bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dark triad and entrepreneurial intention: The moderating role of family business exposure
Authors: Laouiti Rahma , Nakara Walid A. , Razgallah Meriam
Published: February 2024

A substantial body of research has documented that personality traits, namely, negative personality traits generally known as the dark triad, play a significant role in determining entrepreneurial intention. However, despite the important role that parents play in the construction of their children's personality traits, studies examining the role of family business exposure on these socially aversive traits and its effect on the development of entrepreneurial intention are rarely developed. The current research is set to fill this gap through a quantitative approach based on a sample of 896 students. More specifically, we test the moderating effect of family business exposure on the relationship between dark triad personality traits and entrepreneurial intention. Our results provide evidence that narcissism and psychopathy have a direct effect on entrepreneurial intention and that family business exposure moderates the relationship between Machiavellianism and entrepreneurial intention. Several implications for educators and public policies are discussed.
The epidemiology and societal costs of myasthenia gravis in Norway: A non‐interventional study using national registry data
Authors: Engebretsen Ingrid , Gilhus Nils Erik , Kristiansen Ivar Sønbø , Sæther Erik Magnus , Lindberg‐Schager Ingrid , Arneberg Fredrik , Bugge Christoffer
Published: February 2024

Background and purpose

With the emergence of new treatment options for myasthenia gravis (MG), there is a need for information regarding epidemiology, healthcare utilization, and societal costs to support economic evaluation and identify eligible patients. We aimed to enhance the understanding of these factors using nationwide systematic registry data in Norway.

Methods

We received comprehensive national registry data from five Norwegian health‐ and work‐related registries. The annual incidence and prevalence were estimated for the period 2013–2021 using nationwide hospital and prescription data. The direct, indirect (productivity losses) and intangible costs (value of lost life‐years [LLY] and health‐related quality of life [HRQoL]) related to MG were estimated over a period of 1 year.

Results

In 2021, the incidence of MG ranged from 15 to 16 cases per year per million population depending on the registry used, while the prevalence varied between 208.9 and 210.3 per million population. The total annual societal costs of MG amounted to EUR 24,743 per patient, of which EUR 3592 (14.5%) were direct costs, EUR 8666 (35.0%) were productivity loss, and EUR 12,485 (50.5%) were lost value from LLY and reduced HRQoL.

Conclusion

The incidence and prevalence of MG are higher than previously estimated, and the total societal costs of MG are substantial. Our findings demonstrate that productivity losses, and the value of LLY and HRQoL constitute a considerable proportion of the total societal costs.
Tracing topics and trends in drug‐resistant epilepsy research using a natural language processing–based topic modeling approach
Authors: Karabacak Mert , Jagtiani Pemla , Jain Ankita , Panov Fedor , Margetis Konstantinos
Published: February 2024

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting over 70 million people worldwide. Although many patients achieve seizure control with anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs), 30%–40% develop drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE), where seizures persist despite adequate trials of AEDs. DRE is associated with reduced quality of life, increased mortality and morbidity, and greater socioeconomic challenges. The continued intractability of DRE has fueled exponential growth in research that aims to understand and treat this serious condition. However, synthesizing this vast and continuously expanding DRE literature to derive insights poses considerable difficulties for investigators and clinicians. Conventional review methods are often prolonged, hampering the timely application of findings. More‐efficient approaches to analyze the voluminous research are needed. In this study, we utilize a natural language processing (NLP)–based topic modeling approach to examine the DRE publication landscape, uncovering key topics and trends. Documents were retrieved from Scopus, preprocessed, and modeled using BERTopic. This technique employs transformer models like BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) for contextual understanding, thereby enabling accurate topic categorization. Analysis revealed 18 distinct topics spanning various DRE research areas. The 10 most common topics, including “AEDs,” “Neuromodulation Therapy,” and “Genomics,” were examined further. “Cannabidiol,” “Functional Brain Mapping,” and “Autoimmune Encephalitis” emerged as the hottest topics of the current decade, and were examined further. This NLP methodology provided valuable insights into the evolving DRE research landscape, revealing shifting priorities and declining interests. Moreover, we demonstrate an efficient approach to synthesizing and visualizing patterns within extensive literature that could be applied to other research fields.
Timing the clinical onset of epileptic spasms in infantile epileptic spasms syndrome: A tertiary health center's experience
Authors: Hadjinicolaou Aristides , Briscoe Abath Christina , Singh Avantika , Donatelli Stephanie , Salussolia Catherine L. , Cohen Alexander Li , He Jie , Gupta Nishtha , Merchant Sabrina , Zhang Bo , Olson Heather , Yuskaitis Christopher J. , Libenson Mark H. , Harini Chellamani
Published: February 2024

Objective

Lead time to treatment (clinical onset of epileptic spasms [ES] to initiation of appropriate treatment) is known to predict outcomes in infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS). Timing the clinical onset of ES is crucial to establish lead time. We investigated how often ES onset could be established to the nearest week. We aimed to (1) ascertain the exact date or estimate the nearest week of ES onset and (2) compare clinical/demographic factors between patients where date of ES onset was determined or estimated to the nearest week and patients whose date of ES onset could not be estimated to the nearest week. Reasons for difficulties in estimating date of ES onset were explored.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of new onset IESS patients (January 2019–May 2022) extracted the date or week of the clinical onset of ES. Predictors of difficulty in date of ES onset estimation to the nearest week were examined by regression analysis. Sources contributing to difficulties determining date of ES onset were assessed after grouping into categories (provider‐, caregiver‐, disease‐related).

Results

Among 100 patients, date of ES onset was estimated to the nearest week in 47%. On univariable analysis, age at diagnosis (p = .021), development delay (p = .007), developmental regression/stagnation (p = .021), ES intermixed with other seizures (p = .011), and nonclustered ES at onset (p = .005) were associated with difficulties estimating date of ES onset. On multivariable analysis, failure to establish date of ES onset was related to ES intermixed with other seizures (p = .004) and nonclustered ES at onset (p = .003). Sources contributing to difficulties determining date of ES onset included disease‐related factors (ES characteristics, challenges interpreting electroencephalograms) and provider/caregiver‐related factors (delayed diagnosis).

Significance

Difficulties with estimation of lead time (due to difficulties timing ES onset) can impact clinical care (prognostication), as even small increments in lead time duration can have adverse developmental consequences.
Hatchery supplementation provides a demographic boost but alters age composition of sockeye salmon in Auke Lake, Southeast Alaska
Authors: McPhee Megan V. , Barry Patrick D. , Habicht Chris , Vulstek Scott C. , Russell Joshua R. , Smoker William W. , Joyce John E. , Gharrett Anthony J.
Published: February 2024

Evaluating salmon hatchery supplementation programs requires assessing not only program objectives but identifying potential risks to wild populations as well. Such evaluations can be hampered by difficulty in distinguishing between hatchery‐ and wild‐born returning adults. Here, we conducted 3 years (2011–2013) of experimental hatchery supplementation of sockeye salmon in Auke Lake, Juneau, Alaska where a permanent weir allows sampling and genotyping of every returning adult (2008–2019). We identified both hatchery‐ and wild‐born returning adults with parentage assignment, quantified the productivity (adult offspring/spawner) of hatchery spawners relative to that of wild spawners, and compared run timing, age, and size at age between hatchery‐ and wild‐born adults. Hatchery‐spawning females produced from approximately six to 50 times more returning adults than did naturally spawning females. Supplementation had no discernable effect on run timing and limited consequences for size at age, but we observed a distinct shift to younger age at maturity in the hatchery‐born individuals in all three brood years. The shift appeared to be driven by hatchery‐born fish being more likely to emigrate after one, rather than two, years in the lake but the cause is unknown. In cases when spawning or incubation habitat is limiting sockeye salmon production, hatchery supplementation can be effective for enhancing the number of returning adult fish but not without the risk of phenotypic change in the recipient population, which can be an undesired outcome of hatchery supplementation. This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that phenotypic change within a single generation of captive spawning might be widespread in salmon hatchery programs.
Automatic early detection of induced colic in horses using accelerometer devices
Authors: Eerdekens Anniek , Papas Marion , Damiaans Bert , Martens Luc , Govaere Jan , Joseph Wout , Deruyck Margot
Published: February 2024

Background

To seek appropriate veterinary attention for horses with colic, owners must recognise early signs. Direct observation of horse behaviour has several drawbacks: it is time‐consuming, hard to see subtle and common behavioural signs, and is based on intuition and subjective decisions. Due to recent advances in wearables and artificial intelligence, it may be possible to develop diagnostic software that can automatically detect colic signs.

Objectives

To develop a software algorithm to aid in the detection of colic signs and levels of pain.

Study design

In vivo experiments.

Methods

Transient colic was induced in eight experimental mares with luteolytic doses of prostaglandin. Veterinarians observed the horses before and throughout the interventions and assigned pain scores which were used to separate colic episodes into none (pain score ≤5), level 1 (pain score 6–10) or level 2 (pain score ≥11). Accelerometric data and videos were collected throughout the experiments and using accelerometric data, the horse's behaviour was classified into normal and 10 pain‐related behaviours and an activity index was calculated. Models were designed that utilised behaviour and activity index characteristics both detecting the presence of colic and assessing its severity. To determine the accuracy of the model, the ground truth, that is the veterinarians' observation of colic signs and assessment of pain level, was compared with the automatic detection system.

Results

The cross‐validation analysis demonstrated an accuracy of 91.2% for detecting colic and an accuracy of 93.8% in differentiating between level 1 colic and level 2 colic. The model was able to accurately classify 10 pain‐related behaviours and distinguish them from normal behaviour with a high accuracy.

Main limitations

We included a limited number of horses with severe pain related behaviours in the dataset. This constraint affects the accuracy of categorising colic severity rather than limiting the algorithms' capacity to identify early colic signs.

Conclusions

Our system for early detection of colic in horses is unique and innovative, and it can distinguish between colic of varying severity.
Stock discrimination of two European squids (Illex coindetii, Loligo forbesii) by statolith shape analysis
Authors: Bobowski Bianca T. C. , Power Anne Marie , Burns Finlay , Carbonara Pierluigi , Cuccu Danila , Donnaloia Marilena , Follesa Maria Cristina , Moreno Ana , Sokolova Inna M. , Valls Maria , Oesterwind Daniel
Published: February 2024

We evaluated the feasibility of classifying ommastrephid and loliginid squid species by statolith shape analysis into fisheries management units or stocks. Statoliths of Illex coindetii (Verany, 1839) and Loligo forbesii (Steenstrup, 1856) were studied from multiple areas of the North East Atlantic and Northern Mediterranean Sea during 2021–2022. I. coindetii and L. forbesii individuals were categorized into multiple stocks across the areas studied. Stocks migrating between fishing areas as well as multiple stocks in the same area, as identified for L. forbesii in this study, need to be considered for sustainable fisheries management.
Ocean climate and hydrodynamics drive decadal shifts in Northeast Atlantic dinoflagellates
Authors: Kléparski Loïck , Beaugrand Grégory , Ostle Clare , Edwards Martin , Skogen Morten D. , Djeghri Nicolas , Hátún Hjálmar
Published: February 2024

The abundance of large marine dinoflagellates has declined in the North Sea since 1958. Although hypotheses have been proposed to explain this diminution (increasing temperature and wind), the mechanisms behind this pattern have thus far remained elusive. In this article, we study the long‐term changes in dinoflagellate biomass and biodiversity in relation to hydro‐climatic conditions and circulation within the North Atlantic. Our results show that the decline in biomass has paralleled an increase in biodiversity caused by a temperature‐induced northward movement of subtropical taxa along the European shelf‐edge, and facilitated by changes in oceanic circulation (subpolar gyre contraction). However, major changes in North Atlantic hydrodynamics in the 2010s (subpolar gyre expansion and low‐salinity anomaly) stopped this movement, which triggered a biodiversity collapse in the North Sea. Further, North Sea dinoflagellate biomass remained low because of warming. Our results, therefore, reveal that regional climate warming and changes in oceanic circulation strongly influenced shifts in dinoflagellate biomass and biodiversity.
Spectral asynchrony as a measure of ecosystem response diversity
Authors: Mazzochini Guilherme G. , Rowland Lucy , Lira‐Martins Demétrius , Barros Fernanda de V. , Flores Bernardo M. , Hirota Marina , Pennington R. Toby , Oliveira Rafael S.
Published: February 2024

Species diversity is crucial for promoting ecosystem resilience and stability. Species diversity promotes complementarity in resource use, resulting in a wider range of responses to adverse conditions. This enables populations of different species to fluctuate asynchronously, maintaining ecosystem functioning during extreme climatic events. However, incorporating such mechanisms into conservation decisions and ecosystem modelling requires scalable metrics that represent species diversity, which is currently lacking. To address this, we introduce spectral asynchrony, a metric that captures the spatial heterogeneity of species’ functional responses occurring in distinct pixels. Here, we use remote sensing datasets to investigate the relationship between spectral asynchrony and productivity responses of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) to climatic fluctuations. Our findings reveal that spectral asynchrony is associated with increased resistance and recovery of SDTF productivity in following extreme drought years, as well as greater productivity stability over two decades. Furthermore, higher spectral asynchrony was associated with relatively wetter regions, suggesting that increasing aridity across SDTF could potentially reduce landscape heterogeneity and limit ecosystem resilience to increasing droughts in the future. Spectral asynchrony provides an easily measurable and monitorable metric for assessing ecosystem responses to global changes, reflecting and scaling‐up the effects of species diversity at the local level.
The value‐based healthcare approach to haemophilia: Development of outcome measures for the evaluation of care of people with haemophilia
Authors: Cortesi Paolo Angelo , Fornari Carla , Conti Sara , Pollio Berardino , Boccalandro Elena , Buzzi Andrea , Carulli Christian , Coppola Antonio , De Cristofaro Raimondo , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Dolan Gerard , Ferri Grazzi Enrico , Fornari Arianna , Gualtierotti Roberta , Hermans Cedric , Jiménez‐Juste Victor , Kenet Gili , Lupi Angelo , Martinoli Carlo , Mansueto Maria Francesca , Nicolò Gabriella , Tagliaferri Annarita , Gringeri Alessandro , Molinari Angelo Claudio , Mantovani Lorenzo Giovanni , Castaman Giancarlo ,   the V.B.H. project group
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Considering the advances in haemophilia management and treatment observed in the last decades, a new set of value‐based outcome indicators is needed to assess the quality of care and the impact of these medical innovations.

Aim

The Value‐Based Healthcare in Haemophilia project aimed to define a set of clinical outcome indicators (COIs) and patient‐reported outcome indicators (PROIs) to assess quality of care in haemophilia in high‐income countries with a value‐based approach to inform and guide the decision‐making process.

Methods

A Value‐based healthcare approach based on the available literature, current guidelines and the involvement of a multidisciplinary group of experts was applied to generate a set of indicators to assess the quality of care of haemophilia.

Results

A final list of three COIs and five PROIs was created and validated. The identified COIs focus on two domains: musculoskeletal health and function, and safety. The identified PROIs cover five domains: bleeding frequency, pain, mobility and physical activities, Health‐Related Quality of Life and satisfaction. Finally, two composite outcomes, one based on COIs, and one based on PROIs, were proposed as synthetic outcome indicators of quality of care.

Conclusion

The presented standard set of health outcome indicators provides the basis for harmonised longitudinal and cross‐sectional monitoring and comparison. The implementation of this value‐based approach would enable a more robust assessment of quality of care in haemophilia, within a framework of continuous treatment improvements with potential added value for patients. Moreover, proposed COIs and PROIs should be reviewed and updated routinely.
Low‐dose or high‐dose amoxicillin in vonoprazan‐based dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ju Kun‐Ping , Kong Qing‐Zhou , Li Yue‐Yue , Li Yan‐Qing
Published: February 2024

Background

The amoxicillin dose used in dual therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori varies across studies and the optimal amoxicillin dose for vonoprazan‐based dual therapies remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of low‐ and high‐dose amoxicillin in vonoprazan–amoxicillin dual therapy.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted by searching databases from inception to October 2023. All trials that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of vonoprazan–amoxicillin dual therapy for eradicating H. pylori were included. Pooled eradication rate, incidence of adverse events, relative risks, and 95% confidence intervals are presented.

Results

Eighteen studies with 12 low‐dose amoxicillin (VLA) and 13 high‐dose amoxicillin (VHA) arms were included. The pooled eradication rates were 82.4% and 86.8% for VLA therapy, and 86.0% and 90.9% for VHA therapy by the intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses, respectively. In the subgroup analysis stratified by duration, the eradication rates achieved in 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days treatments with VLA and VHA dual therapies were 80.8%, 84.2%, 83.1%, and 67.3%, 88.8%, 87.5%, respectively. In the four randomized controlled trials that directly compared VLA and VHA dual therapies, the efficacy was not statistically different in the intention‐to‐treat (76.9% vs 81.4%, p = 0.337) and per‐protocol (81.6% vs 84.0%, p = 0.166) analyses. Additionally, the incidence of adverse events (p = 0.965) and compliance (p = 0.994) were similar in both groups.

Conclusion

VLA therapy demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to VHA therapy, along with regional differences. An appropriately extended treatment duration may be critical for therapeutic optimization of vonoprazan–amoxicillin treatment.
Studying the role of Bombyx mori molybdenum cofactor sulfurase in Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection
Authors: Lv Jun‐li , Lai Wen‐qing , Gong Yu‐quan , Zheng Kai‐yi , Zhang Xiao‐ying , Wang Xue‐yang , Dai Li‐shang , Li Mu‐wang
Published: February 2024

Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MoCoS) is a key gene involved in the uric acid metabolic pathway that activates xanthine dehydrogenase to synthesise uric acid. Uric acid is harmful to mammals but plays crucial roles in insects, one of which is the immune responses. However, the function of Bombyx mori MoCoS in response to BmNPV remains unclear. In this study, BmMoCoS was found to be relatively highly expressed in embryonic development, gonads and the Malpighian tubules. In addition, the expression levels of BmMoCoS were significantly upregulated in three silkworm strains with different levels of resistance after virus infection, suggesting a close link between them. Furthermore, RNAi and overexpression studies showed that BmMoCoS was involved in resistance to BmNPV infection, and its antivirus effects were found to be related to the regulation of uric acid metabolism, which was uncovered by inosine‐ and febuxostat‐coupled RNAi and overexpression. Finally, the BmMoCoS‐mediated uric acid pathway was preliminarily confirmed to be a potential target to protect silkworms from BmNPV infection. Overall, this study provides new evidence for elucidating the molecular mechanism of silkworms in response to BmNPV infection and new strategies for the prevention of viral infections in sericulture.
A person‐centred view of citizen participation in civic crowdfunding platforms: A mixed‐methods study of civic backers
Authors: Soltani Delgosha Mohammad , Hajiheydari Nastaran , Olya Hossein
Published: February 2024

Crowdfunding platforms have emerged as a promising contemporary means for mobilising collective civic actions to address local or social issues, improve community cohesion and develop the public good. This empirical study taps into the understudied civic crowdfunding platforms (CCP) developed to facilitate such actions, proposing, supporting and funding public‐interest projects through crowdsourcing and microfinancing. Previous studies have shown that individuals' characteristics affect their level of civic engagement with social issues. Considering the diversity of contributor motivations, we aim to shed light on the dynamics of emergent subpopulations of citizens who participate in CCPs. To this end, we use a sequential mixed‐methods approach to integrate our fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) findings with the results of an in‐depth qualitative study, to gain rich and robust inferences and meta‐inferences. In Study 1 (n = 316), we used fsQCA to explore five distinctive configural profiles that display the heterogeneity of civic backers' motivations, including civic champions, prosocial advocates, normative supporters, reward seekers and regret‐averse contributors. In Study 2, we corroborated and complemented our fsQCA inferences through an extreme‐case study and identified four boundary conditions. Taken together, our inferences and meta‐inferences address the heterogeneity of motivations for participating in CCPs, by understanding and theorising about diverse profiles of citizen backers. Finally, we offer practical implications for successful civic crowdfunding initiatives.
Everyday forms of resistance in Istanbul day labourer areas: Comparative experiences of immigrant and local workers
Authors: Çölgeçen Ahmet Ertan
Published: February 2024

Precarity extends beyond economic and material conditions to shape people's identity, belonging and subjectivity. As a process, precarity has made instability a virtue by lifting the smokescreen that previously hid relations of production. Its institutional crystallization becomes concrete in state apparatuses and social relations. It targets both subjectivity and the life of the population as a whole. Therefore, it participates in everyday life as a hegemonic form of rule. This study focuses on the experiences of precarity, the production of subjectivity and the areas of conflict of local and migrant labourers in day‐labour hiring sites in Istanbul. Day‐labour sites are areas where precarity is normalized. In contrast, day labourers produce their own areas of autonomy in day‐labour sites. The loyalties of migrant and non‐migrant labourers to each other differ in day‐labour sites. Due to the production of certain oppositions through identities in labour areas, the relations of domination have certain invisibility. Nevertheless, the practices of day labourers in organizing their mutual relations intersect in these sites.
The relevance of the contribution of psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology and psychology of reasoning and decision making to nursing science: A discursive paper
Authors: Milani Alessandra , Saiani Luisa , Misurelli Eliana , Lacapra Silvana , Pravettoni Gabriella , Magon Giorgio , Mazzocco Ketti
Published: February 2024

Aim

Patients' death or adverse events appear to be associated with poor healthcare decision‐making. This might be due to an inability to have an adequate representation of the problem or of the connections among problem‐related elements. Changing how a problem is formulated can reduce biases in clinical reasoning. The purpose of this article is to explore the possible contributions of psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI) and psychology of reasoning and decision‐making (PRDM) to support a new nursing theoretical frame.

Design

Discursive paper.

Method

This article discusses the main assumptions about nursing and nurses' ability to face patient's problems, suggesting a new approach that integrates knowledge from PNEI and PRDM. While PNEI explains the complexity of systems, highlighting the importance of systems connections in affecting health, PRDM underlines the importance of the informative context in creating a mental representation of the problem. Furthermore, PRDM suggests the need to pay attention to information that is not immediately explicit and its connections.

Conclusion

Nursing recognizes the patient–nurse relationship as the axiom that governs care. The integration of PNEI and PRDM in nursing theoretics allows the expansion of the axiom by providing essential elements to read a new type of relationship: the relationship among information. PNEI explains the relationships between biological systems and the psyche and between the whole individual and the environment; PRDM provides tools for the nurse's analytical thinking system to correctly process information and its connections.

Impact on Nursing Practice

A theoretical renewal is mandatory to improve nursing reasoning and nursing priority identification. Integrating PNEI and PRDM into nursing theoretics will modify the way professionals approach patients, reducing cognitive biases and medical errors.

No Patient or Public Contribution

There was no patient or public involvement in the design or writing of this discursive article.
Is immediate dentin sealing a mandatory or optional clinical step for indirect restorations?
Authors: Portella Fernando Freitas , Müller Raquel , Zimmer Roberto , Reston Eduardo Galia , Arossi Guilherme Anziliero
Published: February 2024

Objective

The use of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) following tooth preparation for indirect restorations is well‐supported by laboratory studies. The inclusion of IDS as a mandatory clinical step, it must be firmly supported by evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCT). The objective of this study is to assess whether IDS should be added as a mandatory procedure in all indirect restorations, taking into consideration clinically significant outcomes for the patient, such as restoration longevity and hypersensitivity.

Materials and Methods

A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed. In addition, a manual search was conducted in the references of literature reviews.

Results

Data from four RCT were included. Two studies assessed preparations for full crowns, and two assessed preparations for partial restorations. Data from full crown preparations were subjected to a meta‐analysis, revealing a reduction in hypersensitivity incidence in the IDS group 1 week after restoration cementation. With respect to hypersensitivity, IDS seems to offer advantages exclusively during the provisional phase and up to 1 week following the cementation of the final restoration. One study has shown no difference on longevity.

Conclusion

The use of IDS should be considered as an elective clinical step during the rehabilitation with indirect restorations.

Clinical Significance

IDS is an elective clinical step that should be considered in patients and preparations with a higher risk of sensitivity between appointments.
Early ontogeny of the freshwater fish Rhytiodus microlepis (Characiformes, Anostomidae) from the Amazon basin
Authors: Santos Darliane C. , Oliveira Lucas S. , Silva Fabíola K. S. , Cajado Ruineris A. , Zacardi Diego M.
Published: February 2024

The early development of the freshwater fish Rhytiodus microlepis is characterized by the description of external morphological, meristic, and morphometric changes, as well as the growth patterns, thereby establishing a reference for the identification of its larvae and juveniles. Specimens were collected from the Amazon river channel and floodplain. Ninety‐seven individuals were analysed with standard length varying between 4.31 and 79.23 mm. Rhytiodus microlepis larvae are altricial, with an elongated and fusiform body, anal opening reaching the middle region of the body, and simple nostrils becoming double and tubular during development. The pigments vary from one to two chromatophores in the dorsal region of the head in pre‐flexion and flexion, but later the pigmentation pattern intensifies, transverse bands appear along the body, and a conspicuous spot appears in the basal region of the caudal fin. The total number of myomeres ranges from 49 to 50. During the transition from larval (post‐flexion) to the juvenile periods, the most significant anatomical changes occur, such as the presence of all fins and increased body pigmentation. Integrated myomere count and pigmentation pattern are effective for the correct identification of the initial life stages of R. microlepis from the Amazon basin. Our results expand the knowledge about the early life history of Neotropical freshwater fish species.
Effect of multi‐pin (open air) atmospheric plasma on the rheological characteristics of locust bean gum
Authors: Jaddu Samuel , Abdullah S. , Sonkar Shivani , Dwivedi Madhuresh , Seth Dibyakanta , Goksen Gulden , Sarangi Prakash Kumar , Pradhan Rama Chandra
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the impact of atmospheric cold plasma on locust bean gum (LBG) rheology using a multi‐pin configuration. LBG undergoes plasma treatment at 30 kV for durations of 10, 20, and 30 min. Evaluation of color attributes and total color difference revealed enhancements in LBG post‐plasma treatment. The linear viscoelastic region, determined at a 0.5% strain, demonstrated improved storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) concerning frequency compared to the control. Additionally, viscosity and shear stress displayed an inverse relationship with increasing shear rate, indicating the pseudoplastic nature of LBG samples. Consistent trends in G′ and G″ values of treated LBG were observed across three temperature stages, except for the 30 kV and 10 min. Infrared spectra analysis of plasma‐treated LBG samples indicated the preservation of most polysaccharide groups, with no significant peak alterations. Overall, cold plasma treatment modifies LBG rheology, making it suitable for diverse food applications.
Theory‐based obesity intervention program for women: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Göger Seda , Çevirme Ayşe
Published: February 2024

Aims

To determine the effect of the education and counseling intervention given to overweight and obese women according to the theory of planned behavior on their health behaviors.

Methods

The study consisted of 78 overweight and obese women in total, between the ages of 18–49. While the women in the intervention group were given a 6‐month training program and 6‐month counseling service structured according to the theory of planned behavior, the women in the control group were given standard obesity training and were put on hold for 6 months.

Results

There was a decrease in the post‐test anthropometric measurement values of the intervention group compared to the pretest. While there was no statistically significant change in the activity status of the control group over time, the inactivity rate of the intervention group decreased; however, the minimal activity rate increased over time. The post‐test healthy life style behaviors scale II health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, stress management and total scores of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were significant.

Conclusion

It has been determined that the education and counseling services applied to overweight and obese women based on the theory of planned behavior are effective in gaining positive health behaviors.
‘A great many of them die’: Sugar, race and cheapness in colonial Queensland
Authors: Ryan Matthew D. J.
Published: February 2024

The frontier of colonial Queensland was pushed northward through the second half of the 19th century by proliferating sugar plantations. The cultivation of sugar cane for these plantations rested predominantly on the shoulders of unfree, racialized Pacific Islander workers. This history reveals dialectics of cheap lives and land, as nature was produced for exchange at the commodity frontier, unfolding in crises of disease, death and exhaustion. In exploring the story of this frontier, an opportunity emerges to begin a conversation between a recent return to materialism within Australian historiography and the traditions of eco‐Marxism and Black radicalism. The contention here is that this engagement represents both ‘urgent history’ and ‘truth‐telling’, as plantation socioecologies of cheapness continue to (re)produce the crises of the racial Capitalocene.
Delivering Medicaid Mental Health Services and Supports in Schools: Current Landscape and Opportunities to Expand
Authors: Ilakkuvan Vinu , De Biasi Anne
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Medicaid is a key policy lever for expanding access to mental health services and supports for children in schools, especially low‐income and minority children. This study examines how Medicaid finances mental health promotion and prevention (tier 1), screening and selected interventions (tier 2), and treatment (tier 3) in schools, informing policy recommendations to expand school mental health.

METHODS

Seventeen key informant interviews were conducted virtually from March to October 2022 with research, practice, and policy leaders in school mental health and Medicaid. Interview transcripts were thematically coded to inform recommendations.

RESULTS

Interview themes included that Medicaid is a key funder of mental health services, primarily in tier 3, and that braiding and blending funds is necessary to support services across all tiers in schools. Interviewees underscored the need to expand tier 2 in schools, to expand and diversify the behavioral health workforce (including via non‐licensed providers, aligning school‐employed provider licensure and billing requirements and building school‐community referral relationships), strengthen teaming structures (including state children's cabinets, student case management, and education/Medicaid agency coordination), and leverage technical assistance and training to speed up adoption of new policies (including via guidance and templates that facilitate billing for school health services).

CONCLUSIONS

Policymakers, practitioners, and advocates can use these findings to identify policies and strategies to expand school mental health and reduce inequities.
Firearm exposure and safety training of rural Iowa youth
Authors: Koopman Jamie L. , Wymore Cole C. , Stange Nicholas R. , Wetjen Kristel M. , Hoogerwerf Pamela J. , Liao Junlin , Wood Kelly E. , Denning Gerene M. , Jennissen Charles A.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Our objective was to investigate rural adolescents’ use of firearms and whether they had received firearm training.

Methods

2019 Iowa FFA Leadership Conference attendees were surveyed. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed.

Results

One thousand three hundred and eighty‐two FFA members aged 13‐18 years participated. The vast majority (85%) had fired a rifle/shotgun; 58% reported firing them >20 times. Of those who had fired rifles/shotguns, 32% had done so before 9 years old; 79% before 13 years. Most had also fired a handgun (62%), with 30% having fired handguns >20 times. Of those who had fired handguns, 34% had done so before 11 years old. The average age for first firing rifles/shotguns was 10.1 (SD 2.9) years, and 11.9 (SD 2.8) years for handguns. Males, older teenagers, and those living on farms or in the country had significantly greater percentages that had fired a rifle/shotgun or a handgun. Greater proportions of males had used firearms >20 times and started firing them at younger ages. Over half (55%) reported having gone hunting. Of those, 24% first hunted before 9 years old; 48% before 11 years. Of those who had used a firearm, 61% had completed a firearm safety training course. For hunters, 80% had taken a course.

Conclusions

Most participants had used firearms, and many did so at very young ages. Substantial numbers had not received formal training. The authors believe that families should be counseled when it is developmentally appropriate to introduce youth to firearms, and all should take firearm safety training before using them.
Effect of a cyclonic eddy on phytoplankton: A bioassay experiment
Authors: Mikaelyan Alexander S. , Lifanchuk Anna V. , Mosharov Sergey A. , Fedorov Alexey V. , Mosharova Irina V. , Ocherednik Oksana A.
Published: February 2024

Cyclonic eddies often increase the primary productivity of marine ecosystems. However, the study of their influence on the taxonomic structure and productivity of plankton is complex due to the short‐term and mesoscale nature of the action of eddies. In a laboratory bioassay experiment, we simulated two mechanisms of eddy's effect on the deep phytoplankton maximum: an increase in the upward flow of deep nutrients and illumination. Doubling of nutrient additions compared to control increased chlorophyll's specific growth rate (SGR) 1.7‐fold over 12 days while doubling the light intensity increased SGR by 3.5 times. During the first 4 days of the experiment, at the exponential growth stage, SGR of carbon biomass was maximum with the simultaneous doubling of nutrients and light (0.44 day−1). It was statistically significantly higher than at increased nutrients but not light. These results suggest that nutrient deficiencies were less crucial for phytoplankton growth than light. The increase in the phytoplankton biomass was mainly due to the growth of a large‐celled diatom Pseudosolenia calcar‐avis. It showed the highest SGR (1.15–1.28 day−1) at increased nutrients and/or light, resulting in high wet biomass of 2–3 g m−3 over 4 days. The ecological meaning of the obtained results is as follows. First, in the eddy, where the deep phytoplankton maximum is located close to the nutricline, its rise to more illuminated layers results in higher phytoplankton growth than the shortening distance to the nutricline. Second, increases in the upward flow of nutrients and light intensity, separate or simultaneous, stimulate the rapid reproduction of large‐celled diatoms that increase the carbon‐to‐chlorophyll ratio by 2–4 times. Third, exposure to a typical Black Sea mesoscale cyclonic eddy can lead to phytoplankton blooms in the thermocline within a few days.
The regulatory network comprising ArcAB‐RpoS‐RssB influences motility in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Wölflingseder Martina , Fengler Vera H. , Standhartinger Verena , Wagner Gabriel E. , Reidl Joachim
Published: February 2024

The diarrheal disease cholera is caused by the versatile and responsive bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which is capable of adapting to environmental changes. Among others, the alternative sigma factor RpoS activates response pathways, including regulation of motility‐ and chemotaxis‐related genes under nutrient‐poor conditions in V. cholerae. Although RpoS has been well characterised, links between RpoS and other regulatory networks remain unclear. In this study, we identified the ArcAB two‐component system to control rpoS transcription and RpoS protein stability in V. cholerae. In a manner similar to that seen in Escherichia coli, the ArcB kinase not only activates the response regulator ArcA but also RssB, the anti‐sigma factor of RpoS. Our results demonstrated that, in V. cholerae, RssB is phosphorylated by ArcB, which subsequently activates RpoS proteolysis. Furthermore, ArcA acts as a repressor of rpoS transcription. Additionally, we determined that the cysteine residue at position 180 of ArcB is crucial for signal recognition and activity. Thus, our findings provide evidence linking RpoS response to the anoxic redox control system ArcAB in V. cholerae.
Living on This Earth as in Heaven: Time and the Ecological Conversion of Eschatology
Authors: Gjermundsen Gunnar
Published: February 2024

Eschatological and apocalyptic patterns of thought are today prominent in environmental discourse, across multiple disciplines and media. Yet some theologians criticise these thought patterns for their role in perpetuating and even causing the environmental degradation we now witness. This article argues that the construal of salvation and the Kingdom as a future state is rooted in a misinterpretation of the Gospel, and that this error led secularised Western modernity into its endemic preoccupation with progress, acceleration, and futural, secular utopias. Reading Maximus the Confessor, an alternative view of eschatology emerges, according to which eschaton and theosis constitute one and the same event in the life of the soul, and the advent of the Kingdom is considered inseparable from the soul's transformed perception of reality as she undergoes deification. If the Kingdom resides as a potentiality within the now of all times, accessible through the metanoetic transformation of consciousness, such realisation may lead to a more ecological way of living on the Earth: one less preoccupied with the future and individual survival, and more attuned to the cyclical nature of the cosmos and time, which became displaced by Christianity's and modernity's focus on historical and linear time.
Sarcopenia and risk factors among Japanese community‐dwelling older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ogawa Natsuka , Yun Shan , Izutsu Miku , Yuki Michiko
Published: February 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic exposed older adults to high risk of sarcopenia. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its risk factors among Japanese community‐dwelling older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We collected data through questionnaires and physical measurements among 242 older adults. Sarcopenia was assessed using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. The results revealed that 14.5% had sarcopenia, which was significantly associated with age, nutritional status, number of prescription medications, body mass index, and self‐rated health. On multivariate analysis, the risk of malnutrition was independently significantly associated with sarcopenia. Approximately 70% of participants reported decreased social interaction and going outside, but with no significant association with sarcopenia. In addition, approximately 65% of the participants had an exercise habit and went outside at least once a week, thus maintaining a good level of activity. These findings suggest that prevention of sarcopenia during the pandemic required provision of opportunities for older adults to remain active and positive assessment of nutritional status and well‐being.
Highway to the danger zone? A cautionary account that GLP‐1 receptor agonists may be too effective for unmonitored weight loss
Authors: Richards Jesse R. , Khalsa Sahib S.
Published: February 2024

Glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists are revolutionizing obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment, delivering remarkable weight loss outcomes. These medications, leveraging the effects of the insulin‐regulating hormone GLP‐1 via actions on peripheral and central nervous system targets, have raised hopes with their bariatric surgery‐rivaling results. However, questions remain about their long‐term safety and efficacy. Drawing from our expertise in obesity medicine and psychiatry, we reflect upon our experiences with the clinical use of these medications and delve into the nuanced challenges and risks they pose, particularly for those prone to disordered eating or those diagnosed with rare genetic diseases of obesity. We contend that effectively managing weight loss within this “danger zone” necessitates (1) proactive screening and continuous monitoring for disordered eating, (2) vigilant monitoring for appetite‐related maladaptive responses, including food aversion and dehydration, and (3) ongoing assessment for broader health impacts. A multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach that melds medical, psychological, dietary, and behavioral strategies is crucial to delivering tailored and thorough care to each patient.
Accuracy of artificial intelligence‐assisted growth prediction in skeletal Class I preadolescent patients using serial lateral cephalograms for a 2‐year growth interval
Authors: Larkin A. , Kim J.‐S. , Kim N. , Baek S.‐H. , Yamada S. , Park K. , Tai K. , Yanagi Y. , Park J. H.
Published: February 2024

Objective

To investigate the accuracy of artificial intelligence‐assisted growth prediction using a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm and longitudinal lateral cephalograms (Lat‐cephs).

Materials and Methods

A total of 198 Japanese preadolescent children, who had skeletal Class I malocclusion and whose Lat‐cephs were available at age 8 years (T0) and 10 years (T1), were allocated into the training, validation, and test phases (n = 161, n = 17, n = 20). Orthodontists and the CNN model identified 28 hard‐tissue landmarks (HTL) and 19 soft‐tissue landmarks (STL). The mean prediction error values were defined as ‘excellent,’ ‘very good,’ ‘good,’ ‘acceptable,’ and ‘unsatisfactory’ (criteria: 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm, respectively). The degree of accurate prediction percentage (APP) was defined as ‘very high,’ ‘high,’ ‘medium,’ and ‘low’ (criteria: 90%, 70%, and 50%, respectively) according to the percentage of subjects that showed the error range within 1.5 mm.

Results

All HTLs showed acceptable‐to‐excellent mean PE values, while the STLs Pog’, Gn’, and Me’ showed unsatisfactory values, and the rest showed good‐to‐acceptable values. Regarding the degree of APP, HTLs Ba, ramus posterior, Pm, Pog, B‐point, Me, and mandibular first molar root apex exhibited low APPs. The STLs labrale superius, lower embrasure, lower lip, point of lower profile, B′, Pog,’ Gn’ and Me’ also exhibited low APPs. The remainder of HTLs and STLs showed medium‐to‐very high APPs.

Conclusion

Despite the possibility of using the CNN model to predict growth, further studies are needed to improve the prediction accuracy in HTLs and STLs of the chin area.