bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESG Risks and the Value Relevance of Current and Historical Earnings
Authors: Cheng Mingying , Micale Joseph A.
Published: June 2022

We investigate whether independent, third‐party assessments of firms’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk exposures provide forward‐looking information content to capital market participants by evaluating whether these ESG risks have a moderating effect on the ability of earnings and the book values of equity to predict investors’ expectations of the present value of future cash flows. We find that firms’ higher ESG risk exposure increases the association between current earnings and firm values, while decreasing the relevance of book values of equity (i.e., historical earnings). We find that this effect is strongest for firms with the highest levels of risk exposure and following large changes to ESG risk exposures. In additional analyses, we disaggregate ESG risk exposure and while we find that each component of ESG has predictive power consistent with the main findings, governance risks dominant the results in head to head specifications. Taken together, our findings suggest that governance risk exposures provide forward‐looking information content to investors when they evaluate the ability of current earnings to predict future cash flows. Our results are robust to several measures of ESG risk exposure, entropy balancing specifications, and exogenous shocks to ESG attention following global environmental and social justice initiatives.
Diagenetic nutrient supplies to the Proterozoic biosphere archived in divergent nitrogen isotopic ratios between kerogen and silicate minerals
Authors: Stüeken Eva E. , Prave Anthony R.
Published: June 2022

Nitrogen isotopes and abundances in sedimentary rocks have become an important tool for reconstructing biogeochemical cycles in ancient ecosystems. There are two archives of nitrogen in the rock record, namely kerogen‐bound amines and silicate‐bound ammonium, and it is well documented that the isotopic ratios of these two archives can be offset from one another. This offset has been observed to increase with metamorphic grade, suggesting that it may be related to the bonding environment in differing nitrogen host phases and associated equilibrium isotope fractionation. However, theoretical bounds for this effect have not been established, and it remains possible that some isotopic offsets predate metamorphism. In support of this hypothesis, we report an unexpectedly large isotopic offset of 4–5‰ in siltstones of very low metamorphic grade from the late Mesoproterozoic Diabaig Formation in NW Scotland (1.0 Ga). Carbon to nitrogen ratios of bulk rocks are 2–3 times lower than in other Mesoproterozoic sections. The rocks also contain early‐formed phosphate concretions and display wrinkled surfaces on bedding planes, indicative of fossilised microbial mats. Collectively, these data are most parsimoniously interpreted as evidence of diagenetic ammonium release from microbial mats into porewaters, followed by partial oxidation to nitrite or nitrate at the sediment–water interface. This process would render residual ammonium in clays isotopically heavy, while the resulting nitrite or nitrate would be relatively lighter and captured in new biomass, leading to the observed isotopic divergence. The same diagenetic degradation pathway likely also liberated phosphate that was trapped within concretions. Diagenetic release of nutrients is known to occur in modern settings, and our data suggest that nitrogen isotopes may be a way to track this local sedimentary nutrient source in past environments. Lastly, we speculate that diagenetic nutrient recycling within Proterozoic microbial mats may have created a favourable niche for eukaryotic organisms in shallow waters.
Import–export nexus and China's emerging trade in environmental goods
Authors: Mao Xiyan , Wang Peiyu
Published: June 2022

International trade in environmental goods (EG) provides a market‐based solution to balance the development–environment relationship. How can developing economies gain new growth opportunities through trade liberalisation in the EGs? This study investigates the structural features of products and firms during the early development of China's EG trade. This study defines the import–export nexus as the product relatedness between imports and exports at the firm level, which may promote the technology spill overs and firm cooperation. This study combines two nationwide data sets and constructs a data panel covering 334 prefectures and 248 EGs during 2001–2012. The conditional logit model with fixed effects is used for coefficient estimation. Empirical results reveal that the import–export nexus promotes new EGs in domestic sectors and export baskets, primarily supported by domestic private firms. The import–export nexus allows state‐owned firms, which only represent a small market share, to enrich export baskets. It also helps foreign firms to develop new EGs in domestic sectors. These findings suggest revisiting the role of state‐owned firms in industrial policy and developing a broad list of EGs to make use of the product relatedness. These will make developing economies like China gain new growth opportunities from the EG trade.
BMI as a predictor of high fasting blood glucose among people living with HIV in the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Khuon Dyna , Rupasinghe Dhanushi , Saphonn Vonthanak , Kwong Tsz‐Shan , Widhani Alvina , Chaiwarith Romanee , Ly Penh Sun , Do Cuong Duy , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Khusuwan Suwimon , Merati Tuti Parwati , Van Nguyen Kinh , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Chan Yu‐Jiun , Azwa Iskandar , Ng Oon Tek , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin , Tanuma Junko , Pujari Sanjay , Ditangco Rossana , Zhang Fujie , Choi Jun Yong , Gani Yasmin , Sangle Shashikala , Ross Jeremy , Gorbach Pamina M. , Jiamsakul Awachana ,   IeDEA Asia‐Pacific
Published: June 2022

Background

Non‐Asian body mass index (BMI) classifications are commonly used as a risk factor for high fasting blood glucose (FBG). We investigated the incidence and factors associated with high FBG among people living with HIV in the Asia‐Pacific region, using a World Health Organization BMI classification specific to Asian populations.

Methods

This study included people living with HIV enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study from 2003 to 2019, receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and without prior tuberculosis. BMI at ART initiation was categorized using Asian BMI classifications: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23–24.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥25 kg/m2). High FBG was defined as a single post‐ART FBG measurement ≥126 mg/dL. Factors associated with high FBG were analyzed using Cox regression models stratified by site.

Results

A total of 3939 people living with HIV (63% male) were included. In total, 50% had a BMI in the normal weight range, 23% were underweight, 13% were overweight, and 14% were obese. Median age at ART initiation was 34 years (interquartile range 29–41). Overall, 8% had a high FBG, with an incidence rate of 1.14 per 100 person‐years. Factors associated with an increased hazard of high FBG included being obese (≥25 kg/m2) compared with normal weight (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31–2.44; p < 0.001) and older age compared with those aged ≤30 years (31–40 years: HR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.08–2.01; 41–50 years: HR = 2.03; 95% CI 1.42–2.90; ≥51 years: HR = 3.19; 95% CI 2.17–4.69; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

People living with HIV with BMI >25 kg/m2 were at increased risk of high FBG. This indicates that regular assessments should be performed in those with high BMI, irrespective of the classification used.
Synthesis of submicron AlN powder using dynamic/thermochemical method
Authors: Boussebha Hamza , Mutlu Nurşen , Canikoğlu Nuray , Kurt Ali O.
Published: June 2022

Carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) method, used for the synthesis of nitride‐based ceramic powders, is an effective and economic technique that has been widely investigated. In this study, a CRN‐based novel approach, denominated as dynamic/thermochemical method (DTM), has been used to synthesize submicron high‐purity aluminum nitride (AlN) powders with equiaxed‐sized particles. DTM is a modified CRN method in which the reaction takes place in a controlled atmosphere using a rotary tube furnace, allowing the synthesis of fine particle‐size powders in a relatively short time. Following the DTM process, homogeneous submicron AlN powders were synthesized from a mixture of aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and carbon black at 1450°C for 1.5 h. Furthermore, dynamic synthesis parameters, as well as the use of ammonia (NH3) and propane (C3H8) gas mixtures instead of carbon black and nitrogen, were investigated.
Quantifying the densification and shear flow under indentation deformation in borosilicate glasses
Authors: Kasimuthumaniyan Subramanian , Sahoo Sourav , Smedskjaer Morten M. , Krishnan Naduvath Mana Anoop , Gosvami Nitya Nand
Published: June 2022

Borosilicate glasses are used ubiquitously for a wide range of applications, where their mechanical properties play a critical role. However, the deformation mechanisms governing the sharp contact response of these glasses remain poorly understood. Herein, we analyze the role of elastoplastic response in determining the indentation deformation mechanisms for a range of borosilicate glass compositions. The series of glasses were made by varying the SiO2‐to‐B2O3 molar ratio while maintaining a constant content of network modifying alkali and alkaline earth oxides. We employed nanoindentation followed by annealing below the glass transition temperature to quantify the contribution of densification and shear flow as a function of glass composition. Interestingly, we observe that the volume recovery upon annealing is inversely proportional to the hardness of the glasses. This suggests that the resistance to permanent deformation is closely related to the network connectivity of the glasses, which in turn governs the mechanism of deformation under sharp contact loading. Overall, we show the important role of alkali and alkaline earth modifiers in governing the composition‐dependent indentation behavior of borosilicate glass series.
Recent advances in ultrasound‐coupled drying for improving the quality of fruits and vegetables: a review
Authors: Wu Jiaxin , Zhang Liang , Fan Kai
Published: June 2022

Drying is a commonly used fresh‐keeping technology. Conventional drying technologies such as convective drying, freeze‐drying causes the degradation of product quality due partly to long drying time. Ultrasound as a great potential technology is applied to improve drying process of fruits and vegetables. This review provides recent advances in ultrasound‐coupled drying for improving the quality of fruits and vegetables. Effects of ultrasound‐coupled drying were stated in detail. The designs of ultrasound‐coupled drying systems were described, indicating that these systems effectively reduced drying time. Effect of ultrasound‐coupled drying on the quality of fruits and vegetables was reviewed. Ultrasound‐coupled drying was helpful to improve physicochemical quality attributes such as colour, water activity, texture, rehydration capacity, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, microstructure and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Hence, this suggested that ultrasound application is a promising technology to improve drying process of fruits and vegetables.
Role of phenolic acid, tannins, stilbenes, lignans and flavonoids in human health – a review
Authors: Oluwole Oluwatoyin , Fernando WMAD Binosha , Lumanlan Jane , Ademuyiwa Oluwaseun , Jayasena Vijay
Published: June 2022

Phytonutrients such as phenolics play important roles in health and well‐being. The main phenolic compounds include phenolic acid, tannins, stilbenes, lignans and flavonoids. Phenolic compounds in plants distributed in the tissues, cell walls and subcellular compartments have biological activities, including antioxidant, chemopreventive, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and immunomodulatory properties. Citrus fruits, herbs and cereals are a few examples of flavonoid sources with biological functions. This article reviews recent findings in some common groups of phenolics and their role beneficial to human effects. Regular consumption of various plant sources which possess phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, lignans and flavonoids can reduce oxidative stress, cancer, cardiovascular disease and slow the progression of memory loss.
Thromboelastography in guiding preventive platelet transfusion in patients with haematologic diseases
Authors: Wei Yan‐Hui , Miao Zhao‐Xu , Guo Xue‐Jun
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study analysed the relationships between the main thromboelastography (TEG) parameters, the platelet (PLT) count and clinical bleeding in patients with blood diseases. We explored the threshold of the relevant parameters in the pathological condition of bleeding, aiming to scientifically guide clinical prophylactic PLT transfusion.

Methods

In total, 268 patients with clear diagnoses of blood diseases and thrombocytopenia were enrolled and divided into five groups, A, B, C, D and E, corresponding to PLT counts of 0–10 × 109/L, 11–20 × 109/L, 21–30 × 109/L, 31–50 × 109/L and 51–100 × 109/L, respectively. TEG and routine blood testing were performed simultaneously, the main TEG parameters and the PLT count were analysed, and the thresholds of the main TEG parameters in each group when the patient had bleeding were obtained.

Results

The maximum amplitude (MA) in groups A, B and C increased gradually, with a significant difference between each pair of these groups (P < 0.05). In groups A, B, C, D and E, the corresponding MA at the time of bleeding was 43.5 mm, 39.6 mm, 38.0 mm, 35.2 mm and 50.5 mm, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The MA can be used as a reference indicator for preventive PLT transfusion to a certain extent. When the PLT count is within different ranges, the MA threshold for preventive PLT transfusion also differs. It is recommended that different PLT counts be correlated with different MA thresholds to guide clinical prophylactic PLT transfusion.
The financial status of national unions
Authors: Masters Marick F. , Gibney Raymond F. , Albright Robert
Published: June 2022

The longstanding concerted attacks on unions from multiple fronts in the United States have threatened to undermine labour's institutional security. Though much has been written on the nature and scope of labour's declining membership, less research exists on unions' financial state. We have addressed this void in several ways through an analysis of the finances of 53 major national unions in the United States over the years between 2006 and 2019. Our study has reported on the financial resources and performance of these 53 national unions on aggregated and disaggregated bases. Building from relevant theory, we have analysed an exploratory model to identify the determinants of variation in union financial resources and performance. We have shown that the unions' net worth over the 2006–2019 span deteriorated, though, in aggregation, their member‐based income grew. The unions have maintained high levels of liquidity and resilience in their capacity to fund their operating budgets. Business Income has fallen as a share of overall net revenues. Disaggregated data have shown vast variation in financial resources and performance across unions and over time. Multivariate analyses suggest differences correlated with selected organizational and environmental factors, such as union density, earnings and membership levels.
ABCD before E‐verything else—Intensive care nurses' knowledge and experience of pressure injury and moisture‐associated skin damage
Authors: Johansen Edda , Bredesen Ida Marie , Jónasdóttir Rannveig Jóna , Lind Ranveig
Published: June 2022

Patients in intensive care units are at high risk of developing pressure injuries and moisture‐associated skin damages. Prevention and care rely much on intensive care nurses' competency and attitudes. This study explored intensive care nurses' experience, knowledge and bedside practice in prevention and care of pressure injuries and moisture‐associated skin damages with a descriptive qualitative design. Six focus groups (n = 25) were carried out in three University hospitals, two in Norway and one inIceland. Interviews were guided by a questioning route, recorded and transcribed verbatim before an inductive content analysis. Three interconnected main categories related to nurses' experience, knowledge and bedside care were identified: (a) nursing; (b) context; and (c) patients. Intensive care nurses recognise patients' risk of developing pressure injuries, as well as their continuous need of personal hygiene because of leakage of body fluids. Nurses were therefore attentive to skin inspection and preventive care but felt insecure and in need of expert help in pressure injury wound care. It varied whether nurses had access to suitable beds and mattresses and experts in wound care. ABCD had to be before E‐verything else, but the skin had higher priority in long‐stay compared with short‐stay patients.
‘You're on show all the time’: Moderating emotional labour through space in the emergency department
Authors: Kirk Kate , Cohen Laurie , Edgley Alison , Timmons Stephen
Published: June 2022

Aims

This is the second of two papers conceptualizing emotional labour in the emergency department (ED). This paper aims to understand the environmental ‘moderators’ of ED nurses’ emotional labour.

Design

Ethnography, through an interpretivist philosophy, enabled immersion in the ED setting, gathering the lived experiences and narratives of the ED nurses.

Methods

Observation and semi‐structured interviews over a 6‐month period. Two hospital sites (one district general and one major trauma centre based in the United Kingdom.

Results

Over 200 h of observation plus 18 formal/semi‐structured interviews were completed. Environmental, institutional and organizational dynamics of the emergency department instrumented the emotional labour undertaken by the nursing team. Time and space were found to be ‘moderators’ of ED nurses' emotional labour. This paper focusses on the relevance of space and in particular, ‘excessive visibility’ with little respite for the nurses from their intense emotional performance.

Conclusion

Emotional labour is critical to staff well‐being and the way in which healthcare spaces are designed has an impact on emotional labour. Understanding how emotional labour is moderated in different clinical settings can inform organizational, environmental and workforce‐related decision‐making.
Prevention and screening of melanoma in Europe: 20 years of the Euromelanoma campaign
Authors: Del Marmol V.
Published: June 2022

Euromelanoma is a Europe‐wide, dermatologist‐led organization that campaigns to have a public, scientific, and political impact on raising awareness of the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancer. The organization raises public awareness of skin cancer by providing practical support to participating countries for the roll out of yearly screening campaigns, and then builds on these campaigns by providing resources via its website to educate the general public on key skin cancer prevention measures, risk factors, and the importance of recognizing abnormal lesions through self‐examination. Euromelanoma also provides a valuable platform for the scientific community, facilitating collaborations between countries and coordinating the collection of standardized data on the epidemiology, demographic and clinical characteristics, and risk factors for all forms of skin cancer. As our scientific understanding of skin cancer advances, Euromelanoma plays a key role in ensuring that the importance of skin cancer prevention, treatment, and diagnosis remains at the forefront of European and national healthcare policies. Since its creation in 1999, Euromelanoma has continued to evolve, adapt, and expand its approach to achieve these public, scientific, and political goals: the organization now has networks of dermatologists working in over 30 countries and has screened and gathered skin cancer data from around 420 000 subjects. This review highlights these achievements by providing an outline of the history of Euromelanoma and the benefits of the first decade of action and by describing the evolving approach over the past 20 years. Future Euromelanoma projects, which aim to evaluate skin cancer risk in specific populations (outdoor workers, organ transplant recipients, etc.) are also introduced, and current challenges for the Euromelanoma campaign are discussed, including the need to improve reporting of non‐melanoma skin cancer cases and to raise awareness of melanoma subtypes, particularly the more difficult to diagnose nodular melanoma form.
UV filters and their impact on marine life: state of the science, data gaps, and next steps
Authors: Lebaron P.
Published: June 2022

Sunscreens containing broad‐spectrum ultraviolet (UV) filters play an essential role in protecting the skin against the damage induced by sun overexposure. However, the widespread use of sunscreens and other personal care products containing these filters has led to these compounds being widely detected in the environment and being identified as emerging pollutants in marine waters. Concerns raised by laboratory studies investigating the potential impact of UV filters on coral communities have already led to bans on the use of some sunscreens in a few tourist hotspots. Although UV filter pollution may be just one of the many environmental factors impacting coral health worldwide, the media attention surrounding these studies and the legislative changes may lead patients to question dermatologists about the environmental safety of some sunscreen products. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on the impact of UV filters on marine ecosystems, concentrating on recent studies examining the effects of commonly used filters on organisms at low trophic levels and of how alternative approaches, such as metabolomics, can be used to further assess UV filter ecotoxicity. Current gaps in our knowledge are also discussed, most notably the need to increase our understanding of the longer‐term fate and behaviour of UV filters in the marine environment, develop more adapted standardized ecotoxicity tests for a wider range of marine species, and evaluate the impact of UV filters on the marine food web. We then discuss future perspectives for the development of new, more environmentally friendly, filters that may enable the use of the most toxic compounds to be reduced without compromising the effectiveness of sunscreen formulations. Finally, we consider how dermatologists play a key role in educating patients on the need for a balanced approach to sun exposure, sun protection, and conservation of the marine environment.
Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology significantly improved mycetoma diagnosis
Authors: Siddig E.E. , El Had Bakhait O. , El nour Hussein Bahar M. , Siddig Ahmed E. , Bakhiet S.M. , Motasim Ali M. , Babekir Abdallah O. , Ahmed Hassan R. , Verbon A. , van de Sande W.W.J. , Fahal A.H.
Published: June 2022

Background

Ultrasound (US)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology (US‐FNAC) has improved the diagnosis of many malignancies, infections and other diseases as it is safe, simple, quick and accurate. In mycetoma, it is assumed that this technique may have a better diagnostic yield than the conventional FNAC as it can accurately identify the optimal site for the aspiration.

Objective

To compare the diagnostic yield of conventional FNAC with US‐FNAC.

Methods

This descriptive cross‐sectional hospital‐based study included 80 patients with clinically suspected mycetoma.

Results

Of the 80 patients included, 35 proved to have actinomycetoma, and 37 had eumycetoma based on surgical biopsies, histopathological examination and the culture of grains. Eight patients appeared to have no mycetoma. For actinomycetoma diagnosis, the US‐guided FNAC improved sensitivity to 97% and negative predictive value (NPV) to 83% compared to the conventional FNAC, which had 63% sensitivity; and NPV of 28%. No improvement was found for specificity. For eumycetoma, the conventional FNAC had 86.5% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV and 37.5% NPV. The US‐FNAC for the diagnosis of eumycetoma had 100% sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions and relevance

The obtained results showed that US‐FNAC is better than the conventional FNAC with lower false‐negative results. It can accurately distinguish between the two types of mycetoma, allowing rapid initiation of proper treatment. The technique can be used in rural areas with low resources and for epidemiological surveys as a quick screening tool for patients suspected of mycetoma.
Association of polymorphous light eruption with NOD‐2 and TLR‐5 gene polymorphisms
Authors: Kurz B. , Arndt S. , Unger P. , Ivanova I. , Berneburg M. , Hellerbrand C. , Karrer S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is a common, immunologically mediated, photosensitive skin disease. After ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) irradiation, patients with PLE show reduced Langerhans cell (LC) depletion in the epidermis, which results in a non‐suppressive microenvironment in the skin. Interestingly, severe acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGvHD) occurred in stem cell transplanted patients that showed no or incomplete depletion of LCs after UVB irradiation. Genetic variation in nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD‐2) and toll‐like receptor 5 (TLR‐5) genes also confers susceptibility to aGvHD.

Objectives

We hypothesized that PLE is associated with genetic variation in the NOD‐2 and TLR‐5 genes.

Methods

We investigated single‐nucleotid polymorphisms (SNPs) of NOD‐2 (R702W, G908R, 3020Cins) and TLR‐5 (A592S, P616L, N392STOP) in skin biopsies of patients with PLE (n = 143) and in healthy controls (n = 104) using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results

The frequency of NOD‐2 alleles with the SNP R702W was significantly higher in PLE than in controls (31.8% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.0001), and homozygous carriers of this mutation were more common in PLE (27.9% vs. 0%; P < 0.0001). For SNP 3020Cins, the allele frequency (7.3% vs. 0.7%; P = 0.0025) and the number of heterozygotes (14.7% vs. 1.3%; P = 0.0019) were higher in PLE. The frequency of alleles with the N392STOP SNP of the TLR5 gene, which is associated with a truncated, non‐functional receptor, was significantly higher in PLE (21% vs. 5%; 7% vs. 1% homozygotes, 28% vs. 8% heterozygotes; P < 0.0001). The other SNPs did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

This study yielded a high frequency of functional SNPs in the NOD‐2 and TLR‐5 genes in PLE. The same SNPs are associated with aGvHD and there are similarities in the reaction of LCs after UVB irradiation between aGvHD and PLE. This leads to the hypothesis that patients with PLE may be more susceptible to developing GvHD after stem cell transplantation, an assumption that needs to be investigated further.
Cultivated hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida var. major) genome sheds light on the evolution of Maleae (apple tribe)
Authors: Zhang Ticao , Qiao Qin , Du Xiao , Zhang Xiao , Hou Yali , Wei Xin , Sun Chao , Zhang Rengang , Yun Quanzheng , Crabbe M. James C. , Van de Peer Yves , Dong Wenxuan
Published: June 2022

Cultivated hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida var. major) is an important medicinal and edible plant with a long history of use for health protection in China. Herein, we provide a de novo chromosome‐level genome sequence of the hawthorn cultivar “Qiu Jinxing.” We assembled an 823.41 Mb genome encoding 40 571 genes and further anchored the 779.24 Mb sequence into 17 pseudo‐chromosomes, which account for 94.64% of the assembled genome. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that cultivated hawthorn diverged from other species within the Maleae (apple tribe) at approximately 35.4 Mya. Notably, genes involved in the flavonoid and triterpenoid biosynthetic pathways have been significantly amplified in the hawthorn genome. In addition, our results indicated that the Maleae share a unique ancient tetraploidization event; however, no recent independent whole‐genome duplication event was specifically detected in hawthorn. The amplification of non‐specific long terminal repeat retrotransposons contributed the most to the expansion of the hawthorn genome. Furthermore, we identified two paleo‐sub‐genomes in extant species of Maleae and found that these two sub‐genomes showed different rearrangement mechanisms. We also reconstructed the ancestral chromosomes of Rosaceae and discussed two possible paleo‐polyploid origin patterns (autopolyploidization or allopolyploidization) of Maleae. Overall, our study provides an improved context for understanding the evolution of Maleae species, and this new high‐quality reference genome provides a useful resource for the horticultural improvement of hawthorn.
Temozolomide duration and secondary hematological neoplasms: A literature review and implications for patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Park Robin , Amin Manik , Trikalinos Nikolaos A.
Published: June 2022

Evidence‐based recommendations for the optimal duration and sequencing of temozolomide‐based treatments in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms are lacking. Here, we conducted a systematic review of the literature for a descriptive analysis of temozolomide‐associated myelodysplasias and leukemias to guide treatment planning. A database search of PubMed and Embase was conducted to identify case reports and/or case series reporting secondary myelodysplasias or leukemias in the setting of temozolomide therapy. Key data items extracted from the studies were the temozolomide dose and duration, latency to hematological disorder, type of secondary malignancy and cytogenetics. Reported cases were summarized graphically. A total of 16 studies with 27 patient cases of therapy‐related hematologic neoplasms were identified, all of which were case reports or case series. The median treatment duration and cumulative dose were 19 months and 18,000 mg/m2, respectively. Most patients (21/27) were diagnosed on, or after, 12 months, while only one patient was diagnosed before 6 months of treatment. Most of the patients were diagnosed, while still on treatment with temozolomide. Graphically, cases clustered around a cumulative dose of 10,000 to 30,000 mg/m2 and a latency period of 10 to 40 months which translates to an approximate treatment duration of 12.5 to 37.5 months. Taken together, most reported treatment‐related hematological neoplasms appear to develop on or beyond the 12‐month mark, while patients are still on treatment with temozolomide. For patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms, where sequencing of multiple therapies is important, we suggest an approach to optimizing treatment duration by establishing disease response at 6 months before continuing further treatment and restricting treatment to or establishing closer vigilance beyond 12 months.
Factors influencing health‐related quality of life in people with chronic kidney disease: A structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Yapa Harith Eranga , Purtell Louise , Chambers Shirley , Bonner Ann
Published: June 2022

Aims and objectives

To test whether the revised Wilson and Cleary model could identify which factors contribute to health‐related quality of life in chronic kidney disease.

Background

Chronic kidney disease affects a person's health‐related quality of life detrimentally although nursing practice informed by theory is only beginning to emerge.

Design

A cross‐sectional study reported using the STROBE guidelines.

Methods

About 886 participants with chronic kidney disease (varying grades) completed validated measures of symptoms (renal version of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale), and general health perceptions and health‐related quality of life (European Quality of Life five‐dimension three‐level). Socio‐demographic and renal characteristics were also collected. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling.

Results

Biological function (decreased kidney function and haemoglobin and greater number of comorbidities), directly contributed to increased symptom burden. Symptoms demonstrated strong negative relationships with both general health perceptions and health‐related quality of life. General health perceptions had a direct positive relationship with health‐related quality of life. As age increased, health‐related quality of life decreased. The only environmental characteristic of significance was the distance between home and hospital although it was not directly associated with health‐related quality of life. Overall, the model explained approximately half of the deterioration in health‐related quality of life.

Conclusions

The model demonstrated how various factors influence alteration of health‐related quality of life in people with chronic kidney disease. Early identification of these factors could assist nurses to introduce effective management strategies into patient care plans proactively.

Relevance to clinical practice

Comprehensive symptom assessment needs to occur not only in kidney failure but in earlier chronic kidney disease grades to enable timely interventions targeted at improving people's wellbeing.

Patient or public contribution

Validated interviewer administered questionnaires were completed by participants with chronic kidney disease in this study.
Diversity and importance of culturable endophytic fungi of tobacco (Nicotinana tabacum) cultivated in southwestern China
Authors: Wang Maosheng , Sun Jialong , Wei Yali , Jia Yanlong , Zou Xiao
Published: June 2022

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is one of the most important economic crops in China; however, black shank caused by Phytophthora parasitica is major threat to its cultivation. So far, little is known regarding potential antagonistic effects of endophytes on plant pathogens. A total of 109 culturable endophytic fungal strains were recovered from various tissues of six tobacco cultivars that are commonly cultivated in southwestern China. Morphological and molecular identification showed that these isolates belonged to 18 different genera, including Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Gibellulopsis and Penicillium as predominant genera, which were frequently observed in stem, leaf and root tissues. Among them, only 17 endophytic fungal strains exerted antagonistic effects on P. parasitica in the dual‐culture test, and the highest inhibition rate of 73% was produced by a Penicillium janthinellum strain isolated from stem tissue of a cultivar HD. Nevertheless, a field trial revealed that Shannon–Wiener indices were negatively correlated with the disease index and with the incidence of tobacco blank shank in cultivars K326, YUN85, D101 and GUI1, which was further supported by the evaluation of endophytic community similarity. Our results contribute to the understanding of functions and diversity of endophytic fungi, and culturable endophytic fungal strains may be considered potential libraries for screening novel bioactive and effective metabolites to control P. parasitica in crops which requires further research.
Why and how ontology matters: A cartography of neoliberalism(s) and neoliberalization(s)
Authors: Knio Karim
Published: June 2022

In this article, I discuss the importance of ontology and its implications, demonstrated in the examples of different approaches to neoliberalism. The lack of careful ontological considerations leads to confusing and often contradictory usages of the term ‘neoliberalism’, obfuscating its usefulness. Instead, I suggest a cartography which consists of integrating two ontological debates ‐ structure‐agency and material‐ideational ‐ through the interplay between the problematiques of structuration and semiosis, and the operational debate on ideas/interests. In so doing, this cartography can provide readers with various heuristic devices to understand the making of theories, why and how conceptualizations of neoliberalism differ between and within theories and pinpoint the thematic implications of these differences. The translation of this cartography helps to achieve two things, (1) to move beyond the static analyses of neoliberalism and endorse the dynamic understand of neoliberalization processes, (2) to understand why systemic process‐based understandings of neoliberalization can create distinctions between analytical understandings of neoliberalism in terms of either the commodification of marketization processes or the marketization of commodification processes.
Becoming cisgender
Authors: Richardson‐Self Louise
Published: June 2022

Abstract

The metaphysics of sex and gender is of significant philosophical, social, and cultural interest at present. Terms liketransgenderandcisgenderhave come into wider circulation in the fight for gender justice. While many are familiar with ‘transgender’, fewer know ‘cisgender’, the term that captures AFAB‐women (assigned ‘female’ at birth‐women) and AMAB‐men. But ‘cisgender’ is controversial to some, which I find surprising. In this article, I reflect on my process of recognising myselfas cisgender. During, I highlight the ethico‐political consequences of refusing the onto‐epistemic category ‘cisgender’. I shall argue thatuptakeof ‘cisgender’ andapprenticeshipto trans texts uncovers how we maintain, and might purposefully disturb, queer/cis‐hetero, man/woman/other hierarchies of social identity power. I argue this self‐recognition is a crucial tool for challenging ‘cisgender commonsense’ and may be a means toward dislodging ciscentrism in my (western, Anglophone) milieu.
Salinity induces discontinuous protoxylem via aDELLA‐dependent mechanism promoting salt tolerance in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Augstein Frauke , Carlsbecker Annelie
Published: June 2022

Salinity is detrimental to plants and developmental adjustments limiting salt uptake and transport is therefore important for acclimation to high salt. These parameters may be influenced by xylem morphology, however how plant root xylem development is affected by salt stress remains unclear.

Using molecular and genetic techniques and detailed phenotypic analyses, we demonstrate that salt causes distinct effects on Arabidopsis seedling root xylem and reveal underlying molecular mechanisms.

Salinity causes intermittent inhibition of protoxylem cell differentiation, generating protoxylem gaps, in Arabidopsis and several other eudicot seedlings. The extent of protoxylem gaps in seedlings positively correlates with salt tolerance. Reduced gibberellin signalling is required for protoxylem gap formation. Mutant analyses reveal that the xylem differentiation regulator VASCULAR RELATED NAC DOMAIN 6 (VND6), along with secondary cell wall producing and cell wall modifying enzymes, including EXPANSIN A1 (EXP1), are involved in protoxylem gap formation, in a DELLA‐dependent manner.

Salt stress is likely to reduce levels of bioactive gibberellins, stabilising DELLAs, which in turn activates multiple factors modifying protoxylem differentiation. Salt stress impacts seedling survival and formation of protoxylem gaps may be a measure to enhance salt tolerance.
Preoperative hemoglobin A1c and perioperative blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing spinal cord stimulation surgery: A literature review of surgical site infection risk
Authors: Hagedorn Jonathan M. , Bendel Markus A. , Hoelzer Bryan C. , Aiyer Rohit , Caraway David
Published: June 2022

Aims

The aim of our study was to review the surgical literature regarding the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM), and risk of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI).

Methods

A librarian‐assisted literature search was performed with two goals: (1) identify surgical publications related to SSI and HbA1c values, and (2) identify publications reporting infection risk with DM in spinal cord stimulation (SCS), intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS), and cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation surgeries. Published guidelines on perioperative management of DM are reviewed.

Results

We identified 30 studies reporting SSI and HbA1c values. The literature review indicated that for many surgical procedures, elevated HbA1c is not correlated to rate of SSI. We identified 16 studies reporting infection rates within DM cohorts following SCS, IDDS, and CIED implantation surgeries. The data reviewed did not indicate DM as an independent risk factor for SSI.

Conclusion

Preoperative HbA1c levels in patients with a history of DM is not a singularly sufficient tool to estimate risk of perioperative infection in SCS implantation surgery. Published guidelines on perioperative management of DM do not suggest a specific HbA1c above which surgery should be delayed; intentional perioperative glycemic control is recommended.
MxMPK4‐1 phosphorylates NADPH oxidase to trigger the MxMPK6‐2‐MxbHLH104 pathway mediated Fe deficiency responses in apple
Authors: Zhai Longmei , Sun Qiran , Gao Min , Cheng Xinxin , Liao Xiaojun , Wu Ting , Zhang Xinzhong , Xu Xuefeng , Wang Yi , Han Zhenhai
Published: June 2022

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a nutritional stress in plants that commonly occurs in alkaline and calcareous soils. Mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MPKs), the terminal player of MAPK cascade, are involved in distinct physiological processes. Once plants suffer from Fe deficiency stress, the mechanism of MPK function remains unclear owing to limited study on the MPK networks including substrate proteins and downstream pathways. Here, the MAP kinase MPK4‐1 was induced in roots of Fe efficient apple rootstock Malus xiaojinensis but not in Fe inefficient rootstock Malus baccata under Fe deficiency conditions. Overexpression of MxMPK4‐1 in apple calli and apple roots enhanced the responses to Fe deficiency. We found that MxMPK4‐1 interacted with NADPH oxidases (NOX)—respiratory burst oxidase homologs MxRBOHD1 and MxRBOHD2, which positively regulated responses to Fe deficiency. Moreover, MxMPK4‐1 phosphorylated the C terminus of MxRBOHD2 at Ser797 and Ser906 and positively and negatively regulated NOX activity through these phospho‐sites, respectively. When compared with apple calli that overexpressed MxRBOHD2, the coexpression of MxMPK4‐1 and MxRBOHD2 prominently enhanced the Fe deficiency responses. We also demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide derived from MxMPK4‐1‐MxRBOHD2 regulated the MxMPK6‐2‐MxbHLH104 pathway, illuminating a systematic network that involves different MPK proteins in M. xiaojinensis under Fe deficiency stress.
Letting go of blame
Authors: Brunning Luke , Milam Per‐Erik
Published: June 2022

Most philosophers acknowledge ways of overcoming blame, even blame directed at a culpable offender, that are not forgiving. Sometimes continuing to blame a friend for their offensive comment just isn't worth it, so we let go instead. However, despite being a common and widely recognised experience, no one has offered a positive account of letting go. Instead, it tends to be characterised negatively and superficially, usually in order to delineate the boundaries of forgiveness. This paper gives a more complete and systematic account of this important practice. We argue that the basic distinction between forgiving and letting go of blame follows from distinctions that many philosophers already accept. We then develop a positive account in terms of the reasons one has to let go rather than forgive and show that letting go is as valuable a part of our shared moral lives as forgiveness.
Data‐driven platelet inventory management under uncertainty in the remaining shelf life of units
Authors: Abouee‐Mehrizi Hossein , Mirjalili Mahdi , Sarhangian Vahid
Published: June 2022

Platelets are perishable (5–7 day shelf life) blood products required for a variety of clinical treatments. In North America, hospitals typically procure platelet units from a central supplier. As such, the remaining shelf life of the delivered units could be subject to high uncertainty. Our work focuses on developing new models that leverage the increasingly available data from hospital information systems to prescribe ordering decisions in the presence of this uncertainty. Specifically, we consider a periodic review, perishable inventory system with zero lead time and uncertainty in demand and remaining shelf life of orders, operating under an oldest‐unit, first‐out allocation policy. We consider a family of base stock policies and adopt an empirical risk minimization approach to estimate the required inventory at the beginning of each period. The required inventory level for each period is assumed to be a linear function of a set of observed features in that period and the coefficients of the linear model are obtained by minimizing an approximate measure of the in‐sample empirical cost, comprised of a weighted sum of shortage and expiry costs. Our fixed initial age model assumes a constant remaining shelf life for all units. Our robust model assumes that an adversary selects the remaining shelf life of units subject to an uncertainty budget determined through an endogenous uncertainty set. We investigate the out‐of‐sample performance of the proposed models in a case study using data from two Canadian hospitals and in comparison to the hospitals' historical performances as well as other benchmarks. Both models achieve significant improvements over the historical decisions. For instance, the fixed initial age model achieves a 53% and 93% reduction in the expiry rate and an 82% and 99% reduction in the shortage rate for the two hospitals, respectively. Further, it either outperforms or performs as well as the other benchmarks. The robust model achieves better out‐of‐sample generalizability and demonstrates a more “robust” performance under counterfactual remaining age distributions.
Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches
Authors: Ortega‐Ferrusola Cristina , Gómez‐Arrones Vanesa , Martín‐Cano Francisco E. , Gil Mari Cruz , Peña Fernando J. , Gaitskell‐Phillips Gemma , Da Silva‐Álvarez Eva
Published: June 2022

Ultrasound technology has led to new lines of research in equine reproduction, and it has helped to greatly improve clinical diagnosis and reproductive outcomes in equine practice. This review aims to discuss the potential clinical uses and new approaches of ultrasonography in equine reproduction. Doppler modalities are usually used to evaluate the vascularization of the follicles, corpus luteum (CL), and the uterus in the mare for diagnostic purposes. Inclusion of Doppler ultrasound in artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs could improve the reproductive outcome of these techniques. Better selection of recipients based on CL functionality, early pregnancy diagnosis 7–8 days postovulation of the donor before flushing or diagnosis of mares with endometritis with pathological increases of blood flow are examples of clinical applications in the mare. In the stallion, colour Doppler ultrasound has improved the diagnostic potential of B‐mode ultrasound, improving the differential diagnosis of pathologies such as testicular torsion (decrease or absence of blood flow in the cord) and orchitis (increased blood flow in the cord). The incorporation of pulsed Doppler ultrasound into the reproductive evaluation of the stallion has enabled early identification of stallions with testicular dysfunction, thus allowing administration of timely treatment and subsequent improvements of the fertility prognosis for these animals. In addition, this technique has been used in the monitoring of patients undergoing medical and surgical treatments, thus verifying their efficacy. Recently, computer‐assisted pixel analysis using specific software has been performed in research work in order to semi‐quantitatively evaluate the vascularization (colour and power Doppler) and echotexture of different organs. These softwares are now being developed for clinical purposes, as is the case with Ecotext, a computer program developed for the evaluation of testicular echotexture, providing information on testicular functionality.