bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Illiberal democracy and nutrition advocacy
Authors: Resnick Danielle , Deshpande Shilpa
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Across the world, illiberal democracy is on the rise. These majoritarian polities limit individual rights and undermine protections for minorities. Civil society organizations (CSOs) that support human rights and freedom of speech and association in these settings can be repressed.

Purpose

How does illiberal democracy impact CSOs that lobby for economic and human development? We examine how illiberal democracy affects organizations advocating for nutrition. Ostensibly, improved nutrition is a valence issue that does not threaten a government's hold on power. But nutrition advocacy may mean criticizing a government's policies and programmes, and hence be seen by governments as hostile.

Methods and approach

We focus on India, where illiberal democracy has become more pronounced over the last decade. Structured interviews were conducted in 2021 with three dozen advocacy organizations, donors, and government stakeholders who work on nutrition policy in India. We analyse how the financing of nutrition organizations, access to policy‐making, and advocacy have been affected under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

We divide CSOs into organizations that focus on the design of nutrition programmes, those that prioritize evidence‐based nutrition policies, and those that advocate for the food and nutrition rights of certain communities, including those who are often marginalized.

Findings

Nutrition advocacy organizations' access to finance has been hampered by amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Partisan ideology and low tolerance of policy accountability affects nutrition CSOs' access to policy debates and decision‐making. Fears about freedom of expression and its impacts on renewal of organizational registrations make the CSOs more timid in their advocacy.

These changes disproportionately affect CSOs that focus on evidence and, above all, those that stand up for rights.

Policy implications

Assessments of enabling environments for nutrition policy need to consider better how partisan ideologies and political settlements exclude some groups in society. Moreover, given that illiberal democracy further weakens the value of evidence in policy‐making, donors need to consider how they present evidence and policy feedback when governments see criticism as hostile and politically motivated. Donors also need to consider what illiberal democracy implies for their efforts to support local CSOs: they should be aware that their support can sometimes undermine the legitimacy of CSOs in the eyes of national governments.
The effect of temperature on the dynamics of common bream Abramis brama migrations between the reservoir and its tributary
Authors: Slavík Ondřej , Pfauserová Nikola , Brabec Marek , Kolářová Jitka , Červený Daniel , Horký Pavel
Published: July 2023

An active preference for higher temperatures within a physiological optimum is beneficial for animal movement. For example, ascending temperatures induce an increase in cyprinid fish metabolism and swimming ability. Spring upstream migrations driven by the search for resources may be related to these increases. Conversely, downstream migrations in autumn follow a decrease in temperature. When fish migrations are driven by a search for resources, for example, food availability and reproduction, or to avoid predators, then the temperature effect can be reduced to approximately the threshold temperatures that induce up‐ and/or downstream movement. To test this assumption, we tracked the seasonal migrations of the common bream Abramis brama between a reservoir and its tributary using radio tags with temperature sensors during a 5‐year period. Upstream migrations of the species into the tributary were not motivated by seeking temperatures different from those in the reservoir, that is, fish body temperatures in both environments were comparable across seasons. However, for long‐distance migrations, increasing temperature did support upstream migrations. Temperature did not determine the direction or intensity of short‐distance migration of the species between the reservoir and the tributary. No significant influence of temperature was recorded for the downstream migrations according to the results of the generalised additive mixed model (GAMM1), which related movement distance as the explanatory variable to the signed fish body temperature as the response. The second model (GAMM2) relating fish body temperature as the explanatory variable to the signed movement distance as the response obtained a threshold value of 19.1°C for the upstream migrations and 1.5°C for the downstream migrations of the common bream.
Food web changes reflected in age‐0 piscivore diets and growth
Authors: Yang Touhue , Mayer Christine M. , DeBruyne Robin L. , Roseman Edward F. , DuFour Mark R. , Weimer Eric J.
Published: July 2023

Lake Erie walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) recruitment fluctuates annually and depends partially on their diet and growth during their first year of life. In recent decades, age‐0 walleye diet and growth may be responding to food web changes in western Lake Erie. To determine how age‐0 walleye have responded to changes in prey species and abundance, we compared diet between 2019, 2014 and 1994–1999. Larval walleye ate predominantly cyclopoids in 2019, compared to 1994–1999 when calanoids were the most consumed copepod. Juvenile walleye ate predominantly large cladocerans and benthic invertebrates in 2019, compared to 2014 and 1994 when fish was the most consumed prey. Additionally, in 2019 and 2014, age‐0 walleye ate two of the current aquatic invasive species (AIS), Bythotrephes longimanus and Neogobius melanostomus, and the historical AIS, Osmerus mordax. Age‐0 walleye were smaller in 2019 than in 2014 and switched to consuming more AIS and less fish suggesting that more energetically favourable prey were not available. While age‐0 walleye showed adaptation to new prey and conditions, they had a lower quality diet because they consumed less fish, but also because the invasive fish they now consume have a lower energy density than native species. However, lower quality diet and size may not result in reduced survival, if adequate alternative prey is available. Continued monitoring of age‐0 walleye diet could provide confirmation that lower diet quality during the first year decreased walleye growth and aid to identify any effects changes in age‐0 diets has on recruitment to the adult population.
National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture (ENASAS): A new systemic approach in Mexico
Authors: Ortiz‐García Sol , Torres‐Gómez Mariano , Benavides Adalberto , Anaya Manuel , Anglés‐Hernández Marisol , Cerón Areli , Cotler Helena , Cueto‐Wong José A. , Etchevers Jorge D. , Fernández‐Luqueño Fabián , Gonzalez‐Meraz Jorge , Guerrero‐Peña Armando , Meneses Marco , Miranda María , Pérez Mario , Pulido Leonardo , Reyes‐Sánchez Laura Bertha , Reynoso Verónica , Saynes Vinisa , Villalobos‐Arámbula Víctor M. , Prado Blanca , Guevara Mario
Published: July 2023

The National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture (ENASAS) arises in response to the increasing need to organize, coordinate and strengthen the implementation of actions oriented to the sustainable management of Mexico's agricultural soils. The measures recommended in this paper allow the conservation and maintenance of soils' essential functions for agriculture, food security and population well‐being. The health and quality of agricultural soils are under constant pressure from several factors, mainly anthropogenic. One of ENASAS's objectives is to identify and stop the causes involved in land degradation processes using a systemic approach. From this perspective, the participation of various actors in sustainable soil management allows the integration of different systems, practices, techniques and knowledge that promotes awareness among the entire population about the importance of soil resources. On the other hand, given current limitations on the availability of information necessary to support decision‐making and evaluate the result of the actions implemented, ENASAS promotes the generation of tools that provide reliable and updated data regarding Mexico's agricultural soils. In the same sense, this strategy encourages the development of scientific and technological research and the transfer of knowledge that meets the needs of farmers, particularly those who carry out their activities on a smaller scale. This perspective describes ENASAS as a multi‐institutional initiative that will support sustainable soil management practices across the country's agricultural systems of Mexico and contribute to the adaptation and mitigation of global environmental change.
Copepod life history evolution under high‐ and low‐food regimes
Authors: Blake Alexander , Marshall Dustin J.
Published: July 2023

Copepods play a critical role in the carbon cycle of the planet – they mediate the sequestration of carbon into the deep ocean and are the trophic link between phytoplankton and marine food webs. Global change stressors that decrease copepod productivity create the potential for catastrophic positive feedback loops. Accordingly, a growing list of studies examine the evolutionary capacity of copepods to adapt to the two primary stressors associated with global change: warmer temperatures and lower pH. But the evolutionary capacity of copepods to adapt to changing food regimes, the third major stressor associated with global change, remains unknown. We used experimental evolution to explore how a 10‐fold difference in food availability affects life history evolution in the copepod, Tisbe sp. over 2 years, and spanning 30+ generations. Different food regimes evoked evolutionary responses across the entire copepod life history: we observed evolution in body size, size‐fecundity relationships and offspring investment strategies. Our results suggest that changes to food regimes reshape life histories and that cryptic evolution in traits such as body size is likely. We demonstrate that evolution in response to changes in ocean productivity will alter consumer life histories and may distort trophic links in marine foodchains. Evolution in response to changing phytoplankton productivity may alter the efficacy of the global carbon pump in ways that have not been anticipated until now.
Evaluation of prognostic prediction ability of the novel Japanese risk factor scoring system in a Japanese cohort of resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Doi Reiichi , Baba Natsuki , Kato Hiroshi , Nakamura Motoki , Matsushita Shigeto , Aoki Megumi , Fujimoto Noriki , Kato Takeshi , Iino Shiro , Saito Shintaro , Yasuda Masahito , Asai Jun , Ishikawa Masashi , Yatsushiro Hiroshi , Kawahara Yu , Inafuku Kazuhiro , Matsuya Taisuke , Araki Ryuichiro , Teramoto Yukiko , Hasegawa Minoru , Nakama Takekuni , Nakamura Yasuhiro
Published: July 2023

Japanese patients with very high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs), based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, have been reported to display a higher cumulative incidence of relapse and disease‐specific death (DSD) than those with high‐risk cSCC. Therefore, prognosis prediction is crucial for Japanese patients with very high‐risk cSCCs. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic prediction ability of our novel Japanese Risk Factor Scoring Systems (JARF scoring) in a Japanese cohort of cSSC patients. Data of 424 Japanese patients with resectable very high‐risk cSCCs were analysed. We compared the prognostic ability of the following three staging systems: Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) tumour staging, number of NCCN very high‐risk factors, and JARF scoring, including recurrent tumour, high‐risk histological features, deep tumour invasion and lymphatic or vascular involvement as risk factors. The prognostic ability of these staging systems was evaluated according to the cumulative incidence of local recurrence (LR), regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM), DSD, and overall survival (OS). When BWH staging was used, high T stage led to significantly poor outcomes only in the cumulative incidence of RLNM (p = 0.01). The presence of very high‐risk NCCN factors led to significantly poor outcomes in terms of RLNM (p = 0.03) and OS (p = 0.02). Meanwhile, a high number of risk factors in the JARF scoring system clearly led to poor outcomes in terms of LR (p = 0.01), RLNM (p < 0.01), DSD (p = 0.03), and OS (p < 0.01). The JARF scoring system may accurately predict the risk of recurrence and death in very high‐risk cSCC patients in Japan.
Trajectories of Chinese paternal emotion‐related socialization behaviors during early adolescence: Contributions of father and adolescent factors
Authors: Jiang Liuqing , Ju Jiawen , Liang Lichan , Bian Yufang
Published: July 2023

Parental emotion‐related socialization behaviors (ERSBs) are developmental and multiply determined. However, longitudinal studies on the development patterns of ERSBs and their antecedents, especially for Chinese fathers, are scarce. This study examined the longitudinal trajectories of Chinese fathers' ERSBs during early adolescence and whether they are influenced by the father (depressive symptoms and emotion dysregulation) and adolescent factors (depressive symptoms and emotional intelligence). We used 4‐year, self‐reported, survey‐based data from Chinese early adolescents (46.70% girls, Mage at Wave 1 = 10.26 years, SD = 0.33) and their fathers (Mage at Wave 1 = 40.36 years, SD = 4.22), and data analyses were conducted using unconditional and conditional latent growth model (N = 1061 at Wave 1). The results revealed an increase in the father's supportive and non‐supportive ERSBs over 4 years. Furthermore, father's depression symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and adolescent's depression symptoms can predict paternal supportive ERSBs' trajectories, while only the father's depression symptoms and emotion dysregulation can predict the change in non‐supportive ERSBs. The findings give a holistic picture of the developmental trajectories of paternal ERSBs during early adolescence, and highlight the importance of accounting for differences in father and adolescent factors in understanding changes in parental ERSBs during this critical developmental period.
Becoming a university leader: Changes in publication patterns
Authors: Gerashchenko Daria
Published: July 2023

How do a university leader's publication patterns change after appointment? Until now, few studies have examined whether administrative burden has a significant effect on a leader's publication patterns. This study seeks to evaluate changes in individual publication patterns in relation to academic productivity and increased administrative load. The main expectation is that rectors opt for collaboration instead of publishing single‐authored papers. The analysis of publication data on Russian rectors demonstrates that: (1) a rector's academic productivity is significantly positively related to the share of single‐authored papers and papers in inter‐organizational co‐authorship; (2) every additional year in office adds to the share of co‐authored papers and impedes a yearly increase in article numbers; and (3) previously high individual productivity has a mitigating effect on an increasing share of institutionally co‐authored papers. The results suggest that administrative burden induces changes in collaboration patterns of university leaders.
The effect of nurse‐led diabetes self‐management programmes on glycosylated haemoglobin levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: Yuksel Merve , Bektas Hicran , Ozer Zeynep Canli
Published: July 2023

Aims

This review aimed to examine the content, frequency, duration, and outcomes of nurse‐led diabetes self‐management programmes on glycosylated haemoglobin levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Background

Diabetes self‐management programmes improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes to acquire specific behavioural changes and develop effective problem‐solving skills.

Design

A systematic review was used in this study.

Data sources

PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid, CINAHL, Proquest and Scopus databases were searched for studies published in English until February 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.

Review methods

This study followed the recommendations of the Cochrane 2022 guidelines and was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis.

Results

Eight studies with 1747 participants met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included telephone coaching, consultation services and individual and group education. The duration of the intervention ranged from 3 to 15 months. The results showed that nurse‐led diabetes self‐management programmes had positive and clinically significant effects on glycosylated haemoglobin levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the important role of nurses in improving self‐management and achieving glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The positive outcomes of this review offer suggestions for health care professionals to develop effective self‐management programnmes in type 2 diabetes treatment and care.
Latent classes based on fall risk factors in community‐dwelling older adults: The 2017 National Survey of Older Persons
Authors: Kim Mi Yeon , Ok Jong Sun , Choi Heejung
Published: July 2023

Aims

This work aimed to classify the elderly according to fall risk factors and to identify the characteristics of the latent classes.

Background

Falls mainly occur due to combinations of various risk factors, and each older adult has a different combination of risk factors.

Design

This was a secondary data analysis using data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Persons conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Methods

Latent class analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed using data from 1556 older adults who experienced at least one fall during 1 year (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016). Indicator variables included eight fall risk factors.

Results

A 3‐class solution was selected according to acceptable goodness of fit. The ‘healthy falls risk class’ included over half of the cohort, and the comprised older adults did not show typical health problems. The ‘complex falls risk class’ included older people with physical and mental problems, and the ‘musculoskeletal falls risk class’ included older people with osteoarthritis and back pain.

Conclusion

The results identified combinations of fall risk factors and characteristics among community‐dwelling older adults that may contribute to the planning of effective fall prevention programmes.
You Wnt some, you lose none: lessons learnt from a non‐canonical immunology educator
Authors: Sakkal Samy
Published: July 2023

Pathways to tenured teaching positions are fraught with obstacles and require a combination of luck, perseverance and a competitive track record. Despite this, there are strategies that one can employ to increase your chances of success but, first and foremost, one must be an excellent communicator. Excellent communicators make for talented teachers, but one must also enjoy teaching or risk energy, i.e. your students will lack (co)stimulation. Academics who are new to teaching immunology need support from their community of practise (such as ASI Education Special Interest Groups) given that immunology can be challenging to teach. For every rule that we teach our students, there are equally many exceptions that confuse and confound. The complexity of our discipline also owes to the highly conceptual curriculum and abstract discipline language. To this end, this work seeks to provide advice to current and aspiring early‐career immunology educators, utilising lessons learnt from my experience as an academic over the last decade. Topics include: understanding the needs of the student cohort; active learning strategies to engage students; ethical dilemmas for publishing pedagogical papers and the attainability of tenure. Like exogenously processed antigens, there is no hard and fast rule about one's pathway to academia; some take the canonical road (MHC class II) and others break the rules (cross‐presentation). Whichever the path, teaching is a rewarding career and as long as you view your students as collaborators you have nothing to lose.
An iterated greedy algorithm with variable reconstruction size for the obnoxious p‐median problem
Authors: Mousavi Seyed , Bhambar Soni , England Matthew
Published: July 2023

The obnoxious ‐median problem is a facility location problem where we maximise the sum of the distances between each client point and its nearest facility. Since it is nondeterministic polynomial‐time (NP)‐hard, most algorithms designed for the problem follow metaheuristic strategies to find high‐quality solutions in affordable time but with no optimality guarantee. In this paper, a variant of the iterated greedy algorithm is developed for the problem. It adopts the idea of increasing the search radius used in variable neighbourhood search by increasing the number of reconstructed components at each iteration with no improved solution, where the amount of the increase is determined dynamically based on the quality of the current solution. We demonstrate that the new algorithm significantly outperforms the current state‐of‐the‐art metaheuristic algorithms for this problem on standard datasets.
“Their tenacity to just keep going”: Nurses' experiences in medical hotel quarantine during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Jefferies Diana , Ramjan Lucie M. , Stanbrook Tracy , Reilly Zac , Ratnayake Shyama
Published: July 2023

Aim

To explore how nurses and nursing knowledge contributed to the success of an Australian nurse‐led medical hotel quarantine facility during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The facility was established to accommodate returning travellers who were COVID‐19 positive or at risk of becoming positive, to travellers requiring complex care and expanded to community members who could not quarantine at home.

Design

This descriptive qualitative study explored how nurses and nursing knowledge in the quarantine facility contributed to the low transmission incidence of COVID‐19 infection.

Method

Twelve semi‐structured interviews were conducted via ZOOM from February to May 2022 with all levels of nursing staff (nurse managers to assistants in nursing) who had worked in the facility for 3 months or more. The nurses were asked to describe their experiences, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. The data were rich and were analysed using Braun and Clarke's six‐step thematic analysis.

Results

Four broad themes were generated demonstrating how nurses played a pivotal role in the success of the facility. First: nursing knowledge was evident through the development of policies, which minimized risks to nurses and patients. Second: a community of learning was developed as nurses supported upskilling and capacity building of staff, particularly new graduates with the facility. Third: a supportive management structure promoted teamwork and a positive workplace culture. And finally: the nurses were encouraged to develop techniques that promoted self‐care which enabled them to develop resilience.

Conclusion

This was a nurse‐led service that developed strategies to manage care delivery and overcame unanticipated difficulties in a unique clinical setting.

Reporting Method

The quality of the research design was ensured by using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
MALAT1/miR‐185‐5p mediated high glucose‐induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury and cardiomyocyte apoptosis via the RhoA/ROCK pathway
Authors: Wang Ting , Li Na , Yuan Lingling , Zhao Mengnan , Li Guizhi , Chen Yanxia , Zhou Hong
Published: July 2023

To explore the underlying mechanism of lncRNA MALAT1 in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM models were confirmed in db/db mice. MiRNAs in myocardium were detected by miRNA sequencing. The interactions of miR‐185‐5p with MALAT1 and RhoA were validated by dual‐luciferase reporter assays. Primary neonatal cardiomyocytes were cultured with 5.5 or 30 mmol/L D‐glucose (HG) in the presence or absence of MALAT1‐shRNA and fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor. MALAT1 and miR‐185‐5p expression were determined by real‐time quantitative PCR. The apoptotic cardiomyocytes were evaluated using flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. SOD activity and MDA contents were measured. The ROCK activity, phosphorylation of Drp1S616, mitofusin 2 and apoptosis‐related proteins were analysed by Western blotting. Mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by JC‐1. MALAT1 was significantly up‐regulated while miR‐185‐5p was down‐regulated in myocardium of db/db mice and HG‐induced cardiomyocytes. MALAT1 regulated RhoA/ROCK pathway via sponging miR‐185‐5p in cardiomyocytes in HG. Knockdown of MALAT1 and fasudil all inhibited HG‐induced oxidative stress, and alleviated imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial dysfunction, accompanied by reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. MALAT1 activated the RhoA/ROCK pathway via sponging miR‐185‐5p and mediated HG‐induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in mice.
miR‐31 ameliorates type 2 diabetic vascular damage through up‐regulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α/vascular endothelial growth factor‐A
Authors: Fu Yuan , Du Ruochen , Wang Yufei , Yuan Yitong , Zhang Yujuan , Wang Chunfang , Zhang Xuanping
Published: July 2023

Aims

microRNA may be a new therapeutic direction for diabetes. As a typical tumor marker, miR‐31 is involved in a variety of metabolic diseases, but the specific role is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of miR‐31 on type 2 diabetes mellitus and its accompanying vascular injury, as well as on the effects of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α inhibitor (HIF1AN), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A expression in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and Methods

In vitro, a model of high‐fat and high‐glucose‐induced human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) injury was established to simulate diabetes mellitus (DM). Cell functions were compared between the control group, the DM damage group, and the group transfected with miR‐31 after DM damage. In vivo, overexpressing miR‐31 FVB mice and FVB mice were divided into the control and induced type 2 diabetes mellitus groups. Type 2 diabetes mellitus models were induced by a high‐fat diet combined with streptozotocin. The lipid metabolism levels, viscera, and vascular damage were compared between the control and type 2 diabetes mellitus groups.

Results

In vitro, miR‐31 improved the proliferation ability of damaged cells by targeting HIF1AN and up‐regulating the expression of HIF‐1α and VEGF‐A. In vivo, miR‐31 ameliorated the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, disturbance of glucose and lipid metabolism, and damage to some organs. Meanwhile, miR‐31 had a protective effect on vascular damage complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus by increasing the levels of HIF‐1α and VEGF‐A.

Conclusion

Our experiments show that miR‐31 can delay the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus and ameliorate diabetic vascular injury.
Urinary epidermal growth factor levels correlate with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy indices in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Lin Yu Kuei , Tanner Emily , Wang Yuee , Ye Wen , Ang Lynn , Ju Wenjun , Pop‐Busui Rodica
Published: July 2023

The relationship between urinary endothelial growth factor (uEGF) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in adults with type 1 diabetes was evaluated. uEGF levels at baseline and standardized CAN measures were collected at baseline and annually for 3 years for type 1 diabetes adults. Linear regression analysis and linear mixed effects model were used for analysis. In this cohort (n = 44, 59% women, mean ± standard deviation age 34 ± 13 years and diabetes duration 14 ± 6 years), lower baseline uEGF levels correlated with lower baseline expiration : inspiration ratios (P = 0.03) and greater annual declines in Valsalva ratios (P = 0.02) in the unadjusted model, and correlated with lower low‐frequency power : high‐frequency power ratios (P = 0.01) and greater annual changes in low‐frequency power : high‐frequency power ratios (P = 0.01) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and hemoglobin A1C. In conclusion, baseline uEGF levels correlate to baseline and longitudinal changes in CAN indices. A large‐scale, long‐term study is needed to validate uEGF as a reliable CAN biomarker.
Result reporting and early discontinuation of sepsis trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov
Authors: Hu Handan , Wang Xinyi , Huang Peng
Published: July 2023

Objective

Sepsis is a leading cause of death from infectious disease or traumatic injury. The prevalence and predictor of results underreporting and early stop of sepsis clinical trials remain poorly studied. To fill the gap, we designed this study to characterize sepsis clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, particularly to recognize features related to premature discontinuation and lack of results reporting.

Methods

We searched ClinicalTrials.gov to include interventional sepsis trials up to July 8, 2022. All structured data of the identified trials were extracted and reviewed. A descriptive analysis was conducted. Cox and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the significance of the association of trial characteristics with early termination and lack of results reporting.

Results

A total of 1654 records were identified, among which 1061 eligible trials were reserved. Results underreporting happened in 91.6% of these sepsis interventional trials. 12.0% were discontinued. Moreover, factors that led to the higher risk of discontinuation were the US‐registered clinical research and the small sample size. The factor that contributed to results underreporting was non‐US‐registered clinical trials.

Conclusion

The frequent discontinuation and underreporting of sepsis trials have highly impaired the progress of sepsis management and studies. Therefore, solutions to early discontinuation and improving the quality of results dissemination remain an urgent problem.
Effect of contamination and decontamination methods on the bond strength of adhesive systems to dentin: A systematic review
Authors: Bourgi Rim , Cuevas‐Suarez Carlos Enrique , Devoto Walter , Monjarás‐Ávila Ana Josefina , Monteiro Paulo , Kharma Khalil , Lukomska‐Szymanska Monika , Hardan Louis
Published: July 2023

Introduction

In a suitable condition, it is important to perform any dental restorative procedure using an operatory field isolated. Then, the aim of this study was to compare the bond strength of composite restorations to dentin affected by any contamination agent through a systematic review.

Methods

This systematic review was performed following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The literature search was conducted until September 2022 by scanning the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science. Manuscripts evaluated the bond strength of resin‐based materials to permanent human dentin contaminated with blood or saliva were selected for full‐text review. The risk of bias was assessed by the RoBDEMAT tool.

Results

A total of 3750 papers resulted from the search from all databases. After the full‐text reading, a total of 62 articles remained for the qualitative analysis. The contamination agents used were blood, saliva, and hemostatic agents. A great variety of protocols were used to contaminate the dentin surface, and the contamination process occurred in several steps of the bonding process, including before and after the etching process, after the primer application and after the adhesive application. Also, several decontamination procedures were tested, including reapplication of the etching material, rinsing with water, chlorhexidine or sodium hypochlorite and reapplication of the adhesive system.

Conclusion

Any contamination with blood or saliva impaired the bond strength of resin‐based materials to dentin. Decontamination procedures including water‐spray and reapplication of the bonding system could revert the impairment produced by the saliva or blood contamination. The use of hemostatic agents as a method of blood decontamination is not recommended.

Clinical Significance

Clinicians should avoid contamination during a bonding procedure, otherwise, a reduction in the bond quality is expected.
CAD‐CAM and analog occlusal splints comparison based on the amount of occlusal adjustments. 3D analysis of the volumetric changes: A pilot study
Authors: Blasi Alvaro , Henarejos‐Domingo Víctor , Palacios‐Bañuelos Ricardo , Vidal‐Ponsoda Carla , Aparicio Conrado , Roig Miguel
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the volumetric changes on occlusal surface of computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD‐CAM) occlusal devices fabricated following a fully digital workflow after occlusal adjustment, compared to those fabricated with an analog workflow.

Materials and Methods

Eight participants were included in this clinical pilot study, receiving two different occlusal devices fabricated with two different workflows, fully analog and fully digital. Every occlusal device was scanned before and after the occlusal adjustments to compare the volumetric changes using a reverse engineering software program. Moreover, three independent evaluators assessed a semi‐quantitative and qualitative comparison using visual analog scale and dichotomous evaluation. The Shapiro–Wilk test was performed to validate normal distribution assumption, and a dependent t‐Student test for paired variables was used to determine statistically significant differences (p‐value < 0.05).

Results

The root mean square value was extracted from the 3‐Dimensional (3D) analysis of the occlusal devices. The average values of the root mean square were higher for the analogic technique (0.23 ± 0.10 mm) than the digital technique (0.14 ± 0.07 mm) but the differences were not statistically significant (paired t‐Student test; p = 0.106) between the two fabrication techniques. The semiquantitative visual analog scale values between the impression for the digital (5.08 ± 2.4 cm) and analog (3.80 ± 3.3 cm) technique were significant (p < 0.001), and statistically significant differences values were assessed for evaluator 3 compared to the other evaluators (p < 0.05). However, the three evaluators agreed on the qualitative dichotomous evaluation in 62% of the cases, and at least two evaluators agreed in 100% of the evaluations.

Conclusions

Occlusal devices fabricated following a fully digital workflow resulted in fewer occlusal adjustments, as they could be a valid alternative to those fabricated following an analog workflow.

Clinical Significance

Fabricated occlusal devices following a fully digital workflow could have some advantages over analog workflow such reduce occlusal adjustments at delivery appointment, which can result in reduced chair time and therefore increased comfort for the patient and clinician.
Agent‐based modeling and simulation for the circular economy: Lessons learned and path forward
Authors: Walzberg Julien , Frayret Jean‐Marc , Eberle Annika L. , Carpenter Alberta , Heath Garvin
Published: July 2023

Circular economy aims at decoupling human activities from resource use and creating wealth. However, many have questioned the link between increased circularity and sustainability, resulting in several methodological approaches being developed to answer that question. This article analyzes and discusses the insights gained from applying agent‐based modeling and simulation to study the techno‐economic and social conditions promoting circularity and sustainability. This article analyzes the benefits and limitations of this technology and discusses future methodology developments within the circular economy context. Moreover, six limits of the circular economy concept are used to interpret insights from the literature: thermodynamic limits, system boundary limits, limits posed by the physical scale of the economy, limits posed by path dependencies and lock‐in, limits of governance and management, and limits of social and cultural definitions. Promising research avenues are to use this methodology with machine learning, industrial ecology methods, and detailed geographic information.
Disrupting Racism in Ontario Midwifery
Authors: Aseffa Feben , Mehari Lwam , Gure Faduma , Ahmed Sumaya
Published: July 2023

Introduction

There are a limited number of Canadian studies that explore the experiences of racism among health care providers who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), and specifically within the context of midwifery in Ontario. More information is needed to better understand how to achieve racial equity and justice at all levels of the midwifery profession.

Methods

Semistructured key informant interviews were conducted with racialized midwives in Ontario to understand how racism manifests in the midwifery profession and to conduct a needs assessment of interventions required. The researchers used thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes within the data and to develop a better understanding of participants' experiences and perspectives.

Results

Ten racialized midwives participated in key informant interviews. The vast majority of participants reported experiences of racism in their work as a midwife, including being subject to or witnessing racism from clients and colleagues, tokenism, and exclusionary hiring practices. More than half of participants also emphasized their commitment to providing culturally concordant care for BIPOC clients. Participants relayed that access to BIPOC‐centered gatherings, workshops, peer reviews, conferences, support groups, and mentorship opportunities constitute important supports for improving diversity and equity in midwifery. They also expressed a need for midwives and midwifery organizations to actively work to disrupt racism and the power structures in midwifery that enable racial inequity to proliferate.

Discussion

The manifestations of racism in midwifery have negative impacts on the career trajectory, career satisfaction, interpersonal relationships, and well‐being of BIPOC midwives. It is crucial to understand the role of racism in midwifery and make meaningful changes toward dismantling interpersonal and systemic racism in the profession. These progressive changes will serve to create a more diverse and equitable profession, where all midwives can belong and thrive.
Towards a Sociology of Moral Giving: Social Motivations and Functions of Acts of Donation
Authors: Eyigunlu Melek
Published: July 2023

This article proposes a theoretical approach to the sociology of moral giving. ‘Moral giving’ is a novel term introduced to cover acts of charity, philanthropy, and suchlike, both individual and as associated with donor institutions, such as family foundations and civil society organisations. A topic in moral philosophy for centuries, it has sociological aspects that have not been well studied. Inevitably, there is a complex range of functions motivating moral‐giving actions, including the social ends (benefits, rewards, etc.) that motivate donors. Assuming not to distinguish between motive and function as (potential) drivers, this study presents an analysis of the social motivations of moral giving from an integrative perspective. First, a particularist approach is considered and a novel synthesis of the micro‐macro dichotomy is outlined. Then, five major motivations or perspectives on moral giving are identified – those of religion, exchange relations, solidarity, rational choice, and social capital – and their micro/macro orientations and intersecting functions are briefly reviewed. An integrative model is thereby developed that incorporates mutually transitive relations between macro structures and micro agents and between the various social motives of moral giving.
Centric relation—A biological perspective of a technical concept
Authors: Manfredini Daniele , Ercoli Carlo , Poggio Carlo E. , Carboncini Fabio , Ferrari Marco
Published: July 2023

Background

Few terms and concepts have been so extensively debated in dentistry as the words ‘centric relation’ (CR). Debates involve its biological, diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness.

Methods

A review of the literature on the current concepts on CR as a diagnostic or therapeutic aid in dentistry was provided. Clinical trials assessing the superiority of one CR recording method over the others to identify patients with temporomandibular disorders (diagnostic use) or to manage patients with prosthodontic or orthodontic needs (therapeutic use) were tentatively included.

Results

Due to the absence of literature addressing either of the above targets, a comprehensive overview was provided. The diagnostic use of CR as a reference position to identify the correct position of the temporomandibular joint condyle within the glenoid fossa is not supported and lacks anatomical support. From a therapeutic standpoint, the use of CR can be pragmatically useful in prosthodontics as a maxillo‐mandibular reference position when occlusal re‐organization is warranted and/or when the position of maximum intercuspation is no longer available.

Conclusions

The derived occlusal goals from a diagnostic misuse of CR are generally the result of circular reasoning, that is a technique is based on the recording of a certain condylar position that is believed to be ‘ideal’ and the treatment is considered successful when such position is shown by the specific instrument that was manufactured for that purpose. The term ‘Centric Relation’ might be replaced with the term ‘Maxillo‐Mandibular Utility Position’.
The role of student–teacher relationships in the association between negative parenting practices and emotion dynamics – Combining longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment data
Authors: Talty Anna , Speyer Lydia G. , Eisner Manuel P. , Ribeaud Denis , Murray Aja L. , Obsuth Ingrid
Published: July 2023

Emotion dysregulation is increasingly implicated as a transdiagnostic risk factor in the etiology of mental health problems. This project aimed to explore the links between emotion regulation, negative parenting and student–teacher relationships using longitudinal and ecologically valid data. A sample of n = 209 young people enrolled in the ‘Decades‐to‐Minutes’ (D2M) study, based in Zurich, Switzerland, provided data from the ages of 7–20 via parent‐ and self‐report questionnaires and ecological momentary assessment. Data were analyzed using Dynamic Structural Equation Modeling (DSEM). Worse student–teacher relationships predicted increased negative affectivity and emotional lability. Negative parenting practices predicted emotional lability only via their impact on student–teacher relationships. The findings point to worse student–teacher relationships as risk factors in the socioemotional development of children and young people.
Adolescent experiences with online racial discrimination: Implications for prevention and coping
Authors: Liby Calista , Doty Jennifer L. , Mehari Krista R. , Abbas Ismat , Su Yi‐Wen
Published: July 2023

Online aggression represents a wide range of negative experiences, including online discrimination targeting individuals based on race, but adolescent perspectives are not well‐represented. We interviewed 15 adolescents regarding their experiences with online racial discrimination. After a phenomenological analysis, four main themes emerged: types of online racial aggression, processes supporting online racism, personal coping, and strategies to prevent online racial aggression. These themes provided insights into adolescent experiences, including feelings about targeted online racial discrimination, intersectionality with sexual harassment, and comfort through processing with friends. This study highlights adolescents' thoughts regarding advocacy, education, and social media reform to prevent online racial aggression. Future research should ensure that youth voices from minoritized racial backgrounds are integrated into efforts to address these critical social issues.
Shaping the phycosphere: Analysis of the EPS in diatom‐bacterial co‐cultures
Authors: Daly Giulia , Decorosi Francesca , Viti Carlo , Adessi Alessandra
Published: July 2023

The phycosphere is a unique niche that fosters complex interactions between microalgae and associated bacteria. The formation of this extracellular environment, and the associated bacterial biodiversity, is heavily influenced by the secretion of extracellular polymers, primarily driven by phototrophic organisms. The exopolysaccharides (EPS) represent the largest fraction of the microalgae‐derived exudates, which can be specifically used by heterotrophic bacteria as substrates for metabolic processes. Furthermore, it has been proposed that bacteria and their extracellular factors play a role in both the release and composition of the EPS. In this study, two model microorganisms, the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum CCAP 1055/15 and the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125, were co‐cultured in a dual system to assess how their interactions modify the phycosphere chemical composition by analyzing the EPS monosaccharide profile released in the culture media by the two partners. We demonstrate that microalgal–bacterial interactions in this simplified model significantly influenced the architecture of their extracellular environment. We observed that the composition of the exo‐environment, as described by the EPS monosaccharide profiles, varied under different culture conditions and times of incubation. This study reports an initial characterization of the molecular modifications occurring in the extracellular environment surrounding two relevant representatives of marine systems.
Development of preparation methods of polished sections of returned samples from asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft
Authors: Nakashima Daisuke , Fujioka Yuri , Katayama Kanchi , Morita Tomoyo , Kikuiri Mizuha , Amano Kana , Kagawa Eiichi , Nakamura Tomoki
Published: July 2023

Preparation procedures of polished sections of the Ryugu samples returned by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft were established through tests using CI and CM chondrites as analog materials of the Ryugu samples and processing of the Ryugu samples. The procedures consisted of four steps: epoxy‐coating, embedding in epoxy cylinders, cutting with a wire saw, and dry polish by hand. There are three key points for successful preparation of the polished sections: (1) ethanol‐mixed epoxy with low viscosity for reinforcing the fragile samples, (2) handling under dry conditions to avoid breakup of the samples on contact with liquids due to their highly porous nature, and (3) X‐ray computed tomography data for exposing maximum surface areas of target mineral phases and clasts. These key points may also be important for processing of samples returned from asteroid Bennu and the Martian Moon Phobos, as those samples are likely to be hydrous carbonaceous chondrite‐like materials. The established procedures induce two side effects: zoning of the polished surface of the Ryugu samples in scanning electron microscope images reflecting differences in carbon contents due to permeation of low viscosity epoxy resin into the sample surface and fractures in anhydrous minerals possibly due to shear stress during dry polishing.