper (n = 11) or low‐heat‐capacity mattress topper (n = 10). Training load was assessed daily using the session rating of perceived exertion. Following each period, sleep was monitored by polysomnography, and nocturnal core body temperature was recorded throughout the night. Irrespective of the group, awakening episodes > 5 min decreased following overload compared with baseline (−0.48, p = 0.05). Independently of mattress topper, each 100 A.U. increase in 7‐day training load prior to polysomnographic recording was associated with higher slow‐wave sleep proportion (β = +0.13%; p = 0.05), lower sleep‐onset latency (β = −0.49 min; p = 0.05), and a reduction in the probability of transition from N1 sleep stage to wakefulness (β = −0.12%; p = 0.05). Sleeping on a high‐heat‐capacity mattress topper did not affect any sleep variable compared with a low‐heat‐capacity mattress topper. Increased training loads promote slow‐wave sleep and sleep propensity, highlighting the adaptative nature of sleep to diurnal activity and the role of sleep in physiological recovery. Further studies are required on the potential benefits of high‐heat‐capacity mattress toppers on sleep architecture among athletes.
Music in medical education: A critical interpretive synthesis
Authors: Orchard Alice Rae , Sitoh Janell , Wyatt Amy , Moore Maxine
Published: December 2023

Introduction

While many have championed the value of music in medical education, research specific to how and why music has been offered in medical education is sparse and there have been few attempts to synthesise the literature.

Methods

A Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) of 56 texts including published articles, correspondence, abstracts and one thesis published between 1977 and 2022 was undertaken to explore the evidence basis for offering music in medical education.

Results

A total of 52 music‐focused programmes/activities were described, encompassing both curricular and extra‐curricular, receptive and participatory music activities and a wide range of musical genres. Inductive analysis of data extracted from texts revealed a variety of rationales for the use of music in medical education, which could be grouped within seven interrelated themes: well‐being; supportive learning environment; affective engagement; teaching and learning; developing skills for clinical practice; humanism in medicine; and creative expression (identity).

Discussion

The results of this synthesis demonstrate that there remains a gap between what is claimed about the affordances of music and what has been explicitly addressed in medical education research. Despite a paucity of research in this area, the available data support that the affordances of music are ‘multiple’ and may not be well represented by linear models. Evidence that engagement with music is beneficial for medical students is strongest in relation to the affordances of music for well‐being, facilitating a supportive learning environment, affective engagement, memorisation and creative expression (identity). That engagement with music might enhance humanism, including developing skills for clinical practice, requires further investigation. Accounting for student agency and the ‘multiple’ affordances of music will ensure that future teaching and research are best positioned to benefit medical students' well‐being and personal and professional development.
The effects of positions on deviant processing in mostly incompatible blocks in the flanker task
Authors: Suzuki Kota
Published: December 2023

It is assumed that focused attention is induced by mostly incompatible (MI) blocks in the flanker task. This study aimed to examine the differences in deviant processing between positions of a stimulus in MI blocks. Thirty‐nine adults participated in this study. Compatible and incompatible stimuli were classified into three types: typical (central and surrounding colors: black), central‐deviant (central: red; surrounding: black), and surrounding‐deviant (central: black; surrounding: red). Rare and equiprobable conditions were set for MI blocks. Central‐ and surrounding‐deviant stimuli were presented with low probabilities in the rare condition and with identical probabilities to that of typical stimuli in the equiprobable condition. Deviant processing was evaluated by comparing between event‐related potentials in rare and equiprobable conditions. The posterior negativity from 120 to 170 ms (i.e., N1) for central‐deviant stimuli was significantly more negative in the rare condition than in the equiprobable condition, whereas there was no difference for surrounding‐deviant stimuli. Conversely, the posterior negativity from 180 to 230 ms for both stimuli was significantly more negative in the rare condition than in the equiprobable condition, and the difference (i.e., visual mismatch negativity) was similar in central‐ and surrounding‐deviant stimuli. These findings suggest that focused attention induced by MI blocks leads to differences in deviant processing between central and surrounding areas during the N1 time range. Therefore, evaluations of deviant processing can help examine processing in central and surrounding areas independently and are valuable for understanding cognitive control mechanisms in the flanker tasks.
Invertebrate community composition differs between restored and natural vernal pools
Authors: O'Brien Sean M. , Helm Brent P. , Davidson Timothy M. , Kneitel Jamie M.
Published: December 2023

The loss of freshwater wetlands worldwide has underscored the importance of restoration to enhance biodiversity and functional objectives. While aquatic invertebrate communities within restored perennial freshwaters are well studied, few studies have occurred in the greatly reduced habitat of seasonal wetlands, such as vernal pools. California vernal pools have experienced high habitat loss and support many threatened or endangered invertebrate species. We compared 90 natural and 90 restored vernal pools of different ages across 10 sites throughout California and Southern Oregon using the Sars' method. Large branchiopod abundance, total invertebrate abundance, class richness, and community composition were assessed between pool types (natural vs. restored) and along environmental gradients (e.g. site, pool depth, surface area, age since restoration). Large branchiopod and total invertebrate abundance were 215 and 274% higher in natural pools than restored pools, but class richness was not different. Community composition was significantly different and driven by greater abundances of vernal pool fairy shrimp, San Diego fairy shrimp, Ostracoda, Cladocera, and Copepoda in natural pools. Few environmental or habitat variables explained patterns in richness or abundance. Our work demonstrates that restored pools, even those decades old, are different than natural pools. Future mitigation and monitoring guidelines for restored vernal pools should include quantitative evaluations for aquatic invertebrates. Restored pools are not adequate compensation for lost natural pools because they do not have the same ecological functions and values.
Interprofessional collaboration and work stress among health‐care providers in China: A comparative study between physicians and nurses
Authors: Guo Yuqi , Shi Jingyi , Kulkarni Shanti , Yang Fan
Published: December 2023

Background

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is a key contributor to the health‐care organizational culture of wellness and health‐care provider (HCP) morale.

Objective

The purpose of this study is examining the impact of IPC on their work stress among HCPs in China and comparing the differences in associations between IPC and work stress between Chinese physicians and nurses.

Methods

With a survey research design, 1036 HCPs were electronically recruited. Five multiple linear regression models were developed to examine the association between IPC and work stress among general HCPs, physicians, and nurses.

Results

IPC can significantly reduce work stress among Chinese HCPs. Regarding IPC, achieving mutually satisfactory solutions, having a clear understanding of boundaries, and a sense of trust are negatively associated with HCPs’ work stress, but team reflective revision was positively associated with HCPs’ work stress during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID‐19) pandemic. However, IPC factors are associated with work stress differently between physicians and nurses in China.

Conclusion

Our findings have important implications for practice, research, and policy.
Determination of radiographic vertebral heart score and vertebral left atrial size cutoffs based on echocardiographic left atrial size in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Baisan Radu Andrei , Vulpe Vasile
Published: December 2023

Progression of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs is a common cause of left atrial enlargement. Recently, a classification of left atrial (LA) size based on echocardiographic measurement has been proposed. This study aims to determine the radiographic LA size by reporting the cutoff values of VHS and VLAS for different groups of echocardiographic‐measured LA size in dogs with MMVD. This retrospective analytical cross‐sectional study included dogs diagnosed with MMVD grouped based on the echocardiographic LA size into normal (LA/Ao < 1.6), mild (1.6–1.89), moderate (1.9–2.2), and severe enlargement (>2.2) and were compared with ACVIM classification. VHS and VLAS were measured on the right lateral radiograph for each dog and cutoff values were calculated. One hundred and three dogs with MMVD were included in the study. A very strong positive correlation was observed between LA/Ao ratio and VHS (rs, 0.823, P < .01) or VLAS (rs, 0.834, P < .01). For VHS, a cutoff of 10.7 v, 11 v, and 11.5 v were established for echocardiographic LA thresholds of 1.6, 1.9, and 2.2 with a sensitivity of 79%, 92%, and 90% and a specificity of 97%, 90.7%, and 78.1%, respectively. For VLAS, a cutoff of 2.5 v, 2.7 v, and 2.9 v were established for echocardiographic LA cutoffs of 1.6, 1.9, and 2.2 with a sensitivity of 73%, 80%, and 83.3% and a specificity of 94%, 92%, and 86.3%, respectively. The results of this study may facilitate clinical decisions based on radiographic examination in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
Loss and Gain in Mangrove Surrounding the Lençóis Maranhense National Park: An Integrated Approach Using Remote Sensing and SIG Data
Authors: Dos Santos Juliana Sales , Dos Santos André Luís Silva , Parise Claudia Klose , Furtado Thalita Miriam Santos , Machado Adilson Matheus Borges , Vieira Souza Ulisses Denache , De Lima Leonardo Gonçalves , Santos Ana Carolina Sousa , Rocha Milena da Silva , Bezerra Denilson da Silva
Published: December 2023

Brazil harbors the second largest expanse of mangroves in the world, trailing only behind Indonesia. In a regional context, the state of Maranhão stands out, encompassing approximately 36% of Brazil’s total mangrove area, including a portion located on the eastern coast in the Lençóis Maranhenses. This study played a crucial role in identifying the areas of gain, loss, and stability in the mangroves surrounding the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park over a historical period spanning from 1985 to 2019. The study provided detailed maps depicting spatial changes, such as migration and attenuation that occurred in the mangroves due to the influence of aeolian dunes and wind patterns in the region. This long-term analysis, the first of its kind to examine the annual expansion of forest loss in the remaining mangroves around the Lençóis Maranhenses in recent decades, revealed a reduction in the central mangrove areas between 1985 and 2019. This decline can be attributed not only to intense tourist activity and climate change but also to the movement and invasion of sand dunes in certain areas, as observed near the villages of Caburé and Paulino Neves (Pequenos Lençóis) in December2022. Wind plays a fundamental role as a transformative agent in the local landscape. Through the analysis of wind roses using ERA5 reanalysis data and meteorological stations from the Aeronautics (São Luís and Parnaíba), it was possible to identify and characterize the prevalence of northeast trade winds in the Lençóis Maranhenses region during the years 1985 to 2019, with average speeds ranging from 6 to 8 m/s. The advancement of dunes onto the mangroves surrounding the Lençóis Maranhenses results in burial, reduction, and even migration of mangrove patches. Additionally, over the years, population growth and increasing tourism pressure along the banks of the Preguiças River have drawn attention to the need to implement control and conservation measures in the mangroves to prevent further disturbances in this environment.
ChatGPT’s response to frequently asked questions about ultrasonography
Authors: Hong Daorong , Huang Chunyan
Published: December 2023

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Myocardial hypertrophy with aortic dysplasia: a rare case of Noonan syndrome
Authors: Xu Chongjun , Lu Xue , Jin Guangming
Published: December 2023

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What should an Editor do in the beginning of artificial intelligence era?
Authors: Fodor Daniela
Published: December 2023

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Fan Engagement Behavior: Validation of a Theory-Based Scale
Authors: Yoshida Masayuki , Biscaia Rui , Uhrich Sebastian , Gordon Brian S. , Huettermann Marcel , Nakazawa Makoto
Published: December 2023

In this research, we conducted two studies to validate a multidimensional scale of fan engagement behavior. In Study 1, we generated survey items through a systematic review of the relevant literature, collected data from fans of professional baseball (n = 319) and soccer (n = 301), and provided evidence for the construct and concurrent validity of the scale composed of six dimensions. In Study 2, we reassessed construct validity in professional baseball (n = 582) and found that fan engagement behavior was represented by the proposed six dimensions with a final list of 21 items. Further, our predictive analysis throughout a season showed that fan engagement behavior fully mediated the relationship between predictor (team identification and awareness of fan engagement initiatives) and outcome variables (media viewing frequency, attendance frequency, and flourishing). The developed scale advances our understanding of fans’ voluntary actions that are culturally embedded in spectator sport.
The National Academy of Kinesiology 2023 Evaluation of Doctoral Programs in Kinesiology
Authors: Knudson Duane , Mahar Matthew , Myers Nicholas D.
Published: December 2023

This report documents the fifth National Academy of Kinesiology Doctoral Program Evaluation (DPE) for U.S. doctoral programs in kinesiology. Three years (2020–2022) of data were collected and analyzed from doctoral programs at 35 institutions. Eleven faculty indices and six student indices were used to rank doctoral programs. Total T-scores (unadjusted and adjusted for both faculty size and outlying scores) were calculated to create two rankings. Correlations of indices’ T-scores with total T-score were calculated to inform potential refinement of the National Academy of Kinesiology DPE. Participating programs varied widely in title, disciplinary emphasis/Classification of Instructional Program code, and number (5–37) of faculty. The mean number of doctoral faculty and students increased from the fourth DPE cycle. The correlations of most indices with total program T-score had values similar to those reported in the previous DPE cycles. Demographic data are reported and discussed for ranked and some unranked indices for program benchmarking and consideration for refinement of future DPE cycles.
Online Portfolio Selection Strategy with Side Information Based on Learning with Expert Advice
Authors: Yang Xingyu , Zheng Xiaoteng , Zheng Lina
Published: December 2023

Online portfolio selection is a decision-making problem of how to dynamically adjust asset positions based on historical price sequences. The existing works on online portfolio strategy are based on integrating static experts whose advice does not change with market states, which is inconsistent with the advice from dynamic experts in reality. In this paper, we propose a new online portfolio strategy by using side information states to characterize market states, getting advice from dynamic experts who dynamically adjust the strategy based on side information states and integrating their advice. To do so, we first regard all the state constant rebalanced portfolio strategies, which make portfolios dynamically according to side information states, as expert advice. Second, we apply the exponentially weighted average (EWA) algorithm to integrate the advice from the experts and propose a new strategy. Then, we prove that the strategy has the same asymptotic average logarithmic return rate as the best state constant rebalanced portfolio (BSCRP) strategy, i.e., it is universal. Finally, we conduct numerical experiments by using actual financial data from Chinese and American markets. The results indicate that our proposed strategy has good competitive performance.
Top-quark pair production by electron–positron scattering in a linearly polarized laser field
Authors: Chahri R. , Mouslih S. , Jakha M. , Manaut B. , Taj S.
Published: December 2023

In a previous paper, we showed theoretically that the total cross-section of the top-quark pair production by electron–positron annihilation is strongly reduced by the presence of a circularly polarized laser field. In this paper, we present the result for the case of a linearly polarized laser field. This time, the total cross-section is significantly enhanced by the laser field.
The end of space–time
Authors: Faizal Mir
Published: December 2023

We will highlight that despite there being various approaches to quantum gravity, there are universal approach-independent features of quantum gravity. The geometry of space–time becomes an emergent structure, which emerges from some purely quantum gravitational degrees of freedom. We argue that these quantum gravitational degrees of freedom can be best understood using quantum information theory. Various approaches to quantum gravity seem to suggest that quantum gravity could be a third quantized theory, and such a theory would not be defined in space–time, but rather in an abstract configuration space of fields. This supports the view that space–time geometry is not fundamental, thus effectively ending the space–time description of nature.
A newly proposed full Heusler alloy Ir2VZ(Z=Sn, In) suitable for high-temperature thermoelectric applications: A DFT approach
Authors: Gupta Shyam Lal , Kumar Sumit , Anupam  , Thakur Samjeet Singh , Panwar Sanjay , Diwaker
Published: December 2023

We calculated the structural, electronic, mechanical and thermoelectric properties of the iridium-based, newly proposed Heusler alloys Ir2V (In, Sn). Both alloys have an indirect bandgap at the Fermi level in the spin-down channel, with metallic overlap in the spin-up channel, indicating the presence of half-metallic behavior. The Hubbard interactions contribute to the half-metallic behavior of these alloys. The magnetic moments are estimated using the Slater–Pauling formula, indicating large values of magnetic moments in all alloys with predominant contribution from the V atom. The stability of these alloys is established by their phonon frequencies, as well as formation and cohesive energies. Elastic constants such as Poisson’s ratio, Pugh’s ratio and various types of moduli affirm their mechanical stability and strength. Further, the effect of temperature on spin transport is also reported. These materials are prospective candidates for high-temperature thermoelectric applications, according to an analysis of high Curie temperatures and various transport coefficients.
Decomposition and gas production characteristics of vegetable insulating oil under thermal stress
Authors: Liang Suning , Yang Zhi , Shao Xianjun , Zheng Yiming , Wang Qiang , Huang Zhengyong
Published: December 2023

Vegetable insulating oil, with advantages such as high safety and environmental friendliness, is a good substitute for traditional mineral oil. However, thermal failure is one of the important factors affecting the safe operation of oil-immersed electrical equipment. This study focuses on soybean vegetable oil as the research subject and establishes a simulation model for soybean insulating oil to investigate the influence of thermal stress at different temperatures ranging from 1000[Formula: see text]K to 2000[Formula: see text]K on system decomposition and gas generation characteristics. The results indicate that, under elevated temperatures, the decomposition of soybean vegetable insulating oil predominantly occurs through decarboxylation reactions, leading to the generation of CO2 and hydrocarbon radicals. The hydrocarbon radicals further decompose and react with other species, resulting in the formation of characteristic gases. It was observed that CO2 and C2H4 serve as stable thermal decomposition by-products. Increasing temperatures significantly enhance the generation rates of various characteristic products and broaden the variety of such products. For instance, H2 and CH4 are characteristic gases produced at different temperature ranges. Studying the decomposition and gas generation characteristics of vegetable insulating oil under thermal stress holds crucial significance for transformer design and operation.
Periapsis shifts in dark matter distribution around a black hole
Authors: Igata Takahisa , Harada Tomohiro , Saida Hiromi , Takamori Yohsuke
Published: December 2023

We consider the periapsis shifts of bound orbits of stars on static clouds around a black hole. The background spacetime is constructed from a Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by a static and spherically symmetric self-gravitating system of massive particles, which satisfies all the standard energy conditions and physically models the gravitational effect of dark matter distribution around a nonrotating black hole. Using nearly circular bound orbits of stars, we obtain a simple formula for the precession rate. This formula explicitly shows that the precession rate is determined by a positive contribution (i.e. a prograde shift) from the conventional general-relativistic effect and a negative contribution (i.e. a retrograde shift) from the local matter density. The four quantities for such an orbit (i.e. the orbital shift angle, the radial oscillation period, the redshift and the star position mapped onto the celestial sphere) determine the local values of the background model functions. Furthermore, we not only evaluate the precession rate of nearly circular bound orbits in several specific models but also simulate several bound orbits with large eccentricity and their periapsis shifts. The present exact model demonstrates that the retrograde precession does not mean any exotic central objects such as naked singularities or wormholes but simply the existence of significant energy density of matters on the star orbit around the black hole.
Concentration phenomena for the fractional relativistic Schrödinger–Choquard equation
Authors: Ambrosio Vincenzo
Published: December 2023

We consider the fractional relativistic Schrödinger–Choquard equation [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a small parameter, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the fractional relativistic Schrödinger operator, [Formula: see text] is a continuous potential having a local minimum, [Formula: see text] is a continuous nonlinearity with subcritical growth at infinity and [Formula: see text]. Exploiting appropriate variational arguments, we construct a family of solutions concentrating around the local minimum of [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text].
MXene-Based Nanocomposite-Facilitated Photothermal Therapy by Preventing Expression of Heat Shock Protein 90
Authors: He Li , Tian Mengting , Wen Yixin , Chen Zhongkai , Cai Yanfei , Jin Jian , Yang Zhaoqi
Published: December 2023

Photothermal therapy (PTT), as a tumor optical treatment strategy, has the characteristics of being minimally invasive, precise and safe in the treatment of tumors. However, the efficacy of photothermal treatment is usually affected by the photothermal conversion efficiency of the material and the expression of heat shock protein in tumor cells. Ti3C2, a kind of MXene, is a novel two-dimensional material with excellent photothermal conversion efficiency and multiple unique characteristics, making it a promising candidate for multimodal tumor therapy. Therefore, inhibiting the synthesis of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in the process of photothermal therapy can reduce the heat resistance of tumor cells, thereby improving the effect of photothermal therapy. In this study, we highlight the potential of utilizing hyaluronic acid (HA) modified Ti3C2 (Ti3C2@HA) as a carrier for delivering anti-sense oligonucleotides of HSP90 to inhibit HSP90 expression and enhance PPT efficacy. Under laser irradiation, the designed MXene-based nanocomposite (Ti3C2@ASO@HA) significantly inhibited the growth and effectively suppressed the migration of tumor cells. In addition, decreased expression of HSP90 is confirmed by western blotting. The results of this investigation provide a promising strategy for enhancing the photothermal therapy effects of tumor.
A Boundary Node Method for Solving Interior and Exterior Acoustic Problems
Authors: Rafiq Mohammed Afzal , Praveen Krishna I. R. , Arun C. O.
Published: December 2023

The Boundary Node Method (BNM) is a meshfree scheme for solving Boundary Integral Equations (BIE). BNM simplifies the problem at two levels. Primarily, as BNM aims to solve the integral form of the governing equation, dimensionality of the problem is reduced by one order. Additionally, the mesh-free scheme eliminates the need for meshing, proving particularly beneficial for problems involving complex geometries. In this study, BNM is formulated using Element Free Galerkin (EFG) scheme to solve interior and exterior problems in acoustics. A 3-dimensional linear basis is used to construct moving least square shape functions. This eliminates the need to define additional local or parametric coordinate systems, making the method easily applicable to any arbitrary geometry. To illustrate the capabilities of the proposed method, four example problems are solved. An open pipe at resonance and a simple expansion muffler are analyzed to validate BNM’s performance in solving interior problems. Radiation from a pulsating sphere and radiation from a sphere with harmonic velocity excitation are analyzed as examples of exterior problems. Results from all four sample problems indicate that the BNM scheme proposed for solving acoustic problems is accurate and robust.
Crystal Plasticity Analyses Around Grain Boundaries Using a Dislocation Dynamics Finite Element Model
Authors: Mishra Ashish , Dinachandra Moirangthem , Alankar Alankar
Published: December 2023

We setup a dislocation dynamics finite element framework by bridging a dislocation dynamics program and an open source finite element program. As part of initial verification, deformation of single crystal micro-pillar having single and double glide activation is demonstrated. A case study of a twin boundary is presented wherein the dislocation pile-up at the grain boundary and formation of a residual dislocation are shown. For studying the dislocation interactions with other grain boundaries, model grain boundaries are considered. We consider three synthetic grain boundaries namely transparent, semi-transparent, and impenetrable. The model’s transparent and semi-transparent grain boundaries contain no dislocations and very low density of dislocations in them, respectively, and thus low number of interactions with other dislocations. More junctions and cross-slip occurrences are recorded near the semi-transparent grain boundary. The most dislocation–dislocation interactions near grain boundaries result into glissile junctions. The current results are compared against literature data and it is observed that other than junction formation, cross-slip is very frequency observed near grain boundaries.
Upgrade of the BM@N detector for studies of heavy ion interactions
Authors: Maksymchuk Anna , Vishnevskiy Alexandre , Dementev Dmitrii , Guber Fedor , Kapishin Mikhail , Murin Yuri , Piyadin Semen , Schmidt Hans Rudolf , Senger Peter , Zamyatin Nikolai , Zinchenko Alexander
Published: December 2023

In the next years the Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron (BM@N) experiment at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) will carry out the physics program with heavy ion beams with energies up to 3.9 AGeV and intensities up to 2 [Formula: see text] ions/s. The experiment is devoted to measure observables sensitive to the equation of state of dense baryonic matter. To meet this goal the existing BM@N set-up will be upgraded with fast hybrid tracking system, which includes beam tracking detectors, a large aperture silicon tracking system, gas electron multiplier stations and cathode strip chambers. The measurement of the event plane and centrality will be achieved with a forward hadron calorimeter and granular hodoscopes. The physics program and configuration of the upgraded BM@N set-up are presented.
The Boolean quadratic forms and tangent law
Authors: Ejsmont Wiktor , Hęćka Patrycja
Published: December 2023

In [W. Ejsmont and F. Lehner, The free tangent law, Adv. Appl. Math. 121 (2020) 102093], we study the limit sums of free commutators and anticommutators and show that the generalized tangent function [Formula: see text] describes the limit distribution. This is the generating function of the higher order tangent numbers of Carlitz and Scoville (see (1.6) in [L. Carlitz and R. Scoville, Tangent numbers and operators, Duke Math. J. 39 (1972) 413–429]) which arose in connection with the enumeration of certain permutations. In this paper, we continue to study the limit of weighted sums of Boolean commutators and anticommutators and we show that the shifted generalized tangent function appears in a limit theorem. In order to do this, we shall provide an arbitrary cumulants formula of the quadratic form. We also apply this result to obtain several results in a Boolean probability theory.
Passages
Authors: Groce Alex
Published: December 2023

Donald A. MacKenzie's Mechanizing Proof: Computing, Risk, and Trust is a highly readable and generally insightful history of, primarily, the effort to prove computer programs safe and correct. It won the Robert K. Merton (see the Passages column for October 2020) award from the Science, Knowledge, and Technology section of the American Sociological Association in 2003. It is a book of history and sociology, but is likely to also introduce some technical content that will be new to, yet of interest to, many software engineers.