bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a mainstream genetic testing program for women with ovarian or breast cancer
Authors: Ip Emilia , Young Alison Luk , Scheinberg Tahlia , Harrison Michelle , Beale Philip , Goodwin Annabel
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Mainstream genetic testing refers to genetic testing arranged by a patient's treating specialist. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review a Sydney‐based ovarian cancer mainstream genetic testing program.

Methods

A Cancer Genetics Service (CGS)‐supported mainstream genetic testing program was commenced in 2015. The CGS provided training, paperwork and ongoing and adaptable advice regarding appropriate genes for testing and interpretation of results. Written and electronic medical records were reviewed until August 2019 to assess patient and family history characteristics, genetic testing eligibility, results and posttest management for women who had testing coordinated via mainstreaming or by the CGS.

Results

Genetic testing was arranged for 289 women with ovarian cancer. Prior to 2017, 44% of genetic tests were mainstreamed, compared with 76% of tests from 2017 onwards. CGS was more likely to arrange testing for women with a strong family history of cancer and nonserous pathology. Germline pathogenic variants were detected in 13.7% (19/138) of women who had mainstream testing and 20.3% (14/69) of women tested by the CGS. Referral for posttest counseling occurred for pathogenic variant carriers identified through mainstreaming.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated successful uptake of a mainstream ovarian cancer genetic testing program by medical oncologists, as evidenced by higher proportion and absolute numbers of eligible ovarian cancer patients accessing genetic testing through this pathway over time. The genetic testing criteria were appropriately assessed by oncologists and posttest referral occurred where required.
Molecular characteristics of young‐onset colorectal cancer in Vietnamese patients
Authors: Do Minh Duc , Nguyen Thinh Huu , Le Khuong Thai , Le Linh Hoang Gia , Nguyen Bac Hoang , Le Kien Trung , Doan Thao Phuong Thi , Ho Chuong Quoc , Nguyen Hoai‐Nghia , Tran Tuan Diep , Vu Hoang Anh
Published: January 2022

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer globally. Understanding the genetic characteristics of CRC is essential for appropriate treatment and genetic counseling.

Methods

The genetic profile of CRC tumor tissues was identified using next‐generation sequencing of 17 target genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM, APC, SMAD4, BMPR1A, MUTYH, STK11, PTEN, TP53, ATM, CDH1, CHEK2, POLE, and POLD1) in a cohort of 101 Vietnamese patients diagnosed with young‐onset CRC. Corresponding germline genetic alterations of determined somatic mutations were subsequently confirmed from patients’ blood samples.

Results

Somatic mutations were determined in 96 out of 101 CRC patients. Two‐thirds of the tumors harbored more than two mutations, and the most prevalent mutated genes were TP53 and APC. Among confirmed germline mutations, 10 pathogenic mutations and 11 variants of unknown significance were identified.

Conclusions

Given the burden of CRC and the gradually reducing cost of genetic testing, multigene panel screening can benefit young‐onset CRC patients as well as their relatives.
Social Justice and the Hebrew Prophets
Authors: Houston Walter J.
Published: January 2022

This article shows how prophetic writings of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible condemn social injustice in their context and how they offer unfulfilled visions of social justice. It also argues for their relevance to modern society. Selected passages from the books of Amos and Isaiah, together with shorter quotations from Micah and Jeremiah, are presented in translation with comments drawing out their meaning both for their original context and for modern Western capitalist society. Attention is drawn to the rhetoric of the prophets as contesting the rhetoric of the oppressors and unmasking their lies and misleading descriptions. Highly diverse visions of the just society are shown to raise questions of implementation that the prophets do not address. It is pointed out that the general biblical view, shared by the prophets, that conduct, good or bad, always receives its appropriate reward, does not seem to correspond to experience. The conclusion is that the value of the prophetic writings lies simply in their encouragement to respond to inhumanity with moral outrage, and to maintain evocative images of the just society.
Historical Consciousness, Part II: Responding to Racism, Ecological Threats, and the Fragmentation of Modern Universities
Authors: Cobb John B.
Published: January 2022

In a previous article, I examined the nature of historical consciousness. In this article, I apply it to three social issues: racism, ecological crisis, and higher education. Since the methods of historical consciousness are already in use, the aim here is not to introduce a new approach. My purpose is to make readers conscious of what they might normally do and why they are doing it. If a society fails to highlight and make explicit the methods it uses to solve the challenges it faces, the transfer of relevant skills will decline over several generations. Modern society has already reached the stage at which scientism has displaced a balance between timeless scientific rationality and historical consciousness in our approach to social issues. Without historical perspective to provide a narrative structure to the findings of science, society is likely to act in ways that are counterproductive. Unless citizens have a personal sense of participation in the stream of historical events, the knowledge they gain from science is not likely to be useful in guiding the direction of society.
HPV+ HNSCC‐derived exosomal miR‐9‐5p inhibits TGF‐β signaling‐mediated fibroblast phenotypic transformation through NOX4
Authors: Wang Bozhi , Zhang Siwei , Tong Fangjia , Wang Yan , Wei Lanlan
Published: January 2022

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HPV+ HNSCC patients have a higher survival rate, which may be related to its unique tumor microenvironment. Exosomes are emerging as a communication tool between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, including cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In this study, 111 clinical samples tissues and public sequencing data were analyzed. Our study found fewer CAFs infiltrated in HPV+ HNSCC, and poor CAF infiltration level was associated with a good prognosis. HPV+ HNSCC cell‐derived exosomes can significantly reduce the phenotypic transformation of fibroblasts. miR‐9‐5p, as a miRNA enriched in HPV+ HNSCC cell‐derived exosomes, can be transferred to fibroblasts. miR‐9‐5p mimic transfection decreased the expression of NOX4 and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inhibited the transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF‐β1)‐induced increase of αSMA levels. Therefore, these results indicated that HPV+ HNSCC‐derived exosomal miR‐9‐5p inhibits TGF‐β signaling‐mediated fibroblast phenotypic transformation through NOX4, which is related to the excellent prognosis of HPV patients.
Aberrant expression of claudin‐6 contributes to malignant potentials and drug resistance of cervical adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ito Yui , Takasawa Akira , Takasawa Kumi , Murakami Taro , Akimoto Taishi , Kyuno Daisuke , Kawata Yuka , Shano Kodai , Kirisawa Kurara , Ota Misaki , Aoyama Tomoyuki , Murata Masaki , Sugimoto Kotaro , Chiba Hideki , Saito Tsuyoshi , Osanai Makoto
Published: January 2022

Recent studies have revealed that aberrant expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins is a hallmark of various solid tumors and it is recognized as a useful therapeutic target. Claudin‐6 (CLDN6), a member of the family of TJ transmembrane proteins, is an ideal therapeutic target because it is not expressed in human adult normal tissues. In this study, we found that CLDN6 is highly expressed in uterine cervical adenocarcinoma (ADC) and that high CLDN6 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular infiltration and was an independent prognostic factor. Shotgun proteome analysis revealed that cell‐cell adhesion‐related proteins and drug metabolism‐associated proteins (aldo‐keto reductase [AKR] family proteins) were significantly increased in CLDN6‐overexpressing cells. Furthermore, overexpression of CLDN6 enhanced cell‐cell adhesion properties and attenuated sensitivity to anticancer drugs including doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and cisplatin. Taken together, the results indicate that aberrant expression of CLDN6 enhances malignant potentials and drug resistance of cervical ADC, possibly due to increased cell‐cell adhesion properties and drug metabolism. Our findings provide an insight into a new therapeutic strategy, a CLDN6‐targeting therapy, against cervical ADC.
S1‐guideline atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS)
Authors: Helbig Doris , Ziemer Mirjana , Dippel Edgar , Erdmann Michael , Hillen Uwe , Leiter Ulrike , Mentzel Thomas , Osterhoff Georg , Ugurel Selma , Utikal Jochen , von Bubnoff Dagmar , Weishaupt Carsten , Grabbe Stephan
Published: January 2022

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) are rare cutaneous neoplasms representing histomorphological, genetic as well as epigenetic variants of a disease spectrum. Both tumors typically manifest as nonspecific, often ulcerated, skin‐ to flesh‐colored nodules in chronically sun‐damaged skin of elderly male patients. AFX is a rather well demarcated, often rapidly growing tumor. PDS tumors are poorly circumscribed and are characterized by aggressive infiltrative growth. Fast as well as slow growth behavior has been reported for both tumors. Histologically, both are composed of spindle‐shaped and epithelioid tumor cells with pleomorphic nuclei as well as atypical multinucleated giant cells. Atypical mitoses are common. In contrast to AFX, PDS involves relevant parts of the subcutis and shows areas of tumor necrosis and/or perineural infiltration. Due to the poorly differentiated nature of AFX/PDS (Grade 3), histopathologically similar cutaneous sarcomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, melanomas and other diseases have to be excluded by immunohistochemical analysis.

The treatment of choice is micrographically controlled surgery. In cases of AFX, a cure can be assumed after complete excision. Local recurrence rates are low as long as PDS tumors are surgically removed with a safety margin of 2 cm. Metastasis is rare and mostly associated with very thick or incompletely excised tumors; it mainly affects the skin and lymph nodes. Distant metastasis is even more rare. No approved and effective systemic therapy has been established.
Rousseau's silence on trans‐Atlantic slavery: Philosophical implications
Authors: Christman John
Published: January 2022

For Jean‐Jacques Rousseau, freedom functions as a foundational value for his entire political philosophy. Parallel to this emphasis is his deep and abiding condemnation of “slavery”, at least the slavery that he claims marked the social existence of his European contemporaries living under unrepresentative monarchical systems. However, the striking aspect of Rousseau's work is his virtually complete silence concerning the institution of chattel slavery of his day. Despite his ubiquitous condemnation of the “slavery” of his “civilized” contemporaries, Rousseau wrote next to nothing about the actual enslavement of millions of people who pervaded the social landscape of the European–African–American triangle in the 18th century. In this paper, I trace out the various passages in Rousseau that could be seen as touching on the subject of contemporary slavery practices and show how very scant they were. I also discuss his views on the relation between climate, character, and persons' fitness for democratic forms of government (and hence freedom). I combine these points to draw particular lessons about the dangers of neglect and exclusion inherent in Rousseau's views of democratic freedom, suggesting how similar dangers lurk for contemporary visions of democracy inspired by his views.
Genomic selection signatures in farmed Colossoma macropomum from tropical and subtropical regions in South America
Authors: Agudelo John Fredy Gómez , Mastrochirico‐Filho Vito Antonio , Borges Carolina Heloisa de Souza , Ariede Raquel Belini , Lira Lieschen Valeria Guerra , Neto Rubens Ricardo de Oliveira , de Freitas Milena Vieira , Sucerquia Gustavo Adolfo Lenis , Vera Manuel , Berrocal Milthon Honorio Muñoz , Hashimoto Diogo Teruo
Published: January 2022

Tambaqui or cachama (Colossoma macropomum) is one of the most important neotropical freshwater fish used for aquaculture in South America, and its production is concentrated at low latitudes (close to the Equator, 0°), where the water temperature is warm. Therefore, understanding how selection shapes genetic variations and structure in farmed populations is of paramount importance in evolutionary biology. High‐throughput sequencing to generate genome‐wide data for fish species allows for elucidating the genomic basis of adaptation to local or farmed conditions and uncovering genes that control the phenotypes of interest. The present study aimed to detect genomic selection signatures and analyze the genetic variability in farmed populations of tambaqui in South America using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained with double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. Initially, 199 samples of tambaqui farmed populations from different locations (located in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru), a wild population (Amazon River, Brazil), and the base population of a breeding program (Aquaculture Center, CAUNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil) were genotyped. Observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.231–0.350 and 0.288–0.360, respectively. Significant genetic differentiation was observed using global FST analyses of SNP loci (FST = 0.064, p < 0.050). Farmed populations from Colombia and Peru that differentiated from the Brazilian populations formed distinct groups. Several regions, particularly those harboring the genes of significance to aquaculture, were identified to be under positive selection, suggesting local adaptation to stress under different farming conditions and management practices. Studies aimed at improving the knowledge of genomics of tambaqui farmed populations are essential for aquaculture to gain deeper insights into the evolutionary history of these fish and provide resources for the establishment of breeding programs.
Improving hand gestures recognition capabilities by ensembling convolutional networks
Authors: Bousbai Khalil , Morales‐Sánchez Juan , Merah Mostefa , Sancho‐Gómez José‐Luis
Published: January 2022

Hand gestures provide humans a convenient way to interact with computers and many applications. However, factors such as the complexity of hand gesture models, differences in hand size and position, and other factors can affect the performance of the recognition and classification algorithms. Some developments of deep learning such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and capsule networks (CapsNets) have been proposed to improve the performance of image recognition systems in this particular field. While CNNs are undoubtedly the most widely used networks for object detection and image classification, CapsNets emerged to solve part of the limitations of the former. For this reason, in this work a particular ensemble of both networks is proposed to solve the American Sign Language recognition problem very effectively. The method is based on increasing diversity in both the model and the dataset. The results obtained show that the proposed ensemble model together with a simple data augmentation process produces a very competitive accuracy performance with the all considered datasets.
The US Blue New Deal: What does it mean for just transitions, sustainability, and resilience of the blue economy?
Authors: Axon Stephen , Bertana Amanda , Graziano Marcello , Cross Emma , Smith Allie , Axon Kayleigh , Wakefield Alysia
Published: January 2022

The ocean and coasts are largely absent from the ‘Green New Deal’ proposal. In response to the limited attention paid to the sustainability and equitable governance approaches of the blue economy, a US ‘Blue New Deal’ has been proposed aiming to protect the health of the ocean and support coastal communities' adaptation to climate change. The Blue New Deal emerged as a central policy proposal from 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren to enhance the role of the blue economy while simultaneously addressing the climate crisis. Through a just transitions analysis, this article evaluates the proposal for a US Blue New Deal — as designed by Senator Elizabeth Warren — that would be applied towards enhancing socioeconomic resiliency, environmental justice, and addressing social inequities. As part of a critical policy analysis evaluating the areas of focus Warren's Blue New Deal presents, environmental justice and sustainability are central to the success of managing, and enhancing the role of, the blue economy. The challenges facing the Blue New Deal reflect a ‘one size fits all’ federal approach that has implications for addressing multifaceted obstacles in key sectors of the blue economy, its governance, and tackling interconnected crises that exacerbate socioeconomic inequities and vulnerabilities of marginalised coastal communities. This article proposes a blue justice framework for the Blue New Deal that seeks to address the tensions and contradictions that exist in its current form and indicates how a comprehensive policy framework can enhance the sustainability and equitable involvement of the blue economy.
Oral frailty and carriage of oral Candida in community‐dwelling older adults (Check‐up to discover Health with Energy for senior Residents in Iwamizawa; CHEER Iwamizawa)
Authors: Baba Haruhisa , Watanabe Yutaka , Miura Kazuhito , Ozaki Kimiya , Matsushita Takae , Kondoh Miyako , Okada Kazutaka , Hasebe Akira , Ayabe Tokiyoshi , Nakamura Kiminori , Nakaoka Shinji , Ogasawara Katsuhiko , Suzuki Teppei , Saito Hiroshi , Kimura Takashi , Tamakoshi Akiko , Yamazaki Yutaka
Published: January 2022

Objective

To examine the association between oral frailty and oral Candida carriage as a general indicator of deteriorating oral function in older adults.

Background

Older adults exhibit an elevated risk of oral candidiasis caused by Candida. Although many studies have identified factors associated with oral Candida carriage, none have evaluated its relationship with oral function.

Materials and Methods

This study included 210 community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years who participated in wellness checks. Fungal flora expression in saliva samples was evaluated to identify oral C. albicans and C. glabrata. Participants were categorised by detection of neither strain (group 1), either one of the strains (group 2), or both strains (group 3). The relationship between oral Candida carriage and oral frailty was evaluated by multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

The participants included 58 men and 152 women with a mean age of 74.2 ± 6.1 years. A total of 88 (41.9%), 94 (44.8%) and 28 (13.3%) participants were assigned to groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, significant associations were observed between group 1 and group 2 for “Have you choked on your tea or soup recently?” and the number of applicable oral frailty items. Between group 1 and group 3, significant associations were observed for the number of remaining teeth, masticatory performance and the number of applicable oral frailty items.

Conclusion

We obtained basic data useful for intervention studies aimed at verifying whether oral function management prevents deterioration of the oral bacterial flora.
The impact of COVID‐19 on HIV testing in the UK’s first Fast‐Track HIV city
Authors: Wenlock Rhys D , Shillingford Chante , Mear John , Churchill Duncan , Vera Jaime H. , Dean Gillian
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To describe the impact that the COVID‐19 pandemic has had on HIV testing in Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom.

Methods

All HIV tests performed in Brighton and Hove from January 2016 to June 2021 were extracted, de‐duplicated and anonymized. Analysis was performed to compare the monthly numbers of tests and diagnoses before and during the pandemic across different services.

Results

The number of patients having tests for HIV in sexual health services (SHS) decreased by 64% in April 2020, followed by a recovery to baseline levels by the start of 2021. Similarly, the monthly number of diagnoses decreased drastically after April 2020, with almost half of diagnoses made by SHS in 2020 occurring in the three pre‐pandemic months of the year. ‘Self‐sampling’, used more by women and younger patients, has contributed significantly to the recovery.

The number of patients tested in secondary care was seemingly unaffected by the pandemic. However, testing numbers were reduced in specialist services, whereas in the emergency department (ED) testing increased four‐fold (most notably in the elderly) without finding any cases.

General practice saw decreases in both the number of HIV tests performed and the number of new diagnoses made, which had not returned to baseline by June 2021.

Discussion

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a large impact on the number of HIV tests performed in Brighton and Hove with sizeable decreases in the number of patients tested likely leading to ‘missed’ diagnoses. By June 2021 testing had still not returned to normal across the city.
A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study intracanal medicaments
Authors: Meire Maarten A. , van der Waal Suzette V.
Published: January 2022

In order to ensure predictable decontamination of the root canal system, chemo‐mechanical preparation of the root canal space is sometimes supplemented with the use of intracanal medication. As microbial control of the root canal space is fundamental to the resolution of apical periodontitis, root canal disinfection strategies haven been researched intensively. The use of intracanal medication as a supplementary step to the chemo‐mechanical preparation of the root canal space is one of them. Because of the costs and limitations of clinical research it is relevant and common practice to first evaluate alternative or new root canal disinfection modalities in laboratory studies. This involves the simulation of a root canal infection in a laboratory model, on which different disinfection strategies can be tested. When modelling the infected root canal, different levels of infection can be discriminated: suspended bacteria, microbial biofilms and infected dentine. This review describes the experimental models associated with these infection levels and critically appraises their value and methodological details. Suggestions for relevant research methods and experimental models are given, as well as some good practices for laboratory‐based microbiological studies.
Instrumentation kinematics does not affect bacterial reduction, post‐operative pain, and flare‐ups: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Saber Shehabeldin Mohamed , Alfadag Abdulrahman Mohammed Abdu , Nawar Nawar Naguib , Plotino Gianluca , Hassanien Ehab El‐Sayed
Published: January 2022

Aim

This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of instrumentation kinematics (reciprocation or continuous rotation) on bacterial reduction, post‐operative pain, and incidence of flare‐ups after root canal treatment of single‐rooted mandibular premolars with asymptomatic apical periodontitis.

Methodology

Sixty‐six patients were included in this prospective, parallel, randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups (N = 33) according to the kinematics of the shaping instrument: WaveOne Gold (WO) used in reciprocation or One Shape (OS) used in continuous rotation. Under complete asepsis, bacterial samples were taken before (S1) and after (S2) a standard cleaning and shaping protocol. Evaluation of bacterial reduction was done by both culture technique and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Post‐operative pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) after 24, 48, and 72 h following treatment, while flare‐ups were recorded as a binary outcome (Yes/No). Independent and paired t‐tests were used for inter‐ and intra‐group comparisons for bacterial count data, respectively. For post‐operative pain score, inter‐group comparisons were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test while intra‐group comparisons were analyzed using Friedman test followed by pairwise comparisons utilizing the Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. The significance level was set at p ≤ .05 within all tests.

Results

All the allocated participants received the intervention and were analysed. The comparison between culture and qPCR methods showed that qPCR analysis demonstrated significantly higher pre‐instrumentation baseline bacterial count (p < .05). The percentage of bacterial reduction, detected by either method, significantly decreased after instrumentation using either rotation or reciprocation kinematics (p < .05). However, the difference between the WOG or OS files was statistically non‐significant (p > .05). The intra‐group comparisons showed a significant reduction in post‐operative pain with time (p < .05) for both groups. However, the inter‐group comparison demonstrated that the difference in post‐operative pain after the use of either WOG or OS was statistically non‐significant (p > .05). The incidence of flare‐ups between both groups was also not‐significant (p = 1).

Conclusions

Shaping kinematics, either rotation or reciprocation motions, had no impact on bacterial reduction and the incidence of post‐operative pain and flare‐ups after root canal preparation of single‐rooted premolars with asymptomatic apical periodontitis.
Analysis of the thermal stability and optical properties of KBiFe2O5perovskite obtained by a polymeric precursor method
Authors: Verza Jhonata Rafael , Silva Gislayne Rayane Alves da , Morelli Márcio Raymundo
Published: January 2022

The solar cells are the most prominent devices to generate energy from sunlight, however, one of the main factors limiting the efficiency of photovoltaic conversion is the recombination of charge carriers in their active layer, which is generated by the inhomogeneity of the material that constitutes this layer. KBiFe2O5is a perovskite with a high potential to be applied in the active layer of photovoltaic devices, however, it suffers from poor homogeneity during its synthesis, which is caused by the volatilization of K and Bi of its composition and, consequently, leads to the formation of secondary phases, which can sequester the charge carriers and decrease the efficiency of photovoltaic conversion. Thus, our objective is to evaluate the homogeneity of the powders obtained by the polymeric precursor method, its thermal stability until the formation of secondary phases, and the optical properties. With elemental mapping, it was possible to verify that the powder obtained was highly homogeneous and the band gap of 1.74 eV is within the optimal range for applications involving sunlight. Thus, it was possible to verify that this synthesis method generates highly homogeneous powders and at the temperatures employed does not undergo volatilization of K and Bi.
Capacity Strengthening: Development and Evaluation of the Training Course “Research Methods for Mental Health in War and Conflict”
Authors: Tamimi Nancy , Kienzler Hanna , Hammoudeh Weeam , Giacaman Rita
Published: January 2022

To address the gap in locally driven mental health capacity strengthening initiatives in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), researchers from Birzeit University (BZU) and King's College London (KCL) developed a unique short course focusing on the intersection between methods, mental health, and conflict. The course was delivered in the West Bank at BZU, aiming to strengthen mental health research capacity among local researchers, health professionals and administrators. Twenty‐eight participants from the West Bank and East Jerusalem completed the course. Participants accepted on the course from the Gaza Strip did not receive permission by the Israeli authorities to travel to the West Bank and were thus unable to attend. A pre‐training assessment was completed before the start of the course and identified a gap in participants’ key qualitative and quantitative research skills. The post‐evaluation showed that all participants agreed that their qualitative research skills improved, and the majority agreed that their quantitative research skills improved. Several participants considered the quantitative part too intensive, requiring more training time. The majority of participants were highly satisfied with the course. Our initiative offers a model for strengthening the local research capacity required to tackle the burden of mental illness in conflict‐affected areas. This annual course can be scaled up to other conflict settings.
Predictors of language regression and its association with subsequent communication development in children with autism
Authors: Pickles Andrew , Wright Nicola , Bedford Rachael , Steiman Mandy , Duku Eric , Bennett Teresa , Georgiades Stelios , Kerns Connor M. , Mirenda Pat , Smith Isabel M. , Ungar Wendy J. , Vaillancourt Tracy , Waddell Charlotte , Zaidman‐Zait Anat , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Szatmari Peter , Elsabbagh Mayada ,   Pathways in ASD Study Team
Published: January 2022

Background

Language regression, broadly defined as the loss of acquired language skills in early childhood, is a distinctive feature of autism. Little is known about the factors underlying regression or the prognosis of children who exhibit regression. We examine potential predictors of language regression and test its association with language development in a prospective longitudinal sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from diagnosis to age 10 years.

Methods

We analysed data from Pathways in ASD, a prospective longitudinal study of 421 children enrolled around the time of an autism diagnosis between 2 and 5 years. Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised data were available for 408 children, of whom 90 (22%) were classified as having language regression.

Results

Demographic and other health factors including caregiver education, family income, child sex, reported seizures, and age of enrolment did not differ between children with and without language regression. Children with language regression walked earlier and attained first words sooner than those without regression. However, both groups attained phrase speech at comparable ages. Those with regression exhibited greater delays in expressive and receptive communication over the follow‐up period, although this effect was attenuated when accounting for baseline differences in motor and cognitive ability. Overall, those with language regression continued to exhibit expressive but not receptive communication delay compared to those without regression. Communication trajectories were heterogeneous to age 10 years, irrespective of regression status.

Conclusions

Although language regression can be alarming, our findings confirm that its occurrence does not necessarily foreshadow worse developmental outcomes relative to those without regression. Although a discrepancy in age‐equivalent communication skills may persist, this can be expected to be of less practical importance with rising average levels of skills. Future studies need to account for the significant variability in language trajectories by considering factors beyond developmental regression.
Practitioner Review: Dyadic teacher–child relationships: comparing theories, empirical evidence and implications for practice
Authors: Spilt Jantine L. , Verschueren Karine , Van Minderhout Mirella B. W. M. , Koomen Helma M.Y.
Published: January 2022

Background

Research on dyadic teacher–child relationships has grown rapidly. However, a review of relevant theories and its implications for assessment and intervention has been lacking so far.

Methods

A selective review of theories, empirical evidence and interventions was conducted.

Results and Conclusions

Different theories highlight distinct aspects of teacher–child relationships and have different implications for assessment and intervention. The attachment perspective on dyadic teacher–child relationships is most widely applied in psychological research. Also relatively well‐known is self‐determination theory. However, the interpersonal theory, though widely applied in educational research to teacher–class interactions, has been largely overlooked in research on dyadic teacher–child relationships. The overarching dyadic systems perspective, providing insight in the dynamic interplay between different aspects of teacher–child relationships, also deserves more attention. Recommendations to improve teacher–child relationships address the need for teacher sensitivity, relationship‐based communication and flexibility in interpersonal behaviour in everyday teaching.
Association between nurses’ experiences of workplace incivility and the culture of safety of hospitals: A cross‐sectional Study
Authors: Alquwez Nahed
Published: January 2022

Aim and Objectives

This article examined the association between workplace incivility experiences of nurses and patient safety (PS) culture in hospitals.

Background

Workplace incivility, which is characterised by low‐intensity behaviours with unclear intention to harm and disruption of workplace ambiance of mutual respect, may threaten the work environment, resulting in an unhealthy and unsafe workplace.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Method

This study surveyed 261 nurses in Saudi Arabia from June 2019 to August 2019 using the ‘Hospital Survey of Patients’ Safety Culture’ and the ‘Nurse Incivility Scale’. A multiple linear regression was performed with unit‐ and hospital‐level PS culture as the dependent variables.

Results

‘Organizational learning–continuous improvement’ and ‘Teamwork within units’ were recognised as PS culture strengths. The nurses reported workplace incivility from patient/visitor as the most frequently experienced (mean = 2.27, standard deviation = 0.88). Working in Hospital B (ß = 0.24, p < .001, 95%CI = 0.15, 0.33) and having a baccalaureate degree in nursing (ß = 0.13, p = .014, 95%CI = 0.03, 0.23) were associated with better perceptions of unit‐level PS, whereas working in medical‐surgical wards (ß = −0.16, p = .002, 95%CI = −0.26, −0.06) and in intensive care units (ß = −0.19, p = .002, 95%CI = −0.32, −0.07) and experiencing patient/visitor incivility (ß = −0.09, p = .004, 95%CI = −0.15, −0.03) were associated with poor unit‐level PS culture perceptions. Experiences of general incivility (ß = −0.24, p < .001, 95%CI = −0.35, −0.13) and supervisor incivility (ß = −0.26, p = .011, 95%CI = −0.46, −0.06) were associated with poor hospital‐level PS culture perceptions.

Conclusions

Workplace incivility from patients/visitors had a negative association with unit‐level PS culture perceptions, whereas experiences on general and supervisor incivilities had an adverse relationship with hospital‐level PS culture perceptions.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The study emphasises the call to eradicate any form of incivility in healthcare settings to guarantee a PS culture. Hospital and nursing managers should prioritise the creation and implementation of policies aimed at eliminating uncivil behaviours in clinical settings to ensure that unit‐ and hospital‐level PS culture are above standards.
Stable coalition structures and power indices for majority voting
Authors: Abe Takaaki
Published: January 2022

An (n,k)‐game is a voting game in which each player has exactly one vote, and decisions are made by at least k affirmative votes of the n players. A power index shows the a priori power of the n voters. The purpose of this paper is to show what axioms of power indices generate stable coalition structures for each (n,k)‐game. Using the stability notion of the core, we show that a coalition structure containing a minimal winning coalition is stable for a wide range of general power indices satisfying a set of axioms, such as the Shapley–Shubik, Banzhaf, normalized Banzhaf, and Deegan–Packel power indices. Moreover, we also show that a coalition structure that represents a two‐party system can be stable if the two large parties are close enough in size. Some unstable coalition structures are also analyzed.
Pharmacokinetics of a single dose of oclacitinib maleate as a top dress in adult horses
Authors: Hunyadi Laszlo , Datta Palika , Rewers‐Felkins Kathleen , Sundman Emily , Hale Thomas , Fajt Virginia , Wagner Sarah
Published: January 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of oclacitinib maleate as a top dress given to adult horses. Six adult horses with a mean weight of 528 kg were administered a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg oclacitinib maleate. Blood was collected prior to drug administration and at 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Oclacitinib maleate plasma concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were found best to fit a one‐compartment model. Mean Cmax was 486 ng/ml (range 423–549 ng/ml), and Tmax was estimated to be 1.7 h (range 0.3–3.1 h). The estimated T1/2 was 7.5–8 h.
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated genome‐editing toolkit to enhance salt stress tolerance in rice and wheat
Authors: Nazir Romaan , Mandal Sayanti , Mitra Sicon , Ghorai Mimosa , Das Neela , Jha Niraj Kumar , Majumder Madhumita , Pandey Devendra Kumar , Dey Abhijit
Published: January 2022

The rice and wheat agricultural system is the primary source of food for billions across the world. However, the productivity and long‐term sustainability of rice and wheat are threatened by a large number of abiotic stresses, especially salinity stress. Salinity has a significant impact on plant development and productivity and is one of the leading causes of crop yield losses in agricultural soils worldwide. Over the last few decades, several attempts have been undertaken to enhance salinity stress tolerance, most of which have relied on traditional or molecular breeding approaches. These approaches have so far been insufficient in addressing the issues of abiotic stress. However, due to the availability of genome sequences for cereal crops like rice and wheat and the development of genome editing techniques like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein9 (Cas9), it is now possible to “edit” genes and influence key traits. Here, we review the application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in both rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to develop salinity tolerant cultivars. The CRISPR/Cas genome editing toolkit holds great promise of producing cereal crops tolerant to salt stress to increase agriculture resilience with a strong impact on the environment and public health.
Does manager education play a role in the productivity of informal firms in developing economies? Evidence from firm‐level surveys
Authors: Amin Mohammad , Islam Asif M.
Published: January 2022

The informal sector is dominant in developing economies, and the vast majority of the poor rely on it. There is much to learn about informal firms—the “businesses of the poor”—as little is known about the drivers of their performance. The present paper attempts to fill this gap in the literature by analyzing how labor productivity of informal firms in developing countries depends on the level of education of the manager or the main decision‐maker of the firm. Using survey data for 3,854 informal or unregistered firms in 18 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, we find that labor productivity is 28% to 33% higher when the manager has secondary or higher education versus only primary education or no education. The finding is robust to various robustness checks including parametric and semi‐parametric specifications and confirmed using instrumental variables estimation.
Bartlett correction of an independence test in a multivariate Poisson model
Authors: Larsson Rolf
Published: January 2022

We consider a system of dependent Poisson variables, where each variable is the sum of an independent variate and a common variate. It is the common variate that creates the dependence. Within this system, a test of independence may be constructed where the null hypothesis is that the common variate is identically zero. In the present paper, we consider the maximum log likelihood ratio test. For this test, it is well‐known that the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is an equal mixture of zero and a chi‐square distribution with one degree of freedom. We examine a Bartlett correction of the test, in the hope that we will get better approximation of the nominal size for moderately large sample sizes. A correction of this type is explicitly derived, and its usefulness is explored in a simulation study. For practical purposes, the correction is found to be useful in dimension two, but not in higher dimensions.
Heterogeneous Effects of Financial Development on Tax Revenues: Accounting for Institutional Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: OULAI Sieni Toussaint.
Published: January 2022

Several studies have shown that financial development improves efforts to increase the tax base and tax revenue through different channels. This paper analyzes the effect of financial development on tax revenue conditional on institutional quality for a panel of developing countries over the period 1990-2019. Using a threshold approach, the results indicate that the influence of financial development on non-cash tax receipts is not monotonic and is sensitive to level of institutions. Financial development improves the tax base and tax revenue when the quality of institutions is better. The results point out as well heterogeneousness across countries and over the years counts. Estimates with financial market index confirm the evidence that countries that benefit most from increased tax revenues are those that improve their institutional quality.
Urbanization and Arable Land Use in Northern Ghana: A Case Study of the Sagnarigu Municipality in the Greater Tamale Area
Authors: Abubakari Mohammed Muniru , Anaman Kwabena Asomanin , Ahene-Codjoe Ama Asantewah
Published: January 2022

We analyzed the effects of urbanization on the use of arable land in the Sagnarigu municipality in Greater Tamale Area of Ghana. The study involved a random survey of 300 farming households to establish their land-use patterns and valuation, and an analysis of satellite and remote sensing data for the years, 2000, 2010 and 2020 for land-use related land cover changes in the area. Out of 300 responding household heads, 88.3% were usufruct landowners; the remaining 11.7% were tenants. The hedonic pricing method was used to analyse arable land values. The value of arable land was negatively influenced by the distance to the nearest main road, district capital town, and Tamale Central Business District, and positively influenced by its closeness to State institutions. Urbanization, proxied by the population of the community where the land was located, positively influenced the value of the land. Based on the analysis of geographic information system data, we established that the built-up area in the district increased from 13.0 km2 in 2000 to 97.5 km2 in 2020, an increase of 650%. Built-up area accounted for 48.7% of the total land available in the district in 2020.
Instrumentation of Horizontal Exercise Machine
Authors: Cole Tanya G. , Shackelford Linda , Miller Chris A. , Figueroa J. Fernando
Published: January 2022

Bed rest studies provide an opportunity to conduct ground-based studies of the physiological changes which occur on orbit. Astronauts are known to lose muscle and bone mass during space flights, and effective countermeasures are being sought. The muscle loss is extensive, even for short duration missions, but it is fairly easily regained upon return to the earth’s gravity. Bone loss, on the other hand, is a slower process. The effects are long lasting, and significant loss from a long duration mission may cause fracture when the body is subjected to the sometimes rigorous forces of gravitational environments. For this reason, studies are being done at NASA’s Johnson Space Center Bone and Mineral Physiology Laboratory on heavy resistive exercises that decrease or prevent loss of bone mineral density (BMD) in bed rest subjects.
Estimation of Surgically Manipulated Fluid Shear Stresses in the Abdominal Vessels of Swine From Measured Femoral Artery Flows
Authors: Friedman Morton H. , Aukerman Jean A. , Clingan Paul A. , Henderson Joel M.
Published: January 2022

In support of an in vivo investigation in swine of the influence of changes in fluid dynamic wall shear on arterial macromolecular permeability, a procedure has been developed to alter the flows in the porcine posterior arterial vasculature by opening and closing a reversible arteriovenous shunt placed on one of the femoral arteries. Laparoscopic techniques were used to place appropriately modified ultrasonic flow probes on both external and circumflex iliac arteries, and on the terminal aorta. Flow measurements were made prior to shunt placement, and with the shunt open and closed, to measure the influence of altered external iliac artery flow on the distribution to the infrarenal abdominal vessels. Similar experiments were carried out to relate the flow rates in the external iliac arteries to those in the femoral arteries, which are more accessible. These results permit reasonable estimates to be made of infrarenal hemodynamics in the pig, at baseline and with the shunt opened or closed, from only the flow rates measured at the two femoral arteries. These estimates can then form the basis for global or detailed descriptions of shear stress distributions in the abdominal vessels.
Numerical Analysis for Flow in Partly Pressurized Collapsible Tube
Authors: Hayashi Satoru , Hayase Toshiyuki , Maruyama Masaru
Published: January 2022

Using a simple model for the occluding-cuff auscultatory system, numerical simulation has been performed. Two different origins of Korotkoff sounds have been clarified.
In Vitro Demonstration of Squeeze Flow at the Instant of Mechanical Valve Closure
Authors: Chandran K. B. , Chew Y. T. , Low H. T. , Lim W. L. , Seng K. Y.
Published: January 2022

An in vitro experiment has been performed to demonstrate the presence of squeeze flow in mechanical valves with a seat stop interacting with the leaflet near the major orifice at the instant of valve closure. Using high speed video camera and strobe light at 16,000 pulses/sec, radial motion of cavitation bubbles due to the “squeeze flow” effect is observed. However, in valves with no seat stops in the major orifice region, bubbles of duration longer than the cavitation bubbles were observed. These studies further demonstrate the importance of the local flow dynamics with mechanical valves at the instant of valve closure and its importance on the flow induced stresses on the valve structures as well as on the formed elements of blood.