bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gain of function SCN1A disease‐causing variants: Expanding the phenotypic spectrum and functional studies guiding the choice of effective antiseizure medication
Authors: Matricardi Sara , Cestèle Sandrine , Trivisano Marina , Kassabian Benedetta , Leroudier Nathalie , Vittorini Roberta , Nosadini Margherita , Cesaroni Elisabetta , Siliquini Sabrina , Marinaccio Cristina , Longaretti Francesca , Podestà Barbara , Operto Francesca Felicia , Luisi Concetta , Sartori Stefano , Boniver Clementina , Specchio Nicola , Vigevano Federico , Marini Carla , Mantegazza Massimo
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study was undertaken to refine the spectrum of SCN1A epileptic disorders other than Dravet syndrome (DS) and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) and optimize antiseizure management by correlating phenotype–genotype relationship and functional consequences of SCN1A variants in a cohort of patients.

Methods

Sixteen probands carrying SCN1A pathogenic variants were ascertained via a national collaborative network. We also performed a literature review including individuals with SCN1A variants causing non‐DS and non‐GEFS+ phenotypes and compared the features of the two cohorts. Whole cell patch clamp experiments were performed for three representative SCN1A pathogenic variants.

Results

Nine of the 16 probands (56%) had de novo pathogenic variants causing developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) with seizure onset at a median age of 2 months and severe intellectual disability. Seven of the 16 probands (54%), five with inherited and two with de novo variants, manifested focal epilepsies with mild or no intellectual disability. Sodium channel blockers never worsened seizures, and 50% of patients experienced long periods of seizure freedom. We found 13 SCN1A missense variants; eight of them were novel and never reported. Functional studies of three representative variants showed a gain of channel function. The literature review led to the identification of 44 individuals with SCN1A variants and non‐DS, non‐GEFS+ phenotypes. The comparison with our cohort highlighted that DEE phenotypes are a common feature.

Significance

The boundaries of SCN1A disorders are wide and still expanding. In our cohort, >50% of patients manifested focal epilepsies, which are thus a frequent feature of SCN1A pathogenic variants beyond DS and GEFS+. SCN1A testing should therefore be included in the diagnostic workup of pediatric, familial and nonfamilial, focal epilepsies. Alternatively, non‐DS/non‐GEFS+ phenotypes might be associated with gain of channel function, and sodium channel blockers could control seizures by counteracting excessive channel function. Functional analysis evaluating the consequences of pathogenic SCN1A variants is thus relevant to tailor the appropriate antiseizure medication.
Circ_0001402 knockdown suppresses the chemoresistance and development of DDP‐resistant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells by functioning as a ceRNA for miR‐625‐5p
Authors: Li Min , Luo Ming , Liu Pei , Wang Runchao , Jing Haixia
Published: January 2023

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the most common metastatic skin cancer. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are differentially expressed in CSCC and can sequester and sponge microRNAs. GSE74758 shows that hsa_circ_0001402 (circ_0001402) is the most overexpressed circRNA in CSCC. Expression of circ_0001402, microRNA(miR)‐625‐5p and karyopherin subunit alpha 4 (KPNA4) was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and/or Western blot. Colon formation, flow cytometry, Transwell assays and xenograft tumour model confirmed the development of CSCC cells. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) interaction was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Circ_0001402 was significantly upregulated in CSCC tissues and cells, and higher expression of circ_0001402 was found in DDP‐resistant samples. Functionally, circ_0001402 knockdown induced apoptosis and inhibited half maximal inhibitory concentration of DDP, colony formation, migration and invasion of DDP‐resistant CSCC cells, accompanied with the depressed multi‐drug resistance‐1 (MDR1) and MDR‐related protein‐1, while miR‐625‐5p inhibitor could counteract these effects. Mechanically, circ_0001402 mediated the expression regulation of KPNA4 via functioning as a ceRNA for miR‐625‐5p. KPNA4 re‐expression could abate the functions of miR‐625‐5p. Furthermore, circ_0001402 knockdown could hinder tumour growth of DDP‐resistant CSCC. Circ_0001402 knockdown can suppress the development and chemoresistance of DDP‐resistant CSCC cells at least partly through targeting miR‐625‐5p/KPNA4 axis.
Novel Miscanthus hybrids: Modelling productivity on marginal land in Europe using dynamics of canopy development determined by light interception
Authors: Shepherd Anita , Awty‐Carroll Danny , Kam Jason , Ashman Chris , Magenau Elena , Martani Enrico , Kontek Mislav , Ferrarini Andrea , Amaducci Stefano , Davey Chris , Jurišić Vanja , Petrie Gert‐Jan , Al Hassan Mohamad , Lamy Isabelle , Lewandowski Iris , de Maupeou Emmanuel , McCalmont Jon , Trindade Luisa , van der Cruijsen Kasper , van der Pluijm Philip , Rowe Rebecca , Lovett Andrew , Donnison Iain , Kiesel Andreas , Clifton‐Brown John , Hastings Astley
Published: January 2023

New biomass crop hybrids for bioeconomic expansion require yield projections to determine their potential for strategic land use planning in the face of global challenges. Our biomass growth simulation incorporates radiation interception and conversion efficiency. Models often use leaf area to predict interception which is demanding to determine accurately, so instead we use low‐cost rapid light interception measurements using a simple laboratory‐made line ceptometer and relate the dynamics of canopy closure to thermal time, and to measurements of biomass. We apply the model to project the European biomass potentials of new market‐ready hybrids for 2020–2030. Field measurements are easier to collect, the calibration is seasonally dynamic and reduces influence of weather variation between field sites. The model obtained is conservative, being calibrated by crops of varying establishment and varying maturity on less productive (marginal) land. This results in conservative projections of miscanthus hybrids for 2020–2030 based on 10% land use conversion of the least (productive) grassland and arable for farm diversification, which show a European potential of 80.7–89.7 Mt year−1 biomass, with potential for 1.2–1.3 EJ year−1 energy and 36.3–40.3 Mt year−1 carbon capture, with seeded Miscanthus sacchariflorus × sinensis displaying highest yield potential. Simulated biomass projections must be viewed in light of the field measurements on less productive land with high soil water deficits. We are attempting to model the results from an ambitious and novel project combining new hybrids across Europe with agronomy which has not been perfected on less productive sites. Nevertheless, at the time of energy sourcing issues, seed‐propagated miscanthus hybrids for the upscaled provision of bioenergy offer an alternative source of renewable energy. If European countries provide incentives for growers to invest, seeded hybrids can improve product availability and biomass yields over the current commercial miscanthus variety.
Interleukin‐3‐dependent potentiation of IgE responsiveness in mouse basophils
Authors: Kitano Takuma , Togawa Kaho , Takemori Juri , Motoki Yuya , Kishida Keitaroh , Itoh Saotomo , Takamoto Masaya , Taki Shinsuke , Hida Shigeaki
Published: January 2023

Basophils produce interleukins (IL)‐4 in response to various stimuli and may contribute to type 2 immune responses to various infections and allergens. We found that resting basophils freshly isolated from mice produce IL‐4 in response to IL‐3 but not to high‐affinity Fc receptor (FcεRI) cross‐linking (CL), yet both required the immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif (ITAM) containing adaptor Fc receptor γ‐chain (FcRγ), while basophils activated in vitro by IL‐3 become responsive to FcεRI CL. Acquisition of responsiveness to FcεRI CL occurred upon infection with Trichinella spiralis or administration of superantigen. Because cultured basophils return to a quiescent state upon starvation with IL‐3 with surface FcεRI levels unchanged, this acquisition is reversible and probably reflects intracellular events requiring protein synthesis. Interestingly, similar activation‐associated acquisition was observed for responsiveness to other stimuli, including CD200R3 CL, which is known to signal via DAP‐12, and the allergen protease papain. This acquisition of responsiveness to FcεRI CL was inhibited by Jak inhibitor. Thus, the IL‐3 signal bifurcates downstream of Jak, into two distinct pathway, one leading to IL‐4 production and the other to render basophils competent to respond to stimuli dependent on ITAM‐containing adaptors DAP12 and FcRγ for IL‐4 production.
Preparation of nano‐AlN powder by sol–gel foaming and its sintering properties
Authors: Liu Mengyang , Wang Shuangshuang , Li Sifang , Liu Chengwei , Luo Shuaiou , Wang Deqiang
Published: January 2023

Uniformly dispersed nano‐sized aluminum nitride powders were prepared by the sol–gel foaming method using aluminum nitrate as the aluminum source, sucrose as the carbon source, and ammonium chloride as the foaming agent. The effects of ammonium chloride content on the particle size and the sintering properties of aluminum nitride were investigated. The results showed that when the molar ratio of ammonium chloride to aluminum nitrate was .5, the colloidal foams were uniform, large, and fluffy, and amorphous alumina precursors with uniform particles could be prepared. Aluminum nitride powder with a particle size of 22–27 nm can be obtained by calcining these precursors in nitrogen atmosphere at 1400°C for 2 h. At the same time, aluminum nitride bulk material with a relative density of 95% can be obtained by sintering the compact samples in nitrogen atmosphere at 1700°C for 2 h.
Hospital triage and skin disease: hospital outcomes are differentially associated with cutaneous morphology
Authors: Pettit Cory , Trinidad John , Chung Catherine , Patterson Andrew , Kaffenberger Benjamin H.
Published: January 2023

Background

Determining the exact dermatologic diagnosis is difficult in the inpatient setting.

Objective

Determine whether morphologic classification rather than specific diagnosis is associated with hospital outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective single‐center study. Information from 1798 inpatient dermatology consults at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center from 2012 to 2014 was queried. Dermatologic diseases were categorized into 16 groups based on appearance. Logistic regression was performed comparing mortality rate vs morphology. Linear regression was performed comparing the length of stay (LOS) vs morphology.

Results

Morphology was associated with a mortality rate (P = 0.038). The morphologic subgroups acneiform/follicular/occlusion (P = 0.011), blistering disorders (P = 0.009), retiform purpura (P = 0.011), and vasculitis/vascular (P = 0.007) were associated with increased mortality. Morphology was associated with LOS (P = 0.004), and the morbilliform subgroup was associated with increased LOS (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the importance of morphologic diagnosis and its association with mortality rate and LOS. This information may help triage cutaneous disorders in the inpatient setting and determine the relative risk of dermatologic conditions when assessing the need for hospital transfers and more aggressive therapies.
Prophylaxis effects of water kefir on post‐infectious irritable bowel syndrome in rat model
Authors: Gökırmaklı Çağlar , Erol Zeki , Gun Ilhan , Ozmen Ozlem , Guzel‐Seydim Zeynep Banu
Published: January 2023

Water kefir (WK) is produced using WK grains containing beneficial bacteria and yeasts. It has antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐diabetic, anti‐hyperlipidaemic, anti‐ulcerogenic, and antioxidant effects. The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of WK on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study, thirty‐two female Wistar‐Albino rats aged 3 months were randomly distributed to four groups: the control group (C), the WK group, the WK group with IBS (WK + IBS), and the IBS group. Results indicated that the IBS groups had higher white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte counts, and procalcitonin levels. The findings of WK + IBS group showed that WK improved against IBS. TNF‐α, NF‐kB expressions, and histopathological results significantly decreased after receiving WK treatment. In conclusion, ingestion of WK has prophylactic effects on IBS as exhibited through anin‐vivomurine model. The findings suggested that IBS may be prevented and treated with WK.
Grapefruit peel essential oil nanoemulsions: preparation, characterisation, stability and antifungal potential against Penicillium digitatum of Kinnow
Authors: Dudeja Isha , Tandon Ritu , Kalia Anu
Published: January 2023

Hydrophobicity of essential oils poses a big hindrance for harnessing their diverse antimicrobial portfolio. The study was therefore planned to develop and explore grapefruit peel essential oil nanoemulsions (GPEO‐NEs) as an eco‐friendly hydrophilic alternate against Penicillium digitatum, a prominent postharvest fungus of kinnow. GPEO‐NEs were prepared by mixing GPEO and surfactant (Tween 80) in different ratios (v/v) viz 1:0.5–1:3 by bath and probe sonication. The 1:1 OSR GPEO‐NE (20 min) by probe sonication exhibited consistent droplet diameter (96.6 nm) and PDI (0.247). All GPEO‐NEs were evaluated for antifungal potential against P. digitatum using poisoned food technique. The GPEO‐NEs (1:1 OSR; 20 min) revealed the best efficacy (88.6%) as compared to pure GPEO (76.6%). Optical microscopy further revealed stronger suppressive activity of GPEO‐NEs for spore germination and hyphal distortion of P. digitatum than pure oil. The GPEO‐NEs can thus serve as a green alternative to synthetic fungicides for managing postharvest losses in kinnow by using these as coatings.
Wind effects on the long‐distance migration of GPS‐tracked adult ospreys Pandion haliaetus from Germany
Authors: Meyburg Bernd‐Ulrich , Holte Daniel
Published: January 2023

Birds that repeatedly visit distinct places along their migratory routes in consecutive years must be able to navigate to these places and respond appropriately to unfavourable wind conditions. This study analysed the migratory routes, repeatedly‐visited areas and responses to sidewinds of 15 GPS‐tracked adult ospreys Pandion haliaetus from northeast Germany migrating to their wintering sites in Africa and back. We determined stopovers and intermediate goal areas and performed repeatability estimations on timing and migratory paths in four regions. The orientation behaviour of the ospreys was analysed with regard to perpendicular wind components at each GPS point during autumn and spring migrations. Generalised linear mixed models were used to test the dependence of orientation behaviour on region and the distance to the next goal. The findings showed that ospreys demonstrate high fidelity to migratory paths in autumn and spring, as well as to the timing of migration in autumn; and sidewinds are predominantly compensated, especially when sidewinds are strong. Furthermore, during autumn migration, the proportion of compensation increases in most regions with decreasing distances to the next goal; however, during spring migration, drift behaviour was detected more often at smaller distances to the next goal than at higher distances in the regions Mediterranean and central Europe. In general, ospreys compensate for unfavourable sidewinds and utilise supporting tailwinds on their journeys to the wintering sites in Africa and back to central Europe.
Impact of genomic preselection on subsequent ssGBLUP evaluation of preselected animals for scarcely recorded feed intake in pigs
Authors: Jibrila Ibrahim , ten Napel Jan , Vandenplas Jeremie , Bergsma Rob , Veerkamp Roel F. , Calus Mario P. L.
Published: January 2023

We have previously shown that single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) estimates breeding values of genomically preselected animals without preselection bias for widely recorded traits, that is traits recorded for the majority of animals in the breeding population. This study investigated the impact of genomic preselection (GPS) on accuracy and bias in ssGBLUP evaluation of genomically preselected animals for a scarcely recorded trait, that is a trait recorded for only a small proportion of the animals, which generally has a lower prediction accuracy than widely recorded traits, mainly due to having a much smaller number of phenotypes available. We used data from a commercial pig breeding program, considering feed intake as a scarcely recorded target trait, being available for ~30% of the animals with phenotypes for any trait, and average daily gain, backfat thickness and loin depth as widely recorded predictor traits, being available for >95% of the animals with phenotypes for any trait. The data contained the routine GPS implemented by commercial animal breeding programs, and we retrospectively implemented two scenarios with additional layers of GPS by discarding pedigree, genotypes and phenotypes of animals without progeny. The ssGBLUP evaluation following GPS used records only from the target trait, only from the predictor traits, or both. Accuracy for feed intake did not differ statistically across GPS scenarios, although it tended to decrease with more intense GPS. The accuracy had average values of 0.37, 0.44, and 0.45 across all GPS scenarios when, respectively, records from only the target trait, only the predictor traits, or both were used in the ssGBLUP evaluation. Considerable deflation of the genomic breeding values for feed intake was observed in the most stringent GPS scenario, due to the variance components being underestimated as a result of the limited amount of strongly preselected data. As long as (co)variance components were unbiased, no or only marginal bias was observed. These results for accuracy and bias were observed whether records of the scarcely recorded target trait, of the predictor traits, or both were used in the ssGBLUP evaluation. Our results show that for the scarcely recorded feed intake in pigs, ssGBLUP is able to estimate breeding values of preselected animals without preselection bias, similarly as previously observed for widely recorded traits.
Evaluation of pulsed light treatment for inactivation of Salmonella in packaged cherry tomato and impact on background microbiota and quality
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sudarsan , Ukuku Dike O. , Jin Tony , Olanya Ocen M. , Fan Xuetong
Published: January 2023

The microbial safety of produce continues to be a real concern. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of high intensity short time pulsed light (PL) application on survival of Salmonella in packaged cherry tomato. Treatment effects on reduction of native microbiota and quality were also evaluated. Stem scars of cherry tomatoes, inoculated with a three serotypes cocktail of Salmonella enterica, was treated with PL for up to 60 s. Polyethylene (PE) films of 25.4, 50.8 and 76.2 μm thickness were used for packaging treatment. A10 s treatment equivalent to a fluence dose of 10.5 J/cm2 was considered optimum. Both packaged and direct PL treatments provided >1 log reduction of the pathogen in 10 s (10.5 J/cm2). Direct treatment for 10 s resulted in 1.9 ± 0.17 log CFU/g reduction of Salmonella. For packaged tomatoes, log reductions decreased with increasing film thickness but not significantly (p < .05). Also, no significant difference in PL decontamination efficacy between packaged and unpackaged tomatoes was observed. Treatment significantly reduced the initial populations of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (3.6 ± 0.31 log), molds and yeast (2.43 ± 0.22 log) by >1 log, respectively. Packaged tomatoes were softer after treatment but not significantly. Storage time did not affect fruit firmness. No significant change in the visual appearance of fruits were observed after treatment and during 14 days of storage. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that high intensity short time PL treatment may be used to enhance microbial safety and reduce postprocessing contamination of packaged cherry tomato.
The Modified and Extended Hospital Elder Life Program: A remote model of care to expand delirium prevention
Authors: Fong Tamara G. , Albaum Jason A. , Anderson Molly L. , Cohen Sara G. , Johnson Shauni , Supiano Mark A. , Vlisides Philip E. , Wade Harley L. , Weinberg Lyn , Wierman Heidi R. , Zachary Wendy , Inouye Sharon K. ,   for the HELP‐ME Writing Group
Published: January 2023

Background

Delirium is a common complication of hospitalization and is associated with poor outcomes. Multicomponent delirium prevention strategies such as the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) have proven effective but rely on face‐to‐face intervention protocols and volunteer staff, which was not possible due to restrictions during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We developed the Modified and Extended Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP‐ME), an innovative adaptation of HELP for remote and/or physically distanced applications.

Methods

HELP‐ME protocols were adapted from well‐established multicomponent delirium prevention strategies and were implemented at four expert HELP sites. Each site contributed to the protocol modifications and compilation of a HELP‐ME Operations Manual with standardized protocols and training instructions during three expert panel working groups. Implementation was overseen and monitored during seven learning sessions plus four coaching sessions from January 8, 2021, through September 24, 2021. Feasibility of implementing HELP‐ME was measured by protocol adherence rates. Focus groups were conducted to evaluate the acceptability, provide feedback, and identify facilitators and barriers to implementation.

Results

A total of 106 patients were enrolled across four sites, and data were collected for 214 patient‐days. Overall adherence was 82% (1473 completed protocols/1798 patient‐days), achieving our feasibility target of >75% overall adherence. Individual adherence rates ranged from 55% to 96% across sites for the individual protocols. Protocols with high adherence rates included the nursing delirium protocol (96%), nursing medication review (96%), vision (89%), hearing (87%), and orientation (88%), whereas lower adherence occurred with fluid repletion (64%) and range‐of‐motion exercises (55%). Focus group feedback was generally positive for acceptability, with recommendations that an optimal approach would be hybrid, balancing in‐person and remote interventions for potency and long‐term sustainability.

Conclusions

HELP‐ME was fully implemented at four HELP sites, demonstrating feasibility and acceptability. Testing hybrid approaches and evaluating effectiveness is recommended for future work.
An innovative rehabilitation program for the veterans affairs post‐acute skilled nursing setting: Preliminary results
Authors: Ashcroft Taarika , Middleton Addie , Driver Jane A. , Ruopp Marcus , Harris Rebekah , Bean Jonathan F.
Published: January 2023

Background

Skilled nursing rehabilitative care plays a critical role in older adults' functional recovery impacting post‐discharge outcomes. Variations across post‐acute rehabilitative care services and patient outcomes indicate a need to improve rehabilitative care in this setting. We adapted a successful outpatient care program (Live Long Walk Strong‐LLWS) to address this need in post‐acute care settings within the Veterans Health Administration. LLWS differs from standard PT care by treating impairments linked to functional decline that are not traditionally targeted by standard care, providing formalized coaching to optimize behavior change, and providing post‐discharge case management to optimize long‐term outcomes. The purpose was to adapt, refine and implement the LLWS program for the Community Living Center (CLC), determine its acceptability and feasibility, and evaluate its preliminary effectiveness among older adults.

Methods

The design of the program was adapted from the original outpatient LLWS program to the CLC setting through quality improvement methods and the Replicating Effective Programs (REP) framework. Primary outcomes included measures of feasibility and acceptability of >80% enrollment and completion of sessions as well as preliminary effectiveness using performance‐based and patient‐reported measures of function including the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), AM‐PAC, a Global Rating of Change questionnaire, and a satisfaction survey.

Results

After 18 months, 51 Veterans had enrolled in the LLWS program, with 94.1% maintaining enrollment. We observed >80% completion of the inpatient and home follow‐up sessions. Most patients were highly satisfied with care. Improvements in the SPPB (2.3 (SD 2.2) points), gait speed (0.17 (0.14) m/s) and the AM‐PAC (6.5 (SD 5.7)) surpassed clinically meaningful thresholds.

Conclusions

This novel care program is feasible and acceptable to Veterans, demonstrating preliminary effectiveness with improving functional outcomes. Future research is needed to further examine the program's impact on other important outcomes relative to standard modes of care.
Repeated Caledonian burial and ultrafast cooling and exhumation of high‐pressure granulite facies rocks from the Blåhø Nappe on the island of Fjørtoft, Western Gneiss Region, Norway
Authors: Liu Penglei , Massonne Hans‐Joachim
Published: January 2023

The allochthonous Blåhø Nappe in the Nordøyane ultra high pressure (UHP) domain, Western Gneiss Region in Norway, acts as a window to examine geological processes occurring in continent–continent collisional zones, but many aspects regarding its tectonometamorphic evolution remain debated and elusive. In this contribution, an integrated study including major‐ and trace‐element zoning in garnet, phase equilibrium modelling and the simulation of cation diffusion in garnet was conducted on two high‐pressure (HP) granulite facies rocks from the Blåhø Nappe on the island of Fjørtoft. The results shed new light on the complex geodynamic processes that act in continent–continent collisional zones and finally shape collisional orogens. Phengite, biotite, amphibole, zoisite‐allanite and low‐Zr rutile enclosed in garnet likely attest to a prograde eclogite facies metamorphism for the studied rocks. Pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of ~1.5–1.6 GPa and 615–670°C were retrieved for this stage. An extensive re‐equilibration under peak HP granulite facies conditions of ~1.5 GPa and 925 ± 50°C followed. Subsequently, the rocks were cooled and reburied to eclogite facies conditions of ~1.8–1.9 GPa and 805–825°C. This was followed by a final stage of decompression and cooling to amphibolite facies conditions of ~650–780°C and 0.5–1.0 GPa. Cooling and exhumation rates of >400°C/Ma and >75 km/Ma, respectively, indicating an ultrafast temperature and pressure decrease are estimated for this stage from simulations of cation diffusion in garnet. The anticlockwise P–T path obtained here is relatively complete and compatible with a repeated burial history during the Caledonian orogeny but not with UHP conditions proposed for the Blåhø Nappe. Our model proposes that the rocks later forming the Blåhø Nappe were buried to lower crustal depths of approximately 55 km equating to a geothermal gradient of ~13°C/km during the early Caledonian orogeny. Subsequent heating of these rocks to HP granulite facies conditions was likely driven by slab break‐off and hot mantle upwelling. Baltica underthrusting during the Scandian continent–continent collision cooled and transported the Blåhø Nappe to greater depths. The obtained cooling and exhumation rates indicate ultrafast exhumation, presumably in an exhumation channel.
What motivates adolescent bystanders to intervene when immigrant youth are bullied?
Authors: Hitti Aline , Gönültaş Seçil , Mulvey Kelly Lynn
Published: January 2023

Pathways to bystander responses were examined in both generalized and bias‐based bullying incidents involving immigrant‐origin victims. Participants were 168 (Mage = 14.54, 57% female) adolescents of immigrant (37.5%) and nonimmigrant backgrounds, who responded to their likelihood of intervening on behalf of either an Arab or Latine victim. Models tested whether contact with immigrants and one's desires for social contact with immigrant‐origin peers mediated the effects of individual (shared immigrant background, and discriminatory tendencies) and situational (inclusive peer norms) intergroup factors on active bystander responses. Findings indicated that desires for social contact reliably mediated effects across both victims; however, contact with immigrant peers was only associated with responses to Latine victims. Implications for how to promote bystander intervention are discussed.
Parents' COVID‐19 vaccine intentions for children under 5 years: Brief reflections from a qualitative study
Authors: Attwell Katie , McKenzie Lara , Tomkinson Sian , Carlson Samantha J , Blyth Christopher C
Published: January 2023

Aim

Australian authorities made COVID‐19 vaccines available for children aged under 5 years old with serious comorbidities in August 2022. There is presently no universal programme for young children, but crucial to any rollout's success is whether parents are motivated and able to vaccinate. By examining parents' vaccine intentions, this study aims to inform current and future COVID‐19 vaccine roll‐outs for children aged under 5 years.

Methods

As part of the mixed methods project ‘Coronavax: Preparing Community and Government’ we interviewed 18 Western Australian parents of young children about their intentions in late 2021.

Results

Two thirds intended to vaccinate if and when they could, with one third intending to delay for reasons including risk and safety perceptions, fears about side effects and influence from their social networks. However, even those choosing to delay were waiting rather than refusing.

Conclusions

To improve uptake, targeted messaging should emphasise that COVID‐19 can be a serious disease in young children, with such messaging drawing on the reputability and esteem of scientific and technical authorities. Such messaging should be oriented towards parents of children with serious comorbidities at the present time. It will be important to emphasise that government vaccine recommendations are based on supporting families to protect their children and keep them healthy.
Reconstructing volatility: Pricing of index options under rough volatility
Authors: Friz Peter K. , Wagenhofer Thomas
Published: January 2023

Avellaneda et al. (2002, 2003) pioneered the pricing and hedging of index options – products highly sensitive to implied volatility and correlation assumptions – with large deviations methods, assuming local volatility dynamics for all components of the index. We present an extension applicable to non‐Markovian dynamics and in particular the case of rough volatility dynamics.
From ‘motherland’ to ‘daddy state’: A genealogical analysis of the gender undertone in China's nationalist discourses
Authors: Wang Clyde Yicheng , Chen Zifeng
Published: January 2023

This article examines the gender undertone of China's nationalist discourses, especially in familial metaphors of nationalism, and how such an undertone shapes people's understandings of state authority and state‐citizen relations. Conventional nationalist discourse of the ‘motherland’ evokes the image of an insulted and raped mother as the symbol of national humiliation and calls for actions from patriots (masculinised in the discourse). In recent years, however, we have seen the emergence of a new discourse that depicts the nation‐state as a rich, powerful and masculine ‘daddy’. Using discourse analysis and Foucauldian genealogical methods, this article argues that the discursive development has to be analysed against China's historical backgrounds, especially considering new standards of masculinity and femininity in the era of economic reform. Capital is equated to masculinity and righteousness, whereas femininity is shaped by the middle‐class values of consumerism and political disengagement. The ‘daddy state’ discourse conjures strong paternalistic power from China's economic capacity that can be projected onto challengers of state authority, while also constructing the nationalist public as feminised consumers whose consumerist enjoyment relies on patriarchal state protection.
Addressing controversies in the xylem embolism resistance–vessel diameter relationship
Authors: Isasa Emilie , Link Roman Mathias , Jansen Steven , Tezeh Fon Robinson , Kaack Lucian , Sarmento Cabral Juliano , Schuldt Bernhard
Published: January 2023

Although xylem embolism is a key process during drought‐induced tree mortality, its relationship to wood anatomy remains debated. While the functional link between bordered pits and embolism resistance is known, there is no direct, mechanistic explanation for the traditional assumption that wider vessels are more vulnerable than narrow ones.

We used data from 20 temperate broad‐leaved tree species to study the inter‐ and intraspecific relationship of water potential at 50% loss of conductivity (P50) with hydraulically weighted vessel diameter (Dh) and tested its link to pit membrane thickness (TPM) and specific conductivity (Ks) on species level.

Embolism‐resistant species had thick pit membranes and narrow vessels. While Dh was weakly associated with TPM, the P50–Dh relationship remained highly significant after accounting for TPM. The interspecific pattern between P50 and Dh was mirrored by a link between P50 and Ks, but there was no evidence for an intraspecific relationship.

Our results provide robust evidence for an interspecific P50–Dh relationship across our species. As a potential cause for the inconsistencies in published P50–Dh relationships, our analysis suggests differences in the range of trait values covered, and the level of data aggregation (species, tree or sample level) studied.
The growth of policies, rules, and regulations: A review of the literature and research agenda
Authors: Hinterleitner Markus , Knill Christoph , Steinebach Yves
Published: January 2023

This article reviews the vibrant literature on policy growth in political science and adjacent disciplines, thus offering a conceptual framework for situating past and future research efforts and facilitating the engagement between them. The first part presents important concepts that capture policy growth or aspects of it (rule growth, policy layering, policy mixes, policy accumulation, policyscapes, the policy state) and dominant measurement approaches. The second part provides an overview of the main drivers of policy growth in advanced democracies, discussing the role of societal demands, political competition, institutional fragmentation, and bureaucratic processes. The third part outlines the multi‐faceted and far‐reaching consequences of policy growth for policy, politics, and the polity. While policy growth is often portrayed as the price to pay for upholding the democratic capitalist order in constantly modernizing and diversifying societies, the existing research also points to the negative consequences emanating from increased state activity. Policy growth not only threatens to overburden bureaucracies and thereby undermine policy effectiveness; it may also transform the institutional structure of the democratic state and make its politics more complicated and conflictual.
The downside of being openminded: The positive relation between openness to experience and nonsuicidal self‐injury
Authors: Bresin Konrad , Hunt Rowan A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Sensation seeking and openness are two distinct, but related, individual differences that lead individuals to seek out intense sensations. As a result, these traits may also predispose individuals toward engaging in non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI); however, to date, no models have examined the relation between openness and NSSI after accounting for the influence of sensation.

Method

The goals of this study were to (1) examine the relation between openness and NSSI while accounting for sensation seeking in a sample of racially diverse undergraduates (N = 340) and (2) conduct a meta‐analysis of the existing research on the association between NSSI and openness.

Results

A negative binomial regression model demonstrated a significant positive association between NSSI and openness when accounting for sensation seeking; however, NSSI was not significantly related to sensation seeking. Moreover, multivariate meta‐analysis with robust variance revealed a small, but significant, association between NSSI and openness across 15 studies.

Conclusion

Together, these results suggest a positive association between openness and NSSI, highlighting an area for future research in what role openness to experience might play in the development of NSSI.
Capitalizing on the potential of mobile health applications as behavioral interventions: A research agenda for calorie‐tracking and activity‐tracking applications
Authors: Standen Erin C. , Rothman Alexander J.
Published: January 2023

Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) are widely used tools that provide support for people seeking help managing their health in a particular behavioral domain (e.g., physical activity). Despite their popularity, evidence for the effectiveness of mHealth apps as stand‐alone behavioral interventions is limited. Psychological and behavioral scientists can play a critical role in addressing this gap by pursuing programs of research that leverage basic behavioral science principles to test links between key features of mHealth apps (e.g., goal setting, feedback) and behavior change. To demonstrate this approach to evaluating mHealth apps, we systematically examine five key features of popular calorie‐tracking and activity‐tracking apps, explain how these features align with established behavior change techniques, discuss the evidence base for the effectiveness of these techniques within each behavioral domain, and situate predictions about how individual app features may promote behavior change in a conceptual model. Through this work, researchers can guide the design of mHealth apps and optimize them for facilitating sustained health behavior change.
Canine dermatitis on contacting grass leaf: A case series
Authors: Mason Kenneth , Ruutu Merja
Published: January 2023

Background

Pruritus is a common clinical sign in dogs for which owners seek veterinary attention. Its diagnosis and treatment are often a source of frustration for the owner and veterinarian. Contact dermatitis is rarely considered, even when lesions are located only on the skin. This report describes the immediate reaction to grass leaf material after skin exposure, with similarities to human protein contact dermatitis.

Hypothesis/Objective

To describe the history, clinical findings, diagnostic methods, and characteristics of an undescribed canine pruritic dermatitis that is clinically distinct from canine atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.

Animals

Eighteen pet dogs living in Australia were referred for unresolved pruritic dermatitis.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of clinical records from patients with pruritic dermatitis after contacting grass leaves. Findings on skin testing, isolation, challenge, and description of skin lesions are described.

Results

Dogs had an inflammatory and pruritic dermatitis affecting the ventral chest, anterior‐medial thighs and distal limb, areas that had been in contact with grass, which dogs instinctively avoided. Erythema and erythematous macules and papules were characteristic in the affected skin, inducing coat loss, and thickened pigmented skin. Isolating the dogs from grass resolved their clinical signs and pruritus returned within hours of contact with causative grass.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

A literature review revealed that this canine dermatitis was similar to human protein contact dermatitis. The impact may be enormous for the treatment of dogs having this disease because the treatment path differs from the therapeutic options of common canine pruritic skin disorders, including the possibility of cure by avoidance.
The set of mildly regular boundary points has full caloric measure
Authors: Watson Neil A.
Published: January 2023

We introduce a new kind of regularity in the Dirichlet problem for the heat equation, called mild regularity. The mildly regular boundary points include all types of regular points previously considered. Just as regular boundary points have barriers associated with them, the mildly regular boundary points have mild barriers, which are just as important. We consider whether the mild regularity of a boundary point for an open set is inherited by an open subset or superset. We detail the connection of mild regularity with the Green function. We consider, in particular, subdomains of an arbitrary open set that satisfy a certain connectivity condition which takes account of the special nature of the temporal variable, called zones of influence. Our main theorem states that, for any zone of influence, the set of boundary points that are not mildly regular is caloric measure null.
Dendritic patterns from shear-enhanced anisotropy in nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhou Shuang , Zhang Rui , Bischofberger Irmgard
Published: January 2023

Controlling the growth morphology of fluid instabilities is challenging because of their self-amplified and nonlinear growth. The viscous fingering instability, which arises when a less viscous fluid displaces a more viscous one, transitions from exhibiting dense-branching growth characterized by repeated tip splitting of the growing fingers to dendritic growth characterized by stable tips in the presence of anisotropy. We controllably induce such a morphology transition by shear-enhancing the anisotropy of nematic liquid crystal solutions. For fast enough flow induced by the finger growth, the intrinsic tumbling behavior of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals can be suppressed, which results in a flow alignment of the material. This microscopic change in the director field occurs as the viscous torque from the shear flow becomes dominant over the elastic torque from the nematic potential and macroscopically enhances the liquid crystal anisotropy to induce the transition to dendritic growth.
Supreme-black levels enabled by touchproof microcavity surface texture on anti-backscatter matrix
Authors: Amemiya Kuniaki , Shimizu Yuhei , Koshikawa Hiroshi , Shitomi Hiroshi , Yamaki Tetsuya
Published: January 2023

Emerging immersive high–dynamic range display technologies require not only high peak luminance but also true black levels with hemispherical reflectance below 0.001 (0.1%) to accommodate the wide dynamic range of the human eye (~10
5
). Such low reflectance materials, denoted here as “supreme black,” must exhibit near-perfect surface antireflection, extremely low in-matrix backscattering, and sufficient optical thickness, which, to date, have only been achieved by fragile sparse materials. We demonstrate a record-low hemispherical reflectance below 0.0002 (absorptance above 0.9998) in a touchproof material by satisfying the three requirements with a superwavelength surface microtexture with nanolevel details, low Mie backscattering composition, and optional additional underlayer. Our supreme black finishes are one to two orders of magnitude blacker than previously developed touchproof super-black materials. Thereby, unprecedented black levels enabling an ambient contrast ratio of ≳10
4
would be provided in display devices, contributing to immersive visual experiences that are critical for seamless remote collaboration and reliable virtual health care.
Dysfunction of Lamin B and Physiological Aging Cause Telomere Instability in Drosophila Germline
Authors: Morgunova Valeriya V. , Sokolova Olesya A. , Sizova Tatyana V. , Malaev Leonid G. , Babaev Dmitry S. , Kwon Dmitry A. , Kalmykova Alla I.
Published: January 2023

Chromatin spatial organization in the nucleus is essential for the genome functioning and regulation of gene activity. The nuclear lamina and lamina-associated proteins, lamins, play a key role in this process. Lamin dysfunction leads to the decompaction and transcriptional activation of heterochromatin, which is associated with the premature aging syndrome. In many cell types, telomeres are located at the nuclear periphery, where their replication and stability are ensured by the nuclear lamina. Moreover, diseases associated with defects in lamins and telomeres have similar manifestations and resemble physiological aging. Understanding molecular changes associated with aging at the organismal level is especially important. In this study, we compared the effects caused by the mutation in lamin B and physiological aging in the germline of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We have shown that the impaired localization of lamin B leads to the heterochromatin decompaction and transcriptional activation of some transposable elements and telomeric repeats. Both DNA damage and activation of homologous recombination in the telomeres were observed in the germ cells of lamin B mutants. The instability of repeat-enriched heterochromatin can be directly related to the genome destabilization, germ cell death, and sterility observed in lamin B mutants. Similar processes were observed in Drosophila germline in the course of physiological aging, which indicates a close link between the maintenance of the heterochromatin stability at the nuclear periphery and mechanisms of aging.
Background rate estimations for thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia: challenges in evaluating rare safety signals following vaccination in real time during a pandemic
Authors: Müllerová Hana , Medin Jennie , Arnold Matthew , Gomes da Silva Hugo , Kumar Supriya , Nord Magnus , Hubbard Richard , de Lusignan Simon
Published: January 2023

Objectives

During COVID-19 vaccination programmes, new safety signals have emerged for vaccines, including extremely rare cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia syndrome (TTS). Background event rates before and during the pandemic are essential for contextualisation of such infrequent events. In the literature, most studies do not report an overall TTS event rate. Rather, background rates are mainly reported for subtypes of thrombotic/thromboembolic diagnoses included in the TTS clinical definition mostly by anatomical location, with reported rates for TTS subtypes varying widely. The objective of this study was to report prepandemic TTS background event rates in the general population.

Methods

Prepandemic background TTS rates were generated via secondary data analysis using a cohort design in the IBM Truven MarketScan (now Merative MarketScan) US health insurance claims database, from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. Two algorithms were applied: thrombocytopaenia occurring±7 days (algorithm 1) or occurring 1 day prior to ≤14 days after the thrombotic/thromboembolic event (algorithm 2).

Results

The study population derived from the MarketScan database analysis included approximately 9.8 million adults (aged ≥18 years; mean age 45 years, 52% females). Using this study population, prepandemic background TTS incidence was estimated as 9.8–11.1 per 100 000 person-years. Event rates were higher in males and increased with age. Similar patterns were observed with both algorithms.

Conclusions

This study presents an estimate of aggregate prepandemic background TTS event rates including by type of thrombosis/thromboembolism and age group. The background event rates are dependent on the precision of capturing underlying TTS events in variable data sources, and the ability of electronic health records or insurance claims databases to reflect the TTS clinical definition. Differences between reported event rates demonstrate that estimating background event rates for rare, unprecedented safety events is methodologically challenging.