bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of financial satisfaction and its impact on psychological wellbeing of individuals
Authors: Owusu Godfred Matthew Yaw
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In this study, the author examines the effect of financial knowledge, financial attitude and responsible financial management behaviour on financial satisfaction and investigates the association between financial satisfaction and psychological wellbeing of individuals. The author examines these relationships having controlled for the influence of key demographic variables including age, gender, marital status, income level and employment status of respondents on the predicted relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was gathered by means of a self-administered questionnaire to postgraduate business students from a large public university in Ghana. The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.

Findings

The author shows from the structural model analysis using the bootstrapping procedure that financial knowledge, financial attitude and sound financial management behaviour have important implications on financial satisfaction levels of individuals. Further, the author finds financial satisfaction to be an important predictor of the psychological wellbeing of individuals.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the relevance of financial satisfaction on the psychological wellbeing of an individual and identifies some of the dominant factors that are associated with financial satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study examines the concept of financial satisfaction at the individual level and uniquely highlights the psychological implications of financial satisfaction.
The impact of interprofessional practice models on health service inequity: an integrative systematic review
Authors: Carey Melissa Jane , Taylor Melissa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to explore the literature for evidence of the impact of interprofessional practice models on health service inequity, particularly within community care settings for diverse ageing populations.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework combined with the EndNote reference management system. Following the collection and comprehensive screening process completion, a thematic analysis of the included articles occurred utilising within NVivo 12 software.

Findings

The review found that there was a paucity of evidence related to the relationship between interprofessional practice models (IPM) and health service equity for ageing populations. There is a need to improve collaborative practices between social care, public health care and health service providers to more clearly define team member roles. Key aspirations included the need for future innovations in health service delivery to place health service equity as a goal for interprofessional practice. There is a need to find ways to measure and articulate the impact for vulnerable populations and communities.

Research limitations/implications

The review offers insight into the need for health care delivery models to place health service equity at the centre of the model design. In practice settings, this includes setting interprofessional team goals around achieving equitable care outcomes for, and with, vulnerable populations. Implications for practice relate to improving how interprofessional teams work with communities to achieve health care equity.

Originality/value

There is a consensus across the literature that there continues to be health service inequity, yet IPE and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPC) have been growing in momentum for some time. Despite many statements that there is a link between interprofessional practice and improved health service equity and health outcomes, evidence for this is yet to be fully realised. This review highlights the urgent need to review the link between education and practice, and innovative health models of care that enable heath care professionals and social care providers to work together towards achieving health equity for ageing populations. It is clear that more evidence is required to establish evidence for best practice in interprofessional care that has the mitigation of health care inequity as a central objective.
Productivity of gig workers on crowdsourcing platforms through artificial intelligence and gamification: a multi-theoretical approach
Authors: Behl Abhishek , Sampat Brinda , Raj Sahil
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Gig workers form the backbone of any crowdsourcing platform where they showcase their talent and choose a job of their choice and freedom. The study explores the role of information quality (IQ) and social-mediated dialogue (SMD) in evaluating gig worker engagement and productivity on crowdsourcing platforms. The authors also propose to understand how gig worker productivity could be improved under the moderating effect of game elements.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed and empirically tested by integrating media richness theory and dialogic public relation theory. Data were collected from gig workers that are involved in crowdsourcing activities for the past three years. An overall sample of 346 gig workers contributing to at least one of the crowdsourcing platforms was collected. The authors tested the hypotheses using Warp PLS 7.0. Warp PLS 7.0 uses partial least square (PLS) structured equation modeling (SEM) and has been used widely to test path analytical models.

Findings

Results reveal that the information quality plays an essential role in the SMD, thereby fostering gig workers' productivity and engagement, which could be improved in the presence of game elements due to their nature of supporting rewards. However, engagement in the platform leading to improved productivity was not supported.

Practical implications

The study lays practical foundations for crowdsourcing platforms as it sets the importance of both IQ and dialogic communication channels. The two-way communication between gig workers and the platforms via accurate, timely, valuable and reliable information forms the key to the task's success. The introduction of the right game element will help to achieve better engagement and productivity.

Originality/value

This study also offers a new dimension to media richness theory and dialogic public relation theory in crowdsourcing platforms. The results would help platform designers and gig employers understand gig workers' quality and performance in a platform economy. The study uniquely positions itself in the area of crowdsourcing platforms by using game elements.
Weather and topography regulate the benefit of a conditionally helpful parasite
Authors: Monsinjon Jonathan R. , McQuaid Christopher D. , Nicastro Katy R. , Seuront Laurent , Oróstica Mauricio H. , Zardi Gerardo I.
Published: October 2021

Heat‐induced mass mortalities involving ecosystem engineers may have long‐lasting detrimental effects at the community level, eliminating the ecosystem services they provide.

Intertidal mussels are ecologically and economically valuable with some populations facing unprecedented heat‐induced mass mortalities. Critically, mussels are also frequently infested by endolithic parasites that modify shell albedo, hence reducing overheating and mortality rates under heat stress.

Using a biophysical model, we explored the topographical and meteorological conditions under which endolithically driven thermal buffering becomes critical to survival. Based on meteorological data from a global climate analysis, we modelled body temperatures of infested and non‐infested mussels over the last decade (2010–2020) at nine sites spread across c. 20° of latitude.

We show that thermal buffering is enhanced where and when heat stress is greatest, that is, on sun‐exposed surfaces under high solar radiation and high air temperature.

These results suggest that new co‐evolutionary pathways are likely to open for these symbiotic organisms as climate continues to change, potentially tipping the balance of the relationship from a parasitic to a more mutualistic one. However, endolithically driven reductions in body temperatures can also occur at or below optimal temperatures, thereby reducing the host's metabolic rates and making the interplay of positive and negative effects complex.

In parallel, we hindcasted body temperatures using empirical data from nearby weather stations and found that predictions were very similar with those obtained from two global climate reanalyses (i.e. NCEP‐DOE Reanalysis 2 and ECMWF Reanalysis v5).

This result holds great promise for modelling the distribution of terrestrial ectotherms at ecologically relevant spatiotemporal scales, as it suggests we can reasonably bypass the practical issues associated with weather stations. For intertidal ectotherms, however, the challenge will be incorporating body temperatures over the full tidal cycle.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Plant–soil biota interactions explain shifts in plant community composition under global change
Authors: Huang Kailing , Kardol Paul , Yan Xuebin , Luo Xi , Guo Hui
Published: October 2021

Plant–soil biota interactions play a crucial role in the assembly of plant communities and the maintenance of plant species diversity. However, few studies have tested how the effect of soil biota on plant species and communities depends on environmental context and whether shifts in plant community composition caused by environmental change are associated with variation in plant–soil biota interactions.

We combined a field experiment in a Tibetan alpine meadow and a greenhouse experiment with factorial combinations of nitrogen (N) enrichment and warming to examine the role of plant–soil biota interactions in plant community dynamics.

The results showed that plant relative abundances were negatively correlated with the net effects of soil biota on plant growth but only under ambient field conditions. Warming and N enrichment alleviated the negative soil biota effects in the greenhouse, and changed plant community composition and reduced species diversity in the field. Importantly, changes in soil biota effects on plant growth were positively correlated with changes in plant relative abundances caused by warming and N enrichment in field. In a parallel field experiment, the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi increased while the diversity of fungal pathogens remained unchanged under warming and N enrichment, indicating that soil biodiversity may play a critical role in plant responses to environmental change.

This study empirically demonstrates that altered plant–soil biota interactions explain shifts in plant community composition under global change, providing new insights into the mechanisms of diversity loss in a changing world.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Positive heterospecific interactions can increase long‐term diversity of plant communities more than negative conspecific interactions alone
Authors: Trevenen Elizabeth J. , Veneklaas Erik J. , Teste François P. , Dobrowolski Mark P. , Mucina Ladislav , Renton Michael
Published: October 2021

Negative conspecific interactions have been shown to promote diversity in plant communities, as have some heterospecific interactions such as intransitive competition and facilitation. However, it is unclear whether combinations of conspecific and other heterospecific interactions can also promote diversity in plant communities. We therefore investigated the effects of heterospecific plant interaction network architecture with and without conspecific interactions on alpha diversity, beta diversity and long‐term diversity.

We simulated long‐term plant community dynamics for theoretical plant interaction scenarios with modular, ring and nested networks of positive or negative heterospecific interactions and conspecific interactions, using a spatially explicit cellular automaton model that accounted for stochastic effects. Throughout the simulations several measures of diversity were recorded.

The way that heterospecific interactions affected diversity depended strongly on various characteristics of the architecture of the interaction network. Negative conspecific interactions generally promoted alpha diversity and reduced beta diversity, with a few key exceptions. Positive heterospecific ring interactions that resulted in cyclic appearance and disappearance of species groups led to the greatest long‐term diversity (a measure of the total diversity over time).

This study provides new theoretical insights into how the network architecture of heterospecific plant interactions can affect the diversity of plant communities over time and provides the first evidence that heterospecific plant interactions can increase long‐term diversity more than negative conspecific interactions alone.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Taxation et croissance économique en Afrique: la qualité des institutions importe‐t‐elle?
Authors: Okombi Idrys Fransmel
Published: October 2021

L'objectif de cette étude est d'examiner le niveau d'imposition qui maximise la croissance en tenant compte de la qualité de la démocratie, du niveau de la corruption et de l'efficacité du gouvernement. L'analyse porte sur un échantillon de 44 pays africains et se fonde sur un modèle dynamique de croissance. Les principaux résultats obtenus sur la base des méthodes LSDVC et GMM‐SYS suggèrent que le point de retournement de la relation entre l'impôt et la croissance varie en fonction de la qualité des institutions.
Patient selection in the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model
Authors: Ko Hyunkyu , Martin Brook I. , Nelson Richard E. , Pelt Christopher E.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To understand whether the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) program induces participating hospitals to (1) preferentially select lower risk patients, (2) reduce 90‐day episode‐of‐care costs, (3) improve quality of care, and (4) achieve greater cost reduction during its second year, when downside financial risk was applied.

Data sources

We identified beneficiaries of age 65 years or older undergoing hip or knee joint replacement in the 100% sample of Medicare fee‐for‐service inpatient (Part A) claims from January 1, 2013 to August 31, 2017. Cases were linked to subsequent outpatient, Part B, home health agency, and skilled nursing facility claims, as well as publicly available participation status for CJR.

Study design

We estimated the effect of CJR for hospitals in the 67 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) selected to participate in CJR (785 hospitals), compared to those in 104 non‐CJR MSAs (962 hospitals; maintaining fee‐for‐service). A difference‐in‐differences approach was used to detect patient selection, as well as to compare 90‐day episode‐of‐care costs and quality of care between CJR and non‐CJR hospitals over the first two performance years.

Data collection

We excluded 172 hospitals from our analysis due to their preexisting BPCI participation. We focused on elective admissions in the main analysis.

Principal findings

While reductions in 90‐day episode‐of‐care costs were greater among CJR hospitals (−$902, 95% CI: −$1305, −$499), largely driven by a 16.8% (p < 0.01) decline in 90‐day spending in skilled nursing facilities, CJR hospitals significantly reduced the 90‐day readmission rate (−3.9%; p < 0.05) and preferentially avoided patients aged 85 years or older (−5.9%; p < 0.01) and Black (−7.0%; p < 0.01). Cost reduction was greater in 2017 than in 2016, corresponding to the start of downside risk.

Conclusions

Participation in CJR was associated with a modest cost reduction and a reduction in 90‐day readmission rates; however, we also observed evidence of preferential avoidance of older patients perceived as being higher risk among CJR hospitals.
Retrospective identification of latent subgroups of emergency department patients: A machine learning approach
Authors: Duwalage Kalpani I , Burkett Ellen , White Gentry , Wong Andy , Thompson M Helen
Published: October 2021

Objective

This research aims to (i) identify latent subgroups of ED presentations in Australian public EDs using a data‐driven approach and (ii) compare clinical, socio‐demographic and time‐related characteristics of ED presentations broadly using the subgroups.

Methods

We examined presentations to four public hospital EDs in Queensland from 2009 to 2014. An unsupervised machine learning algorithm, Clustering Large Applications, was used to cluster ED presentations.

Results

There were six subgroups common across the EDs, primarily distinguishable by age, and subsequently by triage category, ED length of stay, arrival mode, departure status and several time‐related attributes. Around 10% to 30% of the total presentations had high resource utilisation, with half of these from older patients (55+ years). ED resource utilisation per population was highest among the oldest cohort (75+ years). Children and young adults more frequently presented to the ED outside general‐practitioner hours, mostly on Sundays. Older persons were more likely to present at any time, rather than specific hours, days or seasons. ED service performance measured against commonly used access‐target indicators were rarely satisfied for older people and frequently satisfied for children.

Conclusion

Clustering Large Applications is effective in finding latent groups in large‐scale mixed‐type data, as demonstrated in the present study. Six types of ED presentations were identified and described using clinically relevant characteristics. The present study provides evidence for policy makers in Australia to develop alternative ED models of care tailored around the care needs of the differing groups of patients and thereby supports the sustainable delivery of acute healthcare.
Chest imaging findings in COVID‐19‐positive patients in an Australian tertiary hospital
Authors: Tang Jennifer SN , Lai Jeffrey KC , McCusker Mark W , Irving Louis , Pascoe Diane M , Heinze Stefan B
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has infected over 215 million individuals worldwide. Chest radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) have assisted with diagnosis and assessment of COVID‐19. Previous reports have described peripheral and lower zone predominant opacities on chest radiographs. Whilst the most common patterns on CT are bilateral, peripheral basal predominant ground glass opacities (Wonget al.,Radiology, 296, 2020, E72; Karimian and Azami,Pol J Radiol, 86, 2021, e31). This study describes the imaging findings in an Australian tertiary hospital population.

Methods

COVID‐PCR‐positive patients who had chest imaging (CXR, CT and ventilation perfusion (V/Q) scans) from January 2020 to August 2020 were included. Distribution, location and pattern of involvement was recorded. Evaluation of the assessors was performed using Fleiss Kappa calculations for review of radiographic findings and qualitative analysis of CT findings.

Results

A total of 681 studies (616 CXRs, 59 CTs, 6 V/Q) from 181 patients were reviewed. The most common chest radiograph finding was bilateral lower lobe predominant diffuse opacification and most common CT pattern being ground glass opacities. Of the CT imaging, 33 were CT Pulmonary Angiograms of which five demonstrated acute pulmonary emboli. There was good inter‐rater agreement between radiologists in assessment of imaging appearances on CXR (kappa 0.29–0.73) and CT studies.

Conclusion

A review of imaging in an Australian tertiary hospital demonstrates similar patterns of COVID‐19 infection on chest X‐ray and CT imaging when compared to the international population.
Beeporter: Tools for high‐throughput analyses of pollinator‐virus infections
Authors: Evans Jay D. , Banmeke Olubukola , Palmer‐Young Evan C. , Chen Yanping , Ryabov Eugene V.
Published: October 2021

Pollinators are in decline thanks to the combined stresses of disease, pesticides, habitat loss, and climate. Honey bees face numerous pests and pathogens but arguably none are as devastating as Deformed wing virus (DWV). Understanding host‐pathogen interactions and virulence of DWV in honey bees is slowed by the lack of cost‐effective high‐throughput screening methods for viral infection. Currently, analysis of virus infection in bees and their colonies is tedious, requiring a well‐equipped molecular biology laboratory and the use of hazardous chemicals. Here we describe virus clones tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) or nanoluciferase (nLuc) that provide high‐throughput detection and quantification of virus infections. GFP fluorescence is measured noninvasively in living bees via commonly available long‐wave UV light sources and a smartphone camera, or a standard ultraviolet transilluminator gel imaging system. Nonlethal monitoring with GFP allows continuous screening of virus growth and serves as a direct breeding tool for identifying honey bee parents with increased antiviral resistance. Expression using the nLuc reporter strongly correlates with virus infection levels and is especially sensitive. Using multiple reporters, it is also possible to visualize competition, differential virulence, and host tissue targeting by co‐occuring pathogens. Finally, it is possible to directly assess the risk of cross‐species “spillover” from honey bees to other pollinators and vice versa.
Prepartum, childbirth, and immediate puerperium: Nursing diagnoses of mothers of extremely preterm infants
Authors: Dell'Agnolo Cátia M. , Delatore Silvana , de Carvalho Elias C. A. , Pelloso Sandra Marisa , Cardelli Alexandrina A. M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Maternal mortality remains high, despite all the advances and efforts that have occurred in recent years and is directly related to the quality of care provided during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the puerperium.

Purpose

Identify the possible nursing diagnoses of mothers of newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care in the prepartum period, childbirth, and the puerperium.

Methods

Observational, cross‐sectional study carried out by analyzing the medical records of mothers of newborns who required hospitalization in neonatal intensive care and determining the diagnoses through a process of diagnostic inference, based on NANDA‐I Taxonomy, during the period from 2007 to 2016.

Findings

After reviewing the medical records of 272 mothers, a total of 3,843 observations were identified, distributed in 42 diagnoses, with Excessive fluid volume presenting the greatest predictive power over the outcome variable. The second group of more predictive variables comprised the Risk of vascular trauma, Risk of infection, Impaired parenthood, and Risk of body temperature imbalance. The third group, in turn, consisted of the following diagnoses: Insomnia, Pain during labor, Risk of impaired bonding, Acute pain, and Ineffective Breastfeeding.

Conclusions

The present study enabled the identification of the most frequent NANDA‐I nursing diagnoses occurring during the prepartum period, childbirth, and the immediate puerperium of mothers of newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care, as well as those of greatest importance. Based on the encountered diagnoses, it can be concluded that future studies should be carried out in order for validation.

Implications

The knowledge of these diagnoses can contribute to the instrumentalization of nursing professionals, with consequent improvements in the nursing process and the provided assistance, aiming to assist in the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality.
CDK2 phosphorylation of Werner protein (WRN) contributes to WRN’s DNA double‐strand break repair pathway choice
Authors: Lee Jong‐Hyuk , Shamanna Raghavendra A. , Kulikowicz Tomasz , Borhan Fakouri Nima , Kim Edward W. , Christiansen Louise S. , Croteau Deborah L. , Bohr Vilhelm A.
Published: October 2021

Werner syndrome (WS) is an accelerated aging disorder characterized by genomic instability, which is caused by WRN protein deficiency. WRN participates in DNA metabolism including DNA repair. In a previous report, we showed that WRN protein is recruited to laser‐induced DNA double‐strand break (DSB) sites during various stages of the cell cycle with similar intensities, supporting that WRN participates in both non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). Here, we demonstrate that the phosphorylation of WRN by CDK2 on serine residue 426 is critical for WRN to make its DSB repair pathway choice between NHEJ and HR. Cells expressing WRN engineered to mimic the unphosphorylated or phosphorylation state at serine 426 showed abnormal DSB recruitment, altered RPA interaction, strand annealing, and DSB repair activities. The CDK2 phosphorylation on serine 426 stabilizes WRN’s affinity for RPA, likely increasing its long‐range resection at the end of DNA strands, which is a crucial step for HR. Collectively, the data shown here demonstrate that a CDK2‐dependent phosphorylation of WRN regulates DSB repair pathway choice and cell cycle participation.
Thoroughbred stallion fertility is significantly associated with FKBP6 genotype but not with inbreeding or the contribution of a leading sire
Authors: Castaneda C. , Juras R. , Kjöllerström J. , Hernandez Aviles C. , Teague S. R. , Love C. C. , Cothran E. G. , Varner D. D. , Raudsepp T.
Published: October 2021

This is a follow‐up study to validate the previously detected association of the FKBP6 gene with stallion subfertility. Using a select cohort of 150 Thoroughbred stallions with detailed breeding records, we confirm significant association (P < 0.0001) between low per‐cycle pregnancy rates (≤50%) and a combined A/A–A/A genotype of SNPs chr13:11 353 372G>A and chr13:11 353 436A>C in FKBP6 exon 5. We also show that stallion subfertility and the combined genotype A/A–A/A are not associated with the level of genetic diversity based on 12 autosomal microsatellite markers, or with pedigree‐based inbreeding rate, or the extent of contribution of a leading Thoroughbred sire, Northern Dancer, in a stallion’s pedigree. We develop a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay for the two SNPs to facilitate accurate and high‐throughput genotyping. We determine allele, genotype and combined genotype frequencies of FKBP6 exon 5 SNPs in a global cohort of 518 Thoroughbreds (76% stallions or geldings and 24% mares) and show that the frequency of the A/A–A/A genotype is 4%. Because there is no similar association between the FKBP6 exon 5 genotype and stallion subfertility in Hanoverians, we suggest that the two SNPs are not causative but rather tagging a breed‐specific haplotype with genetic variants unique to Thoroughbreds. Further WGS‐based research is needed to identify the molecular causes underlying the observed genotype–phenotype association in Thoroughbred stallions.
The impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions on agricultural workers' health insurance coverage, medical care utilization, and labor supply
Authors: Kandilov Amy M. G. , Kandilov Ivan T.
Published: October 2021

Nearly 30% of documented agricultural workers, that is, those who are authorized to work in the U.S. and may be eligible for government‐sponsored Medicaid coverage, lacked health insurance coverage in 2016. We estimate the impact of the 2014 state‐level Medicaid expansions that were part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on farm workers' health insurance coverage, health care utilization, and labor supply. Using confidential individual‐level data from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) for the decade between 2007 and 2016, we employ a difference‐in‐differences econometric model to compare workers in states that expanded Medicaid in 2014 to workers in states that did not. We find that, following the ACA Medicaid expansions, documented agricultural workers experience a 12‐percentage point (24%) increase in the likelihood of having health insurance, which is entirely driven by an increase in the likelihood of having a government‐sponsored health insurance plan. We do not detect a decrease in private (employer‐sponsored or worker‐acquired) health insurance coverage. Further, we find no evidence that the ACA Medicaid expansions led to a decline in farm workers' labor supply; in fact, our results imply that there was a small increase in farm workers' hours. In a number of falsification tests, we also show that the Medicaid expansions do not appear to have an impact on undocumented (unauthorized) farm workers' health care utilization, and there was no increase in Medicaid payments for health services among this group of farm workers who were largely ineligible for Medicaid.
Injury profiles and clinical management of older patients with major trauma
Authors: Ferrah Noha , Dipnall Joanna , Gabbe Belinda , Cameron Peter , Ibrahim Joseph , Beck Ben
Published: October 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to characterise the most common injury profiles and interventions in older major trauma patients, and how they change with age.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of interventions, injury profiles and outcomes of major trauma patients aged 65 years and older from 2007 to 2018, using data from the Victorian State Trauma Registry. A latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify homogenous injury groups.

Results

The LCA identified five injury profiles: isolated head injury; chest/upper limb injuries; multi‐trauma; isolated spine; and head/chest/upper limb. Among 10,001 patients, 50% had an isolated head injury, and 83% of patients received definitive treatment at a major trauma centre. 50% of patients received a surgical or non‐surgical intervention, and 36% underwent surgery. These proportions declined with increasing age.

Conclusions

Older patients with major trauma are a heterogeneous group, whose mechanisms and patterns of injury, and clinical management change with increasing age.
Impact of musculoskeletal conditions among those in residential aged care in Australia
Authors: Gill Tiffany K. , Caughey Gillian E. , Wesselingh Steve , Inacio Maria C.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions, co‐morbidity and functional limitations in older people in residential aged care in Australia and the association of musculoskeletal conditions with mortality.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using data from 490 325 people in the Registry of Senior Australians was conducted between 2004 and 2014. The association of co‐morbidity, health risk factors and functional limitations with musculoskeletal conditions was evaluated using logistic regression. Cox regression was used to examine the association with mortality.

Results

Overall, 40.2% [95% CI 40.1‐40.4]) of residents had a musculoskeletal condition, which was associated with limited social (OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.14‐1.19]) and domestic activities (OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.39‐1.49]). Residents with musculoskeletal conditions had a 15% lower risk of mortality (aHR 0.85 [95% CI 0.85‐0.86], P < 0.001) compared to residents without.

Conclusions

The presence of musculoskeletal conditions in older people in residential aged care negatively impacts activities of daily living and quality of life rather than mortality.
Business as usual during the COVID‐19 pandemic? Reflections on state‐wide trends in maternity telehealth consultations during lockdown in Victoria and New South Wales
Authors: Potenza Stephanie , Marzan Melvin Barrientos , Rolnik Daniel Lorber , Palmer Kirsten , Said Joanne , Whitehead Clare , Sheehan Penelope , Mol Ben W. , Walker Susan , Hui Lisa
Published: October 2021

COVID‐19 has resulted in unprecedented changes to maternity care across Australia. This study aims to analyse trends in maternity consultations and the uptake of telehealth in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) since the first restrictions to reduce COVID‐19 transmission were implemented. From March 2020 to April 2021, a higher proportion of antenatal care consultations was delivered via telehealth in Victoria compared to NSW (13.8% vs 7.4%, P < 0.0001). Uptake of telehealth and a shift from in‐person care has been a major contributor to maintaining pregnancy care during pandemic restrictions. However, further research is required to understand women’s perspectives and health outcomes.
Importance of attachment to place in growing a sustainable Australian Rural Health Workforce: A rapid review
Authors: Beccaria Lisa , McIlveen Peter , Fein Erich C. , Kelly Tricia , McGregor Rowena , Rezwanul Rana
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Personal, community, and environmental factors can influence the attraction and retention of regional, rural, and remote health workers. However, the concept of place attachment needs further attention as a factor affecting the sustainability of the rural health workforce.

Objective

The purpose of this rapid review was to explore the influence of a sense of place in attracting and retaining health professionals in rural and remote areas.

Design

A systematic rapid review was conducted based on an empirical model using four dimensions: place dependence, place identity, social bonding and nature bonding. English‐language publications between 2011 and 2021 were sought from academic databases, including studies relevant to Australian health professionals.

Findings

A total of 348 articles were screened and 52 included in the review. Place attachment factors varied across disciplines and included (a) intrinsic place‐based personal factors; (b) learning experiences enhancing self‐efficacy and rural health work interest; (c) relational, social and community integration; and (d) connection to place with lifestyle aspirations.

Discussion

This rapid review provides insight into the role of relational connections in building a health workforce and suggests that community factors are important in building attachment through social bonding and place identity. Results indicate that future health workforce research should focus on career decision‐making and psychological appraisals including place attachment.

Conclusion

An attachment to place might develop through placement experiences or from a strong rural upbringing. The importance of the relational interactions within a work community and the broader community is seen as an important factor in attracting, recruiting, and sustaining a rural health workforce.
Impact of upper blepharoplasty, with or without orbicularis oculi muscle removal, on tear film dynamics and dry eye symptoms: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hollander Maria H. J. , Pott Jan Willem R. , Delli Konstantina , Vissink Arjan , Schepers Rutger H. , Jansma Johan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Upper blepharoplasty may be related to dry eye symptoms since the function of the orbicularis oculi muscle may affect the tear film. We aimed to assess the effect of blepharoplasty with or without the removal of a strip of orbicularis oculi muscle on tear film dynamics and dry eye symptoms.

Methods

A double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing upper blepharoplasty without (group A) or with (group B) orbicularis oculi muscle excision was performed on 54 healthy Caucasian patients. Tear film dynamics and dry eye symptoms were evaluated using multiple dry eye parameters, i.e. tear osmolarity, Schirmer test I, corneal/conjunctival staining, tear break‐up time (TBUT), Oxford Scheme, Sicca Ocular Staining Score and Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire. All the parameters were assessed preoperatively and 6 and 12 months after upper blepharoplasty. All the groups’ outcomes were compared.

Results

The differences were not significant between the two upper blepharoplasty techniques regarding most of the above‐mentioned outcomes. Subjective symptoms of ocular irritation, consistent with dry eye disease and vision‐related impairment, were reduced after upper blepharoplasty independent of the type of the technique applied, while the pre and postoperative outcomes of the objective tear dynamics did not differ 12 months after surgery. However, group B demonstrated a significant increase in tear osmolarity and TBUT at the 6‐month follow‐up visit.

Conclusion

An upper blepharoplasty alleviates subjective dry eye complaints in the long term, while not changing the tear dynamics. The improvement was independent of the blepharoplasty technique used.
Lavender aromatherapy: A systematic review from essential oil quality and administration methods to cognitive enhancing effects
Authors: Malloggi Eleonora , Menicucci Danilo , Cesari Valentina , Frumento Sergio , Gemignani Angelo , Bertoli Alessandra
Published: October 2021

Modern society is reviving the practice of aromatherapy, and lavender is reported being the most worldwide purchased plant for essential oil (EO) extraction. Since recent studies reported cognitive enhancing effects of lavender besides the hypno‐inducing effects, a literature review is needed. Considering EO quality and diffusion devices, we conducted a systematic review on the effects of lavender EO inhalation on arousal, attention and memory in healthy subjects. Starting from this new multidisciplinary perspective, cognitive effects were reviewed to link outcomes to effective and reproducible protocols. A systematic search on MEDLINE, ERIC, PsycInfo, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases using Cognitive Atlas and plant‐related keywords was conducted. Among the 1,203 articles yielded, 11 met eligibility criteria. Subjects administered with lavender EO displayed arousal decrease and sustained attention increase. Controversial results emerged regarding memory. Lack of EO quality assessment and protocols heterogeneity did not allow assessing whether different EO composition differentially modulates cognition and whether placebo effect can be discerned from EO effect itself. However, GABAergic pathway modulation exerted by linalool, a major lavender EO constituent, might explain cognitive functions empowerment. We speculate aromatherapy could be a burgeoning cognition enhancing tool, although further investigation is required to reach robust conclusions.
Road verges facilitate exotic species’ expansion into undisturbed natural montane grasslands
Authors: Turner Sophia Carmel , Esler Karen Joan , Kalwij Jesse Machiel
Published: October 2021

Questions

How has exotic plant species richness and composition changed in and adjacent to a montane road verge over a 10‐year period? Are montane road verges conduits of exotic species’ dispersal into adjacent, undisturbed hinterland?

Location

Montane grassland, Maloti‐Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area, South Africa.

Methods

We surveyed road verge and adjacent hinterland transects (25 × 2 m; N = 80) across an elevational gradient of 1,500–2,874 m a.s.l. in 2007 and 2017. In each transect, we estimated the cover of each exotic plant species and the total cover of indigenous species. Generalised Linear Models were fitted to test if exotic species’ richness and cover had changed over time. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis was used to determine if exotic species’ composition had changed over time.

Results

Ten years onwards, exotic species richness had increased significantly across the entire elevational gradient, predominantly in the low‐ to mid‐elevational range. Road verge and adjacent hinterland transects differed in species composition in 2007, but no longer in 2017.

Conclusion

Exotic species richness and composition displayed a high spatiotemporal rate of change. Over time, exotic species increasingly moved into the hinterland from the verges as a result of human‐mediated colonisation pressure. These results indicate that montane road verges are far better conduits for the dispersal of exotic species than previously assumed, and that further colonisation of the hinterland by exotics can be expected.
Antihypertensive drug use and psoriasis: A systematic review, meta‐ and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Gonjin , Yoon Ha Young , Yee Jeong , Kim Myeong Gyu , Gwak Hye Sun
Published: October 2021

Aims

Diverse genetic and/or external factors may induce psoriasis. Drug exposure is 1 such prominent external factor; antihypertensive drugs are reportedly associated with psoriasis, but study results have been inconsistent. In this context, we investigated the associations between antihypertensive drugs and incidence if psoriasis via a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

Literature search in databases such as PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted on 8 January 2021, and obtained data were pooled for meta‐ and network meta‐analysis. Fixed‐ or random effect models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for evaluating the strength of the associations between antihypertensive drugs and psoriasis incidence. In addition to meta‐analysis, Bayesian network meta‐analysis was performed.

ResultsThirteen eligible studies were included for meta‐analysis with 6 378 116 individuals and 8 studies for network meta‐analysis with 5 615 918 individuals. All antihypertensive drugs were significantly associated with psoriasis incidence. In a meta‐analysis, the pooled ORs were 1.67 (95% CI: 1.31–2.13) for angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 1.40 (95% CI: 1.20–1.63) for β‐blockers, 1.53 (95% CI: 1.23–1.89) for calcium‐channel blockers (CCBs), and 1.70 (95% CI: 1.40–2.06) for thiazide diuretics. For the comparative risks of psoriasis among antihypertensive drugs in the network meta‐analysis, ORs were 2.09 (95% CI: 1.39–3.18) for ACE inhibitors, 1.35 (95% CI: 0.99–1.91) for BBs, 1.53 (95% CI: 1.07–2.24) for CCBs and 1.80 (95% CI: 1.23–2.66) for thiazide diuretics.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the associations between antihypertensive drugs and psoriasis; ACE inhibitors, BBs, CCBs and thiazide diuretics increased the risk of psoriasis. Therefore, antihypertensive drug users should be carefully monitored for psoriasis.
Intensified antiplatelet therapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention with high on‐treatment platelet reactivity: the OPTImal Management of Antithrombotic Agents (OPTIMA)‐2 Trial
Authors: Ying Lianghong , Wang Jing , Li Juan , Teng Jianzhen , Zhang Xiaofeng , Ullah Inam , Samee Abdus , Xu Ke , Chen Jun , Xu Lei , Zhu Hui , Li Jimin , Yang Lu , Wang Fei , Fan Yuansheng , Zhang Jing , Lu Yi , Gong Xiaoxuan , Shi Lu , Eikelboom John W. , Li Chunjian
Published: October 2021

High on‐treatment platelet reactivity (HOPR) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We randomised post‐PCI patients with HOPR after 5 days of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to intensified therapy with aspirin 100 mg once daily in combination with either clopidogrel 150 mg once daily, clopidogrel 75 mg once daily plus cilostazol 100 mg twice daily, ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily, or standard therapy with clopidogrel 75 mg once daily (STD) for 1 month, after which all patients were switched to standard DAPT for a further 11 months. The primary outcome was residual HOPR rate at 1 month. We screened 1724 patients with light transmission aggregation studies and randomised 434 with HOPR. At 1 month the proportion of patients with persistent HOPR was significantly lower in the intensified therapy groups compared with STD group. Compared to the group receiving STD therapy, those receiving intensified therapy had significantly lower rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at both 1 month and 12 months with no significant increase in bleeding. In patients with post‐PCI HOPR, 1 month of intensified antiplatelet therapy provides greater platelet inhibition and improves outcomes without increasing bleeding.

Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT01955200.
Novel therapies for immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Kuter David J.
Published: October 2021

Current therapies for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are successful in providing a haemostatic platelet count in over two‐thirds of patients. Still, some patients have an inadequate response and there is a need for other therapies. A number of novel therapies for ITP are currently being developed based upon the current pathophysiology of ITP. Many therapies are targetted at reducing platelet destruction by decreasing anti‐platelet antibody production by immunosuppression with monoclonal antibodies targetted against CD40, CD38 and the immunoproteasome or physically reducing the anti‐platelet antibody concentration by inhibition of the neonatal Fc receptor. Others target the phagocytic system by inhibiting FcγR function with staphylococcal protein A, hypersialylated IgG, polymeric Fc fragments, or Bruton kinase. With a recognition that platelet destruction is also mediated by complement, inhibitors of C1s are also being tested. Inhibition of platelet desialylation may also play a role. Other novel therapies promote platelet production with new oral thrombopoietin receptor agonists or the use of low‐level laser light to improve mitochondrial activity and prevent megakaryocyte apoptosis. This review will focus on these novel mechanisms for treating ITP and assess the status of treatments currently under development. Successful new treatments for ITP might also provide a pathway to treat other autoimmune disorders.
The effect of work‐schedule control on volunteering among early career employees
Authors: Mantovan Noemi , Sauer Robert M. , Wilson John
Published: October 2021

Recent trends in the labor market see increasing numbers of workers having to deal with ‘schedule precarity’ including volatile hours, rotating shift work, unpredictable work hours and lack of choice on the part of the employee. These trends are of concern to those interested in fostering levels of civic engagement because they potentially limit volunteering. This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) containing information on work schedules in 2011 and 2013 among employees to determine the effect of changes in work schedules on becoming a volunteer using transition regressions. We investigate interactions between work‐schedule measures and pay structure because workers paid by the hour have lower volunteer rates than salaried workers. The study finds that, while three of the schedule dimensions are unrelated to volunteering, transitioning toward more schedule control has a positive effect on volunteering. However, interaction analysis shows this positive effect is confined to salaried workers whereas for hourly paid workers the effect is negative. The results support the idea that having more freedom to set one's work schedule reduces work‐life conflict but suggest that this positive effect is limited to those who can take advantage of it.
Hydroxycinnamic acid‐spermidine amides from Tetragonisca angustula honey as anti‐Neospora caninum: In vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Lima Ângela C. de O. , Conceição Rodrigo S. , Freitas Luciana S. , de Carvalho Carlos A. L. , Conceição Antônio L. da S. , Freitas Humberto F. , Pita Samuel S. da R. , Ifa Demian R. , Pinheiro Alexandre M. , Branco Alexsandro
Published: October 2021

Tetragonisca angustula honey was fractioned in a SiO2 column to furnish three fractions (A–C) in which four hydroxycinnamic acid‐Spermidine amides (HCAAs), known as N′, N″, N‴—tris‐p‐coumaroyl spermidine, N′, N″—dicaffeoyl, N‴—coumaroyl spermidine, N′, N″, N‴—tris‐caffeoyl spermidine and N′, N″—dicaffeoyl and N‴—feruloyl spermidine were identified in the fractions B and C by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A primary culture model previously infected with Neospora caninum (72 h) was used to evaluate the honey fractions (A–C) for two‐time intervals: 24 and 72 h. Parasitic reduction ranged from 38% on fraction C (12.5 µg/ml), after 24 h, to 54% and 41% with fractions B and C (25 µg/ml) after 72 h of treatment, respectively. Additionally, HCAAs did not show any cell toxicity for 24 and 72 h. For infected cultures (72 h), the active fractions B (12.5 µg/ml) and C (25 µg/ml) decreased their NO content. In silico studies suggest that HCAAs may affect the parasite's redox pathway and improve the oxidative effect of NO released from infected cells. Here, we presented for the first time, that HCAAs from T. angustula honey have the potential to inhibit the growth of N. caninum protozoa.