bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of surface water supply impacts from permit exemptions: A comparison with climate change and demand growth
Authors: Sangha Laljeet , Hildebrand Daniel , Scott Durelle , Shortridge Julie
Published: March 2024

Many states in the Eastern U.S. have limited water withdrawal regulations, posing significant risks to water supply management during periods of low flows. While these states require water withdrawal permits, exemptions for grandfathered withdrawals that allow unregulated access to surface water are common. Such permit exemptions present a challenge to water supply management, as full utilization of allowable withdrawals by permit‐exempt users could pose risks to maintaining adequate water supplies for current and projected demand. This study used reported permit exemption data in Virginia to understand the extent, volume, and potential impact of permit‐exempt withdrawals on 30‐ and 90‐day low flows. The permit‐exempt withdrawal values used in this study were obtained from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Maximum permit‐exempt withdrawal volumes were significantly higher than projected future demands in permitted users. The impacts of these withdrawals on drought flows were compared with the impacts presented by climate change and demand growth. Widespread reduction in flows was observed with the “dry” future climate change scenario, while impacts were more localized in the exempt users and the demand growth scenarios. The impacts of exempt users exceeded the impact of climate change and demand growth scenarios in many regions during low‐flow periods. Therefore, more comprehensive water planning, policy and research is needed to address the impact of permit exemptions.
High‐sensitive troponinT, interleukin‐8, and interleukin‐6 link with post‐surgery risk in infant heart surgery
Authors: Thorlacius Elin M. , Keski‐Nisula Juho , Vistnes Maria , Ojala Tiina , Molin Mattias , Synnergren Mats , Romlin Birgitta S. , Ricksten Sven‐Erik , Wåhlander Håkan , Castellheim Albert Gyllencreutz
Published: March 2024

Background

This study focuses on biomarkers in infants after open heart surgery, and examines the association of high‐sensitive troponin T (hs‐cTnT), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) with postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), ventilatory support time and need of vasoactive drugs.

Methods

Secondary exploratory study from a double‐blinded clinical randomized trial (Mile‐1) on 70 infants undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this sub‐study, the entire study population was examined without considering the study drugs. The biomarkers' peak concentration (highest concentration at 2 or 6 h post‐CPB) were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Peak IL‐8, hs‐cTnT, and IL‐6 occurred at 2 h post‐CPB for 96%, 79%, and 63% of the patients, respectively. The odds ratio of developing AKI2‐3 for IL‐6 > 293 pg/mL was 23.4 (95% CI 5.3;104.0), for IL‐8 > 100 pg/mL it was 11.5 (3.0;44.2), and for hs‐cTnT >5597 pg/mL it was 6.1 (1.5; 24.5). In more than two third of the patients with the highest peak concentrations of IL‐8, IL‐6, and hs‐cTnT, there was a need for ventilatory support for >24 h and use of vasoactive drugs at 24 h post‐CPB, while in less than one third of the patients with the lowest peak concentrations of IL‐8 and hs‐cTnT such requirements were observed.

Conclusions

The peak biomarker concentrations and CPB‐time strongly predicted AKI2‐3, with IL‐6 and IL‐8 emerging as strongest predictors. Furthermore, our findings suggest that measuring hs‐cTnT and IL‐8 just 2 h post‐CPB‐weaning may assist in identifying infants suitable for early extubation and highlight those at risk of prolonged ventilation.
Asymmetric Tone in Management Discussion and Analysis and Its Impact: Evidence from the Chinese Stock Market
Authors: Yan Sibei , Choi Ahrum , Jung Hyung Rok , Lee Joonil
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the relationship between managerial tone in management discussion and analysis (MD&A) disclosures and stock price crash risk. We make a distinction between two types of tone—concave and convex—based on how managers’ tone changes according to whether performance is good or bad. Tone is classified as ‘concave’ (‘convex’) when managers overstate (understate) bad news and understate (overstate) good news. Using data on Chinese listed firms from 2013 to 2018, we find that convex tone is positively associated with stock price crash risk, and negatively associated with future performance. The positive relationship between convex tone and stock price crash risk is more pronounced for firms with high free cash flow, opaque financial reporting, and non‐stated‐owned enterprises. These results suggest that the use of a convex tone in MD&A may have a negative impact on the capital market.
Peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification – Role of tear secretion, medication and systemic diseases
Authors: Riedl Jana C. , Misirkhanova Aminat , Wasielica‐Poslednik Joanna , Schuster Alexander K. , Schmidtmann Irene , Beutel Manfred E. , Pfeiffer Norbert , Gericke Adrian
Published: March 2024

Background

Peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification (PHSCO) is a corneal disease that may severely affect vision. The major goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that tear secretion, medication and systemic diseases are associated with PHSCO.

Methods

This is a retrospective, case–control study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. We analysed medical records of patients diagnosed with PHSCO. Sex, age, Schirmer's test II, general medication and medical history were assessed and compared to an age‐ and sex‐matched control group from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS).

Results

One hundred ninety‐five eyes of 112 patients with PHSCO were included. Eighty‐eight patients were female with a mean age of 55.3 ± 14.7 years (23–89 years) and 24 patients were male with a mean age of 59.3 ± 12.6 years (38–84 years). In 83 patients (74.1%) both eyes were involved. The Schirmer's test II was significantly reduced in patients with PHSCO compared to the GHS control group (p < 0.001). Patients with PHSCO were more frequently administered artificial tears and steroid eye drops (p < 0.001) and were more hyperopic than healthy controls (p = 0.01). Systemic diseases or medication did not differ markedly between PHSCO and healthy controls.

Conclusion

Reduced tear secretion and more frequent use of artificial tears in patients with PHSCO suggest a link between PHSCO and dry eye disease. The results of the study do not support our hypothesis that PHSCO is associated with systemic diseases. Interestingly, patients with PHSCO were less frequently on β‐blockers than control subjects.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders, quality of life, and behaviour in adolescents with history of infant colic
Authors: Zeevenhooven Judith , Zeevenhooven Lucas , Biesbroek Angela , Schappin Renske , Vlieger Arine M. , van Sleuwen Bregje E. , L'Hoir Monique P. , Benninga Marc A.
Published: March 2024

Aim

To assess the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and behavioural problems in a cohort of adolescents with a history of infant colic (IC), as defined by Wessel's criteria.

Methods

388 adolescents, aged 15–18 years, who participated in a randomised controlled trial for infants with colic, were invited for our observational follow‐up study. Prevalence of FGIDs was assessed with the Rome IV Questionnaire on Paediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders (RIV‐QPGD), HRQOL through self‐report of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and behavioural problems through parent‐report of the child behaviour checklist (CBCL). Multivariable models were used to compare prevalence rates of FGIDs and HRQOL scores.

Results

190 (49%) adolescents with a history of IC (cases) and 381 controls were included (median age 17.0 [IQR 16.0–17.0] and 16.0 [15.0–17.0] years, respectively). Cases had a significantly higher risk for postprandial distress syndrome compared to controls (aOR 2.49 (95%CI 1.18–5.25), p = 0.002). After multivariable regression, total, physical and school HRQOL scores were significantly lower in cases compared to controls (p = 0.003, 0.001, and 0.009).

Conclusion

Adolescents with a history of IC demonstrate higher prevalence rates of postprandial distress syndrome compared to controls. However, conclusions should be made with caution due to attrition and information bias.
Systematic scoping review: Use of the faecal immunochemical test residual buffer to enhance colorectal cancer screening
Authors: McAuliffe Timothy , Anderson Joseph C. , Larson Robin J. , Robertson Douglas J.
Published: March 2024

Background

The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is an inexpensive and convenient modality to screen for colorectal cancer. However, its one‐time sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancer and cancer precursors is limited. There is growing interest in using the non‐haemoglobin contents of FIT residual buffer to enhance colonic neoplasia detection.

Aim

To establish from the literature a framework to catalogue candidate biomarkers within FIT residual buffer for non‐invasive colorectal cancer screening.

Methods

The search strategy evaluated PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar for publications through 25 October 2023, with search terms including FIT, buffer, OC‐sensor, biomarkers, microbiome, microRNA (miR), colon, rectum, screening, neoplasm, and early detection. Studies employing home‐based collection samples using quantitative FIT first processed for haemoglobin were included. One author reviewed all articles; a second author completed a 20% full‐text audit to ensure adherence to eligibility criteria.

Results

A broad search yielded 1669 studies and application of eligibility criteria identified 18 relevant studies. Multiple protein, DNA/RNA, and microbiome biomarkers (notably haptoglobin, miR‐16, miR‐27a‐3p, miR‐92a, miR‐148a‐3p, miR‐223, miR‐421, let‐7b‐5p, and Tyzzerella 4) were associated with colorectal neoplasia. Furthermore, studies highlighted the short‐term stability of biomarkers for clinical use and long‐term stability for research purposes.

Conclusions

This scoping review summarises the framework and progress of research on stability of biomarkers in FIT residual buffer and their associations with colorectal neoplasia to guide opportunities for further confirmatory studies to enhance colorectal cancer screening.
The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on the Thai economy and the effectiveness of monetary policy: A Bayesian DSGE model approach
Authors: Dunyo Samuel Kwesi , Sarntisart Saran
Published: March 2024

This study estimates a medium‐scale dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for the Thai economy to evaluate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic containment policy on key macroeconomic aggregates. The shock to labor supply is considered as the main transmission channel. The paper discussed the role of monetary policy in regard to economic recovery and also identified the dominant shocks driving the business cycle. Thai quarterly series from 2011Q1 to 2021Q2 is used for the Bayesian estimation of the model. Though the pandemic shock caused a sharp decline in output, consumption and investment, the results suggest a fast recovery in the growth rates of the variables in about 2.5 years. At the same time, the dominant shocks that account for output variation in the medium to long term are investment, labor supply and productivity shocks. Monetary policy is effective in shortening the recovery due to its impact on private investment. The key drivers of Thai household consumption in the long run are investment, labor supply and productivity shocks. On average, the investment shock appears to be the key driver of the business cycle at all horizons.
Developing a process to measure actual harm from medication errors in paediatric inpatients: From design to implementation
Authors: Mumford Virginia , Raban Magdalena Z. , Li Ling , Fitzpatrick Erin , Woods Amanda , Merchant Alison , Badgery‐Parker Tim , Gates Peter , Baysari Melissa , Day Ric O. , Ambler Geoffrey , Dalla‐Pozza Luciano , Gazarian Madlen , Gardo Alan , Barclay Peter , White Les , Westbrook Johanna I.
Published: March 2024

Aims

The potential harm associated with medication errors is widely reported, but data on actual harm are limited. When actual harm has been measured, assessment processes are often poorly described, limiting their ability to be reproduced by other studies. Our aim was to design and implement a new process to assess actual harm resulting from medication errors in paediatric inpatient care.

Methods

Prescribing errors were identified through retrospective medical record reviews (n = 26 369 orders) and medication administration errors through direct observation (n = 5137 administrations) in a tertiary paediatric hospital. All errors were assigned potential harm severity ratings on a 5‐point scale. Multidisciplinary panels reviewed case studies for patients assigned the highest three potential severity ratings and determined the following: actual harm occurrence and severity level, plausibility of a link between the error(s) and identified harm(s) and a confidence rating if no harm had occurred.

Results

Multidisciplinary harm panels (n = 28) reviewed 566 case studies (173 prescribing related and 393 administration related) and found evidence of actual harm in 89 (prescribing = 22, administration = 67). Eight cases of serious harm cases were found (prescribing = 1, administration = 7) and no cases of severe harm. The panels were very confident in 65% of cases (n = 302) where no harm was found. Potential and actual harm ratings varied.

Conclusions

This harm assessment process provides a systematic method for determining actual harm from medication errors. The multidisciplinary nature of the panels was critical in evaluating specific clinical, therapeutic and contextual considerations including care delivery pathways, therapeutic dose ranges and drug–drug and drug–disease interactions.
An anchor in instability or an inhibitor for development? Professional perceptions of siblinghood in family group homes in Israel
Authors: Barnea Osher , Cohen Noa , Hindi Inbal , Dolev Moshe , Taus Orna , Katz Carmit
Published: March 2024

Most children who are removed from their homes by social services have siblings. Yet, siblinghood is an unnoticed and understudied field of interest. Professionals lack a framework for addressing this common issue in out‐of‐home placement decision‐making and caregiving. The current study examined how professionals in family group homes in Israel perceive and approach sibling bonds, as well as the main barriers and benefits they identify regarding siblinghood among children in out‐of‐home placements. Five focus groups were held with 34 professionals, and a thematic analysis was conducted. The participants identified siblings as a source of support, comfort and security to one another. On the other hand, they worried about the sibling bond inhibiting a child's development. They also revealed two approaches regarding the role of out‐of‐home placements: a space for individual development versus a transition station in the child's and family's life journey. They also referred to the uniqueness of every sibling group and, hence, the significant weight of professional intuition in decision‐making processes. The discussion addresses the challenges of intuitive decision‐making in cases of siblings in out‐of‐home placements and stresses the need for more informed decision‐making processes.
Common Ownership and Goodwill Impairments
Authors: Ye Chunlai , Yu Lin‐Hui
Published: March 2024

Research Question/Issue

Are companies monitored by common owners (i.e., institutional investors that block‐own [owning 5% or more] several companies in a single industry) more likely than other companies to record goodwill impairments when their assets are overstated?

Research Findings/Insights

We find that companies monitored by common owners are more likely than other companies to record goodwill impairments when their assets are overstated. The monitoring effect is stronger for common owners with a stronger incentive to monitor and with more industry knowledge and stronger for the co‐presence of multiple common owners. Our findings are in line with the notion that common owners have an economy of scale in monitoring and internalize the negative externality of delayed recording of goodwill impairment. We also find that common ownership is associated with lower information asymmetry, which in turn increases the timeliness of goodwill impairment.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our research emphasizes the monitoring role of common ownership in recording goodwill impairments. We find support for the mechanisms enabling common owners to be better monitors.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The prevalence of common ownership has prompted regulatory and societal concerns regarding under‐investment in the oversight of the companies. Our findings documenting the association between common ownership and the timely recording of goodwill impairments are relevant to the ongoing debate regarding the potential costs and benefits of common ownership.
Proposed vacuum sampling method for collecting foraging Vespula wasps at their nest entrance
Authors: Daly Derek , Molepo Dikobe K. , Veldtman Ruan
Published: March 2024

Sampling nests of yellow jackets, Vespula spp. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), represent a particular challenge due to the danger involved in working with live colonies of a potentially aggressive venomous super‐organism. Here, we report on sampling methods using a petrol‐driven leaf blower/vacuum and a battery‐powered vacuum to sample returning Vespula germanica (Fabricius) foragers at their nest entrance. These methods make the sampling of returning foragers at the nest more efficient and convenient and represent a low‐risk approach to sampling. Applications include prey analysis and genetic sampling that can be done destructively or non‐destructively depending on the geographic location. We sampled 15 nests using the two‐stroke vacuum apparatus and collected on average (±SD) 454 ± 271 wasps per nest. We believe that the petrol‐driven vacuum collection apparatus we designed is a useful method for collecting a large number of social wasp foragers returning to a single‐nest entrance.
Can the impacts of invasive African Olive on native Cumberland Plain Woodland plants be mitigated through bioinoculation?
Authors: Listberger James , Manea Anthony , Leishman Michelle R. , Li Weihua , Cuneo Peter , Scott Jordan , Le Roux Johannes J.
Published: March 2024

Invasive plants often impact the abiotic and biotic conditions of the ecosystems they invade. These impacts can persist after the removal of the invader as legacy effects that may hamper restoration. We assessed whether the invasion of Cumberland Plain Woodland in Australia by African Olive impacts the performance of native species through legacy effects. We also tested whether the addition of soil inocula from uninvaded Cumberland Plain Woodland and rhizosphere soils can mitigate the effects of invaded soils on native plant performance. To do this, we grew four native Cumberland Plain Woodland species (Australian Indigo, Climbing Saltbush, Hickory Wattle, Wedge‐leaf Hop‐bush) in mesocosms containing either uninvaded Cumberland Plain Woodland soil, African Olive‐invaded Cumberland Plain Woodland soil or invaded Cumberland Plain Woodland soil inoculated with uninvaded or native rhizosphere soil. We found invaded soils to not consistently impact the growth of the Cumberland Plain Woodland species studied. In invaded soil, Hickory Wattle produced lower above and belowground biomass, Climbing Saltbush produced lower belowground biomass and Australian Indigo had a lower root to shoot ratio compared to plants grown in Cumberland Plain Woodland soil. The nodulation of Australian Indigo did not differ between soil treatments, while that of Hickory Wattle responded positively to inoculation. Our results suggest that the addition of native soil biota may improve the outcomes of ecological restoration projects on a species‐specific basis.
Single‐species and multi‐species playbacks elicit asymmetrical responses within mixed‐species chickadee, titmouse, and nuthatch flocks
Authors: Brooks Heather J. B. , Freeberg Todd M.
Published: March 2024

Individuals join mixed‐species groups to gain benefits such as improved foraging and predator detection. Birds in the family Paridae often drive mixed‐species flocking in North America, and these species can act as community informants for forest‐wide eavesdropping networks. Although we know a great deal about how this communication functions in anti‐predator contexts, less is known about how the vocalizations of members of these flocks may affect the foraging behavior of potential flockmates. In this study, we presented naturally occurring mixed‐species flocks of chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches with one of four playback conditions: chickadee‐only calls, nuthatch‐only calls, calls of both species, and a silent control. We hypothesized that the flocks would be most responsive to playbacks that contained calls from more than one species. We also tested an alternative hypothesis that predicted that birds would be most responsive to the nuclear species within the flock (chickadees). We found that birds were more likely to arrive, and arrived more quickly, for the playbacks with calls from both species compared to playbacks of nuthatches alone or the silent control. Playbacks of chickadee calls alone attracted an intermediate number of birds, which did not differ significantly from the mixed‐species flock condition, or the nuthatch call alone condition. Our hypotheses were not supported due to the lack of significant difference between the mixed‐species playbacks and the chickadee playbacks. However, our findings do indicate that different species in these flocks can react differently to the calls of members of these flocks and that future studies may continue to find asymmetries in attraction to these different social signals.
Alterations of circulating free fatty acids in patients with pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Maglie Roberto , Baldi Simone , Nannini Giulia , Di Gloria Leandro , Pallecchi Marco , Bartolucci Gianluca , Ramazzotti Matteo , Niccolai Elena , Baffa Maria Efenesia , Camilla Biagioni , Solimani Farzan , Antiga Emiliano , Amedei Amedeo
Published: March 2024

Free fatty acids (FFA) have gained research interest owing to their functions in both local and systemic immune regulation. Changes in the serum levels of anti‐inflammatory short chain fatty acids (SCFA), primarily derived from the gut microbiota, and pro‐inflammatory medium (MCFA) and long (LCFA) chain fatty acids, derived from either the gut microbiota or the diet, have been associated with autoimmunity. Circulating FFA were retrospectively analysed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method in the serum of 18 patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) at the baseline and 6 months (n = 10) after immunosuppressive treatments, and 18 healthy controls (HC). Circulating FFA were correlated with the Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) and serum concentrations of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), Interleukin (IL)‐17A, IL‐5, IL‐10 and IL‐21. Principal Component analysis computed on FFA abundances revealed significant differences in the profile of SCFA (p = 0,012), MCFA (p = 0.00015) and LCFA (p = 0,035) between PV patients and HC, which were not significantly changed by immunosuppressive treatments. PV patients showed a significantly lower serum concentration of propionic (p < 0.0005) and butyric (p < 0.0005) acids, SCFA with anti‐inflammatory functions, while hexanoic (p < 0.0005) and hexadecanoic (p = 0.0006) acids, pro‐inflammatory MCFA and LCFA respectively, were over‐represented. Treatments induced a significant decrease of hexanoic (p = 0.035) and a further increase of hexadecanoic (p = 0.046) acids. Positive correlations emerged between IFN‐γ and acetic acid (Rho = 0.60), IFN‐γ and hexanoic acid (Rho = 0.46), IL‐5 and both hexadecanoic acid (Rho = 0.50) and octadecanoic acid (Rho = 0.53), butyric acid and PDAI (Rho = 0.53). PV was associated with a remarked imbalance of circulating FFA compared to HC. The serum alterations of SCFA, MCFA, and LCFA may contribute to promoting inflammation in PV. Deeper insights into the immunomodulatory functions of these molecules may pave the way for personalized dietary interventions in PV patients.
Extracting the explore‐exploit intelligence of Physarum to manage the sustainability of an enterprise network
Authors: Habib Sami J. , Marimuthu Paulvanna Nayaki
Published: March 2024

In this work, we enhance the sustainability of an enterprise network (EN) by complementing it with an expert system that apprehends the explore‐exploit behavioural intelligence of Physarum to survive against the attractive‐adversarial nutritional environment. EN sustainability is dynamic since it depends on how well EN can react to an adversarial environment. We capture a reverse analogy to characterize EN's workload‐environment with Physarum's nutritive‐environment, where the high volume of workloads at the backbone network corresponds to a poor‐nutrient environment. The expert system explores EN to find out how to manage the workloads as Physarum handles its survivability, and exploits the users' workload patterns by grouping the highly communicating users together to redesign the network structure as Physarum's intelligence to exploit energy from rich‐ and poor‐nutrient food sources through redesigned tubular structures. We define two factors, such as nutrient‐intensity and chemo‐attractant to aid the redesign process. EN evolves through a set of redesigned clusters with an objective function to maximize its sustainability for a given set of explored workloads by minimizing the workloads through the backbone. EN evolution terminates when there is no change in the backbone utilization, resembling the organism's stay in a dormant state until it experiences a favourable environment. Our experimental results on an EN with a higher volume of workloads at the backbone producing 14.26 kWh energy consumption demonstrated that the developed expert system reduced the energy consumption to 11.27 kWh, thus enhanced the sustainability from 21% to 61%.
Metalimnion as an ecotone in stratified freshwater lakes: A case study on benthic testate amoebae in Lake Valdayskoe
Authors: Sysoev Vlad V. , Seleznev Dmitry G. , Reshetnikov Fedor Y. , Zakonnov Viktor V. , Tikhonenkov Denis V.
Published: March 2024

Testate amoebae are widely used as bioindicators in the study of modern ecotopes and as proxies in palaeoecological reconstructions of lacustrine environments. The metalimnion with thermocline in stratified water bodies strongly affects the species structure of a number of aquatic animals and often plays a role as an ecotone for pelagic animals, but our knowledge on the influence of the metalinmion on benthic organisms, especially on testate amoebae, is still limited.

This study aims to describe the influence of the metalimnion and its thermocline on benthic testate amoebae assemblages along a temperature gradient in the stratified freshwater Lake Valdayskoe. Twenty‐eight samples from nine sites were collected along the transect starting in the littoral zone, passing through a long metalimnion and its thermocline and finishing in the hypolimnion on the bottom slope.

We identified four species assemblages, six non‐attributed samples and five morphotrait compositions in the transect, including those corresponding to the area inside the metalimnetic zone. We observed similarities in the transitions in benthic species assemblages, morphotype compositions, and species and morphotrait structures from shallow to deep water, and two shifts corresponded well with the upper and lower limnological boundaries of the metalimnion. The combination of the observed biological and hydrological characteristics suggests that the metalimnion plays a role of an ecotone between shallow and deep water in stratified freshwater lakes, and maintains the integrity and sustainability of benthic communities of testate amoebae.

We explored a multivariate approach to demonstrate that the combination of highly abundant species and dominant morphotypes may be an efficient indicator of related environmental conditions. Thus, the high abundances of Cylindrifflugia acuminata, Centropyxis aculeata, Difflugia lacustris, D. linearis and C. discoides in combination with the dominance of elongate‐spiky and flattened‐spiky shells are closely related to the littoral zone with sandy sediments covered by many macrophytes. The combination of a high abundance of D. petricola and D. penardi, and the dominance of pyriform, necked and oval shells are closely related to deep depth.

The studied species and morphotrait transition from littoral to deep water provides additional information about the morphological adaptations of testaceans, and about the processes of forming and maintaining benthic testate amoebae assemblages along the depth gradient. The described species and morphotrait assemblages related to specific water depths may be useful for palaeoreconstructions.
Denitrification dominates dissimilatory nitrate reduction across global natural ecosystems
Authors: Deng Danli , He Gang , Ding Bangjing , Liu Wenzhi , Yang Zhengjian , Ma Lin
Published: March 2024

Denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) are three competing processes of microbial nitrate reduction that determine the degree of ecosystem nitrogen (N) loss versus recycling. However, the global patterns and drivers of relative contributions of these N cycling processes to soil or sediment nitrate reduction remain unknown, limiting our understanding of the global N balance and management. Here, we compiled a global dataset of 1570 observations from a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We found that denitrification contributed up to 66.1% of total nitrate reduction globally, being significantly greater in estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Anammox and DNRA could account for 12.7% and 21.2% of total nitrate reduction, respectively. The contribution of denitrification to nitrate reduction increased with longitude, while the contribution of anammox and DNRA decreased. The local environmental factors controlling the relative contributions of the three N cycling processes to nitrate reduction included the concentrations of soil organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate, and ferrous iron. Our results underline the dominant role of denitrification over anammox and DNRA in ecosystem nitrate transformation, which is crucial to improving the current global soil N cycle model and achieving sustainable N management.
Neighbors with benefits: How politicians' local ties generate positive externalities when bureaucratic oversight is limited
Authors: Kovarek Daniel
Published: March 2024

Existing literature suggests bureaucrats shirk when political oversight is limited or inefficient. When civil servants engage in multitasking, elected office holders have neither the capacity nor the incentives to monitor bureaucrat–citizen interactions. I argue that under such circumstances, public servants prioritize responding to local anomalies which are located in the immediate vicinity of politicians. Using a novel dataset on geolocated citizen problem reports from 40 urban municipalities in Hungary (N = 24,149), matched against addresses of mayors, I find that proximity to mayors' domiciles is associated with more prompt responses from authorities. Results suggest politicians' local roots generate positive externalities for their neighbors, as civil servants are incentivized to put those reports on the back burner which are the most invisible for their political principals. Further analyses suggest response speed is also positively associated with incumbent mayors' re‐election chances. The findings refine our understanding on political oversight of bureaucrats and voters' expectations about likely behavior of locally embedded civil servants.
Role of Wnt5b‐Ror1 signaling in the proliferation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Yamauchi Natsuko , Otsuka Mako , Ishikawa Tomohiro , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Kikuchi Akira , Masuda Atsuhiro , Kodama Yuzo , Minami Yasuhiro , Kamizaki Koki
Published: March 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most refractory cancers with the worst prognosis. Although several molecules are known to be associated with the progression of PDAC, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of PDAC remain largely elusive. The Ror‐family receptors, Ror1 and Ror2, which act as a receptor(s) for Wnt‐family ligands, particularly Wnt5a, are involved in the progression of various types of cancers. Here, we show that higher expression of Ror1 and Wnt5b, but not Ror2, are associated with poorer prognosis of PDAC patients, and that Ror1 and Wnt5b are expressed highly in a type of PDAC cell lines, PANC‐1 cells. Knockdown of either Ror1 or Wnt5b in PANC‐1 cells inhibited their proliferation significantly in vitro, and knockout of Ror1 in PANC‐1 cells resulted in a significant inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, we show that Wnt5b‐Ror1 signaling in PANC‐1 cells promotes their proliferation in a cell‐autonomous manner by modulating our experimental setting in vitro. Collectively, these findings indicate that Wnt5b‐Ror1 signaling might play an important role in the progression of some if not all of PDAC by promoting proliferation.
Women and girls with inherited bleeding disorders: Focus on haemophilia carriers and heavy menstrual bleeding
Authors: Hermans Cedric , Johnsen Jill M. , Curry Nicola
Published: March 2024

Raising awareness and improving recognition, accurate classification, and enhanced access to new treatments represent current key challenges for carriers of haemophilia. Women and girls carrying genes for haemophilia often experience significant bleeding and/or low factor levels. The bleeding associated with female haemophilia is frequently overlooked, has a weak correlation with factor levels, and manifests differently than in males, with heavy menstrual bleeding being a predominant symptom. Recent changes in terminology now allow the diagnosis of haemophilia in females with low factor levels and differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers of the gene.

Observations from real‐world experiences and limited clinical trial data have highlighted the positive impact of various new haemophilia treatments for women and girls with clotting factor deficiencies. There is an urgent need for initiatives that increase their access to these treatments and encourage well‐designed clinical trials focusing on female‐specific outcomes.

In women with inherited bleeding disorders, early recognition and optimal management of heavy menstrual bleeding are crucial. However, treatment options and guidance from high‐quality clinical trials are currently insufficient. Menstrual health assessment should be a regular part of monitoring women and girls with inherited bleeding disorders throughout their lives, emphasizing the importance of gathering data to improve future management.
Health‐risk behaviours co‐occur among adults with tooth loss
Authors: Alzahrani Saeed G. , Rijhwani Kavita , Sabbah Wael
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Health‐risk behaviours tend to co‐occur among the same sectors of the population. The aim of this study is to examine the association between an aggregate of multiple health‐risk behaviours and tooth loss among American Adults.

Methods

We used data from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2022, a nationally representative survey of non‐institutionalized American. We included participants aged 18 years and older. An aggregate variable of health‐risk behaviours which included smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of physical activities, overweight/obesity, infrequent dental visits and infrequent medical check‐up was created. Tooth loss was indicated by losing one tooth or more. Logistic Regression analysis was conducted to test the association between the aggregate of behaviours and tooth loss adjusting for income, education, ethnicity and health insurance.

Results

The analysis included 326,561 participants. The mean number of health‐risk behaviours was 2.13 and 1.72 among participants with tooth loss and without tooth loss, respectively. The aggregate of health‐risk behaviours was significantly associated with tooth loss with odds ratios 1.23 (95% CI, 1.21, 1.26) in a model adjusting for age, gender, education, income ethnicity and health insurance.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that an aggregate of health‐risk behaviours, with some not directly linked to oral health, is associated with tooth loss among American adults. The study highlights the importance of considering different risk factors when planning health promotion policies to tackle oral health.
Language and thought: Linguistic relativity in social marketing communication
Authors: Goel Manvi , Sharma Vinay , Gupta Omprakash
Published: March 2024

Linguistic relativity (linguistic patterns influence perception and cognition) is crucial for marketing communication effectiveness. The argument is that linguistic relativity enablers in marketing communication may assist marketers, communicators, and creators achieve the desired “effectiveness” more successfully. Based on this premise, prior research in consumer studies has examined language's mediation role in consumer perception and cognition. However, the question of identifying these enablers and the plausible existence of any structural relationship among them persists. This article, therefore, seeks to examine the identification and interrelationship of linguistic relativity enablers in the context of social marketing communication. We examine the query through in‐depth interviews with specific respondents with a strong and influential relationship with the subject. This study presents the analysis conducted through Fuzzy‐ISM and Fuzzy‐MICMAC and presents relative findings by providing a structure with the potential to be used in longitudinal studies.
Feasibility of a novel atrial mechanical sensing method for leadless atrioventricular synchronous pacing
Authors: Kazawa Shuichiro , Kazawa Chifumi , Sakaida Tomoko , Murakami Hidetaka , Takada Yasuyuki , Kusume Takahiro , Terasawa Muryo , Tanaka Nobuhiro , Satomi Kazuhiro , Yazaki Yoshinao
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Few studies have demonstrated a high degree of atrioventricular (AV) synchrony with a new leadless pacemaker called Micra AV. Our group previously reported a new and unique sensing method. We believe that this novel sensing method, “Simplified A3 method,” might facilitate better AV synchrony than a conventional sensing method in almost all cases with Micra AV implantation.

Methods

We conducted a non‐randomized retrospective study comparing the two pacing methods at two centers. From December 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022, Micra AV was implanted for 32 patients at the two centers. Twenty of the 32 patients with sinus rhythm and complete AV block were included in this study. In Group 1, the conventional setting was programmed as follows: auto A3 threshold, auto A3 window‐end (WE), and auto A4 threshold turned on during hospitalization. In Group 2, the “Simplified A3 method” was programmed as follows: auto A3 threshold and auto A3WE turned off. Instead, an intentionally prolonged A3WE (850–1000 ms) and low A3 threshold (A3 signal amplitude + 0.5–1.0 m/s2) were programmed.

Results

Twenty patients were analyzed. In Group 2, AV synchrony (%AMVp) was significantly higher at the first outpatient clinic (63.0 ± 5.7% vs 81.0 ± 4.2%, p = .03). A3 threshold was significantly lower in Group 2 (5.9 ± 0.7 m/s2, p < .05 vs 2.3 ± 0.5 m/s2, p < .05).

Conclusion

Our novel sensing method might be a more feasible sensing method for obtaining higher AV synchrony than the conventional algorithm.
Autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing loss genes in Pakistan during the previous three decades
Authors: Shadab Madiha , Abbasi Ansar Ahmed , Ejaz Ahsan , Ben‐Mahmoud Afif , Gupta Vijay , Kim Hyung‐Goo , Vona Barbara
Published: March 2024

Hearing loss is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder, with over 148 genes and 170 loci associated with its pathogenesis. The spectrum and frequency of causal variants vary across different genetic ancestries and are more prevalent in populations that practice consanguineous marriages. Pakistan has a rich history of autosomal recessive gene discovery related to non‐syndromic hearing loss. Since the first linkage analysis with a Pakistani family that led to the mapping of the DFNB1 locus on chromosome 13, 51 genes associated with this disorder have been identified in this population. Among these, 13 of the most prevalent genes, namely CDH23, CIB2, CLDN14, GJB2, HGF, MARVELD2, MYO7A, MYO15A, MSRB3, OTOF, SLC26A4, TMC1 and TMPRSS3, account for more than half of all cases of profound hearing loss, while the prevalence of other genes is less than 2% individually. In this review, we discuss the most common autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing loss genes in Pakistani individuals as well as the genetic mapping and sequencing approaches used to discover them. Furthermore, we identified enriched gene ontology terms and common pathways involved in these 51 autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing loss genes to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Establishing a molecular understanding of the disorder may aid in reducing its future prevalence by enabling timely diagnostics and genetic counselling, leading to more effective clinical management and treatments of hearing loss.
Integration of single‐cell and RNA‐seq data to explore the role of focal adhesion‐related genes in osteoporosis
Authors: Shi Xiaojian , Fu Qiang , Mao Jianyu , Yang Jiajie , Chen Ye , Lu Jiajia , Chen Aimin , Lu Nan
Published: March 2024

Integrin‐based focal adhesion is one of the major mechanosensory in osteocytes. The aim of this study was to mine the hub genes associated with focal adhesion and investigate their roles in osteoporosis based on the data of single‐cell RNA sequencing and RNA‐sequencing. Two hub genes (FAM129A and RNF24) with the same expression trend and AUC values greater than 0.7 in both GSE56815 and GSE56116 cohorts were uncovered. The nomogram was created to predict the risk of OP based on two hub genes. Subsequently, the competing endogenous RNA network was established based on two hub genes, 14 microRNAs and five long noncoding RNAs. Meanwhile, transcription factors‐hub gene network was established based on two hub genes and 14 TFs. Finally, 73 drugs were predicted, of which there were 13 drugs targeting FAM129A and 66 drugs targeting RNF24. In both mouse and human blood samples, FAM129A expression was decreased in granulocytes and RNF24 expression was increased in monocytes. In the mouse experiment, FAM129A and anti‐RNF24 were found to partially alleviate the progression of osteoporosis. In conclusion, two hub genes related to focal adhesion were identified by combined scRNA‐seq and RNA‐seq analyses, which might supply a new insight for the treatment and evaluation of OP.
Improvements of myocardial strain and work in diabetes patients with normal ejection fraction after empagliflozin treatment
Authors: Cheng Xueqing , Huang Peina , Liu Hongyun , Bi Xiaojun , Gao Yiping , Lu Ruirui , Gao Yipeng , Liu Yani , Deng Youbin
Published: March 2024

Aims/Introduction

To assess the effect of empagliflozin treatment on left ventricular (LV), right ventricular (RV) and left atrial (LA) functions in diabetes patients with normal ejection fraction.

Materials and Methods

The study included a total of 128 diabetes patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who were subjected to a 6‐month follow up from the initiation of empagliflozin treatment. Before and after treatment with empagliflozin, LV, RV and LA strain, and noninvasive myocardial work parameters were evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Results

In 128 diabetes patients (mean age 56 ± 8 years, 85 men) with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, myocardial strain and work parameters were impaired, despite the absence of significant clinical symptoms of heart failure. After 6‐month treatment with empagliflozin, the absolute value of LV strain in all directions increased, represented by LV global longitudinal strain (−18.0 ± 1.7% to −19.2 ± 1.7% [mean ± SD]). The same trend in LV global work efficiency (93 [91–94] % to 94 [93–95] % [median (IQR)]), RV free‐wall longitudinal strain (−24.0 ± 2.7% to −25.0 ± 2.8%), LA reservoir (31 ± 5% to 34 ± 5%) and conduit strain (−14 ± 4% to −16 ± 4%) was also observed. LV mass index (106.9 ± 16.8–103.6 ± 16.4 g/m2) and LV global wasted work (143 [111–185] mmHg% to 108 [88–141] mmHg%) decreased after treatment (P < 0.05 for all). LV volume and LA volume index remained unchanged after treatment. In the multivariable analysis, the change in LA reservoir strain (β = 0.050, P = 0.035) and baseline global longitudinal strain (β = −0.488, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of improvement in LV global longitudinal strain.

Conclusions

This study suggests that 6‐month treatment with empagliflozin improved LV, RV and LA functions in diabetes patients with normal ejection fraction.
Clinical factors influencing the effectiveness of microplasma fractional radiofrequency treatment for atrophic acne scars: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Li Jing , Duan Fangfang , Kuang Jie , Liu Xiao , Wei Jia , Zhao Jinghui
Published: March 2024

Background

Microplasma fractional radiofrequency (MP FRF) technology has been increasingly used for acne scars. Nevertheless, little evidence has analyzed the factors influencing its effectiveness before and during treatment.

Aims

To evaluate the clinical factors affecting the effectiveness of MP FRF therapy for atrophic acne scars.

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of 79 acne scar patients treated with MP FRF technology. The outcome of interest included the effectiveness and adverse events after MP FRF treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate clinical factors associated with effectiveness after the initial session.

Results

All patients received 115 sessions of MP FRF therapy (average: 1.5 sessions). Twenty‐eight (35.4%) patients improved moderately to excellently after one session. We found that the severe grade before treatment was negatively correlated with the effectiveness according to Goodman–Baron qualitative scores (OR = 0.02, 95% CI [0.001, 0.37], p = 0.009). The presence of icepick scars was also a negative correlation factor for the effectiveness (OR = 0.06, 95% CI [0.004, 1.00], p = 0.049). Furthermore, after excluding the effects of icepick scars and Goodman–Baron scores before treatment, ECCA scores were also correlated with effectiveness (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.01, 1.06], p = 0.009).

Conclusion

MP FRF therapy was effective in treating atrophic acne scars with no permanent adverse events. The severity of Goodman–Baron qualitative scores and icepick scars were independent clinical factors affecting effectiveness, suggesting the possible requirement for additional treatments other than MP FRF for severe acne scars and icepick scars.