bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical cognitive science: A systematic review towards a critical science
Authors: Carbajal Iván , Moore Everrett , Cabrera Martinez Lianelys , Hunt Kiara
Published: March 2024

Many leading scholars have highlighted the use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in approaching research and practice in psychology. Critical Race Theory allows for cognitive science to take a more intersectional perspective rather than perpetuate the exclusionary and universal limitations associated with traditional cognitive science. This review and commentary apply CRT to cognitive science to address three main goals. The first is describing the history of cognitive science and how CRT tenets can help understand the need for a critical race perspective. Second is applying the CRT tenet of recognizing racism in cognitive science through a rigorous systematic review. The third is highlighting the tenet of whitewashing psychological phenomenon to explain epistemic exclusion and provide recommendations to combat it. CRT is an important framework in cognitive science as it can help combat the harmful methodologies and implications that have been perpetuated for decades (e.g., racist assumption of intelligence, exclusion of participants because of hair texture).
When I say … widening participation
Authors: Simpson Ashley V. , Hope David
Published: March 2024

Ashley and Hope analyze the term "widening participation", indicating that nuanced approaches are needed to balance inclusivity with meaningful impact.
Relationship between long‐acting reversible contraception and acne in a cohort of adolescents and young adults
Authors: Boos Markus D. , Ryan Morgan E. , Milliren Carly , Golub Sarah , Maslyanskaya Sofya , Escovedo Michelle , DiVasta Amy , Pitts Sarah
Published: March 2024

Background

The use of progestin‐only long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) may be a risk factor for acne. Few studies have focused primarily on the effects of hormonal LARC on the development or exacerbation of acne in adolescents and young adults. We sought to understand the incidence and management of acne following hormonal LARC insertion in this adolescent/young adult population.

Methods

A secondary data analysis was conducted of prospectively collected quality improvement (QI) data from the Adolescent Medicine LARC Collaborative. Subjects were evaluated by clinicians in adolescent medicine clinics at participating study sites, and acne severity was documented using a standardized recording instrument and scale. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables or mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics by those who had worsening acne, accounting for site inter‐correlation using Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel chi‐square tests for categorical variables and linear generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression for continuous variables.

Results

Of 1319 subjects who completed LARC insertion, 28.5% (376/1319) experienced worsening acne following use of progestin‐only LARC. Acne was a contributing factor to LARC removal in only 3% (40/1319), and the sole reason for removal in 0.4% (5/1319) of all subjects. As this was a secondary analysis of prospectively collected QI data, limitations of this study include incomplete or inaccurate documentation of acne severity. Moreover, LARC insertions without follow‐up/removal visits or with only follow‐up/removal within 8 weeks of insertion were excluded from our study, which may also bias results.

Conclusions

Adolescents and young adults seeking progestin‐only LARC should be counseled about the potential for developing acne or experiencing a worsening of existing acne during LARC use. However, acne was not a common reason for LARC discontinuation.
Selective autophagy receptor‐encoding sequences in shallot transcriptome: In silico identification and expression patterns in response to asymptomatic shallot virus X infection
Authors: Vishnichenko Valeriy K.
Published: March 2024

Plant host tolerance is a key plant defence response to parasites, including viruses. This complex genetic trait involves multiple molecular mechanisms and, in particular, selective autophagy. Experimental data on the role of various selective autophagy factors and, in particular, cargo receptors in plant tolerance to viral infection are extremely limited. In this communication, I present the results of in silico identification of sequences in the shallot transcriptome encoding homologues of several selective autophagy receptors (SARs) related to the immune response and their expression patterns in response to asymptomatic infection of shallot virus X, a member of the genus Allexivirus, subgenus Acarallexivirus, within the family Alphaflexiviridae. The results obtained, together with the relevant literature data, suggest that some SARs likely to be involved in the regulation of the unfolded protein response and programmed cell death may play an active role in the formation of the state of tolerance of the host plant to allexivirus infection.
A unified approach to parasitic gap and across‐the‐board constructions: Evidence based on Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Ting Jen
Published: March 2024

Despite the lack of consensus on English facts, this study demonstrates that both parasitic gap (PG) and across‐the‐board (ATB) constructions in Mandarin Chinese exhibit parallel effects in variable binding reconstruction, while also displaying asymmetries in gap licensing categories. I argue that these patterns in Mandarin Chinese align with the sideward movement approach, supporting a version of the unified approach to deriving both constructions. Specifically, the gaps in question are filled by variables, consistent with both constructions being derived via sideward movement. The observed asymmetries lend support to the view that the licensing of ATB gaps is more permissive than that of PGs, as additional conditions (such as the Parallelsim Requirement) on coordinate structures can license sideward movement in ATB sentences.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*02:01:01:251 allele in a candidate bone marrow donor by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Gaballa Ahmed , Schaffer Marie , Marits Per , Eich Torsten
Published: March 2024

A single nucleotide mismatch within intron 1 differentiates HLA‐A*02:01:01:251 from the HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 allele.
Melt electrowriting enabled 3D liquid crystal elastomer structures for cross-scale actuators and temperature field sensors
Authors: Feng Xueming , Wang Li , Xue Zhengjie , Xie Chao , Han Jie , Pei Yuechen , Zhang Zhaofa , Guo Wenhua , Lu Bingheng
Published: March 2024

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have garnered attention for their remarkable reversible strains under various stimuli. Early studies on LCEs mainly focused on basic dimensional changes in macrostructures or quasi–three-dimensional (3D) microstructures. However, fabricating complex 3D microstructures and cross-scale LCE-based structures has remained challenging. In this study, we report a compatible method named melt electrowriting (MEW) to fabricate LCE-based microfiber actuators and various 3D actuators on the micrometer to centimeter scales. By controlling printing parameters, these actuators were fabricated with high resolutions (4.5 to 60 μm), actuation strains (10 to 55%), and a maximum work density of 160 J/kg. In addition, through the integration of a deep learning–based model, we demonstrated the application of LCE materials in temperature field sensing. Large-scale, real-time, LCE grid–based spatial temperature field sensors have been designed, exhibiting a low response time of less than 42 ms and a high precision of 94.79%.
Immunocytokines with target cell–restricted IL-15 activity for treatment of B cell malignancies
Authors: Zekri Latifa , Hagelstein Ilona , Märklin Melanie , Klimovich Boris , Christie Mary , Lindner Cornelia , Kämereit Sofie , Prakash Nisha , Müller Stefanie , Stotz Sophie , Maurer Andreas , Greve Carsten , Schmied Bastian , Atar Daniel , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Jung Gundram , Salih Helmut R.
Published: March 2024

Despite the advances in cancer treatment achieved, for example, by the CD20 antibody rituximab, an urgent medical need remains to optimize the capacity of such antibodies to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) that determines therapeutic efficacy. The cytokine IL-15 stimulates proliferation, activation, and cytolytic capacity of NK cells, but broad clinical use is prevented by short half-life, poor accumulation at the tumor site, and severe toxicity due to unspecific immune activation. We here report modified immunocytokines consisting of Fc-optimized CD19 and CD20 antibodies fused to an IL-15 moiety comprising an L45E-E46K double mutation (MIC
+
format). The E46K mutation abrogated binding to IL-15Rα, thereby enabling substitution of physiological trans-presentation by target binding and thus conditional IL-15Rβγ stimulation, whereas the L45E mutation optimized IL-15Rβγ agonism and producibility. In vitro analysis of NK activation, anti-leukemia reactivity, and toxicity using autologous and allogeneic B cells confirmed target-dependent function of MIC
+
constructs. Compared with Fc-optimized CD19 and CD20 antibodies, MIC
+
constructs mediated superior target cell killing and NK cell proliferation. Mouse models using luciferase-expressing human NALM-6 lymphoma cells, patient acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells, and murine EL-4 lymphoma cells transduced with human CD19/CD20 as targets and human and murine NK cells as effectors, respectively, confirmed superior and target-dependent anti-leukemic activity. In summary, MIC
+
constructs combine the benefits of Fc-optimized antibodies and IL-15 cytokine activity and mediate superior NK cell immunity with potentially reduced side effects. They thus constitute a promising new immunotherapeutic approach shown here for B cell malignancies.
Strengthening
Bordetella pertussis
genomic surveillance by direct sequencing of residual positive specimens
Authors: Peng Yanhui , Williams Margaret M. , Xiaoli Lingzi , Simon Ashley , Fueston Heather , Tondella Maria L. , Weigand Michael R.
Published: March 2024

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of microbial pathogens recovered from patients with infectious disease facilitates high-resolution strain characterization and molecular epidemiology. However, increasing reliance on culture-independent methods to diagnose infectious diseases has resulted in few isolates available for WGS. Here, we report a novel culture-independent approach to genome characterization of
Bordetella pertussis
, the causative agent of pertussis and a paradigm for insufficient genomic surveillance due to limited culture of clinical isolates. Sequencing libraries constructed directly from residual pertussis-positive diagnostic nasopharyngeal specimens were hybridized with biotinylated RNA “baits” targeting
B. pertussis
fragments within complex mixtures that contained high concentrations of host and microbial background DNA. Recovery of
B. pertussis
genome sequence data was evaluated with mock and pooled negative clinical specimens spiked with reducing concentrations of either purified DNA or inactivated cells. Targeted enrichment increased the yield of
B. pertussis
sequencing reads up to 90% while simultaneously decreasing host reads to less than 10%. Filtered sequencing reads provided sufficient genome coverage to perform characterization via whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms and whole-genome multilocus sequencing typing. Moreover, these data were concordant with sequenced isolates recovered from the same specimens such that phylogenetic reconstructions from either consistently clustered the same putatively linked cases. The optimized protocol is suitable for nasopharyngeal specimens with diagnostic IS
481
Ct < 35 and >10 ng DNA. Routine implementation of these methods could strengthen surveillance and study of pertussis resurgence by capturing additional cases with genomic characterization.
Seasonal and geographical impact on the Irish raw milk microbiota correlates with chemical composition and climatic variables
Authors: Yap Min , O'Sullivan Orla , O'Toole Paul W. , Sheehan Jeremiah J. , Fenelon Mark A. , Cotter Paul D.
Published: March 2024

Season and location have previously been shown to be associated with differences in the microbiota of raw milk, especially in milk from pasture-based systems. Here, we further advance research in this area by examining differences in the raw milk microbiota from several locations across Ireland over 12 months, and by investigating microbiota associations with climatic variables and chemical composition. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to investigate the microbiota of raw milk collected from nine locations (
n
= 241). Concurrent chemical analysis of the protein, fat, lactose, total solids, nonprotein nitrogen contents, and titratable acidity (TA) of the same raw milk were performed. Although the raw milk microbiota was highly diverse, a core microbiota was found, with
Pseudomonas_E
,
Lactococcus, Acinetobacter
, and
Leuconostoc
present in all samples. Microbiota diversity significantly differed by season and location, with differences in seasonality and geography corresponding to 11.8% and 10.5% of the variation in the microbiota. Functional and antibiotic resistance profiles also varied across season and location. The analysis of other metadata revealed additional interactions, such as an association between mean daily air and grass temperatures with the abundance of spoilage taxa like
Pseudomonas
species. Correlations were identified between pathogenic, mastitis-related species, fat content, and the number of sun hours, suggesting a seasonal effect. Ultimately, this study expands our understanding of the interconnected nature of the microbiota, environment/climate variables, and chemical composition of raw milk and provides evidence of a season- and location-specific microbiota.

IMPORTANCE

The microbiota of raw milk is influenced by many factors that encourage or prevent the introduction and growth of both beneficial and undesirable microorganisms. The seasonal and geographical impacts on the microbial communities of raw milk have been previously seen, but the relationships with environmental factors and the chemical composition has yet to be investigated. In this year-long study, we found that while raw milk is highly diverse, a core microbiota was detected for Irish raw milk, with strong evidence of seasonal and geographical influence. We also found associations between groups of microorganisms, environmental factors, and milk composition, which expand current knowledge on the relationships between microbial and chemical composition and the climate. These results provide evidence for the development of a tool to allow for the prediction of raw milk quality and safety.
Phylogenomics reveals extensive misidentification of fungal strains from the genus
Aspergillus
Authors: Steenwyk Jacob L. , Balamurugan Charu , Raja Huzefa A. , Gonçalves Carla , Li Ningxiao , Martin Frank , Berman Judith , Oberlies Nicholas H. , Gibbons John G. , Goldman Gustavo H. , Geiser David M. , Houbraken Jos , Hibbett David S. , Rokas Antonis
Published: March 2024

Modern taxonomic classification is often based on phylogenetic analyses of a few molecular markers, although single-gene studies are still common. Here, we leverage genome-scale molecular phylogenetics (phylogenomics) of species and populations to reconstruct evolutionary relationships in a dense data set of 710 fungal genomes from the biomedically and technologically important genus
Aspergillus
. To do so, we generated a novel set of 1,362 high-quality molecular markers specific for
Aspergillus
and provided profile Hidden Markov Models for each, facilitating their use by others. Examining the resulting phylogeny helped resolve ongoing taxonomic controversies, identified new ones, and revealed extensive strain misidentification (7.59% of strains were previously misidentified), underscoring the importance of population-level sampling in species classification. These findings were corroborated using the current standard, taxonomically informative loci. These findings suggest that phylogenomics of species and populations can facilitate accurate taxonomic classifications and reconstructions of the Tree of Life.

IMPORTANCE

Identification of fungal species relies on the use of molecular markers. Advances in genomic technologies have made it possible to sequence the genome of any fungal strain, making it possible to use genomic data for the accurate assignment of strains to fungal species (and for the discovery of new ones). We examined the usefulness and current limitations of genomic data using a large data set of 710 publicly available genomes from multiple strains and species of the biomedically, agriculturally, and industrially important genus
Aspergillus
. Our evolutionary genomic analyses revealed that nearly 8% of publicly available
Aspergillus
genomes are misidentified. Our work highlights the usefulness of genomic data for fungal systematic biology and suggests that systematic genome sequencing of multiple strains, including reference strains (e.g., type strains), of fungal species will be required to reduce misidentification errors in public databases.
Toxoplasma gondiiseropositivity and cognitive functioning in older adults: an analysis of cross-sectional data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014
Authors: Song Ge , Zhao Qingxia , Chen Hongyu , Li Meng , Zhang Zeyu , Qu Zhe , Yang Chao , Lin Xuechun , Ma Weixia , Standlee Courtney Rose
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study sought to examine the relationship betweenToxoplasma gondiiseropositivity and cognitive function in older adults.

Design

An observational cross-sectional study.

Setting

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study took place at participants’ homes and mobile examination centres.

Participants

A total of 2956 older adults aged 60 and above from the NHANES from 2011 to 2014 were included in the study. Exposure of interest: participants had serumToxoplasma gondiiantibody analysed in the laboratory. A value>33 IU/mL was categorised as seropositive forToxoplasma gondiiinfection; <27 IU/mL was categorised as seronegative forToxoplasma gondiiinfection.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Cognitive tests included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Word Learning subtest (CERAD-WL) for immediate and delayed memory, the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).

Results

About half of the 2956 participants (mean age 70.0) were female (51.0%), non-Hispanic White (48.3%), and completed some college or above (48.3%). A total of 703 participants were positive forToxoplasma gondiiinfection (23.8%). Adjusted linear regression showed that compared with participants with negativeToxoplasma gondiiinfection, those with positiveToxoplasma gondiiinfection had lower CERAD-WL immediate memory (beta (β) −0.16, 95% CI −0.25 to –0.07), CERAD-WL delayed memory (β −0.15, 95% CI −0.24 to –0.06), AFT (β −0.15, 95% CI −0.24 to –0.06), DSST (β −0.34, 95% CI −0.43 to –0.26), and global cognition (β −0.24, 95% CI −0.32 to –0.16) z-scores after controlling for the covariates.

Conclusions

Toxoplasma gondiiseropositivity is associated with worse immediate and delayed verbal learning, language proficiency, executive functioning, processing speed, sustained attention, working memory, as well as global cognition in older adults. Public health measures aiming at preventingToxoplasma gondiiinfection may help preserve cognitive functioning in older adults.
Scoping review protocol of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in Korean cancer survivors
Authors: Park Yu-Jin , Lee Kyoung Suk
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Cancer, a life-threatening chronic disease, is the leading cause of death in Korea, accounting for 27% of all deaths in 2020. Due to advancements in medical technology and early detection of cancer in Korea, the 5-year relative survival rate reached 70.7% (2015–2019), highlighting remarkable progress over the past decades. Although cancer has been seen as a traumatic event, cancer survivors also go through a subjective process of self-maturation, which is called post-traumatic growth (PTG). Because research on PTG among Korean cancer survivors has not been systematically synthesised, a scoping review on this topic will provide a better understanding of the positive psychological changes that occur as a patient moves through the illness trajectory of cancer from a Korean cultural perspective. The purpose of this study was to describe the protocol of a scoping review regarding PTG in Korean cancer survivors.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review framework suggested by Arksey and O’Malley and the manual refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews will be used with the six framework guidelines developed by Levacet al. Searched databases will include Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PsycInfo, as well as Korean databases, examining all articles published between 2012 and 2023 in Korean or English on PTG in Korean cancer survivors. Extracted data will be collated, charted and summarised.

Ethics and dissemination

Because the scoping review methodology undertakes a secondary analysis of collected data from previous research studies, this study does not require ethical approval. The results of this scoping review will be disseminated through presentations at conferences and publication in a scientific journal.
Nuclear Physics Mid Term Plan at LNGS
Authors: Buompane R. , Cavanna F. , Curceanu C. , D’Onofrio A. , Di Leva A. , Formicola A. , Gialanella L. , Gustavino C. , Imbriani G. , Junker M. , Marcianò A. , Marzaioli F. , Nania R. , Napolitano F. , Piscicchia K. , Straniero O. , Abia C. , Aliotta M. , Bemmerer D. , Best A. , Boeltzig A. , Bruno C. , Caciolli A. , Chieffi A. , Ciani G. , D’Agata G. , deBoer R. J. , De Cesare M. , Dell’Aquila D. , Depalo R. , Dominguez I. , Ferraro F. , Garcia Duarte J. , Guglielmetti A. , Gyürky Gy. , Hayakawa S. , La Cognata M. , Lamia L. , Marcucci L. E. , Masha E. , Mazzocco M. , Morales-Gallegos E. L. , Palmerini S. , Passariello I. , Petraglia A. , Piatti D. , Pignatari M. , Pizzone R. G. , Porzio G. , Rapagnani D. , Rapisarda G. G. , Romano S. , Rubino M. , Santonastaso C. , Sergi M. L. , Skowronski J. , Spartà R. , Terrasi F. , Tumino A. , Turkat S. , Wiescher M. , Zavatarelli S.
Published: March 2024

The Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare—Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) is one of the largest underground physics laboratory, a very peculiar environment suited for experiments in Astroparticle Physics, Nuclear Physics and Fundamental Symmetries. The newly established Bellotti Ion Beam facility represents a major advance in the possibilities of studying nuclear processes in an underground environment. A workshop was organized at LNGS in the framework of the Nuclear Physics Mid Term Plan in Italy, an initiative of the Nuclear Physics Division of the Instituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare to discuss the opportunities that will be possible to study in the near future by employing state-of-the-art detection systems. In this report, a detailed discussion of the outcome of the workshop is presented.
Deconfounded Cross-modal Matching for Content-based Micro-video Background Music Recommendation
Authors: Yi Jing , Chen Zhenzhong
Published: March 2024

Object-oriented micro-video background music recommendation is a complicated task where the matching degree between videos and background music is a major issue. However, music selections in user-generated content (UGC) are prone to selection bias caused by historical preferences of uploaders. Since historical preferences are not fully reliable and may reflect obsolete behaviors, over-reliance on them should be avoided as knowledge and interests dynamically evolve. In this article, we propose a Deconfounded Cross-Modal matching model to mitigate such bias. Specifically, uploaders’ personal preferences of music genres are identified as confounders that spuriously correlate music embeddings and background music selections, causing the learned system to over-recommend music from majority groups. To resolve such confounders, backdoor adjustment is utilized to deconfound the spurious correlation between music embeddings and prediction scores. We further utilize Monte Carlo estimator with batch-level average as the approximations to avoid integrating the entire confounder space calculated by the adjustment. Furthermore, we design a teacher–student network to utilize the matching of music videos, which is professionally generated content (PGC) with specialized matching, to better recommend content-matching background music. The PGC data are modeled by a teacher network to guide the matching of uploader-selected UGC data of student network by Kullback–Leibler–based knowledge transfer. Extensive experiments on the TT-150k-genre dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The code is publicly available on
https://github.com/jing-1/DecCM
Clinical and Genetic Spectrum of Nine Cases of NLRP3‐Associated Autoinflammatory Disease (NLRP3‐AID) and Identification of One Novel NLRP3 Mutation by Genetic Variation Analyses
Authors: Shangguan Yaoyao , Ding Xingru , Ma Le , Cai Yi-Xin , Xiang Shulei , Huang Xiu-Feng , Shen Yunyan , Yu Hai-Guo , Zheng Wenjie
Published: March 2024

Purpose. NLRP3‐associated autoinflammatory disease (NLRP3‐AID) is characterized by gain‐of‐function variants in the NLRP3 gene. Since there are little literature focusing on pediatric NLRP3‐AID in China, we aimed to elucidate the phenotypic and genotypic profiles of Chinese patients with NLRP3‐AID. Methods. Patients with NLRP3‐AID at three rheumatology centers in China were genotyped through whole exome sequencing or gene panel sequencing. Sanger sequencing was performed on all patients and their parents. Clinical phenotype, treatment, and prognosis were analyzed. Results. Nine patients with NLRP3‐AID were enrolled between December 2014 and October 2022 with an average follow‐up period exceeding 30 months. The median age of onset was 12 months, and 66.7% were younger than 3 years old. The diagnosis was significantly delayed and the median delay duration was 115 months. The patients most commonly presented with rash (100%), arthritis/arthralgia (88.9%), lymphadenopathy (88.9%), fever (77.8%), and growth retardation (44.4%). During acute attack, white blood cell, C‐reactive protein, and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rate all increased in all cases, and inflammatory markers remained elevated beyond 7 days postfever resolution in 57.1% of patients (4/7). Two cases of chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular syndrome (CINCA) had clubbed fingers, one with interstitial lung disease, a finding rarely reported. Treatment with glucocorticoids (77.8%) and biologic agents (33.3%) yielded 66% complete remission and 33% partial remission. Genetic analysis identified eight pathogenic NLRP3 missense mutations, including one novel mutation. Conclusions. Our study illuminated the distinct clinical and genetic features of Chinese NLRP3‐AID patients, emphasizing the significance of early genetic screening. Despite delayed diagnosis, treatment primarily with glucocorticoids and biologic agents, led to favorable outcomes. Genetic heterogeneity, including a novel mutation, highlighted the complexity of NLRP3‐AID in this population.
Adaptive Approximation Sliding-Mode Control of an Uncertain Continuum Robot with Input Nonlinearities and Disturbances
Authors: Xu Shoulin
Published: March 2024

This paper develops an adaptive nonsingular fast terminal sliding-mode control (ANFTSMC) scheme for the continuum robot subjected to uncertain dynamics, external disturbances, and input nonlinearities (e.g., actuator deadzones/faults). Concretely, a function approximation technique (FAT) is utilized to estimate unknown robot dynamics and actuator deadzones/faults online. Furthermore, a disturbance observer (DO) is devised to make up for unknown external disturbances. Then, an ANFTSMC scheme combined with FAT and DO is developed, to expedite the restoration of the stability for the continuum robot. The proposed ANFTSMC not only can retain the benefits of traditional terminal sliding-mode control (TSMC), containing easy enforcement, quick response, and robustness to uncertainties but also dispose of the latent singularity for traditional faster TSMC designs. Afterward, the simulation results show that the proposed controller can effectively improve the trajectory tracking accuracy of the continuum robot, and the tracking root-mean-square errors are 0.0115 and 0.0128 rad. Finally, the effectiveness of ANFTSMC scheme is validated by experiments.
Mental and Physical Symptoms and Perceived Health Risks of Pregnant and Postpartum Women following the Significant Shift in COVID-19 Management in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Lai Sha , Lu Li , Wang Yan-Ni , Yan Yi-Zhu , Ma Bing-Cun , Liu Shou , Zhang TianTian , Shen Qing , Zhou Zhongliang , Chen Chang , Su Yu-Qiang , Hu Ying , Ren Duo-Mei
Published: March 2024

Background. There was a remarkable downgrade in China’s COVID-19 response strategies in January 2023. The COVID-19 infection rate grew rapidly in the early stages following the management policy shift. This study attempted to explore the associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and mental or physical health status in pregnant and postpartum women and the role of perceived health risks and family members’ SARS-CoV-2 infection status on these associations by capturing the impact of policy shifts in a short period of time. Methods. This cross-sectional study with a random sample from a convenience sample of hospitals was conducted in pregnant and postpartum women in January 2023. Standardized assessment tools were employed to assess anxiety, depressive and physical symptoms, and feelings of hopelessness. Hierarchical multiple logistic regressions were conducted to examine the mechanisms of associations of interests by including a range of sociodemographic factors, self-perceived health, SARS-CoV-2 infection status, and perceived health risks as covariates. Results. Of the 1,013 pregnant and postpartum women aged 32.0 ± 0.3 years, 58.2% (n = 590) were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 49.4% (n = 500) had family members who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Nearly 98% of the included participants took measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. A COVID-19 diagnosis was positively associated with feelings of hopelessness (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20–2.35), probable anxiety (OR = 6.42, 95% CI: 2.18–24.61), possible depression (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.07–6.70), and physical symptoms (OR = 6.28, 95% CI: 1.63–42.03) after adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics, while the associations presented no statistical significance when family members’ SARS-CoV-2 infection status and perceived health risks were introduced into the models. Conclusions. Our results suggested that pregnant and postpartum women may experience physical and mental health challenges when they or their family members contracted COVID-19 in the context of a considerable shift in COVID-19 management. Early detection of poor health status and its risk factors for vulnerable groups during shifts in health policy and administrative practice is very necessary, and health services, including easy access to psychosocial support and obstetric counselling, should be prioritized.
Increased Risk of Dementia after Transient Global Amnesia: A Nationwide Population-Based, Longitudinal Follow-Up Study in South Korea
Authors: Lee Seung-Jae , Lee Tae-Kyeong , Bae Yoon-Jong , Kim Mina
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The long-term cognitive outcomes after transient global amnesia (TGA) have been contradictory in the literature. Our study aimed to longitudinally investigate the association between TGA and incident dementia using long-term data from a nationwide population-based cohort in South Korea. Methods: The study population was recruited between 2002 and 2020 using the International Classification of Diseases (Tenth Revision; ICD-10) codes from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The cumulative incidence curve was plotted to compare the incidence of dementia between the TGA (ICD-10 code G45.4; n = 10,276) and non-TGA (n = 27,389) groups, determined using 1:3 propensity score matching. Using Cox proportional hazard regression models, we obtained crude and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the incident dementia in patients with TGA compared to non-TGA controls. To examine independent variables determining dementia in the TGA group, logistic regression analysis was performed, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs were calculated. Results: The TGA group had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of dementia than the non-TGA group (p < 0.001, log-rank test). TGA was significantly associated with incident dementia in the univariate and multivariate Cox models (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.28–1.39 and aHR 1.40, 95% CI 1.34–1.46, respectively). The adjusted logistic regression for incident dementia in the TGA group showed that age (per 1 year, aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.09–1.10), female sex (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.18–1.45), diabetes (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08–1.35), stroke (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.16–1.46), depression (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.33–1.76), anxiety (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01–1.39), and rural residence (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.41) were independently associated with incident dementia. Conclusion: Our results suggest a longitudinal association of TGA with incident dementia.
Dyslipidemia in American Indian Adolescents and Young Adults: Strong Heart Family Study
Authors: Reese Jessica A. , Roman Mary J. , Deen Jason F. , Ali Tauqeer , Cole Shelley A. , Devereux Richard B. , Fretts Amanda M. , Howard Wm. James , Lee Elisa T. , Malloy Kimberly , Umans Jason G. , Zhang Ying
Published: March 2024

Background

Although many studies on the association between dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) exist in older adults, data on the association among adolescents and young adults living with disproportionate burden of cardiometabolic disorders are scarce.

Methods and Results

The SHFS (Strong Heart Family Study) is a multicenter, family‐based, prospective cohort study of CVD in an American Indian populations, including 12 communities in central Arizona, southwestern Oklahoma, and the Dakotas. We evaluated SHFS participants, who were 15 to 39 years old at the baseline examination in 2001 to 2003 (n=1440). Lipids were measured after a 12‐hour fast. We used carotid ultrasounds to detect plaque at baseline and follow‐up in 2006 to 2009 (median follow‐up=5.5 years). We identified incident CVD events through 2020 with a median follow‐up of 18.5 years. We used shared frailty proportional hazards models to assess the association between dyslipidemia and subclinical or clinical CVD, while controlling for covariates. Baseline dyslipidemia prevalence was 55.2%, 73.6%, and 78.0% for participants 15 to 19, 20 to 29, and 30 to 39 years old, respectively. Approximately 2.8% had low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL, which is higher than the recommended threshold for lifestyle or medical interventions in young adults of 20 to 39 years old. During follow‐up, 9.9% had incident plaque (109/1104 plaque‐free participants with baseline and follow‐up ultrasounds), 11.0% had plaque progression (128/1165 with both baseline and follow‐up ultrasounds), and 9% had incident CVD (127/1416 CVD‐free participants at baseline). Plaque incidence and progression were higher in participants with total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL, or non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥130 mg/dL, while controlling for covariates. CVD risk was independently associated with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL.

Conclusions

Dyslipidemia is a modifiable risk factor that is associated with both subclinical and clinical CVD, even among the younger American Indian population who have unexpectedly high rates of significant CVD events. Therefore, this population is likely to benefit from a variety of evidence‐based interventions including screening, educational, lifestyle, and guideline‐directed medical therapy at an early age.
Incarnating Kannon: Eshinni, Shinran, and the Other-Power of Philosophy
Authors: Kalmanson Leah
Published: March 2024

Here the relationship between Shinran and Eshinni, founding family of the largest Buddhist sect in Japan, serves as a methodological model for philosophical engagement. Though the Pure Land notion of “easy practice” (Jp. igyō 易行) may be seen as Zen’s less rigorous counterpart, Shinran’s turn toward “other-power” (tariki 他力) is driven by the same philosophical debates over practice and liberation that occupied contemporaries such as Dōgen. The answers to such debates, which Shinran and Eshinni enacted concretely via their lifestyle choices, help us rethink both academic practices and the role of philosophers as engaged intellectuals today.
The Scarcity of Women’s Records in Antiquity: Where Did All the Women Go?
Authors: Rosenlee Li-Hsiang Lisa
Published: March 2024

The scarcity of women’s writings in antiquity presents an intractable problem for feminists intending to integrate women’s perspectives into the existing philosophical canon. One way to undo the erasure of women is for feminists to look to the east; in China, there is an abundance of well-preserved women’s writings, along with their biographical records, as early as the 6th century BCE. This essay will provide a survey of those women’s records, focusing on the 6th century BCE to the 4th century CE, as a way to reimagine the discipline of Philosophy and its canon.
The Railway Men
Authors: Jain Atharv , Jain Pankaj
Published: March 2024

The Bhopal Disaster, also known as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, is recognized as the world’s worst industrial disaster. The Bhopal Disaster is the only industrial disaster affecting half a million people in the last few decades. Because of the sheer magnitude of this disaster, this topic remains relevant, especially to learn what preventive measures could have been taken to ensure such a tragedy never occurred. The disaster occurred from a mixture of chemicals that produced a toxic gas, a lack of employee reporting when issues arose in the plant and weak safety systems. In December 1984, a poison gas blanketed the city of Bhopal. Due to the mistakes mentioned above, over two thousand people and many more livestock died overnight and were discovered the next morning. The effects of the disaster still linger in the same location to this day.
Lectotypification of Cytisus orientalis (Genisteae, Leguminosae)
Authors: ŞENTÜRK OZAN , KENICER GREGORY , YILDIRIM HASAN
Published: March 2024

N/A
A remarkable new species and one newly recorded species of genus Oxyartes Stål, 1875 (Phasmida, Lonchodidae, Necrosciinae) from China
Authors: GAO HAO-RAN , WANG CHEN , ZHANG HONG-RUI
Published: March 2024

The genus Oxyartes currently comprises 17 taxa, of which 12 are found in China, representing the high diversity in China. This list includes the two species from China as described in this paper. The first is a new remarkable species O. bouxraeuz sp. nov. collected from Gulinqing township, Yunnan. The second is a newly recorded species, O. cresphontes. This species is reported from Mêdog, Xizang, China. A key to this genus from China is presented. Type specimens are deposited in the Yunnan Agricultural University (YNAU).
Challenges of Operational Weather Forecast Verification and Evaluation
Authors: Pagano Thomas C. , Casati Barbara , Landman Stephanie , Loveday Nicholas , Taggart Robert , Ebert Elizabeth E. , Khanarmuei Mohammadreza , Jensen Tara L. , Mittermaier Marion , Roberts Helen , Willington Steve , Roberts Nigel , Sowko Mike , Strassberg Gordon , Kluepfel Charles , Bullock Timothy A. , Turner David D. , Pappenberger Florian , Osborne Neal , Noble Chris
Published: March 2024

Operational agencies face significant challenges related to the verification and evaluation of weather forecasts. These challenges were investigated in a series of online workshops and polls engaging operational personnel from six countries. Five key themes emerged: inadequate verification approaches for both existing and emerging products; incomplete and uncertain observations; difficulties in accurately capturing users’ real-world experiences using simplified metrics; poor communication and understanding of forecasts and complex verification information; and institutional factors such as limited resources, evolving meteorologist roles, and concerns over reputational damage. We identify nearly 50 operationally relevant scientific questions and suggest calls to action. Addressing these needs includes designing forecast systems with verification as a central consideration, enhancing the availability of observations, and developing and adopting community software systems. Additionally, we propose the establishment of an international community comprising environmental and social science researchers, statisticians, verification practitioners, and users to provide sustained support for this collective endeavor.
A comparative study on the age, growth, and mortality of Gobio huanghensis (Luo, Le & Chen, 1977) in the Gansu and Ningxia sections of the upper Yellow River, China
Authors: Li Peilun , Liu Jiacheng , Liu Yanbin , Wang Tai , Liu Kai , Wang Jilong
Published: March 2024

Balkground

Gobio huanghensisis a small economic fish endemic to the Yellow River at the junction of the Tibetan Plateau and the Huangtu Plateau in China. To understand the impact of environmental changes and human activities on the ecological structure of theG. huanghensispopulation, a comparative study was conducted on the age composition, growth characteristics, mortality rate, and exploitation rate of theG. huanghensispopulations in the Gansu and Ningxia sections of the upper Yellow River.

Results

During the investigation, a total of 1147 individuals were collected, with 427 individuals collected from the Gansu section and 720 individuals from the Ningxia section. The results showed thatG. huanghensisin the Gansu section exhibited a total length ranging from 5.00 to 22.80 cm, with an average of 12.68 ± 4.03 cm. In the Ningxia section, the total length ofG. huanghensisranged from 2.15 to 20.65 cm, with an average of 9.48 ± 3.56 cm. The age composition ofG. huanghensisin the Gansu section ranged from 1 to 7 years, where female fish were observed between 1 and 7 years old, and male fish between 1 and 6 years old. In the Ningxia section, both female and male fish ranged from 1 to 5 years old. The relationships between total length and body weight were (Gansu section,R2= 0.9738) and (Ningxia section,R2 = 0.9686), indicating that fish in the Gansu section exhibit positive allometric growth, while fish in the Ningxia section exhibit negative allometric growth. The von Bertalanffy growth equation revealed thatG. huanghensisin the Gansu section exhibited an asymptotic total lengthL∞of 27.426 cm with a growth coefficientKof 0.225 yr−1, while in the Ningxia section, the asymptotic total lengthL∞was 26.945 cm with a growth coefficientKof 0.263 yr−1. The total mortality rate (Z) values ofG. huanghensiswere 0.7592 yr and 1.1529 yr in the Gansu section and Ningxia section, respectively. The average natural mortality rate (M), estimated by three different methods, in the Gansu section was 0.4432 yr, while it was 0.5366 yr in the Ningxia section. The exploitation rate (E) ofG. huanghensiswas 0.4163 in the Gansu section and 0.5345 in the Ningxia section, indicating that the population in the Ningxia section may have been overexploited.

Conclusion

Prolonged fishing pressures and environmental changes may have led to variations in the ecological parameters of theG. huanghensispopulation between the Gansu and Ningxia sections.
Factors associated with social participation among community-dwelling frail older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Anzai Saori , Ohsugi Hironori , Shiba Yoshitaka
Published: March 2024

Background

In recent years, it has become clear that participation in social activities by the older adult suppresses their need for long-term care. Likewise, social participation can promote long-term care prevention among frail older adults who are at a higher risk of needing long-term care. However, their social participation rate is low, and the factors causing these low rates of participation are unclear. Therefore, this study identifies the factors affecting social participation of frail older adults.

Methods

After excluding those certified as requiring long-term care, 28,636 older adults within the target region were selected to receive questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed and collected via mail. A total of 22,048 respondents (77.0%), including 9,325 men and 10,150 women, were included; 2,655 frail older adults were identified for analysis. Questionnaire items inquired about social participation, basic attributes, need for long-term care, mobility, subjective health, direct and indirect contact with relatives living separately and direct and indirect contact with friends and neighbors. For the statistical analysis, this study employed a binomial logistic regression analysis with social participation as the objective variable.

Results

The rate of social participation among frail older adults was 13.7%. Items related to social participation included sex, economic status, mobility, subjective health, direct contact with friends, and indirect contact with friends.

Conclusions

Interactions with friends and neighbors and physical functionality are correlated with levels of social participation among frail older adults, suggesting that social participation can be promoted by maintaining friendships, forming new ones, and maintaining and improving physical functionality.
Cutaneous melanoma in older patients
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Rugge Massimo , Trevisiol Chiara , Zanovello Anna , Brazzale Alessandra Rosalba , Zorzi Manuel , Vecchiato Antonella , Del Fiore Paolo , Tropea Saveria , Rastrelli Marco , Rossi Carlo Riccardo , Mocellin Simone
Published: March 2024

Background

In industrialized countries, the aging population is steadily rising. The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is highest in old people. This study focuses on the clinicopathological profile of CMM and indicators of diagnostic-therapeutic performance in older patients.

Methods

This retrospective population-based cohort study included 1,368 incident CMM, as recorded in 2017 by the Regional Veneto Cancer Registry (Northeast Italy). Older subjects were defined as ≥ 80, old as 65–79, and adults as < 65 years of age. The strength of association between pairs of variables was tested by Cramer’s-V. Using age groups as the dependent variable, ordered logistic regression was fitted using the clinicopathological CMM profiles as covariates. In each of the three age-groups, the indicators of clinical performance were computed using the Clopper-Pearson exact method.

Results

Compared to patients aged younger than 80 years (1,187), CMM in older patients (181; 13.2%) featured different CMM topography, a higher prevalence of ulcers (43.3% versus 12.7%; p < 0.001), a higher Breslow index (p < 0.001), a lower prevalence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (64.4% versus 76.5%, p < 0.01), and a more advanced pTNM stage at clinical presentation (p < 0.001). Elderly patients with a positive sentinel-lymph node less frequently underwent sentinel- lymph node biopsy and lymphadenectomy (60.0% versus 94.2%, and 44.4% versus 85.5%, respectively; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In older CMM patients, the clinicopathological presentation of CMM shows a distinctive profile. The present results provide critical information to optimize secondary prevention strategies and refine diagnostic-therapeutic procedures tailored to older patients.