bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supervised Convex Clustering
Authors: Wang Minjie , Yao Tianyi , Allen Genevera I.
Published: March 2023

Clustering has long been a popular unsupervised learning approach to identify groups of similar objects and discover patterns from unlabeled data in many applications. Yet, coming up with meaningful interpretations of the estimated clusters has often been challenging precisely due to their unsupervised nature. Meanwhile, in many real-world scenarios, there are some noisy supervising auxiliary variables, for instance, subjective diagnostic opinions, that are related to the observed heterogeneity of the unlabeled data. By leveraging information from both supervising auxiliary variables and unlabeled data, we seek to uncover more scientifically interpretable group structures that may be hidden by completely unsupervised analyses. In this work, we propose and develop a new statistical pattern discovery method named supervised convex clustering (SCC) that borrows strength from both information sources and guides towards finding more interpretable patterns via a joint convex fusion penalty. We develop several extensions of SCC to integrate different types of supervising auxiliary variables, to adjust for additional covariates, and to find biclusters. We demonstrate the practical advantages of SCC through simulations and a case study on Alzheimer's disease genomics. Specifically, we discover new candidate genes as well as new subtypes of Alzheimer's disease that can potentially lead to better understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms responsible for the observed heterogeneity of cognitive decline in older adults.
Children's developing understanding of economic inequality and their place within it
Authors: Dickinson Julie , Leman Patrick J. , Easterbrook Matthew J.
Published: March 2023

Income inequality is growing in many parts of the world and, for the poorest children in a society, is associated with multiple, negative, developmental outcomes. This review of the research literature considers how childrens' and adolescents' understanding of economic inequality changes with age. It highlights shifts in conceptual understanding (from ‘having and not having’, to social structural and moral explanations), moral reasoning and the impact of the agents of socialization from parents to the media and cultural norms and discourses. It also examines how social processes affect judgements and the importance of an emerging sense of self in relation to questions of economic inequality. Finally, the review covers methodological considerations and suggests pathways for future research.
Structural and functional characterization of novel F7 mutations identified in Chinese factor VII‐deficient patients
Authors: Lou Can , Jiang Jiali , Chen Weizhi , Zhang Zhili , Xu Guanqun , Liu Yu , Dai Jing , Ding Qiulan , Wang Xuefeng , Wei Hongying , Wu Youwei , Xu Qin , Wu Wenman
Published: March 2023

Hereditary factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare recessive bleeding disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1/500 000. We had investigated 50 unrelated Chinese patients with FVII deficiency and identified, in total, 25 mutations, including 18 missense mutations and 5 splicing mutations, on the F7 gene. The nucleotide transition c.1224T>G (p.His408Gln) in exon 9 constitutes a hotspot of mutation, with 19 patients harbouring this genetic variance. Few patients were homozygous or compound heterozygous for deleterious mutations, such as non‐sense mutations, large insertion or deletions, indicating that complete deficiency of FVII may not be compatible with life. The eight novel mutations identified in the study, including one small deletion (p.Glu49GlyfsTer101), three type I missense mutations, p.Cys238Phe, p.Gly420Asp, p.Ala252Val and four type II missense mutations, p.Val336Met, p.Ser342Gly, p.Gly432Ser and p.Ile213Asn, were further analysed by in vitro expression and functional studies. The laboratory phenotype and structural analysis confirmed the functional consequence of p.Ile213Asn mutation involving cleavage and activation site. The molecular dynamic simulations and binding energy calculations along with functional probing of p.Gly432Ser mutation revealed the critical role of residue Gly432 in the binding between activated factor VII (factor VIIa) and tissue factor.
Annexin‐A5 and annexin‐A6 silencing prevents metastasis of breast cancer cells in zebrafish
Authors: Gounou Céline , Bouvet Flora , Liet Benjamin , Prouzet‐Mauléon Valérie , d'Agata Léna , Harté Etienne , Argoul Françoise , Siegfried Géraldine , Iggo Richard , Khatib Abdel‐Majid , Bouter Anthony
Published: March 2023

Background Information

During tumor invasion and metastasis processes, cancer cells are exposed to major compressive and shearing forces, due to their migration through extracellular matrix, dense cell areas, and complex fluids, which may lead to numerous plasma membrane damages. Cancer cells may survive to these mechanical stresses thanks to an efficient membrane repair machinery. Consequently, this machinery may constitute a relevant target to inhibit cancer cell dissemination.

Results

We show here that annexin‐A5 (ANXA5) and ANXA6 participate in membrane repair of MDA‐MB‐231 cells, a highly invasive triple‐negative breast cancer cell line. These crucial components of the membrane repair machinery are substantially expressed in breast cancer cells in correlation with their invasive properties. In addition, high expression of ANXA5 and ANXA6 predict poor prognosis in high‐grade lung, gastric, and breast cancers. In zebrafish, the genetic inhibition of ANXA5 and ANXA6 leads to drastic reduction of tumor cell dissemination.

Conclusion

We conclude that the inhibition of ANXA5 and ANXA6 prevents membrane repair in cancer cells, which are thus unable to survive to membrane damage during metastasis.

Significance

This result opens a new therapeutic strategy based on targeting membrane repair machinery to inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis.
Justification for the 2017 periodontitis classification in the light of the Checklist for Modifying Disease Definitions: A narrative review
Authors: Raittio Eero , Baelum Vibeke
Published: March 2023

Once a while, disease classifications have needed revision because new knowledge has accumulated, and new technologies and better treatments have emerged. Changes made to disease classifications should be trustworthy and openly justified. The periodontitis definition and classification system was changed in 2017 by the ‘World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri‐Implant Diseases and Conditions’. The workshop, comprising clinicians and researchers, resulted in the production of a 23‐article special issue that introduced the new definitions and classifications of periodontitis. In this narrative review, we critically review how the changes made to the periodontitis definition and classification were justified in the light of the Checklist for Modifying Disease Definitions. Under each of the eight items of the checklist, we have discussed how the item was or could have been considered in the light of the checklist and its guidance. In our view, the new definition and classification of periodontitis was presented in an understandable way, even though the changes from the previous definition were not made visible. However, the issues of (1) estimated changes in prevalence or incidence, (2) triggers for the change, (3) prognostic ability, (4) repeatability or reproducibility, (5) incremental benefits, (6) incremental harms or (7) net benefits and harms related to the introduction of new classification were not considered in the way suggested in the checklist. Thereby, a balanced assessment of potential benefits and harms associated with the new periodontitis classification system was not presented, and to a large extent it remains unknown if the use of the new classification system will provide more net benefits to patients and to the community than previous systems. It is our view that patients and societies deserve transparent and balanced assessments of the potential benefits and harms associated with the periodontitis classification. Importantly, these should reflect the values and preferences also of the patients and the wider community and consider the impact on resource usage.
The Hospital Frailty Risk Score and outcomes in head and neck cancer surgery
Authors: Imam Towhid , Konstant‐Hambling Rob , Flint Helene , Brooks Tracey‐Ann , Patel Nimesh N. , Conroy Simon
Published: March 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess if the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) could predict outcomes for older people undergoing head and neck procedures.

Design

A retrospective cohort study of patients admitted between April 2008 and February 2020, undergoing head and neck procedures defined as major resections using procedural codes.

Setting

The analysis was performed using data from the NHS Secondary Uses Service (SUS) electronic database.

Participants

A number of 7479 patients were selected based on an age of 75 years and above and an admission associated with a diagnostic code associated with a head and neck cancer. Based on HFRS, 5153 patients were risk‐stratified into mild, moderate, and severe frailty risk.

Main Outcome Measures

The relationships between frailty risk and length of stay, readmission rate, and mortality were quantified using descriptive statistics.

Results

Severely frail patients had a median length of stay of 9 days compared to 3 for mildly frail patients. Twenty‐seven percentage of severely frail patients were readmitted within 30 days of surgery. Rising levels of frailty correlate with a higher risk of death following surgery which is maintained in longer term mortality at 1 year and until the data were extracted in March 2022. Fifty percentage of moderately frail patients and 66% of severely frail patients had died in hospital by the end of the study period.

Conclusion

The results quantify the relationship between frailty and adverse health outcomes. This information could be used to identify those that might benefit from holistic assessment, aid prognostication, commissioning, and service planning.
A randomized, single‐dose, crossover study of the effects of ulotaront on electrocardiogram intervals in subjects with schizophrenia
Authors: Tsukada Hironobu , Milanovic Snezana M. , Darpo Borje , Xue Hongqi , Xiong Kuangnan , Tripp Emily , Lennek Lisa , Worden MaryAlice , Hopkins Seth C. , Galluppi Gerald R.
Published: March 2023

This study (NCT04369391) evaluated the effects of ulotaront (SEP‐363856), a novel trace amine‐associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist in development for schizophrenia, on electrocardiogram parameters. Study design was a randomized, single‐dose, three‐period crossover (ulotaront 150 mg, placebo, moxifloxacin 400 mg). Sixty subjects with schizophrenia completed all periods. Ulotaront had no clinically relevant effect on heart rate, PR interval, or QRS duration. In by‐time‐point analysis (secondary analysis), the upper bound of the two‐sided 90% confidence interval for ΔΔQTcF (QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula) was below 10 ms at all time points for ulotaront. In concentration‐QTc analysis (primary analysis), a linear mixed‐effects model with ulotaront and its major metabolite SEP‐383103 was selected as the primary model based on prespecified criteria. Effect on ∆∆QTcF exceeding 10 ms can be excluded within observed ranges of ulotaront and SEP‐383103 plasma concentrations up to ~574 and ~272 ng/mL, respectively. The upper bound of 90% CI for ΔΔQTcF can be predicted to be below 10 ms at the highest anticipated clinical exposure, currently defined as steady‐state mean Cmax at ulotaront 100 mg/day in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, ~416 and ~211 ng/mL for ulotaront and SEP‐383103, respectively. Assay sensitivity was demonstrated by the QTc effect caused by moxifloxacin. In conclusion, ulotaront is unlikely to cause clinically relevant QTc prolongation in patients with schizophrenia at the anticipated maximum therapeutic dose.
Triangulating causality between childhood obesity and neurobehavior: Behavioral genetic and longitudinal evidence
Authors: Kulisch Leonard Konstantin , Arumäe Kadri , Briley Daniel A , Vainik Uku
Published: March 2023

Childhood obesity is a serious health concern that is not yet fully understood. Previous research has linked obesity with neurobehavioral factors such as behavior, cognition, and brain morphology. The causal directions of these relationships remain mostly untested. We filled this gap by using the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study cohort comprising 11,875 children aged 9–10. First, correlations between the age‐ and sex‐specific 95th BMI percentile (%BMIp95) and neurobehavioral measures were cross‐sectionally analyzed. Effects were then aggregated by neurobehavioral domain for causal analyses. Behavioral genetic Direction of Causation modeling was used to test the direction of each relationship. Findings were validated by longitudinal cross‐lagged panel modeling. %BMIp95 correlated with impulsivity, motivation, psychopathology, eating behavior, and cognitive tests (executive functioning, language, memory, perception, working memory). Greater %BMIp95 was also associated with reduced cortical thickness in frontal and temporal brain areas but with increased thickness in parietal and occipital areas. Similar although weaker patterns emerged for cortical surface area and volume. Behavioral genetic modeling suggested causal effects of %BMIp95 on eating behavior (β = 0.26), cognition (β = 0.05), cortical thickness (β = 0.15), and cortical surface area (β = 0.07). Personality/psychopathology (β = 0.09) and eating behavior (β = 0.16) appeared to influence %BMIp95. Longitudinal evidence broadly supported these findings. Results regarding cortical volume were inconsistent. Results supported causal effects of obesity on brain functioning and morphology. The present study highlights the importance of physical health for brain development and may inform interventions aimed at preventing or reducing pediatric obesity.

Research Highlights

A continuous measure related to obesity, %BMIp95, has correlations with various measures of brain functioning and structure

Behavioral genetic and longitudinal modeling suggest causal links from personality, psychopathology, and eating behavior to %BMIp95

Results also indicate directional links from %BMIp95 to eating behavior, cognition, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area

Obesity may play a role for healthy brain development during childhood
Heart failure and diabetes: Clinical significance and epidemiology of this two‐way association
Authors: Jerkins Terri , McGill Janet B. , Bell David S. H.
Published: March 2023

People with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and those with prediabetes have an increased risk of heart failure (HF). Longer duration of T2DM correlates with a greater risk of HF, but HF is also seen in patients with recent‐onset diabetes. Insulin resistance is more likely to be present in patients with HF. The risk of HF persists even in the face of standard‐of‐care preventive treatments for atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease. HF is commonly the presenting symptom of CV disease in people with diabetes and is the most expensive complication of diabetes because of the high cost of hospitalizations. Recently hospitalization for HF has been included in CV outcome trials (CVOTs), including for medications that are used to treat T2DM, which has led to new therapies for all HF patients. In addition, these CVOTs have shown that many drugs used in the therapy of diabetes are either neutral or detrimental in the HF patient and should be used with caution in patients with existing HF or those at high risk of HF. Most recently, sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 receptor blockers have shown efficacy in both HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and HF with preserved EF. The only other oral or injectable diabetes agent shown to improve outcomes in both is metformin.
Rethinking human capital: Perspectives from women working in the informal economy
Authors: Ghore Yogesh , Long Brad , Ozkok Zeynep , Derici Derin
Published: March 2023

Motivation

The development of human capital is a priority for most nation states, accelerated by the COVID‐19 global pandemic. In the context of reimagining a “new normal” post‐COVID, we reconsider the concept of human capital, and focus on knowledge, skills, and training of individuals in order to capture aspects of inclusive development.

Purpose

This paper shows how the perspective of women, informal sector workers, representing some of the most marginalized workers in society, informs and improves our understanding of human capital and its development and utilization.

Methods and approach

Our findings are derived from field‐based research conducted over the summer of 2021 in which multiple (virtual) focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with selected members of the Self‐Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in India.

Findings

Through our FGDs, the participants provided new perspectives and insights into our knowledge of human capital, emphasizing the importance of social protection programmes, gender equity, ongoing training opportunities, decentralized supply chains, and income security. Perhaps most significantly, the benefits accrued to women through being organized have been key to unlocking their human capital potential.

Policy implications

Our research highlights themes that are often overlooked in the literature or are beyond the scope of more narrow conceptualizations of human capital. We show that human capital is tightly interwoven with other forms of capital (community assets), and hence efforts to build the former cannot be achieved in isolation from attending to the latter.
Occurrence of brown root rot in Ocean Expo Park, Okinawa, Japan: Infection route and preventive control measures
Authors: Tsujimoto Satoshi , Akiba Mitsuteru , Kameyama Norikazu , Sahashi Norio
Published: March 2023

Ocean Expo Park, established in 1976 on subtropical Okinawa Island, Japan, has approximately 8000 planted or naturally grown trees in an area of 77.2 ha. Windfall of these trees occurs mainly due to typhoons; wood chips made from the trunks and roots of windfall trees are commonly used as mulching material throughout the park areas, despite possible infection by pathogenic fungi such as Phellinus noxius, the pathogen causing brown root rot. P. noxius is distributed in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide and has a broad host range. The fungus can infect host plants with mycelia via root‐to‐root contact or with basidiospores. Here, we report the current status of tree damage caused by brown root rot in the park and infer the infection routes of P. noxius based on microsatellite markers. Among a total of 294 trees surveyed in the park, P. noxius was isolated from 13 trees of five species. P. noxius was observed more frequently on Ficus microcarpa than on other tree species. Ficus superba var. japonica was identified as a new host species, and Bombax ceiba was first recorded as a host plant of P. noxius in Japan. Among the 13 P. noxius isolates from the diseased trees, 2 isolates from adjacent diseased trees were considered to be of the same genet, while the other 11 isolates were different genets, indicating that infection by basidiospores occurred frequently among trees in the entire park, although spread via root systems also occurred between at least two adjacent trees. An identical genet was not detected at distant locations, which suggests that the disease does not spread via chips. However, mulching with chips can lead to wood decay due to decaying fungi other than P. noxius. Therefore, in accordance with the precautionary principle, the park currently prohibits the chipping and mulching of windfall or damaged trees and is considering disposal methods such as burning.
Safety, feasibility, and neuromuscular activity of acute low‐load resistance exercise with or without blood flow restriction in patients with severe hemophilia
Authors: Calatayud Joaquín , Ogrezeanu Daniel C. , Carrasco Juan J. , Martinez‐Valdes Eduardo , Pérez‐Alenda Sofía , Cruz‐Montecinos Carlos , Andersen Lars L. , Aagaard Per , Suso‐Martí Luís , Casaña José
Published: March 2023

Objective

To compare the safety, feasibility, and neuromuscular activity of acute low‐load resistance exercise with/without blood flow restriction (BFR) in people with severe hemophilia (PwH).

Methods

Eight PwH under prophylaxis (5 with resistance training experience) performed 6 randomly ordered conditions of 3 intensity‐matched knee extensions: no external load and no BFR, no external load and light BFR (20% of arterial occlusion pressure [AOP]), no external load and moderate BFR (40% AOP), external low load and no BFR, external low load with light BFR, and external low load with moderate BFR. Rated perceived exertion, pain, exercise tolerability, and adverse effects were assessed. Normalized root‐mean‐square (nRMS), nRMS spatial distribution, and muscle fiber‐conduction velocity (MFCV) were determined using high‐density surface electromyography for the vastus medialis and lateralis.

Results

Exercises were tolerated, without pain increases or adverse events. Externally resisted conditions with/without BFR provided greater nRMS than nonexternally resisted conditions (p < 0.05). Spatial distribution and MFCV did not vary between conditions.

Conclusions

In these patients, knee extensions with low external resistance and BFR at 20% or 40% AOP appear safe, feasible and do not cause acute/delayed pain. However, BFR during three consecutive repetitions does not increase nRMS nor changes nRMS spatial distribution or MFCV.
Impact of the source of hematopoietic stem cells on immune reconstitution after transplantation: A systematic review
Authors: Sugiyanto Michael , Gosal Stephanie , Kosim Agatha , Tahapary Dicky Levenus , Sianipar Imelda Rosalyn
Published: March 2023

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation's success lies in its ability to induce immune reconstitution. To date, there is no review published to compare the immune reconstitution among the three sources of HSC: umbilical cord blood (UCB), bone marrow (BM), and peripheral blood (PB). The review aims to analyze the kinetic of immune reconstitution among UCB, PB, and BM in HSC transplant patients by focusing on natural killer (NK) cells, B and T lymphocytes, and neutrophils. A systematic review was conducted through five databases, searching for clinical trials and randomized control trials (RCTs) which analyze the kinetics of immune reconstitution in at least two sources. Selected studies were assessed with Cochrane RoB 2.0. This review included 14 studies, with a total of 2539 subjects. The PB group achieved the fastest time to neutrophil recovery, while the B‐cell count was the highest in the UCB group. The T‐cell count is the lowest in the BM group, and the NK‐cell count does not differ significantly among the three HSC sources. Among the three sources of HSC, there is no superior HSC source for any immune reconstitution parameter. More studies must be conducted to compare the immune reconstitution and clinical outcomes of all HSC sources in specific diseases.
Effects of constant darkness on behaviour and physiology of male and female mice
Authors: Singh Dhyanendra , Pandey Shalini , Ghosh Arindam , Aich Palok
Published: March 2023

A healthy state of life suggests not only a disease‐free condition but also normal psychological functioning and behaviour. To maintain a healthy life, the duration of light exposure is a crucial factor. Perturbation of the standard light–dark cycle (LD: 12 h light‐12 h dark in mice) may result in brain, behavioural and physiological abnormalities. The current study determined the effects of 3 and 5 weeks of constant darkness (DD: 00 h light‐24 h dark) on the behaviour, hormones, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and metabolome of male and female C57BL/6 J mice. We also studied 3 weeks of restoration in LD following 5 weeks of DD exposure. The results revealed that 3 weeks of DD affected male mice more than females, and 5 weeks of DD had a comparable impact on behaviour, hormones and the PFC of male and female mice. After restoration in LD, the DD‐induced changes reverted to time‐matched LD conditions in male and female mice. Furthermore, metabolome analysis corroborated male and female mice's behavioural and molecular kinetics. The present study laid the foundation for understanding how DD affects behaviour and the PFC as a function of (a) time and (b) sex and described the roles of stress and sex hormones, cytokines, neurotrophins and metabolic pathways.
Soil macropore characteristics and aggregate stability with poly‐γ‐glutamic acid amendment under wetting–drying cycles
Authors: Liu Lu , Shi Wenjuan , Liang Jiaping , Yuan Ying , Hao Qiaoge
Published: March 2023

Soils are typically subjected to multiple wetting–drying (WD) cycles due to irrigation and seasonal climate cycles, which directly impact soil pore structure and soil aggregate stability. Poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA) is a polymer used to improve soil water holding capacity and plant growth. However, the impact of γ‐PGA on soil pore structure requires further research, particularly under WD cycles. Therefore, we investigated the different amounts of γ‐PGA on soil structure, including soil aggregate stability, macropore (>100 μm) structure characteristics and the relationship between macropore characteristics (equivalent pore diameter, pore shape factor, soil porosity, fractal dimension (FD), soil connectivity and the percentage of aggregate content with particle size larger than 0.25 mm) and soil aggregate stability by structural equation modelling (SEM) under WD cycles. A sandy soil and a loam soil were studied, and amended with γ‐PGA at three different concentrations: 0 (P0), 0.4% (P4) and 0.8% (P8) (w/w, %). Results showed that γ‐PGA amendment increased the mean weight diameter (MWD) and the percentage of aggregate content with particle size larger than 0.25 mm (R0.25) under WD cycles in both sandy and loam soils, while the MWD between P4 and P8 did not differ significantly. As the number of WD cycles increased, soil porosity (TP) increased due to an increase in pores of 100–500 μm. With γ‐PGA added to soil, large microporosity (>1000 μm) increased in sandy soil, but decreased in loam soil. In addition, 8WD cycles also increased the FD (2.6%–4.2%) and pore connectivity (Con) compared with 4WD. Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that soil pore characteristics accounted for 74% and 98% of the variation in sandy and loam soils, respectively. TP, FD, Con and R0.25 directly contributed to MWD, according to the SEM. These findings improve our understanding of pore characteristics and aggregate stability, which are key factors influencing soil quality when amended with γ‐PGA during the seasonal WD period.
The ties that bind us: An empirical, clinical, and constitutional argument against terminating parental rights
Authors: Sankaran Vivek S. , Church Christopher E.
Published: March 2023

This Article explores the unnecessary termination of a child's relationship with their parent from an empirical, clinical, and constitutional lens. Part I explores administrative data related to TPR, which like many child protection metrics, resembles nothing short of a wild west of practices and policies relating to how often and how fast child protection systems terminate parental rights. These data also reveal how TPR can unnecessarily delay legal permanency for children, particularly those children who are living with extended family, and how a State pursuing TPR can drain its own scarce resources, a system perpetually decrying insufficient resources. Part II highlights the clinical research showing the need for children to have relationships with their birth parents, even with those who might be unable to care for them. This section also summarizes the research documenting the trauma experienced by parents who have their parental rights terminated, which might impact the parent's ability to care for other children in the future. Part III discusses the unconstitutional features of the child protection system's overutilization of TPR. Well‐established principles of constitutional law require courts to search for less restrictive alternatives prior to infringing on individuals' fundamental rights, like the right to direct the care of one's child. Still, child protection systems stubbornly persist in terminating parental rights, a thinly veiled effort held out as a means to achieve legal permanency for children despite TPR being neither necessary nor sufficient to achieve legal permanency for children.
A novel optinEuRin stress connection in glaucoma
Authors: Lafont Elodie , Avril Tony
Published: March 2023

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the organelle where the production and shaping of most secreted and transmembrane proteins happens. ER function is finely regulated to prevent accumulation of misfolded proteins generating ER stress. ER stress is common in both healthy and pathological situations due to multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors including acute demand in protein synthesis, hypoxia or impaired protein folding caused by gene mutations. Sayyad et al. found that the M98K mutation of optineurin sensitizes glaucoma retinal ganglion cells to ER stress‐induced cell death. This is associated with an autophagy‐dependent elevation of ER stress sensor expression.
“My Friend Travis Says…”: A look at enrollment trends in language classes in the United States
Authors: Morgan William Justin , Thompson Amy S.
Published: March 2023

The present study uses data from 1147 university language students from lower‐division and upper‐division courses from eight different languages. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of course placement, first course enrollment, and personal/professional relationships had on university learners' intentions to minor or major (IMM) in a language other than English (LOTE). Respondents completed a survey that included information regarding their first course of study, their prior learning experiences, their perceptions of support they receive for language study from their community, and their reasons for studying or not studying their target language as a major or minor degree program. This study found that there were several potential institutional hurdles associated with language study in the university setting, including first‐course placement, conflicting support from personal and academic relationships, and credit hour limitations. Suggestions for recruiting students and strengthening language programs conclude this study.
Influence of tidal and diurnal rhythms on fish assemblages in the surf zone of sandy beaches
Authors: Xia Wentong , Miao Zhongbo , Wang Sai , Chen Kai , Liu Yinglong , Xie Songguang
Published: March 2023

The surf zones are significantly affected by tides, however, several gaps still in knowledge of fish assemblages in surf zones response to spring‐neap and daily tidal cycles. We investigated fish assemblages in a surf zone of Gaolong Bay in China. The dynamics of fish assemblages were examined during the neap tide and the spring tide to test the hypotheses that (1) fish assemblages reflect a combination of species from around coastal habitats, and (2) dynamics of the fish assemblages were determined by both the spring‐neap cycles and diel rhythms of fish species. We collected 46 fish species comprising 16 coral reef‐seagrass species, 24 mangrove‐estuarine species, and 6 common coastal species. Fish abundance and richness were significantly higher during the neap tide than during the spring tide. Furthermore, during the neap tide, fish assemblages were mostly carnivorous coral reef‐seagrass species at night and were mostly omnivorous and planktivorous species during the daytime. However, no clear diel patterns were observed during the spring tide. We suggested that dynamics of the fish assemblages were mainly shaped by the diurnal rhythms of fish during the neap tide and by the tidal cycle during the spring tide. Our results support the notion that surveys of fish assemblages during the neap tide could collect more abundance and rich species of multiple ecotypes of fish to evaluate fish resource status in the around coastal habitats. Consequently, management approaches around surf zones with heterogeneous seascapes can lead to positive outcomes for inshore fish resources and ecosystem conservation.
Anthropogenic activities dominated tropical forest carbon balance in two contrary ways over the Greater Mekong Subregion in the 21st century
Authors: Chen Baozhang , Kayiranga Alphonse , Ge Mengyu , Ciais Philippe , Zhang Huifang , Black Andy , Xiao Xiangming , Yuan Wenping , Zeng Zhenzhong , Piao Shilong
Published: March 2023

The tropical forest carbon (C) balance threatened by extensive socio‐economic development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in Asia is a notable data gap and remains contentious. Here we generated a long‐term spatially quantified assessment of changes in forests and C stocks from 1999 to 2019 at a spatial resolution of 30 m, based on multiple streams of state‐of‐the‐art high‐resolution satellite imagery and in situ observations. Our results show that (i) about 0.54 million square kilometers (21.0% of the region) experienced forest cover transitions with a net increase in forest cover by 4.3% (0.11 million square kilometers, equivalent to 0.31 petagram of C [Pg C] stocks); (ii) forest losses mainly in Cambodia, Thailand, and in the south of Vietnam, were also counteracted by forest gains in China due mainly to afforestation; and (iii) at the national level during the study period an increase in both C stocks and C sequestration (net C gain of 0.087 Pg C) in China from new plantation, offset anthropogenetic emissions (net C loss of 0.074 Pg C) mainly in Cambodia and Thailand from deforestation. Political, social, and economic factors significantly influenced forest cover change and C sequestration in the GMS, positively in China while negatively in other countries, especially in Cambodia and Thailand. These findings have implications on national strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation in other hotspots of tropical forests.
Patterns of visiting nurse services for older adults in Japanese residential facilities: A latent class analysis
Authors: Mashida Yuriko , Fukahori Hiroki , Ikezaki Sumie , Fukui Sakiko
Published: March 2023

Aim

To examine the patterns of the visiting nurse services provided to older adults in a type of residential facility in Japan and to identify associated factors.

Methods

This secondary analysis used past survey data from visiting nurse service agencies providing services to older adults in residential facilities with few nurses, known as non‐specified facilities in Japan. Approximately 515 cases were used to determine the patterns of visiting nurse services using latent class analysis. Multinomial logistic regression analysis examined the relationships between identified classes, residents' characteristics, facilities, and services provided by visiting nurses.

Results

Three service patterns were identified as follows: Class 1, observational and follow‐up care (37.1%); Class 2, chronic disease care (35.7%); and Class 3, end‐of‐life care (27.2%). Class 1 comprised fewer nursing services than the other classes and primarily involved the observation of medical conditions, whereas Classes 2 and 3 involved higher care‐need levels and provided diverse nursing care support. Specifically, Class 3 was associated with the inclusion of family (odds ratio: 2.42) and a visiting nurse at the attached facility (odds ratio: 4.88).

Conclusions

The three identified classes describe the older residents' healthcare needs. Additionally, the factors associated with the end‐of‐life care class suggest that older residents with these factors may have difficulty accessing end‐of‐life care by visiting nurses. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 326–333.
Managed Aquifer Recharge in Mining: A Review
Authors: Sloan Shannon , Cook Peter G. , Wallis Ilka
Published: March 2023

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been gaining adoption within the mining industry for managing surplus water volumes and reducing the groundwater impacts of dewatering. This paper reviews MAR for mining and includes an inventory of 27 mines using or considering MAR for current or future operations. Most mines using MAR are in arid or semi‐arid regions and are implementing it through infiltration basins or bore injection to manage surplus water, preserve aquifers for environmental or human benefit, or adhere to licensing that requires zero surface discharge. Surplus water volumes, hydrogeological conditions, and economics play a pivotal role in the feasibility of MAR for mining. Groundwater mounding, well clogging, and interaction between adjacent mines are common challenges. Mitigation strategies include predictive groundwater modeling, extensive monitoring programs, rotation of infiltration or injection facilities, physical and chemical treatments for clogging, and careful location for MAR facilities in relation to adjacent operations. Should water availability alternate between shortage and excess, injection bores may be used for supply, thus reducing costs and risks associated with drilling new wells. MAR, if applied strategically, also has the potential to accelerate groundwater recovery post‐mine closure. The success of MAR for mining is emphasized by mines opting to increase MAR capacity alongside dewatering expansions, as well as prospective mines proposing MAR for future water requirements. Upfront planning is the key to maximizing MAR benefits. Improved information sharing could help increase awareness and uptake of MAR as an effective and sustainable mine water management tool.
ENTREPRENEUR–INVESTOR INFORMATION DESIGN
Authors: Muratov Oleg
Published: March 2023

I consider an environment in which an entrepreneur generates information about the quality of his project prior to contracting with an investor. The investor faces a moral‐hazard problem since the entrepreneur may divert the funding for private consumption. I find that the efficient amount of information is generated if and only if the bargaining power of the entrepreneur is high enough. I interpret this result in terms of investors' tightness, competitiveness, and generosity measures. I also show that the investor prefers not to have all the bargaining power when the project costs are high enough.
Clinical variation in the early assessment and management of suspected community‐acquired meningitis: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Gulholm Trine , Kim Myong Gyu , Lennard Kate , Mirdad Feras , Overton Kristen , Martinello Marianne , Maley Michael W. , Konecny Pamela , Andresen David , Post Jeffrey J. ,   for the Sydney Partnerships for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) Hospitals Infection Study Group
Published: March 2023

Background

Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and timely management has been shown to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the early assessment and management of adults with suspected community‐onset meningitis between hospitals and identify opportunities for clinical practice improvement.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at three principal referral hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Adult patients with suspected meningitis undergoing cerebrospinal fluid sampling between 1 July 2018 and 31 June 2019 were included. Relevant clinical and laboratory data were extracted from the medical record. Differences between sites were analysed and factors associated with time to antimicrobial therapy were assessed by Cox regression.

Results

In 260 patients, the median time from triage to antibiotic administration was 332 min with a difference of up to 147 min between hospitals. Median time from triage to lumbar puncture (LP) was 366 min with an inter‐hospital difference of up to 198 min. Seventy per cent of patients had neuroimaging prior to LP, and this group had a significantly longer median time to antibiotic administration (367 vs 231 min; P = 0.001). Guideline concordant antibiotics were administered in 84% of patients, with only 39% of those administered adjunctive corticosteroids. Seven (3%) patients had confirmed bacterial meningitis. Modifiable factors associated with earlier antimicrobial administration included infectious diseases involvement (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.50 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–2.24]) and computed tomography (CT) scanning (aHR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.46–0.98]).

Conclusion

Opportunities for improvement include reducing the time to LP and antibiotic administration, improving coadministration of corticosteroids and avoiding potentially unnecessary CT scanning.
RETRACTED: A systematic review of health care workers' knowledge and related factors towards burn first aid
Authors: Yarali Mohsen , Parvizi Arman , Ghorbani Vajargah Pooyan , Tamimi Pegah , Mollaei Amirabbas , Karkhah Samad , Firooz Mahbobeh , Hosseini Seyed Javad , Takasi Poorya , Farzan Ramyar , Haddadi Soudabeh
Published: March 2023

The present systematic review was conducted to investigate the knowledge of health care workers (HCWs) regarding first aid in burns. A comprehensive, systematic search was performed in different international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as ‘Knowledge’, ‘First aid’, ‘Health personnel’ and ‘Burns’ from the earliest to 1 February 2023. The appraisal tool for cross‐sectional studies (AXIS tool) evaluates the quality of the included studies. A total of 3213 HCWs participated in seven cross‐sectional studies. Of the HCWs, 44.50% were physicians. The studies included in this systematic review were conducted in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Turkey, the UK, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The knowledge rate of HCWs related to first aid for burns was 64.78 out of 100, which indicates their relatively desirable knowledge. The factors of first aid training experience, age, and experienced burn traumas had a significant positive effect on the knowledge of HCWs related to first aid for burns. Also, factors such as gender, nationality, marital status, and job position had a significant relationship with the knowledge of HCWs about first aid for burns. Therefore, it is suggested that health care managers and policymakers implement training programs and practical workshops related to first aid, especially first aid for burns.
Fabrication of Cu1.4Mn1.6O4 modified catalytic ozonation ceramic membrane for membrane fouling elimination and micro‐pollutant degradation
Authors: Zhao Peng , Gao Yuanhui , Xu Guogang , Zhang Enliang , Liu Lulu , Jin Shaowei
Published: March 2023

In this experiment, a novel catalytic ceramic membrane (CCM) with spherical Cu1.4Mn1.6O4 material loading was prepared through hydrothermal in situ growth method. The synergistic effects of membrane separation and catalytic ozonation on membrane antipollution and degradation of micro‐pollutants were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the degradation efficiency of bisphenol A by CCMs reached 85.7% with a stable normalized flux of 0.90 under the operating conditions of [O3] = 4 g/h, transmembrane pressure = 0.2 bar, and pH = 6. In addition, the results showed that the composite bimetallic oxides have good stability by measuring the leaching concentration of metal ions during the catalytic process. This study provides a promising strategy for in situ growth of catalytically active composite bimetallic oxides on the surfaces of ceramic membrane and for mitigation of membrane fouling complex water treatment.
Cardioneuroablation for treatment of carotid sinus syndrome secondary to oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer
Authors: Bozyel Serdar , Güler Tümer Erdem , Çelik Muhsin , Dalgıç Nur , Şipal Abdülcebbar , Yalnız Ahmet , Çağdaş Metin , Aksu Tolga
Published: March 2023

Head and neck tumors can rarely cause carotid sinus syndrome and this often resolves by surgical intervention or palliative chemoradiotherapy. If these modalities are not an option or are ineffective, the most preferred treatment is permanent pacemaker therapy. Here, we present the first case of cardioneuroablation treatment performed in patient with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer who developed recurrent asystole and syncope attacks due to compression of the carotid sinus on neck movement.
Chronic hand eczema in Europe: Patient experiences and perspectives (CHEPEP) in qualitative interviews
Authors: Rönsch H. , Schiffers F. , Ofenloch R. , Weisshaar E. , Buse A. S. , Hansen A. , John S. M. , Giménez Arnau A. M. , Pesqué D. , Agner T. , Nørreslet L. B. , Loman L. , Romeijn G. L. E. , Schuttelaar M. L. A. , Košćec Bjelajac A. , Macan J. , Apfelbacher C. , Bauer A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Chronic hand eczema (CHE) is a very common skin disease among the European population. It causes itch and pain and, in more severe cases, seriously impairs hand functioning at work and in private life.

Objectives

To explore perspectives of people with lived experience on CHE‐related problems, wishes and goals.

Methods

Following a qualitative approach, we conducted topic‐guided interviews in five European countries and applied template analysis to identify recurrent themes among patients with CHE.

Results

We interviewed 60 patients in seven outpatient dermatological and occupational medicine clinics in Croatia, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. Five main themes were identified: (1) knowledge about the disease and its course, (2) preventive behaviour, (3) hand eczema therapy, (4) impact on everyday life and (5) attitudes towards CHE and healthcare. Participants did not feel well informed about CHE, especially about causes, triggers and treatment options. Preventive measures were experienced as more or less effective but also cumbersome. Experiences with therapy were diverse. Treatment satisfaction depended on the results and on the perceived support from the treatment teams. Participants found it important to be taken seriously, to receive practical advice, to try out additional treatments or examinations, find new hope and have occupational perspectives. They wished that others could better understand the physical and emotional burden of CHE. Patient support groups were not mentioned. Participants found it important to learn to take care of themselves and accept life with CHE.

Conclusions

Due to its annoying symptoms, high visibility and impaired functioning at work and in private life, CHE has a high emotional and social impact. Some people may require support to learn coping with CHE and its prevention. Patients wish for information about causes and triggers. They value physicians who listen to them and keep looking for solutions.
How do host plant use and seasonal life cycle relate to insect body size: A case study on European geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
Authors: Seifert Carlo L. , Strutzenberger Patrick , Fiedler Konrad
Published: March 2023

We used European geometrid moths (>630 species) as a model group to investigate how life history traits linked to larval host plant use (i.e., diet breadth and host‐plant growth form) and seasonal life cycle (i.e., voltinism, overwintering stage and caterpillar phenology) are related to adult body size in holometabolous insect herbivores. To do so, we applied phylogenetic comparative methods to account for shared evolutionary history among herbivore species. We further categorized larval diet breadth based on the phylogenetic structure of utilized host plant genera. Our results indicate that species associated with woody plants are, on average, larger than herb feeders and increase in size with increasing diet breadth. Obligatorily univoltine species are larger than multivoltine species, and attain larger sizes when their larvae occur exclusively in the early season. Furthermore, the adult body size is significantly smaller in species that overwinter in the pupal stage compared to those that overwinter as eggs or caterpillars. In summary, our results indicate that the ecological niche of holometabolous insect herbivores is strongly interrelated with body size at maturity.