bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
That's how it starts
Authors: Raffles Hugh
Published: June 2023

Part of a special section of “hundreds” for Kathleen Stewart, these hundred words describe an encounter in Santa Cruz, California, around twenty years ago.
Homenaje
Authors: González Roberto J.
Published: June 2023

This flash ethnography, set in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, describes a close, long‐term relationship between the author and a campesino and the challenges of maintaining such personal bonds over time and geographical distance. It explores the affective dimensions of ethnographic fieldwork and its emotional impact.
Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score as a prognostic marker for gastrointestinal stromal tumours
Authors: Sui Chao , Lin Chen , Tao Tingting , Huang Yibo , Zhang Haoran , Yu Heng , Tao Liang , Wang Meng , Wang Feng
Published: June 2023

Background

The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, regarded as the effective indicator of patient nutrition, has been demonstrated to be related to prognosis of numerous tumours. Nevertheless, the significance of CONUT for gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) remains unclear. This study intended to clarify the association between CONUT and the prognosis of GISTs.

Methods

Three hundred and fifty‐five patients with GISTs undergoing surgical resection at our center were retrospectively assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to help determine the cut‐off value of CONUT score. Relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed by Kaplan–Meier curve analysis. Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were examined by Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

A total of 355 patients were enrolled in this study. Areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.638 for CONUT score, and the cut‐off value of CONUT was shown to be three. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed that high CONUT score was linked to poorer RFS and OS. Univariate and multivariate analyses ultimately revealed that CONUT was a risk factor for RFS and OS, independent of demographics and clinicopathological tumour characteristics.

Conclusions

CONUT score was an effective and novel predictor for prognosis of GIST patients treated with surgery, indicating its potential as a prognostic marker in the overall management.
The length of hospital stay following bariatric surgery in Australia: the impact of patient, procedure, system and surgeon
Authors: Chadwick Chiara , Burton Paul R. , Brown Dianne , Holland Jennifer F. , Campbell Angus , Cottrell Jenifer , Reilly Jennifer , MacCormick Andrew D. , Caterson Ian , Brown Wendy A.
Published: June 2023

Background

The length of a patient's stay (LOS) in a hospital is one metric used to compare the quality of care, as a longer LOS may flag higher complication rates or less efficient processes. A meaningful comparison of LOS can only occur if the expected average length of stay (ALOS) is defined first. This study aimed to define the expected ALOS of primary and conversion bariatric surgery in Australia and to quantify the effect of patient, procedure, system, and surgeon factors on ALOS.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of prospectively maintained data from the Bariatric Surgery Registry of 63 604 bariatric procedures performed in Australia. The primary outcome measure was the expected ALOS for primary and conversion bariatric procedures. The secondary outcome measures quantified the change in ALOS for bariatric surgery resulting from patient, procedure, hospital, and surgeon factors.

Results

Uncomplicated primary bariatric surgery had an ALOS (SD) of 2.30 (1.31) days, whereas conversion procedures had an ALOS (SD) of 2.71 (2.75) days yielding a mean difference (SEM) in ALOS of 0.41 (0.05) days, P < 0.001. The occurrence of any defined adverse event extended the ALOS of primary and conversion procedures by 1.14 days (CI 95% 1.04–1.25), P < 0.001 and 2.33 days (CI 95% 1.54–3.11), P < 0.001, respectively. Older age, diabetes, rural home address, surgeon operating volume and hospital case volume increased the ALOS following bariatric surgery.

Conclusions

Our findings have defined Australia's expected ALOS following bariatric surgery. Increased patient age, diabetes, rural living, procedural complications and surgeon and hospital case volume exerted a small but significant increase in ALOS.

Study type

Retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data.
Blood analysis for screening of electrolyte and kidney function alterations in patients with febrile urinary tract infection
Authors: González‐Bertolín Isabel , Barbas Bernardos Guillermo , García Suarez Leire , Martín Espín Irene , Barcia Aguilar Cristina , López López Rosario , Calvo Cristina
Published: June 2023

Aim

To describe the prevalence, severity, risk factors, and clinical relevance of electrolyte disturbances and acute kidney injury (AKI) during febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI).

Methods

Retrospective observational study of well/fair‐appearing patients between 2 months and 16 years, with no previous relevant medical history, diagnosed with fUTI in the paediatric emergency department (PED) with subsequent microbiological confirmation. Analytical alteration (AA) data were considered: AKI (creatinine elevation × 1.5 the median for age), plasma sodium alteration (≤130 or ≥150 mEq/L), and potassium alteration (≤3 or ≥6 mEq/L).

Results

We included 590 patients, 17.8% presented AA (13 hyponatremia, 7 hyperkalaemia, and 87 AKI). No patient presented severe analytic alterations or a higher frequency of symptoms potentially attributable to these alterations (seizures, irritability, or lethargy). Risk factors associated with these AA were clinical dehydration (OR = 3.5 95% CI: 1.04–11.7; p = 0.044) and presenting a temperature >39°C (OR = 1.9 95% CI: 1.14–3.1; p = 0.013).

Conclusions

Electrolyte and renal function disturbances are infrequent in the previously healthy paediatric population with a fUTI. If present, they are asymptomatic and not severe. Based on our results, performing systematic blood analysis to rule out AA appears no longer justified, especially in the absence of risk factors.
Azole resistance in Candida auris: mechanisms and combinatorial therapy
Authors: Jangir Puneet , Kalra Sapna , Tanwar Sunita , Bari Vinay Kumar
Published: June 2023

Multidrug resistance Candida auris is a dangerous fungal pathogen that is emerging at an alarming rate and posing serious threats to public health. C. auris is associated with nosocomial infections that cause invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. Several antifungal drugs with distinct mechanisms of action are clinically approved for the treatment of fungal infections. The high rates of intrinsic and acquired drug resistance, particularly to azoles, reported in characterized clinical isolates of C. auris make treatment extremely problematic. In systemic infections, azoles are the first‐line treatment for most Candida species; however, the increasing use of drugs results in the frequent emergence of drug resistance. More than 90% of the clinical isolates of C. auris is shown to be highly resistant to azole drugs especially fluconazole, with some strains (types) resistant to all three classes of commonly used antifungals. This presents a huge challenge for researchers in terms of completely understanding the molecular mechanism of azole resistance to develop more efficient drugs. Due to the scarcity of C. auris therapeutic alternatives, the development of successful drug combinations provides an alternative for clinical therapy. Taking advantage of various action mechanisms, such drugs in combination with azole are likely to have synergistic effects, improving treatment efficacy and overcoming C. auris azole drug resistance. In this review, we outline the current state of understanding about the mechanisms of azole resistance mainly fluconazole, and the current advancement in therapeutic approaches such as drug combinations toward C. auris infections.
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen in a Zimbabwean breast cancer cohort
Authors: Mbavha Bianza Tinotenda , Thelingwani Roslyn Stella , Chikwambi Zedias , Nyakabau Anna Mary , Masimirembwa Collen ,   and the Consortium for Genomics and Therapeutics in Africa
Published: June 2023

Tamoxifen is the most used hormonal therapy for oestrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer. CYP2D6 is the main enzyme in the metabolic pathway of tamoxifen to endoxifen. Variations in endoxifen plasma concentrations are associated with CYP2D6 polymorphisms. This study aimed to determine the association between the CYP2D6 polymorphisms and endoxifen plasma concentrations in a cohort of Zimbabwean breast cancer patients (n = 40). TaqMan genotyping and copy number assays were done to determine CYP2D6 genotypes. Tamoxifen and metabolites were quantitated using LC‐MS/MS. The population had high frequencies of the CYP2D6 reduced function alleles, *17 (15%) and *29 (18%). The median endoxifen concentration was 4.78 ng/mL, and in 55% of the patients, mostly intermediate metabolizers were below the endoxifen therapeutic threshold of 5.97 ng/mL. The CYP2D6 phenotypes and activity scores were significantly associated with endoxifen plasma concentrations (P = 0.0151) and with endoxifen to N‐desmethyl‐tamoxifen ratios (P = 0.0006).
Contextual and individual barriers to providing practice leadership by frontline managers in community services for adults with intellectual disabilities: A qualitative study
Authors: Deveau Roy , Rickard Georgina
Published: June 2023

Background

As practice leaders, frontline managers observe staff working, provide feedback and use organisational structures to improve staff skills and focus on service‐user quality of life. This qualitative study explored the experiences and barriers for frontline managers providing practice leadership to staff in community services for adults with learning disabilities.

Methods

Audio‐recorded data was collected during semi‐structured interviews with 14 frontline managers, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Three themes emerged reflecting participants' experiences of barriers to their work as practice leaders, focusing on stable staff teams, ‘admin’ and paperwork, and developing staff, each with sub‐themes.

Conclusions

Results reflect existing research and suggest new challenges relating to progress in personalisation. Frontline managers experience barriers to providing practice leadership due to contextual and individual factors described in the themes. Successful implementation of policy initiatives, for example, Transforming Care requires further research on the impact, development and provision of practice leadership for support staff. should recognise these factors influencing frontline managers and ensure suitable policies and training to support practice leadership.
The development of commitment: Attention for intention
Authors: Zhai Shuyi , Cheng Shaozhe , Moskowitz Naomi , Shen Mowei , Gao Tao
Published: June 2023

Adhering to a partially defined plan requires an intentional commitment that curbs distracting desires conflicting with the planned course of action, enabling humans to act coherently over time. Two studies (N = 50, 27 girls, ages 5–6, Han Chinese, in Hangzhou, China, 2022.02–2022.03) explored the development of commitment to partial plans in a sequential decision‐making task and the underlying cognitive capacity focusing on its correlation to attentional control. Results suggest that only 6‐year‐olds committed to partial plans (d = .51), and children's commitment ratio was positively correlated with the use of proactive control (r = .40). These findings indicate that intentional commitment does not develop simultaneously with intention understanding, but rather matures gradually with the development of attentional control.
Remimazolam versus propofol in combination with esketamine for surgical abortion: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yue Linli , Ma Xiaoling , Li Na , Chen Jing , Wang Jun , Wan Zhenzhen , Yang Lin
Published: June 2023

Remimazolam is a new benzodiazepine with a short half‐life, good efficacy, and safety profiles in general anesthesia. Combining esketamine with propofol (P + E) could reduce propofol consumption and injection pain. It is, however, unclear if a low dose of remimazolam co‐administrated with esketamine (R + E) is comparable to the increasingly used P + E for surgical abortion with general anesthetic. We conducted a double‐blind randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of R + E and P + E. Two hundred patients scheduled for a surgical abortion were randomized to receive remimazolam 0.3 mg/kg plus esketamine 0.3 mg/kg (R + E), and propofol 2 mg/kg plus esketamine 0.3 mg/kg (P + E). Sedative effectiveness was evaluated by measuring the time to lose consciousness (LOC), recovery time, and successful sedation rate. Safety was assessed by hemodynamics and adverse events during and postoperation. The time to LOC and recovery time in R + E was 5 s shorter and 1 min longer than that in P + E, respectively (both p < 0.001). Success sedation rate did not differ between groups (p = 0.73). Bradycardia incidence and injection site pain were less frequent in the R + E group than that in the P + E group. More rash was observed in the R + E group compared with the P + E group (32% vs. 5%, p < 0.001), but all were mild (only chest rash) and resolved subsequently. Low dose of remimazolam when combined with esketamine has favorable profiles with rapid onset and recovery, but mild hemodynamic side effects and adverse events. It can be used as an alternative for surgical abortion with general anesthetic.
Nutritional strategies for correcting low glucose values in patients with postbariatric hypoglycaemia: A randomized controlled three‐arm crossover trial
Authors: Schönenberger Katja A. , Ferreira Antonio , Stebler Céline , Prendin Francesco , Gawinecka Joanna , Nakas Christos T. , Mühlebach Stefan , Stanga Zeno , Facchinetti Andrea , Herzig David , Bally Lia
Published: June 2023

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of nutritional hypoglycaemia correction strategies in postbariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH) after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Materials and methods

In a randomized, controlled, three‐arm crossover trial, eight post‐RYGB adults (mean [SD] 7.0 [1.4] years since surgery) with PBH ingested a solid mixed meal (584 kcal, 85 g carbohydrates, 21 g fat, 12 g protein) to induce hypoglycaemia on three separate days. Upon reaching plasma glucose of less than 3.0 mmol/L, hypoglycaemia was corrected with 15 g of glucose (G15), 5 g of glucose (G5) or a protein bar (P10, 10 g of protein) in random order. The primary outcome was percentage of time spent in the target plasma glucose range (3.9‐5.5 mmol/L) during 40 minutes after correction.

Results

Postcorrection time spent in the target glucose range did not differ significantly between the interventions (P = .161). However, postcorrection time with glucose less than 3.9 mmol/L was lower after G15 than P10 (P = .007), whereas time spent with glucose more than 5.5 mmol/L, peak glucose and insulin 15 minutes postcorrection were higher after G15 than G5 and P10 (P < .001). Glucagon 15 minutes postcorrection was higher after P10 than after G15 and G5 (P = .002 and P = .003, respectively). G15 resulted in rebound hypoglycaemia (< 3.0 mmol/L) in three of eight cases (38%), while no rebound hypoglycaemia occurred with G5 and P10.

Conclusions

Correcting hypoglycaemia with 15 g of glucose should be reconsidered in post‐RYGB PBH. A lower dose appears to sufficiently increase glucose levels outside the critical range in most cases, and complementary nutrients (e.g. proteins) may provide glycaemia‐stabilizing benefits.

Registration number of clinical trial

NTC05250271 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Deep learning techniques on 3D‐MRI lung images for detection and segmentation of COVID‐19 virus
Authors: Ahmed J. Syed Nizamudeen , Sathik M. Mohamed , Nallaperumal Krishnan , Kaliaperumal Senthamarai Kannan , Kumar Parasuraman , Thanu Arumuga Maria Devi
Published: June 2023

The Coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID‐19) has influenced billions and has significantly affected the public medical care. Because of rising distrust toward the affectability of RT‐ PCR as screening technique, clinical imaging like registered tomography offers incredible potential as option. Notwithstanding, openly accessible COVID‐19 imaging information is restricted which prompts over fitting of conventional methodologies. To address this issue, the incumbent article proposes the segmentation of Corona Virus with Edge Based Segmentation and Grey Level Co‐occurrence Matrix‐CNN model, a creative mechanized division pipeline for COVID‐19 tainted districts in the lungs, which can deal with little datasets by use as variation information bases. For the screening of COVID‐19, the converse record polymerase‐based chain response (RT‐PCR) has been viewed as best quality level. As a significant supplement for tests of RT‐PCR, the strategies of radiological imaging, for instance, X‐beams as also Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). have additionally shown viability in both flow analysis, including subsequent appraisal and assessment of infection advancement. Our strategy centers on‐the‐fly age of novel and irregular picture patches for preparing by playing out a few preprocessing techniques and misusing broad information expansion. For additional decrease of the over fitting danger, we executed a standard 3D U‐Net design rather than new or computational complex neural organization structures. Through a 5‐crease cross‐approval on 150 samples of the lung sweeps of COVID‐19 patients, we had the option to build up a profoundly exact just as vigorous division model for lungs and COVID‐19 tainted locales without over fitting on the restricted information. The article will strategize accomplished GCPSO with an accuracy of 98% for lungs and 0.761 for disease. It will show that the proposed technique beats related methodologies, propels the cutting edge for COVID‐19 division and improves clinical picture examination with restricted information.
Work arrangements and father involvement during COVID‐19 lockdown: A mixed methods study
Authors: Ni Pingping , Hong Peipei , Pan Laike , Han Xinran , Zhai Shuyi , He Jie
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to examine how father involvement and family relationships changed during the COVID‐19 lockdown and their relations to fathers' work arrangements.

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has transformed how parents arrange their work and family in China and elsewhere. Many fathers, once working long hours at the workplace, had to adjust their work arrangements, working reduced hours or working from home.

Method

This study used a mixed methods design. Participants were parents of preschool or school‐age children in China. In Study 1, 31 mothers were interviewed about the change in father involvement and family relationships during the COVID‐19 lockdown compared with pre‐COVID‐19. In Study 2, a sample of father–mother dyads (N = 637) completed survey measures of work arrangements, father involvement, and family relationships.

Results

Study 1 suggested increased father involvement and improved family relationships amid the lockdown and highlighted the role of fathers' work. Study 2 revealed that fathers' changed work arrangements (i.e., working from home) were associated with higher father involvement and more positive family relationships during the lockdown. Father involvement may mediate the associations between fathers' work arrangements and father–child closeness as well as mothers' marital satisfaction.

Conclusion and Implications

Working from home could promote involved fathering and stronger family relationships, strengthening the family's overall capacity to combat the stressors and challenges brought by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Conclusion: Mental health and legal responses to the adolescent mental health crisis: Raising the bar on best interests and promoting family connectedness in divorcing families
Authors: Wilson Amy E. , Kline Pruett Marsha
Published: June 2023

We are currently facing an unprecedented increase in adolescent mental health problems resulting in alarmingly high levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Significant mental health problems among youth pose unique challenges to families in the process of separation and divorce, as well as to family law professionals across all disciplines. The current adolescent mental health crisis calls for new ways of approaching our work with high conflict families to promote family connectedness and shift away from adversarial approaches that may exacerbate conflict and further destabilize families. As a conclusion to the special issue on adolescent mental health needs, the authors make multidisciplinary best practices recommendations and advocate for systems level changes in recognition of the needs of youth in crisis at this pivotal developmental stage.
Drug‐resistant epicrania fugax: Responding to onabotulinumtoxinA
Authors: Alberola‐Amores Francisco José , Moral‐Rubio Jorge
Published: June 2023

Epicrania fugax (EF) is a primary headache consisting of brief paroxysms of pain, lasting 1–10 s, that move through different nerve territories of one hemicranium with a linear or zigzag trajectory, although there are some clinical variants. Preventive therapy with anti‐seizure medication such as gabapentin and lamotrigine are most commonly used in patients presenting with frequent and non‐remitting attacks. In some cases, greater occipital nerve blockades are used for short‐ or long‐term relief. Here, we report two patients with a paroxysmal EF‐type pain who meet the criteria for EF of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, with clear triggers and autonomic ocular signs and who failed multiple preventive treatments, but had a sustained response to onabotulinumtoxinA.
Effects of nitrogen pressure on properties of sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitride
Authors: Nakashima Yuki , Zhou You , Tanabe Keisuke , Arima Souhei , Okuno Teruhisa , Hirao Kiyoshi , Ohji Tatsuki , Fukushima Manabu
Published: June 2023

We prepared sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitride ceramics by using yttria and magnesia as sintering additives and evaluated the effects of nitrogen pressure (0.1–1.0 MPa) on their microstructure, bending strength, fracture toughness, and thermal conductivity. The ratio of β phase in the nitrided compacts varied with the pressure and increased with increasing it. Since many β grains in the nitrided compacts were formed and interlocked each other with a stable three‐dimensional structure which restricted the shrinkage during the sintering procedure, many pores remained in the sintered body. Under the middle pressure (0.3–0.5 MPa), the grains grew large because the number of formed nuclei was small. On the other hand, under the high pressures (0.8–1.0 MPa), the grains were relatively fine and uniform because of a large number of nuclei. Since the porosity and grain length depended on the nitridation mechanism, which was affected by the nitrogen pressure, the properties largely varied accordingly. The nitridation at 0.1 MPa gave the best properties in this study.
The Cyperus esculentus starch‐based bioactive films: characterisation, UV‐shielding and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Li Fangyu , Mao Shuo , Zhou Xiaobin , Li Shuyi , Lu Chengwen , Zhang Tiehua
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to develop a novel antioxidant film for food packaging based on Cyperus esculentus starch and thymol. The mechanical, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of composite films were investigated. The C. esculentus starch showed good film‐forming properties. Incorporating of thymol improved the elongation at break and ultraviolet barrier property of the films, meanwhile decreased the moisture content of the films. Scanning electron microscopy showed good compatibility between starch matrix and thymol. The formation of hydrogen bonds between starch and thymol was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The composite films (3% thymol) exhibited higher antioxidant with DPPH scavenging capacity values of 73.22 ± 2.05% compared with control films. This study provided a potential unconventional starch for the preparation of bioactive films.
ICOS gene polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case–control study
Authors: Houssaini Hana , Bouallegui Emna , Abida Olfa , Tahri Safa , Elloumi Nesrine , Hachicha Hend , Marzouk Sameh , Bahloul Zouhir , Masmoudi Hatem , Fakhfakh Raouia
Published: June 2023

The inducible T‐cell costimulator (ICOS) may play an important role in adaptive immunity by regulating the interaction between T cells and antigen‐presenting cells. Disruption of this molecule can lead to autoimmune diseases, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we aimed to explore the possible association between ICOS gene polymorphisms and SLE as well as their influence on disease susceptibility and clinical outcomes. A further objective was to assess the potential impact of these polymorphisms on RNA expression. A case–control study, including 151 patients with SLE, and 291 unrelated healthy controls (HC) matched in gender, and geographical origin, was performed to genotype two polymorphisms located in the ICOS gene: rs11889031 (−693 G/A) and rs10932029 (IVS1 + 173 T/C); using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The different genotypes were validated by direct sequencing. The expression level of ICOS mRNA was assessed by quantitative PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and HC. The results were analysed using Shesis and spss.20. Our results revealed a significant association between ICOS gene rs11889031 > CC genotype and SLE disease (codominant genetic model 1, (C/C vs. C/T), p = .001, odds ratio [OR] = 2.18 IC [1.36–3.49]); codominant genetic model 2, (C/C vs. T/T) p = .007, OR = 15.29 IC [1.97–118.5]); dominant genetic model, (C/C vs. C/T + T/T) p = .0001, OR = 2.44 IC [1.53–3.9]). Besides, there was a marginal association between rs11889031 > TT genotype and T allele with a protective role from SLE (recessive genetic model, p = .016, OR = 0.08 IC [0.01–0.63] and p = 7.6904E − 05, OR = 0.43 IC = [0.28–0.66], respectively). Moreover, statistical analysis indicated that the rs11889031 > CC genotype was linked with clinical and serological manifestations of SLE, including blood pressure, and anti‐SSA antibodies production in SLE patients. However, the ICOS gene rs10932029 polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to SLE. On the other side, we did not note any effect of the two selected polymorphisms on the level of ICOS mRNA gene expression. The study showed a significant predisposing association of the ICOS rs11889031 > CC genotype with SLE, in contrast to a protective effect of rs11889031 > TT genotype in Tunisian patients. Our results suggest that ICOS rs11889031 may act as a risk factor for SLE and could be used as a genetic susceptibility biomarker.
Diaspora alumni networks as transnational governance actors
Authors: Walton‐Roberts Margaret , Judge Neil Amber
Published: June 2023

Diasporas are increasingly seen as an economic resource and new agents in sending state development regimes. The nature of these state‐diaspora relationships are matters of increasing interest to scholars. In this paper we examine the case of India and the current government's engagement with diaspora groups, especially alumni networks of Indian Institutes of Technology and Management. Alumni networks provide conduits for diasporas to inform homeland affairs and for home nations to project their brand of soft power and technological modernity, suggesting novel and emerging forms of transnational governance particularly in education and technological development. We offer a critical conceptual review of these issues by tracing prominent Indian diaspora alumni actors and emerging transnational diasporic governance networks and how these might inflect “national” policy frameworks in sending countries through the reproduction of caste and class privilege.
Inference of age‐dependent case‐fatality ratios for seasonal influenza virus subtypes A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 and B lineages using data from the Netherlands
Authors: McDonald Scott A. , Teirlinck Anne C. , Hooiveld Mariette , van Asten Liselotte , Meijer Adam , de Lange Marit , van Gageldonk‐Lafeber Arianne B. , Wallinga Jacco
Published: June 2023

Background

Despite the known relatively high disease burden of influenza, data are lacking regarding a critical epidemiological indicator, the case‐fatality ratio. Our objective was to infer age‐group and influenza (sub)type specific values by combining modelled estimates of symptomatic incidence and influenza‐attributable mortality.

Methods

The setting was the Netherlands, 2011/2012 through 2019/2020 seasons. Sentinel surveillance data from general practitioners and laboratory testing were synthesised to supply age‐group specific estimates of incidence of symptomatic infection, and ecological additive modelling was used to estimate influenza‐attributable deaths. These were combined in an Bayesian inferential framework to estimate case‐fatality ratios for influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B, per 5‐year age‐group.

Results

Case‐fatality estimates were highest for influenza A(H3N2) followed by influenza B and then A(H1N1)pdm09 and were highest for the 85+ years age‐group, at 4.76% (95% credible interval [CrI]: 4.52–5.01%) for A(H3N2), followed by influenza B at 4.08% (95% CrI: 3.77–4.39%) and A(H1N1)pdm09 at 2.51% (95% CrI: 2.09–2.94%). For 55–59 through 85+ years, the case‐fatality risk was estimated to double with every 3.7 years of age.

Conclusions

These estimated case‐fatality ratios, per influenza sub(type) and per age‐group, constitute valuable information for public health decision‐making, for assessing the retrospective and prospective value of preventative interventions such as vaccination and for health economic evaluations.
Fabrication of CaAl12O19–CaTiO3 composites and their potential usage for TiAl alloy smelting
Authors: Li Ziyan , Du Riqing , Fu Lvping , Or Siu Wing , Gu Huazhi , Chen Ding , Yang Shuang , Huang Ao , Lv Renxiang
Published: June 2023

CaAl12O19–CaTiO3 (CA6–CT) materials are fabricated using a solid sintering method to investigate the effects of TiO2 content on the phase composition, properties, and microstructure of the materials. With increasing TiO2 content, the preferential replacement of Al3+ by Ti4+ in the CA6 crystal increases the concentration of vacancy defects, thereby promoting ion diffusion and mass transfer, which improves the sintering reaction activity. However, as more TiO2 is added, the CaTiO3 phase formed increases the thermal conductivity and mean expansion coefficient of the material at high temperatures, which degrades its thermal shock stability. The CA6–CT refractory showed good corrosion resistance to the Ti6Al4V melt. Except for a slight penetration of iron element, no obvious corrosion occurred at the reaction interface.
Which immigrants are welcome: The role of worldview conflict and immigrants' social status
Authors: Mollaret Patrick , Collange Julie , Sternberg Béatrice , Gasnault Adrien , Badea Constantina
Published: June 2023

Worldview conflict has been shown to determine prejudice toward members of groups holding opposite views. In two experimental studies, we aimed at generalizing the consequences of worldview conflict to the reception of immigrants by a host population. We hypothesized that members of a host population have a more favorable attitude toward immigrants when they share the same worldviews. In Study 1 (N = 181), we took the example of same‐sex marriage and showed that participants rated immigrants who held worldviews congruent with their own more favorably. In Study 2 (N = 467), we found that members of the host population were more favorable to a naturalization request by a high‐social‐status immigrant when s/he agreed with them concerning the Black Lives Matter movement. However, that worldviews congruency effect was not found for a low‐social‐status immigrant. Consequences of worldview conflict on the reception of immigrants are discussed.
Fidaxomicin treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Koop Andree H , Travers Paul M , Khanna Sahil , Pardi Darrell S , Farraye Francis A , Hashash Jana G
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

Although fidaxomicin is an effective first‐line treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection, it has not been well studied in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of fidaxomicin for the treatment of C. difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study of adults with inflammatory bowel disease and C. difficile infection treated with fidaxomicin with at least 3 months of follow up. The primary outcomes were treatment response, defined as resolution of C. difficile infection‐attributed diarrhea and/or negative C. difficile infection stool test, and time to C. difficile infection recurrence after fidaxomicin.

Results

Thirty‐three patients (median age 42 years; 60.6% female) were included. Most patients had ulcerative colitis (26, 78.8%), were receiving treatment with a biologic or small molecule medication (19, 57.6%), and had a prior episode of C. difficile infection (26, 78.8%, median 2 episodes, range 0–15). Fidaxomicin led to resolution of C. difficile infection in 20 (60.6%) patients, with 6/20 (30.0%) developing a recurrence at a median of 55 days. Most patients who failed to respond to fidaxomicin underwent fecal microbiota transplantation (10/13, 76.9%) with resolution.

Conclusions

In this cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and C. difficile infection, 60.6% responded to treatment with fidaxomicin. Of those who did not respond, fecal microbiota transplantation was an effective therapy.
Presidential Address: Sustainable Finance and ESG Issues—ValueversusValues
Authors: STARKS LAURA T.
Published: June 2023

In this address, I discuss differences across investor and manager motivations for considering sustainable finance—valueversusvaluesmotivations—and how these differences contribute to misunderstandings about environmental, social, and governance investment approaches. The finance research community has the ability and responsibility to help clear up these misunderstandings through additional research, which I suggest.
Dietary app for patients with kidney disease: Qualitative evaluation of a prototype
Authors: Suder Louise Birk , Ivarsen Per , Førrisdahl Lisbeth , Christensen Mette R. , Streubel‐Kristensen Lise , Sørensen Anni , Finderup Jeanette
Published: June 2023

Background

Individual dietary recommendations change as loss of kidney function progresses. Adopting these recommendations in everyday life poses major challenges for patients. Individualising dietary counselling is crucial to easy accessibility.

Aim

To investigate patients’ needs with regard to a dietary app for patients with chronic kidney disease, patients’, and health professionals’ immediate responses to such a dietary app and suggestions for improvement and further development of a prototype.

Design

A prototype of the dietary app has been developed and demonstrates how all information it provides can be tailored to the individual patient according to stage of disease, anthropometrics, and phosphate and potassium levels. A qualitative evaluation of the prototype was conducted using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist for reporting.

Approach

Seven individual interviews and four focus groups were analysed using interpretive description.

Participants

Individual interviews with seven patients who have stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease and are not on dialysis, and four focus groups: one with participants from the individual interviews, one with six patients on haemodialysis, one with 13 kidney dieticians and one with seven health professionals.

Findings

Both patients and healthcare professionals were positive about the app. Individualisation is necessary for the app to work in practice. The patients reported access to a diet diary and recipes as important elements.

Conclusion

There is a need to improve the tools we use today to enhance patient adherence to dietary recommendations. The development of an app for individual dietary counselling could be a useful solution.
Suboptimal environmental conditions prolong phage epidemics in bacterial populations
Authors: Goehlich Henry , Roth Olivia , Sieber Michael , Chibani Cynthia M. , Poehlein Anja , Rajkov Jelena , Liesegang Heiko , Wendling Carolin C.
Published: June 2023

Infections by filamentous phages, which are usually nonlethal to the bacterial cells, influence bacterial fitness in various ways. While phage‐encoded accessory genes, for example virulence genes, can be highly beneficial, the production of viral particles is energetically costly and often reduces bacterial growth. Consequently, if costs outweigh benefits, bacteria evolve resistance, which can shorten phage epidemics. Abiotic conditions are known to influence the net‐fitness effect for infected bacteria. Their impact on the dynamics and trajectories of host resistance evolution, however, remains yet unknown. To address this, we experimentally evolved the bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus in the presence of a filamentous phage at three different salinity levels, that is (1) ambient, (2) 50% reduction and (3) fluctuations between reduced and ambient. In all three salinities, bacteria rapidly acquired resistance through super infection exclusion (SIE), whereby phage‐infected cells acquired immunity at the cost of reduced growth. Over time, SIE was gradually replaced by evolutionary fitter surface receptor mutants (SRM). This replacement was significantly faster at ambient and fluctuating conditions compared with the low saline environment. Our experimentally parameterized mathematical model explains that suboptimal environmental conditions, in which bacterial growth is slower, slow down phage resistance evolution ultimately prolonging phage epidemics. Our results may explain the high prevalence of filamentous phages in natural environments where bacteria are frequently exposed to suboptimal conditions and constantly shifting selections regimes. Thus, our future ocean may favour the emergence of phage‐born pathogenic bacteria and impose a greater risk for disease outbreaks, impacting not only marine animals but also humans.
Mental simulation and language comprehension: The case of copredication
Authors: Liu Michelle
Published: June 2023

Empirical evidence suggests that perceptual‐motor simulations are often constitutively involved in language comprehension. Call this “the simulation view of language comprehension”. This article applies the simulation view to illuminate the much‐discussed phenomenon of copredication, where a noun permits multiple predications which seem to select different senses of the noun simultaneously. On the proposed account, the (in)felicitousness of a copredicational sentence is closely associated with the perceptual simulations that the language user deploys in comprehending the sentence.
Health comparisons between active and inactive transport modes in urban adults with chronic conditions: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hong Hsien‐Jang , Huang Wen‐Hsin , Yen Hsin‐Yen
Published: June 2023

An active transport mode provides an opportunity for integrating physical activity into one's daily life through walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation. The purpose of this study was to compare urban adults with chronic conditions who used active and inactive transport modes and to find differences in their health outcomes. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to May 2020. Participants were urban adults who self‐reported being overweight or obese, or having a diagnosis of chronic disease. Anonymous structured self‐reported questionnaires were used for data collection, including the World Health Organization Quality‐of‐Life Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short‐Form, and the frequency of eight modes of transportation. According to differences between the frequency score of weekly active and inactive transportation, participants were categorized into inactive, balanced, and active transport modes. In total, 617 valid responses were obtained. Participants who engaged in an active transport mode were found to have significantly less sedentary time, and better comprehensive, social, and environmental aspects of quality of life than those with an inactive transport mode. Engaging in active transportation and avoiding inactive transportation are recommended for urban adults with chronic diseases.
PloiDB: the plant ploidy database
Authors: Halabi Keren , Shafir Anat , Mayrose Itay
Published: June 2023

See also the Commentary on this article by Spoelhof et al., 240: 909–911.
E3 ligase ATL5 positively regulates seed longevity by mediating the degradation of ABT1 in Arabidopsis
Authors: He Wenping , Wang Run , Zhang Qi , Fan Mingxia , Lyu Yuanyuan , Chen Shuai , Chen Defu , Chen Xiwen
Published: June 2023

Ubiquitination is a fundamental mechanism regulating the stability of target proteins in eukaryotes; however, the regulatory mechanism in seed longevity remains unknown. Here, we report that an uncharacterized E3 ligase, ARABIDOPSIS TÓXICOS EN LEVADURA 5 (ATL5), positively regulates seed longevity by mediating the degradation of ACTIVATOR OF BASAL TRANSCRIPTION 1 (ABT1) in Arabidopsis.

Seeds in which ATL5 was disrupted showed faster accelerated aging than the wild‐type, while expressing ATL5 in atl5‐2 basically restored the defective phenotype. ATL5 was highly expressed in the embryos of seeds, and its expression could be induced by accelerated aging.

A yeast two‐hybrid screen identified ABT1 as an ATL5 interacting protein, which was further confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementary assay and co‐immunoprecipitation analysis. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that ATL5 functions as an E3 ligase and mediates the polyubiquitination and degradation of ABT1. Disruption of ATL5 diminished the degradation of translated ABT1, and the degradation could be induced by seed ageing and occurred in a proteasome‐dependent manner. Furthermore, disruption of ABT1 enhanced seed longevity.

Taken together, our study reveals that ATL5 promotes the polyubiquitination and degradation of the ABT1 protein posttranslationally and positively regulates seed longevity in Arabidopsis.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 in periapical pathoses: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Arduino Paolo G. , Alovisi Mario , Petti Stefano
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies was to assess whether herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) can infect endodontic periapical lesions.

Materials and Methods

Studies with cross‐sectional design investigating HSV‐1 in periapical tissues of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic acute and chronic apical periodontitis were searched through MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Pooled HSV‐1 prevalence proportion with 95% confidence interval (95CI) in periapical lesions was assessed with both fixed‐effect and random‐effects models, with/without adjustment for study quality and publication bias. Result robustness was investigated through sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Results

Literature search, performed twice, provided 84 items, and eight remained for the meta‐analysis; globally, there were 194 patients mostly adults. The pooled HSV‐1 prevalence proportions, assessed with various methods, were 6.9% (95CI, 3.8–11.3%, fixed‐effect); 6.8% (95CI, 3.6–11.0%, random‐effects); 8.1% (95CI, 4.4–14.5%, quality‐adjusted); and 4.8% (95CI, 2.0–11.4%; adjusted for small‐study effect).

Conclusions

The results indicated that HSV‐1 can colonize the periapical tissues of 3%–11% patients with periapical diseases. Such data do not imply a causative role of HSV‐1 in disease development and advancement. Well‐designed and large‐sized prospective cohort studies should be added in the literature panorama.
What is the price of using the Price equation in ecology?
Authors: Bourrat Pierrick , Godsoe William , Pillai Pradeep , Gouhier Tarik C. , Ulrich Werner , Gotelli Nicholas J. , van Veelen Matthijs
Published: June 2023

The Dialogue series is intended to promote critical thinking and the expression of contrasting or even opposing viewpoints on important ecological topics. Here, seven researchers debate the use of the Price equation, a framework that has long been used in evolution to analyze temporal changes in the frequency of traits and alleles. This Dialogue describes different philosophical and mathematical perspectives on the application of the Price equation to ecological questions such as the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). The hope is that the broader scientific community will benefit from these contrasting viewpoints.
Exploring within‐plant hydraulic trait variation: A test of the vulnerability segmentation hypothesis
Authors: Wilkening Jean V. , Skelton Robert P. , Feng Xue , Dawson Todd E. , Thompson Sally E.
Published: June 2023

Observations show vulnerability segmentation between stems and leaves is highly variable within and between environments. While a number of species exhibit conventional vulnerability segmentation (stem leaf ), others exhibit no vulnerability segmentation and others reverse vulnerability segmentation (stem leaf ). We developed a hydraulic model to test hypotheses about vulnerability segmentation and how it interacts with other traits to impact plant conductance. We do this using a series of experiments across a broad parameter space and with a case study of two species with contrasting vulnerability segmentation patterns: Quercus douglasii and Populus trichocarpa. We found that while conventional vulnerability segmentation helps to preserve conductance in stem tissues, reverse vulnerability segmentation can better maintain conductance across the combined stem‐leaf hydraulic pathway, particularly when plants have more vulnerable s and have hydraulic segmentation with greater resistance in the leaves. These findings show that the impacts of vulnerability segmentation are dependent upon other plant traits, notably hydraulic segmentation, a finding that could assist in the interpretation of variable observations of vulnerability segmentation. Further study is needed to examine how vulnerability segmentation impacts transpiration rates and recovery from water stress.
A semiautomated risk assessment method for consumer products
Authors: Zaman Nohel , Goldberg David M. , Gruss Richard J. , Abrahams Alan S.
Published: June 2023

In this study, we develop a model that assesses product risk using online reviews from Amazon.com. We first identify unique words and phrases capable of identifying hazards. Second, we estimate risk severity using hazard type weights and risk likelihood using total reviews as a proxy for sales volume. In addition, we obtain expert assessments of product hazard risk (risk likelihood and severity) from a sample of high‐ and low‐risk consumer products identified by a computerized risk assessment model we have developed. Third, we assess the validity of our computerized product risk assessment scoring model by utilizing the experts’ survey responses. We find that our model is especially consistent with expert judgments of hazard likelihood but not as consistent with expert judgments of hazard severity. This model helps organizations to determine the risk severity, risk likelihood, and overall risk level of a specific product. The model produced by this study is helpful for product safety practitioners in product risk identification, characterization, and mitigation.