bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enacting control with student dashboards: The role of motivation
Authors: Knoop‐van Campen Carolien A. N. , van der Graaf Joep , Horvers Anne , Kooi Rianne , Dijkstra Rick , Molenaar Inge
Published: January 2024

Background

Even though monitoring and control enactment are key aspects of self‐regulated learning (SRL), Adaptive learning technologies (ALTs) may reduce the need for learners to monitor and control their learning. Personalized dashboards are effective in supporting learners' monitoring and can potentially support control behaviour. Allowing learners to enact control over their learning process, seems to hold potential for increasing their motivation.

Objectives

Therefore, this study's aim was to investigate the relation between control enactment and motivation. We examined how learners enacted control while learning with an ALT with personalized dashboards and examined the relation between learners' enactment of control and their motivation.

Methods

Seventy‐eight primary school learners (Grade 5) participated. During the lesson, learners worked on mathematics in the ALT and concurrently were shown personalized visualizations that supported monitoring and enacting control over their learning process. Learners could enact control to change problems' difficulty to easy, medium, or hard. Motivation was measured before and after learning.

Results

The SEM analyses showed that how learners enacted control was related to their motivation. Choosing difficult problems was related to more enjoyment and competence while choosing easy problems related to more pressure and tension. Learners who complied with the suggested difficulty level experienced less choice, but also less pressure/tension and more enjoyment and competence.

Conclusions

These results provide avenues to account for broader learner characteristics like SRL and motivation to optimize learning. This way, hybrid systems in which control enactment is a shared responsibility of the system and learner, can be improved to support SRL development.
Escaping binary gender roles: Gender diversity dynamics in a CSCL‐Escape game
Authors: Kube Dana , Gombert Sebastian , John Nathalie , Weidlich Joshua , Kreijns Karel , Drachsler Hendrik
Published: January 2024

Background

Gender and gender diversity are group features affecting social interaction and are critical for gender‐inclusive and equitable education. As such, the role of gender and gender diversity is of particular relevance to computer‐supported collaborative learning (CSCL). However, up until now, research on this topic in CSCL remains scarce. Those studies that explore gender frequently utilise a binary gender view, investigating collaboration patterns in terms of differences between men and women despite the pitfalls of this binary view, e.g. the risk of reproducing gender stereotypes.

Objectives

Through gender diversity modelling based on group communication analysis, this study used a novel approach to investigate the role of gender in CSCL. It explored how gender diversity in CSCL is associated with emergent roles in small group interaction, providing evidence about how gender diversity interacts with the dynamics of group communication in a unique CSCL scenario.

Methods

In this explorative study, we used group communication analysis (GCA) to identify emergent team roles in the communication of triads in a CSCL escape game, realised through a Minecraft computer game. We elaborated on the differences between the team roles with respect to gender‐diverse and non‐diverse groups of our sample (N = 123) to estimate the role of gender diversity in CSCL learning processes.

Results

The clustering of the group communication resulted in four emergent team roles with distinct communicative patterns: learner, lurker, follower, and leader. Non‐diverse teams were more likely to be dominated by leaders, whereas gender‐diverse teams showed more egalitarian tendencies in their group communication. Further, in gender‐diverse teams, there were more learners, and interaction was more productive overall.

Conclusions

Gender diversity is an important factor for understanding group dynamics in CSCL. A main advantage of gender diversity modelling – as explored here – is a more nuanced understanding of the role of gender in group communication, in contrast to reproducing existing gender difference paradigms. The approach demonstrated in this study enables CSCL researchers to extend traditional measures of gender towards gender diversity as steps towards more gender‐inclusive and bias‐free education. Further, it yields the practical design recommendation of ensuring group diversity to enhance the likelihood of productive group communication.
From the 2014 Annexation of Crimea to the 2022 Russian War on Ukraine: Path Dependence and Socialization in the EU–Ukraine Relations
Authors: Rabinovych Maryna , Pintsch Anne
Published: January 2024

Decisions the EU took in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine have been assessed in scholarship as ‘unprecedented’ and ‘unthinkable before’. The Union's response to the 2022 full‐scale invasion has thus been much stronger than the one linked to the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The difference between the 2014 and 2022 responses can be attributed to many factors, particularly differences in the nature and scale of Russia's attacks and the US co‐ordination efforts during the Russian pre‐war military mobilization on Ukraine's borders. We show that, though these factors undoubtedly matter, it has been the path‐dependent dynamics of EU–Ukraine co‐operation on association relations, Ukraine's resilience‐building and the EU's socialization with Ukraine from the Euromaidan Revolution (2013‐14) to the 2022 invasion that contributed to the strength and promptness of the EU's response to Russia's full‐scale invasion.
Thought Communities and Pre‐conditions for Polity Formation in the European Union: Evidence From Six EU Member States
Authors: Bátora Jozef , Baboš Pavol
Published: January 2024

How do citizens in European Union (EU) member states think about the EU? And what are the implications of different ‘thinking styles’ for citizens' preferences regarding formation of policies, politics and polity in the EU? The current article uses relational class analysis (RCA) and analyses perceptions of the EU as a political order by citizens in six selected member states. These are France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – three founding/large member states and three members of the Visegrád group (two of which represent the most notorious examples of the ongoing ‘sovereignist’ backlash). Using RCA, we identify two thought communities in the selected EU member states: statists and pragmatists. These are the communities of citizens sharing thinking styles that would suggest their support for particular polity types in the EU.
Aberrant brain network topology in youth with a familial risk for bipolar disorder: a task‐based fMRI connectome study
Authors: Pan Nanfang , Qin Kun , Patino Luis R. , Tallman Maxwell J. , Lei Du , Lu Lu , Li Wenbin , Blom Thomas J. , Bruns Kaitlyn M. , Welge Jeffrey A. , Strawn Jeffrey R. , Gong Qiyong , Sweeney John A. , Singh Manpreet K. , DelBello Melissa P.
Published: January 2024

Background

Youth with a family history of bipolar disorder (BD) may be at increased risk for mood disorders and for developing side effects after antidepressant exposure. The neurobiological basis of these risks remains poorly understood. We aimed to identify biomarkers underlying risk by characterizing abnormalities in the brain connectome of symptomatic youth at familial risk for BD.

Methods

Depressed and/or anxious youth (n = 119, age = 14.9 ± 1.6 years) with a family history of BD but no prior antidepressant exposure and typically developing controls (n = 57, age = 14.8 ± 1.7 years) received functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an emotional continuous performance task. A generalized psychophysiological interaction (gPPI) analysis was performed to compare their brain connectome patterns, followed by machine learning of topological metrics.

Results

High‐risk youth showed weaker connectivity patterns that were mainly located in the default mode network (DMN) (network weight = 50.1%) relative to controls, and connectivity patterns derived from the visual network (VN) constituted the largest proportion of aberrant stronger pairs (network weight = 54.9%). Global local efficiency (Elocal, p = .022) and clustering coefficient (Cp, p = .029) and nodal metrics of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (Elocal: p < .001; Cp: p = .001) in the high‐risk group were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects, and similar patterns were also found in the left insula (degree: p = .004; betweenness: p = .005; age‐by‐group interaction, p = .038) and right hippocampus (degree: p = .003; betweenness: p = .003). The case–control classifier achieved a cross‐validation accuracy of 78.4%.

Conclusions

Our findings of abnormal connectome organization in the DMN and VN may advance mechanistic understanding of risk for BD. Neuroimaging biomarkers of increased network segregation in the SFG and altered topological centrality in the insula and hippocampus in broader limbic systems may be used to target interventions tailored to mitigate the underlying risk of brain abnormalities in these at‐risk youth.
Prevalence and disease burden of gastroparesis in Asia
Authors: Hsu Ching‐Tung , Azzopardi Neville , Broad John
Published: January 2024

Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by significant prolongation of gastric emptying time caused by impaired motility of the stomach. Its estimated prevalence is 24.2 per 100 000 people. However, the prevalence of gastroparesis in Asian countries is unknown due to a limited number of epidemiological studies and significant phenotypic variability of the Asian population in these studies. Analysis of previous research on gastroparesis and functional bowel disorders reveals the possibility of an increased prevalence among Asian individuals. A comparison of ethnic constituents between the recent United Kingdom gastroparesis study and its mother database has demonstrated a higher prevalence of gastroparesis among British Asian patients when compared with British Caucasian patients. An estimated gastroparesis prevalence in the Asian population can be calculated by identifying the individuals who are likely to demonstrate a delayed gastric emptying from all diagnosed functional dyspepsia patients. We suggest that gastroparesis tends to be underdiagnosed in Asians due to a lack of studies on gastroparesis in the Asian continent, a lack of knowledge among practitioners, and poor availability of scintigraphy testing as well as limited therapeutic options for this disease. Given the high probability of Asian predominance in gastroparesis and its disease impact on quality of life, epidemiological research focusing on the Asian population is required.
A multiangle polarised imaging‐based method for thin section segmentation
Authors: Chen Yan , Yi Yu , Dai Yongfang , Shi Xiangchao
Published: January 2024

The most crucial task of petroleum geology is to explore oil and gas reservoirs in the deep underground. As one of the analysis techniques in petroleum geological research, rock thin section identification method includes particle segmentation, which is one of the key steps. A conventional sandstone thin section image typically contains hundreds of mineral particles with blurred boundaries and complex microstructures inside the particles. Moreover, the complex lithology and low porosity of tight sandstone make traditional image segmentation methods unsuitable for solving the complex thin section segmentation problems. This paper combines petrology and image processing technologies. First, polarised sequence images are aligned, and then the images are transformed to the HSV colour space to extract pores. Second, particles are extracted according to their extinction characteristics. Last, a concavity and corner detection matching method is used to process the extracted particles, thereby completing the segmentation of sandstone thin section images. The experimental results show that our proposed method can more accurately fit the boundaries of mineral particles in sandstone images than existing image segmentation methods. Additionally, when applied in actual production scenarios, our method exhibits excellent performance, greatly improving thin section identification efficiency and significantly assisting experts in identification.
Prescriptive Theorizing in Management Research: A New Impetus for Addressing Grand Challenges
Authors: Hanisch Marvin
Published: January 2024

Although management research has a rich tradition of both descriptive and prescriptive theorizing, the latter is often (and erroneously) viewed as unscientific, purely practice‐oriented, or simply a corollary of descriptive analysis. Prescriptive theorizing concerns how things should be and how they can be achieved, as opposed to descriptive theorizing, which focuses on why or how things are (interrelated). Accordingly, prescriptive theorizing has strong normative and instrumental properties, which are especially relevant when addressing pressing societal, ecological, and ethical concerns, also referred to as grand challenges, that demand a re‐evaluation of established norms and behavioural patterns. However, this opportunity is currently underutilized in the management literature, and there is a lack of guidance on how to leverage the principles of prescriptive theorizing. Therefore, I clarify its main characteristics, outline how scholars can construct rigorous prescriptive arguments, and show how normative and instrumental reasoning can promote positive social change. Embracing prescriptive theorizing as a vital complement to descriptive theorizing in management research provides scholars with an intellectual toolkit to actively engage in the urgent discourse on grand challenges and develop compelling new and impactful theories.
Panacea or Dangerous Practice: A Counterpoint to Hanisch's Argument for Prescriptive Theorizing
Authors: Horner Samuel , Cornelissen Joep , Zundel Mike
Published: January 2024

In this paper we provide a counterpoint to the view that prescriptive theorizing reflects a viable means for enhancing the practical impact of management theorizing towards addressing some of the most pressing societal concerns and grand challenges of our times. To do so, we first contextualize the roots of prescriptive theorizing in management research, arguing that the approach developed by Hanisch is reflective of the wider ‘positive’ prescriptive turn in social science theorizing. Second, we problematize the presumptive basis upon which much prescriptive theorizing as well as related ideas around utopian thinking are based. In doing so, our broader aim is to draw attention to the bases upon which prescriptive claims are made and we specifically highlight the dangers of implementing decontextualized, overly simple and stylized prescriptions in the face of complex grand challenges. In contrast to prescriptive theorizing, we propose that the practical impact of management theory may rather be enhanced through a tempering of instrumental rationality with a deep(er) concern for phenomena and experience. We conclude the paper by offering a number of ways in which this can be done.
Comparative assessment of emulsifiers for in vitro ruminal gas production and fermentation measurements: Tween 80 is a suitable emulsifier
Authors: Sun Xiaoge , Li Yang , Giller Katrin , Kunz Carmen , Terranova Melissa , Niu Mutian
Published: January 2024

Emulsifiers are essential for achieving a homogenous distribution of lipophilic supplements in in vitro rumen fluid incubations. Since emulsifiers can alter rumen fermentation, it is crucial to select one that minimally impacts fermentation parameters to reduce potential biases. This study aimed to evaluate seven emulsifiers’ impact on in vitro ruminal fermentation using the Hohenheim Gas Test in order to identify the most inert emulsifier. Rumen fluids were collected from three non‐lactating Original Brown‐Swiss cannulated cows before morning feeding and incubated for 24 h with a basal diet in triplicates. The emulsifiers tested were ethanol, ethyl acetate, propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, soy lecithin, and Tween® 80, each in two dosages (0.5% or 1% v/v). The untreated basal diet served as control. Compared to control, in vitro organic matter digestibility was enhanced by ethyl acetate (by 36.9 and 48.2%), ethylene glycol (by 20.6 and 20.1%), glycerol (by 46.9 and 56.8%) and soy lecithin (by 19.7 and 26.8%) at 0.5 and 1% dosage, respectively. Additionally, the 24‐h methane production increased for ethanol (by 41.9 and 46.2%), ethylene glycol (by 50.5 and 51.5%), and glycerol (by 63.1 and 65.4%) for the 0.5 and 1% dosage, respectively, and 0.5% dosage for ethyl acetate (by 31.6%). The acetate molar proportion was 17.2%pt higher for ethyl acetate, and 25.5%pt lower for glycerol at 1% dosage, compared to the control. The propionate concentration was 22.1%pt higher 1% glycerol, and 15.2%pt and 15.1%pt higher for 0.5 and 1% propylene glycol, respectively, compared to the control. In summary, Tween® 80 did not significantly affect in vitro rumen fermentation parameters, making it the most suitable choice for in vitro incubations involving lipophilic substances in rumen fluid. Ethanol may be considered as an alternative emulsifier if methane production is not the variable of interest.
Vapor pressure deficit drives the mortality of understorey woody plants during drought recovery in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Hollunder Renan Köpp , Garbin Mário Luís , Scarano Fabio Rubio , Carrijo Tatiana Tavares , Cavatte Paulo Cezar , Stein‐Soares Bethina , Mendonça Caio , Mariotte Pierre
Published: January 2024

Question

Drought‐induced tree mortality has been documented in forests worldwide but the mechanisms related to drought recovery are still poorly understood. To better predict forest trajectories under future climate scenarios, it is essential to disentangle physiological mechanisms underlying plant mortality caused by El Niño droughts. Here, we assessed how vegetation structure, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and functional traits interact to mediate tree mortality after a severe drought in a tropical forest.

Location

Mata das Flores State Park, an Atlantic Forest fragment in southeast Brazil.

Methods

We established 20 permanent plots with contrasting vegetation structure and topography. In each plot, we measured tree abundance and diameter at breast height (DBH) of every woody plant (1–10 cm diameter) at the end of the drought, and two years after the break of drought, to calculate mortality rates during drought recovery. Hydraulic (e.g., maximum stomatal conductance to water vapor, stomatal density, etc.) and economic traits (specific leaf area, wood density, etc.) were measured on the 10 most abundant species. We also measured local air temperature and air humidity using HOBO dataloggers in each plot to calculate the VPD.

Results

The studied Atlantic Forest understorey did not recover from the 2014–2016 drought, in terms of tree mortality. Lower VPD, driven by big trees in the valley, protected understorey plants with acquisitive economic attributes and conservative hydraulic attributes against mortality. On the other hand, higher VPD, driven by smaller trees and higher stem density on the ridge and slope, increased the mortality of understorey plants with acquisitive attributes.

Conclusion

Ridges represent the most important fraction of the Atlantic Forest and our results suggest this type of forest is at high climate risk due to global change. Altogether, our results highlight that valleys are microclimate refuges for understorey plants and might help mitigate drought impacts in tropical forest under forecasted climate changes.
Along the river: Longitudinal patterns of functional and taxonomic diversity of plants in riparian forests
Authors: Surmacz Bartłomiej , Foremnik Kacper , Pielech Remigiusz
Published: January 2024

Questions

The River Continuum Concept (RCC) predicts a gradual shift of functional adaptations of organisms along the longitudinal (upstream–downstream) gradient, as well as the maximization of the biotic diversity in mid‐reaches. Although this theoretical framework was originally developed for stream macroinvertebrates, we tested whether such a pattern can also be observed in riparian plant communities.

Location

The study was conducted in the upper catchments of the San and Wisłoka Rivers in southeastern Poland. In both catchments, very well preserved riparian forests occur continuously along both rivers.

Methods

We studied the cover of plant species in riparian forests across two river networks. We analyzed the taxonomic and functional diversity indices, as well as community‐weighted means of functional traits in relation to the plots' positions in the catchments.

Results

The functional richness and divergence displayed unimodal patterns of increasing values in the mid‐reaches. The patterns of taxonomic diversity were similar, but some plots in the lowest reaches were more diverse than expected, forming an additional increase in diversity. The observed patterns were largely in line with the predictions of RCC. We discovered a significant decrease in the specific leaf area and an increase in the height of herbaceous plants in communities along a longitudinal gradient. There was also a shift in the dispersal syndromes, toward a higher importance of zoochory in the lower reaches.

Conclusions

The study shows that plant communities in natural riparian forests show continuous species turnover along the longitudinal gradient that, along with the longitudinal shift of abiotic factors, creates patterns that are known from theoretical predictions.
Medical learners' anti‐racist activism: Promoting learners to lead social change
Authors: Haney Simon
Published: January 2024

The author provides examples of medical learner leadership in anti‐racist activism to support the argument for empowering medical learners to lead social change.
Allelic variation of PmCBF03 contributes to the altitude and temperature adaptability in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)
Authors: Huang Xiao , Gao Feng , Zhou Pengyu , Ma Chengdong , Tan Wei , Ma Yufan , Li Minglu , Ni Zhaojun , Shi Ting , Hayat Faisal , Li Yongping , Gao Zhihong
Published: January 2024

Japanese apricot is an important subtropical deciduous fruit tree in China, widely distributed in different altitude areas. How does it adapt to the different temperature environments in these areas? In this study, we identified a low‐temperature transcription factor PmCBF03 on chromosome 7 through adaptive analysis of populations at different altitudes, which has an early termination single nucleotide polymorphism mutation. There were two different types of variation, PmCBF03A type in high‐altitude areas and PmCBF03T type in low‐altitude areas. PmCBF03A gene increased the survival rate, Fv/Fm values, antioxidant enzyme activity, and expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes, and reducing electrolyte leakage and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in transgenic Arabidopsis under low temperature and freezing stress. Simultaneously, PmCBF03A gene promoted the dormancy of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds than wild‐type. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that PmCBF03A directly bound to the DRE/CRT element in the promoters of the PmCOR413, PmDAM6 and PmABI5 genes, promoting their transcription and enhanced the cold resistance and dormancy of the overexpressing PmCBF03A lines. While PmCBF03T gene is unable to bind to the promoters of PmDAM6 and PmABI5 genes, leading to early release of dormancy to adapt to the problem of insufficient chilling requirement in low‐altitude areas.
Profiling of the gene expression and alternative splicing landscapes of Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Fan Chunjie , Lyu Mingjie , Zeng Bingshan , He Qiang , Wang Xiaoping , Lu Meng‐Zhu , Liu Bobin , Liu Jun , Esteban Eddi , Pasha Asher , Provart Nicholas J. , Wang Huan , Zhang Jin
Published: January 2024

Eucalyptus is a widely planted hardwood tree species due to its fast growth, superior wood properties and adaptability. However, the post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling tissue development and stress responses in Eucalyptus remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the gene expression profile and the alternative splicing (AS) landscape of E. grandis using strand‐specific RNA‐Seq, which encompassed 201 libraries including different organs, developmental stages, and environmental stresses. We identified 10 416 genes (33.49%) that underwent AS, and numerous differentially expressed and/or differential AS genes involved in critical biological processes, such as primary‐to‐secondary growth transition of stems, adventitious root formation, aging and responses to phosphorus‐ or boron‐deficiency. Co‐expression analysis of AS events and gene expression patterns highlighted the potential upstream regulatory role of AS events in multiple processes. Additionally, we highlighted the lignin biosynthetic pathway to showcase the potential regulatory functions of AS events in the KNAT3 and IRL3 genes within this pathway. Our high‐quality expression atlas and AS landscape serve as valuable resources for unravelling the genetic control of woody plant development, long‐term adaptation, and understanding transcriptional diversity in Eucalyptus. Researchers can conveniently access these resources through the interactive ePlant browser (https://bar.utoronto.ca/eplant_eucalyptus).
A pepper RING‐finger E3 ligase, CaFIRF1, negatively regulates the high‐salt stress response by modulating the stability of CaFAF1
Authors: Bae Yeongil , Baek Woonhee , Lim Chae Woo , Lee Sung Chul
Published: January 2024

Controlling protein stability or degradation via the ubiquitin‐26S proteasome system is a crucial mechanism in plant cellular responses to stress conditions. Previous studies have revealed that the pepper FANTASTIC FOUR‐like gene, CaFAF1, plays a positive role in salt tolerance and that, in this process, CaFAF1 protein degradation is delayed. Here, we sought to isolate the E3 ligases potentially responsible for modulating CaFAF1 protein stability in response to salt stress. The pepper RING‐type E3 ligase CaFIRF1 (Capsicum 
annuum 
FAF1 
Interacting 
RING 
Finger protein 
1) was found to interact with and ubiquitinate CaFAF1, leading to the degradation of CaFAF1 proteins. In response to high‐salt treatments, CaFIRF1‐silenced pepper plants exhibited tolerant phenotypes. In contrast, co‐silencing of CaFAF1 and CaFIRF1 led to increased sensitivity to high‐salt treatments, revealing that CaFIRF1 functions upstream of CaFAF1. A cell‐free degradation analysis showed that high‐salt treatment suppressed CaFAF1 protein degradation via the 26S proteasome pathway, in which CaFIRF1 is functionally involved. In addition, an in vivo ubiquitination assay revealed that CaFIRF1‐mediated ubiquitination of CaFAF1 proteins was reduced by high‐salt treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that the degradation of CaFAF1 mediated by CaFIRF1 has a critical role in pepper plant responses to high salinity.
Decoding the DNA methylome of central nervous system tumors: An emerging modality for integrated diagnosis
Authors: Satomi Kaishi , Ichimura Koichi , Shibahara Junji
Published: January 2024

The definitive diagnosis and classification of individual cancers are crucial for patient care and cancer research. To achieve a robust diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, a genotype‐phenotype integrated diagnostic approach was introduced in recent versions of the World Health Organization classification, followed by the incorporation of a genome‐wide DNA methylome‐based classification. Microarray‐based platforms are widely used to obtain DNA methylome data, and the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum [DKFZ]) has a webtool for a DNA methylation‐based classifier (DKFZ classifier). Integration of DNA methylome will further enhance the precision of CNS tumor classification, especially in diagnostically challenging cases. However, in the clinical application of DNA methylome‐based classification, challenges related to data interpretation persist, in addition to technical caveats, regulations, and limited accessibility. Dimensionality reduction (DMR) can complement integrated diagnosis by visualizing a profile and comparing it with other known samples. Therefore, DNA methylome‐based classification is a highly useful research tool for auxiliary analysis in challenging diagnostic and rare disease cases, and for establishing novel tumor concepts. Decoding the DNA methylome, especially by DMR in addition to DKFZ classifier, emphasizes the capability of grasping the fundamental biological principles that provide new perspectives on CNS tumors.
Assessing cardiovascular disease risk in women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A guidance paper for studies using administrative data
Authors: Johnston Amy , Smith Graeme N. , Tanuseputro Peter , Coutinho Thais , Edwards Jodi D.
Published: January 2024

Background

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and their association with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk represents a major public health concern. However, assessing CVD risk in women with a history of these conditions presents unique challenges, especially when studies are carried out using routinely collected data.

Objectives

To summarise and describe key challenges related to the design and conduct of administrative studies assessing CVD risk in women with a history of HDP and provide concrete recommendations for addressing them in future research.

Methods

This is a methodological guidance paper.

Results

Several conceptual and methodological factors related to the data‐generating mechanism and study conceptualisation, design/data management and analysis, as well as the interpretation and reporting of study findings should be considered and addressed when designing and carrying out administrative studies on this topic. Researchers should develop an a priori conceptual framework within which the research question is articulated, important study variables are identified and their interrelationships are carefully considered.

Conclusions

To advance our understanding of CVD risk in women with a history of HDP, future studies should carefully consider and address the conceptual and methodological considerations outlined in this guidance paper. In highlighting these challenges, and providing specific recommendations for how to address them, our goal is to improve the quality of research carried out on this topic.
Impacts of cyanobacterial metabolites on fish: Socioeconomic and environmental considerations
Authors: de Almeida Éryka Costa , Passos Larissa Souza , de Freitas Paloma Nathane Nunes , de Souza Alexander Ossanes , Pinto Ernani
Published: January 2024

The increasing global population has led to rising demand for food, particularly protein. As an excellent source of protein, fish play a crucial role in meeting this demand, making aquaculture a highly impactful industry. Floating cages have been developed as a method of fish management and production to achieve high productivity and volume. However, these intensive fish farming practices can contribute to eutrophication, leading to changes in primary producers and promoting the excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria blooms pose significant consequences to aquatic ecosystems, including potential risks to fish exposed to harmful cyanobacterial metabolites. Cyanobacterial metabolites encompass various chemical classes, such as terpenoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, cyanopeptides, amino acids, organophosphates, macrolides, and lipopolysaccharides. Some of these compounds' toxicity and impact on fish farms still need to be better understood. Cyanotoxins and off‐flavour compounds in fish farms can pose risks to water and fish quality and potential health hazards for humans throughout the food chain. Therefore, cyanobacteria in fish farms can have significant economic, environmental, and public health implications. This review examines the concerns associated with cyanobacterial natural products in fish farming, including off‐flavours, known cyanotoxins, and other potentially toxic compounds, while exploring their socioeconomic and environmental risks.
Successful reintroduction of species: improving on windows of opportunity for biodiversity repair
Authors: Tielke Ann‐Kathrin , Vos Matthijs
Published: January 2024

To overcome resistance of degraded ecological communities to restorative interventions, we need to understand windows of opportunity—limited time frames when species reintroduction attempts are still successful. More specifically, we need to understand what makes these windows close, as this may enable us to stretch or reopen them. We investigated this using models of simple food web modules. We show how joint changes of bottom–up and top–down control may be applied to change windows of opportunity and increase reintroduction success. Which reintroduction densities were most effective seemed system‐specific. A more general result is that reintroduction success was strongly enhanced by low to intermediate carrying capacities of basal species (e.g. periphyton and other algae in streams). This can be seen as equivalent to low to intermediate nutrient levels. When these were too high, almost any combination of restorative measures was rendered ineffective. Interestingly, reintroducing primarily and secondarily lost species at the same time was more effective than sequential reintroductions that first attempted to fix secondary extinctions. We could further enhance the success of species reintroductions by reducing the carrying capacities of basal species before the reintroduction of primarily and secondarily lost species. We discuss our results in the light of empirical work on macro‐invertebrates in streams. This serves to exemplify how our results can be applied in the practice of ecological restoration.
Clinical efficacy of stromal vascular fraction gel in the treatment of mature striae distensae
Authors: Li Meijia , Tian Yuan , Cheng Rong , Hao Lijun
Published: January 2024

Background

Striae Distensae (SD) is a common dermatological lesion. The mechanism of formation is unclear, the prevailing theory is mechanical pulling of the skin and hormonal changes. Traditional SD treatment methods include topical drugs, photoelectric therapy, stripping and others, but each has limitations. Stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF‐gel) is a filler physically prepared from granular fat, enriched with adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM). A good effect in the treatment of neck lines, wounds, acne, and other aspects. SD formation and treatment goals are comparable to those of neck lines. In this study, SVF‐gel filling will be used to treat mature SD, and its effectiveness and safety will be discussed in detail.

Methods

From December 2019 to June 2022, recruit patients who want to treat SD caused by obesity or pregnancy among those who have “autologous fat aspiration” to change their body shape. Preoperatively, the area to be treated for SD was marked, autologous fat aspiration was performed, and the aspirated fat was prepared as SVF‐gel and filled into the preoperatively marked SD. All patients had preoperative and postoperative follow‐up with planar photographs and VISIA skin analyzer photographs to assess surgical results and safety from subjective and objective perspectives.

Results

A total of 36 patients were enrolled, with 31 of them successfully followed up on. The mean Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) score six months after surgery was 1.87 ± 0.03. At six months postoperatively, the overall patient satisfaction rate was 90%. The depth, area, and color of SD improved six months after surgery, and no serious complications occurred in any of the patients.

Conclusions

SVF‐gel is a safe and effective method of improving mature SD and can be used as a clinical treatment option.
Cytomegalovirus related hospitalization costs among hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients treated with maribavir versus investigator‐assigned therapy: A US‐based study
Authors: Schultz Bob G. , Bullano Michael , Paratane Deepika , Rajagopalan Krithika
Published: January 2024

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients impose a significant health care resource utilization (HCRU)‐related economic burden. Maribavir (MBV), a novel anti‐viral therapy (AVT), approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for post‐transplant CMV infections refractory (with/without resistance) to conventional AVTs has demonstrated lower hospital length of stay (LOS) versus investigator‐assigned therapy (IAT; valgancilovir, ganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir) in a phase 3 trial (SOLSTICE). This study estimated the HCRU costs of MBV versus IAT.

Methods

An economic model was developed to estimate HCRU costs for patients treated with MBV or IAT. Mean per‐patient‐per‐year (PPPY) HCRU costs were calculated using (i) annualized mean hospital LOS in SOLSTICE, and (ii) CMV‐related direct costs from published literature. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis with Monte‐Carlo simulations assessed model robustness.

Results

Of 352 randomized patients receiving MBV (n = 235) or IAT (n = 117) for 8 weeks in SOLSTICE, 40% had HSCT and 60% had SOT. Mean overall PPPY HCRU costs of overall hospital‐LOS were $67,205 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $33,767, $231,275) versus $145,501 (95% CI: $62,064, $589,505) for MBV and IAT groups, respectively. Mean PPPY ICU and non‐ICU stay costs were: $32,231 (95% CI: $5,248, $184,524) versus $45,307 (95% CI: $3,957, $481,740) for MBV and IAT groups, and $82,237 (95% CI: $40,397, $156,945) MBV versus $228,329 (95% CI: $94,442, $517,476) for MBV and IAT groups, respectively. MBV demonstrated cost savings in over 99.99% of simulations.

Conclusions

This analysis suggests that Mean PPPY HCRU costs were 29%–64% lower with MBV versus other‐AVTs.

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Pattern and predictors of non‐adherence to diabetes self‐management recommendations among patients in peripheral district of Bangladesh
Authors: Banu Bilkis , Khan Md. Mobarak Hossain , Ali Liaquat , Barnighausen Till , Sauerborn Rainer , Souares Aurélia
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This study was designed to determine the extent of non‐adherence to the different dimensions of diabetes self‐management and to identify the factors influencing non‐adherence among peripheral patients in Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 990 adult diabetic patients residing in Thakurgaon district, Bangladesh. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews including socio‐demographic information, disease and therapeutic, health services, knowledge and adherence to self‐management components.

Results

The proportion of non‐adherence to drug prescription was 66.7%, dietary regimen (68.9%), physical exercise (58.0%), follow‐up visit/blood glucose test (88.2%), stopping tobacco (50.6%), and regular foot care (93.9%). Significant predictors for non‐adherence to drug were poorest socio‐economic status (OR = 2.47), absence of diabetic complications (OR = 1.43), using non‐clinical therapy (OR = 5.61), and moderate level of knowledge (OR = 1.87). Non‐adherence to dietary recommendations was higher for women (OR = 1.72), poorest socio‐economic status (OR = 3.17), and poor technical knowledge (OR = 4.68). Non‐adherence to physical exercise was lower for women (OR = 0.62), combined family (OR = 0.63), middle socio‐economic status (OR = 0.54), and moderate knowledge on physical exercise (OR = 0.55). Non‐adherence to follow‐up visits/blood glucose test was higher among patients who did not have diabetic complications (OR = 1.81) and with own transport (OR = 2.57), and respondents from high‐income group (OR = 0.23) were less likely to be non‐adherent. Non‐adherence to stopping tobacco was higher for older individuals (OR = 1.86); but lower for women (OR = 0.48), individuals with higher education level (OR = 0.17) and patients sick for a longer time (OR = 0.52). Non‐adherence to foot care was higher for patients who needed longer time to go to hospital (OR = 4.07) and had poor basic knowledge on diabetes (OR = 17.80).

Conclusion

An alarmingly high proportion of diabetic patients did not adhere to diabetes self‐management. Major predictors for non‐adherence were related to patient's demographic characteristics and their experience with disease, treatment and health care services.
Riemann–Hilbert–Birkhoff inverse problem for semisimple flat F$F$‐manifolds and convergence of oriented associativity potentials
Authors: Cotti Giordano
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we address the problem of classification of quasi‐homogeneous formal power series providing solutions of the oriented associativity equations. Such a classification is performed by introducing a system of monodromy local moduli on the space of formal germs of homogeneous semisimple flat ‐manifolds. This system of local moduli is well defined on the complement of the strictly doubly resonant locus, namely, a locus of formal germs of flat ‐manifolds manifesting both coalescences of canonical coordinates at the origin, and resonances of their conformal dimensions. It is shown how the solutions of the oriented associativity equations can be reconstructed from the knowledge of the monodromy local moduli via a Riemann–Hilbert–Birkhoff boundary value problem. Furthermore, standing on results of B. Malgrange and C. Sabbah, it is proved that any formal homogeneous semisimple flat ‐manifold, which is not strictly doubly resonant, is actually convergent. Our semisimplicity criterion for convergence is also reformulated in terms of solutions of Losev–Manin commutativity equations, growth estimates of correlators of ‐cohomological field theories, and solutions of open Witten–Dijkgraaf–Verlinde–Verlinde equations.
The relationship between household food insecurity and overweight or obesity among children and adults in Canada: a population-based, propensity score weighting analysis
Authors: Fafard St-Germain Andrée-Anne , Hutchinson Joy , Tarasuk Valerie
Published: January 2024

Household food insecurity is independently associated with adverse health outcomes among Canadians, but its association with overweight and obesity is poorly understood partly because of limited attention to confounding. This study assessed the relationship between food insecurity status and overweight/obesity in Canada. Cross-sectional data for individuals aged 2–64 years were drawn from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition. Overweight/obesity was defined using body mass index calculated with measured height and weight. Food insecurity status was assessed with the 18-item Household Food Security Survey Module. The relationship was examined among preschool children ( n = 2007), girls ( n = 5512), boys ( n = 5507), women ( n = 8317), and men ( n = 7279) using propensity score weighted logistic regressions to control for confounding. Relative to their food-secure counterparts, girls in moderately food-insecure households (39.7% vs. 28.5%), boys in severely food-insecure households (54.4% vs. 35.0%), and women in moderately and severely food-insecure households (58.9% and 73.1% vs. 50.7%) had higher overweight/obesity prevalence; men in moderately food-insecure households had a lower prevalence (48.9% vs. 66.3%). With propensity score weighting, no association existed between food insecurity and overweight/obesity among preschool children, girls, boys, or men. For women, moderate (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.61; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.06–2.47) and severe (AOR: 2.33; 95%CI: 1.22–4.44) food insecurity was positively associated with overweight/obesity; the association was strongest for severe food insecurity and obesity (AOR: 3.38; 95%CI: 1.60–7.16). Additional research is needed to better understand the nature of the relationship among women. Problems of food insecurity and overweight/obesity among Canadian children and men should not be conflated in public health interventions.
Observational constraint in f(R, ∇R) gravity model in power-law cosmology
Authors: Dixit Archana
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we have considered the flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FRW) model in the framework of f( R, ∇ R) gravity. We have analyzed the significance of bulk viscosity in the f( R, ∇ R) gravity model to study the expansion of the universe. We have considered two bulk viscosity parameterizations and the use of power-law cosmology to constrain the model parameters H0 and q. Using the Bayesian analysis and likelihood function in conjunction with the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, we obtained the model parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The behaviors of energy density, bulk viscous pressure, and the effective equation of the state parameter with redshift are investigated in detail. These features demonstrate that the bulk viscosity is a valid candidate for acquiring the negative pressure needed to effectively drive the expansion of the universe. To check the validity of the f( R, ∇ R) model, we also analyze the behavior of energy conditions. The adiabatic squared speed of the sound is used to test the model’s stability. The Om( z) diagnostic is used in the model to identify the quintessence and phantom regions.
Entrepreneurial Orientation Impact on the Innovation Ambidexterity: Evidence from the Industrial-Based Sector
Authors: Horchani Samah Chemli , Zouaoui Mahmoud
Published: January 2024

Entrepreneurship, in many low-developed economies, plays an important role in defeating external distress. It is crucial in such situation that entrepreneurial firms resist and even grow. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how entrepreneurial orientation brings about organisational ambidexterity through the mediation role of intellectual capital in the context of a developing country. This paper reports research results combining a qualitative and quantitative evaluation. The exploratory study is based on qualitative case studies and in-depth interview data collected from 15 Tunisian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial sector. Then, the methodology included a survey of 155 SMEs using a questionnaire and structural equation modelling analyses. The results reveal that SMEs leverage internal and external resources to pursue ambidexterity separately or simultaneously. The data were gathered from a sole informant from every firm. Consequently, more in-depth longitudinal study may be requisite to expand deeper insights into the used variables. SME managers need to focus on the specific barriers to ambidexterity and design effective mechanisms to advance the drivers of ambidexterity. The mechanisms to realize ambidexterity as branded in this study will assist SMEs in particular, and firms in general. A new shape of organisation is an open design allowing more outer acquaintance and resources to be riveted, which is claimed as a novel model for organisation. This study combined the concepts of entrepreneurial orientation and intellectual capital as the basis of innovation ambidexterity. Human, organisational and relational capitals are the intermediate mechanisms to explain the effect of entrepreneurial orientation. Moreover, the Tunisian specific context adds more novelty to this study.