bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrow‐Band Screen‐Space Fluid Rendering
Authors: Oliveira Felipe , Paiva Afonso
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a novel and practical screen‐space liquid rendering for particle‐based fluids for real‐time applications. Our rendering pipeline performs particle filtering only in a narrow‐band around the boundary particles to provide a smooth liquid surface with volumetric rendering effects. We also introduce a novel boundary detection method allowing the user to select particle layers from the liquid interface. The proposed approach is simple, fast, memory‐efficient, easy to code and it can be adapted straightforwardly in the standard screen‐space rendering methods, even in GPU architectures. We show through a set of experiments how the prior screen‐space techniques can be benefited and improved by our approach.
Varieties of Ignorance: Mystery and the Unknown in Science and Religion
Authors: Davoodi Telli , Lombrozo Tania
Published: April 2022

How and why does the moon cause the tides? How and why does God answer prayers? For many, the answer to the former question is unknown; the answer to the latter question is a mystery. Across three studies testing a largely Christian sample within the United States (N= 2524), we investigate attitudes toward ignorance and inquiry as a window onto scientific versus religious belief. In Experiment 1, we find that science and religion are associated with different forms of ignorance: scientific ignorance is typically expressed as a personal unknown (“it's unknown to me”), whereas religious ignorance is expressed as a universal mystery (“it's a mystery”), with scientific unknowns additionally regarded as more viable and valuable targets for inquiry. In Experiment 2, we show that these forms of ignorance are differentially associated with epistemic goals and norms: expressing ignorance in the form of “unknown” (vs. “mystery”) more strongly signals epistemic values and achievements. Experiments 2 and 3 additionally show that ignorance is perceived to be a greater threat to science and scientific belief than to religion and religious belief. Together, these studies shed light on the psychological roles of scientific and religious belief in human cognition.
Suicide amongst transplant recipients: Trends and unique risk factors
Authors: Serpico Scott , Parsikia Afshin , Goodarzi Alireza , Manikath James Rosy , Koizumi Naoru , Ortiz Jorge
Published: April 2022

Introduction

There are higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation among those with chronic diseases, including end‐stage renal disease, diabetes mellitus and liver disease. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide and is more prevalent among transplant recipients. Although transplantation has the potential to improve quality of life, many transplant recipients commit suicide each year. The extent to which sex, race, age, type of insurance coverage, time on waitlist, comorbidities, immunosuppressive regimen and graft loss contribute to suicide risk in this population remains understudied.

Methods

We queried UNOS data collected between 1990 and 2019 to determine what risk factors contribute to suicide in the transplant population. Suicide mortality rate was calculated by determining the fraction of organ recipients who died by suicide since 1990 and was expressed as deaths per 100 000. Two groups (suicide and all other cause mortality) were compared via univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Time to graft loss was estimated using a Kaplan Meier Product Limit method. A propensity score analysis was performed to match patients who committed suicide to those who did not, allowing us to balance the relatively small sample of size of the suicide cohort with the larger all other cause mortality group to minimize the effect of confounding variables. We estimated years of organ life lost using the restricted mean. Statistical significance was defined by p < .05.

Results

The data included 135 432 transplant deaths in total; the majority were kidney recipients—82 305 (61%). We determined suicide rates of .28%, .31%, and .44% for kidney, liver and pancreas, respectively, with an overall rate of .3%. Across all three organs the most significant risk factor was male sex. Non‐Hispanic whites were also at elevated risk (OR = 2.16, p < .003). In the liver and kidney transplant groups, the odds of committing suicide were reduced by 4% with advancing age. The odds of taking one's own life was inversely related to BMI in the kidney and pancreas groups. We observed a doubling of suicide rates from .3% in 2014 to .6% in 2018. There were no other statistically significant correlations.

Conclusion

Suicide is more prevalent among transplant recipients than in the general population. White males in particular are most at risk. The highest rate of suicide was in pancreas recipients. Advancing age and increasing BMI conferred some protective effect. There were no significant associations between suicide incidence and glucocorticoid use, type of insurance coverage, time on waitlist or graft loss. The phenomenon has become more prevalent in recent years.
The origins of cognitive flexibility in chimpanzees
Authors: Cantwell Averill , Buckholtz Joshua W. , Atencia Rebeca , Rosati Alexandra G.
Published: April 2022

Cognitive flexibility is a core component of executive function, a suite of cognitive capacities that enables individuals to update their behavior in dynamic environments. Human executive functions are proposed to be enhanced compared to other species, but this inference is based primarily on neuroanatomical studies. To address this, we examined the nature and origins of cognitive flexibility in chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. Across three studies, we examined different components of cognitive flexibility using reversal learning tasks where individuals first learned one contingency and then had to shift responses when contingencies flipped. In Study 1, we tested n = 82 chimpanzees ranging from juvenility to adulthood on a spatial reversal task, to characterize the development of basic shifting skills. In Study 2, we tested how n = 24 chimpanzees use spatial versus arbitrary perceptual information to shift, a proposed difference between human and nonhuman cognition. In Study 3, we tested n = 40 chimpanzees on a probabilistic reversal task. We found an extended developmental trajectory for basic shifting and shifting in response to probabilistic feedback—chimpanzees did not reach mature performance until late in ontogeny. Additionally, females were faster to shift than males were. We also found that chimpanzees were much more successful when using spatial versus perceptual cues, and highly perseverative when faced with probabilistic versus consistent outcomes. These results identify both core features of chimpanzee cognitive flexibility that are shared with humans, as well as constraints on chimpanzee cognitive flexibility that may represent evolutionary changes in human cognitive development.
Visual context processing and its development in gamers and non‐gamers
Authors: Kütük Bahtım , Aslan Aslı , Aytemur Ali
Published: April 2022

Visual context processing was investigated in both action video game players and nonplayers using the Ebbinghaus illusion task (N = 312, 39.4% female) in a cross‐sectional study design. When presented in context, players showed markedly poorer target size discrimination accuracy compared with nonplayers in the 6‐, 7‐, 8‐, and 9‐years old age groups, but this difference was reduced in 10‐years old group and diminished in adults. When presented in isolation (no‐context), the two groups displayed similar performance in all age groups. Furthermore, nonplayers (linear) and players (bell curve) showed profoundly different age‐related differences in context processing. These findings provide evidence that players might have enhanced perceptual bias to process visual context in the transition from early childhood to early adolescence, and the differences between the two groups start at early ages and continue with distinct developmental profiles.
Improving student achievement through professional cultures of teaching in Flanders
Authors: Placklé Inge , Könings Karen D. , Jacquet Wolfgang , Libotton Arno , van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G. , Engels Nadine
Published: April 2022

Student performance in general subjects such as language and mathematical skills is poor in secondary vocational education. A professional culture of teaching—including recruitment of well qualified teachers, effective teacher collaboration and effective teaching practice—could be the key to success. To what extent is there a professional culture of teaching in vocational education? Do differences in the professional culture of teaching affect student achievement? National achievement tests on functional language skills, mathematical skills and information processing were administered to third grade students (N = 3,381) in 116 secondary schools offering vocational education across Flanders. Their teachers (N = 184) completed an online questionnaire about their collaboration and teaching practice. We found evidence that teacher collaboration and effective teaching practices are strongly correlated. Positive correlations were found between combinations of characteristics of a professional culture of teaching and student achievement. However, in many schools a professional culture of teaching is not yet a reality. Our findings demonstrate a need for continually providing support within a professional culture of teaching to prevent teachers from leaving. Improving professional growth for teachers and their teaching teams is also needed, as well as a shift in education policies to support these needs.
Leaf trait network architecture shifts with species‐richness and climate across forests at continental scale
Authors: Li Ying , Liu Congcong , Sack Lawren , Xu Li , Li Mingxu , Zhang Jiahui , He Nianpeng
Published: April 2022

Variation in the architecture of trait networks among ecosystems has been rarely quantified, but can provide high resolution of the contrasting adaptation of the whole phenotype. We constructed leaf trait networks (LTNs) from 35 structural, anatomical and compositional leaf traits for 394 tree species in nine forests from tropical to cold‐temperate zones in China. Our analyses supported the hypothesis that LTNs would increase in modular complexity across forests in parallel with species‐richness and climatic warmth and moisture, due to reduced phenotypic constraints and greater opportunities for niche differentiation. Additionally, we found that within LTNs, leaf economics traits including leaf thickness would have central importance, acting as hub traits with high connectivity due to their contributions to multiple functions. Across the continent, the greater species richness and trait diversity observed in forests under resource‐rich climates enable greater complexity in whole phenotype structure and function as indicated by the trait network architecture.
Physicians' decision‐making when managing pediatric patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A qualitative study
Authors: Merlo Federica , Malacrida Roberto , Hurst Samia , Bassetti Claudio L. A. , Albanese Emiliano , Fadda Marta
Published: April 2022

Background and purpose

Advances in medicine have resulted in treatments that can extend the survival of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) for several years. However, several diagnostic and prognostic uncertainties remain, particularly in the care of pediatric patients. In the absence of international guidelines, we aimed to explore physicians' decision‐making when managing pediatric patients with PDOC.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured, individual interviews and employed an inductive thematic analytical approach to explore physicians' subjective experiences and decision‐making when managing pediatric patients with PDOC. We recruited a purposive sample of 19 Italian‐speaking physicians currently or previously employed in intensive care units or pediatric, internal medicine, or neurology departments in Switzerland.

Results

Participants stated that making clinical decisions involving pediatric patients with PDOC is extremely challenging, because the decisional process requires finding a balance between several contending factors. We found that physicians experienced ambivalence in three domains of care (time, goals of care, and target of care), and that they were aware of the risk of self‐fulfilling prophecies for both prognosis and main clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed that experienced clinicians acknowledge the complex nature and challenge of clinical decision‐making in the care of pediatric patients with PDOC. More research is warranted to improve and expand existing guidelines aimed at assisting and facilitating clinical and ethical decision‐making, and improving physicians' awareness of the factors affecting their decisions when dealing with patients with PDOC.
Bangladeshi women migrants amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic: Revisiting globalization, dependency and gendered precarity in South–South labour migration
Authors: Ansar Anas
Published: April 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has triggered unprecedented societal disruption and disproportionately affected global mobility dynamics. Within such a troubled and intensifying crisis, the intersection of migration and gender is even more unsettling. Since the pandemic outbreak, Bangladesh witnessed a colossal crisis among millions of Bangladeshi migrants working overseas—a considerable section of them are women. By highlighting the plight of the Bangladeshi women migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, this study expands the emerging literature that addresses the nexus among migration, pandemic fallout and gendered labour. Redrawing our understanding of globalization from below, the study attempts to further advance the theoretical perspectives on the predicaments of globalization and gendered precarity in contract labour migration. The study argues that the focus on the power asymmetry between the host and sending countries remains too limited to provide a comprehensive understanding of how inequalities are reproduced and transformed. Instead, it suggests that the challenges and disadvantages women migrants endure are embedded in the asymmetries of deep‐rooted economic and social structures in tandem with the systemic practice of otherness and exclusion.
Race, gender and slavery in early Islamicate history
Authors: Urban Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

Slavery was practiced in parts of the Islamicate world from the 7th through 21st centuries. Until the late 20th century, many authors claimed that Islamicate slavery was relatively benign and free from racism. However, recent scholarship has found evidence of race‐thinking in Islamicate history—particularly anti‐Black racism and an association between Blackness and enslavement—tracing back at least to the ninth‐century CE. Scholars still contest what racial categories or forms of race‐thinking existed in the first centuries of Islamicate history. The Quran is free from overt race‐thinking, but the Islamic conquests of the seventh and eighth centuries seem to have precipitated the articulation of new racialized categories and the application of old ones from the Biblical and Greek traditions. Considerations of gender further complicate the picture, as most of those enslaved in early Islamicate history were women, and many enslaved concubines bore children for their enslavers. The identity of these children was contested in the seventh century, but they seem to have defined themselves as full Arabs by the mid‐eighth century. Ultimately, the intersection of race, gender, and slavery in early Islamicate history is not a linear narrative, but a complex story of negotiation and contestation.
Information retrieval at the point of care of community family physicians in Arab countries
Authors: Antoun Jumana , Lapin Jennifer , Beck Dennis
Published: April 2022

This study is based on Jumana Antoun's PhD thesis at Walden University, USA examining the information retrieval behaviour of 72 community family physicians' at the point of care in eight Arab countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. The key findings were that participants looked for digital clinical information at the point of care on average 14.0 times per week with the majority (80.3%) using a mobile phone. Clinical information about medication dosage and side effects was the most sought clinical question, and patient education was the least. Almost half of the participants considered that they often found relevant (55.6%), useful (56.9%) and unbiased (58.3%) information. Whilst none of the factors examined predicted the physicians' self‐reported effectiveness and efficiency at information retrieval, the implication for practice points clearly to the barriers and the need for curricula to focus on search strategies using free resources at the point of care.
Anaesthetic efficacy of incorporating different additives into lidocaine for the inferior alveolar nerve block: A systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Iranmanesh Pedram , Khazaei Saber , Nili Mahsa , Saatchi Masoud , Aggarwal Vivek , Kolahi Jafar , Khademi Abbasali
Published: April 2022

Background

Incorporating an additive into lidocaine is a method to enhance the efficacy of the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) in mandibular posterior teeth.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of incorporating additives into lidocaine in the success rate of IANB for teeth with the diagnosis of normal pulp (NP) or symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the incorporation of additives into lidocaine on the pulpal anaesthesia success rate of mandibular posterior teeth were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, EBSCO, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to 1 December 2021. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A random‐effects model was employed to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), using STATA 16. The trial sequential analysis (TSA) was applied to calculate the required information size (RIS). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to assess the certainty of the evidence.

Results

Of 6966 records retrieved initially, 14 trials (8 for NP and 6 for SIP groups) were included in qualitative and quantitative syntheses. All trials were categorized as low and unclear RoB for NP and SIP groups, respectively. In the NP group, with 307 participants, no significant effect was observed for additives incorporated into lidocaine (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.53‒1.32; I2 = 98%). Subgroup analysis revealed that adding mannitol led to a higher success rate (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.15–1.34; I2 = 7.16%). In the SIP group, with 434 participants, no significant effect was shown when the additives were incorporated (RR = 1.22; 95% CI: 0.98–1.52; I2 = 0%). Likewise, in subgroup analysis, incorporating mannitol or sodium bicarbonate demonstrated no significant effect (RR = 1.76; 95% CI: 0.93–3.32; I2 = 18.41% and RR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.65–1.72; I2 = 53.5%, respectively).

Discussion

TSA revealed that the outcome was “inconclusive” for each group. The certainty of the evidence was graded as “very low” and “low” for NP and SIP groups, respectively.

Conclusions

The very low to low certainty of evidence indicated that incorporating additives into lidocaine did not increase the efficacy of IANB and supplemental injections are still necessary to help practitioners achieve painless dentistry.

Registration

PROSPERO database (CRD42020132585).
Hanford low‐activity waste glass composition‐temperature‐melt viscosity relationships
Authors: Heredia‐Langner Alejandro , Gervasio Vivianaluxa , Cooley Scott K. , Lonergan Charmayne E. , Kim Dong‐Sang , Kruger Albert A. , Vienna John D.
Published: April 2022

This study developed a model for predicting viscosity of alkali‐alumino‐borosilicate glass melts as functions of composition and temperature. The model is based on a total of 3935 viscosity‐temperature data from 574 glasses with viscosity values ranging from 2.53 to 7260 Poise (P) in the temperature range of 900–1260°C. Several different model forms were surveyed, including those based on Arrhenius, Vogel‐Fulcher‐Tammann, Avramov‐Milchev, and Mauro‐Yue‐Ellison‐Gupta‐Allen. For each of these models, combinations of the temperature‐independent parameters were fitted to composition. It was found that generally fitting more than one temperature‐independent parameter as functions of composition resulted in overfitting. The Avramov‐Milchev‐based model was found to best represent the Hanford low‐activity waste glass melt viscosity data based on model fit and validation statistics. A 21‐term partial quadratic mixture model was recommended for use. This model predicts melt viscosity with a root‐mean square error of .1736 ln(P), which is similar to the error in viscosity measurements from replicate glass analyses of .1383 ln(P). Viscosity was found to be most increased by SiO2 > Al2O3 > ZrO2 > SnO2 and most decreased by Li2O > Na2O > B2O3 > CaO > K2O > MgO, at temperatures from 900 to 1260°C.
Facial demodicosis in the immunosuppressed state: a retrospective case series from a tertiary referral center
Authors: Amitay‐Laish Iris , Solomon‐Cohen Efrat , Feuerman Hana , Didkovsky Elena , Davidovici Batya , Leshem Yael A. , Pavlovsky Lev , Reiter Ofer , Mimouni Daniel , Hodak Emmilia , Segal Rina
Published: April 2022

Background

Data on Demodex in the immunosuppressed state is limited, focusing mainly on patients with human immunodeficiency virus and hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to describe the manifestations of facial demodicosis in diverse immunosuppressive states.

Methods

The medical records of all patients followed at a Demodex outpatient clinic of a tertiary medical center from January 2008 to November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patients who were immunosuppressed while with demodicosis were retrieved.

Results

The cohort included 28 patients (17 women and 11 men; median age, 58 years). Types of immunosuppression included treatments with hydroxyurea for polycythemia vera/essential thrombocytosis, mycophenolic acid, tacrolimus, and prednisone for liver and/or kidney transplantation, prednisone with cyclosporine/methotrexate/azathioprine/rituximab mainly for autoimmune diseases, mercaptopurine with/without anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) for Crohn's disease, chemotherapy for neoplasms, anti‐TNF‐α for psoriasis, and Cushing's syndrome. The clinical types of demodicosis included: papulopustular, erythematotelangiectatic and fulminant rosacea, hyperpigmented, pityriasis folliculorum, pustular folliculitis, and dermatitis. The diverse clinical presentations led to various differential diagnoses. Topical treatment with ivermectin (monotherapy/combination with other treatments) was effective.

Conclusion

Clinicians treating immunosuppressed patients should be familiar with the different forms of demodicosis and include them in the differential diagnosis of facial eruptions.
Mechanism of interactions between egg protein–derived tri‐peptides and cellular membrane by molecular dynamic simulation and isothermal titration calorimetry
Authors: Ji Huizhuo , Zhao Wenzhu , Yu Zhipeng , Wu Sijia
Published: April 2022

Poor understanding of the absorption of food‐derived angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides across the membrane limits their application in regulating and preventing hypertension. This study investigated the interaction of egg‐derived ACE inhibitory tri‐peptides ADF, FGR and MIR with the membrane using molecular dynamic simulation and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The structural variations in peptides during absorption were analysed. The effect of peptides on the properties of membranes was also calculated during simulation. The binding mechanism between peptides and membrane was further characterised using ITC. The results showed that the structures of peptides were stable during simulation. Amino acid residues Arg, Phe and Met contributed to the absorption of peptides across the membrane. Hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions stabilised the interaction of peptides with the membrane. The absorption of peptides ADF, FGR and MIR into the membrane increased the membrane thickness of 0.78, 0.82 and 0.80 nm, respectively, and increased lipid lateral diffusion. The ITC results showed that peptides FGR and MIR binding to the membrane were spontaneous, entropy driven and hydrophobic residues Phe and Met of peptides might contribute to peptides‐membrane interactions, which was consistent with molecular dynamic simulation results.
Changes in lipid profiles and volatile compounds of shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) submitted to different cooking methods
Authors: Wang Shanyu , Hu Mengyue , Zhao Ling , Liu Qi , Cao Rong
Published: April 2022

Herein, the effect of three common cooking methods (boiling, baking and microwaving) on lipids and volatile compounds in shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) was assessed. The results revealed that contents of phospholipid, triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty acids in the cooked shrimp significantly declined when compared to the raw shrimp. And these decreases occurred especially in the boiling and microwaving treatment. Among free fatty acids, the contents of palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) also decreased greatly in the boiled and microwaved shrimp, while EPA and DHA enhanced in each cooked group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, microwaved samples exhibited higher levels of oxidation parameters, such as acid value (AV) and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS). For volatile compounds, a total of 31 volatile compounds were detected by GC‐IMS, and these contents increased after cooking. Aliphatic volatile compounds, including 1‐octen‐3‐one, pentane‐1‐ol, 1‐propanol, octanal, heptanal, pentanal and hexanal, were main flavour contributors in cooked shrimp, with higher contents observed in microwaved shrimp. In addition, the correlation analysis showed that linoleic acid was a substrate for 15 volatile compounds of cooked shrimp meat. These results indicate that microwave cooking exerts more influences on lipid profiles in shrimp and consequently caused more volatile compounds.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure pretreatment on flavour and physicochemical properties of freeze‐dried carambola slices
Authors: Zhang Sinan , Zhao Yadonga , Yao Xueshuang , Zheng Zhenhong , Zheng Chuyao , Jiang Zhuo
Published: April 2022

Ripe carambolas are hard to store and transport, while freeze‐dried ones are easy to store. However, its long production time leads to higher costs. This study shows that high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment could shorten the freeze‐drying time of carambola slices. After HHP treatment (25–250 MPa), the drying time of the fresh sample can be shortened by 33.3–44.4% and the distribution of water and pigment in tissues is much uniform. With the increment of the pressure, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging rate are increased. At 250 MPa, the total phenolic content (TPC) increased from 11.34 to 13.36 mg GAE g−1, and the total flavonoid content (TFC) of the control sample was increased from 10.77 to 12.73 mg RE g−1. Compared with the untreated sample, HHP treatment can enhance the flavour and shorten the freeze‐drying time. This work guides the application of HHP technology for drying food processing.
Tolerance of juvenile Peruvian rock seabass (Paralabrax humeralisValenciennes, 1828) and Peruvian grunt (Anisotremus scapularisTschudi, 1846) to low‐oxygen conditions
Authors: Montero‐Taboada Rebeca , Sotil Giovanna , Dionicio‐Acedo Jhon , Rosado‐Salazar Maryandrea , Aguirre‐Velarde Arturo
Published: April 2022

Hypoxia is currently one of the greatest threats to coastal ecosystems worldwide, generating massive mortality of marine organisms, loss of benthic ecosystems and a decrease in fishery production. We evaluated and compared the tolerance to hypoxia of two species from different habitats of the Peruvian coast, the Peruvian rock seabassParalabrax humeralisand the Peruvian gruntAnisotremus scapularis. The effect of hypoxia was measured as a function of the exposure time (progressive and chronic) on the behavioural and physiological responses of the two species, as well as on the enzymatic activity associated with the oxidative stress response of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP). The ventilatory frequency was measured at two different temperatures (16 and 22°C) under progressive hypoxia conditions to determine the ventilatory critical point (Vcp).A. scapularisshowed a higher Vcp thanP. humeralis, which was positively affected by temperature. The median lethal time ofA. scapulariswas 36 min at 60% of oxygen saturation, whileP. humeralisshowed no mortality after 31 days of exposure at 5% oxygen saturation. Different enzymatic activity (P < 0.05) between species under hypoxia was recorded, in SOD (gill and muscle) and AKP (blood). A general tendency, under hypoxia, to slightly increase LDH activity (except for blood inA. scapularis,P < 0.05) and SOD activity (mainly in muscle ofA. scapularis,P < 0.05), and decrease AKP activity (mainly in liver ofP. humeralis,P < 0.05) was observed. The response ofP. humeralisto hypoxia goes through a reduction in activity and metabolism, so this species can be considered hypoxia‐tolerant, allowing it to face hypoxia events during prolonged periods. On the other hand,A. scapularisresponse to hypoxia prioritizes avoidance mechanisms and, together with other adaptations, makes it especially vulnerable to hypoxia and able to be considered hypoxia‐intolerant.
Judges’ perceptions of facility dogs in the courtroom
Authors: Meyer Arial R. , McDermott Christine M. , Miller Monica K. , Marsh Shawn
Published: April 2022

We examined judges’ perceptions of facility dogs used to comfort witnesses during testimony in courtrooms. Content analysis of an open‐ended survey question revealed that most judges support facility dog use to some degree, especially for children and in family, dependency, or juvenile courts. Perceived benefits included providing emotional support for witnesses who then could be calmer and provide better testimony (e.g., more accurate, more truthful, clearer). Perceived drawbacks included potential disruption, access issues for those allergic to or afraid of dogs, and bias. We discuss future research and implications for judges, advocates, and researchers.
Direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin for secondary prevention of cerebral infarction and bleeding in older adults with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kumazawa Ryosuke , Jo Taisuke , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: April 2022

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been used for both primary and secondary prevention of cerebral infarction in older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether DOACs are more effective and safer than warfarin for secondary prevention of cerebral infarction in older patients with AF remains unclear.

Methods

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified patients with AF who were hospitalized for cerebral infarction from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019 and were aged ≥75 years at admission. We performed propensity score‐stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses to balance measured confounders between patients with AF receiving DOACs and those receiving warfarin after discharge. The primary outcomes were 365‐day readmission for (a) benefit: cerebral infarction or (b) harm: bleeding events after discharge. The secondary outcomes were 365‐day readmission for intracranial bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding after discharge as well as all‐cause death during readmission. Using a Fine–Gray model, we compared the subdistribution hazard ratios (SHRs) of readmission between the DOAC group and warfarin group.

Results

We identified 101,389 eligible patients, including 80,726 patients receiving DOACs and 20,663 patients receiving warfarin. After the propensity score‐stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, the adjusted SHRs of readmission (95% confidence interval [CI]) for cerebral infarction, bleeding events, and intracranial bleeding in the DOAC group as compared with the warfarin group were 0.76 (0.71–0.81), 0.78 (0.68–0.90), and 0.69 (0.57–0.82), respectively. There was no significant difference in readmission for gastrointestinal bleeding (SHR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.72–1.41) between the DOAC and warfarin groups.

Conclusion

In this retrospective nationwide study, DOACs were more effective and safer than warfarin for preventing reinfarction and bleeding events in patients with AF aged ≥75 years who have a history of cerebral infarction.
Biofortification of iron and zinc in rice and wheat
Authors: Kong Danyu , Khan Sabaz Ali , Wu Huilan , Liu Yi , Ling Hong‐Qing
Published: April 2022

Iron and zinc are critical micronutrients for human health. Approximately two billion people suffer from iron and zinc deficiencies worldwide, most of whom rely on rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) as staple foods. Therefore, biofortifying rice and wheat with iron and zinc is an important and economical approach to ameliorate these nutritional deficiencies. In this review, we provide a brief introduction to iron and zinc uptake, translocation, storage, and signaling pathways in rice and wheat. We then discuss current progress in efforts to biofortify rice and wheat with iron and zinc. Finally, we provide future perspectives for the biofortification of rice and wheat with iron and zinc.
Are the popliteofibular ligament, the arcuate ligament, and the fibular insertion of the popliteus muscle the same structure? An anatomic and terminological study
Authors: Vieira Eduardo Luis Cruells , Vieira Eduardo Álvaro , Aguiar Rafael Angelini , Lopes Cladis Sanches , Steffen Alfredo Mendes , Cohen Moisés
Published: April 2022

Lesions in the lateral region of the knee can result in severe disability due to instability and articular degeneration. The structures in the posterolateral side of the knee function as a unit contributes to rotation and translation limits. Anatomical descriptions of the lateral corner of the knee are incomplete and contradictory. This study aims to verify, through anatomical dissections in cadavers, if the fibular insertion of the popliteus muscle, the arcuate ligament, and the popliteofibular ligament are distinct or the same structure with different terminology and descriptions in the literature. Fifteen cadavers were dissected. Photographs were taken, and in some cases, a video was recorded. Also, the correct terminology for ligament and insertion was searched. The dissections allowed the popliteus muscle to be identified proximally in the lateral femoral condyle, in the fibula head's posterolateral region, and through a meniscocapsular insertion. In none of the anatomy books reviewed, this fibular insertion of the popliteus muscle is mentioned. However, our findings and data from other experimental studies provide evidence of its presence. The aponeurotic portion of the arcuate ligament is distinguished from the short lateral ligament, which is the fibular insertion of the popliteus muscle with its tendinous attachment. Therefore, the term popliteofibular ligament should be abandoned based on the anatomic terminology, and the term “fibular insertion of the popliteus muscle” should be used instead.
Executive function and attentional bias as serial mediators in the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms among older inpatients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ji Lili , Zhu Baoqi , Wang Jinrong , Ding Mengshuang , Gao Yapeng , Qiao Xiaoxia , Jin Yaru , Si Huaxin , Wang Cuili
Published: April 2022

Aims and objectives

To examine the serial mediating effect of executive function and attentional bias in the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms.

Background

Although the role of frailty in predicting depression has been well documented, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 667 older inpatients aged 60–90 years in the internal medicine wards of a hospital in China.

Methods

Attentional bias, frailty and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Attention to Positive and Negative Information Scale, the Physical Frailty Phenotype and the 5‐item Geriatric Depression Scale. Executive function was measured using 3 tests, including digital backward, category Verbal Fluency Test and Trail Making Test. The study followed the STROBE guideline.

Results

The latent profile analysis (LPA) identified four patterns of attentional bias, namely “no positive bias & no negative bias” (class 1, 9.3%), “minor positive bias & no negative bias” (class 2, 48.0%), “major positive bias & minor negative bias” (class 3, 25.6%) and “major positive bias & no negative bias” (class 4, 17.1%). Regression analysis found that frailty was associated with depressive symptoms. Frailty was also negatively associated with executive function, which was a protective factor for attentional bias class 1, 2 and 3 with reference to class 4. Attentional bias class 1 and 2 but not class 3 was associated with depressive symptoms with reference to class 4. The joint significance test confirmed executive function and attentional bias as serial mediators linking frailty to depressive symptoms.

Discussion

Unlike robust older adults who have the age‐related positivity effect, frail older adults have attentional bias deficits due to executive dysfunction, and consequently experience clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare providers should take executive function training and attentional bias regulation into consideration to reduce the detrimental effects of frailty on emotional well‐being.
‘In the beginning it was difficult but things got easier’: Service use experiences of family members of people with disability from Iraqi and Syrian refugee backgrounds
Authors: Dew Angela , Lenette Caroline , Wells Ruth , Higgins Maree , McMahon Tadgh , Coello Mariano , Momartin Shakeh , Raman Shanti , Bibby Helen , Smith Louisa , Boydell Katherine
Published: April 2022

A 2012 change in Australia's immigration policy saw increased resettlement of refugees with disability, with a large number fleeing political instability in Iraq and Syria. The evidence on service disparities for resettled refugees with disability and their families is sparse. The study aim was to explore, from multiple stakeholder perspectives, the experiences of people with disability from Iraqi and Syrian refugee backgrounds resettled in Australia, with a view to informing future services and supports. Interviews with nine family members of 11 people with disability from Iraqi and Syrian refugee backgrounds and seven practitioners working in refugee specific services. Persons with disability had a range of disabilities including intellectual or developmental, physical and sensory. Interviews were translated from Arabic to English as required and analysed using thematic analysis. Two themes described the practices and service interventions that addressed disparities: (1) Getting the basics right: Refugee specific services played a crucial role during early settlement in ensuring access to medical, health and social care including diagnosis, medication, equipment, housing and financial support. (2) Ongoing access to disability supports: Refugee specific services assisted families with longer‐term supports once immediate needs were met, including accessing services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Participants described benefits such as having access to interpreters and Arabic‐speaking staff, demonstrating services' attention to cultural sensitivity and safety, and problems including waiting times, bureaucratic processes and housing needs. Refugee specific services, disability services and health services should collaboratively develop and implement strategies to tackle the intersectional nature of issues resettled refugees with disability and their families encounter in Australia. These should be informed by the experiences of people with disability and family members from refugee backgrounds and privilege holistic practices that avoid reliance on one sector alone to address the complex needs of refugees with disability.
Antimicrobial resistance, biofilm production and invasion of mammary epithelial cells by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus mundtii strains isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis in Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues D.S. , Lannes-Costa P.S. , Santos G.S. , Ribeiro R.L. , Langoni H. , Teixeira L.M. , Nagao P.E.
Published: April 2022

Members of the genus Enterococcus are among the most relevant etiologic agents of bovine clinical and subclinical mastitis, a major problem for the dairy industry. In Brazil, clonal diversity, and multidrug resistance profiles related to bovine infections need further investigation. In this study, 11 bacterial strains recovered from mastitis subclinical cases detected in different farms of São Paulo, Brazil, were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (n = 8) and Enterococcus mundtii (n = 3) by biochemical testing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis categorized the enterococcal isolates into two main clusters (A and B) with similarity ranging from 85 to 100%. The isolates were shown to be resistant tetracycline (73%), erythromycin (73%), quinupristin–dalphopristin (64%), norfloxacin (9%), fosfomycin (9%) and linezolid (9%). Moreover, seven strains (64%) were considered multidrug-resistant. All the isolates were able to produce biofilms when grown in milk for 24 h: 54·54% were classified as moderate producers and 45·45% were weak producers. Interestingly, only two strains (Ef17 and Em42) remained as moderate biofilm producers after 48 h incubation. Moreover, all isolates showed no ability to form biofilm in tryptic soy broth (TSB) after 24 and 48 h incubation. In addition, cytoskeleton components were partially involved in E. faecalis and E. mundtii entry to epithelial cells as demonstrated by induction of actin stress fibre. In conclusion, enterococci isolates recovered from bovine subclinical mastitis were resistant to several classes of antibiotics, showing the ability to form biofilms in milk and invade mammary epithelial cells, suggesting an advantageous feature in mammary gland colonization during mastitis development. In addition, they can spread along the food chain by different routes and eventually constitute a possible threat for public health, including E. mundtii specie.
Disrupted local beta band networks in schizophrenia revealed through graph analysis: A magnetoencephalography study
Authors: Tagawa Minami , Takei Yuichi , Kato Yutaka , Suto Tomohiro , Hironaga Naruhito , Ohki Takefumi , Takahashi Yumiko , Fujihara Kazuyuki , Sakurai Noriko , Ujita Koichi , Tsushima Yoshito , Fukuda Masato
Published: April 2022

Aims

Schizophrenia (SZ) is characterized by psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment, and is hypothesized to be a ‘dysconnection’ syndrome due to abnormal neural network formation. Although numerous studies have helped elucidate the pathophysiology of SZ, many aspects of the mechanism underlying psychotic symptoms remain unknown. This study used graph theory analysis to evaluate the characteristics of the resting‐state network (RSN) in terms of microscale and macroscale indices, and to identify candidates as potential biomarkers of SZ. Specifically, we discriminated topological characteristics in the frequency domain and investigated them in the context of psychotic symptoms in patients with SZ.

Methods

We performed graph theory analysis of electrophysiological RSN data using magnetoencephalography to compare topological characteristics represented by microscale (degree centrality and clustering coefficient) and macroscale (global efficiency, local efficiency, and small‐worldness) indices in 29 patients with SZ and 38 healthy controls. In addition, we investigated the aberrant topological characteristics of the RSN in patients with SZ and their relationship with SZ symptoms.

Results

SZ was associated with a decreased clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and small‐worldness, especially in the high beta band. In addition, macroscale changes in the low beta band are closely associated with negative symptoms.

Conclusions

The local networks of patients with SZ may disintegrate at both the microscale and macroscale levels, mainly in the beta band. Adopting an electrophysiological perspective of SZ as a failure to form local networks in the beta band will provide deeper insights into the pathophysiology of SZ as a ‘dysconnection’ syndrome.
Osteoarticular infections in infants under 3 months of age
Authors: Branco Joana , Duarte Mariana , Norte Susana , Arcangelo Joana , Alves Pedro , Brito Maria , Tavares Delfin , Gouveia Catarina
Published: April 2022

Background

Acute osteoarticular infections (OAI) in infants under 3 months of age (≤3M) are rare and remain a diagnostic challenge. Orthopedic complications and functional sequelae have been less well described in this age group. Our aims were to evaluate trends in aetiology, management, and outcomes of OAI ≤ 3M, and to compare these younger children who have OAI with older children.

Methods

A longitudinal observational study was conducted of OAI cases admitted to tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2008 to 2018. OAI ≤ 3M was compared with children above 3 months. Clinical, microbiological, imaging, and outcome data were analyzed.

Results

We identified 24 (9.1%) of the 263 OAI in children under 3 months. Analyzing OAI ≤ 3M there was a twofold increase since 2014; 54% were males with a median age of 28 days (IQR: 13.5–60.0), 10 (41.7%) were premature and nine (37.5%) had healthcare‐associated infections. Microbiological causes were identified in 87.5%, mostly Staphylococcus aureus (57.1%) and Group B Streptococcus (23.8%), and 25% were multidrug‐resistant (5 methicillin‐resistant S. aureus and 1 Enterobacter cloacae). Bacteremia (100% vs 36.8%, P = 0.037), multidrug resistant bacteria (75% vs 16, P = 0.04), and healthcare‐associated infections (100% vs 26.3%, P = 0.014) were associated with sequelae. Comparing OAI ≤ 3M with older children, OAI ≤ 3M were treated with longer antibiotic courses, had more complications and sequelae (17.4% vs 3.2%, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

S. aureus is still the most common cause of OAI ≤ 3M, and 25% of causative bacteria were multidrug‐resistant bacteria. Complications and sequelae were more frequent in OAI ≤ 3M when compared with older children.