bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doing the Same With Different Results: Variations in EU Presidencies of Austria, Finland, Slovakia and Czechia
Authors: Kočí Kateřina , Antal Jarolím
Published: July 2024

Holding the presidency in the Council of the EU can be a powerful tool of influence for a member state. Despite its centrality in EU decision‐making, there is a gap in a systematic analysis of the performance of the presiding country, especially considering the external (input) factors that impact the successful implementation of the EU presidency. This article attempts to understand how the EU presidency can be conceptualized and what factors can influence its success. The analysis dwells on findings from current scholarly research as well as on data from four selected EU presidencies (Austrian, Finnish, Slovakian and Czech). It argues that the success of a presidency may be interpreted as apparent, but in reality, its extent and nature vary. It (the presidency) is a result of various factors that directly become part of the preparations and affect the execution of the presidency's activities.
Second‐trimester triglyceride‐glucose index to predict adverse outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A retrospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: Bai Xueqi , Zhu Qingyi , Wang Wenli , Kan Sutong , Hu Shiman , Hao Runrun , Wang Shanshan , Shi Zhonghua
Published: July 2024

Aims/Introduction

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus are at high risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the triglyceride‐glucose index in predicting the risk of developing adverse outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective multicenter cohort study included 8,808 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in two grade‐A tertiary hospitals in China during 2018–2022. The triglyceride‐glucose index was defined as ln [triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Significant adverse gestational diabetes mellitus outcomes were chosen by generalized linear models as the main outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated their association with the triglyceride‐glucose index. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes. The prediction efficiency was validated in the sensitivity analysis dataset and validation cohort.

Results

The triglyceride‐glucose index was associated with preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, preterm birth, placenta accreta spectrum, and macrosomia before and after adjusting for confounding factors (P < 0.05). The predictive performance of the triglyceride‐glucose index was relatively moderate. Incorporating the triglyceride‐glucose index into the baseline clinical risk model improved the area under curves for the diagnosis of preeclampsia (0.749 [0.714–0.784] vs 0.766 [0.734–0.798], P = 0.033) and macrosomia (0.664 [0.644–0.685] vs 0.676 [0.656–0.697], P = 0.002). These predictive models exhibited good calibration and robustness.

Conclusions

The triglyceride‐glucose index is positively associated with preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, preterm birth, placenta accreta spectrum, and macrosomia and is useful for the early prediction and prevention of adverse outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Chromosomal analysis of two Acanthodoras species (Doradidae, Siluriformes): Insights into the oldest thorny catfish clade and its karyotype evolution
Authors: Takagui Fábio Hiroshi , Viana Patrik , Haerter Chrystian Aparecido Grillo , Zuanon Jansen , Birindelli José Luís Olivan , Lui Roberto Laridondo , Feldberg Eliana , Margarido Vladimir Pavan
Published: July 2024

The Doradidae fishes constitute one of the most diverse groups of Neotropical freshwater environments. Acanthodoradinae is the oldest lineage and the sister group to all other thorny catfishes, and it includes only the genus Acanthodoras. The diversity of Acanthodoras remains underestimated, and the use of complementary approaches, including genetic studies, is an important step to better characterize this diversity and the relationships among the species within the genus. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using conventional cytogenetic techniques and physical mapping of three multigene families (18S and 5S ribosomal DNA [rDNA], U2 small nuclear DNA [snDNA]) and four microsatellite motifs, namely (AC)n, (AT)n, (GA)n, and (GATA)n, in two sympatric species from the Negro River: Acanthodoras cataphractus and Acanthodoras cf. polygrammus. We found significant differences in constitutive heterochromatin (CH) content, distribution of the microsatellite (AT)n, and the number of 5S rDNA and U2 snDNA sites. These differences may result from chromosome rearrangements and repetitive DNA dispersal mechanisms. Furthermore, the characterization of the diploid number (2n) of these Acanthodoras species enables us to propose 2n = 58 chromosomes as the plesiomorphic 2n state in Doradidae based on ancestral state reconstruction. Acanthodoradinae is the oldest lineage of the thorny catfishes, and knowledge about its cytogenetic patterns is crucial for disentangling the karyotype evolution of the whole group. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms behind chromosome diversification of Doradidae and highlights the importance of Acanthodoradinae in the evolutionary history of thorny catfishes.
Interleukin‐1 receptor 1 deficiency worsens hepatocellular carcinoma, while gemcitabine treatment alleviates the hepatocellular carcinoma‐induced increase in intra‐hepatic immune cells
Authors: Chu Chia‐Sheng , Chen Hsiao‐Ping , Lin Pin‐Hung , Cheng Chi‐Chen , Kuo Ho‐Yu , Fan Pei‐Han , Peng Wei‐Hao , Wu Li‐Ling
Published: July 2024

Background and Aim

Primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), represents a substantial global health challenge. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective in HCC treatment, several patients still experience disease progression. Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) regulates immunity and inflammation. We investigate the role of IL‐1 in HCC development and progression and determine the potential therapeutic impact of gemcitabine in treating HCC.

Methods

Hydrodynamics‐based transfection, employing the sleeping beauty transposase system, delivered surrogate tumor antigens, NRAS (NRAS proto‐oncogene, GTPase), ShP53, and SB100 to C57BL/6 mice. A basic HCC mouse model was established. Pathogen‐free animals were tested for serum and hepatotoxicity. The HCC prognosis was monitored using alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Liver histology immunohistochemistry and mouse splenocyte/intra‐hepatic immune cell flow cytometry were conducted. IL‐1β levels in human and mouse serum were assessed.

Results

Interleukin‐1β levels were elevated in patients with HCC compared with those in non‐HCC controls. Hepatic IL‐1β levels were higher in HCC mouse models than those in non‐HCC mice, suggesting localized hepatic inflammation. IL‐1 receptor type 1 (IL‐1R1) knockout (IL‐1R1−/−) mice exhibited less severe HCC progression than that in wild‐type mice, despite the high intra‐hepatic IL‐1β concentration. IL‐1R1−/− mice exhibited increased hepatic levels of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, which may exacerbate HCC. Gemcitabine significantly reduced the HCC tumor burden, improved liver conditions, and increased survival rates in HCC mouse models. Gemcitabine reduced the hepatic levels of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, potentially alleviating immune suppression in the liver.

Conclusions

Targeting IL‐1 or combining gemcitabine with immunotherapy is a promising approach for treating advanced‐stage HCC.
Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an online nutrition education intervention for those with a sleeve gastrectomy: A pilot randomised control trial
Authors: Harbury Cathy , Shrewsbury Vanessa A. , Collins Clare E. , Callister Robin
Published: July 2024

Background

A sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a lifelong treatment that improves health and better outcomes are associated with follow‐up. However, there is lack of access or high attrition to aftercare. This potentially contributes to sub‐optimal dietary intake and a lack of evidence for nutrition interventions. The present study assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a nutrition intervention to improve diet quality in Australian adults living with a SG.

Methods

Adults (n = 96) post‐SG were recruited into a cross‐sectional diet quality study, with 68 eligible for randomisation to an intervention or wait‐list control group. Over 10 weeks, a Facebook group was used to post daily nutrition education. Feasibility outcomes included participant recruitment, engagement, retention and acceptability. Preliminary efficacy was assessed using change in Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Linear mixed models were used to measure differences in mean outcome between the experimental groups over time.

Results

Sixty‐eight participants (97% female) aged 48.2 ± 9.8 years, body mass index 33.1 ± 5.8 kg/m2, and mean ± SD ARFS 39 ± 9 points were randomised to the intervention, with 66% retention at 10 weeks. At follow‐up, diet quality increased for the intervention group (mean ARFS, 95% confidence interval = 0.2 [−1.5 to 1.9]) and decreased for the control group (mean ARFS, 95% confidence interval= −2.0 [−5.2 to 1.2]) with no between group difference (p = 0.2). Participants (n = 30) rated the intervention positively.

Conclusions

Recruiting and retaining adults post‐SG into a nutrition intervention is feasible. Low‐cost recruitment attracted strong interest from women to identify greater support to know what to eat following SG. A future fully powered trial to assess intervention efficacy is warranted.
A career in numbers: A citation network analysis of the work of RP Millar and his contribution to GnRH research
Authors: Leng Rhodri I. , Leng Gareth
Published: July 2024

Here, we reflect on the long career in neuroendocrinology of a single, highly productive scientist (‘Bob’ Millar), by analysing his oeuvre of published papers through the lens of citation metrics. We use citation network analysis in a novel manner to identify the specific topics to which his papers have made a particular contribution, allowing us to compare the citations of his papers with those of contemporary papers on the same topic, rather than on the same broad field as generally used to normalise citations. It appears that citation rates are highest for topics on which Bob has published a relatively large number of papers that have become core to a tightly‐knit community of authors that cite each other. This analysis shows that an author's impact depends on the existence of a receptive community that is alert to the potential utility of papers from that author, and which uses, amplifies, extends and qualifies the contents of their papers—activities that entail reciprocal citation between authors. The obvious conclusion is that a scientist's impact depends on the use that his or her contemporaries make of his or her contributions, rather than on the contributions in themselves.
Novel single‐entry point injection technique for masseter hypertrophy treatment using botulinum neurotoxin based on patient‐reported comfort
Authors: Wan Jovian , Kim Jong‐Seo , Park Youngjin , Park Soo Yeon , Koppert Erik , Kim Hee‐Jin , Yi Kyu‐Ho
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections are widely used for the treatment of masseter muscle hypertrophy in Southeast Asia. However, there remains a lack of consensus regarding the optimal injection technique. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and patient discomfort associated with single‐entry point injections versus multiple three‐point injections for masseter muscle hypertrophy treatment with BoNT.

Materials and Methods

Sixteen participants, comprising both male and female Korean adults aged 22–63, were enrolled in the study. On the left side of the face, single‐entry point injections were administered, followed by multidirectional injections, while on the right side, three‐point injections were given. Pain intensity during the procedure was assessed using visual analogue scale scores.

Result

Our results revealed that participants experienced lower levels of pain with single‐entry point injections compared to three‐point injections (average visual analogue scores of 3.31 and 5.19, respectively).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the potential benefits of single‐entry point injections in reducing patient discomfort during masseter muscle hypertrophy treatment with BoNT. We advocate for further research to validate these findings and encourage practitioners to consider single‐entry point injections as a viable option for enhancing treatment outcomes in their clinical practice.
Nurses' attitudes towards telehealth: The development and validation of the nurses' attitudes towards the use of telehealth scale
Authors: Yılmaz Sümeyra , Hepokur Yıldırım Şeyma Nur , Kitiş Yeter , Kan Adnan
Published: July 2024

Aim

To develop the nurses' attitudes towards use of a telehealth scale (NATUTS) and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Design

This methodological study involved two stages: the development of the NATUTS and the testing of the psychometric properties of NATUTS. We followed STROBE guidelines when reporting the study (File S1).

Methods

Items for NATUTS were created using evidence from the literature and presented to eight experts. The scale was tested in a methodological study conducted through a face‐to‐face survey with nurses working in outpatient and inpatient units of a tertiary hospital in Türkiye. Psychometric properties of the scale, such as structural validity, content validity and internal consistency reliability, were tested. The sample, consisting of 630 nurses, was divided into two separate random groups. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted with the data of the first 330 people, and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with the data of the remaining 300 people.

Results

A 19‐item, three‐factor structure (Satisfaction, Rejection, Development) was obtained in the newly developed scale. In NATUTS, Factor 1 (α = .93), Factor 2 (α = .86) and Factor 3 (α = .87) measured 64.4% of the total variance. The entire 19‐item acceptability survey showed good internal consistency. NATUTS is a brief survey based on research evidence validated in a large Turkish sample.

Conclusion

Findings show that NATUTS has acceptable content and structural validity and is reliable in measuring nurses' attitudes towards the use of telehealth. Further research can be conducted to develop the scale and strengthen its validity.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Culturally responsive care in haemodialysis: A scoping review
Authors: Aryal Sara , Bennett Paul N. , Bloomer Melissa J.
Published: July 2024

Aim

To describe how clinicians provide culturally responsive care to culturally diverse people with kidney failure in haemodialysis centres.

Background

Culturally diverse individuals receiving in‐centre maintenance haemodialysis have unique cultural needs. Unmet cultural needs can impair and profoundly affect their experiences. Given culturally responsive care has the potential to enhance the experiences of culturally diverse people, it is vital to understand how clinicians provide culturally responsive care.

Method

A scoping review was undertaken using Arksey and OMalleys framework. Five databases: Medline and CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), PsycINFO, Embase (OVID) and ProQuest Theses and Dissertation databases were searched for research literature published in English between 1990 and 2023. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesise the data.

Results

From the 17,271 records screened, 17 papers reporting 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis revealed two themes: (i) communication enablers and barriers including linguistic differences, professional and lay interpreter use; and (ii) the importance of culture, which encompassed acknowledging cultural priorities, accommodating cultural food preferences and access to cultural training.

Conclusion

While competing priorities associated with haemodialysis may be a challenge for clinicians, recognising the significance of cultural care needs and accommodating them in care is important. Demonstrating respect towards cultural diversity and providing person‐centred care by facilitating the unique cultural needs of people with kidney failure in haemodialysis is imperative.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Culturally responsive care is complex and multidimensional. Individuals' cultural care needs should be acknowledged, respected, and accommodated in care.

Patient or Public contribution

No patient or public contribution. The study protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. https://osf.io/uv8g3.
Tasks at hand or more challenges: The roles of regulatory focus and job insecurity in predicting work behaviours
Authors: Tu Yan , Wang Hai‐Jiang , Jiang Lixin , De Witte Hans , Long Lirong
Published: July 2024

Previous studies have explored the effects of trait regulatory focus on routine performance and proactive behaviour yet failed to reveal the underlying motivational mechanisms and investigate how these effects may operate in uncertain environments. To fill this gap, our study first draws upon regulatory focus theory to examine the motivational mechanisms linking trait regulatory focus with routine performance and challenge‐seeking behaviour (i.e., a type of proactive behaviour). We hypothesize that trait prevention focus improves routine performance but reduces challenge‐seeking behaviour via avoidance motivation, whereas trait promotion focus increases routine performance and challenge‐seeking behaviour through approach motivation. Incorporating trait activation theory, we further theorize that uncertainty that threatens individuals' security needs (i.e., quantitative job insecurity) strengthens trait prevention focus effects, while uncertainty that threatens individuals' growth needs (i.e., qualitative job insecurity) weakens trait promotion focus effects. Analysing two‐wave data from 275 employees and 58 supervisors, we found that (a) trait prevention focus had an unconditional positive indirect effect on employee self‐reported routine performance via increased avoidance motivation and (b) trait promotion focus had positive indirect effects on employee self‐reported and supervisor‐rated routine performance and challenge‐seeking behaviour via enhanced approach motivation, with these effects stronger at lower levels of qualitative job insecurity.
An updated description of bacterial pneumonia in adult horses and factors associated with death
Authors: Hallowell Kimberly L. , Hepworth‐Warren Kate L. , Dembek Katarzyna
Published: July 2024

Background

Available descriptive studies on equine pneumonia are outdated or focus on specific horse or bacterial populations.

Objectives

To describe the clinical presentation and bacterial isolates of adult horses with bacterial pneumonia and identify factors associated with death.

Animals

One hundred sixteen horses >2 years old with bacterial pneumonia.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Data regarding history, physical examination, clinicopathologic features, treatment, bacterial culture and sensitivity, and outcome were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Historical risk factors were present for 60% of cases, whereas abnormal vital signs on intake were present for <50%. Most horses (58%) underwent at least 1 change of antimicrobial treatment, and 67% received the highest‐priority critically important antimicrobials. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was the most isolated bacteria (44%), followed by Escherichia coli (19%), Klebsiella spp. (18%), other Streptococcus species (17%), and Bacillus spp. (13%). Fusobacterium spp. were the most common anaerobic isolates (11%). Antimicrobial susceptibility varied widely. Survival to discharge was 73%. Heart rate at presentation (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.008‐1.17, P = .03) and higher creatinine (OR 14.1, 95% CI 1.56‐127.6, P = .02) increased the risk of death. Higher lymphocyte count (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08‐0.94, P = .04) reduced risk.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Contrasting older literature, Fusobacterium spp. were the most common anaerobes. Streptococcus zooepidemicus remained the most common isolate and was predictably susceptible to penicillin. Antimicrobial susceptibility was otherwise variable and broad applicability is limited as this was a single‐center study. Increased risk of death associated with tachycardia and abnormally high serum creatinine concentration is consistent with previous studies.
Domestication and evolutionary histories of specialized gut symbionts across cephalotine ants
Authors: Cabuslay Christian , Wertz John T. , Béchade Benoît , Hu Yi , Braganza Sonali , Freeman Daniel , Pradhan Shreyansh , Mukhanova Maria , Powell Scott , Moreau Corrie , Russell Jacob A.
Published: July 2024

The evolution of animals and their gut symbionts is a complex phenomenon, obscured by lability and diversity. In social organisms, transmission of symbionts among relatives may yield systems with more stable associations. Here, we study the history of a social insect symbiosis involving cephalotine ants and their extracellular gut bacteria, which come predominantly from host‐specialized lineages. We perform multi‐locus phylogenetics for symbionts from nine bacterial orders, and map prior amplicon sequence data to lineage‐assigned symbiont genomes, studying distributions of rigorously defined symbionts across 20 host species. Based on monophyly and additional hypothesis testing, we estimate that these specialized gut bacteria belong to 18 distinct lineages, of which 15 have been successfully isolated and cultured. Several symbiont lineages showed evidence for domestication events that occurred later in cephalotine evolutionary history, and only one lineage was ubiquitously detected in all 20 host species and 48 colonies sampled with amplicon 16S rRNA sequencing. We found evidence for phylogenetically constrained distributions in four symbionts, suggesting historical or genetic impacts on community composition. Two lineages showed evidence for frequent intra‐lineage co‐infections, highlighting the potential for niche divergence after initial domestication. Nearly all symbionts showed evidence for occasional host switching, but four may, more often, co‐diversify with their hosts. Through our further assessment of symbiont localization and genomic functional profiles, we demonstrate distinct niches for symbionts with shared evolutionary histories, prompting further questions on the forces underlying the evolution of hosts and their gut microbiomes.
Spatial variation in genomic signatures of local adaptation during the cane toad invasion of Australia
Authors: Beer Marc A. , Trumbo Daryl R. , Rautsaw Rhett M. , Kozakiewicz Christopher P. , Epstein Brendan , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Alford Ross A. , Schwarzkopf Lin , Storfer Andrew
Published: July 2024

Adaptive evolution can facilitate species' range expansions across environmentally heterogeneous landscapes. However, serial founder effects can limit the efficacy of selection, and the evolution of increased dispersal during range expansions may result in gene flow swamping local adaptation. Here, we study how genetic drift, gene flow and selection interact during the cane toad's (Rhinella marina) invasion across the heterogeneous landscape of Australia. Following its introduction in 1935, the cane toad colonised eastern Australia and established several stable range edges. The ongoing, more rapid range expansion in north‐central Australia has occurred concomitant with an evolved increase in dispersal capacity. Using reduced representation genomic data of Australian cane toads from the expansion front and from two areas of their established range, we test the hypothesis that high gene flow constrains local adaptation at the expansion front relative to established areas. Genetic analyses indicate the three study areas are genetically distinct but show similar levels of allelic richness, heterozygosity and inbreeding. Markedly higher gene flow or recency of colonisation at the expansion front have likely hindered local adaptation at the time of sampling, as indicated by reduced slopes of genetic‐environment associations (GEAs) estimated using a novel application of geographically weighted regression that accounts for allele surfing; GEA slopes are significantly steeper in established parts of the range. Our work bolsters evidence supporting adaptation of invasive species post‐introduction and adds novel evidence for differing strengths of evolutionary forces among geographic areas with different invasion histories.
Genomic stress in diseases stemming from defects in the second brain
Authors: Mombeek Lobke Marie M. , Boesmans Werend , Wilson David M.
Published: July 2024

This review discusses the less‐explored realm of DNA damage and repair within the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the “second brain.” While the central nervous system has been extensively studied for its DNA repair mechanisms and associated neuropathologies, the ENS, which can autonomously coordinate gastrointestinal function, experiences unique challenges and vulnerabilities related to its genome integrity. The susceptibility of the ENS to DNA damage is exacerbated by its limited protective barriers, resulting in not only endogenous genotoxic exposures, such as oxidative stress, but also exogenous threats, such as ingested environmental contaminants, local inflammatory responses, and gut dysbiosis. Here, we discuss the evidence for DNA repair defects in enteric neuropathies, most notably, the reported relationship between inherited mutations in RAD21 and LIG3 with chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction and mitochondrial gastrointestinal encephalomyopathy disorders, respectively. We also introduce the lesser‐recognized gastrointestinal complications in DNA repair syndromes, including conditions like Cockayne syndrome. The review concludes by pointing out the potential role of DNA repair defects in not only congenital disorders but also aging‐related gut dysfunction, as well as the crucial need for further research to establish direct causal links between DNA damage accumulation and ENS‐specific pathologic phenotypes.
Deep learning‐based hyperspectral technique identifies metastatic lymph nodes in oral squamous cell carcinoma—A pilot study
Authors: Li Qingxiang , Zhang Xueyu , Zhang Jianyun , Huang Hongyuan , Li Liangliang , Guo Chuanbin , Li Wei , Guo Yuxing
Published: July 2024

Aims

To establish a system based on hyperspectral imaging and deep learning for the detection of cancer cells in metastatic lymph nodes.

Main Methods

The continuous sections of metastatic lymph nodes from 45 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients were collected. An improved ResUNet algorithm was established for deep learning to analyze the spectral curve differences between cancer cells and lymphocytes, and that between tumor tissue and normal tissue.

Key Findings

It was found that cancer cells, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes in the metastatic lymph nodes could be distinguished basing hyperspectral image, with overall accuracy (OA) as 87.30% and average accuracy (AA) as 85.46%. Cancerous area could be recognized by hyperspectral image and deep learning, and the average intersection over union (IOU) and accuracy were 0.6253 and 0.7692, respectively.

Significance

This study indicated that deep learning‐based hyperspectral techniques can identify tumor tissue in OSCC metastatic lymph nodes, achieving high accuracy of pathological diagnosis, high work efficiency, and reducing work burden. But these are preliminary results limited to a small sample.
Prediction of proliferative diabetic retinopathy using machine learning in Latino and non‐Hispanic black cohorts with routine blood and urine testing
Authors: Goldstein Ayelet , Ding Kun , Carasquillo Onelys , Levine Barton , Hasan Aisha , Levine Jonathan
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The objective was to predict proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in non‐Hispanic Black (NHB) and Latino (LA) patients by applying machine learning algorithms to routinely collected blood and urine laboratory results.

Methods

Electronic medical records of 1124 type 2 diabetes patients treated at the Bronxcare Hospital eye clinic between January and December 2019 were analysed. Data collected included demographic information (ethnicity, age and sex), blood (fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1C [HbA1c] high‐density lipoprotein [HDL], low‐density lipoprotein [LDL], serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) and urine (albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio [ACR]) test results and the outcome measure of retinopathy status. The efficacy of different machine learning models was assessed and compared. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was employed to evaluate the contribution of each feature to the model's predictions.

Results

The balanced random forest model surpassed other models in predicting PDR for both NHB and LA cohorts, achieving an AUC (area under the curve) of 83%. Regarding sex, the model exhibited remarkable performance for the female LA demographic, with an AUC of 87%. The SHAP analysis revealed that PDR‐related factors influenced NHB and LA patients differently, with more pronounced disparity between sexes. Furthermore, the optimal cut‐off values for these factors showed variations based on sex and ethnicity.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential of machine learning in identifying individuals at higher risk for PDR by leveraging routine blood and urine test results. It allows clinicians to prioritise at‐risk individuals for timely evaluations. Furthermore, the findings emphasise the importance of accounting for both ethnicity and sex when analysing risk factors for PDR in type 2 diabetes individuals.
Benefits of North Korea's Membership in the New York and ICSID Conventions
Authors: Jon WooJung , Park Tae Jung , Singh Akshansh
Published: July 2024

This article contends that North Korea should accede to the New York Convention and the ICSID Convention to provide more robust legal protections and dispute settlement mechanisms for foreign investors. While North Korea has enacted various domestic laws and established special economic zones to attract foreign investment, these measures have proved insufficient to fully assuage investor concerns, particularly regarding the enforcement of arbitral awards and protections against expropriation. Joining the New York Convention would mitigate uncertainties surrounding the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards by obligating North Korean courts to recognize and enforce such awards, subject only to limited, internationally accepted grounds for refusal. Accession to the ICSID Convention would enable aggrieved foreign investors to bring claims against North Korea before a neutral, depoliticized arbitral tribunal, providing an additional layer of protection against discriminatory or expropriatory state conduct. Membership in these conventions would significantly enhance North Korea's credibility in the eyes of foreign investors, demonstrating a commitment to upholding the rule of law and aligning its investment framework with global norms. While accession alone is not a panacea, it represents a crucial step toward building investor confidence, facilitating greater FDI inflows, and fostering North Korea's economic development and international engagement.
A novel approach to calculate the required volume of air for bronchial blockers in young children
Authors: Zhu Change , Zhang Saiji , Zhang Mazhong , Wei Rong
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Bronchial blocker balloons inflated with small volumes of air increase balloon pressure, involving a risk of airway injury especially in young children. However, there are no established guidelines regarding the appropriate volumes of air required to provide safe bronchial occlusion.

Methods

This study aimed to introduce a novel method for calculating the amount of air required for safe bronchial blocker balloon occlusion for one lung anesthesia in young children. We included 79 pediatric patients who underwent video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery at our hospital. Preoperatively, the balloon pressure and corresponding diameter of 5F bronchial blockers inflated with different volumes of air were measured. Intraoperatively, bronchial diameters measured by computerized tomographic scans were matched to the ex vivo measured balloon diameters. The quality of lung isolation, incidence of balloon repositioning, and airway injury were documented. Postoperatively, airway injury was evaluated through fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Results

Balloon pressure and balloon diameter showed linear and nonlinear correlations with volume, respectively. The median lengths of the right and left mainstem bronchi were median (interquartile range) range: 5.3 mm (4.5–6.3) 2.7–8.15 and 21.8 (19.6–23.4) 14–29, respectively. Occluding the left mainstem bronchus required <1 mL of air, with a balloon pressure of 27 cm H2O. The isolation quality was high with no case of mucosal injury or displacement. Occluding the right mainstem bronchus required a median air volume of 1.3 mL, with a median balloon pressure of 44 cm H2O. One patient had poor lung isolation due to a tracheal bronchus and another developed mild and transient airway injury.

Conclusion

The bronchial blocker cuff should be regarded as a high‐pressure balloon. We introduced a new concept for safe bronchial blocker balloon occlusion for one‐lung ventilation in small children.
Psychosis and help‐seeking behaviour–A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Skrobinska Laura , Newman‐Taylor Katherine , Carnelley Katherine
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Many people with psychosis do not seek help which delays access to recommended treatments. Duration of untreated psychosis is associated with poor healthcare outcomes and increased risk of relapse. The reasons why people delay accessing treatment remain unclear. This is the first systematic review to synthesise the literature examining professional and non‐professional help‐seeking in psychosis across clinical and subclinical populations.

Methods

We searched four databases (APA PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles, Medline and British Library EThOS) to generate a comprehensive account of the quantitative literature. Heterogeneity of measures precluded a meta‐analysis.

Results

We identified 19 articles (including 9686 participants) that met criteria for the review. Help‐seeking in psychosis is associated with being female, having a higher level of education, and experiencing more than one symptom. People with psychosis report stigma, poor mental health literacy and lack of family support as key barriers. Clinicians report childhood physical abuse, insecure attachment and severity of psychosis as additional barriers. We also found differences in preferred sources of help across cultures. There is currently no consensus on reliable help‐seeking measures.

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review to examine help‐seeking behaviour in psychosis. Assertive and culturally sensitive engagement efforts should be targeted towards people with a history of early adversity, poor mental health literacy, limited social support and more severe psychosis.
The stem cell niche transcription factor ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 115 participates in aluminum‐induced terminal differentiation in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Larsen Paul B. , He Shiyang , Meyer Taylor J. , Szurman‐Zubrzycka Miriam , Alfs Carolin , Kwasniewska Jolanta , Pervis Alexandra , Gajecka Monika , Veerabahu Aishwarya , Beaulieu Taylor R. , Bolaris Stephen C. , Eekhout Thomas , De Veylder Lieven , Abel Steffen , Szarejko Iwona , Murn Jernej
Published: July 2024

Aluminum‐dependent stoppage of root growth requires the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway including the p53‐like transcription factor SUPPRESSOR OF GAMMA RADIATION 1 (SOG1), which promotes terminal differentiation of the root tip in response to Al dependent cell death. Transcriptomic analyses identified Al‐induced SOG1‐regulated targets as candidate mediators of this growth arrest. Analysis of these factors either as loss‐of‐function mutants or by overexpression in the als3‐1 background shows ERF115, which is a key transcription factor that in other scenarios is rate‐limiting for damaged stem cell replenishment, instead participates in transition from an actively growing root to one that has terminally differentiated in response to Al toxicity. This is supported by a loss‐of‐function erf115 mutant raising the threshold of Al required to promote terminal differentiation of Al hypersensitive als3‐1. Consistent with its key role in stoppage of root growth, a putative ERF115 barley ortholog is also upregulated following Al exposure, suggesting a conserved role for this ATR‐dependent pathway in Al response. In contrast to other DNA damage agents, these results show that ERF115 and likely related family members are important determinants of terminal differentiation of the root tip following Al exposure and central outputs of the SOG1‐mediated pathway in Al response.
The Global Adolescent Fertility Decline is Counteracted by Increasing Teen Births in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Spoorenberg Thomas , Carlsen Ellen Øen , Flatø Martin , Stonawski Marcin , Skirbekk Vegard
Published: July 2024

There is a lack of understanding of the persistence of elevated teen fertility rates in certain regions and countries, in contrast to the significant decline observed in other regions globally. This report considers fertility trends among 15‐ to 19‐year olds in the period 1950–2020 and explores potential driving factors behind the significant shifts that occurred over this period. The countries where teen fertility remains high are those with fast‐growing populations, primarily located in sub‐Saharan Africa. Countries with higher teen fertility are typically characterized by limited use of modern contraception, lower education levels, and early marriage. Sub‐Saharan Africa has emerged as the world region with the most teen births, increasing its proportion of global teen births from 12 percent in 1950 to 47 percent in 2020, a time during which this region's share of the global adolescent (15–19) population grew from 7.5 percent to 19 percent. By 2035, 67 percent of all teen births globally are projected to occur in this region. Consequently, the future number of births to teenage mothers will to a large extent depend on the development in sub‐Saharan Africa over the coming decades.
The novel HLA‐C*04:01:01:182 allele identified in a candidate bone marrow donor by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Athanassiades Theofilos , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: July 2024

HLA‐C*04:01:01:182 differs from the HLA‐C*04:01:01:06 allele by one nucleotide substitution in the 5′UTR.
Future temporal reference in spoken world Englishes
Authors: Bartels Birgit , Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: July 2024

This study investigates how language‐internal constraints regulate the future temporal reference (FTR) alternation across nine varieties of English around the world. We specifically marshal Variation‐Based Distance & Similarity Modeling (VADIS) to calculate distances between the varieties under study as a function of the non‐correspondence of the ways in which language users choose between FTR variants. Our linguistic data come from the spoken component of the International Corpus of English: the dataset covers 500 future marker observations per variety of English (Ntotal = 4500), richly annotated for seven language‐internal constraints (such as polarity and sentence type). VADIS uncovers a number of probabilistic grammar differences between the varieties of English under study, which are subsequently correlated with four language‐external distance measures: geographical distance, travel time distance, population size and GDP per capita. Mantel correlation analysis shows that language‐internal distances do not correlate with language‐external distances.
Exploring the Influence Factors of Purchase Intention of College Students by Short Video Opinion Leaders in Field of the Beauty
Authors: Lai Qiqi , Qin Yaqi
Published: July 2024

Over the past decade, the rapid development of new media and e-commerce have triggered the emergence of online opinion leaders. Simultaneously, consumers’ purchase intention has been swayed by some opinions expressed by online opinion leaders. Therefore, this paper aims to delve into the factors influencing the consumption of college students by opinion leaders in field of the beauty. It aims to explore the influence degree of short video opinion leaders on the purchase intention of college student consumers in three dimensions, including short video production, opinion leaders’ characteristics and short video content. Employing a questionnaire for data collection and SPSS 29.0 for analysis, the study uses methods such as reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and regression analysis to validate the model and research hypotheses. The results of the study show that in the dimension of opinion leaders’ short video production, the attractiveness of the title and editing format of the short videos have a significant positive impact on the purchase intention of college students. Regarding opinion leaders’ characteristics, their popularity, professionalism, and interactivity exert a substantial positive influence on college students’ purchase intentions, whereas timeliness shows no significant impact. In terms of opinion leaders short video content, comparing products with multiple brands, promoting affordable substitutes, and vivid and interesting promotion discourse of opinion leaders all have a significant positive impact on the purchase intention. Finally, this paper provides suggestions for short video opinion leaders in field of the beauty.
Enhancing Efficiency in Collision Avoidance: A Study on Transfer Reinforcement Learning in Autonomous Ships’ Navigation
Authors: Wang Xinrui , Jin Yan
Published: July 2024

Collision avoidance in ships and robotic vehicles exemplifies a complex work process that necessitates effective scenario recognition and precise movement decision-making. Machine learning methods addressing such work processes generally involve learning from scratch, which is not only time-consuming but also demands significant computational resources. Transfer learning emerges as a potent strategy to enhance the efficiency of these engineering work processes by harnessing previously acquired knowledge from analogous tasks, thereby streamlining the learning curve for new challenges. This research delves into two critical questions central to optimizing transfer reinforcement learning for the work process of collision avoidance: (1) Which process features can be successfully transferred across varying work processes? (2) What methodologies support the efficient and effective transfer of these features? Our study employs simulation-based experiments in ship collision avoidance to address these questions, chosen for their intrinsic complexity and the varied feature recognition it demands. We investigate and compare two transfer learning techniques—feature extraction and finetuning—utilizing a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) model pretrained on a base case of a comparable work process. Pixel-level visual input is leveraged to cover different numbers of encountering ships and fix the input size for the model. This model adeptly demonstrates the feasibility of transferring essential features to newer work process scenarios. Further, to enhance realism and applicability, we introduce a simplified yet comprehensive ship dynamic model that considers the substantial effects of ship inertia, thereby refining the interaction between the model and its environment. The response time is embedded into the reward function design to be considered for policy training. Experimental outcomes underscore the transferability of diverse process features and evaluate the relative effectiveness of the employed transfer methods across different task settings, offering insights that could be extrapolated to other engineering work processes.
Swirler Design Parameter Impact on Lean Blowout, Pressure Loss, and Flame Liftoff
Authors: DeMarco Kevin J. , Polanka Marc D. , Bohan Brian T.
Published: July 2024

Swirl stabilized combustion is a common technique used in gas turbine engine combustors and is accomplished by introducing swirl into the inlet flow, which enhances mixing and stabilizes the combustion event. Coaxial swirlers introduce the fuel and air axially through concentric inlets and use vanes to impart a tangential component to either the fuel, air, or both flows. The present study conducted a parametric analysis of coaxial swirler design by manufacturing an array of 14 coaxial swirlers scaled for use in low flow, small engine operations which incorporated the same base design but varied the swirl number, Sn, by changing the vane angle between 0 deg and 63 deg, vane count between four and ten, and vane shape between traditional and helical. Each design was experimentally evaluated using nonpremixed air and propane at different flow conditions to correlate swirler design with lean blowout limits, pressure loss, and flame liftoff. Lean blowout was primarily influenced by swirl number, while vane count and shape had significant impact at Sn = 0.8 but little impact at Sn = 1.5. Pressure loss was unchanged below a Sn of 0.6, and unlike lean blowout, Sn had little impact at 0.8 but significant impact at 1.5. Additionally, an initial equation correlating pressure loss with swirler number, vane count, and mass flowrate was developed. Finally, flame liftoff was mainly driven by swirl number, with vane count and shape the next significant design parameters.
Experimental Study on Nonlinear Development Process of Oil-Filled Equipment Fire Under External Fire Source
Authors: Zhang Zhizhen , Zheng Xin , Yang Haiming , Chen Xuan , Chen Peng
Published: July 2024

The transformer is the key oil-filled equipment in the power system, and its fire behavior seriously affects the safe operation of the power grid. In this article, to analyze the fire development process and combustion behavior of oil-filled equipment, a mesoscale model of transformer equipment was constructed, and fire simulation experiments of transformer equipment under the action of external ignition sources were conducted. The flame temperature, flame height, heat release rate, oil temperature, and pressure were measured. The experimental results show that the oil-filled equipment fire presents the characteristics of nonlinear development. The fire can be divided into three stages: the ignition stage, the stable growth stage, and the combustion mutation stage. The transformer oil near the wall is pyrolyzed by the external heat source, and the combustible gas and transformer oil form a gas–liquid two-phase flow, which is the main reason for the nonlinear development of oil-filled equipment fires. The experimental results are of great significance for the safe operation and fire control of power system oil-filled equipment.
Magnetic motors in interphases: Motion control and integration in soft robots
Authors: Ramos Docampo Miguel A.
Published: July 2024

Magnetic motors are a class of out-of-equilibrium particles that exhibit controlled and fast motion overcoming Brownian fluctuations by harnessing external magnetic fields. The advances in this field resulted in motors that have been used for different applications, such as biomedicine or environmental remediation. In this Perspective, an overview of the recent advancements of magnetic motors is provided, with a special focus on controlled motion. This aspect extends from trapping, steering, and guidance to organized motor grouping and degrouping, which is known as swarm control. Further, the integration of magnetic motors in soft robots to actuate their motion is also discussed. Finally, some remarks and perspectives of the field are outlined.