bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the relationships among educational application (APP) quality, computer anxiety and student engagement
Authors: Lee Jung-Chieh , Xiong Liang Nan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Numerous educational applications (APP) have been developed to assist traditional classroom teaching and student learning. APP quality plays a critical role in influencing students' learning behaviors. However, the role negative mindsets, especially computer anxiety, play in how APP quality affects student engagement remains unknown. To address the relationships among APP quality, computer anxiety and student engagement in an APP-based learning environment, we developed an extended information system (IS) success model that includes interface and instructor quality.

Design/methodology/approach

To empirically test the proposed model, we conducted a survey with a sample of 225 university students and examined the hypotheses using the partial least squares (PLS) method.

Findings

Computer anxiety was demonstrated to fully mediate the relationships between student engagement and interface quality and service quality and system quality. In addition, the instructor quality acts as a partial mediator of the relationship between computer anxiety and student engagement.

Originality/value

This study reveals the important mediating role of computer anxiety in APP-assisted learning and the special status of instructor quality and user experience in influencing student engagement. The findings of this study shed meaningful light on the practical implications for instructors and APP software developers.
Auditing in the time of COVID – the impact of COVID-19 on auditing in New Zealand and subsequent reforms
Authors: Hay David , Shires Karen , Van Dyk Debbie
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This special issue paper aims to describe the early effects of COVID-19 on auditing in New Zealand, and the subsequent reforms that the authors expect will follow.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use published sources to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on auditing, and potential reforms.

Findings

COVID-19 was at first expected to have a substantial impact on audit outcomes such as audit opinions. The effects that eventuated have been much less substantial so far. Nevertheless, the authors expect reforms to auditing to take place, especially including non-audit services, reports on inspections of auditors and more reporting on going concern issues by directors, followed by increased responsibility for auditors. In future, there may be further changes including reform to the liability of auditors, reporting on internal control, more responsibility for fraud and changes to corporate governance.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 crisis. Further effects may yet eventuate.

Practical implications

Financial report users and auditors should anticipate changes.

Originality/value

This paper provides early evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on New Zealand auditing and predicts changes to the regulation of auditing.
Separation and purification of flavonoids from polygonum cuspidatum using macroporous adsorption resin
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Runtian , Zhao Yingyu , Zhang Jun , Zhang Boyuan , Chen Zhengcan , Liu Pu , Chen Zhenbin , Liu Chunli , Li Xiaoming
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the separation and purification characteristics of flavonoids from polygonum cuspidatum (PC) extracts by using macroporous adsorption resins (MAR) mixed bed to improve the utilization rate of flavonoids.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking the separation performance of flavonoids as an evaluation index, the best MAR were screened from 31 sorts of MAR and combined the best MAR to form a MAR mixed bed for adsorption and separation of flavonoids.

Findings

By studying the separation conditions that affect flavonoids, the results showed that resin LZ-72 has best separation and purification effect on flavonoids under the optimal adsorption and desorption conditions, the purity of the obtained flavonoid compound reaches 82.50%, 2.66 times of the initial extract, and the recovery rate reaches 89.70%. Theoretical research results have shown that the adsorption of flavonoids by MAR conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich models.

Practical implications

Because the flavonoids in PC have great medicinal value, the purpose of this work is to develop a method of separating and purifying flavonoids from PC, which will provide a certain foundation for the development of medicine.

Originality/value

This contribution provided a novel way to separate flavonoids from PC. Under the optimal conditions, the content of flavonoids in the product was increased 2.66-fold from 31.01% to 82.50%, and the recovery yield was 89.70%.
Retirement and organizations: perspectives and challenges for both workers and human resource management
Authors: Helal Diogo Henrique , Nóbrega Cleverson Vasconcelos da , Lima Tatiana Aguiar Porfírio de
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect on retirement, showing its different viewpoints, advocating the need to understand the issue from a procedural and multidimensional perspective, and especially, defending a more active role of human resource management in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a theoretical framework of retirement, based on a procedural and multidimensional perspective.

Findings

To study how individuals adapt to retirement permits the discovery, for example, of how they obtain the quality of life after the transition and how they manage the internal and external aspects of the process. Human resource management must treat retirement as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. This means it should consider retirement not only as a decision but also as a process.

Originality/value

This essay seeks to reflect on retirement, advocating the need to understand the issue from a procedural and multidimensional perspective, and especially, defending a more active role of human resource management in the process.
The invisible enemy: Understanding bird‐window strikes through citizen science in a focal city
Authors: Uribe‐Morfín Paulina , Gómez‐Martínez Miguel A. , Moreles‐Abonce Lilia , Olvera‐Arteaga Anael , Shimada‐Beltrán Harumi , MacGregor‐Fors Ian
Published: March 2021

Bird‐window collisions have been estimated to be among the most important sources of bird death. Despite increasing knowledge in Latin America, our understanding of this phenomenon is still incipient, with research performed in Mexico limited to a handful of studies. Here, we present the results of a citizen science effort focused on bird‐window collisions at seven buildings in the university campus of the National School of Higher Studies (ENES) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, located in the city of León (central Mexico). Our main goal was to describe seasonal patterns of bird‐window collisions and their relationship with building traits (i.e., building height, window area) through citizen science monitoring strategies. Our results showed that collisions were higher in two of the seven studied buildings, with two bird species recording almost half of the total collisions: Clay‐colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) and Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). Seasonally, April was the only month to differ from the rest of the studied months, showing significantly higher rate of bird‐window collision. Regarding building traits, only building height was related to the number of recorded bird‐window collisions. In sum, our study provides findings from an understudied area, showing the value of citizen science approaches to generate knowledge on a deadly phenomenon. Notably, besides the potential drawbacks and importance of generating this kind of information, our project raised awareness on the topic across the entire campus community, from the students and academics to the administration, highlighting the potential for social impact with these kinds of projects.
Fitness components and the determinants of fecundity in populations of a native perennial grass (Tridens flavus)
Authors: Cheplick Gregory P.
Published: March 2021

Understanding intraspecific variation in traits that determine fitness is foundational to a trait‐based approach to plant ecology. This study examined fitness components during 3 years of reproduction in a polycarpic perennial bunchgrass (Tridens flavus) native to eastern North America that could prove useful in revegetating disturbed habitats. Plants were cultured from seeds of five populations in central New Jersey, USA, and planted in July 2015 into two undisturbed gardens 30 m apart that differed in availability of sunlight and soil moisture. Following flowering in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the number of panicles, seed set, seed number (fecundity) and seed mass were recorded. Final dry aboveground mass was determined. Seed set was high (>70%) in all populations and gardens. Panicle production varied with population and was strongly correlated with fecundity, but populations were not differentiated for other fitness components. Panicle and seed number were greatest in the drier garden with greater daily light availability. Mass per seed was reduced as more seeds were produced in the second and third year but showed low variation compared to fecundity. Vegetative mass was the most important variable determining fecundity. Close proximity of sampled sites and an outcrossed, wind‐pollinated mating strategy may have precluded detection of differentiation amongT. flavuspopulations in the common gardens. High seed set, prodigious seed production on multiple panicles and high seed germinability and overwinter survival account for the occurrence of large populations of this native grass along roadsides and within successional fields and young woodlands throughout the region.
TERRITORIAL DESTIGMATIZATION IN AN ERA OF POLICY SCHIZOPHRENIA
Authors: Schultz Larsen Troels , Delica Kristian Nagel
Published: March 2021

While territorial destigmatization has long been central to urban policies, academic interest is only very recent. Using the figure of the triangle, we outline an analytical approach to studying territorial destigmatization, connecting territory, destigmatization and institutions. By building on open‐ended structured interviews with 47 project managers from 40 stigmatized housing estates in Denmark, we shed light on territorial destigmatization work in practice. The accounts of the project managers allow us to make explicit the implicit logics—doxas—that inform the fuzzy logic of practice in territorial destigmatization work. We identify four such generative institutional logics which, brought together, constitute a regime of territorial destigmatization. These logics underpin the contemporary policy schizophrenia that simultaneously promotes territorial destigmatization at the local level and the production of territorial stigmatization at the national level. This illuminates the efforts to deal with the persistence of territorial stigma, implying that the Sisyphean character of these efforts are not unforeseen policy consequences of dealing with a ‘wicked problem’, but integral to the political economy of the contemporary neoliberal governance of advanced urban marginality.
Harmonization across programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) assays for lung cancer by immunohistochemistry using noncontact alternating current electric field mixing
Authors: Matsuo Tsubasa , Imai Kazuhiro , Nanjo Hiroshi , Takashima Shinogu , Hiroshima Yuko , Atari Maiko , Kuriyama Shoji , Ishii Yoshiaki , Wakamatsu Yuki , Sato Yusuke , Motoyama Satoru , Matsumura Yuki , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Nomura Kyoko , Minamiya Yoshihiro
Published: March 2021

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising advance in the treatment of patients with lung cancer. However, each ICI has been tested with an independently designed companion diagnostic assay that is based on a unique antibody. Consequently, the different trial‐validated programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays should not be considered interchangeable. Our aim was to compare the performance of each available PD‐L1 antibody for its ability to accurately measure PD‐L1 expression and to investigate the possibility of harmonization across antibodies through the use of a new rapid IHC system, which uses noncontact alternating current (AC) mixing to achieve more stable staining.

Methods

First, 58 resected non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens were stained using three PD‐L1 IHC assays (28–8, SP142, and SP263) to assess the harmonization achieved with AC mixing IHC. Second, specimens from 27 patients receiving ICIs for postoperative recurrent NSCLC were stained using the same IHC method to compare the clinical performance of ICIs to PD‐L1 scores. All patients received a tumor proportion score (TPS) with the 22C3 companion diagnostic test.

Results

Better staining was achieved with the new AC mixing IHC method than the conventional IHC in PD‐L1‐positive cases, and the interchangeability of some combinations of assays was increased in PD‐L1‐positive. In addition, AC mixing IHC provided more appropriate overall response rates for ICIs in all assays.

Conclusions

Stable PD‐L1 IHC driven by AC mixing helped to improve TPS scoring and patient selection for ICIs through interchangeable assays.
Factors and health‐related quality of life associated with participation in a post‐ICU follow‐up. A register study
Authors: Glimelius Petersson Cecilia , Jakobsson Liselotte , Westergren Albert , Bergbom Ingegerd
Published: March 2021

Background

Follow‐up for heterogeneous intensive care patients presents challenges for rehabilitation interventions and outcome measurements. The aim was to describe and explore characteristics and determinants for visiting/not visiting a nurse‐led clinic (NLC) at different time‐points, and to describe physical and mental health (HRQoL) over time.

Methods

Patients with a length of stay (LOS) of ≥72 hours, discharged from a general intensive care unit 2004‐2014, who participated in a 6‐month follow‐up programme offering visits to NLC at 2 and 6 months were included. The register study includes information regarding patients’ participation in NLC, clinical and demographic data from the Patient Administrative System within Intensive care, and data on 2‐, 6‐ and 12‐month HRQoL by using SF‐36 from the Swedish Intensive Care Registry.

Results

Of 656 patients, 57% visited the NLC on some occasion. These patients were younger (P = .000), had lower Simplified Acute Physiology scores (P = .001) and higher SF‐36 physical health domain scores at 2 months (P < .05) compared to those not visiting at all. Visitors at 2 months only were younger, had shorter LOS and higher physical and mental domain scores than patients visiting at 6 months only. Patients visiting the NLC scored significantly higher in all domains from 2 to 12 months, whereas non‐visiting‐patients’ did this in four out of eight domains during the same time frame.

Conclusion

Individual patient's characteristics and current health conditions seem to influence visits to NLC or not. The findings may contribute to the development of existing routines to match the diversity of patients’ needs and life situations.
Costs of schizotypal disorder: A matched‐controlled nationwide register‐based study of patients and spouses
Authors: Hastrup Lene Halling , Jennum Poul , Ibsen Rikke , Kjellberg Jakob , Simonsen Erik
Published: March 2021

Objective

Information on societal cost of patients with schizotypal disorder is limited. The aim was to investigate the societal costs of schizotypal disorder before and after initial diagnosis including both patients and their spouses.

Methods

A register‐based cohort study of 762 patients with incident schizotypal disorder (ICD‐10; F21) including their spouses and 3048 matched controls, during 2002 to 2016. Total healthcare costs, home care costs, and costs of lost productivity of patients and spouses were included in the analysis.

Results

Total costs amounted €47,215 per year for patients with schizotypal disorder, which was fifteen times higher than the matched controls. Of these, 41% were healthcare and home care costs and 59% were costs of lost productivity. Healthcare costs and costs of lost productivity were increased during five years before initial diagnosis of schizotypal disorder. Total costs of spouses to patients were €21,384 compared with € 2519 among spouses of controls. 75% of the total costs of spouses to patients were related to lost productivity. The total costs were higher than the costs of borderline personality disorder, but on the same level as the costs of schizophrenia identified in earlier comparable studies.

Conclusions

The total societal costs of patients with schizotypal disorder drawn from national registers differed substantially from the controls representing the general population. As evidence‐based recommendations for diagnoses and treatment of patients with schizotypal disorder do not exist, future research should focus on developing effective treatment for this group of patients to reduce cost of illness.
Heroin use cannot be measured adequately with a general population survey
Authors: Reuter Peter , Caulkins Jonathan P. , Midgette Greg
Published: March 2021

Background

Globally, heroin and other opioids account for more than half of deaths and years‐of‐life‐lost due to drug use and comprise one of the four major markets for illegal drugs. Having sound estimates of the number of problematic heroin users is fundamental to formulating sound health and criminal justice policies. Researchers and policymakers rely heavily upon general population surveys (GPS), such as the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), to estimate heroin use, without confronting their limitations. GPS‐based estimates are also ubiquitous for cocaine and methamphetamine, so insights pertaining to GPS for estimating heroin use are also relevant for those drug markets.

Analysis

Four sources of potential errors in NSDUH are assessed: selective non‐response, small sample size, sampling frame omissions and under‐reporting. An alternative estimate drawing on a variety of sources including a survey of adult male arrestees is presented and explained. Other approaches to prevalence estimation are discussed.

Findings

Under‐reporting and selective non‐response in NSDUH are likely to lead to substantial underestimation. Small sample size leads to imprecise estimates and erratic year‐to‐year fluctuations. The alternative estimate provides credible evidence that NSDUH underestimates the number of frequent heroin users by at least three‐quarters and perhaps much more.

Implications

GPS, even those as strong as NSDUH, are doomed by their nature to estimate poorly a rare and stigmatized behavior concentrated in a hard‐to‐track population. Although many European nations avoid reliance upon these surveys, many others follow the US model. Better estimation requires models that draw upon a variety of data sources, including GPS, to provide credible estimates. Recent methodological developments in selected countries can provide guidance. Journals should require researchers to critically assess the soundness of GPS estimates for any stigmatized drug‐related behaviors with low prevalence rates.
Reduction in the population prevalence of hepatitis C virus viraemia among people who inject drugs associated with scale‐up of direct‐acting anti‐viral therapy in community drug services: real‐world data
Authors: Palmateer Norah E. , McAuley Andrew , Dillon John F. , McDonald Scott , Yeung Alan , Smith Shanley , Barclay Stephen , Hayes Peter , Shepherd Samantha J. , Gunson Rory N. , Goldberg David J. , Hickman Matthew , Hutchinson Sharon J.
Published: March 2021

Background and aims

There has been little empirical evidence to show the ‘real‐world’ impact of scaling‐up direct‐acting anti‐viral (DAA) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viraemia at a population level. We aimed to assess the population impact of rapid DAA scale‐up to PWID delivered through community services—including drug treatment, pharmacies, needle exchanges and prisons—in the Tayside region of Scotland, compared with Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) and the Rest of Scotland (RoS).

Design, setting and participants

Natural experiment, evaluated using data from national biennial surveys of PWID and national clinical data. Services providing injecting equipment (2010–18) and HCV treatment clinics (2017–18) across Scotland. A total of 12 492 PWID who completed a questionnaire and provided a blood spot (tested for HCV‐antibodies and RNA); 4105 individuals who initiated HCV treatment.

Intervention and comparator, measurements

The intervention was rapid DAA scale‐up among PWID, which occurred in Tayside. The comparator was GGC/RoS. Trends in HCV viraemia and uptake of HCV therapy over time; sustained viral response (SVR) rates to therapy by region and treatment setting.

Findings

Uptake of HCV therapy (last year) among PWID between 2013–14 and 2017–18 increased from 15 to 43% in Tayside, 6 to 16% in GGC and 11 to 23% in RoS. Between 2010 and 2017–18, the prevalence of HCV viraemia (among antibody‐positives) declined from 73 to 44% in Tayside, 67 to 58% in GGC and 64 to 55% in RoS. The decline in viraemia was greater in Tayside [2017–18 adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30–0.75, P = 0.001] than elsewhere in Scotland (2017–18 aOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.74–1.07, P = 0.220) relative to the baseline of 2013–14 in RoS (including GGC). Per‐protocol SVR rates among PWID treated in community sites did not differ from those treated in hospital sites in Tayside (97.4 versus 100.0%, P = 0.099).

Conclusions

Scale‐up of direct‐acting anti‐viral treatment among people who inject drugs can be achieved through hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment in community drug services while maintaining high sustained viral response rates and, in the Tayside region of Scotland, has led to a substantial reduction in chronic HCV in the population.
Characterising vaping products in the United Kingdom: an analysis of Tobacco Products Directive notification data
Authors: Nyakutsikwa Blessing , Britton John , Bogdanovica Ilze , Boobis Alan , Langley Tessa
Published: March 2021

Aims

To analyse content and emission data submitted by manufacturers for nicotine‐containing vaping products in the United Kingdom (UK) in accordance with the European Union Tobacco Products Directive.

Design

Analysis of ingredient and emission data reported for all e‐liquid‐containing e‐cigarettes, cartridges or refill containers notified to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from November 2016 to October 2017.

Setting

United Kingdom

Cases

A total of 40 785 e‐liquid containing products.

Measurements

The average number of ingredients per product, nicotine concentrations, frequency of occurrence ingredients and frequency and levels of chemical emissions.

Findings

Reports were not standardised in relation to units of measurement or constituent nomenclature. Products listed an average of 17 ingredients and 3.3% were reported not to contain nicotine. A total of 59% of products contained <12 mg nicotine per mL, and <1% were reported to have nicotine concentrations above the legal limit of 20 mg/mL. Over 1500 ingredients were reported, and other than nicotine the most commonly reported non‐flavour ingredients were propylene glycol (97% of products) and glycerol (71%). The most common flavour ingredients were ethyl butyrate (42%), vanillin (35%) and ethyl maltol (33%). The most frequently reported chemical emissions were nicotine (65%), formaldehyde (48%) and acetaldehyde (40%). The reporting of the concentration of emissions was not standardised; emissions were reported in a format allowing analysis of median estimated concentration for between 13% and 100% of products for each reported emission. Most of the frequently reported emissions, other than nicotine, were present in median estimated concentrations below 1 μg/L of inspired air, and with the exception of nicotine, acrolein and diacetyl, at median levels below European Chemicals Agency Long Term Exposure and United States (US) Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits, where these were available.

Conclusions

An analysis of reports to the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency by manufacturers of vaping products shows that (i) these products have a large range of ingredients and emissions, (ii) the reporting system is unstandardized in terms of reporting requirements, and (iii) for quantified emissions, median levels are for the most part below published safe limits for ambient air.
Detection of the internal anatomy of lower anterior teeth using cone‐beam computed tomography
Authors: Santos Marice C. , Souza‐Gabriel Aline E. , Cruz‐Filho Antônio M. , Sousa‐Neto Manoel D. , Silva Ricardo G.
Published: March 2021

Morphology study of root canal systems is essential for a correct diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of root canal treatment. This study aimed to analyse the dental anatomy of the lower anterior teeth, using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). Lower anterior teeth were classified in terms of type, number and location of root canals, evaluating the bilaterality of anatomical occurrences and determining whether the gender and age influence the findings. We analysed 749 CBCT of patients attending the School of Dentistry for different reasons. Spearman’s correlations and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used to analyse data (α = 0.05). There was no significant correlation between gender (male and female) and anatomy of the canals 33 (P = 0.162), 32 (P = 0.815), 31 (P = 0.708), 41 (P = 0.422), 42 (P = 0.382) and 43 (P = 0.063). There was a significant correlation between age and anatomy of the canals 33 (P = 0.045), 32 (P = 0.033), 31 (P = 0.022), 41 (P = 0.000), 42 (P = 0.037) and 43 (P = 0.037). There was no significant correlation between gender and patients' age (P = 0.325). There was no anatomical difference between the bilateral pairs (right and left homologous teeth) (P > 0.05). The most common anatomical configuration was single‐canal teeth (85.29%), followed by the configuration in which one canal leaves the chamber, divides into two and unite again (12.88%). Anatomy of the lateral incisors and lower canines does not change with the gender of patients. However, as age rises, single canals and the incidence of division into two canals ending in a single foramen also increases.
Impact of anxiety, stress and depression related to COVID‐19 pandemic on the course of hereditary angioedema with C1‐inhibitor deficiency
Authors: Eyice Karabacak Deniz , Demir Semra , Yeğit Osman Ozan , Can Ali , Terzioğlu Kadriye , Ünal Derya , Olgaç Müge , Coşkun Raif , Çolakoğlu Bahauddin , Büyüköztürk Suna , Gelincik Aslı
Published: March 2021

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks can be provoked with psychological factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of anxiety, depression and stress related to COVID‐19 pandemic on disease activity of HAE patients during the quarantine period (QP) and the return to normal period (RTNP).

Methods

This study was conducted between March 2020 and September 2020 in four allergy centres. Demographic, clinical features and mental health status were evaluated in QP (from March to the beginning of June) and RTNP (from June to the beginning of September) applied by the government. The 10‐point visual analogue scale (VAS10) was used to define the severity of HAE attacks. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales‐21 (DASS‐21) and Fear of COVID‐19 (FC‐19) scale were performed to assess mental health status.

Results

139 HAE patients were included in the study. In QP, median attack numbers and median VAS10 scores were 5 (min‐max: 0–45) and 6 (min‐max: 0–10), respectively. HAE attack numbers, DASS‐21 stress, anxiety, depression and total DASS‐21 scores, and FC‐19 scores were higher in QP than RTNP (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no difference in attack severity scores between the two periods (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study revealed that the restriction measures during COVID‐19 outbreak cause an increase in the number of HAE attacks in relation to anxiety, depression, stress and fear of COVID‐19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to provide psychological support to HAE patients during the pandemic.
Flood regime alters the abiotic correlates of riparian vegetation
Authors: Steinberg Kelly A. , Eichhorst Kim D. , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: March 2021

Questions

Predicting the influence of climate change on riparian plant communities improves management strategies. The sensitivity of riparian vegetation to climate and other abiotic factors depends on interactions between properties of the ecosystem, like flood regime, and plant characteristics. To explore these interactions, we addressed three questions: (a) does the composition and diversity of riparian vegetation vary with the flood regime; (b) do abiotic correlates of vegetation, including climate and groundwater, differ between sites that flood compared to locations that did not experience floods; and (c) which plant functional groups account for differential plant community sensitivity to abiotic factors between flood regimes?

Location

Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico.

Methods

We used long‐term observations of plant community composition, groundwater depth, precipitation and interpolated temperature from 24 sites spanning 210 km of the Rio Grande riparian cottonwood–willow forest to explore the relative importance of climate and hydrologic correlates of riparian vegetation diversity and composition.

Results

Riparian plant diversity was higher at sites flooding compared to non‐flooding sites. Plant diversity positively tracked shallower groundwater depth at flooding sites, but was best predicted by intra‐annual groundwater variability at non‐flooding sites. Plant community composition correlated with groundwater depth and air temperature at all sites, but at non‐flooding sites, also with intra‐annual groundwater variability and precipitation. Relationships between native plant cover and potential environmental drivers diverged strongly between the two flood regimes; non‐native plant cover had only weak relationships with most environmental predictors.

Conclusions

The current flood regime of a site determined the climate and hydrologic factors that best predicted riparian plant community composition and diversity. Relationships between plant diversity or total cover and groundwater, temperature, precipitation, or groundwater variability can change in strength or direction depending on a site's flood history, highlighting the importance of flood regime to predicting the sensitivity of riparian woodlands to future environmental change.
Situational context influences the degree of hostile attributions made by individuals with schizophrenia or autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Zajenkowska Anna , Rogoza Radosław , Sasson Noah J. , Harvey Philip D. , Penn David L. , Pinkham Amy E.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Previous work has demonstrated that the tendency to make hostile attributions is not a stable trait but varies across different social situations. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether hostile attributions within clinical samples are better understood as a persistent characteristic or one that varies across contexts.

Methods

The current analyses investigated patterns of attributions among people diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCZ, n = 271) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 100) and non‐clinical control participants (NCC, n = 233) in an existing data set.

Results

Results showed that specific relational features in vignettes portraying different social encounters influence the way people make attributions and that variability across contexts is present in both non‐clinical and clinical populations. Like non‐clinical participants, participants diagnosed with ASD ascribed the greatest hostility to a scene involving an authority figure. In contrast, SCZ participants reported the greatest hostility in response to a scene involving a friend.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that salient environmental factors should be considered when assessing social cognitive skills and biases.

Practitioner points

Hostile attributions should be perceived as situational constructs rather than stable and persistent characteristics.

Hostile attributions were most prevalent among persons diagnosed with schizophrenia; however, on average, all participants showed greater hostility for situations involving an authority figure, an acquaintance, or a friend relative to those involving a co‐worker or stranger.

Psychotherapists and clinicians working with people diagnosed with schizophrenia or autism spectrum disorder could work on identifying situation triggers, which may prompt hostile attributions.

Psycho‐educational and psychotherapeutic interventions can be altered based on individual triggers of hostile attributions, and attempts can be made to lessen these attributions.

Paranoia appears to be linked to hostile attributions regardless of the specific clinical diagnosis and should be considered in the therapeutic process.
The impact of inflation targeting: Testing the good luck hypothesis
Authors: Ravenna Federico , Mølbak Ingholt Marcus
Published: March 2021

Starting in the mid‐1980s, the level and volatility of inflation decreased across industrial countries. The inflation stabilization can be explained by a shift in monetary policy or by a lucky period of low volatility in business cycle shocks. To test the “good luck hypothesis,” we examine the inflation experience of Canada, one of the earliest and most successful adopters of an inflation targeting monetary policy. We Kalman‐filter the historical structural shocks consistent with an estimated dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model of the Canadian economy. The estimated shocks are used to build counterfactual histories. The good luck hypothesis can explain only a minor portion of the change in the path and volatility of inflation after the shift in policy. Most of inflation and output stabilization is accounted by the impact on expectations. Unconditionally, the inflation targeting policy does not improve on the previous policy in terms of inflation volatility, but supports a more favourable trade‐off, reducing substantially output volatility.
GW117: A novel serotonin (5‐HT2C) receptor antagonist and melatonin (MT1/MT2) receptor agonist with potential antidepressant‐like activity in rodents
Authors: Gao Nana , Zheng Wei , Murezati Tiliwaerde , Gu Wei , Li Xiaorong , Jin Zengliang
Published: March 2021

Aims

To evaluate the antidepressant‐like effect of compound GW117 in rodents using in vitro binding and uptake assays as well in vivo behavioral tests.

Methods

We investigated the target profile of GW117 using [35S]‐GTPγS and [3H]PIP binding. Using the forced swimming test and chronic unpredictable stress in rats, tail suspension test in mice and rats, and learned helplessness model in mice, we further revealed the antidepressant‐like and anxiolytic‐like effects of GW117.

Results

The current study suggests that GW117 displays serotonin 2C (5‐HT2C) receptor antagonist and melatonin type 1 and 2 (MT1/MT2) receptor agonist properties, as well as evident antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.

Conclusion

These data suggest that GW117 is probably a potent antidepressant.
Beyond exposure‐response: A tutorial on statistical considerations in dose‐ranging studies
Authors: Laird Glen , Xu Lei , Liu Meng , Liu Jin
Published: March 2021

Dose‐ranging studies are a crucial part of the phase II drug development process. They complement the understanding gained from exposure‐response analyses. However, the statistical design issues related to dose‐ranging studies are not always keenly understood and a poorly designed study can be costly for later development. In this tutorial, we review five key statistical principles in designing such a study. We also describe some popular statistical approaches, including pairwise comparison, modeling, and Multiple Comparison Procedure modeling in the context of principles.
A methodological framework to predict the individual and population‐level distributions from tracking data
Authors: Chambault Philippine , Hattab Tarek , Mouquet Pascal , Bajjouk Touria , Jean Claire , Ballorain Katia , Ciccione Stéphane , Dalleau Mayeul , Bourjea Jérôme
Published: March 2021

Despite the large number of species distribution modelling (SDM) applications driven by tracking data, individual information is most of the time neglected and traditional SDM approaches commonly focus on predicting the potential distribution at the species or population‐level. By running classical SDMs (population approach) with mixed models including a random factor to account for the variability attributable to individual (individual approach), we propose an innovative five‐steps framework to predict the potential and individual‐level distributions of mobile species using GPS data collected from green turtles. Pseudo‐absences were randomly generated following an environmentally‐stratified procedure. A negative exponential dispersal kernel was incorporated into the individual model to account for spatial fidelity, while five environmental variables derived from high‐resolution Lidar and hyperspectral data were used as predictors of the species distribution in generalized linear models. Both approaches showed a strong predictive power (mean: AUC > 0.93, CBI > 0.88) and goodness‐of‐fit (0.6 < adjusted R2 < 0.9), but differed geographically with favorable habitats restricted around the tagging locations for the individual approach whereas favorable habitats from the population approach were more widespread. Our innovative way to combine predictions from both approaches into a single map provides a unique scientific baseline to support conservation planning and management of many taxa. Our framework is easy to implement and brings new opportunities to exploit existing tracking dataset, while addressing key ecological questions such as inter‐individual plasticity and social interactions.
Cellular studies of the two main isoforms of human d‐aspartate oxidase
Authors: Rabattoni Valentina , Pollegioni Loredano , Tedeschi Gabriella , Maffioli Elisa , Sacchi Silvia
Published: March 2021

Human d‐aspartate oxidase (hDASPO) is a FAD‐dependent enzyme responsible for the degradation of d‐aspartate (d‐Asp). In the mammalian central nervous system, d‐Asp behaves as a classical neurotransmitter, it is thought to be involved in neural development, brain morphology and behavior, and appears to be involved in several pathological states, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Apparently, the human DDO gene produces alternative transcripts encoding for three putative hDASPO isoforms, constituted by 341 (the ‘canonical’ form), 369, and 282 amino acids. Despite the increasing interest in hDASPO and its physiological role, little is known about these different isoforms. Here, the additional N‐terminal peptide present in the hDASPO_369 isoform only has been identified in hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease female patients, while peptides corresponding to the remaining part of the protein were present in samples from male and female healthy controls and Alzheimer’s disease patients. The hDASPO_369 isoform was largely expressed in E. coli as insoluble protein, hampering with its biochemical characterization. Furthermore, we generated U87 human glioblastoma cell clones stably expressing hDASPO_341 and, for the first time, hDASPO_369 isoforms; the latter protein showed a lower expression compared with the canonical isoform. Both protein isoforms are active (showing similar kinetic properties), localize to the peroxisomes, are very stable (a half‐life of approximately 100 h has been estimated), and are primarily degraded through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. These studies shed light on the properties of hDASPO isoforms with the final aim to clarify the mechanisms controlling brain levels of the neuromodulator d‐Asp.
Global patterns of forest autotrophic carbon fluxes
Authors: Banbury Morgan Rebecca , Herrmann Valentine , Kunert Norbert , Bond‐Lamberty Ben , Muller‐Landau Helene C. , Anderson‐Teixeira Kristina J.
Published: March 2021

Carbon (C) fixation, allocation, and metabolism by trees set the basis for energy and material flows in forest ecosystems and define their interactions with Earth's changing climate. However, while many studies have considered variation in productivity with latitude and climate, we lack a cohesive synthesis on how forest carbon fluxes vary globally with respect to climate and one another. Here, we draw upon 1,319 records from the Global Forest Carbon Database, representing all major forest types and the nine most significant autotrophic carbon fluxes, to comprehensively review how annual C cycling in mature, undisturbed forests varies with latitude and climate on a global scale. Across all flux variables analyzed, rates of C cycling decreased continuously with absolute latitude—a finding that confirms multiple previous studies and contradicts the idea that net primary productivity of temperate forests rivals that of tropical forests. C flux variables generally displayed similar trends across latitude and multiple climate variables, with no differences in allocation detected at this global scale. Temperature variables in general, and mean annual temperature or temperature seasonality in particular, were the best single predictors of C flux, explaining 19%–71% of variation in the C fluxes analyzed. The effects of temperature were modified by moisture availability, with C flux reduced under hot and dry conditions and sometimes under very high precipitation. Annual C fluxes increased with growing season length and were also influenced by growing season climate. These findings clarify how forest C flux varies with latitude and climate on a global scale. In an era when forests will play a critical yet uncertain role in shaping Earth's rapidly changing climate, our synthesis provides a foundation for understanding global patterns in forest C cycling.
Pharmacokinetic implications of dosing emicizumab based on vial size: A simulation study
Authors: Yu Jacky K. , Iorio Alfonso , Chelle Pierre , Edginton Andrea N.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Emicizumab is dosed as mg/kg and, according to the label, any unused drug left in the vial(s) must be discarded, thereby wasting expensive resources. The aim of this study was to use population pharmacokinetics to illustrate the implications of changing the dosing interval to avoid wastage.

Methods

We used a previously published emicizumab PopPK model after extending its validation to children. We simulated PK parameters for labelled dosing regimens and for regimens using full vials with infusion frequency varied to keep the steady‐state drug concentration unchanged. Cost and drug savings were calculated.

Results

The model evaluation was successful. When rounding up, the average individual below 53, 47 and 39 has a time‐to‐trough increase of up to 5.7, 7.9 and 5.8 days for the QW, Q2 W and Q4 W regimen, respectively. This resulted in an annual cost reduction of up to $173,136, $75,747 and $61,319 USD per patient. At higher body weights, rounding down the dose to the nearest vial resulted in negligible changes in the steady state concentration and cost savings of up to $93,781, $46,891 and $23,446 USD per patient, respectively.

Conclusion

Individuals with a lower body weight may benefit from increasing dose intervals and rounding up dose up to the nearest vial, and individuals with a higher body weight from maintaining the injection frequency and rounding dose down to the nearest vial without significant change in emicizumab levels. Administering the entire vial may result in a reduction of vials used annually and potential cost savings.
Innovative methods for involving people with dementia and carers in the policymaking process
Authors: Keogh Fiona , Carney Patricia , O’Shea Eamon
Published: March 2021

Background

There are few examples of public patient involvement in policymaking for groups whose ability to participate may be affected by a disability, particularly for people with dementia and their family carers. Principles of engagement and inclusion in democratic processes are as important for these groups as other citizens. We used two innovative methods to increase involvement of people with dementia and family carers in the policymaking process in Ireland, specifically in relation to impending legislation on home care.

Method

A Policy Café was co‐produced with people with dementia using a World Café methodology. A Carer's Assembly was co‐produced with caregivers of people with dementia using a citizen's assembly model.

Results

Ten people with dementia discussed policy developments they wanted to see implemented in relation to diagnosis and home care. Twenty‐eight dementia caregivers prioritized four topics: home care; respite services; psychosocial supports; and financial supports. Film and illustrations were used to create accessible messages for policy‐makers to inform their decision making.

Discussion

Involving people with dementia and carers in policy development requires time and creativity to facilitate and maximize their involvement. Co‐production is essential to ensure the priorities of participants are identified, expressed and communicated effectively. A cumulative sequence of events and messages can generate significant engagement with policy‐makers. Policy‐makers need to hear the direct and authentic voice of people with dementia and carers when faced with important policy decisions.

Patient or public contribution

People with dementia and carers were involved in study design, data analysis and presentation.
Comparison of losartan and amlodipine effects on the outcomes of patient with COVID‐19 and primary hypertension: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Nouri‐Vaskeh Masoud , Kalami Niusha , Zand Ramin , Soroureddin Zahra , Varshochi Mojtaba , Ansarin Khalil , Rezaee Haleh , Taghizadieh Ali , Sadeghi Armin , Ahangari Maleki Masoud , Esmailnajad Azam , Saleh Parviz , Haghdoost Mehdi , Maleki Mehdi , Sharifi Akbar
Published: March 2021

Background

Controversy exists regarding the drug selection in hypertension (HTN) management in patients with COVID‐19. This study aimed to compare the effects of losartan and amlodipine in patients with primary HTN and COVID‐19.

Methods

In this randomised clinical trial, hospitalised patients with COVID‐19 and primary HTN were enrolled in the study. One arm received losartan, 25 mg, twice a day and the other arm received amlodipine, 5 mg per day for 2 weeks. The main outcomes were compare 30‐day mortality rate and length of hospital stay.

Results

The mean age of patients treated with losartan (N = 41) and amlodipine (N = 39) was 67.3 ± 14.8 and 60.1 ± 17.3 years, respectively (P value = .068). The length of hospital stay in losartan and amlodipine groups was 4.57 ± 2.59 and 7.30 ± 8.70 days, respectively (P value = .085). Also, the length of ICU admission in losartan and amlodipine group was 7.13 ± 5.99 and 7.15 ± 9.95 days, respectively (P value = .994). The 30‐day mortality was two and five patients in losartan and amlodipine groups, respectively (P value = .241).

Conclusions

There was no priority in losartan or amlodipine administration in COVID‐19 patients with primary HTN in decreasing mortality rate, hospital and ICU length stay. Further studies need to clarify the first‐line anti‐HTN medications in COVID‐19.