bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey involving physicians for the clarification of the diagnosis and current status of therapeutic intervention of psoriatic arthritis in Japan
Authors: Asahina Akihiko , Minami Yukie , Kameda Hideto
Published: December 2023

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) often experience comorbid, irreversible joint destruction, therefore early diagnosis and treatment of PsA are important. The diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment, which includes an interview, a physical examination, a visual examination of the skin and nails, a blood test, and an imaging test. To clarify how patients with PsA are actually diagnosed and how physicians collaborate among clinical departments, we conducted a web‐based questionnaire survey of 500 physicians (dermatologists, rheumatologists, and orthopedists) frequently involved in PsA treatment in Japan. The survey showed that those patients are rarely confirmed to have axial arthritis, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, or dactylitis by general dermatology practitioners (GP dermatologists). Overall, <60% of patients suspected of having PsA underwent PsA examination by GP dermatologists more than once every 6 months; this percentage is lower than that of patients who underwent PsA examination by rheumatologists and orthopedists. The Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation (PASE) questionnaire is the most commonly used for PsA screening. However, users of PASE were only 11.0%, 25.3%, 14.8%, and 24.1% of GP dermatologists, attending dermatologists in hospitals (HP dermatologists), rheumatologists, and orthopedists, respectively. While >80% of HP dermatologists, rheumatologists, and orthopedists used imaging tests (ultrasound, X‐ray, and magnetic resonance imaging) for PsA screening, only 40% of GP dermatologists performed imaging tests. Regarding the demands on the healthcare environment of PsA treatment, early diagnosis and treatment for PsA are crucial in every clinical department. The present study showed that GP dermatologists rarely perform imaging tests or confirm a PsA diagnosis, thus patients may miss out on appropriate treatment through collaboration among clinical departments and step‐up therapy. Because patients with PsA present diverse comorbid clinical symptoms, early diagnosis, including routine imaging tests, and appropriate treatment in collaboration with other experts are necessary.
Optimal strategy in managing advanced melanoma
Authors: Uchi Hiroshi
Published: December 2023

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination therapy with BRAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors has dramatically improved the prognosis of advanced melanoma. However, since acral melanoma and mucosal melanoma, which are rare in Western countries but are major subtypes of melanoma in East Asia, including Japan, have a low frequency of BRAF mutations, there are currently no treatment options other than immune checkpoint inhibitors in most such cases. Furthermore, owing to a lower tumor mutation burden, immune checkpoint inhibitors are less effective in acral and mucosal melanoma than in cutaneous melanoma. The aim of this review was to summarize the current status and future prospects for the treatment of advanced melanoma, comparing cutaneous melanoma, acral melanoma, and mucosal melanoma.
Livestock activity shifts large herbivore temporal distributions to their crepuscular edges
Authors: Guthmann Abby , Onyango Michael Bolton , Iannarilli Fabiola , Packer Craig
Published: December 2023

Wildlife species are transitioning to greater crepuscular and nocturnal activity in response to high human densities. This plasticity in temporal niches may partially mitigate the impacts of human activity but may also result in underestimating human effects on species foraging, predator–prey relationships and community‐level interactions.

We deployed remote cameras to characterize shifts in herbivore diel activity in protected habitat versus pastoralist landscapes. We then compared species traits including body mass, dietary preferences and behavioural characteristics as potential predictors of species sensitivity to livestock.

Our data capture a significant temporal shift away from core cattle activity for nearly every herbivore species in our study, leading to more crepuscular activity patterns. As livestock were primarily diurnal and predators primarily nocturnal in pastoralist habitat, species that decreased their overlap with livestock were more likely to increase their overlap with potential predators.

Other than species' typical daytime activity levels, we found no evidence that any particular trait significantly predicted temporal shifts in response to livestock. Instead, species generally trended towards greater activity levels at dawn, suggesting that cattle have a homogenizing effect on community‐wide activity patterns.

Our findings highlight how cohabitation with livestock can profoundly alter the temporal niches of wild herbivores. Shifts in diel activity patterns may reduce herbivore foraging time or efficiency and potentially have cascading shifts on predator–prey dynamics. Given that species traits could not predict responses to livestock, our analysis suggests that conservation strategies should consider each species separately when designing interventions for wildlife management.
Duodenal‐jejunal bypass surgery activates eNOS and enhances antioxidant system by activating AMPK pathway to improve heart oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats
Authors: Yang Guangwei , Liu Zitian , Dong Shuohui , Zhao Xiang , Ge Zheng , Cheng Zhiqiang , Zhang Xiang , Wang Kexin
Published: December 2023

Background

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a serious complication of obesity with type 2 diabetes and is a major cause of mortality. Metabolic surgery, such as duodenal‐jejunal bypass (DJB), can effectively improve diabetic cardiomyopathy; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Oxidative stress is one of the pivotal mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our objective was to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of DJB on oxidative stress in the heart of diabetic cardiomyopathy rats.

Methods

High‐fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was used to establish diabetic cardiomyopathy rats. DJB was performed on diabetic cardiomyopathy rats, and high glucose and palmitate were used to simulate diabetic cardiomyopathy in H9C2 cells in vitro. Sera from different groups of rats were used for experiments in vivo and in vitro.

Results

DJB effectively improved oxidative stress and activated the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway to increase endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation level and the expression of antioxidative system‐related proteins and genes in the heart of diabetic cardiomyopathy rats. AMPK agonists and serum from DJB rats activated the AMPK pathway to increase eNOS phosphorylation level and the expression of antioxidative system‐related proteins and genes and decreased the content of reactive oxygen species in H9C2 cells, but this improvement was almost eliminated by the addition of AMPK inhibitors.

Conclusions

DJB activates eNOS and enhances the antioxidant system by activating the AMPK pathway—and not solely by improving blood glucose—to improve oxidative stress in the heart of diabetic cardiomyopathy rats.

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The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic experiences on college drinking via mental distress: Cross‐sectional mediation moderated by race
Authors: Braitman Abby L. , Ayala Guzman Rachel , Strowger Megan , Shipley Jennifer L. , Glenn Douglas J. , Junkin Emily , Whiteside Alina , Lau‐Barraco Cathy
Published: December 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been linked to stress, anxiety, and depression among college students, with heightened distress tied to greater drinking for some individuals. Emerging research suggests that these associations may differ across race, but few studies use adequate samples to examine this, particularly among college students, an at‐risk population for both heavy drinking and mental distress. Specifically, pandemic‐related stressors and mental distress may be higher among Black students than White students. The current study examined: (1) whether mental distress cross‐sectionally mediates the association between pandemic‐specific stressors and drinking and (2) whether race (Black or White) moderates these associations.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey of 400 college drinkers (43% White, 28% Black) in fall 2020 assessed pandemic‐related stressors (e.g., losing a job, contracting COVID‐19, changed living situation), mental distress (stress, anxiety, depression), and drinking (past‐month drinking, perceived changes since the start of the pandemic).

Results

Cross‐sectional mediation models indicated that financial stressors and social distancing were linked to greater quantity and frequency of past‐month drinking through greater mental distress. For perceived changes in drinking, only financial stressors were linked to drinking greater quantities and drinking more often (compared to pre‐pandemic levels) via mental distress. Moderated mediation models among students identifying as White or Black revealed that changed living situation was a robust stressor across race. Financial stressors and social distancing were linked with greater distress only among White students, whereas essential worker status was a protective factor against distress only among Black students.

Conclusions

Select stressors were linked to increased drinking through greater mental distress, with differential risks across Black versus White students. Findings suggest campus administrators should focus on connecting students with resources (e.g., counseling centers and health promotion offices) during times of distress.
Pleural line slope in point of care ultrasound assessment of paediatric wheeze may reflect respiratory effort
Authors: Scheier Eric , Shoseyov David
Published: December 2023

Aim

Asthma scoring systems rely on physical examination findings. Point of care ultrasound may provide an objective means to document improvement in the work of breathing in paediatric lower airway obstruction.

Methods

Thirty children with wheeze on physical examination (cases) and 15 children presenting with abdominal pain (controls) were studied. Using point‐of‐care ultrasound, m‐mode tracing of lung was recorded above the right hemidiaphragm at the midclavicular line. Pleural line slope and excursion were measured before and after treatment.

Results

Twenty patients had a final slope measurement under 20°, and only three were admitted—one for hypoxia that resolved prior to ascending to the ward and another for poor compliance. Average decrease in pleural line slope after treatment was 43% and average decrease in pleural line excursion was 32%. Of the 10 children admitted, 8 had measurements over 25°. The correlation coefficient between pleural slope and pleural excursion was 0.67. All controls had a horizontal m‐mode tracing at the pleural line.

Conclusion

Oscillation of the m‐mode line at the pleura is seen in children with lower airway obstruction and is absent in controls. There appears to be a correlation between beta‐agonist therapy and decreased pleural line slope and excursion.
Participation in Australian drug treatment programs for individuals engaging in high‐risk substance use: Data from a nationally representative sample
Authors: Leung Janni , Yimer Tesfa Mekonen , Chiu Vivian , Hall Wayne D. , Connor Jason P. , Chan Gary Chung Kai
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Substance use, including drugs, alcohol and smoking have a significant health, social and economic impact. We aim to assess the rate and factors associated with treatment access among individuals with high‐risk substance use.

Method

This study is a cross‐sectional analysis of the 2019 Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey (N = 22,015). Participants were persons with high‐risk substance use based on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test—Lite (ASSIST‐Lite) and current smokers. We measured self‐reports of past 12‐month engagement in a tobacco, alcohol or other drugs treatment program.

Results

Overall, 0.4% had high‐risk drug use (0.3% cannabis, 0.1% meth/amphetamine or 0.1% opioids), 7.4% had high‐risk alcohol use, and 14.0% currently smoked. Among high‐risk users, past 12‐month treatment access rates were 50.6% [22.3–78.9%] for opioids, 27.1% [8.1–46.1%] for meth/amphetamine, 14.5% [4.3–24.7%] for cannabis, 9.6% [8.1–11.0%] for alcohol and 11.7% [10.6–12.9%] for current smoking. The primary source of treatment support was information and education (12.7% drugs, 4.6% alcohol, 4.0% smoking), followed by counselling (6.7% drugs, 4.5% alcohol, 3.0% smoking). Online or internet support was accessed by 5.9% (drug) and 1.6% (alcohol) people with high‐risk use. Psychological distress was associated with treatment access (drugs: odds ratio 3.03 [0.77–11.95], p = 0.111; alcohol: odds ratio 3.16 [2.20–4.56], p ≤ 0.001; smoking: odds ratio 1.95 [1.52–2.49], p ≤ 0.001).

Discussion and Conclusions

The proportion of people engaging in risky substance use who had used treatment programs remains low, especially for alcohol. Public health strategies to scale up treatment access are warranted.
The resilience of systems‐thinking approaches when faced with an evolving crisis: The case of Mumbai
Authors: Sonne Vyas Lina , Duvendack Maren
Published: December 2023

Motivation

India has seen severe economic and social impacts from COVID‐19, with the most vulnerable people having suffered most. Mumbai's response has been multi‐faceted, drawing on numerous actors such as local and state government, but also businesses and citizens. Disaster management is increasingly necessary and Mumbai's policy response during wave two of COVID‐19 provides relevant lessons.

Purpose

We explain Mumbai's policy response to wave two of COVID‐19, termed the Mumbai model, applying a systems‐thinking approach.

Methods and approach

We adopt a systems‐thinking approach, applying a framework developed in Duvendack and Sonne (2021) to analyse a case study based on secondary data and information on the policy response to COVID‐19 in Mumbai.

Findings

The Mumbai model emerged as a pragmatic policy response. Key actors changed between waves one and two, from a broad set of actors to a narrower set focused on the unfolding healthcare crisis. This resulted in a reconfiguration of networks and partnerships. Decentralized decision‐making further changed the structure of the networks to a hub‐and‐spoke model. Communication and feedback loops shifted from primarily top‐down to two‐way information flows to support decision‐making and resource allocation driven by data. This was enabled by clear leadership and political support.

Policy implications

To tackle a crisis of this magnitude, having diverse actors collaborating effectively through networks that enable knowledge and information flows is crucial. Governments can use the systems approach for crisis management in large cities which require swift action and efficient flow of information to assess a situation and to prioritize response efforts. Further research is required to better understand how governments can build capacity and policy structures to enable systemic approaches to crisis management in varied contexts.
Comparison of bleeding and thrombotic outcomes in veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Heparin versus bivalirudin
Authors: Kartika Thomas , Mathews Rick , Migneco Gina , Bundy Taylor , Kaempf Andy J. , Pfeffer Michael , DeLoughery Thomas G. , Moore Kerry , Beardshear Rachel , Oetken Heath J. , Case Jonathan , Hinds Monica T. , McCarty Owen J. T. , Shatzel Joseph J. , Zonies David , Zakhary Bishoy
Published: December 2023

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications with heparin versus bivalirudin use in veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐V ECMO).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients placed on V‐V ECMO with intravenous anticoagulation with either heparin or bivalirudin. Time to thrombotic event and major bleed were analyzed in addition to related outcomes.

Results

We identified 95 patients placed on V‐V ECMO: 61 receiving heparin, 34 bivalirudin. The bivalirudin group had a higher rate of severe COVID‐19, higher BMI, and longer ECMO duration. Despite this, bivalirudin was associated with reduced risk of thrombotic event (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06–0.32, p < .001) and increased average lifespan of the circuit membrane lung (16 vs. 10 days, p = 0.004). While there was no difference in major bleeding, the bivalirudin group required fewer transfusions of packed red blood cells and platelets per 100 ECMO days (means of 13 vs. 39, p = 0.004; 5 vs. 19, p = .014, respectively). Lastly, the bivalirudin group had improved survival to ECMO decannulation in univariate analysis (median OS 53 vs. 26 days, p = .015).

Conclusions

In this real‐world analysis of bivalirudin versus heparin, bivalirudin is a viable option for V‐V ECMO and associated with lower risk of thrombotic complications and fewer transfusion requirements.
Artificial intelligence and radical uncertainty
Authors: Weiser Ann‐Kristin , von Krogh Georg
Published: December 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new possibilities to augment human decision‐making under radical uncertainty. This viewpoint commentary explores how AI can relax limits of bounded rationality. It offers a framework for analyzing how AI can support human decision‐makers confronted with deep uncertainty by bolstering key decision‐making sub‐processes. Specifically, AI can help set agendas by scanning environments, formulate problems by providing contextual insights, identify creative alternatives through combinatorial abilities, select options by modelling scenarios and enable rapid experimentation cycles. Connecting the role of AI with the contributions in this special issue, this viewpoint commentary concludes by outlining directions for future research regarding the function of AI and augmented human intelligence in decision‐making under conditions of radical uncertainty.
The differential effect of environmental jolts and information sources on dynamic capabilities
Authors: Markovich Amiram , Raban Daphne R. , Efrat Kalanit
Published: December 2023

Challenges in the business environment are typically categorized as threats or opportunities. Firms develop dynamic capabilities to cope with these challenges and improve strategic fit. However, evidence of a causal relationship between unpredictable environmental challenges (jolts) and dynamic capabilities is inconclusive. This study explores how information about positive (opportunity) and negative (threat) jolts communicated via two information sources affects dynamic capabilities. A 2 × 2 experiment was conducted among 131 managers. The findings indicate that human‐based information sources dominate web‐based information sources, particularly when the information reveals potential threats. The use of human information sources is associated with stronger dynamic capabilities than reliance on web information sources. Moreover, the findings confirm that the manifestation of dynamic capabilities differs between opportunities and threats.
Network intrusion detection system by learning jointly from tabular and text‐based features
Authors: Düzgün Berkant , Çayır Aykut , Ünal Uğur , Dağ Hasan
Published: December 2023

Network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) play a critical role in maintaining the security and integrity of computer networks. These systems are designed to detect and respond to anomalous activities that may indicate malicious intent or unauthorized access. The need for robust NIDS solutions has never been more pressing in today's digital landscape, characterized by constantly evolving cyber threats. Deploying effective NIDS can be challenging, particularly in accurately identifying network anomalies amid the ever‐increasing sophisticated and difficult‐to‐detect cyber threats. The motivation for our research stems from the recognition that while NIDS studies have made significant strides, there remains a crucial need for more effective and accurate methods to detect network anomalies. Commonly used features in NIDS studies include network logs, with some studies exploring text‐based features such as payload. However, traditional machine and deep learning models may need to be improved in learning jointly from tabular and text‐based features. Here, we present a new approach that integrates both tabular and text‐based features to improve the performance of NIDS. Our research aims to address the existing limitations of NIDS and contribute to the development of more reliable and efficient network security solutions by introducing more effective and accurate methods for detecting network anomalies. Our internal experiments have revealed that the deep learning approach utilizing tabular features produces favourable results, whereas the pre‐trained transformer approach needs to perform sufficiently. Hence, our proposed approach, which integrates both feature types using deep learning and pre‐trained transformer approaches, achieves superior performance. These findings indicate that integrating both feature types using deep learning and pre‐trained transformer approaches can significantly improve the accuracy of network anomaly detection. Moreover, our proposed approach outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of accuracy, F1‐score, and recall on commonly used NIDS datasets consisting of ISCX‐IDS2012, UNSW‐NB15, and CIC‐IDS2017, with F1‐scores of 99.80%, 92.37%, and 99.69%, respectively, indicating its effectiveness in detecting network anomalies.
ACTS OF THOUGHT AND RE‐ENACTMENT IN COLLINGWOOD'S PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY
Authors: ROBSON MARK IAN THOMAS
Published: December 2023

This article explores one of Collingwood's most puzzling claims—that, in re‐enacting a past act of thought, I can revive not just the propositional content of that act but also the very act of thought itself. This aspect of Collingwood's ideas has been largely ignored, and, when not ignored, it has been almost universally rejected. After all, we might ask, how can it be that two acts of thought—one, say, had by Carol in the library on Wednesday and another act of thought had by Harold in his study on Thursday—are literally identical? I explore this baffling claim and, in particular, Collingwood's argument that acts of thought can have the identity of a continuant. I try to show how the idea of the identity of the continuant might be used to remove some of the puzzlement in Collingwood's claim about literal identity between acts of thought; I thus show how Harold, on Thursday, might be able to experience the exact same act of thought that Carol had on Wednesday.
Comparative characterisation of structural, physicochemical and digestive properties of rice starches isolated from novel high‐amylose mutants
Authors: Sasaki Tomoko , Suzuki Yasuhiro
Published: December 2023

Novel high‐amylose rice mutants with unique starch properties were developed from a low‐amylose rice variety. The objective of this study was to explore the impacts of apparent amylose content and amylopectin structure on the physical and nutritional properties of rice starch by comparing novel mutants with conventional rice varieties. The rice mutants demonstrated a specific amylopectin characteristic, indicating an extremely lower portion of short chains (15.2%–16.5%) than the other rice varieties (27.3%–31.1%). The starch gel prepared from the rice mutant exhibited significantly higher compressive and breaking stress than the other high‐amylose rice variety with a higher apparent amylose content, indicating that amylopectin characteristics markedly influenced the starch gel structure. The rice mutant demonstrated the highest content of undigested starch after 120 min of digestion in raw starch (50.5%) and starch gel (53.0%). The starch from newly developed rice mutants were found to have markedly high resistance to digestion due to its amylopectin structure and formation of harder gel.
Microaggression or micromessage? How choice of term influences working adults' emotional reactions to a training module about subtle slights
Authors: Smith Iain A. , Griffiths Amanda
Published: December 2023

The need for workplace training about diversity, equity and inclusion is widely acknowledged. To date, however, there is conflicting evidence as to its effectiveness. Various aspects of design and content may be influential. This study explored the relationship between the terminology used in diversity training and trainee reactions. It employed two versions of a short e‐learning module about subtle slights (a range of ambiguous and negative interactions) to explore whether using the term ‘microaggression’ or ‘micromessage’ affected trainee emotional reactions to the module. The sample comprised 630 working adults in the United Kingdom representing different ethnic, gender and age groups. Results suggested that there were differences in trainee emotional reactions to the term used. The term ‘micromessage’ resulted in more positive reactions; significantly more trainees expressed interest, and significantly fewer reported sadness and anger than when the term ‘microaggression’ was used. There were also some small differences in reactions between the various demographic groups. This study adds to the literature exploring the terminology used to refer to subtle slights and how terminology might influence trainee reactions in diversity training. It also provides researchers and training providers with a methodology to assess aspects of diversity training before deployment.
Efficacy of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor and mitomycin C on wound healing after trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Wenlong , Liu Bang
Published: December 2023

Trabeculectomy is the main surgical treatment for glaucoma, but scar formation during wound healing may lead to surgical failure. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (anti‐VEGF) and mitomycin C (MMC) on wound healing after glaucoma surgery. We have been looking for Pubmed, Embase and other databases. The last time we looked at an electronic database was August 2023. A case control study was conducted to compare the use of anti‐VEGF and mitomycin C for the treatment of glaucoma. We used the Cochrane standard methodology for collecting and analysing the data. Based on the criteria of inclusion, we have determined 369 related papers and selected seven eligible trials for data analysis. Three hundred and twenty‐six cases were treated with trabeculectomy, of which 166 were injected with anti‐VEGF and 160 were given MMC for trabeculectomy. In six trials, anti‐VEGF and MMC were not found to have any statistical significance on postoperative wound leakage after surgery (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 0.71, 3.35 p = 0.27). The three trials showed that anti‐VEGF and MMC did not differ in terms of reducing postoperative wound hypotony after surgery (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.20, 3.11 p = 0.73). Five trials demonstrated that anti‐VEGF and MMC were not associated with a lower incidence of shallow anterior chamber (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.5, 2.76 p = 0.71). There is no significant difference in the effect of anti‐VEGF and MMC on wound healing after glaucoma surgery. A multicentre randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is needed to confirm this study.
GeO2 crystals embedded germanium phosphate glass with high electrochemical properties as an anode for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Li Xinlong , Shang Chen , Wei Ran , Liu Xiaoqing , Xu Shiqing , Zhang Junjie
Published: December 2023

The continuous development of portable devices and new energy vehicles has led to an increasing demand for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), and anode materials, as a key part of LIBs, are being explored. Germanium‐based anode materials are considered to have good potential for application because of their high theoretical capacity. In this work, a germanium phosphate glass precipitating GeO2 microcrystal was designed and used in LIBs as anode materials for the study. The presence of GeO2 crystals increases the specific surface area and also provides more reaction sites for lithiation reaction, resulting in the capacity of the glass anode. The discharge specific capacity of the germanium‐phosphorus glass anode was as high as 740.9 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. Interestingly, the synergistic effect between the glass matrix and the crystals not only increases the cycling capacity but also enhances the cycling stability of the structure.
Institutional Quality and Geography of Discontent in the EU
Authors: Karahasan Burhan Can , Pinar Mehmet
Published: December 2023

There has been a significant rise in anti‐establishment votes in the European Union (EU). The decline in socio‐economic outcomes and migration played an important role in understanding the rising discontent. However, none of the existing studies analysed the effect of socio‐economic factors in different institutional settings. Our findings confirm that institutional quality is of paramount importance in explaining the recent rise in populism in the EU, as institutionally developed EU regions are less opposed to EU integration. Remarkably, the effects of socio‐economic factors on populist votes vary in different institutional settings. The findings highlight that institutional improvements are vital for the EU perception of less developed and socio‐economically isolated EU regions.
Constraints on provisioning at public versus private community banks
Authors: Balla Eliana , Rose Morgan J.
Published: December 2023

We compare the responses of publicly held versus privately held community banks to the June 2016 issuance of the current expected credit loss (CECL) standard, which altered the way US banks provision for loan losses. We find that following issuance but before implementation, the relation between earnings and provisions strengthened among privately held banks but not among publicly held banks. This is consistent with US Securities and Exchange Commission regulation and market monitoring placing greater constraints on publicly held banks relative to privately held banks, preventing publicly held banks from moving toward the CECL standard early.
Rehydration characteristics of dried icefish (Salangidae) with different drying methods by low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhu Yingying , Ouyang Wenqing , Lu Bing , Lu Shuilong , Feng Shengbao , Lu Jing
Published: December 2023

Icefish (Salangidae) is a valuable aquatic product that is often dried for preservation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different drying methods on the rehydration quality of icefish. Low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) was used to compare the rehydration rate, moisture migration and distribution of icefish dried by cold air (8, 10, 12°C) and hot air (40, 50, 60°C) The muscle fibers structure of dried icefish and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of icefish after rehydration were examined. The results showed that cold air drying resulted in higher values of these parameters than hot air drying. MRI analysis revealed that cold air dried icefish retained more water after rehydration than hot air dried icefish. The T2 transverse relaxation spectra of rehydrated icefish exhibited three peaks corresponding to bound water, immobilized water and free water. The proportion of immobilized water increased significantly and accounted for more than 92% after rehydration, while the proportion of free water was around 2%–3%. Cold air drying preserved the muscle fiber structure and protein network better than hot air drying, which improved the rehydration quality of icefish. The study provides theoretical and data support for using cold air drying technology in aquatic product processing.

Practical applications

The focus of this study is to compare the effect of different drying methods on the rehydration rate of icefish. The results indicate that part of the bound water migrated to the immobilized water during the initial stage of rehydration, which increased the content of immobilized water and reduced the binding force of some bound water. The T2 value shifts to the right in all groups, indicating that the binding force between biological macromolecules (such as myofibrillar protein) and icefish water was weakened. Different drying methods have a significant impact on changes in the internal water status of rehydrated icefish samples. Our results suggest that cold air drying is a better method for drying icefish compared to hot air drying, as it improves its rehydration quality. The findings of this study can be useful for food industry personnel who are involved in fish processing, preservation, and nutrition.
Low temperature‐mediated repression and far‐red light‐mediated induction determine morning FLOWERING LOCUS T expression levels
Authors: Kim Hayeon , Kang Hye Won , Hwang Dae Yeon , Lee Nayoung , Kubota Akane , Imaizumi Takato , Song Young Hun
Published: December 2023

In order to flower in the appropriate season, plants monitor light and temperature changes and alter downstream pathways that regulate florigen genes such as Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). In Arabidopsis, FT messenger RNA levels peak in the morning and evening under natural long‐day conditions (LDs). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing morning FT induction remain poorly understood. The morning FT peak is absent in typical laboratory LDs characterized by high red:far‐red light (R:FR) ratios and constant temperatures. Here, we demonstrate that ZEITLUPE (ZTL) interacts with the FT repressors TARGET OF EATs (TOEs), thereby repressing morning FT expression in natural environments. Under LDs with simulated sunlight (R:FR = 1.0) and daily temperature cycles, which are natural LD‐mimicking environmental conditions, FT transcript levels in the ztl mutant were high specifically in the morning, a pattern that was mirrored in the toe1 toe2 double mutant. Low night‐to‐morning temperatures increased the inhibitory effect of ZTL on morning FT expression by increasing ZTL protein levels early in the morning. Far‐red light counteracted ZTL activity by decreasing its abundance (possibly via phytochrome A (phyA)) while increasing GIGANTEA (GI) levels and negatively affecting the formation of the ZTL–GI complex in the morning. Therefore, the phyA‐mediated high‐irradiance response and GI play pivotal roles in morning FT induction. Our findings suggest that the delicate balance between low temperature‐mediated ZTL activity and the far‐red light‐mediated functions of phyA and GI offers plants flexibility in fine‐tuning their flowering time by controlling FT expression in the morning.
Mitigating Weight Bias in the Clinical Setting: A New Approach to Care
Authors: Olson Signey M. , Muñoz Elizabeth G. , Solis Ellen C. , Bradford Heather M.
Published: December 2023

Weight bias toward patients in larger bodies is pervasive among health care providers and can negatively influence provider‐patient communication, as well as patients’ behavior and health outcomes. Weight bias has historical roots that perpetuate thinness and Whiteness as the cultural norm. Although weight bias remains socially acceptable in US culture, contributing factors to an individual's body size are complex and multifactorial. Providers and health care systems also consistently use body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of health status, despite its limitations and harmful effects in the clinical setting. This state of the science review presents 8 evidence‐based strategies that demonstrate how to mitigate harm from weight bias and improve quality of care and health outcomes for patients living in larger bodies. Person‐centered approaches to care include (1) eliminating clinical recommendations to lose weight; (2) shifting from a focus on weight to health; (3) implementing a size and weight‐inclusive approach; (4) engaging in weight bias self‐evaluation; (5) creating a welcoming environment for patients of all sizes; (6) seeking permission and learning the patient's story; (7) using weight‐inclusive language; and (8) re‐evaluating clinical guidelines and policies based on BMI. Midwives and other health care providers may benefit from training that re‐imagines the delivery of health care to patients in larger bodies.
Clinical impact of unsuccessful subcutaneous administration of octreotide LAR instead of intramuscular administration in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Krishnan Tharani , Safro Maria , Furlanetto Daniel Moreira , Gill Sharlene , Solar Vasconcelos Joao Paulo , Stuart Heather C. , Martineau Patrick , Loree Jonathan M.
Published: December 2023

Octreotide LAR is a long‐acting somatostatin analogue (SSA) used in the management of metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs). It requires intramuscular (IM) injection. Missed IM injections cause subcutaneous nodules (SCNs) on radiologic images. We reviewed the rates of SCNs in a real‐world cohort of GEP NETs receiving octreotide LAR and explored treatment outcomes. Patients commencing octreotide LAR between August 5, 2010 and March 8, 2018 at a single cancer center in Canada were identified from pharmacy records. Patients were included if they had a computed tomography (CT) scan performed at the time of progression and a preceding CT with pelvis included to enable assessment for the presence of nodules. Fisher's exact test was used to examine predictors of SCNs, and Kaplan–Meier curves summarized differences in progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) that were compared with log‐rank tests. Of 243 patients receiving octreotide LAR, 45 had all required CT images available for central review. SCNs were found in 20/45 (44%) of patients on the last scan showing stable disease before progression and were numerically but not statistically more likely in females (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 0.66–8.29, p = .23). There was an increased risk of SCNs in patients with a skin‐to‐muscle distance >38 mm (the length of an octreotide LAR needle) on CT (OR: 5.09, 95% CI: 1.39–16.6, p = .018) and a trend toward increased risk in obese patients (OR: 5.71, 95% CI: 1.26–23.4, p = .061). PFS (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.56–1.78, p = .98) and OS (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.41–1.8, p = .70) was similar between those with/without SCNs. In conclusion, almost half of patients receiving octreotide LAR had SCNs; however, missed administration of SSA did not appear to result in worse survival in this small study. Factors such as sex, younger age skin‐to‐muscle distance, and obesity may affect SCN development and should be considered when choosing an SSA.
School‐Based Services May Eliminate Substance Treatment Disparities: Results From a Nonrandomized Program Evaluation
Authors: Thurstone Christian , Loh Ryan , O'Leary Sonja , Bruce Sophia , Ladegard Kristie
Published: December 2023

Background

There are known health disparities in adolescent substance treatment access and engagement. The purpose of this project is to compare outcomes from school‐ and clinic‐based substance treatment and to evaluate if providing school‐based substance treatment reduces disparities in treatment access and engagement.

Method

This quality improvement retrospective chart review compares baseline and outcome data for adolescents accessing school‐based (n = 531) and clinic‐based (n = 523) substance treatment in a natural quasi‐experimental study with nonequivalent control group design. Baseline demographic and clinical measures include age, sex, ethnicity, race, and clinical diagnoses. Outcome measures include the number of sessions completed, proportion reaching a week of self‐reported abstinence, and proportion providing a negative urine drug screen.

Results

Compared to the clinic‐based sample, the school‐based sample includes more female (47.65% vs 26.77%) and Hispanic/Latinx (59.89% vs 46.46%) adolescents. The school‐based group has a similar proportion reaching a negative urine drug screen (31.84% vs 28.83%, p = .5259) or a week of abstinence (43.15% vs 41.03%, p = .6718) as the clinic‐based sample. There are significant differences in total session completion over a period of 16 weeks between school‐based and clinic‐based adolescents. In multivariable analyses, there was a significant interaction effect of race/ethnicity by location on the number of sessions completed.

Conclusion

Providing school‐based substance treatment increases access to care and treatment engagement for female, African American, and Hispanic/Latinx adolescents without diminishing outcomes.
Engagement, Mental Health, and Substance Use Under In‐Person or Remote School Instruction During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Chaffee Benjamin W. , Cheng Jing , Couch Elizabeth T. , Halpern‐Felsher Bonnie
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Adolescents' school engagement, mental health, and substance use have been major concerns during the COVID‐19 pandemic, particularly given disruptions to school instruction. We examined how the instructional setting was associated with academic and health‐related outcomes within an adolescent cohort followed during the pandemic.

METHODS

During 3 semi‐annual follow‐up surveys, adolescents (N = 1066 students; 2242 observations) from 8 California high schools responded to items measuring academic self‐efficacy, school connectedness, internalizing and externalizing problems, and use of substances. Separate generalized estimating equation models predicted outcomes based on the instructional setting.

RESULTS

Relative to in‐person instruction, students in remote instruction reported lower academic self‐efficacy (Beta: −0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.22, −0.01) and school connectedness (Beta: −0.37; 95% CI: −0.48, −0.25), greater odds of past 30‐day internalizing problems (AOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.95), externalizing problems (AOR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.82), and cigarette, cigar, smokeless tobacco, or hookah use (AOR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.91), but lower odds of past 30‐day e‐cigarette use (AOR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple adverse outcomes related to school engagement, mental health, and substance use were associated with remote instruction. To reduce such impacts under future emergencies, schools should rely sparingly on remote instruction and provide appropriate supportive resources.
Effect of 5′‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase agonists on insulin and glucose dynamics in experimentally induced insulin dysregulation in horses
Authors: Pinnell Erin F. , Hostnik Laura D. , Watts Mauria R. , Timko Kathryn J. , Thriffiley Allison A. , Stover Mercedes R. , Koenig Lauren E. , Gorman Olivia M. , Toribio Ramiro E. , Burns Teresa A.
Published: December 2023

Background

5′‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonists, particularly resveratrol (RES), have not been extensively evaluated for their effect on insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses.

Objectives

Evaluate the effects of treatment with RES (10 mg/kg PO q12h), metformin (MET; 30 mg/kg PO q12h), and aspirin (ASP; 20 mg/kg PO q24h) on experimentally induced ID.

Animals

Thirty‐three healthy, adult, light‐breed horses.

Methods

Unblinded, placebo‐controlled, experimental trial evaluating effects of AMPK agonists (RES, MET, and ASP) on experimentally induced ID. Horses were randomly assigned to a treatment group (RES, MET/ASP, RES/ASP, RES/MET/ASP, or placebo [CON]) after induction of ID with dexamethasone (0.08 mg/kg PO q24h for 7 days). Frequently sampled insulin‐modified IV glucose tolerance tests (FSIGTT) and oral sugar tests (OST) were performed at baseline, 7 days after ID, and ID plus 7 days of treatment. Minimal model and OST variables were compared between (1‐way ANOVA) and within (1‐way ANOVA for repeated measures) groups over time to determine effects of treatment on ID.

Results

Administration of dexamethasone for 14 days resulted in significantly altered insulin and glucose dynamics (SI, DI, basal [glucose], and [insulin]) and produced clinical signs of laminitis in 5 out of 33 (15%) of horses included in the study. Combination therapy with RES, MET, and ASP did not significantly improve insulin and glucose dynamics in horses with experimentally induced ID.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Metabolic testing before glucocorticoid administration should be considered in horses with clinical signs of metabolic syndrome.
Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on the taxonomic and functional diversity of forest plants in a mediterranean‐type biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Harshani Himbutugoda S. , Tsakalos James L. , Mansfield Thomas M. , McComb Jen , Burgess Treena I. , St. J. Hardy Giles E.
Published: December 2023

Aim

Diversity‐rich mediterranean‐type sclerophyllous forests are home to 20% of described species on Earth. In the Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) forest of southwest of Western Australia diversity is being reduced by extensive human use and the introduction of the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. This study investigated the influence of P. cinnamomi infestation on the structure, taxonomic and functional diversity, and species composition of the forest.

Location

Jarrah forest of southwestern Australia.

Methods

Species abundance, understorey cover and canopy cover were assessed along 22, 30 m long transects which crossed infested and non‐infested zones in five reserves in the jarrah forest. A trait database was assembled for 137 plants using 13 traits related to nutrient and carbon acquisition, disturbance tolerance and reproduction. The responses of canopy cover, understorey cover, species richness, Shannon diversity, evenness, abundance, and functional diversity for trait groups, and all groups combined were modelled against reserve and zone as fixed effects and transect and transect section as random effects. To assess the species composition, non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination based on Jaccard resemblance and indicator species analyses were used.

Results

Significantly higher understorey cover, species richness, Shannon diversity and evenness were recorded in non‐infested compared to infested zones, but there were no changes in the canopy cover and overall abundance. In non‐infested zones, the functional diversity of nutrient acquisition and reproductive traits was higher, but the functional diversity of carbon acquisition traits was lower. No difference in functional diversity was recorded in disturbance tolerance and overall traits between the two zones. NMDS ordination and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) revealed a significant difference in the species composition between the two zones, and 11 indicator species significantly associated with infested and non‐infested zones were identified.

Conclusion

Phytophthora cinnamomi has significantly affected the forest structure, taxonomic and functional diversity, and species composition. Contrasting responses of functional trait groups obscured overall trait responses to P. cinnamomi.