bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Justice and utility: Approval of gender quotas to increase gender balance in top‐level managements—lessons from Iceland
Authors: Axelsdóttir Laufey , Einarsdóttir Þorgerður J. , Rafnsdóttir Guðbjörg Linda
Published: January 2023

Despite the adoption of board gender quotas in several countries, little is known about the views on quotas outside the boards. In this article, we expand the dialogue about gender quotas by examining managers' arguments (justice and utility) for quotas as a measure to increase gender balance in top‐level managements. Drawing on a survey of 504 men and women managers in 244 of Iceland's largest companies, we show that social‐justice arguments and utility arguments make a stronger case for gender quotas than individual‐justice arguments. By highlighting the gendered context of arguments and expectations for further influence of gender quotas, we show that men managers' emphasis on liberal individualism and the lack of approval of quotas may hinder more organizational gender equality. We argue for the need to focus on organizational factors and top managers' responsibilities to support further gender balance in top‐level managements.
Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study shows platelet counts predict hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Fujii Hideki , Fujii Makoto , Iwaki Michihiro , Hayashi Hideki , Toyoda Hidenori , Oeda Satoshi , Hyogo Hideyuki , Kawanaka Miwa , Morishita Asahiro , Munekage Kensuke , Kawata Kazuhito , Tsutsumi Tsubasa , Sawada Koji , Maeshiro Tatsuji , Tobita Hiroshi , Yoshida Yuichi , Naito Masafumi , Araki Asuka , Arakaki Shingo , Kawaguchi Takumi , Noritake Hidenao , Ono Masafumi , Masaki Tsutomu , Yasuda Satoshi , Tomita Eiichi , Yoneda Masato , Kawada Norifumi , Tokushige Akihiro , Kamada Yoshihiro , Takahashi Hirokazu , Ueda Shinichiro , Aishima Shinichi , Sumida Yoshio , Nakajima Atsushi , Okanoue Takeshi ,   Japan Study Group of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (JSG‐NAFLD)
Published: January 2023

Aim

Impacts of platelet counts at the time of liver biopsy on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of platelet counts in patients with biopsy‐confirmed NAFLD using data from a multicenter study.

Methods

One thousand three hundred ninety‐eight patients were included in this subanalysis of the CLIONE (Clinical Outcome Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) in Asia study. Liver biopsy specimens were pathologically diagnosed, and histologically scored using the NASH Clinical Research Network system. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pathological data were collected.

Results

During a median follow‐up period of 4.6 years (range, 0.3–21.6 years), which corresponds to 8874 person‐years, 37 patients developed HCC. Using a cut‐off baseline platelet count of 192 × 109/L, the lower platelet group had a higher HCC rate than the higher platelet group (6.7% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.001). This cut‐off value significantly stratified the event‐free rate for HCC. Lower platelet counts were associated with an increased risk of HCC development. Relative to patients with platelet counts of 192 × 109/L, patients with platelet counts of 100 × 109/L had an unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for HCC development of 7.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.81–14.2) and an adjusted HR of 11.2 (95% CI, 3.81–32.7; p < 0.001), adjusting for age, sex, NASH, and diabetes.

Conclusions

Baseline platelet counts of 192 × 109/L and lower are associated with a higher risk of developing HCC in patients with biopsy‐confirmed NAFLD and require active surveillance.
Robust and reliable solid oxide fuel cells with modified thin film YSZ electrolyte
Authors: Cheng Liya , Lyu Qiuqiu , Li Zongxun , Liu Yang , Jin Chao , Xu Na , Zhong Qin , Zhu Tenglong
Published: January 2023

Reduce electrolyte thickness can improve solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance. However, thinner electrolyte often contains prominent defects and flaws, which may decrease the yield and increase operation risk. This work proposes a method to modify the thin film YSZ electrolyte, to improve cell reliability and durability. The as‐sintered anode supported half‐cell with screen printed YSZ electrolyte was immersed in precursor solution of Y(NO3)3·6H2O and Zr(NO3)4·5H2O, and being treated under hydrothermal condition of 150°C for 12 h. As a result, the modified cells show slight increase in the OCV values. Furthermore, the hydrothermal modification effectively promotes interface sintering between YSZ electrolyte and GDC barrier layer, yielding a smaller ohmic resistance of .142 Ω·cm2 (a decrease of ∼11%) and a higher peak power density of .964 W/cm2 (an increase of ∼18%) at 750°C, than pristine cell. Moreover, the modified cell operates stably over 300 h, while the pristine cell presents large and irregular voltage fluctuations. This work suggests that the hydrothermal modification is an effective and promisingly industrial applicable method for thin film electrolyte recovery in SOFCs.
Spark plasma sintering of (5RE.2)Ta3O9 high‐entropy ceramics and their thermal properties
Authors: Wei Zicheng , Yang Qingqing , Meng Bin , Li Chen , Ping Xinyu , Fang Congcong , Zhang Han
Published: January 2023

Six rare‐earth tantalate high‐entropy ceramics of (5RE.2)Ta3O9 (RE represents any five elements selected from La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) were designed and prepared by spark plasma sintering process at 1400°C in this study. The (5RE.2)Ta3O9 ceramics only consist of a single‐phase solid solution with perovskite structure. Their relative densities are all above 90%, and the average grain size is in the range of 1.47–2.92 μm. The thermal conductivity of (5RE.2)Ta3O9 ceramics is in 2.24–1.90 W m−1 K−1 (25°C–500°C), which is much lower than that of yttria‐stabilized zirconia. In six samples, (La.2Nd.2Sm.2Gd.2Eu.2)Ta3O9 possesses a thermal conductivity of 1.90 W m−1 K−1, a thermal expansion coefficient of 3.47 × 10−6 K−1 (500°C), a Vickers hardness of about 7.33 GPa, and a fracture toughness of about 5.20 MPa m1/2, which are suitable for its application as thermal barrier coatings.
Point‐of‐care fluorescence imaging reveals extent of bacterial load in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Armstrong David G. , Edmonds Michael E. , Serena Thomas E.
Published: January 2023

Elevated levels of bacteria, including biofilm, increase the risk of chronic wound infection and inhibit healing. Addressing asymptomatic high bacterial loads is challenged by a lack of clinical terminology and diagnostic tools. This post‐hoc multicenter clinical trial analysis of 138 diabetic foot ulcers investigates fluorescence (FL)‐imaging role in detecting biofilm‐encased and planktonic bacteria in wounds at high loads. The sensitivity and specificity of clinical assessment and FL‐imaging were compared across bacterial loads of concern (104–109 CFU/g). Quantitative tissue culture confirmed the total loads. Bacterial presence was confirmed in 131/138 ulcers. Of these, 93.9% had loads >104 CFU/g. In those wounds, symptoms of infection were largely absent and did not correlate with, or increase proportionately with, bacterial loads at any threshold. FL‐imaging increased sensitivity for the detection of bacteria across loads 104–109 (P < .0001), peaking at 92.6% for >108 CFU/g. Imaging further showed that 84.2% of ulcers contained high loads in the periwound region. New terminology, chronic inhibitory bacterial load (CIBL), describes frequently asymptomatic, high bacterial loads in diabetic ulcers and periwound tissues, which require clinical intervention to prevent sequelae of infection. We anticipate this will spark a paradigm shift in assessment and management, enabling earlier intervention along the bacterial‐infection continuum and supporting improved wound outcomes.
Simultaneously achieving high energy storage performance and low electrostrictive strain in BT‐based ceramics
Authors: Wei Fangbin , Yang Yule , Zhang Leiyang , Alikin Denis , Shur Vladimir , Zhang Amei , Du Hongliang , Wei Xiaoyong , Jin Li
Published: January 2023

Dielectric ceramics with high recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) and high energy storage efficiency (η) are urgently needed due to their potential application in pulse capacitor devices. However, the low  η and breakdown strength (BDS) have produced a bottleneck for achieving high Wrec at high electric field. Here, we introduce Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3 (BMT) into Ba(Ti0.92Sn0.08)O3 (BTS) matrix to enhance the relaxor character of BTS–xBMT and reduce the electrostrictive strain generated during electric field loading. The enhanced relaxor character is beneficial for increasing the efficiency, whereas the reduced electrostrictive strain is profitable to increase the BDS. Furthermore, the BDS is significantly improved by the polymer viscous rolling process. Finally, the electrostrictive effect was considerably lowered in an optimized BTS–0.1BMT composition. More crucially, a high Wrec of 4.34 J/cm3 was attained accompanied by excellent temperature stability (variation ≤±5% between 30 and 120°C). The current results show that the developed dielectric ceramics can be used in pulse capacitor devices for energy storage.
Actinide and lanthanide dioxide lattice dilatation mechanisms with defect ingrowths
Authors: Günay Seçkin D.
Published: January 2023

The effects of irradiation‐induced defects on the fluorite‐structured dioxide materials were investigated in the literature and explained with complex physical phenomena. An interpretation that can simply explain their effects on the structure has not been put forward so far. However, in a recent atomistic simulation study, a specific defect was found to be directly responsible for the α‐particle irradiated UO2 lattice dilatation, and there was a linear relationship between them. It was also determined that this linear equation has two different slopes at low and high defect concentrations. In this paper, it was found that these phenomenon were not specific to UO2 and applicable to all fluorite‐structured actinide and lanthanide dioxides studied here (CmO2, AmO2, CeO2, UO2, NpO2, PuO2, ThO2). The findings provide clues to the existence of more general law. The results have the potential to lead to significant improvements, such as why different radiation types (α‐particle, α‐decay, fission) swell the lattice at different saturation levels.
Effect of test parameters in the exposure of Ca–Mg–Al–silicate on yttria stabilized zirconia
Authors: Kowalski Benjamin , Stokes Jamesa , Albert Patrick E. , Lauer Pete E. , Wolfe Douglas E.
Published: January 2023

Jet engine components need protective coatings to function against both high‐temperature and environmental effects. Ingested calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicates (CMAS) dust particulates are extremely detrimental to the life of the coatings. However, many methods exist to investigate the infiltration of CMAS into these coatings with each method exploring a different aspect of the degradation process. To probe the overlap in these methods, this study focuses on the effect of grain size, areal density, and aspect ratio on the infiltration of CMAS into yttria stabilized zirconia. The infiltration depths ranged from 6 up to 85 µm depending on the test conditions.
Shifting environmental predictors of phenotypes under climate change: a case study of growth in high latitude seabirds
Authors: Sauve Drew , Friesen Vicki L. , Hatch Scott A. , Elliott Kyle H. , Charmantier Anne
Published: January 2023

Climate change is altering species' traits across the globe. To predict future trait changes and understand the consequences of those changes, we need to know the environmental drivers of phenotypic change. In the present study, we use multi‐decadal long datasets to determine periods of within‐year environmental variation that predict growth of three seabird species. We evaluate whether these periods changed over time and use them to predict future growth under climate change. We find that predictions of trait change could be improved by considering that 1) the timing of environmental factors used to predict traits (predictive‐environmental features) can change over time, and 2) the type of predictive‐environmental features can change over time. We find evidence of changes in the timing of environmental predictors in all populations studied and evidence for a change in the type of predictor in the studied Arctic murre population. Environmental models of growth predict that warming conditions will decrease growth rates and bird body sizes in two species (black‐legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and glaucous‐winged gull Larus Larus glaucescens), but not the third (thick‐billed murre Uria lomvia). Consequently, climate change is likely to decrease fledging rates in the gulls and kittiwakes. Further, we find that sea ice‐cover historically predicted murre chick growth well, but no longer does – instead air temperature is now a better predictor of murre growth. Our study highlights a need to investigate whether environmental determinants of trait variation commonly shift in a changing climate and whether such changes have implications for adaptation to novel environments.
Temporal association between drops in thoracic impedance and malignant ventricular arrhythmia: A longitudinal analysis of remote monitoring trends
Authors: Rodio Giovanna , Iacopino Saverio , Pisanò Ennio C. , Calvi Valeria , Rovaris Giovanni , Marini Massimiliano , Giammaria Massimo , Caravati Fabrizio , Maglia Giampiero , Zanotto Gabriele , Della Bella Paolo , Biffi Mauro , Curnis Antonio , Maines Massimiliano , Orsida Daniela , Santamaria Matteo , Bisignani Giovanni , Baroni Matteo , Lissoni Fabio , Duca Antonio , Forleo Giovanni B. , Piemontese Carlo , De Salvia Alberto , Miracapillo Gennaro , Celentano Eduardo , Zecchin Massimo , Luzzi Giovanni , Giacopelli Daniele , Gargaro Alessio , D'Onofrio Antonio
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Thoracic impedance (TI) drops measured by implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) have been reported to correlate with ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF). The aim of our study was to assess the temporal association of decreasing TI trends with VT/VF episodes through a longitudinal analysis of daily remote monitoring data from ICDs and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT‐Ds).

Methods and Results

Retrospective data from 2384 patients were randomized 1:1 into a derivation or validation cohort. The TI decrease rate was defined as the percentage of rolling weeks with a continuously decreasing TI trend. The derivation cohort was used to determine a TI decrease rate threshold for a ≥99% specificity of arrhythmia prediction. The associated risk of VT/VF episodes was estimated in the validation cohort by dividing the available follow‐up into 60‐day assessment intervals. Analyses were performed separately for 1354 ICD and 1030 CRT‐D patients. During a median follow‐up of 2.0 years, 727 patients (30.4%) experienced 3298 confirmed VT/VF episodes. In the ICD group, a TI decrease rate of >60% was associated with a higher risk of VT/VF episode in a 60‐day assessment interval (stratified hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–1.92; p = .023). The TI decrease preceded (40.8%) or followed (59.2%) the VT/VF episodes. In the CRT‐D group, no association between TI decrease and VT/VF episodes was observed (p = .84).

Conclusion

In our longitudinal analysis, TI decrease was associated with VT/VF episodes only in ICD patients. Preventive interventions may be difficult since episodes can occur before or after TI decrease.
Genomics‐driven prophylactic measures to increase streptococcosis resistance in tilapia
Authors: Kayansamruaj Pattanapon , Dinh‐Hung Nguyen , Srisapoome Prapansak , Na‐Nakorn Uthairat , Chatchaiphan Satid
Published: January 2023

Streptococcosis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and S. iniae is a significant problem that affects the success of tilapia aquaculture industries worldwide. In this critical review, we summarize the applicable practical strategies which may effectively enhance the world tilapia aquaculture development. Recently, the effect of vaccination and selective breeding programmes has been recognized as valuable tools to control the target disease and other consequent negative impacts caused by chemical and drug application. Advances in sequencing and molecular technologies are vital helpful factors with which to develop robust vaccines and increase the selective breeding programme's precision against streptococcosis. The genomic selection for streptococcosis‐resistant tilapia strains and crucial genomic application for genomics' contribution to the development of novel Streptococcus vaccine, comparative genomics approach identifying vaccine candidates by reverse vaccinology, and next‐generation vaccine design were described. Information from our review is encouraging for practical implementation of the development of vaccination and genomic selection in tilapia for streptococcosis resistance, which may be vital factors to sustain the world tilapia aquaculture industry effectively.
Potential processing technologies for utilization of millets: An updated comprehensive review
Authors: Dekka Srenuja , Paul Anjaly , Vidyalakshmi R. , Mahendran R.
Published: January 2023

Millets are tiny grass‐seeded grains that hold major and minor nutrients and chief bioactive components. They are climate flexible and pest‐resistant grains, enhancing the crop system effectively. Millets are now gaining popularity due to their health‐promoting properties for end users. These nonacid‐forming grains are gluten‐free, stabilize blood sugar, lower cholesterol levels, inhibit human colon tumor growth, combat malnourished diseases, control overweight, and have other health‐promoting benefits. However, many food processing technologies are on hand to process millets into a broad array of value‐added products, but still, the implementation in the food processing industries is skimpy at the commercial level. There are many factors right from the farming stage, like unavailability of good quality seeds, suitable machinery, lack of technical knowledge, and the consumer's misconception of millet's sensory properties, all contribute to low demand in the market. However, considering millet's copious potentialities, the research on these grains is grasping the spotlight in the current era. Therefore, millets would greatly increase demand in the market and create boundless avenues to manufacture millet‐based foods on a commercial scale. Hence, the current article intends to comprehensively review millet processing technologies and bioprocessing approaches, including health benefits. In addition, it also highlighted the recent R & D innovations with millets and millet products in the global market, preservation constraints, and future challenges.

Practical Applications

Millets are the neglected ancient grains of the world, although they are a treasure trove of nutrients and promote alluring health benefits. The current review analysis fosters various notions to bridge a gap between industrialist and consumers for the high‐level production and consumption of millets in various countries. The compiled information comprises deep insights into major food processing technologies for each millet and listed globally available millet‐based products. In addition, it provides the millet shelf‐life issues, which would be helpful for researchers to tackle these issues with millets in the future. The present study advises increasing the high‐value utilization of millet and millet‐based products at commercial scales. This article attracts scientists, industrialists, researchers, scholars, and budding entrepreneurs. Among all the cereals, millets are superior in the nutritional profile, sustainable production patterns, and friendlier to the farmers, planet, and consumers.
Browning inhibition and shelf life of packaged air‐dried chestnut kernels
Authors: Yu Wenjie , Wang Yi , Liu Yongguo , Wu Yanwen , Ouyang Jie
Published: January 2023

Air‐dried chestnut is a traditional snack in northern China, but no standardized quality control methods or commercial products are available. The browning of air‐dried chestnut kernels was inhibited by the combined use of 1.5% EDTA‐2Na, 1% pullulan, and 1% l‐cysteine. The air‐dried chestnut kernels were packed in three different bags (PB1, polyethylene (PE); PB2, polyamide resin (PA)/PE; and PB3, polyethylene terephthalate/PA/aluminum foil/PE), and stored at 4°C, 25°C, and 35°C, respectively. With increased storage time, the degree of browning, weight loss, and hardness increased, while the antioxidant activity and respiration rate decreased. The shelf life (SL) of packaged air‐dried chestnut kernels in different storage conditions was predicted by the Arrhenius equation, and the longest predicted shelf‐lives at 4°C, 25°C, and 35°C were 105.3 days (PB2), 19.5 days (PB3), and 10.8 days (PB1), respectively. The results provide guidance for inhibiting the browning of packaged air‐dried chestnut kernels and prolonging their SL during production and consumption.

Practical applications

Air‐dried chestnut has a crisp and sweet taste and low digestibility of starch, however, it has not been industrially processed until now. The optimal browning inhibitors and packaging materials of air‐dried chestnut kernel were explored, and the shelf life of packaged air‐dried chestnut kernel was predicted using Arrhenius equation. The results of this study will be beneficial to the commercial production of air‐dried chestnut kernel.
Extreme skew surge estimation combining systematic skew surges and historical record sea levels on the English Channel and North Sea coasts
Authors: Saint Criq Laurie , Gaume Eric , Hamdi Yasser , Ouarda Taha B. M. J.
Published: January 2023

Coastal planning implies the estimation of extreme sea levels. As the distribution of astronomical high tides can be predicted, most recent publications suggest focusing on the estimation of extreme skew surges. Historical information, record sea levels observed before the beginning of systematic tide gauge recordings, can improve estimations. The corresponding skew surges can be estimated but are not necessarily exhaustive. Indeed, some historical extreme skew surges can remain unnoticed if they are combined with low or moderate tides, or for a variety of reasons. To deal with this exhaustiveness issue, a previous publication proposed an unbiased method for combining systematic period skew surges with historical period extreme sea levels. This method appeared more reliable than previously proposed approaches. The present study aims at presenting a broader evaluation of this method, based on its application to nine sites located on the English Channel and North Sea coasts. The method is also improved to consider several historical periods and various types of historical information. Results confirm the method to be reliable, useful, and relevant. A number of recommendations is also formulated for the selection and use of historical information for sea level frequency analyses.
School and family environments promote adolescents' financial confidence: Indirect paths to financial literacy skills in Finnish PISA 2018
Authors: Silinskas Gintautas , Ahonen Arto K. , Wilska Terhi‐Anna
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the associations of adolescents' financial socialization factors—financial education in school and families—with financial confidence (i.e., confidence in using financial and digital financial services). In addition, we examine how financial socialization factors indirectly relate to financial literacy skills through financial confidence and the role of demographic factors (adolescent gender, grade level, parental education, family wealth) on financial socialization, financial confidence, and financial literacy scores. We used data on the 4328 Finnish 15‐year‐olds participating in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). We measured financial literacy by cognitive test items and assessed financial socialization and financial confidence by adolescent questionnaires. First, the results showed that financial education in school positively predicted adolescents' confidence in using financial and digital financial services. Second, financial education at schools and in families indirectly predicted students' financial literacy through confidence in using digital financial services. Third, older adolescents were more exposed to financial education at school and in families, whereas adolescents from wealthier families and girls (vs. boys) were exposed to a more frequent discussion of financial matters with parents at home. Furthermore, the boys were more confident in using financial services than the girls, although the financial literacy score did not differ by gender; older adolescents were more confident in using financial services and achieved better financial literacy than younger ones. Finally, higher parental education in the family related to higher financial literacy but not to higher financial confidence, whereas family wealth was related to higher financial confidence but not financial literacy.
Gender wage transparency and the gender pay gap: A survey
Authors: Bennedsen Morten , Larsen Birthe , Wei Jiayi
Published: January 2023

We survey the literature on the effects of increased transparency of gender segregated wages on the pay gap between men and women in comparable jobs. Pay transparency is promoted by countries and supra‐national institutions and we categorize reforms according to their content and coverage. A growing number of papers have used variations of difference‐in‐difference estimation methods to analyze the impact of reforms on the gender pay gap (GPG), and from these we extract four main findings: First, reform‐based studies find that pay transparency reforms reduce the GPG in all countries but one, which finds no effect. Second, in Canada, Denmark and the UK, the reduction in the GPG from transparency reforms originate from a reduction in the growth rate of male income and less from an increase in women's pay. Third, there is fragmented evidence for the impact of transparency reforms on other labor outcomes and firm productivity. Fourth, the monetary implementation cost of transparency reforms is, in general, small both for individual firms and public administration. These finding are consistent with the notion that gender wage transparency reforms are an effective policy tool to reduce the GPG.
Prevalence and incidence of type 1 diabetes in children aged 0–14 years old in New Zealand in 2021
Authors: Wu Rachel , Burnside Mercedes , Davies Hannah , Jefferies Craig , Wheeler Benjamin , Paul Ryan , Wiltshire Esko , de Bock Martin , Williman Jonathan
Published: January 2023

Aim

National prevalence and incidence data are important for understanding population trends and allocating health‐care resources. We aimed to provide a current national snapshot of prevalence and annual incidence rates for children aged 0–14 with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Aotearoa New Zealand and to identify differences associated with demographic variables.

Methods

Paediatric diabetes centres across Aotearoa were invited to record anonymised demographic and diabetes data on children under their services between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2021. National prevalence and incidence were calculated using usually resident population counts from the 2018 census. The effect of ethnicity on prevalence and incidence was assessed using Poisson regression.

Results

There were 1209 children aged 0–14 with T1D in October 2021. The national prevalence was 131/100 000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 124–139). European children had twice the prevalence as those of Māori or Pacific ethnicity (P < 0.001). There was no effect by gender (P = 0.3) and prevalence predictably increased with age. The annualised incidence of T1D was 23/100 000 (95% CI 20–26). European children were 2.6 times as likely as Māori children to be diagnosed with T1D in that year (incidence rate ratio = 2.6, 95% CI 1.7–4.2). Regional differences in prevalence and incidence were noted, potentially due to the ethnicity differences across regions. Unadjusted prevalence and incidence decreased with lower socio‐economic status, likely due to an over‐representation of non‐Europeans living in the most deprived areas.

Conclusions

T1D affects an ethnically diverse population in Aotearoa and important regional differences exist that may impact workforce planning.
Prevalence of signs of lower urinary tract disease and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study
Authors: Nelson Valerie , Downey Amy , Summers Stacie , Shropshire Sarah
Published: January 2023

Background

No recent studies have evaluated the association between clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Objective

Determine the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria (ie, positive urine culture without signs of LUTD) in dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Animals

One hundred seven dogs with diabetes mellitus were evaluated at a university veterinary hospital.

Methods

Retrospective study evaluating diabetic dogs with a single sample paired urinalysis and urine culture. Relationship between the presence of signs of LUTD, pyuria, and bacteriuria and urine culture results were compared using Fisher exact testing.

Results

Fifteen dogs (14%) had a positive urine culture via cystocentesis or free catch, of which 8 (53%) had pyuria, and 4 (27%) had signs of LUTD. Of the 88 dogs (82%) without signs of LUTD, 11 (13%) had a positive culture. A significant association was found between a positive urine culture and pyuria (OR infinity; 95% CI 20.34‐infinity, P < .00001) and bacteriuria (OR infinity; 95% CI 164.4‐infinity, P < .00001). No association was found between urine culture results and signs of LUTD (OR 1.87; 95% CI 0.59‐6.85, P = .46).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Subclinical bacteriuria occurred in this cohort of dogs, and our findings reinforce the recommendation that urine cultures should not be routinely performed in diabetic dogs particularly if pyuria and bacteriuria are absent.
Evaluation of cardiac troponin I as a predictor of death in critically ill cats
Authors: Pelander Lena , Bach Maiken B. T. , Ljungvall Ingrid , Willesen Jakob L. , Koch Jörgen , Dreimanis Kristoffer , Telling Amalie , Damsgard Rikke M. , Ohlsson Åsa , Häggström Jens , Langhorn Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Background

Abnormally high serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration, reflecting leakage from or necrosis of cardiomyocytes, is a negative prognosticator for death in dogs.

Objectives

To investigate in critically ill cats whether serum cTnI concentration is abnormally high, identify conditions associated with abnormally high cTnI concentrations, and evaluate cTnI as an independent prognosticator for death and a potential coprognosticator to the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation (APPLE) score in cats.

Animals

One hundred nineteen cats admitted to intensive care units (ICU) and 13 healthy cats at 2 university teaching hospitals.

Methods

Prospective study. Clinical examinations were performed, APPLE scores calculated, and serum cTnI and serum amyloid A (SAA) measured within 24 hours after admission. Outcome was defined as death/euthanasia or survival to discharge, 28 and 90 days after ICU‐admission. Prognostic capacity of cTnI, APPLE scores and models combining cTnI and scores were evaluated by receiver‐operator‐characteristic analyses.

Results

Median (IQR) serum cTnI concentration was higher in ill (0.63 [0.18‐2.65] ng/mL) compared to healthy (0.015 [0.005‐0.041] ng/mL) cats (P < .001) and higher in subgroups with structural cardiac disease (2.05 [0.54‐16.59] ng/mL; P < .001) or SAA >5 mg/L (0.84 [0.23‐2.81] ng/mL; P = .009) than in cats without these characteristics (0.45 [0.12‐1.70] and 0.35 [0.015‐0.96] ng/mL). The in‐hospital case fatality rate was 29%. Neither serum cTnI concentration for all critically ill cats (area‐under‐the‐curve 0.567 [95% CI 0.454‐0.680], n = 119) or subgroups (0.625 [0.387‐0.863], n = 27; 0.506 [0.360‐0.652], n = 86), nor APPLE scores (fast 0.568 [0.453‐0.682], full 0.585 [0.470‐0.699], n = 100), were significant prognosticators for death.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Abnormally high serum cTnI concentration was common in critically ill cats. Unlike in dogs, cTnI did not confer prognostic information regarding death.
Pikeperch larviculture (Sander lucioperca [L., 1758]) with Brachionus plicatilis (Mueller, 1786) (Rotifera) and Apocyclops panamensis (Marsh, 1913) (Copepoda)
Authors: Ballesteros‐Redondo Laura , Palm Harry W. , Bährs Hanno , Wacker Alexander , Bischoff Adrian A.
Published: January 2023

The effect of live feed diets containing Brachionus plicatilis (B) and Apocyclops panamensis (A) was investigated on pikeperch larval survival, growth, and fatty acid composition in two experiments (E1 and E2). Up to six different diets were provided to the larvae, in which the letters of the diet names represent the live feed organisms as mentioned above and the subsequent number of feed organisms per larva and day. In E1, start cultures with 35 larvae/L were supplied with two diets (B200 and B100 + A100) 7 days until 10 days post hatch (dph). In E2, 50 larvae/L were fed six diets, B280 + A120, B340 + A60, B400, B420 + A180, B510 + A90, and B600. The highest survival and specific growth rates (SGR) occurred in B200 (E1). In E2, B340 + A60 performed best. A trend of increasing survival rates was found in E1 from 68.9% (B100 + A100) to 71.6% B200 and in E2 from 64.0% (B280 + A120) to 93.7% (B340 + A60). Larval SGR tended to increase with higher shares of dietary B. plicatilis in both experiments. The polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA), followed the same pattern as survival and SGR increasing until a plateau was reached, indirectly indicating a feeding threshold. B. plicatilis provided the LA to pikeperch larvae, which seemed to play an important role in this feeding period. Consequently, a live feed diet should contain at least 340 B. plicatilis ind. larva−1 day−1 and 6.3 B. plicatilis per milliliter until 10 dph to improve pikeperch larviculture.
State of the field: Early modern magic
Authors: Walker Katherine
Published: January 2023

Magic has served as a source of fascination for early modern scholars throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. While critics continue to debate magic's relationship to religion and science, in recent years the focus has turned to knowledge‐making and how magic contributed to a diverse range of discourses during the 16th and 17th centuries. This article first explores some of the significant historical debates on early modern magic before turning to more recent work in literary studies of the Renaissance. While focusing on early modern England and the stage, the article also highlights newer directions for the study of magic that might enfold global contexts and critical methodologies.
Delivery of biannual ultrasound surveillance for individuals with cirrhosis and cured hepatitis C in the UK
Authors: Hamill Victoria , Gelson Will , MacDonald Douglas , Richardson Paul , Ryder Stephen D. , Aldersley Mark , McPherson Stuart , Verma Sumita , Sharma Rohini , Hutchinson Sharon , Benselin Jennifer , Barnes Eleanor , Guha Indra Neil , Irving William L. , Innes Hamish
Published: January 2023

Background

Previous studies show the uptake of biannual ultrasound (US) surveillance in patients with cirrhosis is suboptimal. Here, our goal was to understand in broader terms how surveillance is being delivered to cirrhosis patients with cured hepatitis C in the UK.

Methods

Hepatitis C cirrhosis patients achieving a sustained viral response (SVR) to antiviral therapies were identified from the national Hepatitis‐C‐Research‐UK resource. Data on (i) liver/abdominal US examinations, (ii) HCC diagnoses, and (iii) HCC curative treatment were obtained through record‐linkage to national health registries. The rate of US uptake was calculated by dividing the number of US episodes by follow‐up time.

Results

A total of 1908 cirrhosis patients from 31 liver centres were followed for 3.8 (IQR: 3.4–4.9) years. Overall, 10 396 liver/abdominal USs were identified. The proportion with biannual US was 19% in the first 3 years after SVR and 9% for all follow‐up years. Higher uptake of biannual US was associated with attending a liver transplant centre; older age and cirrhosis decompensation. Funnel plot analysis indicated significant inter‐centre variability in biannual US uptake, with 6/29 centres outside control limits. Incident HCC occurred in 133 patients, of which 49/133 (37%) were treated with curative intent. The number of US episodes in the two years prior to HCC diagnosis was significantly associated with higher odds of curative‐intent treatment (aOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12–2,09; p = .007).

Conclusions

This study provides novel data on the cascade of care for HCC in the UK. Our findings suggest biannual US is poorly targeted, inefficient and is not being delivered equitably to all patients.
Congenital myasthenic syndromes: A study of 15 cases
Authors: Khadilkar Satish V. , Oza Harsh , Dhonde Pramod , Patel Bhagyadhan , Singla Madhu bala , Patel Riddhi , Dastur Rashna , Gaitode Pradnya , Halani Hiral , Mansukhani Khushnuma , Dhonde Mayura
Published: January 2023

Background

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are rare inherited heterogeneous disorders of neuromuscular transmission.

Aims and methodology

This study aims to describe clinical and investigative characteristics including genetic aspects of patients with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), in a cohort from western India. Retrospective analysis for the study period of 9 years (−January 2013 to December 2021) was performed. Patients were identified by predefined selection criteria using a combination of clinical, electrophysiological, and genetic studies.

Results

Fifteen genetically evaluated CMS patients, 11 females, and 4 males were identified. Ten patients had a history of fatigable ptosis at an early age, whereas all patients had varying degrees of proximal weakness at the time of presentation. The mean age at onset was 16 years and the mean age at final diagnosis was 22 years, thereby representing a mean delay in diagnosis of 6 years. Among the total 13 different genetic mutations identified, 4 are not previously reported. The most common genetic mutations identified were CHRNE gene (in 7 patients) followed by DOK7 gene (in 6 patients), and the remaining 2 patients had mutation in MUSK gene. Roma founder mutation (c.1327delG, p.E443ter) was seen in 5 patients with CHRNE gene. Four patients responded to pyridostigmine alone, 7 patients to salbutamol, whereas 4 patients required a combination of pyridostigmine and salbutamol.

Conclusion

This study, carried out in a small cohort of patients, highlights the frequent occurrence of Roma founder mutation in our population, and the predominance of CHRNE and DOK7 gene mutations, points of regional importance. Four novel variants were also identified in the genetic studies carried out.
Somatic embryo initiation by rice BABY BOOM1 involves activation of zygote‐expressed auxin biosynthesis genes
Authors: Khanday Imtiyaz , Santos‐Medellín Christian , Sundaresan Venkatesan
Published: January 2023

Plant embryogenesis results from the fusion of male and female gametes but can also be induced in somatic cells. The molecular pathways for embryo initiation are poorly understood, especially in monocots. In rice, the male gamete expressed BABY BOOM1 (OsBBM1) transcription factor functions as an embryogenic trigger in the zygote and can also promote somatic embryogenesis when ectopically expressed in somatic tissues.

We used gene editing, transcriptome profiling, and chromatin immunoprecipitation to determine the molecular players involved in embryo initiation downstream of OsBBM1.

We identify OsYUCCA (OsYUC) auxin biosynthesis genes as direct targets of OsBBM1. Unexpectedly, these OsYUC targets in zygotes are expressed only from the maternal genome, whereas the paternal genome exclusively provides functional OsBBM1 to initiate embryogenesis. Induction of somatic embryogenesis by exogenous auxin requires OsBBM genes and downstream OsYUC targets. Ectopic OsBBM1 initiates somatic embryogenesis without exogenous auxins but requires functional OsYUC genes.

Thus, an OsBBM‐OsYUC module is a key player for both somatic and zygotic embryogenesis in rice. Zygotic embryo initiation involves a partnership of male and female genomes, through which paternal OsBBM1 activates maternal OsYUC genes. In somatic embryogenesis, exogenous auxin triggers OsBBM1 expression, which then activates endogenous auxin biosynthesis OsYUC genes.
Improving species delimitation for effective conservation: a case study in the endemic maple‐leaf oak (Quercus acerifolia)
Authors: Wu Yingtong , Hipp Andrew L. , Fargo Gregory , Stith Nora , Ricklefs Robert E.
Published: January 2023

Species delimitation is challenging in lineages that exhibit both high plasticity and introgression. This challenge can be compounded by collection biases, which may downweight specimens morphologically intermediate between traditional species. Additionally, mismatch between named species and observable phenotypes can compromise species conservation.

We studied the species boundaries of Quercus acerifolia, a tree endemic to Arkansas, U.S. We performed morphometric analyses of leaves and acorns from 527 field and 138 herbarium samples of Q. acerifolia and its close relatives, Q. shumardii and Q. rubra. We employed two novel approaches: sampling ex situ collections to detect phenotypic plasticity caused by environmental variation and comparing random field samples with historical herbarium samples to identify collection biases that might undermine species delimitation. To provide genetic evidence, we also performed molecular analyses on genome‐wide SNPs.

Quercus acerifolia shows distinctive morphological, ecological, and genomic characteristics, rejecting the hypothesis that Q. acerifolia is a phenotypic variant of Q. shumardii. We found mismatches between traditional taxonomy and phenotypic clusters. We detected underrepresentation of morphological intermediates in herbarium collections, which may bias species discovery and recognition.

Rare species conservation requires considering and addressing taxonomic problems related to phenotypic plasticity, mismatch between taxonomy and morphological clusters, and collection biases.
Real‐Time Monitoring of Bubbles and Crashes
Authors: Whitehouse Emily J. , Harvey David I. , Leybourne Stephen J.
Published: January 2023

Given the financial and economic damage that can be caused by the collapse of an asset price bubble, it is of critical importance to rapidly detect the onset of a crash once a bubble has been identified. We develop a real‐time monitoring procedure for detecting a crash episode in a time series. We adopt an autoregressive framework, with bubble and crash regimes modelled by explosive and stationary dynamics, respectively. The first stage of our approach is to monitor for a bubble; conditional on which, we monitor for a crash in real time as new data emerges. Our crash detection procedure employs a statistic based on the different signs of the means of the first differences associated with explosive and stationary regimes, and critical values are obtained using a training period of data. We show that the procedure has desirable asymptotic properties in terms of its ability to rapidly detect a crash while never indicating a crash earlier than one occurs. Monte Carlo simulations further demonstrate that our procedure can offer a well‐controlled false positive rate during a bubble regime. Application to the US housing market demonstrates the efficacy of our procedure in rapidly detecting the house price crash of 2006.
Pre‐procedural imaging and atrial tachycardia ablation in a patient with complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Ekrem Turan Oğuzhan , Yilancioğlu Reşit Yiğit , İnevi Umut , Özcan Emin Evren
Published: January 2023

Atrial tachycardias (AT) are common cardiac arrhythmia disorder for congenital heart disease (CHD). The anatomic substrate that surgical suture lines, scar tissue, or prosthetic material may cause pre‐existing atrial conduction abnormalities which leads to the underlying mechanism of reentrant ATs. Radiofrequency Catheter ablation (RFCA) is used in the treatment of atrial tachycardia in CHD patients. However venous system abnormalities may complicate the procedure. We report that ablation of a case with atrial tachycardia with challenging anatomy (persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium, coronary sinus agenesis, inferior vena cava (IVC) agenesis, azygos system drained to the superior vena cava, and repaired ventricular septal defect). This case report discusses the key points of access to cardiac chambers and mapping in very rare challenging anatomy.
RootSlice—A novel functional‐structural model for root anatomical phenotypes
Authors: Sidhu Jagdeep Singh , Ajmera Ishan , Arya Sankalp , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: January 2023

Root anatomy is an important determinant of root metabolic costs, soil exploration, and soil resource capture. Root anatomy varies substantially within and among plant species. RootSlice is a multicellular functional‐structural model of root anatomy developed to facilitate the analysis and understanding of root anatomical phenotypes. RootSlice can capture phenotypically accurate root anatomy in three dimensions of different root classes and developmental zones, of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species. Several case studies are presented illustrating the capabilities of the model. For maize nodal roots, the model illustrated the role of vacuole expansion in cell elongation; and confirmed the individual and synergistic role of increasing root cortical aerenchyma and reducing the number of cortical cell files in reducing root metabolic costs. Integration of RootSlice for different root zones as the temporal properties of the nodal roots in the whole‐plant and soil model OpenSimRoot/maize enabled the multiscale evaluation of root anatomical phenotypes, highlighting the role of aerenchyma formation in enhancing the utility of cortical cell files for improving plant performance over varying soil nitrogen supply. Such integrative in silico approaches present avenues for exploring the fitness landscape of root anatomical phenotypes.
Taking Risks on Behalf of Another
Authors: Thoma Johanna
Published: January 2023

A growing number of decision theorists have, in recent years, defended the view that rationality is permissive under risk: Different rational agents may be more or less risk‐averse or risk‐inclined. This can result in them making different choices under risk even if they value outcomes in exactly the same way. One pressing question that arises once we grant such permissiveness is what attitude to risk we should implement when choosing on behalf of other people. Are we permitted to implement any of the rationally permissible risk attitudes, is there some specific risk attitude that is required when choosing for others, or are we required to defer to the risk attitudes of the people on whose behalf we are choosing? This article elaborates on this question, explains its wider practical and theoretical significance, provides an overview of existing answers, and explores how to go about providing a more systematic account of how to choose on behalf of others in risky contexts.
Frequentist model averaging for envelope models
Authors: Gao Ziwen , Zou Jiahui , Zhang Xinyu , Ma Yanyuan
Published: January 2023

The envelope method produces efficient estimation in multivariate linear regression, and is widely applied in biology, psychology, and economics. This paper estimates parameters through a model averaging methodology and promotes the predicting abilities of the envelope models. We propose a frequentist model averaging method by minimizing a cross‐validation criterion. When all the candidate models are misspecified, the proposed model averaging estimator is proved to be asymptotically optimal. When correct candidate models exist, the coefficient estimator is proved to be consistent, and the sum of the weights assigned to the correct models, in probability, converges to one. Simulations and an empirical application demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.