bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public perceptions of an avian reintroduction aiming to connect people with nature
Authors: White Rachel L. , Jones Lizzie P. , Groves Lucy , Hudson Michael A. , Kennerley Rosalind J. , Crowley Sarah L.
Published: September 2023

Species reintroductions are an increasingly popular conservation tool, typically aiming to achieve direct conservation benefits. Socio‐cultural drivers also exist but have, to date, received very little attention in research and policy.

As a case study, we focus on the recent and ongoing reintroduction of the white stork Ciconia ciconia to England, key drivers of which include connecting people with nature, providing local socio‐economic benefits and inspiring environmental restoration.

We surveyed 3531 people in Britain to establish and explore baseline perceptions toward white storks and their reintroduction, including their cultural salience. Findings were compared and evaluated between (i) self‐selecting and nationally representative samples and (ii) residents living close to release sites versus non‐locals.

In contrast to self‐selecting participants, most of the nationally representative sample had never heard of nor seen a white stork and were unaware of the reintroduction. Attitudes were more positive in the self‐selecting sample and neutral or uncertain in the nationally representative sample. Consequently, to assess views of both engaged communities and wider publics, we recommend reintroductions adopt a similar two‐mode sampling strategy to that used here when undertaking social feasibility assessments/public consultations.

Eighty‐six percent of participants supported the reintroduction overall. Reasons provided for support were diverse, relating to perceived or experienced socio‐cultural benefits and values, general biodiversity enrichment, and moral impetus to restore formerly native species. Criticisms, raised by a minority, related to uncertainty/disagreement about the white stork's formerly native status; rigour of the ecological risk assessment; and a perceived lack of transparency regarding how the project supports conservation efforts.

Given that reintroductions have underexplored potential to (re)establish socio‐cultural relationships between people, wildlife and landscapes, and these are increasingly cited as justifications for reintroductions, we encourage further discussion and research in this area.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Outcomes of fetal reduction versus expectant management in dichorionic triamniotic triplets
Authors: Meng Xinlu , Huang Jiaqi , Yuan Pengbo , Wang Xueju , Shi Xiaoming , Zhao Yangyu , Wei Yuan
Published: September 2023

Objective

To compare the outcomes of dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplets who underwent fetal reduction (FR) to singletons or twins with those managed expectantly.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of DCTA triplets with three living fetuses at 11–14 weeks over a 7‐year period. Pregnancy outcomes were compared following different management strategies.

Results

Of 108 included patients, 22 underwent expectant management (EM), 28 were reduced to dichorionic diamniotic twins, and 58 to singletons. The median gestational age at birth for EM, FR to twins, and singletons was 33.1 weeks, 37.0 weeks, and 38.6 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001). Prematurity before 37 and 34 weeks was less common following FR to singletons and twins than in ongoing triplets (18.9%, 46.2% and 90.5%, P < 0.001; 13.2%, 26.9% and 57.1%, P < 0.001). Neonatal birth weight was higher in triplets reduced to singletons and twins compared with EM cases (3140g, 2315g, and 1860g, P < 0.001). However, rates of miscarriage, pregnancies with ≥1 survivor, maternal complications, and adverse neonatal outcomes were comparable among the three groups.

Conclusions

In our experience, FR in DCTA triplets could reduce prematurity risk compared to EM, but it confers no survival advantage. Fetal reduction to singletons may result in more favorable outcomes than those reduced to dichorionic twins.
Validation of an ICD‐10 case‐finding algorithm for endometrial cancer in US insurance claims
Authors: Djibo Djeneba Audrey , Margulis Andrea V. , McMahill‐Walraven Cheryl N. , Saltus Catherine W. , Shuminski Patricia , Kaye James A. , Johannes Catherine B. , Libertin Mark , Graham Shelli
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of an endometrial cancer case finding algorithm using International Classification of Disease 10th revision Clinical Modification (ICD‐10‐CM) diagnosis codes from US insurance claims for implementation in a planned post‐marketing safety study. Two algorithm variants were evaluated.

Methods

Provisional incident endometrial cancer cases were identified from 2016 through 2020 among women aged ≥50 years. One algorithm variant used diagnosis codes for malignant neoplasms of uterine sites (C54.x), excluding C54.2 (malignant neoplasm of myometrium); the other used only C54.1 (malignant neoplasm of endometrium). A random sample of medical records of recent incident provisional cases (2018–2020) was requested for adjudication. Confirmed cases showed biopsy evidence of endometrial cancer, documentation of cancer staging, or hysterectomy following diagnosis. We estimated the PPV of the variants with 95% confidence intervals (CI) excluding cases that had insufficient information.

Results

Of 294 provisional cases adjudicated, 85% were from outpatient settings (n = 249). Mean age at diagnosis was 69.3 years. Among the 294 adjudicated cases (identified with the broader algorithm variant), the same 223 were confirmed endometrial cancer cases by both algorithm variants. The PPV (95% CI) for the broader algorithm variant was 84.2% (79.2% and 88.3%), and for the variant using only C54.1 was 85.8% (80.9% and 89.8%).

Conclusion

We developed and validated an algorithm using ICD‐10‐CM diagnosis codes to identify endometrial cancer cases in health insurance claims with a sufficiently high PPV to use in a planned post‐marketing safety study.
Grafted transnationalism: Rhythmic routines and disruptions of stay‐at‐home international students
Authors: Cai Siman , Fang Zhilan
Published: September 2023

Despite the lifting of COVID‐19 restrictions eventually, the destabilising consequences of the pandemic on migration persist and continue to worsen. Based on in‐depth interviews with 25 Chinese international students, this paper asks what new forms of education transnationality are being introduced by the intersection of digital mobility and physical immobility. Using Henri Lefebvre's (2004) rhythmanalysis, we understand stay‐at‐home international students' sensual and physical experiences as palpable aspects of daily existence that not only constitute transnational lived temporalities but also trigger ‘small accidents’, leading to potentially larger‐scale temporal changes. By attending to the dynamic interaction between their agency and the external structure, we conclude that situated corporeal and emotional suffering, embodied transitioning strategies, and changes to mobility pathways make up the fabric of the immobile everydayness of the new ‘grafted transnationalism’. This paper contributes to the existing scholarship on transnational education by highlighting the dual sense of exclusion that students experience in both corporeal and social time, as well as the multilayered possibilities of reorientation as their way of regaining control of dyssynchronous rhythmic encounters. It also sorts out the implications of lifetime geography on students’ differentially distributed vulnerability and susceptibility when facing life course disruptions.
Almost output regulation for turbofan switched systems under multi‐source disturbances and time delay
Authors: Liu Fan , Chen Mou , Shi Shuang , Li Tao
Published: September 2023

In allusion to the multi‐variable robust control for the turbofan engine with the large envelope, an almost output regulation (AOR) problem is discussed for a class of turbofan switched systems under multi‐source disturbances and time delay. The addressed disturbances include the regulated disturbance signal, the modeled disturbance from the input channel and the energy‐bounded disturbance. First of all, a disturbance observer is constructed to estimate the unknown disturbance in the system input. Then, by combining the output regulation method and the disturbance observer‐based control (DOBC) method, a switched composite regulation controller is developed to deal with the AOR problem of the turbofan switched systems and reject the adverse effects of disturbances. Through the multiple Lyapunov function method, a set of sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the AOR property with the performance and disturbance suppression ability. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by applying the composite anti‐disturbance regulator to the regulation of the speed and pressure ratio for the turbofan model.
Luminescent Mechanism and Anti‐Counterfeiting Application of Hydrophilic, Undoped Room‐Temperature Phosphorescent Silicon Nanocrystals
Authors: Guo Xin , Sun Xuening , Zhang Jinfeng , Huang Yuanfen , Liu Xiaohong , Liu Xin , Xu Weilin , Chen Dongzhi
Published: September 2023

Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) have attracted extensive attention in many advanced applications due to silicon's high natural abundance, low toxicity, and impressive optical properties. However, these applications are mainly focused on fluorescent SiNCs, little attention is paid to SiNCs with room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and their relative applications, especially water‐dispersed ones. Herein, this work presents water‐dispersible RTP SiNCs (UA‐SiNCs) and their optical applications. The UA‐SiNCs with a uniform particle size of 2.8 nm are prepared by thermal hydrosilylation between hydrogen‐terminated SiNCs (H‐SiNCs) and 10‐undecenoic acid (UA). Interestingly, the resultant UA‐SiNCs can exhibit tunable long‐lived RTP with an average lifetime of 0.85 s. The RTP feature of the UA‐SiNCs is confirmed to the n—π* transitions of their surface C═O groups. Subsequently, new dual‐modal emissive UA‐SiNCs‐based ink is fabricated by blending with sodium alginate (SA) as the binder. The customized anticounterfeiting labels are also prepared on cellulosic substrates by screen‐printing technique. As expected, UA‐SiNCs/SA ink exhibits excellent practicability in anticounterfeiting applications. These findings will trigger the rapid development of RTP SiNCs, envisioning enormous potential in future advanced applications such as high‐level anti‐counterfeiting, information encryption, and so forth.
Cobalt/Nitrogen Co‐Doped Carbon Materials Enhance the Reaction Rate of Sodium–Potassium Alloy Electrodes
Authors: Luo Yusheng , Xu Jiaxin , Mou Peizhi , Li Laiping , Chen Yong , Yan Lei , Yu Haoxiang , Shu Jie , Zhang Liyuan
Published: September 2023

Sodium–potassium (NaK) alloy electrodes are ideal for next‐generation dendrite‐free alkali metal electrodes due to their dendrite‐free nature. However, issues such as slow diffusion kinetics due to the large K+ radius and the loss of active potassium during the reaction severely limit its application. Here a novel cobalt/nitrogen‐doped carbon material is designed and it is applied to the construction of a NaK alloy electrode. The experimental and theoretical results indicate that the confining effect of the nitrogen‐doped graphitic carbon layer can protect the cobalt nanoparticles from corrosion leaching, while the presence of Co─Nx bonds and cobalt nanoparticles provides more active sites for the reaction, realizing the synergistic effect of adsorption‐catalytic modulation, lowering the K+ diffusion energy barrier and promoting charge transfer and ion diffusion. The application of this electrode to a symmetrical battery can achieve more than 1800 stable cycles under a current density of 0.4 mA cm−2 and a charge/discharge specific capacity of 122.64 mAh g−1 under a current of 0.5C in a full battery. This finding provides a new idea to realize a fast, stable, and efficient application of NaK alloy electrodes.
Healing Donor Defect States in CVD‐Grown MoS2Field‐Effect Transistors Using Oxygen Plasma with a Channel‐Protecting Barrier
Authors: Lee Inseong , Kang Mingu , Park Seohak , Park Cheolmin , Lee Hyeonji , Bae Sanggeun , Lim Hyeongjin , Kim Sungkyu , Hong Woonggi , Choi Sung‐Yool
Published: September 2023

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a metal dichalcogenide, is a promising channel material for highly integrated scalable transistors. However, intrinsic donor defect states, such as sulfur vacancies (Vs), can degrade the channel properties and lead to undesired n‐doping. A method for healing the donor defect states in monolayer MoS2is proposed using oxygen plasma, with an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) barrier layer that protects the MoS2channel from damage by plasma treatment. Successful healing of donor defect states in MoS2by oxygen atoms, even in the presence of an Al2O3barrier layer, is confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. Despite the decrease in 2D sheet carrier concentration (Δn2D= −3.82×1012cm−2), the proposed approach increases the on‐current and mobility by 18% and 44% under optimal conditions, respectively. Metal–insulator transition occurs at electron concentrations of 5.7×1012cm−2and reflects improved channel quality. Finally, the activation energy (Ea) reduces at all the gate voltages (VG) owing to a decrease in Vs, which act as a localized state after the oxygen plasma treatment. This study demonstrates the feasibility of plasma‐assisted healing of defects in 2D materials and electrical property enhancement and paves the way for the development of next‐generation electronic devices.
Strain Control of Mixed‐Halide Wide‐Bandgap Perovskites for Highly Efficient and Stable Solar Cells
Authors: Li Zhuoxin , Li Xing , Feng Xuzheng , Chen Xianggang , Chen Jieqiong , Cui Xiaoxia , La Sijia , Yuan Zhengbo , Zhang Zhao , Wang Xuanyu , Pan Jiahong , Liu Xuepeng , Dai Songyuan , Cai Molang
Published: September 2023

Mixed‐halide perovskites with wide‐bandgap (WBG) have been widely applied for tandem solar cells. Nevertheless, WBG perovskite solar cells (PSCs) easily suffer from photo‐induced phase segregation, deteriorating their device efficiency and stability. It is a desirable way that the suppression of phase segregation from the strain relaxation in mixed‐halide WBG perovskite films. Herein, p‐toluene sulfonate (p‐TS) can effectively release the residual strain in WBG perovskite films by occupying the empty orbitals of the uncoordinated Pb2+ and halide ion vacancies, as well as improving the crystallinity and passivating the defect states. The outcomes of this strain relaxation are observed to be highly effective in inhibiting phase segregation in WBG perovskite films. Based on the WBG perovskite with p‐TS, the significantly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.12% is accomplished with the lowest open‐circuit voltage deficits (410 mV) for the n‐i‐p PSCs with an optical bandgap of 1.66 eV. And satisfactory stability of PSC has been gained; the encapsulated device maintains efficiency over 82% of the original efficiency after 1000 h continuous illumination (1‐Sun, ≈40 °C). Besides, the p‐TS PSC maintains 98.9% of the initial PCE after 4000 h storage in the dry condition (≈10%–20% relative humidity, ≈30 °C).
Python meets JIT compilers: A simple implementation and a comparative evaluation
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Xu Lei , Xu Baowen
Published: September 2023

Developing a just‐in‐time (JIT) compiler can be a daunting task, especially for a language as flexible as Python. While PyPy, powered with JIT compilation, can often outperform the official pure interpreter, CPython, by a noteworthy margin, its popularity remains far from comparable to that of CPython due to some issues. Given that an easier‐to‐deploy and better‐compatible JIT compiler would benefit more Python users, we have developed comPyler, a simple JIT compiler functioning as a CPython extension and intended to convert frequently interpreted CPython bytecode into equivalent machine code. Designed with good compatibility in mind, it does not alter CPython's internal data structures or external interfaces. Based on LLVM's mature infrastructure, it can be readily ported to almost all platforms. Compared with CPython, it achieved the highest speedup of 2.205, with an average of 1.093. Despite its relatively limited effect, comPyler incurs low development costs. As a baseline compiler, it also sheds light on the improvement attainable by optimizing solely the overhead of bytecode interpretation. Furthermore, as there is still a dearth of empirical research covering the multitude of JIT compilers available for Python, we have conducted a performance study that examines Jython, IronPython, PyPy, GraalPy, Pyston, Pyjion, and our comPyler. Our research takes into account not only the benchmark speed for various time windows but also the boot latency and memory footprint. Through this comprehensive study, our objective is to assist developers in gaining a better understanding of the effects of distinct JIT compilation techniques and to aid users in making informed decisions when choosing among different Python implementations.
An original and efficient fertilizer for cherry tomato plants grown in urban agriculture: Feral pigeon guano
Authors: Duffaut Chloé , Brondeau Florence , Gasparini Julien
Published: September 2023

Recently, urban agriculture has spread rapidly in occidental cities taking the form of plant cultivation on the rooftops of urban buildings. In this context, it would be interesting to use a natural fertilizer present in cities like the pigeon (Columba livia) guano. In this study, we tested the effects of pigeon guano on the cherry tomato plant in an urban environment. On a rooftop at Ivry‐sur‐Seine (near Paris, France), we set up 30 cultivation bags (58.9 L volume) with two cherry tomato plants in each bag. In June 2017, we added about 15 g of pigeon guano in 1.5 L of water to each of the 15 “guano” bags and 1.5 L of water to each of the 15 “control” bags. After 15 days, we observed that the tomato plants were higher and tend to have more flowers in the guano treatment than in the control group. Finally, regarding the total number of cherry tomatoes harvested (total mass and number), it was around one to two times higher in the guano treatment than in the control. However, the average mass per fruit was not affected by the treatment. Overall, we showed that pigeon guano is an efficient local fertilizer for cherry tomato plants in urban areas.
Temperature‐dependent electrical conductivity impact on radiative and dissipative peristaltic transport of boron nitride‐ethylene glycol nanofluid through asymmetric channels
Authors: Hussein Sameh A. , Ahmed Sameh E. , Arafa Anas A. M. , Elshekhipy Abdelhafeez A.
Published: September 2023

Mathematical simulation of biological fluids is of upmost significance due to its numerous medical uses. Interpreting various biological flows necessitates a thorough knowledge of the peristaltic mechanism. This paper presents a computational study for the peristaltic pumping within vertical asymmetric channels filled with BN‐EG nanofluid under the influence of temperature‐dependent electrical conductivity and thermal radiation. Experimental study showed that the nanofluid created by suspending Boron Nitride particles in a combination of Ethylene Glycol exhibited non‐Newtonian characteristics. Further, the Carreau's fluid model provides accurate predictions about the rheological properties of BN‐EG nanofluid. Various configurations of the outer boundaries are considered, namely, square wave, multi‐sinusoidal wave, trapezoidal wave, and triangular wave. A uniform magnetic field together with nanoparticles and mass concentrations, joule heating, first‐order chemical reaction as well as viscous dissipation are considered. Influences of the Dufour and Soret numbers are examined, and the cases of biological scientific assumptions which is known as low Reynolds number and long wavelength are applied. All the computations are obtained numerically using Mathematica symbolical software (ND‐Solve), and the obtained results are presented in terms of the axial velocity u, heat transfer rate Z, concentration profile Ω, temperature profile θ, extra stress tensor , pressure gradient , pressure rise and stream function ψ. The major outcomes revealed that the maximizing in electrical conductivity coefficient, variable viscosity coefficient and magnetic field parameter is better to obtain a higher rate of the heat transfer while the increase in thermo‐diffusion effects as well as linear thermal radiation coefficient causes a reduction in the rate of heat transfer.
Thermal evaluation of MHD boundary‐layer flow of hybridity nanofluid via a 3D sinusoidal cylinder
Authors: Elsaid Essam M. , Abdel‐Wahed Mohamed S.
Published: September 2023

The study of the boundary layer is considered one of the most important theories in the field of heat and mass transfer because of its important explanation that shows us the behavior of different surfaces while they are under the influence of the flow accompanied by different thermal forces. The study of corrugated surfaces is one of the engineering applications, such as flow in heat exchangers or solar cells or cooling processes during surface heat treatments. This model is also used in medical applications such as flow in arteries or movement in the intestines. So, the work deals with investigating the boundary layer surrounding a three‐dimensional sinusoidal pipe; the boundary layer was assumed to be filled with a hybrid nanofluid consisting of water +Cu nanoparticles as the main fluid, supported by a small concentration of Al2O3 or Ag nanoparticles. The boundary layer is described by a set of nonlinear partial differential equations due to the continuity, momentum, and energy equations, which are transformed into a set of dependently coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The obtained system of equations was solved using numerical techniques. The behavior of the boundary layer under the varying types and concentrations of nanoparticles and the influence of the magnetic field has been depicted by a set of graphs and tables. With reference to some results, it is found that using 5% of nanoparticles of aluminum oxide raises the rate of cooling by 8% and using 5% of silver nanoparticles increases it by 5%.
Die katholische Welt und die Urologie im 20./21. Jahrhundert
Authors: Mildenberger Florian G.
Published: September 2023

Die katholische Welt ist geprägt durch päpstliche Vorgaben und ihre Interpretation im Wandel der Zeit durch berufene Theologen. Es bestehen strenge Verbote bei zentralen Fragestellungen über Leben und Tod, aber im Rahmen der praktischen Anwendung ärztlicher Behandlungstechniken bleibt der Vatikan häufig vage. Dies kann katholischen Urologen erlauben, eine Reihe von Therapien anzuwenden, die auf den ersten Blick problematisch erscheinen. Bedienen sich die Ärzte zudem einer anderen Ausdrucksweise als derjenigen, die in der Glaubenslehre genannt wird, besteht ein größerer Handlungsspielraum.
Impact of light pollution on aquatic invertebrates: Behavioral responses and ecological consequences
Authors: Ganguly Anirban , Candolin Ulrika
Published: September 2023

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a growing global problem altering the behavior of organisms and thereby community composition and ecosystem processes. Research has mostly focused on terrestrial ecosystems, but a growing number of studies show that aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected. Here, we provide a conceptual framework that describes how ALAN can influence aquatic ecosystems through effects on the behavior of ecologically important invertebrates. These organisms provide a range of critical ecological functions, from serving as food for other organisms to nutrient cycling and the translocation of energy and matter within and between ecosystems. In addition, we systematically searched the literature to assess the current state of the field and identify knowledge gaps. The literature search reveals that an increasing number of studies find light pollution to alter the behavior of aquatic invertebrates, such as their movements, habitat choice, and foraging behavior, but that the fitness consequences of these behavioral changes are largely unknown, as are their impacts on populations, communities, and ecosystems. Yet, assessing the consequences of behavioral changes for higher ecological levels is of vital importance given the central role of these invertebrates in ecosystems. Thus, more research needs to be directed to the ecological consequences of behavioral responses of aquatic invertebrates to light pollution. Overall, more effort should be made to assess the ecological consequences of behavioral responses to ALAN, and, importantly, how negative effects of light pollution could be mitigated.

Significance statement

Light pollution is of growing ecological concern and influencing ecosystems through effects on the behavior of organisms. Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly exposed and an ecologically important group of organisms in these systems are invertebrates. Here, we discuss how artificial light at night alters the behavior of aquatic invertebrates and how this in turn influences ecosystem structure and function. Such an understanding of the mechanisms and pathways that underlie the effect of light pollution on aquatic ecosystems is needed if we are to develop efficient strategies to reduce negative effects of human-made lighting systems on ecosystems.
Experimental study on the ablation of stainless steel using multiple ultra-short laser pulses with tunable time delays
Authors: Lickschat Peter , Engel Andy , Metzner Daniel , Horn Alexander , Weißmantel Steffen
Published: September 2023

Results on the ablation of stainless steel using ultra-short single, double and quadruple pulses as a function of the fluence and the time delay between each laser pulse are presented. The investigations focused quantitatively on the ablated volume and the resulting ablation efficiency, and qualitatively on the topography of the structures produced, providing insights about physical mechanisms such as shielding, re-deposition of ablated particles, and accumulation of heat or energy. The results indicate a significant influence of fluence in combination with the time delay on the ablation process and the resulting ablation topography.
Domain-specific neuropsychological investigation of CAA with and without intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Chan Edgar , Bonifacio Guendalina B. , Harrison Corin , Banerjee Gargi , Best Jonathan G. , Sacks Benjamin , Harding Nicola , del Rocio Hidalgo Mas Maria , Jäger H. Rolf , Cipolotti Lisa , Werring David J.
Published: September 2023

Background

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is associated with cognitive impairment, but the contributions of lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), underlying diffuse vasculopathy, and neurodegeneration, remain uncertain. We investigated the domain-specific neuropsychological profile of CAA with and without ICH, and their associations with structural neuroimaging features.

Methods

Data were collected from patients with possible or probable CAA attending a specialist outpatient clinic. Patients completed standardised neuropsychological assessment covering seven domains. MRI scans were scored for markers of cerebral small vessel disease and neurodegeneration. Patients were grouped into those with and without a macro-haemorrhage (CAA-ICH and CAA-non-ICH).

Results

We included 77 participants (mean age 72, 65% male). 26/32 (81%) CAA-non-ICH patients and 41/45 (91%) CAA-ICH patients were impaired in at least one cognitive domain. Verbal IQ and non-verbal IQ were the most frequently impaired, followed by executive functions and processing speed. We found no significant differences in the frequency of impairment across domains between the two groups. Medial temporal atrophy was the imaging feature most consistently associated with cognitive impairment (both overall and in individual domains) in both univariable and multivariable analyses.

Discussion

Cognitive impairment is common in CAA, even in the absence of ICH, suggesting a key role for diffuse processes related to small vessel disease and/or neurodegeneration. Our findings indicate that neurodegeneration, possibly due to co-existing Alzheimer’s disease pathology, may be the most important contributor. The observation that general intelligence is the most frequently affected domain suggests that CAA has a generalised rather than focal cognitive impact.
Eicosapentaenoic acid influences the pathogenesis of Candida albicans in Caenorhabditis elegans via inhibition of hyphal formation and stimulation of the host immune response
Authors: Mokoena N. Z. , Steyn H. , Hugo A. , Dix-Peek T. , Dickens C. , Gcilitshana O. M. N. , Sebolai O. , Albertyn J. , Pohl C. H.
Published: September 2023

The intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is associated with health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This fatty acid also exhibits antifungal properties in vitro. In order to determine if this antifungal property is valid in vivo, we examined how EPA affects Candidaalbicans pathogenesis in the Caenorhabditiselegans infection model, an alternative to mammalian host models. The nematodes were supplemented with EPA prior to infection, and the influence of EPA on C.elegans lipid metabolism, survival and immune response was studied. In addition, the influence of EPA on hyphal formation in C.albicans was investigated. It was discovered that EPA supplementation changed the lipid composition, but not the unsaturation index of C.elegans by regulating genes involved in fatty acid and eicosanoid production. EPA supplementation also delayed killing of C.elegans by C.albicans due to the inhibition of hyphal formation in vivo, via the action of the eicosanoid metabolite of EPA, 17,18-epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Moreover, EPA supplementation also caused differential expression of biofilm-related gene expression in C.albicans and stimulated the immune response of C.elegans. This provides a link between EPA and host susceptibility to microbial infection in this model.
Methodological and ethical challenges in the use of focused ultrasound for blood–brain barrier disruption in neuro-oncology
Authors: Thavarajasingam Santhosh G. , Kilgallon John L. , Ramsay Daniele S. C. , Aval Leila Motedayen , Tewarie Ishaan Ashwini , Kramer Andreas , Van Vuurden Dannis , Broekman Marike L. D.
Published: September 2023

Background

Focused ultrasound (FUS) shows promise for enhancing drug delivery to the brain by temporarily opening the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and it is increasingly used in the clinical setting to treat brain tumours. It remains however unclear whether FUS is being introduced in an ethically and methodologically sound manner. The IDEAL-D framework for the introduction of surgical innovations and the SYRCLE and ROBINS-I tools for assessing the risk of bias in animal studies and non-randomized trials, respectively, provide a comprehensive evaluation for this.

Objectives and methods

A comprehensive literature review on FUS in neuro-oncology was conducted. Subsequently, the included studies were evaluated using the IDEAL-D framework, SYRCLE, and ROBINS-I tools.

Results

In total, 19 published studies and 12 registered trials were identified. FUS demonstrated successful BBB disruption, increased drug delivery, and improved survival rates. However, the SYRCLE analysis revealed a high risk of bias in animal studies, while the ROBINS-I analysis found that most human studies had a high risk of bias due to a lack of blinding and heterogeneous samples. Of the 15 pre-clinical stage 0 studies, only six had formal ethical approval, and only five followed animal care policies. Both stage 1 studies and stage 1/2a studies failed to provide information on patient data confidentiality. Overall, no animal or human study reached the IDEAL-D stage endpoint.

Conclusion

FUS holds promise for enhancing drug delivery to the brain, but its development and implementation must adhere to rigorous safety standards using the established ethical and methodological frameworks. The complementary use of IDEAL-D, SYRCLE, and ROBINS-I tools indicates a high risk of bias and ethical limitations in both animal and human studies, highlighting the need for further improvements in study design for a safe implementation of FUS in neuro-oncology.
Changing the stroke network during pandemic scenarios does not affect the management of patients with a positive Cincinnati prehospital stroke scale
Authors: Fagoni Nazzareno , Bellini Lorenzo , Bonora Rodolfo , Botteri Marco , Migliari Maurizio , Pagliosa Andrea , Sechi Giuseppe Maria , Signorelli Carlo , Zoli Alberto , Stirparo Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Time plays a crucial role in the management of stroke, and changing the prehospital emergency network, altering the HUB and spoke relationship in pandemic scenarios, might have an impact on time to fibrinolysis or thrombectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time-dependent stroke emergency network in Lombardy region (Italy) by comparing 2019 with 2020 and early 2021. Three parameters were investigated: (i) time of arrival of the first vehicle at the scene, (ii) overall duration of missions, and (iii) number of patients transported by emergency vehicles.

Methods

Data analysis process conducted using the SAS-AREU portal (SAS Institute, USA).

Results

The number of patients with a positive CPSS was similar among the different pandemic waves. Mission duration increased from a mean time (SD) of 52.9 (16.1) min in 2019 to 64.1 (19.7) in 2020 and 55.0 (16.8) in 2021. Time to first vehicle on scene increased to 15.7 (8.4) min in 2020 and 16.0 (7.0) in 2021 compared to 2019, 13.6 (7.2) (P < 0.05). The number of hospital with available stroke units decreased from 46 in 2019 to 10 during the first pandemic wave.

Conclusions

The pandemic forced changes in the clinical mission of many hospitals by reducing the number of stroke units. Despite this, the organization of the emergency system allowed to identify strategic hospitals and thus avoid excessive transport time. The result was an adequate time for fibrinolysis/thrombectomy, in agreement with the guidelines. Coordinated management in emergency situations makes it possible to maintain service quality standards, despite the unfavorable scenario.
Impact of COVID-19 and system recovery in delivering healthcare to people with multiple sclerosis: a population-based Study
Authors: Affinito Giuseppina , Trama Ugo , Palumbo Laura , Fumo Maria Grazia , Giordana Roberta , Di Gennaro Massimo , Triassi Maria , Lanzillo Roberta , Morra Vincenzo Brescia , Palladino Raffaele , Moccia Marcello
Published: September 2023

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the management of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

To explore the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare delivery to people with MS and the subsequent recovery of the system.

Methods

In this population-based study in the Campania Region (Italy), we included people with MS across pre-COVID-19, lockdown, pre-vaccination, and vaccination periods. Differences in continuous outcomes between periods were explored using linear mixed models (annualized hospitalization rate (AHR) and adherence measured as medication possession ratio (MPR)). Differences in disease-modifying treatment (DMT) prescription rates (first DMT prescription, any DMT switch, switch from platform to highly effective DMT, and combination of first DMT prescription and any DMT switch) were assessed using an interrupted time series design.

Results

Compared with pre-COVID-19, AHR decreased during the lockdown (Coeff = 0.64;95%CI = -0.69, -0.59; p < 0.01), and remained lower during pre-vaccination and vaccination periods. Adherence decreased during pre-vaccination (Coeff = -0.04;95%CI = -0.05, -0.03; p < 0.01) and vaccination periods (Coeff = -0.07;95%CI = -0.08, -0.07; p < 0.01). After the lockdown, there was an increase in any DMT switch (IRR 2.05 95%CI 1.38,3.05; p < 0.01), in switch from platform to highly effective DMTs (IRR 4.45;95%CI 2.48,8.26; p < 0.01) and in first DMT prescriptions (IRR 2.48;95%CI 1.64,3.74; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

DMT prescriptions quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting good health system recovery. However, adherence has remained lower than the past, as from suboptimal care. Assessing long-term COVID-19 impact on MS healthcare is warranted.
Study of Effect of Incubation Time and Temperature on the Linear Polyacrylamide-Coating Performance for the Separation of Proteins by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
Authors: Andrasi Melinda , Zagyi Balint , Hamidli Narmin
Published: September 2023

The preparation of linear polyacrylamide (LPA)-coated capillary is a multistep, laborious process. In this study, five different LPA-coating procedures were compared regarding the capillary pretreatment (incubation time and temperature), the formation of the intermediate silyl layer and the attachment of the polymer top layer. LPA coatings were examined by the analysis of a standard mixture solution of insulin, rituximab and hemoglobin using a background electrolyte (BGE) of 50 mM HCOOH (pH 2.6). The results were contrasted with those that were obtained using the bare fused-silica capillary. The reproducibility of the simplest LPA-coating preparation was tested. The long-term stability of the capillary coating was evaluated through inter-day precision data using a large number of injections of the three-protein test mixture solution. The implementation of a short-term procedure at elevated temperature, guided by a comprehensive review of various conditions documented in the literature, yielded an efficiently functional LPA coating.
Hybridisation and genomic diversity in British and Irish pigeons Columba livia
Authors: Smith William J. , Clegg Sonya M.
Published: September 2023

Human introductions of animals and plants have caused a diverse array of conservation problems, including extinction by hybridisation. This results from interbreeding of non-native and native populations, causing genomic homogenisation. A potential benefit of anthropogenic hybridisation concerns the influx of genetic variation. The Rock Dove Columba livia has been genetically replaced across much of its range by the feral pigeon. Relict populations in the British Isles have experienced varying levels of wild-feral gene flow. Introgression correlates with higher genomic diversity, potentially improving chances of persistence of relict Rock Dove populations. However, the beneficial impacts of interbreeding may be short-lived if hybridisation levels increase.
Symmetries and Exact Solutions of the Diffusive Holling–Tanner Prey-Predator Model
Authors: Cherniha Roman , Davydovych Vasyl’
Published: September 2023

We consider the classical Holling–Tanner model extended on 1D space by introducing the diffusion term. Making a reasonable simplification, the diffusive Holling–Tanner system is studied by means of symmetry based methods. Lie and $Q$
Q
-conditional (nonclassical) symmetries are identified. The symmetries obtained are applied for finding a wide range of exact solutions, their properties are studied and a possible biological interpretation is proposed. 3D plots of the most interesting solutions are drown as well.
Enhancing the Assessment of Coercive Control in Spanish Femicide Cases: A Nationally Representative Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Viñas-Racionero Rosa , Raghavan Chitra , Soria-Verde Miguel Ángel , Scalora Mario J. , Santos-Hermoso Jorge , González-Álvarez José Luís , Garrido-Antón María José
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Coercive control is a power dynamic central to intimate partner violence (IPV) and consists of tactics to limit one’s partner’s autonomy through constraint, regulation of everyday life, isolation, pursuit, and intimidation and physical force. Such tactics may potentially signal a risk for future lethal or near lethal violence; hence, proper evaluation may enhance the utility of clinical femicide risk assessments. The goal of this study is to explore coercive control behaviors preceding partner femicides in Spain with the intention to provide guidance for its assessment by first responders and law enforcement.

Methods

Researchers from the Department of State for Security of the Ministry of Interior collected a nationally representative sample of 150 femicides (2006–2016). Qualitative data included 958 semi-structured interviews with victims and offenders’ social networks, which provided information about relationship dynamics leading up to the murders. Additionally, 225 interviews with law enforcement and occasionally offenders were used to corroborate and contextualize victim and offender social networks.

Results

Qualitative analysis indicated four indicators of coercive control (i.e., microregulation and restriction, victim isolation, surveillance and pursuit, and physical violence), which were present in 85% of the cases. While these indicators were commonly present, their manifestation varied based on relationship history and victims’ responses.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that incorporating coercive control indicia into clinical femicide risk assessments is useful and may enhance their accuracy.
A new magnetorheological quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolation system with large zero stiffness range and highly stable characteristics
Authors: Deng Lei , Sun Shuaishuai , Wu Qihao , Gong Ning , Yang Jiang , Zhang Shiwu , Du Haiping , Li Weihua
Published: September 2023

Various quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) systems have been developed and applied in the vibration control domain in recent years. However, most QZS systems are usually unstable against external disturbances, and their QZS ranges are very limited. To address these issues, this study develops a highly stable QZS vibration isolation system integrated with magnetorheological fluids (MRFs). The MRFs endow the vibration isolation system with stiffness variability in vertical and lateral directions to against external disturbances, which innovatively solves the unstable problem of QZS systems. Meanwhile, the stiffness variability also makes the system adaptable to vibrations with different frequencies, so the system can deliver the best vibration isolation performance in response to various excitations. The system consists of a vertical isolation unit and a lateral isolation unit. By paralleling a nonlinear positive stiffness QZS component with a nonlinear negative stiffness QZS component in the vertical isolation unit, a large QZS range in the vertical direction and smaller stiffness are realised, thus improving the vibration isolation performance. In this study, the vibration isolation system is designed and prototyped; its QZS characteristics and adjustable stiffness features in both the vertical and lateral directions are experimentally verified; the frequency responses of the system are obtained experimentally; and the stability and the vibration isolation performance of the system are also evaluated by experiments with the designed control algorithms. This study provides a solution to overcome the unstable problem of QZS systems and extend the limited QZS range, whilst realising QZS characteristics in both vertical and lateral directions, thus broadening the application of QZS systems.
The case for partisan motivated reasoning
Authors: Williams Daniel
Published: September 2023

A large body of research in political science claims that the way in which democratic citizens think about politics is motivationally biased by partisanship. Numerous critics argue that the evidence for this claim is better explained by theories in which party allegiances influence political cognition without motivating citizens to embrace biased beliefs. This article has three aims. First, I clarify this criticism, explain why common responses to it are unsuccessful, and argue that to make progress on this debate we need a more developed theory of the connections between group attachments and motivated reasoning. Second, I develop such a theory. Drawing on research on coalitional psychology and the social functions of beliefs, I argue that partisanship unconsciously biases cognition by generating motivations to advocate for party interests, which transform individuals into partisan press secretaries. Finally, I argue that this theory offers a superior explanation of a wide range of relevant findings than purely non-motivational theories of political cognition.
Detection of feline morbillivirus in cats with symptoms of acute febrile infection
Authors: Ito Genta , Tabata Shoichi , Matsuu Aya , Hatai Hitoshi , Goto-Koshino Yuko , Kuramoto Tomohide , Doi Sakiko , Momoi Yasuyuki
Published: September 2023

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was identified for the first time in cats in 2012 in Hong Kong. Although its association with chronic kidney disease in cats has attracted the attention of researchers, its clinical significance as an acute infection has not been reported. Previously, we reported FeMV detection using next-generation sequence-based comprehensive genomic analysis of plasma samples from cats with suspected acute febrile infections. Here, we conducted an epidemiological survey to detect FeMV by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using blood samples from cats in Japan. FeMV was detected in 32/102 blood samples (31.4%) from cats with suspected acute viral infections. Most of the FeMV-positive cats had clinical findings consistent with acute viral infections, including fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and jaundice. No FeMV was detected in healthy cats or clinically ill cats that visited veterinary hospitals. Phylogenetic analysis classified FeMV L genes into various FeMV subtypes. We also necropsied a FeMV-positive cat that died of a suspected acute infection. On necropsy, FeMV was detected in systemic organs, including the kidneys, lymph nodes and spleen by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. These results suggest that FeMV infections may cause acute symptomatic febrile infections in cats. A limitation of this study was that the involvement of other pathogens that cause febrile illnesses could not be ruled out and this prevented a definitive conclusion that FeMV causes febrile disease in infected cats. Further studies that include experimental infections are warranted to determine the pathogenicity of FeMV in cats.