bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
After Grenfell: accumulation, debris, and forming failure in London
Authors: Smith Constance
Published: February 2023

The Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017 is popularly associated with a litany of failures: political, structural, moral, material. But while the official inquiry has sought to frame the fire as a discrete event, for local residents it is inextricable from accumulated histories of injustice and inequality. Years on, the fire still reverberates, its afterlife constellating with new narratives and politics. Drawing on literature on ruination and remains, as well as methodological theory, this essay examines how the form of failure is never pre‐known but must be made to appear. Through diverse encounters with the tower's debris – material and conceptual – failure is made to matter, acting both backwards and forwards in time. Reflecting on remainders and erasures at the tower site, as well as debates about the parameters of the inquiry, I explore how failure is continually recomposed, becoming both an object of knowledge and an instrument for its formation.
What's Choice Got to Do With It? Addressing the Pitfalls of Using Choice‐Architecture Discourse Within Poverty Law
Authors: Cohen‐Rimer Yael
Published: February 2023

In legal scholarship, as in other fields, it would seem that ‘choice‐architecture’ (where states attempt to ‘move’ people toward desired behaviour) is everywhere. This paper argues that such blanket adoption of choice‐architecture discourse cannot be based on generic terms, nor on imagined or assumed choices. Rather, I contend, the specific characteristics of each legal field – here, poverty law – should be considered when debating and reviewing choice‐architecture. I point to the dangers of using choice‐discourse in the context of poverty law, illuminate significant weaknesses in choice‐architecture theory, and thus justify limitations on the use of incentives and nudges in this context. I propel the poverty‐as‐exception argument, advancing the development of poverty law toward being considered a distinct field of law. The contributions of this paper are thus both theoretical and normative, shifting focus onto those exposed to choice‐architecture, and to the expressive harms caused by assuming choice where there is none.
Effect of dialyzer geometry on coagulation activation in the extracorporeal circuit in maintenance hemodialysis patients: Prospective randomized trial
Authors: ElSayed Hesham , Sayed Khalid Samir , Gharib Mohamed Sary
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

The coagulation cascade is activated during hemodialysis (HD) due to interaction of blood with the dialysis circuit. There is a paucity of data on the effect of the physical structure of the dialyzers on coagulation activation during HD. We conducted this study to compare the effect of Helixone FX80 versus Platinum H4 dialyzers on coagulation activation during HD.

Methods

Twenty patients on maintenance HD were enrolled in this randomized prospective crossover study. Each patient was dialyzed using Helixone FX80 and Platinum H4 dialyzers. Serum thrombin‐antithrombin complex (TAT) was measured before (T0h) and at the end (T4H) of HD.

Results

The absolute changes of serum TAT were comparable with the two dialyzers (median [IQR]: 1.15 [0.65, 1.75] for Helixone FX80 vs. 1.15 [0.67, 2.05] for Platinum H4, p = 0.371).

Conclusion

Helixone FX80 and Platinum H4 dialyzers have similar effects on coagulation activation during HD.
Between interdependence and autonomy: Toward a typology of work design modes in the new world of work
Authors: Reiche B. Sebastian
Published: February 2023

Despite the rapid pace with which the world of work has been transforming, our concept of work design—the content and organization of work tasks, activities, relationships, and responsibilities—has remained remarkably resistant to change. This shortcoming not only limits our theoretical understanding of work design but also constrains organizations' ability to sufficiently adapt to human resource management (HRM) needs in the new world of work. I review the principal categories of work design to theorize about a typology of work design modes and their inherent HRM configurations. The typology proposes four ideal‐typical modes—organization‐defined work design, self‐directed internal work design, formalized external work design, and self‐governing work design—that differ in their requisite degrees of work interdependence and work autonomy. In a second step, I exemplify the conceptual dimensions of the typology in relation to three organizations using the case study as illustrative convention. The typology has several implications for theory, practice, and future research on work design and HRM.
Opioid consumption and non‐opioid multimodal analgesic treatment in pain management trials after hip and knee arthroplasties: A meta‐epidemiological study
Authors: Pedersen Casper , Vilhelmsen Frej Juul , Laigaard Jens , Mathiesen Ole , Karlsen Anders Peder Højer
Published: February 2023

Background

The leading principle in peri‐operative pain management is multimodal analgesia, which reduces opioid requirements and associated adverse effects. Pragmatic pain trials should optimally test interventions in addition to multimodal non‐opioid analgesics and interventions to ensure clinical relevance and baseline levels of opioid consumption that reflect clinical settings. We aimed to investigate opioid consumption and use of non‐opioid analgesics administered adjunct to interventions in post‐operative pain trials after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted 7 January 2020 in The Cochrane Library's CENTRAL, PubMed, and EMBASE. Trials investigating analgesic interventions for post‐operative pain in adults undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty were included. The primary outcome was the aggregated median 0–24 h post‐operative opioid consumption. Further, we assessed the use of paracetamol, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, gabapentinoids, high‐dose glucocorticoids, local infiltration analgesia and nerve blocks administered as co‐interventions equally to all participants. We assessed trends over time for all outcomes.

Results

Of 14,200 records, 570 trials were included. Median 0–24 h opioid consumption was 21 and 22 mg iv morphine equivalents in hip and knee arthroplasty trials, respectively. Meta‐regression showed no overall linear correlation between opioid consumption and publication year. The use of multimodal non‐opioid analgesia increased over time, though only 48% of trials published from 2010 to 2020 administered two or more non‐opioid analgesics. Applying more non‐opioid analgesics was associated with lower opioid consumption in intervention groups.

Conclusion

Post‐operative 0–24 h morphine consumption was median 21–22 mg. The demonstrated differences in non‐opioid multimodal analgesic regimens between research and clinical settings, can potentially diminish the demonstrated opioid‐sparing effects of trial interventions when such are implemented in a clinical context.
The effect of telemental versus in‐person mental health consults in the emergency department on 30‐day utilization and processes of care
Authors: Han Jin H. , Koch Erica , Jeffery Alvin D. , Reese Thomas J. , Dorn Chad , Pugh Shannon , Rubenstein Melissa , Wilson Jo Ellen , Campbell Corey , Ward Michael J.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

We sought to characterize how telemental health (TMH) versus in‐person mental health consults affected 30‐day postevaluation utilization outcomes and processes of care in Veterans presenting to the emergency department (ED) and urgent care clinic (UCC) with acute psychiatric complaints.

Methods

This exploratory retrospective cohort study was conducted in an ED and UCC located in a single Veterans Affairs system. A mental health provider administered TMH via iPad. The primary outcome was a composite of return ED/UCC visits, rehospitalizations, or death within 30 days. The following processes of care were collected during the index visit: changes to home psychiatric medications, admission, involuntary psychiatric hold placement, parenteral benzodiazepine or antipsychotic medication use, and physical restraints or seclusion. Data were abstracted from the Veterans Affairs electronic health record and the Clinical Data Warehouse. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were reported.

Results

Of the 496 Veterans in this analysis, 346 (69.8%) received TMH, and 150 (30.2%) received an in‐person mental health evaluation. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of 30‐day return ED/UCC, rehospitalization, or death (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 0.87–2.49) between the TMH and in‐person groups. TMH was significantly associated with increased ED/UCC length of stay (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03–2.06) and decreased use of involuntary psychiatric holds (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23–0.75). There were no associations between TMH and the other processes‐of‐care outcomes.

Conclusions

TMH was not significantly associated with the 30‐day composite outcome of return ED/UCC visits, rehospitalizations, and death compared with traditional in‐person mental health evaluations. TMH was significantly associated with increased ED/UCC length of stay and decreased odds of placing an involuntary psychiatric hold. Future studies are required to confirm these findings and, if confirmed, explore the potential mechanisms for these associations.
Comparing the effectiveness of video and stereoscopic 360° virtual reality‐supported instruction in high school biology courses
Authors: Christopoulos Athanasios , Pellas Nikolaos , Bin Qushem Umar , Laakso Mikko‐Jussi
Published: February 2023

The promise of using immersive technologies in learning has increasingly been attracting researchers' and practitioners' attention. However, relevant empirical works are usually conducted in fully controlled Virtual Reality (VR) laboratories, as opposed to conventional settings. This quasi‐experimental study compares the effectiveness of video learning resources to that of stereoscopic 360° VR, as supplements to the traditional instructional approach. The potential of such methods was examined in high school settings, in the context of the ‘Life and Evolution’ module, with participants (n = 70) divided equally into control and experimental groups. As a point of reference (control condition), we considered the adoption of Video Learning Resources, as students are more acquainted with this instructional method. In the intervention approach (experimental condition), students adopted the use of low‐end mobile‐VR (VeeR Mini VR Goggles). The key findings indicate differences in the learning motivation, confidence and satisfaction, but no statistically significant difference was identified regarding the factual or conceptual knowledge gains. The study offers insights on the potential of the investigated technologies in the subject of secondary school Biology and further provides implications for theory and practice.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Researchers' interest over the potential of Virtual Reality on different STEM disciplines is increasing consistently.

An increasing number of efforts can be identified discussing the integration of multimedia learning resources in the secondary school context.

Empirical studies on the subject of Biology are focusing on students' academic performance and achievement but not on learning motivation and satisfaction.

What this paper adds

This quasi‐experimental study comparatively examines academic performance, with the focus being on learning motivation and satisfaction, across different modalities (stereoscopic 360° Virtual Reality applications‐VR, Video Learning Recourses‐VLR).

The findings demonstrate that both instructional methods are sufficient in enhancing students' knowledge acquisition and academic performance.

The adoption of stereoscopic 360° VR influences students' learning motivation and impacts long‐term memory retention.

Implications for practice and policy

Educators are advised to consider the systematic adoption of “immersive” multimedia tools to enhance the subject of Biology as they can greatly encourage scientific inquiry.

Instructional designers are advised to adopt open educational resources aligned to the curriculum of the local context.

Educational researchers are advised to integrate stereoscopic 360°‐VR solutions in the conventional classroom settings.
Food word processing in Chinese reading: A study of restrained eaters
Authors: Luo Changlin , Zhu Mengyan , Zhuang Xiangling , Ma Guojie
Published: February 2023

Food‐related attentional bias refers that individuals typically prioritize rewarding food‐related cues (e.g. food words and food images) compared with non‐food stimuli; however, the findings are inconsistent for restrained eaters. Traditional paradigms used to test food‐related attentional bias, such as visual probe tasks and visual search tasks, may not directly and accurately enough to reflect individuals' food‐word processing at different cognitive stages. In this study, we introduced the boundary paradigm to investigate food‐word attentional bias for both restrained and unrestrained eaters. Eye movements were recorded when they performed a naturalistic sentence‐reading task. The results of later‐stage analyses showed that food words were fixated on for less time than non‐food words, which indicated a superiority of foveal food‐word processing for both restrained and unrestrained eaters. The results of early‐stage analyses showed that restrained eaters spent more time on pre‐target regions in the food‐word valid preview conditions, which indicated a parafoveal food‐word processing superiority for restrained eaters (i.e. the parafoveal‐on‐foveal effect). The superiority of foveal food‐word processing provides new insights into explaining food‐related attentional bias in general groups. Additionally, the enhanced food‐word attentional bias in parafoveal processing for restrained eaters illustrates the importance of individual characteristics in studying word recognition.
Updated protocol for genetic testing, screening and clinical management of individuals at risk of NF2‐related schwannomatosis
Authors: Halliday Dorothy , Emmanouil Beatrice , Evans D. Gareth R.
Published: February 2023

Genetic testing and management of individuals at risk for NF2‐related schwannomatosis is complicated by the high rate of mosaicism resulting in a milder, later onset, more asymmetrical disease and the phenotypic overlap with the related schwannomatosis conditions. This updated protocol has been devised for the English NF2‐related schwannomatosis service. It provides those affected with mosaic NF2‐related schwannomatosis estimated risks of having an affected child; and management guidelines both for individuals at risk of NF2‐related schwannomatosis, or with potential disease, due to having features that fall short of consensus diagnostic criteria. Risks of mosaicism and inferred transmission risks were derived from genetic testing of over 1000 individuals through the Manchester NF2 genetic testing service. This updated protocol, reflects the lower transmission risks now inferred in mosaic NF2‐related schwannomatosis, informed by the greater sensitivity of Next Generation Sequencing in detecting low levels of mosaicism in blood, along with improved ability to analyse tumour DNA. Screening for features of NF2‐related schwannomatosis is proposed until the risk of having the condition falls below a pragmatic threshold of 1%. Using these revised transmission figures, this threshold can now be reached at a younger age in many of those at risk, with earlier reassurance and discharge.
Vertical soft tissue augmentation to treat implant esthetic complications: A prospective clinical and volumetric case series
Authors: Tavelli Lorenzo , Zucchelli Giovanni , Stefanini Martina , Rasperini Giulio , Wang Hom‐Lay , Barootchi Shayan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Challenging implant esthetic complications are often characterized by implant malpositioning and interproximal attachment loss of the adjacent teeth. However, limited evidence is available on the treatment of these conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, volumetric, and patient‐reported outcome following treatment of peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscences (PSTDs) exhibiting interproximal attachment loss on adjacent teeth, performed through vertical soft tissue augmentation with implant submersion.

Methods

Ten subjects with isolated PSTD in the anterior maxilla characterized by adjacent dentition exhibiting interproximal attachment loss were consecutively enrolled and treated with horizontal and vertical soft tissue augmentation, involving crown and abutment removal, two connective tissue grafts, and submerge healing. Clinical outcomes of interest included mean PSTD coverage, mean PSTD reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain at the implant and adjacent sites and soft tissue phenotype modifications at 1 year. Optical scanning was used for assessing volumetric changes. Professional assessment of esthetic outcomes was performed using the Implant Dehiscence coverage Esthetic Score (IDES), while patient‐reported esthetic assessment involved a 0–10 visual analogue scale.

Results

The mean PSTD depth reduction and mean PSTD coverage at 1 year were 2.25 mm, and 85.14%, respectively. A mean keratinized tissue width (KTW) gain of 1.15 mm was observed, while the mean gain in mucosal thickness (MT) was 1.58 mm. A mean CAL gain of 1.45 mm was obtained at the interproximal aspect of the adjacent dentition at 1 year. Greater linear dimensional (LD) changes were observed at the midfacial aspect of the implant compared to the interproximal sites. The mean final IDES was 6.90 points, while patient‐reported esthetic evaluation was 8.83 points.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that vertical soft tissue augmentation with a submerged healing is an effective treatment approach for the treatment of challenging PSTDs with adjacent dentition exhibiting interproximal attachment loss. This technique can be effective in resolution of esthetic complications in most cases, providing a substantial gain in interproximal attachment levels at the adjacent dentition.
Effect of intraoral scanner and fixed partial denture situation on the scan accuracy of multiple implants: An in vitro study
Authors: Donmez Mustafa Borga , Mathey Ayse , Gäumann Fabio , Mathey Amber , Yilmaz Burak , Abou‐Ayash Samir
Published: February 2023

Background

Accuracy of intraoral implant scans may be affected by the region of the implant and the type of the intraoral scanner (IOSs). However, there is limited knowledge on the scan accuracy of multiple implants placed for an implant‐supported fixed partial denture (FPD) in different partially edentulous situations when digitized by using different IOSs.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of IOS and FPD situation on the scan accuracy of two implants when partial‐arch scans were performed.

Materials and Methods

Tissue level implants were placed in 3 maxillary models with implant spaces either at right first premolar and right first molar sites (Model 1, 3‐unit FPD), at right canine and right first molar sites (Model 2, 4‐unit FPD), or at lateral incisor sites (Model 3, 4‐unit FPD). Reference standard tessellation language (STL) files of the models were generated by using an optical scanner (ATOS Capsule 200MV120). Two IOSs (CEREC Primescan [CP] and TRIOS 3 [TR]) were used to perform partial‐arch scans (test‐scans) of each model (n = 14), which were exported in STL format. A metrology‐grade analysis software (GOM Inspect 2018) was used to superimpose test‐scan STLs over the reference STL to calculate 3D distance, inter‐implant distance, and angular (mesiodistal and buccopalatal) deviations. Trueness and precision analyses were performed by using bootstrap analysis of variance followed by Welch tests with Holm correction (α = 0.05).

Results

Trueness of the scans was affected by IOS and FPD situation when 3D distance deviations were considered, while inter‐implant distance, mesiodistal angular, and buccopalatal angular deviations were only affected by the FPD situation (p < 0.001). Scan precision was affected by the interaction between the IOSs and the FPD situation when 3D distance and buccopalatal angular deviations were concerned, while IOSs and FPD situation were effective when all deviations were concerned (p≤ 0.001). When 3D distance deviations were considered, CP scans had higher accuracy TR scans in Models 1 and 3 (p ≤ 0.002), and the Model 1 scans had the highest accuracy (p < 0.001). When inter‐implant distance deviations were considered, Model 1 scans had the highest accuracy with CP and higher accuracy than Model 2 when TR was used (p ≤ 0.030). When mesiodistal angular deviations were considered, Model 1 scans had the highest accuracy (p ≤ 0.040). When buccopalatal angular deviations were considered, Model 1 scans had the highest accuracy among models when CP was used (p ≤ 0.020).

Conclusions

Posterior 3‐unit fixed partial denture implant scans, CP scans, and combination of these two factors had accuracy either similar to or better than their tested counterparts.
Systematic review of the diagnosis and management of necrotising otitis externa: Highlighting the need for high‐quality research
Authors: Takata Junko , Hopkins Michael , Alexander Victoria , Bannister Oliver , Dalton Lucy , Harrison Laura , Groves Emily , Kanona Hala , Jones Gwennan Llwyd , Mohammed Hassan , Andersson Monique I. , Hodgson Susanne H.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To present a systematic review and critical analysis of clinical studies for necrotising otitis externa (NOE), with the aim of informing best practice for diagnosis and management.

Design

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from database inception until 30 April 2021 for all clinical articles on NOE. The review was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020128957) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Seventy articles, including 2274 patients were included in the final synthesis. Seventy‐three percent were retrospective case series; the remainder were of low methodological quality. Case definitions varied widely. Median patient age was 69.2 years; 68% were male, 84% had diabetes and 10% had no reported immunosuppressive risk factor. Otalgia was almost universal (96%), with granulation (69%) and oedema (76%) the commonest signs reported. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 62%, but a range of bacterial and fungal pathogens were reported and 14% grew no organism. Optimal imaging modality for diagnosis or follow‐up was unclear. Median antimicrobial therapy duration was 7.2 weeks, with no definitive evidence for optimal regimens. Twenty‐one percent had surgery with widely variable timing, indication, or procedure. One‐year disease‐specific mortality was 2%; treatment failure and relapse rates were 22% and 7%, respectively.

Conclusion

There is a lack of robust, high‐quality data to support best practice for diagnosis and management for this neglected condition. A minimum set of reporting requirements is proposed for future studies. A consensus case definition is urgently needed to facilitate high‐quality research.
Predicting the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis: The NASH LT risk‐benefit calculator
Authors: Karnam Ravikiran S. , Punchhi Gopika , Mitsakakis Nicholas , Chen Shiyi , Saracino Giovanna , Lilly Leslie , Asrani Sumeet K. , Bhat Mamatha
Published: February 2023

Background

Non‐alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis is the second most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the US and often is associated with significant co‐morbidities. We validated a model and risk prediction score that reflects the benefit derived from LT for NASH cirrhosis by predicting 5‐year survival post‐LT.

Methods

We developed a prediction score utilizing 6515 NASH deceased donor LT (DDLT) recipients from 2002 to 2019 from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database to identify a parsimonious set of independent predictors of survival. Coefficients of relevant recipient factors were converted to weighted points to construct a risk scoring system that was then externally validated.

Results

The final risk score includes the following independent recipient predictors and corresponding points: recipient age (5 points for age ≥70 years), functional status (3 points for total assistance), presence of TIPSS (2 points), hepatic encephalopathy (1 point), serum creatinine (5 points if >1.45 mg/dl), need for mechanical ventilation (3 points), and dialysis within 1 week prior to LT (7 points). Diabetes is a stratifying variable for baseline risk. Scores range from 0 to 20 with scores above 13 having an overall survival of <65% at 5 years post‐LT. Internal and external validation indicated good predictive ability.

Conclusion

Our practically useable and validated risk score helps to identify and stratify candidates who will derive the most long‐term benefit from LT for NASH cirrhosis.
Understanding the impact of main cell wall polysaccharides on the decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungal necromass
Authors: Mancinelli R. , van Bodegom P. M. , Lankhorst J. A. , Soudsilovskaia N. A.
Published: February 2023

The extramatrical mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) is an important source of soil carbon and nitrogen. While the importance of recalcitrant compounds in the fungal cell wall has been explored earlier, the contribution of highly abundant but labile components, like glucans, and the role of their temporal dynamics during decomposition remains unknown. For the first time, we examined how the concentration of three main fungal cell wall components (chitin, melanin, glucans) in EMF necromass are related to necromass decomposition, over a period of 6 weeks. Although the initial concentrations of the three components were not good predictors of necromass loss, we found species–specific trends of chitin and glucans loss over time. The chitin concentration during decomposition was tightly linked to the weekly necromass degradation, with trends of chitin loss being dissimilar across fungal species. Chitin concentration was positively correlated with the mass loss in the first week, but in the remaining 5 weeks, it was found to be weakly negatively correlated with mass loss. The similarity in susceptibility to the decomposition of glucans and chitin likely compensates for the impacts of interspecific differences in their initial concentration, leading to overall similar decomposition patterns. Alternatively, other, non‐measured, components (e.g., glycoproteins, N content) may contribute to explaining similar decomposition patterns. Our results indicate that ectomycorrhizal necromass decomposition processes differ from those of plant litter decomposition with, unlike in plants, differences in initial concentrations of major structural carbohydrates (e.g., glucans) being unrelated to differences in decomposition rates. These findings indicate that the decomposition of fungal material cannot be inferred from assumptions based on data provided by studies of plant decomposition.

Highlights

Necromass of different ectomycorrhizal species decomposes similarly

Main cell wall components show different decomposition patterns

The relationship between cell wall compounds and mass loss changes over time

Mycorrhizal necromass decomposition differs substantially from that of plant litter.
Machine learning for accelerating process‐based computation of land biogeochemical cycles
Authors: Sun Yan , Goll Daniel S. , Huang Yuanyuan , Ciais Philippe , Wang Ying‐Ping , Bastrikov Vladislav , Wang Yilong
Published: February 2023

Global change ecology nowadays embraces ever‐growing large observational datasets (big‐data) and complex mathematical models that track hundreds of ecological processes (big‐model). The rapid advancement of the big‐data‐big‐model has reached its bottleneck: high computational requirements prevent further development of models that need to be integrated over long time‐scales to simulate the distribution of ecosystems carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes. Here, we introduce a machine‐learning acceleration (MLA) tool to tackle this grand challenge. We focus on the most resource‐consuming step in terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs): the equilibration of biogeochemical cycles (spin‐up), a prerequisite that can take up to 98% of the computational time. Through three members of the ORCHIDEE TBM family part of the IPSL Earth System Model, including versions that describe the complex interactions between nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon that do not have any analytical solution for the spin‐up, we show that an unoptimized MLA reduced the computation demand by 77%–80% for global studies via interpolating the equilibrated state of biogeochemical variables for a subset of model pixels. Despite small biases in the MLA‐derived equilibrium, the resulting impact on the predicted regional carbon balance over recent decades is minor. We expect a one‐order of magnitude lower computation demand by optimizing the choices of machine learning algorithms, their settings, and balancing the trade‐off between quality of MLA predictions and need for TBM simulations for training data generation and bias reduction. Our tool is agnostic to gridded models (beyond TBMs), compatible with existing spin‐up acceleration procedures, and opens the door to a wide variety of future applications, with complex non‐linear models benefit most from the computational efficiency.
Glucose variability in maintenance hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes: Comparison of dialysis and nondialysis days
Authors: Bomholt Tobias , Rix Marianne , Almdal Thomas , Knop Filip K. , Rosthøj Susanne , Jørgensen Morten B. , Feldt‐Rasmussen Bo , Hornum Mads
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) induces several physiological changes that can affect plasma glucose levels in patients with diabetes and in turn their glycemic control. Studies using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to assess glucose variations on dialysis days compared with nondialysis days report conflicting results. Here, we used CGM to examine glucose variations induced by HD in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing maintenance HD were included. CGM (Ipro2®, Medtronic) was performed at baseline and Week 4, 8, 12, and 16 for up to 7 days at each visit. CGM profiles on days where participants received HD were compared with days without HD using a linear mixed model.

Findings

Twenty‐seven patients were included. The median number of CGM days performed was 8 (interquartile range [IQR] 6–10) for dialysis days and 16 (IQR 12–17) for nondialysis days. The median sensor glucose was 9.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.8–10.2) mmol/L on dialysis days compared with 9.5 (95% CI 8.9–10.2) mmol/L on nondialysis days (p = 0.58). Nocturnal mean sensor glucose was higher on dialysis days compared with nondialysis days: 8.8 (95% CI 8.0–9.6) mmol/L versus 8.4 (95% CI 7.7–9.2) mmol/L (p = 0.029).

Discussion

Similar median sensor glucose values were found for days on and off HD. Nocturnal glucose levels were modestly increased on dialysis days. Our findings indicate that antidiabetic treatment does not need to be differentiated on dialysis versus nondialysis days in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing maintenance HD.
Association of remaining tooth number with postoperative respiratory complications in heart valve surgery patients
Authors: Terano Kurara , Motoi Toshihiro , Nagata Emi , Oho Takahiko
Published: February 2023

Objectives

This study examined the association between the number of remaining teeth and the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications in patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 157 patients who underwent heart valve surgery between April 2010 and March 2019. Data on patient characteristics including systemic and oral conditions were extracted and postoperative respiratory complications were set as outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of remaining teeth (≥20, <20). After adjusting for confounding factors with propensity scoring, logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of remaining teeth number with the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications. In addition, subgroup analysis was performed by stratifying the data into quintiles based on the propensity score.

Results

Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in factors, including age, past cardiac surgery experience, New York Heart Association functional classification class IV, denture use, tooth extraction before surgery, occlusal support, and periodontitis. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with <20 remaining teeth had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative respiratory complications than those with ≥20 remaining teeth, with an odds ratio of 29.800 (p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis showed that the odds ratio for the patients with <20 remaining teeth was 9.000 (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

The results suggest that heart valve surgery patients shall get attention on oral disease prevention by dental care practitioners to maintain a sufficient number of teeth for the prevention of postoperative respiratory complications.
Effect of BN nanoparticle content in SiC matrix on microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites
Authors: Shimoda Kazuya , Hinoki Tatsuya
Published: February 2023

BN‐nanoparticle‐containing SiC‐matrix‐based composites comprising SiC fibers and lacking a fiber/matrix interface (SiC/BN + SiC composites) were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1800°C for 10 min under 50 MPa in Ar. The content of added BN nanoparticles was varied from 0 to 50 vol.%. The mechanical properties of the SiC/BN + SiC composites were investigated thoroughly. The SiC/BN + SiC composites with a BN nanoparticle content of 50 vol.%, which had a bulk density of 2.73 g/cm3 and an open porosity of 5.8%, exhibited quasiductile fracture behavior, as indicated by a short nonlinear region and significantly shorter fiber pullouts owing to the relatively high modulus. The composites also exhibited high strength as well as bending, proportional limit stress, and ultimate tensile strength values of 496 ± 13, 251 ± 30, and 301 MPa ± 56 MPa, respectively, under ambient conditions. The SiC fibers with contents of BN nanoparticles above 30 vol.% were not severely damaged during SPS and adhered to the matrix to form a relatively weak fiber/matrix interface.
Stress and its impairment of skin barrier function
Authors: Lyu Fan , Wu Tong , Bian Yizhe , Zhu Kesen , Xu Jinhua , Li Fei
Published: February 2023

Background

The principal function of skin is to provide a barrier to water loss and percutaneous penetration of exogenous substances. Any compromise of the skin homeostasis can lead to dryness, itchiness, or even pathogenic conditions. This study aimed to explore the relationship among psychological stress, skin homeostasis, sleep quality, and emotion.

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted using a random sample of medical students from Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University. A questionnaire including the validated Chinese version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI) was distributed. The skin barrier function was measured by the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration of skin. Dermoscopic images of the nose and infraorbital skin were obtained. We compared the skin homeostasis, sleep quality, and emotional state of medical students at different time points of the semester and explored the correlation between the variables.

Results

As the semester progressed, the sleep quality and severity of anxiety of medical students got significantly worse, and they were closely related to the impaired skin barrier function. Both irregular schedule and stress can aggravate dark circles.

Conclusions

Mental stress can do harm to skin barrier through poor sleep and severe anxiety. The amount of sebum was positively correlated with the severity of anxiety while blackheads are mainly influenced by season change. Dermoscopy has a unique role in assessing blackheads and dark circles.
Use of pennywort pomace and tyrosinase in making of fibre‐rich pasta: effects on proximate composition, textural profile, cooking quality and overall acceptability of the product
Authors: Le Nguyen Phuc , Tran Thi Thu Tra , Ton Nu Minh Nguyet , Le Van Viet Man
Published: February 2023

Pennywort pomace, a by‐product of pennywort juice production, was used as a partial substitution for durum semolina in the making of fibre‐rich pasta. The effects of ratio of pennywort pomace powder (PPP) and tyrosinase (TYR) treatment of pasta dough on the product quality were investigated. The increase in PPP level from 0 to 20% of the flour blend resulted in higher dietary fibre and phenolic contents as well as higher antioxidant activities of the product. However, such a use of PPP in pasta recipe reduced its cooking performance, textural properties and overall acceptability. For the pasta dough supplemented with 10% PPP, the increase in TYR dosage from 0 to 75 U g−1 of the flour blend significantly enhanced the tensile strength and elongation rate while reduced the cooking loss of treated pasta; further increase in TYR concentration from 75 to 100 U g−1 of the flour blend did not change the cooking and textural properties. In addition, when the TYR treatment time lasted for 20 min, the tensile strength and elongation rate of high‐fibre pasta were improved; increase in treatment time from 20 to 40 min did not cause any significant effect on its cooking quality and textural profile. At the TYR dosage of 75 U g−1 of the flour blend and incubation time of 20 min, the overall acceptability of pasta fortified with 10% of PPP was statistically similar to that of the control. TYR treatment can be considered as a novel approach to improve the quality of high‐fibre pasta.
DNA methylation trajectories during innate and adaptive immune responses of human B lymphocytes
Authors: Jhuang Kai Fu , Hsu Man Lun , Chen Yu‐Chia , Chang Jan‐Growth , Zouali Moncef
Published: February 2023

B lymphocytes can engage in either a rapid T cell‐independent pathway (TI) or a delayed long‐lasting T cell‐independent (TD) response through highly ordered transcriptional programs, yet the detailed underlying mechanisms are unclear. Since DNA methylation plays a key role in controlling gene expression and lineage specification, we explored the dynamics of whole‐genome cytosine modifications during the ex vivo response of human B cells isolated from normal individuals by negative selection. We found that B cell differentiation following TI and TD signalling is accompanied by extensive remodelling of the epigenome, including global gain and loss of DNA methylation. The epigenetic changes map to different regions of the B cell genome, including non‐ C‐phosphate‐G CpG islands, indicating that modifications of distal regulatory elements likely regulate specific gene transcription in B cells. Non‐CpG methylation also occurs in differentiating human B cells, suggesting that this DNA modification is involved in transcriptional regulation of B cell genes with promoters exhibiting a low‐density methylation, possibly by changing the chromatin shape that could have an impact on gene expression. Most strikingly, compared to TD activation, stimulation of B cells through an innate pathway induced higher levels of DNA methylation modifications at CpG, CHG and CGG contexts, supporting the view that DNA methylation modifications are used in distinct trajectories to specify the TI and TD B lymphocyte responses.
Mitigating foreign exchange risk exposure with supply chain flexibility: A real option analysis
Authors: Pellegrino Roberta , Gaudenzi Barbara , Zsidisin George A.
Published: February 2023

Uncertainty and risk abound in supply chains. One such form of risk existing in global supply chains comes from volatility associated with currency fluctuations—Foreign Exchange (FX) risk. Although the study and practice of using financial hedging instruments are well documented, there are also emerging supply chain strategies firms may adopt for mitigating FX risk. The purpose of this multi‐method study is to investigate how supply chain professionals perceive and mitigate FX risk, as well as to measure how investing in supply chain flexibility strategies affect firm financial performance. Using a mixed‐method approach based on qualitative case studies and simulation experiments using the lens of Real Option Theory, we are able to show how investments in supply chain flexibility strategies can mitigate FX risk in terms of cash flows and profits. Theoretical, methodological, and managerial implications are provided for better understanding FX risk in the emerging supply chain finance discipline.
Factors influencing Chinese undergraduate students' emotions in an online EFL learning context during the COVID pandemic
Authors: Shao Kaiqi , Kutuk Gulsah , Fryer Luke K. , Nicholson Laura J. , Guo Jidong
Published: February 2023

Background

Considerable evidence suggests that students' achievement emotions are important contributors to their learning and success online. It is, therefore, essential to understand and support students' emotional experiences to enhance online education, especially under the COVID‐19 context. However, to date, very few studies have investigated how students' achievement emotions might be affected by teaching and learning factors in online learning environments.

Objectives

Based on Pekrun's (2006) control‐value theory of achievement emotions, this study examined the influence of students' perceived online teaching quality and appraisals of control and value on their achievement emotions in an online second language (L2) learning context instigated by the COVID‐19.

Methods

Data were collected using an online survey of 1503 undergraduates from ten universities across different regions of China. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to test the validity of the instruments and structural equation modelling were conducted to examine the relations between L2 teaching and learning variables.

Results and Conclusions

Results revealed that perceived teacher internet and communication technology competence had positive effects on enjoyment, but negative effects on anxiety and boredom, and these effects were fully mediated by perceived control and/or value. Perceived chaotic teaching structure (CTS) had reverse effects for the three emotions. Perceived CTS effects on enjoyment and anxiety were fully and partially mediated by perceived control, respectively.

Takeaways

Online teaching quality is critical for students' appraisals and emotions towards L2 learning. Teachers should strive to improve online teaching quality and design interventions targeting students' perceived control and value to temper their affective experiences associated with the crisis‐prompted online teaching practices.
Telehealth equivalence of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA): Results from the Emory healthy brain study (EHBS)
Authors: Loring David W. , Lah James J. , Goldstein Felicia C.
Published: February 2023

Background

We investigated potential differences between in‐person cognitive testing and video telehealth administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). In addition to the MoCA, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐8 (PHQ‐8) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7) were administered.

Methods

MoCA scores from participants in the Emory Health Brain Study (EHBS) were contrasted based upon whether they were administered the MoCA in the standard face‐to‐face (F2F) assessment setting (n = 1205) or using a video telehealth administration (n = 491). All EHBS participants were self‐reported to be cognitively normal.

Results

MoCA scores did not differ across administration method (F2F MoCA = 26.6, SD = 2.4; telehealth MoCA = 26.5, SD = 2.4). The 95% confidence interval for difference in administration was small (CI = −0.16 to 0.34). When examining MoCA domain scores, administration differences were either associated with no statistically significant effect, or if present due to large sample sizes, were associated with small effects and differences <0.5 point. Telehealth patients reported slightly lower PHQ‐8 scores (F2F PHQ‐8 = 2.0, SD = 2.5; telehealth PHQ‐8 = 1.6, SD = 2.1), although these scores are well within the normal range. No group difference in GAD‐7 scores was present (F2F GAD‐7 = 1.4, SD = 2.4; telehealth PHQ‐8 = 1.4, SD = 2.4).

Discussion

This report with its large sample size and between subject cohort provides complementary evidence to smaller test–retest studies, further supporting equivalence of MoCA telehealth testing to F2F MoCA administration. These findings provide additional reassurance that administration mode does not introduce systematic performance differences for MoCA test administration, thereby permitting telehealth MoCA testing to be applied confidently for both clinical and research applications.
Various aspects of the relationship between vitiligo and theCOVID‐19 pandemic orSARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines: Clinical pearls for dermatologists
Authors: Aryanian Zeinab , Balighi Kamran , Hatami Parvaneh , Goodarzi Azadeh , Janbakhsh Alireza , Afshar Zeinab Mohseni
Published: February 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has given rise to several new onset or exacerbated dermatologic disorders including vitiligo.

Aim and Method

Here, we present different aspects of relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or its associated vaccines and vitiligo and aim to provide solutions to overcome the potential challenges.

Results and Conclusion

In brief, as the benefits overweigh the risks and since vaccine‐triggered de novo or flares of vitiligo are uncommon and benign, these patients are recommended to get SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines.

Moreover, in individuals with previously recognized vitiligo, who are at risk of developing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or those who are currently infected, special dermatologic consultation is needed in order to balance the immunosuppressive agents in their therapeutic regimen to prevent COVID‐related morbidity and mortality.
Combined microneedling with topical vitamin D3 or bimatoprost versus microneedling alone in the treatment of alopecia areata: A comparative randomized trial
Authors: Ali Mona S. , Hafiz Hala S. A. , Ahmed Naglaa A. , Galal Sara Ahmed
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Alopecia areata (AA) is a challenging disease with variable treatment outcomes. Hair follicles express vitamin D receptors. Therefore, vitamin D3 may be promising for AA treatment through immunomodulatory mechanisms. The efficacy of bimatoprost in scalp AA treatment was reported by few studies.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of microneedling (MN) with topical vitamin D3 versus MN with bimatoprost in comparison with MN alone in the treatment of localized AA.

Patients and Methods

Seventy‐five patients with localized AA were divided into three groups. The first group: 25 patients were treated with MN alone. The second group: 25 patients treated with MN combined with topical vitamin D3. The third group: 25 patients treated with MN combined with bimatoprost solution. The response was evaluated clinically and dermoscopically.

Results

At the end of the study, all groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the SALT score compared to the baseline. The clinical response (regrowth scale): vitamin D and bimatoprost groups showed a statistically significant higher regrowth scale compared to MN alone group (p‐value = 0.000). After treatment, hair regrowth was significantly higher in MN combined with bimatoprost than in MN combined with topical vitamin D3. However, after 3 months of follow‐up, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups. Side effects were mild and transient in all groups.

Conclusion

Topical vitamin D3 and bimatoprost combined with MN are safe and effective therapeutic options for localized AA.