bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐genetic phenotypic variability affects populations and communities in protist microcosms
Authors: Raffard Allan , Jacob Staffan , Schtickzelle Nicolas 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Intraspecific trait variation (ITV), potentially driven by genetic and non‐genetic mechanisms, can underlie variability in resource acquisition, individual fitness and ecological interactions. Impacts of ITV at higher levels of biological organizations are hence likely, but up‐scaling our knowledge about ITV importance to communities and comparing its relative effects at population and community levels has rarely been investigated.

Here, we tested the effects of genetic and non‐genetic ITV on morphological traits in microcosms of protist communities by contrasting the effects of strains showing different ITV levels (i.e. trait averages and variance) on population growth, community composition and biomass production.

We found that genetic and non‐genetic ITV can lead to different effects on populations and communities across several generations. Furthermore, the effects of ITV declined across levels of biological organization: ITV directly altered population performance, with cascading but indirect consequences for community composition and biomass productivity.

Overall, these results show that the drivers of ITV can have distinct effects on populations and communities, with cascading impacts on higher levels of biological organization that might mediate biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships.
Is it time sociology started researching incompetence?
Authors: Chattoe‐Brown Edmund 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThere appears to be a mismatch between apparent incompetence in the world and the amount of sociological research it attracts. The aim of this article is to outline a sociology of incompetence and justify its value. I begin by defining incompetence as unsatisfactory performance relative to standards. Incompetence is thus intrinsically sociological in being negotiated and socially (re)constituted. The next section foregrounds how widespread and serious incompetence is. This renders effective sociological understanding crucial to welfare. The article then systematically analyses uses of the term in the British Journal of Sociology (a good quality general journal) to assess the current state of research. This analysis fully confirms the neglect of incompetence as a research topic. The next section proposes suitable methods for preliminary incompetence research addressing distinctive challenges like the stigma of being incompetent. These sections then allow incompetence to be better contextualised by other contributing concepts like power, bureaucracy and meritocracy. The final section justifies suggestions about directions for future research.
Apricot polysaccharides as new carriers to make curcumin nanoparticles and improve its stability and antibacterial activity
Authors: Zhou Chunka , Huang Chuanqing , Li Lu , Tian Yunong , Zhang Jin , Lin Lin , Li Changzhu , Ye Yong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractApricot polysaccharides (APs) as new types of natural carriers for encapsulating and delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients can achieve high‐value utilization of apricot pulp and improve the solubility, the stability, and the antibacterial activity of insoluble compounds simultaneously. In this research, the purified APs reacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the Maillard reaction, and with d‐α‐tocopheryl succinate (TOS) and pheophorbide A (PheoA) by grafting to fabricate two materials for the preparation of curcumin (Cur)‐encapsulated AP–BSA nanoparticles (CABNs) and Cur‐embedded TOS–AP–PheoA micelles (CTAPMs), respectively. The biological activities of two Cur nano‐delivery systems were evaluated. APs consisted of arabinose (22.36%), galactose (7.88%), glucose (34.46%), and galacturonic acid (31.32%) after the optimized extraction. Transmission electron microscopy characterization of CABNs and CTAPMs displayed a discrete and non‐aggregated morphology with a spherical shape. Compared to the unencapsulated Cur, the release rates of CABNs and CTAPMs decreased from 87% to 70% at 3 h and from 92% to 25% at 48 h, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of CABNs and CTAPMs were significantly improved. The CTAPMs exhibited a better antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli than CABNs due to the synergistic photosensitive effect between Cur and PheoA.
Longitudinal trajectories of substance use disorder treatment use: A latent class growth analysis using a national cohort in Chile
Authors: Bórquez Ignacio , Cerdá Magdalena , González‐Santa Cruz Andrés , Krawczyk Noa , Castillo‐Carniglia Álvaro 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and aimsLongitudinal studies have revealed that substance use treatment use is often recurrent among patients; the longitudinal patterns and characteristics of those treatment trajectories have received less attention, particularly in the global south. This study aimed to disentangle heterogeneity in treatment use among adult patients in Chile by identifying distinct treatment trajectory groups and factors associated with them.DesignNational‐level registry‐based retrospective cohort.Setting and participantsAdults admitted to publicly funded substance use disorder treatment programs in Chile from November 2009 to November 2010 and followed for 9 years (n = 6266).MeasurementsMonthly treatment use; type of treatment; ownership of the treatment center; discharge status; primary substance used; sociodemographic.FindingsA seven‐class treatment trajectory solution was chosen using latent class growth analysis. We identified three trajectory groups that did not recur and had different treatment lengths: Early discontinuation (32%), Less than a year in treatment (19.7%) and Year‐long episode, without recurrence (12.3%). We also identified a mixed trajectory group that had a long first treatment or two treatment episodes with a brief time between treatments: Long first treatment, or immediate recurrence (6.3%), and three recurrent treatment trajectory groups: Recurrent and decreasing (14.2%), Early discontinuation with recurrence (9.9%) and Recurrent after long between treatments period (5.7%). Inpatient or outpatient high intensity (vs. outpatient low intensity) at first entry increased the odds of being in the longer one‐episode groups compared with the Early discontinuation group. Women had increased odds of belonging to all the recurrent groups. Using cocaine paste (vs. alcohol) as a primary substance decreased the odds of belonging to long one‐episode groups.ConclusionsIn Chile, people in publicly funded treatment for substance use disorder show seven distinct care trajectories: three groups with different treatment lengths and no recurring episodes, a mixed group with a long first treatment or two treatment episodes with a short between‐treatment‐episodes period and three recurrent treatment groups.
ABCA1 variant rs9282541 is associated with metabolic syndrome in Maya children
Authors: Peña‐Espinoza Barbara I. , Torre‐Horta Emmanuel , Ortiz‐López María G. , Menjivar Marta 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a metabolic disorder encompassing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In Mexico, the MetS is a national health problem in adults and children. Environmental and genetic factors condition the MetS. However, studies to elucidate the contribution of genetic factors to MetS in Mexico are scarce. A recent study showed that variant rs9282541 (A‐allele) in ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was associated with T2D in the Maya population in addition to low levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). Thus, this study aimed to determine whether the genetic variant of ABCA1 A‐allele (rs9282541, NM_005502.4:c.688C > T, NP_005493.2:p.Arg230Cys) is associated with MetS and its components in Mexican Maya children.MethodsThe study was conducted in 508 children aged 9–13 from the Yucatán Peninsula. MetS was identified according to the de Ferranti criteria. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan assay by real‐time PCR. Evaluation of genetic ancestry group was included.ResultsThe frequency of MetS and overweight–obesity was 45.9% and 41.6%, respectively. The genetic variant rs9282541 was associated with low HDL‐C and high glucose concentrations. Remarkably, for the first time, this study showed the association of ABCA1 rs9282541 with MetS in Maya children with an OR of 3.076 (95% CI = 1.16–8.13 p = 0.023). Finally, this study reveals a high prevalence of MetS and suggests that variant rs9282541 of the ABCA1 gene plays an important role in the developing risk of MetS in Maya children.
Nonsense suppression induces read‐through of a novel BMPR1A variant in a Chinese family with hereditary colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Zhaokun , Shi Jiaying , Tao Dachang , Xie Shengyu , Yang Yuan , Liu Yunqiang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundBMPR1A‐mediated signaling transduction plays an essential role in intestinal growth. Variations of BMPR1A lead to a rare autosomal dominant inherited juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) with high probability of developing into colorectal cancer (CRC). Nonsense and frameshift variations, generating premature termination codons (PTCs), are the most pathogenic variants in the BMPR1A gene.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the molecular genetic etiology in a Chinese family with three generations of CRC.MethodsPathogenic variants of 18 known CRC susceptibility genes were examined in a Chinese CRC family through multigene panel testing using the next‐generation sequencing platform. The candidate gene variant was validated in the family members by Sanger sequencing. Potential biological functions of the gene variant were further investigated in the RKO colon cancer cell line.ResultsA novel nonsense variant (c.1114A > T, p.Lys372*) of BMPR1A was identified in the CRC family. This variant generated a PTC at the kinase domain and caused nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay. Read‐through inducing reagents G418 and PTC124 partially restored BMPR1A expression and its following signaling pathway.ConclusionThe identification of the novel BMPR1A variant enriched the genotype–phenotype spectrum of BMPR1A. Meanwhile, our finding also provided support for future PTC‐targeting therapy for BMPR1A‐mediated JPS and CRC.
Dynamics between national security laws and repertoires of political action: A comparative analysis of Hong Kong and South Korea
Authors: Kwak Seohee 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article undertakes a comparative analysis of two cases, Hong Kong and South Korea, each characterized by distinct levels of political and civil liberties to elucidate how the institutionalization of national security operates in shaping the repertoires of popular political actions and the repressive conduct of state actors. In both cases, the legal frameworks serve to curtail popular political action, both online and offline, often through discretionary applications of national security norms, resulting in ambiguity. They bestow legitimacy upon state agencies to engage in protest policing, surveillance, and the suppression of individuals or organizations in the name of upholding national security. In contrast, the national security laws in Hong Kong and South Korea, influenced by varying interpretations and applications of perceived threats to national security, result in differences in the extent and degree of contentious political actions and state repression.
Effective strategies for correcting spatial sampling bias in species distribution models without independent test data
Authors: Baker David J. , Maclean Ilya M. D. , Gaston Kevin J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimSpatial sampling bias (SSB) is a feature of opportunistically sampled species records. Species distribution models (SDMs) built using these data (i.e. presence‐background models) can produce biased predictions of suitability across geographic space, confounding species occurrence with the distribution of sampling effort. A wide range of SSB correction methods have been developed but simulations suggest effects on predictive performance are highly variable. Here, we aim to identify the SSB correction methods that have the highest likelihood of improving true predictive performance and evaluation strategies that provide a reliable indicator of model performance when independent test data are unavailable.LocationGlobal, simulation.Time PeriodCurrent, simulation.MethodsA meta‐analysis was used to evaluate the performance of SSB correction methods in studies where there were direct comparisons between corrected and uncorrected SDMs. A simulation model was then developed to test evaluation strategies against a known truth using four common SSB correction methods.ResultsEffect sizes from published studies suggest some support for small positive effects of SSB correction on predictive performance when assessed using independent test data, but this was not evident using internal cross‐validation and no single method stood out as consistently effective. Simulations support these findings and show that evaluation using internal test data was generally a poor indicator of the true effect of SSB correction. Methods that adjust models relative to a known driver of SSB produced the largest performance gains, but were also the most inconsistent.Main ConclusionsCorrecting SSB in presence‐background SDMs without independent test data to evaluate the effect on model performance requires careful implementation. We recommend clearer documentation of SSB correction effects on SDMs, presenting results from models with and without correction, evaluating effects of different assumptions of SSB implementation on predictions, as well as greater efforts to collect independent test datasets to validate model predictions.
Protocol for the STEADY intervention for type 1 diabetes and disordered eating: Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY
Authors: Zaremba Natalie , Harrison Amy , Brown Jennie , Allan Jacqueline , Pillay Divina , Treasure Janet , Ayis Salma , Hopkins David , Ismail Khalida , Stadler Marietta 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper describes the protocol to test the feasibility of the Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY (STEADY) intervention. STEADY is a novel complex intervention for people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) of mild to moderate severity. The STEADY intervention integrates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with diabetes education, and was developed using Experience‐Based Co‐Design.MethodsThe feasibility of STEADY will be tested using a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Forty adults with T1DE will be recruited and randomised into the STEADY intervention or treatment as usual control group. We will collect demographic, biomedical and psychometric data, routine glucose metrics and conduct the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐5. Participants randomised to the STEADY intervention will receive 12 STEADY therapy sessions with a diabetes specialist nurse trained in CBT, delivered via videoconference and an optional smartphone app. The main outcome at 6 months will be the feasibility of STEADY (recruitment, dropout rates, feasibility of delivery). The secondary outcomes are biomedical (HbA1c and glucose time in range) and psychological (person‐reported outcome measures in disordered eating, diabetes distress, depression and anxiety). A process evaluation will evaluate the fidelity, feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of STEADY, and participant experiences.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the East of England—Essex Research Ethics Committee (21/EE/0235). Study findings will be shared with study participants and disseminated through peer‐reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Wear characteristics of dual‐phase high‐entropy ceramics: Influence of the testing method
Authors: Naughton‐Duszová Annamária , Medveď Dávid , Ďaková Lenka , Kovalčíková Alexandra , Švec Peter , Tatarko Peter , Ünsal Hakan , Hvizdoš Pavol , Šajgalík Pavol , Dusza Ján 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWear behavior of a fine‐grained dual‐phase high‐entropy carbide/boride ceramics was investigated using ball‐on‐flat dry sliding methods in air, applying rotational and linear reciprocation motion with SiC counterpart. The investigated system showed very high nanohardness of the carbide and boride grains with mean values of 37.4 ± 2.3 and 43.0 ± 2.9 GPa, respectively, with the microhardness of dual system HV1 29.4 ± 2.0 GPa. The stabilized friction coefficient values during the circular tests changing from .62 to .77. During the reciprocal test, the frictional coefficient values are very similar with an average value of .53. The specific wear rates during the circular motion were similar in the range from 4.65 × 10−7 to 1.68 × 10−7 mm3/N m. During the reciprocal test, the wear rates at 5 and 25 N were similar as in the case of circular motion, but at 50 N load, the wear rate increased significantly to the value of 9.11 × 10−6 mm3/N m. The dominant wear mechanisms in all cases were oxidation driven tribochemical reaction and tribolayer formation in boride grains and mechanical wear in carbide grains. During the linear reciprocation test, the loading mode created conditions resulted in relatively low coefficient of friction and very high specific wear rate.
Ferroelectric anomaly of perovskite layer structured Pb2+‐doped Sr2Nb2O7 ceramics
Authors: Liu Lintao , Chen Tao , Ouyang Delai , Yue Yajun , Yang Bin , Yan Haixue , Abrahams Isaac , Fu Zhengqian , Liang Ruihong , Zhou Zhiyong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe spontaneous polarization of perovskite layer structured Sr2Nb2O7 ferroelectrics (FEs) is originated from mainly the oxygen octahedral rotations and partially the displacement of Sr2+ ions. However, there is FE anomaly of showing the typical characteristics of antiferroelectric (AFE)‐like behavior with double polarization–electric field hysteresis loops of Sr2Nb2O7 ceramics by Pb doping. Here, combinations of low frequency and sub‐terahertz band dielectric measurements under applied DC field reveal field‐induced transition from AFE to FE structure. Temperature dependence of dielectric constant suggested a second‐order phase transition near 215°C, which further supported by the lattice parameters and thermal expansion coefficient extracted from the variable temperature X‐ray diffraction in the heating and cooling processes. The selected area electron diffraction results show no new superlattice spots are observed along [1 0 0] zone axis related to c direction. We proposed a model based on octahedral tilting/rotation that accounted for the incommensurate lattice modulation in the c direction for Sr2Nb2O7 system by Pb doping. All the results show AFE‐like behavior be likely to origin from the electron structures of Pb2+ with a 6s2 lone pair. Our results gave us a new concept provide possibilities for the design of AFE‐like materials in layer structured compounds with super high FE Curie point.
Psychological aspects of being a parent of an individual with Rett syndrome: A scoping review
Authors: Larsen Jane Lunding , Hansson Helena , Bisgaard Anne‐Marie , Stahlhut Michelle 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundRett syndrome (RTT) causes multiple disabilities with a lifelong need for substantial care, placing a tremendous lifelong responsibility on the parents. Parenting an individual with RTT can therefore be challenging. Research on the psychological aspects of parenting individuals with RTT is limited and unclear. We aimed to identify and map the existing literature on this subject.MethodA scoping review was conducted with systematic searches in PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL.ResultsEighteen studies were included. Negative and positive psychological aspects were described with the majority focusing on the negative. Three factors seemed to especially affect the parents: severity of the diagnosis, time (increasing age of parents or individual with RTT; years of caretaking), work‐status of the mother.ConclusionsSeemingly, parents are highly affected; however, the literature is scarce and has several gaps. Future research should include older parents, fathers, parents of individuals living in group homes, and positive aspects.
Pharmacist‐led rapid medication titration for hypertension management by telehealth: A quality improvement initiative
Authors: Ishak Anthony M. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Wood Julia M. , Vyavahare Medha , Cluett Jennifer L. , Juraschek Stephen P. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHypertension guidelines recommend team‐based care for the treatment of high blood pressure (BP). Clinical pharmacists can help patients get to goal BP with rapid medication titration in conjunction with telehealth visits. We conducted a pharmacist‐led home BP monitoring pilot program from June 2020 to September 2021. Forty‐two patients with a SBP ≥140 despite using ≤2 antihypertensive medications were referred for pharmacist telehealth with expedited medication titration to achieve a BP goal <130/80. The mean enrollment SBP/DBP was 155.2 (SD, 15.8)/89.7 (SD, 11.5) mm Hg, and the mean completion SBP/DBP was 132.1 (SD, 10.9)/77.6 (SD, 10). The number of hypertension medications prescribed increased from 1.3 to 1.6 with no instances of falls or hypotension. At completion, 31% of patients had an automated office blood pressure (AOBP) with SBP <130 mm Hg and DBP <80 mm Hg. A pharmacist‐led, home BP monitoring telehealth pilot program helped patients safely achieve BP goals.
Hemodynamic changes in progressive cerebral infarction: An observational study based on blood pressure monitoring
Authors: Li Ling , Wu Bin , Dong Jiaoxuan , He Songbin , Xu Jie , Tse Gary , Dai Fangyu , Liu Haipeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractProgressive cerebral infarction (PCI) is a common complication in patients with ischemic stroke that leads to poor prognosis. Blood pressure (BP) can indicate post‐stroke hemodynamic changes which play a key role in the development of PCI. The authors aim to investigate the association between BP‐derived hemodynamic parameters and PCI. Clinical data and BP recordings were collected from 80 patients with cerebral infarction, including 40 patients with PCI and 40 patients with non‐progressive cerebral infarction (NPCI). Hemodynamic parameters were calculated from the BP recordings of the first 7 days after admission, including systolic and diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure (PP), with the mean values of each group calculated and compared between daytime and nighttime, and between different days. Hemodynamic parameters and circadian BP rhythm patterns were compared between PCI and NPCI groups using t‐test or non‐parametric equivalent for continuous variables, Chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and binary logistic regression analysis for potential risk factors. In PCI and NPCI groups, significant decrease of daytime systolic BP appeared on the second and sixth days, respectively. Systolic BP and fibrinogen at admission, daytime systolic BP of the first day, nighttime systolic BP of the third day, PP, and the ratio of abnormal BP circadian rhythms were all higher in the PCI group. PCI and NPCI groups were significantly different in BP circadian rhythm pattern. PCI is associated with higher systolic BP, PP and more abnormal circadian rhythms of BP.