bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suction Versus Nonsuction Drainage After Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Propensity Score-Matched Study
Authors: Zhou Jian , Li Chuan , Zheng Quan , Guo Chenglin , Lyu Mengyuan , Pu Qiang , Liao Hu , Liu Lunxu
Published: October 2021

Background

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UniVATS) was utilized with a rapid growth. The evidence is sparse, however, on whether to add external suction to water-seal drainage for chest drainage after UniVATS. This retrospective propensity score-matched study aimed to identify the necessity of adding external suction to chest drainage after UniVATS.

Methods

Patients with lung cancer who underwent UniVATS were included from our prospectively maintained database. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the addition of external suction to postoperative water-seal drainage or not. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed to identify the impact of suction on chest tube duration, incidence of persistent air leak, hospital stay, and hospitalization cost. Multivariable model with interaction terms was constructed to identify impact of covariables on effect of suction.

Results

The two cohorts matched well on baseline characteristics (nonsuction: 173; suction: 96). Compared with nonsuction group, suction group showed longer median chest tube duration (3 vs. 2 days, p = 0.003), higher incidences of persistent air leak (9.4% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.003), persistent drainage (16.8% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.007), and reduced drainage volume within first 3 postoperative days (386.90 vs. 504.78 ml, p = 0.011). Resection extent was identified to mediate the relationship between suction and chest tube drainage.

Conclusions

These findings discouraged adding external suction to water-seal drainage after UniVATS regarding longer chest tube duration and more persistent air leak. Patients undergoing lobectomy would benefit more from water-seal drainage without external suction compared with those doing sublobectomy.
Involvement of the TGF-β Signaling Pathway in the Development of YAP-Driven Osteosarcoma Lung Metastasis
Authors: Morice Sarah , Danieau Geoffroy , Tesfaye Robel , Mullard Mathilde , Brion Régis , Dupuy Maryne , Ory Benjamin , Brounais-Le Royer Bénédicte , Corre Isabelle , Redini Françoise , Verrecchia Franck
Published: October 2021

Background

The poor survival rate of patients with osteosarcoma (OS), specifically with metastases at diagnosis, undergoes the urgency to develop new therapeutic strategies. Although we recently demonstrated the key role of YAP/TEAD signaling in the growth of OS primary tumor, the molecular mechanisms by which YAP regulates metastases development remain poorly understood.

Methods

The molecular mechanisms by which YAP regulates metastases development were studied using an overexpression of mutated forms of YAP able or not able to interact with TEAD. Molecular signatures were identified using RNA-sequencing analysis and gene set enrichment. Interactions between YAP and Smad3 were studied using proximity ligation assay (PLA), immunoprecipitation, and promoter/specific gene assays. The involvement of the TGF-β pathway in the ability of YAP to stimulate metastatic development in vivo was studied using an inhibitor of the TGF-β cascade in a preclinical model of OS and in vitro on the ability of OS cells to migrate and invade.

Results

Our work shows that a high YAP expression is associated with the presence of lung metastases which predicts a poor prognosis. Molecular analysis indicates that TGF-β signaling is involved in YAP-driven osteosarcoma cell pro-migratory phenotype, epithelial mesenchymal transition, cell migration, and in vivo lung metastasis development. Regardless of its ability to bind to TEAD, YAP interacts with Smad3 and stimulates the transcriptional activity of TGF-β/Smad3, thereby enhancing the ability of TGF-β to stimulate lung metastasis development.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the crucial involvement of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in YAP-driven lung metastasis development in OS.
A Prevalence Estimation of Exstrophy and Epispadias in Germany From Public Health Insurance Data
Authors: Ebert Anne-Karoline , Zwink Nadine , Reutter Heiko Martin , Jenetzky Ekkehart
Published: October 2021

Introduction: The prevalence of rare diseases is very important for health care research. According to the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) registers, the live prevalence for exstrophy and/or epispadias (grades 1–3) is reported with 1:23,255 (95% CI: 1:26,316; 1:20,000). A Europe-wide prevalence evaluation based on reports from excellence centers estimates a prevalence for exstrophies of 1:32,200 and for isolated epispadias of 1:96,800 in 2010. However, the frequency of exstrophy [International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems revision 10 (ICD-10): Q64.1] and epispadias (ICD-10: Q64.0) treated in different age groups in Germany remains unclear.

Material and Method: Public health insurance data from 71 million people (approximately 87% of the population) were provided by the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) in accordance to the German Social Insurance Code for this research purpose. DIMDI analyzed the data source for the ICD diagnoses exstrophy and epispadias between 2009 and 2011. As provided data were robust over the years, averaged data are mentioned. Detailed subgroup analysis of small numbers was forbidden due to privacy protection.

Results: Annually, 126 persons of all ages with epispadias and 244 with exstrophy are treated as inpatients. In the observed population, 34 infants (<1 year of age) with epispadias and 19 with exstrophy (58% male) are treated as outpatients each year. This corresponds to an estimated live prevalence of 1:11,000 (95% CI: 1:14,700; 1:8,400) for EEC (exstrophy–epispadias complex), more specifically a prevalence of 1:17,142 for epispadias and of 1:30,675 for exstrophy. The male-to-female ratio for exstrophy is 1.4:1 for infants and 1.6:1 for all minors. In children and adolescents, 349 epispadias and 393 exstrophies (up to the age of 17) are treated annually, whereas adults with exstrophy and even more with epispadias make comparatively less use of medical care.

Conclusion: With the help of DIMDI data, the live prevalence of bladder exstrophy and epispadias in Germany could be estimated. The prevalence of epispadias was higher than in previous reports, in which milder epispadias phenotypes (grade 1 or 2) may not have been included. These analyses might enlighten knowledge about nationwide incidence and treatment numbers of rare diseases such as the EEC.
Educational Setting and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome: A French National Surveillance System
Authors: Guenver Celia , Oualha Mehdi , Levy Corinne , Antona Denise , Madhi Fouad , Toubiana Julie , Lachaume Noémie , Javouhey Etienne , Lorrot Mathie , Yang David Dawei , Levy Michael , Caseris Marion , Galeotti Caroline , Ovaert Caroline , Wiedemann Arnaud , Girardin Marie-Laure , Rybak Alexis , Cohen Robert , Belot Alexandre
Published: October 2021

Background:Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is the most severe form associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. To reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 at the population level, educational setting closure have been implemented in many countries. However, the direct benefit of school closure on the MIS-C burden remains to be explored. We aimed to assess the role of educational settings in SARS-CoV-2 transmission among children with MIS-C.

Methods:We conducted a French national prospective surveillance of MIS-C, coordinated by Public Health France, from April 2020 to March 2021. During this period, we included all children with MIS-C fulfilling the WHO definition who were reported to Public Health France. For each child, we traced the source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The main outcome was the proportion of children with MIS-C, with educational setting-related SARS-CoV-2 infection, during the period of school opening.

Results:We included 142 children fulfilling WHO criteria for MIS-C: 104 (70%) cases occurred during school opening periods. In total, 62/104 children (60%, 95%CI [50; 69]) had been contaminated by a household contact and 5/104 in educational settings (5%, 95%CI [2; 11]). Among children with MIS-C occurring during school closure periods, the proportion of household transmission remained similar (66%, 25/38).

Conclusion:Children with MIS-C were mainly infected by SARS-CoV-2 within their family environment, and the educational setting played a marginal role in this transmission. This suggests that mitigating school attendance may not reduce substantially the burden of MIS-C.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingfei Paidu Decoction and Xuanfei Baidu Decoction, Inhibited Cytokine Production via NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Macrophages: Implications for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Therapy
Authors: Li Yujia , Li Bin , Wang Pan , Wang Qinghua
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims: Qingfei Paidu decoction (QPD) and Xuanfei Baidu decoction (XBD) are two typical traditional Chinese medicines with proven efficacy for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, although the underlying mechanism is not well defined. Blunted immune response and enhanced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (cytokine storm) are two main features observed in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Analysis based on network pharmacology has revealed that both QPD and XBD played an important role in the regulation of host immunity. We therefore investigated the role of QPD and XBD in the modulation of innate immunity in vitro, focusing on the type 1 interferon (IFN) signaling pathway in A549 cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. Methods: A549 cells were treated with QPD or XBD and the production of endogenous IFNα and IFNβ as well as the expression levels of some interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were detected by reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Macrophages derived from THP-1 cells were treated with QPD or XBD and their pro-inflammatory cytokine expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR, 6 h post LPS stimulation. In addition, the expression levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines were further analyzed by ELISA. The effect of QPD and XBD on the NF-κB signaling pathway and the pinocytosis activity of THP-1-derived macrophages were evaluated by Western blot and neutral red uptake assay, respectively. Results: Although QPD and XBD showed very little effect on the type 1 IFN signaling pathway in A549 cells, either QPD or XBD markedly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory markers including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and chemokine ligand 10 in THP-1-derived M1 macrophages. In addition, the phosphorylation of IκBα and NF-κB p65 during the process of macrophage polarization was significantly suppressed following QPD or XBD treatment. QPD and XBD also suppressed the pinocytosis activity of macrophages. Conclusion: QPD and XBD have been shown to have robust anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Our study demonstrated that both QPD and XBD decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, inhibited the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and blunted pinocytosis activity in THP-1-derived macrophages.
Total C-21 Steroidal Glycosides From Baishouwu Ameliorate Hepatic and Renal Fibrosis by Regulating IL-1β/MyD88 Inflammation Signaling
Authors: Qin Tingting , Wang Mingliang , Zhang Ting , Wang Yingyu , Zhang Yunyun , Hasnat Muhammad , Zhuang Zirui , Ding Yongfang , Peng Yunru
Published: October 2021

Fibrosis is a worldwide public health problem, which typically results from chronic diseases and often leads to organ malfunction. Chronic inflammation has been suggested to be the major trigger for fibrogenesis, yet mechanisms by which inflammatory signals drive fibrogenesis have not been fully elucidated. Total C-21 steroidal glycosides (TCSG) from Baishouwu are the main active components of the root of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight, which exert hepatoprotective and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, we established a mouse model with the coexistence of hepatic and renal fibrosis and aimed to investigate the effects of TCSG from Baishouwu on fibrosis and explored the potential mechanisms. The results of biochemical and pathological examinations showed that TCSG from Baishouwu improved liver and kidney function and alleviated hepatic and renal fibrosis by reducing collagen and extracellular matrix deposition in bile duct ligation and unilateral ureteral occlusion (BDL&UUO) mice. According to network pharmacology analysis, the mechanisms underlying the effects of TCSG from Baishouwu on hepatic and renal fibrosis were associated with inflammatory response pathways, including “Signaling by interleukins”, “MAP kinase activation”, “MyD88 cascade initiated on plasma membrane”, and “Interleukin-1 family signaling”. Regression analysis and western blot results revealed that IL-1β/MyD88 inflammation signaling played an essential role in the anti-fibrotic effects of TCSG from Baishouwu. Further data displayed that TCSG from Baishouwu affected inflammatory response and extracellular matrix deposition via suppressing the activation of p38 MAPK/JNK and NF-κB p65 signaling cascades both in the liver and kidney of BDL&UUO mice. Thus, our findings suggest TCSG from Baishouwu as a natural regimen against hepatic and renal fibrosis and provide direct evidence that IL-1β/MyD88 signaling crucially contributes to hepatic and renal fibrosis and modulates liver-kidney crosstalk by maintaining tight control over inflammatory responses.
Angle-Multiplexing Nonlinear Holography for Controllable Generations of Second-Harmonic Structured Light Beams
Authors: Yao Wenzhe , Zhou Chao , Wang Tianxin , Chen Pengcheng , Xiao Min , Zhang Yong
Published: October 2021

Nonlinear multiplexing holography emerges as a powerful tool to produce structured lights at new wavelengths. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an angle-multiplexing nonlinear holography in an angular noncritical phase-matching configuration. In experiment, various types of structured light beams, such as vortex beam, Airy beam and Airy vortex beam, are simultaneously output at second-harmonic waves along different paths. Because of the large angular acceptance bandwidth of noncritical phase-matching, one can achieve high conversion efficiency of angle-multiplexing nonlinear holography. Our method has potentially applications in high-capacity holographic storage and security encryption.
Green Plant Pigment, Chlorophyllin, Ameliorates Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLDs) Through Modulating Gut Microbiome in Mice
Authors: Yang You , Jiang Xile , Pandol Stephen J. , Han Yuan-Ping , Zheng Xiaofeng
Published: October 2021

Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs) along with metabolic syndrome and Type-2 diabetes (T2D) are increasingly prevalent worldwide. Without an effective resolution, simple hepatic steatosis may lead to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by hepatocyte damage, chronic inflammation, necrosis, fatty degeneration, and cirrhosis. The gut microbiome is vital for metabolic homeostasis. Conversely, dysbiosis contributes to metabolic diseases including NAFLD. Specifically, diet composition is critical for the enterotype of gut microbiota. We reasoned that green pigment rich in vegetables may modulate the gut microbiome for metabolic homeostasis. In this study, C57BL/6 mice under a high fat diet (HFD) were treated with sodium copper chlorophyllin (CHL), a water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll, in drinking water. After 28 weeks of HFD feeding, liver steatosis was established accompanied by gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal impairment, endotoxemia, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Administration of CHL effectively alleviated systemic and intestinal inflammation and maintained tight junction in the intestinal barrier. CHL rebalanced gut microbiota in the mice under high fat feeding and attenuated hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and reduced body weight. Fecal flora transplants from the CHL-treated mice ameliorated steatosis as well. Thus, dietary green pigment or the administration of CHL may maintain gut eubiosis and intestinal integrity to attenuate systemic inflammation and relieve NASH.
Sleep in 21-Day Dry Immersion. Are Cardiovascular Adjustments Rapid Eye Movement Sleep-Dependent?
Authors: Bersenev Evgeny Yu. , Ukraintseva Yulia V. , Kovrov Gennadiy V. , Yakhya Yusef D. , Vassilieva Galina Yu. , Tomilovskaya Elena S. , Rukavishnikov Ilya V. , Posokhov Sergey I. , Orlov Artemiy V. , Osetsky Nikolay Yu. , Orlov Oleg I.
Published: October 2021

Introduction: A decrease in sleep quality and duration during space missions has repeatedly been reported. However, the exact causes that underlie this effect remain unclear. In space, sleep might be impacted by weightlessness and its influence on cardiovascular function. In this study, we aimed at exploring the changes of night sleep architecture during prolonged, 21-day Dry Immersion (DI) as one of the ground-based models for microgravity studies and comparing them with adaptive changes in the cardiovascular system.

Methods: Ten healthy young men were exposed to DI for 21 days. The day before (baseline, B-1), on the 3rd (DI3), 10th (DI10), and 19th (DI19) day of DI, as well as in the recovery period, 1 day after the end of DI (R + 1), they were subjected to overnight polysomnography (PSG) and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Results: On DI3, when the most severe back pain occurred due to the effects of DI on the spine and back muscles, the PSG data showed dramatically disorganized sleep architecture. Sleep latency, the number of awakenings, and the duration of wake after sleep onset (WASO) were significantly increased compared with the B-1. Furthermore, the sleep efficiency, duration of rapid eye movement sleep (REM), and duration of non-rapid eye movement stage 2 decreased. On DI10, subjective pain ratings declined to 0 and sleep architecture returned to the baseline values. On DI19, the REM duration increased and continued to rise on R + 1. An increase in REM was accompanied by rising in a nighttime heart rate (HR), which also shows the most significant changes after the end of DI. On DI19 and R + 1, the REM duration showed opposite correlations with the BP parameters: on DI19 it was negatively associated with the systolic BP (SBP), and on R + 1 it was positively correlated with the diastolic BP (DBP).

Conclusion: An increase in REM at the end of DI and in recovery might be associated with regulatory changes in the cardiovascular system, in particular, with the reorganization of the peripheral and central blood flow in response to environmental changes.
Potential Phenotyping Methodologies to Assess Inter- and Intravarietal Variability and to Select Grapevine Genotypes Tolerant to Abiotic Stress
Authors: Carvalho Luísa C. , Gonçalves Elsa F. , Marques da Silva Jorge , Costa J. Miguel
Published: October 2021

Plant phenotyping is an emerging science that combines multiple methodologies and protocols to measure plant traits (e.g., growth, morphology, architecture, function, and composition) at multiple scales of organization. Manual phenotyping remains as a major bottleneck to the advance of plant and crop breeding. Such constraint fostered the development of high throughput plant phenotyping (HTPP), which is largely based on imaging approaches and automatized data retrieval and processing. Field phenotyping still poses major challenges and the progress of HTPP for field conditions can be relevant to support selection and breeding of grapevine. The aim of this review is to discuss potential and current methods to improve field phenotyping of grapevine to support characterization of inter- and intravarietal diversity. Vitis vinifera has a large genetic diversity that needs characterization, and the availability of methods to support selection of plant material (polyclonal or clonal) able to withstand abiotic stress is paramount. Besides being time consuming, complex and expensive, field experiments are also affected by heterogeneous and uncontrolled climate and soil conditions, mostly due to the large areas of the trials and to the high number of traits to be observed in a number of individuals ranging from hundreds to thousands. Therefore, adequate field experimental design and data gathering methodologies are crucial to obtain reliable data. Some of the major challenges posed to grapevine selection programs for tolerance to water and heat stress are described herein. Useful traits for selection and related field phenotyping methodologies are described and their adequacy for large scale screening is discussed.
A Comparative Study of Educational Texts for Native, Foreign, and Bilingual Young Speakers of Russian: Are Simplified Texts Equally Simple?
Authors: Dmitrieva Anna , Laposhina Antonina , Lebedeva Maria
Published: October 2021

Studies on simple language and simplification are often based on datasets of texts, either for children or learners of a second language. In both cases, these texts represent an example of simple language, but simplification likely involves different strategies. As such, this data may not be entirely homogeneous in terms of text simplicity. This study investigates linguistic properties and specific simplification strategies used in Russian texts for primary school children with different language backgrounds and levels of language proficiency. To explore the structure and variability of simple texts for young readers of different age groups, we have trained models for multiclass and binary classification. The models were based on quantitative features of texts. Subsequently, we evaluated the simplification strategies applied to readers of the same age with different linguistic backgrounds. This study is particularly relevant for the Russian language material, where the concept of easy and plain language has not been sufficiently investigated. The study revealed that the three types of texts cannot easily be distinguished from each other by judging the performance of multiclass models based on various quantitative features. Therefore, it can be said that texts of all types exhibit a similar level of accessibility to young readers. In contrast, binary classification tasks demonstrated better results, especially in the R-native vs. non R-native track (with 0.78 F1-score), these results may indicate that the strategies used for adapting or creating texts for each type of audience are different.
Signalling Three-Way Intersections: Is Redundancy Better Than Only Mandatory or Prohibitory Signs?
Authors: Vargas Cristina , Moreno-Ríos Sergio
Published: October 2021

At intersections, drivers need to infer which ways are allowed by interpreting mandatory and/or prohibitory traffic signs. Time and accuracy in this decision-making process are crucial factors to avoid accidents. Previous studies show that integrating information from prohibitory signs is generally more difficult than from mandatory signs. In Study 1, we compare combined redundant signalling conditions to simple sign conditions at three-way intersections. In Study 2, we carried out a survey among professionals responsible for signposting to test whether common practices are consistent with experimental research. In Study 1, an experimental task was applied (n=24), and in Study 2, the survey response rate was 17%. These included the main cities in Spain such as Madrid and Barcelona. Study 1 showed that inferences with mandatory signs are faster than those with prohibitory signs, and redundant information is an improvement only on prohibitory signs. In Study 2, prohibitory signs were those most frequently chosen by professionals responsible for signposting. In conclusion, the most used signs, according to the laboratory study, were not the best ones for signposting because the faster responses were obtained for mandatory signs, and in second place for redundant signs.
Gender Effect on Views of Wisdom and Wisdom Levels
Authors: Xiong Mimi , Wang Fengyan
Published: October 2021

Gender differences in wisdom are an important theme in mythology, philosophy, psychology, and daily life. Based on the existing psychological research, consensus and dispute exist between the two genders on the views of wisdom and in the levels of wisdom. In terms of the views of wisdom, the way men and women view wisdom is highly similar, and from the perspectives of both ordinary people and professional researchers of wisdom psychology, wise men and women are extremely similar. Regarding wisdom level, research has revealed that, although significant gender effects exist in the level of overall wisdom, reflective and affective dimension, and interpersonal conflict coping styles, the effect sizes were small, which indicated that these gender differences were not obvious. It would be desirable for future research to combine multiple wisdom measurements, strengthen research on the psychological gender effect of wisdom, and focus on the moderating role of age on the relationship between wisdom and gender.
Case Report: Why Sleep and Dream Related Psychological Treatments, Such as Sleepcoaching (According to Holzinger&Klösch) and CBT-I Should Be Implemented in Treatment Concepts in the Public Health System—Description of the Nightmare Treatment Process in the Context of PTSD
Authors: Holzinger Brigitte , Nierwetberg Franziska , Klösch Gerhard
Published: October 2021

In this case report, we explain the story of a woman diagnosed with severe PTSD, suffering from recurrent nightmares involving a traumatizing event. She participated in 6 week lucid dreaming training to help her reduce her nightmare frequency. Our descriptions include her dream reports as well as the results of the psychological assessment conducted. In only 6 weeks, she was able to begin to change her dream plots and to improve several of the psychological measures. In this case, we stated that paying more attention to sleep and, especially nightmares, not only in patients with PTSD, should be standard in treatment processes for psychiatric disorders. We, therefore, underpin our case with literature that explains the benefits of treatments, specifically for sleep problems that do not involve medication.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Changes the Nudging Effect of Social Information on Individuals' Blood Donation Intention
Authors: Wang Wenhua , Li Shuaiqi , Li Jianbiao , Wang Yujun
Published: October 2021

The positive effect of social information on nudging prosocial behavior is context dependent. Understanding how sensitive intervention outcomes are to changes in the choice context is essential for policy design, especially in times of great uncertainty, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. The present paper explores the effectiveness of social information in changing voluntary blood donation intention in two contexts: before and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. In addition to the dimension of context, information content and its source are also important. Using a survey administered to 1,116 participants, we conducted an intertemporal randomized-controlled experiment to systematically analyze how information can effectively nudge the intention to donate blood. Compared with content featuring blood donors' commendation information, blood users' demand information is found to have a stronger nudging effect. An official information source has a greater influence on participants' donation intention than an unofficial source. Furthermore, our analysis of two waves of experimental data (i.e., before and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic) shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has further enhanced the nudging effect of blood users' demand information and official information sources. These findings provide a theoretical basis and policy recommendations for relevant institutions to develop effective blood donation campaign strategies.
Leaders’ Windows of Tolerance for Affect Arousal—and Their Effects on Political Decision-making During COVID-19
Authors: Larsen Kelsey L. , Stanley Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2021

The recent ‘affect revolution’ in strategic decision-making research has placed greater emphasis on the role of stress and emotions in decision-making, with new theorizing to highlight how leader decisions often differ from rational choice expectations. However, while existing theories add to our understanding of the interplay between affect and cognition, they have not yet explained why affect drives decisions in some situations and not others. Undertheorized connections between leaders’ neurobiological windows of tolerance to affect arousal and their self-regulatory capacity—their capacity to regulate stress and emotions so that these phenomena do not drive resulting decisions—may hold the key to explaining this variation in affect’s influence on decision-making. Furthermore, this article considers how leaders’ windows of tolerance have unique ripple effects in their social environments, thereby affecting their groups’ collective window of tolerance. While regulated leaders can convey a calming and creative influence in their organizations that helps the group access strategic decision-making, dysregulated leaders are likely to convey stress and emotion contagion—which may erode the group’s ability to cooperate, adapt, and learn. It illustrates this argument using evidence from the upper echelons of governmental decision-making, comparing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s and US President Donald Trump’s responses to the coronavirus pandemic in their respective nations. It concludes by offering hypotheses for testing the argument in future empirical research.
A Multidimensional Study of Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Capacity and Their Impact on Business Performance
Authors: Sancho-Zamora Rafael , Gutiérrez-Broncano Santiago , Hernández-Perlines Felipe , Peña-García Isidro
Published: October 2021

The aim of this paper is to understand how absorptive capacity and innovativeness influence business performance. Most previous studies have not considered the different dimensions of absorptive capacity and innovativeness. As a consequence, they have not analyzed the relationships between these dimensions, such as potential and realized absorptive capacity (RACAP) and product and process innovation. In our study, we analyzed the relationships between each of these dimensions and their effect on organizational performance. To achieve this, in addition to the theoretical foundation provided by the working hypotheses, a questionnaire was sent to 800 CEOs of Spanish companies in different sectors, obtaining a response rate of 38.25%. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypotheses. This study confirms the positive effect of absorptive capacity on innovation capacity, which in turn has a positive effect on business performance. Moreover, different dimensions of absorptive capacity and innovativeness play an important role in these relationships. This study contributes to a better understanding of how potential and RACAP influence the innovativeness of firms, both in their ability to innovate products and to improve business processes. In addition, it explores how these different innovations impact business performance and provide firms with knowledge on how to invest resources to increase profits. Future research should further study the inner workings of each of the dimensions analyzed to determine the importance of each dimension for business performance.
Criteria for Teaching Performance in Psychology: Invariance According to Age, Sex, and Academic Stage of Peruvian Students
Authors: Bazán-Ramírez Aldo , Pérez-Morán Juan Carlos , Bernal-Baldenebro Brando
Published: October 2021

The use of scales to assess the performance of professors from the students' standpoint is a generalized practice in higher education systems worldwide. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factorial structure and measure the invariance of the Scale of Teaching Performance of the Psychology Professor (EDDPsic) among groups according to gender, age, and academic stage. The sample of participants was composed of 316 Psychology students from the fourth and sixth semesters (basic cycles), and from the eighth and tenth semesters (disciplinary-professional cycles) of two renowned public universities in Lima, Peru. Two hundred and thirty-one participants were women (73%), and the mean age of students was 21.5 years old (SD = 2.37). The measurement invariance of the scale in the three study variables was underpinned by a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) conducted using a five-factor model that showed the best fitness indices. It is concluded that significant differences in measuring teaching performance areas of the professor depend on the students' age difference and on their academic stage (to attend the disciplinary-professional cycles).
Associations Between Relapses and Psychosocial Outcomes in Patients With Schizophrenia in Real-World Settings in the United States
Authors: Lin Dee , Joshi Kruti , Keenan Alexander , Shepherd Jason , Bailey Hollie , Berry Mia , Wright Jack , Meakin Sophie , Benson Carmela , Kim Edward
Published: October 2021

Aim: To assess associations between relapses and psychosocial outcomes in adult patients with schizophrenia treated in United States (US) healthcare settings.

Methods: Data were derived from a point-in-time survey of psychiatrists and their patients with schizophrenia conducted across the US, France, Spain, China, and Japan between July and October 2019. For the purposes of this analysis, only data from US practitioners and patients were included. Disease-specific programmes (DSPs) are large surveys with a validated methodology conducted in clinical practise; they describe current disease management, disease burden, and associated treatment effects (clinical and physician-perceived). Participating psychiatrists completed patient record forms for their next 10 consecutive adult consulting patients with schizophrenia, with the same patients invited to voluntarily complete a patient self-completion (PSC) questionnaire. Surveys contained questions on the patients' disease background, treatment history, prior hospitalisation due to schizophrenia relapse and a series of psychosocial outcomes. Associations between relapses in the last 12 months and psychosocial outcomes were examined using multiple regression.

Results: A total of 124 psychiatrists provided data on 1,204 patients. Of these, 469 patients (mean age, 39.6 years; 56.5% male) had known hospitalisation history for the last 12 months and completed a PSC; 116 (24.7%) patients had ≥1 relapse. Compared to patients without relapses, patients who relapsed were more likely to be homeless, unemployed, previously incarcerated, and currently have difficulties living independently (all p < 0.05). Patients who experience a relapse also had greater working impairment and poorer quality of life compared with those who did not relapse. In general, psychosocial outcomes became poorer with an increasing number of relapses.

Conclusions: In this population of patients with schizophrenia from the US, relapse was significantly associated with poor psychosocial outcomes, with a greater number of relapses predicting worse outcomes. Early intervention to reduce the risk of relapse may improve psychosocial outcomes in patients with schizophrenia.
Association Between the Ambient Fine Particulate Pollution and the Daily Internal Medicine Outpatient Visits in Zhoushan, China: A Time-Series Study
Authors: Liu Wen-Yi , Yi Jing-Ping , Tung Tao-Hsin , Yan Jian-Bo
Published: October 2021

Background: There has been a recent worsening of air pollution in China, which poses a huge threat to public health by inducing and promoting circulatory and respiratory diseases. This study aimed to explore the association between the concentration of air pollution and daily internal medicine outpatient visits registered for the treatment of circulatory and respiratory symptoms in Zhoushan, China using a time-series method.

Methods: We validated and acquired the daily internal medicine outpatient visits records between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019, from the Zhoushan Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Zhejiang, China. Further, we collected the daily average records of the ambient air pollutants from the Zhoushan Environmental Monitoring Centre within the same duration. A generalized additive model with the natural splines was constructed to explore the association between the ambient air pollutants and daily internal medicine outpatient visits. Further, we conducted a lag analysis by using the distributed lag non-linear model to estimate the time-delayed effects of the air pollutants on the daily internal medicine outpatient visits.

Results: A total of 2,190,258 daily internal medicine outpatient visits with a mean of 202.4 visits per day were recorded. The non-linear relationships were found among particulate matter2.5 (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and the daily internal medicine outpatient visits. Overall, PM2.5 was positively correlated with the daily internal medicine outpatient visits. Both ozone (O3) and SO2 had significant delayed effects on the daily internal medical outpatient numbers; however, PM2.5 only showed a short-term risk.

Conclusion: Short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increase in the daily internal medicine outpatient visits for circulatory and respiratory diseases/symptoms in Zhoushan, China. SO2 and O3 were shown to induce significant effects after a concentration-dependent time lag.
Contributions of Annex SL to Corporate Sustainability
Authors: Nunhes Thaís Vieira , Campos Thalita Láua Reis , Francisco Fernanda Ellen , Oliveira Otávio José de
Published: October 2021

With the advance of globalization and population increase, it was necessary to intensify the production of goods to meet the new demands that arose. As a result, a significant emergence of negative socio-environmental impacts was observed, affecting the entire planet. The UN launched the 2030 Agenda to encourage all sectors of the economy, including the industrial sector, in promoting Sustainable Development (SD). Companies have sought to adopt techniques, tools and practices that enable SD in organizations. Among the range of possibilities to operationalize sustainable management, there are the Certifiable Management Systems (CMSs) ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. In order to facilitate the integration between these systems, ISO launched in 2018 the Annex SL with the High-Level Structure (HLS), providing greater compatibility between them. However, most companies do not know enough about this change and its benefits for sustainability. Thus, this work presents the main contributions of Annex SL to the development of sustainability in companies that have implemented CMSs. By reviewing the literature on the relationship between CMSs and sustainability, and the expertise of the authors, it was possible to identify and discuss on the contributions of the main elements of the HLS to sustainability, which are organizational context analysis, risk management, evidence-based decision making, emphasis on measuring and evaluating processes and results, and a culture of integration and continuous improvement.
Tunneling of Hydrogen and Deuterium Atoms on Interstellar Ices (Ih and ASW)
Authors: Nyman Gunnar
Published: October 2021

Model calculations are performed to investigate the kinetic isotope effect of hydrogen and deuterium atom diffusion on hexagonal ice and amorphous solid water. Comparisons with experimental results by Kuwahata et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., Sep. 2015, 115 (13), 133201) at 10 K are made. The experimentally derived kinetic isotope effect on amorphous solid water is reproduced by transition state theory. The experimentally found kinetic isotope effect on hexagonal ice is much larger than on amorphous solid water and is not reproduced by transition state theory. Additional calculations using model potentials are made for the hexagonal ice, but the experimental kinetic isotope effect is not fully reproduced. A strong influence of temperature is observed in the calculations. The influence of tunnelling is discussed in detail and related to the experiments. The calculations fully support the claims by the Kuwahata et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., Sep. 2015, 115 (13), 133201) that on amorphous solid water the diffusion is predominantly by thermal hopping while on the polycrystalline ice tunnelling diffusion contributes significantly.
Impact of the Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding Amount of Surgical Patient With Degenerative Spinal Disease: A Randomized Blinded Study
Authors: Yan Lei , Yang Huihong , Jiang Haibin , Yu Mingshan , Tan Jie , Su Tao , Xu Guiping
Published: October 2021

Objective: This study aims to explore the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing the bleeding amount of surgical patients with degenerative spinal disease in the perioperative period.

Methods: A total of 80 cases of patients, who underwent elective posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgeries under general anesthesia, were enrolled in this study. The age of these patients ranged within 41–69 years old, and the surgical vertebral body segments were ≥2. The ASA classification was Level I or Level II. These patients were divided into two groups using the random number table (n = 40): TXA group and control group (S group). In the TXA group, the skin was incised after the anesthesia induction, and 20 mg/kg of TXA was immediately injected into the vein. The injection continued at a rate of 10 mg·kg−1·h−1 during the surgery, until the surgery was finished. In the S group, IV and pump injection with an equal amount of normal saline (NS) were performed. Then, the RBC, Hb, HCT, AST, ALT, BUN, Cr, PT, TT, APTT, FIB, and D-dimer were measured before the surgery and at 1 day after the surgery, and the SSFQ, intraoperative bleeding amount, homologous transfusion volume, urine volume, infusion quantity, surgical duration, drainage volume at 24 h after the surgery, total bleeding amount and adverse event occurrence at 1 week after the surgery were recorded.

Results: The RBC, Hb and HCT at 1 day after the surgery were higher in TXA group than in the S group (average P < 0.05). Intraoperative bleeding, drainage volume at 24 h after surgery, and total blood loss were lower in the TXA group than in the S group (average P < 0.05). The SSFQ score and length of stay were lesser in the TXA group than in the S group (average P < 0.05). The differences in AST, ALT, BUN, Cr, PT, TT, APTT, FIB, and D-dimer at 1 day after the surgery for these two groups of patients had no statistical significance (average P > 0.05).

Conclusion: TXA can reduce the bleeding amount of surgical patients with degenerative spinal disease in the perioperative period and decrease the length of stay, but does not increase the occurrence rate of adverse events, thereby promoting postoperative rehabilitation.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR2000033597.
A Nomogram Based on the Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Distal Cholangiocarcinoma After Surgery
Authors: Li Rui , Lu Zhenhua , Sun Zhen , Shi Xiaolei , Li Zhe , Shao Weiwei , Zheng Yangyang , Song Jinghai
Published: October 2021

Background: Lymph node (LN) metastasis is considered one of the most important risk factors affecting the prognosis of distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). This study aimed to demonstrate the superiority of log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) compared with other LN stages, and to establish a novel prognostic nomogram to predict the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of DCC.

Methods: From the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, the data of 676 patients after DCC radical operation were screened, and patients were randomly divided into training (n = 474) and validation sets (n = 474). The prognostic evaluation performance of the LODDS and American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) N stage and lymph node ratio (LNR) were compared using the Akaike information criteria, receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC), and C-index. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to screen independent risk factors, and a LODDS-based nomogram prognostic staging model was established. The nomogram's precision was verified by C-index, calibration curves, and AUC, and the results were compared with those of the AJCC TNM staging system.

Results:Compared with the other two stages of LN metastasis, LODDS was most effective in predicting CSS in patients with DCC. Multivariate analysis proved that LODDS, histologic grade, SEER historic stage, and tumor size were independent risk factors for DCC. The C-index of the nomogram, based on the above factors, in the validation set was 0.663. The 1-, 3-, and 5-y AUCs were 0.735, 0.679, and 0.745, respectively. Its good performance was also verified by calibration curves. In addition, the C-index and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the nomogram performed better than the AJCC TNM staging system.

Conclusion:For postoperative patients with DCC, the LODDS stage yielded better prognostic efficiency than the AJCC N and LNR stages. Compared with the AJCC TNM staging system, the nomogram, based on the LODDS, demonstrated superior performance.
Perspectives of Canadian and American Cat Owners on Provision of Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Owned Domestic Cats
Authors: Tan Sarah M. L. , Jajou Sarah , Stellato Anastasia C. , Niel Lee
Published: October 2021

While uncontrolled outdoor access can increase opportunities for cat physical and mental stimulation, it can also increase risks of injury and illness, and result in predation of wild birds and small animals. In Canada and the United States, it is often recommended to keep cats indoors, but many owners still provide some level of outdoor access. The objectives of this study were to use a cross-sectional survey to explore the attitudes and practices of cat owners in Canada and the United States toward outdoor access and to identify factors that influence the provision of uncontrolled outdoor access. A convenience sample of cat owners (N= 7,838) were recruited to complete an online survey, and a mixed logistic regression model was used to examine associations between cat and owner-related factors, and uncontrolled outdoor access for cats, with province/state included as a random effect. In total, 57% of owners kept their cats indoors, and 43% provided some form of outdoor access, with 21% of total owners providing uncontrolled outdoor access. Provision of uncontrolled outdoor access was associated with factors related to cat characteristics (e.g., sex, breed, presence of health, and behavioral issues), the home environment (e.g., living with other pets, types of enrichment provided), owner perspectives on outdoor access (e.g., level of agreement with potential benefits and consequence of outdoor access), and owner demographics (e.g., gender, education, area of residence). For cats with uncontrolled outdoor access, few owners reported their cats having a collar or a microchip, suggesting a need to increase education about precautionary measures to protect the welfare of outdoor cats. Results reveal how owners are caring for their cats in terms of providing outdoor access and generate hypotheses for future research to examine the influence of the owner-pet bond and educational programs on owner practices around providing outdoor access.