bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gray matter volume alterations in de novo Parkinson's disease: A mediational role in the interplay between sleep quality and anxiety
Authors: He Guixiang , Huang Xiaofang , Sun Haihua , Xing Yi , Gu Siyu , Ren Jingru , Liu Weiguo , Lu Ming
Published: July 2024

Objective

Parkinson's disease (PD) is increasingly recognized for its non‐motor symptoms, among which emotional disturbances and sleep disorders frequently co‐occur. The commonality of neuroanatomical underpinnings for these symptoms is not fully understood. This study is intended to investigate the differences in gray matter volume (GMV) between PD patients with anxiety (A‐PD) and those without anxiety (NA‐PD). Additionally, it seeks to uncover the interplay between GMV variations and the manifestations of anxiety and sleep quality.

Methods

A total of 37 A‐PD patients, 43 NA‐PD patients, and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited, all of whom underwent voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) analysis. Group differences in GMV were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Partial correlation between GMV, anxiety symptom, and sleep quality were analyzed. Mediation analysis explored the mediating role of the volume of GMV‐distinct brain regions on the relationship between sleep quality and anxiety within the PD patient cohort.

Results

A‐PD patients showed significantly lower GMV in the fusiform gyrus (FG) and right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) compared to HCs and NA‐PD patients. GMV in these regions correlated negatively with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores (right ITG: r = −0.690, p < 0.001; left FG: r = −0.509, p < 0.001; right FG: r = −0.576, p < 0.001) and positively with sleep quality in PD patients (right ITG: r = 0.592, p < 0.001; left FG: r = 0.356, p = 0.001; right FG: r = 0.470, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that GMV in the FG and right ITG mediated the relationship between sleep quality and anxiety symptoms, with substantial effect sizes accounted for by the right ITG (25.74%) and FG (left: 11.90%, right: 15.59%).

Conclusion

This study has shed further light on the relationship between sleep disturbances and anxiety symptoms in PD patients. Given the pivotal roles of the FG and the ITG in facial recognition and the recognition of emotion‐related facial expressions, our findings indicate that compromised sleep quality, under the pathological conditions of PD, may exacerbate the reduction in GMV within these regions, impairing the recognition of emotional facial expressions and thereby intensifying anxiety symptoms.
Land Value, and Urban Transport and Amenities: Evidence From Antananarivo, Madagascar
Authors: Iimi Atsushi
Published: July 2024

Although urbanization is an engine of growth, many African cities are overly crowded with massive traffic congestion and high housing prices, pushing the poor away to unfavorable settlements or remote suburban areas and making them commute long. The paper sheds light on the relationship between land value and urban attributes in a rapidly growing African city, Antananarivo, Madagascar. It shows that the land value gradient is steep with an elasticity of −0.78 with respect to trip time to the city center. Thus, housing prices are overshooting. Better urban planning is needed through improving transport accessibility by minibus. Other urban infrastructure services, such as piped water and garbage collection, and urban amenities are also important to add to land values. Spatial heterogeneity is found across different locations in the city. While some areas require clean water and climate resilience, others need more city amenities, such as parks.
Shaping our bodies to our shape our selves: A theological remedy to the discontented pursuit of the body I want to be
Authors: Whitaker Maja I.
Published: July 2024

The late modern person has a complicated relationship with the body: despite a contemporary “return to the body,” the body is still conceived as a project which the person must advance and revise in order to both express and shape their sense of self‐identity. For all people this project is destined to failure at some point, and it has a range of concerning implications along the way. In thrall to the prevailing cultural ideologies that idolize projection, progress, and proficiency, our approach to the body is more likely to be characterized by manipulation and striving than the divine affirmation that “it is good” (Gen 1). This dynamic underlies the modern epidemic of ill health, eating disorders, disordered eating, “obesity,” and body‐shaming. Contemporary Christians are poorly insulated from the perils of a culture that is simultaneously body‐obsessed and body‐denying. A barely perceptible Gnosticism undergirds much of the popular theology of the body in practice, and the church has done little to address these ills, instead becoming mired in other body issues centered around sexuality and reproduction. The church has even absorbed the aims of the “wellness” industry and diet culture, sprinkling them Christianese and Christian celebrity endorsements. What can a biblical Christian thought and practice offer as a remedy? Ultimately, the human person need not strive to establish his or her identity, instead it is held secure in Christ. Both beauty and health, theologically defined, emerge from the integration of self and body, and the participation of the whole person in the divine life.
Forecasting animal distribution through individual habitat selection: insights for population inference and transferable predictions
Authors: Winter Veronica A. , Smith Brian J. , Berger Danielle J. , Hart Ronan B. , Huang John , Manlove Kezia , Buderman Frances E. , Avgar Tal
Published: July 2024

Habitat selection models frequently use data collected from a small geographic area over a short window of time to extrapolate patterns of relative abundance into unobserved areas or periods of time. However, such models often poorly predict the distribution of animal space‐use intensity beyond the place and time of data collection, presumably because space‐use behaviors vary between individuals and environmental contexts. Similarly, ecological inference based on habitat selection models could be muddied or biased due to unaccounted individual and context dependencies. Here, we present a modeling workflow designed to allow transparent variance‐decomposition of habitat‐selection patterns, and consequently improved inferential and predictive capacities. Using global positioning system (GPS) data collected from 238 individual pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, across three years in Utah, USA, we combine individual‐year‐season‐specific exponential habitat‐selection models with weighted mixed‐effects regressions to both draw inference about the drivers of habitat selection and predict space‐use in areas/times where/when pronghorn were not monitored. We found a tremendous amount of variation in both the magnitude and direction of habitat selection behavior across seasons, but also across individuals, geographic regions, and years. We were able to attribute portions of this variation to season, movement strategy, sex, and regional variability in resources, conditions, and risks. We were also able to partition residual variation into inter‐ and intra‐individual components. We then used the results to predict population‐level, spatially and temporally dynamic, habitat‐selection coefficients across Utah, resulting in a temporally dynamic map of pronghorn distribution at a 30 × 30 m resolution but an extent of 220 000 km2. We believe our transferable workflow can provide managers and researchers alike a way to turn limitations of traditional habitat selection models – variability in habitat selection – into a tool to understand and predict species‐habitat associations across space and time.
Deficit aversion: Mercantilist ideas and individual trade preferences
Authors: Spater Jeremy
Published: July 2024

What factors affect trade preferences? This article focuses on current‐account balances, which despite being de‐emphasized by mainstream economic theory, play an outsized role in political rhetoric regarding the costs and benefits of free trade. This article shows that individual preferences over trade openness reflect the mercantilist belief that when a country is running a current‐account deficit, trade reduces that country's aggregate employment prospects and diminishes its status on the world stage. This article shows that current‐account balances are an important driver of individual trade preferences. The theory's predictions are borne out by hierarchical analysis of cross‐national observational survey data, and further supported by the results of an original survey priming experiment in the United States. These results contribute to a growing literature emphasizing the effect of macroeconomic factors on preferences.
Neural networks associated with eye movements in congenital blindness
Authors: Koba Cemal , Crimi Alessandro , Collignon Olivier , Ricciardi Emiliano , Hasson Uri
Published: July 2024

Recent studies have shown that during the typical resting‐state, echo planar imaging (EPI) time series obtained from the eye orbit area correlate with brain regions associated with oculomotor control and lower‐level visual cortex. Here, we asked whether congenitally blind (CB) shows similar patterns, suggesting a hard‐wired constraint on connectivity. We find that orbital EPI signals in CB do correlate with activity in the motor cortex, but less so with activity in the visual cortex. However, the temporal patterns of this eye movement‐related signal differed strongly between CB and sighted controls. Furthermore, in CB, a few participants showed uncoordinated orbital EPI signals between the two eyes, each correlated with activity in different brain networks. Our findings suggest a retained circuitry between motor cortex and eye movements in blind, but also a moderate reorganization due to the absence of visual input, and the inability of CB to control their eye movements or sense their positions.
Ethical issues concerning UK veterinary surgeons practicing in equine sports medicine
Authors: Allen Kate , King Mike , Anderson Lynley , Mullan Siobhan
Published: July 2024

Background

The ethics of equine sports medicine is a complex subject that is currently understudied. It combines veterinary ethics, sports ethics and associated regulation. Equine sports medicine may raise unique ethical issues and combines common ethical issues in ways distinct from other forms of veterinary medicine.

Objectives

The purpose of this research was to identify and describe ethical issues concerning United Kingdom (UK) veterinary surgeons arising within the practice of equine sports medicine.

Study design

Survey.

Methods

An online questionnaire was distributed to UK veterinary surgeons via veterinary organisations and veterinary social media. Responses to questions were collated and descriptive analysis performed. Open ended responses were analysed thematically.

Results

Ninety‐seven respondents completed the questionnaire. The most commonly identified ethical challenges were the conflicts of interest and the pressures faced by the veterinary surgeon. The primary competing interest was balancing the horse's health and welfare with client wishes for the horse to continue in training and competition. Specific ethical challenges were identified; these related to competition integrity, medication control and prohibited substances, treatment evidence and acceptability, among others.

Main limitations

As anticipated with the use of a questionnaire, the responses did not provide in‐depth information about an individual veterinary surgeon's experiences, however, it did provide evidence of the extensive range of issues and concerns facing this group. There is also potential for response bias, whereby respondents may have provided answers they perceived were ethically desirable.

Conclusions

This is the first empirical study that explores the ethical issues faced by equine sports medicine veterinary surgeons and has identified wide ranging concerns that demand further study. Areas which may pose reputational risk to equestrian sport, or the veterinary profession were identified. Governing bodies should consider how to improve support for veterinary surgeons facing ethical challenges, as for some, these cause moral distress and may impact retention within the profession.
Development of Fewer Falls in MS—An Online, Theory‐Based, Fall Prevention Self‐Management Programme for People With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Johnson Susanna Tuvemo , Ytterberg Charlotte , Peterson Elizabeth , Johansson Sverker , Kierkegaard Marie , Gottberg Kristina , Flink Maria
Published: July 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe the process used to develop a theory‐based, online fall prevention self‐management programme for ambulatory and non‐ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Methods

The development process was guided by the Medical Research Council framework of complex interventions and began with a scoping review of the literature on self‐management of falls in pwMS. Subsequent phases of development were performed through iterative and concurrent processes and were informed by the perspectives of pwMS and healthcare professionals with MS expertise.

Results

Through a systematic and iterative process in close collaboration with pwMS and healthcare professionals, a theory‐based online fall prevention self‐management programme, Fewer Falls in MS, for ambulatory and non‐ambulatory pwMS was developed. The programme is grounded in theory and pedagogical models and features utilization of action plans to address diverse influences on fall risks.

Conclusions

A carefully operationalized definition of self‐management and an iterative co‐development process were essential to the creation of the Fewer falls in MS programme. Continuation of the co‐development process and collaboration with end users was needed to refine the programme.

Patient or Public Contribution

PwMS and healthcare professionals were involved throughout the development process of the programme. The patient organization Neuro Sweden was contacted in the initial phase to discuss the relevance of a self‐management programme to prevent falls in MS. They supported the research group (all authors) in identification of and contact with pwMS with interest to participate. Three members of the research group (S.T.J., M.F. and C.Y.), that is, the operative group, met neuro Sweden and one pwMS to further discuss the relevance of a self‐management programme to prevent falls. To develop the process and content of the fall prevention programme, a co‐design process was performed together with pwMS and healthcare professionals. The results of the co‐design process are presented in this manuscript. In addition to participating in the co‐design process, pwMS and healthcare professionals provided feedback to the research group on programme process and content on several occasions during the subsequent programme development process. In a pretest (Beta version) of the programme, four pwMS acted as test subjects and provided additional feedback on the programme to the research group.

Trial Registration

NCT04317716.
Effectiveness of Technology‐Delivered Psychosocial Interventions for Family Caregivers of Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Meta‐Analysis and Meta‐Regression
Authors: Cheng Jing Ying , Nurul Saatirah Bte Mohamad S. , Cheng Ling Jie , He Hong‐Gu
Published: July 2024

Family caregivers living with patients with dementia (PwD) face psychological challenges due to care burden. Technology‐delivered psychosocial interventions (TPIs) have played a promising role in improving health outcomes among family caregivers living with PwD. This review aims to synthesise evidence of the effectiveness of TPIs on primary (burden and depression) and secondary outcomes (self‐efficacy, stress and anxiety) for family caregivers living with PwD. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed to determine effect size. Using Cochran's Q and I2 tests, statistical heterogeneity was evaluated. Sensitivity, subgroup analyses and meta‐regression were employed to explain statistical heterogeneity. Twenty‐eight trials comprising 4160 family caregivers from eight countries were included. Our meta‐analysis revealed that TPIs resulted in slight reduction in depression, probably resulted in a slight reduction in burden and anxiety and slight increase in self‐efficacy. Subgroup differences were detected in geographical regions (Western Pacific and Southeast Asia) for burden. While there were no significant subgroup differences in other factors, TPIs with preventive function and mobile applications had a more prominent larger effect size. Meta‐regression analysis showed that attrition rate was a significant moderator on depression. Results are limited by the high risk of bias of included trials, which may reduce certainty of evidence. This review suggest TPIs are recommended as an adjunct treatment for alleviating burden and depressive outcomes in healthcare institutions.

PROSPERO Registration Number: PROSPERO (CRD42023387962).
Unjustified use of amber necklaces for teething symptoms alleviation: Succinic acid release underperforms compared with natural skin bacteria production
Authors: de Azevedo Marcelle Maciel Fernandes , de Araújo Caroline Souza , Fernandes‐Freitas Liana Bastos , Soviero Vera Mendes , Valente Ana Paula , Kelly da Silva Fidalgo Tatiana
Published: July 2024

Background

There is limited evidence of succinic acid release from amber necklace that justifies its biological plausibility.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the release of succinic acid from Baltic amber beads in the presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Design

The Baltic amber beads from the necklace were stratified according to their weight (average 0.05 g ± 0.067). Subsequently, the beads (n = 8) were submerged in 0.9% buffered saline (Control) or brain–heart infusion culture medium in the presence of a commercial strain of S. epidermidis, a resident skin bacterium incubated at 37°C for 24 h or 7 days. The samples were centrifuged, and the supernatants were analyzed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Multivariate analyses were adopted using the sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis method (p < .05).

Results

The group incubated with saline solution showed small release of succinic acid only after 7 days. In the groups with S. epidermidis, the release of succinic acid was observed in the both presence and absence of amber beads, indicating that succinic acid is a product released by bacteria.

Conclusions

It was found that amber beads do not exhibit the ability to release expressive succinic acid, especially in a short period of time, which does not justify their use in infants. The most production of succinic acid is tributed to S. epidermidis.
Role of palmitoylation on the neuronal glycine transporter GlyT2
Authors: Felipe R. , Sarmiento‐Jiménez J. , Camafeita E. , Vázquez J. , López‐Corcuera B.
Published: July 2024

The neuronal glycine transporter GlyT2 removes glycine from the synaptic cleft through active Na+, Cl−, and glycine cotransport contributing to the termination of the glycinergic signal as well as supplying substrate to the presynaptic terminal for the maintenance of the neurotransmitter content in synaptic vesicles. Patients with mutations in the human GlyT2 gene (SLC6A5), develop hyperekplexia or startle disease (OMIM 149400), characterized by hypertonia and exaggerated startle responses to trivial stimuli that may have lethal consequences in the neonates as a result of apnea episodes. Post‐translational modifications in cysteine residues of GlyT2 are an aspect of structural interest we analyzed. Our study is compatible with a reversible and short‐lived S‐acylation in spinal cord membranes, detectable by biochemical and proteomics methods (acyl‐Rac binding and IP‐ABE) confirmed with positive and negative controls (palmitoylated and non‐palmitoylated proteins). According to a short‐lived modification, direct labeling using click chemistry was faint but mostly consistent. We have analyzed the physiological properties of a GlyT2 mutant lacking the cysteines with high prediction of palmitoylation and the mutant is less prone to be included in lipid rafts, an effect also observed upon treatment with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2‐bromopalmitate. This work demonstrates there are determinants of lipid raft inclusion associated with the GlyT2 mutated cysteines, which are presumably modified by palmitoylation.

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Immune gene regulation is associated with age and environmental adversity in a nonhuman primate
Authors: Watowich Marina M. , Costa Christina E. , Chiou Kenneth L. , Goldman Elisabeth A. , Petersen Rachel M. , Patterson Sam ,   Cayo Biobank Research Unit, Martínez Melween I. , Sterner Kirstin N. , Horvath Julie E. , Montague Michael J. , Platt Michael L. , Brent Lauren J. N. , Higham James P. , Lea Amanda J. , Snyder‐Mackler Noah
Published: July 2024

Phenotypic aging is ubiquitous across mammalian species, suggesting shared underlying mechanisms of aging. Aging is linked to molecular changes to DNA methylation and gene expression, and environmental factors, such as severe external challenges or adversities, can moderate these age‐related changes. Yet, it remains unclear whether environmental adversities affect gene regulation via the same molecular pathways as chronological, or ‘primary’, aging. Investigating molecular aging in naturalistic animal populations can fill this gap by providing insight into shared molecular mechanisms of aging and the effects of a greater diversity of environmental adversities – particularly those that can be challenging to study in humans or laboratory organisms. Here, we characterised molecular aging – specifically, CpG methylation – in a sample of free‐ranging rhesus macaques living off the coast of Puerto Rico (n samples = 571, n individuals = 499), which endured a major hurricane during our study. Age was associated with methylation at 78,661 sites (31% of all sites tested). Age‐associated hypermethylation occurred more frequently in areas of active gene regulation, while hypomethylation was enriched in regions that show less activity in immune cells, suggesting these regions may become de‐repressed in older individuals. Age‐associated hypomethylation also co‐occurred with increased chromatin accessibility while hypermethylation showed the opposite trend, hinting at a coordinated, multi‐level loss of epigenetic stability during aging. We detected 32,048 CpG sites significantly associated with exposure to a hurricane, and these sites overlapped age‐associated sites, most strongly in regulatory regions and most weakly in quiescent regions. Together, our results suggest that environmental adversity may contribute to aging‐related molecular phenotypes in regions of active gene transcription, but that primary aging has specific signatures in non‐regulatory regions.
MoPill a novel gastrointestinal positioning system (GPS): New technology to navigate the alimentary tract highway
Authors: Sarosiek Irene , Espino Karina , Lembo Anthony , McCallum Richard W.
Published: July 2024

Background

Evaluation of gut motility in clinical practice is currently limited. A novel medical system (MoPill™) consisting of a capsule that wirelessly transmits radiofrequency signals to assess motility via 3D location, was used to conduct this study. The objectives were to: (1) confirm the safety of the MoPill™ system; (2) compare the 3D location transmitted by the capsule to its location captured by abdominal x‐rays; 3 determine gastric emptying (GE), whole gut transit time (WGTT) and segmental transit times.

Methods

The MoPill™ system consists of an electronic capsule (2 × 1.2 cm), eight color‐coded adhesive sensors (6 × 5.5 cm), a recorder (15 × 11 × 2 cm), and software on a laptop. Four sensors were applied to the abdomen and four to the back. Healthy subjects who had fasted overnight ingested a 250‐calorie protein bar, 17 oz. of water, followed by an activated capsule. No further caloric contents were permitted for the next 5 h. At 1, 5, and 24 h (if the capsule had not been expelled), upright abdominal X‐rays (AP and lateral) were obtained to assess the location of the capsule, which was compared to the gastrointestinal positioning system (GPS) location determined by the MoPill™ system. Identification of the capsule's anatomical location by the MoPill™ system was based on (1) the 3D (x, y, z) location; (2) time; (3) trajectory (e.g., going up the right side of the body signified ascending colon); (4) frequency of contractions (e.g., 3 cycles/min for the stomach); and (5) milestone relationship (e.g., pyloric passage must follow the end of gastric contractions). GE was determined first by the end of the 3 cycles/min rhythmic movement of the stomach and then again by pyloric expulsion on 3D location. Small intestine transit was taken as the duration from pyloric expulsion to arrival in the cecum. Colon transit time was determined by calculating the duration from 3D arrival in the cecum to passage of the capsule out of the body (i.e., loss of signal accompanying a bowel movement).

Key Results

Ten healthy subjects (five women; mean age 34; mean BMI 24) were enrolled, and nine provided reliable data. The variation between the x‐ray and the estimated (i.e., identified by the MoPill™ system) location of the capsule was within an average of 3.5 cm (range 0.9–9.4 cm). The mean GE was 3.1 h. The small intestine's mean transit time was 4.3 h. The mean colonic transit time was 17.6 h. There were no adverse events recorded during the study.

Conclusions & Inferences

MoPill™ is a novel gastrointestinal positional system that accurately identifies the location of a capsule compared to an X‐ray. MoPill™ system also recognizes GE, small bowel, colonic, and WGTT as well as segmental gut location and movement characteristics. MoPill™ offers the potential for new insights into GI motility disorders not attainable by current modalities.
The gene CmPYL6 strongly contributes to cold tolerance in oriental melon
Authors: Liu W. , Lv Y. , Zhang L. , Jiang Y. , Liu S. , Wang Z. , Zhang J. , He M.
Published: July 2024

The current simple and crude facilities make melon production more susceptible to cold stress during off‐season cultivation in China. The ABA signalling pathway is an important target for breeding cold‐tolerant melon.

Cold‐tolerant No. 330 and cold‐sensitive No. 410 oriental melon genotypes were used to analyse the relationship between ABA and cold tolerance. 12 CmPYLs, ABA receptors, were identified from the melon genome database according to sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Gene function of CmPYL6 in cold tolerance was analysed using VIGS in No. 330 and overexpression in Arabidopsis WT.

A total of 12 CmPYL members contain the representative domain and conserved sites. Under cold treatment, No.330 seedlings had lower electrolyte leakage and MDA content, higher ABA content and CmPYL6 expression than seedlings of No. 410. Exogenous application of ABA upregulated expression of CmPYL6 and enhanced cold tolerance of both genotypes, while inhibiting ABA accumulation reduced expression of CmPYL6 and cold tolerance of both genotypes. CmPYL6‐silenced No. 330 seedlings had reduced cold tolerance, increased electrolyte leakage and MDA content as well as limited proline and soluble sugar content, while CmPYL6 overexpressed transgenic Arabidopsis plants had enhanced cold tolerance, with limited electrolyte leakage and MDA content, as well as increased proline and soluble sugar content.

The CmPYL6 gene is probably an important ABA receptor in regulating cold tolerance of oriental melon. Our study provides a direction for improving breeding of cold tolerance of oriental melon.
Effect of Nutrient Solution Flow on Lettuce Root Morphology in Hydroponics: A Multi‐Omics Analysis of Hormone Synthesis and Signal Transduction
Authors: Baiyin Bateer , Xiang Yue , Shao Yang , Son Jung Eek , Yamada Satoshi , Tagawa Kotaro , Yang Qichang
Published: July 2024

This study examined how the nutrient flow environment affects lettuce root morphology in hydroponics using multi‐omics analysis. The results indicate that increasing the nutrient flow rate initially increased indicators such as fresh root weight, root length, surface area, volume, and average diameter before declining, which mirrors the trend observed for shoot fresh weight. Furthermore, a high‐flow environment significantly increased root tissue density. Further analysis using Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Weighted Protein Co‐expression Network Analysis (WPCNA) identified modules that were highly correlated with phenotypes and hormones. The analysis revealed a significant enrichment of hormone signal transduction pathways. Differences in the expression of genes and proteins related to hormone synthesis and transduction pathways were observed among the different flow conditions. These findings suggest that nutrient flow may regulate hormone levels and signal transmission by modulating the genes and proteins associated with hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, thereby influencing root morphology. These findings should support the development of effective methods for regulating the flow of nutrients in hydroponic contexts.
Compliance with social norms in the face of risks: Delineating the roles of uncertainty about risk perceptions versus risk perceptions
Authors: Zhuang Jie , Carey Peyton
Published: July 2024

Social norms are often considered as behavioral guidelines to mitigate health and environmental risks. However, our understanding of the magnitude of their impact on risk‐mitigating behaviors and how perceptions of risks affect the magnitude remains limited. Given the increasing importance of understanding factors influencing behavioral responses to health and environmental risks, this research examines whether the relationship between social norms and behavioral intention to mitigate health and environmental risks is a function of (1) risk perceptions and (2) uncertainty about risk perceptions. A cross‐sectional survey involving a national sample (N = 803) across three health and environmental risks (i.e., infectious diseases, climate change, and water shortage) is conducted. The results reveal a three‐way interaction between descriptive norms, uncertainty about susceptibility, and uncertainty about severity on behavioral intention to mitigate the risk. Individuals exhibit the strongest intention to engage in risk‐mitigating behaviors when they perceive prevailing social norms and are uncertain about their susceptibility to the risk and the severity of the risk. Moreover, injunctive norms interact with uncertainty about susceptibility to influence behavioral intention, such that the more uncertain individuals feel about their vulnerability to a risk, the stronger the impact of injunctive norms is on behavioral intention. Neither descriptive nor injunctive norms interact with perceived risks to influence behavioral intention. This study contributes valuable insights into the interplay between social norms, uncertainty about perceived risk, and behavioral intention, and offers valuable theoretical and practical implications.
The link between EU identification and responses to a war between non‐EU countries over time
Authors: Fousiani Kyriaki , Van Prooijen Jan‐Willem
Published: July 2024

The European Union (EU) is portrayed as a “normative power” that promotes democracy. How does identifying with the EU identity predict citizens' responses to a war between two non‐EU countries, where one (Ukraine) appears as the victim (i.e., a nation suffering significant harm as a result of military aggression by another country) and the other (Russia) as the aggressor (i.e., a nation initiating military aggression against another country)? This study tested two contrasting, yet not mutually exclusive hypotheses. Based on the underlying idea that Ukraine is perceived to share similar (European) values while Russia is perceived to deviate from these values, the “humanitarian influence of the EU identity hypothesis” hypothesized that identification with the EU identity predicts increased support for the victim group (Ukraine) and condemnation of the aggressor group over time. Based on the “protective effect of EU identity hypothesis,” however, a reverse temporal order was also hypothesized. We conducted a two two‐wave study among Greek participants. Our findings provided full support for the first hypothesis and partial support for the second hypothesis. Identification with EU identity predicts increasingly stronger opposition to an intergroup conflict between non‐EU countries.
Multivocal responses to conservation in Maluku province, Indonesia: Biocultural diversity, protest and management in a zone of ecological transition
Authors: Soselisa Hermien L. , Ellen Roy
Published: July 2024

The Moluccan islands of eastern Indonesia (Maluku) were amongst the last frontiers to be opened‐up for large‐scale resource extraction and economic development in modern times. The interventions of organized conservation science and local conservation activity are also recent. Yet the area has a complex economic history and historical ecology linked to the spice trade, which itself prompted early scholarly interest in its natural history. Conservation practice since 1980 is shown to be deeply embedded in local political events and cultural contexts, exhibiting a diversity of institutional forms and a 'cacophony' of community voices. We conclude that conservation research and interventions need to pay more attention to historical ecologies, biocultural linkages and distinctively local patterns of conservation activity.
Minimizing risk while maximizing opportunity: The infectious disease organ offer process survey
Authors: Prakash Katya , Saharia Kapil K. , Karaba Andrew , Law Nancy , Albarillo Fritzie S. , Zangeneh Tirdad T. , Grossi Paolo , Miller Rachel , Slavin Monica , Shoham Shmuel , Ison Michael , La Hoz Ricardo M. , Baddley John W.
Published: July 2024

Background

The purpose of this study was to understand how transplant infectious disease (TID) physicians assess a potential donor with known or suspected infection and describe posttransplant management.

Methods

We designed a survey of 10 organ offer scenarios and asked questions pertaining to organ acceptability for transplantation and management posttransplant. The survey was distributed to TID clinicians via transplant society listservs and email. Responses were recorded in REDCap, and descriptive statistics were employed.

Results

One hundred thirteen infectious disease physicians responded to the survey, of whom 85 completed all cases. Respondents were generally in agreement regarding organ acceptability, although some divergence was seen when evaluating lungs from donors with influenza, tuberculosis, or multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter infection. Posttransplant management showed more variation. Areas of optimization were identified: (1) Further understanding of where risk‐mitigation strategies within the donor offer process may improve donor acceptability and therefore organ utilization; (2) importance of recipient considerations in assessing degree of infectious risk; and (3) gaps in evidenced‐based data regarding optimal posttransplant management of recipients.

Conclusion

Evaluation of donor offers by TID clinicians is a complex process. Although the survey does not itself serve to make recommendations regarding best practices, it highlights areas where generation of data to inform acceptance and management practices may allow for improved organ utilization and recipient management.

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Healthcare provider's perceptions of bleeding in patients with acute leukaemia undergoing induction chemotherapy: A qualitative study
Authors: Taneja Shipra , Heddle Nancy M. , Hillis Christopher , Lane Shannon , Karunakaran Meera , Maze Dawn , Modi Dimpy , Khalaf Dina , Arnold Donald M. , Zahreddine Hassan , Webert Kathryn , Hess Laura , Cook Richard , Stanworth Simon , Gernsheimer Terry , Vanstone Meredith
Published: July 2024

Background

Bleeding is a primary outcome for many transfusion‐related trials in acute leukaemia (AL) patients, typically graded using the World Health Organisation (WHO) bleeding scale (clinically significant bleed (CSB) is ≥grade 2). This composite outcome fails to differentiate minor bleeds that may not be significant, poorly represents the total burden of bleeding and lacks input from healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients. As part of a multi‐step project to create a better bleeding tool for trials, our objective was to identify HCPs' perspectives on the components of CSB in AL patients.

Study Design and Methods

Using qualitative description, we interviewed 19 physicians and nurses who care for AL patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Participants were recruited from professional organisations, networks and social media. An inductive approach to conventional content analysis was used.

Results

HCPs identified features of CSB as the anatomical site of bleeding, amount of bleeding, need for intervention and changes in vital signs. Using these characteristics, bleeding events were categorised into three groups: clinically significant, could evolve into a CSB and not clinically significant. HCPs considered the patient's condition, bleeding history and clinical intuitions when deciding whether a bleed could escalate into serious bleeding.

Discussion

Using data from HCPs, we categorised bleeds as clinically significant, could evolve into a CSB, and not significant. A study of patients' perspectives on the importance of different kinds of bleeding is the next step to creating a bleeding definition that is informed by evidence, clinicians and patients.
Apnoea as a novel method to improve exercise performance: A current state of the literature
Authors: Bouten Janne , Declercq Louise , Boone Jan , Brocherie Franck , Bourgois Jan G.
Published: July 2024

Acute breath‐holding (apnoea) induces a spleen contraction leading to a transient increase in haemoglobin concentration. Additionally, the apnoea‐induced hypoxia has been shown to lead to an increase in erythropoietin concentration up to 5 h after acute breath‐holding, suggesting long‐term haemoglobin enhancement. Given its potential to improve haemoglobin content, an important determinant for oxygen transport, apnoea has been suggested as a novel training method to improve aerobic performance. This review aims to provide an update on the current state of the literature on this topic. Although the apnoea‐induced spleen contraction appears to be effective in improving oxygen uptake kinetics, this does not seem to transfer into immediately improved aerobic performance when apnoea is integrated into a warm‐up. Furthermore, only long and intense apnoea protocols in individuals who are experienced in breath‐holding show increased erythropoietin and reticulocytes. So far, studies on inexperienced individuals have failed to induce acute changes in erythropoietin concentration following apnoea. As such, apnoea training protocols fail to demonstrate longitudinal changes in haemoglobin mass and aerobic performance. The low hypoxic dose, as evidenced by minor oxygen desaturation, is likely insufficient to elicit a strong erythropoietic response. Apnoea therefore does not seem to be useful for improving aerobic performance. However, variations in apnoea, such as hypoventilation training at low lung volume and repeated‐sprint training in hypoxia through short end‐expiratory breath‐holds, have been shown to induce metabolic adaptations and improve several physical qualities. This shows promise for application of dynamic apnoea in order to improve exercise performance.
Direct Printing of High-Resolution Metallic Three-Dimensional Microneedle Arrays Via Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing
Authors: Wardell Karson , Yao Yao , Jiang Qingrui , Ding Shinghua , Wang Yi , Han Yiwei
Published: July 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) microneedle arrays (MAs) have shown remarkable performances for a wide range of biomedical applications. Achieving advanced customizable 3D MAs for personalized research and treatment remain a formidable challenge. In this paper, we have developed a high-resolution electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3D printing process for fabricating customizable 3D MAs with economical and biocompatible molten alloy. The critical printing parameters (i.e., voltage and pressure) on the printing process for both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D features are characterized, and an optimal set of printing parameters was obtained for printing 3D MAs. We have also studied the effect of the tip-nozzle separation speed on the final tip dimension, which will directly influence MAs' insertion performance and functions. With the optimal process parameters, we successfully EHD printed customizable 3D MAs with varying spacing distances and shank heights. A 3 × 3 customized 3D MAs configuration with various heights ranging from 0.8 mm to 1 mm and a spacing distance as small as 350 μm were successfully fabricated, in which the diameter of each individual microneedle was as small as 100 μm. A series of tests were conducted to evaluate the printed 3D MAs. The experimental results demonstrated that the printed 3D MAs exhibit good mechanical strength for implanting and good electrical properties for electrophysiological sensing and stimulation. All results show the potential applications of the EHD printing technique in fabricating cost-effective, customizable, high-performance MAs for biomedical applications.
Hemodynamics of Circle of Willis Having Hypoplastic/Stenotic Anterior Cerebral Artery A1 Segment
Authors: Menon Harikrishna M. , Dolkar Tondup , Sudhir Jayanand , Shine S. R.
Published: July 2024

This study utilizes computational tools to analyze the hemodynamic effects of a hypoplastic/stenotic A1 segment in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) on the circle of Willis (CoW). The objective is to investigate how variations in ACA A1 diameter affect flow dynamics, wall shear stress (WSS), and the initiation of aneurysms within the CoW. An idealized CoW geometry is employed, incorporating hypoplastic ACA A1 segments with reductions of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in diameter and a 50% constriction representing stenosis. A three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model explores flow dynamics and WSS distribution. The computational methodology is validated against experimental data from existing literature. The study demonstrates the resilience of overall brain perfusion despite a hypoplastic ACA A1 segment. Significant alterations and diversions in flow, particularly at the anterior communicating artery-anterior cerebral artery (ACoM-ACA) junction, are observed under varying degrees of hypoplasticity. The analysis of radial velocity profiles reveals asymmetry in flow distribution, exacerbating risks of arterial diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Distinct patterns of WSS distribution during peak systole in the ACA A2 segment highlight the influence of hypoplasticity on vascular health, with implications for structural aberrations and aneurysm formation, particularly in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). A comparison study of rigid wall cases with elastic walls using a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model is also done to understand the applicability of FSI. Insights gained from this research contribute to comprehending CoW anomalies' pathophysiology and offer guidance for developing effective treatment strategies.
Comprehensive Understanding of Thermally Grown Oxide Morphology Effect on the Thermal Barrier Coatings Failure Under Free Edges
Authors: Qiao Da , Zeng Wu
Published: July 2024

The growth stresses induced by the thermally grown oxide (TGO) will be amplified at the free-edge site, making the free-edge site a weak part of the thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). In this study, the TBCs failure behavior is investigated based on different TGO morphologies under free edges. The thermomechanical model is established by creating straight lines and simplified sinusoidal curves, respectively. Dynamic TGO growth is realized by the secondary development of the subroutine. The cohesive element is inserted at the top coat (TC)/TGO interface to simulate the delamination. The stress evolution near different TGO morphologies under the influence of the free edge is examined. In addition, the interfacial cracking behavior near the free edge is also explored. The results show that the appearance of the free edge will deteriorate the stress condition in the nearby area, change the preferred cracking area, and induce the earlier failure behavior. The straight line morphology has the most “friendly” stress distribution. The sinusoidal curves have peaks and valleys, and different areas of the TGO shape are different under the influence of the free edge, but all of them have the effect of stress “convergence.” These results can provide significant guidance to develop the next-generation advanced TBCs.
Deployment Dynamics and Control of a Hub-Spoke Tethered Satellite Formation Using Combined Arbitrary Lagrange-Euler and Referenced Nodal Coordinate Formulation
Authors: Yu Wang , Wei Fan , Hui Ren
Published: July 2024

A novel modeling framework combining arbitrary Lagrange-Euler and referenced nodal coordinate formulation (ALE-RNCF) is proposed for deployment dynamics and control of a hub-spoke tethered satellite formation. The ALE-RNCF approach allows for an accurate analysis of the intricate coupling effect between the orbit, attitude, and deployment dynamics, and its strengths lie in overcoming the accuracy loss and low-efficiency issues when dealing with spatial and temporal multiscale problems. Specifically, the orbital and attitude motions are separated with vibrations of the variable-length ALE tethers through the RNCF, which is the main distinguishing feature over the widely-used absolute nodal coordinate formulation. To achieve stable deployment, the control torque is added to the central satellite by employing the proportional-differential algorithm, where the maximum tension of tethers or the spinning angular velocity is selected as the control object. Various cases with different deployment velocities, target tensions, and orbital heights are simulated and corresponding effects on the deployment performance are analyzed. The proposed ALE-RNCF approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the orbit-attitude-structure coupled behavior during the deployment of the hub-spoke tethered satellite formation and contributes to the development of effective control strategies.
Pulmonary manifestation of VEXAS syndrome
Authors: Knab Thomas , Gaisl Thomas , Steinack Carolin , Kallweit Thomas , Ulrich Silvia , Roeder Maurice
Published: July 2024

This case report presents the diagnostic journey of a man in his mid-70s who experienced shortness of breath, cough, recurrent episodes of fever, weight loss, pruritic erythroderma, uveitis and macrocytic anaemia. The initial diagnosis of cryptogenic organising pneumonia was made based on antibiotic refractory infiltrates seen in the lung CT scan. The patient initially responded favourably to immunosuppression but experienced a recurrence of symptoms when the corticosteroid dose was tapered. Despite ongoing systemic inflammation and refractory symptoms, it took nearly a year to establish the diagnosis of VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic) syndrome. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing VEXAS syndrome due to its recent discovery and limited awareness in the medical community, as well as the need to consider this syndrome as a rare differential diagnosis of therapy-refractory pulmonary infiltrates.