bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of moderate alcohol consumption on brain iron and cognition: observational and genetic analyses
Authors: Topiwala Anya , Wang Chaoyue , Ebmeier Klaus P , Burgess Stephen , Bell Steven , Levey Daniel F , Zhou Hang , Mccracken Celeste , Roca-Fernandez Adriana , Petersen Steffen , Raman Betty , Husain Masud , Gelernter Joel , Miller Karla , Smith Stephen , Nichols Thomas
Published: February 2022

Brain iron deposition has been linked to several neurodegenerative conditions and reported in alcohol dependence. Whether iron accumulation occurs in moderate drinkers is unknown. Our objectives were to investigate causal relationships between alcohol consumption and brain iron levels and to examine whether higher brain iron represents a potential pathway to alcohol-related cognitive deficits.

Multi-organ susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to ascertain iron content of brain (quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and T2*) and liver tissues (T2*), a marker of systemic iron. Observational associations between brain iron markers and self-reported alcohol consumption (n=22,254 UK Biobank participants) were compared with associations with genetically-predicted alcohol intake from two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Potential pathways to alcohol-related iron brain accumulation through elevated systemic iron stores (liver) were explored in causal mediation analysis. Cognition was assessed at the time of scan and in online follow-up.

Alcohol consumption was associated with markers of higher iron in putamen (β=0.09 standard deviation (S.D.) [95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.10]), caudate (β=0.06 [0.04 to 0.07]) and substantia nigra (β=0.04 [0.02 to 0.05]), and lower iron in the thalami (β= -0.05 [-0.06 to -0.03]). Quintile-based analyses found these effects in those consuming >7 units (56g) alcohol weekly. MR analyses provided some evidence these relationships are causal. A 1 S.D. higher genetically-predicted number of alcoholic drinks weekly associated with 0.25 [0.01 to 0.49] S.D. higher putamen susceptibility and 0.28 [0.05 to 0.50] S.D. higher hippocampus susceptibility. Genetically-predicted alcohol use disorder was causally related to higher putamen susceptibility (0.18 [0.001 to 0.35] S.D.), serum iron (0.12 [0.05 to 0.19] S.D.) and transferrin saturation (0.11[0.03 to 0.19] S.D.). Elevated liver iron was observed at just >11 units (88g) alcohol weekly (0.03 mg/g [0.01-0.05] higher c.f. <7 units (56g) weekly). Systemic iron levels partially mediated associations of alcohol intake with brain iron accumulation (proportion mediated: 32% [22 to 49]). Markers of higher basal ganglia iron were associated with accelerated age-related decline in executive function and fluid intelligence, and slower reaction times.

This study represents the largest investigation of moderate alcohol consumption and iron homeostasis to date. Even low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with iron accumulation in the brain, suggesting a potential mechanism for alcohol-related cognitive decline.
Antibody response after a single dose of BBV152 vaccine negatively correlates with pre-existing antibodies and induces a significant but low levels of neutralizing antibodies to Omicron variant
Authors: Das Suman , Singh Janmejay , Shaman Heena , Singh Balwant , Anantharaj Anbalagan , Sharanabasava Patil , Pandey Rajesh , Lodha Rakesh , Pandey Anil Kumar , Medigeshi Guruprasad R.
Published: February 2022

Most adults in India have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and also been infected naturally during the pandemic. As immunization of individuals continues under this situation where the virus has attained endemicity, we assessed whether this hybrid immunity is further boosted by a single dose of BBV152, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and, if these antibodies can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants. We found that natural infection during the second wave in 2021 led to generation of neutralizing antibodies against other lineages of SARS-CoV-2 including the omicron variant, albeit at a significantly lower level for the latter. A single dose of BBV152 boosted antibody titers against the delta and the omicron variants but the antibody levels remained low for the omicron variant. Boosting of antibodies showed negative correlation with baseline neutralizing antibody titers suggesting anergy of the immune system in individuals with high levels of antibodies.
Preclinical Pharmacokinetics andIn VitroProperties of GS-441524, A Potential Oral Drug Candidate for COVID-19 Treatment
Authors: Wang Amy Q. , Hagen Natalie R. , Padilha Elias C. , Yang Mengbi , Shah Pranav , Chen Catherine Z. , Huang Wenwei , Terse Pramod , Sanderson Philip , Zheng Wei , Xu Xin
Published: February 2022

Preclinical pharmacokinetics (PK) andin vitroADME properties of GS-441524, a potential oral agent for the treatment of Covid-19, were studied. GS-441524 was stablein vitroin liver microsomes, cytosols, and hepatocytes of mice, rats, monkeys, dogs, and humans. The plasma free fractions of GS-441524 were 62-78% across all studied species. Thein vitrotransporter study results showed that GS-441524 was a substrate of MDR1, BCRP, CNT3, ENT1, and ENT2; but not a substrate of CNT1, CNT2, and ENT4. GS-441524 had a low to moderate plasma clearance (CLp), ranging from 4.1 mL/min/kg in dogs to 26 mL/min/kg in mice; the steady state volume distribution (Vdss) ranged from 0.9 L/kg in dogs to 2.2 L/kg in mice after IV administration. Urinary excretion appeared to be the major elimination process for GS-441524. Following oral administration, the oral bioavailability was 8.3% in monkeys, 33% in rats, 39% in mice, and 85% in dogs. The PK and ADME properties of GS-441524 support its further development as an oral drug candidate.
Evaluation of the fire performance of unprotected composite beams with fin-plate joints
Authors: Yotsumoto Naoya , Hirashima Takeo , Toyoda Koji
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the fire performance of composite beams when considering the hogging moment resistance of the fin-plate beam-to-girder joints including the effect of continuity of reinforcements.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiments on composite beams with fin-plate joints protected only at the beam ends are conducted. The test parameter is the specification of reinforcement, which affects the rotational restraint of the beam ends. In addition, a simple method for predicting the failure time of the beam using an evaluation model based on the bending moment resistance of the beam considering the hogging moment resistance of the fin-plate joint and the reinforcement is also presented.

Findings

The test results indicate that the failure time of the beam is extended by the hogging moment resistance of the joints. This is particularly noticeable when using a reinforcing bar with a large plastic deformation capability. The predicted failure times based on the evaluation method corresponded well with the test results.

Originality/value

Recent studies have proposed large deformation analysis methods using FEM that can be used for fire-resistant design of beams including joints, but these cannot always be applicable in practice due to the cost and its complexity. Our method can consider the hogging moment resistance of the joint and the temperature distribution in the axial direction using a simple method without requirement of FEM.
Amino acid δ13C fingerprints of nearshore marine autotrophs are consistent across broad spatiotemporal scales: An intercontinental isotopic dataset and likely biochemical drivers
Authors: Elliott Smith Emma A. , Fox Michael D. , Fogel Marilyn L. , Newsome Seth D.
Published: February 2022

Carbon isotope fingerprinting, or multivariate analysis using δ13C values of individual compounds, is a powerful tool in ecological studies, particularly measurements of essential amino acids (EAA δ13C). Despite the widespread application of this technique, there has been little methodological validation to determine (a) whether multivariate EAA δ13C signatures (fingerprints) of primary producer groups vary across space and time and (b) what biochemical mechanisms drive these patterns.

Here, we evaluate the spatiotemporal consistency in EAA δ13C fingerprints among nearshore primary producers: Chlorophyta (Ulva sp.), Ochrophyta (kelps), particulate organic matter (POM) and phytoplankton, and Rhodophyta. We analysed 135 samples from 14 genera collected in Alaska, California and Chile. The collections included historical museum samples (1896–1980 CE) of the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. We employed canonical analysis of principal coordinates and generalized linear models (GLMs) to, respectively, characterize isotopic fingerprints and evaluate the effect of taxonomy, local upwelling regimes, ecological setting, and time on individual EAA δ13C values and associated fingerprints. We also calculated amino acid discrimination values (∆13C) to identify key biochemical pathways responsible for these patterns.

We found remarkable consistency in EAA δ13C fingerprints of marine algae across space and through time. Kelps and rhodophytes exhibited statistically distinct multivariate isotopic patterns regardless of geographical location, species identity or time (kelps). In contrast, isotopic fingerprints of POM/phytoplankton and Ulva overlapped substantially. GLMs indicated that producer family, presumably due to the presence/absence of carbon concentrating mechanisms, and site locality are important determinants of individual amino acid δ13C values. Taxonomy was also a key variable for EAA δ13C fingerprints. The calculated discrimination values suggest variation in (a) metabolism of pyruvate and oxaloacetate‐derived amino acids and (b) production of storage and structural carbohydrates are responsible for taxonomic differences in isotopic fingerprints.

We conclude EAA δ13C fingerprinting is a robust method for tracing the contribution of diverse primary producer taxa to coastal food webs. We show that this technique can be applied to modern and historical samples, as well as consumers collected across continental scales. The high fidelity of EAA δ13C multivariate patterns coupled with biochemical mechanisms provides a powerful framework for future studies of carbon flow across broad biogeographical and ecological contexts.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Price wars in strategical price‐setting supergames: Application to the retail oil industry
Authors: Badra Yassine
Published: February 2022

In the gasoline retailing industry, firms are divided into two classes: major integrated international firms and independent local ones. This paper seeks to define the optimal pricing strategy to adopt in a price war situation with the majors in one side and the locals in the other. A sequential infinite horizon game model assuming an initial state of tacit collusion with linear demand and total cost functions is developed. It turns out that the optimal strategy is discontinuous. The duopoly's profit maximisation is achieved with a collusion price higher than the competitive Nash price. Finally, statics comparatives show how the variations in the parameters of the model impact the pricing strategy of each firm, whether it is an international major firm or an independent local firm.
Long‐term results of laparoscopic Hassab's procedure for esophagogastric varices with portal hypertension
Authors: Fujisaki Hiroyuki , Fukami Yasuyuki , Arikawa Takashi , Saito Takuya , Osawa Takaaki , Komatsu Shunichiro , Kaneko Kenitiro , Kurokawa Tsuyoshi , Nonami Toshiaki , Sano Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Recent reports have shown laparoscopic gastric devascularization and splenectomy (Hassab's procedure) to be a safe and effective treatment for esophagogastric varices with portal hypertension. However, the long‐term postoperative results remain unclear.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2015, 17 patients with portal hypertension and esophagogastric varices underwent laparoscopic Hassab's procedure at our institution. Two patients were lost to long‐term follow‐up (at least 2 years) and excluded. The remaining 15 patients' data and endoscopic findings were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The median postoperative follow‐up period was 56 months. The median spleen volume, operation time, blood loss, and length of postoperative hospital stay were 651 (320–1,265) mL, 305 (275–547) minutes, 347 (24–1,131) mL, and 20 (8–41) days, respectively. According to the endoscopic findings 1 year after surgery, the esophagogastric varices disappeared in three patients and improved in 12 patients. The median platelet count was significantly higher 1 year after surgery (19.7 × 104/dL) than before surgery (5.5 × 104/dL) (P < .001) and remained stable 2 years after surgery. Two patients died of liver disease. The remaining 13 patients, with a median postoperative follow‐up of 57 months, were alive without bleeding from esophagogastric varices.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic Hassab's procedure is a feasible treatment for esophagogastric varices with portal hypertension in terms of both short‐ and long‐term results.
Addressing racism in the healthcare encounter: The role of clinical ethics consultants
Authors: MacDuffie Katherine E. , Patneaude Arika , Bell Shaquita , Adiele Alicia , Makhija Neena , Wilfond Benjamin , Opel Douglas
Published: February 2022

Justice is a core principle in bioethics, and a fair opportunity to achieve health is central to this principle. Racism and other forms of prejudice, discrimination, or bias directed against people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group are known contributors to health inequity, defined as unjust differences in health or access to care. Though hospital‐based ethics committees and consultation services routinely address issues of justice that arise in the course of patient care, there is variability in whether and how racism and other causes of health inequities are addressed. In this paper, we describe a novel structure and process for addressing health equity within clinical ethics consultation. In addition, we discuss the barriers and challenges to its success, many of which are rooted in the identities, norms and assumptions that underlie traditional clinical ethics consultation. We offer pragmatic recommendations and conclude with unresolved questions that remain as we work to adapt the structure of a clinical ethics consultation service to improve attention to issues of health equity and promote anti‐racism in patient care and institutional policy.
Heterozygote loss‐of‐function variants in the LRP5 gene cause familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Zhao Rulian , Wang Shiyuan , Zhao Peiquan , Dai Erkuan , Zhang Xiang , Peng Li , He Yunqi , Yang Mu , Li Shujin , Yang Zhenglin
Published: February 2022

Background

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is an inherited ocular disease with clinical manifestations of aberrant retinal vasculature. We aimed to identify novel causative variants responsible for FEVR and provided evidence for the genetic counselling of FEVR.

Methods

We applied whole‐exome sequencing (WES) on the genomic DNA samples from the probands and performed Sanger sequencing for variant validation. Western blot analysis and luciferase assays were performed to test the expression levels and the activity of mutant proteins.

Results

We identified one novel heterozygous nonsense variant, and three novel heterozygous frameshift variants including c.1801G>T (p.G601*), c.1965delC (p.H656Tfs*41), c.4445delC (p.S1482Cfs*17), and c.4482delC (p.P1495Rfs*4), which disabled the function of LRP5 on the Norrin/β‐catenin signalling. Overexpression of variant‐carrying LRP5 proteins resulted in down regulation of the protein levels of β‐catenin and the Norrin/β‐catenin signalling target genes c‐Myc and Glut1.

Conclusion

Our study showed that four inherited LRP5 variants can cause autosomal dominant FEVR via down regulation of Norrin/β‐catenin signalling and expanded the spectrum of FEVR‐associated LRP5 variants.
World Christianity and Global Justice
Authors: Barreto Raimundo C.
Published: February 2022

This article raises the question of whether increasing emphasis on the reconfiguration of World Christianity hinders or helps ecumenical convivência. In doing this, it invites the reader to dive into contrasting views of World Christianity to find its potential to transform and even expand the notion of the oikoumene, especially through concerted attention to emerging demands of global justice – in particular, the demands of epistemic justice. Drawing on an intercultural dialogue involving a Candomblé practitioner and a Krenak Indigenous leader, the article advances the proposal of a liberative intercultural dialogue in response to lingering colonial disparities that continue to challenge Christians and non‐Christians today. It concludes that, if approached through proper lenses, World Christianity might point the way to ecumenical renewal and to the expansion of our understanding of the “ecumenical” in the coming decades.
World Christianity as a Critique of Whiteness in Theological Education
Authors: Parker Eve
Published: February 2022

There is a need to confront Christianity’s history of colonialism, conquest, empire, racism, and domination as a means of challenging the theological truth claims, curricula, and pedagogies that have enabled the West to construct a world where whiteness dominates. As whiteness is power, it enables Eurocentric and patriarchal theological epistemologies to dominate theological curricula and dehumanizes those who challenge the white norm. This paper suggests that World Christianity offers a potential emancipatory framework to deconstruct whiteness, arguing that teaching World Christianity(s) as a means of transformative pedagogy enables students to reinterpret the impact of whiteness in different places and periods of history, including the present day.
Dissertations into Practice: 10 years on, 40 articles later
Authors: Johnson Frances
Published: February 2022

Frances Johnson, Regular Feature Editor, looks back on the first 10 years of student projects published in Dissertations into Practice. Forty articles later, she notes that the value of these short features, then as now, is in recognising the potential of student research to a wider audience and the implications of their research on practice.
Head to head: do neuroendocrine tumours in the breast truly exist?
Authors: Rakha Emad , Tan Puay Hoon
Published: February 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease with a spectrum of morphological features. Concepts of histogenesis and differentiation in BC remain controversial. Recent evidence supports differentiation rather than histogenesis as the underlying mechanism for the myriad morphological appearances of BC. Prognosis and response to therapy are determined by a combination of factors, including tumour grade, stage and receptor status, whereas tumour histological types play an independent role in only limited examples. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) comprise one of the most debated entities in the breast since their first description. Apart from the rare small‐cell NE carcinoma (NEC), which has well‐characterized features similar to their counterparts in other organs, the true existence, diagnostic criteria and clinical significance of NE neoplasms (NENs) in the breast are shrouded in controversy. At the core of this discussion is whether normal NE cells exist in the breast, and if breast NETs have distinct morphology and clinical behaviour. When NETs are encountered in the breast, metastatic origin has to be excluded. The more frequent situation in which NE differentiation is observed in breast cancers is in the context of recognizable, morphologically well‐described special‐type neoplasms such as the hypercellular mucinous carcinoma and solid papillary carcinoma. In this review, arguments for and against maintaining the category of NENs in the breast are articulated in relation to existing literature on this group of unusual tumours.
Experiences and characteristics of men working in dental hygiene
Authors: Diaz Jeannette , Boyd Linda D. , Giblin‐Scanlon Lori , Smethers Robert , Vineyard Jared
Published: February 2022

Objective/Purpose

There is limited research available about men working in the profession of dental hygiene. The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics and experiences of men in dental hygiene.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey research was conducted with a purposive sample of male dental hygienists (n = 288). Participants were recruited via social media and snowball sampling. The survey was developed based on nursing literature and validated with a panel of experts with a final S‐CVI of 98.5%. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used for data analysis.

Results

The completion rate was 80.9% (n = 233). Results revealed participants were more likely to be White (59.7%), hold an associate's entry‐level dental hygiene degree (60.9%) and work in a private practice dental setting (73.4%). Sixty‐one per cent reported full‐time employment, and 50% was satisfied or very satisfied with benefits offered by their place of employment. All three sources of gender discrimination (patients, co‐workers and employers) were related to experiencing a desire to leave the field. Experiencing gender discrimination from patients indicated a higher likelihood of desire to leave the field (49%) comparatively (33%), χ2 = 5.94, p = 0.02. Half of the respondents reported (56.7%) patients had refused to see them based on their gender.

Conclusion

This research provides a snapshot of demographics and professional characteristics of male dental hygienists. Gender discrimination from patients emerged as an area that needs to be addressed in practice settings. It will be important to identify ways to make the profession more inviting to encourage men to join the profession.
House and cave edible bird’s nest: Characteristics and quality of sterilised beverages containing the selected bird’s nest
Authors: Chantakun Kasidate , Nilsuwan Krisana , Sripradit Autthapon , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: February 2022

Edible bird’s nests (Bnest) collected from house and cave of eight provinces in the southern part of Thailand were characterised. Bnest from different locations had differences in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and energy‐ dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy patterns but there was no distinctive difference in protein patterns. Crystallinity values of cave‐Bnest from Phatthalung province (PL‐C) and house‐Bnest from Songkhla province (SK‐H) (38.79% and 35.52%, respectively) were higher than those of other samples. PL‐C and SK‐H samples had different thermal behaviours, as determined by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Both samples were used for the production of Bnest beverage using the retort process (121 °C for 11 min). Colour, soluble solid content, drained weight, and sterility were determined in both beverages. Average L*‐value and soluble solid content of SK‐H were higher than those of PL‐C (P < 0.05). Higher a* and b*‐values and drained weight were found in the latter. However, aerobic/anaerobic mesophiles and thermophiles were not detected in both samples. The beverage containing PL‐C generally showed higher acceptability for all attributes, especially appearance, texture, and overall likeness (P < 0.05), than that with SK‐H. Therefore, the habitat, where bird’s nest was collected, had a marked influence on the characteristics of both dried nest and resulting sterilised bird’s nest beverages.
Importance of considering interest in sex when evaluating satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Kohada Yuki , Ito Jun , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Kusumoto Hiroki , Kukimoto Takashi , Mikami Jotaro , Hinata Nobuyuki , Sato Makoto
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess the impact of patients’ interest in sex on the satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, longitudinal changes of urinary and sexual functions and bothers were evaluated.

Methods

A total of 101 patients underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in our institution. Based on sexual interest, they were divided into the high‐interest and low‐interest groups. Overall satisfaction, urinary function, urinary bother, sexual function, and sexual bother were evaluated using the expanded prostate cancer index composite questionnaire preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy. We investigated the associations between the overall satisfaction and urinary function/urinary bother/sexual function/sexual bother scores (with higher score indicating better function and less impairment).

Results

In the high‐interest group (n = 45), satisfaction correlated with high urinary function and urinary bother scores early after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (urinary function: 1 and 3 months, urinary bother: 3 months postoperatively; P < 0.05) and then with high sexual bother score thereafter (sexual bother at 6 and 12 months after surgery; P < 0.05). Sexual function score did not correlate with satisfaction. In the low‐interest group (n = 56), satisfaction correlated with high urinary function and urinary bother scores over time (urinary function: 3 and 6 months, urinary bother: at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively; P < 0.05). Neither sexual function nor sexual bother correlated with satisfaction postoperatively in the low‐interest group.

Conclusions

The impact of urinary and sexual functions and bothers on patients’ overall satisfaction differed between patients with high‐ and low‐interest in sex. The patient’s interest in sex should be considered when assessing satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.
La legislación laboral y su contribución a la segmentación del mercado de trabajo en América Latina
Authors: BENSUSÁN AREOUS Graciela
Published: February 2022

Usando la tipología de regímenes laborales de Dingeldey et al. (2021), basada en tres funciones —estandarización, constitución de privilegios e igualación— se estudia la segmentación legal del trabajo en cinco países latinoamericanos (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, México y Uruguay), distinguiendo tres modalidades —ausencia de cobertura, trato diferenciado y elusión de las normas— que se traducen en desigualdad y precariedad laboral. Las legislaciones estudiadas cubren el trabajo asalariado pero no el independiente. La informalidad resulta de la falta de fiscalización y de un entorno productivo desfavorable. Se observan diferentes formas y grados de protección del empleo estándar y no estándar, así como reglas compensatorias junto a otras destinadas a eliminar el trato desigual.
Opening up new avenues for research on social power
Authors: Scholl Annika , Sassenberg Kai
Published: February 2022

Power shapes relations within social contexts—often with relevant consequences for those lower and higher in power. To inspire novel ideas and dialogue on this topic, this special issue presents a collection of articles that illustrates important aspects of power research that have often received little attention to date. Specifically, we present four aspects that, from our perspective, for now as well as in the future can contribute to understanding the effects of power even better: (1) Going beyond main effects and considering contextual moderators; (2) Studying the mechanisms that bring the effects of social power about; (3) Examining the way those high in power behave towards each other; and (4) Taking into account that lay persons’ perception of power might affect how they deal with power. To conclude, while we already know many answers to how power shapes social interactions within hierarchies, there are also open questions that remain to be addressed in future research. This special issue gives four examples that may contribute towards targeting these future avenues — in the hope that many more research on aspects like this will follow.
The fear of big brother: The potential negative side‐effects of proctored exams
Authors: Conijn Rianne , Kleingeld Ad , Matzat Uwe , Snijders Chris
Published: February 2022

Background

Online and blended learning need an appropriate assessment strategy which ensures academic integrity. During the pandemic, many universities have chosen for online proctoring. Although some earlier examples suggest that online proctoring may reduce cheating, the potential side‐effects of proctoring are largely unknown.

Objectives

Therefore, this study aims to identify the effects of proctoring on students' self‐reported temptation to cheat and potentially undesirable side‐effects, including test anxiety, perceived exam difficulty, and performance. In addition, we examine which contextual and student characteristics affect test anxiety during online exams.

Methods

For this, we collected four waves of survey data throughout a year of teaching during the pandemic at one faculty of a Dutch university, resulting in a total sample of 1760 students within 105 courses.

Results and Conclusions

Multi‐level analyses showed that while proctoring had no effect on the temptation to cheat, exam difficulty or performance, students reported higher levels of test anxiety. Some learning strategies, internet literacy, access to a reliable technology and a dedicated study space as well as gender and financial stress affect their test anxiety. To conclude, the decision to use online proctoring needs to consider the undesirable side‐effect on test anxiety. We discuss practical implications for university administrators, educational designers and teachers to reduce test anxiety.
Reproducibility and predictive value of a simple novel method to measure atrial fibrillation cycle length in persistent atrial fibrillation – FARS‐AF study
Authors: Spera Francesco , Rodriguez‐Mañero Moises , Baluja Aurora , Saenen Johan , Huybrechts Wim , Miljoen Hielko , Tijskens Maxime , Vandaele Lien , Wittock Anouk , Claeys Marc J. , Heidbuchel Hein , Sarkozy Andrea
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Different methods are used for atrial fibrillation (AF) cycle length (CL) measurement with variable results. Previous studies of pulmonary vein (PV) CL measurement showed contradictory results on predicting PV isolation (PVI) efficacy. A novel simple method of measuring the average of 10 consecutive Fastest Atrial Repetitive Similar morphology signal (FARS10)‐CL to characterize local atrial activity rate was evaluated prospectively.

Methods

The intra‐observer reproducibility of FARS10‐CL and traditional AF‐CL measurement of continuously fragmented coronary sinus (CS) signals were tested. We prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive patients (62 ± 10 years, 72% male) undergoing wide antral PVI only ablation for persistent AF, measured PV‐FARS10‐CLs, and evaluated long‐term outcome.

Results

The Kendall area correlation between repeated traditional AF‐CL measurements was −0.006 and between repeated FARS10‐CL measurements in the right and left atrial appendages, CS and PVs were 0.944, 0.859, 0.882, 0.675–0.955, respectively. Patients with recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia had significantly longer fastest PV‐FARS10‐CL (172 ± 41 vs. 156 ± 41 ms, p = .047). Patients with high burden of spontaneous low‐voltage zone (LVZ) had significantly longer fastest PV‐FARS10‐CL. Freedom from recurrent tachyarrhythmia at 24 months was 85% versus 59% in patients with fastest PV‐FARS10‐CL ≤ 140 versus >140 ms, p = .0018, respectively. In multivariable analysis fastest PV‐FARS10‐CL ≤ 140 ms was the only significant predictor of freedom from recurrent tachyarrhythmia.

Conclusions

FARS10‐CL measurements have a high reproducibility in contrast to traditional AF‐CL measurement of continuously fragmented CS signals. Patients with high burden of LVZ have longer fastest PV‐FARS10‐CLs. Fastest PV‐FARS10‐CL ≤ 140 ms is associated with a high success of wide antral PVI‐only ablation approach in persistent AF.
The Convergent procedure for AF: A surgeon's perspective
Authors: Kiankhooy Armin , McMenamy Maureen E.
Published: February 2022

The Converge IDE Trial demonstrated improved patient outcomes in a challenging persistent and long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation population using a heart team hybrid approach with epicardial and endocardial staged ablations. Surgeons encounter unique circumstances with the surgical epicardial stage of the Convergent procedure which includes unfamiliarity with left atrial posterior anatomy, endoscopic/thoracoscopic visualization, minimally invasive left atrial appendage management, and expanded indications for the procedure. Overcoming these unique challenges is key to the adoption of the Convergent procedure as a critical off‐pump approach that should be part of the surgical armamentarium in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Optimal lifestyle behaviors and 10‐year progression of arterial stiffness: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Tedla Yacob G. , Gepner Adam , Stein James H. , Delaney Joseph A. , Liu Chia‐Ying , Greenland Philip
Published: February 2022

Majority of previous studies showed no association between a single health behavior and arterial stiffness, but the benefit of simultaneously having multiple healthy behaviors (optimal lifestyle) on the progression of arterial stiffness is unknown. Among 2810 individuals (age 60.0 ± 9.4, 46.5% male), optimal lifestyle marker (yes/no) on four health behaviors (ie, BMI < 25 kg/m2, never or former smoker, never or moderate drinker, exercised > 500 METS min/week) across four visits (≈ 5 years) were summed to create an optimal lifestyle score. Carotid arterial stiffness was measured using distensibility coefficient (DC) and Young's elastic modulus (YEM) at visit 1 and after a mean of 9.5 years (visit 5). The association of optimal lifestyle with 10‐year percent change in DC and YEM was assessed using multiple linear regression. DC decreased by 5.3% and YEM increased by 24.4% over 10 years. Mean optimal lifestyle score was 9.4 ± 3.1 (range: 0–16). Individuals in quintiles 2–5 of optimal lifestyle score compared to quintile 1 (with the least optimal lifestyle score) did not show slower deceleration of DC [Q2, −0.3% (95% CI: −6.0, 5.4); Q3, −0.01% (−4.5, 4.5); Q4, −0.6% (−5.2, 3.9); Q5, −0.4% (−5.3, 4.4)], trend p‐value = .82] or slower progression of YEM [Q2, 0.1% (−7.1, 7.3); Q3, −0.8% (−8.0, 6.5); Q4, 4.5% (−2.3, 11.3); Q5, −0.2% (−8.3, 7.9)], trend p‐value = .49] after adjusting for risk factors. The association remained non‐significant when stratified by categories of age, sex, race, BP control, and diabetes. Our findings indicate that optimal score on multiple health behaviors may not independently slow arterial stiffness progression.
Measurement tools that assess the quality of transitional care from patients' perspective: A literature review
Authors: Yoshimura Mai , Sumi Naomi
Published: February 2022

Aim

Transitional care is important for improving the quality of life of patients discharged from hospitals. Patient‐reported experience measures help improve transitional care quality. Thus, this literature review aimed to identify and appraise measurement tools that assess transitional care quality from the patient's perspective and identify its components.

Methods

Development and validation studies were systematically searched in the PubMed and CINAHL databases. The review team appraised the methodological quality and statistical results of measurement properties using the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology.

Results

A total of 30 studies and seven instruments were identified. The target population was patients discharged from hospital to a home or nursing home (mean age = 52–84 years). The measurement time was before or after the discharge. The number of items in the original versions of the measures ranged from eight to 41, with short versions ranging from three to 12. The overall methodological quality of structural validity, internal consistency, and hypotheses testing was mostly “very good or adequate,” according to COSMIN criteria. However, content validity and development were mostly “inadequate or doubtful” or not reported. The main components of included measures comprised “self‐care after discharge,” “providing information to the patient,” “patient engagement in the care plan,” and “dealing with patient's concerns.”

Conclusion

The quality appraisal results and identified components are useful for choosing measurement tools in clinical practice and research. The Care Transitions Measure is the most widely validated measurement tool.
Perceived access, fear, and preventative behavior: Key relationships for positive outcomes during the COVID‐19 health crisis
Authors: Vann Richard J. , Tanner Emily C. , Kizilova Elvira
Published: February 2022

The Coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic reduced real and perceived access to healthcare services, exacerbating pandemic fear, and thus influencing consumers' adoption of preventative health behaviors. Extending the EHBM, results from two studies show that perceived access to health services and pandemic fear impact an individual's general and COVID‐preventative health behaviors. High perceived access reduces pandemic fear through its buffering effects on perceived health vulnerability and pandemic‐related health system concern, especially with telehealth usage during the pandemic. While pandemic fear motivates COVID‐19 vaccination, pandemic fear reduces personal preventative health behavior (e.g., healthy eating, exercising) and has little effect on personal COVID‐preventative behaviors (e.g., wearing a mask, social distancing) when individuals perceive high pandemic‐related control. Moreover, the fear‐behavior link does not hold for preventative health visits; instead, perceived access directly promotes preventative visits and screening. This research informs public health stakeholders' communication, education, and resource allocation during health crises like the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Geographical heterogeneities and externalities in an epidemiological‐macroeconomic framework
Authors: La Torre Davide , Liuzzi Danilo , Marsiglio Simone
Published: February 2022

We analyze the implications of geographical heterogeneities and externalities on health and macroeconomic outcomes by extending a basic epidemiological‐macroeconomic model to a spatial dimension. Because of people's migration and commuting across different regions, a disease may spread also in areas far from those in which the outbreak originally occurs and thus the health status (i.e., disease prevalence) in specific regions may depend on the health status in other regions as well. We show that neglecting the existence of cross‐regional effects may lead to misleading conclusions about the long run outcome not only in single regions but also in the entire economy, suggesting that single regions need to coordinate their efforts to achieve disease eradication. We analyze such a coordination by focusing on a control problem in which the social planner determines globally the level of intervention showing that to achieve eradication it is essential to accompany traditional disease control policies (i.e., prevention and treatment) with regulations limiting people's movements. Focusing on COVID‐19 we present a calibration based on Italian data showing that, because of the infections generated by cross‐regional commuting, even vaccination may not be enough to achieve disease eradication, and limitations on people's movements need to accompany vaccination to preclude COVID‐19 from reaching an endemic state.
Information systems in nurses' work: Technical rationality versus an ethic of care
Authors: Salminen‐Karlsson Minna , Golay Diane
Published: February 2022

Nurses increasingly interact with health information systems (HIS) in their daily work. This article examines how the problems that they confront in that interaction can be understood through the theoretical concepts of technical rationality and an ethic of care. The findings are based on a qualitative study of nurses in one Swedish hospital. They suggest that HIS did not support the holistic care of patients, and were not adapted to the varied and often urgent situations that nurses faced in their daily work, leaving them feeling isolated with their problems. In summary, HIS were found to serve the administrative aims of a hospital organisation, based on technical rationality, rather than supporting patients' needs as seen from an ethics of care perspective. The contribution of the study is to show how the use of these two conceptual tools connects nurses' daily problems with HIS to more fundamental issues about the values upon which healthcare is grounded.
Flexion Tibial Plateau Fractures: 3‐dimensional CT Simulation‐based Subclassification by Injury Pattern
Authors: Hu Yaning , Peng Aqin , Wang Shuai , Pan Shuo , Zhang Xiao
Published: February 2022

Objective

To identify different injury patterns of flexion tibial plateau fractures (FTPFs) with 3D CT simulation technology. The association between these hypothesized injury patterns and concomitant injuries was also investigated.

Methods

The tibial plateau fracture cases of 297 patients consecutively treated at our trauma center from August 2016 to December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 108 patients with FTPFs were enrolled. 3D CT simulation technology was used to reconstruct the position of the knee joint at the time of tibial plateau fracture. The 3D segments for the tibia and femur were created separately, the tibial 3D segment was aligned with the articular surface of the femoral condyle, and then the corresponding injury patterns were deduced. The magnitudes of translation and rotation incurred after the segments were repositioned were calculated by Mimics software. The associations between the hypothesized injury patterns and concomitant injuries were compared.

Results

FTPFs were classified into two groups according to the fracture region: unicondylar FTPFs (type I) and bicondylar FTPFs (type II). According to the injury patterns simulated in this study, these two types of FTPFs were further subclassified into five subgroups. Type I FTPFs were categorized into two subtypes based on the degree of rotation in the coronal plane (varus < 0°; valgus > 0°): pure flexion‐varus fractures (type IA, −10.23° ± 2.11°, 3.7%, 4/108) and pure flexion‐valgus fractures (type IB, 11.54° ± 2.63°, 26.9%, 29/108). Type II FTPFs were divided into three subgroups based on the degree of rotation in the axial plane (internal rotation >10°; flexion‐neutral −10° to 10°; external rotation <−10°): flexion‐neutral fractures (type IIA, 2.01° ± 3.43°, 13.0%, 14/108), flexion‐internal rotation fractures (type IIB, 23.66° ± 6.17°, 35.2%, 38/108) and flexion‐external rotation fractures (type IIC, −16.23° ± 4.27°, 21.3%, 23/108). The incidence of posterolateral quadrant collapse fractures among type IIB fractures was significantly increased relative to that of type IIC fractures (P < 0.001). The incidence of posterolateral quadrant split fractures, anterolateral quadrant fractures and proximal fibular fractures among type IIC fractures was significantly higher than that among type IIB fractures (P < 0.001). The number of these concomitant injuries significantly differed between type IIB and type IIC fractures (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

3D CT simulation‐based subclassification according to the pattern of injury can help surgeons better understand FTPFs and select an appropriate treatment strategy.
Fast production of large, time‐calibrated, informal supertrees with tree.merger
Authors: Castiglione Silvia , Serio Carmela , Mondanaro Alessandro , Melchionna Marina , Raia Pasquale
Published: February 2022

Assembling informal supertrees inclusive of extinct species is a useful but particularly long and complex procedure. We introduce a new, interactive, piece of software that allows the fast production of large, time‐calibrated informal supertrees, single‐handedly mixing multiple phylogenetic information from different sources. The software, embodied in the tree.merger function available as part of the RRphylo R package, allows the merging of different trees into one or adding individual species to a target phylogeny. Time calibration is implemented automatically within the function according to user‐specified, optional age values that can be provided for nodes and/or tips. We applied tree.merger to two different case‐studies. The first, hypothetical, case study pertains to the tree of odontocete cetaceans. The second case study regards the expansion of the new, higher‐level phylogeny of dinosaurs proposing the sister clade relationship between Ornithoscelida and Sauropodomorpha from c. 50 to a 357 species tree. The two case studies took less than five seconds each to complete, on a regular personal computer.
HY5 inhibits in vitro shoot stem cell niches initiation via directly repressing pluripotency and cytokinin pathways
Authors: Dai Xuehuan , Wang Jing , Wang Lili , Liu Zhenhua , Li Qiang , Cai Yunfei , Li Shuo , Xiang Fengning
Published: February 2022

The efficiency of plant regeneration from explants is influenced by phytohormones and environmental conditions. Light has a particularly marked effect on in vitro shoot regeneration, and some light signaling factors are involved in shoot regeneration, while the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here, ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5), as the key transcription factor of light signaling, was found to inhibit shoot regeneration under a range of light conditions. The heightened shoot regeneration capacity of the hy5‐215 mutant was less marked in the dark than in the light, showing that HY5‐mediated inhibition of shoot regeneration is partly light dependent. The co‐localization of WUSCHEL (WUS) and CLAVATA3 (CLV3) expressions was found to coincide with the initiation of stem cell niches in root explants during shoot regeneration. HY5 could directly repress CLV3 and WUS expression by binding to their respective promoters. In parallel, HY5 indirectly repressed CLV3 and WUS by binding to the ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR12 (ARR12) promoter. The resulting dual regulation exerted by HY5 on WUS and CLV3 impeded the initiation of shoot stem cell niches. A HY5‐mediated inhibitory pathway was identified that links cytokinin signaling and the pluripotency pathway during shoot regeneration.
The waveguide invariant for a Pekeris waveguide
Authors: Byun Gihoon , Song H. C.
Published: February 2022

A closed-form waveguide invariant β for a Pekeris waveguide is derived. It is based on the modal Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) dispersion equation and implicit differentiation, in conjunction with the concept of the “effective boundary depth,” ΔH(θ), where θ is the propagation angle. First, an explicit formula for β(m,n) between mode pairs is obtained assuming an ideal waveguide of the effective waveguide depth, H+ΔH(θ), and provides an excellent agreement with the reference value for the Pekeris waveguide of depth H obtained using the normal mode program kraken. Then, a closed-form expression for a group of adjacent modes is derived: β=(H+ΔH(θ))/(H/ cos2 θ−ΔH(θ)), which can be approximated by β=cos2 θ as ΔH(θ)/H≪1, the analytical expression for an ideal waveguide.
The lessons of Lander
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: February 2022

Eric Lander’s resignation as President Biden’s science adviser and director of the Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP), amid allegations that he bullied and demeaned subordinates, is the latest disappointment from an administration that has been struggling to guide the nation with sound science and science leadership. Lander’s departure now leaves empty the first ever OSTP directorship to be added to the President’s Cabinet. This vacancy joins the absence of permanent directors for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), not to mention a secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) so disengaged as to appear absent. Let’s hope the president appoints the best people—in brilliance and character—into these positions, stops undermining his own workplace policy of respect and dignity, and gets the country back on course to follow the science, as he pledged.