bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
eHealth literacy and web‐based patient portal usage among kidney and liver transplant recipients
Authors: Maroney Kieran , Curtis Laura M. , Opsasnick Lauren , Smith Kayla D. , Eifler Morgan R. , Moore Amy , Wedd Joel , Wolf Michael S. , Patzer Rachel E.
Published: December 2020

Patient portals promote self‐management, but require skills with electronic health information which can be measured by a patient's eHealth literacy. We aimed to describe eHealth literacy among a population of kidney transplant (KT) and liver transplant (LT) recipients and to investigate the relationship between eHealth literacy and Web‐based patient portal utilization. We conducted phone surveys (August 2016‐March 2017) among 178 KT and 110 LT recipients at two large transplant centers, including the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and items assessing routine portal usage. Portal users were defined as routine if usage was every day, weekly, or monthly. The mean eHEALS score was 30.9 (SD: 5.4), and 45.4% routinely used the patient portal more than a few times per month. Routine users had higher eHealth literacy than non‐routine users and non‐users (31.97 vs. 29.97 vs. 28.20, p < .001). Routine users had higher eHealth literacy scores compared with non‐users after adjusting for transplant organ type, age, educational level, employment status, mobile Internet access, and transplant center (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03‐1.17). KT and LT recipients who routinely use patient portals have high eHealth literacy compared with other diseased populations, which should be leveraged by encouraging routine usage to improve post‐transplant health and medication adherence.
Temporal variability is key to modelling the climatic niche
Authors: Perez‐Navarro Maria Angeles , Broennimann Olivier , Esteve Miguel Angel , Moya‐Perez Juan Miguel , Carreño Maria Francisca , Guisan Antoine , Lloret Francisco
Published: December 2020

Aim

Niche‐based species distribution models (SDMs) have become a ubiquitous tool in ecology and biogeography. These models relate species occurrences with the environmental conditions found at these sites. Climatic variables are the most commonly used environmental data and are usually included in SDMs as averages of a reference period (30–50 years). In this study, we analyse the impact of including inter‐annual climatic variability on the estimation of species niches and predicted distributions when assessing plant demographic response to extreme climatic episodes.

Location

Mediterranean basin, SE Iberian Peninsula.

Methods

We first characterized species niches with inter‐annual and average climate in the same environmental space. We then compare the respective capacities of climatic suitability obtained from averaged climate‐based and from inter‐annual variability‐based niches to explain population demographic responses to extreme drought. Furthermore, we assessed the relative increase in niche size when including climatic variability for a set of Mediterranean species exhibiting a wide range of distribution areas.

Results

We found that climatic suitability obtained from inter‐annual variability‐based niches showed higher explanatory capacity than average climate‐based suitability, especially for populations living in climatically marginal conditions, although both niches quantifications significantly explained species demographic responses. In addition, species with restricted distribution ranges increased relatively more their niche space when considering climatic variability, probably because in widely distributed species spatial variability compensates for temporal variability.

Main conclusions

The common use of climatic averages when characterizing species niches could lead to underestimations of species distribution and misunderstanding of demographic behaviour, with implications for conservation plans derived from SDMs, for example, overestimations of species extinction risk under climate change, or underestimations of alien species invasion’ risk. We highlight that including climatic variability in niche modelling can be particularly important when dealing with species with restricted distribution and populations at the margin of their species niche.
The impact of errors in infant development: Falling like a baby
Authors: Han Danyang , Adolph Karen E.
Published: December 2020

What is the role of errors in infants' acquisition of basic skills such as walking, skills that require immense amounts of practice to become flexible and generative? Do infants change their behaviors based on negative feedback from errors, as suggested by “reinforcement learning” in artificial intelligence, or do errors go largely unmarked so that learning relies on positive feedback? We used falling as a model system to examine the impact of errors in infant development. We examined fall severity based on parent reports of prior falls and videos of 563 falls incurred by 138 13‐ to 19‐month‐old infants during free play in a laboratory playroom. Parent reports of notable falls were limited to 33% of infants and medical attention was limited to 2% of infants. Video‐recorded falls were typically low‐impact events. After falling during free play in the laboratory, infants rarely fussed (4% of falls), caregivers rarely showed concern (8% of falls), and infants were back at play within seconds. Impact forces were mitigated by infants' effective reactive behaviors, quick arrest of the fall before torso or head impact, and small body size. Moreover, falling did not alter infants' subsequent behavior. Infants were not deterred from locomotion or from interacting with the objects and elevations implicated in their falls. We propose that a system that discounts the impact of errors in early stages of development encourages infants to practice basic skills such as walking to the point of mastery.
Left atrial diverticulum—An unexpected finding in routine transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Schneider Matthias , Morris Daniel A. , Pieske‐Kraigher Elisabeth , Walter‐Rittel Thula , Parwani Abdul S. , Pieske Burkert , Boldt Leif‐Hendrik
Published: December 2020

We report a 55‐year‐old male patient with lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent routine transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) at our institution. In a mid‐esophageal 125° three‐chamber angulation, a distinct thinning of the left atrial (LA) wall was observed, forming a 7 × 4 mm canal with only a small membrane separating the LA from the pericardial space. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed a small LA diverticulum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first manuscript describing detection of a small LA diverticulum via TOE.
Microglial peri‐somatic abutments classify two novel types of GABAergic neuron in the inferior colliculus
Authors: Webb Samuel David , Orton Llwyd David
Published: December 2020

Emerging evidence suggests functional roles for microglia in the healthy, mature nervous system. However, we know little of the cellular density and ramified morphology of microglia in sensory systems, and even less of their inter‐relationship with inhibitory neurons. We therefore conducted fluorescent multi‐channel immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy in guinea pigs of both sexes for Iba1, GAD67, GFAP, calbindin, and calretinin. We explored these markers in the inferior colliculi (IC), which contain sub‐regions specialized for different aspects of auditory processing. First, we found that while the density of Iba1+ somata is similar throughout the IC parenchyma, Iba1+ microglia in dorsal cortex are significantly more ramified than those in the central nucleus or lateral cortex. Conversely, Iba1+ ramifications in ventral central nucleus, a region with the highest density of GAD67+ (putative GABAergic) neurons in IC, are longer with fewer ramifications. Second, we observed extensive abutments of ramified Iba1+ processes onto GAD67+ somata throughout the whole IC and developed novel measures to quantify these. Cluster analyses revealed two novel sub‐types of GAD67+ neuron that differ in the quantity of Iba1+ somatic abutments they receive. Unlike previous classification schemes for GAD67+ neurons in IC, these clusters are not related to GAD67+ soma size. Taken together, these data demonstrate that microglial ramifications vary between IC sub‐regions in the healthy, adult IC, possibly related to the ongoing demands of their niche. Furthermore, Iba1+ abutments onto neuronal somata are a novel means by which GAD67+ neurons can be classified.
Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in children with refractory epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Cáceres Guido Paulo , Riva Natalia , Caraballo Roberto , Reyes Gabriela , Huaman Marina , Gutierrez Robinson , Agostini Silvana , Fabiana Delaven Sandra , Pérez Montilla Carlos A. , García Bournissen Facundo , Schaiquevich Paula
Published: December 2020

Growing interest in the clinical use of cannabidiol (CBD) as adjuvant therapy for pediatric refractory epileptic encephalopathy emphasizes the need for drug treatment optimization. The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of CBD in pediatric patients with refractory epileptic encephalopathy receiving an oil‐based oral solution. To evaluate CBD concentrations, six serial blood samples per patient were collected after the morning dose of CBD, at least 21 days after the beginning of treatment. Twelve patients who received a median (range) dose of 12.2 (5.3‐19.4) mg/kg/d (twice daily) were included in the analysis. Median (range) CBD time to maximum plasma concentration, maximum plasma concentration, and area under the concentration versus time curve up to 6 hours after dosing were 3.2 hours (1.9‐6.2), 49.6 ng/mL (14.4‐302.0), and 226.3 ng ⋅ h/mL (70.5‐861.3), respectively. CBD systemic exposure parameters were in the lower range of previous reports in pediatric patients receiving doses in a similar range. Most of our patients (83%) showed little CBD plasma level fluctuation during a dosing interval, comparable to that encountered after oral administration of an extended release drug delivery system. CDB administration was generally safe and well tolerated, and a novel levothyroxine‐CBD interaction was recorded. Similar to other studies, large interindividual variability in CBD exposure was observed, encouraging the use of CBD therapeutic drug monitoring.
FBXO28 causes developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with profound intellectual disability
Authors: Schneider Amy L. , Myers Candace T. , Muir Alison M. , Calvert Sophie , Basinger Alice , Perry M. Scott , Rodan Lance , Helbig Katherine L. , Chambers Chelsea , Gorman Kathleen M. , King Mary D. , Donkervoort Sandra , Soldatos Ariane , Bönnemann Carsten G. , Spataro Nino , Gabau Elisabeth , Arellano Montserrat , Cappuccio Gerarda , Brunetti‐Pierri Nicola , Rossignol Elsa , Hamdan Fadi F. , Michaud Jacques L. , Balak Christopher , Mefford Heather C. , Scheffer Ingrid E.
Published: December 2020

Chromosome 1q41‐q42 deletion syndrome is a rare cause of intellectual disability, seizures, dysmorphology, and multiple anomalies. Two genes in the 1q41‐q42 microdeletion, WDR26 and FBXO28, have been implicated in monogenic disease. Patients with WDR26 encephalopathy overlap clinically with those with 1q41‐q42 deletion syndrome, whereas only one patient with FBXO28 encephalopathy has been described. Seizures are a prominent feature of 1q41‐q42 deletion syndrome; therefore, we hypothesized that pathogenic FBXO28 variants cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). We describe nine new patients with FBXO28 pathogenic variants (four missense, including one recurrent, three nonsense, and one frameshift) and analyze all 10 known cases to delineate the phenotypic spectrum. All patients had epilepsy and 9 of 10 had DEE, including infantile spasms (3) and a progressive myoclonic epilepsy (1). Median age at seizure onset was 22.5 months (range 8 months to 5 years). Nine of 10 patients had intellectual disability, which was profound in six of nine and severe in three of nine. Movement disorders occurred in eight of 10 patients, six of 10 had hypotonia, four of 10 had acquired microcephaly, and five of 10 had dysmorphic features, albeit different to those typically seen in 1q41‐q42 deletion syndrome and WDR26 encephalopathy. We distinguish FBXO28 encephalopathy from both of these disorders with more severe intellectual impairment, drug‐resistant epilepsy, and hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Treatment effects of intra‐articular triamcinolone acetonide in an equine model of recurrent joint inflammation
Authors: Kearney Clodagh M. , Korthagen Nicoline M. , Plomp Saskia G. M. , Labberté Margot C. , de Grauw Janny C. , van Weeren P. R. , Brama Pieter A. J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Intra‐articular triamcinolone acetonide is a widely used treatment for joint inflammation despite limited scientific evidence of its efficacy.

Objectives

To investigate if intra‐articular triamcinolone acetonide has sustained anti‐inflammatory effects using an equine model of repeated joint inflammation.

Study design

Randomised controlled experimental study.

Method

For three consecutive cycles 2 weeks apart, inflammation was induced in both middle carpal joints of eight horses by injecting 0.25 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After the first LPS injection only, treatment with 12 mg triamcinolone acetonide (TA) followed in one randomly assigned joint, while the contralateral joint was treated with sterile saline (control). Clinical parameters (composite welfare scores, joint effusion, joint circumference) were recorded and synovial fluid samples were analysed for various biomarkers (total protein, WBCC; PGE2; CCL2; TNFα; MMP; GAGs; C2C; CPII) at fixed timepoints (post injection hours 0, 8, 24, 72 and 168). The effects of time and treatment on clinical and synovial fluid parameters and the presence of time–treatment interactions were tested using a linear mixed model for repeated measures with horse as a random effect, and time and treatment as fixed effects.

Results

The TA treated joints showed significantly higher peak synovial GAG concentrations (Difference in means 283.1875 µg/mL, 95% CI 179.8, 386.6,P < 0.000), and PGE2levels (Difference in means 77.8025 pg/mL, 95% CI 21.2, 134.4,P < 0.007) after the first inflammation induction. Significantly lower TP levels were seen with TA treatment after the second induction (Difference in means −7.5 g/L, 95% CI −14.8, −0.20,P < 0.04) . Significantly lower WBCC levels were noted with TA treatment after the first (Difference in means −23.7125 × 109 cells/L, 95% CI −46.7, −0.7,P < 0.04) and second (Difference in means −35.95 × 109 cells/L, 95% CI −59.0, −12.9,P < 0.002) inflammation inductions. Significantly lower general MMP activity was also seen with TA treatment after the second inflammation inductions (Difference in means −51.65 RFU/s, 95% CI −92.4, −10.9,P < 0.01).

Main limitations

This experimental study cannot fully reflect natural joint disease.

Conclusions

In this model, intra‐articular TA seems to have some anti‐inflammatory activity (demonstrated by reductions in TP, WBCC and general MMP activity) up to 2 weeks post treatment but not at 4 weeks. This anti‐inflammatory effect appeared to outlast a shorter‐lived, potentially detrimental effect illustrated by increased synovial GAG and PGE2levels after the first induction.
Stem cell‐intrinsic mechanisms regulating adult hair follicle homeostasis
Authors: Lee Seon A , Li Kefei Nina , Tumbar Tudorita
Published: December 2020

Adult hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) undergo dynamic and periodic molecular changes in their cellular states throughout the hair homeostatic cycle. These states are tightly regulated by cell‐intrinsic mechanisms and by extrinsic signals from the microenvironment. HFSCs are essential not only for fuelling hair growth, but also for skin wound healing. Increasing evidence suggests an important role of HFSCs in organizing multiple skin components around the hair follicle, thus functioning as an organizing centre during adult skin homeostasis. Here, we focus on recent findings on cell‐intrinsic mechanisms of HFSC homeostasis, which include transcription factors, histone modifications, DNA regulatory elements, non‐coding RNAs, cell metabolism, cell polarity and post‐transcriptional mRNA processing. Several transcription factors are now known to participate in well‐known signalling pathways that control hair follicle homeostasis, as well as in super‐enhancer activities to modulate HFSC and progenitor lineage progression. Interestingly, HFSCs have been shown to secrete molecules that are important in guiding the organization of several skin components around the hair follicle, including nerves, arrector pili muscle and vasculature. Finally, we discuss recent technological advances in the field such as single‐cell RNA sequencing and live imaging, which revealed HFSC and progenitor heterogeneity and brought new light to understanding crosstalking between HFSCs and the microenvironment. The field is well on its way to generate a comprehensive map of molecular interactions that should serve as a solid theoretical platform for application in hair and skin disease and ageing.
Simvastatin–Ezetimibe enhances growth factor expression and attenuates neuron loss in the hippocampus in a model of intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Kuo‐Wei , Liang Cheng‐Loong , Yeh Lee‐Ren , Liu Kuo‐Ying , Chen Chao‐Chi , Chen Jui‐Sheng , Chen Han‐Jung , Wang Hao‐Kuang
Published: December 2020

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common and severe neurological disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite extensive research into its pathology, there are no clinically approved neuroprotective treatments for ICH. Increasing evidence has revealed that inflammatory responses mediate the pathophysiological processes of brain injury following ICH. Experimental ICH was induced by direct infusion of 100 μL fresh (non‐heparinized) autologous whole blood into the right basal ganglia of Sprague–Dawley rats at a constant rate (10 μL/min). The simvastatin group was administered simvastatin (15 mg/kg) and the combination therapy group was administered simvastatin (10 mg/kg) and ezetimibe (10 mg/kg). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the forelimb use asymmetry test, the Morris water maze test, and two biomarkers were used to evaluate the effect of simvastatin and combination therapy. MRI imaging revealed that combination therapy resulted in significantly reduced perihematomal edema. Biomarker analyses revealed that both treatments led to significantly reduced endothelial inflammatory responses. The forelimb use asymmetry test revealed that both treatment groups had significantly improved neurological outcomes. The Morris water maze test revealed improved neurological function after combined therapy, which also led to less neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region. In conclusion, simvastatin–ezetimibe combination therapy can improve neurological function, attenuate the endothelial inflammatory response and lead to less neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region in a rat model of ICH.
Consumer response to hemp: A case study of Vermont residents from 2019 to 2020
Authors: Kolodinsky Jane , Lacasse Hannah
Published: December 2020

Hemp has emerged as a novel crop and ingredient for sustainable products. If innovative hemp‐based products are to succeed in the market, the surge of interest in production must be accompanied by information generation across the supply chain. At present, there is little knowledge on consumer behavior toward hemp and hemp‐based products, and even less on how this behavior has changed since hemp's reintroduction to the production landscape of the United States in 2014. This study compares representative survey data of Vermont residents in 2019 and 2020 on their support for hemp production, and awareness and use of hemp‐based products. Although the influence of demographic variables did not significantly change over time, our findings reveal structural change, with more respondents aware of and using hemp‐based products in 2020 compared to 2019. These findings point to hemp's growing presence and acceptance in the marketplace, where consumers are more informed about or have greater access to hemp products. Despite the state's focus on cannabidiol production, Vermonters appear to be aware of and are purchasing a variety of hemp goods, such as clothing and paper.
Improved productivity, water yield, and water use efficiency by incorporating switchgrass cultivation and native ecosystems in an integrated biofuel feedstock system
Authors: Schmidt Kathryn N. , Zou Chris B. , Kakani Vijaya Gopal , Zhong Yu , Will Rodney E.
Published: December 2020

The southern Great Plains of the USA has great potential to produce biofuel feedstock while minimizing the dual stresses of woody plant encroachment and climate change. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) cultivation, woody biomass captured during removal of the encroaching eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) to restore grasslands and thinning of the native oak forest can provide an integrated source of feedstock and improve ecosystem services. In north‐central Oklahoma, we quantified productivity and ecosystem water use of switchgrass stands and degraded ecosystems encroached by eastern redcedar and compared these to native oak forest and tallgrass prairie ecosystems. We measured aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) using allometric equations (trees) and clip plots (herbaceous), and evapotranspiration (ET) using a water balance approach from gauged watersheds, and calculated water use efficiency (WUE = ANPP/ET) from 2016 to 2019. Among vegetation cover types, ANPP averaged 5.1, 5.4, 6.0, and 7.8 Mg ha−1 year−1for the prairie, oak, eastern redcedar, and switchgrass watersheds and was significantly greater for switchgrass in 2018 and 2019 (2 and 3 years post establishment) when it reached 8.6 Mg ha−1 year−1. Averaged across 2017–2019, ET was significantly greater in the forested watersheds than the grassland watersheds (1022 mm year−1for eastern redcedar, 1025 mm year−1for oak, 874 mm year−1for prairie, and 828 mm year−1for switchgrass). The mean WUE was significantly greater (9.47 kg ha−1 mm−1) for switchgrass than for the prairie, eastern redcedar, and oak cover types (6.03, 6.02, and 5.31 kg ha−1 mm−1). Switchgrass offered benefits of greater ANPP, less ET, and greater WUE. Our findings indicate that an integrated biofuel feedstock system that includes converting eastern redcedar encroached areas to switchgrass and thinning the oak forest can increase productivity, increase runoff to streams, and improve ecosystem services.
Partial and Semi‐Partial Statistics of Spatial Associations for Multivariate Areal Data
Authors: Eckardt Matthias , Mateu Jorge
Published: December 2020

The analysis of correlation structures among multivariate spatially aggregated data has become increasingly important and poses substantial challenges. This article concerns the development of partial and semi‐partial statistics of spatial associations in the context of multivariate spatial areal data extending Moran's I and Geary's C. The proposed statistical tools describe global or local associations among spatially aggregated measurements for pairs of different components conditional on all remaining components. The new statistics are tested through a simulation study and illustrated using aggregated data on the COVID‐19 pandemic recorded at the Community level in Spain.
Long‐term drivers of vegetation turnover in Southern Hemisphere temperate ecosystems
Authors: Adeleye Matthew Adesanya , Mariani Michela , Connor Simon , Haberle Simon Graeme , Herbert Annika , Hopf Felicitas , Stevenson Janelle
Published: December 2020

Aim

Knowledge of the drivers of ecosystem changes in the past is key to understanding present ecosystem responses to changes in climate, fire regimes and anthropogenic impacts. Northern Hemisphere‐focussed studies suggest that climate and human activities drove turnover during the Holocene in temperate ecosystems. Various drivers have been invoked to explain changes in Southern Hemisphere temperate vegetation, but the region lacks a quantitative assessment of these drivers. To better understand the regional drivers of past diversity, we present a quantitative meta‐analysis study of turnover and richness during the lateglacial and Holocene in Australian temperate ecosystems.

Location

South‐east Australia (Tasmania, Bass Strait, SE mainland).

Methods

We conducted a meta‐analysis study of 24 fossil pollen records across south‐east Australian temperate ecosystems, applying an empirical turnover threshold to fossil records to identify periods of major turnover for the first time in Australia. We tested pollen richness as a proxy for vegetation richness to estimate past richness and applied this to fossil pollen data. The resulting reconstructions were compared to independent records of climate, sea‐level change and fire through generalized linear modelling.

Results and conclusion

Our results show changes in available moisture and sea level drove turnover and richness in most parts of SE Australia in the past, explaining up to c. 97% deviance. However, fire mainly drove turnover in Bass Strait. Our richness reconstructions also support the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, suggesting that high biodiversity was partially maintained by anthropogenic‐managed fire regimes. While temperature change is considered key to Northern Hemisphere palaeodiversity, past turnover and richness in Southern Hemisphere temperate ecosystems responded mainly to moisture availability and sea‐level change (considering its role in modulating regional oceanic climate).
Internet use and self‐rated health among Chinese older adults: The mediating role of social capital
Authors: Lyu Shoujun , Sun Jian
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Internet use and self‐rated health among older adults in China, with a particular focus on the mediating role of social capital.

Methods

The data used in this study was obtained from the 2018 wave of China Family Panel Studies, including 7193 older adults aged between 60 and 95 years in urban and rural areas. Furthermore, a binary logit regression model was used to explore the association between Internet use and self‐rated health among older adults. Moreover, we investigated the mediating effect of social capital on the relationship between Internet use and self‐rated health among older adults.

Results

The overall regression results show that Internet use was significantly associated with a higher possibility of being healthy for older adults. In addition, social capital plays a mediating role in the relationship between Internet use and self‐rated health among the older adults.

Conclusions

This study shows that Internet use was positively related to self‐rated health for the older adults. In addition, this study finds that social capital mediates the relationship between Internet use and self‐rated health among the older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 34–38.
Impact of polypharmacy on oral health status in elderly patients admitted to the recovery and rehabilitation ward
Authors: Nakamura Junya , Kitagaki Kazufumi , Ueda Yuya , Nishio Eri , Shibatsuji Takeshi , Uchihashi Yasuyuki , Adachi Ryohei , Ono Rei
Published: December 2020

Aim

The oral health status of elderly adults has implications for general health problems. Polypharmacy for elderly adults is associated with an increased risk of potentially inappropriate medicines and many adverse drug events; however, no report has shown that polypharmacy itself is associated with complex oral problems. This study aimed to determine the association between polypharmacy and oral health status in patients admitted to the recovery and rehabilitation ward.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 471 patients (age: 81.9 ± 7.7 years, women: n = 346). Oral health status was measured using the Oral Health Assessment Tool and poor oral health status was defined as a score of ≥3. Cases of patients taking six or more medications were defined as polypharmacy. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between polypharmacy and oral health status. Age, sex, body mass index, number of comorbidities, cognitive and motor functions, and potentially inappropriate medicines were set as confounding factors.

Results

Using the Oral Health Assessment Tool, 51.0% (n = 240) of patients scored ≥3. The prevalence of patients with polypharmacy was 56.9% (n = 268). Polypharmacy was significantly associated with poor oral health status (odds ratio = 1.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–2.39, P = 0.007; adjusted odds ratio = 1.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.12–2.43, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

This study showed that polypharmacy was associated with poor oral health status. Focusing on the number of medications may be helpful in detecting oral problems. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 66–70.
Class origins, higher education and employment in China during the 21st century
Authors: Lin Yuqi , Chan Philip Wing Keung
Published: December 2020

The liberal theory of industrialism is one of the chief political theories impacting education. Such a framework associates academic achievement directly with employability and establishes education's dominant position in mediating social mobility. However, Chinese graduates are confronted with the broken promises of higher education, since college credentials are no longer regarded as ‘golden tickets’ that guarantee decent jobs or high social status. Therefore, this paper establishes a critical framework for analysing the liberal theory of industrialism. By referencing to empirical research, the current study provides an in‐depth discussion from the national perspective and offers explanations from both quantitative and qualitative evidence. The study suggests that the implementation of the theory in egalitarian societies has been largely compromised with regard to meritocratic selection. Meanwhile, the theory relies on a veil of ignorance, for it assumes that people would have a unanimous perception regarding social status. In both respects, it is argued to be incompatible with the contemporary Chinese context. Thus a more comprehensive and flexible perspective is needed to identify functions of higher education in developing countries.

工业自由主义提出教育是促进就业与提升社会地位的决定因素, 其理论对当代教育产生深远影响。然而,当大学毕业文凭已不再是‘金饭碗’的保证, 中国大学毕业们面临着逐渐暗淡的就业前景与日益渺茫的阶级跨越机会。因此, 本文就工业自由主义进行批判性探讨。通过引用研究数据, 结合量性与质性证据, 本文从国家层面进行深度探讨。本文提出,工业自由主义与精英教育相左,同时, 由于此理论搭建于人们对于社会地位的一致认知的假定, 其论证受 “无知之幕”矇昧。本研究旨在说明工业自由主义难以解释当代中国高等教育的困境, 并呼吁制定更全面理论, 采用更灵活的视角来了解发展中国家的高等教育模式。
Reference points in consumer choice models: A review and future research agenda
Authors: Wang Ping , Sun Luping , Zhang Lijun , Niraj Rakesh
Published: December 2020

Reference‐dependent consumer preference and choice have been the focus of marketing and behavioural decision researchers for decades. Researchers have proposed different ways of incorporating reference‐dependent consumer preference into quantitative models. No extant research, however, systematically examines and evaluates these modelling methods. As more empirical research on reference‐dependent preference emerges in different areas, this review is both timely and of great importance. The paper pays special attention to empirical articles that incorporate reference points into consumer choice models and classifies the models in terms of reference point operationalization, model framework and reference point heterogeneity. By comparing and evaluating various conceptualizations of reference points and extant empirical choice models, we seek to provide guidance and directions in terms of theory, contexts and methodology (TCM) to future researchers with different application areas and focus of studies. The paper synthesizes the previous findings and identifies current research gaps, which allow us to provide future directions in this research domain.
Mental health matters: A cross‐sectional study of mental health nurses’ health‐related quality of life and work‐related stressors
Authors: Foster Kim , Roche Michael , Giandinoto Jo‐Ann , Platania‐Phung Chris , Furness Trentham
Published: December 2020

Mental health nursing is widely recognized as a stressful occupation; however, little is known about the relationship between work‐related stress and health‐related quality of life of mental health nurses (MHN). This study aimed to identify MHN health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) and work‐related stressors; associations between stressors and HR‐QoL; and predictors of HR‐QoL. An online cross‐sectional survey collected demographic data, work‐related stressors and HR‐QoL (SF‐12v2) of n = 498 Australian MHN. Prominent consumer/carer‐related stressors were verbal (90%) and physical aggression (85%). Collegial stressors included staff conflict (71%) and bullying (55%), and colleague‐perpetrated verbal (34%) and physical aggression (7%). Key organizational stressors included high workloads (74%), lack of organizational support (60%) and lack of adequate resources to perform nursing role (58%). The mean physical health score was 52.62 (SD = 8.30), and mental health score was 43.59 (SD = 11.34), with mental health substantially lower than national norms (mean difference = 10.11). There were statistically significant negative correlations between the number of work‐related stressors and HR‐QoL. Younger (21–30 years) and less experienced (<1–4 years) MHN had substantially lower mental health. Higher mental health was predicted with < 15 stressors, >4 years’ experience and working in the community. The poorer mental health of MHN has concerning implications for the well‐being, retention and practice of the largest group in the mental health workforce. There is a critical need for organizations to enact effective policy and initiatives to reduce workplace aggression, improve staff psychological and physical safety, and strengthen well‐being and resilience. New graduates are a priority group for urgent intervention.
The Impact of COVID‐19 on nurses working in a University Health System in Singapore: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Goh Yong‐Shian , Ow Yong Qing Yun Jenna , Chen Terri Hui‐Min , Ho Su Hui Cyrus , Chee Yin Ing Cornelia , Chee Tji Tjian
Published: December 2020

Given Singapore’s high population density and extensive geographical interconnections, it is unsurprising that the country reported one of the highest numbers of COVID‐19 cases in Asia. Past pandemic studies have suggested that nurses working in such crises might experience a deterioration of mental health, which could persist for years beyond the initial outbreak. This study used a qualitative descriptive design to explore nurses’ experiences of working in tertiary hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A total of 17 registered nurses who had worked for at least one year prior to the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic were recruited from a University Health System in Singapore from March to June 2020. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews lasting at least an hour conducted over an online platform by the principal investigator. The data were analysed through Braun and Clarke’s six‐step thematic analysis independently by two researchers. Three main themes emerged: (i) challenging moments of COVID‐19, during which the participants reported physical and psychological challenges relating to working conditions of the hospital in the initial months of the pandemic; (ii) the professional role as nurses, in where the participants dispelled their worries and demonstrated commitment to their role as nurses; and (iii) support for nurses, which originated from their family, friends and leaders from their organizations for them to persevere and overcome the unprecedented challenges of COVID‐19. The nurses in this study demonstrated resilience and professionalism despite the challenges of COVID‐19. The findings highlighted the importance of a robust support system for healthcare professionals.
Decision making in trade credit financing: impact of loss aversion and power imbalance
Authors: Jin Wei , Zhang Qinhong
Published: December 2020

We incorporate loss aversion and power imbalance into a trade credit contract that sets both wholesale price and payment ratio at ordering time. Our models are based on a dyadic supply chain consisting of a loss‐averse supplier and a capital‐constrained retailer who can get finance via bank credit or trade credit. We derive the optimal trade credit contract under the retailer‐dominant noncooperative (RDN) and the supplier‐dominant noncooperative (SDN) games. Our results show that the impact of the supplier's loss aversion depends on whether the supplier dominates the supply chain. Specifically, under RDN scenario, a single bank credit should be adopted by the retailer, irrespective of the supplier's loss aversion. Under SDN scenario, however, a hybrid of bank credit and trade credit should be provided to the retailer when the supplier's loss aversion level exceeds a critical threshold value, and a single trade credit should be granted otherwise. Moreover, we find that the capital‐constrained retailer may benefit from the supplier's loss aversion behavior. Finally, we conduct a serial of numerical examples to develop more managerial insights.
A multicriteria approach for rating investments in commercial real estate
Authors: Stefanakis Konstantinos , Doumpos Michalis
Published: December 2020

The commercial real estate (CRE) sector concerns a diverse set of actors that specialize in real estate activities, such as brokerage, valuation, construction, and asset management. CRE activity is a key indicator for the level of corporate growth and the economic development of a country. However, investments in CRE face a volatile global environment, which is characterized by deep uncertainties and cyclical behavior. In this context, decision support tools that facilitate the monitoring and assessment of CRE investments are of major importance for various stakeholders, including investors and policy makers. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive approach for assessing CRE investments based on a multicriteria evaluation framework. The analysis is based on a sample of commercial assets taken from the portfolio of a real estate investment company in the United States. The proposed multicriteria approach considers a rich set of evaluation criteria, including macroeconomic indicators, information about the local CRE markets, as well as the characteristics of the assets under consideration. Using analytical methodologies from the family of ELECTRE outranking methods, the assets are ranked and rated according to their overall performance. Different scenarios are explored for the weightings of the appraisal criteria, thus enabling the analysis of the robustness of the results.
From frustules to medusae: A new culture system for the study of the invasive hydrozoan Craspedacusta sowerbii in the laboratory
Authors: Marchessaux Guillaume , Bejean Mickaël
Published: December 2020

The invasive freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii, native from East Asia (Yangzi Jiang River), was introduced in Europe for the first time in the basins of the Royal Botanic Garden in London. From the beginning of the 20th century, worldwide reports of the presence of C. sowerbii have been increasing (USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Russia). Despite its now worldwide distribution, C. sowerbii has rarely been the subject of recent studies. Moreover, C. sowerbii is difficult to rear in the laboratory, and individuals generally from the wild have only been reared for short periods. Many aspects of laboratory cultures have proven to be problematic for all stages of the life cycle (from frustule to medusae): lack of optimal growing system (circular current or not), water quality (physical and chemical conditions), diet (the type of food), and temperature. In this article, we present a technique for culturing all life stages of C. sowerbii, from polyps to medusae, to study its life history in the laboratory. To demonstrate the success of our culture protocol, the growth of polyps was measured for 80 days at 19 and 29°C. Colony growth increased at both temperatures in our culture system, and data were similar to those presented in the literature, illustrating the success of this protocol. Medusae were cultured for 70 days, and their bell diameter increased from 0.60 ± 0.08 mm (Day 0) to 9.0 ± 2.1 mm (Day 32). We developed a closed culture system that allowed specimens (i.e., polyps and medusae) to be maintained for more than 2 months (80 days for polyps, 72 days for medusae). This culture system will allow researchers in the future to study more precisely the metabolism (growth, ingestion, longevity) of polyps and medusae to understand life‐history characteristics important to this species' ecology (periods of medusae production, predation, and diet).
Making lightweight SiC(rGO, xMoSi2) bulk ceramics via polymeric precursor route
Authors: Yao Rongqian , Zheng Yinong , Jin Chao , Huang Wenyan , Han Yuchen , Li Ke , Lan Siqi , Huang Zhenguo , Hu Jiahao , Zhang Yinggan
Published: December 2020

Unique properties of MoSi2 open new opportunities for preparing bulk polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) displaying favorable structural‐functional capabilities. Herein, an ingenious production route via re‐pyrolysis process of ball‐milling‐induced rigid SiC(rGO, xMoSi2)p fillers/flexible polycarbosilane‐vinyltriethoxysilane‐graphene oxide (PCS‐VTES‐GO, PVG) precursors blends is proposed to obtain in situ formed SiC(rGO, xMoSi2) bulk PDCs. Interestingly, the possible dense β‐SiC/SiOxCy/Cfree(rGO, xMoSi2) framework suffers load and tiny microsized pores relaxes stress, which is beneficial to providing optimized hardness and fracture toughness, ceramic yield, and linear shrinkage. Attractively, MoSi2 prominently enhances thermal and electrical conductivities of the products owing to increased continuity and compactness. To the best of our knowledge, lightweight SiC(rGO, 20%MoSi2) bulk PDCs own brilliant ceramic yield (92.13%), liner shrinkage (6.69%), hardness (10.34 GPa), fracture toughness (4.35 Mpa·m1/2), and thermal conductivity (8.57 W·m–1·K–1), opening potential emerging uses in aerospace fields.
People with intellectual disabilities as business owners: A systematic review of peer‐reviewed literature
Authors: Hutchinson Claire , Lay Kiri , Alexander June , Ratcliffe Julie
Published: December 2020

Background

Microenterprises are very small businesses requiring little capital and can be an employment pathway for people with intellectual disabilities. This systematic review aims to identify the facilitators, barriers and outcomes from microenterprise.

Method

Web of Science, Scopus, EconLit, PsycINFO and ProQuest were searched to identify peer‐reviewed studies on microenterprises owned by people with intellectual disability published up to and including 1 October 2019.

Results

A total of 1080 papers were independently screened by two reviewers. Six papers met the inclusion criteria. Barriers included lack of access to business expertise and resources, and the tension between growing microenterprises and maintaining eligibility for welfare payments. Formal and informal supports were key facilitators. Outcomes experienced included additional income, skills development, increased confidence and engagement in meaningful activities.

Conclusion

Additional research is required to develop an evidence base which may support investment in this employment pathway, making microenterprise more accessible to people with intellectual disabilities.
The use of an implementation science theoretical framework to inform the development of a region wide Positive Behavioural Support Workforce Development approach
Authors: McKenzie Karen , McNall Anne , Noone Steve , Branch Alison , Murray George , Sherring Melissa , Jones Lynne , Thompson Judith , Chaplin Jill
Published: December 2020

Background

Concern about the poor care of some people with an intellectual disability has highlighted the need for systemic, large‐scale interventions to develop a skilled workforce.

Method

We outline how an implementation science theoretical model informed the development of a region‐wide Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) Workforce Development (WFD) approach.

Results

We provide an example of the application of the model in practice and demonstrate how this enabled us to understand the competencies and development needs of the workforce; engage effectively with stakeholders; and develop, deliver and evaluate a PBS WFD model.

Conclusion

The application of the model helped us to identify, prioritise, and address the multiple and complex factors that were relevant to the implementation of the PBS WFD approach.
The structure of plant–herbivore interaction networks varies along elevational gradients in the European Alps
Authors: Pitteloud Camille , Walser Jean‐Claude , Descombes Patrice , Novaes de Santana Charles , Rasmann Sergio , Pellissier Loïc
Published: December 2020

Aim

Ecological gradients are expected to be associated with structural rewiring of species interaction networks. The study of network structures along geographic and ecological gradients, however, remains marginal because documenting species interactions at multiple sites is a methodological challenge. Here, we aimed to study the structural variation in plant–herbivore interaction networks along elevational gradients using molecular metabarcoding.

Location

European Alps.

Taxon

Plant and Orthopteran herbivores.

Methods

We used a standardized DNA metabarcoding method applied to Orthopteran faeces to document the structure of 48 networks of species interactions across six elevational gradients. We examined how structural properties of plant–Orthoptera networks reflecting specialization and robustness vary with elevation. We compared observed variation to null models to account for differences in network size.

Results

We found an increase in the levels of generality and nestedness with decreasing temperature, and the correlation was stronger than in null models. These relationships corresponded to greater robustness and reduced the importance of specific keystone species in alpine habitats compared to lowland grasslands.

Main conclusions

In cold environments, plant–herbivore networks are wired in a way that may reinforce the resilience of the system to species extinction. Documenting ecological networks along ecological gradients allows a better understanding of the influence of climate on the structure of ecological communities.