bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pursuing Value‐Based Prices for Drugs: A Comprehensive Comparison of State Prescription Drug–Pricing Boards
Authors: BENDICKSEN LIAM , ROME BENJAMIN N. , AVORN JERRY , KESSELHEIM AARON S.
Published: August 2021

Policy Points

In the absence of federal action on rising prescription drug costs, we reviewed the details of five states that have enacted prescription drug–pricing boards seeking to lower drug prices based on products’ value. Within these states, six such boards are currently authorized; they have similarities but vary in terms of structure, authority, scope, and leverage.

As of June 2021, only one of the boards in our sample has conducted pricing reviews; legislators in other states can learn from the successes and challenges of existing boards.

Prescription drug–pricing boards represent a novel and promising way to curb state spending and pay for value in prescription drugs but face legal and political barriers in implementation.

Context

Rising prescription drug costs are consuming a growing proportion of state and private budgets. In response, lawmakers have experimented with a variety of policies to contain spending and achieve value in prescription drugs. As part of this series of reforms, some state legislatures have recently authorized prescription drug–pricing boards to address the high prices of brand‐name prescription drugs and assess the value of those drugs.

Methods

We identified state prescription drug–pricing boards in the United States, defined as any agency authorized by a state legislature to review specific drugs and pursue value‐based drug prices. To describe the characteristics of the boards, we obtained public records of authorizing legislation, guidance documents, and board meeting minutes. We compared the boards’ powers and responsibilities and analyzed completed pricing reviews.

Findings

Six state drug‐pricing boards in five states met our definition; their design varied substantially. Two of the boards (New York Medicaid and Massachusetts) have authority over drug rebates paid by state Medicaid programs, one (New York Drug Accountability Board) has jurisdiction over state‐regulated commercial insurance, and another three (Maine, Maryland, and New Hampshire) oversee non‐Medicaid, state‐funded insurance. Three boards are authorized to require manufacturers to confidentially submit information related to the pricing and clinical effectiveness of reviewed drugs to inform value determinations. Only one board (New York Medicaid) had completed pricing reviews as of June 3, 2021.

Conclusions

Boards’ structure, scope, and statutory leverages to compel manufacturers to negotiate lower net costs are key factors that influence whether and to what extent boards can achieve cost savings for states. Though legal constraints may limit the effective reach of prescription drug–pricing boards, these agencies can enable states to address rising prescription drug costs, in part by virtue of their very existence. To overcome practical limitations, states seeking to implement similar policies can build on the experiences and designs of current boards.
Neoliberal precarity and primalization: A biosocial perspective on the age of insecurity, injustice, and unreason
Authors: Bone John
Published: August 2021

In light of the observed rise in social instability and populist politics that has emerged recently even in some of the world's oldest and presumed stable democracies, this paper reappraises the role of the neoliberal political and economic consensus in fermenting popular discontent. While this is very well trodden ground the paper approaches the issues from a wholly new direction, specifically addressing how exposure to the destabilizing conditions of the present can be seen to have negatively impacted on the neurological functioning of many of the disenchanted and distressed of the current era, generating chronic negative emotional arousal and an associated impact on the capacity for rational thought and conduct. This condition of mental and emotional fugue, it is argued, has also rendered growing numbers more susceptible to marginal and radicalizing discourses, largely extended and amplified via social media, and not least the emotionally charged overtures of populist politicians. Against a backdrop of increasing insecurity, transformative changes to work and living conditions precipitated by neoliberal policy and the digital revolution, together with the epochal crisis presented by the global pandemic, it is argued that the task of understanding the deep and fundamental causes of social and political fracture have rarely been more urgent.
Quantitative evaluation of footwear evidence: Initial workflow for an end‐to‐end system
Authors: Venkatasubramanian Gautham , Hegde Vighnesh , Lund Steven P. , Iyer Hari , Herman Martin
Published: August 2021

In the United States, footwear examiners make decisions about the sources of crime scene shoe impressions using subjective criteria. This has raised questions about the accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, and scientific validity of footwear examinations. Currently, most footwear examiners follow a workflow that compares a questioned and test impression with regard to outsole design, size, wear, and randomly acquired characteristics (RACs). We augment this workflow with computer algorithms and statistical analysis so as to improve in the following areas: (1) quantifying the degree of correspondence between the questioned and test impressions with respect to design, size, wear, and RACs, (2) reducing the potential for cognitive bias, and (3) providing an empirical basis for examiner conclusions by developing a reference database of case‐relevant pairs of impressions containing known mated and known nonmated impressions. Our end‐to‐end workflow facilitates all three of these points and is directly relatable to current practice. We demonstrate the workflow, which includes obtaining and interpreting outsole pattern scores, RAC comparison scores, and final scores, on two scenarios—a pristine example (involving very high quality Everspry EverOS scanner impressions) and a mock crime scene example that more closely resembles real casework. These examples not only demonstrate the workflow but also help identify the algorithmic, computational, and statistical challenges involved in improving the system for eventual deployment in casework.
“This is part of emergency medicine now”: A qualitative assessment of emergency clinicians’ facilitators of and barriers to initiating buprenorphine
Authors: Schoenfeld Elizabeth M. , Soares William E. , Schaeffer Emily M. , Gitlin Jacob , Burke Kimberly , Westafer Lauren M.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Despite evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of buprenorphine for the treatment of emergency department (ED) patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), incorporation into clinical practice has been highly variable. We explored barriers and facilitators to the prescription of buprenorphine, as perceived by practicing ED clinicians.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of ED clinicians. An interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Theoretical Domains Framework implementation science frameworks. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in an iterative process. Emergent themes were identified, discussed, and organized.

Results

We interviewed 25 ED clinicians from 11 states in the United States. Participants were diverse with regard to years in practice and practice setting. While outer setting barriers such as the logistic costs of getting a DEA‐X waiver and lack of clear follow‐up for patients were noted by many participants, individual‐level determinants driven by emotion (stigma), beliefs about consequences and roles, and knowledge predominated. Participants’ responses suggested that implementation strategies should address stigma, local culture, knowledge gaps, and logistic challenges, but that a particular order to addressing barriers may be necessary.

Conclusions

While some participants were hesitant to adopt a “new” role in treating patients with medications for OUD, many already had and gave concrete strategies regarding how to encourage others to embrace their attitude of “this is part of emergency medicine now.”
Concurrent validity of an estimator of weekly alcohol consumption (EWAC) based on the extended AUDIT
Authors: Dutey‐Magni Peter , Brown Jamie , Holmes John , Sinclair Julia
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

The three‐question Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT‐C) is frequently used in healthcare for screening and brief advice about levels of alcohol consumption. AUDIT‐C scores (0–12) provide feedback as categories of risk rather than estimates of actual alcohol intake, an important metric for behaviour change. The study aimed to (i) develop a continuous metric from the Extended AUDIT‐C expressed in United Kingdom (UK) units (8 g pure ethanol), offering equivalent accuracy, and providing a direct estimator of weekly alcohol consumption (EWAC) and (ii) evaluate the EWAC's bias and error using the graduated‐frequency (GF) questionnaire as a reference standard of alcohol consumption.

Design

Cross‐sectional diagnostic study based on a nationally‐representative survey.

Settings

Community dwelling households in England.

Participants

A total of 22 404 household residents aged ≥16 years reporting drinking alcohol at least occasionally.

Measurements

Computer‐assisted personal interviews consisting of (i) AUDIT questionnaire with extended response items (the ‘Extended AUDIT’) and (ii) GF. Primary outcomes were: mean deviation <1 UK unit (metric of bias); root‐mean‐square deviation <2 UK units (metric of total error) between EWAC and GF. The secondary outcome was the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for predicting alcohol consumption in excess of 14 and 35 UK units.

Findings

EWAC had a positive bias of 0.2 UK units (95% CI = 0.08, 0.4) compared with GF. Deviations were skewed: whereas the mean error was ±11 UK units/week [9.5, 11.9], in half of participants the deviation between EWAC and GF was between 0 and ±2.1 UK units/week. EWAC predicted consumption in excess of 14 UK units/week with a significantly greater area under the curve (0.918 [0.914, 0.923]) than AUDIT‐C (0.870 [0.864, 0.876]) or the full AUDIT (0.854 [0.847, 0.860]).

Conclusions

A new estimator of weekly alcohol consumption, which uses answers to the Extended AUDIT‐C, meets the targeted bias tolerance. It is superior in accuracy to AUDIT‐C and the full 10‐item AUDIT when predicting consumption thresholds, making it a reliable complement to the Extended AUDIT‐C for health promotion interventions.
Impact of wagering inducements on the gambling behaviors of on‐line gamblers: A longitudinal study based on gambling tracking data
Authors: Balem Marianne , Perrot Bastien , Hardouin Jean‐Benoit , Thiabaud Elsa , Saillard Anaïs , Grall‐Bronnec Marie , Challet‐Bouju Gaëlle
Published: August 2021

Aims

To estimate whether the use of wagering inducements has a significant impact on the gambling behaviors of on‐line gamblers and describe this temporal relation under naturalistic conditions.

Design

This longitudinal observational study is part of the second stage of the Screening for Excessive Gambling Behaviors on the Internet (EDEIN) research program.

Setting

Gambling tracking data from the French national on‐line gambling authority (poker, horse race betting and sports betting) and from the French national lottery operator (lotteries and scratch games).

Participants

A total of 9306 gamblers who played poker, horse race or sports betting and 5682 gamblers who played lotteries and scratch games completed an on‐line survey. The gender ratio was largely male (between 87.1% and 92.9% for poker, horse race betting and sports betting, and equal to 65.1% for lotteries). Median age ranged from 35 (sports betting) to 53 (horse race betting and lotteries).

Measurements

The survey used the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to determine the status of the gamblers (at‐risk or not). Gambling tracking data included weekly gambling intensity (wagers, deposits), gambling frequency (number of gambling days), proxies of at‐risk gambling behaviors (chasing and breadth of involvement) and use of wagering inducements.

Findings

The use of wagering inducements was associated with an increase of gambling intensity [β between −0.06 (−0.08; –0.05) and 0.57 (0.54; 0.60)], gambling frequency [β between 0.12 (0.10; 0.18) and 0.29 (0.28; 0.31)] and at‐risk gambling behaviors [odds ratio between 1.32 (1.16; 1.50) and 4.82 (4.61; 5.05)] at the same week of their use. This effect was stronger for at‐risk gambling behaviors and at‐risk gamblers.

Conclusions

Wagering inducements may represent a risk factor for developing or exacerbating gambling problems.
Understanding constraints on private irrigation adoption decisions under uncertainty in data constrained settings: A novel empirical approach tested on Ecuadorian Cocoa cultivations
Authors: Villa‐Cox Gonzalo , Cavazza Francesco , Jordan Cristian , Arias‐Hidalgo Mijail , Herrera Paúl , Espinel Ramon , Viaggi Davide , Speelman Stijn
Published: August 2021

In rural areas of LatinAmerican Countries, irrigation requirements for perennial crops, like cocoa are expected to increase. This paper develops a novel holistic approach to model private investment decisions in irrigation adoption by small and mid‐sized cocoa farmers that face competing sources of uncertainty. In agricultural studies data collection through surveys often leads to issues of missing information on key measured variables. Our approach deals simultaneously with the issue of endogeneity of considering diverse risk sources and with the missing values in key covariates. The study considers multiple levels of irrigation adoption in a context where traditional and modern irrigation systems might coexist. The main contributions of this paper are both its methodological approach and its empirical application filling a knowledge gap on irrigation adoption.
Valuing natural capital when management is dominated by periods of inaction
Authors: Hashida Yukiko , Fenichel Eli P.
Published: August 2021

Valuing natural assets is important for tracking the performance of management, for sustainability assessments based on wealth accounting, for environmental income and product accounting, and for benefit–cost analysis of specific projects. Developments in valuing natural capital have focused on implicit intertemporal exchange revealed by resource management behavior that maps the state of the natural system in a continuous fashion onto a management response. However, the management of many real assets, including many natural assets, is best described as inaction with punctuated adjustment. We develop natural asset valuation theory and approximation methods for such cases. We illustrate the theory and methods for the case of forests managed through even‐aged management, that is, clear cuts. These forests may provide “passive” or “inaction” value while standing and timber benefits at harvest. We find that the passive flow value of the forests can be positive and depend on site class, and that wealth held in private industrial Oregon Douglas‐fir forests increased over the first decade of the twenty‐first century.
Land use induced land cover changes and future scenarios in extent of Miombo woodland and Dambo ecosystems in the Copperbelt province of Zambia
Authors: Malunga Mwelwa Mwape , Cho Moses Azong , Chirwa Paxie Wanangwa , Yerokun Olusegun Adedayo
Published: August 2021

The pattern of Miombo woodland conversion to other land uses and the attendant impacts on vital Miombo ecosystems such as dambos is not well understood. Using the Copperbelt province of Zambia as a case study, we assessed the spatio‐temporal patterns of Miombo woodland and dambo conversion to other land uses between 1984 and 2016 and predicted the changes to 2050. The effects of land use land cover change (LULCC) on the extent of Miombo woodlands and dambos was determined by intersecting layers of croplands, settlements, plantations, grasslands and barelands on woodland and dambo pixels. Prediction of future LULCC was done using the land change modeller (LCM) in TerrSet. It was observed that in the period between 1984 and 2016, woodlands decreased by 17.9% while dambos increased by 4.9%. The two classes were predicted to lose 26.4% and 2.0%, respectively, by 2050. Conversion to cropland was the highest contributor to woodland loss, accounting for 57.5% of total loss by 2016, and projected to reach 67.6% by 2050. Similarly, establishment of cropland was shown to result into 53.5% (2016) and 58.9% (2050) of loss of dambos. Expansion of croplands caused a decline in woodlands and dambos. Therefore, sustainable agriculture should be adopted.
A linear noise approximation for stochastic epidemic models fit to partially observed incidence counts
Authors: Fintzi Jonathan , Wakefield Jon , Minin Vladimir N.
Published: August 2021

Stochastic epidemic models (SEMs) fit to incidence data are critical to elucidating outbreak dynamics, shaping response strategies, and preparing for future epidemics. SEMs typically represent counts of individuals in discrete infection states using Markov jump processes (MJPs), but are computationally challenging as imperfect surveillance, lack of subject‐level information, and temporal coarseness of the data obscure the true epidemic. Analytic integration over the latent epidemic process is impossible, and integration via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is cumbersome due to the dimensionality and discreteness of the latent state space. Simulation‐based computational approaches can address the intractability of the MJP likelihood, but are numerically fragile and prohibitively expensive for complex models. A linear noise approximation (LNA) that approximates the MJP transition density with a Gaussian density has been explored for analyzing prevalence data in large‐population settings, but requires modification for analyzing incidence counts without assuming that the data are normally distributed. We demonstrate how to reparameterize SEMs to appropriately analyze incidence data, and fold the LNA into a data augmentation MCMC framework that outperforms deterministic methods, statistically, and simulation‐based methods, computationally. Our framework is computationally robust when the model dynamics are complex and applies to a broad class of SEMs. We evaluate our method in simulations that reflect Ebola, influenza, and SARS‐CoV‐2 dynamics, and apply our method to national surveillance counts from the 2013–2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak.
Urinary retinol binding protein predicts renal outcome in systemic immunoglobulin light‐chain (AL) amyloidosis
Authors: Rezk Tamer , Salota Rashim , Gan Jaslyn J. , Lachmann Helen J. , Fontana Marianna , Siew Keith , Martinez‐Naharro Ana , Guillotte Christianne , Bass Paul , Sachchithanantham Sajitha , Mahmood Shameem , Petrie Aviva , Whelan Carol J. , Pinney Jennifer H. , Dockrell Mark , Foard Darren , Lane Thirusha , Wechalekar Ashutosh D. , Hawkins Philip N. , Walsh Stephen B. , Gillmore Julian D.
Published: August 2021

Renal risk stratification in systemic immunoglobulin light‐chain (AL) amyloidosis is according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary protein creatinine ratio (uPCR), the latter attributed to glomerular dysfunction, with proximal tubular dysfunction (PTD) little studied. Urinary retinol binding protein 4 (uRBP), a low molecular weight tubular protein and highly sensitive marker of PTD, was prospectively measured in 285 newly diagnosed, untreated patients with systemic AL amyloidosis between August 2017 to August 2018. At diagnosis, the uRBP/creatinine ratio (uRBPCR) correlated with serum creatinine (r = 0·618, P < 0·0001), uPCR (r = 0·422, P < 0·0001) as well as both fractional excretion of phosphate and urate (r = 0·563, P < 0·0001). Log uRBPCR at diagnosis was a strong independent predictor of end‐stage renal disease {hazard ratio [HR] 2·65, [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·06–6·64]; P = 0·038}, particularly in patients with an eGFR >30 ml/min/1.73 m2 [HR 4·11, (95% CI 1·45–11·65); P = 0·008] and those who failed to achieve a deep haematological response to chemotherapy within 3 months of diagnosis [HR 6·72, (95% CI 1·83–24·74); P = 0·004], and also predicted renal progression [HR 1·91, (95% CI 1·18–3·07); P = 0·008]. Elevated uRBPCR indicates PTD and predicts renal outcomes independently of eGFR, uPCR and clonal response in systemic AL amyloidosis. The role of uRBPCR as a novel prognostic biomarker merits further study, particularly in monoclonal gammopathies of renal significance.
Contemporary outcomes of bladder carcinoma in situ treated with an adequate bacille Calmette–Guérin immunotherapy
Authors: Subiela José Daniel , Rodríguez Faba Óscar , Aumatell Júlia , Calderón Julio , Mercadé Asier , Balañà Josep , Esquinas Cristina , Algaba Ferran , Breda Alberto , Palou Joan
Published: August 2021

Objective

To assess whether bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) responsiveness after initiation of an adequate BCG treatment (at least five of six instillations of induction and at least two of three instillations of maintenance) impacts oncological outcomes in patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder treated with BCG immunotherapy.

Patients and Methods

Data were available for 193 patients with bladder CIS with or without associated cTa/cT1 disease who received an adequate BCG treatment between 2008 and 2015. Bladder biopsies were taken at 6 months and patients were then stratified as either BCG responsive (negative biopsies) or BCG unresponsive (positive biopsies). Inverse probability weighting (IPW)‐adjusted Kaplan–Meier and IPW‐adjusted Cox regression were performed to compare progression‐free survival (PFS), radical cystectomy‐free survival (RCFS), overall survival OS, and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) in the two groups.

Results and Limitations

Comparing the BCG‐responsive and BCG‐unresponsive groups, IPW‐adjusted Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed, respectively, a median (interquartile range) of PFS of 9 (5–15) vs 48.5 (28–77) months (P = 0.001), a RCFS of 11 (9–15) vs 49 (24–76) months (P < 0.001), and a CSS of 25 (13–60) vs 109 (78–307) months (P = 0.004). On IPW‐adjusted Cox regression analysis, BCG‐unresponsive patients had a worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59–7.27), RCFS (HR 3.52, 95% CI 1.77–7), and CSS (HR 4.42, 95% CI 1.95–10.01). We found no significant differences for OS.

Conclusion

Using an IPW method we found that lack of response after initiation of an adequate BCG treatment has prognostic implications beyond identification of complete response in patients with CIS. BCG‐unresponsive patients, satisfying the novel definition of BCG unresponsive, showed a poor PFS, RCFS, and CSS. In this setting, the patients should be counselled regarding RC as a first option or enrolled in a clinical trial if they refuse RC or are unfit for surgery.
Exploring the role of climatic niche changes in the evolution of the southern South American genus Baripus (Coleoptera: Carabidae): optimization of non‐hereditary climatic variables and phylogenetic signal measurement
Authors: Agrain Federico A. , Domínguez Cecilia M. , Carrara Rodolfo , Griotti Mariana , Roig‐Juñent Sergio A.
Published: August 2021

Baripus is a ground beetle genus endemic to southern South America, currently distributed across grassland and shrub habitats in mountain and lowland regions. The species of this genus are known to have been affected by the Andean orogeny and the climate changes that occurred during this process. In this study, we seek to understand how the orogeny of the Andes may have led to changes in the climatic niches of the species of Baripus over time. We integrated former ecological and historical biogeographic hypotheses, exploring the use of parsimony optimization of phylogenetically structured climate variables and ancestral character state reconstruction methods. We then performed regression analyses of the optimized climatic niche variables within the phylogenetic tree of Baripus. We were able to infer significant climatic niche constraints, and niche changes that provide new insights to the existing knowledge, supporting former ecological and biogeographic hypotheses for this genus. Such trends in climatic niche could be explained by the rain shadow effect caused by the Andean uplift as well as with other climate shifts associated with temperature and precipitation swings that occurred in this region from the Middle Miocene to the Pliocene.
ShiningNIRlight on ivory: A practical enforcement tool for elephant ivory identification
Authors: Chaitae Apinya , Rittiron Ronnarit , Gordon Iain J. , Marsh Helene , Addison Jane , Pochanagone Suttahatai , Suttanon Nattakan
Published: August 2021

The elephant ivory trade remains controversial because of concerns about the extinction risk of elephants and the different needs of CITES member states. Thailand's situation is particularly contentious because of the different legal status among types of elephant ivory. Thai law allows the local sale of ivory from domesticated Asian elephants, which creates challenges for Thai enforcement officers in identification of ivory provenance. We investigated the capacity of non‐destructive Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy (600–1700 nm), combined with Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS‐DA), to discriminate between ivory from African, wild Asian and domesticated Asian elephants. Ivory spectra of 64 elephants were divided randomly into calibration and validation datasets. We were able to determine elephant ivory provenance at both the interspecies (African and Asian elephant ivory), and within species (wild and domesticated Asian elephant ivory) classifications with 100% accuracy. These results showed the potential use of handheld NIR spectrometers for rapid assessments of ivory provenance, as well as a forensic tool for wider enforcement.
Evobrutinib, a covalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor: Mass balance, elimination route, and metabolism in healthy participants
Authors: Scheible Holger , Dyroff Martin , Seithel‐Keuth Annick , Harrison‐Moench Eleanor , Mammasse Nadra , Port Andreas , Bachmann Angelika , Dong Jennifer , van Lier Jan Jaap , Tracewell William , Mitchell David
Published: August 2021

The highly selective, covalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor evobrutinib is under investigation for treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Early clinical studies in healthy participants and patients with relapsing MS indicated that evobrutinib is well‐tolerated and effective. We undertook a mass balance study in six men who received a single 75‐mg oral dose of evobrutinib containing ~ 3.6 MBq (100 μCi) 14C‐evobrutinib, to determine the absorption, metabolic pathways, and routes of excretion of evobrutinib. The primary objectives of this phase I study (NCT03725072) were to (1) determine the rates and routes of total radioactivity excretion, including the mass balance of total drug‐related radioactivity in urine and feces, (2) assess the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of total radioactivity in blood and plasma, and (3) characterize the plasma PKs of evobrutinib. Exploratory end points included identifying and quantifying evobrutinib and its metabolites in plasma and excreta (urine and feces) and exploring key biotransformation pathways and clearance mechanisms. Evobrutinib was primarily eliminated in feces (arithmetic mean percentage, SD, 71.0, 2.1) and, to a lesser extent, in urine (20.6, 2.0), with most of the total radioactivity (85.3%) excreted in the first 72 h after administration. No unchanged evobrutinib was detected in excreta. Evobrutinib was rapidly absorbed and substantially metabolized upon absorption. Only one major metabolite M463‐2 (MSC2430422) was identified in plasma above the 10% of total drug exposure threshold, which classifies M463‐2 (MSC2430422) as a major metabolite according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; metabolites in safety testing [MIST]) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA; International Conference on Harmonization [ICH] M3). These results support further development of evobrutinib and may help inform subsequent investigations.
Spatial overlap of wildfire and biodiversity in California highlights gap in non‐conifer fire research and management
Authors: Calhoun Kendall L. , Chapman Melissa , Tubbesing Carmen , McInturff Alex , Gaynor Kaitlyn M. , Van Scoyoc Amy , Wilkinson Christine E. , Parker‐Shames Phoebe , Kurz David , Brashares Justin
Published: August 2021

Aim

Global change has spurred the escalation of megafires in California over the last 20 years throughout a variety of ecosystems. Here, we examine the spatial distribution of California wildfires and megafires from the last two decades (2000–2020) in relation to ecosystem types and biodiversity metrics. We offer insights into the prevalence of fire across vegetation types and its potential implications for biodiversity, and for fire and land management. These results challenge the prevailing discourse that wildfire in California is chiefly an issue of forest management.

Location

California, United States of America.

Methods

We calculated burned area across vegetation types from 2000 to 2020 by integrating fire perimeter and land cover data and compared this to a content analysis of coverage of wildfires by media and scientific research across California. We then compared the distribution of fire perimeters across biodiversity metrics (richness and endemism) for five terrestrial taxonomic groups (birds, reptiles, plants, mammals and amphibians) and against the distribution of the wildland‐urban interface (WUI).

Results

Total burned area from 2000 to 2020 was highest in shrubland ecosystems (38%), followed by conifer (36%), hardwood (17%) and grasslands (9%). In aggregate, ecosystems other than conifer make up the majority (64%) of the area burned in wildfires over the last 20 years. Fires most likely to impact endemic species, overlap areas of high species richness or burn within the WUI occurred predominantly in non‐conifer ecosystems.

Main Conclusions

Fires outside of forests have burned biodiverse areas critical to endemic species, but recent research and management in fire ecology continues to focus disproportionately on forests.

Non‐conifer forested areas in California represent an important gap in fire research and management. As fire regimes shift dramatically in the state, other ecosystem types must be part of the wider conversation on fire management and policies to better protect people and biodiversity.
Testing Bergmann's rule in marine copepods
Authors: Campbell Max D. , Schoeman David S. , Venables William , Abu‐Alhaija Rana , Batten Sonia D. , Chiba Sanae , Coman Frank , Davies Claire H. , Edwards Martin , Eriksen Ruth S. , Everett Jason D. , Fukai Yutaka , Fukuchi Mitsuo , Esquivel Garrote Octavio , Hosie Graham , Huggett Jenny A. , Johns David G. , Kitchener John A. , Koubbi Philippe , McEnnulty Felicity R. , Muxagata Erik , Ostle Clare , Robinson Karen V. , Slotwinski Anita , Swadling Kerrie M. , Takahashi Kunio T. , Tonks Mark , Uribe‐Palomino Julian , Verheye Hans M. , Wilson William H. , Worship Marco M. , Yamaguchi Atsushi , Zhang Wuchang , Richardson Anthony J.
Published: August 2021

Macroecological relationships provide insights into rules that govern ecological systems. Bergmann's rule posits that members of the same clade are larger at colder temperatures. Whether temperature drives this relationship is debated because several other potential drivers covary with temperature. We conducted a near‐global comparative analysis on marine copepods (97 830 samples, 388 taxa) to test Bergmann's rule, considering other potential drivers. Supporting Bergmann's rule, we found temperature better predicted size than did latitude or oxygen, with body size decreasing by 43.9% across the temperature range (‐1.7 to 30ºC). Body size also decreased by 26.9% across the range in food availability. Our results provide strong support for Bergman's rule in copepods, but emphasises the importance of other drivers in modifying this pattern. As the world warms, smaller copepod species are likely to emerge as ‘winners', potentially reducing rates of fisheries production and carbon sequestration.
Meta‐heuristic optimization algorithm for predicting software defects
Authors: Elsabagh Mahmoud A. , Farhan Marwa S. , Gafar Mona G.
Published: August 2021

Software engineering companies strive to improve software quality by predicting software defects‐prone modules. Although various data mining methods have been developed, unstable accuracy rates are still critical issues owing to the imbalanced nature and high dimensionality of software defect datasets. To deal with this issue, we propose a spotted hyena, a novel meta‐heuristic optimization algorithm for predicting software defects. Support and confidence in classification rules are the basis of a multi‐objective fitness function that assists the spotted hyena algorithm in serving as a classifier by finding the fittest classification or standard rules among individuals. Experiments were conducted on four NASA software datasets, JM1, KC2, KC1, and PC3. The spotted hyena classifier provides an accuracy of 85.2, 84, 89.6, and 81.8%, respectively, for these datasets. These accuracy rates are better than those achieved using other popular data mining techniques. We also discuss other classification measures in connection with the experimental results, such as precision, recall, and confusion matrices, in connection with the experimental results. Moreover, the Gaussian mixture model is used to study the uncertainty quantification of the proposed classifier. The study proved the feasible performance of the spotted hyena classifier in four different case studies.
Reflections on our efforts to help mental health agencies become more “culturally competent”
Authors: McGoldrick Monica , Hines Paulette M. , Garcia Preto Nydia , Petry Sueli
Published: August 2021

This paper reflects on our decades‐long cultural training experiences, offering details on training efforts we made and considers in hindsight interventions we wish we had been able to implement. The paper describes what we think could be necessary for organizational training/consultation to facilitate the transformation of organizations in the direction of social justice and the delivery of efficient and effective services to a community. We reflect on organizational training to promote cultural competence and social justice. We encourage readers to take the broadest possible perspective on the larger systems issues that tend to undermine such efforts, so they can better achieve their goals for organizational change.
The effect of competency‐based education on clinical performance of health care providers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Imanipour Masoomeh , Ebadi Abbas , Monadi Ziarat Hadiseh , Mohammadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: August 2021

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the effects of competency‐based education on the clinical performance of health care providers.

Background

Having in mind the importance of developing an intervention to enhance the clinical performance of health care providers, the researchers carried out the present study to investigate the effect of competency‐based education on the clinical performance of health care providers.

Methods

This was a systematic review and meta‐analysis carried out by searching six international electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus and Google Scholar, as well as two national electronic databases including IranMedex and SID. The studies relevant to the research aims were included in the study. To assess the quality of the studies, the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool was used.

Results

Based on the random effects model, competency‐based education could enhance the clinical performance of the health care providers in the intervention group compared with that of the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −2.717, 95% CI: −3.722 to −1.712). However, more recent studies have shown that competency‐based education has little effect on clinical performance (β = −.255, 95% CI: −0.319 to −0.192, P < .001).

Conclusion

Competency‐based education can enhance the clinical performance of health care providers. However, there is increasing concern over the attenuation of the positive effect of competency‐based education on the clinical performance of health care providers, which deserves further studies.
Differentiated nursing practice as a catalyst for transformations in nursing: A multiphase qualitative interview study
Authors: Van Kraaij Julia , Lalleman Pieterbas , Walravens Anoesjka , Van Oostveen Catharina ,   RN2Blend consortium
Published: August 2021

Aim

To identify and follow‐up on the transition towards differentiated nursing practice among bachelor trained and vocationally trained nurses in Dutch hospitals.

Design

A multiphase general qualitative interview study.

Methods

Fifty semi‐structured interviews with project managers in charge of introducing differentiated nursing practice to their hospital were conducted. Purposive sampling was used, and data were collected in 2017, 2019 and 2020. A meta‐analysis was conducted after independent primary thematic analysis of each data collection.

Results

The introduction of differentiated nursing practice to Dutch hospitals was perceived as uncertain and ambiguous. Three themes were identified during the transition towards differentiated nursing practice: (1) call to action; (2) sitting and waiting; and (3) new beginnings and open ends. The change to differentiated nursing practice is not straightforward and these findings highlight the emerging awareness among project managers of the nature and complexity of the transition. During the study period, professionalization of the nursing profession was recognized as fundamental in hospital organizations.

Conclusion

Nursing cannot be separated from differentiated nursing practice. Visible leadership is important at all organizational levels and nurses’ opinions must be considered as nurses are essential to such changes in healthcare.

Impact

Differentiated nursing practice based on nursing education allows nurses to make the best use of their experience, skills and competencies, and could promote the provision of effective and high‐quality patient care. However, in many cases, a nurse's practice role is based on their nursing licensure instead of their educational background. The change to differentiated nursing practice in hospitals is not straightforward and the nature and complexity of the transition needs to be acknowledged. Nurses have an important role in healthcare transformation and need to be active in developing and formulating rather than just implementing the changes.
Genomic prediction in a numerically small breed population using prioritized genetic markers from whole‐genome sequence data
Authors: Moghaddar Nasir , Brown Daniel J , Swan Andrew A , Gurman Phillip M , Li Li , van der Werf Julius H
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of genomic prediction of body weight and eating quality traits in a numerically small sheep population (Dorper sheep). Prediction was based on a large multi‐breed/admixed reference population and using (a) 50k or 500k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes, (b) imputed whole‐genome sequencing data (~31 million), (c) selected SNPs from whole genome sequence data and (d) 50k SNP genotypes plus selected SNPs from whole‐genome sequence data. Furthermore, the impact of using a breed‐adjusted genomic relationship matrix on accuracy of genomic breeding value was assessed. The selection of genetic variants was based on an association study performed on imputed whole‐genome sequence data in an independent population, which was chosen either randomly from the base population or according to higher genetic proximity to the target population. Genomic prediction was based on genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP), and the accuracy of genomic prediction was assessed according to the correlation between genomic breeding value and corrected phenotypes divided by the square root of trait heritability. The accuracy of genomic prediction was between 0.20 and 0.30 across different traits based on common 50k SNP genotypes, which improved on average by 0.06 (absolute value) on average based on using prioritized genetic markers from whole‐genome sequence data. Using prioritized genetic markers from a genetically more related GWAS population resulted in slightly higher prediction accuracy (0.02 absolute value) compared to genetic markers derived from a random GWAS population. Using high‐density SNP genotypes or imputed whole‐genome sequence data in GBLUP showed almost no improvement in genomic prediction accuracy however, accounting for different marker allele frequencies in reference population according to a breed‐adjusted GRM resulted to on average 0.024 (absolute value) increase in accuracy of genomic prediction.
Investigation of hydrogel temperature and concentration on tapioca xerogel formation
Authors: Stephen Jaspin , Manoharan Dharini , Boopathy Bhavadharini , Rajan Anbarasan , Radhakrishnan Mahendran
Published: August 2021

This study was aimed to examine the assessment of temperature and concentration on tapioca hydrogel into xerogel formation during sessile drop drying. The processing conditions during gelatinization of tapioca flour had an impact on xerogel characteristics. Various concentrations (5, 7.5, and 10% [wt/vol]) of tapioca flour dispersion were heated at a temperature of 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100°C for developing tapioca xerogel. Pasting parameters and least gelation concentration were investigated to confirm tapioca flour concentration. Contact angle, swelling power, solubility, surface tension, and transmittance were found to test the impact of tapioca hydrogel temperature. Rise in density, swelling power, solubility is due to the good starch‐water binding. The reduction in light transmittance specifies birefringence and crystallinity loss because of disruption of granular structure. Increase in surface tension and contact angle indicates higher gelation of starch. It was concluded that 5% (wt/vol) tapioca flour dispersion gelatinized at 65°C exhibited improved integrity with no deformation and cracks in the xerogel structure.

Practical Applications

Flat packed ready‐to‐cook products with the addition of flavor/seasonings could be utilized as edible snack products like pasta, noodles, and chips. The designed tapioca xerogel can be impregnated with bioactive components in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals. These two‐dimensional flour‐based xerogels have the capability of undergoing three‐dimensional customized shape change during frying/cooking. This emerging technique of food processing could sort out the increased usage of packaging materials, diminishes the transportation cost, and also enhances consumer acceptance.
Assessing compound flooding potential with multivariate statistical models in a complex estuarine system under data constraints
Authors: Santos Víctor M. , Wahl Thomas , Jane Robert , Misra Shubhra K. , White Kathleen D.
Published: August 2021

Compound flooding may result from the interaction of two or more contributing processes, which may not be extreme themselves, but in combination lead to extreme impacts. Here, we use statistical methods to assess compounding effects from storm surge and multiple riverine discharges in Sabine Lake, TX. We employ several trivariate statistical models, including vine‐copulas and a conditional extreme value model, to examine the sensitivity of results to the choice of data pre‐processing steps, statistical model setup, and outliers. We define a response function that represents water levels resulting from the interaction between discharge and surge processes inside Sabine Lake and explore how it is affected by including or ignoring dependencies between the contributing flooding drivers. Our results show that accounting for dependencies leads to water levels that are up to 30 cm higher for a 2% annual exceedance probability (AEP) event and up to 35 cm higher for a 1% AEP event, compared to assuming independence. We also find notable variations in the results across different sampling schemes, multivariate model configurations, and sensitivity to outlier removal. Under data constraints, this highlights the need for testing various statistical modelling approaches, while the choice of an optimal approach remains subjective.
Controlled release and improved stability of vitaminD3within nanoliposomes stabilized by palmitic acid
Authors: Molaveisi Mohammad , Shahidi‐Noghabi Mostafa , Naji‐Tabasi Sara
Published: August 2021

The entrapment of fat‐soluble vitamins in liposomes is an effective technique to protect them from optical and chemical degradation and oxidation. In this study palmitic acid (PA) was incorporated into the liposomal membrane to increase the stability of the nanoliposomes loaded with vitamin D3 (VD3). The liposomal formulations were prepared by the thin‐layer hydration method with different rations of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), cholesterol (CHO), and PA as membrane compounds. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%), particle size, particle size distribution, zeta potential, thermal properties, morphology, stability, antioxidant activity, moisture content, solubility, and in vitro release of nanoliposomes were studied. Results showed that the addition of PA to nanoliposomes in the proportions of 1% increased the EE, stability, antioxidant activity, moisture content, and solubility but reduced their particle size, particle size distribution, and zeta potential. Furthermore, the spectra of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the complex formed between VD3 and PA was a physical interaction. The high release of VD3 (95.4%) in the intestine medium followed the Fickian diffusion mechanism. Generally, the incorporation of PA in nanoliposomes is a promising approach to improve the stability of VD3‐loaded liposomes during storage.