bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of post‐mortem submersion interval using total aquatic decomposition scores of drowned human cadavers
Authors: Dalal Jyoti , Sharma Sapna , Bhardwaj Tapeshwar , Dhattarwal S. K.
Published: February 2023

Investigating drowning‐related deaths remains a significant problem for forensic personnel all over the world. The previously published decomposition scoring method like the total aquatic decomposition (TAD) score promises to estimate the correct post‐mortem submersion interval (PMSI) in aquatic habitats through the assessment and calculation of the decomposition rate and accumulated degree days (ADD). The current study comprised of 53 drowned death cases belonging to various districts of Haryana from May 2016 to August 2017. The regression and Pearson's correlation indicated a significant correlation between the TAD scores and the actual ADD (calculated through water temperatures) (r2 = 0.917) and between the actual and the estimated ADDs (calculated through TAD scores used by Heaton et al. [21]) (r = 0.9585). The results indicated that the estimated ADD tends to over predict the PMSI compared to the actual ADD. It is further confirmed by paired t‐test, which showed the mean of actual ADD (mean = 349) to be significantly lower than the mean of estimated ADD (mean = 663). Moreover, these methods will help forensic investigators and researchers formulate region‐specific regression equations for PMSI estimation.
Conventional and innovative extraction technologies to produce food‐grade hop extracts: Influence on bitter acids content and volatile organic compounds profile
Authors: Santarelli Veronica , Neri Lilia , Carbone Katya , Macchioni Valentina , Faieta Marco , Pittia Paola
Published: February 2023

Hop extracts represent a natural alternative to synthetic food additives because of their high content of bitter acids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with bittering, flavoring, and antimicrobial properties. However, broader uses of hop extracts as natural techno‐functional ingredients rely on the identification of sustainable and affordable extraction technologies allowing to diversify the processes and produce extracts characterized by different compositions and, consequently, qualitative properties.

Thus, this study is aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of innovative and conventional extraction methods on the bitter acids content and VOCs pattern of food‐grade ethanolic hop extracts for food applications.

Innovative extractions were carried out by using two ultrasound systems (a laboratory bath [US] and a high‐power ultrasound bath [HPUS]), and a high‐pressure industrial process (high hydrostatic pressure [HHP]). Conventional extractions (CONV) were performed under dynamic maceration at 25 and 60°C; for ultrasound and conventional methods, the effect of the extraction time was also investigated.

Among the extracts, the highest and lowest content of bitter acids was found in CONV 60°C extracts, and HHP and CONV 25°C extracts, respectively. Of the 34 VOCs identified in dry hops, ∼24 compounds were found in US, HPUS and CONV extracts, while only 18 were found in HHP. CONV extractions showed higher selectivity for sesquiterpenes, while US and HPUS showed higher selectivity for esters and monoterpenes. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) allowed classifying hop extracts based on the extraction methods and also allowed highlighting the technological conditions to produce hop extracts with specific techno‐functional and flavoring properties.

Practical Application

The study showed that different extraction methods can lead to hop products with varying sensory and functional properties. By selecting the right extraction method, companies can produce hop extracts with specific compositions that meet their needs for clean label and sustainable food products, as well as new edible packaging or coatings.
Quality assessment of rose tea with different drying methods based on physicochemical properties, HS–SPME–GC–MS, and GC–IMS
Authors: Liu Zhen , Liu Ling‐Xiao , Han Qing‐Dian , Dong Gui‐Zhi , Wang Bin , Zhang Ji‐Fang , Lei Sheng‐Ming , Liu Yun‐Guo
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to compare the physicochemical properties and volatile flavor compounds of rose tea obtained by the methods of normal temperature drying, hot‐air drying (HAD), and vacuum freeze‐drying (VFD) and to evaluate the quality of rose tea. The physicochemical results showed that the content of ascorbic acid (VC) and the pH value was the highest in rose tea obtained by HAD. The contents of anthocyanin, proanthocyanidins, and total phenols were highest in rose tea obtained by VFD. However, there was no significant difference in total flavonoids between drying methods. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in rose tea with different drying methods were analyzed by headspace solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (HS–SPME–GC–MS) and HS GC–ion mobility spectroscopy (HS–GC–IMS), and the flavor fingerprint of rose tea was established by principal component analysis (PCA). The concentration of VOCs in rose tea varied greatly with different drying methods. The main flavor compounds of rose tea were alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and terpenoids. HS–GC–IMS was used for the identification of volatile flavor compounds of rose tea, thereby helping to assess the quality of rose tea. In addition, the rose tea samples with different drying methods were well distinguished by PCA. This study deepens the understanding of the physicochemical properties and volatile flavor compounds of rose tea with different drying methods and provides a reference for the identification of rose tea with different drying methods.

Practical Application

This study deepens the understanding of the physicochemical properties and volatile flavor compounds of rose tea with different drying methods and provides a reference for the identification of rose tea with different drying methods. It also provides an effective theoretical basis for consumers to buy rose tea.
RoboFinch: A versatile audio‐visual synchronised robotic bird model for laboratory and field research on songbirds
Authors: Simon Ralph , Varkevisser Judith , Mendoza Ezequiel , Hochradel Klaus , Elsinga Rogier , Wiersma Peter G. , Middelburg Esmee , Zoeter Eva , Scharff Constance , Riebel Katharina , Halfwerk Wouter
Published: February 2023

Singing in birds is accompanied by beak, head and throat movements. The role of these visual cues has long been hypothesised to be an important facilitator in vocal communication, including social interactions and song acquisition, but has seen little experimental study.

To address whether audio‐visual cues are relevant for birdsong we used high‐speed video recording, 3D scanning, 3D printing technology and colour‐realistic painting to create RoboFinch, an open source adult‐mimicking robot which matches temporal and chromatic properties of songbird vision. We exposed several groups of juvenile zebra finches during their song developmental phase to one of six singing robots that moved their beaks synchronised to their song and compared them with birds in a non‐synchronised and two control treatments.

Juveniles in the synchronised treatment approached the robot setup from the start of the experiment and progressively increased the time they spent singing, contra to the other treatment groups. Interestingly, birds in the synchronised group seemed to actively listen during tutor song playback, as they sung less during the actual song playback compared to the birds in the asynchronous and audio‐only control treatments.

Our open source RoboFinch setup thus provides an unprecedented tool for systematic study of the functionality and integration of audio‐visual cues associated with song behaviour. Realistic head and beak movements aligned to specific song elements may allow future studies to assess the importance of multisensory cues during song development, sexual signalling and social behaviour. All software and assembly instructions are open source, and the robot can be easily adapted to other species. Experimental manipulations of stimulus combinations and synchronisation can further elucidate how audio‐visual cues are integrated by receivers and how they may enhance signal detection, recognition, learning and memory.
Theory analysis and evaluation of emancipatory nursing praxis: A theory of social justice in nursing
Authors: Elliott Tiffany H.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper was to analyze and evaluate the middle‐range theory, emancipatory nursing praxis (ENP): a theory of social justice in nursing.

Methods

Peterson and Bredow's method was utilized to complete the theory evaluation. The theory was evaluated systematically to ensure the appropriateness of application for research in nursing education and transforming nursing students into social justice allies.

Findings

The ENP theory has not been widely used since its introduction in 2017, although it is even more relevant today after the revelation of profound societal inequities during the pandemic. The theory lacks testing and empirical indicators for utilization in nursing practice.

Conclusion

ENP addresses the mandate from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for nurse educators to foster the development of students as social justice leaders and competent caregivers across the life span. This theory provides a framework to apply in nursing education to improve the professional competency in social justice and disparities. However, further research is needed to develop tools to measure outcomes and generalizability.

Implications for nursing practice

ENP middle‐range theory could support nursing educators and nursing programs to develop learning strategies and curricula to facilitate nursing students’ knowledge and application in social justice advocates, allies, and leaders, thus improving individual, community, and global health outcomes.
A cluster‐randomized trial of two implementation strategies to deliver audit and feedback in the EQUIPPED medication safety program
Authors: Vaughan Camille P. , Burningham Zach , Kelleher Jessica L. , McGwin Gerald , Jasien Christine L. , Hastings S. Nicole , Stevens Melissa B. , Morris Isis , Jackson George L. ,   The EQUIPPED VA Implementation QI Group
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The Enhancing the Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Adults Discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUIPPED) medication safety program involves three core components including provider education, clinical decision support, and audit and feedback using the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria to determine potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). This study evaluated implementation of audit and feedback through a centralized informatics‐based dashboard compared to academic detailing delivered one on one by an EQUIPPED champion.

Methods

In a cluster‐randomized study (October 2019–September 2021), eight VA emergency department (EDs) implemented either the academic detailing (n = 4) or the dashboard (n = 4) strategy for the audit and feedback component of EQUIPPED. The primary outcome was the monthly proportion of PIMs prescribed to Veterans 65 years or older at ED discharge. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the proportion of PIMs prescribed 6 months prior to EQUIPPED implementation compared to 12 months following implementation.

Results

Eight VA ED sites successfully implemented the EQUIPPED program. During the 6‐month baseline period, the academic detailing and dashboard sites had similar PIM prescribing rates of 8.01% for academic detailing versus 8.04% for dashboard (p = 0.90). Comparing 12 months of prescribing data after EQUIPPED implementation, the academic detailing group significantly improved PIM prescribing (7.07%) compared to the dashboard group (8.10%; odds ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.22,p ≤ 0.0001). Within the groups, two of the four academic detailing sites demonstrated statistically significant reductions in PIM prescribing. One of the four dashboard sites achieved nearly 50% relative reduction in PIM prescribing.

Conclusions

Eight VA EDs successfully implemented the core components of the EQUIPPED program amid the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. While the academic detailing approach to EQUIPPED audit and feedback was more effective at the group level to improve safe prescribing for older Veterans discharged from the ED, the trial suggests that dashboard‐based audit and feedback is a reasonable strategy in resource‐limited settings.
The wolf and the city: insights on wolves' conservation in the anthropocene
Authors: Zanni M. , Brogi R. , Merli E. , Apollonio M.
Published: February 2023

After a long period of human persecution that led it to extinction in most of its distribution range, the wolf is undergoing a fast recovery. Despite being described as an elusive species only living in remote areas, wolves are recently occupying also human‐dominated landscapes, increasing the frequency of direct contacts with humans. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this situation is only caused by a numerical increase or partially facilitated by a higher tolerance of wolves with respect to human proximity. We focused on a European region offering an abundant, widespread and long‐term monitored wolf population to analyse wolf pack distribution and its relationship with human presence across areas recolonized across four different time periods (1972, 1996, 2005 and 2016). Throughout areas recolonized during different periods, wolves were initially located in mountains and hills, occupying plains only in the recent past. Although they consistently tended to be located as far as possible from urban settlements, especially from those with over 5000 inhabitants, in 2016, 70% of packs included at least one urban settlement within the expected home range. Moreover, the distance kept by wolves from the nearest urban settlement was more constrained in areas of recent recolonization (2005 and 2016) and in the mountainous altitudinal range, likely due to a reduced availability of territories. We showed that wolves tend to keep as far away as possible from humans, but they can also permanently occupy human‐dominated landscapes to cope with the lower availability of space induced by their remarkably successful recolonization. Our results shed light on an upcoming scenario for the conservation of large carnivores.
Reassessing fossorial herpetofaunal density in sand forest following declines of mesoherbivore populations
Authors: Jordaan Philip R. , Measey John , Hanekom Catharine C. , Combrink Xander
Published: February 2023

The proliferation in mesoherbivore numbers and their associated impact on the detrital ground cover were deemed responsible for the decline in fossorial herpetofaunal densities in Ndumo Game Reserve during the early 2000s. Subsequent increased poaching pressure and wildlife declines allowed the reassessment of the sand forest fossorial herpetofaunal community to test this assumption. We found no significant increase in the two most abundant soil‐living reptiles despite significant mesoherbivore declines. This may indicate that either fossorial herpetofaunal numbers increase very slowly, or that the initial two survey methodologies were incomparable. Alternatively, some unknown environmental factor may be suppressing populations or the survey results are not representative of the fossorial herpetofaunal community.
Ozone Sauna Therapy (OST) and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) delivered via the HOCATT machine could improve endometriosis pain along with lowering serum inflammatory markers
Authors: Merhi Zaher , Emdin Daniella , Bosman Lisa , Incledon Thomas , Smith Andre Hugo
Published: February 2023

Problem

Endometriosis, a common and challenging condition, is a pelvic inflammatory condition that causes chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and infertility. Even though standard medical therapies and surgeries can help CPP, a large percentage of women remain symptomatic following the conventional treatments. Thus, there is a need to study new non‐traditional therapeutic adjuncts in this patient population to improve their quality of life. One non‐traditional therapeutic agent is Ozone Sauna Therapy (OST) which has been shown to have an anti‐inflammatory action, but no studies have been performed to assess the efficacy of OST in women with endometriosis suffering with CPP. Another non‐traditional therapeutic agent is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) where one small pilot study has shown that PEMF exposure to women with endometriosis and pelvic pain showed dramatic relief in symptoms.

Method of Study

The HOCATT machine, by delivering a combination of both OST and PEMF in one machine, has been shown to improve fertility treatment outcome via in vitro fertilization (IVF) in older women by potentially improving oocyte quality. This study was conducted to assess the effect of the HOCATT machine use on the pain scale in patients struggling with CPP due to endometriosis. In the first study, eight women with endometriosis were administered transdermal and intravaginal OST + PEMF, twice a week for 3 weeks (total of 6 sessions). Once a week, the participants were asked to fill a pain scale. In the second study, 10 women were recruited in order to evaluate the changes in serum inflammatory markers following OST + PEMF exposure after 3‐week period using the HOCATT machine twice a week (total of 6 sessions).

Results

The participants had a mean age of 39.7 ± 1.1 years. The results showed a significant improvement in pain scale following the fourth session (p < .05) and a significant drop in serum levels of the inflammatory markers CRP (p = .0438) and IL‐1β (p = .0031) and a significant increase in serum levels of IL‐8 (p = .033).

Conclusions

This pilot study suggests that a combination of OST and PEMF using the HOCATT machine could potentially represent potential therapeutic adjuncts for women with inflammatory disorders such as endometriosis. There is a definite need for larger cohort studies and even randomized trials in order to better assess the efficacy of OST and PEMF in women with other inflammatory disorders.
“You don't go there”: Spatial Strategies of Stigma Negotiation in a Post‐Industrial Town
Authors: Pattison James
Published: February 2023

This paper draws on a multimethod ethnographic study, conducted between 2016 and 2017 in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, England—a small and relatively isolated deindustrialising colliery town—examining how residents negotiate living in stigmatised territory. In doing so, microspatial strategies of distancing, avoidance, and deflection are illustrated, revealing how residents reassign and deepen stigma in particular locations within a stigmatised territory. This highlights the relationship between social and physical space, and while spatial strategies of negotiation do not mitigate stigma, they do (re)produce internal social hierarchies within a place that is homogenised from the outside through disparaging narratives. A key contribution reveals the significance of the racialised production of space in shaping how territorial stigma is negotiated within this distinct socio‐spatial location. Residents use strategies to redirect the stigma toward those seen as out of place and draw attention away from sticky sites of racialised urban stigma towards symbols of unspoilt rural Englishness.
Data integration and analysis for circadian medicine
Authors: Baum Lena , Johns Marco , Poikela Maija , Möller Ralf , Ananthasubramaniam Bharath , Prasser Fabian
Published: February 2023

Data integration, data sharing, and standardized analyses are important enablers for data‐driven medical research. Circadian medicine is an emerging field with a particularly high need for coordinated and systematic collaboration between researchers from different disciplines. Datasets in circadian medicine are multimodal, ranging from molecular circadian profiles and clinical parameters to physiological measurements and data obtained from (wearable) sensors or reported by patients. Uniquely, data spanning both the time dimension and the spatial dimension (across tissues) are needed to obtain a holistic view of the circadian system. The study of human rhythms in the context of circadian medicine has to confront the heterogeneity of clock properties within and across subjects and our inability to repeatedly obtain relevant biosamples from one subject. This requires informatics solutions for integrating and visualizing relevant data types at various temporal resolutions ranging from milliseconds and seconds to minutes and several hours. Associated challenges range from a lack of standards that can be used to represent all required data in a common interoperable form, to challenges related to data storage, to the need to perform transformations for integrated visualizations, and to privacy issues. The downstream analysis of circadian rhythms requires specialized approaches for the identification, characterization, and discrimination of rhythms. We conclude that circadian medicine research provides an ideal environment for developing innovative methods to address challenges related to the collection, integration, visualization, and analysis of multimodal multidimensional biomedical data.
Single nucleotide variations encoding missense mutations in G protein‐coupled receptors may contribute to autism
Authors: van der Westhuizen Emma T.
Published: February 2023

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a range of symptoms that vary in intensity and severity from person to person. Genetic sequencing has identified thousands of genes containing mutations in autistic individuals, which may contribute to the development of autistic symptoms. Several of these genes encode G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are cell surface expressed proteins that transduce extracellular messages to the intracellular space. Mutations in GPCRs can impact their function, resulting in aberrant signalling within cells and across neurotransmitter systems in the brain. This review summarises the current knowledge on autism‐associated single nucleotide variations encoding missense mutations in GPCRs and the impact of these genetic mutations on GPCR function. For some autism‐associated mutations, changes in GPCR expression levels, ligand affinity, potency and efficacy have been observed. However, for many the functional consequences remain unknown. Thus, further work to characterise the functional impacts of the genetically identified mutations is required.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc
Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptors in gastrointestinal dysfunction and inflammatory bowel disease: A review
Authors: Hawker Patrick , Zhang Li , Liu Lu
Published: February 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic debilitating condition, hallmarked by persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite recent advances in clinical treatments, the aetiology of IBD is unknown, and a large proportion of patients are refractory to pharmacotherapy. Understanding IBD immunopathogenesis is crucial to discern the cause of IBD and optimise treatments. Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptors (Mrgprs) are a family of approximately 50 G protein‐coupled receptors that were first identified over 20 years ago. Originally known for their expression in skin nociceptors and their role in transmitting the sensation of itch in the periphery, new reports have described the presence of Mrgprs in the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we consider the impact of these findings and assess the evidence that suggests that Mrgprs may be involved in the disrupted homeostatic processes that contribute to gastrointestinal disorders and IBD.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc
Sexual selection and predation drive the repeated evolution of stridulation in Heteroptera and other arthropods
Authors: Davranoglou Leonidas‐Romanos , Taylor Graham K. , Mortimer Beth
Published: February 2023

Acoustic and substrate‐borne vibrations are among the most widely used signalling modalities in animals. Arthropods display a staggering diversity of vibroacoustic organs generating acoustic sound and/or substrate‐borne vibrations, and are fundamental to our broader understanding of the evolution of animal signalling. The primary mechanism that arthropods use to generate vibroacoustic signals is stridulation, which involves the rubbing together of opposing body parts. Although stridulation is common, its behavioural context and evolutionary drivers are often hard to pinpoint, owing to limited synthesis of empirical observations on stridulatory species. This is exacerbated by the diversity of mechanisms involved and the sparsity of their description in the literature, which renders their documentation a challenging task. Here, we present the most comprehensive review to date on the systematic distribution and behavioural context of stridulation. We use the megadiverse heteropteran insects as a model, together with multiple arthropod outgroups (arachnids, myriapods, and selected pancrustaceans). We find that stridulatory vibroacoustic signalling has evolved independently at least 84 times and is present in roughly 20% of Heteroptera, representing a remarkable case of convergent evolution. By studying the behavioural context of stridulation across Heteroptera and 189 outgroup lineages, we find that predation pressure and sexual selection are the main behaviours associated with stridulation across arthropods, adding further evidence for their role as drivers of large‐scale signalling and morphological innovation in animals. Remarkably, the absence of tympanal ears in most Heteroptera suggests that they typically cannot detect the acoustic component of their stridulatory signals. This demonstrates that the adoption of new signalling modalities is not always correlated with the ability to perceive those signals, especially when these signals are directed towards interspecific receivers in defensive contexts. Furthermore, by mapping their morphology and systematic distribution, we show that stridulatory organs tend to evolve in specific body parts, likely originating from cleaning motions and pre‐copulatory displays that are common to most arthropods. By synthesising our understanding of stridulation and stridulatory organs across major arthropod groups, we create the necessary framework for future studies to explore their systematic and behavioural significance, their potential role in sensory evolution and innovation, and the biomechanics of this mode of signalling.
Evolutionary diversity gradients in neotropical tree assemblages: New insights from Non‐Flooded Evergreen forests
Authors: Cupertino‐Eisenlohr Mônica A. , Simon Marcelo Fragomeni
Published: February 2023

We investigated spatial patterns of evolutionary diversity along Neotropical Non‐Flooded Evergreen Forests (NEF). We addressed the following questions: (i) What are the main NEF evolutionary groups? (ii) How evolutionary diversity varies across NEF environmental gradients? Based on a phylogeny of 1248 tree genera distributed over 1824 NEF assemblages, we examined the evolutionary differentiation using UPGMA and evopca. We measured lineage diversity (ses.PD) and structure (ses.MPD and ses.MNTD) and tested their response to environmental gradients using linear models. Phylogenetic dissimilarity segregated NEF into 12 evolutionary groups that largely confirm groups obtained in our previous work based on floristic similarity. However, one discrepancy was the amalgamation of Amazon and northern Atlantic Forest assemblages, while the southern Atlantic Forest remained an isolated group. Furthermore, Mesoamerica, which had been recognized as a single group, here split into six evolutionary groups. We found greater lineage diversity as altitude and latitude increased and temperature decreased. Evolutionary groups with the highest mean values of lineage diversity were those composed of Mesoamerican cloud forests, which harbor a mixture of tropical and temperate lineages representing a confluence of South and North American floras. We found that variations in phylogenetic diversity in NEF are primarily related to the coexistence of lineages of temperate and tropical climates in the mountain and nebular environments of NEF, indicating the strong contribution of extratropical niche conservatism in structuring evolutionary diversity.
Caregiver‐reported impact of access to switch‐adapted toys on play for children with complex medical conditions
Authors: Rasmussen Kial‐Ann M. , Chole Dana M. , Hughes Rachel , Threlkeld Katie , Janes William E.
Published: February 2023

Background

Play is essential for children's development of motor, social–emotional and cognitive skills. Traditional play activities are often difficult for children with complex medical conditions to access, which threatens their ability to maximize their developmental potential. Switch‐adapted toys are a common strategy for expanding the play repertoire of children with disabilities by lowering the barrier to play with electronic toys. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between providing switch‐adapted toys to children with disabilities and the children's total and self‐initiated play time and access to a variety of cognition‐appropriate toys, age‐appropriate toys and independently accessible toys as reported by their caregivers.

Methods

Caregivers and their children with complex medical conditions were provided switch‐adapted toys at a giveaway event. At the giveaway event and 6 months later, caregivers completed a survey that included questions about each child's current participation in play and their type of play, child's access to toys and questions specific to switches and switch‐adapted toys. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests with a Benjamini–Hochberg procedure to control for multiple comparisons.

Results

Nineteen caregivers completed both the pre‐ and post‐surveys. The increases in the variety of toys and the number of independently accessibly and cognitively appropriate toys were statistically significant. The change in number of age‐appropriate toys and the amount of total and active play time were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Providing switch‐adapted toys may be an effective way to increase the number of independently accessible and cognitively appropriate toys for children with complex medical conditions. However, increasing the number of such toys may not be sufficient to increase active and total play time. Further research is needed to identify variables impacting play time and distal outcomes associated with switch‐adapted toy access.
Rewilding in Southeast Asia: Singapore as a case study
Authors: Lamperty Therese , Chiok Wen Xuan , Khoo Max D. Y. , Amir Zachary , Baker Nick , Chua Marcus A. H. , Chung Yi Fei , Chua Yen Kheng , Koh Joshua J.‐M. , Lee Benjamin P. Y.‐H. , Lum Shawn K. Y. , Mendes Calebe P. , Ngiam Jonathan , ODempsey Anthony , Png Kenny G. C. , Sovie Adia R. , Tan Lorraine , Teo Robert , Thomas Noel , Tianjiao Li , Tze‐Ming Bryan Lim , Loo Adrian H. B. , Wardle David A. , Luskin Matthew Scott
Published: February 2023

Re‐establishing extirpated wildlife—or “rewilding”—is touted as a way to restore biodiversity and ecosystem processes, but we lack real‐world examples of this process, particularly in Southeast Asia. Here, we use a decade of aggregated camera trap data, N‐mixture occupancy models, and input from local wildlife experts to describe the unassisted recolonization of two native large herbivores in Singapore. Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) escaped from captivity (in private or public zoos) in the 1970s and contemporary camera trap data show they have only colonized nearby forest fragments and their abundance remains low. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa), in contrast, naturally recolonized by swimming from Malaysia in the 1990s and have rapidly expanded their range and abundance across Singapore. While wild pigs have not recolonized all viable green spaces yet, their trajectory indicates they soon will. We also note that a third ungulate, the muntjac deer (Muntiacus muntjak), was captured in camera trapping in 2014 and 2015 but was never recorded afterward despite increased sampling effort, and thus we do not focus on their presumably unsuccessful recolonization. The divergent rewilding trajectories between sambar deer and wild pigs suggest different conservation outcomes and management requirements. Sambar deer may restore lost plant–animal interactions such as herbivory and seed dispersal without requiring significant management. Wild pigs, in contrast, have reached high numbers rapidly and may require active management to avoid hyperabundance and negative ecological impacts in regions, such as Singapore that lack both hunting and large predators.
Impact of donation after circulatory death heart transplantation on waitlist outcomes and transplantation activity
Authors: Urban Marian , Moody Morgan , Lyden Elizabeth , Kinen Lecia , Castleberry Anthony W. , Siddique Aleem , Lowes Brian D. , Stoller Douglas A. , Lungren Scott W. , Um John Y.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplantation has been shown to have comparable outcomes to transplantation using brain death donors (DBDs). This study evaluates the impact of this alternative source of allografts on waitlist mortality and transplant volume.

Methods

We compared waitlist mortality and transplant rates in patients who were registered before (2019 period) and after we adopted DCD heart transplantation (2021 period).

Results

We identified 111 patients who were on the waiting list in 2019 and 77 patients who were registered during 2021. Total number of donor organ offers received in 2019 was 385 (178 unique donors) versus 3450 (1145 unique donors) in 2021. More than 40% of all donors in 2021 were DCDs. Waitlist mortality was comparable for patients in 2019 and 2021 (18/100 person‐years in 2019 vs. 26/100 person‐years in 2021, p = .49). The transplant rate was 67/100 person‐years in 2019 versus 207/100 person‐years in 2021 (p < .001). After adjusting for acuity status, gender, blood type, and weight, patients listed in 2021 had 2.08 times greater chance of transplantation compared to patients listed in 2019 (HR 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–3.45, p = .004).

Conclusions

Use of DCD donor hearts significantly increased heart transplant rate in our institution.
Clinical and histopathological features of hypereosinophilic syndrome with cutaneous involvement: The Mayo Clinic Experience
Authors: Zayas Jacqueline , Peters Margot S. , Butterfield Joseph H. , Pongdee Thanai , Sokumbi Olayemi
Published: February 2023

Background

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) encompasses a group of diseases with blood hypereosinophilia and eosinophil‐mediated organ dysfunction. HES‐associated skin abnormalities, termed cutaneous HES (cHES) here, may influence diagnosis of HES. We sought to better define clinical and histopathological features of cHES.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical records and cutaneous histopathology of adult patients with HES evaluated at our institution from 2007 to 2018.

Results

Forty‐one percent (61/150) patients with HES had cHES. The most common clinical morphologies were urticarial (30%) and eczematous (26%). Skin specimens most often showed a spongiotic pattern (31%) with abundant inflammation (50%) including eosinophils (85%). Two specimens (8%) showed interstitial granulomatous dermatitis, and two specimens showed eosinophilic fasciitis (8%). Vasculitis was not identified in any specimen. Eighty‐four percent of patients with cHES had ≥1 other organ system involved: pulmonary 41%, ENT 26%, and nervous 23%. Sixty percent (53/89) of non‐cHES patients had at least two organ systems involved. Cardiac or gastrointestinal involvement was more common in non‐cHES than cHES (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our review confirms that there are no specific clinical or histopathological cHES patterns, but HES should be considered in patients who have eczematous or urticarial reactions of unknown etiology and persistent peripheral hypereosinophilia.
Prenatal diagnosis of double aortic arch with subaortic left brachiocephalic vein and right‐side ductus arteriosus using high‐definition flow render mode and spatiotemporal image correlation
Authors: Li Tian‐gang , Ma Bin , Lan Qiong , Yao Li‐guo , Qi Ping‐an
Published: February 2023

Double aortic arch (DAA) with subaortic left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) and right‐side ductus arteriosus (RDA) was not reported before delivery, only in adults with anatomy course findings. We present a case of fetal DAA with subaortic LBCV and RDA using high‐definition (HD) flow render mode and spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC).
Medication non‐adherence patterns and profiles for patients with incident myocardial infarction: Observations from a large multi‐morbid US population
Authors: Lip Gregory Y. H. , Genaidy Ash , Jones Bobby , Tran George , Estes Cara , Sloop Sue
Published: February 2023

Background

Consistent adherence levels to multiple long‐term medications for patients with cardiovascular conditions are typically advocated in the range of 50% or higher, although very likely to be much lower in some populations. We investigated this issue in a large cohort covering a broad age and geographical spectrum, with a wide range of socio‐economic disability status.

Methods

The patients were drawn from three different health plans with a varied mix of socio‐economic/disability levels. Adherence patterns were examined on a monthly basis for up to 12 months past the index date for myocardial infarction (MI) using longitudinal analyses of group‐based trajectory modelling. Each of the non‐adherent patterns was profiled from comorbid history, demographic and health plan factors using main effect logistic regression modelling. Four medication classes were examined for MI: betablockers, statin, ACE inhibitors and anti‐platelets.

Results

The participant population for the MI/non‐MI cohorts was 1,987,605 (MI cohort: mean age 62 years, 45.9% female; non‐MI cohort: mean age 45 years, 55.3% females). Cohorts characterized by medication non‐adherence dominated the majority of MI population with values ranging from 74% to 82%. There were four types of consistent non‐adherence patterns as a function of time for each medication class: fast decline, slow decline, occasional users and early gap followed by increased adherence. The characteristics of non‐adherence profiles eligible for improvement included patients with a prior history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and stroke as co‐morbidities, and Medicare plan.

Conclusions

We found consistent patterns of intermediate non‐adherence for each of four drug classes for MI cohorts in the order of 56% who are eligible for interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular medication adherence levels. These insights may help improve cardiovascular medication adherence using large medication non‐adherence improvement programs.
Phenological imbalance in the supply and demand of floral resources: Half the pollen and nectar produced by the main autumn food source, Hedera helix, is uncollected by insects
Authors: Harris Ciaran , Ferguson Hannah , Millward Ethan , Ney Phoebe , Sheikh Nadia , Ratnieks Francis L. W.
Published: February 2023

Declines in floral resources, pollen and nectar, are considered one cause of pollinator decline. However, the supply and demand of floral resources can vary temporally. In Britain, autumn has been suggested as a period of high floral resource availability due to the flowering of ivy (Hedera helix), a common native plant, combined with fewer insects active during this season. Here, we directly quantified the proportion of pollen and nectar produced by ivy, the primary autumn food source, which is uncollected by the flower‐visiting insect community.

We quantified the proportion of nectar produced but uncollected by comparing the mass of nectar sugar accumulated in insect‐accessible versus inaccessible ivy flowers and by surveying the presence of wasted, crystalised, nectar on flowers. Pollen wastage was quantified by comparing pollen counts on anthers at the start of anthesis versus anthers dropped from ivy flowers.

Approximately, half the floral resources, 59% nectar and 44% pollen, were uncollected by the flower‐visiting insect community in autumn. As ivy flowers supply most of the available nectar and pollen in autumn, our results show that a large proportion of all floral resources are wasted in autumn.

Our results are the first to show that a season can be characterised by a large surplus of floral resources relative to collection by flower‐visiting insects. These results demonstrate the importance of considering seasonal variation in floral resources in the conservation of bees and other flower‐visiting insects.
Prenatal exposure of diabetes and progestin‐mediated autistic biomarker in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Jiao Yun , Wang Min , Li Huilin , Jia Qingzheng , Xu Lichao , Zhong Liyan , Huang Jingwen , Li Ling , Xiang Wei , Yao Paul
Published: February 2023

Despite the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remains delayed as it is mostly based on clinical symptoms and abnormal behaviours appearing after 2 years of age. Identification of autistic markers remains a top priority in achieving an early and effective ASD diagnosis. We have previously reported that prenatal exposure of hormones or diabetes triggers epigenetic changes and oxidative stress, resulting in gene suppression with autism‐like behaviours in offspring. Here, a potential biomarker for ASD diagnosis was established through gene analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The study from in vivo mouse showed that prenatal hormone exposure or maternal diabetes suppresses mRNA expression of estrogen‐related receptor α (ERRα), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) and retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor α (RORA) in the brain as well as oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, subsequently triggering autism‐like behaviour in mouse offspring. Also, similar gene suppression was found in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and PBMC, with inherited epigenetic changes being identified on the related promoters. The human case–control study found that mRNA levels of ERRα, SOD2, GPER and RORA were significantly reduced in PBMC from ASD subjects (n = 132) compared with typically developing (n = 135) group. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed a .869 ± .021 of area under the curve for ASD subjects with 95% confidence interval of .829–.909, together with 1.000 of sensitivity and .856 of specificity. In conclusion, the combined mRNA expression in PBMC based on prenatal factor exposure‐mediated gene suppression could be a potential biomarker for ASD diagnosis.
Climate and sex in turtles
Authors: Bowne David R.
Published: February 2023

Turtles are one of the most globally imperiled vertebrate taxa. As turtles have temperature‐dependent sex determinism, climate change may exacerbate threats to their population persistence by altering sex ratios. This commentary on Roberts et al. (2023) provides context for their findings on relationships between climate and land use on the sex ratio of the spotted turtle, a rare species inhabiting eastern North America.
Let us talk about it: An exploratory qualitative study of older adults' priorities for oral health in North West England
Authors: Cook Neil , Kelly Aengus , Kanagasingam Shalini , Tagiyeva Nara
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore oral health experiences and priorities in a diverse group of adults aged over 60 in North West England, an area with high oral health inequality.

Methods

Participants were selected using purposive sample from multiple settings across the North West: community, primary dental care and residential care home. Data were collected between October 2018 and March 2019 and involved eight focus groups and three individual interviews with a total of 47 participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four key themes were identified. The first was issues important to people over 60, which included the appearance of one's teeth, communication, continuity of care and the treatment experience. These were informed by two further themes, past experiences of treatment, which were not always favourable, and perceived barriers, such as accessing NHS dentistry, cost, physical access and oral care in institutional settings. The fourth, connected theme focussed on how oral healthcare messages for different audiences should be disseminated.

Conclusions

There are shortfalls in the provision of oral healthcare to older adults in the UK. Communication and continuity of care with a trusted oral healthcare provider are key priorities for this population. However, our participants felt that current public provision of dental services is not meeting their needs.
The visual naturalness effect: Impact of natural logos on brand personality perception
Authors: Chen Tingting , Wu Zhanyong , Hu Long , Jia Qingcheng
Published: February 2023

A logo is a critical visual element that uniquely identifies a brand and can affect consumers' brand perceptions. Naturalness reflects the degree to which a sign depicts objects from the natural and sensitive world. The logo strategy literature identifies naturalness as a universal and critical design dimension influencing consumers' cognitive, affective and behavioural reactions. In practice, both high and low natural logos are frequently used by brands. However, the current understanding of the effects of logo naturalness is limited. This research thus investigates the influence of natural logos on consumer perceptions of brand personality. The data were collected in four experiments using a set of 10 manipulated logos as stimuli. Our results suggest that high (vs. low) natural logos positively affect the perception of brand sincerity personality and that this effect occurs because high natural logos are easier to process and elicit stronger impressions of authenticity. Moreover, we demonstrate that the positive effect of logo naturalness is enhanced among brands with products made from natural‐made (vs. human‐made) ingredients. These findings therefore suggest that brands should avoid using low natural logos if their sincerity perception is critical or if most of their products contain high levels of natural ingredients. Hence, our results reinforce the visual design and branding theories and offer marketing practitioners actionable insights.