bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Presence of an Internal Control Audit Affect Firm Operational Efficiency?*
Authors: Imdieke Andrew J. , Li Chan , Zhou Shan
Published: November 2022

This study examines whether auditors' evaluation and reporting of firms' internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) affects firm operational efficiency. Prior research indicates that the strength of internal controls is positively associated with economic benefits. However, notwithstanding the underlying strength of controls, whether the mere presence of an ICFR audit provides similar economic benefits is unclear. We predict and find that small firms with ICFR audits have significantly higher overall operational efficiency than small firms with only management ICFR reports, even after controlling for underlying internal control strength. We find this effect manifests through improvements in inventory turnover and innovation, and through increased relative product market share. Separately, we find ICFR audits are associated with lower efficiency in SG&A expenses. Cross‐sectional analyses indicate that the mechanism by which ICFR audits affect overall operational efficiency is through auditor detection of internal control problems and through knowledge spillover from auditing other highly efficient firms in the audit office's metropolitan statistical area. These results provide additional evidence on the ongoing cost and benefit debate of ICFR audits for small firms.
Plasma proteomic signature of decline in gait speed and grip strength
Authors: Liu Xiaojuan , Pan Stephanie , Xanthakis Vanessa , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Psaty Bruce M. , Austin Thomas R. , Newman Anne B. , Sanders Jason L. , Wu Chenkai , Tracy Russell P. , Gerszten Robert E. , Odden Michelle C.
Published: November 2022

The biological mechanisms underlying decline in physical function with age remain unclear. We examined the plasma proteomic profile associated with longitudinal changes in physical function measured by gait speed and grip strength in community‐dwelling adults. We applied an aptamer‐based platform to assay 1154 plasma proteins on 2854 participants (60% women, aged 76 years) in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) in 1992–1993 and 1130 participants (55% women, aged 54 years) in the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS) in 1991–1995. Gait speed and grip strength were measured annually for 7 years in CHS and at cycles 7 (1998–2001) and 8 (2005–2008) in FOS. The associations of individual protein levels (log‐transformed and standardized) with longitudinal changes in gait speed and grip strength in two populations were examined separately by linear mixed‐effects models. Meta‐analyses were implemented using random‐effects models and corrected for multiple testing. We found that plasma levels of 14 and 18 proteins were associated with changes in gait speed and grip strength, respectively (corrected p < 0.05). The proteins most strongly associated with gait speed decline were GDF‐15 (Meta‐analytic p = 1.58 × 10−15), pleiotrophin (1.23 × 10−9), and TIMP‐1 (5.97 × 10−8). For grip strength decline, the strongest associations were for carbonic anhydrase III (1.09 × 10−7), CDON (2.38 × 10−7), and SMOC1 (7.47 × 10−7). Several statistically significant proteins are involved in the inflammatory responses or antagonism of activin by follistatin pathway. These novel proteomic biomarkers and pathways should be further explored as future mechanisms and targets for age‐related functional decline.
Health literacy, dementia knowledge and perceived utility of digital health modalities among future health professionals
Authors: Haydon Helen M. , Lotfaliany Mojtaba , Jones Cindy , Chelberg Georgina R. , Horstmanshof Louise , Taylor Melissa , Carey Melissa , Snoswell Centaine L. , Hicks Richard , Banbury Annie
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Studies of dementia knowledge (including dementia risk reduction) in health‐care trainees highlight varying levels of understanding across countries and disciplines. This draws attention to the need for a well‐trained health workforce with the knowledge to champion and implement such strategies. This study (a) assessed dementia knowledge and health literacy among a sample of Australian health‐care students, (b) identified modality preferences of digital health interventions addressing dementia prevention and (c) examined potential relationships among health literacy, dementia knowledge, dementia prevention knowledge and a student's preferences for different digital health modalities.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey assessed dementia knowledge and health literacy in 727 health students across 16 Australian universities representing both metropolitan and regional cohorts. The All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale were administered. Questions about the perceived effectiveness of strategies and preferred digital health modalities for dementia prevention/risk reduction were asked.

Results

The students had relatively high health literacy scores. However, dementia knowledge and evidence‐based dementia prevention knowledge were average. Only 7% claimed knowledge of available dementia‐related digital health interventions. Associations among health literacy, dementia knowledge and dementia prevention, with recommendations for different digital modalities, are presented.

Conclusions

Health‐related degrees need to increase dementia knowledge, health literacy and knowledge of effective dementia‐related digital health interventions. It is imperative to equip the future health workforce amid an ageing population with increased dementia rates and where evidence‐based digital health interventions will increasingly be a source of support.
Comparison of direct medical care costs between patients receiving care in a designated palliative care unit and the usual care units
Authors: Chanthong Pratamaporn , Punlee Kesaree , Kowkachaporn Phornpich , Intharakosum Attakorn , Nuanming Pratoom
Published: November 2022

Aim

The need for palliative services is increasing throughout Thailand. A few palliative care units have been established in the nation so far. An economic evaluation of palliative care units has never been explored. This study compared between the medical costs of terminally ill patients receiving palliative care in a palliative care unit and the usual care units during their final admissions.

Methods

This study was a retrospective observational study comparing the costs of care for patients who died in a tertiary hospital. The study group comprised patients who died in a palliative care unit, then matched with deceased patients from other units by diagnosis‐related groups. Patients not indicating of having received palliative care in the medical records were excluded. The direct medical costs of the patients’ care and their data were collected from the finance department database and by medical chart review. Data were entered into the SPSS statistical database. The costs of the control group were calculated from the day when palliative care was initiated

Results

The total cost of care was significantly lower in the palliative care unit by 45 percent. The cost reduction notably was from the shorter length of stay and lower expenditure on medication and investigations in the palliative care unit. The utilization of aggressive treatment was higher in the usual units.

Conclusions

The palliative care unit was associated with cost savings in caring for terminally ill patients in a tertiary hospital in Thailand.
Surgical plating versus closed reduction for fractures in the distal radius in older patients: a cost‐effectiveness analysis from the hospital perspective
Authors: Howell Martin , Lawson Andrew , Naylor Justine , Howard Kirsten , Harris Ian A.
Published: November 2022

Background

Given the cost differential between surgical and non‐surgical management of distal radius fractures, we aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of surgical compared with non‐surgical treatment of distal radius fractures in a cohort of older patients.

Methods

This evaluation was conducted alongside the combined randomized and observational study of surgery for fractures of the distal radius in the elderly (CROSSFIRE) trial (ACTRN 12616000969460) which compared surgical (open reduction and internal fixation using volar‐locking plate (VLP) fixation) and non‐surgical (closed fracture reduction and cast immobilization (CR)) treatment for displaced distal radius fractures in patients ≥60 years. Cost‐effectiveness was assessed from the perspective of the public hospital funder. Hospital records from a sub‐sample of participants were used to estimate costs. Outcomes were patient‐reported wrist pain and function questionnaire (PRWE) scores and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) calculated using the EuroQoL five‐dimension five‐level tool (EQ‐5D‐5L).

Results

From 166 participants (81 surgical, 85 non‐surgical), costs were obtained for 56 (29 surgical, 27 non‐surgical). The mean costs for VLP fixation were Australian dollars (AUD) 6668 (95% CI $4857 to $8479) compared to AUD 3343 (95% CI $1304 to $5381) for CR. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) to achieve a 1‐point improvement in the PRWE were AUD 375, AUD 1736 and AUD 1126 at 3, 12 and 24 months for VLP compared with CR. At 12 months, the cost effectiveness was dominated by CR (lower cost and better QoL) whereas at 24 months, the incremental cost per QALY gained by VLP was AUD 1 946 127.

Conclusion

In the treatment of distal radius fractures in patients ≥60 years, VLP fixation was not cost‐effective compared with CR from the perspective of hospital funders.
Open forest successional stages and landscape heterogeneity promote wild bee diversity in temperate forests
Authors: Eckerter Tristan , Braunisch Veronika , Buse Jörn , Klein Alexandra M.
Published: November 2022

Recent studies have emphasized forests as crucial habitat for wild bees. In Europe, most forests are managed following the principles of close‐to‐nature silviculture, which combine timber production and nature conservation. However, open late and early successional stages within these forests are largely missing, which could be important for wild bees. This highlights that close‐to‐nature silviculture alone might not be sufficient to conserve bees within temperate forests. Open structures such as canopy gaps and road verges in forests could improve habitat for bees. To provide management recommendations for wild bee conservation in temperate forests, we analyzed how components of bee beta diversity varied between forest management types and tested how open structures, namely clear‐cuts, canopy gaps, and forest road verges influenced bee abundance, richness, and diversity. In addition, we analyzed the abundance and percent of red‐listed bee species at different scales. Bees were sampled using 90 pan traps on 45 (1 ha) plots in 2019 and 2020 in the Black Forest, Germany. Plots were selected in 15 triplets each consisting of three management types related to different successional stages: unmanaged, close‐to‐nature, and small clear‐cut. Beta diversity was not consistently nested highlighting the importance of different management and successional stages within the landscape to support bees in forests. Abundance, species richness, and Shannon diversity of bees were highest on clear‐cuts, compared to unmanaged‐ and close‐to‐nature plots. At landscape scale, wild bee abundance increased with canopy openness while wild bee diversity increased with landscape heterogeneity. Abundance‐ and percent of red‐listed bee species increased with the length of forest road verges. We advocate creating habitats at local scales which offer flowering and nesting resources by providing canopy gaps. At landscape scale, heterogeneity created through different forest successional stages is needed to conserve the entire community of wild bees.
Modelling the distribution of marine fishery resources: Where are we?
Authors: Rodrigues Lucas dos Santos , Pennino Maria Grazia , Conesa David , Kikuchi Eidi , Kinas Paul Gerhard , Barbosa Fabiana Gonçalves , Cardoso Luís Gustavo
Published: November 2022

Ecological niche models (ENMs) and species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely applied to various studies relevant to biogeography, conservation biology, and ecology. These modelling techniques seek to develop spatial maps for projecting, among others past, current, and future species distributions. Born in the field of terrestrial ecology, only in recent years have these models been applied to marine environmental issues, especially to improve the forecasting of the distribution of occurrences and capturing of fishery resources. This study aimed to present through bibliometric analysis the characteristics of articles related to the use of ENMs and SDMs in marine fishery resources considering three main points: (1) state of the art: number of articles over the years, journals, countries, collaborations, and focus of research; (2) characteristics linked to fishery resources: marine biogeographic realms, taxonomic groups, life phases, oceanographic zones, and behaviours; (3) characteristics linked to methods: type of method, type of biological and, environmental data. We provide a list of 378 articles (derived from 930 screened ones), the results, and a discussion of our findings, which represent a baseline for the current status (strengths, limits, and gaps) of the interface between ENMs/SDMs and fishery resources.
Environmental controls on the light use efficiency of terrestrial gross primary production
Authors: Bloomfield Keith J. , Stocker Benjamin D. , Keenan Trevor F. , Prentice I. Colin
Published: November 2022

Gross primary production (GPP) by terrestrial ecosystems is a key quantity in the global carbon cycle. The instantaneous controls of leaf‐level photosynthesis are well established, but there is still no consensus on the mechanisms by which canopy‐level GPP depends on spatial and temporal variation in the environment. The standard model of photosynthesis provides a robust mechanistic representation for C3 species; however, additional assumptions are required to “scale up” from leaf to canopy. As a consequence, competing models make inconsistent predictions about how GPP will respond to continuing environmental change. This problem is addressed here by means of an empirical analysis of the light use efficiency (LUE) of GPP inferred from eddy covariance carbon dioxide flux measurements, in situ measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and remotely sensed estimates of the fraction of PAR (fAPAR) absorbed by the vegetation canopy. Focusing on LUE allows potential drivers of GPP to be separated from its overriding dependence on light. GPP data from over 100 sites, collated over 20 years and located in a range of biomes and climate zones, were extracted from the FLUXNET2015 database and combined with remotely sensed fAPAR data to estimate daily LUE. Daytime air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, diffuse fraction of solar radiation, and soil moisture were shown to be salient predictors of LUE in a generalized linear mixed‐effects model. The same model design was fitted to site‐based LUE estimates generated by 16 terrestrial ecosystem models. The published models showed wide variation in the shape, the strength, and even the sign of the environmental effects on modeled LUE. These findings highlight important model deficiencies and suggest a need to progress beyond simple “goodness of fit” comparisons of inferred and predicted carbon fluxes toward an approach focused on the functional responses of the underlying dependencies.
Taxonomic abundance in primary and secondary root canal infections
Authors: Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald , Costalonga Massimo , Nixdorf Donald , Dietz Matthew , Schuweiler David , Lima Bruno P. , Staley Christopher
Published: November 2022

Aim

To evaluate the root canal microbiome composition in cases of primary and secondary apical periodontitis.

Methodology

Thirty‐nine samples from patients with primary root canal infections obtained before root canal treatment, and 40 samples obtained during root‐end resection procedures from previously filled cases with apical periodontitis were evaluated using 16S rRNA next‐generation sequencing analysis (NGS). Demographic and clinical factors included age, sex, infection type, percussion sensitivity, and presence of pain. Differences in abundances of genera were evaluated using Kruskal‐Wallis test. Alpha and beta diversity indices were calculated using mothur. The Shannon and Chao1 indices were used to measure alpha diversity. The Bray–Curtis dissimilarity was used to measure beta diversity. Differences in community composition were evaluated using analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.

Results

Significantly fewer operational taxonomic units values were observed from samples from secondary infections (p < .0001). While no significant differences were observed in the Chao 1 index between primary and secondary infections, the Shannon alpha diversity was significantly lower in secondary relative to primary infections (p = .008). Among samples, sex, age (adult vs. older adult), percussion sensitivity, and presence of pain all showed no significant effects on community composition via an analysis of similarity (ANOSIM). However, community composition was significantly different depending on whether the sample was from a primary or secondary infection (R = .051, p = .03). Nine microbial genera comprised the predominant taxa observed among samples (>3.3%) and included Parvimonas, Fusobacterium, Campylobacter, Arachnia, Eubacterium, Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus, Fretibacterirum, and Pseudoramibacter. Significantly greater relative abundances of Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus, Veillonella, Lactucaseibacillus, and Dialister were observed in primary infections.

Conclusions

Primary endodontic infections are more diverse than secondary infections. The microbial composition is not associated with the clinical manifestations of apical periodontitis.
The deubiquitinating enzyme USP37 promotes keloid fibroblasts proliferation and collagen production by regulating the c‐Myc expression
Authors: Piao Meishan , Feng Guangdong
Published: November 2022

Previous research testifies that c‐Myc may promote keloid fibroblast proliferation and collagen accumulation. Ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 37 (USP37)‐mediated deubiquitination and stabilisation of c‐Myc are vital for lung cancer proliferation, while the potential role of USP37 in keloid fibroblasts is not investigated. Elevated USP37, c‐Myc, and Collagen I content were detected in keloid tissue with RT‐PCR or ELISA assay. USP37 over‐expression plasmids or USP37 short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were transfected into keloid fibroblasts with Lipofectamine 3000 to decipher the role of USP37 in keloid fibroblasts. USP37 overexpression could promote the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts with increased c‐Myc and Collagen I expression. On the other hand, USP37 shRNAs inhibited the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts with diminished c‐Myc and Collagen I expression. It was worth noting that C‐Myc overexpression promoted the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts inhibited by USP37 shRNAs with increasing Collagen I expression. All of these results demonstrate that USP37 could regulate c‐Myc to promote the proliferation and collagen deposit of keloid fibroblasts, and USP37 could be targeted in future keloid therapy.
Co‐utilization of secondary aluminum dross and ferronickel slag for preparation of cordierite–mullite insulating ceramic
Authors: Liu Jicheng , Xu Jiamei , Zhang Yuanbo , Su Zijian , Xu Chenyang , Jiang Tao
Published: November 2022

Because of the low utilization rate, a large amount of metallurgical slag was piled up or buried each year, resulting in serious environmental pollution and resource waste. This study focused on the value‐add utilization of secondary aluminum dross (SAD) and ferronickel slag (FNS) by preparing porous cordierite–mullite ceramics (CMC) for thermal insulation. The detailed thermodynamic calculation of the preparing process was carried out by using the phase diagram and equilibrium component function module in FactSage 8.1 software, which provided precise theoretical guidance for the practical synthesis experiment. The phase component, microstructure, and mechanical and thermal insulation properties of the prepared CMC at an FNS addition from 5 to 30 wt% were investigated by an X‐ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy assembled with an energy‐dispersive spectrometer, and a laser thermal conductivity testing instrument, respectively. It was shown that the original mineral phase of the raw materials applied can be converted to cordierite, mullite, and spinel after sintering at 1350°C, which results in higher strength and lower thermal conductivity of the prepared ceramics. Moreover, the increase of FNS addition promoted the content of cordierite and the microstructure densification of CMC. With the increase of FNS addition, the apparent porosity of CMC decreased from 41.7% to 34.4%, and the average pore size varied from 46.7 to 29.0 μm. The CMC with the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.86 W/(m K) was achieved at 20 wt% of FNS addition, which also had a good compressive strength of 52.8 MPa. The results proved the feasibility of preparing high‐strength thermal insulation ceramics by recycling hazardous metallurgical slag of SAD and FNS, proposing a novel route for high value‐added utilization of industrial solid waste.
Phenolic content of Terminalia catappa L. leaf and toxicity evaluation on red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)
Authors: Yakubu Yahaya , Ahmad Muhammad T. , Chong Chou M. , Ismail Intan S. , Shaari Khozirah
Published: November 2022

Despite the use of Terminalia catappa (TC) leaf by traditional fish farmers around the world to improve the health status of cultured fish, there is a paucity of information on comprehensive metabolite profile and the maximum safe dose of the plant. This study aims at profiling the methanol leaf extract of T. catappa, quantifying total phenolic content (TPC) as well as the total flavonoid content (TFC) and evaluating its acute toxicity on blood, plasma biochemical parameters and histopathology of some vital organs in red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). The experimental fish were acclimatised for 2 weeks and divided into six groups. Group (1) served as a control group and was administered 0.2 ml,g−1 of phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Groups 2–6 were orally administered T. catappa leaf extracts (0.2 ml.50 g−1) in the following sequence; 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg−1 body weight. The metabolites identified in T. catappa using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass electrospray ionisation spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) revealed the presence of organic acids, hydrolysable tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Phenolic quantification revealed reasonable quantity of phenolic compounds (217.48 μg GAEmg−1 for TPC and 91.90 μg. QCEmg−1 for TFC). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all the tested doses in terms of blood parameters and plasma biochemical analysis except for the packed cell volume (PCV) at 500 mg.kg−1 when compared to the control. Significant histopathological changes were observed in groups administered with the extract at 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg−1 doses. To a very large extent it is therefore safe to administer the extract at 31.25 and 62.5 mg.kg−1 in tilapia.
Effect of dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma on the bruise susceptibility of plum fruit
Authors: Rashvand Mahdi , Hajizadeh Ali , Akbarnia Abbas , Abbaszadeh Rouzbeh , Nikzadfar Mehrad , Pathare Pankaj B.
Published: November 2022

Tissue firmness is one of the most important factors in consuming fresh fruits. The firmness of the plum is the main parameter to purchase. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma method on the mechanical properties of plums during storage time. For this purpose, a tesla system and cold plasma generation by DBD were used. Plums were treated by plasma three times for 5, 10 and 15 min and then evaluated in five periods 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th days. Also, the simulation method was used to measure the plums' bruise volume (BV) and bruise susceptibility (BS). The simulated and experimental BV and BS values were compared, and the maximum relative difference were 13.12% and 10.18%, respectively. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to investigate the microstructure of the tissue before and after the drop test. The results revealed that the DBD treatment of 5 and 15 min had a negative effect on the mechanical properties of the plums. While the DBD treatment of 10 had an acceptable impact on the trend of Young's modulus, bio yield stress, and tangent modulus during the storage time. This treatment enhances the resistance of the plums to deformation and reduces the BV and BS tendency caused by impact.

Practical Applications

Mechanical damage of fresh fruits in the postharvest process by processing plants reduces the quality of the product in terms of firmness. Therefore, customers are reluctant to buy products with unacceptable rigidity. Plum is one of the expensive fruits that is always influenced by mechanical damage in the procedure of processing such as sorting. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide a solution that maintains firmness and does not affect the chemical quality of the product. DBD cold plasma is an economical, fast and reliable method to maintain the firmness of fresh fruits. Although DBD cold plasma can preserve the mechanical properties of the fruits by disinfection, treatment time can have both positive and negative effects. In other words, the over‐treatment time sometimes causes fruit tissue to loosen or low‐treatment time has been no significant difference. Therefore, it seems research on the effect of treatment time is essential. The results of this study can be useful for horticultural processing plants to increase fruit quality in terms of firmness.
Sex‐ and race‐specific associations of bone mineral density with incident heart failure and its subtypes in older adults
Authors: Gao Hans , Patel Sheena , Fohtung Raymond B. , Cawthon Peggy M. , Newman Anne B. , Cauley Jane A. , Carbone Laura , Chaves Paulo H. M. , Stein Phyllis K. , Civitelli Roberto , Kizer Jorge R.
Published: November 2022

Background

Previous studies have suggested an association between bone mineral density (BMD) and heart failure (HF) risk that may be race‐dependent.

Methods

We evaluated the relationship between BMD and incident HF in a cohort of older adults, the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study (n = 2835), and next performed a pooled analysis involving a second older cohort, the Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 1268). Hip BMD was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry in both cohorts and spine BMD by computed tomography in a subset from Health ABC.

Results

In Health ABC, lower BMD at the total hip was associated with higher incident HF in Black women after multivariable adjustment. Similar associations were found for BMD at the femoral neck and spine. In both cohorts, pooled analysis again revealed an association between lower total hip BMD and increased risk of HF in Black women (HR = 1.41 per 0.1‐g/cm2 decrement [95% CI = 1.23–1.62]), and showed the same to be true for White men (HR = 1.12 [1.03–1.21]). There was a decreased risk of HF in Black men (HR 0.80 [0.70–0.91]), but no relationship in White women. The associations were numerically stronger with HFpEF for Black women and White men, and with HFrEF for Black men. Findings were similar for femoral neck BMD. Sensitivity analyses delaying HF follow‐up by 2 years eliminated the association in Black men.

Conclusions

Lower BMD was associated with higher risk of HF and especially HFpEF in older Black women and White men, highlighting the need for additional investigation into underlying mechanisms.
Cost‐effectiveness of professional and mechanical oral care for preventing pneumonia in nursing home residents
Authors: Okubo Reiko , Hoshi Shu‐Ling , Kondo Masahide
Published: November 2022

Background

Pneumonia is common in nursing home residents and is a leading cause of hospitalization and death. Nursing home residents with cerebrovascular diseases and impaired consciousness are at high risk of aspiration pneumonia. Professional and mechanical oral care by dentists and hygienists in addition to daily oral care by caregivers was shown to be effective in preventing pneumonia in nursing home residents. However, professional and mechanical oral care has not been widely provided in Japan, while daily oral care by caregivers has been widely provided as a basic service in nursing homes. This study aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of providing professional and mechanical oral care for preventing pneumonia in nursing home residents.

Methods

Using a decision tree and Markov modeling, we conducted a cost‐effectiveness analysis from the payer's perspective (social insurers and patients) in Japan.

Results

The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for professional and mechanical oral care compared with daily oral care only was calculated as 4,079,313 Japanese yen (¥; 33,994 United States dollars [US$], US$1 = ¥120) per quality‐adjusted life year.

Conclusions

Using the official value of social willingness to pay for a one‐quality‐adjusted life year gain in Japan of ¥5 million (US$41,667) as the threshold to judge cost‐effectiveness, providing professional and mechanical oral care is cost‐effective. Our results suggest professional and mechanical oral care for preventing pneumonia in nursing home residents could be justifiable as efficient use of finite healthcare resources. The results have implications for oral care in nursing homes both in Japan and worldwide.
Low anthropogenic mortality of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and killer (Orcinus orca) whales in Norwegian purse seine fisheries despite frequent entrapments
Authors: Bjørge Arne , Moan André , Ryeng Kathrine A. , Wiig Jørgen R.
Published: November 2022

Fishery inspector logbooks were used to estimate fishing gear interaction rates for humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and killer (Orcinus orca) whales in Norwegian purse seine fisheries for herring from 2011 to 2020. Estimated rates were applied to fisheries data to estimate fleet‐wide totals. Estimates showed that in a 10‐year period, a total of 78 humpback whales, 95% CI [41, 145] and 100 killer whales, 95% CI [63, 176] were entrapped in purse seines. Most whales were disentangled alive, with an estimated mortality of 5%, CV 0.69, 95% CI [0.0, 11.8] and 6%, CV 0.48, 95% CI [0.3, 11.9], respectively. The average yearly mortality over the study period was thus approximately 0.60 killer whales and 0.39 humpback whales corresponding to 0.008% and 0.007% of the respective abundance estimates for these whale species in Norwegian waters. Given the Potential Biological Removal sustainability limits of 98 humpbacks and 161 killer whales per year, it may be concluded that, by itself, the average yearly mortality incurred by these whale populations by Norwegian fisheries does not constitute a significant risk to either of these species, but bycatch in Norwegian purse seine fisheries may not be the only source of anthropogenic mortality.
The influences of social support and emotion regulation strategies on posttraumatic growth of burn survivors: A cross‐sectional study in Linyi, China
Authors: Li Na , Cheng Haiying , Li Shaojie , Lv Liming
Published: November 2022

This cross‐sectional study aimed to test the influences of social support and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expression suppression) on burn survivors' posttraumatic growth. A convenience sampling method was adopted to recruit 130 burn survivors from the department of burns and plastic surgery of a public hospital in Linyi, China. Data were collected using self‐reported questionnaires on social support, emotion regulation strategies, and posttraumatic growth. Structural equation modeling was performed to explore the associations among social support, emotion regulation strategies, and posttraumatic growth in burn survivors. The results showed that social support positively affected cognitive reappraisal and negatively affected expression suppression. Furthermore, it positively affected posttraumatic growth. Moreover, social support indirectly influenced posttraumatic growth through cognitive reappraisal, which implies that cognitive reappraisal played a partial mediating effect in the relationship between social support and posttraumatic growth. These findings provide new insights into the predictors of posttraumatic growth. Cognitive reappraisal and social support should be taken into account to improve burn survivors' posttraumatic growth.
Karrikin perception and signalling
Authors: Waters Mark T. , Nelson David C.
Published: November 2022

Karrikins (KARs) are a class of butenolide compounds found in smoke that were first identified as seed germination stimulants for fire‐following species. Early studies of KARs classified the germination and postgermination responses of many plant species and investigated crosstalk with plant hormones that regulate germination. The discovery that Arabidopsis thaliana responds to KARs laid the foundation for identifying mutants with altered KAR responses. Genetic analysis of KAR signalling revealed an unexpected link to strigolactones (SLs), a class of carotenoid‐derived plant hormones. Substantial progress has since been made towards understanding how KARs are perceived and regulate plant growth, in no small part due to advances in understanding SL perception. KAR and SL signalling systems are evolutionarily related and retain a high degree of similarity. There is strong evidence that KARs are natural analogues of an endogenous signal(s), KAI2 ligand (KL), which remains unknown. KAR/KL signalling regulates many developmental processes in plants including germination, seedling photomorphogenesis, and root and root hair growth. KAR/KL signalling also affects abiotic stress responses and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Here, we summarise the current knowledge of KAR/KL signalling and discuss current controversies and unanswered questions in this field.
External cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter in patients with cardiac implantable electrical devices
Authors: Elgaard Anders Fyhn , Dinesen Pia Thisted , Riahi Sam , Hansen John , Lundbye‐Christensen Søren , Thøgersen Anna Margrethe , Larsen Jacob Moesgaard
Published: November 2022

Background

Atrial fibrillation and flutter are often treated with external electrical cardioversion (ECV) in patients with potentially electrically sensitive cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED). Long‐term follow‐up data on contemporary CIED undergoing ECV is sparse. The aim is to investigate shock‐related complications and impact on CIEDs.

Methods

All ECV procedures from 2010 to 2020 in patients with CIED performed at a tertiary university hospital were identified in the Danish National Patient Registry. Changes in device measurements after ECV were retrospectively studied and procedure‐related complications were identified by review of medical records.

Results

We analyzed 763 ECV procedures in 372 patients, median device implant time 1.9 years. The mean age of patients was 69.9 ± 9.9 years of which 73.4% were men. We identified two cases of device programming changes and four cases of premature battery depletion (≤3 years after device implant). Minor changes in device measurements were found for impedances, sensing, and pacing thresholds. No patients died due to ECV‐related device dysfunctions within the first 12 months after cardioversions.

Conclusion

External cardioversion in patients with contemporary pacemakers and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators seems safe in the majority of patients. Clinically important changes in device function following cardioversion were rarely observed but may be critical for device function. In an observational study, causality between cardioversion and device dysfunction cannot be established. For patient safety, we suggest that routine device interrogation after cardioversion still should be part of standard care.
The role of cannabis in treatment‐resistant fibromyalgia women
Authors: Hershkovich Oded , Hayun Yemima , Oscar Nataly , Shtein Arnold , Lotan Raphael
Published: November 2022

Background

Fibromyalgia is a complex pain‐focused syndrome. Previous studies showed that Cannabis is efficacious in promoting sleep, deepening and lengthening the sleep cycle, and good pain relief (compared with the SSRIs and SNRIs).

Purpose

This study aimed to use the World Health Organization Quality of Life Bref questionnaire (WhoQoL‐bref) to characterize the impact of Cannabis Treatment initiation on the quality of life in women suffering from treatment‐resistant fibromyalgia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study involving 30 women aged 18–70 years old diagnosed with fibromyalgia, exhausted pharmacological fibromyalgia treatment, and started Cannabis treatment. Pregnant women were excluded.

WhoQoL‐bref was filled before Cannabis treatment initiation and 1 month following treatment.

Results

Women's average age was 46 years (±5), with a poor general quality of life (1.47 ± 0.63), poor general health (1.47 ± 0.78), pain and discomfort, and dependence on medication (3.77 ± 1.3 and 3.07 ± 1.74, respectively) prior to Cannabis intervention. Cannabis treatment for 30 days showed a marked improvement in general quality of life (1.97 scores, p < 0.01), general health (1.83, p < 0.01), physical health (1.5, p < 0.01), and psychological domain (1.3, p < 0.01). Financial resources and home environment were not influenced by cannabis treatment (p = 0.07, p = 0.31, respectively).

Conclusion

Results suggest a potentially significant role of Cannabis in treatment‐resistant Fibromyalgia women. Early Cannabis treatment may result in a beneficial short‐term effect on the quality of life through its influence on pain, sleep, and physical and psychological domains. Further studies are still indicated to understand this potential and its long‐term beneficial impact.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation for the treatment of joint pain with predominantly nociceptive characteristics: A case series
Authors: Chapman Kenneth B. , Tupper Connor , Vissers Kris C. , van Helmond Noud , Yousef Tariq
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG‐S) has recently emerged as a novel therapy in neuromodulation that demonstrated a higher rate of success than spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in a prospective, head‐to‐head randomized comparative trial to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and causalgia. In contrast to SCS, DRG‐S also shows promise in treating conditions that are not purely neuropathic such as axial low back pain, which has a prominent nociplastic pain component. It is not known to what extent the effectiveness of DRG‐S for such indications is due to effective treatment of the neuropathic pain component versus the effects of DRG‐S on mechanical pain. Although rarely studied, reporting outcomes of DRG‐S to treat predominantly mechanical/nociceptive pain may help point toward expanding the utility of this therapy. Here, we present five cases of refractory mechanical pain treated with DRG‐S.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent a successful DRG‐S trial and implant between September 2017 and September 2021 at our institute was performed. Patients who had intractable joint pain without strong evidence of neuropathic pain were included in this case series. The Budapest criteria for CRPS, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) survey, or a definable nerve injury were used to determine the presence of neuropathic pain. Baseline assessments for pain (Numeric Rating Scale [NRS]), function (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), quality of life (EuroQol‐5 Dimension [EQ‐5D]), and other applicable joint surveys were extracted from pre‐trial baseline and follow‐up appointments.

Results

Five patients were identified and included. Patient diagnoses consisted of refractory joint pain of the hip, knee, or ankle. Mean NRS pain scores improved by 74% from 9.2 at baseline to 2.4 at the last follow‐up (mean = 28 months post‐implant). From baseline to the last follow‐up, mean ODI scores improved by 65% from 66 to 23 and EQ‐5D scores more than doubled from an average of 0.371 to 0.797.

Conclusion

This clinical report illustrates the potential utility DRG‐S has in treating pain that clinically presents as predominantly refractory mechanical joint pain without a significant neuropathic component. The physiological reasons for our observations may be that DRG‐S is able to directly influence the conduction of nociceptive signaling at the DRG and within the spinal cord. Further investigations are warranted to determine if DRG‐S is a potential treatment option for chronic mechanical pain.
The shaping of moral injury among UK military veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
Authors: Hollis Jake , Hanna Paul , Perman Gemma
Published: November 2022

Objective

Research on ‘moral injury’—the psychological wound experienced by military personnel and other ‘functionaries’ whose moral values are violated—has proliferated in recent years. Many psychological researchers, including those in the UK, have subscribed to an increasingly individualised operationalisation of moral injury, with medicalised criteria that closely mirrors PTSD. This trend carries assumptions that have not been comprehensively verified by empirical research. This study aims to explore UK military veterans' experiences of, and challenges to, their moral values in relation to their deployment experiences, without prematurely foreclosing exploration of wider systemic influences.

Method

Twelve UK military veterans who served in Afghanistan and/or Iraq were interviewed, and the data were analysed thematically and reflexively.

Results

Three inter‐related themes were generated: (1) ‘you've been undermined’, (2) ‘how am I involved in this?’ and (3) ‘civilianised’.

Conclusions

The analysis suggests that several assumptions privileged in moral injury research may be empirically contradicted, at least in relation to the experiences of UK military veterans. These assumptions include that moral injury is exclusively driven by individual, episodic acts of commission and omission, invariably leads to guilt and necessarily bifurcates into variants of either perpetration or betrayal. Instead, participants understood the moral violations they experienced as socially contingent. Rather than ‘treating’ moral injury as a disorder of thinking and feeling located within an individual, the socially contextualised understanding of moral injury indicated by this study's findings may prompt the development of psychological and social interventions that understand moral injury as the fallout of what occurs between people and within systems.
Molecular assessment of Ulva (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) diversity in Vietnam including the new species U. vietnamensis
Authors: Tran Lan‐Anh T. , Leliaert Frederik , Vieira Christophe , Tran Tien V. , Nguyen Tu V. , Dam Tien D. , De Clerck Olivier
Published: November 2022

Species diversity of Ulva in Vietnam was investigated using three commonly used genetic markers, the nuclear encoded rDNA ITS region and the plastid encoded rbcL and tufA genes. Single locus species delimitation methods, complemented with morphological and ecological information resulted in the delimitation of 19 species. This diversity is largely incongruent with the traditional understanding of Ulva diversity in Vietnam. Only four species identified in this study, U. lactuca, U. reticulata, U. spinulosa, and U. flexuosa, have been previously reported, and seven species, U. ohnoi, U. tepida, U. chaugulii, U. kraftiorum, U. meridionalis, U. limnetica, and U. aragoënsis, are recorded for the first time from Vietnam. Seven genetic clusters could not be associated with species names with certainty. A new species, U. vietnamensis, is described from marine to brackish coastal areas from southern Vietnam based on its morphological and molecular distinctiveness from the currently known Ulva species. A comparison with recent molecular‐based studies of Ulva diversity showed that species composition in Vietnam is similar to that of adjacent countries, including Japan, China, as well as Australia. Our study emphasizes the importance of molecular data in the assessment of Ulva diversity, and indicates that a lot of diversity may still remain to be discovered, especially in tropical regions.
Falstaff on Tour: County, Town and Country in the Late Elizabethan Theatre
Authors: Rhodes Neil
Published: November 2022

Why does Falstaff travel to York via Gloucestershire in Henry the Fourth, part two? And why does Shakespeare interrupt his second tetralogy of history plays to take his most famous comic character to Windsor in the Merry Wives? This article uses Falstaff's tour of England in these two plays to explore an idea of the country founded upon local identities rather than on the overarching appeal of nationhood. Drawing upon chorography and social history, it focusses on the association of people and place and offers a view of England from the ground up rather than through the more imposing structures of political narrative and symbolic form.
Moral Responsibility is Not Proportionate to Causal Responsibility
Authors: Demirtas Huzeyfe
Published: November 2022

It seems intuitive to think that if you contribute more to an outcome, you should be more morally responsible for it. Some philosophers think this is correct. They accept the thesis thatceteris paribusone's degree of moral responsibility for an outcome is proportionate to one's degree of causal contribution to that outcome. Yet, what the degree of causal contribution amounts to remains unclear in the literature. Hence, the underlying idea in this thesis remains equally unclear. In this article, I will consider various plausible criteria for measuring degrees of causal contribution. After each of these criteria, I will show that this thesis entails implausible results. I will also show that there are other plausible theoretical options that can account for the kind of cases that motivate this thesis. I will conclude that we should reject this thesis.
Developing the Space Industry of Malaysia: The Policy Frameworks
Authors: Subari Mustafa	Din , Hassan Azmi
Published: November 2022

The space sector in Malaysia is quite developed, but in the absence of a standard framework of development, it is mainly driven by commercial and business forces. A space policy for the country is proposed with a focus on re-organizing the sector, namely, the local industry – emphasizing the downstream activities; the nation’s capacity building – the human capital, the necessary infrastructure, and most importantly, the governance – setting a domestic regulatory regime and a designated authority to ensure the responsible use of space in the country. This paper proposes the inclusion of several activities in the related sector as the downstream space industry in Malaysia.