bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-year descriptive analysis of patients treated at an anti-rabies clinic –
a retrospective study from Kashmir
Authors: Bashir Khalid , Haq Inaamul , Khan S Muhammad Salim , Qurieshi Mariya Amin
Published: December 2021

Background

Dog bites in humans are a major public health problem in India in
general and Kashmir in particular. Canine rabies is almost non-existent in
developed countries and exists mainly in the poorer, low socioeconomic
strata of society in the developing world. The objective of this study was
to determine the characteristics, pattern, and burden of dog bite injuries
in the Kashmir valley.

Methodology and principal findings

Data from Anti-Rabies Clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar,
the summer capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, was collated and
analyzed. Analysis of records of all the patients who had reported between
April 2016 and March 2017 was done. A total of 6172 patients had reported to
the Anti-Rabies Clinic for management of animal bites from
1st April 2016 to 31st March
2017. Most of the patients were young males. Almost half (47.7%) of the
patients were bitten in the afternoon. Lower limbs were the most common site
of bite (71.7%). Most of the bites were of Category III (57.6%) followed by
Category II (42.3%); only one case of Category I was recorded. Almost all
(98.0%) cases reported being bitten by dogs.

Conclusions

Category III dog bites on lower limbs are the most common type of animal
bites. Children have more chances of a bite on head and neck region. Serious
and workable efforts have to be made to reduce the incidence and
consequences of animal bites.

Author summary

In Kashmir, dog bite is an important public health problem. Thousands of
people become victims of an animal bite, especially dog bite, and some of
them develop rabies. Rabies is an invariably fatal viral disease resulting
in approximately 59 000 human deaths per year globally, with 95% of cases
occurring in Africa and Asia. The only way to prevent a rabies death is
vaccination of an animal bite victim. In Kashmir, the burden and
characteristics of dog bites are not routinely captured by the health system
in place. We, therefore, attempted to find out the burden and
characteristics of animal bite victims by analyzing one-year data from an
Anti-Rabies Clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir. We found that 98%
of the patients registered at the clinic during the period were victims of a
dog bite. The victims were mostly young males but females and children were
not shown any mercy either. Lower limbs were the most favorite site of the
bite. Our analysis of the data also revealed that children under 15 years
were more prone to a bite in the head and neck region. We concluded that the
burden of animal bites, especially dog bites, is huge in Kashmir and
recommended that serious efforts directed towards immunizing and decreasing
the stray dog population need to be put into practice to decrease the number
of animal bite victims and prevent any rabies deaths.
Are there dynamic productivity gains from agricultural trade?
Authors: Moon Wanki
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The primary purpose of this paper is to take an in-depth look at the question of whether liberalizing trade in agriculture can generate dynamic productivity gains comparable to those in the manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In contrast to the manufacturing sector that has generated firm/plant-level trade data, there is a lack of farm-level trade data that are needed for empirical measurement of dynamic productivity gains. Therefore, the authors use thought experiments to analyze the sequence of events that would occur when trade is liberalized for agriculture; delineate the expected behaviors of the actors involved in the trade and draw inferences about whether there would be dynamic productivity gains from agricultural trade.

Findings

The central finding is that there would be little dynamic gain from agricultural trade at the farm level due to the limited role of producers in shaping their international competitiveness. Yet, agricultural trade may generate dynamic gains if states or input supply corporations respond to the freer trade environment by making more investments for research and development (R&D). Further, when intraindustry prevails, there can be productivity gains at the industry level due to the transfer of resources from less to more efficient farm producers.

Originality/value

The findings of the paper are expected to present insights into value for researchers working in the area of agricultural trade; for agricultural trade policymakers in developing countries and for trade negotiators engaged in reforming or designing World Trade Organization (WTO)’s trade rules for agriculture.
Towards understanding the gender digital divide: a systematic literature review
Authors: Acilar Ali , Sæbø Øystein
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the gender digital divide through the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by reviewing existing knowledge within the field. This paper explores the characteristics and factors contributing to the gender digital divide. To bridge the gender digital divide, it is important to understand the factors behind gender differences in ICT access and use.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) approach. In total, 24 articles were selected and analysed with using PRISMA steps.

Findings

Despite a significant increase in usage of the internet and other ICTs around the world, women, especially in developing countries, tend to be on the wrong side of the digital divide. The results indicate that while there are still gender differences in access to ICT in developing countries, second-level digital divide issues are more of a concern in developed countries. In the literature, several important factors have been identified as being associated with the gender digital divide. The results highlight the importance of implementable policies to bridge the gender digital divide, as well as how sociocultural factors play an important role in explaining the gender digital divide phenomenon.

Originality/value

By identifying the gender digital divide studies’ characteristics and factors contributing to the gender digital divide, the authors provide an overview of the existing research, allowing us to discuss future research needs within the field. The authors argue that more research is needed to understand how to better address the sociocultural factors affecting the gender digital divide, to understand why equal access seems not to result in equal use and, to understand the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gender digital divide.
A critical analysis of the social media policies in Ontario's healthcare system
Authors: Zakkar Moutasem A. , Meyer Samantha B. , Janes Craig R.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Social media has made a revolutionary change in the relationship between the customers and business or service providers by enabling customers to publish and share feedback and views about product or service quality. This revolutionary change has not been echoed in some healthcare systems. This study analyses the social media policies of healthcare regulatory authorities in Ontario and explores how these policies encourage or discourage healthcare professionals' use of social media for collecting patient stories and understanding patient experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used qualitative content analysis to analyse the policy documents, focusing on the manifest themes in these documents. It used convenient sampling to select 12 organizations, including regulating and licensing bodies and health service delivery organizations in Ontario. The authors collected 24 documents from these organizations, including policies, practice standards and social media learning materials.

Findings

In Ontario's healthcare system, social media is perceived as a source of risks to the healthcare professions and professionals. Healthcare regulators emphasize that the codes of conduct and professional standards extend to social media. The study found no systematic recognition of patient stories on social media as a source of information on healthcare quality that can be useful for healthcare professionals.

Originality/value

The study identifies potential unintended consequences of social media policies in the healthcare system and calls for policy and cultural changes to enable the development of safe social media platforms that can facilitate interaction between healthcare providers and patients, when necessary, without the fear of legal consequences or privacy breaches.
Political connections and firm performance in an emerging market context: the mediating effect of sustainability disclosure
Authors: Faisal Faisal , Ridhasyah Rizki , Haryanto Haryanto
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study examines the mediating effect of sustainability disclosure on the relationship between political connections and firm performance from the resource-based view.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of this study was sourced from 888 public companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2016 to 2017. Path analysis and Sobel tests were used to determine the mediating effect of sustainability disclosure.

Findings

The results show that political connections have a positive and significant influence on firm performance. Furthermore, sustainability disclosures mediate the relationship between political connections and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

In the context of developing countries such as Indonesia, managers can make the existence of parties in politically connected companies as a medium to demonstrate their adherence to external stakeholders through the disclosure of sustainability information.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the mediating effect of sustainability disclosure on the relationship between political connections and firm performance, especially in emerging markets. The parties of the politically connected companies use a social responsibility mechanism as a medium that can sustain their operational sustainability whilst gaining long-term economic benefits.
Calibration of impact of attributes in the real estate mass appraisal
Authors: Dmytrów Krzysztof , Kuźmiński Wojciech
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Our research aims in designation of a hybrid approach in the calibration of an attribute impact vector in order to guarantee its completeness in case when other approaches cannot ensure this.

Design/methodology/approach

Real estate mass appraisal aims at valuating a large number of properties by means of a specialised algorithm. We can apply various methods for this purpose. We present the Szczecin Algorithm of Real Estate Mass Appraisal (SAREMA) and the four methods of calibration of an attribute impact vector. Eventually, we present its application on the example of 318 residential properties in Szczecin, Poland.

Findings

We compare the results of appraisals obtained with the application of the hybrid approach with the appraisals obtained for the three remaining ones. If the database is complete and reliable, the econometric and statistical approaches could be recommended because they are based on quantitative measures of relationships between the values of attributes and properties' unit values. However, when the database is incomplete, the expert and, subsequently, hybrid approaches are used as supplementary ones.

Originality/value

The application of the hybrid approach ensures that the calibration system of an attribute impact vector is always complete. This is because it incorporates the expert approach that can be used even if the database excludes application of approaches that are based on quantitative measures of relationship between the unit real estate value and the value of attributes.
Informal learning behaviors, interaction and workplace autonomy and readiness to learn
Authors: Lucena Barbosa Flávia , Borges-Andrade Jairo Eduardo
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to find a measurement model with better evidence of validity, with data extracted from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). To test a parsimonious model in which dispositional and workplace context characteristics are predictors of informal learning behaviors (ILBs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to improve the fit of the PIAAC data measurement model. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the prediction of ILBs by one dispositional variable (Readiness to Learn) and two workplace context variables (Autonomy and Interaction in the Workplace).

Findings

A measurement model emerged with 18 items divided into four factors. The three antecedent variables predicted ILBs. Interaction in the workplace resulted in higher scores, and workplace autonomy resulted in lower scores.

Research limitations/implications

The small number of items for ILBs prevented a more detailed exploration of predictors of different types of these behaviors. ILBs can be stimulated by policies that promote readiness to learn and that encourage the design of environments that require worker interactions and autonomy.

Originality/value

Few studies on ILBs in the workplace have investigated the prediction of dispositional and contextual antecedents based on a theoretical model. The findings herein were obtained using a diverse sample of countries, occupations and generations, allowing better generalization. The importance of interpersonal relationships in the workplace for predicting ILBs was emphasized.
An assessment of the EMAS standard in developing an effective environmental strategy: an analysis of certified companies in Italy
Authors: Murmura Federica , Bravi Laura , Santos Gilberto
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The study provides an overview of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) standard and its potential in helping a company to improve its environmental performance. The work aims to investigate a company's perception towards the implementation of the EMAS environmental management system with the benefits and the critical areas derived from it, the overall assessment of the certification and its possible future developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops an empirical analysis of Italian EMAS III certified companies, through the administration of a questionnaire to all those Italian companies that were EMAS certified and that provided a valid e-mail address on the EMAS register. Overall, 231 Italian companies took part in the survey.

Findings

The results confirm the heterogeneous effects of an Environmental Management System depending on the company profile and highlight the positive influence of certification on environmental management. It emerges how the EMAS certification is approached more for internal reasons, and therefore gives more internal benefits to companies that implement it. Moreover, the time from which companies have been certified turns out to be a relevant factor for obtaining environmental and organizational benefits connected with EMAS certification.

Originality/value

The recent decrease in EMAS registrations has not been sufficiently studied, leaving unsolved questions for scholars, practitioners and policy-makers. Previous studies used a negativist perspective, identifying the barriers that led to the non-renewal of the certification. The present study aims to focus on the positive factors, which have led still active companies to renew the certification.
The Evolution Of Elucidation: The Snowden Cases Before The Investigatory Powers Tribunal
Authors: Keenan Bernard
Published: December 2021

In 2018 the European Court of Human Rights found that the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal is an ‘effective remedy’ when it comes to reviewing the compatibility of the UK's domestic legal framework governing the interception of communication and other communications surveillance powers with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights. In particular, the Court praised the Tribunal's ‘elucidatory function’, which it performed during a series of cases that arose in the aftermath of Edward Snowden's disclosures in 2013. This article analyses and historicises the elucidatory function by comparing it with previous cases where the High Court and the IPT resolved questions of law arising from similar problems. Using insights derived from systems theory, the article argues that the elucidatory function evolved as a containment measure in response to unexpected crises of control over classified information. The procedure resolves conflicts between secrecy, security, and the publicity required by the law itself.
Pivotal role of cheese salting method for the production of 3‐methylbutanal by Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Brandsma Johannes B , Rustandi Natassa , Brinkman Judith , Wolkers‐Rooijackers Judith C M , Zwietering Marcel H , Smid Eddy J
Published: December 2021

The aldehyde 3‐methylbutanal is a key aroma compound for many types of cheeses. Intracellular enzymes of cheese starter cultures are predominantly responsible for the conversion of leucine into 3‐methylbutanal. Environmental conditions during cheese manufacturing also play a role in the production of 3‐methylbutanal. Our work shows that salting has a detrimental effect on the capacity of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DS84445 to produce 3‐methylbutanal. In that respect, a promising way to control the concentration of 3‐methylbutanal is by using a cheese starter culture that produces the aimed level of 3‐methylbutanal before salting starts and preferably when lactose is still available.
Application of machine learning to the monitoring and prediction of food safety: A review
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Bouzembrak Yamine , Lansink AGJM Oude , van der Fels‐Klerx H. J.
Published: December 2021

Machine learning (ML) has proven to be a useful technology for data analysis and modeling in a wide variety of domains, including food science and engineering. The use of ML models for the monitoring and prediction of food safety is growing in recent years. Currently, several studies have reviewed ML applications on foodborne disease and deep learning applications on food. This article presents a literature review on ML applications for monitoring and predicting food safety. The paper summarizes and categorizes ML applications in this domain, categorizes and discusses data types used for ML modeling, and provides suggestions for data sources and input variables for future ML applications. The review is based on three scientific literature databases: Scopus, CAB Abstracts, and IEEE. It includes studies that were published in English in the period from January 1, 2011 to April 1, 2021. Results show that most studies applied Bayesian networks, Neural networks, or Support vector machines. Of the various ML models reviewed, all relevant studies showed high prediction accuracy by the validation process. Based on the ML applications, this article identifies several avenues for future studies applying ML models for the monitoring and prediction of food safety, in addition to providing suggestions for data sources and input variables.
Efficacy and safety of anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 in combination with chemotherapy or not as first‐line treatment for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Liming , Yang Yifan , Yu Jiangyong , Zhang Shuai , Li Xu , Wu Xiaonan , Nie Xin , Liu Wenbo , Zhang Ping , Li Yi , Li Ailing , Ai Bin
Published: December 2021

Background

The aim of this network meta‐analysis (NMA) was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, as first‐line treatment for wild‐type advanced non‐small cell lung cancer.

Methods

We systematically searched databases, Clinical Trial.gov and included randomized clinical trials focusing on advanced NSCLC using PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors as first‐line treatment. Hazard ratio for overall survival and progression‐free survival, odds ratio for any‐cause high‐adverse events (grade 3 or higher) were documented according to Bayesian NMA. Subgroup analysis was performed according to PD‐L1 level and histology.

Results

Thirteen trials including 9154 patients were included. In the PD‐L1 nonselective cohort, chemotherapy in combination with pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, respectively, were significantly better than any other treatment strategies in both OS benefit (HR = 0.63; HR = 0.85) and PFS benefit (HR = 0.52; HR = 0.63). In subgroup analysis, pembrolizumab appeared to provide the best OS benefit (HR = 0.67) as well as the best PFS benefit (HR = 0.67) in the PD‐L1 ≥ 50% cohort. In contrast, pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy exhibited the best OS benefit in the PD‐L1 < 50% cohort. Furthermore, OS benefit from pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy was more obvious in nonsquamous patients (HR = 0.56). Additionally, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy was associated with fewer adverse events than other chemotherapy combination strategies.

Conclusions

In the first‐line treatment, chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab or atezolizumab could enhance efficacy compared with chemotherapy alone or other PD‐1/L1‐based treatment strategies, especially in the nonsquamous population. Furthermore, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy guarantees reliable security simultaneously, which may be the optimal treatment strategy for patients with major advanced NSCLC.
“Split” combined subsegmentectomy: A case series
Authors: Hong Ruopeng , Chen Chun , Zheng Wei , Zheng Bin , Xu Chi , Xu Guobing
Published: December 2021

Background

Clinically, some specific pulmonary nodules have safe resection margins that are located in multiple subsegments in the center of lung lobe. It is therefore difficult to ensure the resection margins through conventional combined subsegmentectomy or wedge resection, and thus lobectomy is required. For these types of pulmonary nodules, “split” operation was performed to fully inflate the reserved lung tissues on both sides. This study aimed to preliminarily assess the feasibility and safety of “split” operation.

Methods

Cases with these types of pulmonary nodules were selected. Some of the cases were subjected to “split” operation and the operation conditions, including operation time, bleeding amount, length of hospital stay, computed tomography (CT) reexaminations, and pulmonary function, were analyzed.

Results

The “split” operation was performed and successfully completed for seven patients. There was no case of conversion to thoracotomy and the median operation time, bleeding amount, and length of hospital stay were 219 min, 30.0 ml, and 4 days, respectively. No death or pulmonary complications such as pulmonary infection, lung torsion, and bronchopleural fistula occurred, and only one patient had incision fat liquefaction. After 3 months, the median percentage of preserved pulmonary function was 85.8% and a CT scan showed that the reserved lung tissues of the seven patients were well inflated and without obvious imaging findings of atelectasis.

Conclusion

“Split” combined subsegmentectomy can be used as a new and safe operative method for deep pulmonary nodules with safe resection margins involving multiple subsegments in the center of the lung lobe.
Bulk arthropod abundance, biomass and diversity estimation using deep learning for computer vision
Authors: Schneider Stefan , Taylor Graham W. , Kremer Stefan C. , Burgess Patrick , McGroarty Jillian , Mitsui Kyomi , Zhuang Alex , deWaard Jeremy R. , Fryxell John M.
Published: December 2021

Arthropod abundance, biomass and taxonomic diversity are key metrics often used to assess the efficacy of restoration efforts. Gathering these metrics is a slow and laborious process, quantified by an expert manually sorting and weighing arthropod specimens. We present a tool to accelerate bulk arthropod classification and biomass estimates utilizing machine learning methods for computer vision.

Our approach requires pre‐sorted arthropod samples to create a training dataset. We construct a dataset considering 18 terrestrial arthropod functional groups collected in southern Ontario, Canada. The dataset contains 517 high‐resolution images with approximately 20 individuals per image taken from either a petri dish or a bulk tray. Our tool uses the watershed algorithm to obtain precisely cropped individuals without any object annotations. After manually sorting cropped images of biological ‘debris’ and petri dish edges, three classifiers, DenseNet121, ResNet101 and MobileNetv2, each with trade‐offs of computational efficiency versus accuracy, are trained and compared to predict arthropod functional groups for each cropped individual. To calculate biomass, we compare seven linear and nonlinear models considering the arthropod pixel masks obtained using the watershed algorithm, in combination with images of a single function group with recorded weights, to calculate the per pixel density per functional group.

From our experimentation, we recommend using DenseNet121 as it had the highest top‐1 functional group classification accuracy, likely a result of being the model with the largest number of parameters, with 86.14% considering the 20 labelled classes (18 arthropods plus debris and petri dish edge) in comparison to ResNet101 (85.10%) and MobileNetv2 (84.94%). For biomass estimation, we recommend using the average per pixel density which had the highest ranked performance considering both total error, 0.043 g (0.855% error), and cumulative class‐specific error, 1.62 g (40.67% average error across all classes), in comparison to the total ground truth biomass of 5.10 g. Our estimated Simpson's Index of Diversity was 0.9404 in comparison to the ground truth 0.9408.

Our method simultaneously classifies >1,000 arthropods to functional groupings while estimating total and class specific biomass, without any computer vision bounding box or mask annotations, all from a single photo. We release our code and dataset to further research efforts in computer vision for arthropod classification.
Central venous catheter‐related complications in hematologic patients: An observational study
Authors: Rockholt Mika M. , Thorarinsdottir Hulda R. , Lazarevic Vladimir , Rundgren Malin , Kander Thomas
Published: December 2021

Background

The frequency of central venous catheter (CVC)‐related complications in hematologic patients has previously been studied but some uncertainty remains. Therefore, this observational cohort study was designed primarily to investigate mechanical and infectious complications related to CVC insertion in hematologic patients and secondarily to identify factors associated with these complications.

Methods

Documented data on CVC insertions in all adult hematologic patients who received a CVC from 2013 to 2019 at a University Hospital in Sweden were retrospectively collected.

Results

A total of 589 CVC insertions in 387 patients were included. The prevalence of moderate and severe mechanical complications, predominantly comprising grades 2–4 bleeding, was 11%. Preprocedural coagulopathy, number of needle passes, and arterial puncture were all independently associated with grades 2–4 bleeding. The incidence of suspected catheter‐related infections (sCRI) was 3.7/1000 catheter days. Higher body mass index and male gender were independently associated with sCRI.

Conclusions

Patients with hematologic malignancies have a high risk of both grades 2–4 bleeding and sCRI after CVC insertion. This underlines the importance of optimizing the conditions at the insertion and also of daily inspections, evaluation of future needs, and extra precautions to avoid sCRI in these susceptible patients.
Letter: hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B—the chicken‐and‐egg conundrum
Authors: Huang Shang‐Chin , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Zheng et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16595 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16698
Editorial: rumination—more frequent than previously thought. Authors’ reply
Authors: Zand Irani Mudar , Talley Nicholas J.
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Zand Irani et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16630 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16660
A nationwide cohort study of the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Sweden from 1990 to 2014
Authors: Forss Anders , Clements Mark , Bergman David , Roelstraete Bjorn , Kaplan Gilaad G. , Myrelid Pär , Halfvarson Jonas , Olén Ola , Ludvigsson Jonas F.
Published: December 2021

Background

Epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent incidence rates (IRs) for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aim

To assess the incidence and temporal trends of IBD in Sweden.

Methods

Nationwide cohort study based on diagnostic codes for IBD and biopsy reports registered through the ESPRESSO cohort in 1990‐2014. Age‐specific and age‐standardised IRs and cumulative incidence were calculated.

Results

Overall, we identified 65 908 cases of incident IBD: ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 38 261, 58%), Crohn’s disease (CD, n = 18 577, 28%) and IBD‐U (n = 9070, 14%). During 1990‐2014, the overall IRs per 100 000 person‐years were 29.0 (95% CI: 27.3‐30.7) for IBD, 16.9 (15.9‐17.9) for UC, and 8.1 (7.7‐8.6) for CD. For IBD‐U, the IR was 5.2 (4.9‐5.6) in 2002‐2014. The annual incidence of IBD, UC and CD increased by approximately 7% per year between 1990 and 2001 (P < 0.001) and then decreased by 1%‐2% per year from 2002 onwards (P < 0.001). IRs for IBD, UC and IBD‐U were higher in males while the IR for CD was higher in females. The lifetime risk of IBD was about 2.5% for both sexes.

Conclusions

In Sweden, the incidence of IBD in all subtypes increased in 1990‐2001 but has since declined. One in 40 individuals is expected to be diagnosed with IBD during their lifetime.
Assessment of adherence, treatment satisfaction and knowledge of direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients
Authors: Moudallel Souad , van Laere Sven , Cornu Pieter , Dupont Alain , Steurbaut Stephane
Published: December 2021

Aims

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. However, little is known about the association between medication adherence, patient satisfaction and treatment knowledge. The objective was to determine patients' DOAC adherence and their treatment satisfaction over time. Furthermore, we respectively investigated possible associations of treatment satisfaction and treatment knowledge in relation to adherence.

Methods

Longitudinal study conducted in atrial fibrillation patients hospitalized in 2019 in a tertiary university hospital. DOAC adherence, treatment satisfaction and knowledge were assessed with validated questionnaires. Mixed effects logistic regression was modelled to investigate the effect of both treatment satisfaction and knowledge on DOAC adherence over time.

Results

In total, 164 patients participated of whom 128 and 101 patients could be recontacted after a period of, respectively, 3 (first contact) and 6 months (second contact) to assess adherence and treatment satisfaction. Suboptimal adherence was observed in 40.6% of the patients after 3 months and in 42.6% after 6 months (P = .78). There was no significant difference (P = .29) in the total score for treatment satisfaction between the first (79.2%) and the second contact (80.6%). DOAC adherence was not affected by time (P = .71) nor by total knowledge score (P = .61) or treatment satisfaction score (P = .34). Nonetheless, a strong correlation between treatment satisfaction and knowledge was found (P = .004).

Conclusion

DOAC adherence was suboptimal. Treatment satisfaction and knowledge were not associated with DOAC adherence over a 6‐month period. Knowledge gaps were identified that could be remediated through patient education and follow‐up.
Utilisation of Tectona grandis (teak) leaf extracts as natural hair dyes
Authors: Tibkawin Natthawadee , Suphrom Nungruthai , Nuengchamnong Nitra , Khorana Nantaka , Charoensit Pensri
Published: December 2021

There is now a preference for hair dye products containing natural dyes because they are safer for human use. Teak leaves contain flavonoids, anthraquinones and naphthoquinones, and their extracts can be used as natural dyes. The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of teak leaf extracts as natural hair dyes. This research was carried out on both young and mature teak leaves that were extracted either with water or with ethanol‐water mixtures using the decoction method. The colour substances in the extracts were studied by quantifying the flavonoid and anthraquinone content, and identified using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS); the colour values were measured with the CIELab system. The solubility, stability and hair dyeing efficacy of the extracts were assessed. The results showed that young leaf extract is redder with a higher total flavonoid content than mature leaf extract. Fifty percent ethanol was the best solvent for extracting the high flavonoids from teak leaves. Polysorbate 20 significantly increased the water solubility of both young and mature leaf extracts. Hair dyed with young leaf extract became reddish brown, while hair dyed with mature leaf extract became brown. Stability testing found some flavonoid degradation of the extracts, but only slight colour changes occurred in the extracts. The LC‐MS profiles showed high‐intensity flavonoid peaks that could be applied to control the colour quality of the extracts with other parameters. These results demonstrate that teak leaf extracts are effective natural hair dyes that can be used in the development of hair dye products.
Brain responses during auditory word recognition vary with reading ability in Chinese school‐age children
Authors: Zou Lijuan , Xia Zhichao , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xianglin , Shu Hua
Published: December 2021

While the close relationship between the brain system for speech processing and reading development is well‐documented in alphabetic languages, whether and how such a link exists in children in a language without systematic grapheme‐phoneme correspondence has not been directly investigated. In the present study, we measured Chinese children's brain activation during an auditory lexical decision task with functional magnetic resonance imaging. The results showed that brain areas distributed across the temporal and frontal lobes activated during spoken word recognition. In addition, the left occipitotemporal cortex (OTC) was recruited, especially under the real word condition, thus confirming the involvement of this orthographic‐related area in spoken language processing in Chinese children. Importantly, activation of the left temporoparietal cortex (TPC) in response to words and pseudowords was positively correlated with children's reading ability, thus supporting the salient role phonological processing plays in Chinese reading in the developing brain. Furthermore, children with higher reading scores also increasingly recruited the left anterior OTC to make decisions on the lexical status of pseudowords, indicating that higher‐skill children tend to search abstract lexical representations more deeply than lower‐skill children in deciding whether spoken syllables are real. In contrast, the precuneus was more related to trial‐by‐trial reaction time in lower‐skill children, suggesting that effort‐related neural systems differ among pupils with varying reading abilities. Taken together, these findings suggest a strong link between the neural correlates of speech processing and reading ability in Chinese children, thus supporting a universal basis underlying reading development across languages.
Trends in basal insulin prescribing in older adults with chronic kidney disease in Ontario, Canada: A population‐based analysis from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Clemens Kristin K. , Ouédraogo Alexandra M. , Lam Melody , Muanda Flory Tsobo , Loeschnik Emma , Wilk Piotr , Shariff Salimah Z.
Published: December 2021

Aim

To examine trends in basal insulin prescribing in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods

We conducted a population‐based study of adults aged 66 years or older with treated diabetes from 1 January 2010 to 30 September 2020 in Ontario, Canada. We examined prevalent and incident prescriptions for human NPH, Levemir, glargine‐100, Basaglar, glargine‐300, and degludec insulin over 43 study intervals. We present trends in those with CKD, and in a subgroup, by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). To provide context for prescribing, we provide demographics, co‐morbidities, and the healthcare utilization of included patients.

Results

In CKD, use of basal insulin was about 2‐fold higher than in the general treated diabetes cohort. Prescriptions for NPH declined over time, while prescriptions for Levemir and glargine‐100 increased until 2018 then decreased. Following drug formulary approval (September 2018), prescriptions for glargine‐300 and degludec increased substantially. Incident prescriptions for basal insulin in CKD declined over time; however, in those with an eGFR of less than 30 ml/min/1.73m2, rates remained stable. In recent years, rates of degludec and glargine‐300 have rivalled glargine‐100.

Conclusions

In an era of new oral and injectable diabetes medications, the use of basal insulin has declined in older adults with CKD. However, in those with more advanced CKD, basal insulin, particularly newer analogues, remain a mainstay treatment.
Pricing art and the art of pricing: On returns and risk in art auction markets
Authors: Li Yuexin , Ma Marshall Xiaoyin , Renneboog Luc
Published: December 2021

We study price determinants and investment performance of art using a vast sample of transactions worldwide over the past 60 years. We focus on paintings and drawings which have appreciated at a real (nominal) annual return of 2.49% (6.24%). Higher art returns are reached for paintings at the high end of the price distribution, oil paintings, more recent art movements and transactions by reputable auction houses. The risk–return trade‐off of paintings underperforms that of other passion investments. Paintings' Sharpe ratios are below those of stocks, bonds and gold but outperform those of commodities and real estate. Investments in paintings enter the optimal investment portfolio.
Time series reversal in trend‐following strategies
Authors: Liu Jiadong , Papailias Fotis
Published: December 2021

This paper empirically studies the reversal pattern following the formation of trend‐following signals in the time series context. This reversal pattern is statistically significant and usually occurs between 12 and 24 months after the formation of trend‐following signals. Employing a universe of 55 liquid futures, we find that instruments with sell signals in the trend‐following portfolio (‘losers’) contribute to this type of reversal, even if their profits are not realised. The instruments with buy signals in the trend‐following portfolio (‘winners’) contribute much less. A double‐sorted investment strategy based on both return continuation and reversal yields to portfolio gains which are significantly higher than that of the corresponding trend‐following strategy.
Effects of a brief parenting intervention on Latinx mothers and their children
Authors: Mills Abigail L. , Lopez Mader Luisa , Burke Lefever Jennifer , Nuttall Amy K. , Bigelow Kathryn , Carta Judith J. , Borkowski John G.
Published: December 2021

Parent‐Child Interactions (PCI) is a home visit parenting intervention designed to promote positive parenting and deter punitive approaches to child behavior management. With attention to the importance of providing efficacious interventions for families from diverse backgrounds, this study used a subsample from a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the efficacy of PCI intervention among Latinx participants. PCI was offered to 170 at‐risk Latinx mother–child dyads, of whom the majority were primarily Spanish speaking. Dyads were randomly assigned to an intervention or a wait‐list control condition. Path analysis modeling was used to examine parenting outcomes as a mediator of program efficacy between group assignment and children's long‐term functioning. Results suggest that Latinx parent and child functioning benefited from PCI intervention 6 months following intervention. Specifically, model results indicated significant indirect effects of the PCI intervention on (1) cooperative child behavior and (2) children's externalizing behaviors 6‐months posttreatment via parenting at post test, with mother–child dyads assigned to the treatment condition, relative to the control, demonstrating better functioning 6‐months posttreatment. Overall, findings contribute to increased understanding of parenting intervention implementation among Latinx families.

Recommendations for future study are discussed.
Contrasting drivers of belowground nitrogen cycling in a montane grassland exposed to a multifactorial global change experiment with elevated CO2, warming, and drought
Authors: Maxwell Tania L. , Canarini Alberto , Bogdanovic Ivana , Böckle Theresa , Martin Victoria , Noll Lisa , Prommer Judith , Séneca Joana , Simon Eva , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Herndl Markus , Pötsch Erich M. , Kaiser Christina , Richter Andreas , Bahn Michael , Wanek Wolfgang
Published: December 2021

Depolymerization of high‐molecular weight organic nitrogen (N) represents the major bottleneck of soil N cycling and yet is poorly understood compared to the subsequent inorganic N processes. Given the importance of organic N cycling and the rise of global change, we investigated the responses of soil protein depolymerization and microbial amino acid consumption to increased temperature, elevated atmospheric CO2, and drought. The study was conducted in a global change facility in a managed montane grassland in Austria, where elevated CO2 (eCO2) and elevated temperature (eT) were stimulated for 4 years, and were combined with a drought event. Gross protein depolymerization and microbial amino acid consumption rates (alongside with gross organic N mineralization and nitrification) were measured using 15N isotope pool dilution techniques. Whereas eCO2 showed no individual effect, eT had distinct effects which were modulated by season, with a negative effect of eT on soil organic N process rates in spring, neutral effects in summer, and positive effects in fall. We attribute this to a combination of changes in substrate availability and seasonal temperature changes. Drought led to a doubling of organic N process rates, which returned to rates found under ambient conditions within 3 months after rewetting. Notably, we observed a shift in the control of soil protein depolymerization, from plant substrate controls under continuous environmental change drivers (eT and eCO2) to controls via microbial turnover and soil organic N availability under the pulse disturbance (drought). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which analyzed the individual versus combined effects of multiple global change factors and of seasonality on soil organic N processes and thereby strongly contributes to our understanding of terrestrial N cycling in a future world.
Comparative study on composite buckwheat dough and steamed bread modified by transglutaminase and ascorbic acid
Authors: Zheng Qianna , Wei Teng , Song Yan , Guo Xin , Jiang Hao , Zhang Guoquan
Published: December 2021

The effects of transglutaminase (TGase) and ascorbic acid (AA) on the processing properties of composite buckwheat dough (CBD) and composite buckwheat steamed bread were investigated in this study. Both TGase and AA significantly enhanced the peak and trough viscosity of CBD. With the addition of TGase or AA, storage modulus (G′) and viscous modulus (G″) of CBD increased first and then decreased, which was corroborated by data on protein secondary structure. Results revealed TGase and AA promoted protein crosslinking, and that TGase led to a more continuous, smoother dough structure than did AA. TGase and AA strongly affected hardness, adhesiveness and cohesiveness of CBD with a positive aspect. Compared with the steamed bread made with pure buckwheat, that made with composite buckwheat flour with TGase or AA had significantly lower hardness and gumminess rates within 30–60 min but no significant results were noted within 0–30 min.
Evaluating the agreement between children and their parents on dental pain in children using the self‐reported method
Authors: Brilhante Vitória Oliveira Magalhães , Costa Luciane Rezende , Corrêa‐Faria Patrícia
Published: December 2021

Background

Having preschool children evaluate their dental pain can provide an additional insight into pain diagnoses and improve patient‐centered care. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between self‐reported dental pain by preschoolers and their parents' report (proxy measure).

Design

This cross‐sectional study was conducted with children aged 4 to 6 years, and with one of their parents. Dental pain was reported using the Simplified Faces Pain Scale (S‐FPS) and administered before the dental consultation. Dental pain was assessed using closed‐ended questions, and a three‐face scale was used to determine pain severity. The kappa and weighted kappa tests were used to evaluate the agreement between the children's self‐report and their parents' report.

Results

A total of 198 child‐parent dyads participated. Current child dental pain was reported by 44.4% of the children and 36.9% of the parents. Severe pain was reported most frequently between children (17.1%) and parents (16.2%). The agreement on the severity of dental pain ranged from substantial (children aged 6 years and parents: weighted kappa = 0.372) to moderate (4‐year‐olds: 0.412; 5‐year‐olds: 0.453).

Conclusion

Children and parents agreed on the child's dental pain. The use of the S‐FPS among younger children appears valid and feasible for assessing dental pain.
Community participation in adults with autism: A systematic review
Authors: Cameron Lauren A. , Borland Ross L. , Tonge Bruce J. , Gray Kylie M.
Published: December 2021

Background

This systematic review aimed to explore how adults with autism participate in the community, the impact of community participation on quality of life and mental health, and factors that support and hinder participation.

Method

A systematic review was conducted including studies published from inception to 17 January 2021.

Results

Sixty‐three reports were included, reporting on 58 studies. Solitary activities, organised group activities, community activities, religious groups and online social participation were identified. The relationship between community participation and quality of life was examined. Barriers and facilitators to increased community participation were identified. Most studies had a moderate to high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Adults with autism participate in a range of independent and community activities. The impact of community participation on quality of life and mental health warrants further exploration. Future studies should find effective ways of supporting adults with autism to participate in the community.