bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student perceptions of osteopathic manipulative treatment after completing a manipulative medicine rotation
Authors: Gamber RG , Gish EE , Herron KM
Published: September 2016

Recent studies have demonstrated a decline in the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) by osteopathic physicians, reflecting a trend that may begin in medical school. The authors used a questionnaire to examine the teaching and use of OMT in five rotations and the perceptions of 86 graduating osteopathic medical students of their experiences following their core manipulative medicine rotation. Most students indicated that they applied osteopathic principles sometimes (39.5%) or often (29.1%) during rotations. Forty-three percent of students rated their ability to apply osteopathic principles as average. The number of students who indicated that they rarely used OMT during their rotations was 31 (36.0%) for internal medicine, 21 (24.4%) for surgery, 23 (26.7%) for pediatrics, and 24 (27.9%) for obstetrics/gynecology. When asked why OMT was not used during a rotation, 47.2% of respondents cited time constraints, and 21.7% stated that their attending physicians discouraged the use of OMT. These results demonstrate a distinction between students' perceived level of osteopathic principles and skills and their application during clinical rotations.
Orientation control of barium titanate films using metal oxide nanosheet layer
Authors: Uchida Hiroshi , Oi Tomotake , Noguchi Keito , Moki Shota , Kim Jin Woon , Shima Hiromi , Nishida Ken , Kiguchi Takanori , Akama Akihiko , Konno Toyohiko J. , Funakubo Hiroshi
Published: September 2016

In the present work, we aim to achieve the preferred crystal orientation of chemical solution deposition (CSD)-derived BaTiO3 films on ubiquitous Si wafers with the assistance of Ca2Nb3O10 nanosheet (ns-CN) template layers. The ns-CN on platinized Si (Pt/Si) substrates aligned the BaTiO3(100) plane to the substrate surface, because of the favorable lattice matching of the ns-CN (001) plane. The CSD process in air required a high crystallization temperature of 900 °C for the preferred crystal orientation of BaTiO3(100) because of the BaCO3 byproduct generated during the combustion reaction of the precursor gel. The processing in vacuum to remove CO2 species enhanced the crystal orientation even at the crystallization temperature of 800 °C, although it can generate oxygen vacancies (

) that cause distorted polarization behavior under an applied field higher than approximately 150 kV/cm. The relative dielectric constant (εr) of the (100)-oriented BaTiO3 film on the ns-CN-supported Pt/Si substrate (ns-CN/Pt/Si) was generally larger than that of the randomly oriented film on Pt/Si, depending on the degree of crystal orientation.
Pathogenic mechanisms in Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Authors: Vásquez Ana María , Tobón Alberto
Published: September 2016

Se presentan los mecanismos patogénicos más conocidos en la infección por Plasmodium falciparum durante la fase eritrocitaria y extraeritrocitaria. La obstrucción vascular, explicada por los fenómenos de secuestro de glóbulos rojos parasitados y la formación de rosetas, mediados por diversos ligandos y receptores endoteliales, además de los procesos inflamatorios instaurados ante la presencia del parásito, son aspectos centrales en la patogenia de la malaria que permiten explicar los procesos de disfunción, daño y muerte celular en diferentes órganos.A partir de eventos como la lesión y la destrucción de eritrocitos, hepatocitos y células endoteliales, la pérdida de integridad del endotelio y la activación de promotores de daño celular y de apoptosis, se explican alteraciones como el aumento de la permeabilidad vascular, la hipoxia y el metabolismo anaerobio, que conducen tanto a lesiones localizadas en órganos como cerebro y pulmón, como a un estado de acidosis generalizada y falla multisistémica.
Short-term MRI measurements as predictors of EDSS progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: grey matter atrophy but not lesions are predictive in a real-life setting
Authors: von Gumberz Johanna , Mahmoudi Mina , Young Kim , Schippling Sven , Martin Roland , Heesen Christoph , Siemonsen Susanne , Stellmann Jan-Patrick
Published: September 2016

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best biomarker of inflammatory disease activity in relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) so far but the association with disability is weak. Appearance of new MRI-lesions is used to evaluate response to immunotherapies in individual patients as well as being the most common primary outcome in phase-2 trials. Measurements of brain atrophy show promising outcomes in natural cohort studies and some phase-2 trials. From a theoretical perspective they might represent irreversible neurodegeneration and be more closely associated with disability. However, these atrophy measurements are not yet established as prognostic factors in real-life clinical routine. High field MRI has improved image quality and resolution and new methods to measure atrophy dynamics have become available.

Objective

To investigate the predictive value of MRI classification criteria in to high/low atrophy and inflammation groups, and to explore predictive capacity of two consecutive routine MRI scans for disability progression in RRMS in a real-life prospective cohort.

Methods

82 RRMS-patients (40 untreated, 42 treated with immunotherapies, mean age 40 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 2, underwent two clinically indicated MRI scans (3 Tesla) within 5–14 months, and EDSS assessment after a mean of 3.0 (1.5–4.2) years. We investigated the predictive value of predefined classifications in low/high inflammatory and atrophy groups for EDSS progression (≥1.5 if baseline EDSS = 0, ≥1.0 if baseline EDSS <5, ≥0.5 for other) by chi-square tests and by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The classifications were based on current scientific or clinical recommendation (e.g., treatment response criteria). Brain atrophy was assessed with three different methods (SIENA, SIENAX, and FreeSurfer). Post-hoc analyses aimed to explore clinical data and dynamics of MRI outcomes as predictors in multivariate linear and logit models.

Results

Progression was observed in 24% of patients and was independent from treatment status. None of the predefined classifications were predictive for progression. Explorative post-hoc analyses found lower baseline EDSS and higher grey matter atrophy (FreeSurfer) as best predictors (R2= 0.29) for EDSS progression and the accuracy was overall good (Area under the curve = 0.81).

Conclusion

Beside EDSS at baseline, short-term grey matter atrophy is predictive for EDSS progression in treated and untreated RRMS. The development of atrophy measurements for individual risk counselling and evaluation of treatment response seems possible, but needs further validation in larger cohorts. MRI-atrophy estimates from the FreeSurfer toolbox seem to be more reliable than older methods.
Development and characterization of fourteen novel microsatellite markers for the chestnut short-tailed fruit bat (Carollia castanea), and cross-amplification to related species
Authors: Cleary Katherine A. , Waits Lisette P. , Hohenlohe Paul A.
Published: September 2016

Rapid anthropogenic land use change threatens the primary habitat of the Chestnut short-tailed bat (Carollia castanea) throughout much of its range. Information on population genetic structure can inform management strategies for this widespread frugivorous bat, and effective protection ofC. castaneawill also benefit the more than 20 mutualistic plant species of which this bat is the primary seed disperser. To facilitate understanding of population genetic structure in this species, fourteen novel microsatellite markers were developed using restriction-site-associated DNA libraries and Illumina sequencing and tested on 28 individuals from 13 locations in Costa Rica. These are the first microsatellite markers developed forC. castanea. All loci were polymorphic, with number of alleles ranging from 2–11 and average observed heterozygosity of 0.631. Markers were also cross-amplified in three additional frugivorous bat species threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation: Sowell’s short-tailed bat (Carollia sowelli), Seba’s short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata), and the Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis), and 10, 11, and 8 were polymorphic, respectively.
Overland movement in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis): a systematic review
Authors: Measey John
Published: September 2016

African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) are often referred to as ‘purely aquatic’ but there are many publications which suggest extensive overland movements. Previous reviews which considered the topic have not answered the following questions: (1) is there evidence for overland dispersal in native and invasive ranges; (2) what is the range of distances moved overland; (3) when does overland movement occur; and (4) is there evidence of breeding migratory behaviour? A systematic review was chosen to synthesise and critically analyse all literature on the overland movement inXenopus laevis. Database searches resulted in 57 documents which revealed a paucity of empirical studies, with 28 containing no data, and 19 having anecdotal content. Overwhelming evidence shows that both native and invasive populations ofX. laevismove overland, with well documented examples for several other members of the genus (X. borealis, X. gilli, X. muelleri, X. fraseriandX. tropicalis). Reports of distances moved overland were from 40 m to 2 km, with no apparent difference between native and invasive ranges. Overland movements are not confined to wet seasons or conditions, but the literature suggests that moving overland does not occur in the middle of the day. Migrations to temporary water-bodies for breeding have been suggested, but without any corroborating data.
New beaked whales from the late Miocene of Peru and evidence for convergent evolution in stem and crown Ziphiidae (Cetacea, Odontoceti)
Authors: Bianucci Giovanni , Di Celma Claudio , Urbina Mario , Lambert Olivier
Published: September 2016

The Ziphiidae (beaked whales) represent a large group of open-ocean odontocetes (toothed cetaceans), whose elusive and deep diving behavior prevents direct observation in their natural habitat. Despite their generally large body size, broad geographical distribution, and high species number, ziphiids thus remain poorly known. Furthermore, the evolutionary processes that have led to their extreme adaptations and impressive extant diversity are still poorly understood. Here we report new fossil beaked whales from the late Miocene of the Pisco Formation (southern Peru). The best preserved remains here described are referred to two new genera and species, the MessinianChavinziphius maxillocristatusand the TortonianChimuziphius coloradensis, based on skull remains from two marine vertebrate-rich localities: Cerro Los Quesos and Cerro Colorado, respectively.C. maxillocristatusis medium sized retains a complete set of functional lower teeth, and bears robust rostral maxillary crests similar to those of the extantBerardius. By contrast,C. coloradensisis small and characterized by large triangular nasals and moderately thickened premaxillae that dorsally close the mesorostral groove. Both species confirm the high past diversity of Ziphiidae, the richest cetacean family in terms of the number of genera and species. Our new phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses depart markedly from earlier studies in dividing beaked whales into two major clades: theMessapicetusclade, which, along with other stem ziphiids, once dominated the southeastern Pacific and North Atlantic; and crown Ziphiidae, the majority of which are found in deep-water regions of the Southern Ocean, with possible subsequent dispersal both globally (MesoplodonandZiphius) and to the cooler waters of the northern oceans (BerardiusandHyperoodon). Despite this relatively clear separation, both lineages seem to follow similar evolutionary trends, including (1) a progressive reduction of dentition; (2) an increase in the compactness and thickness of the rostral bones; (3) similar changes in facial morphology (e.g., elevation of the vertex); and (4) an increase of body size. We suggest that these trends may be linked to a convergent ecological shift to deep diving and suction feeding.
Understanding Variation in Negotiated Rates Using Novel Health Plan Price Transparency Data
Authors: Oakes Allison H. , Ikard Matthew , Patton Catherine , Browne Jim , Organ Nancy , O’Neill Matthew , Jain Sanjula
Published: September 2024

This study uses health plan price transparency data to examine how negotiated rates for the same service vary within and across US payers and hospitals.
Costs of Transfer From Nontrauma to Trauma Centers Among Patients With Minor Injuries
Authors: Tillmann Bourke W. , Nathens Avery B. , Guttman Matthew P. , Pequeno Priscila , Scales Damon C. , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Haas Barbara
Published: September 2024

Importance

Nearly half the patients transferred from nontrauma centers to trauma centers have minor injuries, yet trauma center care is not associated with a difference in morality among patients with minor injuries. Consequently, reducing the frequency of such transfers has been postulated as a method to improve resource allocation. Currently, the economic implications of these transfers are not well understood.

Objective

To estimate health care costs associated with the transfer of patients with minor injuries from nontrauma to trauma centers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2020, in Ontario, Canada. Participants included individuals aged 16 years or older who were transferred to a trauma center after presenting to a nontrauma center with a minor injury (survival >24 hours, Injury Severity Score [ISS] <16, and absence of an American College of Surgeons–defined critical injury). Statistical analysis was conducted from March 2022 to June 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was total health care costs within 30 days of injury, standardized to 2015 Canadian dollars (CAD$). Propensity scoring was used to match transferred patients with controls admitted to nontrauma centers. Negative binomial models were used to estimate differences in costs between transferred patients and matched controls.

Results

Of the 14 557 patients with minor injuries transferred to a trauma center (mean [SD] age, 48.1 [20.9] years; 5367 female patients [36.9%]; median ISS, 4 [IQR, 2-5]), 12 652 (86.9%) were matched with a control. Thirty days after injury, mean health care costs among transferred patients were CAD$13 540 (95% CI, CAD$13 319-CAD$13 765), a 6.5% (95% CI, 4.4%-8.5%) increase relative to controls (CAD$12 719 [95% CI, CAD$12 582-CAD$12 857]). Half the transferred patients (54.9% [7994 of 14 557]) were admitted, while the remainder were discharged after evaluation in the trauma center emergency department. Among patients admitted to a trauma center, mean 30-day costs were CAD$19 602 (95% CI, CAD$19 294-CAD$19 915), a 54.6% (95% CI, 51.5%-57.8%) increase relative to controls.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study of patients with minor injuries transferred from nontrauma centers to trauma centers found that the transfer of these patients was associated with increased costs to the health care system. Given the high prevalence of such transfers, these findings suggest that the development of systems to support the care of patients with minor injuries at their local hospitals is essential to the sustainability of trauma systems.
Projections of Extreme Temperature–Related Deaths in the US
Authors: Khatana Sameed Ahmed M. , Szeto Jonathan J. , Eberly Lauren A. , Nathan Ashwin S. , Puvvula Jagadeesh , Chen Aimin
Published: September 2024

Importance

Extreme heat in the US is increasing due to climate change, while extreme cold is projected to decline. Understanding how extreme temperature along with demographic changes will affect population health is important for devising policies to mitigate the health outcome of climate change.

Objective

To assess the burden of extreme temperature–related deaths in the contiguous US currently (2008-2019) and estimate the burden in the mid–21st century (2036-2065).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used historical (1979-2000) daily mean temperatures to calculate monthly extreme heat (>97.5th percentile value) and extreme cold days (<2.5th percentile value) for all contiguous US counties for 2008 to 2019 (current period). Temperature projections from 20 climate models and county population projections were used to estimate extreme temperature–related deaths for 2036 to 2065 (mid–21st century period). Data were analyzed from November 2023 to July 2024.

Exposure

Current monthly frequency of extreme heat days and projected mid–21st century frequency using 2 greenhouse gas emissions scenarios: Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP)2-4.5, representing socioeconomic development with a lower emissions increase, and SSP5-8.5, representing higher emissions increase.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Mean annual estimated number of extreme temperature–related excess deaths. Poisson regression model with county, month, and year fixed effects was used to estimate the association between extreme temperature and monthly all-cause mortality for older adults (aged ≥65 years) and younger adults (aged 18-64 years).

Results

Across the contiguous US, extreme temperature days were associated with 8248.6 (95% CI, 4242.6-12 254.6) deaths annually in the current period and with 19 348.7 (95% CI, 11 388.7-27 308.6) projected deaths in the SSP2-4.5 scenario and 26 574.0 (95% CI, 15 408.0-37 740.1) in the SSP5-8.5 scenario. The mortality data included 30 924 133 decedents, of whom 15 573 699 were males (50.4%), with 6.3% of Hispanic ethnicity, 11.5% of non-Hispanic Black race, and 79.3% of non-Hispanic White race. Non-Hispanic Black adults (278.2%; 95% CI, 158.9%-397.5%) and Hispanic adults (537.5%; 95% CI, 261.6%-813.4%) were projected to have greater increases in extreme temperature–related deaths from the current period to the mid–21st century period compared with non-Hispanic White adults (70.8%; 95% CI, −5.8% to 147.3%).

Conclusions and Relevance

This cross-sectional study found that extreme temperature–related deaths in the contiguous US were projected to increase substantially by mid–21st century, with certain populations, such as non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults, projected to disproportionately experience this increase. The results point to the need to mitigate the adverse outcome of extreme temperatures for population health.
Bubbles Acting as Micro End‐Effectors for Dexterous Manipulation and Sensing in Aqueous Environment
Authors: Xu Zichen , Xu Qingsong
Published: September 2024

Achieving safe robotic manipulation at the microscopic scale usually requires sophisticated equipment, imposing accessibility difficulty in practice. Inspired by tiny bubbles in nature, a new paradigm is proposed for achieving multifunctional manipulation and sensing using microbubbles for biological application in aqueous environments at low cost. Without demanding the expensive cost of fabrication devices, bubbles with various sizes are easy to generate in situ, which is enabled by bubble‐endowed interface interactions. It is demonstrated that bubbles acting as micro end‐effectors rapidly and adaptively realize dexterous manipulation of microobjects such as biological organisms and droplets. They can function as microgrippers to grasp microobjects based on interface interaction‐induced adhesion and act as soft micromanipulators to safely manipulate fragile objects. Moreover, the bubble micro end‐effector can sense and perceive the designated objects for contact measurement of microforces or surface textures at a microscopic scale via the shape changes of their ultrasoft structures. The reported method successfully integrates grasping, manipulation, and measurement functions in liquid using a single microbubble of less than 1 mm3 volume. These nondestructive functionalities showcase promising prospects for bubble‐based micro end‐effectors in biological manipulation and sensing applications.
RBPMS‐AS1 sponges miR‐19a‐3p to restrain cervical cancer cells via enhancing PLCL1‐mediated pyroptosis
Authors: Huang Lina , Shen Qinqin , Yu Kun , Yang Jie , Li Xiuxiu
Published: September 2024

Cervical cancer (CC) poses a threat to human health. Enhancing pyroptosis can prevent the proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells. This study aims to reveal the candidates that modulate pyroptosis in CC. Accordingly, the common microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) that were sponged by RBPMS antisense RNA 1 (RBPMS‐AS1) and could target Phospholipase C–Like 1 (PLCL1) were intersected. The expression of PBPMS‐AS1/miR‐19a‐3p (candidate miRNA)/PLCL1 was predicted in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), by which the expression location of RBPMS‐AS1 and the binding between RBPMS‐AS1/PLCL1 and miR‐19a‐3p were analyzed. The targeting relationship between RBPMS‐AS1/PLCL1 and miR‐19a‐3p was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. After the transfection, cell counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot were implemented for cell viability and proliferation analysis as well as gene and protein expression quantification analysis. Based on the results, RBPMS‐AS1 and PLCL1 were lowly expressed, yet miR‐19a‐3p was highly expressed in CESC. RBPMS‐AS1 overexpression diminished the proliferation and expressions of N‐cadherin, vimentin, and miR‐19a‐3p, yet enhanced those of E‐cadherin, PLCL1, and pyroptosis‐relevant proteins (inteleukin‐1β, caspase‐1, and gasdermin D N‐terminal). However, the above RBPMS‐AS1 overexpression–induced effects were counteracted in the presence of miR‐19a‐3p. There also existed a targeting relationship and negative interplay between PLCL1 and miR‐19a‐3p. In short, RBPMS‐AS1 sponges miR‐19a‐3p and represses the growth and EMT of CC cells via enhancing PLCL1‐mediated pyroptosis.
LipidOne 2.0: A Web Tool for Discovering Biological Meanings Hidden in Lipidomic Data
Authors: Alabed Husam B. R. , Mancini Dorotea Frongia , Buratta Sandra , Calzoni Eleonora , Giacomo Danika Di , Emiliani Carla , Martino Sabata , Urbanelli Lorena , Pellegrino Roberto Maria
Published: September 2024

LipidOne 2.0 (https://lipidone.eu) is a new web bioinformatic tool for the analysis of lipidomic data. It facilitates the exploration of the three structural levels of lipids: classes, molecular species, and lipid building blocks (acyl, alkyl, or alkenes chains). The tool's flexibility empowers users to seamlessly include or exclude experimental groups and lipid classes at any stage of the analysis. LipidOne 2.0 offers a range of mono‐ and multivariate statistical analyses, specifically tailored to each structural level. This includes a novel lipid biomarker identification function, integrating four diverse statistical parameters. LipidOne 2.0 incorporates Lipid Pathway analysis across all three structural levels of lipids. Users can identify lipid‐involved reactions through case‐control comparisons, generating lists of genes/enzymes and their activation states based on Z scores. Accessible without the need for registration, LipidOne 2.0 provides a user‐friendly and efficient platform for exploring and analyzing lipidomic data. © 2024 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Dataset preparation for LipidOne 2.0

Support Protocol: Lipid nomenclature from spectrometric experiments

Basic Protocol 2: Uploading a dataset into LipidOne 2.0

Basic Protocol 3: Data mining of lipidomic dataset by LipidOne 2.0
State of Health Estimation and Remaining Useful Life Prediction for Lithium‐Ion Batteries Based on Partial Differential Thermal Voltammetry Curve
Authors: Wang Guangfeng , Cui Zhongrui , Yuan Haitao , Lu Dong , Li Tao , Li Changlong , Cui Naxin
Published: September 2024

Accurately estimating the state of health (SOH) and predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium‐ion batteries have become crucial challenges due to the complex aging mechanisms. This paper proposes a data‐driven method for SOH estimation and RUL prediction based on a partial differential thermal voltammetry (DTV) curve and long short‐term memory (LSTM) network. The Gaussian filter method is applied to eliminate measurement noise and obtain a smooth DTV curve. A novel health feature (HF) based on equally spaced sampling points on the DTV curve within partial voltage intervals is proposed for estimating SOH. Then, highly correlated HFs are selected as inputs to the proposed dual LSTM models for estimating SOH and predicting RUL. The aging datasets of three batteries from NASA Prognostics Center of Excellence are utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method for estimating SOH and RUL. The root mean square error (RMSE) for estimating SOH across the three batteries is less than 1.03%, and the RMSE for predicting RUL is less than 3.5 cycles. The validation results indicate that the proposed method provides an accurate and robust estimation of SOH and prediction of RUL.
Clinical observations of weight stigma among nursing students: A descriptive approach
Authors: Kerbyson Myah , Clark Kristen D.
Published: September 2024

Background

Mistreatment of individuals due to their body size or weight stigma has been described as a source of stress and as a deterrent for engagement in the healthcare system. Efforts to reduce weight stigma have included curricular interventions to reduce weight bias among future healthcare professionals. However, few studies have examined students’ observations of weight stigma and subsequent socialization to healthcare environmental norms.

Aims

The purpose of this study is to evaluate observed weight stigma among pre‐licensure nursing students and recent graduates during clinical rotations and its effect on the perceived ability to provide respectful care to people in larger bodies.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional, descriptive study was conducted from February to March 2023. Participants answered questions related to personal weight bias (Fat Phobia Scale), observations of weight stigma, and perceived ability to provide respectful care.

Results

Ninety‐one participants completed the survey, of whom half (n = 48) held a high level of weight bias. A quarter of participants (n = 23) reported that they engaged in weight stigma behaviors and a quarter (n = 24) of participants observed weight stigma behaviors from two or more healthcare professional roles. Almost one‐third (n = 10) of participants who observed weight stigma behaviors perceived that it impacted their ability to provide respectful care to patients in larger bodies.

Conclusions

These findings describe that weight stigma enacted by multiple healthcare professional roles is observed by nursing students during clinical rotations and is perceived to impact their ability to provide respectful care. Efforts to improve healthcare professionals’ sensitivity to the effects of weight bias and weight stigma should include addressing the role of socialized norms on weight bias among future healthcare professionals.
Structural insights into type III polyketide synthase CylI from cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Hua‐Qi , Xiang Zheng
Published: September 2024

Type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) catalyze the formation of a variety of polyketide natural products with remarkable structural diversity and biological activities. Despite significant progress in structural and mechanistic studies of type III PKSs in bacteria, fungi, and plants, research on type III PKSs in cyanobacteria is lacking. Here, we report structural and mechanistic insights into CylI, a type III PKS that catalyzes the formation of the alkylresorcinol intermediate in cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis. The crystal structure of apo‐CylI reveals a distinct arrangement of structural elements that are proximal to the active site. We further solved the crystal structures of CylI in complexes with two substrate analogues at resolutions of 1.9 Å. The complex structures indicate that N259 is the key residue that determines the substrate preference of CylI. We also solved the crystal structure of CylI complexed with the alkylresorcinol product at a resolution of 2.0 Å. Structural analysis and mutagenesis experiments suggested that S170 functions as a key residue that determines cyclization specificity. On the basis of this result, a double mutant was engineered to completely switch the cyclization of CylI from aldol condensation to lactonization. This work elucidates the molecular basis of type III PKS in cyanobacteria and lays the foundation for engineering CylI‐like enzymes to generate new products.
Pulsed X‐Ray Detector Based on Vertical p‐NiO/β‐Ga2O3 Heterojunction Diode
Authors: Zhang Silong , Deng Yuxin , Chen Liang , He Shiyi , Du Xue , Wang Fangbao , Lai Yuru , Zhong Silei , Zhao Naizhe , Li Yang , Zhou Leidang , Lu Xing , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: September 2024

Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) devices have shown great potential for radiation detection. However, developing Ga2O3 detectors for pulsed radiation monitoring is still challenging, which requires high response sensitivity (R), low noise, high time resolution, and linear outputs. Herein, a vertical p‐NiO/β‐Ga2O3 heterojunction diode (HJD) is fabricated and its performance in X‐ray detection is analyzed. Benefiting from the high quality of the p‐n heterojunction, the HJD exhibits a low‐leakage current density of less than 1.73 × 10−7 A cm−2 at 100 V and features a high R of 7.92 μC Gy−1 cm−2, a low noise equivalent dose rate of 9.14 × 10−12 Gy−1 Hz−0.5 at an X‐ray dose rate of 0.383 Gy s−1, and good linear outputs to X‐ray dose rates from 0.0383 to 1.149 Gy s−1. The conductive process of the HJD detector is dominated by the tunneling mechanism, which leads to a longer response time associated with the trapping and releasing process of the deep‐level traps under the continuous X‐ray illumination. However, the pulsed X‐ray response property shows no significant influence from the slow trapping/releasing process of the traps. As a result, pulsed X‐ray radiation detection with a 50 ns full width is achieved, and the time resolution of the detector is characterized to be 3.31 ns by a 20 ps laser source.
An Intelligent Hydrogel Platform with Triple‐Triggered On‐Demand Release for Accelerating Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Zhang Xueliang , Li Yingying , Zhao Zhenfang , Ding Jin , Shan Haojie , Ren Ruizhen , Du Chang
Published: September 2024

The hydrogel platform with intelligent drug delivery system possesses great potential in the treatment of diabetic wounds. Nevertheless, the intelligent elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remains a formidable challenge in facilitating diabetic wound healing. Herein, a hydrogel platform with triple‐triggered on‐demand release is constructed to intelligently scavenge ROS and modulate the wound microenvironment to accelerate diabetic wound healing through the release of antioxidative factors. Specifically, the gelatin (Gel) is modified with phenylboronic acid (PBA) to obtain a glucose‐sensitive Gel derivative (Gel‐BA), which is mixed with oxidized dextran (ODex) and the strong antioxidant myricetin (MY) to swiftly generate a hydrogel platform (OGM). Significantly, the smart release of MY from the hybrid hydrogel under inflammatory conditions intelligently eliminates ROS, effectively alleviating oxidative stress and promoting angiogenic reprogramming of the wound immune microenvironments by activating the Nrf2 pathway. In summary, in vitro and in vivo studies reveal that the OGM hydrogel platform significantly promotes cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation and greatly accelerates diabetic wound healing, offering a local‐specific triple‐response drug release strategy for the treatment of diabetic wound management.
Gender Diversity on Software Development Teams: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kohl Karina , Prikladnicki Rafael
Published: September 2024

Karina Kohl (Uber) and Rafael Prikladnicki (PUCRS)
Exploring Intersectional Perspectives in Software Engineering Through Narratives
Authors: Sánchez-Gordón Mary , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo
Published: September 2024

In this chapter, we explore intersectional perspectives in software engineering by collecting ethnographic histories from three software practitioners from underrepresented groups (URGs). The chapter draws attention to multiple interlocking issues related to diversity and aims to help software engineering researchers and practitioners to become more aware of conscious and unconscious discrimination and to re-story interactions with members of URGs. Without diversity, majoritarian perspectives dominate the software engineering field. This chapter begins with an introduction to intersectionality followed by our research approach, and then three disruptive majoritarian narratives are presented.
Rethinking Gender Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives for CS and SE in a University Setting
Authors: Simmonds Jocelyn , Bastarrica María Cecilia , Hitschfeld Nancy , Mascaró Pablo Villar , Wistuba La Torre Diego S. , Montenegro Jo Muñoz , Cárdenas Millaray
Published: September 2024

Jocelyn Simmonds, María Cecilia Bastarrica, Nancy Hitschfeld-Kahler, Pablo Villar Mascaró, Diego S. Wistuba La Torre, Jo Muñoz Montenegro, and Millaray Cárdenas
How to Measure Diversity Actionably in Technology
Authors: Hamid Md Montaser , Chatterjee Amreeta , Guizani Mariam , Anderson Andrew , Moussaoui Fatima , Yang Sarah , Escobar Isaac , Sarma Anita , Burnett Margaret
Published: September 2024

Md Montaser Hamid, Amreeta Chatterjee, Mariam Guizani, Andrew Anderson, Fatima Moussaoui, Sarah Yang, Isaac Tijerina Escobar, Anita Sarma, and Margaret Burnett
Elicitation Revisited for More Inclusive Requirements Engineering
Authors: Tizard James , Rietz Tim , Blincoe Kelly
Published: September 2024

James Tizard, Tim Rietz, and Kelly Blincoe

To create inclusive software, development teams need to consider how they identify inclusive requirements for a software product. Requirements elicitation is the first stage in the process of developing the requirements of a software system. Elicitation is about describing the functionality, reliability, efficiency, and usability of the system to be developed, so that it suits the end users’ needs [12].

Recent research has found that both traditional elicitation techniques (e.g., user interviews) and newer online crowd-based approaches may have challenges in gathering the views of a diverse set of users. In particular, there are significant challenges in eliciting requirements from users with cognitive disabilities, as well as ensuring that the full demographic spectrum (e.g., by gender, age, ethnicity) of a user base is adequately represented.

This chapter discusses the motivations for more inclusive requirements elicitation and the challenges that need to be overcome and finally makes recommendations for both requirements engineering practitioners and researchers.
The role of fibre bonds in permanent curl of paper and how it is affected by crosslinking
Authors: Maaß Alexander , Selinger Julian , Hirn Ulrich
Published: September 2024

Irreversible deformation of paper is a challenge for both printer operation and product quality, particularly in inkjet printing with water-based inks. Here we are investigating permanent paper curl, which is the residual curl of paper after drying of the ink (i.e., it is not the immediate paper curl due to wetting). The key aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that permanent paper curl is created by partial opening and rearrangement of the fibre–fibre bonds in the wetted paper layer. In order to test this hypothesis, we produced paper with crosslinked fibre–fibre bonds that do not open in the presence of water. Polyamideamine epichlorohydrin (PAE) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid were used as crosslinking agents and properties of the treated paper samples were analysed. Both agents led to significantly improved wet strength of the papers, furthermore we indeed found that the permanent curl of crosslinked papers was strongly reduced. Other curl related mechanisms like differences in fibre swelling, paper hydroexpansion and liquid penetration were not able to explain the reduction in curl. The finding that the creation of fibre–fibre bonds unaffected by water prevents permanent curl of paper after wetting and redrying leads to the conclusion that the mechanism for creating permanent paper curl after wetting is related to the partial opening and rearrangement of fibre–fibre bonds in the wetted paper. Possible pathways to apply these findings to paper production are discussed, for example switchable or temporary wet strength agents.
Imaging of the skull base and orbital tumors
Authors: Sakai Masafumi , Hiyama Takashi , Kuno Hirofumi , Kobayashi Tatsushi , Nakajima Takahito
Published: September 2024

The skull base and orbit have complicated anatomical structures where various tumors can occur. The tumor may present with neurological symptoms; however, its diagnosis is clinically difficult owing to accessibility issues. Therefore, diagnostic imaging is crucial in assessing tumors in the skull base and orbit and guiding subsequent management. Notably, some tumors have a predilection for a specific site of origin, and identifying the site of origin on imaging can help narrow the differential diagnosis. At the skull base, chordomas typically occur in the clivus, chondrosarcomas in the paramedian areas, paragangliomas in the jugular foramen, neurogenic tumors, and perineural spread in the neural foramen. Among orbital tumors, cavernous hemangiomas usually occur in the intraconal space, and pleomorphic adenomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas occur in the lacrimal glands. Some skull base and orbital tumors exhibit distinctive imaging features. Chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base show high signal intensities on T2-weighted images, with chondrosarcomas often displaying cartilaginous calcifications. Paragangliomas are characterized by their hypervascular nature. In the orbit, cavernous hemangiomas and pleomorphic adenomas present unique dynamic patterns. Immunoglobulin G4-related disease forms lesions along the nerves. Identifying the tumor origin and its imaging characteristics can help narrow the differential diagnosis of skull base and orbital tumors.
Misorientations and Subgrains in Sn-Ag and Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Balls After Solidification
Authors: Sun Sihan , Xian Jingwei , Hsieh Chen-Lin , Gourlay Christopher M.
Published: September 2024

Subgrains and recrystallisation are common microstructural features in solder joints that have been subjected to thermal fatigue or mechanical loading. Here we study similar features in Sn-Ag and Sn-Ag-Cu solder balls after solidification. It is shown that four types of misorientation features exist to different extents in solder balls examined shortly after solidification: (i) small variations in orientation created by dendrite growth and eutectic solidification, (ii) partial polygonisation into subgrains, (iii) small grains with high angle boundaries and (iv) large anomalous grains surrounded by interlacing where the grain boundaries do not correlate with the dendrite growth pattern. The subgrains often have a boundary plane and rotation axis consistent with dislocations from a facile slip system. The recovery and misorientation features were more extensive in regions that solidified at deeper melt undercooling. The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between the solidification and solid-state components of microstructure evolution when interpreting solder microstructures after solidification.
Can Physicochemical Properties Alter the Potency of Aeroallergens? Part 2 – Impact of Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Teixeira Carla S. S. , Carriço-Sá Bruno , Villa Caterina , Mafra Isabel , Costa Joana
Published: September 2024

Purpose of Review

A holistic perspective on how physicochemical properties modulate the allergenicity of proteins has recently been performed for food allergens, launching the challenge of a similar analysis for aeroallergens. After a first review on aeroallergen classification into protein families (Part 1), this second part (Part 2) will exploit the impact of physicochemical properties (abundance/biological function, protein structure/presence of post-translational modifications, ligand/cofactor/lipid-binding) on inhalant protein allergenicity.

Recent Findings

The abundance linked to biological function is correlated with increased allergenic risk for most protein families, while the loss of structural integrity with consequent destruction of conformational epitopes is well linked with decreased allergenicity. Ligand-binding effect totally depends on the ligand type being highly variable among aeroallergens.

Knowledge about the physicochemical properties of aeroallergens is still scarce, which highlights the need for research using integrated approaches (in silico and experimental) to generate and analyze new data on known/new aeroallergens.
Evaluation of the 10-item Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ10): cross-cultural assessment and scrutiny of method effects
Authors: Denovan Andrew , Dagnall Neil , Artamonova Elena , Papageorgiou Kostas A.
Published: September 2024

The 10-item Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ10) is an easy to administer, global measure of mental toughness. Previous analysis established that the MTQ10 was psychometrically superior to the preceding, widely used, 18-item version. Nevertheless, the MTQ10 is potentially undermined by a method effect arising from the inclusion of negatively phrased items. Noting this, the present paper further assessed the measurement properties of the MTQ10 via cross-cultural comparisons. This involved assessing the factor composition in samples from the UK (N = 596), Greece (N = 1230), and Italy (N = 425). Rather than a strict method effect, analyses found effects specific to pairs of negative items. The emergent model demonstrated partial invariance across countries. National variations in mental toughness scores were ascribable to societal differences. Convergent validity was demonstrated using theoretically related variables (Dark Triad and Life Satisfaction). Overall, results supported the use of the MTQ10 as a global mental toughness measure. Additionally, outcomes suggested that further cross-cultural comparison would provide useful insights into the nature of mental toughness.
The fluidity of empire: hydraulics of neo-assyrian canal systems in relation to their possible uses
Authors: Stampoultzidis A. , Morandi Bonacossi D. , Reculeau H. , Savioli A. , Van Nooijen R. R. P. , Ertsen M. W.
Published: September 2024

The Neo-Assyrian empire offers a clear example of the key relationship between imperial power and water management. Irrigated landscapes under the direct impulse of the Assyrian state were important during its imperial heydays of the late 9th to 7th centuries BC. In the very heartland of the empire (the “Assur-Nineveh-Arbela Triangle” this imperialization of the landscape was the most dramatic, with large canals, aqueducts, and dams redirecting water flows toward the urban areas. Our hydraulic analysis of the canal network connecting Nineveh to its northeastern hinterlands explores how large-scale imperial investments generated imperialized landscapes that marked a substantial divergence from the preexisting conditions in terms of shape and sizes of canal infrastructure. One key question is whether Sennacherib’s hydraulic accomplishments provided meaningful changes to the agricultural economy of the region surrounding Nineveh, especially whether the canals allowed shifting the focus from extensive dry farming to intensive irrigation farming. Our hydraulic modelling shows that Assyrian water controllers and users would benefit from irrigation on the fields upstream of Nineveh. However, they would not benefit automatically from more control of flows in and from the system. Our results do not provide a single, definitive answer, given the uncertainty in data and the many options to model and understand the water systems, but especially for inflows below reference levels, the importance of controlled irrigation is evident. This suggests that irrigation will have been very likely to increase yields throughout the canal area.
American partisans vastly under-estimate the diversity of other partisans’ policy attitudes
Authors: Dias Nicholas C. , Lelkes Yphtach , Pearl Jacob
Published: September 2024

A popular explanation for America's democratic ills is that Republicans and Democrats misperceive one another to hold extreme attitudes. However, Americans may also misperceive the diversity of partisans’ attitudes to ill effect. This paper uses surveys and pre-registered experiments with representative and convenience samples (n = 9405) to validate a measure of perceived attitude extremity and diversity and compare it to canonical measures of perceived polarization. We find that American partisans vastly under-estimate the diversity of each party's attitudes. Yet, contrary to existing research, we see little evidence that partisans over-estimate how extreme the “average” Republican or Democrat is. Finally, perceptions of both the “average” partisan and within-party attitude diversity predict partisan animosity and perceptions of out-party threat.
Chondrichthyian biodiversity in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: Santander-Neto Jones , Lírio Guilherme dos Santos , Moreira José Victor Calenzani de Oliveira , Gadig Otto Bismarck Fazzano , Hostim-Silva Maurício
Published: September 2024

Little is known about the Chondrichthyes fauna of the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, notably on the species composition, distribution, and biology. Historically, only a few studies have focused on these issues. Basic taxonomy is one of the main tools employed in cataloguing, organizing, and initiating other, more specific, assessments regarding regional diversity. In this context, this study presents the most comprehensive list of shark and ray species occurring in the state of Espírito Santo to date. The compiled data were obtained from specimens deposited in ichthyological collections, literature reviews, and samplings conducted at fisheries landings and onboard commercial fleet vessels. The findings indicate 79 species, comprising 51 sharks and 28 rays. A total of 53.2% of threatened Brazilian marine elasmobranch species occur in the area, indicating the importance of carrying out local studies focusing on this group. A first record for the Brazilian large-eyed stingray, Hypanus marianae, was also observed for the state, increasing the southern limit of the species known distribution, previously considered restricted to the North and Northeast coasts.
Atomic energy for Antarctica: the rise and fall of “Nukey Poo”
Authors: Nielsen Hanne E.F.
Published: September 2024

Antarctica is often cast as a last wilderness, untouched by humans and set aside for peace and science. Yet it also has a nuclear past that foreshadowed a shift in human interactions with the continent, away from development and towards protection. This paper examines the discourse around the installation and the dismantlement of PM-3A, the first and only large-scale nuclear reactor to have been used on the Antarctic continent. Affectionately known as “Nukey Poo,” the reactor was greeted with optimism by the USA and was seen as a catalyst for a more comfortable and technologically advanced future for the humans at McMurdo Station. This techno-optimism spurred visions of a resource-rich Antarctic future. When it became apparent a decade on that the reactor was too costly and had been leaking, the narration shifted to centre on environmental protection, resulting in the removal of a mountainside of gravel in the name of ecological restoration. The reactor is gone, but not forgotten – the site is designated as a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty System. Spanning from the Cold War to the Madrid Protocol era, the story of Nukey Poo provides a useful lens through which to track the evolution of attitudes towards Antarctica and to reflect on imagined Antarctic futures.