cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Advancing Sustainable Transportation with Cutting-Edge Technologies
Creators: name: Li, Zihao
Publisher: name: Purdue University Graduate School
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 401102
subject: Environmentally sustainable engineering
classificationCode: 400512
subject: Transport engineering

description: The transportation sector accounts for the most greenhouse gas emissions among all economic sectors. Thus, making our transportation systems sustainable is crucial for achieving the national 2050 net-zero emission goal. This thesis aims to explore the application of cutting-edge technologies for advancing sustainable transportation. A framework that analyzes technologies and their potential applications across different transportation modes and scales is proposed and demonstrated through two case studies.The first case study focuses on developing a digital twin-based cooperative driving system for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) at roundabouts. An experiment conducted in a digital twin simulation environment shows that the cooperative driving system reduces emissions and energy consumption significantly while enhancing safety and maintaining efficiency.The second case study proposed a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP)-based prediction structure to iteratively predict future flight demand with historical data and future population and personal income data. Compared with Terminal Area Forecasting (TAF) projection data, the difference in the year 2050 is only around 8%. Ultimately, the applications of future aviation fuel demand estimation and future Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) distribution strategy exploration are showcased, leveraging the prediction result of the flight demand in 2050.Through the two case studies, the thesis demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework and reveals the significant potential of cutting-edge technologies, such as digital twin, CAVs, and SAF, in achieving sustainability in the transportation sector. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to promote innovation and application of sustainable transportation technologies and ultimately achieve the net-zero emission goal.
Supplementary Material from Inter-call intervals, but not call durations, adhere to Menzerath’s Law in the submissive vocal bouts of meerkats
Creators: name: Watson, Stuart Kyle
name: Zali, Mara
name: Falk, Nikola
name: Manser, Marta B
name: Widmer, Paul
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 520499
subject: Cognitive and computational psychology not elsewhere classified

description: Supplemental material_updated.docx
Supplementary information from Temporal contact patterns and the implications for predicting superspreaders and planning of targeted outbreak control
Creators: name: Pung, Rachael
name: Firth, Josh A.
name: Russell, Timothy
name: Rogers, Tim
name: Lee, Vernon J
name: Kucharski, Adam
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 310299
subject: Bioinformatics and computational biology not elsewhere classified

description: Temporal network_SI.docx
Tech + touch: A pilot study to facilitate access to health information technology for Spanish-speaking parents
Creators: name: Pittman, Allison
name: Lin, Feng-Chang
name: Flower, Kori B.
name: Gutierrez-Wu, Jennifer C.
name: McBride, Jennifer Pilotos
name: Yang, Yumei
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
Objectives As Spanish-speaking parents face many barriers to care, we sought to: (1) understand HIT experiences and preferences; (2) pilot test a tablet/navigator intervention; (3) understand HIT uses and barriers. Methods Prospective, uncontrolled, non-randomized, pilot intervention examining facilitated access to a patient portal for Spanish-speaking parents. Parents were recruited from pediatric specialty clinics in an academic center. Parents received an electronic tablet pre-populated with health resources, plus 2 telephone calls from a navigator. Surveys assessed HIT perceptions/use; portal activation was assessed through electronic records. Results Twenty-five Spanish-speaking parents were enrolled. All parents wished they knew more about their child's health and that doctors knew them better. Most parents endorsed interest in HIT, however only 12% activated portals. Post-intervention, there were non-significant increases in using portals to make appointments, receive reminders, send/receive messages, and view labs/instructions. Uses of study tablets included video visits (56%), health/COVID information (16%), and schoolwork (16%). Innovation Spanish-speaking parents express high interest in HIT. Provision of tablets may augment electronic capacity and facilitate video visits. Greater Spanish-language support is needed for Spanish-speaking parents to meaningfully use portals.
Wildfire-Relevant Woodsmoke and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs): Alterations in EV Proteomic Signatures Involved in Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Tissue Injury in Airway Organotypic Models
Creators: name: Rager, Julia E
name: Gilmour, M Ian
name: McCullough, Shaun D
name: Mordant, Angie L
name: Payton, Alexis
name: Kim, Yong Ho
name: Vitucci, Eva C M
name: Herring, Laura E
name: Carberry, Celeste K
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
Wildfires adversely impact air quality and public health worldwide. Exposures to wildfire smoke are linked to adverse health outcomes, including cardiopulmonary diseases. Critical research gaps remain surrounding the underlying biological pathways leading to wildfire-induced health effects. The regulation of intercellular communication and downstream toxicity driven by extracellular vesicles (EVs) is an important, understudied biological mechanism. This study investigated EVs following a wildfire smoke-relevant in vitro exposure. We hypothesized that woodsmoke (WS) would alter the proteomic content of EVs secreted in organotypic in vitro airway models. Exposures were carried out using a tri-culture model of alveolar epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells and a simplified co-culture model of alveolar epithelial cells and fibroblasts to inform responses across different cell populations. Epithelial cells were exposed to WS condensate and EVs were isolated from basolateral conditioned medium following 24 h exposure. WS exposure did not influence EV particle characteristics, and it moderately increased EV count. Exposure caused the differential loading of 25 and 35 proteins within EVs collected from the tri- and co-culture model, respectively. EV proteins involved in extracellular matrix degradation and wound healing were consistently modulated across both models. However, distinct proteins involved in the wound healing pathway were altered between models, suggesting unique but concerted efforts across cell types to communicate in response to injury. These findings demonstrate that a wildfire-relevant exposure alters the EV proteome and suggest an impact on EV-mediated intercellular communication. Overall, results demonstrate the viability of organotypic approaches in evaluating EVs to investigate exposure-induced biomarkers and underlying mechanisms. Findings also highlight the impact of differences in the biological complexity of in vitro models used to evaluate the effects of inhaled toxicants.
An Incognito Standardized Patient Approach for Measuring and Reducing Intersectional Healthcare Stigma: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Control Trial
Creators: name: Huang, Shujie
name: Joyner, Benny L
name: Wei, Chongyi
name: Zhang, Wei
name: Fei, Yunqing
name: Smith, M. Kumi
name: Wang, Cheng
name: Meng, Siyan
name: Yang, Ligang
name: Sylvia, Sean Y
name: Tucker, Joseph
name: Tang, Weiming
name: Luo, Danyang
name: Yang, Bin
Publisher: name: Wolters Kluwer
Year: 2024

description:
Background: Consistent evidence shows stigma impedes healthcare access in people living with HIV (PLWH) and men who have sex with men (MSM). We evaluated the impact of a stigma reduction training for providers whose design was informed by direct observation of their clinical behaviors obtained through visits by incognito standardized patient (SP). Setting: We conducted this study in in sexually transmitted infection clinics in Guangzhou, China. Methods: This pilot cluster randomized control trial assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an intervention whose design was informed by a baseline round of incognito visits in which SPs presented standardized cases to consenting doctors. By randomly varying the HIV status and sexual orientation of each case, we could quantify stigma as differences in care quality across scenarios. We then conducted a follow-up round of SP visits and assessed impact using linear fixed effects regression. Results: Feasibility and acceptability among the 55 provider participants was high, with no adverse visit events. The training improved testing for HIV negative MSM (0.05 percentage points [PP], 95% CI,-0.24, 0.33) and diagnostic effort in HIV positive MSM (0.23 standard deviation [SD] improvement, 95% CI, -0.92, 1.37). Patient-centered care only improved for HIV positive straight cases (SD, 0.57; 95% CI, -0.39, 1.53). All estimates lacked statistical precision, an expected outcome of a pilot RCT. Conclusions: Our training reduced stigma in in several domains of care, but least of all for PLWH, suggesting that future trainings should include more clinical content to strengthen clinical skills in PLWH management.
Use of Biosimilars to Infliximab During Pregnancy in Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results from the Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Neonatal Outcomes (PIANO) Study
Creators: name: Mahadevan, Uma
name: Long, Millie D.
name: Beaulieu, Dawn
name: Abraham, Bincy
name: Kane, Sunanda
name: Zhang, Xian
Publisher: name: Wolters Kluwer
Year: 2024

description:
Introduction: We aimed to compare pregnancy outcomes of women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) utilizing biosimilar vs. originator infliximab (IFX). Methods: In a prospective cohort of pregnant women with IBD, we collected characteristics, medications, pregnancy outcomes, and developmental milestones. We compared outcomes by IFX biosimilar or originator use via bivariate statistics. Results: A total of 100 pregnant women on originator IFX and 20 on biosimilar IFX were included. There were no differences in pregnancy complications between groups (48% vs. 35%, p=0.29). Infant developmental milestones were comparable at 12 months. Conclusions: Biosimilar IFX is not associated with adverse pregnancy or infant outcomes.
Hydrogel‐Forming Microneedles and Applications in Interstitial Fluid Diagnostic Devices
Creators: name: Nissan, Hannah E.
name: Aroche, Angélica F.
name: Daniele, Michael A.
Publisher: name: Wiley
Year: 2024

description:
Hydrogel-forming microneedles are constructed from or coated with polymeric, hydrophilic materials that swell upon insertion into the skin. Designed to dissolve or disintegrate postinsertion, these microneedles can deliver drugs, vaccines, or other therapeutics. Recent advancements have broadened their application scope to include the collection, transport, and extraction of dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) for medical diagnostics. This review presents a brief introduction to the characteristics of dermal ISF, methods for extraction and sampling, and critical assessment of the state-of-the-art in hydrogel-forming microneedles for ISF diagnostics. Key factors are evaluated including material composition, swelling behavior, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength necessary for effective microneedle performance and ISF collection. The review also discusses successful examples of dermal ISF assays and microneedle sensor integrations, highlighting notable achievements, identifying research opportunities, and addressing challenges with potential solutions. Despite the predominance of synthetic hydrogels in reported hydrogel-forming microneedle technologies due to their favorable swelling and gelation properties, there is a significant variety of biopolymers and composites reported in the literature. The field lacks consensus on the optimal material, composition, or fabrication methods, though emerging evidence suggests that processing and fabrication techniques are critical to the performance and utility of hydrogel-forming microneedles for ISF diagnostics.
Researching everyday geographies of caregiving youth: Versatile Everyday Emotion Mapping (VEEMethod)
Creators: name: Edmonds, Leiha
name: Olson, Elizabeth Ann
Publisher: name: SAGE Publications
Year: 2024

description:
Caregiving happens in time and place, but geographers’ methodologies to explore where care happens receive scant attention in the literature on caregiving. In this article, we explain our development of a methodological approach to recording and analyzing the dynamics of everyday family caregiving by children and adolescents and how caregiving produces places and spaces that are invested with experiences and emotions. The methodology, which we call Versatile Everyday Emotion Mapping (VEEMethod), draws on the philosophy of care ethics, theoretical frameworks from critical youth and feminist geography and feminist GIS, and participatory practices tailored to working with youth. Referring to data produced by young participants in a multiyear, single-sited study of the everyday experiences of caregiving youth in the United States, we review how VEEMethod offers a robust geographic method and critically consider the challenges of comparing and analyzing incongruous mapping outputs.
Spatial characterizations of bacterial dynamics for food safety: Modeling for shared water processing environments
Creators: name: Ryan, Shawn D.
name: Zekaj, Nerion
name: Munther, Daniel
name: Kothapalli, Chandrasekhar R.
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2025

description:
Bacterial dynamics occurring in shared water environments during food processing are typically modeled assuming a homogeneous mixing profile. However, given the tank configurations, and water recirculation and reuse specifications used in many facilities, uniform mixing is not always applicable. Towards this goal, we here developed a novel reaction-diffusion-advection model that captures temporal and spatial variations in the water tanks under dynamic conditions. We utilize the dynamics involved in poultry chilling as an example, as this process features a comprehensive interplay of bacteria, water chemistry and water flow dynamics, as well as determining bacteria levels on carcasses moving into final phases of the food production chain, thus directly influencing public health risk. Well-posedness, existence and uniqueness of positive steady-state solutions with global stability are proved, as well as an estimation of the time scale of convergence to the steady-state solution provided. Simulations are used to verify the analytical results incorporating parameters informed by experimental data from generic, non-pathogenic E. coli, and predictively estimate the time to equilibrium. We show that during a typical 8 h processing shift, the model reaches steady state within 2 h, applying this result to validate model simulations against commercial data. The calibrated model predicts a distribution of E. coli levels on post-chill carcasses with mean and standard deviation of 3.35 ± 0.56 Log10 CFU/carcass, which closely compares to the experimentally observed distribution of 3.55 ± 0.64 Log10 CFU/carcass in an industrial setting. Our results reinforce the key role of space in quantifying essential mechanisms that govern water chemistry and E. coli dynamics during poultry chilling. Our model is an important tool to improve decision making for pathogen control during poultry chilling, as well as a blueprint from which models for processing other commodities like fresh produce and pork can be established.
Direct Cardiac Reprogramming via Combined CRISPRa-Mediated Endogenous Gata4 Activation and Exogenous Mef2c and Tbx5 Expression
Creators: name: Near, David
name: Keepers, Benjamin
name: Xu, Jun
name: Qian, Li
name: Huang, Peisen
name: Ricketts, Shea
name: Xu, Yangxi
name: Wang, Li
name: Hua, James Rock
name: Liu, Jiandong
name: Spurlock, Brian
name: Xie, Yifang
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
Direct cardiac reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) can be achieved by ectopic expression of cardiac transcription factors (TFs) via viral vectors. However, risks like genomic mutations, viral toxicity, and immune response, limited its clinical application. Trans-activation of endogenous TFs emerges as an alternative approach that may partially mitigate some of the risks. In this study, we utilized a modified CRISPRa/dCas9 strategy to transactivate endogenous reprogramming factors MEF2C, GATA4, TBX5 (M/G/T) to induce iCMs from both mouse and human fibroblasts. We identified single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting promoters and enhancers of the TFs capable of activating various degrees of endogenous gene expression. CRISPRa-mediated Gata4 activation, combined with exogenous expression of Mef2c and Tbx5, successfully converted fibroblasts into iCMs. Despite extensive sgRNA screening, trans-activation of Mef2c and Tbx5 via CRISPRa remained less effective, potentially due to de novo epigenetic barriers. While future work and refined technologies are needed to determine whether cardiac reprogramming could be achieved solely through CRISPRa activation of endogenous factors, our findings provide proof of concept that reliance on exogenous TFs for reprogramming can be reduced through CRISPRa-mediated activation of endogenous factors, particularly Gata4, offering a novel strategy to convert scar-forming fibroblasts into iCMs for regenerative purposes.
Unmasking Primary Carnitine Deficiency as a Mimic of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Creators: name: Jensen, Brian C.
name: Sang, Charlie J.
name: Weickert, Thelsa T.
name: Sivak, Joseph A.
name: Stafford, Sarah G.
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
Primary carnitine deficiency may mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and be mistakenly attributed to genotype-negative sarcomeric protein dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although rare, timely diagnosis may have significant implications on management and should prompt testing of family members.
Efficacy of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide versus dolutegravir-based three-drug regimens in people with HIV with varying adherence to antiretroviral therapy
Creators: name: Andreatta, Kristen
name: Hindman, Jason T
name: D’Antoni, Michelle L
name: Sax, Paul E
name: Liu, Hui
name: Wohl, David
name: Callebaut, Christian
Publisher: name: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Year: 2024

description:
OBJECTIVE: Five Phase 3 bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) clinical studies demonstrated that the efficacy of B/F/TAF was non-inferior to dolutegravir (DTG) + 2 NRTIs. We retrospectively assessed drug adherence and effect on virologic outcomes. METHODS: Studies (NCT02607930, NCT02607956, NCT03547908, NCT02603120 and NCT03110380) were double-blind, placebo-controlled and enrolled treatment-naïve or virologically suppressed adults. Adherence was calculated by pill count from returned pill bottles; virologic outcome was assessed by last on-treatment HIV-1 RNA. RESULTS: Altogether, 2622 participants (B/F/TAF: n = 1306; DTG + 2 NRTIs: n = 1316) were categorized as having high (≥95%), intermediate (≥85% to <95%) or low (<85%) adherence. Through Week 48, low adherence was observed in 46 (3.5%) participants in the B/F/TAF group (78% median adherence) and 69 (5.2%) in the DTG + 2 NRTI group (80% median adherence). Overall, 1287 (98.5%) participants in the B/F/TAF group and 1292 (98.2%) in the DTG + 2 NRTI group had virologic suppression (VS; HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) through Week 48. VS in participants with low adherence versus high or intermediate adherence was similar in the B/F/TAF group, but lower in the DTG + 2 NRTI group (P ≤ 0.002). Similar results were observed at Weeks 96 and 144. Two participants (<95% adherence) in the DTG + 2 NRTI group receiving DTG and abacavir/lamivudine developed M184V; there was no treatment-emergent resistance to B/F/TAF. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with suboptimal (<85%) adherence to B/F/TAF maintained high levels of VS, whereas suboptimal DTG + 2 NRTI adherence was associated with lower VS.
Hepatovirus translation requires PDGFA-associated protein 1, an eIF4E-binding protein regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress responses
Creators: name: Chen, Xian
name: Xie, Ling
name: Das, Anshuman
name: Whitmire, Jason K.
name: Cameron, Craig E.
name: Léger-Abraham, Mélissa
name: Fusco, William G.
name: Lemon, Stanley M.
name: Yonish, Bryan
name: Li, You
name: Shirasaki, Takayoshi
name: Duncan, Joseph A.
name: Moorman, Nathaniel J.
name: Lenarcic, Erik
name: Cullen, John M.
name: Misumi, Ichiro
name: Kim, Hyejeong
Publisher: name: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Year: 2024

description:
The overexpression and misfolding of viral proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may cause cellular stress, thereby inducing a cytoprotective, proteostatic host response involving phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha (eIF2α). Here, we show that hepatitis A virus, a positive-strand RNA virus responsible for infectious hepatitis, adopts a stress-resistant, eIF2α-independent mechanism of translation to ensure the synthesis of viral proteins within the infected liver. Cap-independent translation directed by the hepatovirus internal ribosome entry site and productive hepatovirus infection of mice both require platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA)-associated protein 1 (PDAP1), a small phosphoprotein of unknown function with eIF4E-binding activity. PDAP1 also interacts with eIF1A and is essential for translating stress-resistant host messenger RNAs that evade the proteostatic response to ER stress and that encode proteins promoting the survival of stressed cells.
Influence of Matching the Processing Delays of Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Devices for Bimodal Listeners on Speech Recognition in Noise.
Creators: name: Rooth, Meredith A
name: Richter, Margaret E
name: Dillon, Margaret T
Publisher: name: American Speech Language Hearing Association
Year: 2024

description:
PURPOSE: Cochlear implant (CI) recipients who listen with a hearing aid (HA) in the contralateral ear, known as bimodal listeners, demonstrate individual variability in speech recognition in noise. This variability may be due in part to differences in the processing delays of the CI and HA devices. This study investigated the influence of matching the processing delays of CI and HA devices on masked speech recognition for bimodal listeners. METHOD: Twelve postlingually deafened adult CI recipients completed a task of masked speech recognition in two listening conditions: (a) independent default CI and HA processing delays (mismatched) and (b) with their HA-specific delay applied to the CI processing delay (matched). Speech recognition was evaluated with AzBio sentences presented in a 10-talker masker at a 0 dB SNR. The target was presented from the front loudspeaker at 0° azimuth, and the masker was co-located with the target, presented 90° toward the CI ear, or presented 90° toward the HA ear. RESULTS: There was a significant main effect for target-to-masker configuration, with better performance when the masker was spatially separated from the target. Better masked speech recognition was observed in the matched condition as compared to the mismatched condition. CONCLUSION: Bimodal listeners may experience better masked speech recognition when the processing delay of the CI is individualized to match the processing delay of the contralateral HA. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27616845.
Kurzinfos, Netz- und Tagungstipps / Impressum
Creators: name: Döbel, Susen
name: Gütter, Susanne
name: Lischewsky, Bastian
Publisher: name: Rundbrief Grabungstechnik
Year: 2024

description: Rundbrief Grabungstechnik, Bd. 24 (2024): Rundbrief Grabungstechnik
Searching for Equity: Strategies for Enhancing Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Applicant Pools for Public Health Faculty Searches.
Creators: name: Muessig, Kathryn E
name: Gilkey, Melissa B
name: Polston, Patsy M
name: Armora Langoni, Eliana G
name: Baron, Deborah
name: Kowitt, Sarah D
Publisher: name: SAGE Publications
Year: 2024

description:
Low racial/ethnic diversity among public health academics undermines our research, teaching, and practice. One important step for addressing this problem is to increase the diversity of applicant pools for open faculty positions. In this commentary, we share our experience conducting a tenure-track faculty search at a large public university. Through consultation with leaders within and beyond our school, we identified strategies to maintain a diverse pool of applicants across the search process. These strategies were to (a) convene and train well-rounded teams, including equity advocates, (b) write and advertise job announcements to welcome diverse applicants, (c) set and monitor data-informed diversity goals, and (d) evaluate applicants equitably. For each strategy, we share available data and resources. Although much work remains, search committees can benefit from emerging best practices in hiring to recruit applicants who better reflect the vibrant diversity of the students and communities that public health seeks to serve.
In eigener Sache
Creators: name: Döbel, Susen
name: Gütter, Susanne
name: Heisig, Sophie Friederike
name: Höhler-Brockmann, Hajo
name: Lischewsky, Bastian
name: Ludwig, Bernhard
Publisher: name: Rundbrief Grabungstechnik
Year: 2024

description: Rundbrief Grabungstechnik, Bd. 24 (2024): Rundbrief Grabungstechnik
Survival outcomes of population-wide colonoscopy screening: reanalysis of the NordICC data
Creators: name: Goldstein, Daniel A.
name: Meirson, Tomer
name: Markel, Gal
Publisher: name: Springer Nature
Year: 2024

description:
Background Colonoscopy as a common screening practice to prevent colorectal cancer lacks strong evidence. NordICC, the first randomized trial of colonoscopy screening, reported no clear clinical benefit for colonoscopy in the intention-to-screen population with suggested benefit in the risk of colorectal incidence and cancer-specific mortality in the per-protocol analyses. However, although the study was designed to perform survival analysis, no survival outcomes were reported since the underlying assumption for hazard ratio was not valid. We aimed to assess whether colonoscopy screening is associated with improved survival outcomes compared with usual care. Methods We reconstructed patient-level data from the Kaplan-Meier estimator of the primary endpoints reported in NordICC for the intention-to-screen and adjusted per-protocol populations. The restricted-mean survival time difference (RMST-D) and restricted-mean time loss ratio (RMTL-R), which are robust alternatives to the hazard ratio without specific model assumptions, were calculated for colorectal cancer incidence and death. Results In this study, no significant difference in colorectal cancer incidence over 10 years was found in the intention-to-screen population (RMST-D: -0.68 days, 95% CI -3.9–2.6; RMTL-R: 1.04, 95% CI 0.88–1.22) or in the per-protocol analysis population (RMST-D: -2.9 days, 95% CI -6.5–0.67; RMTL-R: 1.15, 95% CI 0.97–1.35). In the intention-to-screen population, inviting individuals to colonoscopy did not improve colorectal-cancer death (RMST-D: -0.29 days, 95% CI -1.6–1.0; RMTL-R: 1.07, 95% CI 0.78–1.48). Over 10 years, in the per-protocol analysis, individuals who underwent colonoscopy survived an average of 1.1 more days free of colorectal cancer, but this difference was not statistically significant (RMST-D: 95% CI -0.13–2.3; RMTL-R: 0.72, 95% CI 0.49–1.07). Conclusions In this reanalysis of the NordICC data, no evidence of improvement in survival outcomes for participants invited to undergo colonoscopy compared to usual care was identified, even when assuming that all invited participants did undergo colonoscopy. Thus, our results do not support the use of colonoscopy as a population-wide screening test as a mean to decrease colorectal cancer incidence or death. Registry Not applicable.
The Super-Turbocharged End-to-Side Abductor Digiti Minimi and Anterior Interosseous Double Nerve Transfer Is Associated With Improved Ulnar Intrinsic Function.
Creators: name: Mackinnon, Susan E
name: Orr, Jonah
name: Peters, Blair R
name: Johnson, Anna Rose
name: Llaneras, Noah
name: Chi, David
name: Patterson, Megan M
name: Jacobson, Lauren
Publisher: name: SAGE Publications
Year: 2024

description:
BACKGROUND: Nerve transfers to reinnervate ulnar intrinsic musculature can restore function in severe ulnar neuropathy, and supercharged end-to-side (SETS) nerve transfers have garnered early adoption. Given the relative expendability of the abductor digiti minimi (ADM), redirecting its axons to more critical components of the ulnar motor nerve (UMN) in a turbocharged end-to-side (TETS) nerve transfer with concomitant anterior interosseous SETS nerve transfer (AIN) as a super-turbocharged end-to-side (STETS) or twin-charged double nerve transfer may improve functional recovery. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients undergoing the STETS AIN/ADM to UMN double nerve transfer or TETS ADM to UMN nerve transfer for severe ulnar neuropathy between 2020 and 2022 was performed. Primary outcomes were improvement in first dorsal interosseous (FDI) strength and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Dichotomous and continuous variables were compared with χ2 and t tests, respectively. RESULTS: Fifty patients with severe ulnar nerve injuries were identified with at least 1-year surgical follow-up. Preoperative symptom duration was an average of 11.3 months. The STETS cohort (n = 42) reported significantly decreased DASH scores from 58 to 28 (P < .001) and improved FDI Medical Research Council (MRC) score from 0.7 to 3.3 (P < .001). The TETS cohort (n = 8) reported significantly decreased DASH scores from 54 to 23 (P = .016) and improved FDI MRC score from 2.0 to 3.6 (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Distal transfer of the ADM nerve to the ulnar deep motor branch in a turbocharged fashion is reported. The findings suggest that the STETS double nerve transfer may improve patient outcomes and warrants further investigation with prospective cohort studies.
On the Origin of Entrepreneurial Theories: How Entrepreneurs Craft Complex Causal Models with Theorizing and Data
Creators: name: Ott, Timothy E.
name: Hannah, Douglas P.
Publisher: name: Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Year: 2024

description:
The emerging theory-based view depicts entrepreneurs as sophisticated thinkers who form, update, and act on rich causal theories. In support of this view, recent empirical work has demonstrated both (a) the value of theories as well as (b) the importance of experimentation for testing and refining theories. Yet, the process by which entrepreneurs initially form these theories remains largely unobserved. To address this gap, we conduct a longitudinal study of nine consumer platform ventures over five years. Our primary contribution is to illuminate how entrepreneurs move from the spark of an initial idea to an actionable theory. This process begins with a thesis, which is an initial, poorly formed idea that guides subsequent learning and theorizing. To elaborate this thesis, entrepreneurs then knit together multiple distinct mental theorizing practices, as well as different approaches to generating new data. Extending prior work, we articulate the distinct roles these practices play in terms of adding novelty, identifying new subproblems, and explicating beliefs. We also add insight into the role of data generation in spurring further theorizing. Overall, we contribute empirical evidence and a rich processual understanding of how entrepreneurs articulate complex causal theories. Funding: We appreciate the generous support of the Strategy Research Foundation Dissertation Research Grant Program.
Lagrangian formulation of nuclear–electronic orbital Ehrenfest dynamics with real-time TDDFT for extended periodic systems
Creators: name: Zhou, Ruiyi
name: Li, Tao E.
name: Kanai, Yosuke
name: Xu, Jianhang
name: Hammes-Schiffer, Sharon
Publisher: name: AIP Publishing
Year: 2024

description:
We present a Lagrangian-based implementation of Ehrenfest dynamics with nuclear-electronic orbital (NEO) theory and real-time time-dependent density functional theory for extended periodic systems. In addition to a quantum dynamical treatment of electrons and selected protons, this approach allows for the classical movement of all other nuclei to be taken into account in simulations of condensed matter systems. Furthermore, we introduce a Lagrangian formulation for the traveling proton basis approach and propose new schemes to enhance its application for extended periodic systems. Validation and proof-of-principle applications are performed on electronically excited proton transfer in the o-hydroxybenzaldehyde molecule with explicit solvating water molecules. These simulations demonstrate the importance of solvation dynamics and a quantum treatment of transferring protons. This work broadens the applicability of the NEO Ehrenfest dynamics approach for studying complex heterogeneous systems in the condensed phase.
Language-Specific Representation of Emotion-Concept Knowledge Causally Supports Emotion Inference
Creators: name: Wang, Huadong
name: Lindquist, Kristen A.
name: Liu, Zhiyuan
name: Huang, Hsiu-Yuan
name: Zhang, Dan
name: Cheng, Jiali
name: Hu, Xin
name: Su, Yusheng
name: Zhang, Xinmiao
name: Li, Ming
name: Qin, Yujia
name: Wang, Xiaozhi
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
Humans no doubt use language to communicate about their emotional experiences, but does language in turn help humans understand emotions, or is language just a vehicle of communication? This study used a form of artificial intelligence (AI) known as large language models (LLMs) to assess whether language-based representations of emotion causally contribute to the AI’s ability to generate inferences about the emotional meaning of novel situations. Fourteen attributes of human emotion concept representation were found to be represented by the LLM's distinct artificial neuron populations. By manipulating these attribute-related neurons, we in turn demonstrated the role of emotion concept knowledge in generative emotion inference. The attribute-specific performance deterioration was related to the importance of different attributes in human mental space. Our findings provide a proof-in-concept that even a LLM can learn about emotions in the absence of sensory-motor representations and highlight the contribution of language-derived emotion-concept knowledge for emotion inference.
Securin regulates the spatiotemporal dynamics of separase
Creators: name: Klebanow, Lindsey
name: Turpin, Christopher G. Sorensen
name: Mitchell, Diana
name: Sloan, Dillon
name: LaForest, Marian
name: Bembenek, Joshua N.
name: Severson, Aaron F.
Publisher: name: Rockefeller University Press
Year: 2024

description:
Separase regulates multiple aspects of the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Separase cleaves cohesin to allow chromosome segregation and localizes to vesicles to promote exocytosis. The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activates separase by ubiquitinating its inhibitory chaperone, securin, triggering its degradation. How this pathway controls the exocytic function of separase is unknown. During meiosis I, securin is degraded over several minutes, while separase rapidly relocalizes from kinetochore structures at the spindle and cortex to sites of action on chromosomes and vesicles at anaphase onset. The loss of cohesin coincides with the relocalization of separase to the chromosome midbivalent at anaphase onset. APC/C depletion prevents separase relocalization, while securin depletion causes precocious separase relocalization. Expression of non-degradable securin inhibits chromosome segregation, exocytosis, and separase localization to vesicles but not to the anaphase spindle. We conclude that APC/C-mediated securin degradation controls separase localization. This spatiotemporal regulation will impact the effective local concentration of separase for more precise targeting of substrates in anaphase.
For the Children: Attitudes Toward Marriage and Divorce in the United States
Creators: name: Compton, D’Lane
name: Meng, Shuo
name: Zhou, Keya
name: Kaufman, Gayle
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024

description:
The deinstitutionalization of marriage suggests more support for divorce and the forgoing of marriage. In this study, we examine attitudes toward both marriage and divorce in the context of having children and how they coincide with each other, creating a new typology of attitudes. Based on a national probability sample of 2,789 adults from the American Marriage Survey conducted in 2021, we find that just over half (55%) of people express transformative deinstitutionalization attitudes, in which they support divorce as well as forgoing marriage, while the next largest group (22%) hold divorce deinstitutionalization attitudes, in which they support divorce but also encourage marriage when children are involved. Findings show that women, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and pansexual individuals, and those who are cohabiting or divorced are more likely to hold transformative deinstitutionalization attitudes compared to pro-institutionalization attitudes, which support marriage and oppose divorce when children are involved. Meanwhile, older individuals, those who attend religious services more frequently, and those who identify as more politically conservative are less likely to hold any form of deinstitutionalization attitudes. Interestingly, education and parenthood have no impact on this set of attitudes. Given trends that show decreases in marriage and increases in LGBT identification, there may be further movement toward the disconnection of marriage and children.
In response to: “Innovative cellular therapies for autoimmune diseases: expert-based position statement and clinical practice recommendations from the EBMT practice harmonization and guidelines committee” by Greco et al.
Creators: name: Howard, James F.
name: Vu, Tuan
name: Miljkovic, Milos D.
name: Manzi, Susan M.
name: Mozaffar, Tahseen
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
We would like to highlight four points regarding recent EBMT recommendations for the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in autoimmune diseases
Internet Devices and Internet Access Among Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, North Carolina, 2023.
Creators: name: Ketterman, Elizabeth
name: Russell, Roger G
name: Cofie, Leslie E
name: Anderson, Griffin C
name: Lee, Joseph G L
name: Moore, Modjulie A
name: Santillán-Deras, Jocelyn R
name: Roby, Mary
name: Nieuwsma, Julianna
name: Harwell, Emery L
name: LePrevost, Catherine E
name: Reed, Elisabeth C
name: Bloss, Jamie E
Publisher: name: SAGE Publications
Year: 2024

description:
OBJECTIVES: Migrant and seasonal farmworkers work in rural areas where internet access may be limited. We assessed internet access, cost of access, and devices available to farmworkers through a statewide survey in North Carolina. METHODS: During the 2023 agricultural season, we surveyed 1034 migrant and seasonal farmworkers during routine outreach visits in partnership with community health workers employed by 8 community health centers or by nonprofit health service agencies serving farmworkers in North Carolina. We surveyed participants aged ≥18 years by using time-venue sampling and surveyed up to 5 farmworkers at migrant housing locations. We weighted participants to the total population of farmworkers living in surveyed housing and calculated frequencies and percentages of internet access, internet speed, internet cost, available internet devices, and awareness and use of the Affordable Connectivity Program-a program that was run from 2021 through May 31, 2024, by the Federal Communications Commission to make internet access more affordable in the United States. We assessed predictors of internet access and ability to use online videos by using regression models. RESULTS: Participants were predominantly Spanish-speaking men who lived in housing provided by farm owners. Among participants, 9.8% had internet connections with a cable or digital subscriber line, and 23.5% did not have consistent internet access. Most participants used cellular network internet (84.9%) and mobile phone devices (93.9%). Even among farmworkers who lived in their housing year-round, few had heard of (34.4%), applied to (4.8%), or used (2.0%) the Affordable Connectivity Program. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions are needed to increase internet access and digital inclusion for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina. Development of state and county broadband infrastructure should consider farmworker housing.
Opinion Leadership and Sharing Positive and Negative Information About Vaccines on Social Media: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Creators: name: Shi, Jingyuan
name: Sun, Ye
name: Wang, Xiaohui
name: Lin, Zhihuai
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024

description:
In our research, we examined how three dimensions of opinion leadership-connectivity, maven, and persuasiveness-are associated with sharing positive and negative information about vaccines among parents in Hong Kong through a mixed-methods approach. In two studies, we assessed opinion leadership following a sociometric approach that involved using data from social media (Study 1) and a self-assessment using survey data (Study 2), which yielded largely consistent results. In particular, whereas connectivity and maven were significantly associated with sharing positive information about vaccines, all three dimensions were significantly associated with sharing negative information about vaccines. Those findings suggest that different dimensions of opinion leadership play different roles in information sharing depending on the information's valence. Moreover, the similar pattern of findings from both studies suggested that the sociometric approach and self-assessment may capture the multidimensional nature of opinion leadership equally well. In sum, the findings advance theoretical discussions on the role of opinion leadership in information sharing and offer practical insights into promoting vaccination for children among parents.
Vaccine pricing and production capacity in Africa: can Africa move beyond pooled procurement in the face of a future pandemic?
Creators: name: Otchere, Frank
name: Osei, Christian Kwaku
name: Fenny, Ama Pokuaa
name: Nketiah-Amponsah, Edward
Publisher: name: Elsevier
Year: 2024

description:
We examine Africa's vaccine manufacturing potential, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, while critically analyzing vaccine price inequities and procurement strategies during the pandemic, with anticipation of future outbreaks. Although Africa consumes approximately 25% of the global vaccine supply, over 99% of these vaccines are produced outside the continent, primarily due to insufficient local investment. Vaccine procurement strategies have relied heavily on pooled procurement mechanisms and tiered-pricing models, predominantly controlled by external organizations. Significant disparities in vaccine pricing have resulted in vaccine price inequities, with evidence suggesting price discrimination, where different prices are charged for the same vaccine across countries and regions. While vaccine prices are only one component of vaccination campaign costs, the inequitable pricing of vaccines poses serious challenges to fair access, especially in low-income countries. Given the inevitability of future pandemics and other outbreaks, the central question remains: Does Africa possess the capacity to strengthen its vaccine production infrastructure and reduce dependency on external suppliers? Our review reveals that, with robust political commitment, enhanced investment in Research and Development (R&D), and leveraging the heterogeneous nature of the regional bloc, Africa has made strides toward establishing vaccine manufacturing hubs with the potential for substantial capacity expansion. Furthermore, we argue for a regional campaign based on the principles of the fair priority model as an ethical framework for vaccine procurement, which prioritizes need and ensures equitable distribution, thereby complementing existing pooled procurement arrangements in times of future pandemics. This paper concludes with two key recommendations based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis and future preparedness. First, Africa must push for a transparent and equitable tiered-pricing structure to ensure affordability for all. Second, intentional and sustained investment in R&D is critical to addressing systemic inequities in vaccine supply, not only for COVID-19 but for future outbreaks and routine immunization programs.
Enabling systemic identification and functionality profiling for Cdc42 homeostatic modulators
Creators: name: Malasala, Satyaveni
name: Azimian, Fereshteh
name: Chen, Yan-Hua
name: Lu, Qun
name: Akhtar, Shayan Nik
name: Twiss, Jeffery L.
name: Boykin, Christi
Publisher: name: Springer Nature
Year: 2024

description:
Maintaining body homeostasis is the ultimate key to health. There are rich resources of bioactive materials for the functionality of homeostatic modulators (HMs) from both natural and synthetic chemical repertories1–3. HMs are powerful modern therapeutics for human diseases including neuropsychiatric diseases, mental disorders, and drug addiction (e.g. Buspirone and benzodiazepines)4–7. However, the identification of therapeutic HMs are often unpredictable and limited to membrane protein receptors and ion channels. Based on a serendipitously encountered small molecule ZCL278 with partial agonist (PA) profile as a model compound8–10, the Mant-GTP fluorophore-based Cdc42-GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor) screening uncovered a near holistic spectrum of HMs for Cdc42, a cytoplasmic small GTPase in the Ras superfamily11,12. We categorized these HMs as functionally distinct, with some previously understudied classes: Class I-competitive PAs, Class II-hormetic agonists, Class III-bona fide inhibitors, Class IV-bona fide activators, and Class V-ligand-enhanced agonists. The model HMs elicited striking biological functionalities in modulating bradykinin activation of Cdc42 signaling as well as actin remodeling while they ameliorated Alzheimer’s disease-like social behavior in mouse model. Furthermore, molecular structural modeling analyses led to the concept of preferential binding pocket order (PBPO) for profiling HMs that target Cdc42 complexed with intersectin (ITSN), a GEF selectively activating Cdc42. Remarkably, the PBPO enabled a prediction of HM class that mimics the pharmacological functionality. Therefore, our study highlights a model path to actively capture different classes of HM to broaden therapeutic landscape.
Diabetes Technology Use in Special Populations: A Narrative Review of Psychosocial Factors.
Creators: name: Bally, Lia
name: Stumpf, Meaghan M
name: Kahkoska, Anna R
name: Isaacs, Diana
name: Gonder-Frederick, Linda A
name: Polonsky, William H
name: Ortega, Jacob
name: Faulds, Eileen R
name: Aleppo, Grazia
name: Hughes, Michael S
name: Brown, Sue A
name: Batista, Annanda Fernandes Moura B
Publisher: name: SAGE Publications
Year: 2024

description:
As diabetes technologies continue to advance, their use is expanding beyond type 1 diabetes to include populations with type 2 diabetes, older adults, pregnant individuals, those with psychiatric conditions, and hospitalized patients. This review examines the psychosocial outcomes of these technologies across these diverse groups, with a focus on treatment satisfaction, quality of life, and self-management behaviors. Despite demonstrated benefits in glycemic outcomes, the adoption and sustained use of these technologies face unique challenges in each population. By highlighting existing research and identifying gaps, this review seeks to emphasize the need for targeted studies and tailored support strategies to understand and optimize psychosocial outcomes and well-being.