bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared decision making in inclusive research: Reflections from an inclusive research team
Authors: Vlot‐van Anrooij Kristel , Frankena Tessa K. , van der Cruijsen Anneke , Jansen Henk , Naaldenberg Jenneken , Bevelander Kirsten E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Health research is increasingly conducted with the active involvement of the people who are the focus of the research. People with intellectual disabilities also participate actively in research; this is called inclusive research. Collaboration in inclusive research teams requires shared decision‐making (SDM). Although inclusive studies frequently refer to decision‐making as something the research team does together, the decision‐making process is still a black box. This study aims to provide more insight into SDM in inclusive research by reflecting on a 3‐year collaboration in an inclusive research team. The research questions are: (1) What kinds of decisions were made by the inclusive research team? (2) How were decisions made by the inclusive research team? (3) What impact did the decisions have on the research project?

Methods

To answer the research questions, the inclusive research team members reflected on SDM in their project by looking at the documentation of the inclusive research process and by conducting semi‐structured interviews with the team members.

Findings

In all research steps, the inclusive research team decided together on the content and procedures of the studies and on role division. Reflecting on SDM resulted in an overview of the types of decisions made, the information needed and the processes involved in making shared decisions. Furthermore, the team provided an account of how SDM positively impacted the quality of the studies and empowered people with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into types of decisions, SDM processes and their impact on research. The insights give an overview of opportunities and key components of SDM that can foster conceptual clarity of SDM in inclusive research. In practice, inclusive research teams can use these insights to advance successful ways of sharing power in decision making, having an impact on the quality of research and empowering people with intellectual disabilities.
Peptidylglycine α‐amidating monooxygenase as a therapeutic target or biomarker for human diseases
Authors: Merkler David J. , Hawley Aidan J. , Eipper Betty A. , Mains Richard E.
Published: February 2022

Peptides play a key role in controlling many physiological and neurobiological pathways. Many bioactive peptides require a C‐terminal α‐amide for full activity. The bifunctional enzyme catalysing α‐amidation, peptidylglycine α‐amidating monooxygenase (PAM), is the sole enzyme responsible for amidated peptide biosynthesis, from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to Homo sapiens. Many neuronal and endocrine functions are dependent upon amidated peptides; additional amidated peptides are growth promoters in tumours. The amidation reaction occurs in two steps, glycine α‐hydroxylation followed by dealkylation to generate the α‐amide product. Currently, most potentially useful inhibitors target the first reaction, which is rate‐limiting. PAM is a membrane‐bound enzyme that visits the cell surface during peptide secretion. PAM is then used again in the biosynthetic pathway, meaning that cell‐impermeable inhibitors or inactivators could have therapeutic value for the treatment of cancer or psychiatric abnormalities. To date, inhibitor design has not fully exploited the structures and mechanistic details of PAM.
Emerging quinoline‐ and quinolone‐based antibiotics in the light of epidemics
Authors: Kaur Paranjeet , Anuradha  , Chandra Avik , Tanwar Tamanna , Sahu Sanjeev Kumar , Mittal Amit
Published: February 2022

Pandemics are large‐scale outbreaks of infectious disease that can greatly increase morbidity and mortality all the globe. Since past 1990 till twentieth century, these infectious diseases have been major threat all over the globe associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. In light of these epidemics, researches have gained enormous rise in the developing the potential therapeutic treatment. Thus, revolutionized antibiotics have led to the near eradication of such ailments. Around 50 million prescription of antibiotics written in US per year according to center for disease control and prevention (CDC) report. There is a wide range of antibiotics available which differ in their usage and their mechanism of action. Among these quinoline and quinolone class of antibiotics get attention as they show tremendous potential in fighting the epidemics. Quinoline and quinolone comprise of two rings along with substitutions at different positions which is synthetically obtained by structural modifications of quinine. Quinoline and quinolone antibiotics exhibit extensive activities approved by FDA in the treatment of the several ailments such as gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, prostate inflammation, malaria, gonorrhea, skin infection, colorectal cancer, respiratory tract infections. These are active against both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. This basic core of quinoline and quinolone is vital due to its capability of targeting the pathogen causing disease and beneficial in treating the infectious disease. They inhibit the synthesis of nucleic acid of bacteria which results in the rupture of bacterial chromosome due to the interruption of enzymes such as DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. There are various quinoline and quinolone compounds that are synthetically derived by applying different synthesis approaches which show a wide range of pharmacological activities in several diseases. The most commonly used are fluoro, chloro, and hydroxychloro derivatives of quinoline and quinolone. These compounds are helpful in the treatment of numerous epidemics as a chief and combination therapy. These quinoline and quinolone pharmacophore fascinate the interest of researchers as they inhibit the entry of virus in host cell and cease its replication by blocking the host receptor glycosylation and proteolytic processing. They act as immune modulator by inhibiting autophagy and reduction of both lysosomal activity and production of cytokine. Therefore, quinoline and quinolone derivatives attain significance in area of research and treatment of various life‐threatening epidemics such as SARS, Zika virus, Ebola virus, dengue, and COVID‐19 (currently). In this chapter, the research and advancements of quinoline‐ and quinolone‐based antibiotics in epidemic management are briefly discussed.
Stigma towards dependent drinking and its role on caregiving burden: A qualitative study from Goa, India
Authors: Kumar Sonali , Schess Jaclyn , Velleman Richard , Nadkarni Abhijit
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Stigma towards alcohol use disorders is prevalent in India and can lead to social exclusion and hamper treatment access and outcomes. Family members of individuals with dependent drinking are often their primary caregivers and play a key role in decisions around help‐seeking, treatment and recovery. The nature and role of stigma in caregiving, and the consequent burden on family caregivers of those with dependent drinking, has not been qualitatively studied in India.

Methods

We conducted in‐depth interviews with: (i) men with probable alcohol dependence (n = 11); (ii) family caregivers (n = 12); and (iii) doctors with experience of treating alcohol dependence (n = 13) in community settings in Goa. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Two primary themes were identified from the data: (i) stigma in the form of ignorance, prejudice and discrimination; and (ii) the impact of this stigma on caregiving decisions and the mental health of caregivers.

Discussion and Conclusions

We found that stigma functioned as a barrier to a proper course of treatment and care, as well as a detrimental factor for caregiver's mental health and caregiving decision‐making. Stigma towards dependent drinking in the forms of ignorance, prejudice and discrimination is prevalent within homes, workplaces and health systems and might exacerbate the caregiving burden among female family caregivers. Policies, educational programs and campaigns aimed at preventing stigma in these forms would likely enable access to more inclusive and appropriate health services, benefit the health of family caregivers and improve the treatment outcomes of drinkers.
Framing the Blue Economy: Placelessness, Development and Sustainability
Authors: Germond‐Duret Celine
Published: February 2022

This article examines the wide acceptance and endorsement of the notion of the blue economy. It places the blue economy at the intersection of three discourses: the placelessness of the sea, development and sustainability. These discourses, originating on land, have spread spatially, narratively and normatively to the marine realm — part of a larger process of the normalization of the sea via its inclusion in the dominant model of economic development. The author uses the concept of horizontal reciprocity to illuminate this process of normalization. The blue economy requires and justifies the governance of maritime space; it creates economic and political opportunities and generates knowledge and interventions, leading to the territorialization of the sea. The article therefore concludes with a call for further research to critically assess the connections between macro discourses and local realities, and to address the current challenges facing the oceans.
Differences in hospitalisation between peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis patients
Authors: van Eck van der Sluijs Anita , Bonenkamp Anna A. , van Wallene Vera A. , Hoekstra Tiny , Lissenberg‐Witte Birgit I. , Dekker Friedo W. , van Ittersum Frans J. , Verhaar Marianne C. , van Jaarsveld Brigit C. , Abrahams Alferso C. ,   the DOMESTICO study group
Published: February 2022

Background

Dialysis is associated with frequent hospitalisations. Studies comparing hospitalisations between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and haemodialysis (HD) report conflicting results and mostly analyse data of patients that remain on their initial dialysis modality. This cohort study compares hospitalisations between PD and HD patients taking into account transitions between modalities.

Methods

The Dutch nOcturnal and hoME dialysis Study To Improve Clinical Outcomes collected hospitalisation data of patients who started dialysis between 2012 and 2017. Primary outcome was hospitalisation rate, analysed with a multi‐state model that attributed each hospitalisation to the current dialysis modality.

Results

In total, 695 patients (252 PD, 443 HD) treated in 31 Dutch hospitals were included. The crude hospitalisation rate for PD was 2.3 ( ± 5.0) and for HD 1.4 ( ± 3.2) hospitalisations per patient‐year. The adjusted hazard ratio for hospitalisation rate was 1.1 (95%CI 1.02–1.3) for PD compared with HD. The risk for first hospitalisation was 1.3 times (95%CI 1.1–1.6) higher for PD compared with HD during the first year after dialysis initiation. The number of hospitalisations and number of hospital days per patient‐year were significantly higher for PD. The most common causes of PD and HD hospitalisations were peritonitis (23%) and vascular access‐related problems (33%).

Conclusion

PD was associated with higher hospitalisation rate, higher risk for first hospitalisation and higher number of hospitalisations compared with HD. Since the PD hospitalisations were mainly caused by peritonitis, more attention to infection prevention is necessary for reducing the number of hospitalisations in the future.
Financing the rebuilding of the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666
Authors: Coffman D'Maris , Stephenson Judy Z. , Sussman Nathan
Published: February 2022

This article presents archival data on rebuilding costs and interest rates from the Corporation of London, 1666–83, to analyse how, in the absence of banking or capital market finance, the London Corporation funded the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire. The City borrowed from its citizens and outside investors at rates much lower than previously thought to replace vital services and to support large improvement works. Lenders were reassured by the Corporation's reputation, and its borrowing was partly secured by future coal tax receipts. The records show that funding from these sources was forthcoming and would have covered the costs. Most of the rebuilding was completed in less than a decade; but having invested in public goods without generating the expected flows of income in the form of improved fees, fines, and rents, the City defaulted in 1683.
Challenges for higher education in the United States: The cost problem and a comparison of remedies
Authors: Brint Steven
Published: February 2022

The costs of attending four‐year colleges and universities in the United States have steadily increased over four decades leading to high levels of student debt and many obstacles for low‐income students. The analysis presented appraises the extent of the cost and affordability problems, debunking the sensationalistic claims that are common in mass media. It considers the sources of cost increases such as the growth of administration and the decline of state subsidies and their consequences for low‐income students, including growing income gaps in completion rates and declining enrolment in more expensive institutions. By reviewing and synthesizing the existing literature, possible remedies for the cost problem are examined. These possible remedies include cost containment strategies, the possibility that universities can pursue alternative revenue sources, performance funding policies to improve productivity, increased state investment in institutional support, and financial aid reforms. Financial aid reforms provide the most feasible solution to the cost problem. These reforms should include doubling the size of grants to low‐income students and the expansion of income‐contingent loan repayment plans.
Role of inhibitory signaling in peripheral B cell tolerance*
Authors: Getahun Andrew
Published: February 2022

At least 20% of B cells in the periphery expresses an antigen receptor with a degree of self‐reactivity. If activated, these autoreactive B cells pose a risk as they can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. To prevent their activation, both B cell‐intrinsic and extrinsic tolerance mechanisms are in place in healthy individuals. In this review article, I will focus on B cell‐intrinsic mechanisms that prevent the activation of autoreactive B cells in the periphery. I will discuss how inhibitory signaling circuits are established in autoreactive B cells, focusing on the Lyn‐SHIP‐1‐SHP‐1 axis, how they contribute to peripheral immune tolerance, and how disruptions of these circuits can contribute to the development of autoimmunity.
A branch‐and‐cut algorithm for the irregular strip packing problem with uncertain demands
Authors: Souza Queiroz Layane Rodrigues de , Andretta Marina
Published: February 2022

This work presents a tailored branch‐and‐cut algorithm for the two‐dimensional irregular strip packing problem with uncertain demand for the items to be cut. A two‐stage stochastic programming model is developed, considering a discrete and finite set of scenarios. The strip is discretized over a mesh of points in the model and includes constraints to ensure items are non‐overlapping based on the concepts of inner‐fit raster and no‐fit raster. The algorithm considers lower and upper bounds from a heuristic based on the variable neighborhood search. This heuristic is also used during optimization to obtain new solutions and help to prune unsatisfactory nodes. The numerical results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm when observing other exact algorithms on the same problem without uncertainty. The algorithm can also provide optimal solutions for instances with uncertainty having more than 60 scenarios within some hours of execution. Besides, the conclusions show it is preferable to handle uncertainty to achieve minimum cost decisions.
A socially responsible decision‐making model for firms contracting with constrained farmers
Authors: Dutta Nilanjan , Kaur Arshinder
Published: February 2022

In emerging economies, farming contracts with collateral‐free credits are essential in linking the poor producers to the mainstream agri‐supply chains (SCs). Thus, we frame a decision‐making model for a firm procuring through advance‐payment contracts (APCs) from numerous small farmers. These farmers are decision‐biased and have varying needs for credit. Hence, composed of a fraction of the per unit guaranteed price, the advance payment uniquely affects the farmers' realized yields. We model the contracting scenario assuming the farmers as reference‐dependent loss‐averse newsvendors facing random yields who are allowed to commit their supply quantities; and the firm as a risk‐neutral profit‐maximizer, encountering demand stochasticity. We then analyze the association of the farmer's optimal commitment and the firm's optimal number of contracted farmers with the contract's parameters. Subsequently, given the information asymmetry on farmers' cost and behavioral attributes, we design a menu of contracts based on the contract theory. The menu simultaneously aims to maximize the firm's expected profit while meeting the welfare needs of the smallholders having the highest requirement for an advance. Finally, we use existing data on the model's parameters value to numerically illustrate its applicability. The illustration could demonstrate the customarily observed practice of excluding smallholders from contractual arrangements featuring no‐APCs. It also exhibited a menu's dominance over a single contract in meeting the SC entities' mutual needs and its usability in promoting socially responsible operations. We believe that firms and policy makers would find these analyses helpful in designing socioeconomically viable agri‐SCs contracts.
Exposure, access and interaction: A global analysis of sponsorship of nursing professional associations
Authors: Grundy Quinn , Millington Anna , Robinson Andrea , Held Fabian , Fabbri Alice
Published: February 2022

Aim

To analyse the nature and extent of sponsorship of nursing professional associations and their major scientific conferences.

Design

Cross‐sectional content analysis.

Methods

Data were extracted from the websites and conference documents of 156 national and international professional nursing associations in 2019 to identify sponsors. Sponsorship prospectuses were analysed to estimate the value and describe the nature of sponsorship arrangements. We analysed sponsorship patterns using social network analysis.

Results

Most associations (84/156, 54%) did not report any sponsors. Sponsorship was concentrated among specialty nursing associations in high‐income countries. Half of identified sponsors promoted products used in clinical care (50%; 981/1969); the majority represented the medical device industry (69%; 681/981). Top sponsors generally favoured opportunities that promoted interaction with conference attendees.

Conclusion

Globally, commercial sponsorship of nursing associations is a common, but not the dominant source of support for these activities. Half of sponsors were commercial entities that manufactured or distributed products used during clinical care, which presents a risk of commercial influence over education and ultimately, clinical practice. Sponsors favoured opportunities to interact directly with nurses, determine educational content, or foster continued interaction.
Mixed diabetic retinopathy screening coverage results in Indigenous Australian primary care settings: A nurse‐led model of integrated diabetes care
Authors: Atkinson‐Briggs Sharon , Jenkins Alicia , Ryan Christopher , Brazionis Laima ,   the Centre of Research Excellence in Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group
Published: February 2022

Aims

To determine eye screening coverage and adherence to national eye screening recommendations of a nurse‐led retinal image‐based model of diabetes education and eye screening in Indigenous primary care clinics.

Design

A pre‐post study.

Methods

During January 2018–March 2020 Indigenous Australians with diabetes at three regional Australian clinics were offered eye screening by a nurse‐diabetes educator/retinal imager. At the main site the nurse recruited/scheduled participants, and at satellite sites local clinic staff did so. Visual acuity was tested and digital retinal images acquired and graded. Participants were offered rescreening at or before 12‐months based on baseline results.

Results

In total 203 adults with diabetes attending Indigenous primary care clinics were screened, with divergent results based on the recruitment methods. At the main clinic 135 of 172 eligible adults (79%) were screened. At the satellite sites, 15 of 85 (18%) and 21 of 77 (27%) diabetes patients were screened. Combined coverage 51%.

Conclusion

A credentialed nurse‐educator implemented a model of retinal image‐based diabetes education, measured eye screening coverage and adherence to national eye screening guidelines, met the ‘acceptable 75% eye screening coverage’ benchmark and improved patient eye screening guideline adherence at the one site where the nurse‐educator had access to patient recruitment and scheduling.

Impact

This novel nurse‐led primary care iDEES model of retinal image‐based diabetes education can improve the currently low Indigenous diabetes eye screening coverage in Australia. Importantly, the nurse‐managed iDEES model of integrated diabetes care is readily adaptable to other settings and populations where access to and/or uptake of eye care is suboptimal.

Clinical Trial Registration: ANZCTRN1261800120435.
Feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen battery in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Sanchez‐Lastra M.A. , Moldes J. Marín , Diz J.C. , Martínez‐Lemos R.I. , Ayán C.
Published: February 2022

Background

The feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) battery for predicting injury risk have been widely studied in athletic, military, public service and healthy populations. However, scant research has been carried out in people with disabilities. This study aimed at identifying the feasibility and reliability of the FMS battery when administered to adults with intellectual disability (ID).

Methods

Adults from a residential and day care centre over 18 years of age, diagnosed with ID and able to follow simple instructions, were included in the study. All participants with behavioural or health problems that prevented the completion of the FMS battery were excluded. All exercises were video recorded to assure proper scoring. Three assessors (one trained and two novices) scored each of the FMS subtests performed separately from the videos. Feasibility was based on completion rates. Reliability of the composite test scores was analysed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Results

A total of 30 people with ID (mean age: 35.5 ± 7.12 years; 33.3% women) completed all assessments. The battery showed to be feasible, although difficulties when performing two of the subtests were observed among those with moderate and severe ID. Mean total scores from the three assessors ranged from 7.83 to 8.90. An inverse trend was observed indicating that the higher the ID level, the lower the total FMS score. Test–retest reliability was good for the trained assessor (ICC = 0.89) and mostly moderate for both novice assessors (ICC range: 0.60 to 0.76). Moderate to good inter‐rater reliability was observed (ICC range: 0.65 to 0.80).

Conclusion

The FMS battery is a reliable tool that can be performed by people with ID, albeit with certain difficulties, especially in those with moderate to severe impairment. The battery does not seem to be useful for identifying people with ID at risk of suffering a sport injury. Adequately powered, well‐designed studies are required to determine if the FMS battery is appropriate for identifying changes in functional performance in this population.
Anatomy of the heart with the highest heart rate
Authors: Chang Yun Hee , Sheftel Boris I. , Jensen Bjarke
Published: February 2022

Shrews occupy the lower extreme of the seven orders of magnitude mammals range in size. Their hearts are large relative to body weight and heart rate can exceed a thousand beats a minute. It is not known whether traits typical of mammal hearts scale to these extremes. We assessed the heart of three species of shrew (genus Sorex) following the sequential segmental analysis developed for human hearts. Using micro‐computed tomography, we describe the overall structure and find, in agreement with previous studies, a large and elongate ventricle. The atrial and ventricular septums and the atrioventricular (AV) and arterial valves are typically mammalian. The ventricular walls comprise mostly compact myocardium and especially the right ventricle has few trabeculations on the luminal side. A developmental process of compaction is thought to reduce trabeculations in mammals, but in embryonic shrews the volume of trabeculations increase for every gestational stage, only slower than the compact volume. By expression of Hcn4, we identify a sinus node and an AV conduction axis which is continuous with the ventricular septal crest. Outstanding traits include pulmonary venous sleeve myocardium that reaches farther into the lungs than in any other mammals. Typical proportions of coronary arteries‐to‐aorta do not scale and the shrew coronary arteries are proportionally enormous, presumably to avoid the high resistance to blood flow of narrow vessels. In conclusion, most cardiac traits do scale to the miniscule shrews. The shrew heart, nevertheless, stands out by its relative size, elongation, proportionally large coronary vessels, and extent of pulmonary venous myocardium.
The subjectively perceived injectability as an early indicator for adverse events?
Authors: Alfertshofer Michael G. , Sattler Gerhard , Frank Konstantin , Melnikov Dimitry V. , Freytag Lysander , Mercado‐Perez Arnaldo , Hargiss John B. , Dumbrava Mihai , Cotofana Sebastian
Published: February 2022

Background

With an increasing demand of aesthetic soft‐tissue filler treatments, the occurrence of adverse events rises likewise. An optimized injection algorithm adapted to product characteristics (eg, rheology) of the soft‐tissue filler is crucial in order to ensure satisfying clinical outcomes and high patient safety.

Objective

To identify a subjective feedback mechanism for the avoidance of adverse events after soft‐tissue filler injection procedures.

Methods

A retrospective data analysis of n = 387 aesthetic treatments performed on n = 291 patients (4 males, 287 females) with different soft‐tissue fillers with regard to loss of volume (filling effect), injected layer, injectability (“ease of injection”), injected volume, and injection technique was conducted.

Results

The subjectively perceived injectability during the injection process was statistically significantly related to G‐Prime value with rs = 0.101 with p = 0.048, indicating an increased difficulty while injecting products with higher G‐Prime. The occurrence of adverse events was also statistically significantly related to the injectability: injections with increased subjectively perceived difficulty showed increasing odds of developing adverse events by OR 0.157 with p = 0.002.

Conclusion

Injections that were subjectively more difficult to perform are more likely to develop adverse events. Respecting the layered arrangement of the face, the recommended and approved depth and facial region for each specific treatment enable practitioners to achieve satisfying outcomes while keeping the rate of adverse events low.
Do Equity Markets Care about Income Inequality? Evidence from Pay Ratio Disclosure
Authors: PAN YIHUI , PIKULINA ELENA S. , SIEGEL STEPHAN , WANG TRACY YUE
Published: February 2022

We examine equity markets’ reaction to the first‐time disclosure of the CEO‐worker pay ratio by U.S. public companies in 2018. We find that firms disclosing higher pay ratios experience significantly lower abnormal announcement returns. Firms whose shareholders are more inequality‐averse experience a more negative market response to high pay ratios. Furthermore, during 2018 more inequality‐averse investors rebalance their portfolios away from stocks with a high pay ratio relative to other investors. Our results suggest that equity markets are concerned about high within‐firm pay dispersion, and investors’ inequality aversion is a channel through which high pay ratios negatively affect firm value.
The anti‐LGBTIQ campaign in Poland: The established, the outsiders, and the legal performance of exclusion
Authors: Bucholc Marta
Published: February 2022

Since Spring 2019, over 90 local communities in Poland adopted resolutions expressing their rejection of “LGBT ideology.” Based on a content analysis of these resolutions, I show how local lawmaking was used in this case to create and reinforce the social division between the heteronormative majority and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer people. In the “anti‐LGBT resolutions,” majoritarian identities are territorialized by way of a construction of moralized social spaces designed to cast out the minority. Drawing on concepts proposed by Norbert Elias and John L. Scotson, I demonstrate the efficiency of law in the performance of exclusion in three dimensions: institutional, symbolic, and proxemic.
Common variant p.D19H of the hepatobiliary sterol transporter ABCG8 increases the risk of gallstones in children
Authors: Krawczyk Marcin , Niewiadomska Olga , Jankowska Irena , Jankowski Krzysztof , Więckowski Sebastian , Lebensztejn Dariusz , Więcek Sabina , Gozdowska Jolanta , Kułaga Zbigniew , Weber Susanne N. , Lütjohann Dieter , Lammert Frank , Socha Piotr
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Gallstones are increasingly common in children. Genetic analyses of adult cohorts demonstrated that the sterol transporter ABCG8 p.D19H and Gilbert UGT1A1*28 variants enhance the odds of developing gallstones. The genetic background of common lithiasis in children remains unknown.

Methods

Overall, 214 children with gallstone disease (1 month–17 years, 107 boys) were inclueded. The control cohorts comprised 214 children (age 6–17 years, 115 boys) and 172 adults (age 40–92 years, 70 men) without gallstones. The ABCG8 p.D19H and UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms as well as ABCB4 (c.504C>T rs1202283, c.711A>T rs2109505) and NPC1L1 variants (p.V1296V rs217434, c.−18C>A rs41279633) were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Serum concentrations of plant sterols and cholesterol precursors were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Results

The ABCG8 risk allele was associated with an increased risk of stones (OR = 1.82, p = .03). Children carrying the p.19H allele presented with lower serum concentrations of surrogate markers of intestinal cholesterol absorption and decreased ratios of phytosterols to the cholesterol precursor desmosterol. Carriers of the common NPC1L1 rs217434 allele had an increased gallstone risk compared with stone‐free adults (OR 1.90, p < .01). This variant also affected the ratio of phytosterols to cholesterol precursors (p = .03). Other tested variants were not associated with gallstone risk.

Conclusions

The p.D19H ABCG8 and, to a lesser extent, NPC1L1 rs217434 variants increase the risk of early‐onset gallstone formation. These results point to the presence of a common lithogenic pathway in children and adults.
Provision of small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements does not improve intestinal health among rural Malawian children
Authors: Liu Zhifei , Ashorn Ulla , Chingwanda Chilungamo , Maleta Kenneth , Hallamaa Lotta , Matchado Andrew , Kortekangas Emma , Dewey Kathryn G , Ashorn Per , Fan Yue‐Mei
Published: February 2022

Lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) have been found to improve child growth and reduce child mortality. However, the mechanistic pathways for these improvements warrant exploration. One potential pathway is linked to improvement in intestinal health. Our study aimed to test a hypothesis that small‐quantity LNS (SQ‐LNS) could reduce the levels of intestinal inflammation, repair and permeability of children. As intestinal health markers we measured fecal calprotectin, regenerating 1B protein (REG1B) and alpha‐1‐antitrypsin concentrations at 18 months of age (after 12 months of supplementation) and 1 year later (12 months after cessation of supplementation). In this analysis, we included data of 735 children who participated in a randomised dietary supplementation trial in rural Malawi; 243 children who received 20 g/day SQ‐LNS from 6 to 18 months of age were in the SQ‐LNS group, while the others who received no dietary supplementation during this period were in the control group. At 18 months of age, the mean concentrations of calprotectin, REG1B and alpha‐1‐antitrypsin were 241, 105 µg/g and 7.1 mg/dl, respectively, in the SQ‐LNS group, and 224, 105 µg/g and 7.4 mg/dl, respectively, in the control group, and did not differ between the SQ‐LNS and control groups. We conclude that SQ‐LNS provision did not have an impact on children's intestinal health in rural Malawi.
Implementation strategies for high‐performance health care simulation centres: A multicentre exploratory case study in China
Authors: Yan Aihua , Li Li , Lv Jianping , Mirchandani Dinesh A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The number of health care simulation centres (HSCs) in mainland China has increased exponentially recently. However, the performance of these centres varies significantly between hospitals. The aim of this study is to address two research questions: (i) what are the critical factors for implementing high‐performance HSCs and (ii) how are these critical factors used in the development of implementation strategies to achieve satisfactory performance?

Methods

Following a literature review on information technology (IT) implementation, we identified a framework comprising four key dimensions for HSCs implementation: technology, organisation, environment and individuals. This TOEI (technology‐organisation‐environment‐individual) framework was then used as a basis for a multicentre case study through which data collection and analysis proceeded. We collected 12 one‐to‐one in‐depth interviews alongside secondary data from six high‐performance HSCs in mainland China.

Results

Our study identifies critical TOEI factors that collectively influence HSC implementation performance and major activities at the six high‐performance HSCs. Three strategies for implementing high‐performance HSCs are also identified: facility management platform, education and training centre and innovation centre.

Conclusions

HSC implementation is an holistic approach. The critical TOEI factors collectively build a foundation for centre activities. An HSC's implementation strategy highly relies on organisational strategic goals. Additionally, HSCs in mainland China face some common challenges such as faculty retention and future opportunities such as expanding the research scope. Our study also provides insights for hospital leadership, medical associations and policymakers.
Types of social activities associated with fewer insomnia symptoms and the mediating role of loneliness in older adults
Authors: Kim Da Eun , Kim Eunjoo
Published: February 2022

Background

A positive association has been known to exist between social activity engagements and fewer insomnia symptoms in later life. However, little is known about which social activities are associated with insomnia symptoms. Investigating mediating factors in this relationship may contribute to developing effective strategies for the reduction of sleep complaints in older adults. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of loneliness on the relationship between engagement in different social activities and insomnia symptoms.

Methods

We used secondary data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study. The study sample included 3236 older adults who responded to a survey on social activity engagement, insomnia symptoms, and loneliness. After adjusting for covariates, simple mediation analyses were performed with bootstrapping to identify the mediating role.

Results

Among the several types of social activities, higher levels of engagement in educational courses and community arts group had a significant and direct relationship with fewer insomnia symptoms in older adults. Mediation analyses confirmed the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between these specific social activity engagements and insomnia symptoms.

Conclusion

These findings provide new evidence for associations among social activity, loneliness, and insomnia symptoms in older adults.
An integrative model for neural dynamics of feature selection in visual object processing: An explorative study
Authors: Hartjen Berit , Müller Matthias M.
Published: February 2022

Objects and features represent fundamental selection units of visual attention. The associated mechanisms, however, had been mostly explored in isolation. Not least for this reason, apparently contradictory theories persist about feature selection in visual object processing. Our previous study demonstrated the time‐dependent nature of this process. In the present explorative study, we used electroencephalographic recordings to examine feature‐specific selection during the time course of object processing. For this, we analyzed the feature‐specific selection negativities (SNs), i.e., the SNs when human subjects attended to or ignored one (color or shape) relative to attending to all (color and shape) constituent features of an object (a square). We found that the feature‐specific SN amplitude of the task‐relevant feature was significantly decreased in a time bin from 500 to 850 ms after trial onset in comparison to an earlier (100–450 ms) and a later time bin (900–1250 ms). Whereas, the feature‐specific SN amplitude of the task‐irrelevant feature was firstly positive, indicating no specific selection of this feature, and secondly, it marginally increased from the first to the second time bin. This leads to the proposed integrative model, which indicates that sustained feature‐specific prioritization only emerges over time, this process consisting of three phases: after initial selection of the relevant feature and inhibition of the irrelevant feature (first time bin), further inhibition of the irrelevant feature is accompanied by co‐inhibition of the relevant feature, causing prioritization to decline (second time bin), before the relevant feature eventually regains priority by being facilitated again (third time bin).
Influence of age on resistance to distraction after tracheal anastomoses in dogs: An ex vivo study
Authors: Brisimi Nikoletta G. , Papazoglou Lysimachos G. , Terzopoulou Zoe , Anastasiadis Kyriakos , Polymerou Nikolaos D. , Bikiaris Dimitrios
Published: February 2022

Objective

To determine the influence of age on the ability of tracheal anastomoses to sustain distraction in dogs.

Study design

Ex vivo study.

Sample population

Cadaveric canine tracheae (n = 16).

Methods

Tracheae were harvested from the cadavers of 8 immature and 8 adult dogs. Each trachea underwent end‐to‐end annular ligament anastomosis with a simple continuous pattern with 2‐0 polypropylene on a taper cut needle. The constructs were tested to failure in distraction, with a tensiometer set at a drop head speed of 50 mm/min, as determined by preliminary testing. Failure was defined by tissue pullthrough or suture material failure. The force and elongation at failure were compared between age groups.

Results

The median age was 5.5 months (4‐7.5 months) in immature dogs and 8.25 years in adult dogs (2‐18 years) Tracheal anastomoses failed at lower forces (44.91 ± 59.03 N) but sustained more elongation (39.75 ± 5.45%) in immature dogs than in adult dogs (149.31 ± 45.36 N, P = .007 and 30.57 ± 7.19%, P = .0012, respectively). Tissue apposition was not achieved in 4 specimens each in immature and adult dogs, respectively.

Conclusions

The technique used for tracheal anastomoses in this study failed at lower loads but sustained more elongation when performed in immature dogs.

Clinical significance

Immature dogs may be able to withstand longer tracheal resection than adult dogs but reinforcement techniques seem mandatory to improve resistance to tension. Alternative anastomosis techniques should be considered to improve tissue apposition.
School-based interventions to improve health literacy of senior high school students: a scoping review protocol
Authors: de Albuquerque Julia Vajda , Chen Yan , Moir Fiona , Henning Marcus
Published: February 2022

Objective:

The objective of this review is to map the details of school-based interventions used to improve health literacy of senior high school students.

Introduction:

The global prevalence of poor adult health literacy is caused, in part, by limited health education in secondary schools. Enhancing adolescent health literacy could potentially improve adult health literacy, health behavior, and health outcomes.

Inclusion criteria:

Studies investigating school-based interventions to improve health literacy of senior high school students, regardless of design, characteristics, and assessment tools, will be eligible for inclusion. Studies that provide combined data (senior high school students mixed with other students) or have a compulsory component outside of school will be excluded.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, ProQuest Education Journals, Education Research Complete, SAGE Journals, and Index New Zealand will be searched for journal articles published in English since 1998. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts for eligibility, retrieve potentially relevant papers in full, and extract data from included studies. A third reviewer will resolve any disagreements. Quantitative analysis (eg, frequency analysis) will indicate geographic region of studies, design and targeted population (school grade of study participants); the mode of delivery (extracurricular or during school hours, implemented by teachers or other professionals), duration, and health literacy model anddomainoftheinterventions. Descriptive qualitative content analysis will be used to summarize, code and classify key characteristics of the interventions (eg, teaching models and strategies, content, and related skills) and main outcomes related to health literacy into meaningful categories.
Design of a Self-Balancing Vehicle As a Test Rig for Safety Control Strategies Investigations
Authors: Righettini Paolo , Strada Roberto , Santinelli Jasmine
Published: February 2022

The present paper is related to a research activity concerning self-balancing vehicles, with particular reference to the interaction between driver and vehicle’s dynamics, at the aim to investigate safety management and strategies. In particular, the design process of a self-balancing vehicle with the target to be used as a test rig for safety investigations is presented. Besides the definition of the mechanical configuration, the design process includes also the choice of the motor/transmission unit, the design of the control system and the design of sensors related to vehicle/driver interaction. For design purposes, a simplified two degrees-of-freedom (DOF) planar model has been considered with the driver fixed to the vehicle chassis. In order to test the suitability of the designed vehicle for safety investigations, a multibody model of the vehicle designed and of a driver with three driven joints is also presented. Such model allows to simulate the interaction between human (driver) and machine (vehicle), taking into consideration also the coupling between longitudinal motion and turn, and the presence of tires between vehicle and ground. By means of co-simulations between the multibody model (developed with adams) and the controller (modeled with matlab/simulink), tests have been performed showing the possibility to detect influence of the driver’s behavior on the vehicle’s dynamics.
Influence of 650 °C Thermal Aging on Microstructure and Creep–Fatigue Behaviors of P92 Steel
Authors: Mao Jianfeng , Zhu Jian , Wang Dasheng , Zhong Fengping , Chen Jichang , Zhou Qiang , Bao Shiyi
Published: February 2022

In this paper, P92 steel was subjected to thermal aging treatment at 650 °C for 800 h, and then basic mechanical and creep–fatigue test was performed. The creep–fatigue cycle response trend is consistent before and after aging. Subsequently, microscopic observation shows that P92 steel after aging still has typical lamellar martensite and prior austenite grains. The thermal aging of 650 °C resulted in more precipitates of martensite lath, obvious lath boundary, coarsening of martensite lath, and decreased dislocation density. Furthermore, thermal aging results in the increase of precipitates (Laves phase) and martensite width of P92 steel. The fine Laves phase located on the grain boundary can effectively nail the grain boundary and play the role of precipitation strengthening. Besides, the Laves phase located on the dislocation has the effect of diffusion strengthening, which prevents dislocation slip and improves the creep–fatigue resistance of P92 steel. Finally, four creep–fatigue life model parameters of aging P92 steel were obtained according to the test, including strain range partitioning (SRP), strain energy partitioning (SEP), frequency separation life model (FSL), and strain energy density exhaustion model (SEDE). The prediction results of the four models fall within the double tolerance zone. The SRP and SEP are found to be conservative, while the FSL and SEDE are recommended herein due to their suitability of predicting creep–fatigue life of aging P92 steel.
Hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of Al2O3 with Cr Kα excitation
Authors: Deleuze Pierre-Marie , Artyushkova Kateryna , Martinez Eugénie , Renault Olivier
Published: February 2022

A thick alumina sample was analyzed by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy by means of a lab-scale spectrometer equipped with a Cr Kα (5414.8 eV) excitation source. The reported spectra include a survey scan as well as Al 1s, Al 2s, Al 2p, O 1s, and C 1s core-level spectra.
High-energy photoelectron spectroscopy of AlN with Cr Kα excitation
Authors: Deleuze Pierre-Marie , Artyushkova Kateryna , Martinez Eugénie , Renault Olivier
Published: February 2022

Aluminum nitride was analyzed by high-energy photoelectron spectroscopy using monochromatic Cr Kα (5414.8 eV) radiation. The reported data include a survey spectrum and high-resolution spectra of Al 1s, Al 2s, Al 2p, N 1s, O 1s, and C 1s core levels.
High-energy photoelectron spectroscopy of Si3N4 thin film on Si with Cr Kα excitation
Authors: Deleuze Pierre-Marie , Artyushkova Kateryna , Martinez Eugénie , Renault Olivier
Published: February 2022

Si3N4 thin film grown by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition was measured by high-energy photoelectron spectroscopy using monochromatic Cr Kα (5414.8 eV) radiation. A survey scan and high-resolution spectra of Si 1s, Si 2s, Si 2p, and N 1s are reported.