bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term clinical and radiological outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency ablation of benign insulinomas
Authors: Debraine Zoé , Borbath Ivan , Deprez Pierre , Bosly Florence , Maiter Dominique , Furnica Raluca M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

In recent years, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS‐RFA) has emerged as an alternative nonsurgical treatment for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. The aim of our study was to assess the long‐term follow‐up of patients treated with EUS‐RFA for a sporadic insulinoma in our centre in terms of efficacy, safety and risk of recurrence.

Design, Patients and Measurements

We retrospectively analysed the data of 11 patients with an insulinoma treated by EUS‐RFA in our tertiary centre between June 2018 and April 2022. Clinical and biological, as well as imaging, follow‐up was planned at 3, 6, 12 months and then annually.

Results

In our series, there were nine women and two men with a median age of 65 years. All tumours were sporadic, with a mean size of 11 mm. The procedure allowed an immediate and complete symptomatic and biological remission in all patients without notable complications. Complete radiological resolution of the tumour after ablation was observed in seven patients, and persistence of an asymptomatic tumour residue was observed in four patients. During the mean follow‐up period of 26 months, two patients presented a significant but asymptomatic increase of the tumour residue; a second EUS‐RFA session was performed in one patient and the other patient is being closely monitored.

Conclusions

EUS‐RFA treatment of benign insulinomas provides a long‐term complete clinical resolution of hypoglycaemia. A long‐term follow‐up is essential if residual tumour persists after initial EUS‐RFA treatment.
Perspectives of carriers of X‐linked retinal diseases on genetic testing and gene therapy: A global survey
Authors: Gocuk Sena A. , Edwards Thomas L. , Jolly Jasleen K. , Ayton Lauren N.
Published: October 2023

Female carriers of X‐linked inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are burdened with potentially passing their disease‐causing variant to future generations, as well as exhibiting signs of retinal disease themselves. This study aimed to investigate carriers' experiences of genetic testing, emotions relating to having affected children, and their knowledge regarding genetic testing and gene therapy. An online survey was advertised to self‐identified carriers worldwide. Two hundred and twenty‐eight carriers completed the survey with mean age of 51 years (SD ± 15.0). A majority of respondents resided in the United States of America (51%), Australia (19%), and the United Kingdom (14%). Most carriers identified with feelings of guilt (70%), concern (91%), and anxiety (88%) for their child. Female carriers who had given birth to children had significantly greater gene therapy knowledge compared to carriers who had not (p < 0.05). Respondents agreed that their eyecare provider and general practitioner helped them understand their condition (63%), however, few carriers reported receiving psychological counselling (9%) or family planning advice (5%). Most respondents (78%) agreed that gene therapy should be available to carriers. This study emphasises the importance of providing appropriate counselling to female carriers and illustrates the motivation of many to participate in emerging treatment options, such as gene therapy.
A review on sinoscopy in the horse: Traditional and minimally invasive techniques and sinoscopic treatment of paranasal disease
Authors: Bonilla Alvaro G.
Published: October 2023

Sinoscopy consists of direct visualisation of the paranasal sinuses and was first conceived for diagnostic purposes using a rigid endoscope through a skull trephination. Since then, the use and approaches to perform it have evolved thanks to current advancements in knowledge (sinus anatomy and pathology) and technology. The aim of this article is to review the techniques reported to perform traditional and minimally invasive sinoscopy and to review the current use of sinoscopy to treat paranasal sinus disease. The history of sinoscopy, as we know it today, is relatively recent, but its use among clinicians is not necessarily widespread despite the invasiveness of the traditional technique when compared to imaging techniques. This limitation could be bypassed using the newer intranasal or extranasal minimally invasive sinoscopic approaches. These techniques allowed sinoscopic visualisation through natural orifices or minimally invasively created openings. Despite the potential of these techniques, case selection is still crucial as visualisation can be limited in selected disorders (i.e. sinus cyst), some sinuses (i.e. rostral maxillary with intranasal approaches) and if haemorrhage or severe exudate accumulation is found. Nevertheless, sinoscopy offers a diagnostic rate superior to traditional imaging and it is an alternative diagnostic tool when advanced imaging techniques, such as CT, are not available. In recent years, sinoscopic treatment has been progressively replacing the use of sinusotomies to treat most sinus disorders. Sinoscopic treatment yields a high‐resolution rate while complications are kept low. Familiarisation with sinoscopic techniques and in‐depth anatomic sinus knowledge will likely make sinoscopy the gold standard technique to treat sinus disease in the near future.
Tree species diversity increases soil microbial carbon use efficiency in a subtropical forest
Authors: Duan Pengpeng , Fu Ruitong , Nottingham Andrew T. , Domeignoz‐Horta Luiz A. , Yang Xinyi , Du Hu , Wang Kelin , Li Dejun
Published: October 2023

Plant communities strongly influence soil microbial communities and, in turn, soil carbon (C) cycling. Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is an important parameter for predicting soil C accumulation, yet how plant and soil microbial community traits influence microbial CUE remains poorly understood. Here, we determined how soil microbial CUE is influenced by plant and soil microbial community traits, by studying a natural gradient of plant species diversity in a subtropical forest. Our results showed that microbial CUE increased with increasing tree species diversity, suggesting a correlation between plant community traits and soil C storage. The specific soil properties that explained the greatest variation in microbial CUE were associated with microbial communities (biomass, enzyme activities and the ratio of oligotrophic to copiotrophic taxa); there were weaker correlations with plant‐input properties, soil chemistry and soil organic C quality and its mineral protection. Overall, high microbial CUE was associated with soil properties correlated with increased tree species diversity: higher substrate availability (simple SOM chemical structures and weak mineral organic associations) and high microbial growth rates despite increased community dominance by oligotrophic strategists. Our results point to a mechanism by which increased tree species diversity may increase the forest C sink by affecting carbon use with the soil microbial community.
Serum RNase L levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Chen Chi‐Ling , Tseng Tai‐Chung , Liu Chun‐Jen , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chen Pei‐Jer , Yang Wei‐Shiung
Published: October 2023

Background/Aims

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still poses a major threat to global health. Oligoadenylate synthetase–ribonuclease L (RNase L) antiviral pathway is one of interferon‐induced antiviral effectors. The relationship between RNase L and HBV has never been investigated and we aim to examine the serum RNase L levels in patients with different stages of chronic HBV infection.

Methods

The patients were enrolled from 1985 to 2000, who had been HBsAg positive for longer than 6 months, at the National Taiwan University Hospital. In total, 426 patients with chronic HBV infection were included in this study, including 135 inactive carriers, 148 cirrhosis, and 143 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases.

Results

The RNase L levels increase as the disease severity increases. Higher RNase L levels were associated with higher HBV viral load, and the HBV‐RNase L relationship was replaced by the disease severity status when adding disease status into the model. Compared with inactive carriers, the risk of liver cirrhosis was 60‐fold (odds ratio = 60.8, 95% confidence interval = 3.49–1061) with the highest quintile of RNase L levels, after the adjustment of HBV DNA. The dose–response trend was statistically significant with quintiles and one increment of RNase L level in relation to liver cirrhosis. Similar results were found when HCC was compared with inactive carriers, while there was no association when compared between liver cirrhosis and HCC.

Conclusions

A positive relationship between serum RNase L and HBV viral titers or advanced disease status is uncovered in this study. Further investigation in this area may provide more details of an innate immune response for HBV and opportunity for novel therapeutic strategy.
Charting the evolution of research on the paradoxes in consumer choice—Systematic review and future research agenda
Authors: Sharma Arun , Sharma Manisha
Published: October 2023

The paradoxical findings in consumer choice research have captivated the interest of many scholars from diverse fields and transformed the understanding of consumer decision‐making. This paper is the first attempt to systematically review, synthesize, and integrate the paradoxical findings in consumer choice research. One of the first paradoxical findings was the violations of value maximation models of rational choice. The second important paradox in consumer choice research is the puzzling role of variety in consumer choices. We focus on these two critical paradoxes discovered in consumer choice literature over the last five decades and refer to them as the “paradox of rational choice” and the “paradox of variety.” We conducted a co‐citation cluster analysis to help identify the most significant studies in the domain. The cluster analysis helped eliminate the subjective bias in article selection. We also used inferential analysis to widen the scope of clusters to other relevant and especially recent studies. A review of 233 papers published between 1972 and 2023 reveals the four themes covering the two paradoxes of consumer choice. The first theme covers the first paradox: the paradox of rational choice. It presents research on preference reversals and other violations of value maximization rational choice models due to contextual factors and choice environment. The following three themes cover the second paradox of consumer choice: the paradox of variety. The second theme focuses on the benefits of variety and the natural desire of consumers to seek more variety. Paradoxically, the third theme highlights when and why variety will likely cause harmful psychological consequences for consumers. Finally, the last theme reconciles the opposing ideas of themes two and three by identifying the boundary conditions and suggesting ways to resolve this paradox. We also provide research directions that scholars can consider for future research related to each of these themes.
Influence of Poaceae flours on the empirical rheology, processing, quality characteristics of pizza base and digestibility studies
Authors: Padmaiah Madhushree , Kathalsar Ashwath Kumar , Chandrashekhar Soumya , Prabhasankar Pichan
Published: October 2023

The study focused on utilising the flours of the Poaceae family to replace whole wheat flour (WWF) in pizza. The millet blend (MB) was prepared using finger millet and pearl millet flours and mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The WWF was replaced with MB at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels and studied its effect on empirical rheology, technical aspects of processing, micro‐structural and nutritional characteristics of pizza base (PB). The incorporation of MB to WWF significantly diminished the water absorption capacity (80–40%) and increased the dough development time (4.27–14.37 min) and stability (2.35–11.07). Starch pasting studies indicated that with the incorporation of MB, the gelatinization temperature increased (63.6–76.3 °C), and all the other viscosity parameters decreased with the incorporation of MB. Texture profile studies showed that the hardness of the PB increased and lost visco‐elastic properties due to the presence of MB. The sensory score indicated that up to 50% incorporation of MB was acceptable, with a 7.5 (MBPB) score. The protein matrix was disrupted, and starch granules leached out due to MB addition. The results of nutritional studies revealed a significant increase in ash (2.01–2.73%), dietary fibre (9.40–11.19), protein (4.96–6.88%) and in‐vitro protein digestibility (41.77–49.80), and decrease in in‐vitro starch digestibility (28.41–17.97%) and estimated glycemic index (59–56) values in MBPB indicating the benefits of utilising millet flours in the new generation foods such as pizza bases for diversification.
Temporal dynamics of aroma compounds and precursors in dry‐fried shredded beef during culinary processing
Authors: Chen Lilan , Yuan Can , Zhang Fuyan , Qiao Mingfeng , Yi Yuwen , Wu Huachang , Zhang Jiamin
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate aroma compound transformation and precursor relation in dry‐shredded beef using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, high‐performance liquid chromatography, and electronic nose technologies. Forty‐eight aroma compounds were identified, of which twelve (pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, 3‐methylbutanal, nonanal, phenylacetaldehyde, trans‐2‐decenal, acetoin, 3‐octenol, 3‐octanol, ethyl hexanoate, and 2‐acetylthiazol) exhibited odour activity values (OAVs) >1. The concentration of fatty acids (FAs) decreased progressively, while that of 19 free amino acids (FAAs) increased with prolonged cooking. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed correlations between aroma components (OAV >1), FAAs, and FAs. Specifically, 2‐acetylthiazol, acetoin, heptanal, 3‐methylbutanal, and hexanal exhibited positive correlations, while phenylacetaldehyde and trans‐2‐decenal showed inverse correlations with most FAAs. Notably, phenylacetaldehyde positively correlated with C16:0, C18:1, n9c, and C18:2, n6c. This research presents a practical framework for the application of analytical and computational techniques in the commercial production of cooked beef and meat products.
Serum albumin levels as a useful complementary marker for erectile dysfunction in ulcerative colitis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yamamoto Yasunori , Furukawa Shinya , Miyake Teruki , Yoshida Osamu , Shiraishi Kana , Hashimoto Yu , Tange Kazuhiro , Kitahata Shogo , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Yagi Sen , Hanayama Masakazu , Suzuki Seiyuu , Shibata Naozumi , Murakami Hidehiro , Ohashi Katsuhisa , Tomida Hideomi , Takeshita Eiji , Ikeda Yoshio , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: October 2023

Objective

Recently, a close association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) was reported. An inverse relationship between serum albumin and ED is found in patients with chronic disease. However, the association between serum albumin levels and ED in patients with UC is unclear. This study aims to investigate this issue in Japanese patients with UC.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐six Japanese male UC patients were enrolled in this study. Information on serum albumin levels and medications for UC from medical records, Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score information from self‐administered questionnaires and information on the severity of UC from physician reports were obtained from medical records, self‐administered questionnaires, and reports from physicians. The participants were divided into tertiles based on the total protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and C‐reactive protein levels. The definition of ED and severe ED was SHIM score < 22 and SHIM score < 8, respectively. The association between these serum markers and ED was assessed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of severe ED in the low, moderate, and high albumin groups was 66.0%, 51.0%, and 28.3%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the low albumin group was independently and positively associated with severe ED (adjusted odds ratio: 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–7.48, p for trend =0.044). No association between other marker and ED was found.

Conclusion

Serum albumin was independently inversely associated with severe ED in Japanese patients with UC. Hypoalbuminemia might be a useful complementary marker for assessing the prevalence and severity of ED in UC patients.
Coworker networks and the labor market outcomes of displaced workers: Evidence from Portugal
Authors: Garcia‐Louzao Jose , Silva Marta
Published: October 2023

The use of social contacts in the labor market is widespread. This paper investigates the association between personal connections and hiring probabilities as well as re‐employment outcomes of displaced workers in Portugal. The hiring analysis indicates that displaced workers with a direct link to a firm through a former coworker are three times more likely to be hired compared to workers displaced from the same closing event who lack such a tie. Moreover, we show that successful displaced workers with a connection in the hiring firm have higher entry‐level wages and enjoy greater job security.
Chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers: Aetiology, on the pathophysiology‐based treatment
Authors: Krizanova Olga , Penesova Adela , Hokynkova Alica , Pokorna Andrea , Samadian Amir , Babula Petr
Published: October 2023

The chronic venous disease covers a wide spectrum of venous disorders that are characterized by severely impaired blood return that primarily affects veins in the lower extremities. Morphological and functional abnormalities of the venous system led to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and present as leg heaviness/achiness, edema, telangiectasia, and varices. The term ‘chronic venous insufficiency’ (CVI) refers to a disease of greater severity. Venous dysfunction is associated with venous hypertension and is associated with venous reflux due to poorly functioning or incompetent venous valves, which ultimately reduces venous return, leading to a cascade of morphological, physiological, and histologic abnormalities such as blood pooling, hypoxia, inflammation, swelling, skin changes (lipodermatosclerosis), and in severe cases, venous leg ulcers (VLU). This review summarizes recent knowledge about the aetiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology of VLU and compared the possibilities of their treatment.
Incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection following cervical laminoplasty: A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Wang Jinzuo , Chang Yvang , Suo Moran , Huang Huagui , Liu Xin , Li Zhonghai
Published: October 2023

There are many debates regarding the risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following posterior cervical surgery in previous studies. And, till now there is no such a study to examine cervical laminoplasty surgery. From January 2011 through October 2021, a total of 405 patients who were treated with unilateral open‐door laminoplasty surgeries were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into the SSI group and the non‐SSI group and compared their patient‐specific and procedure‐specific factors. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the risk factors. Of the 405 patients, 20 patients had SSI. The rate of SSI found to be 4.93%. There were significant differences between groups in the thicker subcutaneous fat thickness (FT) (p < 0.001), the higher ratio of subcutaneous FT to muscle thickness (MT) (p < 0.001), the higher preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Scores (p < 0.003), the decreased preoperative serum albumin (p < 0.001), the more postoperative drainage (p < 0.05) and the longer time of draining (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis of these differences showed that the higher ratio of subcutaneous FT/MT, the higher preoperative JOA scores, the decreased preoperative serum albumin and the longer time of draining were significantly related to SSI (p < 0.05). The higher ratio of subcutaneous FT/MT, the higher preoperative JOA scores, the decreased preoperative serum albumin and the longer time of draining are identified as the independent risk factors of SSI in cervical laminoplasty. Identification of these risk factors could be useful in reducing the SSI incidence and patients counselling.
Changes Induced in Antibodies by Isolation Methods
Authors: McCue JP , Sasagawa PK , Hein RH
Published: October 2023

IgG was isolated from plasma at low temperatures using the Cohn fractionation method, and then processed to three different products in order to evaluate how chemical and physical manipulations affect antibodies. Evaluation of the antibodies was done by measuring their ability to bind human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus, and rubella virus. In addition, the IgG products were compared by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and circular dichroism and ultra violet spectroscopy. It was found that exposure of purified IgG to physiological pH altered the molecular conformation of IgG and induced various degrees of irreversible loss in antibody binding to viruses. These observations indicate that more efficacious antibodies may be obtained for clinical use if isolation at their isoelectric point is avoided.
Encapsulation of interleukin‐2 in murine erythrocytes and subsequent deposition in mice receiving a subcutaneous injection
Authors: DeLoach JR , Andrews K. , Sheffield CL
Published: October 2023

Radiolabeled recombinant human interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) was successfully encapsulated in both mouse and sheep erythrocytes. Of the added IL‐2, 70% was recovered bound to or encapsulated within the carrier cells. Erythrocytes containing IL‐2 were stable in vitro and most of the IL‐2 remained associated with the cells following a 16‐h incubation at 37 degrees C. When carrier erythrocytes containing IL‐2 were injected subcutaneously into mice, intact [35S]IL‐2 was detectable in a number of tissues 3 days after injection.
Anomalous critical behavior and localized ferromagnetism of the half‐metallic double perovskite Sr2CrReO6
Authors: Liu Hao , Wang Shuhao , Yu Benwei , Ma Chunlan , Llamazares J. L. Sánchez , Wang Caixia , Zhu Yan , Yang Hao , Fan Jiyu
Published: October 2023

Double perovskites such as Sr2CrReO6 attract great scientific attention owing to their high Curie temperatures (TC ≥ 550 K) as well as large magnetoresistances. However, both the specific physical mechanism of high TC and magnetic ground state in Sr2CrReO6 remain ill‐defined. In order to clarify and understand these issues, we studied its critical phase transition characteristics using critical behavior analysis. We found that the obtained critical exponents (β = 1.115 and γ = 2.224) are quite different from any traditional universality class. The abnormal critical behavior implies that at the quantum critical point, Sr2CrReO6 exists a strong competition among several magnetic interactions. By analyzing their effective critical exponents, we show that the double perovskite Sr2CrReO6 is really an ordered and homogeneous ferromagnet. With the help of Takahashi's theory, the nature of ferromagnetism in Sr2CrReO6 is confirmed to be localized instead of itinerant. The results of this research will provide new insights into the origins of high TC as well as the magnetic ground state in this double perovskite.
A novel binding pocket in the D2 domain of protein tyrosine phosphatase mu (PTPmu) guides AI screen to identify small molecules that modulate tumour cell adhesion, growth and migration
Authors: Molyneaux Kathleen , Laggner Christian , Brady‐Kalnay Susann M.
Published: October 2023

Approximately 40% of people will get cancer in their lifetime in the US, and 20% are predicted to die from the condition when it is invasive and metastatic. Targeted screening for drugs that interact with proteins that drive cancer cell growth and migration can lead to new therapies. We screened molecular libraries with the AtomNet® AI‐based drug design tool to identify compounds predicted to interact with the cytoplasmic domain of protein tyrosine phosphatase mu. Protein tyrosine phosphatase mu (PTPmu) is proteolytically downregulated in cancers such as glioblastoma generating fragments that stimulate cell survival and migration. Aberrant nuclear localization of PTPmu intracellular fragments drives cancer progression, so we targeted a predicted drug‐binding site between the two cytoplasmic phosphatase domains we termed a D2 binding pocket. The function of the D2 domain is controversial with various proposed regulatory functions, making the D2 domain an attractive target for the development of allosteric drugs. Seventy‐five of the best‐scoring and chemically diverse computational hits predicted to interact with the D2 binding pocket were screened for effects on tumour cell motility and growth in 3D culture as well as in a direct assay for PTPmu‐dependent adhesion. We identified two high‐priority hits that inhibited the migration and glioma cell sphere formation of multiple glioma tumour cell lines as well as aggregation. We also identified one activator of PTPmu‐dependent aggregation, which was able to stimulate cell migration. We propose that the PTPmu D2 binding pocket represents a novel regulatory site and that inhibitors targeting this region may have therapeutic potential for treating cancer.
The operational paradigm in psychiatry: How valid is it?
Authors: Telles‐Correia Diogo
Published: October 2023

Background

One of the criticisms of the operational/diagnostic criteria, generalised since DSM‐III, has been that they were shaped solely to achieve the best inter‐peer reliability with no considerations for validity. This does not fully reflect reality since throughout the development of the criteria, there was an effort to define and fulfil some validity requirements. However, despite several attempts to create alternative diagnostic systems, there is still a widespread misunderstanding of the epistemological foundations that support this paradigm.

Methods

In this article, we intend to analyse the epistemological context in which the operational criteria (OC) emerged and some of the validation processes they have undergone since their conception.

Results

On the epistemological basis of these operational criteria (OC) the influence of Hempel has been widely discussed. However, the group from St. Louis and, also the DSM‐III editors, never openly acknowledged his role and his contribution and revealed other influences such as other medical specialties (that used and validated several OC in the diagnosis of their diseases). On the other hand, contrary to what has often been mentioned there has been a continuous attempt to validate the OC since their conception. In the implementation and development of the operational paradigm, a more instrumental trend was followed, focused on utility, but with successive attempts to achieve realistic validity by searching for biological or psychological causality. The methodologies were initially expert‐driven and gradually more data‐driven and included some variables external to the construct itself, such as familial aggregation, diagnostic consistency over time, prognostic and other psychometric measures.
Sleep in people with and without intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Browne E. G. , King J. R. , Surtees A. D. R.
Published: October 2023

Background

Sleep problems are regularly reported in people with intellectual disabilities. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in studies comparing sleep in people with intellectual disabilities to control participants, with an increase in the use of validated, objective measures. Emerging patterns of differences in sleep time and sleep quality warrant pooled investigation.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across three databases (Ovid Embase, PsycInfo and Medline) and returned all papers comparing sleep in people with intellectual disabilities to a control group, published since the last meta‐analysis on the topic. A quality framework was employed to rate the risk of bias across studies. Separate meta‐analyses of sleep duration and sleep quality were conducted. Subgrouping compared findings for those studies with participants with genetic syndromes or neurodevelopmental conditions and those with heterogeneous intellectual disability.

Results

Thirteen new papers were identified and combined with those from the previous meta‐analysis to provide 34 papers in total. Quality of studies was generally rated highly, though sampling provided risk of bias and adaptive functioning was rarely measured. People with intellectual disability associated with genetic syndromes or neurodevelopmental conditions sleep for shorter time periods (standardised mean difference = .26) and experience worse sleep quality (standardised mean difference = .68) than their peers. People with intellectual disability of heterogeneous origin show no difference in sleep time but have poorer sleep quality. There was some evidence that age moderated these effects.

Conclusions

People with intellectual disability have poorer sleep than those without. Subtle patterns suggest that aetiology of intellectual disability moderates the topography of these difficulties, with further work needed to differentiate common and distinct mechanisms across groups.
Constraints on the Palaeoproterozoic tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, NW Scotland: Implications for Nuna assembly
Authors: Volante Silvia , Dziggel Annika , Walters Jesse B. , Evans Noreen J. , Herbst Maximilian , Roper Richard Albert
Published: October 2023

Despite extensive investigation, the tectono‐thermal evolution of the Archean crust in the Lewisian Gneiss Complex in NW Scotland (LGC) is debated. Most U–Pb zircon geochronological and metamorphic studies have focused on rocks from the central region of the mainland LGC, where granulite facies assemblages associated with the oldest (Badcallian) tectono‐metamorphic event at c. 2.75 Ga are overprinted by younger amphibolite facies assemblages related to the Inverian (c. 2.5 Ga) and subsequent Laxfordian (c. 1.9–1.65 Ga) tectono‐thermal events. In the southern and northern regions of the mainland LGC, deformation and metamorphism associated with the Laxfordian event are pervasive, although the timing and conditions are poorly constrained. Here, we present new field, petrographic and structural data, U–Pb zircon and titanite geochronology and phase equilibrium modelling of amphibolite samples from the northern and southern regions. Our field observations show that in both regions, pre‐Laxfordian structures are significantly reworked by steep NW‐striking fabrics that are themselves pervasively overprinted by co‐axial deformation and amphibolite facies metamorphism related to the Laxfordian event. In situ U–Pb titanite geochronology yields Laxfordian ages of 1853 ± 20 Ma in the southern region (P = 6–8 kbar and T = 640–690°C) and 1750 ± 20 Ma and 1776 ± 10 Ma in the northern region (P = 6–7.5 kbar and T = 740–760°C). While U–Pb dating of zircon rims from felsic gneisses in the central region shows a dominant Inverian metamorphic overprint at c. 2500 Ma, zircon rims in felsic gneisses from the northern and southern regions commonly yield Laxfordian dates as young as c. 1800 Ma. Combined, the results support the idea that, during the Palaeoproterozoic, the central region of the LGC acted as low‐strain domain, in which intense deformation and metamorphism were restricted to crustal‐scale shear zones. By contrast, in the southern and northern regions, early (c. 1.85 Ga) and late (c. 1.75 Ga) Laxfordian deformation and fluid‐mediated metamorphism were much more pervasive and at higher P–T conditions than previously proposed. The diachronous Laxfordian evolution of the southern and northern regions indicate that they reflect early and late snapshots of collisional to transpressional tectonics in the mainland LGC. The long‐lasting Laxfordian evolution documents the collision of the Rae and North Atlantic cratons during the Palaeoproterozoic amalgamation of the supercontinent Nuna, with implications for the palaeogeographic configuration of NW Scotland during Palaeoproterozoic Nuna.
They also served: Nurses, the great war, and children's picture books
Authors: Millward Allison , Kerby Martin , Dewhirst Catherine , Baguley Margaret
Published: October 2023

British and Australian children's books about the Great War remain a steadfastly conservative example of popular culture, particularly when exploring war time nursing. The marginalized place of females in children's literature, the failure of the official histories to adequately acknowledge the unique experience of the nurses, and the popular focus on the battlefield have discouraged any sustained focus. This article will analyze how Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey (Peace Lily), Kate Simpson and Jess Racklyeft (Anzac Girl: The War Diaries of Alice Ross‐King), and Mark Wilson (Rachel's War: The Story of an Australian WWI Nurse) have responded to this challenge.
Differentiation of stable kidney function versus progressive dysfunction in dogs
Authors: Cowgill Larry D. , Segev Gilad , Vaden Shelly , Ross Sheri , Dufayet Cedric , Cohn Leah A. , Nabity Mary , Farace Giosi , Szlosek Donald , Ouyang Zenhwa , Peterson Sarah , Beall Melissa , Yerramilli Murthy , Polzin David
Published: October 2023

Background

Circulating creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are biomarkers of kidney function that have been used variously to define stable vs progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Slope monitoring of inverse biomarker values (creatinine−1 or SDMA−1) has shown promise, but quantitative criteria to distinguish stable vs progressive CKD using this approach are lacking.

Objective

Assessment of creatinine−1 and SDMA−1 slope cutoffs to distinguish stable vs progressive CKD.

Animals

One hundred ten clinically healthy university staff‐owned dogs and 29 male colony dogs with progressive X‐linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN).

Methods

Retrospective analysis combining 2 prospective observational studies, 1 tracking kidney function biomarkers in healthy dogs (HDs) to a maximum of 3 years, and 1 tracking kidney function biomarkers in male colony dogs with progressive XLHN to a maximum of 1 year. The minimum slope of creatinine−1 or SDMA−1 as measured using the IDEXX SDMA test from HD was assigned as the slope cutoff for stable kidney function.

Results

The stable vs progressive slope cutoff was −0.0119 week × dL/mg for creatinine−1 and −0.0007 week × dL/μg for SDMA−1.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In the studied CKD population, progressive dysfunction can be distinguished from stable kidney function by using the slope of creatinine−1 or SDMA−1. These criteria may serve to characterize CKD in other cohorts of dogs and to establish guidelines for degrees of progression rate in dogs with naturally occurring CKD.
Labour market dynamics and youth unemployment in the Middle East and North Africa: Evidence from Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia
Authors: Assaad Ragui , Krafft Caroline
Published: October 2023

Although it is well‐established in the literature that unemployment is a labour market insertion problem in the Middle East and North Africa, the dynamics driving unemployment remain poorly understood. Using data from the Labor Market Panel Surveys in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, we offer insights into youth unemployment by studying flows into and out of unemployment. Female youth and Tunisian youth of both genders are particularly likely to experience long periods of unemployment. Educated youth from higher socioeconomic status backgrounds are more likely to experience unemployment, but there is not a strong relationship between background and unemployment duration.
Evaluation of Eazyplex® LAMP test for fast Candida auris direct detection of colonized patients
Authors: Hernández Felices Francisco Javier , Tormo Palop Nuria , Salvador García Carme , Mulet Bayona Juan Vicente , Guna Serrano M. Remedio , Gimeno Cardona Concepción
Published: October 2023

Candida auris is a multidrug‐resistant pathogen yeast that produces nosocomial outbreaks, due to its ability in colonizing the skin, mucous membranes and surfaces. Rapid diagnosis is essential to control its spread. The aim of this study was to compare the Eazyplex® Candida auris kit (AmplexDiagnostics GmbH) for the rapid identification of patients colonized with C. auris, with the reference method used in our institution (culture and identification by MALDI‐TOF). This easy‐to‐perform test allows obtaining a fast result, in ~30 min. First, we achieved a preliminary study from previously characterized Candida species colonies obtained from 51 clinical samples, with 100% agreement between culture isolation and the Eazyplex® Candida auris LAMP. Second, 152 epidemiological surveillance samples (pharyngeal and axillary‐rectal swabs) were tested retrospectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 91.8%, 98.8%, 98.2% and 94.5%, respectively. Eazyplex® Candida auris showed acceptable results compared with culture in detecting C. auris from surveillance samples with the advantage of single‐test and shorter time for handling and result than culture, in addition to its great specificity, positive and negative predictive values.
Current status and future directions of liver transplantation for metabolic liver disease in children
Authors: Eldredge Jessica A. , Hardikar Winita
Published: October 2023

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the care of children with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) is well established and represent the second most common indication for pediatric liver transplantation in most centers worldwide, behind biliary atresia. OLT offers cure of disease when a metabolic defect is confined to the liver, but may still be transformative on a patient's quality of life reducing the chance of metabolic crises causing neurological damage in children be with extrahepatic involvement and no “functional cure.” Outcomes post‐OLT for inborn errors of metabolism are generally excellent. However, this benefit must be balanced with consideration of a composite risk of morbidity, and commitment to a lifetime of post‐transplant chronic disease management. An increasing number of transplant referrals for children with IEM has contributed to strain on graft access in many parts of the world. Pragmatic evaluation of IEM referrals is essential, particularly pertinent in cases where progression of extra‐hepatic disease is anticipated, with long‐term outcome expected to be poor. Decision to proceed with liver transplantation is highly individualized based on the child's dynamic risk‐benefit profile, their family unit, and their treating multidisciplinary team. Also to be considered is the chance of future treatments, such as gene therapies, emerging in the medium term.
Response of exogenous melatonin on transcription and metabolism of soybean under drought stress
Authors: Cao Liang , Zou Jingnan , Qin Bin , Bei Shijun , Ma Weiran , Yan Bowei , Jin Xijun , Zhang Yuxian
Published: October 2023

Amino acid metabolism is an important factor in regulating nitrogen source assimilation and source/sink transport in soybean. Melatonin can improve plant stress resistance, but whether it affects amino acid metabolism is not known. Therefore, this study investigated whether exogenous melatonin had an effect on amino acid metabolism of soybean under drought conditions and explored its relationship with yield. The treatments were normal water supply treatment (WW), drought stress treatment (D), drought stress and melatonin treatment group (D + M), sprayed with 100 μmol/L melatonin. The effects of melatonin on amino acid metabolism and grain filling were studied by physiological and omics experiments using Kangxian 9 (drought‐sensitive variety) and Suinong 26 (drought‐resistant variety) soybean cultivars. The results showed that drought stress decreased the activity of carbon and nitrogen metabolizing enzymes, which inhibited the accumulation of dry matter and protein, and decreased the yield. In the drought‐sensitive soybean variety, glycoenzymes and amino acid synthetases synthetic genes were upregulated in melatonin‐treated soybeans, hence carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzyme activity increased, increasing the carbohydrate and amino acid contents simultaneously. This resulted in higher dry matter and yield than drought‐stressed soybean not treated with melatonin. In the drought‐resistant variety, the grain weight per plant increased by 7.98% and 6.57% in 2020 and 2021, respectively, while it increased by 23.20% and 14.07% in the drought‐sensitive variety during the respective years. In conclusion, melatonin treatment can enhance the activity of nitrogen and carbon metabolism and amino acid content by upregulating the expression of soybean metabolic pathway and related genes, thus increasing the yield of soybean under drought stress.
It's about time! Temporal dynamics and longitudinal research designs in public administration
Authors: Murdoch Zuzana , MacCarthaigh Muiris , Geys Benny
Published: October 2023

Many of the fundamental research questions in public administration relate to individual‐ or organization‐level temporal dynamics, including the impact of public sector reforms, (in)stability of public policies and organizations, development of public service motivation, or the workplace socialization of public employees. However, theoretical, methodological, and empirical public administration scholarship continues to take time and temporal dynamics insufficiently seriously. This constitutes a major shortcoming within the profession and implies that we are yet to unlock the transformative potential of longitudinal research. Building on the recent development of novel research infrastructures that can support the study of temporal dynamics of—and within—public organizations, this Symposium pushes for a “longitudinal turn” in the study of public administration. We maintain that more concerted efforts to apply a temporal lens to our research endeavors are critical to theorize, empirically assess, and understand public administrations as well as the bureaucrats employed within them.
Life satisfaction and unemployment—The role of gender attitudes and work identity
Authors: Longhi Simonetta , Nandi Alita , Bryan Mark , Connolly Sara , Gedikli Cigdem
Published: October 2023

Unemployment has a strong negative effect on subjective well‐being, but the effect varies across groups. Using an event study approach, we explore the sources of heterogeneity in the effect of the transition into unemployment on life satisfaction, focusing on work identity and gender role attitudes. All experience a loss of life satisfaction when they become unemployed, but we find greater heterogeneity of experience among men: the losses in life satisfaction are greater if they hold egalitarian rather than traditional gender role attitudes, and if they have strong rather than weak work identity. Among women, those holding traditional gender role attitudes experience larger losses. We discuss possible reasons for these results.
Influence of different midsole foam in advanced footwear technology use on running economy and biomechanics in trained runners
Authors: Rodrigo‐Carranza Víctor , Hoogkamer Wouter , González‐Ravé José María , Horta‐Muñoz Sergio , Serna‐Moreno María del Carmen , Romero‐Gutierrez Ana , González‐Mohíno Fernando
Published: October 2023

Background

Ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyether block amide (PEBA) are recently the most widely used materials for advanced footwear technology (AFT) that has been shown to improve running economy (RE). This study investigated the effects of these midsole materials on RE and biomechanics, in both fresh and worn state (after 450 km).

Methods

Twenty‐two male trained runners participated in this study. Subjects ran four 4‐min trials at 13 km‧h−1 with both fresh EVA and PEBA AFT and with the same models with 450 km of wear using a randomized crossover experimental design. We measured energy cost of running (W/kg), spatiotemporal, and neuromuscular parameters.

Results

There were significant differences in RE between conditions (p = 0.01; n2 = 0.17).

There was a significant increase in energy cost in the worn PEBA condition compared with new (15.21 ± 1.01 and 14.87 ± 0.99 W/kg; p < 0.05; ES = 0.54), without differences between worn EVA (15.13 ± 1.14 W/kg; p > 0.05), and new EVA (15.15 ± 1.13 w/kg; ES = 0.02). The increase in energy cost between new and worn was significantly higher for the PEBA shoes (0.32 ± 0.38 W/kg) but without significant increase for the EVA shoes (0.06 ± 0.58 W/kg) (p < 0.01; ES = 0.51) with changes in step frequency and step length. The new PEBA shoes had lower energy cost than the new EVA shoes (p < 0.05; ES = 0.27) with significant differences between conditions in contact time.

Conclusion

There is a clear RE advantage of incorporating PEBA versus EVA in an AFT when the models are new. However, after 450 km of use, the PEBA and EVA shoes had similar RE.
NEW MODEL OF ECO-FRIENDLY HYBRID DEEP BEAMS WITH WASTES OF CRUSHED CONCRETE
Authors: Mohammed Shakir Qasim , Alghazali Asmaa Farooq
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a new model of hybrid sustainable deep beams that include crushed coarse aggregates (RCA) in place of natural aggregates. RCA was in three replacement ratios: 0%, 50%, and 100%. Six specimens of deep beams have been tested experimentally under static loads and were divided into two groups: the first group contains three specimens made with conventional hybrid deep beam models with a top layer of normal strength concrete including steel fibers (SFC) and a bottom layer of RCA with the three replacement ratios. In addition, the second group contains three specimens made with the proposed arched hybrid model SFRC within the arch region and RCA in other regions of the beam. Results revealed that when adopting the proposed model rather than the conventional hybrid model, the capacity improved by 13.5%, 19.7%, and 19.1% for the three replacement ratios, respectively. While the flexural toughness improved by 25.2%, 51.1%, and 62.1%, respectively. Moreover, results showed that for the conventional model, the mode of failure changed from flexure to diagonal with increasing RCA content. Whereas for the proposed model, the mode was kept to a flexural trend regardless of the RCA content in the bottom layer. The suggested arrangement of hybridization may be utilized to produce sustainable precast deep beams that minimize the impact of the waste of construction materials on the environment.