bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum bone turnover markers were associated with bone mass in late prepuberty and early puberty
Authors: Rempe Jakob , Rosengren Björn E. , Jehpsson Lars , Swärd Per , Dencker Magnus , Karlsson Magnus K.
Published: November 2024

Aim

To analyse the association between bone turnover markers and bone mass in children and young adults.

Methods

This descriptive study followed 132 children (68 boys/64 girls) from Malmö, Sweden, as controls in a school‐based intervention study (2000–2017). Height, weight, Tanner stage and bone mass were measured annually from ages 8 to 15 years, with follow‐ups at 19 and 23 years of age. Serum markers for bone formation (bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), N‐terminal propeptide of collagen type 1 (PINP), osteocalcin) and resorption (C‐terminal telopeptide crosslinks (CTX), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP 5b)) were collected at ages 9.9 ± 0.6 (mean ± SD) (n = 78), 12.0 ± 0.6 (n = 64), 14.9 ± 0.8 (n = 52), 18.8 ± 0.3 (n = 34) and 23.3 ± 0.6 years (n = 56).

Results

Compared to girls, boys showed higher bone turnover markers at ages 15, 19 and 23 years (all p < 0.05). At 10 years of age (Tanner stage 1 and 2), bALP and TRAcP 5b correlated with current bone mass (adjusted for age and sex), while bALP, PINP, osteocalcin and CTX correlated with bone mass change over the next 2 years (adjusted for age, sex and interval) (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Bone turnover markers in early Tanner stages predicted both current bone mass and subsequent bone mass changes.
Development and validation of the Career Inaction Scale
Authors: D'Huyvetter Paulien , Verbruggen Marijke , Jing Xinhui , Akkermans Jos
Published: November 2024

Career inaction is the phenomenon in which people do not take sufficient action to realize a desired change in their career. Despite recent theoretical advancements and strong indications that career inaction is a prevalent phenomenon that brings along important risks to both individuals and organizations, there is no reliable and valid scale to accurately measure it. Therefore, we developed and validated an eight‐item scale of career inaction (CARINAS) across four studies. In Study 1 (N = 258), we pilot‐tested the reliability and factor structure of the Dutch CARINAS among Belgian workers. In Study 2 (N = 799), we tested the reliability, measurement invariance across groups, and construct validity of the scale and started exploring the nomological network of the Dutch CARINAS among Belgian career counseling clients. In Study 3 (N = 170), we tested the reliability and validity of the English CARINAS and reran the correlation tests from Study 2 among US workers. Finally, in Study 4 (N = 198), we re‐tested the factor structure and reliability of our scale and further explored the nomological network of the Dutch‐ CARINAS in a two‐wave dataset collected with Belgian workers. The results of these four studies revealed that the CARINAS has high reliability and a good factor structure across different groups. Furthermore, the tests of the nomological network yielded interesting insights regarding the assumptions underlying the theory of career inaction. By developing and validating the CARINAS, our study adds to the research on (barriers to) career transitions, paves the way for further empirical research on career inaction, and provides a diagnostic tool for professionals guiding people in their career decision‐making process.
The pharmacokinetics of brensocatib in participants with renal impairment following a single oral administration
Authors: Yeung Sam Au , Stein Daniel S. , Marbury Thomas C. , Usansky Helen
Published: November 2024

Aim

Brensocatib is an oral, selective, competitive and reversible dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitor in development for the treatment of bronchiectasis. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PKs), safety and tolerability of brensocatib in participants with varying degrees of renal impairment and normal renal function.

Methods

In this phase 1, multicentre, open‐label study, 28 participants with mild, moderate or severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 60 to <90, 30 to <60 and 15 to <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively) or normal renal function (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2) received a single oral 25‐mg dose of brensocatib. Blood samples were collected to measure brensocatib PKs at predetermined time points over the 14‐day study period. PK parameters were derived using noncompartmental methods.

Results

Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar across groups. There were no significant differences between groups in brensocatib PK parameters. The mean coefficient of variation (CV) of elimination half‐life of brensocatib was 37.0 (15.3), 42.8 (21.7), 36.3 (22.9) and 39.1 (17.8) h for mild, moderate, severe and normal renal function groups, respectively. Single‐dose brensocatib was quickly absorbed; all groups had a median time to maximum observed plasma concentration of 1 h. Regression model analyses indicated no significant relationships between selected brensocatib PK parameters and eGFR. No treatment‐emergent adverse events were reported during the study.

Conclusion

Single‐dose brensocatib was well tolerated. The study data do not indicate a significant effect of renal impairment on brensocatib elimination and systemic exposure, suggesting that dose adjustment of brensocatib is not necessary in participants with renal impairment.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT05673603.
Multimodal Intravascular Imaging of the Vulnerable Coronary Plaque
Authors: Milzi Andrea , Landi Antonio , Dettori Rosalia , Burgmaier Kathrin , Reith Sebastian , Burgmaier Mathias
Published: November 2024

Vulnerable coronary plaques are atherosclerotic lesions which, due to their specific phenotype, are prone to plaque rupture and to cause acute coronary syndromes, with subsequent relevant morbidity and mortality. Strategies to break the chain link between plaque vulnerability and adverse clinical events include optimized pharmacologic prevention and potentially also preemptive percutaneous coronary interventions (previously defined as “plaque sealing” or “plaque passivation”). Various morphologic features of the vulnerable plaques have been described, including aspects regarding the large necrotic lipid content, the thin fibrous cap, the presence and extent of the presence of calcifications with small size and calcification angle, and as well as the large macrophage infiltration within the plaque. The detection of these features of plaque vulnerability is possible with intravascular imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). This review explores the peculiarities of these three imaging modalities for the detection of vulnerable coronary plaque features.
Effects of Gillnet Mesh Size on the Size Selectivity and Catch Efficiency for Two Rockfish in the Artificial Reef Area of Shandong Province, China
Authors: Zhang Liyou , Yu Mengjie , Dou Yilin , Li Linjie , Qi Guangrui , Tang Yanli
Published: November 2024

Gillnets are the most commonly used fishing gear targeting black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) and fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) in the artificial reef area in coastal China. However, a minimum mesh size (MMS) has not yet been established for this fishery, which is unfavorable for sustainable development and effective management of fishery resources. We compared size selectivity and catch efficiency of gillnets of four commonly used mesh size (stretched mesh size; 40, 50, 60, and 70‐mm) in a typical artificial reef area in the Yellow Sea, China. Increasing the mesh size improved size selectivity of gillnets for black rockfish and fat greenling by reducing the proportion of undersized individuals. Further, changes in mesh size affected catch efficiency of target‐sized individuals. To protect juveniles, while maintaining catch efficiency for target‐sized fish, we recommend 60‐mm as the MMS for this fishery. Our study will contribute to the development of MMS regulations in reef fisheries management in China.
‘Motivating Implicit Chinese to Express Themselves Is the Biggest Barrier’: A Qualitative Study of Chinese Researchers' Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Patient Engagement in Research
Authors: Yang Lin , Liu Yu‐xiao , Wang Bi‐xia , Yu Meng‐jiao , Bian Wei‐Wei , Wang Cai‐feng , Ruan Hong
Published: November 2024

Background

Patient Engagement in Research (PER) has demonstrated benefits for patients, researchers and research outcomes. However, China lacks substantial experience in implementing PER. The implementation of PER in China faces unique challenges due to social‐cultural differences. This study explores the perspectives of Chinese researchers to identify barriers and facilitators, aiming to guide future PER initiatives and enhance the role of patients in research.

Method

Purposive sampling was employed to recruit clinical researchers with diverse healthcare backgrounds in China. Semi‐structured interviews, conducted by a qualified researcher, followed interview guidelines derived from a literature review and pilot study modifications. Thematic analysis was applied using QSR Nvivo 8.0.

Results

A total of 13 participants were included. Five main themes were identified from interview: (1) selection of patients for research engagement, (2) strategies to alleviate the patient burden in implementing PER, (3) strategies to encourage patients for active expression, (4) benefits to attract patient engagement and (5) researcher's preparation.

Conclusion

The cultural trait of ‘reservedness’ in Chinese culture hinders active expression by patients in the research engagement process. Researchers tend to recruit patients with specific characteristics and emphasize the importance of aligning benefits with patient values to motivate engagement. Addressing patient burden is crucial, and researchers should be well‐prepared before PER. These findings underscore the necessity of adopting culturally adapted strategies in PER to effectively address specific challenges.

Patient or Public Contribution

The public participated in the interpretation of the interview results, enriching our understanding of the results.
MISFITS, POWER, AND HISTORY: RETHINKING ABILITY THROUGH AN ANIMAL LENS
Authors: FLACK ANDREW , WOULD ALICE
Published: November 2024

In this article, we construct a critical history of “ability” by focusing on the specific case study of dark‐dwelling animals and the ways in which they have been understood over the course of modernity. Such creatures were frequently the subjects of assumptions and judgments about what they could and could not do. Dark places have historically been imagined as extreme environments and as home to equally strange beings. We argue that discourse relating to dark‐dwellers—from bats and hedgehogs to deep‐sea creatures—reveals that ability, in the animal context, relates to several connected ideas and phenomena. Not least, these include ideas around specialization, adaptation and adaptability, the concentrated interrogation of “special” sensory organs and neurological pathways, and the idealized coherence between a body and its wider environment. We also show that the idea of ability became increasingly inseparable from notions of vulnerability, resilience, and care especially in the context of twentieth‐ and twenty‐first‐century environmental change. The concept of ability, then, was a shifting constellation of many different ideas, and our study underlines how big ideas such as ability are far from homogenous in character but instead are complex, multilayered, and of their time. Reconceptualizing these kinds of ideas about “ability,” particularly as they manifested across diverse contexts, is crucial for understanding how people understood themselves and other beings across time and space. Such an approach to the history of ability matters. It points to the urgency of interrogating the roots of a seemingly everyday idea, one that appears commonplace and apparently unproblematic but that has material consequences for all living beings, human and animal, across a wide range of environments.
Error Pattern of English Rising Diphthongs of Chinese EFL Learners: A Syllable‐Coda Context Perspective
Authors: Pan PAN , Xiaojing WU , Jiaying WANG
Published: November 2024

Chinese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) frequently experience difficulties in articulating English rising diphthongs, thereby hindering their speech efficacy in communication. This research employed an empirical approach to examine the accuracy rate exhibited by Chinese EFL learners while producing five English rising diphthongs (/eɪ/, /aɪ/, /aʊ/, /əʊ/, /ɔɪ/) and the impact of syllable‐coda contexts. Pronunciation samples by 111 Chinese EFL learners were assessed by three raters and results were statistically analyzed. Our results indicated that the accuracy of these rising diphthongs produced by Chinese EFL learners was significantly influenced by syllable‐coda contexts, but not by the diphthong type itself, and more interestingly that (1) diphthongs in the CVm'n context were the most challenging and (2) a lower accuracy in producing rising diphthongs in CVm/n context was consistent across different dialectal regions in China. These findings suggested that the accuracy of English rising diphthongs produced by Chinese EFL learners varies across different syllable‐coda contexts, providing valuable insights for teaching pronunciation.
Skin graft monitoring using forward‐looking infrared thermal imaging
Authors: Hwang Yong Seon , Byeon Je Yeon , Lee Da Woon , Kim Jun Hyuk , Lim Soomin , Choi Hwan Jun
Published: November 2024

This study examined the feasibility of non‐invasive infrared thermography to monitor skin graft viability. Sixty‐three patients with skin defects attending a single institution from May 2022 to August 2023 were included. Patients underwent full‐thickness or split‐thickness skin grafts based on clinical indication. Infrared thermal images were obtained on postoperative days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8. The temperature difference between the skin graft and surrounding normal skin was assessed using image analysis software. All 33 patients with full‐thickness skin grafts showed successful healing. Among the 30 patients with split‐thickness skin grafts, 7 experienced failure. The groups with successful full‐thickness and split‐thickness skin grafts exhibited a gradual increase in graft temperature, peaking on postoperative day 6 and decreasing on postoperative day 8. Temporal temperature changes were significant in each patient group (p < 0.001), and the differences in temperature change patterns between the two groups with successful grafts and the group with graft failure were also significant (p < 0.001). On postoperative day 6, the temperature difference was highest in the full‐thickness skin graft group (0.197 ± 0.335°C), followed by the successful split‐thickness skin graft group (0.426 ± 0.428°C), and the split‐thickness skin graft group with graft failure (−2.100 ± 0.361°C). In conclusion, infrared thermal imaging can provide a non‐invasive real‐time assessment of graft status and predict graft success or failure.
Determining the frequency of pressure ulcers incidence and associated risk factors in critical care patients: A 3‐year retrospective study
Authors: Noie Arezo , Jackson Alun C. , Taheri Mostafa , Sayadi Liela , Bahramnezhad Fatemeh
Published: November 2024

One of the key measures to prevent pressure ulcer is to identify the factors that influence them. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of pressure ulcers and their related risk factors in patients admitted to specialized care units. This research is a retrospective cohort study that was conducted in the critical care units of hospitals affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. A total of 1158 patient records who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) between 2021 and 2022 were selected from the research population using the available sampling method and based on the inclusion criteria. Data was collected using a researcher‐made checklist between April 2021 and December 2022. Data were analysed using analytical tests (chi‐squared test, regression test) and descriptive statistics (prevalence, mean, standard deviation, and median) tests. All 1158 patient files were examined without any sample loss. The average age of the patients was 58.59 ± 19.73 years. The study found a significant association between the occurrence of pressure ulcers and age, duration of hospitalization, weight, body temperature, and male gender (p‐value <0.001). Additionally, there was a significant association between the occurrence of pressure ulcers and the use of pain relievers, vasopressors, alpha‐blockers, calcium blockers, and angiotensin (p‐value 0.001). The study also investigated the association between nursing care practices and the development of pressure ulcers. The findings revealed that changing the angle of the bed, using a wavy mattress, repositioning the patient every 2 h, using a CPR bed for mobility, providing protective equipment, and applying physical restraint to the patient were all significantly associated with the likelihood of pressure ulcers (p < 0.001). The study showed that pressure ulcers in ICU patients are influenced by the type of disease and clinical factors in individuals. However, considering the conflicting results of this study with some other studies, more research is needed on this subject. It is suggested that appropriate measures be taken based on the patient's condition to prevent pressure ulcers in those admitted to the ICU.
Re‐infection after treatment for moderate and severe diabetic foot infections
Authors: Lavery Lawrence A. , Tarricone Arthur N. , Ryan Easton C. , Crisologo Peter A. , Malone Matthew , Suludere Mehmet A. , Rogers Lee C. , Wukich Dane K.
Published: November 2024

To investigate risk factors for re‐infection and compare the outcomes in people with diabetic foot infections. A retrospective chart review was conducted, and 294 hospitalised patients with moderate to severe diabetic foot infections (DFIs) were analysed for this study. The diagnosis and classification of the severity of infection was based on the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) infection guidelines. Skin and soft tissue infections were diagnosed based on clinical observations as per IWGDF classification in addition to ruling out any suspected osteomyelitis (OM) through negative bone culture, MRI or WBC SPECT CT. OM was confirmed by bone culture or histopathology. Clinical outcomes were based on a 12‐month follow‐up period. All dichotomous outcomes were compared using χ2 with an alpha of 0.05. The result of this study shows a 48% rate of re‐infection in people admitted to our hospital with moderate and severe diabetic foot infections (DFI). Patients with osteomyelitis present during the index admission were 2.1 times more likely to experience a re‐infection than patients with soft tissue infection (56.7% vs. 38.0% respectively). In the univariate analysis, risk factors for re‐infection included osteomyelitis, non‐healing wounds, prolonged wound healing, antidepressants and leukocytosis. In the regression analysis, the only risk factor for re‐infection was wounds that were not healed >90 days (HR =2.0, CI: 1.5, 2.7, p = 0.001). Re‐infection is very common in patients with moderate and severe diabetic foot infections. Risk factors include osteomyelitis, non‐healing wound, prolonged wound healing, antidepressants and leukocytosis.
Effects of High Pressure and Ultrasonication Pretreatments and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction on Physico‐Chemical Properties of Edible Insect Oils
Authors: Boonmee Nantawan , Chittrakorn Sasivimon , Detyothin Sukeewan , Tochampa Worasit , Sriphannam Chayaphon , Ruttarattanamongkol Khanitta
Published: November 2024

Edible insects have gained increased attention as the important and sustainable source of nutrients for both human and animal consumption due to their rich content of protein, oil, fiber (as chitin), vitamins, and minerals. This study focuses on examining the effects of advanced pretreatments and oil extraction methods from prominent edible insect species commercially cultivated in Thailand, namely the house cricket (Acheta domesticus), black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), and silkworm (Bombxy mori). The raw insect samples underwent pretreatment using high pressure processing (HPP) at 200–600 MPa for 5 min or ultrasonication (UL) at 37 kHz for 5–15 min, followed by dehydration and extraction using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) or solvent extraction. The study revealed that HPP significantly reduced the initial microbial load of all edible insects by 6–8 log cycles, while UL showed a slight effect on microbial reduction. Additionally, pretreatments notably improved the oil extraction yield of most samples by disrupting the integrity of the cell membrane, facilitating the release of oils. The extracted edible insect oils were rich in unsaturated fatty acids, omega 3, 6, and 9, making them suitable for various applications such as cosmetics, food, and feed additives. Furthermore, the protein meals obtained as a residue after oil removal were identified as potential meat alternatives or replacements in food or feed formulations. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of edible insects as a sustainable source of oil and protein, highlighting the significance of pretreatments and extraction methods in maximizing their utility for various applications in the food, cosmetic, and feed industries.
Policy instruments' effectiveness for facilitating industrial symbiosis: A UK–China comparative study from firms' perspectives
Authors: Tao Yuan , Xiong Ying , Evans Steve , Feng Qi , Zhang Lei
Published: November 2024

Industrial symbiosis (IS) can be a powerful business concept to achieve sustainability and generate significant co‐benefits by utilizing waste from one factory as input to another factory in industrial complexes. However, the adoption of IS is not as expected, partly due to inadequate tailoring to the diverse institutional contexts across different regions. Existing research on facilitating IS has primarily focused on individual countries or industries, lacking insight into the mechanisms and pathways adopted in countries with different economic development levels and policy approaches in facilitating IS. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two facilitated IS initiatives between the United Kingdom and China, where the “parks” are expended to “countries.” The objective is to clarify what policy instruments work well under what conditions in fostering facilitated IS from firms' perspectives. Qualitative methods including semi‐structured interviews, on‐site observations, and archival analysis are employed to collect data, which is analyzed by using thematic coding based on a conceptual framework for comparing the speed‐dating/exogenous IS model. The research finding is that effective facilitation of IS requires tailoring policy instruments to its institutional context, leveraging economic incentives in more decentralized economic systems which are driven predominantly by the needs and initiatives of businesses or local community, and administrative mandates in relatively centralized governance environments. The study emphasizes the importance of developing facilitation approaches adapted to diverse institutional contexts for promoting IS and the cross‐learnings between these models potentially advancing implementation.
The ABC transporter SmABCG1 mediates tanshinones export from the peridermic cells of Salvia miltiorrhiza root
Authors: Li Yajing , Chen Junfeng , Zhi Jingyu , Huang Doudou , Zhang Yuchen , Zhang Lei , Duan Xinyi , Zhang Pan , Qiu Shi , Geng Jiaran , Feng Jingxian , Zhang Ke , Yang Xu , Gao Shouhong , Xia Wenwen , Zhou Zheng , Qiao Yuqi , Li Bo , Li Qing , Li Tingzhao , Chen Wansheng , Xiao Ying
Published: November 2024

Plants have mechanisms to transport secondary metabolites from where they are biosynthesized to the sites where they function, or to sites such as the vacuole for detoxification. However, current research has mainly focused on metabolite biosynthesis and regulation, and little is known about their transport. Tanshinone, a class diterpenoid with medicinal properties, is biosynthesized in the periderm of Salvia miltiorrhiza roots. Here, we discovered that tanshinone can be transported out of peridermal cells and secreted into the soil environment and that the ABC transporter SmABCG1 is involved in the efflux of tanshinone ⅡA and tanshinone Ⅰ. The SmABCG1 gene is adjacent to the diterpene biosynthesis gene cluster in the S. miltiorrhiza genome. The temporal–spatial expression pattern of SmABCG1 is consistent with tanshinone accumulation profiles. SmABCG1 is located on the plasma membrane and preferentially accumulates in the peridermal cells of S. miltiorrhiza roots. Heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes demonstrated that SmABCG1 can export tanshinone ⅡA and tanshinone Ⅰ. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated mutagenesis of SmABCG1 in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots resulted in a significant decrease in tanshinone contents in both hairy roots and the culture medium, whereas overexpression of this gene resulted in increased tanshinone contents. CYP76AH3 transcript levels increased in hairy roots overexpressing SmABCG1 and decreased in knockout lines, suggesting that SmABCG1 may affect the expression of CYP76AH3, indirectly regulating tanshinone biosynthesis. Finally, tanshinone ⅡA showed cytotoxicity to Arabidopsis roots. These findings offer new perspectives on plant diterpenoid transport and provide a new genetic tool for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology research.
Isolated and Combined Effects of Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity on Muscle Strength in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Machado Helen Rocha , Galvão Lucas Lima , Rocha‐Silva Rizia , Cavalcante Neto Jorge Lopes , Virtuoso Junior Jair Sindra , Tribess Sheilla , Viana Ricardo Borges , de Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa , de Assis Teles Santos Douglas
Published: November 2024

Aim

We aim the isolated and combined effects of sedentary behaviour exposure time and physical activity levels on muscle strength in older adults.

Design

This prospective observational cohort study, analytical in nature, using exploratory survey methods and physical performance testing. With 5‐year longitudinal follow‐up (2015–2020).

Methods

A total of 459 older adults participated in the baseline, with a total of 224 being included/located again in the follow‐up. We evaluate muscle strength using handgrip tests and sit‐to‐stand tests. The international physical activity questionnaire was used to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Generalised Estimation Equations tested both independent and combined effects, reporting results as β coefficients and confidence intervals.

Results

Older adults exhibiting low sedentary behaviour displayed enhanced handgrip strength compared to those with high sedentary behaviour. Notably, older adults who were sufficiently active with low sedentary behaviour, sufficiently active with high sedentary behaviour, and insufficiently active with low sedentary behaviour showed increased handgrip strength compared to their counterparts who were insufficiently active with high sedentary behaviour. This trend was consistent for lower limb strength.

Conclusion

Interventions that encourage a reduction in sedentary behaviour and an increase in physical activity are essential to maintain muscle strength among older adults.

Implications for Practice

The findings of this study underscore the importance of addressing both sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels in clinical interventions aimed at preserving muscle strength in older adults. Routine assessments of physical activity and sedentary behaviour could help tailor personalised exercise programs, potentially enhancing functional independence and reducing the risk of frailty and disability in older patients.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were involved in the sample of the study.

Reporting Method

This study was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening Research in Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Notions of Rank Efficiency for the Random Assignment Problem
Authors: Feizi Mehdi
Published: November 2024

An assignment is rank efficient if there is no other assignment where the expected number of agents who received one of their top choices is weakly higher. We introduce new notions of rank efficiency for the random assignment problem and illustrate a hierarchy between them. In a rank‐minimizing assignment, agents receive objects with a minimum rank on average. An ex‐post rank efficient random assignment has at least one lottery over only rank efficient deterministic assignments. Thus, it could still have another lottery with some rank‐dominated deterministic assignments in its support. If each deterministic assignment in any decomposition of a random assignment is rank efficient, we call it a robust ex‐post rank efficient assignment. We demonstrate that rank‐minimizing implies rank efficiency, which indicates (robust) ex‐post rank efficiency. Moreover, we introduce a mechanism that provides an ex‐post rank efficient random assignment. We also prove that ex‐post rank efficiency is incompatible with strategyproofness or fairness in the sense of weak envy‐freeness and equal division lower bound.
Effects of High‐Dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Pig Performance, Vitamin D Content in Meat, and Muscle Transcriptome in Pigs
Authors: Steg Anna , Oczkowicz Maria , Świątkiewicz Małgorzata
Published: November 2024

Vitamin D is known for its role in calcium homeostasis, bone health, and immune function. Recent research has explored its effects on muscle functionality and meat quality in pigs. This study examined high‐dose vitamin D3 supplementation in pigs, focusing on growth, blood and tissue vitamin D3 levels, and muscle transcriptome changes. Thirty pigs were divided into three groups, given different amounts of oral supplementation: control, 5000 IU/kg and 10,000 IU/kg vitamin D3. Biochemical and haematological blood parameters, vitamin D content in blood and muscle, and kidney calcium content were evaluated. RNA‐seq and qPCR analysed muscle transcriptome changes, while gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified gene expression enrichments. Results showed that 5000 IU/kg vitamin D3 supplementation altered blood parameters like platelet anisocytosis and glucose levels but did not affect body weight, weight gain, or feed intake. Kidney calcium content increased with supplementation. The muscle (longissimus dorsi) vitamin D content increased, suggesting the potential for biofortified pork, although still not optimal as a dietary vitamin D source. Transcriptome analysis revealed minimal gene expression changes, with only the interferon‐gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2) gene differentially expressed at the highest dose. GSEA indicated enrichment in ATP metabolic processes and electron transport chain genes in the 5000 IU/kg group, and immune system, cholesterol, steroid, and fatty acid metabolism genes in the 10,000 IU/kg group. Despite literature suggesting a role for vitamin D in muscle gene expression and growth improvement, this study found its effects limited.
Chemometric modeling of spectroscopic data for characterizing the visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic N‐dealkylation of rhodamine B on a TiO2 film
Authors: Morales Jesús M. N. , Alcaraz Mirta R. , Loto Alba , Parellada Eduardo A. , Tulli Fiorella , Morán Vieyra Faustino E. , Borsarelli Claudio D.
Published: November 2024

The green‐light driven photocatalytic N‐deethylation reaction of Rhodamine B (RhB) on a TiO2 film was investigated by UV‐vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopies, in addition to HPLC and HR‐MS, to ascertain the nature of the reaction products. The evolution of the photocatalytic reaction was chemometrically analyzed using Multivariate Curve Resolution—Alternating Least Squares (MCR‐ALS) of the spectroscopic data to obtain the kinetic and spectral decomposition of the RhB derivatives involved in the reaction. This was then compared with the results obtained by standard HPLC analysis. The MCR‐ALS analysis yielded satisfactory spectral and kinetic profiles for RhB and the fully deethylated product, Rhodamine 110. However, the spectral profiles for the N‐triethyl (3EtRh) and the mixture of the two isomeric N‐diethyl (2EtRh) derivatives exhibited some spectral distortions due to significant spectral overlap between these compounds. In contrast to the HPLC analysis, the MCR‐ALS could not resolve the N‐ethylrhodamine (EtRh) derivative. The deethylation reactions occurred via independent zero‐order steps at the surface of TiO2, indicating that the RhB degradation reaction is governed by the adsorption–desorption equilibrium of the dye and derivatives on the photocatalyst surface, thereby enhancing the diffusion of compounds on the surface.
Asymmetry of Relative Prices and Inflation Dynamics in Brazil
Authors: Mansilla Fernando Marques , Arruda Elano Ferreira
Published: November 2024

This paper analyzes how the asymmetry of relative prices fits as a measure of supply shock in the Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve (HNPKC). For this purpose, monthly data from January 2003 to December 2023 is used, along with the generalized method of moments robust to heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation (GMM-HAC). The results indicate that the asymmetry of relative prices performs well as an indicator of supply shocks, having a positive effect on inflation, and its impact is amplified in a scenario of greater economic instability. Additionally, there is evidence of strong inertial inflation that intensifies in an unstable environment, while forward-looking expectations are statistically significant only in stable conditions. Finally, the output gap is statistically significant regardless of the macroeconomic scenario analyzed.
Eficacia y seguridad del promestrieno en el tratamiento del síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia en mujeres con cáncer de mama
Authors: Espitia De La Hoz Franklin José
Published: November 2024

Objetivo:  Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del promestrieno vaginal, en mujeres con cáncer de mama triple negativo, que experimentan síntomas y signos vulvovaginales relacionados con el síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia (SGUM).
Materiales y métodos: estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico regional, aleatorizado, triple ciego, controlado con placebo en mujeres ≥ 45 años sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama con receptores hormonales triple negativo, sintomáticas de SGUM, que consultaron en tres clínicas privadas del Eje Cafetero (Caldas, Risaralda y Quindío), Colombia; entre 2019 y 2023. Se aleatorizaron en dos grupos para recibir promestrieno (n=77) y placebo (n=75). El seguimiento fue de 12 meses, registrando satisfacción con la terapia, efectos adversos, puntuación del índice de salud vaginal e Índice de Función Sexual Femenina (IFSF). Se analizaron los niveles de estradiol, andrógenos y gonadotropinas. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva.
Resultados: El tratamiento con promestrieno mejoró todas las variables del índice de salud vaginal, así como los dominios y la puntuación total del IFSF. Las concentraciones hormonales permanecieron dentro del rango posmenopáusico. El estradiol a lo largo del tratamiento presentó oscilaciones mínimas sin significancia estadística. Los efectos adversos fueron leves y tolerables. La satisfacción con la terapia estuvo cerca del 90 %.
Conclusiones: El promestrieno se mostró eficaz y seguro para el tratamiento de los síntomas y signos del SGUM, sin cambios en relevantes los niveles séricos de estradiol. Los resultados respaldan el uso del promestrieno en mujeres con cáncer de mama que padecen síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia.
Deformation-Dependent Effective Vascular Permeability of a Biological Tissue Containing Parallel Microvessels
Authors: Jin Zhihe
Published: November 2024

This study describes a micromechanics model for estimating the effective vascular permeability for a biological tissue containing parallel microvessels subjected to finite deformations. The representative volume element in the proposed model consists of a hollow cylinder with the inner radius being the microvessel radius and the outer radius determined using the volume fraction of the microvessels in the tissue. The effective vascular permeability is determined using the Poiseuille equation for the microvascular flow, Darcy's law for the homogenized porous tissue, and finite deformation of the tissue matrix modeled as a nonlinear elastic material. The numerical results show that the effective vascular permeability decreases with an increase in the applied pressure on the tissue. The effective permeability can be significantly larger than the reference permeability when the applied pressure is much smaller than the microvascular pressure. On the other hand, the effective permeability becomes less than 30% of the reference permeability when the applied pressure is greater than two times the microvascular pressure. Finally, the effective vascular permeability increases monotonically with an increasing ratio of the deformed volume to the reference volume of the tissue.
Artificial Neural Networks-Based Models for an Internally Cooled Liquid Desiccant Dehumidifier
Authors: Venegas Tomas , Qu Ming
Published: November 2024

Advanced internally cooled liquid desiccant air dehumidifiers enhance overall air-conditioning efficiency by incorporating internal cooling mechanisms. Their existing simulation models require detailed dehumidifier information, are computationally expensive, and pose challenges in convergence, which makes them unsuitable for integration into Building Energy Simulation software for air-conditioning system simulation. This study aims to investigate a method to generate models with less computational demands during simulation using artificial neural networks to represent the operation of an internally cooled dehumidifier. A comprehensive finite difference model was used to generate a data set representative of the expected operation conditions of the device for training the neural network. Various network configurations were explored to assess their impact on prediction precision, following a trial-and-error approach. During the training process, the neural networks reached R values between 0.96 and 0.98 for the different variables. Then, the networks were implemented in a stand-alone code, independent from training, and using basic programming methods. In this implementation, the trained networks underwent a secondary evaluation for prediction accuracy using a distinct data set from the training stage, proving accurate to simulate the internally cooled dehumidifier, reaching values well below 10% for the five predicted outlet variables in comparison to the validated, detailed finite differences model. The overall best performance was found for a network comprising two hidden layers of ten neurons each. This is the initial step towards incorporating neural network models into specialized Building Energy Simulation software, as the foundation for conducting system-level, transient, and long-term simulations.
Ship collision risk threatens whales across the world’s oceans
Authors: Nisi Anna C. , Welch Heather , Brodie Stephanie , Leiphardt Callie , Rhodes Rachel , Hazen Elliott L. , Redfern Jessica V. , Branch Trevor A. , Barreto Andre S. , Calambokidis John , Clavelle Tyler , Dares Lauren , de Vos Asha , Gero Shane , Jackson Jennifer A. , Kenney Robert D. , Kroodsma David , Leaper Russell , McCauley Douglas J. , Moore Sue E. , Ovsyanikova Ekaterina , Panigada Simone , Robinson Chloe V. , White Tim , Wilson Jono , Abrahms Briana
Published: November 2024

After the near-complete cessation of commercial whaling, ship collisions have emerged as a primary threat to large whales, but knowledge of collision risk is lacking across most of the world’s oceans. We compiled a dataset of 435,000 whale locations to generate global distribution models for four globally ranging species. We then combined >35 billion positions from 176,000 ships to produce a global estimate of whale-ship collision risk. Shipping occurs across 92% of whale ranges, and <7% of risk hotspots contain management strategies to reduce collisions. Full coverage of hotspots could be achieved by expanding management over only 2.6% of the ocean’s surface. These inferences support the continued recovery of large whales against the backdrop of a rapidly growing shipping industry.
Macrophage modulation of tumor immunity
Authors: Savage Peter
Published: November 2024

Macrophages deliver polarizing messages to promote immune suppression in tumors
China’s hunger for minerals spurs massive geology survey
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: November 2024

$1 billion SinoProbe II will map the depths with drill rigs and instrument arrays
Open-access journal
eLife
to lose ‘impact factor’
Authors: Brainard Jeffrey
Published: November 2024

Web of Science index pulls metric because of the publisher’s unusual peer-review model
Draft genome sequence of
Geobacillus
sp. strain G4 isolated from the Calientes geothermal field in Tacna, Peru
Authors: Castellanos Roberto , Santos Karita C. R. , Poma Ticona Alonso R. , Ramirez-Arua Heber E. , Bornás-Acosta Soledad A. , Silva Jéssica Pinheiro , Hamann Pedro R. Vieira , Lopes Fabyano A. C.
Published: November 2024

We report the draft genome sequence of
Geobacillus
sp. strain G4, isolated from a hot spring in the Calientes geothermal field, Tacna, Peru. The genome was assembled into 164 contigs, totaling 3,362,411 bp, with an N50 value of 236,119 bp and a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 52.59%.
Whole-genome sequences of fermentative and spoilage-associated lactic acid bacteria,
Lysinibacillus capsici
and a
Serratia marcescens
isolated from commercial cucumber fermentations
Authors: Page Clinton A. , Simpson Sheron , D’Souza Carol B. M. , Pérez-Díaz Ilenys M. , Rivers Adam R.
Published: November 2024

We report the annotated, whole-genome sequences of 16 bacteria isolated from commercial cucumber fermentations. The collection consists of nine fermentative and two spoilage-associated lactic acid bacteria, four
Lysinibacillus
strains, and a
Serratia marcescens
. Half the genome assemblies have fewer than 10 contigs, and the remainder have fewer than 30.
The unique and enigmatic spirochete symbiont of latrunculid sponges
Authors: Waterworth Samantha C. , Solomons Gabriella M. , Kalinski Jarmo-Charles J. , Madonsela Luthando S. , Parker-Nance Shirley , Dorrington Rosemary A.
Published: November 2024

Bacterial symbionts are critical members of many marine sponge holobionts. Some sponge-associated bacterial lineages, such as Poribacteria, sponge-associated unclassified lineage (SAUL), and Tethybacterales, appear to have broad-host ranges and associate with a diversity of sponge species, while others are more species-specific, having adapted to the niche environment of their host. Host-associated spirochete symbionts that are numerically dominant have been documented in several invertebrates including termites, starfish, and corals. However, dominant spirochete populations are rare in marine sponges, having thus far been observed only in
Clathrina clathrus
and various species within the Latrunculiidae family, where they are co-dominant alongside Tethybacterales symbionts. This study aimed to characterize these spirochetes and their potential role in the host sponge. Analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes from eight latrunculid sponges revealed that these unusual spirochetes are relatively recent symbionts and are phylogenetically distinct from other sponge-associated spirochetes. Functional comparative analysis suggests that the host sponge may have selected for these spirochetes due to their ability to produce terpenoids and/or possible structural contributions.

IMPORTANCE

South African latrunculid sponges are host to co-dominant Tethybacterales and Spirochete symbionts. While the Tethybacterales are broad-host range symbionts, the spirochetes have not been reported as abundant in any other marine sponge except
Clathrina clathrus
. However, spirochetes are regularly the most dominant populations in marine corals and terrestrial invertebrates where they are predicted to serve as beneficial symbionts. Here, we interrogated eight metagenome-assembled genomes of the latrunculid-associated spirochetes and found that these symbionts are phylogenetically distinct from all invertebrate-associated spirochetes. The symbiosis between the spirochetes and their sponge host appears to have been established relatively recently.
Nurse and doctor turnover and patient outcomes in NHS acute trusts in England: retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Moscelli Giuseppe , Mello Marco , Sayli Melisa , Boyle Adrian
Published: November 2024

Objective

To investigate the association between monthly turnover rates of hospital nurses and senior doctors and patient health outcomes (mortality and unplanned hospital readmissions).

Design

Retrospective longitudinal study.

Setting

All 148 NHS acute trusts in England (1 April 2010 to 30 March 2019), excluding specialist and community NHS hospital trusts.

Participants

Yearly records on 236 000 nurses, 41 800 senior doctors (specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors, and consultants), and 8.1 million patients admitted to hospital.

Main outcome measures

The panel data regression analysis used nine years of monthly observations from administrative datasets at healthcare worker and patient levels. Associations using linear and unconditional quantile regressions were estimated, including controls for seasonality and NHS hospital trust. Four hospital quality indicators (risk adjusted by patient age, sex, and Charlson index comorbidities) were used and measured at a monthly frequency on a percentage scale: mortality risk within 30 days from all cause, emergency, or elective admission to hospital, and risk of unplanned emergency readmission within 30 days from discharge after elective hospital treatment.

Results

A 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in turnover rate for nurses was associated with 0.035 (95% confidence interval 0.024 to 0.045) and 0.052 (0.037 to 0.067) percentage point increases in risks of all cause and emergency admission mortality, respectively, at 30 days. The corresponding values for senior doctors were 0.014 (0.005 to 0.024) and 0.019 (0.006 to 0.033) percentage point increases. Higher nurse turnover rate was associated with higher mortality risk at 30 days in surgical (P<0.01) and general medicine (P<0.01) specialties, as well as mortality for patients admitted to hospital with infectious and parasitic diseases (international classification of diseases, 10th revision; P<0.05) and injury, poisoning, and consequences of external causes (P<0.01). Higher turnover rates for senior doctors were associated with higher mortality risk at 30 days for patients admitted to hospital with infectious and parasitic diseases (P<0.05), mental and behavioural disorders (P<0.05), and diseases of the respiratory system (P<0.05). Turnover rates for hospital nurses and senior doctors were not statistically significantly associated with risk adjusted hospital mortality and unplanned emergency readmissions for elective patients.

Conclusions

Lower turnover rates for nurses and senior doctors at hospital level were associated with better health outcomes for patients with emergency hospital admissions.

Study registration

Integrated Research Application System project ID 271302.