bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agency in Reproduction
Authors: Nuño de la Rosa Laura
Published: May 2023

While niche construction theory and developmental approaches to evolution have brought to the front the active role of organisms as ecological and developmental agents, respectively, the role of agents in reproduction has been widely neglected by organismal perspectives of evolution. This paper addresses this problem by proposing an agential view of reproduction and shows that such a perspective has implications for the explanation of the origin of modes of reproduction, the evolvability of reproductive modes, and the coevolution between reproduction and social behavior. After introducing the two prevalent views of agency in evolutionary biology, namely those of organismal agency and selective agency, I contrast these two perspectives as applied to the evolution of animal reproduction. Taking eutherian pregnancy as a case study, I wonder whether organismal approaches to agency forged in the frame of niche construction and developmental plasticity theories can account for the goal‐directed activities involved in reproductive processes. I conclude that the agential role of organisms in reproduction is irreducible to developmental and ecological agency, and that reproductive goals need to be included into our definitions of organismal agency. I then explore the evolutionary consequences of endorsing an agential approach to reproduction, showing how such an approach might illuminate our understanding of the evolutionary origination and developmental evolvability of reproductive modes. Finally, I analyze recent studies on the coevolution between viviparity and social behavior in vertebrates to suggest that an agential notion of reproduction can provide unforeseen links between developmental and ecological agency.
The contribution of enslaved workers to output and growth in the antebellum United States
Authors: Stelzner Mark , Beckert Sven
Published: May 2023

Estimating the contribution of enslaved workers to output and growth in the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century is a crucial building block to better understand the contours of nineteenth‐century US economic history, and more generally, the connection between slavery and capitalism. Existing estimates only present a partial picture and are potentially problematic. In this paper, we use data on enslaved person valuations to calculate the contribution made by enslaved workers to regional and national gross national product (GNP) in 1839 and 1859 and to the growth in per capita output in the 20 years before the Civil War. We find that in the United States, enslaved workers were responsible for somewhere between 12.49 per cent and 18.0 per cent of the increase in output per capita between 1839 and 1859.
Efficacy of cannabidiol in convulsive and nonconvulsive seizure types associated with treatment‐resistant epilepsies in the Expanded Access Program
Authors: Flamini Robert J. , Comi Anne M. , Bebin E. Martina , Chez Michael G. , Clark Gary , Devinsky Orrin , Hussain Shaun A. , Lyons Paul D. , Patel Anup D. , Rosengard Jillian L. , Sahebkar Farhad , Segal Eric , Seltzer Laurie , Szaflarski Jerzy P. , Weinstock Arie
Published: May 2023

The cannabidiol (CBD) Expanded Access Program (EAP), initiated in 2014, provided CBD (Epidiolex) to patients with treatment‐resistant epilepsy (TRE). In the final pooled analysis of 892 patients treated through January 2019 (median exposure = 694 days), CBD treatment was associated with a 46%–66% reduction in median monthly total (convulsive plus nonconvulsive) seizure frequency. CBD was well tolerated, and adverse events were consistent with previous findings. We used pooled EAP data to investigate the effectiveness of add‐on CBD therapy for individual convulsive seizure types (clonic, tonic, tonic–clonic, atonic, focal to bilateral tonic–clonic), nonconvulsive seizure types (focal with and without impaired consciousness, absence [typical and atypical], myoclonic, myoclonic absence), and epileptic spasms. CBD treatment was associated with a reduction in the frequency of convulsive seizure types (median percentage reduction = 47%–100%), and nonconvulsive seizure types and epileptic spasms (median percentage reduction = 50%–100%) across visit intervals through 144 weeks of treatment. Approximately 50% of patients had ≥50% reduction in convulsive and nonconvulsive seizure types and epileptic spasms at nearly all intervals. These results show a favorable effect of long‐term CBD use in patients with TRE, who may experience various convulsive and nonconvulsive seizure types. Future controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Deep net detection and onset prediction of electrographic seizure patterns in responsive neurostimulation
Authors: Peterson Victoria , Kokkinos Vasileios , Ferrante Enzo , Walton Ashley , Merk Timon , Hadanny Amir , Saravanan Varun , Sisterson Nathaniel , Zaher Naoir , Urban Alexandra , Richardson R. Mark
Published: May 2023

Objective

Managing the progress of drug‐resistant epilepsy patients implanted with the Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) System requires the manual evaluation of hundreds of hours of intracranial recordings. The generation of these large amounts of data and the scarcity of experts' time for evaluation necessitate the development of automatic tools to detect intracranial electroencephalographic (iEEG) seizure patterns (iESPs) with expert‐level accuracy. We developed an intelligent system for identifying the presence and onset time of iESPs in iEEG recordings from the RNS device.

Methods

An iEEG dataset from 24 patients (36 293 recordings) recorded by the RNS System was used for training and evaluating a neural network model (iESPnet). The model was trained to identify the probability of seizure onset at each sample point of the iEEG. The reliability of the net was assessed and compared to baseline methods, including detections made by the device. iESPnet performance was measured using balanced accuracy and the F1 score for iESP detection. The prediction time was assessed via both the error and the mean absolute error. The model was evaluated following a hold‐one‐out strategy, and then validated in a separate cohort of 26 patients from a different medical center.

Results

iESPnet detected the presence of an iESP with a mean accuracy value of 90% and an onset time prediction error of approximately 3.4 s. There was no relationship between electrode location and prediction outcome. Model outputs were well calibrated and unbiased by the RNS detections. Validation on a separate cohort further supported iESPnet applicability in real clinical scenarios. Importantly, RNS device detections were found to be less accurate and delayed in nonresponders; therefore, tools to improve the accuracy of seizure detection are critical for increasing therapeutic efficacy.

Significance

iESPnet is a reliable and accurate tool with the potential to alleviate the time‐consuming manual inspection of iESPs and facilitate the evaluation of therapeutic response in RNS‐implanted patients.
Male pattern hair loss: Can developmental origins explain the pattern?
Authors: Redmond Leah C. , Limbu Summik , Farjo Bessam , Messenger Andrew G. , Higgins Claire A.
Published: May 2023

Male pattern hair loss (MPHL), also referred to as male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of non‐scarring progressive hair loss, with 80% of men suffering from this condition in their lifetime. In MPHL, the hair line recedes to a specific part of the scalp which cannot be accurately predicted. Hair is lost from the front, vertex, and the crown, yet temporal and occipital follicles remain. The visual effect of hair loss is due to hair follicle miniaturisation, where terminal hair follicles become dimensionally smaller. Miniaturisation is also characterised by a shortening of the growth phase of the hair cycle (anagen), and a prolongation of the dormant phase (kenogen). Together, these changes result in the production of thinner and shorter hair fibres, referred to as miniaturised or vellus hairs. It remains unclear why miniaturisation occurs in this specific pattern, with frontal follicles being susceptible while occipital follicles remain in a terminal state. One main factor we believe to be at play, which will be discussed in this viewpoint, is the developmental origin of the skin and hair follicle dermis on different regions of the scalp.
Using the best of two worlds: A bio‐economic stock assessment (BESA) method using catch and price data
Authors: Lancker Kira , Voss Rudi , Zimmermann Fabian , Quaas Martin F.
Published: May 2023

Reliable stock assessments are essential for successful and sustainable fisheries management. Advanced stock assessment methods are expensive, as they require age‐ or length‐structured catch and detailed fishery‐independent data, which prevents their widespread use, especially in developing regions. Furthermore, modern fisheries management increasingly includes socio‐economic considerations. Integrated ecological‐economic advice can be provided by bio‐economic models, but this requires the estimation of economic parameters. To improve accuracy of data‐limited stock assessment while jointly estimating biological and economic parameters, we propose to use price data, in addition to catches, in a new bio‐economic stock assessment (‘BESA’) approach for de‐facto open access stocks. Price data are widely available, also in the Global South. BESA is based on a state‐space approach and uncovers biomass dynamics by use of the extended Kalman filter in combination with Bayesian estimation. We show that estimates for biological and economic parameters can be obtained jointly, with reliability gains for the stock assessment from the additional information inherent in price data, compared to alternative assessment methods for data‐poor stocks. In a real‐world application to Barents Sea shrimp (Pandalus borealis, Pandalidae), we show that BESA benchmarks well also against advanced stock assessment results. BESA can thus be both a stand‐alone approach for currently unassessed stocks as well as a complement to other available methods by providing bio‐economic information for advanced fisheries management.
Coherence of terrestrial vertebrate species richness with external drivers across scales and taxonomic groups
Authors: O'Malley Conor P. B. , Roberts Gareth G. , Mannion Philip D. , Hackel Jan , Wang Yanghua
Published: May 2023

Aim

Understanding connections between environment and biodiversity is crucial for conservation, identifying causes of ecosystem stress, and predicting population responses to changing environments. Explaining biodiversity requires an understanding of how species richness and environment covary across scales. Here, we identify scales and locations at which biodiversity is generated and correlates with environment.

Location

Full latitudinal range per continent.

Time Period

Present day.

Major Taxa Studied

Terrestrial vertebrates: all mammals, carnivorans, bats, songbirds, hummingbirds, amphibians.

Methods

We describe the use of wavelet power spectra, cross‐power and coherence for identifying scale‐dependent trends across Earth's surface. Spectra reveal scale‐ and location‐dependent coherence between species richness and topography (E), mean annual precipitation (Pn), temperature (Tm) and annual temperature range (ΔT).

Results

>97% of species richness of taxa studied is generated at large scales, that is, wavelengths  km, with 30%–69% generated at scales  km. At these scales, richness tends to be highly coherent and anti‐correlated with E and ΔT, and positively correlated with Pn and Tm. Coherence between carnivoran richness and ΔT is low across scales, implying insensitivity to seasonal temperature variations. Conversely, amphibian richness is strongly anti‐correlated with ΔT at large scales. At scales  km, examined taxa, except carnivorans, show highest richness within the tropics. Terrestrial plateaux exhibit high coherence between carnivorans and E at scales  km, consistent with contribution of large‐scale tectonic processes to biodiversity. Results are similar across different continents and for global latitudinal averages. Spectral admittance permits derivation of rules‐of‐thumb relating long‐wavelength environmental and species richness trends.

Main Conclusions

Sensitivities of mammal, bird and amphibian populations to environment are highly scale dependent. At large scales, carnivoran richness is largely independent of temperature and precipitation, whereas amphibian richness correlates strongly with precipitation and temperature, and anti‐correlates with temperature range. These results pave the way for spectral‐based calibration of models that predict biodiversity response to climate change scenarios.
Functional and historical drivers of leaf shape evolution in palms (Arecaceae)
Authors: Torres Jiménez Maria Fernanda , Chazot Nicolas , Emilio Thaise , Uddling Johan , Antonelli Alexandre , Faurby Søren , Bacon Christine D.
Published: May 2023

Aim

Leaves display a remarkable variety of shapes, each with potential ecological advantages in specific climates. While the relations between leaf shape and either climate or height have been relatively well studied in eudicots, the macroecological drivers of shape remain poorly known in monocots. Here, we investigated the associations between climate and plant height with the evolution of leaf shape in a clade with high species and morphological diversity.

Location

Global.

Time period

Cretaceous to contemporary.

Major taxa studied

Palms (Arecaceae).

Methods

We apply a Bayesian phylogenetic mixed model to test for associations between climate and leaf shape (all – entire‐leaved, pinnate‐dissected, palmate‐dissected and costapalmate). We further reconstruct the ancestral leaf shape using multistate speciation and extinction models and compare the frequency of shapes with global temperatures through time.

Results

We find that plant height associates with dissected leaves and that annual precipitation associates with pinnate shapes. The ancestral leaf shape is unclear, but early diversification was dominated by pinnate‐dissected palms, which has remained the most species‐rich form of leaves throughout palm history.

Main Conclusions

Palms that are tall and live in humid regions are more likely to have pinnate leaves. Through geological time scales, temperature did not play an obvious role in determining leaf shapes. This study contributes to our understanding of how the diversity of leaf shapes is linked to biological and climatic factors.
Sexism without sexists: Gender‐blind frames in police work
Authors: Lo Jenia , Lim Adelyn
Published: May 2023

This article examines policewomen's experiences of work in the Singapore Police Force (SPF). In recent years, female officers in the SPF have accomplished many “firsts,” alluding to women not only succeeding in entering the male‐dominated profession but attaining equal status as their male counterparts. Based on in‐depth interviews and content analysis, however, policewomen in the SPF are still confronting various forms of gender discrimination, with female officers navigating masculine norms, a gendered division of labor, and sexual harassment at work. How can we explain this disjuncture between the SPF's rhetoric of gender neutrality and policewomen's reality of gender inequality? We argue that first, the SPF as an organization, and some policewomen themselves, adopt gender‐blind frames to interpret any forms of gender discrimination, by insisting that they do not see gender or that gender does not matter in the organization. Second, sexist practices have evolved from overt to covert forms of gender discrimination. Because of this shift in how gender discrimination manifests in the organization, the SPF and some policewomen do not perceive those practices as sexist but as normal, everyday language and behavior. This article seeks to identify those amorphous forms of sexism enacted upon policewomen that, in turn, reflect the recursive relationship between individual‐level interactions and structurally embedded occupational practices.
Significance of portal venous blood flow as a factor to determine liver function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus infection following achievement of sustained viral response by sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir
Authors: Uchida Yoshihito , Imai Yukinori , Tsuji Shohei , Uemura Hayato , Kouyama Jun‐ichi , Naiki Kayoko , Ando Satsuki , Sugawara Kayoko , Nakao Masamitsu , Nakayama Nobuaki , Mizuno Suguru , Tomiya Tomoaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: May 2023

Aim

To determine the outcomes concerning portal venous blood flow and portosystemic shunts in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who achieved sustained viral response (SVR) following antiviral therapy.

Methods

Portal hypertension‐related events and liver function were evaluated in 24 patients achieving SVR following sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir therapy.

Results

Serum albumin level (median; g/dL) increased from 2.9 at baseline to 3.5 at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (EOT) (p = 0.005), while liver volumes (cm3) decreased from 1260 to 1150 (p = 0.0002). Portal hypertension‐related events developed in 10 patients (41.7%), and the cumulative occurrence rates after the EOT were 29.2%, 33.3%, and 46.1% at 24, 48, and 96 weeks, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the maximal diameter of the shunts (p = 0.0235) was associated with the development of the events, with a cut‐off value of 8.3 mm (p = 0.0105). Meanwhile, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that portal venous blood flow, liver volume, serum albumin, and bilirubin levels at baseline were associated with serum albumin levels at 12 weeks after EOT (p = 0.0019, p = 0.0154, p = 0.0010, and p = 0.0350, respectively).

Conclusion

In patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to HCV infection, the baseline portal venous blood flow and liver volume and function were predictive of liver function following SVR, while the maximal diameter of portosystemic shunts predicted the occurrence of portal hypertension‐related events.
Perceived and performed electronic health literacy of medical sciences students
Authors: Ghaedi Rezvan , Shekofteh Maryam , Valizadeh‐Haghi Saeideh , Baghestani Ahmadreza
Published: May 2023

Background

Evidence indicates that perceived skills for searching the Internet for health information may differ from actual skills in searching, finding, and appraising health information.

Objectives

This study investigated the perceived and performed eHealth literacy of medical sciences students, as well as the relationships between those literacies.

Methods

This study enrolled 228 medical sciences students (convenience sample) in Iran. The study tools include the eHEALS literacy scale for the perceived eHealth literacy and a questionnaire designed by the authors to assess performed eHealth literacy (skills around access, understanding, appraising, applying, and generating information). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

In general, over 70% of students perceived their skills of access and appraisal as good/very good, correlating with their estimated performance. Students perceived they were less confident in some appraisal skills (e.g., using information from the Internet to make health decisions) than others. Performed skills in information generation were mostly poor or very good; performed application skills generally good/very good.

Conclusions

The eHEALS score scales with actual skills (access and appraisal). Support is necessary for students in particular types of appraisal skills.
Exploring L2 students’ experiences with an integrated teacher written and spoken feedback strategy
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong
Published: May 2023

This qualitative case study explores second‐language (L2) students’ experiences through their sequential exposure to teacher written and spoken feedback that was offered from a meaning‐making perspective (i.e., the perspective that highlights the relationship between language resources and meaning). The study drew on L2 students’ interviews, reflections, their sequential interactions with teacher written and spoken feedback, and their writing pieces collected from an English writing course at a Chinese university. The study showed that meaning‐making‐based teacher written feedback afforded L2 students time to independently digest and address their writing issues related to the relationship between language and meaning, despite the observable confusions students encountered. Echoing teacher written feedback, teacher spoken feedback, as a follow‐up, further highlighted writing as a meaning‐making process, dynamically helping the students to understand or challenge the written feedback and mitigating contextual constraints on their uptake of teacher written feedback. These findings underscore the usefulness of sequentially implementing teacher written and spoken feedback, especially from a meaning‐making perspective, to sensitize L2 students to the relationship between language and meaning and to enhance their success in writing.
Experiential learning through STEM: Recent initiatives in the United States
Authors: Remington Thomas F. , Chou Pallas , Topa Ben
Published: May 2023

This paper reviews recent educational initiatives in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the United States, asking to what extent experiential learning methods are being incorporated into STEM education. We draw on a combination of qualitative and quantitative evidence. The quantitative evidence is from an analysis of the proposal abstracts for all 11,406 of the STEM education and workforce development‐related projects funded by NSF grants from the end of 2018 to the beginning of 2022. The qualitative portion of the paper analyzes results from a number of scholarly studies of local initiatives from the last 10 years drawn from a range of published and conference papers, reports and media stories, and project websites, drawn from education research databases, secondary literature, and websites of specific organizations. We seek to classify and describe patterns observed among the projects examined, identifying common patterns and combinations of features. We believe that the paper represents the first comprehensive study of efforts to employ experiential learning methods in STEM education to link formal and informal aspects of learning.
Why do viruses make aphids winged?
Authors: Rozo‐Lopez Paula , Parker Benjamin J.
Published: May 2023

Aphids are hosts to diverse viruses and are important vectors of plant pathogens. The spread of viruses is heavily influenced by aphid movement and behaviour. Consequently, wing plasticity (where individuals can be winged or wingless depending on environmental conditions) is an important factor in the spread of aphid‐associated viruses. We review several fascinating systems where aphid‐vectored plant viruses interact with aphid wing plasticity, both indirectly by manipulating plant physiology and directly through molecular interactions with plasticity pathways. We also cover recent examples where aphid‐specific viruses and endogenous viral elements within aphid genomes influence wing formation. We discuss why unrelated viruses with different transmission modes have convergently evolved to manipulate wing formation in aphids and whether this is advantageous for both host and virus. We argue that interactions with viruses are likely shaping the evolution of wing plasticity within and across aphid species, and we discuss the potential importance of these findings for aphid biocontrol.
Activation of Inflammasome complex in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells from patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 contributes to inflammatory state and worse disease outcomes
Authors: Bagheri‐Hosseinabadi Zahra , Dehghan‐Banadaki Mohsen , Sharifi Gholamhossein Taghipour Khaje , Abbasifard Mitra
Published: May 2023

Pathogenesis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has been associated with dysregulation of both adaptive and innate immune systems. Hence, we determined the contribution of inflammasome in the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells isolated from COVID‐19 subjects to disease pathogenesis and outcomes. Epithelial cells from 150 COVID‐19 patients and 150 healthy controls were yielded through nasopharyngeal swab sampling. Patients were categorized into three groups of those with clinical presentations/need hospitalization, with clinical presentations/no need hospitalization and cases without clinical symptoms/no need hospitalization. Finally, the transcriptional amount of inflammasome related genes were assessed in the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells using qPCR. There was a significant upregulation of nod‐like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), nod‐like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), Apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and Caspase‐1 mRNA expressions in patients compared to controls. NLRP1, NLRP3, ASC and Caspase‐1 were upregulated in epithelial cells of patients with clinical symptoms/need hospitalization and cases with clinical symptoms/no need hospitalization when compared to controls. There was a correlation between expression of inflammasome‐related genes and clinicopathological features. Abnormal expression of inflammasome‐related genes in the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells obtained from COVID‐19 patients may be of prognostic value to determine the intensity of the disease's outcomes and requirement for alternative supports in hospitals.
Early psychosocial risk factors and postnatal parental reflective functioning
Authors: Arkle Philippa , Larkin Fionnuala , Wang Ying , Lee Yujin , Fernandez Amy , Li Lydia Y. , Meins Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Psychosocial factors have been found to relate to parental reflective functioning (PRF), a parent's ability to mentalize about themselves and their child. Relations between maternal psychosocial risk factors and PRF were investigated in a community sample. A sample of mothers (n = 146) was assessed for risk factors when infants were 6 months, infant temperament was assessed using an observational measure, and PRF was assessed with the Parent Development Interview‐Revised (PDI). PRF was measured again with the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) when children were 4 years (n = 105) and 5 years (n = 92), with an additional sample of mothers (n = 48) tested at these two timepoints. Results showed that in infancy, total maternal psychosocial risk related to lower PDI‐PRF; regression analyses highlighted low socioeconomic status, unplanned pregnancy, and low maternal anxiety as independent predictors of lower PDI‐PRF. PDI‐PRF scores at 6 months did not relate to PRFQ scores, but PRFQ subscales showed stability over time from age 4–5. Results are discussed with regard to the impact of maternal psychosocial risk and infant temperament on PRF and the stability and concordance of PRF measures.
Recovery college dropout: A qualitative study of external, relational and course‐related dropout drivers in co‐produced mental health care
Authors: Andersen Ditte , Waldemar Anna Kristine , Kirkegaard Sine
Published: May 2023

Recovery colleges (RCs) are rapidly spreading across Western countries, and research indicates beneficial outcomes of this co‐produced model of mental health care. Meanwhile, risks of adverse outcomes and RC dropout remain understudied. To address this research gap, we conducted qualitative interviews with 14 participants who dropped out of RC courses in Denmark. This article, adhering to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ), presents a typology of the main dropout drivers identified in our sample: external, relational and course‐related. External drivers involve practical obstacles, for example some participants feared taking public transportation and lacked access to alternative means of travelling to the courses. Relational drivers entail distressing interactions with educators or peer students, for example some participants felt stigmatized or intimidated. Course‐related drivers concern the content of the courses, for example some students considered the academic level too basic as their design did not take prior learning into account, while others experienced a sense of alienation because they were unable or unwilling to share the kind of personal experiences course assignments envisaged. In the discussion of our findings, we consider how different types of drivers call for different modes of responses. We discuss dilemmas related to the proposed responses for reducing or accepting RC dropout.
Predictors and social determinants ofHIVtreatment engagement among post‐partum Black women living withHIVin southeastern United States
Authors: Ojukwu Emmanuela N. , Cianelli Rosina , Rodriguez Natalia Villegas , Gattamorta Karina , De Oliveira Giovanna , Duthely Lunthita
Published: May 2023

Aim

Guided by Mcleroy's socio‐ecological model, this study explored the predictors and social determinants of HIV treatment engagement among Black post‐partum women living with HIV.

Method

Quantitative, research methodology.

Design

We conducted a retrospective, secondary data analysis of 143 Black post‐partum women living with HIV who received peripartum care in South‐Florida, United States, from 2009 to 2017. We examined odds of immediate post‐partum engagement at 3 months post‐partum, and ongoing primary care engagement at 12 months post‐partum.

Results

The independent group analyses showed low levels of immediate post‐partum (32.9%) and ongoing primary care engagement (24.5%). At the intrapersonal level, maternal prenatal health significantly affected both immediate post‐partum and ongoing primary care engagement; and at the interpersonal level, HIV disclosure and intimate partner violence/abuse significantly affected immediate post‐partum engagement. Also, immediate post‐partum disengagement was a significant predictor for ongoing primary care disengagement.

Conclusion

This study provides timely and critical information to address recent calls for awareness and interventions to address issues on health disparities and inequities among racialized communities.

Impact

The study provides significant evidence on the effects of social determinants of health on health outcomes for Black women living with HIV. Critical understanding and assessment of these factors, together with proper, proactive interventions may help to gauge such negative effects. Healthcare providers taking care of Black women living with HIV ought to be cognizant of these factors, assess at‐risk women and intervene accordingly to ensure that their care is not marginalized.

Patient/Public Contribution

This study includes direct patient data from Black post‐partum women living with HIV who were seen at prenatal and post‐partum clinics wherein data for this study were obtained. The study results were presented locally, nationally and internationally to communities, organizations of healthcare providers, stakeholders and service‐users, who further corroborated our findings, and provided insights and future recommendations.
Nursing informatics competence profiles and perceptions of health information system usefulness among registered nurses: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Kaihlanen Anu‐Marja , Elovainio Marko , Virtanen Lotta , Kinnunen Ulla‐Mari , Vehko Tuulikki , Saranto Kaija , Heponiemi Tarja
Published: May 2023

Aims

To identify different nursing informatics competence (NIC) profiles in nurses, examine the factors associated with profile memberships and examine the associations of the derived profiles with the nurses' perception of the usefulness of a health information system (HIS).

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A sample of 3610 registered nurses responded to a nationwide survey in March 2020. A latent profile analysis was performed to identify NIC profiles based on three competence areas: nursing documentation, working in digital environment, and ethics and data protection. A multinomial logistic regression was carried out to examine the associations of demographic and background variables with the profile membership. Linear regression analyses were carried out to examine the association between the profile membership and perceived HIS usefulness.

Results

Three NIC profiles were identified and labelled as low, moderate and high competence groups. A younger age, recent graduation year, sufficient orientation and high‐rated proficiency as an HIS user were associated with nurses belonging to a high or moderate competence group relative to a low competence group. Competence group membership was associated with perceived HIS usefulness. The high competence group consistently expressed the highest usefulness of the HIS and the low competence group the lowest.

Conclusion

Tailored training and support should be provided for nurses with different levels of informatics competence, thereby facilitating their ability to respond to increasingly digitalized work. This could contribute to higher usefulness of the HIS in terms of supporting the nurses' work tasks and promoting the quality of care.

Impact

This was the first study exploring latent profiles of informatics competence in nurses. Insights from this study are useful for nursing management to identify different competence profiles of their employees, provide support and training to meet their needs, and promote the successful use of an HIS.
SNHG1, a KLF4‐upregulated gene, promotes glioma cell survival and tumorigenesis under endoplasmic reticulum stress by upregulating BIRC3 expression
Authors: Zhang Hongqiang , Ma Binbin , Li Na , Zhang Li , Xu Jialu , Zhang Shuqi , Guo Ziming , Han Chuanchun , Xu Shasha , Li Xiaodong , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2023

Increasing evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the resistance to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in many cancers. However, ER stress‐regulated lncRNAs are still unknown in glioma. In the present study, we investigated the altered lncRNAs upon ER stress in glioma and found that small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) was markedly increased in response to ER stress. Increased SNHG1 suppressed ER stress‐induced apoptosis and promoted tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies indicated that SNHG1 elevated BIRC3 mRNA stability and enhanced BIRC3 expression. We also found that KLF4 transcriptionally upregulated SNHG1 expression and contributed to the ER stress‐induced SNHG1 increase. Collectively, the present findings indicated that SNHG1 is a KLF4‐regulated lncRNA that suppresses ER stress‐induced apoptosis and facilitates gliomagenesis by elevating BIRC3 expression.
Differential expression profiles of plasma exosomal microRNAs in dilated cardiomyopathy with chronic heart failure
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Ge , Lu Yongzheng , Gao Jiamin , Qin Zhen , Xu Shuai , Wang Zeyu , Xu Yanyan , Yang Yu , Zhang Jinying , Tang Junnan
Published: May 2023

As one of the most prevalent heritable cardiovascular diseases, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) induces cardiac insufficiency and dysfunction. Although genetic mutation has been identified one of the causes of DCM, the usage of genetic biomarkers such as RNAs for DCM early diagnosis is still being overlooked. In addition, the alternation of RNAs could reflect the progression of the diseases, as an indicator for the prognosis of patients. Therefore, it is beneficial to develop genetic based diagnostic tool for DCM. RNAs are often unstable within circulatory system, leading to the infeasibility for clinical application. Recently discovered exosomal miRNAs have the stability that is then need for diagnostic purpose. Hence, fully understanding of the exosomal miRNA within DCM patients is vital for clinical translation. In this study, we employed the next generation sequencing based on the plasma exosomal miRNAs to comprehensively characterize the miRNAs expression in plasma exosomes from DCM patients exhibiting chronic heart failure (CHF) compared to healthy individuals. A complex landscape of differential miRNAs and target genes in DCM with CHF patients were identified. More importantly, we discovered that 92 differentially expressed miRNAs in DCM patients undergoing CHF were correlated with several enriched pathways, including oxytocin signalling pathway, circadian entrainment, hippo signalling pathway‐multiple species, ras signalling pathway and morphine addiction. This study reveals the miRNA expression profiles in plasma exosomes in DCM patients with CHF, and further reveal their potential roles in the pathogenesis of it, presenting a new direction for clinical diagnosis and management of DCM patients with CHF.
Comparison between p‐distance and single‐locus species delimitation models for delineating reproductively tested strains of pennate diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) usingcox1,rbcLandITS
Authors: Franco Andréa de O. da R. , Ashworth Matt P. , Odebrecht Clarisse
Published: May 2023

Several automated molecular methods have emerged for distinguishing eukaryote species based on DNA sequence data. However, there are knowledge gaps around which of these single‐locus methods is more accurate for the identification of microalgal species, such as the highly diverse and ecologically relevant diatoms. We applied genetic divergence, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery for primary species delimitation (ABGD), Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), Statistical Parsimony Network Analysis (SPNA), Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and Poisson Tree Processes (PTP) using partialcox1,rbcL,5.8S + ITS2,ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2 markers to delineate species and compare to published polyphasic identification data (morphological features, phylogeny and sexual reproductive isolation) to test the resolution of these methods. ASAP, ABGD, SPNA and PTP models resolved species ofEunotia,Seminavis, Nitzschia, SellaphoraandPseudo‐nitzschiacorresponding to previous polyphasic identification, including reproductive isolation studies. In most cases, these models identified diatom species in similar ways, regardless of sequence fragment length. GMYC model presented smallest number of results that agreed with previous published identification. Following the recommendations for proper use of each model presented in the present study, these models can be useful tools to identify cryptic or closely related species of diatoms, even when the datasets have relatively few sequences.
The phospho‐regulated amphiphysin/endophilin interaction is required for synaptic vesicle endocytosis
Authors: Kontaxi Christiana , Kim Nawon , Cousin Michael A.
Published: May 2023

The multidomain adaptor protein amphiphysin‐1 (Amph1) is an important coordinator of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis in non‐neuronal cells and synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis at central nerve terminals. Amph1 contains a lipid‐binding N‐BAR (Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs) domain, central proline‐rich (PRD) and clathrin/AP2 (CLAP) domains, and a C‐terminal SH3 domain. Amph1 interacts with both lipids and proteins, with all of these interactions required for SV endocytosis, with the exception of the Amph1 PRD. The Amph1 PRD associates with the endocytosis protein endophilin A1, however, the role of this interaction in SV endocytosis has not been investigated. In this study, we set out to determine whether the Amph1 PRD and its interaction with endophilin A1 was essential for efficient SV endocytosis at typical small central synapses. To achieve this, domain‐specific interactions of Amph1 were validated using in vitro GST pull‐down assays, with the role of these interactions in SV endocytosis determined in molecular replacement experiments in primary neuronal culture. Using this approach, we confirmed important roles for CLAP and SH3 domain interactions of Amph1 in the control of SV endocytosis. Importantly, we identified the interaction site for endophilin A1 within the Amph1 PRD and exploited specific binding mutants to reveal a key role for this interaction in SV endocytosis. Finally, we determined that the formation of the Amph1‐endophilin A1 complex is dependent on the phosphorylation status of Amph1‐S293 within the PRD and that the phosphorylation status of this residue is essential for efficient SV regeneration. This work, therefore, reveals a key role for the dephosphorylation‐dependent Amph1‐endophilin A1 interaction in efficient SV endocytosis.

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Authentic allyship for gender minorities
Authors: Gilmore John P. , Dainton Marissa , Halpin Noah
Published: May 2023

The visibility and discussion on the rights and needs of Trans and Non‐Binary communities in relation to healthcare have seen growing prominence in recent years. Despite an overall improvement in access to legal protections, civil rights, and in many jurisdictions specialist provision of healthcare for gender minorities, there remain poorer health outcomes in many areas and ongoing experiences of discrimination and transphobia. In this article, we set out the prerogative for nurses to step up as authentic allies for Trans and Non Binary people and put forward strategies to enhance the experience of gender minorities in healthcare through practice, education, and systems change.
How to estimate the sarcomere size based on oblique sections of skeletal muscle
Authors: Boschi Federico
Published: May 2023

Ultrastructural analysis of muscular biopsy is based on images of longitudinal sections of the fibers. Sometimes, due to experimental limitations, the resulting sections are instead oblique, and no accurate morphological information can be extracted with standard analysis methods. Thus, the biopsy is performed again, but this is too invasive and time‐consuming. In this study, we focused our attention on the sarcomere's shape and we investigated which is the structural information that can be obtained from oblique sections. A routine was written in MATLAB to allow the visualization of how a sarcomere's section appears in ultrastructural images obtained by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) at different secant angles. The routine was used also to analyze the intersection between a cylinder and a plane to show how the Z‐bands and M‐line lengths vary at different secant angles. Moreover, we explored how to calculate sarcomere's radius and length as well as the secant angle from ultrastructural images, based only on geometrical considerations (Pythagorean theorem and trigonometric functions). The equations to calculate these parameters starting from ultrastructural image measurements were found. Noteworthy, to obtain the real sarcomere length in quasi‐longitudinal sections, a small correction in the standard procedure is needed and highlighted in the text. In conclusion, even non‐longitudinal sections of skeletal muscles can be used to extrapolate morphological information of sarcomeres, which are important parameters for diagnostic purposes.
Physical activity trajectories and their determinants in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cohort study
Authors: An Ran , Zhang Shifang , Huang Xiuxiu , Lan Yue , Cao Ting , Wan Qiaoqin
Published: May 2023

Aims and Objectives

The aim was to identify latent trajectories in physical activity (PA) and their determinants in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the socio‐ecological model.

Background

PA has been linked to poor long‐term outcomes in patients with COPD. However, few studies have explored their PA trajectories and their predictors.

Design

Cohort study.

Methods

We used data from a national cohort and included 215 participants. PA was quantified using a short PA questionnaire, and group‐based trajectory modelling was used to explore the PA trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of PA trajectories. Generalised linear mixed models were used to elucidate the associations between predictors and PA during follow‐up. A STROBE checklist was used to guide the reporting of this study.

Results

Three PA trajectory patterns were identified among 215 COPD participants with an average age of 60.51 ± 8.87: stable inactive group (66.7%), sharp decline group (25.7%) and stable active group (7.5%). The logistic regression showed that age, sex, income, peak expiratory flow, upper limb capacity, depressive symptoms, the frequency of contact with children were PA predictors. Upper limb capacity weakness and depressive symptoms were found to be associated with a sharp decline in PA during follow‐up.

Conclusions

This study revealed three PA trajectories among patients with COPD. In addition to strengthening the physical functions and mental health of patients, support from the family, community and society also play a crucial role in promoting PA of patients with COPD.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

It is essential to identify distinct PA trajectories in patients with COPD to develop future interventions that promote PA.

No Patient or Public Contribution

A national cohort study was used and no patients or the public were involved in the design and implementation of this study.
Employee Costs of Corporate Bankruptcy
Authors: GRAHAM JOHN R. , KIM HYUNSEOB , LI SI , QIU JIAPING
Published: May 2023

An employee's annual earnings fall by 13% in the first full calendar year after her firm's bankruptcy, and the present value of lost earnings from bankruptcy to six years following bankruptcy is 87% of pre‐bankruptcy annual earnings. More worker earnings are lost in thin labor markets and among small firms. Ex ante compensating wage differentials for this “bankruptcy risk” are up to 2% of firm value for a firm whose credit rating falls from AA to BBB, comparable in magnitude to debt tax benefits. Thus, wage premia for expected costs of bankruptcy are sufficiently large to be an important consideration in capital structure decisions.
Retail Derivatives and Sentiment: A Sentiment Measure Constructed from Issuances of Retail Structured Equity Products
Authors: HENDERSON BRIAN J. , PEARSON NEIL D. , WANG LI
Published: May 2023

We use retail structured equity product (SEP) issuances to construct a new sentiment measure for large capitalization stocks. The SEP sentiment measure predicts negative abnormal returns on the SEP reference stocks based on a variety of factor models, and also predicts returns in Fama‐MacBeth regressions that include a wide range of covariates. Consistent with our interpretation that SEP issuances reflect investor sentiment, aggregate SEP issuances are highly correlated with the Baker‐Wurgler sentiment index. Tobit regressions reveal that proxies for attention and sentiment predict SEP issuance volumes, providing additional evidence consistent with the hypothesis that SEP issuances reflect sentiment.