bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the weathering performance of wood‐plastic composites
Authors: Durmaz Sefa , Keles Ozlem Ozgenc , Aras Ugur , Erdil Yusuf Ziya , Mengeloglu Fatih
Published: December 2022

In recent years, wood‐plastic composites (WPCs) have become among the most popular engineering materials. Most of their usage areas are outdoors, where they encounter various damaging factors. The weathering conditions cause significant deterioration to WPC surfaces, which negatively influences their service life. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles at different concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%) were added to a high‐density polyethylene‐based WPC matrix. The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the weathering performance of WPC was evaluated after 840 hours of an artificial weathering test. The highest colour changes (∆E*) were monitored with control samples exposed for 840 hours. Adding zinc oxide nanoparticles improved the ultraviolet (UV) resistance and decreased the colour changes. The wood flour content also affected the colour changes on the WPC surface. A combination of 10% zinc oxide nanoparticles and 50% wood flour content provided the lowest colour changes. The barrier effect of nanoparticles protected the WPC surfaces from UV light. Zinc oxide nanoparticles also positively affected the load transfer, which restricted the reduction in mechanical properties after the weathering test. The degradation on the surface of WPCs was also investigated using attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier Transform–infrared analysis. The changes in the characteristic bands of polymer and wood indicated that surface degradation was inevitable. Light and scanning electron microscopy images also demonstrated micro‐cracks and roughness on the surface of WPCs. It is concluded that UV degradation is unavoidable, but zinc oxide nanoparticles can improve surface resistance against weathering conditions.
ZNF281 drives hepatocyte senescence in alcoholic liver disease by reducing HK2‐stabilized PINK1/Parkin‐mediated mitophagy
Authors: Lu Chunfeng , Ge Ting , Shao Yunyun , Cui Wenqian , Li Zhe , Xu Wenxuan , Bao Xiaofeng
Published: December 2022

We investigated the role of zinc‐finger protein 281 (ZNF281), a novel molecule, in ethanol‐induced hepatocyte senescence and uncovered the potential mechanism. Real‐time PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed to explore the role of ZNF281 in hepatocyte senescence. ZNF281 expression was upregulated in both alcohol‐fed mice livers and ethanol‐treated hepatocytes. Silence of ZNF281 in hepatocytes using siRNA mitigated ethanol‐caused decrease in cell viability and increased release of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase. ZNF281 siRNA reduced senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase‐positive cells under ethanol exposure, abolished cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, and diminished senescence‐associated secretory phenotype and proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β and IL‐6) release. At molecular level, ZNF281 deficiency altered the expression profile of senescence‐associated proteins including p53, p21, p16, high mobility group AT‐hook 1, and phospho‐histone H2A.X and telomerase‐associated regulatory factors including telomerase reverse transcriptase, telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1), and TRF2. ZNF281 knockdown promoted hepatocyte recovery from ethanol‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production, which was correlated with rescuing HK2‐PINK1/Parkin signalling‐mediated mitophagy. Mechanistically, ZNF281 directly bound to 5′‐GGCGGCGGGCGG‐3′ motif within HK2 promoter region and transcriptionally repressed HK2 expression. Systematic ZNF281 knockdown by adeno‐associated virus encoding ZNF281 shRNA protected mice from alcohol feeding‐caused hepatocyte injury and senescence. This study provides a novel factor ZNF281 as a driver of hepatocyte senescence during alcoholic liver disease.
Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids alleviate irradiation‐induced salivary gland damage
Authors: Xie Xueping , Ma Wenjuan , Li Guo , Zhan Yuxi , Quan Li , Cai Xiaoxiao
Published: December 2022

In this study, we investigated the role of tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) in irradiation‐induced salivary gland damage in vitro and in vivo. Irradiation‐damaged submandibular gland cells (SMGCs) were treated with different concentrations of tFNAs. Cell activity was measured by CCK‐8 assay. Cell death was detected by Calcein‐AM/PI double staining. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis proteins and inflammatory cytokines were detected by western blot. Body weight, drinking volume, saliva flow rate and lag time was measured 8 weeks after irradiation. Micromorphological changes of submandibular gland were assessed by haematoxylin–eosin and masson staining. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and microvessel density of submandibular gland were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. tFNAs could promote cell proliferation, inhibit cell apoptosis of irradiation‐damaged SMGCs and reduce irradiation induced cell death. Mechanism studies revealed that tFNAs inhibited cell apoptosis through regulating the Bcl‐2/Bax/Caspase‐3 signalling pathway and inhibited the release of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 to reduce cell damage caused by inflammation. Animal experiments showed that tFNAs could alleviate irradiation‐induced weight loss, increased water intake, decreased saliva production and prolonged salivation lag time and could ameliorate salivary gland damage. tFNAs have a positive effect on alleviating irradiation‐induced salivary gland damage and might be a promising agent for the treatment of this disease.
Assessing the impact of referred actions on protected matters under Australia's national environmental legislation
Authors: Maitz Natalya M. , Taylor Martin F. J. , Ward Michelle S. , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: December 2022

Australia's national environmental legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) has been criticized for failing to mitigate the national extinction crisis. Under the EPBC Act, projects anticipated to have a significant impact on protected matters must be referred to the Australian Government for assessment. Actions deemed unlikely to have a significant impact are granted permission to proceed, while actions expected to have a significant impact must undergo further assessment. We spatially analyzed potential habitat loss deemed either significant or non‐significant in Queensland and New South Wales for threatened species, migratory species, and threatened ecological communities between 2000 and 2015. Impact scores were developed to quantify and compare the value of woody vegetation cleared under each referral determination. We found no statistically significant difference between median impact scores for vegetation removed under significant and non‐significant determinations. Over half (63%) of all scored losses occurred under actions deemed non‐significant, with certain species disproportionately impacted. The tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) and grey‐headed flying‐fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) lost 82% and 72% of their total referred potential habitat under non‐significant actions, respectively. Our results indicate that the application of the EPBC Act is failing to adequately conserve the protected matters of this investigation.
Comparing size measurements of simulated colorectal polyp size and morphology groups when using a virtual scale endoscope or visual size estimation: Blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Haumesser Claire , Zarandi‐Nowroozi Melissa , Taghiakbari Mahsa , Djinbachian Roupen , Abou Khalil Maria , Sidani Sacha , Liu Chen Kiow Jeremy , Panzini Benoit , Popescu Crainic Ioana , von Renteln Daniel
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The virtual scale endoscope (VSE) allows projection of a virtual scale onto colorectal polyps allowing real‐time size measurements. We studied the relative accuracy of VSE compared to visual assessment (VA) for the measuring simulated polyps of different size and morphology groups.

Methods

We conducted a blinded randomized controlled trial using simulated polyps within a colon model. Sixty simulated polyps were evenly distributed across four size groups (1–5, >5–9.9, 10–19.9, and ≥20 mm) and three Paris morphology groups (flat, sessile, and pedunculated). Six endoscopists performed polyp size measurements using random allocation of either VA or VSE.

Results

A total of 359 measurements were completed. The relative accuracy of VSE was significantly higher when compared to VA for all size groups >5 mm (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). For polyps ≤5 mm, the relative accuracy of VSE compared to VA was not significantly higher (P = 0.186). The relative accuracy of VSE was significantly higher when compared to VA for all morphology groups. VSE misclassified a lower percentage of >5 mm polyps as ≤5 mm (2.9%), ≥10 mm polyps as <10 mm (5.5%), and ≥20 mm polyps as <20 mm (21.7%) compared to VA (11.2%, 24.7%, and 52.3% respectively; P = 0.008, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Virtual scale endoscope had significantly higher relative accuracies for every polyp size group or morphology type aside from diminutive. VSE enables the endoscopist to better classify polyps into correct size categories at clinically relevant size thresholds of 5, 10, and 20 mm.
Impact of grade retention and school engagement on student intentions to enrol in higher education in Portugal
Authors: Santos Natalie Nóbrega , Monteiro Vera , Carvalho Carolina
Published: December 2022

Grade retention and inequalities that derive from grade retention can influence student school trajectories and careers. Grade retention can discourage students from education, and increase school failure and dropout. This study explored the relationship between grade retention and student intentions to enrol in higher education. We also studied the role of school identification and behavioural engagement in this relationship. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,089 students (grades 6 to 10) from Portugal, one of the European countries with the highest rates of grade retention. We employed multilevel probit regression modelling with random intercept and fixed slopes to explore both the individual and school level effects of grade retention. The analyses showed that retained students had a lower probability of intent to enrol in higher education and that there was a contextual effect of the number of retained students in the school, on students' probability of intent to enrol in higher education. This association was partially explained at the individual level by students' school identification. Retained students presented lower levels of school identification, which in turn results in lower probabilities of enrolling in higher education. Student behavioural engagement was not associated with grade retention nor student intentions. Our findings suggest the need for interventions that foster students' school identification to overcome the adverse effects of grade retention.
Alzheimer's disease‐like neuropathology in three species of oceanic dolphin
Authors: Vacher Marissa C. , Durrant Claire S. , Rose Jamie , Hall Ailsa J. , Spires‐Jones Tara L. , Gunn‐Moore Frank , Dagleish Mark P.
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the primary cause of disability and dependency among elderly humans worldwide. AD is thought to be a disease unique to humans although several other animals develop some aspects of AD‐like pathology. Odontocetes (toothed whales) share traits with humans that suggest they may be susceptible to AD. The brains of 22 stranded odontocetes of five different species were examined using immunohistochemistry to investigate the presence or absence of neuropathological hallmarks of AD: amyloid‐beta plaques, phospho‐tau accumulation and gliosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed that all aged animals accumulated amyloid plaque pathology. In three animals of three different species of odontocete, there was co‐occurrence of amyloid‐beta plaques, intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau, neuropil threads and neuritic plaques. One animal showed well‐developed neuropil threads, phospho‐tau accumulation and neuritic plaques, but no amyloid plaques. Microglia and astrocytes were present as expected in all brain samples examined, but we observed differences in cell morphology and numbers between individual animals. The simultaneous occurrence of amyloid‐beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau pathology in the brains of odontocetes shows that these three species develop AD‐like neuropathology spontaneously. The significance of this pathology with respect to the health and, ultimately, death of the animals remains to be determined. However, it may contribute to the cause(s) of unexplained live‐stranding in some odontocete species and supports the ‘sick‐leader’ theory whereby healthy conspecifics in a pod mass strand due to high social cohesion.
Enhanced foliar 15N enrichment with increasing nitrogen addition rates: Role of plant species and nitrogen compounds
Authors: Wang Yinliu , Niu Guoxiang , Wang Ruzhen , Rousk Kathrin , Li Ang , Hasi Muqier , Wang Changhui , Xue Jianguo , Yang Guojiao , Lü Xiaotao , Jiang Yong , Han Xingguo , Huang Jianhui
Published: December 2022

Determining the abundance of N isotope (δ15N) in natural environments is a simple but powerful method for providing integrated information on the N cycling dynamics and status in an ecosystem under exogenous N inputs. However, whether the input of different N compounds could differently impact plant growth and their 15N signatures remains unclear. Here, the response of 15N signatures and growth of three dominant plants (Leymus chinensis, Carex duriuscula, and Thermopsis lanceolata) to the addition of three N compounds (NH4HCO3, urea, and NH4NO3) at multiple N addition rates were assessed in a meadow steppe in Inner Mongolia. The three plants showed different initial foliar δ15N values because of differences in their N acquisition strategies. Particularly, T. lanceolata (N2‐fixing species) showed significantly lower 15N signatures than L. chinensis (associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF]) and C. duriuscula (associated with AMF). Moreover, the foliar δ15N of all three species increased with increasing N addition rates, with a sharp increase above an N addition rate of ~10 g N m−2 year−1. Foliar δ15N values were significantly higher when NH4HCO3 and urea were added than when NH4NO3 was added, suggesting that adding weakly acidifying N compounds could result in a more open N cycle. Overall, our results imply that assessing the N transformation processes in the context of increasing global N deposition necessitates the consideration of N deposition rates, forms of the deposited N compounds, and N utilization strategies of the co‐existing plant species in the ecosystem.
High trophic level feedbacks on global ocean carbon uptake and marine ecosystem dynamics under climate change
Authors: Dupont Léonard , Le Mézo Priscilla , Aumont Olivier , Bopp Laurent , Clerc Corentin , Ethé Christian , Maury Olivier
Published: December 2022

Despite recurrent emphasis on their ecological and economic roles, the importance of high trophic levels (HTLs) on ocean carbon dynamics, through passive (fecal pellet production, carcasses) and active (vertical migration) processes, is still largely unexplored, notably under climate change scenarios. In addition, HTLs impact the ecosystem dynamics through top‐down effects on lower trophic levels, which might change under anthropogenic influence. Here we compare two simulations of a global biogeochemical–ecosystem model with and without feedbacks from large marine animals. We show that these large marine animals affect the evolution of low trophic level biomasses, hence net primary production and most certainly ecosystem equilibrium, but seem to have little influence on the 21st‐century anthropogenic carbon uptake under the RCP8.5 scenario. These results provide new insights regarding the expectations for trophic amplification of climate change through the marine trophic chain and regarding the necessity to explicitly represent marine animals in Earth System Models.
Grit and learning: Understanding the sequential learning behaviours in snap!
Authors: Gao Ming , Zhang Jingjing , Lu Yu , Kahn Ken , Winters Niall
Published: December 2022

Background

As a non‐cognitive trait, grit plays an important role in human learning. Although students higher in grit are more likely to perform well on tests, how they learn in the process has been underexamined.

Objectives

This study attempted to explore how students with different levels of grit behave and learn in an exploratory learning environment.

Methods

In this study, 66 students participated in seven exploratory tasks in Snap! for approximately 60 min after a 30‐min lecture. Students were categorized into a high grit group and low grit group using a grit scale. The Mann–Whitney U test, epistemic network analysis and lag sequential analysis were used to explore the differences between groups in learning performance, technology acceptance and behavioural patterns.

Results

Students with different levels of grit engaged in explorative tasks in a short period of time might not present significantly different learning performance, perceptions of usefulness and ease of use, but students higher in grit, actively engaging more different types of activities, tended to put greater sustained effort to solve the challenging task.

Take Away

Although grit was not significantly correlated with learning performance when students engage in classroom‐based explorative activities, grit did predict whether students are more likely to explore and put greater sustained effort into solving the challenging task.
A multivariate genetic analysis of anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events in adolescents
Authors: Peel Alicia J. , Oginni Olakunle , Assary Elham , Krebs Georgina , Lockhart Celestine , McGregor Thomas , Palaiologou Elisavet , Ronald Angelica , Danese Andrea , Eley Thalia C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Despite being considered a measure of environmental risk, reported life events are partly heritable. One mechanism that may contribute to this heritability is genetic influences on sensitivity, relating to how individuals process and interpret internal and external signals. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic and environmental overlap between self‐reported life events and measures of sensitivity.

Methods

At age 17, 2,939 individuals from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) completed measures of anxiety sensitivity (Children's Anxiety Sensitivity Index), environmental sensitivity (Highly Sensitive Child Scale) and reported their experience of 20 recent life events. Using multivariate Cholesky decomposition models, we investigated the shared genetic and environmental influences on the associations between these measures of sensitivity and the number of reported life events, as well as both negative and positive ratings of life events.

Results

The majority of the associations between anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events were explained by shared genetic influences (60%–75%), with the remainder explained by nonshared environmental influences (25%–40%). Environmental sensitivity showed comparable genetic correlations with both negative and positive ratings of life events (rA = .21 and .15), anxiety sensitivity only showed a significant genetic correlation with negative ratings of life events (rA = .33). Approximately 10% of the genetic influences on reported life events were accounted for by influences shared with anxiety sensitivity and environmental sensitivity.

Conclusion

Differences in how individuals process the contextual aspects of the environment or interpret their own physical and emotional response to environmental stimuli may be one mechanism through which genetic liability influences the subjective experience of life events.
The role of migration in mutant dynamics in fragmented populations
Authors: Kreger Jesse , Brown Donovan , Komarova Natalia L. , Wodarz Dominik , Pritchard Justin
Published: December 2022

Mutant dynamics in fragmented populations have been studied extensively in evolutionary biology. Yet, open questions remain, both experimentally and theoretically. Some of the fundamental properties predicted by models still need to be addressed experimentally. We contribute to this by using a combination of experiments and theory to investigate the role of migration in mutant distribution. In the case of neutral mutants, while the mean frequency of mutants is not influenced by migration, the probability distribution is. To address this empirically, we performed in vitro experiments, where mixtures of GFP‐labelled (“mutant”) and non‐labelled (“wid‐type”) murine cells were grown in wells (demes), and migration was mimicked via cell transfer from well to well. In the presence of migration, we observed a change in the skewedness of the distribution of the mutant frequencies in the wells, consistent with previous and our own model predictions. In the presence of de novo mutant production, we used modelling to investigate the level at which disadvantageous mutants are predicted to exist, which has implications for the adaptive potential of the population in case of an environmental change. In panmictic populations, disadvantageous mutants can persist around a steady state, determined by the rate of mutant production and the selective disadvantage (selection‐mutation balance). In a fragmented system that consists of demes connected by migration, a steady‐state persistence of disadvantageous mutants is also observed, which, however, is fundamentally different from the mutation‐selection balance and characterized by higher mutant levels. The increase in mutant frequencies above the selection‐mutation balance can be maintained in small () demes as long as the migration rate is sufficiently small. The migration rate above which the mutants approach the selection‐mutation balance decays exponentially with . The observed increase in the mutant numbers is not explained by the change in the effective population size. Implications for evolutionary processes in diseases are discussed, where the pre‐existence of disadvantageous drug‐resistant mutant cells or pathogens drives the response of the disease to treatments.
Contribution of flagellar cap gene in virulence and pathogenicity of Aeromonas veronii
Authors: Cheng Zhao , Zhao Xianliang , Jiang Xinyu , Zhang Jie , Li Li , Pei Chao , Zhou Yong , Zeng Lingbing , Kong Xianghui
Published: December 2022

Aeromonas veronii is an important zoonotic and aquatic pathogen that causes a number of illnesses in both humans and animals. It is related to gastroenteritis, skin and soft tissue infections and bacteremia in humans, as well as causing significant economic losses in aquaculture owing to fish sepsis. Here, we constructed the flagellar cap gene (fliD) mutant strain of A. veronii by suicide plasmid‐mediated homologous recombination system and analysed its characteristics. It was found that the deletion of fliD had no effect on growth and biochemical properties and could be inherited stably. However, the motility of A. veronii ΔfliD was significantly reduced, the flagellum was defective and the biofilm formation was attenuated compared with that of A. veronii wild‐type strain. In vivo experiments revealed that the colonization capacity of ΔfliD was significantly lower than that of the wild‐type strain in the period of first 24 h, and the median lethal dose (LD50) was 56 times higher than that of the wild‐type strain. The Cyprinus carpio infected with the wild‐type strain indicated faster death speed and more severe clinical signs compared to ΔfliD strain. These results suggest that fliD is closely related to the virulence of A. veronii and plays an important role in pathogenicity, providing the foundation for pathogenic mechanism studies of A. veronii.
Staying in the loop: Quality of family‐paid caregiver communication and influences on resident mental health in long‐term care
Authors: Falzarano Francesca B. , Cimarolli Verena , Siedlecki Karen L.
Published: December 2022

Background

Considerable research has examined communication dynamics among family members and staff in nursing homes (NHs) and has demonstrated that better communication is associated with more optimal mental health outcomes in both family caregivers and paid caregivers. However, the literature on how communication dynamics influence mental health in long‐term care residents is limited and it has yet to be determined how communication impacts residents across care contexts, such as assisted living facilities (ALFs). The purpose of this study is to examine family caregivers' perceptions of communication with paid caregivers and its influence on long‐term care resident outcomes and to compare how results differ across care settings (NHs vs. ALFs).

Methods

Data were drawn from a subsample of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study on Caregiving (NSOC). The sample consisted of 142 NHATS participants residing in long‐term care (n = 93 ALF residents; n = 49 NH residents) with an eligible family caregiver who participated in the NSOC. Family caregivers' perceived quality of communication was assessed via questions regarding the frequency, availability, and helpfulness of communication with paid caregivers. Resident mental health was assessed via measures of positive and negative affect, depressive symptoms, and anxiety.

Results

Across the total sample, greater availability of communication between paid and family caregivers was associated with lower depressive symptoms and negative affect in residents. When examining how these relationships varied across care settings, communication was a stronger predictor of fewer depressive symptoms among residents in ALF settings.

Conclusions

Study findings provide insights into how interpersonal dynamics between family and paid caregivers influence resident mental health and underscore the importance of enhanced communication among all members of the primary care team, that is, paid caregivers, residents, and their family members.
ART1 and putrescine contribute to rice aluminum resistance via OsMYB30 in cell wall modification
Authors: Gao Li Jun , Liu Xiang Pei , Gao Ke Ke , Cui Meng Qi , Zhu Hui Hui , Li Gui Xin , Yan Jing Ying , Wu Yun Rong , Ding Zhong Jie , Chen Xue Wei , Ma Jian Feng , Harberd Nicholas P. , Zheng Shao Jian
Published: December 2022

Cell wall is the first physical barrier to aluminum (Al) toxicity. Modification of cell wall properties to change its binding capacity to Al is one of the major strategies for plant Al resistance; nevertheless, how it is regulated in rice remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that exogenous application of putrescines (Put) could significantly restore the Al resistance of art1, a rice mutant lacking the central regulator Al RESISTANCE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 1 (ART1), and reduce its Al accumulation particularly in the cell wall of root tips. Based on RNA‐sequencing, yeast‐one‐hybrid and electrophoresis mobility shift assays, we identified an R2R3 MYB transcription factor OsMYB30 as the novel target in both ART1‐dependent and Put‐promoted Al resistance. Furthermore, transient dual‐luciferase assay showed that ART1 directly inhibited the expression of OsMYB30, and in turn repressed Os4CL5‐dependent 4‐coumaric acid accumulation, hence reducing the Al‐binding capacity of cell wall and enhancing Al resistance. Additionally, Put repressed OsMYB30 expression by eliminating Al‐induced H2O2 accumulation, while exogenous H2O2 promoted OsMYB30 expression. We concluded that ART1 confers Put‐promoted Al resistance via repression of OsMYB30‐regulated modification of cell wall properties in rice.
Calibration of hip accelerometers for measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviours in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: Agiovlasitis S. , Ballenger B. K. , Schultz E. E. , Du Q. , Motl R. W.
Published: December 2022

Background

The knowledge base on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults with Down syndrome (DS) may advance by accelerometer calibration studies. This study aimed to develop cut‐points for sedentary behaviour and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for adults with DS based on output from accelerometers worn on the dominant and non‐dominant hips.

Methods

Sixteen adults with DS (10 men; age 31 ± 15 years) performed 12 tasks including sedentary behaviours and physical activities. We obtained metabolic equivalents (METs) with indirect calorimetry and vector magnitude (VM) output from triaxial accelerometers (wGT3X‐BT, ActiGraph) worn on the dominant and non‐dominant hips. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify optimal VM cut‐points that maximised sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Overall classification accuracy was very high (area under the ROC curve: 0.95 and 0.92 for sedentary and MVPA models, respectively). For the non‐dominant hip, the optimal VM cut‐points were (1) sedentary behaviour ≤236 counts·min−1 and (2) MVPA ≥2167 counts·min−1. For the dominant hip, optimal cut‐points were (1) sedentary behaviour ≤243 counts·min−1 and (2) MVPA ≥2092 counts·min−1.

Conclusions

The presented VM cut‐points for sedentary behaviour and MVPA for adults with DS had high classification accuracy. There were small differences in accelerometer cut‐points between the dominant and non‐dominant hip.
Preanesthetic ultrasonography assessment of inferior vena cava diameter in the supine position, left lateral tilt position, and with the left uterine displacement maneuver in full‐term pregnant women: A randomized cross‐over design study
Authors: Furuya Tomonori , Hirose Noriya , Sato Hanae , Niikura Risa , Kijima Miho , Suzuki Takahiro
Published: December 2022

Preanesthetic ultrasonography assessment of inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) in the supine position (SP), left lateral tilt position (LLT), and with the left uterine displacement maneuver (LUD) in full‐term pregnant women: a randomized cross‐over design study.

Aim

We pre‐anesthetically measured IVCD using ultrasonography in the SP, LLT, and the LUD in full‐term pregnant women, using a cross‐over design, to evaluate the effectiveness of LLT and LUD on increasing IVCD, and the presence of inter‐individual differences among patients in the effect of posture on IVCD.

Methods

Twenty‐two parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were recruited. All patients were sequentially placed in the SP, LLT, and with LUD before spinal anesthesia induction. Indices of IVCD, measured by subxiphoid ultrasonography, including maximum IVCD (IVCDmax), minimum IVCD (IVCDmin), and collapsibility index (CI) were recorded in each of the postures. Mean or median values of all measurements were compared among the postures.

Results

The mean values of IVCDmax observed with both LLT and LUD were significantly larger than those in the SP, respectively (SP vs. LLT: p < 0.05, SP vs. LUD: p < 0.01), although there were no significant differences between IVCDmax with LLT and LUD. There were no significant differences in IVCDmin and CI between any of the postures. IVCDmax was highest with LUD in 11 patients (55%), in the LLT in seven patients (35%) and in the SP in two patients (10%).

Conclusions

LLT and LUD might be equally effective in enlarging the narrowed IVCD as compared to SP. However, both LLT and LUD might not necessarily be appropriate treatments to relieve IVC compression in some cases.
Intersections of space with wellbeing and learning: Awakening space research
Authors: Ajjawi Rola , Gravett Karen
Published: December 2022

In this commentary, Ajjawi and Gravett examine the role of space in learning and urge the field to research learning spaces from a more theoretically informed position.
Intentional and Incidental Vocabulary Learning: The Role of Historical Linguistics in the Second Language Classroom
Authors: M. STRATTON JAMES
Published: December 2022

Although English and German are both Germanic languages, due to various historical changes, many of their cognates are no longer easily recognizable. This study examined whether knowledge of language history can be beneficial to learners when learning English–German cognates. Thirty‐five English‐speaking second language (L2) learners of 3rd‐semester German at an American university were assigned to either an intentional or incidental learning condition. The intentional group received explicit instruction on 2 historical sounds shifts (Second Germanic Sound Shift, Ingvaeonic Palatalization) and relevant historical semantic changes. In contrast, the incidental group carried out various activities that exposed learners to cognates through reading and oral communication tasks. Results indicate that the intentional group significantly outperformed the incidental group, suggesting that knowledge of language history can be beneficial to learners when learning historically related languages. Declarative knowledge of the historical changes led to significantly greater vocabulary gains and it also provided learners with a tool kit to correctly predict the meaning of several cognates they had not previously encountered before. This study has broad implications for vocabulary learning, language teaching, and applied historical linguistics.
Participatory biosecurity practices: Myrtle rust an unwanted pathogen in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Diprose Gradon , Kannemeyer Robyn , Edwards Peter , Greenaway Alison
Published: December 2022

Managing unwanted pests and diseases is a growing concern. Recent shifts in state‐led biosecurity policy have seen a movement towards ‘shared responsibility’ between government, industry and communities. We use social practice theory to show how materials, skills and meanings come together to shape how people understand the spread of myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii), an unwanted disease in Aotearoa New Zealand. We show how ‘shared responsibility’ has emerged in the shift from a government‐led incursion response to myrtle rust, to passive disease reporting using iNaturalist. We offer a reflective aid to help biosecurity practitioners better consider participatory practices for plant health.
Species interactions and diversity: a unified framework using Hill numbers
Authors: Godsoe William , Murray Rua , Iritani Ryosuke
Published: December 2022

Biodiversity describes the variety of organisms on planet earth. Ecologists have long hoped for a synthesis between analyses of biodiversity and analyses of biotic interactions among species, such as predation, competition and mutualism. However, it is often unclear how to connect details of these interactions with complex modern analyses of biodiversity. To resolve this gap, we propose a unification of models of biotic interactions and measurements of diversity. We show that analyses of biodiversity obscure details about biotic interactions. For example, identical changes in biodiversity can arise from predation, competition or mutualism. Our approach indicates that traditional models of community assembly miss key facets of diversity change. Instead, we suggest that analyses of diversity change should focus on partitions, which measure mechanisms that directly shape changes in diversity, notably species level selection and immigration, rather than traditional analyses of biotic interactions.
Chronic pain and continuity of analgesic treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Valladales‐Restrepo Luis Fernando , Gaviria‐Mendoza Andrés , Machado‐Duque Manuel Enrique , Prado‐Echeverry Julio Andrés , Cortés‐Navarro Jorge Luis , Machado‐Alba Jorge Enrique
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Chronic pain can trigger both physical and mental health complications. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, patients with chronic diseases have had reduced access to some medications.

Objective

To determine the pharmacological management of patients with chronic pain and its continuity during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

This was a retrospective longitudinal study of the continuity of analgesic use in patients with chronic pain between September 1, 2019 and February 28, 2021 based on a drug dispensing database. Survival analysis was performed until the discontinuation of chronic analgesics.

Results

A total of 12,701 patients who were being treated for chronic pain were identified. Their median age was 70.3 years, and 74.4% were women. The pain of rheumatological origin was the most frequent etiology (46.1%); the most used medications were nonopioid analgesics (78.9%), pain modulators (24.8%) and opioid analgesics (23.3%). A total of 76.1% of the patients experienced interruptions in their management during the study period. The median time to the first interruption of treatment was 5.0 months (95% CI: 4.8–5.2). Those who were treated for oncological pain experienced a greater number of interruptions in their management.

Conclusions

The pharmacological management of patients with chronic pain is heterogeneous, and this real‐world study showed that a high proportion of patients experienced an interruption of pain management during the 12 months following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Salvadoran religious transnationalism
Authors: Barba Lloyd , Vieytez Ana
Published: December 2022

Among the most widely‐cited aspects of Salvadoran life in the United States is the extent to which Salvadorans constitute a transnational community. This transnationalism manifests itself in nearly every aspect of community life, especially religion. In this article we outline four key dimensions of Salvadoran religious transnationalism. First, we note the importance of doctrine regarding evangelism in shaping the transnational textures of Salvadoran religiosity. Second, we offer examples of structural transnationalism built into denominations and churches. Third, we shed light on the transnational dimensions of the Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s. Fourth, we examine cultural celebrations of Salvadoran religious figures. By way of conclusion, we note areas of further research.
On the Whitham system for the (2+1)‐dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Ablowitz Mark J. , Cole Justin T. , Rumanov Igor
Published: December 2022

Whitham modulation equations are derived for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the plane ((2+1)‐dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger [2d NLS]) with small dispersion. The modulation equations are obtained in terms of both physical and Riemann‐type variables; the latter yields equations of hydrodynamic type. The complete 2d NLS Whitham system consists of six dynamical equations in evolutionary form and two constraints. As an application, we determine the linear stability of one‐dimensional traveling waves. In both the elliptic and hyperbolic cases, the traveling waves are found to be unstable. This result is consistent with previous investigations of stability by other methods and is supported by direct numerical calculations.
Robust sure independence screening for nonpolynomial dimensional generalized linear models
Authors: Ghosh Abhik , Ponzi Erica , Sandanger Torkjel , Thoresen Magne
Published: December 2022

We consider the problem of variable screening in ultra‐high‐dimensional generalized linear models (GLMs) of nonpolynomial orders. Since the popular SIS approach is extremely unstable in the presence of contamination and noise, we discuss a new robust screening procedure based on the minimum density power divergence estimator (MDPDE) of the marginal regression coefficients. Our proposed screening procedure performs well under pure and contaminated data scenarios. We provide a theoretical motivation for the use of marginal MDPDEs for variable screening from both population as well as sample aspects; in particular, we prove that the marginal MDPDEs are uniformly consistent leading to the sure screening property of our proposed algorithm. Finally, we propose an appropriate MDPDE‐based extension for robust conditional screening in GLMs along with the derivation of its sure screening property. Our proposed methods are illustrated through extensive numerical studies along with an interesting real data application.
The mediating role of resilience in the association between MVPA and psychological ill‐being in children with ADHD
Authors: Liang Xiao , Qiu Hui , Sit Cindy H. P.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study investigated the mediating role of resilience in the association between moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and psychological ill‐being, as well as the moderating role of age in the direct and indirect relationship between MVPA and psychological ill‐being in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

Eighty‐five children aged 6–12 years (Mage = 8.41 ± 1.44 years) diagnosed with ADHD were recruited. Participants wore an accelerometer on their non‐dominant wrist for seven consecutive days to record MVPA. Resilience and psychological ill‐being were assessed using self‐reported questionnaires.

Results

MVPA was positively associated with resilience but negatively related to depression and stress. Resilience was negatively correlated with depression and stress. Using the bootstrapping method, the indirect effect of resilience was found between MVPA and depression (−0.006%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−0.060, −0.020]) in children with ADHD, supporting partial mediation. Moderated mediation analysis further demonstrated that the indirect effect of MVPA on depression via resilience was stronger in older children (−0.008, 95% CI = [−0.023, −0.001]) than in younger children with ADHD.

Conclusion

The findings may inform future empirical studies on designing exercise interventions with MVPA levels that help to improve resilience and depression in children with ADHD.
Towards an understanding of performative allyship: Definition, antecedents and consequences
Authors: Kutlaca Maja , Radke Helena R. M.
Published: December 2022

Adding rainbow filters in support of LGBTQ+ movements or changing profile pictures to black squares to show support for the BlackLivesMatter movement have become common contemporary expressions of solidarity. However, these actions are often criticized as being ‘performative’ and falling short of genuine social change. Despite its popularity, little is known about what performative allyship is and what its pitfalls or potential benefits may be. We review the existing psychological literature on intergroup relations and allyship to provide a definition and framework for studying performative allyship and its consequences for social change. We propose that the term performative allyship refers to easy and costless actions that often do not challenge the status quo and are motivated primarily by the desire to accrue personal benefits. The literature suggests that engaging in performative allyship may have a negative impact on the physical and mental well‐being of disadvantaged groups, but also on allies. We discuss negative and some positive consequences of engagement in performative allyship on disadvantaged groups, allies and society at large and provide directions for future research.
Intelligent imaging: Applications of machine learning and deep learning in radiology
Authors: Currie Geoff , Rohren Eric
Published: December 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology is transforming medical image analysis. While applications in triaging for priority reporting and radiomic feature analysis have been widely reported, perhaps the most important applications lie in noise reduction, image optimization following dose reduction strategies, image reconstruction direct from projection data and generation of pseudo‐CT for attenuation correction. There are common beneficial applications, and potential risks, between human radiology and veterinary radiology. Artificial intelligence may see recrafting of some responsibilities but offers AI augmentation of human driven systems. The redundancy afforded by human augmentation of AI and AI autonomy are not on the horizon, but rather are already here.
The impact of youth‐onset type 2 diabetes on postoperative wound healing complications
Authors: Brydges Hilliard T. , McDonnell Grace , Nasr Hani Y. , Chaya Bachar F. , Onuh Ogechukwu C. , Alfonso Allyson R. , Ceradini Daniel J.
Published: December 2022

Youth‐onset type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a more rapid decline in β cells, and earlier onset of medical complications compared to adult‐onset diabetes. However, its impact on surgical wounds remains less clear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether youth‐onset diabetes is a risk factor for wound healing complications in the 30‐day postoperative period. To do so, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database years 2012–2019 was analysed. Patients aged 18–24 with non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes were included. Outcomes assessed included wound infections, wound dehiscence, readmissions, and reoperation. Univariate analysis identified differences between the diabetic and non‐diabetic cohorts after which, multivariate logistic regression was employed to control for potential confounding. Analysis included 1589 diabetic and 196,902 non‐diabetic patients ages 18–24. The diabetic cohort exhibited a higher proportion of female (83.8% vs. 55.2%, p < 0.001), non‐white (22.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.001), and Hispanic patients (16.2% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.002). Diabetic patients were less likely to have dirty or contaminated wounds (16.2% vs. 25.2%, p < 0.001); however had increased rates of superficial surgical site infections (SSSIs; 2.0% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001) and readmission (4.0% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.026). After regression, diabetes remained a significant positive predictor of SSSI (odds ratio: 1.546, p = 0.022); however, it no longer significantly predicted 30‐day readmission. Overall, this analysis of a large multicentre surgical outcomes database found that when compared to non‐diabetics, youth‐onset diabetic patients exhibited a higher proportion of SSSIs in the 30‐day postoperative period. These infections were found, despite the diabetic cohort exhibiting lower rates of wound contamination. After controlling for confounding variables, youth‐onset diabetes remained a significant predictor of SSSI. Clinically, prevention and treatment of diabetes along with judicious wound care is recommended.