bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
165 Higher level of learning – evaluation of the effects of introducing standing desks for part of school children’s lessons
Authors: Matłosz Piotr , Herbert Jarosław , Martinez-Rodriguez Alejandro , Wyszyńska Justyna , Morska Liliya
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This is the first study of Polish children in which both the psychological and physiological effects of the use of standing desks in the classroom have been assessed. The study evaluated cognitive skills, posture, body composition, and sleep quality before and after introducing standing desks in school classrooms for four weeks.

Methods

The study involved 54 male students, aged 11 to 13, from a primary school.

The study procedure has three assessment points: the first at the beginning of the school semester in February, the second after four weeks of standard classes, and the third after four weeks of using standing desks for half of each lesson.

The cognitive skills were assessed using the D2 and Stroop tests. Body composition was evaluated using the Tanita 420BC analyzer. Foot static loads were measured with the FreeMed Base tensometric platform. Body posture was evaluated using the Infrared-based 3D body scan Kineod System. Physical activity and sleep were assessed with Actigraphy monitors, specifically the ActiGraph GT3X-BT Monitor.

Results

Significant changes in anthropometric variables and body composition were observed at all three measurement points. No significant differences were observed in body posture, static foot loads, or sleep parameters. After the introduction of standing desks, significantly less light physical activity and more vigorous physical activity were observed. Children had significantly better results on cognitive tests when working at standing desks compared to standard sitting desks.

Conclusions

Changes in physiological parameters observed may be due to normal physiological development in children during ontogenesis. However, improved physical activity and cognitive skills suggest that standing desks could be successfully introduced in the school environment to enhance learning.
114 Prime Time of Life: A multimodal physical activity and health education programme for middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Burke Louise , Myers Caroline
Published: September 2024

Prime Time of Life is inclusive of people living with clinical conditions and differing fitness and functional abilities. Health screening was conducted preprogramme, and specific clinical exercise advice and support was provided to participants by Dr Diane Cooper, Clinical Exercise Physiologist. Participants completed two 60-minute multimodal (cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, flexibility) exercise classes per week and were also encouraged to complete additional classes in their purpose built on-demand exercise library. In all 60-minute exercise classes the exercise instructor demonstrated three different options for each exercise to cater for participants who were working at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of fitness. Participants appreciated the adaptations and progressions that were available for all exercises as it enabled them to work to their ownability and progress and monitor progress throughout the programme. Each week a 20-minute health education workshop relevant to participants was delivered online via Zoom. The workshop was recorded, edited, and uploaded to YouTube to view on-demand. The link for each video was shared with participants weekly via email to support on-demand learning in addition to any other relevant supporting material such as a training diary.

The Prime Time of Life programme increased participants upper and lower body strength, aerobic fitness and perceptions of physical and mental health (see chapter 3). This was in addition to increased confidence and feelings of positivity around the participants’ own management of healthy functional ageing (see chapter 3). Participants commented that they really enjoyed the Prime Time of Life programme. It increased their awareness on the importance of multimodal exercise for healthy ageing and that they felt empowered to continue training and improve their health in the long term.

Following on from this successful programme a full train the trainer programme has been developed and piloted with 9 Local Sports Partnerships, 20 participants with further plans for upscaling.
106 What health resources do older adults find meaningful for participation in organized sport?
Authors: Ericson Helena , Geidne Susanna , Quennerstedt Mikael
Published: September 2024

Physical activity represents one of the most beneficial strategies for people of all ages to retain an overall health. Regardless of the numerous benefits of regular physical activity older adults represent one of the least active groups in society. Although there are groups of older adults that meet the PA recommendations, still there remains a great deal of room for improvement not the least within organised sports.

Current knowledge on sports for older adults often focus on matters of how to avoid physical inactivity and overcome barriers to participation and thus understanding what causes illness rather than what promotes health. Literature also exists on the reasons why older adults drop out of sports and organized physical activities, even though it is sparse. Hence, even if this research is important in terms of understanding inactivity and non-participation, less is known about why old people continue to be physically active.

Against this backdrop, it is essential to investigate older adults who are physically active on a regular basis and what we can learn from them. A reason for targeting already physically active persons is that there is a lot to be learned from people who have the routines and habits needed to be active as an older adult.

The purpose of this project is to explore older adults’ experiences of participation in organized sports. In the project we use a health-promoting perspective focusing on sports clubs as a setting. The research questions that this project address are: What is experienced as meaningful in older adults’ sport participation? and What characterizes older adults’ participation in organized sports?

In the study we will investigate sports for older adults from a health-promoting perspective using an extensive data material of 4 837 older adults over 60 years participating in Swedish sports clubs. The sample included more than 1000 sports clubs with a large variation.

Previous results where the same questionnaires were used concluded that there were differences between what men and women as well as different ages experienced as meaningful in relation to the physical initiatives.
S14-3: The adoption and implementation of a physical activity referral pathway integrated into a major U.S. health system
Authors: Stoutenberg Mark
Published: September 2024

Background

Regular physical activity (PA) is highly effective in improving mental, physical, and emotional health; yet, health systems experience challenges integrating PA referral pathways connecting eligible patients to health-enhancing PA resources and programs.

Purpose

To examine the adoption of a clinic-to-community PA referral pathway in primary care clinics in a major U.S. health system and identify provider- and patient-level barriers and facilitators associated with its implementation.

Methods

Exercise is Medicine Greenville® (EIMG®) is a clinic-to-community model that connects primary care patients to a 12-week, evidence-informed, PA program in community PA facilities. Resumption of EIMG® in March 2021 after COVID-19 closures provided a unique opportunity to comprehensively evaluate the PA referral pathway from inception. Referral provision, utilization, and program enrollment were tracked from reopening through September 2022 in twelve primary care clinics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with providers (informed by the i-PARIHS framework) and referred patients who declined enrollment (informed by the COM-B model). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and themes identified.

Results

Twenty-six providers completed interviews. Referral barriers included a lack of knowledge about EIMG®, a perceived time-consuming referral process, and placing incomplete referrals. Facilitators included acknowledgment of a high value for PA in healthcare, desire to incorporate EIMG® into patient visits, and the work of the EIMG® nurse navigator. Twenty-eight patients completed interviews. Enrollment barriers included time, financial constraints, inconvenient locations, disruptions due to COVID-19, and suboptimal communication. Facilitators included aligning EIMG® with patients’ health goals, enhanced trust due to provider referral, group-based format of the PA program, and friendly staff.

Conclusions

Improving communication, conducting refresher trainings, simplifying the referral process, and providing more resources (for providers), along with providing more program details, and offering more program times, locations, and financial support (for patients), may increase success of PA referral pathways implemented in primary care settings.

Practical implications

This work identifies modifiable factors that can guide improvements in the adoption and implementation of PA referral models in health settings.

Funding

The Duke Endowment and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
S15-3: Defining Health Promoting Sports coaches: a systematic review
Authors: O'Sullivan Catherine
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Coaches play a key role on the physical, mental, and social well-being of sports participants, and can foster health through sport’s informal educational nature. Nevertheless, sports coaches feel unequipped in regard to health promotion (HP). The objectives of this systematic encompass the identification of coaches' HP skills, as well as barriers and leverages in their acquisition.

Methods

This systematic review is based on PRISMA-P guidelines. The search was run on 6 databases with following keywords: ((“sport* coach*” OR “sport trainer*” OR “sport* volunteer*”) AND (“skill*” OR “training” OR “behavior” OR “behaviour” OR “education”)) AND (“health”). Double blind analyze was used for selection and exclusion criteria were: not focused on grassroots sport coaches’ skills regarding health; no original English peer-review research article.

Results

On the 2485 studies screened, 56 were included. Ten key skills of coaches in HP empowerment including athletes’ management, support health, education, appraisal, motivation, cooperation, prevention, communication, role model and self-management were identified. Numerous barriers, notably related to perceived constraints within their role, the pressure to sustain athletes' engagement in the activity, and their conceptualization of sport, leading to a concentration on performance-oriented practices rather than holistic sport development, such as HP were reported in the analysed studies. However, certain leverages, such as psychological factors, educational background, experiential learning, knowledge base, and adherence to guidelines have been found to support skills acquisition.

Conclusions

Coaches skillset enables them to engage in athletes' health through motivational strategies, climate management, health support, and self-management techniques. Sports organization should therefore consider coaches as a health multiplier based on their support in regard to these skills acquisition.

Funding

A partnership between Santé Publique France, Université de Lorraine and Université Côte d’Azur allowed and supported this work and by the Région Grand Est and Pole Biologie Medecine Santé of the Université de Lorraine.
252 Moving with nature: developing guidelines to promote physical activity in nature for those living with mental health problems
Authors: Sellars Paul , Bennett Alexis , Crone Diane , Mercer Jenny , Clayton Debbie
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Mental illness is strongly associated with physical inactivity. Subsequently those individuals with mental health problems are at an increased risk of premature death due to non-communicable diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases and diabetes). Therefore, interventions which aim to improve both the physical and mental health of those with mental health problems are crucial. One such approach is nature-based activities (e.g., ecotherapy). Generally, nature-based interventions are considered an effective, low cost, and complementary intervention, to promote positive health and wellbeing. However, even with nature-based activities becoming more evident in health promotion, particularly through social prescribing, it remains an emergent area which requires further research to better understand the ways in which physical activity in nature can support those with mental health problems. Thus, the current research seeks to develop practical guidelines to support the use of nature-based programs in promoting the physical and mental health of those living with mental health problems.

Methods

To achieve the project aim two objectives are sought, first, a scoping review with a narrative synthesis will be conducted to bring together exist recommendations/applied implications concerning physical activity in nature for enhanced mental health and wellbeing. Next, through a three stage Delphi methodology the existing recommendations/applied implications will be further developed into a set of practical guidelines. Participants in the Delphi will be selected based upon their expertise and knowledge of physical activity in nature, coming from academic and applied practice backgrounds.

Results

The scoping review found 918 results, 55 of which were submitted to full-text screening, with 18 qualifying for the review. Following narrative synthesis, 49 recommendations/applied implications were found and subsequently developed into 10 practical guidelines concerning: person-centred, natural environment, activity type, programme duration, session duration, intensity, social interaction, achievement/learning, environmental responsibility, and target populations. Currently, preparations for the Delphi methodology are ongoing.

Conclusion

Overall, through a scoping review and subsequent narrative synthesis, 10 practical guidelines concerning physical activity in nature for enhanced mental health and wellbeing​ were developed.
Fluctuating selection in a monkeyflower hybrid zone
Authors: Tataru Diana , De Leon Max , Dutton Spencer , Machado Perez Fidel , Rendahl Alexander , Ferris Kathleen G
Published: September 2024

While hybridization was viewed as a hindrance to adaptation and speciation by early evolutionary biologists, recent studies have demonstrated the importance of hybridization in facilitating evolutionary processes. However, it is still not well-known what role spatial and temporal variation in natural selection play in the maintenance of naturally occurring hybrid zones. To identify whether hybridization is adaptive between two closely related monkeyflower species, Mimulus guttatus and Mimulus laciniatus, we performed repeated reciprocal transplants between natural hybrid and pure species’ populations. We planted parental genotypes along with multiple experimental hybrid generations in a dry (2021) and extremely wet (2023) year in the Sierra Nevada, CA. By taking fine-scale environmental measurements, we found that the environment of the hybrid zone is more similar to M. laciniatus’s seasonally dry rocky outcrop habitat than M. guttatus’s moist meadows. In our transplants hybridization does not appear to be maintained by a consistent fitness advantage of hybrids over parental species in hybrid zones, but rather a lack of strong selection against hybrids. We also found higher fitness of the drought-adapted species, M. laciniatus, than M. guttatus in both species’ habitats, as well as phenotypic selection for M. laciniatus-like traits in the hybrid habitat in the dry year of our experiment. These findings suggest that in this system, hybridization might function to introduce drought-adapted traits and genes from M. laciniatus into M. guttatus, specifically in years with limited soil moisture. However, we also find evidence of genetic incompatibilities in second generation hybrids in the wetter year, which may balance a selective advantage of M. laciniatus introgression. Therefore, we find that hybridization in this system is both potentially adaptive and costly, and that the interaction of positive and negative selection likely determines patterns of gene flow between these Mimulus species.
Patterns of skeletal trauma resulting from motor vehicle collisions: a scoping literature review
Authors: Wulff Alexandra , Fernandez Richard G D , Dipnall Joanna F , Blau Soren , Rowbotham Samantha K
Published: September 2024

As a leading cause of fatality, motor vehicle collisions comprise a significant proportion of medico-legal cases worldwide. During death investigations into such events, forensic practitioners may be asked to make inferences about the relationship between traumatic injuries and the circumstances of the collision. These interpretations require a thorough understanding of the hard and soft tissue blunt force trauma that results from vehicle collisions. This scoping literature review aimed to assess what is currently known about skeletal fracture patterns in occupants of fatal motor vehicle collisions and how contextual variables influence those fractures. Upon screening the search results from several databases based on a set of pre-defined inclusion criteria, 133 articles were identified including case reports, case series and large empirical studies. Most studies investigated car occupants, followed by motorcyclists, with very few focusing on heavy vehicle occupants. Fractures patterns observed comprised a high prevalence of rib, lower limb, and skull fractures in motorcyclists and a high frequency of skull, vertebral and rib fractures in car occupants, whilst pectoral girdle fractures were rare in both occupant types. The level of contextual detail about the collision varied between studies, with most failing to consider the influence of occupant and crash-related variables on resulting fractures. Further, there was a strong focus on soft tissue trauma and a lack of differentiation between fractures in deceased adult vehicle occupants and other groups. The minimal fracture data available in these studies provides limited assistance to forensic practitioners interpreting motor vehicle collision trauma. Additional research on fracture patterns in the context of the variables that influence trauma is recommended.
A combining earthquake forecasting model between deep learning and epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model
Authors: Zhang Haoyuan , Ke Shuya , Liu Wenqi , Zhang Yongwen
Published: September 2024

The scientific process of earthquake forecasting involves estimating the probability and intensity of earthquakes in a specific area within a certain timeframe, based on seismic activity features and observational data. Among the various methodologies, epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) models, rooted in seismic empirical laws, stand as widely used tools for earthquake forecasting. In this study, we introduce the CL-ETAS model, a novel approach that integrates convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM), a deep learning model, with the ETAS model. Specifically, we leverage the forecasting outputs of ETAS to enhance both the training and forecasting processes within the ConvLSTM framework. Through forecasting tests, our findings illustrate the effectiveness of the CL-ETAS model in capturing the trends observed in earthquake numbers ($M \ge 3$) in Southern California following three main shocks. Overall, our model outperforms both a simple ETAS model and ConvLSTM in this context.
Extrinsic goals benefit capitalism but not well-being. Rethinking the economy’s goal for a healthier future
Authors: Noonan Robert J
Published: September 2024

The dramatic rise in non-communicable diseases around the world but notably in high-income countries like the UK is a manifestation of a global economic system—capitalism—that prioritizes wealth over health. A decade ago, the former WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan highlighted how ‘efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases go against the business interests of powerful economic operators’ [United Nations. (2013) Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ (last accessed 16 February 2024)]. While there is a growing literature on how politics and economics influence population health—for better or worse—less attention has been given to exploring how economic systems like capitalism influence people’s psychological well-being. To fill this gap, the following article examines how the continued pursuit of economic growth under capitalism (neoliberal free-market forms especially) impacts well-being through challenging basic psychological needs for security, autonomy, competence and relatedness. In doing so, I hope to shed important light on the sources and possible solutions to our growing health and social problems, and stimulate a conversation on how to achieve a healthier future for us all.
Tooth loss from the perspective of studies employing a life course approach: a systematic review
Authors: Drumond Victor Zanetti , de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , de Andrade Bruno Augusto Benevenuto , Silva Tarcília Aparecida , Mesquita Ricardo Alves , Abreu Lucas Guimarães
Published: September 2024

The life course approach scrutinizes factors that shape the development of diseases over time. Tooth loss, which is influenced by social, behavioral and biological factors, can occur at various stages of life and tends to become more prevalent in later years. This systematic review examined the influence of socioeconomic, psychosocial, biological and behavioral adversities in life on the likelihood of tooth loss. Searches were conducted in the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, PsycINFO, Scopus and LILACS databases. Reference management was performed using EndNote online. The risk of bias was appraised using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). The electronic searches yielded 1366 records, 17 of which (13 cohort and four cross-sectional studies) met the inclusion criteria. According to the NOS, all studies had a low risk of bias. Two studies found a link between a lower education and higher incidence of tooth loss and socioeconomic status exerted a significant influence in 47% of the studies. Disadvantaged socioeconomic trajectories and health-related factors, such as smoking, general health perception and oral health behaviors, increased the likelihood of tooth loss. Factors such as dental visits, a history of toothache and exposure to fluoridated water influenced the likelihood of tooth loss. Individuals who experienced adversities in socioeconomic, behavioral and biological aspects throughout their life course were more prone to tooth loss.
Re-politicizing the WHO’s social determinants of health framework
Authors: Karatekin Canan , Gresham Bria , Barnes Andrew J , Corcoran Frederique , Kritzik Rachel , Mason Susan Marshall
Published: September 2024

Although the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) framework on social and structural determinants of health and health inequities (SSDHHI) has done much to raise awareness of these determinants, it does not go far enough in considerations of politics and power. The framework has become more de-politicized since its publication, with the definition of social determinants shifting toward downstream and individualized factors. In the meantime, new research fields on legal, commercial and political determinants of health and health inequities have emerged; however, these have not become integrated adequately into broader SSDHHI frameworks. To address these challenges, we argue for a re-politicization and an expansion of the WHO’s framework by including the agents who have power over shaping structural determinants and the ways they use power to shape these determinants. We also provide a more detailed conceptualization of structural determinants to facilitate research. We propose a guideline for evaluating studies according to the extent to which they point upstream versus downstream and incorporate agents and considerations of power. We then use this framework to encourage more research on associations among agents, mechanisms of power, and structural determinants; how changes in structural determinants affect power dynamics among agents; and a wider focus on structural determinants beyond laws and policies, such as broad economic and sociopolitical systems. We also urge researchers to consider societal and institutional forces shaping their research with respect to SSDHHI. Research based on this framework can be used to provide evidence for advocacy for structural changes and to build more just systems that respect the fundamental human right to a healthy life.
Identifying X-chromosome variants associated with age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Grunin Michelle , Igo Jr Robert P , Song Yeunjoo E , Blanton Susan H , Pericak-Vance Margaret A , Haines Jonathan L ,   International Age-related Macular Degeneration Genomics Consortium
Published: September 2024

Purpose: In genome-wide association studies (GWAS), X chromosome (ChrX) variants are often not investigated. Sex-specific effects and ChrX-specific quality control (QC) are needed to examine these effects. Previous GWAS identified 52 autosomal variants associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) via the International AMD Genomics Consortium (IAMDGC), but did not analyze ChrX. Therefore¸ our goal was to investigate ChrX variants for association with AMD. Methods: We genotyped 29 629 non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals (M/F:10404/18865; AMD12,087/14723) via a custom chip and imputed after ChrX-specific QC (XWAS 3.0) using the Michigan Imputation Server. Imputation generated 1 221 623 variants on ChrX. Age, informative PCs, and subphenotypes were covariates for logistic association analyses with Fisher’s correction. Gene/pathway analyses were performed with VEGAS, GSEASNP, ICSNPathway, DAVID, and mirPath. Results: Logistic association on NHW individuals with sex correction identified variants in/near the genes SLITRK4, ARHGAP6, FGF13 and DMD associated with AMD (P < 1 × 10−6,Fisher’s combined-corrected). Association testing of the subphenotypes of choroidal neovascularization and geographic atrophy (GA), identified variants in DMD associated with GA (P < 1 × 10−6, Fisher’s combined-corrected). Via gene-based analysis with VEGAS, several genes were associated with AMD (P < 0.05, both truncated tail strength/truncated product P) including SLITRK4 and BHLHB9. Pathway analysis using GSEASNP and DAVID identified genes associated with nervous system development (FDR: P:0.02), and blood coagulation (FDR: P:0.03). Variants in the region of a microRNA (miR) were associated with AMD (P < 0.05, truncated tail strength/truncated product P). Via DIANA mirPath analysis, downstream targets of miRs showed association with brain disorders and fatty acid elongation (P < 0.05). A long noncoding RNA on ChrX near the DMD locus was also associated with AMD (P = 4 × 10−7). Epistatic analysis (t-statistic) for a quantitative trait of AMD vs control including covariates found a suggestive association in the XG gene (P = 2 × 10^−5). Conclusions: Analysis of ChrX variation identifies several potential new locifor AMD risk and these variants nominate novel AMD pathways. Further analysis is needed to refine these results and to understand their biological significance and relationship with AMD development in worldwide populations.
14-3-3 phosphorylation inhibits 14-3-3θ’s ability to regulate LRRK2 kinase activity and toxicity
Authors: Pattanayak Rudradip , Ekkatine Roschongporn , Petit Chad M , Yacoubian Talene A
Published: September 2024

LRRK2 mutations are among the most common genetic causes for Parkinson’s disease (PD), and toxicity is associated with increased kinase activity. 14-3-3 proteins are key interactors that regulate LRRK2 kinase activity. Phosphorylation of the 14-3-3θ isoform at S232 is dramatically increased in human PD brains. Here we investigate the impact of 14-3-3θ phosphorylation on its ability to regulate LRRK2 kinase activity. Both wildtype and the non-phosphorylatable S232A 14-3-3θ mutant reduced the kinase activity of wildtype and G2019S LRRK2, whereas the phosphomimetic S232D 14-3-3θ mutant had minimal effects on LRRK2 kinase activity, as determined by measuring autophosphorylation at S1292 and T1503 and Rab10 phosphorylation. However, wildtype and both 14-3-3θ mutants similarly reduced the kinase activity of the R1441G LRRK2 mutant. 14-3-3θ phosphorylation did not promote global dissociation with LRRK2, as determined by co-immunoprecipitation and proximal ligation assays. 14-3-3s interact with LRRK2 at several phosphorylated serine/threonine sites, including T2524 in the C-terminal helix, which can fold back to regulate the kinase domain. Interaction between 14-3-3θ and phosphorylated T2524 LRRK2 was important for 14-3-3θ’s ability to regulate kinase activity, as wildtype and S232A 14-3-3θ failed to reduce the kinase activity of G2019S/T2524A LRRK2. Finally, we found that the S232D mutation failed to protect against G2019S LRRK2-induced neurite shortening in primary cultures, while the S232A mutation was protective. We conclude that 14-3-3θ phosphorylation destabilizes the interaction of 14-3-3θ with LRRK2 at T2524, which consequently promotes LRRK2 kinase activity and toxicity.
Secure messaging telehealth billing in the digital age: moving beyond time-based metrics
Authors: Ko Dong-Gil , Tachinardi Umberto , Warm Eric J
Published: September 2024

Objective

We proposed adopting billing models for secure messaging (SM) telehealth services that move beyond time-based metrics, focusing on the complexity and clinical expertise involved in patient care.

Materials and Methods

We trained 8 classification machine learning (ML) models using providers’ electronic health record (EHR) audit log data for patient-initiated non-urgent messages. Mixed effect modeling (MEM) analyzed significance.

Results

Accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve scores generally exceeded 0.85, demonstrating robust performance. MEM showed that knowledge domains significantly influenced SM billing, explaining nearly 40% of the variance.

Discussion

This study demonstrates that ML models using EHR audit log data can improve and predict billing in SM telehealth services, supporting billing models that reflect clinical complexity and expertise rather than time-based metrics.

Conclusion

Our research highlights the need for SM billing models beyond time-based metrics, using EHR audit log data to capture the true value of clinical work.
Testing the predictions of reinforcement: long-term empirical data from a damselfly mottled hybrid zone
Authors: Arce-Valdés Luis Rodrigo , Ballén-Guapacha Andrea Viviana , Rivas-Torres Anais , Chávez-Ríos Jesús Ramsés , Wellenreuther Maren , Hansson Bengt , Sánchez Guillén Rosa Ana
Published: September 2024

Theoretical work suggests that reinforcement can cause the strengthening of prezygotic isolation in sympatry by mitigating the costs of maladaptive hybridization. However, only a handful of studies have simultaneously tested multiple predictions of this theory in natural populations. We investigated reinforcement in a mottled hybrid zone between the damselflies Ischnura elegans and Ischnura graellsii, which are characterized by incomplete and asymmetric reproductive isolation and exhibit reproductive character displacement in mating-related structures. We tested the conditions for reinforcement by quantifying whether hybridization was costly and prezygotic isolation stronger in sympatry compared with allopatry. Additionally, we investigated two specific predictions of reinforcement: (a) greater premating asymmetries in sympatry; and (b) weaker postzygotic isolation in sympatry than in allopatry. Our findings indicate the presence of maladaptive hybrids, which suggests Bateson–Dobzhansky–Müller incompatibilities in allopatry. We also found that reinforcement has strengthened mechanical isolation, at least in one direction in sympatry. We observed evidence for greater premating asymmetries in sympatry than in allopatry, which is consistent with reinforcement. However, fully testing the prediction of weaker postzygotic isolation in sympatry compared to allopatry was hindered by the highly asymmetrical levels of reproductive isolation between the two reciprocal cross directions. Our study highlights a case where reinforcement and heterospecific gene flow exert opposite effects on reproductive isolation between reciprocal crosses, where reinforcement increases reproductive isolation in one direction while gene flow weakens it in the opposite direction.
Streamlining the conduct of cancer clinical trials: new standard data collection practices for National Cancer Institute late-phase clinical studies
Authors: Prindiville Sheila A , Mandrekar Sumithra J , Meropol Neal J , Denicoff Andrea , Grad Oren , Hautala Judith A , Doroshow James H
Published: September 2024

The increase in the complexity of cancer clinical trials over the past several decades has led to a dramatic growth in trial cost and operational burden. The extent and frequency of data collection, particularly in late-phase trials that enroll many participants, have been major contributors to this problem. The Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently assessed the effect of these stressors on the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and recommended that data collection in late-phase NCTN trials be limited to data elements essential to address the primary and secondary objectives of the trial. The purpose of this commentary is to describe the rationale for this recommendation, progress toward implementation, and the development of new streamlined standard practices for data collection for late-phase NCTN trials effective January 1, 2025.
Social Media and Deceptive Patterns: A Way Forward for Antitrust Enforcement
Authors: Mattiuzzo Marcela , Nicolini de Morais João Carlos
Published: September 2024

The digital public sphere's significance, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted concerns on how the concentration of market power can shape social interactions. Antitrust, in particular, has faced calls for reform to better serve democratic goals in this context. However, experts disagree on whether antitrust should be geared towards achieving these objectives. This paper discusses antitrust’s potential in fostering a healthier digital public sphere, particularly through the analysis of deceptive patterns deployed by social media platforms and their competition impact. It first discusses how the concept of deceptive patterns should be conceived—as there is no clear definition universally adopted in either academia or enforcement circles. It then moves on to explore ways to align traditional consumer-welfare antitrust analysis with this topic, by reviewing existing deceptive patterns’ literature, looking at existing taxonomies and how they can help clarify effects on consumers, markets, and society, with a narrowed focus on social media. Lastly, it attempts to offer a framework for the assessment of deceptive patterns in social media by antitrust authorities.
Trade-offs in the adaptation strategy of two dominant rhizomatous grasses to sand burial in arid sand dunes
Authors: Tian Jiatai , Dong Yawei , Qian Jianqiang , Tao Jin , Li Dongmei , Xin Zhiming , Zhang Zhiming , Zhu Jinlei
Published: September 2024

Trade-offs have long been recognized as a crucial ecological strategy for plant species in response to environmental stresses and disturbances. However, it remains unclear whether trade-offs exist among different structures (or functions) of clonal plants in response to aeolian activities in sandy environments. We examined the growth (reproductive vs. vegetative), reproduction (sexual vs. asexual), and bud bank (tiller buds and rhizome buds, representing vertical and horizontal growth potential) characteristics of two dominant rhizomatous grasses (Psammochloa villosa and Phragmites australis) in the arid sand dunes of northwestern China. Our results showed that these two rhizomatous clonal species exhibited significant trade-offs in their adaptation strategies in response to changes in sand burial depth. Specifically, as sand burial depth increased, the clonal species tended to reduce their reproductive growth, sexual reproductive capacity, and horizontal growth potential, as evidenced by reductions in reproductive ramet number and proportion, panicles number, biomass, and their proportions, as well as rhizome bud number, biomass, and their proportions. Conversely, they increased vegetative growth, reproduction, and vertical growth potential, as evidenced by enhancements in vegetative ramet number and proportion, belowground bud number, biomass, and their proportions, and in tiller bud number, biomass, and their proportions. Our study underscores the importance of trade-offs in the adaptation strategies of rhizomatous clonal species in sandy environments where drought stress and aeolian disturbance coexist. Those trade-offs could ensure the population persistence and stability of pioneering psammophytes in sand dunes, which should be considered during sand-fixing and vegetation restoration efforts in arid sand dunes.
From fibers to flowering to metabolites: unlocking hemp (Cannabis sativa) potential with the guidance of novel discoveries and tools
Authors: Pancaldi Francesco , Salentijn Elma M J , Trindade Luisa M
Published: September 2024

Cannabis sativa L. is an ancient crop, but its agricultural adoption has been interrupted to prevent the use of marijuana as a psychoactive drug. Nevertheless, hemp—the C. sativa type with low concentrations of intoxicating Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinoid—is experiencing a resurgence in interest due to loosened cultivation restrictions and its potential as a multipurpose bio-based crop. Hemp has valuable applications, including production of medicines from its non-intoxicating cannabinoids, food, medical, and industrial uses of its seed oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and production of fibers for textiles and industry from its stems. Recently, several hemp genomic and genetic resources have been developed, allowing significant expansion of our knowledge of major hemp traits, such as synthesis of cannabinoids, oil, and fibers, and regulation of flowering and sex determination. Still, hemp is an underimproved crop, and its development will depend on the ability to expand and collectively use the novel resources arising from fast advancements in bioinformatics and plant phenotyping. This review discusses current genetic and genomic knowledge of the most important hemp traits, and provides a perspective on how to further expand such knowledge and tackle hemp improvement with the most up-to-date tools for plant and hemp research.
A Kantian Approach to Psychiatric Diagnosis
Authors: Aftab Awais , Fellowes Sam
Published: September 2024

Sam Fellowes, PhD, is a philosopher based at Lancaster University, UK. He has an MA in History and Philosophy of Science from University of Leeds and PhD in Philosophy of Psychiatry from Lancaster University. He became interested in psychiatric diagnoses after being diagnosed as autistic during his Masters. Since that time, he has been investigating the philosophical status of psychiatric diagnoses: what they are and what do we know of them. Drawing on the philosophical literature on scientific models, Fellowes has explored the status of psychiatric categories and conceptualizes categorical psychiatric diagnoses as idealized models which can be scientifically valuable even when they are not natural kinds.
Psychiatry and the Human Condition
Authors: Aftab Awais , Moncrieff Joanna
Published: September 2024

Joanna Moncrieff, MD, is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London and works as a consultant in community psychiatry in London. She has researched and written about theories of drug action, drug efficacy, the subjective experience of taking psychiatric drugs, and the history of psychiatry and psychopharmacology. She is one of the founders and the co-chairperson of the Critical Psychiatry Network. Moncrieff’s views on the nature of mental illness and psychopharmacological mechanisms of action are highly influential within the critical psychiatry community. This interview explores the ‘drug-centred model’ of psychopharmacology, how she challenges understanding mental illnesses as diseases and medical disorders, and how she approaches psychiatric work as a critical psychiatrist.
The Politics of Conceptual and Critical Psychiatry
Authors: Aftab Awais , Gipps Richard G. T. , Jones Nev
Published: September 2024

Awais Aftab, editor of the series Conversations in Critical Psychiatry, is interviewed by Richard G. T. Gipps and Nev Jones. The discussion focuses on bridging the divide between academic philosophical discussion and psychiatric practice, conceptual competence in psychiatry, the role of philosophy in psychiatry, sociopolitical reform and psychiatric critique, philosophical wisdom, the gap between the fields of philosophy of psychiatry and critical psychiatry, engagement with service user/survivor perspectives and inclusion in psychiatric practice, sources of resistance to pluralism and depolarization, complexities involved in key psychiatric identities, and epistemic justice.
Endoscopic Discectomy
Authors: Petersohn Jeffrey D. , Gupta Mayank , Syed Umar M.
Published: September 2024

The traditional model of surgical treatment of spine disease often requires sizable incisions with division of and/or stripping of paraspinal muscle and resection of bone to allow access to the vertebral canal and foramina for decompression of neural structures. When the post-surgical anatomic integrity of the residual spinal elements is judged structurally inadequate, surgical stabilization of the spine is effected with fusion of spinal segments with a variety of anterior, posterior and 360 techniques using morcellated or cortical bone graft, osteoinductive putty or growth factors such as BMP.
Neuroimaging
Authors: Kelley Mary A. , Bertelson John A.
Published: September 2024

Neuroimaging allows for the evaluation of anatomic and functional changes in the brain as well as the diagnosis of potentially reversible causes of cognitive dysfunction. For these reasons it has become an essential tool in the standard evaluation of patients with neurocognitive impairment. Unless contraindicated, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred modality for structural imaging of the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET) is the primary modality for functional imaging. Now that PET tracers are available to indirectly visualize the presence of amyloid or tau it is increasingly being used. Computed tomography (CT) and dopamine transporter scan imaging may also have utility under variable circumstances discussed in this chapter. Neuroimaging is a complementary tool in the evaluation of patients with cognitive dysfunction and does not serve as a replacement to the role of clinical examination or neuropsychological testing in these patients.
Abortion
Authors: Bulger Jeffrey W.
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court determined that access to safe and legal abortions is a fundamental constitutional right protected under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. In 1992, the Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling upheld the right to abortion but allowed for first-trimester restrictions by states. The 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson ruling overruled the previous two decisions and returned the authority to regulate abortion to the people and their elected representatives. The American Medical Association criticized the ruling as violating patient rights and a government intrusion into the healthcare examination room. Practitioners have a moral obligation to promote the patient’s best interests and provide or refer for a legal abortion based on the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence. If a practitioner is unwilling to perform a legal abortion due to personal convictions, they must refer the patient to another qualified practitioner nonjudgmentally.
Surrogate Decision-Making
Authors: Bulger Jeffrey W.
Published: September 2024

The Self-Determination Act of 1990 supports both patient informed consent and surrogate decision-making. In cases in which the patient lacks decisional capacity, a durable power of attorney for healthcare is used to determine the surrogate who will make treatment decisions on the patient’s behalf. The surrogate must make decisions based on the patient’s reasonable goals, values, and priorities and must be informed about the patient’s diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, risks, and benefits. The practitioner is responsible for maximizing the patient’s best interests using the moral principles of beneficence (do good) and nonmaleficence (do no harm). If differences between surrogate and provider cannot be resolved, an ethics consultation would be the next step, with a court order being necessary in some cases. The standards of care should be followed if there is no evidence of the patient’s reasonable goals, values, and priorities.
Fungal toxin-mediated disease
Authors: Kibbler Christopher C.
Published: September 2024

More than 300 mycotoxins have been described, and increasing numbers have been shown to cause disease in humans. They may cause organ failure, carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and immunosuppression, or have oestrogenic effects. Exposure may occur through ingestion of preformed toxin in contaminated foodstuffs, ingestion of toxic mushrooms, or inhalation of airborne toxins in damp environments This chapter discusses food-borne mycotoxin disease, mushroom poisoning, and the potential impact on health of environmental exposure to airborne mycotoxins. It is intended to provide a background and understanding of these conditions, about which there is a relative ignorance amongst healthcare professionals. However, their clinical management requires the expertise of mycologists and toxicologists to ensure an optimum outcome.
Gender inequality and suicide: A systematic review of empirical studies
Authors: Yoong Melissa , Lai Fong Chan , Ying-Yeh Chen
Published: September 2024

This chapter presents a systematic review of empirical research on gender (in)equality and suicide published between 1981 and 2022 to develop a clearer understanding of the effects of egalitarian gender norms on suicide risk. Two major databases were searched, and 28 articles reported in English were selected. Findings across these studies covering a wide range of countries indicate that suicide rates in women and men tend to decline with improvements in gender equality or, in some cases, are not influenced by these changes. Although some studies published before 2000 suggested that higher female labour force participation is associated with an increased suicide risk, this was not observed in later investigations, which implies that the relationship between suicidal behaviour and gender equality changes over time. Other contextual factors such as the quality of a country’s human capabilities may also affect suicidality, as gender norms within the society shift.
Pain
Authors: Craigie Meredith J. , Jensen Mark P.
Published: September 2024

Conversations between health care providers and the individuals with pain that they serve can be challenging; sometimes even adversarial. As a result, patients can feel misunderstood and disbelieved. These feelings can undermine the patient’s motivation to follow through on the health care provider’s prescriptions and advice. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about, and strategies for, improving communication with patients presenting with pain. Use of metaphors and the Listening, Acceptance, Utilization, Reframing, and Suggestion (‘LAURS’) model, the Greeting, Rapport, Expectations, Addressing concerns, and Tacit agreement (‘GREAT’) template, and Motivational Interviewing skills are described, with examples. Clinician use of these strategies will result in more satisfying conversations with patients and will likely contribute to more positive therapeutic outcomes.