bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A post hoc comparative real‐world analysis of HEAD‐US score for joint health assessment of patients with severe haemophilia A and B in Spain
Authors: Álvarez‐Román María Teresa , Jiménez‐Yuste Víctor , Martín‐Salces Mónica , De la Corte‐Rodríguez Hortensia , Bonanad Santiago , Núñez Ramiro , Fernández‐Mosteirín Nuria , García‐Frade Luis Javier , Martinoli Carlo , Kim Hae Kyung
Published: January 2024

Aim

Joint damage due to haemarthrosis can be effectively monitored with point‐of care ultrasound using the Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with US (HEAD‐US) scoring system. A post hoc comparative analysis of the joint status of patients with severe haemophilia A (HA) or B (HB) was performed.

Methods

The databases of two observational, cross‐sectional studies that recruited patients with HA or HB from 12 Spanish centres were analysed to compare the status of the elbows, knees and ankles in patients with severe disease according to treatment modality. The HEAD‐US score was calculated in both studies by the same trained operators.

Results

Overall, 95 HA and 41 HB severe patients were included, with a mean age of 35.2 ± 11.8 and 32.7 ± 14.2 years, respectively. The percentage of patients who received prophylaxis, over on‐demand (OD) treatment, was much higher in HA (91.6%) than in HB (65.8%) patients. With a similar number of target joints, the HEAD‐US score was zero in 6.3% HA and 22.0% HB patients (p < .01), respectively. The HA population showed significantly worse HEAD‐US scores. Whilst osteochondral damage occurred more frequently in patients OD or tertiary prophylaxis, our data suggest that articular damage is less prominent in primary/secondary prophylaxis, regardless of the type of haemophilia. These latter treatment modalities were also associated with a lower prevalence of synovial hypertrophy, particularly in HB patients.

Conclusion

This post hoc analysis indicates that joint status seems to be significantly influenced by haemophilia type (HA or HB) and treatment modality in these severe Spanish populations with severe disease. Continuing HEAD‐US monitoring for the early detection and management of intra‐articular abnormalities, as well as more efficiently tailored therapies should be warranted.
Daith piercing: Revisited from the perspective of auricular acupuncture systems. A narrative review
Authors: Pradhan Saroj K. , Gantenbein Andreas R. , Li Yiming , Shaban Hamdy , Lyu Xiaoying , Sevik Ahmet , Furian Michael
Published: January 2024

Background

Daith piercing is a special ear‐piercing method that punctures the crus of the helix. The penetrated site at the ear's innermost point is assumed to stimulate a pressure point associated with the vagus nerve. It has been reported that the pierced spot relieves migraine and tension‐type headaches by activating vagal afferents, leading to the inhibition of neurons in the caudal trigeminal nucleus via the nucleus tractus solitarii.

Objective

The objective of this narrative literature review is to summarize the current state of knowledge concerning daith piercing for the treatment of migraine and tension‐type headaches from the perspectives of the Chinese and Western auricular systems.

Methods

PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched using the keywords “daith piercing,” “auricular points,” “headache,” and “acupuncture” from database inception to September 1, 2023. Only studies on humans were eligible; otherwise, no further restrictions were applied to the study designs, type of headache, or patient population of the identified articles. Bibliographies of all eligible studies were screened for further eligible studies. The main outcome of interest was a quantitative measure of pain relief by daith piercing. Secondary outcomes were relapse time of headache and further outcomes related to daith piercing, if available.

Results

From a total of 186 identified articles, one retrospective study and three case reports fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No clinical trial was identified. The obtained studies describe patients experiencing chronic headaches undergoing daith piercing without changing or reducing their usual medication. In all case studies and the retrospective study, patients reported substantial reductions in pain immediately after daith piercing; however, headache symptoms recurred several weeks to months thereafter. From the perspective of the Chinese and Western auricular systems, no sufficient explanation for the described treatment effect of daith piercing was found.

Conclusion

The available literature, combined with the reported recurrence of pain as well as the associated side effects of daith piercing, indicate that current evidence does not support daith piercing for the treatment of migraine, tension‐type headaches, or other headache disorders.

Plain Language Summary

This paper summarizes what we know about Daith piercing (DP) for chronic migraine and tension‐type headache and discusses how DP might work. Current evidence does not support DP as an effective treatment of chronic migraine and tension‐type headache. These findings might assist clinicians in discussing this subject with patients as well as guide future research.
Influence of drying conditions and plasticizer‐to‐binder ratio on the water‐based tape casting of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ
Authors: Javan Kimia Y. , Sglavo Vincenzo M.
Published: January 2024

Tape casting is a flexible technique for manufacturing scalable ceramic sheets. This study fabricated La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF6428) tapes using water‐based tape casting. A high molecular weight plasticizer, polyethylene glycol 4000, was chosen to balance flexibility and mechanical strength. Adjusting the plasticizer‐to‐binder ratio (R‐value) and increasing relative humidity during drying led to crack‐free and flawless green tapes of 330 µm. The uniform polymer matrix improved homogeneity and consistency as well. An applicable suspension formulation was developed for the water‐based fabrication of LSCF tapes for continuous production.
Exposome and basal cell carcinoma: a multicenter case–control study
Authors: Navarro‐Bielsa Alba , Gracia‐Cazaña Tamara , Almagro Manuel , De‐la‐Fuente‐Meira Sonia , Florez Ángeles , Yélamos Oriol , Montero‐Vilchez Trinidad , González‐Cruz Carlos , Diago Adrián , Abadías‐Granado Isabel , Fuentelsaz Victoria , Colmenero María , Bañuls Jose , Arias‐Santiago Salvador , Buendía‐Eisman Agustín , Almenara‐Blasco Manuel , Gil‐Pallares Pedro , Gilaberte Yolanda
Published: January 2024

Background

While ultraviolet radiation (UVR) present in sunlight is recognized as the main etiological agent of skin cancer, the most frequent form of which is basal cell carcinoma (BCC), other exposome factors like pollution, diet, and lifestyle may also contribute. This study aimed to investigate the association of BCC and exposome‐related factors in the Spanish population.

Methods

BCC cases (n = 119) and controls (n = 127) with no history of skin cancer were recruited between April 2020 and August 2022 by 13 dermatologists throughout Spain in this prospective multicenter case–control study.

Results

The BCC group had a higher proportion of outdoor workers, more years of UVR exposure, and a greater consumption of drugs (statins, ASA, hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors and omeprazole), P < 0.05. Avoidance of sun exposure was the most used photoprotection measure in both groups. The use of hats or caps was higher in the BCC group (P = 0.01). The solar protection factor (SPF) used 15 years previously was higher in the control group (P = 0.04). The control group had a higher daily screen time (P < 0.001), and practiced more relaxation activities (P = 0.03). Higher linolenic acid intake and lower coffee consumption were the only dietary variables associated with BCC (P < 0.05). Statistical significance for all the aforementioned variables was maintained in the multivariate analysis (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The study found a significant association between BCC and multiple exposome‐related factors in addition to chronic sun exposure in the Spanish population. Primary prevention strategies should target specific populations, such as outdoor workers, promoting sun‐safe behaviors and stress‐reducing activities, and also adequate skin photoprotection in patients on certain medications associated with increased BCC risk.
Drug survival, effectiveness, and safety of brodalumab for moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis up to 3 years
Authors: Mastorino Luca , Dapavo Paolo , Burzi Lorenza , Rosset Francois , Giunipero di Corteranzo Isotta , Leo Francesco , Verrone Anna , Stroppiana Elena , Ortoncelli Michela , Ribero Simone , Quaglino Pietro
Published: January 2024

Background

Brodalumab is a monoclonal antibody and IL‐17 RA inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. The present study aims to estimate the drug survival (DS), effectiveness, and safety of brodalumab over a period of 156 weeks.

Methods

The primary objectives were: (i) to determine the treatment response rate at Weeks 16, 28, 52, 78, 104, and 156 as defined by PASI100, PASI90, and an absolute PASI ≤ 3 and (ii) long‐term DS. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of possible predictive factors associated with the achievement of response outcomes, and possible predictive factors associated with lower DS.

Results

The treatment response was rapid, with 80.3% of patients achieving PASI ≤ 3, 66% PASI90, and 54.3% the complete clearance of disease at Week 16. The response improved at Week 28, when a plateau was achieved with mild loss of response at later time points, in particular for PASI100 and PASI90 in 55.2 and 65.5% of patients, respectively, at Week 156. After 156 weeks of treatment, 66.22% of patients were still on therapy, and the previous use of IL‐17 inhibitors appeared to be associated with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation (HR: 2.51, CI: 1.06–5.98, P = 0.037), and achievement of PASI ≤ 3 until Week 16 with less risk (HR: 0.27 CI: 0.14–0.51, P < 0.001). Bio‐naïve status was favorably associated with treatment response, while high BMI negatively affected the achievement of outcomes.

Conclusion

Our study confirms the good effectiveness and favorable safety profile of brodalumab in a real‐world setting for up to 3 years of treatment.
Self‐initiated moves during the formal eviction process: Findings from Swedish Register Data
Authors: Nilsson Ida
Published: January 2024

A large body of research has demonstrated that evictions affect already vulnerable groups and are linked to a number of adverse outcomes. However, prior findings largely rely on enforced evictions processed through the legal system and it has been suggested that such an approach might underestimate the number of evictions. Using comprehensive Swedish individual‐level register data from 2009 to 2012, this study extends prior literature by focusing on self‐initiated moves that occur during a formal eviction process but before an enforced removal. Results from explorative statistical analyses indicate that self‐initiated moves during the formal eviction process are four times more common compared with enforced evictions. Although self‐initiated moves typically affect the same disadvantaged groups as those facing enforced removals, those who self‐initiated their move were younger. Households with children were also found to be more common in that group compared with those faced with enforced removals. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Effect of initial treatment with chemotherapy or surgery on wound complications in patients with advanced ovarian cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Yuxia , Zhao Fang
Published: January 2024

There has been controversy over the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or surgery in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The purpose of this meta‐analysis is to assess the hazard evaluation of the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy over primary debulking surgery (PDS) on the incidence of wound infection in women with ovarian carcinoma. In this research, we looked at PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library to evaluate the impact of PDS and chemotherapy on the incidence of wound infections in women with ovarian cancer. Based on the keywords of ‘Ovary Cancer’, ‘Surgical’ and ‘Chemotherapy’, we looked up the data in the digital database, and at last, we selected six of them from 1453 studies. There was no time limitation in the studies. The meta‐analyses included studies that described the risk factors of wound infection in ovarian carcinoma patients, particularly those who reported OR value. The Chi‐square method was employed to perform statistical analysis of the inter‐study heterogeneity, with additional analyses dependent on I2. A sensitivity analysis was conducted, and a possible publication bias was evaluated. The findings suggest that there is a significant reduction in the rate of wound infections among patients with ovarian cancer treated with primary chemotherapy than with PDS (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.79, 4.39, p < 0.0001). There was a significant reduction in the incidence of thrombus in patients with ovarian cancer who were treated with primary chemotherapy than in those who did have prior surgical intervention (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.34, 5.74, p = 0.006). Our findings indicate that early chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients may lower their chances of developing wound infection.
Electret‐induced antibacterial response of Mg1‐xCaxSi1‐xZrxO3 (x = 0–0.4) bioceramics
Authors: Singh Priya , Dubey Ashutosh Kumar
Published: January 2024

The potential risk of bacteria‐induced prosthetic infection during implantation/post‐operative healing raises a serious concern about the success of implant/surgery. In this context, the present study successfully established the antibacterial efficacy of the electret form of Mg1‐xCaxSi1‐xZrxO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 [MCSZO‐X]) bioceramics, toward both, Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria with reference to those of hydroxyapatite (HAP). MCSZO‐X bioceramics were synthesized using a solid‐state route. The influence of Ca‐ and Zr co‐doping on the crystallite size of MCSZO‐X has been analyzed using X‐ray peak profile analyses. The electrets were developed by corona poling of sintered MCSZO‐X samples at voltage and temperature of 20 kV and 500°C (30 min), respectively. The charge, stored on the surface of MCSZO‐X electret samples was calculated to be 0.253, 0.294, 0.320, 0.173, and 0.161 µC/cm2 via thermally stimulated depolarized current measurement. The positive and negative ends of MCSZO‐ X electrets exhibited a reduction in the viability of E. coli bacteria by (24%, 25%, 30%, 43%, and 42%) and (29%, 37%, 39%, 51%, and 48%), respectively, in comparison to those of HAP. On the contrary, the viability of S. aureus bacteria has decreased by (26%, 33%, 35%, 46%, and 42%) and (21%, 22%, 27%, 395, and 37%) on the surfaces of the positive and negative ends of MCSZO‐ X electrets, respectively, with the reference of those of HAP. The mechanism of electret‐induced antibacterial activity has been revealed via various assays, such as catalase activity, superoxide production (SOD), , protein estimation, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays. The positive ends of MCSZO‐X electrets demonstrate antibacterial efficacy by means of more reactive oxygen species generation as compared to their negative ends of electrets and uncharged surfaces of MCSZO‐X samples, as revealed by SOD, protein estimation, catalase activity, and LPO assays. However, the negative ends of electrets prevent the adhesion of bacterial cells via electrostatic repulsion.
Production flexibility and trade credit under revenue uncertainty
Authors: Koussis Nicos , Silaghi Florina
Published: January 2024

In an uncertain economic environment, the ability of firms to adapt their production levels to unforeseen market demand is critical for their investment, financing and trade credit policies. This paper focuses on the impact of production flexibility on trade credit values and maturity in the presence of uncertain demand. We develop a continuous‐time real options framework where a buyer firm with capacity constraints orders input goods on credit from a supplier. The supplier optimally chooses the trade credit maturity, considering its influence on the buyer's optimal quantities and default timing. We distinguish between flexible firms, capable of suspending production during adverse conditions, and rigid firms, constrained to constant full‐scale production. Our findings reveal that production flexibility positively affects trade credit values and maturity. Flexible firms invest in larger capacity, default later and order larger quantities, resulting in higher trade credit values. Suppliers extend longer maturities to flexible firms, reflecting their higher creditworthiness and the positive effects of extended trade credit on their installed capacity. Furthermore, we explore extensions to our framework, including switching costs, entry timing, interactions between debt and trade credit and a non‐cooperative bargaining game.
Options trading and firm investment efficiency
Authors: Hsu Charles , Ke Junqiang , Ma Zhiming , Ruan Lufei
Published: January 2024

We examine the effect of options trading on an optioned firm's investment decisions. We find that active options trading improves an optioned firm's investment efficiency, and that this effect holds under several alternative empirical specifications and identification strategies, including fixed‐effects models, different matching methods, an instrumental variable approach, a Granger causality test and a quasi‐natural experiment based on the listing decisions of the options exchanges. This relation is mediated by two factors, namely, information asymmetry and uncertainty, consistent with the notion that options trading improves investment efficiency by providing information that facilitates external monitoring and managerial learning. The results of cross‐sectional analyses indicate that the effect of options trading on investment efficiency increases with firms’ tendency to overinvest or underinvest, and with managers’ risk‐taking and learning incentives. We also demonstrate that the effect of options markets on investment efficiency is distinct from the effect of stock markets. Overall, our findings suggest that options trading plays a nonnegligible role in improving an optioned firm's investment efficiency.
Slow conduction velocity predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Qi Dan , Guan Xiaonan , Liu Xiaoqing , Liu Lifeng , Liu Zheng , Zhang Jianjun
Published: January 2024

Objective

To evaluate the progression of electrophysiological phenomena in atrial fibrillation (AF) and elucidate the association between the left atrial conduction velocity (LACV) and AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods

A total of 188 AF patients (121 paroxysmal AF and 67 persistent AF) who underwent PVI for the first time were enrolled in this prospective study. The left atrium was mapped using a 20‐pole electrode catheter combined with the CARTO3 system. The conduction distances and conduction times of the left atrium from the Bachmann bundle area to the mitral isthmus were calculated. Anterior, posterior, and septal LACV were calculated as conduction distance divided by conduction time.

Results

The anterior, posterior, and septal LACVs in the AF recurrence group were slower than those in the nonrecurrence group (anterior: 0.807 [0.766, 0.848] and 1.048 [1.000, 1.093] m/s, p < .05; posterior: 1.037 [0.991, 1.084] vs. 1.315 [1.249, 1.380] m/s, p < .05; septal: 0.904 [0.862, 0.946] vs. 1.163 [1.107, 1.219] m/s, p < .05). The best cut‐off value of anterior LACV for predicting AF recurrence was 0.887 m/s (sensitivity 73.9% and specificity 76.5%). Multivariate analysis showed slow anterior LACV <0.887 m/s was an independent predictor of AF recurrence with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.42 (1.04, 1.94).

Conclusions

Slowing conduction velocity is a predictor of AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation.
Multi‐omics analysis identifies potential microbial and metabolite diagnostic biomarkers of bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Challa A. , Maras J. S. , Nagpal S. , Tripathi G. , Taneja B. , Kachhawa G. , Sood S. , Dhawan B. , Acharya P. , Upadhyay A. D. , Yadav M. , Sharma R. , Bajpai M. , Gupta S.
Published: January 2024

Background

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common clinical manifestation of a perturbed vaginal ecology associated with adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes if left untreated. The existing diagnostic modalities are either cumbersome or require skilled expertise, warranting alternate tests. Application of machine‐learning tools to heterogeneous and high‐dimensional multi‐omics datasets finds promising potential in data integration and may aid biomarker discovery.

Objectives

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of the microbiome and metabolome‐derived biomarkers in BV diagnosis. Interpretable machine‐learning algorithms were used to evaluate the utility of an integrated‐omics‐derived classification model.

Methods

Vaginal samples obtained from reproductive‐age group women with (n = 40) and without BV (n = 40) were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and LC–MS‐based metabolomics. The vaginal microbiome and metabolome were characterized, and machine‐learning analysis was performed to build a classification model using biomarkers with the highest diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Microbiome‐based diagnostic model exhibited a ROC‐AUC (10‐fold CV) of 0.84 ± 0.21 and accuracy of 0.79 ± 0.18, and important features were Aerococcus spp., Mycoplasma hominis, Sneathia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Prevotella spp., Gardnerella spp. and Fannyhessea vaginae. The metabolome‐derived model displayed superior performance with a ROC‐AUC of 0.97 ± 0.07 and an accuracy of 0.92 ± 0.08. Beta‐leucine, methylimidazole acetaldehyde, dimethylethanolamine, L‐arginine and beta cortol were among key predictive metabolites for BV. A predictive model combining both microbial and metabolite features exhibited a high ROC‐AUC of 0.97 ± 0.07 and accuracy of 0.94 ± 0.08 with diagnostic performance only slightly superior to the metabolite‐based model.

Conclusion

Application of machine‐learning tools to multi‐omics datasets aid biomarker discovery with high predictive performance. Metabolome‐derived classification models were observed to have superior diagnostic performance in predicting BV than microbiome‐based biomarkers.
Correlates of death anxiety for patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Dong Wanglin , Tang Haishan , Guo Xiajun , Wu Sijia , Lu Guangli , Li Xia , Chen Chaoran
Published: January 2024

Objective

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed to identify the factors related to cancer death anxiety based on available evidence.

Design

This systematic review and meta‐analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Methods

Seven databases were searched to identify studies on the relationships of cancer death anxiety with demographic characteristics, disease factors and psychosocial factors from inception to May 2023. The Agency for Medical Research and Quality (AHRQ) scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. After two researchers independently completed the literature search, data extraction and quality evaluation, meta‐analysis was conducted by using RevMan5.3 and Stata 17.0 software.

Results

In total, 52 studies were included in this review. The results revealed that there were positive correlations of death anxiety with female sex, the symptom burden, anxiety levels, depression levels, fear of recurrence, attachment avoidance, psychological distress, resignation and confrontation coping. Death anxiety was negatively correlated with age, education level, ability to perform daily activities, self‐esteem, spiritual well‐being, sense of meaning in life, resilience, quality of life, social support and religious beliefs.

Conclusions

Our results can inform the design of interventions to address death anxiety and improve the overall quality of life of cancer patients. Healthcare professionals should promptly identify and focus on death anxiety in high‐risk populations of cancer patients.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Cancer patients commonly experience death anxiety, and this anxiety has a nonnegligible impact on patients' mental health and overall quality of life. This study can inform the development of interventions by clinical healthcare professionals.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This was a meta‐analysis based on data from previous studies.
Hypoglycaemic confidence levels and experiences related to the hypoglycaemia of patients with diabetes: A mixed methods study
Authors: Sönmez Sari Ebru , Semerci Çakmak Vahide , Çetinkaya Özdemir Serap , Eşsiz Sefer Betül
Published: January 2024

Aims

This study had three aims: to determine the hypoglycaemic confidence levels of participants, to identify factors affecting hypoglycaemic confidence levels of participants and to assess experiences related to hypoglycaemia of participants.

Design

The explanatory–sequential–mixed method was used in this study.

Methods

The quantitative stage included a sample of 177 people, and the qualitative stage included a sample of 18 people. Data of the study were collected between April and June 2023 with the Hypoglycemic Confidence Level Scale, Personal Information Form and Semi‐Structured Interview Form. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t‐test, one‐way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used for quantitative data analysis. For the qualitative data analysis, content analysis was performed in the MaxQda program.

Results

The scale items are scored between 1 and 4, and an increase in the score obtained from the scale indicates an increase in confidence levels. The mean hypoglycaemic confidence level score of the participants was 3. The data obtained in the qualitative stage were grouped under three main themes: Experiences Related to Hypoglycaemia, Reasons for Experiencing Hypoglycaemia and Managing Hypoglycaemia.

Conclusion

Identifying hypoglycaemic confidence levels and hypoglycaemia experiences of patients with diabetes can guide health professionals, especially nurses, in promoting person‐centred care interventions.

Impact

The study discussed the hypoglycaemic confidence levels of diabetic patients and their experiences related to hypoglycaemia. The factors affecting the hypoglycaemic confidence level of the participants were educational status, income status, fear of experiencing hypoglycaemia, ability to self‐administer insulin, receiving hypoglycaemia training and frequency of experiencing hypoglycaemia. The results of this study may provide guidance for the development of appropriate prevention and coping strategies for hypoglycaemia. Identifying the experiences of patients with diabetes with hypoglycaemia can guide health professionals, especially nurses, in promoting person‐centred care interventions.

Reporting Method

The Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist was used for reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Gender differences in Russian adolescent mental health from 1999 to 2021
Authors: Privodnova Evgeniya Yu , Semenova Nadezhda B. , Kornienko Olga S. , Varshal Aleksandra V. , Slobodskaya Helena R.
Published: January 2024

This study examined secular trends in Russian adolescent mental health, the specific effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and associations with country‐level indicators. A cross‐sectional survey of 12,882 adolescents aged 11–18 years was carried out between 1999 and 2021 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results showed an incline in girls' internalizing problems with a two‐fold increase in the gender gap. There was a decline in girls' prosocial behavior and an incline in peer problems, with decreasing gender differences. Conduct problems showed a reversal of gender differences. Changes during the pandemic were not greater than over‐time changes, with the exception of inclines in hyperactivity‐inattention in both genders. Time trends in adolescent mental health were associated with over‐time changes in national indicators of wealth and gender equality. The findings provide a strong basis for further research into the determinants of gender differences in adolescent mental health and for gender‐specific interventions.
Short‐term and long‐term phenotypic stability of actigraphic sleep metrics involving repeated sleep loss and recovery
Authors: Pasetes Lauren N. , Goel Namni
Published: January 2024

For the first time, we determined whether actigraphic‐assessed sleep measures show inter‐individual differences and intra‐individual stability during baseline (BL) and recovery (REC) phases surrounding repeated total sleep deprivation (TSD). We conducted a 5‐day experiment at Months 2 and 4 in two separate studies (N = 11). During each experiment, sleep measures were collected via wrist actigraphy during two BL 8 h time‐in‐bed (TIB) nights (B1, B2) and during two REC 8–10 h TIB nights (R1, R2). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) assessed actigraphic measure long‐term stability between 2 and 4 months for (1) the pre‐experimental phase before BL; and (2) the BL (B1 + B2), REC (R1 + R2), and BL and REC average (BL + REC) phases; and short‐term stability at Month 2 and at Month 4; and (3) between B1 versus B2 and R1 versus R2 in each 5‐day experiment. Nearly all ICCs during the pre‐experimental, BL, REC, and BL + REC phases were moderate to almost perfect (0.446–0.970) between Months 2 and 4. B1 versus B2 ICCs were more stable (0.440–0.899) than almost all R1 versus R2 ICCs (−0.696 to 0.588) at Month 2 and 4. Actigraphic sleep measures show phenotypic long‐term stability during BL and REC surrounding repeated TSD between 2 and 4 months. Furthermore, within each 5‐day experiment at Month 2 and 4, the two BL nights before TSD were more stable than the two REC nights following TSD, likely due to increased R1 homeostatic pressure. Given the consistency of actigraphic measures across the short‐term and long‐term, they can serve as biomarkers to predict physiological and neurobehavioral responses to sleep loss.
Does food import contribute to rising obesity in low‐ and middle‐income countries?
Authors: Marson Marta , Saccone Donatella , Vallino Elena
Published: January 2024

Several studies show a positive association between the rise of obesity in developing countries and globalization, trade, and food trade, but most do not account for reverse causality between the prevalence of obesity and trade flows. Moreover, most studies adopt broad definitions of trade and food trade, notwithstanding the main effects of trade on obesity may pass through import of specific foods. We address these concerns by empirically investigating the impact of food import on obesity in a sample of 116 developing countries (2000–2016) and by focusing, particularly, on processed and sugar‐rich food. This is done by controlling for other globalization‐related factors and by correcting the bias stemming from potential reverse causality through a two‐step approach instrumenting obesity with the average height of adult population. One main robust conclusion emerges: it is neither economic and cultural globalization nor general food import, but rather the import of processed and sugar‐rich food, which contributes to increase obesity.
Erotic senses: Powering Brazilian Black queer existence in gynecological spaces
Authors: Falu Nessette
Published: January 2024

This paper explores how Brazilian Black queer women's sensorial knowing expresses the ways that anti‐Blackness and anti‐queerness are experienced within Brazilian gynecological spaces. I show how Black queer forms of sensory representations signal the intimacy of occupying place and time in power relations. What does it mean to feel, touch, and see the mechanisms of prejudice and institutional power? What are the sounds and vibrations of racism and heteronormativity in medicine? What do the senses tell us about Black queer bodies’ orientations and adverse reactions within those spaces? I engage the senses to understand how sensorial knowledge is keenly embedded in the evidence and informs how Black queer life is shaped within the quotidian. I discuss how sensorial experiences for the critical possibilities of conceptualizing sensoriality and social meanings of medical space and place and in relation to the material world of gynecology and its technologies.
The definition of assertion: Commitment and truth
Authors: Marsili Neri
Published: January 2024

According to an influential view, asserting a proposition involves undertaking some “commitment” to the truth of that proposition. But accounts of what it is for someone to be committed to the truth of a proposition are often vague or imprecise, and are rarely put to work to define assertion. This article aims to fill this gap. It offers a precise characterisation of assertoric commitment, and applies it to define assertion. On the proposed view, acquiring commitment is not sufficient for asserting: To assert, commitment must be acquired by explicitly presenting a proposition as true.
Ethics and the state: Israel's nationality law and the revision of a revolution
Authors: Chowers Eyal
Published: January 2024

In 2018, 70 years after it was founded, the State of Israel accepted a new nationality law, one which reshaped the identity of the state. Supporters of this constitutional law argue that it is necessary since the Jewish‐national character of the state is under threat, and since liberal‐democratic principles and policies have acquired undesired dominance in public life. The nationality law, however, does much more than restore a lost or imagined collective identity: it is a significant setback to both the liberal and republican understandings of a democratic state, as well as to Jewish‐Arab relations. More broadly still, the law displays the growing distance between the ethical and political spheres in Israel; this distance is expressed in the law's remarkable modifications of the three Zionist revolutions pertaining to the material (land), the linguistic and the political‐communal dimensions of Jewish, national life.
Factors influencing nursing faculty members' intent to stay: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Myint Lay Lay , Akkadechanunt Thitinut , Sirakamon Somjai , Chitpakdee Bunpitcha
Published: January 2024

Intent to stay is a helpful indicator in predicting the turnover rate of nursing faculty members in academia. This descriptive, cross‐sectional study aimed to identify the factors influencing nursing faculty members' intent to stay. The sample consisted of 350 nursing faculty members randomly selected from 53 nursing and midwifery training schools in Myanmar. Data were collected between June and October 2021. The eight instruments used showed satisfactory (0.80–1.00) for validity and (0.86–0.96) for reliability. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). The final modified model of intent to stay fit the empirical data and explained 81.30% of total variance for intent to stay. SEM revealed that job satisfaction and organizational commitment directly affected intent to stay; transformational leadership, job autonomy, and perceived organizational support indirectly affected intent to stay; and workload, age, and job stress, directly and indirectly, affected intent to stay. These results suggest nursing administrators and nursing leaders to develop appropriate strategies or design interventions for enhancing nursing faculty members' intent to stay.
GhUBC10‐2 mediates GhGSTU17 degradation to regulate salt tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Sun Yaru , Tian Zailong , Zuo Dongyun , Wang Qiaolian , Song Guoli
Published: January 2024

Ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (UBC) is a crucial component of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, which contributes to plant growth and development. While some UBCs have been identified as potential regulators of abiotic stress responses, the underlying mechanisms of this regulation remain poorly understood. Here, we report a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) UBC gene, GhUBC10‐2, which negatively regulates the salt stress response. We found that the gain of function of GhUBC10‐2 in both Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and cotton leads to reduced salinity tolerance. Additionally, GhUBC10‐2 interacts with glutathione S‐transferase (GST) U17 (GhGSTU17), forming a heterodimeric complex that promotes GhGSTU17 degradation. Intriguingly, GhUBC10‐2 can be self‐polyubiquitinated, suggesting that it possesses E3‐independent activity. Our findings provide new insights into the PTM of plant GST‐mediated salt response pathways. Furthermore, we found that the WRKY transcription factor GhWRKY13 binds to the GhUBC10‐2 promoter and suppresses its expression under salt conditions. Collectively, our study unveils a regulatory module encompassing GhWRKY13–GhUBC10‐2–GhGSTU17, which orchestrates the modulation of reactive oxygen species homeostasis to enhance salt tolerance.
Different fates of metabolites and small variation in chemical composition characterise frass chemistry in a specialist caterpillar
Authors: Seifert Carlo L. , Moos Martin , Volf Martin
Published: January 2024

Specialist and generalist insect herbivores evolved different strategies to process host‐plant metabolites. We explored frass composition in Laothoe populi (L.) caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), a specialist moth species that is closely associated with plants of the Salicaceae (Mirb.) family. We fed the caterpillars with leaves from three willow species (Salix caprea L., S. purpurea L. and S. viminalis L.), one willow hybrid (S. x rubens Schrank) and one poplar species (Populus tremula L.). Using untargeted metabolomics, we compared the chemical composition and variation among leaf and frass samples. We quantified the chemical variation using either a simple index based on the presence and concentration of metabolites (i.e., Bray‐Curtis) or an index that additionally accounts for chemical structural‐compositional similarity (CSCS) among metabolites. Due to the high degree of dietary specialisation, we expected low host‐specific variation in frass composition among the caterpillars. Based on literature, we further hypothesised that ingested salicinoids will be largely modified in the caterpillar gut while flavonoids will be often passively excreted. Finally, we compared chemical variation among the samples when quantified with Bray‐Curtis or CSCS metrics. As expected, we found relatively low host‐specific variation in the chemical composition of caterpillar frass. Our results further suggest that flavonoids were largely passively excreted by the caterpillars, while salicinoids were metabolised in the gut. Finally, we found that chemical composition measures based on Bray‐Curtis overestimated the differences in chemical composition between frass and leaves, suggesting that for these type of samples CSCS measures are better suited to reflect metabolic changes more realistically.
Teleological reasoning bias is predicted by pupil dynamics: Evidence for the extensive integration account of bias in reasoning
Authors: Mækelæ Martin Jensen , Kreis Isabel V. , Pfuhl Gerit
Published: January 2024

Teleological reasoning is the tendency for humans to see purpose and intentionality in natural phenomena when there is none. In this study, we assess three competing theories on how bias in reasoning arises by examining performance on a teleological reasoning task while measuring pupil size and response times. We replicate that humans (N = 45) are prone to accept false teleological explanations. Further, we show that errors on the teleological reasoning task are associated with slower response times, smaller baseline pupil size, and larger pupil dilations. The results are in line with the single‐process extensive integration account and directly oppose predictions from dual‐processing accounts. Lastly, by modeling responses with a drift‐diffusion model, we find that larger baseline pupil size is associated with lower decision threshold and higher drift rate, whereas larger pupil dilations are associated with higher decision threshold and lower drift rate. The results highlight the role of neural gain and the Locus Coeruleus–Norepinephrine system in modulating evidence integration and bias in reasoning. Thus, teleological reasoning and susceptibility to bias likely arise due to extensive processing rather than through fast and effortless processing.
Using fire, planting, and topsoil translocation for restoration in South African Fynbos: assessing the success and cost‐effectiveness of various restoration treatments
Authors: Retief Landi , Nsikani Mlungele M. , Geerts Sjirk
Published: January 2024

The successful restoration of endangered habitat types at a low cost is of vital importance. We tested how successful and cost‐effective six combinations of restoration treatments were in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Treatments were applied to an area that was primarily covered invasive alien grasses. Treatments that tested combinations of burning, direct sowing of seed, and planting of seedlings, aimed to test the synergistic effect of three treatment factors. Topsoil translocation aimed to determine if this, combined with planting, can restore native shrub cover and whether the addition of mulch and seed can improve overall success. The mechanical removal of invasive grasses, sowing and planting, were tested in the absence of fire. Both topsoil translocation treatments and the treatment that had been burned, sown and planted (“Burn‐sow‐plant”) led to plant species richness resembling near‐pristine plots and approximately 30% higher than the burn‐only treatment (“Burn”). Native shrub cover was the highest for treatments which included planting. Survival for planted species was 36–41% higher for Burn‐sow‐plant. The contribution of sowing was low, with 9–16% of species sowed being present across treatments. We show that topsoil translocation can be successful if combined with planting. Burn‐sow‐plant was most successful at a reasonable cost, despite planting being expensive, whereas Burn and Burn‐sow were less successful, but cheaper. The treatment in which grass was removed before sowing and planting was the least successful and most expensive. We conclude that the most successful treatments are not necessarily the most expensive.
Inoculation with rhizospheric microorganisms in tropical dry forests restoration increased microbial diversity but had no effect on seedling growth
Authors: Castillo‐Bautista Mónica P. , Rugeles‐Silva Paula A. , Armbrecht Inge
Published: January 2024

The diversity of soil microbial organisms is rarely considered in restoration scenarios, even though this diversity is an important component of the ecological complexity that we aim to understand. Plant growth promoting microorganisms can positively affect plants by providing nutrients regularly, producing phytohormones to stimulate root growth and development, and modifying the rhizosphere environment. The present study evaluated, over a 5‐month period, the effects of inoculation of Inga densiflora nurse seedlings with rhizospheric microorganisms taken from a neighbor forest habitat, in the context of an early‐stage ecological restoration project in a Tropical Dry Forest area invaded by Guinea grass (Panicum maximum). The inoculation's effect on two response variables was evaluated: (1) growth of the seedling (I. densiflora), and (2) the diversity of bacteria and fungi, with an emphasis on genera associated with rhizosphere that promote vegetation growth. Bacterial and fungal diversity were evaluated using the metabarcoding method and Hill numbers q = 0, 1, and 2. Significantly higher microorganism diversity was found in the rhizosphere of inoculated seedlings compared to non‐inoculated seedlings. However, no significant differences were found in the growth of inoculated versus non‐inoculated seedlings. This evidence suggests that, in the short term and through a restoration context, inoculating trees with microorganisms taken directly from a neighboring forest can increase bacterial diversity, and possibly also fungal diversity. While understanding the intricacies of these processes requires further study, this technique seems to be a promising approach for recovering the diversity of rhizosphere microbiomes during ecological restoration.
The Riemann–Hilbert approach for the integrable fractional Fokas–Lenells equation
Authors: An Ling , Ling Liming
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we propose a new integrable fractional Fokas–Lenells equation by using the completeness of the squared eigenfunctions, dispersion relation, and inverse scattering transform. To solve this equation, we employ the Riemann–Hilbert approach. Specifically, we focus on the case of the reflectionless potential with a simple pole for the zero boundary condition. And we provide the fractional ‐soliton solution in determinant form. In addition, we prove the fractional one‐soliton solution rigorously. Notably, we demonstrate that as , the fractional ‐soliton solution can be expressed as a linear combination of fractional single‐soliton solutions.
On the dynamics of an epidemic patch model with mass‐action transmission mechanism and asymmetric dispersal patterns
Authors: Salako Rachidi B. , Wu Yixiang
Published: January 2024

This paper examines an epidemic patch model with mass‐action transmission mechanism and asymmetric connectivity matrix. Results on the global dynamics of solutions and the spatial structures of endemic equilibrium (EE) solutions are obtained. In particular, we show that when the basic reproduction number is less than one and the dispersal rate of the susceptible population is large, the population would eventually stabilize at the disease‐free equilibrium. However, the disease may persist if is small, even if . In such a scenario, explicit conditions on the model parameters that lead to the existence of multiple EE are identified. These results provide new insights into the dynamics of infectious diseases in multipatch environments. Moreover, results in Li and Peng (Stud Appl Math. 2023;150(3):650‐704), which is for the same model but with symmetric connectivity matrix, are generalized and improved.
Strontium isotope dating influenced by Rubidium contamination from terrestrial material: A case study from the Cenozoic dolomite in the Xisha Islands, South China Sea
Authors: Wang Rui , Yu Kefu , Jones Brian , Jiang Wei , Fan Tianlai , Yang Yang , Wu Songye
Published: January 2024

Strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) are commonly used to assess the age of Cenozoic dolostones found on many isolated oceanic islands. The possible influence of Rubidium (Rb) content on the 87Sr/86Sr ratios, however, has generally been ignored. This critical issue is assessed by examining the 87Sr/86Sr ratios and elements (Rb, Sr, Al, Ti and K) of seventy‐one samples that came from a ca 339 m thick cored interval of Cenozoic dolomite on the Xisha Islands, South China Sea. For the dolomite from the upper Pliocene Yinggehai Formation (180.5 to 308.5 m; average 23% dolomite) there is a positive correlation between the 87Sr/86Sr ratios and Rb concentrations, whereas for the dolomite from the lower late Miocene Huangliu Formation (308.5 to 519 m; average >98% dolomite) such a correlation is not evident. Combined with high‐temperature experiments, correlation between Al, Ti, K, Rb and 87Sr/86Sr indicates that Rb containing old 87Rb from terrestrial materials modified the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the Yinggehai dolomite, but not those from the Huangliu dolomite. This is mainly attributed to the different sources of terrestrial dust carried by different East Asian monsoon systems between the late Miocene and Pliocene, and probably also influenced by the dolomitization process to some extent. To test for 87Rb contamination, extrapolation of results from the Yinggehai dolomite and Huangliu dolomite indicate that concentrations of Rb < 1 ppm, Al < 1000 ppm, Ti < 15 ppm and K < 250 ppm in the dolomite indicates that terrestrial inputs are minimal and that the measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios can be used for determining the dolomitization age. Potentially, these concentration thresholds may serve as a screening criterion for assessing the reliability of Sr isotope chronostratigraphy of other island dolostones throughout the world.