bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Market integration of domestic and imported seafood: Insights from the Sydney Fish Market*
Authors: Schrobback Peggy , Hoshino Eriko , Pascoe Sean , Curtotti Robert
Published: September 2021

Australia has experienced a significant increase in seafood imports over the past two decades. Concurrently, Australian seafood producers have raised concerns that the low market prices of imported fish may negatively affect the prices of domestically produced seafood and, subsequently, the profitability of the Australian fishing industries. To validate this concern, this study examines the relationship between prices of domestically produced seafood and imported fish. Price data from the Sydney Fish Market (SFM), Australia’s largest auction wholesale fish market and fish import data are used for a cointegration analysis which is conducted using the bivariate Johansen test. Results indicate that prices of most domestic species traded within the SFM are not cointegrated, implying that they largely develop independently of each other. However, imported fish, particularly fresh imports, were found to be cointegrated with Australian produced fresh fish supplies traded on the SFM. Although the law of one price (LOP) was only confirmed to hold for some price pairs, the results suggest a partial substitution relationship between imports and domestically caught fish. This implies that prices of domestically produced fish within the Australian market are likely impacted by price dynamics within the international seafood market.
Genomic insights on fighting bacterial wilt by a novel Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain Cas02
Authors: Chu Depeng , Ilyas Naila , Peng Lijuan , Wang Xiaoqiang , Wang Dongkun , Xu Zongchang , Gao Qiang , Tan Xiaolei , Zhang Chengsheng , Li Yiqiang , Yuan Yuan
Published: September 2021

Bacterial wilt, caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum, can infect several economically important crops. However, the management strategies available to control this disease are limited. Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been considered promising biocontrol agents. In this study, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain Cas02 was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy tobacco plants and evaluated for its effect on plant growth promotion and bacterial wilt suppression. Strain Cas02 exhibited several growth‐promoting–related features including siderophore production, cellulase activity, protease activity, ammonia production and catalase activity. Moreover, strain Cas02 showed a significant inhibitory growth effect on R. solanacearum, and its active substances were separated and identified to be macrolactin A and macrolactin W by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS. Both greenhouse and field experiments demonstrated a good performance of Cas02 in plant growth promotion and bacterial wilt suppression. To explore the underlying genetic mechanisms, complete genome sequencing was performed and the gene clusters responsible for antibacterial metabolites expression were identified. Overall, these findings suggest that the strain Cas02 could be a potential biocontrol agent in bacterial wilt management and a source of antimicrobial compounds for further exploitation.
Integrative proteome analysis implicates aberrant RNA splicing in impaired developmental potential of aged mouse oocytes
Authors: Li Mingrui , Ren Chao , Zhou Shuai , He Yuanlin , Guo Yueshuai , Zhang Hao , Liu Lu , Cao Qiqi , Wang Congjing , Huang Jie , Hu Yue , Bai Xue , Guo Xuejiang , Shu Wenjie , Huo Ran
Published: September 2021

Aging has many effects on the female reproductive system, among which decreased oocyte quality and impaired embryo developmental potential are the most important factors affecting female fertility. However, the mechanisms underlying oocyte aging are not yet fully understood. Here, we selected normal reproductively aging female mice and constructed a protein expression profile of metaphase II (MII) oocytes from three age groups. A total of 187 differentially expressed (DE) proteins were identified, and bioinformatics analyses showed that these DE proteins were highly enriched in RNA splicing. Next, RNA‐seq was performed on 2‐cell embryos from these three age groups, and splicing analysis showed that a large number of splicing events and genes were discovered at this stage. Differentially spliced genes (DSGs) in the two reproductively aging groups versus the younger group were enriched in biological processes related to DNA damage repair/response. Binding motif analysis suggested that PUF60 might be one of the core splicing factors causing a decline in DNA repair capacity in the subsequent development of oocytes from reproductively aging mice, and changing the splicing pattern of its potential downstream DSG Cdk9 could partially mimic phenotypes in the reproductively aging groups. Taken together, our study suggested that the abnormal expression of splicing regulation proteins in aged MII oocytes would affect the splicing of nascent RNA after zygotic genome activation in 2‐cell embryos, leading to the production of abnormally spliced transcripts of some key genes associated with DNA damage repair/response, thus affecting the developmental potential of aged oocytes.
Motives for prescription opioid use: The role of alexithymia and distress tolerance
Authors: Henschel Aisling V. , Flanagan Julianne C. , Augur Isabel F. , Jeffirs Stephanie M. , Back Sudie E.
Published: September 2021

Background and Objectives

Prescription opioid (PO) use disorder is a national public health crisis. Distress tolerance and alexithymia are two separate but related components of emotion regulation that are known to impact substance use disorders. No studies to date, however, have examined the role of distress tolerance and alexithymia in PO use disorder. Thus, the current study examined the association between distress tolerance, alexithymia, and specific motivations for PO use.

Methods

Participants were non‐treatment‐seeking individuals with current PO use disorder (N = 81; average age = 35.0). Assessments included the Distress Tolerance Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Inventory of Drug Taking Situations.

Results

The findings indicate that distress tolerance mediated the association between alexithymia and PO use in negative situations. Specifically, distress tolerance mediated the association between alexithymia and unpleasant emotions, testing personal control, and conflict with others.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

The results provide novel information regarding emotional states that may contribute to PO use and are malleable intervention targets. Additionally, this study adds to existing literature exploring the relationship between distress tolerance and substance use and is the first to expand upon the connection between alexithymia and distress tolerance in an opioid‐using population. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Immigration, the “Chinese Question”, and Ontological Insecurity in Colonial Australia
Authors: Cherry‐Smith Benjamin
Published: September 2021

Existing ontological security studies literature has viewed ontological insecurity as when an actor experiences fear and anxiety, as situationally subjective, and defined by the actor. Drawing from Ronald Laing's categories of anxiety, implosion, engulfment, and petrification and depersonalisation, I argue that these can be applied to actors within international relations. I demonstrate this by exploring how colonial Australia's immigration policies and identity narratives during the late nineteenth century was a response to changes in regional power and the development of ontological insecurity within the politics of colonial Australia. Focussing on how Australia's colonial governments responded to the destabilising potential of a rising China, Australia's colonial governments sought to exercise immigration control within their borders and alleviate ontological insecurity which had been caused by Chinese immigrants. The way that the Australian colonial governments did this was through the implementation of immigration control mechanisms.
Observational Equivalence in Explaining Attitude Change: Have White Racial Attitudes Genuinely Changed?
Authors: Engelhardt Andrew M.
Published: September 2021

Understanding when and why White racial attitudes change is important for understanding their politics. Critically, surveys reveal Whites’ views of Black Americans have been changing recently, an important result given conventional wisdom that these are stable orientations. I test four possible explanations for these shifting views: genuine attitude change, social desirability, partisan expressive responding, and changing racial attitude measure performance. Importantly, these explanations produce observationally equivalent survey toplines. To adjudicate between them, I use the measurement equivalence framework and examine how Whites answer the racial resentment measure. Evidence from multigroup confirmatory factor analysis models supports genuine attitude change. Substantively, this suggests these changes may have important political implications. Methodologically, it suggests partisan expressive responding may have limits, indicates social desirability pressures have not changed how Whites answer at least one racial attitude measure, and offers additional validity evidence for the racial resentment measure.
The Inequality of Females in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Hyldgaard Josephine M. , Jensen Jørgen Bjerggaard
Published: September 2021

Urinary bladder cancer is worldwide one of the most diagnosed and costly types of cancer. One puzzle in the bladder cancer diagnosis is the disproportional relationship between genders. Males are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer whereas females typically are diagnosed with more adverse disease and worse prognosis, which has led to speculation of the potential role of sex hormones and their receptors in this disease. Estrogen receptors are present in the human bladder, and their role in bladder cancer oncogenesis is increasingly becoming a focus for researchers around the world. This mini‐review aims to give a brief overview of the status of female bladder cancer, and to which extend the sex hormones receptors play a role in this. A literature search was performed and included all female original studies on bladder cancer and hormone receptors. Estrogen‐receptor alpha seems to be anti‐oncogenic whereas estrogen‐receptor beta is exhibiting its function pro‐oncogenic. The receptor functions may be exercised through mRNA transcriptions and enzymes. Epidemiological studies indicate a potential increase in incidence of bladder cancer for females with earlier age at menopause, and clinical trials are investigating Tamoxifen as a potential treatment in bladder cancer. Increasing evidence supports the theory of bladder cancer development and progression as being partly hormone‐dependent. This can lead to a change in conceptual background of bladder cancer etiology and development in the future. Further studies are required to more precise map the use of anti‐hormonal drugs in the treatment of this cancer.
The roles of different executive functioning skills in young children’s mental computation and applied mathematical problem‐solving
Authors: Cheung Sum Kwing , Chan Winnie Wai Lan
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the relationships of four executive functioning skills (including verbal working memory, spatial working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) with young children’s mental computation and applied mathematical problem‐solving. Two hundred and twenty‐five Chinese kindergarteners were tested with a battery of general cognitive, executive functioning and mathematics skills. Results showed that when children’s age, gender, non‐verbal intelligence, and listening comprehension skills were controlled, verbal working memory and cognitive flexibility were significant correlates of mental computation, whereas verbal working memory, spatial working memory, and cognitive flexibility were significant correlates of applied mathematical problem‐solving. Inhibitory control was not significantly associated with the two domains of mathematics under investigation. The findings highlight the differential roles of different executive functioning skills in early mathematical skills and offer practical implication for helping young children in learning complex mathematical skills.
Prevalence of primary aldosteronism in type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension: A prospective study from Western India
Authors: Memon Saba S. , Lila Anurag , Barnabas Rohit , Goroshi Manjunath , Sarathi Vijaya , Shivane Vyankatesh , Patil Virendra , Shah Nalini , Bandgar Tushar
Published: September 2021

Objective

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension commonly coexist; however, underlying primary aldosteronism (PA) can lead to worsening of hypertension, glycemia and cardiovascular risk. We aim to screen patients with T2DM and hypertension for PA by conducting a prospective monocentric study from Western India, which included adults with T2DM and hypertension from the outpatient diabetes clinic.

Design

Prospective study.

Patients and Measurements

Patients with an aldosterone renin ratio of ≥1.6 ng/dl/µIU/ml with plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) ≥ 10 ng/dl were considered to be positive on a screening test. A PAC ≥ 6 ng/dl on seated saline suppression test (SST) was used to confirm the diagnosis of PA.

Results

Four hundred and eighty‐six patients were included in this study. Seventy‐six (15.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.7%–19.1%) patients had a positive screening test with positive confirmatory test in 20 of the 36 (55.5%, 95% CI: 39.3%–71.7%) screen‐positive patients who underwent SST. Patients with positive screening test had a higher proportion of females (65.8% vs. 50%; p = .011), frequent history of hypertensive crises (21.1% vs. 8%; p = .001), uncontrolled blood pressure (51.3% vs. 34.6%; p = .006), diagnosis of hypertension before diabetes (32.9% vs. 21.7%; p = .035) and higher systolic (137.6 ± 6.9 vs. 131.2 ± 17.8 mmHg; p = .004) and diastolic (85.3 ± 11.1 vs. 81.7 ± 10.7 mmHg; p = .007) blood pressures. Patients with positive confirmatory test had longer duration of diabetes (108 [60–162] vs. 42 [24–87] months; p = .012), hypertension (84 [42–153] vs. 36 [15–81] months; p = .038) and higher creatinine (1.16 [1.02–1.42] vs. 0.95 [0.84–1.12] mg/dl; p = .021).

Conclusions

PA is prevalent (at least 4.1%) in Asian Indian patients with T2DM and hypertension. Further studies are needed to assess the cost‐effectiveness of routine screening.
Intra‐family Income Redistribution and Its Dynamic Changes among the Elderly in China: 2002–2018
Authors: Jia Hanrui , Zhan Peng
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the impact of household income redistribution on income inequality among the elderly from 2002 to 2018. It defines shared income and measures how each family member's contributions affect income inequality among the elderly. The study has three major findings. First, from 2013 to 2018, the role of household shared income in reducing income inequality among the elderly increased. Second, the proportion of shared income contributed by children was the highest overall, reaching 11.0 percent nationwide and even 17.9 percent in rural areas in 2018. The contribution of shared income to inequality was also higher among the rural elderly. Grandchildren under 16 largely received shared income from the elderly, and the income transferred by the male elderly to their wives was obvious. Third, changes in family structure narrowed the inequality gap among the elderly in the periods 2002–2013 and 2013–2018.
Quality of Life and Relative Household Energy Consumption in China
Authors: Shi Xunpeng , Cheong Tsun Se , Yu Jian , Liu Xiaoguang
Published: September 2021

Increasing household energy consumption, mainly due to consumption upgrading, will create tough challenges for China if that country is to achieve peak carbon emissions in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060. However, this critical issue has not been explored comprehensively in the literature. Using China Family Panel Studies data and the distribution dynamics approach, this article is the first study to examine the relationship between quality of life (QOL) (proxied by consumption upgrading) and relative household energy consumption (RHEC). The results show that convergence clubs exist in all QOL groups for the RHEC, but they are more evident in the groups with lower middle and low QOL. This is encouraging because they suggest that an improvement in QOL does not necessarily lead to a higher level of energy consumption. The dataset was then divided into rural‐urban and regional subgroups to further explore the impacts of these different characteristics on energy consumption. Significant disparities are found among the same QOL groups between urban and rural households and among different regions. The results derived from this study lead to pragmatic policy suggestions in areas including energy saving, emissions reduction, and particularly alleviation of inequality.
TYK2 inhibition and its potential in the treatment of chronic inflammatory immune diseases
Authors: Ghoreschi Kamran , Augustin Matthias , Baraliakos Xenofon , Krönke Gerhard , Schneider Matthias , Schreiber Stefan , Schulze‐Koops Hendrik , Zeißig Sebastian , Thaçi Diamant
Published: September 2021

Immune‐mediated chronic inflammatory diseases have emerged as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries over the last decades. Although multiple putative factors have been suspected to be causally related to the diseases, their overarching etiology remains unknown.

This review article summarizes the current state of scientific knowledge and understanding of the role of non‐receptor tyrosine kinases, with a special focus on the Janus kinase TYK2 in autoimmune and immune mediated diseases as well as on the clinical properties of its inhibition.

A panel of experts in the field discussed the scientific evidence and molecular rationale for TYK2 inhibition and its clinical application. Reviewing this meeting, we aim at providing an integrated overview of the clinical profile of TYK2 inhibition and its potential in targeted pharmacological therapy of chronic autoimmune and immune‐mediated diseases, with a special focus on inflammatory diseases of the skin.
Seasonal variation in community composition and distributional ranges of birds along a subtropical elevation gradient in China
Authors: Liang Dan , Pan Xinyuan , Luo Xu , Wenda Cheng , Zhao Yanyan , Hu Yiming , Robinson Scott K. , Liu Yang
Published: September 2021

Aim

Seasonal variation in community composition and species distributional ranges along elevational gradients remain poorly known but are essential to inform conservation. In this study, we aim to understand how species richness, community composition and elevational ranges of montane birds change between the breeding and the non‐breeding season.

Location

The east slope of the southern Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan, southwest China, elevational range: 700–3,400 m a.s.l.; latitudinal range: 24°56′–26°09′N.

Methods

We compared species richness and community composition of birds in nine 300‐m elevational bands in the breeding (April–May) and non‐breeding (December–January) seasons. We also calculated seasonal elevational shifts of 97 species with sufficient data recorded in both seasons and assessed how species' traits influenced these shifts.

Results

Species richness declined in high and low elevations between the breeding and the non‐breeding season. The temporal beta diversity shift from the breeding to the non‐breeding season was mainly caused by species losses rather than species gains in high‐ and low‐elevation communities. Communities in middle elevations showed a contrasting pattern, with seasonal composition change resulting mainly from species gains. We also found that species' seasonal distribution shifts were mainly associated with breeding elevation and diet. Notably, high‐ and middle‐elevation breeders and insectivores significantly shifted their elevational ranges downslope in the non‐breeding season. In addition, species that participate in mixed‐species flocks and that rely on forests also showed significant downslope shifts in the non‐breeding season.

Main conclusions

These results show complex patterns of the interconnectedness of bird communities along the elevational gradient. Keeping forests at middle elevations intact appears especially important as they are used in winter by species that breed at both high and middle elevations. Furthermore, our results suggested conservation actions maintaining connectedness in low and middle elevations are urgently needed to conserve regional biodiversity and highlight the importance of seasonality in montane ecosystem research.
A field method for rapidly assessing deer density and impacts in forested ecosystems
Authors: Bennett Ami , Fedrigo Melissa , Greet Joe
Published: September 2021

Overabundant deer populations can cause severe ecological impacts. To inform management decisions and assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, land managers require a rapid and cost‐effective method for collecting data on both deer density and impacts. Here, we describe a field method for rapidly and concurrently assessing indices of deer density and impacts in forested habitats, and using field data collected in 2019–2020, we demonstrate its performance. The method combines commonly used protocols for surveying deer faecal pellets, vegetation impact and floristic attributes, without relying on indicator species. The survey involves assessment of 150‐m transects in forested habitats along which 30 plots are surveyed for faecal pellets of deer and sympatric herbivores (here, Swamp Wallaby, Wallabia bicolor), and impacts on woody trees and shrubs at different heights. In total, we surveyed 154 transects comprising 15,941 plant impact assessments and assessed the methods performance using basic and comparative statistics, and power analyses. Almost all plant species were similarly impacted at the local (transect) level. Indices of deer and Swamp Wallaby density explained similar amounts of variance in impacts <1 m, while the deer index explained much more of the variance in impacts >1 m. We detected differences in vegetation impact and other floristic attributes between four locations surveyed in 2020 from a modest sample size (23–24 transects). The method is simple to implement and can be applied in a wide range of forest types. In comparison to alternatives (e.g. fenced exclosures), this method presents a rapid and cost‐effective means of collecting information on deer density and impacts, and detecting large differences in impact. We suggest that the proposed method enables rapid landscape‐scale assessments of deer impacts suitable for evaluating management interventions.
Judge Jill Moss
Authors: Moss Jillian Frances
Published: September 2021

Brief commentary on practical use of social science research in judicial practice.
Hydraulic adaptability promotes tree life spans under climate dryness
Authors: Xu Chongyang , Liu Hongyan
Published: September 2021

Aim

Tree life spans, as an important determinant of carbon turnover in forest ecosystems, are strongly linked to climate change. Enhanced drought has led to extensive tree mortality, but whether climate dryness will widely shorten tree life spans remains unclear. Here we aimed to establish the relationship between climate dryness and tree life span, and identify the regulatory effects of functional traits on tree life span.

Location

Global.

Time period

Until 2015.

Major taxa studied

Woody plants.

Methods

We used tree ring records sampled at 2,348 sites ranging from the tropics to Arctic regions to estimate tree life span. First, we investigated which of nine functional traits related to trees' adaptability best explained the variation in tree life span. Second, we established a structural equation model between climate dryness, functional traits and tree life span to illustrate the regulatory effects of climate dryness and trees' adaptability on tree life span.

Results

Our results suggested that tree life span significantly increased with climate dryness across biomes. Hydraulic traits indicating the adaptability of trees to climate dryness regulated the relationship between climate dryness and tree life span. Trees with high‐density wood or with high resistance to drought‐induced embolisms extend their life span with increasing climate dryness, but climate dryness reduces the life spans of low‐drought‐tolerance trees.

Main conclusions

Tree life span is not fixed within species but regulated by climate dryness and trees' hydraulic adaptability to drought. Our large‐scale links between climate change and tree life span allow for incorporation of these factors into future Earth system models for a better representation of climate‐driven forest dynamics.
Performance of Abbott Alinity hq hematology analyzer for automated cell counting of body fluids
Authors: Herroelen Pauline H. , Demeester Simke , Damiaens Serge , Evenepoel Anton , Jochmans Kristin
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Body fluid cell counting and differentiation provide essential information for diagnosis and monitoring of diverse pathologies. We evaluated the performance of the newly launched Abbott Alinity hq hematology analyzer for automated cell counting in body fluids and compared red blood cell (RBC) and total nucleated cell (TNC) counts with the Cell‐Dyn Sapphire automated hematology analyzer. Differential counts were compared with microscopic differentiation on cytocentrifuged preparations.

Methods

Background concentration limits, limit of detection (LOD), linearity, imprecision, functional sensitivity and carryover were evaluated. For method comparison, we collected 172 body fluids (17 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis fluids, 56 cerebrospinal fluids and 99 serous fluids).

Results

Background concentration limits were ≤1000 cells/μL for RBC counts and ≤3 cells/μL for TNC counts. The LOD was 1000 RBC/µL and 5 TNC/µL. Results from linear regression analysis revealed excellent linearity. Functional sensitivity was 3000 cells/µL for RBC counts and 50 cells/µL for TNC counts. Carryover was 0.6% and 0.1% for TNC and RBC, respectively. The Alinity hq shows good clinical performance.

Conclusion

We demonstrated comparable performance for body fluid cell counting between the Alinity hq analyzer and the Cell‐Dyn Sapphire. The Alinity hq can be very useful as a screening tool for body fluid cell counting.
Psychological, physical, and social effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on hospital nurses
Authors: Häussl Alfred , Ehmann Eva , Pacher Angelika , Knödl Katrin , Huber Teresa , Neundlinger Lydia , Osmanovic Asmir , Plank‐Straner Anja , Walter Petra , Schüssler Sandra , Schoberer Daniela
Published: September 2021

Aim

The study aim was to explore the physical, mental, and social effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on Austrian nurses working in hospitals.

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic required nurses to work extremely hard and over long periods, which can have physical, psychological, and social consequences.

Methods

This study was carried out using a qualitative descriptive design and data was collected through individual interviews using an interview guide. A qualitative content analysis was conducted taking both deductive and inductive approaches.

Findings

Eighteen nurses (average age of 34.7 years) participated in the study. Theirgeneral attitude and feelingsregarding working during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the hospital setting were positive. Severalbehavioral changesin the nurses’ daily working and private daily lives were reported.Psychological impactsincluded the fear of infecting someone at home, insomnia, and sadness. Headaches, diarrhea, muscle tension, skin redness, and increased sweating were identified as the most commonphysical impacts. In terms ofsocial impact, all nurses mentioned social isolation and the increased use of (new) media.

Conclusions

Working with people suffering from COVID‐19 had psychological and physical effects on caregivers. Caregivers felt socially isolated in their private environments; however, they often compensated for this isolation by using social media.

Implications for nursing and implications for nursing policy

Staff perceived the provision of sufficient information, regular team meetings, and the employer's positive reinforcement as supportive, enhancing their feelings of security.

We recommend providing more psychological support and making structural adjustments in daily clinical practice to counteract the negative effects of working during a pandemic.
Erratum for structural features of (Li,Na,K)PO3 mixed alkali metaphosphate glass for significant anisotropy
Authors: Endo Jun , Inaba Seiji , Homma Osamu , Suzuki Yoshikazu
Published: September 2021

The manuscript contains mistakes in the structure of the Q3 unit in Figure 1, the title and AR values in Table 3, and two sentences in Section 3.2. These errata acknowledge and correct the mistakes. The corrections do not lead to any changes in the discussion or conclusions.
Nurses’ experiences of a recertification process involving a series of examinations to obtain a nursing license in a new country
Authors: Högstedt Denice , Engström Maria , Eriksson Elisabet , Jansson Inger
Published: September 2021

Aim

To examine internationally educated nurses’ (IENs’) experiences of the recertification process when undergoing a series of examinations to test their nursing knowledge and skills and, thereby, obtain a Swedish nursing license.

Design

A qualitative study with a descriptive design.

Methods

A convenience sample of 15 IENs at the end of the recertification process was included. Data were collected using semi‐structured telephone interviews between September 2019 and January 2021 and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Conducting the recertification process to obtain a Swedish nursing license was challenging in many ways, and the nurses described a rollercoaster of emotions during the process: frustration, loneliness, stress and anxiety, but also happiness, pride and relief. The process was, for some, so demanding they almost gave up, and support was, therefore crucial for the nurses. However, many times, they had to struggle to find out where they could turn for help or guidance.

Conclusion

The nurses found the formal support during the recertification process to be inadequate and inaccessible. For this reason, and to decrease the risk of nurses dropping out and instead taking unlicensed jobs, there is a need to develop and introduce more supportive structures and to make the existing support and information more accessible for the nurses.

Impact

This study highlights the importance of offering accessible support during a demanding and challenging recertification process. These findings can help policymakers develop and introduce supportive structures in the process of recertification for IENs.
Habitat association constrains population history in two sympatric ovenbirds along Amazonian floodplains
Authors: Elizangela dos Santos Barbosa Waleska , Ferreira Mateus , de Deus Schultz Eduardo , Willians Luna Leilton , Orsi Laranjeiras Thiago , Aleixo Alexandre , Cherem Ribas Camila
Published: September 2021

Aim

Amazonian floodplains include distinct types of seasonally flooded habitats, determined by the flooding regime and sedimentation dynamics. Some bird species prefer specific habitat types within the floodplains. To investigate whether distinct habitats are differentially affected by geologic and climatic history, we compare population history in a sympatric and closely related pair of ovenbird species with different habitat associations.

Location

Amazonian floodplains.

Taxa

Synallaxis albigularis and Mazaria propinqua (Aves; Furnariidae).

Methods

Occurrence records were obtained from museums and public databases. Genomic data included nuclear loci (UCE) and the mitogenome for 49 samples. SNPs from UCE data were used to infer population genetic structure and effective migration. Mitogenomes were used to build phylogenetic trees and chronograms. Both datasets were used to infer historical demographic changes and test demographic scenarios.

Results

S. albigularis includes geographically structured mtDNA clades with a crown age of 250 ka, whereas M. propinqua includes a single clade with a crown age of 38 ka. Effective migration is lower at the base of the Andes for S. albigularis and at the lower Negro River for M. propinqua. Population expansion is detected for both species during the Quaternary, but was steeper and more recent in M. propinqua.

Main conclusions

The differences in population histories relate to distinct habitat associations along Amazonian floodplains. Preference of M. propinqua for more ephemeral island habitats may favour local extinctions, leading to demographic change, low genetic variability, no population structure and smaller effective population size. In contrast, more resilient habitats along the floodplains inhabited by S. albigularis may sustain local populations, generating and maintaining local diversity. Our results suggest that climatic variations of the late Pleistocene and Holocene caused changes in distribution and connectivity of the different types of habitats along the Amazonian floodplains, affecting gene flow and population sizes of associated bird populations.
Effects of shades of a multilayered zirconia on light transmission, monomer conversion, and bond strength of resin cement
Authors: de Araújo Neto Vitaliano Gomes , Soto‐Montero Jorge , de Castro Eduardo Fernandes , Feitosa Victor Pinheiro , Rueggeberg Frederick Allen , Giannini Marcelo
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate the influence of shades of a multilayered zirconia on light transmission, resin cement degree of conversion, and shear bond strength of resin cement.

Materials and methods

The light transmission through opaque (OPQ) and translucent (TNS) regions of Katana UTML zirconia (Kuraray Noritake Dental) were evaluated for using a spectroradiometer (n = 5). Degree of conversion of dual‐cure resin cement (Panavia V5, Kuraray Noritake Dental) was measured after light‐activation through OPQ or TNS regions and direct exposure. Composition of the zirconia was analyzed with energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). Shear bond strength (SBS) was evaluated on the OPQ and TNS regions after 24 h and 1 year from specimen preparation (n = 15).

Results

The OPQ region produced higher irradiance loss (95.1%) than TNS one (92.9%), and lower degree of conversion (52.4%) than TNS (71.2%) at 24 h post‐light activation. EDS analysis did not show differences on the microstructure of the OPQ and TNS regions. There were no significant differences on the SBS between zirconia regions. For both zirconia regions, a significant reduction on the SBS occurred after aging, being 31.7% for OPQ and 38% for TNS.

Conclusion

Both OPQ and TNS regions affected the light transmission through the multilayered zirconia. The OPQ region yielded the highest light attenuation and the lowest degree of conversion of resin cement. Different regions of the zirconia did not influence the SBS. Clinical significance Although opaque and translucent regions of the multilayered zirconia reduced the light transmission from LED curing unit and the degree of conversion of resin cement, the regions did not affect the resin cement adhesion.
Alcohol consumption and the risk of rosacea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Lin , Xue Yuzhou , Chen Yangmei , Pu Yihuan , Zhang Yujie , Zhang Lingzhao , Shao Xinyi , Chen Jiayi , Chen Jin
Published: September 2021

Background

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects people's life quality. It has been found to be related to many detrimental factors including ultraviolet exposure. However, the association between alcohol consumption and rosacea has long been debated.

Aims

To elucidate this association, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of the literature published before February 16, 2021 on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database and used a meta‐analytic approach to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Finally, 14 eligible studies were identified, and alcohol consumption was not found to be a risk factor for rosacea. However, in subgroup analysis, alcohol consumption increased the risk of phymatous rosacea (PhR) and the pooled OR was 4.17 (95% CI = 1.76–9.91).

Conclusion

Overall, our study showed that alcohol consumption was a risk factor in phymatous rosacea (PhR). More studies of rosacea investigating sex distribution, alcohol intake levels, and types of alcoholic beverages consumed are needed in the future.
Inhibitory effect of Pyr6 (an Orai channel blocker) on agonist‐induced contractions in rat uterus
Authors: de Sousa Ícaro Araújo , de Meneses Gabriel Medina Sobreira , Cardoso José Victor Miranda , Lopes Pablo Queiroz , de Sousa Joubert Aires , Cavalcanti Suzana Maria Pereira Galvão , da Silva Cavalcanti Paulo Marques , Filho Francisco Chagas
Published: September 2021

Aim

Both human and rat myometrium express stromal interaction molecule (STIM) and Orai/transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) proteins, which are components of plasma membrane Ca2+ store‐operated channels. There are reports that these proteins mediate agonist‐induced Ca2+ influx in cultured myometrial cells. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of Pyr6, an Orai channel blocker, on different agonist‐induced contractions in isolated segments of rat uterus.

Main findings

In Ca2+‐free Tyrode's solution, Pyr6 (3 μM) promoted a reduction in both the magnitude and frequency of Ca2+ (1 mM)‐induced uterine contractions after the addition of carbachol (CCh, 100 μM), but not after the addition of oxytocin (OT, 150 nM). In Ca2+ (0.18 mM)‐Tyrode's solution, Pyr6 completely relaxed uterine contractions induced by both CCh and cloprostenol (300 nM), but not those induced by either KCI (40–80 mM) or OT. The addition of Pyr6 abolished the oscillatory uterine contractions induced by Ca2+ after the addition of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10 μM). When pre‐incubated (5 min), Pyr6 reduced the magnitude of both CCh‐induced phasic and tonic contractions. The addition of Pyr2 (3 μM), an Orai and TRPC channel blocker, abolished uterine contractions induced by CCh or OT.

Conclusion

Considering Pyr6 as an Orai channel blocker and its inhibitory effect on uterine contractions induced by CCh, CPA, and cloprostenol, we suggest that Orai channels are required for the maintenance of contractions induced by these agonists in rat uterus.
Innovative idea generation in problem finding: Abductive reasoning, cognitive impediments, and the promise of artificial intelligence
Authors: Garbuio Massimo , Lin Nidthida
Published: September 2021

This article addresses gaps about abductive reasoning—widely considered key to design‐thinking but rarely detailed in design‐thinking and innovation literatures—by examining two types of abduction; identifying impediments to it; and proposing the promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mitigate those impediments. Contrasting with the deductive and inductive approaches that dominant problem‐solving, we distinguish and elucidate explanatory abduction and innovative abduction in problem finding, where the problem to solve is itself uncertain. We argue these are appropriate for generating innovative problem‐finding ideas. Focusing thenceforth on problem finding alone, the heart of the article proposes a comprehensive conceptual model of innovative idea generation in that more ambiguous, complex, under‐researched but exciting problem space. The model details three chief stages: (1) problem search frame, combining leadership’s vision and innovators’ knowledge; (2) generating abductive hypotheses from often‐surprising observations and their synthesis into insights; and (3) evaluating abductive hypotheses, against the novel quality criteria of plausibility and relevance. Among cognitive impediments we show how the downsides of mental model, limited cognitive load and exemplifying heuristics and cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, can hinder each stage. Conversely, we examine how support from AI can help human innovators improve the quantity, speed, and quality of their innovative idea generation.
Factors affecting long‐term changes of liver stiffness in direct‐acting anti‐hepatitis C virus therapy: A multicentre prospective study
Authors: Rosato Valerio , Ascione Antonio , Nevola Riccardo , Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Piai Guido , Messina Vincenzo , Claar Ernesto , Coppola Carmine , Fontanella Luca , Lombardi Rosa , Staiano Laura , Valente Giovanna , Fascione Maria Chiara , Giorgione Chiara , Mazzocca Annalisa , Galiero Raffaele , Perillo Pasquale , Marrone Aldo , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo , Adinolfi Luigi Elio , Rinaldi Luca
Published: September 2021

The long‐term changes of liver stiffness (LS) in patients who achieve viral clearance after direct‐acting anti‐HCV therapy remain undefined. We conducted a multicentre prospective study to investigate this aspect. Patients with HCV infection treated with DAAs were enrolled from six Italian centres; they underwent clinical, biochemical, ultrasound and transient elastography evaluations before treatment (T0), 12 weeks (SVR12) and 24 months (T24) after the end of therapy. Among the 516 consecutive patients enrolled, 301 had cirrhosis. LS significantly decreased from T0 to SVR (14.3 vs 11.1 kPa, p = .002), with a progressive reduction until T24 (8.7 kPa, p < .001). However, only patients with steatosis and those who developed HCC did not experience a late improvement in LS. Multivariate analysis of baseline and follow‐up variables identified steatosis as the only independent predictor of failure of LS improvement (OR 1.802, p = .013). ROC curve analysis of the association of LS with the risk of developing HCC showed that SVR12 ≥14.0 kPa had the highest accuracy (sensitivity 82%, specificity 99%; AUC: 0.774). Multivariate analysis revealed that LS was the only variable independently associated with an increased risk of developing HCC (OR 6.470, p = .035).

Achieving an SVR was associated with a progressive, long‐term decline of LS, suggesting a late improvement in liver fibrosis, besides the resolution of inflammation. Fatty liver and the development of HCC interfered with late reduction of LS. Patients with an LS ≥14 kPa at 12 weeks after the end of treatment were at higher risk for developing HCC.
Dynamics of contention in the gig economy: Rage against the platform, customer or state?
Authors: Wood Alex J. , Martindale Nicholas , Lehdonvirta Vili
Published: September 2021

Protest in the gig economy has taken many forms and targets (platforms, customers and state officials). However, researchers are yet to adequately account for this diversity. We use a European survey of Upwork and PeoplePerHour platform workers to investigate worker orientation towards different forms of protest. Results reveal that worker anger, dependence and digital communication shape contention in the remote gig economy. Support for collective organisation is associated with anger at platforms as well as their dependence on the platform and communication with other workers. Individual action against clients is associated with anger and communication but not dependence. Support for state regulation is associated only with anger but not dependence or communication. We conclude that the relational approach entailed by Mobilisation Theory can aid explanation in the gig economy by shedding light on the dynamic process by which solidarity and dependence alter the perceived cost/benefits of particular remedies to injustice.
A review of carbon farming impacts on nitrogen cycling, retention, and loss
Authors: Almaraz Maya , Wong Michelle Y. , Geoghegan Emily K. , Houlton Benjamin Z.
Published: September 2021

Soil carbon (C) sequestration in agricultural working lands via soil amendments and management practices is considered a relatively well‐tested and affordable approach for removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Carbon farming provides useful benefits for soil health, biomass production, and crop resilience, but the effects of different soil C sequestration approaches on the nitrogen (N) cycle remain controversial. While some C farming practices have been shown to reduce N fertilizer use in some cases, C farming could also impose an unwanted “N penalty” through which soil C gains can only be maintained with additional N inputs, thereby increasing N losses to the environment. We systematically reviewed meta‐analysis studies on the impacts of C farming on N cycling in agroecosystems and estimated the cumulative effect of several C farming practices on N cycling. We found that, on average, combined C farming practices significantly reduced nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching from soils, thus inferring both N cycling and climate change benefits. In addition to more widely studied C farming practices that generate organic C, we also discuss silicate rock additions, which offer a pathway to inorganic C sequestration that does not require additional N inputs, framing important questions for future research.
Is a small change approach for weight management effective? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Graham Henrietta Emily , Madigan Claire Deborah , Daley Amanda Jane
Published: September 2021

Traditional weight management interventions typically involve people making large changes to their energy intake and/or expenditure and can be effective in the short term, but weight regain is common. An alternative strategy is a small change approach, which asks people to make small(er) changes to their diet and/or physical activity behaviors (e.g., 100‐kcal reduction or increases of 1000 steps/day). This approach may lead to sustained weight management because such energy‐deficit goals are easier for people to integrate into their lives and then maintain. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized and quasi‐randomized controlled trials assessed the effectiveness of a small change approach for weight management; 21 trials were included. In weight gain prevention trials with adults, the mean difference in weight change between groups was −0.7 kg (95% CI −1.0 to −0.4, 95% PI −1.1 to −0.3) at program‐end and −0.9 kg (95% CI −1.5 to −0.3, 95% PI −3.1 to 1.3) at last follow‐up, favoring small change interventions. A small change approach was not effective for weight loss. Only 2/21 trials had a low risk of bias. Initial evidence supports the effectiveness of a small change approach for weight gain prevention but not weight loss. Further high‐quality trials with longer follow‐up are required.