bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sashimi: A toolkit for facilitating high‐throughput organismal image segmentation using deep learning
Authors: Schwartz Shawn T. , Alfaro Michael E.
Published: September 2021

Digitized specimens are an indispensable resource for rapidly acquiring big datasets and typically must be pre‐processed prior to conducting analyses. One crucial image pre‐processing step in any image analysis workflow is image segmentation, or the ability to clearly contrast the foreground target from the background noise in an image. This procedure is typically done manually, creating a potential bottleneck for efforts to quantify biodiversity from image databases. Image segmentation meta‐algorithms using deep learning provide an opportunity to relax this bottleneck. However, the most accessible pre‐trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been trained on a small fraction of biodiversity, thus limiting their utility.

We trained a deep learning model to automatically segment target fish from images with both standardized and complex, noisy backgrounds. We then assessed the performance of our deep learning model using qualitative visual inspection and quantitative image segmentation metrics of pixel overlap between reference segmentation masks generated manually by experts and those automatically predicted by our model.

Visual inspection revealed that our model segmented fishes with high precision and relatively few artifacts. These results suggest that the meta‐algorithm (Mask R‐CNN), in which our current fish segmentation model relies on, is well suited for generating high‐fidelity segmented specimen images across a variety of background contexts at rapid pace.

We present Sashimi, a user‐friendly command line toolkit to facilitate rapid, automated high‐throughput image segmentation of digitized organisms. Sashimi is accessible to non‐programmers and does not require experience with deep learning to use. The flexibility of Mask R‐CNN allows users to generate a segmentation model for use on diverse animal and plant images using transfer learning with training datasets as small as a few hundred images. To help grow the taxonomic scope of images that can be recognized, Sashimi also includes a central database for sharing and distributing custom‐trained segmentation models of other unrepresented organisms. Lastly, Sashimi includes both auxiliary image pre‐processing functions useful for some popular downstream color pattern analysis workflows, as well as a simple script to aid users in qualitatively and quantitatively assessing segmentation model performance for complementary sets of automatically and manually segmented images.
Fine‐tuning biodiversity assessments: A framework to pair eDNA metabarcoding and morphological approaches
Authors: Pereira Cátia Lúcio , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Araújo Miguel Bastos , Matias Miguel Graça
Published: September 2021

Accurate quantification of biodiversity can be demanding and expensive. Although environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding can facilitate biodiversity assessments through non‐invasive, cost‐efficient and rapid surveys, the approach struggles to outperform traditional morphological approaches in providing reliable quantitative estimates for surveyed species (e.g. abundance and biomass).

We present an integrated methodology for improving biodiversity surveys that pairs eDNA metabarcoding with morphological data, following a series of taxonomic and geographical filters. We demonstrate its power by applying it to a new spatiotemporal dataset generated on an Iberian‐wide distributed aquatic mesocosm infrastructure that spans a wide biogeographical gradient.

By building upon the strengths that these two approaches offer, our framework improved taxonomic resolution for 30% of the taxa and enabled species’ traits (e.g. body size) and abundance to be assigned to 85% of the taxa in hybrid datasets.

These results indicate that eDNA‐based assessments can complement, but not always replace, conventional approaches. Integrating conventional and modern eDNA metabarcoding approaches, already available in the ecologist's toolbox, will greatly enhance biodiversity assessments.
Histories of trauma: A qualitative analysis of lifetime traumatic experiences among emergency department patients
Authors: Spadafore Sophia , Lane Madeline , Walker Jasmine , Jaikaran Elizabeth , Chisolm‐Straker Makini
Published: September 2021

Objective

Emergency medicine clinicians are excellent at identifying and treating physical trauma as a chief complaint, but are often unaware of patients’ previous experiences of trauma. The purpose of this study was to describe emergency department (ED) patients’ lifetime experiences of trauma.

Methods

The investigative team used framework analysis to examine 1,282 participants’ open‐ended responses to the Vera Institute's Trafficking Victim Identification Tool questions. Of these, 204 participants were found to have experienced at least one form of trauma; none of these participants were assessed positive for a human trafficking experience.

Results

From 204 participants, 343 instances of trauma were recorded and analyzed. Of the 204 patient‐participants who reported trauma, 96 experienced one form of trauma and 108 experienced two or more. Three major themes emerged: work trauma (experiences of trauma originating in the workplace), coercion (being manipulated into activities), and trauma connections (some forms of trauma were commonly experienced with other kinds of trauma). A fourth, less prominent, theme was disclosure as witness (participants witnessing trauma).

Conclusion

ED patients have experienced many forms of lifetime trauma and, in this study, were willing to share about their experiences while in the acute care setting. Given the common experience of trauma among the ED patients in this investigation, more work is needed to examine if and how trauma‐informed care principles should be employed in the ED. Additionally, the ED may be an underutilized data source for researchers seeking participants with experiences of trauma and/or a point of connection for trauma survivors to be linked to trauma care services.
Investigating first‐year graduate paramedics’ reason for current work location: A cross‐sectional, data linkage study
Authors: Ivec Nicola , Beauchamp Alison , Sutton Keith , Mitchell Eleanor , O’Meara Peter , Bowles Kelly‐Ann , Williams Brett
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aims to describe the demographic and employment characteristics of first‐year graduates from a Victorian‐based paramedicine course and investigate factors that influenced their choice in place of practice.

Design

Cross‐sectional study using data from the Nursing and Allied Health Graduate Outcomes Tracking study.

Setting

Victoria, Australia.

Participants

First‐year graduates (2019) from the Monash University range of paramedicine programs.

Main outcome measures

Variables of interest included principal place of practice and the reasons for working in the current location.

Results

Over half of the 2018 paramedicine course graduates responded to the 2019 Graduate Outcomes Survey. Nearly all were registered as paramedics (including double registrants as nurses), and over a fifth were from a rural background; however, less than that were working in a rural area. Of those with complete data, the most cited reasons for current work location were ‘spouse/partner’s employment or career’, ‘opportunity for career advancement’ and ‘scope of practice within the role’.

Conclusion

This study provides important insight into the factors associated with rural practice location amongst paramedicine graduates, specifically rural origin or personal, lifestyle and professional influences. The study adds to the sparse literature about paramedic practice location decision‐making and highlights the need for further systematic longitudinal research examining the ‘where’ and ‘why’.
Nuclei isolation methods fail to accurately assess the subcellular localization and behaviour of proteins in skeletal muscle
Authors: Wette Stefan G. , Lamb Graham D. , Murphy Robyn M.
Published: September 2021

Aim

Subcellular fractionation is often used to determine the subcellular localization of proteins, including whether a protein translocates to the nucleus in response to a given stimulus. Examining nuclear proteins in skeletal muscle is difficult because myonuclear proteins are challenging to isolate unless harsh treatments are used. This study aimed to determine the most effective method for isolating and preserving proteins in their native state in skeletal muscle.

Methods

We compared the ability of detergents, commercially available kit‐based and K+‐based physiological methodologies for isolating myonuclear proteins from resting samples of human muscle by determining the presence of marker proteins for each fraction by western blot analyses.

Results

We found that following the initial pelleting of nuclei, treatment with 1% Triton‐X 100, 1% CHAPS or 0.5% Na‐deoxycholate under various ionic conditions resulted in the nuclear proteins being either resistant to isolation or the proteins present behaving aberrantly. The nuclear proteins in brain tissue were also resistant to 1% Triton‐X 100 isolation. Here, we demonstrate aberrant behaviour and erroneous localization of proteins using the kit‐based method. The aberrant behaviour was the activation of Ca2+‐dependent protease calpain‐3, and the erroneous localization was the presence of calpain‐3 and troponin I in the nuclear fraction.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that it may not be possible to reliably determine the translocation of proteins between subcellular locations and the nucleus using subcellular fractionation techniques. This study highlights the importance of validating subcellular fractionation methodologies using several subcellular‐specific markers and solutions that are physiologically relevant to the intracellular milieu.
Alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and subsequent risk of renal cell carcinoma: The JPHC study
Authors: Minami Tetsuji , Inoue Manami , Sawada Norie , Yamaji Taiki , Iwasaki Motoki , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: September 2021

The effects of alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) incidence have not been well‐investigated in Asian populations. Here, we evaluated these effects in a large Japanese prospective cohort. We collected data on eligible participants in the Japan Public Health Center‐based Prospective Study, and undertook multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of RCC incidence. We identified 340 cases (230 men and 110 women) among the 105 663 eligible participants (50 262 men and 55 741 women), who were followed for an average of 19.1 years, with a cumulative total of 2 020 364 person‐years. A slightly inverse but nonsignificant association was observed between alcohol drinking and RCC incidence. In contrast, the risk of RCC was increased in those with heavy smoking (≥40 pack‐years) when men and women were combined (HR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01‐2.25). We identified no significant association between alcohol consumption and RCC incidence. In contrast, heavy smoking (≥40 pack‐years) was associated with a significant increase in incidence.
Toddlers learn and flexibly apply multiple possibilities
Authors: Goddu Mariel K. , Sullivan J. Nicholas , Walker Caren M.
Published: September 2021

The ability to consider multiple possibilities forms the basis for a wide variety of human‐unique cognitive capacities. When does this skill develop? Previous studies have narrowly focused on children's ability to prepare for incompatible future outcomes. Here, we investigate this capacity in a causal learning context. Adults (N = 109) and 18‐ to 30‐month olds (N = 104) observed evidence that was consistent with two hypotheses, each occupying a different level of abstraction (individual vs. relational causation). Results suggest that adults and toddlers identified multiple candidate causes for an effect, held these possibilities in mind, and flexibly applied the appropriate hypothesis to inform subsequent inferences. These findings challenge previous suggestions that the ability to consider multiple alternatives does not emerge until much later in development.
Prevalence and clinical prediction of mitochondrial disorders in a large neuropediatric cohort
Authors: van der Ven Amelie T. , Johannsen Jessika , Kortüm Fanny , Wagner Matias , Tsiakas Konstantinos , Bierhals Tatjana , Lessel Davor , Herget Theresia , Kloth Katja , Lisfeld Jasmin , Scholz Tasja , Obi Nadia , Wortmann Saskia , Prokisch Holger , Kubisch Christian , Denecke Jonas , Santer René , Hempel Maja
Published: September 2021

Neurological symptoms are frequent and often a leading feature of childhood‐onset mitochondrial disorders (MD) but the exact incidence of MD in unselected neuropediatric patients is unknown. Their early detection is desirable due to a potentially rapid clinical decline and the availability of management options. In 491 children with neurological symptoms, a comprehensive diagnostic work‐up including exome sequencing was performed. The success rate in terms of a molecular genetic diagnosis within our cohort was 51%. Disease‐causing variants in a mitochondria‐associated gene were detected in 12% of solved cases. In order to facilitate the clinical identification of MDs within neuropediatric cohorts, we have created an easy‐to‐use bedside‐tool, the MDC‐NP. In our cohort, the MDC‐NP predicted disease conditions related to MDs with a sensitivity of 0.83, and a specificity of 0.96.
Postoperative variations in anaemia treatment and transfusions (POSTVenTT): protocol for a prospective multicentre observational cohort study of anaemia after major abdominal surgery
Authors:   POSTVenTT Study Collaborators
Published: September 2021

Aim

Perioperative anaemia is common and is associated with increased postoperative complications, delayed recovery and increased morbidity and mortality. However, current management of anaemia after surgery is variable. This student‐ and trainee‐led collaborative study aims to audit the postoperative variations in anaemia treatment and transfusions (POSTVenTT) and quantify its impact on patient outcomes after major abdominal surgery.

Method

This is the first Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand multicentre study in surgical patients conducted by networks of trainees, students and consultants. Data will be prospectively collected on consecutive adult patients undergoing elective and emergency major abdominal surgery with follow‐up to 30 days after hospital discharge. The primary endpoint will be adherence to anaemia management guidelines. Secondary outcomes will include postoperative anaemia, blood transfusion, postoperative complications as per the Clavien–Dindo classification, length of stay and hospital readmission at 30 days.

Discussion

This protocol describes the first Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand collaborative study by medical students and surgical trainees. The collaboration will aim to provide a clear understanding of current practices regarding the management and risk factors for anaemia and association with patient outcomes after major abdominal surgery.
Face Recognition Depends on Specialized Mechanisms Tuned to View‐Invariant Facial Features: Insights from Deep Neural Networks Optimized for Face or Object Recognition
Authors: Abudarham Naphtali , Grosbard Idan , Yovel Galit
Published: September 2021

Face recognition is a computationally challenging classification task. Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) are brain‐inspired algorithms that have recently reached human‐level performance in face and object recognition. However, it is not clear to what extent DCNNs generate a human‐like representation of face identity. We have recently revealed a subset of facial features that are used by humans for face recognition. This enables us now to ask whether DCNNs rely on the same facial information and whether this human‐like representation depends on a system that is optimized for face identification. In the current study, we examined the representation of DCNNs of faces that differ in features that are critical or non‐critical for human face recognition. Our findings show that DCNNs optimized for face identification are tuned to the same facial features used by humans for face recognition. Sensitivity to these features was highly correlated with performance of the DCNN on a benchmark face recognition task. Moreover, sensitivity to these features and a view‐invariant face representation emerged at higher layers of a DCNN optimized for face recognition but not for object recognition. This finding parallels the division to a face and an object system in high‐level visual cortex. Taken together, these findings validate human perceptual models of face recognition, enable us to use DCNNs to test predictions about human face and object recognition as well as contribute to the interpretability of DCNNs.
Solidarity under duress: Defending state vigilantism
Authors: Viehoff Juri
Published: September 2021

May European Union (EU) member states, in the pursuit of enforcing the norms of ‘EU justice’, unilaterally adopt harmful policies that are ordinarily impermissible in the course of voluntary cooperation amongst democratic states? Though conditions of permissible vigilantism are strict and only rarely met, there are some basic EU duties the compliance with which each individual member state is permitted to enforce unilaterally. Such measures are sometimes permissible even if European community law says otherwise: to the extent that European law prevents states from enforcing these duties, it lacks authority.
A multimodal, longitudinal study of cognitive heterogeneity in early‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Pollet Marianne , Skrobala Emilie , Lopes Renaud , Kuchcinski Grégory , Bordier Cécile , Rollin‐Sillaire Adeline , Bombois Stéphanie , Pasquier Florence , Delbeuck Xavier
Published: September 2021

Background and purpose

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a heterogeneous pathology. Young patients with AD are particularly likely to have an atypical presentation. The objectives of the present cluster analysis were to determine whether patients with early‐onset AD (EOAD) had several distinct cognitive profiles and to compare the resulting clusters with regard to clinical, neuroimaging, and laboratory characteristics.

Methods

We collected cognitive, behavioural, functional, neuroimaging, and laboratory data on 72 patients meeting the criteria for probable mild EOAD. The patients were first classified into clinical phenotype groups by a multidisciplinary board of clinicians. The patients' cognitive and functional decline was monitored for 24 months. A k‐means clustering analysis was then used to determine clusters on the basis of the patients' neuropsychological test results.

Results

Two distinct clusters were identified: the patients in the first cluster (C1, n = 38) had a predominant memory impairment, whereas patients in the second (C2, n = 34) did not. Dyslipidaemia and the presence of ɛ4 apolipoprotein E allele were more frequent in C1, whereas the cognitive and functional decline was faster in the patients in C2. Moreover, posterior brain abnormalities were more severe in patients in C2 than in patients in C1.

Conclusions

By applying a k‐means clustering analysis, we identified two clusters of patients in an EOAD cohort. The clusters differed with regard to certain clinical, imaging, and laboratory characteristics. This clustering procedure might be of value for managing patients with EOAD in general and for identifying those at risk of more rapid decline in particular.
Information collection system for fall detection of stroke patients under cascade algorithm in the context of multi‐modal information fusion and e‐health
Authors: Lv Xiao , Ma Dingying , Zhou Jinsheng , Zhang Lili , Li Xinke
Published: September 2021

To effectively detect stroke patients after falling under e‐health, the fall situation of patients is graded, and warnings are given to improve the survival probability of stroke patients after falling. First, the fall model of stroke patients is analysed. According to the model, multi‐modal information fusion fall detection technology is proposed, including data fusion algorithm and feature recognition technology. Also, various sensor data are adjusted. The fall detection cascade algorithm is proposed to classify data with different features in order, thereby completing target detection. Finally, combined with heart rate sensor, height sensor and microcontroller unit software and patients' e‐health information, the research and development of an information collection system for fall detection are realized. Six young volunteers are selected to test the system performance. The results show that for the six testers, the heart rate detected by the ordinary device and the device of this investigation is the same when it is resting in different states of resting, walking, as well as walking and falling. The heart rate difference between walking and falling detection is not large (within the allowable error range of the device). But the best detection effect is to measure after the patient falls, which not only reduces power consumption but also keeps the detection error to a minimum. The height sensor is in the static state, increased by 75 m in the vertical direction and decreased by 75 cm from the static position in the vertical direction. The height difference of the data information exported from these three cases has some errors compared with the actual 75 cm. The tester's three situations of resting, walking and falling, standing up after sitting still and falling are observed. The waveform when resting is stable, and the acceleration information also fluctuates significantly when walking and after standing up. The accuracy of the developed system is above 80%, which achieves the expected effect and assisted medical treatment of fall detection based on patients' e‐health information. The results show that the proposed information collection system for fall detection of stroke patients under cascade algorithm in the context of multi‐modal information fusion has good performance and high practical value.
Slow social change: Implications for open access recreational fisheries
Authors: Nieman Chelsey L. , Solomon Christopher T.
Published: September 2021

In this essay, we explore the idea that slow social change may cause degradation of the open access equilibrium in recreational fisheries. An existing bioeconomic model illustrates how three social quantities in the recreational fisheries social–ecological system—the marginal cost of fishing effort, catchability, and the relative importance of catch and effort to angler utility—influence equilibrium fish abundance. We speculate that slow directional changes in all three of these quantities may be common, driving gradual declines in abundance that may be difficult to detect. We present limited evidence in support of this speculation, highlight the need for further empirical work, and discuss the implications of slow social change for resilient management of recreational fisheries in a changing world.
Sustained Ability of a Natural Microbial Community to Remove Nitrate from Groundwater
Authors: Paradis Charles J. , Miller John I. , Moon Ji‐Won , Spencer Sarah J. , Lui Lauren M. , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Ning Daliang , Steen Andrew D. , McKay Larry D. , Arkin Adam P. , Zhou Jizhong , Alm Eric J. , Hazen Terry C.
Published: September 2021

Microbial‐mediated nitrate removal from groundwater is widely recognized as the predominant mechanism for nitrate attenuation in contaminated aquifers and is largely dependent on the presence of a carbon‐bearing electron donor. The repeated exposure of a natural microbial community to an electron donor can result in the sustained ability of the community to remove nitrate; this phenomenon has been clearly demonstrated at the laboratory scale. However, in situ demonstrations of this ability are lacking. For this study, ethanol (electron donor) was repeatedly injected into a groundwater well (treatment) for six consecutive weeks to establish the sustained ability of a microbial community to remove nitrate. A second well (control) located upgradient was not injected with ethanol during this time. The treatment well demonstrated strong evidence of sustained ability as evident by ethanol, nitrate, and subsequent sulfate removal up to 21, 64, and 68%, respectively, as compared to the conservative tracer (bromide) upon consecutive exposures. Both wells were then monitored for six additional weeks under natural (no injection) conditions. During the final week, ethanol was injected into both treatment and control wells. The treatment well demonstrated sustained ability as evident by ethanol and nitrate removal up to 20 and 21%, respectively, as compared to bromide, whereas the control did not show strong evidence of nitrate removal (5% removal). Surprisingly, the treatment well did not indicate a sustained and selective enrichment of a microbial community. These results suggested that the predominant mechanism(s) of sustained ability likely exist at the enzymatic‐ and/or genetic‐levels. The results of this study demonstrated the in situ ability of a microbial community to remove nitrate can be sustained in the prolonged absence of an electron donor.
Efficacy and safety of raltitrexed‐based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter real‐world study
Authors: He Jiahui , Sun Hang , Li Fei , Yang Hao , Lou Minggeng , Wang Shunde , Wu Chuanxin
Published: September 2021

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of raltitrexed‐based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using real‐world evidence.

Methods

All eligible HCC cases were collected from multiple centers in Chongqing, China, from January 2013 to December 2018 and divided into the raltitrexed group (raltitrexed + lobaplatin + pirarubicin) and control group (lobaplatin + pirarubicin). Propensity score matching (PSM) with a 1:1 ratio was used to eliminate the imbalance of potential confounding factors between groups. The primary end‐point was overall survival (OS) and the secondary end‐points were progression‐free survival (PFS) and disease control rate.

Results

The median follow‐up period for patients in the raltitrexed and control groups was 8.7 and 5.9 months, respectively. After PSM, median OS was 10.0 months in the raltitrexed group and 7.0 months in the control group (p = 0.002). The 6‐month, 1‐year, and 2‐year OS rates of the raltitrexed group were significantly higher than those of the control group (78.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.010; 43.5% vs. 22.8%, p = 0.030; and 17.4% vs. 2.2% p = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis of these propensity score‐matched HCC patients revealed treatment, age, tumor size, lipiodol accumulation, and the number of TACE cycles as independent predictors of OS (all p < 0.05). The disease control rate of the raltitrexed and control groups was 87.4% and 65.8%, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Raltitrexed‐based TACE can prolong the OS of patients with intermediate and advanced HCC in a real‐world clinical setting, and is safe and tolerable.
Prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis: A multi‐center retrospective observational study
Authors: Yamana Hayato , Imai Shinobu , Yamasaki Kazumi , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Ario Keisuke , Komatsu Tatsuji , Sugimoto Rie , Katsushima Shinji , Naganuma Atsushi , Mano Yutaka , Yamashita Tsutomu , Kamitsukasa Hiroshi , Tsuruta Satoru , Jo Taisuke , Yasunaga Hideo , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Aim

Despite advances in the management of liver diseases and changes in the etiology of cirrhosis, few studies have updated the prognosis of cirrhosis. This study aimed to clarify the recent prognosis of cirrhosis and identify risk factors for death.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study by the Hepatic Disease Network of the National Hospital Organization in Japan, chart reviews were performed to follow patients with cirrhosis beginning in 2011. We conducted Kaplan–Meier survival time analyses stratified by Child–Pugh classification and albumin‐bilirubin grade. Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for death.

Results

We identified 444 eligible patients from 25 hospitals, including 303 (68%), 110 (25%), and 31 (7%) patients with Child–Pugh classes A, B, and C, respectively. Hepatitis C virus infection was the cause of cirrhosis for 63% of the patients. The 1‐year and 5‐year cumulative survival rates of patients with Child–Pugh classes A, B, and C were 90% and 61%, 78% and 42%, and 65% and 25%, respectively. The 1‐year and 5‐year cumulative survival rates of patients with albumin‐bilirubin grades 1, 2, and 3 were 98% and 80%, 91% and 56%, and 58% and 23%, respectively. Cirrhosis classification (Child–Pugh and albumin‐bilirubin), age, liver cancer, and untreated esophageal varices were associated with increased hazard of death.

Conclusions

Little improvement was observed in the prognosis of cirrhosis compared with previous reports, and the prognosis of Child–Pugh class C cirrhosis remained poor. Untreated esophageal varices were identified as a risk factor for death.
Effects of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and SAMM50 on the development and severity of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in children
Authors: Lee Kyung Jae , Moon Jin Soo , Kim Nan Young , Ko Jae Sung
Published: September 2021

Background

Although genetic variants of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and SAMM50 have been reported to increase the risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), no pediatric studies have evaluated the association between SAMM50 and NAFLD.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors, including genetic variants, of pediatric NAFLD.

Methods

NAFLD was defined as the presence of hepatic steatosis on ultrasound. We included 228 patients with NAFLD (body mass index‐Z [BMI‐Z] = 2.51 ± 1.01) and 225 controls (BMI‐Z = 0.22 ± 1.48). We genotyped four variants of PNPLA3 (rs738409), TM6SF2 (rs58542926) and SAMM50 (rs2073080 and rs3761472) by TaqMan allelic discrimination. The pediatric NAFLD fibrosis score, aspartate transaminase (AST)/platelet ratio index and fibrosis‐4 score were used to evaluate the degree of fibrosis. We calculated the genetic risk score for additive effects according to the sum of risk alleles.

Results

The mean age was 12.6 ± 3.5 years. The four genetic variants, male sex and BMI‐Z, independently increased susceptibility to NAFLD. These four variants, in addition to fasting insulin and triglycerides, remained significant risk factors with higher odds ratios in children with overweight. These variants increased the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and three fibrosis scores independently. As the genetic risk score increased, AST, ALT and the fibrosis scores increased independently.

Conclusion

PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and SAMM50 are associated with the development and severity of pediatric NAFLD. The impact of genetic variants is greater in children with overweight. The four genetic variants have synergetic effects on the severity of pediatric NAFLD.
Goals and outcomes of hospitalised older people: does the current hospital care match the needs of older people?
Authors: van Munster Barbara C. , Boot Gerdine G. , Festen Suzanne , de Rooij Sophia E.
Published: September 2021

Background

Due to the rising number of acutely hospitalised older people in the coming years, there is increased interest in tailoring care to the individual goals and preferences of patients in order to reach patient‐centred care.

Aims

To investigate the goals of older hospitalised patients and the extent to which these goals were reached during hospitalisation.

Methods

A single‐centre prospective cohort study was performed in The Netherlands between December 2017 and January 2018. Participants aged 70 years or older were included. In the first 3 days of hospitalisation, a semi‐structured interview was conducted to assess the patient goals regarding the hospital admission. At 1−2 weeks after discharge, patients were asked to what extent the recent hospitalisation had contributed to reaching their goals.

Results

One hundred and four patients were included and follow up was completed for 86 patients. The main goals reported at hospital admission were ‘remaining alive’ (72.1%), ‘feeling better’ (71.2%) and ‘improving condition’ (65.4%). Hospitalisation seemed to have a positive contribution to reaching the goals ‘remaining alive’, ‘knowing what is wrong’, ‘feeling better’, ‘reducing pain’ and ‘controlling disease’. Hospitalisation seemed to contribute little to reaching the goals in the categories ‘enjoying life’, ‘independency and freedom’, ‘improving daily functioning’, ‘hobbies and work’ and ‘social functioning’.

Conclusions

It is important for healthcare professionals to know the goals of their patients. The majority of these goals were not achieved at hospital discharge. It is important to be aware of this, so sufficient aftercare can be arranged and patients can be prepared.
Prospective study of policies and use of therapies for COVID‐19 among Australian health services during 2020
Authors: Smith Emma L. , Gwee Amanda , Roberts Jason A. , Molton James S. , Wurzel Danielle , Hughes Carly M. , Rogers Benjamin A.
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has generated significant debate about how emerging infections can be treated in the absence of evidence‐based therapies to combat disease. In particular, the use of off‐label therapies outside of a clinical trial setting has been controversial.

Aim

To longitudinally study policies and prescribing practices pertaining to therapies for COVID‐19 in Australian health services during 2020.

Methods

Prospective data were collected from participating Australian health services who may care for patients with COVID‐19 via an electronic portal. A single informant from each health service was emailed a survey link at regular intervals. Information was sought regarding changes to COVID‐19 policy at their service and use of therapies for COVID‐19.

Results

Overall, 78 hospitals were represented from 39 respondents with longitudinal data collection from May to December 2020. All Australian states/territories were represented with the majority (34/39; 87%) of respondents located in a major city. Just over half (20/39) of respondents had a written policy for COVID‐19 therapy use at their health service at survey enrolment and policies changed frequently throughout the pandemic. Therapy use outside of a clinical trial was reported in 54% of health services, most frequently in Victoria, correlating with higher numbers of COVID‐19 cases. At study commencement, hydroxychloroquine was most frequently used, with corticosteroids and remdesivir use increasingly throughout the study period.

Conclusion

Our results reflect the reactive nature of prescribing of therapies for COVID‐19 and highlight the importance of evidence‐based guidelines to assist prescribers.
The COVID‐19 risk in the Chinese option market
Authors: Li Jianhui , Ruan Xinfeng , Gehricke Sebastian A. , Zhang Jin E.
Published: September 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has increased fear of a financial market crash in China. We use an implied volatility slope measure, which proxies the cost of option protection against and therefore trader's fear of crash risk, using the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index options. We show that this measure is positively related to new cases and deaths of the pandemic during the COVID‐19 outbreak in China. Option traders are willing to pay more for hedging downside tail risk as the pandemic worsens, and are no longer as concerned by news of cases and deaths after the lift of the lockdown.
Let me explain! The effects of writing and reading short justifications on students' performance, confidence and opinions in audience response systems
Authors: Papadopoulos Pantelis M. , Obwegeser Nikolaus , Weinberger Armin
Published: September 2021

Background

The feedback offered to students in audience response systems may enhance conformity bias, while asking closed‐type questions alone does not allow students to externalize and elaborate on their knowledge.

Objectives

The study explores how writing short justifications and accessing peer justifications as collective feedback could affect students' performance, confidence and opinions in multiple‐choice audience response systems that apply the Peer Instruction model of voting/revoting.

Methods

For 8 weeks, 98 students, enrolled in an undergraduate course, attended each lecture following a flipped classroom approach. At the beginning of each lecture, students participated in a quiz with eight multiple‐choice questions. Four of these questions included a justification form in which students could elaborate on their answers. The students were randomly grouped into two conditions according to the collective feedback they received: the Shared group (n = 54) could see both the percentage each question choice received from the class and the respective peer justifications, while the Unshared group (n = 44) could only see the percentage information.

Results

Analysis showed that students in both groups performed significantly better in questions with the justification form being available. Also, the two groups were comparable in terms of performance and self‐reported level of confidence suggesting no main effect for making peer justification available. Despite this, students in the Shared group expressed a significantly more positive opinion in the end‐of‐activity questionnaire in terms of perceived learning gains and the helpfulness of writing justifications for their answers.

Take Away

Writing short justifications can have a positive impact on students' academic performance.
Research on the online rapid sensing method of moisture content in famous green tea spreading
Authors: Liu Zhongyuan , Yang Chongshan , Luo Xin , Hu Bin , Dong Chunwang
Published: September 2021

Moisture content is an important indicator in the process of green tea spreading. In order to realize the rapid detection of moisture content in the green tea spreading process, this paper collects 200 near‐infrared spectroscopy data during the spreading process and establishes a quantitative model of moisture content. To improve the performance of the model, standard normal variables (SNV), mean centering (MC), max–min normalization (Max–Min), detrending (Detrend), and Savitzky–Golay filtering (SG FIR) are used to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the original spectrum. By comparing the partial least squares regression (PLSR) models established by the different pretreatment methods, SG FIR is determined as the best preprocessing method. To simplify the prediction model, the successive projections algorithm, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, interval random frog, iterative retained information variables, variable combination population analysis (VCPA), and VCPA‐GA are used to extract the characteristic wavelengths from the preprocessed spectrum by SG FIR method. Then, based on the full spectrum and characteristic variables, the PLSR and support vector regression (SVR) models are established. The results show that established SVR prediction model based on VCPA‐GA extracting the characteristic wavelengths has the best effect. Among them, the correlation coefficients of the calibration set (Rc) is 0.9785, and the correlation coefficients of the prediction set (Rp) is 0.9658. Relative percent deviations are 3.6787. The results show that the VCPA‐GA + SVR model, based on near‐infrared spectroscopy technology, is the most effective and can accurately predict the moisture content in the green tea spreading process.

Practical Applications

At present, near‐infrared spectroscopy technology has been widely used in food detection. This study solved the problem of the inability to quantitatively predict the moisture content during the green tea spreading process by discussing different spectral preprocessing methods, characteristic wavelength selection methods and machine learning algorithms, and realized the rapid online detection of moisture during the green tea spreading process. This research has important guiding significance for the intelligentization of green tea processing equipment.
Development of a nozzleless electrostatic atomization equipment for the mass production of encapsulated oil powders in the liquid phase
Authors: Wakita Kazuki , Kadota Kazunori , Kawabata Daichi , Yoshida Mikio , Shirakawa Yoshiyuki
Published: September 2021

As a simplistic concept, needle electrodes to generate atomization in the liquid phase were increased for forming multiple Taylor cones. Numerical simulations using a Poisson equation were performed to optimize the distance between the needle electrodes. The simulation results revealed that the distance between the needle electrodes affected the formation of the Taylor cone, and that the stabilization of the Taylor cone required a distance of over 30 mm between electrodes. The experimental results similarly showed the stabilization of Taylor cones by a distance of 30 mm between electrodes. Multiple Taylor cones stabilized via electrostatic atomization were applied to produce encapsulated oil powders. The increase in the number of electrodes enabled the mass production of encapsulated oil powders via nozzleless electrostatic atomization. This technology may allow the formation of oil powders with functional particles.

Practical Applications

Electrostatic atomization in the liquid phase is an attractive process for obtaining spherical particles; however, this technique affords a low level of production of the generated particles. The present study aimed to develop a device for the mass production of encapsulated oil powders using nozzleless electrostatic atomization. Numerical simulations were used to design the device for electrostatic atomization for mass production. Multiple Taylor cones may allow the mass production of encapsulated oil powders.
Social Network Influences on Young Women's Choice to Use Long‐Acting Reversible Contraception: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mahony Helen , Spinner Chelse , Vamos Cheryl A. , Daley Ellen M.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC; including intrauterine devices and implants) is recommended as the first‐line contraceptive choice by several professional organizations (eg, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists); however, rates of uptake are lower than those of other contraceptive methods. A young woman's social network may influence the decision to use LARC. The purpose of this review was to determine the role of health care providers (HCPs), family, peers, and sexual partner(s) on young women's decisions to initiate LARC.

Methods

Several databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2020 that studied the social network influences of HCPs, family, peers, and sexual partner(s) on LARC initiation among women in the United States aged 18 to 25. A narrative synthesis of the included articles was conducted.

Results

Twenty‐nine articles met the inclusion criteria (21 qualitative, 6 quantitative, 2 mixed methods). HCPs are an important influence on a young woman's LARC decision‐making. Peers and family also have a role but were often sources of negative or inaccurate information. Gaps in the literature were identified, including a lack of data on implant users and a dearth of studies on the role of sexual partner influence; most studies were not guided by theory.

Discussion

HCPs are integral to LARC initiation and may be more influential than other social network members. Future research should focus on understanding how social network members interact to result in LARC initiation. Gaining insight into these influences may improve existing interventions or contribute to the development of new interventions and ultimately promote LARC use among young women.
Changes in serum levels of calcitonin gene‐related peptide, adiponectin, and ghrelin in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Koşar Can Özlem , Cabuş Ümit , Kabukcu Cihan , Fenkci Semin , Fenkci Veysel , Enli Yasar , Korkmaz Berker
Published: September 2021

Aim

This study was designed to determine serum calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) levels and define whether serum CGRP concentration is associated with adiponectin and ghrelin in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study Design

Thirty‐six pregnant women with GDM and 43 normal pregnant women without glucose intolerance were evaluated in this study. The serum concentration of CGRP, adiponectin, and ghrelin were measured in two groups at the last trimester of gestation.

Main Findings

The serum CGRP level in the GDM group was significantly higher than the control group. Serum levels of adiponectin and ghrelin in the GDM group were significantly lower than in the control group. In pregnant women with GDM, there was a significant negative correlation between serum CGRP level and adiponectin level. However, the correlation between maternal serum CGRP levels and ghrelin levels was not significant.

Conclusion

Our investigation shows that serum CGRP level was significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM in comparison with the control group. These results suggest that CGRP may play a very important role in GDM pathogenesis.
Weighing the Risk: Developmental Pathways and Processes Underlying Obesity to Substance Use in Adolescence
Authors: Lanza H. Isabella
Published: September 2021

Research on co‐occurring obesity and substance use in adolescence has grown substantially in the past decade, but questions on the pathways and processes underlying co‐occurrence remain. This review first synthesizes empirical findings on the relationship between obesity and substance use (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco use). Multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks referencing behavioral medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and public health are then used to inform an interdisciplinary, conceptual model focused on pathways and processes by which obesity increases risk of substance use. Recommendations for future research underscore the importance of prospective studies that encompass multiple domains of development. Recommendations for practice include family‐based interventions that promote adaptive self‐regulation, targeted antibullying or victimization interventions, and increased attention by health professionals on risky behavior associated with adolescent obesity.