bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZuraGard™: Being second with a better product
Authors: Ash Stephen R.
Published: September 2022

In course of developing an anticoagulant and antibacterial catheter lock solution, we demonstrated that the components and alcohol formed an effective skin antiseptic. Ash Access formed a sister company to focus on development and clinical trials of this skin preparation and exchanged intellectual property for part ownership. Zurex Pharma now has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on the new pre‐operative skin preparation, ZuraGard™, and has made successful steps toward production and marketing of the product. The steps toward FDA approval, the size of the market, and user needs are clearer for a second product in the field than for the first.
Therapeutic window of opportunity in the acute uveitic phase of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease: Prevention of late autoimmune complications by early intervention
Authors: Abu El‐Asrar Ahmed M. , Al Rashed Faisal A. , AlBloushi Abdulrahman F. , Tobaigy Mohannad F. , Gikandi Priscilla W. , Herbort Carl P. , Opdenakker Ghislain
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To determine relationship between timing of treatment initiation and disease outcomes and whether a therapeutic window of opportunity exists in initial‐onset acute uveitis associated with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 112 patients (224 eyes). Main outcome measures were final visual acuity, progression to chronic recurrent evolution, development of complications, particularly ‘sunset glow fundus’, and drug‐free remission cure of uveitis.

Results

Forty‐six patients (92 eyes) presented in the phase preceding anterior segment (AS) inflammation (early presentation) and 66 patients (132 eyes) had AS inflammation at presentation (late presentation). In significantly more eyes in the early presentation group (85.9%), final visual acuity of 20/20 was achieved compared with those in the late presentation group (66.7%) (p = 0.001). None of the eyes in the early presentation group progressed to chronic recurrent evolution and none developed ‘sunset glow fundus’, whereas in the late presentation group, 28.8% of the eyes progressed to chronic recurrent evolution (p < 0.001) and 56.1% developed ‘sunset glow fundus’ (p < 0.001). Patients in the early presentation group were able to discontinue treatment without relapse of inflammation at significantly shorter time intervals compared to patients in the delayed presentation group (p < 0.001). In the late presentation group, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that presenting clinical features predicting unfavourable outcomes were posterior synechiae (odds ratio = 4.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–12.23), bullous exudative retinal detachment extending to the periphery (odds ratio = 3.35; 95% CI = 1.53–7.32) and female gender (odds ratio = 2.05; CI = 1.08–3.90).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the window of opportunity lies in the phase preceding AS inflammation and initiation of effective treatment during this phase results in cure of uveitis and prevents blinding complications.
Ruminal protein degradability of sunflower cake, and effects of feeding sunflower cake on nutrient digestion, nitrogen balance, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites compared with soybean meal
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Asano Sanae , Okada Rika , Takaya Hinako , Tunokami Risa , Takahashi Kei , Kajikawa Hiroshi
Published: September 2022

The ruminal degradation parameters of sunflower cake (SFC), a by‐product left after the mechanical extraction of oil from sunflower seeds, were estimated in an in situ experiment using a cow. And also the effect of feeding SFC on nutrient digestibilities, digestible energy, nitrogen balance, and ruminal and blood properties were investigated in a feeding trial using four Shiba goats compared isonitrogenously with soybean meal (SBM). The in situ results demonstrated that the SFC had high soluble protein (>70%) with 97% total degradable protein. The feeding trial revealed that the SFC had 85% crude protein digestibility and 65% total digestible nutrients on a dry matter basis in which the low carbohydrate digestibilities offset the advantage of high digestible fat (9.9%). The nitrogen efficiency (retained N/intake N) was lower for SFC than SBM, probably because of an inferior biological value of amino acids in SFC. Among the ruminal and blood properties, only the total ruminal acid concentration and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) differed significantly between the diets: The SFC diet showed lower values than the SBM diet. These findings indicate that SFC can safely replace SBM.
Distribution characteristics and regulation of amino acids and fatty acids in muscle and adipose tissues of sheep grown in natural grazing environment
Authors: Han Yongli , Liang Chen , Manthari Ram Kumar , Yu Yuxiang , Zhang Jianhai , Wang Jundong , Cao Jinling
Published: September 2022

The composition of amino acid and fatty acid has a vital function on meat quality and animal health. However, the underlying mechanism of amino acid and fatty acid metabolism in sheep during different grazing periods is still unclear. In this study, a total of 12 sheep were employed in different grazing periods. Our results showed that the composition of amino acids and fatty acids in muscle and adipose tissues was significantly altered between dry grass (DG) period and green grass (GG) period. Changes in the activities of the metabolism‐related enzymes including BCKD, BCAT2, ACC, SCD, HSL, GSK3β, p‐GSK3β, and FABP4 were observed in muscle and adipose during different grazing periods. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of ACC, FAS, SCD, HSL, LPL, and DGAT1 in muscle and adipose tissue were changed markedly in different grazing periods. Furthermore, the expression levels of mTOR and β‐catenin/PPARγ/C/EBPα pathway‐related proteins were predominantly altered in muscle and adipose among DG and GG. Taken together, all investigations simplified the process of amino acid and fatty acid metabolism disorders caused by different grazing periods, and the mTOR and β‐catenin/PPARγ/C/EBPα play the essential role in this process, which provided an underlying mechanism of metabolism and meat quality.
Development and validation of a bleeding risk prediction score for patients with mitral valve stenosis and atrial fibrillation or mechanical heart valves receiving long‐term warfarin therapy
Authors: Phetroong Sararat , Nathisuwan Surakit , Chindavijak Busba , Phrommintikul Arintaya , Sapoo Ubonwan , Sookananchai Bancha , Priksri Watcharapong , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: September 2022

Aims

This study aimed to develop and validate a new bleeding risk score to predict warfarin‐associated major bleeding for patients with mitral valve stenosis with atrial fibrillation (MSAF) or mechanical heart valves (MHV).

Methods

A multicentre, retrospective cohort study was conducted at 3 hospitals in Thailand. Adult patients with MSAF or MHV receiving warfarin for ≥3 months during 2011–2015 were identified. Data collection and case validation were performed electronically and manually. Potential variables were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using stepwise backward selection was used to construct a risk score. Predictive discrimination of the score was evaluated using the C‐statistic. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test.

Results

There were 1287 patients (3903.41 patient‐year of follow‐up), with 192 experiencing bleeding (4.92 event/100 patient‐year) in the derivation cohort. A new bleeding risk score termed, the HEARTS‐60 + 3 score (hypertension/history of bleeding; external factors, e.g., alcohol/drugs [aspirin or nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs]; anaemia/hypoalbuminaemia; renal/hepatic insufficiency; time in therapeutic range of <60%; stroke; age ≥60 y; target international normalized ratio of 3.0 [2.5–3.5]), was developed and showed good predictive performance (C‐statistic [95% confidence interval] of 0.88 [0.85–0.91]). In the external validation cohort of 832 patients (2018.45 patient‐year with a bleeding rate of 4.31 event/100 patient‐year), the HEARTS‐60 + 3 score showed a good predictive performance with a C‐statistic (95% confidence interval) of 0.84 (0.81–0.89).

Conclusion

The HEARTS‐60 + 3 score shows a potential as a bleeding risk prediction score in MSAF or MHV patients.
Acceptance of stakeholder comments during EMA scientific guideline public consultations: Legitimacy of the quadruple helix model of innovation
Authors: Heikkinen Inkatuuli , Torqui Aimad
Published: September 2022

Aims

Guidelines establish a framework for how therapeutics and vaccines are developed, assessed and approved. They influence which innovations are likely to be approved in the European Union (EU), and thus, they have an impact on the pipeline decisions taken by research‐based industry. This study analyses the level of acceptance for changes suggested by stakeholders within the authoring groups at the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Methods

We looked at 87 guidelines from EMA Working Parties (WPs) launched for consultation between 2013 and 2017. Acceptance of stakeholder proposals and the time between the end of consultation and guideline adoption were studied as well as the openness of different WPs to accept changes.

Results

Adoption of a guideline after the close of public consultation took at least 4 months, with an average of 12–16 months. The number of accepted and rejected comments were nearly equal across the stakeholders, with government having slightly higher chance for acceptance. Academia and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) had generally higher chances to have their comments accepted for general and indication‐level guidelines. Government and individual companies had highest acceptance for molecule‐level guidelines and trade associations for indication‐level guidelines. Only a third of the comments related to scientific content of the guideline.

Conclusion

This pattern of progress in regulatory science at EMA demonstrates the essential and interrelated role of academia, industry, government and civil society—described as the quadruple helix model—to promote establishment of a strong innovation ecosystem in Europe.
Clinical outcomes and immune responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in severe aplastic anaemia
Authors: Rajput Roma V. , Ma Xiaoyang , Boswell Kristin L. , Gaudinski Martin , Gordon Ingelise , Novik Laura , Groarke Emma M. , Lotter Jennifer , Superata Jeanine , Rios Olga J. , Darden Ivana , Lin Bob C. , Jean‐Baptiste Nazaire , Carroll Robin , Moore Christopher , Trost Jessica , Naisan Mursal , Willis Jacquelyn , Serebryannyy Leonid , Wang Jennifer L. , Prabhakaran Madhu , Narpala Sandeep R. , Koup Richard A. , McDermott Adrian , Wu Colin O. , Young Neal S. , Patel Bhavisha A.
Published: September 2022

Patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) are often not vaccinated against viruses due to concerns of ineffective protective antibody response and potential for pathogenic global immune system activation, leading to relapse. We evaluated the impact of COVID‐19 vaccination on haematological indices and disease status and characterized the humoural and cellular responses to vaccination in 50 SAA patients, who were previously treated with immunosuppressive therapy (IST). There was no significant difference in haemoglobin (p = 0.52), platelet count (p = 0.67), absolute lymphocyte (p = 0.42) and neutrophil (p = 0.98) counts prior to and after completion of vaccination series. Relapse after vaccination, defined as a progressive decline in counts requiring treatment, occurred in three patients (6%). Humoural response was detectable in 90% (28/31) of cases by reduction in an in‐vitro Angiotensin II Converting Enzyme (ACE2) binding and neutralization assay, even in patients receiving ciclosporin (10/11, 90.1%). Comparison of spike‐specific T‐cell responses in 27 SAA patients and 10 control subjects revealed qualitatively similar CD4+ Th1‐dominant responses to vaccination. There was no difference in CD4+ (p = 0.77) or CD8+ (p = 0.74) T‐cell responses between patients on or off ciclosporin therapy at the time of vaccination. Our data highlight appropriate humoural and cellular responses in SAA previously treated with IST and true relapse after vaccination is rare.
Bacteria with potential: Improving outcomes through probiotic use following Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass
Authors: Nowicki Kylie N. , Pories Walter J.
Published: September 2022

Obesity impairs the gastrointestinal microbiome (GM) and may promote micronutrient deficiencies. Bariatric surgery (BS), the most efficacious treatment for severe obesity, produces sustained weight loss and improvements in obesity‐related comorbidities, but might not fully restore microbial balance. Moreover, BS may result in deleterious consequences that affect weight loss and further intensify post‐operative micronutrient deficiencies. To date, the use of probiotics appears to be associated with greater weight loss in bariatric patients, improved vitamin synthesis and availability, and decreased instances of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Thus, manipulation of the GM through probiotics represents a promising therapeutic approach in bariatric patients. This review aims to highlight the benefits of using probiotics in bariatric surgical patients by addressing the impact of probiotics on the GM, how BS impacts the microbial environment, associations between gastrointestinal dysbiosis and negative health outcomes, how BS contributes to dysbiosis, and how probiotics may prove efficacious in treating patients who undergo Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Based on currently available data, the role of microbial manipulation post‐RYGB through probiotics has shown great potential, but a further clinical investigation is warranted to better understand their efficacy.
StomaCare: quality of life impact after enhanced follow‐up of ostomy patients by a home healthcare nursing service—a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: de Ponthaud Charles , Roupret Morgan , Vernerey Dewi , Audenet François , Brouquet Antoine , Cotte Eddy , Cuvillier Xavier , Kanso Frédéric , Meurette Guillaume , Ledaguenel Patrick , Maggiori Léon , Neuzillet Yann , Ouaissi Mehdi , Roumiguié Mathieu , Phé Véronique , VUONG Nam‐Son , Parc Yann , Lefèvre Jérémie H.
Published: September 2022

Aim

A stoma exposes patients to several complications which could impair their quality of life (QoL). In the last decade, the market for stoma therapy in France has evolved, with a significant increase in the activities of home health providers, meeting a need for patient follow‐up and companionship. International studies have demonstrated the impact of the stoma therapist (ST) follow‐up on the improvement of an ostomy patient's QoL. However, the impact of home stoma nurse management has not been analysed. In this context we would like to assess the added value on health‐related QoL from the enhanced follow‐up of ostomy patients by STs.

Methods

This is a randomized, controlled, open, national and multicentre trial (12 centres) which includes patients with an ostomy who benefit from either standard follow‐up or from an enhanced and personalized follow‐up with, in particular, regular consultations with an ST after discharge. The primary end‐point is the 3‐month QoL score obtained from the Stoma‐QoL questionnaire. The secondary end‐points are satisfaction of the care, comparison of QoL scores (Stoma‐QoL and EuroQuol EQ‐5D) and the economic gains by calculating the consumption of resources between the two arms. There will be a modified intention‐to‐treat analysis with 6‐month follow‐up in both study arms.

Discussion

The StomaCare trial will be the first randomized controlled study in France to evaluate the impact on QoL of an enhanced follow‐up at home of ostomy patients by an ST.
Evaluation of the potential complication of interstitial lung disease associated with antifibrotic drugs using data from databases reporting spontaneous adverse effects
Authors: Nawa Hideki , Hamano Hirofumi , Niimura Takahiro , Miyata Koji , Yagi Kenta , Goda Mitsuhiro , Zamami Yoshito , Ishizawa Keisuke
Published: September 2022

Interstitial lung disease (ILD), as an adverse effect of certain drugs, leads to inflammation and damage in the walls of the alveoli, making it difficult for the alveoli to take up oxygen. Interstitial pneumonia with no identifiable cause is called idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), and, among the major IIPs, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is diagnosed in about half of patients. Current treatment options are limited, among which the antifibrotic drugs nintedanib (Ofev) and pirfenidone (Pirespa) are the first‐line drugs. In this study, we investigated the incidence of ILD possibly caused by antifibrotic agents using data from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database, a database of spontaneous adverse event reports published by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), published by the FDA. We used the FAERS and JADER to detect the signals of adverse events on the basis of reporting odds ratios. The relationship between indications and adverse events was clarified by separating indications and adverse events using the spontaneous adverse event reporting database with novel drug involvement. Regarding the involvement of nintedanib and pirfenidone in the development of ILD, JADER and FAERS showed signals for both nintedanib and pirfenidone as suspect drugs, and no signals for nintedanib or pirfenidone as concomitant drug interactions were detected. We highlight this because there are only a few effective drugs for IPF, and effective and safe drug therapies should be implemented by taking into consideration drug‐induced ILD.
Insights into the spatio‐temporal variability of spawning in a territorial coastal fish by combining observations, modelling and literature review
Authors: Di Stefano Marine , Legrand Térence , Di Franco Antonio , Nerini David , Rossi Vincent
Published: September 2022

In bipartite life cycle fishes, spawning represents the onset of propagules dispersal, with eggs and larvae experiencing anisotropic transport and high mortality rates, before eventually metamorphosing and settling. Hence, early‐life stages operate as bottlenecks for population demography by strongly constraining recruitment. Despite its significance, spawning is rarely explicitly considered in ecosystem management due to a lack of knowledge, for many species, about where and when spawning occurs. Previous evidences suggest that temperature is among the main drivers of spawning in Teleosts. Using the ecologically and economically relevant white seabream Diplodus sargus in the central Mediterranean Sea as a case study, we assess the abiotic factors that regulate the onset and duration of spawning and subsequent dispersal. Lagrangian backtracking simulations fed with early‐life observations allow locating 11 spawning events, which are then associated to simulated temperatures ranging from 14.8° C to 20.6° C, in close agreement with previous estimates. Based on this range of suitable temperatures, we model the spatio‐temporal variability of spawning success at broad‐scale over 10 years (2005–2014) following the backtracking approach with hypothetical constant settlement areas. It highlights a prominent inter‐annual variability in the Adriatic and Siculo‐Tunisian strait driven by oceanographic processes. Moreover, a powerful clustering method uncovers relatively stable spawning areas in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas with both early (January to Mid‐February) and late (April to June) spawning peaks. Our methodology can be applied to other species and oceanic systems to investigate how oceanic processes impact spawning success, enabling the design of sound management strategies.
Changing informal institutions via mimesis: Gender equality in marriage proposals
Authors: Hoelscher Vera , Khanijou Ratna , Pirani Daniela
Published: September 2022

Marriage equality has exposed how the institution of marriage is changing, but less attention has been given to how informal institutions around heterosexual marriage rituals are affected by a growing demand for gender equality. By applying institutional theory and feminist institutionalism to the context of women proposing to their male partners, this paper observes how shifts in gender norms change heteronormative institutions. Drawing from interviews with women who proposed to men and a virtual ethnography, we describe how reverse proposals can set precedence for emulation of practices or mimetic isomorphism. We therewith contribute to institutional theory in threefold ways. First, we describe how mimetic isomorphism introduces new standards and norms into a highly traditional institution. Second, we show how this integration of new standards and norms serves this patriarchal institution to remain relevant and appear progressive. Finally, we contend that this tension of joining a patriarchal institution but doing so in a subversive manner represents a double bind for women who are encouraged by society to formalize their heteronormative relationships through marriage and yet chastised for initiating this themselves.
Susceptibility Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Contamination Using an Ensemble Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Hosseini Farzaneh Sajedi , Choubin Bahram , Bagheri‐Gavkosh Mehdi , Karimi Omid , Taromideh Fereshteh , Mako Csaba
Published: September 2022

Groundwater pollution susceptibility mapping using parsimonious approaches with limited data is of utmost importance for water resource and health planning, especially in data‐scarce regions. Current research assesses groundwater nitrate susceptibility by considering the various combination of explanatory variables. In this study, the novel machine learning models of weighted subspace random forest (WSRF) and generalized additive model using LOESS (GAMLOESS) are applied, and the results are compared with well‐known machine learning models of K‐nearest neighbors (KKNN) and random forest (RF). The optimum combination of inputs for groundwater nitrate susceptibility mapping is identified using the k‐fold cross‐validation methodology. Results indicated that the combination of variables of precipitation, groundwater level, and lithology had the best performance among the 16 combinations. Modeling performance using the optimum combination demonstrated that the new ensemble approach, the WSRF model, had superior performance according to the evaluation metrics of accuracy (0.87), kappa (0.73), precision (0.92), false alarm ratio (0.08), and critical success index (0.75). The susceptibility assessment results of this paper can be a useful tool in developing strategies for the prevention and protection of groundwater pollution.
Feasibility and acceptability of psychosocial care for unsuccessful fertility treatment
Authors: Sousa‐Leite Mariana , Fernandes Mónica , Reis Salomé , Costa Raquel , Figueiredo Bárbara , Gameiro Sofia
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Many people undergo fertility treatment to have biological children, but around four in ten patients complete all treatment cycles without having the children they desire. This triggers intense grief from which patients report taking on average 2 years to recover. Fertility guidelines and regulators stress the need to support patients through this process, but there is a scarcity of evaluated interventions to this end and evidence about when and how to offer care is lacking. This study explored patients' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of and views about provision of psychosocial care (to patients facing unsuccessful fertility treatment, i.e., care provided by a mental health professional to address the emotional, cognitive, behavioural, relational and social needs that patients have at this stage of treatment).

Methods

Five qualitative online focus groups were conducted with Portuguese participants: three with patients waiting to initiate or undergoing their last cycle of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection or having completed it within the last 2 months without achieving a pregnancy and two with HCPs working at fertility clinics. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed with Framework Analysis.

Results

Thirteen patients and nine HCPs participated. Analysis resulted in 1293 codes, systematically organized into 13 categories, 4 themes and 1 metatheme. The latter showed high consensus about the need for psychosocial care for unsuccessful treatment, but perceived challenges in its implementation. Themes reflected (1) consensual demand for psychosocial care at all stages of treatment but particularly at the end, (2) high perceived acceptability of integrating preventive care initiated during treatment with early psychosocial care only for those patients who experience unsuccessful treatment, (3) perceived challenges of implementing psychosocial care for unsuccessful treatment at clinics and (4) suggestions to promote its acceptability and feasibility.

Conclusion

Patients and HCPs perceive that clinics should improve care provision across the whole treatment pathway and in particular for unsuccessful fertility treatment. Suggestions were made to inform future research focusing on the development and evaluation of psychosocial interventions to this end.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients and HCPs participated in the focus groups. Two HCPs also revised the manuscript.
Protective effect of human amniotic membrane extract against hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative damage in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Talachi Negin , Afzal Elaheh , Nouri Masoumeh , Abroun Saeid , Zarrabi Morteza , Jahandar Hoda
Published: September 2022

Objective

One of the main approaches to preventing skin ageing is to protect fibroblast cells from oxidative stress. The promoting effect of the human amniotic membrane extract (hAME) on re‐epithelization, proliferation and migration of cells in wound healing has been already well studied. This experimental study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of hAME against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced dermal fibroblast damage.

Methods

Here, to establish the ageing model, human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) were exposed to 200 μM H2O2 for 2 h. HFFs were treated with 0.1 mg/ml AME for 24 or 48 h before or/and after H2O2 exposure. A total of 48 h following the H2O2 treatment, we measured cell proliferation, viability, senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐Gal), antioxidants and preinflammatory cytokine (IL‐6) levels, as well as the expression of senescence‐associated genes (P53 and P21).

Results

The obtained results indicated that under oxidative stress, AME significantly increased cellular viability and not only promoted the cell proliferation rate but also attenuated apoptotic induction condition (p < 0.001). AME also significantly reversed the SA‐β‐Gal levels induced by H2O2 (p < 0.001). Additionally, both pre‐ and post‐treatment regimen by AME down‐regulated the expression of senescence marker genes (p < 0.001). Moreover, AME declined different oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase and catalase and increased the glutathione amount.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results indicated that AME had a remarkable antioxidant and antiageing activity as pre‐ and post‐treatment regimen, pointing to this compound as a potential natural‐based cosmeceutical agent to prevent and treat skin ageing conditions.
The maturity‐lengthening role of national development banks
Authors: Schclarek Alfredo , Xu Jiajun , Yan Jianye
Published: September 2022

We analyze why national development banks (NDBs) may provide longer‐term loans to firms than private commercial banks (PCBs). If NDB bonds have higher collateral value than PCB bonds, then NDBs may lend longer‐term than PCBs. NDBs may enjoy higher recapitalization willingness and capacity by the state and hence greater collateral value than PCBs. Moreover, NDBs may have advantages over state‐owned commercial banks if NDB bonds enjoy higher market liquidity. However, NDBs may suffer from poor monitoring quality owing to undue political intervention, thus undermining collateral value. Our study implies that NDBs are not substitutes for but complements to PCBs.
Investigating students' use of self‐assessments in higher education using learning analytics
Authors: Ifenthaler Dirk , Schumacher Clara , Kuzilek Jakub
Published: September 2022

Background

Formative assessments are vital for supporting learning and performance but are also considered to increase the workload of teachers. As self‐assessments in higher education are increasingly facilitated via digital learning environments allowing to offer direct feedback and tracking students' digital learning behaviour these constraints might be reduced. Yet, learning analytics do not make sufficient use of data on assessments.

Aims

This exploratory case study uses learning analytics methods for investigating students' engagement with self‐assessments and how this relates to performance in the final exam and self‐reported self‐testing strategies.

Materials & Methods

The research study has been conducted at a European university in a twelve‐weeks course of a Bachelor's program in Economic and Business Education including nenroll = 159 participants. During the semester, students were offered nine self‐assessments each including three to eight tasks plus one mid‐term and one exam‐preparation self‐assessment including all prior self‐assessments tasks. The self‐assessment interaction data for each student included: the results of the last self‐assessment attempt, the number of processed self‐assessment tasks, and the time spent on the last self‐assessment attempt, the total self‐assessment attempts, and the first as well as last access of each self‐assessment. Data analytics included unsupervised machine learning and process mining approaches.

Results

Findings indicate that students use the self‐assessments predominantly before summative assessments. Two distinct clusters based on engagement with self‐assessments could be identified and engagement was positively related to performance in the final exam. The findings from learning analytics data were also indicated by students' self‐reported use of self‐testing strategies.

Discussion

With the help of multiple data from self‐reports, formal exams, and a learning analytics system, the findings provided multiple perspectives on the use of self‐assessments and their relationships with course performance. These findings call for applying assessment analytics and related frameworks in learning analytics as well as providing learners with related adaptive feedback.

Conclusion

Future research might investigate different (self‐report) variables for clustering, other student cohorts or self‐assessment forms.
Evolution of thermal performance curves: A meta‐analysis of selection experiments
Authors: Malusare Sarthak P. , Zilio Giacomo , Fronhofer Emanuel A.
Published: September 2022

Temperatures are increasing due to global changes, putting biodiversity at risk. Organisms are faced with a limited set of options to cope with this situation: adapt, disperse or die. We here focus on the first possibility, more specifically, on evolutionary adaptations to temperature. Ectotherms are usually characterized by a hump‐shaped relationship between fitness and temperature, a non‐linear reaction norm that is referred to as thermal performance curve (TPC). To understand and predict impacts of global change, we need to know whether and how such TPCs evolve. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature search and a statistical meta‐analysis focusing on experimental evolution and artificial selection studies. This focus allows us to directly quantify relative fitness responses to temperature selection by calculating fitness differences between TPCs from ancestral and derived populations after thermal selection. Out of 7561 publications screened, we found 47 studies corresponding to our search criteria representing taxa across the tree of life, from bacteria, to plants and vertebrates. We show that, independently of species identity, the studies we found report a positive response to temperature selection. Considering entire TPC shapes, adaptation to higher temperatures traded off with fitness at lower temperatures, leading to niche shifts. Effects were generally stronger in unicellular organisms. By contrast, we do not find statistical support for the often discussed “Hotter is better” hypothesis. While our meta‐analysis provides evidence for adaptive potential of TPCs across organisms, it also highlights that more experimental work is needed, especially for under‐represented taxa, such as plants and non‐model systems.
Choosing between the red and the blue pill. How do people decide when they face uncertainty regarding different treatment alternatives?
Authors: Maroiu Cristina , Maricuțoiu Laurențiu P.
Published: September 2022

Background: When we are faced with health challenges, we have to choose a treatment from several alternatives. Most of the time, we must make a choice even though some information regarding the options is missing. Previous research found that missing information systematically impacts our choices. Aim: The present study investigated if context‐related variables (type of information: advantages or costs, the label of the alternatives) and individual differences (moral purity, thinking style) have an impact on the way people make these kinds of choices. Methods: One hundred twenty‐three students (52% males) had to make 27 decisions regarding their preferred alternative for treating various medical conditions. We manipulated the type of comparable information (i.e., regarding advantages, disadvantages, or costs), and the label of the treatment alternatives (i.e., abstract vs. recognizabletreatments). Additionally, we measured the participants' moral purity endorsement and thinking style via self‐report questionnaires. Results: The results showed that context variables like the type of comparable information and the label of the alternatives are significant predictors of people's medical treatment choices. At the same time, self‐reported measures were unrelated to the way people choose medical treatment. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of discussing the issue of missing information with healthcare consumers and patients.
Genomic features of Pseudomonas sp. RGM2144 correlates with increased survival of rainbow trout infected by Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Authors: Vidal José M. , Fonseca Alexis , Ruiz Pamela , Sepúlveda Daniela , Carrasco Carlos , Scilipoti Stefano , Barros Javier , Valenzuela Ariel , Saavedra Ricardo , Ruiz‐Tagle Nathaly , Urrutia Homero
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated the probiotic potential of the biofilm formed by the strain Pseudomonas sp. RGM2144 on rainbow trout survival. When challenged with the fish pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Pseudomonas sp. RGM2144 increased rainbow trout survival to 92.7 ± 1.2% (control: 35.3 ± 9.5%, p < .0001). The draft genome of Pseudomonas sp. RGM2144 is 6.8 Mbp long, with a completeness 100% and a contamination of 0.4%. The genome contains 6122 protein‐coding genes of which 3564 (~60%) have known functions. The genome and phylogeny indicate that Pseudomonas sp. RGM2144 is a new species in the Pseudomonas genus, with few virulence factors, plasmids, and genes associated with antimicrobial resistance, suggesting a non‐pathogenic bacterium with protective potential. In addition, the genome encodes for 11 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters that could be involved in the inhibition of F. psychrophilum. We suggest that Pseudomonas sp. RGM2144 may be applied as a probiotic in salmonid fish farming.
Improving memory via automated targeted memory reactivation during sleep
Authors: Whitmore Nathan W. , Harris Jasmine C. , Kovach Torin , Paller Ken A.
Published: September 2022

A widely accepted view in memory research is that previously acquired information can be reactivated during sleep, leading to persistent memory storage. Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) was developed as a technique whereby specific memories can be reactivated during sleep using a sensory stimulus linked to prior learning. As a research tool, TMR can improve memory, raising the possibility that it may be useful for cognitive enhancement and clinical therapy. A major challenge for the expanded use of TMR is that a skilled operator must manually control stimulation, which is impractical in many settings. To address this limitation, we developed the SleepStim system for automated TMR in the home. SleepStim includes a smartwatch to collect movement and heart‐rate data, plus a smartphone to emit auditory cues. A machine‐learning model identifies periods of deep sleep and triggers TMR sounds within these periods. We tested whether this system could replicate the spatial‐memory benefit of in‐laboratory TMR. Participants learned locations of objects on a grid, and then half of the object locations were reactivated during sleep over 3 nights. Recall was tested each morning. In an experiment with 61 participants, the TMR effect was not significant but varied systematically with stimulus intensity; low‐intensity but not high‐intensity stimuli produced memory benefits. In a second experiment with 24 participants, we limited stimulus intensity and found that TMR reliably improved spatial memory, consistent with effects observed in laboratory studies. We conclude that SleepStim can effectively accomplish automated TMR, and that avoiding sleep disruption is critical for TMR benefits.
Flv3A facilitates O2 photoreduction and affects H2 photoproduction independently of Flv1A in diazotrophic Anabaena filaments
Authors: Santana‐Sánchez Anita , Nikkanen Lauri , Werner Elisa , Tóth Gábor , Ermakova Maria , Kosourov Sergey , Walter Julia , He Meilin , Aro Eva‐Mari , Allahverdiyeva Yagut
Published: September 2022

The model heterocyst‐forming filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 (Anabaena) is a typical example of a multicellular organism capable of simultaneously performing oxygenic photosynthesis in vegetative cells and O2‐sensitive N2‐fixation inside heterocysts. The flavodiiron proteins have been shown to participate in photoprotection of photosynthesis by driving excess electrons to O2 (a Mehler‐like reaction).

Here, we performed a phenotypic and biophysical characterization of Anabaena mutants impaired in vegetative‐specific Flv1A and Flv3A in order to address their physiological relevance in the bioenergetic processes occurring in diazotrophic Anabaena under variable CO2 conditions.

We demonstrate that both Flv1A and Flv3A are required for proper induction of the Mehler‐like reaction upon a sudden increase in light intensity, which is likely important for the activation of carbon‐concentrating mechanisms and CO2 fixation. Under ambient CO2 diazotrophic conditions, Flv3A is responsible for moderate O2 photoreduction, independently of Flv1A, but only in the presence of Flv2 and Flv4. Strikingly, the lack of Flv3A resulted in strong downregulation of the heterocyst‐specific uptake hydrogenase, which led to enhanced H2 photoproduction under both oxic and micro‐oxic conditions.

These results reveal a novel regulatory network between the Mehler‐like reaction and the diazotrophic metabolism, which is of great interest for future biotechnological applications.
Manipulation of the transcription factor SlNAC1 for improved tolerance to abiotic stress in tomato
Authors: Niu Xiangli , Lu Han , Fan Youhong , Wang Wenjie , Yuan Yulin , Hawkins Madigan , Zhang Junhong , Ye Zhibiao , Miao Min , Liu Yongsheng , Xiao Fangming
Published: September 2022

The tomato transcription factor SlNAC1 plays an important role in abiotic stress response and is fine‐tuned at both transcriptional and posttranslational levels. The SlNAC1 gene is strongly induced by multiple abiotic stresses and the SlNAC1 protein is subjected to ubiquitin proteasome‐mediated degradation. We found here that SlNAC1 possesses two distinct transactivation domains (TADs), TAD1 and TAD2. Significantly, the instability of SlNAC1 was attributed to the acidic amino acid‐rich TAD1, in which the instability and transcriptional potential of TAD1 functionally overlapped; whereas the glutamine‐rich TAD2 was stable and accounted for the abiotic stress signalling mediated by SlNAC1. Towards the goal of enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress in tomatoes, we manipulated SlNAC1 at both gene and protein levels: we generated a stable and functional SlNAC1 mutant SlNAC1∆191‐270 by removing TAD1 and further engineered it to be stress‐controllable by fusing the corresponding cDNA with the abiotic stress‐inducible promoter ProStNAC1. Transgenic tomato plants expressing the ProStNAC1::SlNAC1∆191‐270 transgene did not display any undesired traits and exhibited enhanced tolerance to cold, drought and salt stresses. Taken together, our manipulation of the stress‐related transcription factor via conditional expression of its derived stable and functional mutant provides a successful example for developing crops dynamically adapted to abiotic stress.
Multicenter retrospective review of pulsed dye laser in nonulcerated infantile hemangioma
Authors: Shah Sonal D. , Mathes Erin F. , Baselga Eulalia , Frieden Ilona J. , Powell Julie , Garzon Maria C. , Morel Kimberly D. , Lauren Christine T. , Mancini Anthony J. , Chamlin Sarah L. , Ríos Mónica , Belmesk Lina , McCuaig Catherine C.
Published: September 2022

Background/objectives

We sought to describe the experience among members of the Hemangioma Investigator Group with pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of nonulcerated infantile hemangioma (IH) in pediatric patients in the pre‐ and post‐beta‐blocker era.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with nonulcerated IH treated with laser therapy. Patient demographics, IH characteristics, indications for/timing of laser therapy, as well as laser parameters were collected. Responses to laser therapy were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

One hundred and seventeen patients with IH were treated with PDL. 18/117 (15.4%) had early intervention (defined as <12 months of life), and 99/117 (84.6%) had late intervention (≥12 months of life). In the late intervention group, 73.7% (73/99) had additional medical management of their IH. The mean age at PDL initiation for the late intervention group was 46.7 ± 35.3 months of life (range 12–172 months) with total number of treatments to maximal clearing of 4.2 ± 2.8 (range 1–17). Those who received propranolol prior to PDL received fewer sessions (1.1 fewer sessions, approaching significance [p = .056]).     On the VAS, there was a mean 85% overall improvement compared to baseline (range 18%–100%), with most improvement noted in erythema and/or telangiectasias. The incidence of adverse effects was 6/99 (6.1%).

Conclusions

PDL is a useful tool in the treatment of IH, with notable improvement of telangiectasia and erythema and low risk of complications.   PDL is often introduced after the maximal proliferative phase.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist for rapid weaning in preterm infants
Authors: Fang Shih‐Jou , Su Chung‐Hao , Liao Da‐Ling , Chen Chih‐Cheng , Chung Mei‐Yung , Chen Feng‐Shun , Huang Hsin‐Chun , Ou‐Yang Mei‐Chen
Published: September 2022

Background

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a new mode of subject‐triggered ventilation. Experience with the use of NAVA in preterm infants is limited. This study compared the effects of invasive mechanical ventilation with NAVA to conventional intermittent mandatory ventilation (CIMV) in terms of reducing the duration of oxygen requirement and invasive ventilator support in preterm infants.

Methods

This was a prospective study. We enrolled infants of less than 32 weeks’ gestation who were then randomized to receive either NAVA or CIMV support during hospitalization. We recorded and analyzed data on the maternal history during pregnancy, use of medications, neonatal data at admission, neonatal diseases, and respiratory support in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Results

There were 26 preterm infants in the NAVA group and 27 preterm infants in the CIMV group. Significantly fewer infants in the NAVA group received supplemental oxygen at 28 days of age (12 [46%] vs. 21 [78%], p = 0.0365), and they required significantly fewer days of invasive ventilator support: 7.73 (± 2.39) vs. 17.26 (± 3.65), p = 0.0343.

Conclusions

Compared with CIMV, NAVA appears to allow for more rapid weaning from invasive ventilation and decreases the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, especially in preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome treated with surfactants.
Post‐fire restoration ofSphagnumbogs in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Australia
Authors: Prior Lynda D. , Nichols Scott C. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: September 2022

Sphagnumbogs in Australia are small, with a limited distribution, but of high conservation value. They are restricted to cool, wet environments that are typically fire free and are poorly adapted to recover from fire disturbance, unlike most Australian flora. Increased fire activity due to anthropogenic climate change is threateningSphagnumbogs. This increased threat has stimulated interest in their restoration. Compared with the northern hemisphere, there have been few studies of the ecology ofSphagnumrestoration in the southern hemisphere. Here, we report on a field experiment in Tasmania, in an area burned by an extensive fire in 2016. We investigated the role of shade, fertilizer and transplants, factors demonstrated to be important in the restoration of burnt bogs on the Australian mainland. Treatments commenced three to 4 years after the fire. Overall, we found that fire‐damagedSphagnumrecovers very slowly, and that there was no recovery in severely burned areas. The addition of shade increased recovery of damagedSphagnum, but fertilizer was harmful, even to healthySphagnum. Transplants in fire‐killedSphagnumgrew poorly in both moderately and severely burntSphagnumareas. Our findings support the use of shading in post‐fireSphagnumrecovery projects, although further work is required to determine the optimal approach and duration of providing shade.
Designing optimal food safety monitoring schemes using Bayesian network and integer programming: The case of monitoring dioxins and DL‐PCBs
Authors: Wang Z. , van der Fels‐Klerx H. J. , Oude Lansink A. G. J. M.
Published: September 2022

Efficient food safety monitoring should achieve optimal resource allocation. In this article, a methodology is presented to optimize the use of resources for food safety monitoring aimed at identifying noncompliant samples and estimating background level of hazards in food products. A Bayesian network (BN) model and an optimization model were combined in a single framework. The framework was applied to monitoring dioxins and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL‐PCBs) in primary animal‐derived food products in the Netherlands. The BN model was built using a national dataset with monitoring results of dioxins and DL‐PCBs in animal‐derived food products over a 10‐year period (2008–2017). These data were used to estimate the probability of detecting suspect samples with dioxins and DL‐PCBs levels above preset thresholds, given certain sample conditions. The results of the BN model were then inserted into the optimization model to compute an optimal monitoring scheme. Model estimates showed that the probability of dioxins and DL‐PCBs exceeding threshold limits was higher in laying hen eggs and sheep meat than in other animal‐derived food (except deer meat). Compared with the monitoring scheme used in the Netherlands in 2018, the optimal monitoring scheme would save around 10,000 EUR per year. This could be obtained by reallocating monitoring resources from products with lower probability of dioxin and DL‐PCBs exceeding threshold limits (e.g., pig meat) to products with higher probability (e.g., bovine animal meat), and by shifting sample collection from the last quarter of the year toward the first three quarters of the year.