bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between serum secretory phospholipase A2 and risk of ischaemic stroke
Authors: Smith Jed W. , Barlas Raphae S. , Mamas Mamas A. , Boekholdt S. Matthijs , Mallat Ziad , Luben Robert N. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Myint Phyo K. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and purposePrevious literature has demonstrated an association between high serum levels of type II secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) concentration and an increased risk of coronary artery disease. However, such association has not been established in terms of ischaemic stroke risk. The aim was to evaluate the association between both sPLA2 concentration and activity as continuous variables with risk of future ischaemic stroke.MethodsA nested case–control study was conducted using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer—Norfolk study. Cases (n = 145) in the current study were participants who developed ischaemic stroke during follow‐up, with controls (n = 290) matched in a 2:1 ratio based on age and sex. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 25.0) software. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for ischaemic stroke.ResultsAfter adjusting for a wide array of cardiovascular confounders, sPLA2 activity was found to be associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke using both multiple imputations with chained equations and complete case analysis: OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.01–1.43) and OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.01−1.49), respectively. However, sPLA2 concentration was not found to be associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke.ConclusionsThe activity of sPLA2, but not sPLA2 concentration, is associated with an increased risk of future ischaemic stroke. This finding may be significant in risk group stratification, allowing targeted prophylactic treatment, or the development of novel therapeutic agents.
Tuning the luminescence properties of blue and far‐red dual emitting Gd2MgTiO6: Bi3+, Cr3+ phosphor for LED plant lamp
Authors: Gao Peixin , Zhou Zeyun , Dong Peng , Li Qian , Li Honghui , Wang Jing , Zhou Zhi , Xia Mao 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBlue and far‐red light play a key role in plant growth, so it is necessary to develop blue and far‐red dual emitting phosphors. However, the match between phosphors and plant pigments is not satisfactory. In this work, we synthesized a series of blue and far‐red dual emission Gd2MgTiO6: Bi3+, Cr3+ (GMTO: Bi3+, Cr3+) phosphors and discussed the luminescence performance. The blue emission at 430 nm is ascribed to 3P1 → 1S0 transition of Bi3+ and the far‐red emission is ascribed to 4T2 → 4A2 and 2E → 4A2 transitions of Cr3+. Notably, because of the energy competition between Cr3+ ions and host materials, the luminescence tuning realized with the content of Cr3+ doping. In addition, an energy‐transfer performance occurred from Bi3+ ions to Cr3+ ions and the photoluminescence intensity of Cr3+ can be enhanced by Bi3+. The pc‐LEDs devices were synthesized by GMTO: Bi3+, Cr3+ phosphor, and ultraviolet (UV) chips. Finally, the emission of GMTO: Bi3+, Cr3+ phosphor matched well with the absorption spectra of plant pigments which indicated the potential applications in LED plant lamp.
Gender stereotypes and self‐characterizations in Germany and Nigeria: A cross‐cultural comparison
Authors: Obioma Ihuoma F. , Hentschel Tanja , Hernandez Bark Alina S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractStudies on the content of gender stereotypes have been conducted primarily in the United States, while research in other, particularly non‐Western, countries is scarce. In this research, we assessed and compared the content of gender stereotypes and self‐characterizations in Germany—a Western European country—and Nigeria—a West African country. We asked 403 Germans and Nigerians to rate three target groups (either men in general, women in general, or themselves) on 74 agentic and communal characteristics. We found that Nigerian women were rated as more agentic and more communal than German women, while German men were rated as more communal than Nigerian men, but similarly on agency. On self‐characterizations, Nigerian men rated themselves as more communal than German men, but again similarly on agency; Nigerian women rated themselves as more agentic and more communal than German women. Within‐country comparisons showed that in Germany, men compared to women were perceived as more agentic but similarly communal when rated by others (and similarly agentic and communal when rating themselves). In Nigeria, men and women were perceived as similarly agentic, but women were perceived as more communal than men (by both others and when rating themselves). Further analysis on individual agentic and communal characteristics, however, showed important differences in stereotypes and self‐characterizations of men and women in both countries that were obscured when looking at overall agency and communion. Our results show that gender stereotyping of oneself and others is complex and highlights the impact of culture on people's perceptions of gender.
Stepwise endo‐/epicardial catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: The Mediterranea approach
Authors: De Martino Giuseppe , Compagnucci Paolo , Mancusi Carmine , Vassallo Enrico , Calvanese Claudia , Della Ratta Giuseppe , Librera Mariateresa , Franciulli Marco , Marino Luigi , Russo Antonio Dello , Casella Michela 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundOutcomes of catheter ablation (CA) among patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) are largely disappointing.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a single‐stage stepwise endo‐/epicardial approach in patients with persistent/longstanding‐persistent AF.MethodsWe enrolled 25 consecutive patients with symptomatic persistent (n = 4) or longstanding‐persistent (n = 21) AF and at least one prior endocardial procedure, who underwent CA using an endo‐/epicardial approach. Our anatomical stepwise protocol included multiple endocardial as well as epicardial (Bachmann's bundle [BB] and ligament of Marshall ablations) components, and entailed ablation of atrial tachycardias emerging during the procedure. The primary outcome was freedom from any AF/atrial tachycardia episode after a 3‐month blanking period. The secondary outcome was patients' symptom status during follow‐up.ResultsThe stepwise endo‐/epicardial approach allowed sinus rhythm restoration in 72% of patients, either directly (n = 6, 24%) or after AF organization into atrial tachycardia (n = 12, 48%). BB's ablation was commonly implicated in arrhythmia termination. After a median follow‐up of 266 days (interquartile range, 96 days), survival free from AF/atrial tachycardia was 88%. Antiarrhythmic drugs could be discontinued in 22 patients (88%). As compared to baseline, more patients were asymptomatic at 9‐month follow‐up (0% vs. 56%, p = .02). Five patients (20%) developed mild medical complications, whereas one subject (4%) had severe kidney injury requiring dialysis.ConclusionA single‐stage endo‐/epicardial CA resulted in favorable rhythm and symptom outcomes in a cohort of patients with symptomatic persistent/longstanding‐persistent AF and one or more prior endocardial procedures. Epicardial ablation of BB was commonly implicated in procedural success.
Csnk1a1 inhibition modulates the inflammatory secretome and enhances response to radiotherapy in glioma
Authors: Liu Guanzheng , Li Huan , Zhang Wanhong , Yu Jiefeng , Zhang Xu , Wu Runqiu , Niu Mingshan , Liu Xuejiao , Yu Rutong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a fatal brain tumour with no available targeted therapies, has a poor prognosis. At present, radiotherapy is one of the main methods to treat glioma, but it leads to an obvious increase in inflammatory factors in the tumour microenvironment, especially IL‐6 and CXCL1, which plays a role in tumour to resistance radiotherapy and tumorigenesis. Casein kinase 1 alpha 1 (CK1α) (encoded on chromosome 5q by Csnk1a1) is considered an attractive target for Tp53 wild‐type acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treatment. In this study, we evaluated the anti‐tumour effect of Csnk1a1 suppression in GBM cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that down‐regulation of Csnk1a1 or inhibition by D4476, a Csnk1a1 inhibitor, reduced GBM cell proliferation efficiently in both Tp53 wild‐type and Tp53‐mutant GBM cells. On the contrary, overexpression of Csnk1a1 promoted cell proliferation and colony formation. Csnk1a1 inhibition improved the sensitivity to radiotherapy. Furthermore, down‐regulation of Csnk1a1 reduced the production and secretion of pro‐inflammatory factors. In the preclinical GBM model, treatment with D4476 significantly inhibited the increase in pro‐inflammatory factors caused by radiotherapy and improved radiotherapy sensitivity, thus inhibiting tumour growth and prolonging animal survival time. These results suggest targeting Csnk1a1 exert an anti‐tumour role as an inhibitor of inflammatory factors, providing a new strategy for the treatment of glioma.
Effects of therapeutic clowning on pain and anxiety during venous blood sampling in Turkey: Randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kurudirek Fatma , Arikan Duygu , Sarialioğlu Arzu 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPurposeThe research aim was to investigate the effects of therapeutic clowning on pain and fear during the process of venous blood sampling in children.Design and MethodsThis study was conducted in a randomised controlled trial from January to March 2020. The study population consisted of children from 7 to 12 years of age who came to the research centre for blood sampling. The research sample consisted of 166 children (83 in the intervention group and 83 in the control group) who met the research criteria and came to the research centre on a specific date through probable sampling. For the data collection, a questionnaire form, the Visual Analogue Scale and the Children's Fear Scale were used. Therapeutic clowning was used in this process for the intervention group. There was no intervention for children who were in the control group. The calculation of percentage distribution and means, χ2 test, analysis of variance analysis in repeated measures and least significant difference and independent t‐test were used to analyse the data.ResultsThe results of the research indicated that children in the intervention group had significantly lower pain and fear than children in the control group (p < .001). Therapeutic clowning seems to effectively reduce pain and fear during venous blood sampling for children from 7 to 12 years of age. Our results support using therapeutic clowns which is an inexpensive, safe, and effective method for lowering children's pain and fear during venous blood sampling.Practice ImplicationsThe use of therapeutic clowns could become the standard of care in blood sampling for children from 7 to 12 years of age in hospitals. Therapeutic clowning, which is an easy‐to‐use, low‐cost and practical method to provide better communication and cooperation with the family and the child, can be used as a complementary therapy in all nursing areas, especially in the field of paediatrics. Nurses could be encouraged to be trained on the use of therapeutic humour based upon a standardised approach and offered guidance on how to apply entertaining methods such as clowns. Therapeutic clowning can be examined in other applications in nursing care in light of these results.
Vagueness and social ontology: Implications of inquiry resistant borderline cases for social ontological theorising
Authors: Meyenburg Imko , Turcitu Ana Maria 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to introduce the philosophical concept of vagueness and use it to critique the explanatory scope of social ontology as developed by the Cambridge Social Ontology Group (CSOG), and scholars sympathetic to it. Specifically, we will refer to one of its core theories, the theory of social positioning, to formulate our critique. This theory proposes that human beings and artefacts occupy social positions within emerging social totalities by virtue of receiving community accepted, interdependent, rights and obligations. Vagueness, here, is to be understood as a matter of indeterminacy in borderline cases that pose non‐trivial limitations to social positioning. By this we mean to say that there are instances in social ontological theorising that exclude themselves from proper inquiry due to vague terms found in natural languages. As a consequence of these vague terms, theories in social ontology formulated in such languages face limitations when striving for precisification and accuracy of theories. We further argue that these limitations cannot be overcome, but introduce four theories, namely supervaluationsim, epistemicism, truth degree theories and contextualism, which will allow interested readers to understand why these limitations are present. Finally, we consider the controversial theory of ontic vagueness and outline the implications for social ontology.
Forest cover at landscape scales increases male and female gametic diversity of palm seedlings
Authors: Diaz‐Martin Zoe , Karubian Jordan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGenetic diversity shapes the evolutionary potential of plant populations. For outcrossing plants, genetic diversity is influenced by effective population size and by dispersal, first of paternal gametes through pollen, and then of paternal and maternal gametes through seeds. Forest loss often reduces genetic diversity, but the degree to which it differentially impacts the paternal and maternal contributions to genetic diversity and the spatial scale at which these impacts are most pronounced are poorly understood. To address these questions, we genotyped 504 seedlings of the animal‐dispersed palm Oenocarpus bataua collected from 29 widely distributed sites across Ecuador and decomposed the contribution of paternal and maternal gametes to overall genetic diversity. The amount of forest cover at a landscape scale (>10 km radius) had an equally significant positive association with both male and female gametic diversity. In addition, there was a significant positive association between forest cover and effective population size. Stronger fine‐scale spatial genetic structure for female versus male gametes was observed at sites with low forest cover, but this did not scale up to differences in male versus female gametic diversity. These findings show that reductions in forest cover at spatial scales much larger than those typically evaluated in ecological studies lead to significant, and equivalent, decreases of diversity in both male and female gametes, and that this association between landscape level forest loss and genetic diversity may be driven directly by reductions in effective population size of O. bataua, rather than by indirect disruptions to local dispersal processes.
Identifying teamwork‐related needs of the medical emergency team: Nurses' perspectives
Authors: Azimirad Mina , Magnusson Carin , Wiseman Allison , Selander Tuomas , Parviainen Ilkka , Turunen Hannele 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe role of medical emergency team (MET) in managing deteriorating patients and enhancing patient safety is greatly affected by teamwork.AimsTo identify teamwork‐related needs of the MET from MET nurses' perspectives. To assess the associations between MET nurses' perceptions of teamwork and their work experience and education.Study designA quantitative, descriptive correlational design.MethodsRegistered intensive care unit (ICU) nurses (n = 50) who were members of the MET in an acute tertiary care hospital answered a modified version of the team assessment questionnaire in 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal‐Wallis test, and the univariate analysis of variance method. The reporting of this study adheres to the strengthening the reporting of observational studies (STROBE) guidelines.ResultsParticipants showed least agreement with the items presenting leadership skills (mean = 2.6, SD = 0.68). Approximately 50% nurses disagreed that the MET had adequate resources, training, and skills. The majority of nurses (80%) felt that their responsibilities as a MET member interfered with taking care of their own ICU patients. Many nurses (64%) felt that they did not have a voice in MET's decision‐making process. Approximately 50% nurses felt that they were not recognized for their individual contribution, and they were uncertain regarding MET's policies for dealing with conflicts. The amounts of MET nurses' work experience and education were associated with MET skills and function, respectively.ConclusionKey teamwork elements of the MET that need improvements include decision‐making and conflict resolution skills, valuing team members, and team leadership. Practicing shared mental models, implementing the TeamSTEPPS curricula at hospitals for training ICU nurses, and simulation‐based team‐training programmes may be beneficial in improving teamwork of MET members.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study revealed key teamwork elements of the MET that need improvements. Our findings may contribute to improve teamwork, thereby optimizing MET function, and enhancing patient outcomes.
Assessment of serological assays for identifying high titer convalescent plasma
Authors: Farnsworth Christopher W. , Case James B. , Hock Karl , Chen Rita E. , O'Halloran Jane A. , Presti Rachel , Goss Charles W. , Rauseo Adriana M. , Ellebedy Ali , Theel Elitza S. , Diamond Michael S. , Henderson Jeffrey P. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has been accompanied by the largest mobilization of therapeutic convalescent plasma (CCP) in over a century. Initial identification of high titer units was based on dose–response data using the Ortho VITROS IgG assay. The proliferation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 serological assays and non‐uniform application has led to uncertainty about their interrelationships. The purpose of this study was to establish correlations and analogous cutoffs between multiple serological assays.MethodsWe compared the Ortho, Abbott, Roche, an anti‐spike (S) ELISA, and a virus neutralization assay. Relationships relative to FDA‐approved cutoffs under the CCP emergency use authorization were identified in convalescent plasma from a cohort of 79 donors from April 2020.ResultsRelative to the neutralization assay, the spearman r value of the Ortho Clinical, Abbott, Roche, anti‐S ELISA assays was 0.65, 0.59, 0.45, and 0.76, respectively. The best correlative index for establishing high‐titer units was 3.87 signal‐to‐cutoff (S/C) for the Abbott, 13.82 cutoff index for the Roche, 1:1412 for the anti‐S ELISA, 1:219 by the neutralization assay, and 15.9 S/C by the Ortho Clinical assay. The overall agreement using derived cutoffs compared to a neutralizing titer of 1:250 was 78.5% for Abbott, 74.7% for Roche, 83.5% for the anti‐S ELISA, and 78.5% for Ortho Clinical.DISCUSSIONAssays based on antibodies against the nucleoprotein were positively associated with neutralizing titers and the Ortho assay, although their ability to distinguish FDA high‐titer specimens was imperfect. The resulting relationships help reconcile results from the large body of serological data generated during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Influence of long‐stay jugular catheters on hemostatic variables in healthy dogs
Authors: Kielb Basile Jessica L. , Lynch Alex M. , Ruterbories Laura , Castaneda Kady , Griffith Emily , Ueda Yu 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo compare hemostatic variables performed on blood samples obtained from indwelling jugular catheters or direct venipuncture over a 72‐hour period.DesignProspective experimental study.SettingUniversity research laboratory.AnimalsFive healthy neutered male purpose‐bred Beagle dogs.InterventionsEach dog was sedated to facilitate placement of a long‐stay 20‐Ga polyurethane IV catheter into the jugular vein. Blood samples were obtained from the preplaced catheters at 4 time points corresponding to 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours relative to placement. Blood samples were also obtained by direct venipuncture of a peripheral vein using a 21‐Ga butterfly catheter and evacuated blood tubes at the same time points. Platelet count, platelet closure time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and kaolin‐activated thromboelastography were performed on these paired samples at each time point. The patency of the indwelling catheters was maintained by flushing every 6 hours with heparinized saline.Measurements and Main ResultsNo significant differences were identified in any of the hemostatic variables obtained by either blood collection technique at any time point during the study (P > 0.05). There was also no significant day‐to‐day variation in any catheter‐derived hemostatic variable obtained from individual dogs identified over the course of the study.ConclusionsThese data suggest that accurate hemostatic variables may be obtained using blood collected from indwelling jugular catheters, maintained with heparinized saline for at least 72 hours, in healthy dogs.
Os padrões nominais do hebraico: o padrão reflexivo
Authors: Minussi Rafael Dias 
Published: July 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a formação de um tipo de nominaliza-ção no hebraico moderno. Nossa análise leva em conta que o hebraico é uma língua que possui um sistema de formação de palavras baseado em raízes triconsonantais e padrões vocálicos, os quais são combinações de vogais que dão às raízes uma categoria (verbal, nominal e adjetival), além de um significado. Deste modo, propomos que o hebraico moderno apresenta um nominal reflexivo/recíproco formado a partir de um padrão nominal que pode ser dividido em uma camada verbal e um sufixo nominalizador -ut, que está presente também na formação de nomes abstratos. Como consequência dessa análise, sugerimos que alguns padrões vocálicos nominais, também chamados de mishqalim, não são atômicos, isto é, não constituem um bloco indivisível.
O alfabeto hebraico: origem divina x humana
Authors: Hubner Manu Marcus 
Published: July 2021

A escrita é um fantástico sistema de comunicação humana, uma das maiores realizações da humanidade. Sua necessidade para o conhecimento humano resulta do fato de que a tradição oral pode ter valor inestimável, mas talvez não seja suficiente para proporcionar ao conhecimento humano um caráter permanente ou para registrar uma história com perfeição. A escrita evoluiu dos métodos de comunicação antigos, passando por diversos estágios de desenvolvimento, provavelmente lentos, até chegar aos dias de hoje como uma coleção de um pequeno número de símbolos, conhecidos como letras, que representam sons da fala humana. A tradição da invenção da escrita perdeu-se nos tempos antigos, quando muitos povos acreditavam na origem divina da escrita. A história da invenção do alfabeto hebraico confunde-se com a história da invenção do próprio alfabeto. O alfabeto hebraico mantém, até os dias de hoje, o mesmo número de letras, na mesma ordem, e com os mesmos valores fonéticos que possuíam os alfabetos semíticos primitivos há mais de três mil anos, enquanto diversos outros alfabetos sofreram alterações. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir a origem do incrível alfabeto hebraico.