bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and gross anatomy of forelimb joints in New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.)
Authors: Akgun Remzi Orkun , Orhan Ismail Onder , Ekim Okan , Bumin Ali
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to define the anatomical structures by comparing the transversal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images of the forelimb joints of the rabbits with the cross‐sectional plastinated images. A total of 14 (seven females, seven males) one‐year‐old adult New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. After the CT and MR imaging procedures were completed, the forelimbs were removed from the body. The forelimbs were plastinated using the silicone plastination method and sectioned transversal. Cross‐sectional plastinates were evaluated and correlated anatomically with conjugate CT and MR images. Joint and surrounding anatomical structures were defined in sections. Cross‐sectional plastinated samples were highly correlated with CT and MR images in terms of bone and soft tissue, respectively. It is thought that the anatomical and radiological data obtained from the forelimb joints of rabbits will provide a basis for scientists who are involved in both experimental surgical interventions and clinical anatomy education.
Challenges and strategies to improve the provision of end‐of‐life cancer care in rural and regional communities: Perspectives from Australian rural health professionals
Authors: Cerni Jessica , Rhee Joel , Hosseinzadeh Hassan
Published: May 2023

Objective

To identify challenges and strategies to improve the provision of end‐of‐life (EOL) cancer care in an underserved rural and regional Australian local health district (LHD) from the perspective of general practitioners (GPs) and specialist clinicians while exploring the benefits of adopting a generalist health care approach to delivering EOL care in rural and regional communities.

Setting

Rural and regional Australia.

Participants

General practitioners and palliative care and cancer care specialists (medical and nursing) involved in the provision of EOL care to people with advanced cancer in the rural and regional areas of an Australian LHD.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study involving 22 participants in four face‐to‐face and online focus groups. Thematic analysis of the transcripts identified key issues affecting EOL care for people with advanced cancer in rural and regional areas of the LHD.

Results

Four themes including geographical remoteness, system structures, medical management and expertise and training emerged from the focus groups. Key barriers to effective EOL care included insufficient remuneration for GPs and other clinicians (especially home visits), resource limitations, limited community awareness of palliative care and lack of confidence and training of clinicians. Continuity of care was identified as an important facilitator to effective EOL care. Participants suggested greater Medicare rebates for palliative care and home visits, adequate equipment and resources, technology‐enabled clinician training and greater rural‐based training for specialist PC clinicians may improve the provision of EOL care in regional and rural communities.

Conclusions

Rural‐based clinicians delivering EOL cancer care appear to be disproportionately affected by geographical challenges including resource and funding limitations. A multi‐pronged strategy aimed at greater interdisciplinary collaboration, community awareness and greater resourcing and funding could help to improve the provision of EOL care in underserved rural and remote communities of Australia.
Right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer using the hinotori surgical robot system: The first ever case report for colon cancer
Authors: Miyo Masaaki , Okita Kenji , Okuya Koichi , Ito Tatsuya , Akizuki Emi , Ogawa Tadashi , Ishii Masayuki , Miura Ryo , Ichihara Momoko , Korai Takahiro , Kimura Akina , Takemasa Ichiro
Published: May 2023

The hinotori Surgical Robot System obtained pharmaceutical approval for use in colorectal cancer surgery in October 2022 in Japan, and its advantages, including its operating arm with eight axes, adjustable arm base, and flexible 3D viewer, are expected to be utilized in colon cancer surgery. A 68‐year‐old woman presented to our hospital with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with cStageIIa (cT3N0M0) ascending colon cancer and underwent right hemicolectomy using the hinotori Surgical Robot System with the appropriate port placement on the arc around the hepatic flexure, which was available for both ileocecal manipulation and lymph node dissection, and adjustment of the angle of the arm base to further reduce interference. Herein we report the world's first surgery for colorectal cancer using the hinotori Surgical Robot System.
Towards theorising corporate social irresponsibility: The Déjà Vu cases of collapsed forestry ventures
Authors: Leung Tiffany C. H. , Ng Artie W. , Hoepner Andreas G. F. , Harjoto Maretno A.
Published: May 2023

Based on case studies and secondary data, this study theorises how and why firms engage in corporate social irresponsibility (CSIR). Using the inductive process of theory building based on case studies of two forestry companies operating in China, this study explains how and why organisations with initial intentions towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) engage in CSIR based on paths taken and the behaviours across micro (individual), meso (organisational), and macro (industry) levels. Hence, there is a ‘grey zone’ between CSR and CSIR (Clark, C. E., Riera, M., & Iborra, M. (2021). Business & Society, 61, 1473–1511. 10.1177/00076503211015911). This study extends the path dependence literature on CSIR (Küberling‐Jost, J.A. (2019). Journal of Business Ethics, 169(3), 579–601) by integrating moral disengagement and the theory of planned behaviour, stakeholder agency, and institutional theory into path dependence theory based on observed behaviours across micro, meso, and macro levels.
Agreement between maternal self‐report of birth‐related information and medical records in Brazil: A comparison study between public, mixed, and private hospitals
Authors: Nakamura‐Pereira Marcos , Takemoto Maíra Libertad Soligo , Bittencourt Sônia Duarte de Azevedo , Viellas Elaine Fernandes , do Carmo Cléber Nascimento , Schilithz Arthur Orlando Corrêa , Theme Filha Mariza Miranda , Leal Maria do Carmo
Published: May 2023

Background

The study aims to assess agreement between data obtained from interviews with postpartum women and their health records about labor and birth characteristics, newborn care, and reasons for cesarean birth.

Methods

The present study analyzes the Birth in Brazil study dataset, a nationwide hospital‐based survey that included 23,894 postpartum women. Reliability was assessed using kappa coefficients and 95% confidence intervals. We also calculated the proportion of specific agreement: the observed proportion of positive agreement (Ppos) and the observed proportion of negative agreement (Pneg).

Results

In terms of labor and birth characteristics, more significant discrepancies in prevalence were observed for fundal pressure (1.4%–42.6%), followed by amniotomy, and augmentation. All of these variables were reported more frequently by women. Reliability was nearly perfect only for mode of delivery (kappa 0.99–1.00, Ppos and Pneg >99.0%). Higher discrepancies in reasons for cesarean prevalence were observed for previous cesarean birth (CB) (3.9%–10.4%) and diabetes mellitus (0.5%–8.5%). Most kappa coefficients for CB reasons were moderate to substantial. Lower coefficients were seen for diabetes mellitus, induction failure, and prelabor rupture of membranes and Pneg was consistently higher than Ppos.

Discussion

Our findings raise relevant questions about the quality of information shared with women during and after the process of care for labor and birth, as well as the information recorded in medical charts. Not having access to full information about their own health status at birth may impair women's health promotion behaviors or clear disclosure of risk factors in future interactions with the healthcare system.
Snow damage in a Himalayan forest maintains the dominance of evergreen oaks
Authors: Thadani Rajesh
Published: May 2023

Extreme climate events are increasing due to climate change. Heavy snowfall in a Himalayan evergreen oak forest damaged 21% trees and created large treefall gaps. Such occasional events may help define the upper altitudinal boundary of certain species. Oak trees with branches lopped by local communities showed lower damage.
Employee acceptance of disruptive service innovations at the frontline: The role of collective sensemaking processes
Authors: Garrelfs Christopher , Schultz Carsten , Luengen Marie
Published: May 2023

Acceptance of service innovation by frontline employees is a challenging issue, especially if such innovations have the potential to disrupt existing value creation models and individual competencies. Disruptive service innovations are often (1) characterized by a high degree of innovativeness related to significant changes in technology and in the market and (2) may be introduced by technology manufacturers as new service market entrants that cause a competitive threat to the existing service provision. We argue that such innovations challenge frontline employees' focus on routines and standardized service operating procedures. The perceived threat and resulting high levels of uncertainty may inhibit innovation acceptance. Our study follows a collective sensemaking perspective, paying special attention to investigating the moderating role of (1) the exchange of operational information within a workgroup and (2) a firm's entrepreneurial orientation. Whereas the former may increase frontline employees' preference for incremental improvements, the latter may help to increase the acceptance level of potentially more disruptive innovations. We test our theoretically derived hypotheses with an experimental vignette study of 671 frontline employees in the field of audiology, a health care market particularly affected by both more radical and market entrant innovations. Results show that a high degree of innovativeness has a negative effect on innovation acceptance. Frontline employees accept radical innovations less readily than incremental innovations. A competitive threat from new technology manufacturers in the supply chain does not lead to a lower innovation acceptance level. The moderation results indicate significant effects of both information exchange and entrepreneurial orientation. Intensive information exchange within the workgroup strengthens the negative relationship between the degree of innovativeness and innovation acceptance. In contrast, a high degree of entrepreneurial orientation weakens the negative relationship between a competitive threat and innovation acceptance.
Reduced dosing versus full dosing valganciclovir for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus in high‐risk abdominal transplant recipients
Authors: Kreiser Maura L. , Dupuis Robert , Szempruch Kristen R. , Chargualaf Laura M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection in abdominal transplant recipients (ATR). Prevention of CMV in the highest risk population (CMV IgG donor+/recipient‐) is critical as CMV is associated with negative outcomes. Guideline recommended prophylactic valganciclovir dosing is 900 mg daily for 6 months in this population. However, reduced dosing strategies are utilized in practice.

Methods

This single center, retrospective study in adult ATR compared full valganciclovir prophylactic dosing (900 mg daily for 6 months) to reduced dosing (900 mg daily for 3 months, then 450 mg daily for 3 months). The primary endpoint was incidence of CMV infection with viral load >1000 IU/mL. Secondary endpoints included incidence of CMV infection with viral load 200–1000 IU/mL, neutropenia, and leukopenia.

Results

Incidence of CMV infection with viral load >1000 IU/mL (29% vs. 27%, p = 1) or CMV infection with viral load 200‐1000 IU/mL (6% vs. 12%, p = .421) did not differ significantly between 68 ATR in reduced and full dosing groups, as well as incidence of leukopenia (94% vs. 97%, p = 1) and neutropenia (77% vs. 70%, p = .586).

Conclusions

There was no difference in the incidence of CMV infection, neutropenia, or leukopenia of the two dosing regimens, although time to CMV diagnosis was different.
Advancing therapy in people with suboptimally controlled basal insulin‐treated type 2 diabetes: Subanalysis of the SoliMix trial in participants in Latin American countries
Authors: Frechtel Gustavo , Sauque‐Reyna Leobardo , Choza‐Romero Ricardo , Anguiano Luis , Melas‐Melt Lydie , Sañudo‐Maury María Elena
Published: May 2023

Aims

This subanalysis of the SoliMix trial assessed the efficacy and safety of advancing basal insulin (BI) therapy with iGlarLixi versus BIAsp 30 in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in Latin American (LATAM) countries, i.e. Argentina and Mexico (N = 160).

Materials and Methods

SoliMix (EudraCT: 2017‐003370‐13) was a 26‐week, open‐label, multicentre study, where adults with T2D suboptimally controlled with BI plus one or two oral glucose‐lowering drugs and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥7.5% to ≤10% were randomized to once‐daily iGlarLixi or twice‐daily BIAsp 30. Primary efficacy endpoints were non‐inferiority in HbA1c reduction (margin 0.3%) or superiority in body weight change for iGlarLixi versus BIAsp 30.

Results

Both primary efficacy endpoints were met in the LATAM region. After 26 weeks, HbA1c was reduced by 1.8% with iGlarLixi and 1.4% with BIAsp 30, meeting non‐inferiority [least squares mean difference −0.47% (95% confidence interval: −0.82, −0.11); p < .001]. iGlarLixi was superior to BIAsp 30 for body weight change [least squares mean difference −1.27% (95% confidence interval: −2.41, −0.14); p = .028]. iGlarLixi was also superior to BIAsp 30 for HbA1c reduction (p = .010). A greater proportion of participants achieved HbA1c <7% without weight gain and HbA1c <7% without weight gain and without hypoglycaemia with iGlarLixi versus BIAsp 30. Incidence and rates of American Diabetes Association Level 1 and 2 hypoglycaemia were lower with iGlarLixi versus BIAsp 30.

Conclusions

Once‐daily iGlarLixi provided better glycaemic control with weight benefit and less hypoglycaemia than twice‐daily premix BIAsp 30. iGlarLixi may be a favourable alternative to premix BIAsp 30 in people with suboptimally controlled T2D to advance BI therapy in the LATAM region.
Machine‐learning‐derived heart and brain age are independently associated with cognition
Authors: Iakunchykova Olena , Schirmer Henrik , Vangberg Torgil , Wang Yunpeng , Benavente Ernest D. , van Es René , van de Leur Rutger R. , Lindekleiv Haakon , Attia Zachi I. , Lopez‐Jimenez Francisco , Leon David A. , Wilsgaard Tom
Published: May 2023

Background and purpose

A heart age biomarker has been developed using deep neural networks applied to electrocardiograms. Whether this biomarker is associated with cognitive function was investigated.

Methods

Using 12‐lead electrocardiograms, heart age was estimated for a population‐based sample (N = 7779, age 40–85 years, 45.3% men). Associations between heart delta age (HDA) and cognitive test scores were studied adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, the relationship between HDA, brain delta age (BDA) and cognitive test scores was investigated in mediation analysis.

Results

Significant associations between HDA and the Word test, Digit Symbol Coding Test and tapping test scores were found. HDA was correlated with BDA (Pearson's r = 0.12, p = 0.0001). Moreover, 13% (95% confidence interval 3–36) of the HDA effect on the tapping test score was mediated through BDA.

Discussion

Heart delta age, representing the cumulative effects of life‐long exposures, was associated with brain age. HDA was associated with cognitive function that was minimally explained through BDA.
Alternative approach for fracture fixation following implant infection in aSalter‐Harris type‐IIfracture of the proximal phalanx in a Warmblood foal
Authors: Kalinovskiy Andrey , Ehrle Anna , Müller Eva , Lischer Christophorus
Published: May 2023

A 2‐day‐old female Warmblood foal (70 kg) presented with a closed, displaced Salter‐Harris type‐II fracture of the proximal physis of the left hind first phalanx. The fracture was repaired with four 4.5 mm cortical screws and a wire in a figure‐of‐8 pattern applied on the lateral and medial aspect of the phalanx, respectively. A 4.5 mm cortical screw was additionally inserted in lag‐fashion to engage the lateral metaphyseal spike. Three days postoperatively, medial and proximal displacement of the distal fracture fragment and implant infection were apparent and revision surgery was performed. Previous implants were removed and two 4.5 mm transphyseal cortical lag‐screws were placed in proximolateral–distomedial and dorsoproximal–plantarodistal direction across the physis and the fracture line. Postoperatively, the fracture healed rapidly and the implants were removed 6 weeks later. Nineteen months after implant removal, the horse did not show any sign of lameness, despite a shortening of the proximal phalanx compared to the contralateral limb. In cases of postoperative implant instability and infection, implant removal often becomes necessary. However, new implants cannot be placed safely in the previous location. To avoid this problem, this report describes an alternative approach for screw positioning in case of previous implant infection in a Salter‐Harris type‐II fracture of the proximal physis of the first phalanx.
Undifferentiated sarcomas in humans and veterinary species
Authors: Hollis Anna R.
Published: May 2023

Undifferentiated sarcomas, more correctly known as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (UPS), are a form of soft tissue sarcoma. They appear to be uncommonly diagnosed in veterinary species but represent the second most common form of soft tissue sarcoma in human adults. There is an evolving nomenclature around these tumours, with older reports referring to ‘malignant fibrous histiocytoma’, but these have been reclassified into several different tumour types, including the UPS. This makes review of the literature challenging, as many tumours previously referred to as malignant fibrous histiocytomas have been reclassified and are not the same as the UPS.En blocsurgical excision is the mainstay of treatment in all species, although adjunctive radiotherapy and perioperative chemotherapy improve the prognosis in humans, and should be considered in horses diagnosed with this tumour type. Metastasis is uncommon in all species but can be devastating when it occurs.
A new method of multi‐attribute group decision making based on hesitant fuzzy soft expert information
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Ali Ghous , Alcantud José Carlos R.
Published: May 2023

Interesting insights into uncertain multi‐attribute decision‐making systems have come from the theory of hesitant fuzzy sets. Outputs become more reliable when a decision‐maker is not forced to produce one single assessment in the presence of hesitation. Hesitancy in fuzzy environments grants more flexibility to the decision‐maker, therefore enhancing the validity of all subsequent results. Due to these facts, hesitation has become a landmark in the enhancement of fuzzy‐soft‐inspired theories, and techniques using models such as hesitant fuzzy soft sets or hesitant (fuzzy) ‐soft sets have thrived. However, the literature lacks a comparable improvement for fuzzy soft expert information. The main goal of this paper is the integration of both hesitation and fuzziness with the characteristics of soft expert sets. The resulting hybrid model is therefore called hesitant fuzzy soft expert set, and its utilization for multiple attribute group decision‐making (MAGDM) will be investigated too. To that purpose, we first study the required algebraic operations and properties (subsethood and equality, complement, union, intersection, plus AND and OR operation). Respective numerical examples illustrate their utilization. We also establish some important laws for hesitant fuzzy soft expert sets, including commutativity, associativity, distributivity, and De Morgan's laws. Moreover, we define four novel types of level soft expert sets for fuzzy soft expert sets, and three types of fuzzy soft expert sets for hesitant fuzzy soft expert sets, which are: ‐level soft expert sets, level soft expert sets regarding fuzzy threshold, mid‐level soft expert sets and top‐level soft expert sets. Armed with these tools, we present a natural algorithm for MAGDM under hesitant fuzzy soft expert information that is accompanied by an illustrative application that concerns a selection problem for the samples of electric vehicles manufactured by different companies. This is followed by a comparison with existing mathematical tools such as hesitant fuzzy soft sets and fuzzy soft expert sets, in order to show the advantages of our work over them. In the end, we provide some future research directions.
Efficient CRISPR/Cas9 mediated large insertions using long single‐stranded oligonucleotide donors in C. elegans
Authors: Eroglu Matthew , Yu Bin , Derry W. Brent
Published: May 2023

Highly efficient generation of deletions, substitutions, and small insertions (up to ~ 150 bp) into the Caenorhabditis elegans genome by CRISPR/Cas9 has been facilitated by the use of single‐stranded oligonucleotide donors as repair templates. However, insertion of larger sequences such as fluorescent markers and other functional domains remains challenging due to uncertainty of optimal performance between single‐stranded or double‐stranded repair templates and labor‐intensive as well as inefficient protocols for their preparations. Here, we simplify the generation of long ssDNA as donors in CRISPR/Cas9. High yields of ssDNA can be rapidly generated using a standard PCR followed by a single enzymatic digest with lambda exonuclease. Comparison of long ssDNA donors obtained using this method to dsDNA demonstrates orders of magnitude increased insertion frequency for ssDNA donors. This can be leveraged to simultaneously generate multiple large insertions as well as successful edits without the use of selection or co‐conversion (co‐CRISPR) markers when necessary. Our approach complements the CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit for C. elegans to enable highly efficient insertion of longer sequences with a simple, standardized, and labor‐minimal protocol.
Maritime temporalities and capitalist development
Authors: Colás Alejandro , Campling Liam
Published: May 2023

This intervention develops arguments in our book Capitalism and the Sea on the complex temporalities attached to capitalism's intense and peculiar relationship to the global ocean. Technological innovations like the steamship or containerisation plainly transformed the pace and intensity of maritime commerce, and aspects of the global economy. We take this further to argue that the very origins and periodisation of capitalism are connected to the global ocean; as will be our futures, given the unpredictable implications of the oceans acting as the biosphere's ‘heat sink’. We consider several stylised expressions of time at sea: deep‐time, logistical‐time, life‐time, and revolutionary time suggesting that the ocean world as a geographical space articulates these in distinctive and contradictory ways.
From the cocoon to la chape de plomb: The birth and persistence of silence around sexism in academia
Authors: Shymko Yuliya , Vershinina Natalia , Daskalaki Maria , Azevedo Guilherme , Quental Camilla
Published: May 2023

Drawing on narrative accounts of French business school staff and faculty about their experiences and observations of actions taken by different organizational actors in response to a trigger event, we theorize the intricate connections between organizational practices conducive to sexism and the persistence of silence around such practices. Specifically, empirical investigation demonstrates how managerial practices such as the allocation of organizational tasks and valorization of individual contributions prompt organizational members to assume a variety of stances toward gender issues. The enactment of these stances in various interactions provokes organizational counteraction in the form of sanctions, the establishment of a hermetic and formulaic communication regime, and public reinforcement of meritocratic narratives. This results in silence around organizational sexism manifesting as a collective and individual inability and unwillingness to react. This study contributes to a broader and rapidly developing literature on sexism in academic settings and the phenomenon of silencing in organizations by shedding light on the mechanisms of its persistence.
Evaluation of Dual Domain Mass Transfer in Porous Media at the Pore Scale
Authors: Dorchester Leland , Day‐Lewis Frederick D. , Singha Kamini
Published: May 2023

Dual‐porosity models are often used to describe solute transport in heterogeneous media, but the parameters within these models (e.g., immobile porosity and mobile/immobile exchange rate coefficients) are difficult to identify experimentally or relate to measurable quantities. Here, we performed synthetic, pore‐scale millifluidics simulations that coupled fluid flow, solute transport, and electrical resistivity (ER). A conductive‐tracer test and the associated geoelectrical signatures were simulated for four flow rates in two distinct pore‐scale model scenarios: one with intergranular porosity, and a second with an intragranular porosity also defined. With these models, we explore how the effective characteristic‐length scale estimated from a best‐fit dual‐domain mass transfer (DDMT) model compares to geometric aspects of the flow field. In both model scenarios we find that: (1) mobile domains and immobile domains develop even in a system that is explicitly defined with one domain; (2) the ratio of immobile to mobile porosity is larger at faster flow rates as is the mass‐transfer rate; and (3) a comparison of length scales associated with the mass‐transfer rate (Lα) and those associated with calculation of the Peclet number (LPe) show LPe is commonly larger than Lα. These results suggest that estimated immobile porosities from a DDMT model are not only a function of physically mobile or immobile pore space, but also are a function of the average linear pore‐water velocity and physical obstructions to flow, which can drive the development of immobile porosity even in single‐porosity domains.
Volumetric changes in root canal sealers in ex vivo and a novel animal model approach
Authors: Ferreira Cláudio Malizia Alves , de Lima Carolina Oliveira , Pinto Karem Paula , Barbosa Ana Flávia Almeida , de Souza Jenif Braga , De‐Deus Gustavo , Sassone Luciana Moura , Silva Emmanuel J. N. L.
Published: May 2023

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the volumetric change of root canal sealers through micro‐computed tomographic analysis using a novel in vivo model and to compare the results with those obtained using an ex vivo test.

Methodology

Eighteen single‐rooted teeth were cut to 5 mm length from the root apex. The root canals were uniformly enlarged and filled with EndoSequence BC Sealer or AH Plus Jet root canal sealers. Samples were stored at 37°C and 95% relative humidity for 24 h and then scanned with a micro‐CT device. Twelve samples (n = 6 for each sealer) were implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats, while six samples (n = 3 for each sealer) were immersed in 20 mL of phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) at 37°C at neutral pH. After 7 and 30 days, teeth were removed from subcutaneous tissue or PBS and rescanned. Statistical analysis of volume changes was performed using Shapiro–Wilk's test and independent t‐test (p < .05).

Results

AH Plus Jet had smaller volume changes (−2.2 to +0.77%) than EndoSequence BC Sealer (−2.0 to +4.0%) (p < .05), in the two tested models. The volume of the root canal sealers decreased over time (p < .05), in vivo. AH Plus Jet results varied between the in vivo and ex vivo results (p < .05), while EndoSequence BC Sealer presented similar volume losses for both experimental models (p > .05).

Conclusion

EndoSequence BC Sealer lost more volume than AH Plus Jet. The experimental conditions influenced the volumetric change of AH Plus Jet but not the EndoSequence BC Sealer. The ex vivo model should be further explored as a methodological alternative to assess the volumetric changes of root canal sealers without causing harm to animals.
Western Australia remote aeromedical substance use disorders outcomes
Authors: Faint Nicholas , Coleman Mathew , Spring Breeanna , Richardson Alice , Thornton Ashleigh , Bacon Donna , Kumaradevan Santharajah , Gardiner Fergus W.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Substance use disorders (SUDs) cause significant harm to regional Australians, who are more likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs (AODs) and encounter difficulty in accessing treatment services. The primary aims of this study were to describe the demographics of patients aeromedically retrieved from regional locations and compare hospital outcomes with a metropolitan‐based cohort.

Aims

Retrospective case‐controlled cohort study. Participants were aeromedically retrieved within Western Australia for SUDs between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2019. Retrieved patients were case‐matched based on age and hospital discharge diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and χ2 analysis were used to summarise the findings.

Results

One hundred thirty‐six (91.3%) aeromedical retrievals were found, with the majority being male (n = 95; 69.9%). These were case‐matched to 427 metropolitan patients, the majority male (n = 321; 75.2%). Retrieved patients were more likely (all P < 0.05) Indigenous (odds ratio [OR], 9.35 [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.96–14.85]), unemployed (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.41–6.80]), referred to a tertiary hospital (OR, 2.18 [95% CI, 1.24–3.86]) and to stay longer in hospital (OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02–1.14]).

Discussion

Findings highlight that unmarried and/or unemployed males were overrepresented in the retrieval group, with over half identifying as Indigenous. Regional variation in retrievals was noted, while amphetamine‐type stimulants featured prominently in the retrieval cohort, who experienced longer hospital stays and more restrictive treatment.

Conclusions

Comparing clinical outcomes for retrieved regional patients experiencing SUDs, service design and delivery should focus on offering culturally safe care for Indigenous people, catering for regional health care catchment areas, while ideally adopting collaborative and integrated approaches between AODs and mental health services.
Automated insulin delivery among adults with type 1 diabetes for up to 2 years: a real‐world, multicentre study
Authors: Donaldson Laura E. , Fourlanos Spiros , Vogrin Sara , MacIsaac Richard J. , Colman Peter G. , McAuley Sybil A.
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

Automated insulin delivery (AID) improves glycaemia among people with type 1 diabetes in clinical trials and overseas real‐world studies. Whether improvements are sustained beyond 12 months in the real world, and whether they occur in the Australian context, has not yet been established. We aimed to observe, up to 2 years, the effectiveness of initiating first‐generation AID for type 1 diabetes management.

Methods

Retrospective, real‐world, observational study using medical records, conducted across five sites in Australia. Adults with type 1 diabetes, who had AID initiated between February 2019 and December 2021, were observed for 6–24 months after initiation (until June 2022). Outcomes examined included glucose metrics assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), safety and therapy continuation.

Results

Ninety‐four adults were studied (median age 39 years (interquartile range, IQR: 31–51); pre‐initiation HbA1c 7.8% (7.2–8.6)). After AID initiation, HbA1c decreased by mean 0.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.7 to −0.2) at 3 months (P < 0.001); CGM time in range 3.9–10.0 mmol/L increased by 11 percentage points (9–14) at 1 month (P < 0.001); these improvements were maintained up to 24 months (all P < 0.02). Median CGM time below 3.9 mmol/L was <1.5% pre‐ and post‐AID initiation. The subgroup with pre‐initiation HbA1c above 8.5% had the greatest HbA1c improvement (−1.4 percentage points (−1.8 to −1.1) at 3 months). Twelve individuals (13%) discontinued AID, predominantly citing difficulties with CGM. During the 150 person‐years observed, four diabetes‐related emergencies were documented: three severe hypoglycaemic events and one hyperglycaemic event without ketoacidosis.

Conclusions

Early glucose improvements were observed after real‐world AID initiation, sustained up to 2 years, without excess adverse events. The greatest benefits were observed among individuals with highest glycaemia before initiation. Future‐generation systems with increased user‐friendliness may enhance therapy continuation.
Rheumatology specialist care delivered at the Southern QLD Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
Authors: Grosman Sergei , Tesiram Joanne , Hayman Noel , Benham Helen
Published: May 2023

Background

There is limited literature on the prevalence of rheumatologic conditions in Australian First Nations people. Existing evidence suggests a high disease burden with poorer outcomes. In 2016 a rheumatology clinic was established at The Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (CoE).

Aims

To improve knowledge of rheumatic diseases presentations in an urban First Nations cohort and to assess the effectiveness of the CoE clinic.

Methods

Data on attendance, diagnosis, treatment and demographics were obtained retrospectively from clinical records at the CoE from 2016 to 2020. Administrative attendance data for the largest public general rheumatology clinic in the region for the 4 years preceding the establishment of the CoE clinic were used as a historic cohort control.

Results

A cohort of 93 patients was seen at the CoE with 439 appointments compared to 207 in the historical control. Common diagnoses were osteoarthritis (24%), seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (17%), gout (13%) and spondyloarthropathies (10%). Forty per cent of the cohort at CoE were treated with at least one disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and 12% with a biologic or targeted synthetic DMARD. Seventy‐five per cent of appointments were attended versus 71% in control group. Adjusted odds ratio of attendance was 1.35 (P = 0.07).

Conclusions

Provision of rheumatology specialty care in an urban primary health setting aimed specifically at the needs of First Nations people led to increased uptake and engagement. A broad range of rheumatologic diagnoses was made and significant DMARD treatments commenced.
Conflict of interest policies at Australian medical schools
Authors: Hooimeyer Ashleigh , Lines Travis , Mirzaei Janet , Pande Preshita , Ganeshamoorthy Sylviya , Fabbri Alice , Parker Lisa , Dunn Adam G. , Mintzes Barbara
Published: May 2023

Background

Pharmaceutical industry exposure is widespread during medical training and may affect education and clinical decision‐making. Medical faculties' conflict of interest (COI) policies help to limit this exposure and protect students against commercial influence.

Aims

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence, content and strength of COI policies at Australian medical schools and changes since a previous assessment conducted in 2009.

Methods

We identified policies by searching medical school and host university websites in January 2021, and contacted deans to identify any missed policies. We applied a modified version of a scorecard developed in previous studies to examine the content of COI policies. All data were coded in duplicate. COI policies were rated on a scale from 0 (no policy) to 2 (strong policy) across 11 items per medical school. Oversight mechanisms and sanctions were also assessed, and current policies were compared with the 2009 study.

Results

Of 155 potentially relevant policies, 153 were university‐wide and two were specific to medical schools. No policies covered sales representatives, on‐site sponsored education or free samples. Oversight of consultancies had improved substantially, with 76% of schools requiring preapproval. Disclosure policies, while usually present, were weak, with no public disclosure required.

Conclusion

We found little indication that Australian medical students are protected from commercial influence on medical education, and there has been limited COI policy development within the past decade. More attention is needed to ensure the independence of medical education in Australia.
Combining local branching and descent method for solving the multiple‐choice knapsack problem with setups
Authors: Boukhari Samah , Hifi Mhand
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the multiple‐choice knapsack problem with setups is tackled with an iterative method, where both local branching and descent method cooperate. First, an iterative procedure is designed for solving a series of mixed integer programming problems combined with a special reduced subproblem; that is, a combined model built by injecting some valid cardinality constraints. Second, the local branching‐based learning strategy is embedded into an iterative search to mimic the variable neighborhood descent method, such that the local branching strategy drives the search process for enhancing the quality of the solutions. Third, the proposed method is experimentally analyzed on benchmark instances extracted from the literature, where its provided (lower) bounds are compared to those reached by methods published in the literature and the Cplex solver. Finally, its performance is evaluated by providing a statistical analysis.
Data‐driven distributionally robust supplier selection and order allocation problems considering carbon emissions
Authors: Dong Qiandong , Yuan Yichao
Published: May 2023

Under the constraints of uncertainty and carbon emission policies, reasonable and flexible supplier selection and order allocation can minimize the total cost, which is of great significance to the supply chain. We study sustainable supplier selection and order allocation problems with multiple periods, multiple suppliers, and multiple products under a carbon cap‐and‐trade policy. We exploit distributionally robust versions of supplier selection and order allocation problems with an explicit distributional uncertainty set and derive computationally tractable reformulations of the distributionally robust optimization model with chance constraints by cone duality theory and conditional value‐at‐risk measure. Numerical experiments show that the proposed distributionally robust optimization models with nice computational tractability and probability guarantees are superior to the existing distributionally robust chance‐constrained optimization models in terms of cost and risk aversion. Relevant management insights on different carbon emission regulations and the application of distributionally robust optimization models are provided for policymakers and enterprises' decision‐makers based on the derived results.
Diacerein modulates TLR4/ NF‐κB/IL‐1β and TRPC1/CHOP signalling pathways in gentamicin‐induced parotid toxicity in rats
Authors: Ali Dalia Mohamed , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , Rifaai Rehab Ahmed , Fawzy Michael Atef , Atta Medhat , Welson Nermeen N. , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios , Abdelzaher Walaa Yehia
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to identify the possible protective effect of diacerein (DIA) on gentamicin (GNT)‐induced parotid toxicity in rats. DIA was administered in the presence and absence of GNT. Thirty‐two Wistar adult male rats were randomly arranged into four groups: control, DIA (50 mg/kg/day), GNT (100 mg/kg) and GNT+DIA groups for 8 days. Parotid oxidative stress parameters, besides inflammatory and apoptotic biomarkers, were evaluated. Salivary flow rate, transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRCP1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in parotid tissue were measured. A parotid histopathological examination and an interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) immunohistochemical study were also performed. GNT significantly increased parotid oxidative stress, inflammatory, apoptotic and CHOP biomarkers with decreased salivary flow rate and TRCP1 level. A histopathological picture of parotid damage and high IL‐1β immunoexpression were detected. DIA significantly normalized the distributed oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic indicators, CHOP and TRCP1, with a prompt improvement in the histopathological picture and a decrease in IL‐1β immunoexpression. These results reported that DIA protects against GNT‐induced parotid toxicity via modulation of TLR4/NF‐κB/IL‐1β and TRPC1/CHOP signalling pathways.
‘There will be no law, or people to protect us’: Irregular Southeast Asian seasonal workers in Taiwan before and during the pandemic
Authors: Cockel Isabelle , Zani Beatrice , Parhusip Jonathan S.
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the everyday lived realities of Southeast Asian migrant workers who left the formal sector of the labour market and entered the informal agricultural sector before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Taiwan. Drawing on observations of migrants' daily lives and farm work and 19 in‐depth interviews, it delves into migrants' subjective experiences of vulnerability, paternalism, exploitation, and control at work due to a lack of legal protection and the illegality of their employment. Although the literature has identified a link between ‘running away’ from formal employment and seeking freedom, this research suggests a continuum between experiences of work in the formal and informal economic sectors. The paper sheds new light on mobility, work, illegality, and informality and how these have constantly shaped ‘runaway’ workers' subjective experiences of freedom and unfreedom during the pandemic.
Genetic admixture of Chinese Tajik people inferred from genome‐wide array genotyping and mitochondrial genome sequencing
Authors: Zhao Jing , Wu Qiao , Bai Xin-Hong , Allen Edward , Wang Meng-Ge , He Guang-Lin , Guo Jian-Xin , Yang Xiao-Min , Xiong Jian-Xue , Jiang Zi-Xi , Ji Xiao-Yan , Wang Hui , Tan Jing-Ze , Wen Shao-Qing , Wang Chuan‐Chao
Published: May 2023

Chinese Tajiks are an Indo‐Iranian‐speaking population in Xinjiang, northwest China. Although the complex demographic history has been characterized, the ancestral sources and genetic admixture of Indo‐Iranian‐speaking groups in this region remain poorly understood. We here provide the genome‐wide genotyping data for over 700 000 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mtDNA multiplex sequencing data in 64 Chinese male Tajik individuals from two dialect groups, Wakhi and Selekur. We applied principal component analysis (PCA), ADMIXTURE, f‐statistics, treemix, qpWave/qpAdm, Admixture‐induced Linkage Disequilibrium for Evolutionary Relationships (ALDER), and Fst analyses to infer a fine‐scale population genetic structure and admixture history. Our results reveal that Chinese Tajiks showed the closest affinity and similar genetic admixture pattern with ancient Xinjiang populations, especially Xinjiang samples in the historical era. Chinese Tajiks also have gene flow from European and Neolithic Iran farmers‐related populations. We observed a genetic substructure in the two Tajik dialect groups. The Selekur‐speaking group who lived in the county had more gene flow from East Asians than Wakhi‐speaking people who inhabited the village. These results document the population movements contributed to the influx of diverse ancestries in the Xinjiang region.
First‐night effect in insomnia disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of polysomnographic findings
Authors: Hu Sifan , Shi Le , Li Zhe , Ma Yundong , Li Jinyu , Bao Yanping , Lu Lin , Sun Hongqiang
Published: May 2023

Polysomnographic studies have been performed to investigate the first‐night effect in insomnia disorder. However, these studies have revealed discrepant findings. This meta‐analysis aimed to summarise and quantify the characteristics of the first‐night effect in insomnia disorder. We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases to identify studies published through October 2019. A total of 11,862 articles were identified, and seven studies with eight independent populations were included in the meta‐analysis. A total of 639 patients with insomnia disorder and 171 healthy controls underwent more than 2 consecutive nights of in‐laboratory polysomnography. Pooled results demonstrated that both variables of sleep continuity and sleep architecture, other than slow‐wave sleep were significantly altered in the first‐night effect in insomnia disorder. Furthermore, the results indicated that patients with insomnia disorder had a disruption of sleep continuity in the first‐night effect, including increased sleep onset latency and reduced total sleep time, compared to healthy controls. Overall, the findings show that patients with insomnia disorder experience the first‐night effect, rather than reverse first‐night effect, and the profiles of the first‐night effect in patients with insomnia are different from healthy controls. These indicate that an adaptation night is necessary when sleep continuity and sleep architecture is to be studied in patients with insomnia disorder. More well‐designed studies with large samples are needed to confirm the results.
Stress‐relaxation properties of French fries as a function of moisture content, oil content, frying temperature, and testing temperature
Authors: Pinto Guilherme Simoes Alves , Takhar Pawan Singh
Published: May 2023

There is insufficient information on the effect of temperature, moisture content (MC), and oil concentration on the mechanical properties of fried potatoes. The static mechanical testing capabilities of a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) were utilized to measure the stress relaxation function of fried potatoes as a function of frying time, temperature, and testing temperature. The French fries were prepared in oil heated at 177°C, 184°C, and 191°C, and their MC and oil content (OC) values were measured as a function of frying time. The samples loaded in DMA were subjected to 2% strain, and the stress relaxation was performed for 600 s. The DMA furnace temperature was set at 37°C, 60°C, and 90°C. A two‐element generalized Maxwell model was fitted into the DMA data. French Fries lost more than 70% of their moisture and absorbed more than 80% of their final OC during the first 180 s of frying. During the same interval (up to 180 s), the relaxation modulus parameters (G0, G1, and G2) did not change significantly and then increased linearly. These parameters also did not change considerably for MC above 2 g/g solids. At lower MC values, G1 and G2 increased as the MC was reduced, but the elastic modulus G0 stayed almost constant, independent of the MC.
Informing the Development of School‐Based Strategies to Promote Children's Executive Function Skills: Considerations, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Grammer Jennie K. , Ahmed Sammy F.
Published: May 2023

In recent years awareness of the importance of executive function (EF) skills for students' academic growth has increased. Research suggests that experience in school promotes EF development; however, recommendations regarding evidence‐based practices that educators can use to support EF in their classrooms are limited. Here we outline two main reasons that this may be the case. First, there are significant challenges in the measurement of EF, which have implications for our understanding of how children use EF skills in support of learning in the moment and in real‐world settings like the classroom. Second, there is limited direct research on the types of classroom experiences that promote EF. In describing both, we highlight emerging evidence and new methods that are helping us better understand the development of EF and the ways in which school experiences shape this growth, which will ultimately inform the development of school‐based strategies to promote these skills.