bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐employment preferences among university graduates in Ghana: Does gender make a difference?
Authors: Ajayi Kehinde F. , Anyidoho Nana Akua
Published: May 2021

Motivation

Youth employment has become an urgent policy issue in Africa. Half of the population is under 25 years old on a continent in which job creation lags behind economic growth. Consequently, policy‐makers have increasingly proposed self‐employment as a solution to the challenge of youth unemployment.

Purpose

This study examines self‐employment preferences among university graduates in Ghana. We address two related questions: (1) Are there gender differences in young people’s willingness to pursue self‐employment; and (2) what are the predictors of preference for self‐employment in male and female graduates?

Methods and approach

Our analysis draws on a sample of 1,180 university graduates interviewed during their compulsory year of national service, which follows graduation. We analyse gender and other sub‐group differences using t‐tests for statistical significance of differences in means. We then estimate multinomial logit regressions to analyse what factors predict employment preferences.

Findings

We find substantial gender differences in preferences for self‐employment. Despite women having higher rates of self‐employment in the economy, the female graduates in our sample are significantly less likely to prefer self‐employment than men—12% of women and 16% of men report that their desired type of work would be self‐employment. Moreover, while marital status and childbearing are the strongest predictors of self‐employment preferences for women, self‐employment experience and financial background are the strongest predictors for men.

Policy implications

This study suggests that gender differences in labour market outcomes are partly a function of differential preferences rooted in unequal constraints. Bridging these gendered inequalities will require policy interventions that both impact the preferences women form prior to entering the labour market and address their gender‐specific concerns about family responsibilities.
Infective endocarditis and outcomes of mitral valve replacement
Authors: Anttila Vesa , Malmberg Markus , Gunn Jarmo , Rautava Päivi , Kytö Ville
Published: May 2021

Background

We investigated the long‐term outcomes of mitral valve replacement (MVR) in native mitral valve infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods

Multicentre, population‐based cohort register study consisted of 1233 consecutive adult patients treated with first‐time MVR in Finland. Mitral valve IE was diagnosed in 170 of these patients. Propensity score matching resulted in 134 pairs with balanced baseline characteristics. The median follow‐up was 6.1 years.

Results

Pre‐operative native mitral valve IE was associated with an increased hazard of 10‐year mortality (38.8% vs 30.5%; HR 2.13; CI 1.17‐3.85; P = .013) after MVR. Occurrence of major bleeding was higher in IE patients (26.0%) vs non‐IE patients (23.4%) during the 10‐year follow‐up (HR 2.80; CI 1.01‐7.77; P = .048). Hospital admission duration after MVR was longer in IE patients (median 28 vs 11 days; P < .0001). Cumulative ischaemic stroke rate was similar between patient groups (12.1% in IE vs 15.1% in non‐IE; P = .493). Re‐sternotomy was performed in 13.4% of IE patients and 9.0% of non‐IE patients (P = .261).

Conclusions

Patients with native mitral valve IE have a higher risk of death and major bleeding after MVR than matched patients without IE. Results highlight the importance of complication prevention in these patients.
Effect of splinting times on the healing of intra‐alveolar root fractures in 512 permanent teeth in humans: A Scandinavian multicenter study
Authors: Isaksson Helén , Koch Göran , Bakland Leif K. , Andreasen Jens Ove
Published: May 2021

Background/Aim

Long‐term splinting of teeth with intra‐alveolar root fractures has been considered important for the deposition of hard tissue between the root fragments. The aim of this study was to compare the healing outcomes in teeth with intra‐alveolar root fractures relative to splinting times in three dental centers in Scandinavia, using historical data.

Materials and methods

A total of 512 maxillary and mandibular incisors from three dental trauma centers were included in the study. Two of the centers used long‐term splinting protocols of two to three months while the other center used a short‐term splinting protocol of one month or less. Three outcomes were evaluated: (1) Healing with hard tissue (dentin and/or cementum). (2) Healing with connective tissue (periodontal ligament) interposition with or without bone between the fragments. (3) Non‐healing due to the coronal pulp being necrotic and infected with granulation tissue interposed between the fragments.

Results

The mean splinting times were 18, 81, and 110 days in the three centers. Long‐term splinting resulted in hard tissue healing more frequently than short‐term splinting. Short‐term splinting resulted in more connective tissue/bony healing than long‐term splinting, while there was no difference in the frequency of non‐healing between long‐term and short‐term splinting protocols.

Conclusions

While the results suggest that long‐term splinting favors hard tissue deposition, one cannot, however, conclude that long‐term splinting definitely favors hard tissue healing since the treatment protocols were not randomized among the three centers. More clinical studies on the role of splinting time need to be done.
Tolerance of an aphid species towards dietary sucrose‐to‐amino acid ratios and recovery from suboptimal nutrition
Authors: Gruhn Johanna , Karolak Saskia , Schweiger Rabea
Published: May 2021

Aphids feed on the phloem sap of their host plants. The chemical composition of this sap differs between plant species and is modulated by environmental factors. To understand why Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is able to infest various plant taxa, we investigated how aphids of this species respond to various sucrose‐to‐amino acid ratios of their diet. Moreover, we studied whether they are able to recover from periods with suboptimal nutrition. Preference and performance bioassays were performed using artificial diets with sucrose‐to‐amino acid ratios of 2.4:1 (optimal ‘control’ diet), 4.8:1 (‘high sucrose’), 1.2:1 (‘high amino acids’), or 1:0 (‘no amino acids’). Also, the capacity to recover from periods on suboptimal diet (i.e., the ‘no amino acids’ diet) was assessed. In four‐choice assays, both nymphs and adults of M. persicae were rarely found on the ‘no amino acids’ diet and they were similarly distributed on the other diets. As long as amino acids were available, the sucrose‐to‐amino acid ratio had only minor effects on aphid development and reproduction. On the suboptimal diet, nymphs survived, but with almost no weight gain over time. After transfer to the ‘control’ diet, they gained weight and reproduced with only low fitness deficits compared to aphids kept on the ‘control’ diet for the whole time. The capacity to survive under suboptimal nutrition and recover from it was dependent on the length of the period on the suboptimal diet. The ability to cope with different dietary sucrose‐to‐amino acid ratios and to withstand suboptimal nutrition for several days may contribute to the broad host plant spectrum of M. persicae and may explain why this species is a serious pest in agricultural systems.
On the suitability of Aedes vexans to Wolbachia‐based control strategies
Authors: Moretti Riccardo , Marini Francesca , Lampazzi Elena , Calvitti Maurizio
Published: May 2021

Aedes vexans (Meigen) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a common mosquito species with worldwide distribution and it is a potential vector of various pathogens such as West Nile, Rift Valley, and Zika viruses, and Dirofilaria nematodes. Also due to its abundance, Ae. vexans could be a key species in determining new outbreaks of these important pathogens outside their present geographical range. Herein, we report on studies carried out in the laboratory to ascertain the suitability of the species for control strategies based on the exploitation of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, known to induce reproductive incompatibility and/or virus resistance in the hosts. Aedes vexans showed low propensity to mate in narrow places, low male survival, and reduced hatchability of the eggs collected on artificial devices. Embryonic and adult transinfection with various Wolbachia strains were attempted. Whereas the first approach was barely tolerated by Ae. vexans eggs, transinfected progeny was obtained by adult microinjection using wAlbA and wAlbB Wolbachia but both strains were not efficiently transmitted vertically, leading to the loss of the infection by three generations. The present study highlights the low suitability of Ae. vexans to the infection by this bacterium and to the mass‐rearing conditions generally required for Wolbachia‐based control strategies.
Ontogenic development of the digestive enzymes and chemical composition of Hermetia illucens larvae of different ages
Authors: Intayung Dhinna , Chundang Pipatpong , Srikachar Sunyanee , Kovitvadhi Attawit
Published: May 2021

The production of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), has potential to promote sustainable food production, and is environmentally friendly through organic waste upcycling. The objective of this study was to determine the digestive enzyme activities and chemical composition of BSF larvae of 6, 12, and 18 days old at various substrate pH and temperature conditions during ontogenic development. Cellulase and chymotrypsin‐like protease (C) activities declined slightly with age, whereas a sharp increase in lipase activity was found with age. High levels of amylase, trypsin‐like protease (T), trehalase, and T/C ratio were present in 12‐day‐old BSF, with a gradual decrease in 18‐day‐old BSF. The highest crude protein and lipid levels were observed at 6 and 18 days of age, respectively. In conclusion, the activities of the various types of enzymes illustrate the polyphagous nature of BSF. Most of the digestive enzymes had high activity at an early age and then dropped at the end of the larval stage; however, the opposite trend was observed in lipase activity, with a high level of fat accumulation in the last stage of larval development.
Urbanisation drivers and underlying mechanisms of terrestrial insect diversity loss in cities
Authors: Fenoglio María Silvina , Calviño Ana , González Ezequiel , Salvo Adriana , Videla Martin
Published: May 2021

1. Urbanisation is one of the main land‐use changes behind global insect collapse. Despite that previous studies have described the negative effects of urbanisation on insect communities, so far there is no synthesis that considers multiple urban drivers, their combined effects, and the role of species traits altogether.

2. Here we developed an integrative framework of the underlying mechanisms behind terrestrial insect species loss in cities by exploring five leading drivers: impervious surfaces, habitat fragmentation, urban heat island, pollution, and exotic plants. For each driver, we identified the main direct and indirect (mediated through species interactions or changes in resources) effects on insect populations and communities, emphasising the role of species traits as moderators of such effects.

3. Body size, mobility, and oviposition/nesting requirements were the traits that frequently defined insect vulnerability to urban drivers. Urban heat island and pollution deserve further research from a community‐level approach. Direct effects of drivers dominated the literature, while most indirect paths were mediated by changes in resources rather than species interactions.

4. In conclusion, our review showed the challenges of recognising particular effects and mechanisms for each urban driver and their combined effects. By doing so, we intended to encourage researchers to address some of the gaps we noticed in order to fully understand how urbanisation is affecting insect communities. Finally, we outlined the main recent urban planning strategies and future challenges in order to successfully conserve urban insect biodiversity.
Attention reduces the burstiness of V1 neurons involved in attended target enhancement
Authors: Huang Dan , Xiong Xingzhong , Chen Yao
Published: May 2021

Attention‐dependent reduction in the tendency for neurons to fire bursts (burstiness) is widely observed in the visual cortex. However, the underlying mechanism and the functional role of this phenomenon remain unclear. We recorded well‐isolated single‐unit activities in primary visual cortex (V1) from two primates (Macaca mulatta) while they performed a detection task engaging spatial attention with two levels of difficulty (hard/easy). We found that attention modulated burstiness of V1 neurons in a cell‐type specific manner. For neurons whose net response enhanced with the increase of task difficulty (difficulty‐enhanced neuron), representing their involvement in boosting the signal of the attended stimulus, attention led to a reduction in burstiness during hard task but not during easy task. In contrast, regardless of the level of task difficulty, attention‐dependent reduction in burstiness was not observed in neurons that showed a net suppression in firing rate with the increase of task difficulty (difficulty‐suppressed neuron), indicating their commitment in filtering out the interference of distractor. This differentiation in the effects of attentional modulation on burstiness among the cells with distinct functional roles in attention suggests that the reduction in burstiness by attention is linked to target enhancement and is not associated with distractor suppression.
The ecological causes and consequences of hard and soft selection
Authors: Bell Donovan A. , Kovach Ryan P. , Robinson Zachary L. , Whiteley Andrew R. , Reed Thomas E.
Published: May 2021

Interactions between natural selection and population dynamics are central to both evolutionary‐ecology and biological responses to anthropogenic change. Natural selection is often thought to incur a demographic cost that, at least temporarily, reduces population growth. However, hard and soft selection clarify that the influence of natural selection on population dynamics depends on ecological context. Under hard selection, an individual's fitness is independent of the population's phenotypic composition, and substantial population declines can occur when phenotypes are mismatched with the environment. In contrast, under soft selection, an individual's fitness is influenced by its phenotype relative to other interacting conspecifics. Soft selection generally influences which, but not how many, individuals survive and reproduce, resulting in little effect on population growth. Despite these important differences, the distinction between hard and soft selection is rarely considered in ecology. Here, we review and synthesize literature on hard and soft selection, explore their ecological causes and implications and highlight their conservation relevance to climate change, inbreeding depression, outbreeding depression and harvest. Overall, these concepts emphasise that natural selection and evolution may often have negligible or counterintuitive effects on population growth—underappreciated outcomes that have major implications in a rapidly changing world.
Restless legs syndrome and perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction: A community‐based study
Authors: Zhuang Sheng , Yuan Xiaodong , Ma Chaoran , Yang Na , Liu Chun‐Feng , Na Muzi , Winkelman John W. , Wu Shouling , Gao Xiang
Published: May 2021

Background and purpose

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been suggested as a prodromal symptom of Parkinson disease (PD). Olfactory or taste dysfunction can also occur preceding PD diagnosis. However, whether RLS is associated with chemosensory dysfunction remains unknown. We thus aim to investigate the association between RLS and perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis including 90,337 Chinese adults free of neurodegenerative diseases in the Kailuan study in 2016. Presence of RLS was defined using revised RLS diagnostic criteria or the Cambridge‐Hopkins questionnaire for RLS. Perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction was collected via a questionnaire. The association between RLS and perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction was assessed using logistic regression model, adjusting for potential cofounders such as age, sex, and medical history.

Results

RLS was associated with high odds of having perceived olfactory and/or taste dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio = 5.92, 95% confidence interval = 3.11–11.3). The significant association persisted when using the Cambridge‐Hopkins questionnaire (adjusted odds ratio = 5.55, 95% confidence interval = 2.37–13.0) or when excluding participants with major chronic diseases.

Conclusions

RLS was associated with increased odds of perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction.
Status epilepticus with prominent motor symptoms clusters into distinct electroclinical phenotypes
Authors: Lattanzi Simona , Giovannini Giada , Brigo Francesco , Orlandi Niccolò , Trinka Eugen , Meletti Stefano
Published: May 2021

Background and purpose

Status epilepticus (SE) is a heterogeneous condition and considerable variability exists in its etiology, semiology, electroencephalographic correlates, and response to treatment. The aim of the present study was to explore whether distinct phenotypes may be identified within SE with prominent motor symptoms.

Methods

Consecutive episodes of SE with prominent motor symptoms in patients aged ≥14 years were included. Etiology of SE was defined as symptomatic (acute, remote, progressive) or unknown. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were searched for lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs), generalized sharply and/or triphasic periodic potentials (GPDs), and spontaneous burst suppression (BS). According to treatment response, SE was classified into responsive, refractory and super‐refractory. Average linkage hierarchical cluster analysis was performed with Pearson's correlation as a similarity measure.

Results

A total of 240 episodes of SE were identified. Three major clusters were found. The first cluster linked focal motor SE evolving into non‐convulsive SE (NCSE), presence of LPDs/GPDs on EEG, unknown etiology and treatment refractoriness. The second cluster linked convulsive and myoclonic SE evolving into NCSE, presence of spontaneous BS on EEG, progressive symptomatic etiology and super‐refractoriness. The third cluster linked convulsive and myoclonic SE not evolving into other semiologies, absence of LPDs/GPDs/spontaneous BS on EEG, acute symptomatic etiology and treatment responsiveness.

Conclusions

Distinct electroclinical phenotypes characterized by different response to pharmacological intervention can be identified within the heterogeneity of SE with prominent motor phenomena.
Dynamic table‐visiting behavior of birds at outdoor restaurants and cafés
Authors: Haemig Paul D. , Sjöstedt de Luna Sara , Blank Henrick
Published: May 2021

Fear of humans and its effect on animal behavior is increasingly being recognized as an important structuring force in ecological landscapes, with consequences for ecological interactions and communities. When aggressive, physically dominant species are displaced by anthropogenic disturbance, physically weaker species exploit competitor and predator downtimes to forage in previously risky places. Birds feeding at outdoor restaurants and cafés in association with humans are exposed to fluctuating levels of perceived danger caused by frequently changing densities of human diners. Consequently, birds must make decisions about which dining tables to visit based on trade‐offs between foraging gain and perceived danger from avian competitors and humans. We tested the hypothesis that interspecific differences in response to perceived danger, combined with varying densities of human diners, dynamically alter which bird species predominates at dining tables. We found that house sparrows (Passer domesticus) tolerated higher human diner‐densities than larger‐sized, more physically dominant Eurasian jackdaws (Coloeus monedula). Sparrows were usually the first birds to visit diner‐occupied tables and spent more time there than jackdaws. However, at diner‐abandoned tables, this pattern changed: During low diner‐densities at surrounding tables, jackdaws were usually the predominant species in first visits and minutes spent visiting, while at high diner‐densities sparrows usually predominated. Moreover, along a gradient of increasing human diner‐density, sparrows gradually replaced jackdaws as the predominant species in first visits and time at abandoned tables. However, at diner‐occupied tables, once a sparrow chose which table to visit, factors other than diner‐density influenced its choice of where to forage there (table‐top or ground). To our knowledge, our research is the first scientific study of table‐visiting behavior by birds at outdoor restaurants and cafés, and the first to reveal interspecific differences in table‐visiting behavior by birds there.
No evidence for contribution of sexually monomorphic wing pigmentation pattern to mate choice in Drosophila guttifera
Authors: Niida Takuma , Koshikawa Shigeyuki
Published: May 2021

In many animal groups, sexually dimorphic ornaments are thought to evolve by intraspecific competition or mate choice. Some researchers pointed out that sexually monomorphic ornaments could also evolve by mate choice by both sexes or either sex. Many species of fruit fly have sexually monomorphic wing pigmentation. However, involvement of their sexually monomorphic ornaments in mate choice has not been tested. We aimed to examine whether the sexually monomorphic polka‐dotted pattern on wings of Drosophila guttifera contributes to mate choice. Because D. guttifera does not mate in the dark condition at all and no courtship sound has been observed, some visual information is likely to be used in mating behaviour. We compared the number of matings between individuals with and without wings and found that presence of wings influenced mating behaviour in both sexes. We then compared the number of matings between individuals bearing replaced wings, one group bearing conspecific D. guttifera wings and another group bearing heterospecific D. melanogaster wings with no pigmentation pattern. An effect of conspecific/heterospecific wings was only detected in mate choice by females. Comparison between wild‐type and black‐painted wings revealed no evidence of a contribution of wing pigmentation pattern to mate choice in either sex.
Female preference for artificial song dialects in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
Authors: Le Maguer Lucille , Derégnaucourt Sébastien , Geberzahn Nicole
Published: May 2021

Birdsong is culturally transmitted, and geographical variations of song have been found in several songbird species. There is evidence that such dialects contribute to reproductive isolation through variation in female preference. In the wild, there is no report of consistent dialects in populations of zebra finches. However, under laboratory conditions, we were able to artificially create different colony‐wide song dialects. In this species, song plays a crucial role in mate choice and the importance of both subadult and adult song experience in shaping song preferences has been well documented. Therefore, we expected females to prefer songs corresponding to their colony's dialect. We measured this preference using an operant test: females could either trigger a song corresponding to their Colony Song Type (CST) sang by an unfamiliar individual, or another conspecific song, corresponding to a Non‐Colony Song Type (N‐CST). Most females preferred the CST over the N‐CST, supporting the idea that zebra finch females exhibit a preference for songs similar to their colony's song. It also reveals that song dialects matter to female zebra finches. It has been proposed that song could be used as an affiliative signal in highly social species. Therefore, preferring the colony dialect could be the consequence of a sexual preference, but also of a social preference. We discuss the potential role of song dialects in the context of social learning.
Scrolling and the In‐Between Spaces of Boredom: Marginalized Youths on the Periphery of Vienna
Authors: Jovicic Suzana
Published: May 2021

Popular narratives on digital media practices are often entrenched in psychologized and apolitical frameworks that ascribe simplistic labels of addiction and deficiencies to digital practices of marginalized youths in particular. This paper explores ethnographically the social complexities behind polemicized, mundane, and apparently meaningless digital practices such as scrolling through social‐media feeds. The author links elements of interfaces designed to grab attention, erase effort, and enable flow, with everyday struggles of youths faced with unemployment, waiting, and boredom. Scrolling is conceptualized as an embodied everyday practice entangled in the intentions of designers. The research draws primarily on an ethnographic study into Viennese youth clubs in 2018 and 2019. Insights from the fieldwork suggest that seemingly trivial practices such as infinite scrolling represent life‐affirming acts of “strolling” through social and commercial arcades as much as they signify boredom and stagnation. [youth, digital design, scrolling, addiction, boredom, smartphones, social media]
A global meta‐analysis of nitrous oxide emission from drip‐irrigated cropping system
Authors: Kuang Wennong , Gao Xiaopeng , Tenuta Mario , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: May 2021

Drip irrigation is a useful practice to enhance water and fertilizer nitrogen (N) use efficiency. However, the use of drip irrigation to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in agricultural systems globally is uncertain. Here, we performed a global meta‐analysis of 485 field measurements of N2O emissions from 74 peer‐reviewed publications prior to March 2021, to quantify the fertilizer‐induced N2O emission factor (EF) of drip irrigation and examine the influencing factors of climate, crop, soil properties, and source and rate of fertilizer N application. The results showed that drip irrigation reduced (p < 0.05) N2O emissions by 32% and 46% compared to furrow and sprinkler irrigation systems, respectively. The overall average EF with drip irrigation was 0.35%, being two‐thirds lower than the IPCC Tier I default value of 1% (kg N2O‐N/kg added fertilizer N). The EF was not significantly affected by climate, crop, soil texture, soil organic carbon content, and pH. The EF was also not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by synthetic N fertilizer source despite a lower numerical value with enhanced efficiency than conventional fertilizers. The EF increased significantly (p < 0.001) with N addition rate in a binomial distribution. Using the IPCC default EF overestimated N2O emissions inventories for drip‐irrigated cropping systems by 7614 and 13,091 Mg per year for China and the globe, respectively. These results indicate that drip irrigation should be recommended as an essential N2O mitigation strategy for irrigated crop production.
Plant spectral diversity as a surrogate for species, functional and phylogenetic diversity across a hyper‐diverse biogeographic region
Authors: Frye Henry A. , Aiello‐Lammens Matthew E. , Euston‐Brown Douglas , Jones Cynthia S. , Kilroy Mollmann Hayley , Merow Cory , Slingsby Jasper A. , van der Merwe Helga , Wilson Adam M. , Silander John A.
Published: May 2021

Aim

With plant biodiversity under global threat, there is an urgent need to monitor the spatial distribution of multiple axes of biodiversity. Remote sensing is a critical tool in this endeavour. One remote sensing approach for detecting biodiversity is based on the hypothesis that the spectral diversity of plant communities is a surrogate of multiple dimensions of biodiversity. We investigated the generality of this ‘surrogacy’ for spectral, species, functional and phylogenetic diversity across 1,267 plots in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR), a hyper‐diverse region comprising several biomes and two adjacent global biodiversity hotspots.

Location

The GCFR centred in south‐western and western South Africa.

Time period

All data were collected between 1978–2014.

Major taxa studied

Vascular plants within the GCFR.

Methods

Spectral diversity was calculated using leaf reflectance spectra (450–950 nm) and was related to other dimensions of biodiversity via linear models. The accuracy of different spectral diversity metrics was compared using 10‐fold cross‐validation.

Results

We found that a distance‐based spectral diversity metric was a robust predictor of species, functional and phylogenetic biodiversity. This result serves as a proof‐of‐concept that spectral diversity is a potential surrogate of biodiversity across a hyper‐diverse biogeographic region. While our results support the generality of spectral diversity as a biodiversity surrogate, we also find that relationships vary between different geographic subregions and biomes, suggesting that differences in broad‐scale community composition can affect these relationships.

Main conclusions

Spectral diversity was shown to be a robust surrogate of multiple dimensions of biodiversity across biomes and a widely varying biogeographic region. We also extend these surrogacy relationships to ecological redundancy to demonstrate the potential for additional insights into community structure based on spectral reflectance.
Measuring Canada's export performance in the United States using an unbiased shift‐share
Authors: Scarffe Colin
Published: May 2021

Shift‐share is a popular technique used by policymakers and researchers alike to decompose the change in a variable into within and between effects, intensive and extensive margins, or other comparable effects. One reason for the popularity of shift‐share is its relative simplicity compared to econometric techniques. However, often overlooked is that a shift‐share is actually an index number problem that uses differences instead of ratios. Techniques developed in index number theory accentuate the fact that the traditional shift‐share is biased. This paper proposes using the Bennet index to achieve unbiased measurements in shift‐share decompositions. In addition to solving the bias problem, the Bennet index removes the need for a residual and may be even simpler to calculate. While this paper is primarily theoretical, it also explores the differences between the traditional shift‐share and the Bennet index—both chained and fixed base—to measure the competitive and composition effects of Canada's export performance in the United States since 1990.
Physical characteristics of Erianthus arundinaceus as a bedding material for broiler
Authors: Ishida Tetsuya , Ohara Satoshi , Sasaki Yosuke , Shirai Takeshi , Terajima Yoshifumi , Sugimoto Akira , Kawashima Tomoyuki
Published: May 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the physical characteristics of the biomass crop Erianthus arundinaceus as a bedding material for broiler and to compare it with existing bedding materials. Three physical characteristics were evaluated: the water absorbability, the water‐holding capacity, and the cushioning property. E. arundinaceus, shredded to five different particle sizes, was compared with sawdust, which is a typical bedding material used worldwide, and three alternatives: recycled paper, rice husks, and bagasse. E. arundinaceus absorbed water 5.0 to 10.2 times its weight, and water absorbability increased with decreasing particle size. E. arundinaceus held water around twice its weight regardless of the particle size. The cushioning property of E. arundinaceus tended to improve with increasing particle size. For each physical property, the total average value of the E. arundinaceus samples was compared with the values of other bedding materials. The water absorbability of E. arundinaceus was significantly higher than that of sawdust, recycled paper, and rice husks (p < .01). The water‐holding capacity of E. arundinaceus was significantly higher than those of sawdust, recycled paper, rice husks (p < .01), and bagasse (p < .05). The cushioning property of E. arundinaceus was significantly higher than those of sawdust and recycled paper (p < .01). When E. arundinaceus had an average particle size of less than 2.33 mm, it exceeded sawdust in all physical characteristics, suggesting that E. arundinaceus could replace sawdust as a favored bedding material. Our observations of surface structures revealed that the stem pith of E. arundinaceus has a spongy structure, which may contribute to its high water absorbability and water‐holding capacity. Moreover, the outermost layer of the E. arundinaceus stem appears to function like a leaf spring, contributing to the high cushioning property.
Patients as qualitative data analysts: Developing a method for a process evaluation of the ‘Improving the Safety and Continuity of Medicines management at care Transitions’ (ISCOMAT) cluster randomised control trial
Authors: Powell Catherine , Ismail Hanif , Cleverley Richard , Taylor Andrew , Breen Liz , Fylan Beth , Alderson Sarah L , Alldred David P ,   the ISCOMAT Programme Team
Published: May 2021

Background

How to meaningfully partner with patients as data analysts remains obscure. A process evaluation of the ‘Improving the Safety and Continuity Of Medicines management at care Transitions’ (ISCOMAT) cluster randomised control trial of an intervention for improving medicines use for people living with heart failure is being conducted. The intervention includes patient held information on heart medicines and care, enhanced communication between hospital and community pharmacists, and increased engagement of community pharmacists with patient care post‐hospital discharge. ISCOMAT patients living with heart failure were interviewed about experiences with the intervention. We sought to gain insights from patients on data collected to enhance our understanding of experiences with the intervention.

Objective

To develop a method for involving patients as analysts of qualitative data in a process evaluation.

Design

Patients and researchers co‐analysed qualitative data. A framework method was applied involving; familiarisation, coding, developing an analytical framework and interpretation. The process was facilitated through home working and a workshop with a training component.

Results

The co‐designed framework enabled researchers to map all further patient interview data. Patients' specialist knowledge enhanced understanding of how the ISCOMAT intervention can be best implemented.

Conclusions

Patients’ unique experiences can enhance validity and rigour in data analysis through sharing their interpretations of qualitative data. The involvement process is crucial in elucidating knowledge and avoiding tokenism. As analysts, patients gain an appreciation of research processes, building trust between researchers and patients. Group dynamics and involving patients throughout the whole research process are important considerations.
‘Birthing a Better Future’: A mixed‐methods evaluation of an exhibition on the early years of life
Authors: Lakhanpaul Maya , Alexander Emma C. , Cupp Meghan A. , Owugha Jessica Taripre , Florschutz Alex , Beckingham Andy , Kisan Virad , Lakhanpaul Monica , Manikam Logan
Published: May 2021

Background

Our study aimed to evaluate to what extent Zero2 Expo's ‘Birthing a Better Future’, a co‐created multimedia exhibition, was effective in raising awareness on the importance of the first 1001 days of life and explore what refinements would help to optimize the impact of future exhibitions.

Methods

We conducted a mixed‐methods evaluation of the exhibition delivered in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Through convenience sampling, 14 participants were selected to participate in 12 structured interviews and 19 participants completed a questionnaire. Interviews were thematically analysed alongside quantitative analysis of questionnaire responses through Likert scales.

Results

The majority (78.6%, n = 11/14) of participants who completed the questionnaire either agreed or strongly agreed that the exhibition raised their awareness about the first 1001 days of life. This was supported by the analysis of interviews. The use of art was found to provoke an emotional engagement from participants. Participants felt that the length of the written pieces and location of the exhibition were important factors for designers to consider in future exhibitions.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that multimedia exhibitions, combining science with art, may be an effective way to raise awareness of public health messages. Engaging with key stakeholders will be an essential step in order to improve future public health exhibitions.

Public Contribution

When designing the study, the public reviewed the study tools, which were refined based on their feedback. At every phase of the study, members of the public who are artists co‐created the exhibition content.
Advance care directive prevalence among older Australians and associations with person‐level predictors and quality indicators
Authors: Buck Kimberly , Nolte Linda , Sellars Marcus , Sinclair Craig , White Ben P. , Kelly Helana , Macleod Ashley , Detering Karen M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) conversations may result in preferences for medical care being documented.

Objective

To explore the uptake and quality of advance care directives (ACDs) among older Australians accessing health and aged care services, by overall ACP documentation prevalence, person‐level predictors and ACD quality indicators.

Design and Setting

National multi‐centre health record audit in general practices (GP), hospitals and residential aged care facilities (RACF).

Participants

A total of 4187 people aged ≥65 years attending their GP (n = 676), admitted to hospital (n = 1122) or residing in a RACF (n = 2389).

Main Outcome Measures

ACP documentation prevalence by setting and type including person‐completed ACDs and non‐ACD documents (completed by a health professional or someone else); person‐level predictors and quality indicators of ACDs.

Results

Overall ACP documentation prevalence was 46.5% (29.2% weighted). ACD prevalence was 25.3% (14.2% weighted). Unweighted ACD prevalence was higher in RACFs (37.7%) than in hospitals (11.1%) and GPs (5.5%). 35.8% of ACP documentation was completed by a health professional (9.7% weighted), and 18.1% was completed by someone else (10.6% weighted). Having an ACD was positively associated with being female, older, having two or more medical conditions, receiving palliative care, being divorced/separated and being in a RACF. Only 73% of ACDs included full name, signature, document date and witnessing.

Conclusions and Contribution

Low ACP documentation prevalence and a lack of accessible, person‐completed and quality ACDs represent an important ACP implementation issue. Low prevalence is complicated by poor document quality and a higher prevalence of documents being completed by someone other than the person.
Myxoepithelioid tumour with chordoid features: a clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic study of 14 cases of SMARCB1/INI1‐deficient soft‐tissue neoplasm
Authors: Kinoshita Izumi , Kohashi Kenichi , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Yamada Yuichi , Inoue Takeshi , Higaki Koichi , Teramoto Norihiro , Oshiro Yumi , Nakashima Yasuharu , Oda Yoshinao
Published: May 2021

Aims

Complete loss of SMARCB1/INI1 in soft‐tissue tumours such as malignant rhabdoid tumour, epithelioid sarcoma, myoepithelial tumour of soft tissue and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is often associated with high‐grade malignancy and poor prognosis. The diagnosis is sometimes challenging, owing to histological similarities, so careful differential diagnosis is required. Therefore, soft‐tissue tumours with complete SMARCB1/INI1 loss could potentially include an unknown entity.

Methods and results

We analysed 160 cases of SMARCB1/INI1‐deficient soft‐tissue tumour, and found 14 cases that were not classifiable into already existing categories and had common clinical and histological features. These involved two male and 12 female patients, ranging in age from 20 years to 61 years. The tumours were located in the the puboinguinal region (n = 13) and pelvic cavity (n = 1). Histologically, the tumours showed relatively uniform epithelioid to spindle‐shaped cells with myxoid stroma. All tumours showed immunoreactivity for brachyury, epithelial membrane antigen, and progesterone receptor, and 12 of 14 cases did so for oestrogen receptor. Variable positive staining for α‐smooth muscle actin, S100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was seen. NR4A3 and EWSR1 gene rearrangements were not detected in 13 and 11 examined cases, respectively. Clinical follow‐up data for the 14 patients showed that 13 were alive without disease and one had been lost to follow‐up; four patients developed local recurrence and/or metastases.

Conclusion

The designation ‘myxoepithelioid tumour with choroid features’ (METC) was proposed as a tumour with intermediate malignancy controllable with appropriate treatment, including the entity of myoepithelioma‐like tumour of the vulvar region. METC represents a novel and independent subset that is histologically, biologically and clinically distinct from already existing SMARCB1/INI1‐deficient soft‐tissue tumours.
Petrographic and mineralogical study of hydrothermal alteration of the Rokko Granite at Hakusui‐kyo and Horai‐kyo along the Arima‐Takatsuki Tectonic Line in western Japan
Authors: Shimizu Toru , Manaka Mitsuo , Kazahaya Kohei , Tsukamoto Hitoshi
Published: May 2021

Field, hand specimen, and microscopic investigations alongside X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed four types of hydrothermal alteration (Type‐A, ‐B, ‐C, and ‐D) based on the mode of occurrence of altered rocks and alteration mineral assemblage at Hakusui‐kyo and Horai‐kyo along the Arima‐Takatsuki Tectonic Line (ATTL) in western Japan. Type‐A alteration locally occurred as gray alteration halos with sulfide minerals. Type‐B and ‐C alterations were confined to fault gouge veins and occurred as greenish‐gray veins and brown veins, respectively. Type‐C alteration crosscut Type‐B alteration. These alterations were associated with a number of granitic fragments including cohesive breccia and micrographic facies. Type‐D alteration occurred locally in brown sediments. Different mineralogical features in the four alterations are summarized as (Type‐A) illite; (Type‐B) chlorite; (Type‐C) limonite (Fe3+ hydroxides and goethite) and calcite; and (Type‐D) limonite. We propose that the alterations can be broadly divided into Paleocene hydrothermal alteration (Type‐A) and post‐Late Miocene hydrothermal alteration (Type‐B, ‐C, and ‐D): Type‐A alteration occurred at approximately 200 °C during hydrothermal activity after a granitic intrusion in Late Cretaceous; Type‐B, ‐C and ‐D alterations occurred under hydrothermal activity accompanying deep fluids with repeated ascents invoked by the seismicity of the ATTL after the Late Miocene. The fluids may have been the “Arima‐type thermal waters” (i.e., mixtures of convective groundwater and Na‐Ca‐Cl‐HCO3‐type fluids). Type‐B alteration occurred in fractures at depths where the temperature was ≥150 °C. Type‐C alteration overprinted Type‐B alteration as a result of mixing of new deep fluids and descending oxidized meteoric water near the surface. Fe3+ hydroxides and calcite precipitated from the fluids due to the oxidation of Fe2+ and the degassing of CO2, respectively, at ambient to near‐boiling temperatures. When the ascending fluids gushed out from the fractures, they generated Type‐D alteration at the surface under similar temperature conditions due to the oxidation of Fe2+.
Role of scalp health in achieving optimal hair growth and retention
Authors: Tosti Antonella , Schwartz James R.
Published: May 2021

We have conducted a thorough review of the literature to assess the evidence for supporting a cause‐and‐effect linkage between scalp condition and resultant hair condition. Over 20 epidemiological studies have been published covering a wide range of abnormal scalp conditions in which consequent impacts to the hair have been documented. A treatment study was conducted to demonstrate not only that impaired scalp condition led to impaired hair quality but that the impacts to hair are reversible upon normalization of the scalp condition. A proposed explanation involves the impact of scalp oxidative stress, which is part of the etiology of these scalp conditions as well as normal aging, in interfering with the normal keratinization of the pre‐emergent hair cuticle. This perturbed cuticle impedes normal fiber anchorage and emerges more brittle and fragile than normal cuticle leading to accelerated physical degradation, mirroring the effects of chronological aging of the hair fiber. The consequences of the rapid cuticle degradation result in hair that is more vulnerable to mechanical insults and compromised overall quality.
Is canal overinstrumentation able to produce apical root dentinal microcracks in extracted teeth?
Authors: Belladonna Felipe Gonçalves , Rodrigues Lorrany Larisse Costa , Leal Alex Sandro Mendonça , Oliveira Henrique Eduardo , Maciel Ana Carolina de Carvalho , Cavalcante Daniele Moreira , Silva Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal , Valois Érica Martins , Souza Erick Miranda , De‐Deus Gustavo
Published: May 2021

Aim

To assess the impact of mechanical overinstrumentation of root canals in extracted teeth on the development of dentinal microcracks in the apical portion of the root by means of micro‐computed tomographic (micro‐CT) analysis. Root canal preparation short of the canal terminus and at the apical foramen (AF) were used as controls.

Methodology

Twenty 2‐rooted maxillary premolars with two canals were selected, scanned in a micro‐CT device and the root canals prepared sequentially using Reciproc M‐Wire R25 instruments to working lengths: 1 mm short of the AF (AF − 1 mm), at the AF (AF), and overinstrumentation (AF + 1 mm). A micro‐CT scan of each specimen was performed after each time point. After reconstruction and co‐registration procedures, the images were screened from the cementoenamel junction to the apex (n = 55 352) to identify the presence of dentinal microcracks in the apical third of the root.

Results

After the analyses of 55 352 slices, dentinal microcracks were visualized in 12.45% of the images (6892 slices), with 5.73% (3174 slices) in the cervical, 3.57% (1976 slices) in the middle and 3.15% (1740 slices) in the apical third. All dentinal microcracks observed at all time points (AF − 1 mm, AF and AF + 1 mm) were already present in the corresponding images before canal instrumentation. Therefore, no new microcracks were detected, regardless of the working length used for canal instrumentation.

Conclusion

Reciprocating root canal preparation either short, at or beyond the AF (overinstrumentation) did not create dentinal microcracks in the roots of extracted 2‐rooted maxillary premolars.
European Society of Endodontology position statement: endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth
Authors:   European Society of Endodontology (ESE) developed by:, Krastl G. , Weiger R. , Filippi A. , Van Waes H. , Ebeleseder K. , Ree M. , Connert T. , Widbiller M. , Tjäderhane L. , Dummer P. M. H. , Galler K.
Published: May 2021

This position statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on the endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth. A recent comprehensive review with detailed background information provides the basis for this position statement (Krastl et al. 2021, International Endodontic Journal, https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.13508). The statement is based on current scientiﬁc evidence as well as the expertise of the committee. Complementing the recently revised guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, this position statement aims to provide clinical guidance for the choice of the appropriate endodontic approach for traumatized permanent teeth. Given the dynamic nature of research in this area, this position statement will be updated at appropriate intervals.