bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social justice in tourism recovery: examining equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian tourism restart policies
Authors: Fresnoza Eli Paolo , Balcombe Devan , Choo Laura
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the incorporation, prioritization and depth of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives in tourism industry restart policies of Canadian provinces and territories. This study investigates how the detailing of EDI in policies determine the priority in emancipating tourism workers from the inequities exacerbated during the pandemic. Such investigation enables a better understanding of the complexities, tendencies and rationale of involving EDI in the tourism industry’s recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The research investigated the presence and prioritization of equity, diversity, and inclusion using systematic text analytics of 38 publicly available restart plans and statements from 52 government and non-government agencies. Using web-based software Voyant Tools to assist in text analytics, a hybrid deductive-inductive coding approach was conducted.

Findings

Key outcomes from the analysis revealed scarce to no full and dedicated content on EDI as a holistic initiative necessary for tourism industry relaunch. This lack of EDI content was a result of the greater impetus to prioritize economic generation and limited data due to practical and ideological issues. Results also suggested the tokenizing of EDI in some policies.

Research limitations/implications

Difficulties in data used for research include the lack and availability of restart policies specifically for tourism; most policies were generalized and referred to economic recovery as a whole. Studies of tourism-specific EDI issues were also limited.

Originality

The research is revelatory for investigating EDI prioritizations in restart policies even among well-developed and worker-diverse tourism industries such as in Canada, where inequities and injustices to women, Black, Indigenous, gender-diverse, and newcomer tourism workers among others have been withstanding.
Evaluation of top tourism destinations according to their AI development with the entropy-TOPSIS-integrated method
Authors: Yılmaz Mustafa , Ülker Mustafa , Ülker Pembe
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to determine and evaluate the artificial intelligence (AI) development and competitiveness of the top 20 countries that receive the highest number of tourists with the entropy technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS)-integrated method.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on Global AI Index data published by Tortoise Media. Based on this index, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report, the top 20 destinations that will host the highest number of tourists in 2022 were evaluated in seven different subpillars, which are talent, infrastructure, operating environment, research, development, government strategy and commercial. These seven subpillars of the index were considered as criteria, and the top 20 tourist destinations were included in the research as decision alternatives.

Findings

The analysis results show that the three most important AI criteria are operating environment, infrastructure and government strategy. Furthermore, the first three countries with the best AI performance according to the weighted criteria were the USA, China and the UK, respectively.

Practical implications

Considering that AI technologies will direct tourist behavior in a world where technology is rapidly developing, it is recommended that the countries that receive the highest number of tourists improve their AI performance.

Originality/value

When the relevant literature is examined, there is a limited number of studies examining the AI development and competitiveness of the top tourist destinations and weighting the Global AI Index values. Therefore, this study contributes to the gap in the relevant literature.
Restoration thinning accelerates small tree growth but may slow large tree growth in a multi‐age flood‐dependent forest
Authors: Gorrod Emma , White Laura , Bedward Michael , Hope Ben , Chu Nicholas , McAllister Danielle
Published: May 2024

Large tree decline is occurring globally with critical implications for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Restoration thinning is a potential management action to accelerate tree growth and promote large tree development in forests, yet trials have been limited and results have been mixed.

We conducted a large‐scale trial to determine whether restoration thinning could accelerate the development of large trees in river red gum forests in Australia that had experienced widespread woody thickening and a decline of large trees due to long‐term commercial timber harvesting and river regulation.

Thinning was conducted on 44 9‐ha plots by removing trees <40 cm diameter from around retained trees at a range of spacings. Initial tree densities ranged from ~260 to ~1860 trees per ha and 8%–86% of trees were removed by thinning. We monitored 1980 trees prior to thinning, and annually for 5 years post‐thinning. We tested the effects of thinning intensity on diameter growth of different sized trees and explored whether long‐ and short‐term water availability affected outcomes.

Thinning promoted the growth of small trees <56 cm diameter, especially in drier sites during wet years. Higher thinning intensities reduced the growth rates of large trees (no smaller than 79.5 cm diameter) in wetter sites.

For medium‐ and large‐sized trees, long‐ and short‐term water availability were stronger drivers of tree growth than competition due to tree density.

Synthesis and applications. Restoration thinning may accelerate tree growth in young river red gum forests where all trees are small. But restoration thinning may be ineffective or detrimental in multi‐aged forests where the goal is to promote the growth rates of trees that are already medium to large in size.
Time use of patients in a secure forensic hospital: A mixed methods study
Authors: Lewis Shaniah , Pope Kirsty , Mynard Lorrae
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Forensic mental health services balance recovery‐focussed therapy with risk management, which may limit opportunities for participation in meaningful occupation. Previous research describes forensic patients in secure settings participating mainly in passive leisure and sleep. This study aimed to use quantitative and qualitative evidence to investigate how patients in the sub‐acute and rehabilitation units of an Australian forensic hospital perceive and use their time and to discuss how the findings compare with the previous study within the organisation, published in 2004.

Method

An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used with convenience sampling of patients and purposive sampling of staff. Patients completed time use diaries followed by semi‐structured interviews. Staff perceptions were obtained via survey.

Results

Seven male patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and five staff members (three occupational therapists and two nurses) participated. Time use diaries indicated patients spent most time in personal care, passive recreation, and leisure activities. Qualitative data illustrated patient time use was influenced by the individualised meaningfulness of activities. Patients drew meaning from past roles, personal interests/needs, and their goals for recovery. While patients had some choice over how time is spent and with whom they chose to engage, external factors such as staff/program availability prevented their having full control. Staff provided additional perspectives on the links between time use and recovery, identifying enablers and barriers to meaningful time use.

Conclusion

Patient time use has not changed significantly when compared to past research, although perceptions of time use are more future and recovery‐focussed. The amount of time recorded in activities typically associated with recovery does not necessarily capture the quality and benefit of that time use. Patient participation continues to be influenced by broader systems.
The size and diversity of microbes determine carbon use efficiency in soil
Authors: Dang Chansotheary , Morrissey Ember M.
Published: May 2024

Soil is home to a multitude of microorganisms from all three domains of life. These organisms and their interactions are crucial in driving the cycling of soil carbon. One key indicator of this process is Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency (CUE), which shows how microbes influence soil carbon storage through their biomass production. Although CUE varies among different microorganisms, there have been few studies that directly examine how biotic factors influence CUE. One such factor could be body size, which can impact microbial growth rates and interactions in soil, thereby influencing CUE. Despite this, evidence demonstrating a direct causal connection between microbial biodiversity and CUE is still scarce. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted an experiment where we manipulated microbial body size and biodiversity through size‐selective filtering. Our findings show that manipulating the structure of the microbial community can reduce CUE by approximately 65%. When we restricted the maximum body size of the microbial community, we observed a reduction in bacterial diversity and functional potential, which in turn lowered the community's CUE. Interestingly, when we included large body size micro‐eukarya in the soil, it shifted the soil carbon cycling, increasing CUE by approximately 50% and the soil carbon to nitrogen ratio by about 25%. Our metrics of microbial diversity and community structure were able to explain 36%–50% of the variation in CUE. This highlights the importance of microbial traits, community structure and trophic interactions in mediating soil carbon cycling.
Estimating the productivity of US agriculture: The Fisher total factor productivity index for time series data with unknown prices
Authors: Ngo Thanh , Tripe David , Nguyen Duc Khuong
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we propose a straightforward way to estimate the Fisher ideal total factor productivity (TFP) index (FI) in cases where price information is unavailable, using ‘shadow prices’ derived from data envelopment analysis (DEA). A Monte Carlo experiment shows that the shadow price Fisher ideal TFP index (SPFI) can effectively estimate the ‘true’ FI with relatively small (and stable) errors. The empirical application to the US agriculture sector (1948–2017) further suggests that the SPFI is a (superior) alternative to the traditional Malmquist DEA, especially in dealing with unbalanced panel or time series data when price data are unknown.
Transcriptomic evidence for an energetically advantageous relationship between Syntrophomonas wolfei and Methanothrix soehngenii
Authors: Besteman Maaike S. , Doloman Anna , Sousa Diana Z.
Published: May 2024

Syntrophic interactions are key in anaerobic food chains, facilitating the conversion of complex organic matter into methane. A typical example involves acetogenic bacteria converting fatty acids (e.g., butyrate and propionate), a process thermodynamically reliant on H2 consumption by microorganisms such as methanogens. While most studies focus on H2‐interspecies transfer between these groups, knowledge on acetate cross‐feeding in anaerobic systems is lacking. This study investigated butyrate oxidation by co‐cultures of Syntrophomonas wolfei and Methanospirillum hungatei, both with and without the addition of the acetate scavenger Methanothrix soehngenii. Growth and gene expression patterns of S. wolfei and M. hungatei were followed in the two conditions. Although butyrate consumption rates remained constant, genes in the butyrate degradation pathway of S. wolfei were less expressed in the presence of M. soehngenii, including genes involved in reverse electron transport. Higher expression of a type IV‐pili operon in S. wolfei hints to the potential for direct interspecies electron transfer between S. wolfei and M. soehngenii and an energetically advantageous relationship between the two microorganisms. Overall, the presence of the acetate scavenger M. soehngenii positively influenced the energy metabolism of S. wolfei and highlighted the relevance of including acetate scavengers when investigating syntrophic fatty acid degradation.
spAbundance: An R package for single‐species and multi‐species spatially explicit abundance models
Authors: Doser Jeffrey W. , Finley Andrew O. , Kéry Marc , Zipkin Elise F.
Published: May 2024

Numerous modelling techniques exist to estimate abundance of plant and animal populations. The most accurate methods account for multiple complexities found in ecological data, such as observational biases, spatial autocorrelation, and species correlations. There is, however, a lack of user‐friendly and computationally efficient software to implement the various models, particularly for large data sets.

We developed the spAbundance R package for fitting spatially explicit Bayesian single‐species and multi‐species hierarchical distance sampling models, N‐mixture models, and generalized linear mixed models. The models within the package can account for spatial autocorrelation using Nearest Neighbour Gaussian Processes and accommodate species correlations in multi‐species models using a latent factor approach, which enables model fitting for data sets with large numbers of sites and/or species.

We provide three vignettes and three case studies that highlight spAbundance functionality. We used spatially explicit multi‐species distance sampling models to estimate density of 16 bird species in Florida, USA, an N‐mixture model to estimate black‐throated blue warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) abundance in New Hampshire, USA, and a spatial linear mixed model to estimate forest above‐ground biomass across the continental USA.

spAbundance provides a user‐friendly, formula‐based interface to fit a variety of univariate and multivariate spatially explicit abundance models. The package serves as a useful tool for ecologists and conservation practitioners to generate improved inference and predictions on the spatial drivers of abundance in populations and communities.
Female non‐obstetric urogenital fistula repair: long‐term patient‐reported outcomes and a scoping literature review
Authors: Klemm Jakob , Stelzl Daniel R. , Schulz Robert J. , Marks Phillip , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Fisch Margit , Dahlem Roland , Vetterlein Malte W.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate long‐term and patient‐reported outcomes, including sexual function, in women undergoing urogenital fistula (UGF) repair, addressing the lack of such data in Western countries, where fistulas often result from iatrogenic causes.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis at a tertiary referral centre (2010–2023), classifying fistulas based on World Health Organisation criteria and evaluating surgical approaches, aetiology, and characteristics. Both objective (fistula closure, reintervention rates) and subjective outcomes (validated questionnaires) were assessed. A scoping review of patient‐reported outcome measures in UGF repair was also performed.

Results

The study included 50 patients: 17 (34%) underwent transvaginal and 33 (66%) transabdominal surgery. History of hysterectomy was present in 36 patients (72%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) operating time was 130 (88–148) min. Fistula closure was achieved in 94% of cases at a median (IQR) follow‐up of 50 (16–91) months and reached 100% after three redo fistula repairs. Seven patients (14%) underwent reinterventions for stress urinary incontinence after transvaginal repair (autologous fascial slings). Patient‐reported outcomes showed median (IQR) scores on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules (ICIQ‐FLUTS) of 5 (3–7) for filling symptoms, 1 (0–2) for voiding symptoms and 4.5 (1–9) for incontinence symptoms. The median (IQR) score on the ICIQ Female Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module (ICIQ‐FLUTSsex) was 3 (1–5). The median (IQR) ICIQ Satisfaction (ICIQ‐S) outcome score and overall satisfaction with surgery item score was 22 (18.5–23.5) and 10 (8.5–10), respectively. Higher scores indicate higher symptom burden and treatment satisfaction, respectively. Our scoping review included 1784 women, revealing mixed aetiology and methodological and aetiological heterogeneity, thus complicating cross‐study comparisons.

Conclusions

Urogenital fistula repair at a specialised centre leads to excellent outcomes and high satisfaction. Patients with urethrovaginal fistulas are at increased risk of stress urinary incontinence, possibly due to the original trauma site of the fistula.
Belastung durch gestörten Schlaf und dessen Verbesserung durch topische Behandlung bei Psoriasis und atopischer Dermatitis
Authors: Mann Caroline , Dreher Matthias , Rothschmidt Jan‐Niklas , Staubach Petra
Published: May 2024

Einleitung

Patienten mit chronisch‐entzündlichen Hauterkrankungen leiden häufig unter Schlafstörungen. Es fehlen jedoch objektive Daten zur Schlafarchitektur, insbesondere zur Beurteilung möglicher Gesamteinflüsse unter Therapie.

Patienten und Methodik

Pilotstudie zu Veränderungen der Schlafqualität bei Patienten mit Psoriasis und atopischer Dermatitis vor und 2 Wochen nach einer intensiven topischen Behandlung. Zusätzlich zur Bewertung der Krankheitsaktivität wurden Patientenfragebogen zur Juckreizstärke und Schlafqualität verwendet sowie eine Polygraphie vor und nach der topischen Therapie durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

14 Psoriasis‐ und elf Neurodermitis‐Patienten (10 Frauen, 15 Männer) mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 49 Jahren wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Die Krankheitsaktivitätswerte (EASI und PASI) gingen unter topischer Therapie nach 2 Wochen signifikant zurück (p < 0,001). Die Juckreizintensität (NRS) zeigte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf den Tiefschlaf, der sich nach der Therapie auflöste. Der Schweregrad der Schlaflosigkeit nahm signifikant ab (r > 0,50, p < 0,05), und die Tagesschläfrigkeit ging bei 40% der Patienten deutlich zurück. Tiefschlaf (N3) und REM‐Schlaf verbesserten sich signifikant und zeigten eine starke Wirkung (r > 0,50). Der Apnoe‐Hypopnoe‐Index sank bei einem von vier Patienten unabhängig vom individuellen BMI.

Schlussfolgerungen

Mit Hilfe der Polygraphie konnten wir bei Psoriasis‐ und Neurodermitis‐Patienten gestörte Schlafmuster mit Juckreiz als relevantem Faktor und darüber hinaus eine rasche Verbesserung des Schlafes nach 2 Wochen topischer Behandlung nachweisen.
S1‐Leitlinie Talgdrüsenkarzinom
Authors: Utikal Jochen , Nagel Pia , Müller Verena , Becker Jürgen C. , Dippel Edgar , Frisman Alexander , Gschnell Martin , Griewank Klaus , Hadaschik Eva , Helbig Doris , Hillen Uwe , Leiter Ulrike , Pföhler Claudia , Krönig Lisa , Ziemer Mirjana , Ugurel Selma
Published: May 2024

Talgdrüsenkarzinome sind seltene maligne kutane Adnextumoren mit sebozytärer Differenzierung. Der typische Prädilektionsbereich ist die Kopf‐Hals‐Region; hier sind die Talgdrüsenkarzinome die häufigsten malignen Adnextumoren der Haut. Nach ihrer Lokalisation unterscheidet man periokuläre und extraokuläre Talgdrüsenkarzinome. Ein Muir‐Torre‐Syndrom (MTS) sollte bei entsprechendem Verdacht unbedingt ausgeschlossen werden.

Im Hinblick auf die Prognose handelt es sich bei Talgdrüsenkarzinomen um potenziell aggressive Tumoren, die eine deutliche Rezidiv‐ und Metastasierungsneigung aufweisen. Nur kleine extraokuläre Talgdrüsenkarzinome, die sicher vollständig reseziert wurden, weisen eine sehr gute Prognose auf. Talgdrüsenkarzinome metastasieren am häufigsten lymphogen in regionäre oder entfernte Lymphknoten, seltener kommt es zur Organmetastasierung. Periokuläre Talgdrüsenkarzinome haben eine höhere Metastasierungsrate (bis zu 15%) als extraokuläre Talgdrüsenkarzinome (bis zu 2%).

Die vollständige mikroskopisch kontrollierte Chirurgie (MKC) des Primärtumors ist unabhängig von periokulärer oder extraokulärer Lokalisation die Therapie der ersten Wahl. Eine adjuvante oder therapeutische Radiatio kann in Betracht gezogen werden. Für fortgeschrittene, inoperable oder metastasierte Talgdrüsenkarzinome gibt es aktuell keine etablierte Standardtherapie. Es kommen lokale Verfahren sowie Systemtherapien wie Chemotherapie oder Immuntherapie in Betracht. Das Vorgehen sollte in einem interdisziplinären Tumorboard individuell festgelegt werden. Eine engmaschige Nachsorge ist bei diesen potenziell aggressiven Karzinomen empfehlenswert.
The relation between lateral thinking and inquiry skills of higher education students: A path analysis
Authors: Duman Burcu , Yılmaz Emrullah , Tural Ayşegül , Şahan Gülsün
Published: May 2024

The aim of the study is to examine the relations between higher education students' lateral thinking dispositions and inquiry skills. Survey design and Structural Equation Modelling were used in the study. The sampling of the study consisted of 975 prospective teachers attending three faculties of education in three different state universities in Turkey. Inquiry Skills Scale and Lateral Thinking Disposition Scale were used to collect data. The collected data were analysed using R Studio programme. It was observed in the study that students' inquiry skills and lateral thinking dispositions were high. It was revealed in the study that inquiry skills predicted lateral thinking dispositions. Inquiry skills account for 31% of lateral thinking disposition. Thus, it can be concluded that lateral thinking dispositions of higher education students' depend on their inquiry skills at a percentage of 31%.
Cortical gyrification in women and men and the (missing) link to prenatal androgens
Authors: Luders Eileen , Gaser Christian , Spencer Debra , Thankamony Ajay , Hughes Ieuan , Simpson Helen , Srirangalingam Umasuthan , Gleeson Helena , Hines Melissa , Kurth Florian
Published: May 2024

Previous studies have reported sex differences in cortical gyrification. Since most cortical folding is principally defined in utero, sex chromosomes as well as gonadal hormones are likely to influence sex‐specific aspects of local gyrification. Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) causes high levels of androgens during gestation in females, whereas levels in males are largely within the typical male range. Therefore, CAH provides an opportunity to study the possible effects of prenatal androgens on cortical gyrification. Here, we examined the vertex‐wise absolute mean curvature—a common estimate for cortical gyrification—in individuals with CAH (33 women and 20 men) and pair‐wise matched controls (33 women and 20 men). There was no significant main effect of CAH and no significant CAH‐by‐sex interaction. However, there was a significant main effect of sex in five cortical regions, where gyrification was increased in women compared to men. These regions were located on the lateral surface of the brain, specifically left middle frontal (rostral and caudal), right inferior frontal, left inferior parietal, and right occipital. There was no cortical region where gyrification was increased in men compared to women. Our findings do not only confirm prior reports of increased cortical gyrification in female brains but also suggest that cortical gyrification is not significantly affected by prenatal androgen exposure. Instead, cortical gyrification might be determined by sex chromosomes either directly or indirectly—the latter potentially by affecting the underlying architecture of the cortex or the size of the intracranial cavity, which is smaller in women.
Diverging medical and legal perceptions of the need for legal guardianship in people with dementia: A qualitative study
Authors: Näkki Kaisa , Mäki‐Petäjä‐Leinonen Anna , Ervasti Kaijus , Halkoaho Arja , Nurmi Sanna‐Maria , Solomon Alina , Suhonen Noora‐Maria , Portaankorva Anne M. , Krüger Johanna , Solje Eino
Published: May 2024

Background

Dementia is assumed to alter mental capacity, which may necessitate legal guardianship. However, only limited research exists on how dementia affects mental capacity, and most studies have focused solely on a medical perspective and concentrate on memory functions. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate physicians' and legal experts' perceptions on a broad range of cognitive and neuropsychiatric domains potentially affecting mental capacity and the need for guardianship in people with dementia.

Methods

Physicians (N = 30) and legal experts (N = 20) participated in semi‐structured individual interviews. The data were analyzed by using content analysis and further semi‐quantified according to the cognitive and neuropsychiatric domains.

Results

Physicians considered neuropsychiatric symptoms and executive dysfunction to be the most important deficits in the legal context, while legal experts highlighted episodic memory impairment and dyscalculia. Perceptions regarding the importance of several cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms varied between and within the professional groups.

Conclusions

Physicians and legal experts diverged in their perceptions of cognitive and neuropsychiatric domains affecting mental capacity and the need for guardianship. The evaluation and influence of medical evidence among legal experts heavily rely on subjective opinions. Given the substantial potential impact on patients' equal access to their rights, developing standardized guidelines is essential.
The Sinful Church and Its Need for Constant Conversion
Authors: Slunitschek Agnes
Published: May 2024

This article justifies and demonstrates that the church, and not only its members, is capable of sinning. It can thereby become a structure of sin and be called a sinful church. This is exemplified through the cases of the Roman Catholic Church's handling of sexual abuse and the Residential School System in Canada. This highlights that the churches, along with calling the world, societies, and all people to change where it is needed, should also be constantly self‐examining and self‐correcting.
When a Poem Hits You in the (White) Face
Authors: Japenga Renate
Published: May 2024

This article seeks to acknowledge the issue of problematic whiteness in listening to Black experiences through reflecting on the poem “Mirroring” by the womanist theologian Doreen Hazel and in the writing of a poem by the author as an artistic piece. Against a feeling of despair about xenophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, and the way people talk about refugees, the poem seeks to find the light of hope and to imagine the kingdom and how to participate in it.
The incremental transformation of the body through freediving: A biocultural approach to reflexive bodily practices
Authors: Downey Greg
Published: May 2024

Expert freediving explores the limits of human endurance, with some divers staying underwater for over 10 min or reaching crushing depths on a single breath. This article explores the enskilment process, especially how freediving training involves a suite of reflexive bodily practices with psychological, neurological, and physiological consequences. Examined closely and over time, skill acquisition is a multi‐dimensional process involving self‐driven adaptations in a cumulative, uneven manner. Because skills combine biological, cultural, and psychological mechanisms, practices are ideal for biocultural analysis in psychological anthropology. This account of the behavioral‐development spiral in freediving enskilment suggests that transformative practices are inherently developmental, with neurological consequences. Theories of practice that ignore the temporal dimension or the variability of skill acquisition, that is, accounts that erase the slow and uncertain accumulation of expertise, fundamentally misrepresent how persistent practice blends biology and culture, and causes transformation, as well as the usefulness of ethnography for studying these processes.
Northeast Atlantic fish stock productivity hindcasts and forecasts from a Bayesian framework reveal pronounced climate‐induced dynamics
Authors: Ma Shuyang , Huse Geir , Ono Kotaro , Nash Richard D. M. , Vølstad Jon Helge , Kjesbu Olav Sigurd
Published: May 2024

Climate change continues to exert pressure on ocean ecosystems. The fisheries‐related responses, such as altered body growth, recruitment and spatial distribution of the targeted stock(s), have generally been reasonably well investigated. Nevertheless, there are still important knowledge gaps in how biophysical drivers impact stock productivity and thereby sustainable harvest levels. Considering this, we investigated 26 fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, a region characterized by accelerated climate change effects and a diverse set of fisheries. A novel, stepwise, Bayesian framework to quantify stock productivity was established to identify shared trends and project future patterns, aiming at determining essential baselines for adaptive fishery management in the face of climate change. Despite variation among large marine ecosystems and stocks, an overall declining trend in productivity over the past four decades was observed, especially in high‐latitude areas. These hindcast results were mainly attributed to higher temperatures posing negative effects on productivity, which was dependent on the stock's thermal preference. Contrastingly, the proxy for food availability – gross secondary production – exhibited less consistent impacts. In the forecast, the applied Shared Socio‐economic Pathways (SSPs) indicated that most stocks are likely to encounter adverse effects, with the worst cases expected to occur under SSP2‐4.5 in the 2050s, and under SSP5‐8.5 in the 2090s. Thus, this study generally not only supports earlier climate vulnerability assessments (‘scorings’) of experts but also provides evidence for revised directional effects under climate change, underlining the complexity of processes affecting stock productivity.
From polarity to plurality: Perceptions of COVID‐19 and policy measures in England and Scotland
Authors: Rendall Jack , McHugh Neil , Baker Rachel , Mason Helen , Biosca Olga
Published: May 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to uncover perspectives on the COVID‐19 pandemic and the responses implemented by the UK and Scottish Governments to help control the spread of infection. Such understanding could help to inform future responses to pandemics at individual, community and national levels.

Method

Q methodology was used to elicit perspectives from people in England and Scotland with different experiences of the pandemic including public health officials, key workers, those on furlough, those who were unvaccinated or vaccinated to different levels, those who were ‘shielding’ because they were at higher risk and people with different scientific expertise. Participants rank‐ordered phrases about different aspects of COVID‐19 according to their viewpoint. Factor analysis was then conducted in conjunction with interview material from the same respondents.

Results

A four‐factor solution was statistically supported and was interpretable alongside the qualitative accounts of participants loading on these factors. These four perspectives are titled Dangerous and Unaccountable Leadership, Fear and Anger at Policy and Public responses, Governing Through a Crisis and Injustices Exposed.

Conclusion

The four perspectives demonstrate plurality and nuance in views on COVID‐19 and the associated policies and restrictions, going beyond a binary narrative that has been apparent in popular and social media. The four perspectives include some areas of common ground, as well as disagreement. We argue that understanding the detail of different perspectives might be used to build cohesion around policy initiatives in future.

Patient or Public Contribution

The development of the statement set, which is rank‐ordered by participants in a Q study, and factor interpretations were informed by views of the general public. The statement set was initially developed using existing publicly available material based on members of the general public experiencing the pandemic first hand. It was then piloted with members of the public experiencing different challenges as a result of COVID‐19 and the subsequent lockdown and updated based on feedback. Finally, interpretations of the identified factors were presented publicly and edited according to their feedback.
Impact of the motivational interviewing for childhood obesity treatment: The Obemat2.0 randomized clinical trial
Authors: Luque Veronica , Feliu Albert , Closa‐Monasterolo Ricardo , Muñoz‐Hernando Judit , Ferré Natalia , Gutiérrez‐Marín Desirée , Guillen Núria , Basora Josep , Hsu Pablo , Alegret‐Basora Clara , Serrano M. Àngels , Mallafré Marta , Alejos Ana M. , Balcells Eva N. , Boada Àngels , Paixà Sandra , Mimbrero Gisela , Gil‐Mancha Susana , Tudela‐Valls Càrol , Alcazar Mireia , Escribano Joaquín ,   Obemat2.0 Study Group
Published: May 2024

Background and Objective

The aim was assessing a short training for healthcare providers on patient‐focused counselling to treat childhood obesity in primary care, along with dietitian‐led workshops and educational materials.

Methods

Randomized clustered trial conducted with paediatrician‐nurse pairs (Basic Care Units [BCU]) in primary care centres from Tarragona (Spain). BCUs were randomized to intervention (MI) (motivational interview, dietitian‐led education, and educational materials) or control group (SC, standard care). Participants were 8–14‐year‐old children with obesity, undergoing 1–11 monthly treatment visits during 1 year at primary care centres. The primary outcome was BMI z‐score reduction.

Results

The study included 44 clusters (23 MI). Out of 303 allocated children, 201 (n = 106 MI) completed baseline, final visits, and at least one treatment visit and were included in the analysis. BMI z‐score reduction was −0.27 (±0.31) in SC, versus −0.36 (±0.35) in MI (p = 0.036).

Mixed models with centres as random effects showed greater reductions in BMI in MI than SC; differences were B = −0.11 (95% CI: −0.20, −0.01, p = 0.025) for BMI z‐score, and B = −2.06 (95% CI: −3.89, −0.23, p = 0.028) for BMI %. No severe adverse events related to the study were notified.

Conclusion

Training primary care professionals on motivational interviewing supported by dietitians and educational materials, enhanced the efficacy of childhood obesity therapy.
The socio‐economic burden of H1‐antihistamine‐refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria in Germany
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Beier Dominik , Branner Jennifer , Häckl Dennis , Hampel Regina , Kramps Thomas , Kurzen Hjalmar , Lintener Hannah , Melzer Nima , Müller Malina , Staubach Petra , Schwichtenberg Uwe , Termeer Christian , Zink Alexander , Nathan Petra , Maurer Marcus
Published: May 2024

Background and Study Aim

Data from the AWARE study (A Worldwide Antihistamine‐Refractory chronic urticaria patient Evaluation) illustrate a substantial disease burden in German patients with H1‐antihistamine (‐H1‐AH)‐refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Detrimental effects on patients' quality of life, poor disease control and impairment in the ability to work and perform other daily activities are reported. Based on these findings, this study aims to quantify the epidemiological and socio‐economic burden of H1‐AH‐refractory CSU in Germany.

Methods

To determine the epidemiological burden of H1‐AH‐refractory CSU, the age‐ and gender‐specific prevalence of CSU and the proportion of H1‐AH‐refractory patients in Germany anonymized data from the InGef research database have been used. In a second step, the socio‐economic burden in terms of lost numbers of hours in paid and unpaid work was calculated by extrapolating the age‐ and gender‐specific work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) observed in AWARE to the H1‐AH‐refractory CSU population in Germany. Finally, productivity losses in paid and unpaid work were monetized using the human capital and the friction cost approach respectively. Moreover, socio‐economic burden was calculated depending on symptom control of the patients (measured by urticaria control test [UCT]).

Results

In Germany, over 203,000 patients (20 years or older) had H1‐AH‐refractory CSU in 2018. The avoided lost paid and unpaid work hours attributable to H1‐AH‐refractory CSU summed up to over 100 million. Overall, the socio‐economic burden of H1‐AH‐refractory CSU in monetary terms was evaluated at € 2.2 billion and the majority of this was due to unpaid work loss. Patients with poor disease control, as indicated by UCT score < 12, were more likely to suffer from high impairment than patients with controlled disease, resulting in a higher socio‐economic burden.

Conclusions

The results of our analyses picture the substantial socio‐economic burden of H1‐AH‐refractory CSU and therefore the tremendous impact it has on daily lives of individuals and society overall.
Temporal declines in fecundity: A study of southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and implications for potential reproductive output
Authors: Burbank Jacob , McDermid Jenni L. , Turcotte François , Sylvain François‐Étienne , Rolland Nicolas
Published: May 2024

Individuals must reproduce to survive and thrive from generation to generation. In fish, the fecundity of individuals and estimates of total reproductive output are critical for evaluating reproductive success and understanding population dynamics. Estimating fecundity is an onerous task; therefore, many populations lack contemporary estimates of fecundity and size‐fecundity relationships. However, reproductive dynamics are not static in time; therefore, it is important to develop contemporary fecundity estimates to better inform conservation and management action. To highlight the importance of contemporary fecundity estimates, we examined the fecundity of southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) spring and fall spawning Atlantic herring in 2022, developed size‐fecundity models, and compared these to historical fecundity estimates and models. Our results suggest that the average fecundity of sGSL spring and fall herring has undergone a substantial temporal decline of approximately 47% and 58%, respectively, since the 1970s and 1980s. The size‐fecundity relationships for fall spawning herring have shifted, with fish of a given size exhibiting lower fecundity in 2022 compared to the 1970s. Alternatively, the size‐fecundity relationships for spring spawning herring have remained relatively static. Furthermore, simulations highlighted a substantial reduction in potential reproductive output in 2022 compared to 1970 of approximately 32% and 68% for spring and fall spawners, respectively, based on a fixed number of mature females, which may have negative implications for stock rebuilding. Overall, our study provides support for periodic estimates of fecundity in fish populations to better understand temporal changes in reproductive and population dynamics.
Technology‐enhanced mindfulness‐based collaborative social reasoning to improve adolescents' social–emotional competencies
Authors: Nagpal Manisha , Lin Tzu‐Jung , Park Haeun , Anderman Eric , Bihari Thomas , Madrid Leon , Ford Jodi , Subramaniam Balachundhar
Published: May 2024

This study reports the preliminary efficacy of an innovative school‐based, technology‐enhanced social–emotional learning program called “mindfulness‐based collaborative social reasoning” (MBCSR) for middle school students. MBCSR was developed by an interdisciplinary team of educational psychologists, mindfulness researchers, computer scientists, and health experts. We integrated the strengths of contemplative approaches, collaborative small group discussions, learning technology, and multidimensional assessments of students' social–emotional outcomes. Using a quasi‐experimental design, the study was implemented in four sixth‐grade English language arts classrooms (2 experimental and 2 business‐as‐usual control; N = 74) in a public middle school in the Midwest of the United States. It was co‐implemented by researchers and teachers, with sessions occurring for 45 minutes, once per week, for 8 weeks. The MBCSR group showed greater self‐efficacy for using Upa‐yoga and mindful breathing to regulate their emotions and behaviors ( = .13), and lower externalizing ( = .07) and bullying behaviors ( = .09) at the posttest compared to the control group, after controlling for baseline differences. Students in the experimental group overall showed positive and relaxed emotional and physiological states during the sessions. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mindfulness, emotional regulation, and social skills. This program sets an example for integrating social–emotional learning and academic learning into students' daily content instruction.
Electrophysiological Evidence for a Whorfian Double Dissociation of Categorical Perception Across Two Languages
Authors: Casaponsa Aina , García‐Guerrero M. Acebo , Martínez Alejandro , Ojeda Natalia , Thierry Guillaume , Athanasopoulos Panos
Published: May 2024

Taza in Spanish refers to cups and mugs in English, whereas glass refers to different glass types in Spanish: copa and vaso. It is still unclear whether such categorical distinctions induce early perceptual differences in speakers of different languages. In this study, for the first time, we report symmetrical effects of terminology on preattentive indices of categorical perception across languages. Native speakers of English or Spanish saw arrays of cups, mugs, copas, and vasos flashed in streams. Visual mismatch negativity, an implicit electrophysiological correlate of perceptual change in the peripheral visual field, was modulated for categorical contrasts marked in the participants’ native language but not for objects designated by the same label. Conversely, P3a, an index of attentional orienting, was modulated only for missing contrasts in the participants’ native language. Thus, whereas native labels influenced participants’ preattentive perceptual encoding of objects, nonverbally encoded dissociations reoriented their attention at a later processing stage.
Lipid turnover through lipophagy in the newly identified extremophilic green microalga Chlamydomonas urium
Authors: Pérez‐Pérez María Esther , Mallén‐Ponce Manuel J. , Odriozola‐Gil Yosu , Rubio Alejandro , Salas Joaquín J. , Martínez‐Force Enrique , Pérez‐Pulido Antonio J. , Crespo José L.
Published: May 2024

Autophagy is a central degradative pathway highly conserved among eukaryotes, including microalgae, which remains unexplored in extremophilic organisms. In this study, we described and characterized autophagy in the newly identified extremophilic green microalga Chlamydomonas urium, which was isolated from an acidic environment.

The nuclear genome of C. urium was sequenced, assembled and annotated in order to identify autophagy‐related genes. Transmission electron microscopy, immunoblotting, metabolomic and photosynthetic analyses were performed to investigate autophagy in this extremophilic microalga.

The analysis of the C. urium genome revealed the conservation of core autophagy‐related genes. We investigated the role of autophagy in C. urium by blocking autophagic flux with the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor concanamycin A. Our results indicated that inhibition of autophagic flux in this microalga resulted in a pronounced accumulation of triacylglycerols and lipid droplets (LDs). Metabolomic and photosynthetic analyses indicated that C. urium cells with impaired vacuolar function maintained an active metabolism. Such effects were not observed in the neutrophilic microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Inhibition of autophagic flux in C. urium uncovered an active recycling of LDs through lipophagy, a selective autophagy pathway for lipid turnover. This study provided the metabolic basis by which extremophilic algae are able to catabolize lipids in the vacuole.
Women's perspectives on mHealth behavior change interventions for the management of overweight, obesity, or gestational diabetes: A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: McGovern Liz , O'Toole Laura , Houshialsadat Zeinab , O'Reilly Sharleen L.
Published: May 2024

mHealth interventions play an increasingly important role in health behavior change for gestational diabetes or peripartum obesity management. This qualitative systematic review and meta‐synthesis aims to explore women's perceptions of mHealth behavior change interventions for gestational diabetes and/or overweight/obesity management during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), and Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO) databases were searched using a Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation and Research type (SPIDER) concept framework through to February 2024. Included studies were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Study findings were evaluated using reflexive thematic analysis and GRADE‐Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) checklist. We identified 29 studies, representing 604 women's views from one upper middle‐income and nine high‐income countries. Two themes were generated: mHealth as a supportive tool; and mHealth as a personalizable tool. Women highlighted the importance of self‐monitoring, information trustworthiness, peer support, motivational tools (goal setting, risk awareness, and problem solving) and convenience in achieving behavior change using mHealth technology. They suggest mHealth programs incorporate these elements to support user engagement and improved health outcomes. Understanding what women want as mHealth users is particularly important for effective interventions in gestational diabetes, weight management, and chronic disease prevention. Creating a better, more woman‐centered experience by addressing central engagement issues should result in improved maternal health outcomes.
The topical azithromycin meibomian gland dysfunction survey: The effect of topical azithromycin on signs and symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Jarvis Ian , McCullough Sara , Jarvis John
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term effects of topical azithromycin on signs, symptoms and self‐management of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods

Forty participants were assessed for MGD and its effect on the fluorescein tear break‐up time (FTBUT). Participants were treated with topical azithromycin twice daily for 2 weeks and then once daily for a further 2 weeks. One year after treatment, 31 participants completed a survey assessing pre‐ and post‐treatment effect on symptoms, lifestyle and self‐treatment methods.

Results

Following treatment, there was a significant reduction in MGD grading from a median of grade 2 to grade 0 (z = 4.40, p < 0.0001) and an increase in FTBUT from a median of 3–8 s (z = 4.75, p < 0.0001). One year afterwards, the survey showed a significant improvement in symptoms (sensitivity to light, grittiness, burning, blurred vision, all p < 0.03) and reduction in required self‐treatments (lid wipes, tear substitutes, both p < 0.03). There was also a reduced impact on lifestyle (reading, night driving, computer use and watching television, all p < 0.0001) and in all environmental conditions (all p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study confirms the positive effect of topical azithromycin on MGD and shows it has a long‐term impact on symptoms, self‐treatment methods and lifestyle. This has implications for both chair time and healthcare costs when managing patients with MGD. Pending further clinical trials in a larger population with different demographics, topical azithromycin should be considered by all eyecare practitioners as a viable pharmacological treatment when managing MGD.