bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of the linked color imaging classification for endoscopic prediction of colorectal polyp histology
Authors: Min Min , Ning Shou Bin , Hu Duan Min , Hayashi Yoshikazu , Liu Yan
Published: July 2022

Objective

Linked color imaging (LCI) is a recently developed technique that emphasizes differences in mucosal color. In this study we aimed to develop a LCI classification based on the Narrow‐band Imaging International Colorectal Endoscopic Classification for predicting colorectal polyp histology and evaluate the validity and performance of the endoscopists in differentiating hyperplastic polyps from adenomas using the LCI classification.

Methods

A workshop involving six international experts from China and Japan with substantial experience with LCI developed the classification. Three experienced and seven less‐experienced endoscopists used the LCI images to predict the histology of polyps independently, recording their degrees of confidence in these predictions before and after completing the training test for the LCI classification.

Results

Of the 50 polyps included, 30 (60.0%) were adenomas. Overall diagnostic accuracy before training was 75.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.4%–79.1%), which increased to 85.2% (95% CI 81.8%–88.2%) after training. After training, the experienced and less‐experienced endoscopists achieved an overall accuracy of 87.3% and 84.3% for the prediction of polyp histology. Polyp prediction using the color criterion alone had the highest specificity and positive predictive value, whereas the vessel criterion achieved the highest accuracy and negative predictive value among all three individual LCI criteria. After training, both the experienced and less‐experienced endoscopists had high degrees of interobserver agreement.

Conclusions

We developed and validated the first LCI classification for endoscopic differentiation of adenomas and hyperplastic polyps. The LCI classification significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of colorectal polyps.
Effect of Restoration on Plant Greenness and Water Use in Relation to Drought in the Riparian Corridor of the Colorado River Delta
Authors: Nagler Pamela , Sall Ibrahima , Barreto‐Muñoz Armando , Gómez‐Sapiens Martha , Nouri Hamideh , Chavoshi Borujeni Sattar , Didan Kamel
Published: July 2022

Revitalization of the Colorado River delta riparian corridor and increasing riparian plant greenness and water use may be accomplished by added water and restoration efforts to offset declines measured since 2000 by Landsat. We use the two‐band Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI2; a proxy for greenness) and evapotranspiration (ET, mm/day) using EVI2 and potential ET(ETo) from Yuma Valley. We assess if restoration with only 7.5% landcover had an impact on the unrestored reach‐level landcover by measuring these two metrics, EVI2 and ET(EVI2) by comparing restored and unrestored areas. A key finding is that over 21‐years EVI2 in the unrestored corridor decreased by 23.6% and ET(EVI2) decreased by 32% (0.87 mm/day). Since 2011, the unrestored reaches lost EVI2 (11%) and −0.73 mm/day ET(EVI2) (28%), but restored sites increased in EVI2 (36%) and 0.58 mm/day ET(EVI2) (20%). Water delivered to restored sites increased EVI2 by 33.6% and 1.29 mm/day ET(EVI2) (58%). EVI2 and ET(EVI2) as a function of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index for drought periods highlight that restored and unrestored sites respond differently. Unrestored reaches are in decline; restored sites show increases in EVI2 and ET(EVI2). Restored sites do not have a significant impact on unrestored adjacent area, but smaller surface flows, a greater reliance on directed agricultural return flows, and deliveries of water to active restoration sites have revitalized habitat and increased ecosystem services in the delta.
How does mandatory CSR reporting affect supply chain? A new perspective from suppliers
Authors: Zhong Qinlin , Jiang Fuxiu , Li Dan , Yuan Chun
Published: July 2022

Exploiting a quasi‐natural experiment which mandates a subset of Chinese listed firms to report corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, this paper examines how mandatory CSR disclosure affects suppliers' willingness to extend trade credit. We document that mandatory CSR disclosure firms suffer a significant shrinking in the volume of trade credit, which is driven by the supply side instead of the demand side. Further mechanism analyses reveal that both financial condition deterioration and interest conflicts contribute to adverse policy effects. These two factors negatively impact the credit quality of mandatory firms and then weaken credit quality after the mandate subsequently undermines suppliers' willingness to lend. Additionally, the negative association between mandatory CSR disclosure and trade credit is mainly concentrated on highly policy‐exposed corporates, that is, state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and high‐polluting firms. Our work innovatively evaluates CSR effects from the perspective of suppliers, which provides a new insight into CSR management along the supply chain for academics and practitioners.
Intermediate fragmentation surrounding vineyards favours the Coleoptera community within the crop
Authors: Taranto Luisa , Rodrigues Isabel , Santos Sónia , Villa María , Pereira José Alberto
Published: July 2022

Insects of the order Coleoptera play an essential role in agricultural sustainability by supporting many ecosystem services (such as biological control, nutrient cycling or pollination). In agroecosystems, the Coleoptera community may be influenced by the surrounding landscape, which can provide living resources, like food or shelter, during different seasons, originating spillover movements between different environments.

The present study aimed to evaluate the response of the Coleoptera community to the landscape surrounding vineyards at different buffers. For that, Coleoptera were sampled in six wine protected designation of origin (PDO) regions of Portugal (35 vineyards), and landscape configuration and composition metrics were calculated at buffers of 500, 750, 1000, 1500 and 2000 m radii around the vineyards.

In total, 2954 Coleoptera individuals belonging to 36 families were collected. The most abundant families were Chrysomelidae, Coccinellidae and Latridiidae. Results indicated that intermediate habitat fragmentation levels, particularly in semi‐natural areas and vineyards, favoured Coleoptera biodiversity in vine‐producing regions. Moreover, the range of activity of Coleoptera seems to be larger than 1000 m.

This work constitutes an important contribution to understanding the response of the Coleoptera community to the landscape context in vineyards in Portugal and contributes to the theoretical framework about the influence of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity.
Prognostic significance of the preoperative lymphocyte to C‐reactive protein ratio in patients with stage III colorectal cancer
Authors: Eren Tunc
Published: July 2022

Background

Stage III colorectal cancer (CRC), which accounts for approximately one third of all CRC cases, is associated with worsened prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare the preoperatively measured systemic inflammatory markers and to define the most significant marker in terms of its prognostic value in stage III CRC.

Methods

Surgically treated stage III CRC patients were included. Demographics, preoperatively measured Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/C‐reactive protein ratio (LCR) and C‐reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) values, clinicopathological features, surgical, oncological and survival outcomes were recorded and statistically analysed.

Results

The study group of 102 patients consisted of 65 (63.7%) men and 37 (36.3%) women with a median age of 64 (range: 26–89). The mean follow‐up period was 42.8 ± 30.5 (range: 6–107) months. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) rates were 71.6%, and 67.7%, respectively. Elevated CRP, GPS 2, LCR ≤ 0.530, CAR ≥ 0.080, higher numbers of metastatic lymph nodes and N2b nodal status were detected to impair DFS (P = 0.001, P = 0.015, P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.001 and P = 0.043, respectively). Variables including GPS 2, PLR≥190.83, CAR≥0.045, LCR≤0.684, surgical site infection and longer hospital stay decreased OS (P = 0.004, P = 0.002, P = 0.005, P = 0.001, P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). According to multivariate analysis; PLR ≥ 190.83 was associated with three times [HR: 2.892 (95% CI: 1.100–7.602), P = 0.031], and LCR ≤ 0.684 was associated with four times [HR: 3.919 (95% CI: 1.130–13.592), P = 0.031] greater risk of cancer‐related mortality.

Conclusion

As an independent prognostic factor, LCR had the highest impact on predicting survival after curative resection for stage III CRC.
Investigating the effect of optimal cytoreduction in the context of platinum sensitivity in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Cardillo Nicholas , Devor Eric , Calma Christian , Pedra Nobre Silvana , Gabrilovich Sofia , Bender David P. , Goodheart Michael , Gonzalez‐Bosquet Jesus
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The survival benefits of surgical cytoreduction in ovarian cancer are well‐established. However, the surgical outcome has never been assessed while controlling for the efficacy of chemotherapy. This leaves the possibility that cytoreduction may not be beneficial for patients whose cancer does not respond well to adjuvant treatment. We sought to answer whether surgical cytoreduction independently improves overall survival when controlling for chemotherapy outcome.

Material and Methods

We performed a retrospective case–control study using our institution's ovarian cancer database to evaluate the effect of optimal cytoreduction on advanced stage, high‐grade serous ovarian cancer. Patients' characteristics were compared using both univariate and multivariate regression modeling to assess for independent predictors of overall survival.

Results

A total of 470 patients were assessed for inclusion; 234 responders to chemotherapy and 98 nonresponders. Significant survival characteristics were identified and included in the multivariate analysis. Independent predictors of survival in the multivariate analysis were age, responder status, optimal cytoreduction, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and number of chemotherapy cycles. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed improved survival for both patients who responded to chemotherapy and for those undergoing optimal cytoreduction (p < 0.001). We also demonstrated improved survival for patients receiving optimal cytoreduction among both nonresponders and responders (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our analysis shows that patients who undergo optimal cytoreduction have an overall survival benefit regardless of their response to chemotherapy. Therefore, cytoreduction should be considered in all patients, even in those with advanced disease, if an optimal result can be achieved. This study was underpowered to assess patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a separate subgroup, but the order of treatment was controlled for in the overall analysis.
Opium trade and use during the Late Bronze Age: Organic residue analysis of ceramic vessels from the burials of Tel Yehud, Israel
Authors: Linares Vanessa , Jakoel Eriola , Be’eri Ron , Lipschits Oded , Neumann Ronny , Gadot Yuval
Published: July 2022

Organic residue analysis was conducted on various vessels from burials at Tel Yehud, Israel. The analyses led to new reliable evidence for the presence of opioid alkaloids and their decomposition products. This research revitalizes a decades‐old discussion on the presence and function of the opium trade across a cultural region of utmost significance in the Ancient Near East and the use and role of Base‐Ring juglets during the Late Bronze Age IIA (14th century bce). Furthermore, it was found that opium storage was not limited to Base‐Ring juglets. Opium was possibly diluted into storage jars and juglets, signifying the importance of opium utilization at a larger scale during this period.
Patient reporting of sexual adverse events on an online platform for medication experiences
Authors: Gordijn Rineke , Wessels Wendela , Kriek Esther , Nicolai Melianthe P. J. , Elzevier Henk W. , Visser Loes , Guchelaar Henk‐Jan , Teichert Martina
Published: July 2022

Aims

For >300 drugs, sexual side effects are included in the drug information leaflet. As sexual adverse events (sAEs) may be more easily shared at online medication platforms, patient‐reported drug experiences may add to the current knowledge on sAE experiences. This study evaluated patient reports from the online platform mijnmedicijn.nl for the frequency of sAE reporting, sex differences concerning sAEs and to assess drugs with disproportional sAE reporting.

Methods

On the online platform, terms for sAEs as used by patients were collected with a poll. Subsequently, drug reports posted between 2008 and 2020 were searched for sAEs with the identified terms. From the retrieved reports, the sAE frequencies and complaints and reporting odds ratios (ROR) were calculated, stratified for sex and drug (class). sAE reporting was considered disproportional frequent if the lower 95% confidence interval bound of the ROR >2.0.

Results

For 189 drugs, sAEs were identified in 2408 reports (3.9%). Women posted 1383 reports (3.5% of all female reports) and men 1025 (4.7%). Almost half of the sAE reports addressed antidepressants: 586 reports of women (ROR 4.2; 95%CI 3.8–4.7) and 510 reports of men (ROR 7.5; 95%CI 6.6–8.5). Disproportional high numbers of sAE reports were found for 27 drugs, mostly antidepressants, hormonal contraceptives and drugs used in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Of these drugs with frequent sAEs, 7 had low sAE risks in their professional drug information.

Conclusion

One in 25 drug reports on mijnmedicijn.nl included sAEs. The sAEs were reported frequently for antidepressants, contraceptives and drugs used in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Telehealth delivery of paediatric rehabilitation for children with neurodisability: A mixed methods realist evaluation of contexts, mechanisms and outcomes
Authors: Graham Fiona , Williman Jonathan , Sutherland Lena , Wijninckx Morgan
Published: July 2022

Background

Teledelivery of rehabilitation services has been proposed as a cost‐effective option for supporting children with neurodisability and their families. However, little is understood of the conditions that support uptake of telehealth in paediatric rehabilitation, what is delivered during telehealth or perceptions of its outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the context, process and outcomes of telehealth for children with neurodisability and their families. A secondary objective was to identify if variations in these aspects of telehealth occurred for Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.

Method

A mixed‐methods, three phase, realist evaluation identified context‐mechanism‐outcome configurations (CMOcs) of telehealth. In Phase 1, the Determinants of Implementation Behaviour Questionnaire indicated factors affecting practitioner uptake of telehealth (Context). In Phase 2, a casenote audit identified ‘practitioner input’ during telehealth (Mechanism). Phase 3 interviews with practitioners and parents explored ‘parent response’ to telehealth and practitioner and parent perceptions of its value (Mechanism and Outcomes). Subgroup analyses for Māori were planned.

Results

From Phase 1, practitioners (29/37, 78%) intended to use telehealth; however, few did so regularly (7/37, 22%). Positive experiences of telehealth were described by all practitioners (n = 5) and families (n = 7) in Phase 3. CMOcs explained that practitioners' offering of telehealth occurred when practitioners were confident, valued access to therapy over the familiarity of in‐person delivery, and when practitioners used coaching‐style communication. Parents were receptive to telehealth when they trusted practitioners, felt listened to and were offered telehealth as a choice. When telehealth occurred, access to therapy was timely and more consistent than in‐person delivery. Child outcomes appeared to be positive. Confidence in offering telehealth to Māori was low.

Conclusions

Initiatives to improve uptake of telehealth in paediatric rehabilitation should focus on creating conditions for practitioner implementation. Training in telehealth should include engagement with Māori. Adequate workspace and workplace culture change are required if telehealth is to be offered beyond the current ‘early adopters’.
The impact of monoclonal antibody drugs on healthcare economics in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: Ohashi Takashi
Published: July 2022

The launch of highly efficacious monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs has profoundly changed the therapeutic strategy for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). However, the newly developed mAb drugs, especially those used in treating NMOSD, are quite expensive, resulting in a significant medical and economic burden. Early use of these drugs is expected to reduce the frequency of relapse and the accumulation of disability, preserve the quality of life of patients, and improve their life expectancy. In selecting therapeutic drugs, it is necessary not only to consider the efficacy and safety of the drugs, but also to consider the cost‐effectiveness of each drug for each patient, considering the economic aspects of health care. However, the cost‐effectiveness of mAb drugs in treating multiple sclerosis and NMOSD has not been fully verified. Japan is rapidly emerging as a hyper‐aged society, unlike any other in the world, and the rising cost of medical care is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed and resolved. Out‐of‐pocket expenses of individual patients are not a major issue in Japan as medical, costs for multiple sclerosis and NMOSD are subsidized by public medical insurance; however, the judicious use of mAb drugs is required to ensure cost‐effectiveness.
Chest three‐dimensional‐computed tomography imaging data analysis for the variation of exercise capacity after lung lobectomy
Authors: Ozeki Naoki , Iwano Shingo , Nakamura Shota , Kawaguchi Koji , Mizuno Yota , Inoue Takayuki , Nagaya Motoki , Chen‐Yoshikawa Toyofumi Fengshi
Published: July 2022

Background

Postoperative loss of exercise capacity and pulmonary function is a major concern among lung cancer patients. In this study, the time for a stair‐climbing to 12‐m height was used to investigate whether preoperative chest 3D‐computed tomography (CT) could be a useful tool for predicting postoperative variations in exercise capacity and pulmonary function.

Methods

Seventy‐eight patients undergoing lobectomy for suspected stage I lung cancer were prospectively enroled. Preoperatively, lobe volume and low attenuation volume (LAV) were evaluated using the SYNAPSE VINCENT system. Preoperative data on stair‐climbing time, spirometry and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at baseline and 6‐month postoperative data were used to evaluate variations in exercise capacity and pulmonary function. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2t) was evaluated based on the stair‐climbing time.

Results

Significant differences in the variation of exercise capacity at 6 months postoperatively were found between the groups categorized by target lobe volume and LAV status: The large volume/LAV (+) group had a greater decline in VO2t. Mean loss of VO2t was −6.2%, −1.4%, −1.6% and −0.1% in the large volume/LAV (+), large volume/LAV (−), small volume/LAV (+) and small volume/LAV (−) groups, respectively. The large volume/LAV (−) group had a greater decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. The small volume/LAV (+) group showed a reduced decline in the DLCO.

Conclusions

Analysis of chest 3D‐CT scans is a potential tool for predicting the loss of exercise capacity and pulmonary function after lung lobectomy.
Correcting for subcutaneous fat: Does it improve the correlation between vastus lateralis echo intensity and physical performance in older women?
Authors: Palmer Ty B. , Farrow Ahalee C.
Published: July 2022

Numerous studies have corrected the echo intensity of the vastus lateralis for subcutaneous fat thickness. However, it is unclear if correction for subcutaneous fat improves the correlation between vastus lateralis echo intensity and physical performance. We aimed to examine the correlations between vastus lateralis muscle morphology parameters and physical performance outcomes in older women. Twenty healthy older women (67 ± 4 years) participated in this study. Muscle cross‐sectional area, raw and corrected echo intensity and subcutaneous fat thickness were determined from ultrasound scans of the vastus lateralis. Physical performance was assessed from timed up‐and‐go and 6 min walk tests. Raw echo intensity was significantly related to timed up‐and‐go scores (r = 0.552, p = 0.012) and 6 min walk distance (r = −0.462, p = 0.040), whereas corrected echo intensity was not significantly associated with these performances (r = 0.433, p = 0.056 and r = −0.373, p = 0.105). There was a nonsignificant correlation between raw echo intensity and subcutaneous fat thickness (r = 0.353, p = 0.126). There were also nonsignificant correlations between muscle cross‐sectional area and timed up‐and‐go scores (r = −0.189, p = 0.426) and 6 min walk distance (r = 0.298, p = 0.201). The results of our study showed that raw echo intensity correlated better than corrected echo intensity with physical performance. These findings question the need to correct the echo intensity of the vastus lateralis for subcutaneous fat thickness in older adults.
Assessing the conservation priority of freshwater lake sites based on taxonomic, functional and environmental uniqueness
Authors: Heino Jani , García Girón Jorge , Hämäläinen Heikki , Hellsten Seppo , Ilmonen Jari , Karjalainen Juha , Mäkinen Teemu , Nyholm Kristiina , Ropponen Janne , Takolander Antti , Tolonen Kimmo T.
Published: July 2022

Aim

We propose a novel approach that considers taxonomic uniqueness, functional uniqueness and environmental uniqueness and show how it can be used in guiding conservation planning. We illustrate the approach using data for lake biota and environment.

Location

Lake Puruvesi, Finland.

Methods

We sampled macrophytes and macroinvertebrates from the same 18 littoral sites. By adapting the original “ecological uniqueness” approach, we used distance‐based methods to calculate measures of taxonomic (LCBD–t), functional (LCBD–f) and environmental (LCEH) uniqueness for each site. We also considered the numbers and locations of the sites needed to protect up to 70% of total variation in taxonomic, functional or environmental features in the studied part of the lake.

Results

Relationships between taxonomic (LCBD–t), functional (LCBD–f) and environmental (LCEH) uniqueness were generally weak, and only the relationship between macrophyte LCBD–t and LCBD–f was statistically significant. Overall, however, if the whole biotic dataset was considered, macroinvertebrate LCBD–f values showed a consistent positive relationship with macrophyte LCBD–f. Depending on the measure of site uniqueness, between one‐third to one half of the sites could help protect up to 70% of the ecological uniqueness of the studied part of Lake Puruvesi.

Main conclusions

Although the dataset examined originated from a large lake system, the approach we proposed here can be applied in different ecosystems and at various spatial scales. An important consideration is that a set of sites has been sampled using the same methods, resulting in species and environmental matrices that can be analysed using the methodological approach proposed here. This framework can be easily applied to grid‐based data, sets of islands or sets of forest fragments. We suggest that the approach based on taxonomic, functional and environmental uniqueness will be a useful tool in guiding nature conservation and ecosystem management, especially if associated with meta‐system ideas or network thinking.
Clinical and technical outcomes of endoscopic closure of postendoscopic submucosal dissection defects: Literature review over one decade
Authors: Kobara Hideki , Tada Naoya , Fujihara Shintaro , Nishiyama Noriko , Masaki Tsutomu
Published: July 2022

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which enables curative en bloc resection of early gastrointestinal neoplasms, has been an attractive minimally invasive surgery during the past two decades. Large post‐ESD defects must be carefully managed to prevent adverse events (AEs). The major AEs comprise delayed bleeding (DB) and delayed perforation (DP), and overall AEs comprise DB plus DP. This review aimed to clarify the clinical efficacy and technical outcomes of endoscopic prophylactic closure for post‐ESD defects. We identified studies involving ≥10 patients up to March 2022 in which endoscopic closure was applied for gastric, duodenal, and colorectal post‐ESD defects. In the stomach, total rates of overall AEs and DB were significantly lower in the closure than non‐closure group. In the duodenum, total rates of overall AEs, DB, and DP were significantly lower in the closure group. In the colorectum, total rates of overall AEs and DB were significantly lower in the closure group. Closure techniques, categorized into three groups (clip‐based techniques, mechanical clipping, and surgical stitch‐based techniques), were illustrated. Endoscopic closure demonstrated a certain ability to reduce DB after gastric, duodenal, and colorectal ESD as well as DP after duodenal ESD. Considering closure‐associated costs, the indications and limitations of closure techniques should be further investigated.
From global goal to local development policy: How partnerships as a policy idea changes through policy translation
Authors: Hustad Oda
Published: July 2022

Motivation

Partnerships between governments, private companies, and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly popular tools for policy implementation. Much research attention has been paid to the formation and design of partnerships and how they can improve their development impact but there is little on how partnerships translate into local development policies.

Purpose

This article explores how partnerships as a policy idea, embedded in United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, changes as it is translated into local development policies. It traces how such translation processes change the problems that development partnerships set out to solve, and how they aim to solve them.

Methods and approach

The article presents a case study of a translation of SDG 17 that took place in interaction between the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) and a policy network. The data set consists of documents and in‐depth interviews with policy network actors.

Findings

From the UN's perspective, SDG 17 set out to mobilize private sector resources to achieve the SDGs. However, SDG 17 became a solution to partially global, but mostly local issues when it was translated into a Danish development policy, and consequently, a partnership programme. Some discursive alliances between policy network actors were more effective than others in advancing their discourses in the translation process, which influenced this outcome. These findings contribute to research on development partnerships by showing how partnership as a policy idea, embedded in SDG 17, changes through policy translation.

Policy implications

Findings from the study highlight the importance of discursive alliances in policy networks when policy ideas are localized into development policies. Moreover, the findings imply that when studying the translation of ideas into development policies, it is important to first disentangle the local conditions under which such processes take place to fully understand how they determine the translation outcome.
Coal demand, market forces, and U.S. coal mine closures
Authors: Watson Brett , Lange Ian , Linn Joshua
Published: July 2022

Economic transitions have the potential to displace workers and cause social unrest. Coal mine closures and the resulting employment losses in rural areas have become salient issues. Using data on coal mine and power plant operation, we model closure as a function of expected profits, which allows us to compare the effects on mine closure of specific demand and supply shocks to expected mine profits. Increasing costs of production have had a large impact on closures, but lower natural gas prices and lower electricity demand have played more recently important roles.
Leadership in changing doctoral education
Authors: Zinner Lucas , Lindorfer Bianca , O'Reilly Allison
Published: July 2022

As a consequence of reforms in doctoral education, notably since the 2005 publication of the Salzburg Principles, doctoral schools represent the state of the art in contemporary doctoral education in Europe. They aim at supporting the collective vision and endeavour to ensure the personal and professional growth of doctoral candidates, the socialisation of doctoral candidates in the scientific community and their preparation for future careers in a knowledge society. But how is it possible that this new structure is not only perceived as an additional, perhaps dispensable bureaucratic layer that disrupts the traditionally very private relationship between supervisor and doctoral student, but is recognised by the latter as support and added value. We argue that this is directly related to the way the doctoral schools themselves are set up and governed. In this article, we use the example of the University of Vienna to illustrate how different leadership styles were used by the university management to ensure faculty buy‐in. In particular, we point out that the mix of transactional leadership, which incentivises and rewards certain behaviours, and transformational leadership, which also encourages initiative and self‐responsibility, has contributed to the fact that the doctoral schools at the University of Vienna, after only a short time in existence, are recognised as adding value; which has had an immediate positive impact on the situation of the students in particular, but also on the awareness of doctoral education in general.
Perinatal risk factors for SUDEP: A population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Sveinsson Olafur , Andersson Tomas , Carlsson Sofia , Tomson Torbjörn
Published: July 2022

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading epilepsy‐related cause of death. Researchers have highlighted the similarities between SUDEP and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but perinatal risk factors such as those identified for SIDS have not been assessed previously for SUDEP. We conducted a population‐based case‐control study of 58 SUDEP individuals and 384 living epilepsy controls born after 1982, utilizing the Swedish Medical Birth Register together with other national health registers and individual medical records to examine if prenatal and perinatal factors are associated with SUDEP risk. We observed a 3‐fold SUDEP risk increase for infants who were small for gestational age (SGA) (odds ratio [OR] 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–9.30) and for those with an Apgar score of 0–6 compared to 9–10 at 10 min (OR 3.22; 95% CI 1.05–9.87). After adjusting for a number of known SUDEP risk factors, we observed that the Apgar score between 0 and 6 after 10 min had a 10‐fold increased risk for SUDEP OR 10.37 (95% CI 1.49–72.01) and over a 2‐fold risk for those born after the 40th gestational week (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.03–5.65). The potential mechanisms linking low Apgar score, gestational age, and SGA to SUDEP risk remain to be explored.
Risk of hospitalization and death for COVID‐19 in persons with epilepsy over a 20‐month period: The EpiLink Bologna cohort, Italy
Authors: Muccioli Lorenzo , Zenesini Corrado , Taruffi Lisa , Licchetta Laura , Mostacci Barbara , Di Vito Lidia , Pasini Elena , Volpi Lilia , Riguzzi Patrizia , Ferri Lorenzo , Baccari Flavia , Nonino Francesco , Michelucci Roberto , Tinuper Paolo , Vignatelli Luca , Bisulli Francesca
Published: July 2022

Objective

Data on COVID‐19 outcomes in persons with epilepsy (PWE) are scarce and inconclusive. We aimed to study the risk of hospitalization and death for COVID‐19 in a large cohort of PWE from March 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021.

Methods

The historical cohort design (EpiLink Bologna) compared adult PWE grouped into people with focal epilepsy (PFE), idiopathic generalized epilepsy (PIGE), and developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathy (PDEE), and a population cohort matched (ratio 1:10) for age, sex, residence, and comorbidity (assessed with the multisource comorbidity score), living in the local health trust of Bologna (approximately 800 000 residents). Clinical data were linked to health administrative data.

Results

In both cohorts (EpiLink: n = 1575 subjects, 1128 PFE, 267 PIGE, 148 PDEE, 32 other; controls: n = 15 326 subjects), 52% were females, and the mean age was 50 years (SD = 18). Hospital admissions for COVID‐19 in the whole period were 49 (3.1%) in PWE and 225 (1.5%) in controls. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) in PWE was 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–2.7). The subgroups at higher risk were PFE (aHR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3–2.8) and PDEE (aHR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.7–8.7), whereas PIGE had a risk comparable to the controls (aHR = 1.1, 95% CI = .3–3.5). Stratified analyses of the two main epidemic waves (March–May 2020, October 2020–May 2021) disclosed a higher risk of COVID‐19‐related hospitalization during the first epidemic wave (March–May 2020; aHR = 3.8, 95% CI = 2.2–6.7). Polytherapy with antiseizure medications contributed to a higher risk of hospital admission. Thirty‐day risk of death after hospitalization was 14% in both PWE and controls.

Significance

During the first 20 months since the outbreak of COVID‐19 in Bologna, PWE had a doubled risk of COVID‐19 hospital admission compared to a matched control population. Conversely, epilepsy did not represent a risk factor for COVID‐19‐related death.
Urban rendezvous along the seashore: Ports as Darwinian field labs for studying marine evolution in the Anthropocene
Authors: Touchard Fanny , Simon Alexis , Bierne Nicolas , Viard Frédérique
Published: July 2022

Humans have built ports on all the coasts of the world, allowing people to travel, exploit the sea, and develop trade. The proliferation of these artificial habitats and the associated maritime traffic is not predicted to fade in the coming decades. Ports share common characteristics: Species find themselves in novel singular environments, with particular abiotic properties—e.g., pollutants, shading, protection from wave action—within novel communities in a melting pot of invasive and native taxa. Here, we discuss how this drives evolution, including setting up of new connectivity hubs and gateways, adaptive responses to exposure to new chemicals or new biotic communities, and hybridization between lineages that would have never come into contact naturally. There are still important knowledge gaps, however, such as the lack of experimental tests to distinguish adaptation from acclimation processes, the lack of studies to understand the putative threats of port lineages to natural populations or to better understand the outcomes and fitness effects of anthropogenic hybridization. We thus call for further research examining “biological portuarization,” defined as the repeated evolution of marine species in port ecosystems under human‐altered selective pressures. Furthermore, we argue that ports act as giant mesocosms often isolated from the open sea by seawalls and locks and so provide replicated life‐size evolutionary experiments essential to support predictive evolutionary sciences.
Genotype–environment associations across spatial scales reveal the importance of putative adaptive genetic variation in divergence
Authors: Alvarado Allison H. , Bossu Christen M. , Harrigan Ryan J. , Bay Rachael A. , Nelson Allison R. P. , Smith Thomas B. , Ruegg Kristen C.
Published: July 2022

Identifying areas of high evolutionary potential is a judicious strategy for developing conservation priorities in the face of environmental change. For wide‐ranging species occupying heterogeneous environments, the evolutionary forces that shape distinct populations can vary spatially. Here, we investigate patterns of genomic variation and genotype–environment associations in the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), a North American songbird, at broad (across the breeding range) and narrow spatial scales (at a hybrid zone). We begin by building a genoscape or map of genetic variation across the breeding range and find five distinct genetic clusters within the species, with the greatest variation occurring in the western portion of the range. Genotype–environment association analyses indicate higher allelic turnover in the west than in the east, with measures of temperature surfacing as key predictors of putative adaptive genomic variation rangewide. Since broad patterns detected across a species' range represent the aggregate of many locally adapted populations, we investigate whether our broadscale analysis is consistent with a finer scale analysis. We find that top rangewide temperature‐associated loci vary in their clinal patterns (e.g., steep clines vs. fixed allele frequencies) across a hybrid zone in British Columbia, suggesting that the environmental predictors and the associated candidate loci identified in the rangewide analysis are of variable importance in this particular region. However, two candidate loci exhibit strong concordance with the temperature gradient in British Columbia, suggesting a potential role for temperature‐related barriers to gene flow and/or temperature‐driven ecological selection in maintaining putative local adaptation. This study demonstrates how patterns identified at the broad (macrogeographic) scale can be validated by investigating genotype–environment correlations at the local (microgeographic) scale. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of considering the spatial distribution of putative adaptive variation when assessing population‐level sensitivity to climate change and other stressors.
Cellular force‐sensing through actin filaments
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Alushin Gregory M.
Published: July 2022

The actin cytoskeleton orchestrates cell mechanics and facilitates the physical integration of cells into tissues, while tissue‐scale forces and extracellular rigidity in turn govern cell behaviour. Here, we discuss recent evidence that actin filaments (F‐actin), the core building blocks of the actin cytoskeleton, also serve as molecular force sensors. We delineate two classes of proteins, which interpret forces applied to F‐actin through enhanced binding interactions: ‘mechanically tuned’ canonical actin‐binding proteins, whose constitutive F‐actin affinity is increased by force, and ‘mechanically switched’ proteins, which bind F‐actin only in the presence of force. We speculate mechanically tuned and mechanically switched actin‐binding proteins are biophysically suitable for coordinating cytoskeletal force‐feedback and mechanical signalling processes, respectively. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms mediating force‐activated actin binding, which likely occurs both through the structural remodelling of F‐actin itself and geometric rearrangements of higher‐order actin networks. Understanding the interplay of these mechanisms will enable the dissection of force‐activated actin binding's specific biological functions.
The hopes of memorial remaking: Product, process, and the temporal rhythms of making
Authors: Holdsworth Clare
Published: July 2022

The individual and social therapeutic benefits of spending time making have received both popular and academic endorsement. These testimonials often promote the sentiment that the benefits of making are experienced in the doing rather than what is made. In particular, making is recognised for providing alternative temporal experiences to the incessant pace of global capitalism. In this paper I unpick this bias towards the processes over the products of making in an autoethnographic study of memorial remaking. This practice involved making items for family members from my father's clothing in 2020/21 following his death at the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Inspired by William Morris's writing on the hopes of work, I reflect on the assumed value of process over product and reassess this binary with reference to time. In Morris's original formulation time is expressed through the hope of rest, which I suggest can be reworked into rhythm. Through re‐engaging with the hopes of making in my own practice of memorial remaking, I reflect how changing the temporal dimension from rest to rhythm is more in tune with a relational approach to creativity rather than confining making to responsibilities that are bounded by time and space. Memorial remaking provides a way of fabricating how memories, intimacies, emotions and responsibilities are interwoven into the experiences of grief, through making items that resonate with individuals in time and space. Thus, this paper also unpicks how experiences of grief consolidate normative codes of moving on and individual endeavour to craft one's journey through this process.
No detectable effect of geolocator deployment on the short‐ or long‐term apparent survival of a tropical seabird
Authors: Nicoll Malcolm A. C. , Cole Nik C. , Horswill Catherine , Jones Carl G. , Ratcliffe Norman , Ruhomaun Kevin , Tatayah Vikash , Norris Ken
Published: July 2022

A wide range of biologging devices are now commonly deployed to study the movement ecology of birds, but deployment of these devices is not without its potential risks and negative impacts on the welfare, behaviour and fitness of tagged individuals. However, empirical evidence for the effects of tags is equivocal. Global location sensing (GLS) loggers are small, light level recording devices that are well suited to studying the large‐scale migratory movements of many birds. However, few published studies have examined their impact on adult survival, a key demographic rate for long‐lived species, such as seabirds. To address this, we have collated a long‐term mark–recapture dataset in conjunction with a 10‐year GLS tagging programme and examined the impact of tarsus‐mounted GLS loggers on the adult apparent survival probabilities of a medium‐sized tropical gadfly petrel. We found no evidence to indicate that deployment of GLS loggers affected apparent adult survival probabilities either in the short term, i.e. during deployment, or in the long term, i.e. from carrying a device at some point in the past. Annual adult apparent survival was estimated at 0.965 (95% CI 0.962–0.968) during 1993–2018. Our findings suggest that using GLS loggers to document the movements of medium‐sized gadfly petrels over multiple years is a viable technique without negatively impacting adult survival. This result has potential relevance to movement ecology studies of other ecologically and morphologically similar seabirds through GLS logger deployments.
Influences of rare sugar D‐allulose on the fermentation ability of baker's yeast and the physical properties of bread
Authors: Sawettanun Saranta , Ogawa Masahiro
Published: July 2022

The rare sugar D‐allulose (Alu), which has only 10% calories of sucrose (Suc) and an anti‐obesity effect, was added to bread, and the effects of Alu on the fermentation ability and physical properties of baked bread were investigated. Alu, unlike its epimer D‐fructose and D‐glucose, was not metabolised by the baker's yeast and caused a decrease in the amount of CO2 generated through respiration. The expansion rate of the Alu‐added dough was lower than sugar‐free (control) and Suc‐added dough in primary fermentation, indicating that Alu partially inhibits dough fermentation. The addition of Alu did not affect the rheological properties of gluten; however, Alu‐bread had much higher hardness and gumminess than control and Suc‐bread. Therefore, the high hardness and gumminess were due to the low CO2 production rate of yeast. 94% of Alu added to bread remained in Alu‐bread after baking. Furthermore, Alu‐bread, when stored at room temperature, was lower in hardening rate than control and Suc‐bread. The present study reveals that the sole use of Alu as a sugar material is not preferable in terms of texture, but most Alu remains in bread without degradation and has an effect on preventing the bread from texture‐deteriorating during storage.
Stakeholder views on mindfulness for youth at risk for psychosis
Authors: Reich Daniel , Evans Subhadra , O’Shea Melissa
Published: July 2022

Interventions incorporating mindfulness for youth identified to be at risk for psychosis show promise for symptom management yet to be addressed by other approaches. Important questions remain as to how to safely and effectively implement these interventions with this cohort. The aim of this research was to collaboratively identify with stakeholders of such interventions, namely youth at risk for psychosis, and practitioners with experience working with youth at risk for psychosis – attitudes towards mindfulness and potential intervention adaptations to ensure the safety, uptake, and effectiveness of mindfulness interventions used with youth at risk for psychosis. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies were adopted. Eight practitioners and six at risk for psychosis individuals were interviewed. Both groups identified significant potential benefits of mindfulness, for stress and relaxation, managing difficult thoughts and emotions, increasing positive emotions, improving functioning, and patient empowerment within treatment participation. Stakeholders identified the helpfulness of including compassion‐based practices, emphasizing experiential and concrete material, shorter and guided exercises, the targeting of anxiety and attenuated psychotic symptomology, and making the goals or intent of practice youth relevant. Significant barriers were identified – poor functioning and low motivation, high self‐criticism, concurrent medication and substance use, and perceptions of mindfulness that may impact uptake (e.g. it requires relaxation to work). Formulation of and research into comprehensive clinical guidelines will help ensure the safe and effective use of future mindfulness and compassion‐based practices with at risk for psychosis individuals.
Solute concentration effects on microstructure and the compressive strength of ice‐templated sintered lithium titanate
Authors: Parai Rohan , Nie Ziyang , Hempley Raina , Koenig Gary M. , Ghosh Dipankar
Published: July 2022

This work investigated the role of sucrose and cationic dispersant (1‐hexadecyl)trimethylammonium bromide concentration on ice‐templated sintered lithium titanate microstructure and compressive strength, to enable a comprehensive understanding of composition selection and elucidate processing–microstructure–mechanical property relationships. Sucrose and dispersant concentrations were varied to change total solute concentration in suspensions and viscosity. Dispersant was more effective in reducing viscosity than sucrose; however, their combination had an even greater impact on reducing viscosity. Based on viscosity measurements, a total of 12 suspension compositions were developed, and materials were fabricated at two different freezing front velocity (FFV) regimes. Solute concentration greatly influenced ice‐templated microstructure and microstructure development improved with solute concentration. Depending on solute concentration, type of solute, viscosity, and FFV, a wide variety of microstructures were observed ranging from lamellar to dendritic morphologies. Solute concentration effect was rationalized based on solid–liquid planar interface instability. For suspensions with comparable viscosity, solute concentration can be varied to tune microstructure, whereas for suspensions with comparable solute concentration, viscosity variation can tune microstructure. Compressive strength of sintered materials generally increased with total solute concentration, sucrose concentration, viscosity, and FFV. Due to the wide variety of microstructure, strength also varied over a wide range, 23–128 MPa.