bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusion for STEM, the institution, or minoritized youth? Exploring how educators navigate the discourses that shape social justice in informal science learning practices
Authors: Dawson Emily , Bista Raj , Colborne Amanda , McCubbin Beau‐Jensen , Godec Spela , Patel Uma , Archer Louise , Mau Ada
Published: January 2024

Understanding equitable practice is crucial for science education since science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and STEM learning practices remain significantly marked by structural inequalities. In this paper, building on theories of discourse and situated meaning developed by Foucault, Gee, and Sedgewick, we explore how educators navigated discourses about social justice in informal science learning (ISL) across four UK sites. We draw on qualitative, multimodal data across 5 years of a research–practice partnership between a university, a zoo, a social enterprise working to support girls and nonbinary youth in STEM, a community digital arts center, and a science center. We identify three key discourses that shaped social justice practices across all four practice–partner sites: (1) “inclusion” for STEM, (2) “inclusion” for the institution, and (3) “inclusion” for minoritized youth. We discuss how educators (n = 17) enacted, negotiated, resisted, and reworked these discourses to create equitable practice. We argue that while the three key discourses shaped the possible meanings and practices of equitable ISL in different ways, educators used their agency and creativity to develop more expansive visions of social justice. We discuss how the affordances, pitfalls, and contradictions that emerged within and between the three discourses were strategically navigated and disrupted by educators to support the minoritized youth they worked with, as well as to protect and promote equity in ISL. This paper contributes to research on social justice in ISL by grounding sometimes abstract questions about power and discourse in ISL educators' everyday work.
Does environmental credit rating policy improve corporate ESG performance?
Authors: Cao Yu , Tao Lan , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2024

Environmental credit evaluation is essential for the establishment of an environmental financial system, but most studies have focused on the impact of green financial instruments such as green credit and green bonds, resulting in insufficient attention to this core aspect. This study examines the impact of environmental credit evaluation on firm ESG performance using a staggered difference‐in‐differences model based on China's environmental credit rating policy. By analyzing data from 2010 to 2020 on 1018 publicly listed firms in high‐pollution industries in China, this study finds that the implementation of the environmental credit rating policy significantly improves ESG performance. This positive impact is realized through enhancing environmental information transparency, strengthening external supervision, and alleviating financing constraints.
Construction and psychometric properties of the sustainable behavior questionnaire among Italian adults
Authors: Fabio Rosa Angela , Croce Alessandra , Calabrese Chiara
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to develop and validate the Sustainable Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), a comprehensive tool for assessing environmentally sustainable behaviors among Italian adults. Drawing on established theories and scales, the SBQ was refined through a two‐part study. Study 1 involved reviewing the literature, selecting items, and conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on responses from 219 participants. This process resulted in a four‐factor structure: “purchase behavior and awareness,” “reusing and recycling,” “reducing,” and “walking” and “use of public transport.” Study 2, comprising 432 participants, confirmed the four‐factor structure through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and established the SBQ's convergent validity with Intention Sustainable Behavior (ISBQ) and Environment Sustainable Value and Norms (ESVN) measures. The SBQ demonstrated robust internal consistency, providing a reliable instrument for assessing sustainable behaviors. This research contributes to the field by offering a psychometrically sound questionnaire for evaluating sustainable behaviors among Italian adults and further understanding their role in promoting environmental conservation and well‐being.
Urban sustainable development: Unraveling regional land development intensity dynamics and future trends in China
Authors: Li Jiawen , Tian Guiliang , Wu Zheng , Zhao Qiuya , Meng Yihang , Xia Qing
Published: January 2024

Accompanying the ongoing progression of urbanization, the issue of imbalanced regional land development has become increasingly severe in China. Understanding the current status and changing trends of land development intensity (LDI) is crucial for optimizing the regional land development landscape. In light of this study proposed an new analytical framework of “evaluation‐process‐mechanism‐prediction” to investigate land development intensity in China. Building upon LDI the assessment, this study analyzed spatiotemporal evolution patterns. Subsequently, The Geodetector model was used to explore the factors influencing LDI from four perspectives: policy, society, economy, and nature. Finally, the SSA‐LSTM model was employed to predict the LDI in 2026. The results revealed the following: (1) From 2006 to 2021, the average LDI in China exhibited a continuous upward trend, showcasing diverse development characteristics. Regional disparities were prominent, presenting an overall upward trend from east to west and from south to north. (2) Factors influencing LDI have gradually shifted from being primarily driven by social factors, while also considering natural and policy factors, to being primarily driven by economic factors, while also considering social factors. (3) Based on the forecast, the average LDI is projected to increase and maintain an upward trend. However, the range will reach 6.22, indicating an increasingly pronounced “insufficient and imbalanced” trend among provinces and municipalities.
Pd(II)‐Catalyzed Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation for Multicomponent Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones in Water
Authors: Kobayashi Masakazu , Kataoka Sayaka , Nakayama Taku , Kikkawa Shoko , Hikawa Hidemasa , Azumaya Isao
Published: January 2024

We describe a multicomponent reaction between isatoic anhydrides, alkylamines and benzylic alcohols using Pd(II)/TPPMS catalyst with cocatalytic Cu(II) salt in water. This cascade reaction involves the catalytic dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde under aerobic conditions, followed by cyclocondensation with in situ generated 2‐aminobenzamides, allowing rapid access to 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones (DHQs). This practical method enables direct access to a series of DHQs without strong bases and hazardous oxidants. Mechanistic studies reveal that the multicomponent reaction is first order with respect to the concentrations of benzyl alcohol and catalysts, and proceeds independently of the concentration of the 2‐aminobenzamide intermediate.
Bribery, insecurity, and firm performance: Evidence from the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria
Authors: Dimitriadis Stefan
Published: January 2024

Research Summary

During armed conflicts, when the rule of law collapses, bribery often becomes prevalent. Yet, the effect of bribery on firm performance under those circumstances remains unclear. Bribery could provide access to scarce resources, but it could also be the result of extortion. This study argues that bribes can improve firm performance during certain conflicts, when violence reduces public officials' ability to threaten firms. Using longitudinal data from businesses in Nigeria during the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009–2014, I find that firms exposed to Boko Haram attacks that bribed outperformed firms that did not bribe. Qualitative data suggest that the insurgency limited public officials' ability to threaten firms, making bribes less a means of rent extraction and more a way for firms to access resources.

Managerial Summary

In many economies, bribery is widespread despite being illegal. This study shows that during times of violent conflict bribery can be a way for firms to maintain operations despite the disruption. Using data from firms in Nigeria during the 2009–2014 Boko Haram insurgency, I find that firms that bribed tended to suffer less from the effects of the insurgency. Bribing firms were better able to secure protection and access transportation networks. At the same time, the conflict reduced local officials' ability to extort firms, making bribes less likely to involve extortion. These results highlight the extreme circumstances that firms face during violent conflicts and the illicit practices that may enable them to survive in the short run.
Piezoelectric Polymer Solid Electrolyte Integrating Electromechanical Coupling and Ferroelectric Polarization Effects
Authors: Kang Junbao , Zhao Jiaxuan , Jiang Peng , Gao Lu , Zhao Yixia , Cheng Bowen , Deng Nanping , Kang Weimin
Published: January 2024

The unsatisfactory lithium‐ion conductivity (σ) and limited mechanical strength of polymer solid electrolytes hinder their wide applications in solid‐state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs). Here, a thin piezoelectric polymer solid electrolyte integrating electromechanical coupling and ferroelectric polarization effects has been designed and prepared to achieve long‐term stable cycling of SSLMBs. The ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12 nanoparticle (BIT NPs) loaded poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐TrFE)) piezoelectric nanofibers (B‐P NFs) membranes are introduced into the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix, endowing the composite electrolyte with unique polarization and piezoelectric effects. The piezoelectric nanofiber membrane with a 3D network structure not only promotes the dissociation of lithium (Li) salts through the polarization effect but also cleverly utilizes the coupling effect of a mechanical stress‐local electric field to achieve dynamic regulation of the Li electroplating process. Through the corresponding experimental tests and density functional theory calculations, the intrinsic mechanism of piezoelectric electrolytes improving σ and suppressing Li dendrites is fully revealed. The obtained piezoelectric electrolyte has achieved stable cycling of LiFePO4 batteries over 2000 cycles and has also shown good practical application potential in flexible pouch batteries.
Sputter‐Deposited La–Co–Mn–O Nanocolumns as Stable Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Piotrowiak Tobias H. , Krysiak Olga A. , Suhr Ellen , Zhang Jian , Zehl Rico , Kostka Aleksander , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Ludwig Alfred
Published: January 2024

A thin‐film materials library (ML) of the La–Co–Mn–O system is fabricated by hot reactive combinatorial cosputter deposition and screened for its electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction. Within this ML, an area with superior catalytic activity is identified. In‐depth characterization of this region reveals a unique columnar‐grown microstructure showing a large catalytic surface and excellent stability during electrocatalytic measurements. A zoom‐in into these structures shows that the columns are compositionally and structurally not homogeneous but are composed of a mixture of the perovskite phase LaCoMnO3 and Co–Mn–O oxide. Nanoelectrochemistry using the particle on a nanoelectrode approach confirms the high activity as well as stability of the single columns.
Long‐term behavior of slender long‐span precast prestressed high‐strength concrete girders
Authors: Fernandes Paulo , Cavaco Eduardo , do Carmo Ricardo , Maranha Paulo , Júlio Eduardo
Published: January 2024

The long‐term behavior of slender (1/40) long‐span precast high‐strength concrete girders was experimentally investigated regarding their use as a competitive solution in relation to steel alternatives for highway overpasses. The time‐dependent effects of full‐scale girders has rarely been addressed, particularly the influence of creep and shrinkage of concrete with compressive strengths around 120 MPa. Two half‐scale girder specimens were produced using an economically optimized and high‐strength concrete mixture, nonfiber reinforced, designed only with conventional raw materials, currently available at Portuguese precast companies, and subjected to long‐term loading, with a magnitude of approximately 50% of the failure load in bending, during a period of 3.75 years. Using the same mixture, prismatic specimens were also produced and subjected to long‐term loading at 24 h and 7 days of age to assess both creep and shrinkage. Results show that the age of concrete at the loading day is of paramount importance regarding the time‐dependent effects. These are most relevant during the first days of loading and tend to stabilize from the 112th day of loading onward. The time‐dependent girder's mid‐span deflection at the end of the 3.75 years did not exceed more than 50% of the initial deformation. Comparison of results with those obtained with Model Code 2010 and the current version of Eurocode 2 shows that these underestimate strains and deflections due to creep, mostly because the short‐term development of these effects, occurring during the first days of loading, are not adequately represented. On the contrary, a sound agreement between experimental and theoretical values, both in short and long term, was obtained using the Auperin et al. approach.
Experimental investigation of seismic behavior of precast pier‐footing socket connection with different design parameters
Authors: Yang Jun , Guo Tong , Zeng Cihang , Shi Huiduo , Fu Chenxi
Published: January 2024

Accelerated bridge construction, with innovative connection details and construction technologies, has been extensively investigated and put into practical application for years. Nowadays, there are three commonly used connection methods of accelerated bridge construction technology, namely, lap‐spliced connection, sleeve connection, and socket connection. Due to the convenience of construction and lower requirements of construction accuracy, the socket connection is more suitable for reconstruction and expansion projects of traffic infrastructure, which could minimize the impact on traffic and accelerate construction progress. According to the structural characteristics of the socket connection, there are some design parameters that may significantly affect the seismic resistance of the structure, such as socket embedment length, fabrication of the shear key, and grouting material strength. To fully study the influence of different design parameters on structural performance, an experiment was carried out to investigate the seismic behavior of the precast pier‐footing socket connections with different design parameters. Five 1:2 scale reinforced concrete precast pier‐footing socket connection specimens with different design parameters were designed and tested under cyclically reversed horizontal loads. The development of hysteresis features, failure mode, load‐bearing capacity, stiffness degradation, structural ductility, energy dissipation capacity, and residual drift are analyzed to reveal the influence of the different design parameters on the seismic behavior of the precast pier‐footing socket connection. The seismic behavior of the precast pier‐footing socket connection was significantly influenced by the embedment length especially when the embedment length was less than 1.0bc. When the embedment length was 0.5bc, the failure mode changed from bending damage at the bottom of the precast pier to the anchorage failure of the precast pier‐footing socket connection. When the embedment length was 1.5bc, the fabrication of the shear key had limited improvement on the seismic performance of the specimen, while reducing the ductility of the specimen. When the embedment length was 1.0bc, the grouting material with a strength grade of C60 could be used in the socket connection between the precast pier and footing. The research presented in this paper provides some design suggestions and a technical basis for evaluating the seismic behavior of precast pier‐footing structures with socket connection.
Typification of names relevant to a revision ofZingiber(Zingiberaceae) in China
Authors: Bai Lin , Xia Nianhe , Leong‐Škorničková Jana
Published: January 2024

Zingiber(Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae) is an economically important but taxonomically difficult genus, with names frequently misapplied. Here, we thoroughly review all names corresponding to the currently recognised 54 species from China including their synonyms, and clarify the status of their types. Lectotypes are designated for 40 names (including one second‐step), neotypes for 3 names, and epitypes for 3 names. Additional and often uncited isotypes have been discovered for numerous names, and such additional records are here provided.Tupistra bambusifoliavar.rubromaculosa,Z. simaoense,Z. confineandZ. larseniiare newly treated as synonyms ofZ. atrorubens,Z. densissimum,Z. officinaleandZ. recurvatumrespectively. A new combination,Z. bambusifolium, is proposed, based onTupistra bambusifolia.This study will form the nomenclatural basis of an ongoing taxonomic revision of the genus in China, and phylogenetic study of the genus.
Neoangiogenesis markers in canine urothelial carcinomas: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gentilini Fabio , Salaroli Roberta , Tornago Raimondo , Turba Maria Elena , Ogundipe Tolulope Grace , Zannoni Augusta , Forni Monica , Campigli Michela , Furlanello Tommaso
Published: January 2024

Background

In humans, there is a growing body of evidence that neoangiogenesis is crucial for tumour growth and progression in urothelial carcinomas (UC) which also typically exhibit overactivation of the RAS‐MAPK pathway. In canine UC (cUC), the same pathway has been aberrantly activated due to V595E BRAF variant and BRAF inhibitors has been evaluated as more effective treatment. However, BRAF inhibition is hampered in humans by rapidly occurring of chemoresistance. Targeting angiogenesis has been speculated to increase the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitors and to delay the development of chemoresistance.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the level of angiogenic markers in urine samples of UC affected dogs (n = 15) in comparison to an unmatched control group (n = 16) along with the clinical, morphological and molecular features.

Methods

In urine, both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration, using an ELISA assay, and MMP2 and 9 activities, using the zymographic assay, were measured. BRAF analysis was carried out using a digital PCR method.

Results

Urinary VEGF concentration (mean pg/g_uCrea 6.9 ± 27.7 vs. 1074 ± 1797, p < 0.01) and MMP activity (mean 6.8 × 106 ± 9.2 × 106 vs. 2.5 × 107 ± 2.3 × 107, p < 0.05) were higher in affected dogs than in healthy controls. Urinary active MMP9 was significantly correlated with T3 stage, it was absent in dogs with undetectable VEGF and it correlated well with urinary VEGF concentration. In this cohort, 10/10 UC affected dogs exhibited the V595E BRAF variation.

Conclusion

The findings are consistent with the presence of overactive neoangiogenesis in cUC. Urinary active MMP9 may be suitable for use as tumour progression biomarker. The addition of angiogenesis targeting may be rationale for novel therapeutic strategies.
MuSCs and IPCs: roles in skeletal muscle homeostasis, aging and injury
Authors: Jiang Haiyan , Liu Boya , Lin Junfei , Xue Tong , Han Yimin , Lu Chunfeng , Zhou Songlin , Gu Yun , Xu Feng , Shen Yuntian , Xu Lingchi , Sun Hualin
Published: January 2024

Skeletal muscle is a highly specialized tissue composed of myofibres that performs crucial functions in movement and metabolism. In response to external stimuli and injuries, a range of stem/progenitor cells, with muscle stem cells or satellite cells (MuSCs) being the predominant cell type, are rapidly activated to repair and regenerate skeletal muscle within weeks. Under normal conditions, MuSCs remain in a quiescent state, but become proliferative and differentiate into new myofibres in response to injury. In addition to MuSCs, some interstitial progenitor cells (IPCs) such as fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), pericytes, interstitial stem cells expressing PW1 and negative for Pax7 (PICs), muscle side population cells (SPCs), CD133-positive cells and Twist2-positive cells have been identified as playing direct or indirect roles in regenerating muscle tissue. Here, we highlight the heterogeneity, molecular markers, and functional properties of these interstitial progenitor cells, and explore the role of muscle stem/progenitor cells in skeletal muscle homeostasis, aging, and muscle-related diseases. This review provides critical insights for future stem cell therapies aimed at treating muscle-related diseases.
Quantum Energy Inequalities in Integrable Models with Several Particle Species and Bound States
Authors: Bostelmann Henning , Cadamuro Daniela , Mandrysch Jan
Published: January 2024

We investigate lower bounds to the time-smeared energy density, so-called quantum energy inequalities (QEI), in the class of integrable models of quantum field theory. Our main results are a state-independent QEI for models with constant scattering function and a QEI at one-particle level for generic models. In the latter case, we classify the possible form of the stress-energy tensor from first principles and establish a link between the existence of QEIs and the large-rapidity asymptotics of the two-particle form factor of the energy density. Concrete examples include the Bullough–Dodd, the Federbush, and the O(n)-nonlinear sigma models.
Distinct concentration-dependent oxidative stress profiles by cadmium in a rat kidney proximal tubule cell line
Authors: Lee Wing-Kee , Probst Stephanie , Scharner Bettina , Deba Timo , Dahdouh Faouzi , Thévenod Frank
Published: January 2024

Levels and chemical species of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) determine oxidative eustress and distress. Abundance of uptake pathways and high oxygen consumption for ATP-dependent transport makes the renal proximal tubule particularly susceptible to cadmium (Cd2+)-induced oxidative stress by targeting ROS/RNS generation or antioxidant defence mechanisms, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) or H2O2-metabolizing catalase (CAT). Though ROS/RNS are well-evidenced, the role of distinct ROS profiles in Cd2+ concentration-dependent toxicity is not clear. In renal cells, Cd2+ (10–50 µM) oxidized dihydrorhodamine 123, reaching a maximum at 2–3 h. Increases (up to fourfold) in lipid peroxidation by TBARS assay and H2O2 by Amplex Red were evident within 30 min. ROS and loss in cell viability by MTT assay with 50 µM Cd2+ could not be fully reversed by SOD mimetics Tempol and MnTBAP nor by SOD1 overexpression, whereas CAT expression and α-tocopherol were effective. SOD and CAT activities were attenuated below controls only with >6 h 50 µM Cd2+, yet augmented by up to 1.5- and 1.2-fold, respectively, by 10 µM Cd2+. Moreover, 10 µM, but not 25–50 µM Cd2+, caused 1.7-fold increase in superoxide anion (O2•−), detected by dihydroethidium, paralled by loss in cell viability, that was abolished by Tempol, MnTBAP, α-tocopherol and SOD1 or CAT overexpression. H2O2-generating NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) was attenuated by ~50% with 10 µM Cd2+ at 3 h compared to upregulation by 50 µM Cd2+ (~1.4-fold, 30 min), which was sustained for 24 h. In summary, O2•− predominates with low–moderate Cd2+, driving an adaptive response, whereas oxidative stress by elevated H2O2 at high Cd2+ triggers cell death signaling pathways.

Highlights

Different levels of reactive oxygen species are generated, depending on cadmium concentration.

Superoxide anion predominates and H2O2 is suppressed with low cadmium representing oxidative eustress.

High cadmium fosters H2O2 by inhibiting catalase and increasing NOX4 leading to oxidative distress.

Superoxide dismutase mimetics and overexpression were less effective with high versus low cadmium.

Oxidative stress profile could dictate downstream signalling pathways.
Parental duties and foraging strategies of a tropical pelagic seabird (Phaethon aethereus, Aves: Phaethontidae) during the breeding season
Authors: Piña-Ortiz Alberto , González-Zamora Diego Adolfo , Paz Jesica Andrea , Hernández-Vázquez Salvador , Mellink Eric , Bustamante Paco , Quillfeldt Petra , Castillo-Guerrero José Alfredo
Published: January 2024

Breeding seabirds must balance the energetic demands of feeding themselves and their offspring while coping with the constraints imposed by central-place foraging. As such, foraging strategies and parental care patterns are usually linked. Here, the foraging behavior of the Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus; n = 161) of Peña Blanca Islet, Mexico (19° 06ʹ 11ʺ N, 104° 29ʹ 12ʺ W) during the incubation and chick-rearing (≤ 4 weeks of age) stages was characterized with the aid of GPS loggers. Blood samples from adults and chicks were collected to determine δ15N and δ13C, and parental presence at the nest, meal size, and parent-chick feeding events were recorded. During incubation, parents made long trips offshore to areas far from the colony; however, immediately after their chicks hatched, the parents switched to a bimodal foraging strategy by undertaking both short and long foraging trips. The δ15N values indicated that trophic differences were present between parents and their offspring, with chicks being fed prey enriched in 15N. Parental presence at the nest was greater during early chick-rearing, which was associated with a higher provisioning rate. Parents adopted a strategy in which the parent on nest duty only made short foraging trips to provide for its offspring without leaving it unattended for long periods, while its mate undertook long trips to feed itself. After the early chick-rearing period, the parents gradually reduced the time spent at the nest and increased the time spent foraging, compensating with larger meal sizes for their offspring.

Graphical abstract
Musculoskeletal infections through direct inoculation
Authors: Sabir Nuran , Akkaya Zehra
Published: January 2024

Musculoskeletal infections consist of different clinical conditions that are commonly encountered in daily clinical settings. As clinical findings and even laboratory tests cannot always be specific, imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of these cases. Musculoskeletal infections most commonly occur secondary to direct inoculation into the skin involuntarily affected by trauma, microorganism, foreign bodies, or in diabetic ulcers; direct infections can also occur from voluntary causes due to surgery, vaccinations, or other iatrogenic procedures. Hematogenous spread of infection from a remote focus can also be a cause for musculoskeletal infections. Risk factors for soft tissue and bone infections include immunosuppression, old age, corticosteroid use, systemic illnesses, malnutrition, obesity, and burns. Most literature discusses musculoskeletal infections according to the diagnostic tools or forms of infection seen in different soft tissue anatomical planes or bones. This review article aims to evaluate musculoskeletal infections that occur due to direct inoculation to the musculoskeletal tissues, by focusing on the traumatic mechanism with emphasis on the radiological findings.
Pre-assessment of patients with suspected axial spondyloarthritis combining student-led clinics and telemedicine: a qualitative study
Authors: Boy Katharina , von Rohr Sophie , May Susann , Kuhn Sebastian , Schett Georg , Labinsky Hannah , Knitza Johannes , Muehlensiepen Felix
Published: January 2024

Objective

Patients referred to rheumatologists are currently facing months of inefficient waiting time due to the increasing demand and rising workforce shortage. We piloted a pre-assessment of patients with suspected axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) combining student-led clinics and telemedicine (symptom assessment, symptom monitoring and at-home capillary self-sampling) to improve access to rheumatology care. The aim of this study was to explore (1) current challenges accessing axSpA care and (2) patients’ first-hand experiences.

Methods

Embedded within a clinical trial, this study was based on qualitative interviews with patients with suspected axSpA (n = 20). Data was analysed via qualitative content analysis.

Results

Student-led clinics were perceived as high-quality care, comparable to conventional rheumatologist-led visits. Patients expressed that their interactions with the students instilled a sense of trust. History-taking and examinations were perceived as comprehensive and meticulous. Telehealth tools were seen as empowering, offering immediate and continuous access to symptom assessment at home. Patients reported a lack of specificity of the electronic questionnaires, impeding accurate responses. Patients requested a comments area to supplement questionnaire responses. Some patients reported receiving help to complete the blood collection.

Conclusion

Patients’ access to rheumatology care is becoming increasingly burdensome. Pre-assessment including student-led clinics and telemedicine was highly accepted by patients. Patient interviews provided valuable in-depth feedback to improve the piloted patient pathway.
Effects of transitioning from conventional to organic farming on soil organic carbon and microbial community: a comparison of long-term non-inversion minimum tillage and conventional tillage
Authors: Mihelič Rok , Pintarič Sara , Eler Klemen , Suhadolc Marjetka
Published: January 2024

The combination of conservation tillage (non-inversion and no-till) with organic farming is rare due to weed problems. However, both practices have the potential to improve soil quality and increase soil organic C (SOC). This study investigated the changes in SOC, microbial biomass, and microbial composition during the transition from conventional to organic farming (from 2014 to 2020) in a long-term tillage trial established in 1999. Non-inversion minimum tillage to a depth of 10 cm (MT) resulted in SOC stratification, whilst conventional soil tillage with 25-cm-deep mouldboard ploughing (CT) maintained an even SOC distribution in the plough layer. After 12 years of contrasting tillage in 2011, the uppermost soil layer under MT had a 10% higher SOC content (1.6% w/w) than CT (1.45% w/w). This difference became even more pronounced after introducing organic farming in 2014. By the fall of 2020, the SOC content under MT increased to 1.94%, whilst it decreased slightly to 1.36% under CT, resulting in a 43% difference between the two systems. Conversion to organic farming increased microbial biomass under both tillage systems, whilst SOC remained unchanged in CT. Abundances of total bacterial and Crenarchaeal 16S rRNA and fungal ITS genes indicated shifts in the microbial community in response to tillage and depth. Fungal communities under MT were more responsive to organic farming than bacterial communities. The improved soil quality observed under MT supports its adoption in both organic and conventional systems, but potentially large yield losses due to increased weed cover discourage farmers from combining MT and organic farming.
Similar brain proteomic signatures in Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy
Authors: Leitner Dominique , Pires Geoffrey , Kavanagh Tomas , Kanshin Evgeny , Askenazi Manor , Ueberheide Beatrix , Devinsky Orrin , Wisniewski Thomas , Drummond Eleanor
Published: January 2024

The prevalence of epilepsy is increased among Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients and cognitive impairment is common among people with epilepsy. Epilepsy and AD are linked but the shared pathophysiological changes remain poorly defined. We aim to identify protein differences associated with epilepsy and AD using published proteomics datasets. We observed a highly significant overlap in protein differences in epilepsy and AD: 89% (689/777) of proteins altered in the hippocampus of epilepsy patients were significantly altered in advanced AD. Of the proteins altered in both epilepsy and AD, 340 were altered in the same direction, while 216 proteins were altered in the opposite direction. Synapse and mitochondrial proteins were markedly decreased in epilepsy and AD, suggesting common disease mechanisms. In contrast, ribosome proteins were increased in epilepsy but decreased in AD. Notably, many of the proteins altered in epilepsy interact with tau or are regulated by tau expression. This suggests that tau likely mediates common protein changes in epilepsy and AD. Immunohistochemistry for Aβ and multiple phosphorylated tau species (pTau396/404, pTau217, pTau231) showed a trend for increased intraneuronal pTau217 and pTau231 but no phosphorylated tau aggregates or amyloid plaques in epilepsy hippocampal sections. Our results provide insights into common mechanisms in epilepsy and AD and highlights the potential role of tau in mediating common pathological protein changes in epilepsy and AD.
Optimierung der Klauswehrordnung des Mondsees, Teil II – Hydrologie
Authors: Klingler C. , Preiml M. , Habersack H. , Holzmann H.
Published: January 2024

Seen mit großer Oberfläche weisen grundsätzlich ein hohes Retentionspotenzial auf und beeinflussen das Abflussgeschehen der Unterlieger-Bereiche. Der Wasserstand bzw. der Abfluss des Mondsees wird durch ein steuerbares Klauswehr im Nieder- und Mittelwasserbereich geregelt, dessen Betriebsweise durch eine Wehrordnung aus dem Jahr 1982 festgelegt ist. Verschiedene Nutzeransprüche verfolgen hinsichtlich der Wasserstände und Abflüsse unterschiedliche Interessen. In diesem Beitrag werden die Grundlagen für eine adaptierte Klauswehrordnung vorgestellt, welche nicht nur die Verbesserung des Hochwasserschutzes, sondern auch andere Nutzeransprüche berücksichtigen. Gegenüber ersten Überlegungen aus einem Vorprojekt, in dem die Möglichkeit der prognosebasierten Vorabsenkung untersucht wurde, fokussiert dieser Beitrag auf eine saisonal optimierte Betriebsweise des Klauswehrs. Damit kann sowohl die Hochwassergefährdung durch hohe Seewasserstände verbessert, aber auch andere Nutzungen wie Energiewirtschaft, Tourismus und Ökologie positiv beeinflusst werden.
The intersection of oncology and oral health: exploring nurses’ insights and practices — a systematic review
Authors: Sajwani Arsheen Imran , AlShdaifat Mohammad , Hashi Fatima , Abdelghany Eman , Alananzeh Ibrahim
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Oral health care for cancer patients is essential but often overlooked. Nurses play a critical role in assessing and managing oral health in this population. This systematic review aims to examine nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral healthcare in cancer patients.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Qualitative and quantitative studies focused on nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in oral healthcare for cancer patients. Seven databases were searched for studies published between January 2000 and January 2023. The primary outcomes of interest were patient satisfaction, quality of life, and nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral healthcare.

Results

The review identified gaps in nurses’ knowledge and training in oral healthcare for cancer patients. Insufficient understanding of oral diagnoses, treatment protocols, and pediatric oral care was noted. Lack of knowledge and skills posed barriers to implementation. Some healthcare providers demonstrated low awareness of oral health recommendations, including the use of fluoridated toothpaste and the need for dental referrals. Referrals to dental services and regular oral assessments were infrequent. Attitudes towards oral healthcare varied, with providers feeling more comfortable in certain areas than others.

Conclusion

Enhancing nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in oral healthcare for cancer patients is crucial. Targeted educational initiatives and interventions are needed to address these gaps. By improving nurses’ understanding of oral complications and management approaches, patient outcomes and quality of life can be improved.

Registration: PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews, ID: CRD42022368053.
An intelligent Island detection scheme to enhance grid resilience
Authors: Shukla Apoorva , Dutta Soham , Sadhu Pradip Kumar , Dey Bishwajit
Published: January 2024

The importance of strengthening grid resilience has grown with the increase in environmental destruction and modern power grid complexity, as a consequence of power outages inflicted by human intrusion and extreme weather events. Micro-grids (MGs) have proven to be a viable alternative in such circumstances. However, these occurrences are highly unpredictable, resulting in unintended islands of MGs with negative consequences. As a response, alerting its distributed generations about unintended island is indeed a crucial issue for enhancing grid resilience with MG. Therefore, it is essential to develop a technique for the efficient and accurate detection of unintended islands. There has been an increase in the use of micro-phasor measurement units (µ-PMUs) in MG. In the perspective of this, using an efficient µ-PMU, the research provides a method for finding unintended islands in a MG. The µ-PMU analyses the solar generator bus voltage and analyzes it with symmetrical components for island identification. This study introduces a µ-PMU based Fortescue-transform and random forest algorithm method for rapid detection of unintended islanding in distribution generation system. The approach monitors voltage phasor of zero and negative sequence, calculating angular sum over time to distinguish islanding event from other disturbance. Using Matlab/Simulink, the proposed method is evaluated on the IEEE-34 node distribution network. Multiple simulations provide validation for the method’s resilient performance. The methodology proposed has a detection time of 20 ms.
On the settling of a spherical particle in slightly perturbed ambient fluid
Authors: Catalán J. M. , Moriche M. , Flores O. , García-Villalba M.
Published: January 2024

Direct numerical simulations of the settling of a spherical particle under the action of gravity in a slightly perturbed ambient fluid have been performed. The ambient perturbations are generated using a synthetic turbulence inflow generator method, and their length scale and intensity are varied to study their influence on the particle motion. The Galileo number is 151 and the solid-to-fluid density ratio is 1.5, so that in the absence of perturbations, the particle settles following a steady vertical trajectory. It has been found that the ambient perturbations trigger the formation of double-threaded vortical structures in the wake of the particle. These structures resemble those that appear in the oblique oscillating regime that is found in the absence of perturbations at higher Galileo numbers. Due to the flow perturbations the particle is pushed randomly in all directions, and this results in a combination of slow lateral drifts along fixed directions and relatively fast excursions in random directions. The particle response has been characterized using probability density functions of the velocity in the cross-plane and persistence probability. The slow drifts are strongly influenced by the size of the perturbations and by the rotational motion of the particle, while the intensity of the perturbations seems to play a minor role.
Comparison of laser ablation, simple excision, and flap reconstruction in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease
Authors: Tyrväinen Emmi , Nuutinen Henrik , Savikkomaa Elina , Myllykangas Heidi-Mari
Published: January 2024

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a common condition that typically affects young adults. PSD may cause significant morbidity due to its chronic nature and tendency to recur. Laser ablation has recently shown promising results in the treatment of PSD, but comparative studies are sparse. We aimed to compare laser ablation with two conventional treatment options: simple excision with direct closure and excision with flap reconstruction. This retrospective study material included patients who underwent PSD surgery in the plastic surgery department of a single academic teaching hospital. Patients were divided into three groups based on the operation technique: laser group, direct closure group, and flap group. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared between the groups including patient characteristics, residual disease, recurrent disease, complications, and re-operations. Among the 278 patients, 66 underwent laser treatment, 134 excision with direct closure, and 78 excision with flap closure. The follow-up time ranged from 15.4 ± 7.6 months in the laser group to 87.6 ± 29.3 months in the flap group. Eventless healing occurred in 67.7% of the patients in the laser group, 66.4% of the patients in the direct closure group, and 56.4% of the patients in the flap group. There was significantly more residual disease in the laser group whereas significantly more complications were found in the direct closure and flap groups. The advantages of laser treatment include fast postoperative recovery and reduced risk of complications.
Occupational exposure to diesel exhausts and liver and pancreatic cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sassano Michele , Collatuzzo Giulia , Teglia Federica , Boffetta Paolo
Published: January 2024

Background

Diesel exhaust (DE) is human carcinogen with sufficient evidence only for lung cancer. Systematic evidence on other cancer types is scarce, thus we aimed to systematically review current literature on the association between occupational DE exposure and risk of liver and pancreatic cancers.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review to identify cohort studies on occupational DE exposure and risk of cancers other than lung. We computed pooled relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for liver and pancreatic cancers using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model.

Results

Fifteen studies reporting results on pancreatic cancer and fourteen on liver cancer were included. We found a weakly increased risk of pancreatic cancer in workers exposed to DE (RR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.14), mainly driven by results on incidence (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22). As for liver cancer, results were suggestive of a positive association (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.19), although a significant estimate was present in studies published before 2000 (RR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.82). We found no compelling evidence of publication bias.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest an association between occupational DE exposure and liver and pancreatic cancer. Further studies with detailed exposure assessment, environmental monitoring data, and appropriate control for confounders are warranted.
Does Ethnicity Affect Ever Migrating and the Number of Migrations? The Case of Indonesia
Authors: Pardede Elda Luciana , Venhorst Viktor Andreas
Published: January 2024

This paper is the first to examine to what extent ethnicity affects ever migrating and the number of migrations across the lifespan for the case of internal migration in Indonesia. We use all five waves of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) to study migration behaviour of respondents belonging to some of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia. Our logistic regression results show that the Minangkabau, Betawi, Madurese, Balinese, Buginese and Makassarese, and Sasak, Bima and Dompu are less likely to ever migrate than the Javanese. Using only migrants and controlling for the first migration and other characteristics, truncated negative binomial regression results show that, in comparison with the Javanese, the Minangkabau and Banjarese have a higher expected number of migrations while the numbers are lower for the Betawi and Balinese. Thus, ethnicity contributes to ever migrating as well as the number of migrations, but we find that the differences between the ethnic groups diminish for the latter. These results also point out that a higher likelihood of ever migrating does not always correspond with a higher number of migrations, highlighting the importance of studying migration count to complement the study of migration as a one-time event.
Uncommon life history and winter spawning of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in a natural thermal spring, under temperate climate
Authors: Müller Tamás , Ferincz Árpád , Weiperth András , Ivánovics Bence , Tóth Balázs , Bógó Bence , Horváth József , Urbányi Béla , Specziár András
Published: January 2024

Common carp female generally matures at age 4–5 years old and spawns between April and July under the temperate climate. Contrary to a range of 0–28 °C of temperate freshwaters, the water temperature of Lake Hévíz (Hungary, Central Europe), the largest natural bathable thermal lake in the world, varies between 26 and 35 °C seasonally. The specific environmental conditions (continuously warm water and its individual chemical composition, special nutrient base, lack of natural lakeside spawning substrate compared to usual spawning grounds, continuous high human disturbance, etc.) suggest that the carp population here may also differ in reproductive characteristics from their counterparts in surrounding waters. Our findings suggest that the self-sustaining dwarf common carp population of Lake Hévíz matures 2 to 4 years earlier (at the age of one) and spawns 1 to 3 months before (between February and April, at 27–30 °C water temperature) than carp typically do in the temperate zone (16–20 °C). Successful winter spawning was verified by rearing larvae from the collected eggs and in situ induced propagation.
The Simons Observatory: Development and Optical Evaluation of Achromatic Half-Wave Plates
Authors: Sugiyama Junna , Terasaki Tomoki , Sakaguri Kana , Bixler Bryce , Sakurai Yuki , Arnold Kam , Crowley Kevin T. , Datta Rahul , Galitzki Nicholas , Hasegawa Masaya , Johnson Bradley R. , Keating Brian , Kusaka Akito , Lee Adrian , Matsumura Tomotake , Mcmahon Jeffrey , Silva-Feaver Maximiliano , Wang Yuhan , Yamada Kyohei
Published: January 2024

The Simons Observatory (SO) experiment is a cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment located in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The SO’s small aperture telescopes (SATs) consist of three telescopes designed for precise CMB polarimetry at large angular scales. Each SAT uses a cryogenic rotating half-wave plate (HWP) as a polarization modulator to mitigate atmospheric 1/f noise and other systematics. To realize efficient polarization modulation over the observation bands, we fabricated an achromatic HWP (AHWP) consisting of three sapphire plates with anti-reflection coatings. The AHWP is designed to have broadband modulation efficiency and transmittance. This paper reports on the design and the preliminary characterization of the AHWPs for SATs.
Single-Cell Transcription Mapping of Murine and Human Mammary Organoids Responses to Female Hormones
Authors: Ortiz Jenelys Ruiz , Lewis Steven M. , Ciccone Michael , Chatterjee Deeptiman , Henry Samantha , Siepel Adam , dos Santos Camila O.
Published: January 2024

During female adolescence and pregnancy, rising levels of hormones result in a cyclic source of signals that control the development of mammary tissue. While such alterations are well understood from a whole-gland perspective, the alterations that such hormones bring to organoid cultures derived from mammary glands have yet to be fully mapped. This is of special importance given that organoids are considered suitable systems to understand cross species breast development. Here we utilized single-cell transcriptional profiling to delineate responses of murine and human normal breast organoid systems to female hormones across evolutionary distinct species. Collectively, our study represents a molecular atlas of epithelial dynamics in response to estrogen and pregnancy hormones.