bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1108. Bulbophyllum boninense (Schltr.) J.J.Sm.
Authors: Yukawa Tomohisa , Yamashita Yumi , Yoneda Kaoru
Published: October 2024

Bulbophyllum boninense (Schltr.) J.J.Sm. is illustrated and described. It is endemic to the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, subtropical oceanic islands in the Pacific Ocean belonging to Japan. This species grows as an epiphyte on trunks and as a lithophyte on rocks in evergreen cloud forest. It can be distinguished from closely related species by the following characters: dull yellow perianth lobes, no threads or ornaments at the apex of sepal and petal, a ciliate and pustulate petal, and a long stelidium that is semicircular at the base and curved anteriorly.
A Functional Assessment of Community Vulnerability to the Loss of Myrtaceae From Myrtle Rust
Authors: McCarthy James K. , Richardson Sarah J. , Jo Insu , Wiser Susan K. , Easdale Tomás A. , Shepherd James D. , Bellingham Peter J.
Published: October 2024

Aim

Woody ecosystems provide critical ecosystem functions and services but are increasingly threatened as invasive pathogens spread globally. Myrtle rust, caused by Austropuccinia psidii, arrived in New Zealand in 2017 and infects at least 12 of 18 species in the susceptible Myrtaceae plant family. Among these are species of structural, successional and cultural importance. We aim to assess whether the functional consequences of Myrtaceae loss could be mitigated if co‐occurring species with shared functional attributes are able to replace them.

Location

New Zealand (but with concepts and methodologies that apply globally).

Methods

Using a nationwide forest and shrubland plot data set, we assessed community vulnerability to the loss of Myrtaceae species by analysing proportional changes in average trait values when they are absent and produced spatial predictions indicating where species loss might have the greatest impact on community functionality. We then assessed whether compensatory infilling by co‐occurring species would mediate community vulnerability.

Results

Forests and shrublands containing Kunzea ericoides and Leptospermum scoparium are highly vulnerable to their loss. Areas most vulnerable overall are the central and south‐eastern North Island, north‐eastern South Island and Stewart Island. For all species, compensatory infilling moderated the impact of their loss. However, if co‐occurring Myrtaceae were unable to respond, possibly if they were also infected, community vulnerability almost always increased because infilling species had different functional attributes, compounding the functional impact.

Main Conclusions

Early successional woody plant communities and Myrtaceae‐dominated old‐growth forests are at most risk. Our spatial assessment of species‐level functional impacts from myrtle rust will facilitate better‐informed landscape‐level responses. Management actions and monitoring can now be targeted to areas and communities at greatest risk of losing ecosystem‐level processes.
Is endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gastroenterostomy better than surgical gastrojejunostomy or duodenal stenting?
Authors: Teoh Anthony Yuen Bun , Chan Shannon Melissa , Yip Hon Chi
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Gastrojejunostomy is a critical procedure for managing gastric outlet obstruction. While surgical gastrojejunostomy has traditionally been the standard approach, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided gastroenterostomy has emerged as a promising endoscopic alternative. This comprehensive review aims to explore the development, techniques, outcomes, and comparative effectiveness of EUS‐guided gastroenterostomy in comparison to duodenal stenting and surgical gastrojejunostomy.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases to identify relevant studies published up to April 2024. The search included keywords related to EUS‐guided gastrojejunostomy, surgical gastrojejunostomy, and duodenal stenting. Studies reporting on technical success, clinical success, complications, recurrence rates, quality of life, and long‐term outcomes were included for analysis.

Results

The development of EUS‐guided gastroenterostomy has evolved significantly over the years, driven by device advancements and improved endoscopic techniques. Comparative studies have shown that the technique offers several advantages, including the ability to create an anastomosis without the need for surgery, reduced invasiveness, shorter hospital stays, and potentially improved patient outcomes as compared to duodenal stenting and surgical gastrojejunostomy.

Conclusion

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gastroenterostomy represents a promising alternative to surgical gastrojejunostomy and duodenal stenting for the management of gastric outlet obstruction. The technique has evolved significantly, offering a less invasive and more effective treatment option.
Integrated approach of machine learning, Mendelian randomization and experimental validation for biomarker discovery in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhu Yidong , Liu Jun , Wang Bo
Published: October 2024

Aim

To identify potential biomarkers and explore the mechanisms underlying diabetic nephropathy (DN) by integrating machine learning, Mendelian randomization (MR) and experimental validation.

Methods

Microarray and RNA‐sequencing datasets (GSE47184, GSE96804, GSE104948, GSE104954, GSE142025 and GSE175759) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential expression analysis identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with DN and controls. Diverse machine learning algorithms, including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine‐recursive feature elimination, and random forest, were used to enhance gene selection accuracy and predictive power. We integrated summary‐level data from genome‐wide association studies on DN with expression quantitative trait loci data to identify genes with potential causal relationships to DN. The predictive performance of the biomarker gene was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Gene set enrichment and correlation analyses were conducted to investigate potential mechanisms. Finally, the biomarker gene was validated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction in clinical samples from patients with DN and controls.

Results

Based on identified 314 DEGs, seven characteristic genes with high predictive performance were identified using three integrated machine learning algorithms. MR analysis revealed 219 genes with significant causal effects on DN, ultimately identifying one co‐expressed gene, carbonic anhydrase II (CA2), as a key biomarker for DN. The ROC curves demonstrated the excellent predictive performance of CA2, with area under the curve values consistently above 0.878 across all datasets. Additionally, our analysis indicated a significant association between CA2 and infiltrating immune cells in DN, providing potential mechanistic insights. This biomarker was validated using clinical samples, confirming the reliability of our findings in clinical practice.

Conclusion

By integrating machine learning, MR and experimental validation, we successfully identified and validated CA2 as a promising biomarker for DN with excellent predictive performance. The biomarker may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of DN via immune‐related pathways. These findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying DN and may inform the development of personalized treatment strategies for this disease.
Comparing Human‐Level and Machine Learning Model Performance in White Blood Cell Morphology Assessment
Authors: Lawrence Patrick , Brown Christina
Published: October 2024

Introduction

There is an increasing research focus on the role of machine learning in the haematology laboratory, particularly in blood cell morphologic assessment. Human‐level performance is an important baseline and goal for machine learning. This study aims to assess the interobserver variability and human‐level performance in blood cell morphologic assessment.

Methods

A dataset of 1000 single white blood cell images were independently labelled by 10 doctors and morphology scientists. Interobserver variability was calculated using Fleiss' kappa. Observers' labels were then separated into consensus labels used to determine ground truth, and performance labels used to assess observer performance. A machine learning model was trained and assessed using the same cell images. Explainability images (XRAI and IG) were generated for each of the test images.

Results

The Fleiss kappa for all 10 observers was 0.608, indicating substantial agreement between observers. The accuracy of human observers was 95%, with sensitivity 72% and specificity 97%. The accuracy of the machine learning model was 95%, with sensitivity 71% and specificity 97%. The model shared similar performance across labels when compared to humans. Explainability metrics demonstrated that the machine learning model was able to differentiate between the cytoplasm and nucleus of the cells, and used these features to perform predictions.

Conclusion

The substantial, though not perfect, agreement between human observers highlights the inherent subjectivity in white blood cell morphologic assessment. A machine learning model performed similarly to human observers in single white blood cell identification. Further research is needed to compare human‐level and machine learning performance in ways that more closely reflect the typical process of morphologic assessment.
Mapping soil thickness by accounting for right‐censored data with survival probabilities and machine learning
Authors: van der Westhuizen Stephan , Heuvelink Gerard B. M. , Hofmeyr David P. , Poggio Laura , Nussbaum Madlene , Brungard Colby
Published: October 2024

In digital soil mapping, modelling soil thickness poses a challenge due to the prevalent issue of right‐censored data. This means that the true soil thickness exceeds the depth of sampling, and neglecting to account for the censored nature of the data can lead to poor model performance and underestimation of the true soil thickness. Survival analysis is a well‐established domain of statistical modelling that can deal with censored data. The random survival forest is a notable example of a survival‐related machine learning approach used to address right‐censored soil property data in digital soil mapping. Previous studies that employed this model either focused on mapping the probability of soil thickness exceeding certain depths, and thereby not mapping soil thickness itself, or dismissed it due to perceived poor performance. In this study, we propose an alternative survival model to map soil thickness that is based on the inverse probability of censoring weighting. In this approach, calibration data are weighted by the inverse of the probability that soil thickness exceeds a certain depth, that is, a survival probability. These weights can then be used with most machine learning models. We used the weights with a regular random forest, and compared it with a random survival forest, and other strategies for handling right‐censored data, through a comprehensive synthetic simulation study and two real‐world case studies. The results suggest that the weighted random forest model produces competitive predictions, establishing it as a viable option for mapping right‐censored soil property data.
The effect of influenza vaccination on the rate of dementia amongst older adults
Authors: Appel Andreas Moses , Janbek Janet , Jensen‐Dahm Christina , Laursen Thomas Munk , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: October 2024

Background and Purpose

Previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the association between influenza vaccination and dementia. This association was investigated in a nationwide register‐based cohort study.

Methods

Using nationwide registries, dementia‐free adults aged ≥65 years in Denmark from 2002 to 2018 without previous influenza vaccinations were included. Poisson regression facilitated confounder‐adjusted comparisons of dementia rates for ever versus never vaccinated, number of vaccinations and within/after 5 years from first vaccination. Sensitivity analyses included stratification on age and sex.

Results

Vaccination during follow‐up was associated with a slightly higher rate of dementia when adjusted for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, both within and after the first 5 years from first vaccination (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.05). The rate of dementia decreased with increasing number of vaccinations. The highest rate was amongst those with only one vaccination (IRR 1.14; 95% CI 1.12–1.17) and the rate of dementia was only decreased amongst those with six or more vaccinations (IRR 0.95; 95% CI 0.93–0.97). Applying the same models to control outcomes of hip fracture and cancer resulted in higher rates amongst vaccinated people of 6% and 7%, respectively. Vaccinated people also had a 10% higher mortality rate.

Discussion

Our results do not support the case for a preventive effect of influenza vaccination on the risk of dementia in the general population, as reported by some previous studies. However, the higher dementia rate amongst vaccinated people found in this study is probably due to residual confounding, indicated by a higher rate for control outcomes and mortality.
Health utilities of patients with epilepsy in a Canadian population
Authors: Arimoro Olayinka I. , Wiebe Samuel , Lin Chantelle Q. Y. , Josephson Colin B. , Sajobi Tolulope T. ,   for the Calgary Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
Published: October 2024

Objective

Health state utilities are required to obtain quality adjusted life years, a common metric that informs clinical decision‐making at individual, group, and health policy levels. Health state utilities are different from health‐related quality of life, and their distribution across patients with epilepsy, as well as the factors that impact them, have not been studied in depth. We aimed to describe the distribution of health state utilities in people with epilepsy and the impact of different combinations of clinical and demographic factors on health state evaluation.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients' data prospectively collected in the Calgary Comprehensive Epilepsy Program registry. Patient‐reported health state utilities were measured using the 5‐level EuroQol 5‐Dimension scale (EQ‐5D‐5L) completed at their initial assessment. EQ‐5D‐5L index scores were derived via the time trade‐off approach based on Canadian norms, and their distribution across different health states and patient characteristics was obtained. The Tobit regression model was used to evaluate the determinants of EQ‐5D‐5L index scores.

Results

Of 1446 patients included in this analysis, 724 (50.5%) were female. The median (interquartile range) Canada‐normed EQ‐5D‐5L index score was .87 (.71–.91). Patients with significantly lower health utilities were more likely to be female (p = .008), to be older (p = .034), to be unmarried (p = .013), to have failed to achieve 1‐year seizure freedom (p < .001), to have no postsecondary education (p = .028), to be depressed (p < .001), to have antiseizure medication side effects (p = .001), to be unemployed (p < .001), and to be unable to drive (p < .001). A look‐up table of health utilities based on combinations of clinical–demographic characteristics was produced.

Significance

Health utility estimates for combinations of different health states in people with epilepsy attending specialty clinics are now available. These can help guide clinical decision‐making in routine clinical practice, economic evaluations of treatment interventions, and health care policies.
Effects of epileptic seizures on the quality of biosignals recorded from wearables
Authors: Böttcher Sebastian , Zabler Nicolas , Jackson Michele , Bruno Elisa , Biondi Andrea , Epitashvili Nino , Vieluf Solveig , Dümpelmann Matthias , Richardson Mark P. , Brinkmann Benjamin H. , Loddenkemper Tobias , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas
Published: October 2024

Objective

Wearable nonelectroencephalographic biosignal recordings captured from the wrist offer enormous potential for seizure monitoring. However, signal quality remains a challenging factor affecting data reliability. Models trained for seizure detection depend on the quality of recordings in peri‐ictal periods in performing a feature‐based separation of ictal periods from interictal periods. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effect of epileptic seizures on signal quality, ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring.

Methods

This study assesses the signal quality of wearable data during peri‐ictal phases of generalized tonic–clonic and focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures (TCS), focal motor seizures (FMS), and focal nonmotor seizures (FNMS). We evaluated accelerometer (ACC) activity and the signal quality of electrodermal activity (EDA) and blood volume pulse (BVP) data. Additionally, we analyzed the influence of peri‐ictal movements as assessed by ACC (ACC activity) on signal quality and examined intraictal subphases of focal to bilateral TCS.

Results

We analyzed 386 seizures from 111 individuals in three international epilepsy monitoring units. BVP signal quality and ACC activity levels differed between all seizure types. We found the largest decrease in BVP signal quality and increase in ACC activity when comparing the ictal phase to the pre‐ and postictal phases for TCS. Additionally, ACC activity was strongly negatively correlated with BVP signal quality for TCS and FMS, and weakly for FNMS. Intraictal analysis revealed that tonic and clonic subphases have the lowest BVP signal quality and the highest ACC activity.

Significance

Motor elements of seizures significantly impair BVP signal quality, but do not have significant effect on EDA signal quality, as assessed by wrist‐worn wearables. The results underscore the importance of signal quality assessment methods and careful selection of robust modalities to ensure reliable seizure detection. Future research is needed to explain whether seizure detection models' decisions are based on signal responses induced by physiological processes as opposed to artifacts.
Effects of Nest‐Site Availability on Male–Male Competition and the Foraging Costs of Egg Attendance in an Arachnid With Exclusive Paternal Care
Authors: Grossel Laís A. , Werneck Rachel M. , Machado Glauco
Published: October 2024

Natural cavities are monopolizable resources used as nest sites across many species exhibiting exclusive male care. However, our understanding of how the availability of this type of reproductive site influences male–male competition and the foraging costs associated with parental care is limited and based on studies of fish. The harvestman Magnispina neptunus offers the opportunity to explore these questions in invertebrates because males defend natural cavities used as oviposition sites and provide exclusive parental care. We hypothesized that low nest availability would increase male–male competition and the foraging costs of egg attendance. To test this hypothesis, we collected observational data in the field and conducted a laboratory experiment with two groups, low and high nest availability. Field data indicate natural cavity scarcity, as only 50% of the males were nest holders. Larger males were more likely to hold nests in the field, but body size did not predict nest ownership in the laboratory. In the field, nests with openings smaller than average were equally occupied by small and large males, while nests with openings larger than average were occupied almost exclusively by large males. The nest opening in the laboratory experiment was adjusted to be equal to the average found in the field, which may have increased nest defensibility, regardless of male size. Thus, prior residency may outweigh body size in determining nest possession. Because nest owners seem to have an advantage over intruders, the costs of abandoning a nest are likely high. This may explain why the frequency of nest takeovers and foraging outside the nests did not differ between experimental groups. In conclusion, although underexplored in empirical studies, external factors, such as the opening size of cavities defended by males of many species with resource‐defense mating systems, may play a key role in the defensibility of nest sites.
European foresight (1950–2020): A history of contrasts. Intellectual inspirations and the political conditions for success
Authors: Dulong Delphine , Robert Cécile
Published: October 2024

Although foresight has played a central role in the history of European integration since its inception in the 1950s, it has not always had the same meaning, nor has it always been used in the same political way. This article looks at the genesis and development of foresight on a European scale between 1950 and 2020, analysing it as a specific public policy: such a perspective aims to highlight the differentiated relationships to time and future, the different conceptions of the respective roles of administration, politics and science, and the forms of competence on which successive foresight policies are based. It also enables us to identify the institutional and political factors that explain its development, and the particular forms it takes.
A call to action: Every family deserves active efforts. Keeping the black family together‐active efforts as the standard for all removal and reunification efforts
Authors: Robinson Brenda C. , Gray Ernestine S. , Ramirez Isel R.
Published: October 2024

This research paper explores active efforts as a transformative measure in the child welfare system. It argues how the currently used reasonable effort standard has not served the children or families in its care adequately. When a child comes to the attention of child protective services, measures to maintain family unity could see significant improvements in the child welfare system. Additionally, the current standard has shown to be particularly detrimental to the integrity of Black families and children. Through a critical examination of these failures as well the benefits of using an active efforts approach, this paper advocates for the adoption of this standard as a necessary step in the shift toward fostering stronger, more resilient family structures.
Regeneration of secondary forest following anthropogenic disturbance from 1985 to 2021 for Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Martin Scot T.
Published: October 2024

Following old‐growth forest loss and subsequent land abandonment, secondary forest grows throughout the Amazon biome. For Amazonas, agricultural colonization was unsuccessful in many regions, leading to the regeneration of secondary forest and carbon storage under favorable climate conditions. Herein, the extent of regeneration in Amazonas and its timescale are investigated, including a granular analysis of its 62 municipalities, based on the MapBiomas dataset from 1985 to 2021. By 2021, 10,495 km2 of secondary forest had grown, corresponding to 28% of the lost old‐growth forest. After normalization for algorithmic differences, this estimate was 17%–38% lower than prior studies for Amazonas that used earlier versions of the MapBiomas dataset, indicating increased accuracy in landcover assignments for more current versions of the dataset. For the northeastern microregion, representing the 15 municipalities of economic and population dominance in Amazonas, the growth of secondary forest varied from 3.0% to 9.8% of the total land area. For the southern microregion, constituting seven municipalities adjacent to large‐scale deforestation of Mato Grosso and Rondônia, regeneration of secondary forest constituted 0.4%–1.2% of the land area. For the remaining interior municipalities, the regeneration was 0.0%–1.9%. Among the municipalities, the median regeneration interval, corresponding to the duration between the loss of old‐growth forest and the appearance of secondary forest, ranged from 2 to 7 years. The median regeneration intervals of the interior, northeastern, and southern microregions were 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively. Even as the secular trend of deforestation continues in the Amazon biome and encroaches into the southern border of Amazonas state, the results herein indicate a possible resiliency toward secondary forest for undisturbed land on a timescale of several years, at least for mixed pasture‐forest landscapes of kilometer‐scale heterogeneity and assuming that a favorable climate persists for regeneration even as global change occurs.
A New Dawn for Protist Biogeography
Authors: Pinseel Eveline , Sabbe Koen , Verleyen Elie , Vyverman Wim
Published: October 2024

Aim

Biogeographers have believed for a long time that the geographical distributions of protists are only determined by environmental conditions, because dispersal is not limited. During the past two decades, the field has come a long way to show that historical and spatial factors also significantly contribute to shaping protist distributions, calling for a reappraisal of our understanding of protist biogeography.

Methods

We review the current state‐of‐the‐art on the field of protist biogeography, highlighting several outstanding questions and opportunities. Our review brings together insights from different disciplines, ranging from morphology‐based research to environmental, population and speciation genomics.

Results

Protist communities harbour cosmopolitan and geographically restricted species and are shaped by both local environmental conditions and historical processes, yet the relative contributions of these patterns and processes likely differs depending on the geographic scale, protist lineage and the habitat that is being investigated. The field is ready to move beyond the decades‐long ubiquity versus (moderate) endemicity discourse and to instead ask why and where specific protist species and clades are more prone to widespread or restricted distributions. With the advent of next‐generation sequencing technologies, from whole‐genome sequencing to environmental and ancient DNA surveys, it is now possible to integrate insights from multiple lines of evidence and investigate protist communities, species and populations at an unprecedented scale and detail.

Outlook

To further advance the field, the protist community needs to focus on understudied habitats and protist lineages, study the impact of protist traits on biogeographical patterns, perform targeted field and experimental work to disentangle the processes that underlie protist biogeographies and expand and develop databases with sequence, trait, distributional and phylogenetic information of protists. Given that a good understanding of species boundaries is central to unravelling protist biogeography, it remains crucial to invest in polyphasic taxonomic research.
Effect of Health Literacy and Patient Activation on Health‐Seeking Behaviour: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Turkey
Authors: Erişen Mehmet Akif
Published: October 2024

Background

The study aimed to investigate the effect of health literacy and patient activation on health‐seeking behaviour. In addition, the role of general health status and age variables in this effect was also addressed.

Methods

The research using quantitative methods is cross‐sectional. The participant information form, health literacy scale, patient activation scale and health‐seeking behaviour scale were used in the study. In addition to descriptive analyses, difference analysis, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the study. The study participants consisted of 1045 adult individuals living in Turkey.

Results

According to the correlation analysis results, it was determined that health literacy and patient activation were significantly positively associated with health‐seeking behaviour. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the independent variables of health literacy, patient activation, age and general health status significantly affected health‐seeking behaviour. Accordingly, patient activation and general health status positively affect health‐seeking behaviour, while health literacy and age have a negative effect.

Conclusion

To positively improve individuals’ health‐seeking behaviours, it is thought that it would be appropriate to focus on individuals whose general health status is not good, who are not actively involved in their treatment, who have high health literacy and who are elderly.

Patient or Public Contribution

Since the research examines the effect of patient activation and health literacy on health‐seeking behaviour, it is of great importance for the research that the public and patients are included in the study from the design of the research to the presentation of the findings. The emergence of the study was made possible by the public and patients’ evaluations of the research topics and their participation in the survey.
Feasibility, Fidelity and Acceptability of a Person‐Centred Care Transition Support Intervention for Stroke Survivors: A Non‐Randomised Controlled Study
Authors: Lindblom Sebastian , Flink Maria , von Koch Lena , Laska Ann Charlotte , Ytterberg Charlotte
Published: October 2024

Background

Care transitions from hospital to home are a critical period for patients and their families, especially after a stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, fidelity and acceptability of a co‐designed care transition support for stroke survivors.

Methods

A non‐randomised controlled feasibility study recruiting patients who had had stroke and who were to be discharged home and referred to a neurorehabilitation team in primary healthcare was conducted. Data on the feasibility of recruitment and fidelity of the intervention were collected continuously during the study with screening lists and checklists. Data on the perceived quality of care transition were collected at 1‐week post‐discharge with the Care Transition Measure. Data on participant characteristics, disease‐related data and outcomes were collected at baseline (hospitalisation), 1 week and 3 months post‐discharge. Data on the acceptability of the intervention from the perspective of healthcare professionals were collected at 3 months using the Normalisation Measure Development Questionnaire.

Results

Altogether, 49 stroke survivors were included in the study: 28 in the intervention group and 21 in the control group. The recruitment and data collection of patient characteristics, disease‐related data, functioning and outcomes were feasible. The fidelity of the intervention differed in relation to the different components of the co‐designed care transition support. The intervention was acceptable from the perspective of healthcare professionals. Concerns were raised about the fidelity of the intervention. A positive direction of effects of the intervention on the perceived quality of the care transition was found.

Conclusion

The study design, data collection, procedures and intervention were deemed feasible and acceptable. Modifications are needed to improve intervention fidelity by supporting healthcare professionals to apply the intervention. The feasibility study showed a positive direction of effect on perceived quality with the care transition, but a large‐scale trial is needed to determine its effectiveness.

Patient or Public Contribution

Stroke survivors, significant others and healthcare professionals were involved in a co‐design process, including the joint development of the intervention's components, contextual factors to consider, participant needs and important outcomes to target.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0292587.
OPEN LETTERS IN CLOSED SOCIETIES: THE VALUES OF HISTORIANS UNDER ATTACK
Authors: De Baets Antoon
Published: October 2024

This article explores a question of practical ethics: To which values do historians appeal when they come under sustained attack from political power? An important instrument of historians living in closed societies to express their values is the open letter, defined as an unauthorized public statement cast in epistolary form and addressed to either political leaders or fellow historians, but always with the general public as a silent reader in the background. Limited to the post‐1945 period, a search for such open letters yielded 106 examples from 39 countries in closed and open societies. Four types of open letters were identified: those describing repression effects, those rebutting official historical views, those defending basic principles, and those presenting transitional historiography. Nine telling cases from six closed societies were then reviewed in detail and analyzed from a variety of angles (authorship, rhetoric, audience, impact, criticism, regime stage, and regime type). When these cases were examined in light of the initial question, it was found that most letters contained a great diversity of values but focused on how the human rights of historians were threatened. Invariably, their theme was historical writing in its full breadth, including its documentary infrastructure and its ramifications in education and the public sphere. Respect for historical truth was invoked more than any other value. It was a minimalist truth conception, however, understood as the absence of historical lies and falsification. The reason for this emphasis on an integrity‐oriented conception of historical truth may lie in an old and deep‐seated professional fear: the fear that the dictator's corrupted and divisive version of history survives and triumphs as the final verdict.
INTERNATIONAL SPILLOVERS OF QUALITY REGULATIONS
Authors: Macedoni Luca , Weinberger Ariel
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the international spillover effects of nondiscriminatory product regulations, for example, quality standards, in a multicountry general equilibrium framework with firm heterogeneity. In the presence of variable markups, when regulations are applied as a fixed cost consistent with stylized facts, they generate a positive spillover on the rest of the world as they induce entry of high‐quality firms and improve the terms of trade of the nonimposing countries. The benefits of such regulations are not fully realized under noncooperative policy settings, rationalizing international cooperation. We estimate our model to quantify the effects of regulations on various welfare‐relevant outcomes.
Research on the laser melting coating process of an AlCoCrFeNi high‐entropy alloy
Authors: Zhang Hao , Qiao Mengying , Liu Xiangju , Wang Youqiang , Duan Jizhou
Published: October 2024

Laser cladding technology is an advanced surface modification technique that has gained significant attention in various fields due to its energy savings, efficiency, and environmental friendliness. This paper discusses the preparation of AlCoCrFeNi high‐entropy alloy (HEA) coatings on the surface of a 5083 aluminum alloy using laser cladding technology under the Ar gas conditions. An orthogonal test system was used to optimize the laser cladding process parameters. The microstructure, as well as the mechanical, frictional, and electrochemical properties of the HEA coatings, were comparatively analyzed under the two process conditions S4 and S10. The results indicate that, under S10, the HEA coatings exhibit optimal surface quality. The coatings contained a mixture of Face‐centered cubic (FCC) and Body‐centered cubic (BCC) phases. Microscopic examination revealed three distinct areas: dark, gray, and off‐white. The coatings can significantly improve the wear and corrosion resistance of the alloy substrate. For the best results, it is set the laser power to 200 W, the laser scanning distance to .05 mm, and the laser scanning rate to 1250 mm/s. This present study offers a novel technical foundation for the fabrication of HEA coatings.
MoO3 and AlF3 effect on the properties of porous mullite ceramics with needle‐like microstructure
Authors: López Paula V. , Hernández M. Florencia , Mocciaro Anabella , Richard Diego , Rendtorff Nicolás M.
Published: October 2024

Porous mullite ceramics were synthesized via ceramic processing using a local industrial kaolin, alumina, and with AlF3 and MoO3 precursor additives to catalyze the formation of pores and acicular mullite grains. The textural properties, crystalline phases, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the obtained samples were comprehensively analyzed and compared with a reference mullite formulated without additives. The obtained ceramics have a well‐defined porous microstructure, with a porosity of about 50%, and a pore size distribution in the 0.1–2 µm range. Ceramics that involve the addition of MoO3 present well‐defined acicular mullite grains, with slightly higher porosity, larger pores, and better mechanical resistance compared to those processed using AlF3.

To correlate the ceramic porosity with its mechanical properties, a simple model of spherical pores was proposed to assess the flexural strength of the dense ceramic. It was found that the inclusion of additives promoting needle‐like microstructures increases the mechanical resistance up to four times the value determined for the ceramic without additives (flexural strength up to 390 MPa for zero‐porosity extrapolation). These results, together with the refractoriness of mullite, allow inferring the potential applications of the developed materials as structural ceramics with relatively low density and for filtering applications.
Social media profiling: The influence of personal and professional social media content on hiring ratings
Authors: Hartwell Christopher J. , Harrison Jake T. , Campion Michael A.
Published: October 2024

This study integrates identity and situational strength theories into a realistic accuracy model framework to develop and test hypotheses regarding how hiring managers perceive social media (SM) information, and how those perceptions translate into ratings. In Study 1, 310 h professionals rated which SM content they perceive as most useful in assessing applicants on various work‐related constructs. The provided a foundation for Study 2, where 151 h professionals participated in an experimental hiring simulation to understand whether these perceptions of SM information translate into rating behavior. Results indicate that manipulating SM content influenced HR professionals’ ratings of applicants. Non‐job‐related SM content influenced ratings of work‐related constructs more strongly than job‐related content. Professional SM was rated more favorably than personal SM.
Improving the Use of Sensory Approaches in an Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit Using a Co‐Designed Multifaceted Implementation Strategy
Authors: Wright Lisa , Meredith Pamela , Bennett Sally , Doig Emmah
Published: October 2024

Despite the therapeutic benefits of sensory approaches being well documented, little research has focused on improving their implementation in acute mental health units. The use of implementation frameworks to improve the use of evidence‐based practices has shown promising results in healthcare; however, there is little evidence for their use in acute mental health units. A pre–post comparison design was used to determine the effect of an 11‐month co‐designed theory‐informed multifaceted implementation strategy on the use of sensory approaches and the use of seclusion/restraint in one acute mental health ward. This study was guided by Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) and informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) approach. Implementation strategies were co‐designed and included provision of sensory materials/resources; education/training; prompts/reminders; modelling; audit and feedback; workplace coalition; and facilitation. Data were collected through pre‐ and post‐project questionnaires (pre‐ n = 37, post‐ n = 40) and routine clinical data. Data were analysed using SPSS and thematic analysis. Data for matched pairs (n = 19) revealed significant improvements between pre‐ and post‐perceived levels of knowledge and confidence in using sensory approaches. Significant increases were found in the use of sensory kits, weighted modalities and sensory assessment/plans. Post participants' recommendations to sustain the use of sensory approaches in their unit included ongoing training; funding; maintenance and supply of sensory equipment; increased staffing; and support from colleagues. This is the first study to use the IKT and BCW to design, facilitate and evaluate a co‐designed, theory‐informed implementation strategy to improve the use of sensory approaches in an acute mental health unit.
Do retail investors gamble more during lockdown?
Authors: Pavabutr Pantisa , Zhao Bin
Published: October 2024

Retail investors are known to favor stocks with lottery‐like features and trade too much. Less is known about their intertemporal demand and risk‐taking behavior in lottery‐type stocks. We use intraday transaction data between September 2019 and June 2020 from the Stock Exchange of Thailand to test how individual's risk attitude changes with respect to decline in their wealth prospects during the COVID‐19 lockdown. The behavior of the investors supports a reference dependent preference. Confronted with lowered wealth prospects, retail investors substantially reduce their underweighting in nonlottery stocks while increasing overweighting and turnover frequency in lottery stocks resulting in deteriorating portfolio performance.
Primary Aldosteronism Influences Cardiac Structure, Function, and Disease Risk: Evidence From Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Shen Rui , Pan Chengliang , Yu Jian , Dong Chen , Li Zhiyang , Zhang Jiangmei , Dong Qian , Yu Kunwu , Zeng Qiutang
Published: October 2024

Although observational studies have linked primary aldosteronism (PA) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the causality remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether PA is causally associated with CVD risk and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Independent and genome‐wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms for PA were extracted from genome‐wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. Genetic associations with the CVDs and CMR parameters were obtained from recent large‐scale GWASs or genetic consortia. Inverse‐variance weighted (IVW) method was utilized for the preliminary estimates, and multiple sensitivity analyses (including weighted median, Cochran's Q test, MR‐Egger, MR‐PRESSO, and leave‐one‐out analysis) were conducted to verify the robustness of the results. The MR analyses using the IVW method showed that genetically predicated PA was significantly associated with atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.046, 95% CI: 1.029–1.062, padj < 0.001), myocardial infarction (OR = 1.029, 95% CI: 1.005–1.053, padj = 0.027), heart failure (OR = 1.023, 95% CI: 1.004–1.042, padj = 0.027), any stroke (OR = 1.062, 95% CI: 1.031–1.095, padj < 0.001), any ischemic stroke (OR = 1.058, 95% CI: 1.022–1.095, padj = 0.004), and small vessel stroke (OR = 1.116, 95% CI: 1.041–1.196, padj = 0.004). Notably, PA also had a causal effect on adverse cardiac remodeling, including larger ventricular and atrial volumes, higher ventricular stroke volume, and reduced left atrial emptying fraction. Our findings support a causal role of PA in higher cardiovascular disease risk and adverse cardiac remodeling. Given the diagnostic delay and disease burden in PA, more attention should be paid to the screening and treatment of PA to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes.
What is the probability that higher versus lower quality of evidence represents true effects estimates?
Authors: Djulbegovic Benjamin , Hozo Iztok , Koletsi Despina , Price Amy , Nunan David , Hemkens Lars G.
Published: October 2024

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives

The previous studies demonstrated that the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, a leading method for evaluating the certainty (quality) of scientific evidence (CoE), cannot reliably differentiate between various levels of CoE when the objective is to accurately assess the magnitude of the treatment effect. An estimated effect size is a function of multiple factors, including the true underlying treatment effect, biases, and other nonlinear factors that affect the estimate in different directions. We postulate that non‐weighted, simple linear tallying can provide more accurate estimates of the probability of a true estimate of treatment effects as a function of CoE.

Methods

We reasoned that stable treatment effect estimates over time indicate truthfulness. We compared odds ratios (ORs) from meta‐analyses (MAs) before and after updates, hypothesising that a ratio of odds ratios (ROR) equal to 1 will be more commonly observed in higher versus lower CoE. We used a subset of a previously analysed data set consisting of 82 Cochrane pairs of MAs in which CoE has not changed with the updated MA. If the linear model is valid, we would expect a decrease in the number of ROR = 1 cases as we move from high to moderate, low, and very low CoE.

Results

We found a linear relationship between the probability of a potentially ‘true’ estimate of treatment effects as a function of CoE (assuming a 10% ROR error margin) (R2 = 1; p = 0.001). The probability of potentially ‘true’ estimates decreases by 21% (95% CI: 18%–24%) for each drop in the rating of CoE. A linear relationship with a 5% ROR error margin was less clear, likely due to a smaller sample size. Still, higher CoE showed a significantly greater probability of ‘true’ effects (53%) compared to non‐high (i.e., moderate, low, or very low) CoE (25%); p = 0.032.

Conclusion

This study confirmed linear relationship between CoE and the probability of potentially ‘true’ estimates. We found that the probability of potentially “true” estimates decreases by about 20% for each drop in CoE (from about 80% for high to 55% for moderate to 35% to low and 15% to very low CoE).
The effect of preadmission education given to bariatric surgery patients on postoperative recovery: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Ongun Pinar , Yurdakul Yaren , Karaca Sivrikaya Sibel , Cay Ferhat
Published: October 2024

Aim

To investigate the effect of preadmission education given to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients on preoperative and postoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and patient vital signs.

Methods

The study was designed as randomized, controlled, experimental, and single‐blind. This study was conducted with 68 patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the general surgery clinic of a university hospital between December 2022 and October 2023. Data were collected using the ‘Perioperative Form,’ ‘Visual Analog Scale,’ and ‘State Anxiety Scale I‐II.’ Intervention group patients were informed and educated about the surgical process in the outpatient clinic. The anxiety levels of all patients were determined with the State Anxiety Scale the day before surgery. In the postoperative period, vital signs (once), anxiety (on the first day after surgery), and pain levels (eight times during 48 h) were measured.

Results

In the analysis between the groups, the difference between the duration of postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.007), pain (p = 0.000 for all measured), and anxiety levels (p = 0.000) was statistically significant. There were also significant differences in the diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.007), body temperature (p = 0.000), and saturation values (p = 0.000). Patients' readiness level for surgery was the most influential factor in postoperative pain levels (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

The education given to the patients before hospitalization decreased preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels, postoperative hospital stay and pain levels, and positively affected diastolic blood pressure, body temperature and saturation levels. One‐to‐one education given to patients in the outpatient clinic also contributes positively to their readiness for surgery. This study provides valuable evidence to the wider global clinical community by demonstrating the important benefits of preadmission education for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Implementation of similar educational interventions in diverse healthcare settings worldwide may lead to increased postoperative recovery and improved overall patient well‐being after bariatric surgery.