bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a lytic phage KFS-EC3 infecting multiple
foodborne pathogens
Authors: Kim Su-Hyeon , Park Ye-Rim , Jung Hyeju , Park Mi-Kyung
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to characterize lytic and genomic properties of
phage KFS-EC3 used as a biocontrol agent. The morphology of KFS-EC was observed
by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The polyvalent bactericidal activity
of KFS-EC3 was determined against various host bacteria by enumerating bacterial
number after phage treatment at multiplicities of infection (MOIs) of 0.001,
0.1, and 1.0 for 4 h. Finally, whole-genome sequencing was performed and
annotated to identify its lytic property, safety, and novelty. TEM observation
revealed that KFS-EC had morphology of myophage with an icosahedral head and
contractile tail. In addition, KFS-EC3 could reduce E. coli,
The Salmonella, Shigella sonnei, and their
bacterial cocktail by ∼3 log CFU/mL, even at the lowest MOI of 0.001. The
genomic analyses revealed that KFS-EC3 consisted of 167,440 bp and 151
functional genes, without any genes related to antibiotic resistance, virulence,
allergenicity, and lysogenicity. Among the genes involved in host cell lysis,
endolysin, holin, and a receptor binding protein were identified. Furthermore,
KFS-EC3 was classified into a new phage of the Tequatrovirus
genus in the Myoviridae family. In conclusion, lytic and safe
phage KFS-EC3 with a broad host range can be used as a biocontrol agent to
control foodborne pathogens.
Comparison of the quality characteristics and microbial community
of traditional doenjang across fermentation
places
Authors: Lee Sun-Kyung , Lim Jae-Geel , Lee You-Seok , Ji Soo-Hyun , Kim Pyo-Hyeon , Ma Kyung-Cheol , Lee Jin-Woo , Kim So-Young
Published: January 2023

We investigated the quality characteristics and microbial community found in
traditional outdoor-type doenjang fermented at different
temperatures. The quality characteristics that were highly correlated with
fermentation temperature were analyzed. The average temperature of
doenjang in the summer was highest in the order of
fermentation by field in Damyang (JDF), fermentation by smart management
facility in Damyang (JDS), and fermentation by field in Pyeongchang (JDFP), and
in winter was the highest in the order JDS, JDF, and JDFP. The b* value
and the degree of browning were highest in the order of JDF, JDS, and JDFP.
Among the quality characteristics that affect the degree of fermentation and
taste, samples with high summer temperature showed high ammonia nitrogen
content, α-amylase activity, sugar content, organic acid
content, and acidity and samples with high winter temperature showed high
protease activity, amino nitrogen content, biogenic amine content, and alcohol
content. Regarding the microbial community, the level of the
Enterococcus genus was high in the samples with low winter
temperatures, while the level of the Bacillus genus was high in
the samples with high winter temperatures. Additionally, the genus
Wickerhamiella and Zygosaccharomyces were
highest in the samples with the lowest temperatures in summer and winter.
Furthermore, acidity, biogenic amine content, glucose content, and lactic acid
content were analyzed as major factors influencing the quality characteristics
of doenjang according to the ripening region and location.
Physicochemical properties of scones added with Litsea
japonica fruit powder
Authors: Lim Hae Won , Kim So Yeong , Kim Eun Jin , Choi Sun Hee , Joo Shin Youn
Published: January 2023

This study examined the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of
scones prepared using Litsea japonica fruit powder (LJFP). The
density of scone dough with LJFP was 1.07-1.13 g/mL, and the pH of scone dough
was the highest in LJFP0. Baking loss rate, volume, and soluble solid content of
scones did not differ among samples, but moisture content was the highest in
LJFP0. In terms of color, L* and b* values of scones decreased and
a* value increased with increasing LJFP content. The texture properties
revealed that hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness but not
springiness of scones decreased with the addition of LJFP. The total polyphenol
contents, total flavonoid contents, and the DPPH and ABTS+
radical scavenging activities of scones were determined to increase with
increasing LJFP contents. Reducing power varied from 0.53-1.32. Based on a
sensory evaluation test, the overall preference, flavor, and texture were the
lowest in LJFP0. The appearance and color of scones showed higher scores in
LJFP0 and LJFP1, and taste was the highest in LJFP1. These results suggest that
adding 0.625-2.5% LJFP is optimal for making scones.
Changes in antioxidant activity and vitamin B2 content
of Aster glehni based on blanching time
Authors: Yoon Sung Ran , So Bo Ram , Park Jeongmin , Ryu Jung A
Published: January 2023

This study analyzed the changes in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of
Aster glehni based on blanching time and examined the
relationships between their contents and antioxidant activities. In addition,
vitamin B2 content in green vegetables was determined to use as basic
data for the availability of A. glehni. Compared with
non-treatment, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents considerably
decreased to 13.05-52.96% and 36.63-81.75%, respectively, with the
passage of blanching time (1-5 min). Furthermore, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical
scavenging abilities considerably decreased with the antioxidant activity.
Before blanching, vitamin B2 content in A. glehni
was 1.17 mg/100 g of dried sample, and at the blanching time of 3 min, it
decreased to 0.60 mg/100 g (less than 50%) of dried sample. Therefore,
further research should be conducted on either additives or cooking methods to
prevent the leakage of physiologically active substances in the cooking water at
the time of blanching A. glehni.
Expecting the Unexpected: Predicting Panic Attacks from Mood and Twitter
Authors: McGinnis Ellen W. , Lunna Shania , Berman Isabel , Bagdon Skylar , Lewis Genevieve , Arnold Michael , Danforth Christopher M. , Dodds Peter Sheridan , Price Matthew , Copeland William E. , McGinnis Ryan S.
Published: January 2023

Background

Panic attacks are an impairing mental health problem that affects about one in 10 US adults every year. Current DSM criteria describe panic attacks as unexpected, occurring without warning or triggering events. The unexpected nature of panic attacks not only leads to increased anxiety for the individual but has also made panic attacks particularly challenging to study. However, recent evidence suggests that individuals who experience such attacks could identify attack triggers.

Objective

We aimed to explore both retrospectively and prospectively, qualitative, and quantitative factors associated with the onset of panic attacks.

Method

We remotely recruited a diverse sample of 87 individuals who regularly experienced panic attacks from 30 states in the US. Participants responded to daily questions relating to their panic attacks and wellness behaviors each day for 28 days. We also considered daily community level factors captured by the Hedonometer, a metric which estimates population-level happiness daily using a random 10% of all public tweets.

Results

Consistent with our prior work, most participants (95%) were able to retrospectively identify a trigger for their attack. Worse individual mood was associated with greater likelihood of experiencing asame-daypanic attack over and above other individual wellness factors. Worse individually reported mood and state-based population level mood as indicated by the Hedonometer were associated with greater likelihood ofnext-daypanic attack.

Conclusions

These promising results suggest that individuals who experience panic attacks may be able to expect the unexpected. The importance of individual and state-based population level mood in panic attack risk could be used to ultimately inform future prevention and intervention efforts.
Adaptive vibration control method for double-crystal monochromator base on VMD and FxNLMS
Authors: Bai Yang , Gong Xuepeng , Lu Qipeng , Song Yuan , Zhu Wanqian , Xue Song , Wang Dazhuang , Peng Zhongqi , Zhang Zhen
Published: January 2023

Double-crystal monochromators (DCMs) are one of the most critical optical devices in beamlines at synchrotron sources, directly affecting the quality of the beam energy and position. As the performance of synchrotron light sources continues to improve, higher demands are placed on the stability of DCMs. This paper proposes a novel adaptive vibration control method combining variational modal decomposition (VMD) and filter-x normalized least mean squares (FxNLMS), ensuring DCM stability under random engineering disturbance. Firstly, the sample entropy of the vibration signal is selected as the fitness function, and the number of modal components k and the penalty factor α are optimized by a genetic algorithm. Subsequently, the vibration signal is decomposed into band frequencies that do not overlap with each other. Eventually, each band signal is individually governed by the FxNLMS controller. Numerical results have demonstrated that the proposed adaptive vibration control method has high convergence accuracy and excellent vibration suppression performance. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the vibration control method has been verified with actual measured vibration signals of the DCM.
A theory-based approach to model entrepreneurial intentions: exploring the role of creativity, proactive personality and passion
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Shukla Shalini
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of creativity and proactive personality to predict entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) using Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour as an underpinning model. The study primarily focuses on how entrepreneurial self-efficacy and passion mediate the effect of creativity and proactive personality on EI.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 531 college students of 18–28 years of age were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modelling in Amos 20.0, and the mediating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial passion was tested using the bootstrapping method.

Findings

The results validate the extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict EIs and confirm that the effect of creativity and proactive personality on EIs through entrepreneurial self-efficacy was fully and partially mediated, respectively. Moreover, the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the EI was partially mediated by entrepreneurial passion.

Practical implications

The study provides a better understanding of college students' EI and identifies and highlights the role of social factors (i.e. subjective norms) and psychological factors such as attitude, self-efficacy, creativity, proactivity and passion in stimulating EIs. It deciphers the interlink of creativity, proactive personality, self-efficacy, passion and EIs. It may help academicians and policymakers better plan the educational programme to foster entrepreneurial instinct among students.

Originality/value

The study is a novel attempt to provide an integrated framework to explain EIs, highlighting the significance of creativity and proactive personality. It contributes to the existing literature by signifying the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and passion.
A paradigm shift for medical health care to focus on a service-value approach to achieve greater patient satisfaction
Authors: Ali Naser , Dzandu Michael D.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study takes a divergent approach to exploring which construct is more predictive of patient satisfaction (SAT) in a service dominant economy within the context of a healthcare setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying a critical analysis of literature, a service value (SV) model for customer SAT is proposed in this study, which is validated and confirmed with survey data from outpatients at Moorfields Eye Hospital – a world class specialist hospital based in the UK.

Findings

Quality of service had the strongest impact on SV but SV had the strongest impact and mediation effect on patient SAT.

Research limitations/implications

The study concludes that since SV rather than quality of service is more predictive of patient SAT, health service providers should focus more on SV in addition to quality of service, if they are to meet the dynamic expectations of their patients.

Practical implications

Health service providers should focus more on SV in addition to quality of service, if they are to meet the dynamic expectations of their patients.

Social implications

This poses a strong argument in favour of a paradigm shift in focus from quality of service-based model to service value-based model for greater patient satisfaction.

Originality/value

This is the first study exploring the inter-relationship of four constructs of patient SAT within the context of a leading major UK healthcare hospital service.
Role of leadership in the digitalisation of manufacturing organisations
Authors: Tortorella Guilherme , Prashar Anupama , Antony Jiju , Mac Cawley Alejandro Francisco , Vassolo Roberto , Sony Michael
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study examines the moderating role of leadership behaviours on the relationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) maturity and operational performance in manufacturers.

Design/methodology/approach

For that, 189 leaders from manufacturing organisations located in India and Brazil that are undergoing I4.0 implementation were surveyed. The collected data was analysed using multivariate data techniques, which allowed to verify the validity of our research hypotheses. This study was grounded on the concepts from the socio-technical systems (STS) theory.

Findings

The findings indicated that task-oriented leadership behaviours positively moderate the relationship between technologies for digitalisation and operational performance. A similar effect was found for the interaction between change-oriented leadership behaviours and strategy for digitalisation. In turn, the moderating effects of relations-oriented and change-oriented leadership behaviours were negative when considering the I4.0 maturity dimensions of employee and culture for digitalisation and technology for digitalisation, respectively.

Originality/value

This study offers arguments to better understand the role of leaders' behaviours in the digitalisation of organisations. Changing behaviours is usually a long-term and time-consuming activity. The identification of the leadership behaviours that are more likely to support digitalisation allows companies to anticipate potential issues and prioritise efforts to assertively develop leaders.
Long‐term effects of premenopausal risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy on cognition in women with high familial risk of ovarian cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Terra Lara , Lee Meeuw Kjoe Philippe R. , Agelink van Rentergem Joost A. , Beekman Maarten J. , Heemskerk‐Gerritsen Bernadette A. M. , van Beurden Marc , Roeters van Lennep Jeanine E. , van Doorn Helena C. , de Hullu Joanna A. , Mourits Marian J. E. , van Dorst Eleonora B. L. , Mom Constantijne H. , Slangen Brigitte F. M. , Gaarenstroom Katja N. , van der Kolk Lizet E. , Collée J. Margriet , Wevers Marijke R. , Ausems Margreet G. E. M. , van Engelen Klaartje , van de Beek Irma , Berger Lieke P. V. , van Asperen Christi J. , Gomez Garcia Encarna B. , Maas Angela H. E. M. , Hooning Maartje J. , van der Wall Elsken , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Schagen Sanne B.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To examine the effect of a premenopausal risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy (RRSO) in women at increased risk of ovarian cancer on objective and subjective cognition at least 10 years after RRSO.

Design

A cross‐sectional study with prospective follow‐up, nested in a nationwide cohort.

Setting

Multicentre in the Netherlands.

Population or Sample

641 women (66% BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers) who underwent either a premenopausal RRSO ≤ age 45 (n = 436) or a postmenopausal RRSO ≥ age 54 (n = 205). All participants were older than 55 years at recruitment.

Methods

Participants completed an online cognitive test battery and a questionnaire on subjective cognition. We used multivariable regression analyses, adjusting for age, education, breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy, cardiovascular risk factors and depression.

Main Outcome Measures

The influence of RRSO on objective and subjective cognition of women with a premenopausal RRSO compared with women with a postmenopausal RRSO.

Results

After adjustment, women with a premenopausal RRSO (mean time since RRSO 18.2 years) performed similarly on objective cognitive tests compared with women with a postmenopausal RRSO (mean time since RRSO 11.9 years). However, they more frequently reported problems with reasoning (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1–3.1) and multitasking (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.4) than women with a postmenopausal RRSO. This difference between groups disappeared in an analysis restricted to women of comparable ages (60–70 years).

Conclusions

Reassuringly, approximately 18 years after RRSO, we found no association between premenopausal RRSO and objective cognition.
Comprehensive needle and syringe program and opioid agonist therapy reduce HIV and hepatitis c virus acquisition among people who inject drugs in different settings: A pooled analysis of emulated trials
Authors: van Santen Daniela K. , Lodi Sara , Dietze Paul , van den Boom Wijnand , Hayashi Kanna , Dong Huiru , Cui Zishan , Maher Lisa , Hickman Matthew , Boyd Anders , Prins Maria
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Although the Netherlands, Canada and Australia were early adopters of harm reduction for people who inject drugs (PWID), their respective HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) epidemics differ. We measured the pooled effect of needle and syringe program (NSP) and opioid agonist therapy (OAT) participation on HIV and HCV incidence in these settings.

Design

For each cohort, we emulated the design and statistical analysis of a target trial using observational data.

Setting and Participants

We included PWID at risk of HIV or HCV infection from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies (1985–2013), Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (1997–2009) and Melbourne Injecting Drug User Cohort Study (SuperMIX) (2010–2021).

Measurements

Separately for each infection and cohort (only HCV in SuperMIX), marginal structural models were used to compare the effect of comprehensive (on OAT and 100% NSP coverage or on OAT only if no recent injection drug use) versus no/partial NSP/OAT (no OAT and/or <100% NSP coverage) participation. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI were calculated using random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Findings

We observed 94 HIV seroconversions and 81 HCV seroconversions among 2023 and 430 participants, respectively. Comprehensive NSP/OAT led to a 41% lower risk of HIV acquisition (pooled HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.36–0.96) and a 76% lower risk of HCV acquisition (pooled HR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.11–0.51), compared with no/partial NSP/OAT, with little heterogeneity between studies for both infections (I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

In the Netherlands, Canada and Australia, comprehensive needle and syringe program and opioid agonist therapy participation appears to substantially reduce HIV and hepatitis C acquisition compared with no or partial needle and syringe program/opioid agonist therapy participation. These findings from an emulated trial design reinforce the critical role of comprehensive access to harm reduction in optimizing infection prevention for people who inject drugs.
Letter: improve survival after variceal bleeding in cirrhosis—place pTIPS as early as possible after index bleed
Authors: Rudler Marika , Hernandez‐Gea Virginia , Thabut Dominique , Garcia‐Pagan Juan‐Carlos
Published: January 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Dunne et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17252 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17372
Letter: opioid usage is associated with rectal hyposensitivity in patients with opioid‐induced constipation
Authors: Vollebregt Paul F. , Knowles Charles H. , Scott S. Mark
Published: January 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Cash et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16702
Lived experience research in learning disabilities: The understanding inequalities project from a service user's perspective
Authors: Gray Ben , Kerridge Tom
Published: January 2023

Background

People with learning disabilities are often left behind and ostracised in life, education, employment and in research. This article describes the importance and value that people with learning disabilities can bring when participating in co‐production and lived experience research. The article reports on the inequalities and barriers that people living with learning disabilities have in accessing health and social care services and hospitals and makes recommendations for improving services and people's experiences of services. The intertwining of subject (inequalities and barriers of access) and process (lived experience research and co‐production) leads to more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities.

Methods

Co‐production events were held with people with learning disabilities, facilitated by the co‐author (Tom Kerridge). Tom and a service user researcher (Ben Gray) with Asperger's syndrome and schizophrenia thematised transcripts and made recommendations, in Ben's case with the insight of lived experience of learning disabilities and mental health problems.

Findings

A series of recommendations are made based on the insight of a lived experience perspective. For example: to have a grass roots learning disabilities champion, lived experience peer mentors and supporters, training via a film made by people with learning disabilities, the involvement of Learning Disabilities Research Ambassadors to conduct phase two of the research as well as other recommendations.

Conclusions

Lived experience research and co‐production are at the heart and centre of contemporary research in health and social care. Participation can change feelings of exclusion and stigma into feelings of being valued, accepted and being able to make a difference.
Immune response elicited in the tumor microenvironment upon rMV‐SLAMblind cancer virotherapy
Authors: Moritoh Kanako , Shoji Koichiro , Amagai Yosuke , Fujiyuki Tomoko , Sato Hiroki , Yoneda Misako , Kai Chieko
Published: January 2023

Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising therapy for cancer. We previously established a recombinant measles virus (rMV‐SLAMblind) that targets NECTIN4‐expressing cancer cells and demonstrated its antitumor effects using a xenograft model in an immunodeficient mouse. In the current study, to investigate the immune response after rMV‐SLAMblind therapy, we developed an immunocompetent cancer mouse model by introducing the NECTIN4 gene into mouse cancer cell lines. NECTIN4‐expressing mouse cancer cells were successfully killed by rMV‐SLAMblind in vitro. After transplantation of the NECTIN4‐expressing tumor cells, rMV‐SLAMblind significantly suppressed tumor growth in immunocompetent mice. Thus, this immunocompetent mouse cancer model could be a powerful tool in which to study the effect of rMV‐SLAMblind therapy on the immune response. Using this model we found that rMV‐SLAMblind elicited significant activation of natural killer cells, type 1 helper T cells and the tumor‐specific CD8+ T‐cell response in the tumor microenvironment. Immune cell depletion study revealed that CD8+ cells particularly played significant roles in the therapeutic efficacy of rMV‐SLAMblind. Thus, rMV‐SLAMblind exerts a therapeutic effect, not only directly by tumor cell killing, but also indirectly by efficient induction of antitumor immunity.
COVID‐19‐related adrenal haemorrhage: Multicentre UK experience and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Elhassan Yasir S. , Iqbal Fizzah , Arlt Wiebke , Baldeweg Stephanie E. , Levy Miles , Stewart Paul M. , Wass John , Pavord Sue , Aled Rees D. , Ronchi Cristina L.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Adrenal haemorrhage (AH) is an uncommon, usually incidental imaging finding in acutely unwell patients. AH has been reported during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection and following ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 (Oxford‐AstraZeneca) vaccination. The Society for Endocrinology (SfE) established a task force to describe the UK experience of COVID‐19‐related AH.

Design

A systematic literature review was undertaken. A survey was conducted through the SfE clinical membership to identify patients with COVID‐19‐related AH using a standardized data collection tool.

Results

The literature search yielded 25 cases of COVID‐19‐related AH (19 bilateral; 13 infection‐related, and 12 vaccine‐related). Eight UK centres responded to the survey with at least one case. A total of 18 cases were included in the descriptive study, including 11 from the survey and 7 UK‐based patients from the systematic review. Seven patients (4 males; median age 53 (range 26–70) years), had infection‐related AH (four bilateral). Median time from positive COVID‐19 test to AH detection was 8 (range 1–30) days. Eleven cases of vaccine‐related AH (eight bilateral) were captured (3 males; median age 47 (range 23–78) years). Median time between vaccination (nine Oxford‐AstraZeneca and two Pfizer‐BioNTech) and AH was 9 (range 2–27) days; 9/11 AH occurred after the first vaccine dose. Acute abdominal pain was the commonest presentation (72%) in AH of any cause. All 12 patients with bilateral AH and one patient with unilateral AH required glucocorticoid replacement.

Conclusion

Adrenal haemorrhage with consequential adrenal insufficiency can be a complication of COVID‐19 infection and vaccination. Adrenal function assessment is mandatory to avoid the potentially fatal consequences of unrecognized adrenal insufficiency.
Black summer bushfires caused extensive damage to estuarine wetlands in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Glasby Tim M. , Gibson Peter T. , Laird Roger , Swadling Daniel S. , West Gregory
Published: January 2023

There is now considerable evidence that, as the climate continues to warm, bushfires are becoming more common and severe, particularly in regions such as south‐eastern Australia. The extraordinary Australian bushfires over the summer of 2019/2020 resulted in the burning of habitats such as highland peat swamps and intertidal estuarine wetlands over unprecedented spatial scales. Across New South Wales, these bushfires affected 183 ha of saltmarshes and 23 ha of mangroves in 19 estuaries. The percentage of fire‐affected saltmarsh ranged from 51% to 81% in the worst impacted estuaries, although typically ≤15% of mapped saltmarsh was damaged. Just over 50% of mangroves were burnt in Wonboyn Lake (although this constituted <0.2 ha), whereas in all other estuaries, ≤5% of mangroves were burnt. At the state‐wide scale, the likelihood of saltmarshes being affected by fire was unrelated to adjacent terrestrial vegetation; however, mangroves adjacent to burnt wet sclerophyll forest were more likely to burn than not. Burnt mangroves were almost exclusively associated with extreme or high severity fires in adjacent terrestrial vegetation, yet saltmarshes were also impacted in some cases by moderate or low‐intensity fires. Many species of saltmarsh plants had re‐sprouted or germinated after 6–24 months, but the extent of any recovery or changes in species composition were not quantified. The majority of fire‐affected mangrove trees appeared to be dead 24 months after the fires, despite observations of epicormic growth on some trees after six months. Bushfire impacts to estuarine wetlands are likely to become more frequent and results from our work can help target hazard reduction burning that might be considered for minimising damage to mangroves. More work is required to better understand potential longer term impacts and the capacity for natural recovery of estuarine wetlands from bushfires.
Tortoises, hares and the evolution of the Irish landscape
Authors: Simms Michael J.
Published: January 2023

Across Ireland there is a striking topographical contrast between predominantly limestone‐floored lowlands and uplands developed on silicate‐dominated rock types. This arises from the fundamentally different way in which limestone and other rocks are removed. Limestone is removed through dissolution, a low‐energy process enhanced by vegetation. Other rock types are removed by erosion, a high energy process that is inhibited by vegetation. In Ireland countless ‘soft days’ over the last 60 Ma have been more effective at removing limestone than other rock types. Limestone uplands have survived only where they were protected by a cover of insoluble rock, such as sandstone or mudstone, which has been stripped away relatively recently by glacial erosion. The large‐scale removal of considerable thicknesses of limestone across Ireland has increased the relief of non‐limestone uplands through the effects of isostatic uplift. Denudation across the Irish landscape has led to changing outcrop patterns of limestone and other rocks, resulting in profound long‐term changes in topography and drainage patterns.
It is not boring in Barnoldswick! The case of the Barnoldswick water supply borehole in northern England, and what should, could, and has been done to celebrate the borehole core
Authors: Murphy Phil , Kabrna Paul
Published: January 2023

The importance of borehole cores and the geological insights which they provide are often underappreciated. Here the problems of seeking a water supply for an industrial town in Northern England have resulted in a very rare opportunity to view a core in the public domain. As we need to raise the profile of the geosciences and ensure a public understanding of the importance of geology in underpinning our society we should seek other opportunities to highlight history and importance of borehole drilling and the cores recovered.
Holistic and mechanical combination in psychological assessment: Why algorithms are underutilized and what is needed to increase their use
Authors: Neumann Marvin , Niessen A. Susan M. , Hurks Petra P. M. , Meijer Rob R.
Published: January 2023

Although mechanical combination results in more valid human performance predictions and decisions than holistic combination, existing publications suggest that mechanical combination is rarely used in practice. Yet, these publications are either descriptions of anecdotal experiences or outdated surveys. Therefore, in several Western countries, we conducted two surveys (total N = 323) and two focus groups to investigate (1) how decision makers in psychological assessment and human resource practice combine information, (2) why they do (not) use mechanical combination, and (3) what may be needed to increase its use in practice. Many participants reported mostly using holistic combination, usually in teams. The most common reasons for not using mechanical combination were that algorithms are unavailable in practice and that stakeholders do not accept their use. Furthermore, decision makers do not quantify information, do not believe in research findings on evidence‐based decision making, and think that combining holistic and mechanical combination results in the best decisions. The most important reason why mechanical combination is used was to increase predictive validity. To stimulate the use of mechanical combination in practice, decision makers indicated that they should receive more training on evidence‐based decision making and that decision aids supporting the use of mechanical combination should be developed.
Effects of different shallow and saline groundwater depths on soil salinity, evapotranspiration, grain yield and spike traits of winter wheat
Authors: Kiremit Mehmet Sait , Arslan Hakan
Published: January 2023

The contribution of groundwater to evapotranspiration in crop irrigation scheduling is gaining importance worldwide. A two consecutive year wheat experiment was conducted in drainable lysimeters to evaluate the response of grain yield and quality, spike traits, water use efficiency, evapotranspiration and thousand kernel weight of wheat plants under twelve different shallow and saline groundwater conditions. The treatments included three groundwater depths (GWD) (D1: 30 cm, D2: 55 cm and D3: 80 cm) and four groundwater salinities (GWS) (S1: 0.38, S2: 2, S3: 4 and S4: 8 dSm−1). The results show that the average decrease in grain yield for D2and D1compared to D3was 20.9% and 30.7%, respectively, while the decrease for S2, S3and S4compared to S1was 11.8%, 18.0% and 25.1%. The highest evapotranspiration was found in the D3S1treatment (630.1 and 550.1 mm in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively), which increased by 48.0% and 30.2% in the first and second seasons, respectively, compared to the D1S4treatment. Thus, a GWD at 80 cm with 0.38 dSm−1GWS was able to meet 72% of the total water requirement of wheat under loam soil conditions. Water use efficiency values ranged from 1.49 to 1.65 kg m−3in the first season and from 1.18 to 1.73 kg m−3in the second season, with the highest water use efficiency values found at 80 cm GWD. Regression analysis showed that GWS had a greater effect on water use efficiency than GWD. On average, thousand kernel and hectolitre weights were highest under D3S1, reaching 49.6 g and 77.8 kg hl−1, respectively. Soil salinity increased steadily with increasing GWS at all GWD conditions, and higher soil salinity values were observed at 30 cm GWD. In addition, controlling a groundwater depth at 80 cm with 8.0 dSm−1GWS did not significantly increase soil salinity, which did not result in high grain yield losses. Finally, it is recommended to control groundwater at a constant depth of 80 cm with 0.38 dSm−1GWS after the tillering period of winter wheat to save more irrigation water, control soil salinity and improve yield and grain quality in the region with shallow‐saline groundwater.
COVID‐19 and Dr. Google: Parents' changing experience using online health information about their children's health during the pandemic
Authors: Negrone Ashlee J , Caldwell Patrina HY , Scott Karen M
Published: January 2023

Aims

To identify how the COVID‐19 pandemic influences parents' use of the internet, including social media, when seeking health‐related information about the pandemic relevant to their children.

Methods

This study employed semi‐structured interviews to explore the factors affecting parents of young children when information‐seeking online about their children's health related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Parents of children with and without chronic health conditions were interviewed in July and August 2020. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using theoretical thematic analysis, based on Social Cognitive Theory.

Results

Through interviews with 13 parents, we identified a myriad of factors that affected parents' internet searching. The decision to access online health information and the regulation of its usage was multifaceted and relied upon the interactions between environmental triggers and parents' information needs, personal attitudes, and circumstances. Overall, parents felt supported by online health information during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the majority were confident in their ability to navigate the plethora of online health information. However, parents of children with chronic conditions had unmet information needs in relation to COVID‐19 and their children's condition.

Conclusions

Understanding parents' attitudes and behaviours when seeking online health information that is relevant to their children during a global pandemic can inform the optimisation of online health content delivery to parents.
Minor painful procedures in extremely preterm infants admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: Opportunities to improve pain mitigation
Authors: Fulkoski Nick , Kecskes Zsuzsoka , Chaudhari Tejasvi
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study aims to characterise current pain management practices in extremely preterm infants (gestational age less than or equal to 28 weeks) admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

Retrospective audit pertaining to patient characteristics, as well as minor painful procedures (MPP), pain mitigation and pain scoring in 25 extremely preterm infants admitted to a tertiary NICU in 2016 over the first 14 days of NICU admission. Opportunities to bundle MPP were identified according to pre‐specified criteria. Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition (BSID‐III) cognitive, language and motor composite scores were available from the neurodevelopmental follow‐up clinic at 12‐ and 24‐months of corrected age. Linear mixed methods regression was used to examine for correlation between increased exposure to MPP and BSID‐III scores at follow‐up.

Results

Extremely preterm infants underwent an average of 11.24 ± 4.12 MPP per day for the first 14 days of NICU admission. Opportunities to bundle MPP were missed 75.98% (408/537) of the time; most of these were invasive blood collections. A total of 12.2% (481/3933) of MPP occurred within 4 h of pharmacological or non‐pharmacological pain mitigation. BSID‐III motor composite score was associated with an 11.75 (95% confidence interval 1.99, 21.27) decrease in patients experiencing more than or equal to the third quartile of MPP in the 14 days post‐NICU admission (P = 0.0329, n = 42). Association was not found for BSID‐III cognitive and language composite scores.

Conclusions

There is readily scope for quality improvement initiatives to reduce harm in extremely preterm infants admitted to NICU.
Premature R&D alliance termination and shareholder returns: Evidence from the biopharmaceutical industry
Authors: Eslami Hadi , Eshghi Kamran , Sadeh Farhad
Published: January 2023

Prior research has highlighted the performance implications of R&D alliances for innovation outcomes and the financial returns of firms. However, research on R&D alliances has yet to offer insights into how the premature termination of such alliances, before fulfilling their predetermined innovation objectives, affects the shareholder returns of the firm. Applying transaction cost economics (TCE) theory and real options (RO) logic to a post‐formation alliance setting, we posit that premature termination of R&D alliances prompts relative volatility in investors' prospective benefits and risks. Employing an event study analysis method and using a sample of 116 premature alliance termination announcements in the biopharmaceutical industry, we observe an average negative abnormal stock return of 3.21% for focal firms. Further, our analyses reveal that investors respond even more adversely to alliances terminated unilaterally by the partner of the focal firm in which they invested than those terminated through mutual agreements or by the focal firm itself. Also, we find that alliance duration from formation to termination mitigates the negative effect of termination on shareholder returns.
Urban‐rural disparities in interfacility transfers for children during COVID‐19
Authors: McDaniel Corrie E. , Leyenaar JoAnna K. , Bryan Mersine A. , Test Matthew , Sullivan Erin
Published: January 2023

Purpose

We aimed to identify temporal trends and differences in urban and rural pediatric interfacility transfers (IFTs) before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of IFT among children <18 years from January 2019 to June 2022 using the Pediatric Health Information System. The primary outcome was IFTs from general hospitals to referral children's hospitals. The primary exposure was patient rurality, defined by Rural‐Urban Commuting Area codes. We categorized IFTs into medical, surgical, and mental health diagnoses and analyzed trends by month. We calculated observed‐to‐expected (O‐E) ratios of pre‐pandemic (March 2019‐Feb 2020) transfers compared to pandemic year 1 (March 2020‐Feb 2021) and year 2 (March 2021‐February 2022) using Poisson modeling.

Findings

Of 419,250 IFTs, 18.8% (n = 78,751) were experienced by rural‐residing children. The O‐E ratio of IFT in year 1 for urban children was 14.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.8, 14.2) and 14.8% (95% CI 14.4, 15.3) for rural children compared to pre‐pandemic (P = .0001). In year 2, transfers rebounded with IFTs for rural‐residing children increasing more than urban‐residing children (101.7% [95% CI 100.1, 103.4] compared to 90.7% [95% CI 89.0, 90.4], P < .0001). For mental‐health indications in year 2, rural transfer ratios were higher than urban, 126.8% (95% CI, 116.7, 137.6) compared to 113.7% (95% CI 109.9, 117.6), P = .0168.

Conclusions

Pediatric IFTs decreased dramatically during pandemic year 1. In year 2, while medical and surgical transfers continued to lag pre‐pandemic volumes, transfers for mental health indications significantly exceeded pre‐pandemic levels, particularly among rural‐residing children.
Patent pools and innovation‐based approach in global healthcare crisis
Authors: Priyan Sherin , Gargate Gouri
Published: January 2023

During the COVID 2019 pandemic, the healthcare sector faced major jurisprudential questions about the intellectual property system. During this period, the world was in the midst of a healthcare crisis, wherein the debate between the reward for innovation versus accessibility to all at equitable rates have become intense. In a such challenging scenario, the scientific community were dedicated toward the research while the healthcare industry was indulging in arguments over the incentives on creation. In this paper, the authors, as IP researchers, argue that in a scenario where there is an intense dispute over innovation versus accessibility, probably patent pool can serve as a mechanism to handle the tussle. The authors have analyzed a few patent pool models that were chosen on the basis of the types of patents in the pool. Additionally, an attempt is made to scrutinize the laws governing patent pools in developed countries and developing countries. In doing so, the authors draw the benefits and limitations of the patent pools in healthcare. We follow a qualitative research methodology. The research is based on secondary data and has some limitations because of this.
Developing a scale for Japanese public health nurses supporting resident groups toward community‐building
Authors: Abe Akemi , Hatono Yoko , Teraoka Sawa
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study developed a scale for public health nurses supporting resident groups toward community‐building and verified its reliability and validity.

Design and Sample

In this cross‐sectional investigation, self‐administered questionnaires were distributed to 1,924 public health nurses in Japanese municipalities.

Measurements

The questionnaire included items on the public health nurses’ demographic attributes, the developmental stage of the resident groups they supported, a draft scale, and an external criterion. Reliability was verified by calculating the alpha coefficient and test‐retest reliability. To clarify construct validity, we conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Results

We analyzed 570 questionnaires. The scale was structured using 30 items covering four factors: “Creating opportunities to connect with community residents, other groups, and governments,” “Stimulating activities by improving organizational capacity,” “Promoting stable organizational management,” and “Providing opportunities to review community health issues and activities.” The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this scale was 0.944. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.923 using test‐retest relativity. Correlations were noted for criterion‐related validity (r = 0.388, p < .01). Confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling revealed a reasonable fit to the data.

Conclusions

The scale for public health nurses supporting resident groups toward community‐building was confirmed to be reliable and valid.
When do decision makers listen (less) to experts? The Swiss government's implementation of scientific advice during the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Eichenberger Steven , Varone Frédéric , Sciarini Pascal , Stähli Robin , Proulx Jessica
Published: January 2023

Under which conditions do politicians listen to scientific experts in a crisis? This study addresses this question by assessing how the Swiss government implemented 186 policy recommendations formulated by the National COVID‐19 Science Task Force (STF) to combat the spread of the virus and alleviate its impact on the health system, society and economy during the first year of the pandemic. Results of multiple regression analyses show that the impact of problem pressure on the propensity of the government to implement experts' recommendations varies over time: it was considerably larger during spring 2020 than afterwards. We argue that this reflects a change in status of the STF during the second phase of the pandemic: it was distanced from the political‐strategic level of the crisis management organization and its epistemic authority was increasingly questioned by political parties and interest groups. Policy scholars should thus give more attention to how rapidly the government's propensity to rely on expert advice can change.
Interprofessional collaboration in a community virtual ward: A focus group study
Authors: Eines Trude Fløystad , Storm Marianne , Grønvik Cecilie Katrine Utheim
Published: January 2023

Background

The problem of a lack of nurses is expected to worsen in the future. With an ever‐increasing number of elderly patients with multimorbidity and a shortage of healthcare professionals, primary care must innovatively organise their services to offer more sustainable healthcare services. Organising healthcare services in a community virtual ward has been found to improve the quality of life for vulnerable elderly populations.

Aim

The aim of the study was to explore healthcare professionals' experiences of interprofessional collaboration in care for patients with multimorbidity in a community virtual ward in the Norwegian context.

Methods

Focus group interviews were conducted in this qualitative exploratory study. A purposive sample of 17 healthcare professionals working in a community virtual ward in Norway was interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The study results show that healthcare professionals recognise a need for patient involvement in the community virtual ward to offer more sustainable healthcare services at home. Furthermore, the results show how healthcare professionals experience the use of assessment tools and whiteboard meetings as useful tools for facilitating interprofessional collaboration. The study results also describe how interprofessional and holistic follow‐up with patients with multimorbidity contributes to increased focus on health promotion in the community virtual ward.

Conclusion

We found that interprofessional collaboration in community virtual wards may be a sustainable way of organising healthcare services for patients with multimorbidity living at home. Interprofessional collaboration with a patient‐centred and health promotion approach, seems to increase the quality of the follow‐up for patients with multimorbidity living at home. Additionally, mutual interprofessional trust and respect seems to be essential for making use of the unique expertise of different professions in the follow‐up for patients with multimorbidity. In the future, both the patient's voice and opinion of their next of kin should be considered in the development of more sustainable homecare services.