bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sister‐city Ties and Chinese Outward Foreign Direct Investment: A Spatial Econometric Analysis
Authors: Huang Youxing , Dong Meixia , Zhao Yanping
Published: January 2024

This paper employs dynamic spatial econometric methods to analyze the impact of the sister‐city relationship on Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) using a linked country‐level dataset from 2003 to 2016. The results show strong and robust evidence that the sister‐city relationship has been a crucial OFDI location determinant in host countries and their neighbors. Specifically, the sister‐city tie between China and the host country has stimulated Chinese OFDI in host countries. Moreover, Chinese OFDI in host countries would be reduced if China concluded sister‐city ties with their neighbors to which we refer as the neighboring effect. Further mechanism tests show that sister cities have promoted OFDI in host countries via four channels: reducing political risk, decreasing information asymmetry, narrowing institutional distance, and mitigating cultural differences. This tendency for sister‐city links to promote OFDI has varied substantially depending on OFDI entry modes (i.e., greenfield or cross‐border mergers and acquisitions), motivation (i.e., resource‐, market‐, technology‐, or efficiency‐oriented OFDI), and Sino–foreign geographical relationships (i.e., Belt and Road Initiative countries or other countries).
Does hedge fund managers’ industry experience matter for hedge fund activism?
Authors: Brick Ivan E. , Chen Yuzi , Kang Jun‐Koo , Kim Jin‐Mo
Published: January 2024

We study whether fund managers’ industry experience is an important source of value creation in hedge fund activism. We find that the targets of industry‐expert fund managers realize higher activism announcement returns and better operating performance, particularly when fund managers’ industry expertise is more valuable for targets. These targets also engage in more focused acquisition and divestiture activities in industries where fund managers have experience, allocate more employees to these industries, and cut investments more in the postacquisition period. The superior performance of targets of industry‐expert fund managers is robust to controlling for the endogeneity concern and the attrition bias.
Effects of fishing on the Serra Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Resende Amanda Graziele Araújo , Duponchelle Fabrice , Santana Francisco Marcante , Lessa Rosângela Paula
Published: January 2024

The Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) is of high commercial value throughout its distribution. In Northeast Brazil, this important fishery resource has been under strong fishing pressure since the 1960s, with length composition changing between 1998–2001 and 2020–2022. Length frequency distributions, exploitation indicators, and gear selectivity indicated the effects of overfishing on stock size structure, with excessive withdrawal of spawners and reduced numbers of adults larger than 60 cm in catches. In addition, gear selectivity changed, with reduced size at first capture in the 40‐mm mesh. Our results indicated that the species is unsustainably exploited in the study area and suggested both growth and recruitment overfishing.
On the unique value of forests for water: Hydrologic impacts of forest disturbances, conversion, and restoration
Authors: Meli Paula , Ellison David , Ferraz Silvio F. de Barros , Filoso Solange , Brancalion Pedro H. S.
Published: January 2024

We need empirical evidence on the impacts of land‐use change on hydrological processes to guide policies and land management decisions. Based on a global meta‐analysis of 287 primary studies covering 1049 data points in 58 countries and across 12 biomes, we review hydrologic process changes resulting from native forest disturbances and conversions to other land‐use types. Infiltration rates consistently fell over 50%, overland flow increased and evapotranspiration as a share of rainfall declined when native forests were disturbed or converted. Changes in total evapotranspiration, interception, and streamflow were less consistent in direction, while restored native forests returned infiltration function rates to pre‐conversion levels. Forests, and perhaps especially native forests, have a unique value in supporting and regulating hydrologic processes, as they can reduce erosion, improve water infiltration, and potentially enhance water supply, including in downwind locations. We thus underscore global calls for increasing the proportion of reforested areas with native species in landscape restoration planned for this decade.
Magnetostratigraphic dating of Early Miocene deep‐sea fossils from the Morozaki Group in central Japan
Authors: Hoshi Hiroyuki , Matsunaga Akari
Published: January 2024

Early Miocene sediments of the Morozaki Group in central Japan contain deep‐sea fossils that have been dated using biostratigraphic and radiometric data. In this study, we utilize magnetostratigraphy to provide a more precise age for mudstones from just below the layer containing the fossils. Rock magnetic experiments suggest that both magnetic iron sulfide and Ti‐poor titanomagnetite carry the remanent magnetization of the mudstones. Two different stratigraphic sites have normal polarity directions with a northeastern declination, which can be correlated with Chronozone C5Dn. Given their magnetostratigraphic position near the C5Dn/C5Dr chronozone boundary (17.466 Ma) and a high sedimentation rate, the estimated age for both the sites and the deep‐sea fossils is ~17.4 Ma. The northeasterly‐directed site‐mean directions suggest clockwise tectonic rotation, most likely due to the Early Miocene clockwise rotation of Southwest Japan associated with the back‐arc opening of the Japan Sea. The deep‐sea fossils, dated at ~17.4 Ma, represent organisms deposited within a submarine structural depression formed by crustal extension during the back‐arc opening stage.
Effect of a multidisciplinary team approach on the management of diabetic foot ulcers on the Central Coast: A review of the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic
Authors: Macfarlane Stephanie Mae , Zhao Sarina Xinyan , Lafrenz Jane Olivia , Nagaratnam Manisha Vanya , Tchen Adrian , Linton Clare Elizabeth , Yuen Lili
Published: January 2024

This retrospective cohort study aims to assess whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic improved outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers. Ulceration is a common foot complication of diabetes mellitus and greatly increases patient morbidity and mortality. Patients who attended at least one appointment at the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic in 2017 or 2019 were identified through the Gosford Hospital Podiatry department's records. The 2017 and 2019 cohorts were compared on measures of ulcer healing, incidence of amputation, incidence of vascular intervention and surgical debridement, percentage of patients admitted to hospital due to complications and use of systemic antibiotic therapy. Sixty‐one patients in 2017 and 59 patients in 2019 met inclusion criteria, and from them, 207 ulcers were included. Between 2017 and 2019, there was a 6.2‐week reduction in time to 100% ulcer healing in 2019 (p = 0.021), and 10.1% more ulcers healed within 52 weeks (p = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−5.9%, 25.5%]). Whilst there was no significant difference in incidence of patients receiving amputation, there was an increased absolute number of amputations in 2019. Implementation of a multidisciplinary approach at the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic led to improvements in diabetic foot ulcer healing.
Lightweight corundum–spinel ladle wear lining castable with low thermal conductivity
Authors: Wei Jianwen , Guo Yulong , Fu Lvping , Zhang Han , Xu Yexing , Gu Huazhi
Published: January 2024

Designing a lightweight wear‐lining refractory is of great significance for energy savings and consumption reduction. In this study, an in‐house manufactured porous alumina aggregate was selected to replace the commercial tabular alumina aggregate to prepare lightweight corundum–spinel castable (LCSC) for ladle linings. The effect of the porous alumina aggregate on the properties of the corundum–spinel castable was investigated. Compared to tabular alumina, porous alumina possesses higher closed porosity (12.1%) and a small pore size (4.25 µm). The thermal conductivity of LCSC is 21.5% lower than that of dense castable at 1000°C. Owing to the existence of micropores in the porous alumina, the fabricated corundum–spinel castable showed an improved degree of bonding between the aggregate and matrix. Therefore, the lightweight castable showed higher flexural strength and considerable slag corrosion resistance than the dense castable.
Estimation of additive and maternal covariance of production traits in Murrah buffalo
Authors: Sharma Smriti , Dhaka Surender Singh , Patil Chandrashekhar Santosh
Published: January 2024

The study was done to determine additive, maternal and common permanent environmental effects and best‐suited model for some production traits using six univariate animal models that differed in the (co)variance components fitted to assess the importance of maternal effect using likelihood ratio test in Murrah buffaloes. Data from 614 Murrah buffaloes related to production traits were collected from history pedigree sheets maintained at the buffalo farm, Department of Livestock Production and Management (LPM), LUVAS, Hisar. The production traits under this study were 305 days milk yield (305DMY), peak yield (PY), lactation length (LL), dry period (DP), lactation milk yield (LMY) and wet average (WA). The heritability estimates were in the range of 0.33–0.44 for 305DMY, 0.25–0.51 for PY, 0.05–0.13 for LL, 0.03–0.23 for DP, 0.17–0.40 for LMY and 0.37–0.66 for WA. Model 1 was considered best for most of the traits, viz., 305DMY, PY, LL, LMY and WA followed by model 2 for DP. Covariance and correlated values within the traits caused inflation of heritability in model 3 and model 6. The maximum covariance between the additive and maternal effect was found in trait LMY, which was 14,183.90 in model 3 and the minimum value was also reported in the same trait for model 6, valued at −3522.37. Multivariate analysis showed that all production traits were moderate to high and positively correlated with each other except for DP, which was low and negative genetic and phenotypic correlated. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients of breeding value among all six models were high and significant, ranged from 0.78 to 1.00 for all the traits except DP, therefore any of the models could be taken into account depending upon the availability of data.
Timing implant provisionalization: Decision‐making and systematic workflow
Authors: Esquivel Jonathan , Gomez Meda Ramon , Villarroel Milko
Published: January 2024

Objective

Provisionalization is an important step to achieve esthetic results in implant cases, and many different techniques for provisional restoration fabrication have been described. However, depending on the clinical scenario, the provisionalization strategy will require different approaches and timing. The clinician should modify the provisional restorations efficiently to reduce the number of disconnections from the implant, as repeated disconnections may have biological consequences. This article aims to schematize different scenarios requiring implant provisionalization and propose strategies to help the clinician condition the peri‐implant tissues, respecting perio‐prosthodontic fundamentals for soft tissue, biological, and esthetic stability.

Clinical Considerations

The clinical outcomes of modern implant therapy aim to achieve results that emulate natural dentition. Different scenarios may require adjunct therapy, including hard‐ and soft‐tissue grafting, which complicates treatment. The provisionalization strategy will vary depending on the initial condition of the tissues, the need for reconstructive procedures, and the timing of implant placement. Selecting the right strategy based on the case type is necessary to reduce treatment time and complications associated with inadequate prosthetic handling of the soft tissues.

Clinical Significance

Proper emergence profile conditioning through provisional restorations will allow for biologically sound and esthetically pleasing outcomes in implant restorations.
Sex‐specific pleiotropic changes in emotional behavior and alcohol consumption in human α‐synuclein A53T transgenic mice during early adulthood
Authors: Kalinichenko Liubov S. , Kohl Zacharias , Mühle Christiane , Hassan Zurina , Hahn Agnes , Schmitt Eva‐Maria , Macht Kilian , Stoyanov Lyubomir , Moghaddami Schayan , Bilbao Roberto , Eulenburg Volker , Winkler Jürgen , Kornhuber Johannes , Müller Christian P.
Published: January 2024

Point mutations in the α‐synuclein coding gene may lead to the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is often accompanied by other psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and drug use disorders, which typically emerge in adulthood. Some of these point mutations, such as SNCA and A30T, have been linked to behavioral effects that are not commonly associated with PD, especially regarding alcohol consumption patterns. In this study, we investigated whether the familial PD point mutation A53T is associated with changes in alcohol consumption behavior and emotional states at ages not yet characterized by α‐synuclein accumulation. The affective and alcohol‐drinking phenotypes remained unaltered in female PDGF‐hA53T‐synuclein‐transgenic (A53T) mice during both early and late adulthood. Brain region‐specific activation of ceramide‐producing enzymes, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and neutral sphingomyelinase (NSM), known for their neuroprotective properties, was observed during early adulthood but not in late adulthood. In males, the A53T mutation was linked to a reduction in alcohol consumption in both early and late adulthood. However, male A53T mice displayed increased anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviors during both early and late adulthood. Enhanced ASM activity in the dorsal mesencephalon and ventral hippocampus may potentially contribute to these adverse behavioral effects of the mutation in males during late adulthood. In summary, the A53T gene mutation was associated with diverse changes in emotional states and alcohol consumption behavior long before the onset of PD, and these effects varied by sex. These alterations in behavior may be linked to changes in brain ceramide metabolism.

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Clinical and laboratory findings in scrub typhus associated Guillain‐Barré syndrome in South Korea
Authors: Yoon Byeol‐A , Kim Sun‐Young , Kim Juhyeon , Seok Jung Im , Seok Jin Myoung , Lee Sukyoon , Kim Jong Kuk , Oh Seong‐il
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Scrub typhus is an endemic disease in the fall season that occurs in a limited number of places known as the Tsutsugamushi Triangle. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of scrub typhus. Herein, we encountered several patients with ascending paralysis after scrub typhus infection, who were diagnosed with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS). We aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients who developed GBS after scrub typhus.

Methods

Patients were retrospectively recruited from six nationwide tertiary centers in South Korea from January 2017 to December 2021. Patients who had been clinically diagnosed with GBS and confirmed to have scrub typhus via laboratory examination and/or the presence of an eschar before the onset of acute limb paralysis were included. The GBS‐associated clinical and electrophysiological characteristics, outcomes, and scrub typhus‐associated features were collected.

Results

Of the seven enrolled patients, six were female and one was male. The median time from scrub typhus infection to the onset of limb weakness was 6 (range: 2–14) days. All patients had eschar on their bodies. Four patients (57.1%) were admitted to the intensive care unit and received artificial ventilation for respiratory distress. At 6 months, the median GBS disability score was 2 (range, 1–4) points.

Interpretation

Patients with scrub typhus‐associated GBS have a severe clinical presentation and require intensive treatment with additional immunotherapies. Therefore, GBS should be included in the differential diagnosis when peripheral neuropathies develop during scrub typhus treatment. Notably, scrub typhus is associated to GBS.
Understanding family carer experiences and perceptions of engagement in delirium prevention and care for adults in hospital: Qualitative systematic review
Authors: Lee‐Steere Karen , Mudge Alison , Liddle Jacki , Bennett Sally
Published: January 2024

Aim

To identify, describe and synthesise what is known about family carers' experiences and perspectives of engagement in delirium prevention and care for adults in hospital.

Design

Systematic review and synthesis of qualitative evidence.

Data Sources

Comprehensive literature search within PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Central and PsycInfo databases to August 2022. Peer reviewed original qualitative research published in English.

Methods

Data were extracted using Covidence systematic review software. Methodological quality was reviewed against the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) Qualitative Checklist. Thematic synthesis was used to develop analytical themes. Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE‐CERQual) framework was applied to findings.

Results

Of 3429 records identified, 29 met criteria for final inclusion. Studies included a range of settings (intensive care, medical and surgical wards) and family carer types (spouse, daughter, parent and friend). Three primary themes Shared Caregiving, Partnership and Support, Communication for Shared Understanding and three cross‐cutting contextual themes Care Transitions, Family Carer Context and Hospital Context were identified. Family carers have mixed experiences of involvement in delirium care and prevention. Family carer engagement in care impacted perceptions of care quality and their own self‐efficacy. Where person‐centred care expectations were not met, some family carers adopted compensatory or care contingency strategies. Information sharing and timely support from hospital staff who understood the carer context supported carer involvement. Supportive physical environments and addressing power imbalances allowed greater engagement.

Conclusion

Family carers often wish to be involved in delirium prevention and care, but need to be recognised as individuals, listened to, informed and supported to optimise their contribution.

Impact

The review findings can guide health professional and decision makers to optimise family carer involvement in delirium care programs.

Protocol Registration

PROSPERO [CRD42020221854].

Reporting

ENTREQ.

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis: A descriptive study
Authors: Anandan Roopalal , Cross Wendy M. , Nguyen Huy , Olasoji Michael
Published: January 2024

Aim

This study aimed to assess mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis in Australian mental health settings. The research question was What is mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with co‐existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems?

Design and Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was carried out to understand mental health nurses' empathy. The convenience sample included 96 mental health nurses from various mental health settings with experience working with consumers with dual diagnosis. We assessed empathy using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. We utilised SPSS™ software to analyse both the descriptive data and multiple‐regression.

Results

The mean empathy score was 47.71 (SD 8.28). The analysis of the association between demographic variables and individual subscales showed an association between the clinical setting and empathy (p = .031) and sympathetic physiological arousal (p = .049). The work sector was associated with sympathetic physiological arousal (p = .045) and conspecific altruism (p = .008). Emotional contagion (β = .98, p < .001), emotional comprehension (β = 1.02, p < .001), sympathetic physiological arousal (β = 1.01, p < .001) and conspecific altruism (β = 10.23, p < .001) predicted mental health nurses' empathy.

Conclusions

This study found that most mental health nurses showed empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses who are more empathetic towards their consumers experience emotional contagion. They understand emotions better, show sympathetic physiological responses and exhibit kind behaviour towards consumers.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

Further research is required to understand how mental health nurses adapt to consumers' emotional states in different mental health settings. This information can help clinicians make better decisions about care quality for consumers with dual diagnosis.

Impact

This study addressed mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses showed increased empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. The empathy levels vary based on age, clinical setting, work sector and work experience. Mental health nurses' empathy levels were predicted by emotional contagion, emotion comprehension, sympathetic physiological arousal and conspecific altruism. Empathy enhancement among mental health nurses, particularly towards consumers with dual diagnosis, is crucial and should be regarded as a top priority by healthcare leaders and educators.

Reporting Method

Outlined by the Consensus‐Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS).

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Interventions based on salutogenesis for older adults: An integrative review
Authors: Guo Chenming , Deng Mengying , Yu Mingming
Published: January 2024

Aims

To synthesize the evidence of interventions based on salutogenesis for older adults.

Background

With the increasing tendency of global ageing and the progression of ‘healthy ageing’, salutogenesis has been adopted as a framework of health promotion for older adults.

Design

An integrative review following PRISMA guidelines.

Data Sources

Seven databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO and CINAHL Plus were systematically searched on 29 September 2022 and updated on 18 July 2023.

Results

Eighteen eligible studies were included in this review. Salutogenic‐based interventions fell into three main categories: dialogue‐based, health education courses based, and goal setting and achievement based. The intervention doses: length ranged from 4 weeks to 2 years, with most (n = 12) within 12 weeks; the duration of each session ranged from 30 to 150 min, with the majority (n = 7) within 1 h; the frequency ranged from five times weekly to three times in 10 months, and in six studies was once a week. Intervention providers were mostly multidisciplinary teams, while in four studies were nurses only. Most of the studies reported that salutogenic‐based interventions could improve older adults' sense of coherence, quality of life, self‐efficacy, self‐management, meaning of life and mental health.

Conclusions

This review synthesized the interventions based on salutogenesis for older adults, including salutogenesis application, intervention and its doses, intervention settings and providers, and intervention effects. Future research on the effectiveness of the intervention, the optimal dose of the intervention and the underlying mechanisms are still necessary to understand salutogenic‐based interventions.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Not apply as it's a review paper.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Salutogenic‐based intervention is effective for older adults in different scenarios to improve their health outcomes. Nurses play a key role in salutogenic‐based interventional programs and thus should be essential personnel as the intervention provider.
Work–family conflict among primary health workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Its mediating role in the relationship between workload and job burnout
Authors: Wang Jianyun , Zhao Shichao , Tong Xiyang , Wang Minghui , Wang Yiying
Published: January 2024

Aims and Objectives

This study explores the situation of workload, work–family conflict and job burnout among primary health workers in China in the context of COVID‐19 and identifies the mediating effect of work–family conflict between workload and job burnout.

Background

Since the breakout of the COVID‐19 pandemic, primary health workers have been working on the frontline of the epidemic and may experience increasing workload, work–family conflict and job burnout. It is important to focus on the issue of how to alleviate job burnout of primary health workers.

Design

A cross‐sectional study (STROBE) was used.

Methods

Data were collected from 785 primary health workers in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the mediating effect of work–family conflict between workload and job burnout.

Results

18.7%, 10.4% and 39.5% of respondents had high job burnout in the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment, respectively. 34.6% of the respondents had high or very high workload, and 12.8% of the respondents had high or very high work–family conflict. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that work–family conflict mediated the relationship between workload and job burnout. Workload (β = .163, CI = .207–.549) and work–family conflict (β = .211, CI = .311–.640) positively influenced job burnout, and workload (β = .428, CI = .375–.508) positively influenced work–family conflict.

Conclusion

The study indicated that primary health workers experienced a high level of job burnout, especially in the personal accomplishment dimension. Furthermore, this study verified the mediating effect of work–family conflict between workload and job burnout.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Some interventions for alleviating workload, work–family conflict and job burnout should be taken, including workplace assistance programmes, family‐friendly policies and a well‐integrated healthcare system.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This study does not involve patient or public contribution in any part.

Impact Statement

Nurses and other primary health workers are health gatekeepers of residents and play a vital role in the healthcare system. Due to the breakout of COVID‐19, they have taken more work and are more vulnerable to work overload, work–family conflict and the consequent job burnout. Some interventions should be taken to effectively alleviate their job burnout and improve their health and performance.
Consensus on the content of an instrument to measure person‐centred teamwork: An e‐Delphi study
Authors: Viljoen Alida , Leech Ronell , Heyns Tanya
Published: January 2024

Aims and Objectives

To establish consensus on items to be included in an instrument to measure person‐centred teamwork in a hospital setting. The objective was to identify the items through a methodological literature review. Refine the items and obtain consensus on the items.

Background

A definition and related attributes of person‐centred teamwork have been agreed upon. An instrument is needed to measure and monitor person‐centred teamwork in hospital settings.

Design

Consensus, electronic Delphi design.

Methods

Items were identified through a methodological literature review. These items were included in three electronic Delphi rounds. Using purposive and snowball sampling, 16 international experts on person‐centred care, teamwork and/or instrument development were invited to participate in three electronic Delphi rounds via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate their agreement on the relevance and clarity of each item. Items were included if consensus was 0.75. Content analysis was used to analyse written feedback from experts.

Results

The response rate was 56% (n = 9/16). Nine experts participated over an 8‐week period to reach consensus on the items to be included in an instrument to measure person‐centred teamwork in hospital settings. The experts' responses and suggestions for rephrasing, removing and adding items were incorporated into each round.

Conclusion

A Delphi consensus exercise was completed, and experts reached agreement on 38 items to be included in an instrument that can be used to evaluate person‐centred teamwork in hospital settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

We engaged with nine international experts in the academic and clinical field of person‐centeredness, teamwork and/or instrument development. An online platform was used to allow the experts to give input into the study. The experts engaged from their own environment with full autonomy and anonymity. Person‐centred teamwork, aimed at improving practice is now measurable. Person‐centred teams improve outcomes of patients. Person‐centred teamwork was specifically developed to assist low compliance areas in hospitals.
The association between vitamin D binding protein levels and periodontal status: A systematic review
Authors: Dhaif Y. G. , Garcia‐Sanchez R. , Albuquerque R. , Lu E. M. C.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) is biosynthesised in the liver and is predominantly expressed in serum. Its primary role centres on facilitating the systemic transportation of vitamin D and its metabolites, notably 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, to specific target tissues where vitamin D exerts its biological functions. Due to the paucity of studies, it is unclear whether there is an association between DBP and periodontal status and thus its potential use as a diagnostic biomarker. Therefore, the aim of the systematic review is to investigate the association between DBP in periodontal disease.

Methods

Two independent reviewers (YD and RG) performed a systematic literature search of English publications using several databases including MEDLINE (OVID interface, 1946 onwards), EMBASE (OVID interface, 1974 onwards), and Global Health (OVID interface, 1973 onwards). This search strategy enabled the identification of relevant publications and the development of a comprehensive library of studies. Studies were included based on previously agreed eligibility criteria. Of the eight studies included as part of this systematic review, seven were case–control studies and one was a cross‐sectional study. The quality assessment was based on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for case–control studies and the modified NOS for the cross‐sectional study.

Results

The NOS quality assessment was ‘favorable’ for 6 included case control studies; and ‘fair’ for one study. The modified NOS quality assessment for the single cross‐sectional study demonstrated a medium risk of bias. The results of the majority of the included studies indicated a statistically significant higher concentration of DBP levels in individuals with periodontitis in comparison to those who were periodontally healthy. This trend held true irrespective of the sampling method employed for the assessment of DBP concentration.

Conclusion

The results summarised in this systematic review indicate a positive association between DBP and periodontitis. Nonetheless, there is a need for longitudinal, prospective trials, to confirm the use of DBP as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of periodontitis.
Can institutions explain mass violence? Amhara ‘settler’ discourse and Ethiopia's ethnic federalism
Authors: Demerew Kaleb
Published: January 2024

This paper begins by reviewing rational choice institutionalism's explanation of how political institutions incentivise patronage networks emphasising ethnic cleavage. Acknowledging the limits of rationalist institutionalism in explaining societal norm constructions and mass behaviour, the paper then adopts discursive institutionalism to analyse the social affects of institutional design. The case study of violence against Amharas deemed ‘settlers’ in Ethiopia's contemporary ethnic federation highlights how new cleavages create new norms and new historical narratives, influencing group dynamics. These dynamics result in group‐based mass violence when rents‐based orders and patronage networks collapse during times of institutional instability or change. Thus, precipitated by the discursive effects of hyper‐ethnicised institutional design, mass violence against Amhara in different ethnic regions in Ethiopia emerges as an unexpected outcome of regime change and democratic transition in the country. These incidents of targeted violence are not simply explained by institutions, but rather by the socio‐political climate effected by the interaction between institutions and discourse under ethnic federalism. In short, this study demonstrates how institutions go beyond incentivising or constraining elite behaviour, producing discursive markers that normalise violence during periods of institutional ‘lapse’, when formal provisions of social order temporarily collapse.
Multiplexed effector screening for recognition by endogenous resistance genes using positive defense reporters in wheat protoplasts
Authors: Wilson Salome , Dagvadorj Bayantes , Tam Rita , Murphy Lydia , Schulz‐Kroenert Sven , Heng Nigel , Crean Emma , Greenwood Julian , Rathjen John P. , Schwessinger Benjamin
Published: January 2024

Plant resistance (R) and pathogen avirulence (Avr) gene interactions play a vital role in pathogen resistance. Efficient molecular screening tools for crops lack far behind their model organism counterparts, yet they are essential to rapidly identify agriculturally important molecular interactions that trigger host resistance.

Here, we have developed a novel wheat protoplast assay that enables efficient screening of Avr/R interactions at scale. Our assay allows access to the extensive gene pool of phenotypically described R genes because it does not require the overexpression of cloned R genes. It is suitable for multiplexed Avr screening, with interactions tested in pools of up to 50 Avr candidates.

We identified Avr/R‐induced defense genes to create a promoter‐luciferase reporter. Then, we combined this with a dual‐color ratiometric reporter system that normalizes read‐outs accounting for experimental variability and Avr/R‐induced cell death. Moreover, we introduced a self‐replicative plasmid reducing the amount of plasmid used in the assay.

Our assay increases the throughput of Avr candidate screening, accelerating the study of cellular defense signaling and resistance gene identification in wheat. We anticipate that our assay will significantly accelerate Avr identification for many wheat pathogens, leading to improved genome‐guided pathogen surveillance and breeding of disease‐resistant crops.
Defining dignity in higher education as an alternative to requiring ‘Trigger Warnings’
Authors: MacLaren Gordon
Published: January 2024

This article examines trigger warnings, particularly the call for trigger warnings on university campuses, and from a Levinasian and Kantian ethical perspective, and addresses the question: When, if ever, are trigger warnings helpful to student's learning? The nursing curriculum is developed with key stakeholders and regulatory bodies to ensure graduate nurses are competent to deliver a high standard of care to patients and clients. Practical teaching practice and published research has uncovered an increasing use of ‘Trigger Warnings’ before a topic is discussed, or used as warnings on core module texts. It is appreciated that some students have personal experience of psychological or physical trauma. However, apart from identifying these students through Mitigating Circumstances committees, or when the student feels confident to share this information with a personal tutor, this information remains strictly confidential. There is the potential for covert skills such as critical analysis and skilful discussion not being attained by the student. With the assistance of Kants moral theory, an argument will develop that the insidious use of Trigger warnings and the embargo of recommended reading, requires critical discussion with the public. This would involve the rationale and pedagogical justification for the use of texts, and the necessity within nursing education to address challenging clinical topics. To support students with PTSD this may involve the research discussed on personal educational needs analysis.
Initial observations into the viability of remote preoperative assessment in secondary and tertiary oral surgery services
Authors: Gagliardi‐Lugo Antonio , Thomas Monica , Mela Rosario , Elrasheed Adel
Published: January 2024

The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic triggered an increased need in a method of delivering healthcare that simultaneously do not put patients at an increased risk of transmission. A remote consultation service (Telemed) for patients referred for dentoalveolar procedures was trialled.

Objective

To investigate the outcome of the Telemeds and if treatment booked as a result of the Telemeds was successful, and could be made common practice.

Materials and Methods

Data was collected from Telemeds between 04 August 2020 and 30 November 2020. Data collected included whether treatment was booked as a result of the Telemed, if the treatment was successfully completed at the resulting appointment (one‐stop treatment), if an additional face‐to‐face (F2F) consultation was required and any related reasons as to why this was the case.

Results

After 499 Telemeds, 46.3% (N = 231) of patients required a F2F appointment being booked, 43.0% (N = 215) resulted in treatment being booked, 6.6% (N = 33) were discharged and 4% (N = 20) of patients did not answer when contact was attempted. Of the 215 patients who had a Telemed that led to booking of treatment, 110 had attended their follow up appointment and 95.4% (N = 105) successfully had their treatment carried out in one visit.

Conclusion

Remote consultations are a feasible, successful and useful tool in assessing and booking dentoalveolar cases suitable for one‐stop treatment under local anaesthesia, as long as there is a specific and organized triage process, regardless of the number of teeth to be extracted or the patient's medical history. Patients requiring general anaesthesia, sedation or further radiographic imaging did not benefit from Telemeds as they needed to attend F2F anyway for pre‐operative assessment or to have their further imaging taken in the department.
The multiple roles of trichomes in two Croton species
Authors: Araújo Karina Crisóstomo , Souza Bruno Cruz , Carvalho Ellen Cristina Dantas , Freire Rosemeyre Souza , Teixeira Adunias Santos , Muniz Celli Rodrigues , Martins Fernando Roberto , Oliveira Rafael Silva , Eller Cleiton Breder , Soares Arlete Aparecida
Published: January 2024

Trichomes are common in plants from dry environments, and despite their recognized role in protection and defense, little is known about their role as absorptive structures and in other aspects of leaf ecophysiology. We combine anatomical and ecophysiological data to evaluate how trichomes affect leaf gas exchange and water balance during drought. We studied two congeneric species with pubescent leaves which co‐occur in Brazilian Caatinga: Croton blanchetianus (dense trichomes) and Croton adenocalyx (sparse trichomes). We found a novel foliar water uptake (FWU) pathway in C. blanchetianus composed of stellate trichomes and underlying epidermal cells and sclereids that interconnect the trichomes from both leaf surfaces. The water absorbed by these trichomes is redistributed laterally by pectin protuberances on mesophyll cell walls. This mechanism enables C. blanchetianus leaves to absorb water more efficiently than C. adenocalyx. Consequently, the exposure of C. blanchetianus to dew during drought improved its leaf gas exchange and water status more than C. adenocalyx. C. blanchetianus trichomes also increase their leaf capacity to reflect light and maintain lower temperatures during drought. Our results emphasize the multiple roles that trichomes might have on plant functioning and the importance of FWU for the ecophysiology of Caatinga plants during drought.
Floral‐promoting GmFT homologs trigger photoperiodic after‐effects: An important mechanism for early‐maturing soybean varieties to regulate reproductive development and adapt to high latitudes
Authors: Wang Junya , Xu Xin , Wang Peiguo , Zhang Lixin , Liu Lifeng , Liu Luping , Wu Tingting , Song Wenwen , Yuan Shan , Jiang Bingjun , Hou Wensheng , Wu Cunxiang , Sun Shi , Yu Lijie , Han Tianfu
Published: January 2024

Soybean (Glycine max) is a typical short‐day plant, but has been widely cultivated in high‐latitude long‐day (LD) regions because of the development of early‐maturing genotypes which are photoperiod‐insensitive. However, some early‐maturing varieties exhibit significant responses to maturity under different daylengths but not for flowering, depicting an evident photoperiodic after‐effect, a poorly understood mechanism. In this study, we investigated the postflowering responses of 11 early‐maturing soybean varieties to various preflowering photoperiodic treatments. We confirmed that preflowering SD conditions greatly promoted maturity and other postflowering developmental stages. Soybean homologs of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), including GmFT2a, GmFT3a, GmFT3b and GmFT5a, were highly accumulated in leaves under preflowering SD treatment. More importantly, they maintained a high expression level after flowering even under LD conditions. E1 RNAi and GmFT2a overexpression lines showed extremely early maturity regardless of preflowering SD and LD treatments due to constitutively high levels of floral‐promoting GmFT homolog expression throughout their life cycle. Collectively, our data indicate that high and stable expression of floral‐promoting GmFT homologs play key roles in the maintenance of photoperiodic induction to promote postflowering reproductive development, which confers early‐maturing varieties with appropriate vegetative growth and shortened reproductive growth periods for adaptation to high latitudes.
The AP2/ERF transcription factor MdDREB2A regulates nitrogen utilisation and sucrose transport under drought stress
Authors: Zhang Ting‐Ting , Lin Yu‐Jing , Liu Hao‐Feng , Liu Ya‐Qi , Zeng Zhi‐Feng , Lu Xiao‐Yan , Li Xue‐Wei , Zhang Zhen‐Lu , Zhang Shuai , You Chun‐Xiang , Guan Qing‐Mei , Lang Zhao‐Bo , Wang Xiao‐Fei
Published: January 2024

Drought stress is one of the main environmental factors limiting plant growth and development. Plants adapt to changing soil moisture by modifying root architecture, inducing stomatal closure, and inhibiting shoot growth. The AP2/ERF transcription factor DREB2A plays a key role in maintaining plant growth in response to drought stress, but the molecular mechanism underlying this process remains to be elucidated. Here, it was found that overexpression of MdDREB2A positively regulated nitrogen utilisation by interacting with DRE cis‐elements of the MdNIR1 promoter. Meanwhile, MdDREB2A could also directly bind to the promoter of MdSWEET12, which may enhance root development and nitrogen assimilation, ultimately promoting plant growth. Overall, this regulatory mechanism provides an idea for plants in coordinating with drought tolerance and nitrogen assimilation to maintain optimal plant growth and development under drought stress.
Like mother like son: Transgenerational memory and cross‐tolerance from drought to heat stress are identified in chloroplast proteome and seed provisioning in Pinus radiata
Authors: Lamelas Laura , López‐Hidalgo Cristina , Valledor Luis , Meijón Mónica , Cañal María Jesús
Published: January 2024

How different stressors impact plant health and memory when they are imposed in different generations in wild ecosystems is still scarce. Here, we address how different environments shape heritable memory for the next generation in seeds and seedlings of Pinus radiata, a long‐lived species with economic interest. The performance of the seedlings belonging to two wild clonal subpopulations (optimal fertirrigation vs. slightly stressful conditions) was tested under heat stress through physiological profiling and comparative time‐series chloroplast proteomics. In addition, we explored the seeds conducting a physiological characterization and targeted transcriptomic profiling in both subpopulations. Our results showed differential responses between them, evidencing a cross‐stress transgenerational memory. Seedlings belonging to the stressed subpopulation retained key proteins related to Photosystem II, chloroplast‐to‐nucleus signalling and osmoprotection which helped to overcome the applied heat stress. The seeds also showed a differential gene expression profile for targeted genes and microRNAs, as well as an increased content of starch and secondary metabolites, molecules which showed potential interest as biomarkers for early selection of primed plants. Thus, these finds not only delve into transgenerational cross‐stress memory in trees, but also provide a new biotechnological tool for forest design.
A systematic review of the use of the concept family resilience in interventions with families with children and young people
Authors: Tetlow Sion , Wallace Carolyn , Thomas Michelle , Filipponi Teresa , Pontin David , Livingstone Anitha
Published: January 2024

Objective

To review the evidence on using family resilience as a concept in interventions by public health nurses/health visitors with families with children and young people as part of an evaluation of the evidence base for the Family Resilience Assessment Instrument and Tool (FRAIT). FRAIT was developed by University faculty with Health Visitors and a Community of Practice in Wales, and is used by Health Visitors in Wales with families with children under 5 years to assess family resilience.

Method

A standard Cochrane Systematic Review methodology was used to review published literature. A protocol (crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID = 230845) was submitted to Prospero in September 2021, and reviewing began in January 2022. Title and abstract searching were undertaken 12 databases and results were captured using PRISMA and Excel spreadsheet. Second reviewers reviewed title and abstract screening, and full‐text extraction.

Results

Initial title screening brought back 1350 papers across 12 databases. Titles and abstract screening reduced these to 106, 44 papers were considered for full‐text extraction, with 25 papers included for review.

Discussion

Results demonstrated a focus on specific demographics, and use of family resilience with families living with specific health problems. Existing family resilience scales showed improved results in selected specific demographic groups, albeit in a reactive way. FRAIT has originality within the literature as it is used in a universal, preventative way with all families regardless of demographic or health issues. There is evidence to show that using a family resilience program in this way has originality and implications for the physical and mental health of children and young people.

No patient or public contribution

This was a systematic review of existing literature so public or patient contribution would not have been appropriate.