bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the effects of male candidates' gender nonconformity on employment decisions
Authors: Li Yingming , Wei Xuhua
Published: December 2022

Our research aimed to explore how interviewers perceive male candidates' gender nonconformity during job interviews and how job type may play a role in the process. Based on role congruity theory, we propose that male candidates' gender nonconformity negatively affects employment decisions through cognitive and affective processes (i.e. perceived expectancy violation and likability). Further, based on the literature on occupational gender stereotypes, we examined the moderating effect of job type on the above indirect process. We believe that the negative indirect effects of male candidates' gender nonconformity on employment decisions through perceived expectancy violation and likability will be weakened when interviewing for female‐dominated jobs compared with male‐dominated jobs. We found robust evidence consistent with our theoretical assertion using three independent between‐subjects experiments.
Evaluation of the discrimination and calibration of predictive scores of mortality in ECMO for patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Huespe Ivan Alfredo , Lockhart Carolina , Kashyap Rahul , Palizas Fernando , Colombo Malena , Romero Maria del Pilar , Prado Eduardo , Casabella García Christian A. , Las Heras Marcos , Carboni Bisso Indalecio
Published: December 2022

Background

The criteria for the selection of COVID‐19 patients that could benefit most from ECMO organ support are yet to be defined. In this study, we evaluated the predictive performance of ECMO mortality predictive models in patients with COVID‐19. We also performed a cost–benefit analysis depending on the mortality predicted probability. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in COVID‐19 patients who received ECMO at two tertiary care hospitals between March 2020 to July 2021.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated the discrimination (C‐statistic), calibration (Cox calibration), and accuracy of the prediction of death due to severe ARDS in V‐V ECMO score (PRESERVE), the Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival Score (RESP) score, and the PREdiction of Survival on ECMO Therapy‐Score (PRESET) score. In addition, we compared the RESP score with Plateau pressure instead of Peak pressure.

Results

We included a total of 36 patients, 29 (80%) of them male and with a median (IQR) APACHE of 10 (8–15). The PRESET score had the highest discrimination (AUROCs 0.81 [95%CI 0.67–0.94]) and calibration (calibration‐in‐the‐large 0.5 [95%CI −1.4 to 0.3]; calibration slope 2.2 [95%CI 0.7/3.7]). The RESP score with Plateau pressure had higher discrimination than the conventional RESP score. The cost per QALY in the USA, adjusted to life expectancy, was higher than USD 100 000 in patients older than 45 years with a PRESET > 10.

Conclusion

The PRESET score had the highest predictive performance and could help in the selection of patients that benefit most from this resource‐demanding and highly invasive organ support.
The safety of COVID‐19 vaccination in immunocompromised children and young adults with immune‐mediated inflammatory disease
Authors: Sahn Benjamin , Lu Ying , Hui‐Yuen Joyce S. , Fishbein Joanna , Gottlieb Beth S. , Eberhard Barbara A. , Walters Heather M.
Published: December 2022

Aim

To assess safety of COVID‐19 vaccination in paediatric patients with immune‐mediated inflammatory disease (IMID).

Methods

Subjects of 5–21 years of age with IMID who received at least one COVID‐19 vaccine completed electronic surveys after each vaccine to assess side effects within 1 week of vaccination, current medications and COVID‐19 testing after vaccination. Charts were reviewed for COVID‐19 polymerase chain reaction and IgG response to SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein results and for disease flare during the study period.

Results

Among 190 enrolled subjects, 71% were female, with median age 17 (range 6–21) years. The most common diagnosis was juvenile idiopathic arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis (55%). 78% of subjects were taking immunosuppressive medication. At least one side effect was reported in 65% of subjects after any dose of the vaccine; with side effects in 38%, 53% and 55% of subjects after the first, second and third vaccine doses, respectively. The most common side effects were injection site pain (59%), fatigue (54%) and headache (39%). No anaphylaxis or myocarditis was reported. Three subjects (2%) experienced disease flare.

Conclusion

In our cohort of paediatric patients with IMID, observed side effects were found to be mild and disease flare rates were found to be low following COVID‐19 vaccination.
HA15 inhibits binding immunoglobulin protein and enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Luo Hui , Wang Liuxiang , Zhang Deju , Sun Yanan , Wang Shujuan , Song Shuai , Ge Hong
Published: December 2022

Proteomic profiling is a promising approach to identify novel predictors of radiation response. The present study aimed to identify potential biomarkers of radiation response by serum proteomics in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and find efficacious therapeutic drugs to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT). Serum binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP) was identified and validated as a treatment response predictor in ESCC patients treated with RT. Novel BIP inhibitor HA15 showed antitumor activity in ESCC cells by viability assay. Tumor cell colony formation and apoptosis assay revealed targeting BIP was associated with significant improvements of radiation sensitivity. Further analyses revealed that HA15 enhanced radiation‐induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and immunogenic cell death (ICD) in ESCC. Clinical data indicated that high expression of BIP was associated with poor survival in patients of ESCC. In conclusion, proteomics analysis suggested BIP was a promising predictor of radiation response in locally advanced ESCC. The BIP inhibitor HA15 acted as an ER stress inducer and ICD stimulator; RT combined with HA15 was effective in suppressing the growth of ESCC in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment BIP was an essential prognostic biomarker in locally advanced ESCC patients treated with RT.
Association between prenatal maternal anxiety and/or stress and offspring's cognitive functioning: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Delagneau Garance , Twilhaar E. Sabrina , Testa Renee , van Veen Sarit , Anderson Peter
Published: December 2022

This meta‐analysis examined the relationship between prenatal maternal stress and/or anxiety and the outcomes of children aged 3 months to 9 years. Of the 8754 studies published before June 2021 that were synthesized, 17 conducted in Western countries were included in the meta‐analysis (Ntotal = 23,307; Mmales 54%; Methnicity White 77%, Pacific 15%, African American/Black 10%, Middle Eastern 7%, Eastern 8%). Effect sizes ranged from −0.41 to 0.15. A weak negative association was found between prenatal stress and/or anxiety exposure and children's general intellectual development. Associations varied based on the type of exposure. Findings are limited to developed counties and cannot be generalized to low‐ and middle‐income countries. Directions for maternal prenatal intervention and future studies are discussed.
High flow nasal cannula for acute respiratory failure due to COVID‐19 in patients with a ‘do‐not‐intubate’ order: A survival analysis
Authors: Smesseim Illaa , Mooij‐Kalverda Kirsten , Hessels Lisa , Korevaar Daniel A. , Atasever Burak , de Graaff Hjalmar , Goorhuis Abraham , Nossent Esther , Bos Lieuwe , Bonta Peter ,   the Amsterdam UMC HFNC study group:, van den Aardweg Joost , Boersma Wim , van der Lee Ivo , Reesink Herre J.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) reduces the need for intubation in patients with hypoxaemic acute respiratory failure (ARF), but its added value in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and a do‐not‐intubate (DNI) order is unknown. We aimed to assess (variables associated with) survival in these patients.

Materials and methods

We described a multicentre retrospective observational cohort study in five hospitals in the Netherlands and assessed the survival in COVID‐19 patients with severe acute respiratory failure and a DNI order who were treated with high flow nasal cannula. We also studied variables associated with survival.

Results and discussion

One‐third of patients survived after 30 days. Survival was 43.9% in the subgroup of patients with a good WHO performance status and only 16.1% in patients with a poor WHO performance status. Patients who were admitted to the hospital for a longer period prior to HFNC initiation were less likely to survive. HFNC resulted in an increase in ROX values, reflective of improved oxygenation and/or decreased respiratory rate.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that a trial of HFNC could be considered to increase chances of survival in patients with ARF due to COVID‐19 pneumonitis and a DNI order, especially in those with a good WHO performance status.
Incidence and risk factors of subclinical rejection after pediatric liver transplantation, and impact on allograft fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Zhixin , Zhao Shengqiao , Si Zhuyuan , Wang Zhenglu , Dong Chong , Sun Chao , Zheng Weiping , Kai Wang , Zhang Wei , Song Zhuolun , Gao Wei , Shen Zhongyang
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Subclinical rejection (SCR) is a common injury in protocol biopsy after pediatric liver transplantation (pLT), but its effect on the recipient is not clearly understood. We herein investigated the incidence and risk factors involved in SCR and analyzed the relationship between SCR and allograft fibrosis (AF).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the biopsy results from 507 children between May 2013 and May 2019, and 352 patients underwent protocol biopsy 2 years after pLT, 203 underwent protocol biopsy 5 years after pLT, and 48 underwent protocol biopsy both 2 and 5 years after pLT.

Results

The incidence of SCR in the 5‐year group was higher than that in the 2‐year group (20.2% vs.13.4%, respectively, p = .033). The number of patients with mild and moderate SCR in the 5‐year group was also higher than that in the 2‐year group (p = .039). Logistic regression analysis showed that acute rejection before liver biopsy and deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) were independent risk factors for SCR in the two groups, and that the incidence and severity of AF in protocol biopsies at both periods in the SCR group were higher than those in the non‐SCR group (p < .05).

Conclusions

The incidence and severity of SCR increased with the prolongation of protocol biopsy time. We postulate that acute rejection and DDLT are independent risk factors for SCR after transplantation. As the occurrence of SCR also augmented the incidence and severity of AF.
Design‐led Innovation Readiness: priming micro SMEs for strategic innovation
Authors: Bailey Mark , Spencer Nicholas , Carrion‐Weiss Justine , Arakelyan Arman , Carter Anthonia
Published: December 2022

This research explores innovation‐readiness in the context of design‐led innovation in micro, small and medium‐sized enterprises (MSMEs). It builds on work undertaken and published by the lead author's team in 2018. This reported on the team's rapid design‐led intervention for supporting organisations to establish innovation readiness.

Since it first delivery, the approach has been deployed with over 60 separate enterprises across three different countries; UK, USA, and Armenia. It has evolved to be delivered through different modes; one‐to‐one, one‐to‐many, face‐to‐face and on‐line. Further, it has been developed in such a way that postgraduate students, or ‘novice facilitators’, can take an active role in its delivery. Facilitation teams have invariably included at least one facilitator with a design background. Participants were enterprise founders or leaders.

In this study a mixed‐methods approach is used, combining thematic analysis of participant surveys, co‐reflection and semi‐structured interviews with participants and facilitators. Findings suggest that this design‐led approach delivers different benefits from typical business innovation readiness assessment and audit tools. It involves a form of co‐creative, speculative knowledge venturing that supports enterprises in not only understanding their innovation readiness, but also in creating and mapping strategic innovation opportunities, thereby priming them to engage in design‐led innovation practices. This co‐creation of knowledge leads to both new knowledge about the innovation readiness of the enterprise and new innovation opportunities. It is revealed as a fundamental, catalytic aspect of the programme irrespective of mode, or location, of delivery.

This paper will be of interest to researchers and practitioners who are seeking to develop innovation support programmes working with SMEs and MSMEs.
People‐centred business continuity: a case for inclusive design
Authors: Ivanova Ninela
Published: December 2022

This conceptual paper draws together the seemingly disparate concepts of business continuity and inclusive design with a two‐fold overarching aim. Firstly, the paper aims to make a case for people‐centred approaches to business continuity planning, particularly in areas of real‐time assessment, building agile and resilient organisations, and new value creation. This is fulfilled by tracing recent developments in business continuity thinking and business continuity management practice, that highlight a shift from a purely functional approach, to a more holistic, embedded, dynamic, people‐centred and strategic stance. Secondly, the paper aims to propose new applications of inclusive design for business impact in general, and business continuity in particular, thereby extending the business case for inclusive design as outlined in British Standards (BS 7000–6:2005). This is fulfilled by highlighting the rationale, value and emergent opportunities in this area. In bringing the two concepts and their respective theory and practice together, the paper also presents recent discussions on the intersection of design thinking and business continuity, which demonstrate the potential value that a design‐led approach can bring to enable people‐centredness and inclusion in the domain of business continuity. Additionally, the paper proposes a first‐level definition of ‘people‐centred business continuity’ which is considered a steppingstone in the research process for further investigation in both theory and application.
Simulating effects of agricultural intensification and climate change: Nitrogen fertilisation and drought stress decrease insect herbivore performance
Authors: Raharivololoniaina Ange , Moewert Ellen , Fischer Klaus
Published: December 2022

Biodiversity is globally under pressure, and the current decline in insect biomass and diversity is likely caused by human activities. Key drivers of biodiversity loss include agricultural intensification and anthropogenic climate change. Nevertheless, a thorough understanding of potential interactions between both factors and the mechanisms underlying insect declines, in general, is still lacking.

Here, the authors investigate the combined effects of nitrogen fertilisation and drought, as applied to host plants, on the preference and performance of the butterfly Lycaena tityrus.

Individuals performed best on plants having received medium nitrogen levels, while performance was reduced by either a lack of or strong fertilisation, the former potentially caused by nitrogen limitation and the latter by increased concentrations of toxic allelochemicals. Female oviposition preference though was positively related to nitrogen fertilisation, resulting in a mismatch between preference and offspring performance at high nitrogen levels. Plant drought stress additionally reduced herbivore performance, and females appeared to suffer more from low‐quality food than males.

Our results indicate that increasing nitrogen fertilisation, as applied in intensive agriculture, may substantially reduce host‐plant quality for insect herbivores, which may be exaggerated in the course of climate change due to the more frequent occurrence of droughts. Our study thus contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying human‐driven insect declines in agricultural landscapes and beyond.
Smartphone and custom‐made software to assess the effect of botulinum toxin in essential blepharospasm: Initial results
Authors: Yabumoto Cristina , Osaki Midori H. , Gameiro Gustavo R. , Matayoshi Suzana , Campos Mauro , Osaki Tammy H.
Published: December 2022

Background and purpose

It is challenging to assess essential blepharospasm (EB) patients objectively because they exhibit chaotic patterns of abnormal eyelid movements. Previously employed objective approaches used systems with low levels of accuracy systems or were too complex to be applied in routine clinical practice. We aimed to develop a practical tool using a smartphone camera and custom‐made software to objectively assess the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin in blepharospasm patients.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with EB were evaluated before and 15 days after receiving onabotulinumtoxinA injections. The control group was composed of 19 age‐matched healthy individuals. A smartphone (iPhone 6 S; Apple) was used to record spontaneous eyelid movements for 3 min, after which eyelid movement frequency was analysed using custom‐made software.

Results

Before treatment, eyelid movement frequency was significantly higher in the EB group (21.55 ± 13.30 movements/min) compared to the control group (8.26 ± 8.89 eyelid movements/min; p < 0.001). The frequency of spontaneous eyelid movements was significantly reduced after treatment in the EB patients (8.46 ± 6.32 eyelid movements/min; p < 0.001). After treatment, no statistically significant difference in eyelid movement rate was observed between the EB patients and the control group (p = 0.32).

Conclusions

Assessment of the spontaneous eyelid movements obtained with the smartphone camera and analysed with the custom‐made software enabled us to objectively measure the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin in patients with blepharospasm. Further refinement of this system could enable customized and fine adjustments to botulinum toxin doses based on each patient's needs.
Reproductive behaviours in male parasitoids: From mating system to pairing pattern
Authors: Charrat Blandine , Amat Isabelle , Allainé Dominique , Desouhant Emmanuel
Published: December 2022

It is now acknowledged that mating system is a dynamic characteristic within species or populations. Indeed, behavioural characteristics shaping the mating system can vary at the inter‐individual level, providing raw material for sexual and natural selections, and at the intra‐individual level, because of phenotypic plasticity and ontogeny of individual behaviours. Social environment is an additional source of variation in sexual behaviours. By focusing on males of the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens, we assessed how sexual behaviours (courtship and mating) vary between and within individuals, considering males' size as inter‐individual source of variation, and age and mating experience as intra‐individual sources of variation. Consequences of the variations in sexual behaviours at the individual level are appraised by quantifying the costs in longevity and offspring production incurred by (repeatedly) mated males. At the population level, we tested the “agility hypothesis” predicting that smaller males win the male–male competition to access females, resulting in a non‐random assortative mating by size and a negative sexual selection on body size. We showed that V. canescens males are polygynous and that mating incurred longevity cost. Old males had a higher probability to court females, but no mating advantage. Smaller males tended to have a higher mating probability, but size was not under sexual selection and there was a random mating pattern according to individual size. Male–male competition intensity did not influence pairing pattern but tended to influence mating dynamic. Overall, our results suggest that sexual behaviours tended to vary at the inter‐ and intra‐individual levels and the effect of social environment remains to be more precisely described. These variations may impact individuals' reproductive success with potential ecological and evolutionary consequences that are discussed.
Water webbing: Long‐jawed spider (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) produces webs that touch the surface of ephemeral waterbodies
Authors: Gould John , García Luis Fernando , Valdez Jose. W.
Published: December 2022

Few spiders are known to construct silk webs that physically contact water, despite it being both a surface and medium that can be exploited for web construction. Herein, we report on an Australian long‐jawed spider from the Tetragnatha genus (Tetragnatha cf. nitens) that frequently produces aerial webs that touch the surface of ephemeral waterbodies. Field observations revealed webs that were built by these spiders at varying heights above water in emergent vegetation stands around the edge of ephemeral waterbodies. Approximately, 15 of the 100 webs recorded were constructed immediately above the water with their lower sections making physical contact with the water's surface. We observed water striders becoming stuck within these low‐lying webs, suggesting that associating webs with surface water allows the spiders to exploit prey types that cannot be passively filtered from the environment in purely aerial webs. This could suggest that some species of long‐jawed spider select the positioning of their webs above water, which would be adaptive if it allows them to target different and possibly multiple prey communities.
Inhibitory effects and molecular mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 on the senescence of hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Shang Dongsheng , Li Zhihuan , Tan Xiaoli , Liu Hanqing , Tu Zhigang
Published: December 2022

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) produce all blood cell lineages and maintain life‐long hematopoiesis. However, the self‐renewal ability and differentiation capacity of HSCs reduces with age. The senescence of HSCs can lead to the imbalance of hematopoietic homeostasis and immune disorder and induce a variety of age‐related diseases. Recent studies have shown that therapeutic interventions targeting the senescence of HSCs may prevent disease progression. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), extracted from roots or stems of ginseng, has beneficial antiaging activities. It has been reported that Rg1 can inhibit the senescence of HSCs. Here, we reviewed recent advances of Rg1 in inhibiting the senescence of HSCs and discussed related molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics and network databases have been widely applied to drug discoveries. Here, we predicted potential antiaging targets of Rg1 explored by bioinformatic methods, which may help discover new targets of Rg1 and provide novel strategies for delaying the aging process of HSCs.
J. M. R. LENZ AND THE PROBLEM OF SOLDIERS: BETWEEN MODERATE AND RADICAL STURM UND DRANG IN LENZ'S MILITARY REFORMS
Authors: McLean Ian
Published: December 2022

In his essay ‘Über die Soldatenehen’ and his fragmentary writings on military reforms Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz uses the distinctly moderate discourse of physiocratic economics to the radical ends of a complete restructuring of social relations. Lenz turns the logic of the physiocrats against more moderate reform efforts and presents a model of economic circulation that emphasises the role of labour in stark opposition to the physiocratic emphasis on land‐ownership. The correction of economic streams extends to a less literal economy: that of ‘Konkupiszenz’. Central to Lenz's theological writings, ‘Konkupiszenz’, the divine gift of an inherently queer sexual desire, takes on an economic structure similar to that espoused in ‘Über die Soldatenehen’ that in turn proves central to his project of redefining the family in the military reform texts. Looking at both structures together, we can trace the way that Lenz's military writings call for liberating the flow of ‘Konkupiszenz’ across classes, which amounts to a radical reorganisation of the social and economic structure.
KARL MOOR'S FAILED REVOLUTION: RADICAL CRITIQUE AND MODERATE POLITICS IN SCHILLER'S DIE RÄUBER
Authors: Owlarn Thiti
Published: December 2022

Recent scholarship tends to agree that Die Räuber is a play about two rebels, Karl and Franz Moor, who respectively represent the idealist and materialist strands of Enlightenment thought. What is often overlooked, however, is the brothers’ desire not merely to rebel against the status quo but also to establish new systems of authority. This article argues that Schiller's Die Räuber is primarily concerned with the problem of revolution. More than a mere rebel figure, Karl Moor seeks to replace the top‐down system of authority based on the power of the law with a bottom‐up system of power based on consent; similarly, Franz seeks to invert the top‐down structure of law‐based ethics with an egoistic system of behaviour based on desires. The drama reveals both revolutionary attempts to be doomed to failure, for neither bottom‐up systems are able to escape the violence of necessity that govern all authority systems. Ultimately, the politics of Die Räuber is paradoxical: it evinces both the need for radical social transformation and the acknowledgement that such transformations are impossible. In the end, the reader is left to contemplate the gap between our desire for utopia and the limits of material reality.
KLF13 overexpression protects sepsis‐induced myocardial injury and LPS‐induced inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: Zeng Ni , Jian Zaijin , Zhu Wenxin , Xu Junmei , Fan Yongmei , Xiao Feng
Published: December 2022

Sepsis remains a worldwide public health problem. This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of transcriptional factors (TFs) in sepsis‐induced myocardial injury. Firstly, TF KLF13 was selected to explore its role in sepsis‐induced myocardial injury. The caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) ‐induced sepsis mouse model was established and the septic mice were examined using standard histopathological methods. KLF13 expression was detected in the septic mouse heart and was also seen in a lipoploysaccharide (LPS) ‐induced cellular inflammation model. To explore this further both pro‐apoptotic cleaved‐caspase3/caspase3 and Bax levels and anti‐apoptotic Bcl2 levels were examined, also in both models, In addition inflammatory cytokine (IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐8 and MCP‐1) production and IκB‐α protein level and p65 phosphorylation were examined in both septic mice and LPS‐induced cells. Thus three parameters ‐ cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inflammatory response and NF‐κB pathway activation were evaluated under similar conditions. The septic mice showed significant oedema, disordered myofilament arrangement and degradation and necrosis to varying degrees in the myocardial cells. KLF13 was downregulated in both the septic mouse heart and the LPS‐induced cellular inflammation model. Furthermore, both models showed abnormally increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis (increased cleaved‐caspase3/caspase and Bax protein levels and decreased Bcl2 level), elevated inflammation (increased production of inflammatory cytokines) and the activated NF‐κB pathway (increased p65 phosphorylation and decreased IκB‐α protein level). KLF13 overexpression notably ameliorated sepsis‐induced myocardial injury in vivo and in vitro. KLF13 overexpression protected against sepsis‐induced myocardial injury and LPS‐induced cellular inflammation and apoptosis via inhibiting the inflammatory pathways (especially NF‐κB signalling) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
The effects of sintering atmospheres on piezoelectric performances of Co‐doped Ba0.88Ca0.12Zr0.12Ti0.88O3 ceramics
Authors: Shi Shengfang , Hashimoto Hideki , Sekino Tohru
Published: December 2022

This work investigates the effects of content ratio Co3+/Co2+ on piezoelectric properties of lead‐free Ba0.88Ca0.12Zr0.12Ti0.88O3 (BCZT) ceramics. For this purpose, 0.10 wt% Co ions using a CoO powder doped BCZT ceramics were sintered under various atmospheres (ranging from pure nitrogen to 100 vol% oxygen concentration) to vary the ratio value Co3+/Co2+. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed the coexistence of Co3+ and Co2+ for oxygen concentration below 40 vol% and the single oxidation state of Co3+ for oxygen concentration over 50 vol%. Co2+ substitution could induce more oxygen vacancy to accelerate densification and grain growth, whereas Co3+ substitution usually leads to larger lattice distortion to generate a stable asymmetric structure. When oxygen concentration was 30 vol% and Co3+/Co2+ near to 1.0, the respective superiority of Co3+ and Co2+ is brought into full play, and the ceramic showed the highest piezoelectric constant d33* ∼ 518 pm/V (380 pm/V for undoped BCZT) and the relatively high Curie temperature Tc ∼ 105°C (95°C for undoped BCZT). This study suggests that optimizing sintering atmosphere might be an effective way to enhance the piezoelectric properties for some composition‐modified piezoelectric BCZT ceramics.
The criterion‐related validity of conscientiousness in personnel selection: A meta‐analytic reality check
Authors: Watrin Luc , Weihrauch Lucas , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: December 2022

A key finding in personnel selection is the positive correlation between conscientiousness and job performance. Evidence predominantly stems from concurrent validation studies with incumbent samples but is readily generalized to predictive settings with job applicants. This is problematic because the extent to which faking and changes in personality affect the measurement likely vary across samples and study designs. Therefore, we meta‐analytically investigated the relation between conscientiousness and job performance, examining the moderating effects of sample type (incumbent vs. applicant) and validation design (concurrent vs. predictive). The overall correlation of conscientiousness and job performance was in line with previous meta‐analyses (). In our analyses, the correlation did not differ across validation designs (concurrent: ; predictive: ), sample types (incumbents: ; applicants: ), or their interaction. Critically, however, our review revealed that only a small minority of studies (~12%) were conducted with real applicants in predictive designs. Thus, barely a fraction of research is conducted under realistic conditions. Therefore, it remains an open question if self‐report measures of conscientiousness retain their predictive validity in applied settings that entail faked responses. We conclude with a call for more multivariate research on the validity of selection procedures in predictive settings with actual applicants.
The use of epidermal growth factor in dermatological practice
Authors: Shin Sun Hye , Koh Young Gue , Lee Woo Geon , Seok Joon , Park Kui Young
Published: December 2022

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a growth factor that plays a pivotal role in wound healing and maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating cell survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Exogenous administration of bioidentical human recombinant epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has been known to promote skin wound healing, although rhEGF is increasingly being used in drug delivery systems and nanotechnology. However, despite considerable attention being focused on the potential clinical applications of rhEGF in several dermatological conditions beyond wound healing, the number of studies still remains relatively low. Herein, we conducted a literature search of PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar databases to retrieve published literature related to rhEGF and summarised the effects of rhEGF in the treatment of various wound types, radiotherapy or chemotherapy‐related skin reactions, atopic dermatitis, skin aging, and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Possible effects of the MC4RAsp298Asn polymorphism on pig production traits under ad libitum versus restricted feeding
Authors: Calta Jan , Zadinová Kateřina , Čítek Jaroslav , Kluzáková Eva , Okrouhlá Monika , Stupka Roman , Tichý Ladislav , Machová Karolína , Stratil Antonín , Vostrý Luboš
Published: December 2022

The missense mutation Asp298Asn in the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is associated with daily gain or fatness in pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has directly compared the effects of the polymorphism between different feeding levels, even though diet plays a vital role in the swine industry. To explore possible differences, data from 439 mostly commercial hybrids fattened ad libitum and 119 commercial hybrids fattened with restricted feed ration were collected. The recorded traits were average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass weight (CW), dressing percentage (DP), lean meat content (LM), backfat thickness (BFT), lean cuts weight, and meat quality parameters such as pH, temperature, drip loss, and CIELAB colour space. The general linear model revealed that the overall effect of MC4R was not statistically significant, but significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in ADG, FCR, CW, DP, LM, and BFT. In the ad libitum category, the AA genotype (298Asn/298Asn) tended to be the most favourable for growth‐related traits, with the lowest LM, which is consistent with previous findings. In the restricted category, on the other hand, GA heterozygotes (298Asp/298Asn) achieved the best performance in terms of growth, whereas AA homozygotes showed the worst performance. Therefore, these results raise the possibility of an interaction between MC4R and the feeding level.
Multiple‐trait and structural equation modelling approaches to infer genetic relationships between tail length and weight traits in Merinoland sheep
Authors: Oberpenning Jennifer , Bohlouli Mehdi , Engel Petra , Hümmelchen Hannah , Wagner Henrik , Wehrend Axel , König Sven
Published: December 2022

Tail docking is routinely conducted in long‐tailed sheep breeds to prevent flystrike infections, but it is not in agreement with legal guidelines and animal welfare issues. Selection on short tails is a sustainable alternative in this regard, but side effects on other breeding goal traits are unclear. In consequence, the present study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for tail length (TL) at birth, birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and postweaning weight (PWW) at the slaughtering date considering single‐trait (STM), multiple‐trait (MTM) and structural equation models (SEM) with different random effects, and accordingly, different covariance structures. The SEM considered time‐lagged recursive relationships among response variables in three different pathways. The first path pertained to the effect of TL on WW and of WW on PWW. The second path reflected the effect of BW on WW and of WW on PWW. The third path was the recursive effect of TL on PWW. The phenotypic data consisted of 2803 records for TL, 13,042 records for BW, 1556 records for WW and 3986 records for PWW from Merinoland lambs. Lambs were born in the period from 1995 to 2021 and kept at the university Gießen research station, Germany, with their naturally long tails. Genetic statistical model evaluation based on Bayesian and Akaike's information criteria suggested models simultaneously considering direct genetic, maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects and respective covariances. For statistical models including the same random effects and covariance structures, SEM were superior over MTM. The direct heritability for TL from the best‐fitting STM was 0.60 ± 0.08, indicating the potential for genetic reduction of tail length within a few generations. For growth traits, the direct heritabilities ranged from 0.16 ± 0.03 for BW to 0.31 ± 0.09 for PWW. The maternal heritabilities were 0.03 ± 0.03 for TL, 0.12 ± 0.02 for BW, 0.04 ± 0.03 for WW and 0.07 ± 0.03 for PWW, reflecting small, but the non‐significant influence of uterine characteristics on the tail development. The direct genetic correlations between TL and all weight traits were positive and very similar to MTM and SEM but reflected antagonistic genetic relationships from a breeding perspective. Oppositely, the structural equation coefficients reflecting trait associations phenotypically were negative (favourable) for the time‐lagged effects of TL on WW and on PWW. As an explanation, lambs with long and woolly tails have an increased risk for contamination with dirt and dust causing infections, which in turn impairs the body weight development. In conclusion, breeding on short tails should consider trait‐associated environmental risk factors, for example, disease susceptibility, which can be mimicked via SEM approaches.
Clinical evaluation and patient related outcomes of one‐ and two‐piece zirconia implants at five years of loading: A case series study
Authors: Sala Leticia , Zufía Juan , Blasi Gonzalo , Carrillo‐de‐Albornoz Ana
Published: December 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the survival and biological and mechanical complications of one‐piece and two‐piece zirconia implants at five years of loading.

Materials and Methods

Consecutive patients receiving zirconia implants were studied, collecting data at five years of loading on their clinical history, peri‐implant health status, mechanical complications, esthetic results, and patient related outcomes.

Results

The study included 18 patients with 29 implants. The survival rate was 86% in implant‐based analysis and 78% in patient‐based analysis. There were no cases of peri‐implantitis, but mucositis was present in 53% of implants. A mean of 4.1 ± 0.81 mm was obtained for probing depth and 1.6 ± 0.9 mm for crestal bone loss (radiographic assessment). There were no implant fractures. Major (10%) and minor (10%) prosthesis complications were observed. The esthetic outcome was moderate to almost perfect, with a high level of patient satisfaction. No significant association was found between survival rate and the presence of mucositis around one‐ or two‐piece implants or any other study variable.

Conclusions

The survival rate is low for one‐ and two‐piece zirconia implants. Both types of implants demonstrated a low mechanical complication rate. The incidence of periimplantitis is low but mucositis is present in 50%. Patient satisfaction related to esthetics and function is moderate to high. They represent a good option for patients requiring an alternative to titanium implants.

Clinical Relevance

Zirconia implants appear to be an alternative to the titanium option and may be indicated for patients requiring “metal‐free” restorations.
Reply to: Commentary on: Pharmacist‐driven interventions to de‐escalate urinary antimuscarinics in the Programs of All‐Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Authors: Bankes David , Turgeon Jacques
Published: December 2022

This letter comments on the letter by Daniel Snyder and Salim Mujais.
How the Guatemalan civil war became a genocide: Revisiting the 2013 trial of General Efraín Ríos Montt
Authors: Stoll David
Published: December 2022

The 2013 trial of Efraín Ríos Montt cemented Guatemala's reputation as a land of genocide. Most of the survivors who testified about army crimes during his 1982–1983 regime came from the Ixil Maya town of Nebaj. Oddly, some Nebajenses credit Ríos Montt with ending army massacres and saving their lives. This article focuses on the genocide debate in the municipio of Nebaj. It concludes that command responsibility for war crimes would have been a more effective indictment than genocide.
Monetary Policy, Neutrality, and the Environment
Authors: FARIA JOAO R. , MCADAM PETER , VISCOLANI BRUNO
Published: December 2022

We study the interaction between monetary/fiscal policies in a Ramsey–Sidrauski model augmented with the “Green Golden Rule.” We demonstrate conditions whereby monetary and fiscal policy under different utility and preference assumptions are or are not environmentally neutral. Despite its nonseparability in utility, we demonstrate that money is environmentally neutral. Policy impacts the environment via the marginal rate of transformation rather than the marginal rate of substitution between consumption and environment. Fiscal policies under a balanced budget are environmentally nonneutral. Only under a nonbalanced budget, when deficits are monetized, is money environmentally nonneutral. Under cash‐in‐advance and transactions costs, money is environmentally nonneutral.
The advanced nurse practitioner in context: Systemic processes
Authors: Thompson Wayne , Mcnamara Martin
Published: December 2022

Background

Healthcare systems are becoming increasingly complex. Systems thinking can help us to understand this complexity and how to apply that understanding to design and evaluate interventions that improve health outcomes. With the current emphasis on developing advanced nursing practice, it is timely to examine systemic processes that characterize ANP systems and their interactions with wider healthcare systems, and how these processes enable and constrain the role.

Objective

To make explicit the systemic processes that characterize the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) system and how they enable and constrain the role.

Design

An interpretive descriptive study.

Setting

The study was conducted in a large Hospital Group, consisting of eleven acute hospitals, within the Irish Healthcare System.

Participants

Twenty nine participants, including ANPs, nurses, nurse managers, medics and allied health professionals, participated in the study.

Methods

Data were collected through seven in‐depth interviews and four focus groups. Data were analyzed using the Organic Systems Framework (OSF), where attention was on language indicative of the processes of individuation, integration, differentiation and homogenization.

Results

Participants emphasize how ANP systems exert power by individuating and differentiating; however, restrictive regulations and medical control constrain this power. Integration and homogenization are expressed as ANPs encourage and engage in collaborative practice towards common purposes. When hierarchical structures and professional self‐interest dominate, however, these processes are submerged, resulting in unbalanced systems.

Conclusion

ANP systems realize their power through increased autonomy by individuating and differentiating. Hierarchical structures positioning ANPs in subservient roles should be challenged. Processes of integration and homogenization are expressed in collaborative practices. We recommend that ANPs realize and articulate the value and diversity that they bring to health systems to strengthen their contribution to them.

Clinical Relevance

Lack of awareness of the systemic processes that enable and constrain the ANP role affects the role's potential contribution to the healthcare system. Systems thinking and employing the OSF as an analysis framework can help us to understand these processes and their implications, and how to apply that understanding to design and evaluate interventions that improve health outcomes.
Intravertebral vs. intervertebral integration and modularity in the vertebral column of mammalian carnivorans
Authors: Figueirido Borja , Pérez‐Ramos Alejandro , Martín‐Serra Alberto
Published: December 2022

The vertebral column is a multicomponent structure whose organization results from developmental and functional demands. According to their distinct somitic origins, individual vertebrae exhibit intravertebral modularity between the centrum and neural spine. However, vertebrae are also organized into larger units called intervertebral modules that result from integration between adjacent vertebrae due to locomotory demands or from common developmental origins due to resegmentation. A previous hypothesis suggested that the boundaries of intervertebral modules coincide with changes in the patterns of intravertebral integration. Here, we explicitly test whether the patterns of modularity and integration between the centrum and neural spine (i.e., intravertebral) in the boundary vertebrae among previously defined intervertebral modules change with respect to those in the vertebrae within intervertebral modules. We quantified intravertebral modularity patterns and quantified the strength of intravertebral integration for each vertebra of the presacral region in 41 species of carnivoran mammals using 3D geometric morphometrics. Our results demonstrate a significant intravertebral modular signal between the centrum and neural spine in all post‐cervical vertebrae, including the boundary vertebrae among intervertebral modules. However, the strength of intravertebral integration decreases at the boundary vertebrae. We also found a significant correlation between the degree of intravertebral integration and intervertebral integration. Following our results, we hypothesize that natural selection does not override the integration between the centrum and neural spine at the boundary vertebrae, a pattern that should be influenced by their distinct somitic origins and separate ossification centers during early development. However, natural selection has probably influenced (albeit indirectly) the integration between the centrum and neural spine in the vertebrae that compose the intervertebral modules.
Increasing incidence of Trichophyton tonsurans in Munich—A single‐centre observation
Authors: Pilz Julia Felicitas , Köberle Martin , Kain Alphina , Seidl Peter , Zink Alexander , Biedermann Tilo , Pilz Anna Caroline
Published: December 2022

Background

Tinea capitis and tinea corporis are highly prevalent fungal skin infections, which globally are mainly caused by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum, respectively. While in the United States and Great Britain Trichophyton tonsurans is widely prevalent as a causative pathogen, it so far only plays a minor role in Germany.

Objectives

Since the frequency of pathogenic species varies regionally and temporally, this study assesses the proportion of Trichophyton tonsurans infections in the dermatology department of a large university hospital in Germany from 2019 to 2022 and thoroughly characterises the affected patient population.

Patients/Methods

This retrospective study at the Technical University of Munich analyses mycological culture results regarding the identified dermatophyte and infection site. Detailed patient and disease‐related information on Trichophyton tonsurans positive patients was obtained.

Results

In 2022, 23 patients of 111 dermatophyte culture‐positive patients tested positive for Trichophyton tonsurans. This accounted for 20.7% and represented a tenfold increase from 2.1% in 2019. Contact sports were only practiced by 21.7% of patients, and no common hotspot or other linkage could be identified between the cases. Additionally, 47.8% of the patients received a systemic treatment, with 30.4% visiting the clinic more than three times. In 2022, 21.7% were diagnosed with a simultaneous infection of the capillitium and body, whereas this was only observed in 7.1% of cases in 2019 to 2021.

Conclusions

This study suggests an increase of Trichophyton tonsurans infections via several routes of transmission.