bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and comparative of a new meta-ensemble machine learning model in predicting construction labor productivity
Authors: Karatas Ibrahim , Budak Abdulkadir
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The study is aimed to compare the prediction success of basic machine learning and ensemble machine learning models and accordingly create novel prediction models by combining machine learning models to increase the prediction success in construction labor productivity prediction models.

Design/methodology/approach

Categorical and numerical data used in prediction models in many studies in the literature for the prediction of construction labor productivity were made ready for analysis by preprocessing. The Python programming language was used to develop machine learning models. As a result of many variation trials, the models were combined and the proposed novel voting and stacking meta-ensemble machine learning models were constituted. Finally, the models were compared to Target and Taylor diagram.

Findings

Meta-ensemble models have been developed for labor productivity prediction by combining machine learning models. Voting ensemble by combining et, gbm, xgboost, lightgbm, catboost and mlp models and stacking ensemble by combining et, gbm, xgboost, catboost and mlp models were created and finally the Et model as meta-learner was selected. Considering the prediction success, it has been determined that the voting and stacking meta-ensemble algorithms have higher prediction success than other machine learning algorithms. Model evaluation metrics, namely MAE, MSE, RMSE and R2, were selected to measure the prediction success. For the voting meta-ensemble algorithm, the values of the model evaluation metrics MAE, MSE, RMSE and R2 are 0.0499, 0.0045, 0.0671 and 0.7886, respectively. For the stacking meta-ensemble algorithm, the values of the model evaluation metrics MAE, MSE, RMSE and R2 are 0.0469, 0.0043, 0.0658 and 0.7967, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows the comparison between machine learning algorithms and created novel meta-ensemble machine learning algorithms to predict the labor productivity of construction formwork activity. The practitioners and project planners can use this model as reliable and accurate tool for predicting the labor productivity of construction formwork activity prior to construction planning.

Originality/value

The study provides insight into the application of ensemble machine learning algorithms in predicting construction labor productivity. Additionally, novel meta-ensemble algorithms have been used and proposed. Therefore, it is hoped that predicting the labor productivity of construction formwork activity with high accuracy will make a great contribution to construction project management.
The impact of different types of service robots usage in hotels on guests’ intention to stay
Authors: Alma Çallı Büşra , Çallı Levent , Sarı Çallı Didar , Çallı Fatih
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how consumers perceive the importance of using robot technologies for 12 services evaluated under two categories considering the technology acceptance model (TAM).

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model analysis used structural equation modeling with the partial least squares estimation method, considering 638 responses.

Findings

The results revealed that the perceived importance (PI) of robotic service delivery tasks under “room division” and “food and beverage and secondary services” affect perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) differently. Besides, PEOU and PU significantly influence attitudes toward using robot-staffed hotels.

Research limitations/implications

The nonprobability convenience sampling method was used as the data collection method. Future studies that prefer probabilistic methods will open a different perspective for evaluating the results.

Practical implications

This study’s empirical findings reveal which robot-delivered services are found significant by the customers and contribute to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, it guides accurate demand and investment planning for the tourism and hospitality industry in the post-COVID-19 era.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, previous literature has not tested or confirmed the effects of PI related to two groups of robotic service delivery tasks on utilitarian variables. This study contributes to the literature by examining how different robotic service delivery tasks are linked to the TAM framework in a hotel setting.
Performance evaluation of acrylate terpolymer based coating on anti-carbonation
Authors: Nashed Youssef L. , Zahran Fouad , Youssef Mohamed Adel , Mohamed Manal G. , Mazrouaa Azza M.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how well reinforced concrete structures can be shielded against concrete carbonation using anti-carbonation coatings based on synthetic polymer.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying free radical polymerization, an acrylate terpolymer emulsion that a surfactant had stabilized was created. A thermogravimetric analysis, minimum film-forming temperature, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and particle size distribution are used to characterize the prepared eco-friendly water base acrylate terpolymer emulsion. Using three different percentages of the acrylate terpolymer emulsion produced, 35%, 45% and 55%, the anti-carbonation coating was formed. Tensile strength, tensile strain, elongation, crack-bridging ability, carbon dioxide permeability, chloride ion diffusion, average pull-off adhesion strength, water vapor transmission, gloss, wet scrub resistance, QUV/weathering and storage stability are the characteristics of the anti-carbonation coating.

Findings

The formulated acrylate terpolymer emulsion enhances anti-carbonation coating performance in CO2 permeability, Cl-diffusion, crack bridging, pull-off adhesion strength and water vapor transmission. The formed coating based on the formulated acrylate terpolymer emulsion performed better than its commercial counterpart.

Practical implications

To protect the steel embedded in concrete from corrosion and increase the life span of concrete, the surface of cement is treated with an anti-carbonation coating based on synthetic acrylate terpolymer emulsion.

Social implications

In addition to saving lives from building collapse, it maintains the infrastructure for the long run.

Originality/value

The anti-carbonation coating, which is based on the synthetic acrylate terpolymer emulsion, is environmentally benign and stops the entry of carbon dioxide and chlorides, which are the main causes of steel corrosion in concrete.
Is there a fit between PhD candidates’ and their supervisors’ perceptions on the impact of COVID-19 on doctoral education?
Authors: Pyhältö Kirsi , Tikkanen Lotta , Anttila Henrika
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has had its impact on research and researchers, potentially influencing the future of academia. Yet, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no empirical studies on the alignment between supervisors’ and supervisees’ estimates of the impact of COVID-19. This study aims to contribute to bridging this gap by exploring PhD candidates’ and supervisors’ perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on candidates’ study progress and study well-being, and whether the estimates were related to supervisors’ and supervisees’ well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 768 PhD candidates and 561 doctoral supervisors from a large multifield research-intensive university in Finland participated in this quantitative study. Data were collected with the doctoral experience survey and the supervisory experience survey.

Findings

In general, the results show that both supervisors and supervisees recognised the negative impact of the pandemic on candidates’ well-being and progress, and their perceptions were quite well aligned. However, supervisors estimated that the impact had been more detrimental than the supervisees did. The results also show that the supervisors’ perceptions of the negative impact of COVID-19 on candidates’ progress and well-being were related to reduced levels of their own well-being.

Originality/value

Results can be used in developing effective support means for both the supervisors and supervisees to overcome the hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to avoid long-term negative consequences for the candidates in degree completion, career trajectories and the future of the academy.
Semantic Shift in Middle English: Farming and Trade As Test Cases
Authors: Sylvester Louise , Tiddeman Megan , Ingham Richard
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a study undertaken as part of the Technical Language and Semantic Shift in Middle English project. Our dataset (totalling 4,628 words and 2,215 senses) is drawn from an expanded corpus of the Bilingual Thesaurus of Everyday Life in Medieval England. This lexis has been arranged into a semantic hierarchy, based on the categories devised for the Historical Thesaurus of English, in order to address a much discussed feature of language change that has not been investigated using a lexical corpus. The project aims to use this digitised hypernymic framework to track shift at various levels of technicality, collate data on borrowing and obsolescence, and examine the linguistic ecology of the Middle English period from a semantic‐hierarchic viewpoint.

Autohyponyms from two domains (Farming and Trade) were collated and compared with the wider corpus for specificity, lexicalisation and language of origin. Our findings suggest that terms which narrow or broaden in meaning tend to start off at the more general levels of the hierarchy and shift from semantic spaces which have a higher than average number of co‐hyponyms. Autohyponyms appear more likely to be of French than of Old English origin, prompting further questions about borrowing and sense development.
Real‐world treatment and prognostic factors for survival in ALK+ non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases in China
Authors: Li Na , Xie Mingying , Zhou Zichao , Sheng Jiamin , Yu Xiaoqing , Fan Yun
Published: November 2022

Background

To explore the efficacy and prognostic factors of different treatment modalities on anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BMs).

Methods

A total of 86 patients were enrolled into the study. They were divided into two cohorts based on their history of treatment with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors

(ALK‐TKIs) prior to the incidence of BMs. ALK‐TKI‐naïve patients with BMs were included in cohort 1 (n = 59); patients who developed BMs after ALK‐TKIs treatment were enrolled in cohort 2 (n = 27). Prognostic factors related with overall survival (OS) when treated with ALK‐TKIs were assessed in multivariable analysis.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 41.8 months, the median OS was 34.8 months. In cohort 1, the OS, intracranial progression‐free survival (iPFS), and progression‐free survival (PFS) were 38.7 months (95% CI: 23.3 to 54.1), 18.5 months (95% CI: 9.6 to 27.4), and 19.1 months (95% CI: 13.7 to 24.5), respectively. Significantly improved OS and iPFS were noted in those patients in which second‐generation ALK‐TKIs versus crizotinib were initiated (OS: not reached vs. 29.0 months, p = 0.040; iPFS: 22.8 vs. 11.9 months, p = 0.035). In cohort 2, patients who experienced BMs as a result of the treatment failure of ALK‐TKIs had a median OS of 27.1 months. Considerable duration of stable disease in patients with measurable BMs was observed (iPFS: 11.5 months, 95% CI: 4.4 to 18.6; PFS: 12.2 months, 95% CI: 3.2 to 21.1).

Conclusion

Second‐generation ALK‐TKIs further improved the duration of intracranial response and survival in ALK+ NSCLC patients with BMs in a real‐world setting. The potent intracranial efficacy of second‐generation ALK‐TKIs might generate the lowered urgency of local treatment.
A qualitative examination of the decision‐making process of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use: Intentions and willingness
Authors: Boyle Holly K. , Singh Samyukta , López Gabriela , Carey Kate B. , Jackson Kristina M. , Merrill Jennifer E.
Published: November 2022

Background

Alcohol and cannabis use are common among young adults and most young adults who use both substances have used them simultaneously (i.e., using both substances so their effects overlap). Because simultaneous use is associated with a greater number and severity of consequences than single substance use, research is needed to examine the decision‐making process of engaging in this high‐risk behavior. We conducted a qualitative examination of intentions (i.e., plans) and willingness (i.e., one's openness to engage in the behavior if an opportunity presents itself) to engage in simultaneous use from the perspective of young adults who frequently report this substance use behavior.

Methods

We recruited 36 young adults who reported simultaneous use and heavy drinking (4+/5+ drinks for women/men; 64% women, ages 18 to 25) to participate in semi‐structured interviews. All interviews were double coded for thematic analysis and both novel and a priori themes were found.

Results

Young adults distinguished between intending to engage in simultaneous use and being willing to engage in simultaneous use. They reported that intentions and willingness varied from occasion to occasion. They also reported that context and alcohol consumption influenced their willingness to engage in simultaneous use. Peer pressure or offers increased their willingness to use cannabis while drinking and having current or next‐day responsibilities decreased their willingness to engage in simultaneous use. Additionally, planned simultaneous use occasions were characterized as being special events where young adults consumed more substances, but were more likely to monitor their use than unplanned occasions.

Conclusions

Intentions and willingness may be important proximal predictors of simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis. Building off this qualitative work, quantitative research should identify which factors influence the decision‐making process to engage in simultaneous use and determine when intentions and willingness are most predictive of risky simultaneous use behavior.
Language and gender barriers to pain control after general surgery
Authors: Kovoor Joshua G. , Bacchi Stephen , Stretton Brandon , Lam Lydia , Jiang Melinda , Gupta Aashray K. , Maddern Guy J.
Published: November 2022

Background

Effective pain control is crucial to postoperative recovery and is affected by biopsychosocial factors. This study aimed to evaluate how non‐English primary language, gender, and marital status may influence pain, length of stay, and mortality after general surgery.

Methods

Consecutive general surgical admissions over a two‐year period to two tertiary hospitals were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between non‐English primary language, gender, and marital status, and pain scores, length of stay, and in‐hospital mortality. Explanatory variables that were controlled for in these analyses included age, birth country, whether a religion was specified, socioeconomic percentile, Charlson comorbidity index, and time of admission.

Results

A total of 12 846 general surgery patients were included. When controlling for the aforementioned variables, including having a specified religion and being born overseas, having a non‐English primary language was significantly independently associated with lower pain scores (odds ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.52–0.71, P < 0.001). Female gender was independently associated with an increased likelihood of higher pain scores (odds ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18, P = 0.024) and a lower likelihood of prolonged length of stay (odds ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0. 80–0.95, P = 0.002). None of the evaluated variables had a statistically significant association with in‐hospital mortality.

Conclusions

This study is the first to characterize an association between general surgery patients with a non‐English primary language and lower levels of postoperative pain. It was also found that female gender was associated with higher postoperative pain but lower length of hospital stay.
Can late lymphoscintigraphy be omitted in the sentinel node procedure in early‐stage vulvar cancer?
Authors: Thissen Daniek , de Hullu Joanne A. , Janssen Marcel J. R. , Aarts Johanna W. M.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

In the Netherlands, the sentinel lymph node procedure protocol consists of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy combined with intraoperative blue dye for identifying sentinel lymph nodes in early vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed at investigating the role of early and late lymphoscintigraphy.

Material and methods

From January 2015 to January 2019, early and late lymphoscintigraphies of 52 women were retrospectively analyzed. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed 30 minutes (early) and 2.5–4 hours (late) after vulvar injection of 99mTc‐labeled nanocolloid. We calculated the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between number of sentinel lymph nodes detected on both images using the Lins concordance coefficient and correlated with clinicopathological data.

Results

Thirty‐four women had a midline tumor and 18 had a lateral tumor. Detection rates with early and late scintigraphy were 88.5% and 98.1%, respectively. Median number of detected nodes was 1.0 (0–7) and 2.0 (0–7). Good statistical correlation between number of sentinel lymph nodes detected on early and late imaging was found (CCC = 0.76) in most patients. In 18 women (35%) a mismatch occurred: a higher number of nodes was detected on late imaging. In 11 of 18 women re‐injection was performed because no sentinel lymph nodes were visualized on early images. Late imaging and intraoperative detection showed a good statistical correlation (CCC = 0.61). One woman showed an isolated groin recurrence despite negative sentinel lymph nodes.

Conclusions

This study showed good statistical correlations between early and late scintigraphy in most patients. However, in 35% of women late scintigraphy detected more nodes. In case of poor visualization after the first scintigraphy, re‐injection should be considered. Late scintigraphy is probably helpful in confirming successful re‐injection and in showing deviating lymph flow in women with failed mapping after the first injection and successful re‐injection. Because missing metastatic sentinel lymph nodes often leads to a poor prognosis, we prefer optimal correlations between imaging and intraoperative identification. Hence, late scintigraphy cannot be safely omitted.
A randomised evaluation of low‐dose Ara‐C plus pegylated recombinant arginase BCT‐100 versus low dose Ara‐C in older unfit patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: Results from the LI‐1 trial
Authors: Mussai Francis , De Santo Carmela , Cheng Paul , Thomas Ian F. , Ariti Cono , Upton Laura , Scarpa Ugo , Stavrou Victoria , Sydenham Mia , Burnett Alan K. , Knapper Steven K. , Mehta Priyanka , McMullin Mary F. , Copland Mhairi , Russell Nigel H. , Dennis Mike
Published: November 2022

The survival of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients aged over 60 has been suboptimal historically, whether they are treated using hypomethylating agents, low‐dose cytarabine (LDAC) or venetoclax‐based regimens. Progress is being made, however, for subgroups with favourable molecular or cytogenetic findings. Arginine metabolism plays a key role in AML pathophysiology. We report the only randomised study of LDAC with recombinant arginase BCT‐100 versus LDAC alone in older AML patients unsuitable for intensive therapy. Eighty‐three patients were randomised to the study. An overall response rate was seen in 19.5% (all complete remission [CR]) and 15% (7.5% each in CR and CR without evidence of adequate count recovery [CRi]) of patients in the LDAC+BCT‐100 and LDAC arms respectively (odds ratio 0.73, confidence interval 0.23–2.33; p = 0.592). No significant difference in overall or median survival between treatment arms was seen. The addition of BCT‐100 to LDAC was well tolerated.
Depletion of tumor‐associated macrophages inhibits lung cancer growth and enhances the antitumor effect of cisplatin
Authors: Kawaguchi Yo , Ohshio Yasuhiko , Watanabe Atsuko , Shiratori Takuya , Okamoto Keigo , Ueda Keiko , Kataoka Yoko , Suzuki Tomoaki , Hanaoka Jun
Published: November 2022

In lung cancer, tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), especially M2‐like TAMs, represent the main tumor progression components in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, M2‐like TAMs may serve as a therapeutic target. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of M2‐like TAM depletion in the TME on tumor growth and chemotherapy response in lung cancer. The levels of secreted monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the supernatants of lung cancer cell lines A549 and LLC were evaluated via ELISA. Cell migration assays were performed to assess the recruitment ability of macrophage cell lines THP‐1 and J774‐1 cells. Differentiation of macrophages was assessed via flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to visualize M2‐like TAMs in transplanted lung cancer in mouse. We used the COX‐2 inhibitor nimesulide to inhibit the secretion of MCP‐1 and PGE2, which promotes macrophage migration and M2‐like differentiation. Nimesulide treatment decreased the secretion of MCP‐1 and PGE2 from lung cancer cells. Nimesulide treatment suppressed the migration of macrophages by blocking MCP‐1. Lung cancer supernatant induced the differentiation of macrophages toward the M2‐like phenotype, and nimesulide treatment inhibited M2‐like differentiation by blocking MCP‐1 and PGE2. In the lung cancer mouse model, treatment with nimesulide depleted M2‐like TAMs in the TME and enhanced the tumor inhibitory effect of cisplatin. Our results indicated that blocking the secretion of MCP‐1 and PGE2 from tumor cells depleted M2‐like TAMs in the TME and the combination therapy with cisplatin considerably suppressed tumor growth in the LLC mouse model.
Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus replication and transcription activator protein activates CD274/PD‐L1 gene promoter
Authors: Miyazawa Masanori , Yamamoto Yuichiro , Katayama Kazuhiro , Sugimoto Yoshikazu , Noguchi Kohji
Published: November 2022

Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is responsible for the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman disease. The expression of immunosuppressive genes, such as IL‐10 and CD274/PD‐L1 is observed during KSHV‐associated pathogenesis, and the modulation of the host immune system by KSHV contributes to establishing viral persistence in the host. Understanding the mechanism that allows the virus to evade host cell immunity would be helpful in order to develop therapeutic strategies for KSHV malignancy. In this study, we show that KSHV replication and transcriptional activator (K‐RTA), an essential activator of the viral lytic cycle, transactivates the CD274/PD‐L1 gene promoter. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the binding of K‐RTA to the cellular specificity protein 1 (SP1) is critical for K‐RTA–mediated CD274/PD‐L1 promoter activation. These findings suggest that K‐RTA cooperates with intracellular SP1 to activate the expression of CD274/PD‐L1, which helps the virus regulate immune checkpoints to escape and survive.
Insuring Replaceable Possessions
Authors: de Meza David , Reyniers Diane
Published: November 2022

Equivalencebetween insuring income and what is bought with income is commonly assumed. It seems to be implicitly held that uninsured but replaceable goods will always be replaced if they fail. This does not follow. People may have difficulty coming up with the money to pay for a replacement out of pocket. Also, the income effect of a loss may mean that replacement is not worthwhile. We show that as a result, equivalence breaks down. Both theory and evidence are provided. Implications include a tendency of empirical papers to overestimate risk aversion, a reason why demand for insurance increases with income, and the mistaken attribution of preference inconsistency.
Assessment of SARS‐CoV‐2 entry in gingival epithelial cells expressing CD147
Authors: Bontempo Alexander , Chirino Alexandra , Heidari Alireza , Boparai Saurav , Arora Saher , Ruiz Sunniva , Antonson Sibel A. , Kawai Toshihisa , Cayabyab Mark J.
Published: November 2022

SARS‐CoV‐2, the causative agent of the debilitating COVID‐19, is mainly transmitted by first infecting nose and lung epithelial cells. The mouth is also believed to be a viral portal site since certain types of oral epithelial cells were shown to express ACE2 receptor. However, it is unclear whether oral epithelial cells are directly infected by SARS‐CoV‐2. In this study, we addressed whether epithelial cells of the oral gingiva were susceptible to infection. Interestingly, we found that KRT5+ and KRT18+ gingival epithelial cells do not express ACE2 but highly express TMPRSS2 and Furin as well as CD147, which was proposed to be an alternative receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2. However, using SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudoviruses containing the spike protein, we observed that gingival epithelial cells were not susceptible to infection due to the lack of ACE2 expression and the inability of CD147 to mediate viral entry. These results strongly suggest that epithelial cells from the gingiva are not susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 and CD147 is not a receptor for the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. The susceptibility of oral cells from other oral structures under healthy and pathological conditions still needs to be confirmed to better understand the role of the oral cavity in COVID‐19 infection and transmission.
Advances and challenges in understanding endosomal sorting and fission
Authors: Naslavsky Naava , Caplan Steve
Published: November 2022

Endosomes play crucial roles in the cell, serving as focal and ‘triage’ points for internalized lipids and receptors. As such, endosomes are a critical branching point that determines whether receptors are sorted for degradation or recycling. This Viewpoint aims to highlight recent advances in endosome research, including key endosomal functions such as sorting and fission. Moreover, the Viewpoint addresses key technical and conceptual challenges in studying endosomes.
Fatigue life evaluation model for various austenitic stainless steels at elevated temperatures via alloy features‐based machine learning approach
Authors: He Lei , Yong Wei , Fu Huadong , Itoh Takamoto
Published: November 2022

An alloy features‐based and chemical compositions‐based machine learning method was used to examine the low cycle fatigue life of austenitic stainless steels at different elevated temperatures employing one model. Furthermore, eight algorithms were used to examine the impact of algorithms on the precision of constructed models. As input, physicochemical features of elements were transformed from chemical compositions. After being conducted by the feature screening process, electronegativity deviation (E2.sd), ionization energy deviation (E6.sd), testing conditions, and tensile strength were chosen as input. The results show that algorithms affect accuracy and the models with the highest accuracy are SVR and ANN for alloy features and chemical compositions‐based method, respectively. Chemical composites‐based model demonstrates relatively lower precision than the alloy feature model. Almost all testing data distribute within two‐factor band lines predicted by alloying feature‐based model. The validation testing results indicate that 83% data plots distribute within two‐factor band lines.
Comparative impacts of dam water level regimes on herbaceous plant growth strategies in cascade reservoirs and downstream reaches of a major river
Authors: Sun Junyao , Pattison Zarah , Cao Yu , Fu Wenlong , Willby Nigel J. , Li Wei
Published: November 2022

Flow regulation is a prolific and growing influence on rivers world‐wide. Nine cascade hydropower dams were constructed along the 1,150‐km Wujiang River in China over the past 30 years, disrupting longitudinal continuity. Water level fluctuations in the associated reservoirs range between daily, weekly, seasonal, and annual, depending on the type of regulation, but the comparative impacts of these regimes on plant growth strategies, or the extent of their downstream influence, is unknown.

Competitor, stress‐tolerator, and ruderal (CSR) plant strategies were used to assess the impact of reservoir regulation type on the riparian herbaceous plant community based on sampling the inundation zone of nine reservoirs and their downstream river reaches during 2017 and 2018.

Our results revealed profound differences in CSR plant strategies of the dominant vegetation with respect to water level regime. While ruderal plants dominated (45%–60% of species), irrespective of regulation type, vegetation in reservoirs exhibited a strong shift from stress‐tolerators (e.g., Cynodon dactylon, C‐11.9:S‐41.5:R‐46.5%) to competitors (e.g., Reynoutria japonica, C‐77.9:S‐0:R‐22.0%) with increasing intensity of water level fluctuation, reflecting the shift from annual to daily regulation. The width of the inundation zone was the best overall variable in explaining the CSR strategies of riparian vegetation, both in the reservoir inundation zone (r2‐adj = 15.4%) and the downstream river (r2‐adj = 7.3%). Retention time significantly explained variation in CSR plant strategies in the reservoir inundation zone (r2‐adj = 3.7%, p = 0.002) but not downstream (p > 0.01). There was also a clear scale dependency of CSR plant strategies, with an increase in stress tolerators (average slope = 0.7%/km) and decline of competitor (average slope = −0.3%/km) and ruderal plants (average slope = −0.9%/km) with increasing distance downstream from dams.

The growth strategies of the dominant riparian vegetation changed with the magnitude and frequency of water level fluctuations caused by differences in regulation type, and local environmental conditions. Clear scale dependency in the CSR plant strategies was observed with distance from the dam, with ruderals dominating closest to the reservoirs and declining gradually downstream as stress tolerators increased.

Our study helps to evaluate the impact of river damming on the functional traits of riparian vegetation and to predict the resilience and restoration potential of riparian vegetation under different forms of human disturbance.
Influence of sanxan on the quality of salt‐free frozen‐cooked wheat noodles during freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Liang Ying , Song Jiayang , Chen Zilu , Liu Mei , Chen Shihua , Liu Hao , Zhang Xia , Wu Xingquan , He Baoshan , Wang Jinshui
Published: November 2022

Developing salt‐free frozen‐cooked wheat noodles (FCNs) has a promising future, and how to eliminate the deficiency of the absence of salt is key to enhance its quality. In this study, based on the unique ‘gel‐forming in cold water and gel strength‐strengthening during heating’ properties, sanxan was used to improve the quality of salt‐free FCNs and the underlying mechanism was initially explored. TPA analysis, colour profile, thermal stability analysis, determination of free sulfhydryl and disulphide bonds contents, scanning electron microscopy observation, confocal laser scanning microscopy observation were carried out. The results showed that adding 1.2% sanxan could minimise the decrease in hardness, springiness, maximum tensile strength and tensile fracture distance, and the increase in adhesiveness of salt‐free FCNs during freeze–thaw treatments (FTs). The chrominance and thermal stability of salt‐free FCNs during FTs were also improved by adding 1.2% sanxan. Adding sanxan could strengthen the gluten network of salt‐free FCNs by weakening the recrystallisation of ice crystals, inhibiting the breakage of SS and enhancing the cross‐linkage degree and continuity of gluten network during FTs. The current study could develop a new preparation strategy of salt‐free convenient noodles and provide theoretical basis for expanding the novel application of sanxan in frozen foods.
Effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment on the structural orders and functional properties of chickpea starch
Authors: Li Ruihong , Li Xiaoyu , Tu An , Jing Chengtong , Dong Shuang , Chen Shanfeng , Guo Peng
Published: November 2022

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with different generation currents was introduced to modify chickpea starches of Kabuli and Desi varieties. The changes of starch structural orders and functional properties were investigated. Results demonstrated that the crystalline structure of starches was generally destroyed upon plasma treatment, while the change of double‐helical order was relatively limited. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that DBD plasma altered the surface molecular structure of starch, mainly involving oxidation effects. The gelatinization transition temperatures of plasma‐treated Kabuli starch (KS) mainly remained unchanged, while those of Desi starch (DS) significantly decreased. DBD plasma dramatically reduced the pasting viscosity of KS with the increase of treatment intensity, as well as the amylose content and swelling power, while had little influence on DS. Furthermore, the digestion rate and extent of chickpea starches gradually increased with the treatment intensity. Correlation analysis revealed that the starch digestibility induced by DBD plasma was largely depending on the crystalline structure, while the double helical order had little influence. These findings could provide theoretical basis for exploiting DBD plasma as a new strategy to modify chickpea starch.
The sexual division of labour: A qualitative analysis of social organisations in Peru
Authors: Diaz‐Jiménez Rosa María , Herrera Gutiérrez María Rosa , Yerga Míguez María Dolores
Published: November 2022

This is a study on participation in civil society organisations in Peru, which adopts a gender perspective to understand the dynamics of social welfare production in a family model, and in which there is also a preponderance of community intervention in the field of social protection. The study uses a qualitative methodology and an ethnographic analysis based on 21 organisations. The results indicate polarity of discourses between those who recognise gender differentiation and those who consider that there is gender equality. Despite the polarity, differences in roles, quantity and quality of services, leadership, involvement and motivation are shown. The differences identified vary according to the type of organisation, which shows the relationship between the organisations and the intervention in territories‐regions.
Distinct populations of eosinophils in the human thymus with capacity to modulate thymocyte maturation
Authors: Albinsson Sofie , Lingblom Christine , Lundqvist Christina , Hennings Viktoria , Telemo Esbjörn , Ekwall Olov , Wennerås Christine
Published: November 2022

Local differentiation of eosinophil precursors occurs in the human thymus. Thymic eosinophils are often positioned in the corticomedullary junction between the CD4+CD8+ double‐positive (DP) thymocytes and the CD4+ or CD8+ single‐positive (SP) thymocytes. The aims of this study were to (1) determine if there are distinct thymic eosinophil populations that differ from the blood eosinophil populations and (2) evaluate the capacity of thymic eosinophils to promote the development of SP thymocytes from DP thymocytes. Thymic and blood eosinophils from thymectomized infants (n = 7) were compared regarding the expression of 34 molecules using cytometry by time‐of‐flight (CyTOF). In addition, FACS‐sorted thymic eosinophils were co‐cultured with autologous CD3/CD28‐stimulated DP, CD4 SP, and CD8 SP thymocytes and analysed by flow cytometry and CyTOF. X‐shift clustering analysis and viSNE dimensionality reduction were performed. Seven eosinophil populations were identified within the blood and thymus, respectively, five of which were specific for either tissue. Whereas the blood eosinophil populations varied between individuals, the thymic eosinophil populations were more uniform. The eosinophil‐thymocyte co‐cultures resulted in (1) an increase in CD4 SP thymocytes when eosinophils were cultured with DP thymocytes, (2) decreased frequency of CD8 SP thymocytes when these were cultured with eosinophils, and (3) a more mature thymic phenotype when eosinophils were cultured with CD4 SP thymocytes. Thymic eosinophils are a specialized population of eosinophils with a distinct phenotype that separates them from their blood counterparts, and in vitro they appear to favour CD4 SP thymocyte development to the detriment of CD8 SP thymocytes.
Juvenile localized scleroderma: A single‐centre experience from India
Authors: Jindal Ankur Kumar , Handa Sanjeev , Loganathan Sathish Kumar , Sudhakar Murugan , Kaushik Akanksha , Suri Deepti , Pandiarajan Vignesh , Rawat Amit , Gupta Anju , De Dipankar , Mahajan Rahul , Singh Surjit
Published: November 2022

Background

Juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) or morphoea, a rare chronic autoimmune disease predominantly affects skin, subcutaneous tissue and occasionally the adjacent muscle, fascia and bone. We report the largest single‐centre cohort of patients with JLS from India.

Methods

Patients who were diagnosed to have JLS were enrolled from the Paediatric Dermatology Clinic and the Paediatric Rheumatology Clinic of a tertiary care referral hospital in India. Collected data included details of the clinical profile, laboratory investigations and management.

Results

We analysed 84 patients with Juvenile localized scleroderma. Median age of disease onset was 5 years, and median age at diagnosis was 8 years. Commonest subtype was linear scleroderma (57 patients, 67.7%) followed by plaque morphoea and generalized morphoea. Fourteen patients (16.6%) were noted to have extracutaneous manifestations (ECMs). These included arthritis in eight (33.3%), brain parenchymal abnormalities in four (4.7%) and pulmonary involvement in two (8.3%) patients. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive in eight/25 patients (32%; diffuse and speckled pattern in four patients each). One amongst these also had elevated anti‐dsDNA titres. Positive ANA was found to have no association with ECMs (p 1.000). Patients were treated using methotrexate (61 patients; 72.6%), dexamethasone oral mini‐pulse (OMP; 35 patients; 41.6%), calcipotriol (39 patients; 46.4%), topical corticosteroids (32 patients; 38%) and topical tacrolimus (three patients; 3.7%). Using linear regression analysis, administration of dexamethasone OMP and calcipotriol was found to be a predictor of good treatment response (p 0.034 and 0.019, respectively).

Conclusion

Early use of systemic corticosteroids along with methotrexate may be more beneficial than methotrexate therapy alone.
Clinical and molecular diagnosis of genodermatoses: Review and perspectives
Authors: Salik Deborah , Richert Bertrand , Smits Guillaume
Published: November 2022

Genodermatoses are a complex and heterogeneous group of genetic skin disorders characterized by variable expression and clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rendering their diagnosis challenging. DNA‐based techniques, like whole‐exome sequencing, can establish a diagnosis in 50% of cases. RNA‐sequencing is emerging as an attractive tool that can obtain information regarding gene expression while integrating functional genomic data with regard to the interpretation of variants. This increases the diagnostic rate by an additional 10–15%. In the present review, we detail the clinical steps involved in the diagnosis of genodermatoses, as well as the current DNA‐based technologies available to clinicians. Herein, the intention is to facilitate a better understanding of the possibilities and limitations of these diagnostic technologies. In addition, this review could guide dermatologists through new emerging techniques, such as RNA‐sequencing and its applications to familiarizing them with future techniques. Currently, this multi‐omics approach is likely the best strategy designed to promote the diagnosis of patients with genodermatoses and discover new skin disease genes that could result in novel targeted therapies.
Midwives’ and Other Perinatal Health Workers’ Perceptions of the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis in the United States
Authors: Craft‐Blacksheare Melva , Kahn Peggy
Published: November 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to identify how perinatal health workers, especially midwives, explained US Black maternal mortality and morbidity and what ameliorative measures they suggested across categories of primary social determinants, health care access, and provider practices.

Methods

Using a mixed closed‐ended and open‐ended researcher‐designed exploratory survey, 227 perinatal health workers responded to a series of questions probing views of causation and strategies for improvement. The closed‐ended responses were summarized. Open‐ended responses were analyzed using basic categorical and thematic coding.

Results

Perinatal health workers’ responses prominently identified racism as a cause of Black maternal morbidity and mortality, and their recommendations ranged across levels of social determination of health.

Discussion

Results suggest that the views of perinatal health workers, the majority of whom were midwives, are complex and correspond to the problems and solutions identified in the research literature. Midwives and other perinatal health workers are well positioned to help center health equity in perinatal care, through both clinical practice and policy advocacy.
Home care in Germany during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A neglected population?
Authors: Fischer Thomas
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Older persons and those with pre‐existing conditions are at the biggest risk for severe illness and death from COVID‐19. In Germany, more than 3.3 million people out of this population receive care in their own homes. User representatives and nurses have criticized health policy during the COVID‐19 pandemic as inappropriate for the home care setting. This policy analysis, therefore, aims to answer the question, which policy changes should be made following Bardach's framework.

Pre‐Pandemic Policy

Home care in Germany is mainly funded through the statutory long‐term care and statutory health insurance funds. It focuses on compensation of physical functioning, selected therapy‐related tasks prescribed by a physician and is not well integrated with acute and primary care.

Policy Problems

The pandemic highlighted the following challenges: nurses are excluded from policy decisions; epidemiological data from the home care setting is lacking; nurses do not have prescribing authority for vaccines; user and family education is not made available; home care‐specific guidance on infection control and prevention is absent and the home care setting is underprepared to care for acutely ill patients.

Policy Alternatives

Nurses need to be included in policy decision and authorized to adopt more responsibility in home care than currently possible. Home care‐specific policies and guidance are needed and integration with primary care should be sought.

Discussion

Changes to current policy in the identified areas could make the health system more resilient to future crisis.

Clinical Relevance

Older persons and those with pre‐existing conditions are at the highest risk for severe illness and death from COVID‐19 and most of them receive care in their own homes in Germany. Improving health policy governing home care, improving the availability of valid data and evidence, and improving the delivery of home care during the pandemic will contribute to better outcomes.
A Framework for Addressing Foster Care Trauma in the Public Education System: Perceptions and Implications
Authors: Storey Valerie A. , Fletcher Roschanda
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that approximately 90% of children in foster care have experienced a traumatic event, with nearly half reporting exposure to 4 or more types of traumatic events. Educators must remain alert to indicators suggesting a history of trauma and understand the difficulties foster youth may face regulating their emotions and behavior while in school.

METHODS

A framework for foster youth trauma in the public education system identifies the interplay between macro‐level forces, such as federal and state policy, and school and teacher micro‐level forces.

RESULTS

The framework highlights the inadequacy of educators in identifying the manifestations of trauma, specifically in foster youth, and how the current implemented policy leads to misinterpretation of the outward behavioral displays of trauma as other behavioral issues.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY

Federal and state policies, school districts, teacher and principal practices, teacher and school administrator preparation programs must incorporate knowledge about trauma pervasiveness and the consequences of trauma on foster youth attitude and behavior in the classroom.

CONCLUSION

The framework guides change efforts toward improving school climate and culture through preparing school professionals to meet the diverse needs of foster youth and tackling those policies and behaviors that exclude foster youth from schooling.
The Influence of Prior Linguistic Knowledge on Second Language Semantic Implicit Learning: Evidence from Cantonese–English Bilinguals
Authors: Cayado Dave Kenneth Tayao , Chan Ricky K. W.
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have shown that prior linguistic knowledge affects semantic implicit learning when stimuli are presented in the first language. We report an experiment that investigated whether such crosslinguistic influence from the first language would still emerge in the second language for semantic implicit learning of novel articles and fire/water semantic category mappings, a semantic distinction that is explicitly marked by semantic radicals in Chinese but not in English and a type of form–meaning connections that has not been investigated. We found that 30 Cantonese–English bilinguals and 30 native English speakers learned the target form–meaning connections and that the knowledge that they developed may have been implicit, as shown through post‐experiment verbal reports. Moreover, the bilingual group was significantly faster than the English group in distinguishing fire/water English nouns. These findings extend the range of semantic‐based regularities that can be learned at the implicit level and suggest that the markings of fire/water distinctions in Chinese affect second language task performance.