bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some philological implications of punctuation in editions of Middle English texts
Authors: Nedelius Sabina
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the use of editions with modernised punctuation for linguistic enquiries. While
previous studies have highlighted potential qualitative issues with using such editions, this study provides a
quantitative analysis in order to give insight into how often editions with modernised punctuation tend to deviate
from their manuscript’s punctuation. By doing so, this study provides further insight into how frequently the use of
such editions may potentially lead the linguistic scholar astray. This study reveals that a high proportion of the
punctuation marks encountered in the studied editions have no corresponding mark in the manuscript, ultimately
concluding that the use of such editions may have an impact on the current understanding of Middle English syntax and
text interpretation.
Researching understatement in the history of English
Authors: Claridge Claudia
Published: March 2024

A distinction is here introduced into restrictive, hedgy understatementR and emphatic understatementE, which are traced in historical data via the metalinguistic and the form-to-function approach. The metalinguistic approach found the modern sense of understatementE with examples from mostly more formal, written registers, while understatementR could hardly be found in works on rhetoric and etiquette. In contrast, understatementR was generally more prominent in the instances found with the corpus linguistic form-to-function approach, based on negation, a bit of a and a N or two, although understatements made up only a tiny fraction of those constructions’ uses. UnderstatementE could be attested from Middle English onwards, while understatementR appeared later, with both becoming more common after 1800, pointing to late British preference for this speech style.
The rise and fall of sentence-internal capitalization in English
Authors: Nowak Jessica , Hartmann Stefan
Published: March 2024

This paper addresses an empirically under-researched aspect of English historical orthography: the rise and fall of sentence-internal capitalization of common nouns. Our corpus study supports previous findings with respect to the developmental course of common noun capitalization, i.e., a steady rise until 1750 with a steep decline thereafter. The analysis of contemporary grammars shows that animacy was a key factor in determining the practice of sentence-internal capitalization. Moreover, the grammaticographic advice parallels the development found in actual usage, suggesting that grammarians did not significantly influence its rise or fall. With respect to its decline, we argue that it was mainly a matter of the printers, who introduced lowercase for practical reasons, once sentence-internal capitalization had been extensively used.
Gender, genre, and prescriptivism
Authors: Hyett James , Percy Carol
Published: March 2024

This paper extends our previous study of you was and you were in eighteenth-century English drama, examining trends following Robert Lowth’s proscription of you was in his grammar (1762) and complementing Tieken-Boon van Ostade’s (2002) and Laitinen’s (2009) studies of different genres. Comparing close readings of plays by four female playwrights to the same writers’ novels, we find you was used increasingly after 1762 to indicate negative emotion and moments of dramatic significance, not unlike contemporary theatrical thou (Nonomiya 2021). Qualitatively, we confirm that you was had specifically theatrical functions, signalling deception and provocation (often by younger characters) and loss of control (often by older characters). We identify these disparate but recurrent meanings and personae with Eckert’s (2008) concept of the indexical field.
Duties, offices, and conduct
Authors: Lonati Elisabetta
Published: March 2024

The general aim of this study is to investigate the lexis of moral sense and practical ethics in a number of medical works published between 1770 and 1803. Two physicians laid the foundations of medical morality: John Gregory (1724–1773) and Thomas Percival (1740–1804). In their works, they highlight and discuss the notions of duty/-ies, office/-s, and conduct in many different contexts, and gradually define their specific shades of meaning in the emerging medical profession over time. The study will exemplify how these three words are used within Gregory’s and Percival’s works (e.g., frequency rate across works, textual and discourse relevance), and will also explore their function in structuring medical ethics, as well as their role in governing medical practice and performance.
Changing styles of letter-writing?
Authors: Säily Tanja , Vartiainen Turo , Siirtola Harri , Nevalainen Terttu
Published: March 2024

We analyse the social embedding of stylistic change in the frequencies of nouns, lexical verbs and personal pronouns in the Corpora of Early English Correspondence from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. Our visualization methods show that the frequency of nouns exhibits a consistent decrease, while that of verbs and pronouns tends to increase over time. This suggests a colloquialization of the letter genre, which is particularly prominent in letters by women and the upper ranks as well as those written to socially close recipients. In the later eighteenth century, however, there is a convergence across genders and social ranks indicating the development of a shared, polite style among the increasingly highly educated middle and upper classes in the corpus.
“Quhen I am begun to write I really knou not what to say”
Authors: van Eyndhoven Sarah
Published: March 2024

It is currently unclear to what extent Older Scots features continued in correspondence during the early eighteenth century (Millar 2020: 100). To explore this, the digitised letters of politically-involved Scottish writers active during this time were compiled into a purpose-built corpus, and searched for the Scots feature . The focus was on three authors in particular who were selected for close-up analysis. Their correspondence was quantitatively analysed to determine the frequency of  across author and word-type, which was then compared to the general dataset. Inter- and intra-writer variation was evaluated in relation to possible macrosocial influences. Results suggest that, contrary to earlier findings (Macqueen 1957; van Eyndhoven & Clark 2019),  had not completely disappeared, but its persistence was largely conditioned by its use in abbreviations for highly frequent function words. The professional background of the author, however, is also shown to influence usage.
To acquire a recursive grammar, children start with a recursive procedure (MERGE)
Authors: Giblin Iain , Zhou Peng , Bill Cory , Shi Jiawei , Crain Stephen
Published: March 2024

Recursion is a central topic in language acquisition because it helps to inform an explanatorily adequate
theory of the human language faculty. Some researchers (e.g., Roeper, 2011)
have proposed that it is possible for children’s early grammars to include a transitory acquisition stage that is
based on conjunction rather than the truly recursive operation of merge which characterizes mature grammars.
A truth-value judgement task with an elicitation component was designed to elicit recursive genitive structures in
both Mandarin and English. Our results indicate that child participants in both Mandarin and English understood
recursive genitive structures and a substantial majority could also produce the target recursive genitive structures.
These results provide compelling evidence that recursion emerges early in child language acquisition and that there is
no need to propose a transitory stage that lacks a recursive procedure.
Pitfalls and promises of dialect in the classroom
Authors: Washington Julie A. , Murray Bryan K. , Doyne Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

African American English (AAE) is among the most studied dialects of American English (Gollan & Ferreira, 2009), and is spoken by most, but not all, African
American people in the United States. It is a source of pride and identity within the community, unifying its speakers
socially and linguistically. Outside of the community, however, AAE has a long and complicated history that is
inexplicably entangled with race politics. By most accounts, AAE is regarded as a low status, stigmatized variety and
as such has not been without controversy in social, political and educational circles. Its status, and the often
controversial nature of AAE, has significantly impacted attempts to introduce it into educational settings, and has
hindered its use by educators and child speakers as an accepted way to bootstrap language and literacy learning. This,
despite mounting evidence of the impact of AAE on outcomes of language-supported academic skills, such as reading,
writing and spelling (Brown et al., 2015; Craig et al., 2003; Puranik et al., 2020; Thomas-Tate et al., 2004; Thompson et al., 2004;
Washington et al., 2019; Washington
et al., 2018; Patton-Terry & Connor, 2010; Terry, 2006; Charity et al., 2004).
The sections that follow present an overview of the history and origins of AAE, the pitfalls, promises, and potential
future directions for the use of AAE in the classroom.
Multilingual advantages
Authors: Siemund Peter , Lorenz Eliane
Published: March 2024

In this contribution, we provide a critical reassessment of multilingual advantages, especially in the context of learning additional languages. Although there is widespread agreement that multilingual experience enhances language learning, a precise definition of the relevant conditions remains a challenge. After a topical overview, we discuss several case studies focusing on language learning advantages, interdependence, and cross-linguistic influence in different multilingual constellations. This discussion covers contexts of balanced bilingualism, heritage bilingualism, institutionally planned multilingualism, minority language bilingualism, as well as multilingual settings in which English is used as a Lingua Franca. In addition, we elaborate on two conditions (type of bilingualism, type of language knowledge) that impact language learning in multilingual settings. It is important to distinguish between balanced and unbalanced bilinguals as well as general language proficiencies and grammatical knowledge. On the whole, this paper is a warning against foregone conclusions and an invitation to a more thoughtful approach to a highly fascinating field.
Bilingualism matters
Authors: Peristeri Eleni , Baldimtsi Eleni , Tsimpli Ianthi M. , Durrleman Stephanie
Published: March 2024

This study investigated bilingualism effects on language, executive functions and Theory of Mind (ToM) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). The performance of these clinical groups was compared to that of children with typical development (TD). All groups were matched on socio-economic status, IQ and chronological age (oscillating around 11 years), and were composed of a total of one hundred and twenty-two participants. Overall, children with ASD and DLD showed more difficulty than their TD peers on language tasks, and monolingual children with ASD struggled more than other groups on both EF and ToM tasks. Bilingualism boosts in executive functions and ToM emerged in bilingual children with ASD compared to their monolingual peers with ASD, however these bilingual advantages were not observed in children with DLD. More specifically, bilinguals with ASD performed better than their monolingual peers at inhibiting distracting non-verbal stimuli and at attributing false beliefs. Bilingual autistic children’s performance in the ToM task related to IQ, sentence comprehension and (marginally) to socio-economic status. Taken together, these findings highlight the selective cognitive benefits of bilingualism, which may vary depending on the children’s condition, on their individual cognitive and linguistic abilities, as well as on their socio-economic backgrounds. This work also shows that bilingualism has no negative effects on children’s development, including those with ASD or DLD.
Multimodal story-retelling
Authors: Yang Cheng-Xiang , Lin Yen-Liang
Published: March 2024

Cognitive load has been shown to influence speakers’ gesture production, but how it effects the duration, form, and functions of gestures is not yet well understood. This study examines how increased cognitive load influenced the production of co‑speech and co‑thought gestures by second language (L2) learners, and further looks at how different types of gestures correspond to specific functions. Twenty-four English as an L2 participants were recruited and required to watch a pre-determined cartoon and then retell the story in English. Participants were divided into two cognitive load conditions for the story retelling: one group was given a task structure for story retelling, while the other was not. The results of this study show that enhancing cognitive load significantly increased the frequency of both co‑speech and co‑thought gestures and the duration of co‑speech gestures, but not co‑thought gestures. With regard to the correspondence of gesture types and their functions for conceptualization (i.e., activation, manipulation, packaging, exploration), this study found co‑speech and co‑thought gestures serve different functions in L2 narrative tasks. Activation is dominant in every type of co‑speech gesture, especially in iconic and metaphoric gestures. Deictic gestures mostly function for packaging and exploration and co‑thought gestures for exploration and manipulation. This study provides necessary clarification on the relationship between cognitive load and gestures, including novel interactions of gesture duration and functions of gestures for conceptualization.
Heritage language education
Authors: Torres Julio
Published: March 2024

This chapter provides a brief overview of heritage language education and its potential role in supporting heritage language learners’ bi/multilingualism. We begin by considering the multifaceted nature of heritage language education programs and courses to address heritage language learners’ goals and needs. The chapter then outlines five major dimensions that currently contribute to the design and implementation of curricula for heritage language learners: grammar properties, pedagogical models, critical language awareness, policies, program development and institutionalization. The remainder of the discussion focuses on future directions by examining four critical areas that can help advance the effectiveness of education programs for heritage language learners. The overview of the chapter stems from scholarly perspectives, initiatives, and efforts with diverse heritage language learner populations across a number of international settings.
From Practice to Public Health: Broadening Neuropsychology’s Reach & Value—An Introduction to the National Academy of Neuropsychology’s 2022 Annual Conference Special Issue
Authors: Del Bene Victor A , Walker Keenan A
Published: March 2024

This special issue is centered around presentations from the National Academy of Neuropsychology 2022 Annual Conference. The theme of the conference, “From Practice to Public Health: Broadening Neuropsychology’s Reach & Value” is pivotal for the field’s future. With an ever-shifting technological landscape and recent changes in clinical practice post-COVID, we are left wondering how neuropsychology will develop. How will we use biomedical and technological advances, such as blood-based Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers or passive digital recordings, to improve clinical care and further expand our understanding of disease mechanisms? As neuropsychologists, how can we use our expertise to empirically inform public health policy? The diagnosis and treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, the identification and characterization of post-pandemic educational setbacks, and the adaptation of new technological and diagnostic advances into clinical practice workflows represent a vital set of new challenges and opportunities poised to disrupt traditional modes of practice. The articles in this special issue convey the role of neuropsychology in addressing these emerging issues and illustrate how and why neuropsychology is well positioned to be at the forefront of clinical practice and scientific advancements.
Production of docosahexaenoic acid by a novel isolated Aurantiochytrium sp. 6-2 using fermented defatted soybean as a nitrogen source for sustainable fish feed development
Authors: Ip Chi-Hei , Higuchi Hibiki , Wu Chang-Yu , Okuda Tomoyo , Katsuya Shohei , Ogawa Jun , Ando Akinori
Published: March 2024

We focused on the production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-containing microbial lipids by Aurantiochytrium sp. using of defatted soybean (DS) as a nitrogen source. Defatted soybean is a plant biomass that could provide a sustainable supply at a low cost. Results showed that Aurantiochytrium sp. could not directly assimilate the DS as a nitrogen source but could grow well in a medium containing DS fermented with rice malt. When cultivated in a fermented DS (FDS) medium, Aurantiochytrium sp. showed vigorous growth with the addition of sufficient sulfate and chloride ions as inorganic nutrients without seawater salt. A novel isolated Aurantiochytrium sp. 6-2 showed 15.8 ± 3.4 g/L DHA productivity (in 54.8 ± 12.1 g/L total fatty acid production) in 1 L of the FDS medium. Therefore, DHA produced by Aurantiochytrium sp. using FDS enables a stable and sustainable DHA supply and could be an alternative source of natural DHA derived from fish oil.
Morphological and molecular data combined reveal inter- and intraspecific cranial shape variations in bats of Artibeus Leach, 1821 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Mendes Samira Brito , Stefanello Fabiano , Costa Cleison Luís da Silva , Lima Amanda Cristiny da Silva , Olímpio Ana Priscila Medeiros , Pires Walna Micaelle de Morais , Fraga Elmary da Costa , Barros Maria Claudene
Published: March 2024

Since morphological traits may overlap among species within a complex, the integration of morphological and mitochondrial data could provide crucial insights for distinguishing species, as observed in fruit-eating bats of the genus Artibeus. Therefore, the application of geometric morphometric (GM) techniques could yield more refined and robust analyses of inter- and intraspecific variations. In this study, we generated two datasets: one with molecular delimitation data based on the barcode region (COI) and the other with cranial size and shape data using GM methods. Our aims were to investigate variations between large and small species within the genus Artibeus, as well as to explore potential factors influencing such variations. The results from species delimitation revealed molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) supporting the morphological identification. Analyses using GM techniques demonstrated significant inter- and intraspecific variations in cranial size and shape among Artibeus species. The combined outcomes suggest the absence of a significant phylogenetic signal influencing skull variation. This scenario indicates that potential historical ecological factors may have directly influenced the cranial morphology of these species, acting as significant selection forces in geographical space and generating intraspecific variations in Artibeus planirostris.
Protocol for preliminary, multicenteric validation of “PoCOsteo device”: A point of care tool for proteomic and genomic study of osteoporosis
Authors: Razi Farideh , Ostovar Afshin , Fahimfar Noushin , M. Amoli Mahsa , Fana Saeed Ebrahimi , Dimai Hans Peter , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara , Luegger Barbara , Rivadeneira Fernando , Nabipour Iraj , Larijani Bagher , Khashayar Patricia
Published: March 2024

One of the goals of the HORIZON 2020 project PoCOsteo was to develop a medical device, which would measure and/or quantify proteomic as well as genomic factors as present in whole blood samples collected through finger prick. After validating the tool in the clinical setting, the next step would be its clinical validation based on the existing guidelines. This article presents the protocol of a validation study to be carried out independently at two different centers (Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Medical University of Graz as a clinic-based cohort, and the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences as a population-based cohort). It aims to assess the tool according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, confirming if the proteomics and genomics measurements provided by the tool are accurate and reproducible compared with the existing state-of-the-art tests. This is the first time that such a detailed protocol for lab validation of a medical tool for proteomics and genomic measurement is designed based on the existing guidelines and thus could be used as a template for clinical validation of future point-of-care tools. Moreover, the multicentric cohort design will allow the study of a large number of diverse individuals, which will improve the validity and generalizability of the results for different settings.
An optimized protocol for generating appendage-bearing skin organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Ahmed Imaan , Sun Jane , Brown Jason , Khosrotehrani Kiarash , Shafiee Abbas
Published: March 2024

Organoid generation from pluripotent stem cells is a cutting-edge technique that has created new possibilities for modelling human organs in vitro, as well as opening avenues for regenerative medicine. Here, we present a protocol for generating skin organoids (SKOs) from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) via direct embryoid body formation. This method provides a consistent start point for hiPSC differentiation, resulting in SKOs with complex skin architecture and appendages (e.g. hair follicles, sebaceous glands, etc.) across hiPSC lines from two different somatic sources.
Familialization of the ‘deviant’: a hindrance to queer community building?
Authors: Chakrabarti Pritha
Published: March 2024

Familial acceptance of queer relationships has long been at the centre of the same-sex marriage discourse in India. This is no coincidence since in India family as an institution represents caste, religious, class and other social privileges. Developing on Bordieu’s work on family, this paper examines three Hindi films—Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga (2019), Shubh Mangal Zaada Savdhaan (2020) and Badhaai Do (2022)—to formulate the ‘ideology of familialization’ as the basis of the queer narratives in these popular film texts. Through narrative analysis of these texts, this paper argues that these narratives function at two levels: one, at the level of inducting the erstwhile subjects of developmentalist economy into the neoliberal economy; and two, they selectively transform the familial space of these subjects to make it conducive to integrate LGBTQ persons. The narratives perpetuate a consensus about the importance of selective co-option of queer individuals within the socially dominant traditional families, to keep the cycle of social privilege undisturbed by producing what Bordieu calls ‘unproblematic inheritors’. This, I argue, prevents the individual queer characters from building a modern queer community, a radical collective with intersectional politics at its heart, at the cost of alienating those who do not come from such caste/class privilege. This serves the interest of both the neoliberal market/State and the Hindu upper caste dominated social, perpetuating the Ideology of Familialization which eventually has the power to function as a governmental tool of transforming the ‘deviant’ lovers into ‘model’ queer citizens.
A Theory of Small Campaign Contributions
Authors: Bouton Laurent , Castanheira Micael , Drazen Allan
Published: March 2024

Popular and academic discussions have mostly concentrated on large donors, even though small donors are a major source of financing for political campaigns. We propose a theory of small donors with a key novelty: it centres on the interactions between small donors and the parties’ fundraising strategy. In equilibrium, parties micro-target donors with a higher contribution potential (that is, richer and with more intense preferences) and increase their total fundraising effort in close races. The parties’ strategic fundraising amplifies the effect of income on contributions, and leads to closeness, underdog and bandwagon effects. We then study the welfare effects of a number of common campaign finance laws. We find that, due to equilibrium effects, those tools may produce outcomes opposite to intended objectives. Finally, we identify a tax-and-subsidy scheme that mutes the effect of income while still allowing donors to voice the intensity of their support.
Speculum self-insertion: an alternative method for gynaecological examination?
Authors: Veto Marie-Morgane , Chazalon Julie , Atallah-Seive Corinne , Charles Rodolphe , Savall Angélique
Published: March 2024

Background

Speculum examination is an intrusive practice in the clinical care of women. It requires privacy and patients may experience discomfort or anxiety related to the procedure, which can result in delays or avoidance of necessary healthcare. Speculum self-insertion originated in the United States in the 1970s as part of the self-help movement. However, this clinical practice is largely unknown among healthcare providers and has rarely been assessed.

Aim

This study investigates the women’s views and healthcare providers’ experiences of the self-insertion method.

Method

A qualitative study was conducted between December 2021 and October 2022, including fieldwork combining semi-structured interviews (10 women) and focus groups associated with individual interviews of 13 healthcare providers. The data collected were independently coded by 2 authors and analysed using an inductive approach and grounded theory method.

Results

Speculum self-insertion was described as a way to decrease discomfort and facilitate speculum insertion. Self-insertion was proposed as a means of allowing women to participate in the examination, reducing their vulnerability against power imbalances in the doctor–patient relationship. Both patients and healthcare providers have reported that speculum self-insertion is a method that can contribute to improving trust and communication during the examination.

Conclusion

The practice of speculum self-insertion during the consultation is an alternative to traditional practitioner insertion and may be offered to all women by any practitioner who wishes to use this technique.
Genome analysis and biogeographic distribution of the earliest divergent Frankia clade in the southern hemisphere
Authors: Berckx Fede , Wibberg Daniel , Brachmann Andreas , Morrison Ciara , Obaid Nadia B , Blom Jochen , Kalinowski Jörn , Wall Luis G , Pawlowski Katharina
Published: March 2024

Coriariaceae are a small plant family of 14–17 species and subspecies that currently have a global but disjunct distribution. All species can form root nodules in symbiosis with diazotrophic Frankia cluster-2 strains, which form the earliest divergent symbiotic clade within this bacterial genus. Studies on Frankia cluster-2 mostly have focused on strains occurring in the northern hemisphere. Except for one strain from Papua New Guinea, namely Candidatus Frankia meridionalis Cppng1, no complete genome of Frankia associated with Coriaria occurring in the southern hemisphere has been published thus far, yet the majority of the Coriariaceae species occur here. We present field sampling data of novel Frankia cluster-2 strains, representing two novel species, which are associated with Coriaria arborea and Coriaria sarmentosa in New Zealand, and with Coriaria ruscifolia in Patagonia (Argentina), in addition to identifying Ca. F. meridionalis present in New Zealand. The novel Frankia species were found to be closely related to both Ca. F. meridionalis, and a Frankia species occurring in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. Our data suggest that the different Frankia cluster-2 species diverged early after becoming symbiotic circa 100 million years ago.
Real-world evidence: Risdiplam in a patient with spinal muscular atrophy type I with a novel splicing mutation and one SMN2 copy
Authors: Ma Kai , Zhang Kaihui , Chen Defang , Wang Chuan , Abdalla Mohnad , Zhang Haozheng , Tian Rujin , Liu Yang , Song Li , Zhang Xinyi , Liu Fangfang , Liu Guohua , Wang Dong
Published: March 2024

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which results from the deletion or/and mutation in the SMN1 gene, is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that leads to weakness and muscle atrophy. SMN2 is a paralogous gene of SMN1. SMN2 copy number affects the severity of SMA, but its role in patients treated with disease modifying therapies is unclear. The most appropriate individualized treatment for SMA has not yet been determined. Here, we reported a case of SMA type I with normal breathing and swallowing function. We genetically confirmed that this patient had a compound heterozygous variant: one deleted SMN1 allele and a novel splice mutation c.628-3T>G in the retained allele, with one SMN2 copy. Patient-derived sequencing of 4 SMN1 cDNA clones showed that this intronic single transversion mutation results in an alternative exon (e)5 3′ splice site, which leads to an additional 2 nucleotides (AG) at the 5′ end of e5, thereby explaining why the patient with only one copy of SMN2 had a mild clinical phenotype. Additionally, a minigene assay of wild type and mutant SMN1 in HEK293T cells also demonstrated that this transversion mutation induced e5 skipping. Considering treatment cost and goals of avoiding pain caused by injections and starting treatment as early as possible, risdiplam was prescribed for this patient. However, the patient showed remarkable clinical improvements after treatment with risdiplam for 7 months despite carrying only one copy of SMN2. This study is the first report on the treatment of risdiplam in a patient with one SMN2 copy in a real-world setting. These findings expand the mutation spectrum of SMA and provide accurate genetic counseling information, as well as clarify the molecular mechanism of careful genotype–phenotype correlation of the patient.
Continuous Monitoring of CRP, IL-6, and Calprotectin in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using a Perspiration-Based Wearable Device
Authors: Shahub Sarah , Kumar Ruchita Mahesh , Lin Kai-Chun , Banga Ivneet , Choi Natalie K , Garcia Nicole M , Muthukumar Sriram , Rubin David T , Prasad Shalini
Published: March 2024

Background

Wearable sensor devices represent a noninvasive technology to continuously track biomarkers linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed the inflammatory markers associated with IBD in human perspiration.

Methods

Participants with IBD were monitored for 40 to 130 minutes with a proprietary wearable sensor device used to measure C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and calprotectin. Sensor response using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and serum samples were measured on the same day. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the relationship between active and remission IBD in serum and perspiration, classified according to endoscopic reports and serum biomarker levels. Asynchronously collected fecal calprotectin from a subset of the population was similarly analyzed.

Results

A total of 33 subjects were enrolled. Expression of calprotectin was significantly elevated in the active cohort compared with the remission cohort in perspiration (P < .05; median = 906.69 ng/mL; active 95% confidence interval [CI], 466.0-1833 ng/mL; remission 95% CI, 328.4-950.8 ng/mL), serum (median = 1860.82 ng/mL; active 95% CI, 1705-2985 ng/mL; remission 95% CI, 870.2-1786 ng/mL), and stool (P < .05; median = 126.74 µg/g; active 95% CI, 77.08-347.1 µg/g; remission 95% CI, 5.038-190.4 µg/g). Expression of CRP in perspiration and serum was comparable between the active and remission cohorts (perspiration: P > .05; median = 970.83 pg/mL; active 95% CI, 908.7-992 pg/mL; remission 95% CI, 903.3-991.9 pg/mL; serum: median = 2.34 µg/mL; active 95% CI, 1.267-4.492 µg/mL; remission 95% CI, 1.648-4.287 µg/mL). Expression of interleukin-6 in perspiration was nonsignificant in the active cohort compared with the remission cohort and was significantly elevated in serum (perspiration: P < .05; median = 2.13 pg/mL; active 95% CI, 2.124-2.44 pg/mL; remission 95% CI, 1.661-2.451 pg/mL; serum: median = 1.15 pg/mL; active 95% CI, 1.549-3.964 pg/mL; remission 95% CI, 0.4301-1.257 pg/mL). Analysis of the linear relationship between perspiration and serum calprotectin (R2 = 0.7195), C-reactive protein (R2 = 0.615), and interleukin-6 (R2 = 0.5411) demonstrated a strong to moderate relationship across mediums.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the clinical utility of perspiration as a noninvasive medium for continuous measurement of inflammatory markers in IBD and find that the measures correlate with serum and stool markers across a range of disease activity.
Galactosamine and mannosamine are integral parts of bacterial and fungal extracellular polymeric substances
Authors: Oliva Rebeca Leme , Vogt Carla , Bublitz Tábata Aline , Camenzind Tessa , Dyckmans Jens , Joergensen Rainer Georg
Published: March 2024

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are produced by microorganisms and interact to form a complex matrix called biofilm. In soils, EPS are important contributors to the microbial necromass and, thus, to soil organic carbon (SOC). Amino sugars (AS) are used as indicators for microbial necromass in soil, although the origin of galactosamine and mannosamine is largely unknown. However, indications exist that they are part of EPS. In this study, two bacteria and two fungi were grown in starch medium either with or without a quartz matrix to induce EPS production. Each culture was separated in two fractions: one that directly underwent AS extraction (containing AS from both biomass and EPS), and another that first had EPS extracted, followed then by AS determination (exclusively containing AS from EPS). We did not observe a general effect of the quartz matrix neither of microbial type on AS production. The quantified amounts of galactosamine and mannosamine in the EPS fraction represented on average 100% of the total amounts of these two AS quantified in cell cultures, revealing they are integral parts of the biofilm. In contrast, muramic acid and glucosamine were also quantified in the EPS, but with much lower contribution rates to total AS production, of 18% and 33%, respectively, indicating they are not necessarily part of EPS. Our results allow a meaningful ecological interpretation of mannosamine and galactosamine data in the future as indicators of microbial EPS, and also attract interest of future studies to investigate the role of EPS to SOC and its dynamics.
Phage-driven coevolution reveals trade-off between antibiotic and phage resistance in Salmonella anatum
Authors: Zhao Yuanyang , Shu Mei , Zhang Ling , Zhong Chan , Liao Ningbo , Wu Guoping
Published: March 2024

Phage therapy faces challenges against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella due to rapid phage-resistant mutant emergence. Understanding the intricate interplay between antibiotics and phages is essential for shaping Salmonella evolution and advancing phage therapy. In this study, MDR Salmonella anatum (S. anatum) 2089b coevolved with phage JNwz02 for 30 passages (60 days), then the effect of coevolution on the trade-off between phage and antibiotic resistance in bacteria was investigated. Our results demonstrated antagonistic coevolution between bacteria and phages, transitioning from arms race dynamics (ARD) to fluctuating selection dynamics (FSD). The fitness cost of phage resistance, manifested as reduced competitiveness, was observed. Bacteria evolved phage resistance while simultaneously regaining sensitivity to amoxicillin, ampicillin, and gentamicin, influenced by phage selection pressure and bacterial competitiveness. Moreover, the impact of phage selection pressure on the trade-off between antibiotic and phage resistance was more pronounced in the ARD stage than in the FSD stage. Whole genome analysis revealed mutations in the btuB gene in evolved S. anatum strains, with a notably higher mutation frequency in the ARD stage compared to the FSD stage. Subsequent knockout experiments confirmed BtuB as a receptor for phage JNwz02, and the deletion of btuB resulted in reduced bacterial competitiveness. Additionally, the mutations identified in the phage-resistant strains were linked to multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with membrane components. This correlation implies a potential role of these SNPs in reinstating antibiotic susceptibility. These findings significantly advance our understanding of phage-host interactions and the impact of bacterial adaptations on antibiotic resistance.
Rebel Institutionalization, Religious Holidays, and Political Violence
Authors: Nong Xin , Wu Chun-Ying
Published: March 2024

Identifying a clear relationship between rebel group structures and the use of violence faces the challenge that group structures rarely change over time. We exploit the analytical advantage provided by long religious holidays to address this issue using the principal-agent framework. Religious holidays serve as a focal point and reduce group coordination costs, but also raise the societal costs of violence. We argue the principal of rebel groups is more sensitive to the increased societal costs than the agents and thereby attempts to restrain the agents from attacking during religious holidays. However, the success of these attempts depends on the group’s institutionalization level. Long religious holidays exacerbate the principal-agent problem due to the high costs of restraining agents from attacking for an extended period, making them the most likely case for our analysis. We test the theory by first conducting microlevel analysis of Islamic separatist groups in three Southeast Asian countries and then analyzing a cross-sectional sample of Islamic rebel groups. Results show that highly institutionalized groups that have a central command system and control over constituent groups are less likely to attack during long religious holidays than on other days, and vice versa for weakly institutionalized groups.
Unmasking bias in artificial intelligence: a systematic review of bias detection and mitigation strategies in electronic health record-based models
Authors: Chen Feng , Wang Liqin , Hong Julie , Jiang Jiaqi , Zhou Li
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in conjunction with electronic health records (EHRs) holds transformative potential to improve healthcare. However, addressing bias in AI, which risks worsening healthcare disparities, cannot be overlooked. This study reviews methods to handle various biases in AI models developed using EHR data.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, analyzing articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and IEEE published between January 01, 2010 and December 17, 2023. The review identified key biases, outlined strategies for detecting and mitigating bias throughout the AI model development, and analyzed metrics for bias assessment.

Results

Of the 450 articles retrieved, 20 met our criteria, revealing 6 major bias types: algorithmic, confounding, implicit, measurement, selection, and temporal. The AI models were primarily developed for predictive tasks, yet none have been deployed in real-world healthcare settings. Five studies concentrated on the detection of implicit and algorithmic biases employing fairness metrics like statistical parity, equal opportunity, and predictive equity. Fifteen studies proposed strategies for mitigating biases, especially targeting implicit and selection biases. These strategies, evaluated through both performance and fairness metrics, predominantly involved data collection and preprocessing techniques like resampling and reweighting.

Discussion

This review highlights evolving strategies to mitigate bias in EHR-based AI models, emphasizing the urgent need for both standardized and detailed reporting of the methodologies and systematic real-world testing and evaluation. Such measures are essential for gauging models’ practical impact and fostering ethical AI that ensures fairness and equity in healthcare.
Trajectory optimization for automated tape placement on triangular mesh surfaces considering gap requirements
Authors: Zhang Peng , Li Yuyu , Tang Kejun , Yin Lairong , Huang Long , Wang Hongbing
Published: March 2024

Automated tape placement (ATP) is an important automated process adopted for the fabrication of large composite components. Trajectory planning is the key link of ATP, which directly affects the precision and efficiency of the layup process and the quality of final products. Presently, most existing trajectory optimization methods for ATP focus on smooth surfaces. Nevertheless, as commercial CAD/CAM software generally uses NURBS (Non-uniform Rational B-Splines) for modelling, the difficulty of finding the solution and the low efficiency associated with the calculation process are inevitable. The discrete methods provide alternatives for designing layup trajectories, whereas their accuracy is seldom analysed. Furthermore, a path optimization algorithm for eliminating gap problems while preventing wrinkles on discrete models is rarely reported. In this paper, the adjustment of layup trajectories for ATP is considered on triangular meshes. First, the triangular mesh is reconstructed as a Nagata patch to recover the original geometry with good accuracy. Then, a numerical method for tracing desired paths on the Nagata patch set is provided and the computation efficiency is validated. Next, two optimization methodologies are proposed to improve the layup of composite tapes while avoiding wrinkles. Finally, the presented two strategies are examined on a discrete hyperbolic surface and a discrete freeform surface and some of the results are delivered.
Multi-institutional study of osimertinib dose-optimization in non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR activating mutation aged 70 years or older (‘MONEY’ trial)
Authors: Tsukita Yoko , Taguri Masataka , Goto Yasushi , Hosomi Yukio , Mizutani Tomonori , Watanabe Kageaki , Yoh Kiyotaka , Takahashi Satoshi , Kubota Kaoru , Kunitoh Hideo
Published: March 2024

Osimertinib is the standard of care for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-activating mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Dose-toxicity has been previously reported, but no dose–response data within the range of 20–240 mg daily (mg/d). Thus, the current 80 mg/d dosing might be too high for elderly Japanese patients with an average body weight of only 50 kg, resulting in excessive toxicity and cost. We therefore initiated a study to investigate whether osimertinib at 40 mg/d is non-inferior to 80 mg/d in patients with advanced or recurrent epidermal growth factor receptor-activating mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer aged ≥70 years, using a regression discontinuity design. Osimertinib is administered at 40 mg/d for body weight ≤50 kg, and 80 mg/d for body weight >50 kg. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival. Sample size is 550 patients, based on a non-inferiority margin of the progression-free survival hazard ratio 1.333, 0.10 one-sided type I error and 80% power.
Identification, seasonality, and body attachment location and nomenclature of parasitic water mites (Trombidiformes: Arrenuridae) on Anopheles crucians sensu lato, Anopheles quadrimaculatus sensu lato, and Culex erraticus (Diptera: Culicidae) from a North Florida botanical garden
Authors: Piwowarek William J , McDuffie Decyo , Burgess Edwin R
Published: March 2024

Water mites (Hydrachnidia) commonly parasitize mosquitoes; however, the nature of these parasitic interactions remains poorly understood. We sampled mites collected from mosquitoes taken from CDC light traps placed in a botanical garden in Northern Florida from April to November 2022. Mites were found almost exclusively parasitizing the mosquitoes, Anopheles crucians sensu lato (Wiedemann, 1828), Anopheles quadrimaculatus sensu lato (Say, 1824), and Culex erraticus (Dyar and Knab, 1906). All sampled mites were of the genus Arrenurus. Further identification proved to be impossible given the available resources. Seasonality of the mites corresponded with the seasonality of their hosts, with the highest numbers being recorded in May and September. Nomenclature for mite attachment sites on mosquitoes was developed and provided. Mites most commonly attached to the second abdominal segments of all sampled mosquitoes with varied positions around the segment depending on mosquito species. We found significance for the relationship between the abdominal segment mites attached to and what position on the segment mites would take for Cx. erraticus, which indicates a preference of attaching directly underneath the second and fourth abdominal segments. Such a relationship was not found for either Anopheles species.
Wetland conservation legislations: global processes and China’s practices
Authors: Mo Lichun , Pandit Ram
Published: March 2024

Natural wetland areas in China have experienced a continuous decline over the past two decades, which is partly due to the lack of comprehensive wetland protection laws and regulations. Despite investing over 4.24 billion USD in wetland conservation and restoration since 2000, the deterioration of wetlands persists. This study reviews the development of global wetland protection laws and regulations, analyzes the progress of wetland legislation in China and explores the impact of economic development levels on wetland protection legislation, while also providing an in-depth interpretation of the core elements of the ‘Wetland Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China’. The results indicate that since the late 1940s, wetland protection laws and regulations have begun to emerge, with most developed countries gradually implementing related policies between the 1980s and 1990s; about 71% of wetland protection laws are concentrated in 29 countries, while 69 countries still lack specific wetland protection laws. An analysis of 962 global documents reveals that wetland protection legislation mainly focuses on the protection of water resources, species and ecosystems. China’s wetland legislation started late, with the ‘Wetland Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China’ being officially implemented only in June 2022. Furthermore, the study points out that economic development plays a crucial role in wetland legislation worldwide. Lastly, the article summarizes the key features of the ‘Wetland Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China’, including the improvement of the environmental protection legislative system, increased penalties for illegal occupation of wetlands, clearer protection goals and the assurance of the integrity and connectivity of wetland ecosystems through stringent policies.