bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central Bank Independence at Low Interest Rates
Authors: GARCÍA BENJAMÍN , SKAPERDAS ARSENIOS
Published: October 2024

We create a new measure of the political pressure faced by the Federal Reserve based on the analysis of transcripts of the Chairs' testimonies to Congress. We find that the use of nontraditional policies at low interest rates led to increased political criticism and that criticism predicts legislative actions that threaten central bank independence. We develop a model where the probability of the monetary authority's future loss of independence is increasing in the use of nontraditional instruments, leading to attenuated monetary responses and higher inflation volatility. This attenuation can be mitigated under an institutional framework with clearly defined targets where the central bank is evaluated by how efficiently it achieves its goals.
Hepatitis B Virus‐Associated Liver Carcinoma: The Role of Iron Metabolism and Its Modulation
Authors: Ali Imran , Muhammad Shoaib , Naqvi Syed Shah Zaman Haider , Wei Lingxi , Yan Wenqi , Khan Muhammad Fiaz , Mahmood Ahmad , Liu Hong , Shah Wahid
Published: October 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant contributor to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Iron, a central co‐factor in various metabolic pathways, plays an essential role in liver function, but its dysregulation can lead to severe health consequences. Accumulation of iron within hepatic cells over time is linked to increased liver injury and is strongly associated with sensitive exposure to a range of conditions, including cirrhosis, fibrosis and ultimately, HCC. This review explores the intricate interplay between iron metabolism and HCC within the context of HBV infection. Hepatic iron overload can arise from liver injury and disruptions in iron homeostasis, causing hepatic necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, ultimately culminating in carcinogenesis. Moreover, alterations in serum iron components in HBV‐related scenarios have been observed to impact the persistence of HBV infection. Notably, the progression of HBV‐associated liver damage exhibits distinct characteristics at various stages of liver disease. In addition to elucidating the complex relationship between iron metabolism and HCC in the context of HBV infection, this review also investigates the prognostic implications of systemic iron levels for HCC. Furthermore, it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between iron metabolism and HCC, extending the discussion to the context of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. By shedding light on these multifaceted connections, this review aims to contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of HBV‐associated HCC and potentially identify novel therapeutic avenues for intervention.
The Camden and Islington Viral Hepatitis Identification Tool (CIVHIT): Use of a Clinical Database Case‐Finding Tool for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV in Primary Care
Authors: Etoori David , Cococcia Sara , Srivastava Ankur , Flanagan Stuart , Nixon Grainne , Bobba Satya , Warner Alex , Sennett Karen , Sabin Caroline , Morgan Sarah , Rosenberg William M.
Published: October 2024

Despite the availability of effective treatment and vaccines for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV), many people are still infected and remain unaware of their infection. The Camden and Islington Viral Hepatitis Identification Tool (CIVHIT), a computer‐based search tool, was introduced in 60 general practices (GPs) in April 2014 to support identification, testing and treatment of individuals at high risk for blood‐borne viruses (BBVs). CIVHIT searched electronic medical records (EMRs), flagging all those with codes linked to risk factors or medical conditions associated with BBVs. CIVHIT was associated with a 78.5% increase in BBV tests in primary care in both boroughs. This translated to a 55.8% rise in new diagnoses. HBV testing saw the largest increase resulting in twice as many people diagnosed. Only 23.2% of HBV and 14.9% of HCV‐positive tests were referred to secondary care. In an index practice, the most common flag was a history of STIs (477/719, 66.3%). Individuals with previous or current drug use and those with a known hepatitis contact were more likely to be offered a test compared to those flagged due to a history of STI. HIV and HBV testing was lower in males following a test offer. There was an increased likelihood of testing for HBV and HCV with increasing age. Additionally, individuals with previous or current drug use and individuals with a known hepatitis contact were more likely to test for HCV compared to individuals flagged due to STI history. CIVHIT shows promise to assist with the elimination of BBVs.
Modal identification of wind turbine tower based on optimal fractional order statistical moments
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Zhewei , Tao Shuai , Yang Qingshan , Chai Hwa Kian
Published: October 2024

In vibration testing of civil engineering structures, the first two vibration modes are crucial in representing the global dynamic behavior of the structure measured. In the present study, a comprehensive method is proposed to identify the first two vibration modes of wind turbine towers, which is based on the analysis of fractional order statistical moments (FSM). This study offers novel contributions in two key aspects: (1) theoretical derivations of the relationship between FSM and vibration mode; and (2) successful use of 32/7‐order displacement statistical moment as the optimal FSM to identify wind turbine tower modes, by combining with noise resistance analysis, sensitivity analysis, and stability analysis, respectively. Using the proposed method, the FSM was first used to identify the modal vibration of wind turbine towers. By obtaining the response of the structure on the same vertical line, FSM was then calculated to estimate the corresponding structural modal vibration. Considering other influencing factors in the field test, the modal identification results of this index under different excitation forms and noise conditions were analyzed based on numerical simulation and verified with field wind tower test data. The results of the evaluation show that the proposed statistical moments of can accurately identify the first two vibration modes of wind turbine towers. This presents a new robust method for modal vibration identification, that is, simple and effective in its implementation.
Public Perceptions of the Administrative Values Tradeoff: Bureaucratic and Democratic Ethos
Authors: Jo Suyeon , Meier Kenneth J.
Published: October 2024

Scholarly debate over bureaucratic and democratic values has been one of the fundamental questions in the field of public administration. Despite a volume of theoretical discussions, we know little about how the general public cares about these two sets of administrative values in practice. This research fills the gap in the literature by investigating the public's views on four administrative values: effectiveness and efficiency, as well as equity and participation. We also test whether there is a tradeoff between bureaucratic and democratic values. We conducted a vignette experiment using the context of US nursing homes where different administrative values (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and participation) serve as treatment manipulations. Our findings suggest that the public considers different values in assessing public organizations, and that they recognize the trade‐off between efficiency and participation. The study has broad implications for our understanding of ethical frameworks of public administration, namely bureaucratic and democratic ethos.
Skin Imaging of Juvenile Xanthogranuloma: In Vivo Diagnosis by Line‐Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Palmisano Gerardo , Cappilli Simone , Bocchino Enrico , Di Stefani Alessandro , Peris Ketty
Published: October 2024

A 15‐year‐old boy presented with a yellowish, asymptomatic nodule on the left forearm, which developed in the last year. A diagnosis of juvenile xanthogranuloma was confirmed with histopathology. Line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC‐OCT), a new skin imaging technique, was performed prior to surgery, showing a strong correspondence with histopathological sections. As juvenile xanthogranuloma is a benign disorder of the pediatric age, LC‐OCT may represent an alternative to surgery for achieving a fast diagnosis in uncertain cases.
The Anxious Middle Class: Risk of Downward Mobility and Support for Radical Right Parties across Western Europe
Authors: Derndorfer Judith
Published: October 2024

This paper examines the relationship between economic insecurity of the middle class and support for radical right parties (RRP) in 13 Western European countries. Economic insecurity is conceptualised as the occupational risk of downward mobility. To capture the potential mitigating effects of upward mobility prospects and a growing middle class on economic insecurity, I compute a novel index that incorporates the other two dynamics in addition to the risk of downward mobility. I find that economic insecurity differs across occupational groups and countries. Both measures are positively correlated with RRP support. The results highlight that the decline of the middle class has implications for the political sphere.
Phylogeny, biogeography and morphological evolution of the treehopper‐like leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Megophthalminae and Ulopinae
Authors: Cao Yanghui , Dietrich Christopher H. , Dmitriev Dmitry A. , Kits Joel H. , Xue Qingquan , Zhang Yalin
Published: October 2024

Recent phylogenetic analyses of anchored‐hybrid, transcriptomic and morphological data have consistently recovered a clade comprising the three previously recognized families of treehoppers (Hemiptera), Aetalionidae, Melizoderidae and Membracidae, as well as two groups traditionally included in the leafhopper family Cicadellidae as subfamilies Megophthalminae and Ulopinae. To reconstruct the phylogeny of these two groups of treehopper‐like leafhoppers, maximum likelihood and multi‐species coalescent analyses were performed on a molecular DNA dataset consisting of ~700 anchored hybrid loci representing 84 terminal taxa. Analyses based on different dataset subsets and approaches yielded largely congruent topologies, although the relationships among Megophthalminae, Ulopinae and treehoppers are still unstable. The monophyly of both subfamilies is strongly supported, but several tribes, including Agalliini, Cephalelini, Megophthalmini and Ulopini, are recovered as non‐monophyletic. The origin of Megophthalminae and Ulopinae was estimated as early Cretaceous (~140 million years ago), and the divergence within each subfamily began in the mid‐Cretaceous. Continental‐scale biogeographic structure is evident in these two groups, with genera occurring on the same continent tending to group together regardless of tribal placement, suggesting that extensive morphological convergence occurred among faunas inhabiting different regions. Ancestral microhabitat reconstruction suggested that megophthalmine and ulopine leafhoppers originally lived on trees or shrubs and later several groups evolved independently to inhabit leaf litter and soil. Convergent modifications of the ocelli, forewings and hindwings accompanied changes in microhabitat preference.
Mapping the locus for ocular melanosis in Cairn Terriers
Authors: Winkler Paige A. , Dawson‐Baglien Ethan M. , Coffey Madeline C. , Venta Patrick J. , Ekenstedt Kari J. , Petersen‐Jones Simon M.
Published: October 2024

Objective

To map the disease locus for familial ocular melanosis (OM) in the Cairn Terrier.

Animals Studied

Cairn Terriers with OM and normal control dogs.

Procedure

A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 63 OM‐affected and 31 control Cairn Terriers, followed by haplotype analysis. A significantly associated single‐nucleotide polymorphism was genotyped in a larger group of OM‐affected and control Cairn Terriers. The coding and splice‐site regions of genes mapping within the confidence interval were sequenced.

Results

A ~9.2 Mb region of chromosome 11 was significantly associated with OM. Haplotype analysis narrowed the region to 1.49 Mb. Genotyping of a SNP within the region showed 86% of OM‐affected dogs were homozygous or heterozygous for the risk allele, whereas 78% of unaffected dogs were homozygous for the nonrisk allele. Sequencing of the coding regions and splice sites of four genes (c9orf72, IFNK, the 5′ end of MOB3B, and the 3′ end of LINGO2) and of a microRNA (MIR876) did not detect any genetic variants unique to OM‐affected dogs.

Conclusion

OM in Cairn Terriers maps to a 1.49 Mb region of chromosome 11. This accounts for 86% of OM cases in our DNA bank. A second locus may account for the OM phenotype in the remaining 14% of cases. Sequencing of coding regions and splice sites of positional candidate genes and a microRNA did not reveal any genetic variants unique to affected dogs. Further studies are required to elucidate the DNA variant causal for OM in Cairn Terriers and to understand the disease mechanism.
Si existe algo, no existe Todo. El análisis negativo de la noción de existencia en la ontología de los campos de sentido
Authors: Quiroz Ospina Daniel Esteban
Published: October 2024

Este artículo busca plantear esquemáticamente el problema filosófico que fundamenta la tesis principal del filósofo alemán Markus Gabriel, a saber, que el mundo no existe o, en otras palabras, no existe ni es posible concebir una totalidad de lo real ni un elemento transversal o fundamental de toda la realidad. Este problema parte de la pregunta ontológica por excelencia: ¿qué existe? Esta, a su vez, se basa en la cuestión sobre qué significa existir. El análisis de la noción de existencia mostrará que: (1) no puede ser una propiedad auténtica, ya que no permite individuar y distinguir objetos; (2) por lo anterior, no puede haber una definición total de “existencia”, por lo que tampoco puede haber un ámbito de objetos caracterizado solo por ella. La imposibilidad de este ámbito total mostrará que no existe ni es concebible ninguna totalidad de lo real.
Hacia las fuentes del empirismo trascendental. Deleuze con y más allá de Gueroult
Authors: Krtolica Igor , Bastidas-Bolaños David
Published: October 2024

La relación de Deleuze con Gueroult es paradójica. Desde un punto de vista estrictamente filosófico, Gueroult profesaba un racionalismo que poco tenía que envidiar al de Alquié o al de Hyppolite, el cual Deleuze no dejará de criticar severamente. Ahora bien, Deleuze no solo no critica las posiciones de Gueroult, sino que las adopta continuamente. ¿Cómo puede explicarse esto? La razón nos parece ser la siguiente: Gueroult jamás dejó de apoyar y sostener la exigencia de un “orden sintético” o de un “dinamismo genético” en la filosofía. Antes de ser un método para el historiador de la filosofía, esta exigencia expresa una cierta concepción de la filosofía, de donde derivan tanto una práctica como una filosofía de la historia de la filosofía. Si Deleuze retoma por su cuenta las posiciones de Gueroult, es precisamente porque su propio trabajo filosófico no dejará de alimentarse de esta exigencia de Gueroult, así como de la concepción de la filosofía que este expresa. En la obra de Deleuze, esta exigencia hizo posible incluso un gesto decisivo, más allá de la ambición de Gueroult: la crítica del racionalismo en nombre del empirismo trascendental. Con Gueroult, y más allá de Gueroult, el discípulo se convierte en creador. Quizás haya que entender en este sentido la siguiente afirmación de Olivier Revault d’Allonnes: “Siempre he considerado a Gilles [Deleuze] como un gran alumno de Gueroult”.
Genealogía del concepto de terapia desde la perspectiva nietzscheana: una mirada a las escuelas helenísticas y su relación con el cristianismo
Authors: Carrillo Sáenz Amparo
Published: October 2024

El presente artículo aborda la relación ambivalente de Nietzsche con los filósofos helenísticos, para saber por qué, a pesar de la extraordinaria influencia que estas escuelas ejercieron en su pensamiento, Nietzsche se les opone tan violentamente en su obra más tardía. Verificaremos que las principales críticas de Nietzsche a estas escuelas guardan mucha similitud con las que él dirigirá al cristianismo, y a la propia idea de terapia, como una crítica a la tradicional forma de concebirla, que estas escuelas parecen inaugurar y fortalecer. Nietzsche identifica a los filósofos helenísticos como los promotores fundamentales del nihilismo, que él diagnostica como la mayor enfermedad de la cultura occidental, para la que se requiere un médico adecuado y un tratamiento efectivo. La terapia cristiana no fue la única y, principalmente, no fue la primera, pues tiene a los filósofos helenísticos como claros predecesores y precursores. Tampoco estos escaparon al escrutinio crítico de Nietzsche que, en la reconstitución de la historia clínica de la cultura occidental, los identifica como promotores fundamentales de la enfermedad que diagnostica, muy en particular por haber justamente creado las condiciones y el encuadramiento necesarios para la emergencia de la terapia cristiana, preparando el terreno y lanzando las semillas sin las cuales el cristianismo no habría podido surgir y, sobre todo, triunfar. Referente central del desarrollo de esta reflexión será el parágrafo 120 de La gaya ciencia, crucial para el hilo argumentativo.
El problema del placer en los programas legislativo y educativo platónicos
Authors: Valencia Marín Estiven
Published: October 2024

Una deseada organización social por la cual se erige una teoría filosófica en materia política aparece en Platón como una cuestión de orden moral que tiene en la aprehensión de virtudes su naturaleza. La razón regenta sobre el alma cuya condición desiderativa puede tender a un extravío de la virtud, y por ello nada más contrario al orden de sí mismo que el estar dominado por placeres. No obstante, el placer, pese a su caracterización abyecta como sensación natural del hombre, puntualiza sobre la virtud bajo una adecuada formación en su uso. Por tal razón, y por las muchas funciones que ejerce el placer (ἡδονή) en el corpus platonicum, es necesario atender al sentido que este posee en el proyecto educativo-político de Platón.
Impact of CRISPR in cancer drug discovery
Authors: Moffat Jason , Komor Alexis C. , Lum Lawrence
Published: October 2024

Precision gene editing enables massively parallel identification of cancer-promoting genes
Scalable protein design using optimization in a relaxed sequence space
Authors: Frank Christopher , Khoshouei Ali , Fuβ Lara , Schiwietz Dominik , Putz Dominik , Weber Lara , Zhao Zhixuan , Hattori Motoyuki , Feng Shihao , de Stigter Yosta , Ovchinnikov Sergey , Dietz Hendrik
Published: October 2024

Machine learning (ML)–based design approaches have advanced the field of de novo protein design, with diffusion-based generative methods increasingly dominating protein design pipelines. Here, we report a “hallucination”-based protein design approach that functions in relaxed sequence space, enabling the efficient design of high-quality protein backbones over multiple scales and with broad scope of application without the need for any form of retraining. We experimentally produced and characterized more than 100 proteins. Three high-resolution crystal structures and two cryo–electron microscopy density maps of designed single-chain proteins comprising up to 1000 amino acids validate the accuracy of the method. Our pipeline can also be used to design synthetic protein-protein interactions, as validated experimentally by a set of protein heterodimers. Relaxed sequence optimization offers attractive performance with respect to designability, scope of applicability for different design problems, and scalability across protein sizes.
Topological grain boundary segregation transitions
Authors: Devulapalli Vivek , Chen Enze , Brink Tobias , Frolov Timofey , Liebscher Christian H.
Published: October 2024

Engineering the structure of grain boundaries (GBs) by solute segregation is a promising strategy to tailor the properties of polycrystalline materials. Solute segregation triggering phase transitions at GBs has been suggested theoretically to offer different pathways to design interfaces, but an understanding of their intrinsic atomistic nature is missing. We combined atomic resolution electron microscopy and atomistic simulations to discover that iron segregation to GBs in titanium stabilizes icosahedral units (“cages”) that form robust building blocks of distinct GB phases. Owing to their five-fold symmetry, the iron cages cluster and assemble into hierarchical GB phases characterized by a different number and arrangement of the constituent icosahedral units. Our advanced GB structure prediction algorithms and atomistic simulations validate the stability of these observed phases and the high excess of iron at the GB that is accommodated by the phase transitions.
Under the influence
Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering
Malcolm Gladwell
Little, Brown, 2024. 368 pp.
Authors: Greenbaum Dov
Published: October 2024

A journalist revisits his popular theory of social contagions
A pro-oxidant suppresses unrelated diseases
Authors: Pannia Emanuela , Dowling James J.
Published: October 2024

A lipid kinase inhibitor ameliorates both prostate cancer and a muscle disease in mice
AI reveals how sperm sticks to egg during fertilization
Authors: Offord Catherine
Published: October 2024

Two studies use software developed by some of this year’s Nobel winners to find elusive protein complex
Mouse innate resistance to
Neospora caninum
infection is driven by early production of IFNγ by NK cells in response to parasite ligands
Authors: Coombs R. S. , Overacre-Delgoffe A. E. , Bhattacharjee A. , Hand T. W. , Boyle J. P.
Published: October 2024

Toxoplasma gondii
is capable of being transmitted by nearly all warm-blooded animals, and rodents are a major source of parasite dissemination, yet mechanisms driving its broad host range are poorly understood. Although a phylogenetically close relative of
T. gondii
,
Neospora caninum
differs from
T. gondii
in that it does not infect mice and only infects a small number of ruminant and canine species. We recently showed that
T. gondii
and
N. caninum
grow similarly in mice during the first 24 h post-infection, but only
N. caninum
induces an IFNγ-driven response within hours that controls the infection. The goal of the present study was to understand the cellular basis of this rapid response to
N. caninum
. To do this, we compared immune cell populations at the site of infection 4 h after
T. gondii
or
N. caninum
infection in mice. We found that both parasites induced similar frequencies of peritoneal monocytes, while macrophages and dendritic cell populations were not increased compared to uninfected mice. Through a series of knockout mouse experiments, we show that B, T, and NKT cells are not required for immediate IFNγ production and ultimate control of
N. caninum
infection, suggesting that natural killer (NK) cells are the primary inducers of immediate IFNγ in response to
N. caninum. N. caninum
infections exhibited significantly more IFNγ
+
NK cells in the peritoneum compared with
T. gondii
-infected and uninfected mice. Finally, we demonstrate that differences in early IFNγ production during
N. caninum
and
T. gondii
infections in mice are at least partly due to differences in soluble antigen(s) produced by tachyzoites.

IMPORTANCE

Pathogen differences in host range are poorly understood at the molecular level even though even closely related pathogen species can have dramatically distinct host ranges. Here, we study two related parasite species that have a dramatic difference in their ability to infect mice. Here, we show that soluble proteins from these species determine one driver of this difference: induction of interferon gamma by cells of the innate immune system.
Systematic review of interventions to reduce hospital and emergency department stay in paediatric populations
Authors: Dick Smita , MacRae Clare , Colacino Laura , Wilson Philip , Turner Stephen W
Published: October 2024

Introduction

This systemic review describes interventions designed to shorten length of stay (LOS) in hospital or the emergency department (ED).

Methods

Papers published from 2000 until February 2024 were sought in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SCIE, Cochrane Library Database and DARE databases. Outcomes were LOS, readmissions and healthcare cost.

Results

Eighteen studies were eligible, including 10 randomised controlled trials and 8 non-randomised studies. Children were recruited from ED in seven studies and from the paediatric ward in 11 studies. Nine studies delivered outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) to children and were associated with reduced LOS and cost but longer duration of antibiotic treatment. Seven studies described ‘hospital at home’ in children admitted with a range of conditions and some reported reduced readmissions and LOS in addition to reduced costs, compared with standard hospital care. Two studies provided care in a step-down facility and reported reduced readmissions and costs.

Conclusions

Many of the interventions identified were cost-effective but often led to a longer total period of care compared with inpatient care. Providing care outside of hospital is not associated with increased adverse outcomes compared with receiving care in hospital and brings benefit to the child’s family.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023408663.
South-to-south collaboration to strengthen the health workforce: the case of paediatric cardiac surgery in Rwanda
Authors: Ejigu Yayehyirad M , Neil Kara L , Bekele Abebe , Bradley David J , Rusingiza Emmanuel , Nyirigira Gaston , Sendegeya Augustin , Rusch Valerie W , Byishimo Bertrand , Abebe Zerihun , Uwayesu Roda , Nkeshimana Menelas , Butera Yvan
Published: October 2024

Paediatric cardiovascular diseases have been referred to as diseases of injustice as access to care is inequitable globally. For example, Africa only has 78 cardiac centres, with 22 located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these centres rely on visiting surgical teams to provide clinical care. While visiting surgical teams provide essential care, building a sustainable and locally run cardiac workforce in Africa is critical to addressing these inequities in access to care. This paper considers the role of south-to-south partnerships in building sustainable surgical programmes using Rwanda’s paediatric cardiac surgery programme as an example.
Costs and benefits of routine labs in hospital patients: iatrogenic anaemia and undiagnosed acute kidney injury
Authors: Dean Dawson
Published: October 2024

Importance

Guidelines recommend avoiding unnecessary laboratory tests to minimise risks of anaemia in hospitalised patients as well as reduce costs, but there are costs to skipping routine labs including missing acute kidney injury.

Objective

Quantify the costs and benefits of routine labs in dollar costs as well as mortality.

Evidence review

This is a retrospective analysis of 48 204 admissions at University of Kentucky Hospitals and simulates different strategies for skipping labs.

Findings

In a simplified estimate of pure dollar costs, the costs of daily labs appear to outweigh the costs of missing acute kidney injury.

Conclusions and relevance

In both dollar costs and the number of patients with mortality effects, the benefits of randomly skipping labs appear to significantly outweigh the costs, but the costs are not insignificant.
Early ward discharge clinic: facilitating discharges and prompt follow-up for medical inpatients in a district general hospital
Authors: Galloway Georgia Kate , Ahmed Tasneem , Choudhury Sarah Nahin
Published: October 2024

Early discharge and follow-up for medical admissions could facilitate reduced length of stay and improve patient satisfaction. However, evidence to confirm this is lacking. Peterborough City Hospital (PCH) designed an early ward discharge clinic (EWDC) service embedded within its acute medicine department to provide clinicians with the opportunity for a prompt clinical review following a hospital admission.

Across three cycles, several interventions aimed to improve the utilisation of clinic, appropriateness of referrals and reduce the number of missed attendances. Our work has demonstrated that a service such as the EWDC can provide ample opportunity for early review of patients which could reduce the rate of readmissions and improve services. Interventions to date have improved the utilisation of the clinic, reduced the number of patients not being aware of appointments and provided training opportunities for junior clinicians. Data has also suggested a high level of patient satisfaction from using the service.

Further research is needed to confirm the use of such services in reducing readmissions and mortality, however, results from clinics at individual units such as PCH provide useful insight until such data is available.
How listening to children impacts their quality of life: a cross-sectional study of school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Arisa , Bethell Christina D , Yamaoka Yui , Morisaki Naho
Published: October 2024

Objective

To examine the association between children’s quality of life (QOL) and their experience of being heard by family and/or teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Settings

A randomly sampled postal survey of fifth or eighth grade children conducted in December 2020 in Japan.

Participants

Responses from child/caregiver dyads (n=700) were adjusted for complex sampling to ensure the sample’s national representativeness, incorporating all regions.

Interventions

Based on the survey results, children were categorised as ‘being heard’ if they reported being frequently asked about their thoughts regarding the pandemic and having their thoughts and feelings considered by family, teachers or both.

Main outcome measures

Overall QOL and six QOL subscales measured through the Kid-KINDL Questionnaire (KINDL Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents).

Results

About half (52.9%) of children were heard by both family and teachers, with higher rates in fifth grade (59.9%) than in eighth grade (45.1%). The adjusted prevalence ratio for above median QOL was 4.40-fold (95% CI: 2.80 to 6.94) higher in children heard by both family and teachers than in unheard children. Associations remained significant but were lower in children heard only by family or teachers. QOL subscales showed similar associations, with family, self-esteem and friends being the strongest. Children asked for their thoughts or feelings without adult consideration did not exhibit higher QOL.

Conclusions

‘Being heard’ during the pandemic was positively associated with higher QOL. Recognising children’s right to be heard and promoting environments where they are heard at home and school may improve their well-being.
Exploring the GP-patient relationship: a historical narration
Authors: Ladds Emma
Published: October 2024

The relationship between patients and their doctor is a fundamental concept—particularly within general practice. Many patients and general practitioners (GPs) have a ‘common-sense’ recognition of the interpersonal connection, usually over time, that makes a relationship meaningful. GPs have consistently striven to emphasise the importance of this connection. While much research has explored the components and influences affecting intersubjective connections, less attention has focused on how the historical, professional, sociopolitical and philosophical contexts have influenced their experience and portrayal. However, recent claims of a crisis in UK general practice resulting from declining relational encounters suggest these are important considerations. In this paper, episodic narration (chronicling) is used to explore five different ages of UK general practice: the emergent period (1815–1948); the expansion of coverage (1949–1965); the professionalisation of general practice (1966–1988); the age of marketisation and neoliberalisation (1989–2004); and the age of technology and fragmentation (2004–present day). A range of sources illustrate micro and macro viewpoints within each period—personal reflections, professional publications, political directives or policies, and representations from the fields of art and literature. This allows for a deeper exploration of contextual influences on the codification and enactment of GP-patient relationships over time and their interpretation and perception. Significant epidemiological and biomedical realities and their respective social interpretation(s), the socioprofessional nature of the GP, that is, their role, societal position and framework of practice, and broader sociopolitical and philosophical factors are explored. Ideological frameworks (from socialism to free market policies and neoliberalism) were particularly important. These determine approaches to funding, service/provider structures, and regulation and governance, which incentivise, enable, or inhibit choices and behaviours among individuals and society, thus impacting the enactment of the GP-patient relationship. If meaningful GP-patient connections are valuable and desirable—as GPs consistently claim they are—we require an honest discussion about the contexts necessary to enable and retain them.
Research on Short-Term Power Load Forecasting Model Under Integrated Energy Optimal Scheduling
Authors: Wu Fangquan , Ji Yuan , Liu Yichi , Zhou Ling
Published: October 2024

This research focuses on improving the level of intelligent control of power systems, with special emphasis on accurate prediction of short-term power loads to meet the growing power demand and improve the quality of power supply. In the field of short-term power load forecasting, many factors affect the accuracy, so the core problem of this study is how to improve the accuracy of load forecasting. Two improved short-term load forecasting methods are proposed. First, the error compensation kernel random weight neural network is used to establish an input index system including seasonality, weather change, industrial production and other factors to improve the forecast accuracy. Second, the method based on multivariate chaotic time series and weighted kernel random weight neural network aims to reduce the prediction error caused by chaotic dynamics and sample weights, and better capture the complex dynamic changes of power loads. A highly accurate power load forecasting model with low levels of RMSE and MAE was obtained. Compared with the existing methods, these two improved methods have obvious advantages in accuracy, generalization performance and training efficiency, and provide a reliable tool for intelligent control of power system and promote the sustainable development of power system.
ATLAS searches for higgsinos with R-parity violating couplings in events with leptons
Authors: Ducu Otilia
Published: October 2024

This paper presents two searches for supersymmetry through the direct production of pairs of higgsinos decaying into final states with leptons and (b-) jets. The analyses are performed using 139[Formula: see text]fb[Formula: see text] of the 13[Formula: see text]TeV proton–proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector. The methods used to estimate the Standard Model and detector backgrounds are discussed, as well as their shortcomings. Finally, results in selected signal regions, and some exclusion limits, are presented, illustrating the significant improvement over the previous exclusion limits.
MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR NANOFIBERS’ DIFFUSION IN A NANOFLUID AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION
Authors: LI XUEJUAN , YANG XINYUE , LUO YE-CHENG , WANG YING
Published: October 2024

The diffusion process of the nanofibers in a nanofluid displays a combination of diffusion and wave characteristics. The wave-like behavior is attributed to the large aspect ratio of the nanofiber, which can be modeled as a bead-spring chain system, exhibiting wave-like properties. In order to describe this mixed diffusion-wave phenomenon, a fractional diffusion-wave equation is proposed, wherein multiple time fractional derivatives are employed. By appropriately regulating the fractional time terms, the model can be transformed into either the traditional diffusion equation or the traditional wave equation, as required. A numerical schedule is developed through the implementation of suitable time and space discretization, and a stability analysis is conducted. The numerical results substantiate the reliability of the numerical schedule and its applicability to other fractional differential equations.
ON ARITHMETIC PROGRESSIONS IN THE DIGITS OF ENGEL EXPANSIONS
Authors: TIAN ZHIGANG , FANG LULU
Published: October 2024

Denote by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the sets of real numbers whose Engel expansion digits contain arbitrarily long arithmetic progressions and arbitrarily long arithmetic progressions with arbitrary common difference, respectively. In this paper, the sizes of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are investigated from the measure-theoretical, fractal and topological viewpoints. We prove that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are of Lebesgue measure zero but have full Hausdorff dimension. Moreover, [Formula: see text] is of first category while [Formula: see text] is residual.
AdapTUI: Adaptation of Geometric-Feature-Based Tangible User Interfaces in Augmented Reality
Authors: He Fengming , Hu Xiyun , Qian Xun , Zhu Zhengzhe , Ramani Karthik
Published: October 2024

With the advents in geometry perception and Augmented Reality (AR), end-users can customize Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) that control digital assets using intuitive and comfortable interactions with physical geometries (e.g., edges and surfaces). However, it remains challenging to adapt such TUIs in varied physical environments while maintaining the same spatial and ergonomic affordance. We propose AdapTUI, an end-to- end system that enables an end-user to author geometric-based TUIs and automatically adapts the TUIs when the user moves to a new environment. Leveraging a geometry detection module and the spatial awareness of AR, AdapTUI first lets users create custom mappings between geometric features and digital functions. Then, AdapTUI uses an optimization-based adaptation framework, which considers both the geometric variations and human-factor nuances, to dynamically adjust the attachment of the user-authored TUIs.

We demonstrate three application scenarios where end-users can utilize TUIs at different locations, including portable car play, efficient AR workstation, and entertainment. We evaluated the effectiveness of the adaptation method as well as the overall usability through a comparison user study (N=12). The satisfactory adaptation of the user-authored TUIs and the positive qualitative feedback demonstrate the effectiveness of our system.
Magic Mirror: Designing a Weight Change Visualization for Domestic Use
Authors: Keppel Jonas , Strauss Marvin , Gruenefeld Uwe , Schneegass Stefan
Published: October 2024

Virtual mirrors displaying weight changes can support users in forming healthier habits by visualizing potential future body shapes. However, these often come with privacy, feasibility, and cost limitations. This paper introduces the Magic Mirror, a novel distortion-based mirror that leverages curvature effects to alter the appearance of body size while preserving privacy. We constructed the Magic Mirror and compared it to a video-based alternative. In an online study (
N
=115), we determined the optimal parameters for each system, comparing weight change visualizations and manipulation levels. Afterward, we conducted a laboratory study (
N
=24) to compare the two systems in terms of user perception, motivational potential, and willingness to use daily. Our findings indicate that the Magic Mirror surpasses the video-based mirror in terms of suitability for residential application, as it addresses feasibility concerns commonly associated with virtual mirrors. Our work demonstrates that mirrors that display weight changes can be implemented in users’ homes without any cameras, ensuring privacy.
Content Augmented Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Gholamzadeh Nasrabadi Fatemeh , Kashani Amirhossein , Zahedi Pegah , Haghir Chehreghani Mostafa
Published: October 2024

In recent years, graph neural networks (GNNs) have become a popular tool for solving various problems over graphs. In these models, the link structure of the graph is typically exploited and nodes’ embeddings are iteratively updated based on adjacent nodes. Nodes’ contents are used solely in the form of feature vectors, served as nodes’ first-layer embeddings. However, the filters or convolutions, applied during iterations/layers to these initial embeddings lead to their impact diminish and contribute insignificantly to the final embeddings. In order to address this issue, in this paper we propose augmenting nodes’ embeddings by embeddings generated from their content, at higher GNN layers. More precisely, we propose models wherein a
structural
embedding using a GNN and a
content
embedding are computed for each node. These two are combined using a combination layer to form the embedding of a node at a given layer layer. We suggest methods such as using an auto-encoder or building a content graph, to generate
content
embeddings. In the end, by conducting experiments over several real-world datasets, we demonstrate the high accuracy and performance of our models.
Modulation of blood pressure by dietary potassium and sodium: Sex differences and modeling analysis
Authors: Stadt Melissa M. , Layton Anita T.
Published: October 2024

High Na+ intake has been linked to elevations in blood pressure, whereas K+ has the opposite effect. The underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among renal function, fluid volume, fluid-regulatory hormones, the vasculature, cardiac function, and the autonomic nervous system. These mechanisms are likely moderated by sex, given the known sex differences in blood pressure regulation and the higher prevalence of hypertension in men. The source of these observed sex differences may be traced to organ and tissue levels, given that kidney function, intrarenal renin-angiotensin system components, renal sympathetic nervous activity, and nitric oxide bioavailability all exhibit sex differences. To assess the functional impact of each of these sex differences, we developed sex-specific computational models to simulate whole-body Na+, K+, and fluid homeostasis, and the effects on blood pressure. The models describe the interactions among the renal system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, renal sympathetic nervous system, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Model simulations suggest that women's attenuated blood pressure response to hypertensive stimuli, including high Na+ intake, may be largely attributable to the female renal transporter abundance pattern. Additionally, we investigated the causal link between high K+ intake and blood pressure reduction. The models simulate renal response to high K+ intake, including the immediate gastrointestinal feedforward signals to the kidneys to increase K+ excretion, and the longer-term response to decrease proximal fractional Na+ reabsorption and distal K+ reabsorption. With these assumptions, simulations of high K+ intake yielded kaliuresis, natriuresis, and a substantial reduction in blood pressure, even when combined with high Na+ intake.
Handling the sugar rush: the role of the renal proximal tubule
Authors: Spellman Michael J. , Assaf Tala , Nangia Shivani , Fernandez Joel , Nicholson Kyle C. , Shepard Blythe D.
Published: October 2024

Blood glucose homeostasis is critical to ensure the proper functioning of the human body. Through the processes of filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and metabolism, much of this task falls to the kidneys. With a rise in glucose and other added sugars, there is an increased burden on this organ, mainly the proximal tubule, which is responsible for all glucose reabsorption. In this review, we focus on the current physiological and cell biological functions of the renal proximal tubule as it works to reabsorb and metabolize glucose and fructose. We also highlight the physiological adaptations that occur within the proximal tubule as sugar levels rise under pathophysiological conditions including diabetes. This includes the detrimental impacts of an excess glucose load that leads to glucotoxicity. Finally, we explore some of the emerging therapeutics that modulate renal glucose handling and the systemic protection that can be realized by targeting the reabsorptive properties of the kidney.
Running for two (or three!): the journey of an ultramarathoner across two pregnancies
Authors: Bains Gyan , Carter Sophie , Hayman Melanie J. , Davenport Margie H.
Published: October 2024

This study provides the first description of a pregnant female ultramarathoner’s training patterns, performance outcomes, and health and birthing outcomes across two pregnancies.
An Uncommon Presentation of Hamman’s Syndrome in an Adolescent With Acute Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: George Daliya , Rajandran Malini , Bhurawala Habib , Leong Gary M.
Published: October 2024

Hamman’s syndrome, a rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), is characterized by subcutaneous emphysema and spontaneous pneumomediastinum. This case report discusses the occurrence of Hamman’s syndrome in an 11‐year‐old adolescent male newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and presenting with severe DKA. The patient exhibited symptoms typical of DKA, including polydipsia, polyuria, abdominal pain, and fatigue, alongside signs such as dehydration, Kussmaul breathing, and tachycardia. Following initial management with intravenous fluids and insulin infusion, he was transferred to a tertiary children’s hospital for further care. Subsequently, on routine examination, he exhibited bilateral neck crepitus and a mediastinal crunching sound on auscultation, indicative of Hamman’s syndrome. Conservative management led to symptom resolution, and the patient was discharged with follow‐up arranged. This case highlights the importance of recognizing Hamman’s syndrome as a potential complication of DKA in pediatric patients. Prompt diagnosis and management, along with differentiation from more severe conditions like Boerhaave’s syndrome, are crucial for ensuring favorable outcomes. Further awareness and understanding of this rare syndrome are essential for optimal patient care and management.
MOBBO: A Multiobjective Brown Bear Optimization Algorithm for Solving Constrained Structural Optimization Problems
Authors: Mehta Pranav , Kumar Sumit , Tejani Ghanshyam G. , Mohammad khishe
Published: October 2024

The multiobjective (MO) optimizers show great promise in solving constrained engineering structural problems. This paper introduces a MO version of the Brown Bear Optimization (BBO) algorithm, inspired by the foraging behavior of brown bears. The proposed Multiobjective Brown Bear Optimization (MOBBO) algorithm is applied to five structural optimization problems, including 10‐bar, 25‐bar, 60‐bar, 72‐bar, and 942‐bar trusses, aiming to minimize both mass and maximum nodal deflection simultaneously. Comparative evaluations against six benchmark algorithms demonstrate MOBBO’s superior convergence, solution diversity, and effectiveness in addressing highly constrained problems. The hypervolume (HV) and inverted generational distance (IGD) metrics place MOBBO in first rank according to the Friedman test, with an average standard deviation of 0.0002. Moreover, the spacing‐to‐extent (STE) and generational distance (GD) metrics rank MOBBO second. The final Friedman rank test highlights MOBBO’s overall dominance, achieving a first rank. Best Pareto plots, diversity graphs, and box plot analyses further suggest MOBBO’s superior performance and convergence compared to existing algorithms. Therefore, the MOBBO algorithm can be effectively applied to various MO optimization tasks in industry, offering refined global optimization solutions and contributing valuable insights to the field of MO algorithms.