bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital technology design activities—A means for promoting the digital inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Safari Mugula Chris , Wass Sofie , Thygesen Elin
Published: February 2023

Background

Information and communication technology has become an important aspect of everyday life, including community living and social participation. However, people with intellectual disabilities face several societal inequalities, including digital exclusion. Even if people with intellectual disabilities still do not have the same access as others, this group is increasingly involved in digital technology design activities. Although digital technology design activities can lead to several user gains, little is known about how such activities affect digital inclusion. Therefore, we explore whether and how participation in digital technology design activities can support the digital inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

We interviewed seven young adults with intellectual disabilities about their participation in ten digital technology design sessions. We also collected reflective notes from eight support workers who participated in the same design activities. The interviews were analysed thematically.

Findings

Thematic analysis generated four themes describing how participation in technology design activities can support the digital inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities: improving digital skills and knowledge, displaying skills and competence, increased interest in technology use, and influencing and adapting technology.

Conclusions

Participation in digital technology design activities with support workers can provide new opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities and can help overcome several digital activity barriers. Designers and researchers should increasingly, and actively involve people with intellectual disability in digital technology design activities as it can support and promote digital inclusion.
Cheating among elementary school children: A machine learning approach
Authors: Zhao Li , Zheng Yi , Zhao Junbang , Li Guoqiang , Compton Brian J. , Zhang Rui , Fang Fang , Heyman Gail D. , Lee Kang
Published: February 2023

Academic cheating is common, but little is known about its early emergence. It was examined among Chinese second to sixth graders (N = 2094; 53% boys, collected between 2018 and 2019) using a machine learning approach. Overall, 25.74% reported having cheated, which was predicted by the best machine learning algorithm (Random Forest) at a mean accuracy of 81.43%. Cheating was most strongly predicted by children's beliefs about the acceptability of cheating and the observed prevalence and frequency of peer cheating at school. These findings provide important insights about the early development of academic cheating, and how to promote academic integrity and limit cheating before it becomes entrenched. The present research demonstrates that machine learning can be effectively used to analyze developmental data.
Comparison of glucagon stimulation test and low dose ACTH test in assessing hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis in children
Authors: Yalovitsky Guy , Shaki David , Hershkovitz Eli , Friger Michael , Haim Alon
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Children with a pituitary hormone deficiency are at risk for secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI). A stimulation test is usually performed for diagnosing AI, evaluating both the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal and growth hormone (GH)‐IGF‐1 axes. This single test is preferred by clinicians and is considerably more tolerable by patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the glucagon stimulation test (GST), which is commonly used to assess both axes. Its diagnostic capability for GH deficiency is high and well accepted, however its utility for determining secondary AI has not been well established.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 120 patients under 18 years of age with short stature who had undergone both a GST and low dose ACTH stimulation test (LDACTH test). Twenty‐six children who had more than 6 months elapsed between the two tests were excluded from the study. The study was conducted on patients of the Pediatric Endocrinology Department at Soroka University Hospital, a tertiary medical centre in Beer Sheva, Israel. Statistical analyses were carried out via IBM SPSS (v. 22), with a significance level determined at p < .05.

Results

Different cortisol cut‐off values were assessed for GST and it was determined that the highest combined sensitivity and specificity yielded a cut‐off point of 320 nmol/L (56% sensitivity and 83% specificity) while the currently accepted cut‐off value (500 nmol/L) yielded 100% sensitivity and 6% specificity.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that GST is not an optimal tool for diagnosing secondary AI. Therefore, clinicians using this test should interpret its results with caution.
Early initiation of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir after transplantation of HCV‐viremic kidneys into HCV‐negative recipients is associated with normalization in the altered inflammatory milieu
Authors: Kim Myung‐Ho , Sise Meghan E. , Xu Min , Goldberg David S. , Fontana Robert J. , Kort Jens J. , Alloway Rita R. , Durand Christine M. , Brown Robert S. , Levitsky Josh , Gustafson Jenna L. , Reese Peter P. , Chung Raymond T.
Published: February 2023

Our previous Multicenter Trial to Transplant HCV‐infected Kidneys (MYTHIC) observed that 100% of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐uninfected patients who received a kidney from an HCV‐infected deceased donor were cured of HCV with an 8‐week regimen of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (G/P) initiated 2–5 days after transplantation. Following acute and chronic infection with HCV, immune system perturbations have been reported to persist even after viral clearance. The aim of this study was to determine whether HCV viremic kidney recipients in the MYTHIC study experience sustained changes in the soluble inflammatory milieu associated with HCV infection. Among nine patients with HCV viremia at day 3 post‐kidney transplant (post‐KT D3), IP‐10, IL‐10, MIP‐1β, and IL‐8 were significantly elevated from baseline. However, over the subsequent visits, there was a rapid, dramatic reduction back to baseline levels. Among seven patients who were not HCV viremic at post‐KT D3, the cytokine levels did not significantly change. HCV‐uninfected patients who received a kidney from an HCV‐viremic deceased donor and were treated with early G/P experienced only transient alterations in the soluble inflammatory milieu. These data provide reassuring evidence that there appear to be no persistent cytokine disturbances with transient HCV viremia accompanying HCV donor positive/recipient negative kidney transplant.
Novel ANKRD26 and PDGFRB gene mutations in pediatric case of non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Fayiga Folasade F. , Reyes‐Hadsall Sophia C. , Moreno Brian A. , Oh Kei Shing , Brathwaite Carole , Duarte Ana M.
Published: February 2023

Cutaneous non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis (NLCH) is a rare and biologically benign entity that can be broadly classified into two categories: xanthogranuloma and non‐xanthogranuloma. The xanthogranuloma family is characterized by a proliferation of histiocytes with both macrophage and dendritic cell differentiation, negative BRAF mutation, and rare Touton‐type giant cells. Molecular studies have reported that mutations involved in the MAPK signaling pathways are implicated in the pathophysiology of histiocytoses. While LCH is associated with the somatic mutation of BRAF v600e, however, mutations and gene fusions in NLCH cases are undefined. We hereby present a 19‐month‐old female with recalcitrant nodular rashes diagnosed as NLCH with associated novel genetic mutation involving ANKRD26 and PDGFRB genes, as well as PDGFRB::CD74 fusion mRNA. Immunohistochemical staining showed strong and diffuse CD68 and CD163 positivity, and negative CD1a, CD207, ALK D5F3, S100 protein, and BRAF V600E (VE1). Albeit unknown significance, this case of an ANKRD26 and PDGFRB gene mutation in cutaneous NLCH has not been reported prior in the literature. Our case highlights the advantage of pathology and genetic studies in cutaneous NLCH to increase the understanding of this heterogeneous enigmatic disorder and identify further options in management.
Psychosocial factors predict medication adherence in young adults with youth‐onset type 2 diabetes: Longitudinal results from the TODAY2 iCount study
Authors: Trief Paula M. , Uschner Diane , Kalichman Seth , Anderson Barbara J. , Fette Lida M. , Wen Hui , Bulger Jane D. , Weinstock Ruth S.
Published: February 2023

Aim

To identify psychosocial predictors of medication adherence in young adults with youth‐onset type 2 diabetes in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY2) cohort.

Methods

Participants (mean age: 26 years) completed validated psychosocial measures. Unannounced telephone pill counts were completed at T1 (baseline) and T2 (follow‐up, approximately 1 year later) to assess adherence to oral hypoglycaemia agents (OHAs). Adherence to insulin was assessed by self‐report. Logistic and linear regressions identified factors that predicted ‘low adherence’ (<80% of pills/insulin) and per cent adherence, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Of 171 participants with OHA adherence scores at T1 and T2 (65% women, 43% Hispanic and 35% non‐Hispanic Black), 65.4% were low adherent. After adjustment (including T1 adherence), concerns about diabetes medicines (adverse effects, dependence) at T1 predicted higher odds of being low adherent (categorical) at T2 (p = 0.019). Housing insecurity (p = 0.045) and reporting ≥2 need insecurities (p = 0.027) at T1 predicted lower per cent adherence (continuous) at T2. Of 157 participants with insulin adherence scores at T1 and T2 (69% women, 38% Hispanic and 38% non‐Hispanic Black), 36.3% were low adherent. After adjustment (including T1 adherence), beliefs that medicines are overused predicted higher odds of insulin low adherence at T2 (p = 0.013), and beliefs that medicines are harmful (p = 0.004) and overused (p = 0.010) predicted lower per cent insulin adherence at T2.

Conclusions

Suboptimal medication adherence, common in young adults with youth‐onset type 2 diabetes, is predicted by interfering beliefs about medicines and social factors. We must address these beliefs and unmet needs to develop tailored interventions for this vulnerable group.
Sustained heart rate‐corrected QT prolongation during recovery from hypoglycaemia in people with type 1 diabetes, independently of recovery to hyperglycaemia or euglycaemia
Authors: Andreasen Christine R. , Andersen Andreas , Hagelqvist Per G. , Maytham Kaisar , Lauritsen Julius V. , Engberg Susanne , Faber Jens , Pedersen‐Bjergaard Ulrik , Knop Filip K. , Vilsbøll Tina
Published: February 2023

Aim

To investigate changes in cardiac repolarization abnormalities (heart rate‐corrected QT [QTc] [primary endpoint], T‐wave abnormalities) and heart‐rate variability measures in people with type 1 diabetes during insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia followed by recovery hyperglycaemia versus euglycaemia.

Methods

In a randomized crossover study, 24 individuals with type 1 diabetes underwent two experimental clamps with three steady‐state phases during electrocardiographic monitoring: (1) a 45‐minute euglycaemic phase (5‐8 mmol/L), (2) a 60‐minute insulin‐induced hypoglycaemic phase (2.5 mmol/L), and (3) 60‐minute recovery in either hyperglycaemia (20 mmol/L) or euglycaemia (5‐8 mmol/L).

Results

All measured markers of arrhythmic risk indicated increased risk during hypoglycaemia. These findings were accompanied by a decrease in vagal tone during both hyperglycaemia and euglycaemia clamps. Compared with baseline, the QTc interval increased during hypoglycaemia, and 63% of the participants exhibited a peak QTc of more than 500 ms. The prolonged QTc interval was sustained during both recovery phases with no difference between recovery hyperglycaemia versus euglycaemia. During recovery, no change from baseline was observed in heart‐rate variability measures.

Conclusions

In people with type 1 diabetes, insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia prolongs cardiac repolarization, which is sustained during a 60‐minute recovery period independently of recovery to hyperglycaemia or euglycaemia. Thus, vulnerability to serious cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death may extend beyond a hypoglycaemic event, regardless of hyperglycaemic or euglycaemic recovery.
Comparative efficacy of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and non‐steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Nguyen Bao‐Ngoc , Nguyen Le , Mital Shweta , Bugden Shawn , Nguyen Hai V.
Published: February 2023

Aim

To compare the relative efficacy of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is), glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) and non‐steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (nsMRAs) in improving the cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception through 25 November 2022. We selected randomized controlled trials that studied patients with CKD and T2D with a follow‐up of at least 24 weeks and compared SGLT‐2is, GLP‐1RAs and nsMRAs with each other and with placebo. Primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and composite renal outcomes (CRO). Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death, all‐cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalization (HFH). A frequentist approach was used to pool risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twenty‐nine studies with 50 938 participants for MACE and 49 965 participants for CRO were included. SGLT‐2is did not significantly reduce MACE but were associated with significantly lower risks of CRO compared with GLP‐1RAs (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64‐0.91; P = .003) and nsMRAs (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68‐0.90; P = .001). Compared with GLP‐1RAs and nsMRAs, SGLT‐2is significantly reduced risks of HFH by 31% (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55‐0.88; P = .002) and 22% (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63‐0.95; P = .016), respectively, but did not significantly reduce other secondary outcomes. There were no significant differences between GLP‐1RAs and nsMRAs in lowering all outcomes.

Conclusions

SGLT‐2is were associated with better cardiorenal protection than GLP‐1RAs and nsMRAs in patients with CKD and T2D.
Changing Design to Change Healthcare
Authors: Gardien Paul , Deckers Eva
Published: February 2023

Patients expect, especially after living through a global pandemic, far more personalized and tailored care that can only be delivered through a more decentralized healthcare system.

A systemic approach is useful for addressing healthcare challenges in this era of major global challenges and may also provide a roadmap for other fields facing other complex, societal issues.
Manifesto for Design Schools: The Desire to Build a More Sober World
Authors: Guellerin Christian
Published: February 2023

The designer's job is to represent tomorrow, to give it form, meaning, and beauty.

Moving further into the twenty‐first century, the focus of design schools will necessarily evolve as they train future designers to adapt to and meet the needs of a world going through drastic changes.
On Design Decisions in the Age of Data and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Lechner Anat
Published: February 2023

Over the past decade, the world has become both fascinated and saturated with data, analytics, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

It may be beneficial for designers to adopt a data‐enabled approach to design, one that effectively interacts with cognitive technologies to optimize creative design decisions.
Incorporating pressure–volume traits into the leaf economics spectrum
Authors: Nadal Miquel , Clemente‐Moreno María J. , Perera‐Castro Alicia V. , Roig‐Oliver Margalida , Onoda Yusuke , Gulías Javier , Flexas Jaume
Published: February 2023

In recent years, attempts have been made in linking pressure–volume parameters and the leaf economics spectrum to expand our knowledge of the interrelationships among leaf traits. We provide theoretical and empirical evidence for the coordination of the turgor loss point and associated traits with net CO2 assimilation (An) and leaf mass per area (LMA). We measured gas exchange, pressure–volume curves and leaf structure in 45 ferns and angiosperms, and explored the anatomical and chemical basis of the key traits. We propose that the coordination observed between mass‐based An, capacitance and the turgor loss point (πtlp) emerges from their shared link with leaf density (one of the components of LMA) and, specially, leaf saturated water content (LSWC), which in turn relates to cell size and nitrogen and carbon content. Thus, considering the components of LMA and LSWC in ecophysiological studies can provide a broader perspective on leaf structure and function.
Acute truncal ataxia without nystagmus in patients with acute vertigo
Authors: Carmona Sergio , Martínez Carlos , Zalazar Guillermo , Koohi Nehzat , Kaski Diego
Published: February 2023

Background and purpose

Differentiating between peripheral and central aetiologies can be challenging in patients with acute vertigo, given substantial symptom overlap. A detailed clinical history and focused physical eye movement examination such as the HINTS eye examination appear to be the most reliable approach to identify acute cerebellar/brainstem stroke, outperforming even acute brain imaging. We have observed, however, that isolated vertigo of central cause may be accompanied by acute truncal ataxia, in the absence of nystagmus.

Methods

We explored the frequency of ataxia without concurrent nystagmus in a cross section of patients with acute vertigo who presented to the emergency department at two centres in Argentina (Group A) and the UK (Group B). Patients underwent detailed clinical neuro‐otological assessments (Groups A and B), which included instrumented head impulse testing and oculography (Group B).

Results

A total of 71 patients in Group A and 24 patients in Group B were included in this study. We found acute truncal ataxia—without nystagmus—in 15% (n = 14) of our overall cohort. Lesions involved stroke syndromes affecting the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and superior cerebellar artery, thalamic stroke, cerebral hemisphere stroke, multiple sclerosis, and a cerebellar tumour. Additional oculomotor deficits did not reliably identify a central cause in these individuals, even with oculography.

Conclusions

We have identified a significant subpopulation of patients with acute vertigo in whom the current standard approaches such as the HINTS examination that focus on oculomotor assessment may not be applicable, highlighting the need for a formal assessment of gait in this setting.
Classifying the heart sound signals using textural‐based features for an efficient decision support system
Authors: Taneja Kriti , Arora Vinay , Verma Karun
Published: February 2023

Cardiovascular diseases have surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death on the planet today. Numerous decision‐making systems with computer‐assisted support have been developed to assist cardiologists to detect heart disease, and thus, lowering the mortality rate. The purpose of this research is to classify audio signals received from the heart as normal or abnormal. The PhysioNet Computing in Cardiology (CinC) 2016 benchmark dataset, popularly known as PhysioNet 2016, has been used to validate the proposed methodology presented here. PhysioNet 2016 contains a total of 3200 phonocardiogram (PCG) recordings divided into sub‐datasets A‐F. The state‐of‐the‐art studies conducted till date have not considered the harmonic details of the beat that can be extracted from its equivalent chromagram image. In this work, textural features such as linear binary pattern (LBP), adaptive‐LBP, and ring‐LBP have been extracted from the existing spectrogram and combined with the features extracted from the chromagram. It has been observed that the combination of features extracted from both the image variants has resulted in a greater accuracy as compared to the scenario where researchers were using only the spectrogram. The experiment yielded the mean accuracy, precision, and F1‐score as 94.87, 93.11, and 95.273, respectively. The heart sound classification models employ spectrogram, scalogram, and mel‐spectrogram images to view and analyse the acoustic properties of a PCG signal. Although these visual tools provide useful information about the signal, yet they are unable to distinguish between pitch and resonance in heart sound generation. However, this paper proposes an alternative approach of heart sound signal representation that allows for a more precise measure of pitch‐related changes in the heart sound. Its results highlight the significance of extracting textural features from time‐chroma representation (i.e., chromagram) of PCG signals that have not been explored yet in the domain related to classification of heart sound signals as normal and abnormal.
The realities of problem‐solving for emerging‐adult siblings of individuals with schizophrenia
Authors: Graves Jillian M. , Marsack‐Topolewski Christina N. , Chan Keith
Published: February 2023

Objective

This researchers examined how emerging‐adult siblings of people with schizophrenia navigate problem‐solving and decision‐making.

Background

Navigating more complex problems is a critical part of emerging adult development, although it can be complicated by stress, conflict, lack of self‐efficacy, and lack of family support. Understanding the development of problem‐solving and decision‐making of emerging‐adult siblings of people with schizophrenia development of these key competencies can aid in understanding how they navigate adulthood while contending with a stressful family environment.

Method

In‐depth interviews with 23 individuals between 18 and 30 years of age were conducted to explore problem‐solving, decision‐making, and family relationships.

Results

Findings suggest that participants who had supportive family or romantic relationships felt as if they were able to resolve their problems. They were likely to use cognitive strategies or advice from other people to resolve their issues. Participants who experienced a lack of support appeared to have more difficulty problem‐solving and decision‐making.

Conclusion

Emerging‐adult siblings of individuals with schizophrenia who had adequate family or spousal/partner support reported being more successful in formulating a problem‐solving strategy than participants as opposed to those who felt more isolated.

Implications

The study has implications for future researchers, such as the examination of other developmental stages and the need to examine why some emerging‐adult siblings were able to develop supportive romantic relationships more easily than participants who had similarly conflictual or ambivalent familial relationships.
A numerical investigation of the interaction between interlaminar and intralaminar damages in a fatigued composite panel
Authors: Russo Angela , Palumbo Concetta , Riccio Aniello
Published: February 2023

The fatigue behavior of composite materials is still a very challenging issue for the scientific community. So far, several numerical methodologies allow us to faithfully simulate the propagation of delamination due to fatigue. However, the reduction of material properties due to the applied cyclic load should be considered. The main objective of this work is to investigate the role of the material property degradation and the intralaminar damages on the propagation of delamination in composite laminates under fatigue loads. The numerical tool FT‐SMXB, based on the Paris Law and virtual crack closure technique, for the mimic of fatigue‐driven delamination, has been integrated with a user material subroutine, based on the generalized residual material property 7degradation model and the Hashin fatigue failure criteria. Typical aeronautical stiffened panel has been considered as test case. Matrix damages and strength degradation due to fatigue cycles have been found to influence the propagation of delamination.
Fatigue behavior and lifetime assessment of an austenitic stainless steel in the VHCF regime at ambient and elevated temperatures
Authors: Schopf Tim , Weihe Stefan , Daniel Tobias , Smaga Marek , Beck Tilmann
Published: February 2023

While the LCF behavior of austenitic steels used in nuclear power plants is already well investigated, the VHCF regime has not been characterized in detail so far. For this, fatigue tests on the metastable austenitic steel AISI 347/1.4550 were performed with a servo‐hydraulic testing system at test frequencies up to 980 Hz and with an ultrasonic fatigue testing system at a test frequency of 20,000 Hz. To compare these test results to the ASME standard fatigue curve (total strain amplitude vs. load cycles to failure), a fictitious‐elastic and an elastically plastic assessment method was used. The elaborated elastic–plastic assessment method generates good results, while a purely elastic assessment in the VHCF regime, commonly used in literature, leads to significantly nonconservative results. Moreover, phase transformation from metastable austenite into stable α′‐martensite can take place, and no specimen failure occurs in the VHCF regime. Consequently, for this material, a real endurance limit exists.
Microbial necromass in cropland soils: A global meta‐analysis of management effects
Authors: Zhou Ranran , Liu Yuan , Dungait Jennifer A. J. , Kumar Amit , Wang Jinsong , Tiemann Lisa K. , Zhang Fusuo , Kuzyakov Yakov , Tian Jing
Published: February 2023

Microbial necromass is a large and persistent component of soil organic carbon (SOC), especially under croplands. The effects of cropland management on microbial necromass accumulation and its contribution to SOC have been measured in individual studies but have not yet been summarized on the global scale. We conducted a meta‐analysis of 481‐paired measurements from cropland soils to examine the management effects on microbial necromass and identify the optimal conditions for its accumulation. Nitrogen fertilization increased total microbial necromass C by 12%, cover crops by 14%, no or reduced tillage (NT/RT) by 20%, manure by 21%, and straw amendment by 21%. Microbial necromass accumulation was independent of biochar addition. NT/RT and straw amendment increased fungal necromass and its contribution to SOC more than bacterial necromass. Manure increased bacterial necromass higher than fungal, leading to decreased ratio of fungal‐to‐bacterial necromass. Greater microbial necromass increases after straw amendments were common under semi‐arid and in cool climates in soils with pH <8, and were proportional to the amount of straw input. In contrast, NT/RT increased microbial necromass mainly under warm and humid climates. Manure application increased microbial necromass irrespective of soil properties and climate. Management effects were especially strong when applied during medium (3–10 years) to long (10+ years) periods to soils with larger initial SOC contents, but were absent in sandy soils. Close positive links between microbial biomass, necromass and SOC indicate the important role of stabilized microbial products for C accrual. Microbial necromass contribution to SOC increment (accumulation efficiency) under NT/RT, cover crops, manure and straw amendment ranged from 45% to 52%, which was 9%–16% larger than under N fertilization. In summary, long‐term cropland management increases SOC by enhancing microbial necromass accumulation, and optimizing microbial necromass accumulation and its contribution to SOC sequestration requires site‐specific management.
The role of rice cultivation in changes in atmospheric methane concentration and the Global Methane Pledge
Authors: Wang Jinyang , Ciais Philippe , Smith Pete , Yan Xiaoyuan , Kuzyakov Yakov , Liu Shuwei , Li Tingting , Zou Jianwen
Published: February 2023

Resumption of the increase in atmospheric methane (CH4) concentrations since 2007 is of global concern and may partly have resulted from emissions from rice cultivation. Estimates of CH4 emissions from rice fields and abatement potential are essential to assess the contribution of improved rice management in achieving the targets of the Global Methane Pledge agreed upon by over 100 countries at COP26. However, the contribution of CH4 emissions from rice fields to the resumed CH4 growth and the global abatement potential remains unclear. In this study, we estimated the global CH4 emissions from rice fields to be 27 ± 6 Tg CH4 year−1 in the recent decade (2008–2017) based on the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The trend of CH4 emissions from rice cultivation showed an increase followed by no significant change and then, a stabilization over 1990–2020. Consequently, the contribution of CH4 emissions from rice fields to the renewed increase in atmospheric CH4 concentrations since 2007 was minor. We summarized the existing low‐cost measures and showed that improved water and straw management could reduce one‐third of global CH4 emissions from rice fields. Straw returned as biochar could reduce CH4 emissions by 12 Tg CH4 year−1, equivalent to 10% of the total reduction of all anthropogenic emissions. We conclude that other sectors than rice cultivation must have contributed to the renewed increase in atmospheric CH4 concentrations, and that optimizing multiple mitigation measures in rice fields could contribute significantly to the abatement goal outlined in the Global Methane Pledge.
Use of combined hormonal contraception and stroke: A case‐control study of the impact of migraine type and estrogen dose on ischemic stroke risk
Authors: Batur Pelin , Yao Meng , Bucklan Julia , Soni Payal , Suneja Aarushi , Farrell Ruth , Mays Maryann
Published: February 2023

Objective

To clarify how factors such as estrogen dose and migraine history (including migraine subtype) impact ischemic stroke risks associated with combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use.

Background

CHC use in those with migraine with aura has been restricted due to concerns about stroke risk.

Methods

We conducted a case‐control analysis of stroke risk associated with estrogen dose and migraine history among CHC users in a large tertiary care center. All women aged 18–55 who used a CHC between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, were identified. Those with a stroke diagnosis were identified using ICD codes and confirmed via chart and imaging review. Details of personal and family medical history, stroke evaluation, ethinyl estradiol dosing (EE; ≥30 vs. <30 μg), and demographics were collected. From a random sample of 20,000 CHC users without stroke, a control cohort (n = 635) was identified and matched based on patient characteristics, medical and family histories, as well as stroke risk factors, to assess association between migraine diagnosis, migraine subtype, estrogen dose, and stroke.

Results

Of the 203,853 CHC users in our cohort, 127 had confirmed stroke (0.06%; CI 0.05%, 0.07%). In unadjusted analyses, a higher number of patients in the case cohort had a diagnosis of migraine (34/127, 26.8%) compared to controls (109/635, 17.2%; p = 0.011). Stroke risk was higher with ≥30‐μg EE doses compared to those using a <30‐μg dose (OR, 1.52; CI 1.02, 2.26; p = 0.040). Compared to no migraine, personal history of migraine increased the odds of stroke (OR, 2.00; CI 1.27, 3.17; p = 0.003). Compared to no migraine, stroke risk was not significantly increased in those with migraine with aura, but migraine without aura increased the risk (OR, 2.35; CI 1.32, 4.2; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Overall stroke risk in our cohort of CHC users was low. When CHCs are used in those with migraine, formulations containing ≤30 μg EE are preferred. Shared decision‐making should include discussions about ischemic stroke risks in patients with migraine, even those without aura.
Woody encroachment affects multiple dimensions of ant diversity in a neotropical savanna
Authors: Neves K. , Santos B. , Schultz T. , Gotzek D. , Abreu R. C. R. , Durigan G. , Vasconcelos H. L.
Published: February 2023

Although savanna woody encroachment has become a global phenomenon, relatively little is known about its effects on multiple dimensions and levels of savanna biodiversity.

Using a combination of field surveys, a species‐level phylogeny, and functional metrics drawn from a morphological dataset, we evaluated how the progressive increase in tree cover in a fire‐suppressed savanna landscape affects the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of neotropical ant communities, at both the alpha and beta levels. Ants were sampled along an extensive tree cover gradient, ranging from open savannas to forests established in former savanna areas.

Variation in tree cover had a significant influence on all facets of diversity at the beta level, whereas at the alpha level tree cover variation affected the taxonomic and functional but not the phylogenetic diversity of the ant communities.

In general, ant community responses to variation in tree cover were largely non‐linear as differences in taxonomic alpha diversity and in the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic composition of the sampled communities were often much stronger at the savanna/forest transition than at any other part of the gradient. This indicates that savanna ant communities switch rapidly to an alternative state once the savanna turns into forest.

Ant communities in the newly formed forest areas lacked many of the species typical of the savanna habitats, suggesting that the maintenance of a fire suppression policy is likely to result in a decrease in ant diversity and in the homogenisation of the ant fauna at the landscape scale.
The impact of airborne ultrafine particulate matter on human keratinocyte stem cells
Authors: Labarrade Florian , Meyrignac Céline , Plaza Christelle , Capallere Christophe , Botto Jean‐Marie , Imbert Isabelle
Published: February 2023

Objective

Air pollution is today fully acknowledged to be a significant public health problem. Rapid urbanization exposed us to a variety of unhealthy ambient air pollutants at high concentrations. The emergence of airborne ultrafine particles has added an additional dimension to this already complex problem of air pollution. The skin has different functions, one of them being the protection against the deleterious effect of external agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) pollution on skin aging and on keratinocyte differentiation.

Methods

Ex vivo human skin biopsies and cultured keratinocytes stem cells (KSC) were submitted to diesel exhaust‐derived UFP. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed with the MitoSOX™ probe. Keratinocyte stemness potential was evaluated by the immunodetection of keratin 15 (K15) and p63 (∆N isoforms). Effect of UFP on the epithelial niche maintenance was evaluated by immunodetection of Sox9. Reconstructed epidermis model was used to assess the impact of UFP on keratinocyte differentiation and aging.

Results

UFP exposure induced ROS production and disturbed K15, ∆Np63 and Sox9 expression in KSC or ex vivo skin. Finally, investigations on reconstructed epidermis revealed a phenotype marked by impaired keratinocyte differentiation.

Conclusion

These results indicate that UFP pollution is a potent extrinsic factor of skin aging, affecting the keratinocyte stem cell potential and the skin renewal process.
Characterization of piroctone olamine for topical delivery to the skin
Authors: Tang Chun Fung , Paz‐Alvarez Miguel , Pudney Paul D. A. , Lane Majella E.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Dandruff and its more severe related condition, seborrheic dermatitis affects a high proportion of the population at some point in their life. Piroctone olamine, also known as Octopirox® (OPX) is the monoethanolamine salt of piroctone and is an antifungal agent widely used for the management of dandruff. The aim of the present work was to characterize the physicochemical properties of piroctone olamine and to conduct pre‐formulation studies for the development of novel topical formulations of this active.

Methods

An HPLC method was developed and validated for the analysis of OPX. The melting point was determined using the DSC Q2000 (TA Instruments, USA). The distribution coefficient (logD(O/PBS)) and partition coefficient (log Po/w) was determined in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) AND deionized (DI) water using the shake flask method. All experiments were performed at room temperature. The solubility was determined experimentally by adding amount of active to a solvent. The samples were kept at 32° ± 1°C for 48 h in a water bath. The stability of the compound was determined in a range of solvents by preparing solutions of 1 mg mL−1 in the relevant solvents. These solutions were kept and stirred throughout the experiment at 32 ± 1°C, and aliquots were taken at 24, 48 and 96 h.

Results

The HPLC method was developed successfully; however, samples at the lower end of the calibration curve showed lower degrees of precision and accuracy. Based on experiments with DSC, the melting point was observed at an onset temperature of 132.4°C. The LogD was determined to be 1.84. The compound had the highest solubility in methanol (278.4 mg mL−1) and propylene glycol (PG), with a value of 248.8 mg mL−1. The lowest solubility for OPX was in dimethyl isosorbide (9.9 mg mL−1), Labrafac™ (3.6 mg mL−1) and isostearyl isostearate (0.5 mg mL−1). Over the 4 days, OPX showed stability in ethanol and PG, while a notable decrease in OPX was observed in PBS and DI water at 32 ± 1°C.

Conclusion

The physicochemical properties of OPX were characterized to find suitable excipients able to target the epidermis for topical delivery. Building on these findings, future work will focus on the development of novel topical formulation of OPX.
Arnica montanaL. associated with microcurrent accelerates the dermis reorganisation of skin lesions
Authors: Zacarias Cresle Andrei , de Mendonça Florenziano Rosimere Farias , de Andrade Thiago Antonio Moretti , de Aro Andrea Aparecida , do Amaral Maria Esméria Corezola , dos Santos Gláucia Maria Tech , Esquisatto Marcelo Augusto Marretto
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to test the effect of electrical stimulation in association with topicalArnica montanagel on organisational changes in the dermis during tissue repair. An experimental rat incisional skin lesion was used for the study. This involved making an incisional lesion on the dorsum of the animals using a scalpel. Ninety‐six animals were used divided into the following groups: control (C), microcurrent (MC); topical treatment withArnica montanagel (ARN); the ARN + microcurrent (ARN + MC). Treatments were administered daily, and injured tissue samples were collected and processed on Days 2, 6 and 10 for dermis analyses. Myeloperoxidase levels were greater in control than in treatment groups on Days 2 and 6. F4/80 expression was similar among all treatment groups and greater than that in control on Day 2. On Day 6, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was higher in the MC group than that in other groups, whereas transforming growth factor‐β expression increased in the MC and ARN + MC groups on Day 10. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 was higher in the ARN + MC group when compared with other groups on Day 10. Expression levels of collagen I were increased in the ARN and ARN + MC groups when compared with control and MC groups on Day 6, while expression of collagen III was enhanced in MC, ARN, and ARN + MC groups when compared with the control. The protocol combining microcurrent with topical application of ARN reduces the inflammatory process, increases myofibroblasts proliferation and decreases the presence of macrophages in the dermis during skin repair in rats.
“I think they do not know how to lie:” The perceptions of legal support staff about person with intellectual disabilities/autism in Turkish legal system
Authors: Kaya Ali , Yıldız Gizem
Published: February 2023

Background

Increased social integration of individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism could may raise their likelihood of interacting with justice system and legal staff.

Aims

The present article aimed to determine the perceptions of the legal support staff about the individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism.

Materials and Methods

In the study, conducted with the phenomenological method, the views of 15 legal support staff were obtained. The study reported what participants perceived and examined whether participants had an accurate understanding of the experiences/support needs of people with intellectual disabilities/autism. The data were analysed with content analysis.

Results

Three themes were determined: (1) Experience of interview with an individual with intellectual disabilities/autism, (2) attitudes of judges, lawyers and other staff, and (3) abuse/trauma.

Discussion

Findings are consistent with literature. Individuals with intellectual disabilities/autism have problems in expressing themselves, also staff do not know them, do not know their features. Studies show that staff often do not know what to do in these interviews.

Conclusion

Based on the participant perspectives, it was determined that individuals with intellectual disabilities/autism experienced self‐expression problems, interviewees did not understand children/individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism and could exhibit negative attitudes, the children could be abused and traumatised during judicial processes, they were more prone to abuse when compared to their peers, they could be involved in certain events more frequently and could be pushed to crime.
Childhood mental health difficulties mediate the long‐term association between early‐life adversity at age 3 and poorer cognitive functioning at ages 11 and 14
Authors: Nweze Tochukwu , Ezenwa Michael , Ajaelu Cyriacus , Okoye Chukwuemeka
Published: February 2023

Background

Early‐life adversity is associated with adverse mental health outcomes and poorer cognitive functioning in later development. However, little is known about how early‐life adversity, mental health, and cognition affect one another or how the effects unfold over time. Here, we test the hypothesis that early‐life adversity may lead to mental health challenges which in turn have adverse consequences for the development of cognitive abilities.

Methods

In a large (N = 13,287) longitudinal (5 wave) sample assessed at ages 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14, we use both path analysis approach and latent growth curve mediation model to study whether poorer mental health in childhood may mediate the effects of early‐life adversity on later working memory and vocabulary outcomes.

Results

We found a significant total association between early‐life adversity and poorer performance on working memory (β = .123,p < .001, [95% CI 0.106, 0.141]) and vocabulary scores (β = −.111,p < .001, [95% CI −0.129, −0.093]). Notably, current and previous mental health mediated a substantial proportion (working memory: 59%; vocabulary: 70%) of these effects. Further longitudinal modeling showed that early‐life adversity has an enduring adverse effect on mental health, and that poorer mental health is associated with poorer cognitive performance later on in development. In a complementary analysis using latent growth curve mediation model, we found indirect associations between early‐life adversity and working memory through baseline mental health at age 3 (intercept: β = .083,p < .001, [95% CI 0.072, 0.094]) and change in mental health across ages 3–11 (slope: β = −.012,p = .001, [95% CI −0.019, −0.005]). Likewise, baseline mental health at age 3 (intercept: β = −.095,p < .001, [95% CI −0.107, −0.083]) and change in mental health across ages 3–14 (slope: β = .007,p = .001, [95% CI 0.003, 0.011]) significantly and completely mediated the relation between early‐life adversity and vocabulary outcome.

Conclusions

These findings have important potential clinical and educational implications, because they suggest that academic and cognitive resilience may be supported through early mental health interventions in vulnerable children.
Increased mortality in ICU patients ≥70 years old with COVID‐19 compared to patients with other pneumonias
Authors: Haas Lenneke E. M. , Termorshuizen Fabian , den Uil Corstiaan A. , de Keizer Nicolette F. , de Lange Dylan W. ,   the Dutch COVID‐19 Research Consortium
Published: February 2023

Background

Patients over 70 years old represent a substantial proportion of the COVID‐19 ICU population and their mortality rates are high.

The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of patients ≥70 years old admitted to Dutch ICUs with COVID‐19, compared to patients ≥70 years old admitted to the ICU for bacterial and other viral pneumonias, with adjustments for age, comorbidities, severity of illness, and ICU occupancy rate.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study including patients ≥70 years old admitted to Dutch ICUs, comparing patients admitted with COVID‐19 from March 1st 2020 to January 1st 2022 with patients ≥70 years old admitted because of a bacterial and other viral pneumonia, both divided in a historical (i.e., January 1st 2017 to January 1st 2020) and current cohort (i.e., March 1st 2020 to January 1st 2022). Primary outcome is hospital mortality.

Results

11,525 unique patients ≥70 years old admitted to Dutch ICUs were included; 5094 with COVID‐19, 5334 with a bacterial pneumonia, and 1312 with another viral pneumonia. ICU‐mortality and in‐hospital mortality rates of the patients ≥70 years old admitted with COVID‐19 were 39.7% and 47.6% respectively. ICU‐ and hospital mortality rates of the patients who were admitted in the same or in an historical time period with a bacterial pneumonia or other viral pneumonias were considerably lower (19.5% and 28.6% for patients with a bacterial pneumonia in the historical cohort and 19.1% and 28.8% in the same period, for the patients with other viral pneumonias 20.7% and 28.9%, and 22.7% and 31.8% respectively, all p < 0.001). Differences persisted after correction for several clinical characteristics and ICU occupancy rate.

Conclusions

In ICU‐patients ≥70 years old, COVID‐19 is more severe compared to bacterial or viral pneumonia.
The challenges facing residential aged care homes to participate in quality food and nutrition research
Authors: Cave Danielle , Abbey Karen , Capra Sandra
Published: February 2023

Background

There is a clear need for food and nutrition research to lead to pragmatic and sustainable solutions to the ongoing problems in residential aged care, particularly within foodservices. The present study aimed to identify systemic challenges for residential aged care homes in Australia to participate in quality food and nutrition research, using a complexity science lens.

Methods

Qualitative data from three studies in residential aged care were gathered, which included 28 participants across 21 aged care homes. Qualitative data consisted of in‐depth interviews, field notes and email communications with aged care staff. Thematic analysis was undertaken using both inductive and deductive approaches.

Results

Four themes were identified: (1) complex staffing issues deter or impede participation in research; (2) external pressure on the aged care system leads to research not being a priority; (3) funding issues are variable and pose a barrier for some aged care homes; and (4) research processes and requirements can lead to biased samples.

Conclusions

Several challenges to undertaking quality empirical research in residential aged care in Australia were identified. Research needs to be part of usual business, similar to hospitals, and operate independently of staffing and funding issues. Issues within foodservices are system issues and there is a need for quality empirical research to determine solutions.