bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell Type- and Tissue-specific Enhancers in Craniofacial Development
Authors: Rajderkar Sudha Sunil , Paraiso Kitt , Amaral Maria Luisa , Kosicki Michael , Cook Laura E. , Darbellay Fabrice , Spurrell Cailyn H. , Osterwalder Marco , Zhu Yiwen , Wu Han , Afzal Sarah Yasmeen , Blow Matthew J. , Kelman Guy , Barozzi Iros , Fukuda-Yuzawa Yoko , Akiyama Jennifer A. , Afzal Veena , Tran Stella , Plajzer-Frick Ingrid , Novak Catherine S. , Kato Momoe , Hunter Riana D. , von Maydell Kianna , Wang Allen , Lin Lin , Preissl Sebastian , Lisgo Steven , Ren Bing , Dickel Diane E. , Pennacchio Len A. , Visel Axel
Published: June 2023

The genetic basis of craniofacial birth defects and general variation in human facial shape remains poorly understood. Distant-acting transcriptional enhancers are a major category of non-coding genome function and have been shown to control the fine-tuned spatiotemporal expression of genes during critical stages of craniofacial development1–3. However, a lack of accurate maps of the genomic location and cell type-specificin vivoactivities of all craniofacial enhancers prevents their systematic exploration in human genetics studies. Here, we combined histone modification and chromatin accessibility profiling from different stages of human craniofacial development with single-cell analyses of the developing mouse face to create a comprehensive catalogue of the regulatory landscape of facial development at tissue- and single cell-resolution. In total, we identified approximately 14,000 enhancers across seven developmental stages from weeks 4 through 8 of human embryonic face development. We used transgenic mouse reporter assays to determine thein vivoactivity patterns of human face enhancers predicted from these data. Across 16in vivovalidated human enhancers, we observed a rich diversity of craniofacial subregions in which these enhancers are activein vivo. To annotate the cell type specificities of human-mouse conserved enhancers, we performed single-cell RNA-seq and single-nucleus ATAC-seq of mouse craniofacial tissues from embryonic days e11.5 to e15.5. By integrating these data across species, we find that the majority (56%) of human craniofacial enhancers are functionally conserved in mice, providing cell type- and embryonic stage-resolved predictions of theirin vivoactivity profiles. Using retrospective analysis of known craniofacial enhancers in combination with single cell-resolved transgenic reporter assays, we demonstrate the utility of these data for predicting thein vivocell type specificity of enhancers. Taken together, our data provide an expansive resource for genetic and developmental studies of human craniofacial development.

Graphical Abstract
Time dependent effects of cerebellar tDCS on cerebello-cortical connectivity networks in young adults
Authors: Maldonado Ted , Jackson T. Bryan , Bernard Jessica A.
Published: June 2023

The cerebellum is involved in non-motor processing, supported by topographically distinct cerebellar activations and closed loop circuits between the cerebellum and the cortex. Disruptions to cerebellar function and network connectivity in aging or disease may negatively impact prefrontal function and processing. Cerebellar resources may be important for offloading cortical processing, providing crucial scaffolding for normative performance and function. Here, we used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to temporarily alter cerebellar function and subsequently investigated resting state network connectivity. This allows us to investigate network changes that may parallel what is seen in aging and clinical populations, providing additional insights into these key circuits. Critically, what happens to these circuits if the cerebellum is not functioning optimally remains relatively unknown. We employed a between-subjects design applying anodal (n=25), cathodal (n=25), or sham (n=24) stimulation to the cerebellum to examine the effect of stimulation on cerebello-cortical resting state connectivity in young adults. We predicted increased functional connectivity following cathodal stimulation and decreased functional connectivity following anodal stimulation. We found, anodal stimulation resulted in increased connectivity in both ipsilateral and contralateral regions of the cortex, perhaps indicative of a compensatory response to degraded cerebellar output. Additionally, a sliding window analysis also demonstrated a time dependent nature to the impacts of cerebellar tDCS on connectivity, particularly in cognitive region in the cortex. Assuming the difference in connectivity and network-behavior relationships here parallels what occurs in aging or disease, this may provide a mechanism whereby offloading of function to the cerebellum is negatively impacted, resulting in subsequent differences in prefrontal cortical activation patterns and performance deficits. These results might inform and update existing compensatory models of function to include the cerebellum as a vital structure needed for scaffolding.
Assessment of specifications' usability for engineering projects of the built environment
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed M. , Hassanain Mohammad A. , Salaheldin Mohamed H.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This research compares consultants' and contractors' professional practices and perspectives on the use of specifications in the engineering of built environment projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study initiates with a review of literature, toward realizing (1) the need for inclusion of specifications, throughout the projects' stages (design, tender, construction and handing over), as well as the (2) causes and effects of defective specifications in design and execution of engineered projects. Additionally (3) the study investigates the challenges and causes of specification variations to projects' design and execution. The systematic methodology adopted in this research utilizes frequency indicators, to rank and correlate the perspectives of 60 professionals, who are experienced in consulting and contracting of mega public and private projects.

Findings

The research considers the uncertainties and differences that could be present in engineering developments and use of design specifications for projects' execution and handing over. The two groups of experts' (consultants and contractors) perspectives are usually observed as conflicting, in practice. Practices comparison of their experiences with engineering projects' specifications usability provides unique empirical findings. The analysis and assessment of the experts' knowledge, this research addresses gaps identified in the literature, providing valuable insights.

Originality/value

The study provides in-depth recommendations and discusses possible trends and methods for enhancing specifications' usability in design engineering and execution of built environment projects. The analysis and recommendations present and assess experts' knowledge while bridge gaps identified from the literature.
The impact of executives' compensation and corporate governance attributes on voluntary disclosures: Does audit quality matter?
Authors: Kumar Praveen
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This article investigated whether the executives' compensation and corporate governance attributes are aligned with stakeholders' demands for higher corporate voluntary disclosures. Moreover, the study also examined the moderating role of the auditor's reputation in the direction of association among executive compensation, corporate governance attributes, and voluntary disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of S&P BSE index constituents' 90 Indian firms for 2017–2019. The voluntary disclosure scores were fetched from the India Disclosure Index Report published by FTI Consulting. This analysis was carried out in two parts by applying four panel-data regression models in the agency and signalling theories framework. First, the study examined the association between executive compensation, board strength, composition, gender diversity, and voluntary disclosures. Second, the article investigated the moderating role of the “Big 4” in the direction of association among executive compensation, corporate governance attributes, and voluntary disclosures.

Findings

The willingness of executives to share private information with stakeholders depends on the compensation they receive from their employer. The higher compensation paid to executives leads to a higher “tone from the top,” which is better aligned with stakeholder interests. Further, the research also found that bigger board sizes, a higher proportion of independent and woman directors (indicators of good governance), and an auditor's reputation are associated with increased voluntary disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The findings showed that the executives' compensation and corporate governance attributes are aligned with stakeholders' demand for higher voluntary information from firms. Moreover, the study also found that the “Big 4” play a moderating role in this direction. The choice of a reputed auditor indicates the firms' long-term positive future perspectives, which strengthens investor confidence in the financial market.

Practical implications

The study suggests that fair executive compensation can address the agency problem.

Originality/value

This research furnishes managers and different stakeholders with significant implications of executives' compensation, corporate governance, and auditor's reputation in the best interests of a firm through reducing potential risks of information asymmetry.
How geographic diversity and collaborative breadth prevent knowledge leakage during open innovation processes
Authors: Wang Chunhsien , Chin Tachia , Chiew Yuan Yin , Capalbo Cinzia
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Drawing upon insights from knowledge-based theory and the learning perspective, this study aims to explore safeguarding strategies in open innovation. Geographic diversity and collaborative breadth can effectively protect proprietary innovations that limit knowledge leakage concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-industry sample from the Taiwanese Technological Innovation Survey III, which covered 1,519 firms, the authors investigate the conditions under which partnership portfolios affect radical innovation.

Findings

The findings suggest that the partnership portfolio has an inverted U-shaped influence on radical innovation and that this relationship is moderated by geographic diversity and collaborative breadth. This work identifies a balance in the tension between diverse partnership portfolios and knowledge leakage with regard to open innovation activities.

Practical implications

This study provides senior managers with an indication of the relationships between partnership portfolios and innovative knowledge protection, identifying the geographic diversity and collaborative breadth that serve as safeguards to prevent leakages of a firm’s innovative knowledge.

Originality/value

This study makes an original contribution to the empirical exploration of innovation knowledge protection and provides new insights into the field of open innovation. The authors, thus, balance the tension between partnership portfolios and knowledge leakage.
Employees out of sight, out of mind?
Authors: Hough Toby
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Out of sight, out of mind is not a new phenomenon. It is always been a challenge for employers with a distributed workforce. However, what is new is the scale, so employers need to address this problem, and fast.

Design/methodology/approach

Company culture, checking in, keeping on top of communication and thinking about the team at all times are all vital to keeping employees top of mind.

Findings

By thinking about all of these areas of a workplace, employers will ensure their employees are happy, engaged and retained.

Originality/value

To help employers ensure the out of sight, out of mind phenomenon ends in 2023, here are the four top tips for employers to keep out of sight and in mind.
External causes of emergency department presentations: A missing piece to understanding unintentional childhood injury in Australia
Authors: Catchpoole Jesani , Niven Catherine , Möller Holger , Harrison James E , Ivers Rebecca , Craig Simon , Vallmuur Kirsten
Published: June 2023

Objective

To identify external causes of unintentional childhood injury presenting to Australian EDs.

Methods

Six major paediatric hospitals in four Australian states supplied de‐identified ED data for 2011–2017 on age, sex, attendance time/date, presenting problem, injury diagnosis, triage category and mode of separation. Three hospitals supplied data on external cause and intent of injury. A machine classifier tool was used to supplement the missing external cause coding in the remaining hospitals to enable the compilation of a standardised dataset for childhood injury causes analysis.

Results

A total of 486 762 ED presentations for unintentional injury in children aged 0–14 years were analysed. The leading specified cause of ED presentations was low fall (35.0%) followed by struck/collision with an object (13.8%) with little sex difference observed. Males aged 10–14 years had higher rates of motorcycle, pedal cycle and fire/flame‐related injury and lower rates of horse‐related injury and drug/medicinal substance poisoning compared with females. The leading specified external cause resulting in hospitalisation was low fall (32.2%) followed by struck/collision with an object (11.1%). The injuries with the highest proportion of children being hospitalised were drownings (64.4%), pedestrian (53.4%), motorcycle (52.7%) and horse‐related injuries (50.0%).

Conclusions

This is the first large‐scale study since the 1980s to explore external causes of unintentional childhood injury presenting to Australian paediatric EDs. It demonstrates a hybrid human–machine learning approach to create a standardised database to overcome data deficiencies. The results supplement existing knowledge of hospitalised paediatric injury to better understand the causes of childhood injury by age and sex, which require health service utilisation.
Relationship between immune‐related adverse events and treatment effectiveness in extensive disease small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yokoo Keiki , Kitamura Yauo , Suzuki Keito , Morikawa Kohei , Sawai Takeo , Honda Hiroyuki , Kudo Sayaka , Yamada Gen
Published: June 2023

Background

This study aimed to assess the relationship between immune response adverse events (irAEs) and treatment efficacy in patients with extensive disease small cell lung cancer (ED‐SCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical effects in 40 ED‐SCLC patients who had received immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), platinum agents, and etoposide between September 2019 and September 2021. We identified and compared patients belonging to two groups: irAE and non‐irAE.

Results

Fifteen patients experienced irAEs, and 25 did not. The median progression‐free survival in patients with irAE was longer than that in patients without irAE (12.6 months [95% CI: 6.3–19.3 months] vs. 7.2 months [95% CI: 5.8–7.9 months], p = 0.0108). However, the median overall survival (OS) was similar between irAE and non‐irAE groups (27.6 months [95% CI: 15.4–NA] vs. 24.9 months [95% CI: 13.7–NA], p = 0.268). Seven (46.7%) in the irAE group and 20 (80%) in the non‐irAE group received sequential therapy. The median OS was prolonged in patients who received first‐ and second‐line therapy than in those who received first‐line therapy alone (27.6 months [95% CI: 19.2–NA] vs. 6.6 months [95% CI: 0.3–NA], p = 0.053). Grade ≧ 3 irAEs occurred in five (12.5%) patients. Among them, grade 5 irAEs were observed in two patients, including exacerbation of polymyositis and pulmonary arterial embolism.

Conclusion

In this study, the development of irAEs did not affect OS in patients with ED‐SCLC who received platinum‐based agents, etoposide, or ICI therapy. We determined that managing irAEs and administering first‐ and second‐line therapies could contribute to prolonged OS.
The deterrent effect of the SEC Whistleblower Program on financial reporting securities violations
Authors: Wiedman Christine , Zhu Chunmei
Published: June 2023

The stated goal of the SEC Whistleblower Program introduced as part of the Dodd‐Frank Act was to deter securities violations and thereby to strengthen investor protection. We document significant reductions in the likelihood of financial reporting fraud by US firms following the introduction of this program. The reductions are robust to controlling for other regulatory changes in the Dodd‐Frank Act and economic trends. Given that employees of firms with weaker internal compliance and reporting programs are more likely to report irregularities directly to the SEC rather than internally, we predict and find that these firms are more likely to change their reporting behavior. We also show that the observed reductions are attributable to an improvement in internal whistleblower programs and the hiring of more capable audit committee members after the program's inception. Collectively, these findings provide important large‐sample evidence of significant benefits of the SEC Whistleblower Program for deterring financial reporting fraud and of the efficacy of bounty‐type whistleblower programs.
Sex and age differences in AMPK phosphorylation, mitochondrial homeostasis, and inflammation in hearts from inflammatory cardiomyopathy patients
Authors: Barcena Maria Luisa , Tonini Greta , Haritonow Natalie , Breiter Pavelas , Milting Hendrik , Baczko Istvan , Müller‐Werdan Ursula , Ladilov Yury , Regitz‐Zagrosek Vera
Published: June 2023

Linked to exacerbated inflammation, myocarditis is a cardiovascular disease, which may lead to dilated cardiomyopathy. Although sex and age differences in the development of chronic myocarditis have been postulated, underlying cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the current study, we aimed to investigate sex and age differences in mitochondrial homeostasis, inflammation, and cellular senescence. Cardiac tissue samples from younger and older patients with inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMI) were used. The expression of Sirt1, phosphorylated AMPK, PGC‐1α, Sirt3, acetylated SOD2, catalase, and several mitochondrial genes was analyzed to assess mitochondrial homeostasis. The expression of NF‐κB, TLR4, and interleukins was used to examine the inflammatory state in the heart. Finally, several senescence markers and telomere length were investigated. Cardiac AMPK expression and phosphorylation were significantly elevated in male DCMI patients, whereas Sirt1 expression remained unchanged in all groups investigated. AMPK upregulation was accompanied by a preserved expression of all mitochondrial proteins/genes investigated in older male DCMI patients, whereas the expression of TOM40, TIM23, and the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation genes was significantly reduced in older female patients. Mitochondrial homeostasis in older male patients was further supported by the reduced acetylation of mitochondrial proteins as indicated by acetylated SOD2. The inflammatory markers NF‐κB and TLR4 were downregulated in older male DCMI patients, whereas the expression of IL‐18 was increased in older female patients. This was accompanied by progressed senescence in older DCMI hearts. In conclusion, older women experience more dramatic immunometabolic disorders on the cellular level than older men.
Melanocortin‐4 receptor and proopiomelanocortin: Candidate genes for obesity in domestic shorthair cats
Authors: Jerjen C. P. , Kumaran S. J. , Liesegang A. , Hall E. , Wichert B. , Haase B.
Published: June 2023

Obesity is an escalating global health problem affecting both humans and companion animals. In cats it is associated with increased mortality and multiple diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Two genes coding for proteins known to play a critical role in energy homeostasis across species are the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and the melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4R) gene. A missense variant in the coding sequence of the feline MC4R (MC4R:c.92C>T) has been reported to be associated with diabetes and overweight in domestic shorthair cats, and while variants in the POMC gene are known to cause obesity in humans and dogs, variants in POMC and their association with feline obesity and diabetes mellitus have not been investigated to date. The current study aimed to assess the association between the previously described MC4R variant and body condition score (BCS), as well as body fat content (%BF) in 89 non‐diabetic domestic shorthair cats. Furthermore, we investigated the feline POMC gene as a potential candidate gene for obesity. Our results indicate that the MC4R:c.92C>T polymorphism is not associated with BCS or %BF in non‐diabetic domestic shorthair cats. The mutation analysis of all POMC exons identified two missense variants, with a variant in exon 1 (c.28G>C; p.G10R) predicted to be damaging. The variant was subsequently assessed in all 89 cats, and cats heterozygous for the variant had a significantly increased body condition score (p = 0.03) compared with cats homozygous for the wild‐type allele. Results from our study provide additional evidence that the previously described variant in MC4R is not associated with obesity in domestic shorthair cats. More importantly, we have identified a novel variant in the POMC gene, which might play a role in increased body condition score and body fat content in domestic shorthair cats.
Optical genome mapping for detection of chromosomal aberrations in prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Qinxin , Wang Yan , Xu Yiyun , Zhou Ran , Huang Mingtao , Qiao Fengchang , Meng Lulu , Liu An , Zhou Jing , Li Li , Ji Xiuqing , Xu Zhengfeng , Hu Ping
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Chromosomal aberrations are the most important etiological factors for birth defects. Optical genome mapping is a novel cytogenetic tool for detecting a broad range of chromosomal aberrations in a single assay, but relevant clinical feasibility studies of optical genome mapping in prenatal diagnosis are limited.

Material and methods

We retrospectively performed optical genome mapping analysis of amniotic fluid samples from 34 fetuses with various clinical indications and chromosomal aberrations detected through standard‐of‐care technologies, including karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and/or chromosomal microarray analysis.

Results

In total, we analyzed 46 chromosomal aberrations from 34 amniotic fluid samples, including 5 aneuploidies, 10 large copy number variations, 27 microdeletions/microduplications, 2 translocations, 1 isochromosome, and 1 region of homozygosity. Overall, 45 chromosomal aberrations could be confirmed by our customized analysis strategy. Optical genome mapping reached 97.8% concordant clinical diagnosis with standard‐of‐care methods for all chromosomal aberrations in a blinded fashion. Compared with the widely used chromosomal microarray analysis, optical genome mapping additionally determined the relative orientation and position of repetitive segments for seven cases with duplications or triplications. The additional information provided by optical genome mapping will be conducive to characterizing complex chromosomal rearrangements and allowing us to propose mechanisms to explain rearrangements and predict the genetic recurrence risk.

Conclusions

Our study highlights that optical genome mapping can provide comprehensive and accurate information on chromosomal aberrations in a single test, suggesting that optical genome mapping has the potential to become a promising cytogenetic tool for prenatal diagnosis.
Steering clear of Akrasia: An integrative review of self‐binding Ulysses Contracts in clinical practice
Authors: Brenna Connor T. A. , Chen Stacy S. , Cho Matthew , McCoy Liam G. , Das Sunit
Published: June 2023

In many jurisdictions, legal frameworks afford patients the opportunity to make prospective medical decisions or to create directives that contain a special provision forfeiting their own ability to object to those decisions at a future time point, should they lose decision‐making capacity. These agreements have been described with widely varying nomenclatures, including Ulysses Contracts, Odysseus Transfers, Psychiatric Advance Directives with Ulysses Clauses, and Powers of Attorney with Special Provisions. As a consequence of this terminological heterogeneity, it is challenging for healthcare providers to understand the terms and uses of these agreements and for ethicists to engage with the nuances of clinical decision‐making with such unique provisions surrounding patient autonomy. In theory, prospective self‐binding agreements may safeguard patient's “authentic” wishes from future “inauthentic” changes of mind. In practice, it is unclear what may be comprised within these agreements or how—and to what effect—they are used. The primary focus of this integrative review is to curate the existing literature describing Ulysses Contracts (and analogous decisions) used in the clinical arena, in order to empirically synthesize their shared essence and provide insights into the traditional components of these agreements when used in practice, the requirements of their consent processes, and the outcomes of their utilization.
Expectations and the housing market: A model of house price dynamics
Authors: Hong Jengei , Ryu Doojin
Published: June 2023

We examine the characteristics of housing markets under adaptive and heterogeneous expectations. Model agents have finite horizons, and their borrowings are constrained by the collateral value of housing stock. Our model shows that expectation‐driven housing price dynamics constantly change the direction of movement. The steady‐state process of housing prices follows an endogenous oscillation process, and the magnitude of the cycles can be amplified by external shocks. Our quantitative results imply that (i) short‐term positive and long‐term negative serial correlations in housing price changes are inherent, (ii) house prices and expected house price movements are positively correlated, and (iii) fluctuations in housing prices are not fully explained by fundamentals.
Doppler Volume Rendering: A Dynamic, Piecewise Linear Spectral Representation for Visualizing Astrophysics Simulations
Authors: Alghamdi Reem , Müller Thomas , Jaspe‐Villanueva Alberto , Hadwiger Markus , Sadlo Filip
Published: June 2023

We present a novel approach for rendering volumetric data including the Doppler effect of light. Similar to the acoustic Doppler effect, which is caused by relative motion between a sound emitter and an observer, light waves also experience compression or expansion when emitter and observer exhibit relative motion. We account for this by employing spectral volume rendering in an emission–absorption model, with the volumetric matter moving according to an accompanying vector field, and emitting and attenuating light at wavelengths subject to the Doppler effect. By introducing a novel piecewise linearear representation of the involved light spectra, we achieve accurate volume rendering at interactive frame rates. We compare our technique to rendering with traditional point‐based spectral representation, and demonstrate its utility using a simulation of galaxy formation.
Do Disease Stories Need a Hero? Effects of Human Protagonists on a Narrative Visualization about Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Mittenentzwei S. , Weiß V. , Schreiber S. , Garrison L. A. , Bruckner S. , Pfister M. , Preim B. , Meuschke M.
Published: June 2023

Authors use various media formats to convey disease information to a broad audience, from articles and videos to interviews or documentaries. These media often include human characters, such as patients or treating physicians, who are involved with the disease. While artistic media, such as hand‐crafted illustrations and animations are used for health communication in many cases, our goal is to focus on data‐driven visualizations. Over the last decade, narrative visualization has experienced increasing prominence, employing storytelling techniques to present data in an understandable way. Similar to classic storytelling formats, narrative medical visualizations may also take a human character‐centered design approach. However, the impact of this form of data communication on the user is largely unexplored. This study investigates the protagonist's influence on user experience in terms of engagement, identification, self‐referencing, emotional response, perceived credibility, and time spent in the story. Our experimental setup utilizes a character‐driven story structure for disease stories derived from Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. Using this structure, we generated three conditions for a cerebral small vessel disease story that vary by their protagonist: (1) a patient, (2) a physician, and (3) a base condition with no human protagonist. These story variants formed the basis for our hypotheses on the effect of a human protagonist in disease stories, which we evaluated in an online study with 30 participants. Our findings indicate that a human protagonist exerts various influences on the story perception and that these also vary depending on the type of protagonist.
VisCoMET: Visually Analyzing Team Collaboration in Medical Emergency Trainings
Authors: Liebers C. , Agarwal S. , Krug M. , Pitsch K. , Beck F.
Published: June 2023

Handling emergencies requires efficient and effective collaboration of medical professionals. To analyze their performance, in an application study, we have developed VisCoMET, a visual analytics approach displaying interactions of healthcare personnel in a triage training of a mass casualty incident. The application scenario stems from social interaction research, where the collaboration of teams is studied from different perspectives. We integrate recorded annotations from multiple sources, such as recorded videos of the sessions, transcribed communication, and eye‐tracking information. For each session, an information‐rich timeline visualizes events across these different channels, specifically highlighting interactions between the team members. We provide algorithmic support to identify frequent event patterns and to search for user‐defined event sequences. Comparing different teams, an overview visualization aggregates each training session in a visual glyph as a node, connected to similar sessions through edges. An application example shows the usage of the approach in the comparative analysis of triage training sessions, where multiple teams encountered the same scene, and highlights discovered insights. The approach was evaluated through feedback from visualization and social interaction experts. The results show that the approach supports reflecting on teams' performance by exploratory analysis of collaboration behavior while particularly enabling the comparison of triage training sessions.
How certain are we about the role of uncertainty in the economy?
Authors: Herwartz Helmut , Lange Alexander
Published: June 2023

While causes and consequences of uncertainty in the US economy have attracted viable interest, the literature still lacks a consensus on several aspects. To name two matters of debate, it remains unclear whether uncertainty shocks are a source or the result of recessions and whether uncertainty shocks have adverse (or even stimulating) effects on the economy. We find that ambiguous results in these regards can be traced back to the selection of an appropriate identification strategy in structural vector autoregressive models. We find that both macroeconomic and financial uncertainty are exogenous to business cycle fluctuations and cause economic slowdowns.
Potential efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate oral loading in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Kwack Dong Won , Kim Dong Wook
Published: June 2023

Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a new antiseizure medication (ASM) approved as an adjunctive therapy or monotherapy for focal onset seizures. We performed this study to explore the potential efficacy and safety of ESL oral loading in selected patients with epilepsy. Thirty adult patients with status epilepticus or acute repetitive seizures were enrolled, and ESL was administered at a single loading dosage of 30 mg/kg. Plasma levels of an active metabolite of ESL, monohydroxy derivative (MHD), were measured at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after ESL oral loading. Two thirds of the patients reached a therapeutic level of MHD 2 h after ESL loading, and most of the patients achieved a therapeutic range within 12 h after loading. Plasma MHD levels did not rise above the supratherapeutic level in any patient throughout the study. The reported adverse effects included one patient with gaze‐evoked nystagmus and another patient with a rash. No serious adverse events leading to drug discontinuation occurred. There was no discernible difference in sodium levels before and after ESL oral loading. Our study findings suggest that ESL oral loading could be a useful therapeutic option for patients with epilepsy who need rapid elevations in the therapeutic levels of ASMs.
Development and initial validation of the Kiswahili version of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS‐K) questionnaire
Authors: Nagri Aliasgar , Patel Miten , Mwansisya Tumbwene , Adebayo Philip B.
Published: June 2023

Background

The Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) is one of the tools for measuring and understanding disability caused by migraine. The purpose of this study was to validate a Kiswahili translation of the MIDAS (MIDAS‐K) among patients suffering from migraines in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods

A psychometric validation study of MIDAS was conducted after translation to Kiswahili. A total of 70 people with migraine were recruited by systematic random sampling and they completed the MIDAS‐K questionnaire twice, 10–14 days apart. Internal consistency, split‐half reliability, and test‐retest reliability, convergent and divergent validity were examined.

Results

70 patients (F:M; 59:11) with median (25th, 75th) headache days of 4.0 (2.0, 7.0) were recruited. Twenty‐eight out of 70 (40%) of the population had severe disability on MIDAS‐K. The overall test‐retest reliability of MIDAS‐K was high (ICC = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.78–0.92 p < 0.001). Factor analysis showed a two‐factor structure; the number of days missed and reduced efficiency. MIDAS‐K had a good internal consistency of 0.78, good split‐half reliability of 0.80 and acceptable test‐retest reliability for all items as well as total MIDAS‐K scores.

Conclusion

The Kiswahili version of the MIDAS questionnaire (MIDAS‐K) is a valid, responsive, and reliable tool to measure migraine‐related disability among Tanzanians and other Swahili‐speaking populations. Quantification of migraine disability in the region will guide policies directed at care allotment, improvement in the provision of interventions for migraine, as well as enhancement of health‐related quality of life for patients with migraine in our region.
Charging CAR by electrostatic power
Authors: Wang Haopeng , Huang Yuwei , Xu Chenqi
Published: June 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment. CAR is a synthetic immune receptor that recognizes tumor antigen and activates T cells through multiple signaling pathways. However, the current CAR design is not as robust as T cell receptor (TCR), a natural antigen receptor with high sensitivity and efficiency. TCR signaling relies on specific molecular interactions, and thus electrostatic force, the major force of molecular interactions, play critical roles. Understanding how electrostatic charge regulates TCR/CAR signaling events will facilitate the development of next‐generation T cell therapies. This review summarizes recent findings on the roles of electrostatic interactions in both natural and synthetic immune receptor signaling, specifically that in CAR clustering and effector molecule recruitments, and highlights potential strategies for engineering CAR‐T cell therapy by leveraging charge‐based interactions.
A case study of virtually delivered emotion‐focused family therapy
Authors: Smith Jackson A. , Bandealy Ahad , Browne Dillon T.
Published: June 2023

Clinical psychologists and therapists are increasingly taking advantage of internet and mobile‐based technologies to deliver mental health services for individuals and groups since the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, there is a dearth of research evaluating the appropriateness of virtual platforms for family interventions. Further, no research has examined the effectiveness of weekly emotion‐focused family therapy (EFFT). This case study presents a virtually delivered 8‐week EFFT intervention, which supported caregivers to manage child symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger, facilitate emotion processing, and strengthen relationships. Two parents from one family during a marital separation participated and completed brief measures of therapeutic alliance, family functioning, parental self‐efficacy, and parental and child psychological distress at 12 time points as well as a posttreatment semistructured interview. A strong therapeutic alliance was formed, and general family functioning, parental self‐efficacy, parent psychopathology, and child depression, anger, and anxiety symptoms improved over the course of therapy.
A retrospective study on the clinical features of skin lesions in Chinese acquired digital fibrokeratoma patients
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhu Yueqian , Chen Guodong , Xu Hui , Rao Yamin , Liu Ke
Published: June 2023

Background

Acquired digital fibrokeratoma (ADFK) is an uncommon benign fibro‐epithelioma, which is rarely reported in China.

Aims

To analysis the clinical features of ADFK in Chinese people from current cases.

Methods

From December 2019 to October 2021, there were 21 patients diagnosed with ADFK, we made a retrospective analysis on the clinical features of skin lesions in them. To summarize the clinical morphology, location, and surgical follow‐up of ADFK.

Results

We concluded that ADFK is more common in females than males on the hands (7:3), while the male‐to‐female ratio is largely the same in feet (6:5). It occurs more frequently on the third finger (60%) and first toe (45.5%). As to clinical morphology, it is typically rod‐shaped (52.4%), followed by dome‐shaped (42.8%) and wart‐shaped (4.8%). It is typically dome‐shaped on the hands (80%) and rod‐shaped on the feet (81.8%). In terms of location on the fingers (toes), such skin lesions are most common at the proximal nail fold (52.4%), which can also occur at the nail matrix (14.3%), periungual area (23.8%), and subungual area (9.5%). Nevertheless, this ratio also varies on the hands and feet. All patients got surgical excision of the skin lesion, who were followed up for 6–12 months, without recurrence.

Conclusions

Most ADFKs are associated with trauma, whose clinical features are related to location and gender. ADFKs on the hands are different from those on the feet regarding clinical morphology and location on fingers (toes), and surgery is effective in treating this condition.
The Brain's Control Networks in Reading: Insights From Cross‐Task Studies of Youth
Authors: Church Jessica A.
Published: June 2023

Humans engage multiple brain systems to read successfully, including using regions important for vision, language, and control. Control refers to the set of executive processes in the brain that guide moment‐to‐moment behavior in service of our goals. There is a growing appreciation for the role of the brain's control system in reading comprehension, in reading skill change over time, and in those who have difficulty with the reading process. One way to understand the brain's control engagement in reading may be to study control engagement across multiple tasks in order to study consistencies, or cross‐task similarities, relative to reading‐specific variations. In this commentary, I briefly summarize some of our recent work studying the brain's control networks across different tasks (e.g., when reading, or doing different executive function tasks). I then review our findings of when control activation does or does not relate to measures of reading ability, and reading growth over time. The utility of cross‐task comparisons in neuroimaging is noted, as well as the need to better understand multiple sources of heterogeneity in our developmental samples. I end by discussing a few of the many future directions for further study of the brain with regard to the brain's control processing and academic achievement.
What are the holistic care impacts among individuals living through the COVID‐19 pandemic in residential or community care settings? An integrative systematic review
Authors: Jackson N. , Turner M. , Paterson C.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

To critically synthesise evidence in relation to the holistic care impacts (physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental well‐being) among individuals living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) with restrictions during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

An integrative systematic review followed a pre‐registered protocol and has been reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines. Electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2022. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies were included. All articles were double screened according to a pre‐determined eligibility criterion. The review process was managed using Covidence systematic review software. Data from the studies were extracted, methodological quality appraisal conducted, and a narrative synthesis conducted.

Results

18 studies were included. The impact of restrictive practices and periods of lockdown impacted older people on all levels of individual quality‐of‐life. With or without COVID‐19, residents experienced functional decline and many experienced malnutrition, increased incontinence, increased pain, and poorer general health and significant psychological distress. Depression increased with reduced social contact, as did anxiety and loneliness. Some residents spoke of suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

It is highly plausible that further outbreaks may prompt knee‐jerk reactions from public health departments and governing bodies to continue to restrict and lockdown facilities. Public health COVID‐19 outbreak policy for aged care across the globe will need to consider the benefits verses risk debate given the findings uncovered in this review. These findings showed that it is vital that policy considers quality‐of‐life domains not solely survival rates.
Characterization of hybrid larch somatic embryo maturation by biochemical analyses and by a novel, fast mid‐infrared approach
Authors: Savane Parisa , Belmokhtar Nassim , Delile Armelle , Boizot Nathalie , Ridel Céline , Lelu‐Walter Marie‐Anne , Teyssier Caroline
Published: June 2023

The morphology of somatic embryos (SE) is not a sufficient criterion to determine the level of maturation and the optimal stage to transfer embryos for germination, unlike the biochemical components. This composition characterization in the laboratory is too restrictive to be considered at each maturation cycle, as would be necessary. It is, therefore, essential to consider alternative methods. The objectives of this work were to achieve a complete biochemical characterization of the embryos during their development, to serve as a reference and develop a characterization based on infrared spectrometry and chemometrics. During the precotyledonary stage (0–3 weeks of maturation), water content and glucose and fructose levels were high, which is consistent with SE development. After 4 weeks, the cotyledonary SE had a metabolism oriented towards the storage accumulation of lipids, proteins and starch, whereas raffinose only appeared from 8 weeks. Mid‐infrared calibration models were developed for water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, glucose, fructose, inositols, raffinose, stachyose and starch contents with an r2 average of 0.84. A model was also developed to discriminate the weeks of SE maturation. Different classes of age were discriminated with at least 72% of accuracy. Infrared analysis of the SE based on their full biochemical spectral fingerprint revealed a very slight variation in composition between 7 and 9 weeks, information that is very difficult to obtain by conventional analysis methods. These results provide novel insights into the maturation of conifer SE and indicate that mid‐infrared spectrometry could be an easy and effective method for SE characterization.
Is Ireland the most intangible intensive economy in Europe? A growth accounting perspective
Authors: Kostarakos Ilias , McQuinn Kieran , Varthalitis Petros
Published: June 2023

Assessing the contribution of intangible investment to growth is a challenging and complex task for any country. However, it has become increasingly difficult to determine both the exact magnitude of economic performance and its composition in the case of the Irish economy. This is mainly due to the impact of certain distortionary transactions by a select number of multinationals operating in the Irish jurisdiction. In this paper, we address this issue by assessing, in a detailed manner, the contribution of intangible and tangible assets to the Irish growth story. We control for distortions in the official investment data series while also incorporating intangible assets that are not currently included in the National Accounts. Our results show that the observed unprecedented increase in the official intangible investment has a relatively minor contribution to the actual Irish labor productivity growth. Once the distortions are filtered out, Irish labor productivity growth is driven by tangible capital. More interestingly, non‐national accounts intangible capital has a sizeable pro‐cyclical impact on labor productivity growth.
Epileptic encephalopathy and amelogenesis imperfecta: What about KohlschüttereTönz syndrome? Case report and literature review
Authors: chalbi Manel , Nefzaoui Meriem , Rhaiem Miniar , boussaid Soumaya , chemli Mohamed ali
Published: June 2023

Background

KohlschüttereTönz syndrome (KTS), also called amelo‐cerebro‐hypohidrotic syndrome, is a very rare genetic condition, described for the first time by Kohlschutter, which typically manifests as a triad of symptoms:  amelogenesis imperfecta, infantile onset epilepsy, and intellectual disability. 47 cases were reported in English language literature since 1974–2021.

Case report

A 7‐year‐old girl was referred for dental evaluation. Oral examination revealed yellowish color of all the teeth due to enamel hypoplasia. The radiographic exam revealed a thin layer of enamel with decreased radiopacity of the enamel compared to that of dentin. The diagnosis of amelogenesis Imperfecta was established. In addition to that, the child's parents reported that she had spasticity, epileptic seizures and psychomotor developmental delay. The association of all these features leads us to conclude to KTS.

Conclusion

It seems that numerous cases of KTS are still undiagnosed in the world, so this paper highlights the common clinical features of Kohlschütter‐Tönz Syndrome helping to an early diagnosis and more research about this condition.