bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Alcohol Use, Antiretroviral Therapy Use, and Viral Load Suppression Among People Living with HIV in Rural Central Uganda
Authors: Wynn Adriane , Sileo Katelyn M. , Schmarje Crockett Katherine , Naigino Rose , Ediau Michael , Menzies Nicolas A. , Kalichman Seth C. , Wanyenze Rhoda K. , Martin Natasha K. , Kiene Susan M.
Published: May 2024

Alcohol use among people living with HIV (PWH) is common and may negatively affect engagement in HIV care. We evaluated the relationships between alcohol use, ART use, and viral suppression among PWH in Uganda. PATH/Ekkubo was a trial evaluating a linkage to HIV care intervention in four Ugandan districts, Nov 2015-Sept 2021. Our analytical sample included: (1) baseline data from individuals not enrolled in the intervention trial (previously diagnosed HIV+); and 12-month follow-up data from the control group (newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed, but not in care). Level of alcohol use was categorized using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C): none (AUDIT-C = 0), low (women = 1–2, men = 1–3), medium (women = 3–5, men = 4–5), high/very high (6–12). Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated associations between alcohol use, ART use and viral suppression (a viral load of < 20); we also stratified by gender. Among 931 PWH, medium (OR: 0.43 [95% CI 0.25–0.72]) and high/very high (OR: 0.22 [95% CI 0.11–0.42]) levels of alcohol use were associated with lower odds of being on ART. In a sub-sample of 664, medium use (OR: 0.63 [95% CI 0.41–0.97]) was associated with lower odds of viral suppression. However, this association was not statistically significant when restricting to those on ART, suggesting the relationship between alcohol use and viral suppression is explained by ART use. Among men, high/very high, and among women, medium alcohol use levels were associated with lower odds of being on ART and being virally suppressed. Interventions for PWH who use higher levels of alcohol may be needed to optimize the benefits of Uganda’s Universal Test and Treat strategy.
Distinct epigenetic modulation of differentially expressed genes in the adult mouse brain following prenatal exposure to low-dose bisphenol A
Authors: Weng Jie , Zhu Yue-yan , Liao Li-yong , Yang Xin-tong , Dong Yu-hao , Meng Wei-da , Sun Dai-jing , Liu Yun , Peng Wen-zhu , Jiang Yan
Published: May 2024

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common component in the manufacture of daily plastic consumer goods. Recent studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to BPA can increase the susceptibility of offspring to mental illness, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling in the adult mouse brain following prenatal exposure to low-dose BPA. We observed a sex-specific transcriptional dysregulation in the cortex, with more significant differentially expressed genes was observed in adult cortex from male offspring. Moreover, the upregulated genes primarily influenced neuronal functions, while the downregulated genes were significantly associated with energy metabolism pathways. More evidence supporting impaired mitochondrial function included a decreased ATP level and a reduced number of mitochondria in the cortical neuron of the BPA group. We further investigated the higher-order chromatin regulatory patterns of DEGs by incorporating published Hi-C data. Interestingly, we found that upregulated genes exhibited more distal interactions with multiple enhancers, while downregulated genes displayed relatively short-range interactions among adjacent genes. Our data further revealed decreased H3K9me3 signal on the distal enhancers of upregulated genes, whereas increased DNA methylation and H3K27me3 signals on the promoters of downregulated genes. In summary, our study provides compelling evidence for the potential health risks associated with prenatal exposure to BPA, and uncovers sex-specific transcriptional changes with a complex interplay of multiple epigenetic mechanisms.

Graphical abstract

1. Distinct chromatin interaction pattern of DEGs in the cortex of adult male offspring in response to prenatal BPA exposure.

2. Upregulated genes exhibited intensive and long-range chromatin interactions, with decreased H3K9me3 modification on the distal enhancers.

3. Downregulated genes were featured by promoter-promoter interactions among adjacent genes and increased DNA methylation and H3K27me3 modification at the promoter regions.
Enacting Entanglement: CreaTures, Socio-Technical Collaboration and Designing a Transformative Ethos
Authors: Light Ann , Choi Jaz Hee-jeong , Houston Lara , Botero Andrea
Published: May 2024

What happens when we try to enact theory in our practices of collaboration? The CreaTures project spent three years exploring the challenges of conceptualising and enacting entanglement in using creative practice to try and change worldviews towards understandings of interdependence. Acknowledging the backdrop to our work as pressing ecological breakdown, we sought to practice the cultural change we hoped to inspire. We discuss what we learnt about the socio-technical aspects of cooperation in managing entangled engagement as a methodological, as well as ontological, position. We centre this on a case study of how digital technology became a factor in both helpful and surprising ways during the project in response to the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic. The paper concludes with reflections on how taking the spatial metaphor of entanglement, rather than scale, has helped us understand agency in our work. In discussing this transdisciplinary project as part of CSCW scholarship, we hope to open a space for questioning dominant techno-economic values and show how alternative philosophy can be enacted in practice in supporting transformation to a different design ethos.
Pulsed field ablation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: an ex vivo assessment of safety
Authors: Lennerz Carsten , O’Connor Matthew , Schaarschmidt Claudia , Reents Tilko , Bourier Felix , Telishevska Marta , Lengauer Sarah , Popa Miruna , Wimbauer Katharina , Holmgren Ellen , Thoma Mara , Spitzauer Lovis , Bahlke Fabian , Krafft Hannah , Englert Florian , Knoll Katharina , Friedrich Lena , Blazek Patrick , Hessling Gabriele , Kolb Christof , Deisenhofer Isabel , Kottmaier Marc
Published: May 2024

Background

Pulse field ablation (PFA) is a novel catheter ablation technology with potential safety benefits due to its tissue selectivity. It has the potential to directly damage or interact with the functionality of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in the form of electromagnetic interference (EMI). The aim of our study was to assess the impact of PFA on CIEDs.

Methods

PFA lesions (45 per CIED) were applied from the Farapulse system to CIEDs (< 5 cm from the lead tip and < 15 cm from the generator). All devices were checked before and after PFA application for proper sensing and pacing functionality as well as for integrity of shock circuits in ICDs using a heart simulator. Moreover, devices were then interrogated for any spontaneous reprogramming, mode switching or other EMI effects.

Results

In total, 44 CIEDs were tested (16 pacemaker, 21 ICDs, 7 CRT-P/D) with 1980 PFA applications. There was no change in device settings, functionality and electrical parameters, and there was no macroscopic damage to the devices. The risk of damage to the electric components or leads on a patient-based analysis is 0/44 (95% CI 0–8%) and on a PFA pulse-based analysis is 0/1980 (95% CI 0–0.2%). Clinically relevant EMI appeared with oversensing and pacing inhibition but not tachycardia detection.

Conclusions

Bipolar PFA appears safe and does not result in damage to CIEDs or leads. Clinically relevant EMI does occur, but appropriate peri-procedural programming may mitigate this. In vivo studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Graphical Abstract
Real-time monitoring of molten zinc splatter using machine learning-based computer vision
Authors: O’Donovan Callum , Giannetti Cinzia , Pleydell-Pearce Cameron
Published: May 2024

During steel galvanisation, immersing steel strip into molten zinc forms a protective coating. Uniform coating thickness is crucial for quality and is achieved using air knives which wipe off excess zinc. At high strip speeds, zinc splatters onto equipment, causing defects and downtime. Parameters such as knife positioning and air pressure influence splatter severity and can be optimised to reduce it. Therefore, this paper proposes a system that converges computer vision and manufacturing whilst addressing some challenges of real-time monitoring in harsh industrial environments, such as the extreme heat, metallic dust, dynamic machinery and high-speed processing at the galvanising site. The approach is primarily comprised of the Counting (CNT) background subtraction algorithm and YOLOv5, which together ensure robustness to noise produced by heat distortion and dust, as well as adaptability to the highly dynamic environment. The YOLOv5 element achieved precision, recall and mean average precision (mAP) values of 1. When validated against operator judgement using mean average error (MAE), interquartile range, median and scatter plot analysis, it was found that there was more discrepancy between the two operators than the operators and the model.This research also strategises the deployment process for integration into the galvanising line. The model proposed allows real-time monitoring and quantification of splatter severity which provides valuable insights into root-cause analysis, process optimisation and maintenance strategies. This research contributes to the digital transformation of manufacturing and whilst solving a current problem, also plants the seed for many other novel applications.
AIOLOS-Associated Inborn Errors of Immunity
Authors: Yamashita Motoi , Morio Tomohiro
Published: May 2024

AIOLOS, encoded by the IKZF3 gene, belongs to the Ikaros zinc finger transcription factor family and plays a pivotal role in regulating lymphocyte development. Recently, heterozygous missense loss-of-function variants within the DNA-binding domain of the IKZF3 gene (G159R, N160S, and G191R) have been identified in patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Additionally, a missense and a truncating variant (E82K and Q402X) leading to the AIOLOS haploinsufficiency have been documented. The majority of individuals with AIOLOS-associated IEI manifest recurrent sinopulmonary infections, as well as various bacterial and viral infections. The patients carrying the AIOLOSN160S variant exhibit severe immunodeficient phenotypes. In contrast, patients harboring AIOLOS haploinsufficient variants predominantly present with clinical phenotypes associated with immune dysregulation. A varying degree of B-lymphopenia and hypoimmunoglobulinemia was noted in approximately half of the patients. Mouse models of AIOLOSG159R and AIOLOSN160S variants (AiolosG158R and AiolosN159S in mice, respectively) recapitulated most of the immune abnormalities observed in the patients. Among these models, AiolosG158R mice prominently exhibited defects in early B cell differentiation resulting from mutant Aiolos interfering with Ikaros function through heterodimer formation. In contrast, AiolosN159S mice did not manifest early B cell differentiation defects. However, they displayed a distinct immune abnormality characterized by impaired induction of CD62L expression in lymphocytes, which is likely attributable to dysfunction of Ikaros, leading to defective lymphocyte homing to lymph nodes. Considering the diverse clinical phenotypes observed in the reported cases and the distinct molecular pathogenesis associated with each variant, further studies with more patients with AIOLOS-associated IEI would contribute to a better understanding of the clinical spectrum and underlying molecular mechanisms associated with this disorder.
Mapping Approaches to ‘Citizen Science’ and ‘Community Science’ and Everything In-between: The Evolution of New Epistemic Territory?
Authors: Hacking Nick , Lewis Jamie , Evans Robert
Published: May 2024

Over the last decade or so, the rate of growth of academic publications involving discussion of ‘citizen science’ and ‘community science’, and similar variants, has risen exponentially. These fluid terms, with no fixed definition, cover a continuum of public participation within a range of scientific activities. It is, therefore, apposite and timely to examine the evolving typologies of citizen science and community science and to ask how particular disciplinary actors are shaping content and usage. Do certain approaches to citizen science and community science activity remain siloed within specific disciplines or do some approaches resonate more widely? In this study, we use mixed methods—bibliometric and textual analysis—to chart the changing academic interpretations of this scientific activity over time. We then ask what these analyses mean for the future direction of academic research into citizen science and community science. The results suggest that, while certain disciplinary-based interpretations have been particularly influential in the past, a more epistemically mixed array of academic interests than was previously evident are currently determining expectations of what citizen science and community science should look like and what they can be expected to deliver.
Language change and the Degree Semantics Parameter
Authors: Hohaus Vera
Published: May 2024

Beck et al. (2009) and much follow-up research (including Bochnak 2015; Bowler 2016; Deal and Hohaus 2019) argue that languages systematically differ in the semantics of gradable predicates like tall and old, with some languages adopting a vague, delineation-based semantics and others adopting a relational, degree-based semantics. Beck et al. (2009) capture this point of variation in the so-called Degree Semantics Parameter. Based on elicitation and corpus data, we suggest here that the grammar of Samoan (Austronesian, Oceanic; Independent State of Samoa, American Samoa) has recently undergone a change from one parameter setting to the other, triggered by the addition of a degree-based comparative operator to the functional lexicon of the language. This operator developed through lexical and syntactic re-analysis from a directional particle. In Samoan, the grammar of degree is thus modelled after the grammar of another scalar domain, directed motion in space, a strategy that the typological literature suggests is cross-linguistically common.
Hebban olla vogala: An Eleventh-Century Link Between Dutch and English Literary History
Authors: Angerer Michael Lysander
Published: May 2024

The short eleventh-century lyric Hebban olla vogala is considered the earliest literary text in Dutch. Yet it only survives as a badly faded pen trial, written in England by a monk from the Low Countries. As a result, the exact reading of the text and even the language it was written in remain uncertain. Now, multispectral imaging of the manuscript has made it possible to provide an improved reconstruction of the text. An analysis of this new reading suggests that the scribe deliberately used the similarity between dialects of late Old English and Old Dutch to produce a rhyming verse text that was intelligible in both languages. As a multilingual and translingual poem, Hebban olla vogala must therefore be situated in English as well as Dutch literary history. The scribe’s other pen trials in the same manuscript demonstrate an interest in different Latin verse forms, indicating that Hebban olla vogala may also be a literary experiment. In exploiting the mutual intelligibility of Old Dutch and Old English, the poem points to an easily overlooked current of influence on late Old English and early Middle English literature. While this is hard to trace due to the similarities between the two languages, Dutch emerges as another potential influence, alongside Anglo-Norman French, on the development of rhyming verse in English after the Norman Conquest. In this way, Hebban olla vogala can be seen not only as a monument of Dutch literary history, but also as a testament to its interaction with English literature.
Multi-view Multi-label Learning with Shared Features Inconsistency
Authors: Li Qingyan , Cheng Yusheng
Published: May 2024

Multi-view multi-label (MVML) learning is a framework for solving the problem of associating a single instance with a set of class labels in the presence of multiple types of data features. The extraction of shared features among multiple views for label prediction is a common MVML learning method. However, previous approaches assumed that the number and association degree of shared features were the same across views. In fact, they differ in the number and degree of association. The above assumption can lead to a poor communicability of the views. Therefore, this paper proposes an MVML learning method based on the inconsistent shared features extracted by the graph attention model. The first step is to extract the shared and private features of multiple views. Next, the graph attention mechanism is adopted to learn the association degree of shared features of different views and calculate the adjacency matrix and attention coefficient. The number of associations is determined by taking the obtained adjacency matrix as a mask matrix, while the association degree of shared features is measured by the attention weight matrix. Finally, the new shared features are obtained for multi-label prediction. We conducted experiments on seven MVML datasets to compare the proposed algorithm with seven advanced algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate the advantages of our algorithm.
A fallible narrator and an inscrutable object: desire as structure in Dostoevsky’s The Eternal Husband
Authors: Phillips James
Published: May 2024

This article argues that one of the means by which Dostoevsky achieves polyphony in the limited point-of-view narration of The Eternal Husband (1870) is through the tension between the character Velchaninov’s overt aversion and his subterranean attraction to Trusotsky, the cuckold of the title. While Trusotsky is more forthright in expressing his love for Velchaninov and has thus previously raised the question of homosexuality for commentators on Dostoevsky’s novella, the text also provides sufficient clues to infer that Velchaninov is erotically responsive. The subtlety of Dostoevsky’s depiction of this responsiveness is crucial to the polyphonic effect he secures for the work. The narration, which proceeds from Velchaninov’s perspective, imbricates the discrete layers of what is thought, what is said and what is done without being openly thought. The monological principle of composition, to which the limited point-of-view narrative format generically predisposes many earlier writers but whose alienness to Dostoevsky is Bakhtin’s central contention, thereby fails to assert itself in the novella.
Landscape classification with self-organizing map using user participation and environmental data: the case of the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Authors: Son Yonghoon , Kang DongJin , Kim Jeeyoung , Lee Sunghee , Lee Jukyung , Kim Doeun
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to develop a method for assessing landscapes using environmental data and user-generated data, which are commonly employed in landscape research. It focused on the Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea, devising evaluation indicators for five key concepts: naturalness, diversity, imageability, historicity, and disturbance. These indicators were used to assess the landscapes based on each index. We employed a self-organizing map, an artificial neural network technique, to categorize the landscape units and developed eight evaluation indicators for the five key concepts, organizing the study area’s landscapes into six distinct landscape units. This study identified landscape unit types with increased vulnerability to visual blight or heightened public awareness by considering both user characteristics and environmental attributes in the metropolitan area landscapes. Finally, we discussed future tasks for appropriate landscape management based on each landscape area’s characteristics to maintain and enhance landscape quality.
Systemic metabolic benefits of 17α-estradiol are not exclusively mediated by ERα in glutamatergic or GABAergic neurons
Authors: Camon Celine , Prescott Mel , Neyt Christine , Decourt Caroline , Stout Michael B. , Campbell Rebecca E. , Garratt Michael
Published: May 2024

17α-Estradiol (17αE2), a less-feminising enantiomer of 17β-estradiol, has been shown to prolong lifespan and improve metabolic health in a sex-specific manner in male, but not in female mice. Recent studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in mediating the effects of 17αE2 on metabolic health. However, the specific tissues and/or neuronal signalling pathways that 17αE2 acts through remain to be elucidated. ERα expression in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons (principal excitatory and inhibitory neurons respectively) in the hypothalamus is essential for estradiol signalling. Therefore, we hypothesised that knocking out ERα from one of these neuronal populations would attenuate the established beneficial metabolic effects of 17αE2 in male mice exposed to a high fat diet. To test this hypothesis we used two established brain specific ERα KO models, targeting either glutamatergic or GABAergic neurons (Vglut2/Vgat-ERαKO). We show that both of these ERα KO models exhibit a strong reduction in ERα expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, a control centre for metabolic regulation. Deletion of ERα from GABAergic neurons significantly diminished the effect of 17αE2 on body weight relative to controls, although these animals still show metabolic benefits with 17αE2 treatment. The response to 17αE2 was unaffected by ERα deletion in glutamatergic neurons. Our results support a benefit of 17αE2 treatment in protection against metabolic dysfunction, but these effects do not depend on exclusive ERα expression in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and persist when ERα expression is strongly reduced in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.
On the least square prenucleolus for games with externalities
Authors: Fiestras-Janeiro M. G. , Saavedra-Nieves A.
Published: May 2024

In this paper we address the problem of determining the least square prenucleolus for games with externalities. Specifically, this solution is based on the minimization of the variance of the excess vectors that can be associated to any allocation vector over the set of all embedded coalitions using a least square criterion. From a theoretical point of view, an axiomatization of this solution is provided. Besides, we analyse its relations with other proposals of solution in the game-theoretical literature.
Interdiffusion Studies in Alloy 617 and 10Cr Steel Joints Using Diffusion Couple Approach and Simulations
Authors: Haribabu S. , Sudha C. , Ganesh P. , Kumar Abhay
Published: May 2024

In the steam turbine circuit of advanced ultra supercritical power plants dissimilar joints of alloy 617 and 10Cr steel are unavoidable due to economic reasons. In these joints diffusional interaction causing change in microstructure is identified as possible reason for failure during service. To investigate the interdiffusion driven structural changes, alloy 617/10Cr steel diffusion couples were fabricated. To achieve good metallurgical bond between Fe- and Ni-based alloys and to study diffusional transformations under accelerated conditions, diffusion couples were prepared by annealing in the temperature range of 1000-1100 °C for 3-8 h. For all conditions heat treatment interaction zones were wider in alloy 617 (150-200 μm at 1050 °C, 8 h) than in 10Cr steel (15-16 μm at 1050 °C, 8 h) and the phase stability at the interface was studied using electron microprobe and x-ray diffraction. Average effective interdiffusion coefficients were calculated using Dayananda’s approach. While the diffusivities of substitutional solutes were similar in alloy 617 (0.31-0.42 × 10−15 m2/s at 1050 °C), they differed in 10Cr steel in the following sequence: $$\tilde{D}_{{{\text{Cr}}}}$$

D
~

Cr

 > $$\tilde{D}_{{{\text{Fe}}}}$$

D
~

Fe

≈$$\tilde{D}_{{{\text{Ni}}}}$$

D
~

Ni

 > $$\tilde{D}_{{{\text{Co}}}}.$$

D
~

Co

.

Further, multicomponent interdiffusion profiles were predicted using homogenization model in DICTRA and an integrated approach combining DICTRA with Thermo-Calc helped in understanding the experimental observations on the interface microstructure.
Strongylids of Domestic Horses in Eastern Slovakia: Species Diversity and Evaluation of Particular Factors Affecting Strongylid Communities
Authors: Kuzmina Tetiana A. , Königová Alzbeta , Burcáková Ludmila , Babjak Michal , Syrota Yaroslav
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the species diversity and structure of the strongylid community in domestic horses in Eastern Slovakia. Also, an analysis of the impact of age, sex, and collection location factors on the strongyid communities was performed.

Methods

Twenty-seven horses 1.5–21 years old from two farms in eastern Slovakia with different horse-management conditions were studied. Strongylids were collected after horse treatments with Noromectin (0.2 mg ivermectin); 66,170 specimens were collected and identified. Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed following fenbendazole (FBZ) and ivermectin (IVM) treatments.

Results

Twenty-four strongylid species were found; horses were infected with 6 to 16 (average = 11.7) species. Six cyathostomin species (Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cyathostomum catinatum, C. pateratum, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, C. goldi, C. calicatus) were the most prevalent; C. catinatum was the dominant species in both farms (Berger-Parker index 0.34 and 0.42). The structure of the strongylid community was multimodal with dominant, subdominant, background, and rare species. The Mantel test showed that horse age and sex did not significantly affect the nematode infracommunity composition (p > 0.05), while the impact of the collection location (farm) was significant (p = 0.03). Additionally, C. longibursatus was identified as the species contributing significantly to the observed farm differences. Strong resistance to FBZ was documented on both farms (FECRT was 36.4% and 22.7%); IVM resistance was not observed (FECRT = 100%).

Conclusion

This study presents the first report on the strongylids parasitizing domestic horses in Eastern Slovakia and gives basic information for further studies of horse parasites and their control in the region.
Effect of wettable and hydrophobic biochar addition on properties of sandy soil
Authors: Šurda Peter , Vitková Justína , Lichner Ľubomír , Botková Natália , Toková Lucia
Published: May 2024

Sandy soils have high hydraulic conductivity and low retention ability for water and nutrients, resulting in low fertility. As water retention of coarse-textured soil is substantially more sensitive to the amount of organic carbon than fine-textured soils, the amendment of sandy soils with biochar is often used. The objective of this study was to find the effect of water-repellent and wettable biochar addition on the porosity, P, saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, soil water retention curves, SWRC, plant available water content, AWC, water drop penetration time, WDPT and contact angle, CA of sandy soil. It was observed that biochar addition led to a significant increase in both P and AWC in all treatments, indicating a positive impact on soil water retention. The water-repellent biochar addition led to the statistically significant decrease in Ks, caused by the water-repellent biochar particles between the sand grains preventing water movement in the soil. The wettable biochar addition led to a statistically insignificant decrease in Ks. The addition of very strongly and extremely water-repellent biochar induced slight severity of water repellency (40° ≤ CA < 90°) and did not induce persistence of water repellency (WDPT < 5 s) in the biochar-soil mixture. After an addition of wettable biochar, the biochar-soil mixtures were wettable. A relation between the Ks and CA in sandy soil amended with wettable and hydrophobic biochars was found, which is a novelty of our study.
Cardiac magnetic resonance reveals biventricular impairment in Cushing’s syndrome: a multicentre case-control study
Authors: Feola Tiziana , Cozzolino Alessia , De Alcubierre Dario , Pofi Riccardo , Galea Nicola , Catalano Carlo , Simeoli Chiara , Di Paola Nicola , Campolo Federica , Pivonello Rosario , Isidori Andrea M. , Giannetta Elisa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with severe cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the non-invasive gold standard for assessing cardiac structure and function; however, few CMR studies explore cardiac remodeling in patients exposed to chronic glucocorticoid (GC) excess. We aimed to describe the CMR features directly attributable to previous GC exposure in patients with cured or treated endogenous CS.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentre, case-control study enrolling consecutive patients with cured or treated CS and patients harboring non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI), comparable in terms of sex, age, CV risk factors, and BMI. All patients were in stable condition and had a minimum 24-month follow-up.

Results

Sixteen patients with CS and 15 NFAI were enrolled. Indexed left ventricle (LV) end-systolic volume and LV mass were higher in patients with CS (p = 0.027; p = 0.013); similarly, indexed right ventricle (RV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were higher in patients with CS compared to NFAI (p = 0.035; p = 0.006). Morphological alterations also affected cardiac function, as LV and RV ejection fractions decreased in patients with CS (p = 0.056; p = 0.044). CMR features were independent of metabolic status or other CV risk factors, with fasting glucose significantly lower in CS remission than NFAI (p < 0.001) and no differences in lipid levels or blood pressure.

Conclusion

CS is associated with biventricular cardiac structural and functional impairment at CMR, likely attributable to chronic exposure to cortisol excess independently of known traditional risk factors.
Phenothiazine Derivatives: The Importance of Stereoisomerism in the Tolerance and Efficacy of Antimicrobials
Authors: Ronco Troels , Juul Maria , Reynier Zélie , Christensen Jørn B. , Svenningsen Søren , Olsen Rikke H.
Published: May 2024

Stereoisomers are molecules that are identical in atomic constitution and bonding. The biological properties may, however, differ significantly between two enantiomers (individual stereoisomers). JBC 1847, a phenothiazine derivative with strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, exists in two enantiomers, S and R. Under standard chemical synthesis (S)-and (R)-JBC 1847 will be present in 50/50 amount (racemic). In this study, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity, the in vivo tolerance and therapeutic efficacy of purified (S)-JBC 1847. Compared to JBC 1847 racemic, the antimicrobial activity of (S)-JBC 1847 in vitro was in the same range or slightly increased, while the maximum tolerable concentration in vivo was five times higher for (S)-JBC 1847 (5 mg/kg versus 20 mg/kg bodyweight). Furthermore, the in vivo efficacy of (S)-JBC 1847 in a mouse peritonitis MRSA model was comparable to the activity of vancomycin. In conclusion, the antimicrobial activity and tolerance of a medical stereoisomeric compound may be significantly different using purified enantiomers compared with the racemic state.
Redefining Meaning: A Micro-Genetic Model of the Constitution of Experience
Authors: Reho Matteo , Salvatore Sergio
Published: May 2024

This article aims to renew the discussion about meaning in the field of psychology. A model is presented that, contrary to the classical view of meaning as an entity taken for granted, explains the dynamics through which it comes to be constituted, opening itself to the possibility of being experienced, as a psychological reality. The autoethnographic analysis carried out by von Fircks (IBPS 53(4):632–643, 2023) is used as example to show how such a model enables an understanding of local phenomena through the comprehension of the semiotic dynamics underlying them. Finally, this paper offers insights into the mechanisms that underlie the field of possibility of meaning-making processes, thus of human experience.
Positive Parenting, Prosocial Behavior, Meaning in Life, and Subjective Well-being in Adolescents: a Parallel and Serial Mediation Analysis
Authors: Arslan Gökmen
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect relationships among positive parenting, meaning in life, prosocial behavior, and subjective well-being using a parallel and serial mediation model. We sought to examine whether meaning in life and prosocial behavior mediate the association between parenting and subjective well-being, and whether prosocial behavior mediates the relationship between this positive parenting and adolescents’ sense of meaning in life. This research involved 408 high school adolescents who were registered in a Turkish high school. The student composition was 30.5% male and 69.5% female, with ages ranging from 13 to 18 years (mean = 15.80, standard deviation = 1.27). Parallel mediation analyses indicated that meaning in life and prosocial behavior mediated the relationship between positive parenting (i.e., strength-based parenting) and adolescent subjective well-being. Furthermore, the serial mediation model revealed that these variables mediated this relationship, and prosocial behavior served as a mediator in the association between parenting and meaning in life. Additional results also suggested that the mediating role of meaning in life and prosocial behavior may differ between female and male adolescents. As a result, the study provides evidence that positive parenting practices are a significant factor in increased subjective well-being and that meaning in life and prosocial behaviors, in turn, enhance parents’ impact on adolescent well-being.
Utterance-genre-lifeworld and Sign-habit-Umwelt Compared as Phenomenologies. Integrating Socio- and Biosemiotic Concepts?
Authors: Olteanu Alin , Ongstad Sigmund
Published: May 2024

This study develops a biosemiotic framework for a descriptive phenomenology. We incorporate the set utterance-genre-lifeworld in biosemiotic theory by paralleling it with the Peircean-Uexküllean notions of sign, habit, and Umwelt (respectively). This framework for empirical semiotic studies aims to complement the concepts of affordance and scaffold, as applied in studies on learning.

The paper also contributes to bridging Bakhtinian-Hallidayian-Habermasian views on utterance, genre, and lifeworld with biosemiotics. We exploit the possibility that biosemiotics offers to bring together hermeneutic and phenomenological analysis. We relate these views to integrated levels in a systemic framework for communication. Signs are seen as inter-dependent construction elements in utterances. Repeated use of utterances in shifting contexts generates shared recognizable kinds of communication, or genres. ‘Life-genre’ is used in a zoo-communication context, to avoid anthropocentrism. Life-genre serves animals’ life-functions. Genres make up a systemic network of communicational resources, along with the related concepts of event, affordance, and scaffold. Utterance, genre, and lifeworld have five aspects, constituting an integrative approach to communication: form, content, act, time, and space. Semiosis and positioning are processes that connect aspects and levels. Levels, aspects, and processes make up the framework as a system.

While biosemiotics supports a phenomenological notion of life-genre, in turn, this notion also contributes to the development of the former, bridging a gap between organisms’ sign experience on a micro-level and organisms’ phenomenal lifeworld/Umwelt. Comparisons of lifeworld and Umwelt reveal that, although not identical, these are sufficiently similar to be perceived as an overall macro-level for signs and communication. Starting from a construal of utterance and genre as dynamic, dialogical, and reciprocal, genre is positioned as meso-level, mediating between signs in utterances and the lifeworld/Umwelt level. We propose genres, understood as semiotic scaffoldings built through affordances, as an analytical concept to capture meso-level phenomena. Scaffolding is determined by both ongoing events and (pre-)available genres. Events are manifestations of these scaffolding processes.

Identifying animal and educational communication as two particularly relevant fields for future applications, we compare key socio-semiotic concepts to the notions of sign, habit, and Umwelt. The notions affordance and scaffolding are particularly important to think of learning as continuous with adaptation.

An overall aim is to broaden as well as finetune semiotic phenomenology as a platform for empirical analyses of communication. We conclude by exemplifying and summarizing how the framework facilitates this.
“I have the Feeling that the Person is Here”: Older Adults’ Attitudes, Usage Intentions, and Requirements for a Telepresence Robot
Authors: Conde Melisa , Mikhailova Veronika , Döring Nicola
Published: May 2024

The social integration of older adults has been shown to be vital for successful aging. Innovative communication technologies, such as telepresence robots, can protect older adults against loneliness and social isolation by helping them stay connected to their social networks. This human-centered qualitative study aims to identify the attitudes (research question 1, RQ1), intentions to use (RQ2), and requirements (RQ3) of older adults for robot-mediated communication (RMC) via a telepresence robot. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with N = 30 older adults from Germany, who evaluated storyboard illustrations depicting a fictional RMC scenario between a grandparent and their adult grandchild. The study identified 3 attitude groups towards telepresence robots among participants: positive, negative, and conflicting attitudes (RQ1). Furthermore, based on their intentions of use, participants were classified into reluctant future users (n = 12), future non-users (n = 10), and enthusiastic future users (n = 8) (RQ2). Finally, the study identified technological, social, and age-related requirements of older adults for a telepresence robot (RQ3). Practical recommendations are provided based on these findings, such as leveraging older adults’ current technology-related skills, adapting technologies to older adults’ lifestyles and social networks, and designing technologies that contribute to older adults aging in place. This study contributes to the human-centered design of telepresence robots that support the social integration of older adults.
Analysis of heavy precipitation-induced rill erosion
Authors: Hinsberger Rebecca
Published: May 2024

Erosion is an ongoing environmental problem that leads to soil loss and damages ecosystems downstream of agriculture. Increasingly frequent heavy precipitation causes single erosion events with potentially high erosion rates owing to gully erosion. In this study, analyses of croplands affected by heavy precipitation and linear erosion indicate that erosion occurs only on sparsely vegetated fields with land cover ≤ 25% and that slope gradient and length are significant factors for the occurrence of linear erosion tracks. Existing erosion models are not calibrated to the conditions of heavy precipitation and linear erosion, namely high precipitation intensities and long and steep croplands. In this study, natural linear erosion was analyzed using an unmanned aerial vehicle and erosion volumes were determined for 32 rills and gullies of different sizes. Comparisons with the RUSLE2 and EROSION-3D model values showed an underestimation of linear erosion in both models. Therefore, calibration data for erosion models used for heavy precipitation conditions must be adapted. The data obtained in this study meet the required criteria.
Toward a Unified Account of Advanced Concentrative Absorption Meditation: A Systematic Definition and Classification of Jhāna
Authors: Sparby Terje , Sacchet Matthew D.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The jhānas are series of advanced concentrative absorption meditative (ACAM) states brought about by meditation. While previously cultivated mostly in monastic settings, a series of modern meditation manuals both openly discuss the jhānas and describe how they may be attained by laypeople. Simultaneously, the phenomenological and neuroscientific investigation of the jhānas is advancing. Although the descriptions of the jhānas in contemporary jhāna manuals to some degree overlap with one another, there are also significant disagreements. Here our objectives are to identify common features of jhāna in meditation manuals, to identify and discuss disagreements, and to offer an account of jhāna that is both comprehensive and consistent.

Methods

A literature search and review was conducted. The search resulted in eight meditation manuals that provide phenomenologically rich accounts of the full range of the jhānas. Common characteristics and discrepancies in the different accounts of the jhānas have been identified by comparing terms and descriptions.

Results

We offer a general definition of jhāna, distinguish three types of jhāna, and investigate phenomenological dimensions that may be necessary to address in order to comprehensively articulate the experience of ACAM.

Conclusions

To ensure scientific rigor, the study of jhāna needs to be informed by both commonalities and differences in the existing accounts of jhāna. While differences exist, these may also be systematically unified in a way that yields a comprehensive account of ACAM.
Pathways to Sustainability in Sub-Sahara Africa: Are Institutional Quality Levels Subservient in Achieving Green GDP Growth?
Authors: Appiah Michael , Onifade Stephen Taiwo , Gyamfi Bright Akwasi
Published: May 2024

There is a growing need for a transition to green economic growth (GGDP) given that the current economic system is largely environmentally unsustainable. This study thus addresses GGDP enhancement in less developed countries using the case of Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries where institutional deficiencies are typically at the root of most resource depletion and environmental degradation issues. Six institutional quality measures were used namely corruption control, government effectiveness, political stability, regulatory quality, rule of law, and voice of accountability while controlling for other factors like industrialization, energy use, and population growth in the region. The study applied a battery of second-generation panel econometric techniques in the empirical analysis after which both Bootstrap Quantile regression (BQR) technique and panel ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation approaches were applied to observe the variables' roles on GGDP advancement in SSA. From the findings, corruption control and government (policy) effectiveness favorably impact Green GDP in SSA. However, both rule of law and regulatory quality performed poorly as they were insignificant to GGDP enhancement. Furthermore, all control variables promote GGDP except for population growth. Thus, the findings buttress the need to strengthen institutions for effective governance and quality environmental regulations to enhance GGDP growth towards actualizing sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the SSA region.
Tropical fruits as a potential source for the recovery of bioactive compounds: Tamarindus indica L., Annona muricata, Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica
Authors: Toscano Oviedo Mashell A. , García Zapateiro Luis A. , Quintana Somaris E.
Published: May 2024

The objective of this review is to identify the bioactive compounds present in tropical fruits such as Tamarindus indica L., Annona muricata, Mangifera indica, and Psidium guajava and their biological activities. The identification of these compounds shows their potential as a food ingredient in the development of products, providing added value to them, because not only the pulp of the fruit is used, but also the shell and its other parts, such as the leaves, are used, being viable sources to obtain some compounds that benefit human health. Implementing fruits that have certain bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin), antioxidants (vitamins A and C), and phenolic compounds (ellagic acid, gallic acid, citric acid) in the production process in the food industry, allows them to become functional foodstuffs. The results obtained show the need to implement the operational processes that allow obtaining different compounds, which ensure their stability and precision, applying different extraction methods such as maceration, Soxhlet, supercritical fluids, and ultrasound.
Aquatic Interventions to Improve Motor and Social Functioning in Children with ASD: A Systematic Review
Authors: van t Hooft Patty , Moeijes Janet , Hartman Catharina , van Busschbach Jooske , Hartman Esther
Published: May 2024

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have motor impairments. A promising strategy to improve motor and social functioning in children with ASD may be an aquatic intervention because of the properties of water. This systematic review investigated the characteristics and effects of aquatic interventions on motor and social skills in children with ASD. Searches in six databases on studies conducted between 2000 and 2023 resulted in 19 intervention studies involving 429 children aged 3 to 17 years with ASD. Best evidence syntheses and meta-analyses were used to evaluate the effects. Aquatic interventions guided by a combination of professionals in influencing behavior and in aquatic skills improved motor and social skills and significantly decreased autistic behavior in children with ASD.
Stroke and frailty index: a two-sample Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Wei Jiangnan , Wang Jiaxian , Chen Jiayin , Yang Kezhou , Liu Ning
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Previous observational studies have found an increased risk of frailty in patients with stroke. However, evidence of a causal relationship between stroke and frailty is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential causal relationship between stroke and frailty index (FI).

Methods

Pooled data on stroke and debility were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS).The MEGASTROKE Consortium provided data on stroke (N = 40,585), ischemic stroke (IS,N = 34,217), large-vessel atherosclerotic stroke (LAS,N = 4373), and cardioembolic stroke (CES,N = 7 193).Summary statistics for the FI were obtained from the most recent GWAS meta-analysis of UK BioBank participants and Swedish TwinGene participants of European ancestry (N = 175,226).Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed by inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger regression, Simple mode, and Weighted mode, and heterogeneity and horizontal multiplicity of results were assessed using Cochran’s Q test and MR-Egger regression intercept term test.

Results

The results of the current MR study showed a significant correlation between stroke gene prediction and FI (odds ratio 1.104, 95% confidence interval 1.064 − 1.144, P < 0.001). In terms of stroke subtypes, IS (odds ratio 1.081, 95% confidence interval 1.044 − 1.120, P < 0.001) and LAS (odds ratio 1.037, 95% confidence interval 1.012 − 1.062, P = 0.005). There was no causal relationship between gene-predicted CES and FI. Horizontal multidimensionality was not found in the intercept test for MR Egger regression (P > 0.05), nor in the heterogeneity test (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for a causal relationship between stroke and FI and offers new insights into the genetic study of FI.