bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machismo and other Intimacies in Twentieth‐Century Bolivia: Reflections on Conducting Oral Histories about Sexuality and Reproduction
Authors: Kimball Natalie L.
Published: January 2022

Through an analysis of two oral history interviews, this article examines the impact of machismo, closed‐mindedness and blame on women's sexual experiences in the urban Andes between the mid‐1970s and 2009. The testimonies of Marcela and her daughter, Graciela, also shed light on the processes by which gender ideologies and cultural values concerning sexuality are transmitted across generations. The article further addresses the ethical and methodological challenges of conducting interviews on sensitive themes and interpreting the resulting testimonies. It argues that interviewing individuals about their sexual and reproductive lives, while forcing oral historians to confront personal and political fears, enriches our understanding of a range of gender‐related phenomena.
Compromising on compromise rules
Authors: Barberà Salvador , Coelho Danilo
Published: January 2022

We propose three mechanisms to reach compromise between two opposing parties. They are based on the use of Rules of k Names, whereby one of the parties proposes a shortlist and the other chooses from it. Methods of this class are used in practice to appoint Supreme Court justices and have been recently proposed for arbitration selection processes. Those we suggest are flexible and allow the parties to participate in the endogenous determination of the role of proposer and the shortlist size. They involve few stages, implement the Unanimity Compromise Set, and are robust to the strategic inclusion of candidates.
Set‐up of a population‐based model to verify alcohol abstinence via monitoring of the direct alcohol marker phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1
Authors: Van Uytfanghe Katleen , Heughebaert Liesl , Abatih Emmanuel , Stove Christophe P.
Published: January 2022

Background and aims

Phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 (PEth) is a biomarker for alcohol intake. It has a half‐life of 7.9 days. Chronic alcohol consumption causes high PEth values. It can take weeks before PEth values fall below the decision limit for ‘alcohol abstinence’. Our aim was to validate whether alcohol abstinence can be determined based on two consecutive PEth results above the decision limit.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Belgium, February 2019. The study was linked to a social initiative in Belgium, ‘Tournée Minérale’.

Participants

Adults (aged > 18 years, n = 796) with varying drinking habits who self‐reportedly refrained from alcohol consumption during the study.

Measurements

A validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was used to quantify PEth in participants’ dried blood samples, collected at three time‐points via remote fingerprick‐based self‐sampling.

Findings

A population‐based algorithm to evaluate abstinence based on 95% prediction limits was developed by fitting a linear mixed‐effect model to discern patterns in PEth elimination over time. It took intra‐ and inter‐individual variability into consideration. The algorithm was included in a two‐step decision tree, assessing whether (i) PEth values fell within the prediction interval and (ii) the slope between two PEth values was consistent with no alcohol consumption. Data for 74 participants reporting no alcohol intake during the study were used for validation. With a detection limit of ‘four units spread over 14 days’, the sensitivity and specificity of the decision tree was 89%.

Conclusions

Claims of alcohol abstinence can be verified using a two‐step decision tree for phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 values, even when those values are above the limit for ‘alcohol abstinence’.
The diet of a specialist nectarivore in Australia: The little red flying‐fox (Pteropus scapulatus, Pteropodidae)
Authors: Bradford Matt , Venz Melanie , Bell Karen L. , Hogan Luke , Smith Geoffrey C. , Eby Peggy , Eyre Teresa J. , McKeown Adam , Vanderduys Eric , MacDonald Stewart , Westcott David
Published: January 2022

The little red flying‐fox (Pteropus scapulatus, Pteropodidae) is the most widely distributed of the four Australian mainland flying‐fox (Pteropus) species. They move very large distances following foraging resources and congregate in large numbers which often causes human‐animal conflict. To better understand the resources that drive these movements and aggregations, we investigated the diet of the little red flying‐fox using data from five sources: (i) faecal eDNA metabarcoding of field sampled little red flying‐foxes; (ii) identification of foraging locations through satellite tracking; (iii) a literature search; (iv) a search of online databases; and (v) an expert survey. Our sources revealed a specialist nectarivore diet containing 204 species, dominated by floral products from the plant family Myrtaceae. We consider a small number of widely occurring and structurally dominant Myrtaceae, particularly from the genera Corymbia, Eucalyptus and Melaleuca, as major diet species that regularly drive mass aggregations. In addition, we consider a moderate number of species dominated by the Myrtaceae as important diet species and a large number of species from diverse taxa as supplementary diet species. Fruit represents approximately 5% of the diet suggesting that the little red flying‐fox is unlikely to be a major pest of horticultural crops or disperser of weeds. The combination of long‐distance movement and a wide range of diet species results in a long‐distance pollination service to many plant species which likely promotes genetic mixing between isolated populations of plants. Our understanding of the little red flying‐fox diet allows us to better predict mass migrations and aggregations at a continental scale and allows us to clearly identify key foraging habitat so that informed management decisions can be made.
Overview of epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, and risk factors of gastric cancer in Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Akbari Abolfazl , Ashtari Sara , Tabaiean Seidamir Pasha , Mehrdad‐Majd Hassan , Farsi Farnaz , Shojaee Sajad , Agah Shahram
Published: January 2022

In spite of decreasing the overall incidence of gastric cancer (GC), it remains one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. The incidence and mortality rate of GC is very different in the world. Geographical differentiation is one of the most distinctive characteristics of GC. Effective prevention and early diagnostic strategies are the most important public health interventions in GC, as a common malignancy worldwide. Notably, the preventive strategies require understanding the risk factors associated with GC for identifying high‐risk groups that may require screening for prevention. Therefore, up‐to‐date statistics on GC occurrence and outcome are essential for the primary prevention of the disease. We conducted this review based on the current epidemiology knowledge of GC to provide an update perspective of GC in Asia‐Pacific region. Based on the findings of this study, incidence and mortality rate of GC in Asia‐Pacific region shows a great heterogeneity. Gastric carcinogenesis arises as a consequence of a complex interaction between host and environmental factors. In addition to screening and eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, it seems that the main cause of GC is an undesirable lifestyle in this region. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the lifestyle and the community awareness about GC risk factors and healthy lifestyle education.
Climate change and global health: A call to more research and more action
Authors: Agache Ioana , Sampath Vanitha , Aguilera Juan , Akdis Cezmi A. , Akdis Mubeccel , Barry Michele , Bouagnon Aude , Chinthrajah Sharon , Collins William , Dulitzki Coby , Erny Barbara , Gomez Jason , Goshua Anna , Jutel Marek , Kizer Kenneth W. , Kline Olivia , LaBeaud A. Desiree , Pali‐Schöll Isabella , Perrett Kirsten P. , Peters Rachel L. , Plaza Maria Pilar , Prunicki Mary , Sack Todd , Salas Renee N. , Sindher Sayantani B. , Sokolow Susanne H. , Thiel Cassandra , Veidis Erika , Wray Brittany Delmoro , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia , Witt Christian , Nadeau Kari C.
Published: January 2022

There is increasing understanding, globally, that climate change and increased pollution will have a profound and mostly harmful effect on human health. This review brings together international experts to describe both the direct (such as heat waves) and indirect (such as vector‐borne disease incidence) health impacts of climate change. These impacts vary depending on vulnerability (i.e., existing diseases) and the international, economic, political, and environmental context. This unique review also expands on these issues to address a third category of potential longer‐term impacts on global health: famine, population dislocation, and environmental justice and education. This scholarly resource explores these issues fully, linking them to global health in urban and rural settings in developed and developing countries. The review finishes with a practical discussion of action that health professionals around the world in our field can yet take.
Procedure‐specific morbidity of pancreatoduodenectomy: a systematic review of incidence and risk factors
Authors: Russell Thomas B , Aroori Somaiah
Published: January 2022

Background

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) remains the only curative‐intent treatment option for patients with cancer affecting the head of the pancreas. It is high‐risk and overall morbidity is around 40%. Due to the necessary resection and subsequent anastomoses required, multiple procedure‐specific complications are possible. An in‐depth understanding of the recent evidence on these will guide the consenting process and allow surgeons to evaluate their own performance.

We aimed to consolidate the recent literature on preselected PD complications (postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), bile leak (BL), gastrojejunal leak, postpancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH), cholangitis, and chyle leak (CL)).

Methods

A search of the PubMed database was carried out on 1st July 2021. Articles from July 2011 through to July 2021 were included.

The initial search returned 297 results. After screening, 226 articles were excluded. The remaining 71 were assessed for eligibility and a further 34 were excluded. 37 were included in the final synthesis (two meta‐analyses and 35 single/multicentre studies).

Results

Due to recently updated diagnostic criteria, differing definitions among authors and subclinical cases, true incidence rates are difficult to appreciate. The following were obtained: POPF (excluding biochemical leak): 10.0–25.9%, BL: 3.0–7.9%, gastrojejunal anastomotic leak: 0.4–1.2%, PPH: 7.3–13.6%, cholangitis: 0.05–21.1% and CL: 2.6–19.0%. Numerous risk factors, both modifiable and non‐modifiable, were identified for each.

Conclusion

Most of the recent evidence on the studied complications comes from single institution studies of retrospective design. Robust case–control studies are required so predictive models can estimate the likelihood of specific complications in individual patients.
An analysis of the use of standard SIDS definitions in the English language literature over a three‐year period (2019–2021)
Authors: Tan Luzern , Byard Roger W.
Published: January 2022

Aim

To evaluate the use of the three standard definitions of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the contemporary literature.

Methods

A search was undertaken of the US National Library of Medicine ‘PubMed’ database for all research articles listed under ‘sudden infant death syndrome’ or ‘SIDS’, from 2019 to 2021 accessible through the University of Adelaide library.

Results

564 papers had keywords ‘sudden infant death syndrome’ or ‘SIDS’. 300 papers were not included in the study as they were not written in English, SIDS was not the primary focus, publishing was in predatory journals, or they were Letters to the Editor, commentaries, technical reports, reviews or editorials. The remaining 264 papers consisted of 172 papers without a standard definition, including reports without definitions, with idiosyncratic or incorrectly quoted definitions or with incorrect referencing (65%), and 92 with one of the three standard definitions either quoted in full in the text or correctly referenced (35%).

Conclusion

Nearly two‐thirds of peer‐reviewed publications on SIDS listed on PubMed over the past three years have not quoted or referenced accepted definitions. Interpreting research conclusions and monitoring trends in SIDS mortality will be extremely difficult if different population subgroups are being targeted by different research groups.
Useful traction technique for laparoscopic fundoplication without removing proceeding gastrostomy in a neurologically impaired patient with a body deformity
Authors: Muto Mitsuru , Onishi Shun , Murakami Masakazu , Kedoin Chihiro , Yano Keisuke , Harumatsu Toshio , Yamada Koji , Yamada Waka , Kaji Tatsuru , Ieiri Satoshi
Published: January 2022

Severely neurologically impaired patients often require the creation of a gastrostomy when they develop difficulty with oral intake followed by antireflux surgery. We use a traction technique for laparoscopic fundoplication without removing the gastrostomy in such cases. Right lateral traction of the round ligament of the liver and left lateral traction of the stomach body are performed using a needle device. The left liver lobe is elevated with a liver retractor inserted via the epigastrium. This traction technique allows a sufficient surgical field for manipulating forceps to be created in cases with a gastrostomy, enabling fundoplication to be performed safely without removing the gastrostomy.
Gravitating political capital on the geo‐social divide: Duterte's populisms, electoral craft, and the “Imagined Spatiality”
Authors: Bajar Jayson Troy F.
Published: January 2022

Current research suggests a disparity in identifying which critical themes in the political rhetoric of Duterte advantageously framed him as an appealing candidate. Structuration theory was borrowed to understand Duterte populism as being able to harness influences on individual agency and structural factors. The main thesis of this article proposes that Duterte created an “imagined spatiality” situating Filipino voters (agency) within geo‐social positions (structure) through his electoral craft gravitating on “geo‐social divide.” Using ethnographic‐content analysis, Duterte's rhetoric was studied not only focusing on his peculiar style but, at the same time, how it articulated “imagined spatiality” to cast his persona as the champion of the (marginalized) Bisayan. When put together, one can fully grasp how Duterte materializes imagined spatiality through codes that can be revealed intertextually, just as this study uncovers them with the use of structuration theory.
Should prevailing wages prevail? Re‐examining the effect of prevailing wage laws on affordable housing construction costs
Authors: Hinkel Matthew , Belman Dale
Published: January 2022

The United States faces two parallel crises: one with affordable housing supply, and one with maintaining residential construction labour standards. Historically, issues with labour standards have been addressed on public works through prevailing wage requirements. Labor standards—while good for workers—may increase construction costs; higher costs, in turn, negatively impact low‐income families by reducing supplies of affordable housing. In this article, we re‐examine whether this trade‐off exists and, if so, its implications. We estimate that prevailing wage requirements add, at most, 6 per cent to the costs of affordable housing construction.
Mutation based approaches to the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer
Authors: McCrary Hilary C. , Aoki Joni , Huang Yiqing , Chadwick Barbara , Kerrigan Katie , Witt Benjamin , Hunt Jason P. , Abraham Dev
Published: January 2022

Objective

The treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has continued to rapidly evolve over time. Increased utilization of novel, personalized therapies based upon the tumour's somatic mutation status has recently been integrated. The aim of this case series is to describe a series of patients that underwent rapid genomic testing upon their diagnosis of ATC, allowing for the early integration of novel therapies.

Design

A fast track pathway for genomic tumour analysis of patients with ATC was implemented at a single academic cancer hospital in January of 2020.

Patients

All patients were evaluated by head and neck surgery, endocrinology, and medical oncology upon diagnosis of ATC.

Measurements

Genetic work‐up was completed, which prompted a recommendation for dual BRAF/MEK inhibition with dabrafenib and trametinib for tumours with BRAF V600E mutation. For patients whose tumours were BRAF V600E wild‐type, pembrolizumab with lenvatinib was offered.

Results

A total of four patients were included in this series. Two patients (50%) had tumours that were BRAF V600E positive. Among patients that were BRAF V600E positive, both patients initiated urgent dabrafenib and trametinib dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy; with one patient demonstrating near‐complete clinical response allowing for posttreatment surgery, while the other demonstrated decreased tumour burden. Among patients who were BRAF V600E wild‐type, lenvatinib and pembrolizumab were recommended off‐label; one patient demonstrated decreased tumour burden, but developed severe pure red cell aplasia, while the other patient is demonstrating an early clinical response.

Conclusions

The integration of early genomic analysis and personalized neoadjuvant TKI therapy into the treatment of ATC can greatly benefit patient care outcomes and optimize tumour control.
Lost and Found Property: Evaluating Efforts to Resurrect and Resuscitate ‘Institutionalised Garbage’ in Post‐Colonial Zimbabwean Museums
Authors: Machiridza Lesley Hatipone , Thondhlana Thomas Panganayi
Published: January 2022

This article evaluates efforts to bring to life some museum collections in Zimbabwe. Scholars have argued that the removal of objects from their social environments into museums literally kills them. The ‘heritagisation’ and ‘museualisation’ processes stand accused of killing objects. On the other hand, indigenous African communities consistently and situationally imbued their landscape with spiritual, political and social meanings. These cultural landscapes epitomise ‘living museums’ where diverse cultural objects were curated with traditional management systems. European colonialism, however, resulted in the denigration of these cultural practices. Objects which were critical for the well‐being of Africans were taken into captivity in colonial museums and eventually became ‘forgotten’ or ‘dead’. Ethnographic museums, in particular, are perceived as places of the dead and evil spirits. They are places to dump ‘garbage’ that no longer has a function in society. Post‐colonial African museums have struggled to attract and sustain local community interest. However, there is still hope to re‐ignite and sustain public interest in museum programmes. We invoke the notion of ‘living archives’ as an approach to decolonise the museum. The article appraises case studies of museum collections that have triggered immense public interest.
The ecological stage maintains preference differentiation and promotes speciation
Authors: Boughman Janette W. , Servedio Maria R.
Published: January 2022

Influential models of speciation by sexual selection posit either a single shared preference for a universal display, expressed only when males are locally adapted and hence in high condition, or that shared loci evolve population‐specific alleles for displays and preferences. However, many closely related species instead show substantial differences across categorically different traits. We present a model of secondary contact whereby females maintain preferences for distinct displays that indicate both male condition and their match to distinct environments, fostering reproductive isolation among diverging species. This occurs even with search costs and with independent preference loci targeting independent displays. Such preferences can also evolve from standing variation. Divergence occurs because condition‐dependent display and female preference depend on local ecology, and females obtain different benefits of choice. Given the ubiquity of ecological differences among environments, our model could help explain the evolution of striking radiations of displays seen in nature.
COVID‐19 in the news: The first 12 months
Authors: Jiang Feng Kevin , Hyland Ken
Published: January 2022

The year 2020 was the year of COVID‐19. In this paper we seek to identify the changing concerns of the international press to unfolding events of the COVID pandemic throughout 2020. Based on a 12.3‐million‐word corpus, we explore keyword nouns and verbs and frequent noun phrases to understand the central concerns of the public reflected in its news media. Results show that news in the early months was dominated by the symptoms of the virus, with items relating to controlling the disease such as guidelines, protocols and, eventually, vaccine, becoming increasingly prominent. Dominant keyword verbs base, infect, and announce concerned different activities associated with reporting the pandemic. This corpus‐assisted linguistic description helps guide our reading of the changing public interest in the pandemic.
Illustrating a narrative: A test of game elements in game‐like personality assessment
Authors: Harman Jason L. , Brown Kayla D.
Published: January 2022

Incorporating game elements into personality assessment has the potential to address several common criticisms of personality measures. Game‐like personality measures accomplished this by creating a narrative text‐based fantasy game where players' choices throughout the game are used to measure the big five personality factors. The current work tests the addition of a second game element to these narrative measures, namely graphics. A between subjects' experiment with participants playing either the original text‐based game or the illustrated game shows no differences in personality measurement. Participant reactions were more positive to the game than to a traditional personality inventory, but the addition of graphics did not change participant reactions to the game.
Split accessory pathway potentials in a patient with antidromic AVRT
Authors: Liu Weizhuo , Gu Wentao , Luo Xinping , Li Jian , Xiong Nanqing
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Accessory pathway potential often indicates a highly effective ablation target in Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome.

Methods

A 27‐year‐old female presenting with palpitation underwent an electrophysiology study, who had mild pre‐excitation in surface ECG.

Results

An accessory pathway with weak anterograde conduction was found. During isoproterenol infusion, the delta wave became prominent, an antidromic AV reentrant tachycardia was then induced. When the pathway was mapped, widely split double pathway potentials were observed at the 12 o'clock site of the tricuspid annulus during mild pre‐excitation, demonstrating an example of intra‐pathway conduction delay. Ablation at the site caused accelerated pathway rhythm and eliminated the pathway, rendering the tachycardia noninducible.

Conclusion

Split pathway potentials can reflect slow conduction in patients with preexcitation.
4‐octyl Itaconate inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced osteoarthritis via activating Nrf2 signalling pathway
Authors: Zhang Qingchen , Bai Xiaohui , Wang Rongrong , Zhao Hao , Wang Lili , Liu Jingwen , Li Ming , Chen Zheng , Wang Zejun , Li Lianxin , Wang Dawei
Published: January 2022

Small molecule drug intervention for chondrocytes is a valuable method for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The 4‐octyl itaconate (OI) is a cellular derivative of itaconate with sound cell permeability and transformation rate. We attempted to confirm the protective role of OI in chondrocytes and its regulatory mechanism. We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce chondrocyte inflammation injury. After the OI treatment, the secretion and mRNA expression of Il‐6, Il‐10, Mcp‐1 and Tnf‐α were detected by ELISA and qPCR. The protective effect of OI on articular cartilage was further verified in surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus model of OA. Cell death and apoptosis were evaluated based on CCK8, LDH, Typan blue staining, Annexin V and TUNEL analyses. The small interfering RNAs were used to knockout the Nrf2 gene of chondrocytes to verify the OI‐mediated Nrf2 signalling pathway. The results revealed that OI protects cells from LPS‐induced inflammatory injury and attenuates cell death and apoptosis induced by LPS. Similar protective effects were also observed on articular cartilage in mice. The OI activated Nrf2 signalling pathway and promoted the stable expression and translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus. When the Nrf2 signalling pathway was blocked, the protective effect of OI was significantly counteracted in chondrocytes and a mouse arthritis model. Both itaconate and its derivative (i.e., OI) showed important medical effects in the treatment of OA.
Depth profiling of epidermal hydration inducing improvement of skin roughness and elasticity: in vivo study by confocal Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Hyo Jin , Park Sae Rom , Kwon Dah In , Park Myeong Sam , Lim Doo Hyeon
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Skin hydration in the stratum corneum plays an important role in skin condition, and skin efficacy properties are influenced by its hydration level. However, few studies have identified the correlation between changes in skin hydration content and skin characteristics by skin depth level.

Aims

This study aims to determine how changes in skin hydration at specific depth levels affect skin condition by long‐term tracking changes in hydration of stratum corneum and viable epidermis after usage of moisturizer.

Methods

Ten volunteers were recruited and subjected to in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy to perform water content profiling at skin depths of up to 52 μm. Mechanical properties of skin were measured using Cutometer and Antera 3D. Skin‐elasticity and roughness values observed before and after 15 days of moisturizing emulsion use were compared to demonstrate the correlation between observed changes in skin efficacy parameters and skin water content at specific depths.

Results

Significant increase in relative water content at specific depths was observed in this study. Among mechanical properties of skin, only R4, R6, and R8 parameters demonstrated significant changes. Additionally, rates of change in values of the R6 and R8 parameters revealed a high correlation with water content changes at viable epidermis depths below the stratum corneum. On the other hand, skin roughness parameter showed a correlation with water content changes at the outermost layer of stratum corneum.

Conclusion

Results of this study indicate that skin elasticity is influenced by its hydration level at viable epidermis depths and skin roughness at stratum corneum each. This suggests that monitoring depth profiles of water content using in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy provides a breakthrough in tracking the skin efficacy effect of topically applied substances.
OsMADS14 and NF‐YB1 cooperate in the direct activation of OsAGPL2 and Waxy during starch synthesis in rice endosperm
Authors: Feng Tingting , Wang Lili , Li Laiyun , Liu Yuan , Chong Kang , Theißen Günter , Meng Zheng
Published: January 2022

Starch synthesis makes a dramatic contribution to the yield and nutritional value of cereal crops. Although several starch synthesis enzymes and related regulators have been reported, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of starch synthesis remain largely unknown.

OsMADS14 is a FRUITFULL (FUL)‐like MADS‐box gene in rice (Oryza sativa). Here we show that two null mutations of OsMADS14 result in a shrunken and chalky grain phenotype. It is caused by obviously defective compound starch granules and a significantly reduced content of both total starch and amylose in the endosperm.

Transcriptomic profiling analyses revealed that the loss‐of‐function of OsMADS14 leads to significantly downregulated expression of many core starch synthesis genes, including OsAGPL2 and Waxy. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrate that the OsMADS14 protein directly binds to stretches of DNA with a CArG‐box consensus in the putative regulatory regions of OsAGPL2 and Waxy. Protein–protein interaction experiments also suggest that OsMADS14 interacts with nuclear factor NF‐YB1 to promote the transcription of OsAGPL2 and Waxy.

Our study thus demonstrates that OsMADS14 plays an essential role in the synthesis of storage starch and provides novel insights into the underlying molecular mechanism that may be used to improve rice cultivars by molecular breeding.
Effects of glaucoma on detection and discrimination of image blur
Authors: Bham Habiba A , Denniss Jonathan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Blur is one of the most commonly reported visual symptoms of glaucoma, but it is not directly measured by current clinical tests. We aimed to investigate the effects of glaucoma on detection and discrimination of image blur.

Methods

Participants were people with glaucoma, separated into two groups with (n = 15) or without (n = 17) central visual field defects measured by 10–2 perimetry, and an age‐similar control group (n = 18). First, we measured contrast detection thresholds centrally using a 2‐interval forced choice procedure. We then measured blur detection and discrimination thresholds for the same stimuli (reference blurs 0, 1 arcmin) using a 2‐alternative forced choice procedure under two contrast conditions: 4× individual detection threshold for the low contrast condition; 95% contrast for the high contrast condition. The stimulus was a horizontal edge bisecting a hard‐edged circle of 4.5° diameter. Data were analysed by linear mixed modelling.

Results

Contrast detection thresholds for the glaucoma group with central visual field defects were raised by 0.01 ± 0.004 (mean ± SE, Michelson units) (p = 0.002) and by 0.01 ± 0.004 (p = 0.03) relative to control and glaucoma without central visual field defect groups, respectively. Blur detection and discrimination thresholds were similar between groups, with small elevations in blur detection thresholds in the glaucoma groups not reaching statistical significance (detection p = 0.29, discrimination p = 0.91). The lower contrast level increased thresholds from the higher contrast level by 1.30 ± 0.10 arcmin (p < 0.001) and 1.05 ± 0.10 arcmin (p < 0.001) for blur detection and discrimination thresholds, respectively.

Conclusions

Early‐moderate glaucoma resulted in only minimal elevations of blur detection thresholds that did not reach statistical significance in this study. Despite the prevalence of blur as a visual symptom of glaucoma, psychophysical measurements of blur detection or discrimination may not be good candidates for development as clinical tests for glaucoma.
Role of Purkinje‒muscle junction in early ventricular fibrillation in a porcine model: Beyond the trigger concept
Authors: Anderson Robert D. , Massé Stéphane , Asta John , Lai Patrick F.H. , Chakraborty Praloy , Azam Mohammed Ali , Downar Eugene , Nanthakumar Kumaraswamy
Published: January 2022

Background

The role of the Purkinje network in triggering ventricular fibrillation (VF) has been studied; however, its involvement after onset and in early maintenance of VF is controversial.

Aim

We studied the role of the Purkinje‒muscle junctions (PMJ) on epicardial–endocardial activation gradients during early VF.

Methods

In a healthy, porcine, beating‐heart Langendorff model [control, n = 5; ablation, n = 5], simultaneous epicardial–endocardial dominant frequent mapping was used (224 unipolar electrograms) to calculate activation rate gradients during the onset and early phase of VF. Selective Purkinje ablation was performed using Lugol's solution, followed by VF re‐induction and mapping and finally, histological evaluation.

Results

Epicardial activation rates were faster than endocardial rates for both onset and early VF. After PMJ ablation, activation rates decreased epicardially and endocardially for both onset and early VF [Epi: 9.7 ± 0.2 to 8.3 ± 0.2 Hz (p <.0001) and 10.9 ± 0.4 to 8.8 ± 0.3 Hz (p < .0001), respectively; Endo: 8.2 ± 0.3 Hz to 7.4 ± 0.2 Hz (p < .0001) and 7.0 ± 0.4 Hz to 6.6 ± 0.3 Hz (p = .0002), respectively]. In controls, epicardial–endocardial activation rate gradients during onset and early VF were 1.7 ± 0.3 Hz and 4.5 ± 0.4 Hz (p < .001), respectively. After endocardial ablation of PMJs, these gradients were reduced to 0.9 ± 0.3 Hz (onset VF, p < .001) and to 2.2 ± 0.3 Hz (early VF, p <.001). Endocardial–epicardial Purkinje fiber arborization and selective Purkinje fiber extinction after only endocardial ablation (not with epicardial ablation) was confirmed on histological analysis.

Conclusions

Beyond the trigger paradigm, PMJs determine activation rate gradients during onset and during early maintenance of VF.
The impact of turnout on partisan bias in U.S. House elections, 1972–2018*
Authors: Tamas Bernard , Johnston Ron , Pattie Charles
Published: January 2022

Objective

Partisan bias occurs when votes are distributed across districts in such a way that even if the vote between two parties were equal, one party would win more seats than the other. Gerrymandering is a well‐established cause of partisan bias, but it is not the only one. In this article, we ask whether the decline of voter turnout can also influence partisan bias.

Methods

We modified the Gelman–King partisan symmetry measure to make it sensitive to turnout differences across U.S. House elections from 1972 to 2018.

Results

We found that turnout variation has caused partisan bias in U.S. House elections in the Democratic Party's favor since at least 1972, though turnout bias has gotten weaker in recent elections.

Conclusion

While turnout bias can buffer the impact of turnout reductions, it has the potential to dramatically increase the number of seats a party loses when its supporters fail to vote.
Higher classification of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) inferred from molecular phylogeny and their endosymbionts
Authors: Choi Jinyeong , Lee Seunghwan
Published: January 2022

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae, Rhizoecidae and Xenococcidae) are important organisms for understanding processes of evolution, especially microbial symbiotic systems and interactions with host plants. Molecular phylogenetic trees were reconstructed for 128 species of mealybug using DNA fragments of eight loci, namely a mitochondrial (COI), nuclear ribosomal RNA (18S and 28S D2 and D10) and nuclear protein‐encoding genes (EF‐1α 5′ and 3′, Dynamin and wingless). In addition, data on the types of obligate endosymbionts were used to test the monophyly of major groups resulting from this molecular phylogeny. Based on the data from DNA sequences, morphology and obligate endosymbionts, we present a phylogeny supporting the families Rhizoecidae and Xenococcidae separate from Pseudococcidae, and the separation of Rastrococcus Ferris from Phenacoccinae and Pseudococcinae. Consequently, Rastrococcus is excluded from Phenacoccinae and elevated to subfamily Rastrococcinae subfam. nov. We also found support for Putoidae as a family distinct from the true mealybugs. Phenacoccus rubicola Kwon, Danzig & Park is transferred to Coccura Šulc.
Decision‐making tips for patients with dementia
Authors: Worthington Roger P. , Tunnell Richard , Arora Amit
Published: January 2022

Background

When patients with advanced dementia lose capacity to make medical decisions for themselves, a ‘best interests’ determination is usually made on their behalf by the responsible clinician. Where possible, this should be made in consultation with members of the multiprofessional team and the family, consistent with ethical and legal norms. This paper is about multidisciplinary approaches to education and practice in dementia care, using a framework.

Approach

At a UK multiprofessional workshop in 2020, delegates discussed ethical and legal issues that arise when making decisions for patients with advanced dementia. After an initial presentation, providing context and background, delegates broke into small groups. They were tasked with responding to questions arising from anonymised cases based on real‐life scenarios. During plenary discussion afterwards, feedback was shared, and points of best practice were discussed. The authors took notes, and following positive evaluations after the event, they did further work on the framework with the intention of making it available for other health care professionals and clinical educators.

Evaluation

Based on contemporaneous notes summarising the feedback, plus further reflections, the framework was developed into a 12‐point plan to assist health care teams and educators address difficulties in making ‘best interests’ determinations.

Implications

Promoting understanding of ethics and law pertaining to ‘best interests’ should benefit patients and families, with the potential to reduce the need for cases to be decided in court. To help promote good clinical practice, educators may want to consider running case‐based workshops at their institution, using the framework as a scaffold for learners.
A review of whole‐blood donors' willingness, motives, barriers and interventions related to donating another substance of human origin
Authors: Hyde Melissa K. , Masser Barbara M. , Coundouris Sarah P.
Published: January 2022

Diversification of blood collection agencies' (BCAs) core business requires donors to donate substances of human origin (SoHO) beyond whole‐blood. Whole‐blood donors are assumed to be willing to convert to donate other SoHO as well as whole‐blood. However, no reviews consider the evidence on conversion (i.e., willingness/intention, behaviour, retention, attrition). This rapid review provides a narrative synthesis of whole‐blood donors' conversion to another SoHO, characteristics contributing to conversion, motives and deterrents, and interventions encouraging conversion. Sixty‐five studies were reviewed. Most were cross‐sectional and examined whole‐blood donor conversion to organ (willingness/pledge for deceased donation), plasma or stem cell donation. Most examined conversion rather than characteristics contributing to conversion, motives, deterrents or interventions. Whole‐blood donors appear willing to donate another SoHO, yet conversion rates are unclear. Besides self‐efficacy, there is little consistency in reported characteristics of donors converting, and few theories applied to understand characteristics encouraging conversion. Intrinsic (altruism, self‐esteem, curiosity) and extrinsic (perceived need, service experience, direct requests) motives and barriers (lifestyle, fearing reduced health) appear important and require further research. Interventions encouraging conversion need replication and may include in‐person, in‐centre approaches, raising awareness of the functional benefits of other SoHO (high need, usefulness), and developing promotional materials that pique donors' curiosity, invite questions, and encourage donor‐initiated conversations about conversion. Centralising BCAs as a single business or partnering with other organisations appears mutually beneficial to encourage conversion and sustainable panels/resources. Research is needed to understand the impact of encouraging conversion on donors and organisations, and identify optimal management strategies for multi‐SoHO donors.
Intersectional subjectivities and climate change adaptation: An attentive analytical approach for examining power, emancipatory processes, and transformation
Authors: Garcia Alicea , Tschakert Petra
Published: January 2022

Human geographers and other critical scholars have long emphasised the disproportionate effects of climate change on individuals and populations already socially and economically marginalised. Yet, scholarship and practice continue to work with inadequate conceptualisations of how these inequalities are perpetuated. In this critical examination, we illustrate that the feminist literature on intersectional subjectivities provides pertinent insights into transformational, emancipatory futures for disenfranchised individuals and groups who bear the brunt of the climate crisis. By focusing on how power dynamics produce and sustain multidimensional inequalities, across cultural and geographic contexts, and linking this with understandings of subject making, we draw attention to the many ways pervasive inequalities are challenged and (re)negotiated in the everyday of human–environment relations. As part of this line of inquiry, we further demonstrate how a focus on intersectional subjectivities helps to expose and overcome lingering ethical dilemmas and injustices within transformation efforts, with emphasis on the roles researchers and practitioners can play in nourishing emancipatory spaces. Progress in this space is crucial to critically examine and establish more transformative adaptation trajectories that foreground dignified lives in an increasingly unequal world.
Lower transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide in women with a patent foramen ovale
Authors: Schallerer Annalisa E. , Duke Joseph W. , Speros Julia P. , Mangum Tyler S. , Norris H. Cameron , Beasley Kara M. , Laurie Steven S. , Elliott Jonathan E. , Davis James T. , Lovering Andrew T.
Published: January 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Do individuals with a patent foramen ovale (PFO+) have a lower lung transfer factor for carbon monoxide than those without (PFO−)?

What is the main finding and its importance?

We found a lower rate constant for carbon monoxide uptake in PFO+ compared with PFO− women, which was physiologically relevant (≥0.5 z‐score difference), but not for PFO+ versus PFO− men. This suggests that factors independent of the PFO are responsible for our findings, possibly inherent structural differences in the lung.

The transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (TLCO) measure assumes that all cardiac output flows through the pulmonary circuit. However, right‐to‐left blood flow through a shunt can result in a lower transfer factor than predicted. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a potential source of right‐to‐left shunt that is present in ∼35% of the population, but the effect of PFO on TLCO is unknown. We sought to determine the effect of PFO on the TLCO. We conducted a retrospective analysis of TLCO data from 239 (101 women) participants. Anthropometrics and lung function, including spirometry, plethysmography and TLCO, were compiled from our previously published work. Women, but not men, with a PFO had a significantly lower TLCO and rate constant for carbon monoxide uptake (KCO) (percentage of predicted and z‐score) than women without a PFO. Women and men with a PFO had normal alveolar volumes that did not differ from those without a PFO. Correcting the data for haemoglobin in a subset of subjects did not change the results (n = 58; 25 women). The lower KCO in women with versus without a PFO was physiologically relevant (≥0.5 z‐score difference). There was no effect of PFO in men. This suggests that factors independent of the PFO are responsible for our findings, possibly inherent structural differences in the lung.
Cuerpo y armadura: acción performática en tiempos de agitación
Authors: Naranjo Cano Maria Isabel
Published: January 2022

Este artículo está basado en un proyecto de investigación+creación desarrollado en la Universidad de San Buenaventura de Medellín, que cobra vigencia en el contexto social, político y artístico actual, en que las manifestaciones sociales y culturales han emergido con evidente relevancia, de pocos antecedentes en nuestra sociedad colombiana. Cuerpos bélicos es una performance realizada en Medellín durante los años 2019 y 2020, y presentada en la VII Bienal Internacional de Performance (Bogotá, 2021), en la cual una artista camina por la calle portando máscaras de guerra como acto subversivo frente a una situación de conflicto. Tiene como objetivos profundizar en el arte de la performance como acción transgresora del espacio público, reflexionar sobre el cuerpo como generador de experiencia sensible y discutir sobre el lenguaje del arte asumido como subversión de la realidad. Esta apuesta aborda la acción artística como metodología para el debate sobre las fábulas de guerra, el cuerpo como potencia creativa y la performance como posibilidad de asumir la guerra en tanto modo de existencia. Por último, se generan conclusiones frente a las fabulaciones subversivas que el cuerpo puede crear en un espacio social y político, a partir de las representaciones de su corporalidad, transformada por el lenguaje simbólico del arte, mediante la figura filosófica del pliegue.
Trazos urbanos y cuerpos ausentes: registro visual de pintadas en las protestas sociales en Colombia (2020-2021)
Authors: Cartier Barrera Nicole
Published: January 2022

Las manifestaciones de descontento popular que se han vivido en Colombia entre 2020 y 2021 se han visto determinadas por las restricciones instauradas por el Gobierno para combatir la difusión del covid-19. Ante la dificultad de ocupar el espacio público, la relación entre la ciudadanía y las acciones de protesta se ve obligada a transformarse, en tanto los encuentros fortuitos que caracterizan una ciudad dinámica se reducen a causa de las cuarentenas. En este periodo, han proliferado formas de protesta que involucran distintos niveles de ocupación del espacio público y que han buscado reactivar la calle. Las acciones como pintadas de gran formato y die-ins buscan despertar el sentido de solidaridad y de reactivar las luchas de una población aislada en el espacio privado: gracias a la circulación en redes sociales de imágenes de estas acciones, se busca evocar una relación corporal entre el espectador y el cuerpo al que se alude en la fotografía o video. Así, el límite entre espacio privado y espacio público se desdibuja gracias a la reproducción de fotografías y videos de intervenciones colectivas. Este artículo analizó las potencialidades de estas dos formas de protesta, en particular desde un interés por la relación entre espectador e imagen que estas pueden gestar
La regulación económica en el transporte público terrestre automotor de pasajeros, en modalidad colectiva, masiva y por carretera
Authors: Ramírez Torrado María Lourdes , Galindo Pacheco Shirley Silvana
Published: January 2022

La regulación es una de las diversas maneras de intervención del Estado en la economía, cuyo objetivo principal es corregir las fallas del mercado a fin de cumplir con las exigencias derivadas de los intereses generales. En el transporte público de pasajeros se ha venido aplicando esta manera de intervención del estado en la economía. Entonces, este artículo tiene por objetivo establecer cómo se desarrolla la actividad de la regulación económica en el transporte público automotor de pasajeros, modalidad colectiva, masiva y por carretera en Colombia. Para ello se revisa la doctrina científica y constitucional sobre la regulación económica y la manera como esta actividad se ha venido desarrollando. Encontrándose que la regulación resulta estar a medio camino por la naturaleza y conformación de los órganos que la vienen prestando, y por la incertidumbre que causa el no tener claro el alcance del órgano creado para llevar a cabo la regulación en este sector.