bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paradigm shift: Exploring the impact of digital technologies on the welfare state through a systematic literature review
Authors: Alexopoulou Sofia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis systematic literature review (SLR) explores the impact of digital technologies on welfare states and bureaucracies, analyzing the evolving dynamics between the state and citizens. The integration of digital technologies reshapes traditional interactions, granting citizens new levels of autonomy and responsibility. Service delivery evolves from conventional bureaucracies to dynamic, data‐driven systems. Employing the PRISMA methodology, the review covers articles from 2017 to 2024, synthesizing insights from 37 selected articles. Key themes, challenges, and opportunities associated with digital transformation in the welfare state are identified. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners navigating the complex intersection of technology and welfare provision. It underscores the need for a balanced approach to welfare transformation, addressing both the benefits of digitalization and potential challenges such as exclusion, citizen profiling, and other ethical concerns.
Bridging theory and practice: A framework forSTEMteacher leadership
Authors: Pynes D'Anna , Kloser Matthew , Wagner Catherine , Szopiak Michael , Wilsey Matthew , Svarovsky Gina Navoa , Trinter Christine 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIncreasing demand for high‐quality STEM education calls for the formation and retention of effective educators with STEM expertise; yet endeavors to meet this demand require organizational structures and supports that can overcome the lack of collective understanding around STEM education, limited STEM knowledge by leadership, and mounting teacher attrition. STEM teacher leadership is one mechanism for addressing this challenge by empowering excellent classroom teachers with opportunities to institutionally shape STEM learning, without extracting them from their instructional role. This paper offers a STEM teacher leadership framework that targets teachers' identity development toward an equity‐focused, transformational STEM teacher leader. First, we examine the field of teacher leadership (both STEM‐specific and generally) to provide a foundation for the areas of potential impact by STEM teacher leaders, as well as dispositions and stances that support their emergent leadership. Complementing the literature, we explore and elevate aspiring STEM teacher leaders' perspectives, drawn from baseline surveys and interviews of a multi‐year professional development program for middle grade teachers in STEM disciplines. The framework, iteratively informed by these sources, includes our stance on equity in STEM education, eight dispositions, and four domains of knowledge and practices that shape STEM teacher leadership in K‐8 school settings.
Arabidopsis DNA glycosylase MBD4L improves recovery of aged seeds
Authors: Lescano López Ignacio , Torres José Roberto , Cecchini Nicolás Miguel , Alvarez María Elena 
Published: July 2024

SUMMARYDNA glycosylases initiate the base excision repair (BER) pathway by catalyzing the removal of damaged or mismatched bases from DNA. The Arabidopsis DNA glycosylase methyl‐CpG‐binding domain protein 4 like (MBD4L) is a nuclear enzyme triggering BER in response to the genotoxic agents 5‐fluorouracil and 5‐bromouracil. To date, the involvement of MBD4L in plant physiological processes has not been analyzed. To address this, we studied the enzyme functions in seeds. We found that imbibition induced the MBD4L gene expression by generating two alternative transcripts, MBD4L.3 and MBD4L.4. Gene activation was stronger in aged than in non‐aged seeds. Seeds from mbd4l‐1 mutants displayed germination failures when maintained under control or ageing conditions, while 35S:MBD4L.3/mbd4l‐1 and 35S:MBD4L.4/mbd4l‐1 seeds reversed these phenotypes. Seed nuclear DNA repair, assessed by comet assays, was exacerbated in an MBD4L‐dependent manner at 24 h post‐imbibition. Under this condition, the BER genes ARP, APE1L, and LIG1 showed higher expression in 35S:MBD4L.3/mbd4l‐1 and 35S:MBD4L.4/mbd4l‐1 than in mbd4l‐1 seeds, suggesting that these components could coordinate with MBD4L to repair damaged DNA bases in seeds. Interestingly, the ATM, ATR, BRCA1, RAD51, and WEE1 genes associated with the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway were activated in mbd4l‐1, but not in 35S:MBD4L.3/mbd4l‐1 or 35S:MBD4L.4/mbd4l‐1 seeds. These results indicate that MBD4L is a key enzyme of a BER cascade that operates during seed imbibition, whose deficiency would cause genomic damage detected by DDR, generating a delay or reduction in germination.
Blood safety markers in Dutch donors after relaxation of deferral for men who have sex with men: re‐emergence of syphilis and HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis use
Authors: Quee Franke A. , Slot Ed , van Leeuwen Ingeborg , Brands Ralph , Franssen Eric J. F. , Hogema Boris M. , Zaaijer Hans L. , van de Laar Thijs J. W. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundLess discriminatory donor selection policies for men who have sex with men (MSM) may impact transfusion safety in terms of higher residual risks for known transfusion‐transmitted infections (TTIs), increased vulnerability toward new TTIs that are also transmitted via sex, and HIV infections masked by pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).Study Design and MethodsTTI trends in Dutch donors were studied over a 13‐year period (2011–2023), characterized by successive relaxations of MSM deferral criteria. Structured posttest counseling was performed to determine risk factors in TTI‐positive donors. PrEP drug levels were measured in 9977 donations from male donors living in urban areas and in 67 donors with active or resolved syphilis.ResultsHIV incidence (from 5.8 to 1.5 per 1,000,000 donor years (DY)) and HBV incidence (from 12.4 to 4.5 per 1,000,000 DY) in Dutch donors decreased with less stringent MSM deferral criteria, while syphilis prevalence (from 26.4 to 44.1 per 100,000 new donors) and syphilis incidence (from 18.3 to 46.3 per 1,000,000 DY) increased over time. The proportion of MSM‐related syphilis rose from 2% to 32% in new donors and from 12% to 27% in repeat donors. PrEP was detected in 2 of 9977 (0.02%) donations from male donors living in urban areas, and in 1 of 39 (2.6%) male donors with syphilis.DiscussionTo date, phasing out donor deferral for MSM had no significant impact on transfusion safety in the Netherlands. However, rising syphilis rates and (recent) PrEP use in the blood donor population, albeit rare, suggest an influx of donors with higher sexual risk profiles and requires intensified TTI surveillance in donors.
Treatment of textile wastewater in a single‐step moving bed‐membrane bioreactor: Comparison with conventional membrane bioreactor in terms of performance and membrane fouling
Authors: Tecirli Emine Sule , Akgun Kadir , Caglak Abdulkadir , Sari Erkan Hanife , Onkal Engin Guleda 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMembrane bioreactor (MBR) is a promising technology for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, including highly contaminated textile wastewater. However, membrane fouling remains a critical challenge due to reduced flux. This study investigates the efficacy of a moving bed MBR (MB‐MBR) technology for textile wastewater treatment, focusing on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, and its impact on mitigating membrane fouling. In a 50‐day study, a conventional MBR (R1) was compared with an MB‐MBR (R2) augmented with free‐floating biocarriers (accounting for 20% of the reactor volume). Both systems used flat sheet ceramic membrane modules. The results indicate that the MB‐MBR achieved superior performance, with COD and colour removal of 89% and 81%, respectively, compared with 87% and 73% in the conventional MBR. Importantly, the introduction of biocarriers eliminated the need for offline physical membrane cleaning in the MB‐MBR. The free‐floating biocarriers lowered transmembrane pressure, reduced capillary suction time and reduced fouling through their scouring action.
Changing soil properties influenced vegetation diversity along effluent‐dominated river courses in dry areas of north‐western India
Authors: Singh Genda , Nagora Prem Raj , Haksar Parul , Mishra Deepak 
Published: July 2024

AbstractImproving the environmental quality of effluent‐dominated seasonal rivers is a fundamental challenge for sustaining life in drylands, where people utilize contaminated water to produce food, which ultimately accumulates in the food chain. Preventing further contaminations and phytoremediation are needed to avoid environmental degradation and health risks. This study aimed at analysing water quality and its impacts on soil and vegetation at effluent‐impacted, river‐edge and non‐polluted (control) micro‐habitats at five sites along Luni, Bandi and Jojari Rivers each in western Rajasthan. Soil and water samples were collected and analysed, and vegetation was recorded. River water exhibited high pH (7.60–8.60), electrical conductivity (EC; 2.45–38.20 dS m−1), total dissolved solid (TDS; 1.26–30.86 g L−1), alkalinity (24.0–250.0 mg L−1) and Na (1.50–30.00 g L−1), K (29.0–1100.0 mg L−1), Ca (136.0–3800.0 mg L−1) and Mn (0.05–83.92 mg L−1) concentrations and low NH4‐N, NO3‐N, PO4‐P and heavy metals. Species numbers ranged between 32 along Luni and 20 along Jojari. Soil pH, EC, PO4‐P and shrub richness (R), diversity (H′) and evenness (e') were highest for Bandi, whereas NH4‐N, NO3‐N, K and tree R and H′ were highest for Jojari River. Soil variables decreased and plant diversity increased downstream. Concentrations of Cd, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb were above the acceptable limit in leaf of Salvadora persica and Prosopis juliflora. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant relationships between different variables of river water, soil, and vegetation and 11 PCA axes. Conclusively, industry effluents negatively affected water, soil and river ecology. Effluent‐impacted soils had high salinity and less diversity adapted by salt‐tolerant species, complementary effects of which contribute to restoring the modified ecosystem and urban greening. Although people utilize effluent‐contaminated water in irrigation, precautions should be taken to avoid environmental and animal/human health risks.
Molecular phylogenetics of the superfamily Stromboidea (Caenogastropoda): New insights from increased taxon sampling
Authors: Irwin Alison R. , Bouchet Philippe , Crame J. Alistair , Harper Elizabeth M. , Kronenberg Gijs C. , Strong Ellen E. , Williams Suzanne T. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe superfamily Stromboidea is a clade of morphologically distinctive gastropods which include the iconic Strombidae, or ‘true conchs’. In this study, we present the most taxonomically extensive phylogeny of the superfamily to date, using fossil calibrations to produce a chronogram and extant geographical distributions to reconstruct ancestral ranges. From these results, we confirm the monophyly of all stromboidean families; however, six genera are not monophyletic using current generic assignments (Strombidae: Lentigo, Canarium, Dolomena, Doxander; Xenophoridae: Onustus, Xenophora). Within Strombidae, analyses resolve an Indo‐West Pacific (IWP) clade sister to an East Pacific/Atlantic clade, together sister to a second, larger IWP clade. Our results also indicate two pulses of strombid diversification within the Miocene, and a Tethyan/IWP origin for Strombidae—both supported by the fossil record. However, conflicts between divergence time estimates and the fossil record warrant further exploration. Species delimitation analyses using the COI barcoding gene support several taxonomic changes. We synonymise Euprotomus aurora with Euprotomus bulla, Strombus alatus with Strombus pugilis, Dolomena abbotti with Dolomena labiosa, and Dolomena operosa with Dolomena vittata. We identified cryptic species complexes within Terebellum terebellum, Lambis lambis, “Canarium” wilsonorum, Dolomena turturella and Maculastrombus mutabilis. We reinstate Rimellopsis laurenti as a species (previously synonymised with R. powisii) and recognise Harpago chiragra rugosus and Lambis truncata sowerbyi valid at the rank of species. Finally, we establish several new combinations to render Lentigo, Dolomena, and Canarium monophyletic: Lentigo thersites, Dolomena robusta, Dolomena epidromis, Dolomena turturella, Dolomena taeniata, Dolomena vanikorensis, D. vittata, “Canarium” wilsonorum, Hawaiistrombus scalariformis, Maculastrombus mutabilis, Maculastrombus microurceus.
Shock Response of Water-Protected Spherical Explosion Containment Vessels
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Li Xiaojie , Wang Yang , Yan Honghao , Zhou Dezheng 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Explosion containment vessels (ECVs) are important equipment used for underwater explosion experiment research. In this paper, a method is proposed to improve the blast resistance of the ECV by placing it in the water medium. The shock response caused by the underwater explosion in a spherical ECV is studied. The single-layer thin-walled spherical vessel shell submerged in an infinite domain water medium is deduced and simplified as a single-degree-of-freedom elastic vibration system with viscous damping. The underwater explosion shock wave is simplified to an exponential shock loading, and the analytical solutions of the radial shock vibration of the spherical shell are obtained using Duhamel's integrals. Compared with the numerical simulation results, the accuracy of the theoretical model is verified. The study results show that the water medium radiates out vibration energy and plays an important role in eliminating vibration through damping. It is found that the vibration damping ratio can be controlled by adjusting the vessel radius and thickness, so that the vibration of the shell can be controlled within three periods and the impact fatigue can be reduced. In addition, the radiation damping of the water medium greatly reduces the maximum radial displacement of the spherical shell, which significantly improves the blast resistance of the spherical shell.
Methods for Functional Characterization of Genetic Polymorphisms of Non-Coding Regulatory Regions of the Human Genome
Authors: Uvarova Aksinya N. , Tkachenko Elena A. , Stasevich Ekaterina M. , Zheremyan Elina A. , Korneev Kirill V. , Kuprash Dmitry V. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Currently, numerous associations between genetic polymorphisms and various diseases have been characterized through the Genome-Wide Association Studies. Majority of the clinically significant polymorphisms are localized in non-coding regions of the genome. While modern bioinformatic resources make it possible to predict molecular mechanisms that explain influence of the non-coding polymorphisms on gene expression, such hypotheses require experimental verification. This review discusses the methods for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying dependence of the disease pathogenesis on specific genetic variants within the non-coding sequences. A particular focus is on the methods for identification of transcription factors with binding efficiency dependent on polymorphic variations. Despite remarkable progress in bioinformatic resources enabling prediction of the impact of polymorphisms on the disease pathogenesis, there is still the need for experimental approaches to investigate this issue.
The effect of an annual temporary abstinence campaign on population-level alcohol consumption in Thailand: a time-series analysis of 23 years
Authors: Saengow Udomsak , Patanavanich Roengrudee , Suriyawongpaisal Paibul , Aekplakorn Wichai , Sornpaisarn Bundit , Jiang Huan , Rehm Jurgen 
Published: July 2024

RationaleA small number of earlier studies have suggested an effect of temporary abstinence campaigns on alcohol consumption. However, all were based on self-reported consumption estimates.ObjectivesUsing a time series of 23-year monthly alcohol sales data, this study examined the effect of an annual temporary abstinence campaign, which has been organised annually since 2003 during the Buddhist Lent period (spanning 3 months), on population-level alcohol consumption.MethodsData used in the analysis included a time series of monthly alcohol sales data from January 1995 to September 2017 and the midyear population counts for those years. Generalised additive models (GAM) were applied to estimate trends as smooth functions of time, while identifying a relationship between the Buddhist Lent abstinence campaigns on alcohol consumption. The sensitivity analysis was performed using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (SARIMAX) model.InterventionThe Buddhist Lent abstinence campaign is a national mass media campaign combined with community-based activities that encourages alcohol abstinence during the Buddhist Lent period, spanning 3 months and varying between July and October depending on the lunar calendar. The campaign has been organised annually since 2003.Main outcomePer capita alcohol consumption using monthly alcohol sales data divided by the midyear total population number used as a proxy.ResultsMedian monthly per capita consumption was 0.43 (IQR: 0.37 to 0.51) litres of pure alcohol. Over the study period, two peaks of alcohol consumption were in March and December of each year. The significant difference between before-campaign and after-campaign coefficients in the GAM, −0.102 (95% CI: −0.163 to –0.042), indicated an effect of the campaign on alcohol consumption after adjusting for the time trend and monthly seasonality, corresponding to an average reduction of 9.97% (95% CI: 3.65% to 24.18%). The sensitivity analyses produced similar results, where the campaign was associated with a decrease in consumption of 8.1% (95% CI: 0.4% to 15.7%).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the temporary abstinence campaign was associated with a decrease in population-level alcohol consumption during campaign periods. The finding contributed to a growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of emerging temporary abstinence campaigns.
Evaluating associations between patient-to-nurse ratios and mortality, process of care events and vital sign documentation on paediatric wards: a secondary analysis of data from the EPOCH cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Gawronski Orsola , Parshuram Christopher S , Cecchetti Corrado , Tiozzo Emanuela , Szadkowski Leah , Ciofi Degli Atti Marta Luisa , Dryden-Palmer Karen , Dall'Oglio Immacolata , Raponi Massimiliano , Joffe Ari Robin , Tomlinson George 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveTo describe the associations between patient-to-nurse staffing ratios and rates of mortality, process of care events and vital sign documentation.DesignSecondary analysis of data from the evaluating processes of care and outcomes of children in hospital (EPOCH) cluster-randomised trial.Setting22 hospitals caring for children in Canada, Europe and New Zealand.ParticipantsEligible hospitalised patients were aged>37 weeks and <18 years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was all-cause hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included five events reflecting the process of care, collected for all EPOCH patients; the frequency of documentation for each of eight vital signs on a random sample of patients; four measures describing nursing perceptions of care.ResultsA total of 217 714 patient admissions accounting for 849 798 patient days over the course of the study were analysed. The overall mortality rate was 1.65/1000 patient discharges. The median (IQR) number of patients cared for by an individual nurse was 3.0 (2.8–3.6). Univariate Bayesian models estimating the rate ratio (RR) for the patient-to-nurse ratio and the probability that the RR was less than one found that a higher patient-to-nurse ratio was associated with fewer clinical deterioration events (RR=0.88, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.77–1.03; P (RR<1)=95%) and late intensive care unit admissions (RR=0.76, 95% CrI 0.53–1.06; P (RR<1)=95%). In adjusted models, a higher patient-to-nurse ratio was associated with lower hospital mortality (OR=0.77, 95% CrI=0.57–1.00; P (OR<1)=98%). Nurses from hospitals with a higher patient-to-nurse ratio had lower ratings for their ability to influence care and reduced documentation of most individual vital signs and of the complete set of vital signs.ConclusionsThe data from this study challenge the assumption that lower patient-to-nurse ratios will improve the safety of paediatric care in contexts where ratios are low. The mechanism of these effects warrants further evaluation including factors, such as nursing skill mix, experience, education, work environment and physician staffing ratios.Trial registration numberEPOCH clinical trial registered on clinical trial.govNCT01260831; post-results.
Unique immune characteristics and differential anti-PD-1-mediated reinvigoration potential of CD8+TILs based onBRCA1/2mutation status in epithelial ovarian cancers
Authors: Park Junsik , Kim Jung Chul , Lee Yong Jae , Kim Sunghoon , Kim Sang Wun , Shin Eui-Cheol , Lee Jung Yun , Park Su-Hyung 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the distinct immunological characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) according toBRCA1/2mutations status and differential PD-1 expression levels.MethodsTumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were collected from patients with newly diagnosed advanced-stage EOC (YUHS cohort, n=117). This YUHS cohort was compared with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data for ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (n=482), in terms of survival outcomes and immune-related gene profiles according toBRCA1/2status. We used multicolor flow cytometry to characterize the immune phenotypes and heterogeneity of TILs with or withoutBRCA1/2mutations.In vitrofunctional assays were conducted to evaluate the reinvigorating ability of CD8+TILs on anti-PD-1 treatment.ResultsWe found that EOC patients withBRCA1/2mutations (BRCA1/2mt) exhibited better survival outcomes and significantly higher tumor mutation burden (TMB), compared withBRCA1/2non-mutated (BRCA1/2wt) patients. Furthermore, CD8+TILs withinBRCA1/2mt tumors displayed characteristics indicating more severe T-cell exhaustion than theirBRCA1/2wt counterparts. Notably, the capacity for anti-PD-1-mediated reinvigoration of CD8+TILs was significantly greater inBRCA1/2wt tumors compared withBRCA1/2mt tumors. Additionally, within theBRCA1/2wt group, the frequency of PD-1highCD8+TILs was positively correlated with the reinvigoration capacity of CD8+TILs after anti-PD-1 treatment.ConclusionOur results highlight unique immune features of CD8+TILs in EOC and a differential response to anti-PD-1 treatment, contingent onBRCA1/2mutation status. These findings suggest that immune checkpoint blockade may be a promising frontline therapeutic option for selectedBRCA1/2wt EOC patients.