bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subgroup Analyses of Girl2Girl, a Text Messaging-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program for Sexual Minority Girls: Results from a National RCT
Authors: Ybarra Michele L. , Saewyc Elizabeth , Rosario Margaret , Dunsiger Shira
Published: February 2023

This study aims to investigate whether Girl2Girl, a text messaging-based pregnancy prevention program for cisgender LGB+ girls, had different effects on subgroups based on age, sexual identity, and experience with penile-vaginal sex. A total of 948 girls, 14–18 years old, were recruited nationally via social media and enrolled over the telephone. Once they completed the baseline, they were randomized to either Girl2Girl or an attention-matched control program that discussed “healthy lifestyle” topics (e.g., self-esteem). Both programs were 5 months long: Girls received daily messages for 8 weeks, and then went through a “latent” period of 3 months, and finished with a 1-week review. Outcome measures included condom-protected sex, uptake of other types of birth control, abstinence, and pregnancy. Measures were collected at baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month post-intervention end, which was 17 months after enrollment. Effect modification was examined using longitudinal mixed effects models. Overall, results suggested significant moderating effects of age, (f2 = .12), sexual identity (f2 < .14), and sexual experience (f2 = .11) on rates of condom use and use of other contraception. Although there were no significant moderating effects on pregnancy, abstinence, or intentions to use condoms, use birth control, or be abstinent, (p’s > .16), patterns of effects were in the same direction as for significant findings. For example, at 9-month post-intervention, among those who identified as bisexual, the incidence rate of protected sex events was 39% higher for intervention vs. control (IRR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.06–2.70), adjusting for baseline rate of condom use and sexual experience. Similarly, at 12 months, among bisexual participants, intervention participants had a significantly higher IRR of condom-protected sexual events (IRR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.31–5.34). There were also higher odds of uptake of birth control use other than condoms for intervention vs. control at 6- (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.77), 9 m (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.89), and 12-month (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07–1.78) follow-up. Girl2Girl appears to be particularly effective for older adolescents, bisexual girls, and those who have already had penile-vaginal sex. No one single approach is going to affect teen pregnancy. Instead, it is more likely that different intervention content and delivery methods will be more accessible and salient to some but not other youth. Understanding for whom the intervention works is just as important as understanding for whom the intervention does not, as this can inform opportunities for future intervention development.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID# NCT03029962.
The Institutionalization of Hatred Politics in the Mediterranean: Studying Corpora of Online News Portals During the European ‘Refugee Crisis’
Authors: Serafis Dimitris , Zappettini Franco , Assimakopoulos Stavros
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to study the argumentative basis on which the prevention of migration is justified and hatred politics is institutionalised in three Mediterranean settings, namely Greece, Malta, and Italy, that were at the centre of the so-called ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015–2017. Following the rubric of corpus-assisted Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA) to Critical Discourse Studies (CDS), we trace (a) the main meaningful patterns, and (b) discursive and argumentation strategies (topoi) in three balanced corpora of mainstream news portals aligned with centre-right and centre-left political views. Among our main findings, the mobilisation of migrant populations is construed as an extremely polarised issue both in national and EU contexts and claims in favour of its prevention are justified on topoi of danger/threat, numbers and burdening/weighing down.
Predicting the pathological invasiveness of early lung adenocarcinoma prior to surgery using Deauville criteria: reliability and validity
Authors: Nishimori Miki , Iwasa Hitomi , Nakaji Kosuke , Nitta Noriko , Miyatake Kana , Yoshimatsu Rika , Yamanishi Tomoaki , Matsumoto Tomohiro , Kato Mahiru , Hayashi Naoya , Toi Makoto , Tamura Masaya , Yamagami Takuji
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of FDG-PET/CT visual assessment using Deauville criteria to predict pathological invasiveness of early lung adenocarcinoma prior to surgery.

Materials and methods

Between April 2020 and January 2022, 51 patients who underwent surgery for pathological stage 0/I lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled. The pulmonary lesions were divided into two groups according to pathological invasiveness: less invasive (including adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma. We compared CT size (total and solid size), SUVmax, and Deauville score between the two groups. Furthermore, we investigated inter-rater and intra-rater agreements regarding the Deauville score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify the diagnostic performance of each method.

Results

Based on pathologic diagnoses, 51 lesions in the 51 patients were divided into 6 less invasive and 45 invasive adenocarcinoma lesions. According to quadratic-weighted Kappa statistics, inter-rater (k = 0.93) and intra-rater (k = 0.97) agreements among all five components of the Deauville score indicated high agreement. There was a statistically significant difference in CT solid size, SUVmax, and Deauville score between the two groups. There were no significant differences between CT solid size and FDG-PET/CT assessments (AUC = 0.93 for Deauville score and SUVmax, AUC = 0.84 for CT solid size).

Conclusion

FDG-PET/CT visual assessment using the Deauville score could assist in deciding upon minimally invasive surgery for early lung adenocarcinoma.
Normwerte und Prädiktoren des Level of Service Inventory – Revised in der forensischen Suchtbehandlung gemäß § 64 StGB
Authors: Langenstück Lena-Marie , Querengässer Jan , Schiffer Boris
Published: February 2023

Bei steigenden Zahlen von Unterbringungen gemäß § 64 StGB und zugleich hohen Erledigungsquoten über 50 % besteht großer Bedarf an einer differenzierten Analyse der Risikoprofile und entsprechender Behandlungsbedarfe in der Gruppe der suchtkranken Straftäter. Das Level of Service Inventory – Revised (LSI-R) ist ein strukturiertes Instrument der Risikoprognostik, für das validierte Normwerte für männliche, erwachsene Strafgefangene vorliegen. Es integriert Informationen zu statischen und dynamischen Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren. Mit dem Ziel der Identifikation charakteristischer Merkmale und Risikoprofile von gemäß § 64 StGB untergebrachten Patienten wurde eine klinikübergreifende Vollerhebung einer 9‑Monats-Kohorte aus 4 Entziehungsanstalten in Nordrhein-Westfalen durchgeführt (n = 205). Als Datengrundlage dienten neben dem LSI-R-Rating u. a. die Basisdatendokumentation sowie suchtspezifische Angaben zu den jeweiligen Patienten. Die Analyse des LSI-R-Gesamt-Scores ergab für die Maßregelvollzugsstichprobe im Mittel einen Wert von M = 29,36 (SD = 7,21), was den Mittelwert der JVA-Normstichprobe (M = 24,65, SD = 7,35) signifikant übersteigt (Dahle 2006). Über 70 % der Maßregelvollzugspatienten lassen sich den beiden höchsten Risikokategorien (hohes bzw. sehr hohes Risiko) zuordnen. Prädiktive Effekte in Bezug auf den LSI-R-Gesamt-Score zeigten sich v. a. für die anamnestischen Variablen höchste besuchte Schulform, schwerstes Delikt, Hauptdiagnose und Substitution. Auch zeigte sich, dass eine Reihe frühkindlicher Verhaltensauffälligkeiten signifikant mit dem LSI-R-Gesamt-Score kovariieren. Aus den Ergebnissen lassen sich Rückschlüsse auf relevante statische und dynamische Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren von Maßregelvollzugspatienten ableiten, welche insbesondere in Bezug auf die Therapie(planung) von Bedeutung sein können. Die vorhandenen Befunde dienen als Grundlage für weitergehende, vertiefende, längsschnittliche Analysen.
Plasma-Assisted Green Synthesis of ZnO Directly on Polyethylene Terephthalate Fabric
Authors: Verbič Anja , Brenčič Katja , Primc Gregor , Mozetič Miran , Šala Martin , Gorjanc Marija
Published: February 2023

This article presents green in situ synthesis of ZnO directly on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics using pomegranate peel extract. The surface of PET was activated by environmentally friendly oxygen plasma, and the process was compared to alkali treatment where the extract of wood ash was used instead of classical chemicals. Sorption analysis showed that the hydrophilic character of the plasma-treated sample was much better than that of the alkali-treated and untreated samples. Both treatments slightly decreased the breaking strength and elongation of the fabric. Scanning electron microscopy, colour measurements, dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and antioxidant activity investigations showed that the ZnO particles were successfully synthesised on alkali- and plasma-treated PET. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results showed that ellagic acid and punicalagin were the most abundant compounds in the pomegranate peel extract that enabled the synthesis of ZnO. The UV protection, amount of ZnO, and uniformity were the highest for the ZnO prepared on the PET samples by the plasma-assisted green synthesis. Additional optical assessment of fabric porosity and thickness measurements confirmed that these fabrics have excellent UV protection due to the presence of ZnO.
Paired Synoptic and Long-Term Monitoring Datasets Reveal Decadal Shifts in Suspended Sediment Supply and Particulate Organic Matter Sources in a River-Estuarine System
Authors: Richardson C. M. , Young M. , Paytan A.
Published: February 2023

The San Francisco Estuary, in central California, has several long-running monitoring programs that have been used to reveal human-induced changes throughout the estuary in the last century. Here, we pair synoptic records of particulate organic matter (POM) composition from 1990–1996 and 2007–2016 with more robust long-term monitoring program records of total suspended sediment (TSS) concentrations generally starting in the mid-1970s to better understand how POM and TSS sources and transport have shifted. Specifically, POM C:N ratios and stable isotope values were used as indicators of POM source and to separate the bulk POC pool into detrital and phytoplankton components. We found that TSS and POC sources have shifted significantly across the estuary in time and space from declines in terrestrial inputs. Landward freshwater and brackish water sites, in the Delta and near Suisun Bay, witnessed long-term declines in TSS (32 to 52%), while seaward sites, near San Pablo Bay, recorded recent increases in TSS (16 to 121%) that began to trend downwards at the end of the record considered. Bulk POM C:N ratios shifted coeval with the TSS concentration changes at nearly all sites, with mean declines of 12 to 27% between 1990–1996 and 2007–2016. The widespread declines in bulk POM C:N ratios and inferred changes in POC concentrations from TSS trends, along with the substantial declines in upstream TSS supply through time (56%), suggest measurable reductions in terrestrial inputs to the system. Changes in terrestrial TSS and POM inputs have implications for biotic (e.g., food web dynamics) and abiotic organic matter cycling (e.g., burial, export) along the estuarine continuum. This work demonstrates how human-generated environmental changes can propagate spatially and temporally through a large river-estuary system. More broadly, we show how underutilized monitoring program datasets can be paired with existing (and often imperfect) synoptic records to generate new system insight in lieu of new data collection.
Digitalization for supply chain resilience and robustness: The roles of collaboration and formal contracts
Authors: Li Ying , Li Dakun , Liu Yuyang , Shou Yongyi
Published: February 2023

Black swan events such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak cause substantial supply chain disruption risks to modern companies. In today’s turbulent and complex business environment, supply chain resilience and robustness as two critical capabilities for firms to cope with disruptions have won substantial attention from both the academia and industry. Accordingly, this study intends to explore how digitalization helps build supply chain resilience and robustness. Adopting organizational information processing theory, it proposes the mediating effect of supply chain collaboration and the moderating effect of formal contracts. Using survey data of Chinese manufacturing firms, the study applied structural equation modelling to test the research model. Results show that digitalization has a direct effect on supply chain resilience, and supply chain collaboration can directly facilitate both resilience and robustness. Our study also indicates a complementary mediating effect of supply chain collaboration on the relationship between digitalization and supply chain resilience and an indirect-only mediation effect on the relationship between digitalization and supply chain robustness. Findings reveal the differential roles of digitalization as a technical factor and supply chain collaboration as an organizational factor in managing supply chain disruptions. Paradoxically, formal contracts enhance the relationship between digitalization and supply chain resilience but weaken the relationship between supply chain collaboration and supply chain resilience. The validation of moderating effects determines the boundary conditions of digitalization and supply chain collaboration and provides insights into governing supply chain partners’ behavior. Overall, this study enhances the understanding on how to build a resilient and robust supply chain.
Prediction of Angina Pectoris Events in Middle-Aged and Elderly People Using RR Interval Time Series in the Resting State: A Cohort Study Based on SHHS
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Huichun
Published: February 2023

Angina pectoris is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. In this study, a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) prediction model with the Attention layer was established to explore the predictive value of the resting-state RR interval time series on the occurrence of angina pectoris. The data of this cohort study were from the Sleep Heart Health Study database, 2,977 people were included with the follow-up of 15 years. We used the RR interval time series of electrocardiogram signals in the resting state. The outcome variables were any angina events during the follow-up. We randomly divided 2,977 participants into training (n = 2680) and testing sets (n = 297) with a partition ratio of 9:1. The prediction model of Bi-LSTM with Attention layer was developed and the predictive performance was assessed. 1,236 had angina pectoris and 1,741 patients did not have angina pectoris during the follow-up period. The predictive performance of the Bi-LSTM model was great with the value of accuracy = 0.913, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.922, precision = 0.913 in the testing set. RR intervals may be the potential predictors of angina events. It is more and more convenient to obtain heart rate with the development of wearable devices; the Bi-LSTM prediction model established in this study is expected to provide support for the intelligent prediction of angina pectoris events.
Electoral mobilization, party support and EU issue voting: an analysis of five countries
Authors: Carrieri Luca , Conti Nicolò , Morini Marco
Published: February 2023

This article analyzes the influence of the EU party-voter distance on party support moderated by the impact of EU salience. To this goal, we focus on the party-voter dyad and we analyze patterns of EU issue voting in first-order national elections in five EU countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) between 2017 and 2018. We make use of a combination of data from CHES and a public opinion survey to construct the distance measures, and a mix of CHES and Twitter data to measure EU salience. We show that voters are mobilized on the EU, with EU party positions operating as a driving factor of the voting preferences of the electorate and EU salience moderating this relationship.
Caecal digestibility as an approximation of ileal protein digestibility evaluation in rats
Authors: Guillin Florence M. , Gaudichon Claire , Guérin-Deremaux Laetitia , Lefranc-Millot Catherine , Khodorova Nadezda , Besançon Stéphane , Calvez Juliane
Published: February 2023

The rat model can be used to assess ileal protein digestibility rapidly and in first intention, but no standardised method exists. Our objective was to compare methods to assess protein digestibility, depending on collection site (ileum/caecum) and use of a non-absorbable marker. A meal containing either casein, gluten or pea protein and chromium oxide as non-absorbable marker was given to male Wistar rats and the entire digestive content was collected 6 h later. Total chromium recovery was incomplete and variable, depending on protein source. We observed no significant difference in digestibility between the methods for any of the protein sources tested. Although none of the methods tested is optimal, our results suggest that caecal digestibility can be used as a proxy of ileal digestibility in rats without using a non-absorbable marker. This simple method makes it possible to evaluate protein digestibility of new alternative protein sources for human consumption.
How can quantum technologies be applied in healthcare, medicine and the life sciences?
Authors: Flöther Frederik F. , Griffin Paul F.
Published: February 2023

Quantum technologies, including computing, communication/security and sensing, have significantly advanced over the last years. Industry-specific applications are now being intensely researched and healthcare, medicine and the life sciences represent one of the focus areas.
Business Creation and Political Turmoil: Ireland versus Scotland before 1900
Authors: Adams Robin J. C. , Campbell Gareth , Coyle Christopher , Turner John D.
Published: February 2023

What effect does political instability in the form of a potential secession from a political union have on business formation? Using newly collected data on business creation, we show that entrepreneurial activity in Ireland in the late nineteenth century was much lower than Scotland, and this divergence fluctuated over time. Several factors may have contributed to this, but we argue that political uncertainty about the prospect of a devolved government in Ireland played a role. The effects were most acute in the North of Ireland, the region that was most concerned by potential changes.
Rahul Bajaj: An Extraordinary Life
Authors: Kudaisya Medha
Published: February 2023

Rahul Bajaj, long-time chairman of the more-than-120-year-old Bajaj empire—best known for Bajaj Auto, one of the most valuable motorcycle firms globally, and Bajaj Finserv, its financial services arm—was a larger-than-life figure in Indian industry and public life. Famed for his probity, Bajaj twice served as president of the Confederation of Indian Industry, was an elected member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Parliament), was awarded a Padma Bhushan (the third-highest civilian award), and was a fearless and outspoken public figure. His business career, which started in 1958 at the height of India's License Raj, in many ways charts the story of India's dramatic economic transformation over the decades.
Malformed individuals of the trilobiteEstaingia bilobatafrom the Cambrian Emu Bay Shale and their palaeobiological implications
Authors: Bicknell Russell DC , Holmes James D , García-Bellido Diego C , Paterson John R
Published: February 2023

Malformed trilobite specimens present important insight into understanding how this extinct arthropod group recovered from developmental or moulting malfunctions, pathologies, and injuries. Previously documented examples of malformed trilobite specimens are often considered in isolation, with few studies reporting on multiple malformations in the same species. Here we report malformed specimens of the ellipsocephaloid trilobiteEstaingia bilobatafrom the Emu Bay ShaleKonservat-Lagerstätte(CambrianSeries 2, Stage 4) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Ten malformed specimens exhibiting injuries, pathologies, and a range of teratologies are documented. Furthermore, five examples of mangled exoskeletons are presented, indicative of predation onE. bilobata. Considering the position of malformed and normal specimens ofE. bilobatain bivariate space, we demonstrate that the majority of malformed specimens cluster among the larger individuals. Such specimens may exemplify larger forms successfully escaping predation attempts, but could equally represent individuals exhibiting old injuries that were made during earlier (smaller) growth stages that have healed through subsequent moulting events. The available evidence from the Emu Bay Shale suggests that this small, extremely abundant trilobite likely played an important role in the structure of the local ecosystem, occupying a low trophic level and being preyed upon by multiple durophagous arthropods. Furthermore, the scarcity of malformedE. bilobataspecimens demonstrates how rarely injuries, developmental malfunctions, and pathological infestations occurred within the species.
War and Welfare in Colonial Algeria
Authors: Koehler-Derrick Gabriel , Lee Melissa M.
Published: February 2023

A distinguishing feature of the modern state is the broad scope of social welfare provision. This remarkable expansion of public assistance was characterized by huge spatial and temporal disparities. What explains the uneven expansion in the reach of social welfare? We argue that social welfare expansion depends in part on the ability of the governed to compel the state to provide rewards in return for military service—and crucially, that marginalized groups faced greater barriers to obtaining those rewards. In colonial states, subjects faced a bargaining disadvantage relative to citizens living in the colony and were less likely to win concessions from the state for their wartime sacrifices. We test this argument using a difference-in-differences research design and a rich data set of local spending before and after World War I in colonial Algeria. Our results reveal that social welfare spending expanded less in communes where the French subject share of the population was greater. This paper contributes to the state-building literature by highlighting the differential ability of the governed to bargain with the state in the aftermath of conflict.
Video-mediated dialogue for promoting equity in protected area conservation
Authors: Mistry Jayalaxshmi , Jafferally Deirdre , Mendonca Sean , Xavier Rebecca , Albert Grace , Robertson Bernie , George Ena , Benjamin Ryan , Ingwall-King Lisa
Published: February 2023

Improving equity in the context of protected areas conservation cannot be achieved in situations where people have different capabilities to participate. Participatory video has the potential to uncover hidden perspectives and worldviews and to build trustworthy, transparent and accountable relationships between marginalized communities and external agencies. We present findings from video-mediated dialogues between Indigenous peoples and decision makers involved in the management of three protected areas in Guyana. Participatory films created by Indigenous researchers in their communities were screened and discussed with protected area managers. We recorded their responses and presented them back to the communities. We show how the video-mediated process provided a rich and contextualized understanding of equity issues. It enabled recognition and respect by protected area managers for Indigenous lived experiences and the contribution of their values and knowledge. For Indigenous peoples, the participatory video process built confidence and critical reflection on their own activities and responsibilities whilst allowing them to challenge decision makers on issues of transparency, communication and accountability. We show that equity is an evolving process and that different protected areas with their differing histories and relationships with Indigenous communities produce distinct outcomes over time. Thus, promoting equity in protected areas and conservation must be a long-term process, enabling participation and producing the conditions for regular, transparent and honest communications. Standardized indicators of protected areas equity could be useful for reporting on international targets, but video-mediated dialogue can facilitate deeper understanding, greater representation and a recognition of rights.
The parent’s and the child’s internal working models of each other moderate cascades from child difficulty to socialization outcomes: Preliminary evidence for dual moderation?
Authors: Kochanska Grazyna , An Danming
Published: February 2023

Infants’ difficulty, typically characterized as proneness to negative emotionality, is commonly considered a risk for future maladaptive developmental trajectories, mostly because it often foreshadows increased parental power assertion, typically linked to future negative child outcomes. However, growing evidence of divergent developmental paths that unfold from infant difficulty has invigorated research on causes of such multifinality. Kochanska et al. (2019) proposed that parent and child Internal Working Models (IWMs) of each other are key, with the parent’s IWM of the child moderating the link between child difficulty and parental power assertion, and the child’s IWM of the parent moderating the link between power assertion and child outcomes. In Children and Parents Study (200 community mothers, fathers, and children), child difficulty was observed at 8 months, parents’ power assertion at 16 months, and children’s outcomes rated by parents at age 3. Parents’ IWMs were assessed with a mentalization measure at 8 months and children’s IWMs were coded from semi-projective narratives at age 3. The cascade from infant difficulty to maternal power assertion to negative child outcomes was present only when both the mother’s and the child’s IWMs of each other were negative. We did not support the model for father-child dyads.
Prediction of the Risk of Sepsis by Using Analysis of Plasma Glucose and Serum Lactate in Ambulance Services: A Prospective Study
Authors: Olander Agnes , Magnusson Carl , Sundler Annelie J. , Bremer Anders , Andersson Henrik , Herlitz Johan , Axelsson Christer , Andersson Hagiwara Magnus
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

The early recognition of patients with sepsis is difficult and the initial assessment outside of hospitals is challenging for ambulance clinicians (ACs). Indicators that ACs can use to recognize sepsis early are beneficial for patient outcomes. Research suggests that elevated point-of-care (POC) plasma glucose and serum lactate levels may help to predict sepsis in the ambulance service (AS) setting.

Study Objective:

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the elevation of POC plasma glucose and serum lactate levels may help to predict Sepsis-3 in the AS.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was performed in the AS setting of Gothenburg in Sweden from the beginning of March 2018 through the end of September 2019. The criteria for sampling POC plasma glucose and serum lactate levels in the AS setting were high or intermediate risk according to the Rapid Emergency Triage and Treatment System (RETTS), as red, orange, yellow, and green if the respiratory rate was >22 breaths/minutes. Sepsis-3 were identified retrospectively. A primary and secondary analyses were carried out. The primary analysis included patients cared for in the AS and emergency department (ED) and were hospitalized. In the secondary analysis, patients who were only cared for in the AS and ED without being hospitalized were also included. To evaluate the predictive ability of these biomarkers, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were used.

Results:

A total of 1,057 patients were included in the primary analysis and 1,841 patients were included in the secondary analysis. In total, 253 patients met the Sepsis-3 criteria (in both analyses). The AUC for POC plasma glucose and serum lactate levels showed low accuracy in predicting Sepsis-3 in both the primary and secondary analyses. Among all hospitalized patients, regardless of Sepsis-3, more than two-thirds had elevated plasma glucose and nearly one-half had elevated serum lactate when measured in the AS.

Conclusions:

As individual biomarkers, an elevated POC plasma glucose and serum lactate were not associated with an increased likelihood of Sepsis-3 when measured in the AS in this study. However, the high rate of elevation of these biomarkers before arrival in hospital highlights that their role in clinical decision making at this early stage needs further evaluation, including other endpoints than Sepsis-3.
Natiolectal Variation in Dutch Morphosyntax: A Large-Scale, Data-Driven Perspective
Authors: De Troij Robbert , Grondelaers Stefan , Speelman Dirk
Published: February 2023

In this article, we report a large-scale corpus study aimed at tackling the (controversial) question to what extent the European national varieties of Dutch, that is, Belgian and Netherlandic Dutch, exhibit morpho-syntactic differences. Instead of relying on a manual selection of cases of morphosyntactic variation, we first marshal large bilingual parallel corpora and machine translation software to identify semiautomatically, in an extensively data-driven fashion, loci of variation from various “corners” of Dutch grammar. We then gauge the distribution of con-structional alternatives in a nationally as well as stylistically stratified corpus for a representative selection of twenty alternation patterns. We find that natiolectal variation in the grammar of Dutch is far more prevalent than often assumed, especially in less edited text types, and that it shows up in inflection phenomena, lexically conditioned syntactic variation, and pure word order permutations. Another key finding is that many cases of synchronic probabilistic asymmetries reflect a diachronic difference between the two varieties: Netherlandic Dutch often tends to be ahead in cases of ongoing grammatical change, with Belgian Dutch holding on somewhat longer to obsolescent features of the grammar.*
Successfully changing the mode of regulation in clinical priority setting: how organisational factors contributed to establishing the Norwegian priority guidelines for specialist health care services
Authors: Aase-Kvåle Irene
Published: February 2023

This article investigates factors that contributed to the successful introduction of 33 priority guidelines for Norwegian specialist health care from 2008 to 2012. The guidelines constituted an important step in changing the regulation of clinical priority setting from largely self-regulation by medical professionals to a more centralised and hierarchical form, and therefore, resistance from the medical profession was expected. My focus is on organisational factors within the project that developed the guidelines, using policy documents and project documents as the main source of data. I find that the project was characterised by a high level of autonomy in terms of how it was organised and the actors included, with significant capacity for action in terms of both structure and personnel, and a broad inclusion of affected actors. The priority guideline project was dominated by medical professionals, and its organisation did not represent a radical break with established traditions of medical professional self-regulation. Although organisational autonomy, action capacity and broad inclusion were clearly of importance, the project's compliance with historical traditions and norms of medical governance stands out as the key factor in understanding the successful establishment of the priority guidelines.
Wind‐Driven and Seasonal Effects on Marine Aerosol Production in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica
Authors: Dasarathy S. , Russell L. M. , Rodier S. D. , Bowman J. S.
Published: February 2023

We assessed satellite‐retrieved marine aerosol in the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) across a 12‐year period from coarse‐mode aerosol optical depth (AODC), often used as a proxy for sea spray aerosol (SSA), and marine aerosol optical depth (MAOD), a newly developed proxy for tropospheric marine aerosol. Across open ocean to coastal regions, daily fluctuations in nighttime and daytime winds, respectively, drove increasing MAOD and AODC. MAOD depicted strong correlations with wind speed across open ocean and weak correlations in coastal regions. In the open ocean, AODC exhibited a very weak significant correlation to wind speed and a weak significant correlation to sea surface temperature (SST). We thus observed that warmer SST enhanced the production of SSA, supporting prior studies. This is the first study to assess patterns of AODC in the WAP. In contrast to the tropical Pacific, seasonal patterns showed that biological activity likely contributed toward MAOD and AODC magnitudes.
Lymphoma cells lacking pro-apoptotic BAX are highly resistant to BH3-mimetics targeting pro-survival MCL-1 but retain sensitivity to conventional DNA-damaging drugs
Authors: Diepstraten Sarah T. , Young Savannah , La Marca John E. , Wang Zilu , Kluck Ruth M. , Strasser Andreas , Kelly Gemma L.
Published: February 2023

BH3-mimetic drugs are an anti-cancer therapy that can induce apoptosis in malignant cells by directly binding and inhibiting pro-survival proteins of the BCL-2 family. The BH3-mimetic drug venetoclax, which targets BCL-2, has been approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia by regulatory authorities worldwide. However, while most patients initially respond well, resistance and relapse while on this drug is an emerging and critical issue in the clinic. Though some studies have begun uncovering the factors involved in resistance to BCL-2-targeting BH3-mimetic drugs, little focus has been applied to pre-emptively tackle resistance for the next generation of BH3-mimetic drugs targeting MCL-1, which are now in clinical trials for diverse blood cancers. Therefore, using pre-clinical mouse and human models of aggressive lymphoma, we sought to predict factors likely to contribute to the development of resistance in patients receiving MCL-1-targeting BH3-mimetic drugs. First, we performed multiple whole genome CRISPR/Cas9 KO screens and identified that loss of the pro-apoptotic effector protein BAX, but not its close relative BAK, could confer resistance to MCL-1-targeting BH3-mimetic drugs in both short-term and long-term treatment regimens, even in lymphoma cells lacking the tumour suppressor TRP53. Furthermore, we found that mouse Eµ-Myc lymphoma cells selected for loss of BAX, as well as upregulation of the untargeted pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins BCL-XL and A1, when made naturally resistant to MCL-1 inhibitors by culturing them in increasing doses of drug over time, a situation mimicking the clinical application of these drugs. Finally, we identified therapeutic approaches which could overcome these two methods of resistance: the use of chemotherapeutic drugs or combined BH3-mimetic treatment, respectively. Collectively, these results uncover some key factors likely to cause resistance to MCL-1 inhibition in the clinic and suggest rational therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance that should be investigated further.
MLKL deficiency protects against low-grade, sterile inflammation in aged mice
Authors: Tovey Crutchfield Emma C. , Garnish Sarah E. , Day Jessica , Anderton Holly , Chiou Shene , Hempel Anne , Hall Cathrine , Patel Komal M. , Gangatirkar Pradnya , Martin Katherine R. , Li Wai Suen Connie S. N. , Garnham Alexandra L. , Kueh Andrew J. , Wicks Ian P. , Silke John , Nachbur Ueli , Samson Andre L. , Murphy James M. , Hildebrand Joanne M.
Published: February 2023

MLKL and RIPK3 are the core signaling proteins of the inflammatory cell death pathway, necroptosis, which is a known mediator and modifier of human disease. Necroptosis has been implicated in the progression of disease in almost every physiological system and recent reports suggest a role for necroptosis in aging. Here, we present the first comprehensive analysis of age-related histopathological and immunological phenotypes in a cohort of Mlkl–/– and Ripk3–/– mice on a congenic C57BL/6 J genetic background. We show that genetic deletion of Mlkl in female mice interrupts immune system aging, specifically delaying the age-related reduction of circulating lymphocytes. -Seventeen-month-old Mlkl–/– female mice were also protected against age-related chronic sterile inflammation in connective tissue and skeletal muscle relative to wild-type littermate controls, exhibiting a reduced number of immune cell infiltrates in these sites and fewer regenerating myocytes. These observations implicate MLKL in age-related sterile inflammation, suggesting a possible application for long-term anti-necroptotic therapy in humans.
Moonlighting chromatin: when DNA escapes nuclear control
Authors: Singh Jeeshan , Boettcher Michael , Dölling Maximilian , Heuer Annika , Hohberger Bettina , Leppkes Moritz , Naschberger Elisabeth , Schapher Mirco , Schauer Christine , Schoen Janina , Stürzl Michael , Vitkov Ljubomir , Wang Han , Zlatar Leticija , Schett Georg A. , Pisetsky David S. , Liu Ming-Lin , Herrmann Martin , Knopf Jasmin
Published: February 2023

Extracellular chromatin, for example in the form of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), is an important element that propels the pathological progression of a plethora of diseases. DNA drives the interferon system, serves as autoantigen, and forms the extracellular scaffold for proteins of the innate immune system. An insufficient clearance of extruded chromatin after the release of DNA from the nucleus into the extracellular milieu can perform a secret task of moonlighting in immune-inflammatory and occlusive disorders. Here, we discuss (I) the cellular events involved in the extracellular release of chromatin and NET formation, (II) the devastating consequence of a dysregulated NET formation, and (III) the imbalance between NET formation and clearance. We include the role of NET formation in the occlusion of vessels and ducts, in lung disease, in autoimmune diseases, in chronic oral disorders, in cancer, in the formation of adhesions, and in traumatic spinal cord injury. To develop effective therapies, it is of utmost importance to target pathways that cause decondensation of chromatin during exaggerated NET formation and aggregation. Alternatively, therapies that support the clearance of extracellular chromatin are conceivable.
Using sub-limb observations to measure gravity waves excited by convection
Authors: Wright Corwin J. , Ungermann Jörn , Preusse Peter , Polichtchouk Inna
Published: February 2023

Convective gravity waves are a major driver of atmospheric circulation, including the stratospheric and mesospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and the Brewer–Dobson circulation. Previous work shows clear evidence that these waves can be excited by both single convective cells and by mesoscale convective complexes acting as a single unit. However, the partitioning of the generated waves and, crucially for atmospheric model development, the flux of momentum they transport between these two types of excitation process remains highly uncertain due to a fundamental lack of suitable observations at the global scale. Here, we use both theoretical calculations and sampled output from a high-resolution weather model to demonstrate that a satellite instrument using a sub-limb geometry would be well suited to characterising the short-vertical short-horizontal gravity waves these systems produce, and hence to provide the scientific knowledge needed to identify the relative wave-driving contribution of these two types of convective wave excitation.
Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198–1196 bc
Authors: Manning Sturt W. , Kocik Cindy , Lorentzen Brita , Sparks Jed P.
Published: February 2023

The potential of climate change to substantially alter human history is a pressing concern, but the specific effects of different types of climate change remain unknown. This question can be addressed using palaeoclimatic and archaeological data. For instance, a 300-year, low-frequency shift to drier, cooler climate conditions around 1200 bcis frequently associated with the collapse of several ancient civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East1–4. However, the precise details of synchronized climate and human-history-scale associations are lacking. The archaeological–historical record contains multiple instances of human societies successfully adapting to low-frequency climate change5–7. It is likely that consecutive multi-year occurrences of rare, unexpected extreme climatic events may push a population beyond adaptation and centuries-old resilience practices5,7–10. Here we examine the collapse of the Hittite Empire around 1200 bc. The Hittites were one of the great powers in the ancient world across five centuries11–14, with an empire centred in a semi-arid region in Anatolia with political and socioeconomic interconnections throughout the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean, which for a long time proved resilient despite facing regular and intersecting sociopolitical, economic and environmental challenges. Examination of ring width and stable isotope records obtained from contemporary juniper trees in central Anatolia provides a high-resolution dryness record. This analysis identifies an unusually severe continuous dry period from around 1198 to 1196 (±3)bc, potentially indicating a tipping point, and signals the type of episode that can overwhelm contemporary risk-buffering practices.
Peak Cenozoic warmth enabled deep-sea sand deposition
Authors: Burton Zachary F. M. , McHargue Tim , Kremer Christopher H. , Bloch Roger B. , Gooley Jared T. , Jaikla Chayawan , Harrington Jake , Graham Stephan A.
Published: February 2023

The early Eocene (~ 56–48 million years ago) was marked by peak Cenozoic warmth and sea levels, high CO2, and largely ice-free conditions. This time has been described as a period of increased continental erosion and silicate weathering. However, these conclusions are based largely on geochemical investigation of marine mudstones and carbonates or study of intermontane Laramide basin settings. Here, we evaluate the marine coarse siliciclastic response to early Paleogene hothouse climatic and oceanographic conditions. We compile an inventory of documented sand-rich (turbidite) deep-marine depositional systems, recording 59 instances of early Eocene turbidite systems along nearly all continental margins despite globally-elevated sea levels. Sand-rich systems were widespread on active margins (42 instances), but also on passive margins (17 instances). Along passive margins, 13 of 17 early Eocene systems are associated with known Eocene-age fluvial systems, consistent with a fluvial clastic response to Paleogene warming. We suggest that deep-marine sedimentary basins preserve clastic records of early Eocene climatic extremes. We also suggest that in addition to control by eustasy and tectonism, climate-driven increases in sediment supply (e.g., drainage integration, global rainfall, denudation) may significantly contribute to the global distribution and volume of coarse-grained deep-marine deposition despite high sea level.
The impact of Brazil’s transport network on the spread of COVID-19
Authors: Silva Giovanna Cavali , Ribeiro Evandro Marcos Saidel
Published: February 2023

The transport network between cities is key in understanding epidemic outbreaks, especially in a vast country like Brazil with 5569 cities spread out over 8.5 million square kilometers. In order to study the COVID-19 spread in Brazil, we built a transport network where each city is a node and the edges are connections by land and air. Our findings have shown that by adding air connections, the average path length substantially decreases (70%) while the clustering coefficient remains almost unchanged, very typical of small-world networks. The airways are shortcuts connecting previously distant cities and hubs, therefore shrinking the distances in the network. Also, the cities with airports are central nodes, which makes them dissemination hotspots and key targets for interventions.
In vivo and in vitro validation of powdery mildew resistance in garden pea genotypes
Authors: Rana Chanchal , Sharma Akhilesh , Rathour Rajeev , Bansuli  , Banyal Devinder Kumar , Rana Ranbir Singh , Sharma Parveen
Published: February 2023

Powdery mildew is one of the serious diseases of garden pea which causes a large number of yield losses. Genetic resistance is quite effective, being cost-effective and environment friendly than fungicide applications. In the present studies an initial attempt has been made to identify resistant genotypes against powdery mildew disease developed from hybridization followed by validation of the disease. The experimental material comprised of 48 genotypes that includes 44 advanced breeding lines was evaluated for powdery mildew incidence in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at two locations under field conditions [Palampur (winter 2017–18 and 2018–19) and Kukumseri (summer 2018)] and in vitro at Palampur [detached leaf method and polyhouse conditions]. Ten lines viz., SP7, SN-1, SN-6-1, SN-7-1, SN-2, SN-5-2, SN-6-2, SN-10, SN-21 and SP-281 showed resistant reaction along with check Palam Sumool while 27 lines were identified as moderately resistant in comparison to susceptible check Azad P-1. Besides, six lines namely, SP-2, SP-5, SP-10, SP-24, SA-4 and SP-12-1 gave moderately susceptible reaction along with checks Pb-89 and Palam Priya. Only, SP-19 was categorized as susceptible. The high yielding lines SP-3, SP-6 and SP-22 showed moderately resistant reaction in both natural and artificial conditions. Validation of resistance using molecular markers revealed that neither the parental genotypes nor the progenies possess the er1 gene of JI1559. The er2 linked marker ScOPX-171700 was polymorphic between Palam Sumool and Palam Priya but the marker didn’t show polymorphism between er2 harboring line (JI2480). These results suggested that the lines showing resistance under field conditions may have some other genes or alleles for resistance and further confirmation is needed by developing mapping populations with specific gene or gene combinations.
Microcomputed tomographic analysis of the efficiency of two retreatment techniques in removing root canal filling materials from mandibular incisors
Authors: Yang Xueqin , Wang Ye , Ji Mengzhen , Li Yanyao , Wang Hao , Luo Tao , Gao Yuan , Zou Ling
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the removal effect of the ProTaper Next system (PTN) combined with manual nickel-titanium Hedström (MNiTiH) files or chloroform on filling materials of mandibular incisors by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Sixty-four extracted human mandibular incisors were finally selected and assigned to two groups (n = 32) based on root canal morphology after instrumentation. Two subgroups (n = 16) were formed based on two retreatment methods. The volume of residual filling materials (RFMs) and the surface area covered by RFMs were analyzed by micro-CT, the apical extrusion and the time taken for removing the filling materials were recorded. A smaller percentage of the volume of RFMs and less surface area covered by RFMs occurred in PTN combined with MNiTiH groups and round-shaped canal incisors (P < 0.05). The time taken for removing the filling materials was not significantly different in all groups (P > 0.05). The apical extrusion was significantly less in PTN combined with MNiTiH groups than in PTN combined with chloroform groups (P < 0.05). Neither of the two methods rendered root canals completely free from filling materials. PTN combined with MNiTiH could reduce the apical extrusion and remove filling materials more efficiently than PTN combined with chloroform.