bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High rodent abundance increases seed removal but decreases scatter‐hoarding and seedling recruitment along an elevational gradient
Authors: YU Fei , ZHANG Linjun , WANG Yang , YI Xianfeng , ZHANG Shuang , MA Jianmin , DONG Zimei , CHEN Guangwen , MA Keming
Published: October 2022

The distributions of small rodents in mountainous environments across different elevations can provide important information regarding the effects of climate change on the dispersal of plant species. However, few studies of oak forest ecosystems have compared the elevational patterns of sympatric rodent diversity, seed dispersal, seed bank, and seedling abundance. Thus, we tested the differences in the seed disperser composition and abundance, seed dispersal, seed bank abundance, and seedling recruitment for Quercus wutaishanica along 10 elevation levels in the Taihang Mountains, China. Our results provide strong evidence that complex asymmetric seed dispersal and seedling regeneration exist along an elevational gradient. The abundance of rodents had a significant negative correlation with the elevation and the seed removal rates peaked and then declined with increasing elevation. The seed removal rates were higher at middle and lower elevations than higher elevations but acorns were predated by 5 species of seed predators at middle and lower elevations, and thus, there was a lower likelihood of recruitment compared with those dropped beneath mother oaks at higher elevations. More importantly, the number of individual seeds in the seed bank and seedlings increased with the elevation, although dispersal services were reduced at sites lacking rodents. As conditional mutualists, the rodents could possibly act as antagonistic seed predators rather than mutualistic seed dispersers at low and middle elevations, thereby resulting in the asymmetric pattern of rodent and seedling abundance with increasing elevation to affect the community assembly and ecosystem functions on a large spatial scale.
Sensory characterization of yellow pea and ground chicken hybrid meat burgers using static and dynamic methodologies
Authors: Barker Sophie , McSweeney Matthew B.
Published: October 2022

To reduce animal protein consumption, new food products need to be created. Furthermore, there is a growing number of consumers who consciously act to reduce their meat consumption. Hybrid meat products (HMP) are food items that combine both plant and animal proteins. The objective of this study was to create a hybrid meat burger (HMB) using yellow pea and chicken and to evaluate the sensory properties of the new product using static (check‐all‐that‐apply [CATA]) and dynamic (temporal check‐all‐that‐apply [TCATA]) methods. Yellow pea flour was added to a chicken burger at 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. A sensory trial asked participants (n = 69) to evaluate the HMBs using hedonic scales and CATA. A second sensory trial asked experienced panelists (n = 14) to evaluate the items using TCATA. The addition of the yellow pea flour decreased the liking of the burgers, except for the 10% formulation. The burgers made with higher amounts of yellow pea were associated with off‐flavors (beany and nutty; significantly different from the control) during both CATA and TCATA tasks and detracted from consumers’ liking. Juicy, moist, meaty, salty, and soft attributes increased the consumers' liking. The study identified that the addition of yellow pea to chicken burgers is only acceptable to consumers in small quantities (10%). In addition, the yellow peas contributed off‐flavors and a dry texture that was disliked by the consumers.

Practical Application

The environmental impacts of livestock production have created a need to incorporate more plant‐based proteins into consumers' diets to increase sustainability. The market for meat alternatives, including hybrid meat products, is expanding; however, current products do not always meet consumers' expectations. Chicken is the fastest‐growing meat sector in North America, and therefore this study's objective was to determine the sensory properties of a burger made from chicken and pulses (yellow pea). It was found that if 10% of chicken in a burger was substituted with yellow pea, then the sensory properties and consumer liking were not significantly affected.
Do Key Audit Matters Affect Operating Activities? Evidence from Inventory Management
Authors: An Ran , Li Wentao , Wang Di , Wang Yanyan , Yu Lisheng
Published: October 2022

We investigate whether and how the disclosure of key audit matters (KAMs) affects firms' real operating decisions by examining the association between inventory‐related KAMs and firms' inventory management. Exploiting China's recent audit report reform, our difference‐in‐difference analysis reveals that after the reform, inventory management efficiency increases more for firms subject to inventory‐related KAMs than for other firms and the effect is more pronounced for industries in which inventory is material. Further analyses show that inventory‐related KAMs positively affect inventory management by attracting external attention and increasing auditor monitoring, which in turn improves inventory management efficiency and operating performance. Our findings suggest that KAM disclosure changes firms’ managerial behaviours and generates a positive externality on real operations.
Connectome‐based predictive modelling of smoking severity in smokers
Authors: Lin Xiao , Zhu Ximei , Zhou Weiran , Zhang Zhibo , Li Peng , Dong Guangheng , Meng Shiqiu , Deng Jiahui , Lu Lin
Published: October 2022

The functional connectivity within and between networks could provide a framework to characterize the neurobiological mechanism of nicotine addiction. This study examined the brain regions that were functionally connected in response to smoking cues and established the brain–behaviour relationships in smokers. Sixty‐seven male smokers were enrolled and scanned while performing the cue‐reactivity and Stroop task. A whole‐brain analysis approach, connectome‐based predictive modelling (CPM), was conducted on the data from the cue‐reactivity task to identify the networks that could predict the smoking severity with the Shen atlas as templates. Then, the brain–behaviour relationships were verified in a different brain state (Stroop task). CPM identified the smoking severity‐related network, as indicated by a significant correlation between predicted and actual smoking severity scores (r = 0.31, p = 0.02). Identified networks mainly involved the canonical networks implicated in the reward process (motor/sensory network and salience network) and executive control (frontoparietal network). Network strength in the Stroop task marginally significantly predicted smoking severity scores (r = 0.23, p = 0.06), partially replicating the brain–behaviour relationship. The CPM results identified the whole‐brain neural network related to smoking severity, which was cross‐validated by the AAL and Shen atlas. These findings contribute to more profound insights into neural substrates underlying the smoking severity.
Matrix metalloproteinases in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes in the setting of chorioamnionitis: A scoping review
Authors: Nguyen Lynsa M. , Aronoff David M. , Eastman Alison J.
Published: October 2022

Fetal or gestational membranes extend from the placenta to enclose the fetus and amniotic fluid. While the membranes spontaneously rupture at term in normal pregnancies, they can rupture prematurely before the onset of labor, termed preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). PPROM can be triggered by bacterial infection or sterile inflammation in the membranes, known as chorioamnionitis (CAM). The membranes derive their tensile strength from a collagen‐rich extracellular matrix (ECM); as such, understanding the enzymes and processes that can degrade the membrane ECM are of paramount importance. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of enzymes capable of degrading collagen and other components of the ECM, and can be induced by inflammation. We used a scoping review to address the question of how MMP activity is associated with PPROM, particularly their induction due to sterile or nonsterile CAM. We have found that the most studied MMPs in PPROM were MMPs 2, 8, and 9. Additionally, some MMPs are constitutively active, while others are induced by inflammation. Mechanistic studies of the pathways that induce MMP activation are sparse, and this area is ripe for future studies. Targeting MMP activation could be a future strategy to delay or prevent PPROM.
Prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy is not effective for preventing driveline infection following left ventricular assist device implantation
Authors: Tsuji Masaki , Kakuda Nobutaka , Bujo Chie , Saito Akihito , Ishida Junichi , Amiya Eisuke , Hatano Masaru , Shimada Asako , Imai Hiroko , Kimura Mitsutoshi , Ando Masahiko , Kinoshita Osamu , Yamauchi Haruo , Komuro Issei , Ono Minoru
Published: October 2022

Background

Driveline infection (DLI) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains an unresolved problem. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) promotes wound healing by applying negative pressure on the surface of the wound. Recently, the prophylactic application of NPWT to closed surgical incisions has decreased surgical site infections in various postsurgical settings. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of prophylactic NPWT for preventing DLI in patients with LVAD implantation.

Methods

Prophylactic NPWT was provided to 50 patients who received continuous‐flow LVADs as bridge‐to‐transplant therapy at our institution between May 2018 and October 2020 (NPWT group). The negative pressure dressing was applied immediately after surgery and retained on the driveline exit site for 7 days with a continuous application of −125 mm Hg negative pressure. The primary outcome was DLI within 1 year of LVAD implantation. We compared the rate of DLI incidence in the NPWT group with that in the historical control cohort (50 patients) treated with the standard dressing (SD) who received LVAD implantation between July 2015 and April 2018 (SD group).

Results

No severe complications were associated with the NPWT. During the follow‐up period, DLI was diagnosed in 16 participants (32%) in the NPWT group and 21 participants (42%) in the SD group. The rates of DLI incidence and freedom from DLI did not differ between groups (p = 0.30 and p = 0.63).

Conclusions

Prophylactic NPWT at the driveline exit site was safe following LVAD implantation. However, it did not significantly reduce the risk of DLI.
COVID‐19 restrictions and the incidence and prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia – a nationwide study
Authors: Jung Monica , Lukose Dickson , Nielsen Suzanne , Bell J. Simon , Webb Geoffrey I. , Ilomäki Jenni
Published: October 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted seeking and delivery of healthcare. Different Australian jurisdictions implemented different COVID‐19 restrictions. We used Australian national pharmacy dispensing data to conduct interrupted time series analyses to examine the incidence and prevalence of opioid dispensing in different jurisdictions. Following nationwide COVID‐19 restrictions, the incidence dropped by −0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.50, −0.31), −0.33 (95% CI: −0.46, −0.21) and −0.21 (95% CI: −0.37, −0.04) per 1000 people per week and the prevalence dropped by −0.85 (95% CI: −1.39, −0.31), −0.54 (95% CI: −1.01, −0.07) and −0.62 (95% CI: −0.99, −0.25) per 1000 people per week in Victoria, New South Wales and other jurisdictions, respectively. Incidence and prevalence increased by 0.29 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.44) and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.11, 1.33) per 1000 people per week, respectively in Victoria post‐lockdown; no significant changes were observed in other jurisdictions. No significant changes were observed in the initiation of long‐term opioid use in any jurisdictions. More stringent restrictions coincided with more pronounced reductions in overall opioid initiation, but initiation of long‐term opioid use did not change.
Is reduced social competence a mechanism linking elevated autism spectrum symptoms with increased risk for social anxiety?
Authors: Stark Chani , Groves Nicole B. , Kofler Michael J.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Approximately 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop comorbid social anxiety disorder, and this comorbidity predicts poorer treatment outcomes than either syndrome alone. ASD and social anxiety are both associated with reduced social competence as evidenced by difficulties implementing fundamental social skills for successful social interactions, but it remains unclear whether reduced social competence reflects a mechanism that explains the increased risk for social anxiety associated with elevated autism spectrum symptoms.

Design/Methods

To address this gap in the literature, the current study combined multi‐informant measures (child, parent and teacher report) with a sample of 194 children with and without psychiatric disorders (ages 8–13; 68 girls; 69% White/Non‐Hispanic). Autism spectrum traits, social competence and social anxiety symptoms were measured continuously.

Results

Bias‐corrected, bootstrapped conditional effects modelling indicated that elevated parent‐reported autism spectrum symptoms predicted reduced teacher‐perceived social competence (β = −.21) and elevated child self‐reported social anxiety (β = .17); reduced social competence accounted for 20% of the autism/social anxiety link (indirect pathway β = .04, ER = .20), and reduced social competence also predicted higher social anxiety independent of autism symptoms (β = −.16; all 95% CIs exclude 0.0, indicating significant effects). Exploratory analyses suggested that these findings were driven primarily by autism spectrum social communication difficulties rather than restricted/repetitive behaviours/interests.

Conclusions

The current findings are consistent with prior work implicating reduced social competence as a risk factor for the development of social anxiety among children with ASD, and extend prior work by demonstrating that this link is robust to control for mono‐informant/mono‐measure bias, age, sex, SES, majority/minoritized race/ethnicity status, clinical comorbidities, and item overlap across measures.
Couples facing the “honeymoon period” of Parkinson's disease: A qualitative study of dyadic functioning
Authors: Manceau Charlotte , Constant Emilie , Brugallé Elodie , Wawrziczny Emilie , Sokolowski Céline , Flinois Bérengère , Baille Guillaume , Defebvre Luc , Dujardin Kathy , Antoine Pascal
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The public health issue of the Parkinson's disease (PD) has led to a great deal of research that has highlighted the individual challenges faced by the person with the Parkinson's disease (PwPD) and the caregiving spouse. Few studies, however, have sought to understand the functioning of couples facing PD, by differentiating each stage, each of which has its own issues. In particular, the “honeymoon period”, characterized by a symptomatic respite allowed by the effectiveness of treatments for motor symptoms, has been poorly documented, especially at the dyadic level.

Design and Method

This qualitative study, based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, aimed to understand the experience of couples and their functioning at this stage. Fifteen couples participated in separate semi‐structured interviews for each partner. The analyses highlighted four dyadic dynamics, which call into question the relevance of the term “honeymoon” to describe the experience of couples.

Results

While some couples appear to adjust by means of flexible functioning and a positive reinterpretation of this experience, other dyads oscillate between rigid hyperprotection in the face of perceived distress or a vicious circle of control/avoidance and, in some cases, gradually slipping towards the erosion of the relationship.

Discussion

These results show that the relational difficulties suffered by partners at this stage should be taken into account as soon as possible after the diagnosis. Strengthening the communication and the togetherness between partners, as well as working on dyadic emotional regulation, are particularly relevant options for these couples.
Social contact, own‐group recognition bias and visual attention to faces
Authors: Brunet Malvina , Taddei Anaïs , Py Jacques , Paubel Pierre‐Vincent , Tredoux Colin
Published: October 2022

The own‐group recognition bias (OGRB) has been consistently linked to social contact in theoretical accounts. Indeed, social contact is assumed by most authors to underlie the perceptual expertise of out‐groups' faces. However, little is known empirically about how it might impact face‐processing strategies. We tested the proposition that social interaction would improve the face recognition performance of another group by modulating visual strategies for different face areas. In Experiment 1, we studied visual processes using an eye tracker during a person's first live encounter with a particular member of their own group (European) or an outgroup (African) to explore how increasing familiarity during a first interaction influences face‐processing strategies. In Experiments 2 and 3, we explored the effect of simulated intergroup contact on face recognition accuracy, while simultaneously studying the impact of contact on visual attention strategies that occur during recognition (Experiment 2) and encoding (Experiment 3). The results showed a strong OGRB and a difference in visual processes based on the ethnic group of the targets. Although a single interaction is not sufficient to reduce the OGRB, familiarization during a live interaction (Experiment 1) and virtual social contact (Experiment 2) had an impact on the visual strategies employed.
Multi‐fluorine labeled indanone derivatives as potential MRI imaging probes for β‐Amyloid plaques
Authors: Dai Yaqian , Fang Tangni , Xu Yuanhong , Jiang Taoshan , Qiao Jinping
Published: October 2022

In order to realize the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we designed and synthesized a series of multi‐fluorine labeled indanone derivatives based on indanone which could target β‐amyloid (Aβ). Through the in vitro staining experiment and affinity experiment, we selected 7d out, and then evaluated it through other in vivo and in vitro experiments. The staining of AD human brain adjacent sections revealed that compound 7d could bind to Aβ plaques with high affinity. In the in vitro binding assay, 7d showed a balanced affinity with Aβ1–40 (Kd = 367 ± 13) and Aβ1–42 (Kd = 384 ± 56). Also, 7d exhibited a low toxicity (LD50 > 50 mg/kg) and an excellent ability to pass through the blood–brain barrier (Log p = 3.87). The biodistribution experiment in mice showed that 7d reached the highest brain uptake after 1 h of tail vein injection and cleared after 24 h. A low concentration of 7d (1.875 mg/ml) showed a strong imaging ability (19F‐weighted mode), and the imaging capability increased with the increasing of concentration. All the results showed that 7d could provide a feasible solution for the early diagnosis of AD under non‐radioactive condition.
Waterless dyeing of polylactic acid with disperse dyes using decamethylcyclopentasiloxane as medium
Authors: Fang Yinchun , Wu Jianguo , Ma Guojie , Wei Qufu
Published: October 2022

Polylactic acid (PLA) fibre as a new generation of eco‐friendly polyester fibre is expected to substitute polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibre to be an important textile fibre raw material. However, there exist severe strength loss and light dyeing colour by the traditional water bath dyeing method, which seriously affect the promotion and application of PLA fibre in the textile fields. Therefore, it is necessary to study waterless dyeing method for PLA. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) possesses excellent physical and chemical properties with the characteristics of odourless, non‐flammable, and stable to various chemicals, which has been studied to be used as a waterless dyeing medium for PET fabric. In this study, D5 was selected as the medium to study the waterless dyeing process and properties for PLA. The effects of disperse dye dosage, dyeing temperature, dyeing time and liquor ratio on the dyeing properties of PLA fabric were investigated. The results showed that the optimal dyeing process conditions were as follows: the dye dosage was 4%, dyeing temperature and time were 120°C and 40 min, respectively, and the liquor ratio was 1:10. Then PLA was dyed by three different colour disperse dyes using the optimal process which were compared with the traditional water bath. The results showed that the properties of dyed PLA fabrics with D5 could reach the dyeing effect of the traditional water bath method, while causing less influence on its mechanical property. Therefore, this research proved that D5 can be used as a dyeing medium for PLA fabric to substitute the traditional water bath dyeing.
Directedness and engagement in chimpanzee vocal ontogeny
Authors: Taylor Derry , Gustafsson Erik , Dezecache Guillaume , Davila‐Ross Marina
Published: October 2022

Directedness and engagement during pre‐verbal vocal communication play a major role in language development. What was their role in the evolution of language? This question invites us to examine these behaviours in chimpanzee vocal ontogeny. We collected observational data on infant (N = 15) and juvenile (N = 13) chimpanzees at Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, Zambia. We examined the impact of age and vocalization type (grunts, whimpers, laughs and screams) on directed cues (gaze directedness and face directedness) and engagement (mutual face directedness) during vocal communication. We also assessed the impact of directed cues and engagement on social interactions by coding the behaviour of social partners before, during and after a vocalisation, and examining whether they contingently changed their behaviour in response to the vocalisation if it was directed or if engagement occurred. We found that face directed vocalisations showed a general increase during ontogeny and we observed call‐type dependent effects of age for mutual face directedness. Only face directed vocalisations were significantly predictive of behavioural responses in social partners. We conclude that like young humans, young chimpanzees routinely exhibit directed behaviours and engagement during vocal communication. This social competency improves during ontogeny and benefits individuals by increasing the chances of eliciting behavioural responses from social partners. Directedness and engagement likely provide a foundation for language phylogenetically, as well as ontogenetically.

Research Highlights

We show that directedness and engagement routinely occur during early chimpanzee vocalisations.

Directedness increases throughout chimpanzee vocal ontogeny, similar to human infants.

Directedness enhances social partner responsiveness, demonstrating a direct benefit to this style of communication.

Directedness and engagement could provide a route towards language phylogenetically as well as ontogenetically.
Positive Organization Development: Design‐Inspired Strategizing for Co‐Creating Positive Organizational Change
Authors: Tkaczyk Bart
Published: October 2022

While designing and executing organizational change is not easy, it is doable.

Want to implement organizational change? Think about emphasizing the positives rather than the negatives as we see in this enthusiastic approach.
STEAMhouse Innovation Services: Strategies and Challenges for Regional Development in the UK
Authors: Banik Tanisha , Aftab Mersha , Bek Patrick
Published: October 2022

…studies have shown that SMEs have specific barriers to growth and innovation, and more often, they constrain their innovation activities as a result.

Incubators and accelerators play an essential role in developing small and medium enterprises. STEAMhouse integrates a design thinking approach to encourage an innovative culture in SMEs.
Strong influence of leaf tie formation and corresponding weak effect of leaf quality on herbivory in eight species of Quercus
Authors: Wang H. George , Wouk Jennifer , Anderson Randi , Marquis Robert J.
Published: October 2022

Leaf shelter construction by herbivorous insects can improve leaf quality, sometimes changing resultant herbivory. In two experiments in a Missouri (USA) deciduous forest we quantified the impact of leaf tie construction and changes to leaf quality on subsequent leaf damage.

First, using eight Quercus species, we compared damage to single leaves versus experimental leaf ties that had been stocked with either Pseudotelphusa quercinigracella (Gelechiidae) or Psilocorsis cryptolechiella (Depressariidae) to determine how initial leaf quality (total phenolics) influenced damage caused by shelter inhabitants. Skeletonization by leaf tying caterpillars and leaf edge chewing by free feeding species were 12.2× and 1.3× greater on tied than on non‐tied leaves, respectively. July and September leaf phenolic content had a slight positive effect on the probability of skeletonization, none on the probability of edge damage, and a weakly positive or negative effect on the intensity of skeletonization and edge damage, depending on leaf position.

Second, we created experimental leaf ties, protected from herbivores, on the same Quercus species to determine whether tie formation changes leaf quality (total phenolics, nitrogen, water, toughness). Tie formation decreased phenolics, but this change was predicted to add only 0.8% leaf area loss.

Synthesis. Herbivory increased dramatically when leaves were in ties, with the effect mostly due to the tie itself rather than a change in leaf quality. We predict that the advantages of building and using leaf ties in this system are more likely to be escape from natural enemies and changes in abiotic factors.
Childhood trauma in patients with epileptic vs nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Yang Tianren , Roberts Caitlin , Winton‐Brown Toby , Lloyd Michael , Kwan Patrick , O'Brien Terence J. , Velakoulis Dennis , Rayner Genevieve , Malpas Charles B.
Published: October 2022

Objective

Childhood trauma has been implicated as a risk factor for the etiology of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). Relatively little attention has been paid to whether profiles of specific trauma types differ between patients with epilepsy and PNES. Investigating childhood trauma profiles in these patient groups may identify psychological vulnerabilities that predispose to developing PNES, and aid early diagnoses, prevention, and treatment.

Methods

Data were collected from two cohorts (nRetrospective = 203; nProspective = 209) admitted to video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring units in Melbourne Australia. The differences in Childhood Trauma Questionnaire domain score between patient groups were investigated using standardized effect sizes and general linear mixed‐effects models (GLMMs). Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were used to investigate classification accuracy.

Results

In the retrospective cohort, patients diagnosed with PNES reported greater childhood emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect relative to patients with epilepsy. These differences were replicated in the prospective cohort, except for physical abuse. GLMMs revealed significant main effects for group in both cohorts, but no evidence for any group by domain interactions. Reported sexual abuse showed the best screening performance of PNES, although no psychometric scores were adequate as isolated measures.

Significance

Patients with PNES report a greater frequency of childhood trauma than patients with epilepsy. This effect appears to hold across all trauma types, with no strong evidence emerging for a particular trauma type that is more prevalent in PNES. From a practical perspective, inquiry regarding a history of sexual abuse shows the most promise as a screening measure.
The effect of diminazene, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 activator, on adenine‐induced chronic kidney disease in rats
Authors: Abdelrahman Aly M. , Ali Badreldin H. , Ali Haytham , Manoj Priyadarsini , Al‐Suleimani Yousuf
Published: October 2022

The present study investigated the effect of diminazene, lisinopril, or valsartan on adenine‐induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rats. The animals were divided into five groups (n = 6). The first and second groups received normal diet and adenine in the feed at a dose of 0.25% w/w for 35 days, respectively. The third, fourth, and fifth groups were treated as the second group but also received diminazene (15 mg/kg/day), lisinopril (10 mg/kg/day), and valsartan (30 mg/kg/day), respectively, for 35 days. Adenine significantly increased plasma urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), calcium, phosphorus, and uric acid. In addition, adenine increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio and N‐Acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG)/creatinine ratio and reduced creatinine clearance. Adenine also significantly increased the plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (plasma tumor necrosis factor–alpha [TNF‐α] and interleukin‐1beta [IL‐1β]) and significantly reduced antioxidant indices (catalase, glutathione reductase [GR], and superoxide dismutase [SOD]). Histopathologically, renal tissue from adenine‐treated rats showed necrosis of renal tubules, tubular casts, shrunken glomeruli, and increased renal fibrosis. All drugs ameliorated adenine‐induced biochemical and histopathological changes. The protective effect of the three drugs used is, at least partially, due to their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Our results show that administration of diminazene, lisinopril, or valsartan had a comparable effect on the reversal of the biochemical and histopathological indices of adenine‐induced CKD in rats.
Neglecting acclimation of photosynthesis under drought can cause significant errors in predicting leaf photosynthesis in wheat
Authors: Fang Liang , Martre Pierre , Jin Kaining , Du Xinmiao , van der Putten Peter E. L. , Yin Xinyou , Struik Paul C.
Published: October 2022

Extreme climatic events, such as heat waves, cold snaps and drought spells, related to global climate change, have become more frequent and intense in recent years. Acclimation of plant physiological processes to changes in environmental conditions is a key component of plant adaptation to climate change. We assessed the temperature response of leaf photosynthetic parameters in wheat grown under contrasting water regimes and growth temperatures (Tgrowth). Two independent experiments were conducted under controlled conditions. In Experiment 1, two wheat genotypes were subjected to well‐watered or drought‐stressed treatments; in Experiment 2, the two water regimes combined with high, medium and low Tgrowth were imposed on one genotype. Parameters of a biochemical C3‐photosynthesis model were estimated at six leaf temperatures for each factor combination. Photosynthesis acclimated more to drought than to Tgrowth. Drought affected photosynthesis by lowering its optimum temperature (Topt) and the values at Topt of light‐saturated net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance, the maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax) and the maximum rate of carboxylation by Rubisco (Vcmax). Topt for Vcmax was up to 40°C under well‐watered conditions but 24–34°C under drought. The decrease in photosynthesis under drought varied among Tgrowth but was similar between genotypes. The temperature response of photosynthetic quantum yield under drought was partly attributed to photorespiration but more to alternative electron transport. All these changes in biochemical parameters could not be fully explained by the changed leaf nitrogen content. Further model analysis showed that both diffusional and biochemical parameters of photosynthesis and their thermal sensitivity acclimate little to Tgrowth, but acclimate considerably to drought and the combination of drought and Tgrowth. The commonly used modelling approaches, which typically consider the response of diffusional parameters, but ignore acclimation responses of biochemical parameters to drought and Tgrowth, strongly overestimate leaf photosynthesis under variable temperature and drought.
A simple method for preparing ThO2 ceramics with high density
Authors: Qi Song , Guan Fang , Peng Dan , Zhang Xuyi , Liao Wuping
Published: October 2022

A simple and effective method for preparing ThO2 ceramics with high density has been proposed. It mainly includes a positive precipitation approach and a conventional sintering process. The SEM images and laser particle size analysis show that the prepared powder exhibits a round‐plated shape with a uniform and narrow particle size distribution, which is the key to the densification sintering of ThO2 ceramics. The XRD analyses confirm that the ThO2 ceramics sintered at 1590°C were composed of cubic fluorite phase. The effect of sintering temperature on the density of ThO2 ceramics was also investigated, and a relative density higher than 95% were achieved after sintering at 1590°C for 6 h in an air atmosphere. Moreover, the Vickers hardness was up to 8.49 GPa, the average linear expansion coefficient within 40–800°C was low to 10.97 × 10−6/K, and the thermal conductivity and the thermal diffusivity were both higher than most of traditional ceramic materials (16.94–5.86 W/m K and 7.28–1.28 mm2/s, respectively, within the temperature range of 25–800°C). The previous great performances are closely related to its high density, which enables it to be a great candidate for nuclear fuels and other potential application fields.
Macroporous ceramics for the sustainable development goals (SDGs): Review
Authors: Fukushima Manabu , Ohji Tatsuki
Published: October 2022

The sustainable development goals (SDGs), including 17 goals and 169 targets, were adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The aims are to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace, health, and prosperity of all people over the world. Toward the SDGs, human beings must effectively utilize the global resources, such as (1) oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and so forth that supply us with water and aquatic resources; (2) land, ground, and soil where we can raise agricultural crops and livestock; (3) forests and woods that provide us with lumber and paper and convert carbon dioxide to oxygen; and (4) fossil fuel and mineral resources, which are essential to our modern lives. The use of macroporous ceramics is definitely conducive to the solutions to achieve the SDGs, because it can help solve many of the related technical issues. This review addresses macroporous ceramics primarily for filtration and purification, agriculture and fisheries industry, thermal managements, sensing devices, and constructions, which contribute to achieving SDGs.
Fabrication of near‐infrared transparent Dy2Zr2O7 ceramic by controlled pre‐calcination of powders
Authors: Zhenguang Shen , Zhao Xiaohui , Huang Muzhang , Han Yi , Pan Wei
Published: October 2022

Fabrication of transparent or pore‐free oxide ceramics usually requires sintering in a vacuum or reducing atmosphere. In the present paper, a near‐infrared transparent Dy2Zr2O7 ceramic was prepared by ordinary pressureless sintering under the air atmosphere, with a controlled pre‐calcining of raw powders process. The key point of the process is to control the content of the phases by pre‐calcination of the starting mixture of ZrO2 and Dy2O3 powders. The influence of pre‐calcining temperature on the content of phases, the particle sizes, on the sinterability of the mixture of Dy2O3 and ZrO2 powders has been investigated. It was found that when the pre‐calcination was conducted at 1200°C for 2 h, the powder contains 4 mol% Dy2Zr2O7, 18 mol% m‐ZrO2, 30 mol% Dy2O3, and about 50 mol% t/c‐ZrO2 which is beneficial for the sintering of pore‐free Dy2Zr2O7 ceramics. The mechanism is discussed in the paper. The transparency of the sintered Dy2Zr2O7 ceramic was measured, and their transmittance is about 63% at 1450 nm and 73% at 1900 nm. This work provides a simple and convenient way to prepare the near‐infrared transparency ceramic without special sintering facilities.
Determination of thermal comfort among nurses working with personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 clinics
Authors: Karahan Azize , Avcı Işık Sevcan , Çevik Banu , Budak Ertürk Elif , Çevik Aydın Firuze , Böke Kılıçlı Arnel , Akçın Birgül , Acar Aysel , Dudu Gülkan Ayşe , Aybar Bilir Yeşim
Published: October 2022

Aims

This study aimed to determine thermal comfort among nurses working with personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 clinic.

Methods

In this study, a descriptive design was carried out between June and September 2020. Sample of the study consisted of 246 nurses (77.6%) who worked in the COVID‐19 clinics with personal protective equipment. We used a questionnaire to determine thermal comfort of nurses; a follow‐up form to determine the factors affecting thermal comfort; and the ASHRAE Thermal Sensation Scale. Four measurements and follow‐ups were made three times.

Results

More than half of nurses complained of ambient temperature and ventilation, one‐third complained of humidity and nearly half complained of poor air quality. The mean thermal comfort score of nurses working in COVID‐19 clinics was 1.19 (SD = 0.75). The thermal comfort of the nurses was negatively affected in all measurements except before wearing personal protective equipment. The highest scores were measured leaving the patient room and before removing personal protective equipment (M = 2.65, SD = 0.58).

Conclusion

The thermal comfort, work performance and stress levels of the nurses were negatively affected by working with personal protective equipment. This study reveals the necessity of improving the working conditions of nurses, including working hours, environment and personal protective equipment.
The effect of prosocial behaviours on Chinese undergraduate nursing students' subjective well‐being: The mediating role of psychological resilience and coping styles
Authors: Wan Xiao , Huang Haitao , Zhang Yiming , Peng Qianwen , Guo Xiajun , Wu Sijia , Li Yuanyuan , Ding Yueming , Chen Chaoran
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to explore the effect of prosocial behaviours on Chinese undergraduate nursing students' subjective well‐being (SWB) and examine the roles of psychological resilience and coping styles. The sample for this study included 683 nursing students from two undergraduate universities in Henan Province, China. SWB, prosocial behaviours, psychological resilience, and coping styles were assessed by the Index of Well‐Being, the Prosocial Behavioural Tendency Scale, the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, respectively. We adopted Pearson's correlation analysis and the PROCESS Macro Model 81 in regression analysis to explore the relationships among prosocial behaviours, psychological resilience, coping styles, and SWB. Prosocial behaviours of undergraduate nursing students had a positive predictive effect on SWB; psychological resilience and coping styles both were the mediating variable between prosocial behaviours and undergraduate nursing students' SWB; psychological resilience and coping styles played a chain mediating role between the prosocial behaviours and SWB of undergraduate nursing students. The results indicated that prosocial behaviours not only directly affected the SWB of undergraduate nursing students but also affected the SWB of undergraduate nursing students via psychological resilience and coping styles. These results offer certain theoretical support and guidance for the research and improvement of undergraduate nursing students' SWB and emphasize the importance of interventions to increase prosocial behaviours, improve psychological resilience, promote positive coping styles, and address negative coping styles.
Improving the self‐efficacy, knowledge, and attitude of nurses regarding concurrent disorder care: Results from a prospective cohort study of an interprofessional, videoconference‐based programme using the ECHO model
Authors: Chicoine Gabrielle , Côté José , Pepin Jacinthe , Dyachenko Alina , Fontaine Guillaume , Jutras‐Aswad Didier
Published: October 2022

Several challenges have been identified for patients with concurrent disorders to access adequate services and for nurses to care for them. These challenges contribute to a pressing need for continuing educational interventions, particularly within the mental health nursing workforce. To address this issue, an innovative interprofessional videoconferencing programme based on the ECHO® model (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) was implemented in Quebec, Canada to support and build capacity among healthcare professionals for CD management. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine nurses' self‐efficacy, knowledge, and attitude scores over a 12‐month period. All nurses who registered in the programme between 2018 and 2020 were invited to participate in the study (N = 65). The data were collected online using a self‐administered survey at baseline, after 6 months, and then 12 months following entry‐to‐programme. Twenty‐eight nurses participated in the study (96.4% women), with a mean age of 39.1 (SD = 6.2). Compared to other professions (n = 146/174), the group of nurses also showed significant improvements in their knowledge and attitude scores, with respective effect sizes of 0.72 and −0.44 at 6 months, and 0.94 and −0.59 at 12 months. However, significant changes in self‐efficacy were only found at the 12‐month follow‐up (P = 0.0213), among the nurses who attended more than 25% of the 20‐session curriculum. ECHO is a promising intervention to improve the accessibility of evidence‐based practice and to support nurses in suitably managing concurrent disorders. Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of this educational intervention on clinical nursing practice and patient outcomes.
Effect of N and CO2 supply on source size per grain at anthesis and its relationship with grain growth in wheat
Authors: Manderscheid Remy , Dier Markus
Published: October 2022

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration ([eCO2]) increases the yield of wheat mainly by increasing grain number, but effects on single grain weight are variable. It is discussed whether single grain growth is limited by the sink or the source size under a non‐stress environment. This study explores the effect of e[CO2] combined with varying N supply on the source and sink size during grain filling. Source size was defined as the amount of stem reserves per grain (SRG) and the proportion of incident radiation intercepted by the green canopy per grain (fIRG) at anthesis. Data from a 2‐year free‐air CO2 enrichment experiment with wheat with three N levels (on average 38 [Nd], 190 [Nad] and 320 kg N ha−1 [Nex]) and two CO2 levels (393 and 600 ppm) on SRG, fIRG and grain filling rate (GFR) and duration (GFD) were evaluated. SRG ranged from 2.5 to 12.9 mg and fIRG from 4.0 × 0.001% to 6.8 x 0.001%. Rising N supply or e[CO2] decreased SRG and fIRG via their increases in grain number. Accordingly, there was a negative linear relationship between grain number and SRG (r2 ≥ 0.84) or fIRG (r2 ≥ 0.97). Increasing N supply decreased GFR, but increased GFD, and GFR was increased by e[CO2] under Nad and Nex. For GFR and final grain weight, there was a strong positive (r2 ≥ 0.85), and for GFD, a strong negative linear relationship (r2 ≥ 0.76) with fIRG under Nad and Nex. Under these N levels, fIRG supplied the largest share (>86%) for grain growth and thus single grain growth was possibly source limited under Nad and Nex. Under high grain number such as under Nex and e[CO2], there might be a risk for low final grain weight due to the low SRG that is insufficient for buffering assimilate shortage under unfavourable environmental conditions in early grain filling.
Hospital nurse leaders' experiences with digital technologies: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Laukka Elina , Hammarén Mira , Pölkki Tarja , Kanste Outi
Published: October 2022

Aim

To describe hospital nurse leaders' experiences with digital technologies.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Semi‐structured focus group interviews in one university‐affiliated hospital in Finland. Data were collected from October to November 2021 and analysed using content analysis an e‐leadership framework.

Results

A total of 20 frontline nurse leaders and middle‐managers participated. Leaders had different kinds of experiences that concerned their traits, cognition, affect and behaviour with digital technologies. Leaders experienced that they needed to be open‐minded towards digitalization, which sometimes eased their work by making it more efficient. Occasionally, they also got frustrated with digitalization, which caused them stress. Leading digital technologies required collaboration with several different stakeholders, and leaders were especially responsible for ensuring nurses' digital competence. Also, leaders own digital capability was highlighted, although some leaders experienced that their digital capability was low.

Conclusion

The e‐leadership framework is useful for describing the conduct of leadership roles in the context of digital services. Digitalization has transformed leadership, yet nurse leaders' education and training do not seem to have been sufficiently modified to these rapid changes. In addition, more attention should be given to how nurse leaders can be distressed by digitalization.

Impact

This study provides insight into leadership in the context of digitalized specialized medical care based on nurse leaders' direct statements. Furthermore, the results highlight nurse leaders' educational needs concerning digitalization. Adequately educating nurse leaders to become e‐leaders is crucial to successful digitalization in the nursing domain.

Patient or Public Contribution

The study focused on nurse leaders' experiences.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated deletion of Fam83h induces defective tooth mineralization and hair development in rabbits
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Yang Jie , Yao Haobin , Zhang Zhongtian , Song Yuning
Published: October 2022

Family with sequence similarity 83 members H (Fam83h) is essential for dental enamel formation. Fam83h mutations cause human amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), an inherited disorder characterized by severe hardness defects in dental enamel. Nevertheless, previous studies showed no enamel defects in Fam83h‐knockout/lacZ‐knockin mice. In this study, a large deletion of the Fam83h gene (900 bp) was generated via a dual sgRNA‐directed CRISPR/Cas9 system in rabbits. Abnormal tooth mineralization and loose dentine were found in homozygous Fam83h knockout (Fam83h−/−) rabbits compared with WT rabbits. In addition, reduced hair follicle counts in dorsal skin, hair cycling dysfunction and hair shaft differentiation deficiency were observed in Fam83h−/− rabbits. Moreover, X‐rays and staining of bone sections showed abnormal bending of the ulna and radius and an ulnar articular surface with insufficient trabecular bone in Fam83h−/− rabbits. Taken together, these data are the first report of defective hair cycling, hair shaft differentiation and abnormal bending of the ulna and radius in Fam83h−/− rabbits. This novel Fam83h−/− rabbit model may facilitate understanding the function of Fam83h and the pathogenic mechanism of the Fam83h mutation.