bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The experience of entering residential aged care: The views of residents, family members and staff—an Appreciative Inquiry
Authors: Larkey Frances Anne , Hughes Mark , Nancarrow Susan
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To understand resident, family and staff perspectives of older people's transition to residential aged care and initiatives that support this transition.

Methods

A qualitative Appreciative Inquiry was undertaken with residents, family members and staff in residential aged care. It included semistructured interviews (n = 40), three focus groups (n = 17) and an organisational summit (n = 72). Each stage sought to build on the previous one, deepening understanding of the issues experienced and identifying positive strategies for change. Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis.

Results

The transition experience was characterised by grief and guilt felt by family members and the challenges they faced in participating in a decision to admit a relative to residential aged care. Residents found the transition challenging but stressed the need to adjust to the situation. Family members struggled with trusting others to provide appropriate care and both residents and relatives reported challenges in communicating with staff. Initiatives were recommended by the organisational summit to assist in the transition to residential aged care. These included developing a service navigator role, co‐designing new systems and resources with residents and relatives, and ensuring more consistent staffing.

Conclusions

Improved communication strategies and resources are needed to support the resident's identity, build trust in the organisation and support transition to residential aged care. Staff should continue to value the contribution family members play in the life of the resident and the culture of the aged care community.
Alterations and potential roles of microbial population of pregnant mouse saliva and amniotic fluid
Authors: Jia Bei , Tang Lijun , Liu Huibing , Zhu Yan , Chen Wenqian , Chen Qian , Li Jing , Zhong Mei , Yin Ailan
Published: October 2023

Problem

Prenatal exposure to intrauterine inflammation (IUI) is a crucial event in PTB pathophysiology. However, the relationship between microflora and PTB is not fully elucidated.

Method of study

In this study, we established an intrauterine inflammation mouse model via LPS intrauterine injection. The saliva and amniotic fluid were collected for 16s RNA gene sequencing. The levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in mouse amniotic fluid were determined by ELISA assays.

Results

Up to 60% of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the saliva and amniotic fluid of PBS‐treated mice were overlapped. LPS treatment‐induced changes in the abundance of oral and amniotic fluid microorganisms. Both immune‐associated probiotics, salivarius and mastitidis, were still detected in saliva (at significantly increased levels) after LPS‐induced intrauterine inflammation and almost no probiotics of any type were detected in amniotic fluid, suggesting that the uterine cavity seems to be more susceptible to LPS compared to the oral cavity. Moreover, the abundance of pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli was increased in both saliva and amniotic fluid after LPS treatment. The level of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in amniotic fluid is positively related to the amniotic fluid E. coli abundance.

Conclusions

The microbial composition of saliva and amniotic fluid of pregnant mice was similar. LPS‐induced intrauterine inflammation decreased the consistency of microbial composition in mouse saliva and amniotic fluid, increased the abundance of E. coli in saliva and amniotic fluid, and decreased the abundance of immune‐associated probiotics, especially in amniotic fluid.
Retrospective comparison of outcomes of patients undergoing omental patch versus falciform patch repair of perforated peptic ulcers
Authors: Seenarain Vidya , Wilson Tamalee , Fletcher David R. , Foster Amanda J.
Published: October 2023

Background

The omental patch repair is the gold standard for the repair of perforated peptic ulcers. This can be performed open or laparoscopically. However, in the event of non‐viable or inadequate omentum available at the time of surgery the falciform ligament has been reportedly used to as an alternative. Nonetheless, evidence for its safety is scant. This study aims to determine differences in patient outcomes when comparing the two repair techniques.

Methods

Following ethics approval, patients who underwent surgical repair of perforated peptic ulcers using omental or falciform patch repair, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017, across all three Western Australian tertiary hospital services and at least 18 years of age were included. Data were collected by reviewing medical records of included patients.

Results

Three hundred twenty‐nine patients who underwent either open or laparoscopic repairs were included. Thirty‐seven patients had falciform repairs and were mostly ASA of 2 compared to 292 patients receiving omental patch repair who were mostly ASA 3. Falciform patch repairs were more commonly used in duodenal ulcer perforations. There were no statistically significant differences in patient outcomes between the omental patch and falciform ligament groups. This included post‐operative intra‐abdominal sepsis, return to theatre, post‐operative ICU admission, inpatient mortality, 30‐day readmission and ulcer healing on follow‐up gastroscopy.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates safety, efficacy and similar outcomes for patients receiving the falciform ligament patch repair compared with omental patch repair.
Editorial: Time to consider early treatment for chronic hepatitis B in both children and adults
Authors: Choi Won‐Mook , Lim Young‐Suk
Published: October 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Wu et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17667 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17685
Cardiac side effects of RNA‐based SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines: Hidden cardiotoxic effects of mRNA‐1273 and BNT162b2 on ventricular myocyte function and structure
Authors: Schreckenberg Rolf , Woitasky Nadine , Itani Nadja , Czech Laureen , Ferdinandy Péter , Schulz Rainer
Published: October 2023

Background and Purpose

To protect against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, the first mRNA‐based vaccines, Spikevax (mRNA‐1273, Moderna) and Comirnaty (BNT162b2, Pfizer/Biontech), were approved in 2020. The structure and assembly of the immunogen—in both cases, the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S) glycoprotein—are determined by a messenger RNA sequence that is translated by endogenous ribosomes. Cardiac side‐effects, which for the most part can be classified by their clinical symptoms as myo‐ and/or pericarditis, can be caused by both mRNA‐1273 and BNT162b2.

Experimental Approach

As persuasive theories for the underlying pathomechanisms have yet to be developed, this study investigated the effect of mRNA‐1273 and BNT162b2 on the function, structure, and viability of isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes over a 72 h period.

Key Results

In the first 24 h after application, both mRNA‐1273 and BNT162b2 caused neither functional disturbances nor morphological abnormalities. After 48 h, expression of the encoded spike protein was detected in ventricular cardiomyocytes for both mRNAs. At this point in time, mRNA‐1273 induced arrhythmic as well as completely irregular contractions associated with irregular as well as localized calcium transients, which provide indications of significant dysfunction of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). In contrast, BNT162b2 increased cardiomyocyte contraction via significantly increased protein kinase A (PKA) activity at the cellular level.

Conclusion and Implications

Here, we demonstrated for the first time, that in isolated cardiomyocytes, both mRNA‐1273 and BNT162b2 induce specific dysfunctions that correlate pathophysiologically to cardiomyopathy. Both RyR2 impairment and sustained PKA activation may significantly increase the risk of acute cardiac events.
A homozygous frameshift variant expands the clinical spectrum of SAMD9 gene defects
Authors: Mehawej Cybel , Ibrahim Maroun , Khalife Lynn , Chouery Eliane , El Hachem Setrida , Sayad Alain , El Traboulsi Aya , Inati Adlette , Megarbane Andre
Published: October 2023

SAMD9, a ubiquitously expressed protein, is involved in several mechanisms, including endosome fusion, growth suppression and modulation of innate immune responses to stress and viral infections. While biallelic mutations in SAMD9 are linked to normophosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis, heterozygous gain‐of‐function mutations in the same gene are responsible for MIRAGE, a multisystemic syndrome characterized by myelodysplasia, infection, restriction of growth, adrenal hypoplasia, genital phenotypes, and enteropathy. A two‐and‐a‐half‐year‐old girl, from a consanguineous Lebanese family, was included in this study. She presents with pre‐ and post‐natal growth retardation, recurrent fevers, persistent diarrhea, elevated CRP and intermittent hypoglycemia. Whole genome sequencing revealed a homozygous frameshift variant in SAMD9 (NM_017654.4: c.480_481del; p.Val162Ilefs*5) in the proband. Sanger sequencing confirms its segregation with the disease in the family, and immunoblotting showed that the detected variant abolishes SAMD9 expression in the patient. Our findings expand the clinical spectrum linked to SAMD9 and highlight the importance of investigating further cases with mutations in this gene, as this will pave the way towards the understanding of the pathways driving these diseases.
Mobile audiometry for hearing threshold assessment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Oremule Babatunde , Abbas Jonathan , Saunders Gabrielle , Kluk Karolina , Isba Rachel , Bate Sebastian , Bruce Iain
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Technological advancements in mobile audiometry (MA) have enabled hearing assessment using tablets and smartphones. This systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021274761) aimed to identify MA options available to health providers, assess their accuracy in measuring hearing thresholds, and explore factors that might influence their accuracy.

Design and Setting

A systematic search of online databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Evidence Search and Dynamed was conducted on 13th December 2021, and repeated on 30th October 2022, using appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Eligible studies reported the use of MA to determine hearing thresholds and compared results to conventional pure‐tone audiometry (CA). Studies investigating MA for hearing screening (i.e. reporting just pass/fail) were ineligible for inclusion. Two authors independently reviewed studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality and risk of bias using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 (QUADAS‐2) tool.

Participants

Adults and children, with and without diagnosis of hearing impairment.

Main outcome measures

A meta‐analysis was performed to obtain the mean difference between thresholds measured using MA and CA in dB HL.

Results

Searches returned 858 articles. After systematic review, 17 articles including 1032 participants were analysed. The most used software application was ShoeboxTM (6/17) followed by Hearing TestTM (3/17), then HearTestTM (2/17). Tablet computers were used in ten studies, smartphones in six, and a computer in one. The mean difference between MA and CA thresholds was 1.36 dB (95% CI, 0.07–2.66, p = 0.04). Significant differences between mobile audiometry (MA) and conventional audiometry (CA) thresholds were observed in thresholds measured at 500Hz, in children, when MA was conducted in a sound booth, and when MA was self‐administered. However, these differences did not exceed the clinically significant threshold of 10 decibels (dB). Included studies exhibited high levels of heterogeneity, high risk of bias and low concerns about applicability.

Conclusions

MA compares favourably to CA in measuring hearing thresholds and has role in providing access to hearing assessment in situations where CA is not available or feasible. Future studies should prioritize the integration of pure‐tone threshold assessment with additional tests, such as Speech Recognition and Digits‐in‐Noise, for a more rounded evaluation of hearing ability, assesses acceptability and feasibility, and the cost‐effectiveness of MA in non‐specialist settings.
The effects of COVID‐19 policies on consumer spending in Norway
Authors: Carpena Fenella , Swinkels Laurens , Zhang Dan
Published: October 2023

We examine the effect of COVID‐19 policies on consumer spending using bankcard transactions from Norway. Exploiting variation in COVID‐19 policies over time and across space in the four largest municipalities, we investigate the heterogeneity of policy effects in their number and type. First, we document that the number of restrictions is negatively correlated with spending and exhibits decreasing marginal effects. Second, restrictions do not affect all types of spending equally: restrictions tend to have larger impacts on the sector in which they are targeted. Finally, we find suggestive evidence from a difference‐in‐differences estimation that supports a causal interpretation of our results.
MiR‐23a‐3p alleviates cigarette smoke extract‐induced pulmonary vascular endothelial cell apoptosis by targeting DNAJB1 in emphysema
Authors: Li Ke , Ye Xianwei , Xu Mei , Xu Chuan , Lu Ping , Li Jiayi , Yuan Guohang , Zhang Cheng
Published: October 2023

Background

Cigarette smoke (CS) is an important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of emphysema progression. However, miR‐23a‐3p role in emphysema is unclear.

Methods

CS exposure was used to construct emphysema mice models, and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‐induced pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) were used to mimic emphysema cell models. Mouse lung tissue was stained by immunohistochemical staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and TUNEL staining. MiR‐23a‐3p and DnaJ homolog subfamily B member 1 (DNAJB1) levels were tested using quantitative real‐time PCR. DNAJB1 and apoptosis‐related markers' protein levels were examined via western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The interaction between miR‐23a‐3p and DNAJB1 was evaluated by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay.

Results

MiR‐23a‐3p was downregulated, and DNAJB1 was upregulated in CS‐induced emphysema mice models and CSE‐induced PMVECs. MiR‐23a‐3p overexpression promoted viability and repressed apoptosis in CSE‐induced PMVECs. MiR‐23a‐3p targeted DNAJB1 and negatively regulated DNAJB1 expression. Moreover, DNAJB1 knockdown repressed CSE‐induced PMVECs apoptosis, and miR‐23a‐3p inhibitor reversed this effect. Additionally, miR‐23a‐3p alleviated lung tissue injury and improved emphysema in mice by reducing DNAJB1 expression.

Conclusion

MiR‐23a‐3p alleviated emphysema progression, which could inhibit CSE‐induced PMVECs apoptosis by targeting DNAJB1.
A review of factors influencing drinking behaviours in young Australian adults using a behavioural framework approach
Authors: Palmer Blake , Irwin Christopher , Desbrow Ben
Published: October 2023

Issues

Young adults (aged 18–24 years) are more likely to binge drink than any other age group in Australia. These behaviours expose young adults to possible adverse events, with potential for acute harms.

Approach

A behavioural framework (capability, opportunity, motivation—behaviour [COM‐B model]) was used to explore factors that influence the drinking behaviours of young Australian adults. Potential studies were identified by searching four online data bases. Content pertaining to factors moderating young adults' alcohol consumption behaviours (either increasing or decreasing alcohol consumption) in an Australian population was extracted. Factors were then categorised/mapped into the six sub‐components of the COM‐B model. A narrative synthesis/discussion was subsequently undertaken.

Key Findings

Factors increasing or reducing alcohol consumption behaviours were identified across all components of the COM‐B model. Overall, alcohol consumption behaviours appear strongly influenced by physical and social opportunities, and young adults have reflective and automatic motivations (i.e., habitual processes, emotional responding and analytical decisional making that directs behaviour) to consume alcohol with purpose and/or reason.

Implications and Conclusion

The use of a behavioural framework (e.g., the COM‐B model) facilitates an integrated understanding of factors influencing alcohol consumption behaviours. Future harm minimisation strategies need to consider the interrelated, contemporary factors underpinning a young adult's decision to consume alcohol within the context of modern Australian society.
Time trends towards earlier puberty in boys and girls with type 1 diabetes: Insights from the German Diabetes Prospective Follow‐up (DPV) registry, 2000 to 2021
Authors: Gohlke Bettina , Reschke Felix , Lanzinger Stefanie , Boettcher Claudia , Gemulla Gitta , Thiele‐Schmitz Susanne , Dunstheimer Désirée , van den Boom Louise , Woelfle Joachim , Holl Reinhard W.
Published: October 2023

Aim

To examine the time trends and factors associated with the onset of puberty in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using data from the German Diabetes Prospective Follow‐up (Diabetes‐Patienten‐Verlaufsdokumentation [DPV]) registry.

Methods

A total of 13 127 children with T1D, aged 6 to 18 years, were included in the analysis. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between diabetes duration, body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level, migration background, and the onset of puberty, stratified by sex.

Results

Our findings revealed a significant trend towards earlier puberty in both girls and boys with T1D over the observed period (2000 to 2021). Puberty onset in girls (thelarche Tanner stage B2) decreased from 11.48 (11.35‐11.65) years in 2000 to 10.93 (10.79‐11.08) years in 2021 and gonadarche (Tanner stage G2/testicular volume >3 mL) decreased from 12.62 (12.42‐12.82) years in 2000 to 11.98 (11.79‐12.16) years in 2021 in boys (both P < 0.001). Longer diabetes duration, higher BMI SDS, and lower HbA1c level were associated with earlier puberty in both sexes (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study highlights earlier puberty in children with T1D, influenced by BMI SDS, HbA1c level, and migration background. This has important implications for diabetes management and supporting healthy development. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop potential interventions for this vulnerable population.
Approach for the probabilistic fatigue assessment of welded joints based on the local geometry of the weld seam
Authors: Schubnell Jan , Konidena Sai Kumar , Jung Matthias , Braun Moritz , Ehlers Sören , Madia Mauro , Kannengießer Thomas , Löschner Daniel
Published: October 2023

Welded joints show large variation of the weld toe geometry along the weld seam, which is one important reason for the comparably large scatter in fatigue life. Therefore, it is crucial to take the local geometry at the weld toe into account, to reduce the conservatism in fatigue assessment of welded joints. This study is based on the IBESS procedure for the calculation of the fatigue strength, whereby the evaluation of local geometrical parameters is carried out by means of 3D surface scans. The approach is validated against 26 fatigue test series. The fatigue life is in general overpredicted, whereas good agreement is achieved for high stress ratio (
). A sensitivity analysis conducted with IBESS shows that weld toe radii ρ < 2 mm and flank angle α < 30° have a significant influence on the calculated fatigue strength. In contrast to this, no strong correlation between
and the fatigue strength was determined experimentally in this study.
Fungal necromass is reduced by intensive drought in subsoil but not in topsoil
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Zou Xiaoming , Chen Han Y. H. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Wang Cuiting , Zhang Chen , Ruan Honghua
Published: October 2023

The frequency and intensity of droughts worldwide are challenging the conservation of soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. Microbial necromass is a key component of SOC, but how it responds to drought at specific soil depths remains largely unknown. Here, we conducted a 3‐year field experiment in a forest plantation to investigate the impacts of drought intensities under three treatments (ambient control [CK], moderate drought [30% throughfall removal], and intensive drought [50% throughfall removal]) on soil microbial necromass pools (i.e., bacterial necromass carbon, fungal necromass carbon, and total microbial necromass carbon). We showed that the effects of drought on microbial necromass depended on microbial groups, soil depth, and drought intensity. While moderate drought increased total (+9.1% ± 3.3%) and fungal (+13.5% ± 4.9%) necromass carbon in the topsoil layer (0–15 cm), intensive drought reduced total (−31.6% ± 3.7%) and fungal (−43.6% ± 4.0%) necromass in the subsoil layer (15–30 cm). In contrast, both drought treatments significantly increased the BNC in the topsoil and subsoil. Our results suggested that the effects of drought on the microbial necromass of the subsoil were more pronounced than those of the topsoil. This study highlights the complex responses of microbial necromass to drought events depending on microbial community structure, drought intensity and soil depth with global implications when forecasting carbon cycling under climate change.
Effect of dextran and concentrated fructose from Weissella cibaria in the physicochemical and sensory properties of milk bread (pan de leche), gelato and calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) juice
Authors: Castro Ian John L. , Rivera Arrjay Mar B. , Kim Myunghee , Guce‐Bigol Ursela P.
Published: October 2023

An exopolysaccharide‐producing isolate, Weissella cibaria ITDI 0199, was investigated to determine its ability to produce dextran and fructose, and its applicability to various food products. The isolate was cultivated in a fermentation medium of sucrose‐enriched coconut water waste obtained from a virgin coconut oil‐producing plant. Dextran produced from W. cibaria ITDI 0199 was processed by spray‐drying with maltodextrin and was incorporated into milk bread and gelato ice cream. At the same time, concentrated fructose was utilised as a partial substitute ingredient for ready‐to‐drink (RTD) calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) juice. Incorporating spray‐dried dextran into bread showed reduced cooking time, possible lower labour, and mechanical input costs, while the gelato products exhibited an increase in viscosity and thickness of ice cream mixture, leading to a decrease in ice cream melting rate when exposed at room temperature (25 °C). Additionally, using fructose as a sweetener in the calamansi juice reduced dependence on sugar. It has increased the dilution factor of the final product, potentially leading to increased profits.
Understanding ‘value’ in the context of community‐based interventions for people affected by dementia: A concept analysis
Authors: Stephens Nathan , Evans Shirley , Russell Chris , Brooker Dawn
Published: October 2023

Aim

This study aimed to conduct a concept analysis of value in the context of community‐based interventions for people affected by dementia.

Background

Concepts of value play a critical role in shaping the delivery and distribution of community‐based health interventions through related concepts. However, the use and meaning of ‘value’ is rarely clarified limiting the term's utility in practice and research. Increasing need for community healthcare and scarce public resources means developing understanding of value in community‐based interventions for people affected by dementia is timely, and may support more informed approaches to exploring, explaining and delivering value.

Design

Evolutionary Concept Analysis was used to systematically determine the characteristics of value.

Data Sources

Peer‐reviewed and grey literature databases were searched between April and July 2021, with 32 pieces of literature from different disciplines included in the final sample. No limits were set for the years of literature retrieved.

Methods

Literature was thematically analysed for information on the antecedents, attributes and consequences of value.

Results and Discussion

The analysis uncovered a need and/or desire to understand the experience of people affected by or that affect interventions; and to demonstrate, prove/disprove the (best) quality and nature of results of interventions as antecedents of value. Attributes of value were stakeholder/person centred, measurable, time and context dependent and multidimensional. Consequences of the concept included shared decision‐making, valuation of interventions and internal/external investment and development of interventions.

Conclusion

Through concept analysis value can now be better understood and applied. The development of a conceptual model to illustrate the constituent elements and relationships of the concept adds transparency to where, why and how concepts of value are enabled that supports future concept development.

Patient and Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Post‐colony swimming migration in the genus Uria
Authors: Merkel Benjamin , Strøm Hallvard
Published: October 2023

Seabirds within the Alcini subfamily have a unique breeding strategy, with their offspring leaving the colony flightless, at only a quarter of adult body size, accompanied by the father and fledge (become independent) out at sea. In this study we test several hypotheses about this elusive second part of the breeding season, termed swimming migration, for common guillemots Uria aalge and Brünnich's guillemots Uria lomvia by tracking 34 chicks (of which 17 transmitted data) equipped with satellite linked Argos PTTs (Platform Transmitter Terminals) at Bjørnøya, a major colony in the European Arctic. All chicks, presumably accompanied by their fathers, swam actively towards species‐specific autumn staging areas, rather than passively drifted away from the colony with a swim speed generally twice that observed of surrounding surface currents. They swam fastest during the first two days after departure. This coincides with the only time they actively crossed a current and the time needed to leave the area of prey depletion around the colony. They otherwise took advantage of available currents, while still swimming actively during the remainder of their migration towards species‐specific autumn staging areas. These staging areas corresponded to areas used by breeding adults during their moulting period (as confirmed by complementary light‐level logger tracking of adults), rather than being specific nursery areas. Migration duration correlated with distance resulting in species‐specific migration periods that were only a fraction of previously reported fledging periods out at sea, indicating that not only the swimming migration, but also known adult autumn staging regions constitute in effect breeding areas. This work has important implications for our understanding of population dynamics within the Alcini subfamily and the management of these species under multiple threats, while providing the foundation to investigate swimming migrations across their distributional range.
Association of age at menarche with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: A large prospective cohort in China
Authors: An Hang , Liu Xiaojing , Li Zhiwen , Zhang Le , Zhang Yali , Liu Jianmeng , Ye Rongwei , Li Nan
Published: October 2023

This study explored the potential association between age at menarche and the risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in Chinese women. Data were sourced from the China‐US Collaborative Project for Neural Tube Defects Prevention, a large population‐based cohort study. Our study consisted of 209 411 women pre‐registered for pregnancy in two provinces in South China. Trained healthcare workers measured blood pressure at registration and recorded other pertinent health information. Using logistic regression, we assessed the correlations between age at menarche and the likelihood of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, considering confounders such as maternal age, body mass index, ethnicity, parity, folic acid supplementation, education level, and occupation. The observed incidences for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were 9.65% and 2.54%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for gestational hypertension, based on age at menarche, were as follows: ≤13 years, 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.11–1.26); 14 years, 1.09 (1.04–1.15); 15 years, 1.11 (1.06–1.16); 16 years, 1.06 (1.01–1.12); and ≥17 years, 1.00 (reference; P for trend < .001). The correlation between age at menarche and preeclampsia varied across age groups, with the following respective ORs: 1.35 (1.20–1.52), 1.21 (1.09–1.34), 1.27 (1.15–1.39), 1.14 (1.03–1.26), and 1.00 (reference; P for trend < .001). This association appeared to be more pronounced in women with no folic acid supplementation and those with a lower education level. In conclusion, an earlier age at menarche seems to be linked to increased risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
The effects of price transparency and debt collection policies on intentions to consume recommended health care: A randomized vignette experiment
Authors: Robertson Christopher T. , Epstein Wendy Netter , Ko Hansoo
Published: October 2023

New laws promote price transparency in health care, though effects on patient decision‐making are not known. Price disclosure may increase the salience of cost and cause lower‐income patients to decline recommended care, worsening inequities in health outcomes. Whether patients perceive a disclosed cost as higher or lower than their expectations may also affect care decisions, but has not been studied. Scholars and policymakers have paid much less attention to the question of whether patients will have to pay the prices charged (whether disclosed or not), and how expectations regarding collections may also affect healthcare consumption. Some hospitals aggressively collect on unpaid medical bills. Others hospitals do not. Actively disclosing collection policies (whether aggressive or protective) could magnify or counteract effects of price disclosures, especially for low‐income patients. To test the effect of price disclosure and debt‐collection disclosures on willingness to obtain recommended care, we recruited a nationally representative sample (N = 2997) and deployed a full factorial, controlled experiment in a standardized clinical vignette model. We find that disclosing a higher‐than‐anticipated price increases the probability of declining recommended care (odds ratio = 1.900), with larger effects for low‐income individuals. Even more, disclosing aggressive collections increases the risk of declining care (odds ratio = 4.493), at higher rates for low‐income patients. Where patients fear collections, but do not know prices, they are most likely to decline care. Disclosure of an aggressive collections policy makes patients feel less informed, harms patient trust in providers, makes them feel that they were not treated fairly, and undermines their confidence in the value of their care. Mediation analysis shows that about half of the effect of collections risk is via these attitudinal variables.
Flexible wireless in situ optical sensing system for banana ripening monitoring
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhang Ruihua , Wu Zihao , Xiao Xinqing
Published: October 2023

Determining the ripening level of bananas in the environment of banana ripening plays an important role in ensuring the quality of bananas, reducing losses and waste, and improving economic benefits. Traditional monitoring methods face a series of challenges such as inefficiency, high energy consumption, and high cost. This paper aims to develop a flexible wireless in situ optical sensing system (FIS) for banana ripening monitoring with a good prediction effect, low energy consumption, and high economy. When monitoring the ripening process, the ripeness of the bananas can be accurately determined without taking out the bananas. Among them, the prediction effect on soluble solid content and a* is the best, the residual predictive deviation value is above 3, and the classification accuracy is as high as 95%. Compared to other commercially available spectrometers, the device exhibits the lowest power consumption characteristics. The theoretical maximum energy consumption of the FIS is only 627 mW, and a single measurement only consumes 15 J. The overall price of the FIS does not exceed $60. The application of the FIS can effectively reduce the waste of bananas during the ripening process, and greatly alleviate the labor‐intensive and inefficient problems of fruit maturity monitoring, thereby promoting more sustainable and cleaner production in the banana industry.
Chinese cities exhibit diverse allometric growth patterns in material metabolism
Authors: Yang Mingyue , Liu Ningyin , Wang Xinjing , Zhang Yan
Published: October 2023

Rapid urbanization boosts the material demand of cities and leads to serious environmental problems, such as water shortage and air pollution. To achieve better governance of cities, stakeholders need to deeply understand urban material utilization. Taking 327 cities in China as examples, this study analyzes the urban material characteristics from a metabolic perspective. We investigated the spatiotemporal changes in the material base of these cities from 2000 to 2020, including material flow and material stock. We further explored the allometric growth patterns of urban material flow and material stock at different scales (e.g., individual, group, and community). Results show that cities have metabolic processes as natural organisms; they differentiate into many types and exhibit allometric growth patterns. There is a consistency of material metabolic patterns in most cities. The growth of material flows (+43%) and material stocks (+135%) was evident in all cities during 2000–2020. However, the material metabolism of Chinese cities exhibits diverse allometric growth patterns across the individual, group, and community scales. This study can provide simple but effective quantitative indicators for the investigation of urban material utilization, and can support distinct policy implications for sustainable urban material‐based planning and management.
Life cycle assessment of pig iron production from bauxite residue: A European case study
Authors: Ma Yan , Pettersen Johan Berg
Published: October 2023

Large volumes of bauxite residue are generated when alumina is leached from bauxite ore, within 2–3 metric tons of bauxite residue per metric ton final aluminum. The large volumes make bauxite residue an interesting source for secondary materials, for instance iron. This paper assesses environmental impacts associated with extraction of pig iron from bauxite residue in Europe. The life cycle assessment is based on thermodynamic process simulation and compares pig iron from bauxite residue with conventional pig iron production. The results indicate that the iron extraction reduces impacts on mineral scarcity and offers an overall lower waste volume. However, it also increases the energy use and thereby the life cycle impacts associated with energy production. The bauxite residue process is operated in an electric arc furnace. Decarbonizing the electricity supply, or placing the process in primarily renewable electricity markets, changes the relative competitiveness of pig iron from bauxite residue, to a level where it offers lower endpoint impacts to ecosystems, human health, and resources, as well as improvements in policy‐relevant midpoint impacts such as climate change. Comparing several bauxite residue mineralogies, the results show significant variation in the environmental performance between typical bauxite residues, yet a larger difference is observed when comparing with conventional pig iron production than among the bauxite residues.
Value relevance of IFRS 9: The influence of country factors and heterogeneous strengths in the European banking sector
Authors: Zampella Annamaria , Ferri Luca
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on investor reactions to financial instrument recognition and measurement in the banking sector under the new International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9, Financial Instruments. The research tests the combined value relevance of accounting numbers before and after the mandatory transition to IFRS 9 in Europe. Furthermore, we verify the influence of country factors and heterogeneous strengths on the value relevance of the aforementioned standard. To this end, we adopt a sample consisting of 215 banks listed in Europe, for the years 2015–2020. We find a significant change in the explanatory power of value‐relevance regressions in 2015–2017 compared to 2018–2020. In addition, we find that accounting numbers have incremental value relevance in countries characterized by “good” governance indicators and high heterogeneous strength, namely investors pay attention to the strength of the bank authority. This study makes three main contributions to the literature. First, it complements the IFRS 9 literature by providing new evidence. Second, its insights can be used to support investment decisions. Last, the findings help regulators and standard‐setters to verify the impact of the new measures delineated by the standard.
Identification of blood metabolic biomarkers associated with diabetic distal symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chang Kuo‐Hsuan , Chen Chiung‐Mei , Lin Chia‐Ni , Tsai Sung‐Sheng , Lyu Rong‐Kuo , Chu Chun‐Che , Ro Long‐Sun , Liao Ming‐Feng , Chang Hong‐Shiu , Weng Yi‐Ching , Hwang Jawl‐Shan , Kuo Hung‐Chou
Published: October 2023

Background

Distal symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a common neurologic complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the underlying mechanisms and changes in serum metabolites remain largely undefined. This study aimed to characterize the plasma metabolite profiles of participants with T2DM using targeted metabolomics analysis and identify potential biomarkers for DSPN.

Methods

A combined liquid chromatography MS/MS and direct flow injection were used to quantify plasma metabolite obtained from 63 participants with T2DM, 81 with DSPN, and 33 nondiabetic control participants. A total of 130 metabolites, including amino acids, biogenic amines, sphingomyelins (SM), phosphatidylcholines, carnitines, and hexose, were analyzed.

Results

A total of 16 plasma metabolites and 3 cholesterol‐related laboratory parameters were found to have variable importance in the projection score >1.0 and false discovery rate <5.0% between control, T2DM, and DSPN. Among these variables, five serum metabolites, including phenylalanine (AUC = 0.653), alanine (AUC = 0.630), lysine (AUC = 0.622) tryptophan (AUC = 0.620), and SM C16:0 (AUC = 0.630), are potential biomarkers (all p < .05) in distinguishing T2DM with DSPN from those without (AUC = 0.720).

Conclusions

In this cross‐sectional study, derangement of several metabolites in the plasma was observed in T2DM with and without DSPN, and these metabolites may be potential biomarkers for predicting DSPN. Longitudinal studies are warranted.
Response to Focus Issue: Buddhist Moral Emotions
Authors: Heim Maria
Published: October 2023

Heim responds to the five articles by anthropologists concerned with contemporary Buddhist practices and ideologies of emotions, arguing that a history of emotions approach that attends to the centrality of emotions and their evaluations can be important for ethics. She submits that while sometimes studies of moral psychology in Buddhist ethics have focused on individuals, these articles suggest how emotions can have a very public and collective impact on social, economic, and political life. She is also interested in how these anthropological studies of contemporary Buddhist communities trouble textual accounts of Buddhist ethics on central questions of giving, karma, merit, and compassion.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Buddhist Moral Emotions
Authors: Starling Jessica , Swenson Sara Ann
Published: October 2023

This introduction to the special issue on “Buddhist Moral Emotions” explains the need for analyzing affect and emotion for a full understanding of Buddhist ethics. The introduction surveys major works in the turn to affect and advocates for ethnographic research on Buddhism as a lived religion in order to address the role of emotion in Buddhist ethics.
Extension of distributional range with a new record of cyprinid Opsarius dogarsinghi (Hora, 1921) from river Torsa of Jaldapara National Park complex, West Bengal, India
Authors: Bhakta Dibakar , Manna Ranjan K. , Nair Sangeetha M. , Mandi Raban C. , Samanta Srikanta , Das Basanta K.
Published: October 2023

A cyprinid, Opsarius dogarsinghi (Hora, 1921) was recorded for the first time in September 2021 from the Kodalbasti section of the river Torsa, Jaldapara National Park complex. In September 2021, gill nets with a mesh size of 30 mm were used to catch a total of three specimens of O. dogarsinghi from the flowing water in the Kodalbasti section of the river Torsa. The species is endemic and has only been reported from a few north‐eastern regions of India. The current research widens the species' geographical range from its original habitat in the river Torsa of West Bengal, India. The physicochemical properties of their riverine habitat were also described.
Ecological integrity of a medium‐sized river of a lake basin towards ecosystem health management
Authors: Osure George Owiti , Aura Christopher Mulanda , Getabu Albert , Omondi Reuben , Basweti Evans
Published: October 2023

This study demonstrates the use of a multi‐metric Fish Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) for assessment of ecological health of a medium‐sized river, under a gradient of human disturbances in the Kenyan side of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). Development of the index is based on water quality, river habitat quality and fish community attributes. The river was sampled from 2019 to 2020 during wet and dry seasons of the year at nine selected sites along its length based on the level of human disturbance. A total of nine metrics representing the structural and functional organization of fish communities were qualified using the separation power of Mann–Whitney U test (p < .05). Metric values at unimpaired, intermediate, impaired and no‐fish sites were used to establish the scoring criteria using inter‐quartile ranges. A 1, 3, 5 scoring system representing high, fair and slight deviation from the best site, respectively, was used in the final FIBI development. River mouth station had the highest FIBI score of 43, with extensive natural riparian buffer vegetation (>20 m) and 18 fish species implying least human disturbance. The midstream section had intermediate FIBI scores of 34–36, with wide natural riparian buffer vegetation (10–20 m) and 6–9 fish species that represented moderate human disturbance. The upstream section had the least FIBI score of 0, with no fish and narrow riparian buffer vegetation (<5 m) that indicated notable degradation. This study presents the preliminary results of using fish and habitat metrics for development of an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for a medium‐sized river in a lake basin, as a decision‐making support tool for effective management and conservation of water resources. The study recommends restoration of river habitat quality for improved ecological integrity of rivers in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Low‐energy defibrillation using a base–apex epicardial electrode
Authors: Okada Jun‐ichi , Washio Takumi , Sugiura Seiryo , Hisada Toshiaki
Published: October 2023

Background

Current implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) require electric conduction with high voltage and high energy, which can impair cardiac function and induce another malignant arrhythmia. As a result, there has been a demand for an ICD that can effectively operate with lower energy to mitigate the risks of a strong electric shock.

Methods

A pair of sheet‐shaped electrodes covering the heart were analyzed in three configurations (top–bottom, left–right, and front–back) using a heart simulator. We also varied the distance between the two electrodes (clearance) to identify the electrode shape with the lowest defibrillation threshold (DFT). We also investigated the ICD shock waveform, shock direction, and the effect of the backside insulator of the electrode.

Results

The DFT was high when the clearance was too small and the DFT was high even when the clearance was too large, suggesting that an optimal value clearance. The top–bottom electrodes with optimal clearance showed the lowest DFT when the biphasic shocks set the top electrode to a high potential first and then the bottom electrode was set to a high potential. An interval between a first shock waveform and a second shock waveform should be provided for low‐energy defibrillation. Because the insulator prevents unnecessary current flow to the backside, the DFT of the electrodes with insulators is less than those without insulators.

Conclusion

Painless defibrillation using sheet‐shaped electrodes on the epicardium is predicated on the basis of results using a heart simulator.
Maternal Free Time: A Missing Element in Fertility Studies
Authors: Jarosz Ewa , Matysiak Anna , Osiewalska Beata
Published: October 2023

Studies on mothers’ time allocation and fertility have predominantly accentuated the importance of paid work for fertility decisions and, in consequence, of policies that allow combining paid work and family life. In this view, work time is typically seen as the time taken away from the family and vice versa. This paradigm does not recognize that mothers may need time for rest and leisure, and that rest and leisure time should be separate from both professional and family time. This study investigates whether the amount of free time available to mothers and maternal leisure behaviors, level of tiredness, and satisfaction with the amount of leisure time are associated with second birth transitions. We use the data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, waves 1–20, and model time to second birth using event history models. We find that a mother's free time, tiredness, leisure activities, and satisfaction with leisure are significantly associated with second birth risk. A mother's education is an important moderator in some of these associations. This study brings attention to the complexity of mothers’ personal lives and emphasizes the need to look at them from a fine‐grained perspective.
Practical wisdom as conviction in Aristotle's ethics
Authors: Marechal Patricia
Published: October 2023

This paper argues that Aristotelian practical wisdom (phronēsis) is a state of conviction (pistis) in the goodness of our goals based on proper grounds. This state of conviction can only be achieved if rational arguments and principles agree with how things appear to us. Since, for Aristotle, passions influence appearances, they can support or undermine our conviction in the goodness of ends. For this reason, we cannot be practically wise without virtuous dispositions to experience appropriate passions. Along the way, I argue that this reading allows us to explain the shortcomings of self‐controlled and akratic agents.