bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulus-Response signaling dynamics characterize macrophage polarization states
Authors: Singh Apeksha , Sen Supriya , Adelaja Adewunmi , Hoffmann Alexander
Published: March 2022

Macrophages show remarkable functional pleiotropy that is dependent on microenvironmental context. Prior studies have characterized how polarizing cytokines alter the transcriptomic and epigenetic landscape. Here we characterized the immune-threat appropriate responses of polarized macrophages by measuring the single-cell signaling dynamics of transcription factor NFκB. Leveraging a fluorescent protein reporter mouse, primary macrophages were polarized into 6 states and stimulated with 8 different stimuli resulting in a vast dataset. Linear Discriminant Analysis revealed how NFκB signaling codons compose the immune threat level of stimuli, placing polarization states along a linear continuum between the M1/M2 dichotomy. Machine learning classification revealed losses of stimulus distinguishability with polarization, which reflect a switch from sentinel to more canalized effector functions. However, the stimulus-response dynamics and discrimination patterns did not fit the M1/M2 continuum. Instead, our analysis suggests macrophage functional niches within a multi-dimensional polarization landscape.

Highlights

Polarization of macrophages affects stimulus-response NFκB dynamics

For each condition, NFκB signaling codons quantify the “immune threat” level

Machine Learning reveals polarization-induced canalization of stimulus-responses

NFκB stimulus-responses may define a landscape of macrophage states

eTOC blurb

Macrophages are profoundly responsive to their tissue microenvironment, but how that affects their pathogen response functions has not been investigated systematically. Here we studied how their signaling response is affected by six polarizing cytokines. We found each modulates their stimulus-responses highly specifically, producing distinct patterns of stimulus-discrimination. Thereby, these stimulus-response specificities may be used to describe a landscape of functional macrophage states.

Graphical Abstract
Extracellular vesicle fusion visualized by cryo-EM
Authors: Morandi Mattia I. , Busko Petro , Ozer-Partuk Efrat , Khan Suman , Zarfati Giulia , Elbaz-Alon Yael , Karam Paula Abou , Shogan Tina Napso , Ginini Lana , Gil Ziv , Regev-Rudzki Neta , Avinoam Ori
Published: March 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transfer bioactive molecules between cells in a process reminiscent of enveloped viruses. EV cargo delivery is thought to occur by protein-mediated and pH-dependent membrane fusion of the EV and the cellular membrane. However, there is a lack of methods to identify the fusion proteins and resolve their mechanism. We developed and benchmarked an in vitro biophysical assay to investigate EV membrane fusion. The assay was standardized by directly comparing EV- and viral-fusion with liposomes. We show that EVs and retroviruses fuse with liposomes mimicking the membrane composition of the late endosome in a pH and protein-dependent manner. Moreover, we directly visualize the stages of membrane fusion using cryo-electron tomography. We find that, unlike most retroviruses, EVs remain fusogenic after acidification and re-neutralization. These results provide novel insights into the EV cargo delivery mechanism and an experimental approach to identify the EV fusion machinery.
Synthesis and properties of a novel decacyclic S,N-heteroacene
Authors: Li Gongchun , Wang Wei , Zhan Chun , Xiao Shengqiang
Published: March 2022

S,N-Heteroacene materials with fused multicyclic heteroaromatics have become increasingly attractive for organic optoelectronic device applications. In this work, the Cadogan ring-closure reaction between the benzene moiety of thieno[3,2-b]indole and 5,6-dinitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole was employed to prepare the novel decacyclic S,N-heteroacene 15,16-dibutyl-14,17-didodecyldithieno[2′′,3′′:2′,3′]indolo[6′,7′:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-e:2′,3′-g][2,1,3]benzothiadiazole (TIP), C58H76N6S3. The conjugated backbone of TIP is extended in comparison with its octacyclic analogue as the central unit within Y6-type molecular acceptors, a family of overwhelming electron acceptors in polymer solar-cell research. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) characterization indicated the existence of π–π and C(sp
2)—H...π interactions among TIP molecules. The electrochemical and optical properties of TIP were also characterized. As a novel S,N-heteroacene building block, TIP is anticipated to be of potential use in the construction of promising electronic materials.
The global management accounting principles (GMAP) and the relationship between organizational design elements
Authors: Oyewo Babajide , Tauringana Venancio , Omikunle Babajide Moses , Owoyele Olusola
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between organizational design elements (i.e. quality of management accounting skills and performance management system, PMS), management accounting practice (MAP) sophistication and organizational competitiveness using the Global Management Accounting Principles (GMAP) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data was obtained through a structured questionnaire from 131 Nigerian firms. Measures of the quality of management accounting skills, robustness of PMS structure, MAP sophistication and organizational competitiveness were derived from the GMAP framework. Structural equation modelling was applied to explore the complexity of relationship among variables.

Findings

While the quality of management accounting skills was found to have a positive but insignificant impact on MAP sophistication, the impact of PMS structure on MAP sophistication was positive and significant. MAP sophistication has a positive impact on organizational competitiveness, but the magnitude of its contribution appears to depend on the quality of management accounting skills and the robustness of PMS structure. The inability of MAP sophistication to exert much influence on organizational competitiveness is attributable to the low contribution of management accounting skills. The result supports the proposition that performance is optimized when all organizational design elements are concurrently improved.

Practical implications

The study shows that organizations need to critically look into the quality of skills possessed by personnel in the accounting function, as all organizational design elements must be given equal importance to achieve the best results.

Originality/value

The study contributes to knowledge by investigating the quality of management accounting skills and the robustness of PMS as organizational design elements affecting MAP and organizational competitiveness using the GMAP framework. The study operationalizes some elements of the GMAP framework by developing measurements that can be used by future studies.
Simplification and further optimization of spatial cable-truss structure without inner ring cables
Authors: Lu Jian , Xue Suduo , Liu Renjie , Li Xiongyan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In order to optimize SCSWIRC, the simplification and further optimization method is proposed. SCSWIRC's optimization includes two levels. The first level refers to simplifying structural system from the perspective of components; the second level refers to optimizing components' sectional areas from the perspective of mechanics. The first level aims to remove redundant components, and the second level aims to reduce structural self-weight based on the first level. The purpose of the paper is to simplify SCSWIRC's structural system and optimize structural self-weight and reduce construction forming difficulty.

Design/methodology/approach

Grid-jumping layout and multi-objective optimization method is used to simplify and further optimize Spatial cable-truss structure without inner ring cables (SCSWIRC). Grid-jumping layout is used to simplify remove redundant components, and multi-objective optimization method is used to reduce structural self-weight. The detailed solving process is given based on grid-jumping layout and multi-objective optimization method.

Findings

Take SCSWIRC with a span of 100m as an example to verify the feasibility and correctness of the simplification and further optimization method. The optimization results show that 12 redundant components are removed and the self-weight reduces by 3.128t from original scheme to grid-jumping layout scheme 1. The self-weight reduces from 36.007t to 28.231t and feasible coefficient decreases from 1.0 to 0.627 from grid-jumping layout scheme 1 to multi-objective optimization scheme. The simplification and further optimization can not only remove the redundant components and simplify structural system to reduce construction forming difficulty, but also optimize structural self-weight under considering structural stiffness to reduce project costs.

Originality/value

The proposed method firstly simplifies SCSWIRC and then optimizes the simplified SCSWIRC, which can solve the optimization problem from the perspective of components and mechanics. Meanwhile, the optimal section solving method can be used to obtain circular steel tube size with the optimal stiffness of the same areas. The proposed method successfully solves the problem of construction forming and project cost, which promotes the application of SCSWIRC in practical engineering.
A bibliometric study of collaborative research productivity among library and information science academicians in Pakistan 1975–2021
Authors: Khan Amjid , Hussain Abid
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the status of collaborative research productivity, major library and information sciences (LIS) research trends and the level of research among the LIS academicians as principal authors in Pakistan during 1975–2021 (47 years).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method was adopted to collect the required data using bibliometric patterns. The data of all faculty members working in LIS schools of Pakistan was collected from the official website of their employers/institutions. Different strategies were used to acquire respondents’ bibliographic/publication records such as faculty members’/employers’ official websites and faculty members’ Google Scholar profiles; advanced searching techniques were also used to retrieve their bibliographic records.

Findings

The results revealed that a total of 74 regular faculty members comprising 78.38% males and 21.62% females are working in 12 LIS Pakistani schools. A total of 1,787 papers were produced by LIS faculty, among which 702 were written by Pakistani LIS faculty as principal authors during the selected period. The results revealed that 60.72% of the principal authors’ work was produced in collaboration. The collaboration between faculty members and other faculty was 81%, while two authors' work productivity was on the top. No attention has been given to produce research in collaboration with international/foreign LIS experts, especially from developed countries.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are useful for faculties to have a richer understanding of the various elements of collaboration at national as well as international levels, and then discover the ways to begin and maintain effective partnerships to research emerging trends in LIS.

Originality/value

This study is a unique bibliometric study that systematically and quantitatively combined the research productivity of LIS academicians in Pakistan and provided a holistic sketch of the literature produced on various themes of LIS during 1975–2021.
Managerial perceptions in Indian apparel manufacturing: a firm-level survey
Authors: Gambhir Dhwani , Sharma Seema
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper explores the managerial perceptions in Indian apparel manufacturing firms related to production performance, challenges faced, causes of low efficiency and the government support needed.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey of Indian apparel manufacturing firms was undertaken in person and through the online mode; the questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographic profile of a firm using categorical questions and perceptions of its top managers using a five-point Likert scale.

Findings

The survey findings reveal that most apparel manufacturing firms believe that exporting promotes efficiency and adopt output orientation to production, which may not be suitable in a competitive and uncertain environment. Machines are not used much for value-addition and labour related issues are most pressing challenges. Government support is expected for several aspects such as power supply and skill development.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by the nature of the sampling method and sample size; perceptions should be explored without bias and with good judgement.

Practical implications

The survey findings suggest that government policy should have a firm-specific approach to support improved production performance along with generic policies to build infrastructure and logistical facilities.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, there has been no such exercise to study managerial perceptions related to production performance in Indian apparel manufacturing in the past decade.
Government dominance and the role of opposition in parliamentary democracies
Authors: KÖNIG THOMAS , LIN NICK , SILVA THIAGO N.
Published: March 2022

While current research shows that the government dominates the policy agenda in parliamentary democracies, little is known about the role of the opposition in challenging this dominance. Taking a closer look at the parliamentary policy‐making process, we examine whether opposition support for partisan control of committee chairmanship makes challenges to government bills through amendment proposals more or less likely. By analysing about 7400 government bills from three parliamentary democracies over 35 years, our results show that, under opposition chairmanship, a high likelihood of opposition support fosters amendment proposals, but, under coalition partner chairmanship, the likelihood of government bills being challenged only increases when the likelihood of opposition support is low. This suggests that a unified opposition not only makes challenges to the government's agenda more likely but also conditions how coalition partners manage collective governance.
Racial and ethnic disparities in access to and enrollment in high‐quality Medicare Advantage plans
Authors: Park Sungchul , Werner Rachel M. , Coe Norma B.
Published: March 2022

Objective

Racial and ethnic minority enrollees in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans tend to be in lower‐quality plans, measured by a 5‐star quality rating system. We examine whether differential access to high‐rated plans was associated with this differential enrollment in high‐rated plans by race and ethnicity among MA enrollees.

Data Sources

The Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File and MA Landscape File for 2016.

Study Design

We first examined county‐level MA plan offerings by race and ethnicity. We then examined the association of racial and ethnic differences in enrollment by star rating by controlling for the following different sets of covariates: (1) individual‐level characteristics only, and (2) individual‐level characteristics and county‐level MA plan offerings.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Not applicable

Principal Findings

Racial and ethnic minority enrollees had, on average, more MA plans available in their counties of residence compared to White enrollees (16.1, 20.8, 20.2, vs. 15.1 for Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and White enrollees), but had fewer number of high‐rated plans (4‐star plans or higher) and/or more number of low‐rated plans (3.5‐star plans or lower). While racial and ethnic minority enrollees had lower enrollment in 4–4.5 star plans than White enrollees, this difference substantially decreased after accounting for county‐level MA plan offerings (−9.1 to −0.5 percentage points for Black enrollees, −15.9 to −5.0 percentage points for Asian/Pacific Islander enrollees, and −12.7 to 0.6 percentage points for Hispanic enrollees). Results for Black enrollees were notable as the racial difference reversed when we limited the analysis to those who live in counties that offer a 5‐star plan. After accounting for county‐level MA plan offerings, Black enrollees had 3.2 percentage points higher enrollment in 5‐star plans than White enrollees.

Conclusions

Differences in enrollment in high‐rated MA plans by race and ethnicity may be explained by limited access and not by individual characteristics or enrollment decisions.
Nearest neighbour distance matching Leave‐One‐Out Cross‐Validation for map validation
Authors: Milà Carles , Mateu Jorge , Pebesma Edzer , Meyer Hanna
Published: March 2022

Several spatial and non‐spatial Cross‐Validation (CV) methods have been used to perform map validation when additional sampling for validation purposes is not possible, yet it is unclear in which situations one CV method might be preferred over the other. Three factors have been identified as determinants of the performance of CV methods for map validation: the prediction area (geographical interpolation vs. extrapolation), the sampling pattern and the landscape spatial autocorrelation. In this study, we propose a new CV strategy that takes the geographical prediction space into account, and test how the new method compares with other established CV methods under different configurations of these three factors.

We propose a variation of Leave‐One‐Out (LOO) CV for map validation, called Nearest Neighbour Distance Matching (NNDM) LOO CV, in which the nearest neighbour distance distribution function between the test and training data during the CV process is matched to the nearest neighbour distance distribution function between the target prediction and training points. Using random forest as a machine learning algorithm, we then examine the suitability of NNDM LOO CV as well as the established LOO (non‐spatial) and buffered‐LOO (bLOO, spatial) CV methods in two simulations with varying prediction areas, landscape autocorrelation and sampling distributions.

LOO CV provided good map accuracy estimates in landscapes with short autocorrelation ranges, or when estimating geographical interpolation map accuracy with randomly distributed samples. bLOO CV yielded realistic error estimates when estimating map accuracy in new prediction areas, but generally overestimated geographical interpolation errors. NNDM LOO CV returned reliable estimates in all scenarios we considered.

While LOO and bLOO CV provided reliable map accuracy estimates only in certain situations, our newly proposed NNDM LOO CV method returned robust estimates and generalised to LOO and bLOO CV whenever these methods were the most appropriate approach. Our work recognises the necessity of considering the geographical prediction space when designing CV‐based methods for map validation.
System‐level metabolic modeling facilitates unveiling metabolic signature in exceptional longevity
Authors: Li Gong‐Hua , Han Feifei , Xiao Fu‐Hui , Gu Kang‐Su‐Yun , Shen Qiu , Xu Weihong , Li Wen‐Xing , Wang Yan‐Li , Liang Bin , Huang Jing‐Fei , Xiao Wenzhong , Kong Qing‐Peng
Published: March 2022

Although it is well known that metabolic control plays a crucial role in regulating the health span and life span of various organisms, little is known for the systems metabolic profile of centenarians, the paradigm of human healthy aging and longevity. Meanwhile, how to well characterize the system‐level metabolic states in an organism of interest remains to be a major challenge in systems metabolism research. To address this challenge and better understand the metabolic mechanisms of healthy aging, we developed a method of genome‐wide precision metabolic modeling (GPMM) which is able to quantitatively integrate transcriptome, proteome and kinetome data in predictive modeling of metabolic networks. Benchmarking analysis showed that GPMM successfully characterized metabolic reprogramming in the NCI‐60 cancer cell lines; it dramatically improved the performance of the modeling with an R2 of 0.86 between the predicted and experimental measurements over the performance of existing methods. Using this approach, we examined the metabolic networks of a Chinese centenarian cohort and identified the elevated fatty acid oxidation (FAO) as the most significant metabolic feature in these long‐lived individuals. Evidence from serum metabolomics supports this observation. Given that FAO declines with normal aging and is impaired in many age‐related diseases, our study suggests that the elevated FAO has potential to be a novel signature of healthy aging of humans.
Predicting vaginal birth after caesarean section: Validation of the Grobman model in a New Zealand population
Authors: Windsor Rachael Sarah , Clark Helen Elizabeth , Blasingame Jennifer Lynne Johnston
Published: March 2022

Background

The decision regarding mode of birth following a primary caesarean section is important. Women may choose an elective repeat caesarean section or a trial of labour in an attempt to achieve a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). The highest morbidity and mortality is associated with those who have an emergency caesarean section following a trial of labour. Therefore, the ability to accurately predict successful VBAC is important in antenatal counselling.

Aims

To test the validity of the Grobman prediction nomogram in a New Zealand (NZ) population.

Materials and methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed of women carrying a singleton, cephalic pregnancy at term and who had one previous lower segment caesarean section in Northland, NZ. The probabilities of successful VBAC were calculated using the variables in the Grobman model and compared with observed VBAC rates using a calibration curve. The predictive ability of the model was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Of the 421 eligible women, 354 elected to undergo a trial of labour, of whom 69.5% had a successful VBAC. The AUC for the Grobman model was 0.72 (95% CI 0.67‐0.78) with predicted and actual outcomes being similar when predicted success was over 50%. The predictive ability of the model appeared more accurate for Māori and Pacifika women compared to the NZ European population.

Conclusions

The Grobman model predicts successful VBAC reasonably well in a NZ population and can be used as an antenatal counselling aid.
Macular pigment optical density and its determinants in a Russian population: the ural eye and medical study
Authors: Bikbov Mukharram M. , Gilmanshin Timur R. , Zainullin Rinat M. , Kazakbaeva Gyulli M. , Iakupova Ellina M. , Fakhretdinova Albina A. , Tuliakova Azaliia M. , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra , Arslangareeva Inga I. , Zinnatullin Ainur A. , Gilemzianova Leisan I. , Khakimov Dinar A. , Jonas Jost B.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To assess the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and its associations with ocular and systemic parameters and diseases.

Methods

The population‐based study Ural Eye and Medical Study included 5899 (80.5%) out of 7328 eligible individuals. As part of ophthalmological and systemic examinations, MPOD was measured by reflectometry.

Results

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) data were available for 4889 (82.9%) individuals (mean age:57.8 ± 10.1 years;range: 40–94). Mean values for MOPD, maximal MOPD, macular pigment (MP) area and MP volume were 0.13 ± 0.04 d.u. (density units), 0.36 ± 0.09 d.u., 60 791 ± 14 826 pixel and 8033 ± 2888 d.u.pixel, respectively. A higher MP density was correlated (regression coefficient r: 0.63) with older age (standardized regression coefficient beta: 0.59; non‐standardized regression coefficient B: 0.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.23; p < 0.001), female sex (beta: 0.08; B:0.63; 95%CI: 0.44, 0.83; p < 0.001), rural region of habitation (beta: 0.13; B: 1.02; 95%CI: 0.83, 1.22; p < 0.001), lower body mass index (beta: −0.04; B: −0.03; 95%CI: −0.05, 0.01; p = 0.004), lower prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (beta: −0.03; B: −0.43; 95%CI: −0.79, −0.08; p = 0.02), higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (beta: 0.03; B: 0.01; 95%CI: 0.002, 0.02; p = 0.03), lower leukocyte cell count (beta: −0.04; B: −0.10; 95%CI: −0.16, −0.03; p = 0.003), thinner temporal parafoveal retinal thickness (beta: −0.06; B: −0.01;95%CI: −0.01, −0.003; p < 0.001), thinner central corneal thickness (beta: −0.06; B: −0.006; 95%CI: −0.009, −0.004; p < 0.001), higher prevalence of pseudophakia (beta: 0.09;B:2.08; 95%CI: 1.50, 2.65; p < 0.001) and reticular pseudo drusen (RPD) (beta: 0.03; B: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.13, 0.98; p = 0.01) and lower stage of open‐angle glaucoma (beta: −0.03; B: −0.39; 95%CI: −0.74, −0.04; p = 0. 03). Prevalence (p = 0.44; beta: −0.01) and degree (p = 0.70; beta: −0.01) of angle‐closure glaucoma, prevalence (p = 0.31; beta: 0.01) of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) without RPD and prevalence (p = 0.95; beta: 0.001) of diabetic retinopathy were not significantly associated with the mean MP density in that model.

Conclusions

A higher RPD prevalence and lower stage of open‐angle glaucoma were ophthalmological disorders associated with a higher MPOD in a multivariable analysis, including parameters of older age, pseudophakia, female sex, rural region, lower body mass index and lower perifoveal retinal thickness.
Gaps and opportunities in sustainable medicines use in resource limited settings: A situational analysis of Uganda
Authors: Kamba Pakoyo F. , Nambatya Winnie , Aguma Herbert B. , Charani Esmita , Rajab Kalidi
Published: March 2022

Resource constraints and widespread poverty among populations undermine disease prevention in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and ensure that these countries carry a disproportionate share of the global disease burden. Lack of access to efficacious medicines in LMICs further exacerbates this inequity. Addressing inequitable access to medicines and assuring their sustainable use is critical to the well‐being of these populations. Whilst inadequate access to medicines in LMICs has drawn much attention, less is known about the sustainable use of available medicines, particularly to ensure their efficacy and mitigate harm to the population and the environment. Uganda has adopted various measures to ensure sustainable medicines use, including a national medicines policy, essential medicines list, medicines regulation framework and promotion of domestic medicines production. Despite progress, challenges remain to achieving sustainable medicines use in the country, including fragmented access, inappropriate use, poor quality and inappropriate disposal. There is a need to consolidate the globally embraced One Health approach (fostering collaboration between human, animal and environmental health sectors) to addressing these challenges as espoused in the country's One Health strategic plan. Medicines supply chain management in public sector health facilities needs to be strengthened to minimize inventory shortages (stock‐outs). A strategy for universal health insurance can minimize economic barriers to medicines access. Enhanced professional and medicines regulation in the private health market needs to be implemented. There are opportunities to build further capacity in Uganda, particularly infrastructure for regulation of its healthcare systems, policy and governance, workforce capacity building, and population action and engagement.
Association of clinically significant weight loss with number of patient visits and months of attendance at an Australian multidisciplinary weight management clinic
Authors: Chen Juliana , Kaur Harpreet , Jaques Joanna , Rock Zoe , Dean Catherine M. , Lord Reginald V. , Preda Veronica
Published: March 2022

Despite the obesity epidemic, there are relatively few multidisciplinary obesity services in Australia, and only limited data on the effectiveness of these services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a university hospital‐based weight management clinic—the ‘Healthy Weight Clinic’ in supporting patients to achieve clinically significant weight loss (≥5% reduction in body weight), weight maintenance, and changes in body composition. A retrospective review was conducted to determine weight and associated health outcomes in patients who attended an initial consultation in the first 2 years of the clinic—between March 2017 and March 2019. Follow up was at least 1 year for all patients. Patients who underwent bariatric surgery were excluded. Of 213 total patients, 172 patients attended more than one follow‐up consultation for lifestyle modification. Mean weight change and percentage total weight change at last follow‐up was −6.2 kg (SD 7.4) and − 6.0% (SD 6.9), respectively. For every additional clinic follow‐up, there was 21.4% increased odds of achieving clinically significant weight loss, and for every additional month of follow‐up, there was 10.1% increased odds of achieving clinically significant weight loss. Twenty percent of patients (34/172) maintained ≥5% of initial body weight loss for at least 1 year. Body composition measurements were also favourable, with significant changes in percentage skeletal muscle mass of +0.8% (SD 1.5) and in percentage fat mass by −1.4% (SD 3.2). Regular support in a structured holistic multidisciplinary obesity service enables patients to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss and improved skeletal muscle mass to body fat ratio, and maintain this loss for at least 1 year. Improved weight loss was associated with more patient visits and longer duration of attendance at the clinic.
Higher Education Expansion in China, 1999–2003: Impact on Graduate Employability
Authors: Ou Dongshu , Zhao Zhong
Published: March 2022

We examine the impact of China's higher education expansion on labor market outcomes for young college graduates using China's 2005 1 Percent Population Sample Survey. Exploiting variations in the expansion of university places across provinces and high school cohorts between 1999 and 2003, we apply a difference‐in‐differences model and take into account the demand‐side effect by using the Bartik index. We find that the expansion of higher education in China decreased unemployment rates among males and college graduates in the short term. However, the policy decreased women's labor force participation and individual earnings in high‐skilled white‐collar jobs. We further discuss potential channels affecting the outcomes that were observed. Our results illustrate the broad economic benefits of higher education. The findings shed new light on the contribution of young skilled labor in the economic growth of China and call for policies that can alleviate the short‐term negative impact of higher education on individual students and maximize human capital. Our study also provides an interesting example of the consequences of the unequal expansion of higher education opportunities on the labor market of an emerging economy.
Interrater reproducibility of the 2016 American society of echocardiography left ventricular diastolic function guidelines
Authors: Wong Jonathan M. , Abouzeid Christiane M. , Nguyen Thuy D. , Fang Qizhi , Bibby Dwight , Schiller Nelson B.
Published: March 2022

Background

Little data exist regarding interreader variability of diastolic measurements and their application by the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography left ventricular (LV) diastolic function guidelines.

Methods

Volunteers (n = 49) were recruited from an outpatient cardiology practice. The presence and grade of diastology dysfunction (DD) was determined by the 2016 LV diastology guideline algorithm. We determined the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for each measurement and Fleiss K‐statistic to define differences in grading DD. We determined predictors associated with disagreement of DD grade using odds ratios.

Results

The mean LVEF was 56%, LAVI 32 ml/m2, and peak TR velocity was 2.3 m/s. The ICC for mitral inflow and tissue Doppler velocities were >.90, for LV volumes were .80–.86, and for LA volume was .56. The Fleiss K‐value for the agreement of the presence of DD was .68 and for DD grade was .59. Variables with increased odds of disagreement were (1) at least one reader considering a TR signal uninterpretable (OR 12.0; 95% CI 1.3–109.6), (2) at least one reader assessing both LVEF 50%–55% and LAVI 29–39 ml/m2 (OR 9.3; 95% CI 1.0–87), and (3) at least one reader assessing LVEF 50–55% (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.1–13.4).

Conclusions

Using the 2016 ASE/EACVI diastology guidelines, we found excellent interrater reliability of Doppler measurements, moderate‐good interrater reliability of volumetric measurements, and moderate‐good but not excellent agreement for diastology grade.
Risk of ischaemic heart diseases and stroke in behçet disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chuang Kai‐Wen , Chang Hua‐Ching
Published: March 2022

Background

Behçet disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis. In addition to the mucocutaneous lesions, the vascular injury of pathophysiology in BD is theoretically correlated with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to elucidate the association of BD with ischaemic heart diseases (IHDs) and stroke.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases was performed for all relevant observational studies from database inception until 10 July 2021. No language restriction was applied. A random‐effects model was used for meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of six observational studies consisting of three cohort studies, two cross‐sectional studies and one study with both study designs were adopted in the meta‐analysis. The numbers of patients with BD and healthy controls were 9,813 and 41,802, respectively. The pooled analysis demonstrated no significant association between BD and IHD. By contrast, we found that patients with BD had a significantly higher risk of stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.083; 95% confidence interval, 1.339–3.240; p = 0.001) than healthy controls. We observed substantial heterogeneity across studies in few meta‐analyses, but no significant publication bias was detected in any of the meta‐analyses.

Conclusions

BD was significantly associated with stroke but not IHD. Physicians should be aware of possible vascular and neurological complications during care of patients with BD.
Development of empirically derived brief program evaluation measures in Pennsylvania first‐episode psychosis coordinated specialty care programs
Authors: Dong Fanghong , Moore Tyler M. , Westfall Megan , Kohler Christian , Calkins Monica E.
Published: March 2022

Aim

The Pennsylvania first episode psychosis program evaluation (PA‐FEP‐PE) core assessment battery was developed as a standard and comprehensive clinical assessment and data collection tool in Pennsylvania coordinated specialty care programs (CSC). To reduce administrative time and maximize clinical utility by maintaining acceptable levels of precision, we aimed to generate a short form using item response theory (IRT)‐based computer‐adaptive test (CAT) simulation and analyse the implementation and acceptability of the short form among providers from PA‐CSC.

Methods

FEP participants (n = 759; age 14–36) from nine coordinated specialty care programs completed 156 items drawn from the PA‐FEP‐PE battery. Multidimensional IRT‐based CAT simulations were used to select the best PA‐FEP‐PE items for abbreviated forms.

Results

A 67‐item PA‐FEP‐PE short form was developed to capture six factors: (1) positive affect and surgency (with negative loadings on Anxious‐Misery items); (2) psychiatric services satisfaction; (3) antipsychotic side effect severity; (4) family turmoil and associated traumas; (5) trauma load; and (6) psychosis. The total number of items was reduced more than 50% in the PA‐FEP‐PE shortened forms. The short form demonstrated good psychometric properties, and it was well accepted by our providers in the implementation.

Conclusions

The empirical derivation and implementation of abbreviated measures of key domains and constructs in FEP care have streamlined and facilitated PA‐FEP program evaluation. Our work supports potential application of IRT based methods to empirically reduce core assessment battery measures in large‐scale data collection efforts such as in the Early Psychosis Intervention Network.
Effect of nutritional and environmental conditions on biofilm formation of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hu Jiangang , Lv Xiaolong , Niu Xiangpeng , Yu Fangheng , Zuo Jiakun , Bao Yinli , Yin Huifang , Huang Cuiqin , Nawaz Saqib , Zhou Wen , Jiang Wei , Chen Zhaoguo , Tu Jian , Qi Kezong , Han Xiangan
Published: March 2022

Aims

To study the effects of environmental stress and nutrient conditions on biofilm formation of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC).

Methods and Results

The APEC strain DE17 was used to study biofilm formation under various conditions of environmental stress (including different temperatures, pH, metal ions, and antibiotics) and nutrient conditions (Luria-Bertani [LB] and M9 media, with the addition of different carbohydrates, if necessary). The DE17 biofilm formation ability was strongest at 25°C in LB medium. Compared to incubation at 37°C, three biofilm-related genes (csgD, dgcC, and pfs) were significantly upregulated and two genes (flhC and flhD) were downregulated at 25°C, which resulted in decreased motility. However, biofilm formation was strongest in M9 medium supplemented with glucose at 37°C, and the number of live bacteria was the highest as determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The bacteria in the biofilm were surrounded by a thick extracellular matrix, and honeycomb-like or rough surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, biofilm formation of the DE17 strain was remarkably inhibited under acidic conditions, whereas neutral and alkaline conditions were more suitable for biofilm formation. Biofilm formation was also inhibited at specific concentrations of cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) and antibiotics (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and spectinomycin). The real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR showed that the transcription levels of biofilm-related genes change under different environmental conditions.

Conclusions

Nutritional and environmental factors played an important role in DE17 biofilm development. The transcription levels of biofilm-related genes changed under different environmental and nutrient conditions.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The findings suggest that nutritional and environmental factors play an important role in APEC biofilm development. Depending on the different conditions involved in this study, it can serve as a guide to treating biofilm-related infections and to eliminating biofilms from the environment.
Complex problems need comprehensive solutions: The INTERCARE model provides evidence for nurse‐led nursing home care models
Authors: Kaehr Ellen W. , Unroe Kathleen T.
Published: March 2022

This editorial comments on the article by Zúñiga et al. in this issue.
Sentiment and emotion trends in nurses' tweets about the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Xavier Teenu , Lambert Joshua
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Twitter is being increasingly used by nursing professionals to share ideas, information, and opinions about the global pandemic, yet there continues to be a lack of research on how nurse sentiment is associated with major events happening on the frontline. The purpose of the study was to quantitatively identify sentiments, emotions, and trends in nurses' tweets and to explore the variations in sentiments and emotions over a period in 2020 with respect to the number of cases and deaths of COVID‐19 worldwide.

Design

A cross‐sectional data mining study was held from March 3, 2020 through December 3, 2020. The tweets related to COVID‐19 were downloaded using the tweet IDs available from a public website. Data were processed and filtered by searching for keywords related to nursing in the profile description field using the R software and JMP Pro Version 16 and the sentiment analysis of each tweet was done using AFINN, Bing, and NRC lexicon.

Findings

A total of 13,868 tweets from the Twitter accounts of self‐identified nurses were included in the final analysis. The sentiment scores of nurses' tweets fluctuated over time and some clear patterns emerged related to the number of COVID‐19 cases and deaths. Joy decreased and sadness increased over time as the pandemic impacts increased.

Conclusions

Our study shows that Twitter data can be leveraged to study the emotions and sentiments of nurses, and the findings suggest that the emotional realm of nurses was affected during the COVID‐19 pandemic according to the emotional trends observed in tweets.

Clinical Relevance

The study provides insight into what nurses are feeling, and findings from this study highlight the importance of developing and implementing interventions targeted at nurses at the workplace to prevent mental health consequences.
The contribution of personality traits and social norms to the gender pay gap: A systematic literature review
Authors: Roethlisberger Claudia , Gassmann Franziska , Groot Wim , Martorano Bruno
Published: March 2022

The gender pay gap is a persistent and pervasive problem. This study systematically reviews the literature on two determinants of the wage gap that have attracted attention more recently: the contribution of personality traits and social norms. Based on 39 studies identified, we discuss how personality traits and social norms are operationalized and how much of the gender wage gap they explain. We find that both are important in understanding the gap and that they are closely related, most notably, as preferences are reflections of personality traits and social norms. However, there is no clear consensus on the constructs, what they precisely capture and how to measure them. Thus, there is a great deal of heterogeneity in the results, with the contribution of personality traits and social norms to the pay gap ranging from a few to more than 20%. The literature is not conclusive on whether these factors rather explain the gap or are a source of discrimination. Key limitations of this literature emanate from concerns about the potential endogeneity of personality traits and social norms, and that studies have largely ignored that we can adapt our personality, preferences, and attitudes in adult life.
CAD‐CAM Hollow Obturator Prosthesis: A Technical Report
Authors: Alfaraj Amal , Su Fang‐Yu , Lin Wei‐Shao
Published: March 2022

An obturator with a hollow bulb can decrease the overall weight of the prosthesis, stress on the underlying tissues, and patient discomfort. Although many techniques and materials have been proposed in the literature for hollowing the obturator prosthesis, they are often time consuming and technique sensitive. This proposed technique used an open‐source software program to hollow a digital design of a solid obturator base from a commercially available software in one single convenient step. The hollowing process allowed precise control of prosthesis thickness at the hollow space area for desirable hermetic seal and prosthesis strength.
The adjustment of life history strategies drives the ecological adaptations of soil microbiota to aridity
Authors: Li Chaonan , Liao Haijun , Xu Lin , Wang Changting , He Nianpeng , Wang Junming , Li Xiangzhen
Published: March 2022

Soil microbiota increase their fitness to local habitats by adjusting their life history strategies. Yet, how such adjustments drive their ecological adaptations in xeric grasslands remains elusive. In this study, shifts in the traits that potentially represent microbial life history strategies were studied along two aridity gradients with different climates using metagenomic and trait‐based approaches. The results indicated that resource acquisition (e.g., higher activities of β‐d‐glucosidase and N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosidase, higher degradation rates of cellulose and chitin, as well as genes involved in cell motility, biodegradation, transportation and competition) and growth yield (e.g., higher biomass and respiration) strategies were depleted at higher aridity. However, maintenance of cellular and high growth potential (e.g., higher metabolic quotients and genes related to DNA replication, transcription, translation, central carbon metabolism and biosynthesis) and stress tolerance (e.g., genes involved in DNA damage repair, cation transportation, sporulation and osmolyte biosynthesis) strategies were enriched at higher aridity. This implied that microbiota have lower growth yields but are probably well primed for rapid responses to pulses of rainfall in more arid soils, whereas those in less arid soils may have stronger resource acquisition and growth yield abilities. By integrating a large amount of evidence from taxonomic, metagenomic, genomic and biochemical investigations, this study demonstrates that the ecological adaptations of soil microbiota to aridity made by adjusting and optimizing their life history strategies are universal in xeric grasslands and provides an underlying mechanistic understanding of soil microbial responses to climate changes.
Smith or Malthus? A Sea‐Change in the Concept of a Population
Authors: Kreager Philip
Published: March 2022

This two‐part article offers a critical appreciation of Malthus's political economy of population to mark the bi‐centenary of hisPrinciples of Political Economy(1820). His general economic theory emerged after the first four editions of his famous Essay, in three steps: (1) a rapidly produced series of essays on tariffs, rents, and capital mal‐distribution (1814–1815); (2) consequent revision of the economic basis of the Essay (1817); and (3) formal statement in the Principles. His main economic writings thus belong to a later, more mature period of his work, and their evolution is of particular interest for demography on three counts. One is that his rethinking was stimulated directly by the need to rectify serious deficiencies he had come to recognize in the Essay. Second, this makes his later thought of more direct interest to today's study of population and development. Third, all three steps began in, and were sustained by, dialogue with Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. The dialogue led to further thinking beyond the Essay, with major innovative developments. Comparison to the Smithian baseline shows (1) that the familiar stereotype of Malthus as prophet of population‐laden disaster is seriously incomplete; and (2) capital distribution replaces population distribution as a mechanism of growth, inducing a radical change in the concept of population.
Non‐paradigmatic punishments
Authors: Brown Coverdale Helen , Wringe Bill
Published: March 2022

This review article argues for a better acknowledgement by penal philosophers of the diversity of subjects, agents, and practices of punishment. Much current penal philosophy has an unhelpful hyper‐focus on the criminal punishment of culpable adults, by states, often through imprisonment. This paradigmatic case is important, but other subjects, agents, and practices of punishment are not statistically insignificant side‐issues, and a comprehensive account of punishment should address them. Our understanding of punishment as a whole can be enhanced by considering non‐paradigmatic punishment, with implications for whether and when punishment is justified, how we should understand appropriate authority, and how we should understand and engage with abolitionist arguments. We explore non‐paradigmatic penal practices (community punishments, suspended prison sentence, restorative justice, and alternative jurisprudence), non‐paradigmatic punishing agents (International judicial bodies, schools, and religious communities; with practices such as boycotts, shaming and shunning) and non‐paradigmatic subjects of punishment (collective agents, corporations and children).