bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subsequent fertility, pregnancy, and gynaecological and psychological outcomes after maternal–fetal surgery for open spina bifida: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Haenen Kobe , Vergote Simen , Kunpalin Yada , De Catte Luc , Devlieger Roland , Lewi Liesbeth , van der Merwe Johannes , Russo Francesca , De Vloo Philippe , Lannoo Lore , Deprest Jan
Published: June 2023

Objective

To determine the medium‐term maternal impact of open fetal spina bifida repair.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.

Population

Mothers who had open maternal–fetal spina bifida repair between March 2012 and December 2021.

Methods

A patient‐reported survey on subsequent fertility, pregnancy, and gynaecological and psychological outcomes.

Main outcome measures

Complications during subsequent pregnancies, and gynaecological and psychological problems.

Results

Seventy‐two out of 100 invited women completed the questionnaire (72%). Despite being advised not to, seven of 13 women attempting to conceive became pregnant within 2 years after fetal surgery and one woman delivered vaginally. Two of the 16 subsequent pregnancies were complicated by an open neural tube defect. One pregnancy was complicated by a placenta accreta and one pregnancy was complicated by a uterine rupture, both with good neonatal outcomes. Nearly half of respondents who did not attempt to conceive reported that this was because of their experience of the index pregnancy and caring for the index child. Three out of four respondents reported medium‐term psychological problems, mostly anxiety for the health of the index child, fear for recurrence in subsequent pregnancies and feelings of guilt.

Conclusions

Open maternal–fetal surgery for spina bifida did not appear to affect fertility in our cohort. Half of the attempts to conceive took place within 2 years. One uterine rupture and one placenta accreta occurred in 16 subsequent pregnancies. Most respondents reported psychological problems linked to the index pregnancy, which reinforces the need for long‐term psychological support.
Collecting touch DNA from glass surfaces using different sampling solutions and volumes: Immediate and storage effects on genetic STR analysis
Authors: Schulte Janine , Rittiner Nicole , Seiberle Ilona , Kron Sarah , Schulz Iris
Published: June 2023

Touch DNA has become increasingly important evidence in todays' forensic casework. However, due to its invisible nature and typically minute amounts of DNA, the collection of biological material from touched objects remains a particular challenge that underscores the importance of the best collection methods for maximum recovery efficiency. So far, swabs moistened with water are often utilized in forensic crime scene investigations for touch DNA sampling, even though an aqueous solution provokes osmosis, endangering the cell's integrity. The aim of the research presented here was to systematically determine whether DNA recovery from touched glass items can be significantly increased by varying swabbing solutions and volumes compared with water‐moistened swabs and dry swabbing. A second objective was to investigate the possible effects of storage of swab solutions prior to genetic analysis on DNA yield and profile quality when stored for 3 and 12 months, as is often the case with crime scene samples. Overall, the results indicate that adapting volumes of the sampling solutions had no significant effect on DNA yield, while the detergent‐based solutions performed better than water and dry removal, with the SDS reagent yielding statistically significant results. Further, stored samples showed an increase in degradation indices for all solutions tested, but no deterioration in DNA content and profile quality, allowing for unrestricted processing of touch DNA samples stored for at least 12 months. One further finding was a strong intraindividual change in DNA amounts observed over the 23 deposition days which may be related to the donor's menstrual cycle.
Comparison of two data processing approaches for aroma marker identification in different distilled liquors using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry dataset
Authors: Liu Zhipeng , Yang Kangzhuo , He Zhanglan , Zhao Dong , Zheng Jia , Qian Michael C.
Published: June 2023

Whisky, brandy, rum, and Chinese baijiu are popular distilled spirits globally, and the volatile components play an essential role in the aroma of these distilled liquors. Volatile compounds in whisky, brandy, rum, and three main aroma types of Chinese baijiu (strong, light, and sauce) were investigated using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–TOFMS). Two significant variable detection approaches, the variable importance in the projection (VIP) and nonparametric test (Mann–Whitney U test), were compared to determine the volatile markers among these samples. It was found that the VIP model was more efficient in screening significant variants than the U test. A total of 117 common markers were selected by both the VIP and U test methods with potential aroma contributions. Esters and acids were the main aroma markers for baijiu, diethyl esters were the main aroma markers for brandy, whereras pyrazines, lactones, and furans were the main aroma markers for whisky. Based on the chosen markers, different unknown distilled liquors were successfully classified in the model validation. This study provided a feasible methodology for spirit sample speculation based on volatile composition obtained by GC×GC‐TOFMS.
Effects of vacuum microwave combined with freeze‐drying on the physicochemical properties, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity of pear fruit slices
Authors: Zhang Huizhe , Zheng Wenxiu , Yan Ling , Liu Wei , Yao Fei , Liu Changhong , Zheng Lei
Published: June 2023

The effects of freeze‐drying (FD), vacuum microwave drying after freeze‐drying (FD‐VMD), and freeze‐drying after vacuum microwave drying (VMD‐FD) on the physicochemical properties, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity of pear fruit slices were investigated. The results showed that FD samples had the highest crispness value (116.30 N·sec) and the lowest volume shrinkage ratio value (5.48%). Compared to FD, the VMD‐FD and FD‐VMD methods could save drying time without affecting the color of dried samples. FD‐VMD samples had the lowest rehydration capacity and maintained a homogeneous porous structure, while the VMD‐FD samples had obvious collapse. Compared to VMD‐FD samples, FD‐VMD samples had higher contents of ascorbic acid (20.91 mg/100 g), total phenolic (7.62 mg/g), total anthocyanin (0.21 mg/g), and gallic acid (1.21 µg/g). Moreover, FD‐VMD samples showed the highest antioxidant capacity as evaluated by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl scavenging activity, 2,2ʹ‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) scavenging capacity, and H2O2 content. Compared with FD and VMD‐FD, FD‐VMD was most effective in maintaining better quality and shortening drying time of pear fruit slices. These findings suggested that FD‐VMD might be a promising drying technique in the fruits and vegetable processing industries.
Evaluating estrogenic activity of isoflavones inmisousing yeast two‐hybrid method
Authors: Higa Yuuki , Nagano Rika , Kanauchi Makoto
Published: June 2023

Estrogenic activity inmisowas evaluated without in vivo animal experimentation using in vitro method with yeast in a two‐hybrid method because of its similarities with human cells. First, the recombinant yeast containing genes of human estrogen receptor (hER) was prepared for modeling human cells. Subsequently, standard solutions of 17β‐estradiol and isoflavone (1.0 × 10−12– 1.0 × 10−6) were assayed using the yeast. Their yeast produces β‐glucosidase according to the concentrations of their solutions. Therefore, the estrogenic activity can be evaluated using recombinant yeast for the yeast two‐hybrid method. Results show that 17β‐estradiol has affinity to bind with Y187‐αα. Genistein has affinity to bind with Y187‐ββ. Daidzein, genistein, and glycitein inmisowere 2.0–2.2 times the average concentrations ofmiso. Particularly,Mame misohad the highest concentration of isoflavones among allmisosamples. Isoflavone inmisosamples showed estrogenic activity against Y187‐ββ.Mame misohad particularly high activity (1.97 U/OD6601.0) against Y187‐ββ modeling hERββ. Finally, the interaction of the human estrogen receptors was analyzed with 17β‐estradiol and isoflavones using Y187 strains. Isoflavone inhibited the estrogenic activity of 17β‐estradiol using Y187‐αα. However, the estrogenic activity of 17β‐estradiol against Y187‐αβ and Y187‐ββ, which model hER‐αβ and hER‐ββ, was activated by isoflavone. Results showed genistein as the antagonist of estrogenic activity within 17β‐estradiol against hERαα. However, it is an agonist of the activity within 17β‐estradiol against hERαβ and hERββ. The yeast two‐hybrid method has some potential for assessing the estrogenic activity of isoflavone in foods as a human model.

Practical Application

Today, isoflavones in foods must be evaluated using in vivo methods such as animal experimentation because the estrogenic activities of isoflavones are agonist or antagonist with 17β‐estradiol against estrogen receptors. Because animal experimentation is time‐consuming and expensive, isoflavones in foods can be evaluated using yeast, a eukaryote that has similarity to human cells, while obviating in vivo methods. The yeast two‐hybrid method is useful to assay the estrogenic activity of isoflavones in foods.
Superoxide Dismutase Plays an Important Role in Maize Resistance to Soil CO2 Stress
Authors: XUE Lu , MA Junjie , HU Qian , MA Jinfeng
Published: June 2023

CO2 capture and storage (CCS) has the risk of CO2 leakage, and this leakage always increases soil CO2 concentration, and the long‐term CO2 stress damages crop production in farmland. Using maize, the growth characteristics, such as plant height and yield, and physiological indexes (osmoregulation substances and antioxidant enzymes) were explored under different simulative CO2 leakage conditions. Further, the relationship between maize physiological indexes and soil CO2 concentration was analyzed, showing that soil CO2 stress inhibited maize growth to a certain extent, resulting in shorter plants, thinner stems and lower kernel yield. With an increase in soil CO2 concentration, the contents of malondialdehyde, soluble sugar and soluble protein in maize leaves increased; with continuing stress, the increase rate of malondialdehyde was greatly augmented, whereas the increase rates of soluble sugar and soluble protein decreased. With extended CO2 stress, the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased continuously, while the activities of catalase and peroxidase first increased and then decreased. Superoxide dismutase activity was closely correlated with soil CO2 concentration (r = 0.762), and responded quickly to the change of soil CO2 concentration (R2 = 0.9951). Therefore, SOD plays an important role in maize resistance to soil CO2 stress. This study will help further understanding of the mechanism of maize tolerance to soil CO2 stress, providing a theoretical basis for agricultural production in CCS project areas.
Labour Allocation Decision of Rice Farming Households in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Jahangir , Hossain Md. Ismail , Ehsan S.M. Asif
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates the factors affecting the labour allocation decisions of rice‐producing households in Bangladesh. A farm‐household model has been used to explore the household decision‐making mechanism. We use a primary questionnaire survey, and a Generalised Ordered Logit model is used to identify the factors affecting the sample households' likelihood of choosing different labour regimes, assuming hiring‐in is the top ordered alternative, followed by self‐cultivator and smallholders. Results show that one more year of schooling of the household head increases the likelihood of choosing the hiring‐in category against the lower‐ordered choices by 25 per cent. Having more cultivated land substantially improves the propensity of a household to hire labour versus selling labour or self‐cultivation (odds ratio 11.68). If a household lives a kilometre further from the Upazila headquarter, it is 11 per cent more likely to hire labour than being either a smallholder or self‐cultivator, which might be a result of the larger availability of labour in those areas. Additionally, an increase in the number of visits by agricultural extension officers reduces the household's likelihood of hiring labour by almost 21 per cent while making the households more likely to be self‐cultivators.
Circ_0010235 confers cisplatin resistance in lung cancer by upregulating E2F7 through absorbing miR‐379‐5p
Authors: Wang Lifei , Wang Dongchang , Xu Zhen , Qiu Yali , Chen Gang , Tan Furong
Published: June 2023

Background

Cisplatin (DDP) treatment is one of the most predominant chemotherapeutic strategies for lung cancer patients. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been revealed to participate in the chemoresistance in lung cancer. Hence, the role and mechanism of circ_0010235 in cisplatin resistance in lung cancer was investigated.

Methods

Expression levels of circ_0010235, microRNA (miR)‐379‐5p and E2F transcription factor 7 (E2F7) were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and western blot. Cell DDP sensitivity, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were detected by cell counting kit‐8 assay, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EDU) assay, flow cytometry and western blot, respectively. The binding interaction was verified using dual‐luciferase reporter assay. A murine xenograft model was established to investigate effects in vivo.

Results

Circ_0010235 was highly expressed in DDP‐resistant lung cancer tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ_0010235 elevated DDP sensitivity, constrained proliferation, invasion and migration as well as fostered apoptosis in DDP‐resistant lung cancer cells. Moreover, circ_0010235 silencing boosted DDP sensitivity and impeded tumor growth in lung cancer in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0010235 acted as a sponge for miR‐379‐5p to elevate the expression of its target E2F7. Rescue experiments showed that miR‐379‐5p inhibition attenuated circ_0010235 knockdown‐evoked reduction on DDP resistance of DDP‐resistant cancer cells. In addition, miR‐379‐5p re‐expression elevated DDP sensitivity and suppressed the malignant phenotype of DDP‐resistant lung cancer cells through miR‐379‐5p.

Conclusion

Circ_0010235 knockdown reduced DDP resistance and tumor growth via miR‐379‐5p/ E2F7 axis in lung cancer, suggesting an effective therapeutic target for lung cancer patients.
Association of limited English proficiency with emergency department irregular departures and return visits: A cross‐sectional cohort study in the Upper Midwest between January 2018 and December 2021
Authors: Bower Sarah M. , Campbell Ronna L. , Mullan Aidan F. , Heaton Heather A. , Lim Thomas G. , Bellamkonda Venkatesh R. , Lichen Isabella M. , Jones Derick D.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) have been shown to experience disparities in emergency department (ED) care. The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between LEP and irregular ED departures and return ED visits.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter cross‐sectional analysis of 18 EDs within an integrated health system in the upper Midwest from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021. ED visits of pediatric and adult patients who were discharged on the index visit were included for analysis. We analyzed the association of LEP with irregular departures, 72‐h and 7‐day return visits, and ED disposition at the time of that return visit. Multivariable model associations were calculated using generalized estimating equations and reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 745,464 total ED visits were analyzed, including 27,906 (3.7%) visits among patients with LEP. The most common preferred languages among patients with LEP were Spanish (12,759; 45.7%), Somali (4978; 17.8%), and Arabic (3185; 11.4%). After multivariable adjustment there were no differences in proportions of irregular departures (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.99–1.21), 72‐h returns (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92–1.06), or 7‐day returns (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.93–1.05) between patients with LEP or English proficiency. Patients with LEP returning within 72 h (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.40) and 7 days (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01–1.33) were more likely to be admitted to the hospital.

Conclusions

After multivariable adjustment, we did not find an increased frequency of irregular ED departures or 72‐h or 7‐day returns among patients with LEP compared with people proficient in English. However, we did find that higher proportions of patients with LEP were admitted to the hospital at the time of the return ED visit.
Individualism–collectivism and organ donation intentions
Authors: Li Jianbiao , Zang Ruqian , Niu Xiaofei
Published: June 2023

This article investigates the impact of individualism–collectivism on a person's willingness to donate organs. In Study 1, an online survey showed that individualism–collectivism was significantly and positively associated with participants' willingness to register as organ donors while perceived benefit mediated this relationship. Study 2 demonstrated the causal effect of individualism–collectivism on organ donation intentions using a priming technique. Participants primed with collectivism were more likely to register as organ donors than those primed with individualism. Our findings provide unique insights into whether cultural values (i.e., individualism–collectivism) can predict people's organ donation intentions.
In their footsteps
Authors: Falcone Jessica Marie
Published: June 2023

A flash ethnography piece set at an Obon event in Hawai'i, “In Their Footsteps,” shows the way the author deploys dance as a method. By asking the reader to follow her through a day of fieldwork at a Soto Buddhist temple, the piece demonstrates how the anthropologist learns about the culture by absorbing and matching the movements of her interlocutors, both when they are dancing and when they are not.
Scorching the everyday
Authors: Allison Anne
Published: June 2023

In this “hundreds” written in honor of Kathleen Stewart, I consider the scorching pain of lonely death in Japan that gets quelled, if only a bit, by the prayer offered by a Japanese worker in cleaning up the mess of the remains left behind.
Hundreds and hundreds
Authors: Sayer Derek
Published: June 2023

This contribution to the special section “100s for Katie” attempts to communicate the depth and breadth of the hatred infecting contemporary America in one hundred words.
Creativity in the therapeutic encounter
Authors: Tickell Sophia
Published: June 2023

This paper explores how the process of learning to harness one's creativity in analytic listening can be analogous to the process of learning to do so in painting. It draws on clinical work with one client divided into two vignettes. The first describes the author's attempts to listen analytically by paying attention to form and content; narrative structure and use of language; and by paying attention to transference and countertransference communications. The second vignette explores what happened between therapist and client as the author had grown sufficiently confident to respond more intuitively to her client's communications. It describes how the process of becoming sufficiently familiar with theory was, paradoxically, what enabled her to respond to unconscious communications more loosely and creatively in the analytic encounter. It then explores what happened when she communicated this back to the client. The paper also describes how, as a result of the training and personal therapy, a parallel process of learning to let go and play was unfolding in the author's experience of painting. It concludes that learning to harness creativity in the therapeutic encounter can have an unexpected and welcome impact on the therapist's own artistic endeavours.
A Prescriptive Framework for the Effective Deployment of Dynamic Capabilities
Authors: Hillner Matthias
Published: June 2023

As market environments in areas such as information and communication technologies, social media, online retail and services, and music and gaming are becoming less predictable and more prone to disruption, dynamic capabilities are widely perceived as increasingly significant.

Taking a new design to market is a risky and unpredictable endeavor—examining it in a new framework to systematically guide the process can help reduce the rate of failure.
Design in the Civic Space: Generating Impact in City Government
Authors: Wade Stephanie , Freach Jon
Published: June 2023

For the new practitioner in government, design can seem exciting, inspiring, hopeful, and fun because over the past decade it has quickly become a popular and novel way to approach city policy and service design.

City governments are employing design to help develop innovative and viable solutions to the increasingly complex problems their communities face.
Improving the accuracy and speed of fast template‐matching algorithms by neural architecture search
Authors: Shariatzadeh Seyed Mahdi , Fathy Mahmood , Berangi Reza
Published: June 2023

Neural architecture search can be used to find convolutional neural architectures that are precise and robust while enjoying enough speed for industrial image processing applications. In this paper, our goal is to achieve optimal convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for multiple‐templates matching for applications such as licence plates detection (LPD). We perform an iterative local neural architecture search for the models with minimum validation error as well as low computational cost from our search space of about 32 billion models. We describe the findings of the experience and discuss the specifications of the final optimal architectures. About 20‐times error reduction and 6‐times computational complexity reduction is achieved over our engineered neural architecture after about 500 neural architecture evaluation (in about 10 h). The typical speed of our final model is comparable to classic template matching algorithms while performing more robust and multiple‐template matching with different scales.
Juntos hacemos la diferencia [together we make the difference]: A network analysis of Latinx caregivers' use of youth support services
Authors: Vázquez Alejandro L. , Chou Tommy , Helseth Sarah A. , Gudiño Omar G. , Domenech Rodríguez Melanie M.
Published: June 2023

Latinx families face unique barriers to accessing traditional youth mental health services and may instead rely on a wide range of supports to meet youth emotional or behavioral concerns. Previous studies have typically focused on patterns of utilization for discrete services, classified by setting, specialization, or level of care (e.g., specialty outpatient, inpatient, informal supports), yet little is known about how youth support services might be accessed in tandem. This analysis used data from the Pathways to Latinx Mental Health study – a national sample of Latinx caregivers (N = 598) from across the United States collected at the start of the coronavirus pandemic (i.e., May–June 2020) – to describe the broad network of available supports that are used by Latinx caregivers. Using exploratory network analysis, we found that the use of youth psychological counseling, telepsychology, and online support groups was highly influential on support service utilization in the broader network. Specifically, Latinx caregivers who used one or more of these services for their child were more likely to report utilizing other related sources of support. We also identified five support clusters within the larger network that were interconnected through specific sources of support (i.e., outpatient counseling, crisis, religious, informal, and non‐specialty). Findings offer a foundational look at the complex system of youth supports available to Latinx caregivers, highlighting areas for future study, opportunities to advance the implementation of evidence‐based interventions, and channels through which to disseminate information about available services.
The development and pilot testing of a family treatment court best practices assessment: The model standards implementation scale
Authors: Lloyd Sieger Margaret H. , Becker Jessica , Earles Kelly , Thompson‐Wise Karin , Hagain Kaitlin
Published: June 2023

In 2019, the family treatment court (FTC) best practice standards (the Standards) were published to clarify attributes of FTC programs associated with superior child, parent, and family outcomes. The Standards cover the breadth of FTC operations including program structure and leadership, substance use treatment and complementary services, and behavioral responses to participants. This study aimed to develop an instrument (the Model Standards Implementation Scale; “MSIS”) that stakeholders can use to assess implementation of the Standards by individual FTCs. The MSIS balances usability with scientific validity. Interrater reliability (IRR), internal consistency, and several types of validity were assessed. Results indicated moderate to strong IRR, high internal consistency, mixed known groups validity depending on Standard, and high convergent and divergent validity. Initial findings suggest good validity and usability of the MSIS for evaluating FTC Standards' implementation. Notably, the process of using the tool functioned to educate FTC team members on the Standards. Although implementation of the MSIS is a resource‐intensive process, the opportunity to receive constructive feedback proved to be an effective incentive for initial and subsequent participation in the evaluation among FTCs. Future research is needed to examine predictive validity, including association between Standards' implementation and family outcomes in FTCs.
Organic mechanochromic luminescence‐based visualization of fatigue damage and life prediction of aluminum to steel resistance spot welds
Authors: Wei Xiaowen , Zhang Zhe , Shi Liting , Kang Jidong , Chen Xu
Published: June 2023

Dissimilar material joined structures are increasingly used in the automotive industry to reduce weight in the vehicle body structure for better fuel economy. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal the fatigue damage and develop the fatigue life prediction method of dissimilar material joined structures. Unlike conventional detection methods, mechanoresponsive luminogen‐based method can directly visualize stress distribution and fatigue crack growth. An organic mechanochromic luminescence material (TPE‐4N) is therefore used to detect the fatigue damage of coach peel Al‐steel resistance spot welds. The fatigue crack initiation and propagation are detected as visible green fluorescence under ultraviolet excitation. The results show that the fluorescence intensity increases linearly in the early stage of fatigue cycles while grows much faster in the specimen with lower fatigue life. A new fatigue life prediction method has been developed based on the response of fluorescence intensity.
CFPy—A Python Package for Pre‐ and Postprocessing of the Conduit Flow Process of MODFLOW
Authors: Reimann Thomas , Rudolph Max Gustav , Grabow Leonard , Noffz Torsten
Published: June 2023

The conduit flow process (CFP) for MODFLOW's groundwater flow model is an advanced approach for investigating complex groundwater systems, such as karst, with coupled discrete‐continuum models. CFP represents laminar and turbulent flow in a discrete pipe network coupled to a matrix continuum. However, the preprocessing demand is comparatively high to generate the conduit network and is usually performed with graphical user interfaces. To overcome this limitation and allow a scalable, reproducible, and comprehensive workflow, existing and new routines were aggregated to a Python package named CFPy, to allow script‐based modeling that harmonizes well with the available and widely used FloPy package. CFPy allows information about the location and geometry of the conduit network to be considered by user‐specific approaches or by sophisticated methods such as stochastic conduit network generators. The latter allows the automatic generation of many model variants with differing conduit networks for advanced investigations like multi‐model approaches in combination with automatic parameter estimation. Additional postprocessing routines provide powerful control and valuable insights for CFP applications. In this methods note, a general technical description of the approach is complemented with two examples that guide users and demonstrate the main capabilities of CFPy.
Looking for ‘emotional balance’ in desistance from crime: Testimonies from justice‐involved individuals in French‐speaking Switzerland
Authors: Stoll Aurélie
Published: June 2023

This article is based on 48 interviews and five writing testimonies of 23 men convicted, incarcerated and released from high‐security prisons in the French part of Switzerland. Through a longitudinal and phenomenological perspective, this contribution explores the role of affective states in desistance from crime. The findings show that giving up crime requires navigating through three ‘emotional seeds’ that qualify the most significant affective states of the desistance process: distress; disillusionment; and hope. Thus, this research develops the notion of ‘emotional balance’ in desistance from crime, which consists of being neither overwhelmed by one's feelings nor repressing them.
Site‐specific space use and resource selection by Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) in the southeastern USA
Authors: Evans Betsy A. , Humphrey John S. , Tillman Eric A. , Avery Michael L. , Kluever Bryan M.
Published: June 2023

North American populations of Black Vultures Coragyps atratus have increased and expanded their distribution in the southern and eastern USA. In conjunction with these patterns has been a rise in human–vulture conflicts. To improve our understanding of space use patterns and better inform management, we evaluated the movements of Black Vultures (n = 23) in the southeastern USA using a long‐term GPS tracking database. Our specific objectives were to: (1) quantify home‐range sizes in relation to season and geographical study location and (2) examine within‐home‐range resource selection to identify landscape and anthropogenic factors influencing roost and diurnal space use. Home‐range sizes did not significantly differ between breeding and non‐breeding seasons. However, there were differences across geographical study locations, with the largest home‐ranges located in Florida. Similarly, there was limited seasonal variation in resource selection; however, use of anthropogenic features did vary by geographical study location. Overall Black Vultures avoided homogeneous landscapes regardless of season or activity and exhibited a strong selection for areas with increased landscape richness. Increased landscape richness, unlike homogeneous habitat, provides a diversity of resources for Black Vultures in a localized area, such as food, water, roosting and perch sites, and the creation of energy‐efficient flight opportunities. Contrasting with natural landscape feature selection, selection of anthropogenic features, such as landfill proximity and road density, was highly variable across individuals and study location. The high level of variation in selection for anthropogenic features provides further evidence of the propensity of Black Vultures to be flexible and opportunistic. The findings of this study stress the importance of using site‐specific studies effectively to understand and manage local vulture populations and mitigate associated human–vulture conflicts. Wildlife managers should exercise caution when implementing vulture management actions based on inferences from telemetry studies conducted in other geographical areas.
A new value for cooperative games based on coalition size
Authors: Borkotokey Surajit , Choudhury Dhrubajit , Kumar Rajnish , Sarangi Sudipta
Published: June 2023

We propose and characterize a new value for TU cooperative games based on egalitarian distribution of worths in smaller coalitions and players' marginal productivity in larger coalitions. This value belongs to the class of Procedural values due to Malawski. Our value is identical with the Shapley value on one extreme and the Equal Division rule on the other extreme. We show that our value is identical with the solidarity value due to Bèal et al. of the dual game. However, by duality, our characterization intuitively improves over the axiomatization of this solidarity value. We also provide a mechanism that implements our value in sub‐game perfect Nash equilibrium. Finally, a generalized version of this value is proposed followed by its characterizations.
Incidence, prevalence and clinical management of achalasia since the introduction of high‐resolution manometry in Western Australia
Authors: Inoue Madoka , Adris Niwansa , Cai Richmond , Siah Chiang , Kong Jee , Ragunath Krish
Published: June 2023

Background

Epidemiological studies in achalasia and its clinical management in Australia are limited.

Aims

To determine the prevalence and trends in incidence rates and describe the types of treatment stratified by subtypes of achalasia.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted at a single site that offers a state‐wide high‐resolution manometry (HRM) service in Western Australia (WA). Patients (aged ≥ 18 years) newly diagnosed with achalasia based on HRM findings between 2012 and 2021 were extracted from the HRM database. The crude incidence rate and age‐standardised incidence rate (ASIR) along with the 2021‐point prevalence were calculated. Trends were assessed by the Kendall τb test. The patients' initial and subsequent treatment modalities were described.

Results

A total of 296 new cases were identified, and the median age at diagnosis was 56 years. The patient's median age, sex and year of the first treatment did not vary significantly with the subtypes. The lowest and highest ASIR (cases/100 000 person‐years) were 0.8 in 2012 and 2.1 in 2021, respectively. Only type 2 achalasia showed a significant increasing trend (P = 0.009). The 2021‐point prevalence was 16.9 cases/100 000 people and increased with age. Pneumatic balloon dilatation (PBD) was the most common treatment for types 1 and 2, while laparoscopic Heller myotomy was most common for type 3. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become common in the past 5 years.

Conclusion

The ASIR of type 2 achalasia significantly increased in WA. PBD was most commonly performed, although peroral endoscopic myotomy has recently increased as a preferred treatment option.
Cover crop water consumption: Analysing performance of the agrometeorological model for the calculation of actual evapotranspiration (AMBAV) in a container experiment
Authors: Selzer Tabea , Schubert Sven
Published: June 2023

Due to anthropogenic climate change, cover crop water consumption in winter could potentially increase drought stress for a succeeding crop. Simulation of cover crop evapotranspiration (ET) losses could be a tool for farmers to make smart management decisions. In Germany, the model AMBAV is used by the German Meteorological Service (DWD) to advise farmers in irrigation management. We compared measured ET of phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleiformis) and white mustard (Sinapis alba) cultivated in a container experiment with simulated data and conducted a sensitivity analysis to identify the meteorological and crop‐specific parameters, which had the strongest effect on simulated ET. In general, measured ET exceeded simulated ET. Different statistical criteria showed that AMBAV performed best for the simulation of evaporation from a bare soil surface. Model performance was also strongly influenced by the irrigation regime in the container experiment. However, the sensitivity analysis showed that changes in irrigation hardly influenced simulated ET. We recommend optimization of the model for irrigated agriculture. Furthermore, we identified temperature and humidity as the most important meteorological and leaf area index as the most important crop‐specific parameter for ET simulations with AMBAV. Since farmers' management decisions depend on the accuracy of ET simulations, they should be aware that even small regional deviations of meteorological conditions and soil cover can significantly affect model predictions.
Giant permittivity in (Nb0.5La0.5)xTi1‐xO2 ceramics prepared by slip casting in a strong magnetic field
Authors: Liu Jinqiu , Song Yuechan , Wu Wenwen , Wang Xingang , Zhou Quan , Niu Gaoyun , Liu Peng
Published: June 2023

A series of textured (Nb0.5La0.5)xTi1‐xO2 (x = 0, 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01) ceramics were sintered in a nitrogen environment after magnetic slip casting (12 T). Component x ranges from 0.0025 to 0.01 while the degree of orientation increases from 0.49 to 0.88. (Nb0.5La0.5)0.01Ti0.99O2 ceramics in the parallel magnetic field's plane have a high permittivity ɛr ≈ 1.6 × 104 and the ultralow dielectric loss tanδ ≈ 0.0038 at 104 Hz. The temperature coefficient value of η ≤ ± 7.1% between 218–473 K, fulfilling the X9R requirements. The giant permittivity properties of textured ceramics are mainly derived from internal barrier layer capacitor impacts, electron hopping, and electron‐pinned defect‐dipoles polarization. The microstructure evolution of sintered ceramics was modified by texturing in a magnetic field, leading to higher activation energies of dielectric relaxations and resistance of grain boundaries and grains. This excellent performance is expected to show great potential in electronic devices' miniaturization and high‐density energy storage.
Spatial phylogenetics of the flora in the Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico: Evolutionary puzzles in tropical mountains
Authors: Aragón‐Parada Juvenal , Carrillo‐Reyes Pablo , Rodríguez Aarón , Munguía‐Lino Guadalupe , Salinas‐Rodríguez María Magdalena , De‐Nova José Arturo
Published: June 2023

Aim

To test explicitly whether the Sierra Madre del Sur includes areas with significant neo‐, paleo‐ and mixed endemism and to explore possible environmental drivers implied in their high species richness and spatial phylogenetic patterns.

Location

Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico.

Taxon

Vascular plants.

Methods

Species richness, species endemism, phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic endemism were analysed through a categorical analysis of neo‐ and paleo‐endemism for a set of 91493 unique records. Nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis tests for multiple comparisons of environmental variables among phylogenetic endemism categories were conducted.

Results

The area includes 9524 species with 1133 endemics. The spatial distribution of species richness, endemism and phylogenetic metrics is heterogeneous. Species richness has a strong correlation with weighted endemism and weighted phylogenetic endemism. Neoendemism is mainly concentrated in the pine‐oak forest at higher elevations, paleo‐endemism in pine‐oak forest and seasonally dry tropical forest at lower elevations; mixed and super‐endemism were located in the cloud forest and its ecotones with the pine‐oak forest, tropical rain forest and seasonally dry tropical forest. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed significant differences only for elevation, precipitation and temperature.

Main conclusions

The Sierra Madre del Sur includes areas of neo‐, paleo‐ and mixed endemism heterogeneously distributed, representing an evolutionary puzzle of phylogenetic diversity promoted by environmental complexity. Recent diversification is suggested for areas of neoendemism, mainly in regions of pine‐oak forest and seasonally dry tropical forest, where elevation, seasonality and precipitation are variable. Areas of paleo‐ and mixed endemism indicate the preservation of ancient lineages in cloud forest and tropical forest. The Sierra Madre del Sur represents an intricate scenario for the diversification of Neotropical flora, with singular elements diverged in situ and others migrated and preserved in climatic and adaptative refugia through time.
The effects of animated versus static metaphor with 3D images on EFL learners' acquisition of degrees of certainty
Authors: Takimoto Masahiro
Published: June 2023

Background

Japanese EFL learners often fail to identify and categorise the different degrees of certainty associated with CERTAIN, PROBABLE, and POSSIBLE items. This computer‐mediated study evaluated the relative effects of animated versus static illustrations on stimulating the spatial concept of distance for the acquisition of this knowledge.

Objectives

This study aimed to: (1) discover whether the spatial concept of distance captured by three‐dimensional (3D) images in animated or static illustrations help learners understand spatial relationships more clearly, and (2) whether a static illustration is sufficient for learning the different degrees of certainty.

Method

Animated and static visualisation groups used 3D images of animated versus static illustrations that capture the spatial concept of distance, and a contrasting group did not use illustrations. The former applied the spatial concept of distance to learn the degrees of certainty, using animated or static illustrations. A spatial concept‐oriented approach that visualises concepts of distance enabled participants to understand the degrees of certainty. The contrasting approach involved rote learning of a list of target expressions for the different degrees of certainty in English.

Results and Conclusions

Both the animated and static versions of the spatial concept‐oriented approaches were equally effective. The difference between the two versions did not significantly impact the overall performance of the groups.

Takeaways

Regardless of the type of effect, the spatial concept of distance captured in words and illustrations helped the participants (1) process the different degrees of certainty cognitively in terms of distances and (2) retain them in long‐term memory.
Intersectionality in studying and theorizing singlehood
Authors: Kislev Elyakim , Marsh Kris
Published: June 2023

This article underscores the importance of recognizing the diversity and intricacy of singlehood and transcending a simplistic view of singles as a monolithic group. By adopting an intersectional approach, researchers can obtain a deeper understanding of singles' experiences and identify their unique needs. Moreover, this understanding has profound implications for social justice endeavors, as singles may encounter compounded discrimination and necessitate deliberate communities and social policies that support them. Specifically, we advance here a four‐fold argument. First, singlehood should not only be viewed as a demographic characteristic but also as a chosen status and identity. In turn, researchers must acknowledge divisions such as race, gender, class, and sexuality within this overarching category. Third, intersectionality must be analyzed in its compound and intricate effects, as singlehood intertwines with other categories in distinct ways. Fourth, this carries far‐reaching implications, and intersectionality can serve as a critical praxis that informs social justice initiatives.
Medication misuse and overuse in community‐dwelling persons with dementia
Authors: Deardorff W. James , Jing Bocheng , Growdon Matthew E. , Yaffe Kristine , Boscardin W. John , Boockvar Kenneth S. , Steinman Michael A.
Published: June 2023

Background

Persons with dementia (PWD) have high rates of polypharmacy. While previous studies have examined specific types of problematic medication use in PWD, we sought to characterize a broad spectrum of medication misuse and overuse among community‐dwelling PWD.

Methods

We included community‐dwelling adults aged ≥66 in the Health and Retirement Study from 2008 to 2018 linked to Medicare and classified as having dementia using a validated algorithm. Medication usage was ascertained over the 1‐year prior to an HRS interview date. Potentially problematic medications were identified by: (1) medication overuse including over‐aggressive treatment of diabetes/hypertension (e.g., insulin/sulfonylurea with hemoglobin A1c < 7.5%) and medications inappropriate near end of life based on STOPPFrail and (2) medication misuse including medications that negatively affect cognition and medications from 2019 Beers and STOPP Version 2 criteria. To contextualize, we compared medication use to people without dementia through a propensity‐matched cohort by age, sex, comorbidities, and interview year. We applied survey weights to make our results nationally representative.

Results

Among 1441 PWD, median age was 84 (interquartile range = 78–89), 67% female, and 14% Black. Overall, 73% of PWD were prescribed ≥1 potentially problematic medication with a mean of 2.09 per individual in the prior year. This was notable across several domains, including 41% prescribed ≥1 medication that negatively affects cognition. Frequently problematic medications included proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic agents. Problematic medication use was higher among PWD compared to those without dementia with 73% versus 67% prescribed ≥1 problematic medication (p = 0.002) and mean of 2.09 versus 1.62 (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Community‐dwelling PWD frequently receive problematic medications across multiple domains and at higher frequencies compared to those without dementia. Deprescribing efforts for PWD should focus not only on potentially harmful central nervous system‐active medications but also on other classes such as PPIs and NSAIDs.
Expanding consumer mindfulness for collective sustainable well‐being: Overview of the special issue and future research directions
Authors: Bahl Shalini , Milne George R. , Miller Elizabeth G.
Published: June 2023

This special issue focuses on the potential of mindfulness to enhance consumer well‐being. While various disciplines have investigated the psychological and physiological benefits of mindfulness, its potential for consumer well‐being remains largely underexplored. Moreover, there have been concerns about the efficacy of secular mindfulness, which is being criticized for its limited focus on non‐judgmental awareness while neglecting its original contemplative and ethical foundations. This omission is especially problematic when considering mindfulness as an intervention for issues such as overconsumption, addictions, and other harmful habits impacting individuals, society, and the environment. This introductory article expands the definition of consumer well‐being to prioritize the positive feelings and effective functioning of groups and ecosystems over short‐term individual benefits, summarizes the eight articles in the issue, identifies six themes that broaden the scope of mindfulness, and presents a framework for exploring how the special issue articles and future research can promote collective sustainable well‐being.
Quaranteens: Prepandemic relationship quality and changes in adolescent internalizing problems during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Buist Kirsten L. , Boele Savannah , Bülow Anne , Reitz Ellen , Verhoeven Marjolein , Keijsers Loes
Published: June 2023

This preregistered longitudinal study examined changes in adolescents' depressive and anxiety symptoms before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic using latent additive piece‐wise growth models. It also assessed whether support from and conflict with mothers, fathers, siblings, and best friends explained heterogeneity in change patterns. One hundred and ninety‐two Dutch adolescents (Mean age: 14.3 years; 68.8% female) completed online biweekly questionnaires for a year (November 2019–October 2020), consisting of a prepandemic, lockdown, and reopening phase. Depressive symptoms increased following the lockdown and decreased upon reopening. Anxiety symptoms showed an immediate decrease followed by a gradual increase in the reopening phase. Prepandemic family and best friend support and conflict did not explain heterogeneity in depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic.