bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing for intersectional measurement invariance with the alignment method: Evaluation of the 8‐item patient health questionnaire
Authors: Cintron Dakota W. , Matthay Ellicott C. , McCoach D. Betsy
Published: June 2023

Objective

To demonstrate the use of the alignment method to evaluate whether surveys function similarly (i.e., have evidence of measurement invariance) across culturally diverse intersectional groups. Intersectionality theory recognizes the interconnected nature of social categories such as race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Data Sources

A total of 30,215 American adult's responses to the eight‐item Patient Health Questionnaire depression assessment scale (PHQ‐8) from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Study Design

Using the alignment method, we examined the measurement invariance (equivalence) of the PHQ‐8 depression assessment scale across 16 intersectional subgroups defined at the intersection of age (under 52, 52 and older), gender (male, female), race (Black, non‐Black), and education (no bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree).

Principal Findings

Overall, 24% of the factor loadings and 5% of the item intercepts showed evidence of differential functioning across one or more of the intersectional groups. These levels fall beneath the benchmark of 25% suggested for determining measurement invariance with the alignment method.

Conclusions

The results of the alignment study suggest that the PHQ‐8 functions similarly across the intersectional groups examined, despite some evidence of different factor loadings and item intercepts in some groups (i.e., noninvariance). By examining measurement invariance through an intersectional lens, researchers can investigate how a person's multiple identities and social positions possibly contribute to their response behavior on an assessment scale.
Financial Literacy and Self‐Employment
Authors: Preston Alison , Wright Robert E.
Published: June 2023

This article uses individual‐level data collected in the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey in 2016 to econometrically explore the direction of causation between financial literacy and self‐employment. The empirical approach is based on applying instrumental variables (IV) analysis in a three‐outcome labour supply model (i.e. self‐employment, employee employment and non‐employment) that controls for selection into employment. In keeping with a small number of studies, the analysis suggests that there is a positive relationship between financial literacy and self‐employment. The analysis also suggests that the likely causal direction is from financial literacy to self‐employment. However, this is also found for employee employment. Therefore, policies aimed at increasing financial literacy will likely not only increase self‐employment but also employee employment. This suggests that financial literacy may be a form of “general human capital,” such as education, work experience or training. However, the impact of financial literacy on self‐employment is not larger (more positive) for self‐employment compared to employee employment. Clearly much more research is needed to understand the numerous relationships between financial literacy and other labour market outcomes.
Location of pathogenic variants in PSEN1 impacts progression of cognitive, clinical, and neurodegenerative measures in autosomal‐dominant Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Schultz Stephanie A. , Shirzadi Zahra , Schultz Aaron P. , Liu Lei , Fitzpatrick Colleen D. , McDade Eric , Barthelemy Nicolas R. , Renton Alan , Esposito Bianca , Joseph‐Mathurin Nelly , Cruchaga Carlos , Chen Charles D. , Goate Alison , Allegri Ricardo Francisco , Benzinger Tammie L. S. , Berman Sarah , Chui Helena C. , Fagan Anne M. , Farlow Martin R. , Fox Nick C. , Gordon Brian A. , Day Gregory S. , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Hassenstab Jason J. , Hanseeuw Bernard J. , Hofmann Anna , Jack Clifford R. , Jucker Mathias , Karch Celeste M. , Koeppe Robert A. , Lee Jae‐Hong , Levey Allan I. , Levin Johannes , Martins Ralph N. , Mori Hiroshi , Morris John C. , Noble James , Perrin Richard J. , Rosa‐Neto Pedro , Salloway Stephen P. , Sanchez‐Valle Raquel , Schofield Peter R. , Xiong Chengjie , Johnson Keith A. , Bateman Randall J. , Sperling Reisa A. , Chhatwal Jasmeer P. ,   the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Investigators
Published: June 2023

Although pathogenic variants in PSEN1 leading to autosomal‐dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) are highly penetrant, substantial interindividual variability in the rates of cognitive decline and biomarker change are observed in ADAD. We hypothesized that this interindividual variability may be associated with the location of the pathogenic variant within PSEN1. PSEN1 pathogenic variant carriers participating in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) observational study were grouped based on whether the underlying variant affects a transmembrane (TM) or cytoplasmic (CY) protein domain within PSEN1. CY and TM carriers and variant non‐carriers (NC) who completed clinical evaluation, multimodal neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture for collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as part of their participation in DIAN were included in this study. Linear mixed effects models were used to determine differences in clinical, cognitive, and biomarker measures between the NC, TM, and CY groups. While both the CY and TM groups were found to have similarly elevated Aβ compared to NC, TM carriers had greater cognitive impairment, smaller hippocampal volume, and elevated phosphorylated tau levels across the spectrum of pre‐symptomatic and symptomatic phases of disease as compared to CY, using both cross‐sectional and longitudinal data. As distinct portions of PSEN1 are differentially involved in APP processing by γ‐secretase and the generation of toxic β‐amyloid species, these results have important implications for understanding the pathobiology of ADAD and accounting for a substantial portion of the interindividual heterogeneity in ongoing ADAD clinical trials.
Alasdair MacIntyre and Adam Smith on markets, virtues and ends in a capitalist economy
Authors: Oslington Paul
Published: June 2023

In recent decades, Alasdair MacIntyre has developed a style of moral philosophy and an argument for Neo‐Aristotelian virtue ethics that has deeply influenced business ethics. Most of the work inspired by MacIntyre has dealt with individual and organisational dimensions of business ethics rather than the market economic environment in which individuals and organisations operate. MacIntyre has been a fierce critic of capitalism and economics. He has read Adam Smith an advocate of selfish individualism, rule‐based ethics and the banishment of teleology. This reading is seriously defective, and Smith in fact offers much of what MacIntyre calls for in economics. MacIntyre's ethical framework can be made more powerful and useful to business ethicists by incorporating Smithian insights, especially Smith's account of market virtues and teleological account of markets as extended cooperation directed towards the common good of wealth creation. Aside from issues of the interpretation of MacIntyre and Smith, this analysis opens new pathways for dialogue between business ethicists and economists.
When can local bird detection radars best complement broad‐scale early‐warning forecasts of risk potential for bird–aircraft strikes as part of an integrated approach to strike mitigation?
Authors: Colón Melanie R. , Long Ashley M.
Published: June 2023

Worldwide, wildlife–aircraft strikes cost more than US$1.2 billion in aircraft damage and downtime and jeopardize the safety of aircrews, passengers, and animals. Radar has long been used to monitor flying animal movements and can be a useful tool for strike mitigation. In the USA, the Avian Hazard Advisory System (AHAS) is an early‐warning system that integrates data from next‐generation weather radar (NEXRAD) weather surveillance radars (WSRs) with historic bird occurrence data to quantify avian activity and forecast the relative bird risk within a ~9.3‐km radius of military and civilian airfields. Bird detection radars (BDRs) with both horizontal‐surveillance and vertical‐scanning components are also available for monitoring local avian activity at airports, but we have little information regarding the congruence of broad‐scale warnings and local avian activity where WSRs and BDRs overlap. We quantified trends in biological activity recorded at hourly intervals by a BDR at an airfield in Texas, USA, and in the most frequently assigned AHAS risk forecasts for that site during the same intervals. We then examined the strength of association between these datasets by season and time of day to determine when information from BDRs might best complement forecasts from the broad‐scale AHAS system. We found a strong overall association between the datasets but weak or moderate agreement during daylight periods, when most strikes occur. NEXRAD WSRs see only limited bird activity near the Earth's surface, where the majority of damaging strikes take place and, not surprisingly, AHAS warnings during our study were best predicted by the BDR at higher altitudes. Our results suggest BDRs might best complement early‐warning systems, like AHAS, as part of integrated strike mitigation plans at airfields with large numbers of hazardous birds flying at low altitudes during daylight hours, especially in late afternoon.
Trends in mandibular fractures in the USA: A 20‐year retrospective analysis
Authors: Adik Kevin , Lamb Patrick , Moran Mary , Childs Dylan , Francis Ashish , Vinyard Christopher J.
Published: June 2023

Background/Aim

The mandible is one of the most fractured bones in the maxillofacial region. This study analyzes trends in mandibular fracture patterns, demographics, and mechanisms since the early 2000s.

Material and Methods

Mandibular fractures were reviewed from the 2007, 2011, and 2017 National Trauma Data Bank including 13,142, 17,057, and 20,391 patients by year, respectively. This database contains hundreds of thousands of patients annually and represents the largest trauma registry in the United States. Variables included number of fractures, sex, age, injury mechanism, and fracture location. Mechanism of injury included assault, motor vehicle crash, fall, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and firearm. Anatomic locations based on ICD‐9/10 codes included symphysis, ramus, condyle, condylar process, body, angle, and coronoid process. Frequencies were compared using Chi‐square tests of homogeneity with effect sizes estimated using Cramer's V.

Results

Mandibular fractures represent 2%–2.5% of all traumas reported in the database from 2001 to 2017. The proportion of patients sustaining a single reported mandibular fracture decreased from 82% in 2007 to 63% in 2017. Males consistently experienced 78%–80% of fractures. Eighteen to 54‐year‐olds experienced the largest percentages of fractures throughout the 21st century, while median age of fracture shifted from 28 to 32 between 2007 and 2017. The most common fracture mechanisms were assault (42% [2001–2005]–37% [2017]), motor vehicle crash (31%–22%) followed by falls (15%–20%). From 2001–2005 to 2017, a decrease was observed in assaults (−5%) and motor vehicle crash (−9%) and an increase in falls (+5%), particularly among elderly females. The mandibular body, condyle, angle, and symphysis represent approximately two‐thirds of all fractures without a consistent temporal trend among them.

Conclusions

The temporal trends observed can be linked to shifting age demographics nationally that may aid clinicians in diagnosis and inform public safety policies aimed at reducing these injuries, particularly among the growing elderly population.
Public agency resilience in times of democratic backsliding: Structure, collaboration and professional standards
Authors: Stauffer Bettina , Sager Fritz , Kuenzler Johanna
Published: June 2023

This article investigates how organizational structure, collaboration, and professional standards influence the resilience of public agencies facing adversity. It links organizational reputation and blame avoidance literature with resilience and collaboration literature. We use the case of the Swiss Child and Adult Protection Agencies (CAPA), which faced massive media attacks. We apply a qualitative research design analyzing data from interviews and participatory observations. Our findings show that professional organizational structure, collaboration and standards are three interrelated factors that increase resilience against adversity. In particular, these factors reduce “blame‐avoiding policy implementation” (BAPI), which is a coping strategy where street‐level bureaucrats (SLB) exploit their discretion to make policy implementation less blameworthy. In their interplay, professional organizational structure, collaboration and standards increase the knowledge of a public agency about a particular situation because they enable better‐informed decisions through collective deliberation practices, and strengthens the collective ownership as well as the individual SLB's confidence that the right decision is being made.
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History Building, Oxford, UK
Authors: Morgan Nina
Published: June 2023

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) is now celebrated as one of the most important Gothic revival buildings of the nineteenth century. It is also a temple of science. Built between 1855 and 1860, the design of the museum building incorporated input from artists, scientists and cultural figures such as the writer, philosopher, art critic and polymath John Ruskin. The aim of the museum's founders was to teach science—and that the museum building itself should serve as a teaching tool. Geology played a key role in achieving this.
Service user involvement in mental health service commissioning, development and delivery: A systematic review of service level outcomes
Authors: Ezaydi Naseeb , Sheldon Elena , Kenny Alex , Buck Elizabeth Taylor , Weich Scott
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Service user involvement is increasingly considered essential in mental health service development and delivery. However, the impact of this involvement on services is not well documented. We aimed to understand how user involvement shapes service commissioning, development and delivery, and if/how this leads to improved service‐level outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and EMBASE databases) was undertaken in June and November 2022 for studies that incorporated patient involvement in service development, and reported service‐level outcomes. Included studies were synthesised into a logic model based on inputs (method of involvement), activities (changes to service) and outputs (indicators of improvement). PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis) guidelines were followed when conducting this review.

Results

From 10,901 records identified, nine studies were included, of which six were judged to have used co‐production or co‐design approaches. Included studies described service user involvement ranging from consultation to co‐production. We identified a range of outputs associated with service user involvement in service planning and delivery, and reported these in the form of a logic model. These service‐level outputs included improved treatment accessibility, increased referrals and greater service user satisfaction. Longer‐term outcomes were rarely reported and hence it was difficult to establish whether outputs are sustained.

Conclusion

More extensive forms of involvement, namely, co‐design and co‐production, were associated with more positive and substantial outputs in regard to service effectiveness than more limited involvement methods. However, lived experience contributions highlighted service perception outputs may be valued more highly by service users than professionals and therefore should be considered equally important when evaluating service user involvement. Although evidence of longer term outcomes was scarce, meaningful involvement of service users in service planning and delivery appeared to improve the quality of mental health services.

Patient or Public Contribution

Members of a lived experience advisory panel contributed to the review findings, which were co‐authored by a peer researcher. Review findings were also presented to stakeholders including service users and mental health professionals.
Infrastructuring repatriation: The Philippine sending state and the return of migrant workers caught in disruptions
Authors: Liao Karen Anne S.
Published: June 2023

Recent crises signal a timely consideration of how sending state regimes can be understood in their complexity beyond the dominant themes of labour brokerage and export in existing literature. This article calls for an expanded analysis of sending states by attending to their understudied role in disruption‐induced returns, particularly in repatriation. Examining the case of the Philippines, it argues that the interplay of actors, institutions and policies in the sending country not only systematically deploys Filipino migrant workers, but also configures a repatriation infrastructure that mediates their return during crises and distress situations. Based on qualitative interviews with over 30 repatriation actors, the study analyses how regulatory, collaborative and adaptive interactions within the infrastructure facilitate migrant returns but also trigger critical challenges and complications. The discussion shows how repatriation figures in the workings of the sending state, shaped by a dynamic assemblage of power relations with shifting operations in migration governance.
Culture‐negative Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis diagnosed by 16s ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction in an immunocompetent veterinarian and a review of the literature
Authors: Lam Jeng H. , Horvath Robert , Amodeo Matthew
Published: June 2023

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a fastidious, capnophilic and facultative anaerobic Gram‐negative rod found commonly in the oral flora of dogs that may cause zoonotic infections such as cellulitis and eye infections. In immunocompromised patients, it may cause fulminant sepsis. Meningitis due to C. canimorsus is, however, a rare manifestation. This is the first reported case of C. canimorsus meningitis in Australia in an immunocompetent veterinarian diagnosed by 16s ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction.
Clinical and cost effectiveness of a system for turning and positioning intensive care unit patients, when compared to usual care turning and positioning devices, for the prevention of hospital‐acquired pressure injuries. A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kapp Suzanne , Gerdtz Marie , Gefen Amit , Padula William , Alves Paulo , Trevellini Chenel , Ghosh Angaj , Shea Ashley , Cross Anthony , Sousa Ines , Santamaria Nick
Published: June 2023

Pressure injuries affect 13.1% to 45.5% of patients in the intensive care unit and lead to pain and discomfort for patients, burden on healthcare providers, and unnecessary cost to the health system. Turning and positioning systems offer improvements on usual care devices, however the evidence of the effectiveness of such systems is still emerging. We conducted an investigator initiated, prospective, single centre, two group, non‐blinded, randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a system for turning and positioning intensive care unit patients, when compared to usual care turning and positioning devices, for preventing PIs. The trial was prematurely discontinued after enrolment of 78 participants due to COVID‐19 pandemic related challenges and lower than expected enrolment rate. The study groups were comparable on baseline characteristics and adherence to the interventions was high. Four participants developed a PI (in the sacral, ischial tuberosity or buttock region), n = 2 each in the intervention and control group. Each participant developed one PI. As the trial is underpowered, these findings do not provide an indication of the clinical effectiveness of the interventions. There was no participant drop‐out or withdrawal and there were no adverse events, device deficiencies, or adverse device effects identified or reported. The results of our study (in particular those pertaining to enrolment, intervention adherence and safety) provide considerations for future trials that seek to investigate how to prevent PIs among ICU patients.
Surgical site wound infection and wound pain after video‐assisted thoracoscopy in patients with lung cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Jianhua , Ren Zhiguo , Gao Xiwen , Zhou Xiaohui
Published: June 2023

A meta‐analysis was performed to comprehensively assess the effects of video‐assisted thoracoscopy on surgical site wound infection and wound pain in patients with lung cancer. Studies on video‐assisted thoracoscopy for lung cancer were collected from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang database, from inception to January 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Thirty‐one articles with a total of 3608 patients were included, with 1809 in the video‐assisted thoracoscopy group and 1799 in the control group. Compared with the control group, video‐assisted thoracoscopy significantly reduced surgical site wound infection (odds ratio: 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.33, P < .001) and surgical site wound pain at postoperative day 1 (standardised mean difference [SMD]: −0.90, 95% CI: −1.17 to −0.64, P < .001) and postoperative day 3 (SMD: −1.59, 95% CI: −2.25 to −0.92, P < .001). Thus, these results showed that video‐assisted thoracoscopy may have beneficial outcomes by reducing surgical site wound infection and pain. However, owing to the large variation in sample sizes and some methodological shortcomings, further validation is needed in future studies with higher quality and larger sample sizes.
Current progress in growth factors and extracellular vesicles in tendon healing
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Li Jin
Published: June 2023

Tendon injury healing is a complex process that involves the participation of a significant number of molecules and cells, including growth factors molecules in a key role. Numerous studies have demonstrated the function of growth factors in tendon healing, and the recent emergence of EV has also provided a new visual field for promoting tendon healing. This review examines the tendon structure, growth, and development, as well as the physiological process of its healing after injury. The review assesses the role of six substances in tendon healing: insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and EV. Different growth factors are active at various stages of healing and exhibit separate physiological activities. IGF‐1 is expressed immediately after injury and stimulates the mitosis of various cells while suppressing the response to inflammation. VEGF, which is also active immediately after injury, accelerates local metabolism by promoting vascular network formation and positively impacts the activities of other growth factors. However, VEGF's protracted action could be harmful to tendon healing. PDGF, the earliest discovered cytokine to influence tendon healing, has a powerful cell chemotaxis and promotes cell proliferation, but it can equally accelerate the response to inflammation and relieve local adhesions. Also useful for relieving tendon adhesion is TGF‐ β, which is active almost during the entire phase of tendon healing. As a powerful active substance, in addition to its participation in the field of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular vessels, tumour and chronic wounds, TGF‐ β reportedly plays a role in promoting cell proliferation, activating growth factors, and inhibiting inflammatory response during tendon healing.
Role and mechanism of Circ‐PDE7B in the formation of keloid
Authors: Tang Yueling , Li Xiaojing
Published: June 2023

The excessive proliferation of keloid fibroblasts is one of the important reasons leading to the formation of keloids. Circular RNA (circRNA) is an important regulator that regulates the biological functions of cells. However, the role and mechanism of circ‐PDE7B in keloid formation have not been studied yet. QRT‐PCR was used to detect the circ‐PDE7B, miR‐331‐3p and cyclin‐dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) expression. The biological functions of keloid fibroblasts were determined by MTT assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and wound healing assay. Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) markers and CDK6. The interaction between miR‐331‐3p and circ‐PDE7B or CDK6 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. Circ‐PDE7B was found to be upregulated in keloid tissues and fibroblasts. Downregulation of circ‐PDE7B could suppress the proliferation, invasion, migration, ECM accumulation and accelerate the apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts. Circ‐PDE7B could serve as a sponge of miR‐331‐3p, and the regulation of silenced circ‐PDE7B on the biological functions of keloid fibroblasts could be abolished by miR‐331‐3p inhibitor. Additionally, CDK6 was a target of miR‐331‐3p, and its overexpression could reverse the negative regulation of miR‐331‐3p on the biological functions of keloid fibroblasts. Circ‐PDE7B sponged miR‐331‐3p to positively regulate CDK6 expression. Taken together, circ‐PDE7B promoted the proliferation, invasion, migration and ECM accumulation of keloid fibroblasts by regulating the miR‐331‐3p/CDK6 axis, suggesting that circ‐PDE7B might be a potential target for keloid treatment.
Quality registry improves the data of chronic ulcers: Validation of Tampere Wound Registry
Authors: Pöyry Anna , Kimpimäki Teija , Kaartinen Ilkka , Salmi Teea T.
Published: June 2023

Quality registries are potential tools for improving health care documentation, but the quality and completeness of each registry should be ensured. This study aimed to evaluate the completion rate (completeness) and accuracy of data, first contact‐to‐registration time (timeliness), and case coverage of the Tampere Wound Registry (TWR) to assess whether it can be reliably used in clinical practice and for research purposes. Data from all 923 patients registered in the TWR between 5 June 2018 and 31 December 2020 were included in the analysis of data completeness, while data accuracy, timeliness and case coverage were analysed in those registered during the year 2020. In all analyses values over 80% were considered good and values over 90% excellent. The study showed that the overall completeness of the TWR was 81% and overall accuracy was 93%. Timeliness achieved 86% within the first 24 h, and case coverage was found to be 91%. When completion of seven selected variables was compared between TWR and patient medical records, the TWR was found to be more complete in five out of seven variables. In conclusion, the TWR proved to be a reliable tool for health care documentation and an even more reliable data source than patient medical records.
Microwave hybrid and conventional sintering of Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 multilayers fabricated by aqueous tape casting
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Waqas , Park SangCheol , Kim InYeong , Hussain Javid , Hussain Amjad , Ali Ammad , Kim Bum Sung , Lee Bin
Published: June 2023

In this study, microwave hybrid sintering and conventional sintering of Al2O3‐ and Al2O3/ZrO2‐laminated structures fabricated via aqueous tape casting were investigated. A combination of process temperature control rings and thermocouples was used to measure the sample surface temperatures more accurately. Microwave hybrid sintering caused higher densification and resulted in higher hardness in Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 than in their conventionally sintered counterparts. The flexural strength of microwave‐hybrid‐sintered Al2O3/ZrO2 was 70.9% higher than that of the conventionally sintered composite, despite a lower sintering temperature. The fracture toughness of the microwave‐hybrid‐sintered Al2O3 increased remarkably by 107.8% despite a decrease in the relative density when only 3 wt.% t‐ZrO2 was added. The fracture toughness of the microwave‐hybrid‐sintered Al2O3/ZrO2 was significantly higher (247.7%) than that of the conventionally sintered composite. A higher particle coordination and voids elimination due to the tape casting and the lamination processes, the microwave effect, the stress‐induced martensitic phase transformation, and the grain refinement phenomenon are regarded as the main reasons for the mentioned outcomes.
Genetic diversity and sperm characteristics are not associated in two bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) populations
Authors: Johnsen Arild , Wold‐Dobbe Kristine , Lo Cascio Sætre Camilla , Eybert Marie‐Christine , Marquet Matthieu , Bonnet Patrick , Cramer Emily R. A.
Published: June 2023

Individual heterozygosity may influence the expression of fitness‐related traits, via genome‐wide or local genetic effects. Earlier studies have shown negative relationships between heterozygosity and sperm variation, predominantly in captive, highly inbred populations. Little is known about the possible influence of variation in heterozygosity on sperm traits in wild, outbred populations. We studied two populations of the bluethroat, one from the widely distributed northern subspecies Luscinia. s. svecica and the other from the smaller, more patchily distributed subspecies breeding along the French coast of Brittany L. s. namnetum. The two subspecies differed significantly in body size, plumage colour, sperm traits and the degree of genetic diversity. However, there was no evidence that sperm traits (total length and motility) were influenced by the degree of heterozygosity at the individual level. In contrast, we found that male body size was positively related to heterozygosity across both populations, indicating a possible relationship between overall genetic diversity and general vigour or ability to obtain food. We conclude that sperm traits are unrelated to levels of heterozygosity in the studied outbred and weakly genetically depauperate bluethroat populations.
Development of a small‐size processing line for production of safflower oil
Authors: Mursalykova Maigul , Iskakov Bauyrzhan , Kakimov Mukhtarbek , Zhumadilova Gulmira , Shulenova Assem
Published: June 2023

There is growing interest in exploring new types of cultivated plants that offer unique health benefits. Safflower is a promising plant nutrition resource that has gained popularity in Kazakhstan and worldwide. However, one of the pressing issues is improving the consumption pattern of food products, including vitamins and microelements. This article aims to develop a small‐scale processing line for safflower oil production in small enterprises of the cereal‐processing industry. The primary focus is on purifying safflower from impurities and husks, as well as compressing and centrifuging the oil raw material for high‐quality and biologically valuable product. The authors developed a processing line consisting of a sheller‐compress and a centrifuge of original constructions for separating husks from the kernel and compressing and centrifuging the oil raw material. The process combines husking, compressing, filtration, and sedimentation to ensure primary purification of plant oils and the removal of mechanical impurities. The production of safflower oil has become an urgent task due to its rich composition of vitamins and phospholipids. The newly developed processing line ensures the production of high‐quality safflower oil and has great potential for small enterprises in the cereal‐processing industry. The article highlights the importance of primary purification of plant oils and its impact on the quality of the final product.

Practical applications

The following conclusions emerged from the research. The relevance of fat oil growing, including signs of increased popularity of safflower oil in Kazakhstan and in the world has been studied. Various types (husking, compressing, sedimentation, centrifuging and filtering) of primary purification of safflower and purification of oil from mechanical impurities have been investigated. The dependence of extraction of pressed safflower oil on the speed of rotation of the filter and settling rotor and the equipment structure itself has been studied. The sheller‐compress for purification of safflower has been developed to combine husking and compressing processes to increase the oil content of the processed oil raw material and the productivity of the processing equipment. The centrifuge is designed for primary purification of safflower oil from mechanical impurities, allowing to combine the sedimentation and filtering processes due to rotors and to obtain purified safflower oil. The problem of intensification of the purification process is characterized by the ratio of different defined parameters. As a result, optimum parameters were determined and a processing line was developed with the use of a sheller‐compress and a centrifuge with a filtering and pre.
Diabetes treatment deintensification in Australians with dementia compared to the general population: A national cohort study
Authors: Picton Leonie J. , George Johnson , Bell J. Simon , Ilomaki Jenni S.
Published: June 2023

Background

Diagnosis of dementia may change peoples' goals of care. In people with diabetes, this may lead to relaxing treatment targets and reducing the use of diabetes medications. The aim of this study was to examine changes in diabetes medication use before and after initiating medication for dementia.

Methods

A national cohort of people aged 65–97 years, living with dementia and diabetes, and a general population cohort with diabetes matched for age, sex, and index date were extracted from the Australian national medication claims database. Trajectories of diabetes medication use, expressed as mean defined daily dose (DDD) each month for each individual from 24 months before to 24 months after the index date, were estimated using group‐based trajectory modeling (GBTM). Cohorts were analyzed separately.

Results

People with dementia (N = 1884) and the matched general population (N = 7067) had a median age of 80 years (interquartile range 76–84) and 55% were female. In both models, people exhibited one of five diabetes medication trajectories, with 16.5% of people with dementia and 24.0% of the general population assigned to trajectories that represented deintensification. In the general population model, those on deintensifying trajectories were older than those on stable trajectories (median 83 vs. 79 years). In the dementia cohort model, those on high or low deintensifying trajectories were slightly older (median age 81 or 82, respectively, vs. 80 years) and had at least 1 more comorbidity (median 8 or 7, respectively, vs. 6) than those on stable trajectories.

Conclusions

Initiating medication for dementia does not appear to be a trigger for deintensification of diabetes treatment regimens. Deintensification was more common in the general population; people living with dementia are potentially overtreated for diabetes.
Brain FDG‐PET findings in chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy neurotoxicity for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Morbelli Silvia , Gambella Massimiliano , Raiola Anna Maria , Ghiggi Chiara , Bauckneht Matteo , Raimondo Tania Di , Lapucci Caterina , Sambuceti Gianmario , Inglese Matilde , Angelucci Emanuele
Published: June 2023

Background and Purpose

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy is potentially associated with treatment‐related toxicities mainly consisting of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune‐effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). We evaluated brain metabolic correlates of CRS with and without ICANS in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients treated with CAR‐T.

Methods

Twenty‐one refractory DLCBLs underwent whole‐body and brain [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET before and 30 days after treatment with CAR‐T. Five patients did not develop inflammatory‐related side effects, 11 patients developed CRS, while in 5 patients CRS evolved in ICANS. Baseline and post‐CAR‐T brain FDG‐PET were compared with a local controls dataset to identify hypometabolic patterns both at single‐patient and group levels (p < .05 after correction for family‐wise error [FWE). Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were computed on baseline FDG‐PET and compared between patients’ subgroups (t‐test).

Results

ICANS showed an extended and bilateral hypometabolic pattern mainly involving the orbitofrontal cortex, frontal dorsolateral cortex, and anterior cingulate (p < .003 FWE‐corrected). CRS without ICANS showed significant hypometabolism in less extended clusters mainly involving bilateral medial and lateral temporal lobes, posterior parietal lobes, anterior cingulate, and cerebellum (p < .002 FWE‐corrected). When compared, ICANS showed a more prominent hypometabolism in the orbitofrontal and frontal dorsolateral cortex in both hemispheres than CRS (p < .002 FWE‐corrected). Mean baseline MTV and TLG were significantly higher in ICANS than CRS (p < .02).

Conclusions

Patients with ICANS are characterized by a frontolateral hypometabolic signature coherently with the hypothesis of ICANS as a predominant frontal syndrome and with the more prominent susceptibility of frontal lobes to cytokine‐induced inflammation.
USDA Summer Meals Program: Lack of Program Awareness Contributes to Unmet Need Among Nonparticipants
Authors: Vericker Tracy , Rothstein Melissa , Gabay Mary , Gola Alice Ann H. , Lovellette Grant
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Participation in the US Department of Agriculture's summer meals program is consistently lower compared to National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation, even though the programs target the same population of children. The purpose of this study was to elucidate reasons for participation and nonparticipation in the summer meals program.

METHODS

A nationally representative sample of 4688 households with children ages 5 through 18 years living near a summer meals site in 2018 completed a survey about their reasons for participation or nonparticipation in the summer meals program, features that would help nonparticipants to attend, and household food security status.

RESULTS

Almost half of all households living near a summer meal site were food insecure (45%) and most (77%) had incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Most participant caregivers (74%) sent their children to summer meal sites for the free meals, while 46% of nonparticipant caregivers said they did not attend because they were unaware of the program.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a high level of food insecurity among all households, the most reported reason for not attending the summer meals program was unawareness of the program. These findings highlight a need for better program visibility and outreach.
Elective induction of labour at full‐term gestations and childhood school outcomes
Authors: Selvaratnam Roshan J , Wallace Euan M , Rolnik Daniel L , Mol Ben W , Butler Sarah E , Bisits Andrew , Lawson Janna , Davey Mary‐Ann
Published: June 2023

Aim

To explore the association between induction of labour at full‐term gestations in low‐risk nulliparous women and childhood school outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective whole‐of‐population cohort study linking perinatal data to educational test scores at grades 3, 5 and 7 in Victoria, Australia. Low‐risk nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies induced at 39 and 40 weeks without a medical indication were compared to those expectantly managed from that week of gestation. Multivariable logistic regressions were used as well as generalised estimating equations on longitudinal data.

Results

At 39 weeks, there were 3687 and 103 164 infants in the induction and expectant arms, respectively. At 40 weeks' gestation, there were 7914 and 70 280 infants, respectively. Infants born to nulliparous women induced at 39 weeks' gestation had significantly poorer educational outcomes at grade 3 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.70) but not grades 5 (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.84–1.33) and 7 (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.81–1.40) compared to those expectantly managed. Infants born to nulliparous women induced at 40 weeks had comparable educational outcomes at grade 3 (aOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.90–1.25) but poorer educational outcomes at grades 5 (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.43) and 7 (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03–1.47) compared to those expectantly managed.

Conclusions

There were inconsistent associations between elective induction of labour at full‐term gestations in low‐risk nulliparous women and impaired childhood school outcomes.
From chaos to creation: The mutual causality between supply chain disruption and innovation in low‐income markets
Authors: Oke Adegoke , Nair Anand
Published: June 2023

Low‐income markets have unique constraints that trigger the co‐evolution of innovation and disruption in such markets. When disruptions occur in global supply chains, and in particular, in low‐income markets, they spur innovations that may be necessary to address both existing and potential future disruptions. However, such innovations in turn create disruptions to existing supply chains, and they may also create new supply chains. Therefore, this study theorizes in support of the mutual causality between innovation and disruption in low‐income markets. The focus is on low‐income market contexts because of the unique opportunities and constraints that exist in these contexts, resulting in interesting and unique dynamics between innovation and disruption. Further, the mechanisms through which innovation‐disruption mutual causality occurs—as well as the boundary conditions for these mechanisms—are identified. This culminates in a theoretical framework surrounding the interrelationship between disruption and innovation in low‐income markets. Theoretical and practical implications are explored, and potential areas for future research are delineated.
Classifying Muslims: Contextualizing Religion and Race in the United Kingdom and Germany
Authors: Becker Elisabeth , Rinado Rachel , Guhin Jeffrey
Published: June 2023

Since the late 20th century, public discourse in Muslim‐minority countries has centered around the question of how to classify Muslims. In this paper, we compare the state, academic, and self‐classification of Muslims in two countries: the United Kingdom and Germany. We propose that the historical experience of anti‐Semitism makes religion a more salient master category to understand Muslims in Germany, while the history of both anti‐Semitism and anti‐Black racism largely resulting from colonial domination means that religion together with race are master categories used to understand Muslims in the United Kingdom. Through this multilayered ethnographic and historical analysis, we challenge taken‐for‐granted assumptions in both the political and academic milieu about what it means to be Muslim, emphasizing the importance of the interplay between sociopolitical categories and self‐identifications.
Practitioners' perspectives on preparing for and delivering remote psychological support in Nepal, Perú and the United States during COVID‐19
Authors: Pedersen Gloria A. , Elnasseh Abdelrhman , Bhattacharya Bani , Moran Leydi , Neupane Vibha , Galea Jerome T. , Contreras Carmen , Pfeffer Kendall A. , Brown Adam D. , Sangraula Manaswi , Luitel Nagendra P. , Kohrt Brandon A.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The COVID‐19 pandemic has propelled a global paradigm shift in how psychological support is delivered. Remote delivery, through phone and video calls, is now commonplace around the world. However, most adoption of remote delivery methods is occurring without any formal training to ensure safe and effective care.

Objective

The purpose of this applied qualitative study was to determine practitioners' experiences of rapidly adapting to deliver psychological support remotely during COVID‐19.

Design

We used a pragmatic paradigm and applied approach to gain perspectives related to the feasibility and perceived usefulness of synchronous remote psychological support, including views on how practitioners can be prepared.

Methods

Key informant interviews were conducted remotely with 27 specialist and non‐specialist practitioners in Nepal, Perú and the USA. Interviewees were identified through purposeful sampling. Data were analysed using framework analysis.

Results

Respondents revealed three key themes: (i) Remote delivery of psychological support raises unique safety concerns and interference with care, (ii) Remote delivery enhances skills and expands opportunities for delivery of psychological support to new populations, and (iii) New training approaches are needed to prepare specialist and non‐specialist practitioners to deliver psychological support remotely.

Conclusions

Remote psychological support is feasible and useful for practitioners, including non‐specialists, in diverse global settings. Simulated remote role plays may be a scalable method for ensuring competency in safe and effective remotely‐delivered care.
The IPTA Nashville Consensus Conference on Post‐Transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after solid organ transplantation in children: III – Consensus guidelines for Epstein‐Barr virus load and other biomarker monitoring
Authors: Preiksaitis Jutta , Allen Upton , Bollard Catherine M. , Dharnidharka Vikas R. , Dulek Daniel E. , Green Michael , Martinez Olivia M. , Metes Diana M. , Michaels Marian G. , Smets Françoise , Chinnock Richard E. , Comoli Patrizia , Danziger‐Isakov Lara , Dipchand Anne I. , Esquivel Carlos O. , Ferry Judith A. , Gross Thomas G. , Hayashi Robert J. , Höcker Britta , L’Huillier Arnaud G. , Marks Stephen D. , Mazariegos George Vincent , Squires James , Swerdlow Steven H. , Trappe Ralf U. , Visner Gary , Webber Steven A. , Wilkinson James D. , Maecker‐Kolhoff Brtitta
Published: June 2023

The International Pediatric Transplant Association convened an expert consensus conference to assess current evidence and develop recommendations for various aspects of care relating to post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after solid organ transplantation in children. In this report from the Viral Load and Biomarker Monitoring Working Group, we reviewed the existing literature regarding the role of Epstein‐Barr viral load and other biomarkers in peripheral blood for predicting the development of PTLD, for PTLD diagnosis, and for monitoring of response to treatment. Key recommendations from the group highlighted the strong recommendation for use of the term EBV DNAemia instead of “viremia” to describe EBV DNA levels in peripheral blood as well as concerns with comparison of EBV DNAemia measurement results performed at different institutions even when tests are calibrated using the WHO international standard. The working group concluded that either whole blood or plasma could be used as matrices for EBV DNA measurement; optimal specimen type may be clinical context dependent. Whole blood testing has some advantages for surveillance to inform pre‐emptive interventions while plasma testing may be preferred in the setting of clinical symptoms and treatment monitoring. However, EBV DNAemia testing alone was not recommended for PTLD diagnosis. Quantitative EBV DNAemia surveillance to identify patients at risk for PTLD and to inform pre‐emptive interventions in patients who are EBV seronegative pre‐transplant was recommended. In contrast, with the exception of intestinal transplant recipients or those with recent primary EBV infection prior to SOT, surveillance was not recommended in pediatric SOT recipients EBV seropositive pre‐transplant. Implications of viral load kinetic parameters including peak load and viral set point on pre‐emptive PTLD prevention monitoring algorithms were discussed. Use of additional markers, including measurements of EBV specific cell mediated immunity was discussed but not recommended though the importance of obtaining additional data from prospective multicenter studies was highlighted as a key research priority.