bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing an agile regulatory ecosystem to respond to the rapid development of innovative technologies
Authors: ElZarrad M. Khair , Lee Aaron Y. , Purcell Rose , Steele Scott J.
Published: March 2022

Technological advancements are dramatically changing the landscape of therapeutic development. The convergence of advances in computing power, analytical methods, artificial intelligence, novel digital health tools, and cloud‐based platforms has the potential to power an exponential acceleration of evidence generation. For regulatory agencies responsible for evidence evaluation and oversight of medical products, these advances present both promises and challenges. Ultimately, realizing the translation and impact of these innovations that could potentially enhance therapeutic development and improve the health of individuals and the public will require a nimble and responsive regulatory approach. Supporting an adaptive policy‐making infrastructure that is poised to address novel regulatory considerations, creating a workforce to ensure relevant expertise, and fostering more diverse collaborations with a broader group of stakeholders are steps toward the goal of modernizing the regulatory ecosystem. This article outlines approaches that can help provide the flexibility and tools needed to foster innovation, while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical products.
Life expectancy in cerebral palsy litigation: What constitutes an expert opinion?
Authors: Brooks Jordan , Rosenbloom Lewis
Published: March 2022

This letter to the editor is on the Invited Review by Mark Rosenthal on pages 709–714 of this issue.
European Academy of Neurology guidance for developing and reporting clinical practice guidelines on rare neurological diseases
Authors: Aleksovska Katina , Kobulashvili Teia , Costa Joao , Zimmermann Georg , Ritchie Karen , Reinhard Carola , Vignatelli Luca , Fanciulli Alessandra , Damian Maxwel , Pavlakova Lucia , Burgunder Jean‐Marc , Kopishinskaya Svetlana , Rakusa Martin , Kovacs Norbert , Erdogan Fusun Ferda , Linton Lori Renna , Copetti Massimiliano , Lamperti Costanza , Servidei Serenella , Evangelista Theresina , Ayme Segolene , Pareyson Davide , Sellner Johann , Krarup Christian , de Visser Marianne , van den Bergh Peter , Toscano Antonio , Graessner Holm , Berger Thomas , Bassetti Claudio , Vidailhet Marie , Trinka Eugene , Deuschl Guenther , Federico Antonio , Leone Maurizio A.
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

Rare diseases affect up to 29 million people in the European Union, and almost 50% of them affect the nervous system or muscles. Delays in diagnosis and treatment onset and insufficient treatment choices are common. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) may improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients and optimize care pathways, delivering the best scientific evidence to all clinicians treating these patients. Recommendations are set for developing and reporting high‐quality CPGs on rare neurological diseases (RNDs) within the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), through a consensus procedure.

Methods

A group of 27 experts generated an initial list of items that were evaluated through a two‐step Delphi consensus procedure and a face‐to‐face meeting. The final list of items was reviewed by an external review group of 58 members.

Results

The consensus procedure yielded 63 final items. Items are listed according to the domains of the AGREE instruments and concern scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, and applicability. Additional items consider reporting and ethical issues. Recommendations are supported by practical examples derived from published guidelines and are presented in two tables: (1) items specific to RND CPGs, and general guideline items of special importance for RNDs, or often neglected; (2) items for guideline development within the EAN.

Conclusions

This guidance aims to provide solutions to the issues specific to RNDs. This consensus document, produced by many experts in various fields, is considered to serve as a starting point for further harmonization and for increasing the quality of CPGs in the field of RNDs.
A new chaotic Lévy flight distribution optimization algorithm for solving constrained engineering problems
Authors: Yıldız Betül Sultan , Kumar Sumit , Pholdee Nantiwat , Bureerat Sujin , Sait Sadiq M. , Yildiz Ali Riza
Published: March 2022

This work proposed a new metaheuristic dubbed as Chaotic Lévy flight distribution (CLFD) algorithm, to address physical world engineering optimization problems that incorporate the chaotic maps in the elementary Lévy flight distribution (LFD). Hybridization aims to increase the LFD rate of convergence while also providing a problem‐free optimization approach. The proposed methodology is investigated for five case studies of constrained optimization issues followed by shape optimization of structural design. The outcomes from the CFLD algorithm are further contrasted with its fundamental version and other distinguished recently introduced algorithms. The computational analysis illustrates the dominance of CLFD over other considered optimizers. Moreover, the present investigation shows that CLFD is a robust technique that can efficiently find optimal mechanical design problems with a proper chaotic map selection.
Fuzzy inference system for failure strength estimation of plain and notched 3D‐printed polylactide components
Authors: Tu Ruixuan , Gitman Inna , Susmel Luca
Published: March 2022

A fuzzy sets based computational fuzzy inference system has been used to estimate the failure strength of 3D‐printed polylactide components. The research has confirmed and validated the accuracy and reliability of this approach with a satisfying level of reliability. As far as failure strength is concerned, the following two types of input parameters have been considered: (i) manufacturing variables (i.e., manufacturing angle, infill density, and size of manufacturing voids) and (ii) geometrical features (i.e., notch root radius). The individual significance of the various parameters under investigation has been identified together with the influence on the estimation accuracy of the number of specimens being used. The fuzzy inference system has shown an accuracy improvement compared to the failure strength estimation, obtained as a result of an existing analytical method. The fuzzy inference system approach has also been shown to have a good potential as a decision‐making tool in design problems.
Glacier shrinkage will accelerate downstream decomposition of organic matter and alters microbiome structure and function
Authors: Kohler Tyler J. , Fodelianakis Stilianos , Michoud Grégoire , Ezzat Leïla , Bourquin Massimo , Peter Hannes , Busi Susheel Bhanu , Pramateftaki Paraskevi , Deluigi Nicola , Styllas Michail , Tolosano Matteo , de Staercke Vincent , Schön Martina , Brandani Jade , Marasco Ramona , Daffonchio Daniele , Wilmes Paul , Battin Tom J.
Published: March 2022

The shrinking of glaciers is among the most iconic consequences of climate change. Despite this, the downstream consequences for ecosystem processes and related microbiome structure and function remain poorly understood. Here, using a space‐for‐time substitution approach across 101 glacier‐fed streams (GFSs) from six major regions worldwide, we investigated how glacier shrinkage is likely to impact the organic matter (OM) decomposition rates of benthic biofilms. To do this, we measured the activities of five common extracellular enzymes and estimated decomposition rates by using enzyme allocation equations based on stoichiometry. We found decomposition rates to average 0.0129 (% d−1), and that decreases in glacier influence (estimated by percent glacier catchment coverage, turbidity, and a glacier index) accelerates decomposition rates. To explore mechanisms behind these relationships, we further compared decomposition rates with biofilm and stream water characteristics. We found that chlorophyll‐a, temperature, and stream water N:P together explained 61% of the variability in decomposition. Algal biomass, which is also increasing with glacier shrinkage, showed a particularly strong relationship with decomposition, likely indicating their importance in contributing labile organic compounds to these carbon‐poor habitats. We also found high relative abundances of chytrid fungi in GFS sediments, which putatively parasitize these algae, promoting decomposition through a fungal shunt. Exploring the biofilm microbiome, we then sought to identify bacterial phylogenetic clades significantly associated with decomposition, and found numerous positively (e.g., Saprospiraceae) and negatively (e.g., Nitrospira) related clades. Lastly, using metagenomics, we found evidence of different bacterial classes possessing different proportions of EEA‐encoding genes, potentially informing some of the microbial associations with decomposition rates. Our results, therefore, present new mechanistic insights into OM decomposition in GFSs by demonstrating that an algal‐based “green food web” is likely to increase in importance in the future and will promote important biogeochemical shifts in these streams as glaciers vanish.
Climate oscillations drive millennial‐scale changes in seabird colony size
Authors: Duda Matthew P. , Cyr Frédéric , Robertson Gregory J. , Michelutti Neal , Meyer‐Jacob Carsten , Hedd April , Montevecchi William A. , Kimpe Linda E. , Blais Jules M. , Smol John P.
Published: March 2022

Seabird population size is intimately linked to the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the oceans. Yet, the overall effects of long‐term changes in ocean dynamics on seabird colonies are difficult to quantify. Here, we used dated lake sediments to reconstruct ~10,000‐years of seabird dynamics in the Northwest Atlantic to determine the influences of Holocene‐scale climatic oscillations on colony size. On Baccalieu Island (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada)—where the world's largest colony of Leach's storm‐petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous Vieillot 1818) currently breeds—our data track seabird colony growth in response to warming during the Holocene Thermal Maximum (ca. 9000 to 6000 BP). From ca. 5200 BP to the onset of the Little Ice Age (ca. 550 BP), changes in colony size were correlated to variations in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). By contrasting the seabird trends from Baccalieu Island to millennial‐scale changes of storm‐petrel populations from Grand Colombier Island (an island in the Northwest Atlantic that is subjected a to different ocean climate), we infer that changes in NAO influenced the ocean circulation, which translated into, among many things, changes in pycnocline depth across the Northwest Atlantic basin where the storm‐petrels feed. We hypothesize that the depth of the pycnocline is likely a strong bottom‐up control on surface‐feeding storm‐petrels through its influence on prey accessibility. Since the Little Ice Age (LIA), the effects of ocean dynamics on seabird colony size have been altered by anthropogenic impacts. Subsequently, the colony on Baccalieu Island grew at an unprecedented rate to become the world's largest resulting from favorable conditions linked to climate warming, increased vegetation (thereby nesting habitat), and attraction of recruits from other colonies that are now in decline. We show that although ocean dynamics were an important driver of seabird colony dynamics, its recent influence has been modified by human interference.
Extraordinary everydayness: Young people's affective engagements with the country of origin through digital media and transnational mobility
Authors: Anschütz Sarah
Published: March 2022

Literature on transnational families has established that both digital media and visits are important to maintaining relationships across distance. While studies foreground family ties and adult perspectives, few have focused on how young people create and experience affective engagements with the country of origin. This is largely because youth mobility has either been ignored or studied retrospectively from the country of residence. This study investigates youth mobility as it unfolds and explores what transpires during country‐of‐origin visits. Drawing on 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Belgium and Ghana with 25 young people of Ghanaian background, I argue that young people experience an extraordinary everydayness during visits to Ghana. Young people build affective connections with people and places through digital media before, during and after visits. The resulting everydayness is extraordinary as it takes place in an unfamiliar space with peers previously only known in the online sphere.
Cheilitis glandularis: case report and systematic literature review
Authors: de Sales Sarah Campos , Oliveira Sicília Rezende , Pantuzzo Erika Soares , Costa Fernanda Pereira Delgado , Xavier Marcus Henrique , de Mesquita Ricardo Alves , Abreu Lucas Guimarães , Campos Felipe Eduardo Baires , de Castro Wagner Henriques , Silva Tarcília Aparecida
Published: March 2022

Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that affects the minor salivary glands predominantly in the lower lip. In this article, we report the case of an 18‐year‐old black woman who presented with a deep suppurative type of CG in both lips. In addition, we performed a systematic literature review in five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and Embase) to identify CG case reports or case series. A total of 360 references were retrieved in the electronic databases. Thirty‐four articles met the inclusion criteria, and six were retrieved through manual search, totaling 40 articles included in the systematic review. Thirty‐nine (68.4%) cases occurred in male individuals and 18 (31.6%) in female individuals. The mean age of affected individuals was 40.9 years. Different clinical manifestations ranging from no symptoms to discomfort, pain, swelling, erythema, eversion of the lip, dilated ductal openings, ulcers, and crust have been reported. Among the included CG cases, 41 affected exclusively the lower lip (71.9%). In four cases, the CG only affected the upper lip (7.0%). In 12 cases, the lesion affected both the lower and upper lips (21.1%). Different treatment modalities were adopted in the management of CG. Although the surgical treatment was indicated (42.1%), the conservative treatment with topical medications, as in the present case, resulted in resolution in 21.0% of cases.
Body Without End: Biological Mutualism and the Body of Christ
Authors: Malcolm Hannah
Published: March 2022

This article argues that the ecological turn towards biological mutualism enlivens our understanding of the eschatological promise contained in Christ’s resurrected and ascended body. I examine the implications of proposing that Christ’s body was not only incarnate as microbiome, but also rose and ascended as microbiome. First, I analyse contemporary approaches to Christology’s relation to creation and Andrew Davison’s theological exploration of mutualism. I then respond via Irenaeus’ defence of Christ’s bodily resurrection and ascension as promise for all flesh. By reading Irenaeus in light of the mutualistic body, we enrich our understanding of this promise: of fruitfulness for all creation, of fullness for human nature, and that fleshly life is no ultimate barrier to union with God. Finally, I propose that this reading also offers renewed insight into the Eucharist: this promise and its implications are also made manifest at the heart of the church, Christ’s body on earth.
Testicular cancer and YouTube: What do you expect from a social media platform?
Authors: Di Bello Francesco , Collà Ruvolo Claudia , Cilio Simone , La Rocca Roberto , Capece Marco , Creta Massimiliano , Celentano Giuseppe , Califano Gianluigi , Morra Simone , Iacovazzo Carmine , Coviello Antonio , Buonanno Pasquale , Fusco Ferdinando , Imbimbo Ciro , Mirone Vincenzo , Longo Nicola
Published: March 2022

Objective

To evaluate the quality information on testicular cancer uploaded on YouTube™ videos.

Methods

YouTube™ videos were searched using “Testicular cancer” as a keyword. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, the Misinformation scale, and the DISCERN tool were used to assess the quality information of YouTube™ videos on testicular cancer.

Results

According to the selection criteria, 121 YouTube™ videos were collected for the analysis and stratified according to uploading year (2009–2014 vs 2015–2020). According to the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for audio‐visual content, the overall Understandability score was 60% (interquartile range 45.5–75) and the overall Actionability score was 100% (interquartile range 66.7–100). According to the Misinformation scale, the lowest median was recorded for item 6 (“Effects on fertility”) and the overall median Misinformation score was 2 (interquartile range 1.3–2.8). No statistically significant differences were observed according to uploading year (all P > 0.05). Of all, only 54 (44.6%) videos mentioning treatment were subsequently analyzed. Of these videos, the overall Understandability was 71.4% (interquartile range 56.3–84.6) and the overall Actionability was 100% (interquartile range 66.7–100). The overall Misinformation score was 2.8 (interquartile range 2.2–3.5). The median DISCERN score recorded for question 16 was 5 (interquartile range 3–5).

Conclusions

YouTube™ is a fast and open‐access source for mass information. The overall quality of the testicular cancer contents provided is sadly unsatisfactory, in the present likewise in the past. However, YouTube™ videos mentioning treatment options showed higher quality content, than the remaining one. Nevertheless, all the videos analyzed underestimated the testicular cancer effects on fertility. Nowadays, YouTube™ cannot be recommended as a reliable source of information on testicular cancer.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa modulates neutrophil granule exocytosis in an in vitro model of airway infection
Authors: Laucirica Daniel R , Schofield Craig J , McLean Samantha A , Margaroli Camilla , Agudelo‐Romero Patricia , Stick Stephen M , Tirouvanziam Rabindra , Kicic Anthony , Garratt Luke W ,   Western Australian Epithelial Research Program (WAERP),   Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for CF (AREST CF)
Published: March 2022

A population of neutrophils recruited into cystic fibrosis (CF) airways is associated with proteolytic lung damage, exhibiting high expression of primary granule exocytosis marker CD63 and reduced phagocytic receptor CD16. Causative factors for this population are unknown, limiting intervention. Here we present a laboratory model to characterize responses of differentiated airway epithelium and neutrophils following respiratory infection. Pediatric primary airway epithelial cells were cultured at the air–liquid interface, challenged individually or in combination with rhinovirus (RV) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, then apically washed with medical saline to sample epithelial infection milieus. Cytokine multiplex analysis revealed epithelial antiviral signals, including IP‐10 and RANTES, increased with exclusive RV infection but were diminished if P. aeruginosa was also present. Proinflammatory signals interleukin‐1α and β were dominant in P. aeruginosa infection milieus. Infection washes were also applied to a published model of neutrophil transmigration into the airways. Neutrophils migrating into bacterial and viral–bacterial co‐infection milieus exhibited the in vivo CF phenotype of increased CD63 expression and reduced CD16 expression, while neutrophils migrating into milieus of RV‐infected or uninfected cultures did not. Individually, bacterial products lipopolysaccharide and N‐formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine and isolated cytokine signals only partially activated this phenotype, suggesting that additional soluble factors in the infection microenvironment trigger primary granule release. Findings identify P. aeruginosa as a trigger of acute airway inflammation and neutrophil primary granule exocytosis, underscoring potential roles of airway microbes in prompting this neutrophil subset. Further studies are required to characterize microbes implicated in primary granule release, and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Activity and outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation in the private sector in Australia
Authors: Nath Karthik , James Yvette , Taylor Debra , Gardner Raeina , Rai Nicholas , Ware Robert S. , Taylor Kerry , Morton James , Durrant Simon , Irving Ian , Bashford John
Published: March 2022

Background

Few Australasian autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) programmes perform ASCT in the private sector. Relatively little is known about ASCT outcomes in the private sector, which varies in care delivery models to the public system.

Aims

To investigate transplantation activity and survival outcomes at Icon Cancer Centre's Brisbane‐based private clinical and laboratory ASCT programme over a 23‐year period.

Methods

Retrospective, observational study of all adults who underwent ASCT at Icon between 1996 and 2018. Main outcome measures were transplant activity, overall survival (OS) and 100‐day and 1‐year transplant‐related mortality (TRM). Outcomes were benchmarked against the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry (ABMTRR).

Results

Between 1996 and 2018, 1676 ASCT were performed in 1454 patients. From 2010 to 2018, ASCT performed at Icon contributed 40% of all South East Queensland ASCT. In the past 5 years, 21% of Icon's patients were aged ≥70 years, compared with 5% across Australasia. For the entire cohort, 100‐day and 1‐year TRM was 1.1% and 1.7%, respectively, while for those aged ≥70 years, it was 2.0% and 3.1%. For ASCT performed between 2014 and 2018, 100‐day and 1‐year TRM was 0.8% and 1.4%, which was half the TRM rates reported by the ABMTRR. The 10‐year post‐transplant OS at Icon was higher than the ABMTRR data, across all disease subtypes.

Conclusion

We report excellent OS and low TRM, demonstrating the critical role of the private sector in the administration of this highly complex therapy. The Icon ASCT programme is the largest ASCT contributor in Queensland. It is inclusive of patients aged ≥70 years, demonstrating low and acceptable TRM.
Factors associated with early uptake of COVID‐19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Azerbaijan, 2021
Authors: Doran Jason , Seyidov Nabil , Mehdiyev Samir , Gon Giorgia , Kissling Esther , Herdman Trent , Suleymanova Javahir , Rehse Ana Paula Couthino , Pebody Richard , Katz Mark A. , Hagverdiyev Gahraman
Published: March 2022

Introduction

We evaluated uptake and factors associated with COVID‐19 vaccination among health workers (HWs) in Azerbaijan.

Results

Among 1575 HWs, 73% had received at least one dose, and 67% received two doses; all received CoronaVac. Factors associated with vaccination uptake included no previous COVID‐19 infection, older age, belief in the vaccine's safety, previous vaccination for influenza, having patient‐facing roles and good or excellent health by self‐assessment.

Conclusion

These findings could inform strategies to increase vaccination uptake as the campaign continues.
Contract broiler farming as an effective pathway to improve rural prosperity in Indonesia
Authors: Setiadi Agus , Santoso Siswanto Imam , Mukson Mukson , Roessali Wiludjeng
Published: March 2022

This study investigates contract broiler farming as an effective scheme to improve rural prosperity through increased income using data compiled from a survey of randomly selected 158 broiler farm operations in Central Java and annual data collected from January to December 2020. Descriptive and regression analyses were used in this study. Farmers raised broilers, ranging from 5,400 to 20,000, about eight cycles a year in a closed‐house system. The number of broilers, feed conversion ratio (FCR), index performance, and harvested weight were hypothesised to influence income. Increasing index performance, number of broilers raised, length of rearing period, and harvested weight increased the broiler farm's income. Reducing FCR led to an increase in income. There was a positive correlation between the number of broilers raised and revenue and income. Contract broiler farming has improved the welfare of the rural community through increased income. Farmers earned high income from contract prices that was much higher than the production costs. It is recommended that broiler chicken contract farming should be disseminated to other farm communities in rural areas. As contract farming is suitable for medium‐ to large‐size farms, other schemes should accommodate small‐scale farms that dominate the domestic poultry industry.
Job experiences, challenges, revelations and narratives of nurse academics. A qualitative study
Authors: Singh Charanjit , Jackson Debra , Munro Ian , Cross Wendy
Published: March 2022

Aim

To explore the views and experiences of nurse academics about their professional work life.

Design

A qualitative exploratory interview study.

Methods

Data were collected during 2018/2019 using a semi‐structured interview method with 19 experienced academic nurses from a range of academic levels in Australia. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using a narrative approach. Ethics approval was granted by the relevant University Human Research Ethics Committee.

Results

Participants provided detailed insights into the type of daily job stressors they faced. They shared narratives about their personal job experiences and how, at times, they chose to remain silent to maintain a cordial working relationship with some of their senior colleagues and leaders. The main themes were identified included a lack of work–life balance, incivility towards staff, increasing workloads and inequitable distribution, lack of recognition, negative workplace culture, lack of awareness of the importance of political astuteness and lack of leadership skills.

Conclusion

To ensure a sustainable academic nursing workforce and provide a clearer understanding of job stress and what contributes to faculty decision to leave, areas of priority and strategies that needed attention were identified. These included effective mentoring of less‐experienced staff and leadership styles that promote greater inclusiveness, being heard, valued and recognized, improved work–life balance and the need to have a sense of belonging.

Impact

The study explored the job experiences of nurse academics and identified occupational stressors that directly influenced their daily work life. The findings have global implications for the recruitment and sustainability of nurse academics. This also impacts on their professional and work–life balance.
Employment preferences of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: An evaluation of gender and age differences
Authors: Hennessey Robin E. , Goreczny Anthony J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Employment is often central to individuals' lives. However, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are often absent from the workplace, and little research has examined their interest in working.

Aims

This study examined whether people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities want jobs; why they do or do not want jobs; and, if they want to work, what types of jobs they would like to have.

Materials and Methods

Our analyses consisted of 629 participants (379 male, 248 female, 2 unspecified) who participated in an interview.

Results

Results suggested that many individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities want jobs. Our study identified gender differences in vocational interests and motivation for employment. There were no significant differences between age groups.

Discussion and Conclusion

In the future, research could expand upon these findings by exploring how various factors, such as other social identities, affect vocational interests of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Soil chemical variables improve models of understorey plant species distributions
Authors: Roe Nathan A. , Ducey Mark J. , Lee Thomas D. , Fraser Olivia L. , Colter Robert A. , Hallett Richard A.
Published: March 2022

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) assume that all ecologically relevant predictor variables are included. This assumption is frequently violated in SDMs of plant species, as soil variables are rarely included. Here, we used in‐situ, soil geochemical variables along with more commonly used topo‐climatic and remotely sensed variables to create SDMs of understorey plant species. We evaluated whether the potential importance of soil variables is greater than generally described in SDM literature, which predictors are most important, and whether a standard subset of predictors can be used to effectively model all species.

Location

Northern Appalachian Mountains.

Taxon

Vascular, forest understorey plants.

Methods

We fit models for the presence of 41 forest understorey plant species across 158 plots using soil, topographic and spectral predictors.

Results

Models containing all three predictor types performed best. Soil and topographic variables had comparable importance; spectral variables were of lesser importance. The best predictor variable was B horizon carbon to nitrogen ratio (B C:N), followed by topographic position index, elevation and B horizon exchangeable calcium (B Ca). A standard subset of variables did not effectively model all species.

Main conclusions

Our results and those of other SDMs that include in‐situ soil geochemical data suggest that soil variables are increasingly important with more detailed descriptions of soils. Soil fertility data, such as B C:N and B Ca, are particularly important in acidic, forest soils where pH is a poor indicator of fertility. Commonly used topo‐climatic variables provide meaningful predictions but are limited by their use of indirect predictor variables, inhibiting transferability and interpretability. The poor performance of a standard subset of variables highlights the uniqueness of each species' niche and the need to have a variety of predictor variables.
Ascorbate peroxidase 1 confers resistance to southern corn leaf blight in maize
Authors: Zhang Jinghua , Jia Xingmeng , Wang Guan‐Feng , Ma Shijun , Wang Shunxi , Yang Qin , Chen Xueyan , Zhang Yuqian , Lyu Yajing , Wang Xiaoxu , Shi Jiawei , Zhao Yangtao , Chen Yanhui , Wu Liuji
Published: March 2022

Southern corn leaf blight (SCLB), caused by Bipolaris maydis, is one of the most devastating diseases affecting maize production. However, only one SLCB resistance gene, conferring partial resistance, is currently known, underscoring the importance of isolating new SCLB resistance‐related genes. Here, we performed a comparative proteomic analysis and identified 258 proteins showing differential abundance during the maize response to B. maydis. These proteins included an ascorbate peroxidase (Zea mays ascorbate peroxidase 1 (ZmAPX1)) encoded by a gene located within the mapping interval of a previously identified quantitative trait locus associated with SCLB resistance. ZmAPX1 overexpression resulted in lower H2O2 accumulation and enhanced resistance against B. maydis. Jasmonic acid (JA) contents and transcript levels for JA biosynthesis and responsive genes increased in ZmAPX1‐overexpressing plants infected with B. maydis, whereas Zmapx1 mutants showed the opposite effects. We further determined that low levels of H2O2 are accompanied by an accumulation of JA that enhances SCLB resistance. These results demonstrate that ZmAPX1 positively regulates SCLB resistance by decreasing H2O2 accumulation and activating the JA‐mediated defense signaling pathway. This study identified ZmAPX1 as a potentially useful gene for increasing SCLB resistance. Furthermore, the generated data may be relevant for clarifying the functions of plant APXs.
Urban‐Rural Differences in Depression Literacy Among High School Teachers in the Kingdom of Eswatini
Authors: Ngwenya Thabo Zwelethu , Huang Nicole , Wang I‐An , Chen Chuan‐Yu
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Concerns have been raised over teachers' mental health literacy in low‐income countries and lower‐ and middle‐income countries wherein pediatric mental health resources are limited. This study aims to investigate adolescent depression literacy among teachers in Eswatini and to explore the role of urbanicity.

METHODS

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey in 59 public high schools in Eswatini in 2019‐2020. Data were collected by a paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire; depression literacy was assessed by the 17‐item Adolescent Depression Knowledge Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Teachers' adolescent depression literacy item‐level correct rates fell between 27 and 80%. Although the multivariate response models indicated that teaching in urban areas was slightly associated with having higher depression literacy in general (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval = 1.00‐2.12), such urban‐rural differences did not manifest homogeneously across all items: urban teaching was significantly linked with reduced correct responses toward certain items concerning depression etiology and treatment, including “depression runs in some families,” “major stress as a necessary cause,” and “a curable illness” (aOR = 0.57 ∼ 0.68).

CONCLUSION

Urban‐rural differences in teachers' depression literacy were manifested at both scale‐ and item‐levels. A critical need exists for urban/rural areas‐tailored intervention on teachers' literacy toward mental disorders in the resource‐limited regions to better improve health and developmental outcomes of students.
Myoclonus in older Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Authors: Rotter Carina , Whittaker Danielle , Rusbridge Clare
Published: March 2022

Background

Myoclonus is observed in older Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) but a full description is lacking.

Objectives

The presence, age of onset, characteristics and treatment of myoclonic episodes were retrospectively evaluated in a cohort of CKCS which presented to 1 board‐certified neurologist. Clinical data, imaging studies, presence of seizures and their management, as well as other comorbidities were noted.

Animals

Thirty‐nine CKCS that were presented to 2 institutions between 2001 and 2018 with signs consistent with myoclonus. Clinical examination, blood sampling, advanced diagnostic imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and record keeping of other comorbidities was performed.

Methods

This is a retrospective case series, describing the presence of myoclonus in CKCS.

Results

Clinical signs reported were spontaneous in onset, lasted a few seconds and consisted of rapid blinking with head nodding and variable extension down the thoracic limbs. Myoclonus occasionally led to stumbling of the thoracic limbs or collapse. Mean age of onset was 8.38 years (SD ±1.96). Thirteen of 39 dogs with myoclonus had paroxysmal events, such as generalized seizures (9/13).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Myoclonus occurs in middle‐aged to older CKCS and seems to be another epiphenomena of this breed. A link to epilepsy might be present.
New directions in Jane Austen studies
Authors: Greenfield Sayre N. , Troost Linda V.
Published: March 2022

This essay identifies emerging trends in Jane Austen scholarship published between 2010 and 2020, with a focus on monographs and edited collections. In recent work examining Austen through contemporary theoretical and critical lenses, the following new topics have been central: material culture, animal studies, masculinity, place, and celebrity. The last of these includes Austen's use of Regency celebrities in her novels and her connections with other women writers. Studies of the parallels between her and Shakespeare's rises to fame have also surged. Connected to the interest in celebrity is the explosion of fan‐culture studies: Austen is now a multimedia superstar with wide appeal. This expansion of audience has meant a shift in the style of much scholarly writing on Austen as books try to cater to both academic and non‐academic markets.
Repeated measurements of non‐invasive fibrosis tests to monitor the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Balkhed Wile , Åberg Fredrik O. , Nasr Patrik , Ekstedt Mattias , Kechagias Stergios
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

The presence of advanced hepatic fibrosis is the prime marker for the prediction of liver‐related complications in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Blood‐based non‐invasive tests (NITs) have been developed to evaluate fibrosis and identify patients at risk. Current guidelines propose monitoring the progression of NAFLD using repeated NITs at 2–3‐year intervals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of changes in NITs measured at two time points with the progression of NAFLD.

Methods

We retrospectively included NAFLD patients with NIT measurements in whom the baseline hepatic fibrosis stage had been assessed by biopsy or transient elastography (TE). Subjects underwent follow‐up visits at least 1 year from baseline to evaluate the progression of NAFLD. NAFLD progression was defined as the development of end‐stage liver disease or fibrosis progression according to repeat biopsy or TE. The following NITs were calculated at baseline and follow‐up: Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and dynamic aspartate‐to‐alanine aminotransferase ratio (dAAR).

Results

One hundred and thirty‐five patients were included with a mean follow‐up of 12.6 ± 8.5 years. During follow‐up, 41 patients (30%) were diagnosed with progressive NAFLD. Change in NIT scores during follow‐up was significantly associated with disease progression for all NITs tested except for NFS. However, the diagnostic precision was suboptimal with area under the receiver operating characteristics 0.56–0.64 and positive predictive values of 0.28–0.36 at sensitivity fixed at 90%.

Conclusions

Change of FIB‐4, NFS, APRI, and dAAR scores is only weakly associated with disease progression in NAFLD. Our findings do not support repeated measurements of these NITs for monitoring the course of NAFLD.
Feeding practices of children within institution‐based care: A retrospective analysis of surveillance data
Authors: DeLacey Emily , Allen Elizabeth , Tann Cally , Groce Nora , Hilberg Evan , Quiring Michael , Kaplan Tracy , Smythe Tracey , Kaui Erin , Catt Rachael , Miller Raeanne , Gombo Maijargal , Dam Hang , Kerac Marko
Published: March 2022

There is limited information on the feeding practices of 9.42 million children living within institution‐based care (IBC) worldwide. Poor feeding practices can predispose or exacerbate malnutrition, illness and disability. Here we describe the feeding practices of children living within IBC based on a retrospective analysis of records from 3335 children, 0–18 years old, participating in Holt International's Child Nutrition Program (CNP), from 36 sites in six countries. Data analysed included demographic information on age, sex, feeding practices, disabilities and feeding difficulties. Descriptive statistics were produced. A generalised linear model explored associations between feeding difficulties and disability and 2 × 2 tables examined feeding difficulties over time. An additional set of feeding observations with qualitative and quantitative data was analysed. At baseline, the median age of children was 16 months (0.66–68 months) with 1650/3335 (49.5%) females. There were 757/3335 (22.7%) children with disabilities; 550/984 (55.9%) were low birth weight; 311/784 (39.7%) were premature; 447/3113 (14.4%) had low body mass index and 378/3335 (11.3%) had feeding difficulties. The adjusted risk of having a feeding difficulty was 5.08 ([95% confidence interval: 2.65–9.7], p ≤ 0.001) times greater in children with disabilities than those without. Many children saw their feeding difficulties resolve after 1‐year in CNP, 54/163 (33.1%) for children with disabilities and 57/106 (53.8%) for those without disabilities. Suboptimal hygiene, dietary and feeding practices were reported. In conclusion, feeding difficulties were common in IBC, especially among children with disabilities. Supporting safe interactive mealtimes for children living within IBC should be prioritised, to ensure overall health and development.
Now you're tax‐exempt, now you're not: Property taxation of assisted living facilities
Authors: Larson Sarah E. , Carroll Deborah A.
Published: March 2022

This research is motivated by a change in Florida that affected assisted living facilities (ALFs) by removing the property tax exemptions for those operated by nonprofit organizations. As such, this paper addresses two research questions: (1) Are there systematic differences between Florida's for‐profit‐ and nonprofit‐designated ALFs in terms of operations and service provision? (2) What was the impact, if any, of losing and regaining their property tax exemptions on the operations of Florida's nonprofit ALFs? We use data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to conduct difference of means testing for‐profit versus nonprofit ALFs, as well as annual financial data of each ALF property owners' IRS Form 990 from the National Center for Charitable Statistics Core Files and parcel‐level property data from the state of Florida to conduct regression analysis using three different dependent variables measuring various components of nonprofit ALF operations. We find that nonprofit ALFs have greater legitimacy in service delivery than for‐profits, as nonprofit ALFs have higher service capacity, quality, and variety than for‐profit ALFs in Florida. In addition, property tax exemptions for nonprofit ALFs in Florida decrease total expenses and increase officer compensation.
Genomic dissection reveals QTLs for grain biomass and correlated traits under drought stress in Ethiopian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp.durum)
Authors: Negisho Kefyalew , Shibru Surafel , Matros Andrea , Pillen Klaus , Ordon Frank , Wehner Gwendolin
Published: March 2022

Drought stress seriously challenges wheat production and productivity. Grain biomass (GB) and related traits were assessed under drought stress and non‐stress for 285 and 185 durum wheat genotypes, respectively, in field and climate chamber experiments to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL). Significant correlations between traits estimated in field and climate chamber trials were observed (p < .001). Genotyping with the wheat 90 K iSelect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array revealed 11,919 polymorphic SNP markers distributed across the durum wheat genome. The FarmCPU (Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification) method was used for genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). A total of 191 significant (−log10p ≥ 4) marker‐trait associations (MTAs) were detected at a linkage disequilibrium (LD,r2 ≥ .2) at 4.78 Mb and were clustered into 70 QTLs. A total of 69 (36%) of the MTAs passed a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5%. The numbers of QTLs detected were 21, 31, 9 and 9 under field drought stress (FDS), field non‐stress (FNS), climate chamber drought stress (CCDS) and climate chamber non‐stress (CCNS) conditions, respectively. About 43% and 57% of the QTLs were located on the A and B genomes, respectively. Some of the detected QTLs were in agreement with previously reported QTLs, while others are novel ones for the traits investigated. QTLs on 1A between 495694477and ‐501944537bp, on 3B between 416256124 and 430507900 bp, on 3B between 745357158 and 759608934 bp, on 4B between 593416763 and 605142497 bp and on 4B between 658785890 and 670511624 bp were selected for validation and may be used to increase grain yield under drought stress in marker‐assisted selection (MAS) schemes.

Key message

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) enabled detecting novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and identifying single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with grain biomass and correlated traits for drought stress tolerance in durum wheat based on a combination of climate chamber and multiyear and multilocation field experiments.
Antinuclear antibody pattern and autoantibody profiling of systemic sclerosis patients in a tertiary referral center in North India
Authors: Machhua Sanghamitra , Sharma Shefali K. , Kumar Yashwant , Anand Shashi , Handa Sanjeev , Minz Ranjana W.
Published: March 2022

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) pattern and autoantibody (autoAb) profiling of 150 adult systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients concerning their clinical association and diagnostic significance were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), immunoblot, and fluorescence enzyme immunoassay. One hundred and forty‐three (95.3%) patients had positive ANA: DNA topoisomerase I (topo I)‐like pattern‐84(56%); speckled pattern‐44(29.3%);centromere pattern‐7(4.6%); and nucleolar pattern‐4(2.6%). Three distinct topo I‐like immunofluorescence patterns were detected at 1:40 dilution. Topo I‐like pattern (32/75–limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) vs. 52/75‐diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc); p < 0.001) was found to be associated with dcSSc subset and speckled pattern (lcSSc 28/75 vs. dcSSc 16/75; p < 0.03) with lcSSc subset. One hundred and thirty‐eight (92%) patients were positive for SSc‐associated autoAbs. The frequency distribution of autoAbs to topo I, centromere A (CENP A) and centromereB (CENP B), RNA polymerase III (RP11, RP155), fibrillarin (U3RNP), nucleolus organizer region (NOR)‐90, Th/To, PM‐Scl75, PM‐Scl100, Ku, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and Ro‐52, were 87(58%), 9(6%), 8(5.3%), 6(4%), 9(6%), 0, 6(4%), 6(4%), 8(5.3%), 5(3.3%), 11(7.3%),0 and 46(30.6%), respectively. Topo I autoAb was strongly associated with dcSSc (35/75 lcSSc vs. 52/75 dcSSc; p < 0.004), Raynaud's (p < 0.003), interstitial lung disease (ILD) (p < 0.001) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (p < 0.04). This study helps in defining SSc clinical subset, prognostic markers of disease severity, characterization of the topo I‐like ANA pattern, and provides a definite association between the ANA patterns and corresponding autoAb.
Publication guidelines and recommendations for pupillary measurement in psychophysiological studies
Authors: Steinhauer Stuart R. , Bradley Margaret M. , Siegle Greg J. , Roecklein Kathryn A. , Dix Annika
Published: March 2022

A variety of psychological and physical phenomena elicit variations in the diameter of pupil of the eye. Changes in pupil size are mediated by the relative activation of the sphincter pupillae muscle (decrease pupil diameter) and the dilator pupillae muscle (increase pupil diameter), innervated by the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches, respectively, of the autonomic nervous system. The current guidelines are intended to inform and guide psychophysiological research involving pupil measurement by (1) summarizing important aspects concerning the physiology of the pupil, (2) providing methodological and data‐analytic guidelines and recommendations, and (3) briefly reviewing psychological phenomena that modulate pupillary reactivity. Because of the increased ease and tractability of pupil measurement, the goal of these guidelines is to promote accurate recording, analysis, and reporting of pupillary data in psychophysiological research.