bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Justice in Transitional Justice: A Dynamic Framework
Authors: Ceva Emanuela , Murphy Colleen
Published: September 2021

This article develops a new dynamic framework for the normative evaluation of processes of transitional justice capable of integrating instrumental and noninstrumental justice‐based assessments grounded on concerns of “interactive justice.” Interactive justice is realized in or through institutional processes that treat people in ways appropriate to their status as institutional role occupants. Analyzing interactive justice in transitional justice is particularly important to pinpoint the distinct concerns of justice that might arise when employing a relational understanding of transitional justice. Our dynamic framework clarifies the distinct normative standards to meet when evaluating processes of transitional justice in virtue of the qualities of the relationship dynamics they themselves cause or constitute.
Epidemiology of acute pancreatitis in Australia from 2007–2019
Authors: Raftopulos Nikki L. , Torpy David J. , Louise Rushworth R.
Published: September 2021

Backgrounds

There is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) in Australia.

Methods

Data on hospital admissions for a principal diagnosis of AP were obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; population data were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Age‐adjusted, and age and sex‐specific rates for all subtypes of AP were compared.

Results

There were 208  390 admissions for a principal diagnosis of AP in Australia between 2006/07 and 2018/19, corresponding to an average admission rate of 46.03/105/year. Over the study, there was a 38.7% increase in the age‐adjusted rate of AP admissions [37.56 to 52.09/105 /year (P < 0.00001)], corresponding to an average increase of 3.0%/year. Unspecified AP comprised approximately 50% of admissions in each year. An increase in admission rates was observed for all categories of AP. Biliary AP admission rates increased from 8.28 to 13.90 /105 /year (P < 0.00001), increasing in both sexes and all age groups. Alcohol associated AP admissions increased from 8.23 to 9.98/105/year (P < 0.00001), a phenomenon which was seen in older people and in females particularly, but there was a reduction alcohol related AP admission rates in the 20–29‐year age group.

Conclusion

AP admission rates increased significantly over the period 2006/07 to 2018/19 in both male and female populations, in most subtypes of AP, particularly ‘unspecified AP’, and among all age groups.
Flexible fetoscope in the treatment of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Sun Jie , Sun Luming , Zhong Liang
Published: September 2021

Background

Twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) could be treated with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation. For patients with placenta located on the anterior wall of uterus, surgical procedures are difficult. To solve this problem, a flexible fetoscope was designed in our department.

Methods

The flexible fetoscope was made up of polyurethane, fiberglass and stainless steel coils. The specular body was soft and could bend encountering obstacles, which reduced the possibility of injury to the fetus and placenta. The distal tip of the body could curve from −180° to +270° with the control of the handweel. Three pregnant women of TTTS with anterior placenta was operated with this instrument.

Result

All pregnant women were treated smoothly and gave live twins birth at term. Through angiography, it was demonstrated that the vascular connections on the surface had been coagulated.

Conclusion

The flexible fetoscope was a novel instrument in treating TTTS, especially for the anterior placenta.
High prevalence of pharyngeal bacterial pathogens among healthy adolescents and young adults
Authors: Agerhäll Martin , Henrikson Martin , Johansson Söderberg Jenny , Sellin Mats , Tano Krister , Gylfe Åsa , Berggren Diana
Published: September 2021

The pharyngeal mucosa can be colonized with bacteria that have potential to cause pharyngotonsillitis. By the use of culturing techniques and PCR, we aimed to assess the prevalence of bacterial pharyngeal pathogens among healthy adolescents and young adults. We performed a cross‐sectional study in a community‐based cohort of 217 healthy individuals between 16 and 25 years of age. Samples were analyzed for Group A streptococci (GAS), Group C/G streptococci (SDSE), Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Compared to culturing, the PCR method resulted in more frequent detection, albeit in most cases with low levels of DNA, of GAS (20/217 vs. 5/217; p < 0.01) and F. necrophorum (20/217 vs. 8/217; p < 0.01). Culturing and PCR yielded similar rates of SDSE detection (14/217 vs. 12/217; p = 0.73). Arcanobacterium haemolyticum was rarely detected (3/217), and only by PCR. Overall, in 25.3% (55/217) of these healthy adolescents and young adults at least one of these pathogens was detected, a rate that is higher than previously described. Further studies are needed before clinical adoption of PCR‐based detection methods for pharyngeal bacterial pathogens, as our findings suggest a high incidence of asymptomatic carriage among adolescents and young adults without throat infections.
Interim monitoring in sequential multiple assignment randomized trials
Authors: Wu Liwen , Wang Junyao , Wahed Abdus S.
Published: September 2021

A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) facilitates the comparison of multiple adaptive treatment strategies (ATSs) simultaneously. Previous studies have established a framework to test the homogeneity of multiple ATSs by a global Wald test through inverse probability weighting. SMARTs are generally lengthier than classical clinical trials due to the sequential nature of treatment randomization in multiple stages. Thus, it would be beneficial to add interim analyses allowing for an early stop if overwhelming efficacy is observed. We introduce group sequential methods to SMARTs to facilitate interim monitoring based on the multivariate chi‐square distribution. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed interim monitoring in SMART (IM‐SMART) maintains the desired type I error and power with reduced expected sample size compared to the classical SMART. Finally, we illustrate our method by reanalyzing a SMART assessing the effects of cognitive behavioral and physical therapies in patients with knee osteoarthritis and comorbid subsyndromal depressive symptoms.
Comparative institutional disadvantage: Small firms and vocational training in the British manufacturing sector in comparative perspective
Authors: Benassi Chiara , Durazzi Niccolo , Fortwengel Johann
Published: September 2021

This article asks why British manufacturing small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to meet their intermediate technical skills needs. While the comparative political economy literature typically attributes the failure to train in Britain to collective action problems, we complement this perspective by pointing at the ill‐conceived policy design of the quasi‐market for vocational education and training. In particular, we shed light on the role of training providers, as they respond to the incentive structure of the quasi‐market, especially the output‐based nature of standards and the system of funding distribution. To strengthen our argument, we compare the British case with the Italian statist system, which enables SMEs to access technical skills through school‐based vocational education, and with the German collective system, in which SMEs develop skills through apprenticeships.
A single‐arm clinical trial investigating the feasibility of the zygomatic implant quad approach for Cawood and Howell Class 4 edentulous maxilla: An option for immediate loading
Authors: Wang Feng , Tao Baoxin , Shen Yihan , Li Chaolun , Huang Wei , Sun Yuanyuan , Wu Yiqun
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The traditional way to treat maxillary edentulous Cawood and Howell Class 4 (CH4) patients who exhibit the knife‐edge ridge form of edentulous jaws that are adequate in height and inadequate in width is extensive autologous bone grafting for conventional implant placement.

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of the zygomatic implant (ZI) quad approach in edentulous CH4 patients who presented a knife‐edge ridge form in the anterior maxilla for immediate loading.

Material and methods

Eligible patients with maxillary CH4 edentulism treated with the ZI quad approach were enrolled. Bone reduction and implant placement were performed under the guidance of a navigation system according to preoperative planning. The outcome variable was the implant survival rate, and additional variables were the ratio of immediate loading, complications and the relationship of the zygomatic implant path to the sinus wall. Statistical analysis was performed with the SAS statistical package.

Results

Fifteen patients (3 men, 12 women; age range, 19–71 years; average age 47.2 years) eligible for the study received the ZI quad approach from January 2017 through January 2020. All ZIs achieved osseointegration, with no implant loss after early healing and a mean follow‐up of 17.2 ± 6.2 months. Thirteen of 15 patients (86.7%) received immediate loading. No critical anatomic structure injuries occurred during surgery. Most mesially placed implants (23/30, 76.6%) presented ZAGA 2 and 3, and most distally placed implants were distributed in ZAGA 0 (20/30, 66.7%).

Discussion

In terms of realizing immediate loading in CH4 patients with a knife‐edge ridge form in the anterior maxilla, quad approaches have advantages over other grafting methods. At the same time, it seems the survival rate of zygomatic implants is comparable with that of other indications. With the limitations of this study, the quad approach might be a feasible option to realize edentulous maxillary reconstruction and to make immediate loading possible.
Multiscale effects of habitat loss and degradation on occurrence and landscape connectivity of a threatened subspecies
Authors: Hefty Kira L. , Koprowski John L.
Published: September 2021

Land use change can result in complex environments of varying habitat quality and permeability that directly and indirectly influence the effectiveness of natural areas for wildlife conservation. To assess how isolation and degradation of protected natural areas may affect long‐term conservation efforts across the range of a sensitive subspecies, we used multiscale occupancy analysis, species distribution modeling, and circuit theory to identify hotspot areas of occurrence and potential landscape connectivity among areas of high quality habitat within and between protected natural areas. Big Cypress fox squirrels (Sciurus niger avicennia: BCFS) are state‐threatened subspecies of fox squirrel endemic to forested wetlands in southwest Florida, which have been highly altered by human activities. Probability of occupancy of BCFS among conservation areas varied widely due to differences in environmental features (Hedge's g = 1.4705, 95% CI: 1.074–1.763). Fine‐scale features indicative of habitat degradation, such as increasing midstory vegetation cover and decreasing bromeliad cover, negatively influenced BCFS occurrence. Home‐range‐level tree canopy cover differentially affected probability of occupancy dependent on proximity to urban areas. Additionally, home‐range‐level high summer temperature differentially affected probability of occupancy dependent on proximity to cypress domes. Habitat was distributed patchily both within and among conservation areas, separated by large areas of unsuitable vegetation communities and urbanized features that were barriers to movement. Considering the threat of increasing isolation of conservation areas due to continued development as well as current and impending degradation caused by land use and climate change within conservation area boundaries, we suggest a strong need for interagency coordination to improve, maintain, and acquire rights for protection of additional remaining habitat.
Housing Market Speculation and Firm Productivity: Evidence from China
Authors: Yu Qianhui , Chen Yanying , Liang Feng Helen
Published: September 2021

An appreciation in the price of housing could generate speculation opportunities for enterprises. Many firms try to seize these opportunities for quick returns. This may harm their productivity. We use the real estate boom and the investment activities of Chinese manufacturing firms during 2006–2017 to examine the processes and the net effect of housing market speculation on firm productivity. We find that housing market speculation negatively affects firm productivity by crowding out investments in research and development and productive fixed assets, and the positive effect brought about by a strengthened balance sheet and better financing capacity is outweighed by the crowding‐out effect. This negative impact is more evident in state‐owned firms, but is mitigated in regions and periods with better business environments. Set in the overheated housing market in China, our study contributes to the existing literature by exploring how firms’ investments outside of their main business influence firm behavior and productivity.
Social capital and food security in post‐conflict rural Lira District, northern Uganda
Authors: Malual Joseph D. , Mazur Robert E.
Published: September 2021

While a strong relationship has been established between social capital and food security in the research literature, it is uncertain whether this holds in post‐conflict situations. This study examines associations between social capital and food security in post‐conflict Lira District, northern Uganda. Since factors affecting food security are complex, we explored the roles of households' characteristics in food security outcomes. Data were collected from March to July 2011 through face‐to‐face interviews with 221 heads of household in rural Lira. Using multinomial logistic regression, a strong positive association was identified between social capital and household food security. The study also found significant associations of food security with sex, education of household head, amount of cultivated land, and farm and home possessions. The results of this analysis can aid the design of food security programmes that empower poor people while targeting the most vulnerable groups, thereby promoting sustainable development in post‐conflict communities.
Efficacy and safety of finerenone in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes by GLP‐1RA treatment: A subgroup analysis from the FIDELIO‐DKD trial
Authors: Rossing Peter , Agarwal Rajiv , Anker Stefan D. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Pitt Bertram , Ruilope Luis M. , Amod Aslam , Marre Michel , Joseph Amer , Lage Andrea , Scott Charlie , Bakris George L. ,   the FIDELIO‐DKD Investigators
Published: September 2021

Aims

Finerenone significantly reduced the risk of kidney and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes in the FIDELIO‐DKD trial (NCT02540993). This exploratory subgroup analysis investigates the effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) use on the treatment effect of finerenone.

Materials and Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes, urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) 30‐5000 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate 25‐<75 ml/min per 1.73 m2 receiving optimized renin‐angiotensin system blockade were randomized to finerenone or placebo.

Results

Of the 5674 patients analysed, overall, 394 (6.9%) received GLP‐1RAs at baseline. A reduction in UACR with finerenone was observed with or without baseline GLP‐1RA use; ratio of least‐squares means 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.56, 0.70) with GLP‐1RA use and 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.67, 0.72) without GLP‐1RA use (p value for interaction .20). Finerenone also significantly reduced the primary kidney (time to kidney failure, sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥40% from baseline, or renal death) and key secondary CV outcomes (time to CV death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, non‐fatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure) versus placebo, with no clear difference because of GLP‐1RA use at baseline (p value for interaction .15 and .51 respectively) or any time during the trial. The safety profile of finerenone was similar between subgroups.

Conclusions

This exploratory subgroup analysis suggests that finerenone reduces UACR in patients with or without GLP‐1RA use at baseline, and the effects on kidney and CV outcomes are consistent irrespective of GLP‐1RA use.
Therapy of paraneoplastic pemphigus with Rituximab: A case report
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Hu Bin , Chen Hui , Wan Li , Chen Jinbo , Zhou Xiaoyong , Chen Liuqing
Published: September 2021

We report a case of 39‐year‐old female patient with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) associated with thymoma treated with rituximab plus corticosteroids and methotrexate. After rituximab therapy for 8 weeks, oral ulcerations had cured, lesions on the trunk and limbs improved. Rituximab may be useful for PNP therapy, but further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
Retinal blood vessel calibre and vascular ageing in a general Spanish population: A EVA study
Authors: Gómez‐Sánchez Leticia , Gómez‐Sánchez Marta , Patino‐Alonso Carmen , Recio‐Rodríguez Jose I. , González‐Sánchez Jesús , Agudo‐Conde Cristina , Maderuelo‐Fernández José A. , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Emiliano , García‐Ortiz Luis , Gómez‐Marcos Manuel A. ,   the EVA Investigators
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The aim of this work was to analyse the association of the retinal arteriolar calibre and the arteriole/venule index (AV index) with vascular ageing in a general population without previous cardiovascular disease.

Materials and methods

Descriptive cross‐sectional study. A total of 482 individuals without cardiovascular disease (mean age: 55.6 ± 14.2 years) were selected by random sampling, stratified by age and sex. The retinal arteriolar calibre was measured using digital fundus images of the back of the eye captured with a validated, semiautomatized and computer‐assisted software (Index calculator). Vascular ageing was defined using three criteria based on the values of: (1) Carotid‐femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV), (2) Brachial‐ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) and (3) Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness.

Results

The AV index and arteriolar calibre show a negative correlation with age, arterial pressure, cardiovascular risk and parameters of vascular structure and function (p < 0.001 in all cases). We found lower mean values of the AV index and arteriolar calibre in the individuals with early vascular ageing compared to those with healthy vascular ageing. AV index was negatively correlated with cfPWV ((β=−2.9; 95% CI (−4.7; −1.1)), baPWV ((β=−3.2; 95% CI (−5.4; −0.9)) and vascular ageing index ((β=−1.7; 95% CI (−2.7; −0.7)). Arteriolar calibre showed a negative correlation with baPWV (β=−0.1; 95% CI (−0.2; −0.1)). In the logistic regression analysis, lower values of AV index ((OR=0.01; 95% CI (0.01–0.10), OR=0.03; 95% CI (0.01–0.11) and OR=0.09; 95% CI (0.01–0.67)) were associated with EVA defined with cfPWV, baPWV and vascular ageing index respectively, and lower values of arteriolar calibre ((OR=0.71; 95% CI (0.55–0.91)) were associated with EVA defined with vascular ageing index.

Conclusions

Lower values of AV index and retinal arteriolar calibre were associated with vascular ageing in a general Spanish population without previous cardiovascular disease.
Parental involvement in remote learning during the COVID‐19 pandemic—Dominant approaches and their diverse implications
Authors: Knopik Tomasz , Błaszczak Anna , Maksymiuk Renata , Oszwa Urszula
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study on which this article reports was to identify parents' approaches to their children's remote education during the COVID‐19 pandemic in April and May 2020. Additionally, this investigation sought to determine the role of parent perceptions of the barriers and benefits of remote education. The research draws on a survey of 421 parents of primary school students, in which a 66‐item questionnaire (4 subscales) was used. Analysis revealed three main clusters that represent approaches adopted by parents: (1) the committed teacher approach, (2) the autonomy‐supporting coach, and (3) the committed teacher and intervener. The parents in cluster 3 emphasised perceived barriers to remote learning more than parents in clusters 1 and 2. Regarding perceptions of the benefits, statistically significant differences were found in perceptions of child development facilitated by remote education (the parents in cluster 2 rated it most positively). The results can be used to support parents and schools in the provision of optimal remote learning.
Private corruption: An integrated organizational model
Authors: Troisi Roberta , Di Nauta Primiano , Piciocchi Paolo
Published: September 2021

This study presents an integrated view of private corruption as an organizational issue. Two separate approaches are exploited aimed at understanding the factors that affect the agent's engagement in corruption and the features of the organizational dysfunctions, respectively. Costs and benefits on corruption are thus considered as affecting two organizational dimensions: (1) the intensity of corruption; and (2) the extent of corruption based on sub‐dimensions, when corruption results in damage or gains to the firm. Based on data from the Italian Court of Cassation judgements, the findings highlight the contextual and complex nature of corruption since: (1) both the causes and consequences of corruption are contingent upon the agent, firm and its environment; (2) costs do not have an overall explanatory power, while benefits better confirm the theoretical model; and (3) the extent and intensity of corruption show different, not necessarily correlated, levels of severity. Various anti‐corruption strategies are thus proposed.
A novel quantum‐inspired binary bat algorithm for leukocytes classification in blood smear
Authors: Sharma Prerna , Sharma Kapil
Published: September 2021

In the field of medical sciences, day‐to‐day procedure is followed for identification of bone marrow and immune system related diseases, which is most of the time carried out manually. The notion is to perform differential and qualitative analysis of leukocytes for the timely diagnosis of these diseases. In this article, a systematized solution is offered for the classification of leukocytes in blood smear. The proposed model incorporates the optimistic aspects of nature‐inspired and quantum‐inspired algorithms; this model tends to be perfect blend of both the techniques. For reducing the dimensionality, that is, irrelevant features; the quantum‐inspired binary bat algorithm (QBBA) has been used in the proposed model. The optimality of features selected has been computed with the help of accuracy measure using various machine learning classifiers like Logistic Regression, KNN, Random Forest, Decision Tree. The performance of QBBA and its customary algorithms has been compared and the results depict that QBBA outperforms binary bat algorithm for the same set of population. QBBA comes out as an influential algorithm with an average accuracy of 98.31% and also possess enhanced noise invulnerability. The proposed QBBA can also find its usage in thorough haematological analysis.
Weight attention layer‐based document classification incorporating information gain
Authors: Lee Min Seok , Yang Seok Woo , Lee Hong Joo
Published: September 2021

The performance of document classifiers largely depends on their internal representations of text data. Recent studies have been conducted to identify areas of focus and find latent data spaces to increase the representativeness and the performance of classifiers. In this study, we propose a weight attention layer (WAL) that uses an additional feature of words when computing their attention weights for deep learning models based on attention mechanisms. In the WAL, the attention distribution is calculated through the dot product of the attention weight matrix and a word weight matrix. We utilized information gain, which is one of the feature selection algorithms for the additional feature. To evaluate the proposed method, datasets of helpful reviews, sentiment reviews, and fake reviews were used. These datasets were applied to two deep learning models based on attention mechanisms, including an attention‐based bidirectional long short‐term memory (LSTM) and a hierarchical attention network. As a result of 10‐fold cross validation, the improved performance of the models in terms of accuracy and F1‐score when using WAL is demonstrated.
Earlier snow melt and reduced summer precipitation alter floral traits important to pollination
Authors: Powers John M. , Briggs Heather M. , Dickson Rachel G. , Li Xinyu , Campbell Diane R.
Published: September 2021

Climate change can cause changes in expression of organismal traits that influence fitness. In flowering plants, floral traits can respond to drought, and that phenotypic plasticity has the potential to affect pollination and plant reproductive success. Global climate change is leading to earlier snow melt in snow‐dominated ecosystems as well as affecting precipitation during the growing season, but the effects of snow melt timing on floral morphology and rewards remain unknown. We conducted crossed manipulations of spring snow melt timing (early vs. control) and summer monsoon precipitation (addition, control, and reduction) that mimicked recent natural variation, and examined plastic responses in floral traits ofIpomopsis aggregataover 3 years in the Rocky Mountains. We tested whether increased summer precipitation compensated for earlier snow melt, and if plasticity was associated with changes in soil moisture and/or leaf gas exchange. Lower summer precipitation decreased corolla length, style length, corolla width, sepal width, and nectar production, and increased nectar concentration. Earlier snow melt (taking into account natural and experimental variation) had the same effects on those traits and decreased inflorescence height. The effect of reduced summer precipitation was stronger in earlier snow melt years for corolla length and sepal width. Trait reductions were explained by drier soil during the flowering period, but this effect was only partially explained by how drier soils affected plant water stress, as measured by leaf gas exchange. We predicted the effects of plastic trait changes on pollinator visitation rates, pollination success, and seed production using prior studies onI. aggregata. The largest predicted effect of drier soil on relative fitness components via plasticity was a decrease in male fitness caused by reduced pollinator rewards (nectar production). Early snow melt and reduced precipitation are strong drivers of phenotypic plasticity, and both should be considered when predicting effects of climate change on plant traits in snow‐dominated ecosystems.
Rural spatial transformation and governance from the perspective of land development rights: A case study of Fenghe village in Guangzhou
Authors: Yang Ren , Lin Yuancheng
Published: September 2021

Urban expansion and the demand for sustainable regional economic development make rural land a resource base for spatial regeneration, transformation, and upgrading. From the perspective of land development rights, this paper analyzes the rural spatial transformation mechanism and rural governance logic in Fenghe village, Guangzhou. The results show that: (1) Fenghe village has experienced three stages of rural forming development, “hollowing” and space transformation. The subject of land development rights has shifted from rural collectives and villagers to external capital enterprises. Rural development pathways and land‐use patterns have changed from single to diversified. The space presents trends of community, commercialization and modernization. (2) Changes in the subjects of land development rights have caused the diversification and transformation of rural space. Homesteads, idle agricultural land, industrial formats, and infrastructure have gradually become standardized, market‐oriented, diversified, agglomerated, and systemized. With the diversification, complexity and consumerization of rural living groups, social relations, subject connections and rural spaces tend to be modern development models. (3) The reconstruction of rural space contains the logic of capital games and negotiated governance. Urban capital reaches a benefit balance between rural collective and villagers, obtains the right to rural land development, and forms multi‐subject collaborative governance.
Development of a semi‐automated method for tumour budding assessment in colorectal cancer and comparison with manual methods
Authors: Fisher Natalie C , Loughrey Maurice B , Coleman Helen G , Gelbard Melvin D , Bankhead Peter , Dunne Philip D
Published: September 2021

Aims

Tumour budding (TB) is an established prognostic feature in multiple cancers but is not routinely assessed in pathology practice. Efforts to standardise and automate assessment have shifted from haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)‐stained images towards cytokeratin immunohistochemistry. The aim of this study was to compare manual H&E and cytokeratin assessment methods with a semi‐automated approach built within QuPath open‐source software.

Methods and results

TB was assessed in cores from the advancing tumour edge in a cohort of stage II/III colon cancers (n = 186). The total numbers of buds detected with each method were as follows: manual H&E, n = 503; manual cytokeratin, n = 2290; and semi‐automated, n = 5138. More than four times the number of buds were identified manually with cytokeratin assessment than with H&E assessment. One thousand seven hundred and thirty‐four individual buds were identified with both manual and semi‐automated assessments applied to cytokeratin images, representing 75.7% of the buds identified manually (n = 2290) and 33.7% of the buds detected with the semi‐automated method (n = 5138). Higher semi‐automated TB scores were due to any discrete area of cytokeratin immunopositivity within an accepted area range being identified as a bud, regardless of shape or crispness of definition, and to the inclusion of tumour cell clusters within glandular lumina (‘luminal pseudobuds’). Although absolute numbers differed, semi‐automated and manual bud counts were strongly correlated across cores (ρ = 0.81, P < 0.0001). All methods of TB assessment demonstrated poorer survival associated with higher TB scores.

Conclusions

We present a new QuPath‐based approach to TB assessment, which compares favourably with established methods and offers a freely available, rapid and transparent tool that is also applicable to whole slide images.
Study of in vitro thrombin generation after neutralization of heparin
Authors: Hardy Michael , Douxfils Jonathan , Morimont Laure , Didembourg Marie , Carlo Audrey , de Maistre Emmanuel , Lecompte Thomas , Mullier François
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Thrombin generation (TG) documents hypercoagulability. TG in platelet‐poor plasma is exquisitely sensitive to heparins, which thus must be neutralized before testing. Heparinase and hexadimethrine bromide (polybrene) have been used for that purpose, but their effects per se on TG have been poorly studied so far.

Methods

(i) TG was studied in commercial normal pooled plasma (NPP; CryoCheck®, Cryopep) in absence or presence of neutralizing agents. (ii) NPP was spiked with increasing concentrations of unfractionated heparin (UFH; up to 1.0 IU/mL) or low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH; enoxaparin up to 1.2 IU/mL) and TG studied after incubation of heparinase (Hepzyme®; 15 minutes) or polybrene (0.025 mg/mL; 10 minutes).

Results

(i) With ThromboScreen reagent to initiate TG, addition of heparinase was associated with increased peak, whereas polybrene caused lengthening of lag time and time to peak, compared with nonsupplemented NPP. (ii) With polybrene, TG was completely restored over the whole range of UFH and LMWH studied. By contrast, heparinase failed to fully restore TG in presence of UFH concentrations ≥0.8 IU/mL or LMWH concentrations ≥1.0 IU/mL. Those effects were matched with detectable tiny residual amounts of non‐neutralized heparin (as assessed with an anti‐Xa assay) and were less pronounced with a higher picomolar concentration of tissue factor (DrugScreen reagent).

Conclusion

Polybrene fully restored TG of heparinized plasma at the expense of an alteration of TG, pointing to the need to use adapted reference ranges. Heparinase failed to do so in presence of high concentrations of both heparins.
Elevated renal resistive index is independently predicted by older age, but not by the presence of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Davis Sarah , Huber David , Murali Karumathil M. , Lambert Kelly
Published: September 2021

Background

Renal resistive index (RRI), which reflects intrarenal arterial impedance, is routinely measured when undertaking renal Doppler ultrasonography (RDU). Increased RRI has been suggested to reflect renal parenchymal disease and imply risk of kidney disease progression. But this has been disputed and extra‐renal haemodynamic factors rather than intra‐renal factors have been proposed to determine RRI.

Aims

To investigate the relationship between elevated RRI and presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and examine whether elevated RRI at baseline is associated with decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on follow up.

Methods

This retrospective observational study examined the association of elevated RRI (>0.7) with the presence of CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min for >3 months), demographic and clinical factors in multivariable models. We also examined the effect of elevated RRI on eGFR decline on follow up using mixed models.

Results

Of the 346 patients undergoing RDU (median age 69.7 years; 46.2% male), 180 had elevated RRI. There was a strong inverse association between RRI and eGFR at baseline, 1 and 2 years (rho = −0.53, −0.51, −0.53, all P < 001). Elevated RRI was independently predicted by older age (odds ratio 3.29; 95% confidence interval 2.25–4.8; P < 0.001) and diabetes (odds ratio 2.65; 95% confidence interval 1.21–5.80; P = 0.015), but not CKD using multivariate logistic regression. Decline of eGFR was not different between RRI categories on follow up.

Conclusion

Elevated RRI was predicted by older age and diabetes, but not by the presence of CKD. Baseline RRI was not associated with eGFR decline.
Corporate social responsibility performance and the reputational incentives of independent directors
Authors: Khoo Eunice S. , Lim Youngdeok , Lu Louise Y. , Monroe Gary S.
Published: September 2021

We link the reputational incentives of independent directors in the labor market to firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. We show that when a larger fraction of a firm's independent directors considers the firm more prominent, the firm has better CSR performance. This association is more pronounced for firms that are more visible and those that face greater external CSR pressure. Such firms are also more likely to (1) issue CSR reports and obtain independent assurance on those reports; (2) include CSR items in annual general meeting agendas; (3) invest in the optimal level of CSR. Finally, we show that an independent director is more likely to gain directorships if the CSR performance of their most prominent board improves. Our results are robust to controlling for firm fixed effects and when using plausibly exogenous shocks to the reputational incentives of independent directors. Overall, our results are consistent with our conjecture that the reputational incentives of independent directors have a positive influence on firms’ CSR performance.
Growth and maturity of the lesser‐spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758) in the southern Portuguese continental coast
Authors: Moreira Inês , Figueiredo Ivone , Farias Inês , Lagarto Neide , Maia Catarina , Robalo Joana , Moura Teresa
Published: September 2021

Growth and reproductive parameters were estimated for Scyliorhinus canicula from the south‐western Portuguese coast. The sample consisted of 148 specimens with total length ranging from 187 to 580 mm (82 males and 66 females). Maximum ages assigned to males and females were 12 and 13 years, respectively. Linf and k were estimated as 63.6 cm and 0.16 year−1 for males and 63.2 and 0.15 year−1 for females. Length and age at first maturity were estimated as 42.6 cm and 6 years for males and 44.5 cm and 7 years for females.
Tilapia Lake Virus was not detected in non‐tilapine species within tilapia polyculture systems of Bangladesh
Authors: Debnath Partho Pratim , Dinh‐Hung Nguyen , Taengphu Suwimon , Nguyen Vuong Viet , Delamare‐Deboutteville Jerome , Senapin Saengchan , Vishnumurthy Mohan Chadag , Dong Ha Thanh , Rodkhum Channarong
Published: September 2021

Sixteen countries, including Bangladesh, have reported the presence of tilapia lake virus (TiLV), an emerging tilapia pathogen. Fish polyculture is a common farming practice in Bangladesh. Some unusual mortalities reported in species co‐cultivated with TiLV‐infected tilapia led us to investigate whether any of the co‐cultivated species would also test positive for TiLV and whether they were susceptible to TiLV infection under controlled laboratory experiments. Using 183 samples obtained from 15 farms in six districts across Bangladesh, we determined that 20% of the farms tested positive for TiLV in tilapia, while 15 co‐cultivated fish species and seven other invertebrates (e.g. insects and crustaceans) considered potential carriers all tested negative. Of the six representative fish species experimentally infected with TiLV, only Nile tilapia showed the typical clinical signs of the disease, with 70% mortality within 12 days. By contrast, four carp species and one catfish species challenged with TiLV showed no signs of TiLV infection. Challenged tilapia were confirmed as TiLV‐positive by RT‐qPCR, while challenged carp and walking catfish all tested negative. Overall, our field and laboratory findings indicate that species used in polycultures are not susceptible to TiLV. Although current evidence suggests that TiLV is likely host‐specific to tilapia, targeted surveillance for TiLV in other fish species in polyculture systems should continue, in order to prepare for a possible future scenario where TiLV mutates and/or adapts to new host(s).
Mixed Salmonella cultures reveal competitive advantages between strains during pre‐enrichment and selective enrichment
Authors: Larsen Bryan R. , Richardson Kurt E. , Obe Tomi , Schaeffer Cheryl , Shariat Nikki W.
Published: September 2021

Culture‐based Salmonella isolation consists of nonselective pre‐enrichment, followed by selective enrichment in Rappaport–Vassiliadis (RV) or tetrathionate (TT) broths, and subsequent plating on selective indicator agar. This study aimed to assess the recovery of two strains belonging to serovars Montevideo (strain ATCC‐8387) and Typhimurium (strain ATCC‐14028) when grown together in different media. The two strains were co‐inoculated 1:1, 10:1, 100:1, and the reciprocal, and CRISPR‐SeroSeq was used to assess the relative frequency of both strains after each culture step. Individually, there was no growth difference between both strains in universal pre‐enrichment (UP) or RV broths, though both strains had a higher growth in the former. In TT, both strains had reduced growth, especially ser. Montevideo‐8387. When the strains were combined, the growth of ser. Typhimurium‐14028 strain was higher in UP and TT broths, while the ser. Montevideo strain was higher in RV broth. The ser. Typhimurium strain also grew better on xylose lysine tergitol‐4 (XLT‐4) agar. Using media that are commonly used for Salmonella isolation, this work reveals strain‐to‐strain differences in growth and that in three conditions (UP, RV, XLT‐4), these differences were only manifested when the strains were in competition with each other. These findings illustrate the importance of dual selective enrichments to be able to capture all Salmonella present in a sample.
From efficiency to equity: Changing patterns of China's regional transportation systems from an in‐use steel stocks perspective
Authors: Xu Shuntian , Wang Huaxuan , Tian Xin , Wang Tao , Tanikawa Hiroki
Published: September 2021

Transportation serves as a bridge for social production, distribution, exchange, and consumption and, thus, plays an important role in boosting the economy. In recent years, the rapid development of China's transportation system has driven a continuous accumulation of steel. In this study, we estimated the in‐use steel stocks of 32 types of infrastructure and vehicles in three subsystems (railway, road, and subway) in 31 provinces of China from 1990 to 2019 based on a bottom‐up approach. The results show that China's in‐use steel stock in the transportation system has increased to 575 Mt in 2019 (34.4% for infrastructure, 65.6% for vehicle). Spatially, this increasing trend shows six diversified patterns among 31 provinces; steel stocks tend to decrease from the east to central and western inland areas. The Gini coefficient curve of the provinces’ stocks shows an inverted “U” shape over time, indicating a shrinking regional gap in recent years; this reflects a transition from efficiency to equity. We also measured the steel stock productivity (GDP per stock) in different regions and observed its diverse evolution types. The stock productivities in all regions climbed up initially, but have dropped in recent years, and the most obvious decrease is observed in western China. For eastern regions, vehicles have been the main growth point in recent years, while western regions are vigorously developing infrastructure. Our results help to illustrate the development status and spatial distribution of China's transportation system and could facilitate improved efficiency and the management of future challenges in China's transformation and development.
Rice seed storage proteins: Biosynthetic pathways and the effects of environmental factors
Authors: He Wei , Wang Long , Lin Qinlu , Yu Feng
Published: September 2021

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important food crop for at least half of the world's population. Due to improved living standards, the cultivation of high‐quality rice for different purposes and markets has become a major goal. Rice quality is determined by the presence of many nutritional components, including seed storage proteins (SSPs), which are the second most abundant nutrient components of rice grains after starch. Rice SSP biosynthesis requires the participation of multiple organelles and is influenced by the external environment, making it challenging to understand the molecular details of SSP biosynthesis and improve rice protein quality. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of rice SSP biosynthesis, including a detailed description of the key molecules involved in rice SSP biosynthetic processes and the major environmental factors affecting SSP biosynthesis. The effects of these factors on SSP accumulation and their contribution to rice quality are also discussed based on recent findings. This recent knowledge suggests not only new research directions for exploring rice SSP biosynthesis but also innovative strategies for breeding high‐quality rice varieties.
A pilot randomised controlled trial of befriending by volunteers in people with intellectual disability and depressive symptoms
Authors: Ali A. , McKenzie E. , Hassiotis A. , Priebe S. , Lloyd‐Evans B. , Jones R. , Panca M. , Omar R. , Finning S. , Moore S. , Roe C. , King M.
Published: September 2021

Background

People with intellectual disability (ID) are more likely to experience chronic depression compared with the general population, which may be compounded by loneliness and lower levels of social support. Befriending aims to provide social support and promote engagement in community activities. No randomised controlled trials have examined whether befriending improves symptoms of depression and social outcomes in people with ID. The aim of this pilot trial was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a future larger trial of one‐to‐one befriending by volunteers in people with ID and depressive symptoms.

Methods

Participants were adults with mild or moderate ID with a score of 5 or more on the Glasgow Depression Scale for People with Learning Disabilities (GDS‐LD). They were randomised to the intervention arm (matched to a volunteer befriender for 6 months) or the control arm (usual care). Volunteers received training and supervision provided by two community befriending schemes. The main outcomes were feasibility of recruitment (minimum target n = 35), retention rate of participants, adherence (minimum 10 meetings), acceptability of the intervention, changes in depressive symptoms (assessed at baseline and 6 months) and feasibility of collecting data for a health economic analysis.

Results

Recruitment was challenging, and only 16 participants with ID and 10 volunteers were recruited. Six participants were matched with a volunteer and no participants dropped out (except for two volunteers). Four participants completed 10 meetings (mean 11.8). Befriending was thought to be acceptable, but modifications were suggested. An exploratory analysis suggested that GDS‐LD score was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group after adjusting for baseline scores, but not significant (adjusted mean difference: −4.0; 95% confidence interval: −11.2 to 3.2).

Conclusions

A large trial would not be feasible based on the recruitment strategies employed in this study. A further feasibility study addressing these challenges or the use of other study designs should be considered.
Professional learning using storytelling videos of childbirth experiences: A qualitative pilot study of student midwives' perceptions in Myanmar
Authors: Noya Asako , Oguro Michiko , Horiuchi Shigeko
Published: September 2021

Aims

To explore and describe Myanmar student midwives' perceptions of professional learning using storytelling videos of women's childbirth experiences by conducting a qualitative study and to assess potential pedagogical uses of storytelling videos in midwifery education.

Methods

This pilot study used a qualitative content analysis study design implemented as part of the Diversity and commonalities of birth from women's voice sharing project of the Toyota Foundation. Storytelling videos of the childbirth experiences of seven Asian women (three Myanmar, three Lao, and one Japanese women) were viewed by the students. Thereafter, a semistructured interview with focus group discussion was conducted to explore and assess the students' perceptions.

Setting: Kyaing Tong township, Shan State, Myanmar.

Participants: Five second‐year midwifery students from a single midwifery training school in Myanmar.

Results

Data analysis of their perceptions yielded four major categories: (1) deep reverence for women/mothers;; (2) respectful attitude as a midwife to support mothers; (3) wish for a safe and secure birth environment; and (4) importance of learning from the mother's voice.

Conclusions

The student midwives realized the importance of listening to the mothers' voices regardless of the nationalities or cultural background. The findings indicated that the storytelling videos broadened the students' perspectives of pregnancy and childbirth, and motivated them to provide better maternity care. Storytelling videos of childbirth experiences can be powerful educational materials for enhancing professional learning of student midwives.