bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the feasibility of a comprehensive patient reported outcome set for postpartum women: the maternal patient-reported outcome set (MOMs Study)
Authors: O'Byrne Laura , Maher Gillian M. , Mitchell Jill , Khashan Ali S. , Greene Richard A. , Browne John , McCarthy Fergus P.
Published: April 2024

Background Our team published a systematic review highlighting the lack of a comprehensive measure of health and wellbeing for postpartum women. The aim of this project was to examine the feasibility of a combination of existing measures, chosen for their coverage of key domains and psychometric rigour. The primary objective was to examine the validity and completeness of the novel outcome set within the first week (T1), 6 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks postpartum (T3). Secondary objectives were to examine concordance between patient-clinician reports of delivery complications and assess postpartum response rates. Methods Participants completed demographic and delivery details as well as completing a combination of existing PROM tools: the PQoL (Postpartum women’s Quality of life questionnaire), ICIQ-UI-SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form) and 2 sexual health questions. Participants also rated the validity of these tools. Results The response rates were 69% (n=59)T1, 67% (n=57)T2 and 48% (41)T3. Complete responses at T1 55% (n=47),T2 53% (n=45)T3 44% (n=37). The median time taken to complete the survey was 7 minutes. Across the three time points ~70% (70.2% T1, 73.3% T2, 69% T3) of respondents felt that all outcomes that mattered most to them were captured. The difference between complication rates reported by patients and clinicians was 0% for neonatal and high-dependency unit admissions. Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) was reported by 2 patients and 1 clinician. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) was reported by 4 (28%) despite electronic records recording PPH occurrence in 14 patients at T1. Conclusions A combination of tools and additional sexual health questions collected from postpartum women using an online survey across three postnatal time points appears feasible and has good validity and completeness. Patient-clinician concordance in the reporting of complication rates was high for all but PPH where patients tended to report lower rates.
The orogenic bridge theory: towards a predictive tool for past and future plate tectonics
Authors: Koehl Jean-Baptiste P. , Foulger Gillian
Published: April 2024

Wegener’s Continental Drift Theory has laid the foundations of modern plate tectonics. However, despite decades of work and studies around the globe, modern plate tectonics still does not explain all the datasets acquired up to now and is well overdue for a major update. We propose a new theory, the orogenic bridge theory, which partly builds on the Continental Drift Theory and modern plate tectonics and reconciles them with the idea put forward by a competing theory, the Land Bridge Theory (or Isthmian Links). The orogenic bridge theory states that the style of continental rifting is directly controlled by preexisting orogenic structures. On the one hand, preexisting orogens trending parallel to an opening rift facilitate breakup and rift propagation and control the strike and geometry of rift-related structures. This endmember has already been broadly studied worldwide. On the other hand, orogens oriented orthogonal (or highly oblique) to the opening rift will act as strong barriers forcing the rift to step, therefore delaying or impeding breakup and rift propagation and localizing the formation of major-offset transform faults. In the present contribution, we review the evidence in favor of a correlation between rift-orthogonal orogens and major transforms and discuss some of the main implications of the orogenic bridge theory.
A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality
Authors: Cox Shereen , Kadlubsky Alina , Svarverud Ellen , Adams Jonathan , Baraas Rigmor C. , Bernabe Rosemarie D.L.C
Published: April 2024

The use of extended reality (XR) / immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented, mixed reality and virtual worlds (Metaverse) raises issues of ethical concern. The various issues, if left unaddressed, may impact human wellbeing over time. Immersive technologies are used in entertainment, commerce, training, education, health, and the military among others. Subsequently, there is a broad spectrum of users with various degrees of competencies and vulnerabilities. Special attention regarding long-term effects of immersive technologies on children and the lack of consideration of inclusivity for all persons in society is essential. Several publications have highlighted ethical issues related to immersive technologies, and some have sought to address these issues by proposing solutions or approaches in the form of frameworks, codes of conduct or best practices. This review examined literature between 2000 and 2023 to identify proposed or adopted ethical frameworks, codes of conduct or best practices for immersive technologies. Qualitative research method was applied, using a scoping review approach. Twenty-eight papers were selected for analysis. Approximately 70% of the selected papers were published between 2020 and 2022. Using an inductive thematic analysis method, seven fundamental values and twenty-two corresponding principles were generated. The main values are respect for persons, well-being, safety, integrity and trust, justice, and responsiveness. The dominant principles identified are privacy, informed consent, responsibility, transparency, and freedom. The authors of the papers were predominantly academic researchers. The normative approaches to addressing ethical issues were organised into four domains: society and governance, industry, research/academic organisations, and individuals. Recommendations are: 1) development and/or application of laws or guidelines to ethical, legal, and social issues with immersive technologies; 2) adoption of inclusive approaches to design and development; 3) minimisation of risk for research participants; 4) empowerment of users of immersive technologies; and 5) promotion of responsibility and sincerity in the use of virtual space, especially in matters concerning identity and conduct.
`I-know-it-when-I-see-it' - Motivating Examples in the Psychology of Conspiracy Theory Theory
Authors: Dentith M R. X.
Published: April 2024

Looking at 76 representative articles published in pyschology between 2017 and 2023 (reviewed between December 2022 and February 2023), I examine the role of motivating examples—a kind of illustrative example, typically used by researchers at the beginning of their work to motivate the issue or problem they want to resolve or address in that work—in the psychological work on conspiracy theory theory (the academic study of conspiracy theory). Through an examination of how motivating examples are both introduced and used in the psychological literature, I argue that the way psychologists employ such examples ends up relying on what Joseph Uscinski and Adam Enders deem as an unviable and easily abused ‘I-know-it-when-I-see-it’ standard. As will be demonstrated, much of the recent work in the psychology of conspiracy theory assumes and thus fails to establish what is supposedly problematic about belief in the conspiracy theories. As a consequence the surveyed work typically fails to adequately capture belief in actual conspiracy theories. I propose two solutions to help move the psychological work on conspiracy theory theory to safer conceptual grounds.
Las invasiones y las reformas agrarias durante el Frente Nacional: una reconsideración
Authors: Gutiérrez Sanín Francisco , Villamil Castellanos Paula Alejandra , Pedraza Norato Emily Johana
Published: April 2024

Este capítulo analiza la relación entre las tomas de tierras por parte de los campesinos y las reformas agrarias durante el Frente Nacional. Las tomas de tierras fueron frecuentes durante el Frente Nacional. En ciertas coyunturas y regiones críticas, sobre todo, después de que fueran habilitadas desde arriba tácitamente (de hecho, casi explícitamente [Zamosc, 1986]) al final del gobierno de Carlos Lleras Restrepo (1966-1970), se volvieron masivas, y llegaron a los primeros lugares de la agenda nacional, suscitando múltiples preguntas: ¿eran buenas?, ¿eran malas?, ¿qué expresaban? ¿cómo reaccionar frente a ellas? Los trabajos clásicos tanto de Escobar (1999) como de Zamosc (1986) reportan la reacción histérica de sectores sociales poderosos ante su proliferación (algo a lo que volveremos abajo). Las invasiones se volvieron un punto focal para promover el desmonte tanto de la reforma como de las organizaciones campesinas, lo que se materializó en el llamado Pacto de Chicoral en 1972 y que se siguió implementando en los años subsiguientes (Acero, 2022a, 2022b; Villamil Chaux, 2015).
Group Size and Its Impact on Diversity-Related Perceptions and Hiring Decisions in Homogeneous Groups
Authors: Rai Aneesh , Chang Edward H. , Kirgios Erika L. , Milkman Katherine L.
Published: April 2024

Why do some homogeneous groups face backlash for lacking diversity, whereas others escape censure? We show that a homogeneous group’s size changes how it is perceived and whether decision makers pursue greater diversity in its ranks. We theorize that people make different inferences about larger groups than smaller ones—with consequences for diversity management—due to Bayesian reasoning. This can produce sensitivity to a lack of diversity in large groups and limited sensitivity to a lack of diversity in small groups. Because each group member represents the outcome of a hiring decision, larger homogeneous groups signal a diversity problem more strongly than smaller homogeneous groups. Across three preregistered experiments (n = 4,283), we show that decision makers are more likely to diversify larger homogeneous groups than smaller ones and view larger homogeneous groups as (i) more likely to have resulted from an unfair selection process; (ii) less diverse; (iii) more likely to face diversity-related impression management concerns; and (iv) less open to the influence of newly added underrepresented members. Further, (i)–(iii) mediate the relationship between homogeneous group size and decisions to diversify. We extend our findings to S&P 1500 corporate boards, showing that larger homogeneous boards are more likely to add women or racial minorities as directors. Larger homogeneous boards are also rarer than expected, whereas smaller homogeneous boards are surprisingly abundant. This suggests that decision makers neglect homogeneity in smaller groups, while investing extra effort toward diversifying larger homogeneous groups. Our findings highlight how group size shapes diversity-related perceptions and decisions and identify mechanisms that kickstart diversification efforts.

Supplemental Material: The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2020.14705 .
Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Southern Tunisian Populations
Authors: Capocasa Marco , Battaggia Cinzia , Cancellieri Emanuele , Lisi Alessandro , Boukhchim Nouri , Bisol Giovanni , di Lernia Savino , Anagnostou Paolo
Published: April 2024

Due to its complex history of migrations and colonization of African, European, and Asian people, the
Tunisian territory is an ideal area to study the effects of cultural change on the genetic structure of
human populations. This study investigated genetic variation in the mitochondrial DNA of Tunisian
populations to detect the possible impact of recent historical events on their gene pool. Two Arab and
three Berber communities were analyzed using a comparison data set of 45 other populations comprising
African, Arabian, Asian, European, and Near Eastern groups. Results were compared with those produced
using a large panel of autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We observed a slight but important
difference between the populations that inhabit the southern and central-northern areas of Tunisia.
Furthermore, robust signatures of genetic isolation were detected in two Berber populations (Nouvelle
Zraoua and Tamezret) and in the R’Baya people, a seminomadic Arab group. This investigation suggests
that the genetic structure of investigated southern Tunisian populations retains signatures of historical
events that occurred between the 7th and 17th centuries, particularly the trans-Saharan slave trade and
the emigration of Berbers in remote areas of the south during the Arab conquest.
Superscattering of electromagnetic waves from subwavelength dielectric structures
Authors: Beneck Ryan J. , Kang Lei , Jenkins Ronald P. , Campbell Sawyer D. , Werner Douglas H.
Published: April 2024

Superscattering, corresponding to the scattering cross section of a scatterer being significantly larger than its single-channel limit, has attracted increasing attention due to its huge potential for practical applications. The realization of superscattering relies on the overlapping of multiple resonance modes in a scatterer. Accordingly, superscattering phenomena have been observed primarily in alternating plasmonic/dielectric layered structures which support surface plasmons. However, such systems suffer from high Ohmic loss due to the excitation of surface plasmons, hindering broader application of the plasmonic/dielectric hybrid systems. On the other hand, subwavelength structures based on high permittivity dielectric materials (such as ferroelectric ceramics) offer expansive opportunities to realize electric and magnetic resonances at microwave and THz frequencies. Here, based on optimization methods involving mode analysis, we numerically demonstrate superscattering from individual multilayered dielectric cylinders. The maximum scattering cross section achieved is determined by the collective contributions from several resonance modes excited in a complex cylinder. Our results reveal that a combination of mode analysis and a custom optimization method can enable efficient designs of complex dielectric structures exhibiting exotic scattering responses.
Polarization-independent edge detection based on the spin–orbit interaction of light
Authors: Tang Peng , Kim Yeseul , Badloe Trevon , Xiao Linlin , Yang Younghwan , Kim Minkyung , Rho Junsuk , Li Guoqiang
Published: April 2024

In previous edge detection schemes based on the spin-orbit interaction of light, the direction and intensity of the edge-enhanced images are influenced by the incident polarization state. In this study, we develop an edge detection strategy that is insensitive to changes in both the incident polarization and the incident angle. The output intensity and transfer function remain entirely impervious to changes in incident polarization, being explicitly formulated as functions of the incident angle, specifically in terms of cot2⁡θ
i
and cot⁡θ
i
, respectively. This behavior is attributed to the opposing nature of the polarization components E~
r
H−H and E~
r
V−V in the x-direction after undergoing mapping through the Glan polarizer, while the sum of polarization components E~
r
H−V and E~
r
V−H in the y-direction can be simplified to terms independent of incident polarization. Furthermore, we propose a metasurface design to achieve the required optical properties in order to realize the derived edge detection scheme.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, food insecurity, and social capital after the 2017 coastal El Niño flooding among mothers from Piura, Peru: A mixed method study
Authors: Culquichicón Carlos , Astudillo-Rueda David , Niño-Garcia Roberto , Martinez-Rivera Raisa N. , Tsui Nicole Merino , Gilman Robert H. , Levy Karen , Lescano Andrés G.
Published: April 2024

In order to understand the impacts in the post-disaster scenario of the 2017 El Niño events in the Piura region-Peru, we examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), food insecurity (FI), and social capital (SC) across three-time points in mothers in highly affected areas. In the Piura, Castilla, and Catacaos districts, we studied mothers combining mixed-method assessments at three (June-July 2017), eight and 12 months after the flooding. Each outcome was measured with the PTSD-Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C), the Household-Food-Insecurity-Access-Scale (HFIAS), the Adapted-Social-Capital-Assessment-Tool (SASCAT) surveys. In-depth interviews at the first evaluation were also conducted. At the first evaluation, 38.1% (n = 21) of 179 mothers reported PTSD; eight months and one year after the flooding, it dropped to 1.9% and virtually zero, respectively. Severe FI also declined over time, from 90.0% three months after the flooding to 31.8% eight months after, to 13.1% one year after. Conversely, high-cognitive SC was increased three months after the flooding (42.1%) and much greater levels at eight and 12 months after (86.7% and 77.7%, respectively). High levels of PTSD and severe FI three months after the flooding consistently decreased to nearly zero one-year post-disaster. High levels of high-cognitive SC may have helped mothers to recover from PTSD and FI in Piura.
Bayesian modeling of post-vaccination serological data suggests that yearly vaccination of dog aged <2 years old is efficient to stop rabies circulation in Cambodia
Authors: Auerswald Heidi , Guillebaud Julia , Durand Benoit , Le Vu Mathilde , Sorn Sopheak , In Saraden , Pov Vutha , Davun Holl , Duong Veasna , Ly Sowath , Dussart Philippe , Chevalier Véronique
Published: April 2024

Rabies control remains challenging in low and middle-income countries, mostly due to lack of financial resources, rapid turnover of dog populations and poor accessibility to dogs. Rabies is endemic in Cambodia, where no national rabies vaccination program is implemented. The objective of this study was to assess the short and long-term vaccination-induced immunity in Cambodian dogs under field conditions, and to propose optimized vaccination strategies. A cohort of 351 dogs was followed at regular time points following primary vaccination only (PV) or PV plus single booster (BV). Fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test (FAVNT) was implemented to determine the neutralizing antibody titer against rabies and an individual titer ≥0·5 IU/mL indicated protection. Bayesian modeling was used to evaluate the individual duration of protection against rabies and the efficacy of two different vaccination strategies. Overall, 61% of dogs had a protective immunity one year after PV. In dogs receiving a BV, this protective immunity remained for up to one year after the BV in 95% of dogs. According to the best Bayesian model, a PV conferred a protective immunity in 82% of dogs (95% CI: 75–91%) for a mean duration of 4.7 years, and BV induced a lifelong protective immunity. Annual PV of dogs less than one year old and systematic BV solely of dogs vaccinated the year before would allow to achieve the 70% World Health Organization recommended threshold to control rabies circulation in a dog population in three to five years of implementation depending on dog population dynamics. This vaccination strategy would save up to about a third of vaccine doses, reducing cost and time efforts of mass dog vaccination campaigns. These results can contribute to optimize rabies control measures in Cambodia moving towards the global goal of ending human death from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
Implementing evidence ecosystems in the public health service: Development of a framework for designing tailored training programs
Authors: Arnold Laura , Bimczok Simon , Clemens Timo , Brand Helmut , Starke Dagmar ,   on behalf of the EvidenzÖGD study consortium
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of local evidence ecosystems in which academia and practice in the Public Health Service (PHS) are interconnected. However, appropriate organizational structures and well-trained staff are lacking and evidence use in local public health decision-making has to be integrated into training programs in Germany. To address this issue, we developed a framework incorporating a toolbox to conceptualize training programs designed to qualify public health professionals for working at the interface between academia and practice. We conducted a scoping review of training programs, key-informant interviews with public health experts, and a multi-professional stakeholder workshop and triangulated their output. The resulting toolbox consists of four core elements, encompassing 15 parameters: (1) content-related aspects, (2) context-related aspects, (3) aspects relevant for determining the training format, and (4) aspects relevant for consolidation and further development. Guiding questions with examples supports the application of the toolbox. Additionally, we introduced a how-to-use guidance to streamline the creation of new training programs, fostering knowledge transfer at the academia-practice interface, equipping public health researchers and practitioners with relevant skills for needs-based PHS research. By promoting collaborative training development across institutions, our approach encourages cross-institutional cooperation, enhances evidence utilization, and enables efficient resource allocation. This collaborative effort in developing training programs within local evidence ecosystems not only strengthens the scientific and practical impact but also lays a foundation for implementing complex public health measures effectively at the local level.
Does green investment affect environment pollution: Evidence from asymmetric ARDL approach?
Authors: Shen Yanan , Ur Rahman Saif , Hafiza Nabila Shahzadi , Meo Muhammad Saeed , Ali Muhammad Sibt E.
Published: April 2024

Pollution in the environment is today the biggest issue facing the globe and the main factor in the development of many fatal diseases. The main objective of the study to investigate green investments, economic growth and financial development on environmental pollution in the G-7 countries. This study used annual penal data from 1997 to 2021. The panel NARDL (Non-linear autoregressive distributed lag) results affirm that the positive change of green investment and negative shock in green investment have a significant and positive association with environment pollution in G-7 nations. Our findings provide more evidence for the long-term asymmetry between financial development and environmental performance. However, the findings confirm that a positive modification in financial development has a positive and significant effect on environment pollution. Whereas negative shock in financial development is negative and insignificant relationship with environment pollution. Moreover, the outcomes of the study reveal that both positive shock in gross domestic product growth and negative shock of economic growth have a significant and positive link with environment pollution in G-7 countries. According to the findings, by lowering carbon dioxide emissions, green investments reduced environmental pollution in the G-7 nations over the long and short term. Moreover, it is an innovative research effort that provides light on the connection between green investments, financial development, and the environment while making mention to the EKC in G-7 countries. After all these, our recommendation is to increases green investment expenditures to reduce environmental pollution in the G-7 nations based on our findings. Additionally, one important way for the nation to achieve its sustainable development goals is to improve advancements in the financial sector.
Sexual dysfunction among Nigerian women living with HIV infection
Authors: Ezechi Oliver Chukwujekwu , Akinsolu Folahanmi Tomiwa , Gbajabiamila Tititola Abike , Idigbe Ifeoma Eugenia , Ezeobi Paschal Mbanefo , Musa Adesola Zadiat , Wapmuk Agatha Eileen
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction in women with HIV is a necessary but understudied aspect of HIV complications in women living with HIV. This study reports the prevalence, pattern, and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in women living with HIV in southwest Nigeria.

Methods

A validated Female Sexual Function Index was used to determine sexual dysfunction in a cross-sectional study design involving 2926 adult women living with HIV in a large, publicly funded tertiary HIV treatment centre in Lagos, Nigeria. A score of less than 26.5 indicated sexual dysfunction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for sexual dysfunction. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 71.4%. The types of dysfunctions detected included disorder of desire (76.8%), sexual arousal (66.0%), orgasm (50.0%), pain (47.2%), lubrication (47.2%), and satisfaction (38.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that menopause (aOR: 2.0; 1.4–4.1), PHQ score of 10 and above (aOR: 2.3; 1.7–3.2), co-morbid medical conditions (aOR: 1.8; 1.4–2.7), use of protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy (aOR: 1.3; 1.2–2.1) and non-disclosure of HIV status (aOR: 0.7; 0.6–0.8) were factors associated with sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

Sexual dysfunction is common among Nigerian women living with HIV. Menopause, use of protease inhibitor-based regimens, PHQ score of at least 10, co-morbid medical condition, and non-disclosure of HIV status were associated with sexual dysfunction. National HIV programmes, in addition to incorporating screening and management of sexual dysfunction in the guidelines, should sensitise and train health workers on the detection and treatment of sexual dysfunction.
Impact of APOE-ε alleles on brain structure and cognitive function in healthy older adults: A VBM and DTI replication study
Authors: Lacey Colleen , Paterson Theone , Gawryluk Jodie R. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2024

Background

The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been established in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) literature to impact brain structure and function and may also show congruent effects in healthy older adults, although findings in this population are much less consistent. The current study aimed to replicate and expand the multimodal approach employed by Honea et al. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and neuropsychological measures were used to investigate the impact of APOE-ε status on grey matter structure, white matter integrity, and cognitive functioning.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Phase 3 (ADNI3) database. Baseline MRI, DTI and cognitive composite scores for memory (ADNI-Mem) and executive function (ADNI-EF) were acquired from 116 healthy controls. Participants were grouped according to APOE allele presence (APOE-ε2+ N = 17, APOE-ε3ε3 N = 64, APOE-ε4+ N = 35). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used to compare grey matter volume (GMV) and white matter integrity, respectively, between APOE-ε2+ and APOE-ε3ε3 controls, and again between APOE-ε4+ and APOE-ε3ε3 controls. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to examine the effects of APOE polymorphism on memory and EF across all APOE groups with age, sex and education as regressors of no interest. Cognitive scores were correlated (Pearson r) with imaging metrics within groups.

Results

No significant differences were seen across groups, within groups in MRI metrics, or cognitive performance (p>0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons).

Conclusions

The current study partially replicated and extended previous findings from an earlier multimodal study (Honea 2009). Future studies should clarify APOE mechanisms in healthy ageing by adding other imaging, cognitive, and lifestyle metrics and longitudinal design in larger sample sizes.
Mycorrhizal fungi reduce the photosystem damage caused by drought stress on Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis
Authors: Huang Can , He Xiahong , Shi Rui , Zi Shuhui , Xi Congfang , Li Xiaoxian , Liu Tao
Published: April 2024

Drought stress (DS) is one of the important abiotic stresses facing cash crops today. Drought can reduce plant growth and development, inhibit photosynthesis, and thus reduce plant yield. In this experiment, we investigated the protective mechanism of AMF on plant photosynthetic system by inoculating Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis(P.py) with a clumping mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) under drought conditions. The drought environment was maintained by weighing AMF plants and non-AMF plants. The relative water content (RWC) of plant leaves was measured to determine its drought effect. DS decreased the RWC of plants, but AMF was able to increase the RWC of plants. chlorophyll a fluorescence curve measurements revealed that DS increased the OKJIP curve of plants, but AMF was able to reduce this trend, indicating that AMF increased the light absorption capacity of plants. DS also caused a decrease in plant Y(I) and Y(II). ETRI and ETRII, and increased Y(NO) and Y(NA) in plants, indicating that DS caused photosystem damage in plants. For the same host, different AMFs did not help to the same extent, but all AMFs were able to help plants reduce this damage and contribute to the increase of plant photosynthesis under normal water conditions.
Effects of environmental regulation on adjustment of agricultural industrial structure——An empirical study based on panel data of 31 provinces in China
Authors: Tan HongYe , Jing Xin
Published: April 2024

Using the panel data of 31 provinces in China between 2000 and 2018, this study theoretically and empirically analyses the impact of environmental regulations on the adjustment of the agriculture industrial structure from the perspectives of rationalisation and optimisation. Overall, variability in the impact of environmental regulation on the adjustment of the agricultural industrial structure is identified: a negative influence on the rationalisation of agricultural industrial structure and a positive influence on the optimisation of agricultural industrial structure. The impact of environmental regulations on the adjustment of agricultural industrial structure also reflects "large country characteristics": environmental regulations are more significant at the medium and low industrial structure levels. Environmental regulation significantly impacts the rationalisation of agricultural industrial structure in central and western regions and its optimisation in eastern and central regions. Through the panel threshold model test, this paper further finds that the effect of environmental regulations on the adjustment of agricultural industrial structure is not invariant. However, there is a non-linear relationship with significant threshold characteristics. Based on the above results, some countermeasures are suggested.
Pain experiences of marginalized children in the emergency department: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Kammerer Elise , Elliott Sarah A. , Hartling Lisa , Basi Calveen , Dennett Liz , Khangura Jaspreet K. , Scott Shannon D. , Candelaria Patricia , Ruzycki Shannon , Ali Samina
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Pain affects all children, and in hospitals across North America, this pain is often undertreated. Children who visit the emergency department (ED) experience similar undertreatment, and they will often experience a painful procedure as part of their diagnostic journey. Further, children and their caregivers who experience social injustices through marginalization are more likely to experience healthcare disparities in their pain management. Still, most of our knowledge about children’s pain management comes from research focused on well-educated, white children and caregivers from a middle- or upper-class background. The aim of this scoping review is to identify, map, and describe existing research on (a) how aspects of marginalization are documented in randomized controlled trials related to children’s pain and (b) to understand the pain treatment and experiences of marginalized children and their caregivers in the ED setting.

Methods and analysis

The review will follow Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews using the Participant, Concept, Context (PCC) framework and key terms related to children, youth, pain, ED, and aspects of marginalization. We will search Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library Trials, iPortal, and Native Health Database for articles published in the last 10 years to identify records that meet our inclusion criteria. We will screen articles in a two-step process using two reviewers during the abstract and full-text screening stages. Data will be extracted using Covidence for data management and we will use a narrative approach to synthesize the data.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this review. Findings will be disseminated in academic manuscripts, at academic conferences, and with partners and knowledge users including funders of pain research and healthcare professionals. Results of this scoping review will inform subsequent quantitative and qualitative studies regarding pain experiences and treatment of marginalized children in the ED.
Analyzing the spatiotemporal pattern of the decoupling degree between carbon metabolism and economic development in village and town units
Authors: Zhang Yanghua , Liu Bin , Zhao Hu , Lin Weipeng , Cheng Liang , Wang Xiaogang
Published: April 2024

In the context of green and sustainable development and rural revitalization, analysis of the relationship between economic development and the evolution of carbon metabolism is of great significance for China’s future transformation of development models. This study analyzed the spatial characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution pattern of the decoupling status between carbon metabolism and economic development of Laiwu during two periods from 2001 to 2018 at the village and town unit scales by using the Tapio decoupling model. The results showed that the growth rate of carbon metabolism from 2001 to 2009 was significantly higher than that from 2009 to 2018. The spatial heterogeneity of the decoupling states between economic development and carbon metabolism from 2009 to 2018 was significantly stronger than that from 2001 to 2009 in two units. From 2001 to 2018, the development trend gradually trended towards spatial imbalance. The decoupling status between villages and towns had a high degree of consistency from 2001 to 2009 and inconsistency from 2009 to 2018. From 2001 to 2009, the decoupling status of about 78% of villages was consistent with that of towns. Moreover, from 2009 to 2018, the consistency reduced to 32.2%, and the decoupling status of about 48% of villages was weaker than that of towns. According to the reclassification results of different decoupling state change types, from 2001 to 2018, about 52.2% of the villages had a decoupling state evolution type of eco-deteriorated economic development, which is an unsatisfactory development trend in a short time. Moreover, about 12.1% of the villages had a decoupling state evolution type of eco-improved economic development, which is a satisfactory development trend.
Effects of arousal and valence on center of pressure and ankle muscle activity during quiet standing
Authors: Takahashi Ryogo , Kaneko Naotsugu , Yokoyama Hikaru , Sasaki Atsushi , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: April 2024

Emotion affects postural control during quiet standing. Emotional states can be defined as two-dimensional models comprising valence (pleasant/unpleasant) and arousal (aroused/calm). Most previous studies have investigated the effects of valence on postural control without considering arousal. In addition, studies have focused on the center of pressure (COP) trajectory to examine emotional effects on the quiet standing control; however, the relationship between neuromuscular mechanisms and the emotionally affected quiet standing control is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of arousal and valence on the COP trajectory and ankle muscle activity during quiet standing. Twenty-two participants were instructed to stand on a force platform and look at affective pictures for 72 seconds. The tasks were repeated six times, according to the picture conditions composed of arousal (High and Low) and valence (Pleasant, Neutral, and Unpleasant). During the task, the COP, electromyogram (EMG) of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles, and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded. The heart rate calculated from the ECG was significantly affected by valence; the value was lower in Unpleasant than that in Neutral and Pleasant. The 95% confidence ellipse area and standard deviation of COP in the anterior-posterior direction were lower, and the mean power frequency of COP in the anterior-posterior direction was higher in Unpleasant than in Pleasant. Although the mean velocity of the COP in the medio-lateral direction was significantly lower in Unpleasant than in Pleasant, the effect was observed only when arousal was low. Although the EMG variables were not significantly affected by emotional conditions, some EMG variables were significantly correlated with the COP variables that were affected by emotional conditions. Therefore, ankle muscle activity may be partially associated with postural changes triggered by emotional intervention. In conclusion, both valence and arousal affect the COP variables, and ankle muscle activity may be partially associated with these COP changes.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of early somite segmentation in the chicken embryo
Authors: Maia-Fernandes Ana Cristina , Martins-Jesus Ana , Borralho-Martins Nísia , Pais-de-Azevedo Tomás , Magno Ramiro , Duarte Isabel , Andrade Raquel P.
Published: April 2024

During vertebrate embryo development, the body is progressively segmented along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis early in development. The rate of somite formation is controlled by the somitogenesis embryo clock (EC), which was first described as gene expression oscillations of hairy1 (hes4) in the presomitic mesoderm of chick embryos with 15–20 somites. Here, the EC displays the same periodicity as somite formation, 90 min, whereas the posterior-most somites (44–52) only arise every 150 minutes, matched by a corresponding slower pace of the EC. Evidence suggests that the rostral-most somites are formed faster, however, their periodicity and the EC expression dynamics in these early stages are unknown. In this study, we used time-lapse imaging of chicken embryos from primitive streak to somitogenesis stages with high temporal resolution (3-minute intervals). We measured the length between the anterior-most and the last formed somitic clefts in each captured frame and developed a simple algorithm to automatically infer both the length and time of formation of each somite. We found that the occipital somites (up to somite 5) form at an average rate of 75 minutes, while somites 6 onwards are formed approximately every 90 minutes. We also assessed the expression dynamics of hairy1 using half-embryo explants cultured for different periods of time. This showed that EC hairy1 expression is highly dynamic prior to somitogenesis and assumes a clear oscillatory behaviour as the first somites are formed. Importantly, using ex ovo culture and live-imaging techniques, we showed that the hairy1 expression pattern recapitulates with the formation of each new pair of somites, indicating that somite segmentation is coupled with EC oscillations since the onset of somitogenesis.
Event detection in football: Improving the reliability of match analysis
Authors: Bischofberger Jonas , Baca Arnold , Schikuta Erich
Published: April 2024

With recent technological advancements, quantitative analysis has become an increasingly important area within professional sports. However, the manual process of collecting data on relevant match events like passes, goals and tacklings comes with considerable costs and limited consistency across providers, affecting both research and practice. In football, while automatic detection of events from positional data of the players and the ball could alleviate these issues, it is not entirely clear what accuracy current state-of-the-art methods realistically achieve because there is a lack of high-quality validations on realistic and diverse data sets. This paper adds context to existing research by validating a two-step rule-based pass and shot detection algorithm on four different data sets using a comprehensive validation routine that accounts for the temporal, hierarchical and imbalanced nature of the task. Our evaluation shows that pass and shot detection performance is highly dependent on the specifics of the data set. In accordance with previous studies, we achieve F-scores of up to 0.92 for passes, but only when there is an inherent dependency between event and positional data. We find a significantly lower accuracy with F-scores of 0.71 for passes and 0.65 for shots if event and positional data are independent. This result, together with a critical evaluation of existing methodologies, suggests that the accuracy of current football event detection algorithms operating on positional data is currently overestimated. Further analysis reveals that the temporal extraction of passes and shots from positional data poses the main challenge for rule-based approaches. Our results further indicate that the classification of plays into shots and passes is a relatively straightforward task, achieving F-scores between 0.83 to 0.91 ro rule-based classifiers and up to 0.95 for machine learning classifiers. We show that there exist simple classifiers that accurately differentiate shots from passes in different data sets using a low number of human-understandable rules. Operating on basic spatial features, our classifiers provide a simple, objective event definition that can be used as a foundation for more reliable event-based match analysis.
Diversity and assembly patterns of mangrove rhizosphere mycobiome along the Coast of Gazi Bay and Mida Creek in Kenya
Authors: Muwawa Edith M. , Makonde Huxley M. , Obieze Chinedu C. , de Oliveira Isabelle G. , Jefwa Joyce M. , Kahindi James H. P. , Khasa Damase P.
Published: April 2024

Fungi are among key actors in the biogeochemical processes occurring in mangrove ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the changes of fungal communities in selected mangrove species by exploring differences in diversity, structure and the degree of ecological rearrangement occurring within the rhizospheres of four mangrove species (Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina) at Gazi Bay and Mida Creek in Kenya. Alpha diversity investigation revealed that there were no significant differences in species diversity between the same mangrove species in the different sites. Rather, significant differences were observed in fungal richness for some of the mangrove species. Chemical parameters of the mangrove sediment significantly correlated with fungal alpha diversity and inversely with richness. The fungal community structure was significantly differentiated by mangrove species, geographical location and chemical parameters. Taxonomic analysis revealed that 96% of the amplicon sequence variants belonged to the Phylum Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota (3%). Predictive FUNGuild and co-occurrence network analysis revealed that the fungal communities in Gazi Bay were metabolically more diverse compared to those of Mida Creek. Overall, our results demonstrate that anthropogenic activities influenced fungal richness, community assembly and their potential ecological functions in the mangrove ecosystems investigated.
A model study of teaching method reform of computer laboratory course integrating internet of things technology
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Qian Ledan , Aziz Haider , White Marvin
Published: April 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) is gradually changing the way teaching and learning take place in on-campus programs. In particular, face capture services improve student concentration to create an efficient classroom atmosphere by using face recognition algorithms that support end devices. However, reducing response latency and executing face analysis services effectively in real-time is still challenging. For this reason, this paper proposed a pedagogical model of face recognition for IoT devices based on edge computing (TFREC). Specifically, this research first proposed an IoT service-based face capture algorithm to optimize the accuracy of face recognition. In addition, the service deployment method based on edge computing is proposed in this paper to obtain the best deployment strategy and reduce the latency of the algorithm. Finally, the comparative experimental results demonstrate that TFREC has 98.3% accuracy in face recognition and 72 milliseconds in terms of service response time. This research is significant for advancing the optimization of teaching methods in school-based courses, meanwhile, providing beneficial insights for the application of face recognition and edge computing in the field of education.
Validation of Trypanosoma cruzi inactivation techniques for laboratory use
Authors: MacLean Lorna M. , Ariyanayagam Mark , Sastry Lalitha , Paterson Christy , De Rycker Manu , Fairlamb Alan H.
Published: April 2024

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the causative agent of Chagas’ disease, a parasitic infection responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in Latin America. The current treatments have many serious drawbacks and new drugs are urgently required. In the UK, T. cruzi is classified by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) as a Hazard Group 3 organism and strict safety practices must be adhered to when handling this pathogen in the laboratory. Validated inactivation techniques are required for safe T. cruzi waste disposal and removal from Containment Level 3 (CL3) facilities for storage, transportation and experimental analysis. Here we assess three T. cruzi. inactivation methods. These include three freeze-thaw cycles, chemical inactivation with Virkon disinfectant, and air drying on Whatman FTA cards (A, B, C, Elute) and on a Mitra microsampling device. After each treatment parasite growth was monitored for 4–6 weeks by microscopic examination. Three freeze-thaw cycles were sufficient to inactivate all T. cruzi CLBrener Luc life cycle stages and Silvio x10/7 A1 large epimastigote cell pellets up to two grams wet weight. Virkon treatment for one hour inactivated T. cruzi Silvio x10/7 subclone A1 and CLBrener Luc both in whole blood and cell culture medium when incubated at a final concentration of 2.5% Virkon, or at ≥1% Virkon when in tenfold excess of sample volume. Air drying also inactivated T. cruzi CLBrener Luc spiked blood when dried on FTA A, B or Elute cards for ≥30 minutes and on a Mitra Microsampler for two hours. However, T. cruzi CLBrener Luc were not inactivated on FTA C cards when dried for up to two hours. These experimentally confirmed conditions provide three validated T. cruzi inactivation methods which can be applied to other related ACDP Hazard Group 2–3 kinetoplastid parasites.
Bioinformatics pipeline for the systematic mining genomic and proteomic variation linked to rare diseases: The example of monogenic diabetes
Authors: Kuznetsova Ksenia G. , Vašíček Jakub , Skiadopoulou Dafni , Molnes Janne , Udler Miriam , Johansson Stefan , Njølstad Pål Rasmus , Manning Alisa , Vaudel Marc
Published: April 2024

Monogenic diabetes is characterized as a group of diseases caused by rare variants in single genes. Like for other rare diseases, multiple genes have been linked to monogenic diabetes with different measures of pathogenicity, but the information on the genes and variants is not unified among different resources, making it challenging to process them informatically. We have developed an automated pipeline for collecting and harmonizing data on genetic variants linked to monogenic diabetes. Furthermore, we have translated variant genetic sequences into protein sequences accounting for all protein isoforms and their variants. This allows researchers to consolidate information on variant genes and proteins linked to monogenic diabetes and facilitates their study using proteomics or structural biology. Our open and flexible implementation using Jupyter notebooks enables tailoring and modifying the pipeline and its application to other rare diseases.