bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment patterns and long‐term survival outcomes for patients with stage III non‐small cell lung cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Kumari Seema , Karikios Deme , Yeghiaian‐Alvandi Roland , Flynn Peter , Morgan Lucy , Kay Lisa , Ding Pei
Published: February 2023

Aim

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in Australia with poor long‐term survival outcomes. Stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a highly heterogenous group with diverse tumor characteristics and multiple, possible treatment options. We present retrospective data on patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and long‐term outcomes in stage III NSCLC patients treated at a single cancer center in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

Stage III NSCLC patients were identified from the ‘Nepean Cancer Research Biobank’. Patient demographics, cancer‐related information, and long‐term follow‐up data were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 88 patients were eligible for analysis with 61% of them diagnosed as stage IIIA, 35% IIIB, and 4% IIIC. Induction chemotherapy was administered in 20% of the patients. Overall, 48% of the study population underwent surgery, and 38% underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Both median progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS) were superior in stage IIIA patients in comparison to stage IIIB (and IIIC) patients (22 vs. 11 months, p = .018; and 58 vs. 19 months, p = .048, respectively). Patients who were younger (<65 years old), good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS <2), and females had better prognosis on univariate analysis. There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward better median OS with CCRT in comparison to surgery (58 vs. 37 months, p = .87).

Conclusions

Long‐term outcomes remain poor, and hence better treatment strategies are urgently needed in stage III NSCLC. Equally, more robust, prospective studies would help delineate the optimal treatment modality in these patients.
Novel predictors of mortality in emergency bowel surgery: a single‐centre cohort study
Authors: Darbyshire A. R. , Kostakis I. , Meredith P. , Toh S. K. C. , Prytherch D. , Briggs J.
Published: February 2023

Pre‐operative risk stratification is a key part of the care pathway for emergency bowel surgery, as it facilitates the identification of high‐risk patients. Several novel risk scores have recently been published that are designed to identify patients who are frail or significantly unwell. They can also be calculated pre‐operatively from routinely collected clinical data. This study aimed to investigate the ability of these scores to predict 30‐day mortality after emergency bowel surgery. A single centre cohort study was performed using our local data from the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit database. Further data were extracted from electronic hospital records (n = 1508). The National Early Warning Score, Laboratory Decision Tree Early Warning Score and Hospital Frailty Risk Score were then calculated. The most abnormal National or Laboratory Decision Tree Early Warning Score in the 24 or 72 h before surgery was used in analysis. Individual scores were reasonable predictors of mortality (c‐statistic 0.699–0.740) but all were poorly calibrated. A National Early Warning Score ≥ 4 was associated with a high overall mortality rate (> 10%). A logistic regression model was developed using age, National Early Warning Score, Laboratory Decision Tree Early Warning Score and Hospital Frailty Risk Score as predictor variables, and its performance compared with other established risk models. The model demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (c‐statistic 0.827) but was marginally outperformed by the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit score (c‐statistic 0.861). All other models compared performed less well (c‐statistics 0.734–0.808). Pre‐operative patient vital signs, blood tests and markers of frailty can be used to accurately predict the risk of 30‐day mortality after emergency bowel surgery.
A measure of positive and negative perception of migration: Development and psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Perception of Immigrants Scale (PANPIS)
Authors: Panno Angelo , Pellegrini Valerio , De Cristofaro Valeria , Donati Maria Anna
Published: February 2023

This paper reports the validation and psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Perception of Immigrants Scale (PANPIS)—a new measure to assess positive and negative attitude towards immigrants. Across two studies (
N
= 956), the psychometric evidence of the PANPIS is presented. As expected, exploratory factor analysis suggested a two factors and 14‐item structure, which was ratified using a confirmatory factor analysis. Corroboration of the measure's robustness was provided by a multigroup‐CFA, which yielded evidence for the gender invariance of the measure (Study 1). Study 2 showed measurement invariance of the online version with respect to the paper‐and‐pencil version. Reliability, discriminant, and criterion validities were examined across Studies 1 and 2 showing satisfactory results for both paper‐and‐pencil and online versions, respectively. These results suggest that the PANPIS is a psychometrically sound measure having the distinctive characteristic to simultaneously investigate prejudice by capturing both positive and negative attitudes towards immigrants.
Teacher well‐being and turnover intentions: Investigating the roles of job resources and job demands
Authors: Collie Rebecca J.
Published: February 2023

Background

Identifying factors implicated in teachers' well‐being and turnover intentions is important for driving research, policy, and practice to better support teachers in their work.

Aims

This study examined the role of three job resources (autonomy‐supportive leadership, relatedness with colleagues and students) and three job demands (autonomy‐thwarting leadership, time pressure, disruptive student behaviour) in relation to teacher well‐being (subjective vitality, behavioural engagement, professional growth) and turnover intentions.

Sample

Participants were 426 Australian school teachers.

Methods

Structural equation modelling was used to examine main associations and interactions among factors. Teachers' characteristics (gender, teaching experience and educational qualification) and personality factors served as controls in all analyses.

Results

The job resources were generally positively associated with the well‐being factors, whereas time pressure was negatively associated with vitality, but positively associated with behavioural engagement. In addition, relatedness with colleagues and subjective vitality were negatively associated with turnover intentions, whereas the reverse was true for autonomy‐thwarting leadership and time pressure. There were no interaction terms retained in the final model.

Conclusion

Taken together, findings yield understanding about the salient resources and demands in relation to teachers' well‐being and turnover intentions (beyond the role of background characteristics and personality factors).
Prevalence and trajectories of subjective cognitive complaints and implications for patient outcomes: A prospective study of haemodialysis patients
Authors: Chan Frederick H. F. , Newman Stanton , Khan Behram A. , Griva Konstadina
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Cognitive impairment is common in haemodialysis patients and is associated with increased hospitalization and mortality. However, subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs), the self‐experienced difficulties in everyday cognitive activities, remain poorly understood. This study examined the prevalence and course of SCCs in haemodialysis patients and its longitudinal associations with sociodemographic, clinical and patient‐reported variables.

Design

Observational prospective study with baseline and 12‐month follow‐up assessment.

Methods

Based on a validated cut‐off point on the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Cognitive Function subscale, haemodialysis patients (N = 159; 40.3% female, mean age 53.62) were classified into cognitive complaint trajectories: (1) resilient (60.4%; no/low SCCs throughout); (2) persistent (8.8%; stable high SCCs); (3) deterioration (17.6%; from no/low to high SCCs); and (4) recovery (13.2%; from high to no/low SCCs). Sociodemographic/clinical characteristics, self‐efficacy, self‐management skills, adherence, mood and biochemical assays were measured at both assessments and compared among trajectories using mixed ANOVAs.

Results

Interaction effects indicated significant improvements in the recovery group in clinical outcomes (i.e., decreased phosphorus and calcium‐phosphorus product), self‐efficacy and mood over time. Group effects indicated significantly poorer self‐efficacy, self‐management skills and adherence in the persistent group than other trajectories across both assessments. None of the sociodemographic/clinical characteristics was associated with SCC trajectories.

Conclusions

The extent of SCCs vary over time across haemodialysis patients. Routine screening of SCCs in dialysis settings may help identifying patients at risk of poor self‐management and worse prognosis. Strategies that compensate for cognitive lapses may mitigate the perceived cognitive burden of this population.
Validation of the ‘Pelvic Pain Map’: a new self‐assessment tool for chronic pelvic pain localisation
Authors: Aibel Kelli , Moldwin Robert
Published: February 2023

Objective

To develop and validate the Pelvic Pain Map to fill a gap in the need for a localised body map of the pelvic region.

Patients and Methods

The Pelvic Pain Map incorporated input from 12 chronic pelvic pain experts across the United States, as well as patient feedback to assess face validity. Finalised diagrams are single, front‐facing images of the male and female pelvis that incorporate both abdominal and perineal views. Assessment of test–retest reliability and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity was carried out on a retrospective cohort of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) who completed the maps from January 2022 to May 2022. Other measures used in the validation process consisted of the male and female forms of the Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI) and the short form (six item) of the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS‐6).

Results

Test–retest for individual map zones demonstrated moderate to excellent reliability (Cohen's kappa coefficients ranging from 0.28 to 0.64) and for total map zones demonstrated excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.90). Convergent validity for individual map zones with location descriptors from the GUPI was strong (phi coefficients ranging from 0.26 to 0.79) and for total map zones was moderate (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.56). Discriminant validity for total map zones with separate, but related constructs from the GUPI and PCS‐6 was weakly positive (Spearman's correlation coefficients ranging from 0.27 to 0.32).

Conclusion

This study suggests that the Pelvic Pain Map is a valid and reliable tool for assessing location of pain in patients with CPPS. Our findings highlight the potential utility of the Pelvic Pain Map in guiding treatment selection and monitoring therapeutic response in patients with chronic pelvic pain.
Manager‐specific shocks, financial constraints and conglomerate merger
Authors: Hong Jieying , Zhang Rui
Published: February 2023

We provide a theory to identify a new benefit for conglomerate mergers. In this paper, projects are subject to manager‐specific shocks. Bringing projects under the same top management in a conglomerate increases the correlation of shocks. We show that this positive correlation, in contrast to traditional wisdom, enhances a firm's ability to relax financial constraints. This is because common managerial shocks help conglomerates better take advantage of cross‐pledging possibilities. This paper also contributes to the literature by providing one of the first studies to emphasize the role of manager‐specific shocks in shaping a firm's choice to be a conglomerate or standalone.
Setting research priorities for effective management of a threatened ecosystem: Australian alpine and subalpine peatland
Authors: Rowland Jessica A. , Walsh Jessica C. , Beitzel Matthew , Brawata Renee , Brown Daniel , Chalmers Linden , Evans Lisa , Eyles Kathryn , Gibbs Rob , Grover Samantha , Grundy Shane , Harris Rebecca M. B. , Haywood Shayne , Hilton Mairi , Hope Geoffrey , Keaney Ben , Keatley Marie , Keith David A. , Lawrence Ruth , Lutz Maiko L. , MacDonald Trish , MacPhee Elizabeth , McLean Nina , Powell Susan , Robledo‐Ruiz Diana A. , Sato Chloe F. , Schroder Mel , Silvester Ewen , Tolsma Arn , Western Andrew W. , Whinam Jennie , White Matthew , Wild Anita , Williams Richard J. , Wright Genevieve , Young Wade , Moore Joslin L.
Published: February 2023

Threatened ecosystem conservation requires an understanding of the effectiveness of management and the challenges hindering successful protection and recovery. Bringing together researchers, land managers and policymakers to identify key threats, management needs, and knowledge gaps provides a unified account of the evidence and tools needed to improve threatened ecosystem management. We undertook a research prioritization process for Australian alpine and subalpine peatlands with experts across policy, research, and management. Through individual interviews, structured group discussions, and voting, we generated 25 priority research questions that, if addressed, would enhance our capacity to conserve peatlands. Knowledge gaps spanned four topics: understanding peatland dynamics, impacts of threats, methods to manage these, and the effectiveness of management. Consistent monitoring standards, an open‐access knowledge platform and commitment to long‐term joint research and management were identified as vital. This collaboration enabled development of a shared agenda of research priorities to target knowledge gaps for informing policy and management of threatened alpine peatlands. Our findings substantiate the importance of stronger ongoing collaboration among researchers, land managers and policymakers across jurisdictions to support conservation.
YAP1::MAML2 fusions in poromatosis: A report of two patients
Authors: Mitsui Yasuhiro , Ogawa Kohei , Goto Keisuke , Fujii Tomomi , Nakamura‐Nishimura Yuki , Mashiba Kumi , Asada Hideo
Published: February 2023

Poromatosis is a rare condition characterized by the development of multiple poromas, mainly reported in patients with a history of malignancy. Recently, frequent YAP1::MAML2 and YAP1::NUTM1 fusions have been described in poromas and porocarcinomas. To date, the molecular features of poromatosis have been investigated in one patient only, wherein the poromas harbored YAP1::MAML2 fusions. Herein, we present two additional cases of poromatosis with YAP1::MAML2 fusions. Case 1: An 81‐year‐old woman presented with nine papules on the scalp, trunk, and extremities persisting for a year. She had a history of breast cancer, with no information on the treatment. Seven papules were excised. Case 2: A 65‐year‐old woman presented with 21 lesions on her trunk and lower extremities persisting for 2 years. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years prior and had undergone partial mastectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Four lesions were excised. All 11 lesions in both patients were histopathologically similar: anastomosing cords and strands extending from the epidermis, and poroid and cuticular cell proliferation with interspersed small ducts. The tumors showed diffuse nuclear expression of YAP1 N‐terminus and loss of YAP1 C‐terminus expression. No lesions showed NUT immunopositivity. Sanger sequencing identified YAP1::MAML2 fusions in the poromas of both patients.
Können Acne‐inversa‐Patienten ihre Läsionen mit Hilfe eines digitalen Läsionsidentifikationsschemas klassifizieren?
Authors: Schultheis Michael , Staubach‐Renz Petra , Grabbe Stephan , Hennig Katharina , Khoury Fareed , Nikolakis Georgios , Kirschner Uwe
Published: February 2023

Hintergrund

Die Acne inversa (Ai) unterscheidet sich stark in ihrer klinischen Ausprägung. In der Literatur werden verschiedene Phänotypen beschrieben, die möglicherweise unterschiedliche Behandlungsmodalitäten erfordern. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, ein validiertes Schema zu entwickeln, das es Ai‐Patienten ermöglicht, ihre eigenen Läsionstypen zu identifizieren.

Patienten und Methodik

Die entwickelten Schemata für Ärzte und Patienten wurden in eine spezielle Software implementiert. Nach Zustimmung der Patienten dokumentierten die Ärzte die identifizierten Läsionen in der Software. Die Patienten loggten sich anschließend bequem von zu Hause aus in die Patientenversion der Software ein und wählten die Läsionen aus, die sie an sich selbst identifizierten. Anschließend wurde die Korrelation zwischen Fachleuten und Patienten getestet.

Ergebnisse

Für sieben Läsionstypen waren die Korrelationskoeffizienten statistisch signifikant. Eine große/starke Korrelation zwischen Patienten und Ärzten bestand für drainierende Fisteln (0,59) und doppelseitige Komedone (0,50). Bei fünf anderen Läsionstypen war die Korrelation mittel/moderat, nämlich bei entzündlichen Knoten (0,37), Abszessen (0,30), Ziehharmonika‐/ Brückennarbe (0,45), Epidermalzysten (0,33) und Pilonidalsinus (0,39).

Schlussfolgerungen

Ai‐Patienten zeigen eine hohe Bereitschaft, ihre Erfahrungen und Daten zu teilen. Daher kann ein Selbstbewertungsschema, wie das entwickelte LISAI, ein wertvolles Instrument sein, um Patientenbefragungen durch die Identifizierung von Läsionstypen zu bereichern, zum Beispiel als Grundlage für die Phänotypisierung.
Sustainability of dermatological offices and clinics: challenges and potential solutions
Authors: Niebel Dennis , Herrmann Alina , Balzer Susanne , Hecker Christina , Koch Susanne , Luhmann Esther , Becker‐Weimann Su Youn , Tischler Max , Löffler Christin , Saha Susanne
Published: February 2023

Ongoing high consumption of resources results in exceeding the planetary boundaries. Modern healthcare systems contribute to this problem. To address this issue, this article provides an overview of various aspects of sustainable actions in medical offices and clinics that can also be applied to dermatology. Specific fields of action include energy consumption, structural measures, traffic and mobility, organization including digitalization as well as personnel and evaluation. Moreover, we discuss specific topics such as hygiene and cleansing, dermatosurgery and prescription practices. External treatments and cosmetics are discussed separately as dermatological peculiarities. Finally, we provide information on established initiatives for more sustainable health care in Germany. We aim to encourage critical reappraisal of currently established practices and to stimulate the implementation of sustainable measures.
The price of poverty: The association between childhood poverty and adult income and education in Sweden, 1947–2015
Authors: Brea‐Martinez Gabriel , Dribe Martin , Stanfors Maria
Published: February 2023

Childhood poverty increases the likelihood of being poor as an adult. We know relatively little about this persistence of poverty in the past and whether it changed as modern welfare societies developed. This study both analyses determinants of childhood poverty and assesses the association between childhood poverty and economic outcomes in adulthood for men and women who grew up in southern Sweden, and who were followed to adulthood regardless of where in Sweden they resided. Poverty is measured in relative terms. Being raised by a single mother, foreign origin, and being raised in a context where the household head was not employed were important risk factors for childhood poverty. Growing up in relative poverty was in turn associated with low income and education in adulthood. Both the persistence and intensity of childhood poverty mattered, and so did the age during which poverty was experienced. Patterns were similar for men and women, and there was no consistent change over time as the Swedish welfare state expanded.
Positive experiences in the parent–child relationship during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Poland: The role of emotion regulation, empathy, parenting self‐efficacy, and social support
Authors: Woźniak‐Prus Małgorzata , Gambin Małgorzata , Sękowski Marcin , Cudo Andrzej , Pisula Ewa , Kiepura‐Nawrocka Eliza , Boruszak‐Kiziukiewicz Joanna , Kmita Grażyna
Published: February 2023

Despite the impact of the COVID‐19 outbreak being largely negative on parents and children, for some families, lockdown could also bring about some positive effects, for example, increased emotional closeness, and more time for joint activity. The aim of the current study was to investigate cross‐sectionally the most important correlates of the positive experiences in the parent–child relationship among Polish mothers and fathers during the lockdown in the initial phase of the COVID‐19 outbreak. In May 2020, 228 mothers and 231 fathers completed the Brief version of the Empathic Sensitivity Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form, Social Support Scale, Parenting Self‐Agency Measure, and Scale of Positive Experiences in Parent–Child Relationship during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Our results showed that parenting self‐efficacy and social support were the strongest correlates of positive experiences in the parent–child relationship in both mothers and fathers during the lockdown. Perspective‐taking was positively related to the positive experiences in mothers, whereas personal distress was positively associated with the positive experiences in the parent–child relationship in fathers. Our results point to factors of potential importance in designing preventive and therapeutic interventions for mothers and fathers to enhance positive experiences in the parent–child relationship during the pandemic.
The prevalence of low health literacy in undergraduate students in Pakistan
Authors: Rehman Aziz‐ur , Bin Naeem Salman , Faiola Anthony
Published: February 2023

This Regular Feature is based on a PhD study assessing the level of health literacy among university students in Pakistan. A cross‐sectional survey was carried out using the validated European Health Literacy Survey (HLS‐EU‐Q) and non‐parametric tests used to analyse data with the aim of determining the influence of personal determinants on health literacy skills. The findings of the study concluded that the population had a low health literacy level with limited skills in accessing, understanding, appraising and applying information for health care. Gender, age, and native languages, all had a statistically significant influence on health literacy skills. Practical implications are presented for the role of university libraries in supporting the development of health literacy in their undergraduate student populations are presented, including the need for the provision of health information in native languages.
Demarketing for sustainability: A review and future research agenda
Authors: Lawrence Jeevan , Mekoth Nandakumar
Published: February 2023

In the context of emerging sustainability challenges, demarketing has continued to draw the attention of academicians and practitioners globally over the past few years. It is interesting to note that demarketing is as old as marketing itself, yet its application and scope have grown from the past two decades only. Kotler and Levy, (1971) has defined demarketing as “that aspect of marketing which deals with discouraging customers in general or a certain class of customers in particular on a temporary or permanent basis”. This systematic literature review attempts to enrich the discussion on demarketing research through a systematic and comprehensive review of 64 articles published between 2000 and 2022. Using TCCM framework, we present relevant theories, research contexts, study characteristics, and methodologies used in demarketing research. Our review (1) Presents a systematic and comprehensive overview of the research in demarketing over the last two decades (2) Examines studies in demarketing within the framework of ‘triple bottom line’ approach for sustainability (3) Suggests a suitable definition of demarketing considering its exorbitant application within the sustainability context (4) Identify gaps and sets agenda for future research. Our systematic literature review found that research in demarketing has been growing considerably over the past two decades, twice as much in the last decade compared to the previous decade with spill‐over to new sectors. The literature review, through the lens of ‘triple bottom line’ approach, is able to establish that demarketing can be employed to effectively address the sustainability challenges encountered by policymakers and practitioners.
National seroepidemiological study of COVID‐19 after the initial rollout of vaccines: Before and at the peak of the Omicron‐dominant period in Japan
Authors: Arashiro Takeshi , Arai Satoru , Kinoshita Ryo , Otani Kanako , Miyamoto Sho , Yoneoka Daisuke , Kamigaki Taro , Takahashi Hiromizu , Hibino Hiromi , Okuyama Mai , Hayashi Ai , Kikuchi Fuka , Morino Saeko , Takanashi Sayaka , Wakita Takaji , Tanaka‐Taya Keiko , Suzuki Tadaki , Suzuki Motoi
Published: February 2023

Background

Based on routine surveillance data, Japan has been affected much less by COVID‐19 compared with other countries. To validate this, we aimed to estimate SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence and examine sociodemographic factors associated with cumulative infection in Japan.

Methods

A population‐based serial cross‐sectional seroepidemiological investigation was conducted in five prefectures in December 2021 (pre‐Omicron) and February–March 2022 (Omicron [BA.1/BA.2]‐peak). Anti‐nucleocapsid and anti‐spike antibodies were measured to detect infection‐induced and vaccine/infection‐induced antibodies, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify associations between various factors and past infection.

Results

Among 16 296 participants (median age: 53 [43–64] years), overall prevalence of infection‐induced antibodies was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.9–2.5%) in December 2021 and 3.5% (95% CI: 3.1–3.9%) in February–March 2022. Factors associated with past infection included those residing in urban prefectures (Tokyo: aOR 3.37 [95% CI: 2.31–4.91], Osaka: aOR 3.23 [95% CI: 2.17–4.80]), older age groups (60s: aOR 0.47 [95% CI 0.29–0.74], 70s: aOR 0.41 [95% CI 0.24–0.70]), being vaccinated (twice: aOR 0.41 [95% CI: 0.28–0.61], three times: aOR 0.21 [95% CI: 0.12–0.36]), individuals engaged in occupations such as long‐term care workers (aOR: 3.13 [95% CI: 1.47–6.66]), childcare workers (aOR: 3.63 [95% CI: 1.60–8.24]), food service workers (aOR: 3.09 [95% CI: 1.50–6.35]), and history of household contact (aOR: 26.4 [95% CI: 20.0–34.8]) or non‐household contact (aOR: 5.21 [95% CI:3.80–7.14]) in February–March 2022. Almost all vaccinated individuals (15 670/15 681) acquired binding antibodies with higher titers among booster dose recipients.

Conclusions

Before Omicron, the cumulative burden was >10 times lower in Japan (2.2%) compared with the US (33%), the UK (25%), or global estimates (45%), but most developed antibodies owing to vaccination.
The application of nanopore targeted sequencing in the diagnosis and antimicrobial treatment guidance of bloodstream infection of febrile neutropenia patients with hematologic disease
Authors: Hong Mei , Peng Danyue , Fu Aisi , Wang Xian , Zheng Yabiao , Xia Linghui , Shi Wei , Qian Chenjing , Li Zixuan , Liu Fang , Wu Qiuling
Published: February 2023

Traditional microbiological methodology has limited sensitivity, detection range, and turnaround times in diagnosis of bloodstream infection in Febrile Neutropenia (FN) patients. A more rapid and sensitive detection technology is urgently needed. Here we used the newly developed Nanapore targeted sequencing (NTS) to diagnose the pathogens in blood samples. The diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time) of NTS detection of 202 blood samples from FN patients with hematologic disease was evaluated in comparison to blood culture and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sanger sequence. The impact of NTS results on antibiotic treatment modification, the effectivity and mortality of the patients under the guidance of NTS results were assessed. The data showed that NTS had clinical sensitivity of 92.11%, clinical specificity of 78.41% compared with the blood culture and PCR combination. Importantly, the turnaround time for NTS was <24 h for all specimens, and the pre‐report time within 6 h in emergency cases was possible in clinical practice. Among 118 NTS positive patients, 98.3% patients' antibiotic regimens were guided according to NTS results. There was no significant difference in effectivity and mortality rate between Antibiotic regimen switched according to NTS group and Antibiotic regimen covering pathogens detected by NTS group. Therefore, NTS could yield a higher sensitivity, specificity and shorter turnaround time for broad‐spectrum pathogens identification in blood samples detection compared with traditional tests. It's also a good guidance in clinical targeted antibiotic treatment for FN patients with hematologic disease, thereby emerging as a promising technology for detecting infectious disease.
Males and females contribute differently to the evolution of habitat segregation driven by hybridization
Authors: Kyogoku Daisuke , Yamaguchi Ryo
Published: February 2023

Costly heterospecific mating interactions, such as hybridization, select for prezygotic reproductive isolation. One of the potential traits responding to the selection arising from maladaptive hybridization is habitat preference, whose divergence results in interspecific habitat segregation. Theoretical studies have so far assumed that habitat preference is a sexually shared trait. However, male and female habitat preferences can experience different selection pressures. Here, by combining analytical and simulation approaches, we theoretically examine the evolution of sex‐specific habitat preferences. Habitat segregation can have demographic consequences, potentially generating eco‐evolutionary dynamics. We thus explicitly consider demography in the simulation model. We also vary the degrees of species discrimination to examine how mate choice influences the evolution of habitat preferences. Results show that both sexes can reduce hybridisation risk by settling in the habitats where abundant conspecific mates reside. However, when females can discriminate species, excess conspecific male aggregation intensifies male–male competition for mating opportunities, posing an obstacle to conspecific aggregation. Meanwhile, conspecific female aggregation attracts conspecific males, by offering the mating opportunity. Therefore, under effective species discrimination, females play a leading role in initiating habitat use divergence. Simulations typically result in either the coexistence with established habitat segregation or the extinction of one of the species. The former result is especially likely when the species differ to some extent in habitat preferences upon secondary contact. Our results disentangle the selection pressures acting on male and female habitat preferences, deepening our understanding of the evolutionary process of habitat segregation due to hybridization.
Heat transfer modeling during high‐humidity hot air impingement blanching of grapes
Authors: Rezaei Hossein , Sadeghi Morteza
Published: February 2023

During high‐humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB) of fruits and vegetables, the process effect on the product and subsequent process depends on the operating fluid parameters. In this regard, heat transfer phenomenon during applying the pretreatment is not well known. In this study, the mechanisms of heat transfer during the HHAIB of grape berries were investigated via developing an appropriate mathematical model. Numerical simulation of the model was performed using COMSOL software at temperature of 110°C, fluid velocities of 2, 6, and 10 m s−1, and relative humidities of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. The heat transfer caused by the impinging jet and condensation on the grape surface were considered. The center and surface temperature of the grape berries were predicted. Taking the appropriate heat transfer rate and uniformity of temperature distribution in grape berries into account, the relative humidity range of 40%–60% and the velocity of 10 m s−1 were selected for the process. Comparison of the predicted and measured values for the center temperature of the grape berry statistically validated the simulation task with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.993 and root mean square error of 1.347.

Practical Applications

Nowadays, the demand for organic foods has increased. The high‐humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB) is a safe, effective, and controllable nonchemical method that can be used instead of chemical pretreatment in raisin production. In terms of applying the HHAIB pretreatment for grape drying, little research has been done. Thus, there is still no complete understanding of the heat transfer during its application. Numerical simulations are beneficial tools for accurate designing and optimization of thermal processes. Thus, it is necessary to use mathematical modeling to understand HHAIB mechanisms for industrialization.
Insights for lake restoration and water supply management in hilly regions
Authors: Kumar Arun , Goyal Kirti , Pande P. K.
Published: February 2023

Water resources around the world are facing serious threats attributable to various natural and anthropogenic activities. Civil societies around the world, including India, are facing increasing difficulty in the allocation and sustainable use of their available water resources. Many lakes and rivers, the major surface water sources in India, are highly polluted and on the verge of depletion. Accordingly, there is a growing interest in protecting the ecosystem services provided by the lakes and rivers using several management approaches for lake rejuvenation and conservation. A similar study focusing on water supply situation and its restoration was performed in Nainital, a major hill town located in the state of Uttarakhand. The lake water level has been declining in recent years, raising serious concerns. To address this issue, a plan has been developed to address the decreasing lake level and conserving this vital water supply source for the town. The present study provides an integrated framework enabling conservation practitioners to strategically implement water conservation actions to balance both the ecosystem and societal water needs.
Respiratory viruses: New frontiers—a Keystone Symposia report
Authors: Cable Jennifer , Sun Jie , Cheon In Su , Vaughan Andrew E. , Castro Italo A. , Stein Sydney R. , López Carolina B. , Gostic Katelyn M. , Openshaw Peter J. M. , Ellebedy Ali H. , Wack Andreas , Hutchinson Edward , Thomas Mallory M. , Langlois Ryan A. , Lingwood Daniel , Baker Steven F. , Folkins Melanie , Foxman Ellen F. , Ward Andrew B. , Schwemmle Martin , Russell Alistair B. , Chiu Christopher , Ganti Ketaki , Subbarao Kanta , Sheahan Timothy P. , Penaloza‐MacMaster Pablo , Eddens Taylor
Published: February 2023

Respiratory viruses are a common cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Viruses like influenza, RSV, and most recently SARS‐CoV‐2 can rapidly spread through a population, causing acute infection and, in vulnerable populations, severe or chronic disease. Developing effective treatment and prevention strategies often becomes a race against ever‐evolving viruses that develop resistance, leaving therapy efficacy either short‐lived or relevant for specific viral strains. On June 29 to July 2, 2022, researchers met for the Keystone symposium “Respiratory Viruses: New Frontiers.” Researchers presented new insights into viral biology and virus–host interactions to understand the mechanisms of disease and identify novel treatment and prevention approaches that are effective, durable, and broad.
Canopy buffering effects against climatic extremes of deciduous broad‐leaved forests are higher on calcareous than siliceous bedrocks
Authors: Michalet Richard , Nemer David , Delerue Florian
Published: February 2023

Forest ecosystems can buffer understorey microhabitats and provide refuges for understorey species in a warming world. These effects are dependent on forest complexity and management. However, the roles of soils and bedrock types are less known although they also may affect forest complexity. We assessed differences in buffering effects of deciduous broad‐leaved forests from calcareous and siliceous soils in the temperate climate of south‐west France predicted to become dryer with climate change. We transplanted during dry and wet years, without and with neighbours (herbaceous and shrubs from forest understories and gaps), six species in gaps and dense forests of the two soil types. Target species originated from contrasting light availabilities and the two soil types. We measured transplant survival, light transmission, air temperature and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in all treatments. Forest structure and soil parameters were also quantified on both bedrocks. Forest structure complexity was higher and light transmission lower on calcareous than siliceous soils. Relative air humidity was higher and maximum air temperature and VPD lower in the understorey of calcareous than siliceous forests, while soil nutrients and moisture were lower in siliceous soils. We found strong direct facilitation of transplants from shaded habitats by calcareous forest canopies during dry years. Facilitation of forest canopies was much weaker on siliceous bedrocks, during wet years and for species from sunny habitats. Facilitative responses were less obvious but still observed in the presence of understorey neighbours. Calcareous forests showed a stronger buffering ability than siliceous ones due to both higher facilitative effects of calcareous woody dominants and lower survival in calcareous gaps during dry years. Considering that the two forest types were old forests with similar management histories, differences in buffering ability between them were likely due to differences in forest complexity and composition induced by differences in soil types.
Boron supply restores aluminum‐blocked auxin transport by the modulation of PIN2 trafficking in the root apical transition zone
Authors: Tao Lin , Xiao Xiaoyi , Huang Qiuyu , Zhu Hu , Feng Yingming , Li Yalin , Li Xuewen , Guo Zhishan , Liu Jiayou , Wu Feihua , Pirayesh Niloufar , Mahmud Sakil , Shen Ren Fang , Shabala Sergey , Baluška František , Shi Lei , Yu Min
Published: February 2023

The supply of boron (B) alleviates the toxic effects of aluminum (Al) on root growth; however, the mechanistic basis of this process remains elusive. This study filled this knowledge gap, demonstrating that boron modifies auxin distribution and transport in Al‐exposed Arabidopsis roots. In B‐deprived roots, treatment with Al induced an increase in auxin content in the root apical meristem zone (MZ) and transition zone (TZ), whereas in the elongation zone (EZ) the auxin content was decreased beyond the level required for adequate growth. These distribution patterns are explained by the fact that basipetal auxin transport from the TZ to the EZ was disrupted by Al‐inhibited PIN‐FORMED 2 (PIN2) endocytosis. Experiments involving the modulation of protein biosynthesis by cycloheximide (CHX) and transcriptional regulation by cordycepin (COR) demonstrated that the Al‐induced increase of PIN2 membrane proteins was dependent upon the inhibition of PIN2 endocytosis, rather than on the transcriptional regulation of the PIN2 gene. Experiments reporting on the profiling of Al3+ and PIN2 proteins revealed that the inhibition of endocytosis of PIN2 proteins was the result of Al‐induced limitation of the fluidity of the plasma membrane. The supply of B mediated the turnover of PIN2 endosomes conjugated with indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), and thus restored the Al‐induced inhibition of IAA transport through the TZ to the EZ. Overall, the reported results demonstrate that boron supply mediates PIN2 endosome‐based auxin transport to alleviate Al toxicity in plant roots.
Nonlocal differential equations with (p,q)$ {(p,q)}$ growth
Authors: Goodrich Christopher S.
Published: February 2023

The author considers a class of nonlocal convolution‐type ordinary differential equations of the form
where is a continuous function satisfying growth — that is, there exist constants , and such that
where . Existence of at least one positive solution to this equation when subjected to given boundary data is studied by means of topological fixed point theory.
Stigmaeus quercus (Acari: Stigmaeidae), a new species from Manisa province, Türkiye
Authors: Akyol Mustafa
Published: February 2023

N/A
First record of amphibian mortality associated with the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Catalonia (NE Spain)
Authors: Martinez-Silvestre Albert , Velarde Roser , Marschang Rachel E. , Pérez-Novo Iago , Bisbal-Chinesta Josep Francesc , Thumsova Barbora , Bosch Jaime
Published: February 2023

We report the first cases of mortality in anurans associated with the presence of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis at four different localities from Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula, Spain). All cases were confirmed by both molecular techniques and histology. The infected individuals were two Mediterranean painted frogs (Discoglossus pictus) from Girona province found in 2018 and 2020, one Iberian waterfrog (Pelophylax perezi) from Tarragona province found in 2018, and one European common frog (Rana temporaria) from Barcelona province found in 2019. This is the first time that mortality associated with this pathogen has been confirmed in D. pictus and P. perezi. The role of the fungus as an agent possibly leading to death, in association with other external environmental factors, is discussed. These findings could suggest a recent increase of the incidence of this disease in the region. Some of these cases are particularly worrying because of their occurrence close to sites where some endemic amphibian species with extremely reduced distributions inhabit.
The common midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans, is able to learn a simple task under an appetitive stimulus
Authors: Moreno-Orosa Míriam , Bosch Jaime
Published: February 2023

Studies of response learning of amphibians are scarce compared to other vertebrates. We conducted a simple experiment to evaluate response learning in a primitive anuran species, the common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) under an appetitive stimulus. We hypothesized that, despite the primitive character of the studied species, the animals would be able to rapidly associate a particular arm of a basic T-shaped experimental arena with the reward, and that the existing male parental care of the species would provide males greater cognitive abilities than females. The response obtained by 12 males and 13 females was statistically different than such expected by chance, suggesting a learning process. The sex of the animal, as well as the average time spent to select the correct choice, were key during the learning process. Contrary to expectations, females showed higher learning capacities than males, perhaps as a consequence of the elaborate mate selection process and the competition between females to access males in this group of amphibians. The obtained results indicate that a rapid learning capacity is highly conservative in the phylogeny, having evolved from early tetrapods to those existing today in reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Shared neural representations and temporal segmentation of political content predict ideological similarity
Authors: de Bruin Daantje , van Baar Jeroen M. , Rodríguez Pedro L. , FeldmanHall Oriel
Published: February 2023

Despite receiving the same sensory input, opposing partisans often interpret political content in disparate ways. Jointly analyzing controlled and naturalistic functional magnetic resonance imaging data, we uncover the neurobiological mechanisms explaining how these divergent political viewpoints arise. Individuals who share an ideology have more similar neural representations of political words, experience greater neural synchrony during naturalistic political content, and temporally segment real-world information into the same meaningful units. In the striatum and amygdala, increasing intersubject similarity in neural representations of political concepts during a word reading task predicts enhanced synchronization of blood oxygen level–dependent time courses when viewing real-time, inflammatory political videos, revealing that polarization can arise from differences in the brain’s affective valuations of political concepts. Together, this research shows that political ideology is shaped by semantic representations of political concepts processed in an environment free of any polarizing agenda and that these representations bias how real-world political information is construed into a polarized perspective.
SynthSR: A public AI tool to turn heterogeneous clinical brain scans into high-resolution T1-weighted images for 3D morphometry
Authors: Iglesias Juan E. , Billot Benjamin , Balbastre Yaël , Magdamo Colin , Arnold Steven E. , Das Sudeshna , Edlow Brian L. , Alexander Daniel C. , Golland Polina , Fischl Bruce
Published: February 2023

Every year, millions of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are acquired in hospitals across the world. These have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of many neurological diseases, but their morphometric analysis has not yet been possible due to their anisotropic resolution. We present an artificial intelligence technique, “SynthSR,” that takes clinical brain MRI scans with any MR contrast (T1, T2, etc.), orientation (axial/coronal/sagittal), and resolution and turns them into high-resolution T1 scans that are usable by virtually all existing human neuroimaging tools. We present results on segmentation, registration, and atlasing of >10,000 scans of controls and patients with brain tumors, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease. SynthSR yields morphometric results that are very highly correlated with what one would have obtained with high-resolution T1 scans. SynthSR allows sample sizes that have the potential to overcome the power limitations of prospective research studies and shed new light on the healthy and diseased human brain.
Recycling of parental histones preserves the epigenetic landscape during embryonic development
Authors: Mühlen Dominik , Li Xiaojuan , Dovgusha Oleksandr , Jäckle Herbert , Günesdogan Ufuk
Published: February 2023

Epigenetic inheritance during DNA replication requires an orchestrated assembly of nucleosomes from parental and newly synthesized histones. We analyzed

Drosophila His
C

mutant embryos harboring a deletion of all canonical histone genes, in which nucleosome assembly relies on parental histones from cell cycle 14 onward. Lack of new histone synthesis leads to more accessible chromatin and reduced nucleosome occupancy, since only parental histones are available. This leads to up-regulated and spurious transcription, whereas the control of the developmental transcriptional program is partially maintained. The genomic positions of modified parental histone H2A, H2B, and H3 are largely restored during DNA replication. However, parental histones with active marks become more dispersed within gene bodies, which is linked to transcription. Together, the results suggest that parental histones are recycled to preserve the epigenetic landscape during DNA replication in vivo.