bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coparenting as a family‐level construct: Parent and child inputs across the first two years
Authors: Bai Liu , Chimed‐Ochir Ulziimaa , Teti Douglas M.
Published: March 2024

This study examined the effects of infant negative affectivity (NA) and maternal and paternal depressive symptoms on fathers' and mothers' perceptions of coparenting across the first 2 years following an infant's birth. A total of 147 two‐parent families (most couples were White, married, and living together) with healthy, full‐term infants were recruited. At each time point, fathers and mothers separately reported their coparenting perceptions via the Coparenting Relationship Scale and their depressive symptoms using the depression subscale of Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised. Mothers also reported their children's NA via the Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised at 3 to 12 months and the Early Child Behavior Questionnaire at 18 and 24 months. Findings from growth curve models in an actor–partner interdependence model framework suggested that among parents with higher depression, there were steeper declines in coparenting quality reported by parents and their spouses across 3–24 months. In addition, three separate two‐way interactions between variables including higher‐than‐usual parental and spousal depression, as well as higher‐than‐usual infant NA predicted poorer‐than‐usual coparenting experiences. Findings indicate that coparenting is a dynamically unfolding construct that is impacted by ongoing changes in the parents' social‐ecological niche and suggest the need to consider both parent and child characteristics, and to include spousal influences, to get a comprehensive, whole‐family understanding of levels and changes in coparenting relationships. The findings also confirm that coparenting dynamics may benefit from interventions engaging both couples and addressing multiple risk factors from both parents (e.g., depression) and children (e.g., NA).
OnabotulinumtoxinA as a promising treatment for primary trochlear headache: A retrospective case series
Authors: Jaimes Alex , Gómez Andrea , Pajares Olga , Rodríguez‐Vico Jaime
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To report the efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNTA) injections in relieving pain in patients with primary trochlear headache (PRTH).

Methods

Examination of medical records for patients diagnosed with PRTH according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition criteria and treated with BoNTA. Data were collected for variables related to pain relief, duration of effectiveness, and adverse effects.

Results

Six patients were included in the study. All had previously undergone standard care interventions, including infiltrations or oral treatments, yet experienced treatment failure or symptom recurrence. All patients received 20 units of BoNTA, administered in the corrugator and procerus muscles. Subsequent to the BoNTA injections, all six patients reported substantial pain relief, with five achieving complete remission of symptoms. The analgesic effect persisted for a duration of 3 months. No adverse events were reported in any of the cases.

Conclusions

Our case series presents the first evidence of the potential of BoNTA as a safe and effective treatment option for PRTH. From a clinical standpoint, having a safer alternative is of paramount significance for patients with limited treatment options, such as those with PRTH. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore the long‐term efficacy of BoNTA in PRTH management.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Houttuynia cordata Thunb rhizome extracts and their antibacterial potential against common foodborne pathogens
Authors: Maimaiti Xiayidan , Bassey Anthony Pius , Liu Xiaoli , Zhu Yongsheng , Fan Linlin , Rahman Nurgul , Luo Runmeng , Wang Fan , Wang Ying
Published: March 2024

The biological synthesis of functionalised nanoparticles using plant materials is considered more cost‐effective and eco‐friendly than chemical and physical methods. Hence, this study demonstrated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Houttuynia cordata Thunb rhizome (HCR). The extract, prepared with distilled water, provided the required phytochemical components, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, proteins and other essential bio‐reducing agents. The AgNPs were exposed to reaction conditions, such as temperatures, pH values and AgNO3 concentrations, to identify the optimum synthesis condition and explore their impacts on particle size and antibacterial action against Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Salmonella enterica and Shigella dysenteriae) foodborne pathogens. The formation of AgNPs was indicated by specific surface plasmon resonance (SPR) intensity at 440–450 nm and colour changes under different reaction conditions. The structure and size distribution characterised by SEM and TEM revealed that the AgNPs exhibited a spherical‐shaped structure with irregular contours, regular distribution and aggregation. Although the average particle size ranged from 2 to 100 nm, relatively smaller sizes were detected at 10 mM (54.30), 80 °C (49.50 nm) and pH 6 (60.16 nm) conditions. The FTIR spectrum and EDX spectral signals affirmed the presence of reducing and stabilising agents in HCR extract, following the reduction of AgNPs from Ag+ to Ag0. AgNPs also exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. enterica and Sh. dysenteriae, indicating a broad spectrum for various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Sustainable energy consumption behaviour with smart meters: The role of relative performance and evaluative standards
Authors: Wendt Charlotte , Kosin Dominick , Adam Martin , Benlian Alexander
Published: March 2024

The growing adoption of smart meters enables the measurement of households' energy consumption, influenced not solely by building characteristics such as thermal insulation but also by residents' behavioural patterns, such as heating and ventilation practices. To motivate residents to adopt more sustainable behaviours, user interfaces on smartphones and laptops are increasingly using consumption data from households' smart meters to enable effective goal‐setting. In contrast to previous research largely focusing on goal‐setting in isolation, this study examines the role of specific social comparison‐related design features that future research and practitioners can consider along with goal‐setting to stimulate sustainable behaviours. Specifically, we look into the influence of residents' perception of their relative performance (i.e., whether their behaviour was better or worse than a reference group) on their ambition to act (i.e., targeted improvement goal) and their actual energy consumption behaviour. Moreover, we investigate the influence of a goal's evaluative standard (i.e., whether the goal refers to one's own or other's performance) on the relationship between relative performance, ambition to act, and energy consumption behaviour. Drawing on social comparison theory, we conducted a framed field experiment with 152 households. We find that a goal's evaluative standard influences residents' awareness of their relative performance, affecting their ambition to act and, ultimately, their energy consumption behaviour. More specifically, we find that whereas other‐ (vs. self‐) referencing goals encourage residents from worse‐than‐average performing households more strongly to improve their energy consumption behaviour, they discourage better‐than‐average ones. Overall, our study provides novel insights into the interplay between relative performance and evaluative standards as a means of fostering social comparison in smart meter‐facilitated goal‐setting, highlighting their crucial role in effectively supporting sustainable behaviours.
Effect of platelet‐rich plasma on healing of lower extremity diabetic skin ulcers: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang Xiansong , Wang Xiaoling , Hou Ya , Zhou Liang , Jiang Yingjie , Wen Xiaoyun
Published: March 2024

The aim of this research is to explore the therapeutic efficacy of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on the cutaneous ulceration of diabetes mellitus (DM). From the beginning of the database until January 2024, we looked through several databases to obtain randomised, controlled PRP studies to treat the wound healing of DM in adult patients. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk‐Of‐Bias Instrument was used to evaluate the risk of bias in randomised, controlled studies. Funnel plots, sensitivity analyses and Egger regression tests were employed to determine the reliability and effectiveness of the meta‐analyses. Depending on the degree of heterogeneity, a fixed or random effect model has been used. The statistical significance was determined to be below 0.05. Altogether 281 trials were collected from the database and entered into Endnote Software for screening, and 15 trials were analysed. It was found that PRP was associated with a higher rate of wound healing (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 2.42, 4.31 p < 0.0001). PRP was associated with a reduction in the risk of post‐operative wound infection (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.21, 0.99 p = 0.05). PRP was associated with a reduction in the risk of amputations amongst those with DM (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30, 0.84 p = 0.009). Overall, PRP treatment for DM is expected to improve the rate of wound healing, decrease the risk of wound infection and decrease the risk of amputations.
Hematological parameters vary with life history stage in the pale‐breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas
Authors: Provinciato Ivan Celso C. , Ouyang Jenny Q. , Cruz‐Neto Ariovaldo P.
Published: March 2024

The avian life cycle is composed by a progressive sequence of life history stages (LHS). Changes in energy expenditure and exposure to stressors at different LHS require corresponding changes in behavior, physiology, and morphology. Variation in hematological parameters, such hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), can have permissive, stimulatory, and preparative actions to help maintain homeostasis through different LHS. Few studies have examined differences in these parameters among different LHS in free‐living birds, with most of them restricted to temperate zones. We collected blood samples and measured hematological parameters every week for over a year from a population of a common resident bird species in southeastern Brazil, the pale‐breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas. Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration were highest during the onset of the reproduction and lowest during molt. Furthermore, H/L ratios were higher at the end of the reproduction, indicating that the breeding season could be the most stressful period of the year for this population of thrushes. There was no difference between sexes for any hematological parameter at any LHS. These results show that there is a permissive physiological effect for Hct and Hb to facilitate LHS transitions and that reproduction could be the most stressful event for this species. Lastly, these results mirror those from temperate species despite distinct environmental differences between these regions.
The beguiling behaviour of narcissistic CEOs: Evidence from repurchase announcements
Authors: Boamah Evans O. , Banerjee Shantanu
Published: March 2024

We study whether Chief Executive Officer (CEO) narcissism affects a firm's share repurchase announcements and their implementations. Using signature characteristics as a measure of narcissism, we find that US firms with narcissist CEOs are more likely to make repurchase announcements and announce higher repurchase dollar amounts. However, these firms are less likely to follow through. Actual repurchases by these firms are less frequent, and they use a smaller amount of cash for share buyback because they have a higher cashflow sensitivity of cash. Narcissist CEOs’ repurchase announcements are less driven by market timing and have a lower announcement effect compared to those by other CEOs. The higher rate and amount of repurchase announcements are more pronounced in poorly governed firms with narcissistic CEOs. These results are robust to various specifications including a difference‐in‐difference set‐up using CEOs’ exogenous turnover, controlling for other CEO traits and using an alternative measure of narcissism based on pronoun usage in CEO communications. Collectively, the results presented in this study demonstrate that narcissist CEOs play a critical role in the intensity of share repurchase announcements and their executions, particularly for firms with weaker governance structures.
Does corporate governance matter in competitive industries? Evidence from brokerage mergers and closures
Authors: Guo Savannah (Yuanyuan) , Saha Pritam , You Leyuan , Zheng Michael
Published: March 2024

We document that firms in competitive industries experience significantly more deterioration in financial reporting quality after a reduction in analyst coverage due to brokerage closures or mergers, as compared to firms in noncompetitive industries. Most of the effects are mainly driven by firms with smaller initial analyst coverage, lower institutional ownership and greater financial constraints. Importantly, we further show that after brokerage exits, managerial slack increases more for firms in noncompetitive than competitive industries. Consistent with the notion that agency manifestation can take different forms, we provide evidence that competition may curtail some agency issues, such as managerial slack, while also exacerbating other agency issues, such as financial misreporting.
First in man right atrial appendage implantation of a Micra leadless pacemaker
Authors: Pinon Pauline , Iserin Laurence , Hachem Fatma , Waldmann Victor
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Pacemaker implantation can be challenging in patients with congenital heart disease.

Methods and Results

In a patient with Ebstein disease and symptomatic sinus node dysfunction, despite multiple attempts, the Micra® pacemaker could not be implanted in the severely dilated right ventricle. In that context, and after iodine injection to confirm the appropriate location, the Micra® pacemaker was successfully implanted in the right appendage at the first attempt.

Conclusion

Despite the recent development of dedicated dual‐chamber leadless pacemaker, to the best of our knowledge, this case is the first off‐label Micra® implantation in a right appendage.
The impact of handgrip strength and waist circumference on glycemic control: Prospective, observational study using outpatient clinical data in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nakanishi Shuhei , Shimoda Masashi , Kimura Tomohiko , Sanada Junpei , Fushimi Yoshiro , Iwamoto Yuichiro , Iwamoto Hideyuki , Dan Kazunori , Mune Tomoatsu , Kaku Kohei , Kaneto Hideaki
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Loss of muscle mass and the accumulation of visceral fat are known risk factors for the deterioration of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study looked at the effects of such factors on glycemic control in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the form of handgrip strength (HGS) and waist circumference (WC).

Materials and Methods

In this prospective, observational study, 233 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a HbA1c level of ≥7.0% were followed for around 1 year, during which time they were studied for an understanding of the association between handgrip strength, waist circumference, and glycemic control (HbA1c <7.0%). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for glycemic control improvement by Cox hazards models were analyzed for handgrip strength and waist circumference.

Results

Compared with the low tertile, patients in the middle and high tertiles of handgrip strength when adjustment was carried out for waist circumference were 2.117 (1.142–3.924) and 4.670 (2.526–8.632), respectively. The HRs of patients in the middle and high tertiles of WC when adjustment was made for HGS were 0.442 (0.269–0.725) and 0.339 (0.191–0.604), respectively. Within the low, middle, and high HGS tertiles, the HRs for WC were 0.863 (0.797–0.934), 0.940 (0.899–0.982), and 1.009 (0.984–1.035), respectively, although the HRs for HGS within each WC tertile remained significant.

Conclusions

Handgrip strength and waist circumference demonstrated independent associations for glycemic control, but the effect of waist circumference appeared to be at least partially canceled out by increased handgrip strength. The data suggest that handgrip strength might help to mitigate the negative impact of waist circumference on glycemic control.
The impact of low‐energy, partially hydrolysed enteral formula on gastrointestinal symptoms and weight in children with neurological impairment: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: O'Connor Graeme , Van Der Linde Martha , Capriles Zoltan Hartfiel
Published: March 2024

Background

Neurological impairment (NI) relates to disorders of the central nervous system. The specific aetiology of NI varies but includes genetic, congenital abnormalities or brain injury. In children with severe NI, feeding impairments can lead to undernutrition, and some children require a feeding tube. Although tube feeding improves overall nutritional status, it has also been associated with excess body fat. Commercially available enteral formulas that are low in energy, hydrolysed and nutritionally adequate for protein and micronutrients are available to mitigate gastrointestinal symptoms and obesity.

Methods

This is a retrospective multicentre study of children who attended NI clinics between January 2022 and July 2023. Data were collected before and 1 month after receiving a low‐energy, partially hydrolysed enteral formula (0.6 kcal/mL) on demographic data (age, sex, ethnicity and NI diagnosis), anthropometric measurements (weight, height, weight‐for‐age Z‐score, height‐for‐age Z‐score, body mass index [BMI] Z‐score) and feed regimen (feed volume, total fluids and type of formula/supplements).

Results

Dietitians collected data on 28 children, the median age was 7 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3, 8). The most frequently recorded NI was cerebral palsy, in 13 of 28 children (48%). Before the formula switch, the most frequently reported gastrointestinal symptom was constipation, in 13 of 28 children. Within 1 month of switching to a low‐energy, hydrolysed formula, 10 of the 13 (77%) children reported an improvement in constipation. Before the formula switch, all 28 children were experiencing excessive weight gain. After the formula was switched to low‐energy, hydrolysed formula, dietitians reported that 20 of the 28 (76%) children's weight either stabilised or reduced after 1 month. There was no statistically significant difference in weight‐for‐age Z‐score or BMI Z‐scores postswitch of formula (p‐value 0.1 and 0.09, respectively). Fibre intake increased significantly from 3.3 to 8.1 g/day (p‐value < 0.01) after formula switch. The number of children whose feed regimens were simplified after switching to a low‐energy, partially hydrolysed formula was 24 of 28 (91%).

Conclusions

Children with an NI who have gastrointestinal symptoms may benefit from a low‐energy, hydrolysed enteral formula to maximise feed tolerance and promote healthy weight gain. In addition, changing to a low‐energy, hydrolysed formula may simplify feed regimens by eliminating the need for additional electrolytes, multivitamins and fluid boluses. Healthcare professionals should be knowledgeable about the effectiveness and availability of a low‐energy, hydrolysed formula.
Microplasma radio frequency technology using stationary tips on pig skin: A histological study
Authors: Feng Jiayi , Ning Jiaxin , Zhang Ling , Li Xiaodan , Huang Lvping
Published: March 2024

Objective

To investigate the histological properties of microplasma radiofrequency (MPRF) using a stationary tip in different treatment strategies on porcine skin.

Methods

Two Bama miniature pigs received MPRF treatment with two types of stationary tips in eight groups of parameters (power, duration, and pass) on dorsal skin. Skin samples were collected from each treatment zone immediately, at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining were performed to assess histologic changes as well as neocollagenesis. The dynamic changes of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) and heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) were also detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Skin damage increased with pulse energy, duration, and pass. Longer durations or repeated treatments may cause particularly severe skin damage. During the wound healing process, the newborn collagen of the dermis is rearranged. The distribution of HSP47 and HSP72 was consistent with the extent of collagen remodeling. It peaked 1 month after treatment.

Conclusion

MPRF can effectively cause epidermal ablation, dermal collagen hyperplasia, and remodeling. Increasing power should be the first choice when increasing treatment intensity. For longer durations or repeated treatments, caution should be taken to avoid excessive skin trauma.
Influence of perceived peer behavior on engagement in self‐damaging behaviors during the transition to university
Authors: Hofer Marlise K. , Robillard Christina L. , Legg Nicole K. , Turner Brianna J.
Published: March 2024

As students transition to university, they experience significant social changes that can affect their behaviors, including self‐damaging behaviors like disordered eating, problematic alcohol/drug use, suicidal thoughts, and non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI). Building on prior work, we examined the associations between (1) perceptions of peers' engagement in self‐damaging behaviors predicting one's own subsequent engagement in such behaviors (i.e., socialization) and (2) one's own engagement in self‐damaging behaviors predicting perceptions of peers' subsequent engagement in such behaviors (i.e., selection). We also examined whether these associations were moderated by the source of influence (close peer/acquaintance) and degree of social disconnection experienced by the student. First‐year university students (N = 704) were asked to complete seven monthly surveys. Multilevel models indicated that when students perceived their close peers had engaged in NSSI or suicidal thinking, they had seven times greater odds of future engagement in the same behavior, implying that socialization increases the risk of these behaviors among university students. Perception of acquaintances' NSSI also predicted greater odds of a student's own NSSI the following month. Social disconnection increased the likelihood of matching own behaviors to perceptions of acquaintances' alcohol abuse, highlighting the importance of fostering connections/mentors to reduce self‐damaging behaviors on college campuses. Furthermore, when students engaged in alcohol abuse, they had almost four times greater odds of reporting that their acquaintances abused alcohol the following month, emphasizing the importance of the wider social network in alcohol use behaviors.
Considering Cuteness Enhances Smiling Responses to Infant Faces1,2
Authors: Nittono Hiroshi , Ohashi Akane
Published: March 2024

Laboratory and field research has reported that the appearance of infants causes observers to smile. The current study examined whether this smiling response is modulated by the observer's task and evaluative dimension. Thirty‐nine young nulliparous women were asked to rate the cuteness or beauty levels of 6‐month‐old infants' faces using a 7‐point scale in different blocks. Facial electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded of participants' facial muscles related to both smiling (the zygomaticus major [ZM] and orbicularis oculi [OO]) and frowning (the corrugator supercilii [CS]). The results showed that cuteness and beauty ratings were highly correlated with each other (r = .90), indicating that these evaluations were based on similar attractiveness‐related physical features. Facial EMG responses on the smiling muscle sites, ZM and OO, increased significantly from the baseline when participants rated the faces' cuteness, and the responses were larger than when participants rated the faces' beauty. CS activity was not found to have any effect. The perceived cuteness level of the infant faces did not affect the facial EMG responses. Moreover, the magnitude of the smiling response was shown to be much smaller than that associated with voluntary smiling. These findings suggest that facial expressions while viewing infant faces do not exhibit a fixed pattern but are modulated by observers' tasks and that considering cuteness, which is based on more affective evaluations than beauty, can enhance smiling responses.
Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous ketamine administration via the Omnipod® system in dogs
Authors: Colón Claudia , Early Peter , Muñana Karen , Olby Natasha , Mariani Christopher , Mancini Shelby , Fefer Gilad , Li Zhong , Briley Jessica , Bailey Kate , Lascelles Duncan , Messenger Kristen
Published: March 2024

Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic agent with analgesic and antidepressant effects that can prevent maladaptive pain. Ketamine is metabolized by the liver into norketamine, an active metabolite. Prior rodent studies have suggested that norketamine is thought to contribute up to 30% of ketamine's analgesic effect. Ketamine is usually administered as an intravenous (IV) bolus injection or continuous rate infusion (CRI) but can be administered subcutaneously (SC) and intramuscularly (IM). The Omnipod® is a wireless, subcutaneous insulin delivery device that adheres to the skin and delivers insulin as an SC CRI. The Omnipod® was used in dogs for postoperative administration of ketamine as a 1 mg/kg infusion bolus (IB) over 1 hour (h). Pharmacokinetics (PK) showed plasma ketamine concentrations between 42 and 326.1 ng/mL. The median peak plasma concentration was 79.5 (41.9–326.1) ng/mL with a Tmax of 60 (30–75) min. After the same infusion bolus, the corresponding norketamine PK showed plasma drug concentrations between 22.0 and 64.8 ng/mL. The median peak plasma concentration was 43.0 (26.1–71.8) ng/mL with a median Tmax of 75 min. The median peak ketamine plasma concentration exceeded 100 ng/mL in dogs for less than 1 h post infusion. The Omnipod® system successfully delivered subcutaneous ketamine to dogs in the postoperatively.
Nematodes alter the taxonomic and functional profiles of benthic bacterial communities: A metatranscriptomic approach
Authors: Guden Rodgee Mae , Haegeman Annelies , Ruttink Tom , Moens Tom , Derycke Sofie
Published: March 2024

Marine sediments cover 70% of the Earth's surface, and harbour diverse bacterial communities critical for marine biogeochemical processes, which affect climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Nematodes, the most abundant and species‐rich metazoan organisms in marine sediments, in turn, affect benthic bacterial communities and bacterial‐mediated ecological processes, but the underlying mechanisms by which they affect biogeochemical cycles remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate using a metatranscriptomic approach that nematodes alter the taxonomic and functional profiles of benthic bacterial communities. We found particularly strong stimulation of nitrogen‐fixing and methane‐oxidizing bacteria in the presence of nematodes, as well as increased functional activity associated with methane metabolism and degradation of various carbon compounds. This study provides empirical evidence that the presence of nematodes results in taxonomic and functional shifts in active bacterial communities, indicating that nematodes may play an important role in benthic ecosystem processes.
Adaptation and validation of the Physical Restraint‐Theory of Planned Behaviour Questionnaire to the paediatric context
Authors: Bosch Alcaraz Alejandro , Piqueras Rodríguez Pedro , Corrionero Alegre Jesús , García Piñero José Miguel , Belda Hofheinz Sylvia , Gil Domínguez Sonia , Zuriguel Pérez Esperanza , Luna Castaño Patricia , Saz Roy M. Ángeles , Martínez Oliva Marta , González Rivas Susana , Añaños Montoto Nerea , Espildora González María José , Martín‐Peñasco Osorio Elena , Carracedo Muñoz Eva , López Fernández Eduardo , Lozano Almendral Gema , Gomez Merino Alicia , Morales Cervera David , Fernández Lorenzo Rocío , Mata Ferro María , Martín Gómez Ainhoa , Serradell Orea Marta , Esquinas López Cristina , Via Clavero Gemma
Published: March 2024

Background

Physical restraint is applied in pediatric intensive care units to carry out certain painful procedures and to ensure the maintenance and continuity of life support devices. There is a need to analyse the factors that influence the behaviour or intention to use physical restraint.

Aim

To create and test psychometrically a paediatric version of the Physical Restraint‐Theory of Planned Behaviour Questionnaire to assess paediatric critical care nurses' intention to use physical restraint.

Study Design

A psychometric study. Five medical‐surgical Paeditric Intensive care Units from five hospitals in Spain. The study took place in three phases. In phase 1, the questionnaire was adapted. In phase 2, the content validity of each item was determined, and a pilot test was conducted. In phase 3, we administered the questionnaire and determined its psychometric properties.

Results

The assessment of the intention to use physical restraint was extended to all critical paediatric patients, two items were eliminated from the initial questionnaire, four new items were included, and the clinical scenarios of the intention subscale were expanded from three to six. Overall content validity index for the full instrument of 0.96 out of 1. The Paediatric Physical Restraint‐Theory of Planned Behaviour Questionnaire is made up of four subscales (attitude, subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioural control (PBC), and intention) subdivided into 7 factors and 51 items. The internal consistency for the attitude subscale obtained a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.80 to 0.73, for the SN it was 0.72 to 0.89, for the PBC it was from 0.80 to 0.73 and for the intention subscale it was 0.75.

Conclusions

The Paediatric Physical Restraint‐Theory of Planned Behaviour Questionnaire is an instrument composed of seven factors and 51 items that validly and reliably assesses the intention of paediatric nurses to apply PR in PICUs.

Relevance for Clinical Practice

Having this instrument will help health centres move towards restraint‐free care by allowing managers to assess professionals' attitudes, beliefs, and intentions around the use of PR in PICUs.
A phosphatase gene is linked to nectar dihydroxyacetone accumulation in mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
Authors: Grierson Ella R. P. , Thrimawithana Amali H. , van Klink John W. , Lewis David H. , Carvajal Ignacio , Shiller Jason , Miller Poppy , Deroles Simon C. , Clearwater Michael J. , Davies Kevin M. , Chagné David , Schwinn Kathy E.
Published: March 2024

Floral nectar composition beyond common sugars shows great diversity but contributing genetic factors are generally unknown. Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is renowned for the antimicrobial compound methylglyoxal in its derived honey, which originates from the precursor, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), accumulating in the nectar. Although this nectar trait is highly variable, genetic contribution to the trait is unclear. Therefore, we investigated key gene(s) and genomic regions underpinning this trait.

We used RNAseq analysis to identify nectary‐associated genes differentially expressed between high and low nectar DHA genotypes. We also used a mānuka high‐density linkage map and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping population, supported by an improved genome assembly, to reveal genetic regions associated with nectar DHA content.

Expression and QTL analyses both pointed to the involvement of a phosphatase gene, LsSgpp2. The expression pattern of LsSgpp2 correlated with nectar DHA accumulation, and it co‐located with a QTL on chromosome 4. The identification of three QTLs, some of the first reported for a plant nectar trait, indicates polygenic control of DHA content.

We have established plant genetics as a key influence on DHA accumulation. The data suggest the hypothesis of LsSGPP2 releasing DHA from DHA‐phosphate and variability in LsSgpp2 gene expression contributing to the trait variability.
Accommodative response and visual fatigue following a non‐congruent visual task in non‐asthenopic and asthenopic individuals
Authors: Coq Rémi , Neveu Pascaline , Plantier Justin , Legras Richard
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Asthenopia is related to near vision activities or visual tasks that dissociate accommodation from vergence. Since the results of previous studies using objective measures to diagnose asthenopia are inconsistent, this study compared optometric tests and objective metrics of accommodation in non‐asthenopic and asthenopic young adults before and after a visual fatigue task.

Methods

The accommodative response was recorded objectively for 6 min at a 3.33 D accommodative demand using an autorefractor, before and after a 5‐min non‐congruent visual task. Accommodation was disassociated from vergence with a ±2.00 D accommodative flipper while reading at the same distance. Optometric tests and subjective evaluations of asthenopia were performed before and after the task. Twenty‐six non‐presbyopic adults (23.15 ± 2.56 years) were included and identified as asthenopic (n = 14) or non‐asthenopic (n = 12) based on their score on the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire.

Results

A mixed ANOVA found no significant difference between the groups for objective (accommodative response) or subjective metrics (feeling of fatigue, optometric tests), although all participants reported greater visual fatigue after the task. A significant effect of time (before and after the non‐congruent task) was identified for the overall sample for mean accommodative lag (+0.10 D, p = 0.01), subjective visual fatigue (+1.18, p < 0.01), negative relative accommodation (−0.20 D, p = 0.02) and near negative fusional reserve (blur: +2.46Δ, p < 0.01; break: +1.89Δ, p < 0.01; recovery: +3.34Δ, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The task‐induced asthenopia, measured both objectively and subjectively, was accompanied by a change in accommodative lag, greater visual fatigue and a decrease in negative relative accommodation. Conversely, near negative fusional reserves seem to adapt to the task. No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to accommodative metrics (objective) or subjective and optometric tests.
Comparison of red and green light for treating non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer in rats using singlet oxygen‐cleavable prodrugs with PPIX‐PDT
Authors: Rahman Kazi Md Mahabubur , Kumbham Soniya , Bist Ganesh , Woo Sukyung , Foster Barbara A. , You Youngjae
Published: March 2024

It has been 30 years since Photofrin‐PDT was approved for the treatment of bladder cancer in Canada. However, Photofrin‐PDT failed to gain popularity due to bladder complications. The PDT with red light and IV‐administered Photofrin could permanently damage the bladder muscle. We have been developing a new combination strategy of PpIX‐PDT with singlet oxygen‐cleavable prodrugs for NMIBC with minimal side effects, avoiding damage to the bladder muscle layer. PpIX can be excited by either green (532 nm) or red (635 nm) light. Red light could be more efficacious in vivo due to its deeper tissue penetration than green light. Since HAL preferentially produces PpIX in tumors, we hypothesized that illuminating PpIX with red light might spare the muscle layer. PpIX‐PDT was used to compare green and red laser efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The IC50 of in vitro PpIX‐PDT was 18 mW/cm2 with the red laser and 22 mW/cm2 with the green laser. The in vivo efficacy of the red laser with 50, 75, and 100 mW total dose was similar to the same dose of green laser in reducing tumor volume. Combining PpIX‐PDT with prodrugs methyl‐linked mitomycin C (Mt‐L‐MMC) and rhodamine‐linked SN‐38 (Rh‐L‐SN‐38) significantly improved efficacy (tumor volume comparison). PpIX‐PDT or PpIX‐PDT + prodrug combination did not cause muscle damage in histological analysis. Overall, a combination of PpIX‐PDT and prodrug with 635 nm laser is promising for non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer treatment.
Episodic imagining, temporal experience, and beliefs about time
Authors: Bigg Anthony , Latham Andrew J. , Miller Kristie , Yechimovitz Shira
Published: March 2024

We explore the role of episodic imagining in explaining why people both differentially report that it seems to them in experience as though time robustly passes, and why they differentially report that they believe that time does in fact robustly pass. We empirically investigate two hypotheses, the differential vividness hypothesis, and the mental time travel hypothesis. According to each of these, the degree to which people vividly episodically imagine past/future states of affairs influences their tendency to report that it seems to them as though time robustly passes and to judge that time does robustly pass. According to the former, a greater degree of vividness will tend to increase the extent to which people make such reports, while according to the latter, it will tend to decrease the extent to which people make such reports. We found weak evidence in favour of the former hypothesis. We reflect on the implications of this finding for theorising about such reports.
Keeping the magic alive: The multiple functions of magic concepts
Authors: Bentzen Tina Øllgaard , Siverbo Sven , Winsvold Marte
Published: March 2024

Despite scholarly fascination with magic concepts, empirical research on how they fare in practice is scarce. This study explores how magic concepts retain their magic when used in public organizations. Using survey data and case studies, we identify “trust” as a magic concept in Scandinavian municipalities and develop a typology of its four central functions. We find that the concept of trust is used to confirm and confront old organizational practices, as well as to calibrate and catalyze new ones. We suggest that the multivocal character of magic concepts enables them to fit multiple agendas simultaneously, strengthening their ability to stay magic.
Groin injuries in women's premier league football in Norway: A two‐season prospective cohort study describing clinical and imaging characteristics
Authors: Thorarinsdottir Solveig , Amundsen Roar , Larmo Arne , Pedersen Roar , Andersen Thor Einar , Bahr Roald , Møller Merete
Published: March 2024

Objective

To describe the prevalence, incidence, and burden of groin injuries in the Norwegian women's premier football league and to describe their clinical and imaging characteristics.

Methods

During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, players in the Norwegian women's premier league reported groin injuries weekly, using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC‐H2). We calculated weekly prevalence, incidence, and burden of groin injuries. The team physical therapists classified the player‐reported injuries based on the Doha classification system. Injuries with more than 3 days' time loss or reported in 2 consecutive weeks were eligible for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results

On average, 3.9% (95% CI: 3.4–4.4) of players reported a groin injury at any time; of which 78% caused time loss. The incidence rate was 1.6 injuries/1000 h (95% CI: 1.3–2.0) and their burden was 11 days lost/1000 h. The physical therapists examined 67 of 124 player‐reported groin injuries (53%). Adductor‐related injury was most common (55%) followed by iliopsoas (15%) and rectus femoris‐related (12%). Pubic‐related injuries caused most time loss (median: 24 days, IQR: 5–133). In this study, 42 injuries were investigated with MRI; 8 (19%) showed no changes, 6 (14%) an acute musculotendinous lesion, and 32 (76%) a nonacute finding (e.g., central symphyseal disc protrusion, tendinopathies).

Conclusion

The incidence rate and burden of groin injuries were high. Adductor‐related injuries were most common, but pubic‐related injuries caused most time loss. Most MRI examinations demonstrated nonacute findings.
Examining the causal association between psoriasis and bladder cancer: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Du Lihuan , Wang Bohan , Wen Jiaming , Zhang Nan
Published: March 2024

Background

Previous epidemiological observational studies have potentially associated psoriasis with bladder cancer, but the results are inconsistent, and the causality remains unknown. The present study aimed to examine whether there are causal associations between psoriasis and bladder cancer using bidirectional two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Materials and Methods

A two‐sample MR analysis was conducted using publicly available genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data for individuals diagnosed with psoriasis and bladder cancer. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method. The complementary methods used included the weighted median, MR‐Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode methods. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the MR results were detected. Moreover, leave‐one‐out sensitivity analysis was also employed to evaluate the robustness and validity of the findings.

Results

No significant causal association was detected between psoriasis incidence and the risk of bladder cancer using the IVW method (OR = 0.999, 95% CI 0.977–1.022; P = 0.956). Similarly, the IVW model revealed no evidence of a causal relationship between bladder cancer and the risk of psoriasis (OR = 0.979, 95%CI = 0.873–1.098; P = 0.716). The results of the complementary methods were consistent with those of the IVW method. There was no notable horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity (P > 0.05) in our MR analysis. The results of sensitivity analysis confirmed that the MR estimates were not driven by single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Conclusion

This study does not support a causal relationship between psoriasis and bladder cancer.
How Latinos’ perceptions of environmental health threats impact policy preferences
Authors: Vargas Edward D. , Gómez‐Aguiñaga Barbara , Sanchez Gabriel R. , Barreto Matt A.
Published: March 2024

Objective

This article examines the relationship between environmental health threats, personal experiences with climate change, and their association with attitudes toward global warming and willingness to pay for clean energy.

Methods

Using a nationally representative survey of Latino adults (n = 1200), we use categorical regressions to examine the relationship between environmental health threats and policy preferences.

Results

Latinos who have personally experienced climate change and who view air pollution as a threat, are more likely to be concerned with climate change and believe that passing stricter environmental laws will improve the economy as opposed to reduce econonic growth. Latinos who have experienced climate change and worry about the impact of climate change in their homeland are also more willing to pay $5 or $10 for clean energy.

Conclusion

This study has implications for our collective knowledge of Latinos’ connections to the environment and policy outcomes and contributes to the growing area of environmental public opinion among ethno‐racial groups.
HUMAN DETECTION IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS USING EMBEDDED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Ahmad Mohd. Ridzuan , Hussein Al-azzani Ahmed Abdullah
Published: March 2024

The paper discusses the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in search and rescue operations to detect humans in disaster areas where rescue teams cannot reach. The paper highlights the limitations of current methods, including high computational power, high cost, and dependence on internet connectivity. The paper proposes using transfer learning to develop a human detection model with a mean average precision (mAP@0.5) above 90% and compares two deep learning models, MobileNet v2 and EfficientDet. The study uses multi-datasets of aerial images of humans, namely SeaDronesee and SARD, and the TensorFlow version 2.8 framework. MobileNet v2 required less GPU usage for training and yielded a relatively high accuracy of 95.5%, while EfficientDet achieved higher accuracy (97.3%). The trained MobileNet v2 model size is compressed using quantization from 25.5 MB to 4.15 MB, making it suitable for deployment on an edge device for on-chip inference. The paper concludes that the proposed method can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of search and rescue operations.
MI-OPTNET: AN OPTIMIZED DEEP LEARNING FRAMEWORK FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION DETECTION
Authors: Huong Audrey , Tay Kim Gaik , Beng Gan Kok , Ngu Xavier
Published: March 2024

The conventional means of myocardial infarction (MI) detection using a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) system include a pretrained network and machine learning interpretation of the complex ECG signals. They are computationally inefficient and demand high-performance hardware. Here, for the first time, we introduce an effective framework (MI-OptNet) using the particle swarm optimization model (PSO) in the design of a lightweight hybrid network combining convolutional neural network (CNN)-long short terms memory (LSTM) for MI and normal ECG detection. We optimized important design and training parameters based on limb leads’ signals and identified leads III and VI as the best ECG leads for the task based on their high classification performance ranging between 80 – 90 %, suggesting that they may provide more information about MI than the others. The other strategy of fusing the scores from all models at the decision level achieved the best result with a 10 % increase in the evaluated metrics. Our findings support the flexibility and adaptability of our framework for the design process using minimal computer efforts. We concluded that this approach may be used for other classification problems to assist engineers and designers in efficient decision-making and to solve complex signal classification and recognition problems.
THE DIFFERENTIAL EXTRACTION METHOD OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS AND NON-PATHOGENIC SPECIES FOR PROTEIN PROFILING BY SDS-PAGE
Authors: Rosdan Nor Hafeeda , Sheik Abdul Kader Zainoodin , Ahmad Nor Hazwani
Published: March 2024

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an acute, severe, and potentially fatal infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis and is a global public health burden. Given the high fatality rate linked to acute bacterial meningitis, it is imperative to initiate treatment and diagnosis concurrently in most cases. While a culture demonstrating the growth of N. meningitidis from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remains the gold standard, however, its sensitivity diminishes following antibiotic administration. Therefore, in this study, differentially extracted whole cell protein (WCP), surface depleted whole cell protein (sdWCP), and cell surface protein (CSP) profiles were analysed by using SDS-PAGE to characterise and classify pathogenic N. meningitidis and non-pathogenic species. This study provides clear evidence that SDS-PAGE yields distinct protein patterns across Men A, B, C, and Y, clinical isolates 1 and 2, N. sicca, N. cinerea, and M. catarrhalis. It effectively demonstrates that SDS-PAGE protein profiling can serve as a reliable method for characterising and separating bacterial proteins at both the species and strain levels. Despite the availability of more advanced technologies, SDS-PAGE remains a valuable tool, particularly in settings where advanced equipment and knowledgeable personnel are lacking. Our approach employs various extraction techniques, has successfully defined and characterised N. meningitidis, non-pathogenic Neisseria species, and M. catarrhalis.
The generalized Harer conjecture for the homology triviality
Authors: Chang Wonjun , Kim Byung Chun , Song Yongjin
Published: March 2024

The classical Harer conjecture states the stable homology triviality of the canonical embedding , which was proved by Song and Tillmann. The main part of the proof is to show that , induced from is a double‐loop space map. In this paper, we give a proof of the generalized Harer conjecture concerning the homology triviality for every regular embedding . The main strategy of the proof is to remove all the interchangeable subsurfaces from and collapse the new boundary components. Then, we obtain (the union of) covering spaces over a disk with marked points that we can analyze. The final goal is to show that the map induced by preserves the actions of the framed little 2‐disks operad.