bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY REVEALS PARADOXICALLY DECREASING CHOROIDAL THICKNESS AND INCREASING BLOOD FLOW IN REMITTING VOGT–KOYANAGI–HARADA SYNDROME
Authors: Fayed Alaa E. , Gerges Terese K.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To assess changes in choroidal thickness and blood flow in active Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome and after remission using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods:

This was a prospective study of patients with active early uveitis secondary to Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome. They underwent optical coherence tomography angiography imaging twice: at baseline and after remission on treatment. 3- × 3- and 6- × 6-mm choriocapillaris slabs were used to evaluate parafoveal adjusted flow index as a marker for choroidal blood flow. Mean choroidal thickness of 3 points (subfoveally and 2 points 300 µm parafoveally) was also measured.

Results:

Thirty-nine eyes of 25 patients were initially recruited. After excluding eyes with media opacity, submacular fibrosis, and choroidal neovascularization, 23 eyes of 14 patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 8.7 ± 2.5 months. Mean choroidal thickness in activity and remission was 581.65 ± 108.29 µm and 318.34 ± 72.85 µm respectively (P < 0.01). Mean adjusted flow index in the 3- × 3-mm slabs activity and remission were 0.495 ± 0.027 and 0.519 ± 0.0336 (P = 0.011), and the 6- × 6-mm slabs were 0.487 ± 0.037 and 0.517 ± 0.052 respectively (P = 0.025).

Conclusion:

We demonstrate decreasing choroidal thickness with paradoxically increasing choroidal flow on optical coherence tomography angiography in remitting Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome. This may reflect inflammatory infiltrations or granulomas increasing choroidal thickness during activity and causing sluggish circulation of the choriocapillaris, and a reversal of this process with remission. These findings shed more light on the relationship between Vogt Koyanagi Harada syndrome and its underlying choroidal disturbances. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of adjusted flow index in evaluating and predicting disease activity.
Bacterial Meningitis in Children With Sickle Cell Disease in Angola
Authors: Pelkonen Tuula , Roine Irmeli , Bernardino Luis , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Peltola Heikki
Published: May 2022

Sickle cell disease (SCD) was found in 10% of children with bacterial meningitis (BM) in Luanda, 5-fold more than in the general population. BM children with SCD versus BM children without SCD had higher inflammatory markers, more often had pneumococcal meningitis (71% vs. 39%), and either died (39% vs. 22%) or had a longer hospital stay (15 vs. 11 days).
Prognostic value of node-to-primary tumor maximum standardized uptake value ratio in T1-4N1-3M0 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy
Authors: Li Tian-cheng , Zhao Xin , Liu Yi-nuo , Wang Guo-lin , Liu Kai-feng , Zhao Kui
Published: May 2022

Background

This study aimed to identify whether NTR is the independent risk factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (cCRT).

Methods

We retrospectively studied 106 T1-4N1-3M0 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with cCRT. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVTumor) of the primary tumor and the metastatic lymph nodes (SUVLN) were measured. The prognostic significance of NTR for predicting PFS and OS was assessed. A multi-adjusted spline regression model was conducted to provide more precise estimates and examine the shape of the associations between NTR and the risk of progression.

Results

From 2012 to 2017, 106 eligible patients were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 15.3 months (3.5–44.6 months). We determined the maximizing area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve was at an NTR of 0.73 for predicting PFS. The two-year PFS was significantly lower in the high-NTR group (35.7% vs. 55.4%, P = 0.02) and two-year OS (43.4% vs. 61.1%, P = 0.03 was also significantly worse. Multivariable analysis revealed that only NTR was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 10.04, P < 0.001) and OS (HR: 4.19, P = 0.03). The restricted cubic spline regression model showed that NTR had a non-linear relationship with log relative risk for progression.

Conclusion

NTR was an independent risk factor for predicting PFS and OS in T1-4N1-3M0 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with cCRT.
DNA Mismatch Repair–deficient Rectal Cancer Is Frequently Associated With Lynch Syndrome and With Poor Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Farchoukh Lama F. , Celebrezze James , Medich David , Cunningham Kellie , Holder-Murray Jennifer , Holtzman Matthew , Lee Kenneth , Choudry Haroon , Pai Reetesh K.
Published: May 2022

We evaluated 368 consecutively resected rectal cancers with neoadjuvant therapy for DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein status, tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy, histopathologic features, and patient survival. Nine (2.4%) rectal cancers were mismatch repair–deficient (MMRD): 8 (89%) Lynch syndrome–associated tumors and 1 (11%) sporadic MLH1-deficient tumor. Of the 9 MMRD rectal cancers, 89% (8/9) had a tumor regression score 3 (poor response) compared with 23% (81/359) of MMR proficient rectal cancers (P<0.001). Patients with MMRD rectal cancer less often had downstaging after neoadjuvant therapy compared with patients with MMR proficient rectal cancer (11% vs. 57%, P=0.007). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, MMRD in rectal cancer was associated with a 25.11-fold increased risk of poor response to neoadjuvant therapy (tumor regression score 3) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.08-44.63, P=0.003). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the only variables significantly associated with disease-free survival were pathologic stage III disease (hazard ratio [HR]=2.46, 95% CI: 1.54-3.93, P<0.001), College of American Pathologists (CAP) tumor regression score 2 to 3 (HR=3.44, 95% CI: 1.76-6.73, P<0.001), and positive margins (HR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.56-5.25, P=0.001). In conclusion, we demonstrated that MMRD in rectal cancer is an independent predictor of poor response to neoadjuvant therapy and infrequently results in pathologic downstaging following neoadjuvant therapy. We also confirmed that MMRD in rectal cancer is strongly associated with a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. Our results suggest that MMR status may help to provide a more patient-centered approach when selecting neoadjuvant treatment regimens and may help predict tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy.
Diffraction enhancement of symmetry and modular structures
Authors: Umayahara Akihiro , Souvignier Bernd , Nespolo Massimo
Published: May 2022

Diffraction enhancement of symmetry (DES) is the phenomenon according to which the symmetry of the diffraction pattern of a crystal can be higher than the point symmetry of the structure that has produced it. The most well known example is that of Friedel's law, which is however violated in the presence of resonant scattering. This phenomenon is addressed in monoarchetypal modular structures and it is shown that a sufficient condition for DES is that both the module and the family of stacking vectors are invariant under an isometry that is not a symmetry operation for the structure. In general, DES is still observed in the presence of significant resonant scattering. The example of SiC polytypes, where the phenomenon has been confirmed experimentally, is studied in detail but the conclusions depend only on the symmetry of the layer and on the stacking vectors: the same applies therefore to all compounds sharing these features, like ZnS.
Crystal structures of dimetal terephthalate dihydroxides, M
2(C8H4O4)(OH)2 (M = Co, Ni, Zn) from powder diffraction data and DFT calculations
Authors: Markun Emma L. , Jensen Drew A. , Vegetabile Joshua D. , Kaduk James A.
Published: May 2022

The crystal structure of poly[dihydroxido(μ6-terepthalato)dizinc], [Zn2(C8H4O4)(OH)2]
n
, was solved and refined using synchrotron powder data, and the structures of the isostructural Co and Ni analogues were refined using laboratory powder X-ray data. The structure of [Co2(C8H4O4)(OH)2]
n
has been reported previously in space group C2/m, which yields disordered terephthalate anions. Doubling the c-axis of that cell results in an ordered model in space group C2/c. The octahedral MO6 coordination polyhedra of the metal cations share edges, forming chains running parallel to the b-axis direction. These chains share corners (hydroxyl groups), forming layers lying perpendicular to the a-axis direction.
Trade price clustering in the corporate bond market
Authors: Cole Brittany , Goldstein Michael A. , Moser Shane M. , Van Ness Robert A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In this paper, the authors document the existence of price clustering in the US corporate bond market.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 8,422,593 corporate bond trades in 2014, the authors find that over 18% (1,522,284 trades) of all bond trades end in a clustered price, defined as a price ending in 00, 25, 50, or 75.

Findings

Overall, the authors find that both bond rating category and risk, as measured by standard deviation of prices, play a role in price clustering; speculative grade bonds account for the majority of clustered prices. Clustered prices are more likely to have higher coupon rates, higher prices, and higher standard deviations of price than bonds with non-clustered prices. Regardless of size, both buy and sell dealer trades with customers (relative to interdealer trading) lead to an increase in price clustering. Dealers appear to use clustered prices when purchasing from and selling to institutions and, therefore, may use a clustered price to insulate themselves from the risk of asymmetric information. Additionally, the prevalence of clustered prices for retail-sized dealer sell trades suggests that dealers exercise dealer power over retail-sized traders.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on price clustering by examining trade price clustering of corporate bonds. It is different from previous papers on price clustering in equities. Given that bonds tend to be priced off of yield, it is unusual that trade prices cluster. It also demonstrates what kind of bonds cluster and with which customers dealers trade at clustered prices. It parallels other research in demonstrating dealer power over retail-sized traders.
CEO lessons on workforce development and success in a global pandemic
Authors: Longenecker Clinton Oliver , Wittmer Jenell Lynn-Senter 
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to explore the lessons learned by CEOs during the pandemic on how to develop themselves and their workforce to bring success during this chaotic and uncertain time.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty CEO interviews were conducted with two trained interviewers that lasted an average of 76 minutes. Three independent reviewers conducted a content analysis.

Findings

Through the content analysis, six main themes emerged that we have labeled “success lessons”: Your workforce really is your most important resource, leaders, at all levels, must lead effectively and with empathy, leaders must practice 360° two-way communication with honesty and transparency, equip your workforce for success and leverage technology, trust and empower your workforce, and invest more time reinforcing and celebrating victories.

Originality/value

The size and scope of the pandemic provides for lessons on leadership and workforce development never experienced before. The current study provides in-depth insights from CEO experiences during the pandemic.
Cryptocurrency adoption: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sousa Ana , Calçada Eva , Rodrigues Paula , Pinto Borges Ana
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Cryptocurrencies put consumers at the heart of a potential revolution by shifting central authority to a distributed peer-to-peer monetary system. This study aims to perform a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis within the topic of cryptocurrencies and consumer trust.

Design/methodology/approach

The Web of Science database has been selected, and the analyses performed allowed us to identify five research trends obtained from the bibliographic coupling analysis: (1) Understanding consumer's (non)acceptance of cryptocurrencies, (2) Ethical aspects and trust in cryptocurrencies, (3) Blockchain technology as a trust-free technology, (4) The blockchain/trust economy, and (5) Blockchain technology: challenging trust.

Findings

Findings uncover the intellectual structure in the field of cryptocurrencies and consumers' trust and offer insights on the pros and cons of consumers' willingness to trust the digital currency.

Originality/value

The study proved a great gap in the current literature in linking cryptocurrencies and trust theories in a consumer context. The authors also outline several gaps that allowed us to propose future research guidelines.
Procyclicality of loan-loss provisions and competitive environment – a global perspective
Authors: Olszak Małgorzata Anna , Kowalska Iwona
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Despite the extensive debate on the impact of bank competition on risk-taking, there is no evidence of its role in procyclicality of loan-loss provisions (LLPs). The purpose of this study is to find out what is the role of competition in the procyclicality of LLPs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using over 70,000 bank-level observations in 103 countries in 2004–2015 and the LLPs model, this study interacts competition with business cycle to check what is the effect of competition on procyclicality of LLPs.

Findings

This study finds that intense competition is associated with more procyclicality of LLPs. Increased procyclicality of LLPs in a more competitive environment is binding for high-income countries. The opposite effect is shown for low-income countries.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can be extended by testing the role of additional factors – such as regulations, supervision or institutional protection of shareholders' rights, in the association between procyclicality and competition.

Practical implications

The main message of this paper is that the competitive environment changes the procyclicality of LLPs. The results are important from the point of view of the COVID-19 pandemic because government interventions during lockdowns will affect competition in the banking industry and in other industries of the economy.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the extant research in three dimensions. First, it shows that competition is an important factor behind procyclicality of LLPs. Second, it adds to the research on the links between competition and financial stability. Third, it shows that the link between competition and procyclicality of LLPs depends on the economic development of the country in which the banks are located.
Sustainability in library management in higher education institutions: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Ensslin Leonardo , Dutra Ademar , Ensslin Sandra Rolim , Moreno Edinei Antonio , Chaves Leonardo Corrêa , Longaray André Andrade
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the characteristics of scientific publications that address the management of higher education institution (HEI) libraries from a sustainability perspective, through a bibliometric analysis, to contribute to the development of knowledge and to identify opportunities for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

The knowledge development process-constructivist instrument was used to select a portfolio of 24 articles that are scientifically acknowledged and aligned with the theme “Sustainable Management of Libraries in Higher Education Institutions” and delimited by the authors. This study, guided by a constructivist perspective, was carefully conducted to discern selections that differ from traditional definitions. The analysis followed a qualitative approach and used the following variables: fruitful authors, connection networks between authors and vision of sustainability (the degree of dimensional coverage).

Findings

The analysis of the literature highlighted the partnerships of authors from countries belonging to the American continent as the most involved in research on the subject and the evolution from a one-dimensional view – centred on the environment – to a multidimensional view.

Originality/value

The understanding is that library management in HEIs, from a sustainability perspective, is an essential aspect of institutional legitimacy for the stakeholders. Therefore, sustainability should be treated in a multidimensional way and integrated with the institution’s values.
Travelling fire in full scale experimental building subjected to open ventilation conditions
Authors: Nadjai Ali , Alam Naveed , Charlier Marion , Vassart Olivier , Dai Xu , Franssen Jean-Marc , Sjostrom Johan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In the frame of the European RFCS TRAFIR project, three large compartment fire tests involving steel structure were conducted by Ulster University, aiming at understanding in which conditions a travelling fire develops, as well as how it behaves and impacts the surrounding structure.

Design/methodology/approach

During the experimental programme, the path and geometry of the travelling fire was studied and temperatures, heat fluxes and spread rates were measured. Influence of the travelling fire on the structural elements was also monitored during the travelling fire tests.

Findings

This paper provides details related to the influence of travelling fires on a central structural steel column.

Originality/value

The experimental data are presented in terms of the gas temperatures recorded in the test compartment near the column, as well as the temperatures recorded in the steel column at different levels. Because of the large data, only fire test one results are discussed in this paper.
Predatory trading: ethics judgments, legality judgments and investment intentions
Authors: Sobolev Daphne , Clunie James
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Predatory trading is a stock market trading technique in which certain market participants exploit information about other market participants' need to trade. Predatory trading often harms others. Hence, this paper examines the determinants and effects of financial practitioners' and lay people's judgments of predatory trading. Specifically, it investigates how the public availability and reliability of the exploited information affect their ethics and legality judgments and how the latter influence their behavioral intentions and regulation support.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two scenario judgment studies. In the first study, participants were financial practitioners, and in the second – lay people.

Findings

Practitioners often judge predatory trading to be ethical. Practitioners and lay people incorporate in their ethics and legality judgments the public availability of the exploited information but tend to discount the legal reliability criterion. Lay people justify their ethics judgments using harm, legal or profit maximization principles. Practitioners' intentions to engage in predatory trading and lay people's intentions to let predatory fund managers invest their money depend on their judgments, which influence their regulation support.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to explore people's judgments of predatory trading. It highlights that despite the harm that predatory trading involves, practitioners often judge it to be ethical. Although law tends to lag behind financial innovation, people base their judgments and hence also behavioral intentions on their interpretation of the regulation. Hence, it reveals a dark aspect of the relationship between ethics and legality judgments.
The barefoot shoemaker's son: examining EFL teachers' pragmatic competence in a Saudi context
Authors: Zughaibi Abdullah Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Purpose

English instructors' pragmatic competence (PC) is an aspect of the overall communicative competence forming the basis of language instructors' knowledge. Their knowledge of pragmatics should not be overlooked when seeking to understand foreign language learners' communicative ability. This study aims to investigate the pragmatic awareness and teaching practices of non-native EFL instructors with different qualifications and from various cultural backgrounds in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain a broader perspective, this study adopted a quantitative research design. An online questionnaire, developed from Ivanova (2018) and Tulgar (2016), was accessed by 320 instructors at one English teaching institute in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information about participants and 12 closed Likert-type questions.

Findings

The data analysis showed that most of the language instructors were aware of PC. However, some variations were evident in their views of the importance of pragmatics in teaching and learning and in their actual pragmatic teaching practices.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the importance of pragmatic awareness for EFL instructors. It indicates that while non-native English instructors' academic levels and cumulative experience in teaching English play a major role in teaching, instructors have several challenges in teaching pragmatics and promoting students' awareness of pragmatics in this context. For effective second language teaching of pragmatics, instructors, managers and policymakers need to recognize the importance of pragmatics and competencies that students need to develop in EFL contexts.
Evaluating the use of reasonable adjustment plans for students with a specific learning difficulty
Authors: Beck Suzy
Published: May 2022

Despite calls for a move away from individual adjustments toward a fully inclusive design for learning, the practice of applying institutional reasonable adjustments for disabled students persists in UK higher education. Previous research suggests, however, that these adjustments are often generic and do not appropriately address individual students' learning needs. If the practice is to continue, therefore, it is incumbent on higher education institutions to ensure current policies and procedures are fit for purpose and lead to increased accessibility for disabled students. This article presents a small‐scale developmental evaluation of Reasonable Adjustment Plans (RAPs) for students with specific learning differences at one large, post‐92 institution. Findings from 16 interviews indicate that despite some positive feedback, RAPs are not always well received by students and do not always lead to enhanced inclusion. A number of changes are recommended for practice, including stream‐lining existing processes, implementing a RAP review and focusing on relationships with faculty staff.
Towards a History of the First Catholic Religious Women Born in Africa or of African Descent (1703–1939)
Authors: Denis Philippe
Published: May 2022

Religious women born in Africa or of African descent have for a long time played a significant role in the parishes, schools, clinics and orphanages run by the Catholic Church. Their history has rarely been told and they tend to be invisible both in church and society. This paper presents a survey, based on already published studies and easily available primary sources, of the early history of these black women and of the indigenous women's religious congregations established, formally or not, since the nineteenth century. With one exception — in Senegal — all date from the twentieth century. A few were founded just before the First World War. More appeared in the interwar period. The paper argues that even though most of the credit is given to the missionaries, the black candidates often initiated the process leading to their admission into religious life. The most common scenario was an indigenous diocesan congregation led and mentored by white sisters for a few years. Some men's congregations, the Spiritans, the Missionaries of Africa, their women's counterparts, the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa, and the Missionaries of Mariannhill showed a particular zeal in promoting the cause of black sisters in the period under review which ends in 1939.
Substrate‐borne vibrational signals and stridulatory organs for sexual communication in leafminer,Liriomyza sativae(Diptera: Agromyzidae)
Authors: Zhang Qikai , Wu Shengyong , Xing Zhenlong , Wang Haihong , Lei Zhongren
Published: May 2022

The vegetable leafminer (Liriomyza sativae[Burgess]) is a highly polyphagous pest that threatens vegetables and horticultural plants. Although sexual communication is a key component of the animal behavioral repertoire, the mechanism underlying sexual communication inL. sativaeremains to be elucidated. Here, we used laser vibrometry to characterize the vibrational signals emitted byL. sativaeduring pair formation. By emitting trains of vibrational pulses (male calling) the male initiated communication on the host plant. The female then became immobile and responded to the male calling by emitting replies (female replies), which in turn triggered male replies consisting of a rapid series of chirps and trills. If the female replied, a continuous exchange of male and female replies ensued, representing a duet. In playback trials, a playback signal caused responses from the opposite sex. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy revealed vibration‐producing stridulatory organs in both male and female individuals. The files in males were more developed than those in females, and older male specimens had more signs of abrasion. The results provide new insight into the mating biology ofL. sativae.
The characteristics of people who inject drugs in the United Kingdom: changes in age, duration, and incidence of injecting, 1980–2019, using evidence from repeated cross‐sectional surveys
Authors: Lewer Dan , Croxford Sara , Desai Monica , Emanuel Eva , Hope Vivian D. , McAuley Andrew , Phipps Emily , Tweed Emily J.
Published: May 2022

Background and aims

Mortality and drug treatment data suggest that the median age of people who inject drugs is increasing. We aimed to describe changes in the characteristics of people injecting drugs in the United Kingdom (UK).

Design

Repeat cross‐sectional surveys and modelling.

Setting

Low‐threshold services in the United Kingdom such as needle and syringe programmes.

Participants

A total of 79 900 people who recently injected psychoactive drugs in the United Kingdom, recruited as part of the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, 1990–2019) and Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative (Scotland, 2008–2019).

Measurements

Age of people currently injecting, age at first injection, duration of injecting (each 1990–2019) and estimates of new people who started injecting (1980–2019).

Findings

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 1990 and 2019, the median age of people injecting increased from 27 (interquartile range [IQR], 24–31) to 40 (IQR, 34–46); median age at first injection increased from 22 (IQR, 19–25) to 33 (IQR, 28–39); and median years of injecting increased from 7 (IQR, 3–11) to 18 (IQR, 9–23). Values in Scotland and England were similar after 2008. The estimated number that started injecting annually in England increased from 5470 (95% prediction interval [PrI] 3120‐6940) in 1980 to a peak of 10 270 (95% PrI, 8980‐12 780) in 1998, and then decreased to 2420 (95% PrI, 1320‐5580) in 2019. The number in Scotland followed a similar pattern, increasing from 1220 (95% PrI, 740–2430) in 1980 to a peak of 3080 (95% PrI, 2160–3350) in 1998, then decreased to a 270 (95% PrI, 130–600) in 2018. The timing of the peak differed between regions, with earlier peaks in London and the North West of England.

Conclusions

In the United Kingdom, large cohorts started injecting psychoactive drugs in the 1980s and 1990s and many still inject today. Relatively few people started in more recent years. This has led to changes in the population injecting drugs, including an older average age and longer injecting histories.
Meta‐analysis of associations between empathy and alcohol use and problems in clinical and non‐clinical samples
Authors: Kumar Lakshmi , Skrzynski Carillon J. , Creswell Kasey G.
Published: May 2022

Aims

To (1) measure the aggregated effect size of empathy deficits in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared with healthy controls, (2) measure the aggregated effect sizes for associations between lower empathy and heavier alcohol consumption and more alcohol problems in non‐clinical samples and (3) identify potential moderators on the variability of effect sizes across studies in these meta‐analyses.

Method

PsycINFO, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched following a pre‐registered International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) protocol (CRD42021225392) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. We meta‐analyzed (using random‐effects models) mean differences in empathy between individuals with AUD compared with healthy controls and associations between empathy and alcohol consumption and alcohol problems in non‐clinical samples. A total of 714 participants were included in the meta‐analysis on clinical samples; 3955 were included in the meta‐analyses on non‐clinical samples.

Results

Individuals with AUD reported significantly lower empathy than healthy controls [Hedges’ g = −0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.91, –0.16, k = 9, P < 0.01, Q = 40.09, I2 = 80.04]. Study quality [Q = 1.88, degrees of freedom (d.f.) = 1, P = 0.17] and gender (β = −0.006, Z = −0.60, P = 0.55) were not moderators. Increases in age corresponded to an increase in effect size (β = 0.095, Z = 3.34, P < 0.001). Individuals with AUD (versus healthy controls) had significantly lower cognitive (Hedges’ g = −0.44, CI = −0.79, –0.10, P < 0.05), but not affective empathy (Hedges’ g = −0.19, CI = −0.51, 0.14, P = 0.27), and the difference between these was significant (Z = 2.34, k = 6, P < 0.01). In non‐clinical samples, individuals with lower (versus higher) empathy reported heavier alcohol consumption (r = −0.12, CI = −0.15, –0.09, k = 11, P < 0.001, Q = 9.68, I2 = 0.00) and more alcohol problems (r = −0.08, CI = −0.14, –0.01, k = 7, P = 0.021, Q = 6.55, I2 = 8.34). There was no significant heterogeneity across studies.

Conclusion

Individuals with alcohol use disorder appear to show deficits in empathy compared with healthy controls. Deficits are particularly pronounced for older individuals and for cognitive (versus affective) empathy. In non‐clinical samples, lower empathy appears to be associated with heavier alcohol consumption and more alcohol problems.
New insights into survival strategies to oxygen deprivation in anoxia‐tolerant vertebrates
Authors: Fago Angela
Published: May 2022

Hypoxic environments pose a severe challenge to vertebrates and even short periods of oxygen deprivation are often lethal as they constrain aerobic ATP production. However, a few ectotherm vertebrates are capable of surviving long‐term hypoxia or even anoxia with little or no damage. Among these, freshwater turtles and crucian carp are the recognized champions of anoxia tolerance, capable of overwintering in complete oxygen deprivation for months at freezing temperatures by entering a stable hypometabolic state. While all steps of the oxygen cascade are adjusted in response to oxygen deprivation, this review draws from knowledge of freshwater turtles and crucian carp to highlight mechanisms regulating two of these steps, namely oxygen transport in the blood and oxygen utilization in mitochondria during three sequential phases: before anoxia, when hypoxia develops, during anoxia, and after anoxia at reoxygenation. In cold hypoxia, reduced red blood cell concentration of ATP plays a crucial role in increasing blood oxygen affinity and/or reducing oxygen unloading to tissues, to adjust aerobic metabolism to decrease ambient oxygen. In anoxia, metabolic rewiring of oxygen utilization keeps largely unaltered NADH/NAD+ ratios and limits ADP degradation and succinate buildup. These critical adjustments make it possible to restart mitochondrial respiration and energy production with little generation of reactive oxygen species at reoxygenation when oxygen is again available. Inhibition of key metabolic enzymes seems to play crucial roles in these responses, in particular mitochondrial complex V, although identifying the nature of such inhibition(s) in vivo remains a challenge for future studies.
Mode of birth and development of maternal postnatal post‐traumatic stress disorder: A mixed‐methods systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Carter Jemima , Bick Debra , Gallacher Daniel , Chang Yan‐Shing
Published: May 2022

Background

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 3% of women in the postnatal period, but less is known about risk factors for PTSD than other postnatal mental illnesses. This review aimed to analyze the literature on the impact of mode of birth on postnatal PTSD.

Methods

Searches were undertaken of CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus for studies investigating the link between mode of birth and postnatal PTSD in high‐resource countries from January 1990 to February 2021. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and synthesized. Meta‐analysis was performed with four of the studies, and the rest were analyzed narratively.

Results

Twelve quantitative studies, presenting data on 5567 women, and two qualitative studies, with 92 women, were included in the review. Most studies found a significant relationship between mode of birth and maternal PTSD symptoms. Meta‐analysis found cesarean birth was more closely associated with PTSD than vaginal delivery (VD) (P = 0.005), emergency cesarean birth (EmCB) more than elective cesarean birth (ElCB) (P < 0.001), instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD) more than spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) (P < 0.001), and EmCB more than SVD (P < 0.001). Women who developed PTSD after EmCB felt less in control and less supported than those who did not develop it after the same procedure. Request for repeat ElCB appeared more common among women with pre‐existing postnatal PTSD, but this may subsequently leave them feeling dissatisfied and their fears of childbirth unresolved.

Conclusions

Modes of birth involving emergency intervention may be risk factors for the development of postnatal PTSD. Ensuring that women feel supported and in control during emergency obstetric interventions may mediate against this risk.
Oral health‐related quality of life of older Australian men
Authors: Wright Fredrick Alan Clive , Shu Ellie C.‐C. , Cumming Robert G. , Naganathan Vasi , Blyth Fiona M. , Hirani Vasant , Le Couteur David G. , Handelsman David J. , Seibel Markus J. , Waite Louise M. , Stanaway Fiona F.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The aims of this study were to assess oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a cohort of older Australian men and explore the association between their general health conditions, socio‐demographic factors and OHRQoL.

Methods

The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) is a cohort study of the health of a representative sample of Australian men, initiated in 2005–2006 with an initial sample of 1705 men 70 years or over. Participants completed a self‐administered health and socio‐demographic questionnaire and attended an interview and clinical assessment at baseline and each of three follow‐up assessments. Information on oral health and responses to the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) were collected in the 4th follow‐up in which 778 men completed the OHIP‐14 questionnaire and 614 men had a dental assessment. The prevalence of oral health impact was defined as a response of fairly often or very often to one or more of the OHIP‐14 questions. Mean OHIP‐14 scores were calculated for the 14 questions and used as the dependent variable in the regression analyses. Zero‐inflated Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRR).

Results

Only 10% of men presented oral health impacts. In multivariate regression modelling, being born in Italy/Greece (PRR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.93–2.42) or in other countries (PRR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.89–2.38), having poor self‐rated general health (PRR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24–1.53), having poor mental wellbeing (PRR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04–1.24), having ≥6 depressive symptoms (PRR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–1.32), being a current smoker (PRR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06–1.70) and having more decayed tooth surfaces (PRR:1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02) were associated with higher impact scores.

Conclusions

Overall, older Australian men exhibit good oral health‐related quality of life. The inter‐relationship between perceptions of general health and well‐being, health and oral health variables and social background supports policy objectives of closer integration of general health and oral health services for older Australian men.
Tooth Resorption – Part 1: The evolvement, rationales and controversies of tooth resorption
Authors: Lin Shaul , Moreinos Daniel , Kaufman Arieh Y. , Abbott Paul V.
Published: May 2022

In 1966, Andreasen and Hjørting‐Hansen were the first to describe a relationship between tooth resorption and dental trauma. However, Andreasen's original classification did not include other resorptive processes which have since been identified. Numerous articles have been published suggesting new terminology and definitions for tooth resorption. A uniform language with universally accepted terminology is crucial to eliminate the multiplicity of terms and definitions which only cause confusion within the profession. An electronic literature search was carried out in the PubMed database using the following keywords for articles published in English: “root resorption,” “inflammatory root resorption,” “replacement resorption,” “cervical resorption,” “trauma,” “ankylosis,” “surface resorption,” and “internal resorption.” The search also included textbooks and glossaries that may not have surfaced in the online search. This was done to identify articles related to tooth resorption and its etiology in dentistry. The aim of this review was to present the history that has led to the variety of terms and definitions for resorption. This review emphasizes the need for a clearer, simpler, and more comprehensive nomenclature for the various types of tooth resorption which are presented in Part 2 of this series.
Effects of microsized rice straw on soil clay dispersibility
Authors: Tran Thu T. T. , Dao Trang T. , Dinh Van M. , Vu Trang T. T. , Nguyen Hue T. , Nguyen Phuong M. , Ngo Thu H. A. , Nguyen Minh N.
Published: May 2022

The incorporation of straw into soil has been encouraged as an alternative straw‐disposal strategy to the on‐site burning that occurs in many paddy regions. However, this practice may lead to changes in the colloidal properties of soil clays that potentially intensify clay and nutrient losses. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of engineered microsized straw powder on the colloidal properties of two soil clays, that is, illitic and kaolinitic soil clays. Dynamic light scattering was coupled with the test tube method to evaluate time‐resolved changes in the particle size, zeta potential and dispersibility for the suspensions of straw powder and its mixtures with illitic and kaolinitic soil clays. Data from kinetic experiments over a time span of 20 days revealed that straw powder remarkably increased the dispersibility of soil clays. It was found that straw particles carried negative charges; thus, the introduction of straw powder into the clay suspensions increased the number of negative charges in the system, thereby increasing internal repulsive forces and eventually favouring clay dispersion. Moreover, certain mutual processes, that is, the biodegradation and dissolution of phytoliths (silica in straw), resulted in the release of dissolved organic matter and silicon, which aggravated clay dispersibility. In addition to the “traditional” awareness of the impacts of straw incorporation, for example, creating toxic, reduced environments or increasing CH4 emissions, the changes in the colloidal properties of soil clays should also be highlighted. We propose that the incorporation of straw requires additional solutions for the prevention of clay loss.

Highlights

Straw powder was examined for possible effect on colloidal properties of soil clays

It was found that straw particles carried negative charges

Introduction of straw powder increase repulsive forces and favor clay dispersion

Microorganism, B. amyloliquefaciens, enhances the effect of straw powder
A novel analytical framework to quantify co‐gradient and countergradient variation
Authors: Albecker Molly A. , Trussell Geoffrey C. , Lotterhos Katie E.
Published: May 2022

Spatial covariance between genotypic and environmental influences on phenotypes (CovGE) can result in the nonrandom distribution of genotypes across environmental gradients and is a potentially important factor driving local adaptation. However, a framework to quantify the magnitude and significance of CovGE has been lacking. We develop a novel quantitative/analytical approach to estimate and test the significance of CovGE from reciprocal transplant or common garden experiments, which we validate using simulated data. We demonstrate how power to detect CovGE changes over a range of experimental designs. We confirm an inverse relationship between gene‐by‐environment interactions (GxE) and CovGE, as predicted by first principles, but show how phenotypes can be influenced by both. The metric provides a way to measure how phenotypic plasticity covaries with genetic differentiation and highlights the importance of understanding the dual influences of CovGE and GxE on phenotypes in studies of local adaptation and species’ responses to environmental change.
Microstructural investigation and model of fatigue short crack in EH36 steels
Authors: Su Molin , Xu Lianyong , Feng Chao , Han Yongdian , Zhao Lei , Xiao Guangchun
Published: May 2022

For better revealing the behavior and mechanism of fatigue short crack (SC) propagation, five different kinds of notched samples were designed. Based on the crack growth rate‐SC length map, finite element method and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) pattern, the evolution theory of geometrically necessary dislocation density (ρGND) versus SC length was proposed to distinguish the physically short crack (PSC) length; Schmid factor was utilized to define the length of microstructurally short crack (MSC). Thus, the whole SC growth was divided into three parts: MSC, transition zone and PSC. Finally, an original piecewise model containing two parameters was proposed to describe the whole SC growth of EH36 steels.
Telehealth perceptions and utilization for the delivery of headache care before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Grinberg Amy S. , Fenton Brenda T. , Wang Kaicheng , Lindsey Hayley , Goldman Roberta E. , Baird Sean , Riley Samantha , Burrone Laura , Seng Elizabeth K. , Damush Teresa M. , Sico Jason J.
Published: May 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of telehealth for headache services within the Veterans Health Administration’s facilities housing a Headache Centers of Excellence and multiple stakeholder’s perspectives to inform future telehealth delivery.

Background

Telehealth delivery of headache treatment may enhance patient access to headache care, yet little is known about the utilization or patient and provider perceptions of telehealth for veterans with headache.

Methods

This mixed‐methods study analyzed multiple data sources: (1) administrative data, which included 58,798 patients with medically diagnosed headache disorders, documented in at least one outpatient visit, from August 2019 through September 2020 from the 12 Veterans Health Administration’s facilities with a Headache Center of Excellence and (2) qualitative semistructured interviews with 20 patients and 43 providers 6 months before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, and 10 patients and 20 providers 6 months during the beginning of the pandemic.

Results

During the pandemic, in‐person visits declined from 12,794 to 6099 (52.0%), whereas video (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.66, 2.52), and telephone visits (IRR = 15.2, 95% CI = 10.7, 21.6) significantly increased. Utilization differed based on patient age, race/ethnicity, and rurality. Patients and providers perceived value in using telehealth, yet had limited experience with this modality pre‐pandemic. Providers preferred in‐person appointments for initial encounters and telehealth for follow‐up visits. Providers and patients identified benefits and challenges of telehealth delivery, often relying on multiple delivery methods for telehealth to enhance patient engagement.

Conclusions

The uptake of telehealth delivery of headache‐related care rapidly expanded in response to the pandemic. Patients and providers were amenable to utilizing telehealth, yet also experienced technological barriers. To encourage equitable access to telehealth and direct resources to those in need, it is crucial to understand patient preferences regarding in‐person versus telehealth visits and identify patient groups who face barriers to access.
Quality of acute asthma care: an audit of clinical practice in a Victorian health service
Authors: Nash Jessica L. , Southcott Anne Marie , Jayaram Lata
Published: May 2022

Background

Gaps in the treatment of patients with acute asthma have been repeatedly described in Australia. We conducted a retrospective audit of acute asthma care at a Victorian tertiary institution.

Aims

To describe acute asthma care at a large health network in metropolitan Melbourne, and evaluate the extent to which Emergency Department (ED) care was consistent with National Asthma Council guidelines.

Methods

A retrospective audit was performed of medical records between July 2017 and June 2019. We included adult patients admitted to campuses within the Western Health network in Melbourne, Victoria, where the length of stay was at least 12 h, and the primary discharge diagnosis was asthma.

Results

Four hundred and ninety‐three admissions were included in the analysis, representing 392 individual patients. Seventy‐one percent of patients were female and 27% were current smokers. Ninety‐six percent of patients had a prior asthma diagnosis, 63% had a previous hospital presentation and 75% were prescribed an inhaled preventer. In the ED, systemic corticosteroids and inhaled salbutamol were prescribed in 65% and 82% admissions respectively; adjunctive treatments included ipratropium (67% of admissions), magnesium sulfate (30%), adrenaline (11%) and non‐invasive ventilation (9%). Overall, ED care was guideline concordant in 59% of admissions. On the wards, treatments prescribed within 24 h of admission included corticosteroids (90% of admissions), salbutamol (84%), ipratropium (64%) and inhaled preventers (63%). The proportion of patients prescribed these treatments, as well as documented follow up (e.g. asthma action plans), varied significantly depending on the treating specialty.

Conclusion

The emergency treatment of patients with acute asthma frequently deviated from guidelines and there was significant variation in inpatient treatment. Quality improvement initiatives that incorporate structural changes are required to improve asthma care.