bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment adherence in forensic patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders discharged on long-acting injectable antipsychotics: a comparative 3-year mirror-image study
Authors: Balcioglu Yasin Hasan , Ozdemir Sinem , Oncu Fatih , Turkcan Ahmet
Published: November 2023

In this retrospective 3-year mirror-image study, 81 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) were categorized according to whether they were prescribed long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) or not upon discharge from the inpatient forensic psychiatric unit. Antipsychotic adherence, which was staged based on the ‘proportion of days covered’ method, as well as other clinical outcomes was compared between pre- and post-index mirror periods. In both Oral-only (n = 46) and Oral + LAI (n = 35) groups, the number of hospitalizations, convictions and months spent in the hospital were significantly lower in the post-index period than the pre-index period. Differences in these three variables between pre- and post-index periods were NS between the two groups. A mixed effect ordinal logistic regression model with random intercept showed that the odds ratio of obtaining a higher treatment adherence score in the post-index period was more pronounced in the Oral + LAI group than in the Oral-only group, considering adherence at baseline and the length of stay during the index hospitalization as potential confounders. Discharge with LAIs in a forensic psychiatric cohort of SSD was associated with a greater mid- to long-term improvement in antipsychotic medication adherence compared to discharge with oral-only antipsychotics.
Endotherms trade body temperature regulation for the stress response
Authors: Tabh Joshua K. R. , Hartjes Mariah , Burness Gary
Published: November 2023

Responding to perceived threats is energetically expensive and can require animals to curtail somatic repair, immunity, and even reproduction to balance energy ledgers. In birds and mammals, energetic demands of thermoregulation are often immense, yet whether homeostatic body temperatures are also compromised to aid the stress response is not known. Using data sourced from over 60 years of literature and 24 endotherm species, we show that exposure to non-thermal challenges (e.g. human interaction, social threats) caused body temperatures to decrease in the cold and increase in the warmth, but particularly when species-specific costs of thermoregulation were high and surplus energy low. Biophysical models revealed that allowing body temperature to change in this way liberated up to 24% (mean = 5%) of resting energy expenditure for use towards coping. While useful to avoid energetic overload, these responses nevertheless heighten risks of cold- or heat-induced damage, particularly when coincident with cold- or heatwaves.
Complex patch geometry promotes species coexistence through a reverse competition–colonization trade-off
Authors: Rynne Nina , Birtles Geneva , Bell Jamie , Pau Duhlian Mung Suan , McNeil Samuel , Mehrpooya Adel , Noske Blake , Vakeesan Yadursha , Bode Michael
Published: November 2023

Explaining the maintenance of diverse species assemblages is a central goal of ecology and conservation. Recent coexistence mechanisms highlight the role of dispersal as a source of the differences that allow similar species to coexist. Here, we propose a new mechanism for species coexistence that is based on dispersal differences, and on the geometry of the habitat patch. In a finite habitat patch with complex boundaries, species with different dispersal abilities will arrange themselves in stable, concentric patterns of dominance. Species with superior competitive and dispersal abilities will dominate the interior of the patch, with inferior species at the periphery. We demonstrate and explain the mechanism on a simple one-dimensional domain, and then on two-dimensional habitat patches with realistic geometries. Finally, we use metrics from landscape ecology to demonstrate that habitat patches with more complex geometries can more easily support coexistence. The factors that underpin this new coexistence mechanism—different dispersal abilities and habitat patches with complex geometries—are common to many marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and it is therefore possible that the mechanism is a common factor supporting diverse species assemblages.
The functional significance of aberrant cervical counts in sloths: insights from automated exhaustive analysis of cervical range of motion
Authors: Merten Luisa J. F. , Manafzadeh Armita R. , Herbst Eva C. , Amson Eli , Tambusso P. Sebastián , Arnold Patrick , Nyakatura John A.
Published: November 2023

Besides manatees, the suspensory extant ‘tree sloths’ are the only mammals that deviate from a cervical count (CC) of seven vertebrae. They do so in opposite directions in the two living genera (increased versus decreased CC). Aberrant CCs seemingly reflect neck mobility in both genera, suggesting adaptive significance for their head position during suspensory locomotion and especially increased ability for neck torsion in three-toed sloths. We test two hypotheses in a comparative evolutionary framework by assessing three-dimensional intervertebral range of motion (ROM) based on exhaustive automated detection of bone collisions and joint disarticulation while accounting for interacting rotations of roll, yaw and pitch. First, we hypothesize that the increase of CC also increases overall neck mobility compared with mammals with a regular CC, and vice versa. Second, we hypothesize that the anatomy of the intervertebral articulations determines mobility of the neck. The assessment revealed that CC plays only a secondary role in defining ROM since summed torsion (roll) capacity was primarily determined by vertebral anatomy. Our results thus suggest limited neck rotational adaptive significance of the CC aberration in sloths. Further, the study demonstrates the suitability of our automated approach for the comparative assessment of osteological ROM in vertebral series.
Comparison of Large Language Models in Answering Immuno-Oncology Questions: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Iannantuono Giovanni Maria , Bracken-Clarke Dara , Karzai Fatima , Choo-Wosoba Hyoyoung , Gulley James L. , Floudas Charalampos S.
Published: November 2023

Background

The capability of large language models (LLMs) to understand and generate human-readable text has prompted the investigation of their potential as educational and management tools for cancer patients and healthcare providers.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the ability of ChatGPT-4, ChatGPT-3.5, and Google Bard to answer questions related to four domains of immuno-oncology (Mechanisms, Indications, Toxicities, and Prognosis). We generated 60 open-ended questions (15 for each section). Questions were manually submitted to LLMs, and responses were collected on June 30th, 2023. Two reviewers evaluated the answers independently.

Results

ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-3.5 answered all questions, whereas Google Bard answered only 53.3% (p <0.0001). The number of questions with reproducible answers was higher for ChatGPT-4 (95%) and ChatGPT3.5 (88.3%) than for Google Bard (50%) (p <0.0001). In terms of accuracy, the number of answers deemed fully correct were 75.4%, 58.5%, and 43.8% for ChatGPT-4, ChatGPT-3.5, and Google Bard, respectively (p = 0.03). Furthermore, the number of responses deemed highly relevant was 71.9%, 77.4%, and 43.8% for ChatGPT-4, ChatGPT-3.5, and Google Bard, respectively (p = 0.04). Regarding readability, the number of highly readable was higher for ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-3.5 (98.1%) and (100%) compared to Google Bard (87.5%) (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-3.5 are potentially powerful tools in immuno-oncology, whereas Google Bard demonstrated relatively poorer performance. However, the risk of inaccuracy or incompleteness in the responses was evident in all three LLMs, highlighting the importance of expert-driven verification of the outputs returned by these technologies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Several studies have recently evaluated whether large language models may be feasible tools for providing educational and management information for cancer patients and healthcare providers. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the ability of ChatGPT-4, ChatGPT-3.5, and Google Bard to answer questions related to immuno-oncology. ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-3.5 returned a higher proportion of responses, which were more accurate and comprehensive, than those returned by Google Bard, yielding highly reproducible and readable outputs. These data support ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-3.5 as powerful tools in providing information on immuno-oncology; however, accuracy remains a concern, with expert assessment of the output still indicated.
Interplay between harvesting, planting density and ripening time affects coffee leaf rust dispersal and infection
Authors: Van Cauwelaert Emilio Mora , Li Kevin , Hajian-Forooshani Zachary , Vandermeer John , Benítez Mariana
Published: November 2023

The relationship between the spatial structure of hosts and the individual movement of vectors is central to developing a comprehensive representation of pathogen dynamics. Here we focus on the dynamics of coffee leaf rust (CLR; Hemileia vastatrix), which is one of the principal coffee diseases around the globe. This fungus disperses between plants or regions through direct contact, water splash, or local turbulent wind conditions. Some studies have proposed that coffee harvesters can also bear CLR during harvesting. However, it is not clear how relevant these movements are for CLR dispersal and plot-level infection in plots with different planting densities. Besides, there are bidirectional interactions between the plantation characteristics (e.g. planting density and ripening synchronicity) and the movement of harvesters that might modify their dispersal potential. Overall, there is a lack of mechanistic models to represent these interactions. Here we present a computational model to explore the role of coffee ripening synchronicity in reproducing the different movement trajectories observed in the field. We then evaluate how these harvesting trajectories modify rust dispersal and change CLR infection in plots with increasing planting densities and a constant contact-mediated rust dispersal mechanism. For both synchronization scenarios, the distribution of step lengths is positively skewed. Interplant asynchronous ripening and scarcity of trees with berries generate trajectories with medium to long steps contrary to scenarios with synchronous ripening and without scarcity. The harvest dispersal significantly increases coffee plot infection (up to 15%) compared to scenarios where only local mechanisms for CLR dispersal are present. This effect is maximal for trajectories with medium to long steps from the asynchronous scenario and in plantations with medium planting densities. In particular, medium-sized steps are more likely to create new foci and networks of contact-mediated infected plants. The interaction between the proportion and the size of infected networks results in a nonlinear behavior of rust increase due to harvest. Our results aim to spur discussion on practices that could reduce the impact of harvesting and specific trajectories, in scenarios where one can benefit from asynchronous maturation of berries and shaded plantations. Some examples of practices include reducing the medium to long-distance movements during the same day, for instance, by avoiding harvesting at the end of the harvest season when trees ripening asynchronicity and CLR levels are higher.
Preparation ofStaphylococcus aureusGenomic DNA Using a Chloroform Extraction and Ethanol Precipitation Method, Followed by Additional Cleanup and Quantification Steps
Authors: Zeden Merve S. , Gründling Angelika
Published: November 2023

In this protocol, we describe the isolation of genomic DNA (gDNA) fromStaphylococcus aureusstrains using a chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation method. This gDNA-isolation method is well-suited for downstream whole-genome sequencing applications when working withS. aureusstrains that contain plasmids, as only a small amount of plasmid DNA is isolated along with the gDNA. Similar to other gDNA isolation methods for Gram-positive bacteria, the first step in the procedure is a mechanical lysis (e.g., using a bead beating grinder) or an enzymatic lysis step. In this protocol, the peptidoglycan layer ofS. aureusis digested with an enzyme called lysostaphin. This enzyme cleaves pentaglycine cross-bridges within the peptidoglycan ofS. aureus.After this lysis step, gDNA can be purified using similar procedures as those used for Gram-negative bacteria. We include additional cleanup and quantification procedures in the final steps of this protocol, in case the aim is to use the gDNA for genome-sequencing projects. By modifying the bacterial lysis step, the procedure can be easily adapted to isolate gDNA from other bacteria.
Texture measurements on quartz single crystals to validate coordinate systems for neutron time-of-flight texture analysis
Authors: Schmitt Matthew M. , Savage Daniel J. , Yeager John D. , Wenk Hans-Rudolf , Lutterotti Luca , Vogel Sven C.
Published: November 2023

In crystallographic texture analysis, ensuring that sample directions are preserved from experiment to the resulting orientation distribution is crucial to obtain physical meaning from diffraction data. This work details a procedure to ensure instrument and sample coordinates are consistent when analyzing diffraction data with a Rietveld refinement using the texture analysis softwareMAUD. A quartz crystal is measured on the HIPPO diffractometer at Los Alamos National Laboratory for this purpose. The methods described here can be applied to any diffraction instrument measuring orientation distributions in polycrystalline materials.
Poland–USA sectoral trade balances: regime shifts and the nonlinear impact of currency fluctuations
Authors: Pruchnicka-Grabias Izabela , Piekunko-Mantiuk Iwona , Hegerty Scott W.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The Polish economy has undergone major challenges and changes over the past few decades. The country's trade flows, in particular, have become more firmly tied to the country’s Western neighbors as they have grown in volume. This study examines Poland's trade balances in ten Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) sectors versus the United States of America, first testing for and isolating structural breaks in each time series. These breaks are then included in a set of the cointegration models to examine their macroeconomic determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

Linear and nonlinear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag models, both with and without dummies corresponding to structural breaks, are estimated.

Findings

One key finding is that incorporating these breaks reduces the significance of the real exchange rate in the model, supporting the hypothesis that this variable already incorporates important information. It also results in weaker evidence for cointegration of all variables in certain sectors.

Research limitations/implications

This study looks only at one pair of countries, without any third-country effects.

Originality/value

An important country pair's trade relations is examined; in addition, the real exchange rate is shown to incorporate economic information that results in structural changes in the economy. The paper extends the existing literature by conducting an analysis of Poland's trade balances with the USA, which have not been studied in such a context so far. A strong point is a broad methodology that lets compare the results the authors obtained with different kinds of models, both linear and nonlinear ones, with and without structural breaks.
Effects of educational mismatch on wages across industry and occupations: sectoral comparison
Authors: Lasso-Dela-Vega Elena , Sánchez-Ollero José Luis , García-Pozo Alejandro
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the impact of educational mismatch on Spanish wages. This paper aims to focus on the industrial, construction and service sectors at three levels of disaggregation: sector, occupation and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The over-education, required education and under-education (ORU model), was applied to data from the 2018 Spanish Wages Structure Survey conducted by the Spanish National Statistics Institute.

Findings

The industrial sector is the one that best manages over-education by offering the highest returns to each year of over-education. It is also the sector that most values the education of women, particularly those in highly qualified positions.

Originality/value

This study compares the wage effects of educational mismatch in the service, industry and construction sectors. Previous literature has ignored the latter sectors in this field of study, but the results of the present study show that the industrial sectors significantly value and remunerates worker education. Therefore, it may be worthy to focus certain economic and social policies on this sector, to contribute to reducing gender wage gaps and gender employment discrimination in the economy.
Efficiency and performance of Islamic banks amid COVID-19
Authors: Nguyen Lan-Huong , Le Tu D.Q. , Ngo Thanh
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the efficiency and performance of the Islamic banking industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a two-stage data envelopment analysis to first estimate the efficiency of 78 Islamic banks (IBs) across 15 countries for the 2005–2020 period (a total of 782 bank-year observations) and then to examine their determinants, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The authors found that the Islamic banking industry performed at a moderate level during the 2005–2020 period, providing evidence that IBs are resilient to the financial shocks created by COVID-19. The authors also found that bank-level characteristics (such as bank size) and country-level characteristics (such as inflation) can contribute to the bank’s operational efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study suggested that banking management and government macroeconomic policy, especially in terms of precautions and continuous support, are important for IBs to improve their performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the efficiency and performance of IBs amid COVID-19.
Entrepreneurial marketing strategy in craft-based businesses in an emerging market: a qualitative interpretivist approach
Authors: Saiyed Abrar Ali , Shaikh Ateeque , Gupta Suruchika
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The primary aim of this study is to gain insight into the entrepreneurial marketing strategy (EMS) decisions made by microenterprises in the craft sector and draw comparisons between the marketing strategy formulation and implementation of conventional businesses and those of craft-based microenterprises with a specific focus on the context of emerging markets, particularly India.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a qualitative interpretivist paradigm using a multiple-case methodology approach. It tracks craft-based microenterprises that make furniture or home décor products in India. The study participants were the founders, principal designers, studio managers or craftspersons.

Findings

This study’s findings reveal that craft-based microenterprises implement an EMS that adopts a hybrid form of market orientation strategy. In this approach, the product or creative concept is at the centre of the decision-making, and the customer needs are factored in at a later stage for customisation. These microenterprises prioritise product positioning over segmentation and targeting strategies.

Research limitations/implications

This study tries to understand marketing strategy decision-making processes among craft-based microenterprises in India. Given that study participants came from only two-product-based craft businesses, this limits the generalisability of the findings to similar or related contexts. This study provides a framework and methodology for replication in other contexts and industries to formulate a nuanced understanding of micro, context-specific, craft-based businesses.

Originality/value

This study uses qualitative analysis to understand EMS in craft-based businesses in India. This study contributes to this fledgling stream of literature at the interface of marketing and entrepreneurship to understand entrepreneurial marketing. This study analyses the marketing strategy of craft-based businesses using the framework of Morgan et al. (2019).
Foreign subsidiary performance: social trust–entry fit
Authors: Yu Jie , Yi Changjun , Shen Huiyun
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to study whether the adoption of an entry mode that fits the social trust level contributes to the improvement of foreign subsidiary performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the Probit model, linear regression, strategic fit approach and instrumental variable regression. The sample was made up of 11,095 observations of Chinese multinational enterprises' foreign subsidiaries in 54 countries from 2005 to 2020.

Findings

The results suggest that a host country with a high level of social trust results in fewer difficulties for enterprises in gaining legitimacy, thus foreign subsidiaries are more likely to select the wholly owned entry mode. The results also show that the effect is contingent on the formal institutions of host countries. The results of the mechanism test suggest that social trust influences subsidiaries' entry mode choice by reducing information asymmetry, costs and uncertainty risks. This study further finds that selecting a fit entry mode based on social trust level substantially increases foreign subsidiary performance and this effect is more significant when multinational enterprises (MNEs) are state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this paper is its only focus on foreign subsidiaries of Chinese MNEs, which may limit the generalizability of research findings.

Originality/value

This paper responds to the call for conducting more research on informal institutions. Findings highlight the critical role of informal institutions in helping foreign subsidiaries in gaining legitimacy in host countries and the essentialness of selecting a fit entry mode based on the informal institutions of host countries for the development of foreign subsidiaries.
Teaching, research, and service as drivers of academic career success
Authors: Varela Otmar , Premeaux Sonya
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In response to current initiatives that seek to rebalance the facets of academic jobs, this paper aims to examine the impact of teaching, research and service on objective (e.g. salary) and subjective (i.e. satisfaction) indicators of career success.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 182 tenure-track management faculty from public universities in the USA. The selection of participants followed a stratified sample from two traditional segments in higher education, research-intensive and teaching-research balanced institutions. Hierarchical regression analysis was used for testing the study hypotheses.

Findings

Results reveal that research achievements is the only job facet that accounts for objective and subjective indicators of career success across institutions. Outcomes suggest the impact of the initiatives put in place to elevate the role of teaching and service in the life of academics are falling short.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence about the need to adjust policy that seeks to rebalance academic jobs.
Intellectual capital efficiency, institutional ownership and cash holdings: a cross-country study
Authors: Dalwai Tamanna , Mohammadi Syeeda Shafiya , Satrovic Elma
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the roles of intellectual capital efficiency and institutional ownership on cash holdings and their speed of adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 432 firm-year observations of tourism-listed companies, three measures of cash holdings are used as dependent variables and intellectual capital efficiency and institutional ownership as independent variables. The financial data is collected from the S&P Capital IQ database for the period 2015–2020. Two system-generalized methods of moment estimation are used for the robustness checks of the results.

Findings

The study provides evidence that an increase in intellectual capital efficiency in tourism firms results in lower cash holdings. The research findings also report that characteristics such as firm size, age and market-to-book value ratio are associated with cash holdings. Furthermore, institutional ownership in these firms did not affect the cash holdings. The results also confirm the existence of a target cash holding level to which the tourism firms attempt to converge. These results are robust to the alternative proxy of cash holding and endogeneity tests.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses intellectual capital efficiency measured by the model proposed by Pulic. Alternative measures of intellectual capital can be included in future studies. Future research can also investigate the impact on cash holdings before and during the pandemic for tourism companies. The study is limited to the impact of institutional ownership; thus, research can be extended to consider other types of ownership.

Practical implications

The findings of this study indicate that tourism companies should take into account the impact of intellectual capital efficiency on their cash holding decisions. The industry uses a specific financial management strategy in light of better efficiency and possibly values the opportunity cost of holding more cash. Additionally, regulators should re-examine the role of institutional ownership in tourism firms, as it was found to have no impact on cash holdings. The regulators may need to consider other factors, such as firm size and age, when developing policies and regulations to ensure that tourism firms have adequate cash holdings.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of knowledge on the factors that influence cash management and ideal cash levels for the tourism industry. The examination of the effect of intellectual capital on cash holdings is a novel contribution, filling a gap in the existing literature. The findings on the speed of adjustment towards optimal cash holdings also provide support for the trade-off theory.
A simplified three-diode model for photovoltaic module: cell modeling and performance analysis
Authors: Saripalli Bhanu Prakash , Singh Gagan , Singh Sonika
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Estimation of solar cell parameters, mathematical modeling and the actual performance analysis of photovoltaic (PV) cells at various ecological conditions are very important in the design and analysis of maximum power point trackers and power converters. This study aims to propose the analysis and modeling of a simplified three-diode model based on the manufacturer’s performance data.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel technique is presented to evaluate the PV cell constraints and simplify the existing equation using analytical and iterative methods. To examine the current equation, this study focuses on three crucial operational points: open circuit, short circuit and maximum operating points. The number of parameters needed to estimate these built-in models is decreased from nine to five by an effective iteration method, considerably reducing computational requirements.

Findings

The proposed model, in contrast to the previous complex nine-parameter three-diode model, simplifies the modeling and analysis process by requiring only five parameters. To ensure the reliability and accuracy of this proposed model, its results were carefully compared with datasheet values under standard test conditions (STC). This model was implemented using MATLAB/Simulink and validated using a polycrystalline solar cell under STC conditions.

Originality/value

The proposed three-diode model clearly outperforms the earlier existing two-diode model in terms of accuracy and performance, especially in lower irradiance settings, according to the results and comparison analysis.
Excitation of the abdominal ganglion affects the electrophysiological activity of indirect flight muscles of the honeybee Apis mellifera
Authors: Ding Haojia , Yan Shaoze
Published: November 2023

Our understanding of the nervous tissues that affect the wing flapping of insects mainly focuses on the brain, but wing flapping is a rhythmic movement related to the central pattern generator in the ventral nerve cord. To verify whether the neural activity of the abdominal ganglion of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) affects the flapping‐wing flight, we profiled the response characteristics of indirect flight muscles to abdominal ganglion excitation. Strikingly, a change in the neural activity of ganglion 3 or ganglion 4 has a stronger effect on the electrophysiological activity of indirect flight muscles than that of ganglion 5. The electrophysiological activity of vertical indirect flight muscles is affected more by the change in neural activity of the abdominal ganglion than that of lateral indirect flight muscles. Moreover, the change in neural activity of the abdominal ganglion mainly causes the change in the muscular activity of indirect wing muscles, but the activity patterns change relatively little and there is little change in the complicated details. This work improves our understanding of the neuroregulatory mechanisms associated with the flapping‐wing flight of honeybees.
Advancing governance indicator systems: Lessons learned from the 2022 symposium
Authors: Anheier Helmut K. , List Regina A. , Knudsen Edward L.
Published: November 2023

The Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) is a new and innovative entry into the crowded domain of quantitative governance research. In its effort to contribute to the field, the BGI builds off of and acts in dialogue with several other governance indicator projects from across the globe. As part of a collaborative outlook, the BGI convened the first of three symposia at the UCLA Luskin School in October 2022, titled ‘Advancing Governance Indicator Systems: The 2022 Conference’. The event invited representatives from other indicator projects to share their thoughts on the BGI, present their own projects and discuss avenues for further research and development of ‘planetary’ indicators. This article discusses the highlights and key contributions from the conference.
The head circumference to chest circumference ratio provided an easy way to detect foetal growth restriction in term infants
Authors: Saito Hiroki , Murano Yayoi , Ashikawa Suga , Yoneoka Daisuke , Shoji Hiromichi , Nakazawa Tomoyuki , Sakamaki Ken , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: November 2023

Aim

The head circumference to chest circumference (HC/CC) ratio has been used to identify low birth weight infants in developed countries. This study was conducted to examine whether the ratio could distinguish asymmetrical foetal growth restriction (FGR).

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted with 1955 infants (50.5% male) born at term between 2016 and 2020 at Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital, Japan.

Results

We found that 120 (6.1%) had FGR. Their mean birth weight was 3052.1 ± 367.3 g, and their mean gestational age was 39.1 ± 1.1 weeks. Logistic regression analysis showed that the association between the HC/CC ratio and FGR had a regression coefficient of −20.6 (p < 0.000). The linear regression analysis showed that the association between the HC/CC ratio and the birth weight z‐score had a regression coefficient of −8.59 (p < 0.000). The coefficient of correlation was −0.33 (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting FGR showed that the area under the curve was 0.75 and the cut‐off value was 0.93, with sensitivity of 75.8% and specificity of 60.8%.

Conclusion

Our study established the associations between HC/CC ratio and FGR and birth weight z‐scores and confirmed that the ratio provided an easy way to detect FGR in term‐born infants.
Zinc penetration through the skin barrier in atopic dermatitis and rosacea using reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Ahn Hye‐Jin , Shin Min Kyung
Published: November 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent eczematous disorder with a complex pathophysiology caused by skin barrier abnormalities. Rosacea is a common chronic immune‐mediated inflammatory disorder that results in diminished skin barrier function. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non‐invasive method for visualizing the dynamic status of epidermal and upper dermal structures. In this study, we compared skin barrier permeability among normal, AD and rosacea groups. To assess skin barrier permeability, zinc was applied to lesional skin and the RCM reflectance intensity of zinc penetration was measured. Reflectance confocal microscopy revealed that the intensity in patients with rosacea and AD was higher than that in the normal group at depths of 8–24 μm in both the face and forearm, which were considered as the stratum corneum (SC) and tight junction (TJ) level (p < 0.0001). When comparing AD and rosacea, the intensity of rosacea was higher than that of AD at a depth of 8 μm in the face (p < 0.0001). The intensity of AD was higher than that of rosacea at a depth of 24 μm (p = 0.009). This suggests that skin barrier permeability is increased in the upper epidermis of patients with AD and rosacea. On the face, patients with rosacea had more SC weakness than did those with AD, whereas patients with AD had more TJ weakness than those with rosacea.
Nature‐based solutions are critical for putting Brazil on track towards net‐zero emissions by 2050
Authors: Soterroni Aline C. , Império Mariana , Scarabello Marluce C. , Seddon Nathalie , Obersteiner Michael , Rochedo Pedro R. R. , Schaeffer Roberto , Andrade Pedro R. , Ramos Fernando M. , Azevedo Tasso R. , Ometto Jean P. H. B. , Havlík Petr , Alencar Ane A. C.
Published: November 2023

Most of the world's nations (around 130) have committed to reaching net‐zero carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, yet robust policies rarely underpin these ambitions. To investigate whether existing and expected national policies will allow Brazil to meet its net‐zero GHG emissions pledge by 2050, we applied a detailed regional integrated assessment modelling approach. This included quantifying the role of nature‐based solutions, such as the protection and restoration of ecosystems, and engineered solutions, such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. Our results highlight ecosystem protection as the most critical cost‐effective climate mitigation measure for Brazil, whereas relying heavily on costly and not‐mature‐yet engineered solutions will jeopardise Brazil's chances of achieving its net‐zero pledge by mid‐century. We show that the full implementation of Brazil's Forest Code (FC), a key policy for emission reduction in Brazil, would be enough for the country to achieve its short‐term climate targets up to 2030. However, it would reduce the gap to net‐zero GHG emissions by 38% by 2050. The FC, combined with zero legal deforestation and additional large‐scale ecosystem restoration, would reduce this gap by 62% by mid‐century, keeping Brazil on a clear path towards net‐zero GHG emissions by around 2040. While some level of deployment of negative emissions technologies will be needed for Brazil to achieve and sustain its net‐zero pledge, we show that the more mitigation measures from the land‐use sector, the less costly engineered solutions from the energy sector will be required. Our analysis underlines the urgent need for Brazil to go beyond existing policies to help fight climate emergency, to align its short‐ and long‐term climate targets, and to build climate resilience while curbing biodiversity loss.
Anthropogenic disturbance exacerbates resilience loss in the Amazon rainforests
Authors: Wang Huan , Ciais Philippe , Sitch Stephen , Green Julia K. , Tao Shengli , Fu Zheng , Albergel Clément , Bastos Ana , Wang Mengjia , Fawcett Dominic , Frappart Frédéric , Li Xiaojun , Liu Xiangzhuo , Li Shuangcheng , Wigneron Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2023

Uncovering the mechanisms that lead to Amazon forest resilience variations is crucial to predict the impact of future climatic and anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we apply a previously used empirical resilience metrics, lag‐1 month temporal autocorrelation (TAC), to vegetation optical depth data in C‐band (a good proxy of the whole canopy water content) in order to explore how forest resilience variations are impacted by human disturbances and environmental drivers in the Brazilian Amazon. We found that human disturbances significantly increase the risk of critical transitions, and that the median TAC value is ~2.4 times higher in human‐disturbed forests than that in intact forests, suggesting a much lower resilience in disturbed forests. Additionally, human‐disturbed forests are less resilient to land surface heat stress and atmospheric water stress than intact forests. Among human‐disturbed forests, forests with a more closed and thicker canopy structure, which is linked to a higher forest cover and a lower disturbance fraction, are comparably more resilient. These results further emphasize the urgent need to limit deforestation and degradation through policy intervention to maintain the resilience of the Amazon rainforests.
Optimizing delirium care in the era of Age‐Friendly Health System
Authors: Kwak Min Ji , Inouye Sharon K. , Fick Donna M. , Bonner Alice , Fulmer Terry , Carter Emily , Tabbush Victor , Maya Kerri , Reed Nicholas , Waszynski Christine , Oh Esther S.
Published: November 2023

Delirium is a significant geriatric condition associated with adverse clinical and economic outcomes. The cause of delirium is usually multifactorial, and person‐centered multicomponent approaches for proper delirium management are required. In 2017, the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) launched a national initiative, Age‐Friendly Health System (AFHS), promoting the use of a framework called 4Ms (what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility). The 4Ms framework's primary goal is to provide comprehensive and practical person‐centered care for older adults and it aligns with the core concepts of optimal delirium management. In this special article, we demonstrate how a traditional delirium prevention and management model can be assessed from the perspective of AFHS. An example is the crosswalk with the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Core Interventions and the 4MS, which demonstrates alignment in delirium management. We also introduce useful tools to create an AFHS environment in delirium management. Although much has been written about delirium management, there is a need to identify the critical steps in advancing the overall delirium care in the context of the AFHS. In this article, we suggest future directions, including the need for more prospective and comprehensive research to assess the impact of AFHS on delirium care, the need for more innovative and sustainable education platforms, fundamental changes in the healthcare payment system for proper adoption of AFHS in any healthcare setting, and application of AFHS in the community for continuity of care for older adults with delirium.
Food Compass Score predicts incident cardiovascular disease: The ATTICA cohort study (2002–2022)
Authors: Damigou Evangelia , Detopoulou Paraskevi , Antonopoulou Smaragdi , Chrysohoou Christina , Barkas Fotios , Vlachopoulou Elpiniki , Vafia Christina , Tsioufis Costas , Liberopoulos Evangelos , Sfikakis Petros P. , Pitsavos Christos , Panagiotakos Demosthenes
Published: November 2023

Background

The Food Compass Score (FCS) is a novel nutrient profiling system, which evaluates food and diet quality. The present study aimed to prospectively assess the relationship of FCS with short‐term (10 years) and long‐term (20 years) cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and to explore whether this relationship is modified by long‐term adherence to a Mediterranean type diet (MTD).

Methods

Volunteers of the ATTICA cohort study, with complete data for the calculation of FCS and incident CVD were included (n = 759). Development of CVD was determined at 10 and 20 years after baseline. Dietary intake was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire. The FCS was calculated for each participant based on the published algorithm. Long‐term adherence to a MTD was evaluated through MedDietScore.

Results

FCS was inversely associated with CVD incidence (hazard ratio [HR] for 20‐year follow‐up = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95–0.99; HR for 10‐year follow‐up = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96–1.01) in the total sample, as well as in those with a high baseline adherence to a MTD (HR for 20‐year follow‐up = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93–0.99; HR for 10‐year follow‐up = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95–1.02). FCS was also inversely associated with CVD risk in those who went away from the MTD (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96–0.99).

Conclusions

FCS, a novel tool for assessing overall diet quality, was also found to be useful in identifying potential CVD candidates in a long‐term period, even in populations with good background dietary habits, such as those following a MTD.
The effect of contact/collision sport participation without concussion on neurometabolites: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies
Authors: Delang Nathan , Irwin Christopher , Peek Aimie L. , McGregor Iain S. , Desbrow Ben , McCartney Danielle
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to systematically review prior research investigating the effects of contact/collision sport participation on neurometabolite levels in the absence of concussion. Four online databases were searched to identify studies that measured neurometabolite levels in contact/collision sport athletes (without concussion) using proton (1H) or phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). All study designs were acceptable for inclusion. Meta‐analytic procedures were used to quantify the effect of contact/collision sport participation on neurometabolite levels and explore the impact of specific moderating factors (where sufficient data were available). Narrative synthesis was used to describe outcomes that could not be meta‐analysed. Nine observational studies involving 300 contact/collision sport athletes were identified. Six studies (providing 112 effect estimates) employed longitudinal (cohort) designs and three (that could not be meta‐analysed) employed case–control designs. N‐acetylaspartate (NAA; g = −0.331, p = 0.013) and total creatine (tCr; creatine + phosphocreatine; g = −0.524, p = 0.029), but not glutamate–glutamine (Glx), myo‐inositol (mI) or total choline (tCho; choline‐containing compounds; p's > 0.05), decreased between the pre‐season and mid−/post‐season period. Several moderators were statistically significant, including: sex (Glx: 6 female/23 male, g = −0.549, p = 0.013), sport played (Glx: 22 American football/4 association football [soccer], g = 0.724, p = 0.031), brain region (mI: 2 corpus callosum/9 motor cortex, g = −0.804, p = 0.015), and the MRS quantification approach (mI: 18 absolute/3 tCr‐referenced, g = 0.619, p = 0.003; and tCho: 18 absolute/3 tCr‐referenced, g = 0.554, p = 0.005). In case–control studies, contact/collision sport athletes had higher levels of mI, but not NAA or tCr compared to non‐contact sport athletes and non‐athlete controls. Overall, this review suggests that contact/collision sport participation has the potential to alter neurometabolites measured via 1H MRS in the absence of concussion. However, further research employing more rigorous and consistent methodologies (e.g. interventional studies with consistent 1H MRS pulse sequences and quantifications) is required to confirm and better understand the clinical relevance of observed effects.
Clinical and instrumental features in 82 patients with insufficient sleep syndrome
Authors: De Pieri Marco , Bueltemann Linda , Tedone Francesco , Riccardi Silvia , Castelnovo Anna , Miano Silvia , Manconi Mauro
Published: November 2023

Insufficient sleep syndrome possibly represents the worldwide leading cause of daytime sleepiness, but remains poorly recognised and studied. The aim of this case series is to comprehensively describe a cohort of patients with insufficient sleep syndrome. Eighty‐two patients were studied concerning demographic and socio‐economic features, medical, psychiatric and sleep comorbidities, substance use, sleep symptoms, actigraphy, video‐polysomnography, multiple sleep latency tests and treatment. The typical patient with insufficient sleep syndrome is a middle‐aged adult (with no difference of gender), employed, who has a family, often carrying psychiatric and neurological comorbidities, in particular headache, anxiety and depression. Other sleep disorders, especially mild sleep apnea and bruxism, were common as well. Actigraphy was a valuable tool in the characterisation of insufficient sleep syndrome, showing a sleep restriction during weekdays, associated with a recovery rebound of night sleep during weekends and a high amount of daytime sleep. An over‐ or underestimation of sleeping was common, concerning both the duration of night sleep and daytime napping. The average daily sleep considering both daytime and night‐time, weekdays and weekends corresponds to the recommended minimal normal duration, meaning that the burden of insufficient sleep syndrome could mainly depend on sleep fragmentation and low quality. Sleep efficiency was elevated both in actigraphy and video‐polysomnography. Multiple sleep latency tests evidenced a tendency toward sleep‐onset rapid eye movement periods. Our study offers a comprehensive characterisation of patients with insufficient sleep syndrome, and clarifies their sleeping pattern, opening avenues for management and treatment of the disorder. Current options seem not adapted, and in our opinion a cognitive‐behavioural psychotherapy protocol should be developed.
Telosma mosaic virus: An emerging plant RNA virus causing production loss in passion fruit across Asia
Authors: Zhang Chaoyue , Jiang Junmei , Chen Songshu , Wang Fen , Xie Xin
Published: November 2023

Telosma mosaic virus (TeMV) is a highly infectious and rapidly spreading virus that infects a variety of natural hosts, with passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) being its primary host across parts of Asia. Symptoms of TeMV, which seriously threatens passion fruit production worldwide, include mosaic, deformities and lignification of fruit. We present here a review of the current state of knowledge of TeMV, including its structural characteristics, natural and experimental host range, symptoms and detection, and provide insights into control strategies. The mode of transmission of TeMV remains unclear, but it can be mechanically transmitted through grafting, cuttings and other artificial asexual propagation techniques, which unfortunately constitute the primary means of propagation in the passion fruit industry. Moreover, increasing detection rates of TeMV indicate that this virus probably causes more serious losses to the passion fruit industry than previously reported. No systematic control strategy for TeMV infection currently exists, and no TeMV‐resistant passion fruit varieties are currently available. As a speedy, short‐term solution for dealing with TeMV infection in the absence of a long‐term solution, we propose rapid plant propagation through virus‐free plant tissue culture techniques that can generate a substantial number of virus‐free passion fruit seedlings.