bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between maternal country of birth and preterm birth: A population-based register study of 910,752 deliveries
Authors: Tingleff Tiril , Räisänen Sari , Vikanes Åse , Sandvik Leiv , Laine Katariina
Published: February 2021

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse associations between maternal country of birth and preterm birth among women giving birth in Norway. Methods: A population-based register study was conducted employing official national databases in Norway. All singleton births, with neonates without major anomalies, between 1999 and 2014 were included ( N=910,752). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for extremely preterm birth (<28 weeks gestation), very preterm birth (28–33 weeks gestation) and late preterm birth (34–36 weeks gestation) by maternal country of birth. We conducted multivariable regression analyses, adjusting for maternal, obstetric and socio-economic confounders. Results: For extremely preterm births (0.4% of the study population), women with an unknown country of birth (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.26–4.22) and women born in sub-Saharan Africa (aOR=1.66; CI 1.40–1.96) had the highest ORs compared to Norwegian-born women. For very preterm births (1.2% of the study population), women with an unknown country of birth (aOR=1.72; CI 1.36–2.18) and women born in South Asia (aOR=1.48; CI 1.31–1.66) had the highest ORs. For late preterm births (3.8% of the study population), women born in East Asia Pacific/Oceania (aOR=1.33; CI 1.25–1.41) and South Asia (aOR=1.30; CI 1.21–1.39) had the highest ORs. Conclusions: After adjusting for maternal, obstetric and socio-economic risk factors, maternal country of birth remained significantly associated with preterm birth. Women with an unknown country of birth and women born in sub-Saharan Africa were found to be at increased risk of extremely preterm birth.
National/European identities and political alignments
Authors: Dalton Russell J
Published: February 2021

Reflecting on the articles in this special issue of European Union Politics, this essay first asks whether EU scholarship has sufficiently conceptualized and measured what it means to identify with the European Project and/or the European Community. The evidence in this special issue indicates that many citizens now have attachments to Europe, albeit in uncertain depth. European attachments also exist in combination with or as an alternative to national identities. European/national identities also now overlap with partisan attachments, potentially forming a new basis of political cleavage. The research in this collection demonstrates a rich portfolio of methods to examine this important topic, and yields new evidence of how geographic identities are related to public opinion on issues such as immigration.
Lean flammability limit of high-dilution spark ignition with ethanol, propanol, and butanol
Authors: Gainey Brian , Yan Ziming , Moser Sean , Lawler Benjamin
Published: February 2021

Ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, and sec-butanol are six potential carbon-neutral fuels of the future. One application of these carbon-neutral fuels is in high-dilution spark ignition. To understand the potential of these fuels in high-dilution spark ignition, this work experimentally determines the spark ignition lean flammability limit of each fuel with no external, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and with 20% external, EGR. The spark ignition lean flammability limit in this work is defined as the excess-air ratio that results in a coefficient of variance of gross indicated mean effective pressure greater than 5%. This is done on an engine with a compression ratio of 12.5, using an intake pressure of 1 bar and an intake temperature of 320 K. It was found that ethanol had the leanest lean limit, due to its high flame speed, followed by n-propanol, isopropanol, and sec-butanol, which all had similar lean limits. n-Butanol and isobutanol had the richest lean limits due their high knock propensity and low flame speed, respectively. The lean limit of each fuel decreased with external, cooled EGR addition, with ethanol as the least sensitive and isopropanol as the most sensitive to EGR addition. Overall, using a high dilution strategy increased the cycle efficiency for each fuel. Ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, and sec-butanol all showed promising performance and are great candidates to be combined with an advanced high-dilution SI strategy to enable high-dilution SI with a carbon-neutral fuel.
Parliamentarism: From Burke to Weber
Authors: Plassart Anna
Published: February 2021

William Selinger’s Parliamentarism: from Burke to Weber aims to redefine our understanding of what it means to live in a free state. It displaces the concept of “democracy” as a (supposedly) central concern for a range of canonical nineteenth-century authors, and demonstrates that another concept, that of “parliamentarism”, stood at the core of many European liberal writers’ quest for liberty. Selinger shows that Montesquieu’s description of a “balanced” English constitution protected by a system of checks and balances was challenged by a number of contemporary observers of British politics (including Jean-Louis de Lolme and Edmund Burke), who elaborated rival accounts emphasizing instead the dominant position of a powerful representative assembly which mirrored the nation it represented. The resulting doctrine of “parliamentarism”, the book demonstrates through a series of case studies that include Tocqueville, Mill and Weber, subsequently became the “dominant paradigm of a free state across Europe” (p. 9) in the nineteenth century.
Theatre as method: Performance creation through action research
Authors: Grandi Gina L
Published: February 2021

In order to truly examine critical cultural and social issues pertaining to young people, researchers must find ways to overcome the ways in which young people naturally filter their responses when speaking with adults, as these filters may limit what researchers are able to discover through interviews and focus groups. Working through theatre offers the opportunity for researcher and participant to co-construct knowledge. Drama workshops and the creation of a theatrical performance creates a community in which ideas and questions can be deeply examined and self-filtering and censorship mitigated; participant voice is centered and privileged. For seven weeks, I worked with thirteen high school girls to explore issues of identity through a devised theatre performance. My intent was to examine the ways arts-based research might provide more insight than traditional qualitative methods. This article discusses how working through theatre provided a space in which the girls I worked with felt more comfortable expressing their uncensored thoughts and opinions and offers a deeper insight into the ways working through the arts provides a model for participatory research that yields deep and nuanced understandings.
A low-delay information sharing algorithm for multiple-radio-per-platform networking
Authors: Lin Ge , Renhui Xu , Laixian Peng , Aijing Li , Yaoqi Yang
Published: February 2021

In order to ensure the strong real-time information sharing of Aerial Ad hoc Network, a low-delay information sharing algorithm for multiple-radio-per-platform networking is proposed based on the directional transmission capability of phased-array antenna. The algorithm introduces virtual nodes and virtual links in the process of topology generation first. By extracting topology information and choosing link grouping, it can effectively reduce redundant transmission and transmission latency of information sharing. Then, it is verified through simulation that the algorithm can reduce the latency by up to 49.8% and eliminate transmission redundancy. In addition, a direction selection algorithm is proposed for the variation of antenna beam direction. Simulation results show that the algorithm can further reduce the latency of information sharing and ensure the real time of information sharing, thus further improving the network performance.
Omega Flap Technique: Revisiting Conventional Wisdom
Authors: Balakrishnan G. , Vijayaragavan S. , Balakrishnan Somesh
Published: February 2021

Various surgical techniques have been described for the release of syndactylized fingers. In our experience, the omega flap technique, which includes a dorsal truncated flap and an anchor incision on the volar side, stands out as a good technique to release syndactyly. Incidentally, in symbrachydactyly also, the fused digits can be released using this technique. Despite this, we could find no reference in the recent years. We would like to stress the ease and importance of this technique, hoping many practicing hand surgeons will benefit from this. Our purpose was to revisit this technique and expose it to the younger generation of hand surgeons. We have operated on 20 cases of syndactyly of different types—simple, compound, and complex—and 5 cases of symbrachydactyly. In all cases, the omega flap on the dorsum and anchor incision on the volar aspect of the finger forming 2 lateral palmar flaps were used. The release of syndactyly was satisfactory in all patients. There was no flap necrosis. None of these cases have required secondary surgery because the primary releases were adequate. Release of syndactyly had been a problem for centuries. Awareness of the disability was insufficient in earlier days; currently, they seek early medical care. The release should be complete. These children must be able to achieve the form and function of the hand, and additionally precision to work. We believe that the use of omega flap and anchor flap is a good procedure for syndactyly release.
A Dynamical Reconceptualization of Executive-Function Development
Authors: Perone Sammy , Simmering Vanessa R. , Buss Aaron T.
Published: February 2021

Executive function plays a foundational role in everyday behaviors across the life span. The theoretical understanding of executive-function development, however, is still a work in progress. Doebel proposed that executive-function development reflects skills using control in the service of behavior—using mental content such as knowledge and beliefs to guide behavior in a context-specific fashion. This liberating view contrasts with modular views of executive function. This new view resembles some older dynamic-systems concepts that long ago proposed that behavior reflects the assembly of multiple pieces in context. We dig into this resemblance and evaluate what else dynamic-systems theory adds to the understanding of executive-function development. We describe core dynamic-systems concepts and apply them to executive function—as conceptualized by Doebel—and through this lens explain the multilevel nature of goal-directed behavior and how a capacity to behave in a goal-directed fashion across contexts emerges over development. We then describe a dynamic systems model of goal-directed behavior during childhood and, finally, address broader theoretical implications of dynamic-systems theory and propose new translational implications for fostering children’s capacity to behave in a goal-directed fashion across everyday contexts.
If Mathematical Psychology Did Not Exist We Might Need to Invent It: A Comment on Theory Building in Psychology
Authors: Navarro Danielle J.
Published: February 2021

It is commonplace, when discussing the subject of psychological theory, to write articles from the assumption that psychology differs from the physical sciences in that we have no theories that would support cumulative, incremental science. In this brief article I discuss one counterexample: Shepard’s law of generalization and the various Bayesian extensions that it inspired over the past 3 decades. Using Shepard’s law as a running example, I argue that psychological theory building is not a statistical problem, mathematical formalism is beneficial to theory, measurement and theory have a complex relationship, rewriting old theory can yield new insights, and theory growth can drive empirical work. Although I generally suggest that the tools of mathematical psychology are valuable to psychological theorists, I also comment on some limitations to this approach.
A synthetic route to 1-(4-boronobenzyl)-1H-pyrrole
Authors: D’Silva Claudius
Published: February 2021

The synthesis of 1-(4-boronobenzyl)- 1H-pyrrole was investigated using three different routes. Two key routes that involved the introduction of the boronate group protected as the pinacol ester, failed, due to deprotection problems. The route involving the introduction of the boronate group as the final step of the reaction yielded 1-(4-boronobenzyl)- 1H-pyrrole (10).
Detection of dopamine by a minimized electrochemical sensor using a graphene oxide molecularly imprinted polymer modified micropipette tip shaped graphite electrode
Authors: Wang Yi , Tang Jianshe , Xiang Li
Published: February 2021

A simple and efficient electrochemical sensor based on a homemade reshaped micropipette tip carbon paste electrode is reported. Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes of graphene oxide and polypyrrole are synthesized and modified on the surface of micropipette tip carbon paste electrode. The merit of the method is evaluated under optimized conditions via differential pulse voltammetrics. The prepared sensor exhibits remarkable sensitivity toward dopamine with a linear range of 6.4 × 10−8–2 × 10−4 M, with a limit of detection as low as 1 × 10−8 M. The proposed method is applied for the determination of dopamine in urine samples by the standard addition route. A range of 1 × 10−7–1 × 10−4 M is obtained from these samples. The relative recoveries are in the range of 95.2%–104%. The proposed method has acceptable performance for the determination of dopamine in real samples with excellent sensitivity and selectivity.
Défis de l’action intersectorielle et pistes de réflexion pour renforcer la concertation dans les milieux ruraux du Québec en contexte de pandémie
Authors: Richard Julie , Bergeron Dave A. , Lessard Lily , Toupin Isabelle , Ouellet Nicole , Bédard Emmanuelle
Published: February 2021

La présente pandémie nécessite le recours aux mécanismes qui favorisent l’action intersectorielle entre les autorités et les partenaires de différents secteurs de la santé et de la société civile pour coordonner et adapter la réponse socio-sanitaire en fonction des particularités des milieux et de l’évolution de la pandémie. Ce commentaire propose de mettre en lumière quelques défis qui se posent actuellement dans la mise en œuvre d’actions intersectorielles dans les milieux ruraux du Québec. Des pistes de réflexion en faveur du renforcement des mécanismes de concertation nécessaires à la gestion de la pandémie sont proposées.
When Scarcity Meets Disparity: “Resources Allocation and COVID-19 Patients with Diabetes”
Authors: Appel Jacob M.
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic raised distinct challenges in the field of scarce resource allocation, a long-standing area of inquiry in the field of bioethics. Policymakers and states developed crisis guidelines for ventilator triage that incorporated such factors as immediate prognosis, long-term life expectancy, and current stage of life. Often these depend upon existing risk factors for severe illness, including diabetes. However, these algorithms generally failed to account for the underlying structural biases, including systematic racism and economic disparity, that rendered some patients more vulnerable to these conditions. This paper discusses this unique ethical challenge in resource allocation through the lens of care for patients with severe COVID-19 and diabetes.
The Efficacy of Labral Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Safran Nathan , Rath Ehud , Haviv Barak , Atzmon Ran , Amar Eyal
Published: February 2021

Background:

With a greater understanding of the importance of the acetabular labrum in the function of the hip, labral repair is preferred over debridement. However, in some scenarios, preservation or repair of the labrum is not possible, and labral reconstruction procedures have been growing in popularity as an alternative to labral resection.

Purpose:

To provide an up-to-date analysis of the literature to determine the overall efficacy of labral reconstruction when compared with labral repair or resection.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases were searched for literature regarding labral reconstruction in the hip before July 21, 2020. The results were screened and evaluated by 2 reviewers, and a third reviewer resolved any discrepancies. The final studies were evaluated using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies) score.

Results:

There were 7 comparative studies that fit the inclusion criteria, with 228 hips from 197 patients. The mean follow-up was 34.6 months, and the mean age of all patients was 38.34 years. There were slightly more female patients than male patients (105 vs 92). Arthroscopic reconstruction was performed in 86% of studies (6/7); open surgical techniques, in 14% (1/7). A variety of grafts was used in the reconstructions. The indications for labral reconstruction and outcome measures varied in these publications. Nine patients were lost follow-up, and 6 patients converted to total hip replacement postlabral reconstruction. The assessment of these comparative studies illustrated statistically equivalent results between labral reconstruction and labral repair. Comparisons of labral reconstruction with labral resection also showed statistically equivalent postoperative patient-reported outcome scores; however, the rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty were significantly higher in the population undergoing resection.

Conclusion:

The review of current available comparative literature, which consists entirely of level 3 studies, suggests that labral reconstruction does improve postoperative outcomes but does not demonstrate superiority over repair. There may, however, be benefit to performing labral reconstruction over resection owing to the higher rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty in the labral resection group.
Prediction of Thyroid Hormone Replacement Following Thyroid Lobectomy: A Long‐term Retrospective Study
Authors: Meyer Charles , Anderson Danielle , Dong Zhiqiao , Riddick Jeanelle Braxton , Elrod Marilisa , Ayala Marco
Published: February 2021

Objective

Following thyroid lobectomy, patients are at risk for hypothyroidism. This study sought to determine the incidence of postlobectomy thyroid hormone replacement as well as predictive risk factors to better counsel patients.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Patients aged 18 to 75 years treated in a single academic institution who underwent thyroid lobectomy from October 2006 to September 2017.

Methods

Patients were followed for an average of 73 months. Demographic data, body mass index, size of removed and remnant lobe, preoperative thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) level, final thyroid pathology, and presence of thyroiditis were collected and analyzed. Risk factors were evaluated with chi‐square analyses, t tests, logistic regression, and Kaplan‐Meier analysis.

Results

Of the 478 patients reviewed, 369 were included in the analysis, 30% of whom eventually required thyroid hormone replacement. More than 39% started therapy >12 months postoperatively, with 90% treated within 36 months. Patient age ≥50 years and preoperative TSH ≥2.5 mIU/L were associated with odds ratios of 2.034 and 3.827, respectively, for thyroid hormone replacement. Malignancy on final pathology demonstrated an odds ratio of 7.76 for hormone replacement. Sex, body mass index, volume of resected and remaining lobes, and weight of resected lobe were not significant predictors.

Conclusion

Nearly a third of patients may ultimately require thyroid hormone replacement. Age at the time of surgery, preoperative TSH, and final pathology are strong, clinically relevant predictors of the need for future thyroid hormone replacement. After lobectomy, patients should have long‐term thyroid function follow‐up to monitor for delayed hypothyroidism.
Frequency of Sexual Intercourse Among the Residents of Bangladesh, India, and Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Pilot Study
Authors: Arafat S. M.  Yasir , Kar Sujita Kumar , Sharma Pawan , Alradie-Mohamed Angi , Kabir Russell
Published: February 2021

Background:

Sexual intercourse is one of the important components of well-being, especially in married couples. There is a dearth of baseline research and data regarding the sexual habits of residents in South-East Asia.

Objective:

We aimed to see the baseline frequency of sexual intercourses among the residents of 3 South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, and Nepal).

Methods:

This web-based cross-national, cross-sectional study was done among the residents of Bangladesh, India, and Nepal through Google forms. Married individuals who were living with their spouses were invited to respond to the survey.

Results:

A total of 120 respondents participated in this survey of which 46.7%, 38.3%, and 15% of respondents were from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, respectively. The mean of the weekly sexual intercourse was 2.23 (range: 0-8) among the total respondents; 2.70 (range: 0-7) among the Nepalese, 2.32 (range: 0-5) among the Bangladeshis, and 1.82 (range: 0-8) among the Indians. The differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

This study revealed very baseline and preliminary excerpts of sexual intercourse habit among the residents of 3 South Asian countries. There is a geographical variation in regard to the sexual contacts. Further, large-scale well-designed studies are warranted to explore the behavior.
Inservice Music Educators’ Perceived Comfort for Teaching and Performing on Secondary Band Instruments
Authors: Simpson Alvin F.
Published: February 2021

I surveyed inservice instrumental music educators ( N = 96) to determine their comfort level for teaching and performing on secondary band instruments. Research questions included the following: (a) How comfortable do inservice music educators feel teaching and performing on secondary instruments? (b) Does grade level affect educators’ comfort levels? (c) Does the educators’ primary instrument family relate to their perceived comfort level for teaching and playing on secondary instruments? and (d) Does the format of instrument classes during preparation programs influence educators’ comfort for teaching and playing secondary instruments? Participants reported moderate comfort on most instruments, with brass being most comfortable. Participants indicating woodwind as a primary instrument reported an overall higher comfort level for teaching and performing on brass instruments, whereas low comfort levels on double reeds. High school educators felt least comfortable teaching and performing on secondary instruments. Participants who took Split-Families and Semester-Families preservice classes felt more comfortable performing on secondary instruments versus those who took Individual-Instrument courses.
Diagnostic and prognostic impact of cytokeratin 18 expression in human tumors: a tissue microarray study on 11,952 tumors
Authors: Menz Anne , Weitbrecht Timo , Gorbokon Natalia , Büscheck Franziska , Luebke Andreas M. , Kluth Martina , Hube-Magg Claudia , Hinsch Andrea , Höflmayer Doris , Weidemann Sören , Fraune Christoph , Möller Katharina , Bernreuther Christian , Lebok Patrick , Clauditz Till , Sauter Guido , Uhlig Ria , Wilczak Waldemar , Steurer Stefan , Minner Sarah , Burandt Eike , Krech Rainer , Dum David , Krech Till , Marx Andreas , Simon Ronald
Published: February 2021

Background

Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) is an intermediate filament protein of the cytokeratin acidic type I group and is primarily expressed in single-layered or “simple” epithelial tissues and carcinomas of different origin.

Methods

To systematically determine CK18 expression in normal and cancerous tissues, 11,952 tumor samples from 115 different tumor types and subtypes (including carcinomas, mesenchymal and biphasic tumors) as well as 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray format.

Results

CK18 was expressed in normal epithelial cells of most organs but absent in normal squamous epithelium. At least an occasional weak CK18 positivity was seen in 90 of 115 (78.3%) tumor types. Wide-spread CK18 positivity was seen in 37 (31.9%) of tumor entities, including adenocarcinomas of the lung, prostate, colon and pancreas as well as ovarian cancer. Tumor categories with variable CK18 immunostaining included cancer types arising from CK18 positive precursor cells but show CK18 downregulation in a fraction of cases, tumor types arising from CK18 negative precursor cells occasionally exhibiting CK18 neo-expression, tumors derived from normal tissues with variable CK18 expression, and tumors with a mixed differentiation. CK18 downregulation was for example seen in renal cell cancers and breast cancers, whereas CK18 neo-expression was found in squamous cell carcinomas of various origins. Down-regulation of CK18 in invasive breast carcinomas of no special type and clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) was related to adverse tumor features in both tumors (p ≤ 0.0001) and poor patient prognosis in ccRCC (p = 0.0088). Up-regulation of CK18 in squamous cell carcinomas was linked to high grade and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). In summary, CK18 is consistently expressed in various epithelial cancers, especially adenocarcinomas.

Conclusions

Down-regulation or loss of CK18 expression in cancers arising from CK18 positive tissues as well as CK18 neo-expression in cancers originating from CK18 negative tissues is linked to cancer progression and may reflect tumor dedifferentiation.
Interfacial Bonding Mechanism and Mechanical Performance of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composites in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Fan Congze , Shan Zhongde , Zou Guisheng , Zhan Li , Yan Dongdong
Published: February 2021

The additive manufacturing of continuous fiber composites has the advantage of a high-precision and efficient forming process, which can realize the lightweight and integrated manufacturing of complex structures. However, many void defects exist between layers in the printing process of additive manufacturing; consequently, the bonding performance between layers is poor. The bonding neck is considered a key parameter for representing the quality of interfacial bonding. In this study, the formation mechanism of the bonding neck was comprehensively analyzed. First, the influence of the nozzle and basement temperatures on the printing performance and bonding neck size was measured. Second, CT scanning was used to realize the quantitative characterization of bonding neck parameters, and the reason behind the deviation of actual measurements from theoretical calculations was analyzed. When the nozzle temperature increased from 180 to 220 °C, CT measurement showed that the bonding neck diameter increased from 0.29 to 0.34 mm, and the cross-sectional porosity reduced from 5.48% to 3.22%. Finally, the fracture mechanism was studied, and the influence of the interfacial bonding quality on the destruction process of the materials was determined. In conclusion, this study can assist in optimizing the process parameters, which improves the precision of the printing parts and performance between the layers.
Effects of an innovative densification process on mechanical and physical properties of beech and Norway spruce veneers
Authors: Cencin Alex , Zanetti Michela , Urso Tiziana , Crivellaro Alan
Published: February 2021

Increased wood density is obtained by compressing the wood porous structure under suitable moisture and temperature conditions to improve its physical, mechanical and color properties. A recently proposed wood densification method based on partial removal of lignin and hemicellulose in hot water solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulphite has shown promising results on solid wood. However, its applicability and effect on thin wood veneers have not been tested yet. In this study, the timing of the method has been adapted to estimate the densification treatment intensity dependence of wood properties (wood density and modulus of elasticity) and color change of softwood (Norway spruce) and hardwood (beech) veneers. Compared to control, density and rigidity increased, with improved wood properties peaking after only 90 s of treatment intensity. Furthermore, the color became darker after treatment compared to control, with no significant color difference between treatment intensities. In conclusion, densification of veneers, according to the presented adapted method, provides a significant improvement of veneers physical and mechanical properties, and produces color changes perceptible by the human eye. Our results can be further implemented and adapted to application in industrial plants, calling for new application of densified veneers.
Wage gains from foreign ownership: evidence from linked employer–employee data
Authors: Köllő János , Boza István , Balázsi László
Published: February 2021

We compare the wages of skilled workers in multinational enterprises (MNEs) versus domestic firms, the earnings of domestic firm workers with past, future and no MNE experience, and estimate how the presence of ex-MNE peers affects the wages of domestic firm employees. The analysis relies on monthly panel data covering half of the Hungarian population and their employers in 2003–2011. We identify the returns to MNE experience from changes of ownership, wages paid by new firms of different ownership, and the movement of workers between enterprises. We find high contemporaneous and lagged returns to MNE experience and significant spillover effects. Foreign acquisition has a moderate wage impact, but there is a wide gap between new MNEs and domestic firms. The findings, taken together, suggest that MNE employees accumulate partly transferable knowledge, valued in the high-wage segment of the local economy that is connected with the MNEs via worker turnover.
Accuracy of breeding values for production traits in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) using recursive models with or without genomics
Authors: Abdalla Emhimad A. , Wood Benjamin J. , Baes Christine F.
Published: February 2021

Background

Knowledge about potential functional relationships among traits of interest offers a unique opportunity to understand causal mechanisms and to optimize breeding goals, management practices, and prediction accuracy. In this study, we inferred the phenotypic causal networks among five traits in a turkey population and assessed the effect of the use of such causal structures on the accuracy of predictions of breeding values.

Methods

Phenotypic data on feed conversion ratio, residual feed intake, body weight, breast meat yield, and walking score in addition to genotype data from a commercial breeding population were used. Causal links between the traits were detected using the inductive causation algorithm based on the joint distribution of genetic effects obtained from a standard Bayesian multiple trait model. Then, a structural equation model was implemented to infer the magnitude of causal structure coefficients among the phenotypes. Accuracies of predictions of breeding values derived using pedigree- and blending-based multiple trait models were compared to those obtained with the pedigree- and blending-based structural equation models.

Results

In contrast to the two unconditioned traits (i.e., feed conversion ratio and breast meat yield) in the causal structures, the three conditioned traits (i.e., residual feed intake, body weight, and walking score) showed noticeable changes in estimates of genetic and residual variances between the structural equation model and the multiple trait model. The analysis revealed interesting functional associations and indirect genetic effects. For example, the structural coefficient for the path from body weight to walking score indicated that a 1-unit genetic improvement in body weight is expected to result in a 0.27-unit decline in walking score. Both structural equation models outperformed their counterpart multiple trait models for the conditioned traits. Applying the causal structures led to an increase in accuracy of estimated breeding values of approximately 7, 6, and 20% for residual feed intake, body weight, and walking score, respectively, and different rankings of selection candidates for the conditioned traits.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that structural equation models can improve genetic selection decisions and increase the prediction accuracy of breeding values of selection candidates. The identified causal relationships between the studied traits should be carefully considered in future turkey breeding programs.
Genetic diversity analysis of brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys based on mitochondrial COI and COII haplotypes
Authors: Yan Juncong , Pal Chandan , Anderson Diane , Vétek Gábor , Farkas Péter , Burne Allan , Fan Qing-Hai , Zhang Jinping , Gunawardana Disna N. , Balan Rebijith Kayattukandy , George Sherly , Li Dongmei
Published: February 2021

Background

In the past decade, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB),Halyomorpha halys(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has caused extensive damage to global agriculture. As a high-risk pest for many countries, including New Zealand, it is important to explore its genetic diversity to enhance our knowledge and devise management strategies for BMSB populations. In this study, two mitochondrial genes, Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and Cytochrome c oxidase II (COII) were used to explore the genetic diversity among 463 BMSB individuals collected from 12 countries.

Result

In total, 51 COI and 29 COII haplotypes of BMSB were found, which formed 59 combined haplotypes (5 reported and 54 novel). Of these, H1h1 was the predominant haplotype. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) were high while the neutrality (Fu’s Fs) values were negative for the BMSB populations in the native countries, China, and Japan. For the BMSB populations from the invaded countries, the Fu’s Fs values were negative for populations from Chile, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Turkey, and USA, indicating that those populations are under demographic expansion. In comparison, the Fu’s Fs values were positive for the populations from Austria, Serbia, and Slovenia, revealing a potential population bottleneck. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that significant genetic difference exists among the BMSB populations from China, Japan, and the invasive countries.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the haplotype diversity of the BMSB populations was high in those two studied countries where BMSB is native to (China and Japan) but low in those countries which have been invaded by the species. The analysis indicated that multiple invasions of BMSB occurred in Europe and the USA. The study also revealed three ancestral lines and most of the novel haplotypes were evolved from them. Moreover, we observed two genetic clusters in the invasive populations that are formed during different invasion events. Our study provided a comprehensive overview on the global haplotypes distribution thus expanding the existing knowledge on BMSB genetic diversity that potentially could play an important role in formulating feasible pest management strategies.
Does a combined intravenous-volatile anesthesia offer advantages compared to an intravenous or volatile anesthesia alone: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wolf Alexander , Selpien Helene , Haberl Helge , Unterberg Matthias
Published: February 2021

Background

In anesthesia, additive drug interactions are used for reducing dose and dose-dependent side-effects. The combination of propofol with volatile anesthetics is rather unusual but might have advantages compared to the single use regarding PONV, time to extubation, movement during surgery and postoperative pain perception.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL for relevant studies comparing combined intravenous volatile anesthesia with total intravenous or balanced anesthesia. The studies identified were summarized in a meta-analysis with the standardized mean difference or risk ratio as the effect size.

Results

Ten studies provided data. The risk for PONV in the recovery room was significantly reduced for a combined anesthesia compared to a balanced anesthesia (RR 0.657, CI 0.502–0.860, p-value 0.002). There was no significant difference detected either in the time to extubation or in pain perception. Movement during surgery was significantly reduced for a combined compared to a total intravenous anesthesia (RR 0.241, CI 0.135–0.428, p-value 0.000).

Conclusions

The combination of propofol and volatiles may have some advantages in the early occurrence of PONV compared to a balanced anesthesia. To sufficiently evaluate potential advantages of a combination of volatiles and propofol further high-quality trials are needed.

Trial registration

PROSPERO CRD42019126627.
Meta-analysis of metabolic syndrome and its individual components with risk of atrial fibrillation in different populations
Authors: Zheng Ying , Xie Zengshuo , Li Jiayong , Chen Chen , Cai Wenting , Dong Yugang , Xue Ruicong , Liu Chen
Published: February 2021

Background

Recent studies have reported the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components on atrial fibrillation (AF), but the results remain controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between MetS and AF risk.

Methods

Studies were searched from the Cochrane library, PubMed, and Embase databases through May 2020. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and its corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and then pooled by using a random effects model.

Results

A total of 6 observational cohort studies were finally included. In the pooled analysis, MetS was associated with an increased risk of AF (HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.40–1.77;P < 0.01). And the components of MetS including abdominal obesity (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.36–1.38;P < 0.01), elevated blood pressure (HR 1.56; 95% CI 1.46–1.66;P < 0.01), elevated fasting glucose (HR 1.18; 95% CI 1.15–1.21;P < 0.01) and low high density cholesterol (HDL) (HR 1.18; 95% CI 1.06–1.32;P < 0.01) was also associated with an increased risk of AF, while high triglyceride (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.87–1.11,P = 0.82) was not.

Conclusions

Our present meta-analysis suggested that MetS, as well as its components including abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting glucose and low HDL cholesterol were associated with an increase in the risk of AF.
Elevated preoperative neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio predicts early adverse outcomes in uncomplicated type B aortic dissection undergoing TEVAR
Authors: Zhu Hongqiao , Zhang Lei , Liang Taiping , Li Yiming , Zhou Jian , Jing Zaiping
Published: February 2021

Background

Thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR) of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD) has favorable long-term outcomes but higher early adverse events compared with the optimal medical treatment. Recently, clinical evidence concerning vascular surgery indicates that elevated preoperative systemic inflammatory response predicts adverse clinical events. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and early outcomes of uTBAD patients undergoing TEVAR.

Results

216 patients diagnosed with uTBAD were included in this retrospective study between January 2015 and December 2018. The median (IQR) follow-up period was 21 (15–33) months. An early adverse event was defined as occurring within 2 years after the procedure. Median patient age was 60 (IQR, 48–68) years and 78.7 % were male. Early adverse events occurred in 24 patients (11.1 %). In the multivariable analysis, preoperative NLR (HR per SD, 1.98; 95 % CI, 1.14–3.44; P = 0.015) was associated with 2-year adverse events.

Conclusions

NLR is an independent predictive factor of early adverse events in uTBAD patients undergoing TEVAR.
Body roundness index is a superior indicator to associate with the cardio‐metabolic risk: evidence from a cross‐sectional study with 17,000 Eastern-China adults
Authors: Xu Jinjian , Zhang Liqun , Wu Qiong , Zhou Yaohan , Jin Ziqi , Li Zhijian , Zhu Yimin
Published: February 2021

Background

To investigate the ability of body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body adiposity index (BAI) for predicting non-adipose cardio-metabolic risk.

Methods

A total of 17,360 Chinese subjects aged 18–95 years old who escaped cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes were recruited in the cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to examine the association of anthropometric indicators with cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Results

The mean age of subjects were 53.7(13.1) years, 41.6 % were males. The areas under the curve (AUC) demonstrated that WC, BMI, WHR, WHtR and BRI were able to predict high cardio-metabolic risk (AUC > 0.70). Meanwhile, multinomial logistic regression showed BRI was significantly associated with high cardio-metabolic risk (OR 3.27, 95% CI 3.01–3.55). The optimal cut-off values of BRI for high cardio-metabolic risk were (< 60 y: 3.49 vs. ≥60 y: 3.46) in males and (< 60 y: 3.47 vs. ≥60 y: 3.60) in females.

Conclusions

WC, BMI WHR, and WHtR were potential obesity indicators in discriminating high cardio-metabolic risk, while BAI or ABSI was not. Moreover, BRI revealed superior predictive capacity and significant association with accumulated cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Longitudinal association between leisure-time physical activity and vascular elasticity indices
Authors: Szaló Gábor , Hellgren Margareta , Allison Matthew , Råstam Lennart , Lindblad Ulf , Daka Bledar
Published: February 2021

Aim

We investigated the association between levels of leisure-time physical activity and vascular stiffness in a longitudinal observational study from a representative Swedish population.

Method

A total of 2816 randomly selected individuals were examined at visit 1 (2002–2005, Men = 1400). After a mean follow-up of 9.7 ± 1.4 years, a representative sample of 1327 of the original participants were re-examined at visit 2. After excluding subjects with hypertension at baseline, 761 participants were included in the longitudinal analyses. Leisure-time physical (LTPA) activity was self-reported and dichotomized as high or low (level 3, 4 and level 1, 2, respectively). Large Arterial Elasticity Index (LAEI) and Small Arterial Elasticity Index (SAEI) were measured using the HDI/Pulse Wave™ CR2000. Multivariable general linear models were used to investigate the differences in changes SAEI and LAEI based on LTPA levels.

Results

At visit 1, and after adjustment for possible confounders, participants in the high LTPA group had better small artery elasticity (SAEI) (SAEI in low-level LTPA: 7.89 ± 0.11, SAEI in high-level LTPA: 8.32 ± 0.15, ΔSAEI: 0.42, CI: 0.07–0.78; p = 0.020). SAEI decreased between the two assessments (Visit 1: SAEI 8.01 ± 3.37 ml/mmHg; Δ SAEI: 1.4, CI 1.2–1.6, p < 0.001). Participants with a higher LTPA at visit 1 had significantly better SAEI at visit 2 (ΔSAEI: 0.44, CI 0.03–0.85, p = 0.037). No significant associations were observed between LAEI and LTPA after adjustments.

Conclusions

High LTPA predicted higher small arterial compliance at visit 2 suggesting that positive effects of LTPA on arterial elasticity persists over time.
Correction to: The evaluation of annuloplasty in bicuspid aortic valve repair using cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Jasinski Marek J. , Miszalski-Jamka Karol , Kosiorowska Kinga , Gocol Radoslaw , Wenzel-Jasinska Izabella , Bielicki Grzegorz , Berezowski Mikolaj , Lukaszewski Marceli , Kansy Andrzej , Deja Marek A.
Published: February 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Body size perception, knowledge about obesity and factors associated with lifestyle change among patients, health care professionals and public health experts
Authors: Zelenytė Virginija , Valius Leonas , Domeikienė Auksė , Gudaitytė Rita , Endzinas Žilvinas , Šumskas Linas , Maleckas Almantas
Published: February 2021

Background

The attitudes towards obesity may have an important role on healthier behavior. The goal of the present study was to explore the attitudes towards obesity and to investigate how these attitudes were associated with lifestyle-changing behavior among the patients attending primary care centers, health care professionals and public health experts.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey study was performed in 10 primary care offices in different regions in Lithuania and in 2 public health institutions. Nine hundred thirty-four patients, 97 nurses, 65 physicians and 30 public health experts have filled the questionnaire about attitudes towards obesity and presented data about lifestyle-changing activities during last 12 months. The attitudes were compared between different respondent groups and factors associated with healthier behaviors were analyzed among overweight/obese individuals in our study population.

Results

Participants failed to visually recognize correct figure corresponding to male and female with obesity. Majority of respondents’ perceived obesity as a risk factor for heart diseases and diabetes but had less knowledge about other diseases associated with weight. About one third of respondents changed their lifestyle during last 12 months. Overweight individuals with age < 45 years (OR 1.64, 1.06–2.55; p = 0.025) were more likely and those who overestimated current weight (OR 0.44, 0.20–0.96; p = 0.036) less likely to change their lifestyle. Disappointment with their current weight (OR 2.57, 1.36–4.84; p = 0.003) was associated with healthier behavior among participants with obesity.

Conclusion

Participants had similar body size perception and knowledge about obesity. Younger age had significant association with lifestyle changing behavior among overweight individuals and disappointment with current weight among obese participants.