bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One‐Piece Versus Two‐Piece Abutments for Single Crowns in the Esthetic Zone: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Pascoal Ana Luísa de Barros , Paiva Kêiverton Rones Gurgel , de Araújo Lidya Nara Marques , Cristina Nogueira Marinho Liliane , Gurgel Bruno César de Vasconcelos , Dantas Wagner Ranier Maciel , Oliveira Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli da Costa , Calderon Patrícia dos Santos
Published: October 2024

Objective

To evaluate whether a two‐piece abutment is equivalent to a one‐piece in peri‐implant esthetics, patients' satisfaction, and oral health–related quality of life (OHRQOL) for implant‐supported anterior single crown placement.

Material and Methods

Thirty implants were allocated sequentially: 15 in the one‐piece abutment group (OP) and 15 in the two‐piece abutment group (TP). Peri‐implant esthetics were evaluated by the pink esthetic score (PES) at temporary crown insertion (T1), after tissue conditioning (T2), and at 30 days after the final crown insertion (T3). OHRQOL was measured using the OHIP‐14 and satisfaction was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, T1, and T3. Treatment was considered equivalent if the 95% coefficient interval (CI) for mean difference in PES was between −1.5 and +1.5 points. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney, SPANOVA, and Student's t‐test, with Sidak's posttest, adopting p < 0.05.

Results

No differences were found between the groups for any variable and during follow‐up. A significant increase in OHRQOL and satisfaction was observed at T3, when compared to baseline (p < 0.05) for both groups. Significant improvements in peri‐implant esthetics were also observed throughout the treatment, particularly after tissue conditioning (p < 0.05). Primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated for equivalence, and both abutment types were considered equivalent following the insertion of the temporary crowns.

Conclusions

Two‐piece abutment was equivalent to one‐piece abutment for peri‐implant esthetics, quality of life, or the satisfaction of patients rehabilitated with metal‐free single crowns. Tissue conditioning and final crown insertion appear to play a role in improving these outcomes.
Global Social Movements and the Governance of the Firm: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Clark Cynthia E. , Arora Punit , Gabaldón Patricia , Jain Tanusree
Published: October 2024

Research Question/Issue

The objective of this special issue (SI) is to galvanize research that examines the impact of different kinds of global social movements (GSMs) on the practice of international corporate governance.

Research Findings/Insights

The articles included in this SI provide unique insights into how various GSMs, including the feminist, #blacklivesmatter, and climate movements, influence and are influenced by corporate governance actors and practices across different institutional contexts.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Executives and boards face increasing pressures to make corporate decisions that consider the demands emerging from different GSMs. This SI uncovers how and why some social movements weigh heavier in corporate decision‐making. This SI uncovers the implications of GSMs for corporate governance actors and processes in different institutional contexts.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Equipped with the power of the internet, recent social movements have become more global in character. The rising power, reach, and prominence of large corporations have made them a common target of GSMs that aim to influence not only societal values but also corporate values. The articles in this SI provide useful insights into how GSMs engage with corporations and corporate actors and assess their impact on the governance of the firm in different countries.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors for all‐cause and cardiovascular death in people with different stages of CKD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Karagiannidis Artemios G. , Theodorakopoulou Marieta P. , Alexandrou Maria‐Eleni , Iatridi Fotini , Karkamani Eleni , Anastasiou Vasileios , Mykoniatis Ioannis , Kamperidis Vasileios , Strippoli Giovanni , Sarafidis Pantelis
Published: October 2024

Background

Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) reduce cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, but emerging studies in chronic kidney disease (CKD) have inconsistent results. In this systematic review, we evaluate the effects of SGLT2is on cardiovascular mortality in people with CKD as a whole and across subgroups stratified by baseline kidney function and among people at low, moderate, high and very high risk according to KDIGO‐ CKD classification system.

Methods

Literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane/CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science up to 30 November 2023. We included randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of SGLT2is on cardiovascular mortality in people with CKD. Secondary outcomes included all‐cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Results

Eleven studies (n = 83,203 participants) were included. In people with CKD, treatment with SGLT2is compared to placebo reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 14% (hazard ratio [HR] .86; 95%CI .79–.94), all‐cause death by 15% (HR .85; 95%CI .79–.91) and MACEs by 13% (HR .87; 95%CI .81–.93). A consistent treatment effect was observed across eGFR‐subgroups (≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2: HR .82, 95%CI .65–1.02; <60 mL/min/1.73 m2: HR .86, 95%CI .77–.96, p‐subgroup difference = .68) and KDIGO risk‐categories (low, moderate, high and very high) (p‐subgroup difference = .69) for cardiovascular death; reduction in the risk of all‐cause death tended to be greater in the highest KDIGO risk categories. A consistent treatment effect on cardiovascular mortality was observed for different SGLT2is agents studied. Sensitivity analysis for cardiovascular mortality endpoint including studies in diabetic people yielded similar results (HR .86; 95%CI .77–.97).

Conclusions

Treatment with SGLT2is led to a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in people with different CKD stages. These findings support the use of SGLT2is as an adjunct cardiovascular protective therapy in CKD.

PROSPERO Registration Number

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022382863.
Impact of TP53 Mutation Status in Elderly AML Patients When Adding All‐Trans Retinoic Acid or Valproic Acid to Decitabine
Authors: Bresser Helena , Schmoor Claudia , Grishina Olga , Pfeifer Dietmar , Thomas Johanna , Rehman Usama‐Ur , Crysandt Martina , Jost Edgar , Thol Felicitas , Heuser Michael , Götze Katharina S. , Schlenk Richard F. , Salih Helmut R. , Schittenhelm Marcus M. , Heil Gerhard , Schwaenen Carsten , Müller‐Tidow Carsten , Brugger Wolfram , Kündgen Andrea , de Wit Maike , Giagounidis Aristoteles , Scholl Sebastian , Neubauer Andreas , Krauter Jürgen , Bug Gesine , May Annette M. , Wäsch Ralph , Duyster Justus , Döhner Konstanze , Ganser Arnold , Döhner Hartmut , Hackanson Björn , Becker Heiko , Lübbert Michael
Published: October 2024

In a randomized phase II trial (AMLSG 14‐09, NCT00867672) of elderly, newly diagnosed AML patients, ATRA combined with decitabine (DEC) significantly improved the overall response rate (ORR) and survival also in patients with adverse‐risk genetics, without adding toxicity. We performed a post hoc analysis to determine the predictive impact of TP53 status. Despite a nominally higher ORR, the clinically meaningful survival benefit when adding ATRA to DEC was diminished, but not completely negated, in TP53‐mutated patients. Indeed, 2 out of 14 TP53‐mutated patients (14%) randomized to a DEC + ATRA‐containing regimen lived for > 36 months. Further studies of ATRA combined with hypomethylating agents appear warranted in non‐M3 AML patients ineligible for HMA/venetoclax therapy.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00867672
Strengthening the Skin Barrier by Using a Late Cornified Envelope 6A‐Derived Biomimetic Peptide
Authors: Pancarte Mikaël , Leignadier Julie , Courrech Séverine , Serre Guy , Attia Joan , Jonca Nathalie
Published: October 2024

Changes in the expression of cornified envelope (CE) components are a hallmark of numerous pathological skin conditions and aging, underlying the importance of this stratum corneum structure in the homeostasis of the epidermal barrier. We performed a detailed characterisation of LCE6A, a member of the Late Cornified Envelope protein family. Immunohistochemical and immunoblot experiments confirmed that LCE6A is expressed late during epidermal differentiation. Crosslinking assays of recombinant LCE6A performed either in situ on human skin sections or in vitro demonstrated that LCE6A is indeed a substrate of transglutaminases and crosslinked to CEs. LCE6A‐derived peptides containing a glutamine‐lysine sequence retained these properties of the full‐length protein and reinforced the mechanical resistance of CE submitted to sonication. We designed P26, a LCE6A‐derived biomimetic peptide that similarly reinforced CE in vitro, and evaluated its protective properties ex vivo, on human skin explants, and in two double blind and vehicle‐controlled clinical trials. P26 was able to protect the skin from barrier disruption, to limit the damage resulting from a defective barrier, and could improve the signs of aging such as loss of skin firmness and increased skin roughness. Hence, our detailed characterisation of LCE6A as a component of the CE enabled us to develop a LCE6A‐derived peptide, biologically active with a new and original mode of action that could be of great interest as a cosmetic ingredient and a pharmacologic agent.
Projects with no cost of capital
Authors: Levy Moshe
Published: October 2024

It is generally accepted that any project has an appropriate cost of capital reflecting its riskiness and that this cost of capital can be employed to calculate the project's net present value (NPV). Consequently, any future cashflow with a positive expected value has some positive present value. We show that this is not generally true. A risky cashflow with a positive expected value may have a negative present value if the cashflow is correlated with market returns. Thus, there are many realistic projects for which no cost of capital exists. We suggest a simple test to screen out such projects.
Comparing the effectiveness of a blended video plus face‐to‐face educational program with a face‐to‐face educational program on quality of life among adolescents undergoing hemodialysis in Palestine
Authors: Fashafsheh Nawras , Chui Ping Lei , Danaee Mahmoud , Ayed Ahmad , Lai Lee Lee
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Hemodialysis is frequently used as a primary treatment for individuals with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), and it significantly impacts the quality of life in adolescents undergoing this procedure. Providing a hemodialysis education to these patients is a valuable strategy for enhancing their well‐being. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of the video‐assisted educational program on the quality of life among adolescents undergoing hemodialysis in Palestine.

Methods

This study employed a quasi‐experimental design, a pre‐test–post‐test interventional study, involving a sample of 68 adolescent patients between the ages of 13 and 18 diagnosed with ESKD. The quality of life level was assessed in both groups using an Arabic version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ version 3.0 ESKD Module survey. The study was conducted at the dialysis units in four hospitals associated with Augusta Victoria Hospital, An‐Najah University Hospital, Palestine Medical Complex/Ramallah, and Beit Jala (Al Housain) Hospital. The study involved providing tailored face‐to‐face educational sessions with video assistance to the experimental group, while the control group received regular face‐to‐face education.

Findings

The Generalized Estimating Equation analysis revealed no significant differences in quality of life between the experimental and control groups over time, across pre‐test, post‐test, and follow‐up periods (p ≥ 0.05). However, within the experimental group, there was a significant improvement in total quality of life scores between the pre‐test, post‐test, and post‐test follow‐up (p ≤ 0.001), although the difference between the pre‐test and follow‐up approached significance but was not statistically significant (p = 0.056). In contrast, the control group showed significant differences in quality of life across the pre‐test, post‐test, and follow‐up time points (p ≤ 0.05).

Discussion

Implementing suitable interventions can potentially enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing hemodialysis. Consequently, we suggest using video‐based education as a cost‐effective, uncomplicated, and engaging approach for educating hemodialysis patients.
Preserved working memory performance along with subcortical modulation during peri‐ictal phases in spontaneous migraine attacks
Authors: Ruiz‐Tagle Amparo , Caetano Gina , Fouto Ana , Esteves Inês , Cabaço Inês , Da Silva Nuno , Vilela Pedro , Alves Pedro Nascimento , Martins Isabel Pavão , Gouveia Raquel Gil , Figueiredo Patrícia
Published: October 2024

Objective

To analyze cognitive performance and brain activation during a working memory task in patients with migraine during various phases of the migraine cycle and compare to healthy participants.

Background

Cognitive difficulties reported during migraine attacks remain poorly understood, despite evidence that the lateral frontoparietal network undergoes reversible disturbances and decreased activation during attacks. Recent findings in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging suggest that brain areas involved in this network interact with subcortical regions during spontaneous migraine attacks.

Methods

In this prospective, within‐subject study, 10 patients with diagnosed menstrual‐related episodic migraine without aura underwent 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging assessments while performing a working memory task across four phases of the natural migraine cycle: peri‐ictal (preictal, ictal, postictal) phases and interictally (between attacks). Migraine prophylaxis was an exclusion criterion. Fourteen healthy controls were assessed during the corresponding phases of their menstrual cycles.

Results

The protocol was completed by 24 female participants aged 21 to 47 years: 10 with migraine (four sessions each) and 14 healthy controls (two sessions each) yielding a total of 68 analyzed datasets. Patients and controls showed similar performance on the working memory task and displayed increased brain activity in regions linked to this function, namely the middle frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobe, and anterior cingulate cortex, during all phases of the migraine/menstrual cycle. Patients with migraine (N = 10) exhibited a significant decrease in hypothalamic activity (p = 0.007) as measured by the percent signal change (PSC) during the postictal phase compared to perimenstrual controls (N = 14), with −2 (16) and 31 (35) PSC, respectively. Comparing across the migraine cycle, the change in hypothalamic activity relative to controls in the postictal phase −0.33 (0.2) ΔPSC was significantly different from the ones in the interictal (0.006 [0.5] ΔPSC; p = 0.002) and preictal (−0.08 [0.4] ΔPSC; p = 0.034) phases.

Conclusion

During a working memory task, cognition‐related brain activation was present across all phases of the migraine cycle similarly to healthy control participants. Patients with migraine, however, displayed lower neural activity at the subcortical level in the postictal phase. Nonetheless, the sample size is a limitation for the generalization of our results. More research is needed to fully understand how the brain copes with cognitive demands during spontaneous migraine attacks.
“Doing reviews is an unpaid service”: Why female Chinese novice applied linguistics researchers choose to participate in the peer review process
Authors: Zeng Ting
Published: October 2024

This article reports on an exploratory inquiry conducted with female Chinese novice researchers in the field of applied linguistics in relation to their experiences of serving as peer reviewers. Drawing on self‐determination theory, I analyzed and interpreted the accounts of reviewing that the participants shared through semi‐structured interviews. The analysis revealed that these female Chinese novice researchers were extrinsically motivated to review peers’ work for journals. They associated doing peer reviews with beneficial outcomes, such as career advancement, public recognition, and the approval of supervisors. Their accounts are also indicative of intrinsic motivation to review peers’ work, mediated by their interactions with colleagues and supervisors. In response to these findings, the study concludes that further research should be done to identify how novice researchers can be motivated to become more involved in the peer review process and knowledge construction.
Choosing the optimal therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Insights from a real‐world comparative study
Authors: Hara Takuto , Teishima Jun , Okamura Yasuyoshi , Suzuki Kotaro , Bando Yukari , Terakawa Tomoaki , Chiba Koji , Hyodo Yoji , Miyake Hideaki
Published: October 2024

Background

The evolution of combination therapies integrating immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the first‐line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Although these therapies are clinically approved, direct comparisons between dual immune checkpoint inhibitors (IOIO) and immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (IOTKI) in clinical trials are lacking. This gap creates uncertainties in selecting the most appropriate treatment based on patient‐specific factors.

Methods

This study employed the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method to analyze progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with mRCC receiving IOIO or IOTKI treatment regimens.

Results

A total of 171 patients were analyzed after applying inclusion criteria and propensity scoring. The study found no significant differences in PFS and OS between the two treatment modalities in the IPTW cohort. However, subgroup analyses revealed that IOTKI therapy was associated with better PFS and OS for patients without bone metastases and better OS for patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 25. IOIO therapy showed better OS for patients with a BMI below 18.5.

Conclusion

Both IOIO and IOTKI therapies were effective. Therapy selection could be better tailored to patient characteristics by including factors such as the presence of bone metastases and BMI. This study enhances understanding of how patient‐specific factors interact with different treatment modalities, potentially guiding more personalized treatment decisions in clinical practice for mRCC.
Muscular dystrophy as a cause of unilateral scapular winging
Authors: Lycett Mitchell J. , Dalton Seamus E. , Kumar Kishore R. , Ng Karl
Published: October 2024

Shoulder weakness with unilateral scapular winging is a common issue that initially presents to the general physician, sports physician or rheumatologist. Although most of these cases are neurogenic in nature, it is important to consider alternative causes for unilateral scapular winging. Muscular dystrophies can present with marked asymmetry, the most typical being facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). We describe a case of FSHD with a summary of the key clinical features to increase the awareness of this condition among physicians.
A comparison of procedure‐related adverse events between two right ventricular leadless pacemakers
Authors: Bahbah Ali , Sengupta Jay , Kapphahn‐Bergs Melanie , Witt Dawn , Zishiri Edwin , Sharkey Scott , Strepkos Dimitrios , Alexandrou Michaella , Abdelhadi Raed , Hauser Robert
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The Medtronic Micra VR and Abbott AVEIR VR are the leadless pacemakers (LPM) currently available in the United States (US). Micra VR employs fixation tines and the AVEIR VR uses an active fixation helix. Micra VR requires fixation before electrical measurements are obtained, while R‐waves may be mapped by AVEIR VR without fixation. Little comparative data is available for these LPMs. Accordingly, we compared the incidences of procedure‐related major adverse clinical events (MACE) and device problems in the US for Micra VR and AVEIR VR during 2022–2024.

Methods

We searched the FDA's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for US reports of MACE and device problems that were filed from April 2022 to December 2023 for AVEIR VR, and from June 2022 to April 2024 for Micra VR. Totals for US‐registered LPM implants were obtained from the manufacturers' product performance reports.

Results

During the study period, 5990 AVEIR VR and 10 940 Micra VR implants were registered in the US. We found 305 MAUDE reports for AVEIR VR (5.1%), versus 541 MAUDE reports for Micra VR (4.9%) (p = .702). The incidence of MACE was 0.72% (43/5990) for AVEIR VR versus 0.59% (65/10 940) for Micra VR, (p = .387). The incidences of procedure‐related death, cardiac perforation. cardiac arrest, emergency pericardial drainage or reparative surgery were similar for both LPMs (p > .05). Micra VR had more unacceptable thresholds requiring LPM replacement compared to AVEIR VR (95;0.9% vs. 24;0.4%; p = .001). AVEIR VR had a statistically higher incidence of device dislodgement during (32) and after (21) implant compared to Micra VR (53 (0.9%) vs. 46 (0.4%), p < .001).

Conclusions

Micra VR and AVEIR VR have similar procedural safety profiles, including the incidences of death and perforation. However, device problems differed significantly, possibly related to their design differences. Compared to Micra VR, AVEIR VR appears to have an advantageous threshold measurement capability but is more prone to device dislodgement.
Classification and functional analysis of disulfidptosis‐associated genes in sepsis
Authors: He Simeng , Zhang Xiangxin , Wang Zichen , Zhang Qingju , Yao Yu , Pang Jiaojiao , Chen Yuguo
Published: October 2024

Sepsis represents a critical condition characterized by multiple‐organ dysfunction resulting from inflammatory response to infection. Disulfidptosis is a newly identified type of programmed cell death that is intimately associated with the actin cytoskeleton collapse caused by glucose starvation and disulfide stress, but its role in sepsis is largely unknown. The study was to adopt a diagnostic and prognostic signature for sepsis with disulfidptosis based on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sepsis and healthy people from GEO database. The disulfidptosis hub genes associated with sepsis were identified, and then developed consensus clustering and immune infiltration characteristics. Next, we evaluated disulfidptosis‐related risk genes by using LASSO and Random Forest algorithms, and constructed the diagnostic sepsis model by nomogram. Finally, immune infiltration, GSVA analysis and mRNA‐miRNA networks based on disulfidptosis‐related DEGs were screened. There are five upregulated disulfidptosis‐related genes and seven downregulated genes were filtered out. The six intersection disulfidptosis‐related genes including LRPPRC, SLC7A11, GLUT, MYH9, NUBPL and GYS1 exhibited higher predictive ability for sepsis with an accuracy of 99.7%. In addition, the expression patterns of the critical genes were validated. The study provided a comprehensive view of disulfidptosis‐based signatures to predict the prognosis, biological features and potential treatment directions for sepsis.
FANCD2 as a ferroptosis‐related target for recurrent implantation failure by integrated bioinformatics and Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Luo Yujia , Zeng Wenshan , Mao Luna , Le Fang , Lou Hangying , Wang Liya , Mao Yuchan , Jiang Zhou , Jin Fan
Published: October 2024

Despite advancements in assisted reproductive technology, recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains a challenge. Endometrial factors, including ferroptosis and immunity, may contribute to this issue. This study integrated bioinformatics analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the expression and significance of DEFRGs in RIF. We intersected 484 ferroptosis‐associated genes with 515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to identify key DEFRGs. Subsequent analyses included enrichment analysis, molecular subtype identification, machine learning model development for biomarker discovery, immune cell infiltration assessment, single‐cell RNA sequencing, and MR to explore the causal relationships of selected genes with RIF. In this study, we identified 11 differentially expressed ferroptosis‐related genes (DEFRGs) between RIF and healthy individuals. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct molecular subtypes with different immune profiles and DEFRG expressions. Machine learning models highlighted MUC1, GJA1 and FANCD2 as potential diagnostic biomarkers, with high accuracy in RIF prediction. Single‐cell analysis further revealed the cellular localization and interactions of DEFRGs. MR suggested a protective effect of FANCD2 against RIF. Validation in RIF patients confirmed the differential expression of key DEFRGs, consistent with bioinformatics findings. This comprehensive study emphasize the significant role of DEFRGs in the pathogenesis of RIF, suggesting that modulating these genes could offer new avenues for treatment. The FANCD2 is a potential gene contributing to RIF pathogenesis through a non‐classical ferroptosis‐dependent pathway, providing a foundation for personalized therapeutic strategies in RIF management.
Factors influencing farmers' willingness to provide private land for a coordinated flood mitigation scheme in the Drin basin
Authors: Brabec Jan , Macháč Jan , Kis András , Ungvári Gábor
Published: October 2024

Flooding poses a significant and recurring threat in numerous regions. The adverse impacts of flooding can be mitigated through risk sharing, such as insurance or risk reduction. However, insurance might not be accessible in underdeveloped markets or in instances where floods are too frequent. Similarly, the necessary funding or land for structural measures might not be available. Alternatively, measures could be implemented on private land, either through individual initiatives or as part of a coordinated effort. This approach was explored in the flood‐prone regions of Albania and North Macedonia. A survey conducted among 124 farmers revealed that 73% of them are willing to allocate land for flood mitigation, provided they receive adequate compensation. Furthermore, certain factors increase farmers' willingness to cooperate. A logit model indicated a positive correlation between expectations of future floods (increased severity and frequency), receipt of ex‐ante financial support, positive perception of the effectiveness of agricultural flood mitigation measures, and age. Those who view flood protection as personal responsibility and those more inclined to pay for flood insurance are less likely to cooperate. The findings could be utilized to identify farmers who are likely to contribute to establishing a coordinated effort on a stable basis.
A Farewell to the Narcissism Epidemic? A Cross‐Temporal Meta‐Analysis of Global NPI Scores (1982–2023)
Authors: Oberleiter Sandra , Stickel Paul , Pietschnig Jakob
Published: October 2024

Objective

Several recent accounts have failed to replicate the so‐called Narcissism Epidemic, suggesting potential influences of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008 as a reason for narcissism trend reversals. Here, we provide evidence for narcissism test score changes from 1982 to 2023.

Methods

We investigated self‐report data on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) from 1105 studies (k = 1621, N = 546,225) using precision‐weighted cross‐temporal meta‐analysis.

Results

Data collection years were meaningfully negatively associated with narcissism scores in virtually all analyses (bs: −0.409 to −0.008; partial eta square's: < 0.001 to 0.118; ps: < 0.001 to 0.174), thus indicating cross‐temporally decreasing narcissism self‐report scores. Examination of regression segments pre‐ and post‐dating the GFC and segmented line regressions indicated mostly stable narcissism scores during the 1980s and 1990s that subsequently showed negative slopes with somewhat differing decreases onsets according to analytical subsets.

Conclusions

Here, we provide evidence for negative cross‐temporal changes in narcissism from 1982 to 2023 globally, thus contrasting the idea of a Narcissism Epidemic having taken place at any point during the past four decades. Changes appear to generalize across different regions and participant sex, although mean scores were differentiated, yielding higher narcissism values for North American and younger samples.
Woke women of the 90s return: Toxic white feminism and the Murphy Brown and Roseanne reboots
Authors: Konkle Amanda
Published: October 2024

Two feminist icons of the 1990s returned to network television in 2018: Murphy Brown and Roseanne Conner. Neither rebooted character survived the reboot's first season. Despite their attempts to demonstrate that they were “woke,” the acting styles and strong personas of these two icons were, this paper argues, not appealing to a younger generation of television viewers and feminists and, simultaneously, too progressive for the older and more conventional audiences of the networks on which they aired. Moreover, both leading characters demonstrated the narrowmindedness associated with a toxic white feminism that overlooks issues of class and race.
Different Effects of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance on Attention to Changing Facial Expressions
Authors: Wu Shuang , Shimizu Yuki
Published: October 2024

Attachment orientation has been reported to influence visual attention and cognitive decisions regarding facial expressions. However, previous studies have reported mixed results regarding the effects of attachment orientation. This study aims to examine how attachment anxiety and avoidance affect judgment and attention allocation during free viewing of dynamic facial expressions. Although we did not find any association between attachment orientation and the reaction time to judge the timings of changes in facial expressions, the relationship between attachment orientation and attention was found. When viewing the appearance of anger, attachment avoidance had a positive relationship and attachment anxiety had a negative relationship with looking time to the eye area. When the eye‐tracking data were divided into 12 consecutive intervals of 1 s each, the attachment orientation had different relationships with visual attention based on the type of emotion presented. We discuss possible explanations for these results and directions for further research in cross‐cultural contexts.
Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Through Endoscopy Procedures in the Country of Georgia
Authors: Baliashvili Davit , Merabishvili Tsira , Tskhomelidze Irina , Tsereteli Maia , Karichashvili Lika , Chitadze Nazi , Armstrong Paige A. , Butsashvili Maia
Published: October 2024

Exposure to healthcare procedures might be a source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Georgia, one of the few countries currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C. While there has been a history of iatrogenic transmission of HCV, the risk of HCV transmission related to endoscopic procedures has not been previously assessed in Georgia. The goal of this study was to assess HCV seroconversion among individuals undergoing endoscopic procedures to estimate the relative role and incidence of HCV infection attributable to endoscopic procedures. A prospective cohort study was conducted in four endoscopy units in two cities (Tbilisi and Kutaisi) of Georgia during April–September, 2021. Recruitment of study participants was conducted using convenience sampling, and every eligible patient was approached and invited to participate in the study. Study population included adults (age ≥ 18 years) who received an endoscopic procedure (gastroscopy, colonoscopy and bronchoscopy) in inpatient or outpatient unit at the study sites. HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) testing was conducted using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) on the same day they underwent the endoscopic procedure. Patients with a non‐reactive anti‐HCV baseline test were retested after 6 months. Patients with reactive baseline tests were excluded from the study and linked to further testing and care. Participants with a reactive result on follow‐up RDTs were retested using a lab‐based anti‐HCV and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) test. A total of 981 HCV antibody non‐reactive participants were enrolled; 590 (64.8%) of them were reached and retested after 6 months. At retesting, two out of 590 (0.3%) individuals had a reactive anti‐HCV result on RDT and both were negative on laboratory‐based anti‐HCV and HCV RNA tests. Based on the results of this study, endoscopic procedures were not shown to contribute to HCV transmission in Georgia.
Monocultures vs. polyculture of microalgae: unveiling physiological changes to facilitate growth in ammonium rich‐medium
Authors: Mollo Lorenzo , Petrucciani Alessandra , Norici Alessandra
Published: October 2024

Due to the increasing production of wastewater from human activities, the use of algal consortia for phytoremediation has become well‐established over the past decade. Understanding how interspecific interactions and cultivation modes (monocultures vs. polyculture) influence algal growth and behaviour is a cutting‐edge topic in both fundamental and applied science. Ammonium‐rich growth media were used to challenge the monocultures of Auxenochlorella protothecoides, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Tetradesmus obliquus, as well as their polyculture; NO3− was also used as the sole nitrogen chemical form in control cultures. The study primarily compared the growth, carbon and nitrogen metabolisms, and protein content of the green microalgae monocultures to those of their consortium. Overall, the cultivation mode significantly affected all the measured parameters. Notably, at 50 mM NH4+, the assimilation rates of carbon and nitrogen were at least twice as high as those in the monoculture counterparts, and the protein content was three times more abundant.Additionally, the consortium's response to NH4+ toxicity was investigated by observing a linear relationship between the indicator of tolerance to NH4+ nutrition and the N isotopic signature. The study highlighted a high degree of acclimation through metabolic flexibility and diversity, as well as species abundance plasticity in the consortium, resulting in a functional resilience that would otherwise have been unattainable by the respective monocultures.
Efficient Method for Liposome‐Based Gene Transfer in Cattle Embryos
Authors: Antunes Thays , Bartoli Ana Beatriz dos Reis , Milazzotto Marcella Pecora
Published: October 2024

In vitro embryo production (IVP) in cattle is crucial for advancing genetic enhancement and preserving valuable genetic lineages, enabling precise genetic modifications and gene studies through modern techniques. Successful genetic manipulation in cattle embryos requires efficient delivery of exogenous DNA/RNA molecules. This research investigates the efficacy of a single embryo culture system for developing genetically modified zona‐free (ZF) embryos and examines the use of liposome‐based SAMTOR target siRNA transfer in these individually cultured ZF embryos. The findings indicated that the individual culture system resulted in increased cleavage rates, and blastocyst rates were minimally impacted. The new culture system effectively achieved SAMTOR silencing, with 8–16 cell embryos exhibiting reduction in transcript levels compared to control. Measurement of total protein content in the spent culture media was performed to validate the single‐culture approach for further analytical applications. Total protein content analysis demonstrated the system's suitability for comprehensive evaluation of the embryo‐media interaction, enhancing the scope for in‐depth genetic research and applications. This research sheds light into an innovative method to improve genetic editing techniques in reproduction research.
Design and Justice: A Scoping Review in Engineering Design
Authors: Syal Sita M. , Kramer Julia
Published: October 2024

Our society faces complex social justice challenges, often exacerbated by existing engineered products and technologies. To avoid unintentionally contributing to social injustice, engineering designers play a critical role in creating and studying products and technologies that can aim to address the challenges of social injustice. There is a growing priority in the engineering design research community to incorporate justice into design and to do so meaningfully and intentionally. Therefore, there is a need to more deeply understand how scholars have integrated concepts of justice into design and to bring to light areas of future research. In this article, we conduct a scoping review of design and justice in twelve scholarly venues relevant to the engineering design community. A scoping review allowed for a broad range of topics to be covered to identify major research themes and gaps and to explore the boundaries of the nascent study of design and justice. After searching the relevant venues, we conducted a thematic analysis to capture the major themes in the dataset of papers relating to justice and design. Along with relevant terminology used, we found that scholars connected justice to design in ways that we categorized into three main areas of design: designers, design outcomes, and design processes. Our analysis highlighted areas of future research in studying justice as relevant to designers, outcomes, and processes, as well as identifying an overall call to redefine the field of design in the pursuit of justice.
The Synthesis of Spherical Four-Bars for Biomimetic Motion Through Complete Solutions for Approximate Rigid Body Guidance
Authors: O’Connor Sam , Plecnik Mark
Published: October 2024

In this article, we form a constrained optimization problem for spherical four-bar motion generation. Instead of using local optimization methods, all critical points are found using homotopy continuation solvers. The complete solution set provides a full view of the optimization landscape and gives the designer more freedom in selecting a mechanism. The motion generation problem admits 61 critical points, of which two must be selected for each four-bar mechanism. We sort solutions by objective value and perform a second-order analysis to determine if the solution is a minimum, maximum, or saddle point. We apply our approximate synthesis technique to two applications: a hummingbird wing mechanism and a sea turtle flipper gait. Suitable mechanisms were selected from the respective solution sets and used to build physical prototypes.
Toward Accelerating Discovery via Physics-Driven and Interactive Multifidelity Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Biswas Arpan , Valleti Mani , Vasudevan Rama , Ziatdinov Maxim , Kalinin Sergei V.
Published: October 2024

Both computational and experimental material discovery bring forth the challenge of exploring multidimensional and often nondifferentiable parameter spaces, such as phase diagrams of Hamiltonians with multiple interactions, composition spaces of combinatorial libraries, processing spaces, and molecular embedding spaces. Often these systems are expensive or time consuming to evaluate a single instance, and hence classical approaches based on exhaustive grid or random search are too data intensive. This resulted in strong interest toward active learning methods such as Bayesian optimization (BO) where the adaptive exploration occurs based on human learning (discovery) objective. However, classical BO is based on a predefined optimization target, and policies balancing exploration and exploitation are purely data driven. In practical settings, the domain expert can pose prior knowledge of the system in the form of partially known physics laws and exploration policies often vary during the experiment. Here, we propose an interactive workflow building on multifidelity BO (MFBO), starting with classical (data-driven) MFBO, then expand to a proposed structured (physics-driven) structured MFBO (sMFBO), and finally extend it to allow human-in-the-loop interactive interactive MFBO (iMFBO) workflows for adaptive and domain expert aligned exploration. These approaches are demonstrated over highly nonsmooth multifidelity simulation data generated from an Ising model, considering spin–spin interaction as parameter space, lattice sizes as fidelity spaces, and the objective as maximizing heat capacity. Detailed analysis and comparison show the impact of physics knowledge injection and real-time human decisions for improved exploration with increased alignment to ground truth. The associated notebooks allow to reproduce the reported analyses and apply them to other systems.2
Complete genome sequence of
Microbacterium
strain A8/3-1 isolated from the root nodule of
Oxytropis tragacanthoides
, growing in the Altai region
Authors: Guro Polina , Sazanova Anna , Belimov Andrey , Karlov Denis , Kuznetsova Irina , Safronova Vera
Published: October 2024

In this article, we report the complete genome sequence of
Microbacteriun
strain A8/3-1 isolated from the root nodule of
Oxytropis tragacanthoides
Fisch. ex DC., growing in the Altai region, Russia. The sequence was obtained using Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION.
Whole-genome sequence of
Limnospira fusiformis
NRMCF6962, isolated from lake water
Authors: Thajuddin Fayaazuddin , Ashok Chandru , Thajuddin Shakena Fathima , Nooruddin Thajuddin , Dharumadurai Dhanasekaran , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: October 2024

The economically important Cyanobacterial genus
Limnospira
is commercially utilized as a dietary supplement and nutraceutical agent. We present the whole-genome sequence of
Limnospira fusiformis
NRMCF6962 and was isolated from Kondakarla Ava Lake of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Gender medicine and the Cass Review: why medicine and the law make poor bedfellows
Authors: Cheung C Ronny , Abbruzzese Evgenia , Lockhart Elaine , Maconochie Ian K , Kingdon Camilla C
Published: October 2024

In April 2024, the final report of the Cass Review, an independent review chaired by Dr Hilary Cass, was published, offering recommendations to improve gender identity services for children and young people in the UK. The core purpose of the Review was to improve care for children and adolescents. Commissioned by National Health Service England, the Review identified a weak evidence base for medical endocrine interventions and recommended that these treatments be provided within a structured research framework. The Review received widespread support from the clinical community. However, in July, the British Medical Association Council, without consulting its own members, unexpectedly passed a motion calling for a public critique of the Review, citing concerns over methodological weaknesses - a position it then softened following public criticism from members, concluding that their review would come instead from a position of neutrality.

The original motion was based on two non-peer-reviewed online papers, prominently the work of McNamaraet al—a paper which was written for a primarily litigious, rather than academic, purpose. We critically examine these sources and analyse the wider legal context in which they have been applied. We conclude that these sources misrepresent the Cass Review’s role and process (specifically, by mistakenly comparing the Review to clinical practice guideline development), while many of the methodological criticisms directed at the Cass Review, including its use of evidence appraisal and systematic reviews conducted by York University, are unfounded.

These misunderstandings, based on flawed and non-peer-reviewed analyses intended for legal (rather than clinical) purposes, jeopardise the implementation of crucial reforms in the care of gender dysphoric youth. The UK clinical community should move beyond these critiques and focus on the Cass Review’s recommendations to establish a safer, more holistic and evidence-based service model for children and young people experiencing gender identity issues.
Challenges and opportunities for hepatitis B virus screening in people attending PrEP services: a retrospective prevalence study
Authors: Monti Bianca , Rossotti Roberto , D’Aloia Fabiana , Calzavara Daniele , Corsico Laura , Cernuschi Massimo , Puoti Massimo , Bonfanti Paolo , Soria Alessandro
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine/tenofovir to prevent HIV in individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV) raises concerns about HBV reactivation when stopping event-driven PrEP or redundancy in HBV treatment for continuous PrEP (since tenofovir alone would be enough for HBV). Real-world data from PrEP services could provide useful epidemiological information on HBV prevalence in PrEP attendees in low-prevalence countries.

Methods

A retrospective analysis on PrEP attendees of three services in northern Italy were conducted to assess HBV prevalence among PrEP attendees and the need for primary cycle/booster dose HBV vaccination despite previous vaccination during childhood (at birth or 12 years). Risk factors possibly associated with HBV exposure were evaluated with a binary logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, gender, place of birth (Italy vs abroad) and chemsex use (as a proxy of high-risk sexual behaviour for contracting sexually transmitted infections).

Results

Among 10 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive out of 2152 PrEP attendees (0.46%), PrEP was started in 7 subjects mainly with a daily schedule, 1 has declined after counselling, 2 were lost to follow-up. Around three-fourth of the 2152 PrEP attendees were born in Italy after 1979, thus were previously vaccinated during childhood. The probability of needing a booster for low-titre HBs antibodies was higher among those vaccinated at birth with respect to those vaccinated at 12 years (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.80 to 2.96). The risk of previous HBV exposure (resulting in either HBsAg+ or antibodies against HBV core antigen [HBcAb]+) was higher for increasing age (OR 3.07, 95% CI 2.49 to 3.78 per 10 years more) and lower for being born in Italy (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.36).

Conclusions

Our real-world data on a large PrEP cohort suggest that, although uncommon, HBV infection in PrEP users in low-prevalence countries should be considered and managed. In addition, HBV screening offers the opportunity to expand prevention services through vaccination.