bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twin pregnancy: Live fetus with complete hydatidiform molar—A case report
Authors: Yared Georges , Dahrouj Fatima , El Hajjar Charlotte , Habib Khaled , El Kazwini Mohammad El Jawad , Ghazal Kariman
Published: December 2023

Gestational trophoblastic disease encompasses a range of lesions, each culminating in varied clinical manifestations. Among these, the simultaneous occurrence of molar changes within the placenta and a viable fetus remains a particularly elusive and challenging presentation, posing intricate dilemmas for obstetricians. In this article, we delineate a distinct case involving a 21-year-old woman with a history of consanguineous marriage. She was referred from Médecins Sans Frontières to the Rafic Hariri University Hospital during her 19th week of gestation. With an unremarkable medical history and uncomplicated previous pregnancies, her presentation to the Rafic Hariri University Hospital was punctuated by symptoms of premature labor. Clinical evaluations revealed ruptured membranes, a fetus-positioned breech, and discernible complications tied to the placental morphology. Given these clinical findings, a decision was made in favor of a Cesarean delivery. Prior to this, the patient had been administered corticosteroids and tocolytics. Subsequent delivery produced a live male infant at 34 + 5 gestational days, and further assessment unveiled a complete molar pregnancy. The coexistence of a viable fetus alongside a complete molar pregnancy is an infrequently documented phenomenon, underlining the clinical significance of this case. A comprehensive literature survey reinforced the exceptional nature of our findings. Postpartum, both the mother and neonate were monitored for a month, ensuring their well-being. This case accentuates the paramountcy of prompt and precise diagnostic interventions when faced with atypical presentations. It further underscores the imperative for obstetricians to possess nuanced expertise in confronting the intricate challenges posed by gestational trophoblastic disease, ensuring optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes.
The use of strengths-based approaches, Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) techniques and psychoeducation about autism with an adolescent in a post-primary school context in the Republic of Ireland: A practitioner report
Authors: Mannion Lydia
Published: December 2023

This intervention case study is written by an Educational and Child Psychologist in the Republic of Ireland, which took place with Leah, a 15-year-old adolescent with a diagnosis of autism attending a post-primary school. Pre- and post-intervention assessment measures included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). An individualised intervention plan was designed, focussing on promoting Leah’s self-esteem, as well as her understanding of autism. Therapeutic techniques used throughout the six-session intervention involved strengths-based and Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) approaches, alongside psychoeducation about autism. Leah’s post-intervention scores on the SDQ showed slight improvements in emotional problems and conduct problems following the intervention, while her scores on the RSE demonstrated a significant improvement in self-esteem from pre- to post-intervention. The case outcomes support the adoption of individualised strengths-based approaches and PCP techniques to promote self-esteem, as well as psychoeducation about autism to promote understanding and self-acceptance.
Intelligence tests and the individual: Unsolvable problems with validity and reliability
Authors: van Hoogdalem Anouk , Bosman Anna MT
Published: December 2023

IQ scores are used in the Netherlands to determine whether an individual qualifies for special education or has access to healthcare. The term for this use of IQ is referred to as “slagboomdiagnostiek” (doorway diagnostics). Criticism has been voiced from the professional field regarding this policy. In this article, we will discuss whether the current Dutch policy is justified by examining the validity and reliability of IQ tests. Specifically, we will address whether the IQ test can be used in clinical decision-making regarding the individual. We argue that while the validity and reliability have been demonstrated at a group level, they do not hold true for the individual, leading to the conclusion that the current Dutch policy is not justified.
Modeling the Effect of Chinese EFL Teachers’ Self-efficacy and Resilience on Their Work Engagement: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Authors: Wang Yongliang , Pan Ziwen
Published: December 2023

Teaching is deemed a taxing enterprise, especially as far as higher education is concerned. As a result, much research attention has been showered upon exploring the correlates of engagement for instructors. To contribute to this research direction, the present researchers carried out this survey to test a model of work engagement in a Chinese higher education context. Teacher self-efficacy and resilience were added as predictors of the hypothesized model. A number of 372 Chinese English as a foreign language (EFL) instructors in higher education contexts were selected through convenience sampling. The measurement models of the latent variables (i.e., self-efficacy, resilience, and work engagement) were confirmed via running Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Afterward, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the structural model. The results obtained from the analyses showed that both teacher self-efficacy and resilience could significantly predict EFL teachers’ work engagement, with self-efficacy serving as a stronger predictor than resilience. The outcomes suggest some implications for EFL stakeholders such as teachers, teacher trainers, policy makers, and officials.
Web Accessibility: A Revisit of U.S. State and Territory COVID-19 Websites After Two Years
Authors: Vo Jennie , Hewitt Dylan H. , He Yingchen
Published: December 2023

This study is a longitudinal replication of a website accessibility study conducted in 2021 to compare if COVID-19 sites had improved, declined, or stayed the same in terms of accessibility. Two automated accessibility checker tools, MAUVE++ and WAVE, were used to assess the accessibility of all available U.S. state and territory COVID-19 websites. Each state and territory's home page, testing page, and vaccine page were examined, and accessibility ratings were determined. The number of errors and the overall accessibility ratings were compared between the current (2023) and previous (2021) versions of the sites, both archived using the WayBack Machine. Multi-level modelling methods were employed to analyze the data. The results indicated that the most inaccessible components were those requiring visual interaction, and there were no significant changes in the overall accessibility of websites over the years. A closer examination of individual Success Criteria revealed a significant increase in violation rate of 1.4.11 (non-text contrast) from 2021 to 2023. Overall, this research suggests that there has been a lack of improvement in accessibility of the chosen COVID-19 websites over the past two years, and it has also identified areas that need to be improved.
The Influence of Time Pressure and Persuasion Principles on Phishing Detection
Authors: Black Jeffrey , Sarno Dawn M.
Published: December 2023

Phishing is a pervasive threat with annually growing costs. Research has explored how users may be susceptible due to individual differences, email content, and situational factors. However, the influences of persuasive strategies and time pressure on phishing susceptibility remain unclear. The present study explored how the use of Cialdini’s six persuasion principles and time pressure (high vs low vs control) affect users’ abilities to classify 60 emails (50% phishing). Results indicated that time pressure influenced the pace at which users completed the task but was otherwise uninfluential. Rather, participants were generally insensitive to emails in all three conditions, indicating a potential floor effect. Additionally, persuasion principles influenced classifications. Users struggled to classify emails using the authority and commitment/consistency principles the most, and emails using the social proof, liking, and reciprocity principles the least. Overall, our findings suggest that users struggle to identify persuasive phishing attacks, regardless of time pressure.
Designing, evaluating, and benchmarking auditory alarms for the chemical and oil processing industry
Authors: Edworthy Judy , Reed Deborah , Wessel Connor , Lawrence Liam , Edworthy Jonathan
Published: December 2023

The auditory alarms used in oil and chemical processing control rooms are often based on practices and knowledge which is twenty to thirty years out of date, and therefore do not embody the significant progress that has been more recently made in this area. Best practice available from other areas (aviation, transport, and healthcare) can be brought to bear in improving and updating control room alarms as they share similar problems with alarms in those domains. This paper describes the processes of designing, benchmarking, and testing a series of sets of auditory alarms intended for use in control rooms by the oil and chemical processing industry. In particular, the work shows how important the localizability of alarms can be in practice, and how improved localizability can be designed into auditory alarms.
Identifying the Factors that Influence the Use of Care Coordination in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening
Authors: Salas Andrea Macedo , McLaughlin Anne Collins , Grace Landon , Mayorga Maria , Sepulveda Juan Marcos Gonzalez , Fransen Stephen , Wang Tianyu
Published: December 2023

Coordination of the necessary efforts of medical personnel, caregivers, and social networks to support a patient with a chronic health condition increases time consumption and costs. According to a CDC study from 2023, six out of ten Americans suffer from chronic illnesses, including diabetes, which can lead to other medical complications like diabetic retinopathy (DR). Care coordination programs are one of the systems currently in use to assist in the management of patient’s healthcare and the network of individuals involved in their treatment plans. Compared to institutions that utilize fewer care coordination systems, those that use these programs consistently have much higher patient attendance rates. Therefore, it is important that to improve the current systems we comprehend the user experience with care coordination. To study the barriers and motivations underlying participation in care coordination programs among diabetes patients, we created an interview utilizing the Integrated Behavior Model (IBM). The findings from our interviews will contribute to the body of existing literature by identifying barriers and motivators that must be taken into consideration when designing DR screening system aids.
Unleashing “currents of curiosit”: Reconfiguring learning design using academic comics in higher education
Authors: Fischbacher-Smith Denis
Published: December 2023

This paper considers the experience of developing an online, blendedlearning approach for use within university education. It explores the learning design process for the delivery of learning and teaching across three academic ‘worlds’, each of which has a human factors component. These are management, medicine, and psychology, where the common teaching elements across those three disciplines include: risk and uncertainty, human error, systems failure, and the role of information and expertise in decision-making. The approach to learning design reported here is based on a systems approach which integrates the use of visualisation, bespoke academic comics, and animations in addition to more traditional academic publications. The affordances associated with each of those technologies provides students with the opportunity to support their learning in ways that suit their preferences and, because of the synergistic nature of the materials in a student-centred approach, allows them to develop a deeper understanding of the issues.
How Do People Prefer Ridesplitting? A Survey Study Focusing on Passenger, Matching, and Trip Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Fangda , Roberts Shannon C. , Goldman Claudia V.
Published: December 2023

Ridesplitting services have gained great popularity in recent years. Past research has stressed that passengers, social matching, and trip characteristics are users’ top concerns when choosing such services. The present study sought to uncover potential users’ preferences toward ridesplitting in terms of the three aspects. We conducted a survey study and leveraged logit and multivariate ordinal regression models to analyze the data. Our results show that most respondents preferred splitting a ride with others that they’ve known and that they cared about passenger’s characteristics. Their expectations of trip length and time were quantitatively revealed. Sociodemographic factors exerted impact in such a way that users of certain groups were more conservative toward ridesplitting services. To better deploy ridesplitting and increase its adoption among users, we would recommend that future services consider users’ preferences and sociodemographic information when matching different people. An accurately estimated travel time also appears to be desired.
Flppr: Cognitive Loading Task for Error Dependency Research
Authors: Lew Roger , Boring Ronald L.
Published: December 2023

Does error beget error? Error dependency describes the notion that humans are more likely to error once they have committed an initial error. Here we survey the decades old concept of error dependency for HRA and present a new cognitive loading task intended to aid in the empirical evaluation of error dependency and preliminary data.
Role of ICT, Governance Quality in Indirect Tax Revenue Productivity: A Comparative Analysis of Two Recent Indirect Tax Regimes in Indian States
Authors: Mallick Hrushikesh
Published: December 2023

The study explores the determinants of indirect tax mobilization across various groups of Indian states based on their major, minor categories and more and less industrialized attributes. It observes a strongly positive but differential impact of per capita RGSDP on own tax revenue efforts of various state groups. Information and Communication Technology use is only helping major less and minor more producer states in augmenting their tax revenues, whereas it results in decreased revenues for major more and minor less producing state groups including all the states in a group. This implies use of Information and Communication Technology has been less effective for most Indian states in augmenting their tax revenues. The governance quality results in loss of tax revenues in major and minor less producer states, while it has no effect on major more producer including all minor and all states together. This implies a weak role of governance in taxation. We observe differential impact of tax regimes for different state panels, which has significant policy relevance.

JEL Classification: H11, H21, H27, H77
A Critical Discourse Analysis of AACN’s Tool Kit of Resources for Cultural Competent Education for Baccalaureate Nurses
Authors: Iheduru-Anderson Kechi , Valderama-Wallace Claire , Bigger Sharon E. , Narruhn Robin
Published: December 2023

American institutions of nursing education have integrated cultural competence as a pillar approach to addressing health disparities. The theoretical frameworks, priorities, and solutions that national organizations pursue and endorse have far-reaching implications. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is one such organization. The purpose of this project was to critically analyze the AACN’s Tool Kit of Resources for Cultural Competent Education for Baccalaureate Nurses to excavate dynamics related to language, power, and inequality. Findings of this critical discourse analysis indicate: (1) the centrality of the AACN’s assumed authority and lack of relationality with readers, (2) nursing insularity and narrow theorization of culture and power, and (3) the harm of whiteness and colonialism as pedagogy. Accountability and repair include transparency, taking note of resources and viewpoints available and endorsed on organization websites, and updating (or refuting) outdated and harmful approaches.
Determinants of Jaundice Among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021: Unmatched Case Control Study
Authors: Adugna Amanuel , Ado Demekech
Published: December 2023

Background. Jaundice is a common problem in the neonatal period, and it is one of multiple factors found in children who die. Despite the majority of pathological jaundice public health consequences, there is no evidence on risk factors of pathological jaundice among neonates in Southwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with jaundice requiring phototherapy management in neonates admitted to the neonatal unit of a university teaching hospital in Southwest Ethiopia (Mizan-Tepi). Methods. Facility-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted among 240 (80 cases and 160 controls) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital. Neonates with pathological jaundice and neonates without pathological jaundice were considered as cases and controls, respectively. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and extraction checklist, including information on maternal demographics, obstetrics, and neonatal factors. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association. Finally, statistical significance was declared at a P-value < .05. Results. In this study, 237 mothers with their neonates were included, making a response rate of 98.7%. The mean birth weight of cases and controls was 2330.3 ± 698.9 and 2699.3 ± 686.7 g, respectively. Hypothermia (AOR = 4.28; 95% CI: [1.72-10.67], cesarean delivery (AOR = 4.09; 95% CI: [1.69-9.93]), breast milk feeding (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: [1.04-8.47]) and being male (AOR = 2.67; 95% CI: [1.17-6.13]) were significantly associated with jaundice. Conclusion. Most of the risk factors of neonatal jaundice were found to be modifiable. Therefore, early prevention and recognition of identified factors are recommended.
Early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke is linked to unfavorable cerebral venous outflow
Authors: Heitkamp Christian , Winkelmeier Laurens , Heit Jeremy J , Albers Gregory W , Lansberg Maarten G , Kniep Helge , Broocks Gabriel , Stracke Christian Paul , Schell Maximilian , Guenego Adrien , Paech Daniel , Wintermark Max , Fiehler Jens , Faizy Tobias D
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Early neurological deterioration (END) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). Causes of END after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) include unsuccessful recanalization and reperfusion hemorrhages. However, little is known about END excluding the aforementioned causes. We aimed to investigate factors associated with unexplained END (ENDunexplained) with regard to the cerebral collateral status.

Patients and Methods:

Multicenter retrospective study of AIS-LVO patients with successful MT (mTICI 2b-3). On admission CT angiography (CTA), pial arterial collaterals and venous outflow (VO) were assessed using the modified Tan-Scale and the Cortical Vein Opacification Score (COVES), respectively. ENDunexplained was defined as an increase in NIHSS score of ⩾ 4 within the first 24 hours after MT without parenchymal hemorrhage on follow-up imaging. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine factors of ENDunexplained and unfavorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6).

Results:

A total of 620 patients met the inclusion criteria. ENDunexplained occurred in 10% of patients. While there was no significant difference in pial arterial collaterals, patients with ENDunexplained exhibited more often unfavorable VO (81% vs. 53%; P < 0.001). Unfavorable VO (aOR [95% CI]; 2.56 [1.02-6.40]; P = 0.045) was an independent predictor of ENDunexplained. ENDunexplained was independently associated with unfavorable functional outcomes at 90 days (aOR [95% CI]; 6.25 [2.06-18.94]; P = 0.001).

Discussion and Conclusion:

Unfavorable VO on admission CTA was associated with ENDunexplained. ENDunexplained was independently linked to unfavorable functional outcomes at 90 days. Identifying AIS-LVO patients at risk of ENDunexplained may help to select patients for intensified monitoring and guide to optimal treatment regimes.
The Past and Future of the Vernacular Cultural Landscapes of Johar Valley, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Chalana Manish
Published: December 2023

Nowhere is the inextricable linkage of nature and culture more apparent than the Johar Valley of the Indian Himalayas. For centuries, the inhabitants of the valley’s small, remote high-altitude villages have followed a life closely integrated with seasonal cycles and natural landscapes. The villages retain a unique traditional vernacular architecture and planning reflecting environmental sensibilities. However, geopolitical shifts following the 1962 Sino-Indian War disrupted traditional livelihoods, leading to partial abandonment of upper-altitude villages and leaving traditional vernacular stock to natural elements. Growing ecotourism has renewed interest in these villages, while construction of a road is opening the valley for development. Johar Valley now stands at a major crossroads for preservation planning; yet very little work has been conducted to understand its cultural landscapes, nor to consider the confluence of pressures it faces, nor to imagine its possible futures in this context. In this article, I begin this process by detailing the indigenous village planning and traditional architecture of Johar Valley. I describe the threats facing it, and explore a possible future that draws on the example of National Heritage Areas from the United States in tandem with other homegrown approaches to promoting community-based tourism.
Haunted trials: Law and memory in post-Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Houser Myra
Published: December 2023

When the brutal apartheid system ended in 1994, much of the world celebrated a remarkable and hope-filled transition. While many South Africans felt this hope as well, many still retained scars from the period’s brutal history. Some eschewed formal venues, others utilized the 1996-1998 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to seek humanity in their loved ones’ killers or to critique a perceived lack of humanity. A small, yet steadily increasing, number turned to contemporary courts to seek civil damages against their loved ones’ killers. Most prominently, the families of Neil Aggett and Ahmed Timol sought to bring charges against the police officers found culpable in their loved ones’ deaths. This article attempts to present an early analysis of the experiences of families who sought various means of legal restitution for apartheid’s horrors. While this particular search for humanity after atrocity remains ongoing, the article attempts to tap into the “ubuntu fatigue” that South Africans increasingly feel to ask what they might accomplish, and what might need to happen beyond them in order for families to continue their search for humanity after atrocity.
Socioeconomic differentiation among food delivery workers in China: The case of Nanjing
Authors: Tang Shuangshuang , Hao Pu
Published: December 2023

In China, the booming platform economy has reshaped the urban labor market, offering entry-level opportunities to urban residents, particularly rural migrant workers. Unlike traditional sectors characterized by occupational segregation between rural migrants and urban locals, platform-based gig jobs, such as food delivery and ride-hailing, have attracted both groups, creating a diverse labor force. This paper utilizes data from a recent questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews with food delivery workers in Nanjing to investigate socioeconomic disparities among urban locals, urban migrants, and rural migrants all engaged in the same occupation. Among these groups, rural migrant workers have the lowest socioeconomic status and worst living conditions, often perceiving food delivery as a last-resort means of livelihood. Conversely, most urban locals and urban migrants turn to food delivery to supplement their family incomes or as a temporary job while pursuing other career opportunities. Furthermore, both rural and urban migrant workers experience a higher degree of job insecurity compared to urban locals. These disparities in socioeconomic status and subjective well-being among the three groups within the food delivery labor force influence their divergent life prospects in terms of career paths and settlement intentions.
Characterization of microbial communities during Grifola frondosa (maitake) wood log cultivation
Authors: Chen Fu-Chia , Motoda Taichi , Kamei Ichiro , Kijidani Yoshio
Published: December 2023

The method used to cultivate the popular Japanese mushroom Grifola frondosa (maitake), called 'wood log cultivation', comprised two steps: (1) the mycelium is grown around a wood log in a plastic bag, and (2) the mycelium that has spread on the wood log is transferred into casing substrates in a forest. This method is still popular in Japan due to its low cost and high-quality crop production. The importance of the microbiome that inhabits mushroom-cultivation surroundings has recently attracted attention, but no study of the microbial communities in maitake cultivation has been published. We investigated how the bacterial communities changed in wood logs in comparison with a control group (without inoculation) and their interaction with maitake during the first to fourth years of maitake wood log cultivation. A maitake biomass was detected by quantitative PCR in wood logs but not in the casings, and we thus decided to investigate the bacterial communities in wood log samples for control and first- to fourth-year cultivation. The results indicate that the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Gemmatimonadota play key roles in changes of the microbiome composition for maitake wood log cultivation. In a functional profile, bacteria communities in the wood logs during maitake cultivation showed higher relative abundance in cellulolysis, glycolysis, TCA cycle, and many biosynthesis pathways, whereas the control group showed higher relative abundance in fermentation. These results suggested that (i) the bacterial communities which inhabited maitake cultivated wood logs may help the maitake degrade wood cellulose, and (ii) part of the glucose from the cellulose degraded by both maitake and bacteria was used for the bacterial TCA cycle instead of fermentation. Bacteria also produce some chemicals that maitake mycelium may need. It is also likely that some potential intracellular parasites dwell with maitake. The different cultivation stages showed different network structures. A network analysis indicated that Class Gammaproteobacteria is a potential keystone taxon for the microbiome network stability of maitake cultivated wood logs. These results contribute to the understanding of the microbiome in maitake-cultivation surroundings and will improve maitake wood log cultivation.
An oscillating reaction network with an exact closed form solution in the time domain
Authors: Hellerstein Joseph
Published: December 2023

Background

Oscillatory behavior is critical to many life sustaining processes such as cell cycles, circadian rhythms, and notch signaling. Important biological functions depend on the characteristics of these oscillations (hereafter, oscillation characteristics or OCs): frequency (e.g., event timings), amplitude (e.g., signal strength), and phase (e.g., event sequencing). Numerous oscillating reaction networks have been documented or proposed. Some investigators claim that oscillations in reaction networks require nonlinear dynamics in that at least one rate law is a nonlinear function of species concentrations. No one has shown that oscillations can be produced for a reaction network with linear dynamics. Further, no one has obtained closed form solutions for the frequency, amplitude and phase of any oscillating reaction network. Finally, no one has published an algorithm for constructing oscillating reaction networks with desired OCs.

Results

This is a theoretical study that analyzes reaction networks in terms of their representation as systems of ordinary differential equations. Our contributions are: (a) construction of an oscillating, two species reaction network [two species harmonic oscillator (2SHO)] that has no nonlinearity; (b) obtaining closed form formulas that calculate frequency, amplitude, and phase in terms of the parameters of the 2SHO reaction network, something that has not been done for any published oscillating reaction network; and (c) development of an algorithm that parameterizes the 2SHO to achieve desired oscillation, a capability that has not been produced for any published oscillating reaction network.

Conclusions

Our 2SHO demonstrates the feasibility of creating an oscillating reaction network whose dynamics are described by a system of linear differential equations. Because it is a linear system, we can derive closed form expressions for the frequency, amplitude, and phase of oscillations, something that has not been done for other published reaction networks. With these formulas, we can design 2SHO reaction networks to have desired oscillation characteristics. Finally, our sensitivity analysis suggests an approach to constructing a 2SHO for a biochemical system.
Flower color polymorphism of a wild Iris on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Li , Wang Guang-Yan , Wang Xi-Long , Huang Xiao-Juan , Zhu Zhang-Shichang , Wang Lin-Lin , Yang Yong-Ping , Duan Yuan-Wen
Published: December 2023

Background

Flower color plays a crucial role in attracting pollinators and facilitating environmental adaptation. Investigating the causes of flower color polymorphism and understanding their potential effects on both ecology and genetics can enhance our understanding of flower color polymorphism in wild plant.

Results

In this study, we examined the differences of potential male and female fitness between purple- and yellow- flower individuals in Iris potaninii on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and screened key genes and positively selective genes involved in flower color change. Our results showed that yellow flower exhibited a higher pollen-to-ovule ratio. Yellow flowers were derived from purple flowers due to the loss of anthocyanins, and F3H could be an essential gene affecting flower color variation though expression regulation and sequence polymorphism in this species. Furthermore, our findings suggest that genes positively selected in yellow-flowered I. potaninii might be involved in nucleotide excision repair and plant-pathogen interactions.

Conclusions

These results suggest that F3H induces the flower color variation of Iris potaninii, and the subsequent ecological and additive positive selection on yellow flowers may further enhance plant adaptations to alpine environments.
Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi under different agroforestry practices in the drylands of Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Masebo Nebiyou , Birhane Emiru , Takele Serekebirhan , Belay Zerihun , Lucena Juan J. , Pérez-Sanz Araceli , Anjulo Agena
Published: December 2023

The conversion of an agroforestry based agricultural system to a monocropping farming system influences the distribution and composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The aim of this paper was to analyze AMF species diversity, spore density, and root colonization across different agroforestry practices (AFP) in southern Ethiopia. Soil and root samples were collected from homegarden, cropland, woodlot, and trees on soil and water conservation-based AFP. AMF spores were extracted from the soil and species diversity was evaluated using morphological analysis and root colonization from root samples. The AMF spore density, root colonization and composition were significantly different among the AFP (P < 0.05). In this study, 43 AMF morphotypes belonging to eleven genera were found, dominated by Acaulospora (32.56%), followed by Claroideoglomus (18.60%). Home gardens had the highest spore density (7641.5 spore100 g− 1 dry soil) and the lowest was recorded in croplands (683.6 spore100 g− 1 dry soil). Woodlot had the highest root colonization (54.75%), followed by homegarden (48.25%). The highest isolation frequency (63.63%) was recorded for Acaulospora scrobiculata. The distribution of AMF species and diversity were significantly related to soil total nitrogen and organic carbon. The homegarden and woodlot AFP were suitable for soil AMF reserve and conservation.
Genome-wide identification of grape ANS gene family and expression analysis at different fruit coloration stages
Authors: Feng Yongqing , Tian Xuechun , Liang Wei , Nan XinTong , Zhang Aoning , Li Wenfang , Ma Zonghuan
Published: December 2023

Background

Anthocyanin synthase (ANS) is the enzyme downstream of the anthocyanins synthesis pathway and the rate-limiting enzyme of the synthesis pathway. It catalyzes the conversion of colorless anthocyanins to anthocyanins and plays an important role in plant color presentation and stress resistance. However,ANSgene is rarely studied in grapes.

Results

In this study, 121VvANSgenes were identified and distributed on 18 chromosomes, VvANS family members were divided into 8 subgroups. Secondary structure prediction showed mainly irregular coils and α-helices, and subcellular localization indicated that VvANS gene family is mainly located in chloroplast, cytoplasm and nucleus. The promoter region of the VvANS gene family contains multiple cis-acting elements that are associated with light, abiotic stress, and hormones. Intraspecific collinearity analysis showed that there were 13 pairs of collinearity betweenVvANSgenes. Interspecific collinearity analysis showed that there was more collinearity between grape, apple andArabidopsis, but less collinearity between grape and rice. Microarray data analysis showed thatVvANS17,VvANS23andVvANS75had higher expression levels in flesh and peel, whileVvANS25,VvANS64andVvANS106had higher expression levels in flower. The results of qRT-PCR analysis showed thatVvANSgenes were expressed throughout the whole process of fruit coloring, such asVvANS47andVvANS55in the green fruit stage,VvANS3,VvANS64andVvANS90in the initial fruit color turning stage. The expression levels ofVvANS21,VvANS79andVvANS108were higher at 50% coloring stage, indicating that these genes play an important role in the fruit coloring process.VvANS4,VvANS66andVvANS113had the highest expression levels in the full maturity stage.

Conclusions

These results indicated that different members of VvANS gene family played a role in different coloring stages, and this study laid a foundation for further research on the function of ANS gene family.
The disparity in hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination between older individuals in nursing homes and those in the community in Taizhou, China
Authors: Lv Li , Wu Xu-Dong , Yan Huan-Jun , Zhao Shuang-Ying , Zhang Xiao-Dong , Zhu Ke-Lei
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Older individuals are priority coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine recipients. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of and factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in older individuals living in nursing homes and communities.

Methods

A self-administered COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey was conducted from September 2021 to December 2021 among people aged ≥ 60 years in eight nursing homes (382 participants) and the community (112 participants) in Taizhou, China. The response rate was 72.1% (382/530) for older adults in nursing homes and 68.7% (112/163) for older adults in the community.

Results

We found that 58.1% of the older individuals in nursing homes and 36.6% of those in the community were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and that there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression results indicated that the main factors influencing hesitation among the older individuals in nursing homes were being male (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.67, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01–2.76); their cognitive level, including having a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.73–5.43) or the perception of low vaccine safety (OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.545- 6.145); anxiety (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.96–5.99); and no previous influenza vaccination (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.13–2.93); whereas those for older individuals in the community were comorbid chronic diseases (OR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.11- 8.78) and community workers not recommending the vaccine (OR = 8.223, 95% CI: 1.77–38.27).

Conclusion

The proportion of older individuals in nursing homes who were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly higher than for older individuals in the community. Targeted measures should be implemented to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates in response to the special environment of nursing homes and the characteristics of this population.
Effectiveness and safety of intracardiac electrocardiogram guidance for epicutaneo-cava catheters via the lower extremity in preterm infants: a retrospective study
Authors: Yu Xinying , Gai Li , Wang Xuejun , Kong Chaonan , Cao Na , Fan Ling , Yang Fan , Yang Xiaoyu , Sun Le
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In recent years, intracardiac electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) technology has been widely used for epicutaneo-cava catheter (ECC) placement and has shown many potential advantages. However, evidence about the quantitative changes, effectiveness, and safety of IC-ECG for lower extremity ECC is sparse. This study aimed to explore the quantitative changes in IC-ECG for lower extremity ECC and determine its effectiveness and safety.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 303 premature infants who underwent successful IC-ECG-guided lower extremity ECC placement between January 2019 and December 2021. All patients underwent chest X-ray postoperatively to verify the position of the catheter tip. The amplitudes of the surface electrocardiogram and IC-ECG QRS waves and the difference between the two amplitudes were measured. The effectiveness (matching rate between IC-ECG and chest X-ray) and safety (incidence of catheter-related complications) of IC-ECG for lower extremity ECC were evaluated.

Results

The matching rate between IC-ECG and chest X-ray was 95.0%. When the catheter tip was optimally positioned, the QRS amplitude of the IC-ECG was 0.85 ± 0.56 mv higher than that of the surface electrocardiogram. The overall incidence of catheter-related complications was 10.6%. The actual ECC insertion length was associated with a noticeably increased risk of catheter-related complications.

Conclusions

This study suggests that IC-ECG is an effective and safe method by observing the dynamic changes in both QRS complexes and P wave to locate the tip of lower extremity ECC in preterm infants. Our findings would facilitate the application of IC-ECG for ECC localization.
Confirming the association between low serum 25OHD levels in girls with central precocious puberty and its severity
Authors: Xu Liya , Li Pin , Yuan Dandan
Published: December 2023

Background

To assess the differences in vitamin D levels in girls with rapidly progressive (RP) or slowly progressive (SP) central precocious puberty (CPP) and to compare whether the factors related to RP-CPP influenced the vitamin D status. A cross-sectional study was performed among girls with CPP classified as RP-CPP or SP-CPP.

Methods

The baseline data, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test results, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels, and season of sample collection were analyzed.

Results

The mean 25OHD level in 340 girls was 15.89 ± 6.87 ng/mL, of whom only 10 (2.9%) had normal levels (≥ 30 ng/mL). A total of 114 girls in the SP-CPP group and 226 in the RP-CPP group had similar chronological age, disease course, height SDS, bone mineral density, baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), peak FSH, and 25OHD levels. Developmental age, body mass index (BMI), BMI SDS, peak luteinizing hormone (LH)/FSH, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and IGF-1 SDS were independent risk factors for RP-CPP. Significant differences were observed among the different serum 25OHD levels in terms of season, disease course, IGF1 level, and BMI SDS (P < 0.05). Moreover, the sampling season was strongly correlated with serum 25OHD levels (r = 0.402, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The vitamin D levels were generally deficient or insufficient in girls with CPP, but were not related to the different types of CPP. High BMI levels, IGF1 levels, or peak LH/FSH ratio, but not vitamin D levels, could promote the progression of RP-CPP. Seasonal factors mainly influenced the vitamin D levels.
Translation and validation of the Comfort Behaviors Checklist in hospitalized children with chronic diseases
Authors: Valadkhani Sara , Hejazi Sima , Farahani Azam Shirinabadi
Published: December 2023

Background

Different tools have been developed to measure patients' comfort. This study aims to translate, validate, and apply the Comfort Behaviors Checklist to hospitalized children with chronic diseases.

Methods

Validity and reliability are assessed using face and content validity, construct validity (known-groups technique and Principal Component Analysis), internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability. The study takes place in a children's hospital in Iran, involving 220 children aged 4 to 6.

Results

The Comfort Behaviors Checklist demonstrates acceptable face and content validity. Construct validity is supported by the lack of correlation between behavioral comfort scores in known groups. The Principal Component analysis results in five components, explaining 70.39% of the total variation. The checklist exhibits acceptable reliability, with a total Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.86 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.835.

Conclusion

The Comfort Behavior Checklist is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the level of comfort in Iranian children with chronic diseases.
Causal association of serum biomarkers with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Weixing , Liu Yue , Li Pei , Wang Zhiyuan , Chen Jia , Liu Hui , Ye Jin
Published: December 2023

Background

Observational epidemiological studies revealed that multiple serum biomarkers can be associated with the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OC/OPC). However, the causal relationship between them remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between potential serum biomarkers and (OC/OPC).

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was performed to assess the causal association of 10 serum biomarkers with the risk of OC / OPC. Summary data on OC/OPC were obtained from a GWAS meta-analysis that included 2497 cases and 2928 controls. The TwoSampleMR package in R was used to perform MR analyzes. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), Weighted median and MR-Egger methods were used to assess causal effects.

Results

Suggestive associations with increased risk of C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.02), using the IVW method. MR-Egger regression suggested that directional pleiotropy was unlikely to bias the result (P = 0.19). The findings were robust to sensitivity analyzes. The risk of OC/OPC was not associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin, leptin, HbA1C and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1).

Conclusions

This study supports that CRP was causally associated with an increased risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
Chewing ability and associated factors in older adults in Germany. Results from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS
Authors: Krause Laura , Seeling Stefanie , Schienkiewitz Anja , Fuchs Judith , Petrakakis Pantelis
Published: December 2023

Background

Oral well-being is an important component of general well-being and quality of life, as it is greatly influenced by the ability to chew and speak, and thus by central factors of social interaction. Because quality of life and participation are important factors for health in older age, the aim of this article was to examine the chewing ability, including associated factors, for the older population in Germany on the basis of a nationally representative sample.

Methods

Database is the German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS), a population based cross-sectional survey of the Robert Koch Institute. In the telephone interview, participants aged 55 years and older were asked: “Do you have difficulty biting and chewing on hard foods such as a firm apple? Would you say ‘no difficulty’, ‘some difficulty’, ‘a lot of difficulty’ or ‘cannot do at all/ unable to do’?” Prevalences and multivariate prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) from log-Poisson regressions. Sociodemographic, health-, behavioral- and care-related characteristics were investigated as associated factors.

Results

The analyses were based on data from 12,944 participants (7,079 women, 5,865 men). The proportion of people with reduced chewing ability was 20.0%; 14.5% had minor difficulty, 5.5% had major difficulty. There were no differences between women and men. The most important associated factors for reduced chewing ability were old age (PR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.1), low socioeconomic status (PR 2.0, 95% CI 1.7–2.5), limitations to usual activities due to health problems (PR 1.9, 1.6–2.2), depressive symptoms (PR 1.7, 1.5–2.1), daily smoking (PR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–1.8), low dental utilization (PR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and perceived unmet needs for dental care (PR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–2.1).

Conclusions

One fifth of adults from 55 years of age reported reduced chewing ability. Thus, this is a very common functional limitation in older age. Reduced chewing ability was associated with almost all investigated characteristics. Therefore, its prevention requires a holistic view in the living environment and health care context of older people. Given that chewing ability influences quality of life and social participation, maintaining or improving chewing ability is important for healthy aging.