bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of social restrictions, loss of social support, and loss of maternal autonomy on postpartum depression in 1 to 12-months postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tsuno Kanami , Okawa Sumiyo , Matsushima Midori , Nishi Daisuke , Arakawa Yuki , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: October 2021

Background

This study focuses on postpartum women, who are one of the most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to reveal mental health consequences of social restrictions, loss of social support, or loss of autonomy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study for postpartum women was conducted in October 2020 (N = 600). The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to measure postpartum depression. The prevalence ratios were estimated by log-binomial regression models, adjusting for age, education, household income, residence area, parity, the timing of delivery, and a prior history of depression.

Results

The prevalence of postpartum depression was 28.7% (EPDS ≥ 9), 18.6% (≥ 11), and 13.1% (≥ 13). Social restrictions including cancellation of home visits by health care professionals, or cancellation of infant checkups or vaccinations, loss of support during pregnancy or after delivery including loss of opportunities to consult with health care professionals or friends, or cancellation of parents or other family members’ visits to support, and loss of autonomy about delivery or breastfeeding, were associated with postnatal depression.

Conclusion

About 30% of women who delivered and raised a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic had postpartum depression, which is much higher than a pre-pandemic meta-analysis. COVID-19 related social restrictions or loss of social support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends were significantly associated with postpartum depression. Also, loss of maternal autonomy in delivery and breastfeeding is associated with postpartum depression. The results indicate that both formal and informal support should not be limited to prevent postpartum depression during the pandemic.
Long-term health-related quality of life in non-hospitalised COVID-19 cases with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in England: Longitudinal analysis and cross-sectional comparison with controls
Authors: Sandmann Frank , Tessier Elise , Lacy Joanne , Kall Meaghan , Van Leeuwen Edwin , Charlett Andre , Eggo Rosalind M , Dabrera Gavin , Edmunds W. John , Ramsay Mary , Campbell Helen , Amirthalingam Gayatri , Jit Mark
Published: October 2021

Background

This study measured the long-term health-related quality of life of non-hospitalised COVID-19 cases with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2(+) infection using the recommended instrument in England (the EQ-5D).

Methods

Prospective cohort study of SARS-CoV-2(+) cases aged 12-85 years and followed up for six months from 01 December 2020, with cross-sectional comparison to SARS-CoV-2(-) controls. Main outcomes were loss of quality-adjusted life days (QALDs); physical symptoms; and COVID-19-related private expenditures. We analysed results using multivariable regressions with post-hoc weighting by age and sex, and conditional logistic regressions for the association of each symptom and EQ-5D limitation on cases and controls.

Results

Of 548 cases (mean age 41.1 years; 61.5% female), 16.8% reported physical symptoms at month 6 (most frequently extreme tiredness, headache, loss of taste and/or smell, and shortness of breath). Cases reported more limitations with doing usual activities than controls. Almost half of cases spent a mean of £18.1 on non-prescription drugs (median: £10.0), and 52.7% missed work or school for a mean of 12 days (median: 10). On average, all cases lost 15.9 (95%-CI: 12.1, 19.7) QALDs, while those reporting symptoms at month 6 lost 34.1 (29.0, 39.2) QALDs. Losses also increased with older age. Cumulatively, the health loss from morbidity contributes at least 21% of the total COVID-19-related disease burden in England.

Conclusions

One in 6 cases report ongoing symptoms at 6 months, and 10% report prolonged loss of function compared to pre-COVID-19 baselines. A marked health burden was observed among older COVID-19 cases and those with persistent physical symptoms.

summary

Losses of health-related quality of life in non-hospitalised COVID-19 cases increase by age and for cases with symptoms after 6 months. At a population level, at least 21% of the total COVID-19-related disease burden in England is attributable to morbidity.
Stool Antigen Test is Effective and Sensitive for Detecting Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Bangladeshi Peptic Ulcer Patients
Authors: Sultana Afreen , Ahmed Shakeel , Ahmed Ershad Uddin , Nuruddin Chowdhury Abul Faisal MD. , Kalam Abul , Rahman Arifur , Akter Farhana , Karim Chowdhury A. H. M. Saiful , Sharmin Sabrina , Mustry Jannatul Ferdous , Saha Ayan
Published: October 2021

Aims

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the primary causative agent of peptic ulcer in multiple developing countries, including Bangladesh. This study was designed to investigate the diagnostic value of a rapid immunochromatography-based H. Pylori stool antigen (HpSAg) test to screen H. pylori infection in Bangladeshi population.

Methodology and results

A total of 140 suspected peptic ulcer patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital, Chattogram, Bangladesh, were included in the study. Histopathology, Rapid Urease Test (RUT), and Microscopic examination of the stained smears were conducted to define H. pylori positive cases. Later, stool antigen detection test was done in H. pylori positive status group, H. pylori negative status group, indeterminate status group, and healthy controls. Out of 140 peptic ulcer suspected patients, 75 (53.6%) patients were confirmed to have peptic ulcer or erosions. Although the proportion of antral erosion was 57.4% in patients who were below 40 years, the proportion decreased to 23.4% in patients over 40 years. Patients over 40 years were mostly suffering from Prepyloric erosion (42.9%). All peptic ulcer patients were also positive on histopathological analysis. However, micorscopic grading of curved bacilli and RUT found 93.3% (70/75) and 89.3% (67/75) patients positive, respectively. High sensitivity (95%), specificity (80%), and diagnostic accuracy (91%) scores for HpSAg assay was obtained in our study.

Conclusions, significance and impact of studies

The HpSAg test, for a comparatively less sophisticated assay, can be efficient in detecting the presence of H. pylori pre-and post-therapy and provide more valid test results than other invasive test methods.
SARS-CoV-2 infects human adipose tissue and elicits an inflammatory response consistent with severe COVID-19
Authors: Martínez-Colón Giovanny J. , Ratnasiri Kalani , Chen Heping , Jiang Sizun , Zanley Elizabeth , Rustagi Arjun , Verma Renu , Chen Han , Andrews Jason R. , Mertz Kirsten D. , Tzankov Alexandar , Azagury Dan , Boyd Jack , Nolan Garry P. , Schürch Christian M. , Matter Matthias S. , Blish Catherine A. , McLaughlin Tracey L.
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the viral pathogen SARS-CoV-2, has taken the lives of millions of individuals around the world. Obesity is associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that human adipose tissue from multiple depots is permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection and that infection elicits an inflammatory response, including the secretion of known inflammatory mediators of severe COVID-19. We identify two cellular targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adipose tissue: mature adipocytes and adipose tissue macrophages. Adipose tissue macrophage infection is largely restricted to a highly inflammatory subpopulation of macrophages, present at baseline, that is further activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Preadipocytes, while not infected, adopt a proinflammatory phenotype. We further demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detectable in adipocytes in COVID-19 autopsy cases and is associated with an inflammatory infiltrate. Collectively, our findings indicate that adipose tissue supports SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenic inflammation and may explain the link between obesity and severe COVID-19.

One sentence summary

Our work provides the firstin vivoevidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human adipose tissue and describes the associated inflammation.
An evaluation of the online post-diagnostic groups facilitated by the autism spectrum condition service at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS
Authors: Hatton Victoria Anne , Lee Ming Xuan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong developmental condition. According to research, it is recommended that those diagnosed with ASC should be offered post-diagnosis support to explore their diagnosis (Punshow, Skirrow and Murphy, 2009). The ASC Diagnostic Assessment Service at Gloucestershire Health Care (GHC) NHS Foundation Trust offers an assessment service to adults (18+) located within Gloucestershire. All those who receive a diagnosis are then invited to a 7-week post-diagnostic group facilitated by the multidisciplinary team. This service evaluation aimed to evaluate the aforementioned group so that it can be improved upon and thus provide a better service for future clients.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 14 participants (6 males, 8 females) were interviewed for the purpose of this evaluation following their attendance at these groups.

Findings

The interview transcripts then underwent thematic analysis with four themes identified; “Autistic Community”, “Experience of Being Part of an Online Group”, “Opportunity for Consolidation”, and “Design Considerations and Improvements”. Further sub-themes were also identified. Overall, the service evaluation identified that the group provided a platform for sharing experiences and gaining a sense of belonging. It also highlighted that individuals have different preferences for whether groups should be facilitated online or face-to-face, and also different preferences for the duration of sessions. Further analysis also revealed the suggestion that the final session, for family and friends, should be optional so that those without a support network, do not need to attend as this caused unease in some. Further findings were also identified.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, existing articles have only focused on the evaluation of the availability of post-diagnostic provision and autistic individuals’ general impression of it rather than an in-depth evaluation of a specific type of support.
The effect of mandatory adoption of IFRS on the magnitude of accruals
Authors: Sánchez Francisco , Giner Begoña , Gill-de-Albornoz Noguer Belén
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates whether the greater flexibility of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in contrast to accounting models that were used before those standards became mandatory meant a significant change in the magnitude of accruals recognized in the accounting income.

Design/methodology/approach

18,126 observations are analyzed on 1,881 non-financial companies in 19 European countries in 2000–2012. A difference-in-differences regression method is used. The treatment sample includes companies that were required to adopt IFRS as from the 2005 fiscal year, while the control sample comprises companies that voluntarily adopted IFRS prior to 2005.

Findings

Compared to prior accounting standards, the mandatory adoption of IFRS increased the absolute value of accruals. This result is seen only in those companies where the magnitude of accruals is negative. The observed effect is independent of the degree of similarity between IFRS and prior standards.

Originality/value

This paper complements the literature analyzing the effect of IFRS on the financial statements and on the financial-economic indicators of companies. It analyzes the component of accounting income that is most sensitive to the use of professional judgment: accruals. Focusing on observed accruals helps avoid an error in measurement that can be made when working with the discretionary component of accruals. Additionally, a longer time horizon than in previous studies is considered.
Gramian solutions and solitonic interactions of a (2+1)-dimensional Broer–Kaup–Kupershmidt system for the shallow water
Authors: Li Liu-Qing , Gao Yi-Tian , Yu Xin , Deng Gao-Fu , Ding Cui-Cui
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the Gramian solutions and solitonic interactions of a (2 + 1)-dimensional Broer–Kaup–Kupershmidt (BKK) system, which models the nonlinear and dispersive long gravity waves traveling along two horizontal directions in the shallow water of uniform depth.

Design/methodology/approach

Pfaffian technique is used to construct the Gramian solutions of the (2 + 1)-dimensional BKK system. Asymptotic analysis is applied on the two-soliton solutions to study the interaction properties.

Findings

N-soliton solutions in the Gramian with a real function ζ(y) of the (2 + 1)-dimensional BKK system are constructed and proved, where N is a positive integer and y is the scaled space variable. Conditions of elastic and inelastic interactions between the two solitons are revealed asymptotically. For the three and four solitons, elastic, inelastic interactions and soliton resonances are discussed graphically. Effect of the wave numbers, initial phases and ζ(y) on the solitonic interactions is also studied.

Originality/value

Shallow water waves are studied for the applications in environmental engineering and hydraulic engineering. This paper studies the shallow water waves through the Gramian solutions of a (2 + 1)-dimensional BKK system and provides some phenomena that have not been studied.
Critical parameters influencing the quality of metal castings: a systematic literature review
Authors: Suthar Janak , Persis Jinil , Gupta Ruchita
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Casting is one of the well-known manufacturing processes to make durable parts of goods and machinery. However, the quality of the casting parts depends on the proper choice of process variables related to properties of the materials used in making a mold and the product itself; hence, variables related to product/process designs are taken into consideration. Understanding casting techniques considering significant process variables is critical to achieving better quality castings and helps to improve the productivity of the casting processes. This study aims to understand the computational models developed for achieving better quality castings using various casting techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review is conducted in the field of casting considering the period 2000–2020. The keyword co-occurrence network and word cloud from the bibliometric analysis and text mining of the articles reveal that optimization and simulation models are extensively developed for various casting techniques, including sand casting, investment casting, die casting and squeeze casting, to improve quality aspects of the casting's product. This study further investigates the optimization and simulation models and has identified various process variables involved in each casting technique that are significantly affecting the outcomes of the processes in terms of defects, mechanical properties, yield, dimensional accuracy and emissions.

Findings

This study has drawn out the need for developing smart casting environments with data-driven modeling that will enable dynamic fine-tuning of the casting processes and help in achieving desired outcomes in today's competitive markets. This study highlights the possible technology interventions across the metal casting processes, which can further enhance the quality of the metal casting products and productivity of the casting processes, which show the future scope of this field.

Research limitations/implications

This paper investigates the body of literature on the contributions of various researchers in producing high-quality casting parts and performs bibliometric analysis on the articles. However, research articles from high-quality journals are considered for the literature analysis in identifying the critical parameters influencing quality of metal castings.

Originality/value

The systematic literature review reveals the analytical models developed using simulation and optimization techniques and the important quality characteristics of the casting products. Further, the study also explores critical influencing parameters involved in every casting process that significantly affects the quality characteristics of the metal castings.
Analysis and impact of COVID-19 disclosures: is IT-services different from others?
Authors: Majumdar Adrija , Singh Pranav
Published: October 2021

Purpose

There is ambiguity regarding whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a boon or bane for the IT services industry. On the one hand, it has created opportunities, especially with the growth of collaborative technologies. On the other hand, many firms have reduced their IT budgets owing to the ongoing recession. This study explores how IT firms have assessed the risk of the pandemic in the early days and informed capital market participants. In addition, it examines the impact of such online disclosures on information asymmetry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed annual reports of publicly listed firms in the USA filed on the Securities and Exchange Commission website in 2020 and examined whether the disclosure scenario of technology firms was different from that of the other industries. Moreover, the risk sentiment of COVID-19-related disclosures was assessed by employing text analytics. Information asymmetry was measured using the bid–ask spread.

Findings

Overall, it was found that IT services firms were less likely to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in their annual reports. Interestingly, it was observed that technology firms that chose to communicate about the pandemic had a lower incidence of words related to risks. Furthermore, communicating about COVID-19 in annual reports calms investors and improves the information asymmetry situation about the firm. Variation in the severity of the pandemic and the responses of state governments was controlled for by employing state-fixed effects in the empirical models.

Originality/value

The authors inform the literature on corporate disclosures and technology and highlight the importance of effectively communicating about the pandemic.
Barriers faced when eliciting the voice of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities for their Education, Health and Care Plans and Annual Reviews
Authors: Sharma Pooja
Published: October 2021

Eliciting the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been a primary element of the Children and Families Act 2014. Despite professional rhetoric that aims to ensure the voice of children and young people remains at the centre of assessments, SEND professionals often experience difficulties in ensuring meaningful participation during assessments for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and subsequent Annual Reviews. In this study, 36 SEND professionals from local authorities and 16 SEND professionals from specialist schools within England were asked their views on eliciting pupil voice through an online‐based questionnaire, with a particular focus on the barriers they experience. This was then followed up with six in‐depth semi‐structured interviews. The findings identify two distinct categories of barriers; the barriers relating to children and young people that inhibit their ability to express their views meaningfully, and the barriers relating to professionals that impede on their ability to elicit views meaningfully within their role. The implications of the analysis for a person‐centred approach during EHCP assessments and Annual Reviews are discussed.
Intestinal flora characteristics of advanced non‐small cell lung cancer in China and their role in chemotherapy based on metagenomics: A prospective exploratory cohort study
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Dan , Zhou Huan , Liu Xiangjun , Li Xiuhua , Cheng Ye , Gao Bing , Chen Jun
Published: October 2021

Background

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among malignant tumors, with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most common type. As the main component of the human microflora, the intestinal flora interacts with the human body to affect immunity, metabolism, and the formation of diseases.

Methods

Forty‐five patients with advanced NSCLC who received platinum‐containing dual‐drug chemotherapy were enrolled in a prospective exploratory cohort study. The intestinal flora was dynamically collected at baseline and after two chemotherapy cycles. Next‐generation sequencing and metagenomics were then used to analyze the species and function of the intestinal flora at all levels.

Results

Significant differences in the intestinal flora of patients with NSCLC were found according to sex and age. At the family level, the abundances of Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Leuconostocaceae after platinum‐containing dual‐drug chemotherapy were significantly higher compared to those before chemotherapy. At the family level, patients with chemotherapy‐induced gastrointestinal reactions had a significantly higher abundance of Leuconostocaceae than those without gastrointestinal responses. Meanwhile, patients with gastrointestinal reactions had higher metabolism, human diseases, cellular processes, and environmental information processing than those who did not. At the genus level, responders had higher abundances of Bacteroides compared to nonresponders. Moreover, nonresponders had higher levels of the six major metabolic pathways compared to responders.

Conclusions

The intestinal flora of Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC differed according to sex and age. Moreover, significant differences in the intestinal flora were noted after chemotherapy, which could be associated with chemotherapy‐induced gastrointestinal reactions and the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Changes in total and segmental extracellular and intracellular volumes with hypotension during hemodialysis measured with bioimpedance spectroscopy
Authors: Haroon Sabrina , Tai Bee Choo , Yeo Xier , Davenport Andrew
Published: October 2021

Background

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices have been advocated to guide volume management in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We hypothesized that understanding the dynamics of fluid shifts in different body segments may provide additional insight on preventive measures to reduce the risk of intradialytic hypotension.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted among 42 HD patients at risk of hypotension who were admitted as emergencies inpatient.

Results

A total of 191 BIA measurements were made during the 42 HD sessions, and hypotension occurred during 52 measurements (27%). The extracellular water (ECW) to intracellular water ratio (EIR) was measured in different body segments and declined significantly only in the non‐access arm with increasing HD session duration (β = −0.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.05 to −0.03, p < 0.01). There was no significant association between EIR and hypotension with respect to the different body segments. Only pre‐HD N‐terminal‐pro b‐type natriuretic peptide was significantly associated with hypotension (β = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.89, p = 0.04). There was no association between relative blood volume monitoring change and EIR.

Conclusion

In summary, we found that segmental BIA during HD was unable to detect or predict hypotension during dialysis. Although BIA is able to provide information about ECW and guide clinical assessment of volume in HD patients prior to dialysis, our findings did not suggest the use of serial measurements of changes in EIR in different body segments during HD provided sufficient information to predict intradialytic hypotension. Similarly, changes in EIR did not provide information on changes in plasma volume that could potentially trigger interventions to prevent or reduce intra‐dialytic hypotension.
Types of Surgery Performed and Reoperation Rate for Congenital Superior Oblique Palsy: a Claims Database Study
Authors: Heo Hwan , Lambert Scott R.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To investigate types of surgeries performed to treat a presumed congenital superior oblique palsy (SOP) and the reoperation rate.

Methods

This was a population‐based retrospective cohort study using claims data from the United States. Patients who underwent strabismus surgery for a presumed congenital SOP with ≥ 3 months of continuous enrolment after the initial surgery were included. We investigated age, surgical methods and the time interval between the initial surgery and reoperation. The hazard ratios for reoperation were estimated according to the surgical methods using Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 3,998 patients underwent surgery for presumed congenital SOP; 2,981 (74.6%) on only one vertical muscle (excluding superior oblique). Reoperation was performed on 427 patients (10.7%). Compared to patients who underwent unilateral surgery on one vertical muscle (excluding superior oblique muscle), patients who underwent surgery that included the superior oblique muscle (unilateral 2.08; 95% CI, 1.61–2.67, p < 0.001; bilateral 2.44; 95% CI, 1.40–4.28, p = 0.002) and two or more vertical muscles (excluding the superior oblique muscle) (unilateral 2.99; 95% CI, 2.00‐4.49, p < 0.001; bilateral 1.68; 95% CI, 1.23–2.28, p = 0.001) had increased hazard ratios for reoperation. The median period between the initial surgery and reoperation was 168.0 [Q1–Q3 84.0–407.8] days and negatively correlated with patient age at initial surgery (r = −0.199, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The reoperation rate for presumed congenital SOP was 10.7%. Patients who underwent surgery on two or more vertical muscles or the superior oblique muscle had an increased risk of reoperation.
Anti‐Indigenous policy formation : Settler colonialism and neoliberal political advocacy
Authors: Willmott Kyle , Skillings Alec
Published: October 2021

Political advocacy groups have a quiet role in much of the analysis of Indigenous‐settler relations, reconciliation, and ongoing settler colonialism. Using a data set of 407 texts covering a range of 21 years (1998‐2019), we conducted a content analysis on the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), a well‐known ‘taxpayer’ group that has long engaged in hostile analysis of First Nations. We describe the various themes that the CTF writes about in relation to Indigenous peoples, discuss the temporal changes in how the CTF discusses policy, and offer theoretical analysis that demonstrates how neoliberal political advocacy groups have looked to weaken and attack the position of Indigenous nations in relation to settler colonial Canada.
Changes of lipoprotein(a) levels with endogenous steroid hormones
Authors: Tessitore Elena , Dobretz Kevin , Dhayat Nasser Abdalla , Kern Ilse , Ponte Belen , Pruijm Menno , Ackermann Daniel , Estoppey Sandrine , Burnier Michel , Martin Pierre‐Yves , Vogt Bruno , Vuilleumier Nicolas , Bochud Murielle , Mach François , Ehret Georg
Published: October 2021

Background

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an LDL‐like molecule that is likely causal for cardiovascular events and Lp(a) variability has been shown to be mostly of genetic origin. Exogenous hormones (hormone replacement therapy) seem to influence Lp(a) levels, but the impact of endogenous hormone levels on Lp(a) is still unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of endogenous steroid hormone metabolites on Lp(a).

Methods

Lipoprotein(a) levels were measured in 1,021 participants from the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension, a family‐based, multicentre, population‐based prospective cohort study. Endogenous levels of 28 steroid hormone precursors were measured in 24‐h urine collections from 883 individuals. Of the participants with Lp(a) data, 1,011 participants had also genotypes available.

Results

The participants had an average age of 51 years and 53% were female. Median Lp(a) levels were 62 mg/L, and the 90thpercentile was 616 mg/L. The prevalence of a Lp(a) elevation ≥700 mg/L was 3.2%. Forty‐three per cent of Lp(a) variability was explained respectively by: age (2%,p < .001), LDL‐C (1%,p = .001), and two SNPs (39%,pvalue<2⋅10−16). Of the 28 endogenous steroid hormones assessed, androstenetriol, androsterone, 16α‐OH‐DHEA and estriol were nominatively associated with serum Lp(a) levels in univariable analyses and explained 0.4%–1% of Lp(a) variability, but none of them reached significance in multivariable models.

Conclusions

In this contemporary population‐based study, the prevalence of a Lp(a) elevation ≥700 mg/L was 3.2%. The effect of endogenous steroid hormone levels of Lp(a) variability was small at best, suggesting a negligible impact on the wide range of Lp(a) variability.
Nonlinear responses of ecosystem carbon fluxes to nitrogen deposition in an old‐growth boreal forest
Authors: Xing Aijun , Du Enzai , Shen Haihua , Xu Longchao , de Vries Wim , Zhao Mengying , Liu Xiuyuan , Fang Jingyun
Published: October 2021

Nitrogen (N) deposition is known to increase carbon (C) sequestration in N‐limited boreal forests. However, the long‐term effects of N deposition on ecosystem carbon fluxes have been rarely investigated in old‐growth boreal forests. Here we show that decade‐long experimental N additions significantly stimulated net primary production (NPP) but the effect decreased with increasing N loads. The effect on soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh) shifted from a stimulation at low‐level N additions to an inhibition at higher levels of N additions. Consequently, low‐level N additions resulted in a neutral effect on net ecosystem productivity (NEP), due to a comparable stimulating effect on NPP and Rh, while NEP was increased by high‐level N additions. Moreover, we found nonlinear temporal responses of NPP, Rh and NEP to low‐level N additions. Our findings imply that actual N deposition in boreal forests likely exerts a minor contribution to their soil C storage.
Postural balance problems in people with intellectual disabilities: Do not forget the sensory input systems
Authors: Leyssens Laura , Van Hecke Ruth , Moons Karlien , Luypaert Sofie , Danneels Maya , Patru Julie , Willems Melina , Maes Leen
Published: October 2021

Background

This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of visual, auditory and vestibular dysfunctions on the postural balance performance in adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, a comparison was made between the subjects with intellectual disabilities and a control group concerning static and dynamic balance tasks.

Method

Thirty adults with intellectual disabilities and 25 control subjects received a postural balance assessment. Additionally, the experimental group was subjected to a visual, auditory and vestibular screening.

Results

The experimental group performed significantly worse and/or showed more sway compared to the control group for all balance tasks (p < .01) except the timed up and go test. Within the experimental group, a significant positive correlation (rs(24) = 0.513, p = .007) was observed between the number of failed sensory screening items and the number of failed balance tasks.

Conclusions

These findings suggest significant involvement of peripheral sensorial deficits in the balance problems that people with intellectual disabilities often experience.
Public responses to COVID‐19 case disclosure and their spatial implications
Authors: Lee Kwan Ok , Lee Hyojung
Published: October 2021

We study how the public changes their mobility and retail spending patterns as precautionary responses to the disclosed location of COVID‐19 cases. To look into the underlying mechanisms, we investigate how such change varies spatially and whether there is any spatial spillover or substitution. We use the daily data of cell phone‐based mobility and credit card transactions between February 10 and May 31 in both 2019 and 2020 in Seoul, South Korea, and employ the empirical approach analyzing the year‐over‐year percent change for the mobility and consumption outcomes. Results report that one additional COVID‐19 case within the last 14 days decreased nonresident inflow and retail spending by 0.40 and 0.65 percentage points, respectively. Then, we also find evidence of spatial heterogeneity: the mobility and retail performances of neighborhoods with higher residential population density were more resilient to COVID‐19 case information while neighborhoods with higher levels of land‐use diversity and retail agglomeration experienced a greater localized demand shock. This heterogeneity is not negligible. For example, one additional COVID‐19 case in neighborhoods in the bottom 20% for population density led to a decline of 1.2 percentage points in retail spending, while other neighborhoods experienced a less negative impact. Finally, we find a significant spatial spillover effect of disclosed COVID‐19 information instead of spatial substitution. One additional COVID‐19 case in geographically adjacent areas within the last 14 days reduced nonresident inflow and retail spending in the subject neighborhood by 0.06 and 0.09 percentage points, respectively.
Does observance of Ramadan affect sleep in athletes and physically active individuals? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Trabelsi Khaled , Ammar Achraf , Glenn Jordan M. , Boukhris Omar , Khacharem Aimen , Bouaziz Bassem , Zmijewski Piotr , Lanteri Paola , Garbarino Sergio , Clark Cain C. T. , Chamari Karim , Bragazzi Nicola L. , Hill David , Chtourou Hamdi
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to provide an accurate description of the effect of Ramadan observance on sleep duration, sleep quality, daily nap duration, and daytime sleepiness in athletes and physically active individuals. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley, and Taylor and Francis) were used to search for relevant studies conducted with athletes or physically active individuals during Ramadan, published in any language, and available before May 23, 2021. Studies that included assessments of sleep quantity and/or quality, and/or daytime sleepiness, and/or daily naps in athletes and physically active individuals were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using “QualSyst”. Of the 18 papers included in this study (298 participants in total), 14 were of strong quality, two were moderate, and the remaining two were rated as weak. Individuals who continued to train during Ramadan experienced a decrease in sleep duration (number of studies,K = 17, number of participants,N = 289,g = −0.766, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.199 to −0.333,p = 0.001). Additionally, the global score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased from 4.053 (K = 5,N = 65, 95% CI 3.071–5.034) pre‐Ramadan, to 5.346 (95% CI 4.362–6.333) during Ramadan, indicating a decrease in sleep quality. The duration of daytime naps increased during compared to pre‐Ramadan (K = 2,N = 31,g = 1.020, 95% CI 0.595–1.445,p = 0.000), whereas Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores remained unchanged during versus pre‐Ramadan (K = 3,N = 31,g = 0.190, 95% CI −0.139–0.519,p = 0.257). In conclusion, individuals who continued to train during Ramadan experienced a decrease in sleep duration, impairment of sleep quality, and increase in daytime nap duration, with no change in daytime sleepiness levels.
Effectiveness of remote monitoring and feedback on objective compliance with a mandibular advancement device for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Kwon Jeong‐Seung , Jung Hyo‐Jung , Yu Jae‐Hun , Bae So‐Yeon , Park YounJung , Cha Jung Yul , Ahn Hyung‐Joon
Published: October 2021

Compliance with a mandibular advancement device is important for the optimal treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Recent advances in information and communication technology‐based monitoring and intervention for chronic diseases have enabled continuous monitoring and personalized management. Self‐evaluation and self‐regulation through objective monitoring and feedback may improve compliance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of information and communication technology‐based remote monitoring and feedback services, using a smartphone application, on the objective compliance with a mandibular advancement device in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Forty individuals who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by polysomnography were randomly assigned to groups A and B. During an initial 6‐week evaluation period, the mandibular advancement device‐wearing time was monitored with the smartphone application in group B, but not in group A. The two groups then switched the monitoring procedures during the second 6‐week period (the smartphone application was then used by group B, but not by group A). If no input data were indicated on the cloud server of the smartphone application during the monitored period, push notifications were provided twice daily. Objective compliance, monitored by a micro‐recorder within the mandibular advancement device, was noted and compared based on whether the monitoring service was provided. The number of mandibular advancement device‐wearing days was significantly higher in the monitored period than in the unmonitored period. The mandibular advancement device‐wearing time did not differ significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, information and communication technology‐based remote monitoring and feedback services demonstrated a potential to increase the objective measures of compliance with mandibular advancement devices.
Setting an example: Political leaders' cues and compliance with health policies in the early stages of the Covid‐19 pandemic in Mexico
Authors: Ayala‐Cantu Luciano , Frattini Federico Fabio , Morando Bruno
Published: October 2021

How do political leaders' cues affect citizen behavior regarding a new and complex issue? We address this question in the context of the early stages of the Covid‐19 pandemic in Mexico, using electoral outcomes and municipal‐level mobility data from Facebook's Movement Range Maps. In March 2020, Mexico's president downplayed constantly the severity of the coming health crisis by continuing his political rallies throughout the country and encouraging people to leave their homes. Using an event‐study analysis, we find that, after the first press conference where his government declared mobility restrictions were not yet necessary, on March 13, citizens' geographic mobility in pro‐government municipalities was higher than in cities where support for the president was less strong. Our results are robust to several specifications and definitions of political support. Moreover, we find evidence that our results are driven by cities with higher media penetration, which implies that they can be attributed to people's reactions to the president's cues rather than to systematic differences in the preferences of his supporters.
Integrated regulation of periclinal cell division by transcriptional module of BZR1‐SHR in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Tian Yanchen , Zhao Na , Wang Minmin , Zhou Wenying , Guo Jieqiong , Han Chao , Zhou Chuanen , Wang Wenfei , Wu Shuang , Tang Wenqiang , Fan Min , Bai Ming‐Yi
Published: October 2021

The timing and extent of cell division are crucial for the correct patterning of multicellular organism. In Arabidopsis, root ground tissue maturation involves the periclinal cell division of the endodermis to generate two cell layers: endodermis and middle cortex. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this pattern formation remains unclear.

Here, we report that phytohormone brassinosteroid (BR) and redox signal hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) interdependently promote periclinal division during root ground tissue maturation by regulating the activity of SHORT‐ROOT (SHR), a master regulator of root growth and development.

BR‐activated transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT1 (BZR1) directly binds to the promoter of SHR to induce its expression, and physically interacts with SHR to increase the transcripts of RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGs (RBOHs) and elevate the levels of H2O2, which feedback enhances the interaction between BZR1 and SHR. Additionally, genetic analysis shows that SHR is required for BZR1‐promoted periclinal division, and BZR1 enhances the promoting effects of SHR on periclinal division.

Together, our finding reveals that the transcriptional module of BZR1‐SHR fine‐tunes periclinal division during root ground tissue maturation in response to hormone and redox signals.
Implicit self‐esteem following a romantic partner's success: Three replications and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Hawkins Heather‐Christina C. , Lesick Tara L. , Zell Ethan
Published: October 2021

Few studies have examined how social comparisons with one's romantic partner influence self‐esteem. Ratliff and Oishi (2013) found that writing about a romantic partner's success versus failure lowered men's implicit self‐esteem (i.e., automatic associations between the concepts self/other and good/bad). We conducted three replications of this research (two preregistered). In each replication, the effect of writing about a romantic partner's success was not statistically significant. Furthermore, a meta‐analysis of our three replication studies yielded a small overall effect (d = 0.13) that was 78% smaller than the overall effect obtained by Ratliff and Oishi (2013). Our findings challenge the notion that merely thinking about a romantic partner's success or failure has a substantial impact on implicit self‐esteem. Exploratory analyses, however, suggest that this effect may occur for men who are low in relationship satisfaction.
How does organizational task matter for the reputation of public agencies?
Authors: Verhoest Koen , Boon Jan , Boye Stefan , Salomonsen Heidi H.
Published: October 2021

The study of organizational task for understanding how organizations behave and evolve has been one of the classic topics in organization theory and public administration. Reputation scholarship has appeared as a promising perspective to understand internal and external organizational dynamics. Reputation scholars, too, emphasize the critical importance of task. Despite this recognition, the literature is characterized by a lack of theorization, and large‐scale comparative analyses on how task characteristics are related to reputational dynamics. This study aims to address these concerns, relying on an extensive longitudinal dataset on the media reputation of 40 agencies in two countries to explain organizations' likelihood of attracting reputational threats (both in general and targeting specific reputational dimensions) through different task characteristics. Our main finding is that as agencies perform tasks of a more coercive and authoritative nature (regulatory tasks and, to a lesser extent, redistributive tasks), they are more likely to attract reputational threats (both in general and to all dimensions).
On Some Foundational Issues Concerning the Relationship Between Risk and Resilience
Authors: Aven Terje
Published: October 2021

“Risk” and “resilience” are both terms with a long history, but how they are related and should be related are strongly debated. This article discusses the appropriateness of a perspective advocated by an active “resilience school” that sees risk as a change in critical system functionality, as a result of an event (disturbance, hazard, threat, accident), but not covering the recovery from the event. From this perspective, two theses are examined: risk and resilience are disjunct concepts, and risk is an aspect of resilience. Through the use of several examples and reasoning, the article shows that this perspective challenges daily‐life uses of the risk term, common practices of risk assessments and risk management, as well as contemporary risk science. A fundamental problem with the perspective is that system recovery is also an important aspect of risk, not only of resilience. Risk and resilience analysis and management implications of the conceptual analysis are also discussed.
Do Productivity Laggards Ever Catch Up With Leaders?†
Authors: Bessonova Evguenia , Tsvetkova Anna
Published: October 2021

The paper focuses on trends in the convergence of labor and multifactor productivity in Russia. Using firm‐level data for the period 2011–2016, we show that firms with low‐productivity grow faster than those with high‐productivity. This result is, however, mostly driven by new entrants. The catch‐up momentum fades after the first few years of a firm’s life, so it is not capable of closing the gap between the most and least productive firms in the Russian economy. We show that the gap widened over the period 2011–2016, suggesting major divergence in productivity levels of Russian firms. We also use stochastic frontier analysis to verify the divergence within narrowly defined industries. Our estimates confirm divergence in most industries.
Characterization of Pterocarpus macrocarpus (pradoo wood) biochar and its effect on the retention properties of sandy soils in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Siltecho Siwaporn , Suvannang Nopmanee , Kaiphoem Juthamard , Medeiros Erika , de Sousa Lima José Romualdo , Prakongkep Nattaporn , Gilkes Robert , Hammecker Claude
Published: October 2021

Pradoo wood biochar has been tested in order to explore sustainable solutions to the development of agriculture on poor sandy soils in marginal areas in Northeast Thailand. Some basic physicochemical properties of biochar, for example pore size distribution, cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (SSA), and water and nutrient adsorption, were determined and compared to soil properties in order to determine appropriate biochar application to soil. Pradoo wood biochar showed important adsorption properties with high SSA, CEC and nutrient adsorption. The water retention properties were also improved on the dry end of the water retention curve. Phosphorous and ammonium adsorption–desorption isotherms were established and their respective affinity for the biochar surface was quantified, by the means of a retention index and thermodynamical parameters. We found that despite excellent retention properties, biochar needs to be added in large amounts (between 10 and 70 kg m−2) to soil to be able to modify noticeably the resulting soil properties.
Characterization of Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of X70 Spiral Welded Steel Pipes
Authors: Park Dong-Yeob , Liang Jie , Gravel Jean-Philippe
Published: October 2021

Anisotropic tensile and compressive properties of base metals and girth welds of two API X70 spiral welded pipes have been investigated in this study. Spiral welded pipes exhibit different characteristics of anisotropy from UOE pipes, as the anisotropic property is determined by the thermo-mechanical rolling process of plates and coils produced for pipes. Spiral pipe steels have the lowest strengths in the pipe's transverse direction, contrary to UOE pipes with high strengths in the transverse direction. Yield strengths measured from tensile and compressive tests and their anisotropic characteristics are comparable, although tensile yield strengths are somewhat greater. The results of compressive tests also indicate an anisotropy in the pipe's through-thickness orientation as well as in the longitudinal orientation; yield strengths are highest in the through-thickness direction for both base metals and girth welds of the two pipes.
Prediction of Antimicrobial Resistance in Clinical Enterococcus faecium Isolates Using a Rules-Based Analysis of Whole-Genome Sequences
Authors: Anahtar Melis N. , Bramante Juliet T. , Xu Jiawu , Desrosiers Lisa A. , Paer Jeffrey M. , Rosenberg Eric S. , Pierce Virginia M. , Kwon Douglas S.
Published: October 2021

Enterococcus faecium
is a major cause of clinical infections, often due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool to study MDR bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms.