bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Repeated Exposure to the Visual Environment on Young Children's Attention
Authors: Godwin Karrie E. , Leroux Audrey J. , Seltman Howard , Scupelli Peter , Fisher Anna V.
Published: February 2022

Prior research suggests that visual features of the classroom environment (e.g., charts and posters) are potential sources of distraction hindering children's ability to maintain attention to instructional activities and reducing learning gains in a laboratory classroom. However, prior research only examined short‐term exposure to elements of classroom décor, and it remains unknown whether children habituate to the visual environment with repeated exposure. In study 1, we explored experimentally the possibility that children may habituate to the visual environment if the visual displays are static. We measured kindergarten children's patterns of attention allocation in a decorated classroom environment over a 2‐week period and compared the percentage of time children spent off‐task to a baseline condition in which the classroom environment was streamlined (i.e., charts, posters, and manipulatives were removed). The findings indicate that with more prolonged exposure to a static visual environment, partial habitation effects were observed: Attention to the environment declined at the end of the exposure period compared to the beginning of the study; however, the environment remained a significant source of off‐task behavior even after 2 weeks of exposure. In study 2, we extend this work by conducting a longitudinal observation of six primary classrooms in which we measured children's patterns of attention allocation in real classrooms for 15 weeks to investigate whether increasing familiarity with the classroom décor would influence attention toward the visual environment. No evidence of habituation was observed in genuine classrooms in study 2. Potential implications for classroom design and future directions are discussed.
Aging, Gesture Production, and Disfluency in Speech: A Comparison of Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Arslan Burcu , Göksun Tilbe
Published: February 2022

Age‐related changes are observed in the speech and gestures of neurotypical individuals. Older adults are more disfluent in speech and use fewer representational gestures (e.g., holding two hands close to each other to mean small), compared to younger adults. Using gestures, especially representational gestures, is common in difficult tasks to aid the conceptualization process and to facilitate lexical access. This study investigates how aging can affect gesture production and the co‐occurrence between gesture and speech disfluency. We elicited speech and gesture samples from younger and older adults (N = 60) by using a painting description task that provided concrete and abstract contexts. Results indicated that albeit the two age groups revealed comparable overall speech disfluency and gesture rates, they differed in terms of how their disfluencies and gestures were distributed across specific categories. Moreover, the proportion of speech disfluencies that occur with a gesture was significantly higher for younger than older adults. However, the two age groups were comparable in terms of the proportion of gestures that were accompanied by a speech disfluency. These findings suggest that younger adults’ language production system might be better at benefiting from other modalities, that is, gesture, to resolve temporary problems in speech planning. However, from a gesture perspective, it might be difficult to differentiate between gestures’ self‐oriented and communicative functions and understand their role in speech facilitation. Focusing on specific cases where speech disfluency and gestures co‐occur and considering individual differences might bring insight into multimodal communication.
Causal Judgment in the Wild: Evidence from the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election
Authors: Quillien Tadeg , Barlev Michael
Published: February 2022

When explaining why an event occurred, people intuitively highlight some causes while ignoring others. How do people decide which causes to select? Models of causal judgment have been evaluated in simple and controlled laboratory experiments, but they have yet to be tested in a complex real‐world setting. Here, we provide such a test, in the context of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Across tens of thousands of simulations of possible election outcomes, we computed, for each state, an adjusted measure of the correlation between a Biden victory in that state and a Biden election victory. These effect size measures accurately predicted the extent to which U.S. participants (N = 207, preregistered) viewed victory in a given state as having caused Biden to win the presidency. Our findings support the theory that people intuitively select as causes of an outcome the factors with the largest standardized causal effect on that outcome across possible counterfactual worlds.
A tricuspid mitral valve with severe regurgitation
Authors: Uysal Samet , Kalkan Sedat , Kılıçgedik Alev
Published: February 2022

Tricuspid mitral valve is a rare entity, distinct from isolated clefts of the mitral leaflets. Echocardiographically, it manifests as the presence of three commissures, separate papillary muscles and concordant atrioventricular or ventriculoarterial connections. Three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography helps distinguish the three cusps from clefts. Herein, we present a case of tricuspid mitral valve that led to severe mitral regurgitation.
Career satisfaction amongst dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Ellakany Passent , Aly Nourhan M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Dental students' satisfaction with their own career can significantly improve the quality of care provided to patients. The aim of the current study was to assess the level of career satisfaction amongst Saudi dental students and dentists.

Materials and methods

A cross‑sectional survey was conducted from October 2019 to January 2020 all over Saudi Arabia. A sample of 750 Saudi dental students and dentists were invited to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of two sections of closed‐ended questions. The first section included personal, professional background factors and level of career satisfaction assessed. The second section included different reasons for choosing dentistry as a career. Multivariable linear regression was used at significance <0.05.

Results

Only 674 responded to the questionnaire. About half of the included respondents were males. Most of the participants were undergraduate students attended Saudi dental schools. 72.3% chose dentistry for helping other people. Graduated dentists had significantly lower satisfaction score than dental students (p = .007). Dentists, who chose dentistry because it is a secured job with good income (p < .001), had significantly lower satisfaction score than those who did not, whilst those who chose it for the social status had significantly higher satisfaction score than those who did not (p = .04).

Conclusion

Dental students and dentists were motivated to choose dentistry as it is an opportunity to help others and achieve good salary with appropriate social position in community. Dental students were more satisfied than dentists due to lack of financial responsibilities and absence of educational expenses.
Successful long‐term management of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis using a software application: Results from a randomized, controlled, multicenter study
Authors: Ehling Rainer , Seebacher Barbara , Harsányi Andrea , Ganzbiller Nicole , Papez Stephanie , Haider Bernhard , Hoertenhuber Doris , Kranz Gottfried , Tarasiewicz Roland , Spatt Josef , Moser Hermann , Klein Wolfhard , Barth Cosmas , Kubik Wolfgang , Kronberger Eva , Winkler Andreas , Brenneis Christian
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

Successful long‐term treatment of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is challenging. We investigated the effects of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation (MIR) and an individualized self‐training program delivered by an app on spasticity in pwMS.

Methods

First, we assessed the efficacy of 4‐week MIR in ambulatory pwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale < 7.0) with moderate to severe lower limb spasticity (defined by ≥4 points on the Numeric Rating Scale for spasticity [NRSs]) in a cohort of 115 pwMS at seven rehabilitation centers in Austria. In the case of a clinically relevant improvement in spasticity of ≥20% on the NRSs following MIR (n = 94), pwMS were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the newly designed MS‐Spasticity App or to a paper‐based self‐training program for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was change in NRSs (German Clinical Trials Registry DRKS00023960).

Results

MIR led to a significant reduction of 2.0 points on the NRSs (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5–2.0, p < 0.000). MIR was further associated with a statistically significant improvement in spasticity on the Modified Ashworth Scale, strength, and all mobility outcomes. Following MIR, self‐training with the MS‐Spasticity App was associated with a sustained positive effect on the NRSs, whereas paper‐based self‐training led to a worsening in spasticity (median NRSs difference = 1.0, 95% CI = 1.7–0.3, p = 0.009). The MS‐Spasticity App was also associated with a significantly better adherence to self‐training (95% vs. 72% completion rate, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In pwMS, MIR is able to significantly improve lower limb spasticity, strength, and mobility. Following MIR, an individually tailored antispasticity program delivered by an app leads to sustained positive long‐term management.
Minor stroke in large vessel occlusion: A matched analysis of patients from the German Stroke Registry–Endovascular Treatment (GSR‐ET) and patients from the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke–International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS‐ISTR)
Authors: Feil Katharina , Matusevicius Marius , Herzberg Moriz , Tiedt Steffen , Küpper Clemens , Wischmann Johannes , Schönecker Sonja , Mengel Annerose , Sartor‐Pfeiffer Jennifer , Berger Katharina , Dimitriadis Konstantin , Liebig Thomas , Dieterich Marianne , Mazya Michael , Ahmed Niaz , Kellert Lars
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

Reperfusion treatment in patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and minor neurological deficits is still a matter of debate. We aimed to compare minor stroke patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or IVT alone.

Methods

Patients enrolled in the German Stroke Registry–Endovascular Treatment (GSR‐ET) and the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke–International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry (SITS‐ISTR) between June 2015 and December 2019 were analyzed. Minor stroke was defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5, and LVO as occlusion of the internal carotid, carotid‐T, middle cerebral, basilar, vertebral or posterior cerebral arteries. GSR‐ET and SITS‐ISTR IVT‐treated patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio using propensity‐score (PS) matching. The primary outcome was good functional outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2).

Results

A total of 272 GSR‐ET patients treated with EVT and IVT (age 68.6 ± 14.0 years, 43.4% female, NIHSS score 4 [interquartile range 2–5]) were compared to 272 IVT‐treated SITS‐ISTR patients (age 69.4 ± 13.7, 43.4% female, NIHSS score 4 [2–5]). Good functional outcome was seen in 77.0% versus 82.9% (p = 0.119), mortality in 5.9% versus 7.9% (p = 0.413), and intracranial hemorrhage in 8.8% versus 12.5% (p = 0.308) of patients in the GSR‐ET versus the SITS‐ISTR IVT group, respectively. In a second PS‐matched analysis, 624 GSR‐ET patients (IVT rate 56.7%) and 624 SITS‐ISTR patients (IVT rate 100%), good outcome was more often observed in the SITS‐ISTR patients (68.2% vs. 80.9%; p < 0.001), and IVT independently predicted good outcome (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.43–3.28).

Conclusions

Our study suggests similar effectiveness of IVT alone compared to EVT with or without IVT in minor stroke patients. There is an urgent need for randomized controlled trials on this topic.
Effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, gefitinib, on lipid and hyaluronic acid synthesis in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes
Authors: Oh Jang‐Hee , Hur Woojune , Li Na , Jo Seong Jin
Published: February 2022

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are widely used for treating various cancers, including lung, colon, head and neck cancers. However, EGFRIs have unique dermatological side effects, including acneiform eruption, dry skin, paronychia and pruritus. In this study, we investigated the molecular changes induced by an EGFRI, gefitinib, in the expression of lipogenic enzymes and hyaluronic acid (HA) regulatory proteins in HaCaT keratinocytes, and whether EGF restored these changes. HaCaT cells were treated with gefitinib, with or without EGF, and treated with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) for inducing an inflammatory response. The mRNA and protein expression was analyzed by real‐time RT‐PCR, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. Gefitinib enhanced the TNFα‐induced expression of C‐C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL5 and C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and the expression of TNFα in HaCaT cells, while EGF restored these changes. At a similar concentration range, gefitinib reduced the mRNA and/or protein expression of various lipogenic enzymes for fatty acid, cholesterol and ceramide synthesis, except acidic sphingomyelinase. Gefitinib suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of HA synthase 2 (HAS2), HAS3, cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1) and HYAL2, except the mRNA expression of HYAL1. EGF restored the changes induced by gefitinib, except for the mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and elongation of very long‐chain fatty acid protein (ELOVL) 6. In conclusion, EGFRIs suppress lipogenesis and HA metabolism, which may contribute to adverse dermatological effects, including barrier function impairment in cancer patients treated with EGFRIs.
Report of surgeries, their outcome and the thrombin generation assay in patients with Factor XI deficiency: A retrospective single‐centre study
Authors: Désage Stéphanie , Dargaud Yesim , Meunier Sandrine , Le Quellec Sandra , Lienhart Anne , Negrier Claude , Nougier Christophe , Rugeri Lucia
Published: February 2022

Background

In patients with FXI deficiency, the risk of surgery‐related bleeding is poorly correlated with plasma FXI activity (FXI:C); the latter can therefore not be used as a reliable predictor of bleeding in surgeries.

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether thrombin generation assay (TGA) could be used to evaluate the risk of surgery‐related bleeding in FXI‐deficient patients. TGA parameters were compared to FXI:C values, haemostatic treatments and surgical outcomes.

Patients

All patients followed at the haemophilia treatment care centre (Lyon, France) with a FXI:C < 50IU/dL, and for whom a baseline TGA was performed between January 2014 and December 2019, were included.

Results

Among the 175 surgeries reported herein in 49 patients, FXI concentrates were used for 11 (6%) surgeries and fresh frozen plasma was used for five (3%) surgeries; these surgeries were performed in patients with two or three impaired TGA parameters. No haemostatic treatment was prescribed for 119 (68%) surgeries.

A surgery‐related bleeding occurred in 12 patients during 21 (12%) surgeries. Thrombin generation was significantly reduced or delayed in patients who reported surgery related‐bleeding. Among the 34 (68%) surgeries performed without haemostatic treatment in patients with three impaired TGA parameters, a surgery‐related bleeding was reported in 44% of cases (15 surgeries out of 34).

Conclusion

The present study confirmed that TGA is an interesting laboratory test in FXI deficiency, for determining the bleeding risk and guiding the haemostatic management of surgeries, while taking into account the surgical bleeding risk and the history of bleeding.
Migraine and large artery atherosclerosis in young adults with ischemic stroke
Authors: Gollion Cédric , Guidolin Brigitte , Lerebours Fleur , Rousseau Vanessa , Barbieux‐Guillot Marianne , Larrue Vincent
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Migraine is a risk factor for ischemic stroke, but the mechanisms of stroke associated with migraine are debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between migraine and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) in young adults with ischemic stroke.

Methods

Patients aged between 18 and 54 years consecutively treated for first acute ischemic stroke in a university hospital stroke unit between January 2017 and December 2019 were included in this cross‐sectional study. Migraine status was systematically assessed by the same headache specialist. Stenotic and nonstenotic LAA of extracranial and intracranial cerebral arteries were evaluated and graded using the ASCOD (atherosclerosis, small‐vessel disease, cardiac pathology, other causes, dissection) criteria. We adjusted the association between migraine and LAA for traditional risk factors.

Results

A total of 415 patients were included (mean age [standard deviation], 43.9 [8.7] years; 258/415 [62.2%] men). Migraine with aura (MWA) was diagnosed in 76 patients, and migraine without aura (MWoA) in 68 patients. Patients with migraine had fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Stenotic LAA (10/144 [6.9%] vs. 42/271 [15.5%]; p < 0.001) and LAA of any grade (35/144 [24.3%] vs. 138/271 [50.9%]; p < 0.001) were significantly less frequent in patients with migraine than in patients without migraine, respectively. Multivariable analysis adjusting for age, sex, overweight, tobacco use, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia showed a negative association between migraine and LAA of any grade (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI: 0.254–0.78], p = 0.005). This negative association was found for both MWoA (OR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.204–0.88], p = 0.020) and MWA (OR = 0.47, 95% CI [0.228–0.96], p = 0.037) compared to no migraine.

Conclusion

In this study of young adults with ischemic stroke, migraine had a negative association with LAA. This negative association was independent of traditional vascular risk factors and was found for both MWA and MWoA.
Patient record assessment of results and related resources spent during 1 year after initiation of root canal treatment in a Swedish public dental organization
Authors: Wigsten Emma ,   EndoReCo, Kvist Thomas
Published: February 2022

Aim

To document treatment outcomes and related resources, in patients undergoing root canal treatment (RCT) in county public dental clinics, by monitoring patient records for 12 months from treatment start.

Methodology

The subjects comprised 243 patients starting RCT at 20 public dental clinics in Västra Götaland county, Sweden. Their computerized dental records were monitored prospectively for a year after starting their endodontic treatment. Treatment was completed with either a root filling or extraction. The following treatment‐specific variables were registered: number of appointments and days until treatment was completed, possible complications and prescriptions for antibiotics, and for the root filled teeth: type of coronal restoration and further procedures undertaken within the year. The treatment outcomes were compared with the preoperative variables and in a logistic regression analysis.

Results

Complete data were available for 240 patients (98.8%): 128 women and 112 men, with a mean age of 48.5 years (SD = 16.3). Molar teeth predominated (n = 113, 47.1%). Most cases were completed with a root filling (n = 169, 70.4%). The remainder were extracted (n = 32, 13.3%) or were still uncompleted (n = 39, 16.3%). On average, a root filling was completed in 2.4 (SD = 0.9) appointments, or extraction at the third appointment (SD = 1.6). The molars were less often completed and often predominant among the extracted teeth. The indication for extraction was often for endodontic or RCT‐related reasons. Most complications were registered in the molars and antibiotics were prescribed in 20 cases. Most root filled teeth were restored with a direct restoration. Four root filled teeth (2.4%) were extracted within the time period.

Conclusions

Patient records, followed from the start of treatment, show that 12 months on, the root filling had not been completed in just under 30% of the teeth. Of these, about half were extracted. Of particular concern is the outcome for endodontic treatment of molar teeth. In the general practice setting, molar endodontics are not only technically challenging but also very demanding in terms of chairside resources. In the present study, a successful outcome was achieved in just over half the cases.
Effect of material properties on interaction of ceramic and glass flyer plates with hypervelocity jet
Authors: Deniz Tansel , Yıldırım Raif Orhan
Published: February 2022

A study on the effect of material properties on the interaction of explosively driven ceramic and glass plates with shaped charge jets is performed in order to bolster future studies on the design of reactive cassettes with non‐steel flyer plates. A symmetric steel reactive cassette construction is taken as a base, and front and back plates are selectively changed with ceramic or glass plates keeping the areal densities similar. Plates manufactured from two different grades of alumina, silicon carbide, boron carbide, and borosilicate glass are employed to assess the ballistic protection performance of reactive cassettes. It is seen that a high density and fracture toughness is desired for the front plate and high bulk impedance for the back plate, respectively. Moreover, replacing the front plate of a steel cassette with an alumina or silicon carbide plate increases the ballistic protection efficiency close to 50%. Finally, the effect of material selection is investigated by hydrocode numerical simulations. The early phases of the interaction process are presented to reveal the basics of initial hole closure on the flyer plate and the determination of the length of the jet precursor.
Impact of COVID‐19 on changing consumer behaviour: Lessons from an emerging economy
Authors: Das Debadyuti , Sarkar Ashutosh , Debroy Arindam
Published: February 2022

The present study investigates the impact of COVID‐19 on Consumers' changing way of life and buying behaviour based on their socio‐economic backgrounds. A questionnaire survey was carried out to understand the impact of COVID‐19 on consumers' affordability, lifestyle, and health awareness and how these effects influenced their buying behaviour. A total of 425 usable responses were analysed using the structural equation modelling considering Consumers' socio‐economic background as exogenous variables and Consumers' changing way of life and Adaptation in consumers’ buying behaviour as endogenous variables. The study reveals that COVID‐19 has affected the consumers in the unorganised sectors more than others and induced an increase in the demand for affordable substitutes for daily necessities. The demand for wellness and entertainment products is found to depend upon the occupation and family earning status of consumers which is jointly mediated by affordability and lifestyle changes. Further, the findings show that the demand for health and hygiene products depends on the current employment status and family earning status of consumers which is jointly mediated by affordability and awareness towards health and hygiene. The model developed in the present study allows the decision‐makers to identify which segments of the population with certain socio‐economic backgrounds could be targeted for wellness products and which ones could be targeted for health and hygiene products. In addition, the model provides rich insights to the managers as to what kind of product substitution would be viable in the market during the pandemic.
COVID‐19 and a “crisis of care”: A feminist analysis of public policy responses to paid and unpaid care and domestic work
Authors: CAMILLETTI Elena , NESBITT‐AHMED Zahrah
Published: February 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has highlighted gender inequalities, increasing the amount of unpaid care weighing on women and girls, and the vulnerabilities faced by paid care workers, often women working informally. Using a global database on social protection responses to COVID‐19 that focuses on social assistance, social insurance and labour market programmes, this article considers whether and how these responses have integrated care considerations. Findings indicate that, although many responses addressed at least one aspect of care (paid or unpaid), very few countries have addressed both types of care, prompting a discussion of the implications of current policy responses to COVID‐19 (and beyond) through a care lens.
Modulation of photosynthesis under salinity and the role of mineral nutrients in Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Bezerra‐Neto Egídio , Coelho José Benjamin Machado , Jarma‐Orozco Alfredo , Rodríguez‐Páez Luis Alfonso , Pompelli Marcelo F.
Published: February 2022

Jatropha curcas is a common species in Brazil, potentially being an option to produce oil for bioenergetic purposes. Around the world, J. curcas has been cultivated in areas of low fertility, in the presence of salts, and with the use of brackish groundwater. Salt stress can hinder the absorption of nutrients and allow entry of ions in toxic concentrations, affecting the development and productivity of plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity on the gaseous exchange and the dynamics of some mineral nutrients in the leaves, stems and roots of J. curcas, subjected to two levels of NaCl (0 and 150 mM) in four genotypes: CNPAE183 (tolerant‐like), JCAL171 (sensitive‐like) and CNPAE133 and CNPAE266 (confused responses to tolerance). Salt treatment promotes a strong reduction in photosynthesis and plant height in all genotypes, although more drastic in CNPAE266 (77.5% and 70% respectively). Additionally, NaCl reduced the content of manganese, calcium, potassium and phosphorus in the leaves, elements linked to gas exchange. The salt‐tolerant‐like (CNPAE183) and salt‐sensitive‐like (JCAL171) transcriptome matched the applied sequences, with few chimeric sequences and novel transcripts with no similarities.
Bipolar high‐power impulse magnetron sputtering synthesis of high‐entropy carbides
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Delower , Borman Trent , Mcllwaine Nathaniel Seymour , Maria Jon‐Paul
Published: February 2022

In this study, we report high‐entropy carbides synthesis with reactive bipolar high‐power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). Uncontrolled microstructure and stoichiometry development with reactive gas flow rate are major limitations of conventional direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of multicomponent carbides. With HiPIMS these chemically disordered crystals structurally and compositionally transform from a carbon‐deficient metallic (C/M < 1), to a stoichiometric ceramic zone (C/M ∼ 1), and to a nanocomposite embodiment (C/M > 1), as a function of the carbon content during HiPIMS deposition. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and nanoindentation hardness measurements are combined to demonstrate the three regions of synthesis domain. HiPIMS provides access to metallic, ceramic, and composite carbides with great control over the microstructure and stoichiometry, which is elusive in case of conventional DC and RF magnetron sputtering. Notably, the stoichiometric ceramic zone maintains a constant carbon to metal ratio (C/M ∼ 1) over an extended amount of methane flow before transitioning to a nanocomposite microstructure (C/M > 1). The transition zone breadth depends on materials affinity for carbon that correlates with valence electron concentration (VEC). As such, synthesis conditions for new high‐entropy carbides can be understood and predicted based on VEC.
No elephant in the room: The incremental validity of implicit self‐esteem measures
Authors: Jusepeitis Adrian , Rothermund Klaus
Published: February 2022

Objective

Correlational research aiming to validate measures and the construct of implicit self‐esteem (ISE) has produced heterogeneous results in the past. We argue that this might be caused by two underappreciated obstacles: the situational malleability of and the construct irrelevant variance in conventional ISE measures. In this study, we aim to address these problems.

Methods

To this end, we applied process and latent state‐trait modeling to Implicit Association Test and Name Letter Task data collected on four occasions across six weeks in a preregistered online study (initial N = 360, final N = 302). We investigated the relation of supposed trait ISE parameters with trait explicit self‐esteem (ESE) and a set of criteria.

Results

Results indicated no latent trait correlation among the different supposed indicators of ISE, small latent trait correlations of indicators of ISE and ESE, and little incremental validity of the supposed ISE measures in predicting potential criterion measures over and above ESE.

Conclusions

These findings align with previous critical evaluations regarding the supposed measures of ISE and the conceptual validity of ISE as an association and call for a more careful terminology in the field.
Activation of melatonin receptor 1 by CRISPR‐Cas9 activator ameliorates cognitive deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Authors: Park Hanseul , Kim Jongpil
Published: February 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neurotoxic beta‐amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Melatonin receptors have been reported to associate with aging and AD, and their expression decreased with the progression of AD. As an alternative to AD treatment, overexpression of melatonin receptors may lead to melatonin‐like effects to treat alleviate the symptoms of AD. Here, we successfully activated the type 1 melatonin receptor (Mt1) in vivo brain using a Cas9 activator as a novel AD therapeutic strategy. The Cas9 activator efficiently activated the endogenous Mt1 gene in the brain. Activation of Mt1 via Cas9 activators modulated anti‐amyloidogenic and anti‐inflammatory roles in 5xFAD AD mice brain. Moreover, activation of Mt1 with the CRISPR/Cas9 activator improved cognitive deficits in an AD model. These results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of melatonin receptor activation via CRISPR/Cas9 activator for AD.
Fifteen emerging challenges and opportunities for vegetation science: A horizon scan by early career researchers
Authors: Yannelli Florencia A. , Bazzichetto Manuele , Conradi Timo , Pattison Zarah , Andrade Bianca O. , Anibaba Quadri Agbolade , Bonari Gianmaria , Chelli Stefano , Ćuk Mirjana , Damasceno Gabriella , Fantinato Edy , Geange Sonya R. , Guuroh Reginald Tang , Holle Mukhlish Jamal Musa , Küzmič Filip , Lembrechts Jonas J. , Mosyaftiani Amarizni , Šikuljak Tijana , Teixeira Juliana , Tordoni Enrico , Pérez‐Valladares Cloe X. , Sperandii Marta G.
Published: February 2022

With the aim to identify future challenges and opportunities in vegetation science, we brought together a group of 22 early career vegetation scientists from diverse backgrounds to perform a horizon scan. In this contribution, we present a selection of 15 topics that were ranked by participants as the most emergent and impactful for vegetation science in the face of global change. We highlight methodological tools that we expect will play a critical role in resolving emerging issues by providing ways to unveil new aspects of plant community dynamics and structure. These tools include next generation sequencing, plant spectral imaging, process‐based species distribution models, resurveying studies and permanent plots. Further, we stress the need to integrate long‐term monitoring, the study of novel ecosystems, below‐ground traits, pollination interactions and global networks of near‐surface microclimate data at fine spatio‐temporal resolutions to fully understand and predict the impacts of climate change on vegetation dynamics. We also emphasize the need to integrate traditional forms of knowledge and a diversity of stakeholders into research, teaching, management and policy‐making to advance the field of vegetation science. The conclusions reached by this horizon scan naturally reflect the background, expertise and interests of a representative pool of early career vegetation scientists, which should serve as basis for future developments in the field.
Bactericidal and antioxidant effects of essential oils from Satureja montana L., Myristica fragrans H. and Cymbopogon flexuosus
Authors: Rezende D.A.d.C.S. , Oliveira C.D. , Batista L.R. , Ferreira V.R.F. , Brandão R.M. , Caetano A.R.S. , Alves M.V.P. , Cardoso M.G.
Published: February 2022

The extraction and characterization of the essential oils (EO) from Satureja montana L., Myristica fragrans H. and Cymbopogon flexuosus and the determination of their antibacterial and antioxidant activities were achieved. The EO were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and quantified by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector. The antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated by cell susceptibility assays and by scanning electron microscopy. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, by β-carotene bleaching and by determining the reducing power. Borneol (36·18%), γ-terpineol (12·66%) and carvacrol (11·07%) were the principal components in the EO from S. montana, and sabinene (49·23%) and α-pinene (13·81%) were found in the EO from M. fragrans. Geranial (59·66%) and neral (38·98%) isomers were the only major components in the EO from C. flexuosus. The EO from S. montana was effective against E. coli, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) of 6·25 µl ml−1, whereas bactericidal potential against both was observed for the EO from M. fragrans; MIC = 6·25 µl ml−1 for S. aureus and MBC = 12·5 µl ml−1 for E. coli. A significant protective role on lipid substrates in the β-carotene bleaching assay was seen for the EO from S. montana and M. fragrans. Overall, such EO can be promising agents against pathogenic bacteria and for protecting biomolecules during oxidative stress.
A CysB regulator positively regulates cysteine synthesis, expression of type III secretion system genes, and pathogenicity in Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Chen Min , Zhang Weiqi , Han Liangliang , Ru Xuejuan , Cao Yuzhu , Hikichi Yasufumi , Ohnishi Kouhei , Pan Guanghui , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2022

A syringe‐like type III secretion system (T3SS) plays essential roles in the pathogenicity of Ralstonia solanacearum, which is a causal agent of bacterial wilt disease on many plant species worldwide. Here, we characterized functional roles of a CysB regulator (RSc2427) in R. solanacearum OE1‐1 that was demonstrated to be responsible for cysteine synthesis, expression of the T3SS genes, and pathogenicity of R. solanacearum. The cysB mutants were cysteine auxotrophs that failed to grow in minimal medium but grew slightly in host plants. Supplementary cysteine substantially restored the impaired growth of cysB mutants both in minimal medium and inside host plants. Genes of cysU and cysI regulons have been annotated to function for R. solanacearum cysteine synthesis; CysB positively regulated expression of these genes. Moreover, CysB positively regulated expression of the T3SS genes both in vitro and in planta through the PrhG to HrpB pathway, whilst impaired expression of the T3SS genes in cysB mutants was independent of growth deficiency under nutrient‐limited conditions. CysB was also demonstrated to be required for exopolysaccharide production and swimming motility, which contribute jointly to the host colonization and infection process of R. solanacearum. Thus, CysB was identified here as a novel regulator on the T3SS expression in R. solanacearum. These results provide novel insights into understanding of various biological functions of CysB regulators and complex regulatory networks on the T3SS in R. solanacearum.
Genetic and epigenetic studies in non‐syndromic oral clefts
Authors: Alade Azeez , Awotoye Waheed , Butali Azeez
Published: February 2022

The etiology of non‐syndromic oral clefts (NSOFC) is complex with genetics, genomics, epigenetics, and stochastics factors playing a role. Several approaches have been applied to understand the etiology of non‐syndromic oral clefts. These include linkage, candidate gene association studies, genome‐wide association studies, whole‐genome sequencing, copy number variations, and epigenetics. In this review, we shared these approaches, genes, and loci reported in some studies.
Thoracic epidural analgesia and immediate extubation for less than 10 kg infants undergoing living donor liver transplantation: A report of two successful cases
Authors: Diaz Rodrigo , Gouvêa Glauber , Spiller Camila Santos , Chevi Débora , Carneiro Fernanda Cavalcanti , Alheira Alice , Pureza Ana Luiza , Steinbrück Klaus , Fernandes Reinaldo , Neves Douglas Bastos , Enne Marcelo
Published: February 2022

Background

Perioperative pain management in small infants weighing <10 kg undergoing liver transplantation is challenging. The use of TEA in this setting has not been reported, as well as its potential role to facilitate IE, ie, in the OR.

Methods

We describe here the use of TEA in two small infants who had IE after a LDLT procedure.

Results

TEA was successfully performed and IE was achieved in both cases. Postoperative analgesia assessment in the OR was satisfactory according to the FLACC pain scale, with scores of 2 and 3 for each patient, respectively. There were no major complications in the postoperative period, and the two children were discharged home uneventfully.

Conclusions

The use of TEA and its influence on IE rate and other perioperative outcomes should be more explored in small infants undergoing LDLT.
Gender identity and relative income within households: evidence from Sweden*
Authors: Hederos Karin , Stenberg Anders
Published: February 2022

In their study of relative income within US households, Bertrand et al. (2015, Quarterly Journal of Economics 130, 571–614) show that the distribution of the wife's share of household income drops sharply where the wife starts earning more than her husband. They attribute the drop to a gender norm prescribing that a wife's income should not exceed her husband's income. We document a similar drop in Swedish data. However, we also show that there is a spike where spouses earn exactly the same. Excluding the equal‐earning spouses, the drop is small and mostly statistically insignificant. We conclude that, if anything, we find only weak evidence that Swedish couples comply with this gender norm.
Military mental health professionals’ suicide risk assessment and management before and after experiencing a patient’s suicide
Authors: Yunik Noam Paz , Schiff Miriam , Barzilay Shira , Yavnai Nirit , Ben Yehuda Ariel , Shelef Leah
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study examines the association between a patient's suicide and the therapist's suicide risk assessment (SRA) and suicide risk management (SRM) of patients, following the occurrence.

Method

SRA values range from “absence of suicidality” to “immediate suicidal intent to die”. SRM consists of therapists’ written recommendations. Rates of the various SRA and SRM values in therapists’ evaluations were assessed 6‐months prior to the suicide and at the two three‐ and six‐month time‐points thereafter.

Results

Of the 150 soldiers who died by suicides, 30 (20%) visited 50 military therapists in the 6 months preceding their deaths. Using Wilcoxon signed rank test, lower SRA rates of “threatens suicide” were found 2 months after a patient's suicide. Regarding SRM, the mean rates for “recommendations for psychotherapy treatment” were higher at the two (p = 0.022) and the 3 month time‐points (p = 0.031) after a suicide.

Conclusions

The SRA findings may indicate therapists’ fear of treating suicidal patients, causing them to overlook patients’ non‐prominent suicide‐risk indicators. In SRM, the higher rate of recommendations for additional therapy sessions rather than military release or referrals to other therapists may relate to over‐caution and attempts to control the patient's therapy ensuring it's done properly.
Information security and journalism: Mapping a nascent research field
Authors: Di Salvo Philip
Published: February 2022

Information security (infosec) has become a field of primary interest for journalism, especially in the wake of the 2013 Edward Snowden revelations about the ramifications of Internet mass surveillance. Following the increasing dangers posed by digital threats—and surveillance in particular—to the safety of journalists and their sources, newsrooms and reporters have shown an increased interest in technological solutions for improved protection of their work and sources. In particular, the adoption of strong encryption tools for communication purposes has become an urgent matter for journalists worldwide, becoming a niche of research in journalism studies as well. By reviewing the existing literature in the field, this article examines how journalism studies approach the use of encryption and information security tools for journalistic purposes. Based on research on the major journalism studies journals and other publications, the article offers an overview of the research advancements, highlighting current major trends and research areas.
Analysis of soil fertility and optimal nitrogen application of brown earth (luvisols) in China
Authors: Zou Xiaoxia , Wang Weihua , Sun Xiaolu , Jiang Defeng , Wang Jianlin
Published: February 2022

The excessive application of nitrogen (N) has caused a series of environmental problems. Brown earth (BE) is one of the main soil types in China, and the specific soil‐forming conditions make it high risk of nutrient leaching. Determining the soil fertility of BE and optimal N application rates for main crops’ production is important to reduce nitrogen leaching. Based on China's second national soil survey, the basic fertility level of BE was defined, and the effects of four N management methods [one‐time base fertilizer (BF), topdressing (TF), combined organic fertilizer (OF) and controlled‐release fertilizer (CF)] on maize and wheat yield and N efficiency were analysed. The study found that except for lower phosphorus content (level 4), the soil fertility of BE was at a moderate level (level 3). Compared with no N application, these four N management methods significantly increased the maize and wheat yield and showed the trend of OF > CF > TF > BF; TF, CF and OF significantly increased the N efficiency comparison with BF. The optimal N application rates for wheat and maize were 129–174 kg ha−1 and 170–235 kg ha−1, respectively, when considering the win–win of yield and N efficiency. N fertilizer reduction in BE needs to be further strengthened, and the specific N application rates to achieve profit maximization should be adjusted depending on environmental factors.
Current Safety Culture among Laboratory Users of the Faculty of Engineering in Universiti Putra Malaysia
Authors: Hussain Siti Aslina , Dison Michelle Anne
Published: February 2022

Accidents involving higher learning institutes laboratories are no longer a worldwide issue. There is a huge gap between how safety is practiced in industry compared to how it is practiced in research laboratories, especially in an academic setting. For effective implementation of the safety management system, it is necessary to have a strong and positive safety culture throughout the organization. The investigation to the safety culture (SC) practices level and performances among laboratoryâ€™s users in the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia will be assessed, evaluated and recommended some of the improvement towards SC in UPM.Â  The assessment is done through the distribution of safety culture questionnaire adapted from Hudsonâ€™s safety culture element and a publication by American Chemical Society and the results will be based on rating distribution. The safety culture survey resulted in an overall score of Âµ=3.98 (Âµ<4.0) which indicates that the level of safety culture among laboratory users are moderate and less proactive. Observation from the audit evaluation suggested that there are still room of improvement for the safety performance. It is deduced from this study that the safety culture and safety performance are inter-related to each other. Therefore, to achieve higher safety performance, one needs to have an improvement in safety culture change in their organization.
Data-Driven Decomposition Control to Output Tracking With Nonperiodic Tracking–Transition Switching Under Input Constraint
Authors: Liu Jiangbo , Zou Qingze
Published: February 2022

This paper is concerned with solving, from the learning-based decomposition control viewpoint, the problem of output tracking with nonperiodic tracking–transition switching. Such a nontraditional tracking problem occurs in applications where sessions for tracking a given desired trajectory are alternated with those for transiting the output with given boundary conditions. It is challenging to achieve precision tracking while maintaining smooth tracking–transition switching, as postswitching oscillations can be induced due to the mismatch of the boundary states at the switching instants, and the tracking performance can be limited by the nonminimum-phase (NMP) zeros of the system and effected by factors such as input constraints and external disturbances. Although recently an approach by combining the system-inversion with optimization techniques has been proposed to tackle these challenges, modeling of the system dynamics and complicated online computation are needed, and the controller obtained can be sensitive to model uncertainties. In this work, a learning-based decomposition control technique is developed to overcome these limitations. A dictionary of input–output bases is constructed offline a priori via data-driven iterative learning first. The input–output bases are used online to decompose the desired output in the tracking sessions and design an optimal desired transition trajectory with minimal transition time under input-amplitude constraint. Finally, the control input is synthesized based on the superpositioning principle and further optimized online to account for system variations and external disturbance. The proposed approach is illustrated through a nanopositioning control experiment on a piezoelectric actuator.
Tunable acoustic metasurface based on tunable piezoelectric composite structure
Authors: Peng Yao-Yin , Yang Zhang-Zhao , Zhang Zhi-Lei , Zou Xin-Ye , Tao Chao , Cheng Jian-Chun
Published: February 2022

Due to the potential engineering needs, the passive tunable metasurfaces with a high performance equivalent to the active phased array is worthy of research. Here, a passive ultrathin metasurface unit composed of a piezoelectric composite structure (PCS) connected to an external capacitor, which can modulate the phase of the transmitted acoustic waves at a deep subwavelength scale only by controlling the external capacitor but without changing the structure, is proposed. Then, a tunable acoustic metasurface composed of 20 identical PCSs is introduced to realize three acoustic functions, beam steering, beam focusing, and tweezer-like beam generating, just by changing the external capacitors. The phase-control abilities of the PCS unit and three functions of the designed metasurface are proved both numerically and experimentally. This study provides the possibility to design ultrathin tunable acoustic metasurfaces with the ability of precise control and passive materials.