bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shifting the paradigm: highlights from 2022 demonstrate broad public health impacts of applied urban entomology
Authors: Crawley Sydney E
Published: December 2023

In 2022, the dramatic reduction of applied and extension urban entomology positions was highlighted and widely discussed by seasoned and nascent urban entomologists alike. In fact, many urban entomologists are calling for a “paradigm shift” within the discipline given the reduction in niche urban entomology-specific positions. Specifically, many individuals are insisting that movement toward a framework where urban entomologists address complex, cross-disciplinary issues and advocate for research funding through science policy is critical for the endurance of the discipline. In this new model, the purpose of urban entomology does not necessarily change, but rather expands to attack questions that may be of interest to the broader scientific community. In addition, this paradigm shift would necessitate increased engagement of urban entomologists with bureaucratic and administrative agencies to communicate the importance of urban pest management, especially in a landscape where funding opportunities and endowments have been reduced, reallocated, or eliminated. To reflect the ongoing transformation within the field of urban entomology, the objectives of this review were to highlight papers published in 2022 that exemplify the broader impacts of urban entomological studies and urban pest management. Studies with ties to global public health and Entomological Society of America science policy initiatives are highlighted to encourage urban entomologists to consider the far-reaching influence of their research.
Spatial-temporal risk clusters, social vulnerability, and identification of priority areas for surveillance and control of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Maranhão, Brazil: an ecological study
Authors: de Sousa Oliveira Romário , Andrade Pimentel Karen Brayner , Ribeiro da Silva Rosa Cristina , Suely Guimarães-e-Silva Antonia , Soares Moura Maria Edileuza , Soares Pinheiro Valéria Cristina
Published: December 2023

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease widely distributed in Maranhão, Brazil and presents a significant public health problem. However, its transmission dynamics and determining factors are not clearly understood. In this context, geospatial technologies help interpret the process. This study, then, characterized the space–time dynamics and the influence of social vulnerability on CL in an endemic area in Northeast Brazil. This is an ecological study about new cases of CL in Maranhão, from 2007 to 2020, obtained directly from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The incidence rate was smoothed using a spatial empirical Bayesian method. Subsequently, global and local Moran statistics and their association with social vulnerability indicators were determined. Disease distribution was not random but grouped in space and time. All Social Vulnerability Index domains were positively correlated with the CL incidence. A likely cluster was detected in western Maranhão (P < 0.001), which encompassed 18 municipalities, from January 2007 to December 2013, with a high relative risk (5.06). The research findings suggest that planning public health actions and allocating resources should be prioritized in these areas to help effectively reduce the incidence of the disease.
Assessment of light-emitting diodes for sampling phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) from an urban park of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: de Souza Renan Ney Castro , Sánchez Uzcátegui Yetsenia del Valle , Silveira Fernando Tobias , Vasconcelos dos Santos Thiago
Published: December 2023

The present study aimed to assess different light sources for sampling phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Bosque Rodrigues Alves, a forested park surrounded by the urban area of Belém in the Brazilian Amazon. Centers for Disease Control traps, baited with blue, green, and warm white light-emitting diodes (LEDs), as test group, and incandescent light, as control group, were used. The electromagnetic spectra and luminous intensities of the light sources were characterized. Fractional vegetation cover at each sampling site was also estimated. Abundance, richness, rarefaction curves, Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, phlebotomines/trap/hour, and phlebotomines/trap/night were estimated and compared. The light sources of the test group presented greater luminous intensity than the control, but were similar to each other. There were no differences in vegetation cover at each site. A total of 1,346 phlebotomines comprising 11 species were sampled. The most abundant species were as follows: Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho, 1939), Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira, 1942), Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942), and Th. brachipyga (Mangabeira, 1942). Light traps with LEDs had richness, abundance, and Shannon diversity indices similar to those obtained with incandescent light. The warm white LED had a higher Simpson’s index than the other light sources. Phlebotomine responses to incandescent light were similar to those to LEDs in most analyses, confirming the applicability of these light sources as alternative devices for entomological surveillance. Low consumption ensures greater autonomy of the traps, providing better operability during fieldwork.
Trigonelline Chloride Ameliorated Triphenyltin-Induced Testicular Autophagy, Inflammation, and Apoptosis: Role of Recovery
Authors: Elsheikh Arwa A , Shalaby Amany Mohamed , Alabiad Mohamed Ali , Abd-Almotaleb Noha Ali , Alorini Mohammed , Alnasser Sulaiman Mohammed , Elhasadi Ibtesam , El-Nagdy Samah A
Published: December 2023

Triphenyltin chloride (TPT-Cl) is an organometallic organotin. This study aimed to investigate the role of trigonelline (TG) along with the impact of TPT withdrawal on the testicular toxicity induced by TPT-Cl. Thirty-six adult male albino rats were divided into control, TG (40 mg/kg/day), TPT-Cl (0.5 mg/kg/day), TG + TPT-Cl, and recovery groups. Animals were daily gavaged for 12 weeks. Both TG and TPT-Cl withdrawal improved TPT-Cl-induced testicular toxicity features involving testis and relative testis weight reduction, luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin elevation, reduction of inhibin B, free testosterone levels, and sperm count reduction with increased abnormal sperm forms. Moreover, both TG and TPT-Cl withdrawal reduced inflammatory activin A, follistatin, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, and proapoptotic Bax and elevated antiapoptotic Bcl2 in testicular tissues mediated by TPT-Cl. TG and TPT-Cl withdrawal restored the excessive autophagy triggered by TPT-Cl via elevation of mTOR, AKT, PI3K, and P62/SQSTM1 and reduction of AMPK, ULK1, Beclin1, and LC3 mRNA gene expressions and regained the deteriorated testicular structure. In conclusion, TG and TPT-Cl withdrawal had an ameliorative role in partially reversing TPT-Cl-induced testicular toxicity. However, the findings indicated that the use of TG as an adjunctive factor is more favorable than TPT-Cl withdrawal, suggesting the capability of the testis for partial self-improvement.
Circadian control of sleep-related neuronal activity in lizards
Authors: Yamaguchi Sho T , Hatori Sena , Kotake Koki T , Zhou Zhiwen , Kume Kazuhiko , Reiter Sam , Norimoto Hiroaki
Published: December 2023

Although diurnal animals displaying monophasic sleep patterns exhibit periodic cycles of alternating slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), the regulatory mechanisms underlying these regular sleep cycles remain unclear. Here, we report that in the Australian dragon Pogona vitticeps exposed to constant darkness (DD), sleep behavior and sleep-related neuronal activity emerged over a 24-h cycle. However, the regularity of the REMS/SWS alternation was disrupted under these conditions. Notably, when the lizards were then exposed to 12 h of light after DD, the regularity of the sleep stages was restored. These results suggest that sleep-related neuronal activity in lizards is regulated by circadian rhythms and that the regularity of REMS and SWS cycling is influenced by daytime light exposure.
Integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Best-Practice Care for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis and Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Labie Céline , Runge Nils , Mairesse Olivier , Nijs Jo , Malfliet Anneleen , Verschueren Sabine , Van Assche Dieter , de Vlam Kurt , Luyten Frank , Bilterys Thomas , Cools Wilfried , De Pourcq Veerle , Delwiche Bérénice , Huysmans Eva , De Baets Liesbet
Published: December 2023

Objective

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal problem worldwide and its key symptom is pain. Guidelines recommend incorporating comorbidity-specific therapies into patient-centered care. Patients diagnosed with KOA frequently have insomnia, which is associated with higher-pain severity. For this reason, this study protocol outlines the methodology of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) combined with best-practice KOA care (BPC) compared to best-practice KOA care and lifestyle education.

Methods

A 2-arm RCT in patients with KOA and insomnia is conducted, in which a total of 128 patients are randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The experimental intervention consists of 12 sessions of physical therapist–led BPC with an additional 6 sessions of CBTi. The control intervention also receives BPC, which is supplemented with 6 general lifestyle information sessions. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in change in pain severity at 6 months after intervention. Secondary outcomes are pain-related outcomes, sleep-related outcomes, symptoms of anxiety and depression, level of physical activity and function, perceived global improvement, biomarkers of inflammation, and health-related quality of life. Assessments are conducted at baseline, immediately after intervention, and 3, 6, and 12 months after intervention. Furthermore, a cost-utility analysis for the proposed intervention will be performed alongside the RCT.

Impact

This is the first RCT investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a physical therapist–led intervention integrating CBTi into BPC in patients with KOA and insomnia. The results of this trial will add to the growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of individualized and comorbidity-specific KOA care, which can inform clinical decision-making and assist policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in optimizing the care pathway for patients with KOA.
Computational multigene interactions in virus growth and infection spread
Authors: Schwab Bradley , Yin John
Published: December 2023

Viruses persist in nature owing to their extreme genetic heterogeneity and large population sizes, which enable them to evade host immune defenses, escape antiviral drugs, and adapt to new hosts. The persistence of viruses is challenging to study because mutations affect multiple virus genes, interactions among genes in their impacts on virus growth are seldom known, and measures of viral fitness are yet to be standardized. To address these challenges, we employed a data-driven computational model of cell infection by a virus. The infection model accounted for the kinetics of viral gene expression, functional gene–gene interactions, genome replication, and allocation of host cellular resources to produce progeny of vesicular stomatitis virus, a prototype RNA virus. We used this model to computationally probe how interactions among genes carrying up to eleven deleterious mutations affect different measures of virus fitness: single-cycle growth yields and multicycle rates of infection spread. Individual mutations were implemented by perturbing biophysical parameters associated with individual gene functions of the wild-type model. Our analysis revealed synergistic epistasis among deleterious mutations in their effects on virus yield; so adverse effects of single deleterious mutations were amplified by interaction. For the same mutations, multicycle infection spread indicated weak or negligible epistasis, where single mutations act alone in their effects on infection spread. These results were robust to simulation in high- and low-host resource environments. Our work highlights how different types and magnitudes of epistasis can arise for genetically identical virus variants, depending on the fitness measure. More broadly, gene–gene interactions can differently affect how viruses grow and spread.
A tale of caution: How endogenous viral elements affect virus discovery in transcriptomic data
Authors: Brait Nadja , Hackl Thomas , Morel Côme , Exbrayat Antoni , Gutierrez Serafin , Lequime Sebastian
Published: December 2023

Large-scale metagenomic and -transcriptomic studies have revolutionized our understanding of viral diversity and abundance. In contrast, endogenous viral elements (EVEs), remnants of viral sequences integrated into host genomes, have received limited attention in the context of virus discovery, especially in RNA-Seq data. EVEs resemble their original viruses, a challenge that makes distinguishing between active infections and integrated remnants difficult, affecting virus classification and biases downstream analyses. Here, we systematically assess the effects of EVEs on a prototypical virus discovery pipeline, evaluate their impact on data integrity and classification accuracy, and provide some recommendations for better practices. We examined EVEs and exogenous viral sequences linked to Orthomyxoviridae, a diverse family of negative-sense segmented RNA viruses, in 13 genomic and 538 transcriptomic datasets of Culicinae mosquitoes. Our analysis revealed a substantial number of viral sequences in transcriptomic datasets. However, a significant portion appeared not to be exogenous viruses but transcripts derived from EVEs. Distinguishing between transcribed EVEs and exogenous virus sequences was especially difficult in samples with low viral abundance. For example, three transcribed EVEs showed full-length segments, devoid of frameshift and nonsense mutations, exhibiting sufficient mean read depths that qualify them as exogenous virus hits. Mapping reads on a host genome containing EVEs before assembly somewhat alleviated the EVE burden, but it led to a drastic reduction of viral hits and reduced quality of assemblies, especially in regions of the viral genome relatively similar to EVEs.

Our study highlights that our knowledge of the genetic diversity of viruses can be altered by the underestimated presence of EVEs in transcriptomic datasets, leading to false positives and altered or missing sequence information. Thus, recognizing and addressing the influence of EVEs in virus discovery pipelines will be key in enhancing our ability to capture the full spectrum of viral diversity.
A novel lumen-apposing metal stent for endoscopic drainage of symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections: a retrospective study
Authors: Xu Ning , Li Longsong , Su Song , Zhao Danqi , Xiang Jingyuan , Wang Pengju , Cheng Yaxuan , Linghu Enqiang , Chai Ningli
Published: December 2023

Background and Objectives

Previous studies showed that lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) provides a feasible route to perform direct endoscopic necrosectomy. However, the high risk of bleeding and migration induced by the placement of LAMS attracted attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel LAMS.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we enrolled patients with symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) to perform EUS–guided drainage with a LAMS in our hospital. Evaluation variables included technical success rate, clinical success rate, and adverse events.

Results

Thirty-two patients with a mean age of 41.38 ± 10.72 years (53.1% males) were included in our study, and the mean size of PFC was 10.06 ± 3.03 cm. Technical success rate and clinical success rate reached 96.9% and 93.8%, respectively. Stent migration occurred in 1 patient (3.1%), and no stent-induced bleeding occurred. The outcomes of using LAMS in 10 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst and 22 patients with walled-off necrosis were comparable. Compared with pancreatic pseudocyst, walled-off necrosis needed more direct endoscopic necrosectomy times to achieve resolution (P = 0.024).

Conclusions

Our study showed that the novel LAMS is effective and safe for endoscopic drainage of PFCs with a relatively low rate of adverse events. Further large-scale multicenter studies are needed to confirm the present findings.
Evidence-Based Practice Mission Possible
Authors: Shaw Carol A. , Maxfield Melissa D.
Published: December 2023

Interactive strategies to teach nurse residents about evidence-based practice (EBP) can instill the confidence to question practice and ensure best care for patients. A nurse residency program with the Mission Possible theme transformed nurses into EBP agents that must solve the EBP process, step-by-step. Clues interspersed with didactic lessons guide the teams through the EBP mission. This creative option for teaching EBP may assist other educators in finding interactive learning opportunities for this content.
Colorectal Carcinoma With Sarcomatoid Components
Authors: Golconda Umamaheshwari , McHugh Kelsey E. , Allende Daniela S. , Collins Katrina , Henn Patrick , Lacambra Maribel , Bejarano Pablo A. , Groisman Gabriel M. , Loughrey Maurice B. , Monappa Vidya , Zhang Xuchen , Hornick Jason L. , Gonzalez Raul S.
Published: December 2023

Colorectal carcinoma with sarcomatoid components (which includes so-called carcinosarcomas and sarcomatoid carcinomas) is a rare subtype with 50 reported cases in the literature and overlapping criteria with undifferentiated carcinoma. We collected and described 15 cases from 10 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 66 years. Symptoms included abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Most tumors presented in the rectosigmoid region, with a mean size of 8.2 cm. The sarcomatoid component, on average, represented 58% of the tumors and took many forms, including spindled (10 cases), anaplastic (9 cases), and rhabdoid (3 cases); one case showed osteoid matrix. Tumor budding was usually high, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were usually low. The sarcomatoid component was keratin-positive in 10 cases. One case showed loss of mismatch repair protein expression, and 2 cases showed SMARCA4 loss (1 also with SMARCA2 loss). Molecular testing identified mutations in KRAS (n=1), NRAS (n=2), BRAF (n=2), APC (n=1), and TP53 (n=1) in a few cases. Tumors often presented at advanced stage, with 11 cases pT4, 9 cases with nodal metastases, and 7 cases with distant metastases. Follow-up was available for 10 cases (median: 2 months), with 2 alive without disease, 3 alive with disease, and 5 dead. Our findings roughly corresponded with those in previously reported cases. Colorectal carcinoma with sarcomatoid components is rare and aggressive, with a poor prognosis for many patients. We suggest that spindled cells, anaplasia, heterologous elements, and/or a component with definable sarcomatous lineage be used to distinguish colorectal carcinoma with sarcomatoid components from undifferentiated carcinoma.
Strategies and Tools for electronic health records and physician workflow alignment: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Oluwole Oluwakemi O. , Haggarty Nicole , Ikenyei Uche , Tinuoye Oluwabambi , Honora Andreawan , Issakah Mohammed Abass
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The rapid adoption of electronic health records (EHR) across the globe by the healthcare industry is an indication of the rising digitalization of healthcare functions. Despite the potential benefits of EHR, achieving a fit between physician workflow and EHR has posed a major challenge, with negative effects on physician wellbeing and patient outcomes. To this effect, organizations have attempted to align the EHR with physician workflow in various ways. It is important to understand the strategies and tools that have been employed and, where possible, the outcome of these engagements as a fundamental insight to resolving this issue.

Methodology

The study will employ a methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley to strategically identify articles that use any type of concept for the alignment of physician workflow and EHR from Embase (OVID), MEDLINE (OVID), PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. It will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist to report findings. The articles will be extracted into the Covidence software, screened, and relevant data will be extracted from the selected articles. A qualitative thematic approach will be used to analyze the data. No ethical approval was sought because the data were collected from sources in the public domain.

Result

The scoping review is scheduled to be completed by April 2024. The results will be presented in tabular and narrative form and published in a reputable journal and through conference presentations.

Conclusion

The outcome of the review aims to provide a systematic toolkit of activities and strategies and, where possible, the corresponding effectiveness that organizations can use to optimize EHR-to-physician workflow alignment. The outcome would also help make appropriate recommendations for alignment. Subsequently, it can improve patient outcomes such as the reduction of medication errors and improvement of patient-centered, improve physician well-being and reduce burnout.
WITHDRAWN: Analysis of Pleiotropy for Testosterone and Lipid Profiles in Males and Females
Authors: Chattopadhyay Srijan , Bhattacharyya Swapnaneel , Basu Sevantee
Published: December 2023

Withdrawal Statement

The authors have withdrawn this manuscript owing to the work having been performed in the lab of Anasuya Chakrabarty, but the mansucript being submitted without her knowledge or consent. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Study Protocol and Rationale of “The UP Project”: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Active Breaks on Health Indicators in Desk-Based Workers
Authors: Cristi-Montero Carlos , Martínez-Flores Ricardo , Espinoza-Puelles Juan Pablo , Favero-Ramirez Laura , Zurita-Corvalan Natalia , Cañete Ignacio Castillo , Leppe Jaime , Ferrari Gerson , Sadarangani Kabir , Cancino-López Jorge , Hernandez-Jaña Sam , Farias Tuillang Yuing , Lemes Vanilson Batista , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Fernando , Brand Caroline
Published: December 2023

Background

Excessive sedentary time has been negatively associated with several health outcomes, and physical activity alone does not seem to fully counteract these consequences. This panorama emphasizes the essential of sedentary time interruption programs. “The Up Project” seeks to assess the effectiveness of two interventions, one incorporating active breaks led by a professional and the other utilizing a computer application (self-led), of both equivalent duration and intensity. These interventions will be compared with a control group to evaluate their impact on physical activity levels, sedentary time, stress perception, occupational pain, and cardiometabolic risk factors among office workers.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study includes 60 desk-based workers from universities and educational institutes in Valparaiso, Chile, assigned to three groups: a) booster breaks led by professionals, b) computer prompts that are unled, and c) a control group. The intervention protocol for both experimental groups will last 12 weeks (only weekdays). The following measurements will be performed at baseline and post-intervention: cardiometabolic risk based on body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone mass evaluated by DXA), waist circumference, blood pressure, and resting heart rate. Physical activity and sedentary time will be self-reported and objectively assessed using accelerometry. Questionnaires will be used to determine the perception of stress and occupational pain.

Discussion

Governments worldwide are addressing health issues associated with sedentary behavior, particularly concerning individuals highly exposed to it, such as desk-based workers. Despite implementing certain strategies, there remains a noticeable gap in comprehensive research comparing diverse protocols. For instance, studies that contrast the outcomes of interventions led by professionals with those prompted by computers are scarce. This ongoing project is expected to contribute to evidence-based interventions targeting reduced perceived stress levels and enhancing desk-based employees’ mental and physical well-being. The implications of these findings could have the capacity to lay the groundwork for future public health initiatives and government-funded.
LDLR Variant Classification for Improved Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Ibrahim Shirin , Hartgers Merel L. , Reeskamp Laurens F. , Zuurbier Linda , Defesche Joep , Kastelein John J.P. , Stroes Erik S.G. , Hovingh G. Kees , Huijgen Roeland
Published: December 2023

Background

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder marked by high LDL cholesterol and an increased premature coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Current dichotomous classification of LDL receptor gene (LDLR) variants may inadequately capture patient variability in LDL cholesterol levels and CAD risk. This study assessed a novel approach for assessingLDLRvariant severity using variant-specific LDL cholesterol percentiles.

Methods

Participants of the Dutch FH cascade screening program were screened for 456LDLRvariants. Sex- and age-specific LDL cholesterol percentiles were computed for eachLDLRvariant carrier. These percentiles were used to calculate the mean LDL cholesterol percentile for each variant. Based on the variant-specific LDL cholesterol percentiles, carriers were grouped into the following strata: <75th, 75th-88th, 88th-92nd, 92nd-96.5th, 96.5th-98th, and ≥98thpercentile. Additionally, variants were categorized into class 1 (LDLR deficient) and non-class 1 (often LDLR defective) variants. CAD risk between carriers in the different strata and non-carriers was compared using a Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Out of 35,257 participants, 12,485 (36%)LDLRvariant carriers were identified. Carriers had a 5-fold higher CAD risk compared with non-carriers. Hazard ratios for CAD increased gradually from 2.2 (95%CI 0.97-5.0) to 12.0 (95%CI 5.5-24.8) across the strata. A 7.3-fold and 3.9-fold increased CAD risk was observed in carriers of class 1 and non-class 1LDLRvariants, respectively.

Conclusions

This study presents a refined approach for classifyingLDLRvariants based on their impact on LDL cholesterol levels, allowing for more precise, genotype-specific CAD risk estimation in FH patients compared with traditional methods.
Competition for resources during development drives allometric patterns in the grassSetaria
Authors: Dale Renee , Banan Darshi , Millman Britney , Leakey Andrew D.B. , Mukherji Shankar , Baxter Ivan
Published: December 2023

Grasses grow a series of phytomers during development. The distance between successive leaves is determined by internode lengths. Grasses exhibit genetic, developmental, and environmental variability in phytomer number, but how this affects internode length, biomass, and height is unknown. We hypothesized that a generalized mathematical model of phytomer development wherein between-phytomer competition influences internode length distributions would be sufficient to explain internode length patterns in twoSetariagenotypes: weedy A10 and domesticated B100. Our model takes a novel approach that includes the vegetative growth of leaf blade, sheath, and internode at the individual phytomer level, and the shift to reproductive growth. To validate and test our mathematical model, we carried out a greenhouse experiment. We found that the rate of leaf emergence is consistent for both genotypes across development, and that the length of time spent elongating for the leaf and internode can be described as the ratio between the time of phytomer emergence and the elongation completion time. The validated model was simulated across all possible parameter values to predict the influence of phytomer number on internode length. This analysis predicts that different internode length distributions across different numbers of total phytomers are an emergent property, rather than a genotype-specific property requiring genotype-specific models. We applied the model to internode length only field data ofS. italicaaccession B100, grown under both well-watered and drought conditions. The model predicts that droughted plants reduce leaf elongation time, reduce resource allocation to the internodes, and overall experience slower growth. Together, model and data suggest that allometric patterns are driven by competition for resources among phytomer and the shift to reproductive growth inSetaria. The resulting model enables us to predict growth dynamics and final allometries at the phytomer level.
“Let's do it and not you do it”: role of mentoring in facilitating change supportive behaviour
Authors: Kurian Rona Elizabeth
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The developmental relation of informal mentoring within the organization could aid in tiding over the challenges that arise with change. The purpose is to explore the relationship between informal mentoring within the organization and change supportive behaviour to put forth a framework describing the catalytic and a priori role of informal mentoring within the organization in augmenting change readiness and facilitating change supportive behaviour for a successful organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the appraisal theory of stress coping, the paper put forward a conceptual framework describing the mechanisms through which informal mentoring within the organization leads to change supportive behaviour among the individuals.

Findings

The conceptual model explains how informal mentoring within the organization develops optimism, resilience, self-efficacy and trust and facilitates change readiness among the individuals, which leads to change supportive behaviours in them. The paper also describes the influence of poor change management history and organizational identity threat on the relations.

Research limitations/implications

The paper explains the underexplored relationship between mentoring and change readiness. It also sheds light on the importance of exploring the micro-foundations of a macro-level phenomenon. Further research should focus on the differential effect of different forms of mentoring on change readiness.

Originality/value

The paper is developed based on the review of extant literature and applying the theoretical lens of appraisal theory of stress coping to the phenomenon. The paper explains the micro-foundation of the phenomenon and describes how informal mentoring would lead to a change supportive behaviour among the individuals.
Manufacture of thermoplastic molds by fused filament fabrication 3D printing for rapid prototyping of polyurethane foam molded products
Authors: Guerrero-Vacas Guillermo , Gómez-Castillo Jaime , Rodríguez-Alabanda Oscar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Polyurethane (PUR) foam parts are traditionally manufactured using metallic molds, an unsuitable approach for prototyping purposes. Thus, rapid tooling of disposable molds using fused filament fabrication (FFF) with polylactic acid (PLA) and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) is proposed as an economical, simpler and faster solution compared to traditional metallic molds or three-dimensional (3D) printing with other difficult-to-print thermoplastics, which are prone to shrinkage and delamination (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polypropilene-PP) or high-cost due to both material and printing equipment expenses (PEEK, polyamides or polycarbonate-PC). The purpose of this study has been to evaluate the ease of release of PUR foam on these materials in combination with release agents to facilitate the mulding/demoulding process.

Design/methodology/approach

PETG, PLA and hardenable polylactic acid (PLA 3D870) have been evaluated as mold materials in combination with aqueous and solvent-based release agents within a full design of experiments by three consecutive molding/demolding cycles.

Findings

PLA 3D870 has shown the best demoldability. A mold expressly designed to manufacture a foam cushion has been printed and the prototyping has been successfully achieved. The demolding of the part has been easier using a solvent-based release agent, meanwhile the quality has been better when using a water-based one.

Originality/value

The combination of PLA 3D870 and FFF, along with solvent-free water-based release agents, presents a compelling low-cost and eco-friendly alternative to traditional metallic molds and other 3D printing thermoplastics. This innovative approach serves as a viable option for rapid tooling in PUR foam molding.
Multisector Collaboration vs. Social Democracy for Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Authors: BERKOWITZ SETH A.
Published: December 2023

Policy Points

Multisector collaboration, the dominant approach for responding to health harms created by adverse social conditions, involves collaboration among health care insurers, health care systems, and social services organizations.

Social democracy, an underused alternative, seeks to use government policy to shape the civil (e.g., civil rights), political (e.g., voting rights), and economic (e.g., labor market institutions, property rights, and the tax‐and‐transfer system) institutions that produce health.

Multisector collaboration may not achieve its goals, both because the collaborations are difficult to accomplish and because it does not seek to transform social conditions, only to mitigate their harms. Social democracy requires political contestation but has greater potential to improve population health and health equity.
Value of CT‐based radiomics in evaluating the response of bone metastases to systemic drug therapy in breast cancer patients
Authors: He Miao , Wang Dongdong , Li Huijie , Sun Meili , Yan Peng , Zhang Yongyuan , Li Li , Yu Dexin , Wang Xiuwen , Hu Yu
Published: December 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the value of nonenhanced computed tomography (CT)‐based radiomics in determining disease progression in breast cancer patients with bone marrow metastases and to develop a model for assessing treatment efficacy.

Methods

A total of 134 breast cancer patients with bone metastases were enrolled from three hospitals. Nonenhanced CT was performed after two cycles of drug treatment. The images were categorized into an invalid and a valid group according to disease progression status. The largest osteolytic lesions' maximum cross‐sections in the CT images were selected as regions of interest (ROIs) for feature extraction. Variance threshold, SelectKBest, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to reduce feature dimensionality. K‐nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), and decision tree (DT) algorithms were trained to establish radiomics models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the models.

Results

The KNN classifier demonstrated the best performance compared to the random grouping method. In the validation group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.810. In the cross‐validation method, the RF classifier showed the best performance with an AUC of 0.84.

Conclusion

Nonenhanced CT‐based radiomics provides a promising method for evaluating the efficacy of systemic drug therapy in breast cancer patients with osteolytic bone metastases.
Understanding improved neonatal ventilation trends in a regional transport service
Authors: Dockery Morven , Harrison Cath
Published: December 2023

Aim

Review changes in neonatal ventilation practice within our regional transport service, Embrace, identifying interventions with greatest impact on improved rates of normocapnia during transfer.

Methods

Using internal transport databases and UK Neonatal Transport Group data submissions, we tracked local and national rates of ventilation and normocapnia. We correlated this with internal changes in practice, including introduction of new equipment, staffing changes, educational interventions and quality improvement projects.

Results

Data demonstrated improvement in normocapnia rates benchmarked against national figures, which was not explained by changes in ventilation methods or rates, or by changes in availability of post‐transfer gases. Greatest improvement was identified following introduction of transcutaneous CO2 monitoring and ventilators enabling volume‐guided ventilation strategies. Additionally, although less quantifiable, educational and quality improvement interventions, and case review mechanisms were felt to be influential.

Conclusion

Volume guided ventilation and transcutaneous CO2 monitoring have had a positive influence on the maintenance of normocapnia during transfer at Embrace Transport Service, although introduction of new equipment still presents challenges which must be overcome. Recognising the significant impact of these technologies allows for ongoing financial, time and educational investment to emphasise their importance and ensure appropriate awareness of limitations and troubleshooting options, maximising their positive impact.
Is musculoskeletal pain associated with increased muscle stiffness? Evidence map and critical appraisal of muscle measurements using shear wave elastography
Authors: Haueise Andreas , Le Sant Guillaume , Eisele‐Metzger Angelika , Dieterich Angela V.
Published: December 2023

Introduction and Aims

Approximately 21% of the world's population suffers from musculoskeletal conditions, often associated with sensations of stiff muscles. Targeted therapy requires knowing whether typically involved muscles are objectively stiffer compared to asymptomatic individuals. Muscle stiffness is quantified using ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE). Publications on SWE‐based comparisons of muscle stiffness between individuals with and without musculoskeletal pain are increasing rapidly. This work reviewed and mapped the existing evidence regarding objectively measured muscle stiffness in musculoskeletal pain conditions and surveyed current methods of applying SWE to measure muscle stiffness.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and CINAHL using the keywords “muscle stiffness”, “shear wave elastography”, “pain”, “asymptomatic controls” and synonyms. The search was supplemented by a hand search using Google Scholar. Included articles were critically appraised with the AXIS tool, supplemented by items related to SWE methods. Results were visually mapped and narratively described.

Results

Thirty of 137 identified articles were included. High‐quality evidence was missing. The results comprise studies reporting lower stiffness in symptomatic participants, no differences between groups and higher stiffness in symptomatic individuals. Results differed between pain conditions and muscles, and also between studies that examined the same muscle(s) and pathology. The methods of the application of SWE were inconsistent and the reporting was often incomplete.

Conclusions

Existing evidence regarding the objective stiffness of muscles in musculoskeletal pain conditions is conflicting. Methodological differences may explain most of the inconsistencies between findings. Methodological standards for SWE measurements of muscles are urgently required.
Trait overdispersion in dragonflies reveals the role and drivers of competition in community assembly across space and season
Authors: Novella‐Fernandez Roberto , Chalmandrier Loïc , Brandl Roland , Pinkert Stefan , Zeuss Dirk , Hof Christian
Published: December 2023

Our understanding of how biotic interactions influence animal community assembly is largely restricted to local systems due to the difficulty of obtaining ecologically meaningful assemblage data across large spatial extents. Here, we used thousands of spatio‐phenologically high‐resolution assemblages across three distinct European regions together with a functional diversity approach to understand community assembly of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), an insect group characterized by a pronounced competitive reproductive biology. We found that adult dragonfly, but not damselfly, assemblages were consistently composed of species morphologically more different than expected by chance based on the traits that enhance their interspecific reproductive encounters. These results provide consistent evidence for the role of competition in the assembly of animal communities, which we interpret is most likely caused by the territorial reproductive biology of dragonflies. Support for competition varied both spatially and seasonally following theoretical expectations, as it was strongest in locations and seasonal moments with low thermal stress (i.e. warm conditions) and high niche packing. Our study illustrates how spatio‐temporal diversity patterns arise from variation in assembly processes.
Fish as fellow creatures—A matter of moral attention
Authors: Winther Hannah , Myskja Bjørn
Published: December 2023

Up against capacity‐based approaches to animal ethics, Cora Diamond has put the idea of animals as our fellow creatures. The aim of this article is to explore the implications of this concept for our treatment of fish. Fish have traditionally been placed at the borders or even outside of the moral community, although there is growing evidence that they have perceptual and social capacities comparable to animals that are considered morally significant. Given that a fellow creature's approach is not primarily concerned with capacities, fish may pose a challenge: Can fish be seen as our fellow creatures, and if so, on what grounds? In exploring these questions, we defend Diamond against Jeff McMahan's critique of her account and its implications that the fellow creature‐concept is reducible to either capacities or special relationships and leaves no room for argument‐based moral reform. We suggest that moral attention is key to grasping the moral significance of fish and discuss how scientific research can support such attention. In so doing, we demonstrate how Diamond's approach to animal ethics provides a viable alternative to the dominant animal ethics approaches. Finally, we indicate how this approach can be useful for discussions on industrial fish farming.
Lymphocytic myenteric ganglionitis associated with equine herpesvirus infection: A cause of chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction and recurrent colic in an adult horse
Authors: Magalhães Mariana Torres , Palmers Katrien , De Cock Hilde , Ribonnet Caroline
Published: December 2023

This report describes a rare case of chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction (CIPO) in a 12‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding, caused by lymphocytic myenteric ganglionitis (MG) associated with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV‐1) and equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV‐5) infection. The horse presented with recurrent colic and weight loss over 1.5 years. Repetitive transrectal examinations consistently revealed small colon impaction and enlargement. During postmortem examination alternating segments of enlarged and reduced luminal diameter were observed throughout the entire intestinal tract. MG with lymphocytic infiltrates and neuronal degeneration of the large intestine were found on histopathological analysis. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed the presence of EHV‐1 and EHV‐5 DNA in affected intestinal tissues. Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of MG and its association with herpesviruses. Early recognition and diagnosis of MG‐associated CIPO may improve treatment approaches and outcomes for future cases.
Net greenhouse gas balance in U.S. croplands: How can soils be part of the climate solution?
Authors: You Yongfa , Tian Hanqin , Pan Shufen , Shi Hao , Lu Chaoqun , Batchelor William D. , Cheng Bo , Hui Dafeng , Kicklighter David , Liang Xin‐Zhong , Li Xiaoyong , Melillo Jerry , Pan Naiqing , Prior Stephen A. , Reilly John
Published: December 2023

Agricultural soils play a dual role in regulating the Earth's climate by releasing or sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil organic carbon (SOC) and emitting non‐CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). To understand how agricultural soils can play a role in climate solutions requires a comprehensive assessment of net soil GHG balance (i.e., sum of SOC‐sequestered CO2 and non‐CO2 GHG emissions) and the underlying controls. Herein, we used a model‐data integration approach to understand and quantify how natural and anthropogenic factors have affected the magnitude and spatiotemporal variations of the net soil GHG balance in U.S. croplands during 1960–2018. Specifically, we used the dynamic land ecosystem model for regional simulations and used field observations of SOC sequestration rates and N2O and CH4 emissions to calibrate, validate, and corroborate model simulations. Results show that U.S. agricultural soils sequestered Tg CO2‐C year−1 in SOC (at a depth of 3.5 m) during 1960–2018 and emitted Tg N2O‐N year−1 and Tg CH4‐C year−1, respectively. Based on the GWP100 metric (global warming potential on a 100‐year time horizon), the estimated national net GHG emission rate from agricultural soils was Tg CO2‐eq year−1, with the largest contribution from N2O emissions. The sequestered SOC offset ~28% of the climate‐warming effects resulting from non‐CO2 GHG emissions, and this offsetting effect increased over time. Increased nitrogen fertilizer use was the dominant factor contributing to the increase in net GHG emissions during 1960–2018, explaining ~47% of total changes. In contrast, reduced cropland area, the adoption of agricultural conservation practices (e.g., reduced tillage), and rising atmospheric CO2 levels attenuated net GHG emissions from U.S. croplands. Improving management practices to mitigate N2O emissions represents the biggest opportunity for achieving net‐zero emissions in U.S. croplands. Our study highlights the importance of concurrently quantifying SOC‐sequestered CO2 and non‐CO2 GHG emissions for developing effective agricultural climate change mitigation measures.