bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes mellitus and blood glucose variability increases the 30‐day readmission rate after kidney transplantation
Authors: Orfanoudaki Agni , Cook Curtiss B. , Saghafian Soroush , Castro Janna , Kosiorek Heidi E. , Chakkera Harini A.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Inpatient hyperglycemia is an established independent risk factor among several patient cohorts for hospital readmission. This has not been studied after kidney transplantation. Nearly one‐third of patients who have undergone a kidney transplant reportedly experience 30‐day readmission.

Methods

Data on first‐time solitary kidney transplantations were retrieved between September 2015 and December 2018. Information was linked to the electronic health records to determine diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and extract glucometric and insulin therapy data. Univariate logistic regression analysis and the XGBoost algorithm were used to predict 30‐day readmission. We report the average performance of the models on the testing set on bootstrapped partitions of the data to ensure statistical significance.

Results

The cohort included 1036 patients who received kidney transplantation; 224 (22%) experienced 30‐day readmission. The machine learning algorithm was able to predict 30‐day readmission with an average area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of 78% with (76.1%, 79.9%) 95% confidence interval (CI). We observed statistically significant differences in the presence of pretransplant diabetes, inpatient‐hyperglycemia, inpatient‐hypoglycemia, minimum and maximum glucose values among those with higher 30‐day readmission rates. The XGBoost model identified the index admission length of stay, presence of hyper‐ and hypoglycemia, the recipient and donor body mass index (BMI) values, presence of delayed graft function, and African American race as the most predictive risk factors of 30‐day readmission. Additionally, significant variations in the therapeutic management of blood glucose by providers were observed.

Conclusions

Suboptimal glucose metrics during hospitalization after kidney transplantation are associated with an increased risk for 30‐day hospital readmission. Optimizing hospital blood glucose management, a modifiable factor, after kidney transplantation may reduce the risk of 30‐day readmission.
What drives the substitutability between native and foreign workers? Evidence about the role of language
Authors: Gentili Elena , Mazzonna Fabrizio
Published: November 2023

This paper investigates the role of language in determining the substitutability between foreign and native workers. Our identification strategy exploits the linguistic diversity of Switzerland, a country with three main official languages (German, French and Italian) shared by bordering countries. This makes the Swiss labour market very peculiar, since both immigrants and natives may (or may not) share the language spoken in the area of residence. We modify the standard nested‐cell labour demand model to account for the linguistic background of native and immigrant workers. We provide evidence about the central role of language in determining the extent of the imperfect substitutability between native and foreign workers, and their differential specialization in communication‐intensive jobs.
Chemotactic responses and parasitism of Trichogramma pretiosum after successive generations in Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Vargas Camila Corrêa , Redaelli Luiza Rodrigues , Sant'Ana Josué , Leite Natália Alves
Published: November 2023

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an important parasitoid of lepidopteran pests. Its parasitism success is related to its foraging behavior, mediated by kairomones from its hosts. We aimed to evaluate the chemotactic responses and parasitism of T. pretiosum from Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as well as the parasitoid maintained for three generations in Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs. Chemotactic responses of T. pretiosum from both hosts were evaluated in a dual choice olfactometer. Females were submitted to a choice between washed vs. unwashed eggs of E. kuehniella or S. frugiperda, as well as to unwashed eggs of both hosts. Egg extracts of both hosts were also contrasted with hexane and with each other. Parasitism of T. pretiosum exposed to eggs of the two species was also evaluated. Females from E. kuehniella were more attracted to odors from eggs of this host whenever it was present. Third generation parasitoids from S. frugiperda eggs were more attracted to eggs and egg extract of S. frugiperda than to those from E. kuehniella. The highest number of parasitized eggs and emerged parasitoids in S. frugiperda was observed in parasitoids coming from the third generation in this host. Therefore, imaginal conditioning could be an alternative to be considered for T. pretiosum learning before releasing, possibly optimizing its search and parasitism process in S. frugiperda eggs.
Flight capabilities of invasive yellowjacket Vespula germanica drones: the effect of kinship and nutrition
Authors: Porrino Agustina P. , Martínez Andrés S. , Villacide José M. , Masciocchi Maité
Published: November 2023

Dispersal is a multifactorial process which may influence, among several others, population dynamics, inbreeding likelihood, and mate competition. For species that disperse by flight, many studies have suggested that life‐history traits, such as body size or nutritional condition, could promote variation in flight capabilities and, consequently, on dispersal behavior. Eusocial hymenopterans are likely to experience high densities of related reproductive individuals near their nests, thus increasing probabilities of inbred matings and kin competition. Spatial segregation resulting from differences in flight capabilities of Vespula germanica (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) nestmate drones could reduce interactions with kin, thus decrease inbreeding and kin competition. Our aim was to characterize, in the laboratory, flight capabilities of sibling drones and elucidate traits that could affect it, focusing on the relevance of carbohydrate intake (diets with different sugar concentration) during early adulthood. Our results indicate that in tethered flight mill assays, V. germanica drones have highly variable flight capabilities within and between nests, with most drones likely to remain relatively close to their nest of origin. The observed flight capabilities are affected by nutrition, with those individuals better nurtured (i.e., with higher nutritional index), flying farther distances. Additionally, diets with variable carbohydrate concentration provided during early adulthood did not affect flight capabilities (only those exposed to a carbohydrate‐free diet had reduced flight distances and speeds), suggesting that nutrition during larval stages is determinant for flight. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying V. germanica drone dispersal behavior which, in turn, might influence inbreeding likelihood in the species.
A mechanistic framework of enemy release
Authors: Brian Joshua I. , Catford Jane A.
Published: November 2023

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) is the best‐known hypothesis explaining high performance (e.g. rapid population growth) of exotic species. However, the current framing of the ERH does not explicitly link evidence of enemy release with exotic performance. This leads to uncertainty regarding the role of enemy release in biological invasions. Here, we demonstrate that the effect of enemy release on exotic performance is the product of three factors: enemy impact, enemy diversity, and host adaptation. These factors are modulated by seven contexts: time since introduction, resource availability, phylogenetic relatedness of exotic and native species, host–enemy asynchronicity, number of introduction events, type of enemy, and strength of growth–defence trade‐offs. ERH‐focused studies frequently test different factors under different contexts. This can lead to inconsistent findings, which typifies current evidence for the ERH. For example, over 80% of meta‐analyses fail to consider ecological contexts which can alter study findings; we demonstrate this by re‐analysing a recent ERH synthesis. Structuring the ERH around factors and contexts promotes generalisable predictions about when and where exotic species may benefit from enemy release, empowering effective management. Our mechanistic factor–context framework clearly lays out the evidence required to support the ERH, unifies many enemy‐related invasion hypotheses, and enhances predictive capacity.
Disease spectrum of myopathies with elevated aldolase and normal creatine kinase
Authors: Soontrapa Pannathat , Shahar Shelly , Eauchai Lattawat , Ernste Floranne C. , Liewluck Teerin
Published: November 2023

Background and purpose

Elevation of serum creatine kinase (CK) or hyperCKemia is considered a biological marker of myopathies. However, selective elevation of serum aldolase with normal CK has been reported in a few myopathies, including dermatomyositis, immune‐mediated myopathy with perimysial pathology and fasciitis with associated myopathy. The aim was to investigate the disease spectrum of myopathies with isolated aldolase elevation.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed to identify patients >18 years old seen between December 1994 and June 2020 who had pathologically proven myopathies with elevated aldolase and normal CK level. Patients with alternative causes of aldolase elevation were excluded.

Results

Thirty‐four patients with various types of myopathies were identified. Myopathies were treatable in 27 patients. The three most common etiologies were dermatomyositis (n = 8), overlap myositis (n = 4) and nonspecific myopathy (n = 4). Perimysial pathology comprising inflammation, fragmentation, vasculitis, calcified perimysial vessels or extracellular amyloid deposition was found in 17/34 patients (50%). Eight dermatomyositis patients with selective elevated aldolase were compared to 24 sex‐ and age‐matched patients with dermatomyositis and hyperCKemia. Dermatomyositis patients with normal CK significantly (p < 0.05) had less frequent cutaneous involvement (50.0% vs. 100.0%) and fibrillation potentials (50.0% vs. 90.5%) but higher median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (33.5 vs. 13.5 mm/h) and more common perifascicular mitochondrial pathology (37.5% vs. 4.2%).

Conclusion

Isolated aldolase elevation can be found in a greater variety of myopathies than initially thought and most were treatable. Dermatomyositis is the most common myopathy with selective elevation of aldolase in our cohort, which features some unique characteristics compared to dermatomyositis with hyperCKemia.
Drivers of disease severity and burden of hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross‐sectional analysis on 553 German patients
Authors: Schultheis Michael , Grabbe Stephan , Staubach Petra , Hennig Katharina , Mauch Melanie , Burckhardt Marion , Langer Gero , Heise Marcus , Zamsheva Marina , Schollenberger Lukas , Strobel Alexandra
Published: November 2023

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disease of the inverse skin regions with an age peak at around 40 years and an estimated prevalence of 1%. Nodules and abscesses can develop into fistules and scarring, which cause severe pain. HS is a progressive, life‐defining disease that leads to physical limitations, inability to work, and social isolation. There is still little data on the drivers of disease severity and burden.

Method

The cross‐sectional study is based on the baseline data of 553 participants of the health care research project “EsmAiL,” which was carried out as a multicenter randomized controlled trial. It included adult HS‐patients presenting with at least three inflammatory lesions and at least a moderate impact on quality of life.

Results

Disease activity increases with age. Men are more severely affected than women but feel less burdened. Obesity negatively influences disease activity and disease burden. Affected individuals have a higher level of education than the age adjusted population, but the unemployment rate is significantly higher. Disease activity significantly reduces quality of life and promotes depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

HS is a severe and debilitating dermatosis. As a result of the well‐established factors involved, HS requires a multi‐causal approach to management, in addition to medical and surgical treatment. This must take into account all available therapeutic options, as well as patient education to reduce risk factors and pain, and psychological support. HS requires interdisciplinary and multi‐professional care. To prevent disease progression, a structured treatment plan is needed.
BSHI and BTS UK guideline on the detection of alloantibodies in solid organ (and islet) transplantation
Authors: Battle Richard , Pritchard Deborah , Peacock Sarah , Hastie Catherine , Worthington Judith , Jordan Sue , McCaughlan Jennifer A , Barnardo Martin , Cope Rebecca , Collins Claire , Diaz‐Burlinson Natalia , Rosser Carla , Foster Luke , Kallon Delordson , Shaw Olivia , Briggs David , Turner David , Anand Arthi , Akbarzad‐Yousefi Arash , Sage Deborah
Published: November 2023

Solid organ transplantation represents the best (and in many cases only) treatment option for patients with end‐stage organ failure. The effectiveness and functioning life of these transplants has improved each decade due to surgical and clinical advances, and accurate histocompatibility assessment. Patient exposure to alloantigen from another individual is a common occurrence and takes place through pregnancies, blood transfusions or previous transplantation. Such exposure to alloantigen's can lead to the formation of circulating alloreactive antibodies which can be deleterious to solid organ transplant outcome. The purpose of these guidelines is to update to the previous BSHI/BTS guidelines 2016 on the relevance, assessment, and management of alloantibodies within solid organ transplantation.
Different demands for almost the same assets? Demographic structure's different effect on direct and indirect equity purchase
Authors: Kim Sei‐Wan , Hyung Namwon
Published: November 2023

This study is motivated by the improved empirical framework of the Fourier flexible form estimation to investigate how the demographic structure leads to asymmetric effects on direct and indirect (mutual fund) equity demands. We find that, first, the demographic structure has asymmetric effects between direct and indirect equity purchases. Second, those in early old age create a stronger demand for indirect equity than other age cohorts in the middle of declining demand from young period. Third, we find theoretical and empirical evidence that direct and indirect equity demands respond asymmetrically to market risk aversion. Finally, we find evidence that bonds can substitute for indirect equity.
COLOR CHANGES CAUSED BY SPECIFIED CHANGES IN THE ILLUMINANT
Authors: OHTA NOBORU , WYSZECKI GUNTER
Published: November 2023

Nonlinear optimization techniques can be used to calculate the theoretical limits of color changes that can occur when the spectral power distribution of the illuminant is permitted to deviate from that of the standard illuminant by specified amounts. The study has a direct bearing on the problem of specifying tolerances for illuminants relative to a given standard illuminant used in colorimetry.
A VISUAL APPROACH TO CONTROLLING METAMERISM
Authors: LONGLEY WILLIAM V.
Published: November 2023

Although it is emphasized that the proper practical approach to minimizing metamerism in industrial coloring processes is through spectrophotometry, rules are developed for selecting and, if necessary, blending colorants to control metamerism through a purely visual approach. Examples are taken from the vinyl plastics industry, and it is assumed that the match is to be made with a black, a white, and two chromatic pigments. With the approximate hues of all available chromatic pigments marked on a simple hue circle, a trial match to the standard is made. Rules are developed and illustrated for altering the selection of chromatic pigments to reduce metamerism, based on the change in color of the trial match relative to that of the standard as the light source is changed from daylight to tungsten or fluorescent light. With practice, compositions which are good visual matches to the standard in all three sources can be obtained.
ACCURACY OF REFLECTANCE SPECTROPHOTOMETERS AND LINEARITY OF MULTIPLIERS
Authors: HOFFMANN K.
Published: November 2023

With modern reflectance spectrophotometers, using digital ratio recording, precision depends mainly on the linearity of the photomultipliers. A simple method is described, which allows the calibration of the multiplier response. It consists of a mirror assembly that uses a fraction of the measuring light for generating steps in the reflectance scale. From the step heights as a function of the reflectance, the multiplier response can be evaluated. Maximum deviations from linearity of ±0.3% were found for multipliers with S‐10 cathodes, and excellent linearity for multipliers with S‐20 cathodes.
Evaluation of Color‐Difference Equations: A New Approach*
Authors: Zeller Robert Charles , Hemmendinger Henry
Published: November 2023

Very many tests of color‐difference formulas have been made and they have been applied generally to a broad range of samples. These tests have failed to lead to unequivocal conclusions regarding the optimum color‐difference formula. This will always remain the case if the difference between formulas is no larger than the uncertainty of the visual observations. We have approached the problem of the evaluation of various color‐difference equations from a different point of view. We have directed our attention to specific regions of color space, in which there are substantial anomalies in the differences predicted by several different formulas, to seek an answer to the question whether one or another of these is correct for a given individual.
Microstructural and thermal stress effects on mechanical properties of boron carbide particle‐reinforced silicon carbide
Authors: Shoulders William Taylor , Guziewski Matthew , Swab Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2023

Ceramic composites consisting of a silicon carbide matrix and boron carbide particles of various sizes and weight percentages were produced, characterized, and mechanically tested to elucidate the effect of microstructure on the mechanical response. All samples were observed to have flexural strength values lower than either of the constituent phases; however, blends with finer B4C particles (<10 μm) exhibited improved fracture toughness. Residual stresses from the mismatch in thermal expansion of the materials are found to be fundamental to these variations in mechanical response, resulting in either microcracking during processing or producing an initial stress state within the composite prior to testing. Microcracks were observed in samples with larger B4C particles (∼77 μm), causing a significant reduction in mechanical properties, while the finer B4C particles were found to be microcrack free. Residual stress measurements via X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy show increasing compressive stresses within the SiC matrix as the weight percentage of boron carbide increases, however both flexural strength and fracture toughness are found to decrease, indicating that the boron carbide particles that are in a tensile stress state are an important strength‐limiting feature. This is corroborated by fracture analysis. The results of both characterization and mechanical testing compare well with those predicted by micromechanics models.
Evolution of electrical, structural, and chemical properties of Li‐aluminosilicate glass during crystallization
Authors: Backhaus‐Ricoult Monika , Comte Monique , Francois Eric , Rezikyan Aram , Wheaton Bryan
Published: November 2023

Structural, chemical, and microstructural changes in lithium aluminum silicate glass during ceramming are tracked by in‐situ impedance spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The glass’ electric and dielectric properties are found to evolve during the ceram cycle. Scaling of frequency‐dependent electrical conductivity and dielectric properties provides temperature‐independent information of bulk phases and interfaces in presence.

The initial glass is an ion conductor with Li‐ion mobility following simple Arrhenius‐type behavior. At the nucleation onset, a badly defined, broad feature appears in the impedance spectra, that represents early‐stage nuclei with their interfaces and evolves over time into separate contributions from internal interfaces and ion mobility in crystalline phase. Impedance tracking suggests that nuclei form by de‐mixing and phase separation of the glass, first producing interfaces in a very defective structure before the well‐defined structure and chemistry of crystalline β‐quartz crystal develop in a second time. Findings are supported by XRD and TEM.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage with long‐term lumen‐apposing metal stent indwell: 1‐year results from a prospective nationwide observational study
Authors: Bazaga Sergio , García‐Alonso Francisco Javier , Aparicio Tormo Jose Ramon , Martinez Moreno Belen , Sanchiz Vicente , Gornals Joan B , Loras Carme , Terán Álvaro , Vazquez‐Sequeiros Enrique , Pedraza Sanz Rafael , Súbtil José Carlos , Pérez‐Millan Antonio , Uceda Porta Francisco , Vila Juan J , de la Serna‐Higuera Carlos , Couto‐Worner Ignacio , Guarner‐Argente Carlos , Perez‐Miranda Manuel ,   the RNPAL (Registro nacional de prótesis de aposición luminal, national lumen‐apposing metal stent registry) study group
Published: November 2023

Background and Aim

This study aimed to determine safety and risk factors for adverse events (AEs) of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage (EUS‐GBD) with long‐term indwell of lumen‐apposing metal stents (LAMS).

Methods

This study is a multicenter prospective observational study on consecutive high surgical‐risk patients requiring gallbladder drainage who underwent EUS‐GBD with LAMS over 12 months. Centralized telephone follow‐up interviews were conducted every 3 months for 1 year. Patients were censored at LAMS removal, cholecystectomy, or death. AE‐free survival was determined using log–rank tests. Cumulative risks were estimated using life‐table analysis.

Results

Eighty‐two patients were included (53.7% male, median [interquartile range] age of 84.6 [76.5–89.8] years, and 85.4% with acute cholecystitis). Technical success was achieved in 79 (96.3%), and clinical success in 73 (89%). No patient was lost to follow‐up; 45 patients (54.9%) completed 1‐year follow‐up with in situ LAMS. Median (interquartile range) LAMS indwell time was 364 (47–367) days. Overall, 12 (14.6%) patients presented 14 AEs, including 5 (6.1%) recurrent biliary events (3 acute cholangitis, 1 mild acute pancreatitis, and 1 acute cholecystitis). Patients with pancreatobiliary malignancy had an increased risk of recurrent biliary events (33% vs 1.5%, P = 0.001). The overall 1‐year cumulative risk of recurrent biliary events was 9.7% (4.1–21.8%). The 1‐year risk of AEs and of severe AEs was 18.8% (11–31.2%) and 7.9% (3.3–18.2%), respectively. Pancreatobiliary malignancy was the single risk factor for recurrent biliary events; LAMS misdeployment was the strongest risk factor for AEs.

Conclusions

Long‐term LAMS indwell does not increase the risk of delayed AEs following EUS‐GBD.
Independence at Home evaluation findings do not support creating a permanent Medicare program
Authors: Kimmey Laura , Rotter Jason
Published: November 2023

See the Reply by Deligiannidis et al in this issue.
Intervention with Screening in Panic‐Based Runs
Authors: SHEN LIN , ZOU JUNYUAN
Published: November 2023

Policymakers frequently use guarantees to mitigate panic‐based runs in the financial system. We analyze a binary‐action coordination game under the global games framework and propose a novel intervention program that screens investors based on their heterogeneous beliefs about the system's stability. The program only attracts investors who are at the margin of running, and their participation boosts all investors' confidence in the financial system. Compared with government guarantee programs, our proposed program is as effective at mitigating runs but features two advantages: it costs less to implement and it is robust to moral hazard.
Children's scabies survey indicates high prevalence and misdiagnosis in Auckland educational institutions
Authors: Thornley Simon , Sundborn Gerhard , Engelman Daniel , Roskvist Rachel , Pasay Cielo , Marshall Roger , Long Wei , Dugu Noela , Hopoi Natalie , Moritsuka Shunsuke , McCarthy James , Morris Arthur J
Published: November 2023

Aim

Here, we present results of a survey of scabies prevalence in childcare centres and primary schools in Auckland.

Methods

Children whose parents agreed to take part in participating centres in the Auckland region were examined for scabies by general practitioners and given questionnaires of relevant symptoms. Diagnoses of clinical or suspected scabies were made according to the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) criteria. The survey was a stratified random sample of schools and early childcare centres. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was also used to complement the IACS criteria.

Results

A total of 181 children were examined, with 145 children with history information, 16 of whom (11.0%) met the criteria for ‘clinical’ or ‘suspected’ scabies. Weighted analysis, accounting for the survey design, indicated that the prevalence of scabies in early childcare centres was 13.2% (95% CI: 4.3 to 22.1), with no school‐aged children fulfilling these criteria. A higher proportion had clinical signs of scabies with 23 (12.7%) having typical scabies lesions and a further 43 (23.8%) had atypical lesions. A total of 64 PCR tests were taken and 15 (23%) were positive. None of these cases were receiving treatment for scabies. Five were undergoing topical skin treatment: three with topical steroid and two with calamine lotion.

Conclusions

The prevalence of children with scabies is high in early childcare centres in Auckland. Misdiagnosis is suggested by several PCR positive cases being treated by topical agents used to treat other skin conditions.
Genomics of predictive radiation mutagenesis in oilseed rape: modifying seed oil composition
Authors: Havlickova Lenka , He Zhesi , Berger Madeleine , Wang Lihong , Sandmann Greta , Chew Yen Peng , Yoshikawa Guilherme V. , Lu Guangyuan , Hu Qiong , Banga Surinder S. , Beaudoin Frederic , Bancroft Ian
Published: November 2023

Rapeseed is a crop of global importance but there is a need to broaden the genetic diversity available to address breeding objectives. Radiation mutagenesis, supported by genomics, has the potential to supersede genome editing for both gene knockout and copy number increase, but detailed knowledge of the molecular outcomes of radiation treatment is lacking. To address this, we produced a genome re‐sequenced panel of 1133 M2 generation rapeseed plants and analysed large‐scale deletions, single nucleotide variants and small insertion–deletion variants affecting gene open reading frames. We show that high radiation doses (2000 Gy) are tolerated, gamma radiation and fast neutron radiation have similar impacts and that segments deleted from the genomes of some plants are inherited as additional copies by their siblings, enabling gene dosage decrease. Of relevance for species with larger genomes, we showed that these large‐scale impacts can also be detected using transcriptome re‐sequencing. To test the utility of the approach for predictive alteration of oil fatty acid composition, we produced lines with both decreased and increased copy numbers of Bna.FAE1 and confirmed the anticipated impacts on erucic acid content. We detected and tested a 21‐base deletion expected to abolish function of Bna.FAD2.A5, for which we confirmed the predicted reduction in seed oil polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Our improved understanding of the molecular effects of radiation mutagenesis will underpin genomics‐led approaches to more efficient introduction of novel genetic variation into the breeding of this crop and provides an exemplar for the predictive improvement of other crops.
Experimental evidence on the determinants of citizens' expectations toward public services
Authors: Bellé Nicola , Belardinelli Paolo , Cucciniello Maria , Nasi Greta
Published: November 2023

We conducted three randomized experiments to investigate whether and to what extent citizens' expectations toward waiting times for public service delivery are influenced by reference points, either in the form of social or numerical references. Consistent with our theoretical expectations, our results provide convergent evidence of reference dependence. Specifically, informing citizens that waiting times are longer (shorter) relative to a social reference causes an increase (decrease) in expected waiting times. Additionally, due to an anchoring bias, priming citizens with a higher numerical value for waiting times extends their expected waiting times. Furthermore, in line with the expectancy‐disconfirmation model, citizens' satisfaction with the service is causally impacted by the extent to which actual performance exceeds their expectations.
Why No One Can “Have It All” and Why That Matters for Everyone1
Authors: Gerson Kathleen
Published: November 2023

New trends in the organization of economic and private life have added a major wrinkle to the still unfolding gender revolution. The decline of the standard employment relationship has eroded the ability of salaried and wage‐earning men to support a family household, while the decline of permanent, heterosexual marriage has undermined the traditional gender bargain that encouraged most women to provide unpaid caregiving in exchange for a partner's financial support. These widespread social shifts have created new economic insecurities and intensified work–family conflicts. Drawing on 120 in‐depth interviews with a diverse group of mid‐life adults, I examine how workers and parents are navigating these new conflicts and insecurities. Four work‐care strategies are emerging, all of which involve significant trade‐offs. Among the four patterns, however, people are most satisfied with an egalitarian strategy. A substantial proportion in the other groups, which include traditional couples, childless singles, and unequal dual‐earners, also express a preference for a more egalitarian sharing of work and care, although the preference for equality varies by gender. Effective social policy thus needs to insure that everyone—including people of all genders, class positions, and family circumstances—has the opportunity to forge a more equal, blended, and secure division of work and caregiving.
Be More Critical About Critical Sociological Thinking
Authors: Bashi Vilna Francine
Published: November 2023

Sociologists agree that teaching critical thinking is a key pedagogical goal, and we seem to think of ourselves as critical thinkers. But what does that mean? I see no clear disciplinary consensus defining critical thinking, nor what it means specifically for sociology. While I think it is an important part of our writing, speaking, and teaching, my own ideas on critical thinking simply do not seem to be included in the general definitional frame sociologists use. Here, I appeal for a more active and progressive use of critical thinking in sociology writing and teaching, and ask that we make a more formidable effort to have audiences master social truths and have ready means to discard false information. Instilling critical thinking in the audiences exposed to our research and teachings is some of our most important work, and I would argue that the current state of social, political, and cultural affairs worldwide shows me we must do more. Simply documenting the problems for our students and readers is insufficient. Sociologists study society and what shaped it in order to quite appropriately point to better ways of living. Fostering critical thought, then, may be the most important societal contribution sociologists can make, and I argue for us to make it the central aim of our work.
Characterization of the novel allele, HLA‐B*40:509Q in a Chinese individual
Authors: Chen Nanying , Zhao Shuoxian , Zhang Wei , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: November 2023

HLA‐B*40:509Q differs from HLA‐B*40:01:02:01 by a three nucleotide deletion at position 764 to 766 in exon 4.
Donor pregnancies and transfusion recipient mortality: A role for red blood cell storage?
Authors: Valk Sarah J. , Caram‐Deelder Camila , Evers Dorothea , de Vooght Karen M. K. , van de Kerkhof Daan , Wondergem Marielle J. , Péquériaux Nathalie C. V. , Hudig Francisca , Zwaginga Jaap Jan , de Korte Dirk , van de Watering Leo M. G. , Middelburg Rutger A. , van der Bom Johanna G.
Published: November 2023

Background and Objectives

Donor characteristics have been implicated in transfusion‐related adverse events. Uncertainty remains about whether sex, and specifically pregnancy history of the blood donor, could affect patient outcomes. Whether storage duration of the blood product could be important for patient outcomes has also been investigated, and a small detrimental effect of fresh products remains a possibility. Here, we hypothesize that fresh red blood cell products donated by ever‐pregnant donors are associated with mortality in male patients.

Materials and Methods

We used data from a cohort study of adult patients receiving a first transfusion between 2005 and 2015 in the Netherlands. The risk of death after receiving a transfusion from one of five exposure categories (female never‐pregnant stored ≤10 days, female never‐pregnant stored >10 days, female ever‐pregnant stored ≤10 days, female ever‐pregnant stored >10 days and male stored for ≤10 days), compared to receiving a unit donated by a male donor, which was stored for >10 days (reference), was calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The study included 42,456 patients who contributed 88,538 person‐years in total, of whom 13,948 died during the follow‐up of the study (33%). Fresh units (stored for ≤10 days) from ever‐pregnant donors were associated with mortality in male patients, but the association was not statistically significant (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 0.97–1.99). Sensitivity analyses did not corroborate this finding.

Conclusion

These findings do not consistently support the notion that the observed association between ever‐pregnant donor units and mortality is mediated by blood product storage.
Interseccionalidade no Caso Barbosa de Souza e Outros vs. Brasil
Authors: Pedroso de Mendonça Carla , Coimbra de Carvalho Luciani
Published: November 2023

O presente trabalho tem por problema identificar quais seriam as possíveis contribuições do Caso Barbosa de Souza vs. Brasil para a proteção das mulheres negras em casos de violência de gênero no Brasil. Objetiva analisar se (e como) a Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos (Corte IDH) fez uso da interseccionalidade no citado caso. O artigo se desenvolve a partir do contexto de surgimento da interseccionalidade e da utilização dessa ferramenta na interpretação e aplicação do Direito, especialmente na proteção às mulheres vulnerabilizadas, por possibilitar o descortinamento de outras dimensões de subordinação obscurecidas pela perspectiva de gênero. Na sequência, foca-se no desenvolvimento da perspectiva de gênero na jurisprudência da Corte IDH, que consolidou parâmetros para o combate a esse tipo de violência, compreendendo o papel das instituições estatais na reprodução de estereótipos que dificultam – ou até impedem – a proteção às mulheres latino-americanas. Ao final, investiga-se se, no caso Barbosa de Souza, houve uma análise interseccional para expandir a proteção das mulheres negras, especialmente porque Márcia, jovem negra e de classe social baixa, representa este grupo de mulheres com maior taxa de vitimização por feminicídios no Brasil. A pesquisa adota o método dedutivo e é realizada de forma descritiva e exploratória, mediante pesquisa bibliográfica e documental. Conclui-se que, apesar de não aprofundar a análise da interseccionalidade entre racismo e sexismo no caso concreto, a Corte IDH considerou tais aspectos na fixação das reparações, as quais podem impactar em maior proteção das mulheres negras em casos de violência de gênero.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Interseccionalidade; Perspectiva de Gênero; Caso Márcia Barbosa de Souza vs. Brasil
Identifying Predictors of Burnout and Health of Certified Mental Performance Consultants
Authors: Magdaleno Anthony , Meyer Barbara B.
Published: November 2023

Researchers have established factors that impair (e.g., stress) or facilitate (e.g., occupational recovery) health among professionals operating in sport and performance (e.g., coaches). However, there is a paucity of research examining factors that impair or facilitate the health of sport psychology professionals. Given that sport psychology professionals have an obligation to manage their health to maintain effective service provision, research is needed to fill this gap. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of burnout and health among certified mental performance consultants. Participants completed measures of perceived stress, burnout, occupational recovery, and health-related quality of life. Regression results, including a moderator analysis, indicated that perceived stress and occupational recovery predicted burnout, while occupational recovery moderated the relationship between perceived stress and burnout. Perceived stress and burnout further predicted health-related quality of life. Recommendations include certified mental performance consultants spending nonwork time in low-effort and/or physical activities, as well as exerting autonomy over nonwork time.
Draft-genome sequences of
Leptospira santarosai
strains isolated from urogenital tract of cows
Authors: Di Azevedo Maria Isabel Nogueira , Kremer Frederico , Ezepha Camila , Kraychete Gabriela Bergiante , Bourhy Pascale , Lilenbaum Walter
Published: November 2023

Leptospira santarosai
serovar Guaricura is adapted to bovines and is associated with a chronic disease that causes reproductive disorders, leading to important economic losses. Here, we present the draft genomes of three
L. santarosai
strains isolated from vaginal fluid and one from the urine of cows with reproductive disorders from Brazil.
High-resolution geophysical and geochronological analysis of a relict shoreface deposit offshore central California: Implications for slip rate along the Hosgri fault
Authors: Kluesner Jared W. , Johnson Samuel Y. , Nishenko Stuart P. , Medri Elisa , Simms Alexander R. , Greene H. Gary , Gray Harrison J. , Mahan Shannon A. , Padgett Jason S. , Krolczyk Emma T. , Brothers Daniel S. , Conrad James E.
Published: November 2023

The Cross-Hosgri slope is a bathymetric lineament that crosses the main strand of the Hosgri fault offshore Point Estero, central California. Recently collected chirp seismic reflection profiles and sediment cores provide the basis for a reassessment of Cross-Hosgri slope origin and the lateral slip rate of the Hosgri fault based on offset of the lower slope break of the Cross-Hosgri slope. The Cross-Hosgri slope is comprised of two distinct stratigraphic units. The lower unit (unit 1) overlies the post–Last Glacial Maximum transgressive erosion surface and is interpreted as a Younger Dryas (ca. 12.85–11.65 ka) shoreface deposit based on radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages, Bayesian age modeling, seismic facies, sediment texture, sediment infauna, and heavy mineral component. The shoreface was abandoned and partly eroded during rapid sea-level rise from ca. 11.5 to 7 ka. Unit 2 consists of fine sand and silt deposited in a midshelf environment when the rate of sea-level rise slowed between ca. 7 ka and the present. Although unit 2 provides a thin, relatively uniform cover over the lower slope break of the older shoreface, this feature still represents a valuable piercing point, providing a Hosgri fault slip rate of 2.6 ± 0.8 mm/yr. Full-waveform processing of chirp data resulted in significantly higher resolution in coarser-grained strata, which are typically difficult to interpret with more traditional envelope processing. Our novel combination of offshore radiocarbon and OSL dating is the first application to offshore paleoseismic studies, and our results indicate the utility of this approach for future marine neotectonic investigations.
Low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib in recurrent intestinal-type papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region
Authors: Thomas Zachariah , Jambunathan Prashant , Jibi Anjali , John Ajoy Oommen , Singh Ashish
Published: November 2023

Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare epithelial malignancy primarily treated with surgery and chemoradiation. The combination of low-dose immunotherapy and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in recurrent disease has not been previously studied.

A man in his 20s with papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region, following surgical resection, was treated with six cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by four cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin and capecitabine. While on treatment, he was found to have extensive residual disease and he was started on low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib. Repeat imaging after ten months of treatment revealed a significant reduction in lesions.

Non-squamous head and neck cancers are often excluded from major trials, and the effect of immunotherapy in these histologies is poorly understood. The response seen with low-dose immunotherapy underscores the need for further research in this setting.
Isolated neurosarcoidosis with a primary lesion in the cauda equina
Authors: Yoshimura Yusuke , Kanda-Kikuchi Junko , Hara Takayuki , Sugimoto Izumi
Published: November 2023

A man in his late 50s without notable medical background was admitted with subacute onset of bilateral lower extremity weakness. Blood and physiological examinations revealed no significant abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed elevated cell count and protein levels and an immunoglobulin G index of 2.01. T1-weighted MRI showed swelling and enhancement of the cauda equina. After admission, the patient developed bowel and bladder incontinence, deteriorated to manual muscle test 0 and developed right trochlear, trigeminal and facial nerve palsy. He underwent a cauda equina biopsy and was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. After methylprednisolone pulse therapy and corticosteroid treatment, cauda equina syndrome including lower extremity weakness and cerebral nerve palsy improved. The patient’s daily activities improved to the baseline level over 2 months after discharge. Serum and CSF soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels were within the reference range and decreased with the improvement of neurological and imaging findings.
Perception of and legal compliance with the law prohibiting cigarette sales to minors in Thailand following the raising of the minimum selling age to 20 years: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Phetphum Chakkraphan , Chomson Supatana , Wangwonsin Artittaya , Prajongjeep Atchara , Keeratisiroj Orawan
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The minimum age for cigarette sales in Thailand was increased from 18 to 20 years, as stipulated in the Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2017. This study investigated tobacco retailers’ perceptions, cigarette sales behaviour and other factors relevant to selling cigarettes to people younger than 20 years in areas surrounding schools in Thailand.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Tobacco shops within a radius of 500 m of secondary schools across four regions of Thailand. Data collection took place between May and August 2019.

Participants

1440 tobacco retailers (grocery or convenience stores) were sampled via a stratified, two-stage cluster sampling method. 1021 retailers completed the self-administered questionnaire.

Outcome measures

Tobacco sales to people younger than 20 years.

Results

The prevalence of the retailers’ cigarette sales to youth younger than 20 years was 38.20% (95% CI 35.2% to 41.3%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed associations with sale of single cigarettes (adjusted OR (AOR) 23.14, 95% CI 15.13 to 35.39), self-service sale of cigarettes (4.21, 2.59 to 6.86) and display of cigarettes at the point of sale (2.39, 1.47 to 3.89). Cigarette sales to underage youth were higher among retailers located in the northeast region (AOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.64) and among those who did not perceive the prosecution of violators in the past year (1.85, 1.16 to 2.96).

Conclusion

A large percentage of cigarette retailers violated the laws related to underage cigarette sales. Measures to minimise retailers’ legally non-compliant sales behaviours should be implemented along with improved legal enforcement.
Predictive model for estimating the risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema: a single-centre retrospective outcome-reporting study
Authors: Suona Yangzong , Gesang Luobu , Danzeng Zhuoga , Ci Bai , Zhaxi Quzong , Huang Ju , Zhang Rui
Published: November 2023

Objective

To develop the first prediction model based on the common clinical symptoms of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), enabling early identification and an easy-to-execute self-risk prediction tool.

Methods

A total of 614 patients who consulted People’s Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region between January 2014 and April 2022 were enrolled. Out of those, 508 patients (416 males and 92 females) were diagnosed with HAPE and 106 were patients without HAPE (33 females and 72 males). They were randomly distributed into training (n=431) and validation (n=182) groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to screen predictors of HAPE selected from the 36 predictors; nomograms were established based on the results of multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was developed to obtain the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the predictive model, and its predictive power was further evaluated by calibrating the curve, while the Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) was developed to evaluate the clinical applicability of the model, which was visualised by nomogram.

Results

All six predictors were significantly associated with the incidence of HAPE, and two models were classified according to whether the value of SpO2(percentage of oxygen in the blood) was available in the target population. Both could accurately predict the risk of HAPE. In the validation cohort, the AUC of model 1 was 0.934 with 95% CI (0.848 to 1.000), and model 2 had an AUC of 0.889, 95% CI (0.779 to 0.999). Calibration plots showed that the predicted and actual HAPE probabilities fitted well with internal validation, and the clinical decision curve shows intervention in the risk range of 0.01–0.98, resulting in a net benefit of nearly 99%.

Conclusion

The recommended prediction model (nomogram) could estimate the risk of HAPE with good precision, high discrimination and possible clinical applications for patients with HAPE. More importantly, it is an easy-to-execute scoring tool for individuals without medical professionals’ support.