bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling wheat rust epidemics: A long‐term surveillance study in Ethiopia's North Western Amhara region
Authors: Mekonnen Mequanint Andualem , Emirie Gebremariam Asaye , Mekonnen Melkamu Birhanie , Alemayehu Yoseph , Baye Ashebir , Mihiretie Aderajew , Bacha Netsanet , Gutu Kitesa
Published: July 2024

Wheat is one of the most significant food security crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of wheat is far below its potential due to many challenges. Wheat disease epidemics, typified by wheat rusts, are among the most important challenges, causing large‐scale production losses that put farmers’ income and food security at risk. We analysed and presented the long‐term and comprehensive wheat rust surveillance results to better understand the past rust disease occurrences, ultimately contributing to future wheat production and rust control strategies. A total of 1140 wheat fields have been surveyed from 2009 to 2021 throughout four administrative zones of the North Western Amhara region. We identified spatial and temporal trends in the distribution and status of wheat stem rust (Sr), yellow rust (Yr) and leaf rust (Lr) using a combination of different statistical tools and data‐analysis methods. The results of the study indicated that 52.5%, 11.3% and 3.4% of the wheat fields were infected with yellow, stem and leaf rust, respectively. Even so, the distribution and intensity of wheat rust disease vary across locations, elevations and cultivated varieties. The associations between altitude and disease prevalence show a linear correlation. We also identified hotspots of yellow and stem rust, which will be used by the country's wheat rust disease early warning system. In order to reverse low varietal diversification in the farmer's field, it is necessary to work with all stakeholders involved in the wheat production sector in a better synergy.
Experiences of adolescents affected by earthquakes: A qualitative study
Authors: Başkale Hatice , Solmaz Perihan
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of adolescents affected by the earthquake.

Design and Methods

This study was carried out in a descriptive phenomenological design, which is a qualitative research method. This research was conducted as a qualitative investigation utilizing a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of 12 adolescents through the purposeful snowball sampling method. The interviews were conducted with adolescents who affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in a city located in the west of the country, between March 18, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Semistructured interviews were employed, and the data underwent inductive content analysis. COREQ reporting guidelines were used.

Results

The participants in this study vividly recounted experiencing intense fear and panic during the earthquake. Subsequent challenges emerged from the lack of coordination in aid efforts, struggles to secure shelter and necessities, and the profound loss of relatives. These adversities posed considerable physical and psychological challenges. Notably, the adolescents' ability to reflect on their past lives and reshape their perspectives proved instrumental in facilitating their adaptation to a new life. However, witnessing the demise of loved ones, grappling with the fear of death and loss, and incessantly discussing the earthquake hindered their adjustment.

Practice Implications

We found that adolescents experienced the quakes in three phases: in the moment, postquake, and adaptation to new life. The first theme underscores the limitations of current effectiveness of quake training. This finding has important implications for policy to better prepare the adolescent population for quake disasters. The second theme reveals that the communication and coordination problems experienced after the earthquake enable the weaknesses of the system to be noticed and political steps should be taken in this direction. The third theme focuses on the factors that increase or decrease the psychosocial adaptation of adolescents who have experienced this traumatic experience to the new life. This provides important clues to improve and support adolescent health.
High disease burden and healthcare resource usage in patients with acute porphyria—A population‐based analysis
Authors: Stölzel Ulrich , Ambrosius Bjoern , Brun Sarah , Tacke Frank
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims

Acute porphyria is a chronic recurrent disease with late diagnosis, heterogeneous clinical presentations and potentially devastating complications. The study aimed at providing real‐world evidence on the natural course of acute porphyria, patient characteristics, disease burden, and healthcare utilization before diagnosis.

Methods

This observational study used anonymized claims data covering 8 365 867 persons from German statutory health insurance, spanning 6 years (2015–2020). Patients with at least one diagnosis of acute porphyria during the index period (2019–2020) were classified into three groups by attack frequency. These findings were compared with two age‐ and sex‐adjusted reference groups: the general population and fibromyalgia patients. Prevalence over the index period was calculated for all porphyria patients and those with active acute porphyria.

Results

We revealed a prevalence of 79.8 per 1 000 000 for acute porphyria, with 12.9 per 1 000 000 being active cases. Acute porphyria patients, particularly with frequent attacks, demonstrated a higher comorbidity burden compared to the general population. Within the year before the recorded diagnosis, patients with acute porphyria required a median of 23.0 physician visits, significantly higher than the general population's 16.0. Additionally, 33.8% were hospitalized at least once during this period, a notably higher proportion than the general population (19.3%).

Conclusions

This study's findings, collected before the introduction of givosiran, as the first approved preventive therapy for acute porphyria in Europe, highlight the need for healthcare strategies and policies tailored to the complex needs of acute porphyria patients. The significant healthcare demands, heightened comorbidity burden, and increased healthcare system utilization emphasize the urgency of developing a comprehensive support infrastructure for these patients. Also, these acute porphyria real‐world findings provide additional insights on disease characteristics in Germany.
Increase in cathepsin K gene expression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy skeletal muscle
Authors: Kimura Shigemi , Miyake Noriko , Ozasa Shiro , Ueno Hiroe , Ohtani Yoshinobu , Takaoka Yutaka , Nishino Ichizo
Published: July 2024

Dystrophinopathy is caused by alterations in the dystrophin gene. The severe phenotype, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is caused by a lack of dystrophin in skeletal muscles, resulting in necrosis and regenerating fibers, inflammatory cells, and muscle fibrosis. Progressive muscle weakness is a characteristic finding of this condition. Here, we encountered a rare case of a 10‐year‐old patient with asymptomatic dystrophinopathy with no dystrophin expression and investigated the reason for the absence of muscle weakness to obtain therapeutic insights for DMD. Using RNA‐seq analysis, gene expression in skeletal muscles was compared among patients with asymptomatic dystrophinopathy, three patients with typical DMD, and two patients without dystrophinopathy who were leading normal daily lives. Cathepsin K (CTSK), myosin heavy chain 3 (MYH3), and nodal modulator 3‐like genes exhibited a >8‐fold change, whereas crystallin mu gene (CRYM) showed a <1/8‐fold change in patients with typical DMD compared with their expression in the patient with asymptomatic dystrophinopathy. Additionally, CTSK and MYH3 expression exhibited a >16‐fold change (P < 0.01), whereas CRYM expression showed a <1/16‐fold change (P < 0.01) in patients with typical DMD compared with their expression in those without dystrophinopathy. CTSK plays an essential role in skeletal muscle loss, fibrosis, and inflammation in response to muscles injected with cardiotoxin, one of the most common reagents that induce muscle injury. Increased CTSK expression is associated with muscle injury or necrosis in patients with DMD. The lack of muscle weakness in the patient with asymptomatic dystrophinopathy might be attributed to the low CTSK expression in the muscles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that CTSK expression was significantly higher in the skeletal muscles of patients with DMD with a typical phenotype than in those without dystrophinopathy.
Determinants of moderate‐to‐high physical activity levels in hemodialysis patients: A multicenter cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chiang Shang‐Lin , Lai Chia‐Ying , Lee Yi‐Ling , Hsu Pi‐Hsiu , Hsu Yu‐Juei , Chao Ta‐Chung , Lee Meei‐Shyuan , Lin Chueh‐Ho , Lin Chia‐Huei
Published: July 2024

Moderate physical activity is related to reduced mortality in hemodialysis patients. However, most hemodialysis patients have low physical activity levels for complex reasons. This study investigated the determinants of moderate‐to‐high physical activity levels and whether psychosocial correlates are associated with engagement in moderate‐to‐high physical activity among hemodialysis patients. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 134 hemodialysis outpatients, aged 64.7 years, in three hemodialysis centers in Taiwan. Data on sociodemographics, comorbidities, lifestyles, and psychosocial correlates, including perceived benefits, barriers, and self‐efficacy of physical activity, were collected. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results showed that patients with moderate‐to‐high physical activity levels constituted a significantly lower proportion of current smokers and had fewer perceived physical activity barriers and higher self‐efficacy of physical activity compared with those with low levels. After adjusting for potential sociodemographic covariates, current employment, nonsmoking status, and high self‐efficacy of physical activity were significantly associated with moderate‐to‐high physical activity levels. Developing strategies to improve the self‐efficacy of physical activity, support employment, and enhance anti‐smoking campaigns in hemodialysis patients can help them engage in moderate‐to‐high levels of physical activity.
The Demography of Crisis‐Driven Outflows from Venezuela
Authors: Garcia Arias Jenny
Published: July 2024

The Venezuelan exodus represents the largest known displacement of people in recent Latin American history. The regional crisis caused by this mass Venezuelan migration drove the development of multiple interagency initiatives (such as the R4V platform) as well as academic attempts to keep track of outflow intensity. However, little is known about the age and gender composition of the emigrants since most existing literature to date has focused primarily on total volume and country‐specific shares of migration outflows. This study examines the demographics of recent outflows from Venezuela, the chronology of associated changes, and the demographic implications for those remaining in the country. Official counts of Venezuelan‐born populations compiled in seven main destinations are used to estimate annual outflows by age and gender from 2011 to 2021. Changes in the demographic composition of emigration are traced using parameters of the Rogers–Castro model, specifically the children‐to‐labor force dominance, and by decomposing the age contributions to the annual gross migraproduction rate. In the early phase of the crisis (2014–2017), emigration flows had high child dependency ratios. As the crisis entered its most acute phase (peaking in 2019), the mean age of migrants increased. Outward migration has resulted in the current Venezuelan population having 20 percent fewer women of reproductive age and 17.8 percent fewer individuals of working age. Consequently, the share of the population aged 60 or older has increased.
Tolerance of peanuts and tree nuts in Spanish children with exclusive sensitization to lipid transfer proteins
Authors: De Agrela‐Mendes Isamar , Pedrosa María , Gómez‐Traseira Carmen , Phillips‐Anglés Elsa , Rodríguez‐Álvarez Mónica , Quirce Santiago
Published: July 2024

Background

Allergy to peanuts and tree nuts is a common cause of food allergy in Spain, with lipid transfer proteins (LTP) being the most frequently recognized panallergen. LTP sensitization often leads to multiple food group sensitivities, resulting in overly restrictive diets that hinder patient's quality of life. This study aimed to assess the tolerance of peanuts and tree nuts (hazelnuts and walnuts) in children sensitized to LTP, potentially mitigating the need for such diets.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled individuals diagnosed with allergy to peanuts, hazelnuts, or walnuts. Data were collected from medical records, including demographics and clinical history. Allergological assessment comprised skin prick tests using commercial extracts and the nuts in question, alongside measurements of total and specific IgE to nuts and their primary molecular components. Participants showing positive LTP sensitization without sensitization to seed storage proteins underwent open oral nut challenges.

Results

A total of 75 individuals labeled as allergic to peanuts, 44 to hazelnuts, and 51 to walnuts were included. All of them underwent an open oral provocation test with the incriminated nut, showing a high tolerance rate. Peanut was tolerated by 98.6% of patients, 97.72% tolerated hazelnut, and 84.3% tolerated walnut.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that the majority of patients allergic to peanuts, hazelnuts, or walnuts, due to LTP sensitization and lacking IgE reactivity to seed storage proteins, can tolerate these nuts. This supports the need for personalized nut tolerance assessments to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions.
Enhanced efficacy of glycoengineered rice cell‐produced trastuzumab
Authors: Shin Jun‐Hye , Oh Sera , Jang Mi‐Hwa , Lee Seok‐Yong , Min Chanhong , Eu Young‐Jae , Begum Hilal , Kim Jong‐Chan , Lee Gap Ryol , Oh Han‐Bin , Paul Matthew J. , Ma Julian K.‐C. , Gwak Ho‐Shin , Youn Hyewon , Kim Seong‐Ryong
Published: July 2024

For several decades, a plant‐based expression system has been proposed as an alternative platform for the production of biopharmaceuticals including therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but the immunogenicity concerns associated with plant‐specific N‐glycans attached in plant‐based biopharmaceuticals has not been completely solved. To eliminate all plant‐specific N‐glycan structure, eight genes involved in plant‐specific N‐glycosylation were mutated in rice (Oryza sativa) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The glycoengineered cell lines, PhytoRice®, contained a predominant GnGn (G0) glycoform. The gene for codon‐optimized trastuzumab (TMab) was then introduced into PhytoRice® through Agrobacterium co‐cultivation. Selected cell lines were suspension cultured, and TMab secreted from cells was purified from the cultured media. The amino acid sequence of the TMab produced by PhytoRice® (P‐TMab) was identical to that of TMab. The inhibitory effect of P‐TMab on the proliferation of the BT‐474 cancer cell line was significantly enhanced at concentrations above 1 μg/mL (****P < 0.0001). P‐TMab bound to a FcγRIIIa variant, FcγRIIIa‐F158, more than 2.7 times more effectively than TMab. The ADCC efficacy of P‐TMab against Jurkat cells was 2.6 times higher than that of TMab in an in vitro ADCC assay. Furthermore, P‐TMab demonstrated efficient tumour uptake with less liver uptake compared to TMab in a xenograft assay using the BT‐474 mouse model. These results suggest that the glycoengineered PhytoRice® could be an alternative platform for mAb production compared to current CHO cells, and P‐TMab has a novel and enhanced efficacy compared to TMab.
The awkward relations between EU innovation policies and environmental law
Authors: Ala‐Lahti Tellervo
Published: July 2024

The European Union is actively advancing the green and digital transformation of its industries by seeking to integrate disruptive and novel technologies to enhance efficiency in existing production lines. However, the introduction of these technologies, pivotal for this transformation, has encountered challenges within the current regulatory framework. This article systematically examines the legal framework to understand how authorisation procedures, influenced by environmental legislation interpreted in conjunction with the precautionary principle, might hinder the adoption of disruptive and novel technologies. Additionally, the article evaluates the effectiveness of experimentation rules, such as legal sandboxes, in addressing scientific uncertainties linked to these technologies. Despite tensions between innovation policies and environmental regulations, embracing the precautionary principle in decision‐making procedures could facilitate the adoption of sustainable innovations while prioritising long‐term environmental and societal well‐being.
Social policy in a political vacuum: Women's experiences of hunger during the Cost‐of‐Living Crisis in Northern Ireland
Authors: Fitzpatrick Ciara , Chapman Alexandra , Harding Siobhán
Published: July 2024

Between 2022 and 2024, there was no devolved government functioning in Northern Ireland. This protracted absence of government occurred in the aftermath of the Covid‐19 pandemic and during what is arguably the worst economic crisis of recent years. Women are more vulnerable to hardship during economic crisis and thus it is unsurprising that the Cost‐of‐Living Crisis is hitting women hardest. This paper examines increasing food insecurity for women in Northern Ireland and the implications for the realisation of their human right to an adequate standard of living. The UK Government has ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which provides a legal duty to ensure that everyone has adequate access to food. However, increasing numbers of food banks and ill health related to insufficient food intake indicates that there is a fundamental problem. This article draws on 20 focus groups with 250 women on a low‐income to explore their experiences of the Cost‐of‐Living Crisis in Northern Ireland. The research found that women routinely skipped meals; described feelings of shame and guilt associated with struggling to feed their children; and discussed difficulties associated with purchasing food. Much of the pain associated with the hunger experienced by these women and children is hidden within the private sphere of the home. This article intends to shine a light on women's experiences and will reflect on the necessary policy change required to ensure compliance with international human rights obligations.
The interactive effect of geopolitical risk and natural resource rent on political instability: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Adabor Opoku , Ayesu Enock Kojo
Published: July 2024

Background

According to economists, political instability is regarded as a serious malaise harmful to economic development, which results in frequent switches of policies, creating instability to impede economic performance. The widespread political instability in many developing countries, along with its harmful effects on social welfare and economic performance, has heightened the interest of policymakers and economists in understanding the factors that contribute to political instability to inform better policy formulation. It is therefore imperative to examine the interactive effect of geopolitical risk and natural resource rent on political instability to provide strong empirical grounds for policy implementation.

Objectives

This study employs a long time series dating from the period of 1824–2020 to examine how natural resource rent and geopolitical risk influence political instability in Ghana. First, we examine long‐run effects using linear methods. Second, we employ nonparametric methods to investigate the nonlinear link between natural resource rent and political instability as well as between geopolitical risk and political instability.

Methods

The study applied linear methods and nonparametric methods to historical time series data dating from the period of 1824–2020.

Results

The results from the linear methods show that the interaction of natural resource rent and geopolitical risk exerts a positive and larger impact on political instability compared to their separate effects. The results from the nonparametric methods show a weak nonlinear link between these variables (i.e., natural resource rent, geopolitical risk, and political instability), although consistent with the linear long‐run results, the links are positive.

Conclusion

Overall, the results demonstrate that the observed positive relationship between natural resource rent and political instability is not just a recent phenomenon but holds for over more than 100 years in Ghana. Therefore, to attain a stable political environment, both long‐ and short‐term policies on political stability should be formulated.
A split herbicide application strategy reduces surface runoff
Authors: Scannell Shane , Healy Mark G. , Sambrano Gustavo , McGinley John , Ryan Paraic C. , Mellander Per‐Erik , Morrison Liam , Harmon O’Driscoll Jenny , Siggins Alma
Published: July 2024

Herbicides, such as MCPA and clopyralid, may be transported to surface waters via runoff, which can have unintended environmental consequences. A split herbicide application strategy, wherein applications are spread across a season, may improve herbicide effectiveness, although impacts of this strategy on runoff mitigation have not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) quantify the impact of split‐dose applications of MCPA and clopyralid on herbicide losses in surface runoff and (2) assess the impact of split‐dose applications of MCPA on the quantity and classification of MCPA‐degrading soil bacteria. Intact grassed soil sods were placed in 1 m‐long × 0.25 m‐wide × 0.1 m‐deep laboratory flumes, onto which either MCPA or clopyralid were applied in one full‐dose (13.5 kg MCPA ha−1; 2 kg clopyralid ha−1) or two split‐doses (each 6.75 kg MCPA ha−1; 1 kg clopyralid ha−1) 42 days apart. On days 2, 7 and 21 following herbicide applications, flumes were subjected to controlled rainfall simulations at an intensity of 11 mm h−1, and the herbicides in the runoff were quantified. MCPA and clopyralid concentrations in the runoff were highest immediately after the initial application. Both herbicides were below the limit of detection (0.1 μg l−1 for MCPA and 0.45 μg l−1 for clopyralid) by 44 days. No herbicides were detected in the runoff following the second split‐dose application. For MCPA, this was attributed to an adaptation in the microbial community with the emergence of bacteria possessing the tfdA class III gene in the soil. These results support split‐dose herbicide application as a strategy for agricultural management.
Two intuitions about free will—Some afterthoughts
Authors: Rabinowicz Wlodek
Published: July 2024

In 2014, Christian List and I published a paper that delineated our view regarding what it takes for an agent to act freely. We suggested that this requires the action to be endorsed by the agent and caused by this endorsement and yet not be necessitated. Free action requires indeterminism at the agential level—the kind of indeterminism that is compatible with physical determinism. I still think that our proposal was on the right track, but I believe it needs elaboration. As we already noted in the paper, our formal modelling—a standard branching model—was too extensional, and therefore in need of revision. Also, on a substantive side, what we say about the causal component of our proposal does not quite take care of the danger of ‘flukishness’ of an undetermined action. It was this threat to agential control that the requirement of causation by endorsement was meant to disarm in the first place. But the threat still remains and needs to be confronted. Revising the formal model and finding a solution to the problem of flukishness are my two objectives in this paper.
Microphthalmia with multiple ocular abnormalities in a foal
Authors: Cho Peter W. , Park Shin Ae , Sledge Dodd , Gruenwald Rachael , Townsend Wendy M.
Published: July 2024

Objective

The aim of this report was to provide a clinical description and clinical, ultrasonographic, and histologic images of a foal with microphthalmia and multiple ocular abnormalities.

Animals Studied

A 12‐h old Friesian‐American Paint Horse crossbred filly presented for blindness, microphthalmia and marked ventral strabismus in both eyes.

Procedure

A complete ophthalmic examination was performed. Ultrasound biomicroscopy and B‐mode ultrasonography were performed. The globes were submitted for histopathology.

Results

Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrated a hyperechoic cornea void of the typical epithelium, stroma, and Descemet's membrane layers. The anterior chamber was spanned by thick strands of hyperechoic tissue extending from the iris to the cornea. The lens was not visualized. B‐mode ultrasound showed aphakia and mild, mottled echogenicity within the vitreous with no evidence of retinal detachment. On histopathology, both globes were microphthalmic with poorly defined corneal tissue. The anterior chambers were poorly formed and contained lacrimal glandular tissue. Portions of iridal tissue were present, but no lenses were noted. The retinas were segmentally detached and markedly atrophied with areas of retina dysplasia noted.

Conclusions

This report provides a clinical, ultrasonographic and histologic description of a rare, congenital condition in a foal characterized by microphthalmia, aphakia, poorly defined corneal tissue, choristomatous differentiation of the anterior segment and retinal dysplasia.
Palatal dysgenesis in a feline causing complete obstruction of the nasopharynx: A case report
Authors: Gardiner Destinee , Berryessa Nick , Eitzer Andrew
Published: July 2024

The nasopharyngeal disease is common in felines. Nasopharyngeal stenosis is uncommonly a congenital problem, with most cases being secondary to other diseases. An 8‐month‐old male neutered domestic shorthair presented with a chief complaint of chronic nasal congestion, open‐mouth breathing, and discharge. CT was performed, and palatal dysgenesis resulting in complete nasopharyngeal obstruction, secondary nasopharyngitis, and rostral nasal turbinate lysis were found. This was confirmed by an endoscopic evaluation of the nasopharynx region, which demonstrated a lack of connection between the nasopharynx and oropharynx. This is the first CT report documenting congenital palate dysgenesis resulting in complete obstruction of the nasopharynx.
Parentheticals in spoken Indian and Sri Lankan English
Authors: Degenhardt Julia
Published: July 2024

While an increasing number of studies into the pragmatics of world Englishes indicate that sociobiographic factors—such as the speakers’ age or gender—influence pragmatic choices, most empirical investigations do not include sociobiographic information beyond said speaker characteristics. This study investigates parenthetical I assume/believe/feel/ guess/suppose/think in the spoken parts of the Indian and Sri Lankan English components of the International Corpus of English to answer the question of to what extent parenthetical function, that is, expressing either the speaker's opinion or insufficient knowledge, is influenced by structural, contextual and sociobiographic factors. Based on 1265 parentheticals, the results of multifactorial statistical analyses indicate that the speakers’ educational background and additional languages spoken at home are important predictors for the choice of parenthetical function. Therefore, the study calls for the inclusion of wide‐ranging sociobiographic factors (and combinations thereof) in the description of pragmatic speaker choices in world Englishes.
Chromosome number of Carex siderosticta in Korea (Cyperaceae)
Authors: CHUNG Kyong-Sook
Published: July 2024

Carex siderosticta Hance is characterized by long rhizomes, broad leaves, and wide distribution in East Asia; it is a member of the Siderostictae clade, which is the basal group in the genus. Among the species, diploids (2n = 2x = 12) and tetraploids (2n = 4x = 24) have been reported from Korea (2x), China (4x), Japan (2x and 4x), and Russia (4x). To clarify the ploidy levels in Korean C. siderosticta, 17 populations were sampled and analyzed. Among the 17 populations, diploids (2n = 2x = 12) were observed in 16, and one population counted triploids (2n = 3x = 18). For the first time, triploidy in the species was observed. It can be hypothesized that the triploids are derived by the fertilization of reduced and unreduced gametes of diploids or reduced gametes of diploids and tetraploids. Further investigations of the molecular and cytological characters should be conducted to understand polyploidization in this species.
The uniqueness of the Wiener–Hopf factorisation of Lévy processes and random walks
Authors: Döring Leif , Savov Mladen , Trottner Lukas , Watson Alexander R.
Published: July 2024

We prove that the spatial Wiener–Hopf factorisation of a Lévy process or random walk without killing is unique.
The Role of Financial Development in Reducing Income Inequality in Selected Asian Countries
Authors: Wang Yujue , Mazlan Nur Syazwani , Ngah Wan Azman Saini Wan , Faheem Muhammad
Published: July 2024

The present study investigated the effects of financial development on income inequality for three income level groups across 12 Asian countries (areas) from 1980-2020. The three groups comprised countries with low, moderate, and high economic development. Using the Quantile-on-Quantile (QQ) approach, The findings showed that the impact of financial development on income inequality differed across the income level groups of the 12 selected Asian countries. The results suggested that financial development exacerbated income inequality in underdeveloped countries, while for moderately developed countries, financial development promoted income equality. Except for South Korea, the other countries in the high economic development group showed that financial development exacerbated income inequality. Therefore, the impact of financial development on income should be examined by groups, in which moderately-developed countries could devote more attention to promoting income equality through reforms focusing on the development of financial diversification and the enhancement of financial depth.
Prisa Radio, desde los orígenes de la radio en España hasta la expansión en el ámbito hispanoamericano
Authors: Mancinas-Chávez Rosalba , Ruiz Acosta María José , Figuereo Benítez Juan Carlos
Published: July 2024

PRISA es el grupo español con mayor proyección internacional. El factor que le ha llevado a dicha proyección es su expansión por Hispanoamérica a través de la radio gracias al idioma, a los rasgos culturales y a factores históricos en común de los países que conforman la región. Prisa Radio tiene presencia en España, México, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panamá y Estados Unidos; y a través de franquicias: en Ecuador, Paraguay, Guatemala, Honduras y República Dominicana.
En este trabajo se aborda el desarrollo de Prisa Radio a partir de una revisión histórica desde sus orígenes hasta su desarrollo como empresa transnacional. Se aborda su desarrollo, crecimiento a través de las distintas etapas hasta llegar a la integración en un conglomerado multimedia y la incursión en el contexto hispanoamericano. La clave de su éxito consiste en repetir fórmulas que funcionan en España y llevarlas a otros países implementando rasgos locales.
Multiphysics Coupling in IGBT Modules: A Review
Authors: Tian Weiqiang , Chen Naichao
Published: July 2024

Since insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is a core component for power conversion in a power electronic system, guaranteeing the safety of IGBT becomes a crucial task for the maintenance of the power system. However, the mechanism of IGBT failure is a considerably complicated process related to the dynamic process, involving electric, thermal, and mechanical. Hence, understanding the behaviors of IGBT under multiphysics fields coupling plays an important role in the design and reliability studies of IGBT. In this paper, we review the multiphysics coupling effects, namely, electrical–thermal coupling, thermal–mechanical coupling, and mechanical–electrical coupling, inside IGBT modules. The basic principles of each coupling, coupling models, reliability analysis, as well as key issues and development trends are discussed in detail, respectively.
Anonymization: The imperfect science of using data while preserving privacy
Authors: Gadotti Andrea , Rocher Luc , Houssiau Florimond , Creţu Ana-Maria , de Montjoye Yves-Alexandre
Published: July 2024

Information about us, our actions, and our preferences is created at scale through surveys or scientific studies or as a result of our interaction with digital devices such as smartphones and fitness trackers. The ability to safely share and analyze such data is key for scientific and societal progress. Anonymization is considered by scientists and policy-makers as one of the main ways to share data while minimizing privacy risks. In this review, we offer a pragmatic perspective on the modern literature on privacy attacks and anonymization techniques. We discuss traditional de-identification techniques and their strong limitations in the age of big data. We then turn our attention to modern approaches to share anonymous aggregate data, such as data query systems, synthetic data, and differential privacy. We find that, although no perfect solution exists, applying modern techniques while auditing their guarantees against attacks is the best approach to safely use and share data today.
Click3D: Click reaction across deep tissues for whole-organ 3D fluorescence imaging
Authors: Tamura Iori , Sakamoto Daichi M. , Yi Bo , Saito Yutaro , Yamada Naoki , Morimoto Jumpei , Takakusagi Yoichi , Kuroda Masafumi , Kubota Shimpei I. , Yatabe Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Minoru , Harada Hiroshi , Tainaka Kazuki , Sando Shinsuke
Published: July 2024

Click chemistry offers various applications through efficient bioorthogonal reactions. In bioimaging, pretargeting strategies have often been used, using click reactions between molecular probes with a click handle and reporter molecules that make them observable. Recent efforts have integrated tissue-clearing techniques with fluorescent labeling through click chemistry, allowing high-resolution three-dimensional fluorescence imaging. Nevertheless, these techniques have faced a challenge in limited staining depth, confining their use to imaging tissue sections or partial organs. In this study, we introduce Click3D, a method for thoroughly staining whole organs using click chemistry. We identified click reaction conditions that improve staining depth with our custom-developed assay. The Click3D protocol exhibits a greater staining depth compared to conventional methods. Using Click3D, we have successfully achieved whole-kidney imaging of nascent RNA and whole-tumor imaging of hypoxia. We have also accomplished whole-brain imaging of hypoxia by using the clickable hypoxia probe, which has a small size and, therefore, has high permeability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Visual route following for tiny autonomous robots
Authors: van Dijk Tom , De Wagter Christophe , de Croon Guido C. H. E.
Published: July 2024

Navigation is an essential capability for autonomous robots. In particular, visual navigation has been a major research topic in robotics because cameras are lightweight, power-efficient sensors that provide rich information on the environment. However, the main challenge of visual navigation is that it requires substantial computational power and memory for visual processing and storage of the results. As of yet, this has precluded its use on small, extremely resource-constrained robots such as lightweight drones. Inspired by the parsimony of natural intelligence, we propose an insect-inspired approach toward visual navigation that is specifically aimed at extremely resource-restricted robots. It is a route-following approach in which a robot’s outbound trajectory is stored as a collection of highly compressed panoramic images together with their spatial relationships as measured with odometry. During the inbound journey, the robot uses a combination of odometry and visual homing to return to the stored locations, with visual homing preventing the buildup of odometric drift. A main advancement of the proposed strategy is that the number of stored compressed images is minimized by spacing them apart as far as the accuracy of odometry allows. To demonstrate the suitability for small systems, we implemented the strategy on a tiny 56-gram drone. The drone could successfully follow routes up to 100 meters with a trajectory representation that consumed less than 20 bytes per meter. The presented method forms a substantial step toward the autonomous visual navigation of tiny robots, facilitating their more widespread application.
Crawling, climbing, perching, and flying by FiBa soft robots
Authors: Ching Terry , Lee Joseph Zhi Wei , Win Shane Kyi Hla , Win Luke Soe Thura , Sufiyan Danial , Lim Charlotte Pei Xuan , Nagaraju Nidhi , Toh Yi-Chin , Foong Shaohui , Hashimoto Michinao
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces an approach to fabricating lightweight, untethered soft robots capable of diverse biomimetic locomotion. Untethering soft robotics from electrical or pneumatic power remains one of the prominent challenges within the field. The development of functional untethered soft robotic systems hinges heavily on mitigating their weight; however, the conventional weight of pneumatic network actuators (pneu-nets) in soft robots has hindered untethered operations. To address this challenge, we developed film-balloon (FiBa) modules that drastically reduced the weight of soft actuators. FiBa modules combine transversely curved polymer thin films and three-dimensionally printed pneumatic balloons to achieve varied locomotion modes. These lightweight FiBa modules serve as building blocks to create untethered soft robots mimicking natural movement strategies. These modules substantially reduce overall robot weight, allowing the integration of components such as pumps, valves, batteries, and control boards, thereby enabling untethered operation. FiBa modules integrated with electronic components demonstrated four bioinspired modes of locomotion, including turtle-inspired crawling, inchworm-inspired climbing, bat-inspired perching, and ladybug-inspired flying. Overall, our study offers an alternative tool for designing and customizing lightweight, untethered soft robots with advanced functionalities. The reduction of the weight of soft robots enabled by our approach opens doors to a wide range of applications, including disaster relief, space exploration, remote sensing, and search and rescue operations, where lightweight, untethered soft robotic systems are essential.
Extracellular vesicle–packaged PIAT from cancer-associated fibroblasts drives neural remodeling by mediating m5C modification in pancreatic cancer mouse models
Authors: Zheng Shangyou , Hu Chonghui , Lin Qing , Li Tingting , Li Guolin , Tian Qing , Zhang Xiang , Huang Tianhao , Ye Yuancheng , He Rihua , Chen Changhao , Zhou Yu , Chen Rufu
Published: July 2024

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a biological characteristic commonly observed in pancreatic cancer. Although PNI plays a key role in pancreatic cancer metastasis, recurrence, and poor postoperative survival, its mechanism is largely unclarified. Clinical sample analysis and endoscopic ultrasonographic elasticity scoring indicated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were closely related to the occurrence of PNI. Furthermore, CAF-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) were involved in PNI in dorsal root ganglion coculture and mouse sciatic nerve models. Next, we demonstrated that CAFs promoted PNI through extracellular vesicle transmission of PNI-associated transcript (PIAT). Mechanistically, PIAT specifically bound to YBX1 and blocked the YBX1-Nedd4l interaction to inhibit YBX1 ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, PIAT enhanced the binding of YBX1 and PNI-associated mRNAs in a 5-methylcytosine (m5C)–dependent manner. Mutation of m5C recognition motifs in YBX1 or m5C sites in downstream target genes reversed PIAT-mediated PNI. Consistent with these findings, analyses using a KPC mouse model demonstrated that the PIAT/YBX1 axis enhanced PNI through m5C modification. Clinical data suggested that the PIAT expression in the serum EVs of patients with pancreatic cancer was associated with the degree of neural invasion and prognosis. Our study revealed the important role of the PIAT/YBX1 signaling axis in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in promoting tumor cell PNI and provided a new target for precise interference with CAFs and RNA methylation in the TME to suppress PNI in pancreatic cancer.
Leiomyoma of submandibular gland
Authors: Ukwas Abdouldaim , Elshikh Mahmoud , Umar Tijjani , Borumandi Farzad
Published: July 2024

Leiomyoma is a benign tumour of smooth muscle origin. Leiomyoma arising in major salivary gland is under-reported. We report a case of a woman in her 40s with a submandibular gland tumour which represented a diagnostic challenge during preoperative assessment. The core needle biopsy of submandibular gland tumour revealed a spindle cell tumour suggestive of an undifferentiated tumour. As a malignancy could not be excluded, the submandibular gland tumour was removed en bloc with surrounding lymph nodes in level Ib of the neck. Leiomyoma may be included in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell salivary gland tumours, particularly when there are no signs of infiltration and preoperative investigations are inconclusive.
Spontaneous perforation of the common hepatic duct in a child: an unexpected intraoperative encounter
Authors: Pattanaik Prasoon , Pattanaik Sushila Kumar
Published: July 2024

Spontaneous or idiopathic bile duct perforation is rare, mostly seen in children from 25 weeks of gestation to 7 years of age, with the confluence of cystic duct and common hepatic duct (CHD) being the most common site. The exact aetiopathogenesis remains elusive and poorly understood, leading to a lack of consensus on its optimal management. The condition is often diagnosed intraoperatively. We present a case of spontaneous perforation of the CHD in a boy in his middle childhood, alongside a review of relevant literature. The patient presented with acute abdomen and pyobiliary peritonitis, for which a hollow viscus perforation was suspected. An emergent laparotomy revealed a 0.5 cm CHD perforation. Surgical intervention involved T-tube insertion and drainage, leading to a successful recovery. This case underscores the challenge of preoperative diagnosis, necessitating prompt exploration after initial resuscitation. There is a need for clinical vigilance and tailored surgical approaches.
Thoracic endometrial syndrome with unilateral exudative pleural effusion
Authors: Wong Carol , Booth Samuel Hallsor , Thein Onn Shaun , Sahal Adeel
Published: July 2024

A woman in her 40s presented with exertional dyspnoea with an absence of haemoptysis, cough, fever and weight loss. The patient had a medical history of extensive endometriosis. Investigations revealed a large right-sided pleural effusion. The effusion was aspirated and was exudative in nature.

A contrast-enhanced CT thorax was performed to help exclude dual pathology. The only positive finding was bilateral breast nodules, subsequently found to be benign fibroadenomas on histological analysis of biopsy samples.

After malignancy was ruled out as a cause, the patient was referred for medical thoracoscopy for a biopsy and other investigations. Histology demonstrated the presence of endometrial tissue in the pleura and thereby confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic endometrial syndrome.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery repair of diaphragm and talc pleurodesis was carried out in an uncomplicated procedure and the patient was discharged with good recovery.
Development and evaluation of a large language model of ophthalmology in Chinese
Authors: Zheng Ce , Ye Hongfei , Guo Jinming , Yang Junrui , Fei Ping , Yuan Yuanzhi , Huang Danqing , Huang Yuqiang , Peng Jie , Xie Xiaoling , Xie Meng , Zhao Peiquan , Chen Li , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: July 2024

Background

Large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, have considerable implications for various medical applications. However, ChatGPT’s training primarily draws from English-centric internet data and is not tailored explicitly to the medical domain. Thus, an ophthalmic LLM in Chinese is clinically essential for both healthcare providers and patients in mainland China.

Methods

We developed an LLM of ophthalmology (MOPH) using Chinese corpora and evaluated its performance in three clinical scenarios: ophthalmic board exams in Chinese, answering evidence-based medicine-oriented ophthalmic questions and diagnostic accuracy for clinical vignettes. Additionally, we compared MOPH’s performance to that of human doctors.

Results

In the ophthalmic exam, MOPH’s average score closely aligned with the mean score of trainees (64.7 (range 62–68) vs 66.2 (range 50–92), p=0.817), but achieving a score above 60 in all seven mock exams. In answering ophthalmic questions, MOPH demonstrated an adherence of 83.3% (25/30) of responses following Chinese guidelines (Likert scale 4–5). Only 6.7% (2/30, Likert scale 1–2) and 10% (3/30, Likert scale 3) of responses were rated as ‘poor or very poor’ or ‘potentially misinterpretable inaccuracies’ by reviewers. In diagnostic accuracy, although the rate of correct diagnosis by ophthalmologists was superior to that by MOPH (96.1% vs 81.1%, p>0.05), the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the promising performance of MOPH, a Chinese-specific ophthalmic LLM, in diverse clinical scenarios. MOPH has potential real-world applications in Chinese-language ophthalmology settings.