bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal and perinatal outcomes in women ≥40 years undergoing induction of labor compared with women <35 years: Results from 4027 mothers
Authors: Claramonte Nieto Marta , Mula Used Raquel , Castellet Roig Cristina , Rodríguez Ignacio , Rodríguez Melcon Alberto , Serra Zantop Bernat , Prats Rodríguez Pilar
Published: June 2022

Aim

Cesarean section is known to be increased with advanced maternal age in women undergoing induction of labor (IOL), but there is less information regarding other possible adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of singleton, nulliparous, at‐term women undergoing IOL between January 2007 and September 2020. Outcomes studied were: cesarean section, failed induction rate, fetal distress, post‐partum hemorrhage, post‐partum hysterectomy, and need of transfusion. Neonatal variables analyzed were: Apgar score, umbilical cord pH, need of admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and mortality.

Results

A total of 4027 women met the inclusion criteria; 1968 (48.9%) of mothers were <35 years, 1283 (31.9%) were 35–39 years, 658 (16.3%) were 40–44 years, and 118 (2.9%) were ≥45 years. Results showed a significantly increased incidence of c‐section in women ≥35 years, with an OR 1.79 (95% CI 1.50–2.14) for women 40–44 years and OR 3.95 (95% CI 2.66–5.98) for women ≥45 years. The main indication for cesarean delivery was failed IOL, and this risk was also significantly increased in women ≥40 years. These differences remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors. No other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes showed an association with age.

Conclusion

Maternal age ≥40 years was associated with an increased risk of c‐section after IOL at term compared with younger women, mainly because of failed induction, but no association with other adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes were found in our population. Risks and benefits of IOL in older women should be individually evaluated and adequately discussed with mothers.
Low‐dose aspirin for prevention of preeclampsia: Implementation of the NICE guideline in Thailand
Authors: Suksai Manaphat , Geater Alan , Suntharasaj Thitima , Suwanrath Chitkasaem , Charernjiratragul Kla , Khwankaew Noppasin
Published: June 2022

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a preeclampsia (PE) screening program using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline in pregnant Thai women.

Methods

A total of 2552 pregnancies received antenatal care and were delivered at Songklanagarind Hospital between November 2016 and April 2020. PE screening with the NICE guideline was used to identify mothers at risk. In cases of positive screening results, a daily dose of 81 mg aspirin was prescribed. Pregnancy outcomes were compared with 2783 participants who had maternity care before the implementation of the screening program. The effectiveness of aspirin prophylaxis following the NICE guideline was assessed by a logistic regression model to compare the risk of PE development between before and after guidance.

Results

The screening positive rate by NICE was 8.3%. Of these, 77.36% of the participants received aspirin prophylaxis according to the NICE recommendation. After the implementation of the PE screening program, the incidence of PE slightly decreased (from 4.31% to 3.72%, p = 0.274). The chance of PE in pregnancies who had high‐risk factors was reduced after using low‐dose aspirin prophylaxis, even though the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Screening with the NICE guidelines followed by prescription of low‐dose aspirin (81 mg/day) was probably not an effective strategy for the prevention of PE in our population. Combining biophysical and biochemical markers to identify pregnant women who subsequently develop PE, concurrently with an increased dose of aspirin prophylaxis, may provide a better outcome in clinical practice.
Social support mediates the effect of morningness on changes in subjective well‐being over 6 months
Authors: Gorgol Joanna , Bullock Ben , Stolarski Maciej
Published: June 2022

Studies show that morningness is positively associated with subjective well‐being. Our previous research investigated factors that could underlie this relationship, finding that the association between morningness–eveningness and subjective well‐being can be partially attributed to the higher levels of perceived social support received by morning‐oriented individuals. In the present study, we examine the longitudinal effects of perceived social support in mediating the relationship between morningness–eveningness and subjective well‐being. Our results show that this mediating effect remains significant with respect to changes in well‐being over a 6‐month period. It seems that the causal effect of morningness on well‐being may be partially mediated by the causal effect of social support. The findings provide further support for the conclusion that perceived social support is an important contributing factor to the greater well‐being reported by morning‐oriented individuals. Additionally, our results provide seminal evidence for the causal effect of morningness on well‐being.
Allogenic blood patch pleurodesis for management of pneumothorax in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy with multiple pulmonary blebs and bullae
Authors: Moloney Conor , Puggioni Antonella , McKenna Myles
Published: June 2022

A 9‐week‐old male intact Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was presented for evaluation of acute onset dyspnea caused by left‐sided pneumothorax. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) identified multiple pulmonary bullae and blebs in multiple lung lobes. Rupture of ≥1 pulmonary blebs or bullae, precipitated by low impact trauma, was the suspected cause of pneumothorax. A volume of 7.5 mL/kg of fresh whole blood was collected from a type‐matched donor dog and administered into the left pleural space using a thoracostomy tube. The pneumothorax was successfully resolved and no adverse effects of blood patch pleurodesis were noted. The dog was clinically normal 12 months later.
Geographical contrasts of Y‐chromosomal haplogroups from wild and domestic goats reveal ancient migrations and recent introgressions
Authors:   VarGoats Consortium, Nijman Isaäc J. , Rosen Benjamin D. , Bardou Philippe , Faraut Thomas , Cumer Tristan , Daly Kevin G. , Zheng Zhuqing , Cai Yudong , Asadollahpour Hojjat , Kul Bengi Çınar , Zhang Wei‐Yi , E. Guangxin , Ayin A. , Baird Hayley , Bakhtin Meirat , Bâlteanu Valentin A. , Barfield Diana , Berger Beate , Blichfeldt Thor , Boink Geert , Bugiwati Sri R. A. , Cai Zexi , Carolan Sean , Clark Emily , Cubric‐Curik Vlatka , Dagong Muhammad I. A. , Dorji Tashi , Drew Louise , Guo Jiazhong , Hallsson Jón , Horvat Simon , Kantanen Juha , Kawaguchi Fuki , Kazymbet Polat , Khayatzadeh Negar , Kim Namshin , Shah Manoj Kumar , Liao Yuying , Martínez Amparo , Masangkay Joseph S. , Masaoka Maho , Mazza Raffaele , McEwan John , Milanesi Marco , Omar Faruque Md. , Nomura Yuto , Ouchene‐Khelifi Nadjet‐Amina , Pereira Filipe , Sahana Goutam , Salavati Mazdak , Sasazaki Shinji , Da Silva Anne , Simčič Mojca , Sölkner Johann , Sutherland Alison , Tigchelaar Johannes , Zhang Hongpin ,   Econogene Consortium, Ajmone‐Marsan Paolo , Bradley Daniel G. , Colli Licia , Drögemüller Cord , Jiang Yu , Lei Chuzhao , Mannen Hideyuki , Pompanon François , Tosser‐Klopp Gwenola , Lenstra Johannes A.
Published: June 2022

By their paternal transmission, Y‐chromosomal haplotypes are sensitive markers of population history and male‐mediated introgression. Previous studies identified biallelic single‐nucleotide variants in the SRY, ZFY and DDX3Y genes, which in domestic goats identified four major Y‐chromosomal haplotypes, Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2B, with a marked geographical partitioning. Here, we extracted goat Y‐chromosomal variants from whole‐genome sequences of 386 domestic goats (75 breeds) and seven wild goat species, which were generated by the VarGoats goat genome project. Phylogenetic analyses indicated domestic haplogroups corresponding to Y1B, Y2A and Y2B, respectively, whereas Y1A is split into Y1AA and Y1AB. All five haplogroups were detected in 26 ancient DNA samples from southeast Europe or Asia. Haplotypes from present‐day bezoars are not shared with domestic goats and are attached to deep nodes of the trees and networks. Haplogroup distributions for 186 domestic breeds indicate ancient paternal population bottlenecks and expansions during migrations into northern Europe, eastern and southern Asia, and Africa south of the Sahara. In addition, sharing of haplogroups indicates male‐mediated introgressions, most notably an early gene flow from Asian goats into Madagascar and the crossbreeding that in the 19th century resulted in the popular Boer and Anglo‐Nubian breeds. More recent introgressions are those from European goats into the native Korean goat population and from Boer goat into Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. This study illustrates the power of the Y‐chromosomal variants for reconstructing the history of domestic species with a wide geographical range.
A computational framework for fluid–structure interaction with applications on stability evaluation of breakwater under combined tsunami–earthquake activity
Authors: Huang Shuai , Liu Chuanzheng
Published: June 2022

In this article, an improved impervious solid boundary condition of the coupled method called smooth particle hydrodynamics and discrete element method (SPH‐DEM) is proposed, which prevents the fluid particles from penetrating solid boundary under earthquake action. And an improved transmitting boundary condition of SPH‐DEM is designed in order to conquer the reflection of seismic waves on the boundary. Meanwhile, the effective stress method is proposed to be applied to the SPH‐DEM for simulating seabed liquefaction. Based on these, a new computational framework for the SPH‐DEM is put forward. Dynamic triaxial test of seabed soil samples indicate that our proposed computational framework can well reproduce the seismic liquefaction process of the seabed soil. Moreover, our proposed computational framework is used to numerically reproduce the failure mechanisms of a breakwater built in liquefied seabed under combined tsunami–earthquake activity and meantime the centrifuge test is carried out. And the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed computational framework, in which numerical results of it are consistent with results of the centrifuge test.
Tiny‐Crack‐Net: A multiscale feature fusion network with attention mechanisms for segmentation of tiny cracks
Authors: Chu Honghu , Wang Wei , Deng Lu
Published: June 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have gained growing interest in recent years for their advantages in detecting cracks on concrete bridge components. Class imbalance is a fundamental problem in crack segmentation, resulting in unsatisfactory segmentation for tiny cracks. Besides, limited by the local receptive field, CNNs often cannot integrate local features with global dependencies, thus significantly affecting the detection accuracy of tiny cracks across the entire image. To solve those problems in segmenting tiny cracks, a multiscale feature fusion network with attention mechanisms named “Tiny‐Crack‐Net” (TCN) is proposed. The modified residual network was used to capture the local features of tiny cracks. The dual attention module was then incorporated into the architecture to better separate the tiny cracks from the background. Also, a multiscale fusion operation was implemented to preserve the edge details of tiny cracks. Finally, a joint learning loss of the cross‐entropy and similarity was proposed to alleviate the poor convergence induced by the severe class imbalance of the pixels representing tiny cracks. The capability of the network in segmenting tiny cracks was remarkably enhanced by the aforementioned arrangements, and the “Tiny‐Crack‐Net” achieved a Dice similarity coefficient of 87.96% on an open‐source data set, which was at least 5.84% higher than those of the six cutting‐edge networks. The effectiveness and robustness of the “Tiny‐Crack‐Net” were validated with field test results, which showed that the intersection over union (IOU) for cracks with a width of 0.05 mm or wider reaches 91.44%.
Perceptual learning and reasons‐responsiveness
Authors: Jenkin Zoe
Published: June 2022

Perceptual experiences are not immediately responsive to reasons. You see a stick submerged in a glass of water as bent no matter how much you know about light refraction. Due to this isolation from reasons, perception is traditionally considered outside the scope of epistemic evaluability as justified or unjustified. Is perception really as independent from reasons as visual illusions make it out to be? I argue no, drawing on psychological evidence from perceptual learning. The flexibility of perceptual learning is a way of responding to new epistemic reasons. The resulting perceptual experiences are epistemically evaluable as justified or unjustified.
TaSRO1 plays a dual role in suppressing TaSIP1 to fine tune mitochondrial retrograde signalling and enhance salinity stress tolerance
Authors: Wang Mei , Wang Meng , Zhao Min , Wang Mengcheng , Liu Shupeng , Tian Yanchen , Moon Byeongho , Liang Chaochao , Li Chunlong , Shi Weiming , Bai Ming‐Yi , Liu Shuwei , Zhang Wei , Hwang Inhwan , Xia Guangmin
Published: June 2022

Initially discovered in yeast, mitochondrial retrograde signalling has long been recognised as an essential in the perception of stress by eukaryotes. However, how to maintain the optimal amplitude and duration of its activation under natural stress conditions remains elusive in plants.

Here, we show that TaSRO1, a major contributor to the agronomic performance of bread wheat plants exposed to salinity stress, interacted with a transmembrane domain‐containing NAC transcription factor TaSIP1, which could translocate from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the nucleus and activate some mitochondrial dysfunction stimulon (MDS) genes. Overexpression of TaSIP1 and TaSIP1‐∆C (a form lacking the transmembrane domain) in wheat both compromised the plants' tolerance of salinity stress, highlighting the importance of precise regulation of this signal cascade during salinity stress.

The interaction of TaSRO1/TaSIP1, in the cytoplasm, arrested more TaSIP1 on the membrane of ER, and in the nucleus, attenuated the trans‐activation activity of TaSIP1, therefore reducing the TaSIP1‐mediated activation of MDS genes. Moreover, the overexpression of TaSRO1 rescued the inferior phenotype induced by TaSIP1 overexpression.

Our study provides an orchestrating mechanism executed by the TaSRO1–TaSIP1 module that balances the growth and stress response via fine tuning the level of mitochondria retrograde signalling.
Transcorneal electrical stimulation enhances cognitive functions in aged and 5XFAD mouse models
Authors: Yu Wing Shan , Aquili Luca , Wong Kah Hui , Lo Amy Cheuk Yin , Chan Leanne Lai Hang , Chan Ying‐Shing , Lim Lee Wei
Published: June 2022

Dementia is a major burden on global health for which there are no effective treatments. The use of noninvasive visual stimulation to ameliorate cognitive deficits is a novel concept that may be applicable for treating dementia. In this study, we investigated the effects of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) on memory enhancement using two mouse models, in aged mice and in the 5XFAD model of Alzheimer's disease. After 3 weeks of TES treatment, mice were subjected to Y‐maze and Morris water maze tests to assess hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory. Immunostaining of the hippocampus of 5XFAD mice was also performed to examine the effects of TES on amyloid plaque pathology. The results showed that TES improved the performance of both aged and 5XFAD mice in memory tests. TES also reduced hippocampal plaque deposition in male, but not female, 5XFAD mice. Moreover, TES significantly reversed the downregulated level of postsynaptic protein 95 in the hippocampus of male 5XFAD mice, suggesting the effects of TES involve a postsynaptic mechanism. Overall, these findings support further investigation of TES as a potential treatment for cognitive dysfunction and mechanistic studies of TES effects in other dementia models.
Quantification and visualization of the tooth extraction effects on face with spatially dense geometric morphometrics
Authors: Fan Yi , Liu Zhiyu , Chen Gui , Han Bing , Song Guangying , Matthews Harold , Claes Peter , Jiang Ruoping , Xu Tianmin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To apply geometric morphometrics and multivariate statistics to evaluate changes of the face for female Chinese patients who underwent orthodontic treatment with different type of anchorage control.

Methods

Forty‐six adult female patients were enrolled including 33 four first premolar extraction cases (17 patients with mini‐implants for maximum anchorage control and 16 patients without mini‐implants) and 13 non‐extraction cases with minimum treatment duration of 15 months. Spatially dense correspondence was established among all the images The pre‐and post‐treatment average faces of the two extraction groups and the non‐extraction group were generated. Partial least squares regression was used to test the statistical significance of the effects of treatment for different anchorage choice.

Results

The upper and lower lips were retruded significantly after treatment in the extraction groups. In the maximum anchorage control group, the temple and cheek were depressed by approximately 1 mm, and the zygomatic regions were increased in the mid‐face. However, these changes were not statistically significant. In comparison, no statistically significant facial changes occurred in the non‐extraction group.

Conclusions

The anchorage choice and the removal of four first premolar extraction influence lip shape as well as the perioral regions. However, extraction treatment does not impact the appearance of the cheeks and temples on a statistically level, as compared to orthodontic treatment without premolar extractions. Spatially dense geometric morphometric facilitates comprehensive treatment effect quantification and visualization on the full facial changes for improving orthodontic outcome evaluation.
Pneumoparotid: Practical impact of Surgeon performed Ultrasound in an effective Diagnostic Approach
Authors: Goncalves Miguel , Sievert Matti , Mantsopoulos Konstantinos , Schapher Mirco Lothar , Mueller Sarina Katrin , Iro Heinrich , Koch Michael
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Pneumoparotid is characterized by air inclusions in the parotid duct system. Use of ultrasound has proved valuable for evaluating air inclusions in various parts of the body; the diagnostics of this condition has not been systematically analyzed, however. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of ultrasound in the detection of air inclusions along the parotid duct system and its closer characterization.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was carried out of patients diagnosed with pneumoparotid between 2005 and 2020 in a salivary gland center. Ultrasound was performed in all cases, and features of air inclusions were described. Reference standard was the clinical demonstration of foamy saliva after gland massage and/or sialendoscopic evidence of intraductal air inclusions.

Results

Twenty‐one patients were identified (48.8 ± 3.8 years). Two were associated with wind instruments; seven were iatrogenic, following treatment for duct stenosis; one after radiotherapy; four with known bruxism and seven were idiopathic and without associated conditions. On ultrasound examination, pneumoparotid was characterized by three phenomena: flattened, mobile hyperechoic reflexes, dirty shadows with reverberation or “sunbeam effect,” and shifting shadows during gland massage.

Conclusions

Ultrasound was useful for characterizing pneumoparotid in a fast and practical way and could serve as imaging tool of first choice.
Household size, T regulatory cell development, and early allergic disease: a birth cohort study
Authors: Ponsonby Anne‐Louise , Collier Fiona , O’Hely Martin , Tang Mimi L. K. , Ranganathan Sarath , Gray Lawrence , Morwitch Ellen , Saffery Richard , Burgner David , Dwyer Terence , Sly Peter D. , Harrison Leonard C. , Vuillermin Peter ,   BIS Investigator Group
Published: June 2022

Background

Children born to larger households have less allergic disease. T regulatory cell (Treg) development may be a relevant mechanism, but this has not been studied longitudinally.

Objective

We aim to (i) describe how prenatal and postnatal environmental factors are associated with Treg development and (ii) investigate whether serial Treg measures predict allergic outcomes at 1 year of age.

Methods

A birth cohort (n = 1074) with information on prenatal and postnatal early life factors. Both naïve Treg (nTreg) and activated Treg (aTreg) cell populations (as a proportion of CD4+ T cells) were available in 463 infants at birth (cord blood), 600 at 6 months, and 675 at 12 months. 191 infants had serial measures. Measures of allergic status at 12 months were polysensitization (sensitization to 2 or more allergens), clinically proven food allergy, atopic eczema, and atopic wheeze.

Results

Infants born to larger households (3 or more residents) had higher longitudinal nTreg proportions over the first postnatal year with a mean difference (MD) of 0.67 (95% CI 0.30–1.04)%. Higher nTreg proportions at birth were associated with a reduced risk of infant allergic outcomes. Childcare attendance and breastfeeding were associated with higher longitudinal nTreg proportions (MD 0.48 (95% CI 0.08–0.80)%.

Conclusion

Multiple prenatal and postnatal microbial factors are associated with nTreg and aTreg development. Larger household size was associated with higher nTreg at birth which in turn was associated with reduced allergic sensitization and disease at 12 months of age.
Error traps in acute pain management in children
Authors: Vecchione Tricia M. , Agarwal Rita , Monitto Constance L.
Published: June 2022

Providing effective acute pain management to hospitalized children can help improve outcomes, decrease length of stay, and increase patient and parental satisfaction. Error traps (circumstances that lead to erroneous actions or undesirable consequences) can result in inadequately controlled pain, unnecessary side effects, and adverse events. This article highlights five error traps encountered when managing acute pain in children. They include failure to appropriately assess pain, optimally utilize regional anesthesia, select suitable systemic analgesics, identify and treat medication‐related side effects, and consider patient characteristics when choosing medication or dosing route. These issues are easily addressed when the clinician is cognizant of ways to anticipate, identify, and mitigate or avoid these errors.
Spouse bereavement and brain pathologies: A propensity score matching study
Authors: Kim Jee Wook , Byun Min Soo , Lee Jun Ho , Yi Dahyun , Kim Min Jung , Jung Gijung , Lee Jun‐Young , Lee Yun‐Sang , Kim Yu Kyeong , Kang Koung Mi , Sohn Chul‐Ho , Lee Dong Young ,   for the KBASE Research Group
Published: June 2022

Aim

Spouse bereavement is one of life's greatest stresses and has been suggested to trigger or accelerate cognitive decline and dementia. However, little information is available about the potential brain pathologies underlying the association between spouse bereavement and cognitive decline. We aimed to investigate that lifetime spouse bereavement is associated with in vivo human brain pathologies underlying cognitive decline.

Methods

A total of 319 ever‐married older adults between the ages of 61 and 90 years underwent comprehensive clinical assessments and multimodal brain imaging including [11C] Pittsburgh compound B‐positron emission tomography (PET), AV‐1451 PET, [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET, and magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were classified as experiencing no spouse bereavement or spouse bereavement, and comparisons using propensity score matching (59 cases and 59 controls) were performed.

Results

Spouse bereavement was significantly associated with higher cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume compared with no spouse bereavement. Interaction and subsequent subgroup analyses showed that spouse bereavement was significantly associated with higher WMH in the older (>75 years) subgroup and among those with no‐ or low‐skill occupations. In addition, spouse bereavement at 60 years or older affects WMH volume compared with no spouse bereavement, whereas spouse bereavement at younger than 60 years did not. No group differences were observed in other brain pathologies between spouse bereavement categories.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the spouse bereavement may contribute to dementia or cognitive decline by increasing cerebrovascular injury, particularly in older individuals and those with no‐ or low‐skill occupations.
Acceptability and utility of a virtual pediatric transplant peer mentoring program: A mixed‐methods analysis of a novel quality improvement program
Authors: Criss Steven Dean , Dageforde Leigh Anne , Coe Taylor Makena , Brandes Rachel Ariel , Li Sienna , Keegan‐Pitts Eileen , Ritter Rachel , Luby Barb , Ladin Keren , Yeh Heidi
Published: June 2022

Background

Adolescent transplant patients are at increased risk for graft loss at a period when they also suffer from illness‐related social isolation, which has been exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The Peer Mentoring Program (PMP), developed in 2018, was adapted to a virtual format in 2020 due to COVID‐19. Our objective is to evaluate the acceptability, utility, and potential impact of the in‐person and virtual versions of the PMP on participants.

Methods

We performed convergent mixed‐methods analysis of the experiences of patients participating in the PMP for quality improvement purposes.

Results

Surveys and focus group invitations were sent to 18 current program participants, with 17 patients responding to the survey and 13 patients participating in focus groups. In this study, 82% were satisfied and 88% would recommend PMP; 76% identified other PMP members as people they would like to keep in touch with. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: (1) a supportive community of peers, (2) reduced isolation, and (3) receiving accurate information from providers.

Conclusions

There is a prominent need for greater peer support among adolescent transplant patients transitioning to adulthood, especially with the increased isolation associated with COVID‐19. The virtual adaptation could be an important, permanent supplement to in‐person events.
Limiting the impact of supply chain disruptions in the face of distributional uncertainty in demand
Authors: Timonina‐Farkas Anna , Glogg René Y. , Seifert Ralf W.
Published: June 2022

Service‐level requirements play a crucial role in eliminating stock‐outs in a production pipeline. However, delivering a specific service level can become an unattainable goal given the various uncertainties influencing both the production pipeline and customer demand and causing the manufacturer to adapt the initial strategy in response to disruptions. Such deviations from optimality frequently result in unexpected (and potentially very high) costs and are complex to manage. On the one hand, the manufacturer can use a robust or distributionally robust approach to prepare for the worst‐case disruption, ensuring that the realized cost will be lower than the estimated cost with high probability. On the other hand, this solution may lead to overly conservative production schedules. In this article, we take a different approach and develop a bilevel stochastic optimization model with chance constraints, which allows us to make the production more predictable in the event of disruptions by driving costs and optimal schedules closer to the benchmark for each scenario considered. We introduce doubly probabilistic service‐level requirements to account for two interdependent layers of uncertainty, that is, production disruptions and distributional uncertainties in customer demand. This allows us to make high‐quality production decisions with only a limited understanding of the demand pattern. Approximating the problem for a numerical solution, we guarantee tight optimality gaps for high service levels and propose an efficient solution scheme, combining robust scenario reduction with a customized Benders decomposition procedure. In the managerial section, we use the Omega× Swatch MoonSwatches example to demonstrate that a desirable doubly probabilistic service level can be attained for disruptions with a drop in demand. In the case of disruptions followed by a peak in demand, one can tighten the optimality gaps if the service level is reduced.
Exploring the meaning of journal writing in people living with dementia: a qualitative study
Authors: Tsuda Shuji , Jinno Mami , Hotta Satoko
Published: June 2022

Background

People living with dementia face a constant struggle in re‐establishing their means of living a meaningful life. Journal writing exhibits the potential to help them regain a sense of control over their lives. This study explores the experience, meaning, and value of journal writing for people living with dementia who autonomously engage in the activity.

Methods

We conducted individual, semi‐structured interviews with eight people living with dementia who each kept a personal, paper‐based daily journal. The interviews were thematically analyzed.

Results

We identified four main themes. Theme 1. Recognition of the harsh reality of life under dementia. Theme 2. Observation of and compensation for weaknesses. Theme 3. Reacknowledgement and reaffirmation of one's identity, and Theme 4. Resignation and regret over comparisons to one's ‘former’ self. Themes 2 and 3 suggest that journal writing enabled self‐reflection on daily activity functions and sense of self. However, Theme 4 represents the downside where an individual more acutely realises their deteriorating condition and regrets over their perceived loss of self.

Conclusion

While acknowledging the possible adverse effect of amplifying pessimistic perceptions toward life, journal writing is a powerful ‘self‐help’ strategy for people living with dementia and provides an avenue to recover and thrive.
Periodic and aperiodic contributions to theta‐beta ratios across adulthood
Authors: Finley Anna J. , Angus Douglas J. , van Reekum Carien M. , Davidson Richard J. , Schaefer Stacey M.
Published: June 2022

The ratio of fronto‐central theta (4–7 Hz) to beta oscillations (13–30 Hz), known as the theta‐beta ratio, is negatively correlated with attentional control, reinforcement learning, executive function, and age. Although theta‐beta ratios have been found to decrease with age in adolescents and young adults, theta has been found to increase with age in older adults. Moreover, age‐related decrease in individual alpha peak frequency and flattening of the 1/f aperiodic component may artifactually inflate the association between theta‐beta ratio and age. These factors lead to an incomplete understanding of how theta‐beta ratio varies across the lifespan and the extent to which variation is due to a conflation of aperiodic and periodic activity. We conducted a partially preregistered analysis examining the cross‐sectional associations between age and resting canonical fronto‐central theta‐beta ratio, individual alpha peak frequency, and aperiodic component (n = 268; age 36–84, M = 55.8, SD = 11.0). Age was negatively associated with theta‐beta ratios, individual peak alpha frequencies, and the aperiodic exponent. The correlation between theta‐beta ratios and age remained after controlling for individual peak alpha frequencies, but was nonsignificant when controlling for the aperiodic exponent. Aperiodic exponent fully mediated the relationship between theta‐beta ratio and age, although beta remained significantly associated with age after controlling for theta, individual peak alpha, and aperiodic exponent. Results replicate previous observations and show age‐related decreases in theta‐beta ratios are not due to age‐related decrease in individual peak alpha frequencies but primarily explained by flattening of the aperiodic component with age.
Cognitive control of invalid predominant ideas in insight‐like problem solving
Authors: Zhou Liyu , Yan Haiqiong , Ren Jingyuan , Li Fuhong , Luo Jing , Huang Furong
Published: June 2022

Predominant ordinary ideas are insufficient for solving insight‐like problems; they interfere with subordinate original ideas and can produce a mental impasse. However, how people monitor and control invalid predominant ideas remains largely unknown. In the current study, participants were asked to solve a sequence of several similar practice problems that had the same solution to strengthen a predominant idea; the participants were then presented with an insight‐like test problem that could not be solved by the predominant idea. The results showed that if the test problem was similar to the practice problems in which the predominant idea could typically be applied, it elicited greater late sustained potential (LSP) over the whole brain but no conflict‐related N2 or N400 components, which suggests that the participants did not experience cognitive conflict and continued to verify the predominant but currently invalid idea. When the test problem differed from the practice problems, the items that participants reported trying to solve elicited greater N2‐N400 and LSP over the whole brain, which suggests that the participants experienced cognitive conflict and exerted more reactive control over the invalid predominant idea; in contrast, the items that participants reported thinking about how to solve did not evoke greater conflict‐related N2‐N400 components and evoked even lower LSP, which likely indicates an ineffective state. These findings demonstrate three kinds of cognitive control toward invalid predominant ideas in situations where they are typically and not typically applied and provide empirical evidence of a mental impasse in insight‐like problem‐solving behaviors.
Non‐refoulement and climate change‐induced displacement: Regional and international cross‐fertilization?
Authors: De Coninck Joyce , Soete Anemoon
Published: June 2022

In the landmark Teitiota decision, the United Nations Human Rights Committee held that the return of an asylum seeker to his home State may trigger the non‐refoulement principle under the right to life in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, due to harms associated to climate change and environmental degradation. Whereas the 1951 Refugee Convention remains silent on the topic, the Committee seemingly broadened the scope of the non‐refoulement principle applicable to asylum seekers to include those fleeing the effects of climate change. While hailed by many, the implications of the case should not be exaggerated. Instead, upon closer inspection, the cracks and flaws in the reasoning of the Committee become evident. The reconcilability of this decision with the obligation to ensure that rights protected by the Covenant do not become theoretical and illusory is obscure at best. This analysis adopts a two‐pronged comparative approach. First, it investigates the scope of non‐refoulement across regional human rights instruments and notable domestic cases, with a focus on how the general conditions of the country of return factor into its application. This comparative case law approach provides clarity on whether the Committee adopted a cautious or rather progressive approach in this climate change‐induced displacement case. Second, this contribution investigates the procedural burden and standard of proof in non‐refoulement cases across regional human rights bodies. As the raison d'être of this principle is to anticipate hypothetical situations of harm upon return, it is crucial to determine whether consensus or divergence exists concerning the burden and standard of proof and how this may apply to climate change‐induced displacement cases.
Danger control and fear control during public health emergencies: Considering the roles of fear and hope in the EPPM across different levels of trust
Authors: Chen Liang , Chen Minyi
Published: June 2022

Public health emergencies pose considerable threats to global health and safety. The control of these emergencies requires the efforts of healthcare professionals and calls for the public to take protective actions. The present study not only puts fear back in the extended parallel process model (EPPM) but also considers another similarly productive emotion: hope. We examined the mechanisms behind the effects of four cognitive perceptions on protective actions (i.e., danger control) and information avoidance (i.e., fear control). A national online survey was conducted with 1676 participants during the outbreak of COVID‐19 in China from February 1 to 29, 2020. The results revealed that perceived severity and susceptibility could lead to fear, positively affecting protective actions. On the other hand, perceived response efficacy and self‐efficacy induced hope, which was positively associated with protective actions but negatively associated with information avoidance. Furthermore, the mechanisms behind the relationships among cognitions, emotions, and behaviors varied across levels of trust in healthcare systems.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model with Integrated Covariate Selection and Misclassification Matrices to Estimate Neonatal and Child Causes of Death
Authors: Mulick Amy R. , Oza Shefali , Prieto-Merino David , Villavicencio Francisco , Cousens Simon , Perin Jamie
Published: June 2022

Reducing neonatal and child mortality is a global priority. In countries without comprehensive vital registration data to inform policy and planning, statistical modelling is used to estimate the distribution of key causes of death. This modelling presents challenges given that the input data are few, noisy, often not nationally representative of the country from which they are derived, and often do not report separately on all of the key causes. As more nationally representative data come to be available, it becomes possible to produce country estimates that go beyond fixed-effects models with national-level covariates by incorporating country-specific random effects. However, the existing frequentist multinomial model is limited by convergence problems when adding random effects, and had not incorporated a covariate selection procedure simultaneously over all causes. We report here on the translation of a fixed effects, frequentist model into a Bayesian framework to address these problems, incorporating a misclassification matrix with the potential to correct for mis-reported as well as unreported causes. We apply the new method and compare the model parameters and predicted distributions of eight key causes of death with those based on the previous, frequentist model.
Relative skeletal maturity status affects injury burden inU14elite academy football players
Authors: Monasterio Xabier , Bidaurrazaga‐Letona Iraia , Larruskain Jon , Lekue Jose A. , Diaz‐Beitia Gontzal , Santisteban Juan M. , Martin‐Garetxana Imanol , Gil Susana M.
Published: June 2022

Maturation progresses at different times and at different rates between individuals. Thus, differences in maturity status exist among players in the same chronological age‐based category, especially in U14 players. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe injury burden according to the relative skeletal maturity status in U14 elite academy football players. From 2011 to 2020, injuries and individual exposure (training and match) were prospectively recorded in 183 male U14 players. Skeletal age (SA) was assessed using the Tanner‐Whitehouse 2 method. Relative skeletal maturity status [SA minus chronological age (CA)] was classified as follows: early (SA–CA > 0.5), on‐time (SA–CA ± 0.5), and late (SA–CA < −0.5). Overall and specific injury burden (days lost/1000 h) and rate ratios for comparisons between groups were calculated. Overall injury burden was 2.8 times higher (3.6 times in training) in early maturers compared with late maturers. Growth‐related injuries were the most burdensome injuries in all three groups, but significant differences were not found between groups. Muscle injuries were 4 times more burdensome in early maturers compared with on‐time and late maturers. Besides, joint/ligament injuries were 7 and 12 times less burdensome in late maturers than in on‐time and late maturers, respectively. Significant differences between groups in overall and specific injury burden were not found in matches. Our results showed different injury patterns in U14 early, on‐time, and late maturers. Hence, monitoring maturity seems crucial to detect potential injuries that cause the greatest disruption, and facilitate design of targeted injury prevention programs.
Looking for the signs: How childhood narratives define transgender identity
Authors: Schaad Kylar A.
Published: June 2022

“In an era of intense anti‐transgender legislation attacking the rights of transgender adolescents, it is more important than ever to examine how transgender and nonbinary persons make claims of legitimacy. Transgender childhood narratives have historically been used as a tool to make one's transgender identity intelligible to others and legitimize claims to a specific gender (e.g., “I have always known I am actually a girl, not a boy”). Nascent gender identification demonstrates that one's gender is predetermined by forces outside of their control. This essentialist logic provides a “natural” and “acceptable explanation” for transgender identity and transition. The integration of these childhood tropes into diagnostic criteria and popular media has established them as markers of “legitimate” transgender identity. Failure to use these narratives, even if they do not align with personal experiences, risks one's access to medical, legal, and social resources. This article explores transgender childhood narratives in‐depth, detailing their historical roots and the theoretical frameworks that give them legitimacy. I examine their continued importance in demarcating both transgender and nonbinary authenticity and review literature that highlights the influence of these narratives across various realms of social life, including health and healthcare, public perceptions, and social recognition and support.”
Successful liver transplantation for hepatitis B‐related acute liver failure in a patient with active COVID‐19
Authors: Jacob Rachael , Liu Ken , Marinelli Tina
Published: June 2022

The emergence of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) has significantly disrupted liver transplantation worldwide. Despite significant, collective experience in treating liver transplant recipients with COVID‐19, there remains a paucity of data to guide the management of transplant candidates with acute COVID‐19 who require urgent transplantation. We present the case of an otherwise well, 39‐year‐old female presenting for urgent liver transplantation for acute liver failure secondary to hepatitis B, with concomitant acute, mild COVID‐19 due to Omicron BA.2. COVID‐19 antivirals were not administered pre‐transplant as the potential risk of hepatotoxicity precipitating further deterioration of liver function was not felt to outweigh the small, potential benefit of antiviral therapy. No effective SARS‐CoV‐2 monoclonal antibodies were available; however, the patient was previously vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2 with evidence of anti‐spike antibodies at the time of COVID‐19. Transplantation surgery and recovery were uncomplicated with no progression of COVID‐19 post‐transplant, hospital discharge was at day 14. At 30 days post‐transplant the patient had recovered, with normal liver function and SARS‐CoV‐2 was not detectable on nasopharyngeal PCR. While the safety of transplantation of patients with acute COVID‐19 cannot be assured by a single case, ours highlights the complex decision‐making process undertaken and competing priorities that need to be balanced when assessing patients with acute COVID‐19 who require urgent transplantation.
Blood donor notification of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease risk: Lessons in communicating donor deferral and risk
Authors: Reynolds Claire A. , Yawitch Tali , Hewitt Patricia E. , Harvala Heli
Published: June 2022

Background

In 2005, the blood service in England notified 101 donors by letter that they may be at risk of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) because a recipient of their blood later developed vCJD. Donor experience of the notification was studied in a 2009 survey.

Methods

Fifteen questions focused on satisfaction, emotional response and understanding of the notification letter. An average Likert score was calculated: 1 and 2 = dissatisfied, 3 = equivocal and 4 and 5 = satisfied; the per cent satisfied and dissatisfied were calculated and characteristics compared using the Fisher and Chi‐squared tests.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 56 of 90 notified donors, mostly repeat, U.K.‐born donors over 45 years of age. Four years after notification, many individuals still felt surprise (44%), upset (44%) or worry (50%) about the letter, with 10 feeling depressed. Thirty per cent were uncertain if they had vCJD or not. For future notifications, 57% would still favour a detailed letter and 36% would prefer a discussion in person.

Discussion

It was notable how many individuals, 4 years later, still felt continuing anxiety about the vCJD notification letter, not noted in earlier interviews. This highlights a need for on‐going support required in donor notifications where outcome for the individual is highly uncertain.
Detection frequencies and viral load distribution of parvovirus B19 DNA in blood and plasma donations in England
Authors: Williams Sarah , Ratcliff Jeremy , Nguyen Dung , Simmonds Peter , Harvala Heli ,   International Survey Group
Published: June 2022

Background and Objectives

Infections with human parvovirus B19 (B19V) are transmissible by blood components and plasma‐derived medicines. The European Pharmacopoeia regulates maximum levels of virus allowed in manufacturers' plasma pools. To evaluate contamination risk prior to re‐introduction of UK‐sourced plasma for manufacturing, we investigated viraemia frequencies of B19V in plasma samples collected from blood donors before and during COVID‐enforced lockdown.

Materials and Methods

Quantitative PCR for B19V DNA was used to screen pools of 96 anonymised plasma samples collected in England from 2017 (n = 29 505), 2020 (n = 3360) and 2021 (n = 43 200). Selected positive pools were resolved into individual samples. Data on donor notifications and related lookback investigations were collected from European countries by on‐line survey in 2020.

Results

Screening of 76 065 donations identified 80 B19V‐positive pools. While most positive samples had low viral loads (<105 IU ml−1), primarily from 2017 (77/29 505; 0.3%), two contained high levels of B19V DNA (1.3 × 108 and 6.3 × 106 IU ml−1), both likely to contaminate a final manufacturer's pool and lead to discard. The incidence of B19V infection during lockdown was reduced (1/3360 in 2020; 0/43 200 in 2021). Genomic analysis of positive pools resolved to single samples identified B19V genotype 1 in all nine samples. Seroprevalence of anti‐B19V IgG antibodies was 75% (143/192). A survey of B19V screening practices in Europe demonstrated considerable variability. Two blood establishments informed infected blood donors of positive B19V results.

Conclusion

Information on seroprevalence, incidence and viral loads of B19V viraemia is contributory the evaluation of alternative operational screening strategies for plasma testing.