bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLST recall, concordance, and decision quality outcomes among nursing home residents and surrogate decision‐makers
Authors: Hickman Susan E. , Sudore Rebecca L. , Torke Alexia M. , Tang Qing , Bakoyannis Giorgos , Heim Smith Nicholette , Myers Anne L. , Hammes Bernard J.
Published: March 2023

Background

POLST orders are actionable in an emergency, so it is important that the decisions be of high quality and concordant with current preferences. The goal of this study is to determine the relationship between concordance and decision quality outcomes, including decision satisfaction and decisional conflict, among nursing facility residents and surrogates who recall POLST.

Methods

We completed structured interviews in 29 nursing facilities with 275 participants who had previously signed a POLST form. This included residents who were still making their own medical decisions (n = 123) and surrogate decision‐makers for residents without decisional capacity (n = 152). POLST recall was defined as remembering talking about and/or completing the POLST form previously signed by the participant. Concordance was determined by comparing preferences elicited during a standardized interview with the POLST form on file. Decisional conflict, decision satisfaction, and conversation quality were assessed with standardized tools.

Results

Half of participants (50%) remembered talking about or completing the POLST form, but recall was not associated with the length of time since POLST completion or concordance with existing preferences. In multivariable analyses, there was no association between POLST recall, concordance, and decision quality outcomes, though satisfaction was associated with conversation quality.

Conclusions

Half of the residents and surrogates in this study recalled the POLST they previously signed. Neither the age of the form nor the ability to recall the POLST conversation should be considered indicators of whether existing POLST orders match current preferences. Findings confirm a relationship between POLST conversation quality and satisfaction, underscoring the importance of POLST completion as a communication process.
A tribute to Leif Hertz: The historical context of his pioneering studies of the roles of astrocytes in brain energy metabolism, neurotransmission, cognitive functions, and pharmacology identifies important, unresolved topics for future studies
Authors: Dienel Gerald A. , Schousboe Arne , McKenna Mary C. , Rothman Douglas L.
Published: March 2023

Leif Hertz, M.D., D.Sc. (honōris causā) (1930–2018), was one of the original and noteworthy participants in the International Conference on Brain Energy Metabolism (ICBEM) series since its inception in 1993. The biennial ICBEM conferences are organized by neuroscientists interested in energetics and metabolism underlying neural functions; they have had a high impact on conceptual and experimental advances in these fields and on promoting collaborative interactions among neuroscientists. Leif made major contributions to ICBEM discussions and understanding of metabolic and signaling characteristics of astrocytes and their roles in brain function. His studies ranged from uptake of K+ from extracellular fluid and its stimulation of astrocytic respiration, identification, and regulation of enzymes specifically or preferentially expressed in astrocytes in the glutamate–glutamine cycle of excitatory neurotransmission, a requirement for astrocytic glycogenolysis for fueling K+ uptake, involvement of glycogen in memory consolidation in the chick, and pharmacology of astrocytes. This tribute to Leif Hertz highlights his major discoveries, the high impact of his work on astrocyte–neuron interactions, and his unparalleled influence on understanding the cellular basis of brain energy metabolism. His work over six decades has helped integrate the roles of astrocytes into neurotransmission where oxidative and glycogenolytic metabolism during neurotransmitter glutamate turnover are key aspects of astrocytic energetics. Leif recognized that brain astrocytic metabolism is greatly underestimated unless the volume fraction of astrocytes is taken into account. Adjustment for pathway rates expressed per gram tissue for volume fraction indicates that astrocytes have much higher oxidative rates than neurons and astrocytic glycogen concentrations and glycogenolytic rates during sensory stimulation in vivo are similar to those in resting and exercising muscle, respectively. These novel insights are typical of Leif's astute contributions to the energy metabolism field, and his publications have identified unresolved topics that provide the neuroscience community with challenges and opportunities for future research.

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The long‐term impact of COVID‐19 on nursing: An e‐panel discussion from the International Network for Child and Family Centred Care
Authors: Foster Mandie Jane , Blamires Julie , Neill Sarah , Coyne Imelda , Kristjánsdóttir Guðrún , Feeg Veronica D. , Paraszczuk Ann Marie , Al‐Motlaq Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Aim

To explore the International Network for Child and Family Centred Care (INCFCC) members' experiences and views on the long‐term impact of COVID‐19 on the nursing workforce.

Background

On the 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID‐19 a global pandemic. While some countries adopted a herd immunity approach, others imposed stricter measures to reduce the transmission of the virus. Hospitals in some countries faced an avalanche of extremely sick admissions, whereas others experienced an early surge in cases or were able to control the spread.

Design

Discursive paper.

Methods

A web‐based survey was e‐mailed to 63 INCFCC members from 28 March to 30 April 2022, as an invitation to share their experience concerning the long‐term impact of COVID‐19 on their role as a nurse educator, clinician or researcher.

Results

Sixteen members responded, and the responses were grouped under the themes stress and anxiety, safe staffing and pay, doing things differently, impact on research, impact on teaching and learning, impact on clinical practice, nursing made visible and lessons for the future.

Conclusion

The INCFCC members provided their views and highlighted the impact on their role in nursing education, administration, research and/or practice. This discussion of international perspectives on the similarities and differences imposed by COVID‐19 found that the impact was wide‐ranging and prolonged. The overarching theme revealed the resilience of the participating members in the face of COVID‐19.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study highlights the importance of all areas of nursing, be it in academia or in clinical practice, to work together to learn from the present and to plan for the future. Future work should focus on supporting organizational and personal resiliency and effective interventions to support the nursing workforce both during a disaster and in the recovery phase. Nursing workforce resilience in the face of COVID‐19.
Workplace gender discrimination in the nursing workforce—An integrative review
Authors: Gauci Patricia , Luck Lauretta , O'Reilly Kate , Peters Kath
Published: March 2023

Aim

To critically synthesise the literature that explores the experiences of workplace gender discrimination from the perspective of registered nurses.

Design

Integrative review.

Review Methods

Primary research articles reporting on the experience of workplace gender discrimination towards registered nurses in any setting were eligible for inclusion. Studies were critically appraised for methodological quality using a modified Critical Appraisal Skills Program list. The six phases of thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006) were used to guide the analysis. Data were extracted and coded, and themes were identified according to the review aims and significant findings of each study.

Data Sources

CINAHL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, published between January 2012 and June 2022.

Results

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Major themes identified were (1) career progression, (2) career interruption, (3) positioning of men in nursing and (4) positioning of women in nursing.

Conclusion

This review shows that both men and women in nursing experience workplace gender discrimination; however, the forms and consequences of this discrimination differ substantially by gender.

Implications for the Profession

It is important that the pursuit of greater numerical representation of men in nursing does not result in further reinforcing patriarchal advantage. Professional development for nurse leaders in managing gender issues is recommended.

Impact

This integrative review presents current issues on workplace gender discrimination for men and women in nursing. The findings suggest gender roles and norms have an effect on the careers of both men and women in nursing. The time has come to alter restrictive gender norms and to challenge notions of hegemonic masculinity and femininity.

Reporting Method

We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines—PRISMA.

No Patient or Public Contribution

For this literature review on workplace gender discrimination for registered nurses, we did not engage members of the patient population, nor the general public.
Healthcare professionals perspectives on feasibility and acceptability of family engagement in early mobilisation for adult critically ill patients: A descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Mukpradab Sasithorn , Cussen Julie , Ranse Kristen , Songwathana Praneed , Marshall Andrea P.
Published: March 2023

Aims

To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions of the feasibility and acceptability of family engagement in early mobilisation for adult critically ill patients.

Background

Early mobilisation is beneficial to minimise intensive care unit acquired‐weakness in critically ill patients and family engagement can help with meeting early mobilisation goals, but it is not widely practiced. Understanding healthcare professionals' perceptions of feasibility and acceptability of family engagement in early mobilisation of adult critically ill patients is required to inform future implementation strategies to promote early mobilisation.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

Face‐to‐face, individual, semi‐structured interviews were conducted between August 2021 and March 2022 with healthcare professionals working in two intensive care units in Australia. The interviews were analysed using the inductive content analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics. The COREQ checklist was followed when reporting this study.

Results

Eleven ICU nurses, five physiotherapists and four physicians participated in the interviews. Three main categories were identified: (i) healthcare professionals' readiness, (ii) mediators of engagement and (iii) foundations for successful implementation. Most participants demonstrated a positive attitude towards an implementation of family engagement in early mobilisation for adult critically ill patients; however, capability and capacity of healthcare professionals, family members' willingness, availability and readiness and the care context were considered factors that could influence the successful implementation.

Conclusion

From the perspectives of healthcare professionals, family engagement in early mobilisation is feasible and acceptable to enact but implementation is influenced by contextual factors including, healthcare professionals' capability and capacity and family members' willingness, availability and readiness. Collaborative teamwork and preparing family members and healthcare professionals are needed to support this practice.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The findings provide important information to further identify potential strategies of family engagement in early mobilisation and to help and mitigate factors that impede implementation.
Impact of a quality improvement intervention on the incidence of surgical site infection in patients undergoing colorectal surgery: Pre‐test–post‐test design
Authors: Horgan Sinéad , Hegarty Josephine , Andrews Emmet , Hooton Carmel , Drennan Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study was to measure the impact of a complex quality improvement intervention on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Background

Surgical site infections are a major postoperative complication for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Prevention of SSIs necessitates a complex intervention requiring many elements to be in place to ensure the successful implementation of prevention measures.

Design

This study was a non‐equivalent pre‐test post‐test design where consecutive patients undergoing colorectal surgery were surveyed for surgical site infections for 30 days postoperatively and is reported using the SQUIRE 2.0.

Methods

A baseline cohort of patients was retrospectively reviewed in a single centre to ascertain the surgical site infection incidence rate in the first 6 months of 2018 (T0) and prospectively at two 6‐month time periods in 2019 (T1, T2) following the introduction of a complex intervention. There were 311 patients included across three time periods.

Results

There was a notable decrease in surgical site infection incidence rates from baseline over the course of the study. Univariate analysis identified Body Mass Index, a wound contamination classification of dirty or contaminated, duration of surgery >75th percentile and a National Healthcare Safety Network risk index score of 3 as factors that significantly increase the probability of developing a surgical site infection. Multivariate analysis identified duration of surgery and body mass index increased the probability of an SSI. The results of the logistical regression model found that there was a significant reduction in the probability of an SSI between T0 and T2.

Conclusions

The implementation of a complex intervention led to a reduction in the incidence of surgical site infections and improved implementation of evidence‐based practices as part of a care bundle in relation to the prevention of surgical site infections in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

A multicomponent multidisciplinary complex intervention as part of a quality improvement project can successfully reduce the incidence rates of surgical site infections in patients who require elective colorectal surgery. Normalisation Process Theory provides guidance and support in implementing complex interventions for the prevention of surgical site infection.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients provided post‐discharge information on their wound healing as part of the surveillance component of the intervention. Five patients reviewed and provided feedback on a patient information booklet which was developed from this quality improvement intervention. A multidisciplinary steering group guided all stages of the project.
Curvilinear relationships in person‐environment fit research: Is there evidence for a too‐much‐of‐a‐good‐thing effect?
Authors: Vleugels Wouter , Flatau‐Harrison Huw
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we revisit this well‐established linear relationship of person‐organisation, demands‐abilities, and needs‐supply fit with job satisfaction, commitment, and OCBs, and propose that this relationship may be linear for affective work outcomes but curvilinear for behavioural ones. We test this idea in a two‐wave sample of 212 employees, with measures taken 4 weeks apart. The results support the idea that the relationship between fit and behavioural outcomes can, indeed, be curvilinear. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the nature of the relationship between fit and work outcomes by challenging the long‐held ‘more fit is better’ logic that pervades much of the PE fit research to date.
Parents helping a child with disability learn at home during COVID‐19: Experiences from Slovenia and Canada
Authors: Schmidt Majda , Šilc Mateja , Brown Ivan
Published: March 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused much disruption in many global sectors, including education where schools were closed in most countries and children had to learn remotely from home. This was particularly challenging for children with special learning needs and disabilities, often already somewhat marginalized, as they were more likely to be left behind and less able to adapt easily to remote online learning. This study inquired into the experiences of 67 parents from Slovenia and 15 parents from Canada who helped their children with special learning needs or disabilities learn remotely. Parents in both countries identified several specific advantages and disadvantages to learning remotely from home. The Slovenian children spent more hours per day at their lessons and attended more lessons than the Canadian children. Both samples of parents received some support from their schools, although the Slovenia parents perceived these as more satisfactory. This study provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of remote learning during a prolonged crisis situation, and it provides valuable lessons for how both families and school personnel can work to improve the potential educational experiences of students who are required to learn remotely. A 12‐point framework for planning for future emergencies is provided.
Cyclosporine A‐induced gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients accompanied by epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Chen Min Zhi , Dai Xiao Feng , Sun Yang , Yu You Cheng , Yang Fei
Published: March 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between the prevalence of cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth and the expression of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition factors in the gingival tissues of renal transplant patients.

Background

Gingival overgrowth (GO) is a frequent complication in organ transplant patients treated with the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA). The epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a factor contributing to CsA‐induced GO. However, current knowledge on this topic is sparse.

Methods

Sixty‐three renal transplant patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of GO: those with gingival overgrowth (GO+ group) and those without gingival overgrowth (GO− group). Data on age, sex, and use of immunosuppressant and calcium channel blocker medications, serum creatinine values, peak concentrations of blood CsA, and gingival hyperplasia scores were recorded to identify clinically pathogenic factors. Gingival tissues from five patients with CsA‐induced GO and five healthy subjects were selected for histomorphological observation with hematoxylin–eosin staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of EMT factors was detected with reverse transcription–quantitative PCR.

Results

The use of CsA significantly increased the prevalence of GO in renal transplant patients. The expression of α‐SMA, SMAD4, and TGM2 was upregulated and that of E‐cadherin was downregulated in the gingival tissues of patients with CsA‐induced GO compared with those of the corresponding controls.

Conclusion

Treatment with CsA is closely related to the occurrence of GO in renal transplant patients and EMT plays an important role in CsA‐induced gingival tissue hyperplasia.
Cognitive behavioural therapy to treat stress and insomnia: A randomized wait list‐controlled trial of two online courses
Authors: Hürlimann Philipp , Bodenmann Guy , Riemann Dieter , Weitkamp Katharina
Published: March 2023

This randomized, wait list‐controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the cognitive behavioural therapy‐based online e‐learning course stressfit for better stress management and the cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia‐based online course SweetDreams for coping with insomniac problems. The course modules offer state of the art psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural strategies concerning different aspects of stress, sleep and insomnia. They provide practice‐oriented exercises for self‐reflection, as well as a variety of evidence‐based methods and measures to increase self‐efficacy when dealing with stress or insomnia. Study participants were randomly assigned to the three test conditions stressfit, SweetDreams or a wait list. Participants filled in questionnaires on a wide range of scales relevant to stress and insomnia at three points in time (before, 4 weeks after, and 3 months after the treatment). Of the 588 participants in total, data from 347 participants (59%) were finally included in the data analyses. Data analyses showed that both courses yielded significant positive effects compared with the wait list condition 4 weeks and to some degree 3 months after completion in relation to insomnia symptoms, physical and psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction and general health (General Health Questionnaire), as well as on satisfaction with and effectiveness of coping with stress and sleep disorders. In conclusion, SweetDreams and stressfit proved to be feasible and effective online cognitive behavioural therapy (for insomnia) tools to reduce insomnia and stress symptoms on a broad variety of scales at the 4‐weeks measurement point as well as at the 3‐months follow‐up.
Pragmatic competence, autistic language use and the basic properties of human language
Authors: Mao Tiaoyuan
Published: March 2023

The unique linguistic profile of autistic people urges linguists to address the divergences in human language, its acquisition and use among major linguistic perspectives. Fitting with the dual roles of language (thought and communication), this paper adopts an internal pragmatic competence (IPC) and a (similar) pragmatic competence for external communication (PCEC) to elucidate how autistic linguistic profile discloses the divergences between nativism and constructionism on language use and acquisition (ultimately language proper). IPC justifies why autistic people resort not to mind‐reading but to self‐sufficient mental interactions among organism‐internal submodules or nearly intact grammatical subsystems when abstractly processing linguistic and communicative needs, contra constructionists' assumption of sole intersubjective language use. PCEC, required for facilitating the authentic intersubjective language use, explains how the dysfunction of modular interactions and their interactions with outside contexts leads to autistics' sociopragmatic impairment and the double empathy gap. In this way, the divergences, along with the possible reconciliation between the two perspectives, can be expounded.
Bile acid increase during bulevirtide treatment of hepatitis D is not associated with a decline in HDV RNA
Authors: Deterding Katja , Xu Chengjian , Port Kerstin , Dietz‐Fricke Christopher , Xun Jiang , Maasoumy Benjamin , Cornberg Markus , Wedemeyer Heiner
Published: March 2023

Bulevirtide (BLV) is an entry inhibitor blocking entry of HBsAg into hepatocytes by interfering with the bile acid transporter Na+‐taurocholate co‐transporting polypeptide. We here investigated if bile acid levels before or during BLV treatment would correlate with HDV RNA declines. We studied 20 patients with compensated HDV infection receiving a daily dose of 2 mg bulevirtide subcutaneously qd for at least 24 weeks. ALT levels improved in all patients including 13/20 patients showing normal ALT values at treatment Week 24. An HDV RNA drop of at least 50% was evident in 20/20 patients at Week 24 including 10 patients showing a ≥ 2 log HDV RNA decline. Elevated bile acid levels were detected already before treatment in 10 patients and further increased during BLV administration with different kinetics. Baseline bile acids were associated with higher transient elastography values (p = .0029) and evidence of portal hypertension (p = .0004). Bile acid levels before treatment were associated with HDV RNA declines throughout therapy, but not at Week 24 (rho = −0.577; p = .0078; rho = −0.635, p = .0026; rho = −0.577, p = .0077; rho = −0.519, p = .0191; rho = −0.564, p = .0119 and rho = −0.393, p = .087 at treatment Weeks 2, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24, respectively). However, bile acid increases during treatment were not associated with HDV RNA or ALT declines at any of the time points. BLV‐induced increases in bile salts do not correlate with HDV RNA declines suggesting that the inhibitory effects of BLV on NTCP differ between blocking bile acid transport and hindering HBsAg entry. If baseline bile salt levels could be useful to predict virological response remains to be confirmed.
Socioeconomic Status and Reading Development: Moving from “Deficit” to “Adaptation” in Neurobiological Models of Experience‐Dependent Learning
Authors: Taylor Ellie K. , Abdurokhmonova Gavkhar , Romeo Rachel R.
Published: March 2023

Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the strongest predictors of student reading outcomes, and these disparities have persisted for decades. Relatedly, two underlying skills that are required for successful reading—oral language and executive function (EF)—are also the two neurocognitive domains most affected by SES. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on how SES influences the neurobiology of language, EF, and their intersection, including the proximal factors that drive these relationships. We then consider the burgeoning evidence that SES systematically moderates certain brain–behavior relationships for language and EF, underscoring the importance of considering context in investigations of the neurobiological underpinnings of reading development. Finally, we discuss how disparities in reading may be conceptualized as neurobiological adaptations to adversity rather than deficit models. We conclude that by harnessing children's stress‐adapted relative strengths to support reading development, we may address opportunity gaps both ethically and efficaciously.
Using a whole genome co‐expression network to inform the functional characterisation of predicted genomic elements from Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptomic data
Authors: Stiens Jennifer , Tan Yen Yi , Joyce Rosanna , Arnvig Kristine B. , Kendall Sharon L. , Nobeli Irene
Published: March 2023

A whole genome co‐expression network was created using Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptomic data from publicly available RNA‐sequencing experiments covering a wide variety of experimental conditions. The network includes expressed regions with no formal annotation, including putative short RNAs and untranslated regions of expressed transcripts, along with the protein‐coding genes. These unannotated expressed transcripts were among the best‐connected members of the module sub‐networks, making up more than half of the ‘hub’ elements in modules that include protein‐coding genes known to be part of regulatory systems involved in stress response and host adaptation. This data set provides a valuable resource for investigating the role of non‐coding RNA, and conserved hypothetical proteins, in transcriptomic remodelling. Based on their connections to genes with known functional groupings and correlations with replicated host conditions, predicted expressed transcripts can be screened as suitable candidates for further experimental validation.
MSP1 encodes an essential RNA‐binding pentatricopeptide repeat factor required for nad1 maturation and complex I biogenesis in Arabidopsis mitochondria
Authors: Best Corinne , Mizrahi Ron , Edris Rana , Tang Hui , Zer Hagit , Colas des Francs‐Small Catherine , Finkel Omri M. , Zhu Hongliang , Small Ian D. , Ostersetzer‐Biran Oren
Published: March 2023

Mitochondrial biogenesis relies on nuclearly encoded factors, which regulate the expression of the organellar‐encoded genes. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins constitute a major gene family in angiosperms that are pivotal in many aspects of mitochondrial (mt)RNA metabolism (e.g. trimming, splicing, or stability). Here, we report the analysis of MITOCHONDRIA STABILITY/PROCESSING PPR FACTOR1 (MSP1, At4g20090), a canonical PPR protein that is necessary for mitochondrial functions and embryo development.

Loss‐of‐function allele of MSP1 leads to seed abortion. Here, we employed an embryo‐rescue method for the molecular characterization of msp1 mutants.

Our analyses reveal that msp1 embryogenesis fails to proceed beyond the heart/torpedo stage as a consequence of a nad1 pre‐RNA processing defect, resulting in the loss of respiratory complex I activity. Functional complementation confirmed that msp1 phenotypes result from a disruption of the MSP1 gene.

In Arabidopsis, the maturation of nad1 involves the processing of three RNA fragments, nad1.1, nad1.2, and nad1.3. Based on biochemical analyses and mtRNA profiles of wild‐type and msp1 plants, we concluded that MSP1 facilitates the generation of the 3′ terminus of nad1.1 transcript, a prerequisite for nad1 exons a–b splicing. Our data substantiate the importance of mtRNA metabolism for the biogenesis of the respiratory system during early plant life.
The transcription factor MYB43 antagonizes with ICE1 to regulate freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zheng Pengpeng , Cao Lei , Zhang Cheng , Fang Xue , Wang Lihuan , Miao Min , Tang Xiaofeng , Liu Yongsheng , Cao Shuqing
Published: March 2023

Previous discovering meticulously illustrates the post‐translational modifications and protein stability regulation of ICE1 and their role in cold stress. However, the studies on the interaction of ICE1 with other transcription factors, and their function in modulation cold stress tolerance, as well as in the transition between cold stress and growth are largely insufficient.

In this work, we found that maltose binding protein (MBP) 43 directly binds to the promoters of CBF genes to repress their expression, thereby negatively regulating freezing tolerance.

Biochemical and genetic analyses showed that MYB43 interacts and antagonizes with ICE1 to regulate the expression of CBF genes and plant's freezing stress tolerance. PLEIOTROPIC REGULATORY LOCUS 1 (PRL1) accumulates under cold stress and promotes MYB43 protein degradation; however, when cold stress disappears, PRL1 restores normal protein levels, causing MYB43 protein to re‐accumulate to normal levels. Furthermore, PRL1 positively regulates freezing tolerance by promoting degradation of MYB43 to attenuate its repression of CBF genes and antagonism with ICE1.

Thus, our study reveals that MYB43 inhibits CBF genes expression under normal growth condition, while PRL1 promotes MYB43 protein degradation to attenuate its repression of CBF genes and antagonism with ICE1, and thereby to the precise modulation of plant cold stress responses.
Growth failure among children of adolescent mothers at ages 0–5 and 6–12 years in India
Authors: Nandi Arindam , Zahra Fatima , Austrian Karen , Haberland Nicole , Ngô Thoại D.
Published: March 2023

Adolescent motherhood has been linked with poor health outcomes at birth for children, including high neonatal mortality, low birthweight, and small‐for‐gestational‐age rates. However, longer‐term growth outcomes in the children of adolescent mothers in low‐resource settings remain inadequately studied. We used longitudinal data from the India Human Development Surveys, 2004–2005 and 2011–2012 (n = 12,182) and employed regression and propensity score matching analysis to compare the following growth indicators of children born to adolescent mothers (ages 19 years or below) with those born to older mothers. Growth indicators included height and weight during ages 0–5 years and 6–12 years and change in height and weight between the two periods. In regression‐based estimates, children born to adolescent mothers were 0.01 m shorter and weighed 0.2 kg less than children of older mothers at ages 0–5 years. At ages 6–12 years, those born to adolescent mothers were 0.02 m shorter and weighed 0.97 kg less. The height difference between the two groups increased by 0.01 m and the weight difference grew by 0.77 kg over time. Height and weight difference between the two groups worsened among boys over time, while for girls, only the weight gap worsened. The results were similar when using propensity score matching methods. Public policies for reducing child marriage, combined with targeted health, nutrition, and well‐being programs for adolescent mothers, are essential for both preventing adolescent childbearing and reducing its impact on growth failure among children in India.
Analysis of the synchronisation of energy consumption: Evidence from G7 countries
Authors: Kassouri Yacouba , Bilgili Faik , Kuşkaya Sevda , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: March 2023

Given differences in the efficiency of oil use of local and foreign technologies across countries, characterising the degree of synchronisation of oil consumption is of great concern and consequence for economic, political, and, not least, climate change reasons. Building on the business cycle theory, we characterise the degree of synchronisation of oil consumption with world consumption among the G7 countries over the period 1890–2017. We provide three crucial points based on the wavelet and phase difference analyses. Firstly, we find that the synchronisation of oil consumption in the largest oil consumers with world consumption was continuous only during periods prior to the great depression of the 1930s, suggesting the lack of a stable synchronisation pattern in oil consumption. In addition, we show that during that period, oil consumption in each G7 country started approaching world consumption. Secondly, the phase relation structure infers a clear pattern of positive correlations (being in phase) between each country's oil consumption and world consumption, mainly during the short run. This strong evidence of interdependency yields beneficial information for monitoring world oil demand by improving the efficiency of oil in the underlying countries. Thirdly, we report that oil consumption patterns in France, the United Kingdom and the United States are the closely synchronised oil consumers with a procyclical pattern after 2010, supporting convergence features in their oil consumption series.
A comparative study of governance changes on the perceptions of accountability in Fire and Rescue Services in England
Authors: Lakoma Katarzyna
Published: March 2023

Public organizations are increasingly held accountable by multiple institutions and standards. This study explores how key actors perceive accountability changes in Fire and Rescue Services in England. However, few studies have examined perceptions of accountability where long‐established governance arrangements are changing. The UK's Policing and Crime Act 2017 provided for a new model of governance in the form of a single directly elected commissioner to replace the traditional indirectly elected fire authority. This study uses a comparative multiple case study design to understand the impact of the governance arrangements on individuals' perceptions of accountability within each service. It adds to the wider understanding of the influences of institutional structures on individuals' perceptions and actions, and it demonstrates that accountability perceptions change depending on the way public services are governed.
Relationship between decrement time and recovery time in pediatric total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil
Authors: Bagshaw Oliver
Published: March 2023

Background

Propofol target‐controlled infusion is now used in many countries for the administration of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and uses population pharmacokinetic data incorporated into the target‐controlled infusion pump to administer a dose which will achieve a target concentration selected by the practitioner. Modern target‐controlled infusion pumps can include an estimate of how long it will take for the plasma propofol concentration to fall to a value programmed into the pump, once the propofol infusion is stopped. This is known as decrement time. Many users consider decrement time to be equivalent to recovery time for the patient, despite the several assumptions that makes.

Aim

To determine if the decrement time estimated by the target‐controlled infusion pumps at the end of anesthesia could be reliably used to predict recovery time for individual patients.

Methods

Target‐controlled infusion pumps at Birmingham Children's Hospital are programmed with a propofol decrement concentration of 1.5 μg.mL−1. Patients for a variety of surgical procedures were anesthetised with propofol–remifentanil TIVA. Eye opening was used as a surrogate of recovery time. Data were analyzed using median absolute deviation, Mann–Whitney U test, and linear regression to see if there was any correlation with decrement time and recovery time, total dose of propofol administered, duration of anesthesia and patient age.

Results

A total of 55 patients were audited. Median age was 7.2 years (range 0.9–15.9), and median weight was 26 kg (range 8.5–77). Median decrement time was 11.8 min (IQR 8.3–21), while median recovery time was 15 min (IQR 9–20). Recovery time was the same as decrement time in 2% of patients, less than in 40% of patients and more in 58% of patients. Two thirds of patients opened eyes at an estimated plasma propofol concentration between 1.2 and 1.8 μg.mL−1. The median absolute deviation for the difference between decrement time and recovery time was 5.7 min, from a median of 1 min. Analysis demonstrated there was no statistical correlation between decrement time to 1.5 μg.mL−1 and recovery time, age, total propofol dose administered, or duration of anesthesia, for individual patients.

Conclusion

There was variation between decrement time to 1.5 μg.mL−1 and recovery time of over 5 min in nearly half of patients. Decrement time to 1.5 μg.mL−1 must be used with caution when trying to predict recovery time for individual patients following TIVA.
Voting at 16? 16–17‐Year‐Old Germans Vote as Correctly as Adults
Authors: Lang Anna
Published: March 2023

Lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 years has recently been a hot topic of the political debate in many democratic countries. This study investigated whether the voting quality of 16–17‐year‐olds is inferior to that of the voting population. Shortly before the 2021 German federal election, two samples, representative for age and gender, indicated personal preferences about various political issues and weighted them according to importance, allowing for the calculation of individual expected values for political parties. Participants then indicated their voting choice. These choices were normatively correct when individuals voted for the party that best reflected their preferences, that is, the one maximizing the expected value. Results show that the voting decisions of 16–17‐year‐olds were as good as those by eligible voters. The study indicates that the exclusion of 16–17‐year‐old Germans in democratic elections cannot be justified by their lack of decision‐making ability.
Reacting to the Rural Burden: Understanding Opposition to Utility‐Scale Solar Development in Upstate New York☆
Authors: Nilson Roberta S. , Stedman Richard C.
Published: March 2023

Rural landscapes are under increasing development pressure from utility‐scale solar (USS) energy facilities while public attitudes toward these facilities remain poorly documented and understood. This study explores whether opposition to USS in upstate New York is shaped at least in part by perceived rural burden—the idea that rural people and places are unfairly expected to provide new renewable energy in response to urban demand. We explore the idea of rural burden with measures of distributive injustice, procedural injustice, periphery identity, and place attachment. We use a survey (N = 421) of residents of western and northern New York, regions with substantial new and pending USS development. We find that 42 percent of residents oppose USS installations in or near their local communities, 14 percent neither support nor oppose, and 44 percent support. Perceived distributive and procedural injustice, along with place attachment have the strongest effect on opposition, while socio‐demographic attributes, political ideology, and climate change beliefs were insignificant. These findings suggest that opposition to large scale renewable energy development exemplifies a rural environmental justice concern justified for many by the perceived legacy of exploitation in natural resource development.
Dueling incumbent primaries in U.S. House elections
Authors: Ashton H. Benjamin , Crespin Michael H. , McKee Seth C.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Reapportionment and the attendant process of redistricting cause instances where incumbents are faced with the decision to retire or run against a congressional colleague. We investigate two major questions surrounding the previously understudied population of dueling incumbent primaries: First, under what conditions is a dueling incumbent primary likely to manifest? Second, how are dueling incumbent primaries different from the typical primary featuring a single incumbent?

Methods

We address these questions using a novel dataset aggregating descriptive congressional district information on these contests from 1962 to 2016, and separately for 2022.

Results

Our findings show these contests primarily emerge via electoral retrenchment, meaning a state loses representation in reapportionment. Dueling incumbent primaries also arise from the strategic calculations of partisan line drawers.

Conclusions

Not only do dueling incumbent primaries comprise a disproportionate share of incumbent defeats, but compared to single incumbent contests, primary duels feature very high redrawn constituencies, voters new to these incumbents, and this reality contributes to the high‐risk/reward nature of these rare but electorally consequential contests.
A partial posterior p value test for multilevel mediation
Authors: Cox Kyle , Kelcey Benjamin
Published: March 2023

A variety of inferential tests are available for single and multilevel mediation but most come with notable limitations that balance tradeoffs between power and Type I error. We extend the partial posterior p value method (p3 method) to test multilevel mediation. This contemporary resampling‐based composite approach is specifically suited for complex null hypotheses. We develop the p3 method and investigate its performance within the context of two‐level cluster‐randomized multilevel mediation studies. Similar to its performance in single‐level studies, we found that the p3 method performed well relative to other mediation tests suggesting it provides a judicious balance between Type I error rate and power. While bias‐corrected bootstrapping achieved the best overall performance, the p3 method serves as an alternative tool for researchers investigating multilevel mediation that is especially useful when conducting a priori power analyses. To encourage utilization, we provide R code for implementing the p3 method.
An international comparison of haemoglobin deferral prediction models for blood banking
Authors: Vinkenoog Marieke , Toivonen Jarkko , Brits Tinus , de Clippel Dorien , Compernolle Veerle , Karki Surendra , Welvaert Marijke , Meulenbeld Amber , van den Hurk Katja , van Rosmalen Joost , Lesaffre Emmanuel , Arvas Mikko , Janssen Mart
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

Blood banks use a haemoglobin (Hb) threshold before blood donation to minimize donors' risk of anaemia. Hb prediction models may guide decisions on which donors to invite, and should ideally also be generally applicable, thus in different countries and settings. In this paper, we compare the outcome of various prediction models in different settings and highlight differences and similarities.

Materials and Methods

Donation data of repeat donors from the past 5 years of Australia, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands and South Africa were used to fit five identical prediction models: logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, linear mixed model and dynamic linear mixed model. Only donors with five or more donation attempts were included to ensure having informative data from all donors. Analyses were performed for men and women separately and outcomes compared.

Results

Within countries and overall, different models perform similarly well. However, there are substantial differences in model performance between countries, and there is a positive association between the deferral rate in a country and the ability to predict donor deferral. Nonetheless, the importance of predictor variables across countries is similar and is highest for the previous Hb level.

Conclusion

The limited impact of model architecture and country indicates that all models show similar relationships between the predictor variables and donor deferral. Donor deferral is found to be better predictable in countries with high deferral rates. Therefore, such countries may benefit more from deferral prediction models than those with low deferral rates.
Postnatal experiences of South Asian immigrant women in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Gupta-Dame Nikita , Macdonald Danielle , Ross-White Amanda , Snelgrove-Clarke Erna
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The goal of this review is to gain an understanding of the postnatal experiences of South Asian immigrant women in 4 English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Introduction:

The postnatal period is an important time in the lives of women and their families. Major changes take place during this time as a woman’s body gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy state. The postnatal period is also a time for women to adapt and transition into their new role as a mother. Immigrant women experience many challenges in accessing quality postnatal care in comparison to non-migrant populations. South Asian immigrant women, specifically, encounter unique postnatal experiences and face a myriad of hardships in accessing proper postnatal care. The presence of cultural factors and traditional norms largely influence postnatal experiences of South Asian immigrant women. Cultural factors include, but are not limited to, relationships with family and in-laws, gender-specific roles, newborn gender, mental health stigma, language barriers, acculturative stress, and expression of depression.

Inclusion criteria:

Qualitative studies in English reporting postnatal experiences of South Asian immigrant women published after January 2000 will be considered for this review. Research designs may include, but are not limited to, feminist research, exploratory descriptive design, or ethnography. Gray literature will be limited to theses and dissertations only.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, EthOS, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses will be searched. Disagreement resolution, data extraction, and meta-aggregation will be completed through discussion between 2 reviewers. Studies will be critically appraised and assigned a level of credibility.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42022354306