bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The two‐child limit and child poverty in the United Kingdom
Authors: Chzhen Yekaterina , Bradshaw Jonathan
Published: January 2024

The United Kingdom two‐child policy was announced in 2015 and began to operate from April 2017. A mother claiming a range of means‐tested benefits who had a third or subsequent child born after 6 April 2017 could not receive a child addition for them, while a new claimant with three or more children would now receive no more than a claimant with two children. Using data from nationally representative annual living conditions surveys for the period up to 2019/20, we find that larger families experienced substantial real income losses since the introduction of the two‐child limit, with proportionally greater losses among those on lower incomes. Income losses among larger families were driven primarily by changes in income penalties to family characteristics, such as the presence of children under three, rather than changes in the distribution of these characteristics. Although this is not a causal analysis, these findings are consistent with a negative impact of the policy change on larger families' incomes.
Escaping the trap of temporary employment: Precariousness among young people before and after Spain's 2021 labour market reform act
Authors: Verd Joan M. , Godino Alejandro , González‐Heras Alejandro , Rodríguez‐Soler Joan
Published: January 2024

Temporary employment has been the core dimension of employment precariousness in Spain for decades. In December 2021, a labour market reform aimed at reducing the use of fixed‐term contracts, which especially affected young people, was passed. This article compares the situation of young workers before and after this labour market reform, with the objective of identifying internal differences among this age group. The results show a substantial reduction in the prevalence of temporary employment after the reform, although they also show that temporary employment, as well as incipient forms of precariousness such as involuntary part‐time employment, are more concentrated than before among the most disadvantaged in this age group, following traditional patterns of segmentation in the labour market. This article, therefore, provides insights into which profiles of young workers were better off after the reform and which were not, offering valuable lessons for other countries with similar labour market challenges.
Toward a configurational understanding of global supply chain complexity
Authors: Franke Henrik , Chae Sangho , Foerstl Kai
Published: January 2024

In this editorial for our special topic forum (STF) on Global Supply Chain Research, we present a novel approach that empowers firms to evaluate their supply chain complexity's current state and potentially reveal hidden patterns of complexity. Our focus lies in developing a configurational understanding of global supply chain complexity, leveraging the diverse perspectives, and insights provided by the existing literature on this subject. Furthermore, we shed light on exciting opportunities for future research and introduce the accepted research papers featured in this STF.
Comparative analysis of craniofacial shape in two mouse models of Down syndrome: Ts65Dn and TcMAC21
Authors: Singh Nandini , Richtsmeier Joan T. , Reeves Roger H.
Published: January 2024

Mouse models are central to studying and understanding the genotypic‐to‐phenotypic outcomes of Down syndrome (DS), a complex condition caused by an extra copy of the long arm of human chromosome 21. The recently developed TcMAC21—a transchromosomic mouse strain with comparable gene dosage to human chromosome 21 (Hsa21)—includes more Hsa21 genes than any other model of DS. Recent studies on TcMAC21 have provided valuable insight into the molecular, physiological, and neuroanatomical aspects of the model. However, relatively little is known about the craniofacial phenotype of TcMAC21 mice, particularly as it compares to the widely studied Ts65Dn model. Here we conducted a quantitative study of the cranial morphology of TcMAC21 and Ts65Dn mice and their respective unaffected littermates. Our comparative data comprise forty three‐dimensional cranial measurements taken on micro‐computed tomography scans of the heads of TcMAC21 and Ts65Dn mice. Our results show that TcMAC21 exhibit similar patterns of craniofacial change to Ts65Dn. However, the DS‐specific morphology is more pronounced in Ts65Dn mice. Specifically, Ts65Dn present with more medio‐lateral broadening and retraction of the snout compared to TcMAC21. Our findings reveal the complexity of potential gene interaction in the production of craniofacial phenotypes.
Childlessness and sibling positioning in upward intergenerational support: Insights from Singapore
Authors: Kim Dahye , Ho Christine , Teerawichitchainan Bussarawan
Published: January 2024

Objective

This brief report aims to explore the role of childlessness and its interaction with sibling positioning (i.e., birth order and gender) in upward intergenerational support within the context of Asian familial and patrilineal values.

Background

Despite the increasing rates of childlessness in Asia, little is known about how childless individuals deviate from or adhere to the patrilineal gendered practices of supporting their older parents. Singapore, a rapidly aging nation that emphasises Confucian familism values and patrilineal practices in guiding its welfare policies, provides an ideal setting for this research investigation.

Method

We analysed a sample of 475 Singaporeans aged 50 and above with at least one living parent from a recent nationwide survey. We utilised multivariate regressions to examine the associations between childlessness and various types of upward intergenerational support, with further heterogeneity analyses based on sibling positioning.

Results

The traditional patrilineal pattern of first‐born sons providing the most financial transfers to aging parents was found among non‐childless individuals. In contrast, all childless individuals, regardless of their birth order and gender, played a significant role in providing intergenerational support, particularly in instrumental and associational support, as well as maintaining geographical proximity to their parents.

Conclusion

Childless individuals in Singapore were found to shoulder the primary responsibility for supporting parents, thus upholding the values of filial piety and familism. Results further suggest that the rising prevalence of childlessness may contribute to the erosion of patrilineal norms in upward intergenerational support in Asia.
A high fat to vitamin E ratio in the feed protects and improves uptake of the natural form of vitamin E in postweaning calves
Authors: Lashkari Saman , Jensen Søren K. , Foldager Leslie , Larsen Torben , Vestergaard Mogens
Published: January 2024

In postweaning calves, it is a challenge to maintain the plasma vitamin E level at or above the recommended level (3 µg/mL), which is linked to a good immune response. It has been unclear until now why the provision of solid feed with concentrations below 200 mg/kg feed of vitamin E is ineffective in maintaining the plasma vitamin E level of calves above the recommended plasma level postweaning. The present study was conducted to investigate if a high fat to vitamin E ratio in the concentrate could protect and improve the delivery of the natural form of vitamin E (RRR‐α‐tocopherol) to calves postweaning. Thirty calves were included in the experiment from 2 weeks preweaning until 2 weeks postweaning (Weeks −2, −1, 0 [weaning], 1, and 2 relative to weaning) and fed one of three concentrates in which lecithin mixture provided the fat supplement: control (77 mg/kg of vitamin E and 4.9% DM of crude fat; CONT), medium level of vitamin E supplemented (147 mg/kg of vitamin E and 7.7% DM of crude fat; MedVE) or high level of vitamin E supplemented (238 mg/kg of vitamin E and 12.4% DM of fat; HiVE). Thus, there was a comparable ratio of fat to vitamin E (520–630) in the three concentrates. During the 2 weeks postweaning, final body weight (92 ± 2 kg), average daily gain (917 ± 51 g/day) and concentrate intake (2.2 ± 0.09 kg/day; mean of treatment ± standard error) were unaffected by treatment and the interaction between treatment and week. There was an interaction between treatment and week for vitamin E intake pre‐ (p < 0.001) and postweaning (p < 0.001). There was an interaction between treatment and week (p < 0.001) for plasma vitamin E level postweaning, and it was 2.5, 3.1, and 3.8 µg/mL in CONT, MedVE, and HiVE, respectively, at Week 1 postweaning. In addition, plasma vitamin E levels at Week 2 postweaning were 2.6, 3.6 and 4.8 µg/mL in CONT, MidVE and HiVE respectively. The results show that 147 mg/kg of lecithin‐protected vitamin E in the concentrate is needed to secure a plasma vitamin E level well above the recommended level. In addition, lecithin‐protected vitamin E elevated the plasma level of triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids.
Evolution of gene expression across brain regions in behaviourally divergent deer mice
Authors: Kautt Andreas F. , Chen Jenny , Lewarch Caitlin L. , Hu Caroline , Turner Kyle , Lassance Jean‐Marc , Baier Felix , Bedford Nicole L. , Bendesky Andres , Hoekstra Hopi E.
Published: January 2024

The evolution of innate behaviours is ultimately due to genetic variation likely acting in the nervous system. Gene regulation may be particularly important because it can evolve in a modular brain‐region specific fashion through the concerted action of cis‐ and trans‐regulatory changes. Here, to investigate transcriptional variation and its regulatory basis across the brain, we perform RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) on ten brain subregions in two sister species of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus and P. polionotus)—which differ in a range of innate behaviours, including their social system—and their F1 hybrids. We find that most of the variation in gene expression distinguishes subregions, followed by species. Interspecific differential expression (DE) is pervasive (52–59% of expressed genes), whereas the number of DE genes between sexes is modest overall (~3%). Interestingly, the identity of DE genes varies considerably across brain regions. Much of this modularity is due to cis‐regulatory divergence, and while 43% of genes were consistently assigned to the same gene regulatory class across subregions (e.g. conserved, cis‐ or trans‐regulatory divergence), a similar number were assigned to two or more different gene regulatory classes. Together, these results highlight the modularity of gene expression differences and divergence in the brain, which may be key to explain how the evolution of brain gene expression can contribute to the astonishing diversity of animal behaviours.
Impact of stalling events on microcirculatory hemodynamics in the aged brain
Authors: Jamshidi Mohammad , Ventimiglia Thomas , Sudres Patrice , Zhang Cong , Lesage Frédéric , Rooney William , Schwartz Daniel , Linninger Andreas A.
Published: January 2024

Objective

The role of cerebral microvasculature in cognitive dysfunction can be investigated by identifying the impact of blood flow on cortical tissue oxygenation. In this paper, the impact of capillary stalls on microcirculatory characteristics such as flow and hematocrit (Ht) in the cortical angioarchitecture is studied.

Methods

Using a deterministic mathematical model to simulate blood flow in a realistic mouse cortex, hemodynamics parameters, including pressure, flow, vessel diameter‐adjustable hematocrit, and transit time are calculated as a function of stalling events.

Results

Using a non‐linear plasma skimming model, it is observed that Ht increases in the penetrating arteries from the pial vessels as a function of cortical depth. The incidence of stalling on Ht distribution along the blood network vessels shows reduction of RBCs around the tissue near occlusion sites and decreased Ht concentration downstream from the blockage points. Moreover, upstream of the occlusion, there is a noticeable increase of the Ht, leading to larger flow resistance due to higher blood viscosity. We predicted marked changes in transit time behavior due to stalls which match trends observed in mice in vivo.

Conclusions

These changes to blood cell quantity and quality may be implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease and contribute to the course of the illness.
Emotion labor, investment, and volunteer teachers in heritage language education
Authors: Afreen Asma , Norton Bonny
Published: January 2024

Studies informed by poststructuralist theories of language have examined the relationship between language teachers’ emotion labor, identity, and agency. However, research has not yet explored the relationship between emotion labor and volunteer teaching, which is an important practice in language education. Our research seeks to address this gap, drawing on a 2‐year qualitative case study at the community‐based Vancouver Bangla School (VBS). With emotion labor and investment as the conceptual underpinnings, our study investigated how the VBS heritage language (HL) program structured the emotion labor of seven volunteer teachers, what the feeling rules associated with the VBS program were, and the extent to which volunteer teachers’ investment in HL education helped them manage their emotion labor. Data sources included participant classroom observations, field notes, focus group and interview transcripts, questionnaires, and educational resources, which were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings indicate that the emotion labor of volunteer teachers was structured by the following characteristics of the VBS program: lack of funding, poor organizational structure and teacher recognition, challenges of online teaching, insufficient number of teachers, limited parental support, and lack of training. This emotion labor was associated with four feeling rules implicit in the VBS program: (a) be generous and caring, (b) be committed and dedicated, (c) be a good and efficient teacher, and (d) have limited expectations of the community. Findings suggest that teachers’ investment in Bangla as a mother tongue in multicultural Canada, and their investment in promoting the children's transcultural identities, was particularly powerful, and enabled the volunteer teachers to navigate and manage their emotion labor. The study suggests that an enhanced understanding of a language teacher's investment in a program, institution, or community might provide insight into the important relationship among desire, agency, and emotion labor.
Hip Arthroscopy Debridement Combined with Multiple Small‐Diameter Fan‐Shaped Low‐Speed Drilling Decompression in the Treatment of Early and Middle Stage Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: 14 Years Follow‐Up
Authors: Zhao Gang , Liu Yujie , Zheng Yongjun , Wang Mingxin , Li Zhongli , Li Chunbao
Published: January 2024

Objective

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a disease that occurs frequently in young and middle‐aged people. Because of its high disability rate, it affects the ability to work, so the early treatment of this disease is particularly important. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of hip arthroscopy combined with multiple small‐diameter fan‐shaped low‐speed drilling decompression (MSFLD) in treating early‐mid stage ONFH (ARCO II‐IIIA) compared to MSFLD, with at least 10‐year follow‐up.

Methods

A total of 234 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy and MSFLD for ONFH from 1998 to 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. This study enrolled patients between 18 and 60 years old with ARCO stage II‐III A, diagnosed clinically and through imaging, in accordance with the 2021 guidelines for the treatment of ONFH. Clinical data, including demographics, operation mode, BMI, pre‐ and postoperative Harris score, and femoral head survival rate, were collected. Patients were divided into hip arthroscopy + MSFLD and MSFLD groups based on the operation mode. The t‐test was used to compare the postoperative efficacy, Harris scores, and survival rates of the femoral head between the two groups.

Results

Among the 234 patients, 160 cases were followed up, including 92 cases in the hip arthroscopy + MSFLD group and 68 cases in MSFLD group, the follow‐up rate was 68.38%, and the follow‐up time was (10–22)14.11 ± 3.06 years. The Harris score (80.65 ± 6.29) in the hip arthroscopy + MSFLD group was significantly higher than that in the MSFLD group (p = 0.00), and the survival rate of femoral head (5‐year survival rate was 84.78%, 10‐year survival rate was 23.91%) was also higher than that in the MSFLD group (5‐year survival rate was 63.24%, 10‐year survival rate was 8.82%). The 5‐year and 10‐year survival rates of patients with ARCO II were 82.11% and 28.42%, which were better than 54% and 33% for ARCO III A. The femur head survival rate of alcoholic ONFH (5‐year survival rate 61.54%, 10‐year survival rate 9.23%) was significantly higher than that of other types of ONFH.

Conclusion

Clinical follow‐up of at least 10 years suggests that hip arthroscopy combined with MSFLD is an effective treatment for early‐mid stage ONFH, with good clinical effect and high survival rate of femoral head.
MSH7 confers quantitative variation in pollen fertility and boosts grain yield in maize
Authors: Jiang Luguang , Guo Ting , Song Xinyuan , Jiang Huan , Lu Minhui , Luo Jinhong , Rossi Vincenzo , He Yan
Published: January 2024

Fertile pollen is critical for the survival, fitness, and dispersal of flowering plants, and directly contributes to crop productivity. Extensive mutational screening studies have been carried out to dissect the genetic regulatory network determining pollen fertility, but we still lack fundamental knowledge about whether and how pollen fertility is controlled in natural populations. We used a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to show that ZmGEN1A and ZmMSH7, two DNA repair‐related genes, confer natural variation in maize pollen fertility. Mutants defective in these genes exhibited abnormalities in meiotic or post‐meiotic DNA repair, leading to reduced pollen fertility. More importantly, ZmMSH7 showed evidence of selection during maize domestication, and its disruption resulted in a substantial increase in grain yield for both inbred and hybrid. Overall, our study describes the first systematic examination of natural genetic effects on pollen fertility in plants, providing valuable genetic resources for optimizing male fertility. In addition, we find that ZmMSH7 represents a candidate for improvement of grain yield.
Olfactory receptors in Bactrocera species for sustainable fruit fly management: A review and future perspectives
Authors: Jaffar Saleem , Smagghe Guy , Lu Yongyue
Published: January 2024

Molecular studies on odorant receptors (ORs), odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) and the functioning of the receptor and pheromone signal transduction in fruit fly Bactrocera species have expanded exponentially during the past few decades. OBPs contribute to the sensing of the olfactory system (OS) via the transduction of odorants through the sensillum lymph. However, ORs, a family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors in Bactrocera and various other species, exhibit heightened responsiveness to multiple chemical odours such as hormones, sensory stimuli and neurotransmitters. The apparent mechanism involves a combinatorial code encompassing both peripheral and antennal lobe processing, facilitating the reception of sexual pheromones and environmental cues. The OS is specifically designed to recognize and process information from volatile chemical signals, and these chemical signals play an important function in various flies. Insects rely on these chemicals to navigate and comprehend their surroundings. A mature insect OS is composed of two pairs of sensillae‐covered palps, antennae and two primary pairs of olfactory appendages on the anterior head. It has been shown that chemosensory gene families contribute in odour perception. These include various neuroreceptor families, such as OBPs, chemosensory proteins and sensory neuron membrane proteins. Additionally, there are three divergent chemoreceptors, namely ORs, ionotropic receptors and gustatory receptors. Methods based on systematic biology, molecular biology and bioinformatics tools have rapidly emerged to investigate the insect communication systems and provide new insights for the management of many agricultural pest. Several aromatic compounds, including semiochemicals and pheromones, have been employed to defend crops and animals from destructive fruit flies and other invasive and frugivorous species. To promote the expansion of the cropping system, the utilization of phytochemical lures can be convenient for sustainable agriculture production and enhance food security. Hence, this review examined the state of the art in chemical communication of insects with a focus on fruit fly pest species to identify OS and their semiochemical receptors, protein receptors and chemosensory receptors (CSRs), as well as their practical applications for biological control and integrated pest management are highlighted.
An intermediate‐sized donor registry experience: HLA barriers in matching procedures
Authors: Grubic Zorana , Maskalan Marija , Stingl Jankovic Katarina , Burek Kamenaric Marija , Zunec Renata
Published: January 2024

The data enabling the estimation of the possibility of finding a matched unrelated donor (MUD) within a relatively short time is important for the success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In the present study, 738 unrelated Croatian patients in the program of unrelated HSCT were retrospectively analyzed for gender matching, donor origin (national or international), the distribution of HLA alleles and haplotypes, as well as for the probability of finding a 9‐10/10 MUD. Almost 70% of the patients in our study group had a 10/10 MUD, while among the patients with a 9/10 MUD, a 1st field resolution level mismatched donor was selected for 55.0% of patients. The majority of pairs were HLA‐A mismatched (33.8%). A comparison of HLA allele frequencies between two subgroups of patients revealed significant differences for 13 alleles. However, after p value correction, the difference in frequency remained significant only for four alleles; three HLA alleles (B*08:01, C*07:01, and DRB1*03:01) demonstrated a significantly higher frequency among patients with a 10/10 MUD (Pcorr < 0.0001, Pcorr = 0.0096, and Pcorr < 0.0001, respectively), while the B*35:08 allele was significantly more present among patients with a 9/10 MUD (Pcorr = 0.0328). The comparison of the distribution of HLA haplotypes between patients with a 10/10 MUD and patients with a 9/10 MUD showed significant differences for a number of two‐locus and three‐locus haplotypes, as well as for one five‐locus haplotype (HLA‐A*01:01~B*08:01~C*07:01~DRB1*03:01~DQB1*02:01), which was significantly more present in the group of patients with a 10/10 MUD. At least one HLA haplotype from the group of non‐frequent HLA haplotypes (positions >1000) was carried by patients with a 9/10 MUD. The data obtained by the present study will contribute to a better estimation of the probability of finding a suitable 9‐10/10 MUD for Croatian patients in need of HSCT.
Modelo psicológico entre depresión y adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2
Authors: Rondón Bernard José Eduardo , Bastidas Luisa Angelucci
Published: January 2024

Objetivo. Proponer un modelo causal en diabetes, en el que la adherencia al tratamiento prediga la depresión. Método. Se utilizóun diseño transeccional-causal en 278 pacientes con un promedio de edad de 59 años. Se empleó el Cuestionario Tridimensional dela Depresión y el Instrumento para Medir el Estilo de Vida en Diabéticos. Resultados. El modelo propuesto obtuvo una adecuadabondad de ajuste: Chi2 de 68.51; p < 0.05 GFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.08; AGFI = 0.91; PNFI = 0.47; y CFI = 0.74. No se encontróuna relación entre adherencia y depresión. No obstante, el constructo de adherencia al tratamiento mostró problemas de validez,por lo que se modicó y se planteó un nuevo modelo, obteniendo mejores medidas de bondad de ajuste. Así, se obtuvo una relaciónentre los constructos de forma negativa, es decir, a mayor adherencia, menor depresión. Conclusión. La relación entre adherenciaal tratamiento y la depresión dependerá de la forma en que estos se denan.
Relation between Subjective Measures of Metacognitive Awareness and Implicit Bias Among U.S. Undergraduate Students
Authors: Gutierrez de Blume Antonio P. , Liston Delores
Published: January 2024

Objective. e purpose of the present study was to explore the relation between subjective measures of metacognitive awarenessand implicit bias, and to investigate whether metacognition is a viable pathway to meet the two objectives. Method. A sampleof U.S. undergraduate students (N = 117) completed self-report measures of implicit bias (Situational Attitude Scale) andmetacognitive awareness (Metacognitive Awareness Inventory). Correlational analyses, Pearson’s r coefficients, and a hierarchicallinear regression analysis were conducted to address the research objectives. Results. Findings revealed that implicit bias andmetacognitive awareness were related, and that conditional knowledge, comprehension monitoring, information management,debugging, and evaluation led to decrements in negatively charged implicit bias. Conclusion. Evidently, metacognition is a viablepathway for raising awareness of one’s implicit biases and subsequently mitigating them through the development of tailorededucational interventions.
An Air-Bearing Floating-Element Force Balance for Friction Drag Measurement
Authors: Wei Xiaohui , Zhang Xin , Chen Jiangang , Zhou Yu
Published: January 2024

It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for existing force balances to capture very small skin-friction drag (SFD) in a perturbed turbulent boundary layer (TBL), which is characterized by the unpredictable, nonuniform distribution of static surface pressure. A novel force balance is proposed, which combines the level principle, as deployed in Cheng et al.'s (2020, “A High-Resolution Floating-Element Force Balance for Friction Drag Measurement,” Meas. Sci. Technol., 32, p. 035301) force balance, with a single-degree-of-freedom air bearing mechanism. This mechanism acts to eliminate disturbances, such as nonuniform static pressure on the wall associated with high Reynolds number TBL or a TBL under control. As a result, the developed balance may be used to accurately measure SFD in the order of 10−3 N in a TBL with or without control. This balance has been successfully applied to measure the drag reduction (DR) of a TBL manipulated using one array of streamwise microjets, at friction Reynolds number Reτ = 3340 ∼ 5480.
Assessing forefoot bursitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a comprehensive approach with ultrasound, MRI, and baropodometry
Authors: Șerban Oana , Papp Iulia , Micu Mihaela Cosmina , Bocsa Corina Delia , Duma Dan , Boja Ramona Adriana , Lenghel Manuela , Badarinza Maria , Pelea Michael , Fodor Daniela
Published: January 2024

Aim: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), forefoot bursitis is prevalent, with limited studies comparing ultrasonography (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This study aims to evaluate these bursae, providing a comparative analysis of US and MRI, and explore associations with demographic, disease-related factors, pain, clinical examination, and baropodometryin RA patients.Material and methods: Participants with RA were recruited from the day-hospital clinic. The forefeet were assessed clinically, and the selected foot was examined by US and MRI to evaluate intermetatarsal (IMB) and submetatarsal bursitis (SMB). Baropodometry assessed plantar pressures and contact surfaces.Results: Thirty-five RA patients were enrolled, 85.7% females, mean age 59.2 (11.3) years, mean body mass index (BMI) 26.5 (5.7) kg/m2, median disease duration of 36.0 (16.5-114.0) months, and 34.3% with painful forefoot. A total of 140 intermetatarsal and 175 submetatarsal spaces were evaluated. Agreement between US and MRI was high (PA=97.14%, k=0.801, p<0.001), and interobserver reliability for both modalities was excellent (US: PA=98.73%, k=0.888, p<0.001; MRI: PA=98.41%, k=0.900, p<0.001). IMB was negatively associated with disease duration (the only independent predictor) and linked to clinical signs like the opening toes sign and hammer toe deformity. SMB showed an association with BMI and erosions. Baropodometric analysis indicated no significant differences in plantar pressures for IMB, and larger contact surfaces in SMB regions.Conclusions: US and MRI are valuable tools for forefoot bursitis evaluation. IMB is associated with disease duration (negative association), the opening toes sign, and hammer toe deformity, while SMB correlates with BMI, erosions, and foot architectural deformity. Baropodometry revealed larger contact surfaces in regions with SMB.
Area-selective atomic layer deposition of palladium
Authors: Nallan Himamshu C. , Yang Xin , Coffey Brennan M. , Dolocan Andrei , Ekerdt John G.
Published: January 2024

We report area-selective deposition of palladium using sequential area-blocking and area-activation ALD processes. Thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) of palladium is investigated at 100 °C using palladium (II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate and hydrogen. Palladium deposition does not proceed at such a low temperature unless catalytic sites are present to dissociate hydrogen during Pd film nucleation and before sufficient Pd has accumulated to serve as the catalyst for hydrogen dissociation. Ultrathin (<2 nm) nickel metal surfaces served as the initial catalytic sites and are prepared via low temperature (100 °C) reduction of NiO ALD films using a H-atom doser operating at 3 × 10−5 Torr. The Ni0 films are shown to seed the ALD of Pd, demonstrating a route to Pd ALD by area activation. Blanket NiO films are used to study Pd ALD growth and patterned NiO films, formed by area-blocking ALD, are used to demonstrate a bottom-up approach to patterned Pd films.
Mining the health disparities and minority health bibliome: A computational scoping review and gap analysis of 200,000+ articles
Authors: Reyes Nieva Harry , Bakken Suzanne , Elhadad Noémie
Published: January 2024

Without comprehensive examination of available literature on health disparities and minority health (HDMH), the field is left vulnerable to disproportionately focus on specific populations or conditions, curtailing our ability to fully advance health equity. Using scalable open-source methods, we conducted a computational scoping review of more than 200,000 articles to investigate major populations, conditions, and themes as well as notable gaps. We also compared trends in studied conditions to their relative prevalence using insurance claims (42 million Americans). HDMH publications represent 1% of articles in Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). Most studies are observational in nature, although randomized trial reporting has increased fivefold in the past 20 years. Half of HDMH articles concentrate on only three disease groups (cancer, mental health, and endocrine/metabolic disorders), while hearing, vision, and skin-related conditions are among the least well represented despite substantial prevalence. To support further investigation, we present HDMH Monitor, an interactive dashboard and repository generated from the HDMH bibliome.
Early-life stress triggers long-lasting organismal resilience and longevity via tetraspanin
Authors: Jiang Wei I. , De Belly Henry , Wang Bingying , Wong Andrew , Kim Minseo , Oh Fiona , DeGeorge Jason , Huang Xinya , Guang Shouhong , Weiner Orion D. , Ma Dengke K.
Published: January 2024

Early-life stress experiences can produce lasting impacts on organismal adaptation and fitness. How transient stress elicits memory-like physiological effects is largely unknown. Here, we show that early-life thermal stress strongly up-regulates
tsp-1
, a gene encoding the conserved transmembrane tetraspanin in
C. elegans
. TSP-1 forms prominent multimers and stable web-like structures critical for membrane barrier functions in adults and during aging. Increased TSP-1 abundance persists even after transient early-life heat stress. Such regulation requires CBP-1, a histone acetyltransferase that facilitates initial
tsp-1
transcription. Tetraspanin webs form regular membrane structures and mediate resilience-promoting effects of early-life thermal stress. Gain-of-function TSP-1 confers marked
C. elegans
longevity extension and thermal resilience in human cells. Together, our results reveal a cellular mechanism by which early-life thermal stress produces long-lasting memory-like impact on organismal resilience and longevity.
Increasing prevalence of hot drought across western North America since the 16th century
Authors: King Karen E. , Cook Edward R. , Anchukaitis Kevin J. , Cook Benjamin I. , Smerdon Jason E. , Seager Richard , Harley Grant L. , Spei Benjamin
Published: January 2024

Across western North America (WNA), 20th-21st century anthropogenic warming has increased the prevalence and severity of concurrent drought and heat events, also termed hot droughts. However, the lack of independent spatial reconstructions of both soil moisture and temperature limits the potential to identify these events in the past and to place them in a long-term context. We develop the Western North American Temperature Atlas (WNATA), a data-independent 0.5° gridded reconstruction of summer maximum temperatures back to the 16th century. Our evaluation of the WNATA with existing hydroclimate reconstructions reveals an increasing association between maximum temperature and drought severity in recent decades, relative to the past five centuries. The synthesis of these paleo-reconstructions indicates that the amplification of the modern WNA megadrought by increased temperatures and the frequency and spatial extent of compound hot and dry conditions in the 21st century are likely unprecedented since at least the 16th century.
Sugar coordinates plant defense signaling
Authors: Yamada Kohji , Mine Akira
Published: January 2024

Pathogen recognition triggers energy-intensive defense systems. Although successful defense should depend on energy availability, how metabolic information is communicated to defense remains unclear. We show that sugar, especially glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), is critical in coordinating defense in
Arabidopsis
. Under sugar-sufficient conditions, phosphorylation levels of calcium-dependent protein kinase 5 (CPK5) are elevated by G6P-mediated suppression of protein phosphatases, enhancing defense responses before pathogen invasion. Subsequently, recognition of bacterial flagellin activates sugar transporters, leading to increased cellular G6P, which elicits CPK5-independent signaling promoting synthesis of the phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) for antibacterial defense. In contrast, while perception of fungal chitin does not promote sugar influx or SA accumulation, chitin-induced synthesis of the antifungal compound camalexin requires basal sugar influx activity. By monitoring sugar levels, plants determine defense levels and execute appropriate outputs against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Together, our findings provide a comprehensive view of the roles of sugar in defense.
In vivo
evaluation of
Clostridioides difficile
enoyl-ACP reductase II (FabK) inhibition by phenylimidazole unveils a promising narrow-spectrum antimicrobial strategy
Authors: Dureja Chetna , Rutherford Jacob T. , Pavel Fahad B.A. , Norseeda Krissada , Prah Isaac , Sun Dianqing , Hevener Kirk E. , Hurdle Julian G.
Published: January 2024

Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI) is a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, which often stems from disruption of the gut microbiota by broad-spectrum antibiotics. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant
C. difficile
strains, combined with disappointing clinical trial results for recent antibiotic candidates, underscores the urgent need for novel CDI antibiotics. To this end, we investigated
C. difficile
enoyl ACP reductase (
Cd
FabK), a crucial enzyme in
de novo
fatty acid synthesis, as a drug target for microbiome-sparing antibiotics. To test this concept, we evaluated the efficacy and
in vivo
spectrum of activity of the phenylimidazole analog 296, which is validated to inhibit intracellular
Cd
FabK. Against major CDI-associated ribotypes 296 had an Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC
90
) of 2 µg/mL, which was comparable to vancomycin (1 µg/mL), a standard of care antibiotic. In addition, 296 achieved high colonic concentrations and displayed dosed-dependent efficacy in mice with colitis CDI. Mice that were given 296 retained colonization resistance to
C. difficile
and had microbiomes that resembled the untreated mice. Conversely, both vancomycin and fidaxomicin induced significant changes to mice microbiomes, in a manner consistent with prior reports.
Cd
FabK, therefore, represents a potential target for microbiome-sparing CDI antibiotics, with phenylimidazoles providing a good chemical starting point for designing such agents.
Erratum to: Contributing Factors of Diabetes Mellitus among Patients with Gout (Results of the Long-Term Prospective Study)
Authors: Zheliabina O. V. , Eliseev M. S. , Glukhova S. I. , Nasonov E. L.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1607672923050083
Long-term follow-up study of necrotising pancreatitis: interventions, complications and quality of life
Authors: Hollemans Robbert A , Timmerhuis Hester C , Besselink Marc G , Bouwense Stefan A W , Bruno Marco , van Duijvendijk Peter , van Geenen Erwin-Jan , Hadithi Muhammed , Hofker Sybrand , Van-Hooft Jeanin E , Kager Liesbeth M , Manusama Eric R , Poley Jan-Werner , Quispel Rutger , Römkens Tessa , van der Schelling George P , Schwartz Matthijs P , Spanier Bernhard W M , Stommel Martijn , Tan Adriaan , Venneman Niels G , Vleggaar Frank , van Wanrooij Roy L J , Bollen Thomas L , Voermans Rogier P , Verdonk Robert C , van Santvoort Hjalmar C
Published: January 2024

Objective

To describe the long-term consequences of necrotising pancreatitis, including complications, the need for interventions and the quality of life.

Design

Long-term follow-up of a prospective multicentre cohort of 373 necrotising pancreatitis patients (2005–2008) was performed. Patients were prospectively evaluated and received questionnaires. Readmissions (ie, for recurrent or chronic pancreatitis), interventions, pancreatic insufficiency and quality of life were compared between initial treatment groups: conservative, endoscopic/percutaneous drainage alone and necrosectomy. Associations of patient and disease characteristics during index admission with outcomes during follow-up were assessed.

Results

During a median follow-up of 13.5 years (range 12–15.5 years), 97/373 patients (26%) were readmitted for recurrent pancreatitis. Endoscopic or percutaneous drainage was performed in 47/373 patients (13%), of whom 21/47 patients (45%) were initially treated conservatively. Pancreatic necrosectomy or pancreatic surgery was performed in 31/373 patients (8%), without differences between treatment groups. Endocrine insufficiency (126/373 patients; 34%) and exocrine insufficiency (90/373 patients; 38%), developed less often following conservative treatment (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively). Quality of life scores did not differ between groups. Pancreatic gland necrosis >50% during initial admission was associated with percutaneous/endoscopic drainage (OR 4.3 (95% CI 1.5 to 12.2)), pancreatic surgery (OR 3.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 9.5) and development of endocrine insufficiency (OR13.1 (95% CI 5.3 to 32.0) and exocrine insufficiency (OR6.1 (95% CI 2.4 to 15.5) during follow-up.

Conclusion

Acute necrotising pancreatitis carries a substantial disease burden during long-term follow-up in terms of recurrent disease, the necessity for interventions and development of pancreatic insufficiency, even when treated conservatively during the index admission. Extensive (>50%) pancreatic parenchymal necrosis seems to be an important predictor of interventions and complications during follow-up.
Literature review of spinal hematoma case reports: causes and outcomes in pediatric, obstetric, neuraxial and pain medicine cases
Authors: Benzon Honorio T , Nelson Ariana M , Patel Arpan G , Chiang Silvia , Agarwal Deepti , Benzon Hubert A , Rozental Jack , McCarthy Robert J
Published: January 2024

Background

The risk of spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) has been described in the literature but the impact in various patient populations has not been assessed in the same study. We identified the risk factors for SEH and calculated the OR for recovery in the pediatric, adult and obstetric (OB) patients based on the degree of neurological deficit before surgery.

Methods

Adult non-OB cases were categorized whether they were on anticoagulants or not; SEH was related to neuraxial or pain procedure; or whether there was adherence to the American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) guidelines. Eligible cases were identified through PubMed and Embase searches in the English literature from 1954 to July 2022.

Results

A total of 940 cases were evaluated. In the pediatric cases, SEH was typically spontaneous, related to coagulopathy or athletic trauma. OB cases were spontaneous or related to neuraxial injections. Among adults on anticoagulant(s), SEH was mostly spontaneous with no related etiology or related to neuraxial procedure. SEH occurred despite adherence to the ASRA guidelines. Among non-OB adults not on anticoagulants, SEH was due to trauma, neuraxial injections, surgery or other causes. Neurological recovery was related to the degree of neurological deficit before surgery.

Conclusions

Our data show a preponderance of spontaneous SEH in all patient populations. SEH developed even though the ASRA guidelines were followed, especially in patients on multiple anticoagulants. Patients with less impairment prior to surgery had a higher likelihood of complete recovery, regardless of the interval between surgery and onset of symptoms.
Shallow foundation behavior on an expansive soil slope subjected to different infiltration conditions
Authors: Tan Mengxi , Vanapalli Sai K.
Published: January 2024

Shallow foundations are used in many scenarios to transmit the loads from the lightly loaded superstructures constructed on expansive soil slopes. Infiltration associated with rainfall and snow melt influence both the foundation and the expansive soil behavior, including its slope. However, several research studies that are available in the literature focus on only one of these challenges. The combined influence of infiltration on the performance of the foundation and the slope in cracked expansive soils has not received the attention it deserves in the literature. In this study, the combined performance is evaluated with the aid of a numerical method considering shallow foundations located on the top of an unsaturated expansive cracked surficial soil slope. The influence of the rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, foundation setback distance, and foundation loading on the foundation bearing capacity and slope stability were investigated. The numerical results of the study highlight that all the parameters have a significant impact on the foundation–slope failure mechanisms associated with different infiltration conditions.
Fabrication and mechanical characterization of highly preferentially oriented montmorillonite thin films
Authors: Li Yucheng , Chen Yonggui , Liu Li , Zhang Guoping , Ye Weimin , Wang Qiong
Published: January 2024

This paper presents an experimental protocol developed to prepare highly preferentially oriented montmorillonite thin films, and then to probe with nanoindentation their intrinsic mechanical properties (e.g., Young’s modulus and hardness). Such highly parallel oriented clay thin films were prepared by dispersing varying amounts of montmorillonite powder (e.g., 1–4 g) in deionized water, followed by drying onto silicon wafers. Results indicate that the thin films possess a laminated fabric with a prominent preferred orientation along the basal (00 l) plane. Depth-dependent Young’s modulus and hardness were also observed consistently across different specimens. Specifically, Young’s modulus and hardness of 4.33 and 0.19 GPa, respectively are found at the indentation depth of 100 nm, equivalent to montmorillonite tactoids consisting of ∼80 layers of montmorillonite platelets, respectively.
Petrology and lithogeochemistry of Paleozoic alkalic magmatism in the Selwyn Basin, Yukon, Canada
Authors: Scanlan Emma J. , Leybourne Matthew I. , Layton-Matthews Daniel , Van Wagoner Nancy , Paradis Suzanne , Piercey Steve , Crowley James L.
Published: January 2024

Alkalic magmatism occurred in the Selwyn Basin, Yukon, Canada throughout the Paleozoic, concurrent with extension during passive margin sedimentation. To examine magmatism associated with this extension, geochemical data were obtained from several locations in the Selwyn Basin (MacMillan Pass, Anvil District, Keno Hill, and the Misty Creek Embayment). Volcanic rocks from the Anvil District and the Misty Creek Embayment are dominated by alkalic basalts with light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched geochemical signatures, whereas metavolcanic and dike samples from Keno Hill comprise subalkaline basalts with enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) signatures. The Early Ordovician Menzie Creek volcanic rocks of the Anvil District display trace element geochemical signatures intermediate between ocean island basalt (OIB) and E-MORB, whereas the Middle–Late Ordovician volcanic rocks from the Misty Creek Embayment have OIB signatures. Differences in the trace element geochemistry of the sample suites are attributed to the degree of partial melting. The Menzie Creek volcanic rocks formed from large volume melts of enriched mantle that diluted incompatible element signatures in the Early Ordovician. Late Ordovician magmatism produced the Misty Creek Embayment samples, where restricted melt volumes of an enriched mantle source resulted in the most enriched samples geochemically. The Keno Hill samples represent the shallowest melting of the analysed samples and may have resulted from melting of heterogenous subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Magmatic zircons from a Keno Hill metavolcanic sample analysed by chemical abrasion thermal ionization mass spectrometry resulted in a primary deposition age of c. 296 ± 0.36 Ma (Early Permian), during a period with little magmatism in the Selwyn Basin and representing a previously unknown unit in the area.
Computational and experimental approach for investigation of optical properties of single-crystal MnGa2Se4
Authors: Ismayilova N.A. , Asadullayeva S.G. , Musayev M.A. , Askerov D.J.
Published: January 2024

In the presented work, we propose a systematic investigation of the electronic and optical properties of MnGa2Se4 by combining the spectroscopic ellipsometry carried out at room temperature in the spectral range of 1–4 eV and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Ellipsometric measurements were collected at an incidence angle between 60° and 75° with a 5° step. The optical direct gap energies of MnGa2Se4 were estimated from the linear extrapolation of the absorption coefficients that were verified by band structure calculation. DFT calculation of the imaginary part ɛ shows that first critical point occurs at 2.46 eV and represents the direct optical transition at Γ point. The total magnetic moment of compound is 3.38 mB. The major contribution in total magnetic moment is due to 3 d state of Mn atoms.
Form factors of decuplet baryons in a covariant quark–diquark approach
Authors: Wang JiaQi , Fu Dongyan , Dong Yubing
Published: January 2024

The electromagnetic and gravitational form factors of decuplet baryons are systematically studied with a covariant quark–diquark approach. The model parameters are firstly discussed and determined through comparison with the lattice calculation results integrally. Then, the electromagnetic properties of the systems including electromagnetic radii, magnetic moments, and electric-quadrupole moments are calculated. The obtained results are in agreement with experimental measurements and the results of other models. Finally, the gravitational form factors and the mechanical properties of the decuplet baryons, such as mass radii, energy densities, and spin distributions, are also calculated and discussed.