bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Level and determinants of willingness to donate organs among the general public: A cross‐sectional survey in China
Authors: Fan Xiaojing , Zheng Sirui , Li Meng , Li Enchang , Li Ying‐Ying
Published: January 2022

This study aims to assess the level and determinants of the general public's willingness to organ donation. We conducted a population‐based cross‐sectional study of 4261 participants in China. The primary outcome was the willingness to donate organs. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine the factors that affect willingness to donate organs. Overall, the proportion of participants who showed a willingness to donate organs was 47.45% (95%CI: 0.46, 0.49) in this study. Logistic regression modelling showed participants from Western (OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.11‐1.59) and Eastern China (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.19‐1.65) were more willing to donate organs compared with those from Central China. The odds of being willing to donate organs was higher in females than males (OR = 1.35, 95%CI = 1.17‐1.55); and was higher in those participants with experience of organ donation (OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.13‐2.21), experience of caring for organ transplant patients (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.01‐2.07), and those undertaking related voluntary activities (OR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.45‐1.94), than those without. The general public's level of willingness to organ donation was not high in this study. Geographical region, gender, experience of organ donation related activities, taking care of organ transplant patients and volunteering in related activities were independently associated with participants' willingness to donate organs.
Association of Neofusicoccum parvum with leaf scorch on Cinnamomum cassia in China
Authors: Xu Dandan , Xi Pinggen , Xu Jiehua , Lin Zemian , Jiang Zide , Qiao Fang
Published: January 2022

Leaf spot, caused by Neofusicoccum parvum, is an important disease limiting the growth of Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) in the field. This disease was first observed in Deqing (Guangdong Province, China) in 2018, manifesting as circular or irregularly shaped necrotic lesions along the leaf margins and tips, enlarging to irregular lesions with numerous black dots. Representative isolates were isolated from affected leaves and identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the translation elongation factor 1‐α (EF1‐α) gene and a portion of the β‐tubulin gene (TUB2). Colonies were initially white on PDA, turning grey–black after 7 days. The conidia were fusiform to oval, hyaline, thin‐walled with rounded apices and truncate bases. The pathogen was placed in the same clade as Neofusicoccum parvum in phylogenetic trees constructed using concatenated sequences of ITS, EF1‐α and TUB2 genes. Based on morphological and phylogenetic data, the pathogen was identified as N. parvum. On infected leaves, Koch's postulates were fulfilled, and the same pathogen re‐isolated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. parvum causing disease on Chinese cinnamon worldwide.
Neurofunctional basis underlying audiovisual integration of print and speech sound in Chinese children
Authors: Xia Zhichao , Yang Ting , Cui Xin , Hoeft Fumiko , Liu Hong , Zhang Xianglin , Shu Hua , Liu Xiangping
Published: January 2022

Effortless print‐sound integration is essential to reading development, and the superior temporal cortex (STC) is the most critical brain region. However, to date, the conclusion is almost restricted to alphabetic orthographies. To examine the neural basis in non‐alphabetic languages and its relationship with reading abilities, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in typically developing Chinese children. Two neuroimaging‐based indicators of audiovisual processing—additive enhancement (higher activation in the congruent than the average activation of unimodal conditions) and neural integration (different activations between the congruent versus incongruent conditions)—were used to investigate character‐sounds (opaque) and pinyin‐sounds (transparent) processing. We found additive enhancement in bilateral STCs processing both character and pinyin stimulations. Moreover, the neural integrations in the left STC for the two scripts were strongly correlated. In terms of differentiation, first, areas beyond the STCs also showed additive enhancement in processing pinyin‐sounds. Second, while the bilateral STCs, left inferior/middle frontal and parietal regions manifested a striking neural integration (incongruent > congruent) for character‐sounds, no significant clusters were revealed for pinyin‐sounds. Finally, the neural integration in the left middle frontal gyrus for characters was specifically associated with silent reading comprehension proficiency, indicating automatic semantic processing during implicit character‐sound integration. In contrast, the neural integration in the left STC for pinyin was specifically associated with oral reading fluency that relies on grapho‐phonological mapping. To summarize, this study revealed both script‐universal and script‐specific neurofunctional substrates of print‐sound integration as well as their processing‐ and region‐dependent associations with reading abilities in typical Chinese children.
The enrichment paradox in adaptive radiations: Emergence of predators hinders diversification in resource rich environments
Authors: Chaparro‐Pedraza P. Catalina , Roth Gregory , Seehausen Ole
Published: January 2022

Adaptive radiations are known for rapid niche diversification in response to ecological opportunity. While most resources usually exist prior to adaptive radiation, novel niches associated with novel resources can be created as a clade diversifies. For example, in African lake cichlid radiations some species prey upon other species of the clade (intraclade consumers). Using a trait‐based eco‐evolutionary model, we investigate the evolution of intraclade consumers in adaptive radiations and the effect of this novel trophic interaction on the diversification process of the radiating clade. We find that the evolutionary emergence of intraclade consumers halts the diversification processes of other ecomorphs as a result of increased top‐down control of density. Because high productivity enables earlier evolution of intraclade consumers, highly productive environments come to harbour less species‐rich radiations than comparable radiations in less productive environments. Our results reveal how macroevolutionary and community patterns can emerge from ecological and microevolutionary processes.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of fenfluramine in clinical practice: Pharmacokinetic variability and impact of concomitant antiseizure medications
Authors: Schoonjans An‐Sofie , Roosens Laurence , Dewals Wendy , Paelinck Bernard P. , Ceulemans Berten
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study was undertaken to determine the plasma concentration and pharmacokinetic variability of fenfluramine (FFA) and its main active metabolite norfenfluramine (norFFA) in relation to the prevalence of adverse effects in patients with refractory epilepsy treated with FFA. In addition, the interaction with concomitant antiseizure medications including stiripentol (STP) is studied.

Methods

Patients were recruited at our center from two open‐label sources, an investigator‐initiated observational study and an international multicenter extension study. Venous blood samples were collected between June 2015 and December 2020. Plasma FFA and norFFA concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography tandem spectrometric analysis. Clinical data were collected retrospectively. Intrapatient coefficient of variation was calculated for all patients with at least three samples. Interpatient variability was calculated based on the concentration to weight‐adjusted dose ratio (C/D) of all patients.

Results

We collected 321 samples from 61 patients (49 with Dravet syndrome, seven with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, and five with a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy). With a mean daily dose of .33 mg/kg/day (SD = ±.16), the median FFA plasma concentration was 41.4 µg/L (range = 5.1–712.5) and median norFFA concentration 28.1 µg/L (range = 2.6–149.6). The FFA plasma concentration was linearly related to the daily dose (p < .001) and norFFA levels (p < .001). The C/D of FFA increased with age (p < .001). Median FFA C/D was 428% higher (p < .001), norFFA C/D 83% lower (p < .001), and norFFA/FFA 23% lower (p < .001) in patients treated with STP comedication. Higher FFA concentration was associated with fatigue (p = .001) and somnolence (p < .001), but not anorexia (p = .0619) or reduction in seizure frequency (p = .772). Gender and other ASMs were not associated with significant variations in (nor)FFA C/D ratio.

Significance

Most FFA levels are in the lower range (<50 µg/L), although a high interpatient and intrapatient variability is present. In combination with STP, the dose of FFA should be reduced.
CASPR2‐IgG‐associated autoimmune seizures
Authors: Garrido Sanabria Emilio R. , Zahid Anza , Britton Jeffrey , Kraus Gregory J. , López‐Chiriboga Alfonso Sebastian , Zekeridou Anastasia , Flanagan Eoin P. , McKeon Andrew , Mills John R. , Pittock Sean J. , Dubey Divyanshu
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study was undertaken to report clinical presentations and outcomes of CASPR2‐IgG‐associated seizures.

Methods

Mayo Clinic Neuroimmunology database was queried to identify CASPR2‐IgG‐seropositive (CASPR2‐IgG+) patients evaluated at our institution (2009–2019).

Results

Of the 53 CASPR2‐IgG+ patients (titer ≥ 1:10), 20 had seizures (38%). All seizure patients were male, with median onset age of 68 years. Eighteen (90%) had seizures at initial presentation. One patient was found to have malignancy (colon adenocarcinoma). Two patients had coexisting LGI1‐IgG. Twelve patients had archived sera, which on titration had CASPR2‐IgG titers ≥ 1:100. Fifteen patients (75%) met criteria for autoimmune encephalitis. Patients most commonly presented with focal onset, nonmotor seizures with impaired awareness (n = 14, 70%). Eleven patients also had focal motor and/or sensory seizures as one of the seizure semiologies. The majority of patients (n = 11, 55%) developed generalized tonic–clonic seizures during their disease course. Seizure clusters occurred in 12 patients. In addition to seizures, patients developed cognitive disturbance (n = 16, 80%), episodic emotional lability (n = 13, 65%), paroxysmal dizziness (n = 9, 45%), episodic ataxia (n = 6, 30%), and chronic ataxia (n = 9, 45%). Only three patients (15%) had coexisting peripheral nervous system involvement. Frontotemporal or temporal ictal and/or interictal electroencephalographic abnormalities were present among nine patients, and three had multifocal epileptiform abnormalities. Eight patients (40%) had medial temporal T2/fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein and/or lymphocytic pleocytosis was present in most cases (13/14, 93%). Thirteen patients reached seizure freedom following initiation of antiseizure medication (ASM; n = 4) or a combination of immunotherapy and ASM (n = 9). Median duration of follow‐up was 25 months (range = 2–136 months).

Significance

CASPR2‐IgG evaluation should be considered among older male patients with new onset focal seizures and impaired awareness often occurring in clusters with/without features of encephalitis. Coexisting neurological manifestations, including episodic emotional lability, ataxia, and paroxysmal dizziness, also aid in the diagnosis.
Serine pseudoproteases in physiology and disease
Authors: Zupanič Nina , Počič Jernej , Leonardi Adrijana , Šribar Jernej , Kordiš Dušan , Križaj Igor
Published: January 2022

Serine proteases (SPs) constitute a very important family of enzymes, both physiologically and pathologically. The effects produced by these proteins have been explained by their proteolytic activity. However, the discovery of pharmacologically active SP molecules that show no enzymatic activity, as the so‐called pseudo SPs or SP homologs (SPHs), has exposed a profoundly neglected possibility of nonenzymatic functions of these SP molecules. In this review, the most thoroughly described SPHs are presented. The main physiological domains in which SPHs operate appear to be in reproduction, embryonic development, immune response, host defense, and hemostasis. Hitherto unexplained actions of SPs should therefore be considered also as the result of the ligand‐like attributes of SPs. The gain of a novel function by an SPH is a consequence of specific amino acid replacements that have resulted in a novel interaction interface or a ‘catalytic trap’. Unraveling the SP/SPH interactome will provide a description of previously unknown physiological functions of SPs/SPHs, aiding the creation of innovative medical approaches.
ETFs’ two‐sided trading costs and order imbalances
Authors: Lachance Marie‐Eve
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes an integrated trading cost measure for exchange‐traded funds (ETFs) that includes premiums and spreads. The measure is computed separately for buyers and sellers as the distance between the ETF's bid/ask prices and a new measure of intraday intrinsic value constructed with the ETF's daily holdings. The two‐sided measure shows that order imbalances increase trading costs in the direction of the imbalance, bias midpoint quotes, and result in observed premiums and discounts. It also provides a link between these higher trading costs and the need for authorized participants to pass through the costs associated with primary market activity.
Feminized anti‐Blackness in the professoriate
Authors: alexander e
Published: January 2022

This exploratory study seeks to establish an understanding of relationships between Black and white femme faculty (BFF and WFF, respectively) in academic work units, as reifications of anti‐Blackness in the academy. The study corpus, or body of work that was analyzed, consists of stories from BFF about interactions and experiences with WFF that have been published in anthologies about womxn in higher education; Black Critical Race Theory and the “mammy” trope supported analysis as the conceptual frameworks. Findings indicate that WFF rejected BFF as professional equals who are deserving of full access to and participation in academia. They also suggested that WFF undermined BFF through white‐only alliances, and sometimes appealed to white masculine superiors to sabotage BFF colleagues in support of their own success. The study has implications for expanding scholarly discourses about workplace interactions and harassment, exercises of power, and professional relationships in the academy.
‘They need to ask me first’. Community engagement with low‐income citizens. A realist qualitative case‐study
Authors: De Weger Esther , Baan Caroline , Bos Cheryl , Luijkx Katrien , Drewes Hanneke
Published: January 2022

Background

Community engagement is seen as key to citizen‐centred and sustainable healthcare systems as involving citizens in the designing, implementation and improvement of services and policies is thought to tailor these more closely to communities’ own needs and experiences. Organizations have struggled to reach out to and involve disadvantaged citizens. This paper examines how if, why, and when low‐income citizens wish to be involved.

Methods

For this qualitative realist case‐study, 19 interviews (one dyad) were held with (20) low‐income citizens in two Dutch municipalities. Additionally, the results were discussed with a reference panel consisting of professionals and citizens to enrich the results and to ensure the results had face validity.

Results

The results showed four different ways in which low‐income citizens wished to be involved: (a) in a practical/volunteer way; (b) as a buddy; (c) as a lay expert; (d) not involved at all. The factors affecting citizens’ interest and capacity to participate include citizens’ own experiences of the services they access and their personal situations, e.g. their mental or physical health, extent of financial crisis, family situation, home environment. None of the interviewees was currently involved, but all had ideas for improving health(care) services and policies. Citizens’ experiences of the services they accessed acted as a motivator for some to be involved as they wanted to ensure others would not have the same struggles, while for others their own needs and an apathetic system remained too high a barrier. To enable involvement, citizens need continued support for their own health(care) and financial situation, better communication and accessibility from services, practical support (e.g., training and bus passes) and recognition for their input (e.g., monetary compensation).

Conclusion

The study shows that citizens’ experiences of the services they accessed influenced if and how they wanted to be involved with health and care services. Despite the fact that all participants had shared solid ideas for improving services and policies, they were hindered by a bureaucratic, impersonal and inaccessible system. Organizations seem to underestimate the required investments to reach out to low‐income citizens and the support required to ensure their involvement.

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Study

Citizens as well as PPI organizations were members of the reference panel who helped formulate the research questions and recruitment strategy. The local reference panel also helped to interpret and refine the initial findings.
Reduced range size and Important Bird and Biodiversity Area coverage for the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) predicted from multiple climate change scenarios
Authors: Sutton Luke J. , Anderson David L. , Franco Miguel , McClure Christopher J. W. , Miranda Everton B. P. , Vargas F. Hernán , Vargas González José De J. , Puschendorf Robert
Published: January 2022

Climate change is expected to have a profound impact on species distributions, contracting suitable climate space. Biodiversity areas are important to mitigate these negative effects but are static by design and thus do not account for future projections of species distributions. The Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja has a broad range across lowland Neotropical forests and thus its distribution could be negatively affected by climate change when combined with current rates of habitat loss. To test this hypothesis, we use spatial point process models fitted with climatic, topographical and landcover covariates to identify the current distribution. We then project to 24 future climate scenarios, using three General Circulation Models (GCMs) and two emission scenarios between the years 2021 and 2100 averaged over four, 20‐year periods. Our current model identified a core range across Amazonia and the Guiana Shield, with evergreen forest (71%), mean diurnal temperature range (13%) and elevation (6%) the most important predictors. Reclassifying the current model to a binary prediction estimated a range size of ~ 7.6 million km2, with the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) network covering 18% of habitat (~ 1.4 million km2) within this range. By 2090, range size was predicted to decrease on average by 14.4% under a higher emissions scenario, and 7.3% under a lower emissions scenario. The IBA network would cover 14% less area under a higher emissions scenario, and 3.3% less distribution area under a lower emissions scenario by 2090. Southern Amazonia is predicted to have the greatest reduction in range size and subsequently highest loss of Harpy Eagle habitat within the IBA network. Our work demonstrates that the combination of climate change and subsequent habitat loss may result in substantial losses in distribution for this raptor across the southern edge of its range.
Dissolution behavior of silica in molten CaO–SiO2–Fe2O3–MgO–MnO slag
Authors: Lin Yong , Yan Baijun , Wen Yongpeng , Liang Ziqing , Fabritius Timo , Shu Qifeng
Published: January 2022

The modification of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag by adding silica can improve the properties of BOF slag for applications in the cement industry. The rapid dissolution of silica is essential to hot slag modification. In this work, the dissolution behavior of silica in the molten CaO–SiO2–Fe2O3–MgO–MnO system as synthetic BOF slag was investigated by using the traditional rotating cylinder technique. Effects of rotation speed, temperature, immersion time, and slag basicity on the silica dissolution were studied. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM‐EDS) and FactSage simulations were employed to reveal the dissolution mechanism. It was found that the dissolution of the silica rod was affected by both the thermodynamic driving force and the slag viscosity. The silica dissolution rate in molten CaO–SiO2–Fe2O3–MgO–MnO slag increased with increasing the rotation speed and temperature, but first increased and then decreased when decreasing the slag basicity from 2.5 to 1.5. A linear correlation between the logarithm of the dissolution rate and the logarithm of cylinder periphery velocity with a slope of 0.44 was observed, indicating the mass transfer within the boundary layer as the dissolution rate determining step. A direct dissolution way was found during the dissolution of silica in molten CaO–SiO2–Fe2O3–MgO–MnO slag.
Comparison of radiofrequency ablation from the coronary cusps and endocardial left ventricular outflow tract for left ventricular summit ventricular arrhythmias in a porcine and infrared thermal model
Authors: Larsen Timothy , Winterfield Jeffrey , Ravi Venkatesh , Du‐Fey‐de‐Lavallaz Jeanne M. , Wasserlauf Jeremiah , Trohman Richard G. , Sharma Parikshit S. , Huang Henry D.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The coronary cusps (CCs) are utilized as an alternative vantage point for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of left ventricular summit ventricular arrhythmias but are sometimes a challenge despite favorable activation timing and pace mapping.

Methods

Ex vivo experiments were performed in 12 intact porcine hearts submerged in a 37°C saline bath. Radiofrequency (RF) applications were delivered with an irrigated contact force sensing catheter oriented 45° to the endocardial left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) surface and nadir of the CCs using different dosing parameters. Sections were stained in 2% triphenyltetrazolium chloride and lesion dimensions were measured. Thermal infrared imaging analysis was used to compare time‐to‐lethal tissue temperature and depth/area of lethal isotherms.

Results

A total of 60 RF applications were performed under different dosing parameters for (1) 30, 40, and 50  Watts (W) × 30 s and (2) 40 W × 30, 45, and 60 s. Lesion depth was greater with RFCA from LVOT than from the CCs (maximum depth 6.11 vs. 2.68 mm). Longer RF duration led to larger lesion volume in the CC group (40 W × 30 s: 8.1 ± 0.4 vs. 40 W × 60 s: 10.1 ± 0.96 mm; p = .002). One steam pop occurred in both the LVOT (50 W × 30 s) and CC groups (40 W × 60 s). Time‐to‐reach lethal temperature of 58°C was longer in the CC group than in the LVOT group (4.7 vs. 11.3 s; p = .02)

Conclusions

RFCA from the CC led comparatively to shallower lesion depth than from the LVOT. Longer RF duration led to an increase in lesion volume during ablation from CCs.
Prevalence and characteristics of atopic dermatitis among young adult females and males—report from the Swedish population‐based study BAMSE
Authors: Johansson E.K. , Bergström A. , Kull I. , Melén E. , Jonsson M. , Lundin S. , Wahlgren C.‐F. , Ballardini N.
Published: January 2022

Background

There is limited knowledge regarding prevalence and characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) among young adults in the general population.

Objectives

To study AD among young adults in a Swedish population‐based birth cohort, with a particular focus on prevalence, sex differences including risk for AD at different ages, disease course and characteristics of AD at 24 years.

Methods

The BAMSE cohort includes 4089 individuals who have been followed regularly from birth to age 24 years regarding AD and atopic diseases. For this study 3055 individuals who answered questions regarding AD at the 24‐year follow‐up were included. All were invited to a clinical examination including skin examination, evaluation by William's criteria and collection of blood for analysis of specific IgE, and 2264 individuals chose to participate.

Results

At 24 years, the 12‐month prevalence of AD was 17.8% and more females than males had AD (20.5% vs. 14.8%), P < 0.0001. The point prevalence of ongoing AD at clinical examination was 8.0%. AD severity as assessed by Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) did not differ between sexes. The proportion of adult onset of AD was 16.9% (92 of 543), females 17.3% vs. males 16.4%. More females than males with AD at 24 years reported disturbed sleep due to itch (26.1% vs. 15.5%, P < 0.003). IgE sensitization was less common among females with AD than males with AD (61.3% vs. 79.6%, P < 0.0001). In addition, male sex (female sex being the reference) was associated with increased odds for AD the first year of life (OR: 1.31, 95% CI; 1.10–1.56), and decreased odds of AD in adolescence and young adulthood (OR: 0.66, 95% CI; 0.55–0.80).

Conclusions

Atopic dermatitis is a common disease among young adults, and even though more females than males have AD at 24 years, adult onset of AD seems to be equally prevalent among both sexes in young adulthood.
Developmental trajectories of health‐promoting behaviours among pregnant women: A longitudinal study
Authors: Yu Pengli , Zhou Lixue , Meng Fei , Xu Yanhong , Jiang Yunxia , Zhou Yunping
Published: January 2022

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study is to estimate differences in health‐promoting behaviour levels throughout the pregnancy trimesters, to identify distinct patterns of health‐promoting behaviour trajectories during pregnancy and to evaluate predictors of these trajectory group memberships.

Background

Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours during pregnancy could decrease devastating outcomes for the mother and foetus. However, there is currently limited insight into the dynamics of health‐promoting behaviours during pregnancy.

Design

An observational longitudinal study.

Methods

158 pregnant women were recruited from June 2020 to June 2021 in Qingdao, China. The Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile was used to assess health‐promoting behaviours. Latent growth model was performed to compare health‐promoting behaviours at different time points. Group‐based trajectory model was applied to identify health‐promoting behaviour trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was adopted to determine the predictors of trajectory group memberships. We used the STROBE checklist to report this study.

Results

The entire sample of pregnant women experienced a significant increase in health‐promoting behaviours during pregnancy. Three trajectories were identified including a ‘low‐increase behaviour trajectory (20.1% of sample)’, a ‘moderate‐increase behaviour trajectory (58.0% of sample)’ and a ‘stable then increased behaviour trajectory (21.9% of sample)’. Low maternal sense of coherence, lack of pre‐pregnancy exercise habit, artificial insemination and low monthly family income were significantly associated with the low‐increase behaviour trajectory. High self‐efficacy and pre‐pregnancy exercise habit were significantly associated with the stable then increased behaviour trajectory.

Conclusions

Pregnant women exhibit different health‐promoting behaviours throughout the pregnancy trimesters. Meanwhile, three trajectories were identified among pregnant women. Thus, more attentions should be paid on early identification and targeted intervention in a future study.

Relevance of clinical practice

Healthcare providers should pay closer and earlier attention to identify women in the low‐increase trajectory subgroup at the outset of pregnancy. Similarly, increased efforts should be made to improve maternal self‐efficacy and develop good pre‐pregnancy exercise habit in future study.
Nanocomposite of Ag nanoparticles and deep eutectic solvent-derived carbon dots with oxidase mimicking activity as synergistic bactericidal agent
Authors: Zhu J. , Li X. , Wu X. , Yuan T. , Yang Y.
Published: January 2022

A new type of nitrogen and chloride co-doped carbon dots (N/Cl-CDs) based on choline chloride–urea–glycine ternary deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal method. The prepared N/Cl-CDs exhibited oxidase-like activity and excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The addition of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) (i.e. N/Cl-CDs + Ag NPs) to the N/Cl-CDs also significantly enhanced the oxidase and antibacterial activities. The nanocomposite (1·8 mg ml−1) completely inactivated 105 CFU per ml of MRSA in 90 min. E. coli and S. aureus were labelled with the N/Cl-CDs, enabling multicolour fluorescence imaging at different excitation wavelengths. The nanocomposites have high antibacterial efficiency as a new bactericidal agent, as well as application potential with good biocompatibility and low toxicity.
CLAVATA modulates auxin homeostasis and transport to regulate stem cell identity and plant shape in a moss
Authors: Nemec‐Venza Zoe , Madden Connor , Stewart Amy , Liu Wei , Novák Ondřej , Pěnčík Aleš , Cuming Andrew C. , Kamisugi Yasuko , Harrison C. Jill
Published: January 2022

The CLAVATA pathway is a key regulator of stem cell function in the multicellular shoot tips of Arabidopsis, where it acts via the WUSCHEL transcription factor to modulate hormone homeostasis. Broad‐scale evolutionary comparisons have shown that CLAVATA is a conserved regulator of land plant stem cell function, but CLAVATA acts independently of WUSCHEL‐like (WOX) proteins in bryophytes. The relationship between CLAVATA, hormone homeostasis and the evolution of land plant stem cell functions is unknown.

Here we show that in the moss, Physcomitrella (Physcomitrium patens), CLAVATA affects stem cell activity by modulating hormone homeostasis. CLAVATA pathway genes are expressed in the tip cells of filamentous tissues, regulating cell identity, filament branching, plant spread and auxin synthesis. The receptor‐like kinase PpRPK2 plays the major role, and Pprpk2 mutants have abnormal responses to cytokinin, auxin and auxin transport inhibition, and show reduced expression of PIN auxin transporters.

We propose a model whereby PpRPK2 modulates auxin gradients in filaments to determine stem cell identity and overall plant form.

Our data indicate that CLAVATA‐mediated auxin homeostasis is a fundamental property of plant stem cell function, probably exhibited by the last shared common ancestor of land plants.
Demography: Fast and Slow
Authors: Billari Francesco C.
Published: January 2022

Scientific ideas on the human population tend to be rooted in a “slow demography” paradigm, which emphasizes an inertial, predictable, self‐contained view of population dynamics, mostly dependent on fertility and mortality. Yet, demography can also move fast. At the country level, it is crucial to empirically assess how fast demography moves by taking migratory movements into account, in addition to fertility and mortality. We discuss these ideas and present new estimates of the speed of population change, that is, country‐level population turnover rates, as well as the share of turnover due to migration, for all countries in the world with available data between 1990 and 2020. Population turnover is inversely related to population size and development, and migratory movements tend to become important factors in shaping demography for both small and highly developed countries. Longitudinally, we analyze annual turnover data for Italy and Germany, documenting the changing speed of population change over time and its determinants. Accepting the “fast and slow” demography perspective has several implications for science and policy, which we discuss.
Effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative analgesia after pediatric hip surgery: Randomized controlled study
Authors: Abduallah Mohammad A. , Al‐Ahwal Laila A. , Ahmed Sameh A.
Published: January 2022

Background

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in pediatric patients presenting for hip surgery may improve the postoperative analgesia.

Aim

The study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound‐guided ESPB on postoperative analgesia after a pediatric hip surgery.

Methods

Forty children scheduled for hip surgeries were included in this trial and randomly distributed into; Control group, patients received sham ultrasound‐guided ESPB at the level of L3 or ESPB group, patients received real ultrasound‐guided ESPB at the level of L3 with an injection of 0.4 ml/kg of plain bupivacaine 0.25%. The time for the first call of rescue analgesia, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative morphine consumption, Children's Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS), and Objective Behavioral Pain score (OPS) were recorded.

Results

As compared to the control group, the use of ESPB significantly prolonged the time for first request of rescue analgesia from 170.50 ± 44.066 to 256.50 ± 66.434 min (p < 0.0001), decreased the intraoperative fentanyl consumption from 1.025 ± 0.379 to 0.775 ± 0.343 μg/kg (p = 0.035), decreased the postoperative morphine consumption from 0.105 ± 0.036 to 0.065 ± 0.023 mg/kg (p = 0.0002). Also, it significantly decreased postoperative CHEOPS and OPS scores 2, 4, and 6 h after the surgery (p < 0.05) with an insignificant difference between the two groups at all other time intervals (p ˃ 0.05).

Conclusion

The use of ESPB in pediatric patients undergoing hip surgery prolonged the time for the first call of analgesia, decreased the intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, and decreased the postoperative pain.
Estimating the insertion length of pediatric peripherally inserted central catheters
Authors: Ota Hidehito , Ide Kentaro , Watanabe Taro , Nishimura Nao , Nakagawa Satoshi
Published: January 2022

Background

It is difficult to determine the insertion length of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) without fluoroscopy. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between the length from the anterior axillary point to the level of the carina (Lcarina) and patient's height, and to obtain possible estimation formulas that can be considered for validation in future studies.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed PICCs from the upper arm in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between May 2017 and September 2018. We evaluated the relationship between Lcarina and the patient's height using linear regression. We also conducted simulated performance assessment of simplified formulas based on the observed relationships.

Results

Fifty‐four PICCs from the right arm and 49 from the left for patients at the median age of 1 year were analyzed. The following linear correlations between Lcarina and the patient's height were observed: 0.105 × height (cm) + 1.53 (cm) (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.71) from the right arm, and 0.125 × height (cm) + 1.21 (cm) (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.65) from the left arm. In the simulated performance assessment, with a simplified formula, [0.1 × height (cm) + 1 (cm)], 93% (50/54) of the PICCs from the right arm and 96% (47/49) from the left arm were expected to be inserted in the subclavian vein, innominate vein, or superior vena cava.

Conclusions

The level of the carina was correlated with the patient’s height. A simplified formula, 0.1 × height (cm) + 1, seemed to perform acceptably and appeared to be worth validating in future studies.
Interactions among the human and organizational factors within the public sector regarding epidemic prevention and control
Authors: Fu Lipeng , Wang Xueqing , Deng Shuyi , Cao Shaopeng , Zhao Heng
Published: January 2022

The management of human and organizational factors (HOFs) within the public sector directly concerns the efficacy of epidemic prevention and control (EPC). Insufficient examination of such HOFs has led to defective countermeasures. This study attempts to comprehensively identify the HOFs within the public sector critical to EPC and investigate their interactions with the weighted network theory. A total of 55 HOFs were identified, and their interactions were assessed and visualized in the Chinese context. Then, the established weighted network was analyzed to investigate the interactions and diagnose critical factors and sectors. The analysis shows that there are strong interactions among HOFs, and that the human and organizational risks emerging from administrative departments of public health, centers for disease control and prevention, and medical institutions act as the key risk sources in the complex interconnected EPC system, exacerbating risk and causing a significant domino effect. It is recommended that the authorities devote more resources to the core sectors and endeavor to reinforce those critical HOFs by implementing closer risk communication, collaboration, and response. This study may deepen and broaden the authorities’ awareness and understanding of interactions among HOFs regarding epidemic mitigation, and strengthen their capacity to perceive, evaluate, and manage these factors in a proactive and effective way, thereby facilitating the success of EPC.
The relative impact of different forces of globalization on wage inequality: A fresh look at the EU experience
Authors: Jestl Stefan , Leitner Sandra M. , Leitner Sebastian
Published: January 2022

This paper analyzes in a joint approach the contributions of immigration, trade, and foreign direct investment (FDI) to wage inequality of native workers in a sample of old and new EU Member States between 2008 and 2013. Methodologically, we use the two‐step regression‐based Shapley value decomposition approach to filter out their relative importance in each of the countries analyzed. We find that globalization has very mixed effects and generally contributes little to wage inequality. Regarding their relative contributions, immigration and FDI are key contributors to wage inequality in old EU Member States while trade is the key source of wage inequality in new EU Member States. For immigration, the associated increase in wage inequality is strongest and most consistent among Southern EU Member States. We also show that immigration, trade, and FDI have different effects across the wage distribution that are however strongest at its center, which points to the relatively strong wage polarization effect of globalization. For trade and FDI, we also find sporadic inequality‐reducing effects that are strongest at the top of the wage distribution.
Validation of the functional assessment of anorexia/cachexia therapy instrument to assess quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients with cachexia
Authors: Yang Zhen , Luo Yixin , Lu Haizhen , Zou Baolin , Wang Han , Chen Guowei , Wu Yiping , Huang Yanlin
Published: January 2022

Background

Many patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) eventually suffer from cachexia. The Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) is a tool used to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cachexia related to various diseases, but its suitability for use in MHD patients has yet to be verified. This study aimed to explore the validation of the FAACT in MHD patients by conducting reliability and validity tests.

Methods

Qualified MHD patients were selected to complete the FAACT and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL‐36) questionnaires, and their demographic data and biochemical test results were collected from electronic medical records. Next, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, paired sample t test and ICC were used to analyze the scale consistency. Additionally, the association between the KDQOL‐36 and FAACT was analyzed using Bland–Altman plots and Pearson correlation analysis. Finally, the patients were divided into groups to evaluate discriminant validity.

Results

A total of 299 patients were included in this study. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the FAACT and its anorexia–cachexia subscale (ACS) were 0.904 and 0.842, respectively, and their ICC exceeded 0.90. The correlation coefficients between the FAACT and its items ranged from 0.146 to 0.631, and the correlation coefficients between the FAACT and KDQOL‐36 dimensions ranged from 0.446 to 0.617. The Bland–Altman plots between the FAACT and KDQOL‐36 showed that only 3.3% of the points were outside the 95% limits of agreement. The effects of cachexia status (present or absent) on FAACT and ACS scores had effect sizes of 0.54 (P < 0.001) and 0.60 (P < 0.001), respectively. The FAACT and ACS also significantly discriminated between patients with and without inflammation (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The FAACT and ACS have acceptable reliability and validity in MHD patients and are suitable for measuring the quality of life of MHD patients with cachexia.
Toward Greater Integration: Fellows Perspectives on Cognitive Science
Authors: Bender Andrea
Published: January 2022

Cognitive science is a multidisciplinary field. Whereas debates on whether this is beneficial continue to spring up, this multidisciplinarity comes with at least one obvious challenge, namely, safeguarding an increasing integration across its subfields. The new and open‐ended topic preluded here attempts to address this challenge by pursuing a multilayered agenda: to introduce the Fellows of the Cognitive Science Society and earn them the recognition and profile they deserve; to furnish a platform for reflection on cognitive science from a bird's eye view; and to present role models for younger generations. To achieve these goals, this topic provides all Fellows with an opportunity to showcase their scientific work, to outline what they consider to be its major contributions to cognitive science, and to elaborate on their visions for greater integration of the field.
International trade and labour market integration of immigrants
Authors: Lodefalk Magnus , Sjöholm Fredrik , Tang Aili
Published: January 2022

We examine whether international trade improves labour market integration of immigrants in Sweden. Immigrants participate substantially less than natives in the labour market. However, trading with a foreign country is expected to increase the demand for immigrants from that country. By hiring immigrants, a firm may access foreign knowledge and networks needed to overcome information frictions in trade. Using granular longitudinal matched employer–employee data and an instrumental variable approach, we estimate the causal effects of a firm’s bilateral trade on employment and wages of immigrants from that country. We find a positive, yet heterogeneous, effect of trade on immigrant employment but no effect on immigrant wages.
Systematic review of perception of barriers and facilitators to chronic disease self‐management among older adults: Implications for evidence‐based practice
Authors: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Minh , Whitehead Lisa , Saunders Rosemary , Dermody Gordana
Published: January 2022

Background

An aging population has contributed to an increased prevalence in chronic disease. To empower patients, healthcare systems are shifting toward chronic disease self‐management. However, no review on how older adults self‐manage chronic disease and the barriers and facilitators they experience has been published.

Aims

To explore barriers and facilitators perceived by older adults during the process of self‐managing chronic disease.

Methods

A systematic review of qualitative literature was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The literature search was conducted using Ovid databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL with full text, and PsycINFO) for the period of 1988–2020. All records were screened using predetermined eligibility criteria. The critical appraisal instrument QARI (Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument) was employed to assess the quality of the included studies. Data from the included papers were extracted using the QARI data extraction tool. Extracted data were then synthesized to produce final sets of themes and sub‐themes relating to the review question.

Results

A total of 267 abstracts were screened, and 13 studies reporting barriers and facilitators perceived by older adults during the process of managing chronic diseases were included in the review. Physical and cognitive decline, low‐health literacy, culture, and relationships with healthcare professionals were described as barriers. Facilitators were described as resources that supported disease self‐management and included family, social networks, healthcare professionals, and religious beliefs.

Linking evidence to action

This study highlights the importance of understanding the patients' perspectives of the barriers and enablers of self‐management of chronic illness for health professionals across settings. Understanding barriers and facilitators to chronic disease self‐management will support health professionals to identify strength‐based approaches to self‐management that meet the needs of individual older adults.
Phylogeny of the land snail Levantina reveals long‐distance dispersal in the Middle East
Authors: Korábek Ondřej , Glaubrecht Matthias , Hausdorf Bernhard , Neiber Marco T.
Published: January 2022

Populations of rock‐dwelling snails are often isolated from each other due to outcrops of suitable rock forming islands separated by uninhabitable habitats. By chance, some snail taxa were able to rapidly extend their distribution ranges or colonise distant areas. The helicid Levantina from the Middle East has a very large range compared with related rock‐dwelling genera. We present here the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Levantina suggesting that its range is not extended due to Levantina being an old taxon, but rather as a result of a rapid expansion, probably during the Pliocene. These snails originated in the south‐east of present‐day Turkey, from where they colonised the Levant, the Asir Mountains in Saudi Arabia, the Alborz Mountains and the Central Taurus as well as the island of Cyprus. Eventually, these snails also reached the south‐eastern Aegean region by several independent expansion events. In particular, the Arabian species are not closely related to those from the Levant as previously presumed, but are sister to one of the species from south‐eastern Turkey. The occurrence of a Levantina spiriplana complex in the Aegean is most likely a result of intentional transport of these edible snails, as all three lineages found there originated from the Levant. Our results further suggest that the species‐level taxonomy of the genus needs an integrative revision.
An experiment for electron-hadron scattering at the LHC
Authors: André K. D. J. , Bella L. Aperio , Armesto N. , Bogacz S. A. , Britzger D. , Brüning O. S. , D’Onofrio M. , Ferreiro E. G. , Fischer O. , Gwenlan C. , Holzer B. J. , Klein M. , Klein U. , Kocak F. , Kostka P. , Kumar M. , Mellado B. , Milhano J. G. , Newman P. R. , Piotrzkowski K. , Polini A. , Ruan X. , Russenschuk S. , Schwanenberger C. , Vilella-Figueras E. , Yamazaki Y.
Published: January 2022

Novel considerations are presented on the physics, apparatus and accelerator designs for a future, luminous, energy frontier electron-hadron (eh) scattering experiment at the LHC in the thirties for which key physics topics and their relation to the hadron-hadron HL-LHC physics programme are discussed. Demands are derived set by these physics topics on the design of the LHeC detector, a corresponding update of which is described. Optimisations on the accelerator design, especially the interaction region (IR), are presented. Initial accelerator considerations indicate that a common IR is possible to be built which alternately could serve eh and hh collisions while other experiments would stay on hh in either condition. A forward-backward symmetrised option of the LHeC detector is sketched which would permit extending the LHeC physics programme to also include aspects of hadron-hadron physics. The vision of a joint eh and hh physics experiment is shown to open new prospects for solving fundamental problems of high energy heavy-ion physics including the partonic structure of nuclei and the emergence of hydrodynamics in quantum field theory while the genuine TeV scale DIS physics is of unprecedented rank.