bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Xenopus Central Nervous System (CNS)
Authors: Feng Martin Sihan , Bestman Jennifer E.
Published: April 2021

Notable for producing ATP via oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria also control calcium homeostasis, lipogenesis, the regulation of reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis. Even within relatively simple cells, mitochondria are heterogeneous with regard to their shape, abundance, movement, and subcellular locations. They exist as interconnected, tubular networks and as motile organelles that are transported along the cytoskeleton for distribution throughout cells. These spatial and morphological features reflect variability in the organelle's capacity to synthesize ATP and support cells. Changes to mitochondria are believed to support cell function and fate, and mitochondrial dysfunction underlies disease in the nervous system. Here we describe an in vivo time-lapse imaging approach to monitor and measure the movement and position of the mitochondria in cells of the developing brain in albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles. The unparalleled benefit of using Xenopus for these experiments is that measurements of mitochondrial morphology and distribution in cells can be measured in vivo, where the surrounding neural circuitry and other inputs that influence these critical organelles remain intact. This protocol draws together techniques to label brain cells and capture the morphology of the cells and their mitochondria with 3D time-lapse confocal microscopy. We describe open-source methods to reconstruct cells in order to quantify the features of their mitochondria.
Enhancing deep-learning training for phase identification in powder X-ray diffractograms
Authors: Schuetzke Jan , Benedix Alexander , Mikut Ralf , Reischl Markus
Published: April 2021

Within the domain of analyzing powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) scans, manual examination of the recorded data is still the most popular method, but it requires some expertise and is time consuming. The usual workflow for the phase-identification task involves software for searching databases of known compounds and matching lists of d spacings and related intensities to the measured data. Most automated approaches apply some iterative procedure for the search/match process but fail to be generally reliable yet without the manual validation step of an expert. Recent advances in the field of machine and deep learning have led to the development of algorithms for use with diffraction patterns and are producing promising results in some applications. A limitation, however, is that thousands of training samples are required for the model to achieve a reliable performance and not enough measured samples are available. Accordingly, a framework for the efficient generation of thousands of synthetic XRD scans is presented which considers typical effects in realistic measurements and thus simulates realistic patterns for the training of machine- or deep-learning models. The generated data set can be applied to any machine- or deep-learning structure as training data so that the models learn to analyze measured XRD data based on synthetic diffraction patterns. Consequently, we train a convolutional neural network with the simulated diffraction patterns for application with iron ores or cements compounds and prove robustness against varying unit-cell parameters, preferred orientation and crystallite size in synthetic, as well as measured, XRD scans.
The situational and individual determinants of entrepreneurship in the construction industry
Authors: Loosemore Martin , McCallum Andrew
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the situational and individual factors which motivate entrepreneurs to start a business in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews are undertaken with twenty-five entrepreneurs in the Australian construction industry.

Findings

Findings highlight the importance of eight recurring “situational” themes leading to the decision to start a business in the construction industry: life experiences; family background; roles models; education; previous employment; construction industry experience - especially at an early age; cultural factors and serendipity. Findings also reveal six recurring “individual” themes: individual agency; need for achievement; work–life balance; desire for independence, frustration avoidance and strategic instrumentality.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate that mainstream theories of entrepreneurship may underplay the importance of intergenerational traditions and cultural and informal institutional knowledge in the construction industry. The research is limited to interviews undertaken in the Australian construction industry.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for research, policy and educational practice. For researchers they highlight the potential value of social identity and new institutional theories as novel conceptual lenses in future construction entrepreneurship research. They also raise new methodological questions regarding the use of ethnographic methods which are relatively rare in construction research. This research also has important implications for educators in informing novel pedagogies for delivering entrepreneurial education which engages students in experiential learning. The findings also inform innovation policy to enable more entrepreneurship in what is seen widely as a low-innovation industry.

Social implications

There is widespread agreement about the importance of entrepreneurship as a driver of increased productivity, income, employment, ecological health and social equality and mobility in society. This is especially important to minority groups such as refugees and Indigenous people who employ entrepreneurship to circumvent the many barriers they face in gaining traditional employment in the construction industry.

Originality/value

Drawing on both psychological and sociological schools of thought in entrepreneurship theory, this paper answers calls for more qualitative and industry-specific entrepreneurship research. It contributes new insights to both mainstream and construction entrepreneurship research by contributing new insights by highlighting situational and individual factors which motivate entrepreneurs to start a business in construction.
Does organisational culture determine performance differentials in the hospitality industry? Evidence from the hotel industry
Authors: Seidu Samira , Opoku Mensah Abigail , Issau Kassimu , Amoah-Mensah Aborampah
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine performance differentials in the hospitality industry through organisational culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the positivism philosophy, thus relying on the quantitative approach. A structured questionnaire was deployed to gather data from 162 sampled respondents.

Findings

The study finds that mission, involvement and consistency as dimensions of organisational culture have a significant positive relationship with performance of the hotels. However, adaptability as an organisational culture dimension has no statistically significant relation with performance.

Practical implications

Through this study, key stakeholders in the hospitality industry will understand that deploying organisational culture in businesses is important in enhancing performance of businesses.

Originality/value

The study is underpinned by the organisational excellence theory, and its main contribution to the literature is by proposing that when firms deploy excellent cultural attributes, their performance will improve.
Experimental evidence of strong relationships between soil microbial communities and plant germination
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Travers Samantha K. , Val James , Ding Jingyi , Wang Jun‐Tao , Singh Brajesh K. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel
Published: April 2021

Plant‐associated microbes play essential roles in nutrient uptake and plant productivity, but their role in driving plant germination, a critical stage in the plant life cycle, is still poorly understood.

We used data from a large‐scale, field‐based soil seed bank study to examine the relationship among plants germinating from the seed bank and soil microbial community composition. We combined this with an experiment using 34 laboratory‐based microcosms whereby sterile soil was inoculated with microbes from different field sites to examine how microbes affect the germination of nine plant species.

The community composition of plants in the soil seed bank was highly and significantly associated with bacterial and fungal community composition, with stronger correlations for soil beneath plant canopies. Microbes predicted a unique portion of the variation in the community composition of germinants after accounting for differences in environmental variables. The strongest correlations among microbes and plant functional traits included those related to perenniality, growth form, plant size, root type and seed shape. Our microcosm study showed that different plant species had their own associated germination microbiome, and most plant–microbe interactions were positive during germination.

Synthesis. Our study provides evidence for intimate relationships between plant and soil biodiversity during germination. Our work fills an important knowledge gap for plant–microbe interactions and reveals valuable insights into the shared natural history of plants and microbes in terrestrial ecosystems.
Policy actors' perceptions on applying a SDH approach in child health policy in Australia: A cross‐disciplinary approach (public health and political science)
Authors: Littleton Clare , Star Cassandra , Fisher Matt , Ward Paul R.
Published: April 2021

Research suggests policy action on the social determinants of health (SDH) is required to reduce child health inequities (HE). However, there has been limited action in this area in Australia. Political will has been identified as a barrier but few public health scholars have conducted research which adopts a political science perspective to explore this issue. This study aims to address this gap in the literature. We conducted 27 semi‐structured interviews with policy actors involved in the development of four Australian child/youth health policies selected as relatively good practice in addressing the SDH and HE. Several political science theories guided the design of the study with the Shiffman and Smith framework predominantly used, and adapted, for analysis. The findings suggest policy development was supported by a cohesive policy network, including credible leaders. Framing of issues varied with early childhood development, health equity, and child rights being clear motivators for change. Policy actors used several tactics to navigate a neoliberal policy environment and promote a SDH agenda including adopting a credible framework; consultation with children/youth; establishing an institute outside of government; engaging medical entrepreneurs; and combining a Public Health and Wellbeing Act with a healthy cities approach.
Do SGLT‐2 inhibitors exhibit similar cardiovascular benefit in patients with heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction?
Authors: Singh Awadhesh Kumar , Singh Ritu , Misra Anoop
Published: April 2021

SGLT‐2抑制剂(SGLT‐2i)对心力衰竭患者的心血管有益已为人所知。SGLT‐2i在射血分数降低或保持不变的心力衰竭患者中是否具有类似的心血管效应尚不清楚。这项meta分析显示，SGLT‐2i与心力衰竭的类型无关，具有相似的心血管益处。未来的试验将证实或驳斥SGLT‐2i对射血分数保持不变的心力衰竭患者的心血管效应。
Prognostic significance of galectin‐3 expression in patients with resected NSCLC treated with platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Kusuhara Seiichiro , Igawa Satoshi , Ichinoe Masaaki , Nagashio Ryo , Kuchitsu Yuki , Hiyoshi Yasuhiro , Shiomi Kazu , Murakumo Yoshiki , Saegusa Makoto , Satoh Yukitoshi , Sato Yuichi , Naoki Katsuhiko
Published: April 2021

Background

Galectin‐3 (GAL3), a protein encoded by the LGALS3 gene, plays diverse roles in cancer initiation, progression, and drug resistance. Accordingly, high GAL3 expression in tumor cells is associated with poor prognosis in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognostic impact of GAL3 expression on patients with resected NSCLC receiving platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) remains unclear.

This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of GAL3 expression in NSCLC patients receiving platinum‐based AC.

Methods

The study included 111 patients with completely resected stages II and IIIA NSCLC who were receiving platinum‐based AC. GAL3 expression in cancer cells was evaluated immunohistochemically according to H‐score (“histo score), with a score of ≥170 considered as high expression. The correlation of GAL3 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and survival was subsequently evaluated.

Results

In survival analysis, GAL3 expression was significantly associated with recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, GAL3 expression was an independent predictive factor of RFS rather than OS.

Conclusions

GAL3 expression is a reliable biomarker to predict the prognosis of completely resected NSCLC patients receiving platinum‐based AC.
Clinical significance of intrapulmonary lymph node dissection in pathological stage IA non‐small cell lung cancer: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Sun Yungang , Zhang Qiang , Wang Zhao , Shao Feng
Published: April 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of intrapulmonary lymph node (ILN, stations 13–14) dissection on disease‐free survival (DFS) in stage IA non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in order to facilitate a more suitable determination of surgical strategies for early‐stage cases.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 416 patients with pathological stage IA NSCLC from February 2016 to November 2019. The patients were divided into a group with ILN dissection (ILND+ group) and a group without ILN dissection (ILND‐ group). DFS was compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared statistically using the log‐rank test before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Subgroup analysis of DFS stratified based on tumor size was also calculated.

Results

Both before and after PSM, the four‐year DFS of the ILND+ group was greatly increased compared to that of ILND‐ group (90.1% vs. 79.7%, p = 0.003; 95.5% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.003, respectively) and multivariable cox regression analysis revealed ILN dissection was an independent factor favoring DFS in stage IA NSCLC (p = 0.016 and p = 0.015, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed the four‐year DFS was comparable between the ILN D+ and ILND‐ groups with regard to tumor size ≤1.5 cm (90.6% vs. 92.7%, p = 0.715). However, the ILN D+ group was found to have a better oncological outcome compared with the ILND‐ group with regard to tumor size >1.5 cm (90.0% vs. 73.8%, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The prognostic impact of ILN dissection on patients with stage IA NSCLC appears to be significantly influenced by tumor size, and this should be taken into account when choosing the most appropriate therapeutic modality.
Influence of dental crown topography on fracture resistance of premolars with MOD preparation and subjected to different restorative protocols
Authors: de Mesquita Carulina Bueno , Melara Rafael , Luisi Simone Bonato , Burnett Luiz Henrique , de Melo Tiago André Fontoura
Published: April 2021

To evaluate whether dental crown topography influences the fracture resistance of premolars treated endodontically and with MOD preparation subjected to different restorative protocols. Sixty‐four human premolars with one or two roots in equal numerical proportions (n) were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): (S = single‐rooted; D = double‐rooted) SS: sound single‐rooted; SNR: endodontics (E) + MOD cavity preparation; SR: E + MOD + resin restoration (RS); SP: E + MOD + RS + horizontal zirconia post (ZP); DS: sound double‐rooted; DNR: E + MOD; DR: E + MOD + RS; and DP: E + MOD + RS + ZP. After allocation to the groups, the samples were thermocycled and then subjected to the fracture resistance test. Failures after the fracture test were classified as irreparable (with pulp floor fracture) or reparable (without pulp floor fracture). Data were analysed using one‐way anova and the Tukey test (α = 0.05). Single‐rooted premolars were more resistant to fracture than double‐rooted premolars. The restorative treatment using a horizontally transfixed zirconia post improved fracture resistance, resembling that of a healthy tooth.
Assessing cultural safety in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Authors: Withall Liz , Ryder Courtney , Mackean Tamara , Edmondson Wendy , Sjoberg David , McDermott Dennis , Wilson Annabelle
Published: April 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore how nurses and midwives (trained at Flinders University in Adelaide) from rural, remote and urban locations view the impact of cultural safety training on their practice and the extent to which they incorporated cultural safety principles into their practice.

Design

qualitative research study.

Setting

rural, remote and urban locations across Australia.

Participants

Nurses and midwives who had undertaken cultural safety training at Flinders University as part of their undergraduate degree.

Methods

Participants were recruited for semi‐structured interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded independently by members of the research team.

Main outcome measures

The use of cultural safety principles in participants' practice, and the extent to which they were applied, was determined. Barriers and enablers to enacting cultural safety in the workplace were also identified.

Results

10 individuals participated in an interview (7 nurses and 3 midwives). The Modified Monash Model was used to classify participant location with the following observed: MM1, six; MM2, two; MM5, one; MM6, one. 3 participants were from the Northern Territory and 7 from South Australia. Participants were at varying stages in their journey of cultural safety, ranging from early stages to those able to embody the Cultural Safety Principles and negotiate barriers to provide culturally safe care. Educational strategies for participants to progress their cultural safety journey were also identified.

Conclusion

The extent to which cultural safety principles are applied in practice is diverse amongst the nurses and midwives that participated in this study, demonstrating that cultural safety is a journey and ongoing support is needed.
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonist regulates group 2 innate lymphoid cell‐dependent airway eosinophilic inflammation
Authors: Matsuyama Takahiro , Machida Kentaro , Motomura Yasutaka , Takagi Koichi , Doutake Yoichi , Tanoue‐Hamu Asako , Kondo Kiyotaka , Mizuno Keiko , Moro Kazuyo , Inoue Hiromasa
Published: April 2021

Background

Tiotropium bromide, a long‐acting muscarinic antagonist, reduces the frequency of exacerbation in patients with moderate to severe asthma, but its underlying mechanism is not clear. Asthma exacerbations are associated with exposure to external stimuli, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of asthma exacerbation. We investigated whether tiotropium modulates airway inflammation through ILC2 functions.

Methods

Mice were administered papain intranasally to induce innate‐type airway inflammation with or without tiotropium pretreatment, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) and lung tissues were collected. Lung‐derived ILC2s and bone marrow‐derived basophils were stimulated in vitro with IL‐33 in the presence or absence of tiotropium. Muscarinic M3 receptor (M3R) expression on immune cells was assessed by RNA sequence.

Results

Papain induced airway eosinophilic inflammation, and tiotropium reduced the numbers of eosinophils in BALF. The concentrations of IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13, and the numbers of ILC2s in BALF were also reduced by tiotropium treatment. However, tiotropium did not affect IL‐33‐induced IL‐5 and IL‐13 production from ILC2s, suggesting that tiotropium regulates ILC2s indirectly. Gene‐expression analysis showed that basophils predominantly expressed M3R mRNA among murine immune cells. Tiotropium reduced IL‐4 production from basophils derived from mouse bone marrow and human basophils after stimulation with IL‐33.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that tiotropium attenuates ILC2‐dependent airway inflammation by suppressing IL‐4 production from basophils and, subsequently, regulating ILC2 activation. The inhibitory effects of long‐acting muscarinic antagonists on the innate response may contribute to reducing asthma exacerbation.
Accuracy of documented administration times for intravenous antimicrobial drugs and impact on dosing decisions
Authors: Roydhouse Stephanie A. , Carland Jane E. , Debono Deborah S. , Baysari Melissa T. , Reuter Stephanie E. , Staciwa Alice J. , Sandhu Anmol P. K. , Day Richard O. , Stocker Sophie L.
Published: April 2021

Aims

Accurate documentation of medication administration time is imperative for many therapeutic decisions, including dosing of intravenous antimicrobials. The objectives were to determine (1) the discrepancy between actual and documented administration times for antimicrobial infusions and (2) whether day of the week, time of day, nurse‐to‐patient ratio and drug impacted accuracy of documented administration times.

Methods

Patient and dosing data were collected (June–August 2019) for 55 in‐patients receiving antimicrobial infusions. “Documented” and “actual” administration times (n = 660) extracted from electronic medication management systems and smart infusion pumps, respectively, were compared. Influence of the day (weekday/weekend), time of day (day/evening/night), nurse‐to‐patient ratio (high 1:1/low 1:5) and drug were examined. Monte Carlo simulation was used to predict the impact on dose adjustments for vancomycin using the observed administration time discrepancies compared to the actual administration time.

Results

The median discrepancy between actual and documented administration times was 16 min (range, 2–293 min), with discrepancies greater than 60 minutes in 7.7% of administrations. Overall, discrepancies (median [range]) were similar on weekends (17 [2–293] min) and weekdays (16 [2–188] min), and for high (16 [2–157] min) and low nurse‐to‐patient ratio wards (16 [2–293] min). Discrepancies were smallest for night administrations (P < .05), and antimicrobials with shorter half‐lives (P < .0001). The observed discrepancies in vancomycin administration time resulted in a different dose recommendation in 58% of cases (30% higher, 28% lower).

Conclusions

Overall, there were discrepancies between actual and documented antimicrobial infusion administration times. For vancomycin, these discrepancies in administration time were predicted to result in inappropriate dose recommendations.
Exploring the role of 3D printing and STEM integration levels in students' STEM career interest
Authors: Cheng Li , Antonenko Pavlo “Pasha” , Ritzhaupt Albert D. , MacFadden Bruce
Published: April 2021

The use of 3D printing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning is a promising way for integrated STEM education. This study examined the influence of 3D printing infused STEM integration on students' interest in STEM careers, which is essential for students to participate in STEM disciplines and future STEM careers. The participants included 26 teachers across six states in the United States and their 1455 students in primary and secondary classrooms. Teachers' lesson plans were analysed to examine the level of 3D printing and STEM integration. Students' interest in STEM careers was measured using a previously validated career interest scale. Cluster analysis and multiple regression analysis indicated that girls were more interested in empathetic STEM careers, whereas boys were more interested in analytic STEM careers. While 3D printing integration level was not a significant predictor, teachers' STEM integration level positively predicted students' interest in both analytic and empathetic STEM careers.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Student career interest in primary and secondary school predicts college degree and career choice.

3D printing has the potential to improve students' interest in STEM careers.

STEM career interest is associated with student gender.

What this paper adds

This study examined the role of 3D printing and STEM integration level and student gender in students' STEM career interest.

Teachers' 3D printing integration level was not a significant predictor, but STEM integration level positively predicted students' interest in STEM careers.

This study confirmed that boys were more interested in Analytic STEM careers, whereas girls were more interested in Empathetic STEM careers.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Student STEM career interest improves when teachers integrate STEM in their instruction.

STEM instruction can be made relevant by focusing on empathetic aspects of STEM for girls, but caution should be exercised to minimise stereotyping.
Tumor‐homing peptide and its utility for advanced cancer medicine
Authors: Kondo Eisaku , Iioka Hidekazu , Saito Ken
Published: April 2021

Cell‐penetrating peptides, such as antibodies, have gained great attention as tools for the development of specific delivery systems for payloads, which might be applied as non‐invasive carriers in vivo. Among these, tumor‐homing peptides recently have been studied for use in tumor medicine. Tumor‐homing peptides are oligopeptides, usually consisting of 30 or fewer amino acids that are efficiently and specifically incorporated into tumor cells, suggesting their potential use in establishing novel non‐invasive tumor imaging systems for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Here, we briefly introduce the biological characteristics of our tumor‐homing peptides, focusing especially on those developed using a random peptide library constructed using mRNA display technology. The advantage of the tumor‐homing peptides is their biological safety, given that these molecules do not show significant cytotoxicity against non‐neoplastic cells; lack serious antigenicity, which alternatively might evoke unfavorable immune responses and inflammation in vivo; and are rapidly incorporated into target cells/tissues, with rates exceeding those seen for antibodies. Given their small size, tumor‐homing peptides also are easy to modify and redesign. Based on these merits, tumor‐homing peptides are expected to find wide application in various aspects of tumor medicine, including imaging diagnostics (eg, with dye‐conjugated probes for direct visualization of invasive/metastatic tumor lesions in vivo) and therapeutics (eg, using peptide‐drug conjugates [PDCs] for tumor targeting). Although further evidence will be required to demonstrate their practical utility, tumor‐homing peptides are expected to show great potential as a next‐generation bio‐tool contributing to precision medicine for cancer patients.
A decade of change: Trends in the practice of cytopathology at a tertiary care cancer centre
Authors: Dinarvand Peyman , Liu Chinhua , Roy‐Chowdhuri Sinchita
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The practice of cytopathology has evolved over the past decade with a growing need for doing more with less tissue. Changes in clinical practice guidelines and evolving needs in tissue acquisition for diagnosis and treatment have affected various areas of cytopathology in different ways. In this study, we evaluated the changing trends in cytopathological practice at our institution over the past decade.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database for cytopathology cases from calendar years 2009 (n = 28038) and 2019 (n = 31386) to evaluate the changing trends in practice.

Results

The overall number of exfoliative cases decreased 10% over the past decade, primarily due to a 64% decrease in gynaecological Pap testing. However, the volume of serous body cavity and cerebrospinal fluids increased 125% and 44%, respectively. The overall volume of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cases increased 38% from 2009 to 2019. The number of FNA cases increased across most body sites, driven primarily by a 180% increase in endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration cases. In contrast, breast FNA volume decreased 43%. Ancillary studies increased substantially over the past decade, including immunostains (476%) and molecular testing (250%).

Conclusions

The trends in our cytopathological practice showed an increased volume of cases, especially in non‐gynaecological specimens. As expected, the number of FNA cases used for immunostains and molecular testing increased substantially, indicating an upward trend in ancillary studies in cytopathological practice.
Next generation sequencing in cytology
Authors: Pisapia Pasquale , Pepe Francesco , Sgariglia Roberta , Nacchio Mariantonia , Russo Gianluca , Conticelli Floriana , Girolami Ilaria , Eccher Albino , Bellevicine Claudio , Vigliar Elena , Malapelle Umberto , Troncone Giancarlo
Published: April 2021

The application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology to cytological samples has significantly modified molecular cytopathology practice. Cytological samples represent a valid source of high‐quality DNA for NGS analysis, especially for predicting patients' response to targeted treatments and for refining the risk of malignancy in indeterminate cytological diagnoses. However, several pre‐analytical factors may influence the reliability of NGS clinical analysis. Here, we briefly review the challenges of NGS in cytology practice, focusing on those pre‐analytical factors that may negatively affect NGS success rates and routine diagnostic applications. Finally, we address the future directions of the field.
Cost considerations for adoption of diabetes technology are pervasive: A qualitative study of persons living with type 1 diabetes and their families
Authors: Addala Ananta , Suttiratana Sakinah C. , Wong Jessie J. , Lanning Monica S. , Barnard Katharine D. , Weissberg‐Benchell Jill , Laffel Lori M , Hood Korey K. , Naranjo Diana
Published: April 2021

Background

Cost is a major consideration in the uptake and continued use of diabetes technology. With increasing use of automated insulin delivery systems, it is important to understand the specific cost‐related barriers to technology adoption. In this qualitative analysis, we were interested in understanding and examining the decision‐making process around cost and diabetes technology use.

Materials and Methods

Four raters coded transcripts of four stakeholder groups using inductive coding for each stakeholder group to establish relevant themes/nodes. We applied the Social Ecological Model in the interpretation of five thematic levels of cost.

Results

We identified five thematic levels of cost: policy, organizational, insurance, interpersonal and individual. Equitable diabetes technology access was an important policy‐level theme. The insurance‐level theme had multiple subthemes which predominantly carried a negative valence. Participants also emphasized the psychosocial burden of cost specifically identifying diabetes costs to their families, the guilt of diabetes related costs, and frustration in the time and involvement required to ensure insurance coverage.

Conclusion

We found broad consensus in how cost is experienced by stakeholder groups. Cost considerations for diabetes technology uptake extended beyond finances to include time, cost to society, morality and interpersonal relationships. Cost also reflected an important moral principle tied to the shared desire for equitable access to diabetes technology. Knowledge of these considerations can help clinicians and researchers promote equitable device uptake while anticipating barriers for all persons living with type 1 diabetes and their families.
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) stocking promotes phytoplankton growth by suppression of zooplankton rather than through nutrient recycling: An outdoor mesocosm study
Authors: Shen Ruijie , Gu Xiaohong , Chen Huihui , Mao Zhigang , Zeng Qingfei , Jeppesen Erik
Published: April 2021

Filter‐feeding silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) has been extensively used to control algae blooms in Chinese lakes. However, the benefit of stocking silver carp to restore eutrophic lakes remains controversial and the reasons for the different responses observed are unclear.

In this study, we conducted an outdoor experiment to assess the impact of the biomass level of four silver carp (c. 0, 25, 50, and 100 g/m3) on phytoplankton through direct grazing and fish‐mediated nutrient recycling, respectively. We used a nested design with nutrient‐permeable chambers with or without fish placed inside ponds. In this way, the phytoplankton incubated outside the chambers was affected by both consumer grazing and nutrient recycling, whereas the phytoplankton inside the fish‐free chambers was only affected by consumer‐mediated nutrient recycling.

Outside the chambers, the concentrations of total nitrogen, dissolved total nitrogen, and total phosphorus did not differ significantly among the treatments, whereas the dissolved total phosphorus level was significantly higher in the fishless treatment. The concentration of chlorophyll a (Chl a), phytoplankton biomass and the ratio of nanophytoplankton Chl a to total phytoplankton Chl a in the fish‐present treatments were significantly higher than in the fishless treatment and the phytoplankton was dominated by small‐sized species. While the zooplankton biomass and zooplankton:phytoplankton biomass ratio were significantly lower in the fish‐present treatments, indicating a strong fish predation on zooplankton. As for the water inside the chambers, there was no significant difference among the four treatments for any of the measured variables except total phosphorus.

Our results suggest that silver carp indirectly stimulated phytoplankton growth by reducing the zooplankton grazing rather than through nutrient recycling, and that fish grazing on phytoplankton could not compensate for the loss of grazing by zooplankton, leading to higher phytoplankton biomass when silver carp was present. The benefit of using filter‐feeding fish as a biomanipulation tool to create clear water is therefore questionable unless control of nanophytoplankton can be achieved.
Information capacity and social order: The local politics of information integration in China
Authors: Chen Huirong , Greitens Sheena Chestnut
Published: April 2021

How do regimes employ information to govern society and maintain control? Recent scholarship argues that legibility is a fundamental component of state capacity, but the politics of information collection and use remain incompletely understood. This article examines how the local state in China uses information to amplify legibility and bolster social control. Extant literature focuses largely on informationcollection, but Chinese officials have adopted high‐tech information management platforms to solve a different issue: inadequate informationintegrationacross bureaucracies (“information islands”). Information integration platforms strengthen the local state's ability to govern by enhancing intra‐bureaucratic accountability and improving the local state's ability to demobilize contention. At the policy level, adoption of these platforms has implications for the Chinese party‐state's ambitions for social stability; their global spread could affect trends in governance worldwide. Theoretically, our findings indicate that legibility depends not just on the state's ability to collect information, but to integrate it as well.
Crystallization‐induced stabilization of foam glass aggregates for heat‐insulating concrete
Authors: Kazantseva Lidia K. , Mikhno Anastasia O. , Miroshnichenko Leonid V.
Published: April 2021

Resistance of the porous glass‐based aggregates to alkali‐silicate reaction (ASR) was the focus of this study. ASR was studied in mixtures of aggregates with water alkali solutions simulating alkali media of row concrete. Granular foam glass with homogeneous glass in the pore walls is ASR‐active, which leads to the leaching of glass and to the formation of hydrated Na‐silicate gel, Ca‐silicate, and aluminosilicate on the aggregate surfaces. Mitigation of ASR‐activity in granular foam glass was achieved by thermo‐induced crystallization (850‐900ºC) of micro‐ and nanoscale crystals (Na4CaSi3O9 and/or Na2Ca3Si6O16) in the pore walls with the formation of granular glass‐ceramic foams. The main characterization methods were scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray powder diffraction analysis, x‐ray fluorescence, atomic emission spectrometry, and pH analysis.
The experience and meaning of recovery‐oriented practice for nurses working in acute mental health services
Authors: Solomon Bernadette , Sutton Daniel , McKenna Brian
Published: April 2021

Since the 1990s, New Zealand mental health policy has shifted from a focus on the management of symptoms and risk to the recovery of psychological, social, cultural, and physical well‐being. Despite a vision for recovery‐oriented services being integrated within national and regional policies, there is growing concern that barriers to recovery‐oriented service provision continue to exist. Such barriers include the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of front‐line staff, as well as system issues. This study explored the experience and meaning of recovery‐oriented practice for 10 nurses working in an acute inpatient mental health service. A phenomenological and hermeneutic lens was used to explore the nurses’ experience of working in a recovery‐focused manner alongside service users. Stories of practice were collected from participants through open‐ended conversational interviews. Transcribed narratives were analysed to explore taken‐for‐granted aspects of working in acute mental health care and to uncover the meaning of being recovery‐oriented in this setting. Findings revealed that although the experience and meaning of recovery‐focused care varied among nurses, there were common elements in the practice accounts. The accounts highlighted the nurses’ role in creating different therapeutic spaces to promote safety, relational commitment, and healing for service users. However, the nurses faced challenges to recovery‐oriented care within the team hierarchical culture and the broader service systems. The nurses were, at times, fearless in advocating for service users and recognized that this was essential for developing recovery‐focused services. The findings have implications for nursing practice, as well as training and service development.
Flash sintering of additively manufactured 3YSZ gears
Authors: Yang Bo , Cho Jaehun , Phuah Xin Li , Wang Haiyan , Zhang Xinghang
Published: April 2021

We report on the fabrication of a complex gear‐shaped 3 mol.% yttria‐stabilized zirconia via a combination of additive manufacturing and flash sintering. The gear was printed via direct ink printing technique. Flash sintering was performed at an electric field of 150 V/cm and the specimens were rapidly densified within a few seconds at a furnace temperature of 1200°C. The flash‐sintered gear has a 95% relative density and shows no obvious warping or cracking after the rapid densification. Microstructure analysis and hardness measurement revealed grain size gradients and hardness variation along both thickness and lateral directions of the flash‐sintered gear. This study demonstrates a possible route to produce dense complex‐shaped parts using the flash sintering technique.
Effect of fly density and holding period on quality parameters of pre‐release chilled adults of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Flores Salvador , López‐Arriaga Florida , Campos Sergio , Arredondo José , Montoya Pablo
Published: April 2021

Packing, shipping, holding and releasing methods of sterile tephritid fruit flies for the control of pest populations have recently received special attention because they are the final steps in the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT). In this study, we examined the effect of four holding densities, 0.524, 0.599, 0.674 and 0.748 sterile adults/cm2, and four holding periods (5, 6, 7 and 8 days) in sterile West Indian fruit flies, Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae). The key parameters of adult fliers (AF, also known as absolute fliers) and adult survival under stress were measured. We also compared two methods to determine the percentage of AF (called the tray and sample methods) after the holding period and the chilling process. Our results indicate that differences in holding densities and holding periods may not affect the percentage of AF and the survival of sterile adults if they are supplied with enough food and water, allowing the release of higher numbers of sexually mature sterile males. When estimating the percentage of AF, the evaluated methods resulted equivalent and reliable, but the sample method showed a clear advantage by allowing the use of lower numbers of sterile flies to perform the test, which may represent important savings in SIT programmes. These findings will require further studies on sexual competitiveness in field cages to better determine the optimal management of sterile flies in FERFs.
Unravelling metamorphic ages of suture zone rocks from the Sabzevar and Makran areas (Iran): Robust age constraints for the larger Arabia–Eurasian collision zone
Authors: Bröcker Michael , Omrani Hadi , Berndt Jasper , Moslempour Mohammad E.
Published: April 2021

In this study we establish a time frame for metamorphic processes affecting Neotethyan suture zones at the northern (Sabzevar) and southern (Makran) margin of the Central Iranian Microcontinent. For this purpose, we have applied Rb–Sr and U–Pb geochronology to blueschist‐ and amphibolite facies rocks from these occurrences. So far, no isotopic ages are available for high‐P/low‐T rocks from the Sabzevar area which are exposed in the Govain and Chili mountains near Soltanabad. Three newly dated blueschists from the Govain mountain yielded Rb–Sr ages of 56.52 ± 0.32, 57.20 ± 0.32, and 55.12 ± 0.33 Ma respectively. These ages provide the first unambiguous evidence for late Palaeocene to early Eocene high‐P metamorphism in the Sabzevar zone and confirm the accuracy of earlier age assignments that were derived indirectly. The clearly confirmed age difference between late Palaeocene–early Eocene blueschists of the Govain mountain and kilometre‐scale dismembered HP granulites with Early Cretaceous (Albian) metamorphic ages from outcrops c. 60 km to the west of Soltanabad further corroborates interpretations that these rocks are not related to the same subduction zone complex. The blueschists record closure of an Albian to Late Cretaceous back‐arc basin, whereas the granulites formed due to subduction of older oceanic lithosphere. Uranium–Pb zircon dating of an amphibolite from the Iranshahr region in the Makran Zone yielded an intercept age of 87.8 ± 1.8 Ma and weighted mean age of 88.1 ± 1.7 Ma. Rb–Sr mineral isochrons for seven blueschist‐ and amphibolite facies samples from the same area generated very consistent ages of c. 84 Ma (± <1–3 Ma), regardless of metamorphic grade. The apparent contradiction that rocks recording different P–T conditions have identical metamorphic ages either indicates tectonic mixing of rocks during exhumation that originally had formed at the same time at different depths of the subduction system, or very rapid exhumation so that differences in closure temperatures became indistinguishable. The new data are similar, but much more precise, than previously reported K–Ar ages and suggest that most of the existing data had not been significantly compromised by contamination with extraneous Ar. Potassium–Ar indications for older blueschist‐ and/or amphibolite facies metamorphism (>85 Ma) have not yet been confirmed but can be reconciled with the larger geological frame implying that northward subduction of the Arabian plate beneath the Bajgan–Durkan continental block started shortly after c. 120 Ma.
Nursing care for pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorders: A cross‐sectional survey of perceptions and strategies
Authors: Mahoney Wanda J. , Villacrusis Minerva , Sompolski Margaret , Iwanski Brittany , Charman Alyssa , Hammond Colleen , Abraham Gifty
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe nursing staff perspectives about caring for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the hospital, strategies they use to support care, and relationships between these factors.

Design and Methods

A descriptive, cross‐sectional survey design with nursing staff at a large pediatric hospital system in the United States was employed. The researcher‐designed, pilot‐tested survey assessed participant demographics, knowledge about ASD, perceived effectiveness caring for children with ASD, previous training, and current strategy use. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlations, and group comparisons based on interaction frequency with the population and previous training.

Results

The participants involved 90 pediatric hospital nursing staff members providing direct care. Respondents demonstrated 90% accurate knowledge of the characteristics of ASD. Self‐reported effectiveness in caring for children with ASD did not correlate with knowledge and significantly correlated with an increased number of strategies. Nursing staff with frequent interaction with people with ASD or those with previous training reported significantly more strategies to care for children with ASD. Only 35% of participants reported that they have adequate strategies to care for children with ASD in the hospital.

Practice Implications

Having more strategies was the factor associated with higher self‐efficacy, so training for nursing staff should focus on increasing the number of strategies to use with children with ASD in the hospital and provide mechanisms to collaborate with other professionals to individualize strategies to meet each child's needs.
The effects of corruption of public officials on the dimensions of financial sustainability of state governments in Mexico
Authors: Puron‐Cid Gabriel
Published: April 2021

One of the most concerning types of corruption of public officials is the one associated with budgeting and financial management in government. This type of corruption represents a structural phenomenon that influences governments' financial sustainability (FS); in other words, corruption impacts the government's capability to consistently meet its financial obligations while continuing to provide public services and infrastructure. A traditional venue of research examines the effects of corruption on economic performance and fiscal conditions of governments. Recent efforts have been dedicated to exploring the effects of corruption of public officials on the size and allocation of public spending and debt. The present investigation contributes to this recent body of the literature by analyzing to what extent corruption of public officials influences the dimensions of FS of state governments in Mexico. FS is a framework to assess how governments meet their financial obligations using different ratios and indicators in five dimensions: cash solvency, budget solvency, long‐term solvency, service‐level solvency for revenues, and the service‐level solvency for expenses. For this analysis, techniques of a dynamic panel of generalized method of moments are used to examine a dataset of 30 state governments in Mexico using census governmental data for the period 2011–2016. The results are conclusive for some dimensions of FS and not conclusive for others, but in general the analysis confirms the influence of corruption of public officials in some of the hypothesized directions of these FS dimensions. Several policy implications are also discussed.