bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstetric complications and genetic risk for schizophrenia: Differential role of antenatal and perinatal events in first episode psychosis
Authors: Valli Isabel , Gonzalez Segura Alex , Verdolini Norma , Garcia‐Rizo Clemente , Berge Daniel , Baeza Inmaculada , Cuesta Manuel J. , Gonzalez‐Pinto Ana , Lobo Antonio , Martinez‐Aran Anabel , Mezquida Gisela , Pina‐Camacho Laura , Roldan Bejarano Alexandra , Mas Sergi , McGuire Philip , Bernardo Miquel , Vieta Eduard ,   PEPs group
Published: March 2023

Background

Obstetric complications (OCs) are key contributors to psychosis risk. However, it is unclear whether they increase psychosis vulnerability independently of genetic risk, in interaction with it, or are a manifestation of psychosis proneness. We examined the role of distinct types of OCs in terms of psychosis risk and tested whether they interact differently with genetic vulnerability, whilst accounting for other known environmental risk factors.

Study Design

405 participants (219 first episode psychosis patients and 186 healthy volunteers) underwent a comprehensive assessment of OCs, measured using the Lewis‐Murray scale and divided into complications of pregnancy, abnormalities of foetal growth and development, and complications of delivery. Participants were compared in terms of history of OCs, polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS‐SZ) and interactions between these.

Results

Both complications of pregnancy and abnormalities of foetal growth were significantly associated with case–control status (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively), whereas complications of delivery were not. PRS‐SZ showed a significant association with psychosis (p = 0.04), but there were no significant interactions between genetic risk for schizophrenia and OCs, either when these were considered globally or separated based on their timeframe.

Conclusions

We observed no significant interaction between genetic and obstetric vulnerability, yet distinct types of OCs may have a different impact on psychosis risk, based on their nature and timeframe. Examining their differential role might clarify their relative contributions to this risk.
A longitudinal analysis of Australian women's fruit and vegetable consumption and depressive symptoms
Authors: Lee Megan , Bradbury Joanne , Yoxall Jacqui , Sargeant Sally
Published: March 2023

Background

In Australia, women report higher rates of depressive symptoms than men. Research suggests that dietary patterns rich in fresh fruit and vegetables could protect against depressive symptoms. The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest that consuming two servings of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day is optimal for overall health. However, this consumption level is often difficult for those experiencing depressive symptoms to achieve.

Aims

This study aims to compare diet quality and depressive symptoms in Australian women over time using (I) two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day (FV7), and (ii) two serves of fruit and three serves of vegetables per day (FV5).

Materials and Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health over 12 years at three time points 2006 (n = 9145, Mean age = 30.6, SD = 1.5), 2015 (n = 7186, Mean age = 39.7, SD = 1.5), and 2018 (n = 7121, Mean age = 42.4, SD = 1.5).

Results

A linear mixed effects model found, after adjusting for covarying factors, a small significant inverse association between both FV7 (b = −.54, 95% CI = −.78, −.29) and FV5 (b = −.38, 95% CI = −.50, −.26) in depressive symptoms.

Discussion

These findings suggest an association between fruit and vegetable consumption and decreased depressive symptoms. The small effect sizes indicate caution should be taken in interpreting these results. The findings also suggest that current Australian Dietary Guideline recommendations need not be prescriptive to two fruit and five vegetables for impact on depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Future research could evaluate reduced vegetable consumption (three serves per day) in identifying the protective threshold for depressive symptoms.
Serum LH levels are associated to serum insulin and Anti‐Müllerian hormone levels in women with both functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea and polycystic ovarian morphology
Authors: Makolle Sarah , Catteau‐Jonard Sophie , Robin Geoffroy , Dewailly Didier
Published: March 2023

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate whether serum Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels in women with Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea (FHA) and Polycystic Ovarian Morphology (PCOM) are still associated to Body Mass Index (BMI) and/or serum insulin and/or Anti‐Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels using a larger population of FHA.

Design

Retrospective observational study (2006–2020).

Participants

Data from 62 FHA patients were used for this study using strict criteria to define them.

Measurements

Serum LH, FSH, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA‐S), androstenedione, total testosterone, prolactin, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and AMH levels were measured by immunoassay. To homogenize the AMH values, we converted those obtained after 2015. We defined PCOM with strict criteria: a follicle number per ovary (FNPO) ≥12 or ≥20 per ovary, depending on the date on which the assessment was carried out and the ultrasound device.

Results

Forty‐two percentage of our FHA population had PCOM. The PCOM+ group had significantly higher ranks of BMI (p = .024) and serum AMH levels (p = .0001) and significantly lower ranks of serum FSH levels (p = .002). LH was positively correlated with fasting insulin (p = .011) and with AMH (p = .035) in the PCOM+ group only but not with BMI. There was a positive correlation between LH and FSH in both groups.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that GnRH insufficiency in women with PCOM unravels some mechanisms of LH regulation that are poorly documented in the literature and may involve a direct pituitary effect, as suggested by our results with serum insulin and AMH levels.
Evonne: A Visual Tool for Explaining Reasoning with OWL Ontologies and Supporting Interactive Debugging
Authors: Méndez J. , Alrabbaa C. , Koopmann P. , Langner R. , Baader F. , Dachselt R.
Published: March 2023

OWL is a powerful language to formalize terminologies in an ontology. Its main strength lies in its foundation on description logics, allowing systems to automatically deduce implicit information through logical reasoning. However, since ontologies are often complex, understanding the outcome of the reasoning process is not always straightforward. Unlike already existing tools for exploring ontologies, our visualization tool Evonne is tailored towards explaining logical consequences. In addition, it supports the debugging of unwanted consequences and allows for an interactive comparison of the impact of removing statements from the ontology. Our visual approach combines (1) specialized views for the explanation of logical consequences and the structure of the ontology, (2) employing multiple layout modes for iteratively exploring explanations, (3) detailed explanations of specific reasoning steps, (4) cross‐view highlighting and colour coding of the visualization components, (5) features for dealing with visual complexity and (6) comparison and exploration of possible fixes to the ontology. We evaluated Evonne in a qualitative study with 16 experts in logics, and their positive feedback confirms the value of our concepts for explaining reasoning and debugging ontologies.
Systems‐based digital twins to help characterize clinical dose–response and propose predictive biomarkers in a Phase I study of bispecific antibody, mosunetuzumab, in NHL
Authors: Susilo Monica E. , Li Chi‐Chung , Gadkar Kapil , Hernandez Genevive , Huw Ling‐Yuh , Jin Jin Y. , Yin Shen , Wei Michael C. , Ramanujan Saroja , Hosseini Iraj
Published: March 2023

Phase I oncology clinical trials often comprise a limited number of patients representing different disease subtypes who are divided into cohorts receiving treatment(s) at different dosing levels and schedules. Here, we leverage a previously developed quantitative systems pharmacology model of the anti‐CD20/CD3 T‐cell engaging bispecific antibody, mosunetuzumab, to account for different dosing regimens and patient heterogeneity in the phase I study to inform clinical dose/exposure‐response relationships and to identify biological determinants of clinical response. We developed a novel workflow to generate digital twins for each patient, which together form a virtual population (VPOP) that represented variability in biological, pharmacological, and tumor‐related parameters from the phase I trial. Simulations based on the VPOP predict that an increase in mosunetuzumab exposure increases the proportion of digital twins with at least a 50% reduction in tumor size by day 42. Simulations also predict a left‐shift of the exposure‐response in patients diagnosed with indolent compared to aggressive non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) subtype; this increased sensitivity in indolent NHL was attributed to the lower inferred values of tumor proliferation rate and baseline T‐cell infiltration in the corresponding digital twins. Notably, the inferred digital twin parameters from clinical responders and nonresponders show that the potential biological difference that can influence response include tumor parameters (tumor size, proliferation rate, and baseline T‐cell infiltration) and parameters defining the effect of mosunetuzumab on T‐cell activation and B‐cell killing. Finally, the model simulations suggest intratumor expansion of pre‐existing T‐cells, rather than an influx of systemically expanded T‐cells, underlies the antitumor activity of mosunetuzumab.
Identifying clinical features and blood biomarkers associated with mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson disease using machine learning
Authors: Deng Xiao , Ning Yilin , Saffari Seyed Ehsan , Xiao Bin , Niu Chenglin , Ng Samuel Yong Ern , Chia Nicole , Choi Xinyi , Heng Dede Liana , Tan Yi Jayne , Ng Ebonne , Xu Zheyu , Tay Kay‐Yaw , Au Wing‐Lok , Ng Adeline , Tan Eng‐King , Liu Nan , Tan Louis C. S.
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose

A broad list of variables associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson disease (PD) have been investigated separately. However, there is as yet no study including all of them to assess variable importance. Shapley variable importance cloud (ShapleyVIC) can robustly assess variable importance while accounting for correlation between variables. Objectives of this study were (i) to prioritize the important variables associated with PD‐MCI and (ii) to explore new blood biomarkers related to PD‐MCI.

Methods

ShapleyVIC‐assisted variable selection was used to identify a subset of variables from 41 variables potentially associated with PD‐MCI in a cross‐sectional study. Backward selection was used to further identify the variables associated with PD‐MCI. Relative risk was used to quantify the association of final associated variables and PD‐MCI in the final multivariable log‐binomial regression model.

Results

Among 41 variables analysed, 22 variables were identified as significantly important variables associated with PD‐MCI and eight variables were subsequently selected in the final model, indicating fewer years of education, shorter history of hypertension, higher Movement Disorder Society–Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score, higher levels of triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and SNCA rs6826785 noncarrier status were associated with increased risk of PD‐MCI (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study highlighted the strong association between TG, ApoA1, SNCA rs6826785, and PD‐MCI by machine learning approach. Screening and management of high TG and ApoA1 levels might help prevent cognitive impairment in early PD patients. SNCA rs6826785 could be a novel therapeutic target for PD‐MCI. ShapleyVIC‐assisted variable selection is a novel and robust alternative to traditional approaches for future clinical study to prioritize the variables of interest.
Modes of ingress by larvae and juveniles of marine fishes into estuaries: From microtidal to macrotidal systems
Authors: Whitfield Alan K. , Potter Ian C. , Neira Francisco J. , Houde Edward D.
Published: March 2023

We review published research on the ingress of larvae and early juveniles of marine fishes into estuaries subjected to different tidal regimes and provide perspectives on the abilities and responses of these early‐life stages to the physico‐chemical, hydrodynamic and biological drivers that facilitate such ingress. We focus on documenting ingress and the mechanisms employed by early‐stage fishes from coastal waters to enter different types of microtidal and macrotidal estuaries but also include information on ingress into mesotidal systems. Spawning localities for estuary‐associated marine fishes are assessed with respect to ontogeny of larvae and their ability to ingress estuaries during the preflexion and postflexion stages. The processes and physico‐chemical cues employed by larvae and early juveniles to locate estuaries are reviewed, with olfactory cues being recognised as especially important. Particular emphasis is directed to vertical migratory behaviours and selective tidal stream transport (STST) employed by many larvae ingressing macrotidal estuaries, contrasting with mainly passive flood‐tide entry and active swimming modes typically used by larvae and early juveniles that enter microtidal estuaries and estuarine lakes and lagoon systems.
Endangered spined loach Cobitis species in Southwest Germany: A complex network of native, hybrid and newly emerged populations
Authors: Roch Samuel , Bartolin Patrick , Vonlanthen Pascal , Baer Jan , Grundmüller Simon , Epp Laura S. , Brinker Alexander
Published: March 2023

Successful conservation of cryptic species such as representatives of the genus Cobitis presents a challenge for fishery managers. Only Cobitis taenia L. is currently assumed to occur in southwest Germany, where it is classified as critically endangered. Established genetic markers and eDNA analysis identified three Cobitis species in the study area. Cobitis taenia and Cobitis elongatoides were widely distributed in the Rhine River system, primarily forming hybrid species complexes in which polyploid individuals dominate but coexist with diploid parent species. A third non‐native species, Cobitis bilineata, has recently become established in the southern part of the Rhine to which it probably migrated naturally via the connected Aare River system. In the Danube River catchment, two populations, including one previously thought to be extinct, comprise both diploid and polyploid representatives of C. elongatoides. Our results provide an important basis for more targeted conservation strategies for Cobitis species currently found in the region.
Stakeholder Participation in High‐Resolution Monitoring of Salt Contamination
Authors: Metcalf Meredith J. , Higgins Mark A. , Robbins Gary A.
Published: March 2023

Groundwater contamination of bedrock domestic wells by road salt is an ever‐increasing problem in the Northeast United States. Given the many factors that influence salt transport to wells, the timeframe of salt impacts cannot be readily determined. As such, one cannot optimize quarterly monitoring for assessing the extent of a problem, its source or the effectiveness of remedial measures. Although the use of high‐frequency monitoring by installing pressure/electrical conductance probes in wells can be conducted to help determining salt contamination changes with time, this can be costly given the application to multiple wells. In addition, there are logistical issues with regard to probe placement in a drinking water well. In this study a stakeholder participated in high‐resolution monitoring of salt contamination using a chloride field test kit. The daily stakeholder water quality monitoring was highly correlated to the specific conductance results obtained with a pressure/conductivity probe. Voluntary stakeholder participation in monitoring can offer a lower cost means of high‐frequency monitoring of salt contamination changes with time.
Efficacy and safety of the B‐domain‐deleted TQG202 for on‐demand treatment in moderate and severe haemophilia A patients: A multicentre, single‐arm trial
Authors: Sun Zimin , Xi Yaming , Liu Wei , Yang Linhua , Wang Xuefeng , Jin Chenghao , Jia Haifei , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2023

Introduction

On‐demand treatment is the most common treatment strategy for haemophilia A in China.

Aim

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a human‐derived B‐domain‐deleted recombinant factor VIII (TQG202) in the on‐demand treatment of bleeding episodes in moderate/severe haemophilia A patients.

Methods

This multicentre, single‐arm clinical trial enrolled moderate/severe haemophilia patients previously treated with FVIII concentrates for ≥50 exposure days (EDs) from May 2017 to October 2019. TQG202 was injected intravenously on‐demand for bleeding episode management. The primary endpoints were the infusion efficiency at 15 and 60 min after the first administration and haemostatic efficacy of the first bleeding episode. Safety was also monitored.

Results

Fifty‐six participants were enrolled with a median age of 24.5 (range: 12–64) years old. The median total dose of TQG202 was 29,250 IU per participant (range: 1750–2,02,500), and the median number of administrations was 24.5 (2–116). The median infusion efficiency at 15 and 60 min after the first administration was 155.4% and 145.2%, respectively. Among the 48 first bleeding episodes evaluated, 47 (83.9%, 95% CI: 71.7%–92.4%) had a haemostatic efficacy rating of excellent or good. Eleven (19.6%) participants had treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs), but no ≥grade 3 TRAE was observed. Inhibitor development (0.6BU) was observed in one participant (1.8%) after 22 EDs, but was undetectable after 43 EDs.

Conclusion

TQG202 for on‐demand treatment in moderate/severe haemophilia A shows effective control of the bleeding symptoms, with a low incidence of adverse events and inhibitors development.
A decision support tool for the first stage of the tempering process of organic wheat grains in a mill
Authors: Parrenin Loïc , Danjou Christophe , Agard Bruno , Beauchemin Robert
Published: March 2023

Wheat tempering conditions grains before a milling process begins. Process adjustments must be made to reach a desired level of flour quality and yield, depending on multiple factors. This article aims to develop a decision support tool to help operators adjust the first‐stage tempering parameters. It is based on a regression model that predicts an increase in organic wheat moisture content according to the properties of the wheat (initial wheat moisture content, wheat protein content and wheat temperature), process parameters (targeted wheat moisture content, wheat flow rate, water flow rate, wheat quantity and resting time) and tempering conditions (water quantity, average day temperature and average day humidity). The increase in wheat moisture achieved during the first tempering stage varies between 0% and 5%. Five regression models were compared: OLS, LASSO, RIDGE, ElasticNet and XGBoost. The models have been developed and tested from a case study at an organic wheat mill. The results indicate that the LASSO model outperformed others, with an average prediction error of 0.428%. The model showed the importance of humidity and temperature factors during the tempering process. The flow of water and wheat were the most influential parameters for an increase in wheat moisture content.
The leukotriene B4 receptors BLT1 and BLT2 as potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Yokomizo Takehiko , Shimizu Takao
Published: March 2023

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was recognized as an arachidonate‐derived chemotactic factor for inflammatory cells and an important drug target even before the molecular identification of its receptors. We cloned the high‐ and low‐affinity LTB4 receptors, BLT1 and BLT2, respectively, and examined their functions by generating and studying gene‐targeted mice. BLT1 is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immune diseases, including asthma, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, age‐related macular degeneration, and immune complex‐mediated glomerulonephritis. Meanwhile, BLT2 is a high‐affinity receptor for 12‐hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid, which is involved in the maintenance of dermal and intestinal barrier function, and the acceleration of skin and corneal wound healing. Thus, BLT1 antagonists and BLT2 agonists are promising candidates in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Island volcanism predicts pheomelanin‐based plumage colouration in a cosmopolitan raptor
Authors: Romano Andrea , Séchaud Robin , Montanarella Luca , Roulin Alexandre
Published: March 2023

Aim

Pheomelanin is a pigment responsible for yellowish‐to‐reddish colours of vertebrate teguments. Its biosynthesis is favoured under high concentration of intracellular thiols, which, in turn, can depend on the environmental exposure to sulphur. Thus, pheomelanin production should be more intense and frequent in environments characterized by high level of sulphur, such as volcanic regions. In this study, we aimed at addressing this hypothesis by investigating variation in plumage colour of insular populations of the cosmopolitan barn owl (Tyto alba species complex) according to the presence of soils of volcanic origin (i.e. andosols) and recent volcanic activity.

Location

World.

Taxon

Barn owl species complex.

Methods

We measured plumage colouration of more than 2000 museum specimens from 50 islands and archipelagos worldwide. We then compared plumage colouration between populations living on volcanic (i.e. where andosols and/or recent volcanic activity are present) and non‐volcanic islands/archipelagos.

Results

Consistently with the prediction, plumage colouration is significantly darker (i.e. pheomelanic) on islands/archipelagos where andosols and/or recent volcanic activity are present than absent, although this environmental factor explains a small fraction of plumage colour variability across islands (<10%). Similar results were obtained when specimens' sex and climatic predictors were included in the analyses.

Main Conclusions

Because excessive intracellular levels of thiols can be toxic, pheomelanin synthesis may function as a mechanism keeping these compounds below the toxicity threshold and limiting their detrimental effects on physiology. Darker plumage may also be favoured because it promotes background matching against the dark environment typical of volcanic islands (dense vegetation cover and/or dark soil). Our results add to the little evidence that the environmental exposure of compounds that are involved in melanin biosynthesis can affect animal pigmentation and suggest that soil composition may be a factor that affects melanogenesis, possibly contributing to generate spatial variation in pheomelanin‐based traits in animals.
Sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of Cephalocassis borneensis (Siluriformes: Ariidae), a paternal mouth‐brooding fish in the Mekong River
Authors: Le Ngoc‐Son , Duong Thuy‐Yen
Published: March 2023

Information on the reproductive biology of fish species is essential for fisheries management, conservation and culture potential assessment. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the sex‐based morphological differences and reproductive characteristics of Cephalocassis borneensis, an ariid species with a rapid decline of wild populations. Fish samples were collected monthly from local fishermen (n = 1092) in the Vietnamese Mekong River over a year. Morphological analyses revealed that sexual dimorphism was observed in mature, but not immature, fish. The length at first maturity (Lm) was smaller for males (11.5 cm) than for females (12.5 cm). Mature males had larger head length and pre‐pectoral distance than mature females, increasing the space for oral incubation of fertilized eggs and larvae in males. Conversely, females were larger in three head parameters (head angle, head width and head depth) and three abdomen parameters (body deep, ventral fin length and distance between pectoral and ventral fin) involved in ovary development. Paternal mouth‐brooding behaviour is an important reproductive strategy in C. borneensis to increase offspring survival. Monthly variations in gonado‐somatic index and condition factor (K) and the presence of maturation stages indicated that C. borneensis spawns year‐round, mainly in the rainy season from June to October. This species' fecundity was relatively low, from 10 to 31 eggs per female of quite large sizes (about 7.30 ± 0.68 mm in diameter). Besides, non‐functional oocytes (hyaline eggs) of smaller size (<3 mm) were found in the females' ovaries. Low fecundity with large eggs and paternal care indicated that the species is an equilibrium strategist. These characteristics are critical in developing ariid species conservation plans, such as setting the time and mesh‐size for fishing, and domestication programmes in artificial conditions.
A cell wall invertase modulates resistance to fusarium crown rot and sharp eyespot in common wheat
Authors: Lv Guoguo , Zhang Yixiao , Ma Lin , Yan Xiangning , Yuan Mingjie , Chen Jianhui , Cheng Yongzhen , Yang Xi , Qiao Qi , Zhang Leilei , Niaz Mohsin , Sun Xiaonan , Zhang Qijun , Zhong Shaobin , Chen Feng
Published: March 2023

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) and sharp eyespot (SE) are serious soil‐borne diseases in wheat and its relatives that have been reported to cause wheat yield losses in many areas. In this study, the expression of a cell wall invertase gene, TaCWI‐B1, was identified to be associated with FCR resistance through a combination of bulk segregant RNA sequencing and genome resequencing in a recombinant inbred line population. Two bi‐parental populations were developed to further verify TaCWI‐B1 association with FCR resistance. Overexpression lines and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutants revealed TaCWI‐B1 positively regulating FCR resistance. Determination of cell wall thickness and components showed that the TaCWI‐B1‐overexpression lines exhibited considerably increased thickness and pectin and cellulose contents. Furthermore, we found that TaCWI‐B1 directly interacted with an alpha‐galactosidase (TaGAL). EMS mutants showed that TaGAL negatively modulated FCR resistance. The expression of TaGAL is negatively correlated with TaCWI‐B1 levels, thus may reduce mannan degradation in the cell wall, consequently leading to thickening of the cell wall. Additionally, TaCWI‐B1‐overexpression lines and TaGAL mutants showed higher resistance to SE; however, TaCWI‐B1 mutants were more susceptible to SE than controls. This study provides insights into a FCR and SE resistance gene to combat soil‐borne diseases in common wheat.
Cannabidiol‐associated hepatotoxicity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lo Lindsay A. , Christiansen April , Eadie Lauren , Strickland Justin C. , Kim David D. , Boivin Michael , Barr Alasdair M. , MacCallum Caroline A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Findings of liver enzyme elevations in recent cannabidiol studies have raised concerns over liver safety. This study aimed to determine the association between cannabidiol use, liver enzyme elevation, and drug‐induced liver injury (DILI).

Methods

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, a search of EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Clinicaltrials.gov, Medline, medRxiv, and Web of Science of records up to February 2022 was conducted. Clinical trials initiating daily cannabidiol treatment with serial liver enzyme measures were included. The proportion of liver enzyme elevations and DILI were independently extracted from published reports. Pooled proportions and probability meta‐analyses were conducted.

Results

Cannabidiol use was associated with an increased probability of liver enzyme elevation (N = 12 trials, n = 1229; OR = 5.85 95% CI = 3.84–8.92, p < 0.001) and DILI (N = 12 trials, n = 1229; OR = 4.82 95% CI = 2.46–9.45, p < 0.001) compared to placebo controls. In participants taking cannabidiol (N = 28 trials, n = 1533), the pooled proportion of liver enzyme elevations was 0.074 (95% CI 0.0448–0.1212), and DILI was 0.0296 (95% CI 0.0136–0.0631). High‐dose CBD (≥1000 mg/day or ≥20 mg/kg/day) and concomitant antiepileptic drug use were identified as risk factors. No cases were reported in adults using cannabidiol doses <300 mg/day. No cases of severe DILI were reported.

Conclusions

Cannabidiol‐associated liver enzyme elevations and DILI meet the criteria of common adverse drug events. Clinicians are encouraged to screen for cannabidiol use and monitor liver function in patients at increased risk.
The globalization of local indexicalities through music: African‐American English and the blues
Authors: De Timmerman Romeo , De Cuypere Ludovic , Slembrouck Stef
Published: March 2023

This article reports on a sociolinguistic study into the prevalence of African‐American English (AAE) features in the lyrical language use of blues artists, relying on data from different social and national backgrounds and time periods. It adopts a variationist linguistic methodological approach to examine the prevalence of five AAE forms in live‐performed blues music: /aɪ/ monophthongization, post‐consonantal word‐final /t/ deletion, post‐consonantal word‐final /d/ deletion, alveolar nasal /n/ in < ing > ultimas, and post‐vocalic word‐final /r/ deletion. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis applied to a corpus of 80 performances finds no statistically significant association between national/ethnic background and variant use, and indicates that blues artists, from different eras and nationalities, are highly probable to realize the AAE variant of the analyzed variables, regardless of their sociocultural background. By building on early scholarly work on language and music, existing studies considering the use of AAE by non‐members of the African‐American community, and current theorizing on authenticity, style, and indexicality, this study hence provides tentative support for the existence of a standard blues singing style, which involves performers using AAE forms as a stylistic‐linguistic strategy to index artistic authenticity.
Functional and anatomical gastric regions and their relations to motility control
Authors: Di Natale Madeleine R. , Athavale Omkar N. , Wang Xiaokai , Du Peng , Cheng Leo K. , Liu Zhongming , Furness John B.
Published: March 2023

The common occurrence of gastric disorders, the accelerating emphasis on the role of the gut‐brain axis, and development of realistic, predictive models of gastric function, all place emphasis on increasing understanding of the stomach and its control. However, the ways that regions of the stomach have been described anatomically, physiologically, and histologically do not align well. Mammalian single compartment stomachs can be considered as having four anatomical regions fundus, corpus, antrum, and pyloric sphincter. Functional regions are the proximal stomach, primarily concerned with adjusting gastric volume, the distal stomach, primarily involved in churning and propelling the content, and the pyloric sphincter that regulates passage of chyme into the duodenum. The proximal stomach extends from the dome of the fundus to a circumferential band where propulsive waves commence (slow waves of the pacemaker region), and the distal stomach consists of the pacemaker region and the more distal regions that are traversed by waves of excitation, that travel as far as the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the proximal stomach includes the fundus and different extents of the corpus, whereas the distal stomach consists of the remainder of the corpus and the antrum. The distributions of aglandular regions and of specialized glands, such as oxyntic glands, differ vastly between species and, across species, have little or no relation to anatomical or functional regions. It is hoped that this review helps to clarify nomenclature that defines gastric regions that will provide an improved basis for drawing conclusions for different investigations of the stomach.
The implications of pay transparency in the presence of over‐ and underconfident agents
Authors: Fan Xiaoshuai , Wu Qingye , Chen Ying‐Ju , Tang Christopher S.
Published: March 2023

Many companies are under pressure to improve pay transparency; however, its impact on their agents and principals remains unclear. As a way to investigate the upside and downside of pay transparency, we conduct our study based on a scenario in which agents have “cognitive bias” (namely, over‐ or underconfident). We also capture the notion of “social comparisons” behavior (namely, behind‐averse and ahead‐seeking) that occurs under pay transparency. By exploring a one‐principal‐two‐agent model, we find that agents' optimal effort decisions are affected by the “intersection” between agents' social comparison behavior and cognitive bias. Specifically, relative to the opaque policy, we find that pay transparency can entice agents to improve their job performance (in general). Our analysis also provides a guideline for principals to implement transparent payment policies properly (including the optimal payment scheme and the recruitment strategy). Specifically, pay transparency could enable the principal to offer a lower merit‐based factor level but a higher base salary level than opaque policy to motivate agents. To obtain high retained earnings, it is profitable for the principal to hire an overconfident agent if the principal chooses to adopt the opaque policy, but hire a mildly underconfident agent if pay transparency is selected. Moreover, we extend the base model to incorporate working capability heterogeneity across agents. We find that the agent's effort incentive and his opponent's working capability move in the same direction when the two agents' working capabilities are comparable under the transparent policy. Finally, by incorporating the environment's relative favoritism into the base model, we observe that when the environment is highly uncertain, the underconfident agent is willing to leverage environment uncertainty but the overconfident agent is willing to exert more effort.
Growing Food, Feeding Disease: Primary Sector Specialization and Malaria Incidence in Less‐Developed Countries
Authors: Austin Kelly F. , Hof Lukas
Published: March 2023

Despite decades of decline in global malaria rates, trends are beginning to change; in the last few years, progress has stalled and even reversed in some places. The ever‐increasing scale of land transformation is likely a factor in contributing to this shift in global malaria progress, as recent research makes links between activities such as agriculture, timber harvest, and aquaculture to mosquito vectorial capacity. We combine these insights with political economy perspectives from sociology to understand the larger structures that facilitate the disproportionate concentration of primary sector activities in poorer countries. We predict that less‐developed countries with increasing economic specialization in the primary sector will have heightened incidence of malaria over time. We employ a two‐way fixed effect panel regression analysis of 72 malaria‐endemic countries from 2002 to 2019. Our results confirm our predictions. This study brings to light the large‐scale forces that lead some countries to specialize in economic activities that serve to enhance malaria vulnerabilities.
Robust inference for high‐dimensional single index models
Authors: Han Dongxiao , Han Miao , Huang Jian , Lin Yuanyuan
Published: March 2023

We propose a robust inference method for high‐dimensional single index models with an unknown link function and elliptically symmetrically distributed covariates, focusing on signal recovery and inference. The proposed method is built on the Huber loss and the estimation of the unknown link function is avoided. The and consistency of a Lasso estimator up to a multiplicative scalar is established. When the covariance matrix of the predictors satisfies the irrepresentable condition, our method is shown to recover the signed support of the true parameter under mild conditions. Based on a debiased Lasso estimator, we study component‐wise and group inference for the high‐dimensional index parameter. The finite‐sample performance of our method is evaluated through extensive simulation studies. An application to a riboflavin production dataset is provided to illustrate the proposed method.
Social welfare in the light of topic modelling
Authors: Baranowski Mariusz , Cichocki Piotr , McKinley Jim
Published: March 2023

With an increased focus on social well‐being in response to a burgeoning global economy exposing the weaknesses of social welfare policies, research output in the field has grown exponentially. Keeping track of the evolving research themes proves difficult due to the steady rise in the number of studies published in the interdisciplinary field of social welfare. Therefore, researchers need a comprehensive overview to confirm the current shape of the field based on the published research. Using a latent Dirichlet allocation algorithm as a topic modelling technique, this study identified 12 prominent themes from more than 10,000 research outputs on social welfare published from 2000 to 2020 in Scopus‐indexed journals. Such an exploratory text‐mining approach to literature review provides broad insights into the diversity of research and may serve as a foundation for further in‐depth studies. Identifying these 12 thematic areas and their sub‐themes allows us to articulate the complexity and diversity of social welfare issues, which go far beyond the field of well‐established welfare economics or social work. The study shows that the topic of ‘social welfare’ has not only evolved over time but has significantly broadened its meaning. It can no longer be solely synonymous with institutional social security. We contend that research in this area needs to take into account a broader and more systematic range of determinants constituting the dynamic character of social welfare.
‘How the other half lives’?: Taking a critical approach to the social psychology of economic inequality and extreme wealth
Authors: Carr Philippa
Published: March 2023

The negative impact of economic inequality on social issues and wellbeing is of importance to social psychology that historically has an interest in social justice. Social Identity Theory is explored as an approach that acknowledges the wider context of social issues. The use of experiments encounters challenges in categorizing wealth and how individuals account for extreme wealth. Mainstream research agendas in psychology are not neutral and draw upon current ideology (such as neoliberalism) that can often maintain inequality. These difficulties are addressed by Critical Social Psychology driven by a social justice agenda that challenges the acceptance of neoliberal values. The application of Critical Social Psychology to wealth inequality is demonstrated with research using UK media data. Critical feminist psychology is discussed to explore the role of class and how to challenge the stigmatization of working‐class people. Finally, this paper outlines how Discursive Psychology addresses how extreme wealth and the practices of the super‐rich are warranted. A discursive approach questions the acceptance of wealth inequality as an everyday assumption and demonstrates how dominant discourse draws upon individualism. Furthermore, Discursive Psychology has examined how accountability for problematic practices, such as tax avoidance that maintain inequality, are managed in media broadcasts.
Prevalence and determinants of anemia at discharge in pediatric intensive care survivors
Authors: Jutras Camille , Sauthier Michaël , Tucci Marisa , Trottier Helen , Lacroix Jacques , Robitaille Nancy , Ducharme‐Crevier Laurence , Du Pont‐Thibodeau Geneviève
Published: March 2023

Background

Restrictive transfusion practices are increasingly being followed in pediatric intensive care units (PICU); consequently, more patients are discharged anemic from PICU. Given the possible impact of anemia on long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes, we aim to describe the epidemiology of anemia at PICU discharge in a mixed (pediatric and cardiac) cohort of PICU survivors and to characterize risk factors for anemia.

Study Design and Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in the PICU of a multidisciplinary tertiary‐care university‐affiliated center. All consecutive PICU survivors for whom a hemoglobin level was available at PICU discharge were included. Baseline characteristics and hemoglobin levels were extracted from an electronic medical records database.

Results

From January 2013 to January 2018, 4750 patients were admitted to the PICU (97.1% survival); discharge hemoglobin levels were available for 4124 patients. Overall, 50.9% (n = 2100) were anemic at PICU discharge. Anemia at PICU discharge was also common in the cardiac surgery population (53.3%), mainly in acyanotic patients; only 24.6% of cyanotic patients were anemic according to standard definitions of anemia. Cardiac surgery patients were transfused more often and at higher hemoglobin levels than medical and non‐cardiac surgery patients. Anemia at admission was the strongest predictor of anemia at discharge (odds ratios (OR): 6.51, 95% confidence interval (CI:5.40;7.85)).

Discussion

Half of PICU survivors are anemic at discharge. Further studies are required to determine the course of anemia after discharge and to ascertain whether anemia is associated with adverse long‐term outcomes.
Influence on Structural Loading of a Wave Energy Converter by Controlling Variable-Geometry Components and the Power Take-Off
Authors: Husain Salman , Davis Jacob , Tom Nathan , Thiagarajan Krish , Burge Cole , Nguyen Nhu
Published: March 2023

Oceans are harsh environments and can impose significant loads on deployed structures. A wave energy converter (WEC) should be designed to maximize the energy absorbed while ensuring the operating wave condition does not exceed the failure limits of the device itself. Therefore, the loads endured by the support structure are a design constraint for the system. Furthermore, the WEC should be adaptable to different sea states. This work uses a WEC-Sim model of a variable-geometry oscillating wave energy converter (VGOSWEC) mounted on a support structure simulated under different wave scenarios. A VGOSWEC resembles a paddle pitching about a fixed hinge perpendicular to the incoming wave fronts. The geometry of the VGOSWEC is varied by opening a series of controllable flaps on the pitching paddle when the structure experiences threshold loads. It is hypothesized that opening the flaps should result in load shedding at the base of the support structure by reducing the moments about the hinge axis. This work compares the hydrodynamic coefficients, natural periods, and response amplitude operators from completely closed to completely open configurations of the controllable flaps. This work shows that the completely open configuration can reduce the pitch and surge loads on the base of the support structure by as much as 80%. Increased loads at the structure’s natural period can be mitigated by an axial power take-off damping acting as an additional design parameter to control the loads at the WEC’s support structure.
Absorption Chiller System Driven by the Solar Hybrid System: Case Study in the Algeria Weather Condition
Authors: Bouguetaia Nadia , Bellel Nadir , Lekbir Abdelhak
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the performances of a novel hybrid solar system using the Al2O3 nanofluid and pure water as a heat transfer fluid to operate a single-effect lithium bromide absorption chiller are investigated. In which the performance of the proposed system using the nanofluid during winter and summer under mixed and forced convection is evaluated. Thus, the performances of the solar collector are investigated experimentally, and the output performances of the water–LiBr absorption chiller system are conducted numerically using matlab platform. The results show that the obtained Reynolds number of the heat transfer fluid is laminar flow in summer with the maximum values of 1700 and 1600 for nanofluid and water, respectively, and the maximum values of 2200 and 2100 for nanofluid and pure water, respectively, in winter. The proposed hybrid system achieves approximately 54% and 36% of maximum thermal efficiency during the winter and the summer, respectively. The obtained performance shows that the absorption cycle at positive evaporation temperatures is very appreciable using the nanofluid as working fluid during both seasons and quite satisfactory using the water during summer and winter seasons. Overall, the proposed system has potential for further development in the solar cooling system.
Three-Dimensional Mobile Assemblies Based on Threefold-Symmetric Bricard Linkages
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Zhou Xin , Li Ming , Liu Tianming , Xing Jian , Lv Wei , Yang Fufu , Chen Yan
Published: March 2023

Multiple mobile assemblies have been created based on two-dimensional tessellations of linkages for deployable structures. However, few three-dimensional tessellations of linkages have been created, especially mobile assemblies with bifurcation. Here, we proposed four types of mobile assemblies of kaleidocycles, a special type of threefold-symmetric Bricard linkages, based on cubic cellulation and symmetry. Kinematic analysis of them is carried out based on the matrix method and numerical method. Two assemblies have bifurcations with two motion paths following cuboid symmetry and tetrahedral symmetry, respectively. Meanwhile, the other two have one motion path with a single degree-of-freedom. The designing process facilitates the creation of new mobile assemblies under symmetry, and the four assemblies have the potential application for designing metamaterials.
Designing and Analyzing Multistable Mechanisms Using Quadrilateral Boundary Rigid Origami
Authors: Lee Munkyun , Miyajima Yuki , Tachi Tomohiro
Published: March 2023

Multistable origami and its snapping behaviors between the folded states have attracted scientists’ and engineers’ attention as the building block for the design of mechanical devices and metamaterials. We propose a novel method for designing origami-based multistable structures, by which we mean (1) to obtain the prescribed overall motion and (2) to control the stiffness of snapping provided by the elastic strain. We solve this design problem by first representing the desired motion with linkage structures with quadrilateral holes, called the frames, and then filling the frames with origami modules, called quadrilateral boundary modules. By introducing an intentional incompatibility between the motions of the frames and the modules, we design the snapping behavior that follows the linkage motion. We provide the representation model to evaluate the incompatibility and propose an optimization-based framework for the design. We also validate our design applied to a Sarrus linkage through bar-and-hinge analysis and experiments using physical prototypes.
Dipyrone tablet analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: David Gonzalez E. , Rincón-Ortiz Sergio A. , Ospina Rogelio
Published: March 2023

Dipyrone tablet was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Sample was fixed to a stainless-steel sample holder with copper double-sided adhesive tape. Survey spectra, C 1s, O 1s, N 1s, S 2p, and Na 1s core levels spectra were acquired. The results showed the presence of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, elements that constitute the Dipyrone/Metamizole molecule; however, carbon and oxygen are also found in the excipients (other ingredients). In addition, sodium was detected, which is associated with excipients.