bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New orchids in the flora of Vietnam IX (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae, tribes Cranichideae and Orchideae)
Authors: AVERYANOV LEONID V. , NGUYEN VAN CANH , LE TUAN ANH , VUONG TRUONG BA , NURALIEV MAXIM S. , MAISAK TATIANA V. , YUDOVA DARIA A. , NGUYEN CUONG HUU , NONG DUY VAN
Published: September 2024

The paper presents new data on the orchid diversity of Vietnam obtained mainly during the fieldwork of 2020–2023, as well as a result of investigation of the herbarium collections of Russia and Vietnam. It includes two species new to science, Bidoupia micrantha and Hylophila vietnamensis, and three species new to the native flora of Vietnam, i.e. Diphylax urceolata, Disperis neilgherrensis, and Habenaria siamensis. Three genera, Diphylax, Disperis and Hylophila, are reported here for the flora of Vietnam for the first time. In addition, a newly naturalized species Cynorkis fastigiata is documented, which originates from the Comoros, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and the Mascarenes. For each of the studied species, its type, relevant synonyms, studied specimens, ecology and phenology (within Vietnam), distribution, preliminarily assessed conservation status, brief taxonomic notes and illustrations are provided. For the newly described taxa, morphological descriptions and notes on etymology are additionally included.
Thismia jinzun (Thismiaceae), a new species of Thismia Genus from Hainan Island, China
Authors: LU CHUNYANG , YANG HAIJUN , QIN WENHAO , XU HAN
Published: September 2024

Thismia jinzun, a new fully mycoheterotrophic species has been discovered from Hainan Province, China. Thismia jinzun is similar to T. javanica and T. tentaculata in overall appearance, but it obviously differs from the latter two species in several characters. Thismia jinzun has 10–12 mm long, gold-yellow tepal appendages (vs 20–30 mm long, orange-white in T. javanica, and ca. 17 mm long, orange-red in T. tentaculata), a gold-yellow floral tube (vs pale orange or pale yellow in T. javanica and white in T. tentaculata), and a gold-yellow annulus (vs orange in T. javanica and bright yellow in T. tentaculata). According to the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of T. jinzun is classified as Critically Endangered (CR).
Introduction
Authors: Rudy Kathryn M.
Published: September 2024

This book explores the interactions between medieval manuscripts and their users in late medieval Europe, where touching held significant religious and social charge. In contrast to previous scholarship on medieval manuscripts, this book ignores pristine, untouched manuscripts and concentrates instead on those bearing the marks of frequent handling. The underlying argument is that studying marks of wear reveals the functions of books, and to some degree, their owners’ habits and emotions.

The study dissects the curative and communal aspects of touching, historically rooted in the veneration of relics, which could transmit divine power through proximity and belief. This reverence for touch extended to manuscripts, especially Gospel books, which were considered conduits of divine power. Such manuscripts functioned as practical tools integral to social rituals and community cohesion.

Volume 1 established the divinity of the book-object and its role in Christian rituals, while the current volume expands on the social dynamics of touched manuscripts. Volume 2 highlights three themes: the use of images to enhance public speaking, the moralizing role of the speaker, and the pivotal role of touch in fostering community through books. Volume 2 refines the taxonomy, introduced in Vol. 1, to differentiate between inadvertent from targeted wear and to further identify habits of touch under the latter category. These include intentional interactions with the text and images, such as wet-touching, dramatically gesturing with the finger, aggressive poking, and wiping with a cloth, each revealing the intentions and emotions behind the contact. The method—use-wear analysis—infers the specific gestures based on the marks made on manuscripts, which, whether through wet-touching or dramatic pointing, signify different forms of interaction and intention. The study considers the impact of these practices on the manuscripts themselves, which, when touched, kissed, or manipulated, not only served their utilitarian purpose but also became actors in the rituals they facilitated.

Manuscripts were adapted to serve as instruments of social cohesion. The study explores the taxonomy of touching, where manuscripts in various forms - from charters to codices - were used in educational settings, courtly environments, and religious communities to establish identity, authority, and communal bonds through deliberate touch and handling.
Chapter 1
Authors: Rudy Kathryn M.
Published: September 2024

This chapter examines the evolution of rituals for establishing social bonds and hierarchies in medieval Europe, focusing on the transformation from oral professions of obedience to formalized, written vows. It explores the adaptation of these rituals from the eighth to the fifteenth century, highlighting how ecclesiastical and civic organizations utilized the potent combination of spoken words, manual gestures, and the handling of documents to maintain order and allegiance.

Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury, systematized professions of obedience, which were initially personalized and then gradually became more formulaic. These professions, initially linked to the church's ecclesiastical hierarchy, eventually extended to include laypeople and took on the characteristics of labor contracts.

A shift in practice occurred as these professions transitioned from charters to codices, and from England to the Continent, reflecting changes in medium and ritual. Professions moved from individualized performances at the altar to collective experiences, with the Gospel manuscript emerging as a central prop in the oath-taking process, lending a theatrical and divine aspect to the rituals. The chapter finishes by analyzing the individual profession charters made by sixteenth-century nuns in the Netherlands: they reinvent the model used eight centuries earlier in Canterbury.
Conclusion
Authors: Rudy Kathryn M.
Published: September 2024

The final chapter considers the social significance of book handling in medieval manuscripts, highlighting models of gesture transmission that fostered social bonds. These models include ritualistic actions required by religious scripts, behaviors modeled by authorities, and behaviors shaped by figures such as teachers. These are all vertical forms of behavior transmission. Horizontal forms include haptic habits that transfer across contexts (at a macro level), and members of peer groups who emulate each other’s behavior (at a micro level). Finally, some interactions are dictated by the physical demands of the book object itself.

The study has emphasized the physicality of medieval book interaction, where filling in blanks or adding inscriptions was not just a clerical task but a socially binding act, connecting the past with the future through living continuity. The text investigates the ritualized nature of book handling, with authority figures modeling book interaction that trickled down through social hierarchies, becoming embedded in various rituals and thereby spreading to broader lay and religious communities.

A manuscript's marks of wear provide historical evidence of its use, supporting the argument that certain gestures, like touching book initials, had social and performative roles, enhancing the experiential aspect of reading and group participation. The chapter posits that touching an initial could signify the initiation of reading, veneration, or a demonstration to an audience. It proposes that these gestures, while evolving over time and contexts, have left enduring marks on the physical and cultural fabric of book history.

In the afterword, the author invites alternate interpretations and evidence, aiming to deepen the understanding of medieval manuscript reception and user interaction. The legacy of these book-touching behaviors persists in contemporary rituals, such as oath-taking, albeit with modern adaptations reflecting current societal norms and knowledge, such as hygiene concerns or secular values.
Expanded Linear Responsivity for Earth and Planetary Radiometry
Authors: Houskeeper Henry F. , Hooker Stanford B. , Lind Randall N.
Published: September 2024

Earth and planetary radiometry requires spectrally dependent observations spanning an expansive range in signal flux due to variability in celestial illumination, spectral albedo, and attenuation. Insufficient dynamic range inhibits contemporaneous measurements of dissimilar signal levels and restricts potential environments, time periods, target types, or spectral ranges that instruments observe. Next-generation (NG) advances in temporal, spectral, and spatial resolution also require further increases in detector sensitivity and dynamic range corresponding to increased sampling rate and decreased field of view (FOV), both of which capture greater intrapixel variability (i.e., variability within the spatial and temporal integration of a pixel observation). Optical detectors typically must support expansive linear radiometric responsivity, while simultaneously enduring the inherent stressors of field, airborne, or satellite deployment. Rationales for significantly improving radiometric observations of nominally dark targets are described herein, along with demonstrations of state-of-the-art (SOTA) capabilities and NG strategies for advancing SOTA. An evaluation of linear dynamic range and efficacy of optical data products is presented based on representative sampling scenarios. Low-illumination (twilight or total lunar eclipse) observations are demonstrated using a SOTA prototype. Finally, a ruggedized and miniaturized commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) NG capability to obtain absolute radiometric observations spanning an expanded range in target brightness and illumination is presented. The presented NG technology combines a multipixel photon counter (MPPC) with a silicon photodetector (SiPD) to form a dyad optical sensing component supporting expansive dynamic range sensing, i.e., exceeding a nominal 10 decades in usable dynamic range documented for SOTA instruments.
Atmosphere and Sea Surface Temperature Coupled Data Assimilation with Enhanced Use of SST-Sensitive Microwave Radiances
Authors: Ishibashi Toshiyuki
Published: September 2024

Atmospheric state analysis that leverages state-of-the-art data assimilation achieves high accuracy and can provide initial conditions for numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climatological reanalysis. However, the interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean have been inadequately addressed, with sea surface temperature (SST) as a boundary condition for the atmosphere. This limitation impacts the accuracy of atmospheric state analyses and the utilization of SST-sensitive observations. To address this, we developed a partially coupled data assimilation (PCDA) system for the atmosphere and SST by extending the operational global NWP system of the Japan Meteorological Agency. The PCDA system enhances the analysis variables and background error covariance matrices to include SST components and the use of microwave radiance observations sensitive to SST, particularly at low frequencies (6–11 GHz), which have previously been unused or absent in most NWP systems. Our numerical experiments demonstrate several key findings: 1) the PCDA system identified colder SSTs in regions with significant SST gradients, including SST fronts in the midlatitudes, and we obtained zonally positive and negative increments in tropical instability wave regions; 2) the SST analysis produced by PCDA was consistent with independent SST analyses; 3) the system yielded a moist and warm low-level troposphere, leading to an increase in the first 24-h rain forecast near the intertropical convergence zone; and 4) PCDA globally improved the forecast accuracy of near-surface temperatures, with notable improvements in the tropics for most variables, except for midtropospheric temperature. In the extratropics, forecast accuracy improvements were observed for height and humidity although some degradation occurred mainly in the Southern Hemisphere.

Significance Statement

The objective of this study is to develop partially coupled data assimilation for the atmosphere and sea surface temperature by extending an operational global numerical weather prediction system. This is important because the current data assimilation does not fully consider interactions between the atmosphere and sea surface temperature, limiting the analysis and forecast accuracy of these systems. Our results show that enhancing the assimilation of microwave radiances from satellites, including low frequencies below 11 GHz, using the partially coupled data assimilation improves the analysis and forecast accuracy of these systems. These results point the way to a better analysis and understanding of the atmosphere–ocean coupled system.
RainForests: A Machine Learning Approach to Calibrating NWP Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Trotta Belinda , Owen Benjamin , Liu Jiaping , Weymouth Gary , Gale Thomas , Hume Timothy , Schubert Anja , Canvin James , Mentiplay Daniel , Whelan Jennifer , Johnson Robert
Published: September 2024

Probabilistic forecasts derived from ensemble prediction systems (EPSs) have become the standard basis for many products and services produced by modern operational forecasting centers. However, statistical postprocessing is generally required to ensure forecasts have the desired properties expected for probability-based outputs. Precipitation, a core component of any operational forecast, is particularly challenging to calibrate due to its discontinuous nature and the extreme skew in rainfall amounts. A skillful forecasting system must maintain accuracy for low-to-moderate precipitation amounts, but preserve resolvability for high-to-extreme rainfall amounts, which, though rare, are important to forecast accurately in the interest of public safety. Existing statistical and machine learning approaches to rainfall calibration address this problem, but each has drawbacks in design, training approaches, and/or performance. We describe RainForests, a machine learning approach for calibrating ensemble rainfall forecasts using gradient-boosted decision trees. The model is based on the ecPoint system recently developed at ECMWF by Hewson and Pillosu, but uses machine learning models in place of the semisubjective decision trees of ecPoint, along with some other improvements to the model structure. We evaluate RainForests on the Australian domain against some simple benchmarks and show that it outperforms standard calibration approaches both in overall skill and in accurately forecasting high rainfall conditions, while being computationally efficient enough to be used in an operational forecasting system.

Significance Statement

Weather forecasting typically uses physical models to simulate the atmosphere and produce a set of scenarios, called an ensemble, for each forecast time. Forecast calibration is a set of statistical techniques for using these ensemble forecasts to obtain probability forecasts of weather variables. For example, on a given day, we may predict that there are a 90% chance of at least 1 mm of rain and a 50% chance of at least 3 mm. We introduce RainForests, a new machine learning method for calibrating ensemble forecasts, which uses ensemble forecasts of rainfall and other related variables to produce more accurate probability forecasts of rainfall amounts in operational forecasting settings.
Assessment of the Workflow and Time to Antibiotic Dose Adjustment for Critically Ill Patients Starting Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Fulbright Megan , Sbertoli Robert , Gill Christian M.
Published: September 2024

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a common sequela of sepsis necessitating use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In the setting of AKI, renally adjusted antimicrobials (eg, β-lactams) are dose reduced to prevent toxicity; however, the extracorporeal clearance of CRRT may lead to subtherapeutic exposures of dose reduced antimicrobials. The present study sought to evaluate the time to dose adjustment to CRRT appropriate doses of antimicrobials after initiation of CRRT. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients on CRRT and anti-pseudomonal β-lactams was conducted. CRRT was conducted as continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) per institutional standards. Baseline characteristics were collected including dialysate flow rate. The primary outcome was time to CRRT appropriate dose adjustment. Secondary outcomes included the pharmacist shift (ie, day, evening, or night shift) that CRRT was ordered and initiated. Continuous data were reported as median (IQR). Results: Forty-four patients were included in the analysis. The median dialysate flow rate was 2.3 L/hour (2, 3.1). Of included patients, 75% received cefepime therapy while 25% received meropenem. The median time to CRRT appropriate dosing was 13 hours (6, 20). CRRT was most commonly ordered during day shift (68%) but not started until evening (59%). The observed delay in appropriate dose adjustment may predispose patients to suboptimal antimicrobial exposure and subsequently therapeutic failure. CRRT was often ordered during the day shift but not initiated until evening which led to identification of potential procedural improvements. Conclusions: These data led to the initiation of a pharmacy in basket consult to alert pharmacists in real time of CRRT orders so that once CRRT was started, doses could be appropriately adjusted. Future studies to assess the impact of this process change on both time to appropriate dose and clinical outcomes are warranted.
Study on dyeability of silk fabric with anthocyanin extracted from butterfly pea flowers
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh , Luong Nguyen Viet Nam , Trinh Thi Kim Hue
Published: September 2024

Natural dyes are always noticed because of their environmentally friendly properties as well as their health protection for the wearer. In this work, anthocyanins of butterfly pea flowers were extracted by the microwave-assisted method that obtained more effectiveness compared with the conventional method. The content of anthocyanin in butterfly pea extracts and dyed silk samples were examined and clarified by high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and ultra-visible spectroscopy. The effect of the concentration of dye extract, temperature and time duration of dyeing and type of mordants used on the color strength and color difference were studied. The results obtained showed that the color strength and color difference of dyed silk samples increased with the concentration of butterfly pea extracts but decreased at temperatures higher than 70°C and for a longer time than 70 min. Moreover, the dyeability of silk fabric was more improved with the presence of metal salts such as ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, and potassium aluminum sulfate because of their complex formation with anthocyanins and fibroin chains. Color fastness to washing on dyed silk samples according to the AATCC standard were tested to clarify more impacts of the types and concentration of mordants.
Incarcerated gravid uterus liberated by vaginal gauze packing under general anesthesia: a case report
Authors: Li Mingbao , Yang Zhou , Yin Wanjun , Ma Yafei , Li Rui , Jiang Yonghui , Liu Yuan
Published: September 2024

Incarceration of the gravid uterus is a rare and serious obstetric complication that can lead to severe complications. We present the case of a 32-year-old woman (gravida 5, para 2022) at 12 weeks and 5 days of gestation who presented with urinary retention and lower abdominal pain. Despite attempts at positional changes and manipulative repositioning under epidural anesthesia, the incarceration of the gravid uterus persisted. Subsequent intervention under general anesthesia involved partially reducing the uterine fundus into the abdominal cavity and using gauze strips in the posterior vaginal fornix to maintain traction. In addition, the bilateral round ligaments of the uterus were sutured to release the incarcerated uterus via laparoscopy. Vaginal gauze packing under general anesthesia may be a beneficial intervention for addressing cases of an incarcerated uterus, particularly in patients in whom passive maneuvers and manual pressure fail to resolve the condition.
Medullary infarction with central facial paralysis as the only symptom: a case report
Authors: Tian Ruiqi , Zhou Yingying , Tang Wei , Zhu Zhen
Published: September 2024

The anatomical structure of the medulla oblongata is complex, its nerve fibers are dense, and its blood vessels are complex. Clinical manifestations of ischemic damage to the medulla oblongata are therefore relatively diverse, and include vertigo, dysphagia, and dysarthria. Although facial paralysis may also occur, medullary infarction with facial paralysis as the first and only symptom is rare. Herein, we report a case of medullary infarction with ipsilateral central facial paralysis as the only symptom.
Creation of an Emergency Care Capacity Assessment Tool for Facilities in Austere Environments
Authors: Kannan Vijay Christopher , Comp Geoff , Lareau Stephanie
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Facilities in austere environments may consider emergency care beyond their scope. Often patients with high-acuity conditions have no other choice than to present to these facilities. The disconnect between the intent of health systems planners and the reality faced by providers manifests as facilities unable to manage such cases. The Indian Health Service, with a range of stakeholders, developed an emergency care delivery assessment tool for facilities in austere environments, designed to identify deficiencies in facility readiness for emergency care delivery across four areas: 1. Procedural 2. Human resources 3. Non-pharmacologic material resources 4. Pharmacologic material resources

Methods

The tool's underlying architecture is a resource matrix similar to hospital-based tools, using the “Facility” component of the WHO Emergency Care Systems Framework as the Y-axis and undifferentiated presentations taught by the WHO basic emergency care course, advanced trauma life support, and advanced life support in obstetrics as the X-axis. The tool was piloted at a remote frontier clinic.

Results

We found 48 deficiencies: 7 procedural, 1 human resources, 31 non-pharmacologic materials, and 9 pharmacologic materials. We aggregated deficiencies by facility function to assess the capacity to perform each. We also aggregated deficiencies by clinical presentation to identify targets for educational interventions.

Conclusion

We successfully created a novel emergency care capacity assessment tool for use in austere environments using materials with broad international consensus. The successful pilot found deficiencies across all 4 areas. This tool may be useful in many other remote domestic facilities and rural health posts in low- and middle-income countries.
The effectiveness of countermeasure services against declining visitor numbers to ski resorts in nagano, Japan
Authors: Komatsu Hiroki , Ohe Yasuo
Published: September 2024

The market for ski resorts in Japan has shrunk continuously due to the socioeconomic and demographic conditions that began in the early 1990s, a trend which could occur in other parts of the globe. In response to that decline, ski resorts have implemented various countermeasures. However, no empirical evaluation has fully assessed the effectiveness of these countermeasure services against the longstanding shrinkage of demand related to skiing and the impact of changing climatic conditions. Therefore, from a supply-side perspective, this paper evaluated the degree of the retardative effect, i.e., slowing the shrinkage in demand, of these actions on the number of ski resort operations by the Dynamic Panel Data model using a Pooled Mean Group estimator in Nagano. Results revealed that supply-side countermeasure services such as snow-making and provision of day care had positive effects on ski resort operations to some extent while rising temperatures had a detrimental impact on the retardative effect and partially offset it.
A narrative approach exploring the phenomenon of Pretendians in the contemporary university
Authors: Stolz Steven A , Toscano Maurizio
Published: September 2024

This essay uses a fictional narrative to explore the phenomenon of Pretendians in the contemporary university. Summer, who is one of the protagonists in the fictional dialogue, self-identifies as Indigenous, and is hired as an academic based on this identity, and according to affirmative action policies. Whilst working as an Indigenous academic for several years, suspicions are raised and accusations of pretending to be Indigenous are levelled at her. In each instance, she doubles-down and rejects the accusations until evidence is produced to prove that she was falsely and knowingly passing herself off as Indigenous. We critically discuss and analyse the fictional dialogue as part of our inquiry into Pretendianism, and argue that if an individual pretends to possess one or more protected attributes, and the individual knows that they do not possess said attributes, it is to perpetrate a grave injustice that goes beyond mere identity fraud. We conclude that Pretendian cases bring to our attention how contemporary university policies have the potential to be subverted in ways that are counter-productive to those individual and groups they sought to benefit, particularly if action is not taken to close policy loopholes.
Rethinking, policy futures and utopianism
Authors: Papastephanou Marianna , Antonacopoulou Elena , Drousioti Kalli
Published: September 2024

After many years of dominant anti-utopianism, there has been a resurgent and fruitful interest in utopian thought across disciplines. In our uncertain times, many theorists call for a rethinking of what counts as a desirable future. We respond to this call from an interdisciplinary perspective on the interconnectedness, and potential common cause, of utopian philosophy, organization theory and pedagogy. The present essay aims to: contribute to policy futures a nuanced account of utopian thought; enrich the theoretical conceptual toolkit with the interpretive categories of utopianization and dystopianization; and indicate the ambiguous politics of the utopianized task ‘to rethink’. By exploring ‘rethinking’ in a counter-utopian manner, we hope to illustrate complexities of imagined futures that compel investigation of interdisciplinary utopian synergies and tensions.
Primiparous women's experiences of unwanted early cessation of breastfeeding: A qualitative study
Authors: Mahon Julie , Dreyer Pia
Published: September 2024

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding of all infants for the first 6 months of life, but a majority of mothers do not succeed in complying with that despite an expressed maternal wish to do so. A lot of mothers undergo an unwanted early cessation of breastfeeding within the first 6 months postpartum, and primiparous mothers are at particularly high risk of early cessation. Thus, the aim of the study was to explore how primiparous women experienced an unwanted early cessation of breastfeeding. The study had a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with five primiparous women in Denmark, analysed using Kirsti Malterud's approach to systematic text condensation. The study was performed in line with the COREQ Checklist. Three main codes emerged from our analysis: (1) Not meeting expectations; what do others think of me? (2) Breastfeeding; an emotionally hard fight leading to feeling defeated; and (3) Healthcare system under pressure and being left alone with inadequate support. The women were left with feelings such as a sense of defeat, inadequacy, grief and a weakened understanding of themselves as mothers. Our findings provide important insights into how mothers experience early cessations; however, further research is needed.
Determinants of received care time among Finnish home care clients and assisted living facility residents: a time-motion study
Authors: Pesonen Tiina , Väisänen Visa , Aaltonen Mari , Edgren Johanna , Corneliusson Laura , Ruotsalainen Salla , Sinervo Timo
Published: September 2024

Background

Ageing populations and care workforce shortages across Europe are causing challenges for care services for older people. Therefore, it is paramount that limited care resources are allocated optimally, based on the clients’ care needs. Multiple functioning-related factors have been identified that determine the amount of care time clients receive, while organizational and other factors remain largely unexplored. The aim was to examine how various individual and organizational factors are associated with clients’ received care time in different care settings.

Methods

Cross-sectional observational study design with data from time and motion study, registers, and surveys was used. In total, 1477 home care clients and 1538 residents from assisted living facilities with 24/7 service participated, from 61 Finnish care units. Linear mixed-effect modeling was used to examine the association between individual and organizational-level variables and received care time.

Results

Physical functioning was the strongest predictor of received care time in both care settings. In home care, greater pain, more unstable health, and higher team autonomy were associated with increased care time. In assisted living, depressive mood and higher staffing level of the organization were associated with care time. Clients who received informal care also received significantly more care time from nurses in both care settings.

Conclusions

Physical functioning was the main driver of received care time. Interventions that maintain or improve physical functioning can help restrain the growing need of care resources, although it is important to ensure that each client receives care according to their holistic care needs.
Pharmacological and physiological effects of cannabidiol: a dose escalation, placebo washout study protocol
Authors: Neary J. Patrick , Singh Jyotpal , Alcorn Jane , Laprairie Robert B. , Dehghani Payam , Mang Cameron S. , Bjornson Bruce H. , Hadjistavropoulos Thomas , Bardutz Holly A. , Bhagaloo Lanishen , Walsh Zachary , Szafron Michael , Dorsch Kim D. , Thompson Elizabeth S.
Published: September 2024

Background

Cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and have the potential to act as a therapeutic following mild traumatic brain injury. There is limited evidence available on the pharmacological, physiological and psychological effects of escalating CBD dosages in a healthy, male, university athlete population. Furthermore, no dosing regimen for CBD is available with implications of improving physiological function. This study will develop an optimal CBD dose based on the pharmacokinetic data in contact-sport athletes. The physiological and psychological data will be correlated to the pharmacokinetic data to understand the mechanism(s) associated with an escalating CBD dose.

Methods/design

Forty participants will receive escalating doses of CBD ranging from 5 mg CBD/kg/day to 30 mg CBD/kg/day. The CBD dose is escalated every two weeks in increments of 5 mg CBD/kg/day. Participants will provide blood for pharmacological assessments at each of the 10 visits. Participants will complete a physiological assessment at each of the visits, including assessments of cerebral hemodynamics, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, seismocardiogram, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and salivary analysis for genomic sequencing. Finally, participants will complete a psychological assessment consisting of sleep, anxiety, and pain-related questionnaires.

Discussion

This study will develop of an optimal CBD dose based on pharmacological, physiological, and psychological properties for future use during contact sport seasons to understand if CBD can help to reduce the frequency of mild traumatic injuries and enhance recovery.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06204003.
Experts’ views on the implementation of digital interventions for eating disorders: a Delphi study
Authors: Lemmer Diana , Mayer Gwendolyn , Schrader Pauline , Michelsen Ina , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Bauer Stephanie
Published: September 2024

Background

Eating disorders (EDs) constitute a considerable burden for individuals and society, but adequate and timely professional treatment is rare. Evidence-based Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs) have the potential both to reduce this treatment gap and to increase treatment effectiveness. However, their integration into routine care is lacking. Understanding practitioners’ attitudes towards DMHIs for EDs is crucial for their effective use.

Aims

To investigate the consensus among German ED treatment experts on the relevance of different influencing factors for DMHI use in EDs.

Methods

This Delphi study consisted of two rounds and was conducted online with an initial sample of N = 24 ED experts (Mage=41.96, SDage=9.92, n = 22 female). Prior to the Delphi rounds, semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were performed to explore participants’ attitudes, experiences, and expectations towards DMHIs. In order to construct the Delphi survey, content analysis was applied to a subset of ten interviews. A total of 63 influencing factors were identified and grouped into three main categories: contextual conditions, design, and content of DMHIs. In both Delphi rounds, the interview participants were subsequently invited to rate each of the factors with regard to their importance on 10-point scales. Group percentages and individual ratings of the first round (n = 23) were presented in the second round (n = 21). Consensus was calculated for each item (defined as IQR ≤ 2).

Results

Importance ratings were high across items (M = 7.88, SD = 2.07, Mdn = 8). In the first round, 48% of the items reached consensus, with its most important (Mdn = 10) factors referring to data security, evidence base, technical requirements, usability, and specific DMHI content (psychoeducation, crisis intervention). In the second Delphi round, a consensus was reached on 73% of the items. No consensus was reached on 17 items.

Conclusions

The findings on practitioners’ attitudes and priorities have relevant implications for subsequent DMHI development, dissemination, and implementation strategies, indicating that the highest-rated factors should be highlighted in the process.
Effects of lower-limb active resistance exercise on mobility, physical function, knee strength and pain intensity in patients with total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wei Guo , Shang Zhenghui , Li Yupeng , Wu Yu , Zhang Li
Published: September 2024

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) successfully alleviates pain from knee osteoarthritis, but muscle strength and function are reduced for a long period postoperatively. Postoperative active resistance exercise may play a relevant role.

Purpose

To systematically evaluate effects of lower-limb active resistance exercise (ARE) on mobility, physical function, muscle strength and pain intensity in patients with TKA.

Methods

A search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to September 2023. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effects of ARE and no intervention or other rehabilitation program without PRE were included. The outcome variables were mobility (Maximal walking speed [MWS]/6-Minute Walk Test[6MWT]), physical function (Stair Climb Test [SCT]/Timed Up and Go [TUG]), knee extension/ flexion power(KEP/KFP), joint range of motion (ROM) and pain. Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) or Mean Differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and combined in meta-analyses. The Cochrane Collaboration’s Handbook were used for the methodological quality assessments. GRADE was used to assess the quality of evidence. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 software.

Results

A total of 14 randomized controlled trials, involving 880 patients, were finally included. The lower-limb ARE exhibited significantly greater improvement in MWS (MD 0.13, 95%CI 0.08–0.18, P < 0.00001), TUG(MD -0.92, 95%CI -1.55– -0.28, P = 0.005), KEP (SMD 0.58, 95%CI 0.20–0.96, P = 0.003), KFP (SMD 0.38, 95%CI 0.13–0.63, P = 0.003), ROM-flexion (MD 2.74, 95%CI 1.82–3.67, P < 0.00001) and VAS (MD − 4.65, 95% CI − 7.86– -1.44, p = 0.005) compared to conventional exercise(CE) immediately post-intervention. However, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups in regard to 6MWT (MD 7.98, 95%CI -4.60–20.56, P = 0.21), SCT (MD -0.79, 95%CI -1.69–0.10, P = 0.08) and ROM-extension (MD -0.60, 95%CI -1.23–0.03, P = 0.06).

Conclusions

According to the results of meta-analysis, patients undergoing TKA who receive the lower extremity ARE show better clinical effects in terms of pain relief, strength recovery and knee ROM. Simultaneously, it may be beneficial to improve mobility and physical function of patients after TKA.
Exploring women’s knowledge of abortion legality and association with source of abortion care using population-based survey data in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
Authors: Sheehy Grace , Moreau Caroline , Otupiri Easmon , Keogh Sarah , Guiella Georges , Bell Suzanne O.
Published: September 2024

Background

Knowledge of the conditions under which abortion is legal is important so that people can advocate for their right to abortion care. Yet minimal research has explored the association between women’s knowledge of abortion legality and the induced abortion care they receive, particularly using population-based survey data.

Methods

Using national survey data collected by Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, we aimed to compare the prevalence of accurate knowledge of abortion legality, factors associated with knowledge of the law, and the association between knowledge of abortion legality and the source of women’s induced abortion care in these two settings. We ran bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions to assess the relationships of interest.

Results

We found that awareness and knowledge of the abortion law were low in both Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. In Cote d’Ivoire, women who were older, more educated, and with past abortion experience were more likely to be aware of the law. In Ghana, knowledge of the law did not vary significantly by demographic characteristics. However, in Ghana, knowledge of the law was correlated with women’s use of the formal healthcare system for abortion care, with greater use of clinical sources in rural areas.

Conclusions

It is possible that for populations with reduced access to abortion services, such as those in rural areas, knowledge of the law is advantageous for those seeking facility-based abortion care, particularly in settings where abortion is legal for a range of indications. Interventions seeking to improve access to facility-based abortion care in settings where abortion is legal on various grounds should incorporate education on the legal grounds for abortion.
Dataset: a social accounting matrix for Germany
Authors: Connolly Kevin , Ross Andrew , Vögele Stefan
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) is an extension of Input-Output tables that records macro and meso-economic accounts of a socio-economic system. Its main objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships among different economic sectors and agents. The SAM can be used for various purposes, including economic analysis, policy evaluation, and economic modelling. It allows policymakers to make more informed decisions, understand potential consequences of different policy options and serve as the foundation for constructing Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models.

Data description

The SAM for Germany is a comprehensive source of data that reveals the incomes and expenditures of 163 different production sectors, along with data on factors of production, households, corporations, government, and external accounts with the rest of the world. Additionally, it provides information on gross fixed capital formation, changes in inventories, and natural capital accounts. This SAM was compiled by extending the EXIOBASE Input-Output (IO) accounts with data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. Balancing items were also used to ensure that the Total Income and Total Expenditure of the main transactors are in balance.
Advances in predictive biomarkers associated with immunotherapy in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Tong , Wang Mingzhao , Chen Yanchao , Cao Yang , Liu Yutao
Published: September 2024

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly malignant and poor-prognosis cancer, with most cases diagnosed at the extensive stage (ES). Amidst a landscape marked by limited progress in treatment modalities for ES-SCLC over the past few decades, the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with platinum-based chemotherapy has provided a milestone approach for improving prognosis, emerging as the new standard for initial therapy in ES-SCLC. However, only a minority of SCLC patients can benefit from ICIs, which frequently come with varying degrees of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Therefore, it is crucial to investigate predictive biomarkers to screen potential beneficiaries of ICIs, mitigate the risk of side effects, and improve treatment precision. This review summarized potential biomarkers for predicting ICI response in ES-SCLC, with a primary focus on markers sourced from tumor tissue or peripheral blood samples. The former mainly included PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), along with cellular or molecular components related to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and antigen presentation machinery (APM), molecular subtypes of SCLC, and inflammatory gene expression profiles. Circulating biomarkers predominantly comprised circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cytokines, plasma autoantibodies, inflammation-related parameters, and blood TMB. We synthesized and analyzed the research progress of these potential markers. Notably, investigations into PD-L1 expression and TMB have been the most extensive, exhibiting preliminary predictive efficacy in salvage immunotherapy; however, consistent conclusions have yet to be reached across studies. Additionally, novel predictive markers developed based on TME composition, APM, transcriptomic and genomic features provide promising tools for precision immunotherapy. Circulating biomarkers offer the advantages of convenience, non-invasiveness, and a comprehensive reflection of tumor molecular characteristics. They may serve as alternative options for predicting immunotherapy efficacy in SCLC. However, there is a scarcity of studies, and the significant heterogeneity in research findings warrants attention.
Stochastic ordering results on extreme order statistics from dependent samples with Archimedean copula
Authors: Shrahili Mansour
Published: September 2024

This paper considers parallel and series systems with heterogeneous components having dependent exponential lifetimes. The underlying dependence is assumed to be Archimedean and the component lifetimes are supposed to be connected according to an Archimedean copula. Sufficient conditions are found to dominate a parallel system with heterogenous exponential components, with respect to the dispersive order, by another parallel system with homogenous exponential components where the dependence structure between lifetimes of components is the same. We also compare two series systems (and two parallel systems) with general one-parameter dependent components and with respect to the usual stochastic ordering. Examples are given to illustrate the theoretical findings.
Wind power prediction method based on cloud computing and data privacy protection
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhu Shaoming , Su Shen , Chen Xiaofeng , Yang Yan , Zhou Bing
Published: September 2024

With the support of our government’s commitment to the energy sector, the installed capacity of wind power will continue to grow. However, due to the instability of wind power, accurate prediction of wind power output is essential for effective grid dispatch. In addition, data privacy and protection have become paramount in today’s society. Traditional wind forecasting methods rely on centralized data, which raises concerns about data privacy and data silos. To address these challenges, we propose a hybrid approach that combines federated learning and deep learning for wind power forecasting. In our proposed method, we use a bidirectional long short-term memory (BILSTM) neural network as the basic prediction model to improve the prediction accuracy. Then, the model is integrated into the federated learning framework to form the Fed-BILSTM prediction method. In addition, we have introduced cloud computing technology into the Fed-BILSTM method, using cloud resources for model training and parameter update. Participants share model parameters instead of sharing raw data, which solves data privacy concerns. We compared Fed-BILSTM with traditional forecasting methods. Experimental results show that the proposed Fed-BILSTM is better than the traditional prediction method in terms of prediction accuracy. What’s more, Fed-BILSTM can effectively protect data privacy compared to traditional centralized forecasting methods while ensuring prediction performance.
Clinical, mechanistic, biomarker, and therapeutic advances in GBA1-associated Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhang Xuxiang , Wu Heng , Tang Beisha , Guo Jifeng
Published: September 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The development of PD is closely linked to genetic and environmental factors, with GBA1 variants being the most common genetic risk. Mutations in the GBA1 gene lead to reduced activity of the coded enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, which mediates the development of PD by affecting lipid metabolism (especially sphingolipids), lysosomal autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum, as well as mitochondrial and other cellular functions. Clinically, PD with GBA1 mutations (GBA1-PD) is characterized by particular features regarding the progression of symptom severity. On the therapeutic side, the discovery of the relationship between GBA1 variants and PD offers an opportunity for targeted therapeutic interventions. In this review, we explore the genotypic and phenotypic correlations, etiologic mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic approaches of GBA1-PD and summarize the current state of research and its challenges.