bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Xanthine oxidase by 1-O-methyl chrysophanol, a hydroxyanthraquinone isolated fromAmycolatopsis thermoflavaICTA 103
Authors: Batchu Uma Rajeswari , Reddi Bharati , Surapaneni Joshna Rani , Shetty Prakasham Reddy , Misra Sunil , Addlagatta Anthony
Published: March 2023

Hyperuricemia caused by elevated levels of serum uric acid is responsible for implication of gout and other associated disorders that influence the human health. So far, Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors are the choice of first line drugs for the treatment of hyperuricemia. The objective of the present study was to isolate a potent XO inhibitor from the actinobacteria and to evaluate its inhibitory mechanism. Initially, XO was isolated from bovine milk using standard protocol and enzyme kinetics were evaluated. Thereafter, culture filtrates of actinobacteria (Amycolatopsis thermoflavaICTA 103),Streptomyces luteireticuliICTA 16,Streptomyces kurssanoviiICTA165 andAmycolatopsis luridaICTA 194) were screened for XO inhibition usingin vitroqualitative NBT plate assay followed by extraction and purification of potent inhibitor 1-O-methyl chrysophanol (OMC), from the culture filtrate ofAmycolatopsis thermoflavaICTA 103, which belongs to hydroxy anthraquinones (HAQ) family. Further,in silicomolecular model building was performed to study the binding affinity of OMC towards XO followed by quantitativein vitrospectroscopic assays. The molecular building study explored the mechanistic view of binding interaction between inhibitor & enzyme and the results were corroborates with thein vitrokinetic study. Thein vitroresults revealed the significant enzyme inhibition potential of OMC with an IC50andKivalue of 24.8 ± 0.072 µM & 2.218 ± 0.3068 µM respectively. These results are comparable to standard allopurinol, however, more significant than its structural analog, chrysophanol. The kinetic analysis revealed that OMC is a reversible slow binding inhibitor and the Lineweaver - Burkplot analysis showed mixed type inhibition of OMC against XO. These results are in agreement with chrysophanol. Findings of this study proposed a new derivative of HAQ in the pipeline of hyperuricemia therapeutic drug candidates.
Current landscape of disparity-focused research: a bibliometric analysis of 260 research articles
Authors: Walia Anushka , Haslam Alyson , Tuia Jordan , Milijković Milos , Prasad Vinay
Published: March 2023

The health disparities research field is rapidly evolving, but not all populations may be adequately represented in research on disparities. This study characterizes the current state of disparities literature and identifies trends, gaps, and opportunities in the field through bibliometric analysis. 260 articles published between January 2020 and August 2022, of which 95% focused on health disparities, were included in the analysis. 67% of studies investigated disparities across racial or ethnic groups, and all 9 articles on physician employment investigated disparities in gender. The majority of studies focused on adults, with 71% of studies having mean or median ages of subjects between 40 and 80 years. Articles on cancer and cardiovascular conditions comprised 34% of health-related disparity studies. Our results highlight a need to study disparities in pediatric and young adult populations. Such research can identify targets of early intervention that may improve long-term health and reduce disparities presenting in late adulthood.
Detection and differentiation ofXanthomonas translucenspathovarstranslucensandundulosafrom wheat and barley by duplex quantitative PCR
Authors: Fu Heting , Fleitas María Constanza , Sarkes Alian , Wang Lipu , Yang Yalong , Zahr Kher , Harding Michael W. , Feindel David , Kutcher Randy , Feng Jie
Published: March 2023

Two probe-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) systems, namely P-Xtt and P-Xtu, were developed for diagnosis of cereal bacterial leaf streak pathogensXanthomonas translucenspv.translucensand pv.undulosa, respectively. P-Xtt is specific to pv.translucens. P-Xtu is specific to pv.undulosa, pv.cerealis, pv.secalisand pv.pistaciae. P-Xtt and P-Xtu worked on all accessible strains of pv.translucensand pv.undulosa, respectively. Both systems could detect 100 copies of the target gBlock DNA. The two systems could be used in both singleplex qPCR and duplex qPCR with similar efficiencies. On genomic DNA from strains of variousX. translucenspathovars, both singleplex qPCR and duplex qPCR could specifically detect and differentiate pv.translucensand pv.undulosa. The duplex qPCR could detect pv.translucensand pv.undulosafrom genomic DNA of 1,000 bacterial cells. On infected barley and wheat grain samples, and on one infected wheat leaf sample, the duplex qPCR showed similar efficiency compared to a previously published qPCR system but with the additional capability of pathovar differentiation. The duplex qPCR system developed in this study will be useful in studies on bacterial leaf streak and detection/differentiation of the pathogens.
An application of virtual twins for fit prediction: case study of women jackets
Authors: Wan Sida , Kuzmichev Victor
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a fit prediction case study of virtual twins of women jacket. For this reason, several basic principles of clothes fit prediction were developed and verified.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop the principles of fit prediction, the women's jacket sleeve was selected as the study object. The study objects were categorized into three types: the patterns and two virtual sleeves generating on full avatar from Clo3D and on dummy (arm partly removed). Through series of subjective and objective evaluation experiments, the relationship between the similar indexes of the patterns and the virtual sleeves was built, including fit criteria range, the categorization of the indexes in terms of its sensitiveness, and the linear regressions to predict several indexes of virtual sleeves after its pattern parameterization. The results obtained were verified in case study by the virtual and real sleeves generating.

Findings

The proposed principles of clothing fit prediction based on parallel research of the flat patterns and its virtual 3D shapes. The principles include the choosing of virtual twins of human body for virtual try-on, the establishing of indexes common schedule for patterns and virtual sleeves, the creation of criteria and its ranges for perfect fit and poor fit evaluation, and the application of existing relations between the patterns and the sleeves for predicting indexes responsible for fit.

Research limitations/implications

The authors propose and verify the validity of the principles to predict several parameters of virtual 3D sleeve of women's jacket which are forming the level of fit. The result of this study can be used to convenient fit prediction and to find the misfit reasons.

Practical implications

This study developed basic principles for predicting the fit of the clothing through the virtual simulation and the statistical analysis. Through studying the jacket sleeve, the several related ranges, the row of more sensitive indexes, and the equations were presented and verified, which certified the validity of proposed principles.

Social implications

The results can effectively predict the sleeve fit before sewing, which reduce the time and materials cost and the operator's skill requirements.

Originality/value

The authors propose and verify the validity of the principles to predict several parameters of virtual 3D sleeve of women's jacket which form the level of fit. The result of this study can be used for convenient fit prediction and to find the misfit reasons.
Taking on the “new normal”: emerging psychologists' reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gradidge Sarah , Yap Wai Meng , Liem Andrian , Dass Giselle
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly became the “new normal” with profound implications for everyone's daily life. In this paper, emerging psychologists from diverse cultural backgrounds discuss four main ways in which COVID-19 impacted diverse psychological populations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper was written as a reflection on how COVID-19 has impacted diverse psychological populations using authors' academic and personal experiences.

Findings

First, the authors explore inaccessible populations with a focus on domestic violence victims living in rural areas. Second, the authors consider consequences of social isolation with a focus on remote workers. Third, the authors investigate the consequences of public (dis)trust in the pandemic with a focus on migrant worker communities. Finally, the authors discuss pandemic-relevant subcultures with a focus on “anti-vaxxers”.

Social implications

The paper concludes with a discussion of negative implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on diverse psychological populations, both for the present and the future, and ends with an action plan of possible interventions to overcome these limitations.

Originality/value

Overall, the current paper provides a broad overview of how the pandemic has shaped and will continue to shape diverse psychological populations.
Revisiting Peshkin: teaching reflexive practice through categorization
Authors: Pope Elizabeth M. , Shelton Stephanie Anne
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Qualitative research is well-established and widely adopted across a range of disciplines; however, there is little discussion of the teaching of qualitative research methods. What engagements there are primarily focus on methods rather than core concepts that inform ethical and effective use of those approaches. “Subjectivity” and “reflexivity” are pervasive concepts taken up in numerous textbooks, handbooks, and journal guidelines. But, despite being an expected and critical aspect of qualitative methodologies, few scholars consider how researchers might learn to engage with these necessary aspects effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper written from the authors' experiences teaching qualitative research to graduate students at the master's and doctoral levels.

Findings

This conceptual paper offers an andragogical discussion of how novice and student researchers might learn to consider the concepts of reflexivity and subjectivity. Additionally, it considers how the deep and critical reflection inherent in both subjectivity and reflexivity are valuable aspects in extending discussions and applications of qualitative research in various disciplines.

Originality/value

This paper offers a fresh and unique consideration of teaching novice researchers how to practice reflexivity and examine their subjectivities using the work of Alan Peshkin as a model.
Two cases with bullous pemphigoid relapsed after using interleukin‐17A inhibitors for psoriasis: A paradoxical reaction
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Aiping , Wang Mingyue
Published: March 2023

Biological drugs, including IL‐17A inhibitors, have become the first‐line treating options for moderate to severe psoriasis, and reports show a beneficial effect of IL‐17A inhibitors on bullous pemphigoid. Here, we report two cases of bullous pemphigoid in remission that experienced severe flares during treatment with two major IL‐17A inhibitors, i.e., ixekizumab or secukinumab for their psoriasis vulgaris. The patient with bullous pemphigoid induced by secukinumab became very recalcitrant to control the relapse. This is by far the first and paradoxical report on the IL‐17A inhibitors having a negative effect on bullous pemphigoid patients in previously stable status. Our reports of these two cases alert clinicians to be careful when using IL‐17A in pemphigoid patients. We also suggest that patients with psoriasis vulgaris should be asked for a detailed history of pemphigoid and its BP180 autoantibodies status be checked before using these biologicals.
Airborne laser scanning reveals uniform responses of forest structure to moose (Alces alces) across the boreal forest biome
Authors: Petersen Tanja K. , Kolstad Anders L. , Kouki Jari , Leroux Shawn J. , Potvin Lynette R. , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre , Wallgren Märtha , Widemo Fredrik , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Courtois Coline , Austrheim Gunnar , Gosse John , den Herder Michael , Hermanutz Luise , Speed James D. M.
Published: March 2023

The moose Alces alces is the largest herbivore in the boreal forest biome, where it can have dramatic impacts on ecosystem structure and dynamics. Despite the importance of the boreal forest biome in global carbon cycling, the impacts of moose have only been studied in disparate regional exclosure experiments, leading to calls for common analyses across a biome‐wide network of moose exclosures.

In this study, we use airborne laser scanning (ALS) to analyse forest canopy responses to moose across 100 paired exclosure‐control experimental plots distributed across the boreal biome, including sites in the United States (Isle Royale), Canada (Quebec, Newfoundland), Norway, Sweden and Finland.

We test the hypotheses that canopy height, vertical complexity and above‐ground biomass (AGB) are all reduced by moose and that the impacts vary with moose density, productivity, temperature and pulse disturbances such as logging and insect outbreaks.

We find a surprising convergence in forest canopy response to moose. Moose had negative impacts on canopy height, complexity and AGB as expected. The responses of canopy complexity and AGB were consistent across regions and did not vary along environmental gradients. The difference in canopy height between exclosures and open plots was on average 6 cm per year since the start of exclosure treatment (±2.1 SD). This rate increased with temperature, but only when moose density was high.

The difference in AGB between moose exclosures and open plots was 0.306 Mg ha−1 year−1 (±0.079). In browsed plots, stand AGB was 32% of that in the exclosures, a difference of 2.09 Mg ha−1. The uniform response allows scaling of the estimate to a biome‐wide impact of moose of the loss of 448 (±115) Tg per year, or 224 Tg of carbon.

Synthesis: Analysis of ALS data from distributed exclosure experiments identified a largely uniform response of forest canopies to moose across regions, facilitating scaling of moose impacts across the whole biome. This is an important step towards incorporating the effect of the largest boreal herbivore on the carbon cycling of one of the world's largest terrestrial biomes.
Can China's new rural pension scheme alleviate the relative poverty of rural households? An empirical analysis based on thePSM‐DIDmethod
Authors: Wen Limin , Sun Shufang
Published: March 2023

Based on five‐period panel data from the China Family Panel Studies 2010–2018, this paper uses the propensity score matching difference‐in‐differences (PSM‐DID) method to comprehensively evaluate the effects of the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) on alleviating rural households' relative poverty. At the same time, based on the theory of sustainable livelihoods of rural households, the mediating effects model is applied to analyse the mechanism of rural households' livelihood capital. The results of the study are as follows. (1) The NRPS helps alleviate the relative poverty of rural households. (2) The livelihood capital of rural households is an important mechanism for the NRPS to alleviate the relative poverty of rural households, and social capital, financial capital, and human capital all play a part in the mediating effect. (3) The results of the heterogeneity tests based on the stage of rural households' participation in the NRPS and the region of participation in the NRPS indicate that the governance effects of the NRPS on rural households' relative poverty are more significant among households in the contributory stage and the central and western regions. Additionally, the results are supported by robustness tests, such as replacing the dependent variable and the PSM method. The findings of this paper have important implications for the establishment of a long‐term mechanism to address relative poverty and the construction of a more efficient and inclusive rural social pension insurance system in China and other developing countries.
Age of Starting School, Academic Performance, and the Impact of Non‐Compliance: An Experiment within an Experiment, Evidence from Australia*
Authors: Beatton Tony , Kidd Michael P. , Niu Anthony , Vella Francis
Published: March 2023

This paper estimates the difference in academic performance of the oldest (treated) and youngest (control) students in a given grade. We employ Queensland Department of Education school administration panel data for the population of 2008–2016 state school students. Academic performance is measured using standardised test scores (National Assessments Program in Numeracy and Literacy) and teacher‐assessed measures of performance and effort for individuals in grades 3, 5 and 7. The empirical analysis employs a regression discontinuity design based on birth date relative to administrative rules on age of school enrolment. The class‐assigning mechanism operates via a known cut‐off date and results in the oldest child in the grade being almost a year older than the youngest. However, lack of enrolment compliance implies the regression discontinuity design is fuzzy rather than sharp, identifying the local average treatment effect rather than the average treatment effect. In particular, given the one‐sided nature of non‐compliance, we employ the partially fuzzy estimator of Battistin and Rettore (Journal of Econometrics, 142, 715–30, 2008). Exploiting a 2008 enrolment cut‐off date reform, which delayed school starting age by 6 months, we find a large increase in enrolment compliance. This exogenous change in the enrolment age enables one to gauge the importance of enrolment non‐compliance in estimating the treatment effect of being older versus younger in cohort. We find that pre‐reform the treatment effect is small and generally statistically insignificant and post‐reform it is sizeable and statistically significant.
Social action as a route to the ballot box: Can youth volunteering reduce inequalities in turnout?
Authors: FOX STUART
Published: March 2023

A serious challenge facing Western democracies is the falling propensity of successive cohorts of citizens to vote. Over the last 50 years, newly eligible voters – particularly from poorer backgrounds – have become less likely to vote in their first elections, and more likely to develop habits of non‐voting. This trend has prompted greater interest in policies with the potential to increase first‐time voter turnout, such as lowering the voting age or compulsory political education. Despite a growing academic interest in volunteering as a means of youth political expression or route to civic revival, however, the promotion of youth volunteering has not been seriously considered as a potential tool to help address generational turnout decline.

An extensive literature argues that volunteering can increase first‐time voter turnout, but it is hindered by the limited use of panel data and failure to account for confounding and selection effects. It has not, moreover, considered the potential for the effects of childhood volunteering to be conditional on prior political socialisation, particularly the influence of parents, which is necessary to assess its potential to reduce turnout gaps reflecting socio‐economic status. This study uses the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study and structural equation modelling to overcome these limitations and examine the impact of childhood volunteering on the turnout of newly eligible voters. It shows that for most young volunteers there is no significant benefit, but for the children of politically disengaged parents, volunteering does have a significant, positive effect.
Physiological but not morphological adjustments along latitudinal gradients in a human commensal species, the Eurasian tree sparrow
Authors: ZHANG Qian , LI Mo , YIN Yuan , GE Shiyong , LI Danjie , AHMAD Ibrahim M. , NABI Ghulam , SUN Yanfeng , LUO Xu , LI Dongming
Published: March 2023

Human commensal species take advantage of anthropogenic conditions that are less likely to be challenged by the selective pressures of natural environments. Their morphological and physiological phenotypes can therefore dissociate from habitat characteristics. Understanding how these species adjust their morphological and physiological traits across latitudinal gradients is fundamental to uncovering the eco‐physiological strategies underlying coping mechanisms. Here, we studied morphological traits in breeding Eurasian tree sparrows (ETSs; Passer montanus) among low‐latitude (Yunnan and Hunan) and middle‐latitude (Hebei) localities in China. We then compared body mass; lengths of bill, tarsometatarsus, wing, total body, and tail feather; and baseline and capture stress‐induced levels of plasma corticosterone (CORT) and the metabolites including glucose (Glu), total triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), total protein, and uric acid (UA). None of the measured morphological parameters varied with latitude except in the Hunan population, which demonstrated longer bills than those in other populations. Stress‐induced CORT levels significantly exceeded baseline levels and decreased with increasing latitude, but total integrated CORT levels did not vary with latitude. Capture stress‐induced significantly increased Glu levels and decreased TG levels, independent of site. However, the Hunan population had significantly higher baseline CORT, baseline and stress‐induced FFA levels, but lower UA levels, which differed from other populations. Our results suggest that rather than morphological adjustments, physiological adjustments are mainly involved in coping mechanisms for middle‐latitude adaptation in ETSs. It is worth investigating whether other avian species also exhibit such dissociation from external morphological designs while depending on physiological adjustments.
Lung fusion with the liver in chick and quail embryos
Authors: Kim Ji Hyun , Hayashi Shogo , Murakami Gen , Rodríguez‐Vázquez José Francisco , Miyaki Takayoshi
Published: March 2023

Even in mammals with the diaphragm, the lung and liver are likely to attach mutually without separation by any structure in embryos. The aim of this study was to examine whether or not the lung attaches to the liver in embryonic development of birds without diaphragm. First, we ensured the topographical relation between the lung and liver in 12 human embryos at 5 weeks. After the serosal mesothelium was established, the human lung sometimes (3 embryos) attached tightly to the liver without interruption by the developing diaphragm in the pleuroperitoneal fold. Second, we observed the lung–liver interface in chick and quail embryos. At 3–5 days' incubation (stages 20–27), the lung and liver were fused at bilateral narrow areas just above the muscular stomach. Therein, mesenchymal cells, possibly derived from the transverse septum, were intermingled between the lung and liver. The interface tended to be larger in the quail than the chick. At and until 7 days' incubation, the fusion of the lung and liver disappeared and, instead, a membrane connected them bilaterally. The right membrane extended caudally to attach to the mesonephros and caudal vena cava. At 12 days' incubation, bilateral thick folds, containing the abdominal air sac and pleuroperitoneal muscle (striated muscle), separated the dorsally located lung from the liver. Therefore, the lung–liver fusion occurred transiently in birds. Rather than the presence of the muscular diaphragm, whether the lung and liver were fused seemed to depend on a timing and sequence of development of the mesothelial coverings of these viscera.
Complexity of plant–pollinator interaction networks in East African high‐elevation wetlands
Authors: Nkurikiyimana Donath , Manishimwe Aloysie , van der Hoek Yntze
Published: March 2023

For six selected Afromontane wetlands in Volcanoes National Park (VNP), Rwanda, located at varying elevations, we present preliminary insights into the pollination biology of six selected plant species. We found bees and flies to be particularly common flower visitors across plants and wetlands, followed by five species of birds, beetles, butterflies, and moths. We observed no obvious elevational trends in visitation rates, but pollinator specialisation did seem to vary across both plant species and wetlands. We provide insights into a partial pollinator network as a baseline reference for further studies or monitoring efforts of plant–pollinator interaction patterns and processes.
Changes in corporate social responsibility activity during a pandemic: The case of COVID‐19
Authors: Mellahi Kamel , Rettab Belaid , Sharma Sangeeta , Hughes Mathew , Hughes Paul
Published: March 2023

This study examines the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) during COVID‐19. Little is known about how organizations practice CSR during acute exogenous crises. Overlooking how CSR practices change during a crisis matters because organizations are compelled into trade‐offs that carry implications for their CSR initiatives. Analysis of interview data with CSR managers, from 21 Dubai‐based business organizations during COVID‐19, uncovers changes in the content and process of CSR during the pandemic. The results show that the practice of CSR underwent a fundamental change in focus as organizations shifted to an employee‐centric model of CSR and away from an environmental one. Measures placed on organizations and society to combat the pandemic also led to a recalibration of stakeholder and issue salience, with notable effects on CSR that challenge the capability of the power–legitimacy–urgency framework to anticipate these shifts. We consider the impacts associated with the shift in the content of CSR initiatives and process of their implementation and discuss the implications of the findings for CSR theory, research, policy, and practice.
Self‐uniquenessincreases women's willingness to participate in collective action for gender justice, but not support for sex quotas
Authors: Vázquez Alexandra , López‐Rodríguez Lucía
Published: March 2023

Affiliation with certain groups allows to simultaneously satisfy two competing needs: the need to be moderately different from others and the need to belong. We propose that the feminist movement, that has been turning towards individualistic goals based on individual empowerment, may be one of such groups for women. In three studies we examined the relationship between self‐uniqueness and women's support for collective action and structural measures (i.e. sex quotas) promoted by the feminist movement. A first correlational study indicated that self‐uniqueness need is positively associated with willingness to participate in collective action for gender justice generally, but not with support for sex quotas. Consistently, two experimental studies (Studies 2–3) found that priming self‐uniqueness increases collective action intentions, but not quota support. Study 3 also showed that the effect of self‐uniqueness on collective action intentions for gender justice may be mediated by greater perceptions of personal discrimination for being a woman and fusion with the feminist movement. These results suggest that appeals to self‐uniqueness may attract women to the feminist movement but do not guarantee support for concrete collective measures against gender inequality.
Does evidentiality support source monitoring and false belief understanding? A cross‐linguistic study with Turkish‐ and English‐speaking children
Authors: Kandemirci Birsu , Theakston Anna , Boeg Thomsen Ditte , Brandt Silke
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the impact of evidentiality on source monitoring and the impact of source monitoring on false belief understanding (FBU), while controlling for short‐term memory, age, gender, and receptive vocabulary. One hundred (50 girls) monolingual 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds from Turkey and the UK participated in the study in 2019. In Turkish, children's use of direct evidentiality predicted their source monitoring skills, which, in turn, predicted their FBU. In English, FBU was not related to source monitoring. Combined results from both languages revealed that Turkish‐speaking children had better FBU than English‐speaking children, and only for Turkish‐speaking children, better source monitoring skills predicted better FBU. This suggests an indirect impact of evidentiality on FBU by means of source monitoring in Turkish.
Multilocus phylogenetic analysis revealed a new cryptic lineage of Serpula himantioides in Japan
Authors: Iwakiri Ayuka , Ota Hitomi , Matsushita Norihisa , Haraguchi Ryusei , Yamada Toshihiro , Fukuda Kenji
Published: March 2023

Serpula himantioides is a widely distributed saprotrophic fungus that causes root and butt rot in various tree species. In Japan, butt rot associated with S. himantioides is observed in Chamaecyparis pisifera and Abies sachalinensis. Previous studies have shown that S. himantioides includes five phylogenetically defined cryptic lineages, but the placement of Japanese isolates remains unclear. To clarify the phylogenetic relationship between Japanese S. himantioides and the five known lineages, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using three newly collected Japanese isolates along with 74 S. himantioides isolates, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the 28 S large subunit (LSU) rDNA, the beta‐tubulin (tub) gene, and the heat stress protein (hsp) gene. The concatenated phylogenetic tree showed that Japanese isolates composed a clade with a high bootstrap value distinct from the known lineages, indicating the Japanese isolates present a new cryptic lineage of S. himantioides.
Patterns of hemispheric compromise in primary progressive apraxia of speech: From clinical profiling to differential diagnosis
Authors: García Adolfo M.
Published: March 2023

In this issue of European Journal of Neurology, Robinson et al. present a novel study on primary progressive apraxia of speech. The authors describe different clinicopathological profiles in patients with left‐dominant, right‐dominant, and bilateral atrophy of the supplementary motor area and lateral premotor cortex. This commentary discusses the importance of this evidence for understanding individual differences among these patients, distinguishing them from those with nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia, and analyzing the relations between motor speech deficits and underlying pathology.
Screen use: Its association with caregiver mental health, parenting, and children's ADHD symptoms
Authors: Waller Franziska , Prandstetter Katharina , Jansen Elena , Nikolova Gordana , Lachman Jamie M. , Hutchings Judy , Foran Heather M.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The aim was to examine the relationship between caregiver's mental health (parental psychological distress, and parenting stress), dysfunctional parenting (lax or overreactive parenting), and the screen media use in understanding attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms of children within an integrated model framework.

Background

Familial factors and screen use have shown to be significantly related to ADHD in children. However, theoretical models of the role of family environment, screen use, and ADHD have rarely been tested jointly, and little is known about these associations in southeastern European middle‐income countries (MICs).

Method

Data from 835 primary caregivers (92% biological mother, 4% biological father, 3% grandmother or grandfather, 1% other) of children (2 to 9 years) from three MICs were analyzed using path analyses, and models were tested for generalizability across education levels and marital status using multigroup analyses. ADHD‐related symptoms were assessed with a structured clinical interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents–Parent Version [MINI‐KID‐P]) and the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL).

Results

Whereas screen use was directly associated with ADHD symptoms across measures, a significant indirect effect of lax parenting on attentional problems via screen use was found only for the CBCL parent report. The final models were tested using multigroup analyses across education levels and marital status with no significant differences.

Conclusion

Investments in resource and capacity building for children's primary caregivers that target lax parenting and limiting of screen use may impact children's attentional problems across educational levels and married and nonmarried caregivers.
Prevalence of benzodiazepine use disorder during hospitalization for alcohol detoxification
Authors: Crosnier Leconte Gilles , Clergue‐Duval Virgile , Bloch Vanessa , Barre Thomas , Amami Jihed , Bellivier Frank , Questel Frank , Vorspan Florence , Icick Romain
Published: March 2023

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are the first‐line treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Comorbidity between benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD) and alcohol use disorders (AUD) is common. However, the risk factors are poorly characterized due to the paucity of available BUD screening tools. The present study aimed to rectify this by conducting an observational screening investigation for BUD in patients hospitalized for alcohol detoxification in a specialized unit. During a face‐to‐face interview, a short BUD screening tool, Echelle Cognitive d'Attachement aux benzodiazépines (ECAB), was administered to record recent patterns of BZD use, thereby allowing categorization of AUD patients as follows: non‐BZD users, BZD users without BUD, and BUD (ECAB ≥6). Clinical and sociodemographic risk factors were identified and recorded during clinical assessment and were analyzed using nonparametric bivariate tests and multinomial regression for association with BUD, with p < 0.05 for significance. Of the 150 AUD patients, 23 (15%) had comorbid BUD. Several variables were associated with ECAB score, with their independence being verified using multinomial regression, with lower risk of BUD versus BZD use, when the initial prescriber was an addiction specialist compared with a psychiatrist or a general practitioner [odds ratio (OR) = 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14–0.75]. A higher risk of BZD use versus no use was evident when comorbid psychiatric disorders were present (OR = 9.2, 95%CI = 1.3–65). Our findings raise clinicians' awareness that in patients hospitalized for alcohol detoxification, BUD is highly prevalent but not specifically related to psychiatric disorders. BUD can be effectively screened by utilization of the ECAB.
Protected areas not likely to serve as steppingstones for species undergoing climate‐induced range shifts
Authors: Parks Sean A. , Holsinger Lisa M. , Abatzoglou John T. , Littlefield Caitlin E. , Zeller Katherine A.
Published: March 2023

Species across the planet are shifting their ranges to track suitable climate conditions in response to climate change. Given that protected areas have higher quality habitat and often harbor higher levels of biodiversity compared to unprotected lands, it is often assumed that protected areas can serve as steppingstones for species undergoing climate‐induced range shifts. However, there are several factors that may impede successful range shifts among protected areas, including the distance that must be traveled, unfavorable human land uses and climate conditions along potential movement routes, and lack of analogous climates. Through a species‐agnostic lens, we evaluate these factors across the global terrestrial protected area network as measures of climate connectivity, which is defined as the ability of a landscape to facilitate or impede climate‐induced movement. We found that over half of protected land area and two‐thirds of the number of protected units across the globe are at risk of climate connectivity failure, casting doubt on whether many species can successfully undergo climate‐induced range shifts among protected areas. Consequently, protected areas are unlikely to serve as steppingstones for a large number of species under a warming climate. As species disappear from protected areas without commensurate immigration of species suited to the emerging climate (due to climate connectivity failure), many protected areas may be left with a depauperate suite of species under climate change. Our findings are highly relevant given recent pledges to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030 (30 × 30), underscore the need for innovative land management strategies that allow for species range shifts, and suggest that assisted colonization may be necessary to promote species that are adapted to the emerging climate.
Challenges in oral health research for older adults
Authors: Allen Finbarr , Tsakos Georgios
Published: March 2023

Background

The high burden of chronic disease in older adults presents significant organisational and funding challenges to healthcare policymakers. However, it is a matter of debate whether research is informing oral healthcare policy at scale.

Objective

The objective of the study was to identify barriers to translation of research into oral healthcare policy and practice for older adults and suggest strategies to address these barriers.

Results

The effectiveness of current models of oral health care, particularly for vulnerable older adults with special needs, is not well established. Researchers need to engage more proactively with stakeholders such as policymakers and end‐users from the study design phase. This is particularly relevant for research in residential care settings. Building a rapport and developing trust with these groups will enable researchers to align their research with the priorities of policymakers. The evidence‐based care paradigm, which is underpinned by randomised clinical trials (RCTs), may not be practical in population oral health research involving older adults. Alternative methods should be considered to develop an evidence‐informed paradigm for oral health care in older adults. Since the pandemic, there are opportunities to use electronic health record data and digital technology. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of tele‐health in oral health of older adults.

Conclusion

Use of a wider range of co‐designed studies rooted in the practicalities of “real world” health service delivery is recommended. This may address issues of concern to policymakers and stakeholders regarding oral health and increase the likelihood of translation of geriatric oral health research into oral healthcare policy and practice.
When birds sing at the same pitch, they avoid singing at the same time
Authors: Chronister Lauren M. , Rhinehart Tessa A. , Kitzes Justin
Published: March 2023

Birds singing in choruses must contend with the possibility of interfering with each other's songs, but not all species will interfere with each other to the same extent due to signal partitioning. Some evidence suggests that singing birds will avoid temporal overlap only in cases where there is overlap in the frequencies their songs occupy, but the extent to which this behaviour varies according to level of frequency overlap is not yet well understood. We investigated the hypothesis that birds will increasingly avoid heterospecific temporal overlap as their frequency overlap increases by testing for a linear correlation between frequency overlap and temporal avoidance across a community of temperate eastern North American birds. We found that there was a significant correlation across the whole community and within 12 of 15 commonly occurring individual species, which supports our hypothesis and adds to the growing body of evidence that birds adjust the timing of their songs in response to frequency overlap.
Survey of hospital practitioners: common understanding of cardiopulmonary resuscitation definition and outcomes
Authors: Berry‐Kilgour Niamh A. H. , Paulin Jono R. , Psirides Alex , Pegg Tammy J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is internationally defined as chest compressions and rescue breaths, and is a subset of resuscitation. First used for out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest, CPR is now frequently used for in‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) with different causes and outcomes.

Aims

This paper aims to describe clinical understanding of the role of in‐hospital CPR and perceived outcomes for IHCA.

Methods

An online survey of a secondary care staff involved in resuscitation was conducted, focussing on definitions of CPR, features of do‐not‐attempt‐CPR conversations with patients and clinical case scenarios. Data were analysed using a simple descriptive approach.

Results

Of 652 responses, 500 were complete and used for analysis. Two hundred eleven respondents were senior medical staff covering acute medical disciplines. Ninety‐one percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that defibrillation is part of CPR, and 96% believed CPR for IHCA included defibrillation. Responses to clinical scenarios were dissonant, with nearly half of respondents demonstrating a pattern of underestimating survival and subsequently showing a desire to offer CPR in similar scenarios with poor outcomes. This was unaffected by seniority and level of resuscitation training.

Conclusions

The common use of CPR in hospital reflects the broader definition of resuscitation. Recapturing the CPR definition for clinicians and patients as only chest compressions and rescue breaths may allow clinicians to better discuss individualised resuscitation care to aide meaningful shared decision‐making around patient deterioration. This may involve reframing current in‐hospital algorithms and uncoupling CPR from wider resuscitative measures.
Tunnelled central venous catheters for incident haemodialysis patients: a Victorian survey exploring reasons for use
Authors: Steinberg Adam G. , Mount Peter F. , Branagan Maree , Toussaint Nigel D.
Published: March 2023

Background

Tunnelled central venous catheters (T‐CVCs) are used globally as vascular access for patients on haemodialysis (HD) but are associated with increased sepsis, mortality, cost and length of hospitalisation compared with more permanent HD vascular access. The reasons for using T‐CVC are varied and poorly understood. A significant and increasing proportion of incident HD patients in Victoria, Australia, have required T‐CVC over the last decade.

Aim

To explore reasons for a significant and increasing proportion of incident HD patients in Victoria, Australia, having required T‐CVC over the last decade.

Methods

With rates of starting HD with definitive vascular access consistently below a Victorian quality indicator target of 70%, an online survey was developed to explore reasons why the rate remained lower than desired and to help inform future decisions about this quality indicator. The survey was completed by dialysis access coordinators over an 8‐month period and involved all public nephrology services in Victoria.

Results

Of the 125 surveys completed, 101 incident HD patients had no attempt at permanent vascular access prior to T‐CVC insertion. For almost half of these (48 patients), there was no active medical decision not to create permanent vascular access prior to commencing dialysis. Reasons for insertion of the T‐CVC included deterioration of kidney function faster than anticipated, surgical referral being overlooked, complications related to peritoneal dialysis requiring a change in dialysis modality and changes to initial decisions regarding dialysis modality for kidney failure.

Conclusions

These survey results provide an opportunity for quality improvement initiatives with respect to dialysis access planning and care.
Initial outcomes of a dedicated multidisciplinary non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease clinic: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Commins Isabella , Clayton‐Chubb Daniel , Melton Sarah , Majeed Ammar , Kemp William , Roberts Stuart K
Published: March 2023

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major healthcare burden. Real‐world outcomes in dedicated tertiary care settings in Australia remain unknown.

Aim

To evaluate the initial outcomes of patients referred to a dedicated multidisciplinary tertiary care NAFLD clinic.

Methods

Retrospective review of all adult patients with NAFLD who attended a dedicated tertiary care NAFLD clinic between January 2018 and February 2020 and who had two clinic visits and FibroScans at least 12 months apart. Demographic and health‐related clinical and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records. Key outcome measures were serum liver chemistries, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and weight control at 12 months.

Results

A total of 137 patients with NAFLD were included. Median (interquartile range (IQR)) follow‐up time was 392 days (343–497 days). One hundred and eleven patients (81%) achieved weight control (i.e. weight loss or stability). Markers of liver disease activity were significantly improved, including median (IQR) serum alanine aminotransferase (48 (33–76) vs 41 (26–60) U/L, P = 0.009) and aspartate aminotransferase (35 (26–54) vs 32 (25–53) U/L, P = 0.020). Median (IQR) LSM across the whole cohort was significantly improved (8.4 (5.3–11.8) vs 7.0 (4.9–10.1) kPa, P = 0.001). No significant reduction was observed in mean body weight or the frequency of metabolic risk factors.

Conclusions

This study highlights a new model of care for patients with NAFLD and demonstrates promising initial outcomes in relation to significant reductions in markers of liver disease severity. Although most patients achieved weight control, further refinements are needed to achieve significant weight reduction including more frequent and structured dietetic and/or pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
Institutional investors and cross‐border mergers and acquisitions: The 2000–2018 period
Authors: Yang Jinsuk , Hao Qing , Yaşar Mahmut
Published: March 2023

Using a sample of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) from 26 countries over 2000–2018, we find that domestic institutional investors facilitate both domestic and cross‐border M&As. The facilitation effect is more pronounced for domestic than cross‐border M&As. When the acquirer country has greater financial freedom or better investor protection than the target country, domestic institutional investors facilitate cross‐border M&As more effectively. As Ordinary Least Squares regressions are not the best approach regarding cross‐border M&As, we confirm that the main results are robust to Zero‐inflated Poisson regressions. Foreign institutional investors' influence on cross‐border M&As is stronger when the sample excludes the United States.
Developing cooperative learning in a content and language integrated learning context to enhance elementary school students' digital storytelling performance, English speaking proficiency, and financial knowledge
Authors: Fan Ting‐Yu , Chen Hsiu‐Ling
Published: March 2023

Background Study

English education has been promoted in Taiwan for many years. Recently, content and language integrated learning (CLIL) has received attention as an effective way to integrate English into real‐life contexts. With advances in technology, digital storytelling is suitable for students to develop multiple skills such as narrating real‐life stories and recording them in English.

Objectives

The present study developed a cooperative learning model in a CLIL context to enhance elementary school students' digital storytelling, English speaking proficiency performance, and financial knowledge.

Methods

The participants were 43 sixth‐grade students from two classes: the experimental group (n = 26) and the control group (n = 17). To investigate whether the digital storytelling results produced by the experimental group under the cooperative learning approach differed from the digital storytelling results produced individually by the control group, an experimental design was implemented throughout the 9‐week course. All the participants took financial knowledge and English‐speaking proficiency pre‐tests and then received financial knowledge classes and digital storytelling instruction to help them effectively design digital storytelling videos, which incorporated the concepts of financial knowledge and English‐speaking skills.

Results and Conclusions

The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the overall digital storytelling performance, English speaking proficiency, and financial knowledge.