bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib for ulcerative colitis: two‐year results of the ICC Registry
Authors: Straatmijer Tessa , van Schaik Fiona D. M. , Bodelier Alexander G. L. , Visschedijk Marijn , de Vries Annemarie C. , Ponsioen Cyriel Y. , Pierik Marieke , van Bodegraven Ad A. , West Rachel L. , de Boer Nanne K. H. , Srivastava Nidhi , Romkens Tessa E. H. , Hoekstra Jildou , Oldenburg Bas , Dijkstra Gerard , van der Woude Janneke C. , Löwenberg Mark , Mujagic Zlatan , Biemans Vince B. C. , van der Meulen‐de Jong Andrea E. , Duijvestein Marjolijn
Published: October 2022

Background

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and is registered for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). The effectiveness of tofacitinib has been evaluated up to 12 months of treatment.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of 24 months of tofacitinib use in UC patients in the Netherlands.

Methods

Patients initiating tofacitinib treatment were included in the ICC Registry, a nationwide, observational registry. Patients were prospectively evaluated for up to 24 months. The primary outcome was corticosteroid‐free clinical remission (CSFR, Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index [SCCAI] ≤2) at week 104. Secondary outcomes included biochemical remission (C‐reactive protein (CRP) ≤5 mg/L and faecal calprotectin (FC) ≤250 μg/g), safety, and discontinuation rate.

Results

We included 110 patients of whom 104 (94.5%) were anti‐TNF experienced. After 104 weeks of tofacitinib, 31.8% (34/107) were in CSFR, 23.4% (25/107) in biochemical remission and 18.7% (20/107) in combined clinical and biochemical remission. Of the patients in CSFR at week 52, 76.5% (26/34) remained so after 104 weeks of treatment. Sixty‐one patients (55.5%) discontinued tofacitinib after a median duration of 13 weeks (IQR 7–34). The main reasons for discontinuation were non‐response (59%), loss of response (14.8%), and adverse events (18%). There were 33.9 possible tofacitinib‐related adverse events per 100 patient‐years during follow‐up. Adverse events most probably related to tofacitinib were skin reactions and headaches. There were 6.4 herpes zoster infections per 100 patient‐years.

Conclusion

Tofacitinib was effective in 31.8% of patients after 24 months of treatment.
Black Lives Matter and the spatial imaginaries of urban political resistance
Authors: Dantzler Prentiss A.
Published: October 2022

Scholars have often characterized the city as the epicenter of social inequality. The city has largely been argued to be the product of capitalistic endeavors resulting in deep pockets of conflicting class interests and racial tensions. However, any attempt to understand the city as a function of a broader urban process must consider the ways in which class and racial struggles constitutively restructure power dynamics that are lived out among people and places. In this article, I briefly engage Black Loves Matter (BLM) and their policy efforts to think about the ways in which Black people create imaginaries about their own urban futures.
TAS2940, a novel brain‐penetrable pan‐ERBB inhibitor, for tumors with HER2 and EGFR aberrations
Authors: Oguchi Kei , Araki Hikari , Tsuji Shingo , Nakamura Masayuki , Miura Akihiro , Funabashi Kaoru , Osada Akiko , Tanaka Sakiho , Suzuki Takamasa , Kobayashi Susumu S. , Mizuarai Shinji
Published: October 2022

Genetic alterations in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are commonly associated with breast and lung cancers and glioblastomas. Cancers with avian erythroblastosis oncogene B (ERBB) deregulation are highly metastatic and can cause primary brain tumors. Currently, no pan‐ERBB inhibitor with remarkable brain penetration is available. Here, TAS2940, a novel irreversible pan‐ERBB inhibitor with improved brain penetrability, was evaluated for its efficacy against several ERBB aberrant cancer models. The selectivity of TAS2940 was evaluated by enzymatic kinase assays. The inhibitory effects of TAS2940 against ERBB genetic alterations were examined using MCF10A cells expressing various HER2 or EGFR mutations and other generic cell lines harboring deregulated ERBB expression. In vivo efficacy of TAS2940 was examined following oral treatment in subcutaneous or intracranial xenograft cancer models. TAS2940 was highly potent against cells harboring HER2/EGFR alterations. TAS2940 could selectively inhibit phosphorylation of targets and the growth of cancer cells with ERBB aberrations in vitro. TAS2940 also inhibited tumor growth in xenograft mouse models with ERBB aberrations: HER2 amplification, HER2/EGFR exon 20 insertions, and EGFR vIII mutation. TAS2940 was effective in the intracranial xenograft models of HER2/EGFR cancers and improved the survival of these mice. TAS2940 has promising therapeutic effects in preclinical study against cancers harboring HER2/EGFR mutations, especially metastatic and primary brain tumors. Our results highlight potential novel strategies against lung cancers with brain metastases harboring HER2/EGFR exon 20 insertions and glioblastomas with EGFR aberrations.
Development and validation of the Visual Function Battery for Children with Special Needs
Authors: Tsai Li‐Ting , Wu Wei‐Chi , Hsieh Ching‐Lin , Wu Tien‐Yun , Lu Yi‐Chieh , Hou Chiun‐Ho
Published: October 2022

Aim

To develop and validate the Visual Function Battery for Children with Special Needs (VFB‐CSN).

Method

This was a scale development and validation study with (1) construct and item generation and (2) evaluations of interrater reliability, acceptability, and content, ecological, and convergent validities.

Results

Children with special needs were recruited for the reliability (n = 32) and validity (n = 95) investigations. The construct and items were generated based on literature review and an expert panel. We constructed eight categories, namely visual reflex, ocular muscle balance, visual acuity, oculomotor, visual field, contrast sensitivity, colour/form vision, and visual attention. Both functional assessment and standardized tests were adopted. The reliabilities were high for the whole VFB‐CSN (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80–0.90) and good for the oculomotor, contrast sensitivity, and colour/form vision (ICC = 0.80–0.86, 95% CI = 0.50–0.93). Correlations between the VFB‐CSN and the Functional Vision Questionnaire were strong and acceptable for the contrast sensitivity, acuity, and colour/form vision (r = 0.79, r = 0.69, r = 0.69, r = 0.70 respectively). The correlation between the VFB‐CSN and standardized visual acuity test was acceptable (r = −0.72).

Interpretation

The VFB‐CSN is a reliable and valid multifaceted battery for children with special needs. Acceptable psychometric properties were also found for the acuity and contrast sensitivity.

What this paper adds

The Visual Function Battery for Children with Special Needs (VFB‐CSN) can measure several types of visual function.

The VFB‐CSN also measures varying degrees of visual impairment in children with special needs.

The VFB‐CSN provides functional assessment and quantitative measurement for children with disability and difficulty in cooperating on standardized tests.
Comparison on mechanical behavior and microstructural features between traditional and AM AISI 316L
Authors: Santonocito Dario , Fintová Stanislava , Di Cocco Vittorio , Iacoviello Francesco , Risitano Giacomo , D'Andrea Danilo
Published: October 2022

The aim of the present work is to investigate the difference in mechanical behavior between AISI 316L obtained by the turning process and that obtained by selective laser melting (SLM). To obtain a correlation between mechanical behavior and microstructure, static tensile and fatigue tests were performed, monitoring the energy release of the material adopting, respectively, the static thermographic method (STM) and the Risitano's thermographic method (RTM). Failure analysis was performed using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by the double‐loop electropotential reactivation (DL‐EPR). Worst mechanical properties, both under static and fatigue loading conditions, loss of corrosion resistance, and heat dissipation compared to traditional stainless steel have been found. These findings can be attributed to microstructural defects typical of the SLM printing technology.
Interactive effects of global change drivers as determinants of the link between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Berlinches de Gea Alejandro , Hautier Yann , Geisen Stefan
Published: October 2022

Biodiversity, both aboveground and belowground, is negatively affected by global changes such as drought or warming. This loss of biodiversity impacts Earth's ecosystems, as there is a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). Even though soils host a large fraction of biodiversity that underlies major ecosystem functions, studies exploring the relationship between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (sBEF) as influenced by global change drivers (GCDs) remain scarce. Here we highlight the need to decipher sBEF relationships under the effect of interactive GCDs that are intimately connected in a changing world. We first state that sBEF relationships depend on the type of function (e.g., C cycling or decomposition) and biodiversity facet (e.g., abundance, species richness, or biomass) considered. Then, we shed light on the impact of single and interactive GCDs on soil biodiversity and sBEF and show that results from scarce studies studying interactive effects range from antagonistic to additive to synergistic when two individual GCDs cooccur. This indicates the need for studies quantitatively accounting for the impacts of interactive GCDs on sBEF relationships. Finally, we provide guidelines for optimized methodological and experimental approaches to study sBEF in a changing world that will provide more valuable information on the real impact of (interactive) GCDs on sBEF. Together, we highlight the need to decipher the sBEF relationship in soils to better understand soil functioning under ongoing global changes, as changes in sBEF are of immediate importance for ecosystem functioning.
Drought stress impact on the performance of deep convolutional neural networks for weed detection in Bahiagrass
Authors: Zhuang Jiayao , Jin Xiaojun , Chen Yong , Meng Wenting , Wang Yundi , Yu Jialin , Muthukumar Bagavathiannan
Published: October 2022

Machine vision‐based weed detection relies on features such as plant colour, leaf texture, shape, and patterns. Drought stress in plants can alter leaf colour and morphological features, which may in turn affect the reliability of machine vision‐based weed detection. The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using deep convolutional neural networks for the detection of Florida pusley (Richardia scabra L.) growing in drought stressed and unstressed bahiagrass (Paspalum natatum Flugge). The object detection neural networks you only look once (YOLO)v3, faster region‐based convolutional network (Faster R‐CNN), and variable filter net (VFNet) failed to effectively detect Florida pusley growing in drought stressed or unstressed bahiagrass, with F1 scores ≤0.54 in the testing dataset. Nevertheless, the use of the image classification neural networks AlexNet, GoogLeNet, and Visual Geometry Group‐Network (VGGNet) was highly effective and achieved high (≥0.97) F1 scores and recall values (≥0.98) in detecting images containing Florida pusley growing in drought stressed or unstressed bahiagrass. Overall, these results demonstrated the effectiveness of using an image classification convolutional neural network for detecting Florida pusley in drought stressed or unstressed bahiagrass. These findings illustrate the broad applicability of these neural networks for weed detection.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the prognostic impact of lymph node micrometastasis and isolated tumour cells in patients with stage I–IIIA non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hüyük Melek , Fiocco Marta , Postmus Pieter E , Cohen Danielle , von der Thüsen Jan H
Published: October 2022

Lymph node micrometastases could be one of the reasons for the high recurrence rate after complete surgical resection in stage I–IIIA non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The standard evaluation of a single haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slide of a paraffin‐embedded section of a lymph node is insufficient for the detection of micrometastases, and there is a need for additional histopathological evaluation. The association of lymph node micrometastases with survival remains as yet unresolved. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to investigate if lymph node micrometastases and isolated tumour cells in patients with stage I–IIIA NSCLC, detected with multiple sectioning and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), are associated with overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) after surgical resection. We performed a meta‐analysis of time‐to‐event outcomes based on 15 articles using ancillary techniques to detect micrometastases. We extracted the OS and DFS every 3–6 months after surgery, for patients with and without occult lymph node micrometastasis, from the survival curves published in each article. These data were used to reconstruct OS and DFS for ‘micrometastasis’ and ‘no micrometastasis’ groups. Based on all included studies that used IHC, serial sectioning, or RT‐PCR, we found a 5‐year OS of 55% (micrometastasis) vs. 75% (no micrometastasis), and a 5‐year DFS of 53% (micrometastasis) vs. 75% (no micrometastasis). Patients with stage I–IIIA NSCLC with lymph node micrometastases detected by ancillary histopathological and molecular techniques have a significantly poorer OS and DFS compared to patients without lymph node micrometastases.
The effect of COVID‐19 on development of hair and nail disorders: a Turkish multicenter, controlled study
Authors: Kutlu Ömer , Demircan Yuhanize Taş , Yıldız Kenan , Kalkan Gӧknur , Demirseren Duriye Deniz , An İsa , Oba Muazzez Çiğdem , Emre Selma , Şenel Engin , Bilgili Serap Güneş , Savaş Sevil Erdoğan , Aktürk Aysun Şikar , Türkmen Dursun , Çakmak Seray Külcü , Kulaklı Sevgi , Demirbaş Abdullah , Altunışık Nihal , Coşansu Nur Cihan , Aksoy Güneş Gur , Tosun Mustafa , Kurt Birgül Özkesici , Şentürk Nilgün , Şener Serpil , Özden Hatice Kaya , Temiz Selami Aykut , Atak Mehmet Fatih , Süslü Hülya , Oğuz Işil Deniz , Kılıç Sevilay , Ustaoğlu Eda , Topal İlteriş Oğuz , Akbulut Tuğba Özkök , Korkmaz İbrahim , Kılıç Arzu , Hızlı Pelin , Küçük Özlem Su , Çaytemel Ceyda , Kara Rabia Öztaş , Koska Mahmut Can , Tatar Kübra , Dikicier Bahar Sevimli , Ağırgöl Şenay , Akşan Burak , Karadağ Ayşe Serap
Published: October 2022

Background

A broad spectrum of skin diseases, including hair and nails, can be directly or indirectly triggered by COVID‐19. It is aimed to examine the type and frequency of hair and nail disorders after COVID‐19 infection.

Methods

This is a multicenter study conducted on consecutive 2171 post‐COVID‐19 patients. Patients who developed hair and nail disorders and did not develop hair and nail disorders were recruited as subject and control groups. The type and frequency of hair and nail disorders were examined.

Results

The rate of the previous admission in hospital due to COVID‐19 was statistically significantly more common in patients who developed hair loss after getting infected with COVID‐19 (P < 0.001). Telogen effluvium (85%) was the most common hair loss type followed by worsening of androgenetic alopecia (7%) after COVID‐19 infection. The mean stress scores during and after getting infected with COVID‐19 were 6.88 ± 2.77 and 3.64 ± 3.04, respectively, in the hair loss group and were 5.77 ± 3.18 and 2.81 ± 2.84, respectively, in the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). The frequency of recurrent COVID‐19 was statistically significantly higher in men with severe androgenetic alopecia (Grades 4–7 HNS) (P = 0.012; Odds ratio: 2.931 [1.222–7.027]).

The most common nail disorders were leukonychia, onycholysis, Beau's lines, onychomadesis, and onychoschisis, respectively. The symptoms of COVID‐19 were statistically significantly more common in patients having nail disorders after getting infected with COVID‐19 when compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The development of both nail and hair disorders after COVID‐19 seems to be related to a history of severe COVID‐19.
Biochemical composition, protein quality and amino acid profile of red‐toothed triggerfish (Odonus niger), an underutilised fish
Authors: Suyani Nitin Kanji , Rajesh Mridula , Mohan Chitradurga Obaiah , Rajesh Kothanahally Mallegowda , Siddaiah Siddappaji
Published: October 2022

The present study aims to assess the seasonal and sex‐wise variations in proximate composition, amino acid profile and protein quality of Odonus niger, which will be the first report for this species. High‐protein (15.15%–20.05%) and low‐fat contents (0.46%–1.94%) were observed for the species studied. The highest protein was observed in September and December for male and female fishes respectively. The total essential amino acid (TEAA) content was 58.65–77.41 mg g−1 (males) and 60.25–77.38 mg g−1 (females) and leucine was the predominant EAA in both the sexes. The EAA index and biological value ranged between 17.50–22.56 and 7.38–12.89 for males and 18.02–22.48 and 7.94–12.80 for female fishes respectively. In male, TEAA followed Sept>Jan > Dec > Aug > Oct > Nov and in female it was Oct > Sept>Dec > Nov > Aug > Jan. The chemical score for histidine and threonine was more than the FAO recommended values. Overall, the nutritional quality of this unconventional species proved very good and comparable with other commercially important lean fishes.
Living Well Together Online: Digital Wellbeing from a Confucian Perspective
Authors: Dennis Matthew , Ziliotti Elena
Published: October 2022

The impact of social media technologies (SMTs) on digital wellbeing has become an increasingly important puzzle for ethicists of technology. In this article, we explain why individualised theories of digital wellbeing (DWB) can only solve part of this puzzle. While an individualised conception of DWB is useful for understanding online self‐regulation, we contend that we must seek greater understanding of how SMTs connect us. To build an account of this, we locate the conceptual resources for our account in Confucian ethics. In contrast to individualised conceptions of human flourishing that are found in the Western tradition, Confucian thinkers strongly emphasise that individuals cannot flourish alone, but need wider social structures (partner, family, society, nation). Not only do strands of Confucian ethics explain how individuals are defined by the roles they take up in relationships, but this perspective also makes practical suggestions for how these roles can be cultivated. We conclude our article by identifying the Confucian notions that seem to have most promise for the future design of SMTs.
Identifying cancer cell‐secreted proteins that activate cancer‐associated fibroblasts as prognostic factors for patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Luo Qiankun , Liu Jiayin , Fu Qiang , Zhang Xu , Yu Pengfei , Liu Pan , Zhang Jiali , Tian Huiyuan , Chen Song , Zhang Hongwei , Qin Tao
Published: October 2022

The study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated by cancer cells and construct a risk model to predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) after surgery. Pancreatic stellate cells were isolated from human pancreatic tissue and co‐cultured with cancer cells to verify their crosstalk. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect proteins secreted by cancer cells. The online tools Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, UALCAN, and the Human Protein Atlas were used to analyse gene expression in PC. Expression data from the cancer genome atlas and the clinical samples were used to develop a training receiver operating characteristic (ROC) model and an external validation ROC model, respectively. We identified that cancer cells promote the activation of inflammatory CAFs (iCAF) through secretory proteins, which promote PC metastasis. Six candidate proteins secreted by cancer cells were identified which promote iCAF formation. These proteins were highly expressed in tumours and were associated with a poor prognosis in patients with PC. Moreover, a 6‐gene model was constructed to predict death risk in patients at 1, 2 and 3 years after surgery. The training areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year death risks were 0.780, 0.792 and 0. 825, respectively. The externally validated AUC of death at 3 years post‐surgery was 0.728. In conclusion, cancer cell‐secreted proteins play a vital role in iCAF formation, and the 6‐gene model may be a potential marker for predicting whether PC patients will benefit from surgery.
Association of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor use and risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals with diabetes in Japan
Authors: Kubota Sodai , Haraguchi Takuya , Kuwata Hitoshi , Seino Yusuke , Murotani Kenta , Tajima Takumi , Terashima Gen , Kaneko Makiko , Takahashi Yoshihiro , Takao Ken , Kato Takehiro , Shide Kenichiro , Imai Saeko , Suzuki Atsushi , Terauchi Yasuo , Yamada Yuichiro , Seino Yutaka , Yabe Daisuke
Published: October 2022

Aims/Introduction

This study was designed and carried out to investigate the association of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor (DPP‐4i) use with pancreatic cancer (PC) in individuals with diabetes in Japan.

Materials and Methods

The JMDC Claims Database, which contains the medical and prescription information of Japanese employment‐based health insurance programs, was used. The primary outcome was duration to the first occurrence of PC (International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision code C25), both all and hospitalized, from prescription of DPP‐4is or other oral glucose‐lowering agents (GLAs).

Results

Individuals with diabetes who received DPP‐4is (n = 61,430) or other oral GLAs (n = 83,304) were analyzed. Follow‐up periods (median [interquartile range]) were 17 months (8–33) for DPP‐4is and 14 months (7–28) for other oral GLAs. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis to determine the duration of first use of DPP4i or other oral GLA to diagnosis of PC disclosed no differences between the two groups in duration to all or hospitalized PC (log‐rank test: all, P = 0.7140; hospitalized, P = 0.3446). Cox proportional hazards models showed that use of DPP‐4is did not affect the PC risk adjusted for medications, age, sex and risk comorbidities (all, hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 0.8–1.3, P = 0.6518; hospitalized, hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 0.8–1.4, P = 0.6662). Similar results were obtained when individuals with ≥2 years oral GLA treatment and those with medical checkup data (e.g., smoking or drinking habit) available were analyzed.

Conclusion

This database study shows that there is not a significant PC risk due to DPP‐4i treatment in individuals with diabetes in Japan, but larger studies with longer follow up are required to confirm these findings.
A Prudential Paradox: The Signal in (Not) Restricting Bank Dividends
Authors: GÜNTAY LEVENT , JACEWITZ STEFAN , POGACH JONATHAN
Published: October 2022

By restricting dividends in the weakest banks, prudential regulators counterintuitively induce more capital payouts in marginal banks. The potential for bank runs exacerbates the incentive to signal strength through dividend payments. Regulatory restrictions on those payments can be used to achieve the first‐best outcome, but only if the prevailing capital requirements are sufficiently high. In a crisis, the optimal dividend policy is more restrictive, since it allows the weak but solvent banks to pool with the strong. Finally, we show that the optimal release of regulatory bank information depends critically on the regulator's information and dividend restriction policies.
A perspective of fluorescence microscopy for cellular structural biology with EGFR as witness
Authors: Martin‐Fernandez M. L.
Published: October 2022

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a poster child for the understanding of receptor behaviour, and of paramount importance to cell function and human health. Cloned almost forty years ago, the interest in EGFR's structure/function relationships remains unabated, not least because changes in oncogenic EGFR mutants are key drivers of the formation of lung and brain tumours. The structure of the assemblies formed by EGFR have been comprehensibly investigated by techniques such as high‐resolution X‐ray crystallography, NMR and all‐atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. However, the complexity embedded in the portfolio of EGFR states that are only possible in the physiological environment of cells has often proved refractory to cell‐free structural methods. Conversely, some key inroads made by quantitative fluorescence microscopy and super‐resolution have depended on exploiting the wealth of structures available. Here, a brief personal perspective is provided on how quantitative fluorescence microscopy and super‐resolution methods have cross‐fertilised with cell‐free‐derived EGFR structural information. I primarily discuss areas in which my research group has made a contribution to fill gaps in EGFR's cellular structural biology and towards developing new tools to investigate macromolecular assemblies in cells.
The perceived effects of COVID‐19 while living with a chronic illness
Authors: Ryder Mary , Guerin Suzanne , Forde Rita , Lowe Grainne , Jaarsma Tiny , O'Neill Madeline , Halley Carmel , Connolly Michael
Published: October 2022

Introduction

A diagnosis of chronic illness posed a serious threat to people during the recent COVID‐19 pandemic. People with chronic illnesses were faced with increased mortality and reduced access to healthcare. Self‐care is the process of maintaining health and managing a chronic illness. Nurses working in specialist services provide healthcare education to people with chronic illnesses. Access to these nurses was decreased during periods of the COVID‐19 virus escalation due to the reconfiguration of services and redeployment of nurses. The purpose of the research was to learn from the experiences of people with a chronic illnesses in self‐care behaviors and accessing altered healthcare services to inform future practices.

Design

A population survey design.

Methods

A mixed methods survey was designed, combining validated questionnaires and scales with open‐ended questions. A convenience sample was utilized via using social media platforms. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Content analysis was used to analyze open‐ended responses.

Results

There were 147 responses, with approximately half reporting no changes in face‐to‐face healthcare contact, 41% reporting decreased contacts and 12% increased contacts. Non‐face‐to‐face contacts were reduced by almost 9%, did not change by almost 60%, while 33% indicated an increase. Participants reported mixed perceptions in contact with healthcare providers during restrictions. In the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care and the Self‐Care of Chronic Illness scales, participants scored statistically lower scores than in previous studies. Participants indicated that public health restrictions negatively impacted their confidence, created challenges with re‐engaging and that access to care was more difficult.

Conclusion

This research highlights the importance of providing continued support to people with chronic illness irrespective of other challenges to healthcare services. A structured approach to virtual self‐care education is required.

Clinical relevance

This research concluded that the experience of access to one healthcare professional as opposed to diverse multidisciplinary input was similar for a number of chronic illnesses groups of people during the COVID‐19 pandemic. There was an altered dynamic of virtual contacts with healthcare providers and a lack of confidence interpreting what monitoring was required by people with a chronic illnesses due to a lack of preparedness for virtual healthcare delivery.
Essential agriculture, sacrificial labor, and the COVID‐19 pandemic in the US South
Authors: Keegan Caroline
Published: October 2022

As farmworkers were reframed as “essential” workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic, US growers demanded unfettered access to foreign farm labor. After initially announcing a freeze on all immigration processing, the Trump administration bowed to farmers' demands, granting a single exception for agricultural guestworkers under the H‐2A visa program. Through a focus on H‐2A farmworkers in Georgia, this paper highlights how the pandemic exacerbated farm labor conditions in the US South. The author interrogates these conditions through the lens of racial capitalism, exposing the legacies of plantation political economies and a longstanding agricultural labor system premised on devaluing racialized labor. These histories are obscured by the myth of agricultural exceptionalism—the idea that agriculture is too different and important to be subject to the same rules and regulations as other industries. Agricultural exceptionalism naturalizes the racial capitalist system and informs state responses that privilege agricultural production through the exploitation of farmworkers, remaking “essential” farmworkers as sacrificial labor.
A typology of Jordanian consumers after Covid‐19: The rational, the suspicious, and the cautious consumer
Authors: Obeidat Zaid , Obeidat Mohammad Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

This study presents a detailed typology of Jordanian consumers that identifies the effects of Covid‐19 on their personal, social, and purchase and consumption patterns following the pandemic. Based on a qualitative approach using a sample of Jordanian consumers (N = 71), this study identifies three main types of consumers: the rational, suspicious, and cautious. All were distinguished by cognitive, emotional, and behavioral differences: the rational consumers viewed the pandemic as a natural occurrence, were willing to vaccinate, and took the opportunity to improve their lives and consumption behavior; the suspicious consumers viewed the pandemic as a man‐made virus and refused to rationalize their behaviors and follow the social‐distancing rules or vaccinate; and the cautious consumers were generally somewhere in between, and while they improved some aspects of their consumption, social, and personal lives, other aspects either remained the same or worsened. The findings have implications for managers and governmental bodies.
The influence of intensive care unit culture and environment on nurse decision‐making when managing vasoactive medications: A qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Hunter Stephanie , Considine Julie , Manias Elizabeth
Published: October 2022

Background

Nurses working in intensive care units make autonomous decisions to manage high‐risk vasoactive medications in critically ill patients. Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is a vasoactive medication commonly administered to patients in intensive care units. The influence of unit culture and environment on nurse‐decision‐making on noradrenaline (norepinephrine) management is unknown.

Aims

The study aimed to investigate nurses’ perceptions of the impact of interpersonal interactions, socialisation, and the intensive care environment on decision‐making when managing noradrenaline (norepinephrine).

Materials & Methods

An exploratory qualitative study applied thematic analysis to focus group data. A purposive sample of nineteen nurses participated in four focus groups at two intensive care units in Melbourne, Australia, from March to June 2021. The COREQ checklist was used to guide study development and no patients or members of the public were involved in focus groups.

Results

Three themes were generated from the researcher's interaction with data, Nursing and Medications; Culture and Decision‐making; and a Safe Practice Environment. Nurses reported decision‐making challenges associated with learning to manage noradrenaline (norepinephrine) early in their intensive care career and discussed feelings of isolation due to staffing resources, and the configuration of the intensive care environment. Nurses developed titration and weaning strategies to support decision‐making in the absence of evidence‐based algorithms.

Discussion

Empathetic patient allocation early in nurses’ intensive care careers facilitated a safer learning environment, and reduced isolation inherent in single room intensive care units. Nurses developed and used titration and weaning strategies, often learnt from other clinicians to manage practice uncertainty.

Conclusions

Management of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is core business for intensive care nurses worldwide. Development of titration and weaning strategies by nurses indicated unmet need for guidelines to support decision‐making. Identifying contextual elements that impact nurse management of high‐risk medications can guide development of environments, resources and policies that support nurse decision‐making, and reduce nurse anxiety and disempowerment.
Aerosol generation during paediatric procedural sedation with continuous‐flow nitrous oxide suggests a low risk of airborne viral transmission to health‐care workers
Authors: Millar Robert , Moorhouse Andrew
Published: October 2022

Aim

Inhaled nitrous oxide is a common form of procedural sedation in paediatric care. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, concerns about potential aerosol generation and associated viral transmission to health‐care workers have led to controversy regarding its use. We aimed to measure the degree of aerosol generation during continuous flow nitrous oxide sedation to inform future guidelines.

Methods

Aerosol numbers in the respirable range were measured using a particle counter during 30 procedures undertaken in children under nitrous oxide sedation in the Emergency Department.

Results

Changes from baseline measurements were greatest in particles in the 0.3 μm range. The mean increase from baseline in 0.3 μm particles per cubic metre was 18 022 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5949–30 096) after the child entered the room, and 2931 (95% CI −4407 to 10 269) during nitrous oxide administration.

Conclusion

Variation of respirable particle numbers from baseline levels was no greater during nitrous oxide administration than for breathing and talking asymptomatic children. These results suggest the additional risk of airborne viral transmission to staff during inhaled nitrous oxide sedation is low.
Selective effects of a short transient environmental fluctuation on a natural population
Authors: Pfenninger Markus , Foucault Quentin , Waldvogel Ann‐Marie , Feldmeyer Barbara
Published: October 2022

Natural populations experience continuous and often transient changes of environmental conditions. These in turn may result in fluctuating selection pressures leading to variable demographic and evolutionary population responses. Rapid adaptation as short‐term response to a sudden environmental change has in several cases been attributed to polygenic traits, but the underlying genomic dynamics and architecture are poorly understood. In this study, we took advantage of a natural experiment in an insect population of the non‐biting midge Chironomus riparius by monitoring genome‐wide allele frequencies before and after a cold snap event. Whole genome pooled sequencing of time series samples revealed 10 selected haplotypes carrying ancient polymorphisms, partially with signatures of balancing selection. By constantly cold exposing genetically variable individuals in the laboratory, we could demonstrate with whole genome resequencing (i) that among the survivors, the same alleles rose in frequency as in the wild, and (ii) that the identified variants additively predicted fitness (survival time) of its bearers. Finally, by simultaneously sequencing the genome and the transcriptome of cold exposed individuals we could tentatively link some of the selected SNPs to the cis‐ and trans‐regulation of genes and pathways known to be involved in cold response of insects, such as cytochrome P450 and fatty acid metabolism. Altogether, our results shed light on the strength and speed of selection in natural populations and the genomic architecture of its underlying polygenic trait. Population genomic time series data thus appear as promising tool for measuring the selective tracking of fluctuating selection in natural populations.
Intermunicipal cooperation, integration forms, and vertical and horizontal effects in Japan
Authors: Noda Yu
Published: October 2022

This article identifies the effects of intergovernmental relations, particularly vertical relations between municipalities and higher levels of government where Institutional Collective Action has traditionally been under‐discussed, on types of collaborative benefits and different integration forms. The analysis was conducted using data from municipalities on the capital‐intensive service of waste management. The findings reveal that favorable horizontal relationships between municipalities enhance their capacity to solve both municipal and regional issues. The study also found that a high level of benefits emerged in contracted services when the horizontal relationship was highly favorable. In addition, vertical relationships with higher‐level governments contributed to improving fiscal efficiency, with greater perceived benefits of collaboration in the case of special district governments. The results suggest that while autonomous horizontal collaboration increases municipal capacity to solve issues, establishing collaborative relations with organizations from outside the municipality has the potential to generate an efficient integration system.
Teaching religion online to nontraditional adult learners
Authors: Smith Brian H.
Published: October 2022

Today three‐fourths of those enrolled in undergraduate programs are nontraditional students, defined by the National Center for Education Statistics as adults with one or more of these characteristics:delayed enrollment into postsecondary education, attended part time, financially independent, worked full time while enrolled, had dependents other than a spouse, was a single parent, or did not obtain a standard high school diploma. I have been teaching online world religion courses for nontraditional learners since 2004 (64 courses, totaling over 1000 students) at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) while also teaching full‐time in the classroom at Ripon College in Ripon, WI. This paper describes the pedagogical methods I have employed to maximize student learning in online courses. It summarizes my own learning experiences from teaching online at UWO and describes how online teaching has impacted my face‐to‐face classroom instruction at Ripon College.
Blood donation motivators and barriers reported by young, first‐time whole blood donors: Examining the association of reported motivators and barriers with subsequent donation behavior and potential sex, race, and ethnic group differences
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L. , Ysidron Dominic W. , Martin Caroline D. , Duffy Louisa , Kessler Debra A. , Rebosa Mark , Rehmani Shiraz , Frye Victoria , Shaz Beth H.
Published: October 2022

Background

A greater understanding of young, first‐time donor motivators and barriers is needed to address the ongoing challenge of retaining these essential donors.

Study Design and Methods

Structured interviews conducted with 508 young, first‐time whole blood donors [66.1% female; Mean Age = 19.4 (SD = 2.5) years] were coded to identify reported motivators and barriers. Reported motivators and barriers were then examined for their association with attempted donation behavior over a 14‐month follow‐up, and for potential sex, race, and ethnic group differences in the frequency of endorsement.

Results

Prosocial motivation (e.g., altruism) was the most commonly reported motivator and fear (e.g., fainting, needles) was the most commonly reported barrier. Donation behavior was unrelated to reported motivators, but was significantly related to four reported barriers including fear of fainting/dizziness, fear of needles/pain, having personal commitments that conflict with donating, and perceiving oneself as unsuited to donate for health reasons. Sex, racial, and ethnic differences were noted with respect to the percentages of donors reporting several donation‐related motivators and barriers.

Conclusion

The present findings identify donation‐related barriers that could be important targets to address in the effort to encourage new young donors and to retain these new donors for the long term. Importantly, these data also highlight the importance of considering individual differences in donor motivation as a function of sex, race, and ethnicity.
FMI-Based Co-Simulation of Low-Height Lifting System for Offshore Wind Turbine Installation
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Ataei Behfar , Halse Karl Henning , Zhang Houxiang , Hildre Hans Petter
Published: October 2022

The rapid development of offshore floating wind farms poses ever strong demands for technical innovation within wind turbine installation operation. A low-height lifting system was, correspondingly, conceptualized to improve the installation efficiency for a pre-assembled offshore wind turbine onto a SPAR buoy. However, before putting into practice, the performance of such complex system on the operation should be further verified and optimized by the integration of sub-systems, such as mechanical, hydraulic, and control sub-systems, in a simulation workbench. Benefited from the development of coupled simulation, the technical difficulties in the monolithic simulation for such a multi-domain system can be alleviated by a co-simulation approach based on functional mock-up interfaces (FMI) standard which allows modularized subsystems to be modeled independently in a high-fidelity level but simulated together. Therefore, here we develop a preliminary modularization solution based on FMI-based co-simulation for the simulation workbench of offshore floating wind turbine installation operation by low-height lifting system. The commercial simulation tool specialized for marine operation is adopted as subsystem simulator. Each simulator is packaged as a functional mock-up unit (FMU), and then parameterized and connected with each other based on system structure and parameterization (SSP) standard. Finally, the co-simulation performance is tested in Vico platform. The modularization solution is discussed for the basis of future investigations.
The Hydrodynamics of Hard-Chine Sections Entering Water
Authors: Tavakoli Sasan , Babanin Alexander V. , Hirdaris Spyros
Published: October 2022

While landing Wing-in Ground Effect (WIG) craft are exposed to large hydrodynamic forces which can lead to structural damages. Sea loads can be predicted by solving the free surface problem, known as water entry. The problem has been studied for rigid bodies until most recently, when researchers hypothesized that the structural response of the body can also influence the hydrodynamic pressures. This paper aims to provide deeper understanding of the impact loads during the water entry process of a hard chine section for the case of a common WIG Craft section. A Finite Volume Method (FVM) based computational fluid-structure interaction model is used to solve multi-physics and quantitative comparisons are made between experimental and computational data. Simulations demonstrate that structural dynamics can attenuate the pressure acting on body walls. The deadrise angle, speed in way of water entry and rigidity of the solid body are shown to affect the dynamic response with equivalent stresses maximized and then decaying over time near the chine.
A Systematic Review of the Associations of Adiposity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Arterial Structure and Function in Nonclinical Children and Adolescents
Authors: McAlister Kelsey L. , Zhang Diana , Moore Kristen N. , Chapman Tiffany M. , Zink Jennifer , Belcher Britni R.
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To summarize the evidence on associations of adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with arterial structure and function in nonclinical children and adolescents. Methods: Two researchers conducted a search in 5 electronic databases in April 2022 to find studies in nonclinical youth (age 5–17.9 y) reporting multivariable associations. Studies were eligible if adiposity and/or CRF were used as the predictor and arterial structure and/or function was the outcome. The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to assess methodological quality for experimental studies, and a modified version was used for observational studies. Results: Ninety-nine studies (72.7% cross-sectional) were included. Ninety-four assessed associations between adiposity and arterial outcomes, most using overall body proportion (n = 71), abdominal (n = 52), or whole-body adiposity (n = 40). Most evidence was inconsistent or nonsignificant, but 59 studies suggested higher abdominal adiposity and worse body proportion were associated with adverse arterial outcomes. Twenty-one assessed associations between CRF and arterial outcomes, with findings inconsistent. Most evidence was rated weak in quality. Conclusion: While high adiposity may contribute to poor arterial outcomes, evidence is limited regarding CRF. Future studies should disentangle these associations by studying youth with healthy adiposity but poor CRF, or vice versa, using longitudinal or experimental study designs.
Yap and Taz promote osteogenesis and prevent chondrogenesis in neural crest cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhao Xiaolei , Tang Li , Le Tram P. , Nguyen Bao H. , Chen Wen , Zheng Mingjie , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Dawson Brian , You Shuangjie , Martinez-Traverso Idaliz M. , Erhardt Shannon , Wang Jianxin , Li Min , Martin James F. , Lee Brendan H. , Komatsu Yoshihiro , Wang Jun
Published: October 2022

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into multiple cell types, including the osteoblasts and chondrocytes, and constitute most of the craniofacial skeleton. Here, we show through in vitro and in vivo studies that the transcriptional regulators Yap and Taz have redundant functions as key determinants of the specification and differentiation of NCCs into osteoblasts or chondrocytes. Primary and cultured NCCs deficient in
Yap
and
Taz
switched from osteogenesis to chondrogenesis, and NCC-specific deficiency for
Yap
and
Taz
resulted in bone loss and ectopic cartilage in mice. Yap bound to the regulatory elements of key genes that govern osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in NCCs and directly regulated the expression of these genes, some of which also contained binding sites for the TCF/LEF transcription factors that interact with the Wnt effector β-catenin. During differentiation of NCCs in vitro and NCC-derived osteogenesis in vivo, Yap and Taz promoted the expression of osteogenic genes such as
Runx2
and
Sp7
but repressed the expression of chondrogenic genes such as
Sox9
and
Col2a1
. Furthermore, Yap and Taz interacted with β-catenin in NCCs to coordinately promote osteoblast differentiation and repress chondrogenesis. Together, our data indicate that Yap and Taz promote osteogenesis in NCCs and prevent chondrogenesis, partly through interactions with the Wnt–β-catenin pathway.