bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a Capability Approach to Explore How People With Intellectual Disabilities Can Lead Flourishing Lives
Authors: Ryan Sara , O'Brien Rosaleen
Published: September 2024

Background

People with intellectual disabilities remain disadvantaged in many aspects of everyday life. Capability approach is an underused approach in social care research and has at its core the importance of having capabilities or opportunities to do what we value. We use this approach to explore how people with intellectual disabilities can be supported to lead flourishing lives.

Methods

Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 50 people with intellectual disabilities and 28 family carers. Data were analysed using an adapted template approach and conceptual analysis.

Results

Our analysis led to the identification of one overarching theme; ‘Doing what you love and growing’ and sub‐themes; ‘Choice, opportunity and empowerment’, ‘Being out in the world’ and ‘Lowered expectations and static lives’.

Conclusion

People with intellectual disabilities can lead capability‐deprived lives. Methodological and practice innovation is needed to better understand what people value and ensure they have capability sets that enable flourishing lives.
Reshuffling of Azorean Coastal Marine Biodiversity Amid Climate Change
Authors: González‐Trujillo Juan David , Naimi Babak , Assis Jorge , Araújo Miguel B.
Published: September 2024

Aim

Climate change poses a challenge to the Azores' biodiversity, with consequences that remain unexplored. To shed light on the potential impacts of climate change, we have developed a large ensemble of species distribution models (SDMs) for species found in the coastal marine environments and examined their spatiotemporal turnover and stability.

Location

The Azorean archipelago.

Taxon

Coastal marine species (mammals, fish, turtles, seabirds, kelp forest and corals).

Methods

SDMs were fitted a large ensemble comprising 10 machine learning algorithms and a fivefold cross‐validation resampling procedure, thus yielding a maximum number of 50 models fitted per species. These models were then utilised for projecting species distribution under different future scenarios. The projected distributions of the species were employed to assess changes in the stability of their ranges throughout the entire modelled period (2030–2100) and in their community compositions by examining changes in alpha diversity and beta diversity over 10‐year periods.

Results

We show that under our model assumptions over 12% of the modelled units could lose suitable climate by the end of the century, with this number increasing up to 25% under a high carbon emissions scenario. Climate change refugia, which are areas of long‐term species range stability, are expected to be mainly located in the coastal areas in the northernmost part of the archipelago. A substantial loss of suitable climate is anticipated for mammals and birds, which is likely to trigger a major loss of species on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Pico and Faial. For fish, the loss of suitable climates is less pronounced. However, climate change is expected to cause a major reshuffling of the pelagic fish assemblage, with important consequences for local fisheries on each island.

Main Conclusions

Our models provide insights into how climate change may alter the distribution of Azorean marine coastal species, offering important guidance for conservation and management efforts in these important North Atlantic ecosystems.
Levering AI to enhance students' conceptual understanding and confidence in mathematics
Authors: Canonigo Allan Mesa
Published: September 2024

Motivation

This research investigates the transformative impact of integrating AI into mathematics education, aiming to enhance students' conceptual understanding and self‐efficacy. It addresses the crucial need for innovative teaching methods in response to contemporary challenges in education and aims to fill gaps in understanding the potential drawbacks and benefits of AI implementation.

Objectives

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the effects of AI tools, such as GeoGebra and ChatGPT, on students' conceptual understanding and self‐efficacy in a mathematics classroom setting, with a focus on collaborative learning, teacher‐led discussions, and problem‐solving.

Methods

Employing a mixed‐methods approach, the research involves pre‐ and post‐implementation surveys, supplemented by qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, and classroom observations. The study emphasises the utilisation of AI in collaborative learning environments and explores the challenges and opportunities associated with its integration.

Results and Conclusions

The study reveals a noteworthy enhancement in students' conceptual understanding and self‐efficacy belief when AI tools are incorporated into mathematics education. However, it highlights concerns such as technological challenges, potential teacher replacement fears, biases in AI systems, and difficulties related to pacing and social interaction. To optimise the use of AI, the paper suggests strategies like adaptive learning platforms, real‐world simulations, intelligent tutoring systems, and data‐driven instruction, positioning AI as a complement rather than a substitute for traditional teaching methods. The study recommends addressing challenges through additional support resources and transparent communication, emphasising the need for a thoughtful integration of AI in education.
One intervention, several benefits: Deliberate computer‐assisted argument mapping practices in an online teacher education course
Authors: Kaya Suat
Published: September 2024

Background

Ambiguity prevails concerning the fundamental methodological characteristics of computer‐assisted argument mapping (CAAM) learning environments, particularly in their capacity to facilitate critical thinking within tertiary education. Previous scholarly investigations have failed to furnish an exhaustive elucidation of the configuration of instructional interventions grounded in CAAM. Furthermore, prior research provides limited evidence to show how a course can be designed and implemented with CAAM practices.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the influence of CAAM practices on the pre‐service teachers' critical thinking skills and the lived experiences of pre‐service teachers during CAAM practices based on their perspectives to guide more successful curriculum or instructional designs integrated with CAAM practices.

Methods

The intervention was conducted in an online course called ‘Instructional Methods and Techniques’, which included various instructional methods and techniques to be utilized while implementing a curriculum. This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed method research design conducted with 24 s grade pre‐service teachers enrolled in the elementary school department. The quantitative data gathered through a critical thinking scoring rubric were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA to analyse the change in participants' critical thinking scores over time, while a semi‐structured interview form developed by the researcher was used to collect data regarding pre‐service teachers' experiences, which were analysed with content analysis.

Results

The quantitative findings provided empirical support for the integration of CAAM practices into teacher education programs as a means to enhance the CT skills of pre‐service teachers, while content analysis resulted in five themes named as ‘challenges, opportunities, views about Mindmup, feedback and suggestions’. The challenges encountered and subsequently overcome, the opportunities harnessed for critical thinking growth, the role of feedback in the learning process, elimination of interaction problems encountered during online learning, and the need for balanced CAAM usage all contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and considerations associated with CAAM in the context of teacher education.

Conclusions

These insights are invaluable for teacher educators and curriculum designers seeking to prepare future educators as effective critical thinkers capable of addressing the complex challenges within the field of education. Ultimately, the study reinforces the importance of explicit CT instruction and highlights CAAM as a promising avenue for achieving this goal.
Luteolin exerts anti‐tumour immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma by accelerating CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration
Authors: Cai Shijiao , Gou Yidan , Chen Yanyan , Hou Xiaoran , Zhang Jing , Bi Chongwen , Gu Peng , Yang Miao , Zhang Hanxu , Zhong Weilong , Yuan Hengjie
Published: September 2024

Luteolin, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been utilized for several decades in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous research has demonstrated its anti‐tumour efficacy, but its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effects of luteolin in H22 tumour‐bearing mice. luteolin effectively inhibited the growth of solid tumours in a well‐established mouse model of HCC. High‐throughput sequencing revealed that luteolin treatment could enhance T‐cell activation, cell chemotaxis and cytokine production. In addition, luteolin helped sustain a high ratio of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the spleen, peripheral blood and tumour tissues. The effects of luteolin on the phenotypic and functional changes in tumour‐infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes were also investigated. Luteolin restored the cytotoxicity of tumour‐infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes in H22 tumour‐bearing mice. The CD8+ T lymphocytes exhibited intensified phenotype activation and increased production of granzyme B, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in serum. The combined administration of luteolin and the PD‐1 inhibitor enhanced the anti‐tumour effects in H22 tumour‐bearing mice. Luteolin could exert an anti‐tumour immune response by inducing CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration and enhance the anti‐tumour effects of the PD‐1 inhibitor on H22 tumour‐bearing mice.
Unlocking reproducible transcriptomic signatures for acute myeloid leukaemia: Integration, classification and drug repurposing
Authors: Chen Haoran , Lu Jinqi , Wang Zining , Wu Shengnan , Zhang Shengxiao , Geng Jie , Hou Chuandong , He Peifeng , Lu Xuechun
Published: September 2024

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease, which lead to various findings in transcriptomic research. This study addresses these challenges by integrating 34 datasets, including 26 control groups, 6 prognostic datasets and 2 single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) datasets to identify 10,000 AML‐related genes (ARGs). We focused on genes with low variability and high consistency and successfully discovered 191 AML signatures (ASs). Leveraging machine learning techniques, specifically the XGBoost model and our custom framework, we classified AML subtypes with both scRNA‐seq and bulk RNA‐seq data, complementing the ELN2022 classification approach. Our research also identified promising treatments for AML through drug repurposing, with solasonine showing potential efficacy for high‐risk AML patients, supported by molecular docking and transcriptomic analyses. To enhance reproducibility and customizability, we developed CSAMLdb, a user‐friendly database platform. It facilitates the reuse and personalized analysis of nearly all results obtained in this research, including single‐gene prognostics, multi‐gene scoring, enrichment analysis, machine learning risk assessment, drug repositioning analysis and literature abstract named entity recognition. CSAMLdb is available at http://www.csamldb.com.
The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) used as the benchmark in validation of 101 quality‐of‐life instruments: A systematic review
Authors: Vyas J. , Johns J. R. , Abdelrazik Y. , Ali F. M. , Ingram J. R. , Salek S. , Finlay A. Y.
Published: September 2024

Background

The validation of psychometric measures requires use of other established and standardized validated measures. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is the most widely used tool to measure the burden of skin diseases and assess effectiveness of interventions based on patients' perspective.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to systematically analyse peer‐reviewed publications describing use of the DLQI in validation of other patient‐reported outcome (PRO) and quality‐of‐life (QoL) measures.

Methods

Seven databases were searched for papers published between January 1994 and December 2022 for articles containing data using DLQI in the validation of other PRO/QoL measures. The methodology followed PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO.

Results

Of 1717 screened publications, 122 articles including 30,727 patients from 34 different countries with 41 diseases met the inclusion criteria. The DLQI was used in validation of 101 measures: 80 dermatology‐specific QoL measures, mostly disease‐specific, and 21 generic measures. Of these studies, 47 were cross‐cultural adaptations, 116 single arm, 100 were cross‐sectional, 18 longitudinal and six randomized placebo controlled. DLQI was used for 14 known group, and correlation for 10 construct, 101 convergent, 10 concurrent, 10 divergent/discriminant and three criterion validity tests using Mann–Whitney (2), Spearman's (80), Pearson's correlation (26) and Student's t‐test (1). The DLQI was used in responsiveness analysis in 13 studies.

Conclusions

This review identified widespread use of the DLQI in validation of other dermatology PRO/QoL measures and confirmed the central role that the DLQI plays as a benchmark in instrument development and validation across dermatology and beyond. The use of the DLQI by so many developers of other instruments has provided a common standard for comparability.
Interannual and seasonal migratory patterns of wheat aphids across the Bohai Strait in eastern Asia
Authors: Wang Xingya , Ma Haotian , Gao Ying , Yu Mingli , Zhao Yuechao , Wu Kongming
Published: September 2024

The bird cherry‐oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and the grain aphid (Sitobion miscanthi) are two destructive wheat pests that have caused severe economic losses in China's main wheat‐producing regions. Although previous studies have focused mainly on the population dynamics of wheat pests in wheat fields, little is known about the trans‐sea migration of both wheat aphid species in eastern China. Here, we conducted 10 years of monitoring from 2012 to 2021 to determine aerial migration patterns utilizing a suction trap on Beihuang Island (BH), a small island in the centre of the Bohai Strait that serves as a seasonal insect migratory pathway in eastern Asia. We also simulated the migration trajectories of these pests using the HYSPLIT model. Overall, a total of 6362 alatae S. miscanthi and 335 alatae R. padi were captured, and both wheat aphid species exhibited regular patterns of comigration across the sea from late April to late October each year. There were significant interannual and seasonal differences in the migratory numbers of both wheat aphids. Notably, the average daily humidity was the most important meteorological factor affecting migration biomass. The seasonal migration trajectories simulated using the HYSPLIT model revealed different source areas for both wheat aphid species, which mostly originated in Northeast, North and East China. Accordingly, our study provides valuable insights into the occurrence and migration route of wheat aphids in eastern Asia, helps fine‐tune forecasting and early warning systems, and thereby guides integrated pest management of wheat aphids in eastern Asia.
Effect of hearing intervention on communicative function: A secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sanchez Victoria A. , Arnold Michelle L. , Garcia Morales Emmanuel E. , Reed Nicholas S. , Faucette Sarah , Burgard Sheila , Calloway Haley N. , Coresh Josef , Deal Jennifer A. , Goman Adele M. , Gravens‐Mueller Lisa , Hayden Kathleen M. , Huang Alison R. , Mitchell Christine M. , Mosley Thomas H. , Pankow James S. , Pike James R. , Schrack Jennifer A. , Sherry Laura , Weycker Jacqueline M. , Lin Frank R. , Chisolm Theresa H. ,   For the ACHIEVE Collaborative Study
Published: September 2024

Background

The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Study was designed to determine the effects of a best‐practice hearing intervention on cognitive decline among community‐dwelling older adults. Here, we conducted a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE Study to investigate the effect of hearing intervention on self‐reported communicative function.

Methods

The ACHIEVE Study is a parallel‐group, unmasked, randomized controlled trial of adults aged 70–84 years with untreated mild‐to‐moderate hearing loss and without substantial cognitive impairment. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to a hearing intervention (audiological counseling and provision of hearing aids) or a control intervention of health education (individual sessions with a health educator covering topics on chronic disease prevention) and followed semiannually for 3 years. Self‐reported communicative function was measured with the Hearing Handicap Inventory—Elderly Screening version (HHIE‐S, range 0–40, higher scores indicate greater impairment). Effect of hearing intervention versus control on HHIE‐S was analyzed through an intention‐to‐treat model controlling for known covariates.

Results

HHIE‐S improved after 6‐months with hearing intervention compared to control, and continued to be better through 3‐year follow‐up. We estimated a difference of −8.9 (95% CI: −10.4, −7.5) points between intervention and control groups in change in HHIE‐S score from baseline to 6 months, −9.3 (95% CI: −10.8, −7.9) to Year 1, −8.4 (95% CI: −9.8, −6.9) to Year 2, and − 9.5 (95% CI: −11.0, −8.0) to Year 3. Other prespecified sensitivity analyses that varied analytical parameters did not change the observed results.

Conclusions

Hearing intervention improved self‐reported communicative function compared to a control intervention within 6 months and with effects sustained through 3 years. These findings suggest that clinical recommendations for older adults with hearing loss should encourage hearing intervention that could benefit communicative function and potentially have positive downstream effects on other aspects of health.
Outcome‐Based Typology of Social Enterprises: Interlacing Individual Transformation, Capital Provision, and Societal Influence
Authors: Polychronopoulos Georgios , Lukeš Martin , Sansone Giuliano , Agrawal Anirudh , Ulrich‐Diener Florian , Šlapáková Losová Veronika
Published: September 2024

Social entrepreneurship has emerged as a global phenomenon aimed at tackling societal grand challenges through market‐based activities. A holistic understanding of social enterprise outcomes is crucial for reflecting their effectiveness in meeting social objectives and informing internal organizational processes. This study explores the outcomes of social enterprises through a comparative qualitative analysis of 49 social ventures in Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States, spanning diverse sectors. Three key outcome dimensions are identified: individual transformation, capital provision, and societal influence. Our analysis results in a typology of seven distinct types of social enterprises, each integrating these dimensions to varying degrees. Utilizing this typology, we reveal how social enterprises navigate barriers to solving complex social and environmental problems, illustrating the dynamic interplay between outcome dimensions and the importance of multi‐objective organizing – beyond hybrid organizing – in addressing complex societal issues.
Presenteeism pressure: The development of a scale and a nomological network
Authors: Smith Claire E. , McAbee Samuel T. , Freier Lindsey , Huang Susannah , Albert Melissa A.
Published: September 2024

The social context of the workplace influences attendance decisions. Regardless of personal and job factors, employees may choose to engage in sickness presenteeism behaviour (i.e., working when unwell) because of perceived pressure from the organization. Using Social Information Processing Theory, we introduce the construct of presenteeism pressure to capture this perception that an organization normalizes and expects employees to engage in presenteeism. Through a scale development study of working adults (N = 219), we create and refine the 11‐item Presenteeism Pressure Scale. Next, we provide evidence of convergent and discriminant validity of the scale in an independent sample of working adults (N = 248). We then concurrently examine presenteeism pressure's place in a nomological network of constructs within the presenteeism and broader organizational literature, in another sample (N = 764). Finally, we increase the rigour of our validation efforts by conducting an additional two‐wave study (N = 350) and expanding the nomological network of presenteeism pressure to include relevant work outcomes. Our results position presenteeism pressure as a unique and promising contributor to the understanding of presenteeism behaviours and work behaviours more generally. We conclude with suggestions for integrating presenteeism pressure into existing theory and better‐informed organizational attendance procedures.
Pathogenicity and Virulence‐Associated Factors of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and [P. amygdali pv. morsprunorum] Strains From New Zealand Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Orchards
Authors: Marroni M. Virginia , Casonato Seona , Visnovsky Sandra B. , Pitman Andrew R. , Beresford Robert M. , Jones E. Eirian
Published: September 2024

Previously genetically characterised strains of Pseudomonas syringae. pv. syringae (Pss), [P. amygdali pv. morsprunorum] (Pam, syn. P. s. pv. morsprunorum race 1) and Pseudomonas spp. from New Zealand were characterised for their pathogenicity and aggressiveness in plant tissue and associated virulence factors. Lesions on detached, Pss‐inoculated immature fruit increased rapidly in size and, at 10 days post inoculation (dpi), had larger areas under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) than Pam‐inoculated fruit (48.9 and 22.0, respectively). Detached leaves infiltrated with Pss‐developed symptoms within 1 dpi and from 2 dpi for Pam. Necrosis from most Pss strains extended into the leaf veins by 7 dpi, while Pam strains' necrosis was confined to the inoculation site. On detached 1‐year‐old cherry shoots, Pseudomonas spp. strains exhibited the smallest mean lesion size (2.1–2.4 mm), whereas larger mean lesion sizes were observed with Pss strains (5.7–13.7 mm) and Pam strains (3.9–14.0 mm). A functional T3SS was inferred for Pss and Pam strains based on the hypersensitivity reactions observed on tobacco leaves and symptoms elicited on cherry tissue. Syringomycin production was prevalent (88%) among Pss strains. In contrast, only 1.4% of Pam strains produced coronatine. Most Pss strains (97.0%) were able to catalyse ice formation. The coexistence of strains with varying degrees of virulence and non‐pathogenic strains suggests a complex ecological balance, where multiple factors, including genetic variation, virulence traits and environmental conditions, shape the population dynamics and disease outcomes.
Grow with the flow: Is phenotypic plasticity across hydrodynamic gradients common in seaweeds?
Authors: Coleman Liam J. M. , Martone Patrick T.
Published: September 2024

Seaweeds are widely assumed to be phenotypically plastic across hydrodynamic gradients, yet while many marine macroalgae exhibit intraspecific phenotypic variation that correlates with flow, researchers often fail to test whether such variation is due to plasticity or another mechanism, such as local adaptation. In this minireview, we considered mechanisms for sensing flow in seaweeds that could facilitate adaptive phenotypic plasticity across hydrodynamic gradients. We then reviewed the literature from 1900 to 2024 to see how often phenotypic variation and plasticity across hydrodynamic gradients had been observed and demonstrated in different groups of seaweeds. In the last 124 years, phenotypic variation and plasticity in response to flow have been well documented in brown algae but scarcely documented in red and green algae. This could suggest that brown algae are better able to sense and respond to flow than red and green algae, perhaps due to the intercalary meristem of many brown algae, including most kelps. However, this skewed distribution could also be the result of publication bias, as most studies involving flow have been conducted on brown algae. Only 30% of 141 papers specifically investigated if observations of phenotypic variation along hydrodynamic gradients were due to plasticity. To date, phenotypic plasticity in response to flow has been demonstrated in 20 brown algal species, five red algal species, and two green algal species. Thus, the assumption that phenotypic plasticity to flow is common across seaweeds is not particularly well supported by the literature. Mechanisms underlying plasticity to flow are poorly understood and remain a critical avenue for future research.
Lexical Effects on Second Language Grammar Acquisition: Testing Psycholinguistic and Neurocognitive Predictions
Authors: Hopp Holger , Reifegerste Jana , Ullman Michael T.
Published: September 2024

Second language (L2) grammar learning is difficult. Two frameworks—the psycholinguistic lexical bottleneck hypothesis and the neurocognitive declarative/procedural model—predict that faster L2 lexical processing should facilitate L2 incidental grammar learning. We tested these predictions in a pretest–posttest syntactic adaptation study of English relative‐clause attachment preferences. First‐language German speakers listened to relative clauses disambiguated to the English low‐attachment preference (secretaries of the professor who is/naps at home)—via either a copula (e.g., is), which should be processed rapidly (copula group; n = 48), or a lexical verb (e.g., naps), which should be processed more slowly (lexical group; n = 48). Only the copula group showed significant pretest‐to‐posttest learning. Moreover, the amount of learning was predicted by procedural learning abilities in the copula group, but by vocabulary size in the lexical group. The results, which are consistent with both frameworks, show that the L2 lexicon impacts L2 grammar learning, and reveal moderating psycholinguistic and neurocognitive variables.
Predictors of Postoperative Urinary Incontinence After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) for Surgeons Early in Their Experience
Authors: Doersch Karen M. , Hines Laena , Campbell Timothy D. , Jain Rajat K. , Quarrier Scott O.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To evaluate factors impacting continence recovery following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for surgeons early in their HoLEP experience.

Methods

Predefined factors were evaluated from a prospectively maintained database for their impact on the recovery of continence after HoLEP. Both surgeons had performed fewer than 150 HoLEPs as attending physicians. Inclusion criteria were subjects with at least 6 months of incontinence data or documented recovery of continence. One or fewer pads per day was defined as continence. Statistical analyses were performed using R and Prism and included Spearman correlations, linear modeling, and Mantel–Cox log‐rank testing as appropriate.

Results

From December 2020 to May 2023, 152 subjects met inclusion criteria with a median age of 70 (range: 51–93). The median case number was 56 (1–146). Within the study period, 144/152 (94.7%) recovered continence at a median of 1.6 months postoperatively. Linear modeling demonstrated that younger age (p = 0.01) and shorter enucleation time (p = 0.001) predicted recovery. Enucleation time less than 100 min predicted earlier continence recovery based on Mantel–Cox testing (p = 0.0004).

Conclusions

During the surgeons' HoLEP learning curve, age, and enucleation time were predictive of the recovery of continence. Enucleation time under 100 min predicted a faster rate of continence recovery. The relationship between enucleation time and continence recovery may be demonstrative of case difficulty or may be a result of pressure on the external urethral sphincter during enucleation. These findings further our understanding of HoLEP outcomes early in a surgeon's learning curve.
Finely layered CM2 carbonaceous chondrites may be analogs for layered boulders on asteroid (101955) Bennu
Authors: Jawin Erica R. , McCOY Timothy J. , Melendez Lisette E. , Corrigan Catherine M. , Righter Kevin , Connolly Harold C.
Published: September 2024

Orbital observations of Bennu revealed a surface covered in boulders that are most similar among meteorites in our collections to aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrites, and initial analyses of the returned Bennu sample have begun to reveal insights into Bennu's origins. We identified a suite of paired CM2 chondrite meteorites that have a finely layered texture and bear a striking similarity, although at a different scale, to rugged, layered boulders on Bennu. We investigated the nature and potential origin of this layered texture by performing a petrofabric analysis on samples MET 00431, 00434, and 00435. We developed a micro‐geospatial mapping framework that is more commonly used for landscape‐scale investigations. Our results reveal a pervasive fracture network that exhibits a similar orientation to flattened particles dominated by tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths (TCI). We propose that their petrofabrics originated from a low‐energy impact on the parent body that occurred after the main period of aqueous alteration halted. The impactdeformed TCI (which formed during earlier aqueous alteration) and generated the fractures. We propose that the sample from Bennu may contain particles with similar layered textures to these meteorites which, if present, would likewise indicate the dominant role of impacts and aqueous alteration on Bennu's parent body.
Beyond the bedside: A scoping review of the experiences of non‐practising health care professionals in Health Professions Education
Authors: Church Helen R. , Brown Megan E. L. , Govender Lynelle , Clark Deborah
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The shortage of educators within Health Professions Education (HPE) threatens the optimal training of the future health care workforce. Furthermore, without recruitment of diverse and skilled faculty, targets to expand the workforce will not be possible. Non‐practising health care professionals offer extensive knowledge and qualifications within health care, without the competing clinical commitments of their clinical academic colleagues, and therefore are ideally positioned to support education and training initiatives. However, the limited available evidence suggests that these individuals face significant challenges transitioning from clinical to academic roles. The purpose of this scoping review is to address the research question ‘What is known about the career experiences of non‐practicing healthcare professionals (defined as individuals with clinical backgrounds who no longer engage in direct patient care) across various professions and internationally, within the field of health professions education?’. To do so, we aim to map the global experiences of non‐practising health care professionals from different specialties and disciplines transitioning to HPE, with a view to both current support strategies that aim to recruit and retain these individuals and fuel future research in this area.

Methods

Following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review guidelines, a research question was formulated focussing on exploring the career experiences of non‐practising health care professionals now working in HPE. Searching seven literature databases and grey literature identified 51 articles for analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilised to chart and thematically analyse data to identify key themes.

Results

There has been a rise in publications on this topic, with most studies originating from the United States and focusing on nursing. Transition to academia is marked by significant challenges, including identity shifts, renumeration and professional progression tensions, licencing issues and financial concerns. Support systems are crucial to navigating new roles alongside personal/professional development but often lacking.

Discussion

This scoping review highlights challenges and opportunities for non‐practising health care professionals in HPE. Additional support for making the transition to education, including structured onboarding processes and long‐term mentoring relationships, would be beneficial. Recognising the liminal space these professionals occupy might also facilitate more effective integration into academic roles, contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive HPE environment. Future research should explore these experiences from broader professional and geographical perspectives and employ an intersectional approach to fully understand and support this growing demographic in our field.
Arabidopsis F‐box proteins D5BF1 and D5BF2 negatively regulate Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation and tumorigenesis
Authors: Hu Qin , Li Xueying , Xi Weijie , Xu Junjie , Xu Chao , Ausin Israel , Wang Yafei
Published: September 2024

The pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens is known for causing crown gall tumours in plants. However, it has also been harnessed as a valuable tool for plant genetic transformation. Apart from the T‐DNA, Agrobacterium also delivers at least five virulence proteins into the host plant cells, which are required for an efficient infection. One of these virulence proteins is VirD5. F‐box proteins, encoded in the host plant genome or the Ti plasmid, and the ubiquitin/26S proteasome system (UPS) also play an important role in facilitating Agrobacterium infection. Our study identified two Arabidopsis F‐box proteins, D5BF1 and D5BF2, that bind VirD5 and facilitate its degradation via the UPS. Additionally, we found that Agrobacterium partially suppresses the expression of D5BF1 and D5BF2. Lastly, stable transformation and tumorigenesis efficiency assays revealed that D5BF1 and D5BF2 negatively regulate the Agrobacterium infection process, showing that the plant F‐box proteins and UPS play a role in defending against Agrobacterium infection.
What can naked mole‐rats teach us about ameliorating hypoxia‐related human diseases?
Authors: Kadamani Karen L. , Rahnamaie‐Tajadod Reyhaneh , Eaton Liam , Bengtsson John , Ojaghi Mohammad , Cheng Hang , Pamenter Matthew E.
Published: September 2024

Ameliorating the deleterious impact of systemic or tissue‐level hypoxia or ischemia is key to preventing or treating many human diseases and pathologies. Usefully, environmental hypoxia is also a common challenge in many natural habitats; animals that are native to such hypoxic niches often exhibit strategies that enable them to thrive with limited O2 availability. Studying how such species have evolved to tolerate systemic hypoxia offers a promising avenue of discovery for novel strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of hypoxia in human diseases and pathologies. Of particular interest are naked mole‐rats, which are among the most hypoxia‐tolerant mammals. Naked mole‐rats that tolerate severe hypoxia in a laboratory setting are also protected against clinically relevant mimics of heart attack and stroke. The mechanisms that support this tolerance are currently being elucidated but results to date suggest that metabolic rate suppression, reprogramming of metabolic pathways, and mechanisms that defend against deleterious perturbations of cellular signaling pathways all provide layers of protection. Herein, we synthesize and discuss what is known regarding adaptations to hypoxia in the naked mole‐rat cardiopulmonary system and brain, as these systems comprise both the primary means of delivering O2 to tissues and the most hypoxia‐sensitive organs in mammals.
DEMOGRAPHIC PATTERNS IN HYLLIE MOSSE (SCANIA, SWEDEN): ESTIMATING ABSOLUTE POPULATION BETWEEN THE LATE NEOLITHIC AND THE EARLY BRONZE AGES
Authors: Bilotti Giacomo
Published: September 2024

This paper reconstructs the population dynamics within the Hyllie Mosse region (Scania, Sweden) from 2400 to 1600 BC. South‐western Scania is particularly well‐known thanks to extensive archaeological work in the past decades, making it one of the most thoroughly investigated areas in Sweden. The Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age periods are of paramount importance in understanding the socio‐cultural transformations within the Baltic region. By integrating a comprehensive database of longhouses from Scania with the available archaeological data from the Hyllie Mosse area, this study provides absolute demographic estimates through a transparent and replicable methodology. It highlights that the region experienced a significant peak in human occupation between 2000 and 1800 BC, followed by a decline. In prehistoric times, the area was covered by a relatively large bog, and was therefore not uniformly settled. At its peak, it is estimated that the region, approximately 9.7 km2 in size – 4 km2 of which have been archaeologically investigated – could have supported 75 to 150 inhabitants.
Semi‐invasive therapies for pain in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Goh Siew‐Li , Chong Melissa Wee , Ling Jerri , Jaafar Zulkarnain , Lim Zhuang‐Li , Yau May‐Yann , Ong Terence , Richards Jim
Published: September 2024

Background

The increasing number of semi‐invasive pain therapies in knee osteoarthritis poses challenges in decision‐making. This review aimed to simultaneously compare established intra‐articular therapies with newer peri‐articular therapies and explore effect modifiers.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials were searched from five electronic databases without date or language restrictions. Study selection and data extraction of reports, retrieved up to May 2024, were performed independently by paired assessors. The primary outcome was 6‐month pain score. Nine treatments were included. The effect size (ES) for each treatment, relative to placebo, was estimated using standardized means difference and expressed with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The rigor of results was evaluated with subgroup/sensitivity analyses.

Results

A total of 111 studies (14,695 participants) were included, with intra‐articular hyaluronic acid having the greatest number of participants. Neuroablation demonstrated the greatest ES (1.08, 95% CI: 0.07, 2.10). While platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) ranked second (ES: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.22), it was the only intervention demonstrating statistically significant effect at 3, 6, and 12 months. However, this statistical significance was lost in some sensitivity analyses. Larger estimates for biologics and PRP compared with prolotherapy, steroid, and hyaluronic acid injections were consistently observed across different timepoints and in multiple sensitivity analyses. Generally, no statistically significant difference was found between the nine types of therapies.

Conclusion

Although there is robust evidence suggesting greater efficacy of PRP, potentially including biologics, over other interventions, future research is needed to identify the phenotype or patient subgroup that would benefit most from PRP.
Why is voter turnout in presidential elections increasing among people concerned about the risk of COVID‐19 worsening in Africa?
Authors: Mpabe Bodjongo Mathieu Juliot
Published: September 2024

This article aims to explain why participation in presidential elections increased among people who feared the risk of worsening COVID‐19 in Africa. The analysis is based on a sample of 16,890 people living in 34 African countries. Econometric results suggest that fear of the pandemic's escalation can reduce citizens' willingness to participate in presidential elections. However, this negative effect changes based on perceptions of government management of the pandemic. We show that the likelihood of voting in a presidential election increases significantly among those afraid of the pandemic's worsening with (i) a lack of confidence in government statistics on COVID‐19; (ii) perceived corruption related to the COVID‐19 pandemic; (iii) a lack of confidence in the government's ability to ensure the safety of COVID‐19 vaccines; (iv) perceived insufficient public investment in combating health emergencies; and (v) perceived insufficient intervention by law enforcement in enforcing COVID‐19 control measures.

Related Articles

Onyango, Gedion, and Japheth Otieno Ondiek. 2022. “Open Innovation during the COVID‐19 Pandemic Policy Responses in South Africa and Kenya.” Politics & Policy 50(5): 1008–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12490.

Stockemer, Daniel. 2016. “Is the Turnout Function in Democracies and Nondemocracies Alike or Different?” Politics & Policy 44(5): 889–915. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12174.

Stockemer, Daniel, and Stephanie Parent. 2014. “The Inequality Turnout Nexus—New Evidence from Presidential Elections.” Politics & Policy 42(2): 221–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12067.
Exogenous melatonin enhances the continuous cropping tolerance of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) by regulating the antioxidant defense system
Authors: Huang Xiaoyan , Leng Jiali , Liu Changmin , Huang Kaifeng
Published: September 2024

The yield of Tartary buckwheat is significantly affected by continuous cropping. Melatonin plays a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms against abiotic stresses. However, the relationship between melatonin and continuous cropping tolerance remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the physiological mechanism of melatonin in enhancing the continuous cropping tolerance (abiotic stress) of Tartary buckwheat. A field experiment was conducted on Tartary buckwheat cultivar Jinqiao 2 under continuous cropping with five melatonin application rates, 0 (Control), 10, 50, 100, and 200 μmol L−1, applied during the early budding stage. The chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, osmolyte and auxin (IAA) contents, root activity, rhizosphere soil nutrient content, and agronomic traits of Tartary buckwheat initially increased and then decreased with an increase in the concentration of exogenous melatonin application, with the best effects observed at 100 μmol L−1. Compared with the Control treatment, the 100 μmol L−1 treatment decreased the contents of malondialdehyde, superoxide anion free radical, and abscisic acid (ABA) by an average of 28.79%, 27.08%, and 31.64%, respectively. Exogenous melatonin treatment significantly increased the yield of Tartary buckwheat under continuous cropping. Plants treated with 10, 50, 100, and 200 μM respectively had 1.88, 2.01, 2.20, and 1.78 times higher yield than those of the Control treatment. In summary, melatonin treatment, particularly 100 μmol L−1, enhanced the continuous cropping tolerance of Tartary buckwheat by increasing antioxidant capacity and osmotica content, coordinating endogenous ABA and IAA content levels, and delaying senescence, ultimately increasing yield.
Pre‐ and Post‐Thaw Addition of L‐Carnitine and Pyruvate: Effect on Stallion Sperm Parameters
Authors: Caldevilla Mariana , Ferrante Alejandro , Neild Débora M.
Published: September 2024

The addition of antioxidants to cryopreservation media reportedly improves sperm post‐thaw quality and reproductive performance after artificial insemination. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate if the addition of L‐carnitine and pyruvate to freezing media, or their addition to samples after thawing, improves the post‐thaw quality of equine spermatozoa. Thus, in Experiment 1, stallion semen samples were cryopreserved in: (1) EDTA–glucose–based extender with 20% egg yolk and 5% dimethylformamide (EDTA control); (2) skim milk–based extender with 20% egg yolk and 5% dimethylformamide (milk control); (3) Extender 1 supplemented with 50 mM L‐carnitine and 10 mM pyruvate (EDTA‐carnitine‐pyruvate); and (4) Extender 2 supplemented with 50 mM L‐carnitine and 10 mM pyruvate (milk‐carnitine‐pyruvate). In Experiment 2, 50 mM L‐carnitine and 10 mM pyruvate were added post‐thaw to samples cryopreserved with extenders 1 and 2 (EDTA control and milk control). Sperm kinematic parameters, DNA fragmentation, membrane lipid peroxidation, acrosome status and viability were evaluated after thawing. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed for most of the kinematic parameters, DNA fragmentation, membrane lipid peroxidation, acrosome status and viability of spermatozoa, between the samples frozen in the presence or absence of L‐carnitine and pyruvate, nor between the samples after the post‐thaw addition of these components. A higher (p < 0.05) mean velocity and higher (p < 0.05) amplitude of lateral head displacement were observed in the samples frozen in the milk‐based extender with the addition of L‐carnitine and pyruvate after thawing. The addition of 50 mM L‐carnitine and 10 mM pyruvate, either to the freezing extenders or after thawing, was not deleterious for sperm; however, it did not improve equine sperm motility, viability, acrosome and DNA integrity, nor decrease membrane lipid peroxidation after thawing.
Predator–prey systems with a variable habitat for predators in advective environments
Authors: Zhang Baifeng , Liu Xianning , Wei Yangjiang
Published: September 2024

Community composition in aquatic environments can be shaped by a broad array of factors, encompassing habitat conditions in addition to abiotic conditions and biotic interactions. This paper pertains to reaction–diffusion–advection predator–prey model featuring a variable predator habitat in advective environments, governed by a unidirectional flow. First, we establish the near‐complete global dynamics of the system. In instances where the functional response to predation conforms to Holling‐type I or II, we explore the uniqueness and stability of positive steady‐state solutions via the application of particular auxiliary techniques, the comparison principle for parabolic equations, and perturbation analysis. Furthermore, we obtain the critical positions at the upper and lower boundaries of the predator's habitat, which determine the survival of the prey irrespective of the predator's growth rate. Finally, we show how the location and length of the predator's habitat affect the persistence and extinction of predators and prey in the event of a small population loss rate at the downstream end. From the biological point of view, these results contribute to our deeper understanding of the effects of habitat on aquatic populations and may have applications in aquaculture and the establishment of protection zones for aquatic species.
Constraining the Timing of the Closure of the Intra‐Pontide Ocean by U–Pb Dating of Syntectonic Calcite
Authors: Kuş Levent , Laçin Davut , Aykut Tunahan , Uysal I. Tonguç
Published: September 2024

The western Black Sea region is a key area for the study of the Neo‐Tethys orogenic belt, as it contains records of the evolutionary history of the entire Alpine orogeny from subduction to oceanic closure and collision. The Izmir‐Ankara and the Intra‐Pontide suture zones represent the final closure of the Neo‐Tethys oceans. However, when the final closure took place is still disputed. In this study, we investigate syn‐collisional faulting events in the western Black Sea region near Istanbul. We performed kinematic analyses of faulting and U–Pb dating of syntectonic calcite precipitates on the fault planes to constrain the timing of Neo‐Tethys Ocean closure and post‐collisional contractional tectonics. Syntectonic calcite precipitates associated with regional N‐S compressional tectonics provide precise U–Pb ages between 48 and 57 Ma, constraining the early Eocene age of reverse faulting and associated closure of the Intra‐Pontide Ocean.