bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection rates of a national fetal anomaly screening programme: A national cohort study
Authors: Aldridge Nicholas , Pandya Pranav , Rankin Judith , Miller Nicola , Broughan Jennifer , Permalloo Nadia , McHugh Annette , Stevens Sarah
Published: August 2022

Objective

To measure condition‐specific detection rates for 14 physical conditions screened for by the NHS fetal anomaly screening programme (FASP) fetal anomaly (FA) ultrasound scan.

Design

Retrospective audit of 12 694 diagnoses across a 3‐year national cohort.

Setting

All English NHS and crown‐dependency hospital trusts providing maternity services.

Population

Pregnancies booked for maternity services with an expected date of delivery between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2020 and at least one diagnosis of a condition screened for by FASP.

Methods

Active multi‐source ascertainment, linkage, audit and validation of clinical information to identify the subset of diagnoses meeting the condition‐specific positivity threshold for the FA scan.

Main outcome measure

The accuracy of the FA scan compared with diagnostic reference standards.

Results

FA scan detection rates were: anencephaly 96.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81.7–99.3%), atrioventricular septal defect: 69.2% (95% CI 65.8–72.4%), bilateral renal agenesis: 98.7% (95% CI 95.4–99.6%), cleft lip: 89.5% (95% CI 87.8–90.9%), congenital diaphragmatic hernia: 60.8% (95% CI 56.5–65%), Edwards syndrome: 73.8% (95% CI 67.5–79.3%), exomphalos: 59.4% (95% CI 49.4–68.7%), gastroschisis: 88.6% (95% CI 79–94.1%), hypoplastic left heart syndrome: 92.7% (95% CI 90–94.8%), lethal skeletal dysplasia: 93.2% (95% CI 88.6–96%), Patau syndrome: 82.3% (95% CI 72.4–89.1%), spina bifida: 93.8% (95% CI 91.8–95.3%), tetralogy of Fallot: 75.4% (95% CI 72.1–78.4%) and transposition of the great arteries: 84.9% (95% CI 81.7–87.5%).

Conclusions

The performance of the FA scan is above the expectations set in 2010 for most conditions. For the remaining conditions, the majority of fetuses and babies affected are detected before the FA scan.
Telehealth for geriatric post‐emergency department visits to promote age‐friendly care
Authors: McQuown Colleen M. , Snell Kristina T. , Abbate Lauren M. , Jetter Ethan M. , Blatnik Jennifer K. , Ragsdale Luna C.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To describe a feasibility pilot study for older adults that addresses the digital divide, unmet health care needs, and the 4Ms of Age‐Friendly Health Systems via the emergency department (ED) follow‐up home visits supported by telehealth.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Data sources were a pre‐implementation site survey and pilot phase individual‐level patient data from six US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) EDs.

Study Design

A pre‐implementation survey assessed existing geriatric ED processes. In the pilot called SCOUTS (Supporting Community Outpatient, Urgent care & Telehealth Services), sites identified high‐risk patients during an ED visit. After ED discharge, Intermediate Care Technicians (ICTs, former military medics), performed follow‐up telephone, or home visits. During the follow‐up visit, ICTs identified “what matters,” performed geriatric screens aligned with Age‐Friendly Health Systems, observed home safety risks, assisted with video telehealth check‐ins with ED providers, and provided care coordination. SCOUTS visit data were recorded in the patient's electronic medical record using a standardized template.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Sites were surveyed via electronic form. Administrative pilot data extracted from VA Corporate Data Warehouse, May–October 2021.

Principle Findings

Site surveys showed none of the EDs had a formalized way of identifying the 4 M “what matters.” During the pilot, ICT performed 56 telephone and 247 home visits. All home visits included a telehealth visit with an ED provider (n = 244) or geriatrician (n = 3). ICTs identified 44 modifiable home fall risks and 99 unmet care needs, recommended 80 pieces of medical equipment, placed 36 specialty care consults, and connected 180 patients to a Patient Aligned Care Team member for follow‐up.

Conclusions

A post‐ED follow‐up program in which former military medics perform geriatric screens and care coordination is feasible. Combining telehealth and home visits allows providers to address what matters and unmet care needs.
Average weighted nucleotide diversity is more precise than pixy in estimating the true value of π from sequence sets containing missing data
Authors: Konopiński Maciej K.
Published: August 2022

Nucleotide diversity remains an important statistic in population genetic/genomic studies. Although recent advances in massive sequencing make generating sequence data sets cheaper and faster, currently used technologies often introduce substantial amounts of missing nucleotides in their output. A novel method of estimating π from data sets containing missing data – pixy ‐ has also recently been proposed. In this study, the pixy estimator, πpixy, was compared to average weighted nucleotide diversity, πW. The estimators were tested both on sequences simulated in fastsimcoal and real sequence sets. Both sets were modified by random insertion of missing nucleotides. Weighted nucleotide diversity performed better in all pairwise comparisons. It was characterized by a smaller error and a narrower distribution of the results. πpixy tends to overestimate the nucleotide diversity when both the proportion of missing data and the level of variation is low. Of the two estimators, only πW estimated the true nucleotide diversity in a part of the simulations. A simple formula for estimating πW allows for easy integration of the estimator in packages such as pixy, which would allow obtaining more precise estimates of nucleotide diversity either in a sliding window or for discrete genomic regions.
Alterations in high‐dimensional T‐cell profile and gene signature of immune aging in HIV‐infected older adults without viremia
Authors: Shin Min Sun , Park Hong‐Jai , Salahuddin Syim , Montgomery Ruth R. , Emu Brinda , Shaw Albert C. , Kang Insoo
Published: August 2022

Alterations in the components of the immune system occur with aging. The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically improved life expectancy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals by suppressing viral replication and increasing CD4+ T‐cell counts. Immunosenescence‐like changes, including the expansion of memory CD8+ T cells with senescent features, are reported in young HIV‐infected individuals who do not have clinically detectable viremia on ART. However, it is less known whether HIV infection affects the immunosenescent status in older HIV‐infected individuals. Here, we addressed this question in older HIV‐infected, HIV‐uninfected, and frail individuals (all groups age ≥65 years) by examining a set of aging‐associated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as by analyzing subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in depth using high‐dimensional CyTOF analysis. Older HIV‐infected individuals had increased expression of aging‐associated genes such as CX3CR1 in PBMCs which are related to IL‐7 receptor low effector memory (IL‐7Rαlow EM) CD8+ T cells, a cell population known to expand with age. The subsets of IL‐7Rαlow EM CD8+ T cells expressing senescent, cytotoxic, and inflammatory molecules, including CD57, perforin, and CX3CR1, as well as memory CD4+ T cells expressing CD161 and CXCR3, molecules associated with replication‐competent HIV‐1 harboring cells, were increased in older HIV‐infected individuals. Overall, older HIV‐infected individuals without detectable viremia on ART had augmented levels of age‐associated immune alterations in PBMCs, suggesting that HIV infection has a persistent impact on senescence in older HIV‐infected individuals despite the clinically controlled viremia.
Systematic review: Rates of psychopathology, substance misuse, and neuropsychological dysfunction among transitional age youth experiencing homelessness
Authors: Burke Colin W. , Firmin Elizabeth S. , Wilens Timothy E.
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives

Transitional age youth experiencing homelessness (TAY‐EH) bear a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality related to psychopathology, substance use disorders (SUD), and neuropsychological dysfunction. Prior reviews examining these conditions are now nearly a decade old, have focused on younger adolescent populations, or have utilized nonsystematic approaches. To our knowledge, no prior reviews have reported on all three of these domains in an integrated fashion. Here, we provide a contemporary, critical synthesis of the literature on the functioning of TAY‐EH in North America within these three domains.

Methods

Based upon PRISMA guidelines, a search of PubMed, Medline, and PsycInfo databases was conducted, including literature published between January 2015 and June 2021.

Results

The initial search yielded 2024 citations; 104 underwent full text review and 32 met inclusion criteria, with a final aggregate sample size of 13,516. Studies revealed elevated rates of mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and alcohol misuse. There is insufficient data to draw generalizable conclusions regarding neuropsychological functioning, other SUD, or other psychiatric diagnoses. No studies reported on co‐occurrence of disorders among or between the domains of psychopathology, SUD, and neuropsychological dysfunction. Four studies used structured interviews for diagnoses, with the remainder relying upon brief screeners or self‐report measures.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to provide integrated findings on psychopathology, SUD, and neuropsychological dysfunction among TAY‐EH. Further research using structured, DSM‐based tools is needed to characterize rates of single and co‐occurring conditions to inform tailored treatment interventions.
Evaluation of the impact of The Little Things training on personal care assistants' confidence to communicate with residents in aged care
Authors: Mackey Phillipa Jane , Hampton Ilsa , Wells Yvonne , Haines Simon , Solly Kane
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To evaluate The Little Things training program, designed to assist personal care assistants (PCAs) from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to communicate more effectively with aged care residents.

Methods

This project included PCAs from residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and Certificate III students from registered training organisations (RTOs) in Melbourne, Australia. A control group (n = 18) was also included. Measures included the following: pre‐ and posttraining confidence to communicate and rankings of task importance; posttraining perceived change in confidence; and posttraining impacts on practice.

Results

Altogether, 75 PCAs and 30 RTO students participated in Intake I of the training and 31 PCAs and 34 RTO students in Intake 2. Confidence increased in The Little Things participants relative to those in the control group (β = 0.11, T = 1.99, p = 0.05). Change did not vary by Intake or whether someone was in the RACF or RTO group, F (2, 147) = 0.58, p = 0.5; nor by sociodemographic characteristics. Most training participants (84%) thought their ability to communicate with older people would ‘improve a lot’ as a result of the training. Training participants also ranked the importance of duties such as ‘Speaking in a friendly and informal way to older people’ more highly after than before the training (p = 0.01), while little change was observed in the control group.

Conclusions

The Little Things program increased training participants' confidence to communicate and shifted perceived priorities towards interacting with residents in a way that enhanced resident well‐being.
The Practice and Legitimacy of Border Control
Authors: Sandven Hallvard
Published: August 2022

This article interrogates the widely held, but rarely defended, view that states wield legitimate power over potential immigrants when and because they refrain from violating their human rights. I reconstruct a strong argument for this view, which turns on a claim about the limited power states claim over migrants. Drawing on recent empirical work, I show how this argument is inapplicable to the border regimes of a set of wealthy democracies. These regimes are characterized by a practice that is coordinated and extraterritorial in a way that undercuts the case for holding them to a minimal legitimacy standard. By participating in this practice, these states wield significant power over potential immigrants. I argue that this power exposes potential immigrants to novel risk, which in turn triggers a demand for the satisfaction of a higher standard of legitimation.
Co‐design with aboriginal and torres strait islander communities: A journey
Authors: Tamwoy Nathaniel , Rosas Sylvia , Davis Scott , Farthing Annie , Houghton Caitlin , Johnston Hannah , Maloney Catherine , Samulkiewicz Nicole , Seaton Jack , Tuxworth Gemma , Bat Melodie
Published: August 2022

Aim

This paper explores the principles of co‐design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by reflecting on the literature, learning from experiences of allied health professionals, and considering how co‐design can be applied in rural and remote allied health practice.

Context

This paper has been authored by a working group from Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH). SARRAH is a member‐based allied health organisation, working to improve health outcomes for rural and remote Australians. SARRAH has been representing and supporting allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia for over 20 years, with a member base that includes students, practitioners, programme managers, policy makers and academics. As a non‐Indigenous organisation, SARRAH works in partnership and receives guidance from the peak organisation, Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA).

Approach

Over a period of 3 months, a group of eleven SARRAH members and staff came together to review available literature, seek member perspectives and share their experiences and understandings of co‐design. Working group discussions were grounded in the knowledge and experiences shared by two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group members.

Conclusion

This paper proposes that successful co‐design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities places legitimate value on different knowledge systems, is built on strong and trusting relationships, promotes inclusive involvement and requires authentic partnerships. Using these principles, SARRAH will engage with members and stakeholders to influence meaningful change in allied health practice in rural and remote Australia.
Examining nonadherence in the treatment of tuberculosis: The patterns that lead to failure
Authors: Fox William S. , Strydom Natasha , Imperial Marjorie Z. , Jarlsberg Leah , Savic Radojka M.
Published: August 2022

Aims

Adherence has been shown to be a major predictor of tuberculosis treatment failure and relapse. The current adherence metrics can be improved to provide higher resolution of adherence patterns and identify patients in need of alternative treatment interventions. We investigated how adherence patterns affect treatment outcomes, when adherence is likely to decrease during treatment and which patients are at risk of being nonadherent.

Methods

Individual‐level data were pooled from 3 clinical trials (n = 3724) for treatment of drug susceptible tuberculosis where monthly or weekly adherence patterns were collected and adherence patterns were quantified to assess the impact of clustered missed doses vs. randomly missed doses on tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Significance was determined through univariate and multivariate cox regression models.

Results

Patients who miss doses in clusters have an increased hazard risk for unfavourable outcomes and missing as little as 4 treatment days in 1 month resulted in 61% higher risk of unfavourable outcomes compared to patients who missed no treatment days (P < .01). Patients older than 50 years, and patients who experienced an adverse event were associated with lower adherence.

Conclusion

Our results show that the pattern in which patients miss their drugs is important to their overall outcomes and missing treatment days in clusters rather than randomly increases the risk of poor outcomes. In the future more intensive and longitudinal adherence measurements will be valuable for clinical trials and regimen design and interpretation.
An allopurinol adherence tool using plasma oxypurinol concentrations
Authors: Smith‐Diaz Natalia , Stocker Sophie L. , Stamp Lisa K. , Dalbeth Nicola , Phipps‐Green Amanda J. , Merriman Tony R. , Wright Daniel F. B.
Published: August 2022

Aims

This study aimed to develop and evaluate an allopurinol adherence tool based on steady‐state oxypurinol plasma concentrations, allopurinol's active metabolite.

Methods

Plasma oxypurinol concentrations were simulated stochastically from an oxypurinol pharmacokinetic model for allopurinol doses of 100‐800 mg daily, accounting for differences in renal function, diuretic use and ethnicity. For each scenario, the 20th percentile for peak and trough concentrations defined the adherence threshold, below which imperfect adherence was assumed. Predictive performance was evaluated using both simulated low adherence and against data from 146 individuals with paired oxypurinol plasma concentrations and adherence measures. Sensitivity and specificity (S&S), negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) were determined. The predictive performance of the tool was evaluated using adherence data from an external study (CKD‐FIX).

Results

The allopurinol adherence tool produced S&S values for trough thresholds of 89‐98% and 76‐84%, respectively, and 90%‐98% and 76‐83% for peak thresholds. PPV and NPV were 79‐84% and 88‐94%, respectively, for trough and 80‐85% and 89‐98%, respectively, for peak concentrations. The ROC AUC values ranged from 0.84 to 0.88 and from 0.86 to 0.89 for trough and peak concentrations, respectively. S&S values for the external evaluation were found to be 75.8% and 86.5%, respectively, producing an ROC AUC of 0.8113.

Conclusion

A tool to identify people with gout who require additional support to maintain adherence using plasma oxypurinol concentrations was developed and evaluated. The predictive performance of the tool is suitable for adherence screening in clinical trials and may have utility in some clinical practice settings.
Current and future living arrangements: The perspective of young adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Cahill Ciara , Guerin Suzanne
Published: August 2022

Background

The transition from adolescence to adulthood typically involves exploring living options. However, there is very little research focusing specifically on the views of young adults with intellectual disabilities on this topic. This article contributes to this topic by exploring the views of Irish young adults with intellectual disabilities regarding their current and future living arrangements.

Methods

Ten participants (18–23 years; four males), living in their family home, were recruited through a disability services provider in Dublin. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and data analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Participants were positive about their current living situation, especially in terms of the people they live with, and the personalised nature of their home. In terms of future living, participants displayed a general openness to move out, although half of the participants would prefer to remain in their current living situation. Participants indicated a preference for living with familiar and compatible company. Participants highlighted their knowledge of rights and responsibilities, as well as their understanding of the value of daily living skills, and the costs involved with living. Participants unanimously expressed a desire to be the primary decision maker regarding their future living situation. Supports in both daily living and significant decision‐making were discussed.

Conclusions

This study provides an important insight into the views of these young adults and can assist in filling the gap in current literature regarding this population's views of their current and future living arrangements.
Long‐COVID in people with intellectual disabilities: A call for research of a neglected area
Authors: Rawlings Gregg H. , Beail Nigel
Published: August 2022

Background

Long‐COVID (also known as post‐coronavirus‐19 syndrome) is a term used to describe symptoms that people experience following their recovery from the COVID‐19 virus. The severity of long‐COVID is well recognised, with healthcare providers commissioning services to diagnose and treat those affected, as well as funded research into the condition.

Methods

We performed a systematic search for relevant articles but were unable to find any research on long‐COVID in people with intellectual disabilities. Due to the lack of data, we have only been able to make extrapolations from what is known about the condition within the general population.

Findings

We provide an overview of long‐COVID and its potential relevance to people with an intellectual disability. We have focused specifically on symptoms or signs, prevalence, risk factors and treatments of the condition in this group, highlighting areas for clinical practice and future research from a psychosocial perspective. We raise serious questions about our current understanding and the availability of the evidence‐based to inform treatments tailored towards this population.

Conclusion

This is the first report that we are aware of on the topic of long‐COVID in people with an intellectual disability. The lack of research is preventing us from gaining a greater understanding of how the condition impacts people with an intellectual disability.
‘It will open your world up’: The role of mobile technology in promoting social inclusion among adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Danker Joanne , Strnadová Iva , Tso Michelle , Loblinzk Julie , Cumming Therese M. , Martin Andrew J.
Published: August 2022

Background

While there has been a strong national and international emphasis on social inclusion over the past 15 years, many people with intellectual disabilities remain socially isolated in their communities. Mobile technology has the potential to support social inclusion and there is great interest among adults with intellectual disabilities in using technologies such as computers, smartphones, tablets and the internet. This study aimed to investigate the use of mobile technology by people with intellectual disabilities, and its capacity to improve their social inclusion.

Methods

Data were collected using individual interview, group interviews or interviews using Photovoice with 32 adults with intellectual disabilities and analysed using inductive content analysis.

Findings

Findings indicated that adults with intellectual disabilities use various mobile technology and apps for multiple purposes, including social activities, work, support, productivity, navigation and entertainment. Enabling inclusion, increasing convenience and accessibility were viewed as advantages of mobile technology, while disadvantages were related to social issues and dangers resulting from the use of mobile technology and the practical limitations and ubiquitous nature of mobile technology. Barriers to using mobile technology included having limited access to the technology itself in certain contexts and difficulties with its use. Receiving support from others and awareness of safety measures enabled the use of mobile technology among the participants. To facilitate the use of mobile technology among people with intellectual disabilities, there needs to be greater education about this and other technologies including their features, design and apps. Importantly, people with intellectual disabilities need to be involved in the design of apps.

Conclusions

To fully harness the potential of using mobile technology for the purpose of developing social relationships and sense of belonging in the community, people with intellectual disabilities should be supported in developing an awareness of the limitations of mobile technology and practicing appropriate safety measures.
Effects of universal oral healthcare coverage in an adult population: A long‐term nationwide natural experiment
Authors: Raittio Eero , Suominen Anna Liisa
Published: August 2022

Objectives

A large and long‐term natural experiment occurred in Finland from the late 1980s–2000, when adults' entitlement to subsidized oral healthcare was strongly dependent on the arbitrary classification based on their year of birth: people born in 1956 or later were entitled to subsidized care, while people born before 1956 were not. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this expanded universal oral healthcare coverage on service use and oral health outcomes.

Methods

Data from annual nationally representative cross‐sectional postal surveys among 15–64‐year‐olds between 1990 and 2014 were used. For this study, the following outcome variables were formed: experiencing toothache during the past month (yes/no), the number of missing teeth with three different thresholds (over 10, over 5 or at least 1 missing tooth), brushing more than once a day and the number of visits to the dentist. Regression discontinuity plots and bias‐corrected local polynomial regression discontinuity estimators measuring the effect of the extended universal coverage on the outcomes at the year‐of‐birth cut‐off of 1956 were generated separately from the data from 1990 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2014.

Results

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of visits to the dentist (0.2 visits, 95% CI, confidence intervals: −0.03; 0.43) and the proportion of those who visited the dentist during the past 12 months (4.2%, 95% CI: 0.1%; 8.3%) increased at the year‐of‐birth cut‐off of 1956. There were minor drops (1.5%–1.9%) in the number of missing teeth across all thresholds (over 10, over 5, or at least 1 missing teeth) at the cut‐off. Analyses with the data from the surveys from 2002 to 2014 showed that there were no discontinuities in these outcomes at the cut‐off of 1956. Regression discontinuity estimates related to toothache experience and toothbrushing frequency were inconclusive due to high variability in the underlying data and the likely small effect of the more universal coverage on these outcomes.

Conclusions

The current study provided evidence of the beneficial effects of universal oral healthcare coverage on the oral healthcare service use and teeth preservation from a large and long‐term natural experiment occurred in Finland from the late 1980s to 2000.
Willingness to pay for multiple dimensions of green open space: Applying a spatial hedonic approach
Authors: Hu Ziwei , Kobori Hotaka , Swallow Brent , Qiu Feng
Published: August 2022

To optimize land conservation strategies with limited resources, it is necessary to understand people's preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for green open space. The hedonic pricing method (HPM) is widely used. However, the conventional HPM assumes no value spillovers between neighbouring properties. Here we adopt a spatial regression approach that allows us to relax the no‐spillover assumption. Through an analysis of access to different types, intensity and developability of open green space on house prices in the City of Edmonton, Canada, we illustrate how spatial HPM can be used to quantify direct and spillover values of different dimensions of open green space. We find that WTP for open space has significant spillover effects, ignoring such spillovers would under‐estimate the total value of open space protection and thus the socially optimal amount of land conservation. All else equal, people are willing to pay most for houses that are close to non‐developable green open space and woodlands. The highest price premiums are for woodlands and non‐developable green open space, followed by living near the University of Alberta farm. On the contrary, people need small compensation to live near large commercial farms. The results suggest a NIMBY attitude toward preservation of commercial agriculture.
Patient‐ and physician‐reported radiation‐induced toxicity of short‐course radiotherapy with a prolonged interval to surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Verweij Maaike E. , Hoendervangers Sieske , von Hebel Charlotte M. , Pronk Apollo , Schiphorst Anandi H. W. , Consten Esther C. J. , Smits Anke B. , Heikens Joost T. , Verdaasdonk Emiel G. G. , Rozema Tom , Verkooijen Helena M. , van Grevenstein Wilhelmina M. U. , Intven Martijn P. W.
Published: August 2022

Aim

A prolonged interval (>4 weeks) between short‐course radiotherapy (25 Gy in five fractions) (SCRT‐delay) and total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer has been associated with a decreased postoperative complication rate and offers the possibility of organ preservation in the case of a complete tumour response. This prospective cohort study systematically evaluated patient‐reported bowel dysfunction and physician‐reported radiation‐induced toxicity for 8 weeks following SCRT‐delay.

Method

Patients who were referred for SCRT‐delay for intermediate risk, oligometastatic or locally advanced rectal cancer were included. Repeated measurements were done for patient‐reported bowel dysfunction (measured by the low anterior resection syndrome [LARS] questionnaire and categorized as no, minor or major LARS) and physician‐reported radiation‐induced toxicity (according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0) before start of treatment (baseline), at completion of SCRT and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks thereafter.

Results

Fifty‐one patients were included; 31 (61%) were men and the median age was 67 years (range 44–91). Patient‐reported bowel dysfunction and physician‐reported radiation‐induced toxicity peaked at weeks 1–2 after completion of SCRT and gradually declined thereafter. Major LARS was reported by 44 patients (92%) at some time during SCRT‐delay. Grade 3 radiation‐induced toxicity was reported in 17 patients (33%) and concerned predominantly diarrhoea. No Grade 4–5 radiation‐induced toxicity occurred.

Conclusion

During SCRT‐delay, almost every patient experiences temporary mild–moderate radiation‐induced toxicity and major LARS, but life‐threatening toxicity is rare. SCRT‐delay is a safe alternative to SCRT‐direct surgery that should be proposed when counselling rectal cancer patients on neoadjuvant strategies.
The Effect of Cognitive Relevance of Directed Actions on Mathematical Reasoning
Authors: Walkington Candace , Nathan Mitchell J. , Wang Min , Schenck Kelsey
Published: August 2022

Theories of grounded and embodied cognition offer a range of accounts of how reasoning and body‐based processes are related to each other. To advance theories of grounded and embodied cognition, we explore the cognitive relevance of particular body states to associated math concepts. We test competing models of action‐cognition transduction to investigate the cognitive relevance of directed actions to students’ mathematical reasoning in the area of geometry. The hypotheses we test include (1) that cognitively relevant directed actions have a direct effect on performance (direct cognitive relevance hypothesis), (2) that cognitively relevant directed actions lead to more frequent production of gestures during explanations, which leads to improved performance (mediated cognitive relevance hypothesis), and (3) that performance effects of directed actions are influenced by the presence or absence of gesture production during mathematical explanations (moderated cognitive relevance hypothesis). We explore these hypotheses in an experiment where high school students (N = 85) evaluated the truth of geometry conjectures after performing cognitively relevant or cognitively irrelevant directed actions while playing a movement‐based video game. Contrary to the direct and mediated cognitive relevance hypotheses, we found no overall differences in performance or gesture production between relevant and irrelevant conditions. Consistent with the moderated cognitive relevance hypothesis, cognitive relevance influenced mathematical performance, as measured by the accuracy of students’ intuitions, insights, and the validity of their proofs, provided that students produced certain kinds of gestures during mathematical explanations (i.e., with explanatory gestures as the moderator). Implications for theories of grounded and embodied cognition and the design of embodied forms of educational interventions are discussed.
Perceptual Dissimilarity Analysis Distinguishes Grapheme‐Color Synesthetes from Nonsynesthetes
Authors: Gravener Michelle , Lacey Simon , Sathian K.
Published: August 2022

Synesthetes can be distinguished from nonsynesthetes on a variety of experimental tasks because their concurrent synesthetic experiences can affect task performance if these experiences match or conflict with some aspect of the stimulus. Here, we tested grapheme‐color synesthetes and nonsynesthetic control participants using a novel perceptual similarity task to assess whether synesthetes’ concurrent color experiences influence perceived grapheme similarity. Participants iteratively arranged graphemes and, separately, their associated synesthetic colors in a display, such that similar items were placed close together and dissimilar items further apart. The resulting relative inter‐item distances were used to calculate the pair‐wise (dis)similarity between items in the set, and thence to create separate perceptual representational dissimilarity matrices (RDMs) for graphemes and colors, on an individual basis. On the assumption that synesthetes’ similarity judgments for graphemes would be influenced by their concurrent color experiences, we predicted that grapheme and color RDMs would be more strongly correlated for synesthetes than nonsynesthetes. We found that the mean grapheme‐color RDM correlation was indeed significantly higher in synesthetes than nonsynesthetes; in addition, synesthetes’ grapheme‐color RDM correlations were more likely to be individually statistically significant, even after correction for multiple tests, than those of nonsynesthetes. Importantly, synesthetes’ grapheme‐color RDM correlations scaled with the consistency of their grapheme‐color associations as measured by their Synesthesia Battery (SB) scores. By contrast, the relationship between SB scores and grapheme‐color RDM correlations for nonsynesthetes was not significant. Thus, dissimilarity analysis quantitatively distinguished synesthetes from nonsynesthetes, in a way that meaningfully reflects a key aspect of synesthetic experience.
The impact of international sanctions on innovation of target countries
Authors: Wen Jun , Zhao Xinxin , Chang Chun‐Ping
Published: August 2022

This paper mainly presents a complete analysis of the impact of such sanctions on the innovation performance of target countries by exploiting the difference‐in‐differences method for panel data of 91 countries in the period 1988–2016. The empirical results confirm a significantly negative impact of overall international sanctions on innovation in the target countries; moreover, except for noneconomic sanctions, other types of sanctions have a negative impact on the level of innovation in the target countries to varying degrees. These findings are also supported by two semiparametric matchings: artificially matching according to the two factors of geographical location and land area respectively and the propensity score matching, one nonparametric matching: entropy balancing, as well as the system generalized method of moments estimates that account for any bias due to lagged dependent variables. This paper also shows that the significantly negative effect of international sanctions is manifested in the countries with high levels of trade openness, globalization, and democracy, but not in the countries with low levels of trade openness, globalization, and democracy. Our empirical findings merit particular attention from policy‐makers in target countries.
Monitoring populations and threats to range‐restricted freshwater fishes: A case study of the Stocky Galaxias (Galaxias tantangara)
Authors: Lavery Tyrone H. , Lindenmayer David B. , Allan Hugh , Southwell Darren , Woinarski John C. Z. , Lintermans Mark
Published: August 2022

Monitoring is critical for conservation, to track the status of threatened species, assess the relative impacts of threats, inform management responses and prioritise them according to their efficacy. Globally, freshwater fish are impacted by a range of threats including deterioration in water quality, climate change, habitat loss and degradation, introduced predators and herbivores, and wildfire. Monitoring of freshwater fish can be challenging because aquatic conditions can make detecting and identifying population trends difficult for many species. Galaxiidae is the most speciose family of Gondwanan‐distributed freshwater fishes, and over 75% of species assessed by the IUCN Red List have been classified as threatened. Many Australian galaxiids are highly imperilled and monitoring effort and adequacy is low. We prepared a detailed monitoring plan for the Stocky Galaxias (Galaxias tantangara) that is representative of the conservation status and level of threat facing many congeneric and other similar species. Our protocol provides details of species biology, pertinent threats, and management options with sampling methods to gather these data, and options to link with management actions for maximum benefit. Improved monitoring linked with threat management should improve the conservation status of Stocky Galaxias. By providing this example, we have sought to improve monitoring for range‐restricted freshwater fishes more generally.
The effect of slack configurations on company performance from a dynamic perspective
Authors: Agustí María , Galán José L. , Acedo Francisco J.
Published: August 2022

The existing literature on slack resources points to a relationship with organizational performance, though little attention have been given to their dynamic deployment. Arising from the idea that companies present different levels of slack resources, this paper analyzes the slack‐performance relationship using a dynamic performance and configurational approach. We investigate the existence of coherent configurations of slack resources and analyze the generation and use of slack resources in a period of crisis and economic recovery. Seemingly unrelated regressions were used on 419 Spanish manufacturing companies to assess the effect of slack configuration on performance from a cross‐sectional and longitudinal perspective. The results show clear configurations and a continuous slack–performance relationship, so available and potential slack positively affect performance, whereas recoverable slack negatively affects performance, although these relationships are contingent on the economic situation. Therefore, firms increase their available and potential slack when faced with an environmental jolt, whereas this increase varies depending on the configuration or availability of slack resources. Configurational equifinality in the slack–performance relationship is also confirmed, with the effect being contingent on time.
Functional neuropathology of neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia by single‐mouse longitudinal electroencephalography
Authors: Johnson Kevin J. , Moy Brianna , Rensing Nicholas , Robinson Alexia , Ly Michael , Chengalvala Ramya , Wong Michael , Galindo Rafael
Published: August 2022

Objective

Neonatal cerebral hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) results in symptomatic seizures and long‐term neurodevelopmental disability. The Rice‐Vannucci model of rodent neonatal HI has been used extensively to examine and translate the functional consequences of acute and chronic HI‐induced encephalopathy. Yet, longitudinal electrophysiological characterization of this brain injury model has been limited by the size of the neonatal mouse's head and postnatal maternal dependency. We overcome this challenge by employing a novel method of longitudinal single‐mouse electroencephalography (EEG) using chronically implanted subcranial electrodes in the term‐equivalent mouse pup. We characterize the neurophysiological disturbances occurring during awake and sleep states in the acute and chronic phases following newborn brain injury.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice underwent long‐term bilateral subcranial EEG and electromyographic electrode placement at postnatal day 9 followed by unilateral carotid cauterization and exposure to 40 minutes of hypoxia the following day. EEG recordings were obtained prior, during, and intermittently after the HI procedure from postnatal day 10 to weaning age. Quantitative EEG and fast Fourier transform analysis were used to evaluate seizures, cortical cerebral dysfunction, and disturbances in vigilance states.

Results

We observed neonatal HI‐provoked electrographic focal and bilateral seizures during or immediately following global hypoxia and most commonly contralateral to the ischemic injury. Spontaneous chronic seizures were not seen. Injured mice developed long‐term asymmetric EEG background attenuation in all frequencies and most prominently during non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. HI mice also showed transient impairments in vigilance state duration and transitions during the first 2 days following injury.

Significance

The functional burden of mouse neonatal HI recorded by EEG resembles closely that of the injured human newborn. The use of single‐mouse longitudinal EEG in this immature model can advance our understanding of the developmental and pathophysiological mechanisms of neonatal cerebral injury and help translate novel therapeutic strategies against this devastating condition.
Structure‐based design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a NAD+ analogue targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosaNAD kinase
Authors: Rahimova Rahila , Nogaret Pauline , Huteau Valérie , Gelin Muriel , Clément David A. , Labesse Gilles , Pochet Sylvie , Blanc‐Potard Anne‐Béatrice , Lionne Corinne
Published: August 2022

Multidrug resistance is a major public health problem that requires the urgent development of new antibiotics and therefore the identification of novel bacterial targets. The activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide kinase, NADK, is essential in all bacteria tested so far, including many human pathogens that display antibiotic resistance leading to the failure of current treatments. Inhibiting NADK is therefore a promising and innovative antibacterial strategy since there is currently no drug on the market targeting this enzyme. Through a fragment‐based drug design approach, we have recently developed a NAD+‐competitive inhibitor of NADKs, which displayed in vivo activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we show that this compound, a di‐adenosine derivative, is inactive against the NADK enzyme from the Gram‐negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaNADK). This lack of activity can be explained by the crystal structure of PaNADK, which was determined in complex with NADP+ in this study. Structural analysis led us to design and synthesize a benzamide adenine dinucleoside analogue, active against PaNADK. This novel compound efficiently inhibited PaNADK enzymatic activity in vitro with a Ki of 4.6 μm. Moreover, this compound reduced P. aeruginosa infection in vivo in a zebrafish model.
Buying stones: Welfare spending and protests in Argentina, 2008–2019
Authors: Del Tredici Romina , González Lucas , Zarazaga Rodrigo
Published: August 2022

Why do some governments manage to curb protest while others cannot and turmoil escalates to a social outbreak? This study proposes a theoretical argument that specifies how discretionary spending reduces conflict, highlighting the role of social movements in managing protests. It examines this and alternative arguments in Argentina, a country with strong social movements and historically large mobilizations, using statistical analysis with an original database on protests and a population of 364 national government programs between 2008 and 2019. The article makes a contribution by finding a differential effect between specific types of social spending, programmatic and discretional, and protests. It also specifies the linkage between the main variables using qualitative evidence during two presidencies. The goal of discretionary distribution is not to win an election but to ensure governance. The article finally raises some comparative implications on the role of social movements and welfare spending in Latin America.
High site and mate fidelity in a monogamous Arctic seabird
Authors: Seyer Yannick , Gauthier Gilles , Therrien Jean‐François
Published: August 2022

In long‐lived seabirds, social monogamy and mate and site fidelity are common due to the cost entailed by site change and divorce such as delayed laying or reduced reproductive success. We used 13 years of monitoring data from marked Long‐tailed Jaegers Stercorarius longicaudus in the Canadian High Arctic to quantify the degree of mate and site fidelity, and to investigate (1) how nesting success and mate fidelity affect site fidelity and (2) how mate fidelity affects laying date and nesting success. We observed a minimum mate retention rate of 79% for males and 85% for females; the site fidelity of birds that nested successfully was higher for those faithful to their mate than for those that changed mates but we found no evidence that mate change affected laying date or nesting success. The short summer and high unpredictability of resources of the Arctic tundra probably favour high site and mate fidelity in this species.
Poly(caprolactone)‐aligned nanofibers associated with fibronectin‐loaded collagen hydrogel as a potent bioactive scaffold for cell‐free regenerative endodontics
Authors: Leite Maria Luísa , de Oliveira Ribeiro Rafael Antônio , Soares Diana Gabriela , Hebling Josimeri , de Souza Costa Carlos Alberto
Published: August 2022

Aim

Guided tissue regeneration has been considered a promising strategy to replace conventional endodontic therapy of teeth with incomplete root formation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a tubular scaffold (TB‐SC) with poly (caprolactone)‐aligned nanofibres associated with a fibronectin (FN)‐loaded collagen hydrogel and assess the pulp regeneration potential mediated by human apical papilla cells (hAPCs) using an in vitro model of teeth with incomplete root formation.

Methodology

Aligned nanofibre strips based on 10% poly(caprolactone) (PCL) were synthesized with the electrospinning technique to produce the TB‐SCs. These were submitted to different treatments, according to the following groups: TB‐SC (negative control): TB‐SC without treatment; TB‐SC + FN (positive control): TB‐SC coated with 10 μg/ml of FN; TB‐SC + H: TB‐SC associated with collagen hydrogel; TB‐SC + HFN: TB‐SC associated with FN‐loaded collagen hydrogel. Then, the biomaterials were inserted into cylindrical devices to mimic the regenerative therapy of teeth with incomplete root formation. The hAPCs were seeded on the upper surface of the TB‐SCs associated or not with any treatment, and cell migration/proliferation and the gene expression of markers related to pulp regeneration (ITGA5, ITGAV, COL1A1 and COL1A3) were evaluated. The data were submitted to anova/Tukey's tests (α = 5%).

Results

Higher values of cell migration/proliferation and gene expression of all markers tested were observed in groups TB‐SC + FN, TB‐SC + H, and TB‐SC + HFN compared with the TB‐SC group (p < .05). The hAPCs in the TB‐SC + HFN group showed the highest values of cell proliferation and gene expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 (p < .05), as well as superior cell migration results to groups TB‐SC and TB‐SC + H (p < .05).

Conclusion

Aligned nanofibre scaffolds associated with the FN‐loaded collagen hydrogel enhanced the migration and proliferation of hAPCs and gene expression of pulp regeneration markers. Therefore, the use of these biomaterials may be considered an interesting strategy for regenerative pulp therapy of teeth with incomplete root formation.