bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reactive oxygen species may be involved in the distinctive biological effects of different doses of 12C6+ ion beams on Arabidopsis
Authors: Yin Yue , Cui Dongjie , Chi Qing , Xu Hangbo , Guan Panfeng , Zhang Hanfeng , Jiao Tao , Wang Xiaojie , Wang Lin , Sun Hao 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionHeavy ion beam is a novel approach for crop mutagenesis with the advantage of high energy transfer line density and low repair effect after injury, however, little investigation on the biological effect on plant was performed. 50 Gy irradiation significantly stimulated the growth of Arabidopsis seedlings, as indicated by an increase in root and biomass, while 200 Gy irradiation significantly inhibited the growth of seedlings, causing a visible decrease in plant growth.MethodsThe Arabidopsis seeds were irradiated by 12C6+. Monte Carlo simulations were used to calculate the damage to seeds and particle trajectories by ion implantation. The seed epidermis received SEM detection and changes in its organic composition were detected using FTIR. Evidence of ROS and antioxidant systems were analyzed. RNA-seq and qPCR were used to detect changes in seedling transcript levels.Results and discussionMonte Carlo simulations revealed that high-dose irradiation causes various damage. Evidence of ROS and antioxidant systems implies that the emergence of phenotypes in plant cells may be associated with oxidative stress. Transcriptomic analysis of the seedlings demonstrated that 170 DEGs were present in the 50 Gy and 200 Gy groups and GO enrichment indicated that they were mainly associated with stress resistance and cell wall homeostasis. Further GO enrichment of DEGs unique to 50 Gy and 200 Gy revealed 58 50Gy-exclusive DEGs were enriched in response to oxidative stress and jasmonic acid entries, while 435 200 Gy-exclusive DEGs were enriched in relation to oxidative stress, organic cyclic compounds, and salicylic acid. This investigation advances our insight into the biological effects of heavy ion irradiation and the underlying mechanisms.
Exploring the matrix: knowledge, perceptions and prospects of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Nigerian healthcare
Authors: Adigwe Obi Peter , Onavbavba Godspower , Sanyaolu Saheed Ekundayo 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundArtificial intelligence technology can be applied in several aspects of healthcare delivery and its integration into the Nigerian healthcare value chain is expected to bring about new opportunities. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and perception of healthcare professionals in Nigeria regarding the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the health sector.MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken amongst healthcare professionals in Nigeria with the use of a questionnaire. Data were collected across the six geopolitical zones in the Country using a stratified multistage sampling method. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were undertaken for the data obtained.ResultsFemale participants (55.7%) were slightly higher in proportion compared to the male respondents (44.3%). Pharmacists accounted for 27.7% of the participants, and this was closely followed by medical doctors (24.5%) and nurses (19.3%). The majority of the respondents (57.2%) reported good knowledge regarding artificial intelligence and machine learning, about a third of the participants (32.2%) were of average knowledge, and 10.6% of the sample had poor knowledge. More than half of the respondents (57.8%) disagreed with the notion that the adoption of artificial intelligence in the Nigerian healthcare sector could result in job losses. Two-thirds of the participants (66.7%) were of the view that the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare will augment human intelligence. Three-quarters (77%) of the respondents agreed that the use of machine learning in Nigerian healthcare could facilitate efficient service delivery.ConclusionThis study provides novel insights regarding healthcare professionals' knowledge and perception with respect to the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare. The emergent findings from this study can guide government and policymakers in decision-making as regards deployment of artificial intelligence and machine learning for healthcare delivery.
Exploring the valued outcomes of school-based speech-language therapy services: a sequential iterative design
Authors: Cahill Peter T. , Ng Stella , Turkstra Lyn S. , Ferro Mark A. , Campbell Wenonah N. 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundAchieving outcomes that community members value is essential to high-quality, family-centred care. These valued outcomes should inform the production and interpretation of research evidence. To date, outcomes included in studies of service delivery models for speech-language services in schools have been narrowly defined, and do not match the outcomes suggested as important by families, teachers, and children. The most important outcomes of school-based, speech-languages services have not been directly and systematically investigated. We aimed to address this gap by asking school community members what outcomes were most relevant to evaluating and improving the delivery of speech-language services in schools.MethodsA sequential, iterative mixed-method study was conducted using interviews with 14 family members, educators, and speech-language therapists that asked what outcomes or impacts of school-based services they considered most important or valuable. Summative content analysis was used to analyse the data. Structural topic modelling between rounds of qualitative analysis was used to describe both the quality and the quantity of the interview content. School community members’ perspectives were compared through estimation of topic proportions within interviews from each member group and through qualitative comparison.ResultsStructural topic modelling diagnostics and qualitative interpretation of topic output suggested a six-topic solution. This solution was estimated successfully and yielded the following topics: (1) meeting all needs appropriately, (2) teamwork and collaboration, (3) building capacities, (4) supporting individual student needs in context, (5) coordinating care, and finally (6) supporting core educational goals. Families focused on school-based services meeting all needs appropriately and coordinating care, while educators highlighted supporting individual student needs in context. By contrast, speech-language therapists emphasized building capacities and supporting core educational goals. All school community members agreed that current assessment tools and outcome measures were inadequate to capture the most important impacts of school-based services.ConclusionsOutcomes identified by school community members as important or valuable were broad, and included individual student outcomes, interpersonal outcomes, and systems-level outcomes. Although these outcomes were discussed by all member groups, each group focused on different outcomes in the interviews, suggesting differences in the prioritization of outcomes. We recommend building consensus regarding the most important outcomes for school-based speech-language services, as well as the prioritization of outcomes for measure development.
Participatory development of a target policy profile to support soil-transmitted helminth elimination
Authors: Means Arianna Rubin , List Kellie , Roll Amy , Gwayi-Chore Marie-Claire , Dolley Shawn , Schünemann Holger J. , Norman Thea C. , Walson Judd L. 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionSoil-transmitted helminths (STH) are parasitic worms that infect nearly a quarter of the world's population, particularly those living in communities without access to adequate water, sanitation, and housing. Emerging evidence suggests that it may be possible to interrupt transmission of STH by deworming individuals of all ages via community-wide MDA (cMDA), as opposed to only treating children and other focal populations. Transitioning from a policy of STH control to STH elimination in targeted areas would require a fundamental shift in STH policy and programming. This policy change would require updated guidance to support countries as they adapt their current approaches for STH surveillance, supply chain management, community mobilization, and core programmatic activities in pursuit of STH elimination. There is an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, such as program implementers and implementation partners, to understand what evidence they need to confidently adopt a new policy guideline and to deliver guideline adherent management at scale.MethodsWe aimed to engage with STH stakeholders to develop a Target Policy Profile (TPoP), a single document that describes optimal characteristics and evidence requirements that STH stakeholders prioritized in future potential STH transmission interruption efforts. Steps in TPoP development included a scoping review and key informant interviews (KIIs), which were used to design a two-stage Delphi technique to identify and verify TPoP components.ResultsThe scoping review resulted in 25 articles, and 8 experts participated in KII's. Twenty respondents completed the first Delphi survey and 10 respondents completed the second. This systematic effort resulted in a net of 3 key information domains (background/context, clinical considerations, and implementation considerations) encompassing 24 evidence categories (examples include evidence regarding safety and adverse events, implementation feasibility, or evidence dissemination). For each evidence category, STH stakeholders reviewed, endorsed, or revised a range of options for how the evidence could be presented.DiscussionThis information can be used by guideline committees or global policy makers prior to convening guideline advisory groups. The TPoP tool may also speed the process of stakeholder consensus building around guidelines, accelerating progress towards implementing evidence-based policy at scale.
Safety assessment of poly-ε-caprolactone in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: How Cheng-Hung , Chen Pei-Hsing , Chen Yu-Ching , Lin Yong-Chong , Chen Ke-Cheng , Chen Jin-Shing , Young Tai-Horng 
Published: January 2024

Background/purposeBiomaterial-based implants are gaining traction as an option for pleurodesis treatment, yet the search for the best biomaterial or the most suitable shape to handle spontaneous pneumothorax continues. This forward-looking research assessed the use of a poly-ε-caprolactone membrane for its safety when applied as a sclerosant in pleurodesis procedures in human patients.MethodsFrom July 2017 to February 2018, we conducted a Phase I trial in which 10 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with a poly-ε-caprolactone membrane. These procedures encompassed bleb resection and mechanical pleurodesis through parietal pleura scrubbing. After resection, a 150 × 150 mm poly-ε-caprolactone membrane was applied to the apex. The primary outcome measures were the adverse events and laboratory outcomes.ResultsAfter surgery, we observed no cardiopulmonary-related adverse events or indications of systemic inflammation. Furthermore, no episodes of hypothermia or hyperthermia occurred. Chest radiographs showed no evident pneumonitis or effusion associated with tissue reactions. The average follow-up duration was 31.7 ± 17.7 months, during which two patients exhibited recurrence.ConclusionThis study is the first to show the biocompatibility of poly-ε-caprolactone in humans, suggesting its potential as a treatment option for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Despite the relatively small number of patients, we maintain confidence in the reliability and safety profile of the PCL membrane, bolstered by its previously established efficacy in applications involving other organs. Phase II and phase III clinical studies are needed to support these observations.
La dimensión comunitaria del Estado en Europa occidental
Authors: Pérez Calvo Alberto 
Published: January 2024

Cuando algunos Estados europeos comprueban su incapacidad para asegurar aisladamente la paz en Europa o para hacer frente a sus fines sociales y económicos, crean las Comunidades Europeas como instrumento para satisfacer dichos objetivos. A partir de ese momento, los Estados comunitarios ya no pueden adoptar ciertas decisiones por sí mismos sino de acuerdo con los demás Estados comunita¬ rios en el seno de las Instituciones de la Unión Europea.
De todas formas, la integración europea supone para los Estados comunitarios la aparición de nuevas funciones. Por ejemplo, la continua adaptación de la Unión mediante la modificación de los Tratados, la formación de las instituciones comunitarias, la ejecución del derecho comunitario, la elaboración en cada momento del interés nacional a partir de su pluralismo interno, social, político, territorial... Y, posiblemente la más importante de todas ellas, la de proporcionar su legitimidad democrática a la construcción europea y a las decisiones comunitarias.
A partir de las tendencias que parecen deducirse de la integración europea, el Estado continuará proporcionando esta base de legitimidad democrática de la integración europea al mismo tiempo que la Unión perfecciona su propio sistema de legitimación. De esta manera, es previsible que la Unión Europea avance hacia una doble fuente de legitimidad democrática, la que le proporcionan los Estados y la que nace de su propio sistema.
La nueva dimensión comunitaria del Estado no constituye un carácter separado y autónomo sino que aparece unido a los caracteres que el Estado ha ido adquiriendo progresivamente a lo largo de su historia, o sea, "de derecho, "democrático" y "social".
Minorités et démocratie
Authors: Levrat Nicolas 
Published: January 2024

Dans la Charte de Paris pour une nouvelle Europe, adoptée dans le cadre de la CSCE le 21 novembre 1990, les Etats "européens" déclarent "que les questions relatives aux minorités nationales ne peuvent trouver de réponses satisfaisantes que dans un cadre politique démocratique ". Deux ans plus tard, l 'Assemblée générale de l 'ONU affirme dans une Déclaration sur les droits des personnes appartenant à des minorités nationales ou ethniques, religieuses ou linguistiques du 18 décembre 1992, que "les personnes appartenant à des minorités ont le droit de prendre une part effective, au niveau national et, le cas échéant, au niveau régional, aux décisions qui concernent la minorité à laquelle elles appartiennent [...] ". De ces deux éléments, il découle clairement que la prise en compte de minorités dans une société démocratique doit s 'effectuer par le biais des mécanismes démocratiques, et non exclusivement sur une extension des droits de la personne.
Cet article tente de montrer d'une part que pareille prise en considération de minorités structurelles dans une société démocratique implique des aménagements particuliers du processus démocratique ; cette étude vise d'autre part à souligner que de tels agencements institutionnels trouvent leur fondement non pas dans une extension progressiste (ou extensive) des droits subjectifs de personnes appartenant à de telles minorités, mais principalement de l 'exigence de légitimité des décisions démocratiques prises au sein d'une communauté politique -même autonome -dont les individus appartiennent à des groupes irréductiblement hétérogènes.
Les leçons de l'expérience dans les pays d'Europe centrale et orientale : les révisions constitutionnelles depuis l'effondrement des régimes communistes
Authors: Benoît-Rohmer Florence 
Published: January 2024

I. Revisiones constitucionales y reequilibrio institucional. A. Tendencia a reducir el papel del Jefe del Estado a un papel representativo , estudiada a partir de la revisión constitucional eslovaca y de los intentos de revisión de la Constitución húngara. B. La necesidad de superar los bloqueos parlamentarios mediante la racionalización del funcionamiento del parlamento (ejemplos esloveno y checo) o mediante el recurso al referéndum, como contrapeso de los todopoderosos parlamentos (el caso húngaro).
II. Revisiones constitucionales e integración europea. A. La transferencia de competencias a una organización internacional. B. Las revisiones conexas.
El incierto federalismo "a la italiana"
Authors: Nocito Walter 
Published: January 2024

L'article analyse les problèmes soulevés par les réformes constitutionnelles opérées en Italie au cours de l'année 2001. Il aborde également les effets des changements politiques et institutionnels qui ont eu lieu cette dernière décennie.
Les processus conduisant aux réformes constitutionnelles, et leurs effets existants et potentiels, sont analysés d'un point de vue italien, historique et constitutionnel. L'étude met en évidence d'un côté la probabilité croissante de conflit entre les " droits constitutionnels " et les " droits politiques ", et de l'autre le risque que la Constitution elle-même ne se banalise, du fait d'un " usage conjoncturel des institutions " de la part des forces politiques (mais aussi, partiellement, de la part des forces culturelles). De tels risques ont été observés et soulignés par nombre de chercheurs et commentateurs (Ruggeri, Cammelli, Rodotà), et sont dus en partie aux récentes réformes structurelles des régions. En réalité, les réformes dont il s'agit (lois constitutionnelles n.1/99 et n.3/01) semblent créer un risque croissant de conflit entre l'Etat et les autonomies locales, devant la Cour constitutionnelle, étant données les nouvelles procédures d'accès à la Cour (ex-article 127 de la Constitution). En ce sens, un certain nombre d'observateurs reconnus (Rescigno, Bin, Azzariti), ont décrit cette situation comme une forme de fédéralisme centrifuge. L'étude décrit brièvement les réformes constitutionnelles en cours, s'attardant plus particulièrement sur : a) la distribution des pouvoirs législatifs ; b) l'attribution des compétences administratives ; c) l'autonomie financière des régions. L'ensemble de l'étude ainsi conduite, avec une attention particulière portée au premier des trois sujets, tend à considérer la récente révision du titre V de la Constitution comme une réforme incomplète et risquée, qui donne lieu à un " chantier " ouvert, à l'intérieur duquel les évaluations et les choix de tous les acteurs impliqués dans la phase d'application de la réforme assument un rôle "crucial" dans la définition d'un ordonnancement cohérent, respectueux des principes constitutionnels fondamentaux. Dans l'étude des matières posant problème, actuellement objet d'analyses et de réflexions dans les différentes institutions italiennes, scientifiques ou non, le cas de la matière du Travail (définie, avec ambiguïté, par la réforme constitutionnelle de "protection et sécurité du travail ") est mis en évidence : en effet, les experts devaient, avec difficulté, "déchiffrer" les effets de la réforme dans un cadre soumis à des tensions et poussées diverses et contradictoires. L'étude conclut en considérant les changements qui peuvent survenir à la suite des réformes, et apporte une position critique concernant les actuels développements du débat politico-institutionnel.
Les symboles nationaux en droit (première partie)
Authors: Derdaele Elodie 
Published: January 2024

Les symboles nationaux représentent l'identité et la souveraineté d'une communauté humaine. Ils visent, d'une part, à représenter la communauté politique accompagnant ainsi les mutations politiques majeures d'une nation. Ils marquent alors un avant et un après. Mais ils se doivent également de matérialiser et d'incarner (à travers la personne du chef de l'Etat) l'unité - l'identité partagée -du corps politique. En somme, les symboles se veulent fédérateurs en vue de structurer l'avenir en commun.
D'autre part, ces symboles représentent la volonté souveraine de la communauté politique, délimitant ses titres et matérialisant la présence des autorités compétentes, pouvant dès lors exercer une contrainte. Ils soutiennent l'ordre étatique.
Les symboles nationaux participent par conséquent des discours politique et juridique. Ce qui explique la raison pour laquelle aucun Etat souverain, sans exception, ne saurait s'en dispenser. L'intérêt pratique de ces symboles, censés évocateurs, est ainsi indéniable. Loin d'être superfétatoires, les symboles nationaux peuvent revêtir une réelle force politique, doublée d'une redoutable efficacité juridique.
Urinary Vacuolar Casts Are a Unique Type of Casts in Advanced Proteinuric Glomerulopathies
Authors: Rosenbloom Sarah , Ramanand Akanksh , Stark Anabella , Varghese Vipin , Chalmers Dustin , Au-Yeung Nathan , Kanduri Swetha R. , Lukitsch Ivo , Poloni Jose Antonio T. , Keitel Elizete , Franz Ana Paula , Martínez-Figueroa Carlos , Sarkar Abhirup , Alix-Arbatin Maia C. , Fogo Agnes B. , Buchkremer Florian , Seltzer Jay R. , Velez Juan Carlos Q. 
Published: January 2024

Key Points

Vacuolar casts are a distinct type of casts identifiable by urinary sediment microscopy.Identification of urinary vacuolar casts is associated with the presence of an advanced and severe form of a proteinuric glomerular disease.

Background
Identification of casts by urinary sediment microscopy is a valuable diagnostic clinical tool for the evaluation of kidney disease. Vacuolar casts are an unrecognized unique type of casts characterized by the presence of nonpolarizable, clear vesicles of various sizes contained within a cast matrix, different from lipid casts, erythrocyte casts, or any other casts. We aimed to gain better understanding of the clinical relevance of these casts by establishing a multinational collaborative group to search for cases in which vacuolar casts were identified.

Methods
Leveraging an educational social media platform, we conducted a multinational observational study extracting cases of patients who presented with urinary vacuolar casts during evaluation for impaired kidney function. Parameters assessed included degree of proteinuria and kidney dysfunction, clinical and histopathological diagnosis, and severity of renal parenchymal scarring on biopsy. A control group of patients without vacuolar casts was included for comparison.

Results
Forty-six patients with urinary vacuolar casts were compiled from six countries. Nephrotic range proteinuria (82%), glomerular etiology (98%), and advanced CKD stage (62% 3B-5) were salient features. Histopathological diagnosis was available in 26 (57%) patients. Combining clinical and pathological diagnoses, diabetic nephropathy (48%), arterionephrosclerosis (30%), podocytopathies (15%), and proliferative glomerulonephritides (15%) accounted for most patients. Vacuolization of tubules or podocytes was present in 61% of the specimens. When compared with patients with histopathological diagnoses in which vacuolar casts were not found (n=186), patients with vacuolar casts more frequently had a glomerular etiology (100% versus 71%, P = 0.002), had greater proteinuria (median urine protein-to-creatinine 10.3 versus 2.2 g/g, P < 0.001), and had greater proportion of patients with ≥30% glomerular obsolescence (46% versus 20%, P = 0.003).

Conclusions
Thus, urinary vacuolar casts are strongly associated with advanced glomerulopathies with severe proteinuria. Future studies should examine their origin, composition, and prognostic value.

Podcast
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