bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The emerging role of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 1 (nsp1) in epigenetic regulation of host gene expression
Authors: Ivanov Konstantin I , Yang Haibin , Sun Ruixue , Li Chunmei , Guo Deyin
Published: September 2024

Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes widespread changes in epigenetic modifications and chromatin architecture in the host cell. Recent evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 1 (nsp1) plays an important role in driving these changes. Previously thought to be primarily involved in host translation shutoff and cellular mRNA degradation, nsp1 has now been shown to be a truly multifunctional protein that affects host gene expression at multiple levels. The functions of nsp1 are surprisingly diverse and include not only the downregulation of cellular mRNA translation and stability, but also the inhibition of mRNA export from the nucleus, the suppression of host immune signaling, and, most recently, the epigenetic regulation of host gene expression. In this review, we first summarize the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2-induced changes in epigenetic modifications and chromatin structure. We then focus on the role of nsp1 in epigenetic reprogramming, with a particular emphasis on the silencing of immune-related genes. Finally, we discuss potential molecular mechanisms underlying the epigenetic functions of nsp1 based on evidence from SARS-CoV-2 interactome studies.
Applying Ratio-of-Means Estimation for Annualized Components of Volume Change in Forest Resource Monitoring
Authors: Westfall James A , Nelson Mark D , Edgar Christopher B
Published: September 2024

Forest inventory estimates of annualized net growth, removals, and mortality provide a standardized metric for a wide range of management and policy assessments. Commonly, plot-level annualized values are determined by dividing the periodic change by the length of the time interval. Subsequent estimation of means constitutes a mean-of-ratios (MOR) estimation approach. However, due to potential bias concerns for the MOR estimator, the ratio-of-means (ROM) estimator is generally preferred by forestry practitioners. National forest inventory data from six states in the United States were used to compare MOR and ROM annualized change estimation. Generally, MOR and ROM performed similarly when there was little variation among plot measurement intervals. Differences between MOR and ROM increased as variability among measurement intervals increased, with the largest observed differences being in the 3%–4% range. The ROM estimator also resulted in more precise estimates than MOR, although in many cases the differences were trivial. ROM estimation can be negatively affected if the mean of the measurement intervals assigned to unvisited nonforest plots is incongruent with the mean for forested field–visited plots. Nonetheless, if this complication is not present or can be ameliorated, the ROM estimator appears to perform better than MOR across various populations.

Study Implications: Forest inventory volume change results are usually reported on a per-year basis to make them more interpretable by data users. This study compared the use of the typical mean-of-ratios (MOR) approach with an alternative ratio-of-means (ROM) concept. In a simulation study that examined six different populations of forest inventory plots, the ROM method generally had smaller bias and uncertainty statistics than the MOR approach. Thus, the ROM estimation offers forest inventory practitioners a more robust method for calculating annualized change statistics. The use of accurate estimations to inform management and policy decisions is critical to effective stewardship of forest resources.
The Currency Constraint: Explaining the Selective Enforcement of US Financial Sanctions
Authors: Bapat Navin R , Early Bryan R , Grauvogel Julia , Kleinberg Katja B
Published: September 2024

Economic sanctions remain one of the most widely used foreign policy tools. At the same time, their enforcement is often incomplete and selective. If sender states are concerned about sanctions effectiveness, variation in enforcement is counterproductive. We argue that sender states face a trade-off between effective coercion in the present and the ability to use coercion in the future. We develop a formal model to explore the mixed incentives of senders such as the United States in enforcing their financial sanctions against banks. Using data on US enforcement actions taken in support of the Iranian sanctions regime from 2003 to 2014 and three illustrative case examples, we evaluate the hypothesis that sanctions enforcement should be greater when the position of the US dollar is strong relative to alternative settlement mechanisms. Our findings support this contention.
Assessing Mechanisms of Potential Local Adaptation Through a Seascape Genomic Approach in a Marine Gastropod, Littoraria flava
Authors: Cortez Thainá , Sonoda Gabriel G , Santos Camilla A , Andrade Sónia Cristina da Silva
Published: September 2024

Understanding the combined effects of environmental heterogeneity and evolutionary processes on marine populations is a primary goal of seascape genomic approaches. Here, we utilized genomic approaches to identify local adaptation signatures in Littoraria flava, a widely distributed marine gastropod in the tropical West Atlantic population. We also performed molecular evolution analyses to investigate potential selective signals across the genome. After obtaining 6,298 and 16,137 single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from genotyping-by-sequencing and RNA sequencing, respectively, 69 from genotyping-by-sequencing (85 specimens) and four from RNA sequencing (40 specimens) candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected and further evaluated. The correlation analyses support different evolutionary pressures over transcribed and non-transcribed regions. Thus, single nucleotide polymorphisms within transcribed regions could account for the genotypic and possibly phenotypic divergences in periwinkles. Our molecular evolution tests based on synonymous and non-synonymous ratio (kN/kS) showed that genotype divergences containing putative adaptive single nucleotide polymorphisms arose mainly from synonymous and/or UTR substitutions rather than polymorphic proteins. The distribution of genotypes across different localities seems to be influenced by marine currents, pH, and temperature variations, suggesting that these factors may impact the species dispersion. The combination of RNA sequencing and genotyping-by-sequencing derived datasets provides a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying selective forces responses on distinct genomic regions and could guide further investigations on seascape genomics for non-model species.
Later-Life Creativity and Successful Aging in Neoliberal Agendas
Authors: Stončikaitė Ieva
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

Although the model of successful aging is already well discussed and has received considerable critical responses, its intersection with the growing enthusiasm for creative engagement among older adults needs further exploration. This article contributes to the growing literature on later-life creativity by examining its relationship with the discourse of successful aging.

Research Design and Methods

The study employs critical humanities-based perspectives and the literature on later life to address creativity in older age within contemporary neoliberal imperatives.

Results

Although successful aging is an antithesis to the narrative of decline, it often fails to capture alternative meanings of aging and the creative engagement in later life. The commercialization and commodification of creativity often function to discipline individuals toward a culture of productivity, optimization, and innovation. However, many older individuals challenge these notions as they create their own models of aging well and authentically that do not align with the ideals of successful aging.

Discussion and Implications

Reductionist, individualistic, and capital-driven understandings of later-life creativity can be broadened by employing critical interdisciplinary approaches, which also help rethink the current meanings of old age and aging. The article will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, artists, and practitioners in gerontological scholarship and the humanities.
Haplotype-resolved nonaploid genome provides insights into in vitro flowering in bamboos
Authors: Wang Yu-Jiao , Guo Cen , Zhao Lei , Mao Ling , Hu Xiang-Zhou , Yang Yi-Zhou , Qian Ke-Cheng , Ma Peng-Fei , Guo Zhen-Hua , Li De-Zhu
Published: September 2024

Woody bamboos (Bambusoideae) are renowned for its polyploidy and rare flowering. Bambusa odashimae is one of the bamboo species with the highest chromosome count (104) in the subfamily and has the highest heterozygosity of all sequenced bamboo genomes so far. Compared with other bamboo species, it can efficiently utilize exogenous hormones to regulate in vitro flowering, providing valuable insights into the hormonal regulation of bamboo flowering. Here, we generated the haplotype-resolved genome assembly of B. odashimae, despite the complexity and high chromosome number, supplemented by thirty-three transcriptomes from eleven developmental periods using a tissue culture system. The assembled genome can be divided into Haplotype I, Haplotype II, and Haplotype III, each containing A, B, and C subgenomes. Haplotype I may be derived from Dendrocalamus whereas Haplotypes II and III are closely related to Bambusa, indicating that B. odashimae has an origin involving both intergeneric and interspecific hybridizations. The high heterozygosity renders the possibility to detect abundant allele-specific expression (ASE), with ASE genes enriched in cytokinin-related pathways, likely associated with efficient cytokinin-promoted flowering. Notably, we found that the CONSTANS (CO) genes were potentially key regulators of in vitro flowering in B. odashimae. Overall, based on the in vitro system combined with a high-quality reference genome, our study provides critical insights into the origin of this nonaploid bamboo and links hybridization and in vitro flowering in bamboos.
TOR balances plant growth and cold tolerance by orchestrating amino acid-derived metabolism in tomato
Authors: Li Zihao , Yang Lin , Wu Yanni , Zhang Ran , Yu Sen , Fu Liwen
Published: September 2024

The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase is a central signaling hub that plays a crucial role in precisely orchestrating plant growth, development, and stress responses. This suggests that TOR is intricately involved in maintaining the balance between plant growth and stress responses. Nevertheless, despite the observed effects, the specific mechanisms through which TOR operates in these processes remain obscure. In this study, we investigated how the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) TOR (SlTOR) affects plant growth and cold responses. We demonstrated that SlTOR inhibition transcriptionally primes cold stress responses, consequently enhancing tomato cold tolerance. A widely targeted metabolomics analysis revealed the disruption of amino acid metabolism homeostasis under cold stress upon SlTOR inhibition, which led to the accumulation of two important cryoprotective metabolites: salicylic acid (SA) and putrescine (Put). Next, we discovered SlPGH1 (2-PHOSPHO-D-GLYCERATE HYDRO-LYASE 1) as a direct substrate of SlTOR. Inhibiting SlTOR led to increased SlCBF1 (C-REPEAT-BINDING FACTOR 1) expression via SlPGH1, potentially triggering the activation of cold-responsive genes and subsequent metabolic alterations. Our study provides a mechanistic framework that elucidates how SlTOR modulates amino acid-related metabolism to enhance tomato cold tolerance, which sheds light on the complex interplay between growth and stress responses orchestrated by TOR.
Induction of Endoscopic Response, Remission, and Ulcer-Free Endoscopy With Upadacitinib Is Associated With Improved Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Panés Julian , Louis Edouard , Bossuyt Peter , Joshi Namita , Lee Wan-Ju , Lacerda Ana P , Kligys Kristina , Xuan Si , Shukla Nidhi , Loftus Edward V
Published: September 2024

Background

We evaluated the association of achieving endoscopic outcomes at week 12 of induction with improvements in clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) at week 52 of maintenance in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) treated with upadacitinib (UPA).

Methods

This post hoc analysis evaluated data from 2 phase 3 induction trials (NCT03345836 and NCT03345849) and 1 maintenance (NCT03345823) trial. Clinical responders to 12-week induction therapy with UPA who also received 52-week maintenance treatment with UPA were included. Endoscopic response, remission, healing, and ulcer-free endoscopy were assessed at week 12. Meaningful improvements in clinical and QoL outcomes were evaluated at week 52.

Results

A significantly greater proportion of patients who achieved an endoscopic response at the end of induction, compared with patients who did not, attained Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission (52.0% vs 34.6%; P ≤ .01), corticosteroid-free CDAI remission (50.0% vs 30.9%), Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire remission (52.6% vs 30.3%), and meaningful improvements in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue response (46.7% vs 25.9%), overall work impairment (47.1% vs 26.5%), and daily activity impairment (53.3% vs 34.1%) (all P < .05) at week 52. Similar findings were observed for patients who achieved endoscopic remission, endoscopic healing, and ulcer-free endoscopy at the end of induction vs those who did not.

Conclusions

Early improvement in endoscopic outcomes after UPA induction treatment was associated with long-term meaningful improvements in clinical outcomes and QoL in patients with CD.

Clinical Registration number

U-EXCEED induction trial (NCT03345836), U-EXCEL induction trial (NCT03345849), and U-ENDURE maintenance trial (NCT03345823).
Interannual homing to reproductive sites and transboundary migration in black seabream Spondyliosoma cantharus, with implications for management
Authors: Davies Peter , Stamp Thomas , Hall Alice , Atterborne Allison , Lewis Jen , Balchin George P , Tebb Alice , Ward Sarah , Binney Francis , Blampied Samantha , Plaster Alexander , Hubbard Charlie , Rogers Nick , Wiseman Matthew , Conlon Ronan , Reynell Shion E A , Sheehan Emma V
Published: September 2024

Fish spawning aggregations are vulnerable to overexploitation, which can have severe ecological, social, and economic consequences. Knowledge on the spatial ecology of aggregating species is often lacking, but is crucial for their effective conservation. This study explores the spawning site residency, interannual fidelity, and migration of black seabream Spondyliosoma cantharus using acoustic (n = 55) and conventional (n = 2397) tagging within and outside Marine Conservation Zones in the southern UK. Detections and recaptures of tagged fish indicated that black seabream display significant interannual fidelity to nesting areas, but that residency of individuals at nesting areas was short relative to current temporal management of these areas. Locations of detection and recapture during autumn/winter indicated migration by black seabream into deeper waters of the English Channel and coastal waters of France and the Channel Islands. The results indicate spatial structuring of black seabream populations maintained by homing of adults to previously occupied sites. However, short residency periods within protected reproductive sites, and evidence of transboundary migrations emphasize the importance of effective fisheries management, i.e. collaborative between European nations. These findings highlight the importance of international-scale telemetry studies and networks for informing ecosystem-based fisheries management of sensitive migratory species.
Anti-Indigenous racism in Canadian healthcare: a scoping review of the literature
Authors: Cooke Martin , Shields Tasha
Published: September 2024

Health inequity between Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) peoples and other citizens is an important policy concern in Canada, as in other colonial countries. Racism in healthcare has been identified as contributing to poorer care and to worse outcomes. Despite a large literature regarding racism in other healthcare contexts, the dimensions of the existing literature on anti-Indigenous racism in Canadian healthcare are unclear. A scoping review examined the evidence of anti-Indigenous racist experiences in healthcare in the research literature, including the types of racist behaviours identified, settings studied, and Indigenous populations and geographic regions included. We identified English and French language journal articles on anti-Indigenous racism in Canadian healthcare settings in Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and the Bibliography of Indigenous Peoples in North America, and grey literature reports. A total of 2250 journal articles and 9 grey literature reports published since 2000 were included in screening, and 66 studies were included in the final review. Most used qualitative interviews with patients, but a large proportion included healthcare providers. Most were conducted in urban settings, a majority in Ontario or British Columbia, with mixed Indigenous populations. The largest proportion focussed on patient experiences with healthcare in general, rather than specific clinical contexts.

Most racist experiences identified were ‘covert’ racism, including patients feeling treated differently from non-Indigenous patients, being ignored, treated more slowly, or not believed. Stereotyping of Indigenous peoples as substance users, poor patients, or poor parents was also commonly reported. ‘Overt racism’, including the use of racist slurs, was not widely found. Some quantitative studies did use standardized or validated instruments to capture racist experiences, but most did not result in generalizable estimates of their prevalence. The few studies linking racism to health outcomes found that experiencing racism was related to reluctance to seek healthcare, potentially leading to higher unmet healthcare needs. Gender was the intersecting dimension most identified as shaping healthcare experiences, with Indigenous women and girls at risk to specific stereotypes. Some papers suggested that socio-economically disadvantaged Indigenous people were at the highest risk to experiencing racism. Types of anti-Indigenous racism identified in Canadian healthcare appear similar to those reported in other jurisdictions. Indigenous peoples facing multiple dimensions of disadvantage, especially gender and social class, may be the most likely to experience racism. It is likely that the experience of racism in healthcare has implications for Indigenous peoples’ health, mainly by reducing healthcare access.
Ammonia leakage can underpin nitrogen-sharing among soil microorganisms
Authors: Richards Luke , Cremin Kelsey , Coates Mary , Vigor Finley , Schäfer Patrick , Soyer Orkun S
Published: September 2024

Soil microbial communities host a large number of microbial species that support important ecological functions such as biogeochemical cycling and plant nutrition. The extent and stability of these functions are affected by inter-species interactions among soil microorganisms, yet the different mechanisms underpinning microbial interactions in the soil are not fully understood. Here, we study the extent of nutrient-based interactions among two model, plant-supporting soil microorganisms, the fungi Serendipita indica, and the bacteria Bacillus subtilis. We found that S. indica is unable to grow with nitrate - a common nitrogen source in the soil - but this inability could be rescued, and growth restored in the presence of B. subtilis. We demonstrate that this effect is due to B. subtilis utilising nitrate and releasing ammonia, which can be used by S. indica. We refer to this type of mechanism as ammonia mediated nitrogen sharing (N-sharing). Using a mathematical model, we demonstrated that the pH dependent equilibrium between ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH+4) results in an inherent cellular leakiness, and that reduced amonnium uptake or assimilation rates could result in higher levels of leaked ammonia. In line with this model, a mutant B. subtilis – devoid of ammonia uptake - showed higher S. indica growth support in nitrate media. These findings highlight that ammonia based N-sharing can be a previously under-appreciated mechanism underpinning interaction among soil microorganisms and could be influenced by microbial or abiotic alteration of pH in microenvironments.
Cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and sociodemographic correlates of mental health and tobacco-related disease risk in the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Kirchner Thomas R , Tian Danning , Li Jian , Srivastava Pranjal , Zheng Yihao
Published: September 2024

Significance

Research on the conditions under which electronic cigarette (EC) use produces a net reduction in the population harm attributable to combusted cigarette (CC) use requires the triangulation of information from cohort(s) of smokers, non-smokers, EC users, and dual-users of all varieties.

Materials and Methods

This project utilizes data from the All of Us Research Program to contrast a panel of wellness and disease-risk indicators across a range of self-reported tobacco-use profiles, including smokers, current, and former EC users. This article focuses on the tobacco use history and current tobacco use status among All of Us participants enrolled between May 2017 and February 2023 (Registered Controlled Tier Curated Data Repository [CDR] v7).

Results

The present analytic sample included an unweighted total of N = 412 211 individuals with information on ever-use of both CC and EC. Among them, 155 901 individuals have a history of CC use, with 65 206 identified as current smokers. EC usage is reported by 64 002 individuals, with 16 619 being current users. Model predicted analyses identified distinct patterns in CC and EC usage across demographic and socioeconomic variables, with younger ages favoring ECs.

Discussion

Age was observed to significantly affect EC usage, and gender differences reveal that males were significantly more likely to use CC and/or EC than females or African Americans of any gender. Higher educational achievement and income were associated with lower use of both CC and EC, while lower levels of mental health were observed to increase the likelihood of using CC and EC products.

Conclusion

Findings suggest the potential for the All of Us Research Program for investigation of causal factors driving both behavioral use transitions and cessation outcomes.
Sexually dimorphic characteristics and their functions in a native crab Leptochryseus kuwaitense (Jones & Clayton, 1983) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Camptandriidae) from the Persian Gulf
Authors: Azizi Sedigh , Naderloo Reza , Ranjbar Mohammad Sharif , Shahdadi Adnan
Published: September 2024

Understanding population dynamics requires knowledge of reproductive aspects such as sexual maturity, fertility, and growth changes of body components. We analyzed the relative growth and morphometry in a native brachyuran crab, Leptochryseus kuwaitense (Jones & Clayton, 1983), that dominates mud flats along the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The carapace (length, width, height, front), pleon (abdomen) (length and width of the first, third, fifth, and sixth segments), second, third, and fourth walking legs (total length, length, and width of the merus), cheliped propodus (length and width), and eye dimentions (distance between the two eyes and eye-stalk length), and total weight were recorded for 83 specimens. A regression model with a segmented relationship was employed to examine the relative growth patterns of the characteristics in question. The breakpoints identified in the analysis provided insights into the body size at which crabs attain sexual maturity. The carapace length of sexual morphometric maturity in males and females was 20.43 mm and 19.20 mm, respectively. Males exhibited a positive allometric growth for most traits, with adults having a greater slope than juveniles with the exception of body height, weight, and in some traits (e.g., cheliped length and width) this slope is more than double. By contrast, the growth equation for females is positive allometric for the majority of traits in juveniles, whereas were negative allometric in mature individuals. Juvenile individuals of both sexes exhibited morphological similarities, but females tended to have a smaller body size compared to males. The carapace length of the largest male was 24.2 mm (with mean of 21.71 mm, N = 43), 21.7 and (with mean of 20.14 mm, N = 40) for females, a characteristic that is likely associated with their reproductive biology. Because males are larger in body size, energy investment in the growth of walking legs and chelipeds may be crucial for mating and intreasexual cambating. The rate of growth thus exhibited a more rapid increase in males. Our results indicate that the chelipeds do not play a role in combat, but the coloration of the male cheliped plays a role in its selection by females.
Demography of the Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat (Epomophorus gambianus) in Ghana
Authors: Amponsah-Mensah Kofi , Hudson Michael A , Cunningham Andrew A , Wood James L N , Ntiamoa-Baidu Yaa
Published: September 2024

We provide the first estimates of survival and reproductive rates for a population of the Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus gambianus in Ghana. We focused on a large colony of ca. 5,000 bats over 3 years to estimate population parameters including population size, birth rates, survival, and sex ratios for this species. Reproduction chronology was confirmed as seasonal bimodal polyestry, with births occurring in March/April and August/September each year. The estimated birth rate was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.85 to 0.92) per reproductive season. The overall sex ratio (female to male ratio) of the study population was male-dominated (0.69, 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.75), but female-biased for adults (62% female, χ21 = 42, P < 0.0001), and showed temporal and age-specific variations. By radiotracking 60 bats for 10 months, we obtained the first estimates of minimum monthly survival for this species as 0.81 (95% CI = 0.74 to 0.86), but this could be an underestimate due to possible undetected emigration of tagged bats.
Precise positional alignment of atom-resolved HAADF images of heteroepitaxial interface with low signal-to-noise ratio
Authors: Aso Kohei , Oshima Yoshifumi
Published: September 2024

Heteroepitaxial interfaces are important because they determine the performance of devices such that career mobility is sensitive to the distribution of roughness, strain and composition at the interface. High-angle annular dark field imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy has been utilized to capture them at an atomic scale. For precise identification of atomic column positions, a technique has been proposed to average multiple image frames taken at a high scanning rate by their positional alignment for increasing signal-to-noise ratio. However, the positional alignment between frames is sometimes incorrectly estimated because of the almost perfect periodic structure at the interfaces. Here, we developed an approach for precise positional alignment, where the images are first aligned by two consecutive images and then are aligned more precisely against the integrated image of the first alignment. We demonstrated our method by applying it to the heterointerface of Si0.8Ge0.2 (Si: silicon, Ge: germanium) epitaxial thin films on a Si substrate.
Effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to promote physical activity among Japanese remote workers: a pilot open-label randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Jihoon , Mizushima Ryoko , Morimoto Masahiro , Fujita Yukako , Shibuichi Saki , Kato Mafuyu , Gosho Masahiko , Nakata Yoshio
Published: September 2024

Objectives: Remote work (ie, teleworking) may adversely affect physical activity (PA) among workers, but no strategies have been effectively implemented to address this issue. We aimed to test whether a multicomponent intervention program could promote the PA of remote workers.

Methods: This study was an 8-week pilot open-label randomized controlled trial. Fifty-one participants (19 women) aged 23-58 years were recruited via an information technology company in Tokyo, Japan, and randomly assigned to the control (n = 26) or intervention (n = 25) group. The intervention group was provided a multicomponent intervention that comprised individual (lecture, print material, goal setting, feedback, and posters), sociocultural (supportive atmosphere and team building), and organizational (encouraging message from an executive) strategies. The control group only received posters. The primary outcome was an 8-week change in objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The secondary outcomes were changes in light PA, moderate PA, vigorous PA, steps, and sedentary time. We also conducted subdomain analyses divided into working and nonworking days.

Results: No significant difference was observed in MVPA changes between the 2 groups. However, the intervention group showed significant improvement in light PA by +14.0 min/d (95% CI, 1.7-26.2). Subdomain analyses also showed no significant differences in MVPA changes between the 2 groups. However, MVPA in the intervention group significantly increased by +9.4 min/d (95% CI, 2.5-16.2) on working days.

Conclusions: The present multicomponent intervention was feasible for remote workers, although some revisions are necessary to enhance the effect size.
Inflammatory pseudotumor: big similarities and diagnostic challenges
Authors: Mohtarim Rihane El , Derqaoui Sabrine , Sassi Samia , Belkouchi Omar , Babana Amina El Alaoui , Boumeriem Khaoula , Imrani Kaoutar , Nassar Ittimade , Jahid Ahmed , Zouaidia Fouad , Znati Kaoutar , Belkouchi Abdelkader , Bernoussi Zakia
Published: September 2024

Inflammatory pseudotumors are reactive and rare lesions of unknown origin. They are locally aggressive, but they generally do not extend beyond the affected organ, with a favorable prognosis after radical surgical resection. Symptoms and radiologic features are often nonspecific, and pathological examination plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumors along with immunohistochemical staining to rule out differential diagnosis, especially myofibroblastic inflammatory tumor. Molecular biology can play a decisive role when these latter cannot establish a definitive diagnosis. Herein, we present a case study that describes a 65-year-old woman presenting a mesocolic mass. The patient underwent a surgical excision, which included a wedge gastric resection, transverse colectomy, and colocolic side-to-side stapled anastomosis. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed an inflammatory pseudotumor. Surgery remains the main treatment and depends on the location of the tumor. No recurrences are noted; however, a standardized follow-up protocol for inflammatory pseudotumors has yet to be established.
Implementation, Cooperation, Penalties and Enforcement
Authors: Wilman Folkert , Kalėda Saulius Lukas , Loewenthal Paul-John
Published: September 2024

This chapter outlines the provisions concerned with the implementation, cooperation, penalties, and enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA). It elaborates on the foundations for the system of supervision of providers of intermediary services and enforcement of the DSA. Typically, the supervision and enforcement of the DSA is a task shared between the national authorities and the Commission. The chapter then explains that the enforcement of DSA extends to the EU and national levels while setting out coordination mechanisms between the national authorities with other national authorities, the Board, and the Commission. The chapter then provides an overview of Articles 49 to 88 of the DSA.
Challenges nurses face in providing care to older patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study
Authors: Fusama Mie , Nakahara Hideko , Urata Yukitomo , Kawahata Kimito , Kawahito Yutaka , Kojima Masayo , Sugihara Takahiko , Hashimoto Motomu , Miyamae Takako , Murashima Atsuko , Mori Masaaki , Yajima Nobuyuki , Matsui Toshihiro
Published: September 2024

Objectives

This study aims to identify challenges nurses face in providing care to older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japan.

Methods

Nurses certified by the Japan Rheumatism Foundation were requested via mail to describe challenges in providing care to older RA patients. Qualitative content analysis was used.

Results

One hundred and eighty-two issues were identified from 152 responses. Twenty categories were grouped into seven components, five of which focused on patients: (1) lack of patient understanding, (2) lack of understanding and support from surrounding people, (3) numerous comorbidities and complications, (4) challenges related to physical strength, and (5) financial issues. Two focused on nurses: (6) lack of knowledge of nurses and (7) inadequate systems and environment in the workplace. Various difficulties, such as polypharmacy due to multimorbidity, lifestyle issues due to aged couples or those living alone, and inadequate decision-making and informed consent due to cognitive decline, were also identified.

Conclusions

Nurses experienced numerous medical and nonmedical difficulties in providing care to older RA patients. Assessing patients’ comprehension and self-management and grasping their situations at home are necessary. Along with the improvement of nurses’ knowledge and skills, support from their workplace and multidisciplinary team care, including families, are crucial.
Spin-dependent electrocatalysis
Authors: Chen Zhengjie , Li Xiaoning , Ma Hao , Zhang Yuwei , Peng Jing , Ma Tianyi , Cheng Zhenxiang , Gracia Jose , Sun Yuanmiao , Xu Zhichuan J
Published: September 2024

The shift towards sustainable energy requires efficient electrochemical conversion technologies, emphasizing the crucial need for robust electrocatalyst design. Recent findings reveal that the efficiency of some electrocatalytic reactions is spin-dependent, with spin configuration dictating performance. Consequently, understanding the spin's role and controlling it in electrocatalysts is important. This review succinctly outlines recent investigations into spin-dependent electrocatalysis, stressing its importance in energy conversion. It begins with an introduction to spin-related features, discusses characterization techniques for identifying spin configurations, and explores strategies for fine-tuning them. At the end, the article provides insights into future research directions, aiming to reveal more unknown fundamentals of spin-dependent electrocatalysis and encourage further exploration in spin-related research and applications.
Transfusion of Blood Products and Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Dengue Fever: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Goh Zhi Jie , Li Ruiqi , Wang Min Xian , Chia Po Ying , Lim Jue Tao
Published: September 2024

Background

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effects of transfusing “nonpacked red blood cell” blood products in patients with dengue and evaluate the effectiveness in reducing mean hospital stay, bleeding, mortality rate, and intensive care unit requirements.

Methods

Four databases were searched for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria were prospective or retrospective randomized or nonrandomized studies investigating the effects of transfusion of blood products in patients with dengue.

Results

Nine studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Transfusion of blood products was associated with significantly higher mortality rate (9 studies; odds ratio [OR], 3.59 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–15.98]; I2 = 0%; P = .04) and significantly longer mean hospital stay (6 studies; 0.56 day [95% CI, .03–1.08 day]; I2 = 95%; P = .04). There was no significant difference in the incidence of clinical bleeding (7 studies; OR, 1.13 [95% CI, .77–1.65]; I2 = 39%; P = .54) or intensive care unit requirement (3 studies; OR, 1.59 [.40–6.39]; I2 = 0%; P = .51).

Conclusions

Transfusing blood products for patients with dengue showed no benefit and may even be harmful.
Evaluation of a Ureteral Stent Removal Protocol in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Krzos Paula M , Nguyen Cynthia T , Kane Brenna , Krishnamoorthy Sambhavi , Kristof Tanya W , Reynolds Luke F , Pisano Jennifer , Josephson Michelle A , Barth Rolf , Owen Derek
Published: September 2024

Existing literature on best practices to reduce the risk of infectious complications associated with ureteral stent removal in kidney transplant recipients is limited. Prior to 2021, a formal process surrounding stent removal was not in place at our institution. In June 2021, a stent removal protocol was established. This protocol included the following: obtaining a preprocedure urine culture, prescribing universal culture-directed antimicrobial prophylaxis, earlier stent removal posttransplant, and patient education. We performed a retrospective quasi-experimental study of kidney transplant recipients who had their stents removed between July 2020 and June 2022. The primary outcome was the incidence of infectious complications within 30 days. Infectious complications were defined as urinary tract infection and bacteremia due to urinary source, as well as hospitalization, emergency department visit, or outpatient encounter for possible urinary tract infection. Secondary objectives included infectious and immunologic complications within 30 days to 1 year from transplant. During this study period, 239 adult kidney transplant recipients were included: 88 in the preprotocol group and 151 in the protocol group. The median time to stent removal was shorter in the protocol group (25 vs 36 days, P < .001). More patients in the protocol group received preprocedure antibiotics (99% vs 36%, P < .001). Infectious complications were higher in the preprotocol group (9% vs 3%, P = .035). Overall, the stent removal protocol was associated with fewer infectious complications (odds ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05–0.73). Further investigation is necessary to determine which individual interventions, if any, drive this benefit.
Rewriting Internal Relocation from a Refugee Perspective - The Lived Experience of Refugees in Afghanistan
Authors: Mohammadi Sitarah , O’Sullivan Maria
Published: September 2024

This article is part of a broader project aimed at rewriting refugee law jurisprudence from a lived refugee perspective. The co-authors, one of whom is a refugee from Afghanistan, have chosen internal relocation as the subject of this project as it is a problematic and controversial principle of international refugee law which we believe is frequently applied without due consideration of the practical experience of refugees.

Internal relocation provides that a refugee may be returned to their country of origin if they can relocate to a “safe” part of that state where they would not have a well-founded fear of persecution. This principle is somewhat tempered by the application of a “reasonableness” test in most jurisdictions. That test aims to reflect that, in some cases, it may not be possible to require a refugee to relocate to another part of their country of origin to avoid persecution. However, a “reasonableness” factor is not always considered as part of relocation. Moreover, it aims to bring an “objective” standard of reasonableness, which can be critiqued on a number of bases.

In this article, the authors rewrite an Australian Refugee Review Tribunal decision dealing with an applicant from Afghanistan to reflect the lived experience of refugees better and to encourage readers to think about whether some of the assumptions made in internal relocation jurisprudence have been fully interrogated. Much of internal relocation scholarship focuses on conceptual legal issues, for instance, whether relocation is grounded in the text, context or object of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and whether relocation fits within the “well-founded fear” or “state protection” limb of the refugee definition. While these are important conceptual debates about the treaty basis for internal relocation, we believe these have been well-analysed in the existing literature. Our article seeks to add to these core debates by reconceptualising the application of relocation to authentic refugee experiences and, through this, to highlight some of the weaknesses in the current approach to this complex question.
Predatory DEI: How Racialized Organizations Exacerbate Workplace Racial Stratification through Exploitative Diversity Work
Authors: Alicea Julio Ángel
Published: September 2024

In the wake of the so-called racial reckoning of 2020, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grew rapidly as an industry and organizational logic. This study examines how DEI work in organizations is not simply performative, but exploitative. Drawing on observations and in-depth interviews from a four-year ethnographic project, this study traces the rollout and racial problematics of DEI programming at a public high school serving Black and Latinx students. It finds that the organization tasked Black women educators with the unsupported role of implementing the school’s vision to become “Pro-Black.” In doing so, it facilitated a process that is termed “predatory DEI.” Building on work theorizing predatory inclusion, “predatory DEI” refers to the organizational approaches to DEI work that purport to empower racially minoritized groups in racialized organizations while exploiting their personal and professional resources, all under the guise of an antiracist alibi that renders the predation opaque. In conceptualizing predatory DEI, three facets are discussed in detail: goal perversion, time theft, and role ambiguity/role conflict. These findings cast a critical eye on the pernicious forms of racism within social justice organizations.
Comparison of Researcher-Led versus Teacher-Led effectiveness and fidelity: A Hybrid Type 1 study of Kids SIPsmartER in Appalachia middle schools
Authors: Zoellner Jamie M , Porter Kathleen J , Reid Annie , Markwalter Theresa , Kirkpatrick Brittany , Brock Donna-Jean P , You Wen
Published: September 2024

The implementation of school-based obesity-prevention programs is understudied. Kids SIPsmartER is a 6-month, school-based, behavioral intervention for Appalachian middle school students and includes a teacher implementation strategy. Kids SIPsmartER effectively reduced students’ sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) when Researcher-Led. However, Teacher-Led effectiveness and fidelity are unknown. To explore the relative SSB effects when Kids SIPsmartER was Researcher-Led versus Teacher-Led and to examine teacher fidelity. This study of secondary outcomes used a quasi-experimental analytic approach of a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness–implementation and cluster randomized controlled tria (RCT) of Kids SIPsmartER. Student SSB behaviors and teacher self-rated fidelity were assessed, respectively, with the validated Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ-15) and lesson-specific checklists. Analyses included descriptive statistics and modified two-part models with time-fixed effects and school-year cohort cluster controls. The analytic sample included students from six control schools (n = 220), six Researcher-Led intervention schools (n = 306), and five Teacher-Led intervention schools (n = 218), as well as eight teachers. Teacher-Led intervention students decreased SSB by −14.3 ounces/day (95% confidence interval = −15.4, −13.2; P < .001). Relative to control and to Researcher-Led intervention, the Teacher-Led treatment effect among students was −11.6 ounces SSB/day (P < .001, effect size = 0.75) and −4.3 (P = .004, effect size = 0.25), respectively. Teachers returned fidelity checklists for 90% of planned lessons. Fidelity averaged 94% (SD = 4.0%) among returned forms and 85% (SD = 18.9%) when missing forms were counted as zeros. Teachers can implement Kids SIPsmartER with high fidelity and produce statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in students’ SSB behaviors. Findings have implications for the sustained implementation of Kids SIPsmartER and other school-based obesity-prevention programs.

Clinical Trial information: NCT03740113.
Exploring determinants of engagement with voluntary mathematics assignments in economics education: a correlational study
Authors: Büchele Stefan , Feiste Lisa
Published: September 2024

This article uses data collections from a German university to explore determinants influencing students’ engagement with voluntary weekly mathematics homework assignments tailored for economics. Demographical, social and affective variables were collected from approximately 800 students across several years. Unlike engineering or pure mathematics disciplines in Germany, where homework assignments are often mandatory, homework in economics remains optional. The study aims to provide an exploratory insight into which students opt to tackle these voluntary tasks. For this purpose, the collected data were clustered and analyzed using regression analyses. It was found, among other things, that demographic variables such as gender and age influence the decision to engage in voluntary exercise tasks, but, for example, prior knowledge in mathematics inhibits motivation for optional task. The compulsory nature of homework assignments in other subjects made them unsuitable for comparison due to a lack of heterogeneity. Therefore, this research contributes to the Mathematics for Economists research, underscoring economics students’ unique dynamics and decision-making processes.
Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal the molecular mechanism of PsAMT1.2 in salt tolerance
Authors: Zhuang Shuaijun , Yu Zhaoyou , Li Jiayuan , Wang Fan , Zhang Chunxia
Published: September 2024

Soil salinization has become a global problem and high salt concentration in soil negatively affects plant growth. In our previous study, we found that overexpression of PsAMT1.2 from Populus simonii could improve the salt tolerance of poplar, but the physiological and molecular mechanism was not well understood. To explore the regulation pathway of PsAMT1.2 in salt tolerance, we investigated the morphological, physiological and transcriptome differences between the PsAMT1.2 overexpression transgenic poplar and the wild type under salt stress. The PsAMT1.2 overexpression transgenic poplar showed better growth with increased net photosynthetic rate and higher chlorophyll content compared with wild type under salt stress. The overexpression of PsAMT1.2 increased the catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities, and therefore probably enhanced the reactive oxygen species clearance ability, which also reduced the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation under salt stress. Meanwhile, the PsAMT1.2 overexpression transgenic poplar maintained a relatively high K+/Na+ ratio under salt stress. RNA-seq analysis indicated that PsAMT1.2 might improve plant salt tolerance by regulating pathways related to the photosynthetic system, chloroplast structure, antioxidant activity and anion transport. Among the 1056 differentially expressed genes, genes related to photosystem I and photosystem II were up-regulated and genes related to chloride channel protein-related were down-regulated. The result of the present study would provide new insight into regulation mechanism of PsAMT1.2 in improving salt tolerance of poplar.