bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The perceived impact of the KAM reforms on audit reports, audit quality and auditor work practices: stakeholders’ perspectives
Authors: Nguyen Lan Anh , Kend Michael
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand how the new reforms related to key audit matters (KAM) disclosures in Australia may have impacted audit quality by eliciting the perceptions of key stakeholders in the audit and assurance services market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative approach and New Institutional Sociology (NIS) to explain how auditors have responded to the KAM reforms. Interviews were conducted with 20 individuals representing identified groups of stakeholders in the market for audit and assurance services in Australia.

Findings

The study finds there is little consensus between some stakeholder groups on whether the KAM reforms may have improved audit quality, based on the perceptions shared. The findings conveyed that the auditors and regulators, standard setters acknowledge that KAM disclosures are either costly and/or time-consuming to implement. The Big Four auditors indicate these reforms led to changes mainly around internal consultations and independent reviews, whereas the non-Big Four auditors highlighted increased interactions with audit clients.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine the perceived post-implementation impacts on audit quality of the KAM reforms (ISA 701) after the initial two years of implementation and how auditors have responded, explored through the lens of institutional logic.
Sustainable tourism consumer: socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral characteristics
Authors: Tasci Asli D.A. , Fyall Alan , Woosnam Kyle Maurice
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to uncover socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral characteristics of sustainable consumers as a means to advance the demand for sustainability practices by the tourism and hospitality industry. Socio-demographic and psychographic variables were tested for their influence on an individual’s self-assessment as a sustainable consumer, which was then tested for its influence on behavioral outcomes in the form of environmental and social sustainability concerns, objects of sustainability concerns, subjects considered responsible for sustainability and tourism choicevis-à-vismass vs alternative forms of tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the paucity of a well-established and robust theory on the characteristics of sustainable consumers, both content analysis of the literature and quantitative analysis of survey data were used to identify the socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral characteristics of consumers. Plausible variables identified in the literature were filtered through principal component analysis and ordinary least squares regression analysis to fine-tune the variables a priori to develop a suitable model, which was subjected to partial least squares-structural equation modeling to further trim variables a posteriori by testing their reliability and validity.

Findings

Understanding who sustainable consumers are and what they are likely to believe and do is imperative for increasing sustainable practices by the industry. The study shows that people who consider themselves to be sustainable consumers are likely to have higher levels of ethical views, be more feminine and more liberal in personality, demonstrate concern with environmental and social sustainability issues, consider all pertinent parties responsible for sustainability and chose alternative forms of tourism over mass tourism. The study implies that general American consumers have the potential to buy into sustainability practices.

Originality/value

Despite researchers’ sporadic attempts to describe different characteristics of sustainable consumers and sustainable tourism consumers, past research has not substantiated a comprehensive description of who is a sustainable consumer in terms of socio-demographics, psychographics and behavioral characteristics. The literature on sustainable consumer characteristics is scarce and atheoretical; thus, the current study sets the stage for the development of this area of work across all sectors of the global tourism and hospitality industry. The model test results provide a clear profile of sustainable tourism consumers in socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral domains for the industry to respond to.
Positive interactions between an exotic invader and moss biocrusts vary across life stage and correspond with the effect of water pulses on soil nitrogen
Authors: Slate Mandy L. , McLeod Morgan Luce , Callaway Ragan M.
Published: May 2021

The size and frequency of resource pulses can affect plant interactions and increase the abundance of invasive species relative to native species. We examined resource pulses generated during the desiccation and rehydration of communities of native biological soil crust (biocrust)‐forming mosses, in the context of positive associations between biocrusts and the invasive forb, Centaurea stoebe.

We surveyed Centaurea and biocrust cover and evaluated how interactions among Centaurea, biocrusts and water pulses influenced plant biomass and soil nitrogen in a field experiment. Centaurea seedling and biocrust interactions were also compared in a greenhouse experiment to evaluate differences related to life stage.

In field surveys, Centaurea and biocrusts were positively associated. Across water pulse treatments, biocrust biomass decreased when Centaurea was removed, indicating that Centaurea facilitated biocrusts. Biocrusts did not affect adult Centaurea in the field, but Centaurea seedling biomass was greater when grown with biocrusts in the greenhouse. Water pulses did not affect plant biomass, but interactions between Centaurea and biocrusts corresponded with variation in the effect of water pulses on soil nitrogen which were not evident when Centaurea or biocrusts were grown alone. Twenty‐four hours after large water pulses were added, soil was nine times higher in plots where biocrusts and Centaurea co‐occurred compared with small water pulse plots. In these same plots, soil tended to be lower at the end of the experiment.

These results highlight positive interactions between an invasive exotic forb and native moss biocrust. Water pulses influenced soil nitrogen availability when both plants co‐occurred, but did not affect plant biomass, suggesting that resource pulses and species interactions can interact to affect ecosystem processes.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the Ontario Cervical Screening Program, colposcopy and treatment services in Ontario, Canada: a population‐based study
Authors: Meggetto O , Jembere N , Gao J , Walker MJ , Rey M , Rabeneck L , Murphy KJ , Kupets R ,   the Ontario Cervical Screening Program/Colposcopy COVID‐19 Working Group
Published: May 2021

Objective

To describe the immediate impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on cervical screening, colposcopy and treatment volumes in Ontario, Canada.

Design

Population‐based retrospective observational study.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Population

People with a cervix age of 21–69 years who completed at least one cervical screening cytology test, colposcopy or treatment procedure for cervical dysplasia between January 2019 and August 2020.

Methods

Administrative databases were used to compare cervical screening cytology, colposcopy and treatment procedure volumes before (historical comparator) and during the first 6 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic (March–August 2020).

Main outcome measures

Changes in cervical screening cytology, colposcopy and treatment volumes; individuals with high‐grade cytology awaiting colposcopy.

Results

During the first 6 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the monthly average number of cervical screening cytology tests, colposcopies and treatments decreased by 63.8% (range: −92.3 to −41.0%), 39.7% (range: −75.1 to −14.3%) and 31.1% (range: −43.5 to −23.6%), respectively, when compared with the corresponding months in 2019. Between March and August 2020, on average 292 (−51.0%) fewer high‐grade cytological abnormalities were detected through screening each month. As of August 2020, 1159 (29.2%) individuals with high‐grade screening cytology were awaiting follow‐up colposcopy.

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on key cervical screening and follow‐up services in Ontario. As the pandemic continues, ongoing monitoring of service utilisation to inform system response and recovery is required. Future efforts to understand the impact of COVID‐19‐related disruptions on cervical cancer outcomes will be needed.

Tweetable abstract

COVID‐19 has had a substantial impact on cervical screening and follow‐up services in Ontario, Canada.
Interprofessional education in the rural environment to enhance multidisciplinary care in future practice: Breaking down silos in tertiary health education
Authors: Reed Krista , Reed Buck , Bailey Jannine , Beattie Karen , Lynch Elizabeth , Thompson Jane , Vines Robyn , Wong Kam Cheong , McCrossin Tim , Wilson Ross
Published: May 2021

Objective

Western Sydney University has implemented a rural interprofessional learning programme to promote collaborative care approaches to enhance cross‐discipline communications, improve knowledge and clarity of roles and improve patient care and outcomes.

Design

Rural interprofessinal learning is an interprofessional educational approach, consisting of simulations of complex health events. Simulation methodology frames the study with a focus on human interaction. A mixed‐methods evaluation has been conducted, incorporating pre‐ and post‐ event participant surveys along with semi‐structured focus groups.

Setting

Simulations are conducted in the rural setting, including community settings, working farms and rural hospitals.

Main Outcome Measures

Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes measuring students' perceptions of interdisciplinary care, knowlede of other health discipline roles and skills and how they believe the exercise will influence their future practice. Facilitator feedback regarding the efficacy of the simulations was also recorded and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Participants

Care of simulated patient(s)/bystander(s) is primarily provided by paramedicine, nursing and medical students; however, increasing interest has expanded the programme to include students from a range of allied health professions. Simulations are facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of experienced practitioners and specialists.

Intervention

Four rural interprofessional learning events have been held.

Results

120 students have participated in the evaluation. Findings include increased understanding of the contributions of other disciplines in enhancing patient care, team approaches, cross‐discipline communication and a need to engage in collaborative care in future practice.

Conclusion

Creating a collaborative learning environment creates a culture of multidisciplinary care, enhancing patient care and improving outcomes. The rural interprofessional learning model is an effective interprofessional educational approach, which can be repeated, refined and improved for continual professional development.
Three‐phase four‐dimensional computed tomography as a first‐line investigation in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Leong David , Ng Katrina , Boeddinghaus Rudolf , Lisewski Dean
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Parathyroid computed tomography using multiple phases (four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) for parathyroid localization was first described in 2006. Since its inception, there has been variable uptake of this technique due to inconsistency of results between institutions and perceived higher radiation dose than technetium‐99 sestamibi scans (MIBI). 4DCT has been the primary imaging modality for parathyroid localization at our institution since 2013.

Methods

A retrospective study of surgically managed patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had preoperative localization with 4DCT from 2013–2018 was performed.

Results

A total of 353 patients were included for analysis. The positive predictive value (PPV) of our three‐phase 4DCT protocol was 93.3%, sensitivity (localized) 85.2% with a 5.8% false‐positive rate and 13.9% false‐negative (non‐localizing) rate when reported by a head and neck radiologist (HNR). Calculated effective dose varied from 4.5 to 8.9mSV. On multivariable logistic regression, reporting by an experienced HNR (P < 0.001) and gland weight > 200 mg (P = 0.002) were significant for higher accuracy, lower false positives and false negatives.

Conclusion

A first‐line three‐phase 4DCT protocol for primary hyperparathyroidism is an accurate technique providing precise anatomical localization of abnormal parathyroid glands, particularly when performed by a specialist HNR. In our practise, it provides the best rate of detection and superior anatomical localization needed for minimally invasive parathyroid surgery, compared to other commonly used localization techniques. It also avoids the need for four gland exploration in the majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.
Role of smoking in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome: three random population‐based studies
Authors: Talley Nicholas J. , Powell Nicholas , Walker Marjorie M. , Jones Mike P. , Ronkainen Jukka , Forsberg Anna , Kjellström Lars , Hellström Per M. , Aro Pertti , Wallner Bengt , Agréus Lars , Andreasson Anna
Published: May 2021

Background

It is uncertain if functional dyspepsia (FD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are linked to smoking, and smoking cessation is not part of the routine advice provided to these patients.

Aim

To assess if smoking is an independent risk factor for FD and IBS.

Methods

Three population‐based endoscopy studies in Sweden with 2560 community individuals in total (mean age 51.5 years, 46% male). IBS (14.9%), FD (33.5%), and associated symptoms were assessed using the validated abdominal symptom questionnaire, and smoking (17.9%) was obtained from standardised questions during a clinic visit. The effect of smoking on symptom status was analysed in an individual person data meta‐analysis using mixed effect logistic regression, adjusted for snuffing, age and sex.

Results

Individuals smoking cigarettes reported significantly higher odds of postprandial distress syndrome (FD‐PDS) (OR 10‐19 cig/day = 1.42, 95% CI 1.04‐1.98 P = 0.027, OR ≥20 cig/day = 2.16, 95% CI 1.38‐3.38, P = 0.001) but not epigastric pain. Individuals smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day reported significantly higher odds of IBS‐diarrhoea (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.12‐5.16, P = 0.025), diarrhoea (OR = 2.01, 95%CI 1.28‐3.16, P = 0.003), urgency (OR = 2.21, 95%CI 1.41‐3.47, P = 0.001) and flatus (OR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.14‐2.76, P = 0.012) than non‐smokers. Smoking was not associated with IBS‐constipation or IBS‐mixed.

Conclusion

Smoking is an important environmental risk factor for postprandial distress syndrome, the most common FD subgroup, with over a twofold increased odds of PDS in heavy smokers. The role of smoking in IBS‐diarrhoea, but not constipation, is also likely important.
Psychological functioning and well‐being before and after bariatric surgery; what is the benefit of being self‐compassionate?
Authors: Pyykkö Johanna Eveliina , Aydin Ömrüm , Gerdes Victor E. A. , Acherman Yaïr I. Z. , Groen Albert K. , van de Laar Arnold W. , Nieuwdorp Max , Sanderman Robbert , Hagedoorn Mariët
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate whether patients’ psychological well‐being (depression, quality of life, body image satisfaction) and functioning (self‐efficacy for eating and exercising behaviours and food cravings) improve 12 months after bariatric surgery and whether self‐compassion is associated with better psychological outcomes and lower weight after bariatric surgery.

Design

Longitudinal, prospective observational study.

Methods

Bariatric patients (n = 126, 77.8% female, 46.4 ± 10.8 years) completed the Self‐compassion Scale, Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Impact of Weight on Quality‐of‐Life questionnaire, Body Image Scale, Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire, Spinal Cord Injury Exercise Self‐Efficacy Scale, and G‐Food Craving Questionnaire pre‐operatively and 12 months post‐operatively. A medical professional measured patients’ weight during each assessment. Data were analysed using repeated measures t‐tests and multivariate regression analyses with Benjamini–Hochberg correction for multiple testing.

Results

Patients’ BMI, depression, and food cravings decreased significantly after surgery while quality of life, body image satisfaction, and self‐efficacy to exercise improved. Higher self‐compassion was associated with lower post‐operative depression, greater quality of life, higher body image satisfaction, and better self‐efficacy for eating behaviours (p‐values <.05) but not with post‐operative BMI, self‐efficacy to exercise, or food cravings.

Conclusions

Even though pre‐operative self‐compassion was not directly associated with a lower 12‐month post‐operative BMI, it had a positive relationship with patients’ post‐operative well‐being and self‐efficacy for controlling eating behaviour. In turn, this could help patients to manage their health long after bariatric surgery. Further work regarding the role of self‐compassion on long‐term health outcomes would be worthwhile.
Treatment of climate change in extinction risk assessments and recovery plans for threatened species
Authors: Naujokaitis‐Lewis Ilona , Endicott Sarah , Guezen Jessica
Published: May 2021

The ongoing threat of climate change poses an increasing risk to biodiversity, especially for currently threatened species. Climate change can both directly impact species and interact with other pre‐existing threats, such as habitat loss, to further amplify species' risk of extinction. Recognizing the threat of climate change in extinction risk assessments and recovery planning for imperilled species is essential for tailoring and prioritizing recovery actions for climate‐threatened species. Using species legally listed in Canada we show that 44.1% of species' risk assessments identify the threat of climate change, nonetheless, 43.5% of assessments completely omit climate change. Species assessed more recently were more likely to be identified as climate‐threatened, however, the strength of this relationship varied across taxonomic groups. The likelihood that climate change was identified as a threat was also strongly affected by the use of a standardized threat assessment process. Of the climate‐threatened species, less than half (46.0%) of species' recovery plans specified actions aimed explicitly at minimizing climate impacts and only 3.8% of recovery plans recommended habitat or population management actions. Climate‐targeted recovery actions were more likely to be included in more recent plans, and were marginally more likely for species where climate change was considered a major threat. Our findings highlight the urgent need for consistent and standardized assessments of the threat of climate change, including the consideration of potential synergies between climate change and other existing threats. Performing species‐specific climate change vulnerability assessments may serve to complement existing assessment and recovery planning processes. We provide additional recommendations aimed at threatened species recovery planners for improving the integration of the threat of climate change into species extinction risk assessments and recovery planning processes for listed species.
3D cell culture models: Drug pharmacokinetics, safety assessment, and regulatory consideration
Authors: Wang Hongbing , Brown Paul C. , Chow Edwin C.Y. , Ewart Lorna , Ferguson Stephen S. , Fitzpatrick Suzanne , Freedman Benjamin S. , Guo Grace L. , Hedrich William , Heyward Scott , Hickman James , Isoherranen Nina , Li Albert P. , Liu Qi , Mumenthaler Shannon M. , Polli James , Proctor William R. , Ribeiro Alexandre , Wang Jian‐Ying , Wange Ronald L. , Huang Shiew‐Mei
Published: May 2021

Nonclinical testing has served as a foundation for evaluating potential risks and effectiveness of investigational new drugs in humans. However, the current two‐dimensional (2D) in vitro cell culture systems cannot accurately depict and simulate the rich environment and complex processes observed in vivo, whereas animal studies present significant drawbacks with inherited species‐specific differences and low throughput for increased demands. To improve the nonclinical prediction of drug safety and efficacy, researchers continue to develop novel models to evaluate and promote the use of improved cell‐ and organ‐based assays for more accurate representation of human susceptibility to drug response. Among others, the three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture models present physiologically relevant cellular microenvironment and offer great promise for assessing drug disposition and pharmacokinetics (PKs) that influence drug safety and efficacy from an early stage of drug development. Currently, there are numerous different types of 3D culture systems, from simple spheroids to more complicated organoids and organs‐on‐chips, and from single‐cell type static 3D models to cell co‐culture 3D models equipped with microfluidic flow control as well as hybrid 3D systems that combine 2D culture with biomedical microelectromechanical systems. This article reviews the current application and challenges of 3D culture systems in drug PKs, safety, and efficacy assessment, and provides a focused discussion and regulatory perspectives on the liver‐, intestine‐, kidney‐, and neuron‐based 3D cellular models.
Practical publication metrics for academics
Authors: Myers Bethany A. , Kahn Katherine L.
Published: May 2021

Research organizations are becoming more reliant on quantitative approaches to determine how to recruit and promote researchers, allocate funding, and evaluate the impact of prior allocations. Many of these quantitative metrics are based on research publications. Publication metrics are not only important for individual careers, but also affect the progress of science as a whole via their role in the funding award process. Understanding the origin and intended use of popular publication metrics can inform an evaluative strategy that balances the usefulness of publication metrics with the limitations of what they can convey about the productivity and quality of an author, a publication, or a journal. This paper serves as a brief introduction to citation networks like Google Scholar, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Microsoft Academic, and Dimensions. It also explains two of the most popular publication metrics: the h‐index and the journal impact factor. The purpose of this paper is to provide practical information on using citation networks to generate publication metrics, and to discuss ideas for contextualizing and juxtaposing metrics, in order to help researchers in translational science and other disciplines document their impact in as favorable a light as may be justified.
White matter microstructure in trauma‐exposed children: Associations with pubertal stage
Authors: Fani Negar , Stenson Anais F. , van Rooij Sanne J. H. , La Barrie Dominique L. , Jovanovic Tanja
Published: May 2021

Puberty represents a critical period in maturation during which major changes in neural architecture emerge; these changes are shaped, in part, by environmental experiences, including exposure to psychological trauma. However, little is known about how trauma exposure affects white matter microstructure across pubertal stages. This was the goal of the present cross‐sectional study. Forty‐one male and female African‐American children between ages 8–13 were recruited as part of a study of developmental trauma and received assessments of trauma exposure, including violence, and pubertal development as well as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Significant interactions of pubertal stage and violent trauma exposure were observed in association with a marker of white matter integrity (mean diffusivity, MD) in the corpus callosum, cingulum bundle and uncinate fasciculus. Greater violent trauma exposure was associated with lower MD in the hippocampal cingulum and uncinate fasciculus in girls, but not boys. These data from a sample of trauma‐exposed children may reflect a pattern of accelerated maturation in pathways that are critical for emotion regulation as well as attention and memory processes. It appears that fronto‐limbic and callosal connections are particularly sensitive to the effects of violent trauma, revealing a potential pathway through which trauma creates vulnerability for later psychiatric and neurological disorders.
The effectiveness of a 3D virtual tooth identification test as an assessment tool for a dental anatomy course
Authors: Suh Esther , Karl Elisabeta , Ramaswamy Vidya , Kim‐Berman Hera
Published: May 2021

Introduction

There has been a recent demand in dental education for distance learning and the use of virtual assessment tools that can leverage technology to potentially replace physical testing facilities. However, virtual tools that evaluate student learning should be validated prior to adoption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction of a 3D tooth identification test for a dental anatomy course that can be given remotely.

Materials and Methods

First‐year dental students (n = 41) enrolled in a dental anatomy course took both traditional in‐person practical and virtual 3D tooth identification tests consisting of 25 test items. The test scores, average test durations, faculty time commitment and user perception were collected and analysed. Pearson product‐moment correlation coefficients (p < .05) were determined for the criterion measures including real tooth identification test scores, comprehensive written examination and overall grade for the course.

Results

The average number of correct answers for the real and 3D virtual tooth identification examination was 21.3 ± 2.65 and 20.7 ± 2.56, respectively. The average test duration for the real and 3D virtual tooth identification test was 25:00 and 21:16 min, respectively. There was a positive correlation (p < .05) of the 3D virtual tooth identification test with the real tooth identification test (0.368), comprehensive written examination (0.334) and the overall course grade (0.646). The total faculty time commitment for the real and 3D virtual tooth identification test was 96 and 65 min, respectively. The students cited difficulty in manipulating the 3D models.

Conclusion

This study presents evidence that the 3D virtual tooth identification test can be used to assess dental students’ understanding of dental anatomy effectively and efficiently.
Impaired fixation suppression of horizontal vestibular nystagmus during smooth pursuit: pathophysiology and clinical implications
Authors: Korda Athanasia , Zee David S. , Wyss Thomas , Zamaro Ewa , Caversaccio Marco D. , Wagner Franca , Kalla Roger , Mantokoudis Georgios
Published: May 2021

Background and purpose

A peripheral spontaneous nystagmus (SN) is typically enhanced or revealed by removing fixation. Conversely, failure of fixation suppression of SN is usually a sign of a central disorder. Based on Luebke and Robinson (Vision Res 1988, vol. 28 (8), pp. 941–946), who suggested that the normal fixation mechanism is disengaged during pursuit, it is hypothesized that vertical tracking in the light would bring out or enhance a horizontal SN.

Methods

Eighteen patients with acute vestibular neuritis were studied. Eye movements were recorded using video‐oculography at straight‐ahead gaze with and without visual fixation, and during smooth pursuit. The slow‐phase velocity and the fixation suppression indices of nystagmus (relative to SN in darkness) were compared in each condition.

Results

During vertical tracking, the slow‐phase velocity of horizontal SN with eyes near straight‐ahead gaze was significantly higher (median 2.7°/s) than under static visual fixation (median 1.2°/s). Likewise, the fixation index was significantly higher (worse suppression) during pursuit (median 48%) than during fixation (median 26%). A release of SN was also suggested during horizontal pursuit, if one assumes superposition of SN on a normal and symmetrical pursuit capability.
Multiple‐batch spawning as a bet‐hedging strategy in highly stochastic environments: An exploratory analysis of Atlantic cod
Authors: Hočevar Sara , Hutchings Jeffrey A. , Kuparinen Anna
Published: May 2021

Stochastic environments shape life‐history traits and can promote selection for risk‐spreading strategies, such as bet‐hedging. Although the strategy has often been hypothesized to exist for various species, empirical tests providing firm evidence have been rare, mainly due to the challenge in tracking fitness across generations. Here, we take a ‘proof of principle’ approach to explore whether the reproductive strategy of multiple‐batch spawning constitutes a bet‐hedging. We used Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as the study species and parameterized an eco‐evolutionary model, using empirical data on size‐related reproductive and survival traits. To evaluate the fitness benefits of multiple‐batch spawning (within a single breeding period), the mechanistic model separately simulated multiple‐batch and single‐batch spawning populations under temporally varying environments. We followed the arithmetic and geometric mean fitness associated with both strategies and quantified the mean changes in fitness under several environmental stochasticity levels. We found that, by spreading the environmental risk among batches, multiple‐batch spawning increases fitness under fluctuating environmental conditions. The multiple‐batch spawning trait is, thus, advantageous and acts as a bet‐hedging strategy when the environment is exceptionally unpredictable. Our research identifies an analytically flexible, stochastic, life‐history modelling approach to explore the fitness consequences of a risk‐spreading strategy and elucidates the importance of evolutionary applications to life‐history diversity.
PRILE 2021 guidelines for reporting laboratory studies in Endodontology: explanation and elaboration
Authors: Nagendrababu Venkateshbabu , Murray Peter E. , Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald , Peters Ove A. , Rôças Isabela N. , Siqueira José F. , Priya Ekta , Jayaraman Jayakumar , Pulikkotil Shaju. J. , Suresh Nandini , Dummer Paul M. H.
Published: May 2021

Guidance to authors is needed to prevent their waste of talent, time and resources in writing manuscripts that will never be published in the highest‐quality journals. Laboratory studies are probably the most common type of endodontic research projects because they make up the majority of manuscripts submitted for publication. Unfortunately, most of these manuscripts fail the peer‐review process, primarily due to critical flaws in the reporting of the methods and results. Here, in order to guide authors, the Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology (PRIDE) team developed new reporting guidelines for laboratory‐based studies: the Preferred Reporting Items for Laboratory studies in Endodontology (PRILE) 2021 guidelines. The PRILE 2021 guidelines were developed exclusively for the area of Endodontology by integrating and adapting the modified CONSORT checklist of items for reporting in vitro studies of dental materials and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications (CLIP) principles. The process of developing the PRILE 2021 guidelines followed the recommendations of the Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting Guidelines. The aim of the current document is to provide authors with an explanation for each of the items in the PRILE 2021 checklist and flowchart with examples from the literature, and to provide advice from peer‐reviewers and editors about how to solve each problem in manuscripts prior to their peer‐review. The Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology (PRIDE) website (http://pride‐endodonticguidelines.org/prile/) provides a link to the PRILE 2021 explanation and elaboration document as well as to the checklist and flowchart.
A self‐management programme for work ability and quality of life in nurses aged 45 years and over: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Das Gecim Gozde Yildiz , Esin Melek Nihal
Published: May 2021

Background

Nurses are exposed to declining work ability and quality of life because of biological and environmental factors.

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a self‐management programme based on an attitude–social influence–self‐efficacy model on work ability and quality of life for nurses aged 45 years and over.

Methods

A parallel group trial design was used. Nurses who fitted the eligibility criteria of being aged 45 years and over were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. Data were collected between October 2017 and June 2018 at the hospital. The participants were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome in the study was the impact of age on work ability.

Results

Each group consisted of 30 nurses. There were no dropouts, so all subjects were analysed. Compared with the baseline, the intervention group's work ability was higher. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the amount of changes in Work Ability Index scores at the third month compared the baseline.

Conclusion

The self‐management programme was effective in increasing the nurses' work ability and healthy lifestyle behaviours affecting their quality of life.
ADHD and autism symptoms in youth: a network analysis
Authors: Farhat Luis C. , Brentani Helena , de Toledo Victor Hugo Calegari , Shephard Elizabeth , Mattos Paulo , Baron‐Cohen Simon , Thapar Anita , Casella Erasmo , Polanczyk Guilherme V.
Published: May 2021

Background

Previous research investigating the overlap between attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (henceforth, autism) symptoms in population samples have relied on latent variable modeling in which averaged scores representing dimensions were derived from observed symptoms. There are no studies evaluating how ADHD and autism symptoms interact at the level of individual symptom items.

Methods

We aimed to address this gap by performing a network analysis on data from a school survey of children aged 6–17 years old (N = 7,405). ADHD and autism symptoms were measured via parent‐report on the Swanson, Nolan, Pelham‐IV questionnaire and the Childhood Autism Spectrum test, respectively.

Results

A relatively low interconnectivity between ADHD and autism symptoms was found with only 10.06% of possible connections (edges) between one ADHD and one autism symptoms different than zero. Associations between ADHD and autism symptoms were significantly weaker than those between two symptoms pertaining to the same construct. Select ADHD symptoms, particularly those presenting in social contexts (e.g. ‘talks excessively’, ‘does not wait turn’), showed moderate‐to‐strong associations with autism symptoms, but some were considered redundant to autism symptoms.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate that individual ADHD and autism symptoms are largely segregated in accordance with diagnostic boundaries corresponding to these conditions in children and adolescents from the community. These findings could improve our clinical conceptualization of ADHD and autism and guide advancements in diagnosis and treatment.
TFB2M activates aerobic glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the NAD+/SIRT3/HIF‐1α signaling
Authors: Chang Hulin , Li Jibin , Luo Ying , Wu Bing , Yuan Chong , Geng Xilin
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim

Increased aerobic glycolysis has been well‐known as a hallmark of cancer, which is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. TFB2M (mitochondrial transcription factor B2) is a core mitochondrial transcription factor, which has been shown by us to play an oncogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether TFB2M contributes to the aerobic glycolysis in HCC cells remains unexplored.

Methods

The role and underlying molecular mechanisms of TFB2M in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis in HCC cells were systematically investigated by in vitro cell glucose metabolism and metabolomics analyses. Besides, the effects of TFB2M‐regulated aerobic glycolysis in the growth and metastasis of HCC cells were also explored.

Results

Here, we show that TFB2M markedly enhanced the reprogramming of glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis mainly through two mechanisms. On the one hand, TFB2M increased the expressions of glycolytic genes GAPDH, LDHA, GLUT1, and HK2. On the other hand, TFB2M decreased the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC‐1α), a critical regulator of mitochondrial respiration. Mechanistically, TFB2M regulates the upregulation of glycolytic genes and downregulation of PGC‐1α mainly through NAD+/SIRT3/HIF‐1α signaling. Additionally, we found that TFBM2 promoted the progression of HCC cells through HIF‐1α‐regulated reprogramming of glucose metabolism.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that TFB2M serves as a critical glucose metabolic reprogramming mechanism in tumorigenesis, which could be used as potential therapeutic target in HCC.
Review of Evidence‐Based Methods for Successful Labor Induction
Authors: Carlson Nicole , Ellis Jessica , Page Katie , Dunn Amore Alexis , Phillippi Julia
Published: May 2021

Induction of labor is increasingly a common component of the intrapartum care. Knowledge of the current evidence on methods of labor induction is an essential component of shared decision‐making to determine which induction method meets an individual's health needs and personal preferences. This article provides a review of the current research evidence on labor induction methods, including cervical ripening techniques, and contraction stimulation techniques. Current evidence about expected duration of labor following induction, use of the Bishop score to guide induction, and guidance on the use of combination methods for labor induction are reviewed.
Soil sample pooling generates no consistent inference bias: a meta‐analysis of 71 plant–soil feedback experiments
Authors: Allen Warwick J. , Sapsford Sarah J. , Dickie Ian A.
Published: May 2021

There is current debate on how soil sample pooling affects the measurement of plant–soil feedbacks. Several studies have suggested that pooling soil samples among experimental units reduces variance and can bias estimates of plant–soil feedbacks. However, it is unclear whether pooling has resulted in systematic mismeasurement of plant–soil feedbacks in the literature. Using data from 71 experiments, we tested whether pairwise plant–soil feedback direction, magnitude and variance differed among soil pooling treatments. We also tested whether pooling has altered our understanding of abiotic and biotic drivers that influence pairwise plant–soil feedbacks. Pooling of soil samples among experimental units was used in 42% of examined experiments. Contrary to predictions, pooling did not affect mean pairwise plant–soil feedback effect size or within‐experiment variance. Accounting for soil sample pooling also did not significantly alter our understanding of the drivers of pairwise plant–soil feedbacks. We conclude that there is no evidence that soil sample pooling systematically biases estimates of plant–soil feedback direction, magnitude, variance or drivers across many studies. Given the debate of whether to pool soil samples, researchers should be aware of potential criticisms and carefully consider how experimental design and soil pooling methods influence interpretation of experiments.
Harvesting water from unsaturated atmospheres: deliquescence of salt secreted onto leaf surfaces drives reverse sap flow in a dominant arid climate mangrove, Avicennia marina
Authors: Coopman Rafael E. , Nguyen Hoa T. , Mencuccini Maurizio , Oliveira Rafael S. , Sack Lawren , Lovelock Catherine E. , Ball Marilyn C.
Published: May 2021

The mangrove Avicennia marina adjusts internal salt concentrations by foliar salt secretion. Deliquescence of accumulated salt causes leaf wetting that may provide a water source for salt‐secreting plants in arid coastal wetlands where high nocturnal humidity can usually support deliquescence whereas rainfall events are rare. We tested the hypotheses that salt deliquescence on leaf surfaces can drive top‐down rehydration, and that such absorption of moisture from unsaturated atmospheres makes a functional contribution to dry season shoot water balances.

Sap flow and water relations were monitored to assess the uptake of atmospheric water by branches during shoot wetting events under natural and manipulated microclimatic conditions.

Reverse sap flow rates increased with increasing relative humidity from 70% to 89%, consistent with function of salt deliquescence in harvesting moisture from unsaturated atmospheres. Top‐down rehydration elevated branch water potentials above those possible from root water uptake, subsidising transpiration rates and reducing branch vulnerability to hydraulic failure in the subsequent photoperiod.

Absorption of atmospheric moisture harvested through deliquescence of salt on leaf surfaces enhances water balances of Avicennia marina growing in hypersaline wetlands under arid climatic conditions. Top‐down rehydration from these frequent, low intensity wetting events contributes to prevention of carbon starvation and hydraulic failure during drought.
DELLA proteins BnaA6.RGA and BnaC7.RGA negatively regulate fatty acid biosynthesis by interacting with BnaLEC1s in Brassica napus
Authors: Yan Guanbo , Yu Pugang , Tian Xia , Guo Liang , Tu Jinxing , Shen Jinxiong , Yi Bin , Fu Tingdong , Wen Jing , Liu Kede , Ma Chaozhi , Dai Cheng
Published: May 2021

Seed oil content (SOC) and fatty acid (FA) composition determine the quality and economic value of rapeseed (Brassica napus). Little is known about the role of gibberellic acid (GA) in regulating FA biosynthesis in B. napus. Here, we discovered that four BnaRGAs (B. napus REPRESSOR OF GA), encoding negative regulators of GA signalling, were suppressed during seed development. Compared to the wild type, SOC was reduced in gain‐of‐function mutants bnaa6.rga‐D and ds‐3, which also showed reduced oleic acid and increased linoleic acid contents. By contrast, the loss‐of‐function quadruple mutant bnarga displayed higher SOC during early seed development than the wild type, with increased oleic acid and reduced linoleic acid contents. Notably, only BnaA6.RGA and BnaC7.RGA physically interacted with two BnaLEC1s, which function as essential transcription factors in FA biosynthesis. The FA composition did not significantly differ between bnarga bnalec1 sextuple mutants and bnalec1, suggesting that BnaLEC1s are epistatic to BnaRGAs in the regulation of FA composition. Furthermore, BnaLEC1‐induced activation of BnaABI3 expression was repressed by BnaA6.RGA, indicating that GA triggers the degradation of BnaRGAs to relieve their repression of BnaLEC1s, thus promoting the transcription of downstream genes to facilitate oil biosynthesis. Therefore, we uncovered a developmental stage‐specific role of GA in regulating oil biosynthesis via the GA‐BnaRGA‐BnaLEC1 signalling cascade, providing a novel mechanistic understanding of how phytohormones regulate FA biosynthesis in seeds. BnaRGAs represent promising targets for oil crop improvement.
SKILLS – A psychoeducational group programme for children with ADHD
Authors: Lantz Sofia , Fornwall Charlotta , Lööf Måns , Isaksson Johan
Published: May 2021

Psychoeducation is regarded as a first line of intervention for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies have been limited to psychoeducation for adult patients or parents of children with ADHD. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the acceptability and effectiveness of a psychoeducational group intervention for children with ADHD. The two‐session psychoeducational intervention, SKILLS, was completed by 125 children (6–12 years) with ADHD and their parents. Self‐ratings and parental ratings of ADHD symptoms, functional impairment and attitudes to diagnosis and treatment were collected before and after treatment. Post‐treatment client satisfaction and parental responses to an open question about SKILLS were assessed. The data were analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative (content analysis) methods. A majority of the participants expressed satisfaction with the group intervention. The intervention had no effect on symptoms and level of function, although the parents were more positive to their child’s diagnosis after the intervention. The parents were positive to the group format and to the opportunity for their children to meet other children with similar symptoms. Parents wished for more interactive elements and more opportunities for children to share experiences. We concluded that the group intervention was accepted by most participants, although more activating exercises and opportunities for interaction between participants should be included. Since the intervention group was not compared with a control group, the results should be interpreted with caution. Future studies should use a randomized control treatment design and investigate the effect on adherence to later treatment.
The TIR‐NBS protein TN13 associates with the CC‐NBS‐LRR resistance protein RPS5 and contributes to RPS5‐triggered immunity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Cai Huiren , Wang Wei , Rui Lu , Han Libo , Luo Mingyu , Liu Na , Tang Dingzhong
Published: May 2021

Nucleotide‐binding site (NBS)–leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) domain receptor (NLR) proteins play important roles in plant innate immunity by recognizing pathogen effectors. The Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor (TIR)‐NBS (TN) proteins belong to a subtype of the atypical NLRs, but their function in plant immunity is poorly understood. The well‐characterized Arabidopsis thaliana typical coiled‐coil (CC)‐NBS‐LRR (CNL) protein Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae 5 (RPS5) is activated after recognizing the Pseudomonas syringae type III effector AvrPphB. To explore whether the truncated TN proteins function in CNL‐mediated immune signaling, we examined the interactions between the Arabidopsis TN proteins and RPS5, and found that TN13 and TN21 interacted with RPS5. However, only TN13, but not TN21, was involved in the resistance to P. syringae pv. tomato (Pto) strain DC3000 carrying avrPphB, encoding the cognate effector recognized by RPS5. Moreover, the regulation of Pto DC3000 avrPphB resistance by TN13 appeared to be specific, as loss of function of TN13 did not compromise resistance to Pto DC3000 hrcC− or Pto DC3000 avrRpt2. In addition, we demonstrated that the CC and NBS domains of RPS5 play essential roles in the interaction between TN13 and RPS5. Taken together, our results uncover a direct functional link between TN13 and RPS5, suggesting that TN13 acts as a partner in modulating RPS5‐activated immune signaling, which constitutes a previously unknown mechanism for TN‐mediated regulation of plant immunity.
Numerical Methods to Compute the Coriolis Matrix and Christoffel Symbols for Rigid-Body Systems
Authors: Echeandia Sebastian , Wensing Patrick M.
Published: May 2021

This article presents methods to efficiently compute the Coriolis matrix and underlying Christoffel symbols (of the first kind) for tree-structure rigid-body systems. The algorithms can be executed purely numerically, without requiring partial derivatives as in unscalable symbolic techniques. The computations share a recursive structure in common with classical methods such as the composite-rigid-body algorithm and are of the lowest possible order: O(Nd) for the Coriolis matrix and O(Nd2) for the Christoffel symbols, where N is the number of bodies and d is the depth of the kinematic tree. Implementation in C/C++ shows computation times of the order of 10–20 μs for the Coriolis matrix and 40–120 μs for the Christoffel symbols on systems with 20-degrees-of-freedom (DoF). The results demonstrate feasibility for the adoption of these algorithms within high-rate (>1 kHz) loops for model-based control applications.