bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct Vaccine Efficacy Rates Among Health Care Workers During a COVID-19 Outbreak in Jordan
Authors: Sultan Iyad , Tbakhi Abdelghani , Abuatta Osama , Mubarak Sawsan , Alsmadi Osama , Edilbi Adib , Al-Ani Ruba , Makhlouf Manar , Hajir Rawan , Khreisat Omar , Al-Ruzzieh Majeda A. , Abdelrazeq Hikmat , Mansour Asem
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the efficacy of 3 COVID-19 vaccines in a population of health care workers at a tertiary cancer center in Amman, Jordan.

METHODS

We evaluated the records of 2855 employees who were fully vaccinated with 1 of 3 different vaccines and those of 140 employees who were not vaccinated. We measured the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections that occurred at least 14 days after the second vaccine dose.

RESULTS

The 100-day cumulative incidence of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections was 19.3% ± 3.3% for unvaccinated employees and 1.7% ± 0.27% for fully vaccinated employees. The 100-day cumulative infection rates were 0.7% ± 0.22% in BNT162b2 vaccine recipients (n = 1714), 3.6% ± 0.77% in BBIBP-CorV recipients (n = 680), and 2.3% ± 0.73% in ChAdOx1 recipients (n = 456). We used Cox regression analyses to compare the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the different vaccine recipient groups and found a significantly higher infection risk in BBIBP-CorV (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.9 ± 0.31) and ChAdOx1 recipients (HR = 3.0 ± 0.41) compared to BNT162b2 recipients (P = .00039 and .0074, respectively). Vaccinated employees who had no previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections were at a markedly higher risk for breakthrough infections than those who experienced prior infections (HR = 5.7 ± 0.73, P = .0178).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study offers a real-world example of differential vaccine efficacy among a high-risk population during a national outbreak. We also show the important synergism between a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

Funding

None
Waning Effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines in Older Adults: A Rapid Review
Authors: Nanishi Etsuro , Levy Ofer , Ozonoff Al
Published: January 2022

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies have recently recommended a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines for specific vulnerable groups including adults 65 years and older. There is limited evidence whether vaccine effectiveness in older adults decreases over time, especially against severe COVID-19. We performed a rapid review of published studies available through 04 November 2021 that provide effectiveness data on mRNA vaccines approved/licensed in the United States and identified eight eligible studies which evaluated vaccine effectiveness in older adults. There is evidence of a decline in vaccine effectiveness against both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 in older adults among studies which analyzed data up to July-October 2021. Our findings suggest that vaccine effectiveness diminishes in older adults, which supports the current recommendation for a booster dose in this population.
Using FIB-4 score as a screening tool in the assessment of significant liver fibrosis (F2) in patients with transfusion dependent beta thalassaemia: a cross sectional study
Authors: Padeniya Padmapani , Ediriweera Dileepa , De Silva Arjuna , Niriella Madunil , Premawardhena Anuja
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluated the performance of FIB-4 score as a screening tool to detect significant liver fibrosis (F2) compared to transient elastography (TE), among chronic transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) patients, in a resource-poor setting.

Design

A cross-sectional study

Setting

Adolescent and Adult Thalassaemia Care Center (University Medical Unit), Kiribathgoda, Sri Lanka.

Participants

45 TDT patients who have undergone more than 100 blood transfusions with elevated serum ferritin >2000ng/mL, were selected for the study. Patients who were serologically positive for hepatitis C antibody were excluded.

Outcome measures

TE and FIB-4 score were estimated at the time of recruitment in all participants. Pre-defined cut-off values for F2, extracted from previous studies for TE and FIB-4 score, were compared. A new cut-off value for FIB-4 score was estimated using ROC curve analysis to improve the sensitivity for F2 prediction.

Results

Of the selected 45 TDT patients, 22(49%) were males. FIB-4 score showed a significant linear correlation with TE (r= 0.52;p< 0.0003). The FIB-4 score was improbable to lead to a false classification of TDT patients to have F2 when the FIB-4 cut-off value was 1.3. On the other hand, it had a very low diagnostic yield in missing almost all (except one) of those who had F2. Using a much-lowered cut-off point of 0.32 for FIB-4, we improved the pick-up rate of F2 to 72%.

Conclusions

Regardless of the cut-off point, FIB-4 score cannot be used as a good screening tool to pick-up F2 in patients with TDT, irrespective of their splenectomy status. On the contrary, at 1.3 cut off value though FIB-4 is a very poor detector for F2 fibrosis it will not erroneously diagnose F2 fibrosis in those who don’t have it.

Article summary

Strengths and limitations of this study

There is limited information available on the applicability of FIB-4 score to assess significant liver fibrosis in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT).

The present study among a Sri Lankan TDT population had their liver fibrosis assessed by FIB-4 score biomarker compared with Transient elastography (TE).

Small sample size of the study is one of the major limitations.

Even though the liver biopsy is the gold standard method of assessing liver fibrosis, non-invasive TE was used as the reference standard in our study
Structural Basis for the Calmodulin-Mediated Activation of eEF-2K
Authors: Piserchio Andrea , Isiorho Eta A. , Long Kimberly , Bohanon Amanda L. , Kumar Eric A. , Will Nathan , Jeruzalmi David , Dalby Kevin N. , Ghose Ranajeet
Published: January 2022

Translation is a highly energy consumptive process1tightly regulated for optimal protein quality2and adaptation to energy and nutrient availability. A key facilitator of this process is the α-kinase eEF-2K that specifically phosphorylates the GTP-dependent translocase eEF-2, thereby reducing its affinity for the ribosome and suppressing the elongation phase of protein synthesis3,4. eEF-2K activation requires calmodulin binding and auto-phosphorylation at the primary stimulatory site, T348. Biochemical studies have predicted that calmodulin activates eEF-2K through a unique allosteric process5mechanistically distinct from other calmodulin-dependent kinases6. Here we resolve the atomic details of this mechanism through a 2.3 Å crystal structure of the heterodimeric complex of calmodulin with the functional core of eEF-2K (eEF-2KTR). This structure, which represents the activated T348-phosphorylated state of eEF-2KTR, highlights how through an intimate association with the calmodulin C-lobe, the kinase creates a “spine” that extends from its N-terminal calmodulin-targeting motif through a conserved regulatory element to its active site. Modification of key spine residues has deleterious functional consequences.
The high mutational sensitivity of ccdA antitoxin is linked to codon optimality
Authors: Chandra Soumyanetra , Gupta Kritika , Khare Shruti , Kohli Pehu , Asok Aparna , Mohan Sonali Vishwa , Gowda Harsha , Varadarajan Raghavan
Published: January 2022

Deep mutational scanning studies suggest that synonymous mutations are typically silent and that most exposed, non active-site residues are tolerant to mutations. Here we show that the ccdA antitoxin component of the E.coli ccdAB toxin-antitoxin system is unusually sensitive to mutations when studied in the operonic context. A large fraction (∼80%) of single-codon mutations, including many synonymous mutations in the ccdA gene shows inactive phenotype, but they retain native-like binding affinity towards cognate toxin, CcdB. Therefore, the observed phenotypic effects are largely not due to alterations in protein structure/stability, consistent with a large region of CcdA being intrinsically disordered. E. coli codon preference and strength of ribosome-binding associated with translation of downstream ccdB gene are found to be major contributors of the observed mutant phenotypes. In select cases, proteomics studies reveal altered ratios of CcdA:CcdB protein levels in vivo, suggesting that the ccdA mutations likely alter relative translation efficiencies of the two genes in the operon. We extend these results by studying single-site synonymous mutations that lead to loss of function phenotypes in the relBE operon upon introduction of rarer codons. Thus, in their operonic context, genes are likely to be more sensitive to both synonymous and non-synonymous point mutations than inferred previously.
Broad-spectrum mono- and combinational drug therapies for global viral pandemic preparedness
Authors: Ianevski Aleksandr , Yao Rouan , Simonsen Ronja M. , Myhre Vegard , Ravlo Erlend , Kaynova Gerda D. , Zusinaite Eva , White Judith M. , Polyak Stephen J. , Oksenych Valentyn , Windisch Marc P. , Pan Qiuwei , Lastauskienė Eglė , Vitkauskienė Astra , Matukevičius Algimantas , Tenson Tanel , Bjørås Magnar , Kainov Denis E.
Published: January 2022

Broadly effective antiviral therapies must be developed to be ready for clinical trials, which should begin soon after the emergence of new life-threatening viruses. Here, we pave the way towards this goal by analyzing conserved druggable virus-host interactions, mechanisms of action and immunomodulatory properties of broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs), routes of BSA delivery, and BSA interactions with other antivirals. Based on the analysis we developed scoring systems, which allowed us to predict novel BSAs and BSA-containing drug combinations (BCCs). Thus, we have developed a new strategy to broaden the spectrum of BSA indications and predict novel mono-and combinational therapies that can help better prepare for imminent future viral outbreaks.

Abstract Figure
Forecast of omicron wave time evolution
Authors: Schlickeiser R. , Kröger M.
Published: January 2022

Adopting an early doubling time of three days for the rate of new infections with the omicron mutant the temporal evolution of the omicron wave in different countries is predicted. The predictions are based on the susceptible-infectious-recovered/removed (SIR) epidemic compartment model with a constant stationary ratiok=μ(t)/a(t) between the infection (a(t)) and recovery (μ(t)) rate. The fixed early doubling time then uniquely relates the initial infection ratea0to the ratiok, which therefore determines the full temporal evolution of the omicron waves. For each country three scenarios (optimistic, pessimistic, intermediate) are considered and the resulting pandemic parameters are calculated. These include the total number of infected persons, the maximum rate of new infections, the peak time and the maximum 7-day incidence per 100000 persons. Among the considered European countries Denmark has the smallest omicron peak time and the recently observed saturation of the 7-day incidence value at 2478 is in excellent agreement with the prediction in the optimistic scenario. For Germany we predict peak times of the omicron wave ranging from 32 to 38 and 45 days after the start of the omicron wave in the optimistic, intermediate and pessimistic scenario, respectively, with corresponding maximum SDI values of 7090, 13263 and 28911, respectively. Adopting Jan 1st, 2022 as the starting date our predictions implies that the maximum of the omicron wave is reached between Feb 1 and Feb 15, 2022. Rather similar values are predicted for Switzerland. Due to an order of magnitude smaller omicron hospitalization rate, due to the high percentage of vaccinated and boostered population, the German health system can cope with maximum omicron SDI value of 2800 which is about a factor 2.5 smaller than the maximum omicron SDI value 7090 in the optimistic case. By either reducing the duration of intensive care during this period of maximum, and/or by making use of the nonuniform spread of the omicron wave across Germany, it seems that the German health system can barely cope with the omicron wave avoiding triage decisions. The reduced omicron hospitalization rate also causes significantly smaller mortality rates compared to the earlier mutants in Germany. In the optimistic scenario one obtains for the total number of fatalities 7445 and for the maximum death rate 418 per day which are about one order of magnitude smaller than the beta fatality rate and total number.
Resilient T cell responses to B.1.1.529 (Omicron) SARS-CoV-2 variant
Authors: Jergovic Mladen , Coplen Christopher P. , Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Beitel Shawn C. , Burgess Jefferey L. , Lutrick Karen , Ellingson Katherine D. , Watanabe Makiko , Nikolich-Žugich Janko
Published: January 2022

Emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern (VOC) B.1.1.529 (Omicron) in late 2021 has raised alarm among scientific and health care communities due to a surprisingly large number of mutations in its spike protein. Public health surveillance indicates that the Omicron variant is significantly more contagious than the previously dominant VOC, B.1.617.2 (Delta). Several early reports demonstrated that Omicron exhibits a higher degree (∼10-30-fold) of escape from antibody neutralization compared to earlier lineage variants. Therefore, it is critical to determine how well the second line of adaptive immunity, T cell memory, performs against Omicron in people following COVID-19 infection and/or vaccination. To that purpose, we analyzed a cohort (n=345 subjects) of two-or three-dose messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine recipients and COVID-19 post infection subjects (including those receiving 2 doses of mRNA vaccine after infection), recruited to the CDC-sponsored AZ HEROES research study, alongside 32 pre-pandemic control samples. We report that T cell responses against Omicron spike peptides were largely preserved in all cohorts with established immune memory. IFN-γ producing T cell responses remained equivalent to the response against the ancestral strain (WA1/2020), with some (<20%) loss in IL-2 single-or IL-2+IFNγ+ poly-functional responses. Three-dose vaccinated participants had similar responses to Omicron relative to convalescent or convalescent plus two-dose vaccinated groups and exhibited responses significantly higher than those receiving two mRNA vaccine doses. These results provide further evidence that a three-dose vaccine regimen benefits the induction of optimal functional T cell immune memory.
JOINT CONTRIBUTION OF MARKERS OF NEURODEGENERATION AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA TO DEMENTIA RISK
Authors: Perna Laura , Mons Ute , Stocker Hannah , Beyer Leon , Beyreuther Konrad , Trares Kira , Holleczek Bernd , Schoettker Ben , Perneczky Robert , Gerwert Klaus , Brenner Hermann
Published: January 2022

Background
The examination of markers of neurodegeneration (glial fibrillary acidic protein; GFAP, neurofilament light chain; NfL, phosphorylated tau181; p-tau181) among individuals with high comorbidity of neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disease and their interplay with vascular risk factors, particularly high cholesterol levels, might contribute to explaining the link between body and brain. The aim of this study was to assess whether the association of GFAP, NfL, and p-tau181 with dementia risk varies depending on levels of total cholesterol (TC) and APOE ε4 genotype.
Methods
Nested case-control study embedded within a population-based cohort and including 768 older adults (261 dementia cases and 508 randomly selected controls) followed for up to 17 years with regard to clinical diagnosis of various age-related diseases. GFAP, NfL, and p-tau181 were measured in baseline blood samples using the Single-Molecule Array (Simoa) Technology (Quanterix, USA) and categorized into high (quartile 4) versus low (quartiles 1-3). Logistic regression analyses and spline regression models for dose-response analyses were used. ROC curves by cholesterol levels were also calculated.
Results
The risk of a dementia diagnosis was significantly increased between participants with high vs. low levels of GFAP and NfL and the risk substantially varied by TC levels. For GFAP and NfL the ORs of a dementia diagnosis were 5.10 (2.45-10.60) and 2.96 (1.43-6.14) in participants with high and 2.44 (1.47-4.07) and 1.15 (0.69-1.92) in those with low TC. APOE ε4 genotype further modified the strength of the associations with different patterns, depending on specific marker and type of dementia. No significant association was seen with p-tau181.
Conclusions
These results suggest that in the general population blood GFAP and NfL are better predictors of dementia than p-tau181 and that their associations with dementia risk are highly amplified by hypercholesterolemia, also depending on APOE ε4 genotype.
COWO: towards real-time spatiotemporal action localization in videos
Authors: Yi Yang , Sun Yang , Yuan Saimei , Zhu Yiji , Zhang Mengyi , Zhu Wenjun
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a fast and accurate network for spatiotemporal action localization in videos. It detects human actions both in time and space simultaneously in real-time, which is applicable in real-world scenarios such as safety monitoring and collaborative assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper design an end-to-end deep learning network called collaborator only watch once (COWO). COWO recognizes the ongoing human activities in real-time with enhanced accuracy. COWO inherits from the architecture of you only watch once (YOWO), known to be the best performing network for online action localization to date, but with three major structural modifications: COWO enhances the intraclass compactness and enlarges the interclass separability in the feature level. A new correlation channel fusion and attention mechanism are designed based on the Pearson correlation coefficient. Accordingly, a correction loss function is designed. This function minimizes the same class distance and enhances the intraclass compactness. Use a probabilistic K-means clustering technique for selecting the initial seed points. The idea behind this is that the initial distance between cluster centers should be as considerable as possible. CIOU regression loss function is applied instead of the Smooth L1 loss function to help the model converge stably.

Findings

COWO outperforms the original YOWO with improvements of frame mAP 3% and 2.1% at a speed of 35.12 fps. Compared with the two-stream, T-CNN, C3D, the improvement is about 5% and 14.5% when applied to J-HMDB-21, UCF101-24 and AGOT data sets.

Originality/value

COWO extends more flexibility for assembly scenarios as it perceives spatiotemporal human actions in real-time. It contributes to many real-world scenarios such as safety monitoring and collaborative assembly.
India’s emerging fuel mix for 2050: actions and strategies to decarbonize the transport sector
Authors: Gupta Santanu , Kar Sanjay Kumar , Harichandan Sidhartha
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to review the role of government initiatives for developing clean fuels in India, decarbonize the transport sector and maximize the use of renewable sources of energy. India’s socio-economic prosperity is dependent on modern energy. The authors examine the role of biofuel in India’s emerging fuel mix.

Design/methodology/approach

A 20-year timeframe between 2000 and 2021 was set to learn about the subject and find the existing gaps. Of the 40 research papers, the authors found using keywords and delimiting criteria in the database, the authors have shortlisted 21 papers, which provided the theoretical framework for the study. Additionally, the authors used the government database to develop future projections using compound annual growth rate and trend analysis.

Findings

The study findings suggest that India should strictly implement the Biofuel Policy to promote indigenous production of biofuel to enhance affordability and accessibility. With blending options available with biofuels and biogas, the country can replace the right proportion of fossil fuel use by 2050. It will not only decrease India’s import dependence but also will create new job opportunities, specifically in tribal and remote locations and promote green energy mix. With emerging options like electric vehicle and hydrogen, the transport sector could be decarbonized to a greater extent.

Social implications

Indigenous cleaner fuel adoption and transport sector will generate additional employment and cut down fossil fuel import. Financial savings through reduced fossil fuel import will be directed toward social development.

Originality/value

The paper carries out critical analysis for the active use of modern green fuels in the present and coming days. Such unique analysis must help India to balance its energy basket.
Weaknesses of Malaysian public procurement: a review of auditor general’s reports
Authors: Mohamad Azmi Siti Maryam , Ismail Suhaiza
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically analyze the weaknesses of public procurement in Malaysia as reported in the Auditor General’s Reports from 2011 until 2018. Specifically, the study examines the types of weaknesses, the modes of public procurement involved with the weaknesses, the procurement categories involved with the weaknesses and the key recommendations to mitigate the weaknesses in public procurement.

Design/methodology/approach

A document analysis was adopted in achieving the objective. The Auditor General’s reports and the reports of activities of federal ministries/departments published by the National Audit Department, Malaysia from the year 2011 until 2018 are the main documents used in this study. The data gathered were analyzed using frequency distribution and displayed with descriptive statistics and relevant graphs.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that the top five reported are non-compliance to scope, specifications and terms of contracts; delayed completion/non-completion of project; poor documentation; low quality of products, service and work; and little or no prior planning. It is also found that direct negotiation mode was reported with the highest issues of public procurement, while the procurement mode with the least public procurement weaknesses is direct purchase. Moreover, it was found that work category is the highest with public procurement issues reported compared to supplies and services. The top recommendations given by the Auditor General were to improve internal control, to enhance monitoring, to establish planning in details, to improve assets management and to take appropriate actions toward contractors and procurement officers when needed.

Originality/value

This is among a few studies that attempted to systematically examine the main issues regarding the public procurement activities in Malaysia. This study highlighted pertinent aspects of the public procurement activities, which need close attention by the relevant authorities to ensure efficient and effective public procurement.
Design and evaluation of a micro resonator structure as a biosensor for droplet analysis with a standard fabrication method
Authors: Eidi Amin , Shamsi Mousa , Badri Ghavifekr Habib
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In this work, the sensing and actuating elements are designed with interdigitated capacitors away from the sensitive element on which the droplet is placed. This pattern helps to prevent interference of electrical elements with the droplet. Choosing shear resonance mode at this proposed structure minimizes the damping effect of droplet touch by the resonator structure. The glass-based standard fabrication method of the proposed biosensor is presented exactly.

Design/methodology/approach

Mechanical resonator sensors are extremely limited because of the high damping factor and the high electrical conductivity in the aqueous environment. In this work, a molecule detector biosensor is proposed for droplet analysis, which is possible to fabricate using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. By electromechanical coupling of resonators as a mechanical resonator structure, a standing mechanical wave is formed at this structure by electrostatic actuating elements.

Findings

In this paper, a mechanical resonator structure as a biosensor is proposed for micro-droplet analysis that can be fabricated by MEMS technology. It is designed at a lower cost fabrication method using electrostatic technology and interdigitated capacitors. The response of the biosensor displacement frequency at the resonance frequency of the desired mode is reasonable for measuring the capacitive changes of its output. The mass sensitivity of the proposed biosensor is in the range of 1 ng, and it has a large sensitive area for capturing target molecules.

Originality/value

To evaluate the quality of the proposed design, the stimulated analysis is conducted by COMSOL and results are presented.
Phytogeographical origin determines Tropical Montane Cloud Forest hydraulic trait composition
Authors: Barros Fernanda de V. , Bittencourt Paulo L. , Eller Cleiton B. , Signori‐Müller Caroline , Meireles Leonardo D. , Oliveira Rafael S.
Published: January 2022

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) have unique climatic conditions, which allow the coexistence of plant lineages with different phytogeographical origins from tropical versus temperate climates. Future climate projections suggest TMCFs will be subjected to increasing drought stress due to fog uplift and higher temperatures, possibly leading to tree mortality and local extinctions, and consequently changes in forest composition and functioning. Characterizing community functional composition, trade‐offs among traits and the drivers of community assembly is of utmost importance to improve our capacity to predict the response of montane plant communities to forecast climate change.

Here, we aimed to test whether species from different phytogeographical origins (i.e. tropical – evergreen × deciduous − and temperate) differ in drought vulnerability and how the coexistence of these groups change the hydraulic composition of TMCFs. We used a framework based on measurements of key hydraulic traits (i.e. xylem embolism resistance, hydraulic safety margin, stomata control, turgor loss point, minimum water potential) of 16 dominant species (>70% of the forest basal area) within a TMCF in the Atlantic Rain Forest Domain in southeast Brazil. We used community‐weighted means to model whether removing each species group would change the community hydraulic functional composition.

Temperate, tropical deciduous and tropical evergreen groups differ in their hydraulic functioning and these differences explain forest functional composition and taxa dominance. Temperate and tropical deciduous taxa were consistently more vulnerable hydraulically (i.e. lower safety margins and embolism resistance). The coexistence of different phytogeographical lineages is a key determinant of TMCF hydraulic composition. We also used models including phylogeny to evaluate the variation of hydraulic traits across phytogeographical groups, and the results suggest some niche conservatism associated with plant hydraulic functioning.

Our results provide evidence of the importance of species phytogeographical origin on TMCF functioning, and niche conservatism in the evolution of hydraulic traits. The higher drought vulnerability observed in temperate group might be a mechanistic explanation for the restriction of temperate taxa distribution to wetter places during past colder and drier climate. Thus, we suggest hydraulic functional traits may be useful to predict future dynamics of TMCFs under changing climatic conditions.
First report on generalized pollination systems in Melastomataceae for the Andean páramos
Authors: Manrique Valderrama Naisla , Varassin Isabela Galarda , Passos Luan Salles , Morales Puentes María Eugenia
Published: January 2022

Melastomataceae is a megadiverse family with records of transitions from specialized to generalized pollination systems for several species. These transitions are associated with the colonization of new, unpredictable and/or impoverished pollinator habitats or habitats where specialized pollinators are scarce (e.g., in highland environments). The bee species diversity is low in highlands. Therefore, autonomous breeding systems such as apomixis and self‐pollination emerge in these environments. In this paper, we studied the floral traits associated with the generalization of pollination systems and registered the floral visitors of two species in the Colombian Andes: Miconia cataractae and M. elaeoides. We investigated the breeding system of M. elaeoides. Both species presented small flowers, short anthers of medium pore size, and nectar‐producing stomata on the base of the anthers. Miconia cataractae produced an average of 1.62 μl nectar/flower, a sugar concentration of 6.78%, whereas M. elaeoides produced 0.09 μl nectar/flower, a sugar concentration of 6.13%. We recorded a wide diversity of pollinators for both species, mainly insects from the orders Hymenoptera and Diptera. Miconia elaeoides presented a mixed breeding system and was also capable of setting fruits by apomixis. We conclude that flower and anther morphology, combined with nectar production, thus represent convergent traits resulting in a generalist pollination system shared by M. cataractae and M. elaeoides. Here, we presented the first generalist pollination system recorded for Miconia (and the Melastomataceae) in the Andes, the first report for a species from the small‐pored section Amblyarrhena, and the first report for a species from the large‐pored section Cremanium in Colombia.
Implications of internalised ableism for the health and wellbeing of disabled young people
Authors: Jóhannsdóttir Ásta , Egilson Snæfríður Þóra , Haraldsdóttir Freyja
Published: January 2022

When conceptualising health and wellbeing among disabled people, the experience of internalised ableism must be considered. In this article, we argue that internalised ableism is indeed a health and wellbeing issue that materialises in numerous complex psychological, social and physical consequences. For theoretical grounding, we utilise critical disability studies, feminist theorising about solidarity and disability activists’ concept of ‘disability justice’. We draw on data from focus‐group interviews with disabled young people, comprising ten men and eleven women, with different impairment types. The focus‐group discussions revolve around various aspects of their wellbeing and participation in society, and possible and actual threats to the wellbeing of disabled children and young people in general. The analysis reflects various negative effects of internalised ableism on the identity, health and wellbeing of disabled young people. Family support, access to safer spaces and positive peer interactions are factors defining how internalised ableism develops, is maintained or defied. Peer support and solidarity are strong indicators of promoting healing from internalised ableism. We argue that disability scholars need to address the health and wellbeing of disabled people in an ableist world.
Wittenberg and Byzantium: Lutheran Incentives to Correspond with the Patriarch of Constantinople (1573–1581)
Authors: Moore Colton
Published: January 2022

Since the publications of Ernst Benz's Wittenberg und Byzanz (1971) and Dorothea Wendebourg's Reformation und Orthodoxie (1986), the late sixteenth‐century correspondence between the Greek Orthodox Church and Lutheran theologians from Tübingen has become more popular in historical and ecumenical scholarship. Accordingly, this article primarily builds upon the research of Wendebourg, Asaph Ben‐Tov, and Richard A. Calis. arguing that three interlocking incentives drove the Lutherans to engage formally with the Patriarch of Constantinople from 1573 to 1581. First, Lutheran interest began with Martin Luther's polemic with Rome and grew with his comrade Philip Melanchthon. Second, within the context of the unitive efforts of Jakob Andreae and the Formula Concordiae (1577), the Lutheran theologians earnestly sought to promote their theological convictions while equally desiring to gain the Eastern Church as an ally. And finally, the correspondence provided a sub‐context for Martin Crusius, arguably the most important Lutheran correspondent, to advance his knowledge of the Greek language and culture. Crusius's interests, while remaining thoroughly Lutheran, allowed him to keep a cordial disposition throughout, and even beyond, the correspondence. Such an irenical bent was critical to maintaining a line of communication between these two Christian traditions which substantially disagreed on various doctrinal matters.
The True Messiah (1669) by Yoannikii Galiatovskii: An Anti‐Judaic Treatise in Response to the Sabbatian Movement
Authors: Akhiezer Golda
Published: January 2022

The anti‐Judaic polemical book, The True Messiah (1669), composed by the Orthodox archimandrite Yoannikii Galiatovskii from the Mohyla Academy in Kiev, was a response to the emergence of the messianic movement of Sabbatai Zevi, the largest of its kind throughout Jewish history. Sabbatianism, as a theological phenomenon attracting not only Jews but also Christians from Eastern Europe, occupies a prominent place in Galiatovskii's polemic. This article aims to analyse its novel Orthodox anti‐Judaic features, together with factors which led to their development.
“How you keep going”: Voluntary sector practitioners' story‐lines as emotion work
Authors: Quinn Kaitlyn , Tomczak Philippa , Buck Gillian
Published: January 2022

The voluntary sector acts as the last line of defense for some of the most marginalized people in societies around the world, yet its capacities are significantly reduced by chronic resource shortages and dynamic political obstacles. Existing research has scarcely examined what it is like for voluntary sector practitioners working amidst these conditions. In this paper, we explore how penal voluntary sector practitioners across England and Scotland marshaled their personal and professional resources to “keep going” amidst significant challenges. Our analysis combines symbolic interactionism with the concept of story‐lines. We illuminate the narratives that practitioners mobilized to understand and motivate their efforts amidst the significant barriers, chronic limitations, and difficult emotions brought forth by their work. We position practitioners' story‐lines as a form of emotion work that mitigated their experiences of anger, frustration, overwhelm, sadness, and disappointment, enabling them to move forward and continue to support criminalized individuals. Our analysis details three story‐lines—resignation, strategy, and refuge—and examines their consequences for practitioners and their capacities to intervene in wicked social problems.
“This is a political movement, friend”: Why “incels” support violence
Authors: O'Donnell Catharina , Shor Eran
Published: January 2022

How do members of extremist groups think about violence conducted by individual members on the group's behalf? We examine the link between extremism‐motivated violence and extremist groups through a case study of misogynist incels, a primarily online community of men who lament their lack of sexual success with women. To learn how misogynist incels talk about mass violence committed by members of their group, we conduct a qualitative content analysis of 3,658 comments relating to the 2018 Toronto van attack, in which self‐declared incel Alek Minassian drove a van into pedestrians, killing 10 and injuring 16. We find overwhelming support among self‐proclaimed incels for the attack and violence more generally. Incels viewed mass violence as instrumental, serving the following four main purposes: garnering increased attention, exacting revenge, reinforcing masculinity, and generating political change. Our findings indicate the need to examine misogynist incels as a potential terrorist group and male supremacism as a basis for terrorism.
The disabling effects of enabling social policies on organisations’ human capital development practices for women
Authors: Reichel Astrid , Lazarova Mila , Apospori Eleni , Afiouni Fida , Andresen Maike , Bosak Janine , Parry Emma , Bagdadli Silvia , Briscoe Jon P. , Gianecchini Martina , Suzanne Pamela , Taniguchi Mami
Published: January 2022

Paid parental leave and externally provided childcare are social policies designed to enhance parents' labour force participation. These policies influence not only men's and women's decisions regarding their labour market activity but also organisational decision makers' (ODMs) expectations about their employees' availability to work and thus, their willingness to invest in their employees' human capital. Using a sample of over 13,000 individuals from 19 countries, we investigate the interaction between gender and social policies on human capital development practices. In line with statistical discrimination theory, which suggests that ODMs hold different expectations about female and male productivity, we find that paid parental leave and externally provided childcare are negatively associated with the provision of human capital development for women but not for men.
Quality of life, community integration, service needs and clinical outcomes of people with traumatic brain injury in urban, regional and remote areas of Queensland, Australia
Authors: Hennessy Maria , Sullivan Karen A.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To understand and explore the traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes for people returning to urban versus rural communities post‐injury, and if geographical location plays a role in those outcomes.

Design

Cross‐sectional mail‐out survey of TBI patients, using standardised, quantitative measures.

Setting

Data were drawn from three Accessibility Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) areas in Queensland to model the contribution of these areas and other factors to TBI outcomes.

Participants

Using hospital records, 662 people with mild to severe TBI were identified. These people were sent a survey, postdischarge. Usable surveys were returned by 91 individuals, 6‐ to 18‐months post‐injury. Location was coded using the ARIA (urban n = 22, rural n = 43, remote n = 26).

Main Outcome Measures

TBI‐related symptoms, quality of life, service obstacles, unmet needs, mental health and community integration.

Results

No group differences in TBI outcomes due to location were found. While the participant’s gender, age, and injury severity were significant independent predictors of five of the six outcomes, location did not play a role.

Conclusion

Consistent with previous findings, geographical remoteness did not affect self‐reported TBI outcomes. Older people, women and those with severe TBI had worse outcomes and required additional supports, and men require community integration assistance. An Australia‐wide study with regular follow‐ups is strongly recommended to support direct regional comparisons and improve service planning.
Effectiveness of patient activation interventions on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Shnaigat Mahmmoud , Downie Sue , Hosseinzadeh Hassan
Published: January 2022

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Although there is currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the available self‐management strategies can result in improving the symptoms, slowing the disease progression, reducing the frequency of acute exacerbations, improving the patients’ quality of life and minimising health care utilisation‐associated costs. Patient activation is often considered an essential driver of self‐management; however, there are contradictory evidence about its impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management.

Objective

This review aims to fill this gap by collating the available evidence on the effectiveness of patient activation‐driven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management interventions.

Methods

Databases including MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus, Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index, Scopus, APA PsychInfo, EMBASE and ScienceDirect were searched for randomised controlled trials of patient activation‐driven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management interventions between 2004 and July 2020. The search terms included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, self‐management/self‐care and patient activation/patient engagement.

Findings

The initial search resulted in 645 articles, and after reviewing, 10 randomised controlled trials met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our review found that patient activation level had a positive association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management and clinical outcomes, and higher patient activation levels led to better outcomes. The interventions also led to moderate improvements in patient activation level. However, improved patient activation levels did not improve hospitalisation rates, quality of life and mental health.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that patient activation can be used as a reliable tool for improving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management and clinical outcomes; however, it should encompass all aspects of patient activation, especially the emotional aspect.
Inner ear MRI enhancement based on three dimensional‐real IR sequence in patients with Meniere’s disease after intravenous gadolinium injection: Comparison of different doses used and exploration of an appropriate dose
Authors: Chen Wei , Geng Yue , Niu Yue , Lin Naier , Wang Xiaolin , Sha Yan
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Three‐dimensional inversion‐recovery sequence with real reconstruction (3D‐real IR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect endolymphatic hydrops of the inner ear. We aimed to explore a appropriate dose for intravenous gadolinium injection.

Design

Observational prospective study.

Setting

Tertiary referral centre.

Participants

We collected 90 unilateral definite Meniere's disease patients.

Main outcome measures

All enrolled patients were divided into three groups randomly (patients in group A, B and C received gadolinium injection in 1/1.5/2 times doses respectively). After 4 h, inner ear MRI scans were applied.

Results

The signal intensities of B‐affected ears and C‐affected ears were significantly higher than A‐affected ears (p < .05); however, no difference was found between B‐affected ears and C‐affected ears (p = .267). The same conditions also appeared in the three unaffected‐ear groups. Moreover, the signal intensities of affected‐ear in group A, B and C were significantly higher than that of the corresponding unaffected‐ear groups (p < .05). Besides, the subjective visual evaluation scores of group B and C were significantly better than that of group A (p < .05).

Conclusions

Intravenous injection of gadolinium in a single dose may be unbefitting for the inner ear imaging based on 3D‐real IR MRI, both the applications of gadolinium in 1.5 times and double doses can have a good perilymphatic enhancement effect of inner ear. In order to minimise the use of dose for avoiding or mitigating the adverse reactions and renal damage, 1.5 times dose may be preferred in clinical practice.
Safety and effectiveness of do‐it‐yourself artificial pancreas system compared with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions in combination with free style libre in people with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Patel Rachel , Crabtree Thomas S. J. , Taylor Nicola , Langeland Linn , Gazis Anastasios (Tasso) , Mendis Buddhike , Wilmot Emma G. , Idris Iskandar
Published: January 2022

Aims

The use of do‐it‐yourself artificial pancreas systems (DIYAPS) among people with type 1 diabetes is increasing. At present, it is unclear how DIYAPS compares with other technologies such as FreeStyle Libre (FSL) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

The aim of this analysis is to compare safety, effectiveness and quality‐of‐life outcomes of DIYAPS use with the addition of FSL to CSII.

Method

Data from two large UK hospitals were extracted from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) DIYAPS and FSL audits. Outcomes included HbA1c, glucose TBR (time‐below‐range), TIR (time‐in‐range), Diabetes Distress Score (DDS), and Gold hypoglycaemia score. Any adverse events were noted. Changes at follow‐up were assessed using paired t‐tests and ANOVA in Stata; TIR/TBR at follow‐up assessed using unpaired t‐tests; chi‐square tests assessed the change in frequency of health utilisation (e.g. hospital admissions).

Results

DIYAPS (n = 35) and FSL+CSII (n = 149) users, with median follow‐up duration of 1.4 (IQR 0.8–2.1) and 1.3 (IQR 0.7–1.8) years, respectively, were included. HbA1c with DIYAPS use changed by −10 mmol/mol [0.9%] (p < 0.001, 95% CI 5, 14 [0.5, 1.3%]) significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in the FSL+CSII group −3 mmol/mol [0.25%] (p < 0.001, 95% CI 1, 4 [0.1, 0.4%]). TIR was higher and TBR was lower in the DIYAPS group. Adverse events were rare in both groups and no significant differences were observed in the frequency of healthcare utilisation.

Conclusion

DIYAPS use was associated with a lower HbA1c levels, higher TIR and lower TBR compared with FSL+CSII. There was no significant increase in adverse events, although this should be interpreted cautiously given the low numbers of users. Full results from the ABCD DIYAPS audit are awaited.
Quantitative assessment of right ventricular size and function with multiple parameters from artificial intelligence‐based three‐dimensional echocardiography: A comparative study with cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Zhu Ying , Bao Yuwei , Zheng Kangchao , Zhou Wei , Zhang Jun , Sun Ruiying , Deng Youbin , Xia Liming , Liu Yani
Published: January 2022

Aims

This study aimed to explore the validation and the diagnostic value of multiple right ventricle (RV) volumes and functional parameters derived from a novel artificial intelligence (AI)‐based three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) algorithm compared to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods and results

A total of 51 patients with a broad spectrum of clinical diagnoses were finally included in this study. AI‐based RV 3DE was performed in a single‐beat HeartModel mode within 24 hours after CMR. In the entire population, RV volumes and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) measured by AI‐based 3DE showed statistically significant correlations with the corresponding CMR analysis (p < 0.05 for all). However, the Bland‐Altman plots indicated that these parameters were slightly underestimated by AI‐based 3DE. Based on CMR derived RVEF < 45% as RV dysfunction, end‐systolic volume (ESV), end‐systolic volume index (ESVi), stroke volume (SV), and RVEF showed great diagnostic performance in identifying RV dysfunction, as well as some non‐volumetric parameters, including tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE), fractional area change (FAC), and free‐wall longitudinal strains (LS) (p < 0.05 for all). The cutoff value was 43% for RVEF with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 67%.

Conclusion

AI‐based 3DE could provide rapid and accurate quantitation of the RV volumes and function with multiple parameters. Both volumetric and non‐volumetric measurements derived from AI‐based 3DE contributed to the identification of the RV dysfunction.
Incidental detection of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and coronary abnormality in a patient with penetrating chest trauma
Authors: Jalili Shahandashti Farshad , Saedi Sedigheh , Pouraliakbar Hamid Reza
Published: January 2022

Aortic sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare congenital or acquired anomaly with a potential for rupture into adjacent cardiac chambers. Ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva leads to volume overload of the receiving chamber and should be repaired as soon as the diagnosis is made. Here, we present a young patient with history of chest trauma leading to discovery of an asymptomatic ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.