Potential Variation Research Articles

Exploring the connections between DNA, cultural intelligence and knowledge dynamics in multicultural business environments

PurposeThis article aims to delve into the connections between DNA, cultural intelligence (CQ) and knowledge dynamics (KD) as native ingredients of the global mindset of multicultural managers and leaders. Cognitive science and knowledge management researchers show that business process decision-making is not entirely rational, based on explicit knowledge. They depend on the dynamics of rational, emotional and spiritual knowledge fields and on the capacity to integrate those dynamics into cultural intelligence. Most business process management studies show that managerial competencies depend on native and educational components. The literature usually addresses the developing process of those competencies through educational programs and leaves a knowledge gap concerning their native ingredients.Design/methodology/approachWe designed an integrated research approach containing a critical literature review, supported by a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and a quantitative analysis derived from questionnaires and their statistical processing using SPSS, version 28. Based on VOSviewer variant 1.6.20, the bibliometric approach is used to understand the intricate correlation between DNA, CQ and KD, while the quantitative analysis is rooted in a questionnaire’s results from a sample of 101 managers with cross-cultural experience.FindingsThe analysis reveals that DNA diversity can play a notable role as a vector and predictor of CQ and KD. The results demonstrate the connection between geo-genetic diversity, CQ and the ability to be effective in multicultural business environments. Furthermore, the study highlights the impact of DNA on knowledge dynamics, revealing how geo-genetic variations impact the transfer and transformation of knowledge within sociocultural contexts—with implications for organizational behavior and cross-cultural and multicultural management.Research limitations/implicationsThis study may encounter limitations in establishing a direct and unique causal relationship between DNA, cultural intelligence and knowledge dynamics, as the complex interplay of various factors, such as individual experiences, social environment and education, could influence the interpretations of the findings. Additionally, generalizing the results across diverse populations would be challenging due to the potential ethnic and geographic variations in genetic and cultural contexts (Alexander et al., 2021). Also, for future research, we could reverse the process and measure a self-reported CQ before the DNA test in order to avoid any potential cultural bias or extended perception. Business process management within a multicultural environment is strongly nonlinear and more complex models should be developed to reveal the inner correlations between main constructs.Practical implicationsThis research extends beyond academia into practical domains such as organizational behavior, cross-cultural and multicultural leadership, and sustainable business processes. Acknowledging the role of genetic diversity in these phenomena encourages further inquiry, prompting scholars and practitioners to investigate the organization’s concrete ways to increase creativity and innovation, adaptability and resilience toward successful navigation in the international business environment based on diversity, inclusion and global mindset.Social implicationsComprehending the genetic underpinnings of cultural intelligence and knowledge dynamics has potential implications for various fields, such as education, cross-cultural communication and even policy-making. By acknowledging and harnessing the influence of genetic diversity in these domains, we aim to create more inclusive and opportunity-rich environments that foster intercultural learning and cooperation. We also aim to generate more sustainable business approaches based on flexibility, continuous learning and cultural adaptation.Originality/valuePrevious literature mainly concentrated on environmental and individual factors acting on CQ and KD; however, this study is focused on uncovering DNA’s influence on these concepts and topics. The originality of this study lies in challenging conventional views on CQ and KD by introducing genetic factors to understand individual differences. Recognizing the impact of diverse genetic roots on CQ and KD, this paper emphasizes values like respect for the culture and historical background, understanding others' values, diversity and inclusion, and learning and agilely adapting. These vectors are the foundation for modern business processes in multicultural environments.

Robustness of 18F-FDG PET Radiomic Features in Lung Cancer: Impact of Advanced Reconstruction Algorithm.

18F-FDG PET radiomics is emerging as a promising tool to identify imaging biomarkers for quantifying intratumor heterogeneity in lung cancer. However, the robustness of PET radiomic features (RFs) is influenced by factors such as image reconstruction algorithms, tumor segmentation, and discretization. Although the impact of these factors on RFs has been explored, the specific influence of the advanced block sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM) reconstruction algorithm remains unclear. This study investigated the potential variations in PET RFs associated with different factors when using BSREM. Methods: Retrospective data of 18F-FDG PET from 120 lung cancer patients were reconstructed twice using advanced BSREM and conventional ordered-subset expectation maximization methods. For each reconstruction set, 3 tumor segmentations were performed, including manual, 40% threshold, and Nestle methods. Two discretization methods using absolute and relative settings were applied for each dataset before RF extraction. Stable and robust RFs were assessed by the coefficient of variance and intraclass correlation coefficient, respectively. Results: High instability was exhibited by 19%, 33%, and 36% of RFs, with a coefficient of variation of more than 20% for reconstruction, segmentation, and discretization, respectively. Conversely, 60%, 19%, and 35% of RFs demonstrated robustness against these factors, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of more than 0.90. The comparative evaluation revealed significantly greater robustness for most RF subtypes in BSREM than in ordered-subset expectation maximization under varying segmentation and discretization conditions (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The stability and robustness of PET RFs are enhanced if BSREM is applied rather than the conventional method. Study results suggest that the advanced reconstruction method could offer potential benefits in providing consistent PET-based radiomic analysis for improving diagnostic and prognostic value.

Exploring Anatomical Variations and Potential Associations between the Upper Urinary Tract and Renal Vasculature: Findings from 160-Slice CT Imaging in Northern Nigeria

Abstract Introduction: As anatomical variations relate to the urinary system, knowledge on them is valuable, especially in the proper evaluation and conduction of surgical as well as interventional procedures of the urinary tract. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and possible association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 computed tomograms were generated with Toshiba Aquilion Prime 160-slice scanner and analysed for the presence of potential anatomical variations using a Vitrea multi-modality work station capable of image post-processing by two expert radiologists. Results: Anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract were commoner on the right with a prevalence of 33.5% and 29.0% on the right and left, respectively, while for the renal vasculature, the variations are commoner on the left at 27.0% and 28.5%, respectively. The most common anatomical variation of the upper urinary tract found on the right was extra-renal bifid pelvis at 25 (12.5%), while on the left, it was baggy extra-renal pelvis at 27 (13.5%). Early branching hilar renal artery and accessory superior polar renal artery, both at 19 (9.5%), were the most common renal vasculature variations on the right and left, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature with a P &lt; 0.001. Conclusion: This study proposed that anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract are commoner on the right side, while for the renal vasculature, they are commoner on the left. There was a statistically significant association between the anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and that of the renal vasculature, indicating an increasing likelihood of one occurring if the other is present.

Biosimilars for the treatment of psoriasis: a narrative review.

The introduction of systemic biologic therapies marked a significant advancement in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. However, the high cost associated with these treatments has considerably restricted their widespread utilization. The expiration of biologic patents has allowed the development of biosimilars - medications that are highly similar to approved biologics. Biosimilars hold the promise of reducing treatment costs, thereby enhancing patient access to biologic therapies and contributing to the sustainability of healthcare spending. Nonetheless, the unique regulatory pathways for biosimilars introduce uncertainties regarding their application in real-world psoriasis care. Adoption and regulation of biosimilars differ considerably across countries, reflecting diverse approaches and priorities within global healthcare systems. Potential variations between biosimilars and their originator biologics raise questions about their comparative effectiveness and safety. Current evidence supporting biosimilars for psoriasis treatment is largely based on a limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a notable lack of robust real-world evidence. As more biosimilars enter the market, evaluating their use in real-world settings is crucial to identify any differences in effectiveness and safety compared to originators or to enhance their uptake by improving the perceptions of physicians and patients. This review explores the opportunities and challenges presented by biosimilars and underscores the existing gaps in evidence regarding their use in psoriasis treatment.

Astrocytic NLRP3 cKO mitigates depression-like behaviors induced by mild TBI in mice.

Reports indicate that depression is a common mental health issue following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our prior research suggests that Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-related neuroinflammation, modulated by glial cells such as astrocytes, is likely to play a crucial role in the progression of anxiety and cognitive dysfunction. However, there is limited understanding of the potential of astrocytic NLRP3 in treating depression under mild TBI condition. This study aimed to determine whether astrocytic NLRP3 knockout (KO) could mitigate depressive-like behaviors following mild TBI and explore potential variations in such behaviors between genders post-mild TBI. Mild TBI was induced in mice using Feeney's weight-drop method. Behavioral assessments included neurological severity scores (NSS), social interaction test (SI), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST). Pathological changes were evaluated through immunofluorescence and local field potential (LFP) recordings at various time points post-injury. Our findings indicated that astrocyte-specific NLRP3 KO decreased cleaved caspase-1 colocalized with astrocytes, decreased pathogenic astrocytes and increased Postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) intensity, and significantly alleviated mild TBI-induced depression-like behaviors. It also led to the upregulation of protective astrocytes and apoptosis-associated factors, including cleaved caspase-3 post-mild TBI. Additionally, astrocyte-specific NLRP3 deletion resulting in improved θ and γ power and θ-γ phase coupling in the social interaction test (SI). Notably, under mild TBI conditions, astrocyte-specific NLRP3 exhibited greater neuroprotective effects in female knockout mice compared to males. Astrocyte NLRP3 knockout demonstrated a protective mechanism in mice subjected to mild TBI, possibly attributed to the inhibition of pyroptosis through the NLRP3 signaling pathway in astrocytes.

Assessing the authenticity and purity of a commercial Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticide through whole genome sequencing and metagenomics approaches

Biopesticides, biological agents for pest control in plants, are becoming increasingly prevalent in agricultural practices. However, no established methodology currently exists to assess their quality, and there are currently no publicly available authenticity and purity evaluations of commercial products. This lack of data may represent risks because of their widespread dispersal in the environment. We evaluated the potential of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and metagenomics approaches, including nanopore long-read sequencing, to verify both authenticity (i.e., the labeled strain) and biological purity (i.e., the absence of any undesired genetic material) of commercial Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticides. Four commercially available bioinsecticidal products containing Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki strain HD-1 were collected from the European market as a case study. Two sequencing approaches were employed: WGS of isolates and metagenomics sequencing of all genetic material in a product. To assess authenticity, isolate WGS data were compared against the publicly available reference genome of the expected strain. Antimicrobial resistance gene content, insecticidal gene content, and single nucleotide polymorphism differences were characterized to evaluate similarity to the reference genome. To assess purity, metagenomic sequencing data were analyzed using read classification and strain differentiation methods. Additionally, long- and short-read data were used to assess potential large-scale structural variations. Our results confirmed all investigated products to be authentic and pure. With the increasing usage of biopesticides, it is crucial to have adequate quality control methods. Our proposed approach could be adapted for other biopesticides, and similar products, providing a standardized and robust approach to contribute to biopesticide safety.

Differences in the response to TNF inhibitors at distinct joint locations in patients with psoriatic arthritis: results from nine European registries

BackgroundEfficacy of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) for peripheral arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been established in randomized clinical trials that have used improvement in summated joint counts as an outcome. Whether joints at different anatomical locations might respond differentially to TNFi remains unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate potential variations in the responsiveness to a first tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) among joints at distinct locations in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated in routine clinical care.MethodsBionaive PsA patients from nine European countries were included in this observational cohort study if ≥ 1 joint was swollen at the initiation of a first TNFi as monotherapy or added to methotrexate. Only the 28-joint count was available without imaging data confirming the presence of synovitis. The primary outcome was time to first resolution of joint swelling at each joint level. Hazard ratios (HR) for resolution comparing different joint locations were estimated using interval-censored mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards models, including a random effect for country and patient, adjusted for age and sex.ResultsA total of 1729 patients with 8397 swollen joints at the start of TNFi were included. Considering the upper extremity, a higher rate of resolution of joint swelling (HR, 95% CI) was observed for the shoulder (1.65, 1.16–2.35) and elbow (1.90, 1.38–2.61), while a lower rate was found for the wrist (0.72, 0.62–0.83) compared to the joints of digit 3. Within fingers, and using the same reference, joint swelling resolved fastest in digit 4 (1.77, 1.49–2.11) and digit 5 (1.88, 1.53–2.31). A lower rate of resolution of joint swelling was found for the knee in comparison to the elbow, the corresponding joint on the upper limb (0.56, 0.40–0.78).ConclusionThe time to resolution of joint swelling upon treatment with TNFi in patients with PsA seems to depend on the localisation of the affected joints.

Literature review on local government financial performance measurement

Financial performance of local governments plays a critical role in ensuring the success of fiscal decentralization and sustainable regional development. As fiscal responsibilities shift from central to regional governments, the ability to measure and evaluate financial performance becomes increasingly important. This study synthesizes theoretical frameworks and empirical research to provide a comprehensive understanding of financial performance measurement in local governments. The metrics analysed include Locally Generated Revenue (LGR), Financial Ability Index (FAI), and fiscal independence. The study identifies key challenges in the measurement process, such as dependency on central transfers, variations in economic potential, and inconsistencies in financial reporting. It further explores the formulas and methodologies underlying these metrics, emphasizing their application in evaluating local fiscal health. Policy recommendations focus on standardizing metrics, enhancing technical capacity, and formulating innovative strategies to optimize revenue generation and ensure regional fiscal sustainability.

Functional intraspecific variation in the base water potential for seed germination along soil microclimatic gradients

Functional intraspecific variation in the base water potential for seed germination along soil microclimatic gradients

Urinary Chemistry in Healthy Cross-bred Pet Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Rabbits with Suspected Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract Renal biomarkers for early detection of decreased kidney function have been extensively studied in dogs and cats, but there is limited research for pet rabbits. Specifically, studies on urinary indices for cross-bred rabbits are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential use of urinalysis in cross-bred pet rabbits. Urine samples from 30 healthy crossbred pet rabbits and 11 rabbits with suspected kidney disease (KD) from three clinics were collected. Reference intervals of urinary indices, including urinary protein, creatinine (uCRE), urinary protein-to-creatinine (UPC) ratio, gamma-glutamyl transferase (uGGT), and uGGT ratio, were established and compared to two published reference intervals (RIs). The results showed that healthy rabbits consistently had low urine protein levels and abnormal UPC ratios, compared to a published study involving only pure-bred rabbits. Rabbits with KD had higher urine protein levels and significantly higher UPC ratio (p&amp;lt;0.001), with 63% having ratios greater than 0.4. Additionally, rabbits with KD showed significantly (p&amp;lt;0.001) lower uCRE levels and urine specific gravity (USG) with elevated uGGT index (p&amp;lt;0.05), compared to the healthy group. Significant differences (p&amp;lt;0.05) were also observed in urine color, turbidity, pH, and positivity of the occult blood by dipstick. This study underscores potential breed-specific variations in urinary protein levels and UPC ratio, as well as highlights the diagnostic potential of USG, UPC ratio, and uGGT index in rabbits with KD. However, the presence of breed-specific variations and technical nuances in laboratory equipment necessitate careful interpretation of results. Therefore, further studies across larger and more diverse rabbit populations are crucial to validate the diagnostic performance of urinary indices in diagnosing KD in rabbits.

Herons in Aquafarms Are More Fearful of Humans.

Herons (Ardeidae), an important group in wetland ecosystems, have a particularly strong relationship with humans. However, their predation on farmed fish and shrimp in aquafarms can lead to economic losses for local fish farmers. Consequently, notable conflicts arise between fish farmers and herons. Fish farmers adopt various measures to deter herons from "stealing" their fish; however, there is limited research on the behavioral responses of herons under such pressures of human disturbance. Flight initiation distance (FID) is an important manifestation of avian anti-predation behavior and serves as an indicator of birds' tolerance to human disturbance. This study investigated the potential variations in tolerance to human disturbance between the little egret (Egretta garzetta) and the Chinese pond heron (Ardeola bacchus) in "stealing" environments (aquafarm environments) and non-aquafarm environments in Hainan and Guangdong Provinces, south China, using FID as an indicator. Herons in aquafarm environments were less tolerant (having longer FIDs) to human disturbance compared to herons in non-aquafarm environments. The main cause of this phenomenon could be the harsh deterrents used by humans to prevent herons from "stealing" fish. These deterrents increase the predation risk for herons when "stealing" in aquafarms, causing them to exhibit less tolerance to human disturbance. Our study increases understanding of the behavioral response patterns of herons in human-wildlife conflicts and provides valuable insights for more scientific and rational management and protection of Ardeidae species.

Best evidence summary for the management of exercise in patients with central venous access devices.

Central venous access devices (CVAD) are widely used in patient care, providing an essential, reliable pathway for patients to receive chemotherapy, long-term infusions, and nutritional support. However, a system of exercise management has not been developed in patients with CVAD. To evaluate and summarize the evidence for management exercise in patients with CVAD and provide guidance for clinical practice. Systematic searches were conducted in domestic and international databases for evidence on exercise in patients with CVAD. The types of literature included clinical decisions, guidelines, systematic reviews, expert consensus, and original research. The retrieval time is from the database construction to October 2023. We finally identified 20 articles that had high-quality results. We summarized the 26 pieces of best evidence from these articles, covering nine aspects: the effects of exercise interventions; ways of exercise; type of exercise tools; timing of exercise; dose of exercise; exercise precautions; monitoring of exercise safety; complications of exercise interventions; scales to assess the effect of exercise. Of these pieces of evidence, 12 were "strong" and 14 were "weak," 14 pieces of evidence were recommended in level 1, and 12 pieces of evidence were recommended in level 5. The following 26 pieces of evidence for exercise management of CVAD in patients were finally recommended. However, as this evidence comes from only one country, relevant factors such as the clinical environment should be evaluated before application. Further studies should include diverse populations from multiple countries to ensure the findings are widely applicable and to identify any potential variations in exercise outcomes for patients.

Feather forensics: tracing the origins of parrots in wildlife trade with stable isotopes and citizen science

AbstractTo supply the high demand for wildlife as exotic pets, animals may be illegally and unsustainably harvested from the wild and laundered as captive bred. Consequently, there is considerable interest in wildlife forensic tools that are capable of verifying captive origins. Stable isotope analysis is an emerging tool for verifying captive and wild origins by identifying key differences in dietary intake. While previous studies have effectively classified origins by differences in their stable isotope ratios, these studies are often limited to species with small population sizes and geographic ranges, masking potential variation caused by different environments and diets. We tested the accuracy of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analyses to verify captive and wild origins using bird species that are common in pet trade, and have widespread distributions and generalist diets. Through a citizen science project in South Australia, we collected naturally dropped feathers from four native Australian cockatoo (Cacatuidae) species: Galahs (Eolophus roseicapilla); and three Cacatua species; sulphur‐crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), little corellas (C. sanguinea) and long‐billed Corellas (C. tenuirostris). We compared isotope ratios of captive and wild birds and calculated the classification accuracy of using stable isotopes to determine origin. Stable isotope values were significantly different between captive and wild adult birds, where captive birds had significantly higher δ13C and δ15N than wild birds. Captive and wild origins of individual Eolophus could be classified with relatively high accuracy (88%). However, Cacatua showed low repeatability and large overlaps between the origin groups, which reduced their classification accuracy (74%). Stable isotope analysis can be a potential classification tool in wildlife trade; however, before on‐ground implementation, we recommend that variation from different diets across a species' geographical range be more thoroughly investigated to better understand and explain the full range of possible δ13C and δ15N values.

Vertical kinematics of the young Galactic clusters

Abstract The young disc vertical phase is paramount in our understanding of Galaxy evolution. Analysing the vertical kinematics at different galactic regions provides important information about the space-time variations of the Galactic potential. The vertical phase snail-shell structure found after Gaia DR2 release encompasses a wide range of ages. However, the structure of the VZ vs Z diagram appears linear when the analysis is limited to studying objects younger than 30 Ma. Based on the vertical velocity and height-over-disc maps obtained for a sample of young open clusters, this method also allows the matter density in the Solar neighbourhood to be estimated using a completely different approach than previously found in the literature. We use two different catalogues of star clusters to confirm the previous result and study new age ranges. The linear pattern between VZ and Z shows different slopes, ∂VZ/∂Z, for various age groups. The results fit a simple model (harmonic oscillator) of in-plane decoupled vertical dynamics up to a certain age limit, corresponding to ∼ 30 Ma. This work also analyses the relationship between the local volumetric density of matter (ρ0) and the disc vertical kinematics for different age ranges, all below 50 Ma. The best estimates of the effective volumetric mass density in the Solar neighbourhood, 0.09-0.15 M⊙ pc−3, agree with those given by other authors, assessing the reliability of the proposed dynamical model. These values are a minorant of the actual matter density in the region.

The border effect in diamond microdosimeters and its impact on hadron therapy applications

Objective.The increasing interest in hadron therapy has heightened the need for accurate and reliable methods to assess radiation quality and the biological effectiveness of particles used in treatment. Microdosimetry has emerged as a key tool for this, demonstrating its potential, reliability, and suitability. In this context, solid-state microdosimeters offer technological advantages over traditional tissue-equivalent proportional counters, and recent advancements have further improved their performance and reliability. However, one critical challenge in solid-state microdosimetry is the so-called 'border effect', which can impact measurement accuracy.Approach.In this study, the border effect in diamond microdosimeters was thoroughly studied using ion beam induced charge analysis. The research, relying on experiments conducted at the Surrey Ion Beam Centre, developed an effective method to characterise and quantify the border effect. Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations were also employed to assess the impact of the border effect under typical proton therapy conditions.Main results. The border effect in diamond microdosimeter was characterised and studied as a function of detector thickness, particle atomic number and particle range. A border effect model was developed and validated to reproduce the border effect in Monte Carlo simulations. The results of its application to the microdosimetry of a proton beam at different depths in water showed potential significant variations of up to 40% iny¯Fand 20% iny¯Dvalues.Significance.The results of this work highlight the importance of accurately characterising the border effect and encouraging further research to mitigate its influence on microdosimetry measurements.

Electrophysiological Variations in Auditory Potentials in Chronic Tinnitus Individuals: Treatment Response and Tinnitus Laterality

Background: This study investigates electrophysiological distinctions in auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) among individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus, with a specific focus on the impact of treatment response and tinnitus localisation. Methods: Early AEPs, known as Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR), and middle AEPs, termed Auditory Middle Latency Responses (AMLR), were analysed in tinnitus patients across four clinical centers in an attempt to verify increased neuronal activity, in accordance with the current tinnitus models. Our statistical analyses primarily focused on discrepancies in time–domain core features of ABR and AMLR signals, including amplitudes and latencies, concerning both treatment response and tinnitus laterality. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in ABR wave III and V latencies, ABR wave III peak amplitude, and AMLR wave Na and Nb amplitudes when comparing groups based on their response to treatment, accompanied by varying effect sizes. Conversely, when examining groups categorised by tinnitus laterality, no statistically significant differences emerged. Conclusions: These results provide valuable insights into the potential influence of treatment responses on AEPs. However, further research is imperative to attain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms at play.

Look Beyond Plasma Membrane Biophysics: Revealing Considerable Variability of the Dipole Potential Between Plasma and Organelle Membranes of Living Cells

Due to the lack of measurement techniques suitable for examining compartments of intact, living cells, membrane biophysics is almost exclusively investigated in the plasma membrane despite the fact that its alterations in intracellular organelles may also contribute to disease pathogenesis. Here, we employ a novel, easy-to-use, confocal microscopy-based approach utilizing F66, an environment-sensitive fluorophore in combination with fluorescent organelle markers and quantitative image analysis to determine the magnitude of the molecular order-related dipole potential in the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles of various tumor and neural cell lines. Our comparative analysis demonstrates considerable intracellular variations of the dipole potential that may be large enough to modulate protein functions, with an inward decreasing gradient on the route of the secretory/endocytic pathway (plasma membrane &gt;&gt; lysosome &gt; Golgi &gt; endoplasmic reticulum), whereas mitochondrial membranes are characterized by a dipole potential slightly larger than that of lysosomes. Our approach is suitable and sensitive enough to quantify membrane biophysical properties selectively in intracellular compartments and their comparative analysis in intact, living cells, and, therefore, to identify the affected organelles and potential therapeutic targets in diseases associated with alterations in membrane lipid composition and thus biophysics such as tumors, metabolic, neurodegenerative, or lysosomal storage disorders.

Whether to Offer Interventions at the End of Life: What Physicians Consider and How Clinical Ethicists Can Help

Background Advances in life-prolonging technologies increasingly create dilemmas for physicians who must decide whether to offer various interventions to patients nearing the end of life. Clinical ethicists are often consulted to support physicians in making these complex decisions and can do so most effectively if they understand physicians’ reasons for making recommendations in this context. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with surgeons, nephrologists, intensivists, emergency physicians, and oncologists regarding the considerations they have used to make decisions about offering interventions for patients nearing the end of life. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. Results We identified six types of considerations physicians take into account: (1) patient characteristics at baseline; (2) likelihood to cause harm; (3) likelihood to achieve a goal or perceived benefit; (4) patient and family values and preferences; (5) institutional factors, and (6) professional and personal factors. Conclusions While considerations converged into major themes, many participants evaluated and applied these themes differently, opening the door to potential disagreement and variation based on physicians’ personal values. Clinical ethicists can help navigate uncertainty and resolve conflicts by helping physicians recognize, evaluate, and communicate their decisional factors to aid informed decision-making.

On Oscillations in the External Electrical Potential of Sea Urchins.

Sea urchins display complex bioelectric activity patterns, even with their decentralized nervous system. Electrophysiological recordings showed distinct spiking patterns. The baseline potential was about 8.80 mV. It had transient spikes with amplitudes up to 21.05 mV. We observed many types of depolarization events. They included burst-like activity and prolonged state fluctuations lasting several seconds. Frequency domain analysis showed a power-law behavior. It had a scaling exponent of 6.21 ± 0.06, indicating critical dynamics. The analysis showed potential variations between 3.69 and 21.05 mV. The oscillation periods ranged from 4 to 3102 s. The varied timing of bioelectric signals suggests that these organisms can process information. This challenges traditional views of neural computation in simpler animals. These findings provide quantitative insights into the complex signaling mechanisms of the sea urchin's distributed nervous system.

The Effect of Steel Reinforcement Diameter on the Behavior of Concrete Beams with Corrosion

Corrosion is one of the main problems affecting reinforced concrete (RC) structures, yet there remains a lack of studies in which the electrochemical and structural behavior of corroded RC elements are studied together. In this work, four RC beams with and without corrosion were studied to evaluate their electrochemical and structural behavior via the variable of the diameter of the longitudinal tension steel reinforcement (LTR). The beams were initially tested to determine their initial structural behavior and then subjected to sustained loads and wetting and drying cycles by applying a NaCl solution. The beams were tested a second time to determine their final structural behavior. The variations in the corrosion potential and corrosion rate of the LTR with time, together with concrete resistivity, cracking patterns, and load–displacement curves of the RC beam, are presented. It was found that the electrochemical parameters of the beams with corrosion were similar regardless of the steel reinforcement diameter; these parameters indicated a high level of corrosion. The maximum flexural strength loss was observed for beams with an LTR of 10 mm compared to those with a 13 mm diameter. The maximum cross-sectional area loss associated with pitting corrosion was greater for the beam with an LTR of 10 mm.