bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A gender-comparative study of informal entrepreneurship: the moderating role of location decision
Authors: Silupu Brenda , Amorós José Ernesto , Usero Belen , Montoro-Sánchez Ángeles
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Motivations and access to resources for venturing differ between men and women. In developing countries, there has been an increase in businesses that do not have a specific location and persist in informality. This research aimed to evaluate, from a gender perspective, the moderating effect of the decision not to have a place in the relationship between human capital (education, experience and type of entrepreneurship) and business informality.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the National Household Survey 2014–2018, a sample of 50,313 Peruvian entrepreneurs was obtained − 23,314 women and 27,002 men – who have been in business for over three years. The data were analysed with logistic regression.

Findings

The results showed a moderating effect of entrepreneurship without a settled location on the relationship between education and informality in the case of women. And, for men, the moderating impact falls on the education, experience and reason for venturing that influences the formality of their businesses.

Originality/value

The problem of business informality of established companies with more than 42 months of operation is analysed. The moderating effect of the decision not to have a specific location on the relationship between human capital and informality is explored. This work extends business informality studies in Latin America developing countries, incorporating a gender perspective.
Structure of REDEE and EJMBE research: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Ramos Ricardo , Rita Paulo
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Evaluating existing literature can lead to a better understanding of a scientific journal's state of the art. In this sense, this study aims to analyze the global research evolution of the Revista Europea de Dirección y Economia de la Empresa (REDEE) and the European Journal of Management and Business Economics (EJMBE).

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis was conducted to acknowledge the most contributing authors, impactful articles, publication trends, keyword analysis, co-occurrence networks and collaboration networks. A total of 454 articles published between 2006 and 2022 were analyzed.

Findings

The results suggest that the international strategy set in 2014 has resulted in a steadily growing number of publications and a significant increment in citations. Relationship marketing and the connections between innovation, performance and entrepreneurship are topics of interest for the EJMBE.

Originality/value

Mapping existing EJMBE research through identifying the contributing authors, most impactful articles, publication trends, keyword analysis, co-occurrence networks and collaboration networks is missing to encourage new research projects.
Distance learning during COVID-19 school closures
Authors: Hean Oudom , Chairassamee Nattanicha
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The authors aim to analyze the inequality in accessing distance learning during COVID-19 school closures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Household Pulse Survey, which is an effort by the United States (US) government to measure the well-being of American families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors employ a regression analysis to estimate the inequality in accessing distance learning by race and household income.

Findings

Disadvantaged children from nonwhite and low-income families have much less access to distance learning, including less access to online classes, digital devices and the Internet. Schools are critical providers of the Internet and digital devices to children from disadvantaged households. Schools and parents devote more attention to these nonwhite children by spending extra time on their learning activities.

Originality/value

This paper estimates the inequality in accessing distance learning during the COVID-19 crisis. Also, the authors analyze the responses of schools and parents toward this inequality.
How green human resource management affects employee voluntary workplace green behaviour: An integrated model
Authors: Yuan Yiwei , Ren Shuang , Tang Guiyao , Ji Haochen , Cooke Fang Lee , Wang Zhining
Published: April 2023

Green human resource management (GHRM), a set of HRM practices targeted at environmental goals, has been proposed as the key to achieving organisational sustainable development. However, the mechanisms through which GHRM influences employee green behaviour are not yet well understood. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study presents an integrated model revealing the mixed effects of GHRM on employees' voluntary workplace green behaviour (VWGB). Path analysis based on two studies undertaken in China largely supported our hypotheses. Specifically, GHRM was found to positively influence employees' VWGB through environmental commitment, while simultaneously decreasing their VWGB through emotional exhaustion. Meanwhile, supervisory support for environmental behaviour mitigated the impact of GHRM on emotional exhaustion as well as the relationship between GHRM and employee VWGB via emotional exhaustion. This study contributes to the GHRM literature in particular and organisational environmental management literature in general.
Survival and medical costs of non‐small cell lung cancer patients according to the first‐line treatment: An observational study using the Kyoto City Integrated Database
Authors: Shimamoto Tomonari , Tateyama Yukiko , Kobayashi Daisuke , Yamamoto Keiichi , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Ueshima Hiroaki , Sasaki Kosuke , Nakayama Takeo , Iwami Taku
Published: April 2023

Background

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer mortality and non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases. New drug treatments have been developed since 2010 but there are concerns about the increase in medical costs. This study aimed to compare survival and medical costs among patients with NSCLC according to their initial treatment to estimate the impact of early NSCLC detection.

Methods

Patients with primary NSCLC who filed insurance claims between April 2013 and March 2019 were identified using the Kyoto City Integrated Database. Patients were divided into two groups depending on their initial treatment: the resection group and drug or radiation group. The survival and medical costs were calculated.

Results

A total of 2609 patients with primary NSCLC were identified. Among them, 1035 patients underwent resection. The 5‐year survival was 75% for the resection group while below 25% for the drug or radiation group. At 6 months of survival, the median cumulative total cost was 2409 thousand yen (interquartile range [IQR] 1947–4012 thousand yen) in the resection group and 2951 thousand yen (IQR 1600–4706 thousand yen) in the drug or radiation group. At 4 years of survival, the cumulative median total cost was 5257 thousand yen (IQR 3808–8243 thousand yen) in the resection group and 10 202 thousand yen (IQR 4845–20 450 thousand yen) in the drug or radiation group.

Conclusions

As a first‐line therapy in newly diagnosed patients with NSCLC, surgical resection is associated with longer survival and lower medical costs than pharmacotherapy or radiotherapy.
Wood distillate (pyroligneous acid) boosts nutritional traits of potato tubers
Authors: Fedeli Riccardo , Vannini Andrea , Grattacaso Martina , Loppi Stefano
Published: April 2023

Potato is the fourth most widely consumed staple food in the world. This study investigated the effectiveness of 0.2% wood distillate (WD), a biostimulant derived from the pyrolysis of waste plant biomass, in boosting the nutritional quality of potato tubers. The results showed that application of WD significantly increased the content of soluble sugars (sucrose +56.3%; glucose +44.9%; fructose +62.2%), starch (+35.1%) and total carbohydrates (+16.8%). Antioxidants (total antioxidant power, polyphenols, flavonoids) and most mineral elements (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Zn) were not affected. A lower content of Cu (−17.8%) and P (−24.5%) was found in WD‐treated potato.
Weak Instruments, Degree of Risk Aversion and Equity Premium: Evidence from Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan
Authors: Lai Liona , Tam Henry
Published: April 2023

Using data from Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, we estimate the coefficient of relative risk aversion (RRA) in the constant relative risk aversion utility specification of the consumption‐based capital asset pricing model. Conventional instrumental variables methods find that the coefficient of RRA is low but the inverse of it—the elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption—is also low. Such contradictory findings could be attributed to instruments being weak. Using weak‐instrument robust tests, we find from the equity market data that the coefficient of RRA is rather high, which could potentially explain the high equity premiums in these three East Asian economies.
Orexin receptors in paraventricular nucleus influence sexual behavior via regulating the sympathetic outflow in males
Authors: Luan Jiao‐Chen , Zhang Qi‐Jie , Zhou Xuan , Zhou Xiang , Gu Qi , Xia Jia‐Dong , Song Ning‐hong
Published: April 2023

Background

Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides associated with various neurophysiological activities such as sleep, arousal, and reward. However, there are few studies investigating the relationships between orexin receptors in the paraventricular nucleus and sexual behaviors.

Objectives

To explore the roles of orexin receptors in the paraventricular nucleus on sexual behaviors and uncover its potential mechanisms in males.

Materials and methods

Orexin A, orexin 1 receptor antagonist SB334867, and orexin 2 receptor antagonist TCS‐OX2‐29 were microinjected into the paraventricular nucleus to investigate the effects of orexin receptors on copulatory behavior testing of C57BL/6 mice. To explore if ejaculation could activate orexin 1 receptor‐expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus, fluorescence immunohistochemical double staining was utilized. The levels of serum norepinephrine were measured and the lumbar sympathetic nerve activity was recorded to reflect the sympathetic nervous system activity. Moreover, the bulbospongiosus muscle‐electromyogram was recorded and analyzed. To test whether perifornical/lateral hypothalamic area orexinergic neurons directly projected to the paraventricular nucleus, virus retrograde tracing technology was utilized.

Results

Orexin A significantly enhanced sexual performance by shortening the intromission and ejaculation latencies, and increasing the mount and intromission frequencies, while the opposite outcomes appeared with SB334867. However, TCS‐OX2‐29 had no significant effects on sexual behaviors. Moreover, orexin A increased lumbar sympathetic nerve activity and the levels of serum norepinephrine, while SB334867 decreased lumbar sympathetic nerve activity and norepinephrine, which caused a significant decrease in sympathetic nervous system outflow. Meanwhile, a robust increase in the bulbospongiosus muscle‐electromyogram activity was identified after microinjecting orexin A. Furthermore, cFos immunopositive cells were increased and double stained with orexin 1 receptor‐expressing neurons in the mating group. Additionally, the retrograde tracing results demonstrated that orexinergic neurons in the perifornical/lateral hypothalamic area directly projected to the paraventricular nucleus.

Conclusions

Orexin 1 receptor in the paraventricular nucleus could influence the ejaculatory reflex via mediating the sympathetic nervous system activity, which might be of great importance in the treatment of premature ejaculation in the future.
Partial heart xenotransplantation: A research protocol in non‐human primates
Authors: Rajab Taufiek Konrad , Goerlich Corbin E. , Forbess Joseph M. , Griffith Bartley P. , Mohiuddin Muhammad M.
Published: April 2023

Partial heart transplantation is a new type of transplant that delivers growing heart valve replacements for babies. Partial heart transplantation differs from orthotopic heart transplantation because only the part of the heart containing the heart valve is transplanted. It also differs from homograft valve replacement because viability of the graft is preserved by tissue matching, minimizing donor ischemia times, and recipient immunosuppression. This preserves partial heart transplant viability and allows the grafts to fulfill biological functions such as growth and self‐repair. These advantages over conventional heart valve prostheses are balanced by similar disadvantages as other organ transplants, most importantly limitations in donor graft availability. Prodigious progress in xenotransplantation promises to solve this problem by providing an unlimited source of donor grafts. In order to study partial heart xenotransplantation, a suitable large animal model is important. Here we describe our research protocol for partial heart xenotransplantation in nonhuman primates.
Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modelling to predict intragastric rifabutin concentrations in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Howden Colin W. , Shah Shailja , Pendse Salil N. , Offman Elliot , Almenoff June S. , Sheldon Kely L.
Published: April 2023

Background

Sustained intragastric antibiotic exposure is important for Helicobacter pylori eradication, yet little is known about gastric pharmacology of commonly used H. pylori regimens. For rifabutin, differing intragastric concentrations based on dosing regimen may account for differences in reported eradication rates.

Aim

To compare intragastric rifabutin concentrations between low‐dose rifabutin (50 mg three time daily; as in RHB‐105) and generically dosed rifabutin 150 mg once daily, 150 mg twice daily, and 300 mg once daily using a validated Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model.

Methods

We obtained plasma pharmacokinetic data from the RHB‐105 clinical development programs and used it to develop and validate a whole‐body PBPK model using PK‐SIM software. We modified the existing rifabutin model to include the impact of omeprazole on gastric pH and emptying time. Modelled intragastric rifabutin exposure was expressed as the time that each regimen maintained its concentration ≥MIC90.

Results

Rifabutin 50 mg three times daily achieved significantly longer times with intragastric concentration above MIC90 (22.3 ± 1.1 h) than 150 mg once daily (8.3 ± 1.7 h), 150 mg twice daily (16.3 ± 2.3 h), or 300 mg once daily (8.5 ± 1.9 h) while providing the lowest mean maximal plasma concentration and mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve of all regimens studied.

Conclusions

PBPK modelling showed rifabutin 50 mg three times daily had higher intragastric exposure times than 150 mg once daily or twice daily, or 300 mg once daily. This low‐dose rifabutin regimen provides the highest potential for H. pylori eradication while minimising systemic rifabutin exposure.
Sequential osseointegration of a novel implant system based on 3D printing in comparison with conventional titanium implants
Authors: Lang Niklaus P. , Imber Jean‐Claude , Lang Kiri N. , Schmid Bruno , Muñoz Fernando , Bosshardt Dieter D. , Saulacic Nikola
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the sequential osseointegration of a novel titanium implant system based on a 3D printing technology in comparison with conventional titanium implants.

Material and methods

Two novel titanium implants based on 3D printing were tested in the mandible of eight Beagle dogs. As a control, two different commercially available titanium implants were used. The implants were staged to accommodate healing periods of 2 and 6 weeks. The primary outcome variable was bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) in non‐decalcified tissue sections and micro‐CT analysis.

Results

Histomorphometrically, the proportions of tissues adjacent to the implant surfaces were similar for all implants, whereas the BIC percentage of new mineralized bone was greater for the control implants after both 2 and 6 weeks (p < .05). Micro‐CT analysis revealed increasing osseous volume and BIC from 2 to 6 weeks. In contrast to the histomorphometry, the BIC evaluation with the micro‐CT data revealed a significantly higher BIC for the two test implants compared with controls (p < .001). The analysis of the total implant surface area disclosed a value that was approximately double as high for the test compared to the control implants.

Conclusions

The novel titanium implant system based on 3D printing yielded values for osseointegration that were adequate and satisfactory. The higher percentage of new mineralized bone in the control implants is explained by the fact of a completely different three‐dimensional surface area.
Elamipretide reduces pyroptosis and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury
Authors: Jiang Wu , He Fan , Ding Guoming , Wu Junsong
Published: April 2023

Aims

Elamipretide (EPT), a novel mitochondria‐targeted peptide, has been shown to be protective in a range of diseases. However, the effect of EPT in spinal cord injury (SCI) has yet to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate whether EPT would inhibit pyroptosis and protect against SCI.

Methods

After establishing the SCI model, we determined the biochemical and morphological changes associated with pyroptosis, including neuronal cell death, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and signal pathway levels. Furthermore, mitochondrial function was assessed with flow cytometry, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot.

Results

Here, we demonstrate that EPT improved locomotor functional recovery following SCI as well as reduced neuronal loss. Moreover, EPT inhibited nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and pyroptosis occurrence and decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels following SCI. Furthermore, EPT alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species level.

Conclusion

EPT treatment may protect against SCI via inhibition of pyroptosis.
Individual and contextual factors influencing children's effort in pediatric rehabilitation interventions
Authors: Levac Danielle E.
Published: April 2023

Rehabilitation clinicians strive to encourage children's sustained effort within challenging practice conditions. Effort influences intervention success, yet it is rarely defined or measured. Effort can be conflated with individual factors, such as motivation and engagement, that might influence it. Contextual factors that likely impact children's effort, such as practice conditions and therapeutic interactions, are generally under‐described. Defining, describing, and measuring effort and its influencers is necessary to enhance understanding of differences in rehabilitation intervention outcomes across individuals and contexts and to support the development of personalized precision rehabilitation approaches. This narrative review describes effort conceptualization in rehabilitation, particularly in relation to intensity, engagement, and participation nomenclature. The review outlines individual and contextual factors that may influence children's effort in rehabilitation and describes potential next steps for effort description and measurement. Subsequent work should aim to identify factors that can be targeted in clinical practice to promote and sustain children's effort in the rehabilitation process, thereby individualizing interventions and potentially improving their effectiveness.

What this paper adds

Effort as it relates to rehabilitation is confusingly described and infrequently measured.

Engagement, involvement, intensity, and participation are terms alluding to effort.

Child‐specific and therapy‐specific factors, alone and in combination, may influence children's effort.

Clearer conceptualization of effort and the factors that influence it will support personalization of interventions.

Better measurement will enhance knowledge about relationships between effort and therapeutic outcomes.
rtrees: an R package to assemble phylogenetic trees from megatrees
Authors: Li Daijiang
Published: April 2023

Despite the increasingly available phylogenetic hypotheses for multiple taxonomic groups, most of them do not include all species. In phylogenetic ecology, there is still a strong demand to have phylogenies with all species in a study included. The existing software tools to graft species to backbone megatrees, however, are mostly limited to a specific taxonomic group such as plants or fishes. Here, I introduce a new user‐friendly R package, ‘rtrees', that can assemble phylogenies from existing or user‐provided megatrees. For most common taxonomic groups, users can only provide a vector of species scientific names to get a phylogeny or a set of posterior phylogenies from megatrees. It is my hope that ‘rtrees' can provide an easy, flexible, and reliable way to assemble phylogenies from megatrees, facilitating the progress of phylogenetic ecology.
Efficacy of tegoprazan‐based bismuth quadruple therapy compared with bismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: A randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled study
Authors: Kim Joon Sung , Ko Weonjin , Chung Jun‐Won , Kim Tae Ho
Published: April 2023

Background

Bismuth‐based quadruple therapy (BQT) is recommended as the first‐line empirical therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication as it is not associated with resistance. However, few studies have investigated the use of potassium‐competitive acid blockers for BQT.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy and safety profiles of tegoprazan‐based BQT (TBMT) versus lansoprazole‐based BQT (LBMT) for H. pylori eradication.

Methods

We included patients older than 18 with an H. pylori infection without a history of H. pylori eradication who visited four university‐affiliated hospitals between March 2020 and December 2021. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using a rapid urease test or Giemsa staining. Patients were randomly assigned to the TBMT or LBMT group.

Results

217 subjects were randomly allocated to receive either TBMT (n = 108) or LBMT (n = 109) therapy. Intention‐to‐treat (ITT) eradication rates of TBMT and LBMT were 80.0% and 77.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −8.4 to 13.7, p = 0.0124), respectively. Corresponding modified ITT rates were 90.3% and 84.5% (95% CI: −3.6 to 15.2, p = 0.0005), respectively. Per‐protocol (PP) eradication rates of TBMT and LBMT were 90.2% and 82.4% (95% CI: −2.5 to 18.2, p = 0.0003), respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events between the TBMT and LBMT groups (39.1% vs. 43.4%, p = 0.5211). TBMT showed higher eradication rates than that of LBMT in ITT, m‐ITT, and PP analysis.

Conclusion

TBMT showed a noninferior eradication rate and similar adverse events to LBMT as a first‐line eradication regimen. Our results suggest that tegoprazan might be substituted for proton pump inhibitors in H. pylori eradication regimens.
A novel carbon‐fiber geopolymer composite‐coated electrodes for photoelectrocatalysis: Fabrication and application
Authors: Meng Qian , Zhang Yao Jun , He Pan Yang , Chen Hao , Li Chan Juan
Published: April 2023

The photoelectrocatalysis is an efficient and sustainable degradation method for organic contaminant, where the photoanode material plays a critical role. Development of novel, inexpensive, and high‐performance photoanode materials is significant to enhance the degradation performance of anodes catalysis. Herein, a novel carbon‐fiber geopolymer composite‐coated electrode with low cost and facile production was prepared by incorporating carbon fibers in a geopolymer matrix. The as‐developed photoelectrocatalyst coupled with persulfate could effectively degrade more than 98 % of rhodamine B within 6 min, which demonstrated superior catalytic activity compared with various catalysts reported in the literature. Moreover, the composite electrodes exhibited excellent reusability. The endogenous Fe2O3 and TiO2 in the geopolymer matrix were the main active materials, providing photoelectron‐hole pairs for dye molecule degradation. Significantly, the carbon fibers in the matrix effectively connected the scattered oxide species and prompted the separation and migration of photoinduced carriers while enhancing the stability of the catalysts and improving the conductivity of the matrix. When the carbon content was increased from 0 to 6 wt%, the conductivity of the composite increased by 17.75 times. This study offers a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly photoelectrocatalyst, which shows significant potential for further development.
A natural and safe diglyceride (DAG)‐MFGM reconstituted milk: preparation, physiochemical, in‐vitro digestion, and sterilisation safety
Authors: Xu Jinhua , Lu Yuanchao , Nie Xiaohua , Yu Ningxiang , Meng Xianghe
Published: April 2023

As an efficient strategy to promote human health, diet regulations are gaining increasing attention on the intake of high‐quality oils and proteins. In this study, we developed reconstituted milk using natural soybean diglyceride‐milk fat globule membrane (DAG‐MFGM) and investigated its stability, in‐vitro digestion, and sterilisation safety. Results showed that the smallest droplet size (250 nm) of DAG‐MFGM reconstituted milk was obtained under 0.1% MFGM addition, demonstrating high stability. The in‐vitro digestion revealed that the fatty acid release of DAG‐MFGM reconstituted milk was 85.6% within 120 min, significantly higher than milk‐fat reconstituted milk (67.2%) and soybean triglycerides‐MFGM reconstituted milk (55%). This indicated that the DAG‐MFGM reconstituted milk was digested easily. After sterilisation, the levels of 3‐chloropropanol ester and glycidyl ester were 1.109 μg kg−1 and 4.292 μg kg−1, respectively, well below the European Union (EU)2020/1322. This work provided a promising guide for preparing new reconstituted milk with DAG.
Development and quality assessment of smoked rainbow trout with reduced sodium content
Authors: Rybicka Iga , Silva Marlene , Gonçalves Amparo , Oliveira Helena , Lourenço Helena , Marques António , Fraqueza Maria João , Serrano Carmo , Nunes Maria Leonor
Published: April 2023

Fish consumption is an important part of a healthy and sustainable diet. However, smoked fish can provide significant amounts of salt (NaCl), which is inadequate considering that the reduction of its intake is a priority for public health authorities worldwide. The aim of this study was to develop smoked rainbow trout with reduced NaCl content without compromising its quality and safety. In Experiment I, optimal salting parameters (2% NaCl and 4 h) were selected. In Experiment II, different combinations of NaCl, KCl (with and without bitterness masking agent), or microencapsulated spices and aromatic plants were evaluated. In general, products prepared with different formulations showed similar microbiological and physicochemical characteristics. Nevertheless, the most desirable ratio of sodium/potassium and sensory scores was attributed to the formulations prepared with 50% NaCl + 50% KCl (with and without bitterness masking agent).
Comparison of positive rates between glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and ElisaRSR™ 3 Screen ICA™ in recently obtained sera from patients who had been previously diagnosed with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes
Authors: Takehana Nobuaki , Fukui Tomoyasu , Mori Yusaku , Hiromura Munenori , Terasaki Michishige , Ohara Makoto , Takada Michiya , Tomoyasu Masako , Ito Yoshihisa , Kobayashi Tetsuro , Yamagishi Sho‐ichi
Published: April 2023

Aims/Introduction

This study aimed to compare the positivity rates of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) and ElisaRSR™ 3 Screen ICA™ (3 Screen ICA), a newly developed assay for the simultaneous measurement of GADA, insulinoma‐associated antigen‐2 autoantibodies (IA‐2A), and zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A), in recently obtained sera from patients who had been previously diagnosed with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes (SPIDDM).

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 53 patients with SPIDDM who were positive for GADA at the diagnosis and 98 non‐diabetic individuals, and investigated the diagnostic accuracy of the 3 Screen ICA (cutoff index ≥30 units) compared with that of GADA. In addition, we compared the clinical characteristics of patients with SPIDDM who were negative or positive on 3 Screen ICA.

Results

The positivity rates of 3 Screen ICA, GADA, IA‐2A, and ZnT8A were 88.7, 86.8, 24.5, and 13.2%, respectively. The respective sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for SPIDDM were 88.7, 100, 100, and 94.2% by 3 Screen ICA and 86.8, 100, 100.0, and 93.3% by GADA. There were no significant differences in age at onset, duration of diabetes, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin and C‐peptide levels, and the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis between patients with SPIDDM who were positive or negative on 3 Screen ICA. However, the prevalence of insulin users was significantly higher in those who were positive than in those who were negative on 3 Screen ICA.

Conclusions

Similar to GADA, 3 Screen ICA may be a useful diagnostic tool for detecting patients with SPIDDM.
The rise of the childless single in South Korea
Authors: Choi Kate H. , Qian Yue
Published: April 2023

We review the literature to show why South Korea is witnessing a dramatic rise in young adults who opt into childless singlehood. We argue that social change occurred over a compressed amount of time in South Korea. Confucian familism and ideational factors specific to the Second Demographic Transition (SDT) coexist and collide. The demands of Confucian familism also tend to be incompatible with the socioeconomic realities facing young adults. Influenced by the ideational factors characterizing the SDT, young adults may feel that it is acceptable to forego marriage. However, due to the strong influence of Confucianism on the institution of marriage, they may perceive married life to be largely inflexible. Thus, when confronted with incompatibilities between married life and other life domains, growing shares of Korean young adults may avoid married life and opt for childless singlehood.
Rural disparities in use of family and formal caregiving for older adults with disabilities
Authors: Miller Katherine E. M. , Ornstein Katherine A. , Coe Norma B.
Published: April 2023

Background

As federal and state policies rebalance long‐term care from institutional settings to home‐ and community‐based settings, reliance on formal (paid) and family (unpaid) caregivers for support at home nationally has increased in recent years. Yet, it is unknown if use of formal and family care varies by rurality.

Methods

Using the Health and Retirement Study, we describe patterns in receipt of combinations of formal and family home care and self‐reported expectation of nursing home use by rurality among community‐dwelling adults aged 65+ with functional limitations from 2004 to 2016.

Results

Older adults residing in rural areas are more likely to receive any family care than those in urban areas. From 2004 to 2016, a higher proportion of older adults in rural areas receive care from family caregivers exclusively while a lower proportion receive care from formal caregivers exclusively. When examining older adults in urban areas, we find the opposite — a higher proportion of urban adults rely exclusively on formal care and a lower proportion rely exclusively on family care in 2016 compared to 2004.

Conclusion

We find that national estimates of sources of caregiving and their changes over time mask significant heterogeneity in uptake by rurality. Understanding how older adults in rural areas are, or are not, receiving home‐based care compared to their urban peers and how these patterns are changing over time is the first step to informing supports for family and formal caregivers.
Evaluation of dressings preventing facial medical device‐related pressure injury in medical staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Fangfang , Su Honghong , Kong Yue , Xu Baoling , Lv Qian , Lin Jiamin , Yi Luanxing , Xie Jieling
Published: April 2023

Aim

This study systematically compared the efficacy of various dressings that may prevent facial medical device‐related pressure injury (MRDPI) in medical staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Background

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, medical staff who are required to wear masks, goggles and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are susceptible to facial MRDPI, which exacerbates working conditions. Dressings can effectively prevent or alleviate MRDPI, but it is unclear which dressings are most effective.

Design

A systematic review and network meta‐analysis, in accordance with PRISMA.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in four English and four Chinese databases to identify relevant studies published up to 8 September 2022. The selected studies were randomised controlled trials, with populations comprising medical staff who wore PPE during the COVID‐19 pandemic and included an observation and control group.

Results

The network meta‐analysis of the 12 selected articles showed that foam dressing, hydrocolloid dressing and petrolatum gauze were better than conventional protection for preventing MRDPI. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve indicated that foam dressing was the best preventative.

Conclusion

Foam dressing is more effective than other dressings in preventing facial MRDPI in medical staff. When PPE must be worn for many hours, such as during the COVID‐19 pandemic, medical staff can use foam dressings to prevent MRDPI.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results support the use of dressings, especially foam dressings, to prevent MRDPI in healthcare workers. The appropriate dressings are recommended to prevent MRDPI associated with wearing PPE.
Presumed pituitary apoplexy in 26 dogs: Clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes
Authors: Woelfel Christian W. , Mariani Christopher L. , Nolan Michael W. , Keenihan Erin K. , Topulos Sophia P. , Early Peter J. , Muñana Karen R. , Musulin Sarah E. , Olby Natasha J.
Published: April 2023

Background

Pituitary apoplexy refers to hemorrhage or infarction within the pituitary gland resulting in acute neurological abnormalities. This condition is poorly described in dogs.

Objectives

To document presenting complaints, examination findings, endocrinopathies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), treatments, and outcomes of dogs with pituitary apoplexy.

Animals

Twenty‐six client‐owned dogs with acute onset of neurological dysfunction.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Dogs were diagnosed with pituitary apoplexy if MRI or histopathology documented an intrasellar or suprasellar mass with evidence of hemorrhage or infarction in conjunction with acute neurological dysfunction. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and imaging reports.

Results

Common presenting complaints included altered mentation (16/26, 62%) and gastrointestinal dysfunction (14/26, 54%). Gait or posture changes (22/26, 85%), mentation changes (18/26, 69%), cranial neuropathies (17/26, 65%), cervical or head hyperpathia (12/26, 46%), and hyperthermia (8/26, 31%) were the most frequent exam findings. Ten dogs (38%) lacked evidence of an endocrinopathy before presentation. Common MRI findings included T1‐weighted hypo‐ to isointensity of the hemorrhagic lesion (21/25, 84%), peripheral enhancement of the pituitary mass lesion (15/25, 60%), brain herniation (14/25, 56%), and obstructive hydrocephalus (13/25, 52%). Fifteen dogs (58%) survived to hospital discharge. Seven of these dogs received medical management alone (median survival 143 days; range, 7‐641 days) and 8 received medications and radiation therapy (median survival 973 days; range, 41‐1719 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with pituitary apoplexy present with a variety of acute signs of neurological disease and inconsistent endocrine dysfunction. Dogs that survive to discharge can have a favorable outcome.
The structure of root‐associated fungal communities is related to the long‐term effects of plant diversity on productivity
Authors: Maciá‐Vicente Jose G. , Francioli Davide , Weigelt Alexandra , Albracht Cynthia , Barry Kathryn E. , Buscot François , Ebeling Anne , Eisenhauer Nico , Hennecke Justus , Heintz‐Buschart Anna , van Ruijven Jasper , Mommer Liesje
Published: April 2023

Root‐associated fungi could play a role in determining both the positive relationship between plant diversity and productivity in experimental grasslands, and its strengthening over time. This hypothesis assumes that specialized pathogenic and mutualistic fungal communities gradually assemble over time, enhancing plant growth more in species‐rich than in species‐poor plots. To test this hypothesis, we used high‐throughput amplicon sequencing to characterize root‐associated fungal communities in experimental grasslands of 1 and 15 years of age with varying levels of plant species richness. Specifically, we tested whether the relationship between fungal communities and plant richness and productivity becomes stronger with the age of the experimental plots. Our results showed that fungal diversity increased with plant diversity, but this relationship weakened rather than strengthened over the two time points. Contrastingly, fungal community composition showed increasing associations with plant diversity over time, suggesting a gradual build‐up of specific fungal assemblages. Analyses of different fungal guilds showed that these changes were particularly marked in pathogenic fungi, whose shifts in relative abundance are consistent with the pathogen dilution hypothesis in diverse plant communities. Our results suggest that root‐associated fungal pathogens play more specific roles in determining the diversity–productivity relationship than other root‐associated plant symbionts.
Soil fertility determines whether ectomycorrhizal fungi accelerate or decelerate decomposition in a temperate forest
Authors: Mayer Mathias , Matthews Bradley , Sandén Hans , Katzensteiner Klaus , Hagedorn Frank , Gorfer Markus , Berger Harald , Berger Torsten W. , Godbold Douglas L. , Rewald Boris
Published: April 2023

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can both accelerate and decelerate decomposition of organic matter in forest soils, but a mechanistic understanding of this differential influence is limited.

Here, we tested how ECM fungi affect decomposition along a natural fertility gradient in a temperate forest of European beech. Trees were girdled to reduce belowground carbon supply to the soil.

Girdling shifted soil fungal community composition and decreased hyphal biomass production and soil CO2 efflux, indicating a reduced ECM fungal activity. Girdling also affected decomposition processes, but the effects depended on fertility. Our results indicate that ECM fungi decelerate decomposition under conditions of low fertility while under conditions of high fertility ECM fungi and their host roots have an accelerating effect.

We conclude that both acceleration and deceleration of decomposition of organic matter by ECM fungi can occur within a forest, with soil fertility determining the direction and magnitude of these effects. We suggest a positive feedback between fertility, stand productivity and soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics that is mediated to a large extent by ECM fungi.
Feasibility and repeatability of ocular biometry measured with IOLMaster 700 in a large population‐based study
Authors: Michael Ralph , Wirkner Kerstin , Engel Christoph , Loeffler Markus , Kirsten Toralf , Rauscher Franziska G.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of IOLMaster 700 biometry measurements in an adult population. Furthermore, to assess the value of the Quality Indicators (QIs) provided by the device.

Method

As part of the large population‐based Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE) Adult‐Study, randomly selected participants from Leipzig, Germany were evaluated with the ZEISS IOLMaster 700. Age range was 26–85 years, with 53% of participants above 70 years of age. Axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT) and keratometry (K) were assessed in 1767 right eyes. Measurements were repeated twice and in a subset of 1331 eyes, three times. Measurement feasibility was evaluated for three levels; successful, with warnings and failed, using the inbuilt QIs. Repeatability was assessed as within‐subject standard deviation (SD) and repeatability limits were calculated.

Results

First measurement success rate for phakic eyes was over 99% for AL, CCT, ACD, over 98% for LT and over 97% for K. K had 16% eyes with warnings and the recommendation to repeat the measurement. Excluding the measurements with warnings resulted in a reduction of mean SD for AL from 48 to 4 μm and for mean K from 0.08 to 0.04 D. Repeatability for phakic eyes was 8 μm for AL, CCT, ACD and LT and 2.3 μm for CCT; 0.07 D and 0.12 D for mean K and delta K, respectively, for phakic cases without warnings (two measurements).

Conclusions

In our population‐based sample, the IOLMaster 700 collected data for AL, CCT, ACD, LT and K from the vast majority of eyes. Considering the built‐in QIs improved the measurement variability substantially. Repeatability measurements indicate that clinically meaningful changes can be detected reliably with this instrument.
Optometrists' attitudes toward usingOCTangiography lag behind other retinal imaging types
Authors: Cheung Rene , Ho Sharon , Ly Angelica
Published: April 2023

Purpose

While optometrists' attitudes toward established retinal imaging types are generally positive, they are unknown for optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). We performed a cross‐sectional survey to estimate attitudes toward OCTA and identify clinician and/or practice characteristics that influence them.

Methods

A paper‐based survey was mailed to 252 randomly selected optometrists in Australia. Five‐point Likert‐scale items from a previous survey assessing attitudes toward new technology were included to probe respondent characteristics and attitudes toward retinal imaging. Performance expectancy attitudes toward OCTA were elicited by the statement ‘I believe OCTA is useful in daily practice’. Mean scores out of five (mean [SD]) were rounded and mapped to appropriate descriptive statements.

Results

The response rate was 47% (118/252). The mean (SD) age of respondents was 44.0 (13.8) years and 50.8% (60/118) were female. Optometrists had 19.9 (14.0) years of clinical experience and 66.9% (79/118) worked at independent practices. In total, 8.5% (10/118) of respondents used OCTA to provide clinical care. Optometrists agreed that optical coherence tomography (OCT), colour fundus imaging, ultra‐wide field imaging and fundus autofluorescence (mean scores 3.6–4.7 out of 5) were useful in daily practice but felt neutral about whether OCTA was useful (3.4 [0.8]). Optometrists believed that OCTA was less enjoyable to use (p < 0.0001), less endorsed by peers (p < 0.0001) and felt less confident that they had the knowledge to interpret OCTA (p < 0.0001) compared to other retinal imaging types.

Conclusions

Optometrists are undecided on whether OCTA is useful in daily practice and had lower expectations that using OCTA would confer job performance benefits compared to other retinal imaging types. Further work is needed to advocate the benefits of using OCTA across the profession.
Directors’ Diversity and the Economic Value of Equity
Authors: Abdullahi Ndaman , Lawal Bello
Published: April 2023

The paper examines the effect of directors’ demographic and cognitive diversity on the economic value of equity based on longitudinal data from the top 15 Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. The study finds steadily robust evidence that shows foreign and female directors at critical mass representation positively influence banks’ net worth (a proxy of the economic value of equity). Contrary to the hypothesis, the result of cognitive diversity was rather inconclusive due to the diverse direction of causality. While the effect of directors with Bachelor of Law degrees and industry experience shows a significant negative effect, the impact of directors with business-related degrees though positively linked to the economic value of equity but remained statistically insignificant. With average sampled directors having over 23 years of industry experience, the study concluded that excessive industry knowledge is injurious to financial performance. This is because these directors are perhaps more cautious about their reputation and thus are likely to exhibit diminishing marginal utility for wealth maximization.
From Reason to Wisdom: Heidegger’s Interpretation of Logos
Authors: Li Qing
Published: April 2023

Heraclitus’ “all things are one” carries a classic metaphysical structure, which signifies that Being was already concealed at the beginning of Western thought. Heidegger delves into early Greek thought to reveal people’s understanding of nature before the deviation between logos (λόγος) and nature (φύσις). He argues that the light of Being flashed at the beginning of Western thought and then immediately vanished. The consequence of the concealment of Being was the formal opening of the path of Western metaphysics centered on rationality, which was taken as the path of wisdom. Western metaphysics ultimately led humanity to the realm of nihilism. Therefore, one possible way to address the nihilism problem caused by rationality is to return to early Western thought (pre-Socratic period), explore the original meaning of logos and nature, re-understand what wisdom is, and gain insight in wisdom to deal with nihilism.
The Reconstruction Logic and Institutional Realization of the Substantiation of Court Hearings in China's Commutation of Sentence and Parole Cases
Authors: Wang Dezheng
Published: April 2023

The manuscript discusses the importance of sentence commutation and parole cases as an essential stage in the execution of criminal judgments, related to both judicial justice and trial authority. To clarify this issue, this article mainly adopts a literature research method to systematically review the research on China's establishment of parole and commutation since its inception, and uses case studies to provide examples to illustrate the existing situations.The author argues that substantive hearings for these cases can remove the issue of "paper-pushing" and strengthen procedural justice, transparency, and judicial justice. The manuscript suggests that the current "tripartite" linear model for parole hearings should be transitioned to a deliberative mode with statements from both prosecution and defense to achieve a substantive hearing. The author proposes that the "tripartite trial structure" reform should be the starting point for reconsidering the legal identity and rights of the participating subjects and their responsibilities.
Preterm‐born individuals: a vulnerable population at risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality during thermal extremes?
Authors: Sixtus Ryan Phillip , Gray Clint , Berry Mary Judith , Dyson Rebecca Maree
Published: April 2023

Preterm‐born individuals are a uniquely vulnerable population. Preterm exposure to the extrauterine environment and the (mal)adaptations that occur during the transitional period can result in alterations to their macro‐ and micro‐physiological state. The physiological adaptations that increase survival in the short term may place those born preterm on a trajectory of lifelong dysfunction and later‐life decompensation. Cardiovascular compensation in children and adolescents, which masks this trajectory of dysfunction, is overcome under stress, such that the functional cardiovascular capacity is reduced and recovery impaired following physiological stress. This has implications for their response to thermal stress. As the Anthropocene introduces greater changes in our environment, thermal extremes will impact vulnerable populations as yet unidentified in the climate change context. Here, we present the hypothesis that individuals born preterm are a vulnerable population at an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality during thermal extremes.