bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological agents for defatting livers by normothermic machine perfusion
Authors: Li Shu‐xuan , Chen Lanlan , Li Ming‐qian , Lv Guo‐yue
Published: December 2022

Background

Ex‐vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) preserves the liver metabolism at 37°C and has rapidly developed as a promising approach for assessing the viability and improving the performance of organs from expanded criteria donors, including fatty liver grafts. NMP is an effective method for defatting fatty livers when combined with pharmaceutical therapies. Pharmacological agents have been shown to facilitate liver defatting by NMP.

Observations

This systematic review summarizes available pharmacological therapies for liver defatting, with a particular emphasis on defatting agents that can be employed clinically as defatting components during liver NMP as an ex vivo translational paradigm.

Conclusion

NMP provides an opportunity for organ treatment and can be used as a defatting platform in the future with defatting agents. Nagrath's cocktail is the most commonly used defatting cocktail in NMP; however, its carcinogenic components may limit its clinical application. Thus, the combination of a defatting cocktail with a new clinically applicable component, for example, a polyphenolic natural compound, may be a novel pharmacological option.
Predictors of disease activity during pregnancy in women with inflammatory bowel disease—a Danish cohort study
Authors: Vestergaard Thea , Julsgaard Mette , Røsok Julie F. , Vestergaard Søren V. , Helmig Rikke B. , Friedman Sonia , Kelsen Jens
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to identify key clinical characteristics that predict disease activity during pregnancy.

Methods

Between January 2008 through 2021, we identified all singleton pregnancies among women with IBD recorded in patient and birth registries at a tertiary IBD centre in Denmark. Maternal and infant data were retrieved from medical records. Demographics, Physicians Global Assessment (PGA) of disease activity 6 months prior to pregnancy and in all three trimesters of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes were recorded.

Results

In 609 pregnancies, we observed 603 (99.0%) live births. Disease activity in one or more trimesters was seen in 283 women (46.5%). UC phenotype was associated with an increase in risk of disease activity (adjusted OR = 2.6 [1.8–3.9]; p < 0.001). Disease activity within 6 months prior to conceiving (169 women [27.7%]) was associated with an increased risk of continuous disease activity during pregnancy (adjusted OR of 5.3 [3.5–8.2]; p < 0.001). Disease activity during a previous pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of flares in subsequent pregnancies (adjusted OR of 3.2 [1.5–6.6]; p = 0.002). Sustained clinical remission throughout pregnancy was associated with an increased probability of normal birth term, birthweight and low risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and stillbirth.

Conclusion

Predictors for disease activity include disease activity in a previous pregnancy and/or prior to conception, as well as UC phenotype. Reassuringly, women with IBD in remission are not at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Pharmacist‐independent prescriber deprescribing in UK care homes: Contextual factors associated with increased activity
Authors: Alharthi Mohammed , Scott Sion , Alldred David Phillip , Holland Richard , Hughes Carmel , Birt Linda , Blacklock Jeanette , Bond Christine , Clark Allan , Wright David
Published: December 2022

Aims

The Care Home Independent Pharmacist Prescriber Study (CHIPPS) process evaluation hypothesized that contextual factors influenced the likelihood of deprescribing by pharmacist‐independent prescribers. The aim of this paper is to test this hypothesis.

Methods

From CHIPPS study data, medications deprescribed totalled 284 for 370 residents in UK care homes. Regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between the number of medicines stopped and contextual factors (number of residents cared for, pharmacist employment within associated medical practice, previous care home experience, hours active within trial, years’ experience as a pharmacist and as a prescriber).

Results

Number of residents and pharmacist‐independent prescriber employment within a medical practice were positive predictors of deprescribing.

Conclusion

Previous experiences were not related to deprescribing likelihood. Increasing the number of residents increases the opportunity for deprescribing and therefore this relationship is intuitive. The location within a medical practice is an interesting finding that requires further exploration to understand its exact nature.
Obsessional jealousy in a community sample: Association with relationship factors, impairment and perceived treatment needs
Authors: Ahlen Johan , Bjureberg Johan , Lenhard Fabian , Wahlund Tove , Linde Johanna , Mataix‐Cols David
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Romantic jealousy could be understood as a continuum, from reality‐based, transient and functional jealousy to a more chronic form of jealousy with varying insight, intensity and duration. The latter has some overlaps with obsessive–compulsive disorder (here termed obsessional jealousy). Little is known about the nature of obsessional jealousy and its association with functional impairment, perceived negative consequences (drinking, violence), current and past relationship factors (e.g., length of relationship, being in love, infidelity, previous jealousy) or perceived need for professional support.

Methods

Participants were 1076 adults (55% women) who filled in an anonymous survey.

Results

Obsessional jealousy, measured with the Obsessional Jealousy Severity Scale, was strongly associated with functional impairment and verbal violence, and more weakly with physical violence and alcohol consumption. Individuals with a history of previous jealousy had more severe symptoms and were more likely to perceive the need for psychological support. Approximately 25% of the sample expressed interest in treatment.

Conclusions

The results suggest that there is a group of individuals with impairing levels of obsessional jealousy who have a perceived need for help with their difficulties. More research is needed on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of these individuals. The development of jealousy‐specific psychological models and treatments is warranted.
Increasing access to evidence‐based treatment for child anxiety problems: online parent‐led CBT for children identified via schools
Authors: Green Iheoma , Reardon Tessa , Button Roberta , Williamson Victoria , Halliday Gemma , Hill Claire , Larkin Michael , Sniehotta Falko F. , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Ford Tamsin , Spence Susan H. , Stallard Paul , Creswell Cathy
Published: December 2022

Background

Anxiety problems are extremely common and have an early age of onset. We previously found, in a study in England, that fewer than 3% of children with an anxiety disorder identified in the community had accessed an evidence‐based treatment (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; CBT). Key ways to increase access to CBT for primary school‐aged children with anxiety problems include (a) proactive identification through screening in schools, (b) supporting parents and (c) the provision of brief, accessible interventions (and capitalising on technology to do this).

Method

We provided a brief, therapist guided treatment called Online Support and Intervention (OSI) to parents/carers of children identified, through school‐based screening, as likely to have anxiety problems. Fifty out of 131 children from 17 Year 4 classes in schools in England screened positive for ‘possible anxiety problems’ and 42 (84%) of these (and 7 who did not) took up the offer of OSI. We applied quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess children's outcomes and families' experiences of this approach.

Results

Inbuilt outcome monitoring indicated session on session improvements throughout the course of treatment, with substantial changes across measures by the final module (e.g. Child Outcome Rating Scale d = 0.84; Goal Based Outcomes d = 1.52). Parent engagement and satisfaction was high as indicated by quantitative and qualitative assessments, and intervention usage.

Conclusions

We provide promising preliminary evidence for the use of OSI as an early intervention for children identified as having anxiety problems through school‐based screening.
Predictors of seizure outcomes in patients with diffuse low‐grade glioma‐related epilepsy after complete glioma removal
Authors: He Xinghui , Zhang Kai , Liu Dingyang , Yang Zhuanyi , Li Xuejun , Yang Zhiquan
Published: December 2022

Aims

We aimed to identify predictors of postoperative seizures in patients with diffuse low‐grade glioma (DLGG)‐related epilepsy after complete tumor resection in this study.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from individuals with DLGG‐related epilepsy whose tumors were completely resected at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 2014 and January 2020. The predictors of seizure outcomes were assessed by employing univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model in a backward binary logistic regression model.

Results

Among the 118 cases that met the inclusion criteria, 83.05% were seizure‐free following an average follow‐up of 4.27 ± 1.65 years, all of whom were classified as International League Against Epilepsy class I outcome. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that seizure duration of >6 years (odds ratio [OR], 6.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76–24.98; p = 0.005) and first clinical symptoms other than seizures (OR, 4.51; 95% CI, 1.43–14.23; p = 1.010) were both independent predictors of unfavorable seizure outcomes.

Conclusion

Our results imply that satisfactory seizure outcomes can be achieved in most patients with DLGG‐related epilepsy after complete tumor resection. Patients with seizure duration of >6 years or first clinical symptoms other than seizures were more likely to experience postoperative seizure recurrence.
Achievement of glycaemic targets with weight loss and without hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes with the once‐weekly glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist tirzepatide: A post hoc analysis of the SURPASS‐1 to ‐5 studies
Authors: Lingvay Ildiko , Cheng Alice YY. , Levine Joshua A. , Gomez‐Valderas Elisa , Allen Sheryl E. , Ranta Kari , Torcello‐Gómez Amelia , Thieu Vivian T.
Published: December 2022

Aim

To assess composite endpoints combining glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7.0%, ≤ 6.5% or < 5.7%) with weight loss (≥ 5%, ≥ 10% or ≥ 15%) and without hypoglycaemia with tirzepatide in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and Methods

Data from the phase 3 SURPASS programme were evaluated post hoc by trial. Participants with T2D were randomized to tirzepatide (5, 10 and 15 mg), placebo (SURPASS‐1,5), semaglutide 1 mg (SURPASS‐2) or titrated basal insulin (SURPASS‐3,4). The proportions of participants achieving the composite endpoints were compared between tirzepatide and the respective comparator groups at week 40/52.

Results

The proportions of participants achieving an HbA1c value of less than 7.0% with 5% or more weight loss and without hypoglycaemia ranged from 43% to 82% with tirzepatide across the SURPASS‐1 to ‐5 trials versus 4%‐5% with placebo, 51% with semaglutide 1 mg and 5% with basal insulin (P < .001 vs. all comparators). The proportions of participants achieving an HbA1c value of less than 7.0% with 10% or more, or 15% or more weight loss and without hypoglycaemia were significantly higher with all tirzepatide doses versus comparators across trials (P < .001 or P < .05). Similar results were observed for all other combinations of endpoints with an HbA1c value of 6.5% or less, or less than 5.7%, with more tirzepatide‐treated participants achieving these endpoints versus those in the comparator groups, including semaglutide.

Conclusions

Across the SURPASS‐1 to ‐5 clinical trials, more tirzepatide‐treated participants with T2D achieved clinically meaningful composite endpoints, which included reaching glycaemic targets with various degrees of weight loss and without hypoglycaemia, than those in the comparator groups.
Hippocampal, basal ganglia and olfactory connectivity contribute to cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wylie Korey P. , Kluger Benzi M. , Medina Luis D. , Holden Samantha K. , Kronberg Eugene , Tregellas Jason R. , Buard Isabelle
Published: December 2022

Cognitive impairment is increasingly recognized as a characteristic feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), yet relatively little is known about its underlying neurobiology. Previous investigations suggest that dementia in PD is associated with subcortical atrophy, but similar studies in PD with mild cognitive impairment have been mixed. Variability in cognitive phenotypes and diversity of PD symptoms suggest that a common neuropathological origin results in a multitude of impacts within the brain. These direct and indirect impacts of disease pathology can be investigated using network analysis. Functional connectivity, for instance, may be more sensitive than atrophy to decline in specific cognitive domains in the PD population. Fifty‐eight participants with PD underwent a neuropsychological test battery and scanning with structural and resting state functional MRI in a comprehensive whole‐brain association analysis. To investigate atrophy as a potential marker of impairment, structural gray matter atrophy was associated with cognitive scores in each cognitive domain using voxel‐based morphometry. To investigate connectivity, large‐scale networks were correlated with voxel time series and associated with cognitive scores using distance covariance. Structural atrophy was not associated with any cognitive domain, with the exception of visuospatial measures in primary sensory and motor cortices. In contrast, functional connectivity was associated with attention, executive function, language, learning and memory, visuospatial, and global cognition in the bilateral hippocampus, left putamen, olfactory cortex, and bilateral anterior temporal poles. These preliminary results suggest that cognitive domain‐specific networks in PD are distinct from each other and could provide a network signature for different cognitive phenotypes.
Measuring soil freezing characteristic curve with thermo‐time domain reflectometry
Authors: Tian Zhengchao , Wang Li , Ren Tusheng
Published: December 2022

The soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) has applications in determining the soil water retention curve (SWRC) and modelling thermal and hydrological processes in cold regions. Accurate measurement of the SFCC in the laboratory has been constrained to the thawing process because of the interference of supercooling during the freezing process. In this study, we introduce a dynamic method based on the technique of thermo‐time domain reflectometry (thermo‐TDR) for measuring the SFCC quickly and accurately. A simple iced‐toothpick approach was used for eliminating supercooling during a freezing experiment. The performance of the thermo‐TDR‐based method was evaluated by comparing the measurements with the equilibration method on two soils of different textures. The results showed that the supercooling phenomena during the freezing process could be eliminated effectively by inserting iced‐toothpicks into the samples at soil freezing point, and both the SFCC (at a freezing rate of 2.5°C h−1) and the soil thawing characteristic curves (STCC) could be determined accurately with the thermo‐TDR‐based method. The thermo‐TDR measured SFCCs agreed well with estimates from the SWRCs, with an average root‐mean square error (RMSE) of 0.02 m3 m−3. The dynamic thermo‐TDR‐based method has the advantages of being easy to operate, time‐saving, and applicable forin situmonitoring of SFCC, and could be used to determine SWRCs indirectly.

Highlights

The thermo‐TDR method can measure the soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) accurately.

Supercooling during the freezing process was eliminated by using an iced‐toothpick approach.

The slow‐rate dynamic method provided reliable SFCCs as compared with the equilibration method.

The thermo‐TDR measured SFCCs could be used to estimate soil water retention curves.
Standing equine cheek tooth extraction: A multivariate analysis of the effect of antibiotics on the risk of post‐operative complications
Authors: Christiansen Mathias Schach , Rosenmeier Jesper Grud , Jensen Dan Børge , Lindegaard Casper
Published: December 2022

Background

Commonly, cheek tooth extraction performed in standing horses using perioperative prophylactic antibiotics, results in low post‐operative complication rates. However, no studies have documented the relevance of perioperative antibiotics to the risk of post‐operative complications.

Objectives

To examine the association between perioperative antibiotics and post‐operative complications after standing cheek tooth extraction.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Information from clinical records and follow‐up questionnaires relating to horses subjected to cheek tooth extractions between September 2016 and May 2020 was obtained. Post‐operative complications and associations with perioperative antibiotics, age, sex, breed, diagnosis, tooth position, and extraction method were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 305 horses were included, and of these 71 (23.3%) received perioperative antibiotics. Antibiotics were not associated with the risk of complications in 264 horses that underwent standard oral extraction; 9/49 (18.4%) that received antibiotics and 35/215 (16.3%) that did not receive antibiotics experienced postoperative complications (P = 1, RR = 0.89, OR = 1, OR CI = [0.41; 2.46]). Of 41 horses that had cheek tooth extraction through minimally invasive transbuccal cheek tooth extraction (MTE), 5/22 (22.7%) that received antibiotics and 10/19 (52.6%) that did not receive antibiotics, experienced postoperative complications. Although not statistically significant when adjusting for multiple comparisons (naïve P = 0.04, adjusted P = 0.26, RR = 2.32, OR = 4.48, OR CI = [1.05; 19.11]), this finding is clinically relevant. Younger age was also significantly associated with development of complications (P = 0.02, OR = 0.92 per year, OR CI = [0.87; 1.36]).

Main limitations

The retrospective nature of the study leads to uncontrollable potential confounders and there is a relatively low number of MTE cases.

Conclusion

Perioperative antibiotics were not associated with a lower complication rate in horses subjected to standard standing cheek tooth extraction. Use of perioperative antibiotics in conjunction with MTE may be merited, although further investigations are needed.
Adaptations in equine axial movement and muscle activity occur during induced fore‐ and hindlimb lameness: A kinematic and electromyographic evaluation during in‐hand trot
Authors: Spoormakers Tijn J. P. , St. George Lindsay , Smit Ineke H. , Hobbs Sarah Jane , Brommer Harold , Clayton Hilary M. , Roy Serge H. , Richards James , Serra Bragança Filipe Manuel
Published: December 2022

Background

The inter‐relationship between equine thoracolumbar motion and muscle activation during normal locomotion and lameness is poorly understood.

Objective

To compare thoracolumbar and pelvic kinematics and longissimus dorsi (longissimus) activity of trotting horses between baseline and induced forelimb (iFL) and hindlimb (iHL) lameness.

Study design

Controlled experimental cross‐over study.

Methods

Three‐dimensional kinematic data from the thoracolumbar vertebrae and pelvis, and bilateral surface electromyography (sEMG) data from longissimus at T14 and L1, were collected synchronously from clinically nonlame horses (n = 8) trotting overground during a baseline evaluation, and during iFL and iHL conditions (2–3/5 AAEP), induced on separate days using a lameness model (modified horseshoe). Motion asymmetry parameters, maximal thoracolumbar flexion/extension and lateral bending angles, and pelvis range of motion (ROM) were calculated from kinematic data. Normalised average rectified value (ARV) and muscle activation onset, offset and activity duration were calculated from sEMG signals. Mixed model analysis and statistical parametric mapping compared discrete and continuous variables between conditions (α = 0.05).

Results

Asymmetry parameters reflected the degree of iFL and iHL. Maximal thoracolumbar flexion and pelvis pitch ROM increased significantly following iFL and iHL. During iHL, peak lateral bending increased towards the nonlame side (NLS) and decreased towards the lame side (LS). Longissimus ARV significantly increased bilaterally at T14 and L1 for iHL, but only at LS L1 for iFL. Longissimus activation was significantly delayed on the NLS and precipitated on the LS during iHL, but these clear phasic shifts were not observed in iFL.

Main limitations

Findings should be confirmed in clinical cases.

Conclusions

Distinctive, significant adaptations in thoracolumbar and pelvic motion and underlying longissimus activity occur during iFL and iHL and are detectable using combined motion capture and sEMG. For iFL, these adaptations occur primarily in a cranio‐caudal direction, whereas for iHL, lateral bending and axial rotation are also involved.
Therapeutic effects and the impact of statins in the prevention of ulcerative colitis in preclinical models: A systematic review
Authors: Vital Kátia Duarte , Cardoso Barbara Gatti , Lima Iasmin Pinheiro , Campos Aline Beatriz , Teixeira Bruno Faria , Pires Luiz Octávio , Dias Beatriz Coutinho , de Alcantara Candido Patrícia , Cardoso Valbert Nascimento , Fernandes Simone Odília Antunes
Published: December 2022

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the large intestines. Although great advances have been made in the management of the disease with the introduction of immunomodulators and biological agents, the treatment of UC is still a challenge. So far, there are no definitive therapies for this condition. Statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, possess beneficial effects on primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, and have high tolerability and safety. Furthermore, they may have potential roles in UC management due to their possible anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. This systematic review aimed to gather information about the potential benefits of statins for managing UC, reducing inflammation and disease remission in animal models. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library. The data were summarized in tables and critically analyzed. After the database search, 21 relevant studies were identified as eligible for this review. Preclinical studies using several colitis‐induction protocols and various statins have shown numerous beneficial effects of these drugs on reducing disease activity, inflammatory profile, oxidative stress, and general clinical parameters of animals with UC. These studies revealed the potential of statins against the pathogenesis of UC. However, there are still important gaps regarding the molecular mechanisms of action of statins, leading to some contradictory results. Thus, more research on the molecular level to determine the roles of statins in colitis should be carried out to elucidate their mechanisms of action.
Anti‐microbial host factor HDAC6 is antagonised by the influenza A virus through host caspases and viral PA
Authors: Hussain Mazhar , Ahmed Farjana , Henzeler Bennett , Husain Matloob
Published: December 2022

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), through the repertoire of its substrate proteins, plays a critical role in human physiology, and an aberrant function of HDAC6 contributes to various pathophysiological conditions. HDAC6 is also known to be an anti‐microbial host factor and has been implicated in restricting or clearing the infection of various human viral and bacterial pathogens. However, the state and the mechanisms of its antagonism in infected cells are not understood. Here, we demonstrate that influenza A virus (IAV) antagonises HDAC6 by recruiting both viral and host components. We found that HDAC6 mRNA expression, and consequently, the HDAC6 polypeptide expression is downregulated in human lung epithelial cells during early stage of IAV infection but can be rescued by depleting the expression of viral polymerase acidic (PA) protein, a subunit of IAV RNA polymerase. In addition, during later stage of the infection, the HDAC6 polypeptide undergoes caspase‐mediated cleavage at two sites, generating two cleaved fragments. Both these fragments disappeared when the expression of caspase 3 was depleted in infected cells, whereas only second fragment disappeared when the expression of caspase 6 was depleted. But both fragments disappeared and the level of full‐length HDAC6 polypeptide was rescued when the expression of PA was depleted in infected cells. Collectively, these data indicated that IAV antagonises the HDAC6 by decreasing its expression level in infected cells, both at mRNA and polypeptide level via PA gene, which has been implicated in auxiliary functions like degradation of host mRNA and induction of apoptosis.
Experimental investigation on the correlation between critical storage of elastic strain energy and crack extension in elastic–plastic materials
Authors: Chang Dongdong , Yang Xiaofa , Liu Ran , Huang Zekai , Peng Hao , Zuo Hong
Published: December 2022

To better solve the issues of steady crack extension with broad plasticity and the crack‐related problems in general yielding situations when the assumption of small‐scale plastic yielding fails, it is of great significance to further study the macroscopic mechanism of crack extension. In this paper, a new insight into the elastic–plastic crack extension is proposed on the foundation of critical storage of elastic strain energy (SESE). The feasibility of the new methodology is validated by designing and implementing two different experimental schemes in three typical elastic–plastic materials. The experimental results indicate that the critical SESE decreases linearly with the increase of crack length and U‐notch initial length. Besides, the SESE release rate is obtained through experimental and theoretical methods, and they are in the same order of magnitude and their value sequences are also accordant with all tested materials. Therefore, this investigation provides a new approach to characterizing crack extension in elastic–plastic materials.
Acceleration factor and experimental validation of aluminum alloy under narrow‐band random excitation
Authors: Sun Jiachen , Li Piao , Susmel Luca
Published: December 2022

In order to reduce the vibration fatigue test time of aeronautical engineering components made of aluminum alloy, a random vibration fatigue acceleration model under narrow‐band excitation is proposed in this paper. A three‐parameter S–N curve is adopted to consider the effect of small stress response, while a scale factor α is introduced to consider the effect of stress distribution. The random vibration fatigue tests of 2024‐T3 and 7075‐T6 aluminum alloy specimens with elliptical holes are performed, where the vibration fatigue lives of load spectra with the same bandwidth and different excitation acceleration levels are obtained. The test results show that the proposed model is in sound agreement with the test results.
Bycatch estimation of narrow‐clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) in Turkish fyke net fisheries
Authors: Çapkın Kadir , Cilbiz Mehmet , Demirol Ferhat
Published: December 2022

We quantified bycatch rates and determined selection criteria of landed narrow‐clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) in Turkey's most crucial crayfish production centres in 2020 and 2021. Subsamples (6078 individuals) of catches from 225 commercial fishermen were compared to 4836 crayfish landed without selection criteria during research fishing. Selection criteria used by traders for crayfish in commercial fishing purchasing centres included: (i) undersized; (ii) dead; (iii) soft shells; (iv) missing extremities; (v) lesions; and (vi) covered with moss. Based on the selection criteria, 77.2% ± 4.1 (95% confidence interval: 68.4–86.0) of the commercial catch were removed from the production chain as landed bycatch. The bycatch rate was higher than the global marine bycatch rate (40.4%). New studies are needed to improve fyke net selectivity, reduce the bycatch rate (40.7%) of undersized individuals, and determine the fate of bycatch.
Sex/gender‐blind training maintains and creates inequity
Authors: Kroese Ingeborg C.
Published: December 2022

As training theory and practice may not sufficiently recognize the role and impact of sex and gender, this study aims to understand to what extent current corporate training practices fulfill expectations of gender equity and inclusion. This qualitative case study is based on three international training programs, in the Netherlands, the USA, and the UK, respectively, designed by a multinational corporation. The methods include an extensive training document analysis and semi‐structured interviews with training participants, organizers, and trainers. The thematic and gender subtext analyses highlight how the discourse of sex/gender‐blindness in training not only risks maintaining the status quo of under‐representation of women but can also produce sex/gender inequity. The results indicate that training organizers and providers may not feel equipped to recognize and address the role of sex/gender. Future training research, theory, and practice should acknowledge and reflect on the impact of sex/gender, and sex/gender equity should be integrated into program design and delivery.
The Life of Spirit: The Self and Sanctification in Søren Kierkegaard's The Sickness unto Death
Authors: Steinmetz Michael Nathan
Published: December 2022

Danish theologian and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard is often overlooked as an author in the Christian spiritual tradition. This paper answers Christopher Barnett's call to investigate themes of Christian spirituality in Kierkegaard's writing. In this paper, I argue that we can construct of vision of sanctification from Kierkegaard's The Sickness unto Death. While Kierkegaard does not directly deal with themes of sanctification in The Sickness unto Death, Kierkegaard's pseudonym Anti‐Climacus does demonstrate the ‘spiritless’ life of despair. The ‘spiritless’ life, as Anti‐Climacus defines it, is a life that is not truly a ‘self’. Anti‐Climacus systematically demonstrates four categories of despair, and all people not living in faith, whether they realise it or not, fit into one of these categories of ‘spiritless’ existence. I argue that by constructing the opposites of Kierkegaard's categories of despair I demonstrate that a ‘spirit‐filled’ life exemplifies a vibrant Christian life of sanctification.
Design of Eu2+‐activated broadband orange‐emitting phosphors with excellent luminescent performance for warm WLEDs
Authors: Sun Wenzhi , Fan Liyan , Zhang Xinxin , Wei Denghu , Jiao Mengmeng , Xu Wenlong , Zhang Hongwu
Published: December 2022

We report orange‐emitting Sr8La0.5Na0.5Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ (SLNMPO‐0.5:Eu2+) and Sr7LaNaMg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ (SLNMPO‐1:Eu2+) phosphors with broad emission bands covering from 450 to 800 nm. The phosphors can be excited by n‐ultraviolet and blue light efficiently. Their crystal structure, diffuse reflection spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, fluorescence decay curves and thermal stability were investigated systematically. Under the excitation of 365 and 400 nm, SLNMPO‐0.5:Eu2+ and SLNMPO‐1:Eu2+ both exhibit better PL properties and contain more red emissions than SMPO:Eu2+. CIE coordinates of SLNMPO‐0.5:Eu2+ and SLNMPO‐1:Eu2+ under 365 nm excitation are (0.460, 0.497) and (0.457, 0.494), respectively. Furthermore, high‐quality warm white light can be generated by fabricating warm white light‐emitting diode (WLED) devices with 370 nm LED chips, BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ commercial blue phosphor and orange‐emitting SLNMPO‐0.5:Eu2+ (or SLNMPO‐1:Eu2+) phosphor. The correlated color temperature, Ra and color coordinates are 3880 K, 94.05, (0.3895, 0.3922) and 3736 K, 91.73, (0.4005, 0.4078) for the fabricated WLED devices with SLNMPO‐0.5:Eu2+ and SLNMPO‐1:Eu2+, respectively. The excellent performances indicate that SLNMPO‐0.5:Eu2+ and SLNMPO‐1:Eu2+ have great potential to be attractive candidates in the application of warm WLEDs.
Robustness of Bergmann’s and Rapoport’s rules to different geographical range estimates in New World pit vipers
Authors: Ten Caten Cleber , Lima‐Ribeiro Matheus Souza , Yañez‐Arenas Carlos , Villalobos Fabricio , Díaz‐Gamboa Luis , Terribile Levi Carina
Published: December 2022

Aim

Bergmann's and Rapoport's rules are two ecogeographical patterns that predict an increase in species body size and range size, respectively, with increasing latitudes. Here, we evaluated whether using different geographical range estimates affects the assessment of Bergmann's and Rapoport's rules at the cross‐species and assemblage levels in New World pit vipers.

Location

New World.

Taxon

New World pit vipers (Crotalinae).

Methods

We estimated geographical ranges for 135 (i.e. ≈93%) Crotalinae species using ecological niche modelling (ENM) and expert maps and assessed alternative hypotheses that could account for Bergmann's and Rapoport's rules. We evaluated both rules using ‘cross‐species’ (i.e. species as units of observation) and ‘assemblage’ (i.e. sites/grid cells as units of observation) approaches. We used phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) analyses and generalized least squares (GLS) analyses to account for phylogenetic and spatial autocorrelation that could affect the evaluation of these rules at the cross‐species and assemblage levels, respectively.

Results

Expert maps differed significantly from ENM ranges. The cross‐species approach was robust to these different range estimates when Bergmann's and Rapoport's rules were evaluated. The assemblage analyses were more vulnerable to different range estimates, where contrasting results were observed in the assessment of Bergmann's rule but not in the evaluation of Rapoport's rule.

Main Conclusions

Different geographical range estimates affected mainly the assessment of ecogeographical rules at the assemblage level, whereas the cross‐species analyses were more robust. However, this increased susceptibility of the assemblage approach to different range estimates was only observed when evaluating Bergmann's rule. Thus, our findings suggest that ecogeographical rules can have different levels of sensitivity to different range estimates, which can especially affect the assemblage‐level assessment of these ecogeographical patterns.
Procedural knowledge acquisition in a second‐year nursing course. Effectiveness of a digital video‐based collaborative learning‐by‐design activity using hypervideo
Authors: Evi‐Colombo Alessia , Cattaneo Alberto , Bétrancourt Mireille
Published: December 2022

Background

While the use of digital technologies in collaborative design tasks have gained acceptance amongst educational researchers and instructors, few studies have analysed the application of video‐supported collaborative learning‐by‐design (VSC‐LBD) in the authentic setting of professional education and training.

Objectives

This study on VSC‐LBD investigated the learning processes and outcomes of nursing students who collaboratively used a hypervideo authoring tool to learn the procedure about urinary catheter insertion. We hypothesized that the students who collaboratively used a hypervideo authoring tool to learn about a professional procedure would outperform those exposed to a traditional lesson on the same procedure. Further, we assumed that the students who created an instructional video from scratch would obtain higher learning scores than those who worked on existing footage.

Methods

Participants (N = 60) worked in groups and were assigned to three conditions: in the first each group recorded a video while simulating the procedure and then turned the footage into a hypervideo (VSC‐LBD1); in the second condition each group already received the raw video to turn it into a hypervideo (VSC‐LBD1); in the third participants attended a traditional lesson (control). Pre‐ and post‐tests measured procedural knowledge acquisition. The co‐regulation episodes within the groups that produced the best and worst videos were assessed and measured.

Results and Conclusions

The students in the two VSC‐LBD conditions significantly outperformed those in the control condition. No differences were found between making an original video and using existing footage. More co‐regulatory processing episodes were found in the best video group compared to the other groups.

Takeaways

This study supports theoretical assumptions on the value of VSC‐LBD in authentic learning environments and provide useful information to instructors willing to adopt collaborative use of interactive video tools.
Analysing adaptive scaffolds that help students develop self‐regulated learning behaviours
Authors: Munshi Anabil , Biswas Gautam , Baker Ryan , Ocumpaugh Jaclyn , Hutt Stephen , Paquette Luc
Published: December 2022

Background

Providing adaptive scaffolds to help learners develop effective self‐regulated learning (SRL) behaviours has been an important goal for intelligent learning environments. Adaptive scaffolding is especially important in open‐ended learning environments (OELE), where novice learners often face difficulties in completing their learning tasks.

Objectives

This paper presents a systematic framework for adaptive scaffolding in Betty's Brain, a learning‐by‐teaching OELE for middle school science, where students construct a causal model to teach a virtual agent, generically named Betty. We evaluate the adaptive scaffolding framework and discuss its implications on the development of more effective scaffolds for SRL in OELEs.

Methods

We detect key cognitive/metacognitive inflection points, that is, moments where students' behaviours and performance change during learning, often suggesting an inability to apply effective learning strategies. At inflection points, Mr. Davis (a mentor agent in Betty's Brain) or Betty (the teachable agent) provides context‐specific conversational feedback, focusing on strategies to help the student become a more productive learner, or encouragement to support positive emotions. We conduct a classroom study with 98 middle schoolers to analyse the impact of adaptive scaffolds on students' learning behaviours and performance. We analyse how students with differential pre‐to‐post learning outcomes receive and use the scaffolds to support their subsequent learning process in Betty's Brain.

Results and Conclusions

Adaptive scaffolding produced mixed results, with some scaffolds (viz., strategic hints that supported debugging and assessment of causal models) being generally more useful to students than others (viz., encouragement prompts). Additionally, there were differences in how students with high versus low learning outcomes responded to some hints, as suggested by the differences in their learning behaviours and performance in the intervals after scaffolding. Overall, our findings suggest how adaptive scaffolding in OELEs like Betty's Brain can be further improved to better support SRL behaviours and narrow the learning outcomes gap between high and low performing students.

Implications

This paper contributes to our understanding and impact of adaptive scaffolding in OELEs. The results of our study indicate that successful scaffolding has to combine context‐sensitive inflection points with conversational feedback that is tailored to the students' current proficiency levels and needs. Also, our conceptual framework can be used to design adaptive scaffolds that help students develop and apply SRL behaviours in other computer‐based learning environments.
Cardiometabolic risk reductions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus newly treated with a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor versus a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor: A real‐world administrative database study in Japan
Authors: Kashiwagi Atsunori , Shoji Shingo , Kosakai Yoshinori , Koga Tadashi , Asakawa Keiko , Rokuda Mitsuhiro
Published: December 2022

Aims/Introduction

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors (hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, systolic blood pressure) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We compared combined cardiometabolic effects of SGLT2i on hemoglobin A1c, body mass index and systolic blood pressure versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

This Japanese retrospective cohort study used the JMDC claims database. Patients newly treated with an SGLT2i (n = 18,936) or DPP4i (n = 55,484) were enrolled (January 2015–March 2020) and matched 1:1 using the propensity score. The primary end‐point was the proportion of patients achieving a composite outcome (i.e., simultaneous absolute/percent reduction in hemoglobin A1c ≥0.5%, body mass index ≥3% and systolic blood pressure ≥2 mmHg) 1 year after first SGLT2i or DPP4i prescription; Mantel–Haenszel common risk difference and its 95% confidence interval were estimated. Other end‐points included treatment persistence, with the associated hazard ratio calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

After matching, patient characteristics were balanced (7,302 patients each). The proportion of patients achieving the composite outcome was significantly greater in patients receiving an SGLT2i than those receiving a DPP4i (31.0% [1,279/4,120] vs 12.9% [524/4,070], risk difference 18.6%, 95% confidence interval 16.3, 20.9, P < 0.001). Risk of treatment discontinuation was significantly lower in the SGLT2i group than in the DPP4i group (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.81, 0.90, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In the present study, SGLT2i showed favorable cardiometabolic risk reduction and longer treatment persistence than DPP4i in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Long‐term persistence of exaggerated ornaments under Fisherian runaway despite costly mate search
Authors: Waffender Anna , Henshaw Jonathan M.
Published: December 2022

Exaggerated ornaments often evolve due to the mating preferences of the opposite sex. Genetic correlations between preferences and ornaments can lead both traits to elaborate dramatically in tandem, in a process known as ‘Fisherian runaway’. However, in most previous models of Fisherian runaway, elaborate ornaments are not expected to persist when preferences are consistently costly to the choosing sex. In contrast, we show here that exaggerated male ornaments can be maintained long term even when females must pay a cost to choose their mates. Preferences per se are not costly in our model, but females can only act on their preferences by investing resources in mate search. We predict that mate search effort should decrease with the cost of sampling additional mates and increase with the number of possible ornaments that females can choose from. The potential for multiple exaggerated ornaments to coexist depends on subtleties of their cost structure: strict trade‐offs (additive costs) favour sequential ornament evolution, whereas looser trade‐offs (multiplicative costs) allow for coexistence. Lastly, we show that pleiotropy affecting both ornaments and preferences makes it difficult for Fisherian runaway to initiate, increasing the evolutionary time until ornamentation. Our model highlights the important but neglected role of mate search effort in sexual selection.
Female‐limited responses in remating rate and mating duration in the experimental evolution of a beetle Callosobruchus chinensis
Authors: Kyogoku Daisuke , Dobata Shigeto , Takashima Rui , Sota Teiji
Published: December 2022

Mating rate optima often differ between the sexes: males may increase their fitness by multiple mating, but for females multiple mating confers little benefit and can often be costly (especially in taxa without nuptial gifts or mala parental care). Sexually antagonistic evolution is thus expected in traits related to mating rates under sexual selection. This prediction has been tested by multiple studies that applied experimental evolution technique, which is a powerful tool to directly examine the evolutionary consequences of selection. Yet, the results so far only partly support the prediction. Here, we provide another example of experimental evolution of sexual selection, by applying it for the first time to the mating behaviour of a seed beetle Callsorobruchus chinensis. We found a lower remating rate in polygamy‐line females than in monogamy‐line (i.e. no sexual selection) females after 21 generations of selection. Polygamy‐line females also showed a longer duration of first mating than monogamy‐line females. We found no effect of male evolutionary lines on the remating rate or first mating duration. Though not consistent with the original prediction, the current and previous studies collectively suggest that the observed female‐limited responses may be a norm, which is also consistent with the conceptual advances in the last two decades of the advantages and limitations of experimental evolution technique.
A comparative study of bank efficiency in three Chinese regions: Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao
Authors: Gu Xinhua , Lian Zhaotong , Peng Lei , Zhao Qingbin
Published: December 2022

We conduct a bank efficiency comparison among three Chinese regions: Mainland China (CN), Hong Kong (HK), and Macao (MO). Specifically, we investigate the reasons for efficiency differences observed in the three regions from within‐region and cross‐region perspectives. We show that HK and MO maintain stable bank performance over time that lies within the developed‐economy range of efficiency levels. CN used to be well below this range but has been catching up so quickly that efficiency convergence in the three regions seems to be underway. We find that the determinants of bank efficiencies in the three Chinese jurisdictions are similar in some aspects but different in others. Most significant are their similarities in the effects of interest rate differentials, forex reserve accumulations, bank capital positions, interbank financing opportunities, and liquidity mismatch problems. Also important are their differences in the effects of bank size, revenue diversification, government ownership, property, and stock market development.