bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an adapted version of the International Trauma Questionnaire for use by people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Langdon Peter E. , Bisson Jonathan I. , Rogers Gemma , Swain Sophie , Hiles Steve , Watkins Alan , Willner Paul
Published: March 2023

Aims

The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is a novel assessment instrument that is aligned to the ICD‐11 diagnoses of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an adapted version of the ITQ suitable for use by people with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

The ITQ‐ID follows the original ITQ, using wording developed in collaboration with a focus group of people with intellectual disabilities The ITQ‐ID was administered to 40 people with intellectual disabilities recruited from learning disability forensic and community settings, alongside a Trauma Information Form and the Impact of Event Scale‐Intellectual Disabilities (IES‐IDs).

Results

Most participants reported multiple traumatizing events. Around half of the participants met strict criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and around three quarters met looser criteria. Depending on definitions, between 66% and 93% of those who met criteria for PTSD also met criteria for a diagnosis of CPTSD. The ITQ‐ID showed a single‐component structure, with very good‐to‐excellent internal consistency, excellent test–retest reliability, and evidence of concurrent, discriminant, and content validity.

Significance

The results support the potential of the ITQ‐ID for assessment of PTSD and CPTSD in people with intellectual disabilities in both clinical and research contexts and highlight the need for further validation work.
Job satisfaction and employer‐sponsored training
Authors: Kosteas Vasilios D.
Published: March 2023

This article examines whether participation in employer‐sponsored training has a causal impact on job satisfaction by accounting for individual fixed effects, individual‐by‐employer fixed effects and controlling for promotions in a sub‐sample of the data to address the endogeneity of participation arising from within employer job changes. The estimates show a consistent, positive effect of participation in employer‐sponsored training on job satisfaction. Conversely, participation in other types of training does not have a significant impact upon job satisfaction. Additionally, participation in employer‐sponsored training has a strong, negative correlation with turnover even while controlling for job satisfaction. Training does not exhibit a lasting effect of either job satisfaction or turnover.
Risks and benefits of partial nephrectomy performed with limited or with zero ischaemia time
Authors: Cignoli Daniele , Basile Giuseppe , Fallara Giuseppe , Rosiello Giuseppe , Belladelli Federico , Cei Francesco , Musso Giacomo , Re Chiara , Bertini Roberto , Karakiewicz Pierre , Mottrie Alexandre , Dehò Federico , Gallina Andrea , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea , Capitanio Umberto , Larcher Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Objective

To test the hypothesis that longer warm ischaemia time (WIT) might have a marginal impact on renal functional outcomes and might, in fact, reduce haemorrhagic risk intra‐operatively.

Patients and Methods

Data from 1140 patients treated with elective partial nephrectomy (PN) for a cT1‐2 cN0 cM0 renal mass were prospectively collected. WIT was defined as the duration of clamping of the main renal artery with no refrigeration and was tested as a continuous variable. The primary outcome of the study was evaluation of the effect of WIT on renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) postoperatively, at 6 months and in the long term (measured between 1 and 5 years after surgery). The secondary outcome of the study was haemorrhagic risk, defined as estimated blood loss (EBL) or peri‐operative transfusions. Multivariable linear, logistic and Cox regression analyses, accounting for age, Charlson comorbidity index, clinical size, preoperative eGFR and year of surgery, were used and the potential nonlinear relationship between WIT and the study outcomes was modelled using restricted cubic splines.

Results

A total of 863 patients (76%) underwent PN with WIT and 277 (24%) without. The baseline median eGFR was 87.3 (68.8–99.2) mL/min/1.73m2 for the on‐clamp population and 80.6 (63.2–95.2) mL/min/1.73m2 for the off‐clamp population. The median duration of WIT was 17 (13–21) min. At multivariable analyses predicting renal function, longer WIT was associated with decreased postoperative eGFR (estimate: −0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.31; −0.11 [P < 0.001]). Conversely, no association between WIT and eGFR was recorded at 6‐month or long‐term follow‐up (all P > 0.8). At multivariable analyses predicting haemorrhagic risk, clampless resection with no ischaemia time and PN with short WIT was associated with an increased EBL (estimate: −21.56, 95% CI −28.33; −14.79 [P < 0.001]) and peri‐operative transfusion rate (estimate: −0.009, 95% CI −0.01; −0.003 [P = 0.002]). No association between WIT and positive surgical margin status was recorded (all P = 0.1).

Conclusion

Patients and clinicians should be aware that performing PN with very limited or even with zero WIT might increase bleeding and the need for peri‐operative transfusion while not improving long‐term renal function outcomes.
Comparison between preoperative chemoradiotherapy and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in clinical T3 low rectal cancer without enlarged lateral lymph nodes
Authors: Tsukada Yuichiro , Rullier Eric , Shiraishi Takuya , Capdepont Maylis , Sasaki Takeshi , Celerier Bertrand , Denost Quentin , Ito Masaaki
Published: March 2023

Aim

The standard strategy for clinical T3 rectal cancer without enlarged lateral lymph nodes is preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) in Western countries and TME with bilateral lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) in Japan. This study compared surgical, pathological and oncological results of these two strategies.

Method

Patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by TME in France (CRT + TME group) and those who underwent TME with LPLND in Japan (TME + LPLND group) for clinical T3 rectal adenocarcinoma without enlarged lateral lymph nodes from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively analysed.

Results

In total, 439 patients were included in this study. The estimated local recurrence rate (LRR), disease‐free survival and overall survival at 5 years post‐surgery was 4.9%, 71% and 82% in the CRT + TME group, and 8.6%, 75% and 90% in the TME + LPLND group, respectively. Lateral LRR versus non‐lateral LRR was 0.5% versus 4.2% in the CRT + TME group and 1.8% versus 6.2% in the TME + LPLND group. Obturator nerve injury and isolated pelvic abscess were shown only in the TME + LPLND group. Urinary complications were more frequent in the TME + LPLND group than in the CRT + TME group.

Conclusion

Disease‐free survival was not significantly different after TME with LPLND and after CRT followed by TME. LRR was not significantly different after both strategies; however, there was a trend for higher LRR after TME with LPLND than after CRT followed by TME. Obturator nerve injury, isolated lateral pelvic abscess and urinary complications should be noted when TME with LPLND is applied.
Pharmacokinetics of intranasal amiloride in healthy volunteers
Authors: Yellepeddi Venkata K. , Battaglia Marco , Davies Simon J. C. , Alt Jeremiah , Ashby Shaelene , Shipman Paige , Anderson David J. , Rower Joseph E. , Reilly Christopher , Voight Michael , Mim Sabiha Rahman
Published: March 2023

Anxiety and panic disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States and lack effective treatment options. Acid‐sending ion channels (ASICs) in the brain were shown to be associated with fear conditioning and anxiety responses and therefore are potential targets for treating panic disorder. Amiloride is an inhibitor of the ASICs in the brain and was shown to reduce panic symptoms in preclinical animal models. An intranasal formulation of amiloride will be highly beneficial to treat acute panic attacks due to advantages such as the rapid onset of action and patient compliance. The aim of this single‐center, open‐label trial was to evaluate the basic pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of amiloride after intranasal administration in healthy human volunteers at three doses (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mg). Amiloride was detected in plasma within 10 min of intranasal administration and showed a biphasic PK profile with an initial peak within 10 min of administration followed by a second peak between 4 and 8 h of administration. The biphasic PKs indicate an initial rapid absorption via the nasal pathway and later slower absorption by non‐nasal pathways. Intranasal amiloride exhibited a dose‐proportional increase in the area under the curve and did not exhibit any systemic toxicity. These data indicate that intranasal amiloride is rapidly absorbed and safe at the doses evaluated and can be further considered for clinical development as a portable, rapid, noninvasive, and nonaddictive anxiolytic agent to treat acute panic attacks.
Translocator protein alleviates allodynia and improves Schwann cell function against diabetic peripheral neuropathy via activation of the Nrf2‐dependent antioxidant system and promoting autophagy
Authors: Gao Nan , Ma Bingjie , Jia Hongbin , Hao Can , Jin Tian , Liu Xiaoming
Published: March 2023

Aims

In diabetes, autophagy and the nuclear factor erythroid‐derived‐2‐like 2 (Nrf2)‐dependent antioxidant system are impaired. Translocator protein (TSPO) agonist Ro5‐4864 alleviates neuropathic pain, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). However, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the effects of Ro5‐4864 on autophagy and the Nrf2‐dependent antioxidant system in the sciatic nerves of DPN rats.

Methods

All rats were randomly assigned to Sham or DPN group. After type 2 diabetes modelling (established by high‐fat diet and streptozotocin injection) followed by behavioural tests, established DPN rats were randomly assigned to the DPN group, the Ro (TSPO agonist Ro5‐4864) group, the Ro + 3‐MA (autophagy inhibitor) group and the Ro + ML385 (Nrf2 inhibitor) group. Behavioural assessments were performed at baseline, on days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Sciatic nerves were collected on day 28 for immunofluorescence, morphological and western blot analyses.

Results

Ro5‐4864 alleviated allodynia and increased myelin sheath thickness and myelin protein expression after DPN. Beclin‐1 (p < 0.01) and LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio (p < 0.01) decreased and p62 (p < 0.01) accumulated in the DPN rats. Ro5‐4864 administration increased the Beclin‐1 and LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio and decreased p62 accumulation. Furthermore, nuclear Nrf2 contents (p < 0.01) and cytoplasmic HO‐1 (p < 0.01) and NQO1 (p < 0.01) expressions were significantly inhibited in the DPN rat, which was also improved by Ro5‐4864. All the beneficial effects were abrogated by 3‐MA or ML385.

Conclusion

TSPO exhibited a potent analgesic effect and improved Schwann cell function and regeneration against DPN by activating the Nrf2‐dependent antioxidant system and promoting autophagy.
Do adolescents and emerging adults receive the diabetes care they truly need? A nationwide study of the quality of diabetes health care during the transition from paediatric to adult care
Authors: Hodnekvam Kristin , Iversen Hilde H. , Gani Osman , Brunborg Cathrine , Skrivarhaug Torild
Published: March 2023

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the paediatric and adult diabetes care provided to adolescents and young adults with childhood‐onset type 1 diabetes during the transition.

Methods

This nationwide population‐based cohort study included 776 individuals with type 1 diabetes who were last registered in the Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry (NCDR) between 2009 and 2012 and had received adult health care for at least 2 years. The patients' experiences were reported in a validated questionnaire. Clinical data from the annual registrations in the NCDR were coupled with data from the medical records in adult diabetes care. The longitudinal measures of glycaemic control were analysed using a growth mixture model.

Results

A total of 321 young people answered the questionnaire and provided written informed consent for the collection of their data from their medical records. The mean age at transfer was 18.0 years (range = 15.0–23.5 years), and the mean age at participation was 22.7 years (range = 20.9–26.7 years). Significant differences (p < 0.001) in patient experiences were found between paediatric and adult diabetes care in several areas: contact with health‐care personnel, continuity of care, interval between consultations and overall satisfaction. Registry and medical records data confirmed the patient‐reported experiences. The longitudinal analyses identified two groups with distinctly different trajectories of glycaemic outcome over time. Patient–provider continuity and perceived preparedness for transfer were the most influential predictors.

Conclusions

This study highlights several areas to be addressed for improving health care and the transition to adult diabetes care in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes, including provider continuity, individualised care and involvement of multidisciplinary teams.
Vascular and metabolic effects of ipragliflozin versus sitagliptin (IVS) in type 2 diabetes treated with sulphonylurea and metformin: IVS study
Authors: Kang Seon Mee , Yun Han Mi , Sohn Minji , Lim Soo
Published: March 2023

Objective

In patients with type 2 diabetes who were inadequately controlled with metformin and sulphonylurea, we compared the glucose‐lowering efficacy, cardiometabolic parameters and safety of two drugs, ipragliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor, and sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor.

Materials and Methods

Patients with 7.5%‐9.0% glycated haemoglobin treated with metformin and sulphonylurea were randomly assigned to ipragliflozin (50 mg, n = 70) or sitagliptin (100 mg, n = 70) therapy for 24 weeks. Measures of glycaemic control, fatty liver indices, other metabolic parameters and subclinical atherosclerosis were compared by a paired t‐test before and after 24 weeks of treatment.

Results

Mean glycated haemoglobin levels decreased from 8.5% to 7.5% in the ipragliflozin group and from 8.5% to 7.8% in the sitagliptin group, resulting in a 0.34% between‐group difference (95% confidence interval, 0.10%‐0.43%, p = .088). Fasting and postprandial 2‐h glucose levels also showed a similar trend, with a greater reduction with ipragliflozin therapy. An increase of over 70% in ketone levels and a decrease in whole body and abdominal fat masses were observed with ipragliflozin treatment. Fatty liver indices also improved with ipragliflozin treatment. Despite no difference in carotid intima‐media thickness and ankle‐brachial index, ipragliflozin therapy improved flow‐mediated vasodilation, reflecting endothelial function, while sitagliptin did not. The safety profile did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

Ipragliflozin add‐on therapy can be a viable option for better glycaemic control with multiple vascular and metabolic benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes who are inadequately controlled with metformin and sulphonylurea.
Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis associated with leaf spots on Cycas revoluta in Brazil
Authors: Rosado André Wilson Campos , Boari Alessandra de Jesus , Ramos Danilo Oliveira , Custódio Fábio Alex , Quadros Ayane Fernanda Ferreira , Batista Izabel Cristina Alves , Pereira Olinto Liparini
Published: March 2023

Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree in several countries. In April 2015, C. revoluta leaves showing brownish spots with a yellow halo that progressed to leaflet necrosis were observed in Belém, Pará state, Brazil. This study aimed to determine the aetiology of this disease on sago palm in Brazil. Based on DNA sequence‐based phylogeny, morphology, and colony characterization, the fungus was identified as Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. elaeidis associated with leaf spots on C. revoluta worldwide.
DNA sensing in the pathological process of ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Shi W. , Wu Chao R. , Liao Hong
Published: March 2023

The innate immune response plays an important role in the pathological process of ischemic stroke. Increasing evidence suggests that the inflammatory response triggered by the innate immune system hinders neurological and behavioural recovery after stroke. The perception of abnormal DNA and its downstream effects are an essential part of the innate immune system. The abnormal DNA is the major inducing factor for innate immune response and is sensed by a series of DNA sensors. In this review, we discussed the multiple roles of DNA sensing in the pathological process of ischemic stroke, with a special focus on DNA sensors Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9), absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS).
Synergistic effect of collagen cross‐linking and remineralization for improving resin–dentin bond durability
Authors: Mao Caiyun , He Huihui , Chen Chaoqun , Gu Xinhua
Published: March 2023

In this study, the synergistic effect of glutaraldehyde‐cross‐linking and remineralization on the strength and durability of resin–dentin bonds was investigated. Dentin surfaces were etched with 35% phosphoric acid. The control specimens were bonded with Adper Single Bond 2 using wet bonding without pretreatment. The experimental specimens were pretreated with 5% (v/v) glutaraldehyde solution for 3 min and placed in a remineralizing solution for 0, 12, and 24 h, followed by dry bonding. After performing composite build‐ups on the specimens, they were longitudinally sectioned, immediately, and after aging for 3 h with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), to evaluate microtensile bond strength (µTBS). The cross‐linked specimens exhibited µTBS values comparable with those of the control group, but the µTBS decreased significantly after NaOCl aging. The cross‐linked dentin remineralized for 24 h exhibited an increase in µTBS. After aging in NaOCl, the µTBS of the specimens remineralized for 24 h did not decrease and was significantly higher than for the other experimental groups. Cross‐linking with dry bonding maintained µTBS in specimens before aging in NaOCl, but the bonding durability was compromised. Remineralization of cross‐linked dentin for 24 h followed by dry bonding increased the immediate µTBS and improved bond durability. Therefore, combining cross‐linking with remineralization of collagen fibrils progressively increased resistance to degradation, improving bond durability.
Viral target and metabolism‐based rationale for combined use of recently authorized small molecule COVID‐19 medicines: Molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir, and remdesivir
Authors: Yan Daisy , Yan Bingfang
Published: March 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic remains a major health concern worldwide, and SARS‐CoV‐2 is continuously evolving. There is an urgent need to identify new antiviral drugs and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Combined use of newly authorized COVID‐19 medicines including molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir, and remdesivir has been actively pursued. Mechanistically, nirmatrelvir inhibits SARS‐CoV‐2 replication by targeting the viral main protease (Mpro), a critical enzyme in the processing of the immediately translated coronavirus polyproteins for viral replication. Molnupiravir and remdesivir, on the other hand, inhibit SARS‐CoV‐2 replication by targeting RNA‐dependent RNA‐polymerase (RdRp), which is directly responsible for genome replication and production of subgenomic RNAs. Molnupiravir targets RdRp and induces severe viral RNA mutations (genome), commonly referred to as error catastrophe. Remdesivir, in contrast, targets RdRp and causes chain termination and arrests RNA synthesis of the viral genome. In addition, all three medicines undergo extensive metabolism with strong therapeutic significance. Molnupiravir is hydrolytically activated by carboxylesterase‐2 (CES2), nirmatrelvir is inactivated by cytochrome P450‐based oxidation (e.g., CYP3A4), and remdesivir is hydrolytically activated by CES1 but covalently inhibits CES2. Additionally, remdesivir and nirmatrelvir are oxidized by the same CYP enzymes. The distinct mechanisms of action provide strong rationale for their combined use. On the other hand, these drugs undergo extensive metabolism that determines their therapeutic potential. This review discusses how metabolism pathways and enzymes involved should be carefully considered during their combined use for therapeutic synergy.
Stocking practices shape the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish communities in gravel pit lakes
Authors: Gimenez Marie , Villéger Sébastien , Grenouillet Gaël , Cucherousset Julien
Published: March 2023

Freshwater fishes are widely stocked to enhance existing stocks and create new fishery opportunities, but quantification of ecological effects of stocking on recipient communities is still limited. Here, we quantified recent stocking practices in geographically close gravel pit lakes with contrasting history and management, and measured effects of stocking on fish community structure (taxonomic and functional diversity and body‐size structure). Between 2011 and 2017, 50% of managers stocked fish into gravel pit lakes at least once. However, stocking density (1.6 kg.year−1.ha−1 to 907 kg.year−1.ha−1), stocking diversity, and species stocked (from rainbow trout‐dominated to cyprinid‐dominated) were highly variable. Stocking intensity and choice of stocked species were primarily driven by management objectives and lake size. Stocking intensity was associated with changes in the recipient fish community, with an increase in taxonomic and functional richness and nonlinear changes in community size spectrum. Our findings demonstrate that recent stocking practices can modulate ecological dynamics of fish communities in gravel pit lakes with important consequences on functional characteristics that should be incorporated into management practices.
Plant growth strategy determines the magnitude and direction of drought‐induced changes in root exudates in subtropical forests
Authors: Jiang Zheng , Fu Yuling , Zhou Lingyan , He Yanghui , Zhou Guiyao , Dietrich Peter , Long Jilan , Wang Xinxin , Jia Shuxian , Ji Yuhuang , Jia Zhen , Song Bingqian , Liu Ruiqiang , Zhou Xuhui
Published: March 2023

Root exudates are an important pathway for plant–microbial interactions and are highly sensitive to climate change. However, how extreme drought affects root exudates and the main components, as well as species‐specific differences in response magnitude and direction, are poorly understood. In this study, root exudation rates of total carbon (C) and its components (e.g., sugar, organic acid, and amino acid) were measured under the control and extreme drought treatments (i.e., 70% throughfall reduction) by in situ collection of four tree species with different growth rates in a subtropical forest. We also quantified soil properties, root morphological traits, and mycorrhizal infection rates to examine the driving factors underlying variations in root exudation. Our results showed that extreme drought significantly decreased root exudation rates of total C, sugar, and amino acid by 17.8%, 30.8%, and 35.0%, respectively, but increased root exudation rate of organic acid by 38.6%, which were largely associated with drought‐induced changes in tree growth rates, root morphological traits, and mycorrhizal infection rates. Specifically, trees with relatively high growth rates were more responsive to drought for root exudation rates compared with those with relatively low growth rates, which were closely related to root morphological traits and mycorrhizal infection rates. These findings highlight the importance of plant growth strategy in mediating drought‐induced changes in root exudation rates. The coordinations among root exudation rates, root morphological traits, and mycorrhizal symbioses in response to drought could be incorporated into land surface models to improve the prediction of climate change impacts on rhizosphere C dynamics in forest ecosystems.
Legacy effects of anthropogenic disturbances modulate dynamics in the world's coral reefs
Authors: González‐Barrios F. Javier , Estrada‐Saldívar Nuria , Pérez‐Cervantes Esmeralda , Secaira‐Fajardo Fernando , Álvarez‐Filip Lorenzo
Published: March 2023

Rapidly changing conditions alter disturbance patterns, highlighting the need to better understand how the transition from pulse disturbances to more persistent stress will impact ecosystem dynamics. We conducted a global analysis of the impacts of 11 types of disturbances on reef integrity using the rate of change of coral cover as a measure of damage. Then, we evaluated how the magnitude of the damage due to thermal stress, cyclones, and diseases varied among tropical Atlantic and Indo‐Pacific reefs and whether the cumulative impact of thermal stress and cyclones was able to modulate the responses of reefs to future events. We found that reef damage largely depends on the condition of a reef before a disturbance, disturbance intensity, and biogeographic region, regardless of the type of disturbance. Changes in coral cover after thermal stress events were largely influenced by the cumulative stress of past disturbances and did not depend on disturbance intensity or initial coral cover, which suggests that an ecological memory is present within coral communities. In contrast, the effect of cyclones (and likely other physical impacts) was primarily modulated by the initial reef condition and did not appear to be influenced by previous impacts. Our findings also underscore that coral reefs can recover if stressful conditions decrease, yet the lack of action to reduce anthropogenic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions continues to trigger reef degradation. We uphold that evidence‐based strategies can guide managers to make better decisions to prepare for future disturbances.
Reinterpreting two regime shifts in North Sea plankton communities through the lens of functional traits
Authors: Djeghri Nicolas , Boyé Aurélien , Ostle Clare , Hélaouët Pierre
Published: March 2023

Aim

The so‐called regime shifts in North Sea plankton communities provide an important historical case study to understand marine regime shifts. Previous studies characterized regime shifts using a variety of community metrics (e.g., indicator species abundances, taxonomic composition and chlorophyll biomass) but left the functional traits of plankton unassessed. Here, we explicitly re‐assess the historically recognized North Sea regime shifts through the lens of plankton functional traits to gain a better understanding of these events.

Location

The North Sea (NW European shelf).

Time period

1958–2018, focusing on the 1980s and 1996–2003 regime shifts.

Major taxa studied

Marine phyto‐ and zooplankton.

Methods

We compute trait spaces for both phyto‐ and zooplankton of the North Sea using traits from the literature and a Gower's distance‐based method. Using abundance data from the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey, we then compute monthly time series of the centroids of the communities, an indicator of functional composition. We then use principal component analysis on the centroids to assess the main temporal changes in plankton functional composition associated with the 1980s and 1996–2003 regime shifts.

Results

Little change in plankton functional composition was associated with the 1980s regime shift. In contrast, the functional composition of plankton communities changed markedly after the 1996–2003 regime shift, with an increase in the summer relative abundance of non‐motile autotrophs (i.e., diatoms) and the spring relative abundance of meroplankton.

Main conclusions

The North Sea regime shifts were not associated systematically with changes in functional composition, calling into question the definition of regime shifts and illustrating the importance of taking different metrics into account to interpret ecological events accurately. Taking into account functional composition, we interpret the 1980s so‐called regime shift as a latitudinal shift in communities that was insufficient to impact functional composition and the 1996–2003 so‐called regime shift as a period of change in bentho‐pelagic coupling.
Disrupted montane forest recovery hinders biodiversity conservation in the tropical Andes
Authors: Christmann Tina , Palomeque Ximena , Armenteras Dolors , Wilson Sarah Jane , Malhi Yadvinder , Oliveras Menor Imma
Published: March 2023

Aim

Andean montane forests are biodiversity hotspots and large carbon stores and they provide numerous ecosystem services. Following land abandonment after centuries of forest clearing for agriculture in the Andes, there is an opportunity for forest recovery. Field‐based studies show that forests do not always recover. However, large‐scale and long‐term knowledge of recovery dynamics of Andean forests remains scarce. This paper analyses tropical montane forest recovery trajectories over a 15‐year time frame at the landscape and tropical Andean scale to inform restoration planning.

Methods

We first detect “potential recovery” as areas that have experienced a forest transition between 2000 and 2005. Then, we use Landsat time series analysis of the normalized difference water index (NDWI) to classify four “realized recovery” trajectories (“ongoing”, “arrested”, “disrupted” and “no recovery”) based on a sequential pattern of 5‐yearly Z‐score anomalies for 2005–2020. We compare these results against an analysis of change in tree cover to validate against other datasets.

Results

Across the tropical Andes, we detected a potential recovery area of 274 km2 over the period. Despite increases in tree cover, most areas of the Andes remained in early successional states (10–25% tree cover), and NDWI levelled out after 5–10 years. Of all potential forest recovery areas, 22% showed “ongoing recovery”, 61% showed either “disrupted” or “arrested recovery”, and 17% showed “no recovery”. Our method captured forest recovery dynamics in a Peruvian arrested succession context and in landscape‐scale tree‐planting efforts in Ecuador.

Main conclusions

Forest recovery across the Andes is mostly disrupted, arrested or unsuccessful, with consequences for biodiversity recovery and provision of ecosystem services. Low‐recovery areas identified in this study might be good candidates for active restoration interventions in this UN Decade on Restoration. Future studies could determine restoration strategies and priorities and suggest management strategies at a local planning scale across key regions in the biodiversity hotspot.
The biogeography of host‐associated bacterial microbiomes: Revisiting classic biodiversity patterns
Authors: Härer Andreas , Rennison Diana J.
Published: March 2023

Background

The question of which ecological and evolutionary processes structure the distribution of biodiversity has intrigued scientists for centuries, and historically, inferences have been gained predominantly by studying animals and plants. Although substantial progress has been made towards understanding the multitude of factors that shape host‐associated microbial communities (i.e., microbiomes), it remains largely unknown whether large‐scale geographical patterns in diversity observed for macroorganisms also apply for their microbiomes and whether microbiomes are shaped by the same processes that appear key for determining biogeographical patterns in their hosts.

The geographical distribution of microbiome diversity

We discuss challenges and potential approaches for studying microbiome biogeography, with the goal of inspiring future lines of research that can stimulate the development of new ecological and evolutionary theory in the microbiome field. The theory and examples presented here focus specifically on bacterial microbiomes, and we give an overview of host‐associated bacterial microbiome research beginning to examine some of the classic biodiversity patterns central to the fields of ecology and evolution.

Potential impacts of microbiome variation for host ecology and evolution

Microbiome diversity patterns are particularly important to consider because microbes are crucial for many aspects of the biology of their hosts. We discuss how more comprehensive knowledge of the geographical variation of microbiome diversity at the host individual and population levels might be crucial for understanding host ecology and evolution.
«Il n'y a pas d’avenir dans ce métier.» Être chauffeur de VTC en Afrique par temps de pandémie
Authors: ANWAR Mohammad Amir , ONG'IRO ODEO Jack , OTIENO Elly
Published: March 2023

Si les plateformes ont donné du travail à beaucoup d’Africains, les emplois créés sont de mauvaise qualité, comme la pandémie l'a bien montré. Dans ce contexte, les auteurs examinent la situation particulière des chauffeurs VTC en Afrique en s'appuyant sur des entretiens approfondis, réalisés au Kenya, et sur les méthodes de l'ethnographie virtuelle. Ils montrent que ces travailleurs ont recours à un «régime de débrouille», associant résilience, réajustement et résistance. Pour améliorer les conditions de travail et lutter contre la précarité dans le secteur, il faut à la fois que les pouvoirs publics instaurent des cadres réglementaires et que les travailleurs se mobilisent collectivement.
Control enactment in context: Understanding the interaction of controlee and controller perceptions in inter‐organisational project teams
Authors: McCarthy Stephen , O'Raghallaigh Paidi , Li Yuzhu , Adam Frédéric
Published: March 2023

Control is necessary for aligning the actions of management (i.e., controllers) and subordinates (i.e., controlees) around common goals. The enactment of control often fails in practice; however, as controlee perceptions may not match those of controllers, leading to a myriad of possible outcomes. Through an interpretive case study of two inter‐organisational IT projects, we reveal how controlees' appraisals and responses to controls are context‐dependent and play out across multiple levels (e.g., personal, professional, project and organisational contexts). We build on a coping perspective of IS controls to theorise the ‘coping strategies’ that controlees pursued relevant to these contexts and the ‘coping routes’ followed when combining different consecutive coping strategies. We find the process need not end with the selection of a single strategy but can potentially continue as both the controller and controlees make ongoing readjustments. While Behavioural Control Theory traditionally assumes the presence of a single control hierarchy, interorganisational IT projects are multi‐level entities that amalgamate different structures and cultures. Our study moves beyond the existing assumptions of Behavioural Control Theory to discuss how a controller's choice of activities shapes the salience of different contexts in controlee appraisals.
Epidemiology of chemical burns: An 11‐year retrospective study of 126 patients at a referral burn centre in the north of Iran
Authors: Eftekhari Hojat , Sadeghi Mahsa , Mobayen Mohammadreza , Esmailzadeh Mojdeh , Feizkhah Alireza , Lahiji Majid Salimi , Taghizadeh Pourgarfami Ali , Toolaroud Parissa Bagheri
Published: March 2023

The etiology and outcomes of chemical burns vary worldwide, influenced by the local population structure, industry distribution, and geographical and social environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of chemical burns among patients referred to a burn centre in the north of Iran. A single‐centre, retrospective study was conducted on patients with chemical burns between 2011 and 2021. Data collection was carried out using the hospital information system (HIS), and data collected from medical records included gender, age, marital status, occupations, burn season, place of residence, intention to burn, location of the accident, percent of total body surface area (%TBSA), the primary cause of burns, the body region of the burn, length of hospital stay (days), infection, and discharge status. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods and SPSS 24.0 software. Of the 10 133 burn patients treated in a burn centre in the north of Iran between 2011 and 2021, 1.2% had chemical burns. The average age of patients was 34.45 (SD = 22.16) years, and most chemical burns cases were male (70.6%, n = 89). Chemical burns occurred most frequently in patients aged 20 to 49 years (69.8%, n = 107), and most of the burns were accidental (84.9%, n = 107). The home was the most common place of chemical burn injury, accounting for 49.2% (62 cases), followed by the workplace (43.7%, n = 55), respectively. Most chemical burns occurred in the summer season (36.5%, n = 46), and acid (74.6%, n = 94) was the most common cause of chemical burns. The mean TBSA was 16.41 (SD = 15.10). The most common burn area was the lower limb (34.9%, n = 44), and the overall mortality rate was 4.8%. The average length of stay in the hospital was 6.53 (SD = 5.57) days. Community education on household safety, restricting non‐specialists' access to chemical substances, and the promotion of early consultation could reduce chemical burn prevalence and improve outcomes.
Climate stressors modulate interannual olive yield at province level in Italy: A composite index approach to support crop management
Authors: Di Paola Arianna , Di Giuseppe Edmondo , Gutierrez Andrew Paul , Ponti Luigi , Pasqui Massimiliano
Published: March 2023

Although a large part of Italy is characterized by a Mediterranean climate intrinsically highly suitable for olive cultivation, farmers may experience variable interannual yields with associated agronomic and management costs. A detailed overview of major climate stressors and their ongoing impacts on olive yield variability at a broad spatial–temporal scale across Italy could improve the understanding of how interannual olive yields are modulated by seasonal local climate and would enhance the development of actionable services to alert stakeholders of potential climate risks. We analysed aggregated olive yield data from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT) at the provincial level during 2006–2020, and several climatic variables from the Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) as a basis to (i) explore olive yield trends and inter‐annual variations over the whole country; (ii) identify major seasonal climate stressors likely responsible for the largest variations in yield and (iii) develop a composite index that summarizes the risk of having exceptionally low yields due to the co‐occurrence of multiple stressors. To this end, we defined two extreme classes of yield, namely, exceptionally low and high yields (LY and HY, respectively) and explored the climatic variables aggregated on a bimonthly time scale that influenced yield outcomes. Our analysis showed that exceptional low yields have been erratically increasing since 2014 with temperature‐related variables having the highest impact, especially a relatively warm winter and cool early autumn. These period‐specific variables were major components of the resulting composite index predicting the likelihood of LY ranging from 28% to 49% due to increasing stress effects. Possible explanations of our findings are discussed, including the proliferation of the olive fly. We suggest the composite risk approach could lay the groundwork for an integrated meteorological seasonal forecasting system that provides timely insights on factors affecting within‐season olive yield development.
A novel low permittivity microwave dielectric ceramic Sr2Ga2SiO7 for application in patch antenna
Authors: Yin Changzhi , Du Kang , Song Xiaoqiang , Xiong Ying , Yang Jiaqing , Cheng Mingfei , Cai Yiyang , Luo Wei , Guo Huanhuan , Lu Wenzhong , Li Chunchun , Lei Wen
Published: March 2023

The dielectric properties of a Ga‐based melilite type ceramic Sr2Ga2SiO7 via theoretical prediction based on far‐infrared spectroscopy and experimental measurement by the Hakki–Coleman method were studied in this work. Dense and single‐phase ceramics were fabricated via solid‐state reaction at 1330°C and exhibited comprehensive microwave dielectric properties (εr ∼ 7.6, Q × f ∼ 23 600 GHz, and τf ∼ −35.2 ppm/°C) at 14.3 GHz. Chemical modifications were proposed to adjust the thermal stability and reduce the densification temperature. By adding 10 mol% CaTiO3, the negative τf can be compensated to a near‐zero value of −3.8 ppm/°C. The densification temperature was reduced to 940°C by adding 3 wt.% LiF. A patch antenna was designed using Sr2Ga2SiO7 ceramic with a high radiation efficiency of 99.1% and a gain of 2.788 dBi at the center frequency of 4.371 GHz. All results indicate that the Sr2Ga2SiO7 ceramic has promising application potential for 5G wireless communication technology.
Development and validation of the advance care planning practice preference scale for clinical nurses
Authors: Yang Zhen , Wang Huan , Wang Aiping
Published: March 2023

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop the advance care planning (ACP) practice preference scale and validate its psychometric properties among clinical nurses.

Design

An instrument development and validation study was completed in the following three phases: (a) the generation and revision of the item, (b) the preliminary exploration and evaluation of the item and (c) the psychometric evaluation of the scale.

Methods

A literature review was conducted to develop the indicator system. A total of 360 clinical nurses (for item analysis) and 688 clinical nurses (for psychometric evaluation) were recruited. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to evaluate the construct validity. The reliability was explored by internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The study was conducted from October 2021 to January 2022.

Results

A total of 24 items were finally retained by the item analysis from the initial 78‐item pool. In the exploratory factor analysis, the six‐factor model explained 79.933% of the total variation. After limiting to three factors, 59.305% of the total variation was explained. Above factor models supported by the confirmatory factor analysis were consistent with the theoretically structure, and the fitting indexes were all satisfactory. Also, the findings showed appropriate internal consistency and test–retest reliability.

Conclusions

ACP practice preference scale presents satisfactory psychometric properties among clinical nurses and can be adopted to evaluate the propensity of clinical nurses to practice ACP.

Impact

ACP practice preference scale can be adopted to understand the training needs of clinical nurses on ACP clinical practice.

Patient or Public Contribution

Clinical nurses participated in the pilot testing and validation of ACP practice preference scale.
Unmet needs, limited access: A qualitative study of postpartum health care experiences of people with disabilities
Authors: Tarasoff Lesley A. , Lunsky Yona , Welsh Kate , Proulx Laurie , Havercamp Susan M. , Parish Susan L. , Brown Hilary K.
Published: March 2023

Aim

To understand the postpartum care received by birthing people with disabilities and their newborns, from their own perspectives.

Design

A qualitative study with semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

Between July 2019 and February 2020, in‐person and virtual interviews were conducted with 31 people with physical, sensory, and intellectual/developmental disabilities in Ontario, Canada, about the formal inpatient and outpatient services and supports they used in the first few months after they gave birth. Thematic analysis was used identify common themes.

Results

We identified three overall themes concerning participants' postpartum care experiences and the different types of formal services received in and out of hospital: (1) lack of adequate care, (2) lack of provider awareness of disability and disability accommodations, and (3) fear of judgement, discrimination, and intrusive surveillance. The identified themes were applicable across disability groups. However, most comments on disability accommodations came from participants with physical or sensory disabilities, while participants with intellectual/developmental disabilities most commonly reported concerns about lack of adequate care and fear of judgement, discrimination, and intrusive surveillance.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that postpartum care often fails people with disabilities. This could contribute to negative health consequences for them and their newborns.

Impact

Birthing people with disabilities need multidisciplinary, proactive, and strengths‐based postpartum care to mitigate risk for health complications. Further, disability‐related training and guidelines for health and social service providers is required.

Reporting method

Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).

Patient or Public contribution

Our research team included two peer researchers with physical disabilities who served as co‐interviewers and participated in data analysis, contributing their lived experience of disability and interactions with the health care system. All stages of the study were also informed by feedback from the study's Advisory Committee, which comprised women with disabilities (many of whom are parents), disability organization staff, clinicians, and policy representatives.
Short form development of the Chinese work readiness scale for graduate nurse: An optimal test assembly approach
Authors: Li Jiaying , Li Sha , Fong Daniel Yee Tak
Published: March 2023

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test shortened 37‐item Chinese Work Readiness Scale for Graduate Nurse without compromising its reliability and validity.

Design

Two cross‐sectional studies.

Methods

Data were obtained from two cross‐sectional online surveys on the same target group of newly graduated nurses in China. The two periods of data collection were from June to August 2018 and from June and July 2021, with 1348 respondents completing the 37‐item Chinese Work Readiness Scale for Graduate Nurse. The optimal test assembly procedure based on a generalized partial credit model was adopted to shorten the scale.

Results

The mean age of the 1348 nurses was 22.3 years (standard deviation = 1.5), with 1257 (93.2%) being female. The category characteristic curve showed that a 5‐point Likert scale was adequate in lieu of the original 10‐point Likert scale. The optimal test assembly procedure identified a 17‐item version that maintained at least 0.9 correlation with the full scale, a Cronbach's alpha of at least 0.9, and at least 70% of the test information retained. Its discrimination parameters ranged from 1.68 to 2.84, whereas the difficulty parameters were monotonic and ranged from −4.50 to 1.56. When retaining only 50% of test information, a 9‐item version was obtained. Its discrimination parameters ranged from 1.84 to 4.55, and difficulty parameters ranged from −3.37 to 1.15. The Cronbach's alphas for the 17‐item and 9‐item versions were 0.97 and 0.95 respectively.

Conclusions

Both the 17‐item and 9‐item versions are appropriate for assessing registered nurses' work readiness, with the 9‐item version demanding more subjects to compensate for the reduced information. Optimal test assembly approach is appropriate in shortening self‐reported scales in the nursing field, while retaining satisfactory levels of reliability, validity, test information and conceptual adequacy.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study involved graduate nurses who provided responses to the test scale and experts who contributed to the content validation.