bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting nitrogen cycling between herbaceous wetland and terrestrial ecosystems inferred from plant and soil nitrogen isotopes across China
Authors: Hu Yu‐Kun , Liu Guo‐Fang , Pan Xu , Song Yao‐Bin , Dong Ming , Cornelissen Johannes H. C.
Published: March 2022

Understanding nitrogen (N) cycling in different ecosystems is crucial to predicting and mitigating the global effects of altered N inputs. Although wetlands have always been assumed to differ largely from terrestrial ecosystems in N cycling, evidence from direct comparison from the field along wide environmental gradients is lacking. Here, we hypothesized strong coupling of plant and soil δ15N in terrestrial ecosystems due to lower N inputs and losses but weak coupling of plant and soil δ15N in wetlands because of higher N inputs and losses.

We performed a large‐scale field investigation on 26 pairs of herbaceous wetland and terrestrial sites across China covering 21 degrees of latitude and determined natural abundance of nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in soils and leaves of 346 dominant and subordinate plant species. We analysed the relationships between leaf and soil δ15N and their drivers including plant functional types in these two types of ecosystems.

Plant functional types including mycorrhizal type and N2‐fixing status had consistently significant influences on leaf δ15N in herbaceous wetland and terrestrial ecosystems. Leaf δ15N increased significantly with soil δ15N within and across mycorrhizal types in both ecosystems, and, as hypothesized, the relationships were stronger and steeper in terrestrial than in wetland ecosystems. Moreover, leaf and soil δ15N were positively and significantly correlated within both N2‐fixers and non‐N2‐fixers in terrestrial ecosystems and within only non‐N2‐fixers in wetlands. At the community level, we also found more highly significant relationships between leaf and soil δ15N in terrestrial than in wetland ecosystems. Besides plant functional types, climatic and soil factors contributed to the variation in leaf δ15N in both ecosystems.

Synthesis. Weaker relationships between plant and soil δ15N in wetlands at species and community levels support the hypothesis that larger N inputs and losses lead to weaker coupling in the plant–soil systems in wetlands than in terrestrial ecosystems. This provides strong evidence from a large spatial scale for contrasting N cycling in these two types of ecosystems regardless of plant functional type in terms of nutrient uptake strategy. Our findings add to our predictive power of ecosystem N dynamics under environmental changes, for example, land‐use changes and elevated N inputs.
(Un)reasonable excuses – On R v Dunleavy, R v Copeland, and Section 58
Authors: Dinesson Kajsa E.
Published: March 2022

R v Dunleavy and R v Copeland raise a series of questions as to the balance between risk‐management and rights protections in the construction of criminal offences. This note compares and critically assesses these recent cases and the offences they concern, advocating for the reform of section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 with particular reference to the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder to date. The current form of section 58, it is argued, speaks to broader challenges facing both UK counter‐terrorism policy and criminal law in their balancing of risks and rights. To achieve a clearer and fairer offence, a broadly interpreted lawful object defence concerned with act‐types rather than act‐tokens, ought to replace the current reasonable excuse defence.
Emergency department presentations and associated hospital admissions for low back pain in Australia
Authors: Anderson David B , Chen Lingxiao , Eyles Jillian P , Ferreira Manuela L
Published: March 2022

Objective

To determine factors associated with hospital admissions from ED presentations for low back pain (LBP).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 147 ED centres in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2005 and 2014. Data were accessed from the NSW Emergency Department Data Collection to determine patients who attended ED and whether or not they were admitted to hospital.

Results

There were 1 388 078 ED visits for LBP across 147 different ED centres between 2005 and 2014. Between 2005 and 2013, hospital admission rates from ED visits for LBP increased annually by 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9–6.4) from 477 per 100 000 in 2005 to 730 per 100 000 in 2013. Patients who were under injured workers' insurance (i.e. workers compensation insurance) had significantly lower odds (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% CI 0.40–0.43) of being admitted to hospital for LBP compared with those not on injured workers' insurance. Patients living in the highest socioeconomic areas were also more likely to be admitted to hospital from an ED visit, compared with those from the lowest socioeconomic areas (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.24–1.29).

Conclusion

Rates of hospitalisation following attendance to ED for LBP increased annually by 5% between 2005 and 2013. Hospital admission rates were lower among patients from the lowest socioeconomic areas or under injured workers' compensation insurance.
The impact of levamisole and alcohol on white matter microstructure in adult chronic cocaine users
Authors: Michels Lars , Moisa Marius , Stämpfli Philipp , Hirsiger Sarah , Baumgartner Markus R. , Surbeck Werner , Seifritz Erich , Quednow Boris B.
Published: March 2022

Previous brain imaging studies with chronic cocaine users (CU) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) mostly focused on fractional anisotropy to investigate white matter (WM) integrity. However, a quantitative interpretation of fractional anisotropy (FA) alterations is often impeded by the inherent limitations of the underlying tensor model. A more fine‐grained measure of WM alterations could be achieved by measuring fibre density (FD). This study investigates this novel DTI metric comparing 23 chronic CU and 32 healthy subjects. Quantitative hair analysis was used to determine intensity of cocaine and levamisole exposure—a cocaine adulterant with putative WM neurotoxicity. We first assessed the impact of cocaine use, levamisole exposure and alcohol use on group differences in WM integrity. Compared with healthy controls, all models revealed cortical reductions of FA and FD in CU. At the within‐patient group level, we found that alcohol use and levamisole exposure exhibited regionally different FA and FD alterations than cocaine use. We found mostly negative correlations of tract‐based WM associated with levamisole and weekly alcohol use. Specifically, levamisole exposure was linked with stronger WM reductions in the corpus callosum than alcohol use. Cocaine use duration correlated negatively with FA and FD in some regions. Yet, most of these correlations did not survive a correction for multiple testing. Our results suggest that chronic cocaine use, levamisole exposure and alcohol use were all linked to significant WM impairments in CU. We conclude that FD could be a sensitive marker to detect the impact of the use of multiple substances on WM integrity in cocaine but also other substance use disorders.
Larval habitats of Culicoides ornatus Taylor, 1913 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) within the mangroves of Darwin Harbour in the wet‐dry tropics of northern Australia
Authors: Shivas Martin A , Bellis Glenn A , Gopurenko David , Webb Charles , Whelan Peter I
Published: March 2022

Larval habitats of the pest biting midge Culicoides ornatus were identified and characterised in a macrotidal mangrove creek system in Darwin Harbour in the wet‐dry tropics of northern Australia. Sampling was undertaken during the mid to late dry season using submersible emergence traps to indicate larval activity. Substantial emergence was found in two well separated and distinctly different habitats: open creekbanks covered in Avicennia marina (Grey Mangrove) pneumatophores in the upper reaches of small tidal creeks and broad relatively flat areas dominated by Sonneratia alba (Mangrove Apple) at the mouth of the creek system. Intervening areas along creeklines were lined by Camptostemon schultzii (Kapok Mangrove) and did not support emergence activity. Adults emerging from each habitat were conspecific, based on comparison of mitochondrial COI gene sequences and a range of morphological characters. Nine different haplotypes were identified from 26 adults, with four haplotypes common to both habitats. Neighbour‐joining analysis resolved all the haplotypes as a single highly supported clade with an average sequence difference of 1.6%. Features common to the two habitats included occurrence in sheltered mangrove‐lined estuaries; occurrence in soft, fine, silt mud; presence of mangrove pneumatophores; and an open vegetation structure providing partial shade. Dense vegetation appeared to be a limiting factor. The tidal creek habitat was similar to C. ornatus habitats previously described from the east coast of Australia, but neither the Sonneratia zone nor other habitats at such a low tidal elevation have been previously associated with C. ornatus. This is the first detailed account of the larval biology of this important mangrove breeding pest species. The identification of likely C. ornatus breeding sites in Darwin Harbour and other similar ria coastlines of northern Australia should be possible from aerial photographs using the habitat descriptions presented in this paper.
Diversity of Lepidoptera associated with macadamia nut damage in South Africa and development of molecular tools to monitor pest populations
Authors: Smith Ashleigh K. , Slippers Bernard , Hurley Brett P. , Fourie Gerda
Published: March 2022

Lepidopteran pests are of major economic importance to macadamia growers worldwide. In South Africa, four species have been associated with macadamia nut damage. Detailed information regarding species composition of the borer larvae in the nuts and the genetic diversity of these species is not however available.

Lepidoptera obtained from nuts from the KwaZulu‐Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces were identified based on COI sequencing.

Thaumatotibia batrachopa represented 95% of the larvae collected in damaged nuts across all growing regions.

The population genetic diversity and structure of the dominant species were determined using a 650 bp section of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I gene to construct a parsimony network.

Rapid diagnostic tools were developed, which included a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay for the identification of all four species and species‐specific primers for T. batrachopa and T. leucotreta.

Population studies of T. batrachopa showed a dominant COI haplotype present in all growing regions, although several unique haplotypes were also present in each region. Overall, the high haplotype diversity observed in this study is in agreement with that of a native population. The populations between the growing regions are, however, not clearly separated and might reflect recent gene flow.
Raging Against the “Neoliberal Hellscape”: Anger, Pride, and Ambivalence in Civil Society Responses to the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the USA
Authors: Leap Braden , Stalp Marybeth C. , Kelly Kimberly
Published: March 2022

Do volunteers and civil society groups entrench or subvert neoliberalisation? We contribute to this debate by utilising data from 662 self‐administered questionnaires and 78 semi‐structured interviews with adults who made and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to a failed federal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic in the USA. The state’s failure to protect Americans angered PPE makers, even as they worked to address PPE shortages. Many purposefully assisted populations marginalised by neoliberal policies, taking pride in their ability to help. Although makers generally did not seek to reform the institutions that had failed them, our results indicate that civil society groups may challenge neoliberalisation by rallying communities to mitigate its worst impacts. Instead of being a passive conduit for neoliberalisation, PPE makers’ efforts in the USA were more accurately characterised by ambivalent engagements with neoliberalisation that sometimes bolstered collective efforts to challenge neoliberal governance and its associated inequities.
Translation model for anterior segment tomographic data to corneal spherical aberration derived from a Monte‐Carlo simulation based on raytracing
Authors: Langenbucher Achim , Szentmáry Nóra , Cayless Alan , Münninghoff Lena , Wortmann Rosalie , Wendelstein Jascha , Hoffmann Peter
Published: March 2022

Background

Intraocular lenses with a negative aspherical design for correction of corneal spherical aberration (SA) have gained popularity in recent decades. In most cases, a ‘one size fits all’ concept is followed, where all eyes receive lenses with the same SA correction. The purpose of this study is to develop a strategy based on raytracing using anterior segment tomography data to extract corneal SA and to provide simple multivariable linear models for prediction of corneal SA.

Methods

The analysis was based on a large dataset of 8737 measurements of 8737 eyes from 1 clinical centre, using the Casia2 anterior segment tomographer. An optical model based on: corneal front and back surface radius Ra and Rp, asphericities Qa and Qp, corneal thickness CCT, anterior chamber depth ACD, and pupil centre position (X‐Y position: PupX and PupY), was defined for each measurement. Corneal SA was derived using a 6‐mm aperture perpendicular to the incident ray and centred on the chief ray, and linear prediction models were derived for SA using biometric data. Cross‐validation was used for model performance evaluation.

Results

Using raytracing, the wavefront error within an aperture (6‐mm diameter centred on the intersection of the chief ray with the cornea) was calculated and corneal SA was extracted. After identifying the relevant effect sizes (Ra, Qa, Rp Qp, ACD, PupX and PupY) using stepwise linear regression, linear mixed‐effects models (model 1: all effect sizes, model 2: Ra, Qa, Rp and Qp, model 3: Ra and Qa) were set up on the training data in terms of a Monte‐Carlo simulation. On the test data (training data), model 1 with a mean absolute/root‐mean‐squared prediction error of 0.0095/0.0130 (0.0095/0.0127) performed similarly to model 2 with 0.0097/0.0131 (0.0096/0.0127), and both outperformed model3 with 0.0152/0.0197 (0.0148/0.0190).

Conclusion

Based on the Casia2 anterior segment tomographer, corneal SA could be derived using shape data (curvature and asphericities) of both corneal surfaces (model 2). This information could easily be used for selection of the appropriate negative aspherical lens design in cataract surgery.
Deep learning identify retinal nerve fibre and choroid layers as markers of age‐related macular degeneration in the classification of macular spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography volumes
Authors: Tvenning Arnt‐Ole , Hanssen Stian Rikstad , Austeng Dordi , Morken Tora Sund
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Deep learning models excel in classifying medical image data but give little insight into the areas identified as pathology. Visualization of a deep learning model’s point of interest (POI) may reveal unexpected areas associated with diseases such as age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, a deep learning model coined OptiNet was trained to identify AMD in spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) macular scans and the anatomical distribution of POIs was studied.

Methods

The deep learning model OptiNet was trained and validated on two data sets. Data set no. 1 consisted of 269 AMD cases and 115 controls with one scan per person. Data set no. 2 consisted of 337 scans from 40 AMD cases (62 eyes) and 46 from both eyes of 23 controls. POIs were visualized by calculating feature dependencies across the layer hierarchy in the deep learning architecture.

Results

The retinal nerve fibre and choroid layers were identified as POIs in 82 and 70% of cases classified as AMD by OptiNet respectively. Retinal pigment epithelium (98%) and drusen (97%) were the areas applied most frequently. OptiNet obtained area under the receiver operator curves of ≥99.7%.

Conclusion

POIs applied by the deep learning model OptiNet indicates alterations in the SD‐OCT imaging regions that correspond to the retinal nerve fibre and choroid layers. If this finding represents a tissue change in macular tissue with AMD remains to be investigated, and future studies should investigate the role of the neuroretina and choroid in AMD development.
Loneliness and mortality: The moderating effect of positive affect
Authors: Beller Johannes
Published: March 2022

Although the adverse association of loneliness with health and mortality are well documented, less is known about moderating factors of this relationship. According to the “buffering theory,” it is argued that positive affect moderates the negative associations of stressors with health. The current study contributes to the literature by asking: Does positive affect also moderate the relationship between loneliness and mortality? A large population‐based sample of middle‐aged and older adults in Germany from 2008 was used (N = 4442). Mortality was monitored up to 2020, resulting in a maximum follow‐up period of observation of 12 years, in which mortality events could be observed. Loneliness was measured using an adapted German version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, while positive affect was measured with an adapted German version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Using Cox survival regression, it was found that loneliness significantly predicted increased mortality risk (HR = 1.20; p = .029); conversely, positive affect significantly predicted decreased mortality risk (HR = 0.63; p < .001). Furthermore, a significant interaction emerged between loneliness and positive affect in predicting mortality (HR = 0.70; p = .001): The strength of the association of loneliness with mortality decreased with increasing levels of positive affect. Positive affect attenuates the association between loneliness and mortality, supporting previous empirical research and theories on the buffering effect of positive affect. If replicated in further studies, interventions that promote positive affect might be beneficial to mitigate the negative associations of loneliness with health.
Transnational physical activity and sport engagement of new Asian migrants in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Liu Tao , Liu Liangni Sally
Published: March 2022

Based upon a literature review, this paper first identifies and articulates the importance of studying physical activity and sport (PAS) engagement of new Asian migrants within a particular geographical location – New Zealand. A pilot study with a series of in‐depth interviews highlights some challenges that New Zealand Regional Sports Organisations (RSOs) and new Asian migrants face in terms of PAS engagement. Findings from the pilot study interviews indicate that RSOs in New Zealand are well aware of these challenges, and these challenges mainly stem from a lack of understanding of the needs of new Asian migrant communities. These findings also indicate that ethnicity plays a significant role in influencing migrants' PAS engagement.
Sensitivity of ponies to sodium in the drinking water
Authors: Enke Nick , Brinkmann Lea , Südekum Karl‐Heinz , Tholen Ernst , Gerken Martina
Published: March 2022

Horses lose high amounts of Na through excessive sweating. These fluid losses can often not be replaced completely by voluntary water intake, requiring saline solutions as rehydration therapy to regain electrolyte balance. The experiment aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and tolerance of Shetland ponies towards different Na concentrations in their drinking water and contained three phases: (1) control: only fresh water provided; (2) pairwise‐preference test: choice between fresh water and saline solution with stepwise increasing sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, or 1.5%); and (3) free‐choice test: six simultaneously provided buckets containing NaCl concentrations of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, or 1.25%. During the pairwise test, the ponies did not distinguish between fresh and 0.25% NaCl‐water but demonstrated clear preference for 0.5%, whereas >0.75% NaCl was avoided/rejected. During the free‐choice test, a pronounced preference of fresh over saline water was exhibited. The Na intake via salt lick was not reduced as response to higher Na intakes via water. The ponies exhibited a remarkable sensory discrimination capacity to detect different NaCl concentrations in their drinking water. The acceptance of solutions with low NaCl levels (0.25/0.5%) without adverse effects demonstrates potential as rehydration solution for voluntary intake.
Making strange connections: The challenge of crisis management
Authors: Mitroff Ian I.
Published: March 2022

One of the greatest challenges facing crisis management is the cold hard fact that the most disparate and seemingly unrelated crises have a strange way of linking up and thus of doing even greater damage than if they had occurred simply and solely by themselves. It thereby poses an even greater challenge to what we not only take as reality, but how we manage it.
Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and safety of talazoparib in patients with advanced cancer and varying degrees of hepatic impairment
Authors: Guo Cen , Yu Yanke , Chakrabarti Jayeta , Piha‐Paul Sarina A. , Moroose Rebecca , Plotka Anna , Shi Haihong , Durairaj Chandrasekar , Wang Diane D. , Wainberg Zev A.
Published: March 2022

Aim

This phase I study investigated talazoparib pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety in patients with advanced solid tumours and varying degrees of hepatic function.

Methods

Patients with advanced solid tumours and normal hepatic function or varying degrees of hepatic impairment (mild, moderate or severe, based on National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group classification) received talazoparib 0.5 mg once daily for 22 calendar days. Plasma and urine samples after single and multiple doses were collected and analysed for talazoparib using validated assays. Plasma PK data from all patients were analysed using the population PK method. Plasma and urine PK parameters in PK‐evaluable patients were calculated using noncompartmental analysis (NCA). Safety was monitored in all enrolled patients.

Results

Thirty‐eight patients were enrolled; 37 had ≥1 PK concentration, among which 17 were evaluable for NCA. Population PK analysis (n = 37) indicated no significant impact of hepatic function on apparent clearance (CL/F) of talazoparib. Baseline creatinine clearance was the only significant covariate on CL/F (α = 0.05). NCA of data (n = 17) showed no clear trend for increase in exposure on day 22 with worsening hepatic function. Talazoparib protein binding was comparable in patients with varying hepatic function. Talazoparib was generally well tolerated, and the safety profile observed in this study was consistent with the known safety profile of the drug.

Conclusions

Hepatic impairment (mild, moderate or severe) has no impact on the PK of talazoparib. No dose modification is recommended for patients with advanced solid tumours and various degrees of hepatic impairment, and this labelling language has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.
Improving communication and teamwork during labor: A feasibility, acceptability, and safety study
Authors: Weiseth Amber , Plough Avery , Aggarwal Reena , Galvin Grace , Rucker Amber , Henrich Natalie , Miller Kate , Subramanian Laura , Hawrusik Rebecca , Berry William , Gullo Susan , Spigel Lauren , Dever Kimberly , Loveless Donald , Graham Kristin , Paek Bettina , Shah Neel T.
Published: March 2022

Background

TeamBirth was designed to promote best practices in shared decision making (SDM) among care teams for people giving birth. Although leading health organizations recommend SDM to address gaps in quality of care, these recommendations are not consistently implemented in labor and delivery.

Methods

We conducted a mixed‐methods trial of TeamBirth among eligible laboring patients and all clinicians (nurses, midwives, and obstetricians) at four high‐volume hospitals during April 2018 to September 2019. We used patient and clinician surveys, abstracted clinical data, and administrative claims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of TeamBirth.

Results

A total of 2,669 patients (approximately 28% of eligible delivery volume) and 375 clinicians (78% response rate) responded to surveys on their experiences with TeamBirth. Among patients surveyed, 89% reported experiencing at least one structured full care team conversation (“huddle”) during labor and 77% reported experiencing multiple huddles. There was a significant relationship between the number of reported huddles and patient acceptability (P < 0.001), suggestive of a dose response. Among clinicians surveyed, 90% would recommend TeamBirth for use in other labor and delivery units. There were no significant changes in maternal and newborn safety measures.

Conclusions

Implementing a care process that aims to improve communication and teamwork during labor with high fidelity is feasible. The process is acceptable to patients and clinicians and shows no negative effects on patient safety. Future work should evaluate the effectiveness of TeamBirth in improving care experience and health outcomes.
Assessing the relationship between psychosocial risk and pregnancy outcomes using the perinatal integrated psychosocial assessment (PIPA) tool
Authors: O'Connor Anne , Shand Antonia W. , Schneuer Francisco J. , Nassar Natasha , Austin Marie‐Paule
Published: March 2022

Background

The Perinatal Integrated Psychosocial Assessment (PIPA) tool screens for anxiety, depression, and psychosocial factors in pregnancy. We aimed to assess the association between PIPA‐determined psychosocial risk and obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Methods

Cohort study of all pregnant women who gave birth at ≥20 weeks of gestation in 2017‐2019 at a tertiary maternity hospital in, Sydney, Australia. Women completed PIPA at their first antenatal visit and were assigned a PIPA risk category. At‐risk women were reviewed and referred for support. The association between PIPA risk category and obstetric and neonatal outcomes was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic and pregnancy factors.

Results

In all, 5969 women completed PIPA; 71.4% were assessed no/low risk, 17.5% medium risk, and 11.1% medium‐high/high risk. Compared with no/low‐risk women, medium‐high/high‐risk women were more likely to remain in hospital for >72 hours (aOR 1.47 [95% CI 1.33‐1.64]); to not be breastfeeding at discharge (aOR 1.77 [95% CI 1.20‐2.61]); to have their infants experience birth complications (aOR 1.24 [95% CI 1.03‐1.50]); and to be admitted to the NICU (aOR 1.63 [95% CI 1.26‐2.11]). There was a modest increase in odds of cesarean birth (aOR 1.12 [95% CI 1.00‐1.27]), and no association with preterm birth or low birthweight. The risk of adverse outcomes disappeared for medium‐high/high‐risk women referred for support.

Conclusions

The PIPA tool identified one in 10 women at high psychosocial risk with increased risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Adverse outcomes were attenuated for high‐risk women who were referred for extra support, suggesting that psychosocial review and referral for high‐risk women may reduce the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
Incidence and outcomes of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease after 5365 solid‐organ transplants over a 20‐year period at two UK transplant centres
Authors: Santarsieri Anna , Rudge John F. , Amin Irum , Gelson Will , Parmar Jasvir , Pettit Stephen , Sharkey Lisa , Uttenthal Benjamin J. , Follows George A.
Published: March 2022

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life‐threatening complication of solid‐organ transplantation (SOT). We present the incidence and outcomes of PTLD in a cohort of 5365 SOT recipients over a 20‐year period at two UK transplant centres. With a median follow‐up of 7.7 years, 142 of 5365 patients have developed PTLD. Cumulative incidence was 18% at five years after multivisceral transplant and 1%–3% at five years following the other SOT types. Twenty‐year cumulative incidence was 2%–3% following liver and heart transplantation and 10% following kidney transplantation. Median overall survival (OS) following SOT was 16 years, which is significantly reduced compared with the age‐adjusted UK population. There is relatively high early mortality following diagnosis of PTLD and only patients surviving two years regained a longer‐term survival approaching the non‐PTLD SOT cohort. Of 90 patients with monomorphic PTLD, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, 66 were treated with first‐line rituximab monotherapy and 24 received first‐line rituximab plus chemotherapy. Up‐front rituximab monotherapy does not appear to compromise OS, but the number of patients dying from non‐lymphoma causes before and after treatment remains high with both treatment approaches. Multivariate analysis of all 90 monomorphic PTLD patients identified an International Prognostic Index (IPI) of 3+ as the strongest pretreatment variable associating with inferior one‐year OS.
The evidence interval and the Bayesian evidence value: On a unified theory for Bayesian hypothesis testing and interval estimation
Authors: Kelter Riko
Published: March 2022

Interval estimation is one of the most frequently used methods in statistical science, employed to provide a range of credible values a parameter is located in after taking into account the uncertainty in the data. However, while this interpretation only holds for Bayesian interval estimates, these suffer from two problems. First, Bayesian interval estimates can include values which have not been corroborated by observing the data. Second, Bayesian interval estimates and hypothesis tests can yield contradictory conclusions. In this paper a new theory for Bayesian hypothesis testing and interval estimation is presented. A new interval estimate is proposed, the Bayesianevidence interval, which is inspired by the Pereira–Stern theory of the full Bayesian significance test (FBST). It is shown that the evidence interval is a generalization of existing Bayesian interval estimates, that it solves the problems of standard Bayesian interval estimates and that it unifies Bayesian hypothesis testing and parameter estimation. The Bayesian evidence value is introduced, which quantifies the evidence for the (interval) null and alternative hypothesis. Based on the evidence interval and the evidence value, the (full) Bayesian evidence test (FBET) is proposed as a new, model‐independent Bayesian hypothesis test. Additionally, a decision rule for hypothesis testing is derived which shows the relationship to a widely used decision rule based on the region of practical equivalence and Bayesian highest posterior density intervals and to the e‐value in the FBST. In summary, the proposed method is universally applicable, computationally efficient, and while the evidence interval can be seen as an extension of existing Bayesian interval estimates, the FBET is a generalization of the FBST and contains it as a special case. Together, the theory developed provides a unification of Bayesian hypothesis testing and interval estimation and is made available in the R packagefbst.
Parental experiences of having a child with CLN3 disease (juvenile Batten disease) and how these experiences relate to family resilience
Authors: Krantz Mattias , Malm Emma , Darin Niklas , Sofou Kalliopi , Savvidou Antri , Reilly Colin , Boström Petra
Published: March 2022

Background

CLN3 disease is a neurodegenerative condition presenting in the first decade of life typically leading to death in the third decade. The earliest symptom is rapidly progressive visual impairment followed by intellectual and motor impairments, epilepsy and behavioural disturbances. There are limited data on how the condition affects the family system or the role of family resilience in paediatric neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight parents (five mothers and three fathers) of five children with CLN3. Interview questions focused on the experience of having a child with CLN3, its impact on the family system as well as the concept of family resilience. Data were analysed via thematic analysis.

Results

The thematic analysis resulted in four main themes. The theme ‘recurring losses’ included the feeling of losing a healthy child, the child's loss of abilities and loss of relationships. The theme ‘disruption to the family system’ included that siblings could be ‘side‐lined’, the potential negative impact on romantic relationships and difficulties finding time to oneself. The theme ‘Society is not developed for a progressive disease’ highlighted the difficulties parents faced with respect to contacts with the health and/or social insurance system. The paediatric health care system was seen as supportive, but the adult health care system was not seen as fit for the purpose. Regarding family resilience, parents felt that the disease forced them to reconsider what was important in life. Several parents described that they learned to value small moments of joy and create deep connections through involvement in family routines and rituals.

Conclusions

CLN3 places a very significant burden on the family system including parental feelings of loss, impact on family relationships and lack of understanding within the health/social insurance systems. The concept of family resilience may be useful in understanding the experiences of families affected by paediatric neurodegenerative conditions.
Evaluation of the relationship between polymorphisms in CYP2C19 and the single‐dose pharmacokinetics of omeprazole in healthy Chinese volunteers: A multicenter study
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Xie Ran , Zhang Xiaodan , He Xu , Huang Jie , Jungang Yin , Liao Man , Ding Ying , Yang Dandan , Liu Ying , Zhang Qian , Yang Guoping , Liu Fang , Guan Shengjiang , He Qing , Lou Honggang , Gong Fengyun , Meng Xianmin , Xiang Qian , Zhao Xia , Cui Yimin
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms in CYP2C19 and the single‐dose pharmacokinetics (PKs) of omeprazole in healthy Chinese volunteers. A 20 mg single dose of omeprazole (Losec) enteric‐coated capsules or tablets was orally administered to 656 healthy subjects from eight subcenters. The polymorphic alleles of CYP2C19*2, *3, and *17 were determined by Sanger sequencing and Agena mass array. Plasma concentrations of omeprazole were determined by high‐performance liquid‐chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PK parameters of area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC)0‐t, AUC from zero to infinity (AUC0‐∞), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and terminal half‐life (t1/2) were significantly influenced by CYP2C19 phenotype (all p < 0.001) and diplotype (all p < 0.001), and the same results were obtained in the subgroup analysis of the effects of diet and dosage form. The polymorphisms of CYP2C19*2(rs4244285; all PK parameters p < 0.001) and *3(rs4986893; pCmax = 0.020, and the p values of other PK parameters were less than 0.001) were significantly associated with the PKs of omeprazole. For CYP2C19*17 (rs12248560), only t1/2 showed a significant correlation (p = 0.032), whereas other PK parameters did not. The present study demonstrated that the Pks of omeprazole is greatly influenced by CYP2C19.
Rupture of a pseudoaneurysm after uncovered self‐expanding biliary metallic stent placement
Authors: Soga Koichi , Mazaki Mika , Kano Taku
Published: March 2022

Watch a video of this article.
Alliance of Randomized Trials of Medicine vs Metabolic Surgery in Type 2 Diabetes (ARMMS‐T2D): Study rationale, design, and methods
Authors: Simonson Donald C. , Hu Bo , Arterburn David E. , Schauer Philip R. , Kashyap Sangeeta R. , Courcoulas Anita P. , Cummings David E. , Patti Mary‐Elizabeth , Gourash William F. , Vernon Ashley H. , Jakicic John M. , Kirwan John P.
Published: March 2022

Aims

Long‐term data from randomized clinical trials comparing metabolic (bariatric) surgery versus a medical/lifestyle intervention for treatment of patients with obesity/overweight and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are lacking. The Alliance of Randomized Trials of Medicine vs Metabolic Surgery in Type 2 Diabetes (ARMMS‐T2D) is a consortium of four randomized trials designed to compare long‐term efficacy and safety of surgery versus medical/lifestyle therapy on diabetes control and clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Patients with T2D and body mass index (BMI) of 27‐45 kg/m2 who were previously randomized to metabolic surgery (Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, or sleeve gastrectomy) versus medical/lifestyle intervention in the STAMPEDE, SLIMM‐T2D, TRIABETES, or CROSSROADS trials have been enrolled in ARMMS‐T2D for observational follow‐up. The primary outcome is change in glycated haemoglobin after a minimum 7 years of follow‐up, with additional analyses to determine rates of diabetes remission and relapse, as well as cardiovascular and renal endpoints.

Results

In total, 302 patients (192 surgical, 110 medical/lifestyle) previously randomized in the four parent studies were eligible for participation in the ARMMS‐T2D observational study. Participant demographics were 71% white, 27% African‐American and 68% female. At baseline: age, 50 ± 8 years; BMI, 36.5 ± 3.5 kg/m2; duration of diabetes, 8.8 ± 5.6 years; glycated haemoglobin, 8.6% ± 1.6%; and fasting glucose, 168 ± 64 mg/dl. More than 35% of patients had a BMI <35 kg/m2.

Conclusions

ARMMS‐T2D will provide the largest body of long‐term, level 1 evidence to inform clinical decision‐making regarding the comparative durability, efficacy and safety of metabolic surgery relative to a medical/lifestyle intervention among patients with T2D, including those with milder class I obesity or mere overweight.
On the Gains from Tradable Benefits‐in‐kind: Evidence for Workfare in India
Authors: Ravallion Martin
Published: March 2022

Widely‐used in‐kind benefits are often rationed across potential participants in social programmes. This poses an operational challenge in implementation with limited public information. One possible solution is to randomize assignment given the available information. However, as this paper shows, neither the purposive targeting of in‐kind benefits nor randomized assignment is likely to yield a competitive equilibrium given private information on diverse personal gains. The paper characterizes equilibrium assignments and the implications for policy and evaluation. The theory is applied to an antipoverty programme providing rationed jobs on rural public works in a poor state of India. Special‐purpose survey data reveal large unexploited gains from allowing tradable assignments. The paper shows that the potential gains exceed those from poverty targeting and stylized cash transfer options. Realizing the scope for poverty reduction by such means will undoubtedly require complementary efforts in reducing the influence of other market and institutional factors creating poverty in the first place, including inequalities in access to credit and knowledge.
Sand fractions micromorphometry detected by Vis‐NIR‐MIR and its impact on water retention
Authors: Di Raimo Luis Augusto Di Loreto , Couto Eduardo Guimarães , Demattê José Alexandre Mello , Amorim Ricardo Santos Silva , Torres Gilmar Nunes , Cremon Cassiano , de Mello Danilo César , Bocuti Edwaldo Dias , Poppiel Raul Roberto , da Silva Adeilson Nascimento , Lima Lucas Nunes , Neto Luis Carlos Gomes
Published: March 2022

The expansion of agricultural frontiers has increased the use of sandy soils as cropping areas; however, the water‐retention capacity (WRC) of the soil is a crucial factor. Thus, fast and accurate methodologies, such as spectroscopy, have gained importance to identify physical‐hydric and other attributes related to the WRC. Some theories indicate the micromorphometry of particles is an important factor in sandy soils. This study (I) investigated the WRC of sandy soils from distinct geologic formations and the influence of particle micromorphometry on the WRC; (II) evaluated the sensitivity of Vis–NIR and MIR spectra to characterise physical‐hydric attributes and particle micromorphometry; and (III) quantified physical‐hydric attributes of sandy soils from their physical attributes, particle micromorphometric indices, and the visible‐near infrared‐mid infrared (Vis–NIR‐MIR) spectra. We determined the values of field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), available water (AW), clay, sand, silt, sand fractions, and OM as well as the micromorphometric indices and Vis–NIR and MIR reflectance of 29 sandy soil profiles. Soil attributes were correlated with each other and with the Vis–NIR and MIR spectra to understand their relationship with the WRC. The correlation and the principal component analyses (PCA) were performed to understand the relationship between Vis–NIR and MIR spectra and sand grain micromorphometry. Mathematical models were developed to estimate FC, PWP, and AW using soil attributes, micromorphometry, Vis–NIR, and MIR as predictor variables. Roughness of sand particle greatly influenced the WRC of sandy soils. The MIR region showed high sensitivity to identify different WRC patterns and particle micromorphometry in sandy soils. The Vis–NIR and MIR spectra presented high accuracy to predict FC and PWP of sandy soils. The mathematical models that used soil attributes + micromorphometry presented excellent calibration parameters; however, they did not show accuracy in the validation set.

Highlights

The influence of particle roughness on water retention of sandy soils was proven.

Roughness had a greater influence on water retention than texture proportions for highly sandy soils.

MIR spectra correlate strongly with the roughness of the very fine sand fraction.

MIR spectra and roughness can estimate sandy soils water retention with high accuracy.
Incidence of hypertension in people with HIV who are treated with integrase inhibitors versus other antiretroviral regimens in the RESPOND cohort consortium
Authors: Byonanebye Dathan M. , Polizzotto Mark N. , Neesgaard Bastian , Sarcletti Mario , Matulionyte Raimonda , Braun Dominique L. , Castagna Antonella , de Wit Stéphane , Wit Ferdinand , Fontas Eric , Vehreschild Jörg Janne , Vesterbacka Jan , Greenberg Lauren , Hatleberg Camilla , Garges Harmony , Gallant Joel , Volny Anne Alain , Öllinger Angela , Mozer‐Lisewska Iwona , Surial Bernard , Spagnuolo Vincenzo , Necsoi Coca , van der Valk Marc , Mocroft Amanda , Law Matthew , Ryom Lene , Petoumenos Kathy ,   the RESPOND study group
Published: March 2022

Objective

To compare the incidence of hypertension in people living with HIV receiving integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)‐based antiretroviral therapy (ART) versus non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) or boosted protease inhibitors (PIs) in the RESPOND consortium of HIV cohorts.

Methods

Eligible people with HIV were aged ≥18 years who initiated a new three‐drug ART regimen for the first time (baseline), did not have hypertension, and had at least two follow‐up blood pressure (BP) measurements. Hypertension was defined as two consecutive systolic BP measurements ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or initiation of antihypertensives. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to determine adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) of hypertension, overall and in those who were ART naïve or experienced at baseline.

Results

Overall, 4606 people living with HIV were eligible (INSTIs 3164, NNRTIs 807, PIs 635). The median baseline systolic BP, diastolic BP, and age were 120 (interquartile range [IQR] 113–130) mmHg, 78 (70–82) mmHg, and 43 (34–50) years, respectively. Over 8380.4 person‐years (median follow‐up 1.5 [IQR 1.0–2.7] years), 1058 (23.0%) participants developed hypertension (incidence rate 126.2/1000 person‐years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 118.9–134.1). Participants receiving INSTIs had a higher incidence of hypertension than those receiving NNRTIs (aIRR 1.76; 95% CI 1.47–2.11), whereas the incidence was no different in those receiving PIs (aIRR 1.07; 95% CI 0.89–1.29). The results were similar when the analysis was stratified by ART status at baseline.

Conclusion

Although unmeasured confounding and channelling bias cannot be excluded, INSTIs were associated with a higher incidence of hypertension than were NNRTIs, but rates were similar to those of PIs overall, in ART‐naïve and ART‐experienced participants within RESPOND.
An intersection of East Asian welfare and immigration regimes: The social rights of low‐skilled labour migrants in Japan and Korea
Authors: Kim Kyunghwan
Published: March 2022

Over the last two decades East Asian countries have demonstrated the simultaneous developments of state welfare provision, immigration control and immigrant integration policy. Despite significant growth in related interest and research, studies on immigrants and their social inclusion are still relatively scarce, especially in terms of the intersection of East Asian welfare and immigration regimes. This study thus examined and compared, from a historical perspective, the development of welfare and immigration regimes and their impact on the social rights of low‐skilled labour migrants in Japan and South Korea. These two countries have taken somewhat divergent paths, which has resulted in the persistent ethnic differentiation of low‐skilled labour migrants in Japan and their ethnically hierarchical inclusion in Korea. This article argues that the two policy legacies of East Asian welfare and immigration regimes, namely, productivism and ethnic nationalism, still significantly matter in policy making related to low‐skilled labour migrants.
Reaching without outreaching: A comparative policy study of EU member states policy agenda on youth unemployment
Authors: Andersson Lisa , Minas Renate
Published: March 2022

Youth unemployment is a global issue, with supranational actors calling for policy responses, including early interventions such as outreach. This article examines how EU member states have translated the EU youth guarantee (YG) recommendation, focusing on early interventions in the form of outreach. Combining quantitative content analysis with corpus linguistics, we examined the YG implementation plans of 19 EU member states having differing institutional conditions, comparing if and how they have incorporated outreach in their policy agenda. Overall we found very little outreach in the YG‐plans. In the outreach described, guidance and information on education and labour market efforts dominate, whereas social work and local level community work is largely absent. We found type of outreach to be related to institutional conditions. Our results also imply that getting member states to commit to early interventions such as outreach requires that the EU stress this issue with greater emphasis.
Examining the problem of joint custody in Japan: State familialism and family law reform
Authors: Hamano Takeshi
Published: March 2022

Japan's principle of granting sole child custody after divorce has been challenged by both the public and intellectuals. The country's ratification of the Hague Child Abduction Convention in 2014 and the Ministry of Justice's subsequent statement in 2019 regarding a possible inclusion of joint custody into the future family law are expected to lead to a move towards establishing shared parenting after divorce. Nonetheless, some activists and intellectuals in Japan have raised concerns that joint custody exposes the child and mother to the risk of violence by husband. Taking these debates into consideration, this article uses a social constructionist approach to analyse the records of the legislative committee and voices of activists to show the ways in which a challenge to the law and policy reform to shared parenting after divorce has been brought to a standstill in contemporary Japan.